Ottumwa Semi-Weekly Courier from Ottumwa, Iowa • Page 6

Wv. 1 I All for this department addressed, Courier Junior, -Ottumwa, Iowa. VOL. 8, NO. 4.

THE COURIER JUNIOR Published by THI COURIER PRINTING CO. OTTUMWA. IOWA. MATILDA OEVEREAUX, I EDITOR. JULIAN GARROTT PRIZE WINNER.

Dear Juniors: Julian Garrott ot Battle Creek, but formerly of Ottumwa. was awarded the writing the best story on the edition, published Aug. 10. All the Juniors and their mamas and papas will wonder why Julian's story does not appear today. Well, thereby hangs a very sad tale told In four "Julian's story Is lost." Yes lost.

It was euch a splendid story that toe three Judges read it over twice. Tbey liked the story so well and they wanted us to give Julian three prises, one from, each of them. It was returned to the editor of the Junior by the Judges ami supposed to be put safely away with the other stories. We have been hunting for it diligently for parts of three daya, but we cannot find it. Now.

we want Julian to rewrite it so that all the Juniors can read It two weeks from today, know he will comply with crar request. We can only say that we are sorry to have mislaid It, or accidently thrown it away. WANT BIOGRAPHIES. We want air the Juniors to become biographers. Here is Webster's definition of a biographer: who writes an account or history of the lire of a particular person a writer of as Plutarch." Bach Junior can select his or her favorite author, for a subject and as a reward we will give a book.

If the writers do not want a book we will let them select their own prises. We do not want tbe stories to be too long. This contest will open today and cloBe We are so anxious for the Juniors, both big and little to become better letter writers. We have many interesting letters, but we always want more. It is a great accomplishment to write a good letter.

Our young Juniors write betteri. letters than the old ones. When we say better we mean especially, more original ones. We wish the Juniors would devote the next ten days to a letter writing contest. We will let them select their own prizes.

Of course the prizes must not be too expensive. STILL SEND POST CARDS. We want the Juniors to continue to write letters to the Juniors and to each other through the Junior page. We have some splendid stories today. We will send out post cards to all the writers, whenever their letters or stories appear.

SEVEN RULES FOR THE JUNIORS. TTse one side of the paper only. 8. Write neatly and legibly, using or a sharp lead pencil. 8.

Always sign your name in full and irtate your age. 4. Number your pages. 6. Do not copy stories or poetry ana pend us as your own work.

6. Always state choice of a prize on a separate piece of paper, with name and address In full. 1. Address the envelope to Courier Junior, Ottumwa, Iowa. Whip-Poor- NOTICE! 1 Monday wlBh Inez GrlmeB would call at the Adams express office in Melrose and ask for her prize.

We are sorry that Ruth's prize was broken, but we will send her another within the next weeks. WANT LETTERS. Will Do yon ever stop and listen To the music of the birds? Why, sometimes I almost reckon I can understand their words. WUAAn Redbreast makes me Jolly, But sometimes when all is still, a Mrd that makes me angry When he warbles, Now I pfty that poor Who he is I do not know he's been most awful naughty For that bird to treat him so. I cant see why other fellows, Ted or Jock or Tom or Phil Shouldn't pet their share of scoldings, But It's always, "Whlp-poor-Wlll!" Maybe he won't mind his mother When rfhe sends him to the store Maybe once the teacher caught him Throwing splt-ballB on the floor, p'r'apa'that bird peeks in the window, And that's why, in accents shrill, You can hear him if you listen, Always saying, "Whlp-poor-Wlll!" I have asked my pa to tell me Who that naughty boy can be, But he only answers shortly That he hopes it isn't me Just as If my name was William, Why, it tent even Bill! Hope he won't forget It's Robert When that bird says, "Whip-poor- wnir Billy Jones- says he ain't naughty, He can prove it by his ma She believes in moral suasion, Says It does more good by far.

