TITE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE: JULY 23. 1907.
E
OMR of the Busy Decs have forgotten our limit of 250 words and, In
coDHpquenre, some of the very best stories that have come In thia
month ran not win prizes because they were too long. And please be
careful and mark your stories so that the editor may know on which,
side they are to be counted.
Several of the boys have written the editor this week explaining why they
ave not written stories. Some of them have been very good reasons, but in
he meantime, while the games and other things are proving so attractive, the
Iris are winning the prizes. Three of our boys write that they are away for
he whole summer, and another writes that he has moved to California and Is
amplng on the seashore. He has promised to write us a letter soon telling
bout the sport he has.
The prize winners for the best stories this week were: "The Lost Ribbon,'
y Hazel Maase, aged 12, Kearney, Neb.; "The Evergreen Tree," by Alice
Iraasmeyer, aged 12, Hiverdale, Neb. Honorable mention was given to "The
)olden riirse," by Hulda Lundgren, aged 13, of Fremont, Neb.
Those succeeding In giving the correct answer for the illustrated rebus this
veek were: Ethel Oirard, Fremont, Neb.; Howard Rlffer, aged 11, Glenville,
s'eb.; Ethel M. Ingram, aged 12, Valley, Neb.
Little Pat's Birthday Present
By Mnd
Little Tat O'ltara wan, an bin nniiw slg
Ifird, an Irish laddie, and as bright a little
hap as could be found tn this country,
vhich was Pat's own by Ills parents adop
lon. Tat was red of hair, freckled of face,
nd blue of eyes, to say nothing of his
mile, which was brighter than his hair,
reckles or eyes. And Pat's heart was the
ilggest part of his body, for In It he held
ove for all of mankind, chtldklnd and anl-
nal and bird kind. Although Fat's parents
vers in very moderate circumstances Tat
ound the means to do many llttla acts of
halrty In a quiet way. Whenever he earned
i few nickels or dimes (and this harnned
ften, for he waa a moat industrious little
hap) he did not forget to give soma of It
n alms to the old and poor.
"Do unto thlm as Is poorer than yerself,
is you would be done by in like circum
stances," was Pat's own version of that
;randrst of maxims.
Pat's birthday came In the last week of
(uly, and as It was nearlng that data Pat's
nother began making preparations to cele
rate the occasion by giving her little son a
arty.
"patsey," said the good mother one
norning, "I'm that worrit about what to
lve you for a birthday prtsent. I want
o give you something what will be of some
iccount, ye know. I don't believe In
waatin' money on useless things. Now,
-an ynu give me a hint as to what I
ould give ye something what you'll
fit use of an' enjoy at the same time?"
Pat sat meditating a few minutes; then
le said: "Hither, le's wait about the
Drlsent till I think it over. I'm not quite
certain Just what I want yet. But I've
?ot a few days to look about and to think."
"All right, son," smiled Pat's proud
nother. who always gave her Tat the priv-
lege of helping to select his own presents.
In that way the chile is never disap-
pointed." she would explain If anyone com-
-nented on such a strann nroeedure. "An'
f I go an gtt anything without consulting
him furst I'm likely to bring tha very arti
cle he doesn't want. So I give him a voice
In the matter of his own piisenta."
So the daya rolled by without Pat deter
mining Just what he wanted for a birth
day gift. At last the "day of grace" ar
rived and still no present was selected,
although Pat's mother often hinted to him
that valuable time was slipping by and It
would soon be too lata to select a present
unless Pat and she got their heads to
gether and decided upon something right
away.
"Tomorrow is your birthday, son," said
the good woman, "and there's nothing to
cheer you up and make you remember
It. Your father is that worrit he don't
know what to do. This mornln' ho says to
me, says he, 'What hava wa got for
Patsey?' And I had to say, 'Nothln'. 'What,
nothln' fer tho folncst lad on top tho
earth?" says he. Then I explained that
the money was snug In ma pocket-book
for the gift, hut that Pat hadn't made
any selection yet. "Woman,' says yer
father, 'go an' git the boy somethln' an'
surprise him. Don't lot him know what
you're afther glttln' fer his birthday."
