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diff --git a/old/64978-h/64978-h.htm b/old/64978-h/64978-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index e169ecb..0000000 --- a/old/64978-h/64978-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8348 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=us-ascii" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Blue Birds at Happy Hills, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy—A Project Gutenberg eBook - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - h1,h2 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -p { - margin-top: .51em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .49em; -} - -div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} -div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} - - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} - -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} -h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -.tdr {text-align: right;} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; - font-weight: normal; - font-variant: normal; -} - -.center {text-align: center;} -.indent {margin-left: 2em;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.large {font-size: 125%;} -.small {font-size: 75%;} - -.antiqua { - font-family: Blackletter, Fraktur, Textur, "Old English Text MT", "Olde English Mt", "Olde English", Gothic, serif, sans-serif;} - -.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} -.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; - max-width: 100%; -} - - -.poetry-container {text-align: center;} -.poetry {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} -.poetry .verse {text-indent: -2.5em; padding-left: 3em;} -.poetry .first {text-indent: -2.5em; padding-left: 2.5em;} -.x-ebookmaker .poetry {display: block;} - -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; - padding: 1em 1em 1em 1em; - margin-bottom: 5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - - - </style> - </head> -<body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Blue Birds at Happy Hills, by Lillian Elizabeth Roy</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Blue Birds at Happy Hills</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Lillian Elizabeth Roy</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April 01, 2021 [eBook #64978]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: MWS, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE BIRDS AT HAPPY HILLS ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" width="40%" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_frontis.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1>THE BLUE BIRDS<br /> -<span class="small">AT HAPPY HILLS</span></h1> - - -<p>BY<br /> -<span class="large">LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</span><br /> - -AUTHOR OF THE “FIVE LITTLE<br /> -STARRS” SERIES, ETC.</p> - - -<p><span class="antiqua">New York</span><br /> -<span class="large">THE PLATT & NOURSE CO.</span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="center"> -Copyright, 1919,<br /> -BY<br /> -THE PLATT & NOURSE CO.<br /> -</p></div> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - -<tr><td class="tdr"><span class="small">CHAPTER</span></td><td> </td><td class="tdr"><span class="small">PAGE</span></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">I</td><td> <span class="smcap">Keeping Uncle Ben’s Appointment</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_7"> 7</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">II</td><td> <span class="smcap">Who’s Going to Happy Hills?</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">III</td><td> <span class="smcap">Uncle Ben’s Drill Corps</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43"> 43</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IV</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Blue Birds Visit Happy Hills</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_61"> 61</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">V</td><td> <span class="smcap">Miss Martin’s Talk</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_79"> 79</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VI</td><td> <span class="smcap">Little Mother Magpie</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91"> 91</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VII</td><td> <span class="smcap">Unexpected Geniuses Found at Happy Hills</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_112"> 112</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">VIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Street Cleaning Squad</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_131"> 131</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">IX</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Little Citizens’ Picnic</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_143"> 143</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">X</td><td> <span class="smcap">Miss Martin’s Nature Stories</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_164"> 164</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XI</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Amusement Company</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_179"> 179</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Circus at Happy Hills</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_192"> 192</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIII</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Sawdust Ring</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_207">207</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XIV</td><td> <span class="smcap">The City Home Plan</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_219"> 219</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XV</td><td> <span class="smcap">Miss Martin’s Little Stories of Great People</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_230"> 230</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdr">XVI</td><td> <span class="smcap">The End of a Happy Summer</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td></tr> -</table> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> - -<p class="ph1">THE BLUE BIRDS AT<br /> -HAPPY HILLS</p> - - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br /> - -<small>KEEPING UNCLE BEN’S APPOINTMENT</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“We are ready to start, but where are the -twins?” exclaimed Jinks impatiently. Jinks was -Meredith Starr’s chum who lived next door to -the Starrs.</p> - -<p>“Why, they were here but a moment ago!” -said Mete.