1
TTTE OMAHA SUNT) AT BEE: MAY 23, 1909.
AVERY GOOD historical story was sent In this week by one of the Busy
Bees. Let us have a vote from each of the writers, telling what kind
of stories they like; that is, whether they prefer fairy stories, stories
of animals and birds, Btorles of travel or stories of historical events.
Some of the Busy Bees are Interested in plants and flowers. Myrtle Jensen,
ex-queen bee, and Frances Johnson went out one day last week to study birds,
and here are the names of some of the birds they saw: Blue bird, cow bird,
red-headed woodpecker, chimney swift, cedar-wax-wing, gold finch, king bird,
meadow lark, wren, kinglet, ruby-crowned kinglet, vesper sparrow, Harris'
sparrow, red start, white-crowned sparrow, field sparrow, sharp-tailed sparrow
and the chewlnk. How many of the Busy Bees knew there were so many
kinds of birds In the parks and woods in Omaha?
Prizes were awarded to Jeannette
Hlnman, on the Red side. Honorable
on the Blue side.
Any of the Busy Bees may send cards to anyone whose name is on the
Postcard Exchange, which now includes:
Marguerite Johnson, 833
liflti avenue. Omaha.
North Twenty-
Jean De Lmna, Alnsworth. Neb.
j Irene McCoy, flarnston, Neb.
Lillian Merwln, Beaver City, Neb.
; Mabel Witt, Uenr.lngion, Neb.
j; Anna Gottsch, Bennington, Neb.
a Minnie Gollsch, Bennington, Nab.
f Akiiei Daitmkt. iiensun. Neb.
Marie Gallagiur, lienkelman, Neb. (box 12).
lua May, central City, Neb.
vn.a cneney, Crelghton, Neb.
Louis Hahn, David City, Neb.
Khca FreiUtll, Dorchester, Neb.
Eunice Bode, Falls City, Neb.
Ethel Heed, Fitmont, Neb.
Hulda Lundburg, Fremont, Neb.
Marion Caw. Gibson, Neb.
Margueiite Bartholomew, Gothenburg, Neb.
Lyd.a Roth, .uo West Koenlg street. Grand
Island, Neb.
Ella Voss, 407 West Charlea street, Grand
Island, Neb.
Irene Costello, US West Eighth street,
Grand Island, Neb.
Jessie Crawford, West Charles street.
Grand island, Neb.
Pauline Schulie. Hi West Fourth street,
Grand laUnd, Neb.
Martha Murphy, 8:3 East Ninth street.
Grand Island, Neb.
Hugh Kutt, Lshara, Neb.
Hester E. Kutt, Leshara, Neb.
Alice Temple, Lexington. Neb.
Kuth Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Anna Neilaon, Lexington, Neb.
Edythe Krelts, Lexington, Neb.
Marjorle Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Alice Grassmeyer, 154 U St., Lincoln, Neb.
Marian Hamilton, 20i L St., Lincoln, Neb.
Elsie Hamilton, 2029 L St., Lincoln, Neb.
Irene Dlsher, 'MO L street, Lincoln, Neb.
Hughls Dlsher, 2030 L street, Lincoln, Neb.
Louise Stiles, Lyons, Neb.
Estelle McDonald, Lyons, Neb.
Milton SeUer, Nebraska City, Neb.
Harry Crawford, Nebraska City, Neb.
Harvey Crawford, Nebraska City, Neb,
Luclle Hasen, Norfolk, Neb. ,
Letha Larkln. So. Sixth St., Norfolk, Neb,
Emma Marquardt. Fifth street and Madi
son avenue, Norfolk. Neb.
Genevieve M. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Helen O lodrlch, 4f 10 Nicholas street, Oinahs
Orrln Fisher, 1210 South ICleventh street,
Omaha.
Mildred Erlckson, 2709
Omaha.
Oscar Erlckson, 2709
Howard
Howard
street.
street.
Omaha.
Louis Raabe, 2609 North Nineteenth ave
nue. Omaha.
Frances Johnson, 933 North Twenty-fifth
venue. Omaha,
Ethel May's Reward
By Maud Walker.
