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VOL. 8 NO. 9
The Courier Junior
Published by
THE COURIER PRINTING CO.,
OTTUMWA, IOWA.
MATILDA DEVEREAUX.
EDITOR.
THE PRIZE WINNERS.
Dear Juniors: The contest closing
this Week has not been as successful
as we would wish it to be. The Jun
iors writing have done some excellent
work, but the number of participants
has been too small. However, seven
Juniors will each receive a
first prize and their biographies of
some of Iowa's great men wlll» appear
under the head of Junior stories. We
had only intended to give three prlze^
but each of the Juniors whose names
appear below did such excellent work
that we feel it is our duty as well as
our pleasure to reward them:
WINIFRED HUNTER.
ALLEN DOUD.
RETTA RUARK.
BERTHA HALFERTY.
THELMA DAVIDSON.
LOUISE BRIGGS.
FOREST WEBER.
THE POSTAL CONTEST.
The postal contest will not close
until Thursday, Oct. 3 consequently
we will publish the rules again which
are as follows:
We want all JunlorB who have re
ceived postalB during the past yeir
to write a little story about the kind
of postals they have received. We
are sure that you all can write some
beautiful stories by simply taking
your postals and finding out a little
history about the places, they repre
sent. For instance, some might pre
tend that'they are taking a trip and
going from one place to another
weaving a beautiful little story as
you travel, or some of the Juniors
might take for. their subject, "What 1
saw on a postal Trip." As a reward
for your efforts we will give six sou
venir albums to the six best stories,
three "to the Dally Juniors and three
to the Tri-Weekly Juniors, writing at
once, because the- contest will close
Thursday, Oct. 3. Also tell the num
ber of postals you' have received.
We will also send a souvenir album
to the first Junior iyho has twenty
five cards sent by the Courier Junior.
We want more receipts but the Jun
iors must send only one receipt at a
timp. Each receipt must, be accom
panied by a little story or letter and
must be written on a separate piece
of paper. We have caught up with our
receipts' now so the Juniors sending
in new ones, will have them published
-.at once
THE NEXT CONTEST.
Next -£eek we .will annuonce a splen
did contest, one that' we are sure all
the Juniors will enjoy. It will be what
we call a real "live" -contest.
THE WAY THEY USED TO DO.
Sometimes when I come In at night
And take my shoes off at the stair,
I hear my pop turn on the light
And holler: "William, are you
there?"
And t'ner%he says: "You go to bed—
I knew that stealthy step was you."
And I asked how and then he said,
'"Cause that's the way I used to do"
Sometimes .when I come home at six
O'clock and hurry up .my chores,
And get a big armiul of sticks
Of wood and bring it all indoors,
My pop he comes' and feels my head
And. says:. .'.'You've been in swim
min—you!
When I asked.how .he knew, he said:
"'Cause that's the way I used to do''
Sometimes. before a circus comes,
When I'm as willing as can be
To dp.njy .phpres and all my chums
They take turns at helping me,
My pop, he pats 'em on the head
And says: "You like a circus, too?"
When I asked how he knew, he said:
"'Cause that's the way I used to do"'
And lots of times when he gets mad
Enough to whip me and declares
He never saw another lad
Like I am—well, at last he spares
Me from a whipping and he layB
His rawhide down: "I can't whip
you
For that although.I should," be says,
'"Cause that's the way I used to do"
J. W. Foley.
JUNIOR STORIES.
SENATOR ALLISON.
Senator Allison, Republican, of
Dubuque, was born at Perry, Ohio,
March 2, 1829, was educated at tha
Western Reserve College, Ohio stud
led law and practiced in Ohio until
he removed to Iowa in 1857, served
on the staff of governor of Iowa, an
nided in organizing volunteers in the
beginning of the war suppression of
Hie rebellion was elected a represen
tative in the Thirty-eight, Thirty
ninth, Fortieth and Forty-first Con
presses, and was elected to the Unit
ed States Senate, to succeed James
Harlan,'republican took his seat
March 4, 1873, and was re-elected in
1878. 1884. 1890, 1896, and 1902. His
term of service will expire March 3,
1909.
I will close for this time.
Yours truly,
Winifred Hunter, age 10.
