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NOTICE. All letters for this department mutt be addressed, ''Courier Junior," "Ottumwa, Iowa." NO. 39 YOI.. 5 The Courier Junior Published by THE COURIER PRINTING CC« OTTUMWA, IOWA. MATILDA DEVEREAUX. EDITOR. WHAT TWENTY-FIVE CENTS WILL BUY. Dear Juniors:—Our new contest, "What Twenty-Five Cents Will Buy, is proving to be a splendid one. As this contest does not close until Moii I day, May 9, we will announce the rules of the contest again: We think the subject, "What Twen ty-Five Cents' Will Buy," will maka an I interesting contest. We wan* tne Jun liore to write essays containing not more than 300 words. One might imagine oneself going on shopping, a marketing, or a pleasure expedition. This contest will close Monday, May 9. Select a prize from among the toi I lowing: A croquet set, solid silver spoon, book or a brooch. THE JUNIOR DEBATE. The judges have decided that two boys are entitled to prizes in the Junior debate, Alfred Wyant and Winfred Hunter being the Juniors whose work is considered the btest. THE APRIL LETTER PRIZE. Ivan Beagle gets the prize for the April letter. THE SOUVENIR CARDS. We want the Juniors to continue to write nice letters. The Juniors show a great improvement in their letter writing. We will give a surprise prize at tne I end of May to the Junior who writes the best letter, as well as send souv enir cards whenever their stories or I letters appear. The Juniors can write on one of tne following subpects and receive beauti ful souvenir cards, if they do not care to write letters: THE JOURNEY OF A MATCH. A STRAWBERRY BED. TOM'S FIRST BALL GAME. SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS. 1. Use one side of the paper only. 2. Write neatly and legibly, using Ink or a sharp lead pencil. 3. Always sign your name in full and state your age. 4. Number your pages. 5. Do not copy stories or poetry and send us as your own work. 6. Always state choice of a prize on a separate piece of paper, with name and address in full. 7. Address the envelope to Editor, Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa. THE FUN COLUMN. Here are a few of the contributions received for the "Fun Column" this A man's automobile broke down as he went to the nearest farmhouse and asked for a monkey wrench, hut the farmer said, "Me ain't got no mon key ranch, but me neighbor, Mr. Jones has got a cattle ranch and me other other neighbor, Mr. Smith, has a got a sheep ranch, but me ain't got no monkey ranch." Hedveg Carlson, age 12, (Original.) 1015 Locust street. Ottumwa, Iowa. "No, Willie," said mama, "No more cake for tonight. Don't you know you can't sleep on a full,stomach?" Well, said Willie. "I can sleep on my back, can't I?" Forrest Smith, age 8, Floris, Iowa. It was on the railroad car. A one I legged passenger entered and seated himself. Another passenger eyed the I newcomer for some minutes and then 'leaning forward remarked: "Only one leg I see." "Yes." "Soldier?" "No." "Sawmill?" "No." "Railroad?" "No." "Orange Peel?" "No,' The questioner lit a clay pipe and twisted .uneasily in his seat. Then he said: "Fine day?" "Yes." "My good man, I don't think me rude, but how did you lose that leg?" I dreamed one night that I was a dog and bit it off." (Not original.) Your Junior friend, Josephine L. Norton, Melrose, Iowa. Dear Editor: I thought I would send you a few items for the funny column. Johnny came home the other night In high glee, wearing the arithmetic medal. "What's that for?" asked his mother. "That's the prize for doing exam pies," said Johnny. "I did this one: If our baby weighs eleven arid a half pounds and gains an ounce each day— ('cause you told Mrs. Smith she did yesterday)—how much will she weigh when she is twenty years old? And the answer was four hundred and six ty-six pounds, and the teacher said I earned the prize." "O.* mother," exclaimed little Ray mond upon his return from Sunday school, "the superintendent said some thing awful nice about me in his prayer this morning." "That was splendid. Raymond. What did he say?" "He said, 'O, Lord, we thank thee for food and Raymond.'" "Robert," asked the teacher of a small pupil, "how many days are there in a year?" "Three hundred and six ty-flve and a fourth," answered Boh' hie. "How can there be a fourth of a day?" asked the teacher. "O," replied I the little fellow, "that's the Fourth of July." A little girl was kneeling at her mama's knee repeating this little prayer: Gentle Jesus ,meek and mild, Look upon this little child. Pity my simplicity Suffer me to come to thee. That morning her mama had given her some Senna tea which she disliked very much, and had a quite a time get ting her to take it. And as her mama repeated "pity my simplicity," the lit tle girl said "pity my some senna tea." A Junior friend, Lois Griffin, R. R. No. 7. Albia, Iowa. (ThiB is original.) One day in school the teacher told her class to draw something so she could tell from their drawings what they were going to be when they grew up. All but one little girl drew some thing. At this the teacher was surprised and said, "Mary, don't you want to be something when you grow up?" "Yes, I want to be married, but I don't know how to draw it." (Not original.) Lois Henz, age 13. Anthony, Harper county, R. R. No. 2. Kansas. When my little brother, Johnny, was two or three years old, and when he would see some dog fennel he would say that it was dog funny, as that Is what he called it. This is orig inal. From your Junior friend, Mebel Skirvin, age 12. R. R. No. 2. Floris, Iowa. Hazel, a little girl, wanted to ride their horse, Pet, and her papa told her that she would fall off because she did not have anything to hold to, and she said she could hold to Pet's feathers. Your Junior friend, Mebel Skirvin, age 12. R. R. No. 2. Floris, Iowa. (Original.) One day when my sister was at an neighbor's the little boy, Hugh, saw a picture of some men fighting in a war and he said that they were shooting with pistols and hitting with corn knives. Your Junior friend, Maude Skirvin, age 12. R. R. No. 2. Floris, Iowa. (Original.) When my brother Frank was four years old he used to go to school with us. One morning he said he wasn't going to school for he had resigned. Maude Skirvin, age 12, R. R. No. 2. Floris, Iowa. (Original.) Little Girl: "Papa, there was a strange man here this morning." Papa: "Did he have a bill?" Little Girl: "No, he had just a plain nose." Teacher: "What does A. D. stand for, Johnny?" Johnny (after thinking awhile): "After dinner." When I was a littel girl I told a friend about what bad dreams I dreamed. She suggested that I would think about the beautiful hymns in the song books. "Hymns," I said, "What are they?" "Why they are songs in a hymn book," she replied. "Hymns," I repeated. "Are there any she song books, too?" (This is true.) I would like to exchange postals with any of the Juniors. Vida Wahle, age 12, 110 E. Court St. Ottumwa, la. The Bird Family One Mother Bird In a deep, snug nest And three Baby Birds Beneath her warm breast. One Papa Bird On a limb close by, Sending his love notes Up to the sky. Father and Mother And we Babies three Are ever so happy In the nest in the tree. A Peasant Boy And a King A PEASANT BOY AND A KING. By HELENA DAVIS. In the very, very long ago there dwelt in a country across the sea a king who was very very unhappy. He often felt so tired of life as he lived it that he sometimes wished to die. And he would sit on his throne and sigh deeply. And his courtiers would vie with one another in trying to make their monarch's existence less unbear able. But they fawned upon him and flattered him, and bowed down before him in the humblest manner. And all the time the king hated them for their humbleness and servility. But being a king, he held himself aloof from his fellow-beings, and retained a haughty r6S6rv6 One day while driving in his coach of gold and silver, the king beheld a lit tle peasant boy on the banks of a river, fishing. The child looked up at him, smilingly. Then, without remov ing his cap and failing to bow respect fully before his monarch, the boy re turned to his work, pulling out of the water a fine fish. The king was so deeply impressed by the boy's happy face that he called to his coachman to stop, as he would speak with the peas ant boy. As the coach stopped, the king call ed to the lad: "Come hither, youth." But the lad sat quite still beside the bank, holding his fishing rod. "Come hither, I command you!" So spoke the king in imperious tones, beckoning to the peasant boy. "But I must not leave my rod, sir," explained the boy. "I have a fish nib bling at the bait, and I must watch the line." "Do you know who I am?" question ed the king in a severe tone. "Yes, sir. You are the man the peo ple call king. I would not know you but for your coach and retinue." The boy spoke in the easiest manner pos sible, without the least show of embar rassment. The coach and outriders trembled for the child's fate, for they feared he had offended his king and would be made to suffer the penalty. But to their great surprise, the king smiled—for the first time in months— and again spoke to the peasant boy: "If I pay you a gplden coin for the fish you havn't yet caught, will you come and speak with me? I, your king, beg this favor." And again the king smiled in an amused way. "Oh, if you are willing to pay me for my lost time why I will come and speak with you, sir," greed