Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, January 30, 1910, Page 22

AVE the Busy Bees noticed what a faithful little King they have? He has sent in a story each does not win leader of the Red side. all follow his good example. prizes he does not mind, but is content The' editor hopes that the Busy Bees will week for about If he the two months. to be During the last two weeks not any of the Busy Bees have sent in their pletures to be printed on the children’s page. turned as soon as they are printed. The pictures will be re- A Busy Bee, who has been writing for the page for u long time sent in a story this week written on both sides of the page. This was the first time that this little Busy Bee forgot to read the rules, so some times the older ones make mistakes as well as the new Busy Bees, and all swending in stories must be careful. of the children The primal acrostic last week was Children. Animal, Nook. Darky. Yacht, Using the first letter of each word, we get what all of the children like—"Candy.” Correct answers were Hamilton, both of Omaha. sent In by C. Arfld Olsen and Ruth Prizes were awarded this week to Edythe Kreitz of Lexington on the Blue Side and to Ruth Kirschstein of Omaha on the Red Side. Honorable mention was given to Helen Heuck, who wrote an original story on “Val- entines.” 8chultz of Councll Bluffs on the Red Special mention should be made of the story sent in by Annette Side. Any of the Busy Bees may send cards to anyone whose name is on the Postcard Bxchange, which now includes: veun e dieue Mol Lung, Aimsworth, Neb, y, Barnsion, INeb. Liiiun Mmerwin, Beaver Cit mavel Will, Benninglon, Aula Golisch, bel ngton, 3 Minnie Gotweh, Bennington, Neb, Agnes Damnke, Benson, 1Neb. . -veb, (box 12), Y, regnion, Loy £k, David G duisa Ereiaeh, Loronesler, Aledi Belnet, Ligi, Neb. wuiice bude, Fans City, He, Einel Keed, Eremont, iveb, HUIGe Lundbur, b remont, MIION Cupps, Gioson, Nev. Marguerie SKILO0I0IMEW, Gothenburg, Neb, Lyuis Hoth, wo West Kuenig str yrand Amiand, ineb, kiw vuss, 4/ West Charles street, Grand Asiand, Neb. liene Cos 116 West Righth street, d, Neo. 16 Crawiord, 16 West Charles streel, Grand isiand, Neb. Pauliie bohuite, 4 West Fourth street, Grand isiand, Neo. Martha Muipny, w8 East Ninth street, Grand isiaud, N Hugn Kutt, Leshai k. Rutt, Leshar 3 Temple, Lexington, Neb. Lexiugion, Neb. Lexington, Neb. Kdythe Kreitz, Lexiugwn, Nel Marjorle Temple, Lexingion, Neb. Alicy Grussmeyer, 1ot C. 8L, Lincoln, Marian Hafollion, 429 L. st Lincoln, Kisle Hamilton, 2% L 8 ancoin,” Neb, lrene Disher, 2000 L sty dncoln, Neb, Huglile Disher, 2030 1s suest, Lincoln, Neb, Charlotte Hogks, 24 Houth Fifteenth sireet, Lincoln, N Helen Johnson, 33 South Beventeenth street, Lincoln, Neb, Althea 'Myers, 24 North Sixteenth street, Lincoln, N Loulse Stil Eatelio Mc Neb. Lyons, Neb. onald, Lyons, Neb. Nebraska Cliy, Neb, tord, Nebraska City, N wiford, Nebraska City, Neb. o Hasen, Noriulk, Nel Reynolde, Nortolk, Nel Letha Larkin, S¢. Sixth 8t, Norfolk, Neb. Emma Marquard!, Fifth street and Madi- son avepue, Norfolk, Neb, Genevieve M. Jones, Nortk Loup, Neb. Wilham _Davis, 21 West Third street, North_Platte, Neb. Louise Ragbe, 2600 North Nineteenth ave- nue, Omaha. U Frances Johnson, 983 North Twenty-fifth avenue, Omaha, Marguerite Johnson, 93 North Twenty- fifth avenue, Omaha. Emile Brown, 3323 Boulevard, Omaha. Helen Goodrich, 4010 Nicholas § Mary Brown, 223 Boulevard, Omaha. Fiva Hendeo, 402 Dodge street, Omaha. Lilllan Wirt, 4158 Cuss s t, Omaha, Bassett Ruf, 1514 Binney street, Omaha. Jack Coad, 3718 Farnam street, Omaha. Juanita Tnnes, 2169 Fort street, Omaha, Meyer Cohn, 543 Georgia avenue, Omaha. Ada Morris, 844 Frankiin street, Omaha. Myrtio Jensen, 209 lzard sireet, Omaha. Orrin_ kisner, 1310 B. isievenih i, Omaba. Mildred Erickson, 2100 Howard St., Omaha. Oscar Erici 210y Howard St., Omaha. Gail Howard, 4i22 Capitol avenus, Omaha. Houck, 162 Lothrop street, Omaha. n Goodrich, #10 Nicholas, Omaha. Johnson, 1021 Locust, Bt., Omaha, Leon Carson, 1124 North Foriieth, Omana. Pauline Coad, 518 Farnain street, Omahs. Wilma Howaid, 4723 Capitol avenue, Omaha. Hilah Fisher, 1210 South kleventh, Omaha. Mildred Jensen, 207 Leavenworth, Omana. kdna Heden, %18 Chicago street, Omaha. Mabel Bneifelt, i4 Nurth