1 should think that it would scare him When that cry comes sharp and shrill, (4t4 that bird, the same as ever. Keeps arsaylng, "Whlp-poor-Wlll!" Jones ain't scared of nothing, And he says he doesn't care Who that bird means when It's calling, For there's Willlama everywhere. Just the same I'll always wnoder When that cry cornea sharp and shrill, Who's the boy that's been so naughty That a bird says, "Whlp-poor-Wlll!" fcfc Just Peter It was a most every day occurrence red automobile tearing by, a brown puppy uncertain of direction, and the inevitable result. The red thing never even Btopped, His sturdy legs carried him to the spot, where, the brown heap lay, and he said softly, "Pete, get up, you lazy dog. I'd be ashamed to play you was a deader!" But Pete gave no signs of getting up, and somehow Geoff's little legs began to shake.

Was It posible, no, it couldn't be, Peter did play like that sometimes, and Geoff began to worry. Could he be hurt so bad, that' he couldn't get up? He would see. Stooping over the silky brown body yet warm, Geoffrey slowly lifted one little quickly beating heart Geoff raised, Pete's listless head The soft hung limply over his hand, and the, Geoff put down the head, and with a very frightened, white face, sat down on the dusty road by the side of Pete. wondering what "it meant and if tliey This was the picture which met the quainted, and it was with sundry misgivings the young minister slipped1 from his horse and touched the straw hat. "What's the matter, my boy? Peter hurt himself?" "Yes," came Geoff's voice, strangely quiet, the young man thought.

"I guess and the other words died away. The bay horse waited he never quite knew what his master would do, but there was trouble here, so he stood at attention. There was a minute when the minister wished he were a woman, then he ptit his arm round the dusty figure. "Sonny, you're in danger here, right in the middle of the road, and I'm going to carry you away!" "Don't," said the little boy passionately, "don't you see Pete's hurted himself so he can't walk, an' dy'e 'spose I'm going to leave him!" "But Pete might get hurt again," said the minister. "Se here, I'll carrt Pete, and you take the bay over to the grass." The strain of the last hour was beginning to tell on Geoff, and as the minister tenderly raised the little llrown pup, Geoff struggled to his feet, and reaching up for the bridle followed the minister to the grassy stretch, safe from red cars.

The boy's Btraw hat had been thrown down, and his agonized heart throbbed against the minister's vest, while scalding tears ran down his cheeks. The young man sat holding the child in a strong clasp, waiting till the first paroxysm was over. It was no use shamming, Geoff knew, although the brown pup lay as if asleep. The car had been merciful, the little back had been snapped like a twig, and Pete lay at their feet In his last sleep. Geoff never had been- like other children, and the minister began to wonder what would happen when the boy his voice.

"It was that red car, I called to Pete, an' first he began to come, and then he started to run called him, an' he get come, and I went over to The minister just stroked the curly hair back, as he said, "I know, sonny, but you wouldn't have had Pete live, if he was hurt badly, and would suffer all the time, would you? You love him too much for that!" Geoff's eyes looked up quickly, his mind was traveling faster than that of the minister. If God takes care of things when they die, has the pain stopped hurtin' Pete now?" he demanded. Surely," said the young man, seeing theological discussions of a difficult character ahead. "Don't you 'spose God had enough pups without taking mine from me?" again demanded Geoff, and "oh! I do want him back," and the child gave way to uncontrolled sobs. There were rocks coming, the minister was sure, and still holding the sobbing child he began telling him of the Indians, and how they believed In a God who would give them good hunting-grounds when they died and how they thought their animals would go with them, too.

