- - r
V--.
THE OMATIA SUNDAY BEEs NOVEMBER 29, 1903.
THE extra Christmas letters asked for last ek are beginning to come
In, but all tbe boyg and girl do not seem to understand just what Is
wanted. It Is not to be a atory, but Just a letter on "My Idea of
Santa Claus." Just write your letter to the DuBy Bee editor and
tell her your own Idea of 8ata Claus. It Is very simple, boys and girls, and
the editor hopes every on will write. Make your letters short A prize will
be awarded for the best letter, but all these lettera must reach the editor by
Wednesday, December 9, as they cannot be used after that date.
The prises were awarded this week to Ruth Ashby of Fairmont, Neb., on
the Blue side, and to Vera Cheney of Creighton, Neb., on the Red side, and
honorable mention given to Marie Rich of Grand Island, on the Blue side.
Any of the Busy Bees may send cards to any one whose name Is on the
Postcard Exchange, which now includes:
Jean t Lone, Alnaworth. Nob,
Irene McCoy. Brnton. Neb.
Lillian Merwin, Beaver City, Neb.
Mabel Witt. Bennington, Neb.
Acnes Dahmks, Benson, Neb.
Vera Cheney. Creighton, Neb.
Louis Halm. David City, Neb.
Rhea Freldell, Dorchester, Neb.
Eunice Bode. Falls City, Neb.
Fay Wright, Fltth and Boll street, JYs
anont. Neb.
Ethel Reed, Fremont, Neb.
Marguerite Bartholomew. Gothenburg.
Neb.
Jessie Crawford. 406 West Charles street
Grand Inland, Nerj.
Lydla Roth, 6CC West Koenlf street, Orand
jaiana, wen,
Ella Voss. 407 West Charles street. Orand
IsUnd. Neo.
Pauline Schulte, 412 West Fourth street,
Orand Island. Neb.
Martha Murphy, 93 East Ninth street,
Orand Inland, Neb. '
irona unieiio, jib wen HJgnin street,
Orand Inland. Neb.
Alice Temple, Lexington, Neb.
, Ruth Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Edythe Krelts, Lexington, Neb.
Anna Neilson, Lexington, Neb.
Marian Hamilton, 2023 L street, Lincoln,
Neb.
Alice Orassmeyer, IMS C street, Lincoln,
Neb.
Elsie Hamilton. 202t L street,' Lincoln, Neb.
Irene Dlsher, 2030 L street, Lincoln, Neb.
Hughle Dinner, 2080 L street, Lincoln, Neb.
Louise Stiles, Lyons, Neb.
' Estelle McDonald, Lyons, Neb.
Milton Selser, Nebraska City, Neb.
Harry Crawford. Nebraska City, Neb.
Harvey Crawford, Nebraska City, Neb.
Luclle Hasen. Norfolk, Neb. ;
Letha Larkln. South Sixth street Nor
(oik. Neb.
Emma Mi-tjuardt, Fifth street and Madi
son avenue, Norfolk, Neb.
Mildred F. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Hugh Rutt Leshara. Neb.
Hester E. Rutt. Leshara, Neb.
Lillian Wirt "5 Cass street. Omaha.
Mever Conn, 846 Georgia avenue, Omaha.
Ada Morris, 1424 Franklin street, Omaha.
Myrtle Jensen, lo lzara street, umana.
Oall Howard. 4722 Capitol avenue. Omaha.
Helen Heuck. 1625 Lothrop street, Omaha,
aiary urown, ua nouievara, umana.
Bessie's Thanksgiving Experience
By Kaad
ESSIE had enjoyed a most glorl-
Bl ous Thanksgiving; day. There
I had been a great dinner at her
Aim 111 o 11 jr aUOBl uau t"ai
tlclpited In the enjoyment of It
There had been grandpapa,
grandmamma, uncles, aunts and ever and
ever so many little cousins, Just the chum
miest cousins In the world. And after. din
ner Bessie and the chummy little cousins
had played ti:i evening, and then the guests
all departed. Then Bessie's mamma told
her she must practice her music lesson, for
cn the following day her music teacher
would o nie to give her a lesaon.
"Oh, mamma, must I practice on Thanks
giving diyT" aked Beaiie in anxious tones.