" """""
HERE were three of the Ander-
T
son children Grade, aged 15;
Jack, aged 13; Ethel May, aged
U-and all three were spund-
.ng the summer with an aged
..unt In the country, on a beau-
near to a small and Interesting
ll.UfeL'
As the Anderson children's home was In
very large eastern city, they found a
great deal of pleasure, and many surprises,
in the country. There seemed no end to who lives In the village, ana ne u oe ner. ana tne appie8 a iovely redr
the variety of sights and sounds. There within an hour. I am sorry to nave "Well, I don't see," said November. "I
were the domestic animals, fowls In the spoiled your starting, children, dear." So am tho very at. I'm sure, 'cause I
barnard, the fields, gardens, meadows, spoke old Aunt Mary. bring the glorious Thanksgiving day, the
woods and hills; and then there were the "But shall we go to the picnic?" asked pumpkin pies and so many delicious things
brooks and ponds, full of fish, the meadows Ethel May. solicitously. "I don't think we to eat( besides I send the hot, stuffy
and woods full of birds and noisome In- should leave Auntie when she 1 111.' days of summer away."
Bectg A cloud passed over Oracle's face. It -oh, I wouldn't have your chilly days,
One day during the last week of May was plain she did not wish to be dlsap- and the eating Just proves, as I have al
the children's Aunt Mary called them to pointed In the picnic. She turned toward way Baid. that. like December, your
her on the big front porch, saying: "My Jack, who stood looking his displeasure at heart's In your stomach." said July scorn
old friend. Mrs. Jones, just called me by Ethel May for having made such a blun- funy.
phone this morning and says she Is ar- r. He. too. did not wish to remain away ..Weii. wen well!" exclaimed March.
i . i i .v.. fr ,r from the plcnto. Then he spoke up: "This I a Dretty state of affairs, when It
grandchildren, who are visiting her from
the city and she begs me to allow you
three vduiussters to bo of her company.
Would you enjoy a picnic the day after
tuiiurrrowt"
"Oh, yes, auntie," exclaimed all three
children. Then one spoke at a time: "I
don't think there'd be anything nicer.
Aunt Mary, tlian a picnic In the wild
woods." So spoke Oracle. "Oh, 1 11 take
along my fishing tackle and fetch home
enough flnnies for dinner," cried Jack.
"And I think it would be perfectly splen
did," agreed Ethel May; "I do love a plc-
nlo more than anything."
""J "'
"Then all bo prepared to start at
o'clock on the day after tomorrow," said
Aunt Mary. "I ll see that a fine luncheon
Is prepared for you to carry with you.
John, our man, will take you in the car-
rlage to Mrs. Jones' house. From there
you'll go afoot to the woodwhich is
only a mile distant- from Mrs. Jones'
place.
Of course, the children talked of nothing
else all that day except the coming plcnlo
la the woods. They had never enjoyed a
country picnic and this one held much
pleasure for them.
On the day of the picnic the Anderson
children were ready to start to the home
of Mrs. Jones long before John had the
carriage in readiness, and their baskets
were filled with luncheon, the very best
that Aunt Mary's fine old colored cook
could prepare.
It was wanting a quarter of an hour till n k,RS(l(! her oM aunt, cheek, "Goodby. "iY the Pnic were I to go, knowing you turned t E h . Mfiv . '
rt. ho isTmaW cal ed to Grlcl- "Com. AunUe'" Bne "l hpe y0U' be WeU ?" T TV 1 8tart ' California this day week,
o yo .rt's" room V om-e miss; shT's -on. The doctor will fix ycu up all right. Jane will I do. She'll come to you when de 8( make " ;
a Jn suddenly 111." u"' Come- May" -'nd C"Ucd "f I S" . " singly. I'll write your parents tomorrow
Oracle, accompanied by her brother and there and worry Aunt Mary. I fancy she you require of her. Then shell hurry down about . Mt hM to
I'LL. OFT THE BASKETS IN THE CARRIAGE, OIRUS, WHILE TOU ARB GET
TING ON YUCK JACKETS
Miller, on the Blue side, and to Irene
mention was given to Irene Reynolds,
Emma Carruthers. 1211 North Twenty-flftl
lrt nmahfl
Leonora Denlson, The Albion, Tenth and
Pacific streets, Omaha.
Mae Hammond, O'Neill, Neb.
Mac-ge L. Daniels, Ord. Neb.
Zola Beddeo, Orleans, Neb.
Agnes Richmond. Orleans, Neb.
Mario Fleming, Osceola, Neb.
Lotta Woods, Pawnee City, Neb.
Earl Perkins, Reddlngton, Neb.
Emma Kcstal, 1618 O street, South Omaha.
Fdra Enis, 8tanton. Neb.
Ethel Enls. Stanton, Neb.
Lena Petersen, 2211 Locust street. East
Omaha. . , .
