Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 19, 1909, Page 38

THE OMAHA SUNDAY HE BUSY BEES are developing ing in some wonderful stories wonderful imaginations, and are send- The editor hopes the children think out their own stories and do not copy any of them either from other papers or from their story books. A new writer for the Children's page last week asked for a badge. Busy Bees do not have any badges, but the Red side, whichever they p of the Blue side and Ronald Wycoff is November and December eide or The the children write for either the Blue prefer. Frances Johnson is the Queen the King of the Red side for October, Then January 1 there will be a new election and the Busy Bees may send In thelr votes for any of the little writers whom they think will make a good King and a Queen for the next three months. The three best storles this week were written by Busy Bees who have be Wright on the Red side, second prize honorable mention was given to Nellle writing for the page a long aime. First prize was awarded to BEunice to Helen Heuck on the Blue side and Dedrick on the Red side. Any of the Busy Bees may send c ards tv anyone whose name is on the Postcard Exchange, which now includes: Aluswortn, Neb, s, Neb. ver City, son, Neb. Lelnglon, Nel &on, N Jean Lung, liene McCoy, Liiian Merwla, woel vl ke 4 Gousch, Neb. L ox L. Cappa Wo W eL DRI St i e, dand isiand, New, s Cruwiord, LA Aniaiid, Neb. Buiu.le, ke Giand asaid, Neb. Maitha Muiphy, w8 East Gldid Isiand, Nev. Lukn Kull, Leshars, Neb. Hesier k. Rutt, Leshars, Neb. Alice Tewmple, Lexington, Neb. Ruth Tempie, Lexingion, Neb, Auna Newson, Lexigon, Neb. kdyihe hreiis, Lex.ugion, Neb. Marjorle Temple, Lexingion, Nub. Alicy Urassiieyer, Lo U. 8L, Lincoin, Maiian Hamillon, M Li St Lincoin Elsie Hamiiton, 04 L St iincoin, irene Disher, A0 L str Lincoln, Neb. Hughle Disner, 030 L streei, Lincoln, Neb. Charlotte Boggs, 27 South Fifteenth sireet, Lincoln, Neb. Hewen Johnson, sireet, Linsoln, Althea 'Myers, 24 Lincoln, Louise Stiles, Lyons, Estelle McDonald, Miiton, Selzer, Cluy, Harry Crawtord, Nebraska City, Hary Lucile ¥ Helen Reynolds, Letha Larkin, Maiquardt, Fifth st son avenue, Norfolk. Neb, Genevieve M. Jones, North Loup, Willam _Da; 220 West Third North Platte, Neb. Louise Raabe, 2609 North nue, Omaha. Frances Johnson, 93 North Twenty-fifth avenue, Oaial Marguerite Joh £1th avenue, Y Emlle Hrown, ‘%22 Boulevard, Omaha. Helen Goodrich, 4010 Nicholds St., Omaha. Mary Brown, 2§22 Boulevard, Omaha. liva’ Hendee, 1402 Dodge street, Omaha. Givsun, iveD. ULuiow, GULIENLUTE, Neb Ly Ui 10, Grand Lia vuss, Viest Charies sirect, Grand isand, 1o West Mignth street, West Charies streel, West ifourth street, Ninth street, Neb. Neb, New 334 Neb. North Sixteenth street, South Heventeenth Neb, , Norfolk, Neb, Emma cet and Mad N Nineteenth ave- 083 North Twenty- Lilllan Wirt, 4168 Case street, Omaha, Isassett Ruf, 1814 Binuey sireet, Owmuha, Jack Coad, 3718 Farnam sireet, Omaha. Juanita [nnes, 2769 Fort screet, Omaha, Muyer Coln, M6 Georgia avenue, Oniahi. Ada Morris, 344 Frankiln stree,, Omana. Myrte densen, M@ lzard sureet, Omaha, Orrin Fisher, 130 8. ileventh St, Omah; Mildred Erickson, %W Howard S, Omah Oscar Lricksun, 2w Howard St, Omana. Gull Howard, 4iéé Cupiiol avenue, Omaha teien rouck, W Lothrop sireet, Omana. North on, North Twentleth Lunurson Goodricl, 10 NIcholas, Oina.a. Mauiie Jounson, 102 wLocust, Bt., Omaha, Fauline Coad, ¢il§ Farnan street, Omaia. Wiliia Howaid, 428 Capiiol avenus, Quinia. Alidred Jensen, 200 Leavenwortn, Uiis.s. idua Heaen, #i89 Cilcago streel, Omaba, sireet, Ouahi Walter Jouii 205 Emma Cart , 8211 North Twenty-fifth Wireet, Omuha, Clgill Bireel, Ouimha. Leonora beuson, ‘the Alblon, Tenth and Mue Hammoud, O ~eill, Neb, Maage L. aniels, Oid, Neb, Agnes Ruiehuiond, Urieans, Neb, Matte Fienung, Uscevla, Neb. kurl Perkius, Readingten, Edna kN, Suanon, Seo. 1ia Cariey, BULton, Clay councy, Neoraska. Ciara Muier. Uuca, Neb. Al Wilken, Waco, Neb. Lev bechord, Waeco, Neb. Eisie Swsuy, Wilber, Neb. Frederick \are, Wiiside, Neb Edna Behling, ' York, Neb. Mary k'reaerick, York, Neb. drene Reynolas, Litile Sioux, la. jthel Mulhoiland, Box 71, Malvern, Ia. Kathryne Melior, Malvern, Ia. Jith Rowercsan, Munlla, G, Lwon Carsun, L1Zd NOFtL 101 lieuwl, Oitidiih Hian Fisher, 1V Soun kieventh, Umaha. Buiel Sueidell, i Twenty-Lith sireet, Ou Grecten mastunan, 13 South Thirty- Pucllic suweots, Umaha. 