"I thought I'd have no lessons nor prac-.
tlclng to do today. Why can't I practice
an extra hour tomorrow?"
"Now, daughter, you. know you missed
your rejular half-hour's practice this morn
ing, and you have to have your scales bet
ter thun now before your teacher comes.
So, don't use up time and energy talking
about it, but get to work. Don t you know,
child, that our work Is not nearly so hard
to do if we go about It gladly and earnestly?
It's the trying to evade it the endless
uorry In tur minds concerning It that turns
our w.itk cur duties lato ta.ks."
llctilH felt ashamed of herself and said:
".Yes, mamma; I am a lazy little girl at
t nui, and doserve your reprimands. But
1 shall go and practice a whole hour to
make amends for my wishing to put eft till
tomorrow that which should be done to
day." And Bessie hurried to the parlor,
where she seated herself cheerfully at the
piano, "I must have these scales before my
W-.-ieon time Umorrow," she sitd. And then
hu b g n running her fat Utile fingers over
Lie pluno keys, but without the alertness
that was uunl w.th her. The truth of the
matter was that Beetle had eaten too much
dinner that day and was drowsy and dull
In spirit.
But halt an hour went by with Bessie
still doing the scales, though sometimes
her fingers dragged terribly. "Ah, you
lury th.ng!" cried Bessie, addressing the
little f.nger of her left hand. "Why don't
jo J keep up there with your slsturs and
brothers and stop holding yourself so stiff
and slow? You're a naughty finger, you
are."
"And you're a naughy girl, lazy and
verfull of Thanksgiving dinner," said a
volco right In front of Bessie. For a mo
ment the little girl's hand dropped list
lass beside her, and she looked about for
thi person who had spoken so near t-
bar, yet could not be seen. Then sho be
gan to grow a bit frightened. - She had
heard that walls had ears. Could the
walls also talk? Surely that voice had come
from same place right In front of her
seemingly from tho piano 'Itself.
"Yes. you're a lasy, overfull little min.
and you are torturing me cruelly by the
discords you make my keys give voice
to. I love to have my keys played upon
BB6SIB DASHED OUT AFTER
Leonora Denlson, Tho Albion, Tenth and
Paclflo streets, Omaha.
Mildred Jensen. 2707 Leavenworth street.
Omaha.
Mabel Shelfalt, 4914 North Twenty-fifth
street, Omaha.
Wllma Howard. 4711 Capitol avenue,
Omaha.
Hulda Lundburg. Fremont. Neb.
Emerson Goodrich, 4U10 Nicholas street,
Omaha.
Helen Goodrich, 4010 Nicholas street.
Omaha.
Maurice Johnson. 1627 Locust street.
Omaha.
Hllah Fisher, 1210 South Eleventh street,
Omaha.
'
Louts Raabe. W09 North Nlneteentn are-
Emma Carruthers, 3211 North Twenty-fifth
street Omaha
Walter Johr.son, 2406 North Twentieth
street, Omaha.
Ieon Carson, 1124 North Fortieth street.
umana.
Kmllle Brown, 2322 Boulevard, Omaha.
Eva Hondee, 4oa Dodge street, Oman a,
Juanita Innes, Z76 Fort street. Omaha.
Genevieve M. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Madge L. Daniels, Ord, Neb.
Agnes Richmond, Orleans, Nsb.
Zola Beddeo, Orleans, Neb.
Merle Fleming, Osceola, Neb.
Lotta Woods, Pawnee City, Neb.
Earl Perkins, Reddlngton, Neb.
Emma Kostal, 1618 O street. South Omaha.
Ethel Enis, Stanton, Neb.
Edna Enls, Stanton, Neb.
Ina Carney, Sutton, Clay county, Neb.
Clara Miller. Itlca, Neb.
Mae Grunke, West Point, Neb,
Elslo Staatny, Wllber. Neb.
Alta Wllken, Waco. Neb.
Mary Fredrick, York. Neb.
Pauline Parks, Tork, Neb.
Edna Behllrg, Tork, Neb.
Carrie B. Bartlett. Fontanelle, la.
Irene Reynolds, Little Sioux, la.
Ethel Mulhnlland. Box 71, Malvern. la.
