A
MERHY Christmas to alt the Busy Bees. The editor hopes that all
of the children will have a truly happy holiday and that they will
all try to make their little friends and playmates as happy as they
are. The Queen Bee, France Johnson, has written a Christmas
poem to all of the Busy Bees, which is on the children's page today.
Votes may be tent in any time for the next king of the Red side and for
queen of the Blue side. The contest during the last three months between
the Red side and the Blue Bide has been very close, which makes it more inter
esting for both sides.
Prizes were awarded this week to Mabel Datel, on the Red side, and to
Gladys Harris, also on the Red eldo. Honorable mention was given to Frances
Byrne, on the Blue side. Many excellent ChrlRtmas stories were sent in this
week, and also during the last two weeks.
Any of the Busy flees may send cartas to anjone whose name Is on the
Tostcard Exchange, which now includes:
Jean lie Long, AtnHworlh. Neb. Lillian Wirt, 4IM Cass street, Omaha.
Irene Mi-Coy. Biirnslon, Neb. llassett Kuf, 1H14 Rlnney street, Omaha.
Lillian Mcrwln. Ik-aver CHy. Neb. Jack Coad. 3718 Farnam street, Omalia.
Mabel Wilt. Bennington, .Neb. .'unnlta Innes, 2769 Fort street, Omaha. -
Anna Goltseh, HennliiRton, Neb Meyer Cohn, 148 Georgia avenue, Ontario.
Minnie Uottsch, Bennington, Neb. Ada Morris. M24 Franklin street, Omaha.
Agnes Lamnke, llenson, Neb. Myrtle Jensen, 2309 Izard street, Omaha.
.u.iij ....;., ...in.c.,nu4. .ieb. (b;x U. (nrn FlHher, 1210 8. Kleventh St., Omaha,
iuii Auay, v tsiurai Cny, Neo. Mildred Erlckson, 270K Howard St., Omaha.
eia enemy, crcigniuti, .Neb. ocar FJrlckson, 2709 Howard St., Omaha.
Luuia nann, David city, Neb. ;i.il Howard, 4722 Capitol avenue, Omaha,
i.nea Freiaell, Uorchester. iwu. Helen Houck, 1625 Lothrop street, Omaha.
Alrda itennett. cjigut, Neu. l;merson Goodrich, 4U10 Nicholas, Omaha,
quince Loot. Fans city. Lieu. Maurice Johnson, 1027 Locust, St., Omaha,
j.tnel Heed, Fremont, Neb. i,.ion Carson, 1124 North Fortieth, Omana.
lluiua Lundburg, rrrmoni, Neb. I'aullne Coad, 718 Parnain street, Omaha.
Manon .'appe, mbson, Neo. Wilma Howaid, 4723 Capitol avenue, Omaha.
biarKuerliu artnoioinw, irothcnburg, Neb. Hilah Fisher, LilO South Eleventh, Omaha,
iydia Itotn. tiOi West Kuenlg street, Grand Mildred Jensen, 2707 Leavenworth, Omaha.
isiand, Neb. Kdna Heden, 27SU Chicago street, Omaha.
Kiia Voss, Ml West diaries street. Grand Mabel Sneifelt, 4014 North Twenty-nun
Island. Neb. street, Omaha.
Lune cosieiio, 115 West Eighth street, Walter Johnson, 2406 North Twentieth
uiand Island. Neb. street, Omaha.
JesMe Crawford, 4ut Wesi Charles street, Emma Carruthers. 32J1 North Twenty-fifth
Urand Island, Neb.
rHuui.e tv.nuMe. iiji west ounu streei,
Jl C&I1U ifllalllU, alfJU.
Martha Murp.iy. M3 East Ninth street,
(irai.d Island, Nu
Hugh Itult, Leshara. Neb.
Hester E. Butt, Leshara, Neb.
Alice Temple, LexliiKton, Nrb.
riuth Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Anna Neimon, Lexington, Neb.
Ed) the Kiel is, Lexington, Neb.
Marjorle Temple, Lexington, Neb.
Ailco urasameyer, 146 C. St., Lincoln, Neb.
Marian Hamilton, ! L. St.. Lincoln, Neb.
Elsie Hamilton, 20i L St.. Lincoln, Neo.
Irene Dlsher, at30 L street. Lincoln Neb.
Hughie Olsher, 2030 L sue-;. Lincoln, Neb,
Charlotte Boggs, af? South Fifteenth street,
Lincoln. Neii.
Helen Johnson, 334 South
street. Lincoln, Neb.
Seventeenth
Althea Myers. iU North Sixteenth street
Lincoln, Neb.
Louise Stiles, Lyons, Neb.
Kstelle McKonald, Lyons, Neb.
Milton, Seller. Nebraska City, Neb.
Harry Crawtord, Nebraska City, Neb.
Harvey Crawford, Nebraska City, Neb.
Luctie Haien. Norfolk, Net)
Heln Reynolds, Norfolk. Neb.