R. F. D. No. 1. Blakesburg, Iowa.
HON. WILLIAM B. ALLISON.
Born at Perry, Ohio,. March 2, 1829
educated at Western Reserved College
admitted to bar in Ohio moved to
Iowa 1857 served on Governor's staff
during war. elected as republican
38th, 39th, 40th and 41st Congresses
elected to United States Senate 1872
re-elected-1878, 1884, and 1890 and so
on one of the oldest, ablest and most
respected Senators chairman of Com
mittees on Engrossed Bills, Finance
and Canadian Relations. If he llvw
Untl March 2, 1908, he wll be 79 yearfi
old.
Retta Ruark, age 10,
R. F. D. No. 3. Farmlngton, Iowa
8ENATOR ALLISON.
Senator Allison has been U. S.
Senator longer than any other man.
He has been Senator ever since the
year of 1873. Senator Allison wp.s
born In the*year of 1829, in the state
of Ohio. He was a graduate of tb.a
Western Reserve College. His voca
tion was a lawyer and stateman.
Senator Allison's place of residence
Is Dubuque, Iowa.
A Senator's salary is $5,000 a year.
His present term of office expires
March 4, 1909.
Allison is one of Iowa's oldest men
In the U. S. Senate.
I hope he will be re-elected. Hur
rah for Allison!
Bertha Halferty,
R. F. D. No. 3. Birmingham, Iowa
SENATOR ALLISON.
Senator Allison is an American
statesman. He was born in Ohio 'n
1829. He went to Iowa and was on
the governor's staff helping enlist
volunteers on the out-break of the
war. He has been a representative or
senator in Congress since 1862, ex
cept-from 1871-1873 when he declined
an election.
Yours truly,
Thelma Davidson, age 12,
123 N. Marion St. Ottumwa, Iowa
MAJOR JOHN F. LACEY.
Major John F. Lacey is a resident
of Oskaloosa, Iowa. He served -s
Congressman In our district the 6th
for sixteen years with great distinc
tion. He was a soldier In the Civil
War ,and was a member of the 33rd
Iowa regiment of which my Grandpa
Evans was also a member, and they
were comrades and life-long friends.
While in camp he kept up with his
law reading. When he returned home
he resumed his studies and became a
leading lawyer in Oskaloosa.
He is a fine orator, speaks with
great clearness and makes friends
with everyone.
He has a beautiful home and Is de
voted to his family, which consists of
his wife and two daughters.
While in Congress he was known
as the "Old Soldiers' Friend."
He is being talked of now as candi
date for Governor and we hope to
see the day when it will be "Governor
John F. Lacey of Iowa."
Louise Brlggs, age 13,.
419 Center Ave. Ottumwa, lowd
MAJOR LACEY.
Major Lacey's home Is In Oskaloosa
Iowa. It has been his home for a
good many years. Mamma said Lacey
lived there when she was a little
girl. He was in the coal mining busi
ness. He served in Congress more
years than any one man ever served.
He is going to run for governor If
nominated. He was in Ottumwa
few days ago on business. He is
getting to be quite an old njan. His
hair is white. He is a medium
sized man. He may be Iowa's next
Governor.
Forest Weber,
1305 E. Main St. Ottumwa, Iowa.
GOVERNOR CUMMINS.
Governor Cummins Is our governor
of Iowa. He is at Des Moines. He Is
a republican. He has been elected
several times. My papa is a republi
can, so I am. I have not written for
two or three weeks because I have
been working. I am very sorj-y.
Yours truly,
Alden Doud, age. 10,
Doud6-Leando,. Iowa.
PATTY ^ND HER PET.
"All right mum, then I will come
for the lamb tonight."
Patty heard the words and lcoked
quite frightened. "He shall not hav*
the lamb tonight," she said to her
self, and ran out of doors into the
yard. A little lamb with a piece of
ribbon around its neck ran to meot
her. Sho called to it, and let it out
of the yard, and across the Held.
On the other side of the field there
were some farm buildings no longer
in use. patty found a warm sheltered
corner in one of the yards and spread
lng some straw, lay down with the
lamb in her arms. "There, beauty,''
she said, "we will stay here till the
cruel man has gone. He shall not have
you." Presently Patty fell asleep and
when she awoke it seemed such a
long time since she left home that
she thought she must have been out
all night. "Come, lamb," she said,
"it will be safe now, and we can go
home."
