davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1923-03-18

It wasn't. The minuet was danced
very very gracefully and there were
many bows and c~ourtes,es also a loud
flourish OF trains and the crackle of
elk. But this ball was only one out
Of every many.
Now I will tell something differ
ent which is not nearly go gay.
Everyone knows that father Of our
country" who is George Washington.
At this time he was 81 which I could
tell as everybody was talking about
1t. II seemed that he got worse and
worse until at last he died December
81. 1893. Then there was great sor-
row and OF oourse tho people all wore
black. After this death I don't know
what became of his vito Martha.
The bed and the furniture were left
Just as they were asst used by Wash
ington. 1t happened though hat a
certain friend wanted n keepsake SO
I with the rest of the set was gwen
away.
Ever since then our set has been
kept in this box and has been kept
in this bow and hns been handed
down from generation to generation
being kept in attics and only seeing
light when some person wanted to
sec the old things there.
Well this ends my story as I sup
pose I VIII keep being given to first
n person then the other but this
can't go on much longer as this desk
set is about worn out. This is the
end of my story till something else
happens.
BEuLA MAC FORBADE,
West Casper. Seventh.
, 1923-03-18
The Boy Columbus

WHEN Columbus was a little Inv
he loved geography but he did,
not get to study very much. Part q,
the time he would sit by the wb,-,
OF some of their voyages to Chin,
and places like that
This made Columbus want no-.
and more to become a sailor. WIZ,
he was just a young man he beca,,,
a sailor. Columbus wanted To sat-
over the Sea OF Darkness, an th.r.
called it then. but we now call II N.
Atlantic ocean. But Columbus wa.
too'poor to fit out ships for such
long voyage. At last good o,,.s,
Isabella helped Columbus fit out tire
ships.
When Columbus was sailing ,bo
sailors were afraid. One night
shooting star fell, which added to N,
sailors fear. and they were going Ia
throw Columbus overheard. But ono
morning they saw before them som,
islands which Columbus had dlsoov.
cred.
Terlsa Gum, Casper. Wyoming. y
Elk 4. March ), 1928.
, 1923-03-18
A Beautiful Day

1t c a a bright EARN day,
When the Girl Scouts wandered
far dcdy
To find a beautiful place to play.
With lunch and smiling faces,
Ad carrying heary packs,
Across u strong backs.
We found ourselves on the rioht
road,
But carrying a large and heauy
load.
bright t1dS the sun d-shtnin1
That morning at eight o'clock,
When tce started out,
With hearts so light,
Walking toith all our might,
To reach the top of the beautiful
mountain.
We finally reached the top,
And found a camping spot,
We built a camp fire as scouts
dltcdys do,
And found plenty of cork too,
Accepting heaps of rood on the
fire.
Soon tro had dinner to prepare.
Enoryonc huStLing to get her
share,
OF potato salad, uaincrs and all
good thing to eat.
First tVGS to roast the meat,
Merit TO put tcdter on to heat,
To make something hot to drink.
After dinner camp IA merit to
clean,
But some of the girls tcero a,ctul
mean,
Aud ran off to slide on the large
shelf of sHQw;
IT grcto chilly and the Wind began
to bloo.
For we c all net from sliding.
At four o'clock it gretc cold:
so tre started home along the
dusty road;
We hikod for three long miles,
Erery face 6~iuShjrg toith smiles,
Along came a bright ncu Ford.
Which Shinod like a piece Of sill
rer cord.
1t stopped and Everyone stepped
out,
For they kncto that toe uerc tired.
, 1923-03-18
An Old Quill Pen Speaks