4uia peadeo, Uricans, Neb. Lotia Woods, FPawnee Cit Lena Peteisen, 2l Locus' St, E. Omaha. Mildred F. Jones, North Loup, Neb. Mae Grunke, West Point, Neb. Pauiine Parks, York, Neb. Carrie B. Bartlett, Fontanelle, Ia. luleanor Mellor, Malvern, Ia. Mildred Roberison, Manilia, Margeret B. Witherow, ‘‘nurman, Ia. Bertha Mckvoy, R F. D, 8, Box 2, Mis- sourl Valley, la. Henry L. Workinger, care Sterling Remedy company, ‘Attica, Ind. Adlena Sorry, Monarch, Wyo. Box 82 Fred Sorry, Monaren, Wyo. Pearl Barron, Monarch, Wye. John Barrow, Monarch, Wyo. Bdith Amend, Bneridan, Wyo. Pouline Squire, Grand, Okl. Frea Sheliey, 20 Troup street, Kansas The Bunnies’' Christmas Tree By Willilam Wallace, Jr. HREE little gray rabbits sat be- ind an fee-covered corn shock in Mr. Farmer's fleld. The day was a shivery one, lce with with every gust of wind and a leaden sky overhead. Thé three groy rabbits were hungry, and they were cold, too; that s, thelr pink roses and little toes were frost-nipped. Iiut they aid not mind being cold, for!they were well adapted to cold weather. But their MNttle stomachs had not yet become accustomed to starvation, and the pangs of hunger an- noyed them exceedingly. “I'll tell you, my dear comrades,” spoke Bunny Number One, “I'll not be able to withstand the call for food much longer. Such an ugly gnawing in my tummy! And the poor fellow rubbed and rubbed hig “tgmmy” with & cold paw. “Well, T wish there was something in my tummy to gnaw safd Bunny Number Two. “I'm so empty that grawing In my innards could not happen. I'm’so empty that 1 rattle Inside.” nd I may say the same condition holds here,”” sald Bunny Number Three, holding his two front paws over his stomach as he crouched against the cold corn shock. *I've eaten nothing but icey wind for days." Just then there was a rattlng noise be- hind them, but before they could stretch out thelr benumbed limbs to run away from threatened dnnger a soft volce spoke to them In their own rabbit tongue. “Listen to me, little Bunnies," the volce sald. And the Bunnies sat as still as frightened mice when they see there is no means of escape. “T am a falry, my friends of the flelds, and 1 am golng to give you a merry Christmas. Do not fear me, for falries never harm any living creature." Then Bunny Number One spoke. (He was the oldest of the three and miways took the lead In such matters). “We will hear you out, good fairy, for It you are what you say, we have ne need to fear you. We are not unacquainted with fi and know them to love them. Speak on," “In yonder wood—hard by the frogen stream—is a huge hollow tree,” said the falry, “That tree fell a few days ago, for it was old and decaved. But a famlly of squirrels had been living Inside it and there had a splendid store of nuts for the entire winter. The squirrels fled from thelr house when it fell crashing to earth and went to spend the winter with some of their kinfolks across the river. They aid not take any of the nuts, for their kinfolks are rich squirrels and will have plenty for all. in that falen tree s food for you, and to spare.” “But, dear Fairy,” spoke up Bun ber Two (they always spoke in the “we rabbits do mot eat nuts, us vou mayv know We must eat Juley and sweet, herbs and tender grasses. We are fond of cabbages and other vegeta. Dles that we sometimes find on Mr. Farm: ‘s grounds, But of late we can get noth- ing to eat.”