THE OMATTA SUNDAY BEE: NOVEMBER 27. 1910. E ALL THE BU3Y BEES, we hope, hae had the anticipations of Thanks giving day Joys realized. The stories of th ragi tf-ll what many of them thought about the feast and the various ways of celebrating it. Other stories tell of the history of the dvv. All these arc Interesting, most rertalnly, but there Is a side of tha day of "which no one told. No one, for Instance sat down and thought out Just why he was thankful. It isn't loo late to do that for your self, though no one irould care to write it as a Thanksgiving story, now when that feast day la past and. Christmas Is so near. But. the point Is this: In your stories. In your thinking, In everything, you do try to get your Ideas cleared out so that you do cot know definitely, beforehand, what you want to write, what you think alout this and what you want to do. Seek to be definite It Is worth while to stop before you do anything and decide definitely what It l you are goina: to do. It is necessary before writing a clear, inter esting story to decide wliat you want the story to say before you start to write It. Two of th writers this vek, for instance, closed their stories by telling In an after sentence moral they called It what they wanted the story to mean. The sentence does not appear In either story as published. The story Itself should tell its meaning without this sentence of after-explanation. Both the prize winner wrote Thanksgiving day stories. One told of the way the day was spent; another told of quite another side of the celebration, the anticipation of the fea.-t from the turkey's viewpoint. The writers are Helen E. Morris of MoCool, Neb., Blue side, and Arthur Maon of Fremont, Neb., Red side. Any of the Busy Bees may send cards to anyone whose name is on the Postcard Exchange, which now includes: Jean De Long, Alnsworth, Neh. Irene McCoy, Batnston, Nb. Lillian Merxin, Beaver City, Neb. Mabel Witt, Bennington, Neb. Anna Qottsch, Bennington, Neb. Minnie Gottsoh, Bennington, Neb. Agnea Dampke, Benson, Neb. Marie Gallagher, Benkelman, Neb. Ida May. Central City. Neb. (Box U). Vera Cheney, frelghton, Neh. Loula Hahn, David City, Neb. Rhea Freldell, IKircheeter, Neb. Aleda Bennett, Elgin, Neb. Eunice Bode, Kails City, Neb. tthel Reed. Fremont, Neb. Hulda Lundhurg. Fremont, Neb. Marion Cspps, Gibson, Neb. Marguerite Bartholomew, Gothenburg, Nab. Anna V'osa, an West Charles Street. Grand Island. Neb. Lydla Roth, 6fl6 Wast Koenig street. Grand Island, Neb. Ella Voss, 407 West Charfcs street. Grand Island, Neb. Irene Costello, m West Eighth street. Grand Island. Neb. Jessie Crawford, Wast Charlea street. Grand Island, Neh. Pauline Sx-hulte, Deadwood. 3. D. Martha Murphy, fcfJ East Ninth street. Grand Island, Neb. Hugh Rutt. Leshara. Neb. Hester F. Rutt. Leshara, Neb. Alice Temple, Lexington, Neh. Ruth Temple, I,xlngton, Nab. Anna Nellson, Lexington, Neb. Kdyth Krelts, Lexington. Neb. Marjorl Tempi. Lexington, Neb. Alice Orasameyer. IMS C street, Lincoln. Marian Hamilton, '2 L street, Uncoln. Elal Hamilton. 7Kt L street. Lincoln. Irena Dtsher, 20SO L street, Lincoln. Hughla Dlsher, 20J0 L street. Lincoln. Charlotte Uogga. 227 South Fifteenth street, Unooln. Mildred Jensen, Fremont. Neb. Helen Johnson, street. Lincoln 701 East Second street, 334 South Seventeenth Althea Myers. k:'4 North Sixteenth street. Lincoln. ' Iouls utiles. Lyons, Neb. Estelle McDonald. Lyons. Neb. Milton Reiser. Nebraska City. Neh. Harry Crawford. Nebraska City, Neb. Harvey Crawford, Nebraska City, Neb. Lucll Haten. Norfolk, Neb. Letha Larkln. South Sixth street, Norfolk, Neb. Emma Marquardt. Fifth atreet and Madi son avenue. Norfolk. Neb. Oenexiev M. Jones. North Loup, Neb. William Davis, in West Third street. North Platte, Neh. Louis Raabe, ;ttft North Nineteenth axnu. Omaha. Francea Johnn, SiJ North Twenty-fifth Avenue. Omaha. Marguerite Johnson. S33 North Twenty fifth avenue, Omaha. f!ml Brown, 2?22 Boulevard. Omaha. Helen Goodrich. 4010 Nicholas street. Omaha. Mary Brown, 1323 South Central Boulevard, Omaha. r.vs Hendee, 440 Dodge street. Omaha. Lillian Wirt, 4IMi Cass street. Omalui. Lew la Poff. Franklin street. Omaha. Juanita Innea, 2TSS Fort street. Omaha. Basaett Ruf. 1814 Rlnney meet, Omaha. Meyer Colin. MA Qeoigia avenue. Omaha. Helen F. Douglas, 1'Sl O street. Lincoln. Ada Morris. 3424 Franklin street. Omaha. Myrtle Jensen, X00 Izard ttreet. Omaha, orrin Fisher. 