Ina Carney, Sutton, Clay county, Neb.
Clara Miller. Utica, Neb.
Mildred F. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Alta Wllken, Waco, Neb.
Mae Grunke. West Point, Neb.
Klsle Stastny, Wilber, Neb.
Frederick Ware, Wlnside, Neb.
Paulino Parks, York. Neb.
Edna Behllng. York, Neb.
Mary Frederick, York, Neb.
Carrie B. Bartlett. Fontanelle, la.
Irene Reynolds, Little Sioux, la.
Fthel Mulholland, Box 71, Malvern, la.
Eleanor Mellor. Malvern, la.
Ksthryne Mellor, Malvern. Ia.
Ruth Robertson, Manilla, Is,
Mildred Robertscn. Manilla, la.
Margaret B. Wltherow, Thurman, la.
Fred Sorry, Monarch, Wyo.
John Barron, Monarch, Wyo.
Edith Amend. Sheridan, Wyo.
Pauline Squire, Grand, Okl.
Fred Shelley, 230 Troup street, Kansas
City, Kan.
Henry L. Workinger, care Sterling Remedy
company, Attica, Ind.
Mary Brown, 232! Boulevard, Omaha.
Eva Hendee, 44W2 Dodge street, Omaha.
Junnlta Innes, 2769 Fort street, Omaha.
Lillian Wirt, 41&8 Cass st'.eet. Omaha.
Emlle Brown, 2322 Boulevard, Omaha.
Meyer Cohn, 846 Georgia avenue, Omaha.
Ada Morris, 3424 Franklin street, Omaha.
Myrtle Jensen, 2909 Iiard street, Omaha.
Gail Howard, 4722 Capitol avtnue, Omaha,
Helen Houck. 1636 Lothrop street, Omaha.
Et.oerson Goodrich, 4010 Nicholas, Omaha.
Maurice Johnson, 1027 Locust St., Omaha.
' Leon Carson, 1124 North Fortieth, Omaha.
Wilma Howard, 4r.'3 capuoi ah., ww.
Hllah Fisher, 1210 South Eleventh. Omaha
Mildred Jensen, 2707 Leavenworth, Omaha.
Edna Heden. 2789 Chicago street. Omaha.
Mabel Sheifelt, 4914 North Twenty-fifth
wJueV' joTnson. 2406 North Twentieth
street. Omaha.
sister, ran upstairs to Aunt Mary's room
and found that good old lady lying on ner
bed very pale and 111 looking. After a few
Inquiries Aunt Mary explained that she
had been very miserable all night, but
that she had tried to dress In order to
come down to see the children off on their
day a ouung; oui sue imu trauma
that Pt.e was obliged to lie down and to
call to Jane to come to her assistance. 'I
have asked her to phone to my doctor,
"I really don't see what we kids could
do for Aunt Mary. There Is Jane to wait
n her, "d the doctor will be here dl-
wny. ' ,
nlc. for Mrs. Jones and the Jones kids will
be looking for us."
"Yes," said Oracle, adding her argu
ment to Jack's, "auntie will be well cared
for by Jane and the doctor. We as Jack
says can be of no use to her. We'lt be In
the way only.'
Ethel May s face reddened, ana She
turned a sharp look on her brother and
sister: "Well." she said, "we may not be
of any use as far as waiting on auntie is
J V..., k. nnmrionv nr
-"-". "
h" nd tr"' ch"r hr, UP' , for one
wolVt leave her, wh."t I' i t v ,
u'" ' . ,. ",
r.mei ainy . na.i
Ethel
";" "'.,', : ":
rltlc 'or me' 1 ,ha" on
very well with Jane to nurse me and a.
Jack and Grade are so anxious to go to
the picnic I would not for the world de
tain them here. No. all of you go. And it
is time you were off; John Is at the gate
now with the carriage."
"Well, Aunt Mary, I hope you'll be O
K when we get home this evening," ex
claimed Jack, hurrying from the rom.
I'll get the luncheon baskets In the car-
rlage, girls, while you are getting on your
Jackets and hats. But hurry."
..Au fhrht, Jack, we ll follow Immedl-
,,i oalll nut Oracle. Then stnoDlnar.
Old Mother Bear and little young
bears
All winter had lain in a hole,
But as soon as the first spring days
arrived
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS
L Writ plainly on on side of the
paper only and number the pages,
a. Use pen and ink, not pencil
8. Short and pointed artlolss will
be given preferenoe. Be not use over
850 words.
