2
the omaita Sunday bkk. FKBur.Miv 8. mop.
O MANY new Busy Rpps have Joined or have Just begun to write stories
Sfor the Cosy Beoa' Own Page, and several have written to ask the
meaning of the Blue aide and the Red side, that this explanation is
made- Every three months a new Queen la chosen to lead the Bin
side and a new King lo lead the Red side, and the Duty Bees choose which
aide they wish to hel!. Each Bide tries to win the most prizes for good and
original stories. In the last contest, ending January 1, the Blue side won, but
in the present contest the two sides are even, seven prizes having been awarded
to the Blue side and seven to the Red side since January 1. So this will
probably be the closest contest that the Busy Bees have had. Last year the
Blue aide was the stronger, but most of the new Busy Bees have Joined the
Red side and a few of the older Busy Bees have decided to help the Red side,
so that the two sides hare equally good writers. The Busy Bees must be
careful not to have their stories over 250 words.
Two good stories were sont In this
the Busy Bee editor was also pleased
of the Busy Bees.
Prlzea were awarded this week to Fred Sorry of Monarch, Wyo., on the
Red side and to Margaret Dodge of Fremont on the Blue aide. Honorable
mention was given to Rena Mead of Blair on the Blue side.
Several newi names have been added to the, PoBtcard Exchange this week.
Any of the Busy Bees may send cards to any one whose name is on the
Postcard Exchange, which now includes:
Jean re Long, Alnaworth, Neb.
Irene McCoy, Barnaton, Neb.
Lillian Mrwin, Braver City. Neb.
Mabel Wilt, Bennington. Neb.
Anna Gottsch, Bennington, Neb.
Minnie Gottsch, Bennington, Nub.
Annex Lahmke, Benson, Neb.
Id May, Central City. Neb.
Vera Cheney, Crelghton, Neb.
JOula llahn, David City, Neb.
Rhea Freldell, Dorchester, Neb.
Kun Ire. Hode, Falls City, Neb.
Kthel Reed, Fremont, Neb.
Miilda Lundburg, Fremont, Neb.
Marlon Cappa. Gibson, Neb.
Marguerite Bartholomew, Gothenburg. Neb.
Lydla Koth. ty West Koonlg street, Grand
Island, Neb.
Klla Vnsa, n7 West Charles street. Grand
Island, Neb.
Irene. Costello, 115 West Eighth street,
Grand Island, Neb.
Jessie Crawford, 406 West Charles street.
Grand Island, Neb.
Taullne Schulte, 412 West Fourth street,
Grand Island, Neb.
Martha Murphy, 923 East Ninth street,
Grand Island, Neb.
Hugh Rutt, Leahara, Neb.
Hester K. Rutt, Leshara, Neb.
Alice Temple, Islington, Neb.
Ruth Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Anna Nellson, Lexington, Neb.
Eilythe Krelts. Lexington, Neb.
Alice Qrassmeyer, IMA C St., Lincoln, Neb.
Marian Hamilton, L St., Lincoln, Neb.
Elsie Hamilton. 202 L Bt., IJncoln. Neb.
Irene Dlsher, 2090 L street, Lincoln. Neb.
Hughle Dlsher, 2030 L street, Lincoln, Neb.
Ixiulse Stiles, Lyons, Neb.
Kstelle McDonald. Lyons, Neb.
Milton Reiser, Nebraska City, Neb.
Harry Crawford, Nebraska City, Neb.
Harvey Crawford, Nebraska City, Neb.
Luolle Haien, Norfolk, Neb.
Itha Larkin, Bo. Sixth Bt.. Norfolk, Neb.
Emma Marquardt, Fifth street and Madi
son avenue, NorfolK, Neb.
Mildred F. Jonee. North Loup, Neb.
Oer.errleve M. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Either Newman, 14 North Twenty-fifth
street, Omaha.
Mildred Ekickson, 270 Howard street,
Omaha,
Oscar Erickson, 1709 Howard street,
Omaha.
Ixrals Ran he, 2to North Nineteenth ave
nue, Omaha.
At the Sugar Camp
By Charles Xilaoola Fhlfsr.
E'RB goln' to the Sugar camp
next week. Want to go along,
Charley?" It waa Mr. Moulton
speaking to his nephew,
Charley Moulton, one Saturday
afternoon In midwinter as ha
w
was preparing to drive home after a call
at his brother's house In town.