1210 S. Klevenvh St., Omaha. Mildred Erickson. tin Howard St., Omaha. Gertie's Tea Party II. Isn't it provoking to have Ol Hannah fall us on s dsy of such Importance.?" cried Gertie in dismay, throwing down a let ter she had just been reading aloud to her mother, the day of the afternoon tet." "Yes. on acquiesced Mrs James. "It really Is too bad thivt Hannah's sister's birthday hap pens to come at th same limn and that. Hannah d d not think of It soon enough to let us procure som on else to assist uk during the afternoon. Let me see. what did she say In her letter?" Gertie picket) up the letter she had tested aside and looked IJ. over, "ft-htf writes; 'Dear Miss Gertie I am so sorry I cannot coma to help at your party tomorrow afternoon, but my sister Is bavins a birth day that I did not know of when I prom ised your ma to com to wait table for her. Sincerely your servant. Hannah.' " "Wl, we'll have to get one tomhow, dearie." a:d Mia James. "Aud t think that you have Invited twenty gjrl: Mercy, how will we ever get through the ordeal? Not a soul to assist us!" And Mrs. James looked despairingly at her dsughter. Just thtn there cam a ring at th door bell, and whsn Gertie opened the door there beamed the genial fac of her young cousin. Tom fmlth. 'Hello. Klddis!" cried Tom. "How be you?" "In th deepen sort of dilemma." de clared Gert e. leading Tom Into the living j room, where her mother sat sewing. "I'm hax-elng a bushel of trouble, cousin " "Ah-ha. trouble, say you?" laughed hearty Tom. always so Jovial and happy. ' Come, let me be your eonfessor. Hello, Aunt Sue! Yu In trouble, too?" Mrs Jsmes looked up, smiling at her fax-orite nephew. "Ys. Tom, dear, a mother always shares th troubles of her children. And Just now Gertt la greatly worried. She's six Ing a llttl tea tomorrow aftev noen and H.innah has failed us A letter Just cam from her In which she says she rsnnot come to astist us tomorrow. You know I do not engage her regularly. f.r Nannie Is so proficient that I can do nicely without an additional servant. But tomor rew will be such a busy day that we'll need the services of a second servant torn on to wait on the table. You know Nannie will he kept in the kitchen and we had epctd Hannah to serv at th door and in th dining room. Now. Tom. you hex th grievance of this family In a few words." And Mrs. James tried hard to look serious "In a cup of tea, so to speak," grlnnxd Tom. "Well. I think I might solve the prob lem of your difficulties.' h said, throwing Oscar Krlekson, ?7 Howard St., Omaha. Gail Howard, iii'i Capitol avenue, Omaha. Helen Homk. 1S-25 Lothrop street. Omaha. Ktrerson Goodrich, 4I0 Nicholas, Omaha. Maurice Johnson, 1027 Locust St., Omaha, j. eon Carson. 1124 North Fortieth. Oioaha. Wilms Howard. T12 Capitol avenue, Omaha. HHah Fisher, 1210 South F.lei'ent h, Omaha.' Mildred Jensen, TV! Leavenworth, Omaha. Krlna Heien. i7W Chicago street, uinmix Mabel Shelfelt, 4014 North Twenty-liCUi street, umaha. Walter Johnson, 2406 North Twentieth Ktreet, Omaha. Emmi. CarrutherS, street, Omaha. Leonora Denlson. 3211 North. Twenty-fifth The Albion, Tenth and Pacific streets. Oms ha. Man Hammond, O'Neill, Neb. Madge L. Daniels. Ord, Neb. Vla Beddeo, Orleans, Neb. Arties Richmond. Orleans Neb. Marie Fleming, Osreola, Neb. Lotta Woods, Pawnee City, Neb. Esrl Perkins. Reddlngton, Neb. Edna Enis, Stanton, Neb. Lena Peterson, 2211 Locust St., E. Omaha. Ina Carney, Sutton, Clay county, Nebraka. Clara Miller, I dea. Neb. Mildred F. Jones, North Loup, Neb. Aita xxiiKxn, xvaco, iNet. Leo Deckord, Waoo, Neb. Mae Grunke, West Point, Neb. k.lsle Stasnay, Wllber, Neh. Frederick Ware. Wlnside. Neb. Pauline Parks, YV.rk. Neb. Kdna Behllng, York, Neb. Mary Frederick. York, Neb. Carrie H Bartlett, Fontanelle, la. Irene Reynolds. Little Sioux, la. Ethel Mulholland, Box 71, Malvern, Eleanor Mellor. Malvern, la. Katharine Mellor, Malvern, la. Ruth Robertson, Manilla, la. Margaret B. Wltheruw, Thurman. la. la 2b. Bertha McEvoy, R. F. D. 3. Box Mis- aourl valley, la. J-Unry L. Workinger, J052 W. Huron atreet, Chicago. Adlena Sorry, Monarch, Wyo., Box 33. Fred Sorry, Monarch. Wyo. Pearl Harron, Monarch, Wyo. John Barron,- Monarch. Wyo. Edith Amend, Sheridan, Wyo. raullD ttqulre, Grand, OKI. Fred Shelley, SSO Troup atreet, Kansas City, Mo. Mary Mcintosh. Sidney Neb. Nellie Dletlrtck, Sidney. Neb. Eui.loe Wright. 632 North Logan street. r remont, jeo. Carol Simpson. Wllber, Neb. Phylls Haag, 633 West Seventeenth atreet. York, Neb. Maclle Moore, Silver City. In. Mabel Houston, 301$ Sherman avenue, Omaha. Dorothy Tolleson, 434ti North Thirty-eighth street, Omaha. Mabel Baker. La.rtder. Wyo. Corlnne Allison Robertson, Wllber. Neb. Elisabeth Wright, 1322 South Thirty-fifth avenue, Omaha. Matton Kteplt-a, 1313 South Thirty-first st rect, Omaha. Francis A. Dotson, Pueblo. Colo. Phyllis Corbett. Sidney. Neb. Edward Beokard, Waco. Neb. Ellen Peterson. Fifty-first and C. streets, South Omaha. Harry Reutmg, 123 East First street, Grand Islar.d. Neb Jeannette M'-Bride, Fllgln, Neb. tilzaoein Wright, Viz. avenue. Omaha. South Thirty-fifth Eunice Wright. 