4. Original stories et letters only
will he nses.
6. Write your name, age and ad
dress at the top of the Hist page.
First and seoend prize of hooks
will be given for the heat we con
tribution to this page each week.
Address all eonunualoatlon to
OSXZiBBBN'l DEPAJaTStEjrT,
Omaha Bee.
(First Prize.)
How Mother Earth Settled the
Question
By Jeannette Miller, Aged 12 Years, Fair
mont, Neb. Blue Side.
It was a beautiful spring morning. The
trees were covered with foliage and the
'grass was dotted wlith spring flowers.
High up In an oak tree In the forest sat
the twelve months. They were busily dis-
putlng some question.
"Well," said January, "I think I'm the
nicest Don't I bring tho new year?"
"Well, suppose you do,M said May, who
carried a, beautiful golden wand In her
hand, which at the end spread out into
dainty little spring flowers, "but that Is
not half M njce M the beautiful flowers
j bring."
-yja, mends, mends!" broke in October,
..you know October Is the nicest month,
Don't I bring the beautiful color to the
leaves and turn the corn a flno yellow
ntt, ways been proved that we-that Is.
April. May and myself-are the very best."
-oh. I told you so, my sister of winter.
lnul lnlB yu"SBler is an wina ana oius-
ter and now she has Just proved it so."
"Tut, tut, tut!" came a voice from be
low. All the months started and whis
pered, "It's Mother Earth."
"My naughty children, what are you
doing?" went on the voice.
"Well. said April, beginning to crv. "thev
Bald they were the very nicest and didn't
let me talk at all." She would have done
it, too. If she had a chance.
"I am very much ashamed of you fop
,i . . .
"" ui since you want
to know so badly I'll tell you. All months
were put ,n th year ,or a P"rPe: each
m;r wor l Q to neip me got
rooa ana doming ror tne mortals and also
ou, ,uvl Ben, nui una or you is
the nicest.
"Now, my dear little May, go on your
wants to be left alone. Come." And
Gracle was off down the stairs like a
flash, all thought of the aged sick aunt
vanished as she saw tha carriage waiting
at the gate.
wny aont you go. child? asked Aunt
Mary, turning to Ethel May. who still lln-
gered in her room.
"Because, Auntie, I Just can't go off and
leave you sick In bed. And I wouldn t
to the kitchen to gossip with cook and the
gardener. I know her and the other serv
ants, too. They'll neglect you. So I mean
to stay and look after you."
Ttars trickled d'wn old Aunt Mary's
cheeks, and she caught Ethel's hands In
her own ad pressed them tenderly, saying,
"Thank you, dearie. It Is sweet to have
some one with you who loves you. Serv
ants want only money. You stay with me
because"
"Because you are the dearest old suntle
in, the world, and I love you," declared
Ethel May. "And now I shall see about
making you more comfortable." And the
little miss soon had her auntie in a loose
robe and back into bed, where the pillows
mura fiireA (nt rlvht. and the window
, ' ., , , . .,
shades were so adjusted that tha morning
sun and air came Into the room, but did
not fall on the bed. Then, running to the
garden Ethel May picked a bouquet of
rosea nd placed them In ft vase of water
near to her aunt's bed.
The doctor came and found Aunt Mary
feeble and "run down." as he expressed
H. Nothing serious, but a or of break-
The Bears
From the gloom and darkness they
stole
To the light of day and pure sw-set air,
And each little bear laughed with
glee;
way. I have gotten ready for the vio
lets. Now, you go give them a word of
cheer. The rest of you go to sleep until
I wake you for your reign."
And so with that Mother Earth and May
went about their work and the others got
on their nightcaps for a long sleep.
(Second Prize.)
An Exploring Trip
By Irene Hlnman, Aged 13 Years, 3420 North
Twenty-eighth Street, Omaha. Red Side.
Youth is always full of curiosity, and It
reached Its highest point at Lothrop school
when about thirty youngsters decided to
go on an exploring expedition to Florence
to hunt violets and anything else of an In
teresting nature.
The fame of the great war balloon had
reached the ears of these children, and on
nearlng the fort they decided to Investigate.
As we approached the building where the
balloons were kept the guard at the door
told us "To move on," but one youngster
more mischievous than the rest spoke up
and said: "Well, Mister, we have to write
a composition on what we see." So the
guard kindly let us in, showed us through
and explained the different features of the
balloon.
This was a balloon made of the finest
quality of Japanese silk. It held 19,000
cubic feet of gas and it was weighted down
-with forty sandbags, each weighing forty
pounds.