™ “Ah, my_dears, so I do remember, you 0 not eat nuts. But veu will-after 1 have turned them Into cabbages and green lettuces. And. mors than that, T'll fix Your new house to suit your taste.” But, good Fairy.” sald Bunny Number Three (whose turn to speak it now was), we dare not %o Into the woods near to the streaw, for the Wicked Hunters and Cruel Dogs are hunting for our kind all ahout that part of the eountry. We have been in hiding In this cold corn shock for little on," S0 Num- turh) vots, very many days, for should we visit our favorite haunts we would fall a prey to those who would kill us, and eat us for their Christ- mas dinner."” The good falry laughed softly. “You know me not, my dears, or you would trust me. I mean to lead you to that fallen tree, and as you pass over the ground I shall cause a fresh snow to fall over your tracks, and the Wicked Hunters would never look for you without first seelfig your tracks. Come, follow me." The three little gray rabbits obeyed their friend and followed where she led, Ana immediately they had passed over the ground a soft snow fell, hiding their tracks, Thus they reached the great fallen tree and entered it. Then the falry waved her wand and the store of nuts became cab- bages, carrots, juley roots and lettuces. And a strong door—looking like roots and bark—was made to cover the opening In the tree. which Wwas warm and roomy, And the door fastened on the Inside in such & way that only the rabbits could open it And so they declded to remain there dur- “WE WILL HEAR FAIRY. » YOU OUT, GOOD Ing the winter, for they were safe and comfortable. They alse decided that one of the three should always remain indoors while the other two went abroad for exer cise and investigation ““Now, good Fairy, let us thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” sald Bunny Number One. 0, let us thank you from the bottom of our tummies,” spoke out Bunny Num- ber Two. “Ah, better than that!" cried Bun Number Three. “Let us thank you from both our hearts and stomachs. And more than that, let us always remember this Christmas, when you brought us to such a fine home tree.” “This is your Christmas tree, friends,” amiled the good fa ‘Then, promising the three little gray rabbits her protection in the future, she departed, and as she hur- ried along, invisible to the eyes of men, #ho beheld & band of hunters, their game bags empty, “No more rabbits in this part of the country,” sald one Wicked Hunter. “They seem (o have been spirited away by Talries." Dorothy’s BEE: DECEMBER 1f Christmas By Florence Davis. OROTHY sat in the kitchen win- dow watching the big feathery flakes of snow as they wafted downward through the nipping air, wrapping the town and the world—all Dorothy's world—in a mantle of white. The sleighbells were tink- ling merrily in the distance, and the few pedestrians whom Dorothy could see from the window were hurrying along with ruddy cheeks and béaming eyes, for the villagers were very happy, as was their wont each year, in anticipation of the Holy Christmastide. In the kitchen where Dorothy big cooking range gave out warmth, as well as certaln savory odors rom its capacious oven, and the promise of a great feast on the morrow (which would be Christmas day) was in the air, and Aunt Jane was bustling about, busy with the holiday preparations, singing st the cherry much to have a muff to keep them warm But, say, Auntle, how long does It take for a letter to reach Santa's realm?’ Aunt Jane was busy testing a cake with & straw, stooping beforo the great open oven that looked so like a huge cave. “Oh, I reckon a letter would reach Banta in about two hours—maybe sooner,” she re- plied. Then she went on, turning the sub- ject from Santa Claus and his mall to the Christmas preparations: “Say, honey, run and ask mamma what sort of fllling I should put in the cake, whipped cream or chocolate?” Dorothy ran to her before returning to the kitchen with structions for Aunt Jane regarding the cake's fllling she paused in the hall to ponder a bit. “If Santa gets a letter In two hours after it 's mailed to him, I still have time to send him another message,” she thought. Then she flew Into the sitting- mother's room, but up the fireless grate chimney in the par- lor. Then, with a pleased and expectant smile on her face, Dorothy ran to the kitchen to tell Aunt Jane to make choco late filling for the cake, and mamma had allowed her to make the choice of eake “filling." And while all the bustle and preparation was going on in the millions of households on this beautiful Christmas Eve, old Santa was fast asleep, gotting the needed rest for his strenuous night which was at hand 1t