The boy's sobs lessened a8. he listen- iYiittti but left hind it a cloud of suffocating dust, and a patch of something brown on the road. Geoff, after the first shock of surprise, went forward, wondering why! Peter didn't return to him when he called. leg, then another. No, there'd seemed no reason why Pete couldn't get up.

on his legs were all right. Then with a A great lump seemed growing inside of him, as slowly the feeling came over him that little Pete, his own puppy, had gone dead! He had swallow someheard of such things before, vaguely kiss hj all went to heaven. what time ijoust have answering the door bell, and If he had an elevator, like the big Btore in town! ed to the young man's voice, then he spoke in broken tones: "D'ye think if I'm very good that God'll let me see Pete again when I die?" The minister hesitated for a second before he said, "Of course, we are none of us quite sure about anything in heaven, but If you are a brave boy and try not to fret, maybe God will let you see Pete again!" "Where does God keep the animals when they come up?" The Reverend Malcolm Brown's Imagination had always been strong, but this afternoon it was stronger than usual. 'I think," and the firm hand closed over the hot ones of the child, "it'B a lovely meadow, with trees, and most of the things the animals would like!" "An' nobody is unkind to them they wouldn't take their playthings from them? Pete has lots of things he plays with, an' he'd be lonesome without them!" The minister's face wore a strange look, his theology was fast carrying him to the religions of other worlds, but be said, softly wiping off the moist cheeks, "I don't think God would mind Pete taking his things with him he'd be glad to have him happy!" There was a long silence, and when, some minutes later, the minister put the child down ait the father's door, he had promised to assist at Pete's funeral that evening. It was sunset when the young man holding a box, and the little boy with his arms full of different things, stop- fe mlulBt thing Geoff sat very still, a pathetic figure, with the sun beating down on1 mophead then a his straw hat, and the immovable remains of a wish-rag, and a broK puppy stretched beside him.

voung man stood with a queer Geoff never had any mother that he yoiang man articles could remember, and he had become! tightening at his throat. as the articles used to thinking out things for of the still sleepa a a a in the evenings, besides he didn't al-jing Pete, Geoff ways understand. would senre him long time, er took off his coat and narrow trench while Geof 8at watched brown lay on GeoIC, own cushion he The little in tho box, and Geoff was only waiting to put in the other things. The minister ceased digging after then replaced his coat. He moved aside when he saw Geoff stoop the box, and the sound of an hastily.

In a 'the little boy, replied, picking up Pete's playthings and putting them into the box, round the form much chewed slipper, eyes of the Reverend Malcolm Brown The minister kne I fitted as he rode down the road on his bay with eyes which saw but dimly, fitted horse. Geoff and he were already ac- Together the two mourners replaced the earth, and when the last shovelful was in, and the sods packed down, Geoff knelt by the side, and the minister, putting his hat on the grass, knelt too. on the tne To his dying day he never forgot that funeral prayer as Goeff, with a heart not too full to put up a passion, ate plea for his pet, prayed: "Dcftr God "This is my pup Peter, who's coming to you, and do please be careful with him. He can't eat meat yet, It" make his hair come an' don take him up by his arms, it hurts him so, an' if you have a Moorish chair let him sit in back of you, he loves oh, won't you please keep hjm for me till I come!" And the minister said, "Amen. HOW MIMI HELPED.

"I suppose I ought to go," said Aunt Jem. "I haven't been for three weeks. But there's the pantry floor to be scrubbed Grandma laughed the soft, silvery laugh that Mlmi loved to hear. "The pantry floor was fresh-painted only a week ago," she said, "so guess it can't be over 'n' above dirty. You'd better go, daughter.

Mimi and I will keep house." "And I'll scrub the pantry floor, said Mimi eagerly. "Can't Aunt a "Why, you couldn't," laughed Aunt JCBut Mlmi was sure she could. 'Cause I've seen you lots of times 'fore 'twas painted, with soap and water," said she, so earnestly that Aunt Jem laughed again. "Well then. I can go to the sewing circle as well as not," she said, though she hadn't the least idea that Mimi would really think of such a -Rut she did But not think of it Un, Mlmi got the Boor-pall and and scrubbing brush and soap, 8 and et to work.

