TTTE OMATTA SUNDAY BEE: JUNE 29. 1009.
E
NOW that vacation la here, we should receive some good stories from
the Busy been. The Queen Cee. Ruth Ashby, has boon visiting
mie of her subjects In Omaha for a few days and reports that she
Is pleased with the work of some of the Busy bees. Kuth was th
fucst of Gall Howard, an tx-queen of the Busy Bees, whom Bhe met
through the postal turd exchange.
The prizes were awarded this week to Madge L. Daniels of Ord, Neb., on
the Blue side, and Kuth Holson of burwell, Neb., on the Blue side, and hon
orable mention given to Eunice Bode of Falls City, also on the Blue side.
The postal card exchange now includes:
fesn Ie lying, Alnswnrth, Neb.
rne McCoy, Bsrnston, Nph.
Lillian Merwln, Heaver City. Neb.
Mabel Wilt, Bennington. Neb.
Vera Cheney. Crelghton, Neb.
I.011IS Halin, David 'Hy. Neb.
Ruth Ashley, Fairmont. Nob.
Funics Bone, Falls City, Neb.
Fay Wright, Fifth and Hello streets, Fre
mont, Neb.
Bthnl Reed, Fremont, Neb.
Hulda I.undburg. Fremont, Neb.
Marguerite Bartholomew, Gothenburg,
Neb.
Jessie Crawford. 405 West Charles street.
Gran. I Island, Neb.
Claire Both, &J6 West Koenig street, Grand
Island, Neb.
Ella Voss, 407 West Charles street. Grand
Island, NeB.
Alice Urassmeyer, 1545 C street, Lincoln,
Neb.
Allre Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Edythe Kreltz, Iexington, Neb.
Anna Nellson, Lexington, Neb.
lioulse Stiles. T.yons. Neb.
Bstelle MrIonald, Lynns. Neb.
Milton Seller, Nehraska City. Neb.
Harry Crawford, Nebraska City. Neb.
Harvey Crawford. Nebraska City, Neb.
Marjory Rodwell, 215 South Second street,
Norfolk, Neb.
Emma Mtrnuardt. Fifth street and Madl
on avenue. Norfolk, Neb.
Mildred F. Jones. North Txiup, Neb.
Hugh Rutt, Leshara, Neb.
Hester K. Rutt. I.eshara, Neb.
Mayer Cohn, R4fl Georgia avenue, Omnba.
Gall Howard, 4722 Capitol avenue, Omaha.
The Children's Exciting Fourth of July
Br Maud Walker.
ERT and Lily Graham's mother
Bl was giving them a Fourth vl
I July picnic In the woods. No
buuiii, save Mr. ui Aiinm, whs
of the party, for, as she had
said, It was to be young Amcrl-
ra's party, and all the speeches, tho songs
and recitations were to be of the youth,
fcy ths youth and for the youth.
Th place chosen fo the nlenle. was In
a lovely dell some two or three miles
from town, and the party chaperoned by
Mrs. Graham, made an early start so as
to reach the place of destination before
the heat of the day should become so
Intense. In the woods the air was cool
and refreshing. A great shaded spring af- said Bert Graham, host of the party. "In
forded water to the picnickers, and a fine sist upon Tom performing some heroic
board platform and benches had been ar- act not wood-chopping, mind you, but a
ranged for the morning's patrlotta exer- heroio set before he Is slowed to par
cses. Also, an organ had been taken to take of that chicken."
the plcnlo grounds that morning very early, "Agreed! Agreed!" acquiesced several of
and was on the platform when the plcnlo the girls. Then, Lily Graham said teas
crowd arrived. An old serving man, be- ingly: "Poor old Tom, won't he get a bite
longing to Mrs. Graham's household, had of chicken till he performs some genuinely
prepared the grounds for the occasion, and
was ln attendance on the young folks,
putting up swings, hanging hammocks and
making himself generally useful.
t w nt .
the
patrli
poy ana gin seemir.g to Vie with the
other In rendering the words of the song
with true American feeling. Following
this, extracts from the Declaration of
Independence were read by the orator of
the day, Charley Stephens. And a tine,
jmenwni reaning ne gave, too, being
cheered heartily by his young listeners.
Then other songs were sung, some ln
chorus and others In quartets, duets and
solos, these being lnterepursed with reel-
tstions and declamations.
And such an enjoyable time was had
durtug the patriotic exercises that young
America forgot for a time that there were
great baskets full of luncheon, gruut Jugs
of fruit lemonade (tucked Into bags of We)
and swings and hammocks, aud-yes, above
all else-a huge box of fireworks to be used
In the final wlndup of the day's celubra-
tlon.