Letha Larkln. So. Sixth St., Norfolk, Neb.
Emma marquarat, nun street ana Maai- Kuth Kobcrtson, Manilla, la.
non avenue, Norfolk. Neb. Mildred Kobertson. Manilla, la.
"enevleve M. Jones, North Loup, Neb. Margaret B. Witherow, Tnurman, la.
William Davis, 221 West Third street, Beruia Mr.Kvoy, It F. D. 3, Box 26. Mis
North Platte, Nb. souil Valley, la.
Louise Ilaabe, 26 North Nineteenth ave- Henry L. Workinger, care Sterling Remedy
nue, Omaha. company. Attica. Inrt.
t rances Johnson. 933 North Twenty-fifth Adlena Sorry, Monarch, Wyo. Box 82.
avenue. Omaha.
MI!,?er"e Jon""onl. m North Twenty-
r I r i n AttarillA tm al nee
rifth avenue. Omaha.
Emlle Brown, Z322 Boulevard, Omaha. .
Helen" Goodrich, 4010 Nicholas St.. Omaha,
Mary Brown. 2322 Boulevard, Omaha.
Kva Handee. 4402 Dodge atreet, Omaha.
Th2 -Halls' Christmas Gift
Sy Banff Walker.
r WAS not a promising Christ
mas eve for Tommy Hail.
Owing to lila father's recant
and serious illness thi fam'ly
found themselves In rcry
straitened circumstances. .The
poor father's work had been dlscoiitlnu.a
for so many months, owing to his illness,
Ihat the family purse was In a very de
plorable atate, and now that the Christ-1
mas holidays were come thire was no
money with which to buy the usual things
that go to make up the holiday festivity.
There was no turksy for the Christmas
dinner, no floral decorations on mantel and
In window. No Christmas tree with glit
tering adornments and wax candles graced
the little "best room" that was without a
fire In the grate.
Knowing all this, it may sound strange
to the reader when I eay that tha three
members of the Hall family father,
mother and little son-were not unhappy
or despondent. Indeed they were quits
Sheerful If one could judge from their con
versation and manners as they sat about
the little supper tabic In the comfortable
Wltchen, the only room In which they could
ifford to keep a fire.
"Well, tomorrow ia Christmas day," said
Mrs. Hall as she poured the tea. "And we
have not spent a penny for gifts, much as
s-e should have liked to. But we're not
going to grumble over that, for we hnva
so much to be thankful for even If we
haven't any Christmas cheer."
"Yea, mother, that Is th wav I feel
about It," agreed Mr. Hall. "I am so
happy to be well again and to have the
promise of my old lob once more and a
raise In salary, too. so the president of the
company told me today, that such small
matters as the abecnoe of Christmas
'doings' do not fret me, I shall aim be
on my feet again, able to pay the rent and
my doctor's bill. And then we shall begin
to have some little luxuries occasionally,
such as Christmas trees, taffy parties and
the like, for Tommy. I really do regret
that our little man's Chrletmas must be
o unlike Ma former Christmases. Lxt
year we gave him such a great time, with
capital letter?. " And Mr. Hall laughed
over the happy memory of last year's holi
day festivities.
"Oh, pap. don't worry over my Christ
mas or lack of Christmas, as vpne might
ay. Besides, who knows what old Santa
Claus may bring me? I am past tho age
for Santa's presents, for I. was 11 years
old six weeks ago, and Rente's children
are all much younger than that. But he
msy yet remember rue with some Ittt'e
thing Just through pity, you see. But
should he want to lie generous to any
outside his realm of very young ch'ldren, I
would much rather lie would bring some
thing to put' In dear mother's stocking.
You and I, dad, r. two old chaps that ran
do without Christmas and birthday presents
how." And Tommy smiled.
Mr. Hall laughed w.hlle Mrs. Hall patted
Tommy on the hed In a loving way. "No,
dearie. If Santa has anything for this
family I lipe It will fall to you. my dear,
unselfish boy." And the good mother's
eyea grew dim.
Then tho subject was changed from
Chrstmas to Tommy's school and Ms
comrades. Then to Mr. Hall's promised In
crease of Salary, which rejoiced them all
so much.
"Just think, dear," said Mr. Hall to hla
wife, "my sickness coat me tare months'
absence from my work, whfch meant threa
months' loss of salary. And all the time
our living expenses went on and added to
them were my doctor's bill and drug bill.
IE
street, Omaha.
Uletc,.n Eastman. 136
South Thirty-
ljt.ouorll i Unison, The ' Albion, Tenth end
Pacific streets, Omaha.
Mau Uajnmond, O Neill. Neb.
Mudge K Uaniels, Old, Neb.
Zola Beddeo, Orleans, Neb.
Agnes Kichmond. Orleans. Neb.
Marie Fieminx, Osceola, Neb.
Lotta Woods, Pawnee City, Neb.
Earl Perkins. Keddingtnn, Neb.
Edna Enis, Stanton, Neb.