</p> - -<p>“Perhaps they ran on to Mossy Glen without -us,” came from Lavinia Starr, two years older -than the twins, who were eight.</p> - -<p>A shrill whistle from the woods then told the -three waiting children that Don and Dot Starr -were half-way to the meeting place. The Blue -Birds and Bobolinks were going to meet at the -barn, known now as the Publishing Offices, to -start thence for the ten-forty train to New York.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span>“Hurry up, we’ve wasted three minutes waiting -for those awful twins!” sighed Vene—the -nickname for Lavinia.</p> - -<p>At the Publishing Offices on the Mossy Glen -estate, the three late arrivals found all the members -assembled. Ruth and Ned Talmage had -not far to walk as their home was at Mossy -Glen, and the Starr children including Jinks were -now accounted for. Besides these two groups, -there were the other girl-members of the Blue -Bird Club, or Nest, and the boys who founded -the society called Bobolinks, that published the -magazine and other important printed matter—such -as tickets, notices, programmes, etc.</p> - -<p>“Here come Ike and Jim—can we all crowd -into those two autos, do you think?” asked Ned, -anxiously.</p> - -<p>“It will not be the first time they’ve carried -such a load,” laughed Jinks.</p> - -<p>Just as the children climbed eagerly into the -two cars, Mrs. Talmage appeared hurrying along -the path from the house.</p> - -<p>“Now Ned—remember! Don’t allow anyone -to go other than the way I’ve directed you. This -is the first time that we grown-ups consented<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> -to have you children go to New York alone, and -you must be careful to follow all advices from -us,” declared Mrs. Talmage, with a note of -anxiety in her tone.</p> - -<p>“Oh, we’ll be all right, mother; don’t worry. -Aren’t Mete and Jinks and I almost grown up?” -said Ned, soothingly.</p> - -<p>“No, you’re not! You three boys are just as -full of mischief as Don Starr, and everyone -knows what we have to endure from <i>him</i>!” -sighed Mrs. Talmage.</p> - -<p>The children all laughed—Dot Starr the twin, -laughing loudest, but Don looked as dark as -a thunder-cloud at his friends.</p> - -<p>“Guess you all got out of bed with a left foot, -this morning! That accounts for the grouches!” -grumbled Don.</p> - -<p>Another laugh failed to bring harmony into -Don’s discordant heart just then, so Mrs. Talmage -turned again to Ned:</p> - -<p>“When you get off the train at Hoboken, you -take the tube uptown—remember now, uptown! -Don’t get on the cars that go to Newark or Cortlandt -Street. Ask a guard which is the right -train to carry you to 23rd Street.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span>“Then walk across from the 23rd Street exit -to Fourth Avenue, and up Fourth to Uncle Ben’s -address. You have it written on the letter, Ned, -so you simply can’t go wrong!”</p> - -<p>“We won’t go wrong, Mother. You only <i>think</i> -we may!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, for goodness’ sake—hurry up! We’ll -miss that train,” complained Don, who now had -an opportunity to give vent to his ire.</p> - -<p>“Good-by, children! I wish you would telephone -me as soon as you arrive at Uncle Ben’s -offices, so I will know you are all right!” said -Mrs. Talmage as the cars rolled away.</p> - -<p>The party had ample time to board the train -at the little station of Oakdale, and soon they -found themselves in Hoboken—the terminal for -the Jersey suburban trains.</p> - -<p>As they were passing the news-stand at the -foot of the steps that led to the tubes under the -river, Don saw a variety of tempting candies.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got my week’s allowance with me, Dot—do -you want some chewing-gum?” asked her -twin.</p> - -<p>“S-sh! They’ll hear you! And you know Vene -won’t let us have chewing-gum,” warned Dot,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> -glancing at the other children. But they had not -heard Don, as they were interested in buying -the tickets to New York.</p> - -<p>This was a perplexing matter, as tickets for -Dot, Don, and Tuck Stevens were to be at half-price, -and those of the other children at full-price. -The twins took advantage of the problem -to buy a box of gum and a roll of chocolate disks.</p> - -<p>“Oh! Looka here! We’ve got ten pieces of -gum for a nickel!” chuckled Don, delightedly, as -he emptied the box into his palm.</p> - -<p>“You take five and I’ll take five,” suggested -Dot.</p> - -<p>“Why, no! Didn’t I pay for them? You take -one and when you want another I’ll give it to -you.”</p> - -<p>“But I always go even shares with you when <i>I</i> -get anything at home,” argued Dot.</p> - -<p>“That’s different! You don’t pay out your -hard-earned money for it, and I had to. Why, -just think how many times last week I had to be -at school on time! Didn’t that mean getting out -of bed so early that I ’most got insomnia from -it?”</p> - -<p>Dot had an inspiration. She hastily began<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> -chewing the single piece of white-candied gum -and determined to ask for a second piece soon, -as Don had promised to give her another one -when she wanted it.</p> - -<p>Don now hastened in front of his sister, to -join the other children, but he was too preoccupied -with the gum to notice where he went. He -heard a guard call: “All aboard!” and he -rushed in dragging Dot after him—just in time! -The door was closed and away sped the train.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Ned—and Jinks, and the others?” -gasped Dot, the moment they found themselves -safe on the moving train.</p> - -<p>Don could not reply. He seemed to have a -great obstruction in his mouth. Finally he -shoved the obstacle over in the hollow of a cheek -and gurgled out:</p> - -<p>“Guess they went in the car ahead to be nearer -the exit gate when we get there.”</p> - -<p>“Don Starr! What have you got in your -mouth?” demanded Dot, suspecting the truth.</p> - -<p>“Gum, of course! What have you got?” retorted -Don.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got <i>one</i> piece! How many have you?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span>“I’ve got what I paid for!” snapped Don, but -he had the grace to blush at his selfishness.</p> - -<p>“I—I just wish you’d swallow it! So there!” -cried Dot, who had unwisely thrown away the -gum she had, to induce her twin to give her a -new piece.