But as soon as the last song was sung
an tose other pleasant things cume to
Blind, and the staid ami nr,n.er e vm,r,
broke up Into a gay, laughing ex.-Ited
crowd. Baskets were opened; cloths were
spread on the crass beneath it,, treat,.
water was brought from the spring and
pieces of Ice chipped Into the pails and
pitchers to add coldness to the sparkling
"Adam's ale" so fresh from the inturw
so fresh from the interior
of the earth.
"Well. I call this
the
most enjoyable
Peterson, his mouth crammed too full of
fried chicken to permit of good articula
tion. At the moment Tom was assisting
Graule and May Stearns in placing soms
cf ths appetising contents ot a baokot on
the plcnlo cloth.
"Tberel Caught, sir!" cried May, turn
ing on Tom with a threatening shake of
the finger. "How dare you to sneak into
tbi bowl of fried chicken? I ll have to
ksp an eye on you, sir."
"Just sampled It," muttered Tom, try
lug to swsllow the tasty bit ot chicken
wing he had purloined. "Gee! I like the
ample, and mean to get a sat close to
the spot where thst bowl Is set. Ah hi'
mVai be assumed an Injured look as May
boldly took the bowl and covered It with
napkin, keeping It close by bar sld.
"Just one little handout, please, jund
lady," bagged Tons, to the great amuse
ment of half a doaen girls and boys who
had heard th baa tar betsfseo him and
The morning exercises ODened with tb. . i- ..., moBl 01 ln Dees wro ne'1' DUl "w .
" vtmjwi, WIB. UIHimm leuainiT ana InvhrpnUnra am vnti itiot nnur npnolrBti.l . . That Tn. tHnntrlit vena lliat
,, -1-1- ii .., ,. " ' j...... queen bee. There was one bee (I do not "
boys and girls following. Then a on us." declared Tom. "SDeak under- ... .
atlo sons- was nn with .irit ooh , u., . , , ,. "" " mn 10 ""-miou tie umiio wnu Tid the little toys motner
v . a ...... oidijiiuuit Aiuerieaii. uieuse.
Junnlta Innes. !?! Fort etrewt, Omaha.
Ada Morris. 3424 Franklin street. Omaha.
Emerson Goodrich, 4010 Nicholas street,
Omaha.
Helen Goodrich, 4010 Nicholas street,
Omaha.
Maurice Johnson, 1627 Locust street,
Omaha.
Hlliih Fisher, 1210 South Eleventh street,
Omaha.
Louis Rnabe. i"V9 North Nineteenth ave
nue. Omaha.
Emma Cnrrathers, till North Twenty-fifth
street, Omaha.
Walter Johnson, 24 North Twentieth
street. Omaha.
Madge L. Daniels, Ord, Neb.
A If ties Rlrhmond. Orleans. Neb,
Zola rteddeo, Orleans. Neb
Marie Fleming, Osceola, Neb.
Ixitta Woods. Pawnee. City, Neb.
Fnrl Perkins, RecMinctpp. Neb.
Edith Amend. Sheridan. Wyo.
Fmma Kostal. 1611 O street. South Omaha.
Edna Knls. Stsnton, Neb.
Clara Millar, Plica. Neb.
Mae Orunkc, West Point, Neb.
Elsie Htnatny, Wllber, Neb.
Alta Wllken. Wnco. Neb.
Pauline Parks. York. Neb.
Edna Rehllrg, York. Neb.
Carrie R. Partlett. Fontanelte. la.
Irene Reynolds. Little Bloux. la.
Ethel Mulhnlland. Pox 71, Malvern, Is.
Eleanor Mellor. Malvern, la.
Kathryne Meller. Malvern, la.
Mildred Robertson Mnnllla. la.
Ruth Robertson, Manilla. Ia.
May. "You wouldn't refuse a hungry man
a bite to eat and on this the great and
glorious Fourth!"
weu, you must ursi ao a little wooa-
chopping," smiled May. "It's the custom,
I believe, for tramps to offer to work for
what they eat. Am I not right, girls?"
And May turned an appealing look on
the girls grouped about the plcnlo cloth,
some assisting at the nnenlnir of th ba-
kets, while others cut bread and cake.
"To be sure." declared several girls'
voices ln unison. "If that tramp wants
dinner at this tavern he must do some-
thing worth while to pay for It."
"Say. I ll tell you. girls, what to do,"
heroio act? Ah, then I fear ho Is doomed
to eliminate chicken from his dietary front
this day."
-Say. Lily Graham. Just because this Is
: . "
Evervbodv lauhd at I.llv's Bwnen
but that young miss was not ln the least
disconcerted. Looking defiance at Tom,
she smiled.
"Do you understand the meanlntr at the
word c-h-l-c-k-e-n-T" And she spelled the
word with emphasis on each letter. "Well.