"Well," says I, 'It's Pat's birthday, an' not
yours ner mine, an" I'll git nothln' but
somethln' that tha darlln' boy wants,'
says I."
"Right you are. nilther mine," said Pat,
holding his red head close for a pat from
' his mother's hand and a kiss from her
Hps. "I'll look out today sure an' find just
'what I want."
I "The party comes off fine tomorrow at
,1 o'clock," explained Pat's mother. "I've
'rakes all baked an' In the cellar cooltn'.
(Tha lea cream man la to freeze the cream
In the mornln' an' deliver it at 3 o'clock.
I tigered out that the party would go on
' fer an hour before they'd go to eat In' an'
enjoyln' thimsolves. So I want the Ice
I cream to coma In fine an' stiff an' cold as
! Ice can freeze it. There's nothin' so cooj
i lng to both temper and body as Ice cream
! on a hot day."
i After talking over tha anticipated event
of tha morrow Pat said to hla mother:
"Well, I'll taka a turn down tha street
an' seo If my eyas fall on anything that
takes my fancy for a gift. Then I'll run
back an glva you tha hint."
"WSXLb I
Wallir,
"That's like my boy," smiled the mother,
who was always a comrade to her he
loved nop. "So while you're none I'll be
Kin tldyln' up the parlor for tomorrow.
I'll bo that busy In the rmrnin' that I'll
have little time for flxln' the rooms. We'll
all be so excited. Patsey, that we'll not
know whether were standln' on our heads
or our foet."
Pat brushed back his stubborn red hair,
W,,ed du8t anJ p(.rgpraton from h)s
freckled face, and taking his straw hat
,aUntered off down the village street In
quMt of a cholce ot a blrtlKjay glft A,
he wlt a, the on9 ,,. ,treet ,
attention ' w. ... .,... v.. -
tlon between two men who stood at a
corner. One was saying:
"I wouldn't want to sell my ole hoss if
It wasn't that my llttl gurl Is awful sick
an' needs a doctor. I hain't had no crops
fer two yeara now; the drouth killed
everything last year an' tha bail cut my
wheat down this year Jrst as It waa ready
to harvest. So I've got to sell this ola
hoss an' he's a good one yet fer two
year bo's to git money to have the doc
tor." "No, this horse won't be workln this
time nex' year," asserted the' second man,
looking at the decayed teeth of an old
horse that stood, head drooping, beside tho
first speaker, who held the animal by a
bridle rein.
"Rut, lorsey, man, I'm offerln' you the
hoss fer 10." declared the first speaker.
"An" he'll do more than J50 worth of work
this fall, an' no mistake. I'm almost glvln'
the hoss away."
"Can't sea It that way," said the second
w"u,n rl Knew weu-to-oo
farmPr fro" down the river valley. The
"rBt Vr was a stranger to Pat, but
trom appearance he Judged him to be
a,J1poor man v"y poor' Perhaps. And the
"" '" .ympamy was arousec
In his behalfl All this aged animal's lifo
had been spent in hard labor, working for
men. And now, that he was broken down
and about ready to die ha was put up
to sell for what ha would bring. And tha
remaining time be had to live would be
spent In labor, for whoever bought a horse
like him meant to driva him In the harness
till he died.
Pat stepped up to the man who owned
i ...
"". y'g: fliayoe i can striKe
urain wn.n you, mister, I heard you
say you want to bell this horse."
The first speaker looked Pat over and
amlled. "You, bub, buy
hoss? Well,
la's sea yer cash."
The wotl-tn.rfn fimi.
Inwlv
away, nodding to Pat to follow him. When
he got Tat a safe distance from the man
with the horse, he said: "You're Tim
O'Hara's youngster, ain't you? Well, If
you've 10 In your pocket, keep It there.