</p> - -<p>Don glared only—he could not speak comfortably. -Dot was so offended that she started to -walk through the forward car in search of her -friends. “Where’er yeh goin’, Missy?” asked -a guard, stopping her.</p> - -<p>“To find the others. They must be in front,” -said Dot.</p> - -<p>“Got your ticket? I didn’t see you drop one in -the box back yonder, cuz I was watchin’ the two -of yuh,” was the astonishing reply from the -guard.</p> - -<p>“Ticket! Don, have you got a ticket?”</p> - -<p>“No—Ned got all of them,” replied Don, but -he was so hasty in moving the gum out of his -tongue’s way to permit him to speak, that it almost -slipped down his throat.</p> - -<p>A tremendous coughing and choking spell -caught Don, and his face turned as red as a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> -poppy, while Dot hammered his back exultantly—now -she had a chance to get even with him!</p> - -<p>“Where’er yeh goin’—Jersey City?” now -asked the guard.</p> - -<p>“Jersey City! Why—no. We are to get off at -23rd Street,” explained Dot, surprised for the -time.</p> - -<p>“This is a Newark train,” announced the -guard, wondering what he could do with two -stray children.</p> - -<p>“Oh, my goodness! Maybe Ned isn’t on this -train. Was there another train in the same station?” -gasped Dot.</p> - -<p>“Sure—one on either side of the platform, -but we’re always hollerin’ out where we go so -folks won’t get mixed,” returned the guard.</p> - -<p>Don couldn’t allow Dot to take the lead in this -exciting adventure, but he could not speak with -his mouth full, so he slyly dropped the gum in -one palm and held his hand in his pocket. Then -he was free to take his part.</p> - -<p>“Which is the nearest stop to 23rd Street?” -asked he.</p> - -<p>“Well, we will now stop at the Erie Station;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span> -next is Jersey City, and so on till we reach -Newark. Why?” replied the man.</p> - -<p>“I’m thinking we could get off and take some -car back.”</p> - -<p>“That’s what you’ll have to do anyway, ’cause -you haven’t any ticket to show. But I don’t see -how you are goin’ to ride back again widdout -payin’ at all!” explained the man.</p> - -<p>Then a light seemed to break in upon them at -the same time! They caught hold of the guard’s -coat and laughed:</p> - -<p>“Don’t you see! Ned had all the money and -tickets, so he dropped them for us when he went -through the gateway!”</p> - -<p>“And diden’ you’se spend your ticket money -for candy?” asked the guard, suspiciously, as he -knew the weakness of youngsters, having a -brood at home.</p> - -<p>“Cross my heart, we didn’t! I used my week’s -spending money. Last week I didn’t earn any -cuz I owed it all!” said Don, anxiously.</p> - -<p>“All out for Erie Railroad!” now yelled the -guard, as the train pulled in and it was his duty -to open the doors.</p> - -<p>“Git off here and wait fer a train what comes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> -in on th’ other side the platform!” called he, shoving -Don and Dot out from blocking the doorway.</p> - -<p>“Much obliged! Good-by!” called Don, about -to wave his hand that had been hidden in his -pocket. The other hand grasped Dot’s sleeve.</p> - -<p>The door slammed, the train moved out, and -the twins were left standing alone. Don found -he could not withdraw his hand readily, and discovered -that the gum had not only stuck fast to -his fingers but had also clutched a hold on various -articles a boy always carries in his pocket.</p> - -<p>“Dot you go and ask the newspaper man how -long before a New York car comes in?” suggested -Don, as he wished to be alone when that -gum came forth.</p> - -<p>Dot, proud to be trusted by her brother with -such an important mission, ran away and Don -hurriedly set to work. After much tugging the -gum came out and with it came a marble, a -broken jackknife, a fish-hook, a brass button, a -sling-shot, and a few other treasures.</p> - -<p>Don did his best to extricate his personal property -from the gum without wasting too much of -the rare treat. So he carefully chewed off every -bit that clung to each article as he pulled it forth.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span> -He replaced the treasures in his pocket and -thrust the gum in his mouth just as Dot came -back.</p> - -<p>“See that red sign—up there?” said she, pointing -to an electric sign overhead.</p> - -<p>“Well, that reads where the trains go. This -one just coming in is uptown the man said.”</p> - -<p>With that she dragged her twin aboard without -ceremony—was he not chewing that gum -again, and did she have any? No, sir!</p> - -<p>Dot refused to speak a word to Don as they -were whisked along to the Hoboken terminal. -Here they jumped off and stood and looked about -anxiously for their friends. Not a child was to -be seen besides themselves.</p> - -<p>“Did they go back to the train to find us?” -asked Dot.</p> - -<p>“No, they got on the New York cars and -thought we were on, too. When they get to -23rd Street they’ll miss us and wait there till -we come,” explained Don, taking the gum from -his mouth again to speak.</p> - -<p>“What shall we do?”</p> - -<p>“Get on the first train for uptown,” replied -Don.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>“There’s one—I’m going to ask the man -where it goes,” announced Dot, running to a -guard standing by his platform.</p> - -<p>“Where do you go?” asked the little girl.</p> - -<p>“Downtown, New York.”</p> - -<p>“Thank you,” and Dot walked away.</p> - -<p>Another string of cars pulled in, and other -guards got off after the passengers had left. -Dot ran up to one and said:</p> - -<p>“Where do you go?”</p> - -<p>“Jersey City, Manhattan Junction, Harrison, -and Newark!” called the man, without paying -any attention to the child.</p> - -<p>“Guess that isn’t it, yet,” thought Dot, giving -the man a scornful look because he would not -notice her.</p> - -<p>The twins waited and waited, and then another -train came in where the downtown train -had pulled out.</p> - -<p>“Hurrah!—Read the sign in the windows! -‘Uptown New York,’ Dot!” cried Don, crowding -on before anyone could get in ahead of him.</p> - -<p>Thus it happened that Don walked into a car -without waiting for Dot, and she, being small, -was pushed back by the grown-ups till the last.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> -Just as she was about to step on, Jinks caught her -skirt.</p> - -<p>“Thank goodness! Here you are! We’ve all -been hunting high and low for the two of you.”</p> - -<p>“Why—where did you come from?” questioned -Dot.</p> - -<p>“Just came in on that car over there—I saw -you waiting, before my train stopped, and tried -to hurry out to prevent you from leaving us.”