"Of course I should Ilka to go. Pleaae,
mamma, can't I go?" asked Charley.
"I don't Ilka to have you miss school."
"I will give Charley halt of tha sugar
made from the sap he brings In" said
Mr. Moulton. 'It will do tha boy good to
rough It a little.'
Mrs. Moulton reflected. Bhe remembered
how once, aa a girl, ahe had visited a camp
and how she enjoyed Jt, despite the cold,
After awhile ahe said:
1 have a great mind to let him go."
'Hurrah! shouted Charley, considering
" AWtij .Vlliuw. nun, J J v K
and overcoat and mittens?"
Mr. Moulton laughed, and the mother set
to woi getting ready the things he was
to take.' In the meantime she was giving
him instructions and advice, not half of
which ha oould remember, snd telling the
uncle to take good cre of him.
At last they were off. Charley and hla
cousins, Jacob and Simon. They had great
tlmea that night, sitting before the big fire-
place, popping and parching eorn and
cracking walnuts. For aupper they had
mush and milk) a great crock of milk
setting on the table to supply the several
bowls, and. they told Indian atortes after
supper. Tb next day they fed the horses,
and tumbled In the hay In the large mow,
and hunted bens' neeta. It waa so different
from tha way Charley usually spent Sun-
day, at Sunday school aad the Junior
league. During th. day they packed kettles
and pans and bedding and various other
things lo the great wagon, ready for the
start to the Sugar camp the next morning,
and the entire household retired very soon
after dark. It waa so early Charley
couldn't sleep, and aa he lay In tbe attl
where the rafters were hung with strings
of pumpkins, sage and pennyroyal and
other medicinal herbs the aunt had pre
pared against a day ot need, he Imagined
all sorts of uncanny shapes moving" amid
the shadowy outlines aad waa so fright
ened he could hardly sleep at all.
Hut If thev went to bed early they git
tin even earlier. It didn't seem to Charley
like It could be much past midnight. He
could scarcely open his eyes at all. But
when he got down stairs be found tbe feed-
lug already. tuo and breakfast almost
week about George Washington, and
to receive a clever littla poem by one
Mary Rrown, 233 Boulevard. Omaha.
Eva Hendee. 44f2 Dodge street, Omaha.
Jtmntta Innes, 2K9 Fort street,' Omaha.
Lillian Wirt. 4168 Cass stieet, Omaha.
Kmlle Rrown. 2322 Bntilevard. Omaha.
Meyer Colin, 84 Georgia avenue, Omaha.
Ada Morris. U2 Franklin street, Omaha.
Myrtle Jensen, 119 Ixard street, Omsha.
Gad Howard, 4722 Capitol avenue, Omaha.
Helen Houck. WA Lothrop street, Omaha.
Emerson Goodrich, 4"10 Nicholas, Omaha.
Maurice Johnson, 1127 Locust St., Omaha.
Teon Carson, 1124 North Fortieth, Omaha.
Wllma Howard, 4TJ3 Capitol Ave., Omaha
Htlah Fisher. 1210 South Eleventh. Omaha
Mildred Jensen, 2707 Leavenworth, Omaha,
Helen Goodrich. 4C10 Nicholas street. Omaha
Mabel Bhetfelt, 4914 North Twenty-fifth
rtreet, Omaha.
Emma Carruthere, 3311 North Twentr-flfU
street, Omaha.
Walter Johnson, 2406 North Twentieth
street, Omaha.
Leonora Denlson, The Albion, Tenth and
Pacific streets, Omaha.
Mae Hammond, O'Neill, Neb.
Mafge L. Daniels, Ord, Neb.
Zola Beddeo, Orltans, Neb.
Agnes Richmond. Orleans, Neb.
Marie Fleming, Osceola, Neb.
Lotta Woods, Pawnee City, Neb.
Earl Perkins, Reddlngton, Neb.
Emma Kostal, 1616 O street, South Omaha.
Edna Enis, Stanton, Neb.
Ethel Enla. Stanton, Neb.
Ina Carney, Sutton, Clay county, Neb.
Clara Miller, Utlca. Neb.
Mae Grunke. Went Point, Neb.
Elsie Stastny, W liber. Neb.
Alta Wllken, Waco, Neb.
Pauline Parks, York, Neb.
Edna Bohling. York, Neb.
Mary Frederick, York, Neb.