632 North Logan street, Fremont, Neb. Sedle Finch, 2ui Fourth avenue, Kearney, Neb. Minnie Schllchttng, Cedar Bluffs, Neb. himself on th couch. "I'll take it upon myself to get you a good waitress for to morrow afternoon." 1 "But Tom, wher can you find a reliable one on such short notice?" ssked Mrs. James, a bit uncertain. "Ask me no questions, auntie, and 1 11 not prevaricate," said Tom. "But xou'll mlsa no silver after the tea. I can assure you. My servant xvlll be flist class." "Tom. you are a gem!" vowed Gertie. Bring along your parlor maid and I'll he your debtor for life. This Ua I am giving tomorrow afternoon must be successful. And I shall look to you to help me out." "It shall be done, my lady," declared Tom. "And I thall nee that your parlor maid Is here at the hour you name." "The tta la ti take place between S and 5," explained Mrs. James. "t-'o the maid would better come at l.M. so tbat I may explain fully her duties to her." "She'll be here on the moment," promised Tom. "And now ta-ta till morning. I must away and find me maid." And be fore Mrs. James or Gertie could thank him for his promised assistance he was off down th ttreet at a rapid stride. 6 a gnat burdfn wit lifted from Mrs. THE NEW MAID REMOVED FROM AND Willi IT A bUlMi WIG. H E ftHll Ik! Jiiaiiir ii-i wwiSSaSSSMSSSJSSSJBSSSBSSSSB RUHS FOR YOUNG WRITERS 1. Write plainly on one side of the paper only and number the pages, a. Uss pen and ink, not pencil. 3. Short and pointed srticles will be given preference. Do not nse over sso words. 4. Original stories or letters only will be used. B. Write your name, air nd address at the top of the first page. First and seoond prises of books will be given for the best two con tributions to this page each week. Address all communications to CHILDREN'S DirABTHIKT Omaha Bee, Omaha, Web. ;Flnt Prize.) Thanksgiving Day. By Helfn K. Morris. Aged 10 Years, Mc Cool Junction, Neb. Blue Side. Everything was hustle and bustle at the Deane home. Tomorrow they were to start for Grandpa Deane'a farm to spend Thanks giving. All the little Deanes' heads were full of thoughts about turkey and cran berries and all the good things they were to have to eat , Tomorrow came and with It Thanksgiv ing. About 8 o'clock they boarded the train for Centervllle. Grandpa Deane met them at the train and then they all got Into his big bob Hled and drovo to the farm. What fun it was to tho city children! When they reached the farm they found all their cousins, aunts and uncles there, and dear, old grandma. Thpy nearly Jumped out of the sled, and then what a fine dinner they had! The dinner consisted of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberries, two pump kin pies, two mlnca pies, bread, butter, jam, appla saute, apples, grapes, oranges, coffee and tea. They had eaten go much that after din ner they felt like stuffed turkeys. Then they began to play games. They played hid and go seek, hide the thimble and many other Interesting games. About 4 o'clock the Deanes got ready to go home. The children did not want to go home yet, for they had been having too good a time. But the next day was a school day and they could not miss it. Then they put their wraps , on and Grandpa Deane took them to the station In the sled again. Then they got on the train and went borne. As Mrs. Dean kissed each of her little folks that night and tucked them In they each declared they had had a very good time. Second Prise ) , "Gobble, Gobble," Goes the Turkey. By Arthur Mason, Aged 12 Years. 1205 North Irving, Fremont, Neb. Red Side. The turkeys In the barnyard were strut ting proudly round. They did not know what was going to happen on the morrow, nor that In two days Thanksgiving would be there. They rat down on the ground and picked up some corn husks for napkins as the farmer and his son were bringing on the food. The ground wa their table and the trough was their plate. As the food was being put on the plat the farmer's wife, and daughter came out and leaned up against the fence. The leader of the turkey gang said: "I wonder what they are looking at us for; gobble, gobble, gobble." But the. farmer and his wife knjew what Jamas' and Gertie's shoulders, and they planned for the morrow with light hesrts. A maid would be there on time' to attend th door and to serve In the dining room. Tcm has given hi word that such would be the esse. The following day, at exactly 1:30 o'clock, the side door bell rang, and when Mrs. James responded sh was greeted by a young woman xvlth. "Hoddy, ma'am. Are you Mr. James? , Yes? Well, I'm the maid who's to assist you this afternoon at a tea your daughter