Our feelings can only be Imagined when
on Monday at noon the balloon was high up
n the sky, and next we heard It had
blown up and Is now a thing of tho past.
(Honorable Mention.)
Grandpa's Story
By Irene Reynolds, Aged 12 Years, Little
Sioux City, la. Blue side.
Grandma was sitting peacefully by the
fireside.
After awhile Joe, Donald, Paul, Fern and
Dotty came In the room to disturb his
reveries.
"Oh, Grandpa, tell us a story," cried Joe;
he was the oldest of the children and was
a very healthy lad.
"Oh, yes, do," cried the rest.
"What kind of a story do you want?"
asked Grandpa.
"A story of when you wore a little boy,"
ott;
M ni'n
was about 5 years old my
father decided to go to Salt Lake City, in
w"; "
'Where did you live before you moved?"
asked Fern.
"In Illinois," said Grandpa.
"Well, we got a covered wagon and
atarted out on our long Journey. The hired
man and my oldest brother drove the cat-
tie."
"Did they have to walk all the way?"
asked Paul.
"Most of the way. Well I recollect one
night. We found a hut .nri . mi. .
Darn, we put our horses away. We had
seven In the barn. That night we heard
our dog barking and a loud racket."
"Oh!" cried Forn, "I bet
you was
Beared.'
"res." cont nued drundna !
was verv
much scared, but we slInneH n n .wi,
and went out to the barn. I was the last
down. He advised a change of scene and
climate.
"H,w would California do?" asked Aunt
Mary. "Pve long thought of making a
nce tr)n ,,,
"Just the place, mv dear womsn " rf,.
dared the doctor. "And go as soon as you
are a bit stronger. You'll be able to start
next week "
accompany me on this enjoyable trip."
"And brother and sitter-will you take
them, too?" asked unselfish Ethel May.
Aunt Mary shook her head. "No, chlldle,
only you shall go with me. You have
proven your unselfishness this day and de
serve a reward. It shall be In the form of
a visit to all parts of Interest cn the Pa
cific coast as far as we can go and remain
in our own country. And maybe next year
we'll go to Old Mexico you and I. You
see, dearie, love disinterested love is a
rare thing, and when one finds it, as I
have found It In you today, one must value
It dearer than all else In future you shall
be my dearest one, and I shall try to repay
you for your sweet, youthful devotion and
self-sacrl.'lclng kindness."
And Ethel May s Aunt Mary kept her
word, and that time next week found them
driving to the railroad station In the vil-
lae- 'here they would take the train for
the great and glorious west. And Jack
and Gracle returned home to the city and
r,d ample time to ponder over why Ethel
d ls" behind-
After th Artntrtr hn4 4..nn rtaA i,n KM
Are Out Again
"Ah, ha! It is fine to be wide awake,
To have light, air and grand
liberty!"
Then in chorus loud together they
cried,
"We'll eat, play, hunt and fight,
And we'll make our day Just six
months long,
For we've had six months of night."
And Mother Bear, with a look of pride
On her children standing there,
Said, "I know that you will all grow
up
To terrorize folks everywhere.
"You'll frighten boys and big men,
too,
And 'twill be such Jolly fun
To see those queer two-legged things
Turn pale when they see you and
run." M. W.
one ready, and as I got close to a clump
of bushes two Indians, with two horses,
came toward me. When they came closer
I saw thut they were on our horses."
"Oh, my," sighed Dotty.
"I was so frightened I dropped on the
ground right where I was. The Indians
went past me."
"Did they get away?" asked Donald.
"Yes, they got away; but a few days
afterward I saw the horses grazing and
a little way off the Indians were cooking
their meal." Here Grandpa paused for
breath.
"Did you get your horses?" risked Joe.
"Yes. Father took some shells, stones
and two red and green blankets and bought
the horses with those things.
"Well, now, go to bed."
How Johnny Won the Prize
By Fred Sorry, King Bee, Monarch, Wyo.
Red Side.
"Oh, mamma," said Johnny, running
Into the kitchen, out of breath. "My old
hen Is setting and no eggs under her.
What kind of eggs shall we put under
her?'1 said Johnny, with eye wide open,
for he was thinking how many eggs he
was to set.
"Let s set some white turkey eggs and
In a few weeks we shall have some little
yellow turkeys."
"But, mamma, I thought you said a
while ago that you were going to aet white
turkey eggs, not yellow."