Carrie B. Bartlett. Fontanelle, la.
Irene Reynolds, Little Sioux, la.
Ethel Mulholland. Box Tl, Malvern, la.
Eleanor Me 11 or, Malvern, la.
Ksthryne Mel lor, Malvern, la.
Ruth Robertson, Manilla, la.
Mildred Robertscn, Manilla, la.
Fred Sorry, Monarch, Wyo.
Edith Amend, Sheridan, Wyo.
Henry L. Worklnger, care Sterling Remed)
ccmpany, Attica, Ind.
Fred Shelley, 230 Troup street, Kansas
City, Kan.
ready. They ate by candlelight and the
light of biasing logs In the fireplace, and
then they clambered In the wagon and
were off. There waa a drive of about two
mllea ahead of them, mostly through heavy
timber, between the branches of which
the stars shone like eyes. All things were
so solemn and still, and it waa so early
.v. .-,- . t
coming daylight when they halted before
a cabin In the woods and began to unpack
things. Charley assisted In carrying things
Into the hut, while Mr. Moulton kindled a
fire on the hearth and another In a brick
oven surmounted by a great kettle. As he
worked, helping to unlosd the things and
put them In place, Charley noticed how
black the etralght trees seemed against
tha ehallow snow on the hillside and he
pearl gray ef tha morning sky. He also
noticed that In th. flreplac , In this house
" ww ". a.irvns vtii.wu v. """"
from side to side, evidently Intended for
holding a pot or kettle. The unloading
being over, horses and wagon were aent
back home, by help brought for that pur
pose.
-it is a-otna- to be a fine day. boys." re-
marked Mr. Moulton, going out and ex-
.mining the sky. "The sap will run well,
You youngsters bad better take palls and
gather the sap while I get In more fuel."
The boys seised the pails and raced
through tba woods. Soon they came to
trees from whloh little spouts protruded,
and under each was a small bucket or a
trough to receive the aap which dripped
from the end of th epout. Charley was
aurprlsed to find that things were already
In readiness, and the bracing morning air,
tha sttll forest, the solemnity of nature,
tilled him at once with awe and an ebullt-
tion of spirit which prompted him to shout
THE BOT8 SEIZED THE PAILS AND
Oh, Isn't It fine!" he cried. "Oh. oh, oh,
oh. ohho!" and his voice rang and echoed
through the wood.
"Taste it. Charfc-y; Isn't It sweet?''
Charley tipped a half-filled bucket to his
Hps and aipped of th. contents. It tasted
I k back .
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS
1. Write plainly om .no side ef the
paper oxOy aa d aumbe tne pagea.
. Use pa and Ink, aot pencil
a. short ana polated artiole. will
he given prefare-ee, Io sot use ere
BO words,
4, Oflg-lael gtoslea or litters ealy
will n4
5. Write pour lint, ace aid ad
dress at tae top ef tae first page.
Fixe and seeoad prises of books
will be given for the beat two con
tributions to this page eaoh week.
Address all communications to
CiaSlIS'l SSPABTKin,
Omaha Bee. ,
mrst Prise
1 " '
George Washington
By Fred Sorry, Aged 12 Years, Monarch,
Wyo. Red Side.
It has been 110 years since Washington
died. His pictures are in nearly every
school m the United States. When George
was a youmg boy he played soldier with
his playmates, and the boys made their
swords, flags and guns. Sticks were used
as guns, a handkerchief tied on a broom-
stick or a long stick was used for a flag-,
His father whittled a sword out for him.
He was born In Virginia, February 22, 1T32.
His father was a planter wtlh a large
landed property; hla mother was a woman
of great character; she had little educa
tion, like other women at that time. He
went to a school In a field. Washington
grew up to be a man of great strength.
