2
HE Busy Bees ate doing splendid work. The Queen Bee and the
T
King Bee are working hard, and their subjects are following the
good example. The stories sent in this week are good and nearly
everybody remembered the rules. The only mlstakea were some of
; the children forgot to say their stories were original and some did
not write whether they were on the Blue or the Red side. Some of the new
Busy Bees are writing very Interesting stories and we are glad to welcome
them to the big Hive.
The prizes this week are awarded to Irene McCoy of Barneston, Neb., on
the Blue side, and second to Emma Marquardt of Norfolk, Neb., also on the
Blue side. Honorable mention is given Murl Beer of Oaktlale, Neb., on the
Red side.
One Busy Bee writes that "the postal card exchange Is the best of all."
Any of the Busy Bees may exchange postal cards with any one whose name
is on the following list: Elsie Stastny, Wilber, Neb.; Katbryne Mellor, Mal
vern, la.; Ethel Mulholland, Malvern, la., P. O box 71; Milton Selzer, Ne
braska City; Harry Crawford, Nebraska City; Edythe Kreitz, Lexington, Neb.;
Eleanor Mellor, Malvern, la.; Ruth Robertson, Manilla, la.; Ardyce H. Cum
n.infrs and .Grace Cumminps, P. O box 225, Kearney, Neb.; Earl Perkins.
Reddington, Neb.;. Emma Marquardt, Fifth street and Madison avenue, Nor
folk, Neb.; Emma Carrathers, 3211 North Twenty-fifth street, Omaha; Ada
Morris, 3424 Franklin street. Omaha; Clara Miller, Utlca, Neb.; Emma Kostal,
1516 O street, South Omaha; Florence Pettijohn, Long Tine, Neb.; Ethel
Reed, Fremont, Neb,; Madae L. Daniels, Ord, Neb,; Irene Reynolds, Little
Rionx. la.; Alta Wllkcn. Waco. Neb.; Alice Temple, Lexington, Neb.; Eunice
Bode, Falls City, Neb.; Jean Do Long, Alnsworth, Neb.; Mildred' Robertson,
Manilla, Ia.j Louise Reeds, 2G09 North Nineteenth avenue, Omaha;Gall How
ard. 4722 Capitol avenue, Omaha; Edna Behling, York, Neb.; Estelle Mc
Donald,' Lyons, Neb.; Louise Hahn, David City, Neb.; Vera Cheney, Crelghton,
Neb.; Fay Wrlfrht, Fifth and Belle streets, Fremont, Neb.; Ruth Ashby, Fair
mont, Neb.; Maurice Johnson, 1627 Locust street, Omaha; Lotta Woods,
Pawnee City. Neb.; Pauline Parks, York, Neb.; Ioulse Stiles, Lyons, Neb.;
Hulda Lundburgjy Fremont, Neb.; Edna Enls, Stanton, Neb.; Alice Grass
ineyer, 1 545 C street, Lincoln, Neb.; Juanita Innes. 2769 Fort street, Omaha,
Marguerite Bartholomew, Gothenburg, Neb. ,
How Bunny Lost His Tail
By Mand
ED, Marie and Oracle were prls-
far I oners. It was raining out ol
I I doors, a cold spring rain, such
I ral.i au n a Kw il ill tint
wish to Ventura out In. And
Ted, with his two llttlo sisters,
had to be content Indoors till the clouds
should clear away.
"If only we hud a good book of stories
to read," said Oracle, the youngest of the
three. "We've read everything In the
library, and I. don't like re-reading stories.
One always knows Just what Is going to
happen, you know, when reading a story
for tho second time."
"Oh, I don't want to sit down In a corner
and read," declared Ted. "I want to go
fishing, I do. Here Is a whole Saturday
passing by. and I'm kept Indoors like a girl
or old woman. Bah, how I do hate a cold
rain when It's good fishing season."