the' peas ant boy. And he arose and approach ed the king's coach. The outriders opened an avenue so that he might walk to the side of the coach. To their utter astonishment the king made room for the boy inside the coach and bade him be seated beside him. The boy looked up and shook his head: "No, sir, a peasant boy is not fitting company for a king. I prefer to re main afoot on ground and talk with you." "You are a strange and bold boy," declared the king, a bit out of temper. "And why do you dare to refuse me— your king?" "If you are my king, then I am your subject," said the boy. "And we each owe the other certain liberty. I must live my way and you your way." Now it was the king's turn to be as tonished and banishing the frown which had begun to gather on his brow, he said: "You interest me, youth, and I shall get out of my coach and sit beside you while you fish. Will that please you—my subject?" "I have no objection to your sitting on the banks of the river, for it is yours as well as mine," explained the boy. The king laughed outright. "Why, youth, don't you know that river—and all the land about it—belongs to me, the king and ruler over this land?" The boy shook his head. "That river is not yours any more than it is mine —even though you be a king. You cannot bridle it or change its course. You cannot stop its waters, or cause them to flow. It is God's river, and so is f' 'and all about it. And you the fir uture as I am God's creature, :.)• a he bids us leave this life yen -.e aa powerless to disobey as I am. So, I am as much a king in God's eye as you area king in the eyes of yonder courtiers." You have an old head on young shoulders," declared the king, moton ing to a servant to throw his cloak on the ground that he might sit on it. "^nd I shall chat with you an hour— 'just as though I were a peasant like yourself." "Or I a king like yourself," smiled the boy. "Ah, you area strange youth," said the king. "Come, tell me. Are you al. ways happy?" "Always very happy, sir" declared the boy. "In the first place, I am very busy all day long helping my father and mother in the work of earning an honest living. I am too busy to be un happy, sir." "Why do you not call me 'Your Majesty?' asked the king. "I like the plain title better, sir. Only God is my king." The king knit his brows, then said: "Suppose I should command you to call me 'Your Majesty?' And if you should refuse suppose I should order your head cut off?" "Then you would be a cruel king, and committing a very grave crime, sir, for in having me killed you would be committing murder. My life be longs to my Maker, not a man of the earth." The king sat silent for a little while. Then he said: "Tell me, b.oy, where have you learned all that you say? There must be traitors in my realm, and they must have talked in your hearing." "A good king need fear no traitors," said the boy, putting some bait on his hook. "Only an evil ruler fears ene mies." "You are right, youth," said the king fervently. "And you have set me to thinking of many thinks new to my mind. I shall beg you to come to the palace and visit me. I can learn from you, though I be a king and you a peasant. But—do you angle all day long?" "Oh, no sir doing one thing all the time would make me very unhappy. Now, were you to have more variety in your life, sir, you would be less dis content. I have heard it said that our king never laughs. That his subjects are far happier than he. That is be cause they find much beneficial em ployment. The king but rules. And ruling is a heavy work, and a thank less one, though paid for in gold. Gold doesn't offer the hand of friendship. It never lends a helping hand to the one in need, nor kisses and caresses the brow of the aged. Gold is very hard, and is a fitting companion only for a haughty and unhappy king. And I am too content to want more of it than is needed to buy the necessaries of life. The king sat still and looked across the river for a moment. Then he bow ed his head in his hand and sighed. OTTUMWA IOWA MAY 1910. "You are right, youth gold and king hood go hand in hand. Neither have feeling nor love!" But a king can love, and be loved, if he wishes," declared the boy. "If he enters into the life of his peas ants—his subjects—and knows them, and lets them know him, he will find much to live for. Also, he will find much to make merriment, to weep with sympathy, and to give for sweet charity's sake." "I shall try your prescription, youth"" said' the king, rising. "Tomor row al my fawning and flattering cour tiers shall he dismissed and in their place shall he put men from the coun try, uncouth, plainspoken fellows who will tell me things for my own good." "And for the good of your subjects, sir" interposed the boy. 