There was plenty of warm whater in the tank on the kitchen range. "And that's a good thing, said Mimi to herself, 'cause this floor's orfle dirty, if grandma did think 'twasn't. I'll have to put on lots of soap." So she did, and she had to get clean water very often, too. That was the way Aunt Jem always did when floors were dirty. It took a long time, Mlmi found, though the pantry was not large.

It was pretty hard work, besides her poor little knees were red and sore long before she was through. But she worked away bravely until the last board was soaped and scrubbed and she heard grandma calling. Mimi didn't tell grandma what she had done. "I'll s'prlse her when auntie comes home," she thought and when at last she saw Aunt Jem coming up the lane, she flew to meet her as though her little bare feet had wings. auntie! Aunt Jem!" she cried, "I did scrub the pantry floor, 7 -V OTTUMWA, IOWA, the cleanest you ever saw." Aunt Jem smiled.

A little slop more or less wouldn't make much difference, she thought, because the floor would have to be scrubbed next day anyway. But she wouldn't have said that out loud for the world. She! took Mlml's grimy little hand, walked in through the kitchen to the pantry door. "Only see!" cried Mlmi. Then Aunt Jem dropped, Miml's hand and held up both her own.

"Child alive!" she said "You've scrubbed almost every atom paint off! Well, did I ever!" And if Aunt Jem Cooley ever in her life felt like scolding she did that minute. But she didn't soold. She laughed instead, until the tears came. And grandma laughed. But Mlmi began to cry.

wanted to help," she said. "I thought I was, Aunt Jem." Aunt Jem patted the brown head lovingly at that. "Well, so you were, I guess, after a fashion," said she. "I did almost wish I'd painted it pearl color instead of yellow, and now I can." And so Aunt Jem painted the pantry floor instead of scrubbing it next Companion. Stories and Letters.

ELVA TELLS OF THE PICNIC. Dear Editor and will write a letter and tell you about our third Junior picnic which was held Saturday, August. 10, 1912, at Ottumwa, Iowa, in Caldwell park. It was pretty cloudy and misty on Saturday morning. My two sisters, Ethel and Cecilia, and started from our home at ten minutes to 8 o'clock and arrived at the home of my friend Edith Zwer at ten minutes to nine.

Then Edith and Jeo Zwer, Ethel, Cecilia and myself, all went down to the Milwaukee junction where I was to meet one of my Junior friends, Neva Espy. It misted a little while we waited for the train. The train came about 10:14. Then we got Neva and all started back for the Caldwell park in hopes to meet a lot of the Juniors there. When we got nearly to the park, it began to rain very hard, but we got In the band stand before we got very wet.

There was only two Juniors there when we got there. They were, Creta Huston and Avis Joe Ziver us as far as the band stand, with our lunch and Neva Shatel. He intended to take the Juniors pictures, but it was too cloudy in the morning and Mrs. Weber took them In the afternoon. We saw two boys swimming when we got there.

We thought maybe thay were Juniors so we went where they were and saw it was Forest and Lawrence Webef. We watched for every car hoping to see more Juniors. But in a little while there was quite a few there. Before noon we Went down to Crabb's boat house. We had a fine time there.

Then we went back to the park and a while. Then we had dinner consisting cf buns, cake, bananas, pears, pie, potato salad, plum jelly, pickles, oranges, cookies, meat, cheese, candy, olives, beets bread, apples, chicken and other things. When we were almost through eating Vlda Wahle came. She was Just in time for dinner. After dinner it tryed to clear off and finally did.

We ran all over the park and had fine times swinging. Lillian Dawein had the headache for swinging so much. About 2:30 a few of us Juniors, Maude and Mabel Skirvin. Hazel Vest, Edith and George Zever. Ethel Cecelia and I.

went to the boat house again. We plaved there a while and about 3 o'clock the rest of the Juniors and Forest's mother and grandma came dewn to the boat house snd took our pictures. Neva Espy, Creta Huston and Avis Garretson staved up in the park. Caroline Tout got sick and had to so home before we did. We was all sorry it happened.