"Well, I wish with all my heart that
Uncle Tom were here," said Marie, 12 years
old and two years older than Ted. "We'd
have a good time If he were her today,
for ho knows so many Interesting stories
and games."
"Oh, yes, If Uncle Tom were only here
It wouldn't matter If it poured pitchforks,"
cried Ted. "I'd rather be shut up In the
house with I nele Tom than be at liberty
on the banks of the river Just at the best
fishing place, too on a fine sunshiny day.
Uncle Tom la so Jolly, he Is."
' "Children," cried their mamma at this
moment, putting her head In at the sit
ting room door. "I Just had a 'phone from
grandmamma. Bhe says your Uncle Tom
Is enroute to town, where he has some Un
portent buslncrs to attend to, and that
soon as he has transacted It he will pay
us a call. Bhe says, furthermore, mat li ll
continues to rain for me to prevail upon
Uncle Tom to stay with us overnight, as
she doesn't want him to make the long rido
through such a deluge." '
"Hurrah!" cried Ted, turning a bsnd-
spring for very Joy over the news.
"Goodie!" cried Oracle, Jumping about the
room In glen.
''Splendid prospects for a Jolly day!" de
clared Marie, a bit more calm than her
excited brother and enthusiastic little sister.
"Now, let's build up a roaring wood blase
In the library, for Uncle Tom loves an open
fire."
Half an hour later Uncie Tom, stamping
his feet on the porch floor and crying
out lustily: "Opon the door of the ark and
let a poor, half-drowned, two-legger In!"
Then, as Ted, Marie and Oracle flew to
meet him, he came In laughing and shak
ing his raincost for all the world as a dog
shakes bis furry coat when he comes out
of the water.
And then the children led Uncle Tom
to .the library, where a cheerful flame
leaped toward the top of the chimney.
"We knew you would love a bright wood
blase,' explained Marie. "See, Ted built
the tire, and he stacked the wood so as
to make It look like a campflre."
"Ah, yes, I do love a wood blase," said
Uncle Tom. "It always reminds me of
the time a thousand year or so ago when
I was an American Indian. In those days
before I was reincarnated I used to He
In front of my campflre and dream of these
days that have now come to pass. And
many things of interest transpired during
those times.
"Come, tell us of some of those Interest
ing happenings," urged Marie, drawing the
chairs about the fireplace, the big leather
"I Ail ON MT WAT TO VISIT A
IfjtM : Mfe
Walker.
easy one placed In the middle for Uncle
Tom.
Uncle Tom sat down, heaved a sigh of
contentment and smiled on the happy and
Adoring little trio of kinsfolk gathered
around him.
"Well," he said, "as I came along the
country road this morning I saw a pretty
cotton-tall running for cover. It recalled
to mind the time, 1,000 years ago, when
the rabbit lost Its tall."
"When the rabbit lost Us tall?" and
Ted's eyes rounded In astonishment.
"Yes, for you see, a long, long, time
ago before the Incident I am about to re
late to you happened the rabbit had a
fine, . long tall, quite as splendid and full
as the tall of a fox. Well, one day the
old boss rabbit of the rabbit dominion -In
other words, the King Rabbit was out
in tho woods for a morning stroll. As he
went along enjoying the fine, fresh air he
fell In the company of a fox, a very pretty
red for, carrying on his arm a basket
covered over with fresh grape leaves.
" 'Ah friend Fox said Mr. King Rabbit,
bowing' low, waving his long bushy tall
and shaking his ears, 'maybe we two are
going In the same direction. If It be so,
may I have the pleasure of conversation
with you as we walk thither?'
" 'Certainly, neighbor Rabbit,' replied Mr.
Red Fox, being a very friendly fellow. It
will afford me great pleasure to chat with
you as we walk along the same path. I
am on my way to visit a sick fox, and am
taking a baakot of dainties for him to eat.