'Do not* for get others—if you would be happy. Happiness cannot be found in one self, but in the love and sympathy of others. That is the reason you have never known happiness, sir. You have thought only of self, and had about you a lot of cowards who pretend to think only of you, also, but who in truth hated you and lived a life of hypocrisy. Have fearless men about you and you will get strength from them, and, in time, will become a monarch all men will love. Think less of your position, and more of the peo ple's position, sir, if you would be a real king." The king took from his purse i«*t gold coins and offered them to the r** who took the smaller one, saying that the fish he might have caught would not have been worth more than that amount. "And I cannot take more than I can earn," he observed in a straightforward way. "You are a true philosopher," ans vtered the king emphatically, "and I must see you often." "I am only a peasant boy, and you are only a king," smiled the boy. "But perhaps you are poorer than I. If so, I shall gladly share my riches with you. But now I must hurry home wards, for my parents will be looking for me. I wish you more happiness in the future than you have had in the past. Good by, sir, and may luck at tend you." And the king, his hands clasped across his breast, stood watching the boy as he ran nimbly across the hill, disappearing on the other side. Then, turning to one of his courtiers, he said: "A king may learn from a peasant boy." STORIES—LETTERS. MALCOM IS FAIR TO BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS Some boys are ahead of some girls at that agp and some girls are ahead of some boys at that age. Some boys are smarter than others of the same age some like to study better than others. There are some boys and some girls that want to be business men and women, while some others don't want to study or do anything but work on a farm. I think girls like to study better than boys the boys like to play in the time of school the girls mostly want to be school teachers or some thing like that, while a boy would like to work on a railroad or be a doctor or something like that. The majority of the boys like to stay at home in the summer when they are about 14 or 15. A good share of the boys and girls like to quit school when they are •bout 16, while the boys and girls at $# go to school. Some girls and boys do not take up all the studies of a country school. The boys do not like grammar very well, while 'the girls do. Some girls do not like history, while ihe boys .do, because it tells of some thrilling adventures which the boys like. The^boys that like to study while they are young will grow up to be somebody, while those that don't will not be much more than a farmer. A girl of twelve is generally larger than a boy at 12, but I don't know as they are any smarter. Some girls and boys are smarter at 12 than some others at 16 years, if we take a girl of 12 years and a boy of 12 years it is generally thought that the girl knows the most, but some boys know more than some girls at the Bame age. If the boys and girls study all they tan, they can know a good deal by the time they reach the age of 12 yeas it is ac cording to how hard they study. If we take a boy that won't study and take a girl at the same age that will study, the girl will know a good bit more than the boy will at 12 years. For my part, I think it is according to how hard they study. Some of the other Juniors may differ on this an swer, but this is my opinion. Malcom Trout, age 14, Birmingham, Iowa. ALFRED ON THE BOYS' SIDE. Dear Editor:— I will write a few lines on the question, to let the Juniors know that there is one boy who will stand up for his side. Are girls of 12 years ahead of boys of 12 years, or are boys of 12 years ahead of girls of 12? As I looked at the question I thought it meant in education. For an instance take a boy and a girl having the same oppor tunity, the boy will be ahead at 12 years of age. A boy, as soon as he is big enough to run about will be out exercising himself and exercise makes a healthy mind and body—just the thing to accomplish a great deal in education on the other hand, most girls take but very little exercise they sit around playing with their doll, or perhaps they have a Teddy bear to play with. I have noticed in our school that the mmm umor boys in general are ahead of the girls at 12 years of age. Those writing on the girls' side of the question may say that the girls may be more quiet and by doing so can learn more easily. But you take nearly all the boys and they have the desire to take hold like somebody, to want like somebody and be somebody. Yours truly, Alfred Wyant, age 14, R. F. D. No. 