"Yes, my boy, I said that, sure enough,
but they will be yellow when they hatch
and when they grow larger they will be
come white."
Johnny's mamma brought out twelve
eggs from a basket, which she had layed
away. Johnny put the eggs under the
hen and walked away, leaving the old
setting hen behind him. Days and days
passed by. By and by the eggs hatched,
and how surprised Johnny was. But there
was one little turkey so small and weak
It couldn't keep up with the old hen.
Johnny took It In the house and put It
by the warm fire. It grew strong !n a
few days. Months passed by and the lit
tle turkey grew to be a large turkey. As
the days passed by he grew more and
more beautiful. He was larger and pret
tier than any turkey around there. It
happened that there was going to be a
county fair the next month, which was
August. Johnny took his turkey to the
fair and, what do you think, he got the
prize. He was surprised to see his turkey
wearing a blue ribbon around Its neck.
How happy Johnny was when he saw this.
The last day of the fair came and Johnny
went home with his turkey and the blue
ribbon tied around Its neck. When Johnny
walked in the door of his home he Jingled
ten dollars in hi pocket to show his
mother how happy he was. Johnny was
glad he had taken such good care of the
turkey.
The Blackbird's Trouble
By iRena Mead, Queen Bee, Aged 13 Yaara,
Blair, Neb. Blue Side.
Spring 1b here with its dress of green,
Bringing the birds of many hues;
The red bird with his merry whistle,
And the black bird with the blues.
Perhaps you would like to know why the
black bird had blues;
It Is a short little story, but sad.
So I hope you will listen while I tell you,
For then I know you will never be bad.
He cannot find his nest or mate,
Where do you 'spose they've goae?
I know, for a little bird told me,
In his merry little song.
This Is what the little bird sang,
And this Is what I heard:
"A big, big boy came out with a gun.
To hunt the dear little birds.
He walked right up by the side of the
tree,
And stood with his head turned round;
He cocked the gun and pulled the trigger,
And the little bird fell to the ground.
The dog pounced out upon the bird,
The boy climbed after the nest;
He blew the yolk all out of the eggs,
And then sat down to rest."
Now, my dear children, you surely must
know
That this was a cruel boy,
Else he ne'er would have done the thing
that he did.
And have any comfort or Joy,
Now you all know why the black bird had
blues,
For the black bird Is always black;
He had lost his nest and all the eggs,
Never more to come back.
You do not like even to lose a penny,
Let alone your dear loving mother,
Your father, your sister or baby,
Or even your mean, teasing brother.
So take care that you don't kill any birds,
But feed them the long winter through.
Then you will be blessed with their merry,
sweet songs,
Enough to pay you one or two.
There is a lesson In this,
If It is all told out In verse;
So whenever you see boys killing the birds,
Just this little poem rehearse.
The Brownies' Bungalow
By Helen Johnson, Aged 13 Years, 334 South
Seventeenth street. Lincoln, Neb.
Blue Side.
The queen of the brownies sat upon a
bank of moss, In the form of a star, and
playfully watched her busy little brownies
work. The point of each corner of the
star was an electric light, which when
ever It shone upon her beautiful face cat
a green light. A row of blue bells hung
above her head, and whenever she wanted
any of her little servants, she touched
them with her wand, which brought forth
a sweet musical ring.
The brownies were busy all day long
making wreaths and chains out of their
cherry Llosaoms, which they put upon their
queen's head.
The trees In those days were much larger
than they are now. and In the hollow of
cd of tbe9 tree was tba brownies' iioan
or bungalow. They were often greeted by
the little squirrels as they scampered up
and down the trees and often fed them
nuts.
The leaves on the trunk of the tree made
a netting over their home, and you may
be sure no person passing that way ever
caught a gllmppe of those quick little
people, and they were Just as happy with
only their qveen's presence. The queen In
return would let them gather at the foot
of her soft, green throne and often tell
them stories of the strange being known
as people, and read them strange stories
telling the people's opinion of these strange
little folks.
The Story of the Apple Blossom
By Runloe Bode, Aged 12 Years. Falls
City, Neb. Lock Box 229. Blue Side.
Bob Kobln brought me an Invitation to
Queen Hose's reception. You may Imagine
how much it meant to a little apple blos
som like me to be Invited. As It may In
terest you I will tell you about It. First
we were ushered Into the reception room
by bumblebees, who saw to It that, we were
seated and then we were entertained by
some lovely music that was given by a
quartet of bees, who certainly sang In a
most praiseworthy manner. . Miss Bluebell
sang a solo, which I enjoyed very much,
for, as I have said before, I am very fond
of music.