T AN ar old quill pen and have NJ,
l. been used for years for now 1 am
stored away in an old box in this at
tic with several other small articles,
among them an ink bottle.
But l VIII o stop TO talk about
these things because they are tire.
some and OF the times when 1 was in
use. Then the top OF me was a beau
tfui ostrich feather of cd rose and
gold to match the desk set to which
I belonged.
Now my story begins and It is a
very long one. At first I was Just a
piece Of quill cut to a pen shape then
a beautiful ostrich feather was placed
on about an inch and a half from
my point. 1t was then dyed a beau.
uful old ruse and gold.
Then I was put in a box and care.
fully packed with a gilt ink well. n
stand for letters and paper. the stand
was OF brocaded material. a blotter
which was fixed so it could be rocked
bach and forth to blot. this also was
gilt. then there was a very large blot
ter which was placed on the desk
with the pen. ink and other articles.
We wero then taken to a station
n store in Washington. D. c. where
We We're put in the window on dis
play. This happened n long time ago
in 1890, OF course you may thing this
TO long ago to exist but hero I am.
We'll I was sold to the great presi-
dem General Washington. My but
this desk set felt important. After
this we were taken 10 Mount Vernon.
where we were put on tho desk in
the reception room where we saw
many people and after 1 wrote invita-
ions to balls.
One special one I remember quite
well It happened like this. It a been
so long ago I cannot remember
whether it was in summer or winter.
I wondered why there were so many
invitations written but at last they
were finished and sent away.
The night SION came for the ball
and oh. the people. I could not count
them. Among those present was BEN
iamIn Franklin who looked very dig
nifled. which he was. After a while
everyone was there and the loo shut
when one man came rushing in.
ono of the doors hat led into the
ball through which I could see
was all lighted with candles. 1t was
very beautiful. Tho ladies' wore
beautiful silks. s%atins. and brocades.
Their hair was powdered to white per
lection. It all seemer a dream but
, 1923-03-18
My Pet Dog, Nef

T ONCE had a dog named Nefc. He
l. was like a playmate to me. He
was a yellow and white dog with
long hair. 1 could never go outside
without having him run up TO me
with a rock in his mouth. and I had
no peace until I threw it so he could
chase it.
Once when we lived on the farm in
Nebraska he went hunting. My IA
Their saw him running after a rab.
hit. Tho rabbit ran into It's hole. So
Neft started to dig it out.
My father came on home but Neff
did not come with him him. 1t began
TO get late and father went to find
him. Father found him where he
had covered himself up. My father
dug him UP and brought him home.
We brought him here to Casper
when VIC came. but we had to have
him killed last summer because he
went blind. He was Is years Old.
when he was killed. It was a very
lonely summer without him.
INEz BANKER.
Elk School. Grade 8.
, 1923-03-18

federate of n hypnotist. H. went to
the door. came in reluctant, shame.
fast, doomed. She advanced slowly
till h reached the edge of the rug
he had indicated. then halted, and
with a fierce effort hoisted her head
in defiance and braved the lightning
OF the judge.
She heard Claymore call to her:
That's fine! Now Wen take it,
She started back, but was check.
by the cameraman's wait, please.'
He ran forward and shouted dlrec.
tons on NIL sides for lights.
Tit those spots. Throw the ash
can on her. Bring up that Kllegl.
Put n diffuser on that Winfield.
What's the matter with the second
spot? Your carbons are Pickering.
Mike! Mikel Trim those carbons on
the second spot! Pull emf
Then the lights went out and
there was a wait while Mike ran
along tho gallery parallel, with
tweezers in his gloved hands. waen
Mike was ready the cameraman
shouted: hit 'em! All right, Mr.,
C1aymore!" Mfr. Claymore called.
Music. pleasew
And Mem found herself in n sea
Of blazing radiance tremulous with
a simmer OF music.
She went to tho door and nodded
when Claymore's Arc you ready
penetrated the myth realm from far
away. She heard him murmur,
"Camerai Actiong' and she heard
his voice recitiny an improvised lib.
retto for her pantomime.
you've come from your dark cell,
The light blinds you: You begin to
e the angry public, the cruel Judge.
You Finch. You fall back. They
are going to sentence mo to DEATH
They ARE Kissing me because I loved
1 toe well!' But my little baby! They
said I killed him! They can't know
how I loved him! how I felt his lit,
tie hands on my cheek. his lips at
my breast! how I suffered when his
cheek grew coidl o Godl I prayed
for his life even though It meant
eternal shame! But he is gone! My
lover is dead. What is this world
10 mol Wiring your hands! Look up
mt the Judged DRAW yourself up! De.
~ him! That's ~ Now let the tears
come! My baby, I am coming to youl
Ny baby"
She heard his voice waiiinE and
trembling like the voS humana stop
tie village orFa7lst used to pull out
for tho sake OF pathos. It was maud
lin. unfonsivably cheap and trashy,
yet 81 was the truth for her. as for
millions Of other girls. It was tritc
because it had broken so many
hearts.
She felt a fool. a guilty fool. The
muse. the lights. the directors voice
all. all was insanity, Blu It swept
her heartstrings with an Aeolian
thrill and they sang with n mad des-
pair.
She Z knew that the camera
crank had ceased TO purr; she heard
the clop ~ the levers shutting off
The lights; the music was ended But
her suffering went OF she could not
stop crying.
Her head bent. her TAU body broke
Of the waist. she was sobbine into a
, 1923-03-18
Our Flag