2 North English, Iowa. "GIRLS ARE AHEAD OF BOYS." Dear Junior:— I have seen my letter in print, so I thought I would write on the subject Are Girls 12 Years Old Ahead of boys 12 Years Old? I think the girls 12 years old are ahead of the boys 12 years old because I have seen In the Junior page where girls 12 years old have taken the prize more often than the boys 12 years old have, and I have not seen many 12-year-old boys write. I have seen them these ages: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, but not very many 12, but I think the boys do good for their ages. I have never taken the prize yet, but would like to. I have six post cards from the Courier Junior and I have written seven times, but I will get another one soon. I will clOSG* Maude Squire, age 12, Route 1, Frederic, la. A MAY PARTY. One day, just before the first of May, some boys and girls planned to have a. party in a grove not far from their home. The day before the party all were to meet at a little girl's house, whose name was Louise. All came but one little girl named Mae. The other children waited for her. So, as she did not come, they planned for the following day. One girl named Alice, who lived only three houBes from Mae, said she would stop in when she was going home and see why she did not come. On entering she saw Mae lying down, very ill. She stayed with her a little while and told her she was sorry she was ill, and that she would remember her the next day. Then, after telling her good-bye, she went home. The next day the girls met at Louese's, where Alice told about Mae's illness. The boys and girls were very sorry she could not come. When they arrived at the grove the boys put up some swings and ham mocks. About neon they ate their lunch (hut they saved Mae part). Aft er lunch they gathered flowers and plants to take to Mae. One little girl named Barbara was queen. They made wreathes for her. They also made a pretty one for little Mae. When they gave Mae the pretty flow ers and plants and told her what a nice time they had, she got much bet ter. They went home quite happy, and little Mae enjoyed the May party, too. Vasila Sears, age 12, 7 West Second .St., Buxton, Iowa. MY VACATION PLANS. Dear Editor: I am very sorry it snowed because I think it killed all the fruit. I am going to tell you what I am going to do vacation. I am going to gather berries. (That is, if there are any) and take care of my little sweet brother so that he does not get hurt. I have a darling little niece. She is 13 months old. Her name is Lola Moe. She is awfully sweet. I will be glad when she can walk and then I can take her to school with me. I will be glad when the snow all* melts off and it is time to go bare foot. Two of my little cousins are coming today. I like to play with them. In the summer when the work is all done, my sister and I are going to visit our relatives in Missouri and have a nice time. My uncle owns a large store there. Our aunt came out to see us not very long ago. It is snowing again now. Well, as my letter is getting long, 1 will close for this time, hoping to hear from some of the little Juniors. Yours truly, Mary Tweedy, age 12, R. F. D. No. 7, Fairfield, Iowa. ARE GIRLS OF 12 AHEAD OF BOYS OF 12? Dear Editor:—I think that girls of twelve are ahead of boys of twelve, because girls do not have as much to do as boys, especially on the farm. Girls usually get to go to school in the spring when boys have to stay at home and work. In the fall when boys have to stay at home and help husk corn, the girls get to go to school and so get ahead of the boys. I guess It is natural for girls to be the best writers. We had a debate a! school and is was the girls against the boys, and the girls won. In the recent rural spelling contest in Wapello coun ty, there were more girls spelled the words than boys, and this goes to show that the girls are ahead of the boys. From a Junior boy. Winfred Hunter, age 13, R. F. D. No. 1, Blakesburg, Iowa. ALTA'S VACATION PLA^IS. As I have not written for a long time I thoueht I would write about my vacation plans. I am going to learn to cook and do housework and learn to sew. And go visiting sometimes, and I will hoe in the garden. I am go ing to help mamma. I am goilng to plant some flowers and take care of them. I am going to have morning glories all over my play house. Well I guess that is all.I am going to do. Alta Sandilands, age MAUDE WRITES A SECOND TIME Dear Juniors: As I have written to the Junior once before I thought I would write again. I go to school now. My teachers name Is Miss Edna Thomas. I like her very much. My studies are reading, One day in spring after Ruth's school closed for the summer vaca tion, Ruth's mother took her