Lena Petersen. 2Z11 Locus St., E. Omaha.
Ina Carney, Sutton, Clay county, Nebraska.
Clara Miller. Ulica, Neb.
Mildred F. Jones, North Loup, Neb.
Alta Wllken, Waco. Neb.
L-eo Bockord, Waco, Nrb.
Mae urunae, west roini, ixeo.
Elsie eUastny, Wllber, Neb. "
Frederick Ware, Wlnslde, Neb.
Pauline Parks, York, Neb.
Edna Ben ling, York, Neb.
Mary Frederick, York, Neb.
Carrie B. Bartlett, Fontunelle, la.
Irene Reynolds. Little Sioux, la.
Ktiiel Mulholland. box 71, Malvern, la.
Eleanor Mellor, Malvern, la.
Kalhryne Mellor, Malvern, la.
Fred Sorry, Monarch, Wyo.
earl barlon Monarch, Wyo.
L & . -
John Barron. Monarch. Wyo. .
Edith Amend, Sheridan, Wyo.
Pauline Squire, Grand, Okl.
Fred Shelley, ;3u Troup street,
City, Mo.
Kansas
Aa we all know, the little 'rainy day; fund
was soon exhausted and we began running
Into debt. But now the way is clear again,
and very soon we'll forget all our recent
hardship and "worry."
"Yeo, Indeed, dear, we're very happy to
be as we are tonight a:i well, comfortably
housed against the storm and plenty of fuel
and food to last till your first week's
salary la earned. You go to work on the
first Monday of the new year. Oh, I am
so very, very thtnkful."
"And so am 1," cried Tommy. "And let
Chrtstmaa gifts and all that sort Of thing
go to people who cannot be happy without
them. We are a lucky family, I say. A
home and warmth and food. Gee! lt'a far
ahead of being out In the storm, without
shelter or friends, as many poor unfor
tunates are todsy."
The supper over, the three sat beside
the cheerfu: cooking stove fire, Mr. Hall
reading from some Interesting book to his
wife and son. Mrs. Hall mended "Sommy's
school cost and Tommy played idly with
the okl family cat. And when the clock
struck nine they wondered how the even
ing could have passed so quickly.
"Well, we must be off to bed, and give
Santa. Claus a chance to come down the
stovepipe." said Mr. Hal'.. "He may bring
an airship or something else as small to
our young man."
"Well, I'd like an airship as well as most
any toy," laughed Tommy. Then kissing
his parents goodnight he ran upstairs to
I is own little room. It was cold there, but
Tommy did not mind that. He only mad-s
hbste to get between the covers and was
Boon very fust asleep.
About midnight Tommy was awakened
by a low cry. It sounded like some one in
distress. He raised hla head from the pil
low, listening Intently. Yes, there It camo
again, and apparently from beneath his
window. Leaping from the bod he ran to
,tha window, but he could not raise thi
ssbh, for It wea frosen shut. Downstairs
"COME RIGHT IN. YOU M
it: lliijP ,n 'i'lifll
m J i'M IJl tit il
-r i Vfl
iv.sF- II VI r Men Jk r
RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS
1. Write plainly on one aide of tha
paper -only and number the pagea.
I. Use pea and Ink, mot penoll
3. Snort and pointed articles will
be given preference. So not nse otoi
SO wcrda.
4. Original stories or letters only
will be need. t
B, Write you name, are and ad.
drees at the top of the Orel pace.
rirst and second prlsee of books
will be given for the beat two con
tributions to this page each week.
Address all communications to
CKTXDBXIT DEFABTMEVT,
Omaha Bee.
(First Prize.)
The Christmas Tree's Story
By Mabel L. Datel. Aged 11 Years, North
Bend, Neb. Red Side.
.Santa Claus had Just left. The stockings
were full of things.
The tree stood In the middle of the 11
brnry. There were many presents on tho
tree.
"Oh, Mr. Tree, won't you please tell us
a story?" said one do'.l. "The time seems
so long and anyway we are waiting for
such dreadful tortures that it makes me
shiver."
"Yes," said another doll. "We'll have
pins stuck right In us. Our hair will be
pulled. Oh, dear!"
"Well." said a drum. "I want to hear the
itory the tree will tell, not about what will
happen to you."
"Well," sold the tree. "I will tell you
about my father and mother. My father
and mother were very tall and straight.
My father was the ta'.lest. They were both
very proud of me. Every time Santa came
by us my father and mother would spread
out their arms so he would not see me.
he went, careful not to wake his parents,
for he was not sura that the creature In
distress was really so near to the housa
as he thought. And tho second cry or
wall did not sound like a human voloe.
Reaching the front door Tommy unlocked
and opened It. There, shivering on the
doorstep, was the dark form of a little
dog. Raising his pitiful eyes to ' Tommy
he stood on his four feet and wagged his
tall, begging In his way to be allowed to
enter the house.
