Newspaper Page Text
6
Fact and Fiction
Continued from the First Page.
'bout wus when I wus a shaver 'bout like John here. Me an'
sister an' brother were tucked in a wagon an' father an' mother
sat in the front seat.
"Next I 'member wus bein' waked up at a little cabin, cold
an' sleepy. I stood watchin' my uncle help mother out of the
sleigh, when uncle's horses took fright an" started, an' he kind
o' slung her out an' took to his heels after the horses. I saw
nothin' further of the runaway for we wus hustled inter the
house. The women talked an' laughed, an' us kids wus put
afore the fire to thaw out. Soon father came in, cryin' out, 'Got
a-nythin' good to eat?' 'Not unless you brought it,' says Aunt
Deborah. 'Then I'll go home,' says he. 'What's the use o' goin'
visitin' unless you git somethin' better'n common?' Then Uncle
Dick come. 'Did you stop the runaway?' everyone asked. 'You
bet,' says he. 'How's them oysters? I'm holler as a beech log.'
Tben we filed in to that Christmas dinner. After dinner pa
says, 'Come, get that fiddle, Dave; open that melodeon, Deb.'
Then came the jolly time. Uncle Dave struck into an old dance
tune an' my aunt came skippin' to father an' says, 'Come on,
ol' man.' 'I don't take no such stump as that,' says he an'
grabbed her an' went whirling away. Suddenly he sot down,
sayin', 'I'm too old,' and we stopped our laughin.' Uncle Dave
played on till father says, 'Look here, its time you youngsters
climbed the stairs.' We was put to bed on the floor an' slep'
like a 'bug in a rug' an' dreamed of Santa Claus, who never for
got our little cabin." —Nellie Shaw,
B Eighth Grade, 2211 Eighteenth Avenue S.
Vdams School.
It
The Winning of the Cap.
(Honorable Mention.)
A ring of little people encircled Uncle Jack as he began to tell
the story of how he made his first trip in a sailboat that at
tracted any public attention, for he is champion of Lake Fremont
now. Lake Fremont is three miles wide and five miles long and
has not a single island, bar or reef.
"In the first place," began Uncle Jack, "my father forbade
me to take his boat out because he did not think I was a good
enough sailor. But one day my cousin came to visit us and
induced me to take it out without father's consent. There were
several yachts out and we did not feel afraid. Soon it was evi
dent that a storm was brewing and all the others put in. We
were at the other end of the lake, but when we came about to
go back I saw something that made me change my mind about
landing at our place. It was my father waiting for us to return
and I knew he would punish me for going out against his wishes.
"I tried to get to a place half way down the lake, but when
we reached there it was too rough to land. Everybody was on
the beach watching us and all knew whom we were. We kept out
toward the middle of the lake because it was dangerous to go
near shore. It was anything but easy sailing out there, but we
stood it for two hours. During tha^ time the boat went like a
crazy thing, and came very near capsizing several times. After
we had been tossed about until we were more nearly dead than
alive we went home. Father did not punish me at all, but to
this day Ido not know why he didn't. The yacht club presented
me with this beautiful cup as a memorial of the occasion."
Then all the children crowded around him to see the cup,
although they had seen it many times before.
A Eighth Grade, —George S. Kearney,
Madison School. 2510 Fourth Avenue S.
If Sliced Sufficiently.
(Honorable Mention.)
One of Uncle Jack's stories? I believe I will tell you the last
one he told me. He was in Dakota with ray father and mother
to see if the climate was good for his health, as he wanted to
start farming, but wanted to find a healthy location before set
tling down. The house in which my father, mother and Uncle
Jack lived was made of logs and the roof and sides were plas
tered with mud to keep the wind out. It was on a Wednesday
morning, as Uncle Jack says, that he and my father started off
to a store five miles distant to get some groceries. My mother
was expecting company so she had cleaned the house and put
a white table cloth, which was quite a rarity, on the table. They
had been gone from the house about fifteen minutes when
it started to rain, not one that goes patter, patter, but one that
a person might call a genuine rain storm. Mother was just
taking bread out of the oven when she felt a splash on her
hand and on looking up to the ceiling to see where the rain was
coming from she saw that the rain was washing the mud down
through the roof. The table cloth was black instead of white
and the bread was changed to an entirely different color. Mother
put on her mackintosh and then stood in the most sheltered cor-
Minneapolis Topics.