That old horsa Is fit for the bone yard only.
He'll never do a good day'a work again."
"But ain't the man very poor an' ain't
hla little girl sick an" in need of a doctor?"
asked Pat Innocently.
"Nope, he's Just working that scheme
to get rid of that horse," laughed the well- t"i stuff Is high I'm scllln'-or rather 1 m
to-do farmer. "He's an old horsetrader fc-ivln' my animals away. Now. have you
and when business drags he draws on hla the money?
imagination for a sick family. I've seen "How much?" ssked Pat.
that old fellow about the streets many "We"' 1ve b,n K)lln 15 for h,m; but
times, but never heard about his crop seein' as you are a youngster I II throw
failure nor his family before." n a dollar. I like to treat youngsters well.
Then the well-to-do farmer went on down 1 do- Have you got fourteen?"
the stret and Pat turned about and went "l near1 yur prU' to that ma.n a whlle
back to the horse dealer. "Ah. ha." said ago," said Pat, candor and contempt shin
that old man, "ao you want to buy a good ln8 rom hi e'eB' "You ssked htm 110.
hoss, do you? Well, here he Is. Of course You also told about a sick child that
he's a bit tho worse for wear Just now, for needed a doctor. But, I'm not carln' about
my harvesting has been heavy this sum- your stories. I'm sorry for this old horse
mer an' I've had to put him through the and Til buy him if you'll take what money
mill, so to sneak. But give him a few I have for him."
weeks' rest an, presto, pass! you've got "How much have you got to give?"
a new hoss, an' a Umber one what can asked the sly old trader, who did not
travel some. He's a bit poor, but pasture seem to mind Pat's catching him In a
him a week an' than look at his ribs if yarn.
you can. After a weak on grass I'll give "I can raise about S." said Pat. "I've
you a Avar for every bona you can sea got five In my bank an' my mother has
through his hide." about three to buy a birthday present for
Pat looked tha old horse over and said: ma."
I suppose you ara selling him because
you have more horses than you know what
to do with, ain't you Mister?"
"Shore, sir," assented the horse trader,
"I've got a pasture full of "em, an' as
VB BIN A8KIN FIFTEEN DOLLARS FOR
Hw i i'
I V r tl V 3 .1 v..' T "' I
rfelM ml
Mf- Wit'. Wr
OrviNO THE TWINS A WEIOlt.
i-m. -k a.
ppfp
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS
1. Write plainly oa ona sida of tha
paper oaly and oambar tha pages.
a. Tsa pan and ink, not pencil
a. Short and pointed articles will
be given praferenoa. So not nsa over
BSO words.
4. Original stories or letters only
will ba used.
6. Write your name, aga and ad
dress at tha top of tha flist page.
First and second prises of books
will bo given for tha best two con
tributions to this pare aaoh week,
Address all communications to
OJCixaBxir'B defabtkxkt,
Omah Baa.
The Lost Ribbon
(First Prize.)
By Hazel Haase. aped 12 years, Kearney,
Neb. Blue,
ne bputiful spring day Bessie Brown
gave a party. While the children were
P,ayl"K K'nes upon the lawn Hattle Ma-
inn lnHt litT fiftlr-r hhnn. IMA innM Will not
- - - --" - -- - .
.... ....,
came to look lor it. it waa nownere to
'ound.
Meanwhile Mrs. Robin had been very
busv clearing the lawn of strings and
... , . i - . i,..i.t -ik
Straws, auu wnen enw wpiru imvuoa in
hon she thought. "This is jut what I want
"htldrcn's bed."
So eh took !t ,n her bi" and carripd
it away With her.
When autumn came and the leaves fell,
tha children found an empty robin's nest
In the maple tree.