We tlien got on the car and went to town where we parted biding each other goodby. hoping to have as nice at time at our next picnic. Edith, George Ethel, Cecelia and I went up to see the editor a while. While down town we paw one of our school mates Grace Neaterown. On our way back to Ziver's we stopped a while at Crabb boat house.

We got at Ziver's about 5 o'clock took our pictures, then took us home in his row boat. While at the picnic we looked for, Henrietta Plaster. Albertina Park, Marie Peiree, and a lot others and was very disappointed because they did not come. The ones at the picnic were: iVida Wahle. Leona and Hazel Vest, thine as scrubbing the pantry floor.

vlda wanie. aim ftd rlrn the "ci'r-' Tout, Rdith and George Ziver. Neva she took in hei noon. Mimi iot.u~.~~y~ "her mother came In the char erery after- Huston. Forest ana Lawrence Weber.

Ned and his mother lived In a tiny house on the top of a hll. Ned's mother was a widow. Ned was a very bright boy and a very good scholar. But he had one bad fault. When he was told to hurry home he forgot and went to play ball.

One evening as usual he went to plav ball. But when he got there not a boy was in sight. Supposing they would come later, he sat down to wait for them and doing so he fell asleep. he ran home but But what was that he saw, a note, he quickly caught it up and read 1L He ran to the place where his mother had said the key was but it was gone. He must stay at homei His mother had gone away for a two days' visit with her mother on her farm and Ned had dlBObeyed and did not get to go.

He was very sorry for this and he never forgot to come home again. Dorothy Graves. 784 Center Ottumwa, Iowa. HENRIETTA'S ABSENCE A DISAPPOINTMENT. Dear was a big disappointment that you didn't come to Ottumwa for the picnic.

I went to the train and, like the other time, didn't find you. I knew you wouldn't come on the next train so tried to get word to Leona, but couldn't. It looked threatening to, so your dejected looking friend decided that it waa better to "run along home" before the rain got her. There was to be no pksnid for me, Mamma declared which made me shed a few scrawny tears. Then, after waiting Impatiently for the Junior page, all the time hoping you would call up, the sun came out.

However, I ran down to the hollow to gather wild plums, and discovered too late that there was poison oak right under my very nose, which now has some nice little itchy blisters on it. Doesn't everything look like autThe grapes, golden rod, umn already? even aBters, and those little flowera that look like asters, except they are white, are beginning to open. Rosebud and I have discovered three hawthorne trees on the place just covered with haws that are turning near the blossom end. Only one more week before school and then I'll be a whole big sophomore Instead of a green little "prep," and I'll take botany and second year Latin. Won't It be perfectly lovely? I'm awful anxious to know who my teacherB will be (probably tall, thin spectacle bedecked people.) Write and tell me what you've been doing this summer and how the family is.

Well, to close my letter, Adieu, Your at present enthusiastic peruner of "David Copperfleld." Albertina Parle, Age 14. 1246 N. Elm Ottumwa. Ia. PERN'8 GREATEST PLEASURE.

SUMMER My greatest summer pleasure was when I went to Colorado. I went to visit with my aunt uncle. While there we visited the beautiful city of Pueblo of over 50,000 inhabitants. Colorado schools ranks the best of any states in the union. After we had visited a while with our aunt and uncle we went to see the scenes of the cities.

There are twenty-nine city parks In Pueblo. They keep a number of animals such as bears, deer, antelopes, bob cats and many other animals. And there are also many, many kinds of animals in the city parks of Mineral palace grounds. There are many beautiful flower beds also. Three of the things I love to see are King Coal, Silver Queen and the beautiful cave.

We went on to Denver and went through the beautiful capltol and saw too many things to tell about this time. I went through the beautiful park consisting of three hundred and twenty acres of land. I went through Erics and Toolers gardens and we went to the beautiful electric city. Then we went down to Creed and saw the large gold mills and the shacks built on skids or two runners, where the gold miners lived. This gold mill is one of the finest In the state.