Tou see, when one Is sick one likes to have
one's friends come In and fetch something
appetizing,'
'Ah, true you speak," said Mr. King
KabDltt noain(r Blyly tne bRgket wWph h-
over Mr. Red Fox's arm. 'But, by the by,
Friend Fox, have you heard the last scan
dal about those gray foxes and their ene
mies, the chipmunks? Ah, you haven't?
Well, let's sit us down here In the shade
and rest a bit and I'll tell you all about
It.' And the cunning old rabbit made It a'
point to sit down beside the basket, which.
being very heavy, the red fox placed on the
ground, glad of the opportunity to rest his
arm a bit. Then, seating himself beside
his neighbor, the old rabbit, the red fox
gave himself up to the enjoyment of 11s-
tenlng to a bit of neighborhood gossip ajid
a few minutes rest. Old Mr. King Rabbit,
sitting between the basket and its owner,
could slip his paw quietly under the leaves
as he talked and draw forth 'the dainties
hidden therein and place them quietly be
hind hJm. Then, In an exciting point of
his narrative, and while Mr. Red Fox was
laughing till he thought he would die at
some Joke the gray foxes had played upon
their enemies, the chipmunks, he quietly
gathered up some small stones that were
scattered about the ground and slipped
them In the basket beneath the lAaves. Then
feeling that He could wait no longer for a
taste of the. many dainties he had stolen
from the brisket, he suddenly calmed him-
self, stopped In tho very midst of his narra
tive and said:
M 'Friend Fox, I am detaining you. It
Is fitting that I beg your pardon and
let you continue your Journey, for It Is
a long way snd, the day being hot, the
dainties you are carrying to your sick
friend will become heated and their flavor
spoilt. So I beg you to be on your way,
and exruiie tne If I remain here to rest
a bit before returning to my own home.
I am not so young as I used to be and
reel the fatigue or walking on a warm
day.
And allow me to say adieu as I sit
iICK FOX. AND AM TAKING A BASKET
Spring Cleaning
, r.
r-'-m UrV'' 4
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS
1. Write plainly en one side of the
papsr ealy and number the pafe.
fl. Use pea and Ink, not pencil
3. Short and. pointed articles will
be glren preference. So not ua ever
S50 words.
. Original stories or letters only
will be used.
B. Write your name, age and ad
dress at the top of the first page.
First and second prises of books
will be given for the beat two con
tributions to this page each week,
darees all communications to
CHXXiDBEN'S DEFAXTUXXTT,
Omaha, Bee.
0?lrst Prize.)
Patience Brings Pleasure
By Irene McCoy. Aged 11 Years, Barneston,
Neb. Blue.
The old clock was Just striking 5 an
Alice's birthday, when four little feet
bounded out of bed. "Where Is the sun?"
said Alice in dismay. She ran up to the
window and peeped through the glossy
white curtains. "Oh! Velma, it Is raining
and we were to lia)e our picnic In the
woods today." She began to cry bitterly.
"Now, don't cry, Alice, dear, and If It
isn't nice this afternoon we shall have it
tomorrow." She ran to the next room,
where the twins, Ralph and Raymond,
were. "Boys, we can't have our picnic, as
It is raining."
"Oh! pshaw," said Ralph, "we never plan
a ; i .i l r i- i k f
yf;i vf-v:.,.:
anything but what It rains." one she saw In her Sunday school paper she said Maybelle taught me a good lesson,
"Children," called a cheery voice, which the day before, but she did not say a word, because I knew how It felt now when any
they knew was their mother's, "breakfast She was delighted next Sunday to find she thing was taken from me, but I never
here In the shade, for I am too weary to
rise.'
"The reason for old rabbit's wishing to
remain seated was the fact that he had
hidden the stolen dainties behind him.
covering them most adroitly with his bis,
DUsny laiL
"The fox took up his basket, complain
ing that It felt heavier than when he
had started out with It, and added that
he supposed the fact was due to the dis
tance he had been carrying it. Then,
wishing his neighbor, Mr. King Rabbit,
good morning he went on his way, the
basket of stones over his arm.
