Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, January 23, 1910, Page 22

THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE: JANUARY 23 AHE BUSY BEES should be careful to read the rules on the Children’s page before writing their stories. It will take only two or three minutes to read the few rules and then there will be no danger of the stories being thrown in the waste basket, and they may win a prize, One of the children this week wrote on both sides of the paper and another one forgot to write her age on the story. This is the first time in several weeks that the Bugy Bees have forgotten the rules, so they have been doing very well. Last week the Busy Bees had a letter from the new queen, Helen John- son of Lincoln, and one from Ronald three months. Wycoff, who was king during the last This week we have a letter from the new king, George Nichol son, who will be king of the Red side for the next three months. Prizes were a side, and to Helen Johuson, queen Bee rded this week to Helen Verrill of Omaha, on the Blue of the Blue side, of Lincoln. Honora- ble mention was given to George Nicholson, king Bee of the Red side, from Abbott, Neb. Some more children joined the Postal Card exchange last weelk. Any of the Busy Bees may send oards to anyone whose name is on the Postcard Exchange, which now Includes: Jean De Long, Ainsworth, Neb. irene McCoy, Barnston, Neb, Liftian Merwin, Bewver City, Neb, Mabel \vitt, Bennington, Neb. Anna Goiseh, Bennington, Neb. Minnle Gottsch, Benningion, Neb. Agnes Damnke, Benson, lieb. Garsmgiits, st sty €D, (DOX 14y, ay, Lenlml Cily, o Vera Cueicy, LIBUw,, Neb. Louis faun, David vy, Nev. Huew Drewacll, Aoienesier, Nep. Aleds Bennet, smigii, Neo. BULICE Lok, FRie Ully, diew el Keea, "remont, e Huias Lundburg, ¥remoai, Neb. Mailon Cupps, Gibson, Neb. Blargueriic LRILLOIOIEW, Gothenburg, Neb. Lydis Kot wWh WesL IUellg sireel, Graad isiana, seb. Juiiw Voss, Wi West Chailes street, Grand and, New. 116 West Eighth liche Cosieio, street, Jessie Crawiord, i West Charles Grana isiand, New stroel, Grand 1siund Lauune denuie, sd West Fourth Grund isiand, Ne Martha Murpny, w8 Easc Ninth Grand lsiand, Nev. Hugh Mull, Leéshara, Neb. Mester k. Hutt, Leshura, Neb. Alice Temple, Lexingion, Neb. Huth ‘Temple, Lexingion, Neb. Anna Neuson, Lexingion, Neb. Edythe Jreitz, Lexingwon, Neb. Maijorle Temple, Lexingion, Neb. Alics Grassmeyer, 1o C. 8L, Lincoln, Marian Hamilion, L. St. Lincoln, Ll Hamilton, 202 L 8t. Lincoin, rene Disher, 480 L, street. Lincoln, Neb. Hugnie Disner, 2030 1, suest, Lancoin, Neb, Chariotte Boggs, 27 South Fifteenth sireet, Lincoln, Neb. Heien Johnsop, &M South Seventveuth street, Lincoln, Neb. Althea 'Myers, z4 North Sixteenth street, Lincoln, Neb. Louise Stiles, Lyons, Neb, kistelle McLonaid, Lyons, Neb. Milton, eizer, Nebraska Ciiy, Neb, Harry Crawiord, Nebrasxa City, Neb. Marvey Crawford, Nebraska City, Neb. Lucily _Hagen, Nortolk, Neb. Helen Reynolds, Norfolk, Neb. Letha Larkin, 5o, sixth 8L, Norfolk, Neb, Emma Marquardt, Kifih sireet and Madl- son avenue, Norfolk. Neb, Genevieve M. Jones, Nortr., Loup, Neb. Willham Davis, 22l West Third street, North Platte, Neb, Raabe, 2600 North Ning street, street, Neb. New. Neb, nth ave- venue, Omaha. Marguerite Johnson, 933 North Twenty- fifth avenue, Omaha, Emile Brown, 22 Boulevard, Omaha, Helen Goodrich, 4010 Nicholds St., Omabal Mary Brown, d, Omiaha. Eva Hendeo, 401 Lillian Wirt, 458 Cune v Bassett Ruf, 1514 Bifiney street, Omaha. Jack Coad, 3718 Farnam strest, Omaha, Juanita Innes, 2769 Fort street, Omaha. Meyer Cohn, 846 Georgia avenue, Omahi, Ada Morris, 3424 Franklin street, Omutiu, Biyrtie Jensen, 29 lzard sireet, Omahu. 2 Eleventh St., Omaha. c 0 Howard St., Omaha, Osear Krickson, Howard St Omaha, Guil Howard, 424 Capitol avenus, Omaha. Helen Houck, 1625 Lothrop sireet, Omaha. lumerson Goodrich, 10 Nicholas, Omaha. Maurice Johnson, 1027 wocust, St., Omaha, Lwon Carson, il Nortn korliews, Omuua Pauline Coad, 3i18 Farnaw street, Lmaha, Wilma Howald, 4023 Capitol avenue, Omaha, Hilun Fisher, 120 Soutn kleventh,” Omaha, Mildred Jensen, ¥i0i Leavenwortn, Qiniiia. dne Heden, iis (hicugo street, Omaha. Mabel Bneielt, 4914 North FWeRLy-ilici street, Qmaha. Waiter Johnson, slrcet, Oinana. Emma Carrainers, 311 North Twenty-fifti sireet, Omal Gietchen tiastman, 136 cgnin street, Omaha, Leonore benison, ‘Lhe Alblen, Pacific