He took the lead in sports. While yet a
small boy he was engaged In surveying the
wild lands -of Lord Fairfax, who owned. Helens was not a favorite because aha was
the great tract of Virginia. Many, I sup- go Mlfuh- py,e had not received a valen-
pose, have heard the atory of the corporal. tlna and ,j, th others had got such pretty
This Is part of the story: One day there OBM-
were some men building a log house. They when she went to bed she was too sleepy
wore lifting a log to its place and tha little t0 ,et many ugIy thoughts crowd her brain,
corporal crying: out: Heave-oh-heave-oh, BO pM8d on Into Slumbefland. From
up you go. They were Just about to drop siumberland ahe went to Dreamland.. The
tha log when George walked up and helped frBt person ahe saw was tha queen riding
the men with the log and placed the log on a snow-white horse. The garden was
taf its place. And George walked up to rh. run 0f bushes and ahrubbery, but Instead
corporal and said, "Why don't you help 0f fi0Wers and fruit they were covered with
your men when they have so much to lift?" valentines, large and small, pretty and
Well," said the corporal, "don't you see I homely,
am the corporal." George unbuttoned his The queen told them that each had a
ooat and said: "Don't you see I am the valentine and they must look for it. As
general?" The little corporal aank back they found them they passed from Dream
In despair, with his eyes wide open. "When land back to Siumberland. Helen was one
you have any work too hard for your men, of the, last onea left In Dreamland. When
send for me." George walked away. Tha she found the valentine It was just a card
rest of his life belongs to the history of his with a black heart upon It and there was
country. Ha died on December 14. 1799, at no verse upon it, either. Helene turned a
Mount Vernon. ( tear-stained face to tha queen for an ex-
' , planatlon of this state of affairs. The
(Seoond Prize.)
Gretchen's Adventure
orth'p'ark Avenue, Fremont, Neb'Blua
side. '
One September morning as Gretchen had
been reading, her eyea hurt and she leaned
to him almost like the Juice of sugar cane.
ti. jt i i
taste Ilka maple syrup.
"isn't any of It aweeter than this?"
"Oh, this tree Is as sweet as It can be,"
cried Simon from a tree to the left.
"This Is just like honey," exclaimed Jacob,
to the right.
Charley sampled both, but neither seemed
to fulfill Us promise. However, the boys
were by thia time emptying the buckets
into the larger pails and banging the empty
vessels back under the drip, and Charley
dld likewise. Soon all the pall, were filled
U IUCJT CinU 111 C 111 UKft IU U1Q 4 ft,
where Mr. Moulton poured them Into the
great kettles on the hearth and over . the
brick firebox, and they went again ' for
more sap. It. was something like work, for
all the trees had to be visited, and some ot
the sap was to be carried quite a distance.
Some places, Simon told him, they hauled
tha sap In a tub, on great aleds, but the
(round was too rolling here to permit of it
But the boys talked of hunting and trap-
Pn n- didn't mind tha work at all. When
all the treee had been gathered from they
ate some mlnoe pies and crullers, which
Charley thought very good, because the
-tra exertion had made him hungry. Mr.
Moulton dipped some sap from one of the
kettles and poured It over a slice f bread,
n- Charley waa surprised to find that thia
w- very sweet He understood now how
'm by boiling th sap down.
After luncheon the sap was to be gathered
RACED THROUGH THE WOODS.
again; and then the boys took axes and be-
tween them got ready a great pile of mood.,
Once again that day the aap was gathered
and poured into tuba for future reference;
an-t then the boys, thoroughly tired, piled
tioo oa tb. pallets laid on the floor uf the
and rubbed them. Just then there
a knock at the. door and In came
I itVme
Gertrude. "Can you go to tho pasture with
me?" she asked. "Tes," answered Gretchen.
After they had come to rock by the pas
ture Gretclien said: "I will stay here till
you come back." When Gertrude went
Gretclien noticed two small houses, one
about two fret high and the other one foot
high. She lay down and looked in. In
stantly she became ao small that she could
walk right In.
There was a chair, a table, a stove and
a cupboard. There was also an old man
working with something that Gretclien
could not understand. She visited with him,
but at last he eald: "You must go: Gert
rude will come. Don't ever come back.
Don't ever forget me and wait and see what
happens."
So she went, but Gertrude was not In
eight. You must remember she la little yet.
She visited the next house. As ehe went
through the green curtains at the door she
noticed a little lady sitting on a sofa. She
,. wh,n Bne saw Gretchen and greeted
her. ghe talked with Gretchen, but at last
8h8 Bajd the same thing that the old man
BB(j. Qretchen went out and was again
her real size.
Her mother was calling her. for she had
been dreaming.
This is a true dream, for I dreamed it
myself.
(Honorable Mention.)
Helene 's Dream.
By Rena N. Mead, Aged 12 Veara, Blair,
Neb. Blue Side.
Helena was a pretty child, U years old.