</p> - -<p>As he spoke, Dot stepped back beside Jinks, -and the guard shut the door and pulled the signal -cord. Instantly the train moved and carried -Don uptown alone. He had not seen Jinks and -thought Dot was behind him as he walked -through the sections looking for his friends.</p> - -<p>“There now! Don is gone!” cried Dot, -stamping her foot.</p> - -<p>“On that car!” gasped Jinks, trying hard to -choke back a laugh.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and now he’ll get losted, too!”</p> - -<p>“Not if he gets out at 23rd! We left Vene -there to grab you if you reached that far,” explained -Jinks.</p> - -<p>“Where’s Ned and Mete, and the others?”</p> - -<p>“Ned went to Cortlandt Street and agreed to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span> -meet me at Hoboken again. Mete went to Jersey -City and other stations to ask for you. We -left Ruth with the other Blue Birds and Bobolinks -in care of Vene at 23rd Street station. -Here comes a downtown train.”</p> - -<p>It stopped and Ned stepped off. He glowered -at Dot and asked: “What under the sun do you -twins think we are, anyway?”</p> - -<p>“Nuthin’ much, if you can’t take charge of a -few children!” retorted Dot, glowering as darkly -as he.</p> - -<p>Jinks burst out laughing. “No use feeling -upset about it, Ned. No one yet has been able -to scold the twins!”</p> - -<p>Another train now pulled in and Mete got off.</p> - -<p>“I’d just like to know what right you trouble-makers -had to leave us and wander around by -yourselves?” demanded he, angrily.</p> - -<p>“We didn’t wander—we rode! And what’s -more you just got off the same kind of train we -got on, so you went the same route!” exclaimed -Dot, scornfully.</p> - -<p>Now the train from uptown came in on its -last stop at Hoboken. Off stepped Vene. She<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> -hurried over to join her friends with the exclamation:</p> - -<p>“Oh, I saw Don on the train, but he didn’t get -off at 23rd Street where I waited. Before I -could call or get his attention, the cars moved -on. I waited but he didn’t come back and I don’t -know what to do!”</p> - -<p>“What did you come here for?” demanded -Mete, impatiently.</p> - -<p>“I knew you would be here and could tell me -what to do.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and most likely, by the time we all get -back to 23rd Street, those other nuisances will -have escaped! Then we’ll waste a whole day -in hunting them up, instead of visiting Uncle -Ben on time!” cried Mete, beside himself.</p> - -<p>“No, no! I left them sitting in a row on the -bench with a colored porter to guard them. I -promised him some money if he would keep them -right where they sat!”</p> - -<p>“Fine! I tell you boys—Vene is a true suffrage -girl! She uses her wits as well as we men -do!” exclaimed Jinks, approvingly, for he was -Lavinia’s chief admirer those days.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>“Pooh! If she was your sister you wouldn’t -think so!”</p> - -<p>“All aboard—uptown train!” now bawled a -guard, and all else was forgotten in the scurry -to get on.</p> - -<p>Dot felt worried about her twin, but being -in such disgrace already, she did not add to her -troubles by asking for Don.</p> - -<p>Soon the guard announced “23rd Street” and -the children trooped off. There sat the members -of the Blue Birds and Bobolinks in a row on a -bench, and a negro man standing beside them -was apparently enjoying himself, as he listened -to an orator standing at one end of the long -bench. It was Don who held forth with such a -flow of rhetoric.</p> - -<p>“Say you, Don Starr! How came you here?” -shouted half a dozen voices, as as many individuals -ran over and caught hold of the boy.</p> - -<p>At the sudden shaking, Don dropped something. -Dot saw it fall and gave it a vicious kick. -It was a huge ball of gum. Don saw it and -knew what had caused it to roll away. He glared -at Dot, and then turned to the boys.</p> - -<p>“Mighty good thing I got my wits about me!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span> -You boys aren’t worth a cent to look after a -bunch of youngsters! <i>I</i> know how to travel, all -right! I’ve been to Jersey City, Hoboken, Erie, -and Christopher Street, Ninth Street, Fourteenth -Street, Eighteenth, Twenty-third, Twenty-eighth -and Thirty-third Streets, all in an hour—and -here I am as fresh as ever!”</p> - -<p>“Fresh—of course you are! And I’m going -to have Uncle Ben take a lot of it out of you just -as soon as we get to his office!” threatened Mete.</p> - -<p>“No you won’t either! I telephoned him from -the 33rd Street station to ask him what to do and -he said: ‘Go and wait at 23rd Street station as -planned, and bring them all over here as soon -as possible. You are almost an hour late for the -appointment!’ so I am to take charge now, and -see that we all get over to the office as quickly -as you can travel!”</p> - -<p>The children laughed at the order from Don, -and then started up the steps to the street, but -did not see Don stoop to catch up the ball of -gum. He planned to wash it well at a drinking -place he knew of in his uncle’s office.</p> - -<p>Without further mishap, they all reached the -18th floor where Uncle Ben’s office was located,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> -and Don slipped away. The gum was soon -washed, and he chewed as noisily as ever as he -ran after the last one to enter the door leading -from the main hall to the offices.</p> - -<p>“Don Starr! what are you chewing?” demanded -Vene, in a disgusted tone.</p> - -<p>“Nawthin’!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, you are, too! Ned, see what he’s chewing! -I just know it’s gum!” from shocked Vene.</p> - -<p>“Don, are you chewing gum?” asked Ned.</p> - -<p>“I’m not chewing a thing—can’t you see my -jaws are as quiet as yours—quieter, cuz you’re -talking!”</p> - -<p>“<i>Were</i> you chewing gum?” now came severely -from Mete.</p> - -<p>“Not that you noticed it!” said Don, saucily.</p> - -<p>“Open that mouth of yours!” demanded Mete.</p> - -<p>“Can’t—my tooth is hooked!” replied Don, a -faint twinkle beginning to wrinkle his eyes.</p> - -<p>“I’ll yank the tooth out—open your mouth!” -and Mete caught hold of his younger brother’s -shoulders and shook him.</p> - -<p>A choking, a sputtering, and a great confusion -followed as Don was forced to give up the gum.</p> - -<p>“Oh—you! you—you——” but Vene had no<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> -words to convey her horror at the untruth she -felt Don had told.