For Saturday, May II:
"A. LUDICROUS SCENE."
This topic calls for a description of a scene that was
funny in itself without one's having to hear what pos
sibly might have been said to bring it about. Naturally,
this includes scenes in which animals had a part, as well
as one in which human beings were the central figures.
Be careful not to choose any scene'which bears upon a
happening . caused by any : physical affliction, sueh v as
blindness, lameness, etc. The papers must be in the hands
of the editor not later than
Tuesday Evening, May. 7,
At 5 o'clock. They must be strictly original, written in
ink, on one side only :of the paper, not more than 300
words in length, marked with the number of words and
signed with the grade, school, name and address of the
writer.7 The papers must not be rolled.
For Saturday, May 18:
"TOUR FAVORITE TRADE OR PROFESSION. WHY?"
- Imagine that you have to earn your own living In the
future, girls as well as boys. What trade or profession or
business would you engage in? .Why? .The Belgian hare
business is barred. • In answering the "why," state* some
thing more than the mere fact that you like whatever
your choice —that is, go deeper into the merits of the
question. The papers must be in the hands of the editor
not later than -^ V
Tuesday Evening, May 14,
At 5 o'clock. They must be strictly original, written in
ink, on one side only of the paper, not more "than 300
I words .in length, marked with the number of words: and
signed with the grade, school, name and address of the
writer. The papers must not be rolled./
THE JOURNAL JUNIOR, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1901.
ner she could find and waited for papa and Uncle Jack to come
home. Uncle Jack said it took him a month to shovel the mud
off the floor, but you need not believe that, for Uncle Jack al
ways exaggerates. This story is true, or at any rate, Uncle Jack
told it for a true story, so if you take a slice off both ends and
both sides you will have a true story.
A Sixth Grade, —Leslie Everett,
Lyndale School. 129 W Thirty-third Street
Dlshrvashlnp: Extraordinary.
"If you insist upon a story, I suppose I'll have to please you,"
said Uncle Jack, as he drew his chair nearer to the window. "It
was by the shore of a picturesque lake, bounded here and there
by a clump of woods, with a well trodden cow path leading to
the water. We were a set of lazy fellows, out for a few days'
camping and determined to have enough fun to last us until next
year. We made up our minds to do our work in the form of fun
and this is the way we did it: To wash our dishes we took them
down to the lake, the plates we sailed as far from the shore as
we could, and then we would swim for them; the cups we sunk
and then dove for them; the knives and forks we tr:3d to stick
into the bottom of the lake, and then pull them up between our
toes. The one securing the greatest amount of cutlery and
dishes was entitled to duck each of the rest of us three times
apiece. The one securing the least was treated rather roughly by
■ ■ ■ — - - ■ . -_t;:-^-. v -.-
Copyrighted
There was a little man and he had a little gun.
And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead;
He shot Johnny Sprig through the middle of his wig,
And knocked it right off his head, head, head.
(Find the policeman who arrested the little man.)
the whole crew in the line of kicks, duckings, pinches and hair
pulls, throwing sand at him, thus forcing him under the water,
and numerous other tortures. When wood was needed we got
together, and picking out as tall a tree as possible, we would
climb to a sufficient height to bend the trunk, and then we would
begin to swing until the tree came crashing to the ground, giving
an endless number of bumps and bruises to more or less of us.
In spite of this we fared well and, when packing time came, a
more crestfallen, brown, sunburned, scarred set of boys was
never seen. Of our dishes, but one cup was rescued from the
deep, one fork and spoon were spared and one ax head was left.
We had our fun, however, and if you ever go camping just try
our method and I assure you that you will have enough fun to
last you three or four seasons."
B Seventh Grade, —Philip Bourdeaux,
Whittier School. 2526 Pleasant Avenue.
A Kettle of Boiling Water.
"When I was a small boy, eleven years old," said Uncle Jack,
"our family moved from Ohio to the west, where then it was
very wHd and Indians roamed on the prairies. On winter nights
we could hear the howling of wolves and bears. One day father
and mother were called to take care of a sick neighbor, for
white people were few in the west at that time, so I was left in
care of the baby. I washed the dinner dishes, cleared the
kitchen, filled the kettle with water to boil for tea, rocked the
baby to sleep and then sat down to read. All at once I heard a
noise and in popped a shaggy bear, running for the cradle. I
knew that if he grabbed the baby he would kill him, so I seized
the kettle of boiling water and poured it over the beast, who went
out into the wood, howling with pain. Then I took great care
to bolt the door well. When father and mother came home
they called me a brave boy and I felt very proud."
