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+Project Gutenberg's The Blue Birds' Winter Nest, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Blue Birds' Winter Nest
+
+Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+Release Date: December 3, 2007 [EBook #23693]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE BIRDS' WINTER NEST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were deep in the work of
+constructing a magazine. (Page 259) ("The Blue Birds' Winter Nest.")]
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE BLUE BIRDS' WINTER NEST
+
+By
+LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+Author Of
+"The Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest," "The Blue Birds' Uncle Ben,"
+"The Blue Birds at Happy Hills," "The Five Little Starrs Series,"
+"The Girl Scouts' Country Life Series," etc.
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+Publishers--New York
+
+Printed in U. S. A.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1916, by
+THE PLATT & PECK COMPANY
+
+Printed in U. S. A.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+                                 CONTENTS
+
+   CHAPTER                                                          PAGE
+
+         I. How Aunt Selina Flew                                       7
+        II. A Sunday Walk and Its Results                             26
+       III. The Blue Birds' Inspiration                               45
+        IV. The Bobolink Boys Founded                                 62
+         V. Uncle Ben's Business Talk                                 81
+        VI. Beginning the Winter Work                                 96
+       VII. Blue Bird Wisdom and Bobolink Work                       114
+      VIII. Aunt Selina's Civil War Story                            135
+        IX. How the Yankees Took Possession                          160
+         X. Beginning To Spell Success                               179
+        XI. The Winter Nest Council                                  199
+       XII. The Story of an Alaskan Trip                             219
+      XIII. A Winter in the Frozen North                             238
+       XIV. The B. B. & B. B. Magazine                               259
+        XV. How the Magazine Went Out                                285
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+THE BLUE BIRDS' WINTER NEST
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+HOW AUNT SELINA FLEW
+
+
+"Sally! I say, Sally! Come here!" cried a peevish voice, belonging to a
+querulous old lady who was huddled up on a couch in the bright morning
+room of her fine old mansion.
+
+"I'se here, Miss S'lina--comin' straight an' fas' as mah laigs kin
+brings me!" replied a cheerful colored woman, bustling around, and
+moving some toast so it would not scorch.
+
+"Are you quite sure you told Abe to meet the eleven-thirty train at
+Greenfields station? Just fancy how dreadful it would be to have Miss
+Ruth get off the train and not find anyone there to meet her!"
+complained Miss Selina, her face twitching with pain as she raised her
+hands to emphasize her remark.
+
+"Laws'ee, Miss S'lina! Don' you be 'fraid dat I han't tended to
+eberyt'ing for little Miss Rufie's welcome! Leave it to ole Sally, what
+likes dat chile like her own kin!"
+
+"Well, then, Sally, hurry with my toast and tea--and for goodness' sake,
+don't you bring scorched toast again! There, I can smell it burning this
+very minute! How many times must I tell you that I will not trust those
+electric toasters? The old-fashioned coal fire is good enough for
+me--and it would be for you, too, if it were not for your ridiculous
+ideas of being progressive and having all these electric fol-de-rols put
+up in the house. My house, too! Think of it! A servant to order these
+contraptions and use them in my very own home and make me pay for them,
+when I prefer the ways of my forefathers." Then utterly wearied with her
+long complaint, Miss Selina collapsed, and closed her eyes.
+
+Sally, the old family servant who had lived all her days with the
+Talmage family at Happy Hills, had been a playmate of Miss Selina's; in
+fact, she had grown up with all the children of the "big house." She
+smiled indulgently at her mistress' words, as she bent over a fresh
+piece of toast.
+
+"Pore chile--Sally knows a heap of time is saved 'twixt 'lectricity an'
+coal, an' she's goin' to cleave to the bestes' way ever foun' yit--an'
+she knows what dem old rheumaticks is a-doin' to your temper,"
+soliloquized the astute servant.
+
+The toast was nicely browned, and the tea brewed perfectly, and Sally
+placed them on a dainty tray which she carried over to the couch.
+
+"Want I should leave you alone, or he'p you break the bread?" asked
+Sally, soothingly.
+
+Miss Selina opened her eyes and answered, "If I were sure you had Miss
+Ruth's room all ready, and everything else as it should be, I would let
+you pour that tea for me; but I suppose you have neglected half your
+work to be in here with me."
+
+Sally's broad grin wrinkled the corners of her mouth, as she took the
+teapot and poured the fragrant beverage into a Japanese cup. At the same
+time her mind seemed to dwell upon a pleasant subject.
+
+"Does you 'member, Miss S'lina, de las' time little Rufie visited us?
+Dat's de time she was all full of a plan for havin' some kin' of a
+bird's nest at home. I wonder ef she ever did fix it up?"
+
+Miss Selina forgot to find fault for a few moments, as Sally's words
+caused her to remember the plan her grand-niece had talked over.
+
+"Seems to me, her mother wrote something in a letter about a Blue Bird
+Nest they were going to start. But I haven't the slightest idea what it
+is. I should think they would build nests for robins and birds who are
+plentiful in our country places. Blue Birds are not very numerous in our
+woods."
+
+"T'wan't for real birds--don' you recomember? It was jus' de name dey
+was goin' to use fer a li'l 'sociation like!" corrected Sally, as she
+held the plate of toast within reach of the invalid's hand.
+
+"No, I don't remember! How should I?--with all this pain forever tying
+me into knots!" mumbled Miss Selina, as a toothsome morsel of toast
+entered her mouth.
+
+Suddenly, the crunching of wheels on the gravel drive was heard, and
+Sally craned her neck to look from the window.
+
+"There goes Abe now," she said.
+
+The same day the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest, at Oakdale, had become
+"Fliers," little Ruth Talmage, the favorite of the Nest, had received an
+invitation to spend a week at her Aunt Selina's house, and Abe was now
+on his way to the station to meet her.
+
+Aunt Selina was an unpleasant old lady, and few of her relatives cared
+to visit her; so, when she had her attacks of rheumatism she generally
+had to spend her time on the couch with no one to amuse her. She had
+invited Ruth the previous Spring, and had enjoyed the little girl's
+visit so much, that she had sent for her now when helpless with another
+attack.
+
+Of course, when the telegram came to Ruth's home, asking the little girl
+to visit Aunt Selina, the Blue Birds felt sorry for her, knowing what a
+miserable time Ruth would have. Then, too, Ruth's father was expected
+home that Saturday, and Ruth had not seen him for almost a year.
+
+Ruth, however, was willing to sacrifice her own pleasure to help Aunt
+Selina--as every Blue Bird tries to follow the Golden Rule--so she left
+her playmates Saturday morning, with promises to write every day until
+she returned, and they, in turn, earnestly promised to explain to her
+father just why she went away the day he was expected home.
+
+Now, Happy Hills, Aunt Selina's home, was several miles from Greenfields
+Station, and the country about this section of Pennsylvania was so
+beautiful and healthful that city people gradually settled upon estates
+and spent their summers there. Beautiful carriages and automobiles daily
+passed over the fine old road that divided Happy Hills in half. But no
+one had much of an opportunity to admire the place as high board fences
+had been built on either side of the road as far as the property fronted
+it.
+
+Happy Hills was an old family estate comprising more than two thousand
+acres, half woodland and half cultivated fields and green pastures. A
+spring of clear water, hidden among the rocks of the highest hill at the
+back of the farm, furnished plenty of water for the noisy brook that
+tumbled from rock to rock on the hillside, and, after splashing in and
+out among the trees, ran like a broad ribbon through the green meadows.
+
+The entire property was enclosed with a high fence, even the woodland
+being carefully hemmed in so no little children could get in to play in
+the brook, or pick wild berries and flowers that decayed in profusion
+year after year.
+
+Sally was a trusted old housekeeper who had her mistress' confidence;
+Abe was her husband who had driven the Talmage coupé ever since he came
+North at the time of the Civil War.
+
+Miss Selina had not always been so disagreeable. She had old-fashioned
+pictures of herself at the age of eighteen when hoop-skirts were the
+fashion, and the young women wore their hair in "water-falls." At that
+time a handsome young man was in love with her, but he was shot in the
+war, and she brooded over her loss so long that she lost all the
+sweetness of living. The older she grew the more disagreeable she
+became, until, not one of her relatives wanted to be with her, but
+managed to keep far from her complaining voice.
+
+And for this old lady, Ruth had waived the anticipated home coming of
+her dear father!
+
+Breakfast over, Sally propped Miss Selina up on the cushions and left
+her for a time.
+
+After wondering how long it would take Abe to drive back from the
+eleven-thirty train, Miss Selina started to think of something she had
+been pondering the last few days. What should she do with her vast
+estate if she died? She had never made a will, for she abhorred the idea
+of dying and having any strangers in her home. But she couldn't take it
+with her, and she was nearing seventy years of age with all the signs of
+old age breaking over her defenceless head.
+
+She tried to think of someone to whom she really wanted to leave her
+home, but there was no one. She generally sighed at this point and
+dropped the unpleasant thought. To-day, however, she wondered if her
+nephew and his wife could be plotting to get her property by having Ruth
+visit whenever she was invited. This idea seemed to take hold of her,
+and she frowned as she made up her mind to ask Ruth questions about her
+mother's intentions and opinions regarding Aunt Selina and Happy Hills.
+
+Miss Selina had been so engrossed in her thoughts that the sound of
+carriage wheels on the drive failed to reach her. Therefore, it was with
+a start of surprise that she heard the door flung open and a happy
+child's voice cry:
+
+"Aunt Selina! I'm here! Are you glad to have me?" while a pair of soft
+little arms were gently placed about her withered old neck and fresh
+little lips pressed her cheek.
+
+The caress was such an unusual experience that Miss Selina forgot to
+wince or complain, and before she did remember, Ruth was bubbling over
+with news.
+
+"What do you think is to happen to-day?--Oh! Aunt Selina, we all have
+new names at home; even mother is now called Mother Wings and I am
+Fluff. The other Blue Birds have names they chose for themselves, and
+Ned is an Owl, and prints our weekly paper called the _Chirp_. Now,
+instead of Aunt Selina, I want to call you a bird-name, too. May I?"
+
+Aunt Selina smiled sympathetically at Ruth's words, but, recalled to her
+condition by a twinge of pain, she moaned, "Child, poor old Aunt Selina
+would make a wretched specimen of a bird nowadays. The only kind I feel
+that I could represent truly is a raven--for it always croaks."
+
+Ruth laughed consolingly, but cried, "Oh, Aunt Selina, that is just
+because you feel blue with those old rheumatics. Mother says we always
+look at life through dark spectacles when we're in pain, and we b'lieve
+the lovely world has lost all its brightness. Now, I've come to make you
+forget your blues and I _must_ have a new name to say, because there is
+so _much_ to tell you that I would lose time if I had to say 'Aunt
+Selina' every time. Besides, a new name will make you forget yourself."
+
+"What could you call me?" questioned her aunt, trying to fall in with
+the child's whim.
+
+"We'll have to think! It isn't as easy as it may sound to find a name to
+suit. We had a dreadful hard time to do it."
+
+"'Fluff' suits you beautifully. Who found it?" said the old lady
+interestedly.
+
+"I chose two, but we can only have one. One was 'Flutey' the other
+'Fluff'; Ned and the Blue Birds liked 'Fluff' best, and they have called
+me by that name ever since we were christened in the Nest."
+
+"When I was a little girl like you I used to enjoy whistling about the
+place so much that father called me his little flute. I can still see
+the shocked expression of my aunt who visited us, when she heard me
+running about whistling like a boy. She was a grand dame of society in
+New York, and _her_ girls were doing embroidery and being taught how to
+curtsey and behave in the drawing-room." And Miss Selina smiled at Ruth
+who fully understood the remark and clapped her hands delightedly at her
+aunt who had been a hoyden so long ago.
+
+"I just love to whistle, too. Ned says I can pipe higher and carry a
+tune better than anyone he knows!" declared Ruth, and aunt and
+grand-niece felt a common bond of unity.
+
+Ruth was about to demonstrate her accomplishment to Aunt Selina, when
+her face puckered into a funny expression and her shoulders hunched up
+about her ears as they usually did when some secret thought gave her a
+surprise. She leaned over the couch and confidentially whispered, "Aunt
+Selina, I'll tell you what! We both love to whistle, don't we? Then, you
+shall be christened with my other name! You shall be 'Flutey,' eh?"
+
+"Oh, dear child, it would be sarcasm to name me that now! Why, the only
+claim I have to that name would be because of my fluted skin. Just look
+at my neck and face!" said Aunt Selina.
+
+"No such thing!" retorted Ruth. "I never saw any flutes on your face
+until this very minute when you made me see some little wrinkles. Your
+skin is soft and white, so don't you ever tell folks what you said to
+me, 'cause they won't see anything but a nice face."
+
+Of course, Aunt Selina felt elated to hear such comforting words, but
+Ruth gave her no time to meditate.
+
+"Do you like the name I, as your god-mother, give you?" laughed the
+merry little girl.
+
+"Yes, indeed, it is fine, but we must keep it a secret. Just fancy Sally
+or Abe, or any of the servants, calling me 'Miss Flutey!'" And Aunt
+Selina laughed aloud just as the door opened and Sally popped her head
+through the aperture. Seeing the happy faces and hearing the unusual
+laughter, she immediately closed the door, without having been seen or
+heard. Out in the wide hall she lifted both arms high toward the ceiling
+and rolled her eyes devoutly upward as she murmured, "Praise be to the
+Lud, dat dat little tree is come wif healin' in its leaves." After this
+strange remark, Sally hurried out to tell Abe of the miracle.
+
+Aunt Selina, in spite of her age, felt a childish delight in having a
+secret with Ruth, and after a few moments said, "I shall have to call
+you Fluff, and you must call me Flutey, I suppose, if we are to belong
+to the same Nest."
+
+"Yes, that's the way," replied Ruth, clapping her hands softly. "Now,
+let me tell you all the wonderful things we did this summer."
+
+Then began a recital of how the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest started;
+about each member and her name; the nest in the old cherry-tree; how
+they had earned money to bring some poor children from the city to spend
+the hot weeks in the country; and, best of all, how they had interested
+all of the citizens of Oakdale in helping a hundred poor city children
+to spend a few weeks in the beautiful village of Oakdale.
+
+At this moment a loud knock at the door caused Aunt Selina to sit up and
+call out, "Come in!"
+
+"Shall you hab lunch in de dinin' room, or serbed here?" said Sally.
+
+"Lunch! Why, is it time--is it one o'clock?" gasped Miss Selina.
+
+"Ya'as'm--pas dat hour, too," replied Sally, smiling broadly at Ruth,
+who returned the good-natured feeling.
+
+"Well, well; I feel much better, Sally," admitted Aunt Selina. "Nothing
+like having young folks around when one feels blue, eh? I guess you'd
+better bring the lunch tray here, and Miss Ruth and I will picnic this
+noon."
+
+In a few moments the waitress brought in a huge tray while Sally
+followed with a folding table which she placed by the side of the couch.
+
+A joysome hour passed in "picnicking" the lunch, then Sally rang for the
+maid to remove the dishes. After she had gone, Sally turned to her
+mistress and, with the familiarity of an old servant, said, "Miss Rufie
+shore is de bestes tonic you ebber took. You'se et more lunch, Miss
+Selina, dan I'se seen yo' et in six mont!"
+
+Then whisking a few tiny crumbs from the couch afghan, Sally gathered up
+the doilies and went out, smiling contentedly.
+
+That afternoon worked a remarkable change in Aunt Selina. She forgot all
+about herself and her misery while listening to her grand-niece's story
+of sacrifice for others.
+
+She listened attentively to every word, until Ruth concluded with the
+words, "Now, we are planning some great work for our winter nest, but
+we don't know just what we will choose."
+
+So impressed was Aunt Selina with the movement started by the New York
+Organization, that she determined to help the cause in every way she
+could.
+
+In the evening with the help of a cane and Sally, Aunt Selina managed to
+reach the dining-room for dinner. "For," said she, "it is a shame to
+keep Ruth cooped up in my morning room all day long."
+
+During dinner she marveled at the improvement in her physical condition
+and worried lest her ailments return suddenly. But Ruth reassured her.
+
+"No, indeed, Flutey, we have so much to do and plan while I am here,
+that you won't have time to think of getting sick again."
+
+Aunt Selina looked dumbfounded for a moment.
+
+"Ruth, do you suppose that's what ails me--nothing to do but think of
+myself all of the time?" said she.
+
+"Flutey, not only with you, but with lots of folks!" replied Ruth,
+wisely. "You see, anyone who is busy and has something to do all the
+time never gets sick, because they haven't time to worry 'bout
+themselves if they feel a bit of pain. Why, this summer I saw lots of
+beginnings of sickness stopped just because everyone had to get through
+their work for the city children. Even me: when mother told me that
+father--oh, oh--oh!" and Ruth doubled over her plate and giggled
+immoderately.
+
+"Now what ails you, child?" inquired Aunt Selina, smiling in sympathy
+with her guest's merry laugh.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Selina, this goes to prove what I just said! Here I have been
+with you all day, so full of the story of our Nest and all we did, that
+I forgot to feel sorry for myself. Why, think of it! Father is expected
+home to-night, and I'm not there! When your telegram came asking me to
+come here, and mother told me father was expected the same day, I felt
+dreadfully bad about it, but mother said I might help the winter nest a
+great deal by coming to show you how to fly, so I really made up my mind
+not to feel sorry about not seeing father. And here I am all this time,
+forgetting my disappointment about leaving home to-day, and now,
+laughing over it. Don't you see?"
+
+Aunt Selina nodded her head comprehendingly as she said, "Yes, I see!
+Yes, I see what has been my undoing all these years. Child, you have
+done something for me that all my years have failed in showing me. God
+bless you, Ruth, for coming, and when I tell your father about it he
+will be proud of his little Blue Bird that brought such peace to me."
+
+As she concluded, Aunt Selina's eyes were brimful of tears, but they
+were tears of gratitude, and such tears always wash away much of our
+stubborn selfishness.
+
+Sally hovered about the table to be on hand to assist her querulous
+mistress if necessary and she, too, felt the effect of Ruth's words and
+silently praised God for the blessing.
+
+After Aunt Selina and Ruth were comfortably seated in the soft
+easy-chairs of the former's bedroom, Ruth asked permission to write the
+letters she had promised the Blue Birds at home. Aunt Selina nodded
+cheerfully, and sat watching the little girl write until her eyelids
+drowsed slowly over her eyes.
+
+The first and most important letter was written to Ruth's dear father
+and mother. The next to Ned, and the third to all of the Blue Birds of
+Happy Times Nest. Here, she wrote as she pleased and told them about her
+trip, how interested Aunt Selina seemed to be, about the secret name she
+had given the new Blue Bird and all of the fine things Aunt Selina was
+going to do just as soon as plans could be talked over. As the letter
+drew to a close, Ruth begged her friends to write every day and not
+undertake any important work until she came home.
+
+The last letter took a long time to write and Aunt Selina was fully
+awake before Ruth had finished.
+
+"Laws, Child! Do you know the time? What would your mother say if she
+knew I kept her daughter out of bed until after nine o'clock? If the
+letters are finished you must go straight to your room." And Aunt Selina
+rang for Sally.
+
+That night as Ruth slept soundly, Aunt Selina lay thinking over all her
+grand-niece had told her. As she thought of all her wasted years and of
+all the wonderful good she might have done with her leisure time and
+wealth, she turned her face to the wall and shed bitter tears of regret.
+
+Then recalling Ruth's advice to fill her mind with something good and
+helpful, the old lady vowed to pick up the frayed ends of her life and
+ask Ruth how to use her money and time to create some lasting good for
+others. As she smiled contentedly over the idea of her grand-niece of
+tender years advising and helping her, an old lady of three score and
+ten, the Bible text flashed into her mind--"And a little child shall
+lead them."
+
+Then Aunt Selina fell into a restful, health-giving sleep such as she
+had not had in years.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A SUNDAY WALK AND ITS RESULTS
+
+
+Ruth was out-of-doors early the following morning, enjoying the sweet,
+crisp breeze with its odor of dew-laden meadows. After sniffing
+delightedly for a few moments, she skipped up and down the long veranda,
+calling to the birds and snapping her fingers at some curious squirrels.
+Sally heard the joyous child and came out to bid her a good-morning.
+
+"Sally, what a beautiful farm Aunt Selina has! It looks lovelier this
+morning than ever, but it makes me sad when I think that no one can
+enjoy it except the folks that live here," said Ruth, in a tone of
+regret.
+
+"Ya'as, Chile, I feels sorry dat Miss S'lina had dem high board fences
+put up to keep anjoyin' eyes from de propaty. An' den agin, I kin s'cuse
+de little chillern dat sneak fru de back fences jus' to pick wilets an'
+paddle in de brok up dere;" and Sally looked toward the inviting
+woodland, whence came the sound of running water.
+
+"If Aunt Selina is to be a really truly Blue Bird she will remove
+whatever keeps others from enjoying what she has," commented Ruth,
+seriously.
+
+A bell, tinkling from an upper room, summoned Sally hurriedly indoors,
+so Ruth sat down in a large wicker rocker to await her aunt's coming.
+
+Sally soon came and told Ruth breakfast was ready and there sat Miss
+Selina welcoming her with a cheery smile!
+
+"Do you feel as happy and free as a Blue Bird, Flutey?" asked Ruth,
+giving Aunt Selina a hearty embrace.
+
+Unaccustomed to such healthy demonstrations of affection, she suffered
+her lace cap to be pulled over one ear while her other was uncomfortably
+doubled under Ruth's plump little arm.
+
+"Yes, Fluff, I feel unusually well this morning. I slept like a babe all
+night," replied her aunt.
+
+"That's the way all Blue Birds sleep. Not one of us would stay in bed a
+minute just because something tried to make us feel too tired or sick to
+get up early in the morning! You know, the Camp Fire Girls receive
+honors for keeping free from illness, and some day the Blue Birds expect
+to join the bigger girls in their Camp Fires. So we begin to practice
+good health now," explained Ruth.
+
+The breakfast passed quickly with not a sound or sigh from Aunt Selina
+about rheumatism. Sally was the most astonished of all, for it had
+become second nature with her mistress to talk about her pains and woes
+at all times.
+
+"While I was waiting on the piazza, this morning, I planned to take you
+for a nice long walk," said Ruth.
+
+"Why, my dear, I simply cannot walk out of doors. I could hardly hobble
+about the house this morning."
+
+"Oh, I s'pose you couldn't walk very well, but I can walk and you can
+ride in the wheel-chair. I will push it, and we will go down the meadow
+path toward the summer-house," said Ruth.
+
+Aunt Selina looked dubiously at Sally, but the latter was very busy
+placing some of the family silver in the chest, and her back was turned.
+
+After a few moments' hesitation she said, "I never take that chair off
+of the porch, and I am afraid you are too little to push it."
+
+"Oh, no, indeed I'm not. It won't hurt the chair, and even if it did,
+your pleasure just now is better than ten chairs!" decided Ruth.
+
+After several weak attempts to turn Ruth from her purpose, Aunt Selina
+surrendered with a sigh.
+
+As Sally left the room just then she chuckled to herself, "Dat chile
+will shorely 'juvenate Miss S'lina!"
+
+After breakfast aunt and grand-niece went out on the veranda and Ruth
+soon had the chair down the steps and waiting for her aunt.
+
+Aunt Selina felt a bit conscious at being wheeled like a baby, but Ruth
+was too merry to permit anything but joy to prevail.
+
+Ruth turned the chair into a path that ran along the brook, and chatted
+merrily until Aunt Selina forgot herself in listening. At the end of the
+path stood a rustic summer-house from which could be seen the wide
+expanse of meadow and woodland. Having reached this spot, Ruth placed
+the chair so her aunt could look about and admire her beautiful lands.
+
+"Flutey, don't you ever go to church on Sunday mornings?" asked Ruth.
+
+"The only church is so far away that I would have to drive for half an
+hour to reach it; then, too, it is not a denomination that I approve
+of," she replied, coolly.
+
+But a little thing like a cold reply or a curt tone never daunted Ruth
+when she was after any particular information.
+
+"What is the difference between one denomination and another? I don't
+exactly know the meaning of that word, but I know it means something
+about churches."
+
+"Well, some churches believe in worshipping God one way and some in
+another. These different beliefs are called 'denominations.' Now, all of
+our family were brought up to believe the Baptist manner of worship to
+be the only true one, and this church at Greenfields is Presbyterian. Of
+course, everyone knows that pre-destination is all wrong," said Aunt
+Selina emphatically.
+
+Ruth's eyes opened wider and wider as she listened, for she had been
+taught a very simple faith. She had been told that to live and follow
+the "Golden Rule" was the highest form of obedience, and that it was
+true worship. So she answered quietly:
+
+"I love Jesus, and I believe he taught everyone the same way, and I
+believe he just loved everybody the same way."
+
+"We will not discuss religion, Ruth. Just keep on thinking and doing as
+Mother has taught you."
+
+"Well, I was only going to say, that as we cannot go to church such a
+lovely morning, we might sit here and thank God for all these fields,"
+explained Ruth.
+
+Aunt Selina looked about the land in the light of a new revelation.
+
+"I was thinking," continued Ruth, "how I should love to have this farm
+near Oakdale. I could come over so often to tell you what we are doing,
+and then, too, you could use all of that wonderful woodland for Blue
+Birds' Camps in the summer."
+
+Aunt Selina looked across the fields and woods but said nothing, so Ruth
+continued.
+
+"When the two Ferris children came out to Mrs. Mason's farm, they were
+so happy to see real flowers and grass that they soon got well and
+strong. That made me wish that I had hundreds of farms just like it
+where sick children could go and get well. That was one thing that made
+the Oakdale folks help get the hundred city poor children out to our
+country for a few weeks in August and the lovely time the children had
+made everyone wish to do bigger things this next summer. Nothing has
+really been planned yet, but everyone is trying to think of some way to
+do something. This morning when I saw this wonderful farm and so few
+folks to live on it, I just wished it was near Oakdale so a big crowd of
+poor children could enjoy it next summer."
+
+As Ruth concluded and looked wistfully over the fertile land, her aunt
+sat thinking for a time, then answered.
+
+"Fluff, I determined to be a Blue Bird with all of my heart and soul.
+Now, we can't move this farm over to Oakdale, but the city children can
+be moved out to this farm! You can do the planning from Oakdale, and I
+can look after them when they get here."
+
+Ruth gasped in amazement at the splendid idea, then jumped up and down
+with delight while she shouted aloud.
+
+"Oh, oh! Flutey! that is great! Why, just think of all the streets full
+of poor children who can enjoy these wonderful woods!"
+
+Aunt Selina winced at the word "street children," but she spoke with
+determination.
+
+"I suppose we would have to build some sort of little houses, or
+temporary camps for them to sleep in, and a long shed in which to serve
+the meals. It will need a lot of planning."
+
+"Dear me, I wish we could run and ask mother about it," murmured Ruth,
+impatiently. "Now, if you were only visiting me instead of me being here
+with _you_!"
+
+"If I had gone to you, you might never have had the idea of using these
+woods for the children," ventured her aunt.
+
+"No, that's so," admitted Ruth. "And we can go back to the house and
+write all our plans down on paper and send them to mother, can't we?"
+
+Aunt Selina consenting, Ruth wheeled the chair back to the house. When
+they reached the steps the invalid felt so strong that she lifted
+herself out of the chair and climbed up the low steps with only Ruth to
+lean upon.
+
+"Why, I never felt a twinge in my joints all this time! I never knew
+rheumatism to disappear so quickly as it has this time," she said, as
+she sank down in a low chair.
+
+"Let's hope it won't come back again," added Ruth. "If it stays away
+you could pack up and go to Oakdale with me, couldn't you?"
+
+Aunt Selina, who never visited and seldom left her home, looked
+horrified for a moment. But Ruth continued innocently,
+
+"We could get all of mother's advice for the farm plans besides seeing
+father and being home with him!"
+
+Sally, who had seen Miss Selina coming up the steps without a cane,
+thought some miracle had been performed. So, wishing to hear all about
+it, she hurried out with the announcement that dinner was almost ready.
+
+"Dinner! Why, Sally, we just finished breakfast. I'm sure I don't want
+anything to eat so soon," replied Miss Selina.
+
+"It's pas' one o'clock, Miss S'lina, an' you allus likes de meals to be
+on time," ventured Sally.
+
+"I'm sure I feel as if it was dinner time, 'cause I'm so hungry," added
+Ruth, who always had a healthy appetite.
+
+Aunt Selina laughed indulgently as she rose and limped slowly indoors.
+
+Immediately after dinner Ruth hurried to the library and brought forth
+a pencil and paper. Meeting her aunt in the hall she said, "Now, we'll
+sit down and put all of our plans on paper."
+
+The greater part of the afternoon was passed in this engrossing work.
+
+That night Aunt Selina again sought her bed with a great sense of
+gratitude that she could enjoy the rest without any pain. She slept all
+through the night and awoke in the morning feeling strong and energetic.
+Almost every trace of her lameness had disappeared.
+
+The mail lay upon a silver tray beside her plate, and she smiled as she
+handed two letters to Ruth.
+
+"May I read them, Flutey?" asked Ruth, as soon as she had peeped at the
+post marks.
+
+Aunt Selina nodded, and Ruth tore open the one from the Blue Birds
+first, saying in an explanatory tone, "I like to leave the best for the
+last."
+
+The Blue Birds had written her because they promised to do so, but there
+had not been time for anything of importance to happen, so Ruth laid
+aside their short note and took up her mother's letter. The first
+sentence made her gasp, and at the second, she giggled outright. Aunt
+Selina waited patiently to hear the news.
+
+"Just think, Flutey, I didn't miss father, anyway--and just see all we
+have accomplished by my coming here to you! Mother writes that she had a
+telegram from father late Saturday night, saying the steamer was
+detained at quarantine on account of some suspects in the steerage who
+seemed to have symptoms of yellow fever. He is not sure when they will
+get off, but he will wire mother each day they are detained."
+
+Aunt Selina nodded understandingly, and Ruth continued: "Wish you and I
+could be there to welcome father when he comes! Flutey, you are so well
+this morning, _don't_ you think you could go with me in our automobile,
+if we traveled very carefully?"
+
+Her aunt was so aghast at the proposition that she failed to answer, and
+Ruth continued, believing that she was thinking it over.
+
+"You see, Flutey, we really need to get to the Blue Birds and mother to
+talk over this fine farm plan, and I am sure the visit will do you a
+heap of good, for I have heard folks say that a change is a great thing
+when you have been sick and tired of the same things about you."
+
+Still Aunt Selina said not a word, so Ruth returned to her letter to
+read it aloud. As she did so, her aunt sent a covert glance at Sally's
+direction to see what effect Ruth's invitation had had upon the old
+servant. But Sally, the wise, appeared not to have overheard a word.
+
+Later, as Ruth stood beside her aunt's rocker on the veranda, she again
+broached the subject.
+
+"Flutey, the air is so warm and balmy like it always is in Indian
+summer, and our car is so comfy, you wouldn't know but what you were in
+an easy chair. I don't see why you can't come home with me."
+
+"Fluff, do you know, that I could almost say 'Yes, I will go,' for I
+think I would like to see all of your little friends, but I really
+wouldn't know what to do with the house if I went away on a visit," said
+Aunt Selina.
+
+"Goodness me! The house won't run away. What does it do when you are
+sick in bed and can't walk about to look after it? It can go on just the
+same when you are in Oakdale as when you are in bed," replied practical
+Ruth.
+
+Never before had Aunt Selina been brought face to face with the fact
+that Sally was the actual manager. She began to feel a certain
+resentment against her faithful old servant, and then she thought what a
+relief it was to have someone upon whom she could depend.
+
+"I never did ride in one of those machines, dearie. I have said that I
+never would. I always use my victoria, or coupé," she observed.
+
+"You never rode in an automobile! Why, Flutey, you have the treat of
+your life waiting, then," exclaimed Ruth, surprised. "It only goes to
+show how careful we should be about saying things we are not sure of;
+now, you see, you are going to ride in an auto and so prove to yourself
+that you were wrong."
+
+Ruth took for granted that the visit and method of traveling had been
+decided upon, and, after some more futile excuses, Aunt Selina was won
+over to considering going the next day if it were clear.
+
+"But the sky looks cloudy, Fluff, and your mother may not spare the car
+to-morrow," she objected, making a last brave stand against the
+persistent little girl.
+
+"Oh, no, those clouds are not rain clouds--they are wind and mother
+would borrow Mrs. Catlin's car if she had to go anywhere rather than
+disappoint me by not sending Ike with ours," replied Ruth, very certain
+of her mother's loving coöperation.
+
+"Well, I shall have to break the news to Sally and see if she can spare
+me for a few days," sighed her aunt, tingling with anticipation at the
+unusual event, but loath to forego the hope that her presence was
+necessary at home.
+
+"I'll run and ask her to come here at once, so we can telegraph mother
+about the car," said Ruth, as she ran to call Sally.
+
+One never had to go far to find Sally, for wherever Miss Selina was,
+there would Sally be found hovering about, also. Ruth caught hold of the
+plump brown hand and dragged her out to the piazza.
+
+When the important question was put before her, Sally was diplomatic
+enough to stand considering whether the household could possibly be
+managed without the mistress. After some time, she said, "If it t'want
+dat dis wisit is jus' what you need to put you on yer feet, I would
+say, 'I don' see how we'all kin manage.' But, seein' dat all de fruit
+is dun up an' de fall house-cleanin' not yet due, I adwise you to be
+shore an' go an' fin' healin' in de change of air."
+
+Aunt Selina was so pleased at Sally's answer that she told her to help
+Ruth telegraph at once for the car. Sally bowed and hurried away to the
+telephone where the message was sent to Greenfields to be wired to Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+The rest of the day was spent in pleasant excitement, with Ruth and her
+aunt wondering what to pack in the small steamer trunk, while the whole
+household felt the unusual stir of their mistress' going away for a
+visit.
+
+That evening an answering telegram came saying that Ike would leave
+Oakdale at dawn in the morning so as to get to Happy Hills by noon. If
+they were ready to start back at once they could arrive at Mossy Glen
+before night set in.
+
+Ruth was so joyous over the happy termination of her visit that she
+could hardly stand still long enough for Sally to tie her hair ribbon.
+As for Aunt Selina, she looked from her bedroom windows before retiring,
+anxiously scanning the sky for any possible rain clouds. She felt as
+excited as a child over its first journey away from home. Seeing the
+sky a deep blue with myriads of stars gleaming down at her, she smiled
+and turned out the light.
+
+Ike arrived earlier than expected, for he made record time from Oakdale.
+
+"Ike, do the Blue Birds know I'm coming?" she asked.
+
+"Sure thing, Miss Ruth," replied Ike.
+
+"And Ned--did he miss me?" queried the little girl.
+
+"Master Ned, he went 'round like a bear wid a sore head. He was just
+lost without the head of the Blue Birds," grinned Ike.
+
+"And mother--and Ike, father? Did father wonder why I left without
+seeing him," half-whispered Ruth.
+
+Ike dropped his wrench and stood up.
+
+"Why, Miss Ruth, I forgot to tell you! Mr. Ta'mage ain't home yet. A
+wire came late last night saying he expected to get off the boat to-day,
+so they are looking for him this noon."
+
+"Oh, oh, Ike! how could you keep such grand news from me all this time!"
+exclaimed Ruth, racing indoors to tell her aunt.
+
+When Ike said he was ready to start, Aunt Selina and Ruth were helped
+to the comfortable seat and robes were tucked in about them, while the
+servants stood in a semi-circle about the car, smiling and nodding
+good-byes.
+
+Ike honked the siren for the benefit of the servants, then started the
+easy-running machine.
+
+Aunt Selina felt so very comfortable that she admitted the fact to Ruth.
+
+"I never knew these cars were so easy-riding."
+
+After passing a stretch of bad road Ike put on more speed and Aunt
+Selina leaned forward to admonish him.
+
+"Don't go fast enough to be dangerous! Are we going about eight miles an
+hour?"
+
+Ike smiled to himself as he heard the question.
+
+"We're travelin' a bit more than eight, ma'am. I s'pose you are
+'customed to that speed from drivin' horses?"
+
+"Yes, that's it. I never like to go faster than that rate, but you are
+not going too fast, yet. Be sure to slow up going around corners--we
+might run into someone," she returned, settling herself comfortably back
+in the robes.
+
+Ike promised to be most careful, but dared not hint at the actual speed
+they were traveling, and would have to keep up, to enable them to reach
+Oakdale before night.
+
+With the sun shining brightly, and the beautiful autumn coloring in the
+foliage, the journey was most enjoyable.
+
+About six o'clock the car reached Mason's farm and Ruth told her aunt
+that there the first little city children lived all summer. Next, the
+car passed Betty's home, but no one was in sight, although Ruth watched
+for Betty to appear. Mrs. Catlin's beautiful home on the hill was
+pointed out to the interested old lady, and then Ike turned off of the
+main road and drove along the woodland road that ran by the swimming
+pool. Ruth told all about it, and hoped the Nest in the cherry-tree
+could be seen in the twilight.
+
+Ike stopped under the old tree and Ruth spied all of the Blue Birds in
+the Nest. She jumped out to greet them and they ran down the steps to
+crowd about her. Aunt Selina was introduced and received a quaint little
+curtsey from each child. Then the children said good-night and Ike drove
+on to the house.
+
+There, on the lower step, stood the long-looked-for father, and the
+moment Ruth saw him, she gave a cry of joy. Mrs. Talmage and Ned stood
+back in the shadow to enjoy Ruth's first sight of her father.
+
+After the greetings were over, Aunt Selina was made to feel quite at
+home in the cheery library until dinner was announced. The travelers
+were too tired to dress for dinner, so they were soon seated about the
+table and the conversation naturally turned to Blue Bird talk.
+
+Ruth went to bed soon after dinner, for the day had been tiresome, and
+Aunt Selina also felt the need of rest. She admitted that she enjoyed
+the trip very much, but her old bones felt the strain of the long day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE BLUE BIRDS' INSPIRATION
+
+
+School was to re-open on Thursday, and the Blue Birds had but one day
+more of vacation in which to meet and plan for the Winter Nest. Of
+course, they could meet after school, or Saturdays, but it seemed more
+like a meeting to be able to have the whole day for planning.
+
+By nine o'clock on Wednesday, therefore, they gathered in their Nest
+while Mrs. Talmage entertained Aunt Selina on the veranda with past
+doings of the children.
+
+Mr. Talmage had to go to the city, and he said that Uncle Ben might come
+back with him for a few days' visit. Uncle Ben was his only brother, the
+one who had given Ned the printing outfit for a Christmas gift.
+
+Ruth told the Blue Birds all about Happy Hills and Aunt Selina's plan
+for the city children.
+
+"Now, how shall we manage to find the children that will need the
+country next summer?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Did your aunt say who would look after so many children?" asked Norma.
+
+"No, that is one of the things we shall have to talk over. We only got
+as far as deciding that the farm was great!" said Ruth.
+
+"Indeed, it is a fine offer," said several little girls.
+
+"I think we will have to get the opinion of the grown-ups about the
+whole plan," ventured Betty.
+
+"Mrs. Talmage and Miss Selina are on the porch now--let's run over and
+ask them what they have thought of," suggested Edith.
+
+As the others were of the same mind the Nest was deserted. Upon reaching
+the veranda, the Blue Birds were pleased to see that Mrs. Catlin was
+sitting there with the other ladies. As Mrs. Catlin was a powerful ally,
+she was always welcome when planning was to be done.
+
+While the group on the piazza was deeply concerned talking over winter
+work and next summer's plans, Ned came out of the house and went down
+the woodland path toward the Starrs' home.
+
+Meredith Starr and his chum, Jinks, were under an old apple-tree in the
+garden orchard, and Ned joined them.
+
+"Aunt Selina's at the house, and what do you think?"
+
+Meredith and Jinks shook their heads and Ned continued solemnly, "She's
+given Happy Hills to the Blue Birds for their poor children next
+summer."
+
+"She has! My goodness, but they will have more than they can look after
+if they ever accepted such a place," cried Jinks.
+
+"Oh, they accepted it, all right! They're just crazy about it. But the
+grown-ups will have to help it along. I suppose they'll have to have so
+much printing done that we'll be out of it after this winter,"
+complained Ned.
+
+"If you think that why can't we have some organization of our own?"
+asked Meredith.
+
+"Yes! why wait to be invited out of the way by the Blue Birds? Get some
+club of our own going, and surprise them if they find us in the way,"
+added Jinks.
+
+"Oh, it takes a grown-up to help along such things?" objected Ned. "Why,
+where do you suppose these girls would have been if it hadn't been for
+mother's ideas and help?"
+
+"I guess you're right," admitted the other boys, rolling over in the
+grass again, whence they had popped up their heads at Meredith's
+suggestion.
+
+After a few moments' silence, however, Meredith sat up again and said
+tenaciously: "I don't see why we can't! Daddum would help us with his
+advice and your father, too, Ned. Jinks hasn't any grown-ups, but he can
+get some of the fathers of the Blue Birds interested in us."
+
+"What could we do, or where would we start?" asked Ned.
+
+"Well, first of all, don't let's call it 'The Owls!' That name may be
+all right for the editor of a paper, but I don't like it for a club,"
+complained Meredith.
+
+"We need a name that will sound so respectable that every mother will
+consent to having her boy join us," said Ned.
+
+"We might call it 'Junior Boy Scouts,'" suggested Jinks.
+
+"Then everyone'll expect us to do just as the Boy Scouts do, and the
+fact is we won't! We will have a sort of club for boys under twelve for
+the purpose of having a nice time, and helping them with their work or
+suggesting plans for outdoor sports," said Ned.
+
+"If we could think of some name that would appeal to the mothers who are
+so interested in the Blue Birds!" said Jinks.
+
+After many names had been laughed down, Meredith said, "Why not call
+ourselves 'The B. B. Club.' Everyone likes a secret society and the
+mothers can believe we are so fond of the Blue Birds that we wanted to
+keep their name for ourselves."
+
+"Oh, but they will think we had to steal their name for want of finding
+one for ourselves," scorned Ned.
+
+"Well, if you can find anything better, tell it!" exclaimed Meredith,
+vexed at his friend's laughter.
+
+Just then, Jim, the handy man about Oakwood, joined the boys. He saw
+some signs of trouble and asked what they were doing.
+
+Ned explained about Miss Selina and the Blue Birds, and his plan for the
+younger boys. Jim pondered for a few moments and then muttered, "Is
+there any bird you know that goes by those same initials--'B. B.'?"
+
+Ned thought rapidly for a few minutes, then said, "Blue Jay, no, not
+that--Black Bird!"
+
+"Bull Finch!" replied Jinks, laughing.
+
+"Neither! What bird whistles like this?" and Jim imitated so naturally
+the notes of the Bobolink that the boys knew.
+
+"Ho! Bobolink, eh?" shouted Ned, slapping Jim on the back.
+
+"Where would the 'B. B.' come in on that?" asked Jinks.
+
+"Would you divide it like 'Bo-Bolink'?" asked Meredith.
+
+"Sure not! Just plain 'Bobolink Boys' to offset the Blue Bird Girls,"
+answered Jim, as he rose to go on toward the barns.
+
+"Hurrah, Jim! I think you're a life-saver," cried Ned.
+
+"Three cheers for the god-father of the Bobolink Boys!" shouted Jinks,
+while the others cheered Jim.
+
+"There's Don and another little chap--try the name on them and see what
+they say," suggested Jim, pointing toward the front driveway where two
+boys of about ten years could be seen.
+
+"That's right. We'll see what they think of it all," returned Meredith,
+rising to whistle through his fingers to attract the boys' attention.
+
+Immediately upon hearing the shrill call from his brother, Don turned
+in the direction of the apple orchard. As the two lads ran up, Ned
+constituted himself chief counsel.
+
+"Don, how old are you?" was the first question.
+
+"Nine, goin' on ten. Why?" answered Don.
+
+"How old is your friend?" was the next question.
+
+"I'm ten next month," replied the little fellow.
+
+"What's your name?" asked Ned.
+
+"Tuck. That is what everyone calls me, but the name they gave me when I
+was too little to know better, was awful--it's Reuben Wales. Just
+because my great grandfather had it, they made me take it, too." And
+poor little Tuck felt very much abused.
+
+"Never mind, Tuck," laughed Ned, while the other boys rolled over in the
+grass to smother their laughter.
+
+"I don't most of the time, but when someone has to know the real end of
+my name, I feel dreadful about it."
+
+"Well, Tuck, we are planning a club for you boys and you can choose a
+new name if you join," consoled Jinks.
+
+"What's the game, Jinks?" asked Don, eagerly.
+
+"We hope to form an organization for boys under twelve to be known as
+Bobolink Boys," explained Meredith.
+
+"What for--to build nests and then sew doll clothes, or make paper
+furniture?" growled Don, who had been greatly offended to think that his
+twin sister Dot would leave him for the Blue Birds.
+
+The older boys who understood his attitude and its cause, laughed, but
+Meredith explained more fully.
+
+"Just for the sake of having fine times and getting something going for
+the boys so the girls won't run the whole town. If we start a movement
+called Bobolinks we can demand help from the grown-ups just as the girls
+have done. We can manage to do something as big as the Blue Birds ever
+did, besides having our outings and games at a club-room."
+
+"That sounds fine," ventured Tuck.
+
+"Fine! Why, there's my hand on it, Mete!" declared Don, as he thrust a
+grimy little hand under his brother's nose.
+
+Ned and Jinks laughed as Meredith looked doubtfully at Don's hand before
+accepting it as a pledge.
+
+"What'll we do first?" asked Don, eager to begin.
+
+"Tuck and you must ask as many nice boys as you know if they would like
+to join a club, and tell them what for," replied Ned.
+
+"How many can we ask?" questioned Tuck.
+
+"Oh, about thirty, I guess. I can take charge of one Nest, Jinks of
+another, and Mete of another," said Ned.
+
+"All right, we're in for it," cried Don.
+
+"We'll report to-morrow afternoon--where?" asked Tuck.
+
+"Better say at Jim's cottage--up by the barn."
+
+The two younger boys ran away to seek members and the other boys looked
+at each other.
+
+"Quick work, eh? We're in for it now, so we'd better get some plans
+going," laughed Meredith.
+
+"We'd better go to your room and figure things out on paper," advised
+Ned.
+
+So the three boys who started the Bobolink Boys went to the house and
+locked themselves in Meredith's den to make plans for the organization.
+
+In the meantime, the Blue Birds had joined the ladies on the Talmage
+veranda and their conversation turned to the work to be done that
+winter.
+
+"I wonder where Ned went," said Mrs. Talmage as Ruth drew a low stool to
+her mother's side.
+
+"He went over to my house to see Mete," replied Dot Starr. "Shall I go
+and bring him back?"
+
+"Oh, no, it can wait. I just wanted him to hear some of our plans so he
+could print it in the next paper," said Mrs. Talmage. Then she turned to
+the others.
+
+"You see, Blue Birds, since Aunt Selina joined our ranks and proffered
+Happy Hills for next summer's use, it gives us an entirely new incentive
+for work. We had rather expected to take matters easy this winter, for
+school does not leave much time for other work. But we have afternoons
+and Saturdays."
+
+"And Wednesdays, too, Mrs. Talmage! We all get out at two o'clock
+Wednesdays, you know," added Norma.
+
+"If I could skip music that day, I could have a long afternoon with
+you," said May, hopefully.
+
+"Well, if anyone who has studies at home for Wednesdays, could arrange
+to attend to them at another time, we could have every Wednesday
+afternoon for a regular meeting, too," admitted Mrs. Talmage.
+
+Miss Selina was so interested in the children that she smiled when they
+did, and puckered her brow into a frown when they did. Mrs. Catlin
+amused herself watching the old lady and almost rocked off the steps in
+her enjoyment.
+
+"One thing we must discuss to-day is a suitable nest for winter. We
+cannot occupy the one in the cherry tree much longer, for it is growing
+windy and cool. Then, too, there must be some home-work planned for each
+one to report at our meetings," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Won't there be any benefits or bazaars?" asked Ruth, who had visions
+of fun in the school-house assembly room.
+
+"We will have to earn money in some manner to help the poor children,
+but that will have to be discussed later," replied Mrs. Talmage.
+
+After an hour's discussion, Mrs. Catlin left with the parting
+injunction, "Call upon me for anything--I will be on hand."
+
+Late in the afternoon Mr. Talmage returned with his brother who was the
+editor of a prominent magazine in New York. The Blue Birds had gone, and
+Ruth welcomed her uncle whose visits were always a source of pleasure to
+Ned and herself.
+
+He sat down on the steps beside her and listened to her story of the
+wonderful work Ned's printing press had done that summer, and of the
+work required of it for the coming summer. Uncle Ben smiled as he
+listened.
+
+"Ned will be walking in my footsteps soon, won't he?" said Uncle Ben, as
+Ruth concluded.
+
+Before Ruth could reply her mother came out to welcome the visitor and
+tell him of Aunt Selina's presence.
+
+"Aunt Selina! You don't say so! Why, I haven't seen her since my
+graduation from college," remarked Uncle Ben, in pleased surprise.
+
+"She is in her room dressing for dinner," said Mrs. Talmage. "You will
+find a great change working in her. Why, just think of her offer of
+Happy Hills for the poor children next summer." And she proceeded to
+tell the story of Aunt Selina's desire to help the Blue Bird work.
+
+"Now that Uncle Ben is here, maybe he can help us plan some way to earn
+the money for next summer," suggested Ruth.
+
+"I believe you can! What we need is to find some way of reaching the
+right children, and then to start some work that will bring us in a
+regular income during the winter, for it will take a heap of money to
+run a large place like Happy Hills with several hundred starved little
+children living there," admitted Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"As a man who is so mixed up in publishing, you would naturally expect
+me to know some way out of your troubles, eh?" laughed Uncle Ben. "Well,
+well, let me think it out."
+
+At that moment the dinner bell rang and no further opportunity was given
+for discussing ways and means.
+
+So absorbing was the theme, however, that talk soon drifted around to
+the subject of farms, work and plans.
+
+"You can get a list of names of poor children at the Bureau of Charity,"
+said Uncle Ben.
+
+"That only records names of families who will apply for assistance; but
+the ones like the Ferris family, never are heard from in this way. Those
+are the children we want," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"When I return to the city I will see if there is any way of getting a
+list like you want. As for institutions--you can find all of the asylums
+and homes in the New York Directory. From them you can select numbers of
+crippled or sick children," suggested Uncle Ben.
+
+"Ben, do you believe circulars are a good means of letting people know
+what you want?" asked Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I can't say that I do. In my experience I have found that a circular
+letter meets the same end as an undesirable advertisement. Most of them
+are thrown into the waste basket."
+
+"We need philanthropic women to help us next summer. Mrs. Starr offered
+me her woods at Oakwood if her family goes to Maine, and Mrs. Catlin
+wishes to rent the Mason farm for children. So now, with Happy Hills on
+our list, we will need just the right kind who will love the work with
+us," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Better send someone to visit the women you hear about," advised Mr.
+Talmage.
+
+"But I need to find the women first," returned Mrs. Talmage,
+plaintively.
+
+"What's the matter with the _Chirp_? Can't we print a story in that and
+mail it to a list of folks in New York?" asked Ned.
+
+"That sounds good to me! I should say the _Chirp_ would do the work
+better than a letter or circular," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Yes, it does seem like a fine suggestion," admitted Mrs. Talmage. "We
+will talk it over this evening, Ned."
+
+"Why, when the _Chirp_ comes to my office," said Uncle Ben, "I generally
+drop all of my important work until I see what new scheme the children
+have worked up. I sit back and enjoy every word there."
+
+"Maybe that is because your nephew edits it--sort of family pride in one
+who is following in your footsteps," teased Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Not a bit of it! It is because the lad is original enough to fill a
+gap, and persistent enough to keep a good thing going. I haven't the
+least idea but that the Blue Birds would never have been heard of
+outside of their little Nest if it hadn't been for Ned and his _Chirp_,"
+commended Uncle Ben.
+
+"We are all certain of that," assented Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"And we are very grateful to Ned for all he has done to help us along,"
+added Ruth, smiling at her proud brother.
+
+"Mother, you said you wanted to speak to Uncle Ben after dinner, but may
+I have him alone for a few moments before you get hold of him?" asked
+Ned, in a worried manner, as if Uncle Ben would be used up if the ladies
+talked to him first.
+
+Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Talmage said, "Why, certainly, Son, if Uncle
+Ben is courageous enough to trust himself to your hands."
+
+"I'm shaking in my boots already," said Uncle Ben, "for I'm sure some
+dark plot will be uncovered."
+
+"Just wait and see!" laughed Ned, as he excused himself and ran to his
+den.
+
+As the rest of the family rose to leave the table, Uncle Ben said in an
+aside to Mr. Talmage, "I believe that this farm idea will require a
+regular organization to take proper charge of its affairs. Just a few
+ladies and children cannot handle so important a task."
+
+"I think you are right, Ben," said Mr. Talmage.
+
+Ned was waiting for his uncle as he came down the hall, and catching
+hold of his hand, dragged him into his sanctum where the _Chirp_ was
+printed each week.
+
+Uncle Ben sat down in the one arm-chair and waited while Ned locked the
+door and pulled down every window shade.
+
+"This is a great secret, you know," explained Ned.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE BOBOLINK BOYS FOUNDED
+
+
+"Now, Uncle Ben, we can make ourselves at home," said Ned, as he sat
+upon a box in front of his uncle.
+
+"Oh, maybe you'd like to smoke, Uncle Ben?" continued Ned, recalling
+that most men liked an after-dinner smoke. "I shall never use tobacco
+myself, because I have studied just what effects it has on one's system,
+but I won't object to your smoking if you wish."
+
+Uncle Ben threw back his head and laughed uproariously.
+
+"Does that mean that you will sit calmly by and see me ruin my health
+with tobacco, and not interfere?" laughed he.
+
+"Oh, no, you know I didn't mean it that way, although it did sound
+funny, didn't it?" replied Ned.
+
+"Well, Son, I never smoke, either. I believe a man is a better thinker
+and cooler business man without it," said Uncle Ben. "But, tell me,
+what is the tremendous secret that made you lock the door and pull the
+blinds?"
+
+"Here it is," whispered Ned, leaning over toward his uncle. "You see,
+when the Blue Birds started, I hadn't a thing to do, because the Starr
+boys were at camp and many of the other boys away with their families;
+so I undertook to print the _Chirp_ for the girls. I liked it, too. But
+they are planning so much for next summer that it will take a regular
+printer to turn out their work. Their organization freezes out the boys,
+yet we helped in every way this summer."
+
+Uncle Ben nodded comprehendingly.
+
+"Well, this afternoon, we boys got together and said, 'What's to hinder
+us from getting up a club for boys under twelve?' We all thought it
+would be great, so we started, and have the name, but not the plans.
+What do you think of it?" asked Ned.
+
+"You haven't told me enough about it to judge," replied Uncle Ben. "Have
+you founded the club for any purpose?"
+
+"Oh, yes! We will gather all the little chaps under twelve years of age
+into one organization, and take them on hikes, teach them work, play
+games, and do other things," said Ned.
+
+"And the name of this?"
+
+"We thought that Bobolink Boys--B. B., you see--would be great as the
+initials stand for Blue Birds, too. Of course, we won't sew dolls'
+clothes, or bake cakes, but we will help the Blue Birds whenever we can,
+or be independent if we wish. The girls wear bird uniforms, but the boys
+will wear jumpers of a certain color, with stripes for grade. We haven't
+gone any further. Our first meeting was held in Starr's orchard this
+afternoon," grinned Ned.
+
+Uncle Ben sat thinking very seriously for a long time, then he asked,
+"What about the _Chirp_? Drop it?"
+
+"Oh, no! That's one reason we want something of our own to back us up.
+We can all help print the _Chirp_, and with the little boys to deliver
+them, or run errands, it will be easier for all of us. Then, if the
+girls get up some bazaar, or entertainment and we have to print cards,
+etc., it will be much easier."
+
+"Then your plan is more for coöperation than competition?" asked Uncle
+Ben.
+
+"Cooperation in everything a boy can help in, but not to belong to a
+Nest that has to do things the Blue Birds do," explained Ned.
+
+Uncle Ben sat wrapped in thought, and Ned wondered what he was thinking
+of. Suddenly, the older man slapped his knee and chuckled with delight.
+
+"Now what, Uncle? I know it is something good, from your face!"
+exclaimed Ned, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, sir. I believe we can pull it off--we'll try, at any rate!"
+declared Uncle Ben, half to himself.
+
+"Do tell me!" begged Ned.
+
+"Ned, did you ever see our magazine come out? I mean did I ever show you
+over the whole plant, and show you what work it takes to produce a nice
+little paper book each month?"
+
+"Once, when father and I were at your office, you took me over the
+place. I told you then that I wanted to be a publisher, and you laughed
+and promised to start me on the right track when I was a man. Last
+winter you sent me the printing press and told me to practice," said
+Ned.
+
+"Yes, I know, but I wanted to see if you remembered. Now, I think I have
+a plan that will go a long way toward giving you elementary experience
+in publishing, and at the same time provide just what your Bobolinks
+would like to do. It will help the Blue Birds along for next summer, and
+keep them busy to prevent the Bobolinks from making all the music." And
+Uncle Ben slapped his knee again, laughing as he thought of how the boys
+would unconsciously start a race between the two--Blue Birds and
+Bobolinks.
+
+"I wish you'd tell me your idea!" coaxed Ned, impatiently.
+
+"I haven't it all in shape to explain, yet, but I will hammer it
+together in some way to tell you to-morrow. Where do you boys expect to
+meet at your weekly, or daily meetings?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"If there are but a few, I thought we could meet in this den of mine.
+But later, if there is a crowd, we might secure the Y. M. C. A. boys'
+room, or the reception room of the school," replied Ned.
+
+"By Thanksgiving time you ought to be in working trim to assume any
+large work I might think of, eh?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, surely! Long before Thanksgiving, I should think."
+
+"Now, don't be too sure. Boys are just as hard to muster and understand
+as girls, and the plan that suddenly suggested itself for you boys to
+try out is a secret ambition that I have nursed ever since I went into
+the publishing business--and that was over twenty-five years ago. I have
+never had time to take it up alone, and never found anyone to whom I
+could trust so precious a hobby. I see how this combination of Blue
+Birds and Bobolinks might bring the idea to success, but I shall have to
+think it over before speaking further," explained Uncle Ben.
+
+"Uncle, I surely am grateful for your confidence, and I shall be glad to
+know when you can tell us all," said Ned.
+
+"I wish to talk the matter over with your father first, but you may call
+together some of the boys to-morrow afternoon and I will talk with them
+to see how many are willing and able to help."
+
+"Well, I suppose I must wait, but I did hope we could organize our boys
+to-morrow at recess," said Ned, with an air of disappointment.
+
+"What's to hinder your doing it?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"How--until we know what we're going to do?"
+
+"Oh, just make your plans broad enough to take in any ideas that come
+along," responded Uncle Ben, rising to go.
+
+That night after everyone had retired, Uncle Ben took Mr. Talmage down
+the drive toward the woods. As they walked slowly along in the bright
+moonlight, they discussed various plans suggested by the ladies of the
+Blue Bird society. Uncle Ben led up, quite naturally, to the new
+organization of Bobolinks.
+
+"Al, those boys are wide awake, all right! If we were to give them a
+boost now and then, there is no saying how great a philanthropic success
+this undertaking may be. It may grow so far out of Oakdale limits that
+the whole world may take part in it. I, for one, have decided to lend my
+support and see what comes of it," said Uncle Ben, seriously.
+
+"Great Scott! Ben; you _must_ be interested; I haven't seen you so
+enthusiastic over anything in years," laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"You know how interested I have always been in the publishing
+work--even as a boy, like Ned is now. Well, one thing you, and no one
+else, ever did know, was the hope of being able some day to circulate a
+model magazine for children. I have known for years that the little
+souls craved something more than the wishy-washy stuff that is given
+them in the name of 'juvenile reading'--Heaven forgive the criminals!
+Why, our little ones of to-day are as wide awake as grown-ups, and they
+demand--unconsciously, perhaps--the same strong quality of bread and
+meat reading as adults have been digesting of late years. Educational,
+adventurous, interesting, work-a-day reading! But the books and
+magazines in the main have not advanced to meet the demand for better
+children's literature. I have long dreamed of just what I would like to
+give the children of to-day." And Uncle Ben lapsed into silence.
+
+"I never gave the subject much thought, but I suppose you are right,
+Ben," admitted Mr. Talmage.
+
+"That's just it!" cried Uncle Ben, excitedly. "No one ever stops to
+think about it, but keeps right on filling the minds of their children
+with stuff that never benefits them a particle. How many boys of to-day
+want to read 'Mother's Brave Little Man,' or 'Jerry the Newsboy'? Bosh!
+Boys of to-day want 'True Tales of an Indian Trapper,' or 'Boy Scout
+Adventures,' or good clean stories--school life, or outdoor sports.
+It's LIFE and HEALTH they want."
+
+"Guess you're right, Ben," said Mr. Talmage, smiling at his brother's
+denunciation of present-day literature for children.
+
+"All right, then! Help me bring about a reform in this line. I have
+studied this problem from every point of view and I really believe that
+the growing youth of to-day would not acquire bad habits so readily if
+they were given some occupation that would thoroughly interest them.
+It's worth trying, at any rate. Let's fill them with some great plan or
+ambition and see how many children will fall into the snares and
+pitfalls of the past!"
+
+Uncle Ben so inspired his brother with his enthusiasm that he, too,
+declared he would do all he could to help.
+
+"Here's a few women who accomplished wonders this summer with the little
+girls. We have a crowd of boys wasting their time day by day for want
+of something interesting to do. Let the fathers follow the mothers'
+example and help their boys band together for some good cause!" said
+Uncle Ben.
+
+"We'll get the men together and propose it--they'll see the value of the
+suggestion, just as I have," promised Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Well, Al, now that you're interested, I have an especially fine plum to
+drop into your hands. Your own son was the one to start an organization
+of boys and name it Bobolink Boys."
+
+"My Ned!" exclaimed Mr. Talmage, joyfully. "That makes me very happy!"
+
+"That is what he wished to tell me when we went to his den. He has
+organized a club for boys under twelve, just as the Blue Birds have done
+for girls, and the initials are the same--B. B.;--also, they wish to
+cooperate with the girls, whenever possible," explained Uncle Ben.
+
+"Well, well!" ejaculated Mr. Talmage, smiling to himself.
+
+"When I heard Ned outline his plan I decided to encourage the movement
+if possible by confiding my pet plan to them to experiment on," said
+Uncle Ben.
+
+"When the fathers hear of this they will be as happy as I am. The
+problem of keeping a boy actively engaged in some uplifting work is a
+sufficient one. Ned and you seem to have solved it for Oakdale,"
+admitted Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Think so! Then you get busy and gather the fathers together to-morrow
+night for a conference. We will see how many will agree to help along
+the work. I will donate all of my ideas accumulated during the past
+years."
+
+"I'll telephone everyone I know the first thing in the morning. Where
+shall we meet--in the library?" asked Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Yes, and if there are too many of us we will have to adjourn to a
+larger place," said Uncle Ben.
+
+Before breakfast the next morning the Starrs' telephone rang, and Mr.
+Starr was informed that he was wanted at a meeting to be held in
+Talmage's library that night. Meredith and Donald knew nothing of Uncle
+Ben's talk with Mr. Talmage, but they felt sure the meeting had
+something to do with their plans.
+
+Mr. Wells and Mr. Stevens were the next ones to be invited to the
+meeting, and after that a score or more of fathers were invited.
+
+Uncle Ben, who had hoped to take a few days' rest in his brother's quiet
+country home, found himself very busy in working out his idea so that it
+could be simply presented to the meeting of boys and men. He spent the
+entire morning in jotting down ideas as they came to him.
+
+Luncheon over, Ned caught Uncle Ben's hand and said, "You haven't
+forgotten the date we made, have you?"
+
+"You wouldn't think so if you had seen me working all morning,"
+complained Uncle Ben.
+
+"That's all right then; we boys will meet you in the big empty carriage
+house this afternoon at three-thirty," nodded Ned.
+
+"I'll be there!" laughed Uncle Ben, as Ned ran off.
+
+The big room in the carriage house had not been used since the garage
+had been built.
+
+Ned and Ike found some chairs in the store-room, and Simon provided
+several empty boxes. Long planks were placed across the boxes, making
+very good benches for the boys to sit upon. A large packing case stood
+a few feet in front of the benches to be used as the speaker's stand.
+
+At three-thirty every boy who had expressed a desire to join the
+Bobolinks was there with expectant looks. Uncle Ben soon arrived and
+took a seat by the large box. He spread his papers out in front of him
+in a very business-like way.
+
+"Boys, I will go straight to the business under consideration this
+afternoon," said Uncle Ben, standing up the better to impress his
+audience.
+
+"I think the first thing to do is to appoint a secretary."
+
+Ned was selected, so he sat down behind the packing case to jot down his
+notes.
+
+"Have you boys formed any kind of an organization?" asked Uncle Ben,
+turning to Ned.
+
+"No, sir, not yet," replied Ned.
+
+"Then let us attend to that now. You must have officers, and rules and
+by-laws for governing the boys and meetings. Now, I should suggest that
+we begin properly, and hold an election of officers."
+
+Uncle Ben then told them the proper way to proceed, and the boys were
+greatly impressed with the importance of what they were doing. When the
+election was completed, Ned had been chosen President, Meredith
+Treasurer and Jinks Secretary.
+
+"Now," said Uncle Ben, "with your permission I will preside at this
+meeting, instead of your new President. I will read to you what I have
+written on this paper:
+
+"First: The undersigned have met together to form an organization to be
+known as Bobolink Boys.
+
+"Second: The purpose of this organization is to provide a club for boys
+under twelve years of age, that will plan healthful sport, social
+meetings, and assist the Blue Birds in their work and play.
+
+"Third: Meetings shall be arranged for by vote of members, and all other
+important matters shall be discussed and decided upon at these meetings.
+
+"Fourth: An initiation fee of ten cents shall be charged each boy
+desiring to become a member of the Bobolinks, and dues of five cents a
+month shall be collected from every member. Should any member find it
+impossible to pay these costs he may be discharged from the obligation
+by filing an acceptable excuse with the treasurer.
+
+"Fifth: A bank account shall be opened at the Oakdale National Bank and
+all funds deposited there. All bills must be paid by check signed by the
+treasurer and secretary.
+
+"Sixth: Any member found deliberately breaking any of the rules and
+by-laws shall be expelled from the organization, after a meeting held to
+investigate the misdemeanor."
+
+Uncle Ben looked up from the paper and said,
+
+"Is that the plan of organization that you boys feel will cover what you
+want?"
+
+"Oh, yes, that's fine!" cried several boys.
+
+The others still felt too over-awed at the business-like terms just
+heard, to make any sign, favorable or otherwise.
+
+"Well, if this paper is acceptable a motion to make it official will be
+received. I want to get to the principal thing for which we have
+gathered," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Now, I shall make some suggestions," continued Uncle Ben, after the
+outline had been accepted by a vote. "Are there any boys here who do not
+wish to become members?"
+
+All of the twenty-three boys wished to become Bobolinks.
+
+"Are there any boys present who cannot pay the initial fee and regular
+dues?" continued Uncle Ben.
+
+None thought this impossible.
+
+"After this you write down the names and addresses of every boy who
+applies for membership."
+
+Ned made a note of it in his book.
+
+"Now for a catechism: This is very important," said Uncle Ben, looking
+about at the boys. "And answer truthfully!"
+
+"Ever smoke?"
+
+"Ever drink?"
+
+"Ever gamble?"
+
+"Ever swear?"
+
+"Ever steal?"
+
+"Ever fight?"
+
+"Ever play hookey?"
+
+"Ever strike anyone weaker than yourself?"
+
+"I noticed that most of the boys smiled when I said 'hookey,'" ventured
+Uncle Ben, critically. "But let me tell you! 'Hookey' is an
+innocent-looking vice that leads to great trouble. It is the seed of
+being unreliable. A man who is unreliable is a failure in the beginning.
+So, boys, beware of 'hookey'!"
+
+The boys felt the serious import of the words and each vowed to forego
+the delight in playing hookey when fishing was good, or when baseball
+was being played in town ten miles away.
+
+"Have any of you boys ever been in a printing plant and watched the
+process of turning out papers?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+Almost every boy raised his hand instantly in answer to this question,
+for what boy had not stood at the village printer's yearning to set type
+or run one of the fascinating presses?
+
+"Fine!" smiled Uncle Ben. "And now how many can set type or do small
+jobs on the press?"
+
+Very few could do this, but the Starr boys and Jinks often helped Ned
+with printing the _Chirp_ on his small press, and a few other boys knew
+something of the work.
+
+"Well, I'll have to explain to you what kind of work is required of a
+firm that prints papers or publishes a magazine. You may think this has
+nothing to do with your organization, but you will soon see," said Uncle
+Ben.
+
+As the speaker turned to take up several sheets of paper, a noisy
+chatter was heard outside the house and in another moment all of the
+Blue Birds, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Talmage, Mrs. Catlin, and Miss
+Selina, entered the room.
+
+"In passing, we heard the harangue going on in here, and found out from
+Mr. Talmage that a secret meeting was under way. We would love to hear
+the motive and perhaps suggest an idea now and then," laughingly said
+Mrs. Talmage.
+
+The Bobolinks looked at each other, and Uncle Ben said, "Members, shall
+these intruders be ejected, or shall this organization extend the first
+courtesy to one we hope to assist in the future?"
+
+The boys giggled, for the manner of presenting the case appealed to
+every one of them, and eliminated any feeling of intrusion from the Blue
+Birds.
+
+"One item to be written in our by-laws must be: 'Consider the ladies
+first,'" announced Ned, standing.
+
+"The visitors are welcome!" said Uncle Ben, making a ceremonious bow.
+
+"But please remember, visitors, this is a business meeting, not a social
+function, so I must ask the ladies to find their own seats and not
+disturb the gentlemen," said Mr. Talmage.
+
+The ladies were soon seated in a corner where Ike placed some boxes, and
+the Blue Birds squatted upon carriage robes spread out on the floor by
+Simon. When all was orderly again, Uncle Ben proceeded with his
+discourse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+UNCLE BEN'S BUSINESS TALK
+
+
+"Ladies and gentlemen!" said Uncle Ben, bowing politely to each group;
+"You may not know that I have always had one hobby--something like my
+nephew here--and that is still, printing. My present position as editor
+of a magazine does not satisfy my craving for the printer's workshop,
+but it is as near as I can come to it, so I have bided my time until an
+opportunity like the present one offers.
+
+"Before I confide to you what the present offer is, I wish to explain
+somewhat the working of a magazine plant. I believe it is necessary to
+tell you how much hard work is attached to the business, and some of the
+enjoyments when the magazine is ready to go out.
+
+"The first thing is to have the right kind of a story, or article. To
+find this it is necessary to read many, many manuscripts. We employ
+'readers' for this work of selecting what we can use. The manuscripts
+we cannot use are returned to the writers. After the first reader passes
+on a story, another reader goes over it, and if it seems suitable, it is
+handed to the editor. The editor decides whether or not to accept it. If
+accepted, he has to go over it very carefully. Sometimes words are
+changed, lines inserted, or whole paragraphs cut out.
+
+"If the story needs illustrating an artist is sent for. If a soft-toned
+illustration is desired, the artist makes a 'wash drawing'--meaning a
+black and white painting done with brushes, as in a water color. The
+'wash drawing' is then sent to the engravers and a 'half-tone' plate
+made for use in the magazine. 'Half-tones' are made of copper sheets
+with the picture photographed upon them.
+
+"Sometimes we want an outline to illustrate the story. A pen and ink
+sketch is required for this, and is made about twice as large as it will
+appear in the magazine. This is reproduced on a zinc plate, and is
+called a 'line cut.'
+
+"Then the story is given to the linotypers. A linotype machine is very
+interesting. It has a key-board almost like a typewriter. When a letter
+is struck on the board, a piece of brass containing the impression of
+that letter moves into place just like a soldier starting to form a
+line. When the next letter is struck, the corresponding brass soldier
+hurries into place beside the first one. This continues until a whole
+line has been 'set.' Then the operator touches a lever, the line of
+brass pieces moves to a new position, and molten type-metal is poured
+into the mold which the brass pieces help to form. The lead at once
+hardens, and the whole line is ready for printing, in one solid piece.
+All of this is done very fast--much faster than I can tell you about it.
+It is hard to believe that a machine can do all these things so quickly
+and so accurately.
+
+"When the linotype work is completed the printer places the lines of
+type on a 'galley.' Then the type is covered with ink, a piece of paper
+is laid on, and a heavy roller passed over it. This impression is called
+the 'galley proof.' If the linotyper has made any mistakes in spelling
+or printing, they have to be corrected.
+
+"After the 'galley proofs' are corrected, the dummy--a blank-page book
+just the size the magazine will be--is made.
+
+"Before us, are all the pictures and reading matter to be used. These
+are arranged and pasted into the dummy in the order in which they are to
+be printed. Sometimes a page has a little space left at the bottom, and
+this must be filled with a neat ornament or a verse. Sometimes an
+article is too long, and then it must be cut down and made to fit the
+allotted space.
+
+"Thus, the whole magazine is 'dummied' with pages of cut-up galley
+proofs and picture proofs, until it looks more like a child's scrap book
+than a magazine model.
+
+"This dummy goes back to the printer, who picks out the galley-type and
+measures it off to compare with the pages of the dummy. This done, he
+places the type in a form the size of the page, places the numeral of
+the page at the top or bottom, with the name of the magazine at the
+top--this is known as the 'running head,' as it runs along the top of
+each page throughout the book.
+
+"The printer next makes a page proof. That is, he makes a proof of each
+page. These pages are sent into the editorial room again, and are gone
+over carefully and compared with the galley proofs; if everything is
+correct each page is 'O.K'd.' If, however, there are errors, note is
+made of it in the margin on the page proof.
+
+"When all the pages are 'O.K'd.' the page forms are 'locked up'
+together, sixteen, thirty-two or sixty-four, in one big form, and
+arranged so that when the sheet of paper is printed and folded, the
+pages will come in the right order."
+
+So Uncle Ben continued his talk about magazine making. He explained the
+workings of different kinds of printing presses, how some print directly
+from the type "made ready" on a flat bed, the paper being fed into the
+press in flat sheets, and how some of the big presses print from curved
+plates that fit around a big roller, the paper running into the press
+continuously from an immense big roll as wide as the press. He told
+about the wonderful folding and stitching machines, and many other
+interesting things.
+
+During Uncle Ben's talk, everyone had been so interested that not a
+sound was heard. When he concluded, however, the tension relaxed and his
+audience began asking questions.
+
+"This is most instructive, but I can't see where it helps the Bobolink
+Boys in their organization," said Mr. Talmage, quizzically.
+
+At mention of the name "Bobolink Boys" the Blue Birds looked at each
+other, and then at their elders for information.
+
+Uncle Ben saw their wonderment, and laughingly explained the plot. The
+girls were delighted, and had so much to say to one another that it
+seemed as if no further business could be attended to that day.
+
+Uncle Ben, however, rapped loudly upon the box.
+
+"We have many important things to attend to," he said, "and all are
+requested to sit still and listen. I am going back to New York in a few
+days, and in the meantime I should like to help start the boys on the
+right road to success. Now, what you all want to know is, 'How does my
+talk about magazines help the Bobolink Boys?'
+
+"Well, this is the way: For the past half-score of years or more, I have
+longed to issue a magazine for young folks that could reach out into
+every plane of life; for the poor children in institutions; for the slum
+children; for rich children, for children in the city and children in
+the country--for every one of them!
+
+"I would like to give so much instructive reading matter on its pages
+that the schools will circulate it among the pupils; I would like to
+have the pictures of the very best; I would like it to inspire boys and
+girls to read better books, and make them ambitious to make the most of
+their chances; I would like it to teach them to make things and do
+things for themselves; in fact, I would like to make it the best and
+finest magazine ever published! But I haven't had time to experiment
+with my hobby and being an old bachelor I am afraid I do not understand
+children well enough to know how to write for them. The plan that I have
+been figuring out seems to fit most beautifully with the Blue Birds' and
+Bobolinks' work."
+
+Uncle Ben hesitated a second, but not a sound was heard. Then he
+continued:
+
+"Mother Talmage asked me last night about how much it would cost to send
+circulars to people who might be interested in the farms next summer. I
+propose that we start a children's magazine and use its pages whenever
+there is an announcement of importance. If you want donations of money
+or help of other kinds, ask for them through the pages of the magazine.
+
+"With the Blue Birds to write articles each month telling other children
+what they are doing, or how to make the things they are being taught to
+make, and the Bobolink Boys to write the experiences of their daily work
+and play, and some of the grown-ups to contribute poems and stories, of
+course it would be necessary to have contributions also from some of our
+best writers, and I know I can get them for you."
+
+The idea of such a stupendous undertaking made the children gasp, but
+Mr. Talmage said, "All you have said is fine, Uncle Ben, but who will
+set type, buy paper, print, bind and circulate such a magazine?"
+
+"That's just the thing! Don't you see? My very great interest in this
+plan will compel me to help in every way and all the time, and the boys
+will be kept busy at profitable and interesting work. When all the
+manuscript is in, and turned over to me I will see that it is set, and
+the proofs sent back to the children. The Blue Birds will enjoy making
+the dummies, pasting in the pictures, and arranging the pages; and the
+Bobolinks can proceed to print the magazines. If you don't expect to use
+this carriage house for anything it may as well be turned into a
+print-shop. With all these boys to work, the printing ought to be great
+sport and not much trouble to get out a magazine."
+
+The Blue Birds were clapping their hands in excitement while the
+Bobolinks jumped up, and in their eagerness, crowded about Uncle Ben,
+overwhelming him with so many questions that he was quite overcome.
+
+Then Miss Selina stood up in the road-wagon, and after silencing the
+noisy crowd, made an announcement.
+
+"I'll pay for the paper that will be needed for the experiment the first
+month!"
+
+"Hurrah, hurrah! for Aunt Selina!" shouted Uncle Ben, and the rest
+joined in with such good will that Aunt Selina sat down and held her
+hands over her ears.
+
+"I'll pay postage on a sample issue!" called Mrs. Catlin.
+
+Again the joyous young publishers-to-be burst forth into cheers.
+
+"What can I pay for?" laughed Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"You'll soon find that you are paying the heaviest tax of all in
+overseeing the publishers," replied Uncle Ben.
+
+"How soon can we start?" demanded the Bobolinks.
+
+"What shall we write?" asked the Blue Birds.
+
+Uncle Ben raised both hands for silence, and as soon as order was
+restored again, he spoke.
+
+"We have just installed new machines in our printing plant in New York
+and intend selling the old ones to some small job printer who can use
+second-hand machines. Now, I can pick out a small press, stitcher, and
+other things that you will need, and ship them out here. You have
+electricity here, and a small motor will furnish the power. When you are
+ready to go to press, I will send out an experienced man from our shop
+to direct the work and see that everything is done properly. The
+addressing and wrapping can be done by all of you. Of course, as far as
+we have gone, it all sounds like great sport, but there is another side
+to this plan that must be thoroughly agreed upon before we go any
+further. If you start this undertaking, you will have to keep on with
+it. At a certain date each month your periodical must be ready for
+mailing. You will have to write and edit, and print, whether the skating
+is fine, or the gymnasium is at your disposal, or whether Thanksgiving
+dinner makes you feel lazy, or a toothache keeps you awake all night.
+Publishing work is very interesting, most instructive, and profitable,
+but it is work, work, work, and not all play!"
+
+"Oh, we know that, Uncle Ben," said Ned. "And we'll promise to take all
+of the consequences that go with the game."
+
+The other boys seconded Ned's statement, and the Blue Birds eagerly
+agreed to the plan, so Uncle Ben really had no further objections to
+make.
+
+"Oh, I can hardly wait to begin my page," cried Ruth.
+
+"I'd rather see the magazine--maybe it will be a home-made looking
+thing!" exclaimed Dot Starr.
+
+"It will not! Not with us boys to boss the plant!" bragged Don, her
+twin.
+
+"If it is home-made, you'll have to do it all again," commented Uncle
+Ben.
+
+"That is where Mrs. Talmage's work comes in," laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"It will be a regular magazine, all right!" exclaimed Mrs. Talmage
+emphatically.
+
+"We boys will see to it that no magazine is mailed that will make folks
+laugh at us," guaranteed Ned.
+
+"I'm sure I placed my hobby in the right hands, for you children seem to
+take a pride in doing things well," commended Uncle Ben.
+
+"And with a nephew stepping right in his uncle's footprints, why
+shouldn't things be done right?" laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Say, Uncle Ben, how long must we wait before we can begin?" asked Don
+Starr.
+
+"Get as busy as you like to-morrow after school," replied Uncle Ben.
+"I'll run into town and attend to having the things shipped here as long
+as you have agreed to my plans; you boys may start making benches,
+tables, or whatever will be needed in the plant."
+
+"They'll need a desk, some chairs, a table and a few other things,"
+suggested Mr. Talmage, looking around. "It might be advisable for them
+to partition off a corner of this room for an office."
+
+"I have a good roll-top desk in the store-room at home; it has never had
+any use since Mr. Catlin passed away. The boys shall have that," offered
+Mrs. Catlin.
+
+"And I can spare that long table we used to have in the dairy before we
+installed the patent butter machines," added Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"In case I find any other pieces of Mr. Catlin's office furniture I will
+send them over with the desk," said Mrs. Catlin.
+
+"About those machines, Ben! How much will they cost the boys?" asked Mr.
+Talmage.
+
+"I thought of assuming the cost, and any time the publishers give up the
+work I can easily sell them in the city. The children can pay the
+freight charges, which will not be very heavy," replied Uncle Ben.
+
+"Then, there will really be no heavy expense to start with, will there?"
+asked Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"No, but a tax of application and interest will be necessary," smiled
+Uncle Ben.
+
+"We will agree to pay all of that you want," promised several of the
+boys.
+
+The Blue Birds did not have much to say about the machines and workshop,
+but each felt that it was to be their very own magazine, so that their
+interest and pleasure in every new development were keyed to the top
+pitch.
+
+"Betty, what page do you want to take charge of?" asked Norma, eagerly,
+as they left the carriage house.
+
+"I think we had better defer discussing that part of the work until we
+can all sit down quietly and talk it over," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+The men and boys remained with Ike to decide what boards and lumber
+would be needed for the morrow, so work could begin on their workrooms.
+
+"Let's have a sign for the front over the door," suggested Jinks. "I'll
+paint it at home."
+
+"Call it 'Bobolink Boys Publishing Company,'" ventured Meredith.
+
+"Oh, that wouldn't be fair to the Blue Birds if they are going to help
+in the work," said Ned.
+
+"Name it 'Blue Bird & Bobolink Company,'" said Uncle Ben.
+
+This last suggestion struck everyone as being just right, but Mr.
+Talmage made a good amendment.
+
+"Why not have a mysterious combination? Every mortal is interested in
+finding out a puzzle, or secret. The more elusive a thing is the more
+they chase it. Now, get folks guessing over your name and they will not
+forget you so soon. I just thought of the name of 'B. B. & B. B.
+Company.'"
+
+"That's great, father, but we haven't thought of a name for the
+magazine," cried Ned.
+
+"Add a few more 'B's' to the others," laughed Uncle Ben. "We'll name it
+the 'B. B. B. B.,' published by the 'B. B. & B. B. Co.'"
+
+"What does 'B. B. B. B.' stand for?" asked Mr. Talmage.
+
+"'Blue Bird Bobolink Bulletin,'" replied Uncle Ben.
+
+"That's mystery enough, I'm sure," laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+After a few more remarks, the first meeting of the organization whose
+influence was to be far greater than had been hoped for by Uncle Ben, or
+the boys who had started it, was dismissed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+BEGINNING THE WINTER WORK
+
+
+It is needless to say that the moment school was dismissed the following
+afternoon every boy and girl who was interested in the new Publishing
+Company, ran toward the carriage house at Mossy Glen. The teachers,
+pupils, and even some of the members of the Board of Education had heard
+of the plans made the day before--for in a small community like Oakdale,
+news travels rapidly--and the men on the school board were as much
+interested in the success of the children's work as if it had been their
+own undertaking.
+
+Ike had found some splendid pine boards, a number of two-by-four joists,
+plenty of odds and ends of railing, posts, moulding, and other trim that
+would make a boy delight in amateur carpentry work.
+
+Nails, screws, hammers, saw, and tools of all kinds were provided, so
+that each boy could work without delaying or inconveniencing the others.
+Ike and Simon were to superintend the construction and show the boys
+how to put things together properly.
+
+Uncle Ben and Mr. Talmage, who went to the city early in the morning to
+attend to the shipping of the machinery, had not yet returned.
+
+The Blue Birds gathered merrily in their Nest in the cherry tree, with
+several little girls who had been away during the summer and were eager
+to join the Nest.
+
+Miss Selina insisted upon walking along the path from the house when
+Mrs. Talmage started for the Nest and, upon arriving at the foot of the
+steps that led up to the Nest, looked up imploringly.
+
+"Flutey, I believe you can get up here if I help you!" exclaimed Ruth,
+seeing her aunt's expression.
+
+"Oh, no, dearie! What about the rheumatism in my ankles?" groaned Miss
+Selina.
+
+"Leave it behind!" laughed Ruth, gayly hopping down from the Nest.
+
+"I wish I could!" declared Aunt Selina, taking a firm hold on the
+handrail and trying to lift up her foot.
+
+"Ouch! that hurt my knee-joint!" cried she.
+
+"Flutey! That's no way to leave that rheumatism behind!" reprimanded
+Ruth. "Now, make up your mind to walk right up and forget the nasty
+little pain."
+
+Mrs. Talmage and the Blue Birds were hovering over the railing of the
+Nest to advise the two at the foot of the steps. Dot Starr, with her
+usual bluntness and funny way of expressing herself, called down to Miss
+Selina:
+
+"Flutey, you just feel those twinges in your joints because you're
+spoiled. Mumzie says I am always sicker if I let myself be fussed over
+and spoiled. _She_ just says, 'Try to forget it.' Now, if you were me,
+you never would be down there a second, but you'd jump here two steps at
+a time. So, I say like Mumzie would, forget you're not me, and we'll see
+you pop up here like magic!"
+
+Aunt Selina felt like rebuking Dot, but the children smiled
+sympathetically and knew Dot was sincere in her desire to help the old
+lady, so the invalid replied instead,
+
+"Dot, that is just the trouble! I can't forget the habits of seventy
+years. I wish I could make-believe I was as young and spry as you are."
+
+"If you wish, then you can! Remember the story of Sarah Crewe?" cried
+Ruth, helping Miss Selina to the next step.
+
+"I saw an old lady up in Casco Bay town last summer who was older than
+you and she never had time to remember her age, because she had to work
+all day for other folks. She said she slept like a baby every night.
+Daddum said one reason she looked so young was that she hadn't time to
+worry about growing old," said Dot.
+
+"If I had had to work for others instead of being pampered until I
+couldn't do a thing for myself, maybe I would feel as young as anyone,"
+admitted Aunt Selina.
+
+Meantime, without being conscious of the act, the old lady was being
+helped up the steps by Ruth, until, at the last words, she reached the
+top.
+
+"Why, I'm up and never knew it!" she laughed.
+
+"That's just the way to forget!" cried Dot, clapping her hands.
+
+"And you've left your troubles behind as I told you to," added Ruth.
+
+A chair was placed for Aunt Selina who looked about the Nest with keen
+interest.
+
+"Mary Talmage, I just wager this was all your idea, wasn't it?" she
+commented, as she noted the sides of the Nest covered with straw
+matting, and the cute wicker table and chairs.
+
+"Yes, Flutey, it was. But listen until we tell you how we found this
+Nest and the furniture," said Ruth, and all the Blue Birds chirped in to
+tell the story about the Nest and how the furniture was found hidden in
+unexpected places about the lawn and in the shrubbery.
+
+Aunt Selina chuckled, but Mrs. Talmage spoke with some seriousness.
+
+"Blue Birds, time is flying, and we must talk about our magazine."
+
+Ruth then explained the presence of the children who wished to join the
+Nest. Mrs. Talmage looked sorry.
+
+"Dearies, I would like to have you with us, but really I cannot take
+proper charge of more than I have at present. I want to do the work
+right and that will be impossible with too many in one Nest. But I have
+a suggestion to offer. Mrs. Catlin is so interested with us in the work
+that I am sure she will gladly start you in a Nest of your own. She has
+plenty of time, and a beautiful place, so you will be just as happy
+there as here. We can all meet when necessary and talk over affairs
+together. I will write a note to her and explain, then you can take it
+over."
+
+"I know Mrs. Catlin! We live on the same street!" exclaimed one of the
+children.
+
+"I guess we all know Mrs. Catlin, and like her; if we can't join Ruth's
+Nest, I'd like to be in one of Mrs. Catlin's," said another little girl.
+
+After bidding them good-by as they ran across the lawn, the Blue Birds
+settled down to hear the plans for work on the magazine.
+
+"I have some ideas which I would like to present to save time," said
+Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I apportioned a page to each one of you to edit and expect you to have
+the line of writing that best suits your ability.
+
+"For instance," continued Mrs. Talmage: "To Dot Starr, who did the
+cut-out paper furniture so well at the school-house this summer when we
+made the paper doll houses for the city children, I gave a page called,
+'What Can Be Made of Paper.'
+
+"To Edith, who always makes such good candy, I gave the 'Candy Kettle.'
+
+"To Betty, who is clever with her pencils, I gave the 'Drawing Lesson.'
+
+"To Ruth, who loves housekeeping, I gave 'Household Hints.'
+
+"To Norma, who likes to sew, I gave the 'Doll's Wardrobe.'
+
+"To May, who takes such good kodak pictures, I gave the 'Camera Corner.'
+
+"To Frances, who is an adept at puzzles and games, I gave 'Puzzledom.'
+
+"There are besides many other pages to edit which I think will have to
+be done by the boys, and some grown-ups, so I just jotted down the names
+of the boys that I think are capable of doing it.
+
+"I gave Ned a page for 'Domestic Animals,' Meredith Starr can have a
+page on 'Wild Animals,' and Jinks a page on 'Insects and Reptiles.'
+
+"Then, there will be need for other articles which the other boys can
+supply, and they can all help with the publishing. I shall write to an
+old friend who was judge of the Juvenile Court for years, and most
+likely has very interesting stories to tell. Another well-known writer
+of children's books lives in Washington, D. C., and I feel quite sure
+of her interest when I tell her what our plans are. Besides, Uncle Ben
+knows people who will contribute, as he told us so."
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Talmage, do you really believe the magazine will be so good
+that folks will subscribe for it?" questioned Norma.
+
+"Why, of course! Didn't you hear Uncle Ben say that he would be ashamed
+to send anything less than a real magazine through the mail?--That we
+would have to do our work over again if it was poorly done?" said Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"Just think! My name on a magazine page with my cut-out furniture on
+it!" cried Dot, hugging her sides.
+
+"How many folks will get one, do you suppose?" asked Betty.
+
+"The more the merrier," laughed Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Mother Wings, how do people get a list of names where children want a
+magazine?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Oh, different ways. Uncle Ben may have a list of families where there
+are children. I know dozens of friends who have children; Mrs. Catlin
+does, too. Then, there are the Wells, Stevens, Starrs, and so on: all
+families who know other families where there are children. Why, friends
+of mine in England and Germany will take this magazine if I send them a
+sample copy. And so a list grows when everyone tries to help."
+
+"If we are only printing this magazine to help along our farms for poor
+children I don't see why anyone in Europe would want to take the paper,"
+said Dot.
+
+"Don't you be so sure about that, Miss Dot!" said Aunt Selina. "After
+this organization gets agoing I believe it will make such a stir that
+its light won't 'be hidden under a bushel' very long. Only keep your
+magazine at high-water mark, and you will see a marvel before the year
+is over."
+
+Aunt Selina's remark made such an impression on Mrs. Talmage that she
+suddenly realized how important their venture might turn out to be,
+providing everyone did their best.
+
+A loud halloo coming from the direction of the carriage house called the
+Blue Birds' attention to the open door. Mr. Talmage and Uncle Ben were
+standing there beckoning for the Blue Birds.
+
+Aunt Selina found she could get down from the Nest quite nimbly, and
+all started toward the building which was to be known in the future as
+the "Publishing House."
+
+Inside, about twenty boys were sawing, hammering, and calling to each
+other while Ike and Simon bossed the work. At one side of the entrance
+the front corner of the large room had been measured off, and a
+partition about six feet high erected. This office had a wide window in
+front, and a closet on the side wall. The partition was of oak-stained
+ceiling boards that had been taken out of an attic chamber of the
+Talmage residence when that room had been refinished. The partition had
+a door to match, and the boys' work was exceptionally good. Six boys
+were busy completing the nailing of the partition and two more were so
+engaged upon hanging the door that the visitors were scarcely noticed.
+
+"Hi, there! Jinks, start that screw, will you?" called Ned, trying to
+balance the door on his toes while the hinge insisted upon slipping out
+of the notch that had been made for it.
+
+"I will, if you will stop wriggling the old thing!" replied Jinks, who
+had pinched his finger several times and had become wary of the
+unsteady door.
+
+Ike saw the difficulty the boys were having and, while the Blue Birds
+stood watching the struggle, came over and offered to help them.
+
+"This scene is as good as a vaudeville, Mary," laughed Uncle Ben.
+"That's why I wanted you to see it."
+
+"Oh, I think they have done wonderfully well," replied Mrs. Talmage,
+with interest.
+
+"They have, and Ben is so tickled with the boys' whole-hearted support
+of the plan, that he is having the time of his life," added Mr. Talmage.
+
+The other boys had made a strong bench to sit upon, and a rude table
+with a board top.
+
+The whole interior of the place was covered with sawdust, shavings, and
+pieces of timber. Planes and chisels were in constant demand, and
+hammers, screw-drivers and saws were all making a veritable bedlam of a
+noise, when Ike called "Time."
+
+"Too dark to see what you are doing," he explained.
+
+"Turn on the electric lights, Ike," said Ned.
+
+"Better not--you boys have done far more than we thought you could and
+there is no use in 'driving a willing horse to death,'" advised Mr.
+Talmage.
+
+As the boys dropped tools and stretched tired arms, or bent backs, they
+realized that the unusual work had made muscles ache.
+
+"Get on your caps and coats, Bobolinks, and come out on the lawn to hear
+of my trip to the city," said Uncle Ben.
+
+In a few moments the room was empty and the children crowded about Uncle
+Ben who sat cross-legged on the soft grass, while Ike placed chairs for
+Aunt Selina and Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Well, to start at the beginning, I took the eight-ten train this
+morning, and I was introduced to the Oakdale Commuters as 'Uncle Ben of
+the Blue Birds and Bobolinks.' That was reference enough for anyone. I
+was looked upon as a man to be envied and I even saw covert glances from
+some jealous eyes that looked me up and down and saw no especial favor
+to have boosted me in the estimation of the B. B. & B. B. Company."
+
+"Now, Uncle Ben, stop your fooling and tell us about the trip," rebuked
+Ruth.
+
+"I am, Fluff, but I want to begin at the right end of the story,"
+teased Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, begin anywhere, only get somewhere!" cried Mr. Talmage, laughing.
+
+With a sigh that indicated that he was misunderstood, Uncle Ben
+continued his story.
+
+"Mr. Wells, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Starr, Mr. Wilson, and many other men you
+know promised to advise and assist the boys in every way possible."
+
+"What did Daddum say?" cried Dot, eagerly.
+
+"Don't interrupt, Dot!" admonished Meredith, sternly.
+
+"Well, Mr. Starr offered a series of articles on his experiences in
+lumber camps, and, besides, he promised to take hold of any part of the
+plan in which we could use him," replied Uncle Ben. "Mr. Wells has a
+book that will prove valuable for our undertaking. It is a directory of
+benevolent institutions and contains the names and addresses of every
+asylum or home in the country."
+
+"Why, Uncle Ben, that is exactly what we need to find our sick children
+for the farms, isn't it?" said Ruth, happily.
+
+Uncle Ben nodded his head and continued.
+
+"Then, Mr. Stevens offered to have his solicitors try to secure some
+advertising for the magazine. His agency is one of the best in the city
+and I think his offer a fine one."
+
+At the idea of having advertisements appear in the magazine, the Blue
+Birds and Bobolinks looked at each other in surprise.
+
+"We never thought of _that_!" ventured Ned.
+
+"Sounds like real work, when you hear the words 'solicitors' and
+'advertisements,' doesn't it?" commented Jinks.
+
+"I've been trying to make you understand from the first that this will
+mean work as well as pleasure," insisted Uncle Ben.
+
+"They'll all wake up to that fact soon enough, Ben--go on with your
+story," laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Mr. Wilson, who is connected with the Oakdale Paper Mills, then offered
+to donate enough paper to get out several months' issues, so I accepted
+that offer with delight, thinking you could make use of Aunt Selina's
+offer in some other way. Mr. Wilson is going to bring some samples of
+paper over to the Publishing House soon and let us make our selections.
+A man whom I just met offered to speak to the Manhattan Subscription
+Agency about taking subscriptions for you and giving the magazine a
+good position in their next catalogue."
+
+"So much good luck actually turned Uncle Ben's head," laughed Mr.
+Talmage, during a moment's silence. "Why, he hardly knew what he went to
+the city for, and I had to guide him by the arm to show him the way to
+his office."
+
+"Of course, my friends here know better than to believe any such
+scandalous tales about me!" replied Uncle Ben, looking at his brother as
+if to dare him to tease any more.
+
+The children always enjoyed these make-believe quarrels between the two
+brothers, and Ned generally egged them on. To-day, however, he was too
+eager to hear about the trip to the city and so urged Uncle Ben to
+finish the story.
+
+"We found the machinery that I think you can best use here, and had it
+prepared for shipment. Just as we were leaving the store-room a man came
+down with a load of type.
+
+"'Where are you taking that?' I asked him.
+
+"'Boss said to send it off to be melted down,' replied the man.
+
+"'Just leave it on top of this packing case--I'll see that it is taken
+care of,' I told him, and he did as I said.
+
+"Now, boys, all of that type is coming out here for you to work with. I
+had it charged to my account at the office, for it was a 'big find' to
+get hold of some type just at the time we needed it," concluded Uncle
+Ben, taking a long breath of relief.
+
+"And now, I'll tell you of all the things Uncle Ben forgot to mention,"
+laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"When we left the stock-room and went to his office, he picked up the
+telephone and called up more friends than I ever thought he knew. Two or
+three of them were invited to lunch with us, and the others were told
+about the wonderful work the Oakdale children were planning. Every one
+of his friends was told to help along or suggest some way to boost the
+magazine. Of course, they had to promise."
+
+Uncle Ben chuckled to himself as his brother told about the telephone
+experiences.
+
+"Now, we come to the time when this crafty uncle of yours met his
+friends at lunch. What do you think his plot was? Well, just listen and
+I will tell you," and Mr. Talmage nodded his head warningly at his
+brother.
+
+"One of his guests was Mr. Connell, the man that owns one of the largest
+engraving plants in the city. This Uncle Ben told his story in such an
+engaging way that that business man actually offered to turn out the
+plates you needed for the magazine at actual cost for several months. We
+all know what that means--several hundred dollars on the credit side of
+the ledger."
+
+All eyes were turned toward Uncle Ben for confirmation of the great
+offer, and he nodded his head smilingly.
+
+"One of the best business advisers I know in New York said that he
+thought you children had an unusually good idea for a successful
+business investment, and hoped that you would keep it up until you were
+adults and saw the financial benefit in it," said Uncle Ben, seriously.
+
+The girls were pleased at this news, but the boys were hilarious to find
+that a clever business man approved of the plan they were working out.
+
+"When will the machinery be here, Uncle Ben?" asked Ned.
+
+"It is coming by freight and will take a few days, but you will be kept
+busy until then in finishing the shop-work," returned Uncle Ben.
+
+"Yes, indeed, we will have to build some stands for type, too, with the
+boxful you got for us," answered Ned.
+
+"We Blue Birds spent all of our afternoon engaging editors to take
+charge of the pages," ventured Ruth, who thought the Blue Birds had been
+quiet too long.
+
+"You'll have to have all the pages ready to hand over to me by the tenth
+of October, you know; I'll need about three days for making linotype and
+then you can have the proofs back," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, we will have everything ready long before the tenth," laughed Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"From the way the Blue Birds are working, I should say that each one
+will have about five hundred pages written by that time," added Aunt
+Selina, smilingly.
+
+"In that case, we will have to have each page add a notice at the
+bottom: 'To be continued in our Nest.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+BLUE BIRD WISDOM AND BOBOLINK WORK
+
+
+"There! my page is all done!" exclaimed Ruth, holding a sheet of paper
+away to admire the neatly written notes for "Household Hints."
+
+"Mine's done, too, but I'm going to copy it over to-night to make it
+look neat as a pin," said Norma.
+
+"Did you get any new candy recipes?" asked Dot eagerly.
+
+The little Blue Bird who took charge of the "Candy Kettle" smacked her
+lips emphatically.
+
+"I haven't started to ink the pencil lines of my cut-out paper
+furniture, but that won't take long," explained Dot. "I started with the
+kitchen because Mumzie said no good housekeeper would furnish a parlor
+if she had no kitchen equipment."
+
+"I did my drawing lesson, but I haven't written the lesson telling the
+children how to make the picture," said Betty, with a worried look
+toward Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Plenty of time, dear," soothed Mrs. Talmage. "You know Uncle Ben said
+we would have until the tenth of the month."
+
+The Blue Birds were gathered in the cherry-tree Nest after school, one
+day, waiting for the signal from the Publishing House which would tell
+them they might run over and inspect the huge pieces of machinery that
+had arrived that day from New York. Ike and Simon had to help the three
+truckmen as they placed rollers under the press and rolled it from the
+truck and into the room. The stitcher, cutter and other pieces were not
+so unwieldy to move and place. At noon, Ned saw the men struggling with
+the press and so refrained from going near the house, but he told the
+other Bobolinks, and immediately after school was dismissed a crowd of
+boys ran to their shop.
+
+The Blue Birds had been enjoined to keep out of the way while the boys
+cleared things up and investigated the various pieces of machinery. It
+was a strain on their patience, however, to remain in their Nest and
+listen to the laughs, exultant shouts, and sounds of satisfaction coming
+from the carriage house.
+
+All things have an end, so Uncle Ben soon appeared at the wide doorway
+of the Publishing House and gave a shrill whistle for the Blue Birds.
+Instantly, seven little girls took flight down the steps and across the
+lawn, leaving Mrs. Talmage to assist Aunt Selina.
+
+The Blue Birds ran in and looked about. The great, ugly, black machines
+with wheels, rollers and arms everywhere, did not impress them very
+favorably.
+
+"Can't make head or tail of the thing!" scorned Dot.
+
+"No one expects a girl to understand," replied her brother Don.
+
+"I would be afraid of that dreadful looking knife!" shuddered Betty,
+standing at a safe distance and pointing to the wide blade of the paper
+cutter.
+
+Then the children crowded about the stitcher while Uncle Ben showed the
+wonderful work the machine did.
+
+The electric attachments had not yet been completed, so the
+demonstration of the machines had to be by gestures. But Uncle Ben was
+equal to it, and the children felt that they could almost _see_ the
+machines running as they listened to his explanations.
+
+"Well, Uncle Ben, I don't see how we can start this work without you
+superintending us," ventured Meredith.
+
+"It all seemed simple enough when we were talking about printing a
+magazine, but this job is more than I can do," admitted Jinks.
+
+"I am at home with my little press, Uncle Ben, but these big fellows
+make me want to run away from the contract we made with you," added Ned,
+seriously.
+
+The Blue Birds and younger Bobolinks heard the older boys with anxious
+concern lest the entire plan should fail.
+
+"I thought of just such a contingency and provided for it," replied
+Uncle Ben, with his optimistic manner. "I realize that you all go to
+school and afternoons after school do not give you much time to
+experiment on these machines, so I found two young men who used to do
+good work for us who were pleased to come out here for a few weeks and
+show you boys how to do things. They won't come until the galley proofs
+arrive, but then, they will help you get out the first issue and teach
+you everything there is to know about these machines. They will take
+them all apart and teach you how to put them together again. A machine
+is like a man's valuable animal--if you pay no attention to its welfare,
+it does not last long enough to pay you for its keep."
+
+"We'll look after our machinery all right, Uncle Ben," agreed Ned, with
+the look of the workman who truly loves his tools.
+
+"I'm sure you will, and I hope the Blue Birds will have as much pride in
+turning out commendable articles for us to print," added Uncle Ben,
+looking at Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, Uncle Ben, there's one question I want to ask--may we each sign our
+own name to our page or must we make up a pretend name?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Why, sign your very own name, of course; that is one way of making you
+keep up to the mark. If you only had a pretend name on your page you
+might get careless and say, 'Oh, no one knows who it is, anyway, so I
+don't care if this story isn't as good as it ought to be.'"
+
+Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina smiled, for they could see the wisdom of
+the remark.
+
+"I guess my father will be proud to see my name in a magazine," boasted
+Dot Starr.
+
+"All depends on what you tack your name to, Dot," laughed Meredith.
+
+"It'll be fine, all right!" exclaimed Dot, nodding her head
+emphatically.
+
+"Shall we have our names at the top or at the bottom of the pages, Ben?"
+asked Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, please, Uncle Ben, do put them at the _top_! I am afraid no one
+will stop to read our names if you have them at the bottom," worried
+little Betty.
+
+Everyone laughed, but Uncle Ben assured her that the name would be
+placed directly under the name of the article.
+
+Then, while the Blue Birds watched the boys placing type in the cases,
+Uncle Ben sat down beside Mrs. Talmage and had a quiet talk about
+affairs in general.
+
+In concluding he said, "Now don't you worry if the children should
+neglect a page now and then, for I can turn in heaps of good stories and
+articles any time we may need them."