A'wenty-iita street, Umah ter Johnson, 2408 North Twentleth Omaha, 8, 3211 North Twenty-fifth s Emma Carruth street, Omah. Greichen kastman, 13 South Thirty- eigntn street, Omaha. Leonora Denison, The Alblon, Tenth and Pacific streets, Omaha. Mae Hammond, U'Nelll, Neb, Madge L. Laniel, “Zola Beddeo, Orl Fleming, Osceola, Lotta Woods, Pawn Karl Perk! Reddingten, Edna Enis, Stanton, Neb. na Petersen, 1l Loous' St, H, Omaba. na Carney, sutton, Clay county, Nebraska, Ciara Milier, Utica, Neb, Aeildred ¥. Jon North Loup, Neb, Alta Wilken, Waco, Neb. Leoo Beckord, Waco, Neb. Mae Grunke, West Point, Neb. Kisle Stastny, Wilber, Neb. Frederick Ware, Wi.side, Neb. Pauline Parks, York, Neb. kdna York, Neb. Mary K, York, N rile B. Bartlett, Fontanells, la. ne Reynolds, Little Sloux, la. lthel Mulholland, Box 71, Malvern, Ia Eleanor Mellor, Malvern, Ia. Kathryne Melior, Maivern, Ia. Ruth Robertson, Manlilla, 1 Mildred Robertsou, Manilla, Ia. Margaret B. Witherow, Thurman, la. Bertna McEvoy, R +.'D. 3, Box %, Mis- sourl Valley, la. Henry L. Workinger, care Sterling Remedy company, Attica, Ind. Adlena Sorry, Monarch, Wyo. ¥red Sorry, Monarch, Wyo. ‘earl Barron, Monarch, Wyo. ohn Barren, Monarch, Wyo. Edith Amend, Snheridan, Wyo. Pauline Squire, Grand, OKkI. Fred Sheliey, 230 Troup street, City, Mo. Mary Mclntosh, Sidney, Neb. Nellle Diedrick, Sidney,’ Neb. Eunice Wright, 542 North Logan Street, Fremont, Neb. Lewls Poff, 31156 Franklin street, Omaha. Box 82 Kai Party at the Pigses By Maud R. AND MRS. PIG sat in thelr cozy house, looking Into the busy street, for a big bow win- dow gave them a lovely view of the principal thoroughfare of the village in which they Now, Mr. and Mrs. Plg were very much occupled with making plans for a party to be given on their son's birthday, which would come on the last day of January He—their son, Snouty—would be 13, and the proud parents were anxious that the soclal function to be given in his honor should surpass anything of the kind ever seen In the village of Corncob, Now, Corncob was & fine little town and comprised some very grand families. There wera the Herkshires, the Poland-Chinas, the Razor Backs, the Long Hars, the Small Hoofs and the Rall Pens, and, of course, the Plgses, our own especlal peo- ple, who are to figure most prominently in this story. Now, there was one family in Corncob that was very envious of the Plgses, and they had & son, Bristles, who hated with an unholy hatred the little hero of this story, Snouty Plg. And on every occa- slon he made it a point of saying some apiteful things against Snouty, who was too well bred & Pig to retallate in any way But as Mr. and Mrs. Plg sat making the party plans Mra. Pig remarked: “Shall we invite the Long Talls, papa? You know Bristles Long Tall has always been spite- ful toward our Snouty, and even his pa- rents have acted unkindly toward us when oceasion offered.” Mr. Plg rubbed his snout, blinked one of his funny lttle eyes, then sald: “Well, mamma, 1 hate to be the first to make an open breach between the Long Talls and our family, but on this ocoasion we want evervthing to run smoothly and happily, and '* Npistles Long Tall is here I fear he'll omething unpleasant—make some Insw! remark In Snouty's hearing and enns h words; s0, to be on the safe slde cuoss we'll have to exclude the Lone (olls from the guest list “1 (hink you have decided wisely" sald Mrs Plg, “for the whole family of Long have been envious of us over sin outy took the silver medal in the elocu- ATy oentest last year.' 80 It was decided by the Pigses that the " ang Talls should not be Invited to the birthday party, although, In justice to them, I must add they did so reluctantly, for the Plgsles were cordial, hospitable hoge and did not llke to open hostilities with any of thelr nelghbors, no matter Bow much the latter deserved the slight. Mrs. Pig rang her little call bell and the ‘Walker, maid came in, & pretty, short-snouted mald called Pinkey. Here, Pinkey,” sald Mrs, P re two dozen Invitations that I want you to deliver In person to the addresses on the envelopes Now, please be quick about it, for I want those invited to get the Invitations at once so as to make any plans they may see fit. ‘“Yes, ma'am,” nodded Pinkey, and she g0t her fur lined cape and hood and set off on her