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Title
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Scottsbluff Narratives, 1937_018
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Alternative Title
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1937 Scottsbluff Narratives
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Date
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1937
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Creator
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Frank Shoemaker
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Description
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Frank Shoemaker - Sandhills Narratives
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Identifier
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321301
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Transcription
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1937 Scottsbluff, Nebraska June 5 Today occurred my first nature-study trip from Overland Park with three boys, 9 to 12 years old. They were quite without enthusiasm, naturally, for to them it was an unknown venture; and as always with a new party, I myself had to feel my way for a time. Within a hundred yards, by the roadside, I found one of our common weeds in flower. I plucked and shoed them one of the young leaves while telling a little of its history; in effect: that it was a kind of plant which is native to Europe; that quite early in the settlement of American by European people, some of its seeds were brought across the ocean -perhaps mixed with grain like wheat or oats intended for planting crops; that the soil and climate favored the growth of this plant, which now after two or three hundred years has spread until it is found in many states. So formally tabulated, these items are rather distressing; but imparting the facts conversationally took up only a minute or two. Then I put the leaf in my mouth and chewed it meditatively; gathering and passing around more of the tender leaves I invited them to do likewise. They were hesitant about doing so, but after a full minute had passed without my demise they made the experiment. -In a moment of the boys said, "Why, it tastes like mustard." "Exactly," I stated, "that's just what it is. Some of the mustards are grown for food uses, affording the prepared mustard which you like on your hamburgers or weenies." ("Wiener," please be advised, is a stuck-up word, not favored by the right kind of boys.)
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Rights
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To inquire about usage, please contact Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries. These images are for educational use only. Not all images are available for publication.
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Is Version Of
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frank_h_shoemaker_321301-03839.jpg