When she reached home she was
very much surprised to find that she
had been away only a few hours.
"When must my lamb go?" said
Patty to her mother. "Your lamb
nobody said anything about your
lamb going. Farmer Jones is com
ing for another lamb."
Lucenda Wllkins, age 12,
R. F. D. No. 2. North English, Iowa.
MAY'S FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL.
When May was five years old shoi
started to school. The first day she
went with her friend, Alice Brown.
When they got to school the bell
rung and May went to her seat.and
was very quiet. It was not long till
May's class was called but she would
hot go and recite.
When it was time to play May
would not play with the other chil
dren. Nor she would not recite that
day.
Yburs truly,
Grade Ellen Rupe, age 4,
A STORY ABOUT TWO TWINS.
Once there were twin boys who
had thought of going out on a long
journey. One of the boys name's is
Charley and the other one Harley.
What one did the other one did the
same thing. They had been thinking
for quite a while what to do. So one
of them said, "Let's go out in the
woods and pick berries. This is what
they decided on doing. They had
started out and had taken the wrong
road and got lost. Wnen all at once
they heard a noise. They looked up
and saw a big ugly black bear com
ing towards them. When they saw it
they screamed for help but no one
came. So they climbed to the top of
a tree and watched to see where the
bear went and when they saw It go
into a thicket they climbed down and
were soon home. When Old Rover,
the dog, came running to meet them
when they got home they told the
story to their mother. They never
went to pick berries after that.
I remain your Junior friend,
Ethel Miller,
THE BUSH RANGERS.
"Halt," commanded I as I sent my
little party of bush rangers made up
of about eight young men by the
names of Ray Sexton, Jess Brant,
Bill Matox, Bill Man, Vernon Potters,
Rud Vanbram, Frank Holenbeak and
myself stepped from behind a large
rock in the Big Thompson Canon.
We had been quiet for about Mx
weeks and got tired of loafing so we
planned a robbery.
"Stop, or I'll shoot ye whare ye
set. Get down, Jim (Jim was the
driver of a stage coacli betwlst Love
land and Estees and had a load
Jacob A. Johnson, age 11,
Box 189. Loveland, Colo.
THE ESKIMAS.
Eskimoe children dress the same
as older ones They make their houses
of blocks of ice, and stone. Thny
like to catch se«l.
In winter the loads are carried on
sledges and an* pulled by rlofts white
the master, who wears large snow
shoes, runs alongside. He wears these
shoes so he will not sink in the de-sp
..snow.
Their houses are covered with snow
the doors are small holes at the bot
tom of the house, big enough to get
into the house. The shape of the
houses are low dome shaped.
The Eskimo lives in a very cold
country in Canada. I guess I will
close and write my receipt.
OTTUMWA IOWA
rf
millionaires who war going to the
Estees Park country on a bar hunt,)
get down and open the door, I com
mand ye, or set take the consequence"
Then a well dressed young man of
about 25 years stepped down from the
driver's seat and opened the door.
"Get out o' there and hold up yer'
hands, every mother's son o' ye and
the first one who puts his hands down
gets a lead pill, do ye hear me
speel."
So they all stepped out with their
hands high in the air. "Frank," 1
commanded, "ye and the gang search
them tender feet do ye hear me talk
in," and Frank nodded "yes, sir."
"Well ye'd better if ye know wh^n
ye are healthy." "Well, ye want to
look out who ye are bosen," was the
reply from Frank.
That taade me madder than a hor
-,-t so I ordered Jess and Ray *o
bir Iifs hands and tie him to a tree.
"Yes sir, we'll due it your honorable
honory," and just as they were going
to bind him, bang went Frank's
shooter and Jim Hickman, the driver,
fell with a yell to the eartn. "What's
the matter with ye.' I said to Frank.
"Well," sa'd Frank, "did ye think 1
wanted to se ye picked off. Well, I
guess not. He war jest takin' a bead
on ye and I dropped him a line."
"Wait." I said to Roy and Jes.i,
"Wait, don't tie him. he saved my life
sure as snakes." Then all at once
we heard the sound of galloping hoofs
and into view came Co. G. calvary so
we jumped onto our horses and—
skldoo.