"Then, chuckling with happy anticipa
tion of the meal of dainties that he was
so
soon to enjoy, the old rabbit took un
11 I IT.
the many goodies, tuch as the ripest
berries, the freshest of wild bee honey,
the richest of grape Juice, bottled, and
OP DAINTIES FOR IHM TO EAT.
is in Order Now
- - "vAr .
Is ready." Then they all rushed down
stairs. The next day was a bright and
beautiful one. ..
At 4 o'clock In the morning Mrs. Grey
passed through the hall and said: "Chil
dren, get dressed as quick aa possible and
come and see what I have for you." They
were soon downstairs, wondering what
their mamma had for them.
"We will go to the woods today," said
Mrs, Grey. "I also have something to
show you." She went straight to the barn,
and there, guess what they saw. The dear
est little pony and cart.
"This Is Starbright, Alice's birthday pres
ent," said Mrs. Grey. And as they went
to the house Alice said, "Patience brings
pleasure."
(9ocond Prize.)
Jane's Prize
By Emma Marquardt, Aged 14 Years, Nor
folk, Neb. Blue.
Jane had won a book as a prize from the
editor of the "children's page" In The
Omaha Bee and was showing it about to
some of her friends. "Let's read the story,
Jane?" asked Rose, one of her playmates,
"that you wrote to win a prize. I wrote a
story, too, but I was not so fortunate as
you, but I don't mean to give up, as I
intend to write tomorrow."
Jane handed Rose the story, but In a
hesitating way, as the story was not origi
nal and It was a wrong way In which to
receive the book. But she only said: "No-
body helped me with it and you might try,
but I don't think you will win."
Rose read the story, but it was the same
the daintiest of wild grain, made into cake
paste with fruit Juice, and Btarted, off
toward the bank of the creek, where he
might sit down anil eat to bis stomach's
contentment. He feared to remain where
he was with his stolen feast, for the fox
might take it Into his head to look into
the banket to see lf all was safe therein,
and,, beholding stones Instead of food,
return to the spot where he hud left his
neighbor, Mr. King Rabbit.
"Once on the bank of the creek, old
Mr. King Rabbit found a nice grassy spot
overhanging tho water where he could
sit with his tall dangling in the cooling
stream, for he was very warm after his
hurried run to the creek, carrying all
w , , . . , , "
hi" feast, taking up the cake paste and
licking It lastingly. Then, lifting a bot
tle of grape Juice to his mouth, he drank
long and deeply.
"But Just as he set the bottle down,
smacking his Hps In enjoyment of the
delicious draught, he cried out with sud
den and awful pain. Then, half leaping,
half rolling over hi the grass, he walled
and groaned, for be seemed to be suffer
ing most intense agony. When at last
he could cease his groaning and writhing
he began to examine the seat of paiu
bis beautiful tail; or, I should say, the
place where his tail had been. But to
his terrible sorrow and grief bis tall
the pride of his life was no more. In
fact, it was being carried down stream
at thut very moment by a 'huge turtle
that had snapped It from its place at
the end of Mr. King Rabbit's back, think
ing, no doubt, that he had found a very
appetising morsel of food.
"But what a Urrible plight old King Rab
bit was In. Not only did he suffer agony
of body, but agony of nuud as well. Ha did
not finish the dainty meal he had bcgin
with such relish a fw minutes before, but
got up and crept homeward as best he
could, with the poor tail stub paining him
till he could scarcely walk.
"Whan he arrived lr. the midst of his fol
lowers they all began to ridicule him,
laughing at his sad plight, and declaring
that since ho had become bob-tailed he
could no longer be their ruler. They had
had won a prls, but her story was on
ahe had thought out by herself and aha
won her prize In an honpst way. Now,
roaders, which do you think was the hap
pier of these two little girls? I think Rose
was' because she won a prize, hut not toe
soon, and she earned It in an honest way.