streets, Omaha. Mae Hwnmonud, U Nelll, Neb, Madge L. Lamels, Ord, Neb. Zola Beadeo, Uriean, Agnes Richmond, Orle: Marie Fieming, Usceoia, Lotta _Woods, Pawnee City, Marl Perkins, Keddingten, Neb. Jana Enis, Stanton, Neb. Lena Pewgrsen, 211 Locust S ina Carney, sutton, Clay county Clara Mujer. Uuce, Neb. cildred I. Jones, North Loup, Neb. Alta Wilken, Waco., Neb. Lev Beekord, Waeo, neb. Mao Grunke, West Point, Neb. Eisie Stastny, Wilber, Neb. Frederick ware. Winside, Neb. Pauline Parks, York, NNeb, Edna Benling, York, 'Neb. Mary Frederick, Xork, nNeb. Carrle B. Barilett, Fontanelle, Ia. lrene RKeynolds, ldttle bloux, la. ¥ihel Muihouand, Box 7, Malvern, la. Lleanor Melior, Maivern, la. Kathryne Mellor, Malvern, Ia. Kuith Kobertson, Manilla, la. Milared Robectson, Manille, la. Nargaret B, Witherow, Tnurman, Ia, Bertna McEvoy, R 1. D. 3, Box 2, Mis- sourt Valley, la. Henry L. Workinger, care Sterling Remedy company, Attiga, Ind. Adlena Sorry, Monareh, Fred Sorry, Monareh, Wyo. Puurl Barron, Monarch, Wyo. John Barron, Momnarch, Wyo. Bdith Amend, sheridan, Wyo. Paullpe Squire, Grand, Oki. ¥red Shelley, 2 ‘Aroup street, Kansas City, Mo. Mary ' Melntosh, Nelile Diedfick, Eynice w%.“m. Fremont, "Neb. 2406 North Twentieth South Thirty- Tenth and B, Omaha. Nebraska, Sidney, Neb. Bldnfi', Neb, b4 North Logan Street, \Lewis Poff, 3115 Franklin street, Omaha. Little Ruth's Fairy UTH and Bob were sitting on the floor reading from one of the picture books which Santa had given them on Christmas. “I say there aren't faitles," des clared Bob, 9 years old. “They are only in books; I'm sure of it." “Oh-0-0!" exclaimed Ruth, looking really shocked at what her brother had seid. “Oh-0-0-0, aren't you ashamed, Bob, to say there aren't any fairles—'cept in books 'Why, I'm very sure there are fairies, I am. “Well, when you get as old as I am, you'll know better,” declared Beb. “You #see, you're but 7, and I'm two years smarter than you. One can learn about lots of things in two years, you know." Ruth didn’t know, but she tried to look as though she dld. But she resented Bob's saying there weren't any fairies. In fact, as the two children sat turning the leaves, Ruth kept wishing with all her might that something might happen to prove to Bob that falries/really did exist. After a Ifttle while she rald: “S'posen something should drop beside you all of @ sudden—some candy or an apple—or solnething very, very good to eat. Wouldn't you then be- leve In fairfes?" “Oh," replled Bob, 1s a very wise way, pursing up his 1ips and assuming a skepti- cal alr, “it & ginger cake should drop be- side me—here on the tloor—I might believe in falries. But 1t'a| take a ginger cake, and nothing else, to make me belleve.” ‘Well, maybe if you wish hard enough for u fairy to come and drop a ginger eake beside you, she'll probably do so. But you have to wish very, very hard, with your eyes shut and nobody around,” said Ruth, “Well, I'll try it," consented Bob, his mouth witering for ginger cake, his tavor. ite sweetmeat, “But, If I keep on wishing for a long time, and the ginger cake doesn't come—why, I'll know there {sn‘t such a thing as a fairy. And T'll tell every kid I know, too." Bob spoke the last sentence In & very threatening volce, and if any fairies happened to be \lstening at the time, they must have felt it & very trying moment, for as we all know, fairies are not bakers or cooks. But Bob—the skepti- cal—thought a fairy 0guld bring him what- ever he wanted and &t any tUme—if they really existed. But little Ruth knew otherwise She know that falries only come to children in Qistress, and she also knew that Boh was not in need of any kind of cake— especially ginger cake; so she was a bit worrled over what Bob sald. She loyed him very dearly, and {t would make her #o much happler In her own belief In falries if Bob belleved in them, too. 8o, hoping for some sovt of miracle—~by which Bob might be made to beleve In fairies— she had urged him to wish, and to wish very, very hard, with her eyes shut, for the ginger cake. “All right, I'll put down the book and wish very hard for some xinger cak: sald Bob. “But yowll have to keep per- feotly quiet, and maybe you'd better wish, to0." T'll tell you what we'll 40" sald Ruth, “You stay in this room and wish and 1’|l &0 Into the lbrary and wish. But—if you don't got ginger cake just for wishing you musto’' think there eren't auy