Earl Curtis, age 10,
Chilllcothe, Iowa.
MAY'S FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL.
1
When May was five years old she
started to school: The first day she
went with her friend. Alice Brown.
When they got to school the be'l
rang ml Mav went to t.er seat ar.l
was very quiet. It was not long till
May's class was called but she would
not go and recite.
When it was time to play May
would not play with the other chil
dren. Nor she woui not incite that
day.
Yours truly,
Gracie Ellen Rupe, age 4,
MAC'S PUPS.
I thought I would write about my
pups. I have an even dozen dogs,
the old one and eleven pups.
There are nine black ones and two
brown ones. Their mother is trained
ed to do many tricks sit up,- jump
through a hoop over a stick, shake
hands, speak, huK you and then some
The mother dog is only two years
old and the pups two weeks.
All of the pups together weight
twenty-four pounds and one pup by
its self weights 4 pounds. I have them
all named.
They were .two weeks old before
they had their eyes oren and we
thought they were blind until our
milk woman told us to bathe them In
warm wat.her and Blanche Varner
and my sister bathed their eyes In
warm water.
My pup's name is going to be Mac
Jr. and he is the four pounder.
Well, as mv letter is getting long. I
will close. Thia it the first time 1
have writtaa.
Yours truly,
Wm. H. Phlnney,
Albia, Iowa.
I •••••'I1I'Mg
JUNIOR LETTEP9.
Dear Editor.—I was very much sur
prised to receive that pretty postal
and I thank you very much for it. I
like to read the letters and stories
In the Junior page.
Again thanking you for the postal, 1
will close and write a receipt.
Yours respectfully,
Agnes Crawford, age 10.
Dear Editor.—I received my post
cards and my souvenir Sunday at 10 a.
m. I think they .are nice. I thank yon
for them.
Monday, August 26, was my birth
day. I was ten years old. I received
many presents.
Our school began September 2. I
am in the fourth grade. My teacher's
name is Sister Bernadette.
I will close for this time, wishing
the Juniors success.
Your friend,
Frances, Norton, age 10,
Melrose, Iowa.
Dear Juniors.—I received the souve
nir card last night. I thank you very
very much..
I am glad to eee that your paper
is more interesting each week.
I am in the seventh grade at school.
Your Junior,
Alice Lea, age 12,
Albia, Iowa.
Dear Editor and Juniors.—As I
haven't written for a long time I
thought I would write. I received my
post card Bome time ago and think It
pretty. I like to read the Junior
letters. I go £o the Rosser school. I
would like to receive a post card
from some of the Juniors. I am a
Tri-Weekly Junior. I am trying to
get a post card album. I have three
brothers and one sister.
Well, as my letter is getting long,
I will close, wishing the Junior suc
cess. I remain your friend,
Malfra Lasley, age 11,
Selma, Iowa.
Dear Editor and Juniors.—As I have
written once before and saw my letter
in print I thought that I would write
again.
Our school began the ninth of Sep
tember.
I received my postal card and 1
think it is very nice. I thank you
very much for it.
I will close and write a receipt.
From your Junior friend,
Nellie Johnson,
R. F. D. No. 1, box 13. Frederic, Iowa.
Dear Courier Juniors.—I have
never written before. I thought I
would write while I have time. I have
been wanting to write a long time. I
like to read the Junior letters very
much. I have one pet. It is a dog.
Her name Is Beauty. She is white
and very pretty and nice. I am a
Tri-Weekly Junior. My papa likes the
Courier very much. Papa only has
one horse. She is bay. Her name
is Maud. I take a horse back ride
on her often. She is blind. I have
three sisters and one brother. My
sister's names are Mildred, Jennie and
Lela. My brother's name is Robert.
Lela is married. She has a little girl
three months old. Her name is
EJvelyns
Laura Kellar. age 9,
R. F. D. No. 3. Chariton, Iowa.
Dear Editor.—I have never written
to the Courier Junior before. My papa
takes the Ottumwa Tri-Weekly Cour
ier. I think the stories and letters
are very interesting.
My teacher's name is Miss
Stuck. Hoping to see this in print I
will close.