We had a royal visitor, the queen of
fairies, whom I had never seen before. I
have a very gooj impression of her, for
she seemed so sweet and gentle. Queen
Hose and she are very dear friends and I
overheard her telling the queen that my
modest manner pleased her very much.
Delicious refreshments were served. They
consisted of honey wafers and dew and
then we all went home.
I am not feeling well today. My petals
are so loose that I am afraid they will
drop off. One has blown away already
and It was my very prettiest, too, for It
had such a lovely blush of pink on it that
I was quite proud of It. I guess I am not
a pretty blossom any more. Oh, dear! I
do wonder what is going to happen to me.
Wo will see next week. ;
Robert's Lesson
By Clarence Slekkotter. Gretna, Neb. Red
Side.
Rob Is tall and slim. He can climb a
tree very fast. One day he was up In a
tree and was going to steal four eggs.
Just as he put out his hand to get the eggs
he heard a voice which seemed to say:
"Rob, Rob, robber. Rob, Rob, robbtr."
Then he looked arpund, but saw nothing
so he thought he would try It again. But
when he put out his .hand he heard the
same voice call, "Rob, Rob, robber.''
He knew that It was wrong to steal, so
he went home, but could not get away
from the voice which said, "Rob, Rob,
robber," and when he got home he begged
his parents to call him Bert Instead of
Robert, which they did.
Bragging
By Ella Schulz, Aged 10 Years, 1609 Hen
rietta Avenue, East SU Louis,
111. Red Side.
In a beautiful orchard In California there
grew an apple and peach tree. It hap
pened In the time of year when both were
In bloom.
One beautiful day In August the apple
tree said to the peach, "I am better than
you are. I am prettier, too, and every
body loves me, and you are as ugly and
as mean as can be."
The peach tree nodded and replied, "I
can't help It if you are prettier, but still
some people like me as well as they like
you."
"Oh, you think you are smart," said the
apple tree. "I'm crimson and pretty."
The peach tree did not answer, but
though It would get even some day. A
few days after a great storm arose. Tho
wind blew furiously and all at once the
apple tree gave a terrible crash and fell
to the ground.
After that the apple tree never dared say
anything against the peach tree.
A Disobedient Girl
By JleLen McEachern, Aged 11 Years,
Cornwall Island, Canada.
There once lived a girl whose name
was Rose-Red, and every time her
mother asked her to do anything sho
would Bay, "I don't want to." One day
her mother asked her to go to the store
for her to get some sugar and tea, but
she said, "I don't want to." Two days
afterward she was In the kitchen drying
the dishes, when she heard a rap at the
door. She went to the door and received
a note. She read It and found that she
was Invited to a tea party, but she could
not go because her mother was sick. Next
day she died and left the little girl. After
that she always did what she waa told.
She said that she wished that she had
done what her mother told her. After that
she had to live with an aunt. I think this
taught her a lesson, dont you?
The Flower's Visit
By Edna Rohrs, Aged 12 Years. 2112 Lo
cust Street, Omaha. Red Side.
One afternoon as Lois lay dreaming In
the hammock she heard a queer voice.
Looking up. she saw what seemed to be
a rose walking across the porch. All curi
osity, she started to watch It. The rose
was very tall and slender and as she
walked the leaves formed a beautiful gown
and her petals a pretty hat. Then came
the same strange song again, and an
automobile made of prickly burrs and
lined with rose petals came in sight.
Lady Rose walked up to It and said to
the driver, Larkspur, "Drive me tp Lady
Pansy's." Then she entered the car and
drove away.
Whether she had a nice visit I do not
know, for Just then Lois woke up. She hud
been dreaming.
A Bavre Girl
(A Reproduction).
By Ruth Erlckson, 13 Years, Swedeburg,
Neb. Red Side.
Little Mary lived with her father and
mother In a little cottage among the
mountains. Beautiful and sweet were the
short spring and summer, but when the
long winter came with its wind and snow.
It was often bleak and dismal in the lonely
mountain passes. But Mary was used to
It and from her earliest years she had
learned to brave the cold, the wind and
the snow. She was tall and strong for
her age and her rosy cheecks showed that
she was enjoying good health. One day
when she and her mother were alone at
home, her mother was taken sick and
she had no medicine left. "If I only
had some of the medicine that I
got from Mrs. Fenton when I was alck
last spring," she said. "That medicine
did ma so much good, and I know that
it will help ma now." "Do you think that
Mrs. Fenton has any pf it left?" asktd
Mary. "Yes, for she gave me only a part
of what she bad and so one around has
May is Gay With Flow,
ers, Birds, Trees.