(Honorable Mention.)
Unwelcome Visitors
By Murl Beer, Ajid 10 Years, Nebruska.
Cily. Red.
At the edpe of town lived a very poor
family by the name of Nles. Their house
was mnde of wood and half broken down.
There were a lot of trees and bushes
around the house and an old gate In the
backyard, which orened Into another yard
where a lot of geese were kept
Mr. and Mrs. Nlea had one little boy by
the name of Ralph. He whs 2 years old
and had light hair and blue eyes.
One day his mother was baking some
cookies. Ralph asked for one, so liin mother
fave It to him and told him to c and play,
but not to go Into the goose yard.
IRalph always wanted to see the "Roosirs,"
as he cnlled them, so ho went to tlio gate
and looked In. It was too great a tempta
tion. He looked back, his mother was not
watching so he went In.
Tito geese were Just coming from the
pond. When they saw Ralph,, they ran to
him. He was disobeying his mother and
being punished. His mother heard him cry
ing and went to him. She saw the geeso
were trying to get his cookie, so she took
him Into the house.
She did not punish him, because she
thought he had been punished enough. But
Ralph never went Into the goose yard alone
gain.
Kate's Lesson
By Eleanor Mellor, Queen Bee, Aged
12
. Years, Malvern, la.
As Kato lay curled up In a chair reading,
she all at once noticed a little white figure
at the ond of the room. Kate asked her
what her name was and she said, "Miss
Stingy." "The reason I am here is because
yesterday your little brother asked you for
some of your candy, and you said that you
hadn't enough for him.
"But If you had said, I will give it all to
you, because I've had enough, I would not
have been here."
Just then Miss Stingy disappeared, so
that Kate would not have an excuse. When
Kate's mother came home Kate told her
about tho little girl named Miss Stingy.
Her mother said that she had been there
to teach her a good lesson that she had
been trying to break her of doing not to
be stingy.
Kate said that she would never forget the
little girl named Miss Stingy.
One of Grandma's Stories
By Nora A. Cullen, Aged 13 Years, Ex
Queen Bee, 2212 Webster Street, Omaha.
Blue.
One afternoon when grandma was read
ing, little Fanny climbed upon her lap
and Interrupted her by saying: "Grandma,
please tell me a story one that Is real,
not a make-up one."
"All right, dear," said grandma. "Listen
to this one." Little Fan sat down in
grandma's lap and listened very Intently
to the story grahdma was about to tell:
"I was 5 years old then," said grandma,
"and I had not started to school yet. One
morning I was out playing and I took a
stroll up the street. I passed by Mrs.
Lake's yard, which contained many beau
tiful flowers. I was longing for even one
blossom, but I did not like to go In the
yard and ask the people for It, so I just
went 'in and plucked the prettiest one I
could find. Then I walked out of the yard
and went home with the flower In my
band.
"Mamma asked me where I got the pretty
flower and I said Mrs. Lake gave It to
hits. iww in am 111 a niicw mm a iuiu a no,
for she saw me steal it, but she said no
more.
"We had a lovely red rose bush growing
In our front yard, and I was very much
annoyed that afternoon to see Maybelle
(she was a little girl 8 years old that lived
near me) go up to my rose bush and pick
off the prettiest roses. I felt Just like
going out and taking them away from her,
but mamma would not let me. She said
I should do to others as I would have them
do to me, and I never stole a flower or
anything else since that day. Mamma said
that little Maybelle did not know any bet
ter because She was very young, and, also.
no mercy on him, and lold him there was
no place for him in the camp, that so un
sightly an animal as a rabbit without a
tail was not wanted In their grove and
meadows.
"But old King Rabbit, so cruelly hurt by
the treatment of his own brothers, decided
upon a terrible revengo. At niglit, when
ail were fast asleep, he crept swiftly from
one burrow to another, biting off tlio talis
of all his kind, and when the morning
dawned a sorry sight met the rising sun.