Yours truly.
Vera Patterson, age 13,
SIgourney, Iowa.
Dear Editor.—I will write you a
letter as I have never written before.
I am nine years old. My birthday 3
July 25. I live in town but I rather
live in the country.
Our school was out two weeks ago.
Some of my f-'"nds was writing
and I thought I wrrld write.
I will close,
Yours truly,
Cecil Bradford.
801 W. Broadway. Fairfield, Iowa
Dear Editor.—I will write you a
letter as I haven't written before. I
have read other letters in the paner.
I am at my friend's house today,
writing my letter.'
I will close and write a candy re
ceipt and hope to receive a souvenir.
Yours truly,
Goldie Anderson,
Birmingham, Iowa.
Dear Editor.—As I have never writ
ten before I thought I would write.
I have a little sister. Her name
is Weltha. My school was out the
third day of May. I have had a good
time during the vacation.
As my letter Is getting long, I will
close, hoping to see this in print.
Yours truly,
Lester Barthelow, age 8,
Milton. Iowa.
Dear Editor.—I am a little girl 7
years old. I have written to the
Courier Junior before. I thought I
would write again and thank you for
that lovely souvenir card you sent me.
I live with my grandma and grandpa
and they take the Courier and I love
to read the Junior page. I think the
Juniors write such nice letters.
Well, as my letter Is getting long,
I will close and write a receipt.
Your little Junior,
Beulah Bond,
R. F. D. No. 2. Richland, Iowa.
-Dear Editor.-1—I have never written
t'j tin? Junior Idfore 1 am a
N"
is£5Ls«i
1907.
li'-le girl nln-i terrs o"d. 1 Im-"5 fur
brothers. We have a big dog. Hla
name is Rover, and four little gray
kittens. I have a little pet banty.
She Is not much bigger than a quail.
I attend Sunday school every Sunday.
My Sunday school teacher's name is
Mrs. Sellers.
My papa is the Superintendent of
the Sunday school.
I will close for this time, wishing
the Junior much success.
Eulala Ream,
R. F. D. No. 3. Chariton, la.
Dear Editor.—I am a little girl 11
years old. I have written to the
Courier Junior before. I have 3 cats
and two chickens for pets.
My birthday was May 10 and papa
got me an organ.
We had the measles this spring and
had to stay out of school the last
week. I was promoted to the 5th
room. There are only siy rooms In
our school. My teacher for next year
is Miss Meredith.
I will close and write my receipt.
May Wiley,
Box 222. Keosauqua, Iowa.
Dear Editor.—As I have written
onec before and saw my letter in
print I will write again. I received
my postal and flower seeds and was
glad to get them. I thank you very
much. I hope to receive a postal for
thia.
I will close as my letter is getting
long.
Yours truly,
Helen Halferty,
R. F. D. No. 3. Birmingham, Iowa.
Dear Editor.—I will write you a
letter now. When our school was out
we had a picnic and a program.
There were lots of folks there. I
recited a piece and ^vas in several
dialogues. My sister and two of my
friends are writtlng.
I received my Teddy bear and a
postal card from you.
I will -close.
Yours truly,
Bertha Halfert-y.
R. F. D. No. 3 Birmingham, Iowa
JUNIOR RECEIPTS.
JELLY ROLL.
Three eggs beat to a high froth, one
cup of sugar, three tablespoonfuls of
water, one cup of flour, two heaping
teaspconfuls of baking powder. Flavor
to taste.
Ethel Miller.
PUFFED RICE CANDY.
One cup of sorghum boil twenty
minutes, spread puffed rice over plate
and pour candy over. Set away to
cool.
Cecil Bradford.
801 W. Broadway. Fairfield, Iowa
TEA CAKE.
One cup sugar, one cup sour
cream, one egg, one teaspoonful soda,
flour for' rather thick batter.
Bertha Halferty.
R. F. D. No. 3 Birmingham, Iowa
CREAM CANDY.
Two cups of sugar, one-half cup of
water, one-half cup of vinegar, a
piece of butter the size of a walnut.
Boil over a hot fire without stirring
until when dropped in water it
hardens. Just before taking from
stove add one teaspoonful of desired
flavoring and a piece of cream of tar
tar the size of a pea. When cold
enough to handle butter hands and
pull until white.