fairies, Maybe they'll be out cf gloger cake. You know people often.get out of things to eat, %0 why shouldn't fairies get out of cake, too? Ruth had clinched the argument and Bob could not reply to her. Bo he sald, “AY right, I'll wish for ginger cakq first, and then I'll wish for ordinary eake, and then Fil wish for something good to eat. But if I open my eyt nd find noth- ing beside me—why, 1'll know there aren't any fairies.” . Then Ruth ran into the library, where she curled herself up in a blg chair beside the warm steam radiator. There she fell aslecp after a few minutes. Bob, remain- ing In the play room, stretched himselt out on & huge fur rug, lying on his fac, his arm under his head and his eyes shut. There he remalned very quiet, wishing and wishing 1n a low tone: “Good fairy, bring me some ginger cake. Good fairy, bring me some ginger cake. ‘G-0-0-d t-a-l-r-y, ber-i-n-g m-e—-m-e—s-0-m-e ©-Bek-0—C- k- frlhrlf -y’ And then Bob fell asleep to the sound of hls own voice, And while he lay there he dreamed that a fairy came into the room and placed a little box beside him ind in that box he found some eandy and nuts, but no ginger cake, and when he asked the fairy why she did not bring ginger cakes he veplied: ““The cook has gone on a strike, young man, and we are out of cake, But we have candy-real old- fashioned taffy—which you will find very toothsome. And some nuts in the box are freshly gathered from thq trees that grow in California and they are very delicious.” Thus, while Ruth slept, dreamiess, in the library and Bob siept, dreaming, in the play room their mother came in from shopping In, the city. She carrled two large paper bags—one for Bob apd ong RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS 1. Write plainly on one side of the paper only and mmmber the pages. 8. Use pen and ink, not pencil 3. Short and poimted articles will be given preferemce. Do not use over 280 words. 4. Original stories or letters only will be used. & 5. Write your name, and pd- dress nfi-’lqnlnul.x':tm" First and second prizes of books will be given for the best two oon- tributions to this page each week. Address all communications to CEILDEREN'S DEPARTMENT, Omaha Bee. . (First Prize) The Fairy as a Mortal By Helen Verrill, Aged 13 Years, No. 19, The Styehlow, Omaha, Neb. Blue Side, There Was a certain fairy that lived In Broomer woods that wished to be & mortal, One day two very poor girls, abodt 6 and 7 years oM, found a little ring where there were no trees, and being tired, thought it a good place to rest, sat down. They were Just seated, however, when they heard a merry little laugh and looking around saw a small delicate little fairy, Oh! they gasped. The falry smiled and sald: *I have come Jittle mortals to ask you a favor to grant me.” I have for a great many years, more even than 100, been a fajry. 1 am now getting tired of fairy life and for but one year want to be & mortal. Yon two Eirle only can make it possible. Will you try? “Yes,” they cried In chorus. “Well then, take this wand and wave It over me and say: “Hecome & mortal youth for one year only."” They did as told and there stood a tall handsome youth with a white horse beside him. He turned to the girls and said: “Thank ypu childrep, but what shall my ma be?" Let's call you Prince Charming, because you are s0 “handsom “All right,” said the prince. With that he mounted his horse, threw the girls a kiss and galloped away. Next Sunday 1 will tell a few adventures he had. § ( {(Second Prize.) Helping By Helen Johnson, Queen Bee, Aged 1 Years, 34 South s?vanteent'h str& i Lineoin, Neb, Blue Side. ‘O, dear, 1 wish I were big enough to do some good,” sighedl little Jane. Her mother was sitting in a large leather chair before the library fire sewing, when Jane made this remark, and looked up very much surprised at her little daughter, who looked very beautiful as the red glow from the fire fell on her white dress and brown curls, She looked up at her mother with & merry twinkle in her eyes and her parted lips showed her pearly teeth in a smile. “It won't be long, love, before you can,” answered her mother, only to look up and see that Jane's eyes were closed with sleep. This was Jane's dream. She had been changed into the powerful sun and was up in the sky, but covered and shut out by the little clouds, The trees, flowers and grass looked very sad, and one after