But she was selfish and this spoiled her
ood ,oolc. It Bt Valentine's dav
queen said aha had been a selfish girl and
they did not give selfish children pretty
valentines. At thia Helene began to cry
afresh, but she awoke and found her mother
calling her to get ready for school,
She never told anyone her dream, for she
was ashamed of her old self. Mother
hut. and drawing th. coverlets over their
heads, passed Into the land of dreams.
Once during tha night Charley partially
awakened, and saw the fires burning
brightly, while great shadows flitted among
tha rafters and over the log walla of the
hut. Hla uncla waa stirring one of the pots.
It took him sometime to really understand
where ha was, everything was so strange;
tb.n h. .l.nt -in
In th, morning Charley saw quite a
Bumbr of mMa ot mapie sugar on a
Bhelf Jn room It ,tt. MVeral days
Mon he understood how they were made-
, h. aw nncJ- th,
(, I
after It had boiled to a certain consistency.
Into tha molds as they sat In the snow. In
a tew moments the liquid crystallised and
there were tha molds of augar.
Mr. Moulton and the farm helper alter
nated i.n keeping tha fires up at night, so
the sap might be utilised aa it flowed.
Tha first day the snow began to melt, and
ere long- had entirely disappeared. Then,
aa the weather became balmy, Charley was
thrilled with the forest sounds tha bark of
the squirrel, the cry of the Jay and the
call of the crow as he circled in the blue
tar ftbov. Occasionally they had to tap
the trees In new places to continue the
fiow of tne sap. It waa all a, wonderful
proceBg t Charley. Raking the dead leavea
thd -rrotmd, he found tiny sprigs of
B,eBi tn promise of future flowers, and
-j,, 0lgh up jnto the trees he saw buds
every .prig, and bees swarming about
them. The beea also were working: at the
aap of tha trees.
"Why do the bees eome?" asked Charley,
"Why, don't' you know?" asked Simon
1 with an air of aupertor wradom. "They
make honey from th. sap Just as w. mak.
sugar from It."
"Why don't we mak honey out of It If
the beea can?"
This time Simon was puxsled. He pre
tended to be too absorbed to hear.
"Well, why do the bees swarm In the
tops Of the trees? Th. sap Isn't flowing
there Is It?"
This time Simon heard. "No," he an
swered, "but the trees are coming Into
bloom there. They always begin to bloom
at the top and tix end leaves first. I
don't know wy, txw-use, of course, the
. blood can't couve ti l the sap flows, and
they say the sup Is in the roots all win
ter, so that It has to pass through the
tree trunk to reach h branches."
"I don't see any flowers." objected
Charley.
"No, maples haw no flower leavea But
they are In bloom all right. Ttris means
that the sap will soon cease to flow and
the sugar season will be over."
Sure enough. It waa so. By Saturday
noon th small drippings had been gath
ered and boiled down, and the spikes re
moved from the trees. Then the utensils
Were collected, the sugar and ayrup loaded
tnte the wagon and tbe hut waa abandoned
for another year. Charley would have
liked to atay another Sunday with hla
cousin, out nis sum. Knowing a niomar a
heart, thought be had better return home,
And he did. bearing with him stores of
ayrup and sugar, and still sweeter mem-
rles that will remain with him while life
last
thought she hsd a different girl because
she didn't whine at being called so early
when It wsa nearly o'clock. Her teacher
noticed a marked1 difference, too. She didn't
scowl when she was called to recite. The
girls soon found a new companion. You
may be sure Helene received as pretty a
valentine as tho queen could get the next
time she visited Dreamland on St. Valen
tine's day.
Story of , George Washington
Bv Mnrlo Kllnge, Aired IS Tears. 1021 West
Third St., Grand Island. Neb. Red Side.
Goorge Washington was born on tha 2M
of February, 1732, on the banks of the
beautiful Potomac, In Virginia. His fath
er's name was Augustine Washington; he
was the son of John Washington. John
Washington had a family, of which Aug
ustine was the second son. Augustine
Washington was married twice. His first
wife was Jane Butler, by whom he had
several children. His second wife was
Mary Ball, who Is Veil known In Ameri
can history, and was tho mother of George
Washington. Augustine Washington, the
father of George Washington, died when
George was 10 years old, in the year of
1742. George Washington was our first
president. If he were living he would be
177 years old the 2M of this month. He
died December 14, 1799, from the effect of
a cold taken while riding over his vast es
tates to give, directions.