mistress' errand. She had delivered about half the invitations when, on turn- Ing a corner, she came face to fact with Bristles Long Tall. As she had so often admitted Bristies to her master's house he, of course, recognized her, and bowed m a friendly way, saying, “What takes you out on such a cold day, Pinkey?' “I'm Qelivering the Invitations to Master Snouty's birthday party,” sald Pinkey, And she held up to Bristles' view the remaining dozen invitations. Now Bristles Long Tail had not heard anything about the coming party, but he wus not one to be caught, for he be. thought himself of an ugly trick to play on the Pigsles, whom he envied and hated without just cause. “Ah, yes he smiled. “Snouty was just talking to me about the party the other day. Why, at that time he dectdad that he and I would carry round the cards of Invitations, as he wanted to be quite sure they reached their destination safely, But—how many have you there?" RULES FOR YOUNG WRITERS 1. Write plainly on one side of the peper only and number the pages. 8. Use pen and ink, not peacil 8. Shory and pointed articles will be given preferemce. Do not use over 850 words. 4. Original stories or letters only will be used. Py 8. Write name, and - Fixst and wecond prizes of books will bo given for the best two con- tributions to this page each week. Address all communications to OHILDREN'S DEPARTMENT, Omaha Bee. (First Prize.) A Dangerous Moment By Edythe Krelts, Aged 13 Years, Lexing- ton, Neb. Blue Bide Baby Dorothy loved her morning bath. Oh, how 'she ecrowed and kicked and laughed when mother put her into the water. It was the happlest, jolliest minute of the whole day for the baby, and the rest of them enjoyed it as much as she did, for she was the pet of the whole household and the only child in it. But one day Aunt Bertha came to make a visit and brought Eiste with her, and Elste brought 'her dollles, one, two, three of them. Elsie was a loving little cousin, and let Baby Dorothy play with Flora, Adeline and Jane as much as she wanted to. But sho explained to baby that she must not pull their hair nor take off thelr dresses, and baby was very good about it, 80 good that Elsle was not afraid at ail to leave her dollies in the nursery. One morning after Baby Dorothy had had her bath, mother was called away for a min- ute. There was the bathtub, still full of the nice soapy water, and thers were tho three dollles who hadn't had a bath since they came, baby was sure. It would be nice to give them one right away, for they needed one badly she thought. Baby tod- dled over and brought Flora, Adelins and Jane to the bath tub. Then she Mfted Flora high in the air, just the way mother always lifted her, 50 as to give her a nice dip right down into the water. Poor Floral she couldn't scream. Neither could Ade- line and Jane say a word to stop Baby Dorothy. Flora couldn’t even shut her eyes, be- cause she wasn't made that way, but Jane, who was, closed her eyes tight as she lay helpless on the floor and listened for the coming splash. But it never came, for just then mother, Who had come in behind and saw what was happening, picked Baby Dorothy and Flora and all right up and away from the bath tub. Wasn't it fortunate she got there just in time? Flora hasn't quite gotten over it yet; she fesels cold all over every time she 100ks at the empty bath tub and I don't believe any of the three dollles will feel quite safe till they get home again, in Aunt Bertha's own house, where there isn't any Baby Dorothy to crow and eplash in the mornings. (8econd Prize) Fairyland Ruth Kirschstein, Aged 11 Years, 3001 Grand Avenue, Omaha. Red Side Dorothy was sitting by the window look- Ing out at the snowflakes as they came down. It was Sunday and as she could play no games she had found that watch- ing the different forms of the flakes was Interesting. Suddenly a very, very strange snowflake came down. Tt stopped on the windowsill and Dorothy noticed that it was not an ordinary flake, nor was she wrong, for little by little the flake changed into a beeutiful fairy. Her dress was as white as snow and glittered with hundreds of stiver spangles. Her wings were tinted with dell- cate colors and her golden eurls were gathered gracefully to the top of her head Her.voice was like the silver