to spend the day with her grandma. One day after she had been there several days her grandma told her the cooks "ttle girl was there that day, and she told Ruth to show the little girl her dolls. Pretty soon Ruth came back to "her grandmother and said, THE JOURNEY OF A TEN CENT PIECE. The ten cent piece I am telling you about was m&de at San Francisco. It was then sent to a bank where a man got it in change. He went out on the street where he saw a beggar who was hungry and wanted something to eat. He gave the ten cent piece to him and he went to the store and bought him something to eat. The store keeper Rave the money to his lltle girl and she sent it off to a foreign missionary where they teach little heathen children to become Christians. Maude Skirvin, age 12, Floris, Iowa. HAZEL'S FIRST LETTER. Dear Juniors: As I have never written to the Jun ior page before I thought I would write a letter. I go to Laddsdale, Davis county, school. There is twenty three scholars attending this school. My teacher's name is Miss Ruth Wil kinson. I like her fine. I set with my cousin Freda Breckenridge. There is only four in my class and their names are Burton Qverstake, Freda Brecken ridge, Vernon Copeland and myself. My studies are reading, arithmetic, history, grammar, physiology, geog raphy, writing, music and spelling. Hazel Ross, age 12, Laddsdale, Iowa. MABEL'S FIRST LETTER. As I have never written before I thought I would write. I am a little girl six years old and I go to the Laddsdale school. I stay with my grandmother and grandfather. I have a sister and a brother. Their names are Ruth and Pearl. Mabel Hameraley, age 6, Laddsdale, la. JENNETT EGOES TO SCHOOL. Dear Editor: I go to school. My teacher's name Is Helen Garvin. I am in the sixth grade. My studies are reading, numbers, his tory, language, geography, spelling. My seatmate is Jennie Brown. My mother has an incubator. She has 104 little chickens. My aunt Sophia Mott and Aunt Mary Meyers came up to see them. Jennette Coyne, age 11, Chilllcothe, Iowa. WILLIE HAS A PONY. Dear Juniors: I have never written to the Junior page so I thought I would write. I am a boy eleven years old. My birthday is May 11. I have two sisters and two brothers, Grace. Anna Dave and George. For pets I have a pony, two dogs and two cats. My pony's name is Munsell. My dogs' names are Buster and Cuva. I have five nephews and three nieces. I am goin«* to school now. My papa has been sick and I help my brother work. Wfe run a hack to and from Buxton and brother George works on a ranch in Colorado. I like the Junior page and will exchange cards with the Juniors. Willie Vaughn, Hamilton, la. VIDA HAS BEEN VERY BUSY. Dear Editor: I have been so busy with my school studies that I couldn't find time to write to the Junior page. It is nearly eight-thirty and I am getting sleepy so I will not write very much. I enjoy reading the Junior page very much. It is only about six more weeks until va NOTICE. All letters for this department must be addressed, "Courier Junior," "Ottumwa, Iowa." 11, Eddyville, Iowa "Why, grand ma, she is black," but grandma said that she was a good little girl. Ruth was afraid of her. Her grandma said the cook was black, and Ruth said that the cook was a grown person and she did not know that little girls were black. So pretty soon the two girls went to the play room, and Ruth said, "What is your name? My name is ^u^* The little colored girl told her that her name was Marionette: Then they played house and pretty soon Ruth said, "What makes you so blhck," and the little girl said that she did not know. Ruth asked her if she couldn wash it off but the little girl said she could not. Ruth asked her if she ever tried soap and sand. The little girl had not, and then they decided to try soap and sand. Ruth ran and got a basin of water and a cake of soap and some sand. Ruth told her they would try her face first. The lit the colored girl was afrad in a strange house, and when she got some of the soap in her eyes she began to cry. Ruth's grandma told her that the lit tle girl's skin was black, and it would not come off. Ruth often laughs about scouring the little blacl girl. This is a true story, and Ruth is now a grown woman. Zella White, age 13, R. F. D. No. 3, Bloomfleld, lowja. FOB THE CHILDREN. arith metic, geography, language, Physt° ogy. history and spelling. We had a program Arbor day and planted som trees and flowers. I live about one mile and a half from school. I have six brothers and one sister. Maude Scully, age 10, Ottumwa, Iowa. New York Butter and Egg Market. HOW RUTH SCOURED THE LITTLE BLACK GiRL. V^~",» cation. My teachers' names are Miss Metz, Miss Reynolds, and Miss Grim mer. I have Miss Reynolds for arith