Donald climbed un and brought it down,
Imagine the
children's surprise when
After a few moments more of "dicker-
lng" for another dollar or two the horse
trader agreed to accompany Pat to his
home where the deal would be completed,
They led the old horse along, he, poor
HIM."
alk...
thev found Hattle's ribbon woven In and
out imnnf the strlnes and straws. 1nt
where Mrs. Robin had put It to make
nlco soft bed for her children.
(Second Prize.)
The Evergreen Tree
By Alice Orassmeyer, age 12 years. River
dale, Neb. Red.
Once there grew a most beautiful maple
tree In tho center of a handsome park
All summer It had Rtood there covered
with green leaves. Many people had rested.
beneath its shade. But when autumn came
a change took place. The leaves began to lemonade, so we expected to have a feast,
turn red and yellow. Then the people said, of course. I wanted the dolls to be married
"How beautiful the maple Is! In alt the like real people, so I asked friend Clara,
park there is not a tree with loaves so whom I expect will be married some day
pretty and bright!" Tha maple was so soon, about It. But she was busy and
pleared at being praised that she began said, "Don't bother me; Just Jump them
to flutter her leaves In a boastful and over the broomstick." When everybody
proud way. She spread out her boughs so had left the room but papa, I asked him
far as to hide from view a little larch, if he carried a broomstick to church when
But the maple said. "It does not matter he married mamma. I wish you could
If I do hide the larch, so I'll not let any- have heard him laugh. He almost fell off
one see It; he Is such a plain tree any- his chair. I did not say anything more, he
way. His leaves do not turn to gold like cauiie t do not like people to make fun of
mine!" The little larch heard these un
kind words, but he only rustled his stiff
little leaves and sighed. The kind park
fairy passed by Just then and heard the
IHrl" one eroppea ana saia, "wny ao
voil Hitfh. little lareh? A r vnn imhinnuf"
- - -....-,-.,..
The larch replied. "I only sighed because
" mapis is so much more beautiful than
' and P1"" '"ryone. The fairy felt
omiy iui mc mri-u, lur lie am IDUK piain
beside the maple, ao she touched him with
her wand and said: "That tree should be
green forever." The larch smiled and
rustled his leaves contentedly. In a few
aays ine maples leaves Tell to the ground
- .. ... ...
follow, hardly able to walk, so stiff he
was in his crippled legs.
Pat's mother was told about the mat-
ter. Pat, with a dimness In his usual
merry blue eyes, saying: "I want this old
horse for a birthday present because he
has only' a few years or maybe months
to live. An' I want him to pass the time
restin', I do. It's awful to be old an' sick
an' poor especially If you are a horse.
Don't you think so, mither?"
But "Mither" said never a word. Sha
went Intj the house, wiping a tear from
her eye as she did so. and got from her
purse the three dollars. Then she opened
fats bank, took out the five dollars-all
In nlckles and dimes and with this fund
went again to the yard where the wary
old trader stood holding the horse's bridle
rein. Within a few minutes the money snd
horse were exchanged, Pat's mother hand-
lng tho bridle rein to him, saying: "It's
a strange birthday present, sonny, but
it's your choice. You have a heart of gold,
me darlln' boy."
Tha trader, with a chuckle, pocketed
the money and hurried away, muttering
to himself: "The old plus; want worth
leadin' home. He's all In, he la. I never
expected to gtt five for htm, so tho deal
was a good ona after all. Ha. ha!"
But had the trader seen the old "hoss"
three months later he would have looked
amazed. Pat had nursed the poor old ani
mal like a patent nurses an ailing child.
Into a big pasture tha old horse went,
and he had plenty of good oats and
choice feed besides. And how he did rest
snd take on flesh! Then he pricked up his
ears, lifted his feet lively and showed
signs of complete renovation, as Pst put
It. And as ha grew strong, fat and active
ha looked fully ten years younger than
when Pat bought him. And one day Pat's
father bought a llttla second-hand buggy
to hUch tha old "hoss" to so that Pat and
the "mither" could ride In the cool of tha
evening. And If aver a horsa was proud
It was that old birthday gift. Ha had
never been a buggy horse, and tha ex
alted position conferred upon him msda
him ao frisky at times that Pat had soma
trouble lit holding him down to -tha speed
allowed In the town.