an- other they would look up to the sky and ery 'Oh, where is the sun? It {s so wet and desolate here. I wish the sun would come out and shine upon us.” ‘Then, as if by magic, the sun would roll out from behind the gray clouds and send & ray down on the flowers, who would look. up with wet faces and say: “The sun shines!” Just then Jane opened her eyes and saw her mother smiling. “Come dear, it is 6 o'clock and dinner s 'ready.” “I @ld help them, mother, after all.” (Honorable Mention.) The Bootblack By Gearge Nichoison, King Bee, Aged 13 Years, Abbott, Neb. Red Side. A little bootblack named John was going along the street when he aaw a pocketbook fall out of a gentleman's pocket. He ran to where it was and was going to give it back to the man who had lost it, but all the boys that had erowded around him told him to keep it, but he said he would not and then he ran after the man, Wwho thanked him very much and took John with him to his house. When they got there he asked the boy where he lived. The boy sald, “I live in the streets, and then the man asked John If he got much money by blacking boots. John said, “No. Lots of times I have to go without a meal."” Then the man told Him he would get John a place In a store. ‘John thanked him and told him he would be very slad to get a place to work. John got & place in a large store as a cash boy and he got # a week. After he had been working with the store for\about a month, they raiséd hid salary up to $10 a week and they gave him a place as a salesman, After John had been a salesman for over two years he became one of the owners of the store. John often went to visit the gentleman who got him a place In the store that John was half owner of now. John never forgot his life as & bootblack, and he always helps every one he can. Nelson’s Reward Corinne Robertson, Aged 10” Years, Wilbey, Neb. Blue Side. Once there lived In Portland, little boy named Nelson. He was a very good boy and he was 7 years old. His mother and father were very poor and he tried to help in any way he could. He was a bright little lad at school and his parents thought a great deal of him. Belug very poor he did not have play- things such as tops, balls, marbles, etc. One morning as he was going downtown on an errand for his mether he chanced to look down the street and saw a horse hitched to a buggy running at break-neck speed. There was a little girl In the buggy with golden halr, blue eyes and a white dress. Nelson was about to run out of the way when he changed his mind. The horse was already near at hand and Nel- #on grabbed a board which was lying In the road. He stood In the middle of the road and when the horse came nearer him it stopped and Nelson grabbed it by the bridle, . Nelson asked the girl what her name was and she said it was Alice Brown. Nelson sald he would take hér home. When they reached her home Alice told her father all that had happened. Mhen Mr. Brown told Nelson he was a brave boy and gave him $10 In apprecia- tion of what he had done. Then Nelson went home and his mother asked him why he was gone so long. “Mother,” he said, hapding her the money, “1 stopped a runaway horse and the reward was this. His mother and father were very glad and that $10 bought them many useful things. By Me., & The Autobiography of a Ring By Vera Stanley, Aged 12 Years, Cozad, Neb. Blue Side. T once was a small plece of solld gold, lying along the side of a mountain, when suddenly it commenced raining. Tt came down over the mountain with such a|rush that st washed me along with it. Wfter we had gong quite a long way we met a little girl, who picked me up carefully and carried me to her home and showed me to her parents, who seld that she might take me to a jewelry shop and have me made up into @ ring, with bright, shining stones. The next day I was taken to the shop, where I was put into & very hot place, melted and shaped into & round ring. After I was nearly cold, three shining stones were pressed into me and fixed so that they would not come out. How proud I felt! The next day the little girl came and got me. She wore me on her finger until she got big and was married. After many yéars she dled, and they buried her with me on her finger, After we had been buried two years, two o0ld tramps came along and dug us up and took me to another jewelry shop and sold me. Soon aleng came a young man, who bought me