We went down to Calma, N. a beautiful little town surrounded by beautiful scenery and mountains. I saw three burros loaded with the entire camping outfit of a family of five going up into the mountains. And then we were in the grand city of Alamosa, surrounded by mountains. I saw many other things.

We crossed the Rocky mountains five times and then we came home. Fern Bacon, Age 10. Martinsburg, Iowa. HOW BLOSSOM SAVED BENNIE. There was a very sad little company one day in the house of Mr.

Owen, a sturdy farmer, and an excellent man. whose only son, Bennle, was then absent at the war, and stationed near the city of Washington. News had come that Bennle had been sentenced to death for sleeping iat his post. The neighboring pastor. hls pt8t The I Maude and Mabel Skirvin.

Caroline Mr. Allen, and some other friends, had MrS' afternoon and Joe Ziver was there a while in the morning. I met Maude and Mabel Skirvin's sister down town. Your Junior Friend, Elva Huffman, age 15. Chillicothe, Iowa, R.

R. No. 1. NED'S FAILING. When he woke up 'rJt -rd Allen, the to be unlocked but no, It was locked too.

neighboring pastor, conic In to express their sympathy. sitting silently for a while the sorrowful father began: "I thought, Mr. Allen, when I gave my Bennie to hlB country, that not a father In all this broad land made so precious a The dear boy only slept a just one little minute at his post. I know that was all for Bennie, never dozed over a duty. Why.

he was only eighteen and now they shoot him because he was found asleep when doing sentinel duty, twenty-four hours the telegram said. Where Is Bennle now?" "We will hope with his heavenly Father," said Mr. Allen, soothingly. "Yes, let us hope, God is very merciful!" Blossom sat near them listening, with a blanched cheek. She had not shed a tear.

Now she answered a gen tie tap at the kitchen door, opening it to receive from a neighbor's hand a letter. "It is from him," was all she said. Mr. Owen took the letter but could not break the envelope on account of his trembling fingers and held It to- of a child. The minister opened It and read as follows: "Dear Father: vvTWl it I Aij -A -VTr 4" hi A AUGUST 1912.

FOR THE CHILDREN "When this reaches you I shall be in eternity. At first it seemed awful to me, but I have thought it so much that It has no terror. They say they will not bind me nor blind me, but that I may meet death like a man. I thought father, It might have been on the battle-field, for my country and that when I fell, it would be fighting gloriously but to be shot down like a dog for nearly betraying die for neglect of duty! Oh! father, I wonder the very thought does not kill me! But I shall not disgrace you, I am going to write to you and tell all. You may tell my comrades about It.

I cannot. Now you know I promised Jennie Carr's mother I would look after her boy and when he fell sick, I did all I could for him and carried his luggage! for him. It was Jlmmle's turn to be sentry, I would take his place, but I was too tired. I could not have kept awake If a gun had been pointed at my head but I did not know BENNIE. Late that night the door of the back stoop opened softly and a little figure glided down the foot path that led to the road by the mill.

mill depot Two hours later the some young girl before him. Blossom told her story of It being Jimmie's night but Bennie never thought about being tired. The president read Bennle letter then took up his pen and wrote a few hasty lines and rang his bell. The president said "Go home my child, and tell your father he who could approve his country's sentence even when It took the a child like that, that Lincoln thinks the life far too precious to be lost. Wait, and Bennie shall go with you." Bennle came to the white house with his little sister.

He was called into the president's private room and a strap fastened on shoulder. Mr. Lincoln then said the soldier that would carry a sick comrades baggage and die for the act so uncomplainingly, deserves well of his country. Then Bennle and Blossom took their way for home. A crowd gathered at the train to welcome them back and as Mr.