may not be generally known by children, but Santa Claus always sleeps all day long on Christmas Eve, for on the night befors Christmas he never gets time to take a wink, but must be out for the long twelve hours—batween sundown and dawn —distributing the many milllons of gifts to the little ones all over the land. So, while Dorothy talRed and planned, and while millions of other little ones did the same thing, old Santa lay In his snug bed up in the white clouds, slumbering. And as the evening drew near, and the sledge and reindeer ady at the gate, Mrs. Santa had to call her jolly good loxd thrice before she could rouse him frown hls twen- ty-four hours' nap, for that long had Santa were “WELL, FRIEND SIR STORK, HERE I§ THE PLACE FOR THAT PRECIOUS BUNDLE OF YOURS." snatches of old-fashined tunes as she worked ovor pudding and cake. But Aunt Jane was never too much employed to reply to Dorothy’s many questions, for the good soul loved the little girl tenderly. “Aunt Jane, do you s'pose Santa Claus gets all letters sent to him before Christ- mas?’ asked Dorothy, turning from the window and the contemplation of the great white world without. “Oh, yes, dearie, SBanta Claus gets all his mall, and very promptly,"” assured Aunt Jane. “But why your question? DId you forget to ask for something in your last letter to him?" “W'y, 1 asked him not to forget to bring to me the muff 1 had already writ- ten for in my first letter,” explaned Dor- othy. *You see, my hands get so cold these winter days, and 1 would like very room, went to the writing table in the corner and began to write on a plece of note paper. The letter when finished ran: “Dere santy Klous. Please excuse Me for Riting 2 You again, but I wood much Rather have something What s alive to Play with than The Muft | asked for In my last letter. I wood Bnjoy haveing a Mutf But I wood rather have a pet Doggle or & poney or Something alive That can Play with me and Run about. I like Babies, but I dont Spose you Handle such Things Do you. Thanking you For the Many tavers I have had from You at Kristmas Tyme | am you synsere Little frend Dorothy Grace Abbott.” The letter was quickly placed in an en- velope, which was hurriedly addressed to “Santy Klous up in The Sky,” and then wrapped In & newspaper and pushed well (First Prize.) A Christmas Story. By Bunice Wrigh., Aged 11 Ycais, 032 North Logan Street, Fremont, Neb. ted Side. On Christmas morning, as Marle opened her eyes, she beheld a wonderful sight. She called to her sister 'Oh, Dorothy! Look at the things Santa Claus has brought u: On! Just iook!" Dorothy opened her soft biue eyes and beheld the same beautiful sight that had caused her sister so much excitement. 71he next moment four small, bare feet bounded out on the fioor, and two girls— one 6 and the other 4 years old—were hug- gIng two dois that had been on the fioor under the Christmas tree a minute or two before. “Look at my stocking; it is full clear up to the top," exclaimed Marle, runn.ng over to her stocking, which hung by the fire- place. “So s mine!" said Dorothy, as she caught sight of her stocking beside Marie’ “Let me tell you what 1 find In mine tiret,” #ald Marle, “and then you can tell me what you find in yours. Then as she took the toys out one by one: ‘“‘Here Is a nice yellow orange right on the top. And then—let's see; 1 can't get it out. On!" she exclaimed as she fell backwards and dropped the stoeking in fright, “It's—a— Jumping jack. It jumped up at me and scared me, Here is a dear little work-box,"” she held up & small box with thread, needles and sclssors, besides a pincushion. «'Here's & handful of nuts and a lot of andy. Now, what's In yours?' sald Marie to Dorothy, who had been leoking on all the time, “Well, to begin with,"” said Dorothy, “here is a rosy-cheeked apple on the top, and a whole lot of goodies next; and a cute little book and & nice long pencil for school. 