with the intention of glving me to his best girl, but when he got home 1910, and looked for me I was gone. He had lost me between the shed and the barn 1 now remaln lost. Just Too Late By Gertrude Hodgson, Aged 13 Years, Harney Street, Omaha, Neb. Blue Side. As little Rosalie started out on her third trip that day to sell a loaf of bread, her stepmother (who was rather cruel, as some stepmothérs are), took off one of the little wooden shoes which protected her feet and tled 8 bandana handkerchief around her foot. Then she told her to beg some money if she saw some likely person and to keep it in her shoe. So little Rosalle went off with her bread to a distant corner. She tried to sell her bread several times, then sank down on a nearby doorstep as a sud- den exhaustion and drowsiness came over her which people feel when they are frees- ing. Presently & portly old gentleman came along and, seeing that the child was rather scantily dressed, dropped a plece of money into her shoe, not stopping to see how much it was. (It happened to be a gold plece). A few minutes later a rather agita- ted young man came hurrledly down the street. As he was about to pass her he noticed tho money. Then an idea struck him; (he was a gambler and had just lost all of his money). He would take the money and use it. If he won he would give her half; If he lost—well—she would never know. So he hurried back to the gambling den. He won, It was not his fault; it was,luck. You know that the one gold plece had been increased many fold and he now had a bag full. So he took one-half of it and, hurrying back to where the child lay, in trying to wake her he noticed that she was rather stiff. Then he made a discoyery—the child was dead! He never ‘gambled agaln. And so the child, ke everey one, was put upon this earth for some purpose. A Story About Winter Leo Carlson, Aged 8 Years, Stroms- burg, Neb. Red Side. This winter is very cold and so much snow it looks like the mountains. 1 go coasting on my sled and it Is so deadful ccld that I cannot stay out long to play, so I try to find all my plav- things which I have in the house to amuse myself. These include my talking ma- chine, engine, blocks, alr rifle, paper, booke, marbles, waste basket, painting set and my printing set, and then 1 practice on the plano. 1 am just having my Christ- mag vacation, I am lenging for sehool to begin again, because I want to be a bright and noble boy. Santa Claus was yery good to me this Christmas; he brought me & waste basket, a printing set, a painting set, a rocking chair, & pair of house slip- pers and a plcture and a book, and several Christmas cards and a little pocket book, and lots of ecandy, nuts, oranges and ap- ples. Yesterday I had company. M cousing were here and we had lots of fun; o7 By ‘we played and made so much nolsey lke all youngsters do when they get together, that mamma and papa almost got out of patience with us. T will close for this time. The Snow Man By Dora Wiese, Aged 9 Years, 1506 North Twenty-sixth Street, South Omaha. Blue Side. One night the snow was falling fast. Soon morning came land a group of chi dren came out. “Oh!” sald they, “let make & snow man. That would be lgts of fun!” So all the children agreed. They plleg up,lots of snow and made a snow man, “Oh!" sald the snow man, “and what shsll 1 do?’ They heard me mot; but I sald it over and over. Soon I was made: the children thought T was fine. Thepn they went to & place Where there was lots of snow; there they played fox and geese. I longed and longed to play with them, but it was all of no use. Boon it got quite dark and the childden had to go in the house. After the chil- dren went In, & hard wind came and blew me down with a sigh. The next day the children came out and sald, “Oh! where is the snow man®"’ Then they went M and asked where the snow man was. Thelr mother sald, “T suppose the wind has blown it down.” Then they knew what became of the snow man. They did not put me together again, 80 there I laid till the sud came out. An Honest Boy By Mary Frisk, Aged 13 Years, Forty- elghth and T streets, Bouth Omaha. Blue Side. One day as Willle Brown was coming along, the road from selling papers he was thinking how nice it would be to be rich. Willle had no parents, but Hved with his aunt, who was mean and cross. All at once as Willie was passing a great red house he saw a light pass the