If you do, that fowl, especially when fried
and served at a nlcnlc dinner on the
Fourth, is to be found misnlng on your
plute. Do you understand that, Sir
Trampt"
Rut Just at this Instant a boy of tho
party who hud gone to the spring for more
water came rushing madly up the hill,
calling out at the top of his lungs: "A
mui1 bul1 18 coming through the meadow!
Crt t ,r,to wagons and up trees, for the good
lord's a't". cr he'll gore some of us to
ut'ath! Hurry lie's close behind me!"
Immwdiatel all was confusion. Mrs. Gra-
hnm tried giving orders, but few of the
ci;i:uivn neara r.er. Borne scram-
un u '"r lle picnic wagons, out knew at
tl1 'ime u'no that they would not bo safx
iuosi 01 tne boys started for
w"- cnmuing out or trie null a reach,
But" vt Oour,e' they did not look after
UlWr 'n 'ttfety t,U tlley "w that tha
'lr" )nsl1 tho waons-
no KOO1 ettlng In a wagon!" cried
Tftm MinBunpInu t r.& ,4 V. I .. ,
try climbing the trees. But no time was
left for cnarige of position. Up the step
bank came a iwu-jtrfnl bell amnritn.. .
bellowing furiously. On gaining the top
ha stopped short for a minute, staring with
SIZ7! SPUTTrTR! FLASH! BANG!
riRKCRACKlvRa &XPLODED IN
bloodshot eyes at the little party stationed
close upon the bsnk. Then ha shook his
head, snorted, nawed tha earth and nave
forth such a bellow that ths very ground
aremed to shake beneath tha frightened
picnickers. Mrs. Graham had ollmed Into
a wagon, holding her motherly arms about
the smaller girls, while she endeavored to
calm them. "Maybe the animal will go
past without harming us If ws Just keep
very calm and look straight at him. Tou
know It Is said that animals understand
our emotions to a certain degree. Let's
all be determined to feel no fear and If
hs comes toward our wagons we must
show fight by threatening Mm wlLa our
parasols."
After taking la Us view to his content
' T-.m.r ri - Ml mm H MI pv hi m . i
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS
1. Write pistol? on one side of toe
paper only and number tho pajes.
a. Use pen and ink, not pencil
3. Short and pointed articles wi.l
be given preference. So not use ever
B60 words.
4. Original stories or letters only
will be used.
5. Write yoar u;uno, age and ad
dress at tho top of the first pa.
First and second frizes of 'oockt
will be given for the test tno con
tributions to this paste each week.
Address all oommani:ai,ions to
CHILDREN'S S - 'A&XjliMT,
Omaha Bee.
(First Prise.)
The Busy Ants
By Madge U Dan I
a 1- ... -.i
" S ' vj ii a t in n ,
Blue.
Neb.
There was sorrow In the ant home.
Father ant went around looking like a
thunder cloud, mother ant brushed the
tears away from her faded eyes, and the
five little ants were very unhappy because
they did not know why their parents
acted so strangely.
"It's not m ney matters," the blgsest
brother nnt said, "for we children have
carried enough bread crumbs and grains
of sand to last us a whole year; we can
not be hungry In the cold weather for we
have accumulated so much food.
At last one morning father cot said.
my cniiuren your muwier . aim iiiyncii
must have sympathy ln our sorrow, and
we have decided to tell you our trouble.
There Is not a lazy one of us, we have
worked day and nlsht the whole year
through. Look at those trifling bees fly-
lng about ln the Clover, they are not
working, they are drones. They Just sip
th sweet from the blossoms and are
,dle a11 ,a5r lung' ana yet Brest city
eiitor w,tn a name that reminds l'ou of
perfume has dared to call his paper "The
Jja"y we Bnu ' ulnrr ul "a""
paper has called an entire page "ina
Busy Bees." We have been downtrodden
. . . . , , . u,, ,
and abused. This Is my trouble, children,
and I want you to think of some way to
make those editors change the name of
their paper to "The Busy Ants."
(Second Prize.)
Stolen Honey
By Ruth Hobsons, Aged 10 Tears, Burwell,
Neb. Blue.
There was once a swarm of bees. Their
ruler or queen lived In Omaha. Now
or mem wouia steal noney to bring to tne
early always stole his honey from a very
busy one named Frisk. So Frisk went
to the queen bee and told her about It.
"Do tou know who steals It?" asked the
,,,
.. . . , .w . v 4 t
want to know.'
nu, imwpicu r idp., turn to w imL a
m,v m,ir hor, lnU sold
th. n "nri make it round nnd then
f any one comes with that kind of honey
I'll know It's the thief."