"Not aueh a strsnga birthday gift after
all, Is ha?" asked Pat of his mother ona
evening ss they rode along a country lane
behind tha happy old horae. "No. but
when my boy bought him he never i
thought that ha would be able tn trot, I
not speaking of trotting In the shafts of
a buggy. Ha bought him Just because ha
fell sorry fur bUn, bias m boy.'
and Its bmnchrs were harp; its bt-autv
was gone. Then the snow rnmr mid In all
the park there was but one cheerful spot.
There the larch stood hravly, his leaves
as green as when they mine out And
It cheered the proplr all through the win
ter. It pleased them so they named It
evergreen, and It remains so up to til's
day. And It finds Its way into manv homes
and gladdens many hearts at Christmas
lime.
(Honorary Mention.)
The Golden Purse
By Hulda T.undherg. Aged 13 Years, Fre
mont, Neb. Blue.
Once there was a boy named Theodore
and a girl named Theodora. They llvod
with their father In a neat little cottat.
Before their mother's d-ath their fmlier
had n wonderful riirse made of gold.
Every time lie wanted money he would
hold it up in b hand and let it fall on
the floor: when he picked it up 1t was filled
with gold. This pirse was stolen by an
rid wltih that lived In the woods. The
children were afraid to go near this wood
for fear they would he caught.
One day they were out In the garden
picking flowers. They looked a little whv
farther and saw flowers more beautiful
than the ones they had. so they ran to get
them. When they had all they could carry
they started for home, hut they found
they were lost. "Oh, I wish t were home."
snlil Thirloia. Theodore tried to comfort
her by saying they would get home safely.
They walked through the woods all day
until It was getting dark. Tl.ey were tired
and sleepy, so they lay down by a tree
and were soon asleep. When they awoke
the next morning they came to a little
house made of fruit. The children were
very hungry and ate all they could. Then
they heard some one coming. They looked
up and In front of them was a pale old
lady. She amlled and led . them Into the
house. This lady was the old witch who
had their father's purse. When the chll-dic-n
knew this they were very frightened
and thought they would never see their
father again. One night Theodore and
Theodora awoke and tried to get out, but
every door was locked but one. This one
they opened and In this room they found
their father's purse. They took It and
opened a window and climbed nut. They
wandered through the woods a long time.
When they finally got home they gave their
father his purse. They were now rich
once more and moved to a beautiful palace.
Here they lived happily together.
My Doll's Wedding
By Norlne Schulhof. Aged 9 Years. Platts-
mouth, Neb.
Cousin Carl came to spend a week with
Johnnnle. I thought while he was here we
would have a doll'a wedding. My next door
neighbor. Alice, has such a sweet boy
doll; Kleanor and Zora have girl dolls, so
has little sister Carrie. Grandpa gave me
a wax doll on my birthday; It came from
France. She was so lovely I named her
Victory Angellne. Mamma was In a very
good humor and baked ma a small fronted
cake and some small, cute cakes cut out
with a thimble. Then she made some
,pleniUdi and BO dld George Washington
the doll she was to marry. Johnny said
he would Jump them over the broomstick
and Cousin Carl promised to blow his horn
for the music. I'm sura Johnnie did not
mean to do It, he Is so kind, but somehow
boys' hands ara very slippery when they
hold dolls. Oh, dear; I hate even now to
tell of It. When Victory was high In the
air she fell and broke all to pieces. I sat
light down and cried. Some one had to be
married, so I took my next best doll, Helen
W I , - - .. ...... t U . . ,
m' pr" """"
Alice said It did not matter, as folks al-
ways cried at weddings.