window. He knew that the people had gone away that evening and that some burglars must be in the house. Willle thought for a mo- ment, then he went to the corner and for Ruth. On peeplng into the playroom and peeing Bob fast asleep om the rug, she walked softly In so as not to wake him and placed one of the bags close beside him on the floor. Then she went in quest of Ruth, whem she found curled up In the chair. Gently she placed the other bag in the little sleeper's lap. Half an hour later Bob' awoke, and the first thing he saw was the bulging paper bag beside him. Then he recalled the circumstances under which he had lain down on the rug and gone to sleep. Ah, the fairies! He had been wishing for proof of their existence when he shut his eyes, and here a paper bag lay beside him. He reached out his hand and opened the bag. Candy—old- fashioned taffy—was there. And under the candy was & huge popcorn ball all sweet with molasses. Now, he had not dreamed of popeorn, but he had dreamed of nuts along with the candy, and, of course, the fairy had brought the popcorn Instead of the nuts, Maybe they were out of nuts, as they were out of ginger cake, Bob sat up and smiled and filled his mcuth with popeorn. Then he remembered Ruth and ran to call her. She was still sleeping In the big chair; but he roused her by exclaiming: “Why, the fairies have brought you a bag just ltke mine, and, of course, it holds gandy and popeorn! Then Ruth awoke and looked a bit sur- prised at what Bob was saying. During sleep she had forgotten the conmversation between herself and Bob relative to the existence of fairles. But It took only a few words from Bob to bring the whole thing fresh to her mind again, and then she Jumped up and down with joy.” Oh, the fairfes really and truly u.ml. she cried. “They didn't bring ginger cdke, for they know ginger cake isn't good for lttle chil- dren. But they brought us good old-fash- iorved taffy and popeorn, which are better than cake." “Yes, I'd rather have popcorn like this and taffy, too—than all the ginger ecake ever baked" declared Bob. “But, come, let's #ge If mamma has returned yet. We must tell her that the fairies came to us and brought us some candy and popcorn, to prove to me that there are fairles. Aren't they good fairies 10 §0 o so much troubie for me?” “Yes, they are always good, fairies are," declared Ruth, feelingly. “But you mustn't wish too much for them, for théy don't Mke selfish children, and If you should ever really need them they wouldn't come if you had wished them here when you really did not need them. Fairies are made to help chlldren in dlstress, and not to feed them on cake and candy. called a policeman. They went into the houee and got the burglars. Then the po- liceman took them away apd Willie went home. The next day as Willle was passing the big house he was called into the house by a servant, who sald his master wanted him. He went into the largest room he had ever seen. Mr. Hartwell (for that was his name) was sitting in a large chair. He called Willle up to him and asked him what he wanted for reward. Willle said he did not want to take anything, but the gentleman ‘sald: “Willla, you are to be my little boy. You wiil never have to sell papers again. You can be little Maygold's brother.”” Willle could hardly believe what he heard, but he got a new suit and was happy ever after and grew up to be a good, wise lawyer. Francis' Birthday By Vada Lambert, Aged 9 Years, Auburn, Neb. Blue Side. Francis would be 6 years old the next day, it was in the evening and she curled up in her mamma's lap, soon she dropped off to sleep. When she awoke, she was in her little warm bed. She jumped out of bed and ran to the looking glass to see if she was any taller, for she was § years old. It looked as Is she was just the same helght as yesterday, Frances was Just a little disappointed for she expected to be a little taller. She dressed herselt and ran down to breakfast. There, by her little plate were some curious looking packages. She couid hardly walt until her mamma and papa were seated. She took off the wrapper of the first package— it contained a dear little doll with real brown curly hair and eyelashes; it wore the sweetest pink dress she had ever seen in her life In her delight she almost for- got about the other packages. When they were all opened and she had finished her breakfast, she