Bo Frisk made some pink honey and
set It tn his window. That nli;ht the
Httla bee came as usual and took tho
honey. When he brought the honey tho
queen told him to take It back and give
It to Frisk. Tho thief was found. After
that the queen would not take his honey,
Now this Is only a story but what I'm
K'n to say now Is true. If we take our
,
the bull put his head to the earth, pawed
a raw times in rage, snortea again ana
mane a cnarge ngiu lowaro. tne wagow
containing Mrs. Graham and the group of
smaller gins, ivacn lima miss screamea
in irigiii biiu niu nar iace in ner nauius.
Mrs. Graham's breath stopped and
h" fac" bOHme deathly white. The
waBn WM a fra" affalr and thft ot
It was so close to the ground that should
1 1 '. j f 1 1 1. ,- tri n a hull n ra t n , n- htu Vi n b nn
"s occupants there was nothing to prevent
his doing so.
x?.. i jbi ... ,i. i ii .-j
charging toward the picnic wagon filled
with frightened humanity when Tom Peter-
TWO ITANPFII
TUB BULL 8 FAC11
GIANT
son darted forth from beneath the wagon,
whither he had crept all unnoticed by any
one. and maria rlht it th hull From th
wagons snd surrounding trees came cries
of horror as the girls and boys saw Tom
risk his very life. But before one could
have counted five Slix! Splutter! Flash!
Eang!-Tom had thrust out both hands and
thrown something right In the charging
animal's face. Two hen lf .;ls t.f giant fire-
crackers exploded In the bull's face. Then,
as ths frightened and half-blinded animal
turned In retreat, Tom touched off a sky-
rocket, pointing It to shoot over ths running
bull's back.
Ths bull needed nothing more to scars
hlra swsy. Indeed. It was really funny
to see him darting down ths bank. Into
stories from another's thoughts, we will
be found out In the cnJ.
(Honorable Mention.)
The Acorn
Py FAinlce Bode, Aged U Years, Falls City,
Neb. Blue.
On the ground In a grove of oaks lay an
acorn, nearly burled In moss. How lie
wished to be an oak tree, not that the
acorn was not happy, for he was, but he
wished to do some good In tho world. "If
I were only an oak" aeorn thought, "I
could give a place for birds to nest In.
people could sit beneath me and I could
help to make the world beautiful.
When It rained, the water washed acorn
deeper Into the soli, and finally he was
completely covered.
One day as acorn lay In his warm bed;
a glow-worm passed that way, and as It
looked wise, acorn asked It If he had any
i, .. .i i,
v iiniii i: 1.1 1 nr 111 an v ' n M .
"Yes" answered the itlnw-worm. "If von
grow properly." and It passed on. "Could
It be so?- Acorn thought, and he waited,
And sure enough next spring acorn found
himself growing; burst his tight skin and
llttle roots spread out, then tiny leaves
pushed their way to the sunshine. Acorn
wan no lnnor an neom. hut ttnv oak.
but he dd not Btay Uny. he grew laTKer
. .. . . rtMI ,, ,hB
hg brancnM Krew ,arger and stronger.
How happy the young oak was, what have a picnic, Ann wished she could go,
glossy leaves he had. What fine, strong but she knew she couldn't, for she must
roots. take care of Robert, besides they were go
He grew quickly, and, ln time was as lng to ride on a boat and her mother could
large as any oak ln the grove, and so
acorn's wish was fulfilled.
Joe's Christmas
By Mildred M. Jones, Aged 14 Years, North
Loup, Neb.
Jj"nw alhe0rrnnandy,nowWelV9'
PenpIe were hurrying past' him,
But he had no place to go.
r-brt.tm n-v
eVeVyone Might and gay;
J coull not ell his papers,
as tne people nurnea away.
. . ',,. T,. .
One Ilttl boy, about Joes sge,
Had stopped near where Joo stood;
Joe thought he had never seen a boy
That looked quite so good.
With smlllnsr face and golden curls,
He stood there In the snow;
"What did you get for Christmas," he said,
"I thought I'd like to know."
"For If you didn't get a thing,
Just please come home with me.
For we have got a lot of things
On a great big Christmas tree."
And thev both went to his home.
On a beautiful, fasnionaDie street
Ana no iouk uy ii ui wn iima emu,
own little room,
too sweet.
Greeted Joe with a happy smile,
JJ. '."ay Just a llUle" while .
But was going to stay and live there,
And be lier little boy,
And that evening, off from the Christmas
tree,
He received many and many a toy.
Hnw T?.ftllA T.PflmAf. t.O Wnrk
By Harold Jensen. 139 North Twenty-
Third Street, Omaha,
One day Rollo's uncle said: "Come, I
want you to sort nails." So Rollo went to
the barn, where his uncle gave him a box
of nails to sort out. He said, "Put all
nails of the same kind in one pile."
olio worked well for a few minutes, then
he found a horseshoe nail. He didn't know
what to do. Then he thought of a plan.