Carl blew the
horn so loud we had to put our hands over
our ears. We ate up the good things and
1 Put Victory Angellne's head close by the
tbl- BO he could P0 the fea8t thut wa
made for her. Grandpa says the next time
he goes to Omaha he will take Vlctoiy
Angellne to the doll's hospltsl and she w ill
come home cured. So there may be an-,
other wedding soon,
1 '
Capers
By Mae Girsrd,
ae-e 11 years,
Neb.
Fremont,
When one wea kitten's In the house,
it's all as quiet as a mouse;
When there sra two, It's not so quiet.
But not enough to call a riot.
When threa ara there they make a noise
Most like a schoolroom full of bovs,
Those kittens three kick up such capers.
Papa can't read his dally papers!
I think the best thing he can do,
Is send sll three to school, don't you?
Their noisa and capers then will cease
And he can read the news in peace.
Pierce,
Jude
By Edith Gespert. age 12 years.
Neb. Blue. '
Margaret and Leo were neighbors. They
always played together from early morn
till lata at night. They both had dogs.
The dogs were white, with brown spots.
The name of Margaret's dog was Snot
snd Leo's dog was Jude. Jude had a
double nose. One noon Leo had been
tailed Into dinner Just hk Judo came out
from Mnrraret'a yard w!th n bone tn his
mouth. Margaret was going home with
Spot at her heels. Hhe stooped down and
pulled the bone out of Judo's mouth. Poor
Judo did not moo nor growl.
Margaret said as she took the hone from
Jude's mouth anil put Itointo Spot's: You
thle'. you. Mr. Judo, you always take my
poor dog's hones."
Rut all Jude could do or think was to
He still and ssy to himself: "Oh! Miss
Margaret, I would bite you if I dared."
The Lost Key
By Frances Titus, Aged 12 Years. Hold
rego, Neb. Red.
One night as Dorothy was going home
from school she found a tiny key. She
took It home and showed it to her mother.
The next day she was playing In her room
when a little man came to her ami said.
"I heard hat you found a key that be
longs to me.' "Yes sir. Would ou like
to see It?" "Yes, if you bring It to me t
will take you to the place that It opens."
Then he said, "Follow me." In a few min
utes they came to a little glass door In
the side of a mountain, lie took out the
key and opened the door. They walked
through a long dark room, and pretty soon
Dorothy saw a hundred little fairies dan
cing around a large fountain. The next
thing Dorothy knew was her mother call
ing her to breakfast.
Frances' Piano
By Dorothy I-yle, Aged 11 Years, Hold
rege, Neh. Red.
Frances' birthday was coming tomorrow.
Hhe was asked to stay all night at her
consln's. She was delighted to stay. In
the morning she saw a piano wagon with
a piano in it go past the house. Hho won
dered where It was going. She watched
It until it was out of sight. (The piano, of
course, w as going to her house I. When
It was placed In the house her mother
telephoned for Frances to come home.
Frances was very happy today, for she was
8 years old. She ran tn the door, but
stopped short to see the namo piano that
she had seen In the wagon. It was now
In her own parlor. On It was a large paper
saying: "For mamma's little girl." Frances
read It, very much surprised. "Is It mine,
mamma'?" sho said, running up and klsn
Ing her mother. "I can hardly thank you
for it, mamma, It Is Just lovely." Frances
loved music very much. She wanted to
take music lessons right away. She took
lessons and did very well. Fjances is now
a young lady and Is a great musician.
Worn Out
By
Uelen Holllway, age 11 years. Ne
braska City, Neb. Blue.
In tha garret of an old house lived a
poor man and his wife, whose name was
Mr. Hnbhs. They had but one son, who
was about three years old. 111b name waa
pt. He was about four years old when
his mother died. Mr. llobbs went to work
early In the morning and stayed until lata
at night. Pat was very lonely after the
death of his mother. One day he was
sitting by the window watching the chll-
drcn at play. He wanted to play with
them very much, but was fimld and did
not go down at first, but finally went out
with them. Kvery evening he would go
to meet his father, and tell him of all
the good times he had had during the
day. One day when Mr. Hohhs came home
he found Pat In bed very sick. Pat was
sick for some time. His father watched
over him carefully every night for about
two weeks. - Friday of the second week
Mr. Hobbs came home late, tired and
hungry'. He brought home with him some
bread and milk for Pat. He gave Pat. his
supper and ate some bread himself, and
then he sat down near Pat's bed to read.