Eleanor Mellnr, Malvern, la.
Kathryne Mellor, Malvern, la. ,
Mildred Robertson, Manilla, la.
Ruth Robertson, Manilla, la.
Edith Amend, Sheridan, Wyo.
Henry L. Worklnger. cars Sterling Hem
edy company, Attica, Ind.
Walk.
when the performer brings forth good
music. And I don't mind little girls' prac
ticing when they follow the notes written
In the Instruction book. But for one to
simply fool about as you are doing
striking the wrong note oftener than tho
right one puts me all out of sorts. And
what I mean to do Is to run away from
. this house whore such a careless little
girl Is allowed to take such liberties with
so fine an Instrument as I."
"But but yo'j can't run away!" remon
strated Bessie. "You haven't any feet to
run on."
"Oh, that's all you know about my
powers," sneered the piano. "You Just
keep an eye open and you'll see my exit
from this parlor In double-quick time."
"Oh, but you wouldn't dare to run away
from this house, even though you had
feet to go on," declared Bessie, "for my
papa bought you paid $700 foe you and
you belons to our family. So, you needn't
be bragging about what you can do."
"Oh. you're fretting Impudent," nid the
voice In a deep and anfrry tone. "Well,
Just hold your breath a moment, Ilttlo
miss, for I'm golno; to surprise you some
what. So . you think I belong- to this
house to your family, do you? Well, I
belong to no one but myself." Hereupon
Bessie was pushed forcibly off the piano
stool to the floor, whore she lay, unablo
to arise. And from the room the piano
went, flying along as though on the fleet
out of feet.
But Bessie did not long remain quiet.
As soon as she could recover her wits she
got to her feet and ran for the piano. It
was Just going out through the open gato
when Besale opened the hall door. Bessie
dashed out after It crying "Stop!" Stop!"
But only a mocking laugh came back' to
her, and on and on the piano went down
the street. But Bessie continued In pursuit.
At the first corner the piano stopped, for
a little boy, by name, Roy Adams, was
coming round the corner at the moment
The pluno said something to him and he
stopped also. Then he opened the key
boardwhich had closet' of Itself as the
ptarro ran from the house and began to
finger the keys lovingly. Bessie paused,
stepping behind a lamp-post to watch' the
strange proceeding. She knew Ruy Adams
to be a very fine musician for his age, ona
that the people said would SJme day aston
ish the world. But being the child of poor
parents Roy had had liu'.o opportunity to
study his loved music, and Bessie knew
that for some time he hnd not been fible
to continue his piano lessons. And as Roy
had no piano of his own his mother had
been doing family sewing that she might
earn enough to pay the rent on a miserable
old Instrument, all out of tune, and without
melody in Its keys.
"Oh, what glorious tones!" exclaimed
iRoy, careering the keys. "What Joy un
, speakable I would have If I might practice
a few hours each day on such a piano.
IT, CRYING: "STOP! STOP!"
New Animal Analogues
y tli Author of "How to Toll ths Birds from ths Flowers," Prof. Bobert Williams Wood, Johns Hopkins University
M MM av
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS
1. Write plainly oa one side of the
papei only and aumber the pages.
. Use pea and Ink, not peaoll
3. Short and pointed articles will
be given preference. Bo ttot ass ever
B60 words.
4. Original stories or letters only
will be nsed.
6. Write your name, age and ai
dless at the top of the first page.
Tlrst Md second prises of hooks
will be gives for the beat two con
tributions to this page each week.
Address all communications to
CULSBSri B2FABTMZVT,
Omaha Bee.
(First Prize.)
Jack's Thanksgiving Dinner
By Ruth Ashby, Aged 13 Years, Fair
mount, Neb. Blue.
The farmyard looked different from
what It usually did. for tnatead of the
hens and turkeys strutting around, they
were all gathered In one corner and a
large gobbler was talking. "Yea, we
must put a stop to these great monsters
eating so many of our number each
year."
"Yes, Indeed," said one of a group o
oysters.
"Now, as I am captain, I'll go and get
the man In the house. Gobble, you get
the woman, and you. Speckle, get that
terrible boy they call Jack, who eats
more than anyone else. We'll have a
Thanksgiving dinner." .