1 womder how Santa Claus knew that I went to school? And here is a little book from the Sunday school teacher. Both of these books are unly about two Inches square. Aren't they pretty? And here is & tablet that I found lying beside my stocking. That's for school, too, but Santa eouldn't get that In my stecking and so he put It there. Oh! look at this dear little rollingpin, and some more goodies, and— and that's all; but the more on and under the tree, though,” finlshed Dorothy. ““Look at the storybook here; it's got a pa- per on It and says something, id Marle, for she could not read, “Say, Dorothy, I'll be glad when I go to school, then I can read. Will you tell me what this sa; R Dorethy looked and it sald, “To Marle and Doroth “Oh! It's a picture claimed Dorothy. “Yes, it's & picture book," taking & look. “Oh! look st the lights on the Christ- mas tree; 1 dfdn't notice them before, did you, Dorothy ™' sald Marie. “No,” sald Dgrothy, looking up at the book for us!" ex- sald Marle, tree; a great, big Santa Claus grinning at you and me just as If he knew we were happy.” “‘Well, I hope you are pleased with what Santa Claus brought you,” sald a voloe at the door, and the children looked up and saw thelr mamma standing there, “We are” sald Dorothy. ‘‘Just look, mamma, what Santa Claus brought us. Aren't they pretty?”" “Well, I guess they Are” said their mamma, ‘but you had better come to breakfast now. It's all ready to eat.” FOh!" sald Marle, “I hate to leave all these nice things. But we can come back after breakfast’ she added, as she saw a sorowful look on Dorothy's face. ““Yos, I know It. Come on to breakfast, Marie, said Dorothy. And two happy girls skipped off to breakfast. (Second Prize.) Scatter Sunshine. By Helen Heuck, Aged 13 Years, 1625 Loth- rop Street, Omaha. Blue Side. 'Scatter sunshine all along your way, cheer and bless and brighten every passing day." Hester had just come from the rehearsal for the Christmas exercises in which her Sunday school class was to ing this song. She was singing this merrily as she ran up the steps and rang the bell, Jane met her at the door with a “Hush on her lips. She told Hester that her mother was ly- ing down with a nervous headache, and that the baby was so fretful she hadn't had time to stralghten the rooms. Bhe then passed on to the kitchen and Hester went to the library to remove her wraps, She noticed her father's paper lying on the floor, also her mother's work basket turned upside down, and the baby's toys all over the floor. Hester thought this must be her time to “scatter sunshine,” so she soon had the room in order. Then she went up- stalrs and after fixing her mother more comfortable, she took the baby, who had been fretting in his crib, out for his fresh air, Her mother was able to come down that evening and she sald It was all due to Hester's thoughtfulpess, for if she hadn't taken the baby out she would pever have heen able to g0 to sleep. So Hester pro- fited by the little song, “'Scatter sunshine,’ end 1 think. we could do the same, ddu't you? (Honorable Mention.) The Snow Drop’s School. By Nellie Dedrick, Aged 10 Years, Siduey, Neb. Red Side. “Come, come,” sald Miss Snowflake, “we must hurry and go te school, see here it is November and we haven's started yet." At this the liitle snowflakes of Snow- land all ran to prepare for school. In Snowland it was the custom to wear been sleeping. “Come, wake up, my dear,” cried Mrs. Santa Claus. And she shook the good Santa by the shoulder. “Come, my dear. You should be off this mirute. Why sleep here now? Come, the iittie folk are expecting you." The words, “little folk,” had the desired effect, for Santa's mind, even in sleep, was filled with thoughts of his little ones on the earth. Quickly jumping from his bed the good fat Santa was soon plunging into his traveling clothes, his wife assisting him all that she could. And at the gate the reindeer were pawing in the snow, im- patient to be off. They were so well trained that they knew they were getting a late start. And so they were, for when Santa sprang into the sledge and gave the cry to “Be off like the wind, my fine fel- white dresses. Some of their dresses were in shape of stars and other shapes, which were very becoming. “Now we are all ready, 60 we will start, for Mr. Wind awaits us,” sald their chap- eror. So they all started off. Then the large gates opened and what a sight met thelr eyes for everything was new to them. ““Come, come,” said Mr. Wind, “you have been late, hurry up and take seats.” 