is giving. May I come tn and pass the examination?" "Oh. you come from my nephew. Thomas Smith." said Mrs. James. "Yes, please com right In. You are on time to the minute." As Mrs. James led the girl into the living room she kept pondering In her mind as to where she had seen the maid before. Ths girl's eyes looked so fapiillar and her voice sounded like one tliut die knew very well. Still, she could not place the maid In her memory. Once in the sitting room Mrs. James explained the maid's duties, and asked her name. "Oh, haven't 1 told you my name?" In quired the maid. "Well, call me Hannah, please." "Well, Hannah, you may go to the kitchen and Nannie will shew you to her room, xvhere you msy lay atid your Jacket snd hat and put on your apron and cap Then please Join me In th parlor." It HEAD THE LACE-t KILLED CAP f sslSEL. W - . P rm 1 mi m was going to happen ami the dog was thinking of the turkey bones. Josephine's Christmas. By Mary Brown. Aged 14 Years 2S22 Cen tral Boulevard. Omaha. Red Side. It was nearing Christmas and dear old Santa was telling the Brownies to watch how the children behaved. One Brownie watched a place where lived a few rich families snd very many poor one. In one of the rich houses lived a little girl whose name was Josephine. One day her mother said to her: "Joseph ine, I think as you are getting older, this year when Santa brings you presents you ought to glv some of them to the poor children who don't receive any." But Josephine only got angry and Hald: "if I have to give some of my presents away I wished that Santa wouldn't bring me any." it Just chanced that on of the Brownies heard her say this and her wish was ful filled. Christmas came and she received no presents. She wondered then why and asked her mother what she thought was the reason. Her mother reminded her of what she had wished and told her not to be so fast in wishing the next time. In the afternoon Josephine went to her grandma's house, and found all her pres ents there. She thought then how she would feel If she received no presents and she at once took some of her own and dis tributed them among her friends who re ceived none. This made her more happy than she would have been If she had kept them all. Johnnie's Lesson. By Emll Cejda, Aged 10 Years. West Point, Neb. Blue Sid. One day as Johnny Brown was reading a story In hi room, his mother came Into the room and told him to get on his clothes and go down town and get some eggs. But Johnny said he was interested In a story and wss going to finish It. So his mother said no mora, but went for ths eggs herself, because she needed them for a cake that she was going to make later In the afternoon. But Johnny was still reading his story. While she was buying hr eggs in th store sh noticed about twelve boys outside the store with fish poles. After she bought her eggs sh went home where sh found Johnny still reading. She let him read, because sh meant to teaoh him a lesson. Whfn Johnny had fin ished his story h came down stairs and sat down. Soon they heard a rap at the door. Johnny opened the door and there were his playmates who were going fishing and meant to take hlra with them. But Johnny's mother only said: "No; Johnny was a very disobedient boy and he can't go." Johnny was crying, but you may be sure this taught him a lesson. The Pumpkin's Farewell. By Margaret Matthews. 2J28 California Street. Omaha. There was to be a party of farewell In honor of th Pumpkins. This is th way the Invitation read: "Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin snd children hope to see at their farewell party, which Is to b at their home, Sat. urday evening." Th guests Invited were: Mr. and Mrs. The maid bowed and withdrew to the kitchen. After sh had gone Gertl stuck her head In at th sitting room door, crying out to her mother: "Did I har Tom' voice there, mamma?" "No, dear, It was th new maid sent by Tom," explained Mrs. James. "By the way, her vale did sound a bit Ilk Tom s as much as a girl's could sound ilk a boy's. That mgs th thing that struck me as peculiar, though till this moment I could not think whom the girl was like or xv hot- voice her sounded like. But, dearie, hurry with your dressing. The guests will arrive before you are ready for them, I fear. Run along quickly. I'll come to hook you up In a minute. As soon as I see that the new maid is sta tioned at the hall door I shall eome right up." When the clock struck three the door bell rang and the new maid admitted several guests and directed them to the guests' chamber on the second floor, where they might lay aside haU and wraps. And before half-past three every guest had ar rived, and Hannah was bidden to the din ing room to take charge