+
+"Oh, these children are so reliable that they would rather do without
+food or sleep than neglect anything that promises funds for next
+summer's farms," returned Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Glad to hear it, and hope they keep it up. Now, what pages have you
+provided for each month--and have you any to spare for some prominent
+writers who are friends of mine and feel deeply interested in this
+venture?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied Mrs. Talmage. "We have seven pages taken by the Blue
+Birds and four by the Bobolinks. Then there is a story Aunt Selina has
+been thinking of writing, and a page for music that her friend in New
+York will contribute. Mrs. Catlin promised to give us some tale of
+adventure each month and that will take two pages. So, let me see--that
+takes up, in all, sixteen pages. How many pages shall we have in the
+magazine?"
+
+"About forty-eight is the usual size for such a paper," replied Uncle
+Ben, figuring out Mrs. Talmage's number of pages and making a memorandum
+of the balance remaining for use.
+
+"Gracious! then we will have to find much more manuscript than I
+thought," worried Mrs Talmage.
+
+"No, I do not think so--that is what I want to find out to-day. A very
+good friend of mine who had charge of Field's Museum for four years, so
+heartily endorsed this plan that he offered to supply a page article on
+plant life each month. His name alone is valuable to a paper, and it
+will certainly give weight to our magazine. Then, besides him, a very
+close friend, who has been connected with a prominent book concern for
+more than twenty years, called me up to say that this idea was just what
+he has been hoping for. Both he and his wife are eager to assist in some
+way. I suggested that they supply a page on bird life and give us some
+valuable hints about our feathered friends. This man has published
+numerous books on the subject of birds and is just the one to speak with
+authority. The moment I mentioned it, he accepted my invitation; so we
+have two renowned writers for most interesting and instructive pages
+each month," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Why, how wonderful!" exclaimed Aunt Selina, who had been silent during
+the conversation. "I don't see how you ever accomplish such miracles!"
+
+Mrs. Talmage looked at Uncle Ben and said, laughingly, "Maybe it's
+because we never take 'no' for an answer. We keep at an idea until it is
+hammered into everyone's heart and mind."
+
+"And the moment our friends have it well hammered in they get so
+interested in succeeding that others are sought by them and the same
+story hammered into another head and heart," added Uncle Ben.
+
+"Well, I'm hammered and rooted in the work, and am anxious to have
+friends in it, too. Is that the way you do?" asked Aunt Selina.
+
+"That's just it! and before anyone else knows what's going on, dozens of
+folks are working on the same idea," replied Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Mary said something about a story that you wished to contribute, Aunt
+Selina--what is it?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"An experience I had in the Civil War when I was visiting my old school
+chum, Rebecca Crudup. You have never heard any of my tales of that
+visit, but I assure you they are exciting."
+
+"And you were there! Why, Aunt Selina, your manuscript would be valuable
+to any magazine! I wish you would let me read it before you turn it over
+to the Blue Birds," said Uncle Ben eagerly, the business instinct for
+new material for his magazine pushing the Blue Birds' magazine into the
+background.
+
+"You may see it after it is published in the children's paper," quietly
+replied Aunt Selina.
+
+Uncle Ben took the rebuke in the right spirit, and said, "Is your friend
+alive to-day?"
+
+"She was until last year, but her daughter is the musician I wish to get
+'rooted' in this work for a music page. I haven't her studio address, or
+I would have written to her about this."
+
+"Give me her name and the last address you knew of, and I will locate
+her as soon as I get back to the city," offered Uncle Ben.
+
+Uncle Ben wrote the name and late address in a book then turned to the
+ladies with a suggestion.
+
+"Aunt Selina's story will surely take more than the two pages you spoke
+of, so why not make a serial story of her Civil War experience?"
+
+"Splendid! That is just the thing," cried Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I could make it as long as you wanted it to run, for Rebecca visited me
+after the war and told me plenty of her wild adventures after I returned
+home from the South. Why, my coachman, Abe, was one of the Crudup
+slaves. He says they all stuck close to the family, for they loved them
+and wanted to remain, but Mr. Crudup lost most of his wealth in the war
+and had no place or means for so many servants," related Miss Selina.
+
+The children had made a thorough inspection of the machinery and type by
+this time and had joined the grown-ups.
+
+"What was that you were telling mother, Aunt Selina?" asked Ned, who
+overheard the word "war" and was interested.
+
+"Why, we just discovered that Aunt Selina had a very exciting time in
+the South during the Civil War and she is going to write it up for your
+magazine," explained Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, goody, goody!" exclaimed a chorus of voices.
+
+"It's strange that you never told us any of those stories, Aunt Selina,"
+ventured Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, it all happened so long ago, dearie, that I never thought anyone
+would be interested. Besides, it turns to a page of my life that I
+always wanted to keep closed," sighed Aunt Selina.
+
+The others, respecting her reticence, changed the subject. Uncle Ben
+smiled at her and made a comforting remark.
+
+"Aunt Selina, when we finish our first year's work I am going to write a
+most interesting treatise and call it, 'Aunt Selina's Recipes for
+Youth.'"
+
+"What do you mean?" she questioned.
+
+"Just what I said," replied he, laughing. "Since you have taken an
+interest in this work you have grown years and years younger in looks
+and actions."
+
+"Ben, you're making fun of me!" declared Aunt Selina.
+
+"No, he's not, Aunt Selina; you really are looking fine," said Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"Aunt Selina, isn't that what I prescribed for you at Happy Hills?"
+cried Ruth, exultantly.
+
+"Yes, Fluffy, you did, and all the glory of this old conquest belongs to
+you," admitted Aunt Selina, patting the little girl upon the head.
+
+Just then, an expressman drove up and spoke to Ike.
+
+"Right to the front door--that is the B. B. & B. B. Publishing
+Company's shop," replied Ike with pride.
+
+Uncle Ben signed for the safe delivery of a large flat box and the
+children crowded about to watch Ned and Jinks open it.
+
+The box was marked "Glass" and "Handle with Care," so Ruth ran over to
+her uncle to inquire about it.
+
+"Do you know what is in it?" asked she.
+
+"I believe it is the box that failed to arrive with the other things,"
+he replied, smiling.
+
+"Do tell what it is," persisted Ruth.
+
+"Why? You'll soon see, and it would spoil the surprise if I told you,"
+said Uncle Ben.
+
+Ruth skipped back to the circle formed about the case watching Ned take
+out the nails very carefully. Soon Jinks and he had the top boards off
+and then started to lift out the excelsior. This disposed of, a flat
+paper parcel was seen. Ned lifted it out, and seeing another one
+underneath, Jinks took it out also. Meredith and Don looked to see if
+there were any more, but excelsior seemed to fill the bottom of the box.
+
+"Who has a knife?" asked Ned, not finding his own in his pocket.
+
+"Here, here! hurry up and cut the twine!" shouted Don.
+
+Ned took Don's knife with the broken blade and rusty handle, and smiled
+as he hacked away at the twine. After several vigorous efforts the
+string parted and several hands hurried to tear off the heavy paper.
+
+A large picture of Benjamin Franklin, in a heavy oak frame, came out
+from its wrappings.
+
+"Oh, isn't that fine!" cried several voices.
+
+"Just our man, isn't he?" laughed Ned, pleased as could be.
+
+"If I had a head like that I could invent machines, too," grumbled Don,
+feeling of his round little head in disgust.
+
+While the others laughed at the remark, Meredith turned to the other
+parcel which Jinks held on the floor. The twine was soon cut and the
+papers taken off to reveal the strong features of Abraham Lincoln.
+
+"Ho, that's best yet!" cried the boys who felt a deep admiration for the
+man whose picture stood before them.
+
+Mr. Talmage and Mrs. Catlin came in during the exhibition of pictures,
+and the former said, "Just what you needed to complete the office
+appearance."
+
+"Yes, indeed, Uncle Ben, and we thank you heaps and heaps!" exclaimed
+Ned, carrying his picture into the office.
+
+Jinks followed and Don started to drag away the box that stood in the
+midst of the circle of children.
+
+"Better see if there are any more!" called Uncle Ben, warningly.
+
+Don dropped upon his knees and sought in the excelsior.
+
+"Oh! here's some more and I almost threw them away!" he cried, as he
+dragged forth several small packages.
+
+Upon being opened they proved to be a number of pictures of famous
+publishers and inventors of printing machinery.
+
+"Won't they look just great, though!" came from several pleased boys.
+
+"Why, come to think of it," said Mrs. Catlin, "my husband has a number
+of fine plates of machines and things of that kind. He was connected
+with the Vivla Machine Company, you know, and they manufactured presses
+and printers' tools. They might look well if added to this collection."
+
+Everyone agreed that the more the better, and then Dot remembered that
+Mrs. Catlin had not seen the office and machinery.
+
+"Walk right over and see how officey our office looks with your desk and
+table," she cried.
+
+"And Mrs. Talmage sent in the chairs," added Betty.
+
+"And my mother sent the carpet," added Norma, pointing to the green rug.
+
+"And father says we may have his typewriting machine and table here when
+he's away from home," said Ruth, eagerly.
+
+Mrs. Catlin praised the arrangement, and then asked to be shown the
+wonderful machinery that was to do such great work.
+
+"Dear me, I heartily regret that I am not a little girl so that I might
+glory in this office and work," sighed Mrs. Catlin, coming back to the
+grown-ups.
+
+"You don't have to be 'little,' Therese," laughed Mrs. Talmage. "You are
+one of this juvenile club as surely as if you were but ten. Why, you
+couldn't pass the place without coming in to ask for news."
+
+"To tell the truth, I was going to the village, but I heard the happy
+shouts away out on the road and so I just wanted to know the cause,"
+confessed Mrs. Catlin, smiling.
+
+"I hope I may live a few years longer to see the results of this work,"
+sighed Aunt Selina.
+
+"You will, Flutey, you will!" cried Dot, enthusiastically. "What Uncle
+Ben told you was really truly true!"
+
+"And just think, Mrs. Catlin, Flutey is going to write a long serious
+story for our magazine all about the war that she was in!" cried Betty
+Stevens.
+
+The grown-ups smiled at Betty's idea of a "serial" story, but Mrs.
+Catlin looked surprised.
+
+"Why, I never knew you were from the South?"
+
+"I'm not, but I was visiting there during an exciting time, and Ben
+thinks my experience will make a readable story," replied Aunt Selina.
+
+Mrs. Catlin looked at the aged lady with interest and said how much she
+would like to hear the tale. Suddenly, however, she slapped her gloved
+hands together and spoke.
+
+"Now, what reason is there that I should not have some pages in this
+magazine?" she asked.
+
+"Show us any good reason for taking our space and you may have it,"
+teased Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Then put me down for another serial. I have a collection of short
+stories that Mr. Catlin wrote of his adventures in Alaska. It does not
+seem much like an adventure to go to Alaska nowadays, but forty years
+ago it was as if one were leaving this hemisphere for the unknown. Some
+of his tales are intensely interesting," said Mrs. Catlin.
+
+"Why, friends, we are getting so many notable articles and writers
+together that we will soon have to raise the subscription price,"
+laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"That reminds me that we never thought of a charge. We ought to decide
+what subscription price we wish to ask," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Has anyone thought of that?" asked Mrs. Talmage, looking about at Blue
+Birds and Bobolinks.
+
+Heads were shaken and Ned asked, "How can we tell how much to charge
+until we know what the magazine will cost?"
+
+"I can help you figure that out, I think," offered Uncle Ben, sitting
+down at the table and taking paper and pencil from the drawer.
+
+"Figure how much five hundred--or say, a thousand will cost," ventured
+Ned.
+
+"A thousand! Where will you send them?" cried Jinks.
+
+"I should say, figure on five thousand--or ten," said Uncle Ben,
+quietly.
+
+"What!" gasped several boys.
+
+"Yes, because ten thousand will not cost much more than three hundred."
+
+"How's that?" asked the boys.
+
+"Plates, linotype, lock-up, make-ready, will cost as much for one
+magazine as for one thousand. The only extra cost in getting out a
+quantity is in paper, ink and time. Now, I firmly believe that we will
+be able to send out ten thousand by the time you have them ready."
+
+"Well, Uncle Ben, it sounds _awful_ big to us, particularly as we
+haven't one single subscription, yet," said Ruth.
+
+"Here--here, Fluff, don't let that bother you!" said Mr. Talmage,
+throwing a five-dollar bill upon the table.
+
+"And here's for ten more!" laughed Aunt Selina, taking a twenty-dollar
+bill from her purse.
+
+"Here's for five orphan asylums," added Mrs. Catlin placing a ten-dollar
+note on the table.
+
+"How now, Fluff--where are your blues, eh?" teased Uncle Ben.
+
+The children saw the crisp notes lying on the table and felt the joy of
+a successful start.
+
+"From what Aunt Selina and Mrs. Talmage offered, it looks as if the
+price should be two dollars per year. Now, let us figure out how close
+we come to that," said Uncle Ben.
+
+After counting up cost of production plus cost of mailing, it was
+decided that two dollars would be a just price, but there would be
+little profit unless more money could be gotten for advertising, or some
+saving made.
+
+"Guess we've about completed our business for to-day," ventured Uncle
+Ben, as he noticed the children growing restless.
+
+"Yes, let us go to the house and have some nice cool lemonade and
+cookies," suggested Mr. Talmage.
+
+Eager looks turned toward Mrs. Talmage, and she laughed.
+
+"We're always ready for something good to eat, father, so you show us
+the way to the picnic."
+
+It took but a few moments for the children to reach the wide veranda and
+settle down comfortably until the maids brought out the refreshments.
+
+"A day's work always ought to finish like this," mused Don, munching a
+delicious piece of cake.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+AUNT SELINA'S CIVIL WAR STORY
+
+
+The children thoroughly enjoyed their refreshments. Aunt Selina did not
+care for any, so she sat smiling as she watched them.
+
+"As long as Flutey isn't busy, wouldn't it be nice to have her tell us a
+teeny-weeny bit of that war story?" ventured Dot Starr.
+
+"Oh, yes! Please do! Flutey, do tell!" came from various directions.
+
+"Why, that would be lovely, Aunt Selina, if you will," added Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+Thus besieged, Aunt Selina decided to yield to the children.
+
+"Let me see," she began. "I must have been about eighteen when my
+dearest friend, Rebecca Crudup, invited me to spend Easter Holidays at
+her Southern home. We had been chums from the moment we met at Miss
+Wyland's Seminary for Young Ladies, and the Christmas before the time I
+just mentioned, Rebecca had visited my home at Happy Hills. Mother
+liked Rebecca immensely, but she feared the fighting in the South might
+create trouble for me if I went with Becky. We reassured her, however,
+and an unwilling consent was written from home.
+
+"A week before the vacation began, Becky received a letter asking her to
+start home as soon as she received the word, as important matters in the
+family had to be looked after.
+
+"As this would give us an extra week's holiday we hailed the letter with
+joy. The girls stood about enviously watching us pack our carpetbags and
+Rebecca's trunk. I packed many of my things in her trunk to save the
+trouble of transporting two to Tennessee. We left the next morning
+'midst shouts reminding us to be sure to be on hand when school
+re-opened.
+
+"We enjoyed the journey during the first part of the way, but, as the
+train sped on, the country showed signs of the desolation wrought by
+war, and we sobered from our happy laughter to serious contemplation.
+
+"The nearer to Nashville that we came, the deeper the evidence that war
+was an awful thing. We saw burned homes, devastated land and
+forlorn-looking families as we passed by.
+
+"Rebecca's father met us at the station in Nashville and welcomed me
+with a surprised manner. Turning to his daughter, he spoke in a serious
+tone.
+
+"'We will endeavor to give your friend an enjoyable visit, daughter, but
+it doesn't seem promisin'. Evidently you did not receive our telegram?'
+
+"'Only this letter, father,' replied Becky, showing him the last letter
+received by her.
+
+"'Hum! well, we will live up to our reputation, Miss Selina, and be the
+true Southern hosts.'
+
+"As we came out of the station and walked toward the carriage-posts,
+Rebecca looked about for the family equipage.
+
+"Mr. Crudup led us toward a great spring wagon which was drawn by two
+raw-boned farm horses. An old darky sat on the front seat.
+
+"'Why, father! Surely we are not going home in _this_!' cried Rebecca
+with deep chagrin.
+
+"'Sorry, daughter, but it must be so,' returned her father in a grieved
+voice. 'You will find many changes here since the fightin' began.'
+
+"'Selina, I'm awful sorry you have to ride this way, and I can't
+understand why it is. Father seems to know,' said Becky, in an
+apologetic tone.
+
+"'I don't mind, Becky. Really and truly, I don't. I love the country so,
+that I would just as soon ride a plow if we had to, to get to your
+home.'
+
+"'Well, I'm glad your little friend is so sensible, Rebecca,' commended
+Mr. Crudup.
+
+"We climbed into the back seat after the baggage had been stowed away,
+and the horses started off.
+
+"'Father, why didn't you drive Jerry and Jim?' asked Rebecca,
+wonderingly.
+
+"'Becky, your brothers, I trust, are astride them, showin' the Yankees
+how to fight!'
+
+"'Daddy!' cried Rebecca in dismay.
+
+"Mr. Crudup looked dreadfully sorry, but said nothing.
+
+"'Daddy, have Newell and Ed left home?'
+
+"'Yes, child. And I'm mighty sorry to say that most of your friends and
+cousins are with them. Some will nevah return--but we are prayin'
+constant, that our boys will win honahs for the South--and come home to
+enjoy them.'
+
+"Becky and I sat as stiff as sticks as we realized what this meant.
+
+"'Still, I don't see why _some_ of our carriage horses couldn't have
+come for us!' insisted Rebecca.
+
+"'The horses have been used by some of the boys who had none, and the
+spring wagon has to come in often with supplies for the troops. This
+happened to be one of the days. So mothaw thought her girl would not
+mind, particularly as we believed you received the telegram,' explained
+Mr. Crudup.
+
+"I was almost sorry I had come, so unexpected did my appearance seem to
+be, but Becky cheered up when she saw me grow uncomfortable, and tried
+to amuse me by pointing out neighboring plantations.
+
+"As we drove about a bend in the road, Rebecca's beautiful old home
+could be seen situated upon a knoll that commanded a view of the
+surrounding country. We entered the grounds by a road that ran through a
+dense wood, and then ascended gradually until we reached the
+porte-cochère. The house itself, large, solid and in perfect condition,
+was a landmark from every point of view round-about.
+
+"Mrs. Crudup and her two older daughters welcomed me to their home and
+made me feel more at ease. Rebecca, being the youngest member of the
+family, was petted and made much of, and I came in for my share of it
+for being her best friend.
+
+"After our baggage was placed in our rooms, we were escorted upstairs
+and left to prepare for dinner, which was generally at noon, but had
+been delayed for Rebecca's arrival.
+
+"My, but that was a delicious dinner! I can almost taste the tender
+chicken with corn waffles, hot and crisp, this minute!
+
+"Not a word had been said about the reason of calling Rebecca home a
+week earlier than usual. Toward evening, however, vehicles of all
+descriptions drove to the side yard and were left to the care of the
+negro servants. As the neighbors came to the house they went directly to
+a large room which had been closed and locked since our arrival, until
+now. Rebecca and I were invited to join the sewing meeting, but neither
+of us liked sewing, and we had planned to visit the horses before it
+grew too dark. However, I saw heaps of flannel garments, half-finished
+socks on knitting needles, warm caps, and clothes of all kinds being
+made up for the Confederate soldiers.
+
+"Becky and I strolled down toward the stables, but it was too dark to
+inspect the thoroughbreds I had heard so much about, so we returned to
+the house.
+
+"As we passed the great barn we saw men busily engaged in packing all
+kinds of produce and supplies in long hemp sacks to be carted to
+Nashville the following day. In the sewing room the ladies were still
+plying needles that flashed in and out as if speed would save a life.
+
+"At eight o'clock a hot supper was served, and at nine the neighbors
+left for their homes.
+
+"That night, after we retired to our rooms, Rebecca came into my room
+for a cozy chat. She looked very pretty as she sat on the corner of the
+bed hugging her knees up in her arms.
+
+"'Selina, it's a shame you are dragged into such a vacation! I declare,
+had I known that all of the boys were away, nothing would have tempted
+me to bring you. Even the girls are too busy sewing for their
+sweethearts to bother with parties or sociables,' pouted Rebecca.
+
+"'I came to visit you--not to see the boys or go to parties, and I want
+you to believe that I don't mind a bit having you all to myself,' I
+said.
+
+"'You're a good little mouse to say that, but, all the same, I will trot
+you all over the country on our saddle horses. You will have plenty of
+fresh air, and that is what Miss Wyland said you needed for your
+paleness,' replied Becky.
+
+"Rebecca kissed me good-night, but I felt ill at ease in that Southern
+home for being one of the 'detested Yankees.' Never, by word or sign,
+was such a thought given out, but I felt that everyone would have been
+more at ease had I never come.
+
+"Every other afternoon Mr. Crudup went to Nashville with a load of bags
+for the commissary department. One afternoon, about a week after our
+arrival, he came back from the city earlier than usual and we noticed a
+troubled look on his face.
+
+"'How now, father?' asked sweet Mrs. Crudup.
+
+"'Reports in Nashville say that the fighting is turned toward this part
+of the country,' he said.
+
+"'Someone has to bear the burden--perhaps the Lord has selected us to
+carry a share,' returned Mrs. Crudup, reverently.
+
+"'The one thing that worries me is that our place is well known in this
+part of the country, and our fertile acres are known to produce the
+finest edibles. Then, too, the fact that we raise some of the best-bred
+horses in Tennessee may cause the Yanks to come down on us at any time
+and raid the stables. In that case, they will carry off everything--not
+even a plow-horse will be left.'
+
+"'Father, our boys have had all they could use for this conflict, and
+wouldn't it be bettah to ship our horses to Nashville fo' the army to
+use?' asked Mrs. Crudup.
+
+"'I would rather see every head of cattle dead than in the hands of a
+Yankee!' cried Sally Crudup, bitterly, for her sweetheart had been
+killed in a battle a few weeks previous.
+
+"'Sally, Sally! let no bittehness feed your sorrow!' reproved the gentle
+mother, patting me upon the back as if in apology for her daughter's
+breach of etiquette.
+
+"Mr. and Mrs. Crudup walked away in private converse, and Becky and I
+started for the paddocks which I had not yet visited.
+
+"'Selina, I'm plannin' a desperate deed!' said Becky, in a whisper, as
+we passed down the shady lane that led to the stables and pastures.
+
+"I looked at her in surprise, for her tone was shaky.
+
+"'I have not introduced you to Imp. Imp is the most valuable horse on
+the place and would bring a high price in Nashville. My only relief is
+that no one can ride him, manage, or harness him but Tim and me. When
+Imp was born Tim was there, and when Imp's mother died soon after his
+birth, she turned her eyes on Tim and seemed to ask him to look after
+her baby. I got there just as she turned back her head and saw me. I
+took her head upon my lap and promised that I would adopt her boy, and I
+always felt that she knew what I said and died happier for it. From that
+minute, I took charge of Imp and fed him on a bottle until he could eat
+alone. Tim and I have had sole charge of his training, but he is surely
+an Imp when anyone else tries to come near him.' Becky almost wept as
+she told me the story of the poor mother-mare.
+
+"'Imp understands everything one says to him, but he can't talk;
+however, his eyes tell you what he wishes to say! Now, if any stranger
+should raid the stables and spy Imp, they would certainly try to steal
+him first, for he is the finest thoroughbred that ever stepped over
+Tennessee soil! But, he will bite, and kick, and bolt with anyone who
+dares to trifle with him. Then do you know what will happen? They'll
+either put a bullet through his heart, or hitch him to an army
+ambulance, which will break his heart just the same.'
+
+"Rebecca walked along in silence after that, until we reached a stile
+that divided the house lands from the pastures.
+
+"'Selina, there's only one thing to do--take him away and hide him until
+this war is over. From what I gather from the servants about the place,
+this plantation is in a straight line for Nashville, the point the
+Yankees are making for. So, the sooner Imp is hidden the better!'
+
+"'Becky,' asked I, in alarm, 'will these slaves desert or sell you out
+to the Yankees?'
+
+"'Mercy, no, Selina! They are like children to us. It may be that one
+or two would like the novelty of going North, but they would soon be
+squelched if it was found out. Why, father and mother treat their old
+slaves like their family--asking advice of Tim, or Martha the
+housekeeper, as the case might be. As for our old mammy--and the
+cook--gracious, Selina! I'd die for either one of them, and so would any
+one of us, and they know it. They'd stick to us even if we lost this
+war--which we won't!' cried Rebecca.
+
+"I felt somewhat piqued, but said nothing, for I was a guest of
+Rebecca's. She sensed that she had said something difficult to forget,
+and hugged me laughingly.
+
+"'You wouldn't give a fig for a friend that could hope anything but
+success for her country, would you?' she asked.
+
+"I made no reply, and she continued in a low voice.
+
+"'Selina, I'm going to take you into a secret that no one but Tim and
+father knows about. Father hasn't an idea that I know about it, and Tim
+won't tell him that I know. I found it myself years ago, and I always go
+there when I want to be all alone. I have driven Imp right through and
+he knows the cave and has no fear of the water, now.'
+
+"I listened in surprise to the words but knew nothing of what she meant.
+
+"After we had walked about a mile down the lane, Becky turned off across
+the field. We came to a lovely little patch of woods where I could hear
+the roar of a rushing stream. Rebecca led me by crooked paths until we
+came to the brink of this torrent where it tumbled over a ledge of rock
+about twenty feet high, and made a most beautiful waterfall. The
+current was so swift above the falls that the water shot over making an
+arch as it fell. The steep banks at either side were mossy and tall
+ferns almost covered them.
+
+"Rebecca led me straight to the falls. I hesitated as I saw her take a
+step toward the back-rock under the falls and suddenly disappear in the
+spray, calling upon me to follow.
+
+"I was sure she knew what she was doing, so I too went headlong into the
+spray to find myself behind the arched falls on a huge flat rock which
+lay before a deep crevice opening straight into the cliff. Not a drop of
+water penetrated here, but the spray made a thick curtain between the
+cave and the outer world.
+
+"Rebecca led me by the hand along a tunnel, and, after we had gone about
+twenty feet, it opened into a high-vaulted cavern. Soon Rebecca found
+the lantern and lighted it. I looked about in surprise; the place was
+quite comfortably furnished with a chair, a rough table and a mattress
+with bedding upon it.
+
+"'I made Tim carry these things over here from the store-room and made
+him swear never to tell father. Tim is almost seventy years old and he
+believes in an oath as firmly as he does in Heaven. As far as I know,
+Tim and Daddy are the only ones beside myself who know of this cave. The
+reason I am bringing you here--a Yankee, too--is because I feel in my
+bones that you will have to help me in some danger or need. Here is
+where Imp is going to be hidden and I shall have to see if I can get him
+to make friends with you, for you may have to claim him some day and
+take him North with you.'
+
+"'Oh, Becky, don't talk like this! You frighten me! I wish you were all
+at Happy Hills with me where you would be safe.'
+
+"'Do you think that one of us would seek another safer home while we
+are needed here?' asked Rebecca, sternly.
+
+"I made no reply and Rebecca carried the lantern ahead, bidding me
+follow her out. We reached the extreme end of the cave, when Rebecca
+handed me the lantern to hold down close to some lichen. I did so and
+found that the mass of roots and moss that hung there swayed slowly back
+and forth in a current of air. This, then, was the cause of the cave
+being so well ventilated. Becky stooped, pushed aside the mossy curtain
+and crawled into a small tunnel, taking the lantern from me after she
+had entered.
+
+"I followed close behind, upon hands and knees, through an opening the
+size of a bushel basket. Finally, we reached a wider opening where we
+could stand upon our feet again. We crept through this queer tunnel for
+a long time and then I felt that we were ascending gradually and that
+the air was growing purer. In a few moments more, we emerged from
+another narrow crevice hidden under the gnarled roots of a live-oak.
+Moss, lichen and fern covered this opening so completely that no one
+would have dreamed there was an entrance there to a secret cave.
+
+"We were in a grassy dell hemmed in by a thin ribbon of woods which
+ended in a grove of tall pines upon a knoll.
+
+"Rebecca extinguished the light and led me toward this grove. She
+selected an old veteran pine and climbed up into its wide branches until
+a comfortable notch was reached. I did likewise. As we sat there
+admiring the wonderful view of distant mountains, Rebecca clutched my
+arm, and pointed with one hand toward the low range of mountains about
+fifty miles away.
+
+"I looked and saw a heavy cloud of smoke hanging low over the crests. At
+intervals we heard the echo of a 'boom.'
+
+"'Oh, Selina, there's no time to lose, now! The fighting is so near that
+we can hear the cannon over the mountain!'
+
+"'What shall we do?' I cried helplessly.
+
+"'Do!' almost screamed Rebecca, as she tore her clothes on the pine
+boughs in her rapid descent. 'Why, I'll run Imp down to the cave, while
+you race to the house and tell Timothy the news. Order him to bring
+oats, bedding, blankets, and whatever Imp might need for a long siege.
+Tell him you know the secret and will help me take care of Imp. Then, on
+to the house, warning the negroes as you go, and tell the folks at the
+house. If they ask how we know, answer that we were on the ridge and saw
+it. Don't tell them that we were in the pine tree!'
+
+"Calling these hurried directions as she went, Becky ran back through
+the glade until we reached the woods near the lane. She pointed toward
+the house, which could be seen in the distant haze, then ran for the
+shed where Imp was kept.
+
+"I did as I was ordered, wondering all the way why I was placed in such
+an undesirable position--a Northerner plotting, as it were, against my
+own people. I cared little about the war at that time, for I knew
+nothing of war or its toll.
+
+"However, I reached the outer buildings where the slaves lived and my
+news acted like an electric current upon the inmates. Immediately they
+ran in different directions, seemingly bent upon doing a part of a work
+that had been carefully planned and arranged. I found out later, that
+such was the case. The older slaves, who were trusted implicitly, set
+to work burying (as I supposed) whatever fruit, vegetables, smoked
+meats, and other edibles they could find--in fact, everything stored in
+cellars or store-rooms.
+
+"I was curious to see how they could prevent the articles from coming in
+contact with the soil, and found that a chain of bricked cellars had
+been built a short time before, and the bushes and weeds carefully
+replaced on the dirt that covered the roofs. A door, opening into the
+first of the chain of cellars, was made in a steep bank of earth. It was
+merely a large hole in the ground covered with a flat stone that turned
+upon a pivot. About this spot the soil and grass had been very cleverly
+arranged to conceal any sign of what lay beneath.
+
+"By afternoon not a piece of extra linen, bedding, or silver could be
+found about the house. The jewelry, valuable bits of art and pictures,
+heirlooms and a valuable library, had disappeared as if by magic. I knew
+it had all been placed in some safe place and felt relieved at the
+knowledge.
+
+"I wandered about feeling lonesome for Rebecca and wishing I might
+assist Tim who seemed busy in some undertaking. I watched him tie down
+a canvas covering over a loaded cart and caught his glance, which seemed
+to beckon me. I walked over to the mule's side and patted its head while
+Tim spoke.
+
+"'Miss Becky, she say you'se come wif me. I'se got'ter take dis load
+down to der paddock!' Tim looked about as he spoke and winked at me
+knowingly.
+
+"I walked beside him as he drove the mule along the lane. The cart
+seemed laden and the mule walked slowly, but we reached the wall that
+divided the gardens from the farm, and then Tim made the beast go as
+fast as possible, all the while looking covertly about for a run-away
+negro or a Yankee scout.
+
+"I suspected where we were going, and, sure enough! As we reached the
+woods by the lane, Rebecca called softly, 'No further, Tim!' and came
+out with several huge market baskets.
+
+"Tim tied the mule to a tree by the roadside and removed the canvas
+covering. There was everything one would need for light housekeeping for
+several weeks. Besides the food and clothing, there were bandages,
+medicine, bedding, lanterns, an oil-stove, dishes, and numerous other
+necessities. These were piled in the baskets and carried to the cave
+where they were placed in crannies for some future emergency.
+
+"'Imp, I want you to be introduced to my best friend,' said Rebecca,
+after we had brought in our first basket.
+
+"I heard a whinny and looked about in the gloom.
+
+"Rebecca went over to a corner near the spot whence fresh air entered
+the cavern, and held the lantern up for me to see her pet.
+
+"I stood making friendly advances to the beauty and, to Becky's
+amazement, he never moved an inch, but wrinkled his nose for sugar.
+
+"'Witch! that is what you are!' laughed Becky, as Imp poked his nose
+under my arm. 'I have never known him to do such a thing.'
+
+"Imp stood listening to his mistress as if he thoroughly understood the
+situation.
+
+"I turned to tell Rebecca what a beauty he was, and he deliberately
+poked his nose out against my face.
+
+"After all the supplies were stacked away, Rebecca slipped the halter
+over Imp's head and led him to a ring cemented in the solid rock.
+
+"'Now, Imp, you will have to be good and not whinny or make a sound. I
+know what is good for you, and you must do just as I tell you, or a bad
+Yankee soldier will catch you and then you will see!' warned Rebecca,
+shaking her finger at him.
+
+"The horse stood looking at her as if striving to understand what that
+strange word 'Yankee' meant; then he threw up his head and shook it
+defiantly.
+
+"We said good-by to Imp and returned to the cart where Tim waited. We
+sent Tim to the barns with the mule and we went back to the house.
+
+"That was such a busy day that everyone felt weary and glad when the sun
+showed its slanting rays over the trees. It must have been about four
+o'clock when sounds of approaching cavalry reached the house. It was the
+company Newell and his brother had formed a few months before. They had
+been driven over the mountainside and decided to spend the night in
+hiding at home.
+
+"The sewing room was filled with neighbors whose boys were members of
+the company, so you can imagine the joy of seeing them again.
+
+"The boys were covered with mire halfway to the waist, and their horses
+looked as if they must drop where they stood. Many of the soldiers were
+hatless, powder smirched, and, oh, so tired!
+
+"Rebecca took me to her room and locked the door.
+
+"'Selina, did you see that tall dark officer--the one that kept smiling
+at us? Well, he is my best friend, and I want you to fall in love with
+him. He knows all about you and I showed him your picture a long time
+ago, so he knows you quite well, you see.'
+
+"I laughed merrily at Becky's match-making.
+
+"'Oh,' she sighed, as her thought rushed to something else. 'Wasn't it
+just like Providence that we got Imp and all of those supplies hidden
+away in time?'
+
+"'Yes, but it is not necessary with the rebels in command of the place,'
+I said, using the term 'rebel' quite unconsciously, for the first time.
+
+"Rebecca noticed it, too, but said nothing at the time.
+
+"'Well, I showed you just how to get in and out of that cave in case you
+are the only one who can take care of Imp. One never knows what may
+happen, but you, being my guest, are safe with our friends, and, being a
+Yankee, will be taken care of in case the enemy take the place. But,
+remember, if Imp is to be taken from me, I would rather you had him than
+anyone on earth--and you must assert your ownership if necessary to take
+him home with you.'
+
+"That was a great reunion, that dinner! Besides all of the young
+soldiers, their families were there, listening to their account of the
+struggle.
+
+"The happy families had finished dinner and were about to have coffee
+when a colored boy raced up the steps of the piazza. His face was gray
+with fear as he gasped, 'De Yanks am comin'--oh, dey am comin' pell mell
+foh dis house! oh, Lud, Lud!'
+
+"'Tell all the folks, Jeremiah, quick!' shouted Becky, as she sprang
+forward to warn her friends.
+
+"'The horses--quick, Tim! The horses--rush them to the house!' yelled
+Newell, as he grabbed his gun and threw on his cap.
+
+"'Mother, good-by,' cried Ed, as he caught a kiss from her lips, and
+Newell hurriedly did the same.
+
+"The next minute all was confusion as the soldier boys jumped into the
+saddle, while still buckling on knapsacks and ammunition belts.
+
+"Five minutes after Jeremiah had given the alarm, the boys were lost in
+a cloud of dust galloping on the way to Nashville. But not soon enough!"
+
+Here, Aunt Selina leaned back in her chair and looked away over the
+lawns as if she saw again the scurrying horses racing for dear life in
+one direction, while from the opposite direction she saw another picture
+she had not yet mentioned.
+
+"If you are wearied, Aunt Selina, we will postpone the story for another
+day," suggested Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, no! please don't!" begged the excited children.
+
+"Oh, Flutey, I simply couldn't wait until to-morrow to find out what
+happened," cried Ruth, beseechingly.
+
+Aunt Selina smiled at the children, and Uncle Ben added: "They are
+right! I don't want to wait either!"
+
+"Really! is it as good as that?"
+
+"Good! I should say it is! It's a big 'seller' if it was only in a
+book!" returned Uncle Ben.
+
+"Well, then, after the magazine is done with it suppose we sell it to a
+publisher for the benefit of the children," ventured Aunt Selina,
+eagerly.
+
+"Fine idea! We will try it!" said Uncle Ben.
+
+Aunt Selina moved her chair to keep the rays of the setting sun from her
+eyes, and then continued with her story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+HOW THE YANKEES TOOK POSSESSION
+
+
+"I think the rest of this story is the most interesting of all,"
+murmured Aunt Selina, as she permitted her memory to roam in years long
+gone.
+
+The children waited patiently for Aunt Selina to begin and, after a
+short moment, she sat up erect, looking fearfully out over the lawn, and
+spoke hurriedly.
+
+"Right there before our very eyes we saw the Yankee regiment tear down
+the lane and swerve toward the road just taken by the Southern boys.
+They were still to be seen making for the woods just over the slope of
+the hill toward Nashville.
+
+"We heard the captain shout, 'Halt! Aim! Fire!' and, as a volley rang
+out, many of the ladies on the piazza screamed or fainted, while Rebecca
+and I stood petrified at the result of that happy dinner.
+
+"Almost at the same time the Yankees fired there came the rattle of
+musketry from the woods which the boys had reached.
+
+"From the veranda I saw several of the Yankees' horses leap up and two
+of them rolled over on the ground. One man threw up his hands, fell over
+on his horse's neck, and dropped his gun. The horse, frightened, started
+galloping directly toward the house. Tim, who was coming down the side
+steps, ran forward and caught hold of the bridle. Mr. Crudup and some of
+his friends lifted the young soldier from the saddle and carefully
+carried him up the piazza steps, and placed him on the floor.
+
+"While much of my attention was distracted by this incident, the company
+of Yankees spurred their horses on toward the patch of woods where the
+Southerners were hidden.
+
+"The firing continued for half an hour, while everyone at the house
+waited, fearing the worst and hoping against hope that their boys had
+gotten away to Nashville.
+
+"Rebecca's two brothers, cousins and old friends were all in that
+handful of men, and naturally those gathered at the house would wait
+until the outcome of the skirmish could be known.
+
+"They had not long to wait, for, just as twilight deepened into night,
+the negroes came in with the report that all of the boys had been
+captured and were being taken as prisoners to the old school-house. In
+another half-hour the officers rode up to the door, followed by
+orderlies and an ambulance corps bringing in the wounded. Slaves were
+dispatched here and there for hot water, bandages, beds, bedding and
+medicine. We all hastened to prepare a place for those who needed our
+care and attention so sorely.
+
+"As the wounded were carried up the steps and past the neighbors, who
+stood by watching for their own, Rebecca's mother saw her youngest boy
+lying unconscious with his face white as death and his hair matted with
+blood that oozed from a wound in his neck. She almost fainted, but
+Rebecca held her firm, saying, 'Mother, now is the time to brace up and
+take care of Newell that he may soon recover.'
+
+"Of the Yankees, one was killed outright and five badly wounded, while
+the Southern boys sustained more serious injuries. Two were killed and
+nine wounded. The house was immediately turned into a hospital, both
+sides receiving the same attention.
+
+"The officers were very considerate but insisted upon having their
+rights observed. When it was found that some foraging parties were in
+the neighborhood, the captain sent an orderly to say that the Crudup
+Plantation was well supplied. The Yankees, receiving the message, rode
+over, took what was needed, food, cattle and horses, and went away.
+
+"Mr. Crudup spared his family the harrowing details of the raid, but
+looked upon it as the fortune of war and thanked heaven that so much of
+his property was safely buried.
+
+"When the store-rooms, linen-presses, blanket-trunks, and cellars were
+found almost empty, the officer in charged looked surprised and wondered
+aloud.
+
+"'Most unusual to find so large an establishment short of all supplies,
+and a retinue of servants to feed, to say nothing of the droves of
+neighbors always coming in for supper.'
+
+"Mr. Crudup overheard the soliloquy and replied courteously.
+
+"'Sir, do not forget that your company is not the first to stop here
+and demand my hospitality. Naturally, we would lavish our all upon our
+own men, you know.'
+
+"The officers were very polite and interesting young men, but Rebecca
+and I had to go about the plantation very warily, for we never knew when
+we might be spied upon. Imp had to be cared for daily, so we found
+plenty of amusement in eluding the Yankees.
+
+"The youngest of the officers was a handsome boy and it was not long
+before we became very friendly. When he learned that I was a Yankee and
+how I happened to be South, he insisted upon my returning home at once,
+saying that the neighborhood about Nashville soon would be an impossible
+place to live.
+
+"When he found that my home was at Happy Hills he was greatly pleased.
+
+"'Why, I have called at your home many times; my sister and yours are
+school friends.' He described his home and how his sister looked when
+she came to visit us, and I faintly recalled seeing him with the others
+who were some years my senior.
+
+"From that day he became the sworn ally of Rebecca and myself. He
+understood there was a secret between us and often managed to screen us
+when we left the house to creep to the cavern to look after Imp.
+
+"The wounded were getting along beautifully, and nothing exciting had
+occurred for a fortnight. Foraging parties that stopped at the house and
+found Yankees in possession moved on. It seemed more like a house-party.
+
+"But a change soon took place.
+
+"It was afterward learned that Ed Crudup escaped during the transfer of
+the prisoners from the school-house to the army; he found out from some
+of the Crudup slaves that the Yankees who shot his brother and
+imprisoned himself were holding the premises until further orders from
+Headquarters. So he raised a small company at Nashville and drilled them
+for a few days, planning to surprise the men at the house and take them
+prisoners.
+
+"One day, while some of the Yankees were out foraging, Ed and his men
+came upon them suddenly and a skirmish ensued.
+
+"Ed was shot down and so was our young officer who was in command of the
+foragers that day. The others fought like madmen, hand to hand, until
+the men at the house, hearing the shots, ran out to their assistance.
+
+"The Southerners, outnumbered, took flight, but were pursued and
+captured.
+
+"The two men, Ed and Vernon, lay still as death in the tall grass, and
+no one missed them at the time of the pursuit.
+
+"Tim, however, on his way to water Imp, found his young master shot
+through the heart, and the young Yankee unconscious. In his faithful
+loyalty to the family, he decided to make a prisoner of the Yankee, so
+he dragged Vernon over to the waterfall, carried him through the spray,
+and laid him down on the mattress in the cave. The cold water which had
+fallen upon Vernon's face had partially revived him, and he moaned as if
+in pain.
+
+"Tim lighted the lantern and examined him. He found a clean bullet hole
+in his chest, but very little bleeding. He decided the best thing to do
+would be to notify the master. So, after attending to Imp, he crept out
+of the cave and went over to the remains of the young master. He managed
+to carry him until he met some of the slaves, then had them improvise a
+stretcher to carry the body to the house.
+
+"There was great sorrow in the household, and his death changed the
+attitude of the Crudups toward the Yankee officers.
+
+"When it was found that young Vernon was missing, with no trace of him
+anywhere, it was thought that he had been taken captive by a few of the
+Confederates who got away. Rebecca and I felt dreadfully lonesome after
+our friend was missing, and I wished, for the first time since I came
+South, that I could go home.
+
+"Then one morning, Rebecca and I decided to go through the hole in the
+live-oak tree and crawl to the cave to see Imp. We had not dared to
+visit him for some days, as a Yankee sentry was stationed in the woods
+by the waterfall.
+
+"Rebecca hid a small lantern under her cloak and we strolled
+unconcernedly down the lane toward the dell. We looked carefully about
+to make sure no spies were watching, and in another minute both of us
+disappeared. We groped along until we reached the opening into the cave
+and as we crawled out near Imp's bed, he greeted us with a joyful
+whinny. Rebecca ran over and placed her hand over his mouth, so she did
+not see the apparition that stared at me from the mattress. Had I held
+the lantern I would have dropped it. As it was, I almost dropped myself,
+so frightened was I.
+
+"I clutched Rebecca's arm and she turned about to see what ailed me. In
+a second she recognized Vernon and ran over with the lantern. As he
+could not tell us how he came there, but confided that Tim and Mr.
+Crudup came daily to attend to him, we learned that they knew of his
+whereabouts. Rebecca snapped her teeth close and her eyes blazed at the
+thought of her father keeping this man a prisoner in such a suffocating
+place.
+
+"While we were there, Tim and Mr. Crudup crept through the tunnel and
+found us talking to the sick man.
+
+"'Becky, better leave this business to us,' suggested Mr. Crudup.
+
+"'Father, how could you keep this man in such a place?' cried Rebecca,
+unguardedly.
+
+"'Ssh!' warned Tim, apprehensively.
+
+"Mr. Crudup told Rebecca how Tim had carried Vernon here to square
+accounts for Ed's death; how he had shown Tim the folly of the deed,
+and that being done, it had to be made the best of, or disclose the
+secret of the cave. Tim was so repentant that he agreed to remain in the
+cave and nurse the prisoner.
+
+"After our discovery, Rebecca spent several hours with Vernon each day
+reading or talking to him, while Imp began to show his fondness for
+Vernon in every way a horse can.
+
+"Matters at the house became troublesome, for the larder was empty, and
+there was no way to get at the great store-rooms dug out of the ground
+without letting the Yankees into the secret.
+
+"Tim had been very meek since he found the serious blunder he had made
+with Vernon, and he was eager to make amends in any way.
+
+"From the time that Tim heard of the threatened famine he was seldom
+seen about the place. Now and then, one of the family would meet him
+coming from the basement with his face and hands smeared with black, but
+he never confided in anyone as to his work or whereabouts, and being an
+aged favored man, Mr. Crudup never questioned him.
+
+"One morning the cook entered the room where the family was gathered
+and announced: 'There ain't no aigs fer brekfus.'
+
+"'Have plain ham or bacon,' suggested Mrs. Crudup.
+
+"'De ham an' bacon done all et up, too,' said cook.
+
+"Mrs. Crudup looked deeply concerned, but said: 'Then we'll have just
+coffee and muffins.'
+
+"'Done used all de flour yistiddy--not a smitch lef'.'
+
+"Here, indeed, was a quandary! Nothing to eat!
+
+"This was Tim's opportunity.
+
+"He came in, bowed with old hat in his hand, and turned to the cook with
+the request, 'You please 'scuse yo-se'f fum de room whiles I conflab wid
+de missus?'
+
+"Cook tossed her head and went out, followed by everyone except Mr. and
+Mrs. Crudup.
+
+"Tim turned his hat about in his hands for a time and then looked up
+smilingly and said: 'I done squared myself wid you all fer makin' dat
+blunner 'bout the Yank. I done gone and dug a tunnel fru fum de coal
+cellah to the fust storehouse on de fiel'. I fixed a doh to the cellar
+an' heah's de key to de padlock.'
+
+"'You what!' exclaimed Mr. Crudup, in amazement.
+
+"'Yas'm, das whad I did!' said Tim.
+
+"Mr. Crudup threw back his head and laughed while he slapped Tim on the
+back and said, 'Tim, it will take more than a company of Yankees to
+starve us out while you are about!'
+
+"But Mrs. Crudup took Tim's hand and thanked him with tears in her eyes.
+
+"The supply question was easily solved after that. No one but Tim knew
+where the tunnel was, for Mr. Crudup never allowed anyone to be about
+when the old servant started his daily trip to the underground
+store-rooms. Oftentimes, the officers expressed their wonder as to how
+Southern cooks could manage the way they did, with so little on hand to
+cook with. If they suspected the truth they never hinted at it.
+
+"The secret of Vernon's prison had been kept, and several weeks after
+the fight that disabled him, his company was ordered to join the main
+army. The moment the place was entirely freed from the Yankees, Mr.
+Crudup ordered one of the guest-rooms prepared, and, to the surprise of
+Mrs. Crudup, told her he had a prisoner to bring in. That night Vernon
+was blindfolded, placed upon a stretcher, and taken to the house.
+
+"As soon as he could sit up and come down upon the veranda, we wondered
+what to do with him. He was our prisoner but we had no use for him.
+Everyone liked him and disliked sending him to the dirty barrack-jail in
+Nashville.
+
+"Suddenly Rebecca was inspired with a brilliant plan.
+
+"When the Yankee officers left the place they took the convalescent
+prisoners with them. Now Rebecca suggested that negotiations be started
+to exchange Vernon for Newell.
+
+"Mr. Crudup immediately sent Tim to Nashville to see if this could be
+done, and friends there promised to attend to it without delay.
+Consequently, in a few days, a number of soldiers from Nashville rode to
+the Crudup house and carried away the prisoner, giving Mrs. Crudup the
+slip of paper that stated that Newell's freedom would be granted upon
+the return of Vernon.
+
+"We all felt sorry about losing Vernon, but he promised to visit me at
+Happy Hills when the war was over."
+
+Aunt Selina stopped and the children began plying questions.
+
+"Aunt Selina, what became of Imp?" asked Dot.
+
+"We kept him in the cave for a few days more, and then, one morning, the
+negroes all turned green with fear when they saw Rebecca riding Imp down
+the road from the paddock, for they believed Imp to have been taken with
+the other horses, and were sure that this was a ghost of the real Imp."
+And Aunt Selina laughed as she recalled Rebecca's mad ride down the lane
+and the high wall Imp vaulted before he stopped stock still in front of
+the quaking, superstitious slaves.
+
+"Did Newell come back home?" asked Betty, whose sympathy was all for the
+mother who lost one boy and then had the other one taken prisoner.
+
+"We received word of his transfer from the Yankee army to his own. He
+went into active service again and fought all through the rest of the
+war. He won many honors for bravery before the Confederate Army was
+disbanded."
+
+"Do you know what became of him afterwards?" asked Don, interested in
+such a fighter.
+
+"He married and settled out West upon a large ranch. Now and then
+Rebecca's daughter has a letter from him, giving news of his children or
+the grandchildren."
+
+"Oh, then, Rebecca married too. Did you know who it was?" asked several
+curious voices.
+
+"Yes," smiled Aunt Selina. "She married the very beau she had selected
+for me."
+
+"I am so anxious to know if that fine old house is still there and if we
+could find the cave and underground store-rooms if we ever went there?"
+asked Norma.
+
+"No, dear; the beautiful old mansion was entirely destroyed by fire
+started from a shell during the time the battle line closed about
+Nashville. I was not there at the time, but Rebecca wrote and told me of
+the dreadful scenes. Almost every family for miles about was left
+homeless and destitute. The Pines, Rebecca's home, stood as long as any
+and sheltered every homeless Southerner round about."
+
+"I guess Rebecca liked to remember that, didn't she?" said Ruth.
+
+"Yes, indeed, Fluff."
+
+"Aunt Selina, you didn't tell us what became of Imp and Rebecca that
+day she rode up to the house," reminded Ned.
+
+"Rebecca laughed at the servants' fear and rode Imp over to the steps of
+the piazza. We stood watching her as she jumped off and led Imp right up
+to the rail. 'Lady,' said she to me, 'this horse just told me that he
+was going North on a little visit. As there is no one here but you who
+can take him there, I believe he intends taking you home.' Although
+Rebecca's eyes filled with tears and her voice trembled, we all laughed
+and made a great fuss over Imp.
+
+"Later, she confided to me that she had entrusted Vernon with the
+request to secure a passport for Selina Talmage and her horse, Imp,
+going home to Happy Hills, Pennsylvania. The passport came that day in a
+letter for Rebecca explaining how I was to go and to whom I was to
+entrust myself. A note for me was inclosed in the letter, and I read it
+with a smile. Vernon said he would demand payment for the favor given me
+as soon as he reached Happy Hills. Rebecca teased me about that note and
+said that she knew what the favor would be, for Vernon was in love with
+me. I pooh-poohed the suggestion but felt very glad to pack my clothes
+for home. In a few days word came that I was to ride to a certain town
+where an escort would meet me and conduct me to the nearest railroad.
+And so Imp and I went home."
+
+"And now tell us, Aunt Selina, did Vernon come home and ask that favor?"
+wondered Norma, interested in a love-story.
+
+"Oh, yes! He had leave of absence for several months to fully recover
+from the wound that had partially punctured a lung. He used to ride over
+to Happy Hills every day, and I tell you we missed him when he returned
+to his regiment."
+
+"Where is he now, Aunt Selina?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Gone--his name is carved on the monument at Washington for bravery in
+the Battle of Bull Run," whispered Aunt Selina.
+
+"Oh, oh, Aunt Selina! Is _he_ the same one you told me about last
+spring?" gasped Ruth.
+
+Aunt Selina dabbed her tear-moistened eyes and tried to smile as she
+said, "The same, Honey."
+
+"What's that--tell us, Aunt Selina; we never heard about it," cried
+several children.
+
+"Well, Vernon came back North about a year after his leave of absence
+expired with important letters for a general in Philadelphia. After
+delivering the letters he was to have two days' leave in which to go
+home and see his folks. He rode over to our house one evening and asked
+my father and mother if he might pay court to me when the war was over.
+My parents were delighted, for they knew him and liked him. Vernon and I
+walked out to the very summer house that Ruth was in when she thought of
+the farm plan, and there he told me what he had said to my parents. He
+would not bind me, for he said he might never come back. But I said it
+would make no difference to me--if he never returned I would wait just
+the same. We exchanged rings--one which had been given me for my
+birthday and one he had received on his twenty-first birthday. When he
+left that night mother gave him a paper, but I never knew what was in it
+until later. When news of his bravery and death came home, the letter
+contained a ring and a small daguerreotype picture of me. Then mother
+said he had asked for it the night he went away."
+
+"Oh, Aunt Selina, how lovely of you!" cried several little girls as
+they crowded about the old lady and hugged her.
+
+"Rebecca did not return to school again, but as soon as the war was over
+we wrote and invited Mr. and Mrs. Crudup to bring Rebecca North to visit
+us. The elders were too heart-sore to come to a country they blamed for
+all their losses, but Rebecca came and stayed a long time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+BEGINNING TO SPELL SUCCESS
+
+
+Another nest of Blue Birds had been formed under Mrs. Catlin's
+supervision, and these little girls were chosen to act as agents to
+secure subscriptions for the forthcoming magazine. They were also
+permitted to donate short stories or pictures to the magazine and, being
+so young a branch of the first Nest, felt this was a special privilege.
+
+Aunt Selina had written her interesting Civil War story and had it ready
+for Uncle Ben, but Mrs. Catlin was still busy trying to arrange her
+chapters so they would make a good serial.
+
+The Blue Birds had written their pages over and over, and finally Mrs.
+Talmage said they would lose all sense in the telling if they kept on
+rewriting. So the pages were taken as they were and corrected by Uncle
+Ben.
+
+As the various short articles came in to the Publishing House, Mrs.
+Talmage took charge of them. Many a pleased surprise she had as she
+read the different articles submitted by the boys, and the suggestions
+and hints sent in by the girls.
+
+The Bobolinks spent every afternoon at their Publishing House, setting
+type, trying to run machines, and find out various things about
+business. The two young men promised by Uncle Ben were not expected
+until actual work on the magazine began.
+
+So much talk had been heard at various dinner-tables in Oakdale, that
+fathers manifested enough curiosity in the work to ask for an invitation
+to the Publishing House. The habit of "dropping in to watch the boys"
+grew to be regular meetings, and the men enjoyed the social evenings as
+much as the boys did. Naturally, the work did not lose any of its value
+by the suggestions and ideas given by the older, experienced business
+men, but the Blue Birds grew envious over the evident interest shown in
+the Bobolinks while they were never about.
+
+One afternoon the Blue Birds gathered about Mrs. Talmage with a
+complaint.
+
+"Mother Wings, those Bobolinks will be 'way ahead of us in this fun,
+unless you get the mothers to meet once in a while to suggest things for
+us to do," said Ruth, dolefully.
+
+"And from something I heard Don tell Mete, those fathers have promised
+to help the Bobolinks do the _work_, too!" broke in Dot Starr.
+
+"Since Ned has moved his printing stuff to the carriage house his den is
+vacant--we might use that for our Winter Nest, until we find something
+better," suggested Mrs. Starr, after thinking seriously of what had just
+been said.
+
+"That will be all right, but it won't boost our work like the boys are
+being boosted," fretted Norma.
+
+"I shall have to think of it," replied Mrs. Talmage, deeply concerned
+over the discontent of the Blue Birds; but Aunt Selina, who had been a
+silent listener of the complaint, spoke.
+
+"Are those Bobolinks and the men actually helping the success of the
+magazine?"
+
+"No, not that we can see; they just use paper and fool away every
+evening running those machines," snapped Dot, who generally heard all
+the doings from her brothers.
+
+"Then they are not getting ahead so fast with success as you seem to
+think," replied Aunt Selina, calmly. "The principal things in making a
+magazine pay are its circulation and the advertising contracts. If these
+are not being thought of and tried, the Bobolinks are wasting their
+precious time."
+
+"But they are so well acquainted with the machines that they say they
+can print anything!" said Dot.
+
+"All right, suppose we take them at their word and ask them to give us
+proof of some circulars," laughed Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I suppose they would, but where would we use them?" asked Norma.
+
+"This is what I would suggest--we'll play the game of the 'Tortoise and
+the Hare,' and they'll be left asleep at their work while we win the
+race," declared Aunt Selina.
+
+The Blue Birds gathered closer to Aunt Selina's chair, and she continued
+her instruction.
+
+"We'll have Mother Wings write a letter and ask Mr. Wells to bring down
+that Institution Book he promised us, as we wish to use it at once. Then
+we'll count up the number of institutions where we could send a magazine
+and circular. Some of these will subscribe most likely, while the
+circular letter will reach the hands of some of the wealthy patrons of
+the Homes. We'll compose a letter and order those Bobolinks to print ten
+thousand for us. I guess that will keep them busy for a time and at the
+same time make them wonder what _we_ are doing without their knowledge
+or consent."
+
+"Shall we mail the letters when they are printed?" asked Betty.
+
+"No, I thought we could address large-sized envelopes with the names of
+the institutions and as soon as the magazines are printed we can place a
+letter and a magazine in each envelope. Of course, we inclose a
+subscription blank, too; this work of folding and sealing the letters
+and magazines is where we will invite the mothers to help. After that we
+can send out some samples to other folks, but we will make the Bobolinks
+wonder why the mothers are here so often."
+
+The Blue Birds laughed and thought the plan very good, and Dot Starr
+added, "We're surely glad you're here, Aunt Selina."
+
+"And we will keep all of our papers and work in the den and no one will
+see what is being done," added Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"You must keep the key, Mother Wings," advised Ruth.
+
+The letter for Mr. Wells was written without delay, for Norma was to
+hand it to her father that evening. After this was finished the
+important work of composing a letter for folks who would receive the
+magazine was started.
+
+This letter provoked many suggestions and criticisms, but finally was
+concluded and read aloud to the children, who declared it just right.
+
+"But we haven't a bit of paper for the printing," exclaimed Ruth.
+
+"Maybe Aunt Selina and I can go to the paper mills in the morning and
+see if they have any small lot that will do," suggested Mrs. Talmage.
+
+This offer cheered the Blue Birds again, as a few hours' delay would not
+matter very much.
+
+"Now, that's done, what next?" asked Dot.
+
+"Next thing is to say 'good-afternoon' and go home," laughed Mrs.
+Talmage, looking at her watch.
+
+"Oh, dear, mother, it cannot be dinner-time," said Ruth.
+
+"It is almost six o'clock, and I have some matters to look after,
+dear," returned her mother.
+
+"Well, we can invite our mothers to join us, anyway, can't we, Mrs.
+Talmage?" said May.
+
+"Yes, but I wouldn't mention the fact that we feel that we must have
+them to enable us to get ahead of the Bobolinks, for your fathers will
+hear of it and plan some way to win out in spite of us," advised the
+astute Aunt Selina.
+
+"We won't! We'll just say that as long as the boys have their fathers
+with them, we girls are going to invite our mothers," explained Norma,
+while the others nodded approval.
+
+"May we come to-night?" asked Betty.
+
+"How about school lessons?" asked Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"And I want to revise several parts of my story to-night, besides the
+paper mills have not yet been visited, you know," objected Aunt Selina.
+
+"Girls, we'd better wait until to-morrow; that's Friday and we won't
+have to go to bed so early as other evenings," suggested Ruth.
+
+"All right, we'll meet in the den to-morrow afternoon and report how
+many mothers will be here," consented Dot.
+
+"And I'll have Mrs. Catlin here in the evening," added Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Mother Wings, if we use that old room of Ned's, why couldn't we call it
+our Winter Nest? We can move in our cherry-tree Nest furniture when it
+grows colder and make the room look real comfy," said Ruth.
+
+The other Blue Birds approved of the suggestion and Mrs. Talmage said
+she had no objection to having the Winter Nest in the den, so it was
+decided then and there.
+
+Ruth accompanied her friends to the steps and as they stood vainly
+wishing there were several extra hours to add to an afternoon, Dot saw
+Don jump out of the wide-open door of the Publishing House and laugh
+derisively at someone inside.
+
+"Now I wonder what that boy is up to?" she said.
+
+"Oh, say, wouldn't it be fun to creep in back of the carriage house and
+peep in at the windows to watch the boys!" suggested Edith.
+
+"I know a better way," answered Ruth. "We will ask Ike to let us go up
+in the loft from the small room and we can look down through the wide
+chinks of the floor."
+
+"Oh, do let's!" cried the Blue Birds, as they hurried back of the house
+to steal noiselessly over to the garage.
+
+Ike understood the rivalry growing between them, and decided to be
+perfectly impartial, so he unlocked the door of the small room where the
+stairs led to a loft over the Publishing House.
+
+The Bobolinks were making such a noise that they never heard the
+creaking of the floor overhead, or the giggles of the girls as they
+glued their eyes to the crevices between the boards.
+
+"Now it's Tuck's turn to be an advertising solicitor!" called Don, who
+evidently had been discharged from some make-believe service when he was
+so unexpectedly put out of the door.
+
+"Ah, I'd never make a solicitor of any kind," grumbled Tuck Stevens.
+
+"But you've got to play the game as we all promised," coaxed some of the
+boys.
+
+"I'll be the man you want to see," persuaded Jinks.
+
+"Come on, Tuck. We'll have to go home pretty soon, so get busy,"
+commanded Ned.
+
+The girls began to understand that the Bobolinks were not playing, but
+practicing their duty for the future, so they silently looked at each
+other and nodded understandingly.
+
+"Here goes, then," ventured Tuck, bravely.
+
+He strutted across the floor toward the office and met one of the boys
+stationed there.
+
+"Good-morning, sir; do you wish to see anyone?" asked the impromptu
+clerk.
+
+"I have an appointment with Mr. Slamhim," quivered Tuck, as if the visit
+was an actual affair.
+
+The boys tittered with glee as Tuck turned red and white.
+
+"Your name, please?" asked the polite clerk.
+
+"Reuben Stevens," replied Tuck, in a whisper.
+
+"Ha! the name'll queer you, Tuck!" laughed Don, behind his chum's back,
+but the older boys hushed Don.
+
+The clerk rapped upon the office door and a voice said, "Come in."
+
+"Reuben Stevens to see you, sir. He has an appointment."
+
+"Show him in," said the voice which Ruth recognized as a disguised bass
+of Ned's.
+
+Tuck walked to the office and then turned about and asked the other
+boys: "Now, what shall I say--I've forgotten."
+
+Immediately there was a loud chorus of laughter, and a scuffle and Tuck
+was ousted in the same manner that Don had been.
+
+"Didn't I say that name would spoil you?" teased Don.
+
+"Next!" called one of the boys who had a list of names which he marked
+down "good, indifferent, bad."
+
+The boy whose turn came next carried off the rehearsal as if he had been
+a solicitor all of his short life. The other boys cheered his efforts
+and even the Blue Birds were tempted to clap their hands.
+
+"Well, Bobolinks, I think this will do for to-day; we have drilled three
+of the boys after the manner shown us last night, but Don and Tuck seem
+to be hopeless cases," said Ned.
+
+"I'll practice it at home on Dot, and show you what I can do to-morrow,"
+eagerly promised Don.
+
+Dot looked up at her friends when she heard this and shook her head
+energetically.
+
+The Bobolinks carefully covered the machines with the canvas covers and
+started to go out. At the same time the girls in the loft crept across
+the floor toward the steps. The boys were not making so much noise as
+when the Blue Birds went up in the loft, and Meredith stood surprised
+when he heard something moving over his head.
+
+"Where's Ike?" he whispered to Ned.
+
+"Just outside the door--why?" replied Ned.
+
+"Don't you hear those footsteps?"
+
+"What--where? Yes, of course!" exclaimed Ned.
+
+Simon was seen crossing the lawn and Ike stood outside with the boys, so
+who could be upstairs?
+
+Meantime, Ruth overheard Meredith's exclamation and hurried the girls
+down and out, and pushed them inside the garage before any of the boys
+could persuade Ike that someone was upstairs. Finally he allowed them to
+drag him to the small carriage room and ascend the steps.
+
+The Blue Birds lay hidden in the bottom of the automobile and almost
+suffocated trying to keep from laughing outright at the way the
+Bobolinks were hoodwinked.
+
+Every one of the boys trudged up the steps, but found the loft empty. As
+soon as they were out of sight in the small room, the girls jumped out
+of the car and ran madly for the shrubbery which sheltered the kitchen
+gardens from the lawns. Here, they could creep toward home without being
+seen from the barns.
+
+Ike looked carefully about the loft but hid a smile when his back was
+turned.
+
+"There, I told you no one was here!" he said.
+
+"Well, I don't care, I _heard_ them!" retorted Ned.
+
+"Maybe it was rats!" ventured Ike.
+
+"No, sir, you said that you were never pestered with rats; besides, this
+noise was just like walking would sound," insisted Ned.
+
+Ike kept the boys upstairs arguing for a sufficient time to permit the
+Blue Birds to get out of the way, then he started down.
+
+"Well, I'll keep the door locked and the key in my room," promised Ike,
+as the boys waited for him to lock up.
+
+"If it was a tramp, Ned, he couldn't move our machinery, so what's the
+use bothering?" said Don.
+
+"He could steal our type and other things, and sell them," grumbled Ned,
+still unassured.
+
+Ruth was walking slowly up from the main gates when Ned reached the
+veranda. She was stooping over a chrysanthemum blossom to note its
+beautiful coloring when Ned whistled to attract her attention.
+
+"Better hurry in and wash up for dinner--it's almost seven, and mother
+doesn't like dinner delayed, you know," Ned said, as Ruth skipped up
+smilingly.
+
+Not a word was said, and the Bobolinks never found out how the Blue
+Birds watched them practice their future business tactics.
+
+The next morning Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina had Ike drive them to the
+paper mills.
+
+Mrs. Talmage explained her errand and selected some samples of
+stationery paper. The manager then showed them over the mills and Aunt
+Selina whispered aside to Mrs. Talmage: "What an interesting article
+this work would make."
+
+"Indeed, yes!" replied Mrs. Talmage, turning to the manager to tell him
+of the new venture of the Blue Birds and ask him to write up a story
+about the manufacture of paper.
+
+"That I will! I like to write, and often, when I'm tired or worried, I
+sit down to write a funny sketch. I have sold a number of them to Sunday
+papers," was the surprising reply.
+
+The two ladies were escorted to the manager's office and chairs were
+placed for them while a price list was prepared for the convenience of
+the Blue Birds.
+
+This done, the manager sat back in his office chair.
+
+"Have the children planned any campaign for securing circulation?" he
+asked.
+
+"Why, no, Mr. White, we intended talking that matter over with the
+mothers to-night. We are all so inexperienced in this undertaking that I
+suppose a business man would laugh at our way of putting 'the cart
+before the horse,' as the saying is," laughed Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"The fact is, this whole proposition is so sudden and different from
+anything the children had dreamed of!" added Aunt Selina, in defence of
+their mistakes.
+
+"I know! When I heard of the daring of the children I certainly admired
+their spunk, but I couldn't help shaking my head, too, for it is no
+joke to start a real business, as they are doing," said Mr. White,
+seriously.
+
+"Well, we will need the help of all of our friends," smiled Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"You'll have it, too. Why, everybody in Oakdale felt the Blue Birds'
+work last summer was wonderful; now, this new venture will have the
+support of all of the townsfolks."
+
+"It is very encouraging to hear you speak so, and if you think of any
+way to boom our circulation, I wish you would come over some evening and
+tell us all about it," replied Mrs. Talmage.
+
+Suddenly the manager sat upright and looked toward the book-shelves,
+which contained rows of business-like looking reference books.
+
+"I believe we have the idea!" exclaimed he, jumping up and going over to
+the shelves to take down a heavy volume.
+
+"This book contains all the names and addresses of stationery stores in
+the United States and Canada. It is only a year old, so most of these
+addresses will be up-to-date. We use it for mailing samples of our
+paper, but I have an idea that you would get plenty of subscriptions and
+make willing agents of these storekeepers. If you send a sample of your
+magazine and give them a liberal commission there is no reason why these
+firms would refuse to act as agents. Anyway, it would do no harm to try
+out the suggestion," said Mr. White.
+
+"Why, Mr. White, do you know that you are a direct answer to my prayer!"
+cried Aunt Selina.
+
+"I am grateful to be favored," laughed Mr. White, "but it must be your
+faith that brought the answer."
+
+"Well, to tell the truth," continued Aunt Selina, "I am so very anxious
+to have this movement of the children a fine success that I have been
+praying in season and out for the way to open that we might be blessed
+in this work. All we needed for the next step was a hint for
+circulation."
+
+"And I'll confide a secret, too," said Mrs. Talmage, leaning over toward
+the desk. "The boys have had their fathers meet with them every evening,
+advising and drilling them in ways and means to succeed, while my girls
+have had to do the best they can with Aunt Selina and me. This book will
+boost us far ahead of the Bobolinks and give the men who are advising a
+fine surprise."
+
+Mr. White laughed as he understood the rivalry between the two factions,
+and promised to send his wife to the meetings of the mothers to convey
+any advice or suggestions he might think of.
+
+"Oh, splendid! We expect to hold our first meeting at our house
+to-night. Do bring her over!" cried Mrs. Talmage.
+
+As the three were going out to the automobile, Mr. White ventured a
+remark.
+
+"I have been told that the paper for the sample issue was to be sent
+over when you wished it. Now, I thought of making an advertising
+proposition to the corporation at their next meeting. If the magazine
+would mention that all the paper used by them for letters, circulars and
+magazines was furnished by the Oakdale Mills, it would be a good
+exchange if the company donated the paper needed for the first year's
+work."
+
+The ladies stood amazed at the generous idea.
+
+"Every paper mill in the country will try to place a contract with the
+children as soon as news of this plan is out. Now, the Oakdale Mills can
+secure its contract for future years by being wide-awake for the
+present. It is a strictly business proposition, you see," explained Mr.
+White.
+
+"It may seem so to you, but I know that it is a proposition that no
+other firm would offer, and we are deeply grateful for your interest,"
+replied Mrs. Talmage, sagaciously.
+
+"I'll suggest it, and you find out if the magazine is willing to give us
+the mention I hinted at," said Mr. White.
+
+Handing the huge book of addresses to Ike, Mrs. Talmage shook hands with
+Mr. White and reminded him to bring his wife to the meeting.
+
+"Well! that was the best hour's business yet!" exclaimed Aunt Selina, as
+the car sped away.
+
+"Wonderful, isn't it? I hope everything will glide along as nicely as it
+has up to the present," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+Being Friday, school closed an hour earlier than usual. The moment the
+Blue Birds could catch their hats from the pegs in the cloak-rooms, they
+ran out to join Ruth, who was hopping from one foot to the other in a
+vain effort to calm her impatience.
+
+"Hurry, girls! Don't you know Mother Wings went to the mills this
+morning for samples of paper?" called one to the other as they ran up
+to Ruth.
+
+It was not long thereafter that seven eager little girls crowded about
+Mrs. Talmage on the veranda to hear the news.
+
+"I'll show you the samples, but we will wait for the mothers' opinion
+to-night. But this great secret I will give to you now!" and, forthwith,
+Mrs. Talmage told the Blue Birds all about Mr. White's interest and
+ideas, and showed them the precious volume loaned them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE WINTER NEST COUNCIL
+
+
+Before eight o'clock that night the Blue Birds and their mothers were
+assembled in the living-room ready for a council. The children had not
+seen the den for a few days and stared in delight as they filed into the
+room. Mrs. Talmage had purposely had all meet together before mentioning
+that they might as well spend the evening in the Winter Nest.
+
+"Why, Mother Wings, when _did_ you fix this up?" asked Ruth, as much
+surprised as the others.
+
+Mrs. Talmage smiled, but said nothing.
+
+The guests looked about and admired the unique charm of the Blue Bird
+quarters for the winter, and Betty ventured the question: "What has
+become of our other chairs?"
+
+The room had all been renovated. The windows were hung with snow-flake
+madras, and the floor covered with heavy knotted white rag carpet that
+looked like snow freshly packed. The walls had been repapered with a
+sparkling white paper which glistened like ice in the electric light.
+From the wainscoting to the picture rail branches of dark green spruce
+and pine were fastened and upon these green needles were caught flakes
+of make-believe snow--made of white cotton-batting with diamond dust
+powdered on it. The furniture of the summer Nest had been brought in
+late that afternoon and the slip covers, which had been made for it,
+were slipped over until the thick white covers hid the familiar chairs
+under the novelty cloth that looked like snow-drifts. The whole effect
+was so beautiful that the children danced about with joy.
+
+"Well, we must get at our work," reminded Aunt Selina, after enough
+chairs had been brought in for all.
+
+"I walked over with Mr. Wells and he was quite surprised to find I was
+coming to the house," said Mrs. Wells, laughingly.
+
+"I never said a word to Mr. Talmage or his brother," confided Mrs.
+Talmage, smiling at the secret.
+
+"Mr. Stevens knows I am at this council with Betty, but he hasn't the
+faintest idea for what," admitted Mrs. Stevens.
+
+And so it was that not one of the men who had formed the habit of
+dropping in to help the Bobolinks could imagine what their wives were
+doing with the Blue Birds.
+
+If the inmates of the Winter Nest that night could have seen the
+questioning faces of the boys and men when it was known that a meeting
+of mothers was being held, they would have felt the balm of satisfaction
+applied to wounded pride.
+
+Mrs. Talmage showed the sample of paper and, after a discussion of merit
+and price, a selection was made of an artistic grey paper to be printed
+in blue--the colors of the Blue Birds.
+
+"We must have envelopes to match, mother," said Ruth.
+
+"I never thought of that, but it is so!" admitted Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I know the address of a firm where Mr. Wells has all of his
+'made-to-order' envelopes made--we will get them to do it," suggested
+Mrs. Wells.
+
+"What a relief to hear that offer!" sighed Mrs. Talmage. "I was just
+wondering where I could find anyone who would make them for us."
+
+"It also goes to prove that many heads gathered to discuss Blue Bird
+affairs are better than one, and I suggest that we meet at least once a
+week," suggested Aunt Selina.
+
+So it was then and there agreed that the mothers would come regularly to
+hold a council in the Winter Nest with the Blue Birds.
+
+"Just as soon as the envelopes come back we can begin to address from
+mother's big book, can't we?" asked Norma.
+
+"If there's only one book, how can all of this crowd read it at the same
+time and then write down the names?" demanded Dot Starr.
+
+"Why, we won't have to do that work," added Mrs. Wells. "There's a firm
+in the city that addresses envelopes for a dollar a thousand."
+
+"Another fine hint! I'm sure I'd rather pay my share than risk Dot's
+ruining dozens of envelopes with ink," laughed Mrs. Starr, patting Dot
+on the hand.
+
+"We wouldn't want to write 'em in here, because the snow would freeze
+our fingers so the ink would spatter all over," said Dot, ludicrously.
+
+"Yes, I suppose these lovely covers would be speckled black by the time
+the Blue Birds completed, say, fifty thousand addresses," laughed Aunt
+Selina.
+
+"I would vote against Edith's writing--I fear the person would never get
+the letter--it would go straight to the Dead Letter Office," said Mrs.
+Wilson, pulling Edith's curls.
+
+As everyone knew how Edith hated writing and never could write a legible
+hand, a laugh went up, in which Edith joined heartily.
+
+So the Blue Birds were spared the arduous task of copying thousands of
+names.
+
+"I have heard that these large addressing bureaus prefer to employ
+children--I wonder why?"
+
+"Because children just finishing grammar school are more careful in
+forming letters and can write much better than adults. Besides, they
+have to pay children but a third that an adult would demand for his
+labor," explained Mrs. Wells.
+
+"Why, isn't that just as bad as working children in a factory?"
+questioned Miss Selina.
+
+"The rooms that I visited are just as bad. The girls are crowded close
+together in a wretchedly lighted room without ventilation, and they sit
+writing all day with their poor backs bent double and fingers grown
+crooked from habit," said Mrs. Wells.
+
+"Goodness! Can't we do something to stop it?" cried Mrs. Starr.
+
+"They have to have the money for home needs, and it isn't quite as bad,
+you know, as working all day in cold water to your knees, opening
+oysters at a cent a hundred."
+
+"Oh, dear, dear! don't tell me any more," half wept Aunt Selina. "I feel
+like a criminal to think I lost all of these years with money piling up
+in the bank that could have helped hundreds of these little workers.
+Let's get busy this minute!"
+
+"It would be nice to take all these little workers to the country,
+wouldn't it?" queried Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Yes, yes! But, Mary, don't delay me longer in this work--I have so many
+years to make up, and so little time to do it in," mourned Aunt Selina.
+
+"All right! Now that is settled--we hire a firm to do the addressing,
+and Mrs. Wells will see to the envelopes. What next?" said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, Mother Wings, don't forget about that book--you know?" reminded
+Ruth.
+
+"Oh, of course! One of our great secrets! Here is a volume loaned us by
+Mr. White, of the Oakdale Paper Mills, and it has the addresses of all
+the stationers in the country," explained Mrs. Talmage. "He suggested
+that we send a sample magazine to each, with a letter stating agents'
+commissions and price of subscription."
+
+"And that reminds me--the book you wrote for was given me to bring in
+to-night, and I left it out in the hall," said Mrs. Wells, turning to
+Frances and asking her to get it.
+
+The institution book was brought in, and its pages eagerly scanned.
+
+"My! what a lot of poor children there are!" said Dot sympathetically.
+
+"It doesn't seem possible, does it?" said Mrs. Starr, turning to the
+others.
+
+"We never realize what needs there are for help until we face something
+of this sort," said Mrs. Talmage, turning page after page. Suddenly she
+stopped.
+
+"Has anyone here an idea of how many dependent little ones there are in
+the United States alone?"
+
+Heads were silently shaken, and Mrs. Talmage continued:
+
+"There are 87,000 children's institutions--homes, hospitals, asylums,
+and homes for cripples that are mostly supported by gifts, philanthropy,
+or legacies. About one-fourth of these are partially controlled by the
+state. The number of inmates in these institutions amounts to 1,740,520
+children. Think of it! Practically a million and three-quarters! How
+terrible!" And Mrs. Talmage had to find her handkerchief to dry her eyes
+at the picture of so many, many dear little ones bereft of home and
+mother-love.
+
+"Mary, Mary, I shall have to run away from here if you keep on!" cried
+Aunt Selina.
+
+"But, Aunty, it is not your fault, and you must not feel this way,
+especially as you are doing so much to improve the conditions," said
+Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Well, mother, I should say that if there are 87,000 addresses to send
+letters to, we'd better begin that letter now, and not spoil Flutey's
+pleasure by thinking of all the things she never did," advised Ruth,
+very sensibly.
+
+"Yes, that letter is very important--let us compose it," said Aunt
+Selina.
+
+After an hour of writing and rewriting, Mrs. Talmage read aloud the
+result of their labor:
+
+"Dear Friend:
+
+"The Blue Birds of Oakdale have started a philanthropic work which must
+appeal to everyone who is willing to help our poor children. A magazine
+is being published, a sample of which is being sent you, that will
+contain instructive, helpful, interesting articles.
+
+"Perhaps you know that there are 87,000 benevolent institutions in this
+country filled with over a million and a half poor children, to whom
+this magazine will prove a welcome visitor. The cost of producing this
+magazine is partially paid for by donations, and the profit of the work
+is all devoted to a settlement in the country where the city children
+can spend the summer.
+
+"Inclosed find a subscription blank. Make all checks payable to 'Blue
+Birds of Happy Times Nest.'"
+
+"Wish we had time to run over to the Bobolinks and order fifty thousand
+of these letters," suggested Dot.
+
+"Oh, wouldn't it be fun to see their faces!" laughed Norma.
+
+"Maybe we will have time--it is only five minutes to nine," announced
+Mrs. Talmage, looking at her watch.
+
+"We can try it--we will walk down the path, and if we find they are
+leaving we can keep our own council until another night," said Mrs.
+Talmage, as everyone rose hurriedly to go.
+
+The children hurried on before, while the ladies followed more sedately.
+
+The heavy doors were closed, but an opening about a foot wide left space
+enough for Ruth to squeeze through and pull one of the sliding doors
+along the groove to admit the other visitors.
+
+The men had been lounging about, talking and watching their sons work,
+but upon the entrance of the ladies everyone arose in surprise.
+
+"Rather a late hour for a call, dear," ventured Mr. Stevens.
+
+"Oh, not at all. We were attending a business meeting, and found it
+necessary to leave an order with the Bobolinks."
+
+"An order--what kind of an order?" questioned Ned dubiously.
+
+Mrs. Talmage handed over the copy of the letter she wanted printed, and
+directed the company to get out a proof as soon as possible, for they
+would need about fifty thousand.
+
+"Fifty thousand!" gasped the boys, while the men looked incredulous.
+
+The Blue Birds could not restrain a giggle at the utter amazement of the
+Bobolinks, and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed their husbands' surprise.
+
+"Oh, well, I suppose it will take you a long time to run off so many, so
+you may do ten thousand at a time," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+The Bobolinks could find no words with which to reply, and the men
+seemed to have lost their tongues also. While Mrs. Talmage waited for an
+answer, Don scowled at his twin sister.
+
+"I am still waiting to hear you accept the order," smiled Mrs. Talmage,
+feeling that the Blue Birds had scored a point.
+
+"Maybe you are not yet ready to do business," suggested Mrs. Wells, with
+just a touch of sarcasm.
+
+"Of course we are ready!" exclaimed several boys, faintly echoed by the
+men.
+
+"Then tell us how long will it be before you can show us a proof?" asked
+Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"H'm! We will have to consult," replied Ned, as he beckoned some of the
+Bobolinks to the rear of the room.
+
+The Blue Birds were so delighted at catching the Bobolinks napping that
+they danced up and down, finding it very difficult to keep their secret.
+
+Don was the first to come over to the ladies.
+
+"Say, what do you want that letter for? Where will you ever get paper
+enough to print ten thousand--we can't buy it for you," he growled.
+
+"Don, come back here and mind your business!" shouted Meredith.
+
+"When you return to the boys, please ask them to hurry, as we have
+another letter to ask them about--we may need 100,000 of these," said
+Mrs. Starr sweetly.
+
+The Blue Birds noticed that their fathers looked sceptical at the last
+sentence.
+
+"You never made up a list like that!" grunted Don, looking at the Blue
+Birds with fire shining in his eyes.
+
+"What do you think we were doing while you spent your evenings having a
+good time?" retorted Dot.
+
+"Humph!" was the only reply Don granted his sister.
+
+"Folks said this summer that we Blue Birds were little hustlers, but I
+never paid much attention to them then; but _now_ I think we are
+hustlers when I see the way you Bobolinks poke away for two weeks and
+nothing to show for it," teased May.
+
+Mr. Wells was called over to join the conference of the Bobolinks before
+an answer was given the Blue Birds.
+
+"We will set this type and run off a proof by to-morrow evening; will
+that do?" said Ned, coming forward with the letter.
+
+The Blue Birds thought it would take the boys about three days to set
+type and give a proof, so it was their turn to be surprised. Mrs.
+Talmage seemed to understand, however, and replied in a very
+condescending voice:
+
+"Oh, yes, to-morrow will be Saturday, and Uncle Ben will be here at
+noon. That will be fine, for, of course, he will show you what to do;
+and I am sure he knows just what he would like for the purpose."
+
+The looks exchanged between the Bobolinks and Mr. Wells were sufficient
+proof that Mrs. Talmage was right in her surmise, but the Blue Birds
+were too polite to say anything more.
+
+The men said it was long past closing hours, so the lights were
+extinguished, and the whole party went out into the cool night air.
+
+Early Saturday morning the Blue Birds met again in their pretty Winter
+Nest, and Mrs. Talmage told them what she had thought over since the
+night before.
+
+"Since Uncle Ben will be here all afternoon to supervise the work, I
+think it would be as well for us to form the letter for the
+philanthropists, too; then he can help the Bobolinks set the type."
+
+The Blue Birds agreed that this was a wise plan, and so the letter was
+discussed and composed. This done, they went to the Publishing House
+with the copy, and told the boys what they wanted. The Bobolinks were
+hunting for the right style of type and fussing about the machines so as
+to have them in readiness for the afternoon.
+
+Uncle Ben arrived at noon, and the boys placed their work under his
+supervision. From the expression on his face when he read the letters,
+it appeared that he understood the plans the Blue Birds were keeping so
+quiet.
+
+"What are you smiling at, Uncle Ben?" asked Ned, keen to find out what
+the Blue Birds were planning.
+
+"At the remarkable progress the Blue Birds have made since I last
+visited you," returned Uncle Ben.
+
+"Why, they haven't done anything--much," grumbled Don.
+
+"Only fixed up these two letters for us to print," added Meredith.
+
+"They haven't done their usual sewing and playing in the cherry-tree
+nest, either," said Jinks.
+
+"Is that so? Well, how do you know _what_ they have been doing without
+your knowledge?" asked Uncle Ben laughingly.
+
+The boys looked at him, and their eyes asked the question, "What?"
+
+"As an old magazine man, I can see signs in these two letters that tell
+me of two tremendous pieces of work being started--and being very nicely
+handled, too. Why, I would not be surprised to have the Blue Birds fly
+down upon this Publishing House some day and settle here long enough to
+say that they had a paid-up subscription list of ten thousand! At any
+rate, you boys had better prepare to print about fifty thousand sample
+copies of the first magazine."
+
+The faces of the Bobolinks looked as if their owners must sit down or
+collapse. Uncle Ben laughed heartily at them.
+
+"Ah, you're only fooling us, as usual," ventured Ned.
+
+"No, siree! I am not. Wait and see," returned Uncle Ben.
+
+Without further discussion, Uncle Ben showed the boys the proper style
+of type to use for a letter, then helped them run off a proof of both
+letters.
+
+"This will show the Blue Birds that we are not so slow but that we can
+turn out samples in up-to-date style," said Ned, as he admired the
+printing.
+
+"Now, run off a few letters on this paper," ordered Uncle Ben, producing
+some beautiful bond paper.
+
+"My, but it's pretty! Where'd you get it, Uncle Ben?" asked Ned.
+
+"I brought it out for the Blue Birds' inspection, but I shouldn't doubt
+but that they have already attended to that detail, so we will present
+our proof all finished on my paper."
+
+"Now, tell us, Uncle Ben, why you think the Blue Birds have a big plan
+of their own," entreated Ned.
+
+Uncle Ben smiled and reminded the boys to keep his words from becoming
+public property.
+
+"I should say that the fact that the Blue Birds have not been near their
+old Nest all week, when the weather is so glorious, proves that they
+have a deeper interest elsewhere. Now, what can that be? Here you have a
+hint of part of the interest," and Uncle Ben waved the letters at the
+boys. "How do I know?
+
+"Take these two letters--either one of them would startle a slow
+circulation manager in the city if he thought a competitor suddenly
+produced it! Why, in some way the Blue Birds have found a way to reach
+book stores, stationers, and similar business places. Then, too, the
+mention of needing thousands shows me they have found a mine of
+addresses that is worth a large price to a publisher."
+
+"Ah, Uncle Ben, you're wrong there! The Blue Birds haven't gone
+anywhere, and no one has been here to tell them how to get such names,"
+said Ned.
+
+Without replying to Ned's words, Uncle Ben continued:
+
+"Then, too, they must have the institution work well under consideration
+or they would not have ordered the form letter--and hinted at the size
+of the order."
+
+The boys shook their heads, unwilling to admit that Uncle Ben's surmises
+sounded practical.
+
+"Lastly, they have their paper selected, because they told you the size
+this sheet of printing is to be; and therefore they must know how deep a
+margin they will need. To get the size of their printing correct, they
+would have to know how many sheets will cut out of a large sheet of
+paper, and order it cut accordingly."
+
+"If they have done all those things that you say they have, they are
+'way ahead of us Bobolinks," grumbled Don.
+
+Uncle Ben laughed and advised:
+
+"Boys, work _with_ these Blue Birds, not against them or ahead of them.
+Do not think that just because they are girls, and you are boys, that
+they are going to remain in the shade and let you boys come out and
+shine in the light. If you boys ever do business in the city, you will
+find that a woman will contest your right at every step, for to-day's
+women are equal in every way to the men--I rather think a number of them
+are superior to the men. These Blue Birds are but a proof of what I say.
+They will not permit the Bobolinks to walk off with the honors that are
+due them." And Uncle Ben chuckled at the idea.
+
+"Well, Uncle Ben, you'll help us in every way until we are even with the
+girls, won't you?" asked Ned.
+
+"And you won't help the Blue Birds any more, will you?" asked Don.
+
+"I am absolutely neutral," replied Uncle Ben, holding both hands up over
+his head. "I won't take sides, but I will help the work along in every
+way, for I want it to succeed. I'll help you when you need it, and I'll
+help these little Blue Birds. But do as I said: Work together, not in a
+spirit of rivalry, for that will only sow seeds of strife and
+discontent."
+
+"Come on, boys, let's take Uncle Ben to the house and show our letter
+proofs to the Blue Birds," said Ned.
+
+So the Bobolinks were taught their lesson in trying to win a race by
+running for a time and then resting.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE STORY OF AN ALASKAN TRIP
+
+
+When the Bobolinks reached the house, they found the veranda occupied by
+the Blue Birds, who sat in a semi-circle about three ladies in rocking
+chairs--Mrs. Talmage, Aunt Selina, and Mrs. Catlin. The latter had a
+roll of paper in her lap, and evidently had been explaining something to
+the audience.
+
+"Oh, boys, you're just in time!" cried Ruth.
+
+"Mrs. Catlin's got her story all written for our magazine, and she was
+just going to read it," explained Dot.
+
+"May we hear it?" asked Ned, for the Bobolinks.
+
+"Why, certainly. Sit right down on the steps," said Mrs. Catlin.
+
+As soon as the boys were comfortable, she continued:
+
+"I was about seventeen when I read the exciting tales of gold in
+California and the wealth to be obtained in Seattle--a town that was
+boomed in a night. I knew my father would never consent to my leaving
+home, so I said nothing, but pawned my watch and ring, drew my savings
+from the bank, and raised enough money to pay my way West. I worked part
+of my way, and stole rides on freight cars part of the way, until I
+found myself in Seattle. I was not particular where I went as long as it
+was in the West. Well, in Seattle I found that the fever of gold mining
+in Alaska was reaching a boiling point, and every steamer bound for
+Sitka was already overloaded, but I managed in some way to steal aboard
+and hide until the captain could not turn me off. I had to do some
+awfully dirty work, however, and had very little to eat.
+
+"We arrived at Sitka, and there I spent some more of my money for a
+passage to Juneau City. There I landed with forty dollars left in my
+pockets. Ten of this was paid out for a hard bed and some scanty food,
+and I soon feared that I would be left without a cent unless I started
+somewhere for the gold mines. I heard all kinds of stories about the
+gold found up on the Yukon River, so I found a shed where outfits were
+sold, and paid twenty dollars for an outfit that was said to be all I
+would need. I still had a few dollars left when I started on the road,
+with my outfit strapped to my back, visions of finding millions of
+dollars' worth of gold always before my eyes.
+
+"I walked along a trail that seemed to be well traveled, and felt glad
+to get away from the drink-sodden town. I had tramped for hours, when
+the outfit began to rub painfully on my back. I was hungry, too, for the
+food given me at the eating-houses was unfit to eat. In buying my
+outfit, I added a strip of bacon and a loaf of black bread, so I decided
+to rest for a bit and have my dinner.
+
+"The country, as far as I could see, was very beautiful, so I sat down
+beside the trail and dropped my pack. I took out the tiny frying pan and
+cut some bacon into it. I gathered some sticks, and then tried to light
+one of the matches that was in the waterproof box, but it merely
+sputtered and went out. I used so many matches in this way that I became
+nervous lest the supply give out. Finally I ate my bread and bacon as it
+was, and was about to strap the outfit together again when I spied a
+caravan leaving the town several miles beyond the point where I sat. I
+was so interested in watching the long line, as it lengthened out along
+the trail, that I forgot how soon night comes down in this country. I
+had no plans for the night, and expected to go much farther before I
+struck camp. When the caravan had come halfway the distance from town
+toward me, I picked up my pack and started on.
+
+"I found the pack dreadfully heavy this time, and had to rest several
+times. I was thus resting on a large rock when the caravan passed me.
+
+"The sledges were piled high with camp equipment. At the end of the line
+was a cumbersome-looking affair that was covered with canvas and drawn
+by four horses. A grizzled man drove these horses, and seemed intent
+upon his job.
+
+"So interested was I in watching them go by that I was startled when one
+of the men in the sledge called to me:
+
+"'Hello, Kid! What are you doing--picking flowers?'
+
+"A number of the men laughed, but the younger one who sat with the man
+in the sledge shouted: 'Want to join us as far as your road lies? This
+is no place for a boy to travel alone. Beasts on two and four legs are
+too powerful about here.'
+
+"I felt an irresistible desire to join them, but they never stopped.
+However, taking it for granted that they wanted me or they wouldn't have
+spoken, I ran after the caravan and tried to keep up with them. The pack
+grew heavier every moment, and at last I decided to give it up. Just
+then one of the leading horses of the four stumbled down upon his knees.
+
+"This caused a halt while the driver got down and examined the horse. I
+had the opportunity that I needed, so I took a deep breath and shouted,
+at the same time running as fast as my weary legs would carry me.
+
+"'How are you comin'?' asked the driver.
+
+"'Coming!' I cried, so tired I could have wept. 'Why, I've been coming
+ever since the man asked me.'
+
+"'Some run, eh?' asked the old man, smiling.
+
+"'Didn't they mean it?' I asked, in a tremble lest I be left again.
+
+"'Guess so. Don't believe they gave you another thought. But, now that
+you're here, you kin sit with me,' said the man gruffly, as I thought,
+while he rubbed the skinned knee with whale-oil.
+
+"I climbed up and sat in the seat beside the driver. He gathered the
+reins together and started the horses again before he spoke another
+word.
+
+"'Kid, I watched you runnin' after this crew, and I jus' said to mysel',
+"Old Hal, keep an eye on that kid and see what stuff he's made of." I
+reckon you'll win out, even if this brazen outfit loses. I'm goin' to
+take a likin' to ye, kid, d'ye hear that!' grinned the old man, as he
+chirked to the horses.
+
+"I sat still and pondered what he said.
+
+"'Thar ain't many men as kin say that Old Hal the Guide took a likin' to
+'em, kid,' he continued, watching the trail where his horses stepped.
+
+"I had overheard the men at the town talking about a guide called 'Old
+Hal,' and the conjectures as to how much the swell outfit had to pay him
+to get him to take charge of their expedition.
+
+"I felt unduly elated at hearing the man address me so comradely, and I
+decided to be as friendly as I could.
+
+"'What's the great hulk under this canvas?' I asked, nodding my head
+toward the load back of us.
+
+"'Hulk! You're right, sonny, it is a great big hulk. These men from the
+East think they know a lot about goin' on a expedition like this--they
+git their learnin' from the books. But I could have saved 'em heaps of
+money hed they consulted me fust. Now, this pertickler hulk is dead
+trash! _They_ call 'em canoes, but the fust little jolt one of 'em gits
+in the end of its nose--down she goes!'
+
+"'Canoes, eh?' I said wonderingly.
+
+"'How many did yeh bring in yer outfit?' asked Hal, nudging me in the
+ribs.
+
+"'I may have all of those to take care of if you don't watch the
+horses,' I growled.
+
+"'Right choo are, kid! Did yeh ever hear the verse, "From the mouths of
+babes, etc."? Guess yeh didn't know I ever read Scripter, did yeh?'
+laughed the old man.
+
+"'Guess you don't or you wouldn't joke that way about such a good Book,'
+I replied.
+
+"'Right choo are agin, kid! My, but you are a lucky find fer Hal to
+have. Jus' fancy all the fun we will have durin' the long winter
+nights,' said the guide, in a conciliatory tone.
+
+"'Hope so! If I ever get the chance to show you that I am thankful for
+this help, I surely will,' I said, full of gratitude that I was not
+dragging my feet along the tiresome trail at that very moment.
+
+"'Now, that's the kind of a heart to have--one that kin thank a feller
+without feelin' 'shamed to show his colors! I see where you and me are
+goin' to make a fine team!' said Hal.
+
+"After some silence, the old man asked: 'Where'er yeh bound fer,
+anyway?'
+
+"'Don't know--just going out to find gold,' I said.
+
+"He turned square around and stared at me for a few moments, then
+gasped: 'Father an' mother dead?'
+
+"I had to gulp hard before I could answer this question, then I said:
+'No. Had my own money in the bank, and so I just came.'
+
+"'How fer?' he asked abruptly.
+
+"'All the way from New York state. I worked my way out and worked part
+of my way on the Seattle boat,' I said, with great pride in my
+achievement.
+
+"'Why, yeh little fool!' cried the irate guide.
+
+"'What's the matter?'
+
+"'An' I s'pose yeh hev ben payin' fer full board an' keep to yer mother
+ever sence yeh wuz borned, eh?' scoffed Hal.
+
+"I was silent. I was looking at the matter from a new point of view.
+
+"'S'pose yer pa an' ma was on'y too glad to git yeh out'en the way, eh?'
+he continued.
+
+"Again I had to gulp when I thought of my mother.
+
+"'I see the hull fool thing. Yeh jus' went crazy readin' trashy papers,
+an' yeh run away widdout tellin' a soul, 'cause yeh knew they wouldn't
+let yeh come otherwise.'
+
+"I marveled at how close he had come to the truth.
+
+"'Well, yer here, kid, an' I s'pose Old Hal's got to see yeh through wit
+it, so thet worritin' mother of yourn'll see yeh agin, some day.' And he
+swung the whip over the horses' heads with a crack that saved me from
+his ire.
+
+"We came to a bad grade then, and Old Hal had to keep a wary eye on the
+trail, for the horses were not as sure-footed as the dogs and deer.
+
+"It must have been four o'clock before we halted. The air was growing
+colder as we advanced, and I was glad enough to open my pack for a chunk
+of bread and a slice of bacon.
+
+"'Hist, kid, stow that away!' whispered Hal, as he began to unhitch the
+horses for the night.
+
+"In a short time the two men from the sledge came up.
+
+"'Hello, youngster! You did come, after all, didn't you?' said the older
+man.
+
+"As the supper was being cooked by an Indian guide, I was welcomed in
+the circle sitting about a blazing fire and asked about myself. To each
+question I replied truthfully, and wondered at the smiles and surprise
+shown at my answers.
+
+"One of the two men who owned the expedition turned to the old guide
+after a time and said: 'Hal, what shall we do with the kid? Send him
+back home?'
+
+"'If 'twere me, I'd give him his fill. He'll be safe enough wid us, an'
+we kin git heaps of work outen him; but he'll never 'mount to nothin' ef
+yeh send him home, 'cause he'll allus think of the gold he might have
+got,' said Hal astutely.
+
+"'Guess you've hit the nail on the head, Hal,' laughed the younger man,
+as he looked at me.
+
+"So I became a member of the Yukon Gold Expedition, under the management
+of John Herrick and Julius Dwight, engineers.
+
+"We traveled over hundreds of miles of snow, for we were trying to reach
+a certain trail that Old Hal knew, before the thaw set in.
+
+"We did not quite get there, however, before the general thaw struck us.
+Then the canoes were needed. I had wondered why we delayed our traveling
+to cart those canoes with us, for there were no streams or lakes to
+cross, but the moment the thaw set in it seemed that every piece of ice
+and snow in the North was turning to water. Instead of trails, we had to
+travel by green-blue rivers, or over deep, dark seas.
+
+"Well, after losing one canoe and two of the Indians, Old Hal hit his
+trail and led us up toward the mountains.
+
+"All of that short summer was passed in the usual work of prospecting:
+digging, panning, washing, or testing for gold. Permanent camp had been
+built by the men, and a number of Indian servants took precaution that
+every emergency should be provided for in case of a hard, long winter.
+Every kind of edible bird or beast was trapped and prepared for food,
+while the skins and pelts of animals were cured and made into garments
+and covers.
+
+"I was the youngest in camp, so I was known as the 'Kid,' and Old Hal
+took the office of guardian toward me from the first and ordered me
+about--always for my good, be it known--and kept a watchful eye over my
+doings and the men I happened to work with.
+
+"Toward the end of the short summer we struck a rich vein of gold!
+
+"I shall never forget the change in everyone's character the moment the
+gold was discovered in the shining sand. Some became savages, others
+grew crafty and cunning, and Old Hal had his hands full to keep
+discipline in the camp. Dwight and Herrick saw the tendency of their
+hired men to mutiny against Hal and themselves, and perhaps jump the
+claim when the owners were out of the way, but they were farsighted men,
+and Hal was no greenhorn in handling Esquimo and half-breed Indians.
+
+"A large tract of land on both sides of the creek was staked off and a
+diagram of the area carefully drawn by Herrick, to be filed in the
+office at Forty-Mile Station, where a legal land-office was maintained
+by the government.
+
+"As it was most necessary to file this claim before winter came on, a
+conference was held between Hal and the two engineers. Hal said he could
+easily make the trip to Forty-Mile and back again before winter froze
+everything solid, so he was ordered to take a canoe, with two of the
+mutinous men, and start immediately. Two dogs were placed in the canoe,
+in case they would be needed for sledging, and a store of food and pelts
+were packed under the seats. At the last moment, Hal was led to take his
+own canoe, which he had made that summer, and ask for my company. I was
+delighted to know I could accompany my old friend, so one of the dogs
+and a sledge were placed in Hal's canoe, and but one of the men got in,
+while I was placed in the other canoe, with the other man.
+
+"We started in good order and made quick time. We had no route, map, or
+survey, for there were none in those days, but Hal knew every foot of
+the way, unless unusual conditions prevailed. We made camp that night,
+and rested, all unmindful of the plot the two mutinous men were hatching
+against us to get possession of the claim papers.
+
+"In the morning, after an early breakfast, we started, and had gone but
+a short distance before our canoes ran out of the stream into a broad
+expanse of water that was unfamiliar to Hal.
+
+"He looked carefully around for some landmark to guide him, and saw,
+some miles further on, what he believed to be a blazed spot. So he
+directed his man to paddle for that place.
+
+"When Hal was about ten feet in advance of us, and as I sat in the stern
+of our canoe, I saw the man paddling our canoe suddenly raise a
+rifle--where he got it no one knows--take aim, and shoot. It was all
+done so quickly that I could scarcely move. Hal always held his revolver
+ready to enforce obedience from his men, and the moment I heard the shot
+I saw his arm jerk spasmodically and his revolver fly out and fall in
+the bottom of the canoe. At the same time I tore my revolver out of my
+belt and covered the man who had shot.
+
+"I was so occupied in this that I had no time to see what Hal was doing,
+but I heard him yell: 'Go overboard this second or I'll shoot you dead!'
+
+"I immediately followed suit, and cried: 'Go overboard, and swim ashore,
+or I'll shoot you!'
+
+"The man sat and stared at me for a moment, as he never dreamed I had
+the spirit to do what I had. I was so nervous, and my heart seemed to
+bulge out in my throat so that I could hardly swallow. The man still sat
+and looked at his pal, who had jumped overboard and was swimming for
+shore. I never knew how it happened, for I had no idea of shooting him,
+but in that moment that he turned his look from me to his pal my fingers
+twitched with dread, and the revolver rang forth its shot, and the
+fellow fell into the water. I was so frightened that I clung to the neck
+of the dog and hid my eyes. Meantime, the fellow who was swimming saw
+what had occurred, and went under water to escape being shot.
+
+"Soon Hal had his canoe alongside, and said: 'Step in here, Kid.'
+
+"My canoe was fastened to the other one, and the transfer made without
+further mishap. I looked about for the swimmer, but could see nothing of
+him. He might have drowned or gone ashore.
+
+"We managed to travel pretty well until night, when we again camped on
+shore, but Hal seemed worried at the strangeness of the land.
+
+"After a few days' futile seeking for the trail, we felt a sudden chill
+in the air. Hal was concerned, and sought in every direction for some
+familiar object.
+
+"We made camp one night while the dogs sniffed ravenously about for
+food, for our stock had run so low that Hal had to economize to make it
+last another day. The next morning I awoke to find snow blowing in every
+direction. The change was so unlooked for that I rubbed my eyes to make
+sure I was awake.
+
+"'Well, Kid, this settles our trip to Forty-Mile for some time,'
+admitted Hal forlornly.
+
+"'What do you mean, Hal?' I asked.
+
+"'If we don't make camp quick, we'll be caught in the cold and frozen.
+If I was alone, I'd try to make some Esquimo hut or die, but havin' you
+I can't take a chance.' Hal's manner of speech had improved a great
+deal during his intercourse with cultured men, and I took note of it as
+he spoke--such queer things will impress one when a sudden calamity
+presents itself.
+
+"That morning Hal set me to cutting down some small trees. He said he
+would take the sledge and the dogs and try to find the trail. I begged
+him not to leave me alone, and he promised that this would be the last
+effort if he was unsuccessful.