"Poor- puppy!" said Tommy. "Come
right In. You must be half frosen. Ugh,
how the snow Is falling!"
The little stranger needed no second In
vitation to enter, a warm house, and
Jumped in beside Tommy. Tommy shut
the door and made a light. Then he ex
amined his midnight visitor. The stranger
wore no collar, and Tommy know' he was
a waif. Then suddenly an Idea came to
him: "Santa Claus has brought you to
me, brought you to me for a comrade, and,
I am to' share my good home with you.
Ah, that's It!" And Tommy patted the
frisking little fellow on the head. "And I
must surprise father and mother." he de
clared. Then he got a card and wrote on
It: "From Santa Claus to The Halls."
This card he tied to a cord and fastened
to the long hair on the little dog's back.
He fixed It In such a way that the dog
would not feel it, or be conscious of its
presence. Then, feeding the doggie soma
cold victuals left from supper, and placing
a basin of fresh water for . him, and a
warm .rug for him to sleep on. Tommy
again went to bed and to sleep.
In the morning Tommy was awakened
by his mother's voice calling up the stairs
"Come, Sonny, come and see what Santa
has brought to us." Tommy remembered
the doggie and Jumped Into his clothes and
was down to the coxy kitchen In a hurry.
There he saw the little dog frisking about
aa though he owned the place, and Mr.
Hall was watching him with a pleased
smile on, his face.
"What seems mysterious to me," said
,Mrs. Hall, "Is this card whloh was on the
little fellow's back; and he was lying on a
rug fast asleep whon I came down this
morning."
Then Tommy explained about the dog's
midnight appearance at the door, and how
he had taken him In as a present from
Santa. t
"Well, I am Inclined to think that Santa
presented us to the dog Instead of the
dog to us," laughed Mr. Halt. "He was
homeless and alone, and Santa gave him a
home and friends."
"The gift is both ways," declared
Tommy. "This puppy is our Chrlstmaa gift
and we are his."
VST BE HALF FROZEN.'
ili!f:Jliliii,lll
One duy Santa came through the woods
saying: 'I need a large tree.' Then he
chopped my father down. My mother and
I were very end now.
"The next year my mother was taken
away. I was very lonesome and sad. f
"Tills yeaj- Santa brought me here. I am
very happy to think I will make the child
ren happy. I will have to stop for I heard
the children coming down stairs."
("Second fVlze.)
A Christmas Story
By Gladys Harris, Agid 10 Year, lied
Oak la. Red Side.
Many, many years ago there was a man
named Joseph and his wife, Mary. They
lived in .TeruHale.m. Once every year all the
peoplo had to go to Bethlehem to pay their
debts. Now, of course, Joseph and Mary
wont to Bethlehem. The Inns, houses and
places like that were full and they had to
go to an old stable and stay through the
night. That night a child was born to them.
They culled him, Jesus.
That night shepherds were looking up
In tlio sky and they saw a light and they
heard the angels singing. They were all
frightened. But the sngels sang:
Fear not, for we have come to bring
Tidings glad to all mttj, of a Savior King.
Then they told them tho story of Christ.
They alt brought him presents and wor
shiped him.
That, in why we always give presents on
Xmas.
(Honorable Mention.)
The Van Brants" Best Xmas
By Frances Bvrne, Aged 12 Years. 240S
South Tenth Street, Omaha. Blue Side.
In a little village outside of Strausburg,
Germany, lived a widow and four children,
f'rau Van Brunt made dolls for a firm In
Strausberg and Gretchen, the oldest child,
aged 12 years, dressed them.
One day as Gretchen was dressing a very
pretty doll she wondered who tho child
would be who would get It. She quickly
decided to find out. She was well educated
In her own language and had learned to
read and write a little English. She glanced
over at her mother and found her busy
by the cradle of Katrine, the baby. Tha
boys, Gustav and Herman, wore playing
outside the door. Gretchen got a pencil
and paper and sat down to write the little
note that was going to shape her future.
She labored hard and long, but finally got
it done. It read thus:
"Strausburg, Germany, Sept. 8, 1907. Dear
Little Girl: My name Is Gretchen and I
dress lots of dolls. I am lonesome. Will
you write me once? I sm Just writing for
fun. Gretchen Van Brunt, Strausburg,
Gu many"
f he folded the paper and pinned It to
the doll's dress and no one knew anything
abcut It.
About three months afterwards a gentle
man was walking through the stores of
Boston, and rtelng a display of dolls
chese one as a Chrlstn as gift for his little
Louise. Christmas day In the gentleman's
home was bright and cherry. Little Louise
had found her treasure and was gurgling
happy words In her father's ear as sha
sat upon his lap admiring the pretty gift.
"Just look, papa," she said. "The pretty
clothes. Oh! I stlcked myself. I did."
"We'll find that naughty pin. Ah! ha!
here It Is, and a note too." And Mr. Van
Brunt unfolded the bit of paper that
Gretchen had pinned to the dress.
After Investigating to some extent Mr.