of things there. Sh saw that everything was In readiness before the guest were led to the table. As Nannl had s much as sh could do In her own domain, th dining room tell into tli hsnds or the new maid, and Mrs. Jam, overseeing things hra snd there, declared to herself that Hannah was a treasurer. She placed the chair at table, turned on the electrlo lights, drew down th shades of th windows, lighted th gas log In the grate, filled th glsrses with sparkling Ice water, and made herself generally useful. And with every move Mrs. Jam would scan her head and figure, wondering all the time where she had seen the maid before. And whenever the maid spoke Mrs. James started. The Voice was so like Tom's, only Tom's was a boy'a valcs and Hannah's was a grls. of course. During th tea th guests kept up such chatter and' Is jghter at table that Gertie paid no attention to the new maid whe wa performing her services with the greatest eaeei till someihlug happened. Kathleen Turner, a pretty, sweet g.rl and o:ie of Girlie's very best chums, said M Gertie !n a low voice. nJ Just as Hannah was serving hr with salad: "Say, Gertie. I am awfully angry at c- cousin Tom. lis acted terrible mean towards me of late." Now. when Kathleen said that, the maid suddenly let fall some of th salad on th table, and became covered with confusion, fehe had given vent to a half-exi lamation. as "Oh. Kath " Then had turned htr attention to th accident she was lespon Ible for.' "Exeus me. M m." she said t alf under her breath as she removed the ta.au from the table cloth. And as she Carrot. Rev. Mr. Turnip. Dr. snd Mrs. rtadleh. Mr. Potato. Mr. Corn, Miss Rose, Mies Holly Hock. Mis Lily. Mli-s Chry santhemum. M ps Morning Glory, Miss Vio let and Mies l lsg. At last Saturday nlKht came and the gueets arrived. When the last one had came the amusements brn. First. Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin had fixed up the attio with all sorts of Hallow-e'en things, and they all had to go and see it. Next they all sat around In a circle and each one I. ad a flip of paper. On It they wrote the name of the fruit they liked best. Then the fruit that got the most votes all of them had to eat when It came time for re freshments. They played many games and finally it was time for them all to go home. They all made their farewells, for-thls was the last time they would see Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin and their children. Just as all of them started home down the road along tame Farmer Brown and Lucy. All of the guests saw Mr. and Mrs. Pumpkin and their children pulled off the vine. With many tear they partt d, never to see each other again. The First Thanksgiving Day. By Minnie SchllohtnK. .nd 12 Years, Cedar bluffs. Neb. blue Side. William Brewster was a iostmHSter, but he did not have much mail to handle, be cause there were no newspapers, and peo ple did not write any letters. King Janien tried to make everybody in his kingdom go to the English church, of which he waa the head. There w'pre some things that he taught in that church that William Brew ster did not approve and some of his neighbors thought as he did. So the Separ atists, as they were called, met every Sun day In a room of their own. When the king heard this they were forced to pay a heavy fine. Tiie only place th-y could go was to Hollani. There they could go to any church that they pleased. Soon a Dutch sea captain took them to Holland. They were now called Pilgrims. The people' in Holland treated them kindly. But thfy feared their children would learn the Dutch language and forget English. At length they decided to go to America. So they got the king's permis sion. He let them have some land where they could build a church of their own. They worked seven hard years to make their ship. It was called the "Mayflower." One cold day in tho autumn of 1SC0 the Pilgrlma landed at Cape Cod. near a large rock on which they scratched 1S30. This Is tstlll to be found there. They were very glad to stand on solid ground after being on sea two long, stormy months. They had a very cold winter; they al most starved, but the Indians taught them how to plant corn and hunt and were very kind to them. When the summer waa over they decided to have a feast. They In vited the Indians to come. They hunud and got the wild turkey and gathered ull kinds of berries. This feast lasted three days, It was the first Thanksgiving day. A Glad Return. Hrberta Barker, 819 North Fiftieth Ave nue. Ag 10 Years, Dundee, Neb. "Goodbye, papa." "Goodbye, Mable." These words were spoken by a small girl of four and her father. The father was going across the ocean. He was captain of a large ship. ' The time went very slowly for