+
+"I felt the terrible fear of being alone in this wilderness all winter,
+but I kept busy chopping down trees. All day long I worked and prayed,
+and before dark settled down I rejoiced to see Hal coming back. I could
+tell in a moment that he had not found any trail, so I said nothing.
+
+"That night Hal saw all the signs of winter breaking upon us, and he
+worked fast and furious to make camp so that we might survive the cold
+months.
+
+"In his search the day before, he had found a stream whose banks were
+well covered with sheltering pines. Here he proposed to build a hut.
+While, with the help of the dogs, he hauled the small logs I had cut to
+the stream, I was ordered to fish and hunt for all the supplies I could
+gather before the waters froze solid.
+
+"I went to work with a forlorn hope of ever living to see another year,
+but the fish were plentiful, and the task of preparing them for winter
+use kept me from thinking too much.
+
+"Hal set traps for animals, and this game we skinned; the meat we dried
+and the pelts we hoped to use in the winter. The fats I dried out and
+kept in a skin pouch Hal made. Some of the game could not be eaten, so
+we used that for bait.
+
+"Hal built a rude log hut about eight feet wide, with a smoke hole at
+the top. The wide chinks were plastered full of clay from the
+river-bank. A door was made of split logs and fastened together with
+rope and strips of skin. We had brought no nails or screws, and had to
+use whatever came to hand. The hinges of the door were made of tough
+strips of hide and fastened to the logs with some nails Hal took out of
+the sledge.
+
+"A rude fire-bowl was made in the center of the hut and some flint-rock
+carefully placed in a chink in the wall. The hut completed, Hal felt
+relieved, for the winter seemed to hold off for our benefit.
+
+"We chopped wood, and stacked it on one side of the wall, inside, and
+then started to pile up more on the outside near the door. Some of our
+food was buried in a pit just outside the hut, but Hal hung all there
+was room for to the logs of the roof.
+
+"We were feeling quite contented one night, when Hal remarked: 'Kid,
+she's comin' down on us. I kin tell by the queer sounds through those
+pines.'
+
+"'Let her come. We are ready,' I laughed.
+
+"'All but the beds. I'll have to go out now and bring in those balsam
+branches I have been savin' all these days.'
+
+"That night we slept upon our fresh balsam beds. When I rose I could not
+have told whether it was twilight or dawn. The blizzard howled outside,
+but Hal had a cheerful fire cracking inside."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A WINTER IN THE FROZEN NORTH
+
+
+"For ten days that blizzard raged, and I began to think we never would
+get out again. Then one morning Hal called me to see the beautiful snow.
+I stretched and got up. Hal had managed to chop away some of the drift
+that had piled against the door, and after some digging we squeezed
+through an aperture and stood without.
+
+"My, but it was grand! One great world of sparkling white, with drifted
+mountains of snow all over. Even our hut was but a smaller drift in the
+general picture. While I stood and admired, Hal brought out two pails
+which we had had in the canoes, and told me how important it was to get
+some water from the stream. We carried the water carefully to the hut,
+and then I watched Hal set a bear trap, as well as a trap for small
+game.
+
+"The dogs enjoyed being out once more and lapped the water greedily
+while we filled the buckets. We worked several hours taking wood from
+outside the hut and piling it up on our depleted stack inside. Long
+before we were done, I heard a distant howling, and looked toward Hal
+for its meaning.
+
+"'Wolves! They scent our meat,' he said laconically.
+
+"We managed to fasten our door again, and sat down by the fire while the
+dogs went over to their corner to sleep.
+
+"That night the thermometer dropped to thirty degrees below zero and
+stayed there for a week. Everything that could froze up solid, and the
+wild beasts could catch no more fish or small game, so took long jaunts
+away from their lairs to find food.
+
+"Inside of forty-eight hours I heard every kind of a growl and howl
+imaginable, as bears prowled about the hut sniffing at the buried food,
+or scratching at our hut to get in.
+
+"'Wish we could get some of 'em in the traps,' I said.
+
+"'They'd be torn to pieces and soon et up by the other wild beasts,'
+replied Hal, as he made another notch in a log where he was keeping
+record of the days.
+
+"It wasn't very pleasant that week, for the room was small, and the dogs
+and meat began to make the air reek, so we were mighty glad, one
+morning, to wake and find it warmer. Without delay, Hal and I chopped
+the door out of the ice and snow and got out, followed by the dogs. The
+air was still so cold that it felt like a knife going through my lungs,
+but it was sweet and fresh. The dogs, too, were glad to have a run.
+
+"The only thing to mark the hut from the other humps of snow round about
+was the dirty spot where the smoke came out. While we aired the room we
+cleaned up whatever débris lay about and filled the pails with some ice
+that Hal chopped out of the frozen stream.
+
+"Meantime, the dogs were scenting about in the drifts and growling and
+yelping. Hal looked up and saw that they were off following some tracks.
+He ran after them for a few rods and then came back, calling them to
+come in.
+
+"'Those were bear tracks,' he explained, as the dogs obeyed most
+unwillingly. 'I wish I had some way to trap them without having the fur
+ruined by other animals.'
+
+"'Couldn't you set a trap right in range with the chink of the door, and
+if you hear other animals about you can shoot them,' I said.
+
+"'But it would waste a lot of valuable ammunition,' he replied.
+
+"He set the trap where I had suggested, however, and said he would wait
+and see what happened.
+
+"We felt better for that day's fresh air, but the storm settled down
+again during the night, and it was several days before it stopped
+snowing. The cold held on longer, but we knew it was clear by the bright
+gleam of light that filtered through our smoke-hole.
+
+"'I wonder if we can get out to-day?' I asked, but at the same time
+howls were heard coming from the pines.
+
+"'Guess you will do better to stay in to-day,' smiled Hal.
+
+"That night we found it impossible to sleep, for the wolves howled madly
+just outside the hut, and some of them pawed at the smoke-hole so that
+Hal finally picked up a red-hot firebrand and poked it up through the
+opening just as one of the beasts tried to nose down into the hut. It
+must have caught him well, for he set up a terrific howling.
+
+"The next night, as the wolves came back again to pay their nightly
+visit, we heard a new growl coming from a distance. I looked at Hal for
+information, and he chuckled with satisfaction.
+
+"'Ha! I thought so! I was sure a bear would come along before long.'
+
+"'A bear! Oh, I wish we could get him in that trap!'
+
+"'Will he attack the wolves?' I asked.
+
+"'He will come sniffing about that pit for meat, and if the wolves
+bother him they will most likely get into trouble,' said Hal, laughing.
+
+"'Gracious, Hal! S'pose he gets our meat--what will we do?'
+
+"'We'll have to prevent him from gettin' it, that's all,' said Hal,
+looking at his rifle to see that it was in good order.
+
+"'How are you going to do it?'
+
+"'Shoot him while he's busy with the wolves, or try and get him while he
+is digging at the pit.'
+
+"'Wait and try the last plan. Let him kill off a pack of hungry wolves,
+and when he has driven them away he will come to the pit. Then is your
+time,' I said.
+
+"'Kid, you're comin' on fine! Another season in the north and you will
+be a regular hunter,' laughed Hal.
+
+"I saw that I pleased the old man, and felt happy that I could do it so
+easily. But my attention was attracted by the din of battle outside, as
+howls and snarls mixed together so furiously that the dogs huddled down
+in a corner of the hut and showed their teeth at the doorway.
+
+"We couldn't tell from the sounds which was being worsted, but the fact
+that the wolves were so numerous led us to believe that they could
+finally tear to pieces any bear. Then, while we were checking off the
+howls, quite a singular snarl came from the opposite direction.
+
+"We could tell from the noises that another bear had taken a hand in the
+fight, which continued for a long time. Then all was quiet.
+
+"All that night we heard something scratching at the door and climbing
+up to the smoke-hole, but a firebrand always met the inquisitive nose,
+for we could hear the snarl of rage as a hasty retreat was made. One
+queer thing, though, was the fact that we only heard one beast clawing
+about.
+
+"When light came again, Hal placed his ear to a chink in the door and
+listened. He seemed satisfied that the coast was clear, so we started to
+chop out the snow that bound the door on the outside.
+
+"We got the door open about an inch, and Hal peeped out, but could see
+nothing. Then we managed to push it open a little further, and still
+nothing but snow was visible.
+
+"Then suddenly a dark shadow fell across the light from outside. I stood
+rigid while Hal took a good aim.
+
+"'Why don't you shoot?' I cried, as I saw the largest bear I had ever
+seen standing there scenting the air.
+
+"'He isn't in perfect range yet. I'd only ping him and make him run, if
+I shoot now,' whispered Hal, still holding his finger on the trigger.
+
+"'If he'd only move a foot this way!' I sighed.
+
+"As if the brute felt my wish, he turned his head in our direction.
+Instantly a deafening report seemed to blow up the cabin, and powder
+smoke hung thick over our heads. The dogs were so startled that they
+yelped and rolled over on the floor.
+
+"There was not a sound from outside, and Hal smiled to himself.
+
+"'Bet I got him first try. Didn't hear any objections from him, did
+you?'
+
+"'Gee! I wish we could open this door and drag him in before those
+wolves come back,' I said, digging frantically.
+
+"'They won't get back straight off. They have been whipped for the time
+and will be feared to try it again unless they get the scent of the dead
+bears,' said Hal, digging away at the top of the drift while I scooped
+at the bottom.
+
+"We finally managed to open the door enough to get out.
+
+"The bear had dropped dead in his tracks. At his feet--but out of range
+of the chink of our door--lay the other, literally ripped to pieces by
+the wolves during the night's battle. She had put up a fine fight,
+though, for the area all about her was covered with the bodies of the
+wolves she had slaughtered, and the snow was all trampled and red.
+
+"The dogs ran out, their hair bristling along their spines as they
+sniffed at the carcasses.
+
+"We heard the wolves' howls from the pine woods, so we hurriedly dragged
+the bear Hal had shot inside the hut. We put the carcass in one corner
+of the room, which left us scarcely enough space to move around in.
+
+"Hardly had the door been closed before the pack of wolves were upon it,
+scratching and tearing at the logs.
+
+"We had a difficult time skinning the bears and trying to cut the steaks
+properly; the grease we kept for oil after it had been melted down. I
+used to implore Hal to throw out the whole dreadful mess, but he knew
+the value of bear-grease and steaks, so kept his own counsel and minded
+me not at all.
+
+"Parts that could not be used, however, and refuse were thrown to the
+wolves, thus keeping a howling horde of them in our vicinity constantly.
+This, as it happened, proved our salvation.
+
+"We sat cross-legged one morning, figuring out by the notch calendar how
+many weeks of winter remained. Suddenly a most startling sound rose
+above the din of the snarling, fighting beasts outside.
+
+"A shot rang out, followed by a shrill yelp of pain from one of the
+beasts; again a rifle cracked, and one more wolf was struck, judging
+from the noise and confusion that ensued.
+
+"Hal and I looked at each other as if in a dream; then we comprehended,
+and almost choked with joy. The beasts outside slunk away as the
+strangers who had dealt death so swiftly among them approached. Hal and
+I both raised our voices and shouted and called as loudly as we could. I
+thought of his rifle, and brought it to him.
+
+"'Shoot through the rifle-hole in the door,' I said, excitedly.
+
+"'Sure thing!' he cried, raising his gun to his shoulder and shooting
+toward the sky.
+
+"We heard an answering shot, and then voices approaching to within a few
+yards of the hut. We pried the door open far enough to hand out the
+spade. The unknown visitors already had one spade, and between the two
+we were soon excavated, the door was opened, and we leaped forth! There
+stood an Indian squaw with a boy of about twelve.
+
+"Fancy our chagrin and sinking hearts! Hal said afterward that he
+thought a rescue party had started out to find us, although he knew this
+was practically impossible.
+
+"The squaw and Hal could speak, after a fashion, and he explained to me
+that she and her son were hunting the day before, and had been caught by
+night's swift approach. They were forced to rest in a cave until
+morning. Here they had to keep the wild animals at bay, although they
+could see them moving around in the shadows just outside the circle of
+their campfire, and heard them howling all through the night. When light
+came again, they started to find their way home, and had seen the beasts
+prowling around a hump in the snow from whence issued a thin stream of
+smoke. They knew immediately that some human being was there, and tried
+to drive away the animals long enough to investigate.
+
+"Hal explained how we had come to be there--and how grateful we would be
+to get away. The squaw managed to tell us that she would return to her
+tribe at once and find out whether or not we would be welcomed among
+them.
+
+"Hal made her understand how much money she would have if she would help
+us reach Forty-Mile, where he had 'much money' waiting for him in the
+bank.
+
+"The squaw had heard of 'Old Hal,' the guide, and was evidently
+surprised to find him lost while so near the trail.
+
+"'With this kid, I couldn't take any chance at hunting for the trail any
+longer,' he explained, 'but decided to follow the most sensible course,
+and wait until Spring!'
+
+"We offered the squaw the bear-pelts if she would return with help and
+rescue us. In the native manner of 'hearing without speaking' she
+stalked away, and we were not sure as to whether she would return or
+not.
+
+"In a few days, however, we again heard the sound of a shot which came
+from the direction of the woods, and after forcing the door open we
+found the squaw with two young men from her tribe.
+
+"'Trail--him all right,' mumbled the squaw.
+
+"We found the weather clear enough to enable us to travel, so we packed
+all of our belongings upon the sledge, leaving the canoe in the
+snowbank, where it lay hidden against the house. The bear-steaks were
+almost gone, but Hal showed the squaw where the other food was buried,
+and told her she could use the hut any time she liked. She nodded, and
+as soon as the dogs were hitched to the sledge, we proceeded on our
+journey, guided by the squaw and the two boys.
+
+"We had only a few hours in which to travel, but in that time we reached
+the cave the squaw had told us of, and there spent the night. The
+following morning, we continued the journey, reaching the village before
+dark.
+
+"The settlement was small, comprising but a dozen families and about six
+huts, but it seemed like a town to us, who had been lost all Winter with
+nothing but wild animals and snow around us.
+
+"Our dogs were delighted at being able to join some of their breed
+again, and, upon the whole, we were all treated as well as could be
+expected.
+
+"We stayed there for two nights, then made an early start on the third
+morning for Forty-Mile.
+
+"The faithful squaw and her two boys accompanied us a short distance,
+until Hal had gotten his bearings and said he would be all right.
+
+"We started on the trail at a goodly speed, and reached a small
+settlement by night-fall. The next day we arrived at the first real
+colony of white people we had encountered since we left the camp, and a
+week after we had left the squaw we came to the town of Forty-Mile,
+where we filed the papers for the claim Herrick and Dwight had staked
+out.
+
+"Hal knew this was an important matter, and wondered if the rascal who
+stranded us had found his way to the land-office first.
+
+"I was sitting in the little smoking-room in the place they called
+'Hotel' one morning, while Hal was in our room sewing his gold-dust belt
+a bit safer inside of his shirt.
+
+"I had changed so much in appearance--with a boyish growth of beard over
+my chin, and my hair as long as a poet's--that a villainous-looking man
+who came in and asked for whiskey failed to recognize me; but I knew
+him at once as being the man who had escaped from our canoe.
+
+"I managed to get out of the room without being seen, and ran to Hal.
+
+"'What do you think! The murderer is downstairs!'
+
+"'Who?--Sit down and talk sensible,' said Hal.
+
+"'One of the Indians who got away from the canoe,' I cried in a hoarse
+whisper.
+
+"Old Hal leaped to his feet. He strapped on his belt and swung his gun
+over his arm. After making sure his revolver was all right, he crept
+downstairs. I was not going to be cheated out of anything as exciting as
+this promised to be, so I cautiously followed him.
+
+"The tavern-keeper and by-standers knew Hal well, and, of course, would
+stake their all on his word; so when he entered the bar-room and cried:
+'Hands up!' to the Indian, everyone took sides with him, and we soon had
+the fellow safely bound.
+
+"'Now, let me see those papers you forged for our claims,' snarled Hal,
+fishing through the man's dirty pockets, but finding nothing.
+
+"The man's face showed too much elation for an old guide like Hal to be
+fooled, and he ordered the boys standing about to help him strip the
+Indian, and there--fastened to his back with strips of plaster--were
+found the drawings rudely sketched, somewhat like the set of surveys Hal
+had already filed.
+
+"They were ripped off and thrown into the fire and the villain was
+chained to a post out in the shed with the dogs, with his arms tied
+behind him to prevent his escape, until the Sheriff should come in the
+morning.
+
+"Hal told the crowd all about the treachery of the Indians, and they
+promised to attend to this man after we were gone.
+
+"A public sledge was about to leave for Dyea in a few days, and Hal
+engaged seats for himself and me. He paid the tavern-keeper to keep the
+dogs until he returned.
+
+"I had refrained from asking Hal about my future while there was any
+doubt of our getting to the Coast, but this seemed to be the best time
+to speak of it.
+
+"'What you going to do with me?' I asked.
+
+"'We'll skip right down to Juneau, and see if there are any letters
+there. It all depends,' he replied.
+
+"In a few days more we reached Dyea, where Hal secured some trustworthy
+men into whose charge he could commit the mining work. Then we took the
+boat and started for Juneau.
+
+"After a rough voyage of more than ten days, we docked at the wretched
+little city, and went to the post-office for our mail.
+
+"Three letters awaited me--but every one of them were from chums to whom
+I had sent cards from Seattle. My mail had been forwarded to me from
+Seattle to Juneau, but there was no word from my parents.
+
+"As Hal and I stood reading our letters, the postmaster--a
+shrivelled-up, little old man, peered at me over the rim of his
+spectacles, and called out:
+
+"'Be you the one thet jist got some old letters from the East?'
+
+"'Yes, sir,' I returned, going over to the counter.
+
+"'Waal, heah's one thet cum a long time ago, an' I meant to send it
+back, but somehow fergot it. I cum across it yistiddy, and made up my
+mind to do somethin' with it sure, so heah ye aire.'
+
+"With relief I recognized my father's writing, but the letter was dated
+two months previous.
+
+"I opened the letter and read it through with intense emotion. First, I
+learned that my Mother had died after a brief illness. Next, my Father
+had lost his fine saw-mill by fire. Third, my oldest sister had married,
+and the home was broken up, Father having gone to live with her in New
+York.
+
+"I wondered where I would go if I went home. There was no Mother
+waiting, no home, and my Father was in a strange city with his
+son-in-law.
+
+"I turned and handed the letter to Hal. He read and comprehended.
+
+"'Guess it's Alaska for ye, Kid. Want to go back with me?'
+
+"Did I?--well, I just guess I did, and I fairly jumped at the hand that
+was held out to me.
+
+"'Glad myself, Kid, to have you. I sure would have missed you tol'able
+ef I saw you sailin' away from me, headed for Seattle.'
+
+"'Hal, will the bosses think it is all right now?' I asked.
+
+"'Sure thing, when they read this letter, Kid. And, say, I never told
+anyone this, but seein' thet I am to be your 'dopted father, now, I may
+as well tell yeh--I am to have a tenth-share in the claim up there, and,
+as my 'dopted son, you come in fer a part of mine--see?'
+
+"'Hal, do you mean you will take me under your wing?' I cried, all
+forgetful of the goldmine.
+
+"This pleased the old guide so much that he laughed as he retorted, 'I
+knew I wasn't wrong on the stuff you're made of. That was a lucky day
+when my horse stumbled, eh?' and he slapped me kindly on the back.
+
+"Well, we went back to Dyea, and waited for a caravan to start on the
+trail. We joined the very first one out, and Hal earned our passage and
+keep all the way, as guide.
+
+"We found the camp in excellent condition, and the new miners we had
+chosen in place of the villainous Indians proved to be all that could be
+desired.
+
+"Some machinery was purchased by Hal at Dyea, and as soon as it was
+delivered at our camp, all hands set to work.
+
+"I stayed at that camp with Hal for three years before we sold out our
+interests and took a vacation. The bosses had only remained until the
+gold was panning out well, then they sent for experts to come and value
+the entire mine.
+
+"Hal had filed some property claims for himself and me adjoining the
+Dwight mine, and after the experts had rendered their verdict on the
+property we were able to sell them at a big price.
+
+"Hal and I decided to go to Seattle for a while, and then travel a bit;
+if we found the life too lazy we could easily get back to Alaska.
+
+"We put in a year of pleasure-seeking together, but the life and climate
+was too mild for the old guide who had always been accustomed to work
+and cold, and one night I found him breathing hard, and he complained of
+pains in his chest. In a week he had passed away, leaving me with all of
+his wealth to add to my own.
+
+"I had written father, and sent him some money several times during the
+year, and now I wrote to tell him I was coming home.
+
+"Needless to say, we were overjoyed to see each other again, and then I
+told him I was going to take him on a little trip.
+
+"We went straight to our old home town, and to his surprise I took him
+to the old homestead where I was born, telling him that I had
+repurchased it from the folks who had bought it from him. He trembled
+with happiness as we entered the door and found all of the familiar old
+furniture there, too. Above all, there stood his maiden-sister, in the
+dining-room door, smiling a welcome!
+
+"I explained how I had found Aunt Delia, and made her promise to keep
+house for him, and how we had collected the old furniture that the
+village-folks bought when mother died. I was always thankful that my
+money enabled me to make his last days happy."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE B. B. & B. B. MAGAZINE
+
+
+By the fifteenth of October the Blue Birds and Bobolinks were deep in
+the work of constructing a magazine. Uncle Ben sent out the two young
+men he had spoken of, and they showed the children what to do and how to
+do it.
+
+The Oakdale Paper Mills passed a vote to supply the paper for one year,
+and the B. B. & B. B. Company had agreed to give the mills advertising
+credit for the donation.
+
+The two important letters which had caused such consternation in the
+Bobolink nest were all printed on beautiful grey paper in blue ink, and
+the envelopes all addressed and packed in boxes ready to be used.
+
+All the stories, articles and lessons had been given to Uncle Ben before
+the tenth of the month and he had sent back the linotype by the
+thirteenth as he promised he would. Then work began in real earnest.
+
+The Bobolink Boys had to make a galley proof of the printing, and the
+Blue Birds had to read it (or at least their mothers did) and construct
+the dummy. This last work was great fun.
+
+Every evening fathers and mothers visited the Publishing House and the
+Winter Nest and assisted where they could, or watched progress when they
+were not needed; after every meeting it became the custom for one or the
+other of the fathers to treat the publishing company and guests to
+refreshments. This, Don thought, was reward enough for every aching back
+or arm. To keep the children from tiring of the treats, the fathers
+planned each morning, while going into the city, just what new kind of a
+surprise to furnish that night.
+
+The interest shown at first had not abated--possibly due to the fact
+that so much fun was always to be had from unexpected sources--and the
+two men from the city said it was a marvel that children could produce
+such splendid work.
+
+"Goodness! those Bobolinks ought to! they spent heaps and heaps of time
+fooling with those machines to learn how to work 'em!" said Dot Starr,
+overhearing what the men said.
+
+"And just see how the fathers help!" added Norma.
+
+"I guess the magazine wouldn't be much of a paper if the Blue Birds
+hadn't done their part so well," said May.
+
+"And the Blue Birds' mothers!" reminded Ruth.
+
+The Blue Birds were sitting on the steps of the piazza waiting for Mrs.
+Talmage and Aunt Selina to join them, when Dot told them of the
+"city-man's" commendation of the work.
+
+"Here comes Flutey, now," said Ruth, hearing the slow steps of her aunt.
+
+"Well, Blue Birds, how's the song this morning?" cried Aunt Selina,
+happily.
+
+The children all turned with one accord and looked at her. Some great
+happiness must have been sent her, for she was bubbling over with secret
+joy and her face looked as young as one of the Blue Bird's. She took a
+chair near the children.
+
+"Say, Flutey, you won't be offended if I ask you a very happy question,
+will you?" asked Dot, in a half-whisper.
+
+"Why, of course not! Ask it, child," smiled Aunt Selina.
+
+"Well, you look so happy, you know, I thought maybe _that_ soldier-man
+came back to marry you--maybe his being shot was all a mistake and he
+has been a prisoner all this time and just got away," said Dot with
+horror and awe in her tones.
+
+Mrs. Talmage had stepped out just in time to overhear the funny little
+girl's remark and she had to run inside and smother her laughter in a
+handkerchief, for Dot was most serious in her statement, and it would
+never do to make her feel badly by laughing at her sympathy.
+
+"Oh, no, dearie, those prisons were abandoned soon after the war. But
+this surprise I have for the Blue Birds is entirely different from
+anything personal," replied Aunt Selina.
+
+"Oh, what is it?" asked several voices.
+
+"I have a letter here," said Aunt Selina, taking it from her reticule,
+"in reply to one I wrote an old-time friend a short time ago. This
+friend started an advertising business in Philadelphia many years ago
+and has been very successful. Let us see what advice this friend gives
+about securing contracts for advertising."
+
+The Blue Birds hovered about Aunt Selina's chair eager to hear the
+letter read.
+
+The letter was short, but to the point. Mr. Sphere said he was delighted
+to hear from his old friend and hoped his information would give her
+little friends the satisfaction they deserved for their undertaking. He
+said that one of his best representatives had been told to call at Mossy
+Glen to interview the Blue Birds and to do just as the ladies directed.
+This man would tell them how to get advertising.
+
+"Oh, Flutey! is that all he said?" murmured Ruth.
+
+"Why, I don't call that such a piece of 'happy' news to smile over as
+you did!" pouted Dot.
+
+"He didn't ask you how you had been all the time since you two knew each
+other, and he never said a word about our magazine," grumbled Norma,
+feeling a personal offence in the letter.
+
+"Why, children! _I_ think it is a wonderful piece of good news to hear
+that he takes enough interest in the work to send one of his best men
+down here to talk matters over," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"If you knew my friend you would understand this letter better, for he
+always was a quiet chap who listened to others, but said little
+himself," explained Aunt Selina.
+
+The following day while the Blue Birds were at the Publishing House
+watching the wonderful process of stitching and trimming completed
+magazines, a very alert young man rang the bell at the Talmage house.
+
+Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina welcomed the visitor.
+
+Shouts of excitement reached the house where the ladies were talking
+with Mr. Sphere's representative, and soon a crowd of boys and girls
+swarmed up the steps and ran pell-mell for Mrs. Talmage, nothing daunted
+by seeing the stranger.
+
+"Mother, mother, see, see!" cried Ruth, dragging Jinks by the sleeve.
+
+"Oh," gasped little Betty, "see our magazine!"
+
+"It's perfectly lovely, Mrs. Talmage!" cried Dot.
+
+The older boys were more subdued when they saw the stranger.
+
+Mrs. Talmage introduced the gentleman, Mr. Richards, one of the New York
+advertising solicitors for the Philadelphia agency. He smiled in a
+condescending way when Don asked, "Want to see our magazine?"
+
+"Yes, indeed! It is such an unusual thing to find such dear little
+children interested in such a way," replied Mr. Richards, looking about
+at the boys and girls.
+
+Don looked at Dot with a glance that said as plain as day, "Pooh! he's
+trying to pat us on the back!"
+
+And Dot said to the visitor: "Don't think that we like to be fussed over
+just because we are working!"
+
+The rest of the publishing company looked uncomfortable at the very
+evident tendency to humor them on account of their work.
+
+The fact was, that the man couldn't understand why his firm (such a
+sensible lot of business men) should send him away from his important
+work in New York to call upon some wealthy ladies and a number of
+children, to talk about advertising pages in a toy magazine.
+
+The two copies of the completed magazine had been given to Aunt Selina
+and Mrs. Talmage and they expressed such satisfaction at the appearance
+of the work that the man turned his attention to Mrs. Talmage. She
+handed him her copy.
+
+When Mr. Richards saw the magazine, he was surprised out of his usual
+self-possession and exclaimed,
+
+"Why, who did this?"
+
+"Blue Birds and Bobolinks," replied Ned, with head tilted on one side
+the better to see the precious book the man held.
+
+"But this is first-class work!" exclaimed the visitor.
+
+"Sure! did you think we were going to turn out anything else?" asked
+Jinks, insulted.
+
+"Oh, of course not, but it takes experienced hands to do anything as
+good as this," continued Mr. Richards, turning the pages slowly and
+examining each one carefully.
+
+"Well, Uncle Ben knew the kind of workers we were when he trusted us
+with his pet hobby!" declared Ned, proudly.
+
+Mr. Richards looked rather helpless, so Mrs. Talmage explained who
+"Uncle Ben" was and what part he had taken in the enterprise.
+
+Light gradually began to break in upon the young man's brain as he heard
+the story of the magazine. Suddenly he sat up as if electrified with a
+new idea. He looked about at the children, the house, lawns, and ladies;
+finally he took his return railroad ticket from his pocket and noted the
+name printed on the card--Oakdale.
+
+"Well, well, well! is this place called 'Mossy Glen'?" he asked.
+
+"It is," replied Mrs. Talmage, wonderingly.
+
+"And these youngsters, the same that set folks agog last summer with
+their 'Fresh Airs'?"
+
+Mother Wings bowed affirmatively, but the Blue Birds, who had never
+dreamed that their doings had ever been heard of outside of their own
+little community, were as surprised as their visitor.
+
+The solicitor looked everyone over with a new interest after that, and
+breathed softly to himself, "Great Scott! What a piece of luck to get
+the lead in this idea!"
+
+"We do not understand exactly what you mean," said Mrs. Talmage, with
+dignity.
+
+"Well, I was present at a meeting a short time ago when the talk veered
+to a project evolved by some children. It was creating quite a little
+interest among the older men, but I paid little attention to it at the
+time, for I had my mind full of other matters. But I remember hearing
+one of the leading publishers state that he believed we would hear of
+this undertaking in the future, for he knew some of the children who
+were in it. Now, here I am, unconsciously dropped into the heart of it."
+
+From that moment Mr. Richards was the enthusiastic collaborator of the
+company. He went over the pages of the magazine again and made some
+valuable suggestions for the future. When he expressed a desire to visit
+their plant, everyone jumped up ready to show him the B. B. & B. B.
+Publishing House.
+
+Another great surprise awaited Mr. Richards. He had an idea that the
+work was done upon toy machinery, or hand presses; but, to find a shop
+equipped with electric motors and up-to-date machines, to say nothing of
+type-stands and a real office, was more than he could comprehend.
+
+"I'm not surprised at the statement that man made at the meeting--he
+must have known you children, indeed!"
+
+"Seems to me that we are getting this young man 'rooted' in this work,"
+laughed Aunt Selina, who liked the expression ever since Mrs. Talmage
+told her how to interest friends in the work.
+
+"Well, I'm 'grafted' upon this idea even if I'm not 'rooted,'" returned
+Mr. Richards, laughingly. "So much so, in fact, that I am going to make
+a suggestion that I think will meet with the approval of all of you."
+
+The children came closer to await his proposition.
+
+"At present I am an advertising man, but I used to be on one of the
+large newspapers in the city, and whenever any unusual story came in I
+was supposed to 'dress it' for publication. Now, in my opinion, this
+whole affair will make a fine story for the press and at the same time
+give this magazine the publicity it needs." Mr. Richards looked at the
+ladies for approval.
+
+"It doesn't seem valuable enough for a paper to print," ventured Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"It is the _unusual_ that papers are always after," replied Mr.
+Richards. "Show me anything more unusual than this (waving his arm about
+to embrace the children, the plant and the work) and I will run after
+it!"
+
+"What would you say in the story?" asked Aunt Selina.
+
+"Well, I'd take kodak pictures of this office, of the plant, and of the
+Winter Nest you have been telling me about. Then we would group the
+children on the lawn in front of the house and have a picture of the
+Blue Birds and Bobolinks who own and publish this magazine."
+
+"What would Mr. Sphere say if he saw the story in the papers?" asked
+Aunt Selina.
+
+"He'd say, 'Richie, old boy, I always knew you had a grain of sense in
+your head!'" laughed Mr. Richards.
+
+"I have a fine camera in case you want to use it," said Ned, eagerly.
+
+"And we have everything in good shape to have a picture taken," added
+Meredith.
+
+"If the ladies consent we will lose no more time, but get the pictures
+while the sun is right," Mr. Richards said, as he turned toward the
+ladies and Blue Birds.
+
+"Yes, yes, Mother Wings, let's do it!" cried several Blue Birds. So Aunt
+Selina and Mrs. Talmage smiled a consent.
+
+Ned brought his camera and Mr. Richards grouped the Bobolinks about the
+machines in as workman-like poses as possible, and managed to get a good
+picture of them. Next, the office, with Jinks at the typewriter and Ned
+at the desk, was photographed. Outside, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks
+grouped themselves in front of the door and another picture was taken.
+The Blue Birds were given their pose as editors in the large library of
+the house, where books and writing material could be utilized in the
+picture. The Winter Nest was the last picture to be taken.
+
+"Now, watch the papers for a story of your entire plan and achievement,
+with illustrations, and if you don't tell me the next time I come out
+that my idea was the best publicity plan imaginable, then you'll be
+ungrateful, indeed!" said Mr. Richards, pleased as he could be with the
+success of his visit.
+
+"When will the papers come out?" asked Ned.
+
+"I'll keep you posted day by day. I'm not going to lose sight of such a
+promising crowd of young folks, _I tell you!_" laughed the young man as
+he placed the film in his pocket and started to say good-by.
+
+"Say, here, are you going to take that magazine with you?" cried Don,
+seeing the magazine rolled up in the visitor's hand.
+
+"Well, I guess! I'm going to exploit this everywhere I go," said Mr.
+Richards, tapping the paper with his hand.
+
+"And tell the newspaper man that lots of famous folks have promised to
+write for us," said Ruth, who desired the magazine to have all the glory
+possible.
+
+"And tell him to be sure and say that Aunt Selina will be glad to have
+grown-ups write to ask her about Happy Hills," added Aunt Selina,
+anxious to have the children's farm advertised.
+
+"I'll make them write everything I can think of, and more too, if
+possible," laughed the young man as he started down the steps.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Richards, I forgot to tell----" Don started to say something,
+but Ike interrupted from the automobile which had been waiting for some
+time in front of the house.
+
+"There'll just be time to jump aboard that train if we get off at once!"
+
+Mr. Richards jumped in and raised his hat to the ladies, while Ike
+started the car at full speed, the children meantime waving their hands
+and shouting reminders after the visitor.
+
+Back to the Publishing House trooped the bevy of workers, more eager
+than ever to continue their work.
+
+"Now, he's what I call an 'all right' man!" declared Don Starr,
+emphatically, as he accented his words with punches at the stitcher.
+
+"What a piece of luck for us," exclaimed Ned, overjoyed at the promised
+newspaper story.
+
+"I always said I wanted to go through college," said Tuck Stevens,
+thoughtfully; "but what's the use? When I have such a good business to
+work in and will be all ready to live on my money by the time I'm a man,
+why should I bother?"
+
+"That's so, Tuck; better have a good time on that money," laughed Jinks.
+
+"Better 'not count your chickens before they're hatched' or they may
+never come out of the shell," teased Ned.
+
+The Blue Birds had been equally busy talking, while folding pages, but
+the work soon engrossed too much of their attention to keep up any
+conversation.
+
+After several hours' work the Blue Birds began to feel tired and
+decided to carry the finished magazines to the house.
+
+As each little girl came up the steps carrying a heap of neatly finished
+magazines, the two ladies stopped talking and turned to watch the girls
+deposit the magazines on the table in the hallway.
+
+"What were you saying about Happy Hills, mother?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Aunt Selina was telling me all about the three beautiful hills at the
+back of the estate. She said what pretty kodak pictures they would make
+if we wanted to use them for the magazine, and I said it might be a good
+plan to write up a short story about our plan for next month's issue."
+
+"Oh, yes, that would be a fine start for the farm," cried Ruth.
+
+"And we think that we would need all of the time we can get to make sure
+of next summer's success," added Aunt Selina.
+
+"Aunt Selina, how many poor children do you think we can keep at Happy
+Hills?" asked Ruth.
+
+"We could not tell without having expert help to show how many camps can
+be built there," said Aunt Selina.
+
+"Oh, are you going to build camps, Aunt Selina?" asked Norma.
+
+"I thought the children were going to live in the woods," said Dot.
+
+"But you didn't expect them to sleep on the ground and dress behind the
+bushes, did you?" said May.
+
+"I never thought what they would do," returned Dot.
+
+"Will you have nests to live in like ours in the cherry-tree?" asked
+Betty.
+
+"No, dearie, I am planning to build little houses that will hold about
+six or eight bunks, and a locker for each child. These houses will have
+a floor and a roof with posts to hold it up, but the walls will be made
+of canvas curtains that we can roll up when we want the house wide open.
+The long building where the children will gather to eat or have games,
+will be centrally located if we build it in the valley between the three
+hills," explained Aunt Selina.
+
+"Are we going to give the camp a name?" asked Edith.
+
+"Why, we hadn't thought of that--we can use the name 'Happy Hills,'
+couldn't we?" said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Nobody will know the camp is any different then. The place has always
+been called Happy Hills, so how is a stranger going to know that it is
+the same where the children are living?" said Dot.
+
+"The name 'Hills' sounds all right, but you can't call the big house in
+the valley by the name of 'Hills'; we ought to have a new name for
+_that_ so the children will know what place we mean when we talk about
+the dining-room," suggested Norma.
+
+"Just say 'Valley where the long house is,'" said Edith.
+
+"That doesn't sound nice, a bit! Everything else we have have such nice
+names," complained Ruth.
+
+"But, why do you children want a name for the valley and one for the
+children's camps?" asked Aunt Selina.
+
+"Doesn't everything in the world have a name?" asked Dot.
+
+The others laughed, but Ruth added, "Dot's right; we have a name for our
+cherry-tree nest, and one for the new nest; and Mrs. Catlin is going to
+call her Blue Birds' nest 'Hill Top Nest'--'Blue Birds of Hill Top
+Nest.'"
+
+"But this is different," argued Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"No, it isn't, Mrs. Talmage," insisted Dot. "We call our house 'Oakwood'
+and you call this place 'Mossy Glen'--and our town we call Oakdale. Why,
+what for? Everyone knows where the Starrs live, and where the Talmages
+live, and we all know where the town lives, so what's the use of having
+names?"
+
+"Dot, you hit the nail on the head every time," said Aunt Selina, as all
+of the others laughed at Dot's explanation.
+
+"Yes, but that's why we want a name for our children's camp and the
+valley," said Ruth.
+
+"Really, it doesn't matter to us how many names you choose to give
+it--just please yourselves about it," said Aunt Selina.
+
+"All right, then, if you don't mind, we'll try to get a real lovely name
+for it," said Betty, smiling at Aunt Selina.
+
+For quite a time, silence reigned, for the Blue Birds were trying to
+think of a pretty name for the farm.
+
+"In 'Pilgrim's Progress' there is a 'Valley of Humility,'" suggested
+May.
+
+"I'll run and get the Bible Concordance--that will have some valley
+names in it," said Ruth, running indoors to get the book.
+
+"Now, listen while I read some for you," continued Ruth, bringing the
+book over to the wicker table.
+
+"Here's one--'Inhabitants of the Valley'--turn that about and call it
+'Valley of Inhabitants.'"
+
+"No, that isn't nice!" objected several voices.
+
+"Then comes a lot of hard-spelled names of valleys that won't do,
+either. Next comes: 'valley of passengers' and 'valley of vision.'"
+
+"We don't want either one," grumbled Dot.
+
+"Would you like the name 'Valley of Joy'?" asked Aunt Selina.
+
+After a few moments' thought the children replied, "Better, but not
+right yet."
+
+Aunt Selina smiled and thought how difficult to please were these Blue
+Birds; but Mrs. Talmage smiled, knowing that the children knew just what
+they wanted.
+
+After much thinking and suggesting, Ruth said, "We ought to have a name
+that will fit with Happy Hills, you know."
+
+After "pleasure," "fun," "contentment" and other names had been
+suggested, Aunt Selina suddenly mentioned "delight."
+
+"Valley of Delight," repeated Mrs. Talmage to hear the sound of it,
+while the Blue Birds hailed the name as just right.
+
+"Happy Hills in the Valley of Delight!" said Aunt Selina, as pleased as
+the children were.
+
+"Write it down--that's its name from now on," cried Dot.
+
+"We want it printed on all of our letter paper that will be used for
+farm purposes," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, yes; won't it look fine to send out letters asking folks to send
+donations for the poor children of 'Happy Hills in the Valley of
+Delight!' and let them see the name on top of some nice grey paper,"
+cried Edith.
+
+"Wish we could find a name for those poor children. I never like to say
+that word--'poor,'" complained Ruth.
+
+"Neither do I," added Norma.
+
+"I know I wouldn't like a country child to be always calling me 'poor
+city child,'" declared Betty.
+
+"Then you ought to find a nice name for all of them, too, so we won't
+have to say 'poor' any more," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+All heads were bent down again while busy brains tried to find a
+suitable name for the protégés coming from the city.
+
+"Could they be called 'birds' like us?" asked Dot.
+
+"I do not think city children would care for such a name. You see, dear,
+they are so precocious from their daily experiences that they might
+think a bird-name silly," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Maybe they would like the name 'Little Soldiers,'" ventured Norma.
+
+"Oh, that makes you think of 'Onward Christian Soldiers' and they would
+guess we were goin' to make them join a Sunday School class right off!"
+objected Dot.
+
+Everyone laughed at Dot's viewpoint, but Aunt Selina was given an idea
+by Norma's suggestion.
+
+"How would 'Little Workers' sound?" she asked.
+
+"Then they will all fear you are going to make them work," laughed Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"'Little Lambs'--'Little Folks'--'Little Friends,'" recited Dot,
+zealously, then waited for a verdict.
+
+Heads were shaken in negation of the names, and Ruth started a list of
+names.
+
+"'Little Americans'--how's that?"
+
+"Better, but not good enough," replied her mother.
+
+"Oh, here's one--everything that lives in a forest is called a 'denizen'
+of the forest--let's call our children 'Little Denizens,'" cried Norma.
+
+"Wish someone could find a name that would mean the same as Americans
+and woods folks," came from Betty wistfully.
+
+"How does 'Little Citizens' sound?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Wait! say it again!" exclaimed Mrs. Talmage, while the children and
+Aunt Selina seemed to like the name.
+
+"Little Citizens--of Happy Hills in the Valley of Delight," rehearsed
+Ruth.
+
+"Why, just the thing--it's lovely!" cried Aunt Selina.
+
+"Yes, Fluff, couldn't be better," said several of the Blue Birds.
+
+"Sounds almost like a book story-name, it's so pretty," commended Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+There was no more leisure to admire their new names, because shouts were
+heard in the direction of the Publishing House, and the boys came out,
+each carrying a stack of magazines piled up in their arms. They reached
+the steps and Mrs. Talmage hurried to the hallway to show them in which
+closet to place them.
+
+"My, but that was a big load!" exclaimed Don.
+
+"Big piece of work, that!" said Jinks.
+
+"More fun than I've ever had," commented Meredith.
+
+"But it makes a fellow awful hungry to work so hard. I wish it was night
+so the men could treat," hinted Don.
+
+The last remark from Don made the children laugh at him, but Mrs.
+Talmage said, "Don, if you will take Ned into the dining-room you will
+find something there which you can carry out here."
+
+Don looked surprised, but Ned led him indoors to find what the surprise
+could be.
+
+Soon both boys appeared again carrying a tray of cakes and dishes, while
+the maid followed with a huge platter upon which stood a high brick of
+ice-cream.
+
+The refreshments were so delicious that the boys said they could start
+another day's work if they were sure of being treated with more
+ice-cream afterward.
+
+"How many magazines do you suppose you finished to-day?" asked Ruth, of
+her brother.
+
+"Guess."
+
+"I don't know; we girls carried in 'most a hundred, but our piles were
+not so high as the ones you boys brought in."
+
+"Well, we counted before we left the office; there were thirty in a
+pile, and we brought over thirty piles--that made nine hundred all told,
+but the hundred you girls carried in makes just one thousand copies.
+Isn't that great?" cried Ned.
+
+"Then we can begin mailing copies to our philanthropists to-night, can't
+we?" asked Norma.
+
+"Yes, and bring your mothers with you, to help," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+As everyone felt eager to get the thousand copies wrapped and mailed,
+the children soon said good-by and went home to tell the great news of
+the day's work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+HOW THE MAGAZINE WENT OUT
+
+
+Before nine o'clock that night the magazines had all been wrapped, ready
+for Ike to take to the post-office. The children were just as eager to
+continue the work, but Mrs. Talmage said that nine o'clock was time to
+go home.
+
+"We'll all be here Monday afternoon to help some more, Mrs. Talmage,"
+promised the Blue Birds as they skipped away beside their mothers.
+
+It took the Bobolinks all of that week, working every moment after
+school, and many of the evening hours, to finish the rest of the
+magazines. Everyone had decided that ten thousand would be enough for
+the first issue, for it took so long to wrap each copy that no extra
+time could be given to printing.
+
+The first week of November results began to appear. One day the Blue
+Birds came to the Winter Nest and found several letters lying on the
+table, addressed to the "Blue Birds of Oakdale."
+
+"Oh, oh! who do you s'pose they are from?" eagerly asked Norma.
+
+Dot was trying to look right through the envelope and the others laughed
+at her expression.
+
+"Let's open them and see!" said sensible Ruth.
+
+Mrs. Talmage entered the room just then and the letters were given her
+to open and read aloud.
+
+"Maybe they are subscriptions," suggested Mrs. Talmage, as she slipped a
+paper-knife under the flap of an envelope.
+
+"Goodness! suppose they are?" whispered Betty.
+
+"What would we do with them?" said Dot.
+
+As this was an entirely new and unexpected problem, the Blue Birds
+looked at each other and then at Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I think we will have to invite the Bobolinks to a conference to-day and
+talk this matter over," said Mother Wings.
+
+Norma was sent to the Publishing House to invite the boys to be present
+at the meeting that afternoon at five. As it was four-thirty, the boys
+hurried to wash their hands and pull down their shirt sleeves, for
+almost all of them had taken off their coats and rolled up their
+sleeves.
+
+The meeting proved to be very important in the judgment of the
+children, for the letters were found to contain money orders and checks
+which had to be deposited in some bank.
+
+After looking over the papers, Ned said, "We must sign these and send
+back a receipt, eh, mother?"
+
+"Yes, and we must select some bank in which to place our account; shall
+we say the Oakdale Trust Company?" said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+So that was agreed upon and the secretary told to stop at the bank in
+the morning and get the necessary blanks for the company to fill in.
+
+"What a heap of money the magazines must make," said Dot. "Just look at
+all the money we have already with no list."
+
+"But you forget we have really no costs to pay at present so all that is
+paid in is profit. But the city publishers have heavy expenses to pay
+out of all their income," explained Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Uncle Ben says that hardly any magazine published could pay its
+expenses on the subscriptions only; it is the advertising that pays for
+the work," said Ned.
+
+"We ought to get busy on our advertising, then," urged Jinks.
+
+"If we don't we won't pay costs after all of these free donations of
+paper and postage are over," added Meredith.
+
+"You boys practised that part of the work, so why don't you try and call
+upon some big firms and ask for contracts?" asked Dot.
+
+"How do you know we practised?" questioned Ned, looking at the Blue
+Birds, who started giggling as they recalled the visit to the loft over
+the carriage house.
+
+"Ho, didn't you?" insisted Dot.
+
+"No one but we boys knew it--we kept the doors closed while we tried to
+see which one could do it best," replied Don.
+
+"A little bird whispered it in our ears," teased Ruth.
+
+"Say, Jinks! do you remember the time I heard those noises in the loft?"
+asked Ned.
+
+The Bobolinks saw that the girls were laughing at them.
+
+"I wonder when Mr. Richards will get that story printed in the
+papers--that will help so much!" sighed Betty.
+
+"Don't be impatient, little girl," said Mrs. Talmage. "Remember, we
+have only just begun, and I think there have been marvelous steps
+taken."
+
+"And when it once gets started, the subscription list will grow very
+rapidly," added Aunt Selina.
+
+And so it proved. In a few weeks' time the letters containing checks and
+money orders for subscriptions reached such proportions that Mrs.
+Talmage was distracted trying to attend properly to the clerical work.
+Mr. Talmage saw that it was such tiresome application to detail that he
+telephoned Uncle Ben to send out a competent filing clerk; in a few days
+a nice young girl of about eighteen arrived and took charge of all the
+mail, and Mrs. Talmage heaved a deep sigh of relief.
+
+Uncle Ben had made it a custom to visit his brother's family every
+week-end since the inception of the magazine, and one Saturday he
+arrived unusually early--in time for lunch.
+
+"Ned, can you call a meeting of the B. B. & B. B.'s at the Publishing
+House for two o'clock?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"The Bobolinks will be there anyway, but I am not so sure about the
+Blue Birds," said Ned, looking at Ruth.
+
+"We had something to talk over in the Winter Nest, but we can postpone
+it until afterward," said Ruth.
+
+So at two o'clock all of the children were gathered about Uncle Ben to
+hear the news he had to tell them.
+
+Uncle Ben made a great fuss clearing his throat as if in preparation for
+an oration, then took a packet of letters from his pocket.
+
+"The sample issue of your magazine made such a stir in various
+publishing circles, that one of the officers of the Publishers'
+Association asked me Thursday night who was back of all this business
+that a lot of youngsters had started down at Oakdale.
+
+"I didn't reply right away, and a man sitting near me said, 'Oh, some
+folks, probably, who have a smattering of how to do printing!'
+
+"Some of my friends laughed hilariously, for they thought it a good joke
+on me, but the President of the association was not satisfied.
+
+"'This is no amateurish work, Mackensie,' he said; 'here is a copy of
+the magazine and I tell you it can compete with any juvenile publication
+in the country. Why, man, the names of some of the contributors are
+familiar to me, for I know of offers made to induce these same writers
+to throw us morsels of their wisdom.'
+
+"Then a friend of mine spoke.
+
+"'This whole affair sounds very much like the pet hobby of a friend--he
+told me about it years ago.'
+
+"The other men laughed at the explanation, but my friend looked at me
+and said, 'Talmage, what do _you_ know about it?'
+
+"Then I said, 'My niece and nephew belong to the Blue Birds and
+Bobolinks that started the poor children's outing at Oakdale, last
+summer. They have become so interested in the work that they propose
+raising enough money this winter to take over a farm of a few thousand
+acres and send out hundreds of children for all of next summer.'
+
+"'They what?' exclaimed every man present.
+
+"'Say that again!' commanded the President, so I gladly told them the
+story in detail.
+
+"Well, B. B. & B. B.'s--do you want to know the result of that
+meeting?"
+
+The children shouted and begged to be told at once, so Uncle Ben
+continued with evident pleasure in the telling.
+
+"Those great publishers talked for hours of ways and means in which to
+help along your good work. Some promised to interest prominent people
+they knew, and others offered to insert advertising cards in their own
+publications to tell about the magazine and its purpose. Almost every
+one of them offered to make special clubbing offers with their own
+magazines to induce readers to subscribe for yours.
+
+"Now, these letters are the results of some of the promises already kept
+by these men. I will read them to you."
+
+Uncle Ben then proceeded to read aloud the letters from prominent people
+and philanthropists who had responded to the call made by friends. They
+commended the interest shown by the younger generation and hoped the
+sympathetic work done for the sick and poverty-stricken little ones of
+the cities would win success. To this end a donation was inclosed.
+
+As Uncle Ben read the last letter, he took from his wallet a package of
+checks and handed them over to Ned.
+
+Ned saw the figure written on the face of the first check on top and
+held the package as if it were dangerous.
+
+"Heigh, there, Ned, they aren't loaded, are they?" laughed Jinks.
+
+"Read it off, Ned," urged the boys and girls.
+
+"This top one is from the Cage Foundation and is for five hundred
+dollars--subscriptions to be sent to hospitals. The next one----" and
+Ned gasped again as he took up the second paper.
+
+Uncle Ben laughed at his evident amazement.
+
+"The second is from the Sarnegie Fund and is made out for a thousand
+dollars, subscriptions to be sent to homes and orphanages.
+
+"And here's another for five hundred dollars from Harriet Rowld. Then
+there's--let me see! One--two--three--four--for a hundred dollars each
+for cripples' homes."
+
+When Ned finished the children were too surprised to say a word, but
+Uncle Ben spoke for them.
+
+"Well, Chicks--I mean Birds--you see that any time you grow weary of
+working out this scheme there will be no difficulty in selling the
+business for cash. Any wide-awake publisher will jump over the moon to
+get this magazine from you."
+
+"Oh, Uncle Ben! what a dreadful thing to say!" cried Ruth.
+
+"As if we ever would sell out such a wonderful plan," murmured several
+of the children.
+
+"If every one of you feel the same about this matter, why not pass a
+resolution that we will never sell out this business for mere commercial
+reasons?" suggested Uncle Ben.
+
+It was instantly agreed upon and the resolution made a part of the
+by-laws of the company.
+
+"Now, for a social proposition," said Uncle Ben, smiling in his
+possession of a pleasant secret.
+
+"I was thinking that we ought to get out an extra fine Christmas number,
+and send out as many samples as could be turned off the press. To do
+this you would have to have several men working during your school
+hours, so I thought it best to ask the men already here to wait for
+further orders. With all of this money on hand you can easily pay their
+salary and that of another good man that I should like to send out here
+to boss the work. Ike says he can fix up some rooms in the loft overhead
+and the men can take their meals with him. The two men who are working
+here like it very much and will remain if you want them to."
+
+"But we would be crowded out of our work if the men did all of it,"
+complained Don.
+
+"Not a bit of it! I said: 'During school hours,' so an extra large
+number of magazines can be printed for Christmas. You boys worked every
+moment of your time but could only finish ten thousand this month,"
+explained Uncle Ben.
+
+So it was cheerfully agreed to have the men help them with the next
+month's magazine.
+
+"You said 'social,' but I don't see anything social in having the men
+help with the work," grumbled Don.
+
+"Now that you will have the men to help with the work you will have time
+to think of the social side of the plan I am going to suggest," replied
+Uncle Ben, winking at Don to cheer him up. "So many of my friends in New
+York have heard of this B. B. & B. B. Company that I am constantly
+answering questions as to your ages, looks, and other personal matters.
+I think it will be a splendid plan to have all of you meet them soon and
+spare me so many extra words and time, to say nothing of wear and tear
+on my vocal cords."
+
+"I know you've got a lovely surprise to tell us--I can tell it in your
+voice!" cried Ruth, jumping up and hugging her uncle about the neck.
+
+"I don't know whether it is or not--how can I say until the others tell
+me whether it is," said Uncle Ben, trying to look troubled over the
+doubt.
+
+"Out with it, Uncle Ben!" laughed Ned.
+
+"Well, if I must, I must!" groaned Uncle Ben. "I have discovered a very
+amusing play that has Saturday matinées. Of course, I suppose Birds
+could get into a theatre, couldn't they? Well, if we went to see the
+show in the afternoon and then went to a hotel where we could have a
+dining-room all to ourselves and give a little party to all of my
+friends, it would save me so much trouble for the future."
+
+Mere words failed to express the excitement and delight of the children
+as they fully realized what Uncle Ben meant.
+
+"Oh," said Betty, "I've never been to a theatre in my life--and to
+think of going to one in New York, oh!"
+
+"Neither have I, Betty," replied May. "Can you go?"
+
+"Will mother go with us, Uncle Ben?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Most assuredly, for you Blue Birds will have to have a Mother Wing to
+cover you--and Aunt Selina, too, if she will come," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"When can we go?" asked Don, eagerly.
+
+"Have you decided to come?" teased Uncle Ben.
+
+The storm of acceptance made him laugh.
+
+"Well, then, let's say a week from next Saturday, if everyone can
+arrange it for that time. I will invite my friends to be at our party at
+six o'clock sharp, for afterward we will have to come home on the nine
+o'clock train."
+
+"And will some of those real publishers be there, Uncle Ben?" asked Ned,
+sceptically.
+
+"Some of the greatest in America, my boy," said Uncle Ben, seriously, as
+he understood Ned's ambition to meet them and his doubt of having the
+desire fulfilled.
+
+"What must we wear?" asked Norma.
+
+"The prettiest that you have, for I want to show off my publishing
+company to the very best advantage," replied Uncle Ben.
+
+Just then Mr. Talmage appeared at the doorway and said,
+
+"Do you know that dinner is almost ready and no one there to sit down to
+table?"
+
+Then everyone began to tell of the party to be given in New York, and
+Mr. Talmage seemed very much surprised.
+
+"If that is the case, you will all have to do your very best to have a
+fine Christmas magazine so that the friends you meet in New York will
+want to come to another party at some other time. Perhaps if the
+magazine was very, very attractive they would feel so proud of being
+acquainted with you that they would take the trouble to come all the way
+out to Oakdale to have a party this winter," ventured Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Wouldn't it be fun to invite them all here at the Christmas Holidays
+and give them a real country Christmas tree with Uncle Ben for Santa
+Claus!" cried Betty, expectantly.
+
+"And sleigh-rides from the train, and bob-sledding down Oakdale Hill,
+then over to our Publishing House for the Tree," added Dot.
+
+"And have a present for everyone like we had on our Fourth-of-July
+tree," cried Ruth.
+
+"And after all the fun is over, a great big feast with plum-pudding,"
+sighed Don, making them all laugh.
+
+"Yes, I think that will be fine, and I don't believe one of those New
+Yorkers will stay away if you tell them all the fun you propose giving
+them," laughed Uncle Ben.
+
+"But, first, let us have our party with you, Uncle Ben, then we can talk
+about the Christmas one," advised Ned.
+
+Families in Oakdale were entertained that Saturday night by hearing the
+children tell of the plans made by Uncle Ben for the social side of the
+B. B. & B. B.'s life. Many were the dreams of all the fun to be had when
+that New York party came off.
+
+While the children were home talking over the anticipated dinner-party,
+the grown-ups at Mossy Glen were engaged in perfecting plans for the
+party. Invitations on grey paper, printed in blue ink, with a flight of
+birds shadowed across the sheet was the suggestion of Aunt Selina. The
+favors for the table and the tokens presented for speech-making were
+suggested by Mrs. Talmage, while the dinner and decorations were planned
+by Mr. Talmage and Uncle Ben.
+
+Much fun was the result of the party in New York. The guests accepted
+the B. B. & B. B.'s invitation to have a Christmas Tree at the
+Publishing House with great eagerness. But it will take another book to
+tell about everything that happened.
+
+This book, called "THE BLUE BIRDS' UNCLE BEN," is the third of the
+series.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE GIRL SCOUTS SERIES
+BY EDITH LAVELL
+
+A new copyright series of Girl Scouts stories by an author of wide
+experience in Scouts' craft, as Director of Girl Scouts of Philadelphia.
+
+Clothbound, with Attractive Color Designs.
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.
+
+THE GIRL SCOUTS AT MISS ALLEN'S SCHOOL
+THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' GOOD TURN
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' CANOE TRIP
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' RIVALS
+THE GIRL SCOUTS ON THE RANCH
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' VACATION ADVENTURES
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' MOTOR TRIP
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+MARJORIE DEAN HIGH SCHOOL SERIES
+BY PAULINE LESTER
+
+Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean College Series
+
+These are clean, wholesome stories that will be of great interest to all
+girls of high school age.
+
+All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+MARJORIE DEAN COLLEGE SERIES
+BY PAULINE LESTER.
+
+Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean High School Series.
+
+Those who have read the Marjorie Dean High School Series will be eager
+to read this new series, as Marjorie Dean continues to be the heroine in
+these stories.
+
+All Clothbound. Copyright Titles. PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.
+
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE FRESHMAN
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SOPHOMORE
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE JUNIOR
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SENIOR
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers.
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 East 23rd Street New York
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS SERIES
+BY HILDEGARD G. FREY
+
+A Series of Outdoor Stories for Girls 12 to 16 Years.
+
+All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS IN THE MAINE WOODS;
+    or, The Winnebagos go Camping.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT SCHOOL;
+    or, The Wohelo Weavers.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT ONOWAY HOUSE;
+    or, The Magic Garden.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS GO MOTORING;
+    or, Along the Road That Leads the Way.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS' LARKS AND PRANKS;
+    or, The House of the Open Door.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON ELLEN'S ISLE;
+    or, The Trail of the Seven Cedars.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON THE OPEN ROAD;
+    or, Glorify Work.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS DO THEIR BIT;
+    or, Over the Top with the Winnebagos.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS SOLVE A MYSTERY;
+    or, The Christmas Adventure at Carver House.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT CAMP KEEWAYDIN;
+    or, Down Paddles.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The Blue Grass Seminary Girls Series
+BY CAROLYN JUDSON BURNETT
+
+For Girls 12 to 16 Years All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+Splendid stories of the Adventures of a Group of Charming Girls.
+
+THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS' VACATION ADVENTURES;
+    or, Shirley Willing to the Rescue.
+
+THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS' CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS;
+    or, A Four Weeks' Tour with the Glee Club.
+
+THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS IN THE MOUNTAINS;
+    or, Shirley Willing on a Mission of Peace.
+
+THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS ON THE WATER; or,
+    Exciting Adventures on a Summer's Cruise Through the Panama Canal.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE MILDRED SERIES
+BY MARTHA FINLEY
+
+For Girls 12 to 16 Years.
+
+All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+A Companion Series to the famous "Elsie" books by the same author.
+
+MILDRED KEITH
+MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE
+MILDRED AT ROSELAND
+MILDRED AT HOME
+MILDRED AND ELSIE
+MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS
+MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE RADIO BOYS SERIES
+BY GERALD BRECKENRIDGE
+
+A new series of copyright titles for boys of all ages.
+
+Cloth Bound, with Attractive Cover Designs
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+THE RADIO BOYS ON THE MEXICAN BORDER
+THE RADIO BOYS ON SECRET SERVICE DUTY
+THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE REVENUE GUARDS
+THE RADIO BOYS' SEARCH FOR THE INCA'S TREASURE
+THE RADIO BOYS RESCUE THE LOST ALASKA EXPEDITION
+THE RADIO BOYS IN DARKEST AFRICA
+THE RADIO BOYS SEEK THE LOST ATLANTIS
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Blue Birds' Winter Nest, by 
+Lillian Elizabeth Roy
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+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's The Blue Birds' Winter Nest, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Blue Birds' Winter Nest
+
+Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+Release Date: December 3, 2007 [EBook #23693]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE BIRDS' WINTER NEST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:370px'>
+<a name='illus-000' id='illus-000'></a>
+<img src='images/bb01.jpg' alt='The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were deep in the work of constructing a magazine.' title='' width='370' /><br />
+<table summary='caption' width='370' class='caption'>
+    <tr><td align='center' colspan='2'>The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were deep in the<br />work of constructing a magazine.</td></tr>
+    <tr><td align='left'><span style='font-size:smaller'>(Page 259)</span></td><td align='right'><span style='font-size:smaller'>(&#8220;The Blue Birds&#39; Winter Nest.&#8221;)</span></td></tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<table style='margin: auto; border: black 1px solid; width:25em' summary=''><tr><td>
+<p style='font-size:2.2em; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em;'>THE BLUE BIRDS&#8217; WINTER NEST</p>
+<p style='font-size:1.40em; margin-bottom:1em;'>By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</p>
+<p class='smcap' style='font-size:1.0em; margin-bottom:1em;'>Author of</p>
+<p style='font-size:0.9em;'>&#8220;The Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest,&#8221; &#8220;The Blue</p>
+<p style='font-size:0.9em;'>&#8220;Birds&#8217; Uncle Ben,&#8221; &#8220;The Blue Birds at Happy</p>
+<p style='font-size:0.9em;'>Hills,&#8221; &#8220;The Five Little Starrs Series,&#8221; &#8220;The</p>
+<p style='font-size:0.9em; margin-bottom:4em'>Girl Scouts&#8217; Country Life Series,&#8221; etc.</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+    <img src='images/bb02.jpg' alt='emblem' />
+</div>
+<p style='font-size:1.0em; margin-top:4em;'>A. L. BURT COMPANY</p>
+<p style='font-size:1.0em;'>Publishers<span style='letter-spacing:3em'>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>New York</p>
+<p style='font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:3em;'>Printed in U. S. A.</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<p style='margin:2em auto 2em auto; text-align:center; font-size: smaller'>Copyright, 1916, by<br />THE PLATT &amp; PECK COMPANY<br />
+Printed in U. S. A.</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<h2 class='toc'><a name='Contents' id='Contents'></a>CONTENTS</h2>
+<table border='0' width='420' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto' class='smcap'>
+<col style='width:15%;' />
+<col style='width:5%;'  />
+<col style='width:70%;' />
+<col style='width:10%;' />
+<tr>
+<td align='right'><span style='font-size:x-small'>CHAPTER</span></td>
+<td></td>
+<td></td>
+<td align='right'><span style='font-size:x-small'>PAGE</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>I</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>How Aunt Selina Flew</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#HOW_AUNT_SELINA_FLEW_73'>7</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>II</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>A Sunday Walk and Its Results</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#A_SUNDAY_WALK_AND_ITS_RESULTS_478'>26</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>III</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>The Blue Birds&#8217; Inspiration</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#THE_BLUE_BIRDS_INSPIRATION_919'>45</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>IV</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>The Bobolink Boys Founded</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#THE_BOBOLINK_BOYS_FOUNDED_1334'>62</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>V</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>Uncle Ben&#8217;s Business Talk</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#UNCLE_BENS_BUSINESS_TALK_1777'>81</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>VI</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>Beginning the Winter Work</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#BEGINNING_THE_WINTER_WORK_2118'>96</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>VII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>Blue Bird Wisdom and Bobolink Work</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#BLUE_BIRD_WISDOM_AND_BOBOLINK_WORK_2551'>114</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>VIII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>Aunt Selina&#8217;s Civil War Story</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#AUNT_SELINAS_CIVIL_WAR_STORY_3054'>135</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>IX</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>How the Yankees Took Possession</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#HOW_THE_YANKEES_TOOK_POSSESSION_3615'>160</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>X</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>Beginning to Spell Success</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#BEGINNING_TO_SPELL_SUCCESS_4031'>179</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>XI</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>The Winter Nest Council</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#THE_WINTER_NEST_COUNCIL_4518'>199</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>XII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>The Story of an Alaskan Trip</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#THE_STORY_OF_AN_ALASKAN_TRIP_4988'>219</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>XIII</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>A Winter in the Frozen North</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#A_WINTER_IN_THE_FROZEN_NORTH_5419'>238</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>XIV</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>The B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B. Magazine</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#THE_BnbspB_amp_BnbspB_MAGAZINE_5896'>259</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td class='tdright'>XV</td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td class='tdleft'>How the Magazine Went Out</td>
+  <td class='tdright'><a href='#HOW_THE_MAGAZINE_WENT_OUT_6519'>285</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<h1>THE BLUE BIRDS&#8217; WINTER NEST</h1>
+
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_7' id='pg_7'>7</a></span>
+<a name='HOW_AUNT_SELINA_FLEW_73' id='HOW_AUNT_SELINA_FLEW_73'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+<h3>HOW AUNT SELINA FLEW</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sally! I say, Sally! Come here!&#8221; cried a peevish voice, belonging to a
+querulous old lady who was huddled up on a couch in the bright morning
+room of her fine old mansion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;se here, Miss S&#8217;lina&mdash;comin&#8217; straight an&#8217; fas&#8217; as mah laigs kin
+brings me!&#8221; replied a cheerful colored woman, bustling around, and
+moving some toast so it would not scorch.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are you quite sure you told Abe to meet the eleven-thirty train at
+Greenfields station? Just fancy how dreadful it would be to have Miss
+Ruth get off the train and not find anyone there to meet her!&#8221;
+complained Miss Selina, her face twitching with pain as she raised her
+hands to emphasize her remark.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_8' id='pg_8'>8</a></span>&#8220;Laws&#8217;ee, Miss S&#8217;lina! Don&#8217; you be &#8217;fraid dat I han&#8217;t tended to
+eberyt&#8217;ing for little Miss Rufie&#8217;s welcome! Leave it to ole Sally, what
+likes dat chile like her own kin!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, Sally, hurry with my toast and tea&mdash;and for goodness&#8217; sake,
+don&#8217;t you bring scorched toast again! There, I can smell it burning this
+very minute! How many times must I tell you that I will not trust those
+electric toasters? The old-fashioned coal fire is good enough for
+me&mdash;and it would be for you, too, if it were not for your ridiculous
+ideas of being progressive and having all these electric fol-de-rols put
+up in the house. My house, too! Think of it! A servant to order these
+contraptions and use them in my very own home and make me pay for them,
+when I prefer the ways of my forefathers.&#8221; Then utterly wearied with her
+long complaint, Miss Selina collapsed, and closed her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Sally, the old family servant who had lived all her days with the
+Talmage family at Happy Hills, had been a playmate of Miss Selina&#8217;s; in
+fact, she had grown up with all the children of the &#8220;big house.&#8221; She
+smiled indulgently at her <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_9' id='pg_9'>9</a></span>mistress&#8217; words, as she bent over a fresh
+piece of toast.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Pore chile&mdash;Sally knows a heap of time is saved &#8217;twixt &#8217;lectricity an&#8217;
+coal, an&#8217; she&#8217;s goin&#8217; to cleave to the bestes&#8217; way ever foun&#8217; yit&mdash;an&#8217;
+she knows what dem old rheumaticks is a-doin&#8217; to your temper,&#8221;
+soliloquized the astute servant.</p>
+
+<p>The toast was nicely browned, and the tea brewed perfectly, and Sally
+placed them on a dainty tray which she carried over to the couch.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Want I should leave you alone, or he&#8217;p you break the bread?&#8221; asked
+Sally, soothingly.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Selina opened her eyes and answered, &#8220;If I were sure you had Miss
+Ruth&#8217;s room all ready, and everything else as it should be, I would let
+you pour that tea for me; but I suppose you have neglected half your
+work to be in here with me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally&#8217;s broad grin wrinkled the corners of her mouth, as she took the
+teapot and poured the fragrant beverage into a Japanese cup. At the same
+time her mind seemed to dwell upon a pleasant subject.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Does you &#8217;member, Miss S&#8217;lina, de las&#8217; time little Rufie visited us?
+Dat&#8217;s de time she was all <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_10' id='pg_10'>10</a></span>full of a plan for havin&#8217; some kin&#8217; of a
+bird&#8217;s nest at home. I wonder ef she ever did fix it up?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Miss Selina forgot to find fault for a few moments, as Sally&#8217;s words
+caused her to remember the plan her grand-niece had talked over.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Seems to me, her mother wrote something in a letter about a Blue Bird
+Nest they were going to start. But I haven&#8217;t the slightest idea what it
+is. I should think they would build nests for robins and birds who are
+plentiful in our country places. Blue Birds are not very numerous in our
+woods.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;T&#8217;wan&#8217;t for real birds&mdash;don&#8217; you recomember? It was jus&#8217; de name dey
+was goin&#8217; to use fer a li&#8217;l &#8217;sociation like!&#8221; corrected Sally, as she
+held the plate of toast within reach of the invalid&#8217;s hand.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, I don&#8217;t remember! How should I?&mdash;with all this pain forever tying
+me into knots!&#8221; mumbled Miss Selina, as a toothsome morsel of toast
+entered her mouth.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, the crunching of wheels on the gravel drive was heard, and
+Sally craned her neck to look from the window.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There goes Abe now,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_11' id='pg_11'>11</a></span>The same day the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest, at Oakdale, had become
+&#8220;Fliers,&#8221; little Ruth Talmage, the favorite of the Nest, had received an
+invitation to spend a week at her Aunt Selina&#8217;s house, and Abe was now
+on his way to the station to meet her.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina was an unpleasant old lady, and few of her relatives cared
+to visit her; so, when she had her attacks of rheumatism she generally
+had to spend her time on the couch with no one to amuse her. She had
+invited Ruth the previous Spring, and had enjoyed the little girl&#8217;s
+visit so much, that she had sent for her now when helpless with another
+attack.</p>
+
+<p>Of course, when the telegram came to Ruth&#8217;s home, asking the little girl
+to visit Aunt Selina, the Blue Birds felt sorry for her, knowing what a
+miserable time Ruth would have. Then, too, Ruth&#8217;s father was expected
+home that Saturday, and Ruth had not seen him for almost a year.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth, however, was willing to sacrifice her own pleasure to help Aunt
+Selina&mdash;as every Blue Bird tries to follow the Golden Rule&mdash;so she left
+her playmates Saturday morning, with promises to write every day until
+she returned, and they, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_12' id='pg_12'>12</a></span>in turn, earnestly promised to explain to her
+father just why she went away the day he was expected home.</p>
+
+<p>Now, Happy Hills, Aunt Selina&#8217;s home, was several miles from Greenfields
+Station, and the country about this section of Pennsylvania was so
+beautiful and healthful that city people gradually settled upon estates
+and spent their summers there. Beautiful carriages and automobiles daily
+passed over the fine old road that divided Happy Hills in half. But no
+one had much of an opportunity to admire the place as high board fences
+had been built on either side of the road as far as the property fronted
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Happy Hills was an old family estate comprising more than two thousand
+acres, half woodland and half cultivated fields and green pastures. A
+spring of clear water, hidden among the rocks of the highest hill at the
+back of the farm, furnished plenty of water for the noisy brook that
+tumbled from rock to rock on the hillside, and, after splashing in and
+out among the trees, ran like a broad ribbon through the green meadows.</p>
+
+<p>The entire property was enclosed with a high fence, even the woodland
+being carefully hemmed <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_13' id='pg_13'>13</a></span>in so no little children could get in to play in
+the brook, or pick wild berries and flowers that decayed in profusion
+year after year.</p>
+
+<p>Sally was a trusted old housekeeper who had her mistress&#8217; confidence;
+Abe was her husband who had driven the Talmage coup&eacute; ever since he came
+North at the time of the Civil War.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Selina had not always been so disagreeable. She had old-fashioned
+pictures of herself at the age of eighteen when hoop-skirts were the
+fashion, and the young women wore their hair in &#8220;water-falls.&#8221; At that
+time a handsome young man was in love with her, but he was shot in the
+war, and she brooded over her loss so long that she lost all the
+sweetness of living. The older she grew the more disagreeable she
+became, until, not one of her relatives wanted to be with her, but
+managed to keep far from her complaining voice.</p>
+
+<p>And for this old lady, Ruth had waived the anticipated home coming of
+her dear father!</p>
+
+<p>Breakfast over, Sally propped Miss Selina up on the cushions and left
+her for a time.</p>
+
+<p>After wondering how long it would take Abe to drive back from the
+eleven-thirty train, Miss <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_14' id='pg_14'>14</a></span>Selina started to think of something she had
+been pondering the last few days. What should she do with her vast
+estate if she died? She had never made a will, for she abhorred the idea
+of dying and having any strangers in her home. But she couldn&#8217;t take it
+with her, and she was nearing seventy years of age with all the signs of
+old age breaking over her defenceless head.</p>
+
+<p>She tried to think of someone to whom she really wanted to leave her
+home, but there was no one. She generally sighed at this point and
+dropped the unpleasant thought. To-day, however, she wondered if her
+nephew and his wife could be plotting to get her property by having Ruth
+visit whenever she was invited. This idea seemed to take hold of her,
+and she frowned as she made up her mind to ask Ruth questions about her
+mother&#8217;s intentions and opinions regarding Aunt Selina and Happy Hills.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Selina had been so engrossed in her thoughts that the sound of
+carriage wheels on the drive failed to reach her. Therefore, it was with
+a start of surprise that she heard the door flung open and a happy
+child&#8217;s voice cry:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Selina! I&#8217;m here! Are you glad to <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_15' id='pg_15'>15</a></span>have me?&#8221; while a pair of soft
+little arms were gently placed about her withered old neck and fresh
+little lips pressed her cheek.</p>
+
+<p>The caress was such an unusual experience that Miss Selina forgot to
+wince or complain, and before she did remember, Ruth was bubbling over
+with news.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you think is to happen to-day?&mdash;Oh! Aunt Selina, we all have
+new names at home; even mother is now called Mother Wings and I am
+Fluff. The other Blue Birds have names they chose for themselves, and
+Ned is an Owl, and prints our weekly paper called the <i>Chirp</i>. Now,
+instead of Aunt Selina, I want to call you a bird-name, too. May I?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina smiled sympathetically at Ruth&#8217;s words, but, recalled to her
+condition by a twinge of pain, she moaned, &#8220;Child, poor old Aunt Selina
+would make a wretched specimen of a bird nowadays. The only kind I feel
+that I could represent truly is a raven&mdash;for it always croaks.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ruth laughed consolingly, but cried, &#8220;Oh, Aunt Selina, that is just
+because you feel blue with those old rheumatics. Mother says we always
+look at life through dark spectacles when we&#8217;re <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_16' id='pg_16'>16</a></span>in pain, and we b&#8217;lieve
+the lovely world has lost all its brightness. Now, I&#8217;ve come to make you
+forget your blues and I <i>must</i> have a new name to say, because there is
+so <i>much</i> to tell you that I would lose time if I had to say &#8216;Aunt
+Selina&#8217; every time. Besides, a new name will make you forget yourself.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What could you call me?&#8221; questioned her aunt, trying to fall in with
+the child&#8217;s whim.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have to think! It isn&#8217;t as easy as it may sound to find a name to
+suit. We had a dreadful hard time to do it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Fluff&#8217; suits you beautifully. Who found it?&#8221; said the old lady
+interestedly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I chose two, but we can only have one. One was &#8216;Flutey&#8217; the other
+&#8216;Fluff&#8217;; Ned and the Blue Birds liked &#8216;Fluff&#8217; best, and they have called
+me by that name ever since we were christened in the Nest.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When I was a little girl like you I used to enjoy whistling about the
+place so much that father called me his little flute. I can still see
+the shocked expression of my aunt who visited us, when she heard me
+running about whistling like a boy. She was a grand dame of society in
+New <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_17' id='pg_17'>17</a></span>York, and <i>her</i> girls were doing embroidery and being taught how to
+curtsey and behave in the drawing-room.&#8221; And Miss Selina smiled at Ruth
+who fully understood the remark and clapped her hands delightedly at her
+aunt who had been a hoyden so long ago.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I just love to whistle, too. Ned says I can pipe higher and carry a
+tune better than anyone he knows!&#8221; declared Ruth, and aunt and
+grand-niece felt a common bond of unity.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth was about to demonstrate her accomplishment to Aunt Selina, when
+her face puckered into a funny expression and her shoulders hunched up
+about her ears as they usually did when some secret thought gave her a
+surprise. She leaned over the couch and confidentially whispered, &#8220;Aunt
+Selina, I&#8217;ll tell you what! We both love to whistle, don&#8217;t we? Then, you
+shall be christened with my other name! You shall be &#8216;Flutey,&#8217; eh?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, dear child, it would be sarcasm to name me that now! Why, the only
+claim I have to that name would be because of my fluted skin. Just look
+at my neck and face!&#8221; said Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No such thing!&#8221; retorted Ruth. &#8220;I never saw <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_18' id='pg_18'>18</a></span>any flutes on your face
+until this very minute when you made me see some little wrinkles. Your
+skin is soft and white, so don&#8217;t you ever tell folks what you said to
+me, &#8217;cause they won&#8217;t see anything but a nice face.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Of course, Aunt Selina felt elated to hear such comforting words, but
+Ruth gave her no time to meditate.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you like the name I, as your god-mother, give you?&#8221; laughed the
+merry little girl.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, indeed, it is fine, but we must keep it a secret. Just fancy Sally
+or Abe, or any of the servants, calling me &#8216;Miss Flutey!&#8217;&#8221; And Aunt
+Selina laughed aloud just as the door opened and Sally popped her head
+through the aperture. Seeing the happy faces and hearing the unusual
+laughter, she immediately closed the door, without having been seen or
+heard. Out in the wide hall she lifted both arms high toward the ceiling
+and rolled her eyes devoutly upward as she murmured, &#8220;Praise be to the
+Lud, dat dat little tree is come wif healin&#8217; in its leaves.&#8221; After this
+strange remark, Sally hurried out to tell Abe of the miracle.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina, in spite of her age, felt a childish <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_19' id='pg_19'>19</a></span>delight in having a
+secret with Ruth, and after a few moments said, &#8220;I shall have to call
+you Fluff, and you must call me Flutey, I suppose, if we are to belong
+to the same Nest.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, that&#8217;s the way,&#8221; replied Ruth, clapping her hands softly. &#8220;Now,
+let me tell you all the wonderful things we did this summer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then began a recital of how the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest started;
+about each member and her name; the nest in the old cherry-tree; how
+they had earned money to bring some poor children from the city to spend
+the hot weeks in the country; and, best of all, how they had interested
+all of the citizens of Oakdale in helping a hundred poor city children
+to spend a few weeks in the beautiful village of Oakdale.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment a loud knock at the door caused Aunt Selina to sit up and
+call out, &#8220;Come in!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Shall you hab lunch in de dinin&#8217; room, or serbed here?&#8221; said Sally.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Lunch! Why, is it time&mdash;is it one o&#8217;clock?&#8221; gasped Miss Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ya&#8217;as&#8217;m&mdash;pas dat hour, too,&#8221; replied Sally, smiling broadly at Ruth,
+who returned the good-natured feeling.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_20' id='pg_20'>20</a></span>&#8220;Well, well; I feel much better, Sally,&#8221; admitted Aunt Selina. &#8220;Nothing
+like having young folks around when one feels blue, eh? I guess you&#8217;d
+better bring the lunch tray here, and Miss Ruth and I will picnic this
+noon.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments the waitress brought in a huge tray while Sally
+followed with a folding table which she placed by the side of the couch.</p>
+
+<p>A joysome hour passed in &#8220;picnicking&#8221; the lunch, then Sally rang for the
+maid to remove the dishes. After she had gone, Sally turned to her
+mistress and, with the familiarity of an old servant, said, &#8220;Miss Rufie
+shore is de bestes tonic you ebber took. You&#8217;se et more lunch, Miss
+Selina, dan I&#8217;se seen yo&#8217; et in six mont!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then whisking a few tiny crumbs from the couch afghan, Sally gathered up
+the doilies and went out, smiling contentedly.</p>
+
+<p>That afternoon worked a remarkable change in Aunt Selina. She forgot all
+about herself and her misery while listening to her grand-niece&#8217;s story
+of sacrifice for others.</p>
+
+<p>She listened attentively to every word, until Ruth concluded with the
+words, &#8220;Now, we are <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_21' id='pg_21'>21</a></span>planning some great work for our winter nest, but
+we don&#8217;t know just what we will choose.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>So impressed was Aunt Selina with the movement started by the New York
+Organization, that she determined to help the cause in every way she
+could.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening with the help of a cane and Sally, Aunt Selina managed to
+reach the dining-room for dinner. &#8220;For,&#8221; said she, &#8220;it is a shame to
+keep Ruth cooped up in my morning room all day long.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>During dinner she marveled at the improvement in her physical condition
+and worried lest her ailments return suddenly. But Ruth reassured her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, indeed, Flutey, we have so much to do and plan while I am here,
+that you won&#8217;t have time to think of getting sick again.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina looked dumbfounded for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ruth, do you suppose that&#8217;s what ails me&mdash;nothing to do but think of
+myself all of the time?&#8221; said she.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Flutey, not only with you, but with lots of folks!&#8221; replied Ruth,
+wisely. &#8220;You see, anyone <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_22' id='pg_22'>22</a></span>who is busy and has something to do all the
+time never gets sick, because they haven&#8217;t time to worry &#8217;bout
+themselves if they feel a bit of pain. Why, this summer I saw lots of
+beginnings of sickness stopped just because everyone had to get through
+their work for the city children. Even me: when mother told me that
+father&mdash;oh, oh&mdash;oh!&#8221; and Ruth doubled over her plate and giggled
+immoderately.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now what ails you, child?&#8221; inquired Aunt Selina, smiling in sympathy
+with her guest&#8217;s merry laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Aunt Selina, this goes to prove what I just said! Here I have been
+with you all day, so full of the story of our Nest and all we did, that
+I forgot to feel sorry for myself. Why, think of it! Father is expected
+home to-night, and I&#8217;m not there! When your telegram came asking me to
+come here, and mother told me father was expected the same day, I felt
+dreadfully bad about it, but mother said I might help the winter nest a
+great deal by coming to show you how to fly, so I really made up my mind
+not to feel sorry about not seeing father. And here I am all this time,
+forgetting my disappointment <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_23' id='pg_23'>23</a></span>about leaving home to-day, and now,
+laughing over it. Don&#8217;t you see?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina nodded her head comprehendingly as she said, &#8220;Yes, I see!
+Yes, I see what has been my undoing all these years. Child, you have
+done something for me that all my years have failed in showing me. God
+bless you, Ruth, for coming, and when I tell your father about it he
+will be proud of his little Blue Bird that brought such peace to me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As she concluded, Aunt Selina&#8217;s eyes were brimful of tears, but they
+were tears of gratitude, and such tears always wash away much of our
+stubborn selfishness.</p>
+
+<p>Sally hovered about the table to be on hand to assist her querulous
+mistress if necessary and she, too, felt the effect of Ruth&#8217;s words and
+silently praised God for the blessing.</p>
+
+<p>After Aunt Selina and Ruth were comfortably seated in the soft
+easy-chairs of the former&#8217;s bedroom, Ruth asked permission to write the
+letters she had promised the Blue Birds at home. Aunt Selina nodded
+cheerfully, and sat watching the little girl write until her eyelids
+drowsed slowly over her eyes.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_24' id='pg_24'>24</a></span>The first and most important letter was written to Ruth&#8217;s dear father
+and mother. The next to Ned, and the third to all of the Blue Birds of
+Happy Times Nest. Here, she wrote as she pleased and told them about her
+trip, how interested Aunt Selina seemed to be, about the secret name she
+had given the new Blue Bird and all of the fine things Aunt Selina was
+going to do just as soon as plans could be talked over. As the letter
+drew to a close, Ruth begged her friends to write every day and not
+undertake any important work until she came home.</p>
+
+<p>The last letter took a long time to write and Aunt Selina was fully
+awake before Ruth had finished.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Laws, Child! Do you know the time? What would your mother say if she
+knew I kept her daughter out of bed until after nine o&#8217;clock? If the
+letters are finished you must go straight to your room.&#8221; And Aunt Selina
+rang for Sally.</p>
+
+<p>That night as Ruth slept soundly, Aunt Selina lay thinking over all her
+grand-niece had told her. As she thought of all her wasted years and of
+all the wonderful good she might have done with her <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_25' id='pg_25'>25</a></span>leisure time and
+wealth, she turned her face to the wall and shed bitter tears of regret.</p>
+
+<p>Then recalling Ruth&#8217;s advice to fill her mind with something good and
+helpful, the old lady vowed to pick up the frayed ends of her life and
+ask Ruth how to use her money and time to create some lasting good for
+others. As she smiled contentedly over the idea of her grand-niece of
+tender years advising and helping her, an old lady of three score and
+ten, the Bible text flashed into her mind&mdash;&#8220;And a little child shall
+lead them.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then Aunt Selina fell into a restful, health-giving sleep such as she
+had not had in years.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='A_SUNDAY_WALK_AND_ITS_RESULTS_478' id='A_SUNDAY_WALK_AND_ITS_RESULTS_478'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+<h3>A SUNDAY WALK AND ITS RESULTS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Ruth was out-of-doors early the following morning, enjoying the sweet,
+crisp breeze with its odor of dew-laden meadows. After sniffing
+delightedly for a few moments, she skipped up and down the long veranda,
+calling to the birds and snapping her fingers at some curious squirrels.
+Sally heard the joyous child and came out to bid her a good-morning.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sally, what a beautiful farm Aunt Selina has! It looks lovelier this
+morning than ever, but it makes me sad when I think that no one can
+enjoy it except the folks that live here,&#8221; said Ruth, in a tone of
+regret.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ya&#8217;as, Chile, I feels sorry dat Miss S&#8217;lina had dem high board fences
+put up to keep anjoyin&#8217; eyes from de propaty. An&#8217; den agin, I kin s&#8217;cuse
+de little chillern dat sneak fru de back fences jus&#8217; to pick wilets an&#8217;
+paddle in de brok up dere;&#8221; and Sally looked toward the inviting
+woodland, whence came the sound of running water.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_27' id='pg_27'>27</a></span>&#8220;If Aunt Selina is to be a really truly Blue Bird she will remove
+whatever keeps others from enjoying what she has,&#8221; commented Ruth,
+seriously.</p>
+
+<p>A bell, tinkling from an upper room, summoned Sally hurriedly indoors,
+so Ruth sat down in a large wicker rocker to await her aunt&#8217;s coming.</p>
+
+<p>Sally soon came and told Ruth breakfast was ready and there sat Miss
+Selina welcoming her with a cheery smile!</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you feel as happy and free as a Blue Bird, Flutey?&#8221; asked Ruth,
+giving Aunt Selina a hearty embrace.</p>
+
+<p>Unaccustomed to such healthy demonstrations of affection, she suffered
+her lace cap to be pulled over one ear while her other was uncomfortably
+doubled under Ruth&#8217;s plump little arm.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Fluff, I feel unusually well this morning. I slept like a babe all
+night,&#8221; replied her aunt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the way all Blue Birds sleep. Not one of us would stay in bed a
+minute just because something tried to make us feel too tired or sick to
+get up early in the morning! You know, the Camp Fire Girls receive
+honors for keeping free from illness, and some day the Blue Birds expect
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_28' id='pg_28'>28</a></span>to join the bigger girls in their Camp Fires. So we begin to practice
+good health now,&#8221; explained Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>The breakfast passed quickly with not a sound or sigh from Aunt Selina
+about rheumatism. Sally was the most astonished of all, for it had
+become second nature with her mistress to talk about her pains and woes
+at all times.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;While I was waiting on the piazza, this morning, I planned to take you
+for a nice long walk,&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, my dear, I simply cannot walk out of doors. I could hardly hobble
+about the house this morning.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I s&#8217;pose you couldn&#8217;t walk very well, but I can walk and you can
+ride in the wheel-chair. I will push it, and we will go down the meadow
+path toward the summer-house,&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina looked dubiously at Sally, but the latter was very busy
+placing some of the family silver in the chest, and her back was turned.</p>
+
+<p>After a few moments&#8217; hesitation she said, &#8220;I never take that chair off
+of the porch, and I am afraid you are too little to push it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, indeed I&#8217;m not. It won&#8217;t hurt the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_29' id='pg_29'>29</a></span>chair, and even if it did,
+your pleasure just now is better than ten chairs!&#8221; decided Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>After several weak attempts to turn Ruth from her purpose, Aunt Selina
+surrendered with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>As Sally left the room just then she chuckled to herself, &#8220;Dat chile
+will shorely &#8217;juvenate Miss S&#8217;lina!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast aunt and grand-niece went out on the veranda and Ruth
+soon had the chair down the steps and waiting for her aunt.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina felt a bit conscious at being wheeled like a baby, but Ruth
+was too merry to permit anything but joy to prevail.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth turned the chair into a path that ran along the brook, and chatted
+merrily until Aunt Selina forgot herself in listening. At the end of the
+path stood a rustic summer-house from which could be seen the wide
+expanse of meadow and woodland. Having reached this spot, Ruth placed
+the chair so her aunt could look about and admire her beautiful lands.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Flutey, don&#8217;t you ever go to church on Sunday mornings?&#8221; asked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The only church is so far away that I would have to drive for half an
+hour to reach it; then, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_30' id='pg_30'>30</a></span>too, it is not a denomination that I approve
+of,&#8221; she replied, coolly.</p>
+
+<p>But a little thing like a cold reply or a curt tone never daunted Ruth
+when she was after any particular information.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What is the difference between one denomination and another? I don&#8217;t
+exactly know the meaning of that word, but I know it means something
+about churches.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, some churches believe in worshipping God one way and some in
+another. These different beliefs are called &#8216;denominations.&#8217; Now, all of
+our family were brought up to believe the Baptist manner of worship to
+be the only true one, and this church at Greenfields is Presbyterian. Of
+course, everyone knows that pre-destination is all wrong,&#8221; said Aunt
+Selina emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth&#8217;s eyes opened wider and wider as she listened, for she had been
+taught a very simple faith. She had been told that to live and follow
+the &#8220;Golden Rule&#8221; was the highest form of obedience, and that it was
+true worship. So she answered quietly:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I love Jesus, and I believe he taught everyone <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_31' id='pg_31'>31</a></span>the same way, and I
+believe he just loved everybody the same way.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We will not discuss religion, Ruth. Just keep on thinking and doing as
+Mother has taught you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I was only going to say, that as we cannot go to church such a
+lovely morning, we might sit here and thank God for all these fields,&#8221;
+explained Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina looked about the land in the light of a new revelation.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was thinking,&#8221; continued Ruth, &#8220;how I should love to have this farm
+near Oakdale. I could come over so often to tell you what we are doing,
+and then, too, you could use all of that wonderful woodland for Blue
+Birds&#8217; Camps in the summer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina looked across the fields and woods but said nothing, so Ruth
+continued.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When the two Ferris children came out to Mrs. Mason&#8217;s farm, they were
+so happy to see real flowers and grass that they soon got well and
+strong. That made me wish that I had hundreds of farms just like it
+where sick children could go and get well. That was one thing that made
+the Oakdale folks help get the hundred city poor <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_32' id='pg_32'>32</a></span>children out to our
+country for a few weeks in August and the lovely time the children had
+made everyone wish to do bigger things this next summer. Nothing has
+really been planned yet, but everyone is trying to think of some way to
+do something. This morning when I saw this wonderful farm and so few
+folks to live on it, I just wished it was near Oakdale so a big crowd of
+poor children could enjoy it next summer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As Ruth concluded and looked wistfully over the fertile land, her aunt
+sat thinking for a time, then answered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fluff, I determined to be a Blue Bird with all of my heart and soul.
+Now, we can&#8217;t move this farm over to Oakdale, but the city children can
+be moved out to this farm! You can do the planning from Oakdale, and I
+can look after them when they get here.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ruth gasped in amazement at the splendid idea, then jumped up and down
+with delight while she shouted aloud.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, oh! Flutey! that is great! Why, just think of all the streets full
+of poor children who can enjoy these wonderful woods!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_33' id='pg_33'>33</a></span>Aunt Selina winced at the word &#8220;street children,&#8221; but she spoke with
+determination.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I suppose we would have to build some sort of little houses, or
+temporary camps for them to sleep in, and a long shed in which to serve
+the meals. It will need a lot of planning.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dear me, I wish we could run and ask mother about it,&#8221; murmured Ruth,
+impatiently. &#8220;Now, if you were only visiting me instead of me being here
+with <i>you</i>!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If I had gone to you, you might never have had the idea of using these
+woods for the children,&#8221; ventured her aunt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, that&#8217;s so,&#8221; admitted Ruth. &#8220;And we can go back to the house and
+write all our plans down on paper and send them to mother, can&#8217;t we?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina consenting, Ruth wheeled the chair back to the house. When
+they reached the steps the invalid felt so strong that she lifted
+herself out of the chair and climbed up the low steps with only Ruth to
+lean upon.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, I never felt a twinge in my joints all this time! I never knew
+rheumatism to disappear so quickly as it has this time,&#8221; she said, as
+she sank down in a low chair.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_34' id='pg_34'>34</a></span>&#8220;Let&#8217;s hope it won&#8217;t come back again,&#8221; added Ruth. &#8220;If it stays away
+you could pack up and go to Oakdale with me, couldn&#8217;t you?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina, who never visited and seldom left her home, looked
+horrified for a moment. But Ruth continued innocently,</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We could get all of mother&#8217;s advice for the farm plans besides seeing
+father and being home with him!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Sally, who had seen Miss Selina coming up the steps without a cane,
+thought some miracle had been performed. So, wishing to hear all about
+it, she hurried out with the announcement that dinner was almost ready.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dinner! Why, Sally, we just finished breakfast. I&#8217;m sure I don&#8217;t want
+anything to eat so soon,&#8221; replied Miss Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s pas&#8217; one o&#8217;clock, Miss S&#8217;lina, an&#8217; you allus likes de meals to be
+on time,&#8221; ventured Sally.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I feel as if it was dinner time, &#8217;cause I&#8217;m so hungry,&#8221; added
+Ruth, who always had a healthy appetite.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina laughed indulgently as she rose and limped slowly indoors.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately after dinner Ruth hurried to the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_35' id='pg_35'>35</a></span>library and brought forth
+a pencil and paper. Meeting her aunt in the hall she said, &#8220;Now, we&#8217;ll
+sit down and put all of our plans on paper.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The greater part of the afternoon was passed in this engrossing work.</p>
+
+<p>That night Aunt Selina again sought her bed with a great sense of
+gratitude that she could enjoy the rest without any pain. She slept all
+through the night and awoke in the morning feeling strong and energetic.
+Almost every trace of her lameness had disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>The mail lay upon a silver tray beside her plate, and she smiled as she
+handed two letters to Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;May I read them, Flutey?&#8221; asked Ruth, as soon as she had peeped at the
+post marks.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina nodded, and Ruth tore open the one from the Blue Birds
+first, saying in an explanatory tone, &#8220;I like to leave the best for the
+last.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds had written her because they promised to do so, but there
+had not been time for anything of importance to happen, so Ruth laid
+aside their short note and took up her mother&#8217;s letter. The first
+sentence made her gasp, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_36' id='pg_36'>36</a></span>and at the second, she giggled outright. Aunt
+Selina waited patiently to hear the news.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just think, Flutey, I didn&#8217;t miss father, anyway&mdash;and just see all we
+have accomplished by my coming here to you! Mother writes that she had a
+telegram from father late Saturday night, saying the steamer was
+detained at quarantine on account of some suspects in the steerage who
+seemed to have symptoms of yellow fever. He is not sure when they will
+get off, but he will wire mother each day they are detained.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina nodded understandingly, and Ruth continued: &#8220;Wish you and I
+could be there to welcome father when he comes! Flutey, you are so well
+this morning, <i>don&#8217;t</i> you think you could go with me in our automobile,
+if we traveled very carefully?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Her aunt was so aghast at the proposition that she failed to answer, and
+Ruth continued, believing that she was thinking it over.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You see, Flutey, we really need to get to the Blue Birds and mother to
+talk over this fine farm plan, and I am sure the visit will do you a
+heap of good, for I have heard folks say that a change <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_37' id='pg_37'>37</a></span>is a great thing
+when you have been sick and tired of the same things about you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Still Aunt Selina said not a word, so Ruth returned to her letter to
+read it aloud. As she did so, her aunt sent a covert glance at Sally&#8217;s
+direction to see what effect Ruth&#8217;s invitation had had upon the old
+servant. But Sally, the wise, appeared not to have overheard a word.</p>
+
+<p>Later, as Ruth stood beside her aunt&#8217;s rocker on the veranda, she again
+broached the subject.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Flutey, the air is so warm and balmy like it always is in Indian
+summer, and our car is so comfy, you wouldn&#8217;t know but what you were in
+an easy chair. I don&#8217;t see why you can&#8217;t come home with me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fluff, do you know, that I could almost say &#8216;Yes, I will go,&#8217; for I
+think I would like to see all of your little friends, but I really
+wouldn&#8217;t know what to do with the house if I went away on a visit,&#8221; said
+Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Goodness me! The house won&#8217;t run away. What does it do when you are
+sick in bed and can&#8217;t walk about to look after it? It can go on just the
+same when you are in Oakdale as when you are in bed,&#8221; replied practical
+Ruth.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_38' id='pg_38'>38</a></span>Never before had Aunt Selina been brought face to face with the fact
+that Sally was the actual manager. She began to feel a certain
+resentment against her faithful old servant, and then she thought what a
+relief it was to have someone upon whom she could depend.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I never did ride in one of those machines, dearie. I have said that I
+never would. I always use my victoria, or coup&eacute;,&#8221; she observed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You never rode in an automobile! Why, Flutey, you have the treat of
+your life waiting, then,&#8221; exclaimed Ruth, surprised. &#8220;It only goes to
+show how careful we should be about saying things we are not sure of;
+now, you see, you are going to ride in an auto and so prove to yourself
+that you were wrong.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ruth took for granted that the visit and method of traveling had been
+decided upon, and, after some more futile excuses, Aunt Selina was won
+over to considering going the next day if it were clear.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But the sky looks cloudy, Fluff, and your mother may not spare the car
+to-morrow,&#8221; she objected, making a last brave stand against the
+persistent little girl.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_39' id='pg_39'>39</a></span>&#8220;Oh, no, those clouds are not rain clouds&mdash;they are wind and mother
+would borrow Mrs. Catlin&#8217;s car if she had to go anywhere rather than
+disappoint me by not sending Ike with ours,&#8221; replied Ruth, very certain
+of her mother&#8217;s loving co&ouml;peration.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I shall have to break the news to Sally and see if she can spare
+me for a few days,&#8221; sighed her aunt, tingling with anticipation at the
+unusual event, but loath to forego the hope that her presence was
+necessary at home.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll run and ask her to come here at once, so we can telegraph mother
+about the car,&#8221; said Ruth, as she ran to call Sally.</p>
+
+<p>One never had to go far to find Sally, for wherever Miss Selina was,
+there would Sally be found hovering about, also. Ruth caught hold of the
+plump brown hand and dragged her out to the piazza.</p>
+
+<p>When the important question was put before her, Sally was diplomatic
+enough to stand considering whether the household could possibly be
+managed without the mistress. After some time, she said, &#8220;If it t&#8217;want
+dat dis wisit is jus&#8217; what you need to put you on yer feet, I would
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_40' id='pg_40'>40</a></span>say, &#8216;I don&#8217; see how we&#8217;all kin manage.&#8217; But, seein&#8217; dat all de fruit
+is dun up an&#8217; de fall house-cleanin&#8217; not yet due, I adwise you to be
+shore an&#8217; go an&#8217; fin&#8217; healin&#8217; in de change of air.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina was so pleased at Sally&#8217;s answer that she told her to help
+Ruth telegraph at once for the car. Sally bowed and hurried away to the
+telephone where the message was sent to Greenfields to be wired to Mrs.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the day was spent in pleasant excitement, with Ruth and her
+aunt wondering what to pack in the small steamer trunk, while the whole
+household felt the unusual stir of their mistress&#8217; going away for a
+visit.</p>
+
+<p>That evening an answering telegram came saying that Ike would leave
+Oakdale at dawn in the morning so as to get to Happy Hills by noon. If
+they were ready to start back at once they could arrive at Mossy Glen
+before night set in.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth was so joyous over the happy termination of her visit that she
+could hardly stand still long enough for Sally to tie her hair ribbon.