tinkling of a distant bell. Turning to Dorothy she said: “T have come to take you to my king- dom. Falryland s very beautiful, and as 1 knew that you were a beauty-loving littls Kirl T knew that you would appreclate the Journey. “Of course I will,” exclaimed Dorotuy. “But,” she added, a cloud passing over her pretty face, “how can I; I am so large?" The fairy queen laughed. “T will make you small” she sald, and touching Dorothy on the head with a sliver wand, Dorothy became as small as the fairy. Then stepping into a dainty little chariot the two little humming birds by which it was drawn carrled them swiftly through the alr. It was night when they reached Fairyland and little lights were twinkling all over. The two little humming birds carried them stralght to the roval palace. The palace was so dazzling that Dorothy could hardly look at it. It was made of £0ld, Inlald with dlamonds and rubles. The falry queen and Dorothy went up the broad steps and as they entered a spaclous hall fairy courtlers came to give them a warm welcome. That night a grand ball was given and for refreshments they had the eclearest of dew and wine crushed from the crimson honeysuckle. After it Dorothy went up to her chamber. The walls were covered with “moth and butterfly wings.” Her bed was a little pink rose waving on its stem. The canopy 1o her bed was a tiny plece of gossamer flpating above. She climbed into her bed and after pulling the soft, pink coverlet over her was soon rocked to sleep by the rose’'s gentle swaying. She dreamed that she was home and that her mother was going to church. She jumped up and rubbed her eyes. She was mot In Fairy- land, but by her chalr at the window. Her mother was there, telling her that it was time to get ready for church. The strange snowflake was still there, but it had not turned into a fairy, By (Honorable Mention.) Valentines By Helen Heuck, Aged 13 Years, 1625 Loth- rop Street. Blue Side. Once upon a time, many years ago, there was an old, old saint who lived in a monastery. This old int's name was Saint Valentine. He always told people who Inquired how old he was that he had forgotten, but he knew that his birthday came on the lith of February. These good people remembered what he told them, so every year on the 14th of February he re- celved many letters. Some of these letters were In poem, but the majority just bore a few words wishing him happiness. This went on for many years until the saint knew just who would send him a letter. By this time people began calling these annual letters Valentines. So now, faithful to old Saint Valentine's memory, children and even grown folks send each other these Valentines, only now they are much different from what they were In those days. Note: This story is purely Imaginary and is based on no history or fable of the day. An 0ld Lady’s Christmas By Emma Bressman, 143l Emmet Street. Red Side. In a little red house far out in the woods lived a poor old lady, her name was Mrs. Brown. It was near Christmus time and the old lady was working hard to get enough money together to buy her & Christmas dinner. The children in the city all knew her. So one day the teacher at school said, “Children, let's all save up our money and put it together and we will buy Mrs. Brown a Christmas dinner. How may will do 1t?" “I will,” “T will,” shouted all the voices. 80 when Christmas eve came the chidren got together and bought her a turkey, cranberries, jelley, and all kinds of good things to eat, then they took them to her. She was very glad to get them, indeed. “I will tell you what 1 am going to do,” sald May, (a rich little girl) “I will invite her to come to my house and live when I go home. I will ask mother if I may.” 8o when May got home she sald to her mother: “Mamma, may I invite Mrs. Brown to live with us, shé is poor and she has to work so hard for a living."” ‘“Yes, May,” sald her mother. '‘You may take Rover with you and go over to her house right away.” So off May started with Rover on the run. *Mrs. Brown,” she sald, when she got in, “Mother and I wish you to come and stay with us.” “All right,” sald Mrs. Brown, “wait until I get my clothes wrapped up.' So, after a while Mrs. Brown, May and Rover started out for May's house. The next day was Christ- mas. Mrs. Brown had lots to