Van Brunt found that his dead brother's
family was struggling In poverty while he
waa rolling In wealth, as it were. He lost
no time In getting the family together and
Gretchen declared In after years that tha
Christmas of 1907 was the best Christmas
of all for all the Van Brunts, both wealthy
and poor.
Walter's Christmas Dinner .
By Alberta Mutz, Aged 14 Years, Auburn,
Neb. Blue Side.
Walter was a little boy of ten years. He
lived in Philadelphia. The house In which
he lived waa back of a mansion. Walter's
mother had to wash for a living and so
Walter stayed at home alone all day. He
had no playmates, but could hear children
playing in the yard of tho great manbion
over the wall.
One day a stone fell out of the wall. He
went to the wall and looked through the
hole. Ho saw the sweetest little girl he
had ever seen. Ha said, "Hello," to nor.
After that they came to the hole every
day. Finally one day she said, "One week
from today Is Christmas, Walter." "Oh,
la it? Well I don't expect anything." "Don't
expect anything, why not?"
"Oh, we are too poor to have anything,
but mamma Is going to ba home all day."
Katherlne sat down a few minutes in
deep thought. "Well," she said finally, "I
have a plan"
"We have a large rloca in tha dining
room. Christmas morning you can slip
out and come over and I will hide you In
the big clock. From there you may see
the proceedings." ' ?
Christmas morning Waller woke up with
Christmas day before him. Mamma kissed
him and said, "Merry Christmas." He had
a new suit of clothes and cap. They were
his first Christmas presents. At 10 o'clock
he slipped out. He met Katherlne at the
kate. They exchanged greetings and went
then to the big clock.
He got Inside. At 12 o'clock they as
sembled In the large room. Oh, the good
things he saw. In the middle of the din
ner there was a pop and out fell Walter.
They were all surprised, but the story was
soon told and a place was made for Walter
at the table. 11c ate a big dinntr then re
ceived randy, etc., and went home and li?
has never forgotten his first Christmas
dinner.
Harry's Christmas Holidays.
By Rector Searle, Aged 13 Years, Ogalalla,
Neb. Red Side.
Harry was away at school. Tha last
week before Christmas holidays seemed as
If It wouldn't coma to an end. But as last
Friday night came and when Harry stepped
aboard the train his heart seemed to leap
into his throat. He oouid not settle him
self to read, but watched the fields and
little towns fly past. When they stopped
at a few of the larger stations he got off.
It began to storm and grow cold. He
searched In his grip for hla neck sweater,
but to his excitement and haste he found
he had forgotten It. Each time he got bark
Into the car he seemed colder and ha fe't
such a draught. At last they railed Lin
coln. He could hardly wait till the train
stopped. He saw no one he knew but his
mother and two sisters. Going home he
felt so gktd, but oh, so cold. Ha could eat
very little supper and he had thought the
week before how goid It would taste. The
girls showed him all their new playthings,
but somehow thoy did not Interest him.
He seemed to be more Interested in the
register then any thing else. He was so
glad wjien bedtime came; he felt so tired.
He got out of bed tho next morning, but
could not stay up. When his mother went
to his room he was saying strange things.
His mother called the doctor' at once.
Christmas day found Harry still In bed
with a raging fever. With constant care
and good nursing Harry was allowed to
return to school In tw'0 months. By that
time the other boys had forgotten their
Christmas fun and were looking forward to
their spring vacation. He, too, began to
look forward to It. He resolved he would
always keep a cool head and pack all he
needed. .
Why Santa Missed Them
By Crystal Harris. Aged 14 Years, Red
Oak, la. Red Side.
One, day long ago, there was a very
wealthy man whose name was Charles
Powell. He was very good also. He had
four very pretty children, two girls and two
boys. Now, Mr. Powell had a neighbor
by the name of Tom Anderson. Mr. Ander
son was not quite so wealthy as Mr.
Powell. He was always trying some way
or other to get his money through Mr.
Powell's Ignorance.
At last, he succeeded, so Mr. Powell was
forced to leave his beautiful mansion and
go to a little rude hut.
This was Just a week before Christmas.
So Christmas came at last and the Powell
children sang carols about Jesus. Then
they hung their stockings up with heavy
heart for they expected nothing. Next
morning dawned, but nothing was In the
little stockings, but at the next door house
all was happy within.
A year later Mr. Anderson, while on his
deathbed called Mr. Powell to his side and
told him what he had done, and gave htm
his own fortune and his too. While Mr.
Anderson died a pauper.
Mr. Powell had all tho expenses, while
Mrs. and Miss Anderson were to proud
to even think of Powells, so they left the
town to work in a factory. So the Powells
are living happy to this day.
Sheep Herding
By Dortha Burson. Aged 13 Years, Casper,
Wyo., Postofflce Box 16. Red Side.
My brother Guy has been In the employ
of Mr. Nloolayson for the last three years
as camp mover and herder. He is only
20 years old now and Is still working for
tha same company. Ha does most of hla
hording on Plnerldge and Cole creek range.