+As for Aunt Selina, she looked from her bedroom windows before retiring,
+anxiously scanning the sky for any possible rain clouds. She felt as
+excited <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_41' id='pg_41'>41</a></span>as a child over its first journey away from home. Seeing the
+sky a deep blue with myriads of stars gleaming down at her, she smiled
+and turned out the light.</p>
+
+<p>Ike arrived earlier than expected, for he made record time from Oakdale.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ike, do the Blue Birds know I&#8217;m coming?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sure thing, Miss Ruth,&#8221; replied Ike.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And Ned&mdash;did he miss me?&#8221; queried the little girl.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Master Ned, he went &#8217;round like a bear wid a sore head. He was just
+lost without the head of the Blue Birds,&#8221; grinned Ike.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And mother&mdash;and Ike, father? Did father wonder why I left without
+seeing him,&#8221; half-whispered Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>Ike dropped his wrench and stood up.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, Miss Ruth, I forgot to tell you! Mr. Ta&#8217;mage ain&#8217;t home yet. A
+wire came late last night saying he expected to get off the boat to-day,
+so they are looking for him this noon.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, oh, Ike! how could you keep such grand news from me all this time!&#8221;
+exclaimed Ruth, racing indoors to tell her aunt.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_42' id='pg_42'>42</a></span>When Ike said he was ready to start, Aunt Selina and Ruth were helped
+to the comfortable seat and robes were tucked in about them, while the
+servants stood in a semi-circle about the car, smiling and nodding
+good-byes.</p>
+
+<p>Ike honked the siren for the benefit of the servants, then started the
+easy-running machine.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina felt so very comfortable that she admitted the fact to Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I never knew these cars were so easy-riding.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>After passing a stretch of bad road Ike put on more speed and Aunt
+Selina leaned forward to admonish him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t go fast enough to be dangerous! Are we going about eight miles an
+hour?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ike smiled to himself as he heard the question.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re travelin&#8217; a bit more than eight, ma&#8217;am. I s&#8217;pose you are
+&#8217;customed to that speed from drivin&#8217; horses?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, that&#8217;s it. I never like to go faster than that rate, but you are
+not going too fast, yet. Be sure to slow up going around corners&mdash;we
+might run into someone,&#8221; she returned, settling herself comfortably back
+in the robes.</p>
+
+<p>Ike promised to be most careful, but dared not <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_43' id='pg_43'>43</a></span>hint at the actual speed
+they were traveling, and would have to keep up, to enable them to reach
+Oakdale before night.</p>
+
+<p>With the sun shining brightly, and the beautiful autumn coloring in the
+foliage, the journey was most enjoyable.</p>
+
+<p>About six o&#8217;clock the car reached Mason&#8217;s farm and Ruth told her aunt
+that there the first little city children lived all summer. Next, the
+car passed Betty&#8217;s home, but no one was in sight, although Ruth watched
+for Betty to appear. Mrs. Catlin&#8217;s beautiful home on the hill was
+pointed out to the interested old lady, and then Ike turned off of the
+main road and drove along the woodland road that ran by the swimming
+pool. Ruth told all about it, and hoped the Nest in the cherry-tree
+could be seen in the twilight.</p>
+
+<p>Ike stopped under the old tree and Ruth spied all of the Blue Birds in
+the Nest. She jumped out to greet them and they ran down the steps to
+crowd about her. Aunt Selina was introduced and received a quaint little
+curtsey from each child. Then the children said good-night and Ike drove
+on to the house.</p>
+
+<p>There, on the lower step, stood the long-looked-for <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_44' id='pg_44'>44</a></span>father, and the
+moment Ruth saw him, she gave a cry of joy. Mrs. Talmage and Ned stood
+back in the shadow to enjoy Ruth&#8217;s first sight of her father.</p>
+
+<p>After the greetings were over, Aunt Selina was made to feel quite at
+home in the cheery library until dinner was announced. The travelers
+were too tired to dress for dinner, so they were soon seated about the
+table and the conversation naturally turned to Blue Bird talk.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth went to bed soon after dinner, for the day had been tiresome, and
+Aunt Selina also felt the need of rest. She admitted that she enjoyed
+the trip very much, but her old bones felt the strain of the long day.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_BLUE_BIRDS_INSPIRATION_919' id='THE_BLUE_BIRDS_INSPIRATION_919'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+<h3>THE BLUE BIRDS&#8217; INSPIRATION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>School was to re-open on Thursday, and the Blue Birds had but one day
+more of vacation in which to meet and plan for the Winter Nest. Of
+course, they could meet after school, or Saturdays, but it seemed more
+like a meeting to be able to have the whole day for planning.</p>
+
+<p>By nine o&#8217;clock on Wednesday, therefore, they gathered in their Nest
+while Mrs. Talmage entertained Aunt Selina on the veranda with past
+doings of the children.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Talmage had to go to the city, and he said that Uncle Ben might come
+back with him for a few days&#8217; visit. Uncle Ben was his only brother, the
+one who had given Ned the printing outfit for a Christmas gift.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth told the Blue Birds all about Happy Hills and Aunt Selina&#8217;s plan
+for the city children.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, how shall we manage to find the children that will need the
+country next summer?&#8221; asked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_46' id='pg_46'>46</a></span>&#8220;Did your aunt say who would look after so many children?&#8221; asked Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, that is one of the things we shall have to talk over. We only got
+as far as deciding that the farm was great!&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Indeed, it is a fine offer,&#8221; said several little girls.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think we will have to get the opinion of the grown-ups about the
+whole plan,&#8221; ventured Betty.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mrs. Talmage and Miss Selina are on the porch now&mdash;let&#8217;s run over and
+ask them what they have thought of,&#8221; suggested Edith.</p>
+
+<p>As the others were of the same mind the Nest was deserted. Upon reaching
+the veranda, the Blue Birds were pleased to see that Mrs. Catlin was
+sitting there with the other ladies. As Mrs. Catlin was a powerful ally,
+she was always welcome when planning was to be done.</p>
+
+<p>While the group on the piazza was deeply concerned talking over winter
+work and next summer&#8217;s plans, Ned came out of the house and went down
+the woodland path toward the Starrs&#8217; home.</p>
+
+<p>Meredith Starr and his chum, Jinks, were under <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_47' id='pg_47'>47</a></span>an old apple-tree in the
+garden orchard, and Ned joined them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Selina&#8217;s at the house, and what do you think?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Meredith and Jinks shook their heads and Ned continued solemnly, &#8220;She&#8217;s
+given Happy Hills to the Blue Birds for their poor children next
+summer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;She has! My goodness, but they will have more than they can look after
+if they ever accepted such a place,&#8221; cried Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, they accepted it, all right! They&#8217;re just crazy about it. But the
+grown-ups will have to help it along. I suppose they&#8217;ll have to have so
+much printing done that we&#8217;ll be out of it after this winter,&#8221;
+complained Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If you think that why can&#8217;t we have some organization of our own?&#8221;
+asked Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes! why wait to be invited out of the way by the Blue Birds? Get some
+club of our own going, and surprise them if they find us in the way,&#8221;
+added Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it takes a grown-up to help along such things?&#8221; objected Ned. &#8220;Why,
+where do you <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_48' id='pg_48'>48</a></span>suppose these girls would have been if it hadn&#8217;t been for
+mother&#8217;s ideas and help?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I guess you&#8217;re right,&#8221; admitted the other boys, rolling over in the
+grass again, whence they had popped up their heads at Meredith&#8217;s
+suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>After a few moments&#8217; silence, however, Meredith sat up again and said
+tenaciously: &#8220;I don&#8217;t see why we can&#8217;t! Daddum would help us with his
+advice and your father, too, Ned. Jinks hasn&#8217;t any grown-ups, but he can
+get some of the fathers of the Blue Birds interested in us.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What could we do, or where would we start?&#8221; asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, first of all, don&#8217;t let&#8217;s call it &#8216;The Owls!&#8217; That name may be
+all right for the editor of a paper, but I don&#8217;t like it for a club,&#8221;
+complained Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We need a name that will sound so respectable that every mother will
+consent to having her boy join us,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We might call it &#8216;Junior Boy Scouts,&#8217;&#8221; suggested Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then everyone&#8217;ll expect us to do just as the Boy Scouts do, and the
+fact is we won&#8217;t! We will have a sort of club for boys under twelve for
+the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_49' id='pg_49'>49</a></span>purpose of having a nice time, and helping them with their work or
+suggesting plans for outdoor sports,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If we could think of some name that would appeal to the mothers who are
+so interested in the Blue Birds!&#8221; said Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>After many names had been laughed down, Meredith said, &#8220;Why not call
+ourselves &#8216;The B.&nbsp;B. Club.&#8217; Everyone likes a secret society and the
+mothers can believe we are so fond of the Blue Birds that we wanted to
+keep their name for ourselves.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, but they will think we had to steal their name for want of finding
+one for ourselves,&#8221; scorned Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, if you can find anything better, tell it!&#8221; exclaimed Meredith,
+vexed at his friend&#8217;s laughter.</p>
+
+<p>Just then, Jim, the handy man about Oakwood, joined the boys. He saw
+some signs of trouble and asked what they were doing.</p>
+
+<p>Ned explained about Miss Selina and the Blue Birds, and his plan for the
+younger boys. Jim pondered for a few moments and then muttered, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_50' id='pg_50'>50</a></span>&#8220;Is
+there any bird you know that goes by those same initials&mdash;&#8216;B.&nbsp;B.&#8217;?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ned thought rapidly for a few minutes, then said, &#8220;Blue Jay, no, not
+that&mdash;Black Bird!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Bull Finch!&#8221; replied Jinks, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Neither! What bird whistles like this?&#8221; and Jim imitated so naturally
+the notes of the Bobolink that the boys knew.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ho! Bobolink, eh?&#8221; shouted Ned, slapping Jim on the back.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where would the &#8216;B.&nbsp;B.&#8217; come in on that?&#8221; asked Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Would you divide it like &#8216;Bo-Bolink&#8217;?&#8221; asked Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sure not! Just plain &#8216;Bobolink Boys&#8217; to offset the Blue Bird Girls,&#8221;
+answered Jim, as he rose to go on toward the barns.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah, Jim! I think you&#8217;re a life-saver,&#8221; cried Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Three cheers for the god-father of the Bobolink Boys!&#8221; shouted Jinks,
+while the others cheered Jim.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s Don and another little chap&mdash;try the name on them and see what
+they say,&#8221; suggested <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_51' id='pg_51'>51</a></span>Jim, pointing toward the front driveway where two
+boys of about ten years could be seen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s right. We&#8217;ll see what they think of it all,&#8221; returned Meredith,
+rising to whistle through his fingers to attract the boys&#8217; attention.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately upon hearing the shrill call from his brother, Don turned
+in the direction of the apple orchard. As the two lads ran up, Ned
+constituted himself chief counsel.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don, how old are you?&#8221; was the first question.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Nine, goin&#8217; on ten. Why?&#8221; answered Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How old is your friend?&#8221; was the next question.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m ten next month,&#8221; replied the little fellow.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s your name?&#8221; asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tuck. That is what everyone calls me, but the name they gave me when I
+was too little to know better, was awful&mdash;it&#8217;s Reuben Wales. Just
+because my great grandfather had it, they made me take it, too.&#8221; And
+poor little Tuck felt very much abused.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never mind, Tuck,&#8221; laughed Ned, while the other boys rolled over in the
+grass to smother their laughter.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_52' id='pg_52'>52</a></span>&#8220;I don&#8217;t most of the time, but when someone has to know the real end of
+my name, I feel dreadful about it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Tuck, we are planning a club for you boys and you can choose a
+new name if you join,&#8221; consoled Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the game, Jinks?&#8221; asked Don, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We hope to form an organization for boys under twelve to be known as
+Bobolink Boys,&#8221; explained Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What for&mdash;to build nests and then sew doll clothes, or make paper
+furniture?&#8221; growled Don, who had been greatly offended to think that his
+twin sister Dot would leave him for the Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>The older boys who understood his attitude and its cause, laughed, but
+Meredith explained more fully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just for the sake of having fine times and getting something going for
+the boys so the girls won&#8217;t run the whole town. If we start a movement
+called Bobolinks we can demand help from the grown-ups just as the girls
+have done. We can manage to do something as big as the Blue <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_53' id='pg_53'>53</a></span>Birds ever
+did, besides having our outings and games at a club-room.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That sounds fine,&#8221; ventured Tuck.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fine! Why, there&#8217;s my hand on it, Mete!&#8221; declared Don, as he thrust a
+grimy little hand under his brother&#8217;s nose.</p>
+
+<p>Ned and Jinks laughed as Meredith looked doubtfully at Don&#8217;s hand before
+accepting it as a pledge.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;ll we do first?&#8221; asked Don, eager to begin.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tuck and you must ask as many nice boys as you know if they would like
+to join a club, and tell them what for,&#8221; replied Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How many can we ask?&#8221; questioned Tuck.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, about thirty, I guess. I can take charge of one Nest, Jinks of
+another, and Mete of another,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right, we&#8217;re in for it,&#8221; cried Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll report to-morrow afternoon&mdash;where?&#8221; asked Tuck.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Better say at Jim&#8217;s cottage&mdash;up by the barn.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The two younger boys ran away to seek members and the other boys looked
+at each other.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Quick work, eh? We&#8217;re in for it now, so we&#8217;d <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_54' id='pg_54'>54</a></span>better get some plans
+going,&#8221; laughed Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;d better go to your room and figure things out on paper,&#8221; advised
+Ned.</p>
+
+<p>So the three boys who started the Bobolink Boys went to the house and
+locked themselves in Meredith&#8217;s den to make plans for the organization.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, the Blue Birds had joined the ladies on the Talmage
+veranda and their conversation turned to the work to be done that
+winter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wonder where Ned went,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage as Ruth drew a low stool to
+her mother&#8217;s side.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He went over to my house to see Mete,&#8221; replied Dot Starr. &#8220;Shall I go
+and bring him back?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, it can wait. I just wanted him to hear some of our plans so he
+could print it in the next paper,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage. Then she turned to
+the others.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You see, Blue Birds, since Aunt Selina joined our ranks and proffered
+Happy Hills for next summer&#8217;s use, it gives us an entirely new incentive
+for work. We had rather expected to take <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_55' id='pg_55'>55</a></span>matters easy this winter, for
+school does not leave much time for other work. But we have afternoons
+and Saturdays.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And Wednesdays, too, Mrs. Talmage! We all get out at two o&#8217;clock
+Wednesdays, you know,&#8221; added Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If I could skip music that day, I could have a long afternoon with
+you,&#8221; said May, hopefully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, if anyone who has studies at home for Wednesdays, could arrange
+to attend to them at another time, we could have every Wednesday
+afternoon for a regular meeting, too,&#8221; admitted Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Selina was so interested in the children that she smiled when they
+did, and puckered her brow into a frown when they did. Mrs. Catlin
+amused herself watching the old lady and almost rocked off the steps in
+her enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One thing we must discuss to-day is a suitable nest for winter. We
+cannot occupy the one in the cherry tree much longer, for it is growing
+windy and cool. Then, too, there must be some home-work planned for each
+one to report at our meetings,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Won&#8217;t there be any benefits or bazaars?&#8221; <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_56' id='pg_56'>56</a></span>asked Ruth, who had visions
+of fun in the school-house assembly room.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We will have to earn money in some manner to help the poor children,
+but that will have to be discussed later,&#8221; replied Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>After an hour&#8217;s discussion, Mrs. Catlin left with the parting
+injunction, &#8220;Call upon me for anything&mdash;I will be on hand.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Late in the afternoon Mr. Talmage returned with his brother who was the
+editor of a prominent magazine in New York. The Blue Birds had gone, and
+Ruth welcomed her uncle whose visits were always a source of pleasure to
+Ned and herself.</p>
+
+<p>He sat down on the steps beside her and listened to her story of the
+wonderful work Ned&#8217;s printing press had done that summer, and of the
+work required of it for the coming summer. Uncle Ben smiled as he
+listened.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ned will be walking in my footsteps soon, won&#8217;t he?&#8221; said Uncle Ben, as
+Ruth concluded.</p>
+
+<p>Before Ruth could reply her mother came out to welcome the visitor and
+tell him of Aunt Selina&#8217;s presence.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Selina! You don&#8217;t say so! Why, I <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_57' id='pg_57'>57</a></span>haven&#8217;t seen her since my
+graduation from college,&#8221; remarked Uncle Ben, in pleased surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;She is in her room dressing for dinner,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage. &#8220;You will
+find a great change working in her. Why, just think of her offer of
+Happy Hills for the poor children next summer.&#8221; And she proceeded to
+tell the story of Aunt Selina&#8217;s desire to help the Blue Bird work.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now that Uncle Ben is here, maybe he can help us plan some way to earn
+the money for next summer,&#8221; suggested Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I believe you can! What we need is to find some way of reaching the
+right children, and then to start some work that will bring us in a
+regular income during the winter, for it will take a heap of money to
+run a large place like Happy Hills with several hundred starved little
+children living there,&#8221; admitted Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As a man who is so mixed up in publishing, you would naturally expect
+me to know some way out of your troubles, eh?&#8221; laughed Uncle Ben. &#8220;Well,
+well, let me think it out.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the dinner bell rang and no further opportunity was given
+for discussing ways and means.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_58' id='pg_58'>58</a></span>So absorbing was the theme, however, that talk soon drifted around to
+the subject of farms, work and plans.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You can get a list of names of poor children at the Bureau of Charity,&#8221;
+said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That only records names of families who will apply for assistance; but
+the ones like the Ferris family, never are heard from in this way. Those
+are the children we want,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When I return to the city I will see if there is any way of getting a
+list like you want. As for institutions&mdash;you can find all of the asylums
+and homes in the New York Directory. From them you can select numbers of
+crippled or sick children,&#8221; suggested Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ben, do you believe circulars are a good means of letting people know
+what you want?&#8221; asked Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t say that I do. In my experience I have found that a circular
+letter meets the same end as an undesirable advertisement. Most of them
+are thrown into the waste basket.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We need philanthropic women to help us next summer. Mrs. Starr offered
+me her woods at Oakwood if her family goes to Maine, and Mrs. <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_59' id='pg_59'>59</a></span>Catlin
+wishes to rent the Mason farm for children. So now, with Happy Hills on
+our list, we will need just the right kind who will love the work with
+us,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Better send someone to visit the women you hear about,&#8221; advised Mr.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I need to find the women first,&#8221; returned Mrs. Talmage,
+plaintively.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter with the <i>Chirp</i>? Can&#8217;t we print a story in that and
+mail it to a list of folks in New York?&#8221; asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That sounds good to me! I should say the <i>Chirp</i> would do the work
+better than a letter or circular,&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it does seem like a fine suggestion,&#8221; admitted Mrs. Talmage. &#8220;We
+will talk it over this evening, Ned.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, when the <i>Chirp</i> comes to my office,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, &#8220;I generally
+drop all of my important work until I see what new scheme the children
+have worked up. I sit back and enjoy every word there.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe that is because your nephew edits it&mdash;sort of family pride in one
+who is following in your footsteps,&#8221; teased Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_60' id='pg_60'>60</a></span>&#8220;Not a bit of it! It is because the lad is original enough to fill a
+gap, and persistent enough to keep a good thing going. I haven&#8217;t the
+least idea but that the Blue Birds would never have been heard of
+outside of their little Nest if it hadn&#8217;t been for Ned and his <i>Chirp</i>,&#8221;
+commended Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We are all certain of that,&#8221; assented Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And we are very grateful to Ned for all he has done to help us along,&#8221;
+added Ruth, smiling at her proud brother.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mother, you said you wanted to speak to Uncle Ben after dinner, but may
+I have him alone for a few moments before you get hold of him?&#8221; asked
+Ned, in a worried manner, as if Uncle Ben would be used up if the ladies
+talked to him first.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Talmage said, &#8220;Why, certainly, Son, if Uncle
+Ben is courageous enough to trust himself to your hands.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m shaking in my boots already,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, &#8220;for I&#8217;m sure some
+dark plot will be uncovered.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just wait and see!&#8221; laughed Ned, as he excused himself and ran to his
+den.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_61' id='pg_61'>61</a></span>As the rest of the family rose to leave the table, Uncle Ben said in an
+aside to Mr. Talmage, &#8220;I believe that this farm idea will require a
+regular organization to take proper charge of its affairs. Just a few
+ladies and children cannot handle so important a task.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think you are right, Ben,&#8221; said Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>Ned was waiting for his uncle as he came down the hall, and catching
+hold of his hand, dragged him into his sanctum where the <i>Chirp</i> was
+printed each week.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben sat down in the one arm-chair and waited while Ned locked the
+door and pulled down every window shade.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is a great secret, you know,&#8221; explained Ned.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_BOBOLINK_BOYS_FOUNDED_1334' id='THE_BOBOLINK_BOYS_FOUNDED_1334'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+<h3>THE BOBOLINK BOYS FOUNDED</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, Uncle Ben, we can make ourselves at home,&#8221; said Ned, as he sat
+upon a box in front of his uncle.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, maybe you&#8217;d like to smoke, Uncle Ben?&#8221; continued Ned, recalling
+that most men liked an after-dinner smoke. &#8220;I shall never use tobacco
+myself, because I have studied just what effects it has on one&#8217;s system,
+but I won&#8217;t object to your smoking if you wish.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben threw back his head and laughed uproariously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Does that mean that you will sit calmly by and see me ruin my health
+with tobacco, and not interfere?&#8221; laughed he.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, you know I didn&#8217;t mean it that way, although it did sound
+funny, didn&#8217;t it?&#8221; replied Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Son, I never smoke, either. I believe a man is a better thinker
+and cooler business man <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_63' id='pg_63'>63</a></span>without it,&#8221; said Uncle Ben. &#8220;But, tell me,
+what is the tremendous secret that made you lock the door and pull the
+blinds?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here it is,&#8221; whispered Ned, leaning over toward his uncle. &#8220;You see,
+when the Blue Birds started, I hadn&#8217;t a thing to do, because the Starr
+boys were at camp and many of the other boys away with their families;
+so I undertook to print the <i>Chirp</i> for the girls. I liked it, too. But
+they are planning so much for next summer that it will take a regular
+printer to turn out their work. Their organization freezes out the boys,
+yet we helped in every way this summer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben nodded comprehendingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, this afternoon, we boys got together and said, &#8216;What&#8217;s to hinder
+us from getting up a club for boys under twelve?&#8217; We all thought it
+would be great, so we started, and have the name, but not the plans.
+What do you think of it?&#8221; asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You haven&#8217;t told me enough about it to judge,&#8221; replied Uncle Ben. &#8220;Have
+you founded the club for any purpose?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes! We will gather all the little chaps under twelve years of age
+into one organization, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_64' id='pg_64'>64</a></span>and take them on hikes, teach them work, play
+games, and do other things,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And the name of this?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We thought that Bobolink Boys&mdash;B.&nbsp;B., you see&mdash;would be great as the
+initials stand for Blue Birds, too. Of course, we won&#8217;t sew dolls&#8217;
+clothes, or bake cakes, but we will help the Blue Birds whenever we can,
+or be independent if we wish. The girls wear bird uniforms, but the boys
+will wear jumpers of a certain color, with stripes for grade. We haven&#8217;t
+gone any further. Our first meeting was held in Starr&#8217;s orchard this
+afternoon,&#8221; grinned Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben sat thinking very seriously for a long time, then he asked,
+&#8220;What about the <i>Chirp</i>? Drop it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no! That&#8217;s one reason we want something of our own to back us up.
+We can all help print the <i>Chirp</i>, and with the little boys to deliver
+them, or run errands, it will be easier for all of us. Then, if the
+girls get up some bazaar, or entertainment and we have to print cards,
+etc., it will be much easier.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then your plan is more for co&ouml;peration than competition?&#8221; asked Uncle
+Ben.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_65' id='pg_65'>65</a></span>&#8220;Cooperation in everything a boy can help in, but not to belong to a
+Nest that has to do things the Blue Birds do,&#8221; explained Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben sat wrapped in thought, and Ned wondered what he was thinking
+of. Suddenly, the older man slapped his knee and chuckled with delight.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now what, Uncle? I know it is something good, from your face!&#8221;
+exclaimed Ned, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, sir. I believe we can pull it off&mdash;we&#8217;ll try, at any rate!&#8221;
+declared Uncle Ben, half to himself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do tell me!&#8221; begged Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ned, did you ever see our magazine come out? I mean did I ever show you
+over the whole plant, and show you what work it takes to produce a nice
+little paper book each month?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Once, when father and I were at your office, you took me over the
+place. I told you then that I wanted to be a publisher, and you laughed
+and promised to start me on the right track when I was a man. Last
+winter you sent me the printing press and told me to practice,&#8221; said
+Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I know, but I wanted to see if you remembered. Now, I think I have
+a plan that will <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_66' id='pg_66'>66</a></span>go a long way toward giving you elementary experience
+in publishing, and at the same time provide just what your Bobolinks
+would like to do. It will help the Blue Birds along for next summer, and
+keep them busy to prevent the Bobolinks from making all the music.&#8221; And
+Uncle Ben slapped his knee again, laughing as he thought of how the boys
+would unconsciously start a race between the two&mdash;Blue Birds and
+Bobolinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wish you&#8217;d tell me your idea!&#8221; coaxed Ned, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t it all in shape to explain, yet, but I will hammer it
+together in some way to tell you to-morrow. Where do you boys expect to
+meet at your weekly, or daily meetings?&#8221; asked Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If there are but a few, I thought we could meet in this den of mine.
+But later, if there is a crowd, we might secure the Y.&nbsp;M.&nbsp;C.&nbsp;A. boys&#8217;
+room, or the reception room of the school,&#8221; replied Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;By Thanksgiving time you ought to be in working trim to assume any
+large work I might think of, eh?&#8221; asked Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_67' id='pg_67'>67</a></span>&#8220;Oh, surely! Long before Thanksgiving, I should think.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, don&#8217;t be too sure. Boys are just as hard to muster and understand
+as girls, and the plan that suddenly suggested itself for you boys to
+try out is a secret ambition that I have nursed ever since I went into
+the publishing business&mdash;and that was over twenty-five years ago. I have
+never had time to take it up alone, and never found anyone to whom I
+could trust so precious a hobby. I see how this combination of Blue
+Birds and Bobolinks might bring the idea to success, but I shall have to
+think it over before speaking further,&#8221; explained Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Uncle, I surely am grateful for your confidence, and I shall be glad to
+know when you can tell us all,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wish to talk the matter over with your father first, but you may call
+together some of the boys to-morrow afternoon and I will talk with them
+to see how many are willing and able to help.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I suppose I must wait, but I did hope we could organize our boys
+to-morrow at recess,&#8221; said Ned, with an air of disappointment.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_68' id='pg_68'>68</a></span>&#8220;What&#8217;s to hinder your doing it?&#8221; asked Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How&mdash;until we know what we&#8217;re going to do?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, just make your plans broad enough to take in any ideas that come
+along,&#8221; responded Uncle Ben, rising to go.</p>
+
+<p>That night after everyone had retired, Uncle Ben took Mr. Talmage down
+the drive toward the woods. As they walked slowly along in the bright
+moonlight, they discussed various plans suggested by the ladies of the
+Blue Bird society. Uncle Ben led up, quite naturally, to the new
+organization of Bobolinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Al, those boys are wide awake, all right! If we were to give them a
+boost now and then, there is no saying how great a philanthropic success
+this undertaking may be. It may grow so far out of Oakdale limits that
+the whole world may take part in it. I, for one, have decided to lend my
+support and see what comes of it,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, seriously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Great Scott! Ben; you <i>must</i> be interested; I haven&#8217;t seen you so
+enthusiastic over anything in years,&#8221; laughed Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_69' id='pg_69'>69</a></span>&#8220;You know how interested I have always been in the publishing
+work&mdash;even as a boy, like Ned is now. Well, one thing you, and no one
+else, ever did know, was the hope of being able some day to circulate a
+model magazine for children. I have known for years that the little
+souls craved something more than the wishy-washy stuff that is given
+them in the name of &#8216;juvenile reading&#8217;&mdash;Heaven forgive the criminals!
+Why, our little ones of to-day are as wide awake as grown-ups, and they
+demand&mdash;unconsciously, perhaps&mdash;the same strong quality of bread and
+meat reading as adults have been digesting of late years. Educational,
+adventurous, interesting, work-a-day reading! But the books and
+magazines in the main have not advanced to meet the demand for better
+children&#8217;s literature. I have long dreamed of just what I would like to
+give the children of to-day.&#8221; And Uncle Ben lapsed into silence.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I never gave the subject much thought, but I suppose you are right,
+Ben,&#8221; admitted Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just it!&#8221; cried Uncle Ben, excitedly. &#8220;No one ever stops to
+think about it, but keeps right on filling the minds of their children
+with <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_70' id='pg_70'>70</a></span>stuff that never benefits them a particle. How many boys of to-day
+want to read &#8216;Mother&#8217;s Brave Little Man,&#8217; or &#8216;Jerry the Newsboy&#8217;? Bosh!
+Boys of to-day want &#8216;True Tales of an Indian Trapper,&#8217; or &#8216;Boy Scout
+Adventures,&#8217; or good clean stories&mdash;school life, or outdoor sports.
+It&#8217;s LIFE and HEALTH they want.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Guess you&#8217;re right, Ben,&#8221; said Mr. Talmage, smiling at his brother&#8217;s
+denunciation of present-day literature for children.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right, then! Help me bring about a reform in this line. I have
+studied this problem from every point of view and I really believe that
+the growing youth of to-day would not acquire bad habits so readily if
+they were given some occupation that would thoroughly interest them.
+It&#8217;s worth trying, at any rate. Let&#8217;s fill them with some great plan or
+ambition and see how many children will fall into the snares and
+pitfalls of the past!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben so inspired his brother with his enthusiasm that he, too,
+declared he would do all he could to help.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here&#8217;s a few women who accomplished wonders this summer with the little
+girls. We have <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_71' id='pg_71'>71</a></span>a crowd of boys wasting their time day by day for want
+of something interesting to do. Let the fathers follow the mothers&#8217;
+example and help their boys band together for some good cause!&#8221; said
+Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll get the men together and propose it&mdash;they&#8217;ll see the value of the
+suggestion, just as I have,&#8221; promised Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Al, now that you&#8217;re interested, I have an especially fine plum to
+drop into your hands. Your own son was the one to start an organization
+of boys and name it Bobolink Boys.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My Ned!&#8221; exclaimed Mr. Talmage, joyfully. &#8220;That makes me very happy!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That is what he wished to tell me when we went to his den. He has
+organized a club for boys under twelve, just as the Blue Birds have done
+for girls, and the initials are the same&mdash;B.&nbsp;B.;&mdash;also, they wish to
+cooperate with the girls, whenever possible,&#8221; explained Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, well!&#8221; ejaculated Mr. Talmage, smiling to himself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When I heard Ned outline his plan I decided to encourage the movement
+if possible by confiding <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_72' id='pg_72'>72</a></span>my pet plan to them to experiment on,&#8221; said
+Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When the fathers hear of this they will be as happy as I am. The
+problem of keeping a boy actively engaged in some uplifting work is a
+sufficient one. Ned and you seem to have solved it for Oakdale,&#8221;
+admitted Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Think so! Then you get busy and gather the fathers together to-morrow
+night for a conference. We will see how many will agree to help along
+the work. I will donate all of my ideas accumulated during the past
+years.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll telephone everyone I know the first thing in the morning. Where
+shall we meet&mdash;in the library?&#8221; asked Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and if there are too many of us we will have to adjourn to a
+larger place,&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>Before breakfast the next morning the Starrs&#8217; telephone rang, and Mr.
+Starr was informed that he was wanted at a meeting to be held in
+Talmage&#8217;s library that night. Meredith and Donald knew nothing of Uncle
+Ben&#8217;s talk with Mr. Talmage, but they felt sure the meeting had
+something to do with their plans.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_73' id='pg_73'>73</a></span>Mr. Wells and Mr. Stevens were the next ones to be invited to the
+meeting, and after that a score or more of fathers were invited.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben, who had hoped to take a few days&#8217; rest in his brother&#8217;s quiet
+country home, found himself very busy in working out his idea so that it
+could be simply presented to the meeting of boys and men. He spent the
+entire morning in jotting down ideas as they came to him.</p>
+
+<p>Luncheon over, Ned caught Uncle Ben&#8217;s hand and said, &#8220;You haven&#8217;t
+forgotten the date we made, have you?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You wouldn&#8217;t think so if you had seen me working all morning,&#8221;
+complained Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s all right then; we boys will meet you in the big empty carriage
+house this afternoon at three-thirty,&#8221; nodded Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be there!&#8221; laughed Uncle Ben, as Ned ran off.</p>
+
+<p>The big room in the carriage house had not been used since the garage
+had been built.</p>
+
+<p>Ned and Ike found some chairs in the store-room, and Simon provided
+several empty boxes. Long planks were placed across the boxes, making
+very good benches for the boys to sit upon. <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_74' id='pg_74'>74</a></span>A large packing case stood
+a few feet in front of the benches to be used as the speaker&#8217;s stand.</p>
+
+<p>At three-thirty every boy who had expressed a desire to join the
+Bobolinks was there with expectant looks. Uncle Ben soon arrived and
+took a seat by the large box. He spread his papers out in front of him
+in a very business-like way.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Boys, I will go straight to the business under consideration this
+afternoon,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, standing up the better to impress his
+audience.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think the first thing to do is to appoint a secretary.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ned was selected, so he sat down behind the packing case to jot down his
+notes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have you boys formed any kind of an organization?&#8221; asked Uncle Ben,
+turning to Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, sir, not yet,&#8221; replied Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then let us attend to that now. You must have officers, and rules and
+by-laws for governing the boys and meetings. Now, I should suggest that
+we begin properly, and hold an election of officers.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben then told them the proper way to proceed, and the boys were
+greatly impressed with the importance of what they were doing. <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_75' id='pg_75'>75</a></span>When the
+election was completed, Ned had been chosen President, Meredith
+Treasurer and Jinks Secretary.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, &#8220;with your permission I will preside at this
+meeting, instead of your new President. I will read to you what I have
+written on this paper:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;First: The undersigned have met together to form an organization to be
+known as Bobolink Boys.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Second: The purpose of this organization is to provide a club for boys
+under twelve years of age, that will plan healthful sport, social
+meetings, and assist the Blue Birds in their work and play.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Third: Meetings shall be arranged for by vote of members, and all other
+important matters shall be discussed and decided upon at these meetings.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fourth: An initiation fee of ten cents shall be charged each boy
+desiring to become a member of the Bobolinks, and dues of five cents a
+month shall be collected from every member. Should any member find it
+impossible to pay these costs he may be discharged from the obligation
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_76' id='pg_76'>76</a></span>by filing an acceptable excuse with the treasurer.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fifth: A bank account shall be opened at the Oakdale National Bank and
+all funds deposited there. All bills must be paid by check signed by the
+treasurer and secretary.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sixth: Any member found deliberately breaking any of the rules and
+by-laws shall be expelled from the organization, after a meeting held to
+investigate the misdemeanor.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben looked up from the paper and said,</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is that the plan of organization that you boys feel will cover what you
+want?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, that&#8217;s fine!&#8221; cried several boys.</p>
+
+<p>The others still felt too over-awed at the business-like terms just
+heard, to make any sign, favorable or otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, if this paper is acceptable a motion to make it official will be
+received. I want to get to the principal thing for which we have
+gathered,&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, I shall make some suggestions,&#8221; continued Uncle Ben, after the
+outline had been accepted by a vote. &#8220;Are there any boys here who do not
+wish to become members?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_77' id='pg_77'>77</a></span>All of the twenty-three boys wished to become Bobolinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are there any boys present who cannot pay the initial fee and regular
+dues?&#8221; continued Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>None thought this impossible.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After this you write down the names and addresses of every boy who
+applies for membership.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ned made a note of it in his book.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now for a catechism: This is very important,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, looking
+about at the boys. &#8220;And answer truthfully!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ever smoke?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ever drink?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ever gamble?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ever swear?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ever steal?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ever fight?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ever play hookey?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ever strike anyone weaker than yourself?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I noticed that most of the boys smiled when I said &#8216;hookey,&#8217;&#8221; ventured
+Uncle Ben, critically. &#8220;But let me tell you! &#8216;Hookey&#8217; is an
+innocent-looking vice that leads to great trouble. It is <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_78' id='pg_78'>78</a></span>the seed of
+being unreliable. A man who is unreliable is a failure in the beginning.
+So, boys, beware of &#8216;hookey&#8217;!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The boys felt the serious import of the words and each vowed to forego
+the delight in playing hookey when fishing was good, or when baseball
+was being played in town ten miles away.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have any of you boys ever been in a printing plant and watched the
+process of turning out papers?&#8221; asked Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>Almost every boy raised his hand instantly in answer to this question,
+for what boy had not stood at the village printer&#8217;s yearning to set type
+or run one of the fascinating presses?</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fine!&#8221; smiled Uncle Ben. &#8220;And now how many can set type or do small
+jobs on the press?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Very few could do this, but the Starr boys and Jinks often helped Ned
+with printing the <i>Chirp</i> on his small press, and a few other boys knew
+something of the work.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;ll have to explain to you what kind of work is required of a
+firm that prints papers or publishes a magazine. You may think this has
+nothing to do with your organization, but you will soon see,&#8221; said Uncle
+Ben.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_79' id='pg_79'>79</a></span>As the speaker turned to take up several sheets of paper, a noisy
+chatter was heard outside the house and in another moment all of the
+Blue Birds, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Talmage, Mrs. Catlin, and Miss
+Selina, entered the room.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In passing, we heard the harangue going on in here, and found out from
+Mr. Talmage that a secret meeting was under way. We would love to hear
+the motive and perhaps suggest an idea now and then,&#8221; laughingly said
+Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>The Bobolinks looked at each other, and Uncle Ben said, &#8220;Members, shall
+these intruders be ejected, or shall this organization extend the first
+courtesy to one we hope to assist in the future?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The boys giggled, for the manner of presenting the case appealed to
+every one of them, and eliminated any feeling of intrusion from the Blue
+Birds.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One item to be written in our by-laws must be: &#8216;Consider the ladies
+first,&#8217;&#8221; announced Ned, standing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The visitors are welcome!&#8221; said Uncle Ben, making a ceremonious bow.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But please remember, visitors, this is a business meeting, not a social
+function, so I must <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_80' id='pg_80'>80</a></span>ask the ladies to find their own seats and not
+disturb the gentlemen,&#8221; said Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>The ladies were soon seated in a corner where Ike placed some boxes, and
+the Blue Birds squatted upon carriage robes spread out on the floor by
+Simon. When all was orderly again, Uncle Ben proceeded with his
+discourse.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='UNCLE_BENS_BUSINESS_TALK_1777' id='UNCLE_BENS_BUSINESS_TALK_1777'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+<h3>UNCLE BEN&#8217;S BUSINESS TALK</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ladies and gentlemen!&#8221; said Uncle Ben, bowing politely to each group;
+&#8220;You may not know that I have always had one hobby&mdash;something like my
+nephew here&mdash;and that is still, printing. My present position as editor
+of a magazine does not satisfy my craving for the printer&#8217;s workshop,
+but it is as near as I can come to it, so I have bided my time until an
+opportunity like the present one offers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Before I confide to you what the present offer is, I wish to explain
+somewhat the working of a magazine plant. I believe it is necessary to
+tell you how much hard work is attached to the business, and some of the
+enjoyments when the magazine is ready to go out.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The first thing is to have the right kind of a story, or article. To
+find this it is necessary to read many, many manuscripts. We employ
+&#8216;readers&#8217; for this work of selecting what we can <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_82' id='pg_82'>82</a></span>use. The manuscripts
+we cannot use are returned to the writers. After the first reader passes
+on a story, another reader goes over it, and if it seems suitable, it is
+handed to the editor. The editor decides whether or not to accept it. If
+accepted, he has to go over it very carefully. Sometimes words are
+changed, lines inserted, or whole paragraphs cut out.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If the story needs illustrating an artist is sent for. If a soft-toned
+illustration is desired, the artist makes a &#8216;wash drawing&#8217;&mdash;meaning a
+black and white painting done with brushes, as in a water color. The
+&#8216;wash drawing&#8217; is then sent to the engravers and a &#8216;half-tone&#8217; plate
+made for use in the magazine. &#8216;Half-tones&#8217; are made of copper sheets
+with the picture photographed upon them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sometimes we want an outline to illustrate the story. A pen and ink
+sketch is required for this, and is made about twice as large as it will
+appear in the magazine. This is reproduced on a zinc plate, and is
+called a &#8216;line cut.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then the story is given to the linotypers. A linotype machine is very
+interesting. It has a key-board almost like a typewriter. When a letter
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_83' id='pg_83'>83</a></span>is struck on the board, a piece of brass containing the impression of
+that letter moves into place just like a soldier starting to form a
+line. When the next letter is struck, the corresponding brass soldier
+hurries into place beside the first one. This continues until a whole
+line has been &#8216;set.&#8217; Then the operator touches a lever, the line of
+brass pieces moves to a new position, and molten type-metal is poured
+into the mold which the brass pieces help to form. The lead at once
+hardens, and the whole line is ready for printing, in one solid piece.
+All of this is done very fast&mdash;much faster than I can tell you about it.
+It is hard to believe that a machine can do all these things so quickly
+and so accurately.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When the linotype work is completed the printer places the lines of
+type on a &#8216;galley.&#8217; Then the type is covered with ink, a piece of paper
+is laid on, and a heavy roller passed over it. This impression is called
+the &#8216;galley proof.&#8217; If the linotyper has made any mistakes in spelling
+or printing, they have to be corrected.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After the &#8216;galley proofs&#8217; are corrected, the dummy&mdash;a blank-page book
+just the size the magazine will be&mdash;is made.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_84' id='pg_84'>84</a></span>&#8220;Before us, are all the pictures and reading matter to be used. These
+are arranged and pasted into the dummy in the order in which they are to
+be printed. Sometimes a page has a little space left at the bottom, and
+this must be filled with a neat ornament or a verse. Sometimes an
+article is too long, and then it must be cut down and made to fit the
+allotted space.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thus, the whole magazine is &#8216;dummied&#8217; with pages of cut-up galley
+proofs and picture proofs, until it looks more like a child&#8217;s scrap book
+than a magazine model.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This dummy goes back to the printer, who picks out the galley-type and
+measures it off to compare with the pages of the dummy. This done, he
+places the type in a form the size of the page, places the numeral of
+the page at the top or bottom, with the name of the magazine at the
+top&mdash;this is known as the &#8216;running head,&#8217; as it runs along the top of
+each page throughout the book.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The printer next makes a page proof. That is, he makes a proof of each
+page. These pages are sent into the editorial room again, and are gone
+over carefully and compared with the galley <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_85' id='pg_85'>85</a></span>proofs; if everything is
+correct each page is &#8216;O.K&#8217;d.&#8217; If, however, there are errors, note is
+made of it in the margin on the page proof.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When all the pages are &#8216;O.K&#8217;d.&#8217; the page forms are &#8216;locked up&#8217;
+together, sixteen, thirty-two or sixty-four, in one big form, and
+arranged so that when the sheet of paper is printed and folded, the
+pages will come in the right order.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>So Uncle Ben continued his talk about magazine making. He explained the
+workings of different kinds of printing presses, how some print directly
+from the type &#8220;made ready&#8221; on a flat bed, the paper being fed into the
+press in flat sheets, and how some of the big presses print from curved
+plates that fit around a big roller, the paper running into the press
+continuously from an immense big roll as wide as the press. He told
+about the wonderful folding and stitching machines, and many other
+interesting things.</p>
+
+<p>During Uncle Ben&#8217;s talk, everyone had been so interested that not a
+sound was heard. When he concluded, however, the tension relaxed and his
+audience began asking questions.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is most instructive, but I can&#8217;t see where <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_86' id='pg_86'>86</a></span>it helps the Bobolink
+Boys in their organization,&#8221; said Mr. Talmage, quizzically.</p>
+
+<p>At mention of the name &#8220;Bobolink Boys&#8221; the Blue Birds looked at each
+other, and then at their elders for information.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben saw their wonderment, and laughingly explained the plot. The
+girls were delighted, and had so much to say to one another that it
+seemed as if no further business could be attended to that day.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben, however, rapped loudly upon the box.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We have many important things to attend to,&#8221; he said, &#8220;and all are
+requested to sit still and listen. I am going back to New York in a few
+days, and in the meantime I should like to help start the boys on the
+right road to success. Now, what you all want to know is, &#8216;How does my
+talk about magazines help the Bobolink Boys?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, this is the way: For the past half-score of years or more, I have
+longed to issue a magazine for young folks that could reach out into
+every plane of life; for the poor children in institutions; for the slum
+children; for rich children, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_87' id='pg_87'>87</a></span>for children in the city and children in
+the country&mdash;for every one of them!</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I would like to give so much instructive reading matter on its pages
+that the schools will circulate it among the pupils; I would like to
+have the pictures of the very best; I would like it to inspire boys and
+girls to read better books, and make them ambitious to make the most of
+their chances; I would like it to teach them to make things and do
+things for themselves; in fact, I would like to make it the best and
+finest magazine ever published! But I haven&#8217;t had time to experiment
+with my hobby and being an old bachelor I am afraid I do not understand
+children well enough to know how to write for them. The plan that I have
+been figuring out seems to fit most beautifully with the Blue Birds&#8217; and
+Bobolinks&#8217; work.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben hesitated a second, but not a sound was heard. Then he
+continued:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mother Talmage asked me last night about how much it would cost to send
+circulars to people who might be interested in the farms next summer. I
+propose that we start a children&#8217;s magazine and use its pages whenever
+there is <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_88' id='pg_88'>88</a></span>an announcement of importance. If you want donations of money
+or help of other kinds, ask for them through the pages of the magazine.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;With the Blue Birds to write articles each month telling other children
+what they are doing, or how to make the things they are being taught to
+make, and the Bobolink Boys to write the experiences of their daily work
+and play, and some of the grown-ups to contribute poems and stories, of
+course it would be necessary to have contributions also from some of our
+best writers, and I know I can get them for you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The idea of such a stupendous undertaking made the children gasp, but
+Mr. Talmage said, &#8220;All you have said is fine, Uncle Ben, but who will
+set type, buy paper, print, bind and circulate such a magazine?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just the thing! Don&#8217;t you see? My very great interest in this
+plan will compel me to help in every way and all the time, and the boys
+will be kept busy at profitable and interesting work. When all the
+manuscript is in, and turned over to me I will see that it is set, and
+the proofs sent back to the children. The Blue Birds will enjoy making
+the dummies, pasting <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_89' id='pg_89'>89</a></span>in the pictures, and arranging the pages; and the
+Bobolinks can proceed to print the magazines. If you don&#8217;t expect to use
+this carriage house for anything it may as well be turned into a
+print-shop. With all these boys to work, the printing ought to be great
+sport and not much trouble to get out a magazine.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds were clapping their hands in excitement while the
+Bobolinks jumped up, and in their eagerness, crowded about Uncle Ben,
+overwhelming him with so many questions that he was quite overcome.</p>
+
+<p>Then Miss Selina stood up in the road-wagon, and after silencing the
+noisy crowd, made an announcement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll pay for the paper that will be needed for the experiment the first
+month!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hurrah, hurrah! for Aunt Selina!&#8221; shouted Uncle Ben, and the rest
+joined in with such good will that Aunt Selina sat down and held her
+hands over her ears.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll pay postage on a sample issue!&#8221; called Mrs. Catlin.</p>
+
+<p>Again the joyous young publishers-to-be burst forth into cheers.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_90' id='pg_90'>90</a></span>&#8220;What can I pay for?&#8221; laughed Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll soon find that you are paying the heaviest tax of all in
+overseeing the publishers,&#8221; replied Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How soon can we start?&#8221; demanded the Bobolinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What shall we write?&#8221; asked the Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben raised both hands for silence, and as soon as order was
+restored again, he spoke.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We have just installed new machines in our printing plant in New York
+and intend selling the old ones to some small job printer who can use
+second-hand machines. Now, I can pick out a small press, stitcher, and
+other things that you will need, and ship them out here. You have
+electricity here, and a small motor will furnish the power. When you are
+ready to go to press, I will send out an experienced man from our shop
+to direct the work and see that everything is done properly. The
+addressing and wrapping can be done by all of you. Of course, as far as
+we have gone, it all sounds like great sport, but there is another side
+to this plan that must be thoroughly agreed upon before we go any
+further. If you start this undertaking, you <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_91' id='pg_91'>91</a></span>will have to keep on with
+it. At a certain date each month your periodical must be ready for
+mailing. You will have to write and edit, and print, whether the skating
+is fine, or the gymnasium is at your disposal, or whether Thanksgiving
+dinner makes you feel lazy, or a toothache keeps you awake all night.
+Publishing work is very interesting, most instructive, and profitable,
+but it is work, work, work, and not all play!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, we know that, Uncle Ben,&#8221; said Ned. &#8220;And we&#8217;ll promise to take all
+of the consequences that go with the game.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The other boys seconded Ned&#8217;s statement, and the Blue Birds eagerly
+agreed to the plan, so Uncle Ben really had no further objections to
+make.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I can hardly wait to begin my page,&#8221; cried Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d rather see the magazine&mdash;maybe it will be a home-made looking
+thing!&#8221; exclaimed Dot Starr.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It will not! Not with us boys to boss the plant!&#8221; bragged Don, her
+twin.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_92' id='pg_92'>92</a></span>&#8220;If it is home-made, you&#8217;ll have to do it all again,&#8221; commented Uncle
+Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That is where Mrs. Talmage&#8217;s work comes in,&#8221; laughed Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It will be a regular magazine, all right!&#8221; exclaimed Mrs. Talmage
+emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We boys will see to it that no magazine is mailed that will make folks
+laugh at us,&#8221; guaranteed Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I placed my hobby in the right hands, for you children seem to
+take a pride in doing things well,&#8221; commended Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And with a nephew stepping right in his uncle&#8217;s footprints, why
+shouldn&#8217;t things be done right?&#8221; laughed Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Say, Uncle Ben, how long must we wait before we can begin?&#8221; asked Don
+Starr.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Get as busy as you like to-morrow after school,&#8221; replied Uncle Ben.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ll run into town and attend to having the things shipped here as long
+as you have agreed to my plans; you boys may start making benches,
+tables, or whatever will be needed in the plant.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;ll need a desk, some chairs, a table and a few other things,&#8221;
+suggested Mr. Talmage, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_93' id='pg_93'>93</a></span>looking around. &#8220;It might be advisable for them
+to partition off a corner of this room for an office.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have a good roll-top desk in the store-room at home; it has never had
+any use since Mr. Catlin passed away. The boys shall have that,&#8221; offered
+Mrs. Catlin.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And I can spare that long table we used to have in the dairy before we
+installed the patent butter machines,&#8221; added Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In case I find any other pieces of Mr. Catlin&#8217;s office furniture I will
+send them over with the desk,&#8221; said Mrs. Catlin.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;About those machines, Ben! How much will they cost the boys?&#8221; asked Mr.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I thought of assuming the cost, and any time the publishers give up the
+work I can easily sell them in the city. The children can pay the
+freight charges, which will not be very heavy,&#8221; replied Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then, there will really be no heavy expense to start with, will there?&#8221;
+asked Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, but a tax of application and interest will be necessary,&#8221; smiled
+Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_94' id='pg_94'>94</a></span>&#8220;We will agree to pay all of that you want,&#8221; promised several of the
+boys.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds did not have much to say about the machines and workshop,
+but each felt that it was to be their very own magazine, so that their
+interest and pleasure in every new development were keyed to the top
+pitch.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Betty, what page do you want to take charge of?&#8221; asked Norma, eagerly,
+as they left the carriage house.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think we had better defer discussing that part of the work until we
+can all sit down quietly and talk it over,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>The men and boys remained with Ike to decide what boards and lumber
+would be needed for the morrow, so work could begin on their workrooms.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s have a sign for the front over the door,&#8221; suggested Jinks. &#8220;I&#8217;ll
+paint it at home.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Call it &#8216;Bobolink Boys Publishing Company,&#8217;&#8221; ventured Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, that wouldn&#8217;t be fair to the Blue Birds if they are going to help
+in the work,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Name it &#8216;Blue Bird &amp; Bobolink Company,&#8217;&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_95' id='pg_95'>95</a></span>This last suggestion struck everyone as being just right, but Mr.
+Talmage made a good amendment.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why not have a mysterious combination? Every mortal is interested in
+finding out a puzzle, or secret. The more elusive a thing is the more
+they chase it. Now, get folks guessing over your name and they will not
+forget you so soon. I just thought of the name of &#8216;B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B.
+Company.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s great, father, but we haven&#8217;t thought of a name for the
+magazine,&#8221; cried Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Add a few more &#8216;B&#8217;s&#8217; to the others,&#8221; laughed Uncle Ben. &#8220;We&#8217;ll name it
+the &#8216;B.&nbsp;B.&nbsp;B.&nbsp;B.,&#8217; published by the &#8216;B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B. Co.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What does &#8216;B.&nbsp;B.&nbsp;B.&nbsp;B.&#8217; stand for?&#8221; asked Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;<i>Blue Bird Bobolink Bulletin</i>,&#8217;&#8221; replied Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s mystery enough, I&#8217;m sure,&#8221; laughed Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>After a few more remarks, the first meeting of the organization whose
+influence was to be far greater than had been hoped for by Uncle Ben, or
+the boys who had started it, was dismissed.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='BEGINNING_THE_WINTER_WORK_2118' id='BEGINNING_THE_WINTER_WORK_2118'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+<h3>BEGINNING THE WINTER WORK</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It is needless to say that the moment school was dismissed the following
+afternoon every boy and girl who was interested in the new Publishing
+Company, ran toward the carriage house at Mossy Glen. The teachers,
+pupils, and even some of the members of the Board of Education had heard
+of the plans made the day before&mdash;for in a small community like Oakdale,
+news travels rapidly&mdash;and the men on the school board were as much
+interested in the success of the children&#8217;s work as if it had been their
+own undertaking.</p>
+
+<p>Ike had found some splendid pine boards, a number of two-by-four joists,
+plenty of odds and ends of railing, posts, moulding, and other trim that
+would make a boy delight in amateur carpentry work.</p>
+
+<p>Nails, screws, hammers, saw, and tools of all kinds were provided, so
+that each boy could work without delaying or inconveniencing the others.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_97' id='pg_97'>97</a></span>Ike and Simon were to superintend the construction and show the boys
+how to put things together properly.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben and Mr. Talmage, who went to the city early in the morning to
+attend to the shipping of the machinery, had not yet returned.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds gathered merrily in their Nest in the cherry tree, with
+several little girls who had been away during the summer and were eager
+to join the Nest.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Selina insisted upon walking along the path from the house when
+Mrs. Talmage started for the Nest and, upon arriving at the foot of the
+steps that led up to the Nest, looked up imploringly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Flutey, I believe you can get up here if I help you!&#8221; exclaimed Ruth,
+seeing her aunt&#8217;s expression.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, dearie! What about the rheumatism in my ankles?&#8221; groaned Miss
+Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Leave it behind!&#8221; laughed Ruth, gayly hopping down from the Nest.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wish I could!&#8221; declared Aunt Selina, taking a firm hold on the
+handrail and trying to lift up her foot.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_98' id='pg_98'>98</a></span>&#8220;Ouch! that hurt my knee-joint!&#8221; cried she.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Flutey! That&#8217;s no way to leave that rheumatism behind!&#8221; reprimanded
+Ruth. &#8220;Now, make up your mind to walk right up and forget the nasty
+little pain.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage and the Blue Birds were hovering over the railing of the
+Nest to advise the two at the foot of the steps. Dot Starr, with her
+usual bluntness and funny way of expressing herself, called down to Miss
+Selina:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Flutey, you just feel those twinges in your joints because you&#8217;re
+spoiled. Mumzie says I am always sicker if I let myself be fussed over
+and spoiled. <i>She</i> just says, &#8216;Try to forget it.&#8217; Now, if you were me,
+you never would be down there a second, but you&#8217;d jump here two steps at
+a time. So, I say like Mumzie would, forget you&#8217;re not me, and we&#8217;ll see
+you pop up here like magic!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina felt like rebuking Dot, but the children smiled
+sympathetically and knew Dot was sincere in her desire to help the old
+lady, so the invalid replied instead,</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dot, that is just the trouble! I can&#8217;t forget <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_99' id='pg_99'>99</a></span>the habits of seventy
+years. I wish I could make-believe I was as young and spry as you are.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If you wish, then you can! Remember the story of Sarah Crewe?&#8221; cried
+Ruth, helping Miss Selina to the next step.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I saw an old lady up in Casco Bay town last summer who was older than
+you and she never had time to remember her age, because she had to work
+all day for other folks. She said she slept like a baby every night.
+Daddum said one reason she looked so young was that she hadn&#8217;t time to
+worry about growing old,&#8221; said Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If I had had to work for others instead of being pampered until I
+couldn&#8217;t do a thing for myself, maybe I would feel as young as anyone,&#8221;
+admitted Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, without being conscious of the act, the old lady was being
+helped up the steps by Ruth, until, at the last words, she reached the
+top.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, I&#8217;m up and never knew it!&#8221; she laughed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just the way to forget!&#8221; cried Dot, clapping her hands.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And you&#8217;ve left your troubles behind as I told you to,&#8221; added Ruth.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_100' id='pg_100'>100</a></span>A chair was placed for Aunt Selina who looked about the Nest with keen
+interest.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mary Talmage, I just wager this was all your idea, wasn&#8217;t it?&#8221; she
+commented, as she noted the sides of the Nest covered with straw
+matting, and the cute wicker table and chairs.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Flutey, it was. But listen until we tell you how we found this
+Nest and the furniture,&#8221; said Ruth, and all the Blue Birds chirped in to
+tell the story about the Nest and how the furniture was found hidden in
+unexpected places about the lawn and in the shrubbery.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina chuckled, but Mrs. Talmage spoke with some seriousness.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Blue Birds, time is flying, and we must talk about our magazine.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Ruth then explained the presence of the children who wished to join the
+Nest. Mrs. Talmage looked sorry.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dearies, I would like to have you with us, but really I cannot take
+proper charge of more than I have at present. I want to do the work
+right and that will be impossible with too many in one Nest. But I have
+a suggestion to offer. Mrs. Catlin is so interested with us in the work
+that I am <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_101' id='pg_101'>101</a></span>sure she will gladly start you in a Nest of your own. She has
+plenty of time, and a beautiful place, so you will be just as happy
+there as here. We can all meet when necessary and talk over affairs
+together. I will write a note to her and explain, then you can take it
+over.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know Mrs. Catlin! We live on the same street!&#8221; exclaimed one of the
+children.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I guess we all know Mrs. Catlin, and like her; if we can&#8217;t join Ruth&#8217;s
+Nest, I&#8217;d like to be in one of Mrs. Catlin&#8217;s,&#8221; said another little girl.</p>
+
+<p>After bidding them good-by as they ran across the lawn, the Blue Birds
+settled down to hear the plans for work on the magazine.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have some ideas which I would like to present to save time,&#8221; said
+Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I apportioned a page to each one of you to edit and expect you to have
+the line of writing that best suits your ability.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;For instance,&#8221; continued Mrs. Talmage: &#8220;To Dot Starr, who did the
+cut-out paper furniture so well at the school-house this summer when we
+made the paper doll houses for the city children, I gave a page called,
+&#8216;What Can Be Made of Paper.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_102' id='pg_102'>102</a></span>&#8220;To Edith, who always makes such good candy, I gave the &#8216;Candy Kettle.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To Betty, who is clever with her pencils, I gave the &#8216;Drawing Lesson.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To Ruth, who loves housekeeping, I gave &#8216;Household Hints.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To Norma, who likes to sew, I gave the &#8216;Doll&#8217;s Wardrobe.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To May, who takes such good kodak pictures, I gave the &#8216;Camera Corner.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To Frances, who is an adept at puzzles and games, I gave &#8216;Puzzledom.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There are besides many other pages to edit which I think will have to
+be done by the boys, and some grown-ups, so I just jotted down the names
+of the boys that I think are capable of doing it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I gave Ned a page for &#8216;Domestic Animals,&#8217; Meredith Starr can have a
+page on &#8216;Wild Animals,&#8217; and Jinks a page on &#8216;Insects and Reptiles.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then, there will be need for other articles which the other boys can
+supply, and they can all help with the publishing. I shall write to an
+old friend who was judge of the Juvenile Court for years, and most
+likely has very interesting stories to tell. Another well-known writer
+of children&#8217;s <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_103' id='pg_103'>103</a></span>books lives in Washington, D. C., and I feel quite sure
+of her interest when I tell her what our plans are. Besides, Uncle Ben
+knows people who will contribute, as he told us so.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Mrs. Talmage, do you really believe the magazine will be so good
+that folks will subscribe for it?&#8221; questioned Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, of course! Didn&#8217;t you hear Uncle Ben say that he would be ashamed
+to send anything less than a real magazine through the mail?&mdash;That we
+would have to do our work over again if it was poorly done?&#8221; said Mrs.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just think! My name on a magazine page with my cut-out furniture on
+it!&#8221; cried Dot, hugging her sides.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How many folks will get one, do you suppose?&#8221; asked Betty.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The more the merrier,&#8221; laughed Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mother Wings, how do people get a list of names where children want a
+magazine?&#8221; asked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, different ways. Uncle Ben may have a list of families where there
+are children. I know dozens of friends who have children; Mrs. Catlin
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_104' id='pg_104'>104</a></span>does, too. Then, there are the Wells, Stevens, Starrs, and so on: all
+families who know other families where there are children. Why, friends
+of mine in England and Germany will take this magazine if I send them a
+sample copy. And so a list grows when everyone tries to help.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If we are only printing this magazine to help along our farms for poor
+children I don&#8217;t see why anyone in Europe would want to take the paper,&#8221;
+said Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you be so sure about that, Miss Dot!&#8221; said Aunt Selina. &#8220;After
+this organization gets agoing I believe it will make such a stir that
+its light won&#8217;t &#8216;be hidden under a bushel&#8217; very long. Only keep your
+magazine at high-water mark, and you will see a marvel before the year
+is over.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina&#8217;s remark made such an impression on Mrs. Talmage that she
+suddenly realized how important their venture might turn out to be,
+providing everyone did their best.</p>
+
+<p>A loud halloo coming from the direction of the carriage house called the
+Blue Birds&#8217; attention to the open door. Mr. Talmage and Uncle Ben were
+standing there beckoning for the Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina found she could get down from the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_105' id='pg_105'>105</a></span>Nest quite nimbly, and
+all started toward the building which was to be known in the future as
+the &#8220;Publishing House.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Inside, about twenty boys were sawing, hammering, and calling to each
+other while Ike and Simon bossed the work. At one side of the entrance
+the front corner of the large room had been measured off, and a
+partition about six feet high erected. This office had a wide window in
+front, and a closet on the side wall. The partition was of oak-stained
+ceiling boards that had been taken out of an attic chamber of the
+Talmage residence when that room had been refinished. The partition had
+a door to match, and the boys&#8217; work was exceptionally good. Six boys
+were busy completing the nailing of the partition and two more were so
+engaged upon hanging the door that the visitors were scarcely noticed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hi, there! Jinks, start that screw, will you?&#8221; called Ned, trying to
+balance the door on his toes while the hinge insisted upon slipping out
+of the notch that had been made for it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I will, if you will stop wriggling the old thing!&#8221; replied Jinks, who
+had pinched his finger <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_106' id='pg_106'>106</a></span>several times and had become wary of the
+unsteady door.</p>
+
+<p>Ike saw the difficulty the boys were having and, while the Blue Birds
+stood watching the struggle, came over and offered to help them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This scene is as good as a vaudeville, Mary,&#8221; laughed Uncle Ben.
+&#8220;That&#8217;s why I wanted you to see it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I think they have done wonderfully well,&#8221; replied Mrs. Talmage,
+with interest.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They have, and Ben is so tickled with the boys&#8217; whole-hearted support
+of the plan, that he is having the time of his life,&#8221; added Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>The other boys had made a strong bench to sit upon, and a rude table
+with a board top.</p>
+
+<p>The whole interior of the place was covered with sawdust, shavings, and
+pieces of timber. Planes and chisels were in constant demand, and
+hammers, screw-drivers and saws were all making a veritable bedlam of a
+noise, when Ike called &#8220;Time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Too dark to see what you are doing,&#8221; he explained.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Turn on the electric lights, Ike,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_107' id='pg_107'>107</a></span>&#8220;Better not&mdash;you boys have done far more than we thought you could and
+there is no use in &#8216;driving a willing horse to death,&#8217;&#8221; advised Mr.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>As the boys dropped tools and stretched tired arms, or bent backs, they
+realized that the unusual work had made muscles ache.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Get on your caps and coats, Bobolinks, and come out on the lawn to hear
+of my trip to the city,&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>In a few moments the room was empty and the children crowded about Uncle
+Ben who sat cross-legged on the soft grass, while Ike placed chairs for
+Aunt Selina and Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, to start at the beginning, I took the eight-ten train this
+morning, and I was introduced to the Oakdale Commuters as &#8216;Uncle Ben of
+the Blue Birds and Bobolinks.&#8217; That was reference enough for anyone. I
+was looked upon as a man to be envied and I even saw covert glances from
+some jealous eyes that looked me up and down and saw no especial favor
+to have boosted me in the estimation of the B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B. Company.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, Uncle Ben, stop your fooling and tell us about the trip,&#8221; rebuked
+Ruth.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_108' id='pg_108'>108</a></span>&#8220;I am, Fluff, but I want to begin at the right end of the story,&#8221;
+teased Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, begin anywhere, only get somewhere!&#8221; cried Mr. Talmage, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>With a sigh that indicated that he was misunderstood, Uncle Ben
+continued his story.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Wells, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Starr, Mr. Wilson, and many other men you
+know promised to advise and assist the boys in every way possible.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What did Daddum say?&#8221; cried Dot, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t interrupt, Dot!&#8221; admonished Meredith, sternly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Mr. Starr offered a series of articles on his experiences in
+lumber camps, and, besides, he promised to take hold of any part of the
+plan in which we could use him,&#8221; replied Uncle Ben. &#8220;Mr. Wells has a
+book that will prove valuable for our undertaking. It is a directory of
+benevolent institutions and contains the names and addresses of every
+asylum or home in the country.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, Uncle Ben, that is exactly what we need to find our sick children
+for the farms, isn&#8217;t it?&#8221; said Ruth, happily.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben nodded his head and continued.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then, Mr. Stevens offered to have his solicitors <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_109' id='pg_109'>109</a></span>try to secure some
+advertising for the magazine. His agency is one of the best in the city
+and I think his offer a fine one.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At the idea of having advertisements appear in the magazine, the Blue
+Birds and Bobolinks looked at each other in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We never thought of <i>that</i>!&#8221; ventured Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sounds like real work, when you hear the words &#8216;solicitors&#8217; and
+&#8216;advertisements,&#8217; doesn&#8217;t it?&#8221; commented Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve been trying to make you understand from the first that this will
+mean work as well as pleasure,&#8221; insisted Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;ll all wake up to that fact soon enough, Ben&mdash;go on with your
+story,&#8221; laughed Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Wilson, who is connected with the Oakdale Paper Mills, then offered
+to donate enough paper to get out several months&#8217; issues, so I accepted
+that offer with delight, thinking you could make use of Aunt Selina&#8217;s
+offer in some other way. Mr. Wilson is going to bring some samples of
+paper over to the Publishing House soon and let us make our selections.
+A man whom I just met offered to speak to the Manhattan Subscription
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_110' id='pg_110'>110</a></span>Agency about taking subscriptions for you and giving the magazine a
+good position in their next catalogue.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;So much good luck actually turned Uncle Ben&#8217;s head,&#8221; laughed Mr.
+Talmage, during a moment&#8217;s silence. &#8220;Why, he hardly knew what he went to
+the city for, and I had to guide him by the arm to show him the way to
+his office.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Of course, my friends here know better than to believe any such
+scandalous tales about me!&#8221; replied Uncle Ben, looking at his brother as
+if to dare him to tease any more.</p>
+
+<p>The children always enjoyed these make-believe quarrels between the two
+brothers, and Ned generally egged them on. To-day, however, he was too
+eager to hear about the trip to the city and so urged Uncle Ben to
+finish the story.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We found the machinery that I think you can best use here, and had it
+prepared for shipment. Just as we were leaving the store-room a man came
+down with a load of type.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Where are you taking that?&#8217; I asked him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Boss said to send it off to be melted down,&#8217; replied the man.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Just leave it on top of this packing case&mdash;I&#8217;ll <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_111' id='pg_111'>111</a></span>see that it is taken
+care of,&#8217; I told him, and he did as I said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, boys, all of that type is coming out here for you to work with. I
+had it charged to my account at the office, for it was a &#8216;big find&#8217; to
+get hold of some type just at the time we needed it,&#8221; concluded Uncle
+Ben, taking a long breath of relief.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And now, I&#8217;ll tell you of all the things Uncle Ben forgot to mention,&#8221;
+laughed Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When we left the stock-room and went to his office, he picked up the
+telephone and called up more friends than I ever thought he knew. Two or
+three of them were invited to lunch with us, and the others were told
+about the wonderful work the Oakdale children were planning. Every one
+of his friends was told to help along or suggest some way to boost the
+magazine. Of course, they had to promise.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben chuckled to himself as his brother told about the telephone
+experiences.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, we come to the time when this crafty uncle of yours met his
+friends at lunch. What do you think his plot was? Well, just listen and
+I <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_112' id='pg_112'>112</a></span>will tell you,&#8221; and Mr. Talmage nodded his head warningly at his
+brother.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One of his guests was Mr. Connell, the man that owns one of the largest
+engraving plants in the city. This Uncle Ben told his story in such an
+engaging way that that business man actually offered to turn out the
+plates you needed for the magazine at actual cost for several months. We
+all know what that means&mdash;several hundred dollars on the credit side of
+the ledger.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>All eyes were turned toward Uncle Ben for confirmation of the great
+offer, and he nodded his head smilingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One of the best business advisers I know in New York said that he
+thought you children had an unusually good idea for a successful
+business investment, and hoped that you would keep it up until you were
+adults and saw the financial benefit in it,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, seriously.</p>
+
+<p>The girls were pleased at this news, but the boys were hilarious to find
+that a clever business man approved of the plan they were working out.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When will the machinery be here, Uncle Ben?&#8221; asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is coming by freight and will take a few <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_113' id='pg_113'>113</a></span>days, but you will be kept
+busy until then in finishing the shop-work,&#8221; returned Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, indeed, we will have to build some stands for type, too, with the
+boxful you got for us,&#8221; answered Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We Blue Birds spent all of our afternoon engaging editors to take
+charge of the pages,&#8221; ventured Ruth, who thought the Blue Birds had been
+quiet too long.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll have to have all the pages ready to hand over to me by the tenth
+of October, you know; I&#8217;ll need about three days for making linotype and
+then you can have the proofs back,&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, we will have everything ready long before the tenth,&#8221; laughed Mrs.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;From the way the Blue Birds are working, I should say that each one
+will have about five hundred pages written by that time,&#8221; added Aunt
+Selina, smilingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In that case, we will have to have each page add a notice at the
+bottom: &#8216;To be continued in our Nest.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='BLUE_BIRD_WISDOM_AND_BOBOLINK_WORK_2551' id='BLUE_BIRD_WISDOM_AND_BOBOLINK_WORK_2551'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+<h3>BLUE BIRD WISDOM AND BOBOLINK WORK</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;There! my page is all done!&#8221; exclaimed Ruth, holding a sheet of paper
+away to admire the neatly written notes for &#8220;Household Hints.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mine&#8217;s done, too, but I&#8217;m going to copy it over to-night to make it
+look neat as a pin,&#8221; said Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Did you get any new candy recipes?&#8221; asked Dot eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>The little Blue Bird who took charge of the &#8220;Candy Kettle&#8221; smacked her
+lips emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t started to ink the pencil lines of my cut-out paper
+furniture, but that won&#8217;t take long,&#8221; explained Dot. &#8220;I started with the
+kitchen because Mumzie said no good housekeeper would furnish a parlor
+if she had no kitchen equipment.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I did my drawing lesson, but I haven&#8217;t written the lesson telling the
+children how to make the picture,&#8221; said Betty, with a worried look
+toward Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_115' id='pg_115'>115</a></span>&#8220;Plenty of time, dear,&#8221; soothed Mrs. Talmage. &#8220;You know Uncle Ben said
+we would have until the tenth of the month.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds were gathered in the cherry-tree Nest after school, one
+day, waiting for the signal from the Publishing House which would tell
+them they might run over and inspect the huge pieces of machinery that
+had arrived that day from New York. Ike and Simon had to help the three
+truckmen as they placed rollers under the press and rolled it from the
+truck and into the room. The stitcher, cutter and other pieces were not
+so unwieldy to move and place. At noon, Ned saw the men struggling with
+the press and so refrained from going near the house, but he told the
+other Bobolinks, and immediately after school was dismissed a crowd of
+boys ran to their shop.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds had been enjoined to keep out of the way while the boys
+cleared things up and investigated the various pieces of machinery. It
+was a strain on their patience, however, to remain in their Nest and
+listen to the laughs, exultant shouts, and sounds of satisfaction coming
+from the carriage house.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_116' id='pg_116'>116</a></span>All things have an end, so Uncle Ben soon appeared at the wide doorway
+of the Publishing House and gave a shrill whistle for the Blue Birds.
+Instantly, seven little girls took flight down the steps and across the
+lawn, leaving Mrs. Talmage to assist Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds ran in and looked about. The great, ugly, black machines
+with wheels, rollers and arms everywhere, did not impress them very
+favorably.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t make head or tail of the thing!&#8221; scorned Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No one expects a girl to understand,&#8221; replied her brother Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I would be afraid of that dreadful looking knife!&#8221; shuddered Betty,
+standing at a safe distance and pointing to the wide blade of the paper
+cutter.</p>
+
+<p>Then the children crowded about the stitcher while Uncle Ben showed the
+wonderful work the machine did.</p>
+
+<p>The electric attachments had not yet been completed, so the
+demonstration of the machines had to be by gestures. But Uncle Ben was
+equal to it, and the children felt that they could almost <i>see</i> <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_117' id='pg_117'>117</a></span>the
+machines running as they listened to his explanations.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Uncle Ben, I don&#8217;t see how we can start this work without you
+superintending us,&#8221; ventured Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It all seemed simple enough when we were talking about printing a
+magazine, but this job is more than I can do,&#8221; admitted Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am at home with my little press, Uncle Ben, but these big fellows
+make me want to run away from the contract we made with you,&#8221; added Ned,
+seriously.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds and younger Bobolinks heard the older boys with anxious
+concern lest the entire plan should fail.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I thought of just such a contingency and provided for it,&#8221; replied
+Uncle Ben, with his optimistic manner. &#8220;I realize that you all go to
+school and afternoons after school do not give you much time to
+experiment on these machines, so I found two young men who used to do
+good work for us who were pleased to come out here for a few weeks and
+show you boys how to do things. They won&#8217;t come until the galley proofs
+arrive, but then, they will help you get out the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_118' id='pg_118'>118</a></span>first issue and teach
+you everything there is to know about these machines. They will take
+them all apart and teach you how to put them together again. A machine
+is like a man&#8217;s valuable animal&mdash;if you pay no attention to its welfare,
+it does not last long enough to pay you for its keep.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll look after our machinery all right, Uncle Ben,&#8221; agreed Ned, with
+the look of the workman who truly loves his tools.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure you will, and I hope the Blue Birds will have as much pride in
+turning out commendable articles for us to print,&#8221; added Uncle Ben,
+looking at Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Uncle Ben, there&#8217;s one question I want to ask&mdash;may we each sign our
+own name to our page or must we make up a pretend name?&#8221; asked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, sign your very own name, of course; that is one way of making you
+keep up to the mark. If you only had a pretend name on your page you
+might get careless and say, &#8216;Oh, no one knows who it is, anyway, so I
+don&#8217;t care if this story isn&#8217;t as good as it ought to be.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina smiled, for they could see the wisdom of
+the remark.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_119' id='pg_119'>119</a></span>&#8220;I guess my father will be proud to see my name in a magazine,&#8221; boasted
+Dot Starr.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All depends on what you tack your name to, Dot,&#8221; laughed Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;ll be fine, all right!&#8221; exclaimed Dot, nodding her head
+emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Shall we have our names at the top or at the bottom of the pages, Ben?&#8221;
+asked Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, please, Uncle Ben, do put them at the <i>top</i>! I am afraid no one
+will stop to read our names if you have them at the bottom,&#8221; worried
+little Betty.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone laughed, but Uncle Ben assured her that the name would be
+placed directly under the name of the article.</p>
+
+<p>Then, while the Blue Birds watched the boys placing type in the cases,
+Uncle Ben sat down beside Mrs. Talmage and had a quiet talk about
+affairs in general.</p>
+
+<p>In concluding he said, &#8220;Now don&#8217;t you worry if the children should
+neglect a page now and then, for I can turn in heaps of good stories and
+articles any time we may need them.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, these children are so reliable that they would rather do without
+food or sleep than neglect <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_120' id='pg_120'>120</a></span>anything that promises funds for next
+summer&#8217;s farms,&#8221; returned Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Glad to hear it, and hope they keep it up. Now, what pages have you
+provided for each month&mdash;and have you any to spare for some prominent
+writers who are friends of mine and feel deeply interested in this
+venture?&#8221; asked Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes!&#8221; replied Mrs. Talmage. &#8220;We have seven pages taken by the Blue
+Birds and four by the Bobolinks. Then there is a story Aunt Selina has
+been thinking of writing, and a page for music that her friend in New
+York will contribute. Mrs. Catlin promised to give us some tale of
+adventure each month and that will take two pages. So, let me see&mdash;that
+takes up, in all, sixteen pages. How many pages shall we have in the
+magazine?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;About forty-eight is the usual size for such a paper,&#8221; replied Uncle
+Ben, figuring out Mrs. Talmage&#8217;s number of pages and making a memorandum
+of the balance remaining for use.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Gracious! then we will have to find much more manuscript than I
+thought,&#8221; worried Mrs Talmage.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_121' id='pg_121'>121</a></span>&#8220;No, I do not think so&mdash;that is what I want to find out to-day. A very
+good friend of mine who had charge of Field&#8217;s Museum for four years, so
+heartily endorsed this plan that he offered to supply a page article on
+plant life each month. His name alone is valuable to a paper, and it
+will certainly give weight to our magazine. Then, besides him, a very
+close friend, who has been connected with a prominent book concern for
+more than twenty years, called me up to say that this idea was just what
+he has been hoping for. Both he and his wife are eager to assist in some
+way. I suggested that they supply a page on bird life and give us some
+valuable hints about our feathered friends. This man has published
+numerous books on the subject of birds and is just the one to speak with
+authority. The moment I mentioned it, he accepted my invitation; so we
+have two renowned writers for most interesting and instructive pages
+each month,&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, how wonderful!&#8221; exclaimed Aunt Selina, who had been silent during
+the conversation. &#8220;I don&#8217;t see how you ever accomplish such miracles!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage looked at Uncle Ben and said, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_122' id='pg_122'>122</a></span>laughingly, &#8220;Maybe it&#8217;s
+because we never take &#8216;no&#8217; for an answer. We keep at an idea until it is
+hammered into everyone&#8217;s heart and mind.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And the moment our friends have it well hammered in they get so
+interested in succeeding that others are sought by them and the same
+story hammered into another head and heart,&#8221; added Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m hammered and rooted in the work, and am anxious to have
+friends in it, too. Is that the way you do?&#8221; asked Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just it! and before anyone else knows what&#8217;s going on, dozens of
+folks are working on the same idea,&#8221; replied Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mary said something about a story that you wished to contribute, Aunt
+Selina&mdash;what is it?&#8221; asked Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;An experience I had in the Civil War when I was visiting my old school
+chum, Rebecca Crudup. You have never heard any of my tales of that
+visit, but I assure you they are exciting.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And you were there! Why, Aunt Selina, your manuscript would be valuable
+to any magazine! I wish you would let me read it before you turn it over
+to the Blue Birds,&#8221; said Uncle Ben <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_123' id='pg_123'>123</a></span>eagerly, the business instinct for
+new material for his magazine pushing the Blue Birds&#8217; magazine into the
+background.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You may see it after it is published in the children&#8217;s paper,&#8221; quietly
+replied Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben took the rebuke in the right spirit, and said, &#8220;Is your friend
+alive to-day?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;She was until last year, but her daughter is the musician I wish to get
+&#8216;rooted&#8217; in this work for a music page. I haven&#8217;t her studio address, or
+I would have written to her about this.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Give me her name and the last address you knew of, and I will locate
+her as soon as I get back to the city,&#8221; offered Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben wrote the name and late address in a book then turned to the
+ladies with a suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Selina&#8217;s story will surely take more than the two pages you spoke
+of, so why not make a serial story of her Civil War experience?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Splendid! That is just the thing,&#8221; cried Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I could make it as long as you wanted it to run, for Rebecca visited me
+after the war and told me plenty of her wild adventures after I returned
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_124' id='pg_124'>124</a></span>home from the South. Why, my coachman, Abe, was one of the Crudup
+slaves. He says they all stuck close to the family, for they loved them
+and wanted to remain, but Mr. Crudup lost most of his wealth in the war
+and had no place or means for so many servants,&#8221; related Miss Selina.</p>
+
+<p>The children had made a thorough inspection of the machinery and type by
+this time and had joined the grown-ups.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What was that you were telling mother, Aunt Selina?&#8221; asked Ned, who
+overheard the word &#8220;war&#8221; and was interested.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, we just discovered that Aunt Selina had a very exciting time in
+the South during the Civil War and she is going to write it up for your
+magazine,&#8221; explained Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, goody, goody!&#8221; exclaimed a chorus of voices.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s strange that you never told us any of those stories, Aunt Selina,&#8221;
+ventured Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it all happened so long ago, dearie, that I never thought anyone
+would be interested. Besides, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_125' id='pg_125'>125</a></span>it turns to a page of my life that I
+always wanted to keep closed,&#8221; sighed Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>The others, respecting her reticence, changed the subject. Uncle Ben
+smiled at her and made a comforting remark.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Selina, when we finish our first year&#8217;s work I am going to write a
+most interesting treatise and call it, &#8216;Aunt Selina&#8217;s Recipes for
+Youth.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you mean?&#8221; she questioned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just what I said,&#8221; replied he, laughing. &#8220;Since you have taken an
+interest in this work you have grown years and years younger in looks
+and actions.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ben, you&#8217;re making fun of me!&#8221; declared Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, he&#8217;s not, Aunt Selina; you really are looking fine,&#8221; said Mrs.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Selina, isn&#8217;t that what I prescribed for you at Happy Hills?&#8221;
+cried Ruth, exultantly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Fluffy, you did, and all the glory of this old conquest belongs to
+you,&#8221; admitted Aunt Selina, patting the little girl upon the head.</p>
+
+<p>Just then, an expressman drove up and spoke to Ike.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_126' id='pg_126'>126</a></span>&#8220;Right to the front door&mdash;that is the B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B. Publishing
+Company&#8217;s shop,&#8221; replied Ike with pride.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben signed for the safe delivery of a large flat box and the
+children crowded about to watch Ned and Jinks open it.</p>
+
+<p>The box was marked &#8220;Glass&#8221; and &#8220;Handle with Care,&#8221; so Ruth ran over to
+her uncle to inquire about it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you know what is in it?&#8221; asked she.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I believe it is the box that failed to arrive with the other things,&#8221;
+he replied, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do tell what it is,&#8221; persisted Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why? You&#8217;ll soon see, and it would spoil the surprise if I told you,&#8221;
+said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth skipped back to the circle formed about the case watching Ned take
+out the nails very carefully. Soon Jinks and he had the top boards off
+and then started to lift out the excelsior. This disposed of, a flat
+paper parcel was seen. Ned lifted it out, and seeing another one
+underneath, Jinks took it out also. Meredith and Don looked to see if
+there were any more, but excelsior seemed to fill the bottom of the box.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_127' id='pg_127'>127</a></span>&#8220;Who has a knife?&#8221; asked Ned, not finding his own in his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here, here! hurry up and cut the twine!&#8221; shouted Don.</p>
+
+<p>Ned took Don&#8217;s knife with the broken blade and rusty handle, and smiled
+as he hacked away at the twine. After several vigorous efforts the
+string parted and several hands hurried to tear off the heavy paper.</p>
+
+<p>A large picture of Benjamin Franklin, in a heavy oak frame, came out
+from its wrappings.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, isn&#8217;t that fine!&#8221; cried several voices.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just our man, isn&#8217;t he?&#8221; laughed Ned, pleased as could be.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If I had a head like that I could invent machines, too,&#8221; grumbled Don,
+feeling of his round little head in disgust.</p>
+
+<p>While the others laughed at the remark, Meredith turned to the other
+parcel which Jinks held on the floor. The twine was soon cut and the
+papers taken off to reveal the strong features of Abraham Lincoln.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ho, that&#8217;s best yet!&#8221; cried the boys who felt a deep admiration for the
+man whose picture stood before them.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_128' id='pg_128'>128</a></span>Mr. Talmage and Mrs. Catlin came in during the exhibition of pictures,
+and the former said, &#8220;Just what you needed to complete the office
+appearance.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, indeed, Uncle Ben, and we thank you heaps and heaps!&#8221; exclaimed
+Ned, carrying his picture into the office.</p>
+
+<p>Jinks followed and Don started to drag away the box that stood in the
+midst of the circle of children.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Better see if there are any more!&#8221; called Uncle Ben, warningly.</p>
+
+<p>Don dropped upon his knees and sought in the excelsior.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh! here&#8217;s some more and I almost threw them away!&#8221; he cried, as he
+dragged forth several small packages.</p>
+
+<p>Upon being opened they proved to be a number of pictures of famous
+publishers and inventors of printing machinery.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Won&#8217;t they look just great, though!&#8221; came from several pleased boys.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, come to think of it,&#8221; said Mrs. Catlin, &#8220;my husband has a number
+of fine plates of machines and things of that kind. He was connected
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_129' id='pg_129'>129</a></span>with the Vivla Machine Company, you know, and they manufactured presses
+and printers&#8217; tools. They might look well if added to this collection.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Everyone agreed that the more the better, and then Dot remembered that
+Mrs. Catlin had not seen the office and machinery.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Walk right over and see how officey our office looks with your desk and
+table,&#8221; she cried.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And Mrs. Talmage sent in the chairs,&#8221; added Betty.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And my mother sent the carpet,&#8221; added Norma, pointing to the green rug.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And father says we may have his typewriting machine and table here when
+he&#8217;s away from home,&#8221; said Ruth, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Catlin praised the arrangement, and then asked to be shown the
+wonderful machinery that was to do such great work.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dear me, I heartily regret that I am not a little girl so that I might
+glory in this office and work,&#8221; sighed Mrs. Catlin, coming back to the
+grown-ups.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t have to be &#8216;little,&#8217; Therese,&#8221; laughed Mrs. Talmage. &#8220;You are
+one of this juvenile <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_130' id='pg_130'>130</a></span>club as surely as if you were but ten. Why, you
+couldn&#8217;t pass the place without coming in to ask for news.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To tell the truth, I was going to the village, but I heard the happy
+shouts away out on the road and so I just wanted to know the cause,&#8221;
+confessed Mrs. Catlin, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I hope I may live a few years longer to see the results of this work,&#8221;
+sighed Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You will, Flutey, you will!&#8221; cried Dot, enthusiastically. &#8220;What Uncle
+Ben told you was really truly true!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And just think, Mrs. Catlin, Flutey is going to write a long serious
+story for our magazine all about the war that she was in!&#8221; cried Betty
+Stevens.</p>
+
+<p>The grown-ups smiled at Betty&#8217;s idea of a &#8220;serial&#8221; story, but Mrs.
+Catlin looked surprised.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, I never knew you were from the South?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not, but I was visiting there during an exciting time, and Ben
+thinks my experience will make a readable story,&#8221; replied Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Catlin looked at the aged lady with interest and said how much she
+would like to hear <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_131' id='pg_131'>131</a></span>the tale. Suddenly, however, she slapped her gloved
+hands together and spoke.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, what reason is there that I should not have some pages in this
+magazine?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Show us any good reason for taking our space and you may have it,&#8221;
+teased Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then put me down for another serial. I have a collection of short
+stories that Mr. Catlin wrote of his adventures in Alaska. It does not
+seem much like an adventure to go to Alaska nowadays, but forty years
+ago it was as if one were leaving this hemisphere for the unknown. Some
+of his tales are intensely interesting,&#8221; said Mrs. Catlin.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, friends, we are getting so many notable articles and writers
+together that we will soon have to raise the subscription price,&#8221;
+laughed Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That reminds me that we never thought of a charge. We ought to decide
+what subscription price we wish to ask,&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Has anyone thought of that?&#8221; asked Mrs. Talmage, looking about at Blue
+Birds and Bobolinks.</p>
+
+<p>Heads were shaken and Ned asked, &#8220;How can <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_132' id='pg_132'>132</a></span>we tell how much to charge
+until we know what the magazine will cost?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I can help you figure that out, I think,&#8221; offered Uncle Ben, sitting
+down at the table and taking paper and pencil from the drawer.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Figure how much five hundred&mdash;or say, a thousand will cost,&#8221; ventured
+Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A thousand! Where will you send them?&#8221; cried Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should say, figure on five thousand&mdash;or ten,&#8221; said Uncle Ben,
+quietly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What!&#8221; gasped several boys.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, because ten thousand will not cost much more than three hundred.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How&#8217;s that?&#8221; asked the boys.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Plates, linotype, lock-up, make-ready, will cost as much for one
+magazine as for one thousand. The only extra cost in getting out a
+quantity is in paper, ink and time. Now, I firmly believe that we will
+be able to send out ten thousand by the time you have them ready.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Uncle Ben, it sounds <i>awful</i> big to us, particularly as we
+haven&#8217;t one single subscription, yet,&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here&mdash;here, Fluff, don&#8217;t let that bother you!&#8221; <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_133' id='pg_133'>133</a></span>said Mr. Talmage,
+throwing a five-dollar bill upon the table.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And here&#8217;s for ten more!&#8221; laughed Aunt Selina, taking a twenty-dollar
+bill from her purse.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here&#8217;s for five orphan asylums,&#8221; added Mrs. Catlin placing a ten-dollar
+note on the table.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How now, Fluff&mdash;where are your blues, eh?&#8221; teased Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>The children saw the crisp notes lying on the table and felt the joy of
+a successful start.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;From what Aunt Selina and Mrs. Talmage offered, it looks as if the
+price should be two dollars per year. Now, let us figure out how close
+we come to that,&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>After counting up cost of production plus cost of mailing, it was
+decided that two dollars would be a just price, but there would be
+little profit unless more money could be gotten for advertising, or some
+saving made.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Guess we&#8217;ve about completed our business for to-day,&#8221; ventured Uncle
+Ben, as he noticed the children growing restless.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, let us go to the house and have some nice cool lemonade and
+cookies,&#8221; suggested Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_134' id='pg_134'>134</a></span>Eager looks turned toward Mrs. Talmage, and she laughed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re always ready for something good to eat, father, so you show us
+the way to the picnic.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>It took but a few moments for the children to reach the wide veranda and
+settle down comfortably until the maids brought out the refreshments.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A day&#8217;s work always ought to finish like this,&#8221; mused Don, munching a
+delicious piece of cake.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='AUNT_SELINAS_CIVIL_WAR_STORY_3054' id='AUNT_SELINAS_CIVIL_WAR_STORY_3054'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+<h3>AUNT SELINA&#8217;S CIVIL WAR STORY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The children thoroughly enjoyed their refreshments. Aunt Selina did not
+care for any, so she sat smiling as she watched them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As long as Flutey isn&#8217;t busy, wouldn&#8217;t it be nice to have her tell us a
+teeny-weeny bit of that war story?&#8221; ventured Dot Starr.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes! Please do! Flutey, do tell!&#8221; came from various directions.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, that would be lovely, Aunt Selina, if you will,&#8221; added Mrs.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>Thus besieged, Aunt Selina decided to yield to the children.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let me see,&#8221; she began. &#8220;I must have been about eighteen when my
+dearest friend, Rebecca Crudup, invited me to spend Easter Holidays at
+her Southern home. We had been chums from the moment we met at Miss
+Wyland&#8217;s Seminary for Young Ladies, and the Christmas before the time I
+just mentioned, Rebecca had visited my <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_136' id='pg_136'>136</a></span>home at Happy Hills. Mother
+liked Rebecca immensely, but she feared the fighting in the South might
+create trouble for me if I went with Becky. We reassured her, however,
+and an unwilling consent was written from home.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A week before the vacation began, Becky received a letter asking her to
+start home as soon as she received the word, as important matters in the
+family had to be looked after.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As this would give us an extra week&#8217;s holiday we hailed the letter with
+joy. The girls stood about enviously watching us pack our carpetbags and
+Rebecca&#8217;s trunk. I packed many of my things in her trunk to save the
+trouble of transporting two to Tennessee. We left the next morning
+&#8217;midst shouts reminding us to be sure to be on hand when school
+re-opened.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We enjoyed the journey during the first part of the way, but, as the
+train sped on, the country showed signs of the desolation wrought by
+war, and we sobered from our happy laughter to serious contemplation.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The nearer to Nashville that we came, the deeper the evidence that war
+was an awful thing. <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_137' id='pg_137'>137</a></span>We saw burned homes, devastated land and
+forlorn-looking families as we passed by.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca&#8217;s father met us at the station in Nashville and welcomed me
+with a surprised manner. Turning to his daughter, he spoke in a serious
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;We will endeavor to give your friend an enjoyable visit, daughter, but
+it doesn&#8217;t seem promisin&#8217;. Evidently you did not receive our telegram?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Only this letter, father,&#8217; replied Becky, showing him the last letter
+received by her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Hum! well, we will live up to our reputation, Miss Selina, and be the
+true Southern hosts.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As we came out of the station and walked toward the carriage-posts,
+Rebecca looked about for the family equipage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Crudup led us toward a great spring wagon which was drawn by two
+raw-boned farm horses. An old darky sat on the front seat.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Why, father! Surely we are not going home in <i>this</i>!&#8217; cried Rebecca
+with deep chagrin.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Sorry, daughter, but it must be so,&#8217; returned her father in a grieved
+voice. &#8216;You will find many changes here since the fightin&#8217; began.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_138' id='pg_138'>138</a></span>&#8220;&#8216;Selina, I&#8217;m awful sorry you have to ride this way, and I can&#8217;t
+understand why it is. Father seems to know,&#8217; said Becky, in an
+apologetic tone.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I don&#8217;t mind, Becky. Really and truly, I don&#8217;t. I love the country so,
+that I would just as soon ride a plow if we had to, to get to your
+home.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Well, I&#8217;m glad your little friend is so sensible, Rebecca,&#8217; commended
+Mr. Crudup.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We climbed into the back seat after the baggage had been stowed away,
+and the horses started off.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Father, why didn&#8217;t you drive Jerry and Jim?&#8217; asked Rebecca,
+wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Becky, your brothers, I trust, are astride them, showin&#8217; the Yankees
+how to fight!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Daddy!&#8217; cried Rebecca in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Crudup looked dreadfully sorry, but said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Daddy, have Newell and Ed left home?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Yes, child. And I&#8217;m mighty sorry to say that most of your friends and
+cousins are with them. Some will nevah return&mdash;but we are prayin&#8217;
+constant, that our boys will win honahs for the South&mdash;and come home to
+enjoy them.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_139' id='pg_139'>139</a></span>&#8220;Becky and I sat as stiff as sticks as we realized what this meant.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Still, I don&#8217;t see why <i>some</i> of our carriage horses couldn&#8217;t have
+come for us!&#8217; insisted Rebecca.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;The horses have been used by some of the boys who had none, and the
+spring wagon has to come in often with supplies for the troops. This
+happened to be one of the days. So mothaw thought her girl would not
+mind, particularly as we believed you received the telegram,&#8217; explained
+Mr. Crudup.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was almost sorry I had come, so unexpected did my appearance seem to
+be, but Becky cheered up when she saw me grow uncomfortable, and tried
+to amuse me by pointing out neighboring plantations.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As we drove about a bend in the road, Rebecca&#8217;s beautiful old home
+could be seen situated upon a knoll that commanded a view of the
+surrounding country. We entered the grounds by a road that ran through a
+dense wood, and then ascended gradually until we reached the
+porte-coch&egrave;re. The house itself, large, solid and in perfect <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_140' id='pg_140'>140</a></span>condition,
+was a landmark from every point of view round-about.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mrs. Crudup and her two older daughters welcomed me to their home and
+made me feel more at ease. Rebecca, being the youngest member of the
+family, was petted and made much of, and I came in for my share of it
+for being her best friend.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After our baggage was placed in our rooms, we were escorted upstairs
+and left to prepare for dinner, which was generally at noon, but had
+been delayed for Rebecca&#8217;s arrival.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My, but that was a delicious dinner! I can almost taste the tender
+chicken with corn waffles, hot and crisp, this minute!</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not a word had been said about the reason of calling Rebecca home a
+week earlier than usual. Toward evening, however, vehicles of all
+descriptions drove to the side yard and were left to the care of the
+negro servants. As the neighbors came to the house they went directly to
+a large room which had been closed and locked since our arrival, until
+now. Rebecca and I were invited to join the sewing meeting, but neither
+of us liked sewing, and we had planned to visit the horses <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_141' id='pg_141'>141</a></span>before it
+grew too dark. However, I saw heaps of flannel garments, half-finished
+socks on knitting needles, warm caps, and clothes of all kinds being
+made up for the Confederate soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Becky and I strolled down toward the stables, but it was too dark to
+inspect the thoroughbreds I had heard so much about, so we returned to
+the house.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As we passed the great barn we saw men busily engaged in packing all
+kinds of produce and supplies in long hemp sacks to be carted to
+Nashville the following day. In the sewing room the ladies were still
+plying needles that flashed in and out as if speed would save a life.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;At eight o&#8217;clock a hot supper was served, and at nine the neighbors
+left for their homes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That night, after we retired to our rooms, Rebecca came into my room
+for a cozy chat. She looked very pretty as she sat on the corner of the
+bed hugging her knees up in her arms.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Selina, it&#8217;s a shame you are dragged into such a vacation! I declare,
+had I known that all of the boys were away, nothing would have tempted
+me to bring you. Even the girls are too <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_142' id='pg_142'>142</a></span>busy sewing for their
+sweethearts to bother with parties or sociables,&#8217; pouted Rebecca.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I came to visit you&mdash;not to see the boys or go to parties, and I want
+you to believe that I don&#8217;t mind a bit having you all to myself,&#8217; I
+said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;You&#8217;re a good little mouse to say that, but, all the same, I will trot
+you all over the country on our saddle horses. You will have plenty of
+fresh air, and that is what Miss Wyland said you needed for your
+paleness,&#8217; replied Becky.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca kissed me good-night, but I felt ill at ease in that Southern
+home for being one of the &#8216;detested Yankees.&#8217; Never, by word or sign,
+was such a thought given out, but I felt that everyone would have been
+more at ease had I never come.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Every other afternoon Mr. Crudup went to Nashville with a load of bags
+for the commissary department. One afternoon, about a week after our
+arrival, he came back from the city earlier than usual and we noticed a
+troubled look on his face.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;How now, father?&#8217; asked sweet Mrs. Crudup.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Reports in Nashville say that the fighting is <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_143' id='pg_143'>143</a></span>turned toward this part
+of the country,&#8217; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Someone has to bear the burden&mdash;perhaps the Lord has selected us to
+carry a share,&#8217; returned Mrs. Crudup, reverently.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;The one thing that worries me is that our place is well known in this
+part of the country, and our fertile acres are known to produce the
+finest edibles. Then, too, the fact that we raise some of the best-bred
+horses in Tennessee may cause the Yanks to come down on us at any time
+and raid the stables. In that case, they will carry off everything&mdash;not
+even a plow-horse will be left.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Father, our boys have had all they could use for this conflict, and
+wouldn&#8217;t it be bettah to ship our horses to Nashville fo&#8217; the army to
+use?&#8217; asked Mrs. Crudup.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I would rather see every head of cattle dead than in the hands of a
+Yankee!&#8217; cried Sally Crudup, bitterly, for her sweetheart had been
+killed in a battle a few weeks previous.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Sally, Sally! let no bittehness feed your sorrow!&#8217; reproved the gentle
+mother, patting me upon the back as if in apology for her daughter&#8217;s
+breach of etiquette.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_144' id='pg_144'>144</a></span>&#8220;Mr. and Mrs. Crudup walked away in private converse, and Becky and I
+started for the paddocks which I had not yet visited.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Selina, I&#8217;m plannin&#8217; a desperate deed!&#8217; said Becky, in a whisper, as
+we passed down the shady lane that led to the stables and pastures.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I looked at her in surprise, for her tone was shaky.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I have not introduced you to Imp. Imp is the most valuable horse on
+the place and would bring a high price in Nashville. My only relief is
+that no one can ride him, manage, or harness him but Tim and me. When
+Imp was born Tim was there, and when Imp&#8217;s mother died soon after his
+birth, she turned her eyes on Tim and seemed to ask him to look after
+her baby. I got there just as she turned back her head and saw me. I
+took her head upon my lap and promised that I would adopt her boy, and I
+always felt that she knew what I said and died happier for it. From that
+minute, I took charge of Imp and fed him on a bottle until he could eat
+alone. Tim and I have had sole charge of his training, but he is surely
+an Imp when anyone else tries to <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_145' id='pg_145'>145</a></span>come near him.&#8217; Becky almost wept as
+she told me the story of the poor mother-mare.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Imp understands everything one says to him, but he can&#8217;t talk;
+however, his eyes tell you what he wishes to say! Now, if any stranger
+should raid the stables and spy Imp, they would certainly try to steal
+him first, for he is the finest thoroughbred that ever stepped over
+Tennessee soil! But, he will bite, and kick, and bolt with anyone who
+dares to trifle with him. Then do you know what will happen? They&#8217;ll
+either put a bullet through his heart, or hitch him to an army
+ambulance, which will break his heart just the same.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca walked along in silence after that, until we reached a stile
+that divided the house lands from the pastures.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Selina, there&#8217;s only one thing to do&mdash;take him away and hide him until
+this war is over. From what I gather from the servants about the place,
+this plantation is in a straight line for Nashville, the point the
+Yankees are making for. So, the sooner Imp is hidden the better!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Becky,&#8217; asked I, in alarm, &#8216;will these slaves desert or sell you out
+to the Yankees?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Mercy, no, Selina! They are like children <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_146' id='pg_146'>146</a></span>to us. It may be that one
+or two would like the novelty of going North, but they would soon be
+squelched if it was found out. Why, father and mother treat their old
+slaves like their family&mdash;asking advice of Tim, or Martha the
+housekeeper, as the case might be. As for our old mammy&mdash;and the
+cook&mdash;gracious, Selina! I&#8217;d die for either one of them, and so would any
+one of us, and they know it. They&#8217;d stick to us even if we lost this
+war&mdash;which we won&#8217;t!&#8217; cried Rebecca.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I felt somewhat piqued, but said nothing, for I was a guest of
+Rebecca&#8217;s. She sensed that she had said something difficult to forget,
+and hugged me laughingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;You wouldn&#8217;t give a fig for a friend that could hope anything but
+success for her country, would you?&#8217; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I made no reply, and she continued in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Selina, I&#8217;m going to take you into a secret that no one but Tim and
+father knows about. Father hasn&#8217;t an idea that I know about it, and Tim
+won&#8217;t tell him that I know. I found it myself years ago, and I always go
+there when I want to be all alone. I have driven Imp right through <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_147' id='pg_147'>147</a></span>and
+he knows the cave and has no fear of the water, now.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I listened in surprise to the words but knew nothing of what she meant.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After we had walked about a mile down the lane, Becky turned off across
+the field. We came to a lovely little patch of woods where I could hear
+the roar of a rushing stream. Rebecca led me by crooked paths until we
+came to the brink of this torrent where it tumbled over a ledge of rock
+about twenty feet high, and made a most beautiful waterfall. The
+current was so swift above the falls that the water shot over making an
+arch as it fell. The steep banks at either side were mossy and tall
+ferns almost covered them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca led me straight to the falls. I hesitated as I saw her take a
+step toward the back-rock under the falls and suddenly disappear in the
+spray, calling upon me to follow.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was sure she knew what she was doing, so I too went headlong into the
+spray to find myself behind the arched falls on a huge flat rock which
+lay before a deep crevice opening straight into the cliff. Not a drop of
+water penetrated here, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_148' id='pg_148'>148</a></span>but the spray made a thick curtain between the
+cave and the outer world.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca led me by the hand along a tunnel, and, after we had gone about
+twenty feet, it opened into a high-vaulted cavern. Soon Rebecca found
+the lantern and lighted it. I looked about in surprise; the place was
+quite comfortably furnished with a chair, a rough table and a mattress
+with bedding upon it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I made Tim carry these things over here from the store-room and made
+him swear never to tell father. Tim is almost seventy years old and he
+believes in an oath as firmly as he does in Heaven. As far as I know,
+Tim and Daddy are the only ones beside myself who know of this cave. The
+reason I am bringing you here&mdash;a Yankee, too&mdash;is because I feel in my
+bones that you will have to help me in some danger or need. Here is
+where Imp is going to be hidden and I shall have to see if I can get him
+to make friends with you, for you may have to claim him some day and
+take him North with you.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Oh, Becky, don&#8217;t talk like this! You frighten me! I wish you were all
+at Happy Hills with me where you would be safe.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_149' id='pg_149'>149</a></span>&#8220;&#8216;Do you think that one of us would seek another safer home while we
+are needed here?&#8217; asked Rebecca, sternly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I made no reply and Rebecca carried the lantern ahead, bidding me
+follow her out. We reached the extreme end of the cave, when Rebecca
+handed me the lantern to hold down close to some lichen. I did so and
+found that the mass of roots and moss that hung there swayed slowly back
+and forth in a current of air. This, then, was the cause of the cave
+being so well ventilated. Becky stooped, pushed aside the mossy curtain
+and crawled into a small tunnel, taking the lantern from me after she
+had entered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I followed close behind, upon hands and knees, through an opening the
+size of a bushel basket. Finally, we reached a wider opening where we
+could stand upon our feet again. We crept through this queer tunnel for
+a long time and then I felt that we were ascending gradually and that
+the air was growing purer. In a few moments more, we emerged from
+another narrow crevice hidden under the gnarled roots of a live-oak.
+Moss, lichen and fern covered this opening <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_150' id='pg_150'>150</a></span>so completely that no one
+would have dreamed there was an entrance there to a secret cave.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We were in a grassy dell hemmed in by a thin ribbon of woods which
+ended in a grove of tall pines upon a knoll.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca extinguished the light and led me toward this grove. She
+selected an old veteran pine and climbed up into its wide branches until
+a comfortable notch was reached. I did likewise. As we sat there
+admiring the wonderful view of distant mountains, Rebecca clutched my
+arm, and pointed with one hand toward the low range of mountains about
+fifty miles away.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I looked and saw a heavy cloud of smoke hanging low over the crests. At
+intervals we heard the echo of a &#8216;boom.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Oh, Selina, there&#8217;s no time to lose, now! The fighting is so near that
+we can hear the cannon over the mountain!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;What shall we do?&#8217; I cried helplessly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Do!&#8217; almost screamed Rebecca, as she tore her clothes on the pine
+boughs in her rapid descent. &#8216;Why, I&#8217;ll run Imp down to the cave, while
+you race to the house and tell Timothy the news. Order him to bring
+oats, bedding, blankets, and <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_151' id='pg_151'>151</a></span>whatever Imp might need for a long siege.