eat and got many pretty presents. After that Mrs. Brown was never alone on Christmas day and always had a good time. Apostle By Annette Shultz, Aged 11 Years, Councll Bluffs. Red Bide. Apostle was the name of a little dog, but he had worked hard for the name. One day a woodcutter, who was of & rough nature, was cutting down & tree. He heard the howl of a dog and the crash of a tree. Turning around he saw a little dog, crying because his mother was killed by the falling tree. The woodcutter cared for nothing and he pald no attention to the little dog. He worked until dark and then started home. The little dog followed him, and the man, seeing it, kicked it and threw stones at it until it was out of sight. When he reached his cabin he made his supper and ate, He then noticed the dog on the porch. Then the woodeutter kicked the dog, and seeing it would not go away and thinking that he might have some use for it, gave it somethink to eat. A few years passed and the man became & shepherd and had many sheep. The dog watched over the sheep. One ddy the dog came home barking as loud as he could. The woodcutter got mad and scolded the dog, but the dog would not stop and the man made up his mind to go and see what ‘was the matter. The man followed the dog until they came to a deep pit. There in the pit lay a lamb which had fallen in. The Pinkey innocently counted over the cards she stiil had in her hands. ‘“Twelve,” she replied. “I have dellvered just half of them.” “Ah, 1 see,” sald Bristles. “Now, to spire you the cold, Pinkey, I will deltver the remaining invitations for you. You may run home—or go 1o visit some friend for a while. You see, it would take you 8 full hour to deliver all these cards, and you may have that hour to yourself, and I'll perform the errand for you. Oh, say nothing about it, Pinkey, when you return home, for you know your mistress might not like you to have the time for your- selt. Ladies are queer in that respect— they want every minute of i mald's time. 8o, run along, enjoy your hour, and say nothing about it to anyone, for I shall keep the secret.”” “Oh, my mistress is not in the least un- kind,” declared Pinkey. ‘“‘She gives me many, many lelsure hours, more than I reaily deserve, sir. But since you are good enough to deliver the remaining invitations for me, sir, I'll just run down to see my cousin at the other end of town. I'm very much obliged for your kindness, sir. And— I shill say nothing about not having done all the work myself—unless my mistress inquifes of me.” “That's & §ood girl,” sald Bristles, Then, invitations In his pocket, he ran down the street as fast as he could go. On reaching his own home he took the cards from his pocket and, with his mother beside him, looked them over. ‘Not a card for us, you mee,” he grinned, aftor they had read the names on the envelopes. “Ah, ha! So they've cut us. Well, the party will be & smaller one than they anticipated, for not one of these will reach Its destination.” And Bristles carried the cards to the open ) ,’ (i il grate to toss then Into the fire. he was about to do 80, his mother cried out: “Keep one of them, son, and we'll erase the name and substitute our own instead. Then, to the suprise of the Plgses, we'll go to the party. And they are too well-bred to deny us admittance. So we'll be at the party and many of those ex- pected will be absent; and offended, too, when they belleve they have been slighted.” “Mother, you're a schemer for fair,” de- clared Bristles. And he saved one of the cards from the flames and, with his mother's assistance, soon had it neatly ad- dressed to his parents, with his own name in parentheses below. '‘Ah, here we are,” he smiled wickedly. “Now we'll go In great’ style to the party. We'll go late so that all the other guests—the few who are lucky enough to get thelr Invitations—wiil have already assembled. Then our host and hostess cannot do anything except to be friently.” 80 the days flew on and the evening of the Pigs' party came, The news of it had reached the ears of those whose Invitations had been destroyed by Bristles and his wicked mother, and many marvelled at having been so slighted, for some of those who thought themselves excluded from the Pigs' party lst were the Plgs’ very warm- est friends, and they could not explain such a sight The twelve guests who had recelved thetr Invitation through Pinkey arrived at the hour named, and half an hour later the Long Talls rang the Pigs’ door bell. Pinkey admitted them. “Did you tell your mistress?’ whispered Bristles in the hall. Pinkey shook her head, then sald: “But I've been sorry ever since that I allowed you to take the Invitations, sir, for if, Just as “I'M DELIVERING THE INVITATIONS TO MASTER ENOUTY'S BIRTHDAY PARTY” SAID PINKEY, anything happened to any of them I'd be to blame.” But at the moment Mr. and Mrs. Plg stepped to the reception room door to greet the arriving guests, and you may belleve they were dumbfounded to see the Long Talls there. But, being well- bred hogs, they greeted the intruders clvily, though not cordially, and Mrs. Pig sald: “Do you know that we are entertain- ing in honor of Snouty this evening? It is his birthday.” The Long Tails mumbled something and sald they wished to pay thelr respects to Snouty and to wish him many happy re- turns. Then they pressed themselves into the reception room, bowing right and left to the guests assembled, pretending they were of them. Half an hour later Mrs. Plg went to the dining room to question Pinkey. “Say, Pinkey,” she said, “only half of the guests have arrived, and it's now an hour past the time for them to be here. And as I know them all to be prompt in keeping soclal engagements, I fear something must have happened. DId you dellver the invita- tions exactly as I told you to—in person? You did not trust any of them to the malls, did you? It seems very strange that only half of the guests oxpected have arrived. And, strangest of ali, the Long Talls are here, and they were not on the list of in- vited. I cannot make it cut.” Pinkey began to cry and hid her face. Oh, Mistress Pig." she walled, “T shouldn't have done it—I know I shouldn't. But at the timé it didn't seem wrong. But every day since It has been In my mind, and I have feared some harm might come of it." Then Pinkey told the story of the invita- tlons and how Bristles had got them into his own hands. Mrs. Pig called to her husband, who was made acquainted with the facts. He was 50 indignant that he could scarcely retain his composure. “Those people shall be shown up—and at once,” he cried. Then, accompanied by his irate wife, Mr, Pig walked boldly Into the midst of his as- sombled guests, and, with flashing eyes on the three Long Talls, he exposed thair mean trickery, sparing not a detail. *“And, now and madam, and also your son,’ he sald with biting s 'you will prob- ably find it convenlent to take your leave. Good night." And waved his arm towards the hall door, which the weeping Pinkey was holding open for the Intruders to pass through. After the Long Talls had departed Mr. Plg was busy at the telephone for some time, calling up the twelve guests who had, through trickery, been prevented from coming to the party. To each, in turn, he told the whole story, and all declared that, though the hour was late, they would dress and present themselves in due time. And #o they did, and soon the Pigs' spacious pariors were ringing with galety, conversa- tion and music, for the Long Talls had not succeeded in dolvg any harm except to themselves. But they would henceforth be ostracised in Corncob, and they fully de- served man sald, “What do I care if it fell down You do not expect me to go down and get it out. do you?' But the dog only barked until the man went and got it out A few months later the dog again came home barking and the man, knowing that something was the matter, followed the dog. They came to a cabin and they went in. The shepherd saw two little children #ick In bed and their sister walting on them. They had nothing to eat and the man went home and killed & lamb and gave it to them. When the man went home he called his dog 10 him and sald, "I will call you Apostle, for you have made me a good man,” How John Got the Prize By George Nicholson, Aged 13 Years, King Bee, Abbott, Neb. Red Side. Last Christmas a bpy named John a pair of skate for a present. He did know how to skate, and he asked his brother Charlle to show him how. So the next day John and Charlle went down to the pond. They each had a new pair of skates. Charlie helped John to put on his skates