Goldie Anderson,
Birmingham, Iowa.
PULLED CREAM CANDY.
Two cups sugar, one-half cup hot
water, one-fourth teaspoonful cream
of tartar or tablespoonful vinegar,
piece of butter size of a walnut, cook
until it forms a ball (not too hard)
when dropped in cold water flavor
and pour on buttered pan to cool pull
until it creams.
NO NAME.
RI"PE TOMOTO CATSUP.
One-half bushel ripe tomatoes, two
whole nutmegs grated, four table
spoonfuls salt, one-half teaspoonful
cinnamon, three tablespoonfuls black
pepper, one of ginger, one cup of
sugar, one-half gallon vinegar, one
teaspoonful red pepper, and onions to
suit.
Margaret Sunley. age 9,
3323 Rutger St. St. Louis, Mo.
COFFEE CAKES.
Two cups of brown sugar, one cup
of butter, one cup of strong coffee,
two eggs, one teaspoonful soda, two
teaspoonfuls cinnamon, one pound
currents, one poung raisins, three
cups flour.
May Wiley,
Keosauqua, Iowa.
CHOCOLATE CREAMS.
Roll some of the fondant in to
small balls and press these flat be
tween two English walnuts. Melt a
cake of chocolate in basin of hot
water for covering of the candy with
chocolate. Take candy one at time
on a tooth pick and pour the melted
chocolate over them with a teaspoo.i
wheri well covered slip on oil paper.
Ethel Meier, age 10.
107 Iowa Ottumwa, Iowa.
FINE COOKIES.
Two eggs, one cup of sugar, one
half cup of butter, two tablespoonfuls
of sweet milk, two tablespoonfuls of
baking powder, flour enough to stiffen
Mix soft and flavor with vanilla.
Hazel Molgard, age 9,
Box 148. Bonaparte, Iowa.
SNOW PUDDING.
Take one bottle of white gelatine
put one pint of cold water on it and
let it stand thirty minutes, then pour
one pint of boiling water on it and
add one and one half cups of sugar,
one teaspoonful of lemon extract, and
put in a dish to cool beat the whites
of five eggs to a stiff froth and beat
in the gelatine and then set to cool
again, then eat with cream over it
as a desert.
Elsie Terril, age 15,
R. F. D, No. 2. Russell, Iowa.
LEMON PIE.
Line two deep tin pie plates with a
paste rolled very thin, set in a cool
place until the filling is made. Beat
to a froth three small teacupfuls of
sugar, the outside of the rind and the
juice of three lemons, and the yolks
of six eggs, then beat the whites to
a very stiff froth and stir into the
sugar and other ingredients, adding
three tablespoonfuls of milk. Fill
the two plates with this mixture and
bake In a moderate oven forty five
minutes. Thorough beating of the
mixture and the slow baking are
absolutely necessary to the success
of the dish.
NO NAME.
MOLASSES CANDY.
Take one cup of molasses, two
cups of sugar, one teaspoonful of
vinegar set over a hot firej»when :t
comes to a boil let it cook for flv?
minutes then put in one tablespoonful
of butter, flavoring and one third tea
spoonful of soda then pull until
white.
Edna Lewis,
P. O. Box 113. Avery, Iowa.
HONEY CANDY.
Take one pint of white sugar with
wate renough to dissolve it, and four
tablespoonfuls of honey. Boll until it
becomes brittle on being dropped in
cold water. Pour off into buttered
pans to cool.
Your friend,
Elenora Molgard, age 11,
Box 148. Bonaparte, Iowa.
QUAINTED WITH FEAR.
Teddle, 12 years old and as brave
as the proverbial lion, was out camp
ing with several of his young friends
when the conversation turned tone
evening on the subject of fear.
"I'm afraid of wild bulls and mad
dogs," declared Fred, sitting close to
the camp flre. "But I don't believe
there's anything else could make me
run. If there is, I've never seen it,
I ain't."
"Well. I'm afraid of lightning,
earthquakes, and old Satan," admitted
Jim, another young camper who was
usually held above such silly feelings
of fear. "But I'm not much afraid of
natural things—I ain't. Of course,
you have no
Bhow
when the light
ning or an earthquake gets busy. And
old Satan is about as dangerous. But
Ican't see how anyone can be afraid
of little things such as wild animals
or—or ghosts, fer instance."