+Tell him you know the secret and will help me take care of Imp. Then, on
+to the house, warning the negroes as you go, and tell the folks at the
+house. If they ask how we know, answer that we were on the ridge and saw
+it. Don&#8217;t tell them that we were in the pine tree!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Calling these hurried directions as she went, Becky ran back through
+the glade until we reached the woods near the lane. She pointed toward
+the house, which could be seen in the distant haze, then ran for the
+shed where Imp was kept.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I did as I was ordered, wondering all the way why I was placed in such
+an undesirable position&mdash;a Northerner plotting, as it were, against my
+own people. I cared little about the war at that time, for I knew
+nothing of war or its toll.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;However, I reached the outer buildings where the slaves lived and my
+news acted like an electric current upon the inmates. Immediately they
+ran in different directions, seemingly bent upon doing a part of a work
+that had been carefully planned and arranged. I found out later, that
+such was the case. The older slaves, who were <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_152' id='pg_152'>152</a></span>trusted implicitly, set
+to work burying (as I supposed) whatever fruit, vegetables, smoked
+meats, and other edibles they could find&mdash;in fact, everything stored in
+cellars or store-rooms.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was curious to see how they could prevent the articles from coming in
+contact with the soil, and found that a chain of bricked cellars had
+been built a short time before, and the bushes and weeds carefully
+replaced on the dirt that covered the roofs. A door, opening into the
+first of the chain of cellars, was made in a steep bank of earth. It was
+merely a large hole in the ground covered with a flat stone that turned
+upon a pivot. About this spot the soil and grass had been very cleverly
+arranged to conceal any sign of what lay beneath.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;By afternoon not a piece of extra linen, bedding, or silver could be
+found about the house. The jewelry, valuable bits of art and pictures,
+heirlooms and a valuable library, had disappeared as if by magic. I knew
+it had all been placed in some safe place and felt relieved at the
+knowledge.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wandered about feeling lonesome for Rebecca and wishing I might
+assist Tim who seemed <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_153' id='pg_153'>153</a></span>busy in some undertaking. I watched him tie down
+a canvas covering over a loaded cart and caught his glance, which seemed
+to beckon me. I walked over to the mule&#8217;s side and patted its head while
+Tim spoke.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Miss Becky, she say you&#8217;se come wif me. I&#8217;se got&#8217;ter take dis load
+down to der paddock!&#8217; Tim looked about as he spoke and winked at me
+knowingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I walked beside him as he drove the mule along the lane. The cart
+seemed laden and the mule walked slowly, but we reached the wall that
+divided the gardens from the farm, and then Tim made the beast go as
+fast as possible, all the while looking covertly about for a run-away
+negro or a Yankee scout.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I suspected where we were going, and, sure enough! As we reached the
+woods by the lane, Rebecca called softly, &#8216;No further, Tim!&#8217; and came
+out with several huge market baskets.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tim tied the mule to a tree by the roadside and removed the canvas
+covering. There was everything one would need for light housekeeping for
+several weeks. Besides the food and clothing, there were bandages,
+medicine, bedding, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_154' id='pg_154'>154</a></span>lanterns, an oil-stove, dishes, and numerous other
+necessities. These were piled in the baskets and carried to the cave
+where they were placed in crannies for some future emergency.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Imp, I want you to be introduced to my best friend,&#8217; said Rebecca,
+after we had brought in our first basket.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I heard a whinny and looked about in the gloom.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca went over to a corner near the spot whence fresh air entered
+the cavern, and held the lantern up for me to see her pet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I stood making friendly advances to the beauty and, to Becky&#8217;s
+amazement, he never moved an inch, but wrinkled his nose for sugar.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Witch! that is what you are!&#8217; laughed Becky, as Imp poked his nose
+under my arm. &#8216;I have never known him to do such a thing.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Imp stood listening to his mistress as if he thoroughly understood the
+situation.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I turned to tell Rebecca what a beauty he was, and he deliberately
+poked his nose out against my face.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After all the supplies were stacked away, Rebecca <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_155' id='pg_155'>155</a></span>slipped the halter
+over Imp&#8217;s head and led him to a ring cemented in the solid rock.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Now, Imp, you will have to be good and not whinny or make a sound. I
+know what is good for you, and you must do just as I tell you, or a bad
+Yankee soldier will catch you and then you will see!&#8217; warned Rebecca,
+shaking her finger at him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The horse stood looking at her as if striving to understand what that
+strange word &#8216;Yankee&#8217; meant; then he threw up his head and shook it
+defiantly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We said good-by to Imp and returned to the cart where Tim waited. We
+sent Tim to the barns with the mule and we went back to the house.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That was such a busy day that everyone felt weary and glad when the sun
+showed its slanting rays over the trees. It must have been about four
+o&#8217;clock when sounds of approaching cavalry reached the house. It was the
+company Newell and his brother had formed a few months before. They had
+been driven over the mountainside and decided to spend the night in
+hiding at home.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_156' id='pg_156'>156</a></span>&#8220;The sewing room was filled with neighbors whose boys were members of
+the company, so you can imagine the joy of seeing them again.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The boys were covered with mire halfway to the waist, and their horses
+looked as if they must drop where they stood. Many of the soldiers were
+hatless, powder smirched, and, oh, so tired!</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca took me to her room and locked the door.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Selina, did you see that tall dark officer&mdash;the one that kept smiling
+at us? Well, he is my best friend, and I want you to fall in love with
+him. He knows all about you and I showed him your picture a long time
+ago, so he knows you quite well, you see.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I laughed merrily at Becky&#8217;s match-making.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Oh,&#8217; she sighed, as her thought rushed to something else. &#8216;Wasn&#8217;t it
+just like Providence that we got Imp and all of those supplies hidden
+away in time?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Yes, but it is not necessary with the rebels in command of the place,&#8217;
+I said, using the term &#8216;rebel&#8217; quite unconsciously, for the first time.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_157' id='pg_157'>157</a></span>&#8220;Rebecca noticed it, too, but said nothing at the time.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Well, I showed you just how to get in and out of that cave in case you
+are the only one who can take care of Imp. One never knows what may
+happen, but you, being my guest, are safe with our friends, and, being a
+Yankee, will be taken care of in case the enemy take the place. But,
+remember, if Imp is to be taken from me, I would rather you had him than
+anyone on earth&mdash;and you must assert your ownership if necessary to take
+him home with you.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That was a great reunion, that dinner! Besides all of the young
+soldiers, their families were there, listening to their account of the
+struggle.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The happy families had finished dinner and were about to have coffee
+when a colored boy raced up the steps of the piazza. His face was gray
+with fear as he gasped, &#8216;De Yanks am comin&#8217;&mdash;oh, dey am comin&#8217; pell mell
+foh dis house! oh, Lud, Lud!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Tell all the folks, Jeremiah, quick!&#8217; shouted Becky, as she sprang
+forward to warn her friends.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;The horses&mdash;quick, Tim! The horses&mdash;rush <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_158' id='pg_158'>158</a></span>them to the house!&#8217; yelled
+Newell, as he grabbed his gun and threw on his cap.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Mother, good-by,&#8217; cried Ed, as he caught a kiss from her lips, and
+Newell hurriedly did the same.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The next minute all was confusion as the soldier boys jumped into the
+saddle, while still buckling on knapsacks and ammunition belts.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Five minutes after Jeremiah had given the alarm, the boys were lost in
+a cloud of dust galloping on the way to Nashville. But not soon enough!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Here, Aunt Selina leaned back in her chair and looked away over the
+lawns as if she saw again the scurrying horses racing for dear life in
+one direction, while from the opposite direction she saw another picture
+she had not yet mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If you are wearied, Aunt Selina, we will postpone the story for another
+day,&#8221; suggested Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no! please don&#8217;t!&#8221; begged the excited children.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Flutey, I simply couldn&#8217;t wait until to-morrow <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_159' id='pg_159'>159</a></span>to find out what
+happened,&#8221; cried Ruth, beseechingly.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina smiled at the children, and Uncle Ben added: &#8220;They are
+right! I don&#8217;t want to wait either!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Really! is it as good as that?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Good! I should say it is! It&#8217;s a big &#8216;seller&#8217; if it was only in a
+book!&#8221; returned Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, after the magazine is done with it suppose we sell it to a
+publisher for the benefit of the children,&#8221; ventured Aunt Selina,
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fine idea! We will try it!&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina moved her chair to keep the rays of the setting sun from her
+eyes, and then continued with her story.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='HOW_THE_YANKEES_TOOK_POSSESSION_3615' id='HOW_THE_YANKEES_TOOK_POSSESSION_3615'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+<h3>HOW THE YANKEES TOOK POSSESSION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think the rest of this story is the most interesting of all,&#8221;
+murmured Aunt Selina, as she permitted her memory to roam in years long
+gone.</p>
+
+<p>The children waited patiently for Aunt Selina to begin and, after a
+short moment, she sat up erect, looking fearfully out over the lawn, and
+spoke hurriedly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Right there before our very eyes we saw the Yankee regiment tear down
+the lane and swerve toward the road just taken by the Southern boys.
+They were still to be seen making for the woods just over the slope of
+the hill toward Nashville.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We heard the captain shout, &#8216;Halt! Aim! Fire!&#8217; and, as a volley rang
+out, many of the ladies on the piazza screamed or fainted, while Rebecca
+and I stood petrified at the result of that happy dinner.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_161' id='pg_161'>161</a></span>&#8220;Almost at the same time the Yankees fired there came the rattle of
+musketry from the woods which the boys had reached.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;From the veranda I saw several of the Yankees&#8217; horses leap up and two
+of them rolled over on the ground. One man threw up his hands, fell over
+on his horse&#8217;s neck, and dropped his gun. The horse, frightened, started
+galloping directly toward the house. Tim, who was coming down the side
+steps, ran forward and caught hold of the bridle. Mr. Crudup and some of
+his friends lifted the young soldier from the saddle and carefully
+carried him up the piazza steps, and placed him on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;While much of my attention was distracted by this incident, the company
+of Yankees spurred their horses on toward the patch of woods where the
+Southerners were hidden.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The firing continued for half an hour, while everyone at the house
+waited, fearing the worst and hoping against hope that their boys had
+gotten away to Nashville.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca&#8217;s two brothers, cousins and old friends were all in that
+handful of men, and naturally those gathered at the house would wait
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_162' id='pg_162'>162</a></span>until the outcome of the skirmish could be known.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They had not long to wait, for, just as twilight deepened into night,
+the negroes came in with the report that all of the boys had been
+captured and were being taken as prisoners to the old school-house. In
+another half-hour the officers rode up to the door, followed by
+orderlies and an ambulance corps bringing in the wounded. Slaves were
+dispatched here and there for hot water, bandages, beds, bedding and
+medicine. We all hastened to prepare a place for those who needed our
+care and attention so sorely.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As the wounded were carried up the steps and past the neighbors, who
+stood by watching for their own, Rebecca&#8217;s mother saw her youngest boy
+lying unconscious with his face white as death and his hair matted with
+blood that oozed from a wound in his neck. She almost fainted, but
+Rebecca held her firm, saying, &#8216;Mother, now is the time to brace up and
+take care of Newell that he may soon recover.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Of the Yankees, one was killed outright and five badly wounded, while
+the Southern boys sustained more serious injuries. Two were killed and
+nine wounded. The house was immediately <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_163' id='pg_163'>163</a></span>turned into a hospital, both
+sides receiving the same attention.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The officers were very considerate but insisted upon having their
+rights observed. When it was found that some foraging parties were in
+the neighborhood, the captain sent an orderly to say that the Crudup
+Plantation was well supplied. The Yankees, receiving the message, rode
+over, took what was needed, food, cattle and horses, and went away.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Crudup spared his family the harrowing details of the raid, but
+looked upon it as the fortune of war and thanked heaven that so much of
+his property was safely buried.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When the store-rooms, linen-presses, blanket-trunks, and cellars were
+found almost empty, the officer in charged looked surprised and wondered
+aloud.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Most unusual to find so large an establishment short of all supplies,
+and a retinue of servants to feed, to say nothing of the droves of
+neighbors always coming in for supper.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Crudup overheard the soliloquy and replied courteously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Sir, do not forget that your company is not <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_164' id='pg_164'>164</a></span>the first to stop here
+and demand my hospitality. Naturally, we would lavish our all upon our
+own men, you know.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The officers were very polite and interesting young men, but Rebecca
+and I had to go about the plantation very warily, for we never knew when
+we might be spied upon. Imp had to be cared for daily, so we found
+plenty of amusement in eluding the Yankees.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The youngest of the officers was a handsome boy and it was not long
+before we became very friendly. When he learned that I was a Yankee and
+how I happened to be South, he insisted upon my returning home at once,
+saying that the neighborhood about Nashville soon would be an impossible
+place to live.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When he found that my home was at Happy Hills he was greatly pleased.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Why, I have called at your home many times; my sister and yours are
+school friends.&#8217; He described his home and how his sister looked when
+she came to visit us, and I faintly recalled seeing him with the others
+who were some years my senior.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;From that day he became the sworn ally of <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_165' id='pg_165'>165</a></span>Rebecca and myself. He
+understood there was a secret between us and often managed to screen us
+when we left the house to creep to the cavern to look after Imp.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The wounded were getting along beautifully, and nothing exciting had
+occurred for a fortnight. Foraging parties that stopped at the house and
+found Yankees in possession moved on. It seemed more like a house-party.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But a change soon took place.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It was afterward learned that Ed Crudup escaped during the transfer of
+the prisoners from the school-house to the army; he found out from some
+of the Crudup slaves that the Yankees who shot his brother and
+imprisoned himself were holding the premises until further orders from
+Headquarters. So he raised a small company at Nashville and drilled them
+for a few days, planning to surprise the men at the house and take them
+prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One day, while some of the Yankees were out foraging, Ed and his men
+came upon them suddenly and a skirmish ensued.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ed was shot down and so was our young officer who was in command of the
+foragers that <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_166' id='pg_166'>166</a></span>day. The others fought like madmen, hand to hand, until
+the men at the house, hearing the shots, ran out to their assistance.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The Southerners, outnumbered, took flight, but were pursued and
+captured.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The two men, Ed and Vernon, lay still as death in the tall grass, and
+no one missed them at the time of the pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tim, however, on his way to water Imp, found his young master shot
+through the heart, and the young Yankee unconscious. In his faithful
+loyalty to the family, he decided to make a prisoner of the Yankee, so
+he dragged Vernon over to the waterfall, carried him through the spray,
+and laid him down on the mattress in the cave. The cold water which had
+fallen upon Vernon&#8217;s face had partially revived him, and he moaned as if
+in pain.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tim lighted the lantern and examined him. He found a clean bullet hole
+in his chest, but very little bleeding. He decided the best thing to do
+would be to notify the master. So, after attending to Imp, he crept out
+of the cave and went over to the remains of the young master. He managed
+to carry him until he met some of the slaves, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_167' id='pg_167'>167</a></span>then had them improvise a
+stretcher to carry the body to the house.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There was great sorrow in the household, and his death changed the
+attitude of the Crudups toward the Yankee officers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When it was found that young Vernon was missing, with no trace of him
+anywhere, it was thought that he had been taken captive by a few of the
+Confederates who got away. Rebecca and I felt dreadfully lonesome after
+our friend was missing, and I wished, for the first time since I came
+South, that I could go home.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then one morning, Rebecca and I decided to go through the hole in the
+live-oak tree and crawl to the cave to see Imp. We had not dared to
+visit him for some days, as a Yankee sentry was stationed in the woods
+by the waterfall.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca hid a small lantern under her cloak and we strolled
+unconcernedly down the lane toward the dell. We looked carefully about
+to make sure no spies were watching, and in another minute both of us
+disappeared. We groped along until we reached the opening into the cave
+and as we crawled out near Imp&#8217;s bed, he greeted us with a joyful
+whinny. Rebecca ran over and <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_168' id='pg_168'>168</a></span>placed her hand over his mouth, so she did
+not see the apparition that stared at me from the mattress. Had I held
+the lantern I would have dropped it. As it was, I almost dropped myself,
+so frightened was I.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I clutched Rebecca&#8217;s arm and she turned about to see what ailed me. In
+a second she recognized Vernon and ran over with the lantern. As he
+could not tell us how he came there, but confided that Tim and Mr.
+Crudup came daily to attend to him, we learned that they knew of his
+whereabouts. Rebecca snapped her teeth close and her eyes blazed at the
+thought of her father keeping this man a prisoner in such a suffocating
+place.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;While we were there, Tim and Mr. Crudup crept through the tunnel and
+found us talking to the sick man.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Becky, better leave this business to us,&#8217; suggested Mr. Crudup.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Father, how could you keep this man in such a place?&#8217; cried Rebecca,
+unguardedly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Ssh!&#8217; warned Tim, apprehensively.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Crudup told Rebecca how Tim had carried Vernon here to square
+accounts for Ed&#8217;s death; how he had shown Tim the folly of the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_169' id='pg_169'>169</a></span>deed,
+and that being done, it had to be made the best of, or disclose the
+secret of the cave. Tim was so repentant that he agreed to remain in the
+cave and nurse the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After our discovery, Rebecca spent several hours with Vernon each day
+reading or talking to him, while Imp began to show his fondness for
+Vernon in every way a horse can.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Matters at the house became troublesome, for the larder was empty, and
+there was no way to get at the great store-rooms dug out of the ground
+without letting the Yankees into the secret.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tim had been very meek since he found the serious blunder he had made
+with Vernon, and he was eager to make amends in any way.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;From the time that Tim heard of the threatened famine he was seldom
+seen about the place. Now and then, one of the family would meet him
+coming from the basement with his face and hands smeared with black, but
+he never confided in anyone as to his work or whereabouts, and being an
+aged favored man, Mr. Crudup never questioned him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One morning the cook entered the room <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_170' id='pg_170'>170</a></span>where the family was gathered
+and announced: &#8216;There ain&#8217;t no aigs fer brekfus.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Have plain ham or bacon,&#8217; suggested Mrs. Crudup.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;De ham an&#8217; bacon done all et up, too,&#8217; said cook.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mrs. Crudup looked deeply concerned, but said: &#8216;Then we&#8217;ll have just
+coffee and muffins.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Done used all de flour yistiddy&mdash;not a smitch lef&#8217;.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here, indeed, was a quandary! Nothing to eat!</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This was Tim&#8217;s opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He came in, bowed with old hat in his hand, and turned to the cook with
+the request, &#8216;You please &#8217;scuse yo-se&#8217;f fum de room whiles I conflab wid
+de missus?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Cook tossed her head and went out, followed by everyone except Mr. and
+Mrs. Crudup.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tim turned his hat about in his hands for a time and then looked up
+smilingly and said: &#8216;I done squared myself wid you all fer makin&#8217; dat
+blunner &#8217;bout the Yank. I done gone and dug a tunnel fru fum de coal
+cellah to the fust storehouse <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_171' id='pg_171'>171</a></span>on de fiel&#8217;. I fixed a doh to the cellar
+an&#8217; heah&#8217;s de key to de padlock.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;You what!&#8217; exclaimed Mr. Crudup, in amazement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Yas&#8217;m, das whad I did!&#8217; said Tim.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Crudup threw back his head and laughed while he slapped Tim on the
+back and said, &#8216;Tim, it will take more than a company of Yankees to
+starve us out while you are about!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But Mrs. Crudup took Tim&#8217;s hand and thanked him with tears in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The supply question was easily solved after that. No one but Tim knew
+where the tunnel was, for Mr. Crudup never allowed anyone to be about
+when the old servant started his daily trip to the underground
+store-rooms. Oftentimes, the officers expressed their wonder as to how
+Southern cooks could manage the way they did, with so little on hand to
+cook with. If they suspected the truth they never hinted at it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The secret of Vernon&#8217;s prison had been kept, and several weeks after
+the fight that disabled him, his company was ordered to join the main
+army. The moment the place was entirely freed from the Yankees, Mr.
+Crudup ordered one of <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_172' id='pg_172'>172</a></span>the guest-rooms prepared, and, to the surprise of
+Mrs. Crudup, told her he had a prisoner to bring in. That night Vernon
+was blindfolded, placed upon a stretcher, and taken to the house.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As soon as he could sit up and come down upon the veranda, we wondered
+what to do with him. He was our prisoner but we had no use for him.
+Everyone liked him and disliked sending him to the dirty barrack-jail in
+Nashville.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Suddenly Rebecca was inspired with a brilliant plan.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When the Yankee officers left the place they took the convalescent
+prisoners with them. Now Rebecca suggested that negotiations be started
+to exchange Vernon for Newell.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Crudup immediately sent Tim to Nashville to see if this could be
+done, and friends there promised to attend to it without delay.
+Consequently, in a few days, a number of soldiers from Nashville rode to
+the Crudup house and carried away the prisoner, giving Mrs. Crudup the
+slip of paper that stated that Newell&#8217;s freedom would be granted upon
+the return of Vernon.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We all felt sorry about losing Vernon, but he <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_173' id='pg_173'>173</a></span>promised to visit me at
+Happy Hills when the war was over.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina stopped and the children began plying questions.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Selina, what became of Imp?&#8221; asked Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We kept him in the cave for a few days more, and then, one morning, the
+negroes all turned green with fear when they saw Rebecca riding Imp down
+the road from the paddock, for they believed Imp to have been taken with
+the other horses, and were sure that this was a ghost of the real Imp.&#8221;
+And Aunt Selina laughed as she recalled Rebecca&#8217;s mad ride down the lane
+and the high wall Imp vaulted before he stopped stock still in front of
+the quaking, superstitious slaves.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Did Newell come back home?&#8221; asked Betty, whose sympathy was all for the
+mother who lost one boy and then had the other one taken prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We received word of his transfer from the Yankee army to his own. He
+went into active service again and fought all through the rest of the
+war. He won many honors for bravery before the Confederate Army was
+disbanded.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you know what became of him afterwards?&#8221; <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_174' id='pg_174'>174</a></span>asked Don, interested in
+such a fighter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He married and settled out West upon a large ranch. Now and then
+Rebecca&#8217;s daughter has a letter from him, giving news of his children or
+the grandchildren.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, then, Rebecca married too. Did you know who it was?&#8221; asked several
+curious voices.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; smiled Aunt Selina. &#8220;She married the very beau she had selected
+for me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am so anxious to know if that fine old house is still there and if we
+could find the cave and underground store-rooms if we ever went there?&#8221;
+asked Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, dear; the beautiful old mansion was entirely destroyed by fire
+started from a shell during the time the battle line closed about
+Nashville. I was not there at the time, but Rebecca wrote and told me of
+the dreadful scenes. Almost every family for miles about was left
+homeless and destitute. The Pines, Rebecca&#8217;s home, stood as long as any
+and sheltered every homeless Southerner round about.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I guess Rebecca liked to remember that, didn&#8217;t she?&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, indeed, Fluff.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_175' id='pg_175'>175</a></span>&#8220;Aunt Selina, you didn&#8217;t tell us what became of Imp and Rebecca that
+day she rode up to the house,&#8221; reminded Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca laughed at the servants&#8217; fear and rode Imp over to the steps of
+the piazza. We stood watching her as she jumped off and led Imp right up
+to the rail. &#8216;Lady,&#8217; said she to me, &#8216;this horse just told me that he
+was going North on a little visit. As there is no one here but you who
+can take him there, I believe he intends taking you home.&#8217; Although
+Rebecca&#8217;s eyes filled with tears and her voice trembled, we all laughed
+and made a great fuss over Imp.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Later, she confided to me that she had entrusted Vernon with the
+request to secure a passport for Selina Talmage and her horse, Imp,
+going home to Happy Hills, Pennsylvania. The passport came that day in a
+letter for Rebecca explaining how I was to go and to whom I was to
+entrust myself. A note for me was inclosed in the letter, and I read it
+with a smile. Vernon said he would demand payment for the favor given me
+as soon as he reached Happy Hills. Rebecca teased me about that note and
+said that she knew what the favor would be, for Vernon was in love <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_176' id='pg_176'>176</a></span>with
+me. I pooh-poohed the suggestion but felt very glad to pack my clothes
+for home. In a few days word came that I was to ride to a certain town
+where an escort would meet me and conduct me to the nearest railroad.
+And so Imp and I went home.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And now tell us, Aunt Selina, did Vernon come home and ask that favor?&#8221;
+wondered Norma, interested in a love-story.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes! He had leave of absence for several months to fully recover
+from the wound that had partially punctured a lung. He used to ride over
+to Happy Hills every day, and I tell you we missed him when he returned
+to his regiment.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where is he now, Aunt Selina?&#8221; asked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Gone&mdash;his name is carved on the monument at Washington for bravery in
+the Battle of Bull Run,&#8221; whispered Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, oh, Aunt Selina! Is <i>he</i> the same one you told me about last
+spring?&#8221; gasped Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina dabbed her tear-moistened eyes and tried to smile as she
+said, &#8220;The same, Honey.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s that&mdash;tell us, Aunt Selina; we never heard about it,&#8221; cried
+several children.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Vernon came back North about a year <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_177' id='pg_177'>177</a></span>after his leave of absence
+expired with important letters for a general in Philadelphia. After
+delivering the letters he was to have two days&#8217; leave in which to go
+home and see his folks. He rode over to our house one evening and asked
+my father and mother if he might pay court to me when the war was over.
+My parents were delighted, for they knew him and liked him. Vernon and I
+walked out to the very summer house that Ruth was in when she thought of
+the farm plan, and there he told me what he had said to my parents. He
+would not bind me, for he said he might never come back. But I said it
+would make no difference to me&mdash;if he never returned I would wait just
+the same. We exchanged rings&mdash;one which had been given me for my
+birthday and one he had received on his twenty-first birthday. When he
+left that night mother gave him a paper, but I never knew what was in it
+until later. When news of his bravery and death came home, the letter
+contained a ring and a small daguerreotype picture of me. Then mother
+said he had asked for it the night he went away.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Aunt Selina, how lovely of you!&#8221; cried <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_178' id='pg_178'>178</a></span>several little girls as
+they crowded about the old lady and hugged her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rebecca did not return to school again, but as soon as the war was over
+we wrote and invited Mr. and Mrs. Crudup to bring Rebecca North to visit
+us. The elders were too heart-sore to come to a country they blamed for
+all their losses, but Rebecca came and stayed a long time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='BEGINNING_TO_SPELL_SUCCESS_4031' id='BEGINNING_TO_SPELL_SUCCESS_4031'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+<h3>BEGINNING TO SPELL SUCCESS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Another nest of Blue Birds had been formed under Mrs. Catlin&#8217;s
+supervision, and these little girls were chosen to act as agents to
+secure subscriptions for the forthcoming magazine. They were also
+permitted to donate short stories or pictures to the magazine and, being
+so young a branch of the first Nest, felt this was a special privilege.</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina had written her interesting Civil War story and had it ready
+for Uncle Ben, but Mrs. Catlin was still busy trying to arrange her
+chapters so they would make a good serial.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds had written their pages over and over, and finally Mrs.
+Talmage said they would lose all sense in the telling if they kept on
+rewriting. So the pages were taken as they were and corrected by Uncle
+Ben.</p>
+
+<p>As the various short articles came in to the Publishing House, Mrs.
+Talmage took charge <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_180' id='pg_180'>180</a></span>of them. Many a pleased surprise she had as she
+read the different articles submitted by the boys, and the suggestions
+and hints sent in by the girls.</p>
+
+<p>The Bobolinks spent every afternoon at their Publishing House, setting
+type, trying to run machines, and find out various things about
+business. The two young men promised by Uncle Ben were not expected
+until actual work on the magazine began.</p>
+
+<p>So much talk had been heard at various dinner-tables in Oakdale, that
+fathers manifested enough curiosity in the work to ask for an invitation
+to the Publishing House. The habit of &#8220;dropping in to watch the boys&#8221;
+grew to be regular meetings, and the men enjoyed the social evenings as
+much as the boys did. Naturally, the work did not lose any of its value
+by the suggestions and ideas given by the older, experienced business
+men, but the Blue Birds grew envious over the evident interest shown in
+the Bobolinks while they were never about.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon the Blue Birds gathered about Mrs. Talmage with a
+complaint.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mother Wings, those Bobolinks will be &#8217;way <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_181' id='pg_181'>181</a></span>ahead of us in this fun,
+unless you get the mothers to meet once in a while to suggest things for
+us to do,&#8221; said Ruth, dolefully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And from something I heard Don tell Mete, those fathers have promised
+to help the Bobolinks do the <i>work</i>, too!&#8221; broke in Dot Starr.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Since Ned has moved his printing stuff to the carriage house his den is
+vacant&mdash;we might use that for our Winter Nest, until we find something
+better,&#8221; suggested Mrs. Starr, after thinking seriously of what had just
+been said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That will be all right, but it won&#8217;t boost our work like the boys are
+being boosted,&#8221; fretted Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I shall have to think of it,&#8221; replied Mrs. Talmage, deeply concerned
+over the discontent of the Blue Birds; but Aunt Selina, who had been a
+silent listener of the complaint, spoke.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are those Bobolinks and the men actually helping the success of the
+magazine?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, not that we can see; they just use paper and fool away every
+evening running those machines,&#8221; snapped Dot, who generally heard all
+the doings from her brothers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then they are not getting ahead so fast with <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_182' id='pg_182'>182</a></span>success as you seem to
+think,&#8221; replied Aunt Selina, calmly. &#8220;The principal things in making a
+magazine pay are its circulation and the advertising contracts. If these
+are not being thought of and tried, the Bobolinks are wasting their
+precious time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But they are so well acquainted with the machines that they say they
+can print anything!&#8221; said Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right, suppose we take them at their word and ask them to give us
+proof of some circulars,&#8221; laughed Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I suppose they would, but where would we use them?&#8221; asked Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is what I would suggest&mdash;we&#8217;ll play the game of the &#8216;Tortoise and
+the Hare,&#8217; and they&#8217;ll be left asleep at their work while we win the
+race,&#8221; declared Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds gathered closer to Aunt Selina&#8217;s chair, and she continued
+her instruction.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have Mother Wings write a letter and ask Mr. Wells to bring down
+that Institution Book he promised us, as we wish to use it at once. Then
+we&#8217;ll count up the number of institutions where we could send a magazine
+and circular. <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_183' id='pg_183'>183</a></span>Some of these will subscribe most likely, while the
+circular letter will reach the hands of some of the wealthy patrons of
+the Homes. We&#8217;ll compose a letter and order those Bobolinks to print ten
+thousand for us. I guess that will keep them busy for a time and at the
+same time make them wonder what <i>we</i> are doing without their knowledge
+or consent.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Shall we mail the letters when they are printed?&#8221; asked Betty.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, I thought we could address large-sized envelopes with the names of
+the institutions and as soon as the magazines are printed we can place a
+letter and a magazine in each envelope. Of course, we inclose a
+subscription blank, too; this work of folding and sealing the letters
+and magazines is where we will invite the mothers to help. After that we
+can send out some samples to other folks, but we will make the Bobolinks
+wonder why the mothers are here so often.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds laughed and thought the plan very good, and Dot Starr
+added, &#8220;We&#8217;re surely glad you&#8217;re here, Aunt Selina.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And we will keep all of our papers and work <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_184' id='pg_184'>184</a></span>in the den and no one will
+see what is being done,&#8221; added Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You must keep the key, Mother Wings,&#8221; advised Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>The letter for Mr. Wells was written without delay, for Norma was to
+hand it to her father that evening. After this was finished the
+important work of composing a letter for folks who would receive the
+magazine was started.</p>
+
+<p>This letter provoked many suggestions and criticisms, but finally was
+concluded and read aloud to the children, who declared it just right.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But we haven&#8217;t a bit of paper for the printing,&#8221; exclaimed Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe Aunt Selina and I can go to the paper mills in the morning and
+see if they have any small lot that will do,&#8221; suggested Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>This offer cheered the Blue Birds again, as a few hours&#8217; delay would not
+matter very much.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, that&#8217;s done, what next?&#8221; asked Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Next thing is to say &#8216;good-afternoon&#8217; and go home,&#8221; laughed Mrs.
+Talmage, looking at her watch.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, dear, mother, it cannot be dinner-time,&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_185' id='pg_185'>185</a></span>&#8220;It is almost six o&#8217;clock, and I have some matters to look after,
+dear,&#8221; returned her mother.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, we can invite our mothers to join us, anyway, can&#8217;t we, Mrs.
+Talmage?&#8221; said May.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but I wouldn&#8217;t mention the fact that we feel that we must have
+them to enable us to get ahead of the Bobolinks, for your fathers will
+hear of it and plan some way to win out in spite of us,&#8221; advised the
+astute Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We won&#8217;t! We&#8217;ll just say that as long as the boys have their fathers
+with them, we girls are going to invite our mothers,&#8221; explained Norma,
+while the others nodded approval.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;May we come to-night?&#8221; asked Betty.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How about school lessons?&#8221; asked Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And I want to revise several parts of my story to-night, besides the
+paper mills have not yet been visited, you know,&#8221; objected Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Girls, we&#8217;d better wait until to-morrow; that&#8217;s Friday and we won&#8217;t
+have to go to bed so early as other evenings,&#8221; suggested Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right, we&#8217;ll meet in the den to-morrow afternoon and report how
+many mothers will be here,&#8221; consented Dot.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_186' id='pg_186'>186</a></span>&#8220;And I&#8217;ll have Mrs. Catlin here in the evening,&#8221; added Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mother Wings, if we use that old room of Ned&#8217;s, why couldn&#8217;t we call it
+our Winter Nest? We can move in our cherry-tree Nest furniture when it
+grows colder and make the room look real comfy,&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>The other Blue Birds approved of the suggestion and Mrs. Talmage said
+she had no objection to having the Winter Nest in the den, so it was
+decided then and there.</p>
+
+<p>Ruth accompanied her friends to the steps and as they stood vainly
+wishing there were several extra hours to add to an afternoon, Dot saw
+Don jump out of the wide-open door of the Publishing House and laugh
+derisively at someone inside.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now I wonder what that boy is up to?&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, say, wouldn&#8217;t it be fun to creep in back of the carriage house and
+peep in at the windows to watch the boys!&#8221; suggested Edith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know a better way,&#8221; answered Ruth. &#8220;We will ask Ike to let us go up
+in the loft from the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_187' id='pg_187'>187</a></span>small room and we can look down through the wide
+chinks of the floor.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, do let&#8217;s!&#8221; cried the Blue Birds, as they hurried back of the house
+to steal noiselessly over to the garage.</p>
+
+<p>Ike understood the rivalry growing between them, and decided to be
+perfectly impartial, so he unlocked the door of the small room where the
+stairs led to a loft over the Publishing House.</p>
+
+<p>The Bobolinks were making such a noise that they never heard the
+creaking of the floor overhead, or the giggles of the girls as they
+glued their eyes to the crevices between the boards.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now it&#8217;s Tuck&#8217;s turn to be an advertising solicitor!&#8221; called Don, who
+evidently had been discharged from some make-believe service when he was
+so unexpectedly put out of the door.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ah, I&#8217;d never make a solicitor of any kind,&#8221; grumbled Tuck Stevens.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But you&#8217;ve got to play the game as we all promised,&#8221; coaxed some of the
+boys.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be the man you want to see,&#8221; persuaded Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come on, Tuck. We&#8217;ll have to go home pretty soon, so get busy,&#8221;
+commanded Ned.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_188' id='pg_188'>188</a></span>The girls began to understand that the Bobolinks were not playing, but
+practicing their duty for the future, so they silently looked at each
+other and nodded understandingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here goes, then,&#8221; ventured Tuck, bravely.</p>
+
+<p>He strutted across the floor toward the office and met one of the boys
+stationed there.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Good-morning, sir; do you wish to see anyone?&#8221; asked the impromptu
+clerk.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have an appointment with Mr. Slamhim,&#8221; quivered Tuck, as if the visit
+was an actual affair.</p>
+
+<p>The boys tittered with glee as Tuck turned red and white.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Your name, please?&#8221; asked the polite clerk.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Reuben Stevens,&#8221; replied Tuck, in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ha! the name&#8217;ll queer you, Tuck!&#8221; laughed Don, behind his chum&#8217;s back,
+but the older boys hushed Don.</p>
+
+<p>The clerk rapped upon the office door and a voice said, &#8220;Come in.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Reuben Stevens to see you, sir. He has an appointment.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Show him in,&#8221; said the voice which Ruth recognized as a disguised bass
+of Ned&#8217;s.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_189' id='pg_189'>189</a></span>Tuck walked to the office and then turned about and asked the other
+boys: &#8220;Now, what shall I say&mdash;I&#8217;ve forgotten.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Immediately there was a loud chorus of laughter, and a scuffle and Tuck
+was ousted in the same manner that Don had been.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t I say that name would spoil you?&#8221; teased Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Next!&#8221; called one of the boys who had a list of names which he marked
+down &#8220;good, indifferent, bad.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The boy whose turn came next carried off the rehearsal as if he had been
+a solicitor all of his short life. The other boys cheered his efforts
+and even the Blue Birds were tempted to clap their hands.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Bobolinks, I think this will do for to-day; we have drilled three
+of the boys after the manner shown us last night, but Don and Tuck seem
+to be hopeless cases,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll practice it at home on Dot, and show you what I can do to-morrow,&#8221;
+eagerly promised Don.</p>
+
+<p>Dot looked up at her friends when she heard this and shook her head
+energetically.</p>
+
+<p>The Bobolinks carefully covered the machines <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_190' id='pg_190'>190</a></span>with the canvas covers and
+started to go out. At the same time the girls in the loft crept across
+the floor toward the steps. The boys were not making so much noise as
+when the Blue Birds went up in the loft, and Meredith stood surprised
+when he heard something moving over his head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where&#8217;s Ike?&#8221; he whispered to Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just outside the door&mdash;why?&#8221; replied Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you hear those footsteps?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&mdash;where? Yes, of course!&#8221; exclaimed Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Simon was seen crossing the lawn and Ike stood outside with the boys, so
+who could be upstairs?</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, Ruth overheard Meredith&#8217;s exclamation and hurried the girls
+down and out, and pushed them inside the garage before any of the boys
+could persuade Ike that someone was upstairs. Finally he allowed them to
+drag him to the small carriage room and ascend the steps.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds lay hidden in the bottom of the automobile and almost
+suffocated trying to keep from laughing outright at the way the
+Bobolinks were hoodwinked.</p>
+
+<p>Every one of the boys trudged up the steps, but found the loft empty. As
+soon as they were <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_191' id='pg_191'>191</a></span>out of sight in the small room, the girls jumped out
+of the car and ran madly for the shrubbery which sheltered the kitchen
+gardens from the lawns. Here, they could creep toward home without being
+seen from the barns.</p>
+
+<p>Ike looked carefully about the loft but hid a smile when his back was
+turned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There, I told you no one was here!&#8221; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t care, I <i>heard</i> them!&#8221; retorted Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe it was rats!&#8221; ventured Ike.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, sir, you said that you were never pestered with rats; besides, this
+noise was just like walking would sound,&#8221; insisted Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Ike kept the boys upstairs arguing for a sufficient time to permit the
+Blue Birds to get out of the way, then he started down.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;ll keep the door locked and the key in my room,&#8221; promised Ike,
+as the boys waited for him to lock up.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If it was a tramp, Ned, he couldn&#8217;t move our machinery, so what&#8217;s the
+use bothering?&#8221; said Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He could steal our type and other things, and sell them,&#8221; grumbled Ned,
+still unassured.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_192' id='pg_192'>192</a></span>Ruth was walking slowly up from the main gates when Ned reached the
+veranda. She was stooping over a chrysanthemum blossom to note its
+beautiful coloring when Ned whistled to attract her attention.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Better hurry in and wash up for dinner&mdash;it&#8217;s almost seven, and mother
+doesn&#8217;t like dinner delayed, you know,&#8221; Ned said, as Ruth skipped up
+smilingly.</p>
+
+<p>Not a word was said, and the Bobolinks never found out how the Blue
+Birds watched them practice their future business tactics.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina had Ike drive them to the
+paper mills.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage explained her errand and selected some samples of
+stationery paper. The manager then showed them over the mills and Aunt
+Selina whispered aside to Mrs. Talmage: &#8220;What an interesting article
+this work would make.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Indeed, yes!&#8221; replied Mrs. Talmage, turning to the manager to tell him
+of the new venture of the Blue Birds and ask him to write up a story
+about the manufacture of paper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That I will! I like to write, and often, when <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_193' id='pg_193'>193</a></span>I&#8217;m tired or worried, I
+sit down to write a funny sketch. I have sold a number of them to Sunday
+papers,&#8221; was the surprising reply.</p>
+
+<p>The two ladies were escorted to the manager&#8217;s office and chairs were
+placed for them while a price list was prepared for the convenience of
+the Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>This done, the manager sat back in his office chair.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have the children planned any campaign for securing circulation?&#8221; he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, no, Mr. White, we intended talking that matter over with the
+mothers to-night. We are all so inexperienced in this undertaking that I
+suppose a business man would laugh at our way of putting &#8216;the cart
+before the horse,&#8217; as the saying is,&#8221; laughed Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The fact is, this whole proposition is so sudden and different from
+anything the children had dreamed of!&#8221; added Aunt Selina, in defence of
+their mistakes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know! When I heard of the daring of the children I certainly admired
+their spunk, but I couldn&#8217;t help shaking my head, too, for it is no
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_194' id='pg_194'>194</a></span>joke to start a real business, as they are doing,&#8221; said Mr. White,
+seriously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, we will need the help of all of our friends,&#8221; smiled Mrs.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll have it, too. Why, everybody in Oakdale felt the Blue Birds&#8217;
+work last summer was wonderful; now, this new venture will have the
+support of all of the townsfolks.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is very encouraging to hear you speak so, and if you think of any
+way to boom our circulation, I wish you would come over some evening and
+tell us all about it,&#8221; replied Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the manager sat upright and looked toward the book-shelves,
+which contained rows of business-like looking reference books.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I believe we have the idea!&#8221; exclaimed he, jumping up and going over to
+the shelves to take down a heavy volume.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This book contains all the names and addresses of stationery stores in
+the United States and Canada. It is only a year old, so most of these
+addresses will be up-to-date. We use it for mailing samples of our
+paper, but I have an idea that you would get plenty of subscriptions and
+make willing agents of these storekeepers. If <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_195' id='pg_195'>195</a></span>you send a sample of your
+magazine and give them a liberal commission there is no reason why these
+firms would refuse to act as agents. Anyway, it would do no harm to try
+out the suggestion,&#8221; said Mr. White.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, Mr. White, do you know that you are a direct answer to my prayer!&#8221;
+cried Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am grateful to be favored,&#8221; laughed Mr. White, &#8220;but it must be your
+faith that brought the answer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, to tell the truth,&#8221; continued Aunt Selina, &#8220;I am so very anxious
+to have this movement of the children a fine success that I have been
+praying in season and out for the way to open that we might be blessed
+in this work. All we needed for the next step was a hint for
+circulation.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;ll confide a secret, too,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage, leaning over toward
+the desk. &#8220;The boys have had their fathers meet with them every evening,
+advising and drilling them in ways and means to succeed, while my girls
+have had to do the best they can with Aunt Selina and me. This book will
+boost us far ahead of the Bobolinks and <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_196' id='pg_196'>196</a></span>give the men who are advising a
+fine surprise.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. White laughed as he understood the rivalry between the two factions,
+and promised to send his wife to the meetings of the mothers to convey
+any advice or suggestions he might think of.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, splendid! We expect to hold our first meeting at our house
+to-night. Do bring her over!&#8221; cried Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>As the three were going out to the automobile, Mr. White ventured a
+remark.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have been told that the paper for the sample issue was to be sent
+over when you wished it. Now, I thought of making an advertising
+proposition to the corporation at their next meeting. If the magazine
+would mention that all the paper used by them for letters, circulars and
+magazines was furnished by the Oakdale Mills, it would be a good
+exchange if the company donated the paper needed for the first year&#8217;s
+work.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The ladies stood amazed at the generous idea.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Every paper mill in the country will try to place a contract with the
+children as soon as news of this plan is out. Now, the Oakdale Mills can
+secure its contract for future years by being <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_197' id='pg_197'>197</a></span>wide-awake for the
+present. It is a strictly business proposition, you see,&#8221; explained Mr.
+White.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It may seem so to you, but I know that it is a proposition that no
+other firm would offer, and we are deeply grateful for your interest,&#8221;
+replied Mrs. Talmage, sagaciously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll suggest it, and you find out if the magazine is willing to give us
+the mention I hinted at,&#8221; said Mr. White.</p>
+
+<p>Handing the huge book of addresses to Ike, Mrs. Talmage shook hands with
+Mr. White and reminded him to bring his wife to the meeting.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well! that was the best hour&#8217;s business yet!&#8221; exclaimed Aunt Selina, as
+the car sped away.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wonderful, isn&#8217;t it? I hope everything will glide along as nicely as it
+has up to the present,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>Being Friday, school closed an hour earlier than usual. The moment the
+Blue Birds could catch their hats from the pegs in the cloak-rooms, they
+ran out to join Ruth, who was hopping from one foot to the other in a
+vain effort to calm her impatience.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hurry, girls! Don&#8217;t you know Mother Wings went to the mills this
+morning for samples of <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_198' id='pg_198'>198</a></span>paper?&#8221; called one to the other as they ran up
+to Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long thereafter that seven eager little girls crowded about
+Mrs. Talmage on the veranda to hear the news.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll show you the samples, but we will wait for the mothers&#8217; opinion
+to-night. But this great secret I will give to you now!&#8221; and, forthwith,
+Mrs. Talmage told the Blue Birds all about Mr. White&#8217;s interest and
+ideas, and showed them the precious volume loaned them.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_WINTER_NEST_COUNCIL_4518' id='THE_WINTER_NEST_COUNCIL_4518'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+<h3>THE WINTER NEST COUNCIL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Before eight o&#8217;clock that night the Blue Birds and their mothers were
+assembled in the living-room ready for a council. The children had not
+seen the den for a few days and stared in delight as they filed into the
+room. Mrs. Talmage had purposely had all meet together before mentioning
+that they might as well spend the evening in the Winter Nest.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, Mother Wings, when <i>did</i> you fix this up?&#8221; asked Ruth, as much
+surprised as the others.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage smiled, but said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>The guests looked about and admired the unique charm of the Blue Bird
+quarters for the winter, and Betty ventured the question: &#8220;What has
+become of our other chairs?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The room had all been renovated. The windows were hung with snow-flake
+madras, and the floor covered with heavy knotted white rag carpet that
+looked like snow freshly packed. The <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_200' id='pg_200'>200</a></span>walls had been repapered with a
+sparkling white paper which glistened like ice in the electric light.
+From the wainscoting to the picture rail branches of dark green spruce
+and pine were fastened and upon these green needles were caught flakes
+of make-believe snow&mdash;made of white cotton-batting with diamond dust
+powdered on it. The furniture of the summer Nest had been brought in
+late that afternoon and the slip covers, which had been made for it,
+were slipped over until the thick white covers hid the familiar chairs
+under the novelty cloth that looked like snow-drifts. The whole effect
+was so beautiful that the children danced about with joy.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, we must get at our work,&#8221; reminded Aunt Selina, after enough
+chairs had been brought in for all.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I walked over with Mr. Wells and he was quite surprised to find I was
+coming to the house,&#8221; said Mrs. Wells, laughingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I never said a word to Mr. Talmage or his brother,&#8221; confided Mrs.
+Talmage, smiling at the secret.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Stevens knows I am at this council with <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_201' id='pg_201'>201</a></span>Betty, but he hasn&#8217;t the
+faintest idea for what,&#8221; admitted Mrs. Stevens.</p>
+
+<p>And so it was that not one of the men who had formed the habit of
+dropping in to help the Bobolinks could imagine what their wives were
+doing with the Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>If the inmates of the Winter Nest that night could have seen the
+questioning faces of the boys and men when it was known that a meeting
+of mothers was being held, they would have felt the balm of satisfaction
+applied to wounded pride.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage showed the sample of paper and, after a discussion of merit
+and price, a selection was made of an artistic grey paper to be printed
+in blue&mdash;the colors of the Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We must have envelopes to match, mother,&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I never thought of that, but it is so!&#8221; admitted Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know the address of a firm where Mr. Wells has all of his
+&#8216;made-to-order&#8217; envelopes made&mdash;we will get them to do it,&#8221; suggested
+Mrs. Wells.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What a relief to hear that offer!&#8221; sighed Mrs. Talmage. &#8220;I was just
+wondering where I could find anyone who would make them for us.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_202' id='pg_202'>202</a></span>&#8220;It also goes to prove that many heads gathered to discuss Blue Bird
+affairs are better than one, and I suggest that we meet at least once a
+week,&#8221; suggested Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>So it was then and there agreed that the mothers would come regularly to
+hold a council in the Winter Nest with the Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just as soon as the envelopes come back we can begin to address from
+mother&#8217;s big book, can&#8217;t we?&#8221; asked Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If there&#8217;s only one book, how can all of this crowd read it at the same
+time and then write down the names?&#8221; demanded Dot Starr.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, we won&#8217;t have to do that work,&#8221; added Mrs. Wells. &#8220;There&#8217;s a firm
+in the city that addresses envelopes for a dollar a thousand.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Another fine hint! I&#8217;m sure I&#8217;d rather pay my share than risk Dot&#8217;s
+ruining dozens of envelopes with ink,&#8221; laughed Mrs. Starr, patting Dot
+on the hand.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We wouldn&#8217;t want to write &#8217;em in here, because the snow would freeze
+our fingers so the ink would spatter all over,&#8221; said Dot, ludicrously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I suppose these lovely covers would be speckled black by the time
+the Blue Birds completed, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_203' id='pg_203'>203</a></span>say, fifty thousand addresses,&#8221; laughed Aunt
+Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I would vote against Edith&#8217;s writing&mdash;I fear the person would never get
+the letter&mdash;it would go straight to the Dead Letter Office,&#8221; said Mrs.
+Wilson, pulling Edith&#8217;s curls.</p>
+
+<p>As everyone knew how Edith hated writing and never could write a legible
+hand, a laugh went up, in which Edith joined heartily.</p>
+
+<p>So the Blue Birds were spared the arduous task of copying thousands of
+names.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have heard that these large addressing bureaus prefer to employ
+children&mdash;I wonder why?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Because children just finishing grammar school are more careful in
+forming letters and can write much better than adults. Besides, they
+have to pay children but a third that an adult would demand for his
+labor,&#8221; explained Mrs. Wells.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, isn&#8217;t that just as bad as working children in a factory?&#8221;
+questioned Miss Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The rooms that I visited are just as bad. The girls are crowded close
+together in a wretchedly lighted room without ventilation, and they sit
+writing all day with their poor backs bent double <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_204' id='pg_204'>204</a></span>and fingers grown
+crooked from habit,&#8221; said Mrs. Wells.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Goodness! Can&#8217;t we do something to stop it?&#8221; cried Mrs. Starr.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They have to have the money for home needs, and it isn&#8217;t quite as bad,
+you know, as working all day in cold water to your knees, opening
+oysters at a cent a hundred.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, dear, dear! don&#8217;t tell me any more,&#8221; half wept Aunt Selina. &#8220;I feel
+like a criminal to think I lost all of these years with money piling up
+in the bank that could have helped hundreds of these little workers.
+Let&#8217;s get busy this minute!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It would be nice to take all these little workers to the country,
+wouldn&#8217;t it?&#8221; queried Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, yes! But, Mary, don&#8217;t delay me longer in this work&mdash;I have so many
+years to make up, and so little time to do it in,&#8221; mourned Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right! Now that is settled&mdash;we hire a firm to do the addressing,
+and Mrs. Wells will see to the envelopes. What next?&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_205' id='pg_205'>205</a></span>&#8220;Oh, Mother Wings, don&#8217;t forget about that book&mdash;you know?&#8221; reminded
+Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, of course! One of our great secrets! Here is a volume loaned us by
+Mr. White, of the Oakdale Paper Mills, and it has the addresses of all
+the stationers in the country,&#8221; explained Mrs. Talmage. &#8220;He suggested
+that we send a sample magazine to each, with a letter stating agents&#8217;
+commissions and price of subscription.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And that reminds me&mdash;the book you wrote for was given me to bring in
+to-night, and I left it out in the hall,&#8221; said Mrs. Wells, turning to
+Frances and asking her to get it.</p>
+
+<p>The institution book was brought in, and its pages eagerly scanned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My! what a lot of poor children there are!&#8221; said Dot sympathetically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t seem possible, does it?&#8221; said Mrs. Starr, turning to the
+others.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We never realize what needs there are for help until we face something
+of this sort,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage, turning page after page. Suddenly she
+stopped.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Has anyone here an idea of how many dependent <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_206' id='pg_206'>206</a></span>little ones there are in
+the United States alone?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Heads were silently shaken, and Mrs. Talmage continued:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There are 87,000 children&#8217;s institutions&mdash;homes, hospitals, asylums,
+and homes for cripples that are mostly supported by gifts, philanthropy,
+or legacies. About one-fourth of these are partially controlled by the
+state. The number of inmates in these institutions amounts to 1,740,520
+children. Think of it! Practically a million and three-quarters! How
+terrible!&#8221; And Mrs. Talmage had to find her handkerchief to dry her eyes
+at the picture of so many, many dear little ones bereft of home and
+mother-love.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mary, Mary, I shall have to run away from here if you keep on!&#8221; cried
+Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But, Aunty, it is not your fault, and you must not feel this way,
+especially as you are doing so much to improve the conditions,&#8221; said
+Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, mother, I should say that if there are 87,000 addresses to send
+letters to, we&#8217;d better begin that letter now, and not spoil Flutey&#8217;s
+pleasure <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_207' id='pg_207'>207</a></span>by thinking of all the things she never did,&#8221; advised Ruth,
+very sensibly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, that letter is very important&mdash;let us compose it,&#8221; said Aunt
+Selina.</p>
+
+<p>After an hour of writing and rewriting, Mrs. Talmage read aloud the
+result of their labor:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dear Friend:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The Blue Birds of Oakdale have started a philanthropic work which must
+appeal to everyone who is willing to help our poor children. A magazine
+is being published, a sample of which is being sent you, that will
+contain instructive, helpful, interesting articles.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps you know that there are 87,000 benevolent institutions in this
+country filled with over a million and a half poor children, to whom
+this magazine will prove a welcome visitor. The cost of producing this
+magazine is partially paid for by donations, and the profit of the work
+is all devoted to a settlement in the country where the city children
+can spend the summer.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Inclosed find a subscription blank. Make all checks payable to &#8216;Blue
+Birds of Happy Times Nest.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wish we had time to run over to the Bobolinks <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_208' id='pg_208'>208</a></span>and order fifty thousand
+of these letters,&#8221; suggested Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, wouldn&#8217;t it be fun to see their faces!&#8221; laughed Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe we will have time&mdash;it is only five minutes to nine,&#8221; announced
+Mrs. Talmage, looking at her watch.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We can try it&mdash;we will walk down the path, and if we find they are
+leaving we can keep our own council until another night,&#8221; said Mrs.
+Talmage, as everyone rose hurriedly to go.</p>
+
+<p>The children hurried on before, while the ladies followed more sedately.</p>
+
+<p>The heavy doors were closed, but an opening about a foot wide left space
+enough for Ruth to squeeze through and pull one of the sliding doors
+along the groove to admit the other visitors.</p>
+
+<p>The men had been lounging about, talking and watching their sons work,
+but upon the entrance of the ladies everyone arose in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Rather a late hour for a call, dear,&#8221; ventured Mr. Stevens.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, not at all. We were attending a business meeting, and found it
+necessary to leave an order with the Bobolinks.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_209' id='pg_209'>209</a></span>&#8220;An order&mdash;what kind of an order?&#8221; questioned Ned dubiously.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage handed over the copy of the letter she wanted printed, and
+directed the company to get out a proof as soon as possible, for they
+would need about fifty thousand.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fifty thousand!&#8221; gasped the boys, while the men looked incredulous.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds could not restrain a giggle at the utter amazement of the
+Bobolinks, and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed their husbands&#8217; surprise.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, well, I suppose it will take you a long time to run off so many, so
+you may do ten thousand at a time,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>The Bobolinks could find no words with which to reply, and the men
+seemed to have lost their tongues also. While Mrs. Talmage waited for an
+answer, Don scowled at his twin sister.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am still waiting to hear you accept the order,&#8221; smiled Mrs. Talmage,
+feeling that the Blue Birds had scored a point.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe you are not yet ready to do business,&#8221; suggested Mrs. Wells, with
+just a touch of sarcasm.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_210' id='pg_210'>210</a></span>&#8220;Of course we are ready!&#8221; exclaimed several boys, faintly echoed by the
+men.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then tell us how long will it be before you can show us a proof?&#8221; asked
+Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;H&#8217;m! We will have to consult,&#8221; replied Ned, as he beckoned some of the
+Bobolinks to the rear of the room.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds were so delighted at catching the Bobolinks napping that
+they danced up and down, finding it very difficult to keep their secret.</p>
+
+<p>Don was the first to come over to the ladies.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Say, what do you want that letter for? Where will you ever get paper
+enough to print ten thousand&mdash;we can&#8217;t buy it for you,&#8221; he growled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don, come back here and mind your business!&#8221; shouted Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When you return to the boys, please ask them to hurry, as we have
+another letter to ask them about&mdash;we may need 100,000 of these,&#8221; said
+Mrs. Starr sweetly.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds noticed that their fathers looked sceptical at the last
+sentence.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You never made up a list like that!&#8221; grunted Don, looking at the Blue
+Birds with fire shining in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_211' id='pg_211'>211</a></span>&#8220;What do you think we were doing while you spent your evenings having a
+good time?&#8221; retorted Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Humph!&#8221; was the only reply Don granted his sister.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Folks said this summer that we Blue Birds were little hustlers, but I
+never paid much attention to them then; but <i>now</i> I think we are
+hustlers when I see the way you Bobolinks poke away for two weeks and
+nothing to show for it,&#8221; teased May.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Wells was called over to join the conference of the Bobolinks before
+an answer was given the Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We will set this type and run off a proof by to-morrow evening; will
+that do?&#8221; said Ned, coming forward with the letter.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds thought it would take the boys about three days to set
+type and give a proof, so it was their turn to be surprised. Mrs.
+Talmage seemed to understand, however, and replied in a very
+condescending voice:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, to-morrow will be Saturday, and Uncle Ben will be here at
+noon. That will be fine, for, of course, he will show you what to do;
+and <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_212' id='pg_212'>212</a></span>I am sure he knows just what he would like for the purpose.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The looks exchanged between the Bobolinks and Mr. Wells were sufficient
+proof that Mrs. Talmage was right in her surmise, but the Blue Birds
+were too polite to say anything more.</p>
+
+<p>The men said it was long past closing hours, so the lights were
+extinguished, and the whole party went out into the cool night air.</p>
+
+<p>Early Saturday morning the Blue Birds met again in their pretty Winter
+Nest, and Mrs. Talmage told them what she had thought over since the
+night before.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Since Uncle Ben will be here all afternoon to supervise the work, I
+think it would be as well for us to form the letter for the
+philanthropists, too; then he can help the Bobolinks set the type.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds agreed that this was a wise plan, and so the letter was
+discussed and composed. This done, they went to the Publishing House
+with the copy, and told the boys what they wanted. The Bobolinks were
+hunting for the right style of type and fussing about the machines so as
+to have them in readiness for the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben arrived at noon, and the boys placed <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_213' id='pg_213'>213</a></span>their work under his
+supervision. From the expression on his face when he read the letters,
+it appeared that he understood the plans the Blue Birds were keeping so
+quiet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What are you smiling at, Uncle Ben?&#8221; asked Ned, keen to find out what
+the Blue Birds were planning.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;At the remarkable progress the Blue Birds have made since I last
+visited you,&#8221; returned Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, they haven&#8217;t done anything&mdash;much,&#8221; grumbled Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Only fixed up these two letters for us to print,&#8221; added Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They haven&#8217;t done their usual sewing and playing in the cherry-tree
+nest, either,&#8221; said Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is that so? Well, how do you know <i>what</i> they have been doing without
+your knowledge?&#8221; asked Uncle Ben laughingly.</p>
+
+<p>The boys looked at him, and their eyes asked the question, &#8220;What?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As an old magazine man, I can see signs in these two letters that tell
+me of two tremendous pieces of work being started&mdash;and being very nicely
+handled, too. Why, I would not be surprised <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_214' id='pg_214'>214</a></span>to have the Blue Birds fly
+down upon this Publishing House some day and settle here long enough to
+say that they had a paid-up subscription list of ten thousand! At any
+rate, you boys had better prepare to print about fifty thousand sample
+copies of the first magazine.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The faces of the Bobolinks looked as if their owners must sit down or
+collapse. Uncle Ben laughed heartily at them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ah, you&#8217;re only fooling us, as usual,&#8221; ventured Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, siree! I am not. Wait and see,&#8221; returned Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>Without further discussion, Uncle Ben showed the boys the proper style
+of type to use for a letter, then helped them run off a proof of both
+letters.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This will show the Blue Birds that we are not so slow but that we can
+turn out samples in up-to-date style,&#8221; said Ned, as he admired the
+printing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, run off a few letters on this paper,&#8221; ordered Uncle Ben, producing
+some beautiful bond paper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My, but it&#8217;s pretty! Where&#8217;d you get it, Uncle Ben?&#8221; asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_215' id='pg_215'>215</a></span>&#8220;I brought it out for the Blue Birds&#8217; inspection, but I shouldn&#8217;t doubt
+but that they have already attended to that detail, so we will present
+our proof all finished on my paper.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, tell us, Uncle Ben, why you think the Blue Birds have a big plan
+of their own,&#8221; entreated Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben smiled and reminded the boys to keep his words from becoming
+public property.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should say that the fact that the Blue Birds have not been near their
+old Nest all week, when the weather is so glorious, proves that they
+have a deeper interest elsewhere. Now, what can that be? Here you have a
+hint of part of the interest,&#8221; and Uncle Ben waved the letters at the
+boys. &#8220;How do I know?</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Take these two letters&mdash;either one of them would startle a slow
+circulation manager in the city if he thought a competitor suddenly
+produced it! Why, in some way the Blue Birds have found a way to reach
+book stores, stationers, and similar business places. Then, too, the
+mention of needing thousands shows me they have found a mine of
+addresses that is worth a large price to a publisher.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_216' id='pg_216'>216</a></span>&#8220;Ah, Uncle Ben, you&#8217;re wrong there! The Blue Birds haven&#8217;t gone
+anywhere, and no one has been here to tell them how to get such names,&#8221;
+said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Without replying to Ned&#8217;s words, Uncle Ben continued:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then, too, they must have the institution work well under consideration
+or they would not have ordered the form letter&mdash;and hinted at the size
+of the order.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The boys shook their heads, unwilling to admit that Uncle Ben&#8217;s surmises
+sounded practical.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Lastly, they have their paper selected, because they told you the size
+this sheet of printing is to be; and therefore they must know how deep a
+margin they will need. To get the size of their printing correct, they
+would have to know how many sheets will cut out of a large sheet of
+paper, and order it cut accordingly.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If they have done all those things that you say they have, they are
+&#8217;way ahead of us Bobolinks,&#8221; grumbled Don.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben laughed and advised:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Boys, work <i>with</i> these Blue Birds, not against them or ahead of them.
+Do not think that just <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_217' id='pg_217'>217</a></span>because they are girls, and you are boys, that
+they are going to remain in the shade and let you boys come out and
+shine in the light. If you boys ever do business in the city, you will
+find that a woman will contest your right at every step, for to-day&#8217;s
+women are equal in every way to the men&mdash;I rather think a number of them
+are superior to the men. These Blue Birds are but a proof of what I say.
+They will not permit the Bobolinks to walk off with the honors that are
+due them.&#8221; And Uncle Ben chuckled at the idea.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Uncle Ben, you&#8217;ll help us in every way until we are even with the
+girls, won&#8217;t you?&#8221; asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And you won&#8217;t help the Blue Birds any more, will you?&#8221; asked Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I am absolutely neutral,&#8221; replied Uncle Ben, holding both hands up over
+his head. &#8220;I won&#8217;t take sides, but I will help the work along in every
+way, for I want it to succeed. I&#8217;ll help you when you need it, and I&#8217;ll
+help these little Blue Birds. But do as I said: Work together, not in a
+spirit of rivalry, for that will only sow seeds of strife and
+discontent.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come on, boys, let&#8217;s take Uncle Ben to the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_218' id='pg_218'>218</a></span>house and show our letter
+proofs to the Blue Birds,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p>So the Bobolinks were taught their lesson in trying to win a race by
+running for a time and then resting.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_STORY_OF_AN_ALASKAN_TRIP_4988' id='THE_STORY_OF_AN_ALASKAN_TRIP_4988'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+<h3>THE STORY OF AN ALASKAN TRIP</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>When the Bobolinks reached the house, they found the veranda occupied by
+the Blue Birds, who sat in a semi-circle about three ladies in rocking
+chairs&mdash;Mrs. Talmage, Aunt Selina, and Mrs. Catlin. The latter had a
+roll of paper in her lap, and evidently had been explaining something to
+the audience.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, boys, you&#8217;re just in time!&#8221; cried Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mrs. Catlin&#8217;s got her story all written for our magazine, and she was
+just going to read it,&#8221; explained Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;May we hear it?&#8221; asked Ned, for the Bobolinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, certainly. Sit right down on the steps,&#8221; said Mrs. Catlin.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the boys were comfortable, she continued:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was about seventeen when I read the exciting tales of gold in
+California and the wealth <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_220' id='pg_220'>220</a></span>to be obtained in Seattle&mdash;a town that was
+boomed in a night. I knew my father would never consent to my leaving
+home, so I said nothing, but pawned my watch and ring, drew my savings
+from the bank, and raised enough money to pay my way West. I worked part
+of my way, and stole rides on freight cars part of the way, until I
+found myself in Seattle. I was not particular where I went as long as it
+was in the West. Well, in Seattle I found that the fever of gold mining
+in Alaska was reaching a boiling point, and every steamer bound for
+Sitka was already overloaded, but I managed in some way to steal aboard
+and hide until the captain could not turn me off. I had to do some
+awfully dirty work, however, and had very little to eat.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We arrived at Sitka, and there I spent some more of my money for a
+passage to Juneau City. There I landed with forty dollars left in my
+pockets. Ten of this was paid out for a hard bed and some scanty food,
+and I soon feared that I would be left without a cent unless I started
+somewhere for the gold mines. I heard all kinds of stories about the
+gold found up on the Yukon River, so I found a shed where outfits were
+sold, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_221' id='pg_221'>221</a></span>and paid twenty dollars for an outfit that was said to be all I
+would need. I still had a few dollars left when I started on the road,
+with my outfit strapped to my back, visions of finding millions of
+dollars&#8217; worth of gold always before my eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I walked along a trail that seemed to be well traveled, and felt glad
+to get away from the drink-sodden town. I had tramped for hours, when
+the outfit began to rub painfully on my back. I was hungry, too, for the
+food given me at the eating-houses was unfit to eat. In buying my
+outfit, I added a strip of bacon and a loaf of black bread, so I decided
+to rest for a bit and have my dinner.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The country, as far as I could see, was very beautiful, so I sat down
+beside the trail and dropped my pack. I took out the tiny frying pan and
+cut some bacon into it. I gathered some sticks, and then tried to light
+one of the matches that was in the waterproof box, but it merely
+sputtered and went out. I used so many matches in this way that I became
+nervous lest the supply give out. Finally I ate my bread and bacon as it
+was, and was about to strap the outfit together <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_222' id='pg_222'>222</a></span>again when I spied a
+caravan leaving the town several miles beyond the point where I sat. I
+was so interested in watching the long line, as it lengthened out along
+the trail, that I forgot how soon night comes down in this country. I
+had no plans for the night, and expected to go much farther before I
+struck camp. When the caravan had come halfway the distance from town
+toward me, I picked up my pack and started on.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I found the pack dreadfully heavy this time, and had to rest several
+times. I was thus resting on a large rock when the caravan passed me.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The sledges were piled high with camp equipment. At the end of the line
+was a cumbersome-looking affair that was covered with canvas and drawn
+by four horses. A grizzled man drove these horses, and seemed intent
+upon his job.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;So interested was I in watching them go by that I was startled when one
+of the men in the sledge called to me:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Hello, Kid! What are you doing&mdash;picking flowers?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A number of the men laughed, but the younger one who sat with the man
+in the sledge shouted: &#8216;Want to join us as far as your road <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_223' id='pg_223'>223</a></span>lies? This
+is no place for a boy to travel alone. Beasts on two and four legs are
+too powerful about here.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I felt an irresistible desire to join them, but they never stopped.
+However, taking it for granted that they wanted me or they wouldn&#8217;t have
+spoken, I ran after the caravan and tried to keep up with them. The pack
+grew heavier every moment, and at last I decided to give it up. Just
+then one of the leading horses of the four stumbled down upon his knees.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This caused a halt while the driver got down and examined the horse. I
+had the opportunity that I needed, so I took a deep breath and shouted,
+at the same time running as fast as my weary legs would carry me.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;How are you comin&#8217;?&#8217; asked the driver.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Coming!&#8217; I cried, so tired I could have wept. &#8216;Why, I&#8217;ve been coming
+ever since the man asked me.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Some run, eh?&#8217; asked the old man, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Didn&#8217;t they mean it?&#8217; I asked, in a tremble lest I be left again.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Guess so. Don&#8217;t believe they gave you another thought. But, now that
+you&#8217;re here, you <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_224' id='pg_224'>224</a></span>kin sit with me,&#8217; said the man gruffly, as I thought,
+while he rubbed the skinned knee with whale-oil.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I climbed up and sat in the seat beside the driver. He gathered the
+reins together and started the horses again before he spoke another
+word.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Kid, I watched you runnin&#8217; after this crew, and I jus&#8217; said to mysel&#8217;,
+&#8220;Old Hal, keep an eye on that kid and see what stuff he&#8217;s made of.&#8221; I
+reckon you&#8217;ll win out, even if this brazen outfit loses. I&#8217;m goin&#8217; to
+take a likin&#8217; to ye, kid, d&#8217;ye hear that!&#8217; grinned the old man, as he
+chirked to the horses.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I sat still and pondered what he said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Thar ain&#8217;t many men as kin say that Old Hal the Guide took a likin&#8217; to
+&#8217;em, kid,&#8217; he continued, watching the trail where his horses stepped.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I had overheard the men at the town talking about a guide called &#8216;Old
+Hal,&#8217; and the conjectures as to how much the swell outfit had to pay him
+to get him to take charge of their expedition.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I felt unduly elated at hearing the man address <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_225' id='pg_225'>225</a></span>me so comradely, and I
+decided to be as friendly as I could.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;What&#8217;s the great hulk under this canvas?&#8217; I asked, nodding my head
+toward the load back of us.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Hulk! You&#8217;re right, sonny, it is a great big hulk. These men from the
+East think they know a lot about goin&#8217; on a expedition like this&mdash;they
+git their learnin&#8217; from the books. But I could have saved &#8217;em heaps of
+money hed they consulted me fust. Now, this pertickler hulk is dead
+trash! <i>They</i> call &#8217;em canoes, but the fust little jolt one of &#8217;em gits
+in the end of its nose&mdash;down she goes!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Canoes, eh?&#8217; I said wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;How many did yeh bring in yer outfit?&#8217; asked Hal, nudging me in the
+ribs.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I may have all of those to take care of if you don&#8217;t watch the
+horses,&#8217; I growled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Right choo are, kid! Did yeh ever hear the verse, &#8220;From the mouths of
+babes, etc.&#8221;? Guess yeh didn&#8217;t know I ever read Scripter, did yeh?&#8217;
+laughed the old man.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Guess you don&#8217;t or you wouldn&#8217;t joke that way about such a good Book,&#8217;
+I replied.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_226' id='pg_226'>226</a></span>&#8220;&#8216;Right choo are agin, kid! My, but you are a lucky find fer Hal to
+have. Jus&#8217; fancy all the fun we will have durin&#8217; the long winter
+nights,&#8217; said the guide, in a conciliatory tone.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Hope so! If I ever get the chance to show you that I am thankful for
+this help, I surely will,&#8217; I said, full of gratitude that I was not
+dragging my feet along the tiresome trail at that very moment.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Now, that&#8217;s the kind of a heart to have&mdash;one that kin thank a feller
+without feelin&#8217; &#8217;shamed to show his colors! I see where you and me are
+goin&#8217; to make a fine team!&#8217; said Hal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After some silence, the old man asked: &#8216;Where&#8217;er yeh bound fer,
+anyway?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Don&#8217;t know&mdash;just going out to find gold,&#8217; I said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He turned square around and stared at me for a few moments, then
+gasped: &#8216;Father an&#8217; mother dead?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I had to gulp hard before I could answer this question, then I said:
+&#8216;No. Had my own money in the bank, and so I just came.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;How fer?&#8217; he asked abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;All the way from New York state. I worked <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_227' id='pg_227'>227</a></span>my way out and worked part
+of my way on the Seattle boat,&#8217; I said, with great pride in my
+achievement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Why, yeh little fool!&#8217; cried the irate guide.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;What&#8217;s the matter?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;An&#8217; I s&#8217;pose yeh hev ben payin&#8217; fer full board an&#8217; keep to yer mother
+ever sence yeh wuz borned, eh?&#8217; scoffed Hal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was silent. I was looking at the matter from a new point of view.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;S&#8217;pose yer pa an&#8217; ma was on&#8217;y too glad to git yeh out&#8217;en the way, eh?&#8217;
+he continued.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Again I had to gulp when I thought of my mother.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I see the hull fool thing. Yeh jus&#8217; went crazy readin&#8217; trashy papers,
+an&#8217; yeh run away widdout tellin&#8217; a soul, &#8217;cause yeh knew they wouldn&#8217;t
+let yeh come otherwise.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I marveled at how close he had come to the truth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Well, yer here, kid, an&#8217; I s&#8217;pose Old Hal&#8217;s got to see yeh through wit
+it, so thet worritin&#8217; mother of yourn&#8217;ll see yeh agin, some day.&#8217; And he
+swung the whip over the horses&#8217; heads with a crack that saved me from
+his ire.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_228' id='pg_228'>228</a></span>&#8220;We came to a bad grade then, and Old Hal had to keep a wary eye on the
+trail, for the horses were not as sure-footed as the dogs and deer.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It must have been four o&#8217;clock before we halted. The air was growing
+colder as we advanced, and I was glad enough to open my pack for a chunk
+of bread and a slice of bacon.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Hist, kid, stow that away!&#8217; whispered Hal, as he began to unhitch the
+horses for the night.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In a short time the two men from the sledge came up.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Hello, youngster! You did come, after all, didn&#8217;t you?&#8217; said the older
+man.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As the supper was being cooked by an Indian guide, I was welcomed in
+the circle sitting about a blazing fire and asked about myself. To each
+question I replied truthfully, and wondered at the smiles and surprise
+shown at my answers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One of the two men who owned the expedition turned to the old guide
+after a time and said: &#8216;Hal, what shall we do with the kid? Send him
+back home?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;If &#8217;twere me, I&#8217;d give him his fill. He&#8217;ll be safe enough wid us, an&#8217;
+we kin git heaps of work outen him; but he&#8217;ll never &#8216;mount to nothin&#8217; ef
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_229' id='pg_229'>229</a></span>yeh send him home, &#8217;cause he&#8217;ll allus think of the gold he might have
+got,&#8217; said Hal astutely.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Guess you&#8217;ve hit the nail on the head, Hal,&#8217; laughed the younger man,
+as he looked at me.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;So I became a member of the Yukon Gold Expedition, under the management
+of John Herrick and Julius Dwight, engineers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We traveled over hundreds of miles of snow, for we were trying to reach
+a certain trail that Old Hal knew, before the thaw set in.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We did not quite get there, however, before the general thaw struck us.
+Then the canoes were needed. I had wondered why we delayed our traveling
+to cart those canoes with us, for there were no streams or lakes to
+cross, but the moment the thaw set in it seemed that every piece of ice
+and snow in the North was turning to water. Instead of trails, we had to
+travel by green-blue rivers, or over deep, dark seas.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, after losing one canoe and two of the Indians, Old Hal hit his
+trail and led us up toward the mountains.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All of that short summer was passed in the usual work of prospecting:
+digging, panning, washing, or testing for gold. Permanent camp <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_230' id='pg_230'>230</a></span>had been
+built by the men, and a number of Indian servants took precaution that
+every emergency should be provided for in case of a hard, long winter.
+Every kind of edible bird or beast was trapped and prepared for food,
+while the skins and pelts of animals were cured and made into garments
+and covers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was the youngest in camp, so I was known as the &#8216;Kid,&#8217; and Old Hal
+took the office of guardian toward me from the first and ordered me
+about&mdash;always for my good, be it known&mdash;and kept a watchful eye over my
+doings and the men I happened to work with.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Toward the end of the short summer we struck a rich vein of gold!</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I shall never forget the change in everyone&#8217;s character the moment the
+gold was discovered in the shining sand. Some became savages, others
+grew crafty and cunning, and Old Hal had his hands full to keep
+discipline in the camp. Dwight and Herrick saw the tendency of their
+hired men to mutiny against Hal and themselves, and perhaps jump the
+claim when the owners were out of the way, but they were farsighted men,
+and <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_231' id='pg_231'>231</a></span>Hal was no greenhorn in handling Esquimo and half-breed Indians.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A large tract of land on both sides of the creek was staked off and a
+diagram of the area carefully drawn by Herrick, to be filed in the
+office at Forty-Mile Station, where a legal land-office was maintained
+by the government.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As it was most necessary to file this claim before winter came on, a
+conference was held between Hal and the two engineers. Hal said he could
+easily make the trip to Forty-Mile and back again before winter froze
+everything solid, so he was ordered to take a canoe, with two of the
+mutinous men, and start immediately. Two dogs were placed in the canoe,
+in case they would be needed for sledging, and a store of food and pelts
+were packed under the seats. At the last moment, Hal was led to take his
+own canoe, which he had made that summer, and ask for my company. I was
+delighted to know I could accompany my old friend, so one of the dogs
+and a sledge were placed in Hal&#8217;s canoe, and but one of the men got in,
+while I was placed in the other canoe, with the other man.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We started in good order and made quick <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_232' id='pg_232'>232</a></span>time. We had no route, map, or
+survey, for there were none in those days, but Hal knew every foot of
+the way, unless unusual conditions prevailed. We made camp that night,
+and rested, all unmindful of the plot the two mutinous men were hatching
+against us to get possession of the claim papers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In the morning, after an early breakfast, we started, and had gone but
+a short distance before our canoes ran out of the stream into a broad
+expanse of water that was unfamiliar to Hal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He looked carefully around for some landmark to guide him, and saw,
+some miles further on, what he believed to be a blazed spot. So he
+directed his man to paddle for that place.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When Hal was about ten feet in advance of us, and as I sat in the stern
+of our canoe, I saw the man paddling our canoe suddenly raise a
+rifle&mdash;where he got it no one knows&mdash;take aim, and shoot. It was all
+done so quickly that I could scarcely move. Hal always held his revolver
+ready to enforce obedience from his men, and the moment I heard the shot
+I saw his arm jerk spasmodically and his revolver fly out and fall in
+the bottom of the canoe. At the same time I tore <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_233' id='pg_233'>233</a></span>my revolver out of my
+belt and covered the man who had shot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was so occupied in this that I had no time to see what Hal was doing,
+but I heard him yell: &#8216;Go overboard this second or I&#8217;ll shoot you dead!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I immediately followed suit, and cried: &#8216;Go overboard, and swim ashore,
+or I&#8217;ll shoot you!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The man sat and stared at me for a moment, as he never dreamed I had
+the spirit to do what I had. I was so nervous, and my heart seemed to
+bulge out in my throat so that I could hardly swallow. The man still sat
+and looked at his pal, who had jumped overboard and was swimming for
+shore. I never knew how it happened, for I had no idea of shooting him,
+but in that moment that he turned his look from me to his pal my fingers
+twitched with dread, and the revolver rang forth its shot, and the
+fellow fell into the water. I was so frightened that I clung to the neck
+of the dog and hid my eyes. Meantime, the fellow who was swimming saw
+what had occurred, and went under water to escape being shot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Soon Hal had his canoe alongside, and said: &#8216;Step in here, Kid.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_234' id='pg_234'>234</a></span>&#8220;My canoe was fastened to the other one, and the transfer made without
+further mishap. I looked about for the swimmer, but could see nothing of
+him. He might have drowned or gone ashore.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We managed to travel pretty well until night, when we again camped on
+shore, but Hal seemed worried at the strangeness of the land.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After a few days&#8217; futile seeking for the trail, we felt a sudden chill
+in the air. Hal was concerned, and sought in every direction for some
+familiar object.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We made camp one night while the dogs sniffed ravenously about for
+food, for our stock had run so low that Hal had to economize to make it
+last another day. The next morning I awoke to find snow blowing in every
+direction. The change was so unlooked for that I rubbed my eyes to make
+sure I was awake.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Well, Kid, this settles our trip to Forty-Mile for some time,&#8217;
+admitted Hal forlornly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;What do you mean, Hal?&#8217; I asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;If we don&#8217;t make camp quick, we&#8217;ll be caught in the cold and frozen.
+If I was alone, I&#8217;d try to make some Esquimo hut or die, but havin&#8217; you
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_235' id='pg_235'>235</a></span>I can&#8217;t take a chance.&#8217; Hal&#8217;s manner of speech had improved a great
+deal during his intercourse with cultured men, and I took note of it as
+he spoke&mdash;such queer things will impress one when a sudden calamity
+presents itself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That morning Hal set me to cutting down some small trees. He said he
+would take the sledge and the dogs and try to find the trail. I begged
+him not to leave me alone, and he promised that this would be the last
+effort if he was unsuccessful.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I felt the terrible fear of being alone in this wilderness all winter,
+but I kept busy chopping down trees. All day long I worked and prayed,
+and before dark settled down I rejoiced to see Hal coming back. I could
+tell in a moment that he had not found any trail, so I said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That night Hal saw all the signs of winter breaking upon us, and he
+worked fast and furious to make camp so that we might survive the cold
+months.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In his search the day before, he had found a stream whose banks were
+well covered with sheltering pines. Here he proposed to build a hut.
+While, with the help of the dogs, he hauled the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_236' id='pg_236'>236</a></span>small logs I had cut to
+the stream, I was ordered to fish and hunt for all the supplies I could
+gather before the waters froze solid.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I went to work with a forlorn hope of ever living to see another year,
+but the fish were plentiful, and the task of preparing them for winter
+use kept me from thinking too much.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hal set traps for animals, and this game we skinned; the meat we dried
+and the pelts we hoped to use in the winter. The fats I dried out and
+kept in a skin pouch Hal made. Some of the game could not be eaten, so
+we used that for bait.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hal built a rude log hut about eight feet wide, with a smoke hole at
+the top. The wide chinks were plastered full of clay from the
+river-bank. A door was made of split logs and fastened together with
+rope and strips of skin. We had brought no nails or screws, and had to
+use whatever came to hand. The hinges of the door were made of tough
+strips of hide and fastened to the logs with some nails Hal took out of
+the sledge.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A rude fire-bowl was made in the center of the hut and some flint-rock
+carefully placed in a <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_237' id='pg_237'>237</a></span>chink in the wall. The hut completed, Hal felt
+relieved, for the winter seemed to hold off for our benefit.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We chopped wood, and stacked it on one side of the wall, inside, and
+then started to pile up more on the outside near the door. Some of our
+food was buried in a pit just outside the hut, but Hal hung all there
+was room for to the logs of the roof.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We were feeling quite contented one night, when Hal remarked: &#8216;Kid,
+she&#8217;s comin&#8217; down on us. I kin tell by the queer sounds through those
+pines.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Let her come. We are ready,&#8217; I laughed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;All but the beds. I&#8217;ll have to go out now and bring in those balsam
+branches I have been savin&#8217; all these days.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That night we slept upon our fresh balsam beds. When I rose I could not
+have told whether it was twilight or dawn. The blizzard howled outside,
+but Hal had a cheerful fire cracking inside.&#8221;</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='A_WINTER_IN_THE_FROZEN_NORTH_5419' id='A_WINTER_IN_THE_FROZEN_NORTH_5419'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+<h3>A WINTER IN THE FROZEN NORTH</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;For ten days that blizzard raged, and I began to think we never would
+get out again. Then one morning Hal called me to see the beautiful snow.
+I stretched and got up. Hal had managed to chop away some of the drift
+that had piled against the door, and after some digging we squeezed
+through an aperture and stood without.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My, but it was grand! One great world of sparkling white, with drifted
+mountains of snow all over. Even our hut was but a smaller drift in the
+general picture. While I stood and admired, Hal brought out two pails
+which we had had in the canoes, and told me how important it was to get
+some water from the stream. We carried the water carefully to the hut,
+and then I watched Hal set a bear trap, as well as a trap for small
+game.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The dogs enjoyed being out once more and lapped the water greedily
+while we filled the buckets. <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_239' id='pg_239'>239</a></span>We worked several hours taking wood from
+outside the hut and piling it up on our depleted stack inside. Long
+before we were done, I heard a distant howling, and looked toward Hal
+for its meaning.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Wolves! They scent our meat,&#8217; he said laconically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We managed to fasten our door again, and sat down by the fire while the
+dogs went over to their corner to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That night the thermometer dropped to thirty degrees below zero and
+stayed there for a week. Everything that could froze up solid, and the
+wild beasts could catch no more fish or small game, so took long jaunts
+away from their lairs to find food.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Inside of forty-eight hours I heard every kind of a growl and howl
+imaginable, as bears prowled about the hut sniffing at the buried food,
+or scratching at our hut to get in.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Wish we could get some of &#8217;em in the traps,&#8217; I said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;They&#8217;d be torn to pieces and soon et up by the other wild beasts,&#8217;
+replied Hal, as he made <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_240' id='pg_240'>240</a></span>another notch in a log where he was keeping
+record of the days.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t very pleasant that week, for the room was small, and the dogs
+and meat began to make the air reek, so we were mighty glad, one
+morning, to wake and find it warmer. Without delay, Hal and I chopped
+the door out of the ice and snow and got out, followed by the dogs. The
+air was still so cold that it felt like a knife going through my lungs,
+but it was sweet and fresh. The dogs, too, were glad to have a run.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The only thing to mark the hut from the other humps of snow round about
+was the dirty spot where the smoke came out. While we aired the room we
+cleaned up whatever d&eacute;bris lay about and filled the pails with some ice
+that Hal chopped out of the frozen stream.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Meantime, the dogs were scenting about in the drifts and growling and
+yelping. Hal looked up and saw that they were off following some tracks.
+He ran after them for a few rods and then came back, calling them to
+come in.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Those were bear tracks,&#8217; he explained, as the dogs obeyed most
+unwillingly. &#8216;I wish I had <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_241' id='pg_241'>241</a></span>some way to trap them without having the fur
+ruined by other animals.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Couldn&#8217;t you set a trap right in range with the chink of the door, and
+if you hear other animals about you can shoot them,&#8217; I said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;But it would waste a lot of valuable ammunition,&#8217; he replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He set the trap where I had suggested, however, and said he would wait
+and see what happened.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We felt better for that day&#8217;s fresh air, but the storm settled down
+again during the night, and it was several days before it stopped
+snowing. The cold held on longer, but we knew it was clear by the bright
+gleam of light that filtered through our smoke-hole.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;I wonder if we can get out to-day?&#8217; I asked, but at the same time
+howls were heard coming from the pines.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Guess you will do better to stay in to-day,&#8217; smiled Hal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That night we found it impossible to sleep, for the wolves howled madly
+just outside the hut, and some of them pawed at the smoke-hole so that
+Hal finally picked up a red-hot firebrand <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_242' id='pg_242'>242</a></span>and poked it up through the
+opening just as one of the beasts tried to nose down into the hut. It
+must have caught him well, for he set up a terrific howling.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The next night, as the wolves came back again to pay their nightly
+visit, we heard a new growl coming from a distance. I looked at Hal for
+information, and he chuckled with satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Ha! I thought so! I was sure a bear would come along before long.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;A bear! Oh, I wish we could get him in that trap!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Will he attack the wolves?&#8217; I asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;He will come sniffing about that pit for meat, and if the wolves
+bother him they will most likely get into trouble,&#8217; said Hal, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Gracious, Hal! S&#8217;pose he gets our meat&mdash;what will we do?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;We&#8217;ll have to prevent him from gettin&#8217; it, that&#8217;s all,&#8217; said Hal,
+looking at his rifle to see that it was in good order.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;How are you going to do it?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Shoot him while he&#8217;s busy with the wolves, or try and get him while he
+is digging at the pit.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_243' id='pg_243'>243</a></span>&#8220;&#8216;Wait and try the last plan. Let him kill off a pack of hungry wolves,
+and when he has driven them away he will come to the pit. Then is your
+time,&#8217; I said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Kid, you&#8217;re comin&#8217; on fine! Another season in the north and you will
+be a regular hunter,&#8217; laughed Hal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I saw that I pleased the old man, and felt happy that I could do it so
+easily. But my attention was attracted by the din of battle outside, as
+howls and snarls mixed together so furiously that the dogs huddled down
+in a corner of the hut and showed their teeth at the doorway.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We couldn&#8217;t tell from the sounds which was being worsted, but the fact
+that the wolves were so numerous led us to believe that they could
+finally tear to pieces any bear. Then, while we were checking off the
+howls, quite a singular snarl came from the opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We could tell from the noises that another bear had taken a hand in the
+fight, which continued for a long time. Then all was quiet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All that night we heard something scratching at the door and climbing
+up to the smoke-hole, but a firebrand always met the inquisitive nose,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_244' id='pg_244'>244</a></span>for we could hear the snarl of rage as a hasty retreat was made. One
+queer thing, though, was the fact that we only heard one beast clawing
+about.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When light came again, Hal placed his ear to a chink in the door and
+listened. He seemed satisfied that the coast was clear, so we started to
+chop out the snow that bound the door on the outside.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We got the door open about an inch, and Hal peeped out, but could see
+nothing. Then we managed to push it open a little further, and still
+nothing but snow was visible.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then suddenly a dark shadow fell across the light from outside. I stood
+rigid while Hal took a good aim.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Why don&#8217;t you shoot?&#8217; I cried, as I saw the largest bear I had ever
+seen standing there scenting the air.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;He isn&#8217;t in perfect range yet. I&#8217;d only ping him and make him run, if
+I shoot now,&#8217; whispered Hal, still holding his finger on the trigger.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;If he&#8217;d only move a foot this way!&#8217; I sighed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As if the brute felt my wish, he turned his head in our direction.
+Instantly a deafening report <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_245' id='pg_245'>245</a></span>seemed to blow up the cabin, and powder
+smoke hung thick over our heads. The dogs were so startled that they
+yelped and rolled over on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There was not a sound from outside, and Hal smiled to himself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Bet I got him first try. Didn&#8217;t hear any objections from him, did
+you?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Gee! I wish we could open this door and drag him in before those
+wolves come back,&#8217; I said, digging frantically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;They won&#8217;t get back straight off. They have been whipped for the time
+and will be feared to try it again unless they get the scent of the dead
+bears,&#8217; said Hal, digging away at the top of the drift while I scooped
+at the bottom.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We finally managed to open the door enough to get out.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The bear had dropped dead in his tracks. At his feet&mdash;but out of range
+of the chink of our door&mdash;lay the other, literally ripped to pieces by
+the wolves during the night&#8217;s battle. She had put up a fine fight,
+though, for the area all about her was covered with the bodies of the
+wolves <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_246' id='pg_246'>246</a></span>she had slaughtered, and the snow was all trampled and red.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The dogs ran out, their hair bristling along their spines as they
+sniffed at the carcasses.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We heard the wolves&#8217; howls from the pine woods, so we hurriedly dragged
+the bear Hal had shot inside the hut. We put the carcass in one corner
+of the room, which left us scarcely enough space to move around in.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hardly had the door been closed before the pack of wolves were upon it,
+scratching and tearing at the logs.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We had a difficult time skinning the bears and trying to cut the steaks
+properly; the grease we kept for oil after it had been melted down. I
+used to implore Hal to throw out the whole dreadful mess, but he knew
+the value of bear-grease and steaks, so kept his own counsel and minded
+me not at all.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Parts that could not be used, however, and refuse were thrown to the
+wolves, thus keeping a howling horde of them in our vicinity constantly.
+This, as it happened, proved our salvation.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We sat cross-legged one morning, figuring out <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_247' id='pg_247'>247</a></span>by the notch calendar how
+many weeks of winter remained. Suddenly a most startling sound rose
+above the din of the snarling, fighting beasts outside.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A shot rang out, followed by a shrill yelp of pain from one of the
+beasts; again a rifle cracked, and one more wolf was struck, judging
+from the noise and confusion that ensued.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hal and I looked at each other as if in a dream; then we comprehended,
+and almost choked with joy. The beasts outside slunk away as the
+strangers who had dealt death so swiftly among them approached. Hal and
+I both raised our voices and shouted and called as loudly as we could. I
+thought of his rifle, and brought it to him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Shoot through the rifle-hole in the door,&#8217; I said, excitedly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Sure thing!&#8217; he cried, raising his gun to his shoulder and shooting
+toward the sky.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We heard an answering shot, and then voices approaching to within a few
+yards of the hut. We pried the door open far enough to hand out the
+spade. The unknown visitors already had one spade, and between the two
+we were soon excavated, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_248' id='pg_248'>248</a></span>the door was opened, and we leaped forth! There
+stood an Indian squaw with a boy of about twelve.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fancy our chagrin and sinking hearts! Hal said afterward that he
+thought a rescue party had started out to find us, although he knew this
+was practically impossible.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The squaw and Hal could speak, after a fashion, and he explained to me
+that she and her son were hunting the day before, and had been caught by
+night&#8217;s swift approach. They were forced to rest in a cave until
+morning. Here they had to keep the wild animals at bay, although they
+could see them moving around in the shadows just outside the circle of
+their campfire, and heard them howling all through the night. When light
+came again, they started to find their way home, and had seen the beasts
+prowling around a hump in the snow from whence issued a thin stream of
+smoke. They knew immediately that some human being was there, and tried
+to drive away the animals long enough to investigate.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hal explained how we had come to be there&mdash;and how grateful we would be
+to get away. The <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_249' id='pg_249'>249</a></span>squaw managed to tell us that she would return to her
+tribe at once and find out whether or not we would be welcomed among
+them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hal made her understand how much money she would have if she would help
+us reach Forty-Mile, where he had &#8216;much money&#8217; waiting for him in the
+bank.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The squaw had heard of &#8216;Old Hal,&#8217; the guide, and was evidently
+surprised to find him lost while so near the trail.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;With this kid, I couldn&#8217;t take any chance at hunting for the trail any
+longer,&#8217; he explained, &#8216;but decided to follow the most sensible course,
+and wait until Spring!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We offered the squaw the bear-pelts if she would return with help and
+rescue us. In the native manner of &#8216;hearing without speaking&#8217; she
+stalked away, and we were not sure as to whether she would return or
+not.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In a few days, however, we again heard the sound of a shot which came
+from the direction of the woods, and after forcing the door open we
+found the squaw with two young men from her tribe.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Trail&mdash;him all right,&#8217; mumbled the squaw.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_250' id='pg_250'>250</a></span>&#8220;We found the weather clear enough to enable us to travel, so we packed
+all of our belongings upon the sledge, leaving the canoe in the
+snowbank, where it lay hidden against the house. The bear-steaks were
+almost gone, but Hal showed the squaw where the other food was buried,
+and told her she could use the hut any time she liked. She nodded, and
+as soon as the dogs were hitched to the sledge, we proceeded on our
+journey, guided by the squaw and the two boys.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We had only a few hours in which to travel, but in that time we reached
+the cave the squaw had told us of, and there spent the night. The
+following morning, we continued the journey, reaching the village before
+dark.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The settlement was small, comprising but a dozen families and about six
+huts, but it seemed like a town to us, who had been lost all Winter with
+nothing but wild animals and snow around us.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Our dogs were delighted at being able to join some of their breed
+again, and, upon the whole, we were all treated as well as could be
+expected.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We stayed there for two nights, then made <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_251' id='pg_251'>251</a></span>an early start on the third
+morning for Forty-Mile.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The faithful squaw and her two boys accompanied us a short distance,
+until Hal had gotten his bearings and said he would be all right.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We started on the trail at a goodly speed, and reached a small
+settlement by night-fall. The next day we arrived at the first real
+colony of white people we had encountered since we left the camp, and a
+week after we had left the squaw we came to the town of Forty-Mile,
+where we filed the papers for the claim Herrick and Dwight had staked
+out.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hal knew this was an important matter, and wondered if the rascal who
+stranded us had found his way to the land-office first.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was sitting in the little smoking-room in the place they called
+&#8216;Hotel&#8217; one morning, while Hal was in our room sewing his gold-dust belt
+a bit safer inside of his shirt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I had changed so much in appearance&mdash;with a boyish growth of beard over
+my chin, and my hair as long as a poet&#8217;s&mdash;that a villainous-looking man
+who came in and asked for whiskey failed <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_252' id='pg_252'>252</a></span>to recognize me; but I knew
+him at once as being the man who had escaped from our canoe.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I managed to get out of the room without being seen, and ran to Hal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;What do you think! The murderer is downstairs!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Who?&mdash;Sit down and talk sensible,&#8217; said Hal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;One of the Indians who got away from the canoe,&#8217; I cried in a hoarse
+whisper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Old Hal leaped to his feet. He strapped on his belt and swung his gun
+over his arm. After making sure his revolver was all right, he crept
+downstairs. I was not going to be cheated out of anything as exciting as
+this promised to be, so I cautiously followed him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The tavern-keeper and by-standers knew Hal well, and, of course, would
+stake their all on his word; so when he entered the bar-room and cried:
+&#8216;Hands up!&#8217; to the Indian, everyone took sides with him, and we soon had
+the fellow safely bound.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Now, let me see those papers you forged for our claims,&#8217; snarled Hal,
+fishing through the man&#8217;s dirty pockets, but finding nothing.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_253' id='pg_253'>253</a></span>&#8220;The man&#8217;s face showed too much elation for an old guide like Hal to be
+fooled, and he ordered the boys standing about to help him strip the
+Indian, and there&mdash;fastened to his back with strips of plaster&mdash;were
+found the drawings rudely sketched, somewhat like the set of surveys Hal
+had already filed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They were ripped off and thrown into the fire and the villain was
+chained to a post out in the shed with the dogs, with his arms tied
+behind him to prevent his escape, until the Sheriff should come in the
+morning.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hal told the crowd all about the treachery of the Indians, and they
+promised to attend to this man after we were gone.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A public sledge was about to leave for Dyea in a few days, and Hal
+engaged seats for himself and me. He paid the tavern-keeper to keep the
+dogs until he returned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I had refrained from asking Hal about my future while there was any
+doubt of our getting to the Coast, but this seemed to be the best time
+to speak of it.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;What you going to do with me?&#8217; I asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;We&#8217;ll skip right down to Juneau, and see if <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_254' id='pg_254'>254</a></span>there are any letters
+there. It all depends,&#8217; he replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In a few days more we reached Dyea, where Hal secured some trustworthy
+men into whose charge he could commit the mining work. Then we took the
+boat and started for Juneau.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;After a rough voyage of more than ten days, we docked at the wretched
+little city, and went to the post-office for our mail.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Three letters awaited me&mdash;but every one of them were from chums to whom
+I had sent cards from Seattle. My mail had been forwarded to me from
+Seattle to Juneau, but there was no word from my parents.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As Hal and I stood reading our letters, the postmaster&mdash;a
+shrivelled-up, little old man, peered at me over the rim of his
+spectacles, and called out:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Be you the one thet jist got some old letters from the East?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Yes, sir,&#8217; I returned, going over to the counter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Waal, heah&#8217;s one thet cum a long time ago, an&#8217; I meant to send it
+back, but somehow fergot it. I cum across it yistiddy, and made up my
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_255' id='pg_255'>255</a></span>mind to do somethin&#8217; with it sure, so heah ye aire.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;With relief I recognized my father&#8217;s writing, but the letter was dated
+two months previous.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I opened the letter and read it through with intense emotion. First, I
+learned that my Mother had died after a brief illness. Next, my Father
+had lost his fine saw-mill by fire. Third, my oldest sister had married,
+and the home was broken up, Father having gone to live with her in New
+York.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wondered where I would go if I went home. There was no Mother
+waiting, no home, and my Father was in a strange city with his
+son-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I turned and handed the letter to Hal. He read and comprehended.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Guess it&#8217;s Alaska for ye, Kid. Want to go back with me?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Did I?&mdash;well, I just guess I did, and I fairly jumped at the hand that
+was held out to me.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Glad myself, Kid, to have you. I sure would have missed you tol&#8217;able
+ef I saw you sailin&#8217; away from me, headed for Seattle.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Hal, will the bosses think it is all right now?&#8217; I asked.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_256' id='pg_256'>256</a></span>&#8220;&#8216;Sure thing, when they read this letter, Kid. And, say, I never told
+anyone this, but seein&#8217; thet I am to be your &#8217;dopted father, now, I may
+as well tell yeh&mdash;I am to have a tenth-share in the claim up there, and,
+as my &#8217;dopted son, you come in fer a part of mine&mdash;see?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Hal, do you mean you will take me under your wing?&#8217; I cried, all
+forgetful of the goldmine.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This pleased the old guide so much that he laughed as he retorted, &#8216;I
+knew I wasn&#8217;t wrong on the stuff you&#8217;re made of. That was a lucky day
+when my horse stumbled, eh?&#8217; and he slapped me kindly on the back.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, we went back to Dyea, and waited for a caravan to start on the
+trail. We joined the very first one out, and Hal earned our passage and
+keep all the way, as guide.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We found the camp in excellent condition, and the new miners we had
+chosen in place of the villainous Indians proved to be all that could be
+desired.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Some machinery was purchased by Hal at Dyea, and as soon as it was
+delivered at our camp, all hands set to work.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_257' id='pg_257'>257</a></span>&#8220;I stayed at that camp with Hal for three years before we sold out our
+interests and took a vacation. The bosses had only remained until the
+gold was panning out well, then they sent for experts to come and value
+the entire mine.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hal had filed some property claims for himself and me adjoining the
+Dwight mine, and after the experts had rendered their verdict on the
+property we were able to sell them at a big price.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hal and I decided to go to Seattle for a while, and then travel a bit;
+if we found the life too lazy we could easily get back to Alaska.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We put in a year of pleasure-seeking together, but the life and climate
+was too mild for the old guide who had always been accustomed to work
+and cold, and one night I found him breathing hard, and he complained of
+pains in his chest. In a week he had passed away, leaving me with all of
+his wealth to add to my own.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I had written father, and sent him some money several times during the
+year, and now I wrote to tell him I was coming home.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Needless to say, we were overjoyed to see each other again, and then I
+told him I was going to take him on a little trip.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_258' id='pg_258'>258</a></span>&#8220;We went straight to our old home town, and to his surprise I took him
+to the old homestead where I was born, telling him that I had
+repurchased it from the folks who had bought it from him. He trembled
+with happiness as we entered the door and found all of the familiar old
+furniture there, too. Above all, there stood his maiden-sister, in the
+dining-room door, smiling a welcome!</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I explained how I had found Aunt Delia, and made her promise to keep
+house for him, and how we had collected the old furniture that the
+village-folks bought when mother died. I was always thankful that my
+money enabled me to make his last days happy.&#8221;</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='THE_BnbspB_amp_BnbspB_MAGAZINE_5896' id='THE_BnbspB_amp_BnbspB_MAGAZINE_5896'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+<h3>THE B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B. MAGAZINE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>By the fifteenth of October the Blue Birds and Bobolinks were deep in
+the work of constructing a magazine. Uncle Ben sent out the two young
+men he had spoken of, and they showed the children what to do and how to
+do it.</p>
+
+<p>The Oakdale Paper Mills passed a vote to supply the paper for one year,
+and the B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B. Company had agreed to give the mills advertising
+credit for the donation.</p>
+
+<p>The two important letters which had caused such consternation in the
+Bobolink nest were all printed on beautiful grey paper in blue ink, and
+the envelopes all addressed and packed in boxes ready to be used.</p>
+
+<p>All the stories, articles and lessons had been given to Uncle Ben before
+the tenth of the month and he had sent back the linotype by the
+thirteenth as he promised he would. Then work began in real earnest.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_260' id='pg_260'>260</a></span>The Bobolink Boys had to make a galley proof of the printing, and the
+Blue Birds had to read it (or at least their mothers did) and construct
+the dummy. This last work was great fun.</p>
+
+<p>Every evening fathers and mothers visited the Publishing House and the
+Winter Nest and assisted where they could, or watched progress when they
+were not needed; after every meeting it became the custom for one or the
+other of the fathers to treat the publishing company and guests to
+refreshments. This, Don thought, was reward enough for every aching back
+or arm. To keep the children from tiring of the treats, the fathers
+planned each morning, while going into the city, just what new kind of a
+surprise to furnish that night.</p>
+
+<p>The interest shown at first had not abated&mdash;possibly due to the fact
+that so much fun was always to be had from unexpected sources&mdash;and the
+two men from the city said it was a marvel that children could produce
+such splendid work.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Goodness! those Bobolinks ought to! they spent heaps and heaps of time
+fooling with those machines to learn how to work &#8217;em!&#8221; said Dot Starr,
+overhearing what the men said.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_261' id='pg_261'>261</a></span>&#8220;And just see how the fathers help!&#8221; added Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I guess the magazine wouldn&#8217;t be much of a paper if the Blue Birds
+hadn&#8217;t done their part so well,&#8221; said May.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And the Blue Birds&#8217; mothers!&#8221; reminded Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds were sitting on the steps of the piazza waiting for Mrs.
+Talmage and Aunt Selina to join them, when Dot told them of the
+&#8220;city-man&#8217;s&#8221; commendation of the work.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here comes Flutey, now,&#8221; said Ruth, hearing the slow steps of her aunt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Blue Birds, how&#8217;s the song this morning?&#8221; cried Aunt Selina,
+happily.</p>
+
+<p>The children all turned with one accord and looked at her. Some great
+happiness must have been sent her, for she was bubbling over with secret
+joy and her face looked as young as one of the Blue Bird&#8217;s. She took a
+chair near the children.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Say, Flutey, you won&#8217;t be offended if I ask you a very happy question,
+will you?&#8221; asked Dot, in a half-whisper.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_262' id='pg_262'>262</a></span>&#8220;Why, of course not! Ask it, child,&#8221; smiled Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, you look so happy, you know, I thought maybe <i>that</i> soldier-man
+came back to marry you&mdash;maybe his being shot was all a mistake and he
+has been a prisoner all this time and just got away,&#8221; said Dot with
+horror and awe in her tones.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage had stepped out just in time to overhear the funny little
+girl&#8217;s remark and she had to run inside and smother her laughter in a
+handkerchief, for Dot was most serious in her statement, and it would
+never do to make her feel badly by laughing at her sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, dearie, those prisons were abandoned soon after the war. But
+this surprise I have for the Blue Birds is entirely different from
+anything personal,&#8221; replied Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, what is it?&#8221; asked several voices.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have a letter here,&#8221; said Aunt Selina, taking it from her reticule,
+&#8220;in reply to one I wrote an old-time friend a short time ago. This
+friend started an advertising business in Philadelphia many years ago
+and has been very successful. <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_263' id='pg_263'>263</a></span>Let us see what advice this friend gives
+about securing contracts for advertising.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds hovered about Aunt Selina&#8217;s chair eager to hear the
+letter read.</p>
+
+<p>The letter was short, but to the point. Mr. Sphere said he was delighted
+to hear from his old friend and hoped his information would give her
+little friends the satisfaction they deserved for their undertaking. He
+said that one of his best representatives had been told to call at Mossy
+Glen to interview the Blue Birds and to do just as the ladies directed.