</p> - -<p>“Good gracious—what a chunk! How could -you crowd it in at one time!” gasped Mete, when -he saw the size of the gum.</p> - -<p>“He chewed nine pieces at once!” eagerly attested -Dot.</p> - -<p>“Did you chew the tenth?” was the unexpected -query from Ned.</p> - -<p>“Only the teeniest bit—just to get the flavor, -then I threw it away!” admitted Dot.</p> - -<p>“Oh, really!” from several voices.</p> - -<p>“And she got angry when I wouldn’t give her -five even!” added Don, scowling at everyone.</p> - -<p>“Why did you say you couldn’t open your -mouth ’cause your tooth was fast? Didn’t you -know you were fibbing?” asked Ned.</p> - -<p>“I didn’t say one word that was a lie! Now -you think! My tooth <i>was</i> hooked. I had to use -that gum to keep my tooth from getting cold and -aching again. The dentist told me always to -keep the nerve covered when I went outdoors. -He said it was an exposed nerve that made a -tooth jump. So I did as he advised me, that’s -all!” explained Don.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>Not another word was said about the gum -then, as the inner door to Uncle Ben’s offices -was reached and the Publishers went in where -all was quiet, and such a thing as gum was never -thought of!</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br /> - - -<small>WHO’S GOING TO HAPPY HILLS?</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“Hello, Finn—where’er yeh goin’ in sech a -hurry?” asked a newsboy of a pal who was hurrying -past.</p> - -<p>“Oh—hello, Skelly! I’m lookin’ fer that chap -what knows about them passes fer camp.”</p> - -<p>“Hully chee, Finn! Yeh don’t tell me ye’re -goin’ to that Sunday School place—what?” -jeered the boy called Skelly.</p> - -<p>“’Tain’t a prayer-meetin’ camp, neider! It’s a -regerler camp fer boys and gals. I was told -there’s not a bit of Sunday School stunts goin’ -on there,” replied Finn, defensively.</p> - -<p>“Huh, all the same, you’ll come back actin’ -like a little lady! Dey’ll cure yuh of cigarettes, -matchin’ pennies and all the udder fun we’ve -had,” scorned Skelly, bitterly.</p> - -<p>“See here, now! I ain’t wantin’ the ticket fer -meself—it’s only fer my sick sister, yuh know. -The Doc said she’d got to git out of that hot,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> -dark room in the tenement, and where kin I -keep her—on’y in a camp like this is?” explained -the worried brother to the leader of the Ludlow -Street gang.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I see,” returned Skelly, apologetically, -“An’ so yeh want to find Ike who’s got the address -of the place!”</p> - -<p>“That’s it! Have yeh seen him this mornin’?” -asked Finn.</p> - -<p>“He went uptown to see the man at the printin’ -office. He tol’ me all the tickets he had on -hand were given out and he needed more. Why -don’t yuh trot up and see the man yourself instead -of hangin’ ’round waitin’ fer Ike?” ventured -Skelly.</p> - -<p>“Guess I will—where is it?”</p> - -<p>Skelly thereupon dug down into the pockets -of a ragged pair of trousers and finally brought -to view a dirty scrap of paper. Upon it was -scrawled: “Benjamin Talmage, Manager of -Blue Bird Camp at Happy Hills, 354 Fourth -Avenue, New York.”</p> - -<p>“Dat’s up near 23rd Street, yuh know,” Skelly -added, as Finn read aloud the address.</p> - -<p>“I’ll git a hitch on a truck goin’ up, and try to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> -see the boss right away,” said Finn, his face expressing -relief at having some tangible plan to -act upon.</p> - -<p>Thanks and the verbal expression of gratitude -were unknown to the street Arabs of New -York, but Skelly knew from Finn’s face that he -appreciated the information, and that was all -that was required of a friend.</p> - -<p>A large auto-truck sped past the boys, and -Finn was soon perched on the tailboard, waving -his old cap at Skelly. The truck turned in at -23rd Street to go its way to the East Side, so -Finn jumped off and scanned the numbers of the -tall office buildings as he started uptown.</p> - -<p>“Hah! Here it is! Hully chee, what a swell -shanty!” said he to himself as he stood wondering -whether to enter the tiled hall. Would the -elevator starter permit a boy so ragged and dirty -to go up in one of those shiny lifts?</p> - -<p>He still pondered this momentous question -when Ike ran out and almost into him.</p> - -<p>“Looka where yer goin’, why don’che?” grumbled -Finn, then seeing that it was Ike, he clapped -him soundly on the back.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>“Aw, I say, Ikey! Gim’me a ticket fer me -sister?”</p> - -<p>“Look out what’che crackin’, Finny! Dat’s -my back lung what sounds so holler when you -beat it,” grinned Ike, the good-natured boy from -Rivington Street who had won fame as a ticket-distributor -for Happy Hills.</p> - -<p>“Got one to spare?” anxiously continued Finn.</p> - -<p>“Nope! Yeh got’ta apply personal. I’ll go up -wid yeh if you wants one bad,” offered Ike.</p> - -<p>“Come along den—I need yeh to help talk;” -so the two were soon going up.</p> - -<p>After leaving the elevator, the two boys -walked down a very long corridor with offices on -either side. Said Ikey:</p> - -<p>“Now, you’se wants to be careful how you’se -talk in here, see? Mr. Ta’mage is a fine chentlman -and don’t like no slang. Mebbe yeh better -keep yer mouth shet altogether an’ let me do the -talkin’—cuz, yeh know, Finn, yeh do spill an awful -lot of slang widger English!”</p> - -<p>Finn was properly impressed and consented -to have Ikey do all the talking. By this time the -boys reached the door leading to the suite of -offices they sought.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>“Please, ma’am, tell Mr. Ta’mage Ikey Einstein -is back yet—Micky Finn, too, wants to make -his acquaintance,” said Ikey to the pretty telephone -operator who sat near the door.</p> - -<p>“Yank off yer cap, Finn—hurry up quick, before -she sees it!” hissed Ikey in his companion’s -ear as they stood waiting for an answer. Ikey -had removed his apology for a hat when entering.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Talmage says will you be seated, he’ll -be out in a moment,” announced the girl, with a -smile at the young visitors.</p> - -<p>Ikey knew the particular bench meant for waiting -callers, and silently led Finn to it. No sooner -were they seated than the door by which they -had just entered was flung open and a number -of children of their own age came in.</p> - -<p>“Hello, Miss Johnson! Uncle Ben in?” called -the youngest boy in the group.