When the family was assembled the
captain lifted a huge hatchet nd cut
off his mother's and father's heads.
Jack screamed, but Speckle held him
tightly. "Now for the dressing," said
the captain. Someone brought out
Juck's darling baby sister, Evelyn.
"Oh! oh! oh! Pleast don't! Let me go,
I tell you! Youn shan't have baby! Oh,
dear!" and Jack began to cry.
But the merciless turkeys put her Into
a nuge bowl and chopped her all to bits
before poor Jack's eyes.
"Now, we'll make a pudding out of thlt
one," said Gobble.
Jack was put Into a kettleful of boil
ing water when Jack awoke with a
scream to find mamma standing near the
bed.
Oh, It Is wonderful! How the melody
rolls!" And he brought out the strains of
a fine composition that Bessie had heard
her teacher play at a recital: But Roy
played It with so much more feeling than
her teacher had. And as Bessie llstnedv
tears came Into her eyes snd she decided
to 30 to the piano and tell It to sccjrnpany
Roy home, ' that he not she des.'i ved so
tine an Instrument.
But sho would wait until Ro.r had
sttpped his playing. Then she would go
snd tell him the piano was his for keeps.
Oh, what a glorious thins to be able to
create such music as that.. Then a pun
of reeret passed through Bessie's breast.
Why bad she not studied with energy and
love? Why had not she practiced fur the
sake of learning and becoming- capable
like Roy Adams? Why had she blessed
with well-to-do parents, who gave her
every opportunity missed doing what th's
little comrade, Ray Adams, had dons
In the very fare of adversity? She was
grieved now to think of parting with her
wonderful piano, for suddenly she had
been made to understand what it con
tained. If only one with a soul would
bring it out Yes. If shs might keep the
piano she would begin to study It for the
very love of the music It contained.. She
would glory and rejoice In the power of
playing like Roy Adam.
To smoke a herrins is to make
H most lamentable mistake,
Particularly since there are
The pipe-jish and the long
Sea-gar:
JBear this in mind when next
you. wish
To smoke jjour after-dinner fish.
-9-
Boyytlit. net, by Paul BMer aad Cewscay.
"Come, dear, what's the matter?" Jack
told her his terrible dream. ,
"I think my little bby tasted too many
things yesterday," said his mother, smil
ing. Needless to say when he sat down to
the bountiful Thanksgiving dinner Jack
forgot his dream and ate as much turkey
as anyone.
(Second Prise.) j
Jessie Brooks' Birthday, or
A Thanksgiving Feast
By Vera Cheney, Aged 14 Years, Creighton,
Neb. Red.
Jessie's birthday was on Thanksgiving.
She had Invited two of her friends to come
and spend the day with her.
The excitement of the next day kept her
awake for a long while, but at last she
found the way to dreamland.
At 6 o'clock the next morning she was
out of bed and dressing. She ran down
stairs to be greeted with "Happy birth
day" from all.
At last tho girls came and the fun began.
Jessie had a large attic In her house, so,
of course, that was the first place to go for
fun. They went to the attlo and dressed
up In .all the old-fashioned clothes they
could' find. At last the dinner bell rang
and they ran downstairs to find a big
turkey waiting them, with pumpkin pie
and everything to go with a turkey. The
girls went to the parlor to watch Jessie's
sister burn wood. After dinner, and to
Jessie's surprise, she saw a Shetland pony
and cart out In front of the house. 8 he
ran out to see It, but could not get In, be
cause It was full of ,packages. She found
them to be presents from all her relatives,
so they were busy for a while finding out
what all theie was. The girls stayed for
supper and afterwards they all went to the
library and sat around the fireplace and
roasted nuts, popped corn and told ghost
stories. When the girls went they were
taken in the new cart They said they had
never spent a more pleasant Thanksgiving.
Honorable Mention.
Two Wishes
By Marie Rub. Aged IS Years. Bl! West
Fir t 8trf Grjnd Island, Neb. Blue.