"Well, that'B because you've never
seen a ghost," put in Paul, a red-head
ed little chap of cowardly Instinct. It
was known by all the boys of Paul's
acquaintance that he would run from
a strange dog and if he heard an owl
hoot at night he'd be for getting
home as quickly as his little legs
could carry him, declaring he had
heard a spook in the woods.
Teddle smiled, straightened up with
dignity, looked about on the flr«
Hghted countenances of his comrades
and said with a most superior air.
"Gee, kids, it must be awful' to feel
afraid of any ole thing. I'm not
afraid of anything—not even Mlsn
Hardcross. I ain't." (Miss Hardcross
was Teddle's school teacher and she
ruled her pupils with a rod of Iron
"Fact is, I may say I ain't afraid of—
nothln'"
Fred, Jim and Paul looked with ad
miration on Teddle, but Jack, a slim
sharp-nosed little chap, who never
had much to say, merely whistled the
tune to the words, "Oh, I don't know."
Then grinning from ear to ear, he re
marked quietly: "Well, there ain't
nothln—except grub—that I'm not
afraid of. I'm afraid of wild bulls,
mad dogs, lightning, earthquakes, old
Satan and Miss Hardcross. An' I'm
most afraid of erhosts an' spooks. Fact
is, while all you fellers was sleep
in' last night I heard the strangest
noise right over the tent. I guess It
must a' bin a spook in that big tree
—right on that limb that hangs over
Ted's head."
Ted. with the agility of a cat sprang
from beneath the tree limb designated
by Jack, to the great amusement of
his companions. With a blushing
face, he declared he was not afraid of
any snooks "what might be in the
tree but he just wanted to get out
where he could look up into the tree
and see it if it was there."
"Oh, you couldn't see it if it was
half as big as our barn," declared
Paul, hugging close to the tent with
a view of creeping under cover should
any unearthly noise be heard from the
now terrible tree. "A ghost or spook
never does let itself be seen so close
by. And they nearly always come
out at you when there's no light an'
nobody near you to help you if you
cry out for help."
"An' early this mornin' I felt the
ground tremble," declared Jack, the
self-confessed coward. "I guess we
come pretty near to being destroyed
like San Francisco was. Didn't any
of you fellers feel the shake?"
All shook their heads and Teddle,
the brave, remarked: "I guess it was
just a cowardly feqlin' of fear that
made you 'magine you felt the ground
shake. Didn't you also hear a mad
dog snarl an' snap?" And Teddle.
with a knowing wink at Fred, Jim and
Paul, looked with pitying glance at
Jack whom he thought a most shame
less coward—to confess bis fear.
"W'y, nope, I didn't hear a mad dog
snap nor a wild bull roar. Nor neither
^y,
2 tor
,V
NOTICE. cMv-i,^"
All letters for ^iis department must
be addressed:
"Courier Junior,"
"Ottumwa,
"Iowa.*"
FOB THE OILlLiDTJEN.
did I hear Miss Hardcross' voice sp
In': 'Boys In the A class will remaV
in after school. I've some business
settle with 'em.' But I did feel
tremble right under me, an' I dv
hear a most blood-curdling noise
in the tree, just as I've tole you."
Somehow, after that the convers®
tio nlagged and the boys ke$|
strained ears for sounds and widt
watchful eyes for sights. But bed time
came without any cause for alarn
even to Jack, the self-confesses
coward.
The camp-fire—which was not at all"
necessary save for light—was care
fully put out. Then the boys crepl
inside their tent and got into bed
But sleep did not come to their eyes
for some time, although they re
frained from conversation. Ever
little while Jack would ask, in a lo
tone: "Everybody asleep?" And af|
a while he received no response
his question and knew that all we
safe in the land of Nod. Then II,
slipped cautiously from the tent, tak
ing something sJft and white in
arms. He. was absent from the te?,
some Ave minutes when he returnfl
and again crept into bed. After lyinf5
there a minute or two he nudge
Paul, the boy nearest to him and whis
pered hoarsely: "What's that?"