little Mabel. She watched and waited a long, long year for her father. One summer afternoon she was sitting on the beach. It was June 35, ltf). She saw a speck in the distance and as It came closer she saw It was a ship. The next day when th ship csme In she watched with eager eyes for her father. She asked one of the men that knew her father about him. He told her they had had a wreck on some very large rocks and had lost IrBitb a a r V, Ath.r One summer eveninr she waa aittlno: on 'the veranda. Khe was now 8 years old and it had been four years since she had seen her father. A man came to the back door where her mother was and asked it Mabel hurried away, tray on arm, toward the kitchen. Kathleen glanced after her, then said to her little hostess: "What a strange voice your maid has for a girl! I've surely heard it before. Have you had her long?" And so the tea pasted, and ne on could have found any fault with Hannah' work save for the one llttl accident with th salad. And that was so trifling that Gertie had forgotten it almost as soon as it happened. But when the psrty was over and th flrls were assembled In the hall, preparatory to bidding their hostei good bye, the maid came walking down the stairs, and stepping rtght into thlr midst. "Excuse me, young ladles." said Hannah, and then befors their very eyes ths new maid remox'ed from her head the lace frilled cap and with It a blond wig. And then, lifting from her eyes a pair of spectacles, and rubbing some powder from her face, stood before them not a girl, but Tom! After the excitement, the laughter and the exclamations of surprise haa subsided, Mrs. James said: "Well. Tom, I had a htrange feeling about your maid, Hannah, all the time. She seemed to be masquer ading, somehow. But why did you do it, you darling boy?" "Well, auntie, first I wanted to enjoy the pleas-ire of serving these charming girls ahem!" And Tom grinned about him, while the girl screamed with de light. "And, secondly, the maid I had planned on getting for you had already found a place, and I was left In the hole. Knowing you had to hav a maid for this evening. I decided to play at bring one myself, and thus save the situation. Mamma helped me to fix up; and ay, am not I a dandy-fine maid?" "You're a darling." declared Mrs. James, while all the girls echoed her. Then. Kath leen catching Tom's eye. ssld: "I under, stand why you spilt 'the sa'sl. Well, you'll have to be a better maid next time." !.ovd the Old Home. Pardoned after serving thirty yeer of a life sentence for murder. John C. Farr. 61 years old. want t remain at the state priton at Thonianon. Me., this winter and l;'p Warden Norton xvlth th chores. "He has ceen very good to ine," Farr de clared wnta he learned of his pardon. "I want to do what I can for him " Warden Nerto.i has accepted the offer. Parr's i.arloii was granted by (Vxernnr Fernald. following an appeal made ty the Rev. Charles A. Plummr, chaplain of the jrisin. Farr. who was a filior ar.d a native of LonJui). Ekg'.&:.d. I.jKimI his ulfe upon hU returr. f r rn a rye.ne. wlu-n t e found her In company with another man. He lias friends who offer to take i are of him lor the remainder of his life, he being 'n ome w hat feetilo htal'h. could come to the back door. Whm Mabel came be esked her If she knew him. "Are you Mr. Brown, Mr. Pmtth or Mr. Roy ?" "No. J'm none of these. I'm Mr. Thomp son, your own true father." He then related what he had been rlolnx so long. "When we were on our way home we had a wreck and th ship was knocked to pieces. I ami Mr. Ray fortunatelv went ashore und another sh p came and took all the others. buKthe snchor broke and we did not have time to get on. Mr. Ray snd I stayed together and lived on berries and fish and water for four years, so now 1 can eat a good hearty menl." Then Mrs. Thompeon went In and got chicken, potatoes and many other good things to eat. But they were all glad he was home safe and sound. A Thanksgiving Party. Bv Katie Whitaker. Aged 9, Plattsmouth, Neb. Grace Jones' mother said that Grace could have a Thanksgiving party, so she Invited May Brown, Gladys Smith, and Alice Hart, Katy. Mary, and Dorothy. The girls played games, and Grace's mother had for lunch pumpkin pic, turkey, plum pudding snd doughnuts. Grace's mother hid some peanuts and the girl who found the most peanuts got a prixe. May got the prize. The Red Apples. By Dorothv Corel!, Otlsvllle. N. Y. Ago 11 years. Blue f-Mde. There was once a little girl who was very poor. Her name wss Ruth. Her father was dead, so fhe and her mother were left to make their living. Ruth attended school every day. One dsy when she reached home she found her mother very sick. She went for the doctor at once. He