and then he showed John how to skate. John tried to skate, but he always fell down. After they had been skating for about two hours they went home and John told his mother that he could skats a little. The next day they went to the pond egaln, and when they went home that night John could skate a little better than the day before. After he had been skating for over a week he could skate as good as his brother Charlle. The next week there was going to be a prize given to the boy who could skate the fastest. John thought he would' try for the prize. And when the time came all the boys were there; they all got In line and then they started. They had to skate for half a mile. The first quarter of a mile John was the fourth, but he kept gaining, and when they had Kot to the winning place John was the first, so he got the prize. The prize was a nice voiume of books. When John got home he showed his mother the books and she was pleased he had won the prize, and John told his mother he was very glad he had learned to skate. The Ball By Ruth Rhodes, Aged § Years, Basin, Wyo. Red Side. One day Father Time sald to his wife, Mother Nature, “Lets give a ball for all of our children.” “All right,” sald Mother Nature. “Let's see. Our children are the Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Years, Months, Weeks, Days, Seasons, Vegetables, Flowers, Trees, Plants, Weeds, Bushes, Nature, Clouds, Snow, Dew, Hall, Sleet, Rain, Ice, Birds, Grass, Clover, Bees, Hills, Rivers, Rocks, and Jack Frost.” “How many children have we?™ “Thirty." “We will invite Miss Moon, Little Leaves, Mrs. Snowdrift, Mr. Snowman, Playful Little Lightning, Happy Little Sunbeam, Mr. Sunstroke, Old Mrs. Earth and Old Mr. Thunder.” “Let's have it from 7:3 o'clock until 9:15 o'clock.” “I'll go and write the invitations.” At 7:3 o'clock the next night the guests began to arrive. What a scene met thelr eyes. On every window were very wonderful pletures which Father Time's and Mother Nature's son, Jack Frost, had painted. Bosides, everything was very prettily decorated. They danced and danced, and finally the retreshments were served.’ They consisted of fce cream and cake, strawberries, pears, salad and sandwiches. After the refreshments were served they all went home saying that they had en- joyed themselves very much. Mary’'s Happiest Christmas By Dorothy Taylor, Aged 9 Years, Abbot, Neb. Biue Side. One Christmas a little girl named Mary was playing with her doll when her mother called her downstairs. Her mother! told her to go in the sitting room. When ghe went it there was a Christmas tree full of toys. She saw a doll, a stove and a doll bed and some candy. Her mother told her the things were for her, There were lots of other toys on the Christmas tree. She took her things upstairs and began playing with her doll, ,Again when she went down- stalrs her schoolmate was there. They played house a while and then took fhetr sleds and went to ride on them. When they went in the house Mary's mother had a lunch ready for the two girls. They had cake, apples, candy, nuts and oranges. ‘When they had finished their lunch they went out and bullt snow men. They knocked them down as soon as they built them. When they had built snow men an hour they got tired and went in the house and played with their dolls, when Mary's school mate went home. Mary said it was her happlest Christmas. got not Jean's Adventure By Jeannetta Schroeder, Aged 13 Tekamah, Neb. 'Blue Side, Jean was sitting In the library reading a book. Boon her mother called her to ccme downstairs and meet Mrs. Edwards, “Mammi called Jean, “I don't want to: T am Interested in this falry book.” Her mother didn't call to her again, but would take the book away from her when the company had gone. Soon Jean fell asleep. She dreamed that a little fairy came to her. He was dressed in a red silk sult. He sald, “Would you llke to come to a fairyland?' Jean was very much pleased, and they started at once. At the gate they got Into a carrlage drawn by two white horsep and rode away. They ‘were there In & very short time. Soon the ball commenced and they all began to dance. Many of them asked her, but they danced so funny that she couldn't, for they didn't dance llke the people she had seen. At last they had lunch, and in the midst