Every rabbit big, little, old, young, male
and female were going about tailless. And
now their former king was not alone hi his
deformity. All rabbit-kind was bob-lailea.
And all rabblt-klnd was in mourning. They
attributed their ill fate to their leader, and
straightway banished him from their midst.
In liis unhappines he ran and Jumped Into
the river, drowning before he could be
rescued by sympathizing rabbits.1
. "But the tails of the rabbits never again
grew out, and all that were born came in'.i
the world without tails."
"And is tnat the reason rabbits have no
tails?" asked Ted, as his Uncle Tom came
to tli a end of the story.
"So I have heard," laughed Uncle Tom.
"But, look! The sun is coming out. Come,
eveiyone of you, get Into your wraps, for
I'm going to take you home with me to
stop over Sunday. Then we'll investigate
the truth of the rabbit-tall story." ,
"Oh, it's too good a story to Investigate."
cried Grade. "Lon't let's question It. I
shall always think of the old rabbit steal
ing the fox's basket of dainties whenever
I see a rabbit running through the pas
ture." "And so shall I," laughed Marie, who
had taken the story witii "a grain of salt,"
but who had enjoyed It Josl the same.
"And now let's go and ask mamma's ion
seat to go home with Uncle Tom. What
a grand old time we'll have, anyway."
"Yes, and I want a story of why the
chimpanse hasn't a tall all the samey the
monkey, his brother," laughed Ted.
And away they ail ran to ask permission
to go horn with Uncle Tom. " whose home
was on a Jolly big farm where fun was
tt be had by the wagon load,
thought how Ethel Lake felt when I stole
' one of ber flowers."
"Oh, grandma!" said Fanny, "I will
never do a thing like that to anyone, be
cauxe I would want no one to do It to me.
That was a fine story, grandma. Be sure
and have another one ready for m tomor
row." How the Poor Were Cared For
By Marguerite Rremers, Aged 11 Tenra, WS
Seconfi Clarkson, fYemont, Neb. Red.
Once upon a time there was a poor little
girl named Majorle, whose mother and
father were dead. She had no sisters or
brothers. Her clothes were ragged and
she had no shoes or stockings. There was
another little girl named Edith, who was
about the age of K Her parents were the
richest In the city. It happened that the
itl of December was her birthday. Bhe
was going to have a party of about a
hundred. They were all to come with their
parents In the evening.
Majorle was going past this beautiful
mansion at the hour of seven, when some
of the cabs were driving xip and people
were going up the steps. Majorie looked
there for awhile, watchlng-the people come.
Oh, she thought, If I only had my parents
living and If I only could have a dress,
shoes and stockings and something to eat-7
for she did not have a bite for three days.
As she sat on the sidewalk crying, half
frozen and starved, a lady and child, well
dressed, who were going to this party,
picked her up and asked her what was the
matter. She told them her pitiful story.
This kind lady took her to the party and
had Majorlo tell the rest of the people her
story. Some of the people said, "I will'
take her home with me." But Edith said,
"Oh, mamma, I want her. I have nobody
to play with." So all agreed that Majorle
should live with Edith In this beautiful
mansion. Majorle had never thought that
she would have such a nice home as this.
Edith told her mother that this was the
best present she had gotten or wished for.
The Four Friends
By Vera Cheney, Aged 13 Years,
Crelgh-
ion, iNeD. nea.
"Girls," said the professor, "the rules
were that you shouldn't talk In the hall.
You may go to your school room until the
bell rings, then come to my room and re
cite your afternoon lessons." Four girls
stood spellbound. I Their names were
Edythe, Margaret, Alice and Jessie.
"Well, I'm glad of It," said Edythe.
"So am I," said Jessie.
"I hope he don't give us harder lessons
than usual" said Alice.
"What If he would," said Margaret.
They went to their school room. The bell
rang and they went to the professor's room.