+This man would tell them how to get advertising.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Flutey! is that all he said?&#8221; murmured Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, I don&#8217;t call that such a piece of &#8216;happy&#8217; news to smile over as
+you did!&#8221; pouted Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He didn&#8217;t ask you how you had been all the time since you two knew each
+other, and he never said a word about our magazine,&#8221; grumbled Norma,
+feeling a personal offence in the letter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, children! <i>I</i> think it is a wonderful piece of good news to hear
+that he takes enough interest in the work to send one of his best men
+down here to talk matters over,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_264' id='pg_264'>264</a></span>&#8220;If you knew my friend you would understand this letter better, for he
+always was a quiet chap who listened to others, but said little
+himself,&#8221; explained Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>The following day while the Blue Birds were at the Publishing House
+watching the wonderful process of stitching and trimming completed
+magazines, a very alert young man rang the bell at the Talmage house.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina welcomed the visitor.</p>
+
+<p>Shouts of excitement reached the house where the ladies were talking
+with Mr. Sphere&#8217;s representative, and soon a crowd of boys and girls
+swarmed up the steps and ran pell-mell for Mrs. Talmage, nothing daunted
+by seeing the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mother, mother, see, see!&#8221; cried Ruth, dragging Jinks by the sleeve.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; gasped little Betty, &#8220;see our magazine!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s perfectly lovely, Mrs. Talmage!&#8221; cried Dot.</p>
+
+<p>The older boys were more subdued when they saw the stranger.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage introduced the gentleman, Mr. Richards, one of the New York
+advertising solicitors <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_265' id='pg_265'>265</a></span>for the Philadelphia agency. He smiled in a
+condescending way when Don asked, &#8220;Want to see our magazine?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, indeed! It is such an unusual thing to find such dear little
+children interested in such a way,&#8221; replied Mr. Richards, looking about
+at the boys and girls.</p>
+
+<p>Don looked at Dot with a glance that said as plain as day, &#8220;Pooh! he&#8217;s
+trying to pat us on the back!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>And Dot said to the visitor: &#8220;Don&#8217;t think that we like to be fussed over
+just because we are working!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the publishing company looked uncomfortable at the very
+evident tendency to humor them on account of their work.</p>
+
+<p>The fact was, that the man couldn&#8217;t understand why his firm (such a
+sensible lot of business men) should send him away from his important
+work in New York to call upon some wealthy ladies and a number of
+children, to talk about advertising pages in a toy magazine.</p>
+
+<p>The two copies of the completed magazine had been given to Aunt Selina
+and Mrs. Talmage and they expressed such satisfaction at the appearance
+<span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_266' id='pg_266'>266</a></span>of the work that the man turned his attention to Mrs. Talmage. She
+handed him her copy.</p>
+
+<p>When Mr. Richards saw the magazine, he was surprised out of his usual
+self-possession and exclaimed,</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, who did this?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Blue Birds and Bobolinks,&#8221; replied Ned, with head tilted on one side
+the better to see the precious book the man held.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But this is first-class work!&#8221; exclaimed the visitor.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sure! did you think we were going to turn out anything else?&#8221; asked
+Jinks, insulted.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, of course not, but it takes experienced hands to do anything as
+good as this,&#8221; continued Mr. Richards, turning the pages slowly and
+examining each one carefully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Uncle Ben knew the kind of workers we were when he trusted us
+with his pet hobby!&#8221; declared Ned, proudly.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Richards looked rather helpless, so Mrs. Talmage explained who
+&#8220;Uncle Ben&#8221; was and what part he had taken in the enterprise.</p>
+
+<p>Light gradually began to break in upon the young man&#8217;s brain as he heard
+the story of the <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_267' id='pg_267'>267</a></span>magazine. Suddenly he sat up as if electrified with a
+new idea. He looked about at the children, the house, lawns, and ladies;
+finally he took his return railroad ticket from his pocket and noted the
+name printed on the card&mdash;Oakdale.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, well, well! is this place called &#8216;Mossy Glen&#8217;?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is,&#8221; replied Mrs. Talmage, wonderingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And these youngsters, the same that set folks agog last summer with
+their &#8216;Fresh Airs&#8217;?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mother Wings bowed affirmatively, but the Blue Birds, who had never
+dreamed that their doings had ever been heard of outside of their own
+little community, were as surprised as their visitor.</p>
+
+<p>The solicitor looked everyone over with a new interest after that, and
+breathed softly to himself, &#8220;Great Scott! What a piece of luck to get
+the lead in this idea!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We do not understand exactly what you mean,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage, with
+dignity.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I was present at a meeting a short time ago when the talk veered
+to a project evolved by some children. It was creating quite a little
+interest among the older men, but I paid little attention <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_268' id='pg_268'>268</a></span>to it at the
+time, for I had my mind full of other matters. But I remember hearing
+one of the leading publishers state that he believed we would hear of
+this undertaking in the future, for he knew some of the children who
+were in it. Now, here I am, unconsciously dropped into the heart of it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>From that moment Mr. Richards was the enthusiastic collaborator of the
+company. He went over the pages of the magazine again and made some
+valuable suggestions for the future. When he expressed a desire to visit
+their plant, everyone jumped up ready to show him the B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B.
+Publishing House.</p>
+
+<p>Another great surprise awaited Mr. Richards. He had an idea that the
+work was done upon toy machinery, or hand presses; but, to find a shop
+equipped with electric motors and up-to-date machines, to say nothing of
+type-stands and a real office, was more than he could comprehend.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not surprised at the statement that man made at the meeting&mdash;he
+must have known you children, indeed!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Seems to me that we are getting this young man &#8216;rooted&#8217; in this work,&#8221;
+laughed Aunt Selina, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_269' id='pg_269'>269</a></span>who liked the expression ever since Mrs. Talmage
+told her how to interest friends in the work.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m &#8216;grafted&#8217; upon this idea even if I&#8217;m not &#8216;rooted,&#8217;&#8221; returned
+Mr. Richards, laughingly. &#8220;So much so, in fact, that I am going to make
+a suggestion that I think will meet with the approval of all of you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The children came closer to await his proposition.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;At present I am an advertising man, but I used to be on one of the
+large newspapers in the city, and whenever any unusual story came in I
+was supposed to &#8216;dress it&#8217; for publication. Now, in my opinion, this
+whole affair will make a fine story for the press and at the same time
+give this magazine the publicity it needs.&#8221; Mr. Richards looked at the
+ladies for approval.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t seem valuable enough for a paper to print,&#8221; ventured Mrs.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is the <i>unusual</i> that papers are always after,&#8221; replied Mr.
+Richards. &#8220;Show me anything more unusual than this (waving his arm about
+to embrace the children, the plant and the work) and I will run after
+it!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_270' id='pg_270'>270</a></span>&#8220;What would you say in the story?&#8221; asked Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;d take kodak pictures of this office, of the plant, and of the
+Winter Nest you have been telling me about. Then we would group the
+children on the lawn in front of the house and have a picture of the
+Blue Birds and Bobolinks who own and publish this magazine.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What would Mr. Sphere say if he saw the story in the papers?&#8221; asked
+Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;d say, &#8216;Richie, old boy, I always knew you had a grain of sense in
+your head!&#8217;&#8221; laughed Mr. Richards.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I have a fine camera in case you want to use it,&#8221; said Ned, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And we have everything in good shape to have a picture taken,&#8221; added
+Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If the ladies consent we will lose no more time, but get the pictures
+while the sun is right,&#8221; Mr. Richards said, as he turned toward the
+ladies and Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, yes, Mother Wings, let&#8217;s do it!&#8221; cried several Blue Birds. So Aunt
+Selina and Mrs. Talmage smiled a consent.</p>
+
+<p>Ned brought his camera and Mr. Richards <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_271' id='pg_271'>271</a></span>grouped the Bobolinks about the
+machines in as workman-like poses as possible, and managed to get a good
+picture of them. Next, the office, with Jinks at the typewriter and Ned
+at the desk, was photographed. Outside, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks
+grouped themselves in front of the door and another picture was taken.
+The Blue Birds were given their pose as editors in the large library of
+the house, where books and writing material could be utilized in the
+picture. The Winter Nest was the last picture to be taken.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, watch the papers for a story of your entire plan and achievement,
+with illustrations, and if you don&#8217;t tell me the next time I come out
+that my idea was the best publicity plan imaginable, then you&#8217;ll be
+ungrateful, indeed!&#8221; said Mr. Richards, pleased as he could be with the
+success of his visit.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When will the papers come out?&#8221; asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll keep you posted day by day. I&#8217;m not going to lose sight of such a
+promising crowd of young folks, <i>I tell you!</i>&#8221; laughed the young man as
+he placed the film in his pocket and started to say good-by.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Say, here, are you going to take that magazine <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_272' id='pg_272'>272</a></span>with you?&#8221; cried Don,
+seeing the magazine rolled up in the visitor&#8217;s hand.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I guess! I&#8217;m going to exploit this everywhere I go,&#8221; said Mr.
+Richards, tapping the paper with his hand.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And tell the newspaper man that lots of famous folks have promised to
+write for us,&#8221; said Ruth, who desired the magazine to have all the glory
+possible.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And tell him to be sure and say that Aunt Selina will be glad to have
+grown-ups write to ask her about Happy Hills,&#8221; added Aunt Selina,
+anxious to have the children&#8217;s farm advertised.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll make them write everything I can think of, and more too, if
+possible,&#8221; laughed the young man as he started down the steps.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Mr. Richards, I forgot to tell&mdash;&mdash;&#8221; Don started to say something,
+but Ike interrupted from the automobile which had been waiting for some
+time in front of the house.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;ll just be time to jump aboard that train if we get off at once!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Richards jumped in and raised his hat to the ladies, while Ike
+started the car at full <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_273' id='pg_273'>273</a></span>speed, the children meantime waving their hands
+and shouting reminders after the visitor.</p>
+
+<p>Back to the Publishing House trooped the bevy of workers, more eager
+than ever to continue their work.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, he&#8217;s what I call an &#8216;all right&#8217; man!&#8221; declared Don Starr,
+emphatically, as he accented his words with punches at the stitcher.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What a piece of luck for us,&#8221; exclaimed Ned, overjoyed at the promised
+newspaper story.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I always said I wanted to go through college,&#8221; said Tuck Stevens,
+thoughtfully; &#8220;but what&#8217;s the use? When I have such a good business to
+work in and will be all ready to live on my money by the time I&#8217;m a man,
+why should I bother?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s so, Tuck; better have a good time on that money,&#8221; laughed Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Better &#8216;not count your chickens before they&#8217;re hatched&#8217; or they may
+never come out of the shell,&#8221; teased Ned.</p>
+
+<p>The Blue Birds had been equally busy talking, while folding pages, but
+the work soon engrossed too much of their attention to keep up any
+conversation.</p>
+
+<p>After several hours&#8217; work the Blue Birds <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_274' id='pg_274'>274</a></span>began to feel tired and
+decided to carry the finished magazines to the house.</p>
+
+<p>As each little girl came up the steps carrying a heap of neatly finished
+magazines, the two ladies stopped talking and turned to watch the girls
+deposit the magazines on the table in the hallway.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What were you saying about Happy Hills, mother?&#8221; asked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Selina was telling me all about the three beautiful hills at the
+back of the estate. She said what pretty kodak pictures they would make
+if we wanted to use them for the magazine, and I said it might be a good
+plan to write up a short story about our plan for next month&#8217;s issue.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, that would be a fine start for the farm,&#8221; cried Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And we think that we would need all of the time we can get to make sure
+of next summer&#8217;s success,&#8221; added Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Aunt Selina, how many poor children do you think we can keep at Happy
+Hills?&#8221; asked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We could not tell without having expert help to show how many camps can
+be built there,&#8221; said Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_275' id='pg_275'>275</a></span>&#8220;Oh, are you going to build camps, Aunt Selina?&#8221; asked Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I thought the children were going to live in the woods,&#8221; said Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But you didn&#8217;t expect them to sleep on the ground and dress behind the
+bushes, did you?&#8221; said May.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I never thought what they would do,&#8221; returned Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Will you have nests to live in like ours in the cherry-tree?&#8221; asked
+Betty.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, dearie, I am planning to build little houses that will hold about
+six or eight bunks, and a locker for each child. These houses will have
+a floor and a roof with posts to hold it up, but the walls will be made
+of canvas curtains that we can roll up when we want the house wide open.
+The long building where the children will gather to eat or have games,
+will be centrally located if we build it in the valley between the three
+hills,&#8221; explained Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are we going to give the camp a name?&#8221; asked Edith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, we hadn&#8217;t thought of that&mdash;we can use <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_276' id='pg_276'>276</a></span>the name &#8216;Happy Hills,&#8217;
+couldn&#8217;t we?&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Nobody will know the camp is any different then. The place has always
+been called Happy Hills, so how is a stranger going to know that it is
+the same where the children are living?&#8221; said Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The name &#8216;Hills&#8217; sounds all right, but you can&#8217;t call the big house in
+the valley by the name of &#8216;Hills&#8217;; we ought to have a new name for
+<i>that</i> so the children will know what place we mean when we talk about
+the dining-room,&#8221; suggested Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just say &#8216;Valley where the long house is,&#8217;&#8221; said Edith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That doesn&#8217;t sound nice, a bit! Everything else we have have such nice
+names,&#8221; complained Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But, why do you children want a name for the valley and one for the
+children&#8217;s camps?&#8221; asked Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Doesn&#8217;t everything in the world have a name?&#8221; asked Dot.</p>
+
+<p>The others laughed, but Ruth added, &#8220;Dot&#8217;s right; we have a name for our
+cherry-tree nest, <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_277' id='pg_277'>277</a></span>and one for the new nest; and Mrs. Catlin is going to
+call her Blue Birds&#8217; nest &#8216;Hill Top Nest&#8217;&mdash;&#8216;Blue Birds of Hill Top
+Nest.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But this is different,&#8221; argued Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, it isn&#8217;t, Mrs. Talmage,&#8221; insisted Dot. &#8220;We call our house &#8216;Oakwood&#8217;
+and you call this place &#8216;Mossy Glen&#8217;&mdash;and our town we call Oakdale. Why,
+what for? Everyone knows where the Starrs live, and where the Talmages
+live, and we all know where the town lives, so what&#8217;s the use of having
+names?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dot, you hit the nail on the head every time,&#8221; said Aunt Selina, as all
+of the others laughed at Dot&#8217;s explanation.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but that&#8217;s why we want a name for our children&#8217;s camp and the
+valley,&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Really, it doesn&#8217;t matter to us how many names you choose to give
+it&mdash;just please yourselves about it,&#8221; said Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right, then, if you don&#8217;t mind, we&#8217;ll try to get a real lovely name
+for it,&#8221; said Betty, smiling at Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>For quite a time, silence reigned, for the Blue Birds were trying to
+think of a pretty name for the farm.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_278' id='pg_278'>278</a></span>&#8220;In &#8216;Pilgrim&#8217;s Progress&#8217; there is a &#8216;Valley of Humility,&#8217;&#8221; suggested
+May.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll run and get the Bible Concordance&mdash;that will have some valley
+names in it,&#8221; said Ruth, running indoors to get the book.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, listen while I read some for you,&#8221; continued Ruth, bringing the
+book over to the wicker table.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here&#8217;s one&mdash;&#8216;Inhabitants of the Valley&#8217;&mdash;turn that about and call it
+&#8216;Valley of Inhabitants.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, that isn&#8217;t nice!&#8221; objected several voices.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then comes a lot of hard-spelled names of valleys that won&#8217;t do,
+either. Next comes: &#8216;valley of passengers&#8217; and &#8216;valley of vision.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t want either one,&#8221; grumbled Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Would you like the name &#8216;Valley of Joy&#8217;?&#8221; asked Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>After a few moments&#8217; thought the children replied, &#8220;Better, but not
+right yet.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Aunt Selina smiled and thought how difficult to please were these Blue
+Birds; but Mrs. Talmage smiled, knowing that the children knew just what
+they wanted.</p>
+
+<p>After much thinking and suggesting, Ruth <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_279' id='pg_279'>279</a></span>said, &#8220;We ought to have a name
+that will fit with Happy Hills, you know.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>After &#8220;pleasure,&#8221; &#8220;fun,&#8221; &#8220;contentment&#8221; and other names had been
+suggested, Aunt Selina suddenly mentioned &#8220;delight.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Valley of Delight,&#8221; repeated Mrs. Talmage to hear the sound of it,
+while the Blue Birds hailed the name as just right.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Happy Hills in the Valley of Delight!&#8221; said Aunt Selina, as pleased as
+the children were.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Write it down&mdash;that&#8217;s its name from now on,&#8221; cried Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We want it printed on all of our letter paper that will be used for
+farm purposes,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes; won&#8217;t it look fine to send out letters asking folks to send
+donations for the poor children of &#8216;Happy Hills in the Valley of
+Delight!&#8217; and let them see the name on top of some nice grey paper,&#8221;
+cried Edith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wish we could find a name for those poor children. I never like to say
+that word&mdash;&#8216;poor,&#8217;&#8221; complained Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Neither do I,&#8221; added Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know I wouldn&#8217;t like a country child to be <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_280' id='pg_280'>280</a></span>always calling me &#8216;poor
+city child,&#8217;&#8221; declared Betty.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then you ought to find a nice name for all of them, too, so we won&#8217;t
+have to say &#8216;poor&#8217; any more,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>All heads were bent down again while busy brains tried to find a
+suitable name for the prot&eacute;g&eacute;s coming from the city.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Could they be called &#8216;birds&#8217; like us?&#8221; asked Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I do not think city children would care for such a name. You see, dear,
+they are so precocious from their daily experiences that they might
+think a bird-name silly,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe they would like the name &#8216;Little Soldiers,&#8217;&#8221; ventured Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, that makes you think of &#8216;Onward Christian Soldiers&#8217; and they would
+guess we were goin&#8217; to make them join a Sunday School class right off!&#8221;
+objected Dot.</p>
+
+<p>Everyone laughed at Dot&#8217;s viewpoint, but Aunt Selina was given an idea
+by Norma&#8217;s suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How would &#8216;Little Workers&#8217; sound?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_281' id='pg_281'>281</a></span>&#8220;Then they will all fear you are going to make them work,&#8221; laughed Mrs.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Little Lambs&#8217;&mdash;&#8216;Little Folks&#8217;&mdash;&#8216;Little Friends,&#8217;&#8221; recited Dot,
+zealously, then waited for a verdict.</p>
+
+<p>Heads were shaken in negation of the names, and Ruth started a list of
+names.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Little Americans&#8217;&mdash;how&#8217;s that?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Better, but not good enough,&#8221; replied her mother.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, here&#8217;s one&mdash;everything that lives in a forest is called a &#8216;denizen&#8217;
+of the forest&mdash;let&#8217;s call our children &#8216;Little Denizens,&#8217;&#8221; cried Norma.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wish someone could find a name that would mean the same as Americans
+and woods folks,&#8221; came from Betty wistfully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How does &#8216;Little Citizens&#8217; sound?&#8221; asked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wait! say it again!&#8221; exclaimed Mrs. Talmage, while the children and
+Aunt Selina seemed to like the name.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Little Citizens&mdash;of Happy Hills in the Valley of Delight,&#8221; rehearsed
+Ruth.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_282' id='pg_282'>282</a></span>&#8220;Why, just the thing&mdash;it&#8217;s lovely!&#8221; cried Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Fluff, couldn&#8217;t be better,&#8221; said several of the Blue Birds.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sounds almost like a book story-name, it&#8217;s so pretty,&#8221; commended Mrs.
+Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>There was no more leisure to admire their new names, because shouts were
+heard in the direction of the Publishing House, and the boys came out,
+each carrying a stack of magazines piled up in their arms. They reached
+the steps and Mrs. Talmage hurried to the hallway to show them in which
+closet to place them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My, but that was a big load!&#8221; exclaimed Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Big piece of work, that!&#8221; said Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;More fun than I&#8217;ve ever had,&#8221; commented Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But it makes a fellow awful hungry to work so hard. I wish it was night
+so the men could treat,&#8221; hinted Don.</p>
+
+<p>The last remark from Don made the children laugh at him, but Mrs.
+Talmage said, &#8220;Don, if you will take Ned into the dining-room you will
+find something there which you can carry out here.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_283' id='pg_283'>283</a></span>Don looked surprised, but Ned led him indoors to find what the surprise
+could be.</p>
+
+<p>Soon both boys appeared again carrying a tray of cakes and dishes, while
+the maid followed with a huge platter upon which stood a high brick of
+ice-cream.</p>
+
+<p>The refreshments were so delicious that the boys said they could start
+another day&#8217;s work if they were sure of being treated with more
+ice-cream afterward.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How many magazines do you suppose you finished to-day?&#8221; asked Ruth, of
+her brother.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Guess.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know; we girls carried in &#8217;most a hundred, but our piles were
+not so high as the ones you boys brought in.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, we counted before we left the office; there were thirty in a
+pile, and we brought over thirty piles&mdash;that made nine hundred all told,
+but the hundred you girls carried in makes just one thousand copies.
+Isn&#8217;t that great?&#8221; cried Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then we can begin mailing copies to our philanthropists to-night, can&#8217;t
+we?&#8221; asked Norma.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_284' id='pg_284'>284</a></span>&#8220;Yes, and bring your mothers with you, to help,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>As everyone felt eager to get the thousand copies wrapped and mailed,
+the children soon said good-by and went home to tell the great news of
+the day&#8217;s work.</p>
+
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='HOW_THE_MAGAZINE_WENT_OUT_6519' id='HOW_THE_MAGAZINE_WENT_OUT_6519'></a>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+<h3>HOW THE MAGAZINE WENT OUT</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Before nine o&#8217;clock that night the magazines had all been wrapped, ready
+for Ike to take to the post-office. The children were just as eager to
+continue the work, but Mrs. Talmage said that nine o&#8217;clock was time to
+go home.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll all be here Monday afternoon to help some more, Mrs. Talmage,&#8221;
+promised the Blue Birds as they skipped away beside their mothers.</p>
+
+<p>It took the Bobolinks all of that week, working every moment after
+school, and many of the evening hours, to finish the rest of the
+magazines. Everyone had decided that ten thousand would be enough for
+the first issue, for it took so long to wrap each copy that no extra
+time could be given to printing.</p>
+
+<p>The first week of November results began to appear. One day the Blue
+Birds came to the Winter Nest and found several letters lying on the
+table, addressed to the &#8220;Blue Birds of Oakdale.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_286' id='pg_286'>286</a></span>&#8220;Oh, oh! who do you s&#8217;pose they are from?&#8221; eagerly asked Norma.</p>
+
+<p>Dot was trying to look right through the envelope and the others laughed
+at her expression.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s open them and see!&#8221; said sensible Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Talmage entered the room just then and the letters were given her
+to open and read aloud.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe they are subscriptions,&#8221; suggested Mrs. Talmage, as she slipped a
+paper-knife under the flap of an envelope.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Goodness! suppose they are?&#8221; whispered Betty.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What would we do with them?&#8221; said Dot.</p>
+
+<p>As this was an entirely new and unexpected problem, the Blue Birds
+looked at each other and then at Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think we will have to invite the Bobolinks to a conference to-day and
+talk this matter over,&#8221; said Mother Wings.</p>
+
+<p>Norma was sent to the Publishing House to invite the boys to be present
+at the meeting that afternoon at five. As it was four-thirty, the boys
+hurried to wash their hands and pull down their shirt sleeves, for
+almost all of them had taken off their coats and rolled up their
+sleeves.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_287' id='pg_287'>287</a></span>The meeting proved to be very important in the judgment of the
+children, for the letters were found to contain money orders and checks
+which had to be deposited in some bank.</p>
+
+<p>After looking over the papers, Ned said, &#8220;We must sign these and send
+back a receipt, eh, mother?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and we must select some bank in which to place our account; shall
+we say the Oakdale Trust Company?&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>So that was agreed upon and the secretary told to stop at the bank in
+the morning and get the necessary blanks for the company to fill in.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What a heap of money the magazines must make,&#8221; said Dot. &#8220;Just look at
+all the money we have already with no list.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But you forget we have really no costs to pay at present so all that is
+paid in is profit. But the city publishers have heavy expenses to pay
+out of all their income,&#8221; explained Mrs. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Uncle Ben says that hardly any magazine published could pay its
+expenses on the subscriptions only; it is the advertising that pays for
+the work,&#8221; said Ned.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_288' id='pg_288'>288</a></span>&#8220;We ought to get busy on our advertising, then,&#8221; urged Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If we don&#8217;t we won&#8217;t pay costs after all of these free donations of
+paper and postage are over,&#8221; added Meredith.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You boys practised that part of the work, so why don&#8217;t you try and call
+upon some big firms and ask for contracts?&#8221; asked Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How do you know we practised?&#8221; questioned Ned, looking at the Blue
+Birds, who started giggling as they recalled the visit to the loft over
+the carriage house.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ho, didn&#8217;t you?&#8221; insisted Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No one but we boys knew it&mdash;we kept the doors closed while we tried to
+see which one could do it best,&#8221; replied Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A little bird whispered it in our ears,&#8221; teased Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Say, Jinks! do you remember the time I heard those noises in the loft?&#8221;
+asked Ned.</p>
+
+<p>The Bobolinks saw that the girls were laughing at them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wonder when Mr. Richards will get that story printed in the
+papers&mdash;that will help so much!&#8221; sighed Betty.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_289' id='pg_289'>289</a></span>&#8220;Don&#8217;t be impatient, little girl,&#8221; said Mrs. Talmage. &#8220;Remember, we
+have only just begun, and I think there have been marvelous steps
+taken.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And when it once gets started, the subscription list will grow very
+rapidly,&#8221; added Aunt Selina.</p>
+
+<p>And so it proved. In a few weeks&#8217; time the letters containing checks and
+money orders for subscriptions reached such proportions that Mrs.
+Talmage was distracted trying to attend properly to the clerical work.
+Mr. Talmage saw that it was such tiresome application to detail that he
+telephoned Uncle Ben to send out a competent filing clerk; in a few days
+a nice young girl of about eighteen arrived and took charge of all the
+mail, and Mrs. Talmage heaved a deep sigh of relief.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben had made it a custom to visit his brother&#8217;s family every
+week-end since the inception of the magazine, and one Saturday he
+arrived unusually early&mdash;in time for lunch.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ned, can you call a meeting of the B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B.&#8217;s at the Publishing
+House for two o&#8217;clock?&#8221; asked Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_290' id='pg_290'>290</a></span>&#8220;The Bobolinks will be there anyway, but I am not so sure about the
+Blue Birds,&#8221; said Ned, looking at Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We had something to talk over in the Winter Nest, but we can postpone
+it until afterward,&#8221; said Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>So at two o&#8217;clock all of the children were gathered about Uncle Ben to
+hear the news he had to tell them.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben made a great fuss clearing his throat as if in preparation for
+an oration, then took a packet of letters from his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The sample issue of your magazine made such a stir in various
+publishing circles, that one of the officers of the Publishers&#8217;
+Association asked me Thursday night who was back of all this business
+that a lot of youngsters had started down at Oakdale.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t reply right away, and a man sitting near me said, &#8216;Oh, some
+folks, probably, who have a smattering of how to do printing!&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Some of my friends laughed hilariously, for they thought it a good joke
+on me, but the President of the association was not satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;This is no amateurish work, Mackensie,&#8217; he <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_291' id='pg_291'>291</a></span>said; &#8216;here is a copy of
+the magazine and I tell you it can compete with any juvenile publication
+in the country. Why, man, the names of some of the contributors are
+familiar to me, for I know of offers made to induce these same writers
+to throw us morsels of their wisdom.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then a friend of mine spoke.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;This whole affair sounds very much like the pet hobby of a friend&mdash;he
+told me about it years ago.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The other men laughed at the explanation, but my friend looked at me
+and said, &#8216;Talmage, what do <i>you</i> know about it?&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then I said, &#8216;My niece and nephew belong to the Blue Birds and
+Bobolinks that started the poor children&#8217;s outing at Oakdale, last
+summer. They have become so interested in the work that they propose
+raising enough money this winter to take over a farm of a few thousand
+acres and send out hundreds of children for all of next summer.&#8217;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;They what?&#8217; exclaimed every man present.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Say that again!&#8217; commanded the President, so I gladly told them the
+story in detail.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_292' id='pg_292'>292</a></span>&#8220;Well, B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B.&#8217;s&mdash;do you want to know the result of that
+meeting?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The children shouted and begged to be told at once, so Uncle Ben
+continued with evident pleasure in the telling.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Those great publishers talked for hours of ways and means in which to
+help along your good work. Some promised to interest prominent people
+they knew, and others offered to insert advertising cards in their own
+publications to tell about the magazine and its purpose. Almost every
+one of them offered to make special clubbing offers with their own
+magazines to induce readers to subscribe for yours.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, these letters are the results of some of the promises already kept
+by these men. I will read them to you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben then proceeded to read aloud the letters from prominent people
+and philanthropists who had responded to the call made by friends. They
+commended the interest shown by the younger generation and hoped the
+sympathetic work done for the sick and poverty-stricken little ones of
+the cities would win success. To this end a donation was inclosed.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_293' id='pg_293'>293</a></span>As Uncle Ben read the last letter, he took from his wallet a package of
+checks and handed them over to Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Ned saw the figure written on the face of the first check on top and
+held the package as if it were dangerous.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Heigh, there, Ned, they aren&#8217;t loaded, are they?&#8221; laughed Jinks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Read it off, Ned,&#8221; urged the boys and girls.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This top one is from the Cage Foundation and is for five hundred
+dollars&mdash;subscriptions to be sent to hospitals. The next one&mdash;&mdash;&#8221; and
+Ned gasped again as he took up the second paper.</p>
+
+<p>Uncle Ben laughed at his evident amazement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The second is from the Sarnegie Fund and is made out for a thousand
+dollars, subscriptions to be sent to homes and orphanages.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And here&#8217;s another for five hundred dollars from Harriet Rowld. Then
+there&#8217;s&mdash;let me see! One&mdash;two&mdash;three&mdash;four&mdash;for a hundred dollars each
+for cripples&#8217; homes.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>When Ned finished the children were too surprised to say a word, but
+Uncle Ben spoke for them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, Chicks&mdash;I mean Birds&mdash;you see that <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_294' id='pg_294'>294</a></span>any time you grow weary of
+working out this scheme there will be no difficulty in selling the
+business for cash. Any wide-awake publisher will jump over the moon to
+get this magazine from you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Uncle Ben! what a dreadful thing to say!&#8221; cried Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As if we ever would sell out such a wonderful plan,&#8221; murmured several
+of the children.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If every one of you feel the same about this matter, why not pass a
+resolution that we will never sell out this business for mere commercial
+reasons?&#8221; suggested Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>It was instantly agreed upon and the resolution made a part of the
+by-laws of the company.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now, for a social proposition,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, smiling in his
+possession of a pleasant secret.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was thinking that we ought to get out an extra fine Christmas number,
+and send out as many samples as could be turned off the press. To do
+this you would have to have several men working during your school
+hours, so I thought it best to ask the men already here to wait for
+further orders. With all of this money on hand you can easily pay their
+salary and that of another <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_295' id='pg_295'>295</a></span>good man that I should like to send out here
+to boss the work. Ike says he can fix up some rooms in the loft overhead
+and the men can take their meals with him. The two men who are working
+here like it very much and will remain if you want them to.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But we would be crowded out of our work if the men did all of it,&#8221;
+complained Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not a bit of it! I said: &#8216;During school hours,&#8217; so an extra large
+number of magazines can be printed for Christmas. You boys worked every
+moment of your time but could only finish ten thousand this month,&#8221;
+explained Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>So it was cheerfully agreed to have the men help them with the next
+month&#8217;s magazine.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You said &#8216;social,&#8217; but I don&#8217;t see anything social in having the men
+help with the work,&#8221; grumbled Don.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now that you will have the men to help with the work you will have time
+to think of the social side of the plan I am going to suggest,&#8221; replied
+Uncle Ben, winking at Don to cheer him up. &#8220;So many of my friends in New
+York have heard of this B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B. Company that I am constantly
+answering questions as to your ages, looks, and <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_296' id='pg_296'>296</a></span>other personal matters.
+I think it will be a splendid plan to have all of you meet them soon and
+spare me so many extra words and time, to say nothing of wear and tear
+on my vocal cords.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know you&#8217;ve got a lovely surprise to tell us&mdash;I can tell it in your
+voice!&#8221; cried Ruth, jumping up and hugging her uncle about the neck.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know whether it is or not&mdash;how can I say until the others tell
+me whether it is,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, trying to look troubled over the
+doubt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Out with it, Uncle Ben!&#8221; laughed Ned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, if I must, I must!&#8221; groaned Uncle Ben. &#8220;I have discovered a very
+amusing play that has Saturday matin&eacute;es. Of course, I suppose Birds
+could get into a theatre, couldn&#8217;t they? Well, if we went to see the
+show in the afternoon and then went to a hotel where we could have a
+dining-room all to ourselves and give a little party to all of my
+friends, it would save me so much trouble for the future.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mere words failed to express the excitement and delight of the children
+as they fully realized what Uncle Ben meant.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; said Betty, &#8220;I&#8217;ve never been to a theatre <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_297' id='pg_297'>297</a></span>in my life&mdash;and to
+think of going to one in New York, oh!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Neither have I, Betty,&#8221; replied May. &#8220;Can you go?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Will mother go with us, Uncle Ben?&#8221; asked Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Most assuredly, for you Blue Birds will have to have a Mother Wing to
+cover you&mdash;and Aunt Selina, too, if she will come,&#8221; said Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When can we go?&#8221; asked Don, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have you decided to come?&#8221; teased Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>The storm of acceptance made him laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, let&#8217;s say a week from next Saturday, if everyone can
+arrange it for that time. I will invite my friends to be at our party at
+six o&#8217;clock sharp, for afterward we will have to come home on the nine
+o&#8217;clock train.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And will some of those real publishers be there, Uncle Ben?&#8221; asked Ned,
+sceptically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Some of the greatest in America, my boy,&#8221; said Uncle Ben, seriously, as
+he understood Ned&#8217;s ambition to meet them and his doubt of having the
+desire fulfilled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What must we wear?&#8221; asked Norma.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_298' id='pg_298'>298</a></span>&#8220;The prettiest that you have, for I want to show off my publishing
+company to the very best advantage,&#8221; replied Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Mr. Talmage appeared at the doorway and said,</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you know that dinner is almost ready and no one there to sit down to
+table?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then everyone began to tell of the party to be given in New York, and
+Mr. Talmage seemed very much surprised.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If that is the case, you will all have to do your very best to have a
+fine Christmas magazine so that the friends you meet in New York will
+want to come to another party at some other time. Perhaps if the
+magazine was very, very attractive they would feel so proud of being
+acquainted with you that they would take the trouble to come all the way
+out to Oakdale to have a party this winter,&#8221; ventured Mr. Talmage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wouldn&#8217;t it be fun to invite them all here at the Christmas Holidays
+and give them a real country Christmas tree with Uncle Ben for Santa
+Claus!&#8221; cried Betty, expectantly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And sleigh-rides from the train, and bob-sledding <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_299' id='pg_299'>299</a></span>down Oakdale Hill,
+then over to our Publishing House for the Tree,&#8221; added Dot.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And have a present for everyone like we had on our Fourth-of-July
+tree,&#8221; cried Ruth.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And after all the fun is over, a great big feast with plum-pudding,&#8221;
+sighed Don, making them all laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I think that will be fine, and I don&#8217;t believe one of those New
+Yorkers will stay away if you tell them all the fun you propose giving
+them,&#8221; laughed Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But, first, let us have our party with you, Uncle Ben, then we can talk
+about the Christmas one,&#8221; advised Ned.</p>
+
+<p>Families in Oakdale were entertained that Saturday night by hearing the
+children tell of the plans made by Uncle Ben for the social side of the
+B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B.&#8217;s life. Many were the dreams of all the fun to be had when
+that New York party came off.</p>
+
+<p>While the children were home talking over the anticipated dinner-party,
+the grown-ups at Mossy Glen were engaged in perfecting plans for the
+party. Invitations on grey paper, printed in blue ink, with a flight of
+birds shadowed across <span class='pagenum'><a name='pg_300' id='pg_300'>300</a></span>the sheet was the suggestion of Aunt Selina. The
+favors for the table and the tokens presented for speech-making were
+suggested by Mrs. Talmage, while the dinner and decorations were planned
+by Mr. Talmage and Uncle Ben.</p>
+
+<p>Much fun was the result of the party in New York. The guests accepted
+the B.&nbsp;B. &amp; B.&nbsp;B.&#8217;s invitation to have a Christmas Tree at the
+Publishing House with great eagerness. But it will take another book to
+tell about everything that happened.</p>
+
+<p>This book, called &#8220;THE BLUE BIRDS&#8217; UNCLE BEN,&#8221; is the third of the
+series.</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:114px'>
+<a name='illus-001' id='illus-001'></a>
+<img src='images/bb03.jpg' alt='' title='' width='114' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:large;'>The Girl Scouts Series</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>BY EDITH LAVELL</p>
+
+<p>A new copyright series of Girl Scouts stories by an author of wide
+experience in Scouts&#8217; craft, as Director of Girl Scouts of Philadelphia.</p>
+
+<p class='center'>Clothbound, with Attractive Color Designs.</p>
+
+<p class='center'>PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p>THE GIRL SCOUTS AT MISS ALLEN&#8217;S SCHOOL<br />
+THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP<br />
+THE GIRL SCOUTS&#8217; GOOD TURN<br />
+THE GIRL SCOUTS&#8217; CANOE TRIP<br />
+THE GIRL SCOUTS&#8217; RIVALS<br />
+THE GIRL SCOUTS ON THE RANCH<br />
+THE GIRL SCOUTS&#8217; VACATION ADVENTURES<br />
+THE GIRL SCOUTS&#8217; MOTOR TRIP</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p class='center'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>A. L. BURT COMPANY<br />
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:126px'>
+<a name='illus-002' id='illus-002'></a>
+<img src='images/bb04.jpg' alt='' title='' width='126' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:large;'>Marjorie Dean High School Series</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>BY PAULINE LESTER</p>
+
+<p>Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean College Series</p>
+
+<p>These are clean, wholesome stories that will be of great interest to all
+girls of high school age.</p>
+
+<p class='center'>All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles</p>
+
+<p class='center'>PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p>MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN<br />
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE<br />
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR<br />
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p class='center'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>A. L. BURT COMPANY<br />
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:114px'>
+<a name='illus-003' id='illus-003'></a>
+<img src='images/bb05.jpg' alt='' title='' width='114' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:large;'>Marjorie Dean College Series</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>BY PAULINE LESTER.</p>
+
+<p class='center'>Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean High School Series.</p>
+
+<p>Those who have read the Marjorie Dean High School Series will be eager
+to read this new series, as Marjorie Dean continues to be the heroine in
+these stories.</p>
+
+<p class='center'>All Clothbound. Copyright Titles. PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p>MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE FRESHMAN<br />
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SOPHOMORE<br />
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE JUNIOR<br />
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SENIOR</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p class='center'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers.</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>A. L. BURT COMPANY<br />
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:121px'>
+<a name='illus-004' id='illus-004'></a>
+<img src='images/bb06.jpg' alt='' title='' width='121' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:large;'>The Camp Fire Girls Series</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>By HILDEGARD G. FREY</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p class='center'>A Series of Outdoor Stories for Girls 12 to 16 Years.</p>
+
+<p class='center'>All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS IN THE MAINE WOODS;
+or, The Winnebagos go Camping.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT SCHOOL; or, The
+Wohelo Weavers.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT ONOWAY HOUSE; or,
+The Magic Garden.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS GO MOTORING; or, Along
+the Road That Leads the Way.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS&#8217; LARKS AND PRANKS; or,
+The House of the Open Door.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON ELLEN&#8217;S ISLE; or, The
+Trail of the Seven Cedars.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON THE OPEN ROAD;
+or, Glorify Work.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS DO THEIR BIT; or, Over
+the Top with the Winnebagos.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS SOLVE A MYSTERY; or,
+The Christmas Adventure at Carver House.</p>
+
+<p>THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT CAMP KEEWAYDIN;
+or, Down Paddles.</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p class='center'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>A. L. BURT COMPANY<br />
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:120px'>
+<a name='illus-005' id='illus-005'></a>
+<img src='images/bb07.jpg' alt='' title='' width='120' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:large;'>The Blue Grass Seminary Girls Series</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>BY CAROLYN JUDSON BURNETT</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p class='center'>For Girls 12 to 16 Years<br />All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles</p>
+
+<p class='center'>PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH</p>
+
+<p class='center'>Splendid stories of the Adventures of a Group of Charming Girls.</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p>THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS&#8217; VACATION ADVENTURES;
+or, Shirley Willing to the Rescue.</p>
+
+<p>THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS&#8217; CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS;
+or, A Four Weeks&#8217; Tour with the Glee Club.</p>
+
+<p>THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS IN THE MOUNTAINS;
+or, Shirley Willing on a Mission of Peace.</p>
+
+<p>THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS ON THE WATER; or,
+Exciting Adventures on a Summer&#8217;s Cruise Through
+the Panama Canal.</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:117px'>
+<a name='illus-006' id='illus-006'></a>
+<img src='images/bb08.jpg' alt='' title='' width='117' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:large;'>The Mildred Series</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>BY MARTHA FINLEY</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p class='center'>For Girls 12 to 16 Years.</p>
+
+<p class='center'>All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles</p>
+
+<p class='center'>PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH</p>
+
+<p class='center'>A Companion Series to the famous &#8220;Elsie&#8221; books by the same author.</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p>MILDRED KEITH<br />
+MILDRED&#8217;S MARRIED LIFE<br />
+MILDRED AT ROSELAND<br />
+MILDRED AT HOME<br />
+MILDRED AND ELSIE<br />
+MILDRED&#8217;S BOYS AND GIRLS<br />
+MILDRED&#8217;S NEW DAUGHTER</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p class='center'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>A. L. BURT COMPANY<br />
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NEW YORK</p>
+
+<hr class='dashed' />
+
+<div class='figcenter' style='width:110px'>
+<a name='illus-007' id='illus-007'></a>
+<img src='images/bb09.jpg' alt='' title='' width='110' /><br />
+</div>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:large;'>The Radio Boys Series</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center'>BY GERALD BRECKENRIDGE</p>
+
+<p class='center'>A new series of copyright titles for boys of all ages.</p>
+
+<p class='center'>Cloth Bound, with Attractive Cover Designs</p>
+
+<p class='center'>PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p>THE RADIO BOYS ON THE MEXICAN BORDER<br />
+THE RADIO BOYS ON SECRET SERVICE DUTY<br />
+THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE REVENUE GUARDS<br />
+THE RADIO BOYS&#8217; SEARCH FOR THE INCA&#8217;S TREASURE<br />
+THE RADIO BOYS RESCUE THE LOST ALASKA EXPEDITION<br />
+THE RADIO BOYS IN DARKEST AFRICA<br />
+THE  RADIO  BOYS SEEK THE LOST ATLANTIS</p>
+
+<hr class='pct45' />
+
+<p class='center'>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center;'>A. L. BURT COMPANY<br />
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NEW YORK</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Blue Birds' Winter Nest, by 
+Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE BIRDS' WINTER NEST ***
+
+***** This file should be named 23693-h.htm or 23693-h.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
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+
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+Project Gutenberg's The Blue Birds' Winter Nest, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Blue Birds' Winter Nest
+
+Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy
+
+Release Date: December 3, 2007 [EBook #23693]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE BIRDS' WINTER NEST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were deep in the work of
+constructing a magazine. (Page 259) ("The Blue Birds' Winter Nest.")]
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE BLUE BIRDS' WINTER NEST
+
+By
+LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+Author Of
+"The Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest," "The Blue Birds' Uncle Ben,"
+"The Blue Birds at Happy Hills," "The Five Little Starrs Series,"
+"The Girl Scouts' Country Life Series," etc.
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+Publishers--New York
+
+Printed in U. S. A.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+Copyright, 1916, by
+THE PLATT & PECK COMPANY
+
+Printed in U. S. A.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+                                 CONTENTS
+
+   CHAPTER                                                          PAGE
+
+         I. How Aunt Selina Flew                                       7
+        II. A Sunday Walk and Its Results                             26
+       III. The Blue Birds' Inspiration                               45
+        IV. The Bobolink Boys Founded                                 62
+         V. Uncle Ben's Business Talk                                 81
+        VI. Beginning the Winter Work                                 96
+       VII. Blue Bird Wisdom and Bobolink Work                       114
+      VIII. Aunt Selina's Civil War Story                            135
+        IX. How the Yankees Took Possession                          160
+         X. Beginning To Spell Success                               179
+        XI. The Winter Nest Council                                  199
+       XII. The Story of an Alaskan Trip                             219
+      XIII. A Winter in the Frozen North                             238
+       XIV. The B. B. & B. B. Magazine                               259
+        XV. How the Magazine Went Out                                285
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+THE BLUE BIRDS' WINTER NEST
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+HOW AUNT SELINA FLEW
+
+
+"Sally! I say, Sally! Come here!" cried a peevish voice, belonging to a
+querulous old lady who was huddled up on a couch in the bright morning
+room of her fine old mansion.
+
+"I'se here, Miss S'lina--comin' straight an' fas' as mah laigs kin
+brings me!" replied a cheerful colored woman, bustling around, and
+moving some toast so it would not scorch.
+
+"Are you quite sure you told Abe to meet the eleven-thirty train at
+Greenfields station? Just fancy how dreadful it would be to have Miss
+Ruth get off the train and not find anyone there to meet her!"
+complained Miss Selina, her face twitching with pain as she raised her
+hands to emphasize her remark.
+
+"Laws'ee, Miss S'lina! Don' you be 'fraid dat I han't tended to
+eberyt'ing for little Miss Rufie's welcome! Leave it to ole Sally, what
+likes dat chile like her own kin!"
+
+"Well, then, Sally, hurry with my toast and tea--and for goodness' sake,
+don't you bring scorched toast again! There, I can smell it burning this
+very minute! How many times must I tell you that I will not trust those
+electric toasters? The old-fashioned coal fire is good enough for
+me--and it would be for you, too, if it were not for your ridiculous
+ideas of being progressive and having all these electric fol-de-rols put
+up in the house. My house, too! Think of it! A servant to order these
+contraptions and use them in my very own home and make me pay for them,
+when I prefer the ways of my forefathers." Then utterly wearied with her
+long complaint, Miss Selina collapsed, and closed her eyes.
+
+Sally, the old family servant who had lived all her days with the
+Talmage family at Happy Hills, had been a playmate of Miss Selina's; in
+fact, she had grown up with all the children of the "big house." She
+smiled indulgently at her mistress' words, as she bent over a fresh
+piece of toast.
+
+"Pore chile--Sally knows a heap of time is saved 'twixt 'lectricity an'
+coal, an' she's goin' to cleave to the bestes' way ever foun' yit--an'
+she knows what dem old rheumaticks is a-doin' to your temper,"
+soliloquized the astute servant.
+
+The toast was nicely browned, and the tea brewed perfectly, and Sally
+placed them on a dainty tray which she carried over to the couch.
+
+"Want I should leave you alone, or he'p you break the bread?" asked
+Sally, soothingly.
+
+Miss Selina opened her eyes and answered, "If I were sure you had Miss
+Ruth's room all ready, and everything else as it should be, I would let
+you pour that tea for me; but I suppose you have neglected half your
+work to be in here with me."
+
+Sally's broad grin wrinkled the corners of her mouth, as she took the
+teapot and poured the fragrant beverage into a Japanese cup. At the same
+time her mind seemed to dwell upon a pleasant subject.
+
+"Does you 'member, Miss S'lina, de las' time little Rufie visited us?
+Dat's de time she was all full of a plan for havin' some kin' of a
+bird's nest at home. I wonder ef she ever did fix it up?"
+
+Miss Selina forgot to find fault for a few moments, as Sally's words
+caused her to remember the plan her grand-niece had talked over.
+
+"Seems to me, her mother wrote something in a letter about a Blue Bird
+Nest they were going to start. But I haven't the slightest idea what it
+is. I should think they would build nests for robins and birds who are
+plentiful in our country places. Blue Birds are not very numerous in our
+woods."
+
+"T'wan't for real birds--don' you recomember? It was jus' de name dey
+was goin' to use fer a li'l 'sociation like!" corrected Sally, as she
+held the plate of toast within reach of the invalid's hand.
+
+"No, I don't remember! How should I?--with all this pain forever tying
+me into knots!" mumbled Miss Selina, as a toothsome morsel of toast
+entered her mouth.
+
+Suddenly, the crunching of wheels on the gravel drive was heard, and
+Sally craned her neck to look from the window.
+
+"There goes Abe now," she said.
+
+The same day the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest, at Oakdale, had become
+"Fliers," little Ruth Talmage, the favorite of the Nest, had received an
+invitation to spend a week at her Aunt Selina's house, and Abe was now
+on his way to the station to meet her.
+
+Aunt Selina was an unpleasant old lady, and few of her relatives cared
+to visit her; so, when she had her attacks of rheumatism she generally
+had to spend her time on the couch with no one to amuse her. She had
+invited Ruth the previous Spring, and had enjoyed the little girl's
+visit so much, that she had sent for her now when helpless with another
+attack.
+
+Of course, when the telegram came to Ruth's home, asking the little girl
+to visit Aunt Selina, the Blue Birds felt sorry for her, knowing what a
+miserable time Ruth would have. Then, too, Ruth's father was expected
+home that Saturday, and Ruth had not seen him for almost a year.
+
+Ruth, however, was willing to sacrifice her own pleasure to help Aunt
+Selina--as every Blue Bird tries to follow the Golden Rule--so she left
+her playmates Saturday morning, with promises to write every day until
+she returned, and they, in turn, earnestly promised to explain to her
+father just why she went away the day he was expected home.
+
+Now, Happy Hills, Aunt Selina's home, was several miles from Greenfields
+Station, and the country about this section of Pennsylvania was so
+beautiful and healthful that city people gradually settled upon estates
+and spent their summers there. Beautiful carriages and automobiles daily
+passed over the fine old road that divided Happy Hills in half. But no
+one had much of an opportunity to admire the place as high board fences
+had been built on either side of the road as far as the property fronted
+it.
+
+Happy Hills was an old family estate comprising more than two thousand
+acres, half woodland and half cultivated fields and green pastures. A
+spring of clear water, hidden among the rocks of the highest hill at the
+back of the farm, furnished plenty of water for the noisy brook that
+tumbled from rock to rock on the hillside, and, after splashing in and
+out among the trees, ran like a broad ribbon through the green meadows.
+
+The entire property was enclosed with a high fence, even the woodland
+being carefully hemmed in so no little children could get in to play in
+the brook, or pick wild berries and flowers that decayed in profusion
+year after year.
+
+Sally was a trusted old housekeeper who had her mistress' confidence;
+Abe was her husband who had driven the Talmage coupe ever since he came
+North at the time of the Civil War.
+
+Miss Selina had not always been so disagreeable. She had old-fashioned
+pictures of herself at the age of eighteen when hoop-skirts were the
+fashion, and the young women wore their hair in "water-falls." At that
+time a handsome young man was in love with her, but he was shot in the
+war, and she brooded over her loss so long that she lost all the
+sweetness of living. The older she grew the more disagreeable she
+became, until, not one of her relatives wanted to be with her, but
+managed to keep far from her complaining voice.
+
+And for this old lady, Ruth had waived the anticipated home coming of
+her dear father!
+
+Breakfast over, Sally propped Miss Selina up on the cushions and left
+her for a time.
+
+After wondering how long it would take Abe to drive back from the
+eleven-thirty train, Miss Selina started to think of something she had
+been pondering the last few days. What should she do with her vast
+estate if she died? She had never made a will, for she abhorred the idea
+of dying and having any strangers in her home. But she couldn't take it
+with her, and she was nearing seventy years of age with all the signs of
+old age breaking over her defenceless head.
+
+She tried to think of someone to whom she really wanted to leave her
+home, but there was no one. She generally sighed at this point and
+dropped the unpleasant thought. To-day, however, she wondered if her
+nephew and his wife could be plotting to get her property by having Ruth
+visit whenever she was invited. This idea seemed to take hold of her,
+and she frowned as she made up her mind to ask Ruth questions about her
+mother's intentions and opinions regarding Aunt Selina and Happy Hills.
+
+Miss Selina had been so engrossed in her thoughts that the sound of
+carriage wheels on the drive failed to reach her. Therefore, it was with
+a start of surprise that she heard the door flung open and a happy
+child's voice cry:
+
+"Aunt Selina! I'm here! Are you glad to have me?" while a pair of soft
+little arms were gently placed about her withered old neck and fresh
+little lips pressed her cheek.
+
+The caress was such an unusual experience that Miss Selina forgot to
+wince or complain, and before she did remember, Ruth was bubbling over
+with news.
+
+"What do you think is to happen to-day?--Oh! Aunt Selina, we all have
+new names at home; even mother is now called Mother Wings and I am
+Fluff. The other Blue Birds have names they chose for themselves, and
+Ned is an Owl, and prints our weekly paper called the _Chirp_. Now,
+instead of Aunt Selina, I want to call you a bird-name, too. May I?"
+
+Aunt Selina smiled sympathetically at Ruth's words, but, recalled to her
+condition by a twinge of pain, she moaned, "Child, poor old Aunt Selina
+would make a wretched specimen of a bird nowadays. The only kind I feel
+that I could represent truly is a raven--for it always croaks."
+
+Ruth laughed consolingly, but cried, "Oh, Aunt Selina, that is just
+because you feel blue with those old rheumatics. Mother says we always
+look at life through dark spectacles when we're in pain, and we b'lieve
+the lovely world has lost all its brightness. Now, I've come to make you
+forget your blues and I _must_ have a new name to say, because there is
+so _much_ to tell you that I would lose time if I had to say 'Aunt
+Selina' every time. Besides, a new name will make you forget yourself."
+
+"What could you call me?" questioned her aunt, trying to fall in with
+the child's whim.
+
+"We'll have to think! It isn't as easy as it may sound to find a name to
+suit. We had a dreadful hard time to do it."
+
+"'Fluff' suits you beautifully. Who found it?" said the old lady
+interestedly.
+
+"I chose two, but we can only have one. One was 'Flutey' the other
+'Fluff'; Ned and the Blue Birds liked 'Fluff' best, and they have called
+me by that name ever since we were christened in the Nest."
+
+"When I was a little girl like you I used to enjoy whistling about the
+place so much that father called me his little flute. I can still see
+the shocked expression of my aunt who visited us, when she heard me
+running about whistling like a boy. She was a grand dame of society in
+New York, and _her_ girls were doing embroidery and being taught how to
+curtsey and behave in the drawing-room." And Miss Selina smiled at Ruth
+who fully understood the remark and clapped her hands delightedly at her
+aunt who had been a hoyden so long ago.
+
+"I just love to whistle, too. Ned says I can pipe higher and carry a
+tune better than anyone he knows!" declared Ruth, and aunt and
+grand-niece felt a common bond of unity.
+
+Ruth was about to demonstrate her accomplishment to Aunt Selina, when
+her face puckered into a funny expression and her shoulders hunched up
+about her ears as they usually did when some secret thought gave her a
+surprise. She leaned over the couch and confidentially whispered, "Aunt
+Selina, I'll tell you what! We both love to whistle, don't we? Then, you
+shall be christened with my other name! You shall be 'Flutey,' eh?"
+
+"Oh, dear child, it would be sarcasm to name me that now! Why, the only
+claim I have to that name would be because of my fluted skin. Just look
+at my neck and face!" said Aunt Selina.
+
+"No such thing!" retorted Ruth. "I never saw any flutes on your face
+until this very minute when you made me see some little wrinkles. Your
+skin is soft and white, so don't you ever tell folks what you said to
+me, 'cause they won't see anything but a nice face."
+
+Of course, Aunt Selina felt elated to hear such comforting words, but
+Ruth gave her no time to meditate.
+
+"Do you like the name I, as your god-mother, give you?" laughed the
+merry little girl.
+
+"Yes, indeed, it is fine, but we must keep it a secret. Just fancy Sally
+or Abe, or any of the servants, calling me 'Miss Flutey!'" And Aunt
+Selina laughed aloud just as the door opened and Sally popped her head
+through the aperture. Seeing the happy faces and hearing the unusual
+laughter, she immediately closed the door, without having been seen or
+heard. Out in the wide hall she lifted both arms high toward the ceiling
+and rolled her eyes devoutly upward as she murmured, "Praise be to the
+Lud, dat dat little tree is come wif healin' in its leaves." After this
+strange remark, Sally hurried out to tell Abe of the miracle.
+
+Aunt Selina, in spite of her age, felt a childish delight in having a
+secret with Ruth, and after a few moments said, "I shall have to call
+you Fluff, and you must call me Flutey, I suppose, if we are to belong
+to the same Nest."
+
+"Yes, that's the way," replied Ruth, clapping her hands softly. "Now,
+let me tell you all the wonderful things we did this summer."
+
+Then began a recital of how the Blue Birds of Happy Times Nest started;
+about each member and her name; the nest in the old cherry-tree; how
+they had earned money to bring some poor children from the city to spend
+the hot weeks in the country; and, best of all, how they had interested
+all of the citizens of Oakdale in helping a hundred poor city children
+to spend a few weeks in the beautiful village of Oakdale.
+
+At this moment a loud knock at the door caused Aunt Selina to sit up and
+call out, "Come in!"
+
+"Shall you hab lunch in de dinin' room, or serbed here?" said Sally.
+
+"Lunch! Why, is it time--is it one o'clock?" gasped Miss Selina.
+
+"Ya'as'm--pas dat hour, too," replied Sally, smiling broadly at Ruth,
+who returned the good-natured feeling.
+
+"Well, well; I feel much better, Sally," admitted Aunt Selina. "Nothing
+like having young folks around when one feels blue, eh? I guess you'd
+better bring the lunch tray here, and Miss Ruth and I will picnic this
+noon."
+
+In a few moments the waitress brought in a huge tray while Sally
+followed with a folding table which she placed by the side of the couch.
+
+A joysome hour passed in "picnicking" the lunch, then Sally rang for the
+maid to remove the dishes. After she had gone, Sally turned to her
+mistress and, with the familiarity of an old servant, said, "Miss Rufie
+shore is de bestes tonic you ebber took. You'se et more lunch, Miss
+Selina, dan I'se seen yo' et in six mont!"
+
+Then whisking a few tiny crumbs from the couch afghan, Sally gathered up
+the doilies and went out, smiling contentedly.
+
+That afternoon worked a remarkable change in Aunt Selina. She forgot all
+about herself and her misery while listening to her grand-niece's story
+of sacrifice for others.
+
+She listened attentively to every word, until Ruth concluded with the
+words, "Now, we are planning some great work for our winter nest, but
+we don't know just what we will choose."
+
+So impressed was Aunt Selina with the movement started by the New York
+Organization, that she determined to help the cause in every way she
+could.
+
+In the evening with the help of a cane and Sally, Aunt Selina managed to
+reach the dining-room for dinner. "For," said she, "it is a shame to
+keep Ruth cooped up in my morning room all day long."
+
+During dinner she marveled at the improvement in her physical condition
+and worried lest her ailments return suddenly. But Ruth reassured her.
+
+"No, indeed, Flutey, we have so much to do and plan while I am here,
+that you won't have time to think of getting sick again."
+
+Aunt Selina looked dumbfounded for a moment.
+
+"Ruth, do you suppose that's what ails me--nothing to do but think of
+myself all of the time?" said she.
+
+"Flutey, not only with you, but with lots of folks!" replied Ruth,
+wisely. "You see, anyone who is busy and has something to do all the
+time never gets sick, because they haven't time to worry 'bout
+themselves if they feel a bit of pain. Why, this summer I saw lots of
+beginnings of sickness stopped just because everyone had to get through
+their work for the city children. Even me: when mother told me that
+father--oh, oh--oh!" and Ruth doubled over her plate and giggled
+immoderately.
+
+"Now what ails you, child?" inquired Aunt Selina, smiling in sympathy
+with her guest's merry laugh.
+
+"Oh, Aunt Selina, this goes to prove what I just said! Here I have been
+with you all day, so full of the story of our Nest and all we did, that
+I forgot to feel sorry for myself. Why, think of it! Father is expected
+home to-night, and I'm not there! When your telegram came asking me to
+come here, and mother told me father was expected the same day, I felt
+dreadfully bad about it, but mother said I might help the winter nest a
+great deal by coming to show you how to fly, so I really made up my mind
+not to feel sorry about not seeing father. And here I am all this time,
+forgetting my disappointment about leaving home to-day, and now,
+laughing over it. Don't you see?"
+
+Aunt Selina nodded her head comprehendingly as she said, "Yes, I see!
+Yes, I see what has been my undoing all these years. Child, you have
+done something for me that all my years have failed in showing me. God
+bless you, Ruth, for coming, and when I tell your father about it he
+will be proud of his little Blue Bird that brought such peace to me."
+
+As she concluded, Aunt Selina's eyes were brimful of tears, but they
+were tears of gratitude, and such tears always wash away much of our
+stubborn selfishness.
+
+Sally hovered about the table to be on hand to assist her querulous
+mistress if necessary and she, too, felt the effect of Ruth's words and
+silently praised God for the blessing.
+
+After Aunt Selina and Ruth were comfortably seated in the soft
+easy-chairs of the former's bedroom, Ruth asked permission to write the
+letters she had promised the Blue Birds at home. Aunt Selina nodded
+cheerfully, and sat watching the little girl write until her eyelids
+drowsed slowly over her eyes.
+
+The first and most important letter was written to Ruth's dear father
+and mother. The next to Ned, and the third to all of the Blue Birds of
+Happy Times Nest. Here, she wrote as she pleased and told them about her
+trip, how interested Aunt Selina seemed to be, about the secret name she
+had given the new Blue Bird and all of the fine things Aunt Selina was
+going to do just as soon as plans could be talked over. As the letter
+drew to a close, Ruth begged her friends to write every day and not
+undertake any important work until she came home.
+
+The last letter took a long time to write and Aunt Selina was fully
+awake before Ruth had finished.
+
+"Laws, Child! Do you know the time? What would your mother say if she
+knew I kept her daughter out of bed until after nine o'clock? If the
+letters are finished you must go straight to your room." And Aunt Selina
+rang for Sally.
+
+That night as Ruth slept soundly, Aunt Selina lay thinking over all her
+grand-niece had told her. As she thought of all her wasted years and of
+all the wonderful good she might have done with her leisure time and
+wealth, she turned her face to the wall and shed bitter tears of regret.
+
+Then recalling Ruth's advice to fill her mind with something good and
+helpful, the old lady vowed to pick up the frayed ends of her life and
+ask Ruth how to use her money and time to create some lasting good for
+others. As she smiled contentedly over the idea of her grand-niece of
+tender years advising and helping her, an old lady of three score and
+ten, the Bible text flashed into her mind--"And a little child shall
+lead them."
+
+Then Aunt Selina fell into a restful, health-giving sleep such as she
+had not had in years.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A SUNDAY WALK AND ITS RESULTS
+
+
+Ruth was out-of-doors early the following morning, enjoying the sweet,
+crisp breeze with its odor of dew-laden meadows. After sniffing
+delightedly for a few moments, she skipped up and down the long veranda,
+calling to the birds and snapping her fingers at some curious squirrels.
+Sally heard the joyous child and came out to bid her a good-morning.
+
+"Sally, what a beautiful farm Aunt Selina has! It looks lovelier this
+morning than ever, but it makes me sad when I think that no one can
+enjoy it except the folks that live here," said Ruth, in a tone of
+regret.
+
+"Ya'as, Chile, I feels sorry dat Miss S'lina had dem high board fences
+put up to keep anjoyin' eyes from de propaty. An' den agin, I kin s'cuse
+de little chillern dat sneak fru de back fences jus' to pick wilets an'
+paddle in de brok up dere;" and Sally looked toward the inviting
+woodland, whence came the sound of running water.
+
+"If Aunt Selina is to be a really truly Blue Bird she will remove
+whatever keeps others from enjoying what she has," commented Ruth,
+seriously.
+
+A bell, tinkling from an upper room, summoned Sally hurriedly indoors,
+so Ruth sat down in a large wicker rocker to await her aunt's coming.
+
+Sally soon came and told Ruth breakfast was ready and there sat Miss
+Selina welcoming her with a cheery smile!
+
+"Do you feel as happy and free as a Blue Bird, Flutey?" asked Ruth,
+giving Aunt Selina a hearty embrace.
+
+Unaccustomed to such healthy demonstrations of affection, she suffered
+her lace cap to be pulled over one ear while her other was uncomfortably
+doubled under Ruth's plump little arm.
+
+"Yes, Fluff, I feel unusually well this morning. I slept like a babe all
+night," replied her aunt.
+
+"That's the way all Blue Birds sleep. Not one of us would stay in bed a
+minute just because something tried to make us feel too tired or sick to
+get up early in the morning! You know, the Camp Fire Girls receive
+honors for keeping free from illness, and some day the Blue Birds expect
+to join the bigger girls in their Camp Fires. So we begin to practice
+good health now," explained Ruth.
+
+The breakfast passed quickly with not a sound or sigh from Aunt Selina
+about rheumatism. Sally was the most astonished of all, for it had
+become second nature with her mistress to talk about her pains and woes
+at all times.
+
+"While I was waiting on the piazza, this morning, I planned to take you
+for a nice long walk," said Ruth.
+
+"Why, my dear, I simply cannot walk out of doors. I could hardly hobble
+about the house this morning."
+
+"Oh, I s'pose you couldn't walk very well, but I can walk and you can
+ride in the wheel-chair. I will push it, and we will go down the meadow
+path toward the summer-house," said Ruth.
+
+Aunt Selina looked dubiously at Sally, but the latter was very busy
+placing some of the family silver in the chest, and her back was turned.
+
+After a few moments' hesitation she said, "I never take that chair off
+of the porch, and I am afraid you are too little to push it."
+
+"Oh, no, indeed I'm not. It won't hurt the chair, and even if it did,
+your pleasure just now is better than ten chairs!" decided Ruth.
+
+After several weak attempts to turn Ruth from her purpose, Aunt Selina
+surrendered with a sigh.
+
+As Sally left the room just then she chuckled to herself, "Dat chile
+will shorely 'juvenate Miss S'lina!"
+
+After breakfast aunt and grand-niece went out on the veranda and Ruth
+soon had the chair down the steps and waiting for her aunt.
+
+Aunt Selina felt a bit conscious at being wheeled like a baby, but Ruth
+was too merry to permit anything but joy to prevail.
+
+Ruth turned the chair into a path that ran along the brook, and chatted
+merrily until Aunt Selina forgot herself in listening. At the end of the
+path stood a rustic summer-house from which could be seen the wide
+expanse of meadow and woodland. Having reached this spot, Ruth placed
+the chair so her aunt could look about and admire her beautiful lands.
+
+"Flutey, don't you ever go to church on Sunday mornings?" asked Ruth.
+
+"The only church is so far away that I would have to drive for half an
+hour to reach it; then, too, it is not a denomination that I approve
+of," she replied, coolly.
+
+But a little thing like a cold reply or a curt tone never daunted Ruth
+when she was after any particular information.
+
+"What is the difference between one denomination and another? I don't
+exactly know the meaning of that word, but I know it means something
+about churches."
+
+"Well, some churches believe in worshipping God one way and some in
+another. These different beliefs are called 'denominations.' Now, all of
+our family were brought up to believe the Baptist manner of worship to
+be the only true one, and this church at Greenfields is Presbyterian. Of
+course, everyone knows that pre-destination is all wrong," said Aunt
+Selina emphatically.
+
+Ruth's eyes opened wider and wider as she listened, for she had been
+taught a very simple faith. She had been told that to live and follow
+the "Golden Rule" was the highest form of obedience, and that it was
+true worship. So she answered quietly:
+
+"I love Jesus, and I believe he taught everyone the same way, and I
+believe he just loved everybody the same way."
+
+"We will not discuss religion, Ruth. Just keep on thinking and doing as
+Mother has taught you."
+
+"Well, I was only going to say, that as we cannot go to church such a
+lovely morning, we might sit here and thank God for all these fields,"
+explained Ruth.
+
+Aunt Selina looked about the land in the light of a new revelation.
+
+"I was thinking," continued Ruth, "how I should love to have this farm
+near Oakdale. I could come over so often to tell you what we are doing,
+and then, too, you could use all of that wonderful woodland for Blue
+Birds' Camps in the summer."
+
+Aunt Selina looked across the fields and woods but said nothing, so Ruth
+continued.
+
+"When the two Ferris children came out to Mrs. Mason's farm, they were
+so happy to see real flowers and grass that they soon got well and
+strong. That made me wish that I had hundreds of farms just like it
+where sick children could go and get well. That was one thing that made
+the Oakdale folks help get the hundred city poor children out to our
+country for a few weeks in August and the lovely time the children had
+made everyone wish to do bigger things this next summer. Nothing has
+really been planned yet, but everyone is trying to think of some way to
+do something. This morning when I saw this wonderful farm and so few
+folks to live on it, I just wished it was near Oakdale so a big crowd of
+poor children could enjoy it next summer."
+
+As Ruth concluded and looked wistfully over the fertile land, her aunt
+sat thinking for a time, then answered.
+
+"Fluff, I determined to be a Blue Bird with all of my heart and soul.
+Now, we can't move this farm over to Oakdale, but the city children can
+be moved out to this farm! You can do the planning from Oakdale, and I
+can look after them when they get here."
+
+Ruth gasped in amazement at the splendid idea, then jumped up and down
+with delight while she shouted aloud.
+
+"Oh, oh! Flutey! that is great! Why, just think of all the streets full
+of poor children who can enjoy these wonderful woods!"
+
+Aunt Selina winced at the word "street children," but she spoke with
+determination.
+
+"I suppose we would have to build some sort of little houses, or
+temporary camps for them to sleep in, and a long shed in which to serve
+the meals. It will need a lot of planning."
+
+"Dear me, I wish we could run and ask mother about it," murmured Ruth,
+impatiently. "Now, if you were only visiting me instead of me being here
+with _you_!"
+
+"If I had gone to you, you might never have had the idea of using these
+woods for the children," ventured her aunt.
+
+"No, that's so," admitted Ruth. "And we can go back to the house and
+write all our plans down on paper and send them to mother, can't we?"
+
+Aunt Selina consenting, Ruth wheeled the chair back to the house. When
+they reached the steps the invalid felt so strong that she lifted
+herself out of the chair and climbed up the low steps with only Ruth to
+lean upon.
+
+"Why, I never felt a twinge in my joints all this time! I never knew
+rheumatism to disappear so quickly as it has this time," she said, as
+she sank down in a low chair.
+
+"Let's hope it won't come back again," added Ruth. "If it stays away
+you could pack up and go to Oakdale with me, couldn't you?"
+
+Aunt Selina, who never visited and seldom left her home, looked
+horrified for a moment. But Ruth continued innocently,
+
+"We could get all of mother's advice for the farm plans besides seeing
+father and being home with him!"
+
+Sally, who had seen Miss Selina coming up the steps without a cane,
+thought some miracle had been performed. So, wishing to hear all about
+it, she hurried out with the announcement that dinner was almost ready.
+
+"Dinner! Why, Sally, we just finished breakfast. I'm sure I don't want
+anything to eat so soon," replied Miss Selina.
+
+"It's pas' one o'clock, Miss S'lina, an' you allus likes de meals to be
+on time," ventured Sally.
+
+"I'm sure I feel as if it was dinner time, 'cause I'm so hungry," added
+Ruth, who always had a healthy appetite.
+
+Aunt Selina laughed indulgently as she rose and limped slowly indoors.
+
+Immediately after dinner Ruth hurried to the library and brought forth
+a pencil and paper. Meeting her aunt in the hall she said, "Now, we'll
+sit down and put all of our plans on paper."
+
+The greater part of the afternoon was passed in this engrossing work.
+
+That night Aunt Selina again sought her bed with a great sense of
+gratitude that she could enjoy the rest without any pain. She slept all
+through the night and awoke in the morning feeling strong and energetic.
+Almost every trace of her lameness had disappeared.
+
+The mail lay upon a silver tray beside her plate, and she smiled as she
+handed two letters to Ruth.
+
+"May I read them, Flutey?" asked Ruth, as soon as she had peeped at the
+post marks.
+
+Aunt Selina nodded, and Ruth tore open the one from the Blue Birds
+first, saying in an explanatory tone, "I like to leave the best for the
+last."
+
+The Blue Birds had written her because they promised to do so, but there
+had not been time for anything of importance to happen, so Ruth laid
+aside their short note and took up her mother's letter. The first
+sentence made her gasp, and at the second, she giggled outright. Aunt
+Selina waited patiently to hear the news.
+
+"Just think, Flutey, I didn't miss father, anyway--and just see all we
+have accomplished by my coming here to you! Mother writes that she had a
+telegram from father late Saturday night, saying the steamer was
+detained at quarantine on account of some suspects in the steerage who
+seemed to have symptoms of yellow fever. He is not sure when they will
+get off, but he will wire mother each day they are detained."
+
+Aunt Selina nodded understandingly, and Ruth continued: "Wish you and I
+could be there to welcome father when he comes! Flutey, you are so well
+this morning, _don't_ you think you could go with me in our automobile,
+if we traveled very carefully?"
+
+Her aunt was so aghast at the proposition that she failed to answer, and
+Ruth continued, believing that she was thinking it over.
+
+"You see, Flutey, we really need to get to the Blue Birds and mother to
+talk over this fine farm plan, and I am sure the visit will do you a
+heap of good, for I have heard folks say that a change is a great thing
+when you have been sick and tired of the same things about you."
+
+Still Aunt Selina said not a word, so Ruth returned to her letter to
+read it aloud. As she did so, her aunt sent a covert glance at Sally's
+direction to see what effect Ruth's invitation had had upon the old
+servant. But Sally, the wise, appeared not to have overheard a word.
+
+Later, as Ruth stood beside her aunt's rocker on the veranda, she again
+broached the subject.
+
+"Flutey, the air is so warm and balmy like it always is in Indian
+summer, and our car is so comfy, you wouldn't know but what you were in
+an easy chair. I don't see why you can't come home with me."
+
+"Fluff, do you know, that I could almost say 'Yes, I will go,' for I
+think I would like to see all of your little friends, but I really
+wouldn't know what to do with the house if I went away on a visit," said
+Aunt Selina.
+
+"Goodness me! The house won't run away. What does it do when you are
+sick in bed and can't walk about to look after it? It can go on just the
+same when you are in Oakdale as when you are in bed," replied practical
+Ruth.
+
+Never before had Aunt Selina been brought face to face with the fact
+that Sally was the actual manager. She began to feel a certain
+resentment against her faithful old servant, and then she thought what a
+relief it was to have someone upon whom she could depend.
+
+"I never did ride in one of those machines, dearie. I have said that I
+never would. I always use my victoria, or coupe," she observed.
+
+"You never rode in an automobile! Why, Flutey, you have the treat of
+your life waiting, then," exclaimed Ruth, surprised. "It only goes to
+show how careful we should be about saying things we are not sure of;
+now, you see, you are going to ride in an auto and so prove to yourself
+that you were wrong."
+
+Ruth took for granted that the visit and method of traveling had been
+decided upon, and, after some more futile excuses, Aunt Selina was won
+over to considering going the next day if it were clear.
+
+"But the sky looks cloudy, Fluff, and your mother may not spare the car
+to-morrow," she objected, making a last brave stand against the
+persistent little girl.
+
+"Oh, no, those clouds are not rain clouds--they are wind and mother
+would borrow Mrs. Catlin's car if she had to go anywhere rather than
+disappoint me by not sending Ike with ours," replied Ruth, very certain
+of her mother's loving cooeperation.
+
+"Well, I shall have to break the news to Sally and see if she can spare
+me for a few days," sighed her aunt, tingling with anticipation at the
+unusual event, but loath to forego the hope that her presence was
+necessary at home.
+
+"I'll run and ask her to come here at once, so we can telegraph mother
+about the car," said Ruth, as she ran to call Sally.
+
+One never had to go far to find Sally, for wherever Miss Selina was,
+there would Sally be found hovering about, also. Ruth caught hold of the
+plump brown hand and dragged her out to the piazza.
+
+When the important question was put before her, Sally was diplomatic
+enough to stand considering whether the household could possibly be
+managed without the mistress. After some time, she said, "If it t'want
+dat dis wisit is jus' what you need to put you on yer feet, I would
+say, 'I don' see how we'all kin manage.' But, seein' dat all de fruit
+is dun up an' de fall house-cleanin' not yet due, I adwise you to be
+shore an' go an' fin' healin' in de change of air."
+
+Aunt Selina was so pleased at Sally's answer that she told her to help
+Ruth telegraph at once for the car. Sally bowed and hurried away to the
+telephone where the message was sent to Greenfields to be wired to Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+The rest of the day was spent in pleasant excitement, with Ruth and her
+aunt wondering what to pack in the small steamer trunk, while the whole
+household felt the unusual stir of their mistress' going away for a
+visit.
+
+That evening an answering telegram came saying that Ike would leave
+Oakdale at dawn in the morning so as to get to Happy Hills by noon. If
+they were ready to start back at once they could arrive at Mossy Glen
+before night set in.
+
+Ruth was so joyous over the happy termination of her visit that she
+could hardly stand still long enough for Sally to tie her hair ribbon.
+As for Aunt Selina, she looked from her bedroom windows before retiring,
+anxiously scanning the sky for any possible rain clouds. She felt as
+excited as a child over its first journey away from home. Seeing the
+sky a deep blue with myriads of stars gleaming down at her, she smiled
+and turned out the light.
+
+Ike arrived earlier than expected, for he made record time from Oakdale.
+
+"Ike, do the Blue Birds know I'm coming?" she asked.
+
+"Sure thing, Miss Ruth," replied Ike.
+
+"And Ned--did he miss me?" queried the little girl.
+
+"Master Ned, he went 'round like a bear wid a sore head. He was just
+lost without the head of the Blue Birds," grinned Ike.
+
+"And mother--and Ike, father? Did father wonder why I left without
+seeing him," half-whispered Ruth.
+
+Ike dropped his wrench and stood up.
+
+"Why, Miss Ruth, I forgot to tell you! Mr. Ta'mage ain't home yet. A
+wire came late last night saying he expected to get off the boat to-day,
+so they are looking for him this noon."
+
+"Oh, oh, Ike! how could you keep such grand news from me all this time!"
+exclaimed Ruth, racing indoors to tell her aunt.
+
+When Ike said he was ready to start, Aunt Selina and Ruth were helped
+to the comfortable seat and robes were tucked in about them, while the
+servants stood in a semi-circle about the car, smiling and nodding
+good-byes.
+
+Ike honked the siren for the benefit of the servants, then started the
+easy-running machine.
+
+Aunt Selina felt so very comfortable that she admitted the fact to Ruth.
+
+"I never knew these cars were so easy-riding."
+
+After passing a stretch of bad road Ike put on more speed and Aunt
+Selina leaned forward to admonish him.
+
+"Don't go fast enough to be dangerous! Are we going about eight miles an
+hour?"
+
+Ike smiled to himself as he heard the question.
+
+"We're travelin' a bit more than eight, ma'am. I s'pose you are
+'customed to that speed from drivin' horses?"
+
+"Yes, that's it. I never like to go faster than that rate, but you are
+not going too fast, yet. Be sure to slow up going around corners--we
+might run into someone," she returned, settling herself comfortably back
+in the robes.
+
+Ike promised to be most careful, but dared not hint at the actual speed
+they were traveling, and would have to keep up, to enable them to reach
+Oakdale before night.
+
+With the sun shining brightly, and the beautiful autumn coloring in the
+foliage, the journey was most enjoyable.
+
+About six o'clock the car reached Mason's farm and Ruth told her aunt
+that there the first little city children lived all summer. Next, the
+car passed Betty's home, but no one was in sight, although Ruth watched
+for Betty to appear. Mrs. Catlin's beautiful home on the hill was
+pointed out to the interested old lady, and then Ike turned off of the
+main road and drove along the woodland road that ran by the swimming
+pool. Ruth told all about it, and hoped the Nest in the cherry-tree
+could be seen in the twilight.
+
+Ike stopped under the old tree and Ruth spied all of the Blue Birds in
+the Nest. She jumped out to greet them and they ran down the steps to
+crowd about her. Aunt Selina was introduced and received a quaint little
+curtsey from each child. Then the children said good-night and Ike drove
+on to the house.
+
+There, on the lower step, stood the long-looked-for father, and the
+moment Ruth saw him, she gave a cry of joy. Mrs. Talmage and Ned stood
+back in the shadow to enjoy Ruth's first sight of her father.
+
+After the greetings were over, Aunt Selina was made to feel quite at
+home in the cheery library until dinner was announced. The travelers
+were too tired to dress for dinner, so they were soon seated about the
+table and the conversation naturally turned to Blue Bird talk.
+
+Ruth went to bed soon after dinner, for the day had been tiresome, and
+Aunt Selina also felt the need of rest. She admitted that she enjoyed
+the trip very much, but her old bones felt the strain of the long day.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE BLUE BIRDS' INSPIRATION
+
+
+School was to re-open on Thursday, and the Blue Birds had but one day
+more of vacation in which to meet and plan for the Winter Nest. Of
+course, they could meet after school, or Saturdays, but it seemed more
+like a meeting to be able to have the whole day for planning.
+
+By nine o'clock on Wednesday, therefore, they gathered in their Nest
+while Mrs. Talmage entertained Aunt Selina on the veranda with past
+doings of the children.
+
+Mr. Talmage had to go to the city, and he said that Uncle Ben might come
+back with him for a few days' visit. Uncle Ben was his only brother, the
+one who had given Ned the printing outfit for a Christmas gift.
+
+Ruth told the Blue Birds all about Happy Hills and Aunt Selina's plan
+for the city children.
+
+"Now, how shall we manage to find the children that will need the
+country next summer?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Did your aunt say who would look after so many children?" asked Norma.
+
+"No, that is one of the things we shall have to talk over. We only got
+as far as deciding that the farm was great!" said Ruth.
+
+"Indeed, it is a fine offer," said several little girls.
+
+"I think we will have to get the opinion of the grown-ups about the
+whole plan," ventured Betty.
+
+"Mrs. Talmage and Miss Selina are on the porch now--let's run over and
+ask them what they have thought of," suggested Edith.
+
+As the others were of the same mind the Nest was deserted. Upon reaching
+the veranda, the Blue Birds were pleased to see that Mrs. Catlin was
+sitting there with the other ladies. As Mrs. Catlin was a powerful ally,
+she was always welcome when planning was to be done.
+
+While the group on the piazza was deeply concerned talking over winter
+work and next summer's plans, Ned came out of the house and went down
+the woodland path toward the Starrs' home.
+
+Meredith Starr and his chum, Jinks, were under an old apple-tree in the
+garden orchard, and Ned joined them.
+
+"Aunt Selina's at the house, and what do you think?"
+
+Meredith and Jinks shook their heads and Ned continued solemnly, "She's
+given Happy Hills to the Blue Birds for their poor children next
+summer."
+
+"She has! My goodness, but they will have more than they can look after
+if they ever accepted such a place," cried Jinks.
+
+"Oh, they accepted it, all right! They're just crazy about it. But the
+grown-ups will have to help it along. I suppose they'll have to have so
+much printing done that we'll be out of it after this winter,"
+complained Ned.
+
+"If you think that why can't we have some organization of our own?"
+asked Meredith.
+
+"Yes! why wait to be invited out of the way by the Blue Birds? Get some
+club of our own going, and surprise them if they find us in the way,"
+added Jinks.
+
+"Oh, it takes a grown-up to help along such things?" objected Ned. "Why,
+where do you suppose these girls would have been if it hadn't been for
+mother's ideas and help?"
+
+"I guess you're right," admitted the other boys, rolling over in the
+grass again, whence they had popped up their heads at Meredith's
+suggestion.
+
+After a few moments' silence, however, Meredith sat up again and said
+tenaciously: "I don't see why we can't! Daddum would help us with his
+advice and your father, too, Ned. Jinks hasn't any grown-ups, but he can
+get some of the fathers of the Blue Birds interested in us."
+
+"What could we do, or where would we start?" asked Ned.
+
+"Well, first of all, don't let's call it 'The Owls!' That name may be
+all right for the editor of a paper, but I don't like it for a club,"
+complained Meredith.
+
+"We need a name that will sound so respectable that every mother will
+consent to having her boy join us," said Ned.
+
+"We might call it 'Junior Boy Scouts,'" suggested Jinks.
+
+"Then everyone'll expect us to do just as the Boy Scouts do, and the
+fact is we won't! We will have a sort of club for boys under twelve for
+the purpose of having a nice time, and helping them with their work or
+suggesting plans for outdoor sports," said Ned.
+
+"If we could think of some name that would appeal to the mothers who are
+so interested in the Blue Birds!" said Jinks.
+
+After many names had been laughed down, Meredith said, "Why not call
+ourselves 'The B. B. Club.' Everyone likes a secret society and the
+mothers can believe we are so fond of the Blue Birds that we wanted to
+keep their name for ourselves."
+
+"Oh, but they will think we had to steal their name for want of finding
+one for ourselves," scorned Ned.
+
+"Well, if you can find anything better, tell it!" exclaimed Meredith,
+vexed at his friend's laughter.
+
+Just then, Jim, the handy man about Oakwood, joined the boys. He saw
+some signs of trouble and asked what they were doing.
+
+Ned explained about Miss Selina and the Blue Birds, and his plan for the
+younger boys. Jim pondered for a few moments and then muttered, "Is
+there any bird you know that goes by those same initials--'B. B.'?"
+
+Ned thought rapidly for a few minutes, then said, "Blue Jay, no, not
+that--Black Bird!"
+
+"Bull Finch!" replied Jinks, laughing.
+
+"Neither! What bird whistles like this?" and Jim imitated so naturally
+the notes of the Bobolink that the boys knew.
+
+"Ho! Bobolink, eh?" shouted Ned, slapping Jim on the back.
+
+"Where would the 'B. B.' come in on that?" asked Jinks.
+
+"Would you divide it like 'Bo-Bolink'?" asked Meredith.
+
+"Sure not! Just plain 'Bobolink Boys' to offset the Blue Bird Girls,"
+answered Jim, as he rose to go on toward the barns.
+
+"Hurrah, Jim! I think you're a life-saver," cried Ned.
+
+"Three cheers for the god-father of the Bobolink Boys!" shouted Jinks,
+while the others cheered Jim.
+
+"There's Don and another little chap--try the name on them and see what
+they say," suggested Jim, pointing toward the front driveway where two
+boys of about ten years could be seen.
+
+"That's right. We'll see what they think of it all," returned Meredith,
+rising to whistle through his fingers to attract the boys' attention.
+
+Immediately upon hearing the shrill call from his brother, Don turned
+in the direction of the apple orchard. As the two lads ran up, Ned
+constituted himself chief counsel.
+
+"Don, how old are you?" was the first question.
+
+"Nine, goin' on ten. Why?" answered Don.
+
+"How old is your friend?" was the next question.
+
+"I'm ten next month," replied the little fellow.
+
+"What's your name?" asked Ned.
+
+"Tuck. That is what everyone calls me, but the name they gave me when I
+was too little to know better, was awful--it's Reuben Wales. Just
+because my great grandfather had it, they made me take it, too." And
+poor little Tuck felt very much abused.
+
+"Never mind, Tuck," laughed Ned, while the other boys rolled over in the
+grass to smother their laughter.
+
+"I don't most of the time, but when someone has to know the real end of
+my name, I feel dreadful about it."
+
+"Well, Tuck, we are planning a club for you boys and you can choose a
+new name if you join," consoled Jinks.
+
+"What's the game, Jinks?" asked Don, eagerly.
+
+"We hope to form an organization for boys under twelve to be known as
+Bobolink Boys," explained Meredith.
+
+"What for--to build nests and then sew doll clothes, or make paper
+furniture?" growled Don, who had been greatly offended to think that his
+twin sister Dot would leave him for the Blue Birds.
+
+The older boys who understood his attitude and its cause, laughed, but
+Meredith explained more fully.
+
+"Just for the sake of having fine times and getting something going for
+the boys so the girls won't run the whole town. If we start a movement
+called Bobolinks we can demand help from the grown-ups just as the girls
+have done. We can manage to do something as big as the Blue Birds ever
+did, besides having our outings and games at a club-room."
+
+"That sounds fine," ventured Tuck.
+
+"Fine! Why, there's my hand on it, Mete!" declared Don, as he thrust a
+grimy little hand under his brother's nose.
+
+Ned and Jinks laughed as Meredith looked doubtfully at Don's hand before
+accepting it as a pledge.
+
+"What'll we do first?" asked Don, eager to begin.
+
+"Tuck and you must ask as many nice boys as you know if they would like
+to join a club, and tell them what for," replied Ned.
+
+"How many can we ask?" questioned Tuck.
+
+"Oh, about thirty, I guess. I can take charge of one Nest, Jinks of
+another, and Mete of another," said Ned.
+
+"All right, we're in for it," cried Don.
+
+"We'll report to-morrow afternoon--where?" asked Tuck.
+
+"Better say at Jim's cottage--up by the barn."
+
+The two younger boys ran away to seek members and the other boys looked
+at each other.
+
+"Quick work, eh? We're in for it now, so we'd better get some plans
+going," laughed Meredith.
+
+"We'd better go to your room and figure things out on paper," advised
+Ned.
+
+So the three boys who started the Bobolink Boys went to the house and
+locked themselves in Meredith's den to make plans for the organization.
+
+In the meantime, the Blue Birds had joined the ladies on the Talmage
+veranda and their conversation turned to the work to be done that
+winter.
+
+"I wonder where Ned went," said Mrs. Talmage as Ruth drew a low stool to
+her mother's side.
+
+"He went over to my house to see Mete," replied Dot Starr. "Shall I go
+and bring him back?"
+
+"Oh, no, it can wait. I just wanted him to hear some of our plans so he
+could print it in the next paper," said Mrs. Talmage. Then she turned to
+the others.
+
+"You see, Blue Birds, since Aunt Selina joined our ranks and proffered
+Happy Hills for next summer's use, it gives us an entirely new incentive
+for work. We had rather expected to take matters easy this winter, for
+school does not leave much time for other work. But we have afternoons
+and Saturdays."
+
+"And Wednesdays, too, Mrs. Talmage! We all get out at two o'clock
+Wednesdays, you know," added Norma.
+
+"If I could skip music that day, I could have a long afternoon with
+you," said May, hopefully.
+
+"Well, if anyone who has studies at home for Wednesdays, could arrange
+to attend to them at another time, we could have every Wednesday
+afternoon for a regular meeting, too," admitted Mrs. Talmage.
+
+Miss Selina was so interested in the children that she smiled when they
+did, and puckered her brow into a frown when they did. Mrs. Catlin
+amused herself watching the old lady and almost rocked off the steps in
+her enjoyment.
+
+"One thing we must discuss to-day is a suitable nest for winter. We
+cannot occupy the one in the cherry tree much longer, for it is growing
+windy and cool. Then, too, there must be some home-work planned for each
+one to report at our meetings," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Won't there be any benefits or bazaars?" asked Ruth, who had visions
+of fun in the school-house assembly room.
+
+"We will have to earn money in some manner to help the poor children,
+but that will have to be discussed later," replied Mrs. Talmage.
+
+After an hour's discussion, Mrs. Catlin left with the parting
+injunction, "Call upon me for anything--I will be on hand."
+
+Late in the afternoon Mr. Talmage returned with his brother who was the
+editor of a prominent magazine in New York. The Blue Birds had gone, and
+Ruth welcomed her uncle whose visits were always a source of pleasure to
+Ned and herself.
+
+He sat down on the steps beside her and listened to her story of the
+wonderful work Ned's printing press had done that summer, and of the
+work required of it for the coming summer. Uncle Ben smiled as he
+listened.
+
+"Ned will be walking in my footsteps soon, won't he?" said Uncle Ben, as
+Ruth concluded.
+
+Before Ruth could reply her mother came out to welcome the visitor and
+tell him of Aunt Selina's presence.
+
+"Aunt Selina! You don't say so! Why, I haven't seen her since my
+graduation from college," remarked Uncle Ben, in pleased surprise.
+
+"She is in her room dressing for dinner," said Mrs. Talmage. "You will
+find a great change working in her. Why, just think of her offer of
+Happy Hills for the poor children next summer." And she proceeded to
+tell the story of Aunt Selina's desire to help the Blue Bird work.
+
+"Now that Uncle Ben is here, maybe he can help us plan some way to earn
+the money for next summer," suggested Ruth.
+
+"I believe you can! What we need is to find some way of reaching the
+right children, and then to start some work that will bring us in a
+regular income during the winter, for it will take a heap of money to
+run a large place like Happy Hills with several hundred starved little
+children living there," admitted Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"As a man who is so mixed up in publishing, you would naturally expect
+me to know some way out of your troubles, eh?" laughed Uncle Ben. "Well,
+well, let me think it out."
+
+At that moment the dinner bell rang and no further opportunity was given
+for discussing ways and means.
+
+So absorbing was the theme, however, that talk soon drifted around to
+the subject of farms, work and plans.
+
+"You can get a list of names of poor children at the Bureau of Charity,"
+said Uncle Ben.
+
+"That only records names of families who will apply for assistance; but
+the ones like the Ferris family, never are heard from in this way. Those
+are the children we want," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"When I return to the city I will see if there is any way of getting a
+list like you want. As for institutions--you can find all of the asylums
+and homes in the New York Directory. From them you can select numbers of
+crippled or sick children," suggested Uncle Ben.
+
+"Ben, do you believe circulars are a good means of letting people know
+what you want?" asked Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I can't say that I do. In my experience I have found that a circular
+letter meets the same end as an undesirable advertisement. Most of them
+are thrown into the waste basket."
+
+"We need philanthropic women to help us next summer. Mrs. Starr offered
+me her woods at Oakwood if her family goes to Maine, and Mrs. Catlin
+wishes to rent the Mason farm for children. So now, with Happy Hills on
+our list, we will need just the right kind who will love the work with
+us," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Better send someone to visit the women you hear about," advised Mr.
+Talmage.
+
+"But I need to find the women first," returned Mrs. Talmage,
+plaintively.
+
+"What's the matter with the _Chirp_? Can't we print a story in that and
+mail it to a list of folks in New York?" asked Ned.
+
+"That sounds good to me! I should say the _Chirp_ would do the work
+better than a letter or circular," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Yes, it does seem like a fine suggestion," admitted Mrs. Talmage. "We
+will talk it over this evening, Ned."
+
+"Why, when the _Chirp_ comes to my office," said Uncle Ben, "I generally
+drop all of my important work until I see what new scheme the children
+have worked up. I sit back and enjoy every word there."
+
+"Maybe that is because your nephew edits it--sort of family pride in one
+who is following in your footsteps," teased Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Not a bit of it! It is because the lad is original enough to fill a
+gap, and persistent enough to keep a good thing going. I haven't the
+least idea but that the Blue Birds would never have been heard of
+outside of their little Nest if it hadn't been for Ned and his _Chirp_,"
+commended Uncle Ben.
+
+"We are all certain of that," assented Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"And we are very grateful to Ned for all he has done to help us along,"
+added Ruth, smiling at her proud brother.
+
+"Mother, you said you wanted to speak to Uncle Ben after dinner, but may
+I have him alone for a few moments before you get hold of him?" asked
+Ned, in a worried manner, as if Uncle Ben would be used up if the ladies
+talked to him first.
+
+Everyone laughed, and Mrs. Talmage said, "Why, certainly, Son, if Uncle
+Ben is courageous enough to trust himself to your hands."
+
+"I'm shaking in my boots already," said Uncle Ben, "for I'm sure some
+dark plot will be uncovered."
+
+"Just wait and see!" laughed Ned, as he excused himself and ran to his
+den.
+
+As the rest of the family rose to leave the table, Uncle Ben said in an
+aside to Mr. Talmage, "I believe that this farm idea will require a
+regular organization to take proper charge of its affairs. Just a few
+ladies and children cannot handle so important a task."
+
+"I think you are right, Ben," said Mr. Talmage.
+
+Ned was waiting for his uncle as he came down the hall, and catching
+hold of his hand, dragged him into his sanctum where the _Chirp_ was
+printed each week.
+
+Uncle Ben sat down in the one arm-chair and waited while Ned locked the
+door and pulled down every window shade.
+
+"This is a great secret, you know," explained Ned.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+THE BOBOLINK BOYS FOUNDED
+
+
+"Now, Uncle Ben, we can make ourselves at home," said Ned, as he sat
+upon a box in front of his uncle.
+
+"Oh, maybe you'd like to smoke, Uncle Ben?" continued Ned, recalling
+that most men liked an after-dinner smoke. "I shall never use tobacco
+myself, because I have studied just what effects it has on one's system,
+but I won't object to your smoking if you wish."
+
+Uncle Ben threw back his head and laughed uproariously.
+
+"Does that mean that you will sit calmly by and see me ruin my health
+with tobacco, and not interfere?" laughed he.
+
+"Oh, no, you know I didn't mean it that way, although it did sound
+funny, didn't it?" replied Ned.
+
+"Well, Son, I never smoke, either. I believe a man is a better thinker
+and cooler business man without it," said Uncle Ben. "But, tell me,
+what is the tremendous secret that made you lock the door and pull the
+blinds?"
+
+"Here it is," whispered Ned, leaning over toward his uncle. "You see,
+when the Blue Birds started, I hadn't a thing to do, because the Starr
+boys were at camp and many of the other boys away with their families;
+so I undertook to print the _Chirp_ for the girls. I liked it, too. But
+they are planning so much for next summer that it will take a regular
+printer to turn out their work. Their organization freezes out the boys,
+yet we helped in every way this summer."
+
+Uncle Ben nodded comprehendingly.
+
+"Well, this afternoon, we boys got together and said, 'What's to hinder
+us from getting up a club for boys under twelve?' We all thought it
+would be great, so we started, and have the name, but not the plans.
+What do you think of it?" asked Ned.
+
+"You haven't told me enough about it to judge," replied Uncle Ben. "Have
+you founded the club for any purpose?"
+
+"Oh, yes! We will gather all the little chaps under twelve years of age
+into one organization, and take them on hikes, teach them work, play
+games, and do other things," said Ned.
+
+"And the name of this?"
+
+"We thought that Bobolink Boys--B. B., you see--would be great as the
+initials stand for Blue Birds, too. Of course, we won't sew dolls'
+clothes, or bake cakes, but we will help the Blue Birds whenever we can,
+or be independent if we wish. The girls wear bird uniforms, but the boys
+will wear jumpers of a certain color, with stripes for grade. We haven't
+gone any further. Our first meeting was held in Starr's orchard this
+afternoon," grinned Ned.
+
+Uncle Ben sat thinking very seriously for a long time, then he asked,
+"What about the _Chirp_? Drop it?"
+
+"Oh, no! That's one reason we want something of our own to back us up.
+We can all help print the _Chirp_, and with the little boys to deliver
+them, or run errands, it will be easier for all of us. Then, if the
+girls get up some bazaar, or entertainment and we have to print cards,
+etc., it will be much easier."
+
+"Then your plan is more for cooeperation than competition?" asked Uncle
+Ben.
+
+"Cooperation in everything a boy can help in, but not to belong to a
+Nest that has to do things the Blue Birds do," explained Ned.
+
+Uncle Ben sat wrapped in thought, and Ned wondered what he was thinking
+of. Suddenly, the older man slapped his knee and chuckled with delight.
+
+"Now what, Uncle? I know it is something good, from your face!"
+exclaimed Ned, eagerly.
+
+"Yes, sir. I believe we can pull it off--we'll try, at any rate!"
+declared Uncle Ben, half to himself.
+
+"Do tell me!" begged Ned.
+
+"Ned, did you ever see our magazine come out? I mean did I ever show you
+over the whole plant, and show you what work it takes to produce a nice
+little paper book each month?"
+
+"Once, when father and I were at your office, you took me over the
+place. I told you then that I wanted to be a publisher, and you laughed
+and promised to start me on the right track when I was a man. Last
+winter you sent me the printing press and told me to practice," said
+Ned.
+
+"Yes, I know, but I wanted to see if you remembered. Now, I think I have
+a plan that will go a long way toward giving you elementary experience
+in publishing, and at the same time provide just what your Bobolinks
+would like to do. It will help the Blue Birds along for next summer, and
+keep them busy to prevent the Bobolinks from making all the music." And
+Uncle Ben slapped his knee again, laughing as he thought of how the boys
+would unconsciously start a race between the two--Blue Birds and
+Bobolinks.
+
+"I wish you'd tell me your idea!" coaxed Ned, impatiently.
+
+"I haven't it all in shape to explain, yet, but I will hammer it
+together in some way to tell you to-morrow. Where do you boys expect to
+meet at your weekly, or daily meetings?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"If there are but a few, I thought we could meet in this den of mine.
+But later, if there is a crowd, we might secure the Y. M. C. A. boys'
+room, or the reception room of the school," replied Ned.
+
+"By Thanksgiving time you ought to be in working trim to assume any
+large work I might think of, eh?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, surely! Long before Thanksgiving, I should think."
+
+"Now, don't be too sure. Boys are just as hard to muster and understand
+as girls, and the plan that suddenly suggested itself for you boys to
+try out is a secret ambition that I have nursed ever since I went into
+the publishing business--and that was over twenty-five years ago. I have
+never had time to take it up alone, and never found anyone to whom I
+could trust so precious a hobby. I see how this combination of Blue
+Birds and Bobolinks might bring the idea to success, but I shall have to
+think it over before speaking further," explained Uncle Ben.
+
+"Uncle, I surely am grateful for your confidence, and I shall be glad to
+know when you can tell us all," said Ned.
+
+"I wish to talk the matter over with your father first, but you may call
+together some of the boys to-morrow afternoon and I will talk with them
+to see how many are willing and able to help."
+
+"Well, I suppose I must wait, but I did hope we could organize our boys
+to-morrow at recess," said Ned, with an air of disappointment.
+
+"What's to hinder your doing it?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"How--until we know what we're going to do?"
+
+"Oh, just make your plans broad enough to take in any ideas that come
+along," responded Uncle Ben, rising to go.
+
+That night after everyone had retired, Uncle Ben took Mr. Talmage down
+the drive toward the woods. As they walked slowly along in the bright
+moonlight, they discussed various plans suggested by the ladies of the
+Blue Bird society. Uncle Ben led up, quite naturally, to the new
+organization of Bobolinks.
+
+"Al, those boys are wide awake, all right! If we were to give them a
+boost now and then, there is no saying how great a philanthropic success
+this undertaking may be. It may grow so far out of Oakdale limits that
+the whole world may take part in it. I, for one, have decided to lend my
+support and see what comes of it," said Uncle Ben, seriously.
+
+"Great Scott! Ben; you _must_ be interested; I haven't seen you so
+enthusiastic over anything in years," laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"You know how interested I have always been in the publishing
+work--even as a boy, like Ned is now. Well, one thing you, and no one
+else, ever did know, was the hope of being able some day to circulate a
+model magazine for children. I have known for years that the little
+souls craved something more than the wishy-washy stuff that is given
+them in the name of 'juvenile reading'--Heaven forgive the criminals!
+Why, our little ones of to-day are as wide awake as grown-ups, and they
+demand--unconsciously, perhaps--the same strong quality of bread and
+meat reading as adults have been digesting of late years. Educational,
+adventurous, interesting, work-a-day reading! But the books and
+magazines in the main have not advanced to meet the demand for better
+children's literature. I have long dreamed of just what I would like to
+give the children of to-day." And Uncle Ben lapsed into silence.
+
+"I never gave the subject much thought, but I suppose you are right,
+Ben," admitted Mr. Talmage.
+
+"That's just it!" cried Uncle Ben, excitedly. "No one ever stops to
+think about it, but keeps right on filling the minds of their children
+with stuff that never benefits them a particle. How many boys of to-day
+want to read 'Mother's Brave Little Man,' or 'Jerry the Newsboy'? Bosh!
+Boys of to-day want 'True Tales of an Indian Trapper,' or 'Boy Scout
+Adventures,' or good clean stories--school life, or outdoor sports.
+It's LIFE and HEALTH they want."
+
+"Guess you're right, Ben," said Mr. Talmage, smiling at his brother's
+denunciation of present-day literature for children.
+
+"All right, then! Help me bring about a reform in this line. I have
+studied this problem from every point of view and I really believe that
+the growing youth of to-day would not acquire bad habits so readily if
+they were given some occupation that would thoroughly interest them.
+It's worth trying, at any rate. Let's fill them with some great plan or
+ambition and see how many children will fall into the snares and
+pitfalls of the past!"
+
+Uncle Ben so inspired his brother with his enthusiasm that he, too,
+declared he would do all he could to help.
+
+"Here's a few women who accomplished wonders this summer with the little
+girls. We have a crowd of boys wasting their time day by day for want
+of something interesting to do. Let the fathers follow the mothers'
+example and help their boys band together for some good cause!" said
+Uncle Ben.
+
+"We'll get the men together and propose it--they'll see the value of the
+suggestion, just as I have," promised Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Well, Al, now that you're interested, I have an especially fine plum to
+drop into your hands. Your own son was the one to start an organization
+of boys and name it Bobolink Boys."
+
+"My Ned!" exclaimed Mr. Talmage, joyfully. "That makes me very happy!"
+
+"That is what he wished to tell me when we went to his den. He has
+organized a club for boys under twelve, just as the Blue Birds have done
+for girls, and the initials are the same--B. B.;--also, they wish to
+cooperate with the girls, whenever possible," explained Uncle Ben.
+
+"Well, well!" ejaculated Mr. Talmage, smiling to himself.
+
+"When I heard Ned outline his plan I decided to encourage the movement
+if possible by confiding my pet plan to them to experiment on," said
+Uncle Ben.
+
+"When the fathers hear of this they will be as happy as I am. The
+problem of keeping a boy actively engaged in some uplifting work is a
+sufficient one. Ned and you seem to have solved it for Oakdale,"
+admitted Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Think so! Then you get busy and gather the fathers together to-morrow
+night for a conference. We will see how many will agree to help along
+the work. I will donate all of my ideas accumulated during the past
+years."
+
+"I'll telephone everyone I know the first thing in the morning. Where
+shall we meet--in the library?" asked Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Yes, and if there are too many of us we will have to adjourn to a
+larger place," said Uncle Ben.