80 they took seats on trees, loule\ and fences, and began school. Mr. Wind taught them about the different and strange places of the earth. When they learned their lessons, well they would graduate, as we call it. When they would graduate Mr. Sun would draw them up in & yellow charlot. There are still some snowtlakés studying in our town, Christmas Long Ago. By Edna Salgren, Aged 14 Years, Fifth Avenue, Kearney, Neb, Biue Side. In & little town of Bethlehem, 1909 years ago, everybody that lived in the country would meet to pay their taxes. A man and his wife went to pay thelr taxes and as the house was 8o full they had to go and sleep in the barn and while there & little babe was born unto the proud parents. Meanwhile three shepherds were watch- ing their sheep, when one shepherd was astonished to see a beautiful angel appear in the sky and, behold! the light that came blinded the men so they put thelr hands over thefr eyes and they wore afraid, but the angel told them to fear not as there was a king born unto the earth and that @ star should lead them to the place. They followed the star. When they came to a barn and went in to give gifts to the little King. This king and savior of all mankind came down from his home of wonderful and beautiful things to save the cruel an¥ wicked men that helped to crucity Him, and Ho also gave them a chance to be in His wonderful home above, forevermore. His Wofd_:)l Honor By Annette Schultze, Aged 11 Years, 1517 Broadway, Council Bluffs, Ia. Red Side. It was during the war between the north and south and the north was winning. In order to get even the southern colonel or- dered six of the best known men of the northefn people to be shot. Among the six men there Was a young boy of 16 years with bright blue eyes and curly halr. They were cast in prison and the jaller was a kind hearted man. He often grieved to see such & young boy suffer for nothing. The day befors they wers to be shot, the jaller noticed that Percy, this was the boy's name, was somewhat paler than the rest. “What s the matter, Percy?’ asked the Jaller in a kind tone, “do you feel sick?" “No sir,” answered the boy, “but I have & mother who is very sick and perhaps dead now. and I would ltke to see her before I am shot. May I go and see her? Just for two hours?’ “But,” sald the jaller, know that you are going to “L will give you my word and honcr,” answered Percy. “Yes you can %0." sald the jaller, “for it is only 1 o'oloek now and you must be back at 6. Then he started off. It did not take long till he reached home. A good nelgh- bor opened the door and sald, “How glad your mother will be to see you." Then he went to his mother's room. She sald, “Is it you Perey?' ‘Yes, mother, plied Percy, I dreamed you were in prison and was 50ing to be whot, how gled 1 am that it is not true, you must never go OME children blame poor Santa S o If presents they don't get: They say he's partial with his gifts They pout about and fret. But if those very children would Recall their naughtiness At home, and in the school room, too, I'm sure they would confess That Christmas gifts are not deserved By those who break the laws At home and school, without remorse; They'd know that Santa Claus Was just in holding back his gifts From naughty girls and boys/ And giving to the kind and good His store of lovely toys. The worthy child receives rewards Throughout the busy year, And when the holidays come 'round He has no need to fear ] That he'll be missed by Santa Claus, For Santa knows each one, And {n some way he'll show his love For Kind Daughter and Brave Son. lows!” he was just twenty minutes later than e should have been. And twenty minutes meant a lot to busy Santa. “Ah, we're making fine time” he chuckled, as they flew through the snow- laden clouds. Then he began going over his note books, marking the stopping places enroute across the continent. After this work was done he gave the reindeer the signal to go earthwards. Just as the sledge struck terra firma Santa noticed a great stork sleeping in the shelter of