A True Story of the Dutch Bure
and His Horse
By Emma Peterson, 2211 Locust Street, East
Omaha, Neb. Red Side.
There once lived on the shores of Hol
land a Dutch bure and he had a horse.
One day a great storm came up at sea. A
ship almost wrecked came' In view. The
storm was so bad that no one would risk
going out. t'p came the Dutch bure on his
horse. He was a brave man and a kind
hearted man. Ha heard the. cries of the
people on the ship. He did not care for the
black, roaring sea, but got a rope, hitched
it to his horse and got on his back. They
plunged out into the black, roaring sea to
the ship's side. The people caught hold of
the rope and the brave horse pulled them
to shore, then went back again and got
another load. But this time he got weak
and the cries of those left pierced the heart
of tha brave man. He risked it again, but
did not think of his own life. He gave his
horse the spur and out Into the sea heiwent
again, never to return. He got to the ship,
the last man got hold of the rope and the
brave horse tugged and pulled, but he gave
out before they got to the shore, so they
all drowned In the sea. Bo dared and died
the brave Dutch bure and his horse.
Buying a Dog
By Howard Doty, Age 13 Tears, 1132 N
Street Lincoln, Neb. Red Side.
"Good morning Mr. Wilson," aald Mrs.
Johnson, as' she walked Into the dog store.
"Good morning, Mrs. Johnson, is there
something for .you this morning?"
"Yes. I would like to' look at some of
your dogs this morning," said Mrs. John
son. "Step right Into this room and look them
over," replied Mr. Wilson. , -
"Oh, what a cute dog," said Mrs. John
son, as she looked at a little dog that wws
curled up on an old dog mat
"What Is the price of that dog?" .asked
Mrs. Johnson.
"Twelve dollars," replied Mr. Wilson.
"Well, I guess I'll take It," said Mrs.
Johnson.
"But how will I get It home?" asked
Mrs. Johnson,
"I will put It in a basket for you." re
plied Mr. Wilson.
Then she started down the street but
before she had gone three blocks the bot
tom of the basket fell out Out oame th.
dog, bounding on his head, and ran down
the street. '
"Oh. my dog is running away," and ahe
started down the street after the dog.
Just then a boy cam and picked th. dog
up in his arms and started for tb. woman.
"Oh, I am so glad to got my dog," she
said as sh. went to take th. dog from the
boy's arm.
"On. dollar, please," replied the boy.
"One dollar? I should say not"
Then the boy threw down th. dog and
the dog went running down the street
Soon th woman came running down the
street after him and when ahe got home
she found she had lost a $10 bill. Had
she given the boy 11 she would have aaved
much more.
Adventures of a Penny
By Eunice WrU?ht. Aged 10 Years, Fremont,
Neb., 60S North Bell Street. Red Bide.
My adventure is very Interesting. I will
tell you about It.
I was once a plant growing by the side
of a mountain. My friend Mountain used
to talk to me to keep me company, for,
although there were very many other much
mora beautiful plants growing beside me,
they would not speak to me, for they said
I was very, very ugly and they talked
about me. Every winter J used to take
my nap under the ground. Once while I
waa taking my nap a large rock fell on
the earth that covered me. I was awak
ened and In the spring when It was time
for me to come Into the warm sunshine
again I found that I could not get up. I
told my friend Mountain and he said he
was afraid I would never see the sunshine
again. This made me very unhappy, and
when old Mountain saw that I was In dis
tress he said that he had a splendid ides.
He said for me to cheer up and he would
tell me what It was. He said for me to
gradually creep under him and he would
make me harden into copper, he called It,
and so I did. and by and by I began to
turn brown.
We were happy there for some time, but
on. day something dreadful happened.
Bom. men came with some pick axes and
cut in the side of old Mountain and
came and got me. I knew not what was
going to happen to me next, so I bado
farewell to my friend Mountain snd
thanked him for all be had done for roe.
He said he helped me because I tried to
help myself. He said goodbye to me as a
donkey took m. and a whole lot of other
pieces Just like myself In a cart on a track.
That was the last I expected to see of my
old friend Mountain.
i was put into some machinery and waa
painfully crushed, but came out a round
piece of metal, which the people called a
penny. I had some letters printed on roe
like this "1809."
I was given to a man. who gave me to
his little gtrl. She went downtown and
bought some gum with me. I was put Into
a caah drawer and the next day I was
given to another little girl, who gave me
to a blind man. He bought a suit of clothes
with me and some nickel and silver money,
and this new roaster put me into his pocket.