He went to sleep In the chair with his
glasses In his hand.' He was so tired he
could stay awake no longer. lie had
watched Pat until he had tone to sleep.
j two or ,nree days Pat was well enough
to play wltn tne children again,
The Donkey
By Helen 8anford, Aged 11 Tears,
Florence Boulevard, Omaha. Blue.
One day a couple of years ago, two
little girls were coming horns from school,
Irene and Bessie. Irene stopped at her
gate and said. "Bessie come on in till
I get Topsy (the donkey) saddled, then If
your mamma will let you, I'll take you
for a ride." Bessie said. "All right." So
after they got Topsy saddled they roda
down to see If she could go. After a little
teasing her mamma said aha could, but
she must take a book back to the library
for her and get another one. "Well,"
Irene said, "that's where wa will go for
our ride." They started off and after
they had gone about five blocks away
they saw some boys who thought It would
be fun to tease the donkey, so they did.
The girls got up to the library without
an accident, but Irene thought she had
better lead Topsy and let Bessie ride home.
The donkey had gotten rather worked up
when tha boys had teased it, more than
the girls thought, so It quite unexpectedly
began to run. Irene wsa not prepared for
this and dropped the lines, sha was so
surprised. Of course Topsy had her own
way then, so he threw poor helpless Bessie
off onto tha pavement. She was noticed
by some ladles, who were going to taka
her home, but they had only gone a block
when they saw a lady that knew
The Coal's Story
By Cecil Schaack. Aged U Years, R. F. D.
No. 2. Walnut, la. Blue.
A boy was sitting silently on a chair
looking at some coal. He said, "Where
did you come from and when'"
He had no Idea that coal could tell its
story. The coal said. "Many age ago I
was a plant. I grew fast and got to be
old. Then I died and was washed under
neath tha ground. Many others after each
Johnny '8 Big Game
r
Little Johnny went s hunting
With his big pop-gun;
Out to shoot the twig and branches
And have lota of fun.
Now. behind a trunk, napping,
Weary Willie sat.
Liltlu Johnny aecident'ly
Shot tha Weary's hat!
Pop! the wad of chewed-8p paper
Hit with all Its might.
Weary Willie, waked so sudden.
Was a funny sight.
I'p he leaped, his wild eyes staring,
Hand prtssed to his head,
"Sure as 1 rn a living sinner
A ball hit here,'' he said.
"Ard that bullet, cold and leaden,
Lodged right In me brain.
Handouts and the freight-train rattle
Shall be mine ne'er again!"
Then, with sublime resignation.
Propped he in a heap;
Thinking that hi wound was fatall
Thus be fell sjileep.
Why Mousie Moved
A dear little raousle lived In a shoe;
V hole In the too sered him us a doorj
Rut an ugly edd cat frightened mousla
away.
And the dear little fellow lned there no
more.
yesr fell on top of me and we laid
there hundreds of years.
We changed into hard thinas. as sand
was over us, and laid there mnnv vears.
A mm was dicelng a deep wll and ha
struck something hind. It hurt us an.l he
got a piece of us. and we waa coal. Ho
went home and showed us to tha people
and they dug a mine, as we had turned
to coal. They loaded the coal Into a little
cart and took It up through the mine and
Into the open air again. h' how glad I
was when I saw the earth ag.iln. They
loaded us Into cars and hauled us"
The boy Raid. "You must be wonderful
In the Fairyland of Science."
"To be sure I am," the coal replied.
"After that I came to yon folks."