H- stays out for about three months' at
a time, when he comes In visiting, he stays
In for three or four days and he then goes
out again. He buys horses with most of
his wages only what It takes to clothe
him. He has about twenty-eight head of
horses and he is still buying. He thinks
he will still stay with Mr. Nloolayson
until he gets some sheep of his own. Guy
likes Mr. Nlcolayson fine.
The Fairy's Promise
By Gladys Mlckel, Aged 8 Years, .131
Harney Street, Omaha. Blue Side.
Once there was a little girl whose name
was Rose Marie Violet Elizabeth Vann.
One day as rhe was sitting on the grass
by the brook she saw a little fairy trying
to get away from a big black beetle. When
sho saw Rose she cried out for help. Tho
beetle heard and looked up. When he saw
Rose he ran back into a little tuft of grass.
. After the fairy had recovered her breath
ah. said: "I thank you very much. You
have saved my life. As a reward I shall
grant the wish you wish most. What is
that wish?"
Then Rose answered that the only thing
she wanted was a baby brother.
"Your wish shall be granted," said the
fairy. , Then she spread her beautiful
shining, wings and flew away, away off
to Fairyland.
That night just as Rose was climbing
irto bed the door bell gave a loud, qulc
ring. She ran down stairs as fast as she
could. She could Just see a stork flying
away. Then she saw a basket and wlivn
rhe peeped In under the warm blanket she
aaw a tiny baby boy. Rose was so happy
she could hardly go to sleep that night
and I think you and I would have been
too. Don't you?
Dicky And Polly.
By Maurice Parker Parsill. Aged t Years.
1016 West Seventh Street, Hast
ings, Neb. Red Side.
My grandma had a parrot that was a
great pet. Whenever he saw anyone eat
ing he would start to chatter as loud as
he could and would not stop until he was
given some of it. I have a canary bird
and I had to let my grandma take care
of It for me while I went to Nebraska
with my father and mother, and after six
months I went to see grandma and took
my canary back to Nebraska with me.
Now I notice that whenever I stand near
his cage with anything to eat In my hand
Dick, the canary, will come to the side of
ahls cage and flutter about and chirp until
I give him a piece. He never did It before,
so I guess he must have learned from
Polly.
Waiting For Santa Claus.
By Lennle Dumell, Sidney, Neb. Red Side.
It was on Christmas night. In a little
hut sat two children named. Hansel and
Gretchel. Their parents were very poor. It
was snowing and there was a blizzard and
they had to 'go to bed early. The two
children sat talking.
"Grelchel," said Hansel, "what do you
want for Christmas?"
"Hansel there's no use wishing, but I
would like to have a dress, a uew hat and
a pair of shoes, What would you like to
have?" said Gretchel.
"Oh, I don't know, I believe I would like
to have a new pair of shoes, a new mil
and a cap."
The two children did not see a thadow
glld away from the. window. It was a
neighbor. He was a very rich man. Just
then Hansel's mother said, "come children
we must go to bed. The fire Is nearly
out and we haven't any more fuel than
will last over tomorrow." Tht two chil
dren went up stairs to their beds and soon
ware fast asleep. They never dreamed nor
saw the men at their work. Next morn
ing they got up and their mother said,
"now children go out' and get ma a pail
of water, the children picked up the bucket
and opened the door and to their surprise
A Merry Christmas to All
Busy Bees.
Bv Frances Johnson. (Jueen Bee.
Aged It Years. Omaha. Blue
Side.
I.
"A Merry Chrlstmos" to Busy Bees,
each one my friend.
With raven locks or golden hair,
May peace on earth; good , will
attend.
For now the air Is free from care.
H.
Todav the bell peal far and wide
That the majestic King of Kings
Is Born.
May blest thoughts with them abide
'Pon their golden path this Christ
,' mas morn!
they saw eight big bundles; they carried
them In the house and opened them up,
there was Hansel's presents and Oretchcl's
presents, and presents for their father and
mother. Out in the shed was a big pile
of coal. The father and mother both
worked and they never wore in need any
more.
Billy Whiskers Regrets.
By Frederick H. Small. Aged 9 years,
Kearney, Neb. Red Side.
Billle Whiskers was a very bad little
goat. He could butt harder than any of
the other goats and he wanted Lo see the
v orld, but his mother said he was too
little yet.
Then Billy would say proudly, "Just
wait until I get bigger, then I will run off
and play and fight with the other goats."
One day when Billy was a full grown goat
his master was watching that none of the
other goats got away. Billy was walking
along as innocent as a goat could look,
when suddenly he wheeled and ran right
between his master's legs and he was free
111 the world, but he soon found that the
world waa full of trouble for runaway
goats. And he aeon wished he was buck
with his mother.
The Horse Sale.
By Edward Slakly. Aged 13 Years. Mil
ford, Neb. Red.
Last winter there was a horse sale in
Lincoln, on the twenty-eighth of January.