+
+Before breakfast the next morning the Starrs' telephone rang, and Mr.
+Starr was informed that he was wanted at a meeting to be held in
+Talmage's library that night. Meredith and Donald knew nothing of Uncle
+Ben's talk with Mr. Talmage, but they felt sure the meeting had
+something to do with their plans.
+
+Mr. Wells and Mr. Stevens were the next ones to be invited to the
+meeting, and after that a score or more of fathers were invited.
+
+Uncle Ben, who had hoped to take a few days' rest in his brother's quiet
+country home, found himself very busy in working out his idea so that it
+could be simply presented to the meeting of boys and men. He spent the
+entire morning in jotting down ideas as they came to him.
+
+Luncheon over, Ned caught Uncle Ben's hand and said, "You haven't
+forgotten the date we made, have you?"
+
+"You wouldn't think so if you had seen me working all morning,"
+complained Uncle Ben.
+
+"That's all right then; we boys will meet you in the big empty carriage
+house this afternoon at three-thirty," nodded Ned.
+
+"I'll be there!" laughed Uncle Ben, as Ned ran off.
+
+The big room in the carriage house had not been used since the garage
+had been built.
+
+Ned and Ike found some chairs in the store-room, and Simon provided
+several empty boxes. Long planks were placed across the boxes, making
+very good benches for the boys to sit upon. A large packing case stood
+a few feet in front of the benches to be used as the speaker's stand.
+
+At three-thirty every boy who had expressed a desire to join the
+Bobolinks was there with expectant looks. Uncle Ben soon arrived and
+took a seat by the large box. He spread his papers out in front of him
+in a very business-like way.
+
+"Boys, I will go straight to the business under consideration this
+afternoon," said Uncle Ben, standing up the better to impress his
+audience.
+
+"I think the first thing to do is to appoint a secretary."
+
+Ned was selected, so he sat down behind the packing case to jot down his
+notes.
+
+"Have you boys formed any kind of an organization?" asked Uncle Ben,
+turning to Ned.
+
+"No, sir, not yet," replied Ned.
+
+"Then let us attend to that now. You must have officers, and rules and
+by-laws for governing the boys and meetings. Now, I should suggest that
+we begin properly, and hold an election of officers."
+
+Uncle Ben then told them the proper way to proceed, and the boys were
+greatly impressed with the importance of what they were doing. When the
+election was completed, Ned had been chosen President, Meredith
+Treasurer and Jinks Secretary.
+
+"Now," said Uncle Ben, "with your permission I will preside at this
+meeting, instead of your new President. I will read to you what I have
+written on this paper:
+
+"First: The undersigned have met together to form an organization to be
+known as Bobolink Boys.
+
+"Second: The purpose of this organization is to provide a club for boys
+under twelve years of age, that will plan healthful sport, social
+meetings, and assist the Blue Birds in their work and play.
+
+"Third: Meetings shall be arranged for by vote of members, and all other
+important matters shall be discussed and decided upon at these meetings.
+
+"Fourth: An initiation fee of ten cents shall be charged each boy
+desiring to become a member of the Bobolinks, and dues of five cents a
+month shall be collected from every member. Should any member find it
+impossible to pay these costs he may be discharged from the obligation
+by filing an acceptable excuse with the treasurer.
+
+"Fifth: A bank account shall be opened at the Oakdale National Bank and
+all funds deposited there. All bills must be paid by check signed by the
+treasurer and secretary.
+
+"Sixth: Any member found deliberately breaking any of the rules and
+by-laws shall be expelled from the organization, after a meeting held to
+investigate the misdemeanor."
+
+Uncle Ben looked up from the paper and said,
+
+"Is that the plan of organization that you boys feel will cover what you
+want?"
+
+"Oh, yes, that's fine!" cried several boys.
+
+The others still felt too over-awed at the business-like terms just
+heard, to make any sign, favorable or otherwise.
+
+"Well, if this paper is acceptable a motion to make it official will be
+received. I want to get to the principal thing for which we have
+gathered," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Now, I shall make some suggestions," continued Uncle Ben, after the
+outline had been accepted by a vote. "Are there any boys here who do not
+wish to become members?"
+
+All of the twenty-three boys wished to become Bobolinks.
+
+"Are there any boys present who cannot pay the initial fee and regular
+dues?" continued Uncle Ben.
+
+None thought this impossible.
+
+"After this you write down the names and addresses of every boy who
+applies for membership."
+
+Ned made a note of it in his book.
+
+"Now for a catechism: This is very important," said Uncle Ben, looking
+about at the boys. "And answer truthfully!"
+
+"Ever smoke?"
+
+"Ever drink?"
+
+"Ever gamble?"
+
+"Ever swear?"
+
+"Ever steal?"
+
+"Ever fight?"
+
+"Ever play hookey?"
+
+"Ever strike anyone weaker than yourself?"
+
+"I noticed that most of the boys smiled when I said 'hookey,'" ventured
+Uncle Ben, critically. "But let me tell you! 'Hookey' is an
+innocent-looking vice that leads to great trouble. It is the seed of
+being unreliable. A man who is unreliable is a failure in the beginning.
+So, boys, beware of 'hookey'!"
+
+The boys felt the serious import of the words and each vowed to forego
+the delight in playing hookey when fishing was good, or when baseball
+was being played in town ten miles away.
+
+"Have any of you boys ever been in a printing plant and watched the
+process of turning out papers?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+Almost every boy raised his hand instantly in answer to this question,
+for what boy had not stood at the village printer's yearning to set type
+or run one of the fascinating presses?
+
+"Fine!" smiled Uncle Ben. "And now how many can set type or do small
+jobs on the press?"
+
+Very few could do this, but the Starr boys and Jinks often helped Ned
+with printing the _Chirp_ on his small press, and a few other boys knew
+something of the work.
+
+"Well, I'll have to explain to you what kind of work is required of a
+firm that prints papers or publishes a magazine. You may think this has
+nothing to do with your organization, but you will soon see," said Uncle
+Ben.
+
+As the speaker turned to take up several sheets of paper, a noisy
+chatter was heard outside the house and in another moment all of the
+Blue Birds, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Talmage, Mrs. Catlin, and Miss
+Selina, entered the room.
+
+"In passing, we heard the harangue going on in here, and found out from
+Mr. Talmage that a secret meeting was under way. We would love to hear
+the motive and perhaps suggest an idea now and then," laughingly said
+Mrs. Talmage.
+
+The Bobolinks looked at each other, and Uncle Ben said, "Members, shall
+these intruders be ejected, or shall this organization extend the first
+courtesy to one we hope to assist in the future?"
+
+The boys giggled, for the manner of presenting the case appealed to
+every one of them, and eliminated any feeling of intrusion from the Blue
+Birds.
+
+"One item to be written in our by-laws must be: 'Consider the ladies
+first,'" announced Ned, standing.
+
+"The visitors are welcome!" said Uncle Ben, making a ceremonious bow.
+
+"But please remember, visitors, this is a business meeting, not a social
+function, so I must ask the ladies to find their own seats and not
+disturb the gentlemen," said Mr. Talmage.
+
+The ladies were soon seated in a corner where Ike placed some boxes, and
+the Blue Birds squatted upon carriage robes spread out on the floor by
+Simon. When all was orderly again, Uncle Ben proceeded with his
+discourse.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+UNCLE BEN'S BUSINESS TALK
+
+
+"Ladies and gentlemen!" said Uncle Ben, bowing politely to each group;
+"You may not know that I have always had one hobby--something like my
+nephew here--and that is still, printing. My present position as editor
+of a magazine does not satisfy my craving for the printer's workshop,
+but it is as near as I can come to it, so I have bided my time until an
+opportunity like the present one offers.
+
+"Before I confide to you what the present offer is, I wish to explain
+somewhat the working of a magazine plant. I believe it is necessary to
+tell you how much hard work is attached to the business, and some of the
+enjoyments when the magazine is ready to go out.
+
+"The first thing is to have the right kind of a story, or article. To
+find this it is necessary to read many, many manuscripts. We employ
+'readers' for this work of selecting what we can use. The manuscripts
+we cannot use are returned to the writers. After the first reader passes
+on a story, another reader goes over it, and if it seems suitable, it is
+handed to the editor. The editor decides whether or not to accept it. If
+accepted, he has to go over it very carefully. Sometimes words are
+changed, lines inserted, or whole paragraphs cut out.
+
+"If the story needs illustrating an artist is sent for. If a soft-toned
+illustration is desired, the artist makes a 'wash drawing'--meaning a
+black and white painting done with brushes, as in a water color. The
+'wash drawing' is then sent to the engravers and a 'half-tone' plate
+made for use in the magazine. 'Half-tones' are made of copper sheets
+with the picture photographed upon them.
+
+"Sometimes we want an outline to illustrate the story. A pen and ink
+sketch is required for this, and is made about twice as large as it will
+appear in the magazine. This is reproduced on a zinc plate, and is
+called a 'line cut.'
+
+"Then the story is given to the linotypers. A linotype machine is very
+interesting. It has a key-board almost like a typewriter. When a letter
+is struck on the board, a piece of brass containing the impression of
+that letter moves into place just like a soldier starting to form a
+line. When the next letter is struck, the corresponding brass soldier
+hurries into place beside the first one. This continues until a whole
+line has been 'set.' Then the operator touches a lever, the line of
+brass pieces moves to a new position, and molten type-metal is poured
+into the mold which the brass pieces help to form. The lead at once
+hardens, and the whole line is ready for printing, in one solid piece.
+All of this is done very fast--much faster than I can tell you about it.
+It is hard to believe that a machine can do all these things so quickly
+and so accurately.
+
+"When the linotype work is completed the printer places the lines of
+type on a 'galley.' Then the type is covered with ink, a piece of paper
+is laid on, and a heavy roller passed over it. This impression is called
+the 'galley proof.' If the linotyper has made any mistakes in spelling
+or printing, they have to be corrected.
+
+"After the 'galley proofs' are corrected, the dummy--a blank-page book
+just the size the magazine will be--is made.
+
+"Before us, are all the pictures and reading matter to be used. These
+are arranged and pasted into the dummy in the order in which they are to
+be printed. Sometimes a page has a little space left at the bottom, and
+this must be filled with a neat ornament or a verse. Sometimes an
+article is too long, and then it must be cut down and made to fit the
+allotted space.
+
+"Thus, the whole magazine is 'dummied' with pages of cut-up galley
+proofs and picture proofs, until it looks more like a child's scrap book
+than a magazine model.
+
+"This dummy goes back to the printer, who picks out the galley-type and
+measures it off to compare with the pages of the dummy. This done, he
+places the type in a form the size of the page, places the numeral of
+the page at the top or bottom, with the name of the magazine at the
+top--this is known as the 'running head,' as it runs along the top of
+each page throughout the book.
+
+"The printer next makes a page proof. That is, he makes a proof of each
+page. These pages are sent into the editorial room again, and are gone
+over carefully and compared with the galley proofs; if everything is
+correct each page is 'O.K'd.' If, however, there are errors, note is
+made of it in the margin on the page proof.
+
+"When all the pages are 'O.K'd.' the page forms are 'locked up'
+together, sixteen, thirty-two or sixty-four, in one big form, and
+arranged so that when the sheet of paper is printed and folded, the
+pages will come in the right order."
+
+So Uncle Ben continued his talk about magazine making. He explained the
+workings of different kinds of printing presses, how some print directly
+from the type "made ready" on a flat bed, the paper being fed into the
+press in flat sheets, and how some of the big presses print from curved
+plates that fit around a big roller, the paper running into the press
+continuously from an immense big roll as wide as the press. He told
+about the wonderful folding and stitching machines, and many other
+interesting things.
+
+During Uncle Ben's talk, everyone had been so interested that not a
+sound was heard. When he concluded, however, the tension relaxed and his
+audience began asking questions.
+
+"This is most instructive, but I can't see where it helps the Bobolink
+Boys in their organization," said Mr. Talmage, quizzically.
+
+At mention of the name "Bobolink Boys" the Blue Birds looked at each
+other, and then at their elders for information.
+
+Uncle Ben saw their wonderment, and laughingly explained the plot. The
+girls were delighted, and had so much to say to one another that it
+seemed as if no further business could be attended to that day.
+
+Uncle Ben, however, rapped loudly upon the box.
+
+"We have many important things to attend to," he said, "and all are
+requested to sit still and listen. I am going back to New York in a few
+days, and in the meantime I should like to help start the boys on the
+right road to success. Now, what you all want to know is, 'How does my
+talk about magazines help the Bobolink Boys?'
+
+"Well, this is the way: For the past half-score of years or more, I have
+longed to issue a magazine for young folks that could reach out into
+every plane of life; for the poor children in institutions; for the slum
+children; for rich children, for children in the city and children in
+the country--for every one of them!
+
+"I would like to give so much instructive reading matter on its pages
+that the schools will circulate it among the pupils; I would like to
+have the pictures of the very best; I would like it to inspire boys and
+girls to read better books, and make them ambitious to make the most of
+their chances; I would like it to teach them to make things and do
+things for themselves; in fact, I would like to make it the best and
+finest magazine ever published! But I haven't had time to experiment
+with my hobby and being an old bachelor I am afraid I do not understand
+children well enough to know how to write for them. The plan that I have
+been figuring out seems to fit most beautifully with the Blue Birds' and
+Bobolinks' work."
+
+Uncle Ben hesitated a second, but not a sound was heard. Then he
+continued:
+
+"Mother Talmage asked me last night about how much it would cost to send
+circulars to people who might be interested in the farms next summer. I
+propose that we start a children's magazine and use its pages whenever
+there is an announcement of importance. If you want donations of money
+or help of other kinds, ask for them through the pages of the magazine.
+
+"With the Blue Birds to write articles each month telling other children
+what they are doing, or how to make the things they are being taught to
+make, and the Bobolink Boys to write the experiences of their daily work
+and play, and some of the grown-ups to contribute poems and stories, of
+course it would be necessary to have contributions also from some of our
+best writers, and I know I can get them for you."
+
+The idea of such a stupendous undertaking made the children gasp, but
+Mr. Talmage said, "All you have said is fine, Uncle Ben, but who will
+set type, buy paper, print, bind and circulate such a magazine?"
+
+"That's just the thing! Don't you see? My very great interest in this
+plan will compel me to help in every way and all the time, and the boys
+will be kept busy at profitable and interesting work. When all the
+manuscript is in, and turned over to me I will see that it is set, and
+the proofs sent back to the children. The Blue Birds will enjoy making
+the dummies, pasting in the pictures, and arranging the pages; and the
+Bobolinks can proceed to print the magazines. If you don't expect to use
+this carriage house for anything it may as well be turned into a
+print-shop. With all these boys to work, the printing ought to be great
+sport and not much trouble to get out a magazine."
+
+The Blue Birds were clapping their hands in excitement while the
+Bobolinks jumped up, and in their eagerness, crowded about Uncle Ben,
+overwhelming him with so many questions that he was quite overcome.
+
+Then Miss Selina stood up in the road-wagon, and after silencing the
+noisy crowd, made an announcement.
+
+"I'll pay for the paper that will be needed for the experiment the first
+month!"
+
+"Hurrah, hurrah! for Aunt Selina!" shouted Uncle Ben, and the rest
+joined in with such good will that Aunt Selina sat down and held her
+hands over her ears.
+
+"I'll pay postage on a sample issue!" called Mrs. Catlin.
+
+Again the joyous young publishers-to-be burst forth into cheers.
+
+"What can I pay for?" laughed Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"You'll soon find that you are paying the heaviest tax of all in
+overseeing the publishers," replied Uncle Ben.
+
+"How soon can we start?" demanded the Bobolinks.
+
+"What shall we write?" asked the Blue Birds.
+
+Uncle Ben raised both hands for silence, and as soon as order was
+restored again, he spoke.
+
+"We have just installed new machines in our printing plant in New York
+and intend selling the old ones to some small job printer who can use
+second-hand machines. Now, I can pick out a small press, stitcher, and
+other things that you will need, and ship them out here. You have
+electricity here, and a small motor will furnish the power. When you are
+ready to go to press, I will send out an experienced man from our shop
+to direct the work and see that everything is done properly. The
+addressing and wrapping can be done by all of you. Of course, as far as
+we have gone, it all sounds like great sport, but there is another side
+to this plan that must be thoroughly agreed upon before we go any
+further. If you start this undertaking, you will have to keep on with
+it. At a certain date each month your periodical must be ready for
+mailing. You will have to write and edit, and print, whether the skating
+is fine, or the gymnasium is at your disposal, or whether Thanksgiving
+dinner makes you feel lazy, or a toothache keeps you awake all night.
+Publishing work is very interesting, most instructive, and profitable,
+but it is work, work, work, and not all play!"
+
+"Oh, we know that, Uncle Ben," said Ned. "And we'll promise to take all
+of the consequences that go with the game."
+
+The other boys seconded Ned's statement, and the Blue Birds eagerly
+agreed to the plan, so Uncle Ben really had no further objections to
+make.
+
+"Oh, I can hardly wait to begin my page," cried Ruth.
+
+"I'd rather see the magazine--maybe it will be a home-made looking
+thing!" exclaimed Dot Starr.
+
+"It will not! Not with us boys to boss the plant!" bragged Don, her
+twin.
+
+"If it is home-made, you'll have to do it all again," commented Uncle
+Ben.
+
+"That is where Mrs. Talmage's work comes in," laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"It will be a regular magazine, all right!" exclaimed Mrs. Talmage
+emphatically.
+
+"We boys will see to it that no magazine is mailed that will make folks
+laugh at us," guaranteed Ned.
+
+"I'm sure I placed my hobby in the right hands, for you children seem to
+take a pride in doing things well," commended Uncle Ben.
+
+"And with a nephew stepping right in his uncle's footprints, why
+shouldn't things be done right?" laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Say, Uncle Ben, how long must we wait before we can begin?" asked Don
+Starr.
+
+"Get as busy as you like to-morrow after school," replied Uncle Ben.
+"I'll run into town and attend to having the things shipped here as long
+as you have agreed to my plans; you boys may start making benches,
+tables, or whatever will be needed in the plant."
+
+"They'll need a desk, some chairs, a table and a few other things,"
+suggested Mr. Talmage, looking around. "It might be advisable for them
+to partition off a corner of this room for an office."
+
+"I have a good roll-top desk in the store-room at home; it has never had
+any use since Mr. Catlin passed away. The boys shall have that," offered
+Mrs. Catlin.
+
+"And I can spare that long table we used to have in the dairy before we
+installed the patent butter machines," added Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"In case I find any other pieces of Mr. Catlin's office furniture I will
+send them over with the desk," said Mrs. Catlin.
+
+"About those machines, Ben! How much will they cost the boys?" asked Mr.
+Talmage.
+
+"I thought of assuming the cost, and any time the publishers give up the
+work I can easily sell them in the city. The children can pay the
+freight charges, which will not be very heavy," replied Uncle Ben.
+
+"Then, there will really be no heavy expense to start with, will there?"
+asked Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"No, but a tax of application and interest will be necessary," smiled
+Uncle Ben.
+
+"We will agree to pay all of that you want," promised several of the
+boys.
+
+The Blue Birds did not have much to say about the machines and workshop,
+but each felt that it was to be their very own magazine, so that their
+interest and pleasure in every new development were keyed to the top
+pitch.
+
+"Betty, what page do you want to take charge of?" asked Norma, eagerly,
+as they left the carriage house.
+
+"I think we had better defer discussing that part of the work until we
+can all sit down quietly and talk it over," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+The men and boys remained with Ike to decide what boards and lumber
+would be needed for the morrow, so work could begin on their workrooms.
+
+"Let's have a sign for the front over the door," suggested Jinks. "I'll
+paint it at home."
+
+"Call it 'Bobolink Boys Publishing Company,'" ventured Meredith.
+
+"Oh, that wouldn't be fair to the Blue Birds if they are going to help
+in the work," said Ned.
+
+"Name it 'Blue Bird & Bobolink Company,'" said Uncle Ben.
+
+This last suggestion struck everyone as being just right, but Mr.
+Talmage made a good amendment.
+
+"Why not have a mysterious combination? Every mortal is interested in
+finding out a puzzle, or secret. The more elusive a thing is the more
+they chase it. Now, get folks guessing over your name and they will not
+forget you so soon. I just thought of the name of 'B. B. & B. B.
+Company.'"
+
+"That's great, father, but we haven't thought of a name for the
+magazine," cried Ned.
+
+"Add a few more 'B's' to the others," laughed Uncle Ben. "We'll name it
+the 'B. B. B. B.,' published by the 'B. B. & B. B. Co.'"
+
+"What does 'B. B. B. B.' stand for?" asked Mr. Talmage.
+
+"'Blue Bird Bobolink Bulletin,'" replied Uncle Ben.
+
+"That's mystery enough, I'm sure," laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+After a few more remarks, the first meeting of the organization whose
+influence was to be far greater than had been hoped for by Uncle Ben, or
+the boys who had started it, was dismissed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+BEGINNING THE WINTER WORK
+
+
+It is needless to say that the moment school was dismissed the following
+afternoon every boy and girl who was interested in the new Publishing
+Company, ran toward the carriage house at Mossy Glen. The teachers,
+pupils, and even some of the members of the Board of Education had heard
+of the plans made the day before--for in a small community like Oakdale,
+news travels rapidly--and the men on the school board were as much
+interested in the success of the children's work as if it had been their
+own undertaking.
+
+Ike had found some splendid pine boards, a number of two-by-four joists,
+plenty of odds and ends of railing, posts, moulding, and other trim that
+would make a boy delight in amateur carpentry work.
+
+Nails, screws, hammers, saw, and tools of all kinds were provided, so
+that each boy could work without delaying or inconveniencing the others.
+Ike and Simon were to superintend the construction and show the boys
+how to put things together properly.
+
+Uncle Ben and Mr. Talmage, who went to the city early in the morning to
+attend to the shipping of the machinery, had not yet returned.
+
+The Blue Birds gathered merrily in their Nest in the cherry tree, with
+several little girls who had been away during the summer and were eager
+to join the Nest.
+
+Miss Selina insisted upon walking along the path from the house when
+Mrs. Talmage started for the Nest and, upon arriving at the foot of the
+steps that led up to the Nest, looked up imploringly.
+
+"Flutey, I believe you can get up here if I help you!" exclaimed Ruth,
+seeing her aunt's expression.
+
+"Oh, no, dearie! What about the rheumatism in my ankles?" groaned Miss
+Selina.
+
+"Leave it behind!" laughed Ruth, gayly hopping down from the Nest.
+
+"I wish I could!" declared Aunt Selina, taking a firm hold on the
+handrail and trying to lift up her foot.
+
+"Ouch! that hurt my knee-joint!" cried she.
+
+"Flutey! That's no way to leave that rheumatism behind!" reprimanded
+Ruth. "Now, make up your mind to walk right up and forget the nasty
+little pain."
+
+Mrs. Talmage and the Blue Birds were hovering over the railing of the
+Nest to advise the two at the foot of the steps. Dot Starr, with her
+usual bluntness and funny way of expressing herself, called down to Miss
+Selina:
+
+"Flutey, you just feel those twinges in your joints because you're
+spoiled. Mumzie says I am always sicker if I let myself be fussed over
+and spoiled. _She_ just says, 'Try to forget it.' Now, if you were me,
+you never would be down there a second, but you'd jump here two steps at
+a time. So, I say like Mumzie would, forget you're not me, and we'll see
+you pop up here like magic!"
+
+Aunt Selina felt like rebuking Dot, but the children smiled
+sympathetically and knew Dot was sincere in her desire to help the old
+lady, so the invalid replied instead,
+
+"Dot, that is just the trouble! I can't forget the habits of seventy
+years. I wish I could make-believe I was as young and spry as you are."
+
+"If you wish, then you can! Remember the story of Sarah Crewe?" cried
+Ruth, helping Miss Selina to the next step.
+
+"I saw an old lady up in Casco Bay town last summer who was older than
+you and she never had time to remember her age, because she had to work
+all day for other folks. She said she slept like a baby every night.
+Daddum said one reason she looked so young was that she hadn't time to
+worry about growing old," said Dot.
+
+"If I had had to work for others instead of being pampered until I
+couldn't do a thing for myself, maybe I would feel as young as anyone,"
+admitted Aunt Selina.
+
+Meantime, without being conscious of the act, the old lady was being
+helped up the steps by Ruth, until, at the last words, she reached the
+top.
+
+"Why, I'm up and never knew it!" she laughed.
+
+"That's just the way to forget!" cried Dot, clapping her hands.
+
+"And you've left your troubles behind as I told you to," added Ruth.
+
+A chair was placed for Aunt Selina who looked about the Nest with keen
+interest.
+
+"Mary Talmage, I just wager this was all your idea, wasn't it?" she
+commented, as she noted the sides of the Nest covered with straw
+matting, and the cute wicker table and chairs.
+
+"Yes, Flutey, it was. But listen until we tell you how we found this
+Nest and the furniture," said Ruth, and all the Blue Birds chirped in to
+tell the story about the Nest and how the furniture was found hidden in
+unexpected places about the lawn and in the shrubbery.
+
+Aunt Selina chuckled, but Mrs. Talmage spoke with some seriousness.
+
+"Blue Birds, time is flying, and we must talk about our magazine."
+
+Ruth then explained the presence of the children who wished to join the
+Nest. Mrs. Talmage looked sorry.
+
+"Dearies, I would like to have you with us, but really I cannot take
+proper charge of more than I have at present. I want to do the work
+right and that will be impossible with too many in one Nest. But I have
+a suggestion to offer. Mrs. Catlin is so interested with us in the work
+that I am sure she will gladly start you in a Nest of your own. She has
+plenty of time, and a beautiful place, so you will be just as happy
+there as here. We can all meet when necessary and talk over affairs
+together. I will write a note to her and explain, then you can take it
+over."
+
+"I know Mrs. Catlin! We live on the same street!" exclaimed one of the
+children.
+
+"I guess we all know Mrs. Catlin, and like her; if we can't join Ruth's
+Nest, I'd like to be in one of Mrs. Catlin's," said another little girl.
+
+After bidding them good-by as they ran across the lawn, the Blue Birds
+settled down to hear the plans for work on the magazine.
+
+"I have some ideas which I would like to present to save time," said
+Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I apportioned a page to each one of you to edit and expect you to have
+the line of writing that best suits your ability.
+
+"For instance," continued Mrs. Talmage: "To Dot Starr, who did the
+cut-out paper furniture so well at the school-house this summer when we
+made the paper doll houses for the city children, I gave a page called,
+'What Can Be Made of Paper.'
+
+"To Edith, who always makes such good candy, I gave the 'Candy Kettle.'
+
+"To Betty, who is clever with her pencils, I gave the 'Drawing Lesson.'
+
+"To Ruth, who loves housekeeping, I gave 'Household Hints.'
+
+"To Norma, who likes to sew, I gave the 'Doll's Wardrobe.'
+
+"To May, who takes such good kodak pictures, I gave the 'Camera Corner.'
+
+"To Frances, who is an adept at puzzles and games, I gave 'Puzzledom.'
+
+"There are besides many other pages to edit which I think will have to
+be done by the boys, and some grown-ups, so I just jotted down the names
+of the boys that I think are capable of doing it.
+
+"I gave Ned a page for 'Domestic Animals,' Meredith Starr can have a
+page on 'Wild Animals,' and Jinks a page on 'Insects and Reptiles.'
+
+"Then, there will be need for other articles which the other boys can
+supply, and they can all help with the publishing. I shall write to an
+old friend who was judge of the Juvenile Court for years, and most
+likely has very interesting stories to tell. Another well-known writer
+of children's books lives in Washington, D. C., and I feel quite sure
+of her interest when I tell her what our plans are. Besides, Uncle Ben
+knows people who will contribute, as he told us so."
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Talmage, do you really believe the magazine will be so good
+that folks will subscribe for it?" questioned Norma.
+
+"Why, of course! Didn't you hear Uncle Ben say that he would be ashamed
+to send anything less than a real magazine through the mail?--That we
+would have to do our work over again if it was poorly done?" said Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"Just think! My name on a magazine page with my cut-out furniture on
+it!" cried Dot, hugging her sides.
+
+"How many folks will get one, do you suppose?" asked Betty.
+
+"The more the merrier," laughed Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Mother Wings, how do people get a list of names where children want a
+magazine?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Oh, different ways. Uncle Ben may have a list of families where there
+are children. I know dozens of friends who have children; Mrs. Catlin
+does, too. Then, there are the Wells, Stevens, Starrs, and so on: all
+families who know other families where there are children. Why, friends
+of mine in England and Germany will take this magazine if I send them a
+sample copy. And so a list grows when everyone tries to help."
+
+"If we are only printing this magazine to help along our farms for poor
+children I don't see why anyone in Europe would want to take the paper,"
+said Dot.
+
+"Don't you be so sure about that, Miss Dot!" said Aunt Selina. "After
+this organization gets agoing I believe it will make such a stir that
+its light won't 'be hidden under a bushel' very long. Only keep your
+magazine at high-water mark, and you will see a marvel before the year
+is over."
+
+Aunt Selina's remark made such an impression on Mrs. Talmage that she
+suddenly realized how important their venture might turn out to be,
+providing everyone did their best.
+
+A loud halloo coming from the direction of the carriage house called the
+Blue Birds' attention to the open door. Mr. Talmage and Uncle Ben were
+standing there beckoning for the Blue Birds.
+
+Aunt Selina found she could get down from the Nest quite nimbly, and
+all started toward the building which was to be known in the future as
+the "Publishing House."
+
+Inside, about twenty boys were sawing, hammering, and calling to each
+other while Ike and Simon bossed the work. At one side of the entrance
+the front corner of the large room had been measured off, and a
+partition about six feet high erected. This office had a wide window in
+front, and a closet on the side wall. The partition was of oak-stained
+ceiling boards that had been taken out of an attic chamber of the
+Talmage residence when that room had been refinished. The partition had
+a door to match, and the boys' work was exceptionally good. Six boys
+were busy completing the nailing of the partition and two more were so
+engaged upon hanging the door that the visitors were scarcely noticed.
+
+"Hi, there! Jinks, start that screw, will you?" called Ned, trying to
+balance the door on his toes while the hinge insisted upon slipping out
+of the notch that had been made for it.
+
+"I will, if you will stop wriggling the old thing!" replied Jinks, who
+had pinched his finger several times and had become wary of the
+unsteady door.
+
+Ike saw the difficulty the boys were having and, while the Blue Birds
+stood watching the struggle, came over and offered to help them.
+
+"This scene is as good as a vaudeville, Mary," laughed Uncle Ben.
+"That's why I wanted you to see it."
+
+"Oh, I think they have done wonderfully well," replied Mrs. Talmage,
+with interest.
+
+"They have, and Ben is so tickled with the boys' whole-hearted support
+of the plan, that he is having the time of his life," added Mr. Talmage.
+
+The other boys had made a strong bench to sit upon, and a rude table
+with a board top.
+
+The whole interior of the place was covered with sawdust, shavings, and
+pieces of timber. Planes and chisels were in constant demand, and
+hammers, screw-drivers and saws were all making a veritable bedlam of a
+noise, when Ike called "Time."
+
+"Too dark to see what you are doing," he explained.
+
+"Turn on the electric lights, Ike," said Ned.
+
+"Better not--you boys have done far more than we thought you could and
+there is no use in 'driving a willing horse to death,'" advised Mr.
+Talmage.
+
+As the boys dropped tools and stretched tired arms, or bent backs, they
+realized that the unusual work had made muscles ache.
+
+"Get on your caps and coats, Bobolinks, and come out on the lawn to hear
+of my trip to the city," said Uncle Ben.
+
+In a few moments the room was empty and the children crowded about Uncle
+Ben who sat cross-legged on the soft grass, while Ike placed chairs for
+Aunt Selina and Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Well, to start at the beginning, I took the eight-ten train this
+morning, and I was introduced to the Oakdale Commuters as 'Uncle Ben of
+the Blue Birds and Bobolinks.' That was reference enough for anyone. I
+was looked upon as a man to be envied and I even saw covert glances from
+some jealous eyes that looked me up and down and saw no especial favor
+to have boosted me in the estimation of the B. B. & B. B. Company."
+
+"Now, Uncle Ben, stop your fooling and tell us about the trip," rebuked
+Ruth.
+
+"I am, Fluff, but I want to begin at the right end of the story,"
+teased Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, begin anywhere, only get somewhere!" cried Mr. Talmage, laughing.
+
+With a sigh that indicated that he was misunderstood, Uncle Ben
+continued his story.
+
+"Mr. Wells, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Starr, Mr. Wilson, and many other men you
+know promised to advise and assist the boys in every way possible."
+
+"What did Daddum say?" cried Dot, eagerly.
+
+"Don't interrupt, Dot!" admonished Meredith, sternly.
+
+"Well, Mr. Starr offered a series of articles on his experiences in
+lumber camps, and, besides, he promised to take hold of any part of the
+plan in which we could use him," replied Uncle Ben. "Mr. Wells has a
+book that will prove valuable for our undertaking. It is a directory of
+benevolent institutions and contains the names and addresses of every
+asylum or home in the country."
+
+"Why, Uncle Ben, that is exactly what we need to find our sick children
+for the farms, isn't it?" said Ruth, happily.
+
+Uncle Ben nodded his head and continued.
+
+"Then, Mr. Stevens offered to have his solicitors try to secure some
+advertising for the magazine. His agency is one of the best in the city
+and I think his offer a fine one."
+
+At the idea of having advertisements appear in the magazine, the Blue
+Birds and Bobolinks looked at each other in surprise.
+
+"We never thought of _that_!" ventured Ned.
+
+"Sounds like real work, when you hear the words 'solicitors' and
+'advertisements,' doesn't it?" commented Jinks.
+
+"I've been trying to make you understand from the first that this will
+mean work as well as pleasure," insisted Uncle Ben.
+
+"They'll all wake up to that fact soon enough, Ben--go on with your
+story," laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Mr. Wilson, who is connected with the Oakdale Paper Mills, then offered
+to donate enough paper to get out several months' issues, so I accepted
+that offer with delight, thinking you could make use of Aunt Selina's
+offer in some other way. Mr. Wilson is going to bring some samples of
+paper over to the Publishing House soon and let us make our selections.
+A man whom I just met offered to speak to the Manhattan Subscription
+Agency about taking subscriptions for you and giving the magazine a
+good position in their next catalogue."
+
+"So much good luck actually turned Uncle Ben's head," laughed Mr.
+Talmage, during a moment's silence. "Why, he hardly knew what he went to
+the city for, and I had to guide him by the arm to show him the way to
+his office."
+
+"Of course, my friends here know better than to believe any such
+scandalous tales about me!" replied Uncle Ben, looking at his brother as
+if to dare him to tease any more.
+
+The children always enjoyed these make-believe quarrels between the two
+brothers, and Ned generally egged them on. To-day, however, he was too
+eager to hear about the trip to the city and so urged Uncle Ben to
+finish the story.
+
+"We found the machinery that I think you can best use here, and had it
+prepared for shipment. Just as we were leaving the store-room a man came
+down with a load of type.
+
+"'Where are you taking that?' I asked him.
+
+"'Boss said to send it off to be melted down,' replied the man.
+
+"'Just leave it on top of this packing case--I'll see that it is taken
+care of,' I told him, and he did as I said.
+
+"Now, boys, all of that type is coming out here for you to work with. I
+had it charged to my account at the office, for it was a 'big find' to
+get hold of some type just at the time we needed it," concluded Uncle
+Ben, taking a long breath of relief.
+
+"And now, I'll tell you of all the things Uncle Ben forgot to mention,"
+laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"When we left the stock-room and went to his office, he picked up the
+telephone and called up more friends than I ever thought he knew. Two or
+three of them were invited to lunch with us, and the others were told
+about the wonderful work the Oakdale children were planning. Every one
+of his friends was told to help along or suggest some way to boost the
+magazine. Of course, they had to promise."
+
+Uncle Ben chuckled to himself as his brother told about the telephone
+experiences.
+
+"Now, we come to the time when this crafty uncle of yours met his
+friends at lunch. What do you think his plot was? Well, just listen and
+I will tell you," and Mr. Talmage nodded his head warningly at his
+brother.
+
+"One of his guests was Mr. Connell, the man that owns one of the largest
+engraving plants in the city. This Uncle Ben told his story in such an
+engaging way that that business man actually offered to turn out the
+plates you needed for the magazine at actual cost for several months. We
+all know what that means--several hundred dollars on the credit side of
+the ledger."
+
+All eyes were turned toward Uncle Ben for confirmation of the great
+offer, and he nodded his head smilingly.
+
+"One of the best business advisers I know in New York said that he
+thought you children had an unusually good idea for a successful
+business investment, and hoped that you would keep it up until you were
+adults and saw the financial benefit in it," said Uncle Ben, seriously.
+
+The girls were pleased at this news, but the boys were hilarious to find
+that a clever business man approved of the plan they were working out.
+
+"When will the machinery be here, Uncle Ben?" asked Ned.
+
+"It is coming by freight and will take a few days, but you will be kept
+busy until then in finishing the shop-work," returned Uncle Ben.
+
+"Yes, indeed, we will have to build some stands for type, too, with the
+boxful you got for us," answered Ned.
+
+"We Blue Birds spent all of our afternoon engaging editors to take
+charge of the pages," ventured Ruth, who thought the Blue Birds had been
+quiet too long.
+
+"You'll have to have all the pages ready to hand over to me by the tenth
+of October, you know; I'll need about three days for making linotype and
+then you can have the proofs back," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, we will have everything ready long before the tenth," laughed Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"From the way the Blue Birds are working, I should say that each one
+will have about five hundred pages written by that time," added Aunt
+Selina, smilingly.
+
+"In that case, we will have to have each page add a notice at the
+bottom: 'To be continued in our Nest.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+BLUE BIRD WISDOM AND BOBOLINK WORK
+
+
+"There! my page is all done!" exclaimed Ruth, holding a sheet of paper
+away to admire the neatly written notes for "Household Hints."
+
+"Mine's done, too, but I'm going to copy it over to-night to make it
+look neat as a pin," said Norma.
+
+"Did you get any new candy recipes?" asked Dot eagerly.
+
+The little Blue Bird who took charge of the "Candy Kettle" smacked her
+lips emphatically.
+
+"I haven't started to ink the pencil lines of my cut-out paper
+furniture, but that won't take long," explained Dot. "I started with the
+kitchen because Mumzie said no good housekeeper would furnish a parlor
+if she had no kitchen equipment."
+
+"I did my drawing lesson, but I haven't written the lesson telling the
+children how to make the picture," said Betty, with a worried look
+toward Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Plenty of time, dear," soothed Mrs. Talmage. "You know Uncle Ben said
+we would have until the tenth of the month."
+
+The Blue Birds were gathered in the cherry-tree Nest after school, one
+day, waiting for the signal from the Publishing House which would tell
+them they might run over and inspect the huge pieces of machinery that
+had arrived that day from New York. Ike and Simon had to help the three
+truckmen as they placed rollers under the press and rolled it from the
+truck and into the room. The stitcher, cutter and other pieces were not
+so unwieldy to move and place. At noon, Ned saw the men struggling with
+the press and so refrained from going near the house, but he told the
+other Bobolinks, and immediately after school was dismissed a crowd of
+boys ran to their shop.
+
+The Blue Birds had been enjoined to keep out of the way while the boys
+cleared things up and investigated the various pieces of machinery. It
+was a strain on their patience, however, to remain in their Nest and
+listen to the laughs, exultant shouts, and sounds of satisfaction coming
+from the carriage house.
+
+All things have an end, so Uncle Ben soon appeared at the wide doorway
+of the Publishing House and gave a shrill whistle for the Blue Birds.
+Instantly, seven little girls took flight down the steps and across the
+lawn, leaving Mrs. Talmage to assist Aunt Selina.
+
+The Blue Birds ran in and looked about. The great, ugly, black machines
+with wheels, rollers and arms everywhere, did not impress them very
+favorably.
+
+"Can't make head or tail of the thing!" scorned Dot.
+
+"No one expects a girl to understand," replied her brother Don.
+
+"I would be afraid of that dreadful looking knife!" shuddered Betty,
+standing at a safe distance and pointing to the wide blade of the paper
+cutter.
+
+Then the children crowded about the stitcher while Uncle Ben showed the
+wonderful work the machine did.
+
+The electric attachments had not yet been completed, so the
+demonstration of the machines had to be by gestures. But Uncle Ben was
+equal to it, and the children felt that they could almost _see_ the
+machines running as they listened to his explanations.
+
+"Well, Uncle Ben, I don't see how we can start this work without you
+superintending us," ventured Meredith.
+
+"It all seemed simple enough when we were talking about printing a
+magazine, but this job is more than I can do," admitted Jinks.
+
+"I am at home with my little press, Uncle Ben, but these big fellows
+make me want to run away from the contract we made with you," added Ned,
+seriously.
+
+The Blue Birds and younger Bobolinks heard the older boys with anxious
+concern lest the entire plan should fail.
+
+"I thought of just such a contingency and provided for it," replied
+Uncle Ben, with his optimistic manner. "I realize that you all go to
+school and afternoons after school do not give you much time to
+experiment on these machines, so I found two young men who used to do
+good work for us who were pleased to come out here for a few weeks and
+show you boys how to do things. They won't come until the galley proofs
+arrive, but then, they will help you get out the first issue and teach
+you everything there is to know about these machines. They will take
+them all apart and teach you how to put them together again. A machine
+is like a man's valuable animal--if you pay no attention to its welfare,
+it does not last long enough to pay you for its keep."
+
+"We'll look after our machinery all right, Uncle Ben," agreed Ned, with
+the look of the workman who truly loves his tools.
+
+"I'm sure you will, and I hope the Blue Birds will have as much pride in
+turning out commendable articles for us to print," added Uncle Ben,
+looking at Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, Uncle Ben, there's one question I want to ask--may we each sign our
+own name to our page or must we make up a pretend name?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Why, sign your very own name, of course; that is one way of making you
+keep up to the mark. If you only had a pretend name on your page you
+might get careless and say, 'Oh, no one knows who it is, anyway, so I
+don't care if this story isn't as good as it ought to be.'"
+
+Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina smiled, for they could see the wisdom of
+the remark.
+
+"I guess my father will be proud to see my name in a magazine," boasted
+Dot Starr.
+
+"All depends on what you tack your name to, Dot," laughed Meredith.
+
+"It'll be fine, all right!" exclaimed Dot, nodding her head
+emphatically.
+
+"Shall we have our names at the top or at the bottom of the pages, Ben?"
+asked Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, please, Uncle Ben, do put them at the _top_! I am afraid no one
+will stop to read our names if you have them at the bottom," worried
+little Betty.
+
+Everyone laughed, but Uncle Ben assured her that the name would be
+placed directly under the name of the article.
+
+Then, while the Blue Birds watched the boys placing type in the cases,
+Uncle Ben sat down beside Mrs. Talmage and had a quiet talk about
+affairs in general.
+
+In concluding he said, "Now don't you worry if the children should
+neglect a page now and then, for I can turn in heaps of good stories and
+articles any time we may need them."
+
+"Oh, these children are so reliable that they would rather do without
+food or sleep than neglect anything that promises funds for next
+summer's farms," returned Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Glad to hear it, and hope they keep it up. Now, what pages have you
+provided for each month--and have you any to spare for some prominent
+writers who are friends of mine and feel deeply interested in this
+venture?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied Mrs. Talmage. "We have seven pages taken by the Blue
+Birds and four by the Bobolinks. Then there is a story Aunt Selina has
+been thinking of writing, and a page for music that her friend in New
+York will contribute. Mrs. Catlin promised to give us some tale of
+adventure each month and that will take two pages. So, let me see--that
+takes up, in all, sixteen pages. How many pages shall we have in the
+magazine?"
+
+"About forty-eight is the usual size for such a paper," replied Uncle
+Ben, figuring out Mrs. Talmage's number of pages and making a memorandum
+of the balance remaining for use.
+
+"Gracious! then we will have to find much more manuscript than I
+thought," worried Mrs Talmage.
+
+"No, I do not think so--that is what I want to find out to-day. A very
+good friend of mine who had charge of Field's Museum for four years, so
+heartily endorsed this plan that he offered to supply a page article on
+plant life each month. His name alone is valuable to a paper, and it
+will certainly give weight to our magazine. Then, besides him, a very
+close friend, who has been connected with a prominent book concern for
+more than twenty years, called me up to say that this idea was just what
+he has been hoping for. Both he and his wife are eager to assist in some
+way. I suggested that they supply a page on bird life and give us some
+valuable hints about our feathered friends. This man has published
+numerous books on the subject of birds and is just the one to speak with
+authority. The moment I mentioned it, he accepted my invitation; so we
+have two renowned writers for most interesting and instructive pages
+each month," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Why, how wonderful!" exclaimed Aunt Selina, who had been silent during
+the conversation. "I don't see how you ever accomplish such miracles!"
+
+Mrs. Talmage looked at Uncle Ben and said, laughingly, "Maybe it's
+because we never take 'no' for an answer. We keep at an idea until it is
+hammered into everyone's heart and mind."
+
+"And the moment our friends have it well hammered in they get so
+interested in succeeding that others are sought by them and the same
+story hammered into another head and heart," added Uncle Ben.
+
+"Well, I'm hammered and rooted in the work, and am anxious to have
+friends in it, too. Is that the way you do?" asked Aunt Selina.
+
+"That's just it! and before anyone else knows what's going on, dozens of
+folks are working on the same idea," replied Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Mary said something about a story that you wished to contribute, Aunt
+Selina--what is it?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"An experience I had in the Civil War when I was visiting my old school
+chum, Rebecca Crudup. You have never heard any of my tales of that
+visit, but I assure you they are exciting."
+
+"And you were there! Why, Aunt Selina, your manuscript would be valuable
+to any magazine! I wish you would let me read it before you turn it over
+to the Blue Birds," said Uncle Ben eagerly, the business instinct for
+new material for his magazine pushing the Blue Birds' magazine into the
+background.
+
+"You may see it after it is published in the children's paper," quietly
+replied Aunt Selina.
+
+Uncle Ben took the rebuke in the right spirit, and said, "Is your friend
+alive to-day?"
+
+"She was until last year, but her daughter is the musician I wish to get
+'rooted' in this work for a music page. I haven't her studio address, or
+I would have written to her about this."
+
+"Give me her name and the last address you knew of, and I will locate
+her as soon as I get back to the city," offered Uncle Ben.
+
+Uncle Ben wrote the name and late address in a book then turned to the
+ladies with a suggestion.
+
+"Aunt Selina's story will surely take more than the two pages you spoke
+of, so why not make a serial story of her Civil War experience?"
+
+"Splendid! That is just the thing," cried Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I could make it as long as you wanted it to run, for Rebecca visited me
+after the war and told me plenty of her wild adventures after I returned
+home from the South. Why, my coachman, Abe, was one of the Crudup
+slaves. He says they all stuck close to the family, for they loved them
+and wanted to remain, but Mr. Crudup lost most of his wealth in the war
+and had no place or means for so many servants," related Miss Selina.
+
+The children had made a thorough inspection of the machinery and type by
+this time and had joined the grown-ups.
+
+"What was that you were telling mother, Aunt Selina?" asked Ned, who
+overheard the word "war" and was interested.
+
+"Why, we just discovered that Aunt Selina had a very exciting time in
+the South during the Civil War and she is going to write it up for your
+magazine," explained Uncle Ben.
+
+"Oh, goody, goody!" exclaimed a chorus of voices.
+
+"It's strange that you never told us any of those stories, Aunt Selina,"
+ventured Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, it all happened so long ago, dearie, that I never thought anyone
+would be interested. Besides, it turns to a page of my life that I
+always wanted to keep closed," sighed Aunt Selina.
+
+The others, respecting her reticence, changed the subject. Uncle Ben
+smiled at her and made a comforting remark.
+
+"Aunt Selina, when we finish our first year's work I am going to write a
+most interesting treatise and call it, 'Aunt Selina's Recipes for
+Youth.'"
+
+"What do you mean?" she questioned.
+
+"Just what I said," replied he, laughing. "Since you have taken an
+interest in this work you have grown years and years younger in looks
+and actions."
+
+"Ben, you're making fun of me!" declared Aunt Selina.
+
+"No, he's not, Aunt Selina; you really are looking fine," said Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"Aunt Selina, isn't that what I prescribed for you at Happy Hills?"
+cried Ruth, exultantly.
+
+"Yes, Fluffy, you did, and all the glory of this old conquest belongs to
+you," admitted Aunt Selina, patting the little girl upon the head.
+
+Just then, an expressman drove up and spoke to Ike.
+
+"Right to the front door--that is the B. B. & B. B. Publishing
+Company's shop," replied Ike with pride.
+
+Uncle Ben signed for the safe delivery of a large flat box and the
+children crowded about to watch Ned and Jinks open it.
+
+The box was marked "Glass" and "Handle with Care," so Ruth ran over to
+her uncle to inquire about it.
+
+"Do you know what is in it?" asked she.
+
+"I believe it is the box that failed to arrive with the other things,"
+he replied, smiling.
+
+"Do tell what it is," persisted Ruth.
+
+"Why? You'll soon see, and it would spoil the surprise if I told you,"
+said Uncle Ben.
+
+Ruth skipped back to the circle formed about the case watching Ned take
+out the nails very carefully. Soon Jinks and he had the top boards off
+and then started to lift out the excelsior. This disposed of, a flat
+paper parcel was seen. Ned lifted it out, and seeing another one
+underneath, Jinks took it out also. Meredith and Don looked to see if
+there were any more, but excelsior seemed to fill the bottom of the box.
+
+"Who has a knife?" asked Ned, not finding his own in his pocket.
+
+"Here, here! hurry up and cut the twine!" shouted Don.
+
+Ned took Don's knife with the broken blade and rusty handle, and smiled
+as he hacked away at the twine. After several vigorous efforts the
+string parted and several hands hurried to tear off the heavy paper.
+
+A large picture of Benjamin Franklin, in a heavy oak frame, came out
+from its wrappings.
+
+"Oh, isn't that fine!" cried several voices.
+
+"Just our man, isn't he?" laughed Ned, pleased as could be.
+
+"If I had a head like that I could invent machines, too," grumbled Don,
+feeling of his round little head in disgust.
+
+While the others laughed at the remark, Meredith turned to the other
+parcel which Jinks held on the floor. The twine was soon cut and the
+papers taken off to reveal the strong features of Abraham Lincoln.
+
+"Ho, that's best yet!" cried the boys who felt a deep admiration for the
+man whose picture stood before them.
+
+Mr. Talmage and Mrs. Catlin came in during the exhibition of pictures,
+and the former said, "Just what you needed to complete the office
+appearance."
+
+"Yes, indeed, Uncle Ben, and we thank you heaps and heaps!" exclaimed
+Ned, carrying his picture into the office.
+
+Jinks followed and Don started to drag away the box that stood in the
+midst of the circle of children.
+
+"Better see if there are any more!" called Uncle Ben, warningly.
+
+Don dropped upon his knees and sought in the excelsior.
+
+"Oh! here's some more and I almost threw them away!" he cried, as he
+dragged forth several small packages.
+
+Upon being opened they proved to be a number of pictures of famous
+publishers and inventors of printing machinery.
+
+"Won't they look just great, though!" came from several pleased boys.
+
+"Why, come to think of it," said Mrs. Catlin, "my husband has a number
+of fine plates of machines and things of that kind. He was connected
+with the Vivla Machine Company, you know, and they manufactured presses
+and printers' tools. They might look well if added to this collection."
+
+Everyone agreed that the more the better, and then Dot remembered that
+Mrs. Catlin had not seen the office and machinery.
+
+"Walk right over and see how officey our office looks with your desk and
+table," she cried.
+
+"And Mrs. Talmage sent in the chairs," added Betty.
+
+"And my mother sent the carpet," added Norma, pointing to the green rug.
+
+"And father says we may have his typewriting machine and table here when
+he's away from home," said Ruth, eagerly.
+
+Mrs. Catlin praised the arrangement, and then asked to be shown the
+wonderful machinery that was to do such great work.
+
+"Dear me, I heartily regret that I am not a little girl so that I might
+glory in this office and work," sighed Mrs. Catlin, coming back to the
+grown-ups.
+
+"You don't have to be 'little,' Therese," laughed Mrs. Talmage. "You are
+one of this juvenile club as surely as if you were but ten. Why, you
+couldn't pass the place without coming in to ask for news."
+
+"To tell the truth, I was going to the village, but I heard the happy
+shouts away out on the road and so I just wanted to know the cause,"
+confessed Mrs. Catlin, smiling.
+
+"I hope I may live a few years longer to see the results of this work,"
+sighed Aunt Selina.
+
+"You will, Flutey, you will!" cried Dot, enthusiastically. "What Uncle
+Ben told you was really truly true!"
+
+"And just think, Mrs. Catlin, Flutey is going to write a long serious
+story for our magazine all about the war that she was in!" cried Betty
+Stevens.
+
+The grown-ups smiled at Betty's idea of a "serial" story, but Mrs.
+Catlin looked surprised.
+
+"Why, I never knew you were from the South?"
+
+"I'm not, but I was visiting there during an exciting time, and Ben
+thinks my experience will make a readable story," replied Aunt Selina.
+
+Mrs. Catlin looked at the aged lady with interest and said how much she
+would like to hear the tale. Suddenly, however, she slapped her gloved
+hands together and spoke.
+
+"Now, what reason is there that I should not have some pages in this
+magazine?" she asked.
+
+"Show us any good reason for taking our space and you may have it,"
+teased Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Then put me down for another serial. I have a collection of short
+stories that Mr. Catlin wrote of his adventures in Alaska. It does not
+seem much like an adventure to go to Alaska nowadays, but forty years
+ago it was as if one were leaving this hemisphere for the unknown. Some
+of his tales are intensely interesting," said Mrs. Catlin.
+
+"Why, friends, we are getting so many notable articles and writers
+together that we will soon have to raise the subscription price,"
+laughed Mr. Talmage.
+
+"That reminds me that we never thought of a charge. We ought to decide
+what subscription price we wish to ask," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"Has anyone thought of that?" asked Mrs. Talmage, looking about at Blue
+Birds and Bobolinks.
+
+Heads were shaken and Ned asked, "How can we tell how much to charge
+until we know what the magazine will cost?"
+
+"I can help you figure that out, I think," offered Uncle Ben, sitting
+down at the table and taking paper and pencil from the drawer.
+
+"Figure how much five hundred--or say, a thousand will cost," ventured
+Ned.
+
+"A thousand! Where will you send them?" cried Jinks.
+
+"I should say, figure on five thousand--or ten," said Uncle Ben,
+quietly.
+
+"What!" gasped several boys.
+
+"Yes, because ten thousand will not cost much more than three hundred."
+
+"How's that?" asked the boys.
+
+"Plates, linotype, lock-up, make-ready, will cost as much for one
+magazine as for one thousand. The only extra cost in getting out a
+quantity is in paper, ink and time. Now, I firmly believe that we will
+be able to send out ten thousand by the time you have them ready."
+
+"Well, Uncle Ben, it sounds _awful_ big to us, particularly as we
+haven't one single subscription, yet," said Ruth.
+
+"Here--here, Fluff, don't let that bother you!" said Mr. Talmage,
+throwing a five-dollar bill upon the table.
+
+"And here's for ten more!" laughed Aunt Selina, taking a twenty-dollar
+bill from her purse.
+
+"Here's for five orphan asylums," added Mrs. Catlin placing a ten-dollar
+note on the table.
+
+"How now, Fluff--where are your blues, eh?" teased Uncle Ben.
+
+The children saw the crisp notes lying on the table and felt the joy of
+a successful start.
+
+"From what Aunt Selina and Mrs. Talmage offered, it looks as if the
+price should be two dollars per year. Now, let us figure out how close
+we come to that," said Uncle Ben.
+
+After counting up cost of production plus cost of mailing, it was
+decided that two dollars would be a just price, but there would be
+little profit unless more money could be gotten for advertising, or some
+saving made.
+
+"Guess we've about completed our business for to-day," ventured Uncle
+Ben, as he noticed the children growing restless.
+
+"Yes, let us go to the house and have some nice cool lemonade and
+cookies," suggested Mr. Talmage.
+
+Eager looks turned toward Mrs. Talmage, and she laughed.
+
+"We're always ready for something good to eat, father, so you show us
+the way to the picnic."
+
+It took but a few moments for the children to reach the wide veranda and
+settle down comfortably until the maids brought out the refreshments.
+
+"A day's work always ought to finish like this," mused Don, munching a
+delicious piece of cake.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+AUNT SELINA'S CIVIL WAR STORY
+
+
+The children thoroughly enjoyed their refreshments. Aunt Selina did not
+care for any, so she sat smiling as she watched them.
+
+"As long as Flutey isn't busy, wouldn't it be nice to have her tell us a
+teeny-weeny bit of that war story?" ventured Dot Starr.
+
+"Oh, yes! Please do! Flutey, do tell!" came from various directions.
+
+"Why, that would be lovely, Aunt Selina, if you will," added Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+Thus besieged, Aunt Selina decided to yield to the children.
+
+"Let me see," she began. "I must have been about eighteen when my
+dearest friend, Rebecca Crudup, invited me to spend Easter Holidays at
+her Southern home. We had been chums from the moment we met at Miss
+Wyland's Seminary for Young Ladies, and the Christmas before the time I
+just mentioned, Rebecca had visited my home at Happy Hills. Mother
+liked Rebecca immensely, but she feared the fighting in the South might
+create trouble for me if I went with Becky. We reassured her, however,
+and an unwilling consent was written from home.
+
+"A week before the vacation began, Becky received a letter asking her to
+start home as soon as she received the word, as important matters in the
+family had to be looked after.
+
+"As this would give us an extra week's holiday we hailed the letter with
+joy. The girls stood about enviously watching us pack our carpetbags and
+Rebecca's trunk. I packed many of my things in her trunk to save the
+trouble of transporting two to Tennessee. We left the next morning
+'midst shouts reminding us to be sure to be on hand when school
+re-opened.
+
+"We enjoyed the journey during the first part of the way, but, as the
+train sped on, the country showed signs of the desolation wrought by
+war, and we sobered from our happy laughter to serious contemplation.
+
+"The nearer to Nashville that we came, the deeper the evidence that war
+was an awful thing. We saw burned homes, devastated land and
+forlorn-looking families as we passed by.
+
+"Rebecca's father met us at the station in Nashville and welcomed me
+with a surprised manner. Turning to his daughter, he spoke in a serious
+tone.
+
+"'We will endeavor to give your friend an enjoyable visit, daughter, but
+it doesn't seem promisin'. Evidently you did not receive our telegram?'
+
+"'Only this letter, father,' replied Becky, showing him the last letter
+received by her.
+
+"'Hum! well, we will live up to our reputation, Miss Selina, and be the
+true Southern hosts.'
+
+"As we came out of the station and walked toward the carriage-posts,
+Rebecca looked about for the family equipage.
+
+"Mr. Crudup led us toward a great spring wagon which was drawn by two
+raw-boned farm horses. An old darky sat on the front seat.
+
+"'Why, father! Surely we are not going home in _this_!' cried Rebecca
+with deep chagrin.
+
+"'Sorry, daughter, but it must be so,' returned her father in a grieved
+voice. 'You will find many changes here since the fightin' began.'
+
+"'Selina, I'm awful sorry you have to ride this way, and I can't
+understand why it is. Father seems to know,' said Becky, in an
+apologetic tone.
+
+"'I don't mind, Becky. Really and truly, I don't. I love the country so,
+that I would just as soon ride a plow if we had to, to get to your
+home.'
+
+"'Well, I'm glad your little friend is so sensible, Rebecca,' commended
+Mr. Crudup.
+
+"We climbed into the back seat after the baggage had been stowed away,
+and the horses started off.
+
+"'Father, why didn't you drive Jerry and Jim?' asked Rebecca,
+wonderingly.
+
+"'Becky, your brothers, I trust, are astride them, showin' the Yankees
+how to fight!'
+
+"'Daddy!' cried Rebecca in dismay.
+
+"Mr. Crudup looked dreadfully sorry, but said nothing.
+
+"'Daddy, have Newell and Ed left home?'
+
+"'Yes, child. And I'm mighty sorry to say that most of your friends and
+cousins are with them. Some will nevah return--but we are prayin'
+constant, that our boys will win honahs for the South--and come home to
+enjoy them.'
+
+"Becky and I sat as stiff as sticks as we realized what this meant.
+
+"'Still, I don't see why _some_ of our carriage horses couldn't have
+come for us!' insisted Rebecca.
+
+"'The horses have been used by some of the boys who had none, and the
+spring wagon has to come in often with supplies for the troops. This
+happened to be one of the days. So mothaw thought her girl would not
+mind, particularly as we believed you received the telegram,' explained
+Mr. Crudup.
+
+"I was almost sorry I had come, so unexpected did my appearance seem to
+be, but Becky cheered up when she saw me grow uncomfortable, and tried
+to amuse me by pointing out neighboring plantations.
+
+"As we drove about a bend in the road, Rebecca's beautiful old home
+could be seen situated upon a knoll that commanded a view of the
+surrounding country. We entered the grounds by a road that ran through a
+dense wood, and then ascended gradually until we reached the
+porte-cochere. The house itself, large, solid and in perfect condition,
+was a landmark from every point of view round-about.
+
+"Mrs. Crudup and her two older daughters welcomed me to their home and
+made me feel more at ease. Rebecca, being the youngest member of the
+family, was petted and made much of, and I came in for my share of it
+for being her best friend.
+
+"After our baggage was placed in our rooms, we were escorted upstairs
+and left to prepare for dinner, which was generally at noon, but had
+been delayed for Rebecca's arrival.
+
+"My, but that was a delicious dinner! I can almost taste the tender
+chicken with corn waffles, hot and crisp, this minute!
+
+"Not a word had been said about the reason of calling Rebecca home a
+week earlier than usual. Toward evening, however, vehicles of all
+descriptions drove to the side yard and were left to the care of the
+negro servants. As the neighbors came to the house they went directly to
+a large room which had been closed and locked since our arrival, until
+now. Rebecca and I were invited to join the sewing meeting, but neither
+of us liked sewing, and we had planned to visit the horses before it
+grew too dark. However, I saw heaps of flannel garments, half-finished
+socks on knitting needles, warm caps, and clothes of all kinds being
+made up for the Confederate soldiers.
+
+"Becky and I strolled down toward the stables, but it was too dark to
+inspect the thoroughbreds I had heard so much about, so we returned to
+the house.
+
+"As we passed the great barn we saw men busily engaged in packing all
+kinds of produce and supplies in long hemp sacks to be carted to
+Nashville the following day. In the sewing room the ladies were still
+plying needles that flashed in and out as if speed would save a life.
+
+"At eight o'clock a hot supper was served, and at nine the neighbors
+left for their homes.
+
+"That night, after we retired to our rooms, Rebecca came into my room
+for a cozy chat. She looked very pretty as she sat on the corner of the
+bed hugging her knees up in her arms.
+
+"'Selina, it's a shame you are dragged into such a vacation! I declare,
+had I known that all of the boys were away, nothing would have tempted
+me to bring you. Even the girls are too busy sewing for their
+sweethearts to bother with parties or sociables,' pouted Rebecca.
+
+"'I came to visit you--not to see the boys or go to parties, and I want
+you to believe that I don't mind a bit having you all to myself,' I
+said.
+
+"'You're a good little mouse to say that, but, all the same, I will trot
+you all over the country on our saddle horses. You will have plenty of
+fresh air, and that is what Miss Wyland said you needed for your
+paleness,' replied Becky.
+
+"Rebecca kissed me good-night, but I felt ill at ease in that Southern
+home for being one of the 'detested Yankees.' Never, by word or sign,
+was such a thought given out, but I felt that everyone would have been
+more at ease had I never come.
+
+"Every other afternoon Mr. Crudup went to Nashville with a load of bags
+for the commissary department. One afternoon, about a week after our
+arrival, he came back from the city earlier than usual and we noticed a
+troubled look on his face.
+
+"'How now, father?' asked sweet Mrs. Crudup.
+
+"'Reports in Nashville say that the fighting is turned toward this part
+of the country,' he said.
+
+"'Someone has to bear the burden--perhaps the Lord has selected us to
+carry a share,' returned Mrs. Crudup, reverently.
+
+"'The one thing that worries me is that our place is well known in this
+part of the country, and our fertile acres are known to produce the
+finest edibles. Then, too, the fact that we raise some of the best-bred
+horses in Tennessee may cause the Yanks to come down on us at any time
+and raid the stables. In that case, they will carry off everything--not
+even a plow-horse will be left.'
+
+"'Father, our boys have had all they could use for this conflict, and
+wouldn't it be bettah to ship our horses to Nashville fo' the army to
+use?' asked Mrs. Crudup.
+
+"'I would rather see every head of cattle dead than in the hands of a
+Yankee!' cried Sally Crudup, bitterly, for her sweetheart had been
+killed in a battle a few weeks previous.
+
+"'Sally, Sally! let no bittehness feed your sorrow!' reproved the gentle
+mother, patting me upon the back as if in apology for her daughter's
+breach of etiquette.
+
+"Mr. and Mrs. Crudup walked away in private converse, and Becky and I
+started for the paddocks which I had not yet visited.
+
+"'Selina, I'm plannin' a desperate deed!' said Becky, in a whisper, as
+we passed down the shady lane that led to the stables and pastures.
+
+"I looked at her in surprise, for her tone was shaky.
+
+"'I have not introduced you to Imp. Imp is the most valuable horse on
+the place and would bring a high price in Nashville. My only relief is
+that no one can ride him, manage, or harness him but Tim and me. When
+Imp was born Tim was there, and when Imp's mother died soon after his
+birth, she turned her eyes on Tim and seemed to ask him to look after
+her baby. I got there just as she turned back her head and saw me. I
+took her head upon my lap and promised that I would adopt her boy, and I
+always felt that she knew what I said and died happier for it. From that
+minute, I took charge of Imp and fed him on a bottle until he could eat
+alone. Tim and I have had sole charge of his training, but he is surely
+an Imp when anyone else tries to come near him.' Becky almost wept as
+she told me the story of the poor mother-mare.
+
+"'Imp understands everything one says to him, but he can't talk;
+however, his eyes tell you what he wishes to say! Now, if any stranger
+should raid the stables and spy Imp, they would certainly try to steal
+him first, for he is the finest thoroughbred that ever stepped over
+Tennessee soil! But, he will bite, and kick, and bolt with anyone who
+dares to trifle with him. Then do you know what will happen? They'll
+either put a bullet through his heart, or hitch him to an army
+ambulance, which will break his heart just the same.'
+
+"Rebecca walked along in silence after that, until we reached a stile
+that divided the house lands from the pastures.
+
+"'Selina, there's only one thing to do--take him away and hide him until
+this war is over. From what I gather from the servants about the place,
+this plantation is in a straight line for Nashville, the point the
+Yankees are making for. So, the sooner Imp is hidden the better!'
+
+"'Becky,' asked I, in alarm, 'will these slaves desert or sell you out
+to the Yankees?'
+
+"'Mercy, no, Selina! They are like children to us. It may be that one
+or two would like the novelty of going North, but they would soon be
+squelched if it was found out. Why, father and mother treat their old
+slaves like their family--asking advice of Tim, or Martha the
+housekeeper, as the case might be. As for our old mammy--and the
+cook--gracious, Selina! I'd die for either one of them, and so would any
+one of us, and they know it. They'd stick to us even if we lost this
+war--which we won't!' cried Rebecca.
+
+"I felt somewhat piqued, but said nothing, for I was a guest of
+Rebecca's. She sensed that she had said something difficult to forget,
+and hugged me laughingly.
+
+"'You wouldn't give a fig for a friend that could hope anything but
+success for her country, would you?' she asked.
+
+"I made no reply, and she continued in a low voice.
+
+"'Selina, I'm going to take you into a secret that no one but Tim and
+father knows about. Father hasn't an idea that I know about it, and Tim
+won't tell him that I know. I found it myself years ago, and I always go
+there when I want to be all alone. I have driven Imp right through and
+he knows the cave and has no fear of the water, now.'
+
+"I listened in surprise to the words but knew nothing of what she meant.
+
+"After we had walked about a mile down the lane, Becky turned off across
+the field. We came to a lovely little patch of woods where I could hear
+the roar of a rushing stream. Rebecca led me by crooked paths until we
+came to the brink of this torrent where it tumbled over a ledge of rock
+about twenty feet high, and made a most beautiful waterfall. The
+current was so swift above the falls that the water shot over making an
+arch as it fell. The steep banks at either side were mossy and tall
+ferns almost covered them.
+
+"Rebecca led me straight to the falls. I hesitated as I saw her take a
+step toward the back-rock under the falls and suddenly disappear in the
+spray, calling upon me to follow.
+
+"I was sure she knew what she was doing, so I too went headlong into the
+spray to find myself behind the arched falls on a huge flat rock which
+lay before a deep crevice opening straight into the cliff. Not a drop of
+water penetrated here, but the spray made a thick curtain between the
+cave and the outer world.
+
+"Rebecca led me by the hand along a tunnel, and, after we had gone about
+twenty feet, it opened into a high-vaulted cavern. Soon Rebecca found
+the lantern and lighted it. I looked about in surprise; the place was
+quite comfortably furnished with a chair, a rough table and a mattress
+with bedding upon it.
+
+"'I made Tim carry these things over here from the store-room and made
+him swear never to tell father. Tim is almost seventy years old and he
+believes in an oath as firmly as he does in Heaven. As far as I know,
+Tim and Daddy are the only ones beside myself who know of this cave. The
+reason I am bringing you here--a Yankee, too--is because I feel in my
+bones that you will have to help me in some danger or need. Here is
+where Imp is going to be hidden and I shall have to see if I can get him
+to make friends with you, for you may have to claim him some day and
+take him North with you.'
+
+"'Oh, Becky, don't talk like this! You frighten me! I wish you were all
+at Happy Hills with me where you would be safe.'
+
+"'Do you think that one of us would seek another safer home while we
+are needed here?' asked Rebecca, sternly.
+
+"I made no reply and Rebecca carried the lantern ahead, bidding me
+follow her out. We reached the extreme end of the cave, when Rebecca
+handed me the lantern to hold down close to some lichen. I did so and
+found that the mass of roots and moss that hung there swayed slowly back
+and forth in a current of air. This, then, was the cause of the cave
+being so well ventilated. Becky stooped, pushed aside the mossy curtain
+and crawled into a small tunnel, taking the lantern from me after she
+had entered.
+
+"I followed close behind, upon hands and knees, through an opening the
+size of a bushel basket. Finally, we reached a wider opening where we
+could stand upon our feet again. We crept through this queer tunnel for
+a long time and then I felt that we were ascending gradually and that
+the air was growing purer. In a few moments more, we emerged from
+another narrow crevice hidden under the gnarled roots of a live-oak.
+Moss, lichen and fern covered this opening so completely that no one
+would have dreamed there was an entrance there to a secret cave.
+
+"We were in a grassy dell hemmed in by a thin ribbon of woods which
+ended in a grove of tall pines upon a knoll.
+
+"Rebecca extinguished the light and led me toward this grove. She
+selected an old veteran pine and climbed up into its wide branches until
+a comfortable notch was reached. I did likewise. As we sat there
+admiring the wonderful view of distant mountains, Rebecca clutched my
+arm, and pointed with one hand toward the low range of mountains about
+fifty miles away.
+
+"I looked and saw a heavy cloud of smoke hanging low over the crests. At
+intervals we heard the echo of a 'boom.'
+
+"'Oh, Selina, there's no time to lose, now! The fighting is so near that
+we can hear the cannon over the mountain!'
+
+"'What shall we do?' I cried helplessly.
+
+"'Do!' almost screamed Rebecca, as she tore her clothes on the pine
+boughs in her rapid descent. 'Why, I'll run Imp down to the cave, while
+you race to the house and tell Timothy the news. Order him to bring
+oats, bedding, blankets, and whatever Imp might need for a long siege.
+Tell him you know the secret and will help me take care of Imp. Then, on
+to the house, warning the negroes as you go, and tell the folks at the
+house. If they ask how we know, answer that we were on the ridge and saw
+it. Don't tell them that we were in the pine tree!'
+
+"Calling these hurried directions as she went, Becky ran back through
+the glade until we reached the woods near the lane. She pointed toward
+the house, which could be seen in the distant haze, then ran for the
+shed where Imp was kept.
+
+"I did as I was ordered, wondering all the way why I was placed in such
+an undesirable position--a Northerner plotting, as it were, against my
+own people. I cared little about the war at that time, for I knew
+nothing of war or its toll.
+
+"However, I reached the outer buildings where the slaves lived and my
+news acted like an electric current upon the inmates. Immediately they
+ran in different directions, seemingly bent upon doing a part of a work
+that had been carefully planned and arranged. I found out later, that
+such was the case. The older slaves, who were trusted implicitly, set
+to work burying (as I supposed) whatever fruit, vegetables, smoked
+meats, and other edibles they could find--in fact, everything stored in
+cellars or store-rooms.
+
+"I was curious to see how they could prevent the articles from coming in
+contact with the soil, and found that a chain of bricked cellars had
+been built a short time before, and the bushes and weeds carefully
+replaced on the dirt that covered the roofs. A door, opening into the
+first of the chain of cellars, was made in a steep bank of earth. It was
+merely a large hole in the ground covered with a flat stone that turned
+upon a pivot. About this spot the soil and grass had been very cleverly
+arranged to conceal any sign of what lay beneath.
+
+"By afternoon not a piece of extra linen, bedding, or silver could be
+found about the house. The jewelry, valuable bits of art and pictures,
+heirlooms and a valuable library, had disappeared as if by magic. I knew
+it had all been placed in some safe place and felt relieved at the
+knowledge.
+
+"I wandered about feeling lonesome for Rebecca and wishing I might
+assist Tim who seemed busy in some undertaking. I watched him tie down
+a canvas covering over a loaded cart and caught his glance, which seemed
+to beckon me. I walked over to the mule's side and patted its head while
+Tim spoke.
+
+"'Miss Becky, she say you'se come wif me. I'se got'ter take dis load
+down to der paddock!' Tim looked about as he spoke and winked at me
+knowingly.
+
+"I walked beside him as he drove the mule along the lane. The cart
+seemed laden and the mule walked slowly, but we reached the wall that
+divided the gardens from the farm, and then Tim made the beast go as
+fast as possible, all the while looking covertly about for a run-away
+negro or a Yankee scout.
+
+"I suspected where we were going, and, sure enough! As we reached the
+woods by the lane, Rebecca called softly, 'No further, Tim!' and came
+out with several huge market baskets.
+
+"Tim tied the mule to a tree by the roadside and removed the canvas
+covering. There was everything one would need for light housekeeping for
+several weeks. Besides the food and clothing, there were bandages,
+medicine, bedding, lanterns, an oil-stove, dishes, and numerous other
+necessities. These were piled in the baskets and carried to the cave
+where they were placed in crannies for some future emergency.
+
+"'Imp, I want you to be introduced to my best friend,' said Rebecca,
+after we had brought in our first basket.
+
+"I heard a whinny and looked about in the gloom.
+
+"Rebecca went over to a corner near the spot whence fresh air entered
+the cavern, and held the lantern up for me to see her pet.
+
+"I stood making friendly advances to the beauty and, to Becky's
+amazement, he never moved an inch, but wrinkled his nose for sugar.
+
+"'Witch! that is what you are!' laughed Becky, as Imp poked his nose
+under my arm. 'I have never known him to do such a thing.'
+
+"Imp stood listening to his mistress as if he thoroughly understood the
+situation.
+
+"I turned to tell Rebecca what a beauty he was, and he deliberately
+poked his nose out against my face.
+
+"After all the supplies were stacked away, Rebecca slipped the halter
+over Imp's head and led him to a ring cemented in the solid rock.
+
+"'Now, Imp, you will have to be good and not whinny or make a sound. I
+know what is good for you, and you must do just as I tell you, or a bad
+Yankee soldier will catch you and then you will see!' warned Rebecca,
+shaking her finger at him.
+
+"The horse stood looking at her as if striving to understand what that
+strange word 'Yankee' meant; then he threw up his head and shook it
+defiantly.
+
+"We said good-by to Imp and returned to the cart where Tim waited. We
+sent Tim to the barns with the mule and we went back to the house.
+
+"That was such a busy day that everyone felt weary and glad when the sun
+showed its slanting rays over the trees. It must have been about four
+o'clock when sounds of approaching cavalry reached the house. It was the
+company Newell and his brother had formed a few months before. They had
+been driven over the mountainside and decided to spend the night in
+hiding at home.
+
+"The sewing room was filled with neighbors whose boys were members of
+the company, so you can imagine the joy of seeing them again.
+
+"The boys were covered with mire halfway to the waist, and their horses
+looked as if they must drop where they stood. Many of the soldiers were
+hatless, powder smirched, and, oh, so tired!
+
+"Rebecca took me to her room and locked the door.
+
+"'Selina, did you see that tall dark officer--the one that kept smiling
+at us? Well, he is my best friend, and I want you to fall in love with
+him. He knows all about you and I showed him your picture a long time
+ago, so he knows you quite well, you see.'
+
+"I laughed merrily at Becky's match-making.
+
+"'Oh,' she sighed, as her thought rushed to something else. 'Wasn't it
+just like Providence that we got Imp and all of those supplies hidden
+away in time?'
+
+"'Yes, but it is not necessary with the rebels in command of the place,'
+I said, using the term 'rebel' quite unconsciously, for the first time.
+
+"Rebecca noticed it, too, but said nothing at the time.
+
+"'Well, I showed you just how to get in and out of that cave in case you
+are the only one who can take care of Imp. One never knows what may
+happen, but you, being my guest, are safe with our friends, and, being a
+Yankee, will be taken care of in case the enemy take the place. But,
+remember, if Imp is to be taken from me, I would rather you had him than
+anyone on earth--and you must assert your ownership if necessary to take
+him home with you.'
+
+"That was a great reunion, that dinner! Besides all of the young
+soldiers, their families were there, listening to their account of the
+struggle.
+
+"The happy families had finished dinner and were about to have coffee
+when a colored boy raced up the steps of the piazza. His face was gray
+with fear as he gasped, 'De Yanks am comin'--oh, dey am comin' pell mell
+foh dis house! oh, Lud, Lud!'
+
+"'Tell all the folks, Jeremiah, quick!' shouted Becky, as she sprang
+forward to warn her friends.
+
+"'The horses--quick, Tim! The horses--rush them to the house!' yelled
+Newell, as he grabbed his gun and threw on his cap.
+
+"'Mother, good-by,' cried Ed, as he caught a kiss from her lips, and
+Newell hurriedly did the same.
+
+"The next minute all was confusion as the soldier boys jumped into the
+saddle, while still buckling on knapsacks and ammunition belts.
+
+"Five minutes after Jeremiah had given the alarm, the boys were lost in
+a cloud of dust galloping on the way to Nashville. But not soon enough!"
+
+Here, Aunt Selina leaned back in her chair and looked away over the
+lawns as if she saw again the scurrying horses racing for dear life in
+one direction, while from the opposite direction she saw another picture
+she had not yet mentioned.
+
+"If you are wearied, Aunt Selina, we will postpone the story for another
+day," suggested Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, no! please don't!" begged the excited children.
+
+"Oh, Flutey, I simply couldn't wait until to-morrow to find out what
+happened," cried Ruth, beseechingly.
+
+Aunt Selina smiled at the children, and Uncle Ben added: "They are
+right! I don't want to wait either!"
+
+"Really! is it as good as that?"
+
+"Good! I should say it is! It's a big 'seller' if it was only in a
+book!" returned Uncle Ben.
+
+"Well, then, after the magazine is done with it suppose we sell it to a
+publisher for the benefit of the children," ventured Aunt Selina,
+eagerly.
+
+"Fine idea! We will try it!" said Uncle Ben.
+
+Aunt Selina moved her chair to keep the rays of the setting sun from her
+eyes, and then continued with her story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+HOW THE YANKEES TOOK POSSESSION
+
+
+"I think the rest of this story is the most interesting of all,"
+murmured Aunt Selina, as she permitted her memory to roam in years long
+gone.
+
+The children waited patiently for Aunt Selina to begin and, after a
+short moment, she sat up erect, looking fearfully out over the lawn, and
+spoke hurriedly.
+
+"Right there before our very eyes we saw the Yankee regiment tear down
+the lane and swerve toward the road just taken by the Southern boys.
+They were still to be seen making for the woods just over the slope of
+the hill toward Nashville.
+
+"We heard the captain shout, 'Halt! Aim! Fire!' and, as a volley rang
+out, many of the ladies on the piazza screamed or fainted, while Rebecca
+and I stood petrified at the result of that happy dinner.
+
+"Almost at the same time the Yankees fired there came the rattle of
+musketry from the woods which the boys had reached.
+
+"From the veranda I saw several of the Yankees' horses leap up and two
+of them rolled over on the ground. One man threw up his hands, fell over
+on his horse's neck, and dropped his gun. The horse, frightened, started
+galloping directly toward the house. Tim, who was coming down the side
+steps, ran forward and caught hold of the bridle. Mr. Crudup and some of
+his friends lifted the young soldier from the saddle and carefully
+carried him up the piazza steps, and placed him on the floor.
+
+"While much of my attention was distracted by this incident, the company
+of Yankees spurred their horses on toward the patch of woods where the
+Southerners were hidden.
+
+"The firing continued for half an hour, while everyone at the house
+waited, fearing the worst and hoping against hope that their boys had
+gotten away to Nashville.
+
+"Rebecca's two brothers, cousins and old friends were all in that
+handful of men, and naturally those gathered at the house would wait
+until the outcome of the skirmish could be known.
+
+"They had not long to wait, for, just as twilight deepened into night,
+the negroes came in with the report that all of the boys had been
+captured and were being taken as prisoners to the old school-house. In
+another half-hour the officers rode up to the door, followed by
+orderlies and an ambulance corps bringing in the wounded. Slaves were
+dispatched here and there for hot water, bandages, beds, bedding and
+medicine. We all hastened to prepare a place for those who needed our
+care and attention so sorely.
+
+"As the wounded were carried up the steps and past the neighbors, who
+stood by watching for their own, Rebecca's mother saw her youngest boy
+lying unconscious with his face white as death and his hair matted with
+blood that oozed from a wound in his neck. She almost fainted, but
+Rebecca held her firm, saying, 'Mother, now is the time to brace up and
+take care of Newell that he may soon recover.'
+
+"Of the Yankees, one was killed outright and five badly wounded, while
+the Southern boys sustained more serious injuries. Two were killed and
+nine wounded. The house was immediately turned into a hospital, both
+sides receiving the same attention.
+
+"The officers were very considerate but insisted upon having their
+rights observed. When it was found that some foraging parties were in
+the neighborhood, the captain sent an orderly to say that the Crudup
+Plantation was well supplied. The Yankees, receiving the message, rode
+over, took what was needed, food, cattle and horses, and went away.
+
+"Mr. Crudup spared his family the harrowing details of the raid, but
+looked upon it as the fortune of war and thanked heaven that so much of
+his property was safely buried.
+
+"When the store-rooms, linen-presses, blanket-trunks, and cellars were
+found almost empty, the officer in charged looked surprised and wondered
+aloud.
+
+"'Most unusual to find so large an establishment short of all supplies,
+and a retinue of servants to feed, to say nothing of the droves of
+neighbors always coming in for supper.'
+
+"Mr. Crudup overheard the soliloquy and replied courteously.
+
+"'Sir, do not forget that your company is not the first to stop here
+and demand my hospitality. Naturally, we would lavish our all upon our
+own men, you know.'
+
+"The officers were very polite and interesting young men, but Rebecca
+and I had to go about the plantation very warily, for we never knew when
+we might be spied upon. Imp had to be cared for daily, so we found
+plenty of amusement in eluding the Yankees.
+
+"The youngest of the officers was a handsome boy and it was not long
+before we became very friendly. When he learned that I was a Yankee and
+how I happened to be South, he insisted upon my returning home at once,
+saying that the neighborhood about Nashville soon would be an impossible
+place to live.
+
+"When he found that my home was at Happy Hills he was greatly pleased.
+
+"'Why, I have called at your home many times; my sister and yours are
+school friends.' He described his home and how his sister looked when
+she came to visit us, and I faintly recalled seeing him with the others
+who were some years my senior.
+
+"From that day he became the sworn ally of Rebecca and myself. He
+understood there was a secret between us and often managed to screen us
+when we left the house to creep to the cavern to look after Imp.
+
+"The wounded were getting along beautifully, and nothing exciting had
+occurred for a fortnight. Foraging parties that stopped at the house and
+found Yankees in possession moved on. It seemed more like a house-party.
+
+"But a change soon took place.
+
+"It was afterward learned that Ed Crudup escaped during the transfer of
+the prisoners from the school-house to the army; he found out from some
+of the Crudup slaves that the Yankees who shot his brother and
+imprisoned himself were holding the premises until further orders from
+Headquarters. So he raised a small company at Nashville and drilled them
+for a few days, planning to surprise the men at the house and take them
+prisoners.
+
+"One day, while some of the Yankees were out foraging, Ed and his men
+came upon them suddenly and a skirmish ensued.
+
+"Ed was shot down and so was our young officer who was in command of the
+foragers that day. The others fought like madmen, hand to hand, until
+the men at the house, hearing the shots, ran out to their assistance.
+
+"The Southerners, outnumbered, took flight, but were pursued and
+captured.
+
+"The two men, Ed and Vernon, lay still as death in the tall grass, and
+no one missed them at the time of the pursuit.
+
+"Tim, however, on his way to water Imp, found his young master shot
+through the heart, and the young Yankee unconscious. In his faithful
+loyalty to the family, he decided to make a prisoner of the Yankee, so
+he dragged Vernon over to the waterfall, carried him through the spray,
+and laid him down on the mattress in the cave. The cold water which had
+fallen upon Vernon's face had partially revived him, and he moaned as if
+in pain.
+
+"Tim lighted the lantern and examined him. He found a clean bullet hole
+in his chest, but very little bleeding. He decided the best thing to do
+would be to notify the master. So, after attending to Imp, he crept out
+of the cave and went over to the remains of the young master. He managed
+to carry him until he met some of the slaves, then had them improvise a
+stretcher to carry the body to the house.
+
+"There was great sorrow in the household, and his death changed the
+attitude of the Crudups toward the Yankee officers.
+
+"When it was found that young Vernon was missing, with no trace of him
+anywhere, it was thought that he had been taken captive by a few of the
+Confederates who got away. Rebecca and I felt dreadfully lonesome after
+our friend was missing, and I wished, for the first time since I came
+South, that I could go home.
+
+"Then one morning, Rebecca and I decided to go through the hole in the
+live-oak tree and crawl to the cave to see Imp. We had not dared to
+visit him for some days, as a Yankee sentry was stationed in the woods
+by the waterfall.
+
+"Rebecca hid a small lantern under her cloak and we strolled
+unconcernedly down the lane toward the dell. We looked carefully about
+to make sure no spies were watching, and in another minute both of us
+disappeared. We groped along until we reached the opening into the cave
+and as we crawled out near Imp's bed, he greeted us with a joyful
+whinny. Rebecca ran over and placed her hand over his mouth, so she did
+not see the apparition that stared at me from the mattress. Had I held
+the lantern I would have dropped it. As it was, I almost dropped myself,
+so frightened was I.
+
+"I clutched Rebecca's arm and she turned about to see what ailed me. In
+a second she recognized Vernon and ran over with the lantern. As he
+could not tell us how he came there, but confided that Tim and Mr.
+Crudup came daily to attend to him, we learned that they knew of his
+whereabouts. Rebecca snapped her teeth close and her eyes blazed at the
+thought of her father keeping this man a prisoner in such a suffocating
+place.
+
+"While we were there, Tim and Mr. Crudup crept through the tunnel and
+found us talking to the sick man.
+
+"'Becky, better leave this business to us,' suggested Mr. Crudup.
+
+"'Father, how could you keep this man in such a place?' cried Rebecca,
+unguardedly.
+
+"'Ssh!' warned Tim, apprehensively.
+
+"Mr. Crudup told Rebecca how Tim had carried Vernon here to square
+accounts for Ed's death; how he had shown Tim the folly of the deed,
+and that being done, it had to be made the best of, or disclose the
+secret of the cave. Tim was so repentant that he agreed to remain in the
+cave and nurse the prisoner.
+
+"After our discovery, Rebecca spent several hours with Vernon each day
+reading or talking to him, while Imp began to show his fondness for
+Vernon in every way a horse can.
+
+"Matters at the house became troublesome, for the larder was empty, and
+there was no way to get at the great store-rooms dug out of the ground
+without letting the Yankees into the secret.
+
+"Tim had been very meek since he found the serious blunder he had made
+with Vernon, and he was eager to make amends in any way.
+
+"From the time that Tim heard of the threatened famine he was seldom
+seen about the place. Now and then, one of the family would meet him
+coming from the basement with his face and hands smeared with black, but
+he never confided in anyone as to his work or whereabouts, and being an
+aged favored man, Mr. Crudup never questioned him.
+
+"One morning the cook entered the room where the family was gathered
+and announced: 'There ain't no aigs fer brekfus.'
+
+"'Have plain ham or bacon,' suggested Mrs. Crudup.
+
+"'De ham an' bacon done all et up, too,' said cook.
+
+"Mrs. Crudup looked deeply concerned, but said: 'Then we'll have just
+coffee and muffins.'
+
+"'Done used all de flour yistiddy--not a smitch lef'.'
+
+"Here, indeed, was a quandary! Nothing to eat!
+
+"This was Tim's opportunity.
+
+"He came in, bowed with old hat in his hand, and turned to the cook with
+the request, 'You please 'scuse yo-se'f fum de room whiles I conflab wid
+de missus?'
+
+"Cook tossed her head and went out, followed by everyone except Mr. and
+Mrs. Crudup.
+
+"Tim turned his hat about in his hands for a time and then looked up
+smilingly and said: 'I done squared myself wid you all fer makin' dat
+blunner 'bout the Yank. I done gone and dug a tunnel fru fum de coal
+cellah to the fust storehouse on de fiel'. I fixed a doh to the cellar
+an' heah's de key to de padlock.'
+
+"'You what!' exclaimed Mr. Crudup, in amazement.
+
+"'Yas'm, das whad I did!' said Tim.
+
+"Mr. Crudup threw back his head and laughed while he slapped Tim on the
+back and said, 'Tim, it will take more than a company of Yankees to
+starve us out while you are about!'
+
+"But Mrs. Crudup took Tim's hand and thanked him with tears in her eyes.
+
+"The supply question was easily solved after that. No one but Tim knew
+where the tunnel was, for Mr. Crudup never allowed anyone to be about
+when the old servant started his daily trip to the underground
+store-rooms. Oftentimes, the officers expressed their wonder as to how
+Southern cooks could manage the way they did, with so little on hand to
+cook with. If they suspected the truth they never hinted at it.
+
+"The secret of Vernon's prison had been kept, and several weeks after
+the fight that disabled him, his company was ordered to join the main
+army. The moment the place was entirely freed from the Yankees, Mr.
+Crudup ordered one of the guest-rooms prepared, and, to the surprise of
+Mrs. Crudup, told her he had a prisoner to bring in. That night Vernon
+was blindfolded, placed upon a stretcher, and taken to the house.
+
+"As soon as he could sit up and come down upon the veranda, we wondered
+what to do with him. He was our prisoner but we had no use for him.
+Everyone liked him and disliked sending him to the dirty barrack-jail in
+Nashville.
+
+"Suddenly Rebecca was inspired with a brilliant plan.
+
+"When the Yankee officers left the place they took the convalescent
+prisoners with them. Now Rebecca suggested that negotiations be started
+to exchange Vernon for Newell.
+
+"Mr. Crudup immediately sent Tim to Nashville to see if this could be
+done, and friends there promised to attend to it without delay.
+Consequently, in a few days, a number of soldiers from Nashville rode to
+the Crudup house and carried away the prisoner, giving Mrs. Crudup the
+slip of paper that stated that Newell's freedom would be granted upon
+the return of Vernon.
+
+"We all felt sorry about losing Vernon, but he promised to visit me at
+Happy Hills when the war was over."
+
+Aunt Selina stopped and the children began plying questions.
+
+"Aunt Selina, what became of Imp?" asked Dot.
+
+"We kept him in the cave for a few days more, and then, one morning, the
+negroes all turned green with fear when they saw Rebecca riding Imp down
+the road from the paddock, for they believed Imp to have been taken with
+the other horses, and were sure that this was a ghost of the real Imp."
+And Aunt Selina laughed as she recalled Rebecca's mad ride down the lane
+and the high wall Imp vaulted before he stopped stock still in front of
+the quaking, superstitious slaves.
+
+"Did Newell come back home?" asked Betty, whose sympathy was all for the
+mother who lost one boy and then had the other one taken prisoner.
+
+"We received word of his transfer from the Yankee army to his own. He
+went into active service again and fought all through the rest of the
+war. He won many honors for bravery before the Confederate Army was
+disbanded."
+
+"Do you know what became of him afterwards?" asked Don, interested in
+such a fighter.
+
+"He married and settled out West upon a large ranch. Now and then
+Rebecca's daughter has a letter from him, giving news of his children or
+the grandchildren."
+
+"Oh, then, Rebecca married too. Did you know who it was?" asked several
+curious voices.
+
+"Yes," smiled Aunt Selina. "She married the very beau she had selected
+for me."
+
+"I am so anxious to know if that fine old house is still there and if we
+could find the cave and underground store-rooms if we ever went there?"
+asked Norma.
+
+"No, dear; the beautiful old mansion was entirely destroyed by fire
+started from a shell during the time the battle line closed about
+Nashville. I was not there at the time, but Rebecca wrote and told me of
+the dreadful scenes. Almost every family for miles about was left
+homeless and destitute. The Pines, Rebecca's home, stood as long as any
+and sheltered every homeless Southerner round about."
+
+"I guess Rebecca liked to remember that, didn't she?" said Ruth.
+
+"Yes, indeed, Fluff."
+
+"Aunt Selina, you didn't tell us what became of Imp and Rebecca that
+day she rode up to the house," reminded Ned.
+
+"Rebecca laughed at the servants' fear and rode Imp over to the steps of
+the piazza. We stood watching her as she jumped off and led Imp right up
+to the rail. 'Lady,' said she to me, 'this horse just told me that he
+was going North on a little visit. As there is no one here but you who
+can take him there, I believe he intends taking you home.' Although
+Rebecca's eyes filled with tears and her voice trembled, we all laughed
+and made a great fuss over Imp.
+
+"Later, she confided to me that she had entrusted Vernon with the
+request to secure a passport for Selina Talmage and her horse, Imp,
+going home to Happy Hills, Pennsylvania. The passport came that day in a
+letter for Rebecca explaining how I was to go and to whom I was to
+entrust myself. A note for me was inclosed in the letter, and I read it
+with a smile. Vernon said he would demand payment for the favor given me
+as soon as he reached Happy Hills. Rebecca teased me about that note and
+said that she knew what the favor would be, for Vernon was in love with
+me. I pooh-poohed the suggestion but felt very glad to pack my clothes
+for home. In a few days word came that I was to ride to a certain town
+where an escort would meet me and conduct me to the nearest railroad.
+And so Imp and I went home."
+
+"And now tell us, Aunt Selina, did Vernon come home and ask that favor?"
+wondered Norma, interested in a love-story.
+
+"Oh, yes! He had leave of absence for several months to fully recover
+from the wound that had partially punctured a lung. He used to ride over
+to Happy Hills every day, and I tell you we missed him when he returned
+to his regiment."
+
+"Where is he now, Aunt Selina?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Gone--his name is carved on the monument at Washington for bravery in
+the Battle of Bull Run," whispered Aunt Selina.
+
+"Oh, oh, Aunt Selina! Is _he_ the same one you told me about last
+spring?" gasped Ruth.
+
+Aunt Selina dabbed her tear-moistened eyes and tried to smile as she
+said, "The same, Honey."
+
+"What's that--tell us, Aunt Selina; we never heard about it," cried
+several children.
+
+"Well, Vernon came back North about a year after his leave of absence
+expired with important letters for a general in Philadelphia. After
+delivering the letters he was to have two days' leave in which to go
+home and see his folks. He rode over to our house one evening and asked
+my father and mother if he might pay court to me when the war was over.
+My parents were delighted, for they knew him and liked him. Vernon and I
+walked out to the very summer house that Ruth was in when she thought of
+the farm plan, and there he told me what he had said to my parents. He
+would not bind me, for he said he might never come back. But I said it
+would make no difference to me--if he never returned I would wait just
+the same. We exchanged rings--one which had been given me for my
+birthday and one he had received on his twenty-first birthday. When he
+left that night mother gave him a paper, but I never knew what was in it
+until later. When news of his bravery and death came home, the letter
+contained a ring and a small daguerreotype picture of me. Then mother
+said he had asked for it the night he went away."
+
+"Oh, Aunt Selina, how lovely of you!" cried several little girls as
+they crowded about the old lady and hugged her.
+
+"Rebecca did not return to school again, but as soon as the war was over
+we wrote and invited Mr. and Mrs. Crudup to bring Rebecca North to visit
+us. The elders were too heart-sore to come to a country they blamed for
+all their losses, but Rebecca came and stayed a long time."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+BEGINNING TO SPELL SUCCESS
+
+
+Another nest of Blue Birds had been formed under Mrs. Catlin's
+supervision, and these little girls were chosen to act as agents to
+secure subscriptions for the forthcoming magazine. They were also
+permitted to donate short stories or pictures to the magazine and, being
+so young a branch of the first Nest, felt this was a special privilege.
+
+Aunt Selina had written her interesting Civil War story and had it ready
+for Uncle Ben, but Mrs. Catlin was still busy trying to arrange her
+chapters so they would make a good serial.
+
+The Blue Birds had written their pages over and over, and finally Mrs.
+Talmage said they would lose all sense in the telling if they kept on
+rewriting. So the pages were taken as they were and corrected by Uncle
+Ben.
+
+As the various short articles came in to the Publishing House, Mrs.
+Talmage took charge of them. Many a pleased surprise she had as she
+read the different articles submitted by the boys, and the suggestions
+and hints sent in by the girls.
+
+The Bobolinks spent every afternoon at their Publishing House, setting
+type, trying to run machines, and find out various things about
+business. The two young men promised by Uncle Ben were not expected
+until actual work on the magazine began.
+
+So much talk had been heard at various dinner-tables in Oakdale, that
+fathers manifested enough curiosity in the work to ask for an invitation
+to the Publishing House. The habit of "dropping in to watch the boys"
+grew to be regular meetings, and the men enjoyed the social evenings as
+much as the boys did. Naturally, the work did not lose any of its value
+by the suggestions and ideas given by the older, experienced business
+men, but the Blue Birds grew envious over the evident interest shown in
+the Bobolinks while they were never about.
+
+One afternoon the Blue Birds gathered about Mrs. Talmage with a
+complaint.
+
+"Mother Wings, those Bobolinks will be 'way ahead of us in this fun,
+unless you get the mothers to meet once in a while to suggest things for
+us to do," said Ruth, dolefully.
+
+"And from something I heard Don tell Mete, those fathers have promised
+to help the Bobolinks do the _work_, too!" broke in Dot Starr.
+
+"Since Ned has moved his printing stuff to the carriage house his den is
+vacant--we might use that for our Winter Nest, until we find something
+better," suggested Mrs. Starr, after thinking seriously of what had just
+been said.
+
+"That will be all right, but it won't boost our work like the boys are
+being boosted," fretted Norma.
+
+"I shall have to think of it," replied Mrs. Talmage, deeply concerned
+over the discontent of the Blue Birds; but Aunt Selina, who had been a
+silent listener of the complaint, spoke.
+
+"Are those Bobolinks and the men actually helping the success of the
+magazine?"
+
+"No, not that we can see; they just use paper and fool away every
+evening running those machines," snapped Dot, who generally heard all
+the doings from her brothers.
+
+"Then they are not getting ahead so fast with success as you seem to
+think," replied Aunt Selina, calmly. "The principal things in making a
+magazine pay are its circulation and the advertising contracts. If these
+are not being thought of and tried, the Bobolinks are wasting their
+precious time."
+
+"But they are so well acquainted with the machines that they say they
+can print anything!" said Dot.
+
+"All right, suppose we take them at their word and ask them to give us
+proof of some circulars," laughed Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I suppose they would, but where would we use them?" asked Norma.
+
+"This is what I would suggest--we'll play the game of the 'Tortoise and
+the Hare,' and they'll be left asleep at their work while we win the
+race," declared Aunt Selina.
+
+The Blue Birds gathered closer to Aunt Selina's chair, and she continued
+her instruction.
+
+"We'll have Mother Wings write a letter and ask Mr. Wells to bring down
+that Institution Book he promised us, as we wish to use it at once. Then
+we'll count up the number of institutions where we could send a magazine
+and circular. Some of these will subscribe most likely, while the
+circular letter will reach the hands of some of the wealthy patrons of
+the Homes. We'll compose a letter and order those Bobolinks to print ten
+thousand for us. I guess that will keep them busy for a time and at the
+same time make them wonder what _we_ are doing without their knowledge
+or consent."
+
+"Shall we mail the letters when they are printed?" asked Betty.
+
+"No, I thought we could address large-sized envelopes with the names of
+the institutions and as soon as the magazines are printed we can place a
+letter and a magazine in each envelope. Of course, we inclose a
+subscription blank, too; this work of folding and sealing the letters
+and magazines is where we will invite the mothers to help. After that we
+can send out some samples to other folks, but we will make the Bobolinks
+wonder why the mothers are here so often."
+
+The Blue Birds laughed and thought the plan very good, and Dot Starr
+added, "We're surely glad you're here, Aunt Selina."
+
+"And we will keep all of our papers and work in the den and no one will
+see what is being done," added Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"You must keep the key, Mother Wings," advised Ruth.
+
+The letter for Mr. Wells was written without delay, for Norma was to
+hand it to her father that evening. After this was finished the
+important work of composing a letter for folks who would receive the
+magazine was started.
+
+This letter provoked many suggestions and criticisms, but finally was
+concluded and read aloud to the children, who declared it just right.
+
+"But we haven't a bit of paper for the printing," exclaimed Ruth.
+
+"Maybe Aunt Selina and I can go to the paper mills in the morning and
+see if they have any small lot that will do," suggested Mrs. Talmage.
+
+This offer cheered the Blue Birds again, as a few hours' delay would not
+matter very much.
+
+"Now, that's done, what next?" asked Dot.
+
+"Next thing is to say 'good-afternoon' and go home," laughed Mrs.
+Talmage, looking at her watch.
+
+"Oh, dear, mother, it cannot be dinner-time," said Ruth.
+
+"It is almost six o'clock, and I have some matters to look after,
+dear," returned her mother.
+
+"Well, we can invite our mothers to join us, anyway, can't we, Mrs.
+Talmage?" said May.
+
+"Yes, but I wouldn't mention the fact that we feel that we must have
+them to enable us to get ahead of the Bobolinks, for your fathers will
+hear of it and plan some way to win out in spite of us," advised the
+astute Aunt Selina.
+
+"We won't! We'll just say that as long as the boys have their fathers
+with them, we girls are going to invite our mothers," explained Norma,
+while the others nodded approval.
+
+"May we come to-night?" asked Betty.
+
+"How about school lessons?" asked Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"And I want to revise several parts of my story to-night, besides the
+paper mills have not yet been visited, you know," objected Aunt Selina.
+
+"Girls, we'd better wait until to-morrow; that's Friday and we won't
+have to go to bed so early as other evenings," suggested Ruth.
+
+"All right, we'll meet in the den to-morrow afternoon and report how
+many mothers will be here," consented Dot.
+
+"And I'll have Mrs. Catlin here in the evening," added Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Mother Wings, if we use that old room of Ned's, why couldn't we call it
+our Winter Nest? We can move in our cherry-tree Nest furniture when it
+grows colder and make the room look real comfy," said Ruth.
+
+The other Blue Birds approved of the suggestion and Mrs. Talmage said
+she had no objection to having the Winter Nest in the den, so it was
+decided then and there.
+
+Ruth accompanied her friends to the steps and as they stood vainly
+wishing there were several extra hours to add to an afternoon, Dot saw
+Don jump out of the wide-open door of the Publishing House and laugh
+derisively at someone inside.
+
+"Now I wonder what that boy is up to?" she said.
+
+"Oh, say, wouldn't it be fun to creep in back of the carriage house and
+peep in at the windows to watch the boys!" suggested Edith.
+
+"I know a better way," answered Ruth. "We will ask Ike to let us go up
+in the loft from the small room and we can look down through the wide
+chinks of the floor."
+
+"Oh, do let's!" cried the Blue Birds, as they hurried back of the house
+to steal noiselessly over to the garage.
+
+Ike understood the rivalry growing between them, and decided to be
+perfectly impartial, so he unlocked the door of the small room where the
+stairs led to a loft over the Publishing House.
+
+The Bobolinks were making such a noise that they never heard the
+creaking of the floor overhead, or the giggles of the girls as they
+glued their eyes to the crevices between the boards.
+
+"Now it's Tuck's turn to be an advertising solicitor!" called Don, who
+evidently had been discharged from some make-believe service when he was
+so unexpectedly put out of the door.
+
+"Ah, I'd never make a solicitor of any kind," grumbled Tuck Stevens.
+
+"But you've got to play the game as we all promised," coaxed some of the
+boys.
+
+"I'll be the man you want to see," persuaded Jinks.
+
+"Come on, Tuck. We'll have to go home pretty soon, so get busy,"
+commanded Ned.
+
+The girls began to understand that the Bobolinks were not playing, but
+practicing their duty for the future, so they silently looked at each
+other and nodded understandingly.
+
+"Here goes, then," ventured Tuck, bravely.
+
+He strutted across the floor toward the office and met one of the boys
+stationed there.
+
+"Good-morning, sir; do you wish to see anyone?" asked the impromptu
+clerk.
+
+"I have an appointment with Mr. Slamhim," quivered Tuck, as if the visit
+was an actual affair.