T oSG age when the thirteen col,
onies were at war. two or three
soldiers went to a small house in
which lived Mrs. Betsy Ross. She
was very good at sewing. The So.
diers showed her a rough drawing
OF an American flag drawn by Wash.
ington. The soldiers told her they
wanted 1t mad in time for the next
congress meeting. They told her
what colors to make the flag. At the
next & meeting her flag was
chosen. That is how the FIRST flag was
made. MILTON GUM,
Elk School. Age &.
, 1923-03-18
BY RUPERT HUGHES

corner of her elbow n dropping to
the floor when C.aymoro caught her
and upheld her ,eased her to n chair.
and stood patting her back idict.cally
and saying: Fine! F'ineg"
Zine! Finer
She looked up TO sec II he were
knocking her ans saw that his checks
were streaked with tears. The cam.
Grammar vas doleful as if he mourned
and the property man was turning
away to blow his nose.
Mem began to laugh-the laugh OF
triumph. Yet she felt that she had
cheated a little. Tho director had
stabbed an Old wound by accident
and unsealed an old fountain of team.
He had exhausted her dramatic ex.
p%erience cf life already, ano he would
find her Imagination unschooled. hol
, 1923-03-18
The Deer Hunt

ONE morning when the ground was
" covered with snow my uncle and
] went deer hunting. We had not
gone far into the mountains. when
we saw some deer tracks in the
snow. We followed the tracks a
long way into the mountains.
Then my uncle saw a deer standing
in the path, right in front of him.
He told me to stay back while he
shot 1t. The gun went off and a
deer fell cead in the path. We tried
to carry the deer but it was too
heavy.
We went back home to get our
a and then hauled 1t home.
HILMAR HANSEN,
Elk School, Grade 5.B.
, 1923-03-18
The Dog ad His Cat

ONCE upon a time there was a dog
" that had q little kitten. When
ever you would go out to the barn.
to feed the horses and cows, the dog
would pick up the cat. by the back
of the neck n neck anc carry it
to the barn.
Whenever the dog took a notion
he would so in the barn. too. But
he would leave the cat outside, be.
cause the dog was afraid the cat
would 10 kicked.
When o got through feeding and
started TO go back to the house. the
} dog would pick up the cat by its neck
and carry 1t back to the house.
JOE DOBBIN.
, 1923-03-18
A Narrow Escape

WAS coming home from hunting
L wild boar. Suddenly I heard n
noise behind me. / turned around TO
see what was the matter. A wild
elephant vas rushing at me. I rushed
to the swamp. I saw a hippo nearly
as big as a house. His mouth was
open wide The elephant was close
behind mo, 1 let him gain. When he
got nearly to me / gave a leap for
the hippo's mouth. I did not try
to jump Gear in It. I missed 1t about
three feet Tho elephant was going
so fast that he jumped INTO the hip.
pos mouth.
! pulled out my sword. which was
three yards long. In two blows I cut
, 1923-03-18

ably done In the moving pictures, q
sordid pattern common enoug Ii in
real life through tho ages but all too
crowded in the movies. infinitely
multiplied and repeated until It be-
came boresome to the f%requenters of
the films and nauseated the moral.
lists, ave them excuse for a general
assault OF the whCle art and in.
dustry.
Claymore took IN a heap of tar
paulin and piled it on a chair to
represent a man, found a screwdriv.
er left on the scene by a carpenter,
and gave 1t to Mem for n pistol. Then
he outlined a scenario startling and
hewildering to, her. and utterly un-
conscnlal to her character and OK
p%erience:
This taroaulin is a terrible vii.
, 1923-03-18