</p> - -<p>“He’s busy now, and has two waiting to see -him,” was the young lady’s reply after she had -acknowledged Don’s greeting—for the boy was -our old friend and favorite, Don Starr, and his -companions were no less than the officers of -the Blue Bird and Bobolink Publishing Society<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> -that issued the monthly magazine for Little Citizens.</p> - -<p>At the nod of Miss Johnson’s head in the direction -of the two who were waiting, Don spun -around and recognized one of them.</p> - -<p>“Well, well, if this isn’t our friend Ikey!” said -Don, in his tone and manners for all the world -like a grown man, as he caught Ikey’s hand and -shook it heartily.</p> - -<p>The other children—Ned and Ruth Talmage, -Meredith, Jinks, Lavinia, and Dot Starr, turned -at Don’s words to watch the two boys.</p> - -<p>“Where under the sun did Don meet that -boy?” whispered Lavinia to her brother Meredith.</p> - -<p>“Say, Vene, where does Don find anything he -wants to get hold of!” returned Meredith, chuckling -at his younger brother.</p> - -<p>“I know!” now declared Dot Starr, Don’s twin -sister.</p> - -<p>The others waited for her to explain, so she -placed a hand at the side of her mouth to prevent -the two strange boys from hearing what -she whispered.</p> - -<p>“They are newsboys who first heard of us at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> -the ‘Tree of Light’ last Christmas. Ikey is the -thin one and he was at that Easter Egg Picnic -in Van Cortlandt Park, too. That’s where Don -met him; Ikey had such a lot of eggs that we -asked where he got all of them, ’cause we knew -he couldn’t have had that many to start with. -And he told——”</p> - -<p>“S-sh! Not so loud, Dot! He’ll hear you. -What did he tell you?” interpolated Jinks.</p> - -<p>“Why, you know he works in a newspaper -printing place where they hire boys to clean -up messes of inks and trash, and run errands, -too. Ikey got a lot of free tickets from the -printer to some lecture and he traded them in, -a ticket for every egg he could get. Then he -told Don he was going to sell those eggs downtown -to his friends.”</p> - -<p>“Did he?” asked Ruth, surprised that anyone -would want to sell Easter Eggs.</p> - -<p>“I’m going over and find out—I guess that’s -what Don is talking about now,” replied Dot, -joining her twin brother.</p> - -<p>“Say, Dot, Ikey just told me he made 56 cents -on those Easter eggs, and now he’s set up in -business—newspaper business of his own. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> -wants me to go in as his partner—what do you -think of it?” said Don in a low voice, for fear his -brother or Jinks might overhear the plan.</p> - -<p>“Pooh! You couldn’t leave Oakdale for a -newspaper business, and what’s the good of having -a business if you can’t look after it yourself?” -replied Dot.</p> - -<p>“He could yust invest his money an’ I’d look -after it,” hurriedly explained Ikey, all for business.</p> - -<p>“If Don looked after all he ought to at home, -he’d have more interests than he could take care -of. No sir! You leave Ikey Einstein to manage -his own investment!” decided Dot, the practical.</p> - -<p>“You’re jealous ’cause you were left out—that’s -what!” said Don, impatiently, as Dot -pulled him back to his friends.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben came out just then, and shook -hands with his Oakdale friends. “Just go in -that director’s room until I finish talking to -these two young men, will you?”</p> - -<p>So the little Talmages and Starrs and Jinks -left Uncle Ben with Ikey and Micky Finn.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Ta’mage, dis newspaper boy’s got a bad-off<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span> -sister to which a Doc says she must get away -quick to the country fer fresh air or a grave. -Now Finn—he’s Micky Finn, you know, an’ a -fren’ of mine—says he ain’t got no country place -an’ neider have we got a cemetery lot if Nelly -goes and dies, but mebbe you kin let her come -right away, quick, to Happy Hills so she kin -get well and not need a grave.”</p> - -<p>Ikey told the story in one breath so that at the -last he was not very distinct, but Uncle Ben knew -the story—there were so many, many more just -like it in the city! If only Happy Hills had fifty -times the number of acres fitted up with fifty -times the number of camp-nests!</p> - -<p>“Micky, how old is your sister Nelly?” asked -Mr. Talmage.</p> - -<p>“She’s two years younger’n me,” stammered -Finn.</p> - -<p>“And how old are you, little man?” continued -Uncle Ben, placing a friendly hand on the urchin’s -shoulder.</p> - -<p>The touch and tone made Micky Finn brace -his backbone with conscious pride as he replied:</p> - -<p>“I’m mos’ twelve, sur, an’ I’ve been the bread-winner<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> -fer th’ fam’ly fer four years—ain’t I, -Ikey?”</p> - -<p>“Shure he has! An’ Nelly gits more’n lots of -sick gals we know, ’cuz Finn won’t play craps -ner match pennies like the udder boys do!” -bragged Ikey, anxious to win a ticket for Micky.</p> - -<p>“Well, let me see! Who will go with Nelly, -to take care of her? Have you any other sisters -or family to travel with her?” asked Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“We had a sister two years older’n us but she -disappeared one night an’ we never hearn tell -of her agin. She worked in a tobacco-shop. -Since then, I had all the supportin’ to do. That -was last summer, she went wid anudder gal to -Coney Island an’ never got back.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll have to write down your address, Finn, -and send a lady down to see Nelly. If everything -is all right, she will arrange to take your -sister to the country at once. I’ll make out the -ticket myself. Now you can go out and spend -week-ends with her if you like. And should you -take a summer vacation, you can go to Happy -Hills free of cost for two weeks,” explained Mr. -Talmage.</p> - -<p>Micky Finn was so overwhelmed with gratitude<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> -and surprise at this unexpected invitation -that he stood gaping at his benefactor, but said -not a word.</p> - -<p>“T’ank the chentleman, Micky! Can’t che -t’ank him nice, fer what he’s gone and done fer -you an’ Nelly?” Ikey said with a scowl at his -friend for whom he was sponsor.</p> - -<p>“I do thank—Aw, get out, Ikey! De gentleman -<i>knows</i> the choky way I feel in my windpipe! -Don’che, Mister?” wailed Finn.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Micky, I know just how you feel, and I -feel just as happy as if you had thanked me with -every word known to convey the feeling of gratitude,” -said Mr. Talmage, smiling.