Owen's hand grasped that of his boy, tears flowed down his cheeks and he was heard to say: "The Lord be praised! Esther Anderson, Hedrick, Iowa. "MR. MADISON'S WAR." "Mr. Madison's War" as the federalists liked to call our war for commercial Independence opened with three armies in the field ready to invade and capture Canada. One under Hull, then Kovernor of the territory of Michigan was to cross the river at Detroit, and march eastward through Canada.

A second under General Van Rensselaer was to cross the Niagara river, take Queenstown and join Hull, after which the two armies were to capture York now Toronto, and go on eastward toward Montreal. Meantime the third army was under Dearbyrn and was to go down Lake Champlaln and meet the troops under Hull and Van Rensselaer before Montreal. The three were then to capture Montreal and Quebec and complete the conquest of Canada. The plan failed for Hull was driven from Canada and surrendered his army and the whole northwest to Detroit. Van Rensselear defeated at Queenstown was unable even to get a footing in Canada- Dearborn after reaching the northern boundary line of New York stopped and the year 1812 ended with nothing accomplished.

While our army was accomplishing little our warships were winning victory after victory on sea at the opening of the war. Our navy was the subject of English ridicule and contempt. We had sixteen ships she had 1,200. She laughed at ours as "flr built things with a bit of striped bunting as our mastheads." But before 1813 our "flr built things" had destroyed her naval supremacy. With the details of all those victories on sea we will not concern ourselves.

During 1812 the frigate Constlution whose many victories won her the name of "Old Ironsides" sank the Guerriere the U. S. captured and brought to port the Macedonian, and the Wasp, a little sloop of eighteen guns after the most desperate engagement of the whole war captured the sloop Frolic. Never in the course of her existence did England suffer such a series of defeats as was inflicted on her navy In 1812. jnwiiti Viola Coover, age 12, Parnell, Iowa.

THE TWIN'S PAPA LIKES THE JUNIOR. Dear As we nave never written before thought we would write. Papa takes the Courier and likes It fine. We lmvt a little baby brother seven months old. His name is Earl Edward.

We live In ountry. We are little twin sisters two years old. If we see our letter in print will rr noticb! until tt was too late." I knew Bennle was not the boy to sleep carelessly at his post. "I cannot bear to think of mother and Blossom. Comfort them, father.

Tell them I die as a brave soldier. Goodby, father! God seems near and dear to me. forgive your poor watching the coming of the night train and the conductor as he reached down to lift her Into the car, wondered at the tearstained face that was upturned toward the bright lantern he held in his hand. A few questions and ready answers told him all and no father could have cared for her more than he did. She was on her way to Washington to ask President Lincoln for her brother's life.

She left a note saying where and why she had gone. The next All letters for this department mual be addressed, Courtar Junior, -Ottumwa, write again. Velma and Thelma Ohiiemus, age Lacona. R. No.

1. FLOY SEEMS TO BE THE IMPORTANT 1912. ing she-reached the capital and hastened to the white house. Without one word of announcement the door softly opened and Blossom with downcast eyes, and hands folded, stood before him. "Well, my child," he said in cheerful tones, "what do you "Bennle's life, please, sir." "Bennie? Who is Bennie." "My brother, sir.

They are going to shoot him for sleeping at his post." "Oh, yes," and Mr. Lincoln ran his eyes over the paper JUNIOR. Dear Editor: As I have not written for quite' a while I thought I would write a few lines. My birthday is December 2d. I am twelve years old and am in the eighth grade at school.

Our school commence the first Monday in We have preaching every other Sunday at our church. I hardly ever miss going to Sunday school. I only live a half mile from church. I have not missed but one Sunday since last winter. I like to go to church.

Our Sunday school teacher's name is Mrs. Curtis. I like her fine. She gave her class each one a new testament for Christmas. ELMER'S SUMMER TRIP.

Dear Editor: I will sell you about my last summ.er's trip to the country. Papa, mamma and I all went to my aunt's at Paris, Ia. My cousins wets there to meet us. We drove about two miles before we got to their house. We arrived about supper time and had our supper.