said: "Your mother had a high fever and must stay In bed for about a week." As Ruth was going to school the next morning sh saw In the window of a shop, some large red apples. "If only I could take one of those to mamma," she thought. "But I can't for I have no money." She went on and reached the school house as the bell was ringing, but she could not study because her mind was on the red apples. Her teacher said. "Why, Ruth, what alls you? You don't get your lessons?" Ruth hung her head and made no reply. The day was soon over and as she was going from the school that night she passed an old gentleman who had dropped his pocketbook and did not seem to notice It. Ruth picked it up. Her heart gave a great bound. "Now I can buy mamma one of those red apples," she thought, "Oh, but It Is wicked to steSl, I must give it back," she said half aloud. So she ran after him and said, "You dropped your pocketbook, sir." "Thank you, thank you." said the old man turn Ing around as she spoke. "Why did you not keep it?" "Why, that would be stealing," she said looking up a little surprised. "Here Is a dollar for you, my dear.'' "Thank you; you are very kind." "Oh, don't mention It my dear," be said as he walked away. Ruth went straight to th shop where the apples were. As she stood looking at them the storekeeper saw her, and picking a nice bl right, red apple up, took It out and Bald, "Would you like an apple?" When Vasco Went Exploring XPLORATION today does not hold what It did two or three centuries ago when most of the world was wrapped In the veil of mystery and promise. Then the bold navigators went forth In their frail crafte to find new worlds and new peoples, to return sfter long and per ilous voyages to tell the wondering crowds of the strange things they had discovered. One of th boldest and most prolific of explorers of th early times was Vasco da Gama, of Portugal. But it Is better to qute from the Interesting book, "The World's Discoveries," than to try to give you the story of da Gsma In my own words. "What Columbus sought Vasco da Gama found. Indeed, It would b difficult to overestimate the consequences of his voy age. It opened a new epoch In the world's development. In Importance, It ranks next to Columbus' own discoveries. "On circumstance shows the Immense Influence of Marco Polo In stimulating the tplrlt of exploration. There was a myth ical personage called Prester John, of whom much was heard In Europe from the twelfth century down to a comparatively late day. He waa reputed to be a mighty priest-king, reigning In almost Inconcelv able splendor over a great Christian king dom. A score of archbishops tat on his right and a hundred mitred bishops on his left hand. Ten thousand knlghta and 100.000 footmen were his bodyguard. In his palace the commonest articles were of gold stud ded with gems. All these fables Europe believed, and they seemed to derive con firmation from the narrative of Marco Polo, who makes frequent mention of Prester John and locates him in eastern Asia. We are not surprised, therefor, thst Vasco da Gama was especial y In structed to seek the kingdom of Prester John. Accordingly we find him everywhere Inquiring for Christians In esstern Africa and India; and the expectation of encoun tering them led him and his followers Into some ludicrous mistakes. 1 1 VASCO DA GAMA, "Yes. thank you rry much.." "That's all light." he said and went ba'-k into the store. Ruth went hark feeling xery happy. Wben she got home her mother was asleep, so she laid the apple and the dolls- tut the table' and went out to play. When her mother awoke she Jaw th apple and dollar and wondered who had put It there. At that moment Ruth came In and told her mother all about the old gentleman and the red apples. Her mother kissed her and said, "You did right, my dsughter." Guardian Fairies. By Marx K. Harrison. Aped 11. 2f? North Twentieth street, Omaha, Neb. There was once a little girl who was the daughter of a king. ,he had two guardian fairies. One waa to make her wicked and the other to make her good. But she hd been led by the wicked one and was selfish and mean to all her playmates, yet she was very beautiful. On day the good fairy met the wi.