But they stopped at his door. They heard
him scolding someone.
"JuBt hear that. I'm afraid to go In,"
said Margaret. "So am I." said Alice. The
door opened and the professor came out.
"Go in and sit down," said the professor
In a pleasant tone.
"I thought he'd be crosser than that,"
said Jessie.
He came back and told them to find their
places In history. But he picked up a
grammar and asked Edythe for the defi
nition for a verb. The girls laughed, and
he, seeing his mistake, laughed, too, so
the afternoon passed.
Four girls walked home together that
night. But they did not go right home.
They went over to Margaret's and sat on
the porch talking over what had happened
that afternoon. Margaret's mother heard
them talking and got a lunch read for
them. Alice was Just saying, "I guess I'll
have to go," when Margaret's mother came
out carrying a tray with a nice little lunch.
.An Honest Boy
By Willie Cullen. Aged 10 Years, 332 Web
ster Street, Omaha. Red.
One day John thought to himself: "If I
could only have those skates In that wln-
Jln-or T wnnM Via rA Vinnnv " Tint hlM nArenta
pQor anJ they pou,d not ,pare Wm
the money to buy them.
That afternoon as he passed the shop
window he was tempted to steal them, but
when he thought of his kind father and
mother, who were very honest people, he
knew he would do wrong If he did so.
So be hurried on his way home as It was
getting dark, and the snow falling fast.
The next morning the snow was over two
feeet deep.
Mrs. Brown, whose husband was dead and
who had no children of her own, looked
out of her cottage window and saw the
snow heaped high . around the house. She
did not know how she could go to the store
that day for provisions. Now John had
his sidewalk all cleaned off and also a path
around the house, and when Mrs. Brown
saw how good John cleaned his walks off
she called him over to her house. She
told him if he would clean oft her walks
and bring the coal into the house and chop
the wood she would give him 75 cents. So
John set to work with his snow shove), and -
when lie had cleaned off the walk he then
chopped the wood and brought In the coal
for Mrs. Brown. When he had finished the
work Mrs. Brown called John into the
house and together they had a good din
ner. When ho was ready to leave she gave
him 75 cents.
John was going to spend It right away,
so away he ran as fast as his legs could
carry him to the store. Here he bought the
skates, which cost 75 cents. About a week
after John went wllh some more boys to
the ice pond to try his skates.
When his mother heard his story she was
very glad that her boy did not yield to
temptation that day he saw them in the
window.
How Mary Earned Her Skates
By Alfreda Weaver, Aged 13 Years, Her
man, Neb. Blue.
James-and Mary were playing fox snd
geese. 1
He got tired playing alone, so began to
throw 'snowballs. Mary hit James very
hard right In the face, which made him
very angry. Mary started to run behind
the school house when she saw James
making a snowball. The snowball didn t
hit her, but went Into the window of the
school house and bit th5 teacher, who was
sitting by his desk. It made Mm angry
and he gave Mary a good scolding. Her
brother had hid and so she took the blame
and paid for the window out of her own
money, that she was serving to buy her
some skates.
It taught James a lesson which he never
forgot, so he got Mary a pair of skates
for Christmas.
Tommy's Lesson
By Frances Waterman, Aged 11 Years, 541
South Twenty-fourth Ave., Omaha. Red.
Tom was 13 years old. He had Just moved
Into the neighborhood in which he was now
living. He had got acquainted with a few
boys, but you may be sure he would not
have played with them If he knew of their
bad habits. One dsy he and these other
toys were playing la his yard, when on
of them put his hands Into his pockets,
pulled out a cigarette, lighted It and
started smoking it. The other boys did the
same (except Tom).
"Don't you ever smoke?" he said to Tom.
"No." v
"Why?"
"Oh, I don't know. It might make me
sick: then I never tried it," answered Tom.
"Wanna .try?"
Tom stood still, as If thinking.
"Well.'' he thought, "Papa always says
to act and be a man, and men smoke."