He Jumped up and ran to play with his
ths water of the creek and thrnush the
vi.
o-j''"i " '"
him.
Just as the plclnlo crowd was wonder
ing whether or not they would better re
main there for luncheon or pack up hur
riedly and betake themselves off, In an
ticipation of the bull's return, two horse
men came dashing through the meadow
U'bleh hnrin,.il 1 1 1 cr r?n Hno n t Ih.m
seeing the plcnlo crowd drew rein snd
asked If they had seen an Ill-natured bull
thereabniits. "Yes. b has been pelehrst-
,n." replied Tom. laughingly. "He had
the honor of having two bunches of g'snt
firecrackers and one huge skyrocket. Now
he's running Just as far sway across the
creek, yonrtetwas he ran get. I guess he
doesn't relish Fourth of July fireworks."
The horseman laughed, and told Tom
that he and his companion were off tn
search of the bull. "But go on with
your celebration. ' he added, "for we'll
drive the old fellow Into his pen shortly.
He'll not molest you sgaln."
"And you may have all the fried chick
en you can eat. Sir Hero," cried May,
coming down out of the wagon and giving
Tom her hand. "Yes. you surely deserve
the best the board affords." cried Lily
Graham. "Tou hava performed the heroio
act which entitles you to-"
"8h-sh-sh!" And Tom put up a warning
finger. "If you say too much 1 11 get the
big hesd. Truth Is, I never once thought
of the fried chicken when I was playing
with the firecrackers snd the bull."
"You're a brick, old chap." And Bert
Graham, coming down from his perch In
a tree, seised Tom by the hand. "The
others of us boys" .
"Sh-sh-sh!" cried Tom, putting up a
warning finger. "Not another word about
the little bull episode. Let It be forgot
In the merry-making. Say, Mrs. Graham,
Isn't It luncheon tlmef"
"You de.r. brave boy." began Mrs.
Graham, tears ln her eyes snd emotion ln
her voice. But seeing a determined look
In Tom's eyes she paused; then added:
'Yes, girls, let's spread the table and do
honor to our hero. Tom Peterson. Come,
bring out that fried chlrken."
And then the merriest luncheon was en-
Joyed, snd ths afternoon of that Fourth
of July will always live In the memories
of those present And when the night
came down Chinese lanterns were lighted
and swung from the trees, and several of
the boys took charge of ths fireworks.
And tt la quite sure that ths old bull, ln
his pen on an adjoining farm, could sea
the skyrockets and hear the snapping and
cracking and roaring of the fireworks, and
If hs dtd he must have been glad to have
been overtsken by his owner and driven
bom tot safety.
cousin. Ills cousin was with his father
In the field St work. After a little while
Hollo's uncle returned to tho barn, where
he left Rollo at work. When he found he
was- gone, he started to hunt for him. He
found him rolling a hoop In the yard. He
asked him what he meant by leaving- his
work. Then Hollo said: "I found a nail I
didn't know what to do with." His uncle
said, "You should put It to one lde and
so on working"." The next duy Hullo said
he would try.
Good Deeds Always Rewarded
By Mollln Corby, Aged 13 Year., 1S44
North Sixteenth Street, Omaha, lied.
"Flowers! Flowers! Ten cents a bunch!
Buy some, pleaso do!" sobbed a ilttle gll'L
No one seemed to notice her.
All day long Mario had wandered up
and down the busy streets of tho city.
She was walking toward her home when
a young man stepped aside from his gay
company and said to her: "How much are
your flowers?" "Ten cents a buch," Marie
replied. "X will buy them all," he said and
guAe her the money. Marie looked at the
nlan flr a nU)Im,nti anj lhe saij: -i wiu
pray to Uud. Ho should reward you for
your kindness."
Many years passed. One day as a great
actress was about to step In her carriage
an old man crouched at her feet and
begged for alms. "Just as 1 was once.,"
she said. Mario bade her servunts to pick
htm up. As soon as he recognised Maria
be.sald: "May God reward you In your old
Bse as jie naa me."
Arino'o P5tii
Rv Isabel Crawford, Aged 12 Years, iS08
rsortn mirtioin street street, t'inatia. ume.
'J'"e Anna Wright, was a poor plrl.
Slle llvp(1 ln Taeoma, Wash. Her mother
had to go away every day to work. Anna
had to take care of her little baby brother,
whose name was Robert. It was very lone-
'"me when Robert was asleep and every-
thing was still. She had a little playmate
across the street, whose name was Mary
Hou(rhton. They were great friends ami
had many good times together. One day
Mary's Sunday school class was going to
not give her the money for her fare. Tho
day of the picnic came and Mary came to
tell Anna good-bye. Anna was sitting on
the front step with Robert In her lap
watting for her mother to oome home.