-ked fairy and took her wicked wand. Then she took It to the king and said she would destroy It If he would grant her one wish. The wish was that his daughter be put in the tower for a while and given the basket of beautiful red apples which she held. Every day the little girl selected one of the beautiful apples, and every time she was disappointed, for she found that each, one was bitter and rotten Inside. The last dsy the fairy appeared as th littlo girl opened the last apple. She told her she was like the beautiful apple. She had a bad and bitter heart though she xvas beautiful to look at. The little girl understood then that this could be. snd she grw up to be a beauti ful and good queen. The World. Florence Brugger. Aged 9. Ninth and Ful. ton streets. Columbus, Neb. My pillow is a patch of clover. My bed is the grass and ground; The sky above me is my cover, My house is ths world around. My God up in the heaven Made everything near and far. He made my pillow of clover woveni And my bed of grass so fair. II ill' Haired of "ovletr. Dax-ld B. Hill was a tremendous worker. He disliked to attend private and public: dinners. Ho neither smoked nor drank and the confabulations at private dinners were especially snnoylng to him. When he waa a senator and living at the Hotel Norman die in Washington, relates th New Tork; Sun, he felt called upon to attend now and then private dinners. An old friend called to see him one night. Hill was out to dinner. The friend took a comfortable srmrhalr In the senator's room, read one of his host's valuable books, smoked a. cigar and waited. Hill cam In at 11 o'clock; greatly annoyed. "There!" he said, as ho yanked th bou tonnler from the lapel of hla dress coat and flung it on the floor and stamped on It, "four hours wasted! Four hours of twaddle, think of it! Four hours never to be recovered, and all spent In such a silly way." "Think of the clever men you have met and the beautiful women," said the friend. "Twaddle and bosh, I say," exclaimed Hill. "All frlbble-frabble. What did I lern tonight? Tell me, will you? Beauti ful women? Bah!" "Unlike Columbus, Gama did not origin ate the scheme of his voysge. but was selected by the king to take command of the expedition which he proposed sending out. He was already known as a man of energy and capacity and well-versed In nsutlcal matters. "The fleet wss msde up of three vessels the flagship, the San Gabriel, the San Raphael, Commanded by Paulo da Gama', and the Berrlo. by Nlcolan Coelho, with a store ship. "From the Cape Verde Gama took new departure. Instead of creeping slong the coast, as had been done by his prede cessors, hs boldly shaped his course through the mld-Atlentic for the Cspe of Good Hope. Thus he did not sight land agsin for nin-ty-three days, nearly three times as long as Columbus was out of sight of land. Then h mad his landfall at 8t. Helena Bay. not fsr from the cape. Jt was a bold stroke, and as wise as it was novel. Sailing vessels st the present day follow almost precisely the route which this daring Por tuguese struck; out. It avoids baffling cur rents. "It was November t when he cast an chor In St. Helena Bay. There he re malned a week, cleaning the ships and tak ing In wood. The voya-l ir.ade many interesting observations en to country and It Inhabitants. One nf t'r natives wss csptured by eurrtur.r!i"j; h!n ss bsi walked slong Intently ecaci.'.nr. l .e ground at the foot of bushes for wl'l ioney. H was taken on board snd was at first much frightened. But Gama handed him over to two ship's boys, with orders to treat him kindly, and soon he was at his ease. The next day he was sent sahore, loaded with presents. As wss eipected, troops ef natives now visited th strsngers. Gama showed them a variety of articles, such ss spices, gold and pearls, to se whether they would recognise them. But they evidently knew nothing of them and had nothing to barter." And so the exploration of da Gtna proved fruitful, for he found the passage to India, which Columbus bad so desired to find, snd, sfter two long years of hardships snd discoveries, thrilling to lead about, he ar rived again In the port of Lisbon. But of the bad i"ult of his voyage and discoveries, 1 shall ana'n quote: "Somewhat more 'than two year had been consumed in this voyage, and If the fortitude with which lis privation were endured bad been equaled by humanity In dealing with Inferior often Inoffensive peoples, xi e could read Its story with un qualified admiration. tut it was, alas, a fit Introduction to a course of high handed end ruthless measures by which Portugal established Its supremacy on the coast and waters of east Africa and the Indies "Retribution came in due time. Little remains to Portugal of thi vast oriental possessions which It once lietd The wealtn which it xvrung from them served chle.fly to corrupt snd enfeeble Its own people. Then the spoiler wufc spoiled. The fabric reared by violence and cemenud with blood, tottered to Its (ail. and strong hands aeued the fragments. Portugal todav a decrn.it. fifth-rate power, may servo as a warning to nations that crtme surely re acts upon the doer, and that the only foun dations of an enduring social order aJ Justice and humanity."