P!'i Joe were two poor bfiys. Their
faihfi it. u mothers had to work hard for
"Why. my dear child, asleep with your
head on the piano hoys?" And Bessie's
mother shook her unt I the was thoroughly
aroused. Then she went on: "Now, dear
child, 1 fancy ycu ale too much Thanks
giving dinner, to feel in Hit spirit for
piano pra" Ct tne, get up. dear. There
is compan) irning thi evening, and I
want to tidy up the parlor. You liavr your
music scattered about everywhere. Come,
gather It up, dear."
Bessie now understood that she had been
asleep and dream'ng. But she cc uld still
hear the strains of the music made by
Roy Adams in her dream. And smf made
up her mind she would rtudy the piano
as she had never studied It before. And
Roy -s, she would speak tj her mother
concerning him.
"Say, mamma." she taid, turning alio it
on tbe pluno stool and facing her mother.
"I had such a strnnge dream. And it taade
me feel such an Interest In Roy Adams.
You have heard htm play the piano,
haven't you?"
"Yes, Indeed, and he plays like one In
spired. He is a prodigy and will do won
ders yet if he can have the opportunity."
"And that Is Just what we must give
him, mamma," said Bessie, her eyes seri
ous. "I want you and papa to arrange
with my music teacher to give him lessons,
and allow him to come here every day to
)
flair.
a living and they lived next door to each
other.
Bill was selfish and spent the little money
he made by doing little chores for candy,
tops and marbles and such things, but Joe
was different. He gave the little money he
made to his father and mother and some
times bought a book for Bill's little lame
sjster.
At the time they were living there were
falrios In the land. They both resolved to
find a fairy, so they wouldn't have to
work as hard and could be rich and each
went a different way.
When Bill thought of what he wanted he
wasn't thinking of his father or mother or
his little lame sister at home, but of him
self, while Jos was thinking of his father
and mother and the little lame sister of
Bill's.
Soon Bill met a fairy. When she asked
what he wanted he said he wished he could
te rich and have a lovely home to himself.
Then the fairy asked if he wanted any
thing for his father or momer or his sister
he said no, that they wouldn't know how
to act In a nice house.
"Very well," Bald the fairy. "Your wish
shall be granted," and she disappeared1.
When she met Joe he said he wanted his
mother and father to be rich so they
wouldn't have to work, and that he wanted
Bill's parents taken caxe of and the little
lame girl to get well.
"You have made a good wish," said the
fairy and disappeared.
The next morning when Bill awoke he
found himself In a lovely house with serv
ants and everything nice. Joe found: hlm
solf also In a lovely house with his father
and mother. Next door to them were Bill's
tether, mother and sister. Joe siw that the
lame girl was well attain. They all lived
happy until they died, except Bill, who
spent all his money and became so poor
he left the town and was never heard of
again.
Tommy's Adventures
By Alice Temple, Lexington, Neb. Aged 10
Yoars. Bluo.
"Tommy," called mamma, "Tommy, you
come right here." Soon a small boy who
had seen four summers came around the
house. He had curly brown hair, soft
clear blue eyes, fair complexion and sturdy
arms and legs that were always In mis
chief. He was very dirty. The front of
.his little suit was plastered with mud and
he was dragging a large gartersnaka with
one- hand and In the other he had a cat
wtitch he was carrying by Its tall. Mamma
screamed, which made Tommy look rather
disgusted. Mamma stopped when sho saw
the snake was dead. "Tommy," she cried,
"put that snake down and leave pussy go
and come right in the house, for I am
going to go down town and take you with
me. Oh, how dirty you are! I must clean
'you up at once." Mrs. Wallace took
Tommy Into the house, cave him a bath
and put clean clothes on him. "Now," said
she, "you wait till I get ready and don't
you get yourself dirty." Tommy promised
that lie would not and then he went down
stairs and out In the yard. Oh! how hot
practice on our fine piano."
"You blessed little, philanthropist!" cried
Bessie's mamma, throwing her arms about
the little girl'a - shoulders. "Of course,
papa and mamma wll ha glad ,to assist
Roy In any way, But Isn't he taking les
sons now?"
"No. I heard blm tell a boy the other day
that he had been obliged to stop owing to
the tact that his father cannot afford to
pay for his lemons and the pianrt he has
to practice on Is nothing more than an old
tin pan. 1 should love to help hira,
mamma."
"We will all help '.iin, deareit," mamma
promUed, feeling doubly proud of her little
daughter at that splendid moment. "But
what has roused you to such sudden In
terest In Roy have you seun him today?''