metic, and Miss Metz for the rest of my studies which are geography, writ ing, drawing and spelling. I think that Miss Metz is a very nice teacher. I am In the tenth room of the Lincoln school. I have two sisters. Their names are Lola and Hazel Wahle. This l« Thursday evening and the band is playing a concert in the park. It has been a lovely day today. Vida Wahle, age 12, 110 E. Court St., Ottumwa, la. MARJORIE'S PETS. Marjorie and uncle Jim had fixed a bathing place, for the birds in th« front yard. On their way to and from' their baths they would eat up the worms and bugs that had been de stroying Marjorie's garden and she said that was the way they had of saying "Thank you" to her and uncle Jim. What do you think? 'You see," Marjorie explains, "the birds and I are good friends.v thats why we try help one another/' Josephene Oliver, Selma, Iowa, I will close for this time. Your Junior, Osa Redshaw, age 12, to NICE WEATHER IN OREGON. Dear Editor:— As I have not written for a long time, I thought I would write to you. We are having nice weather out here now. Papa is busy working around places and I am going to school. have missed but one day this term. I am in the -fifth grade. Our school will be out June 17. My aunt and cousin are down here now. My grand ma got hurt quite a while ago and they came down. A11 of the fruit trees are in bloom out here now. We have seventy-three records for oui phonograph. We have some pretty pieces. We have soiAe garden truck up and lettuce pretty near ready to use.. We have peas over three Inches high and radishes two. I have re ceived two postal carcjs from the Courier Junior and thank them very much for them. R. F. D. No. 1, Corvallis, Oregon. THE JOURNEY OF THE DIME. Once there was a little boy who went to see his uncle. Two or three days after he got there they went to see the ocean. The little boy's uncle had given him a dime. The little boy had it in his hand. They .were on the coast of the ocean and the little boy dropped his dime into the ocean and a fish swallowed it. One day when the little boy's uncle was out fishing he caught this fish and when he was cleaning the fish for dinner, he found the dime in the fish, so he gave It to the little boy. The little boy was glad to get it again, so he left it at home whenever he was out playing or went any place. When he went home he told his father and mother of the journey of the dime. Georgia Fullmer, 302 Lillian St., South Ottumwa, la LITTLE BOY BLUE. That was what his mamma called Freddy the first time he wore his new sailor suit. That was blue and so was his oyes and his neck ribbon and it was just the name for him. "May I take a walk down the street mamma. I won't go but a little way. Please let me," said he. "I'm afraid Little Boy Blue would be tempted to play in the mud puddle out yonder and if he should, it would spoil his new clothes," said mamma. "I won't play in it truly, I won't, mamma, if you will let me go," pleaded Freddy. "Well, run along, dear," she replied and away he trotted down the street. When he reached the mud puddle two or three boys were there having a fine time. "Come play with us," they" called out. "This is the Atlantic ocean, and these are our ships. We will let you sail one, too." "No, I can't," he said, bravely. "I promised mamma I wouldn!t play here, 'because I might get drowned and spoil my new clothes." Pretty soon he met his grandpa, and his bright eye/s shone with joy, "Well, well," said grandpa, "here is a little blue-bird, Indeed all but the wings." "No, grandpa I am not a blue-bird, but Little Boy Blue, mamma says." So, mounting grand pa's cane for a horse, he escorted him home and he gladly told his mamma how he had kept his promise. Hazel Yeager, R. F. D. No. 2, Agency, Iowa. LEILA A VERY BU8Y GIRL. Dear Editor:—As I have not wr!t« ten to the Courier Junior for some time I thought I would write. My Bchool will be out in six weeks. I am going to help papa when vacation comes and I will help mamma In the garden feed the little chickens and gather the eggs. I like to feed the little chickens. We have one hundred and twenty lit tle chickens. We are going to raise turkeys, chickens and geese this sum mer. I like to go to school, but am always glad when vacation comes. My teachers' name is MIBS Stella Hosklns and I like her fine. There are twenty-five scholars that go to my school. We have lots of fun at school playing games. Some of the games we play are "Brin^ Back What You Borrow" and "The Coach Upset." I have 123 post cards and eighteen ol them are from the Courier Junior. 1 have a card from Lois Griffin and one from Feme Epperly and 1 think they are both very pretty. I am a Tri-Weekly Junior. Lela Shaffer, age 12, Douds-Leando, Iowa.