</p> - -<p>“Dat’s all right to say to him, Mr. Ta’mage, -but I don’t like my fren’s what I bring up here -to do nuttin’ what ain’t all jus’ right. We all -gotta remember to say what folks like you’se -say to each udder, ef we’re goin’ to live at Happy -Hills!” rebuked Ikey Einstein, thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>“That’s right, too, Ikey, but you have had -more opportunities to practice than Micky had; -when he meets us often, he, too, will begin to -change his habits and ways of expressing himself.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>As Mr. Talmage spoke, Micky Finn recalled -the words his pal Skelly had said a short time -before: something about becoming a little lady -with fine manners but no fun!</p> - -<p>“Good gracious, Uncle Ben—aren’t you most -done talking to those boys?” called Don Starr -from the door of the director’s room.</p> - -<p>“Coming right now, Don! Well, Micky, let -me know when you want to go and spend Sunday -with your sister. I’ll try and get her off in a -day or two,” said Mr. Talmage. Then the two -street waifs took their departure.</p> - -<p>Of course, you know what it is all about, don’t -you? You remember what Uncle Ben did in the -last Blue Bird book, and how the camps at -Happy Hills progressed so that they might be -ready to receive Little Citizens as early as the -last of May?</p> - -<p>If you have forgotten how the Nests and other -plans at Aunt Selina’s country place were to be -built, I will repeat the description.</p> - -<p>The great estate and farm of Happy Hills in -the Valley of Delight, had a fine large woodland -tract where the Nests were built. A shallow -brook ran through the woods, offering all sorts<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> -of fun and convenience to the little campers. At -one side of the woodland lay a fertile stretch -of land that was divided into many squares, one -for each child at camp, to be used as farms. In -this soil, a Little Citizen might dig and plant -and harvest different kinds of vegetables and -flowers and have them all for his own. No one -could trespass or take away what a child planted -on his or her own farm.</p> - -<p>The Nests were large enough to hold six bunks -and a bed. The bunks, three on either side of the -square room, were to be for the six Little Citizens -occupying that Nest, and the bed at the -end would be for the Mother Bird of that particular -Nest. Besides the bunks and bed, there -was a locker and a clothes-tree at the head of -each bunk. The lockers had lids to be closed -and locked to hold personal things belonging to -the child who was given that section of the Nest. -It could also be used as a seat.</p> - -<p>Each Nest was about fifteen feet square, and -posts held up a sloping roof to shed the rain. -This roof extended about two feet over the outer -line of the square room to protect the beds and -lockers from the rain when it stormed. Another<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span> -arrangement to keep the inside of the Nest dry, -was a canvas curtain that rolled up on spring-rollers -in fair weather, but came down in wet or -cold weather, to act as a wall or screen. These -curtains buttoned down the sides and at the bottom.</p> - -<p>A gallery three feet wide extended about the -outside of the Nest. This narrow veranda was -railed in safely by a three-foot fence to keep -the children from falling off the platform of the -Nest which was raised a few feet above the -ground.</p> - -<p>The Refectory was a large open building -equipped with rain-proof curtains also, but on -fair days they were rolled up so that it was like -a great pavilion. Even the long tables and -chairs folded up and could be quickly stacked -up at one end of the room if the space was -wanted for games or meetings.</p> - -<p>Besides the sleeping Nests and the Refectory, -there were a tool-house, a carpenter shop for -teaching carpentry, a machine-shop to teach mechanics, -a library with books and papers to read, -and in fact many other departments for the education -of boys and girls.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>As you read in the last chapter of “The Blue -Birds’ Uncle Ben,” the children published their -June number of the magazine and planned to -suspend for July and August. In this June issue -they showed photographs of Happy Hills and the -Nests ready to receive tenants for the summer. -And as every benevolent institution and child’s -hospital, as well as the Welfare Workers and -physicians known to be interested in the poor -children received a copy of the June magazine, -the boys and girls publishing it felt sure there -would be plenty of applicants to fill the camp.</p> - -<p>So work went on until the last of May, when -all was ready at Happy Hills, and Maggie Owens—you -remember Maggie, don’t you?—already -had her little flock of brothers and sisters in one -of the Nests. She was the first Little Citizen -to take up residence at the camp. Maggie had -been admitted without a ticket as her case was -well known to the Blue Birds and needed no investigation, -but the tickets were ready for distribution -the day before Decoration Day and -Uncle Ben was truly surprised at the demand -awaiting them.</p> - -<p>Ikey Einstein had been suggested by the Big<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> -Brother’s Organization as an honest, shrewd -little fellow who could be of great assistance in -the matter of tickets, so the boy was interviewed -and engaged at a salary to furnish information -about any of the numerous applicants from the -East Side, where Ikey lived.</p> - -<p>And that is why Micky Finn sought out Ikey -when he wanted to secure a camp-ticket for -Nelly.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III<br /> - - -<small>UNCLE BEN’S DRILL CORPS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Little Nelly Finn had been admitted to the -camp at Happy Hills, and was the happiest little -girl there. Never had she seen such grass and -flowers, to say nothing of the big trees and noisy -brook in the Valley of Delight. The day she had -stood with a lady, and several other children -waiting for the train that left at noon for Happy -Hills, Micky promised her to save his pennies -and come for a visit to the Camp that Summer. -Not only Micky, but Ikey, Skelly, and another -boy, who had a shoe-shine box, agreed to visit -Happy Hills.</p> - -<p>Nelly was established in the Nest next to Maggie, -the Little Mother of six younger children—Maggie -was eleven. Because of her motherly -instincts, Maggie felt a grown-up interest in -the newcomers, who were about Nelly’s age.