a high snow drift, by his side a warmly wrapped bundle. ‘“Helgh-oh whistled Santa. Then he drew rein beside the sleeping stork and waked the lazy fel low by punching him with the handle of his whip. *Come, what delays you here, my good Sir Stork? Is your errand so lightly eonsidered?” The stork roused, then beholding his old friend Sants, sald: “Ah, my good Santa Claus, T am lost. And I have a precious bundle, too, as you may know. “Intoe my sledge at once,” commanded Santa. “I'll take you with me. We may find the place that you are booked for. “The fact s, explained the stork, now fully awake, “I met & snow sprite a bit ago who told me that you would receive @ letter asking for that which I am carry- ing, and that you would know whither to lead me with my burden.” “A letter?’ queried Santa, looking puw- zled. ““Yes, an undelivered letter, for it was posted too late for the snow sprite carrier to reach you with it before your departure 80, the sprite left the letter in the chimney where it had been placed.” “Ah, that is good,” sald Santa. “We'll find the letter without difficulty. Come into my sledge!” In a Jiffy the sledge was off again, this RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS away sguln.” Then Percy laid himself by his mother's side and they both foll asleep. After & few hours Percy awoke, he jumped up, looked at the clock, then kissed his mother, who was still sleeping, and went back to the prison. “Back so soon?” asked the jaller. But Percy fell into his fron cot and crled. After a while Percy sald, “I know it is only 4 o'clock, but mother was sleeping and I thought I had bbtter §0." Then the jailer held out his hands and sald, “Percy your word of honor has saved you, go home now before your mother wakes up, and she will not know the difference.” ; Editha’s Fortune By Bertha Silberstein, Aged § years, 6513 North _Twenty-second street, Omaha, Neb., Blue Side. Editha was a poor but happy child, and was always trying to do some good, She was 10 years old, and she lived with her mother in a neat little cottage in the cen- ter of a plain near New York City, Much mining was going on at that time and s0 you must expect a large rallway near the Hudson river ran near it, and the bridge that was over it was broken and nobody knew about it and they thought it was all right. One day as Editha was crossing the bridge she noticed something wrong with it. She examined it and saw that one of the beams of the bridge was broken and she knew that If the heavy traln passed over It, it would fall in and so many, many lives would be lost. Just then she heard the whistle of the fast mall. What could she do? Then she remembered that she wore a red sunbon- net.. She took it off and waved it in the alr, Then the whistle blew for her to get off the track. Again and again it blew, but no she kept on waving the red ob- Ject. Then the engineer stopped the train and got off to see what was the matter. Editha showed him the beam that was broken. He thanked her and told the passengers. They then made a collection which amounted to $500. BEditha was very happy and took the money to her mother, and they lived hap- plly the rest of thelr lives. / Examinations Byl Macile Moor: Aged 12 Years, City, la. Blue Side. “Oh! this is Friday, and | am so mad because after recess we have to study so hard, for Monday is examination in arith- metie, and how T hate it."” “And so do 1" said Grace. Then the last bell rang and the talk was all spoiled and they had to take thelr seats. Recess soon came, and everyone was very sorry that it Silver me carrying the stork and hi b:j added to the load of gifts And after a few minutes they stopped &t a pretty home. ‘Here 1s our first stop,” sald Bants. ''You #es, I take them alphabetioaily. The Ab- botts live here.” Then he hurried to the ohimney and prepared to descend. He was about half way down when his foot atruck some- thing that made a nolse. Reaching In to remove the obstacle Santa's hand clutched the newspaper-wrapped letter. “Ah, the undelivered letter! he exclaimed. Then and thers he read the letter from Doro- thy, who was at that moment fast asleep. “Well, friend Bir Stork, here