Original Poem, by Frances Johnson,
Aged IS Yearn. 933 North Twenty
fifth Avenue, Omnha. Blue Side,
May, the loyous month's here, Merry
May'
All the mwidow blooms like one big
bouquet
Ton quiet woods with bird choir is gay.
It's time for Miss Ltlao her plume to
display;
Sun, smile on, let the sky bo not grey:
Gathering the flower for May baskets
bright;
Ah! and hearing Jenny Wren sing from
morning to night;
Tes, don't forget brave woodpecker.
who's tapping with all of his
might.'
"Wake up!" winds are pleading to tho
belated flowers!
"It's Joy to live In these sunshiny
hours.
There's verdure abounding on treetop
and ground,
Here and there flowery faces brighten
some mound.
Fragrant flowers dance my window
beneath,
Lilies, tulips and fair bridal wreath,
On sunny lawns and quiet haunts
Winsome dandelion her yellow fluunts,
Each flower nods, and the sweet May
rose Bocks to and fro In sweet repose,
while
Snowdrops melted with the April
snows.
Blue-bird, grosbeak, rohln and wren,
I'm very glad to hear you again;
Bose-breasted grosbeak, thou art my
best friend;
Do you object that to me you your
Sweet voice would lend?
The trees bow gracefully to the wind
of the West,
Bislng up tower-like o'er steeple and
crest,
Everyone seems to murmur, "We think
each month best,
Except merry May, which Is worth all
of the rest."
been sick since, and I know she has it all
left." "Then I will go and get It for you,"
said Mary and started at once to put on
her wraps. "But are you not afraid to go
so far all alone across the lonely moun
tains? Are you sure you know the way?"
"Yes, I know the way all right," and I
am not at all afraid. Why, It was a great
deal deal worse to go to Mrs. Parson's
last. week. I had only gone that way once
before and I got home all right." The
good mother knew how good and bright
her little girl was and she finally let her
go. But If she could have gotten up and
gone and felt how cold the wind blew over
the bleak mountain and how dark and
heavy the snow clouds gathered In the
horizon she would not have let her child
go. In her excitement to go on such an
errand Mary did not notice the enow
clouds either nor feel the piercing wind.
But It was not long befpre Mary was
ready to start from Mrs. Fenton's on her
way home that the storm came on. The
snow filled the air like a thick cloud all
around so that Mary could only see a few
feet ahead of her. The wind blew the
snow into big drifts, and here and there
she could hardly get over acme of the big
drifts. Sh- poon lost her way for all
directions were the samo to her now. She
was frightened and begun to run this way
and that way- to find the puth and got
further and further away from home. At
last she sat down to reBt a moment and
to think what she should do. She soon
fell asleep and she dreamed that she was
sitting in the midst of roses and the sun
was shining on Jior. Soon hor father
came home from a hunting expedition and
when he heard that little Mary was out
In this terrible storm he grew very
anxious. And although it was hard to
leave the sick mother he hastened away
to seek his lost child. He whistled for his
drg, the wise and faithful Ponto, and
showed him one of Mary'-s mittens. Tha
dog at once understood what was wanted
of him and he was as eager as his master
to start on the search. The search was long
and for a while seemed hopeless. The
unhappy father was about to give up his
hunting when he thought he heard in tho
distance the friendly bark of his faithful
Ponto. Yes, he was not mistaken. He
hurried in the direction of the dog's bark.
He soon reached the place and found his
daughter lying in the snow-drift almost
covered with snow. The father took her
In nil) aims and wrapped a blanket,
which i he had taken along with him, and
then in his strong arms he carried her
home, following the lead of Pontx. As
soon as he reached home her father began
to rub her hands and face with snow to
take out the frost and to restore the cir
culation of the blood. Mary soon opened
her eyes and looked around her to seo
whether it was a dream. Bat she soon
felt the Avarm touch of Ponto's tongue
licking her hand and then she knew It
was no dream. Her first words were,
"Mamma, the bottle of mt-dkine is in my
pucket." The medicine at once helped her
mother and in a littlo while Mary was
herself again and as well and strong as
ever. But the greatest hero of all was
tho faithful Ponto who hud found her and
saved her life.
Illustrated Rebu3
lie
i