My father, two of my brothers, and I got
up early in the morning, went to Mllford,
and took the t o'clock train to Lincoln.
When we got there, we went to a restau
rant and ate breakfast. ' Then we went to
the place where they were going to have
the sale. We looked at tha horses awhile,
and then the sale began. After a while
we ate dinner, and then went to the sale
again. Wa did not buy any horses. All
at once It began to rain. Then wa took
the street car and went up town. Then
it began to snow and blow, we, had a
bad blizzard that time. Then wa went to
the depot, and when -Ihe train was ready
we got in it and went back to Mllford. It
was very stormy by this time. Wa started
for home, but had to turn around and go
back to town, and sta there all night, by
morning It had stopped storming and wa
went home.
When Grandma Was a Little
Girl
By Opal Nuss, Sutton, Neb., Aged 11 Years.
Blue Side.
Tha stockings had been hung by the fire
side, for It was Chrlstmaa ave, and three
children sat on the hearth, stroking the
big Newfoundland dog, while grandma sat
looking listlessly into tha fire and thinking
of sixty years ago that very night. She waa
auddanly startled by a sudden exclamation
from Anita. "Oh, grandma, please tell us
a story," and "I second the motion" from
Archie, and "I, too," from Tiny Tim.
"Alright, children." This Is what It was:
"When I was Just your age, Anita, I
went to spend Christmas with my Aunt
Phoebe. It was three days before Chrlbt
mas when I arrived and I received a hearty
welcome from all, especially from Francis,
my aunt's stepson, who was very full cf
mlsohlef, and he knew he could play off
tricks on me, for I was a little grown-up-before-my-tlme
girl. The first two days
we were good friends. Well, by the end
of the second day the attio and every
nook and corner had been scanned by my
eager eyes, and every day afterward for
the remainder of my visit you could see a
little grown-up girl perched up among the
cobwebs, under the drying herbs and chest
nuts, reading. In some way the day after
I had arrived I choked up with a severe
cold, and after being dosed up I was put
to bed. The nurse went before "with the
lamp and warming pan, for they had no
stoves or fireplaces in the bedrooms, and
Aunt Phoebe followed, carrying me. When
we reached my room Aunt Phoebe warmed
the bed and I was carefully tucked in and
given my good-night caress and waa left
alone. How nice and warm the bed felt.
I stretched my toes down aa far as I
could a scream rent the air, and Aunt
Phoebe came running in.
" 'Why, what is the matter child?'
"Oh, I burnt my toe burned it on the
warming pan," I walled.
"She looked and there sure enough was
a warming pan, but not hot. It was filled
with snowballs. Francis had done It.
"The next day I felt backward and shy
whenever Francis came around, but though
Francis begged my pardon, I didn't feel
so much at liberty with him as before.
"And on Christmas day adnt had a very
good dinner, and at that both from Fran
cis and I. fled all the shyness."
"Why children." broke off grandma, "it
Is pretty near time for Santa. Scamper
off to bed quick."
An Honest Girl
By Agnes MeDermott. Aged IX Years. Oak
Street. Casper. Wyo. Red Side.
May and Jennie wero coming home from
school. It was Christmas eve and the girls
were telling what they were to have.
May aaid she was going to get a great
many presents. Jennie said she did not
expect anything but some warm mittens
and a hood.
As they were thus talking Jennie saw
a small purse in the road. She picked It
up and saw It was very okl. When aim
opened It she saw several pieces of silver.
May asked her what she was going to do
with It. She told her of ail the presents
she could buy with It. Jennie said she
would take It home and ask her mother
about It.
They had not gone far when they saw
an old man coming up the road. May
whispered to Jennie and told her to hide
the purse. When the old man reached
them he asked if they had found a small
purse with some silver In It. He told
them It was hla week's wages and he did
not have any other money. Jennie gave
him the purse and le thanked her and
went away. If the girls had looked closer
at the stranger they could have recognised
him as Mr. Brown, the store keeper. Jen
nie hurried home to teli her mother about
It. Her mother told her sha waa glad
she did not keep the purse.
The next morning when Jennie opened
the door a great surprise was there. There
were several large bundles of clothes, a
large pile of wood all ready for the stove
and a large basket of foot. On the handle
of the basket was tied a card which read
"For the honest girl. Honesty la the best
policy."
A Forsaken Horse
By rhillls Corbott, Agd IS Years, Sldnav.
Neb. Red Side.
"Oh dear! my master has bought one
of those automobiles that make such a
dreadful noise and he'll never drive me
around any more,"
The speaker was a small, brown horse,
which wns standing In a shady grove.
"I've always tried to do my duty, and
last winter when my foot was sore. I
never complfllned but trotted to town aa
best I could." sighed poor Prince, as he
thought how he was slighted for aa old
machine.
He went on quietly nibbling at tha grass,
but the "chug chug" of his master's new
motor car attracted his attention.