A Fifth Grade, —Frances Moxley,
Hawthorne School. 2410 Lyndale Avenue N.
One evening as we were sitting around the fire after supper,
and papa and Uncle Jack were exchanging stories, we heard a
shrill whistle caused by the wind whistling down the chimney.
"That recalls to my mind," said Uncle Jack, "one night when I
and another man were boarding together. We were going on the
same journey, and as there were no railroads then, we boarded
a coach and started out. Just as it was about dark a horse cast
his shoe, so my companion and I started out afoot. After an
hour's walking we came to a cabin used by lumbermen. We im
mediately took possession of it and were just lying down to sleep
when we heard an unexpected whistling outside. We went out,
thinking to encounter some savage or monster, but the sound led
us up to the roof, and there in the chimney was a bullet hole,
and the noise was the wind blowing through it."
A Sixth Grade, " —Eugene Spencer,
Minnehaha School. Minnehaha Park.
"Oh," dear," cried Molly, "I can't learn my history lesson. It
gets all mixed up in my mind. Uncle Jack, you were in the bat
tle of Gettysburg. Tell us something about it."
"Well," laughed Uncle Jack. "You children, are almost a
bother, always asking for stories, but here goes. I was, as you
know, a confederate, and believed our 6lde was In the right I
was in Pickett's regiment and was with him on his famous
charge. We were Just resting after a long and wearisome march
when a man came up on a horse white with foam. He told us
PICTURE PUZZLE
In nn Unexpected Place.
By One "Who "Was There.
: that for two days Lee and Meade had had terrible fighting nea*
Gettysburg* and that-if reinforcements were sent Lee might win
; the day and we would be recognized by England and ' France ass
the Confederate States of America. Although tired and fatigued,
we all rose up eager to prove our superiority to the north. On.
the afternoon of July 3 we began our charge on the northern
breastworks. Ewell and his troops had gained foothold on Culp's
hill, but had lost it again. : Lee did not know of Ewell's retreat
-. and intended to let Pickett draw the attention '• of the northern
forces to the. center that he might attack the flanks and capture
them. Well, as you know, we were defeated and among others
I lay wounded. When I regained consciousness I was on a clean
. cot in a union camp, cared for by a careful doctor and a tender
_nurse. When I saw with what kindness I was cared for by an
enemy to our cause I made up my mind they knew what was best
for the south, union or secession.
A Eighth Grade," —Virginia Hanson, ~
Garfteld School. 1219 Twenty-second Street S.
•S
The "Watch-Bird" of Mexico. „
When my uncle came home from Mexico he told me of the
wonderful watch bird. We have never seen it here, but there are
a great many of them in South j America, Central America and :>
Mexico. This bird is about the size of a half-grown chicken. It
is very brilliant in color, of a glossy black with bright shades of
I violet. Around its neck it has a sort of violet down,
like velvet. It has beautiful great black eyes. This
bird is called the" agami. It has very long legs and
uses them most awkwardly. But if it is awkward,
it is as good as a watch dog, quite as intelligent
and about as smart. The agami always keeps good
_ order in " the farm yard, and sometimes it has a
whole flock of sheep or geese to look after. The hens
and pigeons have to step lively out of the garden ■
when he is around. Uncle' Jack says it is funny to
see the stupid sheep jostle each other as they obey
a bird not a tenth part as large nor as strong as
themselves. - —Julia Mondeng,
B Seventh Grade, 107 Main Street NE.
Sheridan School. '
With Dragon* and Giant*.
• ' My Uncle Jack told me a story which I am going
to tell you, about his search for the north pole. It .
was like this: When he was seeking for the north ■
pole he passed through great tunnels and in one of
them he found a dragon which was three-quarters of
a mile long and a foot and a half high. In these
tunnels, also, Jived the greatest giants in the world.