took her pres. ents and started for the nursery, but her mamma sald: “There is ons more present dearie.” "“Oh, what it | ‘What is it?" ex- claimed Frances. “It Is In the east room."” Frances ran to the east room and opened the door. There sat grandma in a big arm chair “Oh, grandma, you arg the nicest present of all’”’ Frances exclalmed as she almost smothered her with kisses. Violet and Thistle By Muabel L. Datel, Aged 1l _Years, North Bend, Neb. Red Side. Two fairies were walking up Rose avenue in Forston. Thelr names were Violet and Thistte. “Thistle would you be frighetned If & dog would come near us or by us?” asked Violet, “No, I would not,” answered Thistle. “Are you very sure?’ asgked Violet. “Why, of course 1 am, and why are you asking these questions They walked alohg in sllence and soon came to & fountain. “Oh, dear me," cried Thistle, “I am so tired,” and he picked out the nicest bunsch of moss to lay on. “I am so thirsty,” said Violet. “And—" “You just let me have a drink first cried Thistla, taking the drinking cup from Violet's hande. Just as he sald that they both heard a dreadful noise, and there stood a dog right by Thistle. “Oh, what in the wer!d,” oried Thistle, answered Violet. erled Thistle, and jumped up and started to run, the dog at his heels. He ran and ren until they came to a forest and he ran up a tree, (fairies don't elimb trees, they just go up like cats do), and the dog sat down and waited for most en hour and then grew tired and ran off. In a Nttle while Thistle came down and went back to where he left Violet, but in- stead of Violet there was an army of Jack Frost's soldlers. They captured Thistle, and now he & & soldier of Jack Frost's, Violet is queen of the fairies, for the other queen was killed and she left her kingdom to Violet, her favorite falry. Violet’s Happiest Day By Marjorie Temple, Aged 9 Yeurs, Lex- Ington, Neb. Blue Side. Violet sat by the window of her beautiful room. Her dolls were scattered around her and her bookcase was full of books, which any child would have delighted in, But Viglet was not happy. She herself did not know what It really was. But she knew it wes a longing for something—she knew not what. All of a sudden she saw something which attracted her attention, It wes & poor little girl in rags. She aroused herself and said, "L belleve 1 willl” She put on her wraps, picked up her best French doll and went downstairs, Her mother met her at the bottom, She ex- plained what she was doing and went out on the street and walked toward the little beggar girl and placed the doll in her arms, 1 do not know which was the happlest of the two, the little beggar girl with the best doll she had ever touched or the rich man's daughter with the wish of her heart fulfilled. Only I know that after that many poor people blessed her, and as many will to the end of her life, A Burprise Party By Charlotte Boggs, Aged 14 TS, South I"chn(fi Street, Lincoln, Neb, Blue Slde, The tiny flak of snow hdd fallen gently all night over Mother Earth. Little Beth, aged 8, and her twin brnlhtr. Bob, had planned to take a ride with their father and mother, In the new, big sleigh. As the sleigh drew up to the door, Beth and Bob plunged Into their coats end caps and in less than five minutes were gliding swiftly over the white blangeted ground. Oh, such fun as they did have, and when they had finally declared themselves “‘as cold as lee,”” Mr. Greyson suggested that they go over and peek In on grandma, in her “tiny doll's house,” as Beth called it Bo, the horse’'s heads were turned in an- other direction, and beforc long they had stopped In front of the “tiny doll's house." There stood grandma in the doorway, smiling a welcome, and when they bad taken off thelr raps they followed her into the parior. Why was the table big, out the dining roem, and what was that big sheet stretched scross the corner for? We shall soon find oul The deor bell was ringing. Grandma sald, "Will you and Bob please go to the door, 1 have my apron on.' ‘Why eeértainly, grandma,” they an- swered, and off they went, skipping gaily. When the door was opened, much to the surprise of Beth and Hob, & large number of their Mttle friends came tripping in and calling out, “Many happy returns of the Gay,” handing them parcels. “Why, what, when!" exclalmed Beth, “Oh, Hob, it's our birthday, don't you re- member? . And then what fun