"Only In a dream and heard him play,"
answered B fcsle. "But that dream la one
mote thing I hive to be thankful for this
liloilous day, mamma, fur It has op.-ned
my eyes to some things that will surprise
you. I'll tell you tonight, mamma, after
the company ts gone. And now I must
gather up my scattered music But how
hajpy I am to see that our piano really
did not run away. But It shall never again
have clumsy and Indifferent hands to play
upon It. Tomorrow It will feel a throb of
Joy when I sit down to practice, even
though I merely run tbe scale,"
he was. Ther wis the hydrant. ITe knew
the water was nice, and cold and he
so hot he could not resist the temptation.
He turned on the hydrant and stood under
It. It felt good at first, for the water was
rather warm, bet ss It got colder Tommy
got colder too, so he went down Into the
basement, leaving the water turned on. As
the hydrant was fixed against tho base
ment the water ran In and spoiled Mrs.
Wallace's canned fruit. Meanwhile Tommy,
after going Into the basement, went Into
the coal room and rolled and played In
tho coal. When mamma called him to get
Ms coat and hat on he was a slRht.
Mamma almost cried when she saw him,
as It was too late to dress Tommy sgaln,
and Mrs. Wallace had to stay home.
One day the following winter Tommy
was pasting with mamma's best glue, then
Just for the fun of It Tommy poured the
glue on ono of the large easy chairs. Just
then the doorbell rang. It was fat Mrs.
Worfett, and of course she sat down on
the glue, and you know what happened.
I could tell you lots more about Tommy,
but I have written enough for this time.
Martha's Thanksgiving
By Genevieve M. Jones, Aged 12 Years.
North Loup, Neb. Red.
"Mamma," said Martha one cold day In
November, "you know next Thursday will
be Thanksgiving' and I want to ha.ve a
party so bad. I will Invite thirteen girls.
That Is. If you will let me, and for refresh
ments we will have turkey, cranberries, pie
snd fruits. That will be enough, and I
hope you will let me have It. Just about
all of the other girls have had a party but
me. If I can have It I will want It about
Thursday afternoon from 2:30 till :.
Eleanor Fairy and I will wait on the table.
Now, mamma, please do say yes."
"Well. Martha, I see you want It so
badly that I will let you have It on one
condition; that Is. If you will Invite Evelyn."
After a few moments' hesitation she said:
Yes. mamma, I will."'
"All right then you may have It."
Evelyn was a ttle lame girl whom none
of the girls liked to play with because she
could not go as fast as they could.
"Well, who will write the Invitations?"
"You may. Martha. Get your stationery
and I will tell you what to write."
So when she got It her mother saldi "We
will write this one first:
'Miss Martha Wayne requests the pleas
uru of Miss Grace Edwards company
Thursday, November 36, from :30 till
245 Forest Avenue, Chicago.'
"Oh, that is Just fine. Now I will finish
the rest and then "mall them out."
After while shs ent to bed and slept
soundly. She awoke at 7:80 as usual and
got ready for the party. When 2:30 cams
the little girls arrived. Each one brought
Martha a Thanksgiving card. When It was
6:) Martha called Eleanor to go In the
kitchen with her and they set the tabls
and in fifteen minutes called the girls to
take their places. When they got through
It was 6:30. Kitty looked at ths clock and
said1: "Well, girls, we had better go." Bo
they bade Martha farewell and told her
what a good time they had had. This ends
the story of Martha's Thanksgiving.
The Brave Dog ,
By Lew Mead, Aged 10 Years, Blair, Neb.
Blue.
Rover was a large, black do with long
hair. His master was little Harry Green.
Rover liked Harry, because he had picked
him up In the country road when ho was a
little puppy.
There was a river back of the barn, with
a little Ice on It. Harry thought It would
hold him, so he went out on It, but the
Ice was not strong enough to hold him.
Rover pranced up and down the bank, but
Harry did not notice him. Rover kept dig
ging but Harry would not look. When all
at once the Ice popped and Harry sank
through. When Harry came up Rover
caught him and began his task. The water
was very cold, but he never flinched.
Harry's father came from the barn after
him and took him to his mother.