+
+The boys tittered with glee as Tuck turned red and white.
+
+"Your name, please?" asked the polite clerk.
+
+"Reuben Stevens," replied Tuck, in a whisper.
+
+"Ha! the name'll queer you, Tuck!" laughed Don, behind his chum's back,
+but the older boys hushed Don.
+
+The clerk rapped upon the office door and a voice said, "Come in."
+
+"Reuben Stevens to see you, sir. He has an appointment."
+
+"Show him in," said the voice which Ruth recognized as a disguised bass
+of Ned's.
+
+Tuck walked to the office and then turned about and asked the other
+boys: "Now, what shall I say--I've forgotten."
+
+Immediately there was a loud chorus of laughter, and a scuffle and Tuck
+was ousted in the same manner that Don had been.
+
+"Didn't I say that name would spoil you?" teased Don.
+
+"Next!" called one of the boys who had a list of names which he marked
+down "good, indifferent, bad."
+
+The boy whose turn came next carried off the rehearsal as if he had been
+a solicitor all of his short life. The other boys cheered his efforts
+and even the Blue Birds were tempted to clap their hands.
+
+"Well, Bobolinks, I think this will do for to-day; we have drilled three
+of the boys after the manner shown us last night, but Don and Tuck seem
+to be hopeless cases," said Ned.
+
+"I'll practice it at home on Dot, and show you what I can do to-morrow,"
+eagerly promised Don.
+
+Dot looked up at her friends when she heard this and shook her head
+energetically.
+
+The Bobolinks carefully covered the machines with the canvas covers and
+started to go out. At the same time the girls in the loft crept across
+the floor toward the steps. The boys were not making so much noise as
+when the Blue Birds went up in the loft, and Meredith stood surprised
+when he heard something moving over his head.
+
+"Where's Ike?" he whispered to Ned.
+
+"Just outside the door--why?" replied Ned.
+
+"Don't you hear those footsteps?"
+
+"What--where? Yes, of course!" exclaimed Ned.
+
+Simon was seen crossing the lawn and Ike stood outside with the boys, so
+who could be upstairs?
+
+Meantime, Ruth overheard Meredith's exclamation and hurried the girls
+down and out, and pushed them inside the garage before any of the boys
+could persuade Ike that someone was upstairs. Finally he allowed them to
+drag him to the small carriage room and ascend the steps.
+
+The Blue Birds lay hidden in the bottom of the automobile and almost
+suffocated trying to keep from laughing outright at the way the
+Bobolinks were hoodwinked.
+
+Every one of the boys trudged up the steps, but found the loft empty. As
+soon as they were out of sight in the small room, the girls jumped out
+of the car and ran madly for the shrubbery which sheltered the kitchen
+gardens from the lawns. Here, they could creep toward home without being
+seen from the barns.
+
+Ike looked carefully about the loft but hid a smile when his back was
+turned.
+
+"There, I told you no one was here!" he said.
+
+"Well, I don't care, I _heard_ them!" retorted Ned.
+
+"Maybe it was rats!" ventured Ike.
+
+"No, sir, you said that you were never pestered with rats; besides, this
+noise was just like walking would sound," insisted Ned.
+
+Ike kept the boys upstairs arguing for a sufficient time to permit the
+Blue Birds to get out of the way, then he started down.
+
+"Well, I'll keep the door locked and the key in my room," promised Ike,
+as the boys waited for him to lock up.
+
+"If it was a tramp, Ned, he couldn't move our machinery, so what's the
+use bothering?" said Don.
+
+"He could steal our type and other things, and sell them," grumbled Ned,
+still unassured.
+
+Ruth was walking slowly up from the main gates when Ned reached the
+veranda. She was stooping over a chrysanthemum blossom to note its
+beautiful coloring when Ned whistled to attract her attention.
+
+"Better hurry in and wash up for dinner--it's almost seven, and mother
+doesn't like dinner delayed, you know," Ned said, as Ruth skipped up
+smilingly.
+
+Not a word was said, and the Bobolinks never found out how the Blue
+Birds watched them practice their future business tactics.
+
+The next morning Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina had Ike drive them to the
+paper mills.
+
+Mrs. Talmage explained her errand and selected some samples of
+stationery paper. The manager then showed them over the mills and Aunt
+Selina whispered aside to Mrs. Talmage: "What an interesting article
+this work would make."
+
+"Indeed, yes!" replied Mrs. Talmage, turning to the manager to tell him
+of the new venture of the Blue Birds and ask him to write up a story
+about the manufacture of paper.
+
+"That I will! I like to write, and often, when I'm tired or worried, I
+sit down to write a funny sketch. I have sold a number of them to Sunday
+papers," was the surprising reply.
+
+The two ladies were escorted to the manager's office and chairs were
+placed for them while a price list was prepared for the convenience of
+the Blue Birds.
+
+This done, the manager sat back in his office chair.
+
+"Have the children planned any campaign for securing circulation?" he
+asked.
+
+"Why, no, Mr. White, we intended talking that matter over with the
+mothers to-night. We are all so inexperienced in this undertaking that I
+suppose a business man would laugh at our way of putting 'the cart
+before the horse,' as the saying is," laughed Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"The fact is, this whole proposition is so sudden and different from
+anything the children had dreamed of!" added Aunt Selina, in defence of
+their mistakes.
+
+"I know! When I heard of the daring of the children I certainly admired
+their spunk, but I couldn't help shaking my head, too, for it is no
+joke to start a real business, as they are doing," said Mr. White,
+seriously.
+
+"Well, we will need the help of all of our friends," smiled Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"You'll have it, too. Why, everybody in Oakdale felt the Blue Birds'
+work last summer was wonderful; now, this new venture will have the
+support of all of the townsfolks."
+
+"It is very encouraging to hear you speak so, and if you think of any
+way to boom our circulation, I wish you would come over some evening and
+tell us all about it," replied Mrs. Talmage.
+
+Suddenly the manager sat upright and looked toward the book-shelves,
+which contained rows of business-like looking reference books.
+
+"I believe we have the idea!" exclaimed he, jumping up and going over to
+the shelves to take down a heavy volume.
+
+"This book contains all the names and addresses of stationery stores in
+the United States and Canada. It is only a year old, so most of these
+addresses will be up-to-date. We use it for mailing samples of our
+paper, but I have an idea that you would get plenty of subscriptions and
+make willing agents of these storekeepers. If you send a sample of your
+magazine and give them a liberal commission there is no reason why these
+firms would refuse to act as agents. Anyway, it would do no harm to try
+out the suggestion," said Mr. White.
+
+"Why, Mr. White, do you know that you are a direct answer to my prayer!"
+cried Aunt Selina.
+
+"I am grateful to be favored," laughed Mr. White, "but it must be your
+faith that brought the answer."
+
+"Well, to tell the truth," continued Aunt Selina, "I am so very anxious
+to have this movement of the children a fine success that I have been
+praying in season and out for the way to open that we might be blessed
+in this work. All we needed for the next step was a hint for
+circulation."
+
+"And I'll confide a secret, too," said Mrs. Talmage, leaning over toward
+the desk. "The boys have had their fathers meet with them every evening,
+advising and drilling them in ways and means to succeed, while my girls
+have had to do the best they can with Aunt Selina and me. This book will
+boost us far ahead of the Bobolinks and give the men who are advising a
+fine surprise."
+
+Mr. White laughed as he understood the rivalry between the two factions,
+and promised to send his wife to the meetings of the mothers to convey
+any advice or suggestions he might think of.
+
+"Oh, splendid! We expect to hold our first meeting at our house
+to-night. Do bring her over!" cried Mrs. Talmage.
+
+As the three were going out to the automobile, Mr. White ventured a
+remark.
+
+"I have been told that the paper for the sample issue was to be sent
+over when you wished it. Now, I thought of making an advertising
+proposition to the corporation at their next meeting. If the magazine
+would mention that all the paper used by them for letters, circulars and
+magazines was furnished by the Oakdale Mills, it would be a good
+exchange if the company donated the paper needed for the first year's
+work."
+
+The ladies stood amazed at the generous idea.
+
+"Every paper mill in the country will try to place a contract with the
+children as soon as news of this plan is out. Now, the Oakdale Mills can
+secure its contract for future years by being wide-awake for the
+present. It is a strictly business proposition, you see," explained Mr.
+White.
+
+"It may seem so to you, but I know that it is a proposition that no
+other firm would offer, and we are deeply grateful for your interest,"
+replied Mrs. Talmage, sagaciously.
+
+"I'll suggest it, and you find out if the magazine is willing to give us
+the mention I hinted at," said Mr. White.
+
+Handing the huge book of addresses to Ike, Mrs. Talmage shook hands with
+Mr. White and reminded him to bring his wife to the meeting.
+
+"Well! that was the best hour's business yet!" exclaimed Aunt Selina, as
+the car sped away.
+
+"Wonderful, isn't it? I hope everything will glide along as nicely as it
+has up to the present," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+Being Friday, school closed an hour earlier than usual. The moment the
+Blue Birds could catch their hats from the pegs in the cloak-rooms, they
+ran out to join Ruth, who was hopping from one foot to the other in a
+vain effort to calm her impatience.
+
+"Hurry, girls! Don't you know Mother Wings went to the mills this
+morning for samples of paper?" called one to the other as they ran up
+to Ruth.
+
+It was not long thereafter that seven eager little girls crowded about
+Mrs. Talmage on the veranda to hear the news.
+
+"I'll show you the samples, but we will wait for the mothers' opinion
+to-night. But this great secret I will give to you now!" and, forthwith,
+Mrs. Talmage told the Blue Birds all about Mr. White's interest and
+ideas, and showed them the precious volume loaned them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE WINTER NEST COUNCIL
+
+
+Before eight o'clock that night the Blue Birds and their mothers were
+assembled in the living-room ready for a council. The children had not
+seen the den for a few days and stared in delight as they filed into the
+room. Mrs. Talmage had purposely had all meet together before mentioning
+that they might as well spend the evening in the Winter Nest.
+
+"Why, Mother Wings, when _did_ you fix this up?" asked Ruth, as much
+surprised as the others.
+
+Mrs. Talmage smiled, but said nothing.
+
+The guests looked about and admired the unique charm of the Blue Bird
+quarters for the winter, and Betty ventured the question: "What has
+become of our other chairs?"
+
+The room had all been renovated. The windows were hung with snow-flake
+madras, and the floor covered with heavy knotted white rag carpet that
+looked like snow freshly packed. The walls had been repapered with a
+sparkling white paper which glistened like ice in the electric light.
+From the wainscoting to the picture rail branches of dark green spruce
+and pine were fastened and upon these green needles were caught flakes
+of make-believe snow--made of white cotton-batting with diamond dust
+powdered on it. The furniture of the summer Nest had been brought in
+late that afternoon and the slip covers, which had been made for it,
+were slipped over until the thick white covers hid the familiar chairs
+under the novelty cloth that looked like snow-drifts. The whole effect
+was so beautiful that the children danced about with joy.
+
+"Well, we must get at our work," reminded Aunt Selina, after enough
+chairs had been brought in for all.
+
+"I walked over with Mr. Wells and he was quite surprised to find I was
+coming to the house," said Mrs. Wells, laughingly.
+
+"I never said a word to Mr. Talmage or his brother," confided Mrs.
+Talmage, smiling at the secret.
+
+"Mr. Stevens knows I am at this council with Betty, but he hasn't the
+faintest idea for what," admitted Mrs. Stevens.
+
+And so it was that not one of the men who had formed the habit of
+dropping in to help the Bobolinks could imagine what their wives were
+doing with the Blue Birds.
+
+If the inmates of the Winter Nest that night could have seen the
+questioning faces of the boys and men when it was known that a meeting
+of mothers was being held, they would have felt the balm of satisfaction
+applied to wounded pride.
+
+Mrs. Talmage showed the sample of paper and, after a discussion of merit
+and price, a selection was made of an artistic grey paper to be printed
+in blue--the colors of the Blue Birds.
+
+"We must have envelopes to match, mother," said Ruth.
+
+"I never thought of that, but it is so!" admitted Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I know the address of a firm where Mr. Wells has all of his
+'made-to-order' envelopes made--we will get them to do it," suggested
+Mrs. Wells.
+
+"What a relief to hear that offer!" sighed Mrs. Talmage. "I was just
+wondering where I could find anyone who would make them for us."
+
+"It also goes to prove that many heads gathered to discuss Blue Bird
+affairs are better than one, and I suggest that we meet at least once a
+week," suggested Aunt Selina.
+
+So it was then and there agreed that the mothers would come regularly to
+hold a council in the Winter Nest with the Blue Birds.
+
+"Just as soon as the envelopes come back we can begin to address from
+mother's big book, can't we?" asked Norma.
+
+"If there's only one book, how can all of this crowd read it at the same
+time and then write down the names?" demanded Dot Starr.
+
+"Why, we won't have to do that work," added Mrs. Wells. "There's a firm
+in the city that addresses envelopes for a dollar a thousand."
+
+"Another fine hint! I'm sure I'd rather pay my share than risk Dot's
+ruining dozens of envelopes with ink," laughed Mrs. Starr, patting Dot
+on the hand.
+
+"We wouldn't want to write 'em in here, because the snow would freeze
+our fingers so the ink would spatter all over," said Dot, ludicrously.
+
+"Yes, I suppose these lovely covers would be speckled black by the time
+the Blue Birds completed, say, fifty thousand addresses," laughed Aunt
+Selina.
+
+"I would vote against Edith's writing--I fear the person would never get
+the letter--it would go straight to the Dead Letter Office," said Mrs.
+Wilson, pulling Edith's curls.
+
+As everyone knew how Edith hated writing and never could write a legible
+hand, a laugh went up, in which Edith joined heartily.
+
+So the Blue Birds were spared the arduous task of copying thousands of
+names.
+
+"I have heard that these large addressing bureaus prefer to employ
+children--I wonder why?"
+
+"Because children just finishing grammar school are more careful in
+forming letters and can write much better than adults. Besides, they
+have to pay children but a third that an adult would demand for his
+labor," explained Mrs. Wells.
+
+"Why, isn't that just as bad as working children in a factory?"
+questioned Miss Selina.
+
+"The rooms that I visited are just as bad. The girls are crowded close
+together in a wretchedly lighted room without ventilation, and they sit
+writing all day with their poor backs bent double and fingers grown
+crooked from habit," said Mrs. Wells.
+
+"Goodness! Can't we do something to stop it?" cried Mrs. Starr.
+
+"They have to have the money for home needs, and it isn't quite as bad,
+you know, as working all day in cold water to your knees, opening
+oysters at a cent a hundred."
+
+"Oh, dear, dear! don't tell me any more," half wept Aunt Selina. "I feel
+like a criminal to think I lost all of these years with money piling up
+in the bank that could have helped hundreds of these little workers.
+Let's get busy this minute!"
+
+"It would be nice to take all these little workers to the country,
+wouldn't it?" queried Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Yes, yes! But, Mary, don't delay me longer in this work--I have so many
+years to make up, and so little time to do it in," mourned Aunt Selina.
+
+"All right! Now that is settled--we hire a firm to do the addressing,
+and Mrs. Wells will see to the envelopes. What next?" said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, Mother Wings, don't forget about that book--you know?" reminded
+Ruth.
+
+"Oh, of course! One of our great secrets! Here is a volume loaned us by
+Mr. White, of the Oakdale Paper Mills, and it has the addresses of all
+the stationers in the country," explained Mrs. Talmage. "He suggested
+that we send a sample magazine to each, with a letter stating agents'
+commissions and price of subscription."
+
+"And that reminds me--the book you wrote for was given me to bring in
+to-night, and I left it out in the hall," said Mrs. Wells, turning to
+Frances and asking her to get it.
+
+The institution book was brought in, and its pages eagerly scanned.
+
+"My! what a lot of poor children there are!" said Dot sympathetically.
+
+"It doesn't seem possible, does it?" said Mrs. Starr, turning to the
+others.
+
+"We never realize what needs there are for help until we face something
+of this sort," said Mrs. Talmage, turning page after page. Suddenly she
+stopped.
+
+"Has anyone here an idea of how many dependent little ones there are in
+the United States alone?"
+
+Heads were silently shaken, and Mrs. Talmage continued:
+
+"There are 87,000 children's institutions--homes, hospitals, asylums,
+and homes for cripples that are mostly supported by gifts, philanthropy,
+or legacies. About one-fourth of these are partially controlled by the
+state. The number of inmates in these institutions amounts to 1,740,520
+children. Think of it! Practically a million and three-quarters! How
+terrible!" And Mrs. Talmage had to find her handkerchief to dry her eyes
+at the picture of so many, many dear little ones bereft of home and
+mother-love.
+
+"Mary, Mary, I shall have to run away from here if you keep on!" cried
+Aunt Selina.
+
+"But, Aunty, it is not your fault, and you must not feel this way,
+especially as you are doing so much to improve the conditions," said
+Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Well, mother, I should say that if there are 87,000 addresses to send
+letters to, we'd better begin that letter now, and not spoil Flutey's
+pleasure by thinking of all the things she never did," advised Ruth,
+very sensibly.
+
+"Yes, that letter is very important--let us compose it," said Aunt
+Selina.
+
+After an hour of writing and rewriting, Mrs. Talmage read aloud the
+result of their labor:
+
+"Dear Friend:
+
+"The Blue Birds of Oakdale have started a philanthropic work which must
+appeal to everyone who is willing to help our poor children. A magazine
+is being published, a sample of which is being sent you, that will
+contain instructive, helpful, interesting articles.
+
+"Perhaps you know that there are 87,000 benevolent institutions in this
+country filled with over a million and a half poor children, to whom
+this magazine will prove a welcome visitor. The cost of producing this
+magazine is partially paid for by donations, and the profit of the work
+is all devoted to a settlement in the country where the city children
+can spend the summer.
+
+"Inclosed find a subscription blank. Make all checks payable to 'Blue
+Birds of Happy Times Nest.'"
+
+"Wish we had time to run over to the Bobolinks and order fifty thousand
+of these letters," suggested Dot.
+
+"Oh, wouldn't it be fun to see their faces!" laughed Norma.
+
+"Maybe we will have time--it is only five minutes to nine," announced
+Mrs. Talmage, looking at her watch.
+
+"We can try it--we will walk down the path, and if we find they are
+leaving we can keep our own council until another night," said Mrs.
+Talmage, as everyone rose hurriedly to go.
+
+The children hurried on before, while the ladies followed more sedately.
+
+The heavy doors were closed, but an opening about a foot wide left space
+enough for Ruth to squeeze through and pull one of the sliding doors
+along the groove to admit the other visitors.
+
+The men had been lounging about, talking and watching their sons work,
+but upon the entrance of the ladies everyone arose in surprise.
+
+"Rather a late hour for a call, dear," ventured Mr. Stevens.
+
+"Oh, not at all. We were attending a business meeting, and found it
+necessary to leave an order with the Bobolinks."
+
+"An order--what kind of an order?" questioned Ned dubiously.
+
+Mrs. Talmage handed over the copy of the letter she wanted printed, and
+directed the company to get out a proof as soon as possible, for they
+would need about fifty thousand.
+
+"Fifty thousand!" gasped the boys, while the men looked incredulous.
+
+The Blue Birds could not restrain a giggle at the utter amazement of the
+Bobolinks, and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed their husbands' surprise.
+
+"Oh, well, I suppose it will take you a long time to run off so many, so
+you may do ten thousand at a time," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+The Bobolinks could find no words with which to reply, and the men
+seemed to have lost their tongues also. While Mrs. Talmage waited for an
+answer, Don scowled at his twin sister.
+
+"I am still waiting to hear you accept the order," smiled Mrs. Talmage,
+feeling that the Blue Birds had scored a point.
+
+"Maybe you are not yet ready to do business," suggested Mrs. Wells, with
+just a touch of sarcasm.
+
+"Of course we are ready!" exclaimed several boys, faintly echoed by the
+men.
+
+"Then tell us how long will it be before you can show us a proof?" asked
+Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"H'm! We will have to consult," replied Ned, as he beckoned some of the
+Bobolinks to the rear of the room.
+
+The Blue Birds were so delighted at catching the Bobolinks napping that
+they danced up and down, finding it very difficult to keep their secret.
+
+Don was the first to come over to the ladies.
+
+"Say, what do you want that letter for? Where will you ever get paper
+enough to print ten thousand--we can't buy it for you," he growled.
+
+"Don, come back here and mind your business!" shouted Meredith.
+
+"When you return to the boys, please ask them to hurry, as we have
+another letter to ask them about--we may need 100,000 of these," said
+Mrs. Starr sweetly.
+
+The Blue Birds noticed that their fathers looked sceptical at the last
+sentence.
+
+"You never made up a list like that!" grunted Don, looking at the Blue
+Birds with fire shining in his eyes.
+
+"What do you think we were doing while you spent your evenings having a
+good time?" retorted Dot.
+
+"Humph!" was the only reply Don granted his sister.
+
+"Folks said this summer that we Blue Birds were little hustlers, but I
+never paid much attention to them then; but _now_ I think we are
+hustlers when I see the way you Bobolinks poke away for two weeks and
+nothing to show for it," teased May.
+
+Mr. Wells was called over to join the conference of the Bobolinks before
+an answer was given the Blue Birds.
+
+"We will set this type and run off a proof by to-morrow evening; will
+that do?" said Ned, coming forward with the letter.
+
+The Blue Birds thought it would take the boys about three days to set
+type and give a proof, so it was their turn to be surprised. Mrs.
+Talmage seemed to understand, however, and replied in a very
+condescending voice:
+
+"Oh, yes, to-morrow will be Saturday, and Uncle Ben will be here at
+noon. That will be fine, for, of course, he will show you what to do;
+and I am sure he knows just what he would like for the purpose."
+
+The looks exchanged between the Bobolinks and Mr. Wells were sufficient
+proof that Mrs. Talmage was right in her surmise, but the Blue Birds
+were too polite to say anything more.
+
+The men said it was long past closing hours, so the lights were
+extinguished, and the whole party went out into the cool night air.
+
+Early Saturday morning the Blue Birds met again in their pretty Winter
+Nest, and Mrs. Talmage told them what she had thought over since the
+night before.
+
+"Since Uncle Ben will be here all afternoon to supervise the work, I
+think it would be as well for us to form the letter for the
+philanthropists, too; then he can help the Bobolinks set the type."
+
+The Blue Birds agreed that this was a wise plan, and so the letter was
+discussed and composed. This done, they went to the Publishing House
+with the copy, and told the boys what they wanted. The Bobolinks were
+hunting for the right style of type and fussing about the machines so as
+to have them in readiness for the afternoon.
+
+Uncle Ben arrived at noon, and the boys placed their work under his
+supervision. From the expression on his face when he read the letters,
+it appeared that he understood the plans the Blue Birds were keeping so
+quiet.
+
+"What are you smiling at, Uncle Ben?" asked Ned, keen to find out what
+the Blue Birds were planning.
+
+"At the remarkable progress the Blue Birds have made since I last
+visited you," returned Uncle Ben.
+
+"Why, they haven't done anything--much," grumbled Don.
+
+"Only fixed up these two letters for us to print," added Meredith.
+
+"They haven't done their usual sewing and playing in the cherry-tree
+nest, either," said Jinks.
+
+"Is that so? Well, how do you know _what_ they have been doing without
+your knowledge?" asked Uncle Ben laughingly.
+
+The boys looked at him, and their eyes asked the question, "What?"
+
+"As an old magazine man, I can see signs in these two letters that tell
+me of two tremendous pieces of work being started--and being very nicely
+handled, too. Why, I would not be surprised to have the Blue Birds fly
+down upon this Publishing House some day and settle here long enough to
+say that they had a paid-up subscription list of ten thousand! At any
+rate, you boys had better prepare to print about fifty thousand sample
+copies of the first magazine."
+
+The faces of the Bobolinks looked as if their owners must sit down or
+collapse. Uncle Ben laughed heartily at them.
+
+"Ah, you're only fooling us, as usual," ventured Ned.
+
+"No, siree! I am not. Wait and see," returned Uncle Ben.
+
+Without further discussion, Uncle Ben showed the boys the proper style
+of type to use for a letter, then helped them run off a proof of both
+letters.
+
+"This will show the Blue Birds that we are not so slow but that we can
+turn out samples in up-to-date style," said Ned, as he admired the
+printing.
+
+"Now, run off a few letters on this paper," ordered Uncle Ben, producing
+some beautiful bond paper.
+
+"My, but it's pretty! Where'd you get it, Uncle Ben?" asked Ned.
+
+"I brought it out for the Blue Birds' inspection, but I shouldn't doubt
+but that they have already attended to that detail, so we will present
+our proof all finished on my paper."
+
+"Now, tell us, Uncle Ben, why you think the Blue Birds have a big plan
+of their own," entreated Ned.
+
+Uncle Ben smiled and reminded the boys to keep his words from becoming
+public property.
+
+"I should say that the fact that the Blue Birds have not been near their
+old Nest all week, when the weather is so glorious, proves that they
+have a deeper interest elsewhere. Now, what can that be? Here you have a
+hint of part of the interest," and Uncle Ben waved the letters at the
+boys. "How do I know?
+
+"Take these two letters--either one of them would startle a slow
+circulation manager in the city if he thought a competitor suddenly
+produced it! Why, in some way the Blue Birds have found a way to reach
+book stores, stationers, and similar business places. Then, too, the
+mention of needing thousands shows me they have found a mine of
+addresses that is worth a large price to a publisher."
+
+"Ah, Uncle Ben, you're wrong there! The Blue Birds haven't gone
+anywhere, and no one has been here to tell them how to get such names,"
+said Ned.
+
+Without replying to Ned's words, Uncle Ben continued:
+
+"Then, too, they must have the institution work well under consideration
+or they would not have ordered the form letter--and hinted at the size
+of the order."
+
+The boys shook their heads, unwilling to admit that Uncle Ben's surmises
+sounded practical.
+
+"Lastly, they have their paper selected, because they told you the size
+this sheet of printing is to be; and therefore they must know how deep a
+margin they will need. To get the size of their printing correct, they
+would have to know how many sheets will cut out of a large sheet of
+paper, and order it cut accordingly."
+
+"If they have done all those things that you say they have, they are
+'way ahead of us Bobolinks," grumbled Don.
+
+Uncle Ben laughed and advised:
+
+"Boys, work _with_ these Blue Birds, not against them or ahead of them.
+Do not think that just because they are girls, and you are boys, that
+they are going to remain in the shade and let you boys come out and
+shine in the light. If you boys ever do business in the city, you will
+find that a woman will contest your right at every step, for to-day's
+women are equal in every way to the men--I rather think a number of them
+are superior to the men. These Blue Birds are but a proof of what I say.
+They will not permit the Bobolinks to walk off with the honors that are
+due them." And Uncle Ben chuckled at the idea.
+
+"Well, Uncle Ben, you'll help us in every way until we are even with the
+girls, won't you?" asked Ned.
+
+"And you won't help the Blue Birds any more, will you?" asked Don.
+
+"I am absolutely neutral," replied Uncle Ben, holding both hands up over
+his head. "I won't take sides, but I will help the work along in every
+way, for I want it to succeed. I'll help you when you need it, and I'll
+help these little Blue Birds. But do as I said: Work together, not in a
+spirit of rivalry, for that will only sow seeds of strife and
+discontent."
+
+"Come on, boys, let's take Uncle Ben to the house and show our letter
+proofs to the Blue Birds," said Ned.
+
+So the Bobolinks were taught their lesson in trying to win a race by
+running for a time and then resting.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE STORY OF AN ALASKAN TRIP
+
+
+When the Bobolinks reached the house, they found the veranda occupied by
+the Blue Birds, who sat in a semi-circle about three ladies in rocking
+chairs--Mrs. Talmage, Aunt Selina, and Mrs. Catlin. The latter had a
+roll of paper in her lap, and evidently had been explaining something to
+the audience.
+
+"Oh, boys, you're just in time!" cried Ruth.
+
+"Mrs. Catlin's got her story all written for our magazine, and she was
+just going to read it," explained Dot.
+
+"May we hear it?" asked Ned, for the Bobolinks.
+
+"Why, certainly. Sit right down on the steps," said Mrs. Catlin.
+
+As soon as the boys were comfortable, she continued:
+
+"I was about seventeen when I read the exciting tales of gold in
+California and the wealth to be obtained in Seattle--a town that was
+boomed in a night. I knew my father would never consent to my leaving
+home, so I said nothing, but pawned my watch and ring, drew my savings
+from the bank, and raised enough money to pay my way West. I worked part
+of my way, and stole rides on freight cars part of the way, until I
+found myself in Seattle. I was not particular where I went as long as it
+was in the West. Well, in Seattle I found that the fever of gold mining
+in Alaska was reaching a boiling point, and every steamer bound for
+Sitka was already overloaded, but I managed in some way to steal aboard
+and hide until the captain could not turn me off. I had to do some
+awfully dirty work, however, and had very little to eat.
+
+"We arrived at Sitka, and there I spent some more of my money for a
+passage to Juneau City. There I landed with forty dollars left in my
+pockets. Ten of this was paid out for a hard bed and some scanty food,
+and I soon feared that I would be left without a cent unless I started
+somewhere for the gold mines. I heard all kinds of stories about the
+gold found up on the Yukon River, so I found a shed where outfits were
+sold, and paid twenty dollars for an outfit that was said to be all I
+would need. I still had a few dollars left when I started on the road,
+with my outfit strapped to my back, visions of finding millions of
+dollars' worth of gold always before my eyes.
+
+"I walked along a trail that seemed to be well traveled, and felt glad
+to get away from the drink-sodden town. I had tramped for hours, when
+the outfit began to rub painfully on my back. I was hungry, too, for the
+food given me at the eating-houses was unfit to eat. In buying my
+outfit, I added a strip of bacon and a loaf of black bread, so I decided
+to rest for a bit and have my dinner.
+
+"The country, as far as I could see, was very beautiful, so I sat down
+beside the trail and dropped my pack. I took out the tiny frying pan and
+cut some bacon into it. I gathered some sticks, and then tried to light
+one of the matches that was in the waterproof box, but it merely
+sputtered and went out. I used so many matches in this way that I became
+nervous lest the supply give out. Finally I ate my bread and bacon as it
+was, and was about to strap the outfit together again when I spied a
+caravan leaving the town several miles beyond the point where I sat. I
+was so interested in watching the long line, as it lengthened out along
+the trail, that I forgot how soon night comes down in this country. I
+had no plans for the night, and expected to go much farther before I
+struck camp. When the caravan had come halfway the distance from town
+toward me, I picked up my pack and started on.
+
+"I found the pack dreadfully heavy this time, and had to rest several
+times. I was thus resting on a large rock when the caravan passed me.
+
+"The sledges were piled high with camp equipment. At the end of the line
+was a cumbersome-looking affair that was covered with canvas and drawn
+by four horses. A grizzled man drove these horses, and seemed intent
+upon his job.
+
+"So interested was I in watching them go by that I was startled when one
+of the men in the sledge called to me:
+
+"'Hello, Kid! What are you doing--picking flowers?'
+
+"A number of the men laughed, but the younger one who sat with the man
+in the sledge shouted: 'Want to join us as far as your road lies? This
+is no place for a boy to travel alone. Beasts on two and four legs are
+too powerful about here.'
+
+"I felt an irresistible desire to join them, but they never stopped.
+However, taking it for granted that they wanted me or they wouldn't have
+spoken, I ran after the caravan and tried to keep up with them. The pack
+grew heavier every moment, and at last I decided to give it up. Just
+then one of the leading horses of the four stumbled down upon his knees.
+
+"This caused a halt while the driver got down and examined the horse. I
+had the opportunity that I needed, so I took a deep breath and shouted,
+at the same time running as fast as my weary legs would carry me.
+
+"'How are you comin'?' asked the driver.
+
+"'Coming!' I cried, so tired I could have wept. 'Why, I've been coming
+ever since the man asked me.'
+
+"'Some run, eh?' asked the old man, smiling.
+
+"'Didn't they mean it?' I asked, in a tremble lest I be left again.
+
+"'Guess so. Don't believe they gave you another thought. But, now that
+you're here, you kin sit with me,' said the man gruffly, as I thought,
+while he rubbed the skinned knee with whale-oil.
+
+"I climbed up and sat in the seat beside the driver. He gathered the
+reins together and started the horses again before he spoke another
+word.
+
+"'Kid, I watched you runnin' after this crew, and I jus' said to mysel',
+"Old Hal, keep an eye on that kid and see what stuff he's made of." I
+reckon you'll win out, even if this brazen outfit loses. I'm goin' to
+take a likin' to ye, kid, d'ye hear that!' grinned the old man, as he
+chirked to the horses.
+
+"I sat still and pondered what he said.
+
+"'Thar ain't many men as kin say that Old Hal the Guide took a likin' to
+'em, kid,' he continued, watching the trail where his horses stepped.
+
+"I had overheard the men at the town talking about a guide called 'Old
+Hal,' and the conjectures as to how much the swell outfit had to pay him
+to get him to take charge of their expedition.
+
+"I felt unduly elated at hearing the man address me so comradely, and I
+decided to be as friendly as I could.
+
+"'What's the great hulk under this canvas?' I asked, nodding my head
+toward the load back of us.
+
+"'Hulk! You're right, sonny, it is a great big hulk. These men from the
+East think they know a lot about goin' on a expedition like this--they
+git their learnin' from the books. But I could have saved 'em heaps of
+money hed they consulted me fust. Now, this pertickler hulk is dead
+trash! _They_ call 'em canoes, but the fust little jolt one of 'em gits
+in the end of its nose--down she goes!'
+
+"'Canoes, eh?' I said wonderingly.
+
+"'How many did yeh bring in yer outfit?' asked Hal, nudging me in the
+ribs.
+
+"'I may have all of those to take care of if you don't watch the
+horses,' I growled.
+
+"'Right choo are, kid! Did yeh ever hear the verse, "From the mouths of
+babes, etc."? Guess yeh didn't know I ever read Scripter, did yeh?'
+laughed the old man.
+
+"'Guess you don't or you wouldn't joke that way about such a good Book,'
+I replied.
+
+"'Right choo are agin, kid! My, but you are a lucky find fer Hal to
+have. Jus' fancy all the fun we will have durin' the long winter
+nights,' said the guide, in a conciliatory tone.
+
+"'Hope so! If I ever get the chance to show you that I am thankful for
+this help, I surely will,' I said, full of gratitude that I was not
+dragging my feet along the tiresome trail at that very moment.
+
+"'Now, that's the kind of a heart to have--one that kin thank a feller
+without feelin' 'shamed to show his colors! I see where you and me are
+goin' to make a fine team!' said Hal.
+
+"After some silence, the old man asked: 'Where'er yeh bound fer,
+anyway?'
+
+"'Don't know--just going out to find gold,' I said.
+
+"He turned square around and stared at me for a few moments, then
+gasped: 'Father an' mother dead?'
+
+"I had to gulp hard before I could answer this question, then I said:
+'No. Had my own money in the bank, and so I just came.'
+
+"'How fer?' he asked abruptly.
+
+"'All the way from New York state. I worked my way out and worked part
+of my way on the Seattle boat,' I said, with great pride in my
+achievement.
+
+"'Why, yeh little fool!' cried the irate guide.
+
+"'What's the matter?'
+
+"'An' I s'pose yeh hev ben payin' fer full board an' keep to yer mother
+ever sence yeh wuz borned, eh?' scoffed Hal.
+
+"I was silent. I was looking at the matter from a new point of view.
+
+"'S'pose yer pa an' ma was on'y too glad to git yeh out'en the way, eh?'
+he continued.
+
+"Again I had to gulp when I thought of my mother.
+
+"'I see the hull fool thing. Yeh jus' went crazy readin' trashy papers,
+an' yeh run away widdout tellin' a soul, 'cause yeh knew they wouldn't
+let yeh come otherwise.'
+
+"I marveled at how close he had come to the truth.
+
+"'Well, yer here, kid, an' I s'pose Old Hal's got to see yeh through wit
+it, so thet worritin' mother of yourn'll see yeh agin, some day.' And he
+swung the whip over the horses' heads with a crack that saved me from
+his ire.
+
+"We came to a bad grade then, and Old Hal had to keep a wary eye on the
+trail, for the horses were not as sure-footed as the dogs and deer.
+
+"It must have been four o'clock before we halted. The air was growing
+colder as we advanced, and I was glad enough to open my pack for a chunk
+of bread and a slice of bacon.
+
+"'Hist, kid, stow that away!' whispered Hal, as he began to unhitch the
+horses for the night.
+
+"In a short time the two men from the sledge came up.
+
+"'Hello, youngster! You did come, after all, didn't you?' said the older
+man.
+
+"As the supper was being cooked by an Indian guide, I was welcomed in
+the circle sitting about a blazing fire and asked about myself. To each
+question I replied truthfully, and wondered at the smiles and surprise
+shown at my answers.
+
+"One of the two men who owned the expedition turned to the old guide
+after a time and said: 'Hal, what shall we do with the kid? Send him
+back home?'
+
+"'If 'twere me, I'd give him his fill. He'll be safe enough wid us, an'
+we kin git heaps of work outen him; but he'll never 'mount to nothin' ef
+yeh send him home, 'cause he'll allus think of the gold he might have
+got,' said Hal astutely.
+
+"'Guess you've hit the nail on the head, Hal,' laughed the younger man,
+as he looked at me.
+
+"So I became a member of the Yukon Gold Expedition, under the management
+of John Herrick and Julius Dwight, engineers.
+
+"We traveled over hundreds of miles of snow, for we were trying to reach
+a certain trail that Old Hal knew, before the thaw set in.
+
+"We did not quite get there, however, before the general thaw struck us.
+Then the canoes were needed. I had wondered why we delayed our traveling
+to cart those canoes with us, for there were no streams or lakes to
+cross, but the moment the thaw set in it seemed that every piece of ice
+and snow in the North was turning to water. Instead of trails, we had to
+travel by green-blue rivers, or over deep, dark seas.
+
+"Well, after losing one canoe and two of the Indians, Old Hal hit his
+trail and led us up toward the mountains.
+
+"All of that short summer was passed in the usual work of prospecting:
+digging, panning, washing, or testing for gold. Permanent camp had been
+built by the men, and a number of Indian servants took precaution that
+every emergency should be provided for in case of a hard, long winter.
+Every kind of edible bird or beast was trapped and prepared for food,
+while the skins and pelts of animals were cured and made into garments
+and covers.
+
+"I was the youngest in camp, so I was known as the 'Kid,' and Old Hal
+took the office of guardian toward me from the first and ordered me
+about--always for my good, be it known--and kept a watchful eye over my
+doings and the men I happened to work with.
+
+"Toward the end of the short summer we struck a rich vein of gold!
+
+"I shall never forget the change in everyone's character the moment the
+gold was discovered in the shining sand. Some became savages, others
+grew crafty and cunning, and Old Hal had his hands full to keep
+discipline in the camp. Dwight and Herrick saw the tendency of their
+hired men to mutiny against Hal and themselves, and perhaps jump the
+claim when the owners were out of the way, but they were farsighted men,
+and Hal was no greenhorn in handling Esquimo and half-breed Indians.
+
+"A large tract of land on both sides of the creek was staked off and a
+diagram of the area carefully drawn by Herrick, to be filed in the
+office at Forty-Mile Station, where a legal land-office was maintained
+by the government.
+
+"As it was most necessary to file this claim before winter came on, a
+conference was held between Hal and the two engineers. Hal said he could
+easily make the trip to Forty-Mile and back again before winter froze
+everything solid, so he was ordered to take a canoe, with two of the
+mutinous men, and start immediately. Two dogs were placed in the canoe,
+in case they would be needed for sledging, and a store of food and pelts
+were packed under the seats. At the last moment, Hal was led to take his
+own canoe, which he had made that summer, and ask for my company. I was
+delighted to know I could accompany my old friend, so one of the dogs
+and a sledge were placed in Hal's canoe, and but one of the men got in,
+while I was placed in the other canoe, with the other man.
+
+"We started in good order and made quick time. We had no route, map, or
+survey, for there were none in those days, but Hal knew every foot of
+the way, unless unusual conditions prevailed. We made camp that night,
+and rested, all unmindful of the plot the two mutinous men were hatching
+against us to get possession of the claim papers.
+
+"In the morning, after an early breakfast, we started, and had gone but
+a short distance before our canoes ran out of the stream into a broad
+expanse of water that was unfamiliar to Hal.
+
+"He looked carefully around for some landmark to guide him, and saw,
+some miles further on, what he believed to be a blazed spot. So he
+directed his man to paddle for that place.
+
+"When Hal was about ten feet in advance of us, and as I sat in the stern
+of our canoe, I saw the man paddling our canoe suddenly raise a
+rifle--where he got it no one knows--take aim, and shoot. It was all
+done so quickly that I could scarcely move. Hal always held his revolver
+ready to enforce obedience from his men, and the moment I heard the shot
+I saw his arm jerk spasmodically and his revolver fly out and fall in
+the bottom of the canoe. At the same time I tore my revolver out of my
+belt and covered the man who had shot.
+
+"I was so occupied in this that I had no time to see what Hal was doing,
+but I heard him yell: 'Go overboard this second or I'll shoot you dead!'
+
+"I immediately followed suit, and cried: 'Go overboard, and swim ashore,
+or I'll shoot you!'
+
+"The man sat and stared at me for a moment, as he never dreamed I had
+the spirit to do what I had. I was so nervous, and my heart seemed to
+bulge out in my throat so that I could hardly swallow. The man still sat
+and looked at his pal, who had jumped overboard and was swimming for
+shore. I never knew how it happened, for I had no idea of shooting him,
+but in that moment that he turned his look from me to his pal my fingers
+twitched with dread, and the revolver rang forth its shot, and the
+fellow fell into the water. I was so frightened that I clung to the neck
+of the dog and hid my eyes. Meantime, the fellow who was swimming saw
+what had occurred, and went under water to escape being shot.
+
+"Soon Hal had his canoe alongside, and said: 'Step in here, Kid.'
+
+"My canoe was fastened to the other one, and the transfer made without
+further mishap. I looked about for the swimmer, but could see nothing of
+him. He might have drowned or gone ashore.
+
+"We managed to travel pretty well until night, when we again camped on
+shore, but Hal seemed worried at the strangeness of the land.
+
+"After a few days' futile seeking for the trail, we felt a sudden chill
+in the air. Hal was concerned, and sought in every direction for some
+familiar object.
+
+"We made camp one night while the dogs sniffed ravenously about for
+food, for our stock had run so low that Hal had to economize to make it
+last another day. The next morning I awoke to find snow blowing in every
+direction. The change was so unlooked for that I rubbed my eyes to make
+sure I was awake.
+
+"'Well, Kid, this settles our trip to Forty-Mile for some time,'
+admitted Hal forlornly.
+
+"'What do you mean, Hal?' I asked.
+
+"'If we don't make camp quick, we'll be caught in the cold and frozen.
+If I was alone, I'd try to make some Esquimo hut or die, but havin' you
+I can't take a chance.' Hal's manner of speech had improved a great
+deal during his intercourse with cultured men, and I took note of it as
+he spoke--such queer things will impress one when a sudden calamity
+presents itself.
+
+"That morning Hal set me to cutting down some small trees. He said he
+would take the sledge and the dogs and try to find the trail. I begged
+him not to leave me alone, and he promised that this would be the last
+effort if he was unsuccessful.
+
+"I felt the terrible fear of being alone in this wilderness all winter,
+but I kept busy chopping down trees. All day long I worked and prayed,
+and before dark settled down I rejoiced to see Hal coming back. I could
+tell in a moment that he had not found any trail, so I said nothing.
+
+"That night Hal saw all the signs of winter breaking upon us, and he
+worked fast and furious to make camp so that we might survive the cold
+months.
+
+"In his search the day before, he had found a stream whose banks were
+well covered with sheltering pines. Here he proposed to build a hut.
+While, with the help of the dogs, he hauled the small logs I had cut to
+the stream, I was ordered to fish and hunt for all the supplies I could
+gather before the waters froze solid.
+
+"I went to work with a forlorn hope of ever living to see another year,
+but the fish were plentiful, and the task of preparing them for winter
+use kept me from thinking too much.
+
+"Hal set traps for animals, and this game we skinned; the meat we dried
+and the pelts we hoped to use in the winter. The fats I dried out and
+kept in a skin pouch Hal made. Some of the game could not be eaten, so
+we used that for bait.
+
+"Hal built a rude log hut about eight feet wide, with a smoke hole at
+the top. The wide chinks were plastered full of clay from the
+river-bank. A door was made of split logs and fastened together with
+rope and strips of skin. We had brought no nails or screws, and had to
+use whatever came to hand. The hinges of the door were made of tough
+strips of hide and fastened to the logs with some nails Hal took out of
+the sledge.
+
+"A rude fire-bowl was made in the center of the hut and some flint-rock
+carefully placed in a chink in the wall. The hut completed, Hal felt
+relieved, for the winter seemed to hold off for our benefit.
+
+"We chopped wood, and stacked it on one side of the wall, inside, and
+then started to pile up more on the outside near the door. Some of our
+food was buried in a pit just outside the hut, but Hal hung all there
+was room for to the logs of the roof.
+
+"We were feeling quite contented one night, when Hal remarked: 'Kid,
+she's comin' down on us. I kin tell by the queer sounds through those
+pines.'
+
+"'Let her come. We are ready,' I laughed.
+
+"'All but the beds. I'll have to go out now and bring in those balsam
+branches I have been savin' all these days.'
+
+"That night we slept upon our fresh balsam beds. When I rose I could not
+have told whether it was twilight or dawn. The blizzard howled outside,
+but Hal had a cheerful fire cracking inside."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+A WINTER IN THE FROZEN NORTH
+
+
+"For ten days that blizzard raged, and I began to think we never would
+get out again. Then one morning Hal called me to see the beautiful snow.
+I stretched and got up. Hal had managed to chop away some of the drift
+that had piled against the door, and after some digging we squeezed
+through an aperture and stood without.
+
+"My, but it was grand! One great world of sparkling white, with drifted
+mountains of snow all over. Even our hut was but a smaller drift in the
+general picture. While I stood and admired, Hal brought out two pails
+which we had had in the canoes, and told me how important it was to get
+some water from the stream. We carried the water carefully to the hut,
+and then I watched Hal set a bear trap, as well as a trap for small
+game.
+
+"The dogs enjoyed being out once more and lapped the water greedily
+while we filled the buckets. We worked several hours taking wood from
+outside the hut and piling it up on our depleted stack inside. Long
+before we were done, I heard a distant howling, and looked toward Hal
+for its meaning.
+
+"'Wolves! They scent our meat,' he said laconically.
+
+"We managed to fasten our door again, and sat down by the fire while the
+dogs went over to their corner to sleep.
+
+"That night the thermometer dropped to thirty degrees below zero and
+stayed there for a week. Everything that could froze up solid, and the
+wild beasts could catch no more fish or small game, so took long jaunts
+away from their lairs to find food.
+
+"Inside of forty-eight hours I heard every kind of a growl and howl
+imaginable, as bears prowled about the hut sniffing at the buried food,
+or scratching at our hut to get in.
+
+"'Wish we could get some of 'em in the traps,' I said.
+
+"'They'd be torn to pieces and soon et up by the other wild beasts,'
+replied Hal, as he made another notch in a log where he was keeping
+record of the days.
+
+"It wasn't very pleasant that week, for the room was small, and the dogs
+and meat began to make the air reek, so we were mighty glad, one
+morning, to wake and find it warmer. Without delay, Hal and I chopped
+the door out of the ice and snow and got out, followed by the dogs. The
+air was still so cold that it felt like a knife going through my lungs,
+but it was sweet and fresh. The dogs, too, were glad to have a run.
+
+"The only thing to mark the hut from the other humps of snow round about
+was the dirty spot where the smoke came out. While we aired the room we
+cleaned up whatever debris lay about and filled the pails with some ice
+that Hal chopped out of the frozen stream.
+
+"Meantime, the dogs were scenting about in the drifts and growling and
+yelping. Hal looked up and saw that they were off following some tracks.
+He ran after them for a few rods and then came back, calling them to
+come in.
+
+"'Those were bear tracks,' he explained, as the dogs obeyed most
+unwillingly. 'I wish I had some way to trap them without having the fur
+ruined by other animals.'
+
+"'Couldn't you set a trap right in range with the chink of the door, and
+if you hear other animals about you can shoot them,' I said.
+
+"'But it would waste a lot of valuable ammunition,' he replied.
+
+"He set the trap where I had suggested, however, and said he would wait
+and see what happened.
+
+"We felt better for that day's fresh air, but the storm settled down
+again during the night, and it was several days before it stopped
+snowing. The cold held on longer, but we knew it was clear by the bright
+gleam of light that filtered through our smoke-hole.
+
+"'I wonder if we can get out to-day?' I asked, but at the same time
+howls were heard coming from the pines.
+
+"'Guess you will do better to stay in to-day,' smiled Hal.
+
+"That night we found it impossible to sleep, for the wolves howled madly
+just outside the hut, and some of them pawed at the smoke-hole so that
+Hal finally picked up a red-hot firebrand and poked it up through the
+opening just as one of the beasts tried to nose down into the hut. It
+must have caught him well, for he set up a terrific howling.
+
+"The next night, as the wolves came back again to pay their nightly
+visit, we heard a new growl coming from a distance. I looked at Hal for
+information, and he chuckled with satisfaction.
+
+"'Ha! I thought so! I was sure a bear would come along before long.'
+
+"'A bear! Oh, I wish we could get him in that trap!'
+
+"'Will he attack the wolves?' I asked.
+
+"'He will come sniffing about that pit for meat, and if the wolves
+bother him they will most likely get into trouble,' said Hal, laughing.
+
+"'Gracious, Hal! S'pose he gets our meat--what will we do?'
+
+"'We'll have to prevent him from gettin' it, that's all,' said Hal,
+looking at his rifle to see that it was in good order.
+
+"'How are you going to do it?'
+
+"'Shoot him while he's busy with the wolves, or try and get him while he
+is digging at the pit.'
+
+"'Wait and try the last plan. Let him kill off a pack of hungry wolves,
+and when he has driven them away he will come to the pit. Then is your
+time,' I said.
+
+"'Kid, you're comin' on fine! Another season in the north and you will
+be a regular hunter,' laughed Hal.
+
+"I saw that I pleased the old man, and felt happy that I could do it so
+easily. But my attention was attracted by the din of battle outside, as
+howls and snarls mixed together so furiously that the dogs huddled down
+in a corner of the hut and showed their teeth at the doorway.
+
+"We couldn't tell from the sounds which was being worsted, but the fact
+that the wolves were so numerous led us to believe that they could
+finally tear to pieces any bear. Then, while we were checking off the
+howls, quite a singular snarl came from the opposite direction.
+
+"We could tell from the noises that another bear had taken a hand in the
+fight, which continued for a long time. Then all was quiet.
+
+"All that night we heard something scratching at the door and climbing
+up to the smoke-hole, but a firebrand always met the inquisitive nose,
+for we could hear the snarl of rage as a hasty retreat was made. One
+queer thing, though, was the fact that we only heard one beast clawing
+about.
+
+"When light came again, Hal placed his ear to a chink in the door and
+listened. He seemed satisfied that the coast was clear, so we started to
+chop out the snow that bound the door on the outside.
+
+"We got the door open about an inch, and Hal peeped out, but could see
+nothing. Then we managed to push it open a little further, and still
+nothing but snow was visible.
+
+"Then suddenly a dark shadow fell across the light from outside. I stood
+rigid while Hal took a good aim.
+
+"'Why don't you shoot?' I cried, as I saw the largest bear I had ever
+seen standing there scenting the air.
+
+"'He isn't in perfect range yet. I'd only ping him and make him run, if
+I shoot now,' whispered Hal, still holding his finger on the trigger.
+
+"'If he'd only move a foot this way!' I sighed.
+
+"As if the brute felt my wish, he turned his head in our direction.
+Instantly a deafening report seemed to blow up the cabin, and powder
+smoke hung thick over our heads. The dogs were so startled that they
+yelped and rolled over on the floor.
+
+"There was not a sound from outside, and Hal smiled to himself.
+
+"'Bet I got him first try. Didn't hear any objections from him, did
+you?'
+
+"'Gee! I wish we could open this door and drag him in before those
+wolves come back,' I said, digging frantically.
+
+"'They won't get back straight off. They have been whipped for the time
+and will be feared to try it again unless they get the scent of the dead
+bears,' said Hal, digging away at the top of the drift while I scooped
+at the bottom.
+
+"We finally managed to open the door enough to get out.
+
+"The bear had dropped dead in his tracks. At his feet--but out of range
+of the chink of our door--lay the other, literally ripped to pieces by
+the wolves during the night's battle. She had put up a fine fight,
+though, for the area all about her was covered with the bodies of the
+wolves she had slaughtered, and the snow was all trampled and red.
+
+"The dogs ran out, their hair bristling along their spines as they
+sniffed at the carcasses.
+
+"We heard the wolves' howls from the pine woods, so we hurriedly dragged
+the bear Hal had shot inside the hut. We put the carcass in one corner
+of the room, which left us scarcely enough space to move around in.
+
+"Hardly had the door been closed before the pack of wolves were upon it,
+scratching and tearing at the logs.
+
+"We had a difficult time skinning the bears and trying to cut the steaks
+properly; the grease we kept for oil after it had been melted down. I
+used to implore Hal to throw out the whole dreadful mess, but he knew
+the value of bear-grease and steaks, so kept his own counsel and minded
+me not at all.
+
+"Parts that could not be used, however, and refuse were thrown to the
+wolves, thus keeping a howling horde of them in our vicinity constantly.
+This, as it happened, proved our salvation.
+
+"We sat cross-legged one morning, figuring out by the notch calendar how
+many weeks of winter remained. Suddenly a most startling sound rose
+above the din of the snarling, fighting beasts outside.
+
+"A shot rang out, followed by a shrill yelp of pain from one of the
+beasts; again a rifle cracked, and one more wolf was struck, judging
+from the noise and confusion that ensued.
+
+"Hal and I looked at each other as if in a dream; then we comprehended,
+and almost choked with joy. The beasts outside slunk away as the
+strangers who had dealt death so swiftly among them approached. Hal and
+I both raised our voices and shouted and called as loudly as we could. I
+thought of his rifle, and brought it to him.
+
+"'Shoot through the rifle-hole in the door,' I said, excitedly.
+
+"'Sure thing!' he cried, raising his gun to his shoulder and shooting
+toward the sky.
+
+"We heard an answering shot, and then voices approaching to within a few
+yards of the hut. We pried the door open far enough to hand out the
+spade. The unknown visitors already had one spade, and between the two
+we were soon excavated, the door was opened, and we leaped forth! There
+stood an Indian squaw with a boy of about twelve.
+
+"Fancy our chagrin and sinking hearts! Hal said afterward that he
+thought a rescue party had started out to find us, although he knew this
+was practically impossible.
+
+"The squaw and Hal could speak, after a fashion, and he explained to me
+that she and her son were hunting the day before, and had been caught by
+night's swift approach. They were forced to rest in a cave until
+morning. Here they had to keep the wild animals at bay, although they
+could see them moving around in the shadows just outside the circle of
+their campfire, and heard them howling all through the night. When light
+came again, they started to find their way home, and had seen the beasts
+prowling around a hump in the snow from whence issued a thin stream of
+smoke. They knew immediately that some human being was there, and tried
+to drive away the animals long enough to investigate.
+
+"Hal explained how we had come to be there--and how grateful we would be
+to get away. The squaw managed to tell us that she would return to her
+tribe at once and find out whether or not we would be welcomed among
+them.
+
+"Hal made her understand how much money she would have if she would help
+us reach Forty-Mile, where he had 'much money' waiting for him in the
+bank.
+
+"The squaw had heard of 'Old Hal,' the guide, and was evidently
+surprised to find him lost while so near the trail.
+
+"'With this kid, I couldn't take any chance at hunting for the trail any
+longer,' he explained, 'but decided to follow the most sensible course,
+and wait until Spring!'
+
+"We offered the squaw the bear-pelts if she would return with help and
+rescue us. In the native manner of 'hearing without speaking' she
+stalked away, and we were not sure as to whether she would return or
+not.
+
+"In a few days, however, we again heard the sound of a shot which came
+from the direction of the woods, and after forcing the door open we
+found the squaw with two young men from her tribe.
+
+"'Trail--him all right,' mumbled the squaw.
+
+"We found the weather clear enough to enable us to travel, so we packed
+all of our belongings upon the sledge, leaving the canoe in the
+snowbank, where it lay hidden against the house. The bear-steaks were
+almost gone, but Hal showed the squaw where the other food was buried,
+and told her she could use the hut any time she liked. She nodded, and
+as soon as the dogs were hitched to the sledge, we proceeded on our
+journey, guided by the squaw and the two boys.
+
+"We had only a few hours in which to travel, but in that time we reached
+the cave the squaw had told us of, and there spent the night. The
+following morning, we continued the journey, reaching the village before
+dark.
+
+"The settlement was small, comprising but a dozen families and about six
+huts, but it seemed like a town to us, who had been lost all Winter with
+nothing but wild animals and snow around us.
+
+"Our dogs were delighted at being able to join some of their breed
+again, and, upon the whole, we were all treated as well as could be
+expected.
+
+"We stayed there for two nights, then made an early start on the third
+morning for Forty-Mile.
+
+"The faithful squaw and her two boys accompanied us a short distance,
+until Hal had gotten his bearings and said he would be all right.
+
+"We started on the trail at a goodly speed, and reached a small
+settlement by night-fall. The next day we arrived at the first real
+colony of white people we had encountered since we left the camp, and a
+week after we had left the squaw we came to the town of Forty-Mile,
+where we filed the papers for the claim Herrick and Dwight had staked
+out.
+
+"Hal knew this was an important matter, and wondered if the rascal who
+stranded us had found his way to the land-office first.
+
+"I was sitting in the little smoking-room in the place they called
+'Hotel' one morning, while Hal was in our room sewing his gold-dust belt
+a bit safer inside of his shirt.
+
+"I had changed so much in appearance--with a boyish growth of beard over
+my chin, and my hair as long as a poet's--that a villainous-looking man
+who came in and asked for whiskey failed to recognize me; but I knew
+him at once as being the man who had escaped from our canoe.
+
+"I managed to get out of the room without being seen, and ran to Hal.
+
+"'What do you think! The murderer is downstairs!'
+
+"'Who?--Sit down and talk sensible,' said Hal.
+
+"'One of the Indians who got away from the canoe,' I cried in a hoarse
+whisper.
+
+"Old Hal leaped to his feet. He strapped on his belt and swung his gun
+over his arm. After making sure his revolver was all right, he crept
+downstairs. I was not going to be cheated out of anything as exciting as
+this promised to be, so I cautiously followed him.
+
+"The tavern-keeper and by-standers knew Hal well, and, of course, would
+stake their all on his word; so when he entered the bar-room and cried:
+'Hands up!' to the Indian, everyone took sides with him, and we soon had
+the fellow safely bound.
+
+"'Now, let me see those papers you forged for our claims,' snarled Hal,
+fishing through the man's dirty pockets, but finding nothing.
+
+"The man's face showed too much elation for an old guide like Hal to be
+fooled, and he ordered the boys standing about to help him strip the
+Indian, and there--fastened to his back with strips of plaster--were
+found the drawings rudely sketched, somewhat like the set of surveys Hal
+had already filed.
+
+"They were ripped off and thrown into the fire and the villain was
+chained to a post out in the shed with the dogs, with his arms tied
+behind him to prevent his escape, until the Sheriff should come in the
+morning.
+
+"Hal told the crowd all about the treachery of the Indians, and they
+promised to attend to this man after we were gone.
+
+"A public sledge was about to leave for Dyea in a few days, and Hal
+engaged seats for himself and me. He paid the tavern-keeper to keep the
+dogs until he returned.
+
+"I had refrained from asking Hal about my future while there was any
+doubt of our getting to the Coast, but this seemed to be the best time
+to speak of it.
+
+"'What you going to do with me?' I asked.
+
+"'We'll skip right down to Juneau, and see if there are any letters
+there. It all depends,' he replied.
+
+"In a few days more we reached Dyea, where Hal secured some trustworthy
+men into whose charge he could commit the mining work. Then we took the
+boat and started for Juneau.
+
+"After a rough voyage of more than ten days, we docked at the wretched
+little city, and went to the post-office for our mail.
+
+"Three letters awaited me--but every one of them were from chums to whom
+I had sent cards from Seattle. My mail had been forwarded to me from
+Seattle to Juneau, but there was no word from my parents.
+
+"As Hal and I stood reading our letters, the postmaster--a
+shrivelled-up, little old man, peered at me over the rim of his
+spectacles, and called out:
+
+"'Be you the one thet jist got some old letters from the East?'
+
+"'Yes, sir,' I returned, going over to the counter.
+
+"'Waal, heah's one thet cum a long time ago, an' I meant to send it
+back, but somehow fergot it. I cum across it yistiddy, and made up my
+mind to do somethin' with it sure, so heah ye aire.'
+
+"With relief I recognized my father's writing, but the letter was dated
+two months previous.
+
+"I opened the letter and read it through with intense emotion. First, I
+learned that my Mother had died after a brief illness. Next, my Father
+had lost his fine saw-mill by fire. Third, my oldest sister had married,
+and the home was broken up, Father having gone to live with her in New
+York.
+
+"I wondered where I would go if I went home. There was no Mother
+waiting, no home, and my Father was in a strange city with his
+son-in-law.
+
+"I turned and handed the letter to Hal. He read and comprehended.
+
+"'Guess it's Alaska for ye, Kid. Want to go back with me?'
+
+"Did I?--well, I just guess I did, and I fairly jumped at the hand that
+was held out to me.
+
+"'Glad myself, Kid, to have you. I sure would have missed you tol'able
+ef I saw you sailin' away from me, headed for Seattle.'
+
+"'Hal, will the bosses think it is all right now?' I asked.
+
+"'Sure thing, when they read this letter, Kid. And, say, I never told
+anyone this, but seein' thet I am to be your 'dopted father, now, I may
+as well tell yeh--I am to have a tenth-share in the claim up there, and,
+as my 'dopted son, you come in fer a part of mine--see?'
+
+"'Hal, do you mean you will take me under your wing?' I cried, all
+forgetful of the goldmine.
+
+"This pleased the old guide so much that he laughed as he retorted, 'I
+knew I wasn't wrong on the stuff you're made of. That was a lucky day
+when my horse stumbled, eh?' and he slapped me kindly on the back.
+
+"Well, we went back to Dyea, and waited for a caravan to start on the
+trail. We joined the very first one out, and Hal earned our passage and
+keep all the way, as guide.
+
+"We found the camp in excellent condition, and the new miners we had
+chosen in place of the villainous Indians proved to be all that could be
+desired.
+
+"Some machinery was purchased by Hal at Dyea, and as soon as it was
+delivered at our camp, all hands set to work.
+
+"I stayed at that camp with Hal for three years before we sold out our
+interests and took a vacation. The bosses had only remained until the
+gold was panning out well, then they sent for experts to come and value
+the entire mine.
+
+"Hal had filed some property claims for himself and me adjoining the
+Dwight mine, and after the experts had rendered their verdict on the
+property we were able to sell them at a big price.
+
+"Hal and I decided to go to Seattle for a while, and then travel a bit;
+if we found the life too lazy we could easily get back to Alaska.
+
+"We put in a year of pleasure-seeking together, but the life and climate
+was too mild for the old guide who had always been accustomed to work
+and cold, and one night I found him breathing hard, and he complained of
+pains in his chest. In a week he had passed away, leaving me with all of
+his wealth to add to my own.
+
+"I had written father, and sent him some money several times during the
+year, and now I wrote to tell him I was coming home.
+
+"Needless to say, we were overjoyed to see each other again, and then I
+told him I was going to take him on a little trip.
+
+"We went straight to our old home town, and to his surprise I took him
+to the old homestead where I was born, telling him that I had
+repurchased it from the folks who had bought it from him. He trembled
+with happiness as we entered the door and found all of the familiar old
+furniture there, too. Above all, there stood his maiden-sister, in the
+dining-room door, smiling a welcome!
+
+"I explained how I had found Aunt Delia, and made her promise to keep
+house for him, and how we had collected the old furniture that the
+village-folks bought when mother died. I was always thankful that my
+money enabled me to make his last days happy."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+THE B. B. & B. B. MAGAZINE
+
+
+By the fifteenth of October the Blue Birds and Bobolinks were deep in
+the work of constructing a magazine. Uncle Ben sent out the two young
+men he had spoken of, and they showed the children what to do and how to
+do it.
+
+The Oakdale Paper Mills passed a vote to supply the paper for one year,
+and the B. B. & B. B. Company had agreed to give the mills advertising
+credit for the donation.
+
+The two important letters which had caused such consternation in the
+Bobolink nest were all printed on beautiful grey paper in blue ink, and
+the envelopes all addressed and packed in boxes ready to be used.
+
+All the stories, articles and lessons had been given to Uncle Ben before
+the tenth of the month and he had sent back the linotype by the
+thirteenth as he promised he would. Then work began in real earnest.
+
+The Bobolink Boys had to make a galley proof of the printing, and the
+Blue Birds had to read it (or at least their mothers did) and construct
+the dummy. This last work was great fun.
+
+Every evening fathers and mothers visited the Publishing House and the
+Winter Nest and assisted where they could, or watched progress when they
+were not needed; after every meeting it became the custom for one or the
+other of the fathers to treat the publishing company and guests to
+refreshments. This, Don thought, was reward enough for every aching back
+or arm. To keep the children from tiring of the treats, the fathers
+planned each morning, while going into the city, just what new kind of a
+surprise to furnish that night.
+
+The interest shown at first had not abated--possibly due to the fact
+that so much fun was always to be had from unexpected sources--and the
+two men from the city said it was a marvel that children could produce
+such splendid work.
+
+"Goodness! those Bobolinks ought to! they spent heaps and heaps of time
+fooling with those machines to learn how to work 'em!" said Dot Starr,
+overhearing what the men said.
+
+"And just see how the fathers help!" added Norma.
+
+"I guess the magazine wouldn't be much of a paper if the Blue Birds
+hadn't done their part so well," said May.
+
+"And the Blue Birds' mothers!" reminded Ruth.
+
+The Blue Birds were sitting on the steps of the piazza waiting for Mrs.
+Talmage and Aunt Selina to join them, when Dot told them of the
+"city-man's" commendation of the work.
+
+"Here comes Flutey, now," said Ruth, hearing the slow steps of her aunt.
+
+"Well, Blue Birds, how's the song this morning?" cried Aunt Selina,
+happily.
+
+The children all turned with one accord and looked at her. Some great
+happiness must have been sent her, for she was bubbling over with secret
+joy and her face looked as young as one of the Blue Bird's. She took a
+chair near the children.
+
+"Say, Flutey, you won't be offended if I ask you a very happy question,
+will you?" asked Dot, in a half-whisper.
+
+"Why, of course not! Ask it, child," smiled Aunt Selina.
+
+"Well, you look so happy, you know, I thought maybe _that_ soldier-man
+came back to marry you--maybe his being shot was all a mistake and he
+has been a prisoner all this time and just got away," said Dot with
+horror and awe in her tones.
+
+Mrs. Talmage had stepped out just in time to overhear the funny little
+girl's remark and she had to run inside and smother her laughter in a
+handkerchief, for Dot was most serious in her statement, and it would
+never do to make her feel badly by laughing at her sympathy.
+
+"Oh, no, dearie, those prisons were abandoned soon after the war. But
+this surprise I have for the Blue Birds is entirely different from
+anything personal," replied Aunt Selina.
+
+"Oh, what is it?" asked several voices.
+
+"I have a letter here," said Aunt Selina, taking it from her reticule,
+"in reply to one I wrote an old-time friend a short time ago. This
+friend started an advertising business in Philadelphia many years ago
+and has been very successful. Let us see what advice this friend gives
+about securing contracts for advertising."
+
+The Blue Birds hovered about Aunt Selina's chair eager to hear the
+letter read.
+
+The letter was short, but to the point. Mr. Sphere said he was delighted
+to hear from his old friend and hoped his information would give her
+little friends the satisfaction they deserved for their undertaking. He
+said that one of his best representatives had been told to call at Mossy
+Glen to interview the Blue Birds and to do just as the ladies directed.
+This man would tell them how to get advertising.
+
+"Oh, Flutey! is that all he said?" murmured Ruth.
+
+"Why, I don't call that such a piece of 'happy' news to smile over as
+you did!" pouted Dot.
+
+"He didn't ask you how you had been all the time since you two knew each
+other, and he never said a word about our magazine," grumbled Norma,
+feeling a personal offence in the letter.
+
+"Why, children! _I_ think it is a wonderful piece of good news to hear
+that he takes enough interest in the work to send one of his best men
+down here to talk matters over," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"If you knew my friend you would understand this letter better, for he
+always was a quiet chap who listened to others, but said little
+himself," explained Aunt Selina.
+
+The following day while the Blue Birds were at the Publishing House
+watching the wonderful process of stitching and trimming completed
+magazines, a very alert young man rang the bell at the Talmage house.
+
+Mrs. Talmage and Aunt Selina welcomed the visitor.
+
+Shouts of excitement reached the house where the ladies were talking
+with Mr. Sphere's representative, and soon a crowd of boys and girls
+swarmed up the steps and ran pell-mell for Mrs. Talmage, nothing daunted
+by seeing the stranger.
+
+"Mother, mother, see, see!" cried Ruth, dragging Jinks by the sleeve.
+
+"Oh," gasped little Betty, "see our magazine!"
+
+"It's perfectly lovely, Mrs. Talmage!" cried Dot.
+
+The older boys were more subdued when they saw the stranger.
+
+Mrs. Talmage introduced the gentleman, Mr. Richards, one of the New York
+advertising solicitors for the Philadelphia agency. He smiled in a
+condescending way when Don asked, "Want to see our magazine?"
+
+"Yes, indeed! It is such an unusual thing to find such dear little
+children interested in such a way," replied Mr. Richards, looking about
+at the boys and girls.
+
+Don looked at Dot with a glance that said as plain as day, "Pooh! he's
+trying to pat us on the back!"
+
+And Dot said to the visitor: "Don't think that we like to be fussed over
+just because we are working!"
+
+The rest of the publishing company looked uncomfortable at the very
+evident tendency to humor them on account of their work.
+
+The fact was, that the man couldn't understand why his firm (such a
+sensible lot of business men) should send him away from his important
+work in New York to call upon some wealthy ladies and a number of
+children, to talk about advertising pages in a toy magazine.
+
+The two copies of the completed magazine had been given to Aunt Selina
+and Mrs. Talmage and they expressed such satisfaction at the appearance
+of the work that the man turned his attention to Mrs. Talmage. She
+handed him her copy.
+
+When Mr. Richards saw the magazine, he was surprised out of his usual
+self-possession and exclaimed,
+
+"Why, who did this?"
+
+"Blue Birds and Bobolinks," replied Ned, with head tilted on one side
+the better to see the precious book the man held.
+
+"But this is first-class work!" exclaimed the visitor.
+
+"Sure! did you think we were going to turn out anything else?" asked
+Jinks, insulted.
+
+"Oh, of course not, but it takes experienced hands to do anything as
+good as this," continued Mr. Richards, turning the pages slowly and
+examining each one carefully.
+
+"Well, Uncle Ben knew the kind of workers we were when he trusted us
+with his pet hobby!" declared Ned, proudly.
+
+Mr. Richards looked rather helpless, so Mrs. Talmage explained who
+"Uncle Ben" was and what part he had taken in the enterprise.
+
+Light gradually began to break in upon the young man's brain as he heard
+the story of the magazine. Suddenly he sat up as if electrified with a
+new idea. He looked about at the children, the house, lawns, and ladies;
+finally he took his return railroad ticket from his pocket and noted the
+name printed on the card--Oakdale.
+
+"Well, well, well! is this place called 'Mossy Glen'?" he asked.
+
+"It is," replied Mrs. Talmage, wonderingly.
+
+"And these youngsters, the same that set folks agog last summer with
+their 'Fresh Airs'?"
+
+Mother Wings bowed affirmatively, but the Blue Birds, who had never
+dreamed that their doings had ever been heard of outside of their own
+little community, were as surprised as their visitor.
+
+The solicitor looked everyone over with a new interest after that, and
+breathed softly to himself, "Great Scott! What a piece of luck to get
+the lead in this idea!"
+
+"We do not understand exactly what you mean," said Mrs. Talmage, with
+dignity.
+
+"Well, I was present at a meeting a short time ago when the talk veered
+to a project evolved by some children. It was creating quite a little
+interest among the older men, but I paid little attention to it at the
+time, for I had my mind full of other matters. But I remember hearing
+one of the leading publishers state that he believed we would hear of
+this undertaking in the future, for he knew some of the children who
+were in it. Now, here I am, unconsciously dropped into the heart of it."
+
+From that moment Mr. Richards was the enthusiastic collaborator of the
+company. He went over the pages of the magazine again and made some
+valuable suggestions for the future. When he expressed a desire to visit
+their plant, everyone jumped up ready to show him the B. B. & B. B.
+Publishing House.
+
+Another great surprise awaited Mr. Richards. He had an idea that the
+work was done upon toy machinery, or hand presses; but, to find a shop
+equipped with electric motors and up-to-date machines, to say nothing of
+type-stands and a real office, was more than he could comprehend.
+
+"I'm not surprised at the statement that man made at the meeting--he
+must have known you children, indeed!"
+
+"Seems to me that we are getting this young man 'rooted' in this work,"
+laughed Aunt Selina, who liked the expression ever since Mrs. Talmage
+told her how to interest friends in the work.
+
+"Well, I'm 'grafted' upon this idea even if I'm not 'rooted,'" returned
+Mr. Richards, laughingly. "So much so, in fact, that I am going to make
+a suggestion that I think will meet with the approval of all of you."
+
+The children came closer to await his proposition.
+
+"At present I am an advertising man, but I used to be on one of the
+large newspapers in the city, and whenever any unusual story came in I
+was supposed to 'dress it' for publication. Now, in my opinion, this
+whole affair will make a fine story for the press and at the same time
+give this magazine the publicity it needs." Mr. Richards looked at the
+ladies for approval.
+
+"It doesn't seem valuable enough for a paper to print," ventured Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"It is the _unusual_ that papers are always after," replied Mr.
+Richards. "Show me anything more unusual than this (waving his arm about
+to embrace the children, the plant and the work) and I will run after
+it!"
+
+"What would you say in the story?" asked Aunt Selina.
+
+"Well, I'd take kodak pictures of this office, of the plant, and of the
+Winter Nest you have been telling me about. Then we would group the
+children on the lawn in front of the house and have a picture of the
+Blue Birds and Bobolinks who own and publish this magazine."
+
+"What would Mr. Sphere say if he saw the story in the papers?" asked
+Aunt Selina.
+
+"He'd say, 'Richie, old boy, I always knew you had a grain of sense in
+your head!'" laughed Mr. Richards.
+
+"I have a fine camera in case you want to use it," said Ned, eagerly.
+
+"And we have everything in good shape to have a picture taken," added
+Meredith.
+
+"If the ladies consent we will lose no more time, but get the pictures
+while the sun is right," Mr. Richards said, as he turned toward the
+ladies and Blue Birds.
+
+"Yes, yes, Mother Wings, let's do it!" cried several Blue Birds. So Aunt
+Selina and Mrs. Talmage smiled a consent.
+
+Ned brought his camera and Mr. Richards grouped the Bobolinks about the
+machines in as workman-like poses as possible, and managed to get a good
+picture of them. Next, the office, with Jinks at the typewriter and Ned
+at the desk, was photographed. Outside, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks
+grouped themselves in front of the door and another picture was taken.
+The Blue Birds were given their pose as editors in the large library of
+the house, where books and writing material could be utilized in the
+picture. The Winter Nest was the last picture to be taken.
+
+"Now, watch the papers for a story of your entire plan and achievement,
+with illustrations, and if you don't tell me the next time I come out
+that my idea was the best publicity plan imaginable, then you'll be
+ungrateful, indeed!" said Mr. Richards, pleased as he could be with the
+success of his visit.
+
+"When will the papers come out?" asked Ned.
+
+"I'll keep you posted day by day. I'm not going to lose sight of such a
+promising crowd of young folks, _I tell you!_" laughed the young man as
+he placed the film in his pocket and started to say good-by.
+
+"Say, here, are you going to take that magazine with you?" cried Don,
+seeing the magazine rolled up in the visitor's hand.
+
+"Well, I guess! I'm going to exploit this everywhere I go," said Mr.
+Richards, tapping the paper with his hand.
+
+"And tell the newspaper man that lots of famous folks have promised to
+write for us," said Ruth, who desired the magazine to have all the glory
+possible.
+
+"And tell him to be sure and say that Aunt Selina will be glad to have
+grown-ups write to ask her about Happy Hills," added Aunt Selina,
+anxious to have the children's farm advertised.
+
+"I'll make them write everything I can think of, and more too, if
+possible," laughed the young man as he started down the steps.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Richards, I forgot to tell----" Don started to say something,
+but Ike interrupted from the automobile which had been waiting for some
+time in front of the house.
+
+"There'll just be time to jump aboard that train if we get off at once!"
+
+Mr. Richards jumped in and raised his hat to the ladies, while Ike
+started the car at full speed, the children meantime waving their hands
+and shouting reminders after the visitor.
+
+Back to the Publishing House trooped the bevy of workers, more eager
+than ever to continue their work.
+
+"Now, he's what I call an 'all right' man!" declared Don Starr,
+emphatically, as he accented his words with punches at the stitcher.
+
+"What a piece of luck for us," exclaimed Ned, overjoyed at the promised
+newspaper story.
+
+"I always said I wanted to go through college," said Tuck Stevens,
+thoughtfully; "but what's the use? When I have such a good business to
+work in and will be all ready to live on my money by the time I'm a man,
+why should I bother?"
+
+"That's so, Tuck; better have a good time on that money," laughed Jinks.
+
+"Better 'not count your chickens before they're hatched' or they may
+never come out of the shell," teased Ned.
+
+The Blue Birds had been equally busy talking, while folding pages, but
+the work soon engrossed too much of their attention to keep up any
+conversation.
+
+After several hours' work the Blue Birds began to feel tired and
+decided to carry the finished magazines to the house.
+
+As each little girl came up the steps carrying a heap of neatly finished
+magazines, the two ladies stopped talking and turned to watch the girls
+deposit the magazines on the table in the hallway.
+
+"What were you saying about Happy Hills, mother?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Aunt Selina was telling me all about the three beautiful hills at the
+back of the estate. She said what pretty kodak pictures they would make
+if we wanted to use them for the magazine, and I said it might be a good
+plan to write up a short story about our plan for next month's issue."
+
+"Oh, yes, that would be a fine start for the farm," cried Ruth.
+
+"And we think that we would need all of the time we can get to make sure
+of next summer's success," added Aunt Selina.
+
+"Aunt Selina, how many poor children do you think we can keep at Happy
+Hills?" asked Ruth.
+
+"We could not tell without having expert help to show how many camps can
+be built there," said Aunt Selina.
+
+"Oh, are you going to build camps, Aunt Selina?" asked Norma.
+
+"I thought the children were going to live in the woods," said Dot.
+
+"But you didn't expect them to sleep on the ground and dress behind the
+bushes, did you?" said May.
+
+"I never thought what they would do," returned Dot.
+
+"Will you have nests to live in like ours in the cherry-tree?" asked
+Betty.
+
+"No, dearie, I am planning to build little houses that will hold about
+six or eight bunks, and a locker for each child. These houses will have
+a floor and a roof with posts to hold it up, but the walls will be made
+of canvas curtains that we can roll up when we want the house wide open.
+The long building where the children will gather to eat or have games,
+will be centrally located if we build it in the valley between the three
+hills," explained Aunt Selina.
+
+"Are we going to give the camp a name?" asked Edith.
+
+"Why, we hadn't thought of that--we can use the name 'Happy Hills,'
+couldn't we?" said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Nobody will know the camp is any different then. The place has always
+been called Happy Hills, so how is a stranger going to know that it is
+the same where the children are living?" said Dot.
+
+"The name 'Hills' sounds all right, but you can't call the big house in
+the valley by the name of 'Hills'; we ought to have a new name for
+_that_ so the children will know what place we mean when we talk about
+the dining-room," suggested Norma.
+
+"Just say 'Valley where the long house is,'" said Edith.
+
+"That doesn't sound nice, a bit! Everything else we have have such nice
+names," complained Ruth.
+
+"But, why do you children want a name for the valley and one for the
+children's camps?" asked Aunt Selina.
+
+"Doesn't everything in the world have a name?" asked Dot.
+
+The others laughed, but Ruth added, "Dot's right; we have a name for our
+cherry-tree nest, and one for the new nest; and Mrs. Catlin is going to
+call her Blue Birds' nest 'Hill Top Nest'--'Blue Birds of Hill Top
+Nest.'"
+
+"But this is different," argued Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"No, it isn't, Mrs. Talmage," insisted Dot. "We call our house 'Oakwood'
+and you call this place 'Mossy Glen'--and our town we call Oakdale. Why,
+what for? Everyone knows where the Starrs live, and where the Talmages
+live, and we all know where the town lives, so what's the use of having
+names?"
+
+"Dot, you hit the nail on the head every time," said Aunt Selina, as all
+of the others laughed at Dot's explanation.
+
+"Yes, but that's why we want a name for our children's camp and the
+valley," said Ruth.
+
+"Really, it doesn't matter to us how many names you choose to give
+it--just please yourselves about it," said Aunt Selina.
+
+"All right, then, if you don't mind, we'll try to get a real lovely name
+for it," said Betty, smiling at Aunt Selina.
+
+For quite a time, silence reigned, for the Blue Birds were trying to
+think of a pretty name for the farm.
+
+"In 'Pilgrim's Progress' there is a 'Valley of Humility,'" suggested
+May.
+
+"I'll run and get the Bible Concordance--that will have some valley
+names in it," said Ruth, running indoors to get the book.
+
+"Now, listen while I read some for you," continued Ruth, bringing the
+book over to the wicker table.
+
+"Here's one--'Inhabitants of the Valley'--turn that about and call it
+'Valley of Inhabitants.'"
+
+"No, that isn't nice!" objected several voices.
+
+"Then comes a lot of hard-spelled names of valleys that won't do,
+either. Next comes: 'valley of passengers' and 'valley of vision.'"
+
+"We don't want either one," grumbled Dot.
+
+"Would you like the name 'Valley of Joy'?" asked Aunt Selina.
+
+After a few moments' thought the children replied, "Better, but not
+right yet."
+
+Aunt Selina smiled and thought how difficult to please were these Blue
+Birds; but Mrs. Talmage smiled, knowing that the children knew just what
+they wanted.
+
+After much thinking and suggesting, Ruth said, "We ought to have a name
+that will fit with Happy Hills, you know."
+
+After "pleasure," "fun," "contentment" and other names had been
+suggested, Aunt Selina suddenly mentioned "delight."
+
+"Valley of Delight," repeated Mrs. Talmage to hear the sound of it,
+while the Blue Birds hailed the name as just right.
+
+"Happy Hills in the Valley of Delight!" said Aunt Selina, as pleased as
+the children were.
+
+"Write it down--that's its name from now on," cried Dot.
+
+"We want it printed on all of our letter paper that will be used for
+farm purposes," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Oh, yes; won't it look fine to send out letters asking folks to send
+donations for the poor children of 'Happy Hills in the Valley of
+Delight!' and let them see the name on top of some nice grey paper,"
+cried Edith.
+
+"Wish we could find a name for those poor children. I never like to say
+that word--'poor,'" complained Ruth.
+
+"Neither do I," added Norma.
+
+"I know I wouldn't like a country child to be always calling me 'poor
+city child,'" declared Betty.
+
+"Then you ought to find a nice name for all of them, too, so we won't
+have to say 'poor' any more," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+All heads were bent down again while busy brains tried to find a
+suitable name for the proteges coming from the city.
+
+"Could they be called 'birds' like us?" asked Dot.
+
+"I do not think city children would care for such a name. You see, dear,
+they are so precocious from their daily experiences that they might
+think a bird-name silly," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Maybe they would like the name 'Little Soldiers,'" ventured Norma.
+
+"Oh, that makes you think of 'Onward Christian Soldiers' and they would
+guess we were goin' to make them join a Sunday School class right off!"
+objected Dot.
+
+Everyone laughed at Dot's viewpoint, but Aunt Selina was given an idea
+by Norma's suggestion.
+
+"How would 'Little Workers' sound?" she asked.
+
+"Then they will all fear you are going to make them work," laughed Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+"'Little Lambs'--'Little Folks'--'Little Friends,'" recited Dot,
+zealously, then waited for a verdict.
+
+Heads were shaken in negation of the names, and Ruth started a list of
+names.
+
+"'Little Americans'--how's that?"
+
+"Better, but not good enough," replied her mother.
+
+"Oh, here's one--everything that lives in a forest is called a 'denizen'
+of the forest--let's call our children 'Little Denizens,'" cried Norma.
+
+"Wish someone could find a name that would mean the same as Americans
+and woods folks," came from Betty wistfully.
+
+"How does 'Little Citizens' sound?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Wait! say it again!" exclaimed Mrs. Talmage, while the children and
+Aunt Selina seemed to like the name.
+
+"Little Citizens--of Happy Hills in the Valley of Delight," rehearsed
+Ruth.
+
+"Why, just the thing--it's lovely!" cried Aunt Selina.
+
+"Yes, Fluff, couldn't be better," said several of the Blue Birds.
+
+"Sounds almost like a book story-name, it's so pretty," commended Mrs.
+Talmage.
+
+There was no more leisure to admire their new names, because shouts were
+heard in the direction of the Publishing House, and the boys came out,
+each carrying a stack of magazines piled up in their arms. They reached
+the steps and Mrs. Talmage hurried to the hallway to show them in which
+closet to place them.
+
+"My, but that was a big load!" exclaimed Don.
+
+"Big piece of work, that!" said Jinks.
+
+"More fun than I've ever had," commented Meredith.
+
+"But it makes a fellow awful hungry to work so hard. I wish it was night
+so the men could treat," hinted Don.
+
+The last remark from Don made the children laugh at him, but Mrs.
+Talmage said, "Don, if you will take Ned into the dining-room you will
+find something there which you can carry out here."
+
+Don looked surprised, but Ned led him indoors to find what the surprise
+could be.
+
+Soon both boys appeared again carrying a tray of cakes and dishes, while
+the maid followed with a huge platter upon which stood a high brick of
+ice-cream.
+
+The refreshments were so delicious that the boys said they could start
+another day's work if they were sure of being treated with more
+ice-cream afterward.
+
+"How many magazines do you suppose you finished to-day?" asked Ruth, of
+her brother.
+
+"Guess."
+
+"I don't know; we girls carried in 'most a hundred, but our piles were
+not so high as the ones you boys brought in."
+
+"Well, we counted before we left the office; there were thirty in a
+pile, and we brought over thirty piles--that made nine hundred all told,
+but the hundred you girls carried in makes just one thousand copies.
+Isn't that great?" cried Ned.
+
+"Then we can begin mailing copies to our philanthropists to-night, can't
+we?" asked Norma.
+
+"Yes, and bring your mothers with you, to help," said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+As everyone felt eager to get the thousand copies wrapped and mailed,
+the children soon said good-by and went home to tell the great news of
+the day's work.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+HOW THE MAGAZINE WENT OUT
+
+
+Before nine o'clock that night the magazines had all been wrapped, ready
+for Ike to take to the post-office. The children were just as eager to
+continue the work, but Mrs. Talmage said that nine o'clock was time to
+go home.
+
+"We'll all be here Monday afternoon to help some more, Mrs. Talmage,"
+promised the Blue Birds as they skipped away beside their mothers.
+
+It took the Bobolinks all of that week, working every moment after
+school, and many of the evening hours, to finish the rest of the
+magazines. Everyone had decided that ten thousand would be enough for
+the first issue, for it took so long to wrap each copy that no extra
+time could be given to printing.
+
+The first week of November results began to appear. One day the Blue
+Birds came to the Winter Nest and found several letters lying on the
+table, addressed to the "Blue Birds of Oakdale."
+
+"Oh, oh! who do you s'pose they are from?" eagerly asked Norma.
+
+Dot was trying to look right through the envelope and the others laughed
+at her expression.
+
+"Let's open them and see!" said sensible Ruth.
+
+Mrs. Talmage entered the room just then and the letters were given her
+to open and read aloud.
+
+"Maybe they are subscriptions," suggested Mrs. Talmage, as she slipped a
+paper-knife under the flap of an envelope.
+
+"Goodness! suppose they are?" whispered Betty.
+
+"What would we do with them?" said Dot.
+
+As this was an entirely new and unexpected problem, the Blue Birds
+looked at each other and then at Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"I think we will have to invite the Bobolinks to a conference to-day and
+talk this matter over," said Mother Wings.
+
+Norma was sent to the Publishing House to invite the boys to be present
+at the meeting that afternoon at five. As it was four-thirty, the boys
+hurried to wash their hands and pull down their shirt sleeves, for
+almost all of them had taken off their coats and rolled up their
+sleeves.
+
+The meeting proved to be very important in the judgment of the
+children, for the letters were found to contain money orders and checks
+which had to be deposited in some bank.
+
+After looking over the papers, Ned said, "We must sign these and send
+back a receipt, eh, mother?"
+
+"Yes, and we must select some bank in which to place our account; shall
+we say the Oakdale Trust Company?" said Mrs. Talmage.
+
+So that was agreed upon and the secretary told to stop at the bank in
+the morning and get the necessary blanks for the company to fill in.
+
+"What a heap of money the magazines must make," said Dot. "Just look at
+all the money we have already with no list."
+
+"But you forget we have really no costs to pay at present so all that is
+paid in is profit. But the city publishers have heavy expenses to pay
+out of all their income," explained Mrs. Talmage.
+
+"Uncle Ben says that hardly any magazine published could pay its
+expenses on the subscriptions only; it is the advertising that pays for
+the work," said Ned.
+
+"We ought to get busy on our advertising, then," urged Jinks.
+
+"If we don't we won't pay costs after all of these free donations of
+paper and postage are over," added Meredith.
+
+"You boys practised that part of the work, so why don't you try and call
+upon some big firms and ask for contracts?" asked Dot.
+
+"How do you know we practised?" questioned Ned, looking at the Blue
+Birds, who started giggling as they recalled the visit to the loft over
+the carriage house.
+
+"Ho, didn't you?" insisted Dot.
+
+"No one but we boys knew it--we kept the doors closed while we tried to
+see which one could do it best," replied Don.
+
+"A little bird whispered it in our ears," teased Ruth.
+
+"Say, Jinks! do you remember the time I heard those noises in the loft?"
+asked Ned.
+
+The Bobolinks saw that the girls were laughing at them.
+
+"I wonder when Mr. Richards will get that story printed in the
+papers--that will help so much!" sighed Betty.
+
+"Don't be impatient, little girl," said Mrs. Talmage. "Remember, we
+have only just begun, and I think there have been marvelous steps
+taken."
+
+"And when it once gets started, the subscription list will grow very
+rapidly," added Aunt Selina.
+
+And so it proved. In a few weeks' time the letters containing checks and
+money orders for subscriptions reached such proportions that Mrs.
+Talmage was distracted trying to attend properly to the clerical work.
+Mr. Talmage saw that it was such tiresome application to detail that he
+telephoned Uncle Ben to send out a competent filing clerk; in a few days
+a nice young girl of about eighteen arrived and took charge of all the
+mail, and Mrs. Talmage heaved a deep sigh of relief.
+
+Uncle Ben had made it a custom to visit his brother's family every
+week-end since the inception of the magazine, and one Saturday he
+arrived unusually early--in time for lunch.
+
+"Ned, can you call a meeting of the B. B. & B. B.'s at the Publishing
+House for two o'clock?" asked Uncle Ben.
+
+"The Bobolinks will be there anyway, but I am not so sure about the
+Blue Birds," said Ned, looking at Ruth.
+
+"We had something to talk over in the Winter Nest, but we can postpone
+it until afterward," said Ruth.
+
+So at two o'clock all of the children were gathered about Uncle Ben to
+hear the news he had to tell them.
+
+Uncle Ben made a great fuss clearing his throat as if in preparation for
+an oration, then took a packet of letters from his pocket.
+
+"The sample issue of your magazine made such a stir in various
+publishing circles, that one of the officers of the Publishers'
+Association asked me Thursday night who was back of all this business
+that a lot of youngsters had started down at Oakdale.
+
+"I didn't reply right away, and a man sitting near me said, 'Oh, some
+folks, probably, who have a smattering of how to do printing!'
+
+"Some of my friends laughed hilariously, for they thought it a good joke
+on me, but the President of the association was not satisfied.
+
+"'This is no amateurish work, Mackensie,' he said; 'here is a copy of
+the magazine and I tell you it can compete with any juvenile publication
+in the country. Why, man, the names of some of the contributors are
+familiar to me, for I know of offers made to induce these same writers
+to throw us morsels of their wisdom.'
+
+"Then a friend of mine spoke.
+
+"'This whole affair sounds very much like the pet hobby of a friend--he
+told me about it years ago.'
+
+"The other men laughed at the explanation, but my friend looked at me
+and said, 'Talmage, what do _you_ know about it?'
+
+"Then I said, 'My niece and nephew belong to the Blue Birds and
+Bobolinks that started the poor children's outing at Oakdale, last
+summer. They have become so interested in the work that they propose
+raising enough money this winter to take over a farm of a few thousand
+acres and send out hundreds of children for all of next summer.'
+
+"'They what?' exclaimed every man present.
+
+"'Say that again!' commanded the President, so I gladly told them the
+story in detail.
+
+"Well, B. B. & B. B.'s--do you want to know the result of that
+meeting?"
+
+The children shouted and begged to be told at once, so Uncle Ben
+continued with evident pleasure in the telling.
+
+"Those great publishers talked for hours of ways and means in which to
+help along your good work. Some promised to interest prominent people
+they knew, and others offered to insert advertising cards in their own
+publications to tell about the magazine and its purpose. Almost every
+one of them offered to make special clubbing offers with their own
+magazines to induce readers to subscribe for yours.
+
+"Now, these letters are the results of some of the promises already kept
+by these men. I will read them to you."
+
+Uncle Ben then proceeded to read aloud the letters from prominent people
+and philanthropists who had responded to the call made by friends. They
+commended the interest shown by the younger generation and hoped the
+sympathetic work done for the sick and poverty-stricken little ones of
+the cities would win success. To this end a donation was inclosed.
+
+As Uncle Ben read the last letter, he took from his wallet a package of
+checks and handed them over to Ned.
+
+Ned saw the figure written on the face of the first check on top and
+held the package as if it were dangerous.
+
+"Heigh, there, Ned, they aren't loaded, are they?" laughed Jinks.
+
+"Read it off, Ned," urged the boys and girls.
+
+"This top one is from the Cage Foundation and is for five hundred
+dollars--subscriptions to be sent to hospitals. The next one----" and
+Ned gasped again as he took up the second paper.
+
+Uncle Ben laughed at his evident amazement.
+
+"The second is from the Sarnegie Fund and is made out for a thousand
+dollars, subscriptions to be sent to homes and orphanages.
+
+"And here's another for five hundred dollars from Harriet Rowld. Then
+there's--let me see! One--two--three--four--for a hundred dollars each
+for cripples' homes."
+
+When Ned finished the children were too surprised to say a word, but
+Uncle Ben spoke for them.
+
+"Well, Chicks--I mean Birds--you see that any time you grow weary of
+working out this scheme there will be no difficulty in selling the
+business for cash. Any wide-awake publisher will jump over the moon to
+get this magazine from you."
+
+"Oh, Uncle Ben! what a dreadful thing to say!" cried Ruth.
+
+"As if we ever would sell out such a wonderful plan," murmured several
+of the children.
+
+"If every one of you feel the same about this matter, why not pass a
+resolution that we will never sell out this business for mere commercial
+reasons?" suggested Uncle Ben.
+
+It was instantly agreed upon and the resolution made a part of the
+by-laws of the company.
+
+"Now, for a social proposition," said Uncle Ben, smiling in his
+possession of a pleasant secret.
+
+"I was thinking that we ought to get out an extra fine Christmas number,
+and send out as many samples as could be turned off the press. To do
+this you would have to have several men working during your school
+hours, so I thought it best to ask the men already here to wait for
+further orders. With all of this money on hand you can easily pay their
+salary and that of another good man that I should like to send out here
+to boss the work. Ike says he can fix up some rooms in the loft overhead
+and the men can take their meals with him. The two men who are working
+here like it very much and will remain if you want them to."
+
+"But we would be crowded out of our work if the men did all of it,"
+complained Don.
+
+"Not a bit of it! I said: 'During school hours,' so an extra large
+number of magazines can be printed for Christmas. You boys worked every
+moment of your time but could only finish ten thousand this month,"
+explained Uncle Ben.
+
+So it was cheerfully agreed to have the men help them with the next
+month's magazine.
+
+"You said 'social,' but I don't see anything social in having the men
+help with the work," grumbled Don.
+
+"Now that you will have the men to help with the work you will have time
+to think of the social side of the plan I am going to suggest," replied
+Uncle Ben, winking at Don to cheer him up. "So many of my friends in New
+York have heard of this B. B. & B. B. Company that I am constantly
+answering questions as to your ages, looks, and other personal matters.
+I think it will be a splendid plan to have all of you meet them soon and
+spare me so many extra words and time, to say nothing of wear and tear
+on my vocal cords."
+
+"I know you've got a lovely surprise to tell us--I can tell it in your
+voice!" cried Ruth, jumping up and hugging her uncle about the neck.
+
+"I don't know whether it is or not--how can I say until the others tell
+me whether it is," said Uncle Ben, trying to look troubled over the
+doubt.
+
+"Out with it, Uncle Ben!" laughed Ned.
+
+"Well, if I must, I must!" groaned Uncle Ben. "I have discovered a very
+amusing play that has Saturday matinees. Of course, I suppose Birds
+could get into a theatre, couldn't they? Well, if we went to see the
+show in the afternoon and then went to a hotel where we could have a
+dining-room all to ourselves and give a little party to all of my
+friends, it would save me so much trouble for the future."
+
+Mere words failed to express the excitement and delight of the children
+as they fully realized what Uncle Ben meant.
+
+"Oh," said Betty, "I've never been to a theatre in my life--and to
+think of going to one in New York, oh!"
+
+"Neither have I, Betty," replied May. "Can you go?"
+
+"Will mother go with us, Uncle Ben?" asked Ruth.
+
+"Most assuredly, for you Blue Birds will have to have a Mother Wing to
+cover you--and Aunt Selina, too, if she will come," said Uncle Ben.
+
+"When can we go?" asked Don, eagerly.
+
+"Have you decided to come?" teased Uncle Ben.
+
+The storm of acceptance made him laugh.
+
+"Well, then, let's say a week from next Saturday, if everyone can
+arrange it for that time. I will invite my friends to be at our party at
+six o'clock sharp, for afterward we will have to come home on the nine
+o'clock train."
+
+"And will some of those real publishers be there, Uncle Ben?" asked Ned,
+sceptically.
+
+"Some of the greatest in America, my boy," said Uncle Ben, seriously, as
+he understood Ned's ambition to meet them and his doubt of having the
+desire fulfilled.
+
+"What must we wear?" asked Norma.
+
+"The prettiest that you have, for I want to show off my publishing
+company to the very best advantage," replied Uncle Ben.
+
+Just then Mr. Talmage appeared at the doorway and said,
+
+"Do you know that dinner is almost ready and no one there to sit down to
+table?"
+
+Then everyone began to tell of the party to be given in New York, and
+Mr. Talmage seemed very much surprised.
+
+"If that is the case, you will all have to do your very best to have a
+fine Christmas magazine so that the friends you meet in New York will
+want to come to another party at some other time. Perhaps if the
+magazine was very, very attractive they would feel so proud of being
+acquainted with you that they would take the trouble to come all the way
+out to Oakdale to have a party this winter," ventured Mr. Talmage.
+
+"Wouldn't it be fun to invite them all here at the Christmas Holidays
+and give them a real country Christmas tree with Uncle Ben for Santa
+Claus!" cried Betty, expectantly.
+
+"And sleigh-rides from the train, and bob-sledding down Oakdale Hill,
+then over to our Publishing House for the Tree," added Dot.
+
+"And have a present for everyone like we had on our Fourth-of-July
+tree," cried Ruth.
+
+"And after all the fun is over, a great big feast with plum-pudding,"
+sighed Don, making them all laugh.
+
+"Yes, I think that will be fine, and I don't believe one of those New
+Yorkers will stay away if you tell them all the fun you propose giving
+them," laughed Uncle Ben.
+
+"But, first, let us have our party with you, Uncle Ben, then we can talk
+about the Christmas one," advised Ned.
+
+Families in Oakdale were entertained that Saturday night by hearing the
+children tell of the plans made by Uncle Ben for the social side of the
+B. B. & B. B.'s life. Many were the dreams of all the fun to be had when
+that New York party came off.
+
+While the children were home talking over the anticipated dinner-party,
+the grown-ups at Mossy Glen were engaged in perfecting plans for the
+party. Invitations on grey paper, printed in blue ink, with a flight of
+birds shadowed across the sheet was the suggestion of Aunt Selina. The
+favors for the table and the tokens presented for speech-making were
+suggested by Mrs. Talmage, while the dinner and decorations were planned
+by Mr. Talmage and Uncle Ben.
+
+Much fun was the result of the party in New York. The guests accepted
+the B. B. & B. B.'s invitation to have a Christmas Tree at the
+Publishing House with great eagerness. But it will take another book to
+tell about everything that happened.
+
+This book, called "THE BLUE BIRDS' UNCLE BEN," is the third of the
+series.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE GIRL SCOUTS SERIES
+BY EDITH LAVELL
+
+A new copyright series of Girl Scouts stories by an author of wide
+experience in Scouts' craft, as Director of Girl Scouts of Philadelphia.
+
+Clothbound, with Attractive Color Designs.
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.
+
+THE GIRL SCOUTS AT MISS ALLEN'S SCHOOL
+THE GIRL SCOUTS AT CAMP
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' GOOD TURN
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' CANOE TRIP
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' RIVALS
+THE GIRL SCOUTS ON THE RANCH
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' VACATION ADVENTURES
+THE GIRL SCOUTS' MOTOR TRIP
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+MARJORIE DEAN HIGH SCHOOL SERIES
+BY PAULINE LESTER
+
+Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean College Series
+
+These are clean, wholesome stories that will be of great interest to all
+girls of high school age.
+
+All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR
+MARJORIE DEAN, HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+MARJORIE DEAN COLLEGE SERIES
+BY PAULINE LESTER.
+
+Author of the Famous Marjorie Dean High School Series.
+
+Those who have read the Marjorie Dean High School Series will be eager
+to read this new series, as Marjorie Dean continues to be the heroine in
+these stories.
+
+All Clothbound. Copyright Titles. PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH.
+
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE FRESHMAN
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SOPHOMORE
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE JUNIOR
+MARJORIE DEAN, COLLEGE SENIOR
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers.
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 East 23rd Street New York
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS SERIES
+BY HILDEGARD G. FREY
+
+A Series of Outdoor Stories for Girls 12 to 16 Years.
+
+All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS IN THE MAINE WOODS;
+    or, The Winnebagos go Camping.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT SCHOOL;
+    or, The Wohelo Weavers.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT ONOWAY HOUSE;
+    or, The Magic Garden.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS GO MOTORING;
+    or, Along the Road That Leads the Way.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS' LARKS AND PRANKS;
+    or, The House of the Open Door.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON ELLEN'S ISLE;
+    or, The Trail of the Seven Cedars.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS ON THE OPEN ROAD;
+    or, Glorify Work.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS DO THEIR BIT;
+    or, Over the Top with the Winnebagos.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS SOLVE A MYSTERY;
+    or, The Christmas Adventure at Carver House.
+
+THE CAMP FIRE GIRLS AT CAMP KEEWAYDIN;
+    or, Down Paddles.
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+The Blue Grass Seminary Girls Series
+BY CAROLYN JUDSON BURNETT
+
+For Girls 12 to 16 Years All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+Splendid stories of the Adventures of a Group of Charming Girls.
+
+THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS' VACATION ADVENTURES;
+    or, Shirley Willing to the Rescue.
+
+THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS' CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS;
+    or, A Four Weeks' Tour with the Glee Club.
+
+THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS IN THE MOUNTAINS;
+    or, Shirley Willing on a Mission of Peace.
+
+THE BLUE GRASS SEMINARY GIRLS ON THE WATER; or,
+    Exciting Adventures on a Summer's Cruise Through the Panama Canal.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE MILDRED SERIES
+BY MARTHA FINLEY
+
+For Girls 12 to 16 Years.
+
+All Cloth Bound Copyright Titles
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+A Companion Series to the famous "Elsie" books by the same author.
+
+MILDRED KEITH
+MILDRED'S MARRIED LIFE
+MILDRED AT ROSELAND
+MILDRED AT HOME
+MILDRED AND ELSIE
+MILDRED'S BOYS AND GIRLS
+MILDRED'S NEW DAUGHTER
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+THE RADIO BOYS SERIES
+BY GERALD BRECKENRIDGE
+
+A new series of copyright titles for boys of all ages.
+
+Cloth Bound, with Attractive Cover Designs
+
+PRICE, 65 CENTS EACH
+
+THE RADIO BOYS ON THE MEXICAN BORDER
+THE RADIO BOYS ON SECRET SERVICE DUTY
+THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE REVENUE GUARDS
+THE RADIO BOYS' SEARCH FOR THE INCA'S TREASURE
+THE RADIO BOYS RESCUE THE LOST ALASKA EXPEDITION
+THE RADIO BOYS IN DARKEST AFRICA
+THE RADIO BOYS SEEK THE LOST ATLANTIS
+
+For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
+Publishers
+
+A. L. BURT COMPANY
+114-120 EAST 23rd STREET NEW YORK
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Blue Birds' Winter Nest, by
+Lillian Elizabeth Roy
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