"Yes, I will," he said, turning to the boy.
So the boy gave him one. Tom puffed
and puffed at It. "Oh, this Is fine," he
thought. But, oh I be didn't think It was
fine very long. He. was beginning to feel
sick already. Pretty soon he made an ex
cuse and ran Into the house. Ho threw the
cigarette away. His mother sat there sew
ing. "Oh, mother," he cried, "Those awful
boys gave me a cigarette and I tried to
smoke It. and It made me. oh, so sick."
He fell helplessly on his mother's lap.
"There, there," she said. "I'll call the
doctor and you'll be all right pretty soon."
So she called the doctor and he said Tom
would be all right In a day or so. And he
was, for the next day he was up. But he
never smoked another cigarotto.
His First and Last Slide for Life
By Willie Cullen. Aged 10 Years, 3U12 Web
ster Street. Omaha. Red.
Once there was a bpy named Ralph. One
afternoon he went to the Ak-Sar-Ben with
his mother. He took great interest In the
slide for life. When he got home end
went to bed he dreamed all night of the
slide for life.
The next morning he told his mother of
his dream and asked her If he could make
one In the back yard. She told him he
could not, because he might hurt himself.
His mother went down town that morn
ing. While she was away he called over
some of his playmates and together they
made a slide for life. They were having
great sport, when the wire broke and
Ralph fell to the ground, breaking his
arm.
When his mother returned she found
Ralph In bed with the doctor beside him.
She did not scold him then, because she
felt sorry for him, but when ha felt bet
ter she called him to ber and asked him
if he learned a lesson of obedience. He
said he did and he told her he had learned
a lesson which would never be forgotten.
Shep, the Hero
By Walter Johnson, Aged 10 Tears, 3205
Lincoln Boulevard, Omaha. Blue.
Shep was a good shepherd' dog that
was used In the north as a food bearer.
He was big and fat and knew his way
all over the north. Jack was a boy, who
lived In the north, too. One day he was
going to his grandmother, who lived far
off. She was very nice to him. On his
way a blizzard came up, but he kept on
going towards the way he thought she
lived, but which was the opposite. Poor
Jack got lost. He was Just about frozen
so he couldn't walk any longer, so he laid
down. After a while he heard something.
He looked up and saw a big shepherd dog
coming. It was Shep. He came near
Jack, who was able to get up and open
the keg that Shep had and eat what was
In It. Soon the blizzard was over. Jack
was feeling bettor and soon got up and
walked. Then he went horne with Shep.
He was the son of a rich man 'and the
next day went to a store and bought Shep
a collar. This was the hero's present.
Their Mothers
By Madge L. Daniels, Agod 14 Years, Ord,
Neb. Blue.
Three little girls, tired and weary from
their long ramble In the woods, sat down
to rest beneath an old elm tree." It was
very pleasant there on the fresh green
grass, with the birds singing all around
them.
But Bess, the oldest, finally exclaimed:
"Girls, It's time I was going home, for
mother is to entertain this evening and I
would not miss It for anything. Mother
is so busy; she is in society, you know,
and Is always away at some party; she
hardly has time to do anything at home.
We are all very proud of her. Tell about
your mother. Rose."
A doubtful look came Into Rose's eves,
but she bravely exclaimed, "My mother is
always busy; when anyone's sick, they
send for her; she Is always doing some
thing tor other people. And, you know,
girls, I have to miss school real often to
take mother's place at home. ' Now, Nell,
It Is your turn."
Sweet little Nell gazed up at the blue
sky and stopped for a moment to hear a
robin chirp, but there was no hesitation
or doubt In her voice aa she brightly re
plied, "My mother never has time to do
anything for anyone else, for there are
nine of us, you know, and she Is always
cooking, sewing and mending for us. Yes,
mother works from morning until night,
but she is never too busy, to smile on the
nine of us all day long."
Illustrated Rebus