The boy liMtcned againn, hut the coal said
no more. Me then woke up and found ho
had gone to sleep and had been dreaming.
The Magic i'an
By Apnea I.unduertr. Aged ! Years, Fre
mont. Nob. lied.
Once there was an old voinan W'ho had
nothing left to eat. She did not know what
to do, so sho went uown by tho brook and
sat down to weep. As she was weeping a
beautiful fairy dressed In white appeared
before her and said, "My do:r, what are
you weeping for?" And she answered, "1
have nothing to live on and do not know
what to do." And the fairy handed her a
pan which wis made of gold and said,
"When you want anything to eat put the
pan on the stove and say, 'Cook, pan, cook.'
And when you want it to stop you must
say, 'Stop, pan, stop.' If you do not say
this it will never slop."
Then tho fairy disappeared and the lady
went jn her way home. As nho came home
she put tho pan on tho stove and said,
"Cook, pun, cook," and then it started,
anil after she had ail she wanted to eat
she said, "Stop, pan, stop." She did this
every day.
One day a neighbor came tn and sha
showed her the pan. She then put It on
the stove and said. "Cook. pan. cook." As
they were standing talking together tha
pan began to run over on the Hove. Then
sho noticed it and had forgotten what to
say to have It stop. Soon It was running
on the floor and In every room and even
poured out of the windows and Into tho
yard. Now the woman ran back and forth,
for she did not know what to say. Sha
tried many things, but all in vain, It kept
on flowing.
A Haof Cfnitw
By Aly Martin. Aged 14 Years, Fali
niont. Neb.
Imagine yourself near the wheel of a
brig off the coast of Salvador and still
going north. You will at once be attracted
to the conversation which Is being carried
on between a grizzled old man and a boy
of about 15 years of age The man la aay.
ins: "As 1 wus savin', .luck "
"Oh, Philips! lok out there! An Ice
berg." And there In truth was an Iceberg scln
tiliitlng In the Arctic sunlight. The peaks
and summits which In strung contrast with
tha hollows, were bathed in numberloas
rainbows together with the green water,
which was churned Into grand foam-topped
waves made a very beautiful scene. Ona
indeed to make one open his eyes In amaze
ment. But stay, the conversation Is again
renewed.
"Philips, is it standing still? Can we go
hunting on it? Dad said wc could, on tha
very first one, and thia is the first."
"Yas, me boy, to both on 'em."
"Oh, good! I'll go tell 'em. Wa can
go today, can't we? It s only 10."
"All right, sir. We'll do'er. Go aft and
tell them fellers to get ready."
Preparations were at once begun, and la
half an hour they started. It waa only
about a ten-minute row and soon they
landed. Philips divided the ten men Into
squads of three, thus leaving Jack alons.
"Oh. I forgot tho kid. He kin go with
enny of tha bunches he wants to."
He carried this command out by making
a squad of himself. He had a reason for
this. He had seen something which ha
did not want to tell the men about Soma
E00 feet away, and In the shadow, was a
large white object which was moving
slowly away, and ha had conceived tha
Idea of that bear being alone, so ha
slipped away unobserved and was soon
close tc the bear, which had, by this time,
scented and turned to meet him. Instantly
his gun went to his shoulder and h fired,
but the shot was not a true one and hit
the bear on tha shoulder.
This enraged It Snd It started toward
Jack, who was trying to reload his gun.
but the cartridge refused to be dislocated
In spite of his continued efforts. By this
time the bear was almost upon him, and It
wus evident that his only recourse waa
his pistol, which he at onca drew. This
time his aim was more deliberate and the
bear fell, as he supposed, dead; but he was
Just starting to go to it when It started to
rise and another shot dispatched It
The shots startled the men, who had not
gone far, and they esme running up to
the place where he was and were very
surprised when they saw what he had
killed, and many wera , their praises.
Strange to say his back was sore for a
week afterward. Can you guess why?
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