with him not to Desert you he
laughs at you: you turn on him like
a tlgress and. when he goes On laugh.
ing, YOU creep up on him with n
false smile and suddenly shoot him
with this pistol
The novice sared a him like a dumb
thing that had not understood a
word. She looked at the screw
driver. 1t had no resemblance TO n
pistol. and II It had suggested one
she would have dropped IL in horror.
She started at the pile OF yellow can
vas n could get nothing human out
of or into that.
II don't believe I quite under.
stand" she faltered. suddenly revert
ed to childhood days when she was
asked TO read a pase she had neg
lected to study.
Claymore missed the instant result
Of his first appetite her imagina-
ticn, a he thought; to her memory.
ms she knew. Her eyes were a fog.
ged mirror now ano gave back noIth.
er light o image.
He played tho bit for her. None
Of the spectators thought 1t funny
or silly. 1t was part OF the familiar
routine factory commonplace to see
n fat, b~ald!headed director strldlng
about. clutching his heart and sob.
bling.
lain. lie has deeoyed you from your
home and tired o. YOU; he Nas put
you on the street and made n drug
fiend Of you, and now you have seen
him with another cir. and you plea
, 1923-03-18
FOR L IL Great NoveI of Hollywood Lite

little allotted TO her, she noted
the waiting crew of spectators and
her heart faltered. How could she
give her sou to emotions in the pres,
'onco of these strangers7 1t would be
like stripping herself and dancing
stark before a band Of peeplng Toms.
But needs must when ambition
drives.
Claymore marched her into the
scene n asked her to stand while
the camera-man made his set.up for
a long shot. The electricians trun.
died their batteries forward and
turned them on her; the camera man
advanced upon her with tho tape
measure and went back to squirt at
her through the finder. lie stared
at her through n color filter OF deer
blue and discussed her hair and her
eyes. Claymoro came forward, car,
! rying a rouge stick no had borrowed
from somebody's forgotten makeup
box, and gave Mems mouth a little
extra length, put a dot next the in.
ner corner OF each eye. and. taking a
powder puff. dusted her brow light
ly where the Precipitation of terror
was beginning t shine.
Then he gave her a little of what
he called footwork.
Go back TO that door and come
forward TO this spot. Shake hands
with-er-with your lover-er- Wei
no. Let mo see. That's too sim
pie. Let's get down TO business,
you've a. Oh-welI, just for in.
! stance. you've been-er-betrayed
and your child mas died and you've
been accused Of numbering It and
you're now being called before the
Judge and the jury. Do you set me?
You're coming into n courtroom un.
der n charge OF crime; you feel you
shame, but you're innocent of the
charge, yet you're overwhelmed with
guilt for your fall, and tn. father OF
the child is-wRs killed in tho war.
sny-and you don't much care
whether o live or die; SO you're in
despair yet defiant. That's a triple
layer OF emotion for you and I don't
suppose you can get much OF II over
but just try to give the atmosphere
Of it. Now back to the door. Walk
through it once"
Claymore was as much embarrassed
as Mem, for his invention was not
IN its best working order 30 early In
the morning. He felt as silly as a
man hadgered by a peevish child to
tell n story.
But his trite plot stirred Mem
amazingly. lie could not know how
close HE random shots had come
home 10 her and flung her back from
the forward.looking artist to the lorn
fugitive who had stumbled into Cali.
fornia alden with disgrace.
She was all atromble and her eyes
darted. her fingers twitched. Clay.
more marvclod at her instantaneous
response to his suggestion. There
we're born artists who shivered on
the least breath OF inspiration and
suggestion.
Ills first impression OF Mem waR
THAT ho had found a genius, n he
fought against the obstacles he en-.
countcrsd later with the zest OF a
man tggiug toward known gold.
In % kind ~ stupor Mem oheyed
his commands Ike the trained con.
, 1923-03-18