and merry-making o 50 in New King's Letter Dear Busy Bees: I thank you very much for having elected me king, and I also thank you for the nice letters T have received from some ot the Busy Bees. 1 remain, yours very truly, GEORGE NICHOLSON, King Bea Abbott, Neb, Jan. 17, 1910, = there was. Grandma had prepared a lunch for them and after they had eaten it she asked, “How many here know how to catch fish?" Eyverybody knew how. You took hold of & pole and put It through & slit In the sheet and waited. Then, in a few moments, you pulled it out and there was a gift on the end of the pole for you. Beth got a doll and Bob got & wished for traln of cars. The afternoon soon slipped by and the little children piled into Mr. Greyson's sleigh and were driven home as fast as the horses could earry them. That night when mamma Greyson was putting the twins to bed they declared that it was the best birthday that they had ever had. long- Kate's Lesson By Dorothy Taylor, Aged 9 Yea: Neb. 'Red Side. Ones there was & little girl named Kate Gray. She was & very naughty girl and one day her mother told her not to go out, as It was too cold, Mrs. Gray told her Santa would not stop at her house it she was naughty, but Kate went out with her sled. Her mother saw her and called her in. She was put to bed and when Christmas came Kate only found a stick in her stockin his taught her a lesson which she never forgot. Christmas Day By Mary Brown, Aged 13 Years, 3323 Boule- vard Avenue, Omahas, Neb. Red Side. It was twenty hundred years ago thers came to the shepherds who were herding their sheep on the hills, an angel. At first they were afrald of it, but when it was with them a little while they got ao- quainted with it, g This angel sald to them: “Unto you is born thig day in the city of David a Savior, who {8 Christ the Lord. ¥ou shall find him in & cattle shed lying in a manger for his bed in the city of David.' The shepherds were all rejoleing to hear of Him and went forth to find him. They found him just as the angel had stated, and went home very glad. As it is not known the exact date He was born, the people thought It was to- ward the last of Decgmber. Ever after we celebrate Christmas as the day Christ was born and give presents in remembrance of His birth. The History of a Grain of Wheat By Jeanette Bagnell, Aged 9 Years, 727 Bouth HEleventh Street, Lincoln, Neb. Blue Side. There was onoce a grain of wheat. It stood in & lonely fleld. Bvery day the farmer would come and water it. One day some men came and cut it down. Then it ‘was put in a wagon and It stopped in front of a farm house, where some men thrashed it; then It was taken to the mill and ground into flour. Then it was taken to the grocery store and sold. A woman took it home and the cook took it out and made it into bread. Then it was put in a bread- box. In two days the cook took It out and sliced it. Then they put butter onm it and ate fit. Why Teddy Didn’t Go By Dorothy Taylor, Aged § Years, Abboty, Neb. Blue Side. Once there was a little boy named Teddy, who was 7 years old. One day his mother told him to go to the store and get some butter and eggs. He id he would go, but did not. He went to play with his friend, Robert, pretty soon Teddy remembered about the eggs and butter, But he did not say anything about it, and went on playing. When he went home his mother was going to see Teddy's aunt. Teddy asked if he might go, but his mother #ald he cogld, if he had obeyed her at first, He sald ke would get the butter and eggs, but his mother sald it was too late, and after that he always obeyed his mother, Jim’s Hunting Trip By Bruce Taylor, Aged 11 Years, Neb. Blue Side. One day a boy called Jim was going hunting and he took his gun and started off. Jim was always boasting about how brave he was. A neighbor nearby kept a pet bear, but they had always kept him tied up. One day he got loose and went off and while Jim was looking around for rabbite he saw a head sticking up and sneaked up to get closer, and as he was about to pull the trigger the bear came in view. He dropped his gun and ran, When the other boys heard about it they laughed at him and called him a baby., He did not boast after that, I can tell you, Abbott, Abbot, Primal Acrostic It the words pictured above are rightly guessed, and written one below other, their initial letters will -::’ ‘ something that all children Mie.