of it her mother called, for the company had gone, and she wanted her to go on an errand for her. Her mother asked why she had talked back to her when company was there, Jean sald, “Oh, mamma, I've been in fairyland and all the little girls there are 8o nice, and I'm never going to talk back agaln, Eloise’s Dream of Fairyland By Rector Searls, Aged 13 Years, Ogalalla, Neb. Red Side. One day Eloise had been very naughty and her mother put her to bed without any supper. She cried herself to sleep. In her sleep she heard someone call her name twice. She sat up In bed and looked around. There was & bright light coming through the window and in the midst stood a beautiful fairy. She was dressed in silk, with gold, stiver and diamonds for trimmings. As soon as the fairy saw she was awake she sald, “Put on your best Years, (IOMMY tound it wasn’t quite So funny, after all, o.be a truant from the school That he might play snowball. For when his home that eve he reachea He found that Teacher had Communicated by the 'phone To his most irate Dad. And Dad was walting patiently, For Tommy at the doorj $ And after that young Tom declared He'd ne'er play truant more. ba dress and come with me” On the roof was a chariot drawn by two pure white swans. Into this they got and flew up into the sky past the stars and on to a palace. The palace was lighted with diamonds, but they looked like electria lights. They went through the gate inta & long hall Eloise sald, “I hear some girls whom I know singing.” The fairy took her into s beautiful room all decor- ated. There she met all the little girls she knew—Marie, Loulse, Dorothy, Ger- trude and all. She danced and had a good time till she heard some one say, “Hloise, what are you doing?” She opened her eyes and found herself standing by the bed trying to get her new dress on. Hen mother put her to bed. The next morning she told her dream to her mother and sald she would not be nuughty any more, A Rainy Day’s Occupation ! Helen Raver, Aged 11 Years, Tekamaly i Wob AR nlam ™ ™ “Oh, dear,” sighed Mablel, “I don’t know what to do/* “I know,” sald her mothen. *“Why not make a scrap book? When I was a little girl I used to make scrap books. You take thess old magazines and cut out pictures of chalrs, tables, and other things that would be suitable for a dining room.” “‘Oh, goody,” shouted Mable, “I'm so glad you thought of it.* Shée and her brother, John, sat down and began to cut out the pictures. Pretty soon Mable's sisten, Jean, came in. They told her about what they had been doing. She sent Mable down- town for a tablet, as it had quit raining, Mable ran all the way and was soon back with & tablet. Her sister tore out tha leaves and pasted them in an'old book. She took the pictures they had cut out and pasted them in & way just as if they had been real furniture and she put them in & real room. They cut out enough furniturg and Jean pasted in enough (0 make & twelve-room house. Then their father came in. Pretty soon the mother called that they Were to come at once to suppen They told her they hadjhad such & nice time that they bad hardly reslized if was suppen time, How Harry Got His Ohristmas Tree By Bruce Taylor, A 10 Years, it b i Ml Harry and his mother lived in the stats of Montana. His mother was very poor and he did not expect to have w Christmas tree. Not even & present. His mother could not afford anything for Christmas. Friday, the day before Christmas, he went down to the river to watch some boys skate. He could not join them for he had no skates. Just then he heard a a cry. One of the boys had gone past the danger post and fallen in. Harry dld not walt to consider what a risk he was running, but grabbed a pole and jumped after the drowning boy and with the help of the pole \he got the boy out. Then he went home and went to bed and next morning he ot up and there was a littls Christmas tree filled with toys. It was from the boy be had saved from drowning. So after all Harry got his Christmas tree and among the presents was & pair of skates, which he had long wished for, LD Groundhog took a little peep From the shelter where he'd been asleep; But when the sunlight struck his face - He crept right back to the dark pl “For,” quoth the fellow merri-ly, nc? “My shadow I don't wish to see™ ) A y 3