Mary saw a big tear ln Anna's eyes. Fhe
ran to her mother and said: "Oh, I wish
Anna could go," her mother thought a
moment, and then she called Anna and
asked her If she wanted to go. "Oh. yes,
very much," said Anna. "You come with
me," said Mrs. Houghton, "and I'll get
you ready. I will take care of Robert till
your mother comes home. Mary has some
money for your fare." Mrs. Houghton
got their lunch for them. They went to
the school teacher's house. Her name
was Miss Mill. Everybody was there ex
cept Mary, and were waiting for her. Miss
Mill called them all together and they
started for the boat. Anna had never been
ln a ship before. They stopped at a shady
wood, near the beach. The children had
lots of fun digging clams and wading
In the evening when they returned, Anna
thanked Mrs. Houghton and said she had
never bad such
ucvci uuu iu bu"
A Double Surprise
By Letha Larkin, Aped 14 Years, South
Sixth street, Norfolk, Neb. Blue.
Only one more week till the time for the
musical, and Gladys Eastman had only
got her piece two weeks before, because
Bhe had been sick, and today she was
practicing om her piece, and she was so
nervous ovr It.
Boon she went and laid down, but got
no regt, for the piano keys Jumped at her,
an(i tne notes flew at her, while it Beemed
t0 her tnat her tears were even notes.
gn8 was a0 worried about her piece. She
wq, up with a high fever and found her
mother standing by her. Her mother said
ghe Boon Would be better. That evening,
ola.y8 wag overjoyed to hear her mother
rea(. from the daJly paper, that the musical
wou,d be delnyed three weeks. Gladys was
rapidly getting well. On day when she
wa, almost well, her mother said, "Go
)n ry your plece ,.A11 right," said
QMy. cheerfully, but when she got titer
she had no time for her piece, for there
was her little playmates, calling out "Sur
prise," and It was such a pleasant sur
prise, too, and she declared when they
went home that she never had a better
time.
Monday was ths musical and Monday
evening, when Gladys' muslo teacher canio
un t0 her a . , , V,.0" Pf , 9
for being the best player. What a surprise
l was to ner, ana saiu,
Mamma, It was
double "u,pr1"' ,to hav uirlB8 P"1
nd t0 et irst )rlze' to-
Sunflower Billy
By Helen A. Bunggart, Aged 11 Years,
Lena, Neb.
When I was about 8 years of age, my
father and Mr. George Manning bought
a beautiful little pony, but It would never
get gentle for me.
When I had had my pony a year, my
father and Mr. eGorge Manning bought
near Denver, a bunch of wild horses, which
ranging ln the mountains, and I ney
hed a negro to help catch them, and this
n9r0 haa a ,lule bay hore- tbat waa
and vrr Kentle- 80 they bought
him of the negro and shipped him wlUj
the other horses to Whitman, Neb.
They arrived at home on Christmas day,
with the hosees. I liked the little bay pouy
so well that I traded my father my little
black pony for him. He had a Sunflower
brand In his left hip, so I named hlra
Sunflower Billy. I ride him every day.
One evening when I was coming home from
school, the saddle turned with me. and
Billy stopped and waited for me to gut ths
saddle on his back and get on him. He
ja fat and ln good shaps. and I am never
afraid to trust hlra, he Is so gentle.
,
jj ged tne Counter
J
'Skf' W
The doorbell of the little shop tinkled
cheerfully as Maris enierea. one naa come
to purphase s, spool of thread for her
mother. It was quite a while before Mis
Smith, ths proprietress, apreared and asked
Marie ln a feeble voice what she wanted,
"X have such an awful cold and today be.
lng Saturday I can't have a minute s rest,
Oh. my head aclies so bod."
Marie felt so sorry for her and said:
'Mrs. Smith, couldn't I be clerk for you
today T"
After She) had received Mrs. Smith's oon-
sent, she hurried horns with ths thread snd
ln a few minutes she was behind the coun-
ter. Many people came and she waited
oa them gladly and what she did not know
On the Glorious Fourth
Bee tho great procession!
Hear tho big brass band!
Just harken to the awful rour
Throughout this mighty hind!
'TIs the glorious, glorious Fourth,
And loyal hearts are guy
As out they go to celenrute
Our well-loved national day.
about she went to Mrs. Smith and aked
her and when the store was empty i-ho
kept Mrs. Smith company. One ludy
wanted some ginghams and Marie took
down from a high shelf all Mrs. Smith
had. She glanced at them hurriedly and
went off with an angry look and not buy
ing a thing. More than once did the cus
tomers treat her this wsy, but she kept
up her courage and was doing a kindness
to a sick ons.