He was unconscious at first, but he had
not been In the water long enough to hurt
him. When he opened his eyes he found
himself In his mother's arms. After that
Rover was treated as one of the family.
Prince William
By Lillian Wirt Aged 9 Years. 4158 Cass
Street, Omaha. Blue.
A long time ago In the time of fairies
and goblins, there was a boy about 13 years
old whose name was William. He was a
prince. One day when he was walking- tn
the forest he looked down and saw a lis
ard bound fast between two rocks. . Now
the prince could not bear to see any living
thing suffer, so he stooped down and pulled
the stones spart, freeing the lizard.-
But Instead of seeing a lizard he saw a
beautiful lady standing before him.
"I am the fairy Starbright and you re
leased me from a trap Into which ths
winked goblins put me. You shall be re
warded for this. Whenever you want any
thing press the opal In this ring which I
will give you and It will be granted."
The fairy vanished, but what sho said
came true.
In after years William was king and ruled
wisely over his people until his death.
The Busy Bee Club
By Ruth Davenport. Aged 10 Years, Nor
folk, Neb. Blue.
Once there was a club of ten girls. They
had a president, secretary, treasurer and
vice president. The president said: "Let
us work hard, and call It The Busy Bee
club,' " and the girls said: "All right."
So that Is how It got Its name.
So they worked hard, for Cliristmas was
near, and they made a box of things to
send to tbe Children's Hums for ths little
children.
They met every Saturday and when it
was Thanksgiving they said they must
hurry. They made little aprons for the
children snd sent some books and their
mothers sent some nuts, candy and soma
dresses and each little girl had something
else to . send. The day before Christmas
they sent the box. The Children's Home
was so glsd to get it that the girls said:
"Let us do it again next Cliristmas." So
every Cliristmas they sent a box.
A Disobedient Girl
By Ava Hufamlth, Aged Years. Creigh
ton, Neb. Red.'
There once was a little girl. Her name
was Mary Jones. Mary always wanted to
stay !n bed until ten minutes before the
tlrst bell rang. She said that the school
.was only four blocks away and she said
It would take her five minutes to dress snd
five minutes to comb her hair and five
mJnutes to eat her breakfast, then the rest
of the time to get to school. But her
mother called her on morning Un minutes
too early and she did not get up and slept
longer than shs meant to. She slept ten
minutes too long and when she awoke It
was half past el-ht. Shs Just got ber hair
combed and the bell rang. She hurried ai
fast ns she could and got a piers of breaf
and butter for her breakfast, but ah
started out of the diKir and shs slipped
and fell and hnd to go Kick and dress hel
wound and when sho started out ag-ain th
bell rang ami she was fifteen minutes latt
for school. And this Is what Mary get fol
being a disobedient girl.
Emilie
By Emilie Brown, Aged 10 Tears. 3 Bol
vard, Omahu, Neb. Red.
Once upon a time there was a little girl
who never wanted to help her mamma do
tho dishes after meals.
So ono day her mamma said, "If yon
do not dry the dishes you cannot go to
grandma's with me after dinner."
Well, she thought, mamma has said that
a nnmher of times, but she will take ma
anyway, so I Just will not d the dishes,
snd went into the yard to play with tho
rest of the children.
Her mamma did not say one word to
her about the dishes any more and did
them herself. In about an hour her
mamma said she wns going to dress and
go to grsndmas.
The little girl waited for her mamma
to say come and go, too.
llr mamma put on her hat and coat
and told the little girl not to go out of
the houso until she came back, and when
she was gone the little girl sat down
and cried herself to sleep. When she
awnke sho went tip to her room, took a
book and started to read and read until
her mother came home.
You may he sure she always did what
her mother told her and always did the
dishes when she was told to.
This Is a true story, because I am ti e
little girl.
The Grays' Thanksgiving
By Led Harris. 515 South Twenty-second
Street, Omaha, Neb. Red.
The Grays lived in Omiha. Mr. snd
Mrs. Gray had three children, Marion, who
was 12 years old: Alice, 10, snd Hobby, . ,
Thanksgiving day was drawing near and
the Grays 'were to visit Mr. and Mrs.
Roberts, the. parents of Mrs. Gray. Mr.