Paul was soon wide awake and in il
trembling voice whispered: "Did yoijf
hear something queer, Jack?" .?{'
"Gee, yes. Didn't you?" Jack return^
ed, speaking rather loudly.
"What's the rumpus?" asked Fred
rousing from slumber.
.'Ut's Paul's spook," said Jacltl
"Didn't you hear that strange noise?'"1
And now all the boys were awake
and sitting up in bed, but the dark
ness of the little tent was not con
ductive eo bravery. "Say," whispered
Paul, holding tightly .to Teddle's \arm
—Teddle being the one fearless Mjoy
of the camping party—"do you thnolv
it—it—will try to come in here
us? It sure is a "spook—a real
cave spook as I've heard about
thfok
after\
al bis Y'
it
For a wonder Teddie did not speak
but sat very still, no doubt wishing
just at the moment that he had nol
made such boasts of bravery in tha,
evening before retiring. Just now
he felt a .cold shivering sensation,
and also wished he were in his own
room at home where danger never
truded.
"Say, so long as Ted ain't afraid
of nothin', s'pose we appoint him a
committee of one to go outside an' in-,
vestigate," suggested Jack, the only
boy who seemed possessed of his
natural voice.
"Yep, Ted, you swear that you
ain't afraid of nothln',- so' why dota'l
you go out and
jn,'«
ten
ia
Bee
what the mattei
is?" said Fred.
"Why don't you go yourself?" re
turned Teddie. "We all know it ain't
a wild bull nor a mad dog, neither.
And you say you tain't afraid of any
thing else bull wild bulls and mad
dogs"
"How do you know it lsnt a
bull?"' asked Fred. "Did you
the noise? I didn't."
"Nope, I haven't heard- anything!
confessed Teddie.
"Neither did I" cried Jim, speaking
for the first time.
"Then you go, Jim," suggested
Paul. "You ain't afraid of anything
except lightning, earthquakes and old
Satan. And we're all shore it ain't
either one of them."
"Well, the ways of Satan are
strange," said Jim, "and how do we
know it isn't tliat old fellow? Nope,
I don't want to run into the hands of
Satan. I 'feBB up I'm afraid of him
an' want to stay as far away from him
as I can."
"Then let Paul go out," said Fred,
determined to shift the work of inves
tigation on other shoulders than hii
own.
"But it may be a spook," hoarsely
whispered Paul, trembling in every
limb at thought of exposing himself
to a ghost's view. "It may carry ma
off, or It might blow its breath "tt
me and wither me up," he went on,
his voice so full of fear that he could
scarcely articulate. "Nope, I'll die
right inside this tent rather than to
go out in the dark an' meet up with,
a spook." Then Paul pulled tha
cover tightly about him, declaring in'
a whisper that he felt a clammy
touch on the back of his neck.
"I reckon then," said Jack, "that
the job lays between me an' Ted. As
he's not afraid of nothln', and I'm
afraid of everything but grub, we'ia
the two to go out an' investigate.'
Come,, Ted, git up an' put on youtf
clothes. An' don't take extra time,
either."
"But—but," demurred Teddie, "ho$
do you know there's anything outside
except the things what ought to be
there? Nobody except you has heard
a noise. An' maybe it's just your
cowardly instinct what makes you
hear—hear—'maginary noises."
"Then In that case you oughtn't
to be afraid to go out with me," said
Jack, pulling on his trousers, "7f
it's my Imagination there's nothin' to
make you sprint from danger as I can
see."
"Well, if Ted don't go with you
this time, we'll all know it's a big
bluff he's been running on us," spoka
up Jim.
"What's the matter with you kids,
anyhow?" asked Teddie. "Ain't I
pulling on my clothes to beat the
band? I can't go till I'm dressed, can
I?" But although Teddle tried to
speak with great indifference his
voice was weak in places and his
hands trembled as he drew on his
clothes. After a few minutes, amidst
warning whispers from Paul, Fred
and Jim, Jack, followed by Teddle,
crept from the tent. They walked
slowly round the old camp flre ground
peering up into the trees. "Listen!"
whispered Jack, stopping stock still
and clutching at Teddie's tfrm.
"What is it?" whispered Teddle,
shaking till his teeth chattered.
fro be continued.)
:,l