Claymore wrested with the girl.
fluccid soul He walked her through
he scene again and again, He sal
on tie chair and pretended to be the
villain. lie laughed with very hollow
mockery. He played the part him
self. lie said:
IF you'll give II moro voice you'll
give 1t more spirit. Call me a beast
with all your power."
You're a beasti'' she faltered SC
foebly that Clayimore laughed and
she had to Join him. He said to her
"INok mo in the eye and with all the
venom and volume you've got snarl
'Agh! YOU beastr"
He reared 1t so full.chestedly al
Mem hat she quailed before rim,
Then she nodded. understanding. ant
gave back the words. 1t was like ar
oboe trying to echo n trombone. She
shook her head in encouragement
He would not give her up.
Fiji your lungs and hurl your
whole body into IT,"
She tried again and again. but he
voice was st1ngy. stinted. recdish
He spoke blunt.y. in good old Eng
lish;
You've got to get your quits into
II"
She did not know that she hat any
n he had TO explain that he really
meant her diaphragm.
He asked her to scream at the TOT
Of her lungs. She emitted a feeble
squawk. He shook his head. He lie;
out a shrek OF his ovn that pierced
the high raftcrs and seemed to rattle
the glass roof. She did n little better
on a second try. Ciaymore's patience
was wonderful. What are you most
afraid Off" he said.
81 don't know" she giggled, Silly
whats your favorite nightmare
She Pioneered. "Well, IL"
"Fu'llne Off a cliff is one Of the
most popular. sad Claymore.
81 fell off a clitt once. sad Mem
almost boastfully.
, 1923-03-18

EDITORS Note-The Tribune will print each week in
the Magazine Section of the Sunday paper this depart
the best articles will be printed, and each week an Honor
Roll will be published, containing the names of the three
best stories of the preceding week and the authors. The
Tribune Story Contest Editor will judge the stories and an
nounce the winners weekly.
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grade stories will be judged to-
gether, and Seventh and Eighth Grade stories together.
Today's department contains some stories from all these
grades, but the best will be chosen in each class, respec-
lively.
All the stories are written in school, under the teachers
supervision, and the contestants are not permitted to get
help from their parents or from older persons, in the COM
position.]
, 1923-03-18

Really! And did you survivor
C1aymore gasped, then grinned at his
own imbecility. Il know one actress
who dreams hat she is caught under
a wrecked automobile and can't get
out and is being crushed to death"
To Claymore's amazement the
blank mion before him was sudden.
~ shot through with anguish. the
features knotted and whitened with
streaks OF red like a clenched fist.
Once more he had thrust his hand
into n OF her experiences. She felt
the presence Of Elwood Farnaby, her
almost forgotten first love. and last.
The ghastliness of his death under
a runaway automobile flashed back
before her. She felt a reEurgitatlon
Of all the terrors that had churnel
in her heart in those hideors days
n nights.
Claymore, never dreaming what the
random hint had evoked in her soul,
was happy at finding her responsive
once more. He called to the camera
man:
Come on. Johnny, we'll take a
closeup, a big Closeup! Be as quick
as you can"
While Mem hung back saying.
PLEASED No. no, I couldn't! Don't
make meF' Caymore was hurrying
the crew to seize this precious ex-
element before it died.
The crew closed in upon the cam.
era with a mass OF blazing lights.
Claymore pushed a chair close up to
the lens. Tho camera man spread
and shortened his tripod and got on
his knees. lie made one Of the crew
sit in the chair while he sharpened
tho focus and perfected the lights.
He did not want to fatigue the price
less heights OF agitation that he could
see in Mems wide eyes as she stood
wavering before the sudden gust Of
emotion.
Protesting and reluctant. yet too
palsied for flight. Mem permitted
Clayn1ore to lead her to the char
and pace her in a covering position.
close your eyes. to ave them"
he said. Don't open them till I tell
you TO. Then open them suddenly
and see the automobile upon you. It's
on fire. You can't move. You strug.
gle in vain. III hold on to your
hands TO plnion you down. When
you see that you are crushed and
caught. give me the widest cry YOU
can scream! All ready. Johnny?
Hit tho lights! Take the camera
from my nod. Now. my dear, you're
in the car. the brake is broken, us
dashing over a cliff. It's turned
over! You are under It! It's on fret
When I say the word open your eyes
and face death and die with one
terrible shriek!'
She felt through her clenchea eve.
lids and on her shivcring cheeks the
fare Of the focused calciums. She
fe't his hands dragging her helpless
wrists down till she was all huddIej
upon herself. She seemed to feel
in his taut and fronzied grin tho
weight OF the engine that had slain
her lover. Then sae heard the ouiel
word Now She opened her ewes
and saw n chaos OF wrecked iron and
steel about her. Terror knitted her