is the place for that precious bundle of yours,” Bants ®ald, putting his head eut at the top of the chiminey and speaking to the stork. An Row Santa's face beamed as he de- posited the presents in the household of the Abbotts; and how Dorothy's face beamed when, on the morning of Christ- mas day, she found her stockings and a table full of pretty things for herself. But when her ayes rested on a lovely muff the smile left her face and a look of sadness came Into her uyes ‘Santa did not get my last letter, I guess,” she #ald. But at that very moment Aunt Jane’s volos called from an adfolning room: “Come Dorothy, dean and ses what Santa left for all of us last night!" Darathy, (n nightie and and bedroom elip- pers, ran to Aunt Jene, and there on the €ood woman's lap lay the outest, round little baby-brother one oould wish for. “Oh, Banta did get my last letter,” oried Dorothy jumping up and down with de- light. “Oh, he has brought just the thing 1 wanted most—a baby to be my play- matel” And all the Abbott houshold rejolced that day over the “playmate” Santa had brought to Dorothy. had come, because no one liked examina- tion, especially in arithmetio The bell rang and the teacher sald, “‘School come to arder.” Nveryone rushed to his seat, as the teacher was very cross. A hand went up and the teacher sald, ‘‘What is it, Grace?” “What page do we begin on in arithmetiof” “Page one hun- dred and thirty-seven. Helen, get to work and study, or you will not pass in exami- nation. *I don't care if I don't,” replied Helen. Monday came and everyome was thers on time. After school had oalled the teacher passed the papers. Helen happened to get the fourth grade erithmetio auswers and her paper besides. She felt very happy to think that she would get the answers. She thought so. She copled them down and handed her paper in first. Her teacher soon corrected it mnd handed it back to her and she got xero. That will teach her & good lesson, I hope. The First Snow Btorm By Jeannette Moore, Aged § Years, Silver ST Bte s One night while we were all aleeping some snowflakes & downy blanket spread. When we woke up in the morning Litte Ned sald to mamma: “Obhl mamma, you know when old December comes ‘tis nearly Christmas time?” “Yes, dear. But whe will bring you so many nice presents? “Banta, dear Sante. That night the wind blew hard It was very cold in the log cabin. That night the #now blew everywhere. It wus & terrible night. The wind howled The door st the 10g cabin was low. The next morning when the father went out, there sat & child, weary and ragged. Papa brought her in and set her by the fire to warm. And when she got warm she left. Thea she gave Mrs. Wolf a ki Then she went away, and that was the last we saw of hen In the Woods By Mable Stafford, 610 Dewey Strest, orth Platte, Neb. Blus Side, There was once upon & time two children whose names were Grace and Peray and they had a dog by the name of Ring. As Ring was running along he stepped on a thorn, He could net walk and the children were about & mile from home Percy sald, “I will go home and get somo medicine and get the little wagon to take him hoie” Grace did not want him to go but he said he would not be gone long aud 20 he went. As he was going back he took the wrong road, it was about § o'clock when he found his slster crying. Peroy asked her what was the matter. Grace said: “When you were gone I heard a sound and about five minutes later 1 saw something that looked like & péar. I thought that you were nev: golng to come back. Then Percy sald, “where s Ring.” Grace sald, ~1 don't know, then she began to cry. Ring had gone home. Then Percy looked around, he saw far off in the dis- tance two persons coming, it was then @ o'clock. Percy sald, “look there” Grace sald, “who is 1t7" “Why, it is pé And mamme, they are looking for us, sald Grace, “mammas & crylug.”" The children ran up to them, Mamma sald, ‘‘where have you been?” The children told them. Then Percy looked around and saw sometbiug coming toward them he sald there comes & bear, and sure enough It was. They all ran home and after that Grace and Percy never wanted to go to the weeds to spend the day.