After this, when Marie went to a store,
she tried to make as little trouble as pos
sible for the clerk.
How Two Sisters Found Each
Other
By Ella Voss, Aged 12 Years, 407 West
Cliarles Street, Grand Island, Neb.
Blue.
There was once a girl whose mother was
very poor. Her name was Mary White,
and Bhe was 10 years old. Her father died
when she was 2 years old, and her mother
took in washing,
Mary had a friend, Ruth, who lived next
door. Her parents were wealthy. Mary
had an aunt living somewhere, but her
mother did not know where.
Mary and Kuth read the Busy Bee page
every Sunday and one day Kuth said, let
Us try to write a story. So they did and
Kuth gave Mary the materials for Mary
did not have them.-
The next Sunday, when they read the
paper, Mary hud won a prize. She was de
lighted. A few days later Mrs. White received a
message asking if she did not have a sis
ter living somewhere and if she did she
should pack her trunks and come to her
for she had a large house and was
wealthy. So Mrs. Whlta packed her trunks
snd left the next day. When she got there
they were so glad to meet each other and
Mrs. Davis (her sister) told her how her
daughter had told her that Mary Whlta
won a prize, "and then I knew it was my
niece," said Mrs. Davis. Mary and her
cousin had many happy times, but she
did not forget her friend, liutji, who
helped her out with the materials with
which she had found a better home.
Bennie's Kindness
By Alice Grnssrreyer, Aged 13 Years,
Kiverdale, Neb. lied.
It was Bennie's eighth birthday and he re
ceived many presents, among them a $S
gold piece. Bennie's mamma told htm to
go to the store, and gut what he wanted
with It; so he started off, but had nut
gone very for when he saw a little girl of
about 10 years of age crying bitterly. Ben
nie's heart was touched for she was
dressed very ragged. He was a very kind
and loving little boy, and liked to help
others, so he ran up to tha little girl,
and putting the gold piece Into the little
girl's hand he ran back homo to tell his
mother all about It. She was pleased at
what Bennle had done for she had taught
him to bs kind to everyone. She gave him
some more money to spend. Bennle grew
up to be one of the greatest helpers of tho
poor ever known. And he said It was be
cause he had mads the little girl happy
with his gold piece.
Dorothy's Candy
By Francis Waterman, Aged 12 Years,
648 South Twenty-fourth Avenue,
Omaha. Ked.
Little Miss Dorothy Houke and May Carol
were taking a walk ons bright June day.
Presently Dorothy found some candy.
"Oh, don't eat that." cried May, "you
can't tell who has had It, maybe some
dirty person."
"I will," cried saucy Miss Dorothy, "its
clean and It's Just as good as any other."
"I'm sorry," said May, "I didn't mean to
be mean. Ilease excuse me."
"Well maybe, this time," said Dorothy,
eating the candy. "This Is good, too."
In about an hour they went home-
"I don't believe I want any supper to
night, msmma," said Dorothy. Shs went
to bed early, for shs didn't feol very good.
The next morning she called her mother
and told her shs felt so sick to ths
stomach. Her mother called the doctor.
"Why, what hav you been eating?" h
asked Dorothy.
She was too sick to answer.
After several weeks she got well and
she told her mother all about It.
One day shs and May were taking a
walk along this very street where she had
found the candy. She noticed a little girl
pick up a piece of candy and she told the
little girl of her experience and the little
girl threw It away.
"I'm glad." she said to May, "that I told
that little girl about It, so she wouldn't
sat It, and I must apologize for all ths
rudeness and cross words I gave you when
I ate the candy."
Eleanor's Reward
By Jeannett Miller, Aged 11 Years, Fair
mont. Neb. Blue.
Eleanor was a very lonesome little girl
as she sat in the hammock. She had her
book open ln her lap, but she wasn't read
ing. She wss thinking what she would do
all the three, long, lonesome months of
vacation.
"Oh, my, I wish I could go some where
that's new to me. Alice has gone with her
aunt to the Phlllpt 1ns Islands, and I cun t
go anywhere." And Eleanor put her head
on ,her arm and began to cry.
All at one she Jumped up.
What was poor mother doing up stairs
with baby brother, who cried all the tlmeT
"I know what I'll do," shs said almost
aloud, "I'll go and help mother all I can."
She went up stairs and found molhar oa
Old folks, and young ones,
Klg folks, and small;
Co out on tho glorious Km: 1 1 li
To respond to tho call.
Of love they bear their country.
Where all are blent and tne.