One day a fairy came to me In that pocket
and told roe that my master was going to
tak a trip to roy old friend Mountain,
t was overjoyed at the news that I was to
The Failure
By Catharine Dodge, Aged 12 Tears. 1252 North Parle
Avenue, Fremont, Neb. (lied Side.)
. I sat a thinking.
All day and all night;
Thinking and thinking
Ot what I would write.
But all my thinking
Was In vain, aa you see;
You can see as easy
As A, B and C.
I thought I'd write a poem
With ten verties or nine,
But I wanted it to contain
The word Valentine.
You see It's a failure,
With verses four;
I'm very aorry,
But I can't think of more.
see my old friend again. "But," aald th.
fairy, "you must be sure to get over In
this corner of the pocket when he goes
to take some other pieces of money, for If
he tskes you f out you will not get to see
your friend." I promised to do as th. good
fairy bade me.
When he went to take out the other
money I hid in the corner, and, luckily,
I was not taken. I traveled in his dark
pocket for some time. I waa very lone
some, but the good fairy came to me often
and kept m company. When w. got to
my old friend Mountain the fairy came and
told me we were here and told me that
there was a hole In the other corner of
the pocket and said for roe to go over to
it and drop through It and I would land
safely on the ground by my friend Moun
tain. This I . did and I am now cm the
ground talking to my old friend. Here I
am and here I hope I may stay.
The Mischievous Twins
By Arthur Friedman, Aged 11 Years. J010
North Twentieth Street Red Side.
"Oh, dear me, I can never have any
thing nice, or keep anything like other
folks," said Mary, as she went Into
the parlor and found her little brother and
sister .destroying th. beautiful window
rlanta her aunt had brought her from
Paris. And now tbe pretty things are
all destroyed. How oould sh. bear It?
The twins seemed entirely unconscious of
having don. this, and little Lutle held
up one of the pretty bluebells for hor
slater's admiration, as If ah. thought pick-'
lng It off had been a very praiseworthy
aot Nursey had partly dressed Lutle
and left Josle in bed for a few minutes
while sh. ran downstairs. A bright Idea
had cam. into th. little fellow's head
and he had pulled off bis nightgown and
dressed himself In an apron and with
Lutle had. marched, both barefooted, down
to the parlor to search for amusement
"There never was such an unfortunate
girl as I," sobbed Mary, "no other girl
has such a horrid little brother and sis
ter. They are always In mischief, I'm
sura I hate them both."
It was a dreadful thing to say, but Mary
waa very, very angry.
"Does you bat. me, Sister Mary?" said
Lutle, putting up a grieved lip.
But Mary really would not answer. Sh.
atooped to gather up the scattered leaves)
and flowers, while norsey Just coming In
soolded the children aa aha carried them,
off to be dressed. Baby Josle took cold,
aa might hav been anticipated, and that
night waa a moet anxious on. for th.
frightened family. He had aa attack of
croup of such terrible vlolenoe that for
an hour or two It did not seem possible
that he oould live. But th. doctor soon
cured him and Mary asked him to forgive
her, and he did, but th. twins soon be
came a good boy and girl.
How Two Boys Got to Go to the
Circus
By Alfred Anderson, Aged 14 Years, Ne
hawka. Neb. Blu. Side.
It waa tbe day before the circus and
about every person In tbe little village of
Hamilton waa talking about it, for It waa
not a common thing to have a circus here.
The clrcua tenta were . already s being
erected and many boys crowded around
th. tenta asking numerous questions of
th circus men. On could see circulars
on most any old building or telephone post
In th. village.
The children were wild with delight at
th. thought of seeing a circus. But there
were a few who were not so happy. Among
them was Fred Burns. His folks were too
poor to let hint go to a circus, which
cost a dollar to see. So Fred had to swal
low bis sorrow and try to be content as a
good boy should.
On this particular day he waa alttlng on
hla father's gate kicking furiously at the
boards, when It chanced that his friend
Tom Barton cam. up th. road looking aa
gloomy as six days of rainy weather, j
"Whafe th. matter now?" sang out Fred
from the fence. "You'd think there was
something the matter with you if you
couldn't go to the circus tomorrow," re
plied Tom "I'm glad you can't go. Now
I can have some company tomorrow. I waa
afraid that I was the only one who wasn't
going to the circus," said Fred. Tom
climbed on top of the gate with Fred and
the two boys talked for about halt an
hour, when Fred said, "Tom, let's go down
to the pond and take a row." To this Tom
agreed and they started down the road.