He said that when he went.fifty miles further he
came to a pond on which lived seahorses and sea -
devils and other sea roving animals and that as
soon as he got around one of them in the water the
rest formed a circle about him and spouted fire out
of their mouths and eyes. He told us a great tale .
and we listened until our interest in the north pole :
was gone and we were told it was time to go to bed.
I am glad I was not Uncle Jack.,
B Seventh Grade, —Harry Grafenstatt,;
Lyndale School. 3400 Blaisdell Avenue
•5 " -•' : • ■ "
SweetiieKS by the Barrel.
"Do tell us a story, Uncle Jack," said little May
in an appealing tone. "Yes," chimed in her brother
Ned, as he jumped off his faithful charger made
from an old barrel with broom sticks for legs, a
head made from a piece of wood shaped by Uncle
Jack and a beautiful tail consisting of six or seven
feathers pulled from mother's duster. "All right," answered Un
cle Jack, for he could not resist. "You, Ned, get my slippers and
May can get the foot stool." x The two children ran off and soon
returned with the required articles. : Uncle Jack began thus:
"When I was a little boy like Ned, your grandma had a barrel
. of sorghum which she kept in the pantry and once when she was
feeding the young chicks in the barn yard I stole softly into the
pantry to see if I could discover any goodies.- I climbed on top
of the barrel which held the sorghum and was about to seize a ■.-'•.
delicious pumpkin pie when, alas, the cover • went. in and I fell'
into the barrel. I screamed and in came mother. , She was very
angry at me, but she had to laugh on seeing me hanging over the
barrel and besmeared with sorghum. I was sent to bed until my
father home and then I was obliged to get in wood and do :
many other chores. But that, was-not all, for when my friend .
! came over she was sent home with the news that I had been bad .
.and could not go out to play." -
B Eighth Grade, —Daniel Mills,:"
Greeley School. 2744 Twelfth Avenue S.
Wolves on AH Side-.
;, My uncle was snoozing in his chair when I ran up to him and _
said, 'vUncle, won't' you please tell me a story about when you
went to the mountains for the government." Uncle, waking out of I
. his snooze, said, "Why, yes, -j will tell you about the day I was
hunting deer. I was in a dense forest and could not find the main,
road. .When I came to a ray of light which came through the
trees I heard a quick bark behind me, and lo and behold, my dear .
boy, I had fallen in the midst of a pack of wolves. 1. I quickened my"■
pace, but this was of no use. There was a branching oak before -
me. so I made a spring and began climbing Its trunk. Before I had
climbed seven feet the wolves were at the foot of the tree. I
stayed there all night, and by sunrise I saw some of the wolves '.*.
start away, and soon the rest followed. I then was at liberty. If
anybody ever, was scared, I was. I was attacked again that day
but did not have to stay in a tree very long.; I reached camp at
10 ; o'clock that night j and told •my story to , the surprised party. |
; Now, my dear boy, I think I had a pretty hard time of it, don't
you?" ■-"- ■■■-■ Z-'*:- —George Cook, ■
A Fifth Grade, - '_ 837 Fifteenth Avenue S.
._-". Adams School. -„ * ..
•I
An Expensive Stroll.
''Come here," said Uncle Jack to me one night. .1 did so and
he said, "Would : you like to have me tell you a story?" I said •
"Yes," so he began: "One time when I was a boy of eight I got i;.
Into serious trouble. ', My. sister was one year.younger than I and
■ neither of us went to school. One day we thought we would take
a walk (we lived -in" the.country), so we walked till we came "-f
to the forest. ; W-e went :in and soon my sister screamed, 'Oh, ..
Jack, what is that?' I looked and there was a silver fox [ (at least
I thought it was). . I wanted to kill him and take him home /"
and as I had a rifle 'along I fired and my silver fox fell dead. I
carried ■ him; home, but, alas, when I ■ reached there I \ found - out. x
that I had killed a valuable dog belonging to a neighbor. Father
' was very angry with me, for It cost him a great deal of money to
pay for the dog. v For punishment my father took away my rifle, :
which I loved as a friend, and did not give it back for a number
of years." P*?!® * ' May J. Busch, .;
A Sixth Grade, . 2616 Twenty-ninth Avenue S. r
.' Longfellow School. -. '- v \
' •?
P' Still Harder Getting: Down. /•_ .^
•'Will you tell as a story, uncle?" said two eager little voices. :
"I guesa I can tell oa& When I was up near Lake Superior last