In this, the land Hint's truly n!i
"The home of liberty."
the bed trying to sleep, but baby was kick
ing so It kept her awake.
"Mother, I'll take hlni for n ride, ami you
go to sleep."
"All light, dear, get his hood."
After ho had had a long tide. Klianor
brouKht him home and helped her mother
get supper.
A month passed and her mother got a
letter from her sister ssylri? she was com
ing to spend two or three ilus on her wuy
to Brazil.
She had been there one day, and that
evening said to Kleanor's mother: "Won't
you let Eleanor come with mo, she's such
a good girl I'd like to hava her."
"Yes, 1 will; shu has been so good this
summer."
The next day her mother packed her
trunk and she went with her aunt to a
rlace that was new to her.
The Life of Some Rabbits
Alice Temple, Lexington. Neb., Aged 9
Years. Blue.
Once in a far off country, along a creek,
was a little hole where Mr. and .Mrs. Rab
bit lived.
One day Mrs. Babbit fell 111 anil Mr. Hnb
blt started off for a doctor It.-ibhit. Hut
the doctor was out and he started homo
discouraged.
When ho got home, guess what he saws
Mrs. Babbit was lying ln the bed with
three little baby rabbits.
They hud a grsnd christening. Their
names were Bunny (he was brown i, Snow
ball (ho was a white as snow), and little
Budge, who was the sweetest of them all.
One day snow fell and fell and fell till
nearly everything was covered so Unit they
could not find anything to cut. The snow
was not hard enough to stand on and If
they tried to they would fall in a crest
drift of snow.
Soon all their stores were gone and T'epit
Babbit started out to find some food. A
women had dropped several fine pieces
of lettuce so he picked them up and started
home well pleased. He. was about home
when something went bung, ban. Mr.
Kabblt fell down In a snow drift with a
hole In his side, where he soon died. Then
someone picked hlra up and carried hlra
away.
Mrs. Rabbit, seeing that Mr. Rabbit didn't
come home started to find hlni, when the
same thing happened to her, by the ham
boy, who took them home and skinned them.
The little rabbits, not being able to find
anything to eat, Boon starved to death. I
wish the boy that reads this story will not
kill any more rabbits unless you know they
have no mates or children,
A Day in the Woods '
By Kuth Koblnson, Little Sioux. la. Re,t
It was a beautiful day ln April. My
friend, Irene, and I took our dinner and
went to the woods. We rode our bicycles,
for It was Quite a ways there. Wc got
tbero about 12 o'clock, but ws were not
hungry, so we put our dinner down and
wandered quite a distance from the place.
It had begun to grow cloudy and It was
not so beautiful after all. Irene wanted la
go home because It looked so much like
rain, but I did not want to, so we went
back to where we had put our dinner.
When we got there "Frits" and "Hob,
our dogs, had got Into Irene's dinner
basket, so we ate together. Before we got
through eating it had begun to rain pretty
fast.
We picked up our things as fast as we
could and took our bicycles and started
for home In the hardest of the ruin. W
had nothing to put around us except our
spring coats and It was very chilly. Our
bicycles were so muddy that we could
hardly wheel them along and we had no
place to leave them, but we kept going
till we came to a big hill. Just around
Die hill there were soma cattle and they
started after us, so we put our bicycles by
the fence and got upon the hill.
After a while one of the neighbors from
town cam past and he chased the cows
away and put our bicycles In Ms wagon
and let us ride. Ws did not mind the rain
very much, but were a little bit frightened
at the cows.
Helen's Dolls
By Eleanor Mellor, Aged 12 Years, Mal
vern, Ia. Blue.
Helen was the only child of a loor father.
She did not havu any one to play wl'n
but a few old dolls. One doll was right
pretty, but the others wen very unlldv.
One day Helen's father came to her anl
said: "Helen, wo haven't a penny left to
get us our food or fuel."
Helen felt very soiry about It, so sh
said: "Papa,. If I can make this doll some
nlcj clothes, nvybe I could sell her to
some little girl."
Although Helen did not want to port with.
It, she felt as though her poor father should
have something to eat and km p him warm,
so she made some pretty dressns out of her
aprons and took the doll uptewn to sell.
Bhe did not like to go In the crowd with
her dirty dress, but she still thought of
her poor father In the old house.
A little girl came up to her and said
"How much Is your doll?"
"Anything, ma'am."
The little girl handed Helen $1 and
walked off.
"Thank you," sail Helen, gladly.
Helen took It home. Her fatter was
sitting ln a chair waiting for her to return,
Helen told htm shs had sold her doll, so
her papa told her to get the supper up al
th bakery- She did so, and they had
good supper and a warm dwelling place.
Her father always looked forward for hi,
aunport to Ms little girl l!l;n.