They hadn't gone far when they met a
crowd of men and boys who were walk
ing very fast and talking excitedly. When
Tom and Fred asked what was the matter
they all cried in one breath, "The elephant
got away and they can't find him!" "Let
him run away, I don't care, come on.
Fred," said Tom.
Tbe two boys reached the pond and rowed
around half aa hour. Then tiring of their
sport, they landed. Just aa they got out of
the boat they heard a loud noise In th.
bushes close to them. They looked In that
direction, and Imagine their eurprlse when
they beheld large elephant coming to
ward them. They Instantly recognised hlra
as that belonging te th. clrcua "Run for
your life, he s after us." cried Tom. A
tree stood at the water's edae. To this the
boys made a dash. It is hard to climb a
tree when you are frightened, and Fred
thought is was an age before Tom got to
the top. At last they both got to the top,
and both hung" on tor dear life. The ele
phant walked down to the water's edge and
stuck his trunk Into the water. Then he
lifted his trunk toward the boys. This
frightened them very much, for they
thought he was going to swallow them.
But the elephant had made up his mind
to something else. And this they soon
found out, when suddenly they were
drenched with water. Then the elephant
walked out Into the water and gave the
boys another drenching. He repeated hla
sport several times and then ceased. The
boya looked down to see what he was going
to do next They then saw what was the
matter, for the elephant was sinking in
tha sand. The boys, thinking it was safe
to come down, climbed down, and not stop
ping to look at the elephant, they ran with
all their might for tha circus tent. They
burst Into the tent and gasped out their
adventure. A party of men and boys were
sent back to th pond, where they found
the elephant sunk three feet in the sand.
But with the aid of horses and ropes, they
pulled him out and brought him buck to
th. circus.
Th. next day Tom and led each re
ceived an envelope from th president of the
circus, and looking Inside they found a
uv-ui iur wie circus ana a ten-dollar bill.
They enjoyed the circus very much, and
don't believe thpy will ever forgi-t their,
advantur. with the elephant.
' l
A Good Girl
By Helen Verrlll, Aged 12 Tears, The
Strehlow, No. 19, Omaha. Blue Hide.
Once there waa a little girl who was very
good and kind to every animal and insect..
She helped her mother with the house work, '
for they were poor and had no servants.
On the 17th ot May was her birthday and
this morning she got up very happy, for it
was her birthday, and she wsa 10 years
old. Her name was May. May's mothor
waa too poor to get her anything but a
little 10-cent cake.
Her father was away and her brother got
her a little box of candles for the cake.
May waa 10 years old. She was very
happy with what she got. She did not
know there was a better present In stora
for her. When she was done with her work
she went out under a big maple tree by
the river and lay ther. about ten minutes,
when ah. heard soft muslo snd saw a
fairy boat coming near her. It stopped and
ten fairies made a ring around her and
aang. When the queen asked her to come
to fairyland with them ah. went and saw
many beautiful sights, but I have not room
to tell them and so w. will leave her in
fairyland until next week.
A Lesson Learned by Two
By Marie Rich, Aged II Years, 612 West
First Street, Grand Island, Neb. blue.
' "Please help roe dry tbe dishes, Mary,"
aald Agnes.
"No," said Mary, "I can't today, because
I promised the girls to come early."
"Please," she asked again. "If you
don't Til be late."
"I don't care," said Mary.
Agnes' temper waa not of the best,
so sh got mad right away.
"Don't, then. Miss Stingy. I hope some
thing happens to you for being so
stingy."
As Mary was used to this, Khe did nut
pay much attention to it and went V
school ss If nothing had happened.
About S o'clock she felt sick, so her
teacher aald she might go home. As
she waa going across tha street she
allpped, and before she coald get up a
horse and buggy had gone over her right
leg. Bomeone picked her up and In
quired where she lived. As soon as she
got bom. a doctor was called and the
bona aet in place. When Agnes came
home and saw th. doctor's buggy she
ran into the houifi to see what was the
matter. Mary got well again, hut it
proved a lesson to both.
THI8 Qi'F.ER-LOOKlNG MAN WANTS
TO FIND HIS BOY. WHKKE IS HE J