Roberts was a wealthy farmer. The chil
dren were very unhappy, ss they remem
bered their last visit to their grandparents.
They were to stay at the Roberts' farm
nno week before ThanksRiving day and
leave the day after Thanksgiving.
When the train pulled up In front of
Ithe little station at Dreyton and the
Grays stepped out of It they were greeted
by Mr. and Mrs. Roberts. When thy
reached the farm house they were delighted
to see all tho aunts, uncles and cousins.
My, whst a good time the children had
that week. During the woek they hnd
sleighing and skating; parties. They skated
on ths large pond which was about a
quarter of a mile from the house.
It was the day before Thanksgiving'. The
cousins wars going- to have their last
skating party. All tho children were iming-.
even little, Robby. Mrs. Gray was at
first afraid to let Robby go. Shs said,
"Tho larg-er children will forget about
Robby and leavs him alone." They all
promised to look after htm, so she let
him go.
While the cousins were skating they
heard a loud scream. They turned and
saw a large black hole. Robby had fallen
through I When thoy got him out anol
home they found out that Robby
more frightened than hurt.
The Grays thought they had much to
bo thankful for.
Adelaide's Watch
By Myrtle Jensen. Aged 11 Years, 2909 Izard
Street, Omaha. Blue.
Adelaide rushed Into the sitting room,
where her mother was reading; and an
nounced that school would be closed for
two weeks on account of ths soarlet-fever
plague.
"Won't It be nice. Mamma? Elsie hnd I
have already planned what ws are arolng to
do."
"Yes, dear. I think you Oh, there's ths
postman's whistle."
Adelaide ran out on tho back porch and
came back with two letters.
"One's for me, Mamma!" sha exclaimed,
tearing open the envelope.
"O, mamma, It's an Invitation to come to
Margaret Bell's birthday party a week from
next Wednesday. May I gx?"
"Certainly you my."
"Oh, goodie!" exclaimed Adelaide.
"Adelaide, I'm afraid you can't go after
11. This Is a letter from Aunt Eleanor
saying that she ts coming next Thursday to
stay with us until Christmas. You know
Aunt Eleanor doesn't approve of children's
parties, so you will have to be very pollt
and stay home."
"Can't I go anyway, and not mind her,
mamma?"
"No, no, dear, certainly not."
Next Thursday saw Miss Eleanor In ths
parlor, examining the furniture to see If It
was thoroughly dusted and In reply to all
questions answering stiffly "no" or "yes."
On the very day of Margaret's birthday
Miss Eleanor asked, or rather commanded,
Adelaide to go down town with her and
show her the city. They went Itno many
large stores and finally Aunt Eleanor's eyes
rested on a Jewelry window. Sho entered
and asked to see soma gold watches.
"This way, madam," said ths clerk.
Miss Eleanor followed, while Adelaide
looked at anything she pleased. Her aunt
seemed to be directing the clerk to do this
nd soon went out again.
Aunt Eleanor changed her mind about
staying until Christmas and went boms be
fore Thanksgiving.
On Xmas morning, Adelaide found a small
parcel by. her plate. She hastily opened It
and found the dearest little watch with her
Initials on It and a card wishing her a
merry Xmas from Aunt Eleanor.
That very hour ah wrote a letter to Aunt
Eleanor thanking her thousands of times
for the dear, little watch and when aha
cam again the next summer shs reoslved
a much warmer welcome from Adelaide
than ever before.
My Kitty
7
U j ,
By Rachael Wtlles. Aged 6 Years. Lyons.
Neb. Blue.
I have a kitty. It came from the depot
The train was going to run over It but the
depot man grabbed it off ths track and
brought It to our neighbor's, where he
boards. , They did not want It, so they gav
It to me. It Is a cute kitty and It Is most
all whit, but It has a few black spots. On
duy I put It In papa's hst snd It laid down
and went t sleep. It is lying under ths
stov now. Ons day It Jumped upon ths
table and got into a pitcher of cream. I
love my kitty Very much. It la named
Bnowbujl. My little friend Mary has a
kitty which Is very naughty and bites us.
She loves it, but I don't. My kitty doesn't
catch mice, but Mary's does, aad bclagts)
them right In front of ths inss, '