"I'll not run up to him aa I used to do,"
sold Prince to himself, "I'll Just let him
come to me first."
Prince watched his master out of the cor
ner of his eyes and saw him approaohlng
the fence which enclosed the field.
His master leaned over the fence anl
called out: "What alls my old Prince
Come and sea what I have la my pocket
for you."
At this Prince trotted over to his master
and after smelling around In hla pc knts
was rewarded by finding a lump of autjar.
"And did you think I had forgotten you.
Prince? Not a bit cf it Ton shall fcti'.l
do me service. I shall not want to ride all
the time In my new car, but shall harness
you to your little cart and we will ride to
town," said his kind master, aa he patted
Prince and left him to lie under the cool
shade of the trees and think oyer his fu
ture happiness.
A Christmas Carol to the King
of America.
By Lucy Wright, Aged 14 Yean. 9TCS W.
Loucha Street, Sheridan, Wyo. Red Side.
In the village of B there lived a very
wicked man, who died In his , sins, and
when he opened his eyea ha found to his
amassment and horror that he had been
transformed Into a black and wlley serpent
with grlizle grey eyes. One day aa ha
was wriggling through tha woods, be cama
to an old hollow stump, where ha espied
a deep excavation. Being fUlnd with
curosity he was about to enter, when ba
was startled by a voloe who aaidt "Enter
not thou Vila wretch Into this domain.' On
looking up ha perceived a great mole.
"Look here; Mr. Mole," aaid tha serpent,
"if I am only a black anaka I am very wlsa
and If you will listen to ma I oan tell you
'Something that will make us both very
rich," and aa the mole was very eager for
riches ha listened to what the anaka had
to say.
"In this wood there are beautiful Ulles
growing and If they are anapped- up at a
seasonable time, just before tha bud bursts
a beautiful maiden will appear and I want
yon to arrange a parlor to hold captive
twonty-four of these lovely little oreatures.
After they are trained we can take them
about through tha great cities and have
them perform In dance and song to enter
tain the people of tha world."
Mr. Mola thought and thought and
finally aaid. "All right, Mr. Snake, I am
with you in this scheme."
Then the snake started out to look for
the 111 ilea and tha first bud ha banded Mr.
Mola (at tha month of tha excavation)
bursted forth and a beautiful fair maiden
slipped from his hands. Sha wu Indeed
so very lovely that Mr. Mole, on entering
his palace rooms crowned her queen and
put a aceptre In her hand. "Wa will call
her name Queen Solla." aaid he, "sinoa
sha waa taken from tha Illy that King
Solomon spoke of In .the scripture and
she Was very wise."
When the serpent had brought twenty
three beautiful maidens to Mr. Mola and
had gone for tha laat one, two aohool
boys came along and perceived the old
anake wriggling In the tall grass with a
flower in hla mouth. One youth exclaimed I
"See that snake! Let us kill .him! How
much ho looka Ilka tha old saloon keeper
who once lived opposite my father's gro
cery store." So they gathered rocka and
stoned Mr. Serpent to death. In an in
stant he turned Into a little white rabbit.
He at once made off to tha mole palace,
but, of course, had to introduce hlmsiJf,
because the mole did not recognizo hla
friend. After he had told tha mole hla
story they both felt very pleased, because
the rabbit might now enter the palace room
without fear of scaring tha singing
maidens.
Mr. Mole said twenty-three maidens is
enough. It ia a good number and a lucky
one. So one day he took Mr. Rabbit Into
the maiden's chamber and ha was greeted
with such exclamations of admiration and
love that Mr. Rabbit was very pleased,
indeed, to think he had been transformed,
to auch an honored condition. However,
one day when ha was out In search of food
for the lovely maidens he was entrapped
and was Immediately transformed to a
beautiful white dove. Ho went home with
a very cheerful heart and related his ex
perience to his friend the Mole, and now
said he:. "I can fly to the president of
the United States who, in a few words,
can transform me into a prince of peace."
After ' bidding farewell to the lovely
maidens and Mr. Mole, ha flew away to
Washington and alighted upon the White
House balcony, and, when the door opened,
he made his way to William Taffa private
room and perched upon a picture frame.
You can imagine the president'a surprise
when he heard that bird exclaim.
"Transform luu Into a prince of peace.
Oh, e king , of men."
Immediately Mr. Taffs hands were up
lifted as it in supllcatioii, and he said:
"Behold a man." At once a prince of
peace stood before iilm who bowed his
thanks and said: "Christmas eve a carrot
will be sung for your benefit by twenty
three beautiful maidens of a woodland
glen."
We will follow the march BJid alt with
his friends and listen to the carrollng of
these, maidens who filled the White House
halls with valumea of Inspirational song,
and, as they strengthen the soul of your
American king with, their currollng, the
door opens and they pass out Into tha
night taking on tha symbollo wings of
purity and lova and waiving their hands
as if to say good-bye, while their echo
rings over the earth.
"Peace be to America and may yeu
follow In our footsteps."