They milked three cows. We had all the milk we wanted to drink. The next day we went to one of mamma's cousings. There we made ice cream. They had a little boy.

They called him Ray, We had a nice time. And the next day we went to Moul'ton, Ia. There we visited another cousin of mamma's. We drove ten miles that day. We were all tired out and glad to get back to my aunt's.

My aunt has five horses and two little coits, three cows, three little calves, seven geese, 300 little chickens, two guinies. My cousin took me horseback riding. I liked it very much. When we came home we stopped two hours In Belknap. The train was late" I believe it was about 8 o'clock when we got to Ottumwa We were gone about ten days.

Elmer Willard Swope, 6, 703 Pennsylvania Ottumwa. LIKED 8PECIAL EDITION. Dear Editor and Junior: I think that the special edition of the Courier was a great thing for a city the size of Ottumwa to issue, and also one that Ottumwa should he proud of. Our school here will begin September 2. I am anxious for school to start, but yet I don't feel anxious to get down to work.

I will be a sophomore this fall. My studies will be 10th grade algebra, American literature, general history and Caesar. li1 Florence Champlin will be our er. I like to go to school. The farmers in this neighborhood are threshing this week.

Your Junior Friend, Mildred Adams, age 12. Seymour, Iowa. A FAITHFUL BEAST. "Here, Bruno," said marnma, take this basket and go to Mr. Jones for some eggs.

Llzirte may go with yoa and draw Mamie in the cart, and Charlie can ride his But Just around the corner Carlo Jones came bouncing along and whispered in dog language, "Come Bruno, let's have a good run never mind these silly children." But Bruno trotted gravely on and would not listen to Carlo. Then cross old Growler Brown came by and sniffed as If he would like to eat eggs and children too. "Go away Growler," said Bruno in a deep voice. 'Til bite Charlie" said Growler. "No you won't," said Bruno, walking very close to Charlie.

Growler kept saying bad and trying to make Bruno angry, till they got almost home, then he got behind the barn because he was ashamed of himself, as 1 have sometimes seen bad boys do, when a good boy's mother comes in sight. Bruno carried the eggs to the door, saw mamma take the children in, then he ran back as fast as he could go, and in a minute more mamma heard Growler Brown run down the street yelping and ki-yi-ing at the top of his voice. "When Bruno got home he spread out his table cloth on the carpet, brought his bowl and set it down In the middle of the cloth. Then he was given an extra good dinner and very loving pats from the little folks. Don't you think he deserved it all? Ellen Myers, age 13, Eddyville, R.

3. I if Floy Young, i'? Chariton, la. R. No. 7.

EVENT8 OP The most Important events of 1918 are: The first of January Is New Year's day. People don't do very much work on that day. The mall carriers do not have to carry their mall. Then Jan. 1912 is my cousin Blanch Shrew's birthday.

She was 11 her last birthday. January is an awfully cold month. Then In February 1912 comes St. Valentine's day. That is when people send notes to each other to remember a good old man who cared and nursed the sick.

When he did they said he was good enough to be called a saint. And his birthday was on the 14th and that is why we celebrate it. Then George Washington's birthday is on the 22d. He was so good he never told a lie. That is why we celebrate February 22.

The first of April is April Pool's day. People tell some one to look and see things. When they look they hollow "April Fool." My papa's birthday is on the 2nd of April. Then comes May. My cousin Gretchen's birthday is the 4th of May.

My mother's birthday is the 6th of May. Then on the 30th of May is Decoration day. Then June 1 Is Margaret Shrew's my cousin's birthday. She was 2. They had a little party for her.

Then July 4. What a time! Fire crackers, sky rockets, anything to make a noise. Marguerite Gilbert, Mt. Zion Johnny-Jig-a-jag be sure to take good care of them Bruno lagged his tall and looked pleased and they started off in the best of spirits! Mr. Jones gave them the eggs and Bruno walked beside the cart as if he knew the eggs were brittle..