</p> - -<p>“I see you don’t know what to do wid dese -girls, Miss Martin,” said Maggie, the afternoon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> -of the new arrivals, as the Mother Wings of -that particular Nest seemed bewildered and worried.</p> - -<p>“This is all new to me, little girl, and I am -only here until a school-teacher can take my -place,” replied Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“My name’s Maggie,” suggested the Little -Mother.</p> - -<p>“How did you know my name?” queried the -lady, curiously.</p> - -<p>“I heer’n Miss Selina—she’s our Flutey Bird, -you know what owns this place—tell Uncle Ben -that six more little gals was comin’ wid a Miss -Martin.”</p> - -<p>“Maybe you can tell me where to find Uncle -Ben now?” asked the city lady eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Yes’m! He’s beginnin’ a drill fer the boys. -They has to grow to be fine scouts, brave policemen, -and extry-brave firemen. You see we’se -goin’ to have a regerler city-run camp here, and -Uncle Ben says boys must know how to proteck -folks and guard us against fires and udder bad -t’ings,” explained Maggie.</p> - -<p>“That’s fine! Where is the drill to take place?<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span> -Maybe we can all go and watch them,” said Miss -Martin.</p> - -<p>“We kin! I was just washin’ Freddy’s han’s -to take him wid me—he’s too little to leave behind, -yeh see.”</p> - -<p>Miss Martin’s little flock of six understood -<i>that</i> part of life, for had not each one of them -been scrubbed and polished with brown soap and -coarse rags just before leaving the city?</p> - -<p>Freddy was soon cleansed from the results of -making mud-pies near the brook, and Maggie triumphantly -led the way to the large green clearing -where the drill was to take place. On the -way she pointed out other Nests and explained -who occupied them, then she showed Miss Martin -the hospital, or clinic, as Maggie called it.</p> - -<p>“Dis Nest next to yourn is goin’ to have some -blind kids in it, from the asylum up in the Bronx. -Miss Flutey tol’ me not one of ’em ever saw -anyt’ing on de outside world. She said all dey -coul’ see was what was inside dere minds—do -you b’lieve dat?” asked Maggie, doubtfully.</p> - -<p>“Oh yes, Maggie. Blind folks have no idea -of the exterior world and so picture it for themselves<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> -in their thoughts—that is anyone who has -been born blind and never saw material things.”</p> - -<p>“I see!” murmured Maggie, slowly comprehending.</p> - -<p>Then passing the next Nest, she continued -explaining:</p> - -<p>“Them’s where the boys are campin’ just now. -All the Nests fer the boys ain’t done yet, and -most of dem have to live up in de row where -all dat noise is comin’ from.”</p> - -<p>“How old are the boys already here?” asked -Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“Half of ’em are cripples er sickly lookin’ kids -what was in a asylum er hospital, so dat’s why -dey ain’t runnin’ aroun’ playin’ ball er diggin’ -farms.”</p> - -<p>“After the drill I’d like you to show us the -farms,” suggested the lady.</p> - -<p>“All right—I’ll show you anyt’ing you likes -to see,” replied Maggie, graciously, but eyeing -the six little strangers to see how they took her -importance.</p> - -<p>They now reached a rustic bridge spanning the -shallow creek, and Nelly stopped to watch the -fascinating ripples flow past under her feet.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span>“Oh looka! Looka—Miss Martin! Dere’s a -fish!” screeched Nelly, excitedly pointing at some -tiny minnows darting about.</p> - -<p>The others crowded close to the railing to follow -the direction of Nelly’s pointing finger, and -great interest was manifested in the unusual -sight.</p> - -<p>“Pooh! One of the bigger boys <i>caught</i> a fish -yistiddy! A real live fish, it was, an’ he said it -was swimming in the big crick what comes from -dis little one,” bragged Maggie, proudly.</p> - -<p>“Caught a real fish!” gasped the group of -astonished city waifs.</p> - -<p>“Yep! And lemme tell you’se somet’ing else! -Dere are <i>reel</i> berries a-growin’ on bushes over -on dat hillside!” and Maggie pointed at a sunny -slope a short distance from the camp grove.</p> - -<p>“My!” chorused most of the little girls.</p> - -<p>“An’ birds, an’ bumblebees, an’ snakes, an’—oh, -heaps of awful stinger things what you’se -have to run from er jump over!” warned Maggie -with awesome tones and rolling eyes to impress -her hearers.</p> - -<p>“Snakes won’t sting, Maggie, unless you tease -them. And even then there are many snakes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> -quite harmless. As for a bumblebee! The big, -clumsy fellow is as good-natured as a puppy,” -said Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“Say, Miss Martin, you knows an awful lot -of stuff, don’t you?” exclaimed Maggie, admiringly.</p> - -<p>“I ought to, Maggie, as I am three times your -age. Maybe you will know more than I do, when -you grow up to be my age,” replied the lady, -smiling at the earnest little face.</p> - -<p>All during this walk, the other children had -been silent, as they were not yet quite at ease. -All was so new and interesting that they had no -words with which to express their feelings, but -Maggie had been a Little Citizen almost two -weeks, now, and so felt qualified to act as official -guide to newcomers.</p> - -<p>“Mebbe Miss Marting will tell us somet’in’ -about a bee er a snake?” ventured Katy Kronen, -a little girl of eight.</p> - -<p>“When we get back to the Nest I will tell you -all about some snakes I have seen, and about -the bees, too,” promised the Mother Wings, as -they reached the open field where outdoor games -and drills were to take place.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>“Dere he is—ain’t he grand?” cried Maggie, -excitedly.</p> - -<p>“Who—where?” asked several voices.</p> - -<p>“Our Uncle Ben—he’s really de Uncle to -some kids what live in Oakdale. Dey made up -dis camp, and Miss Selina what’s got a heap of -money is lookin’ after us an’ payin’ de bills. -Uncle Ben is her nephew, but everyone calls him -Uncle Ben, ’stead of Mr. Ta’mage, an’ he says -he likes to have so many nieces an’ nephews,” -explained Maggie all in one breath.</p> - -<p>Miss Martin now had her first glance at the -man she had heard so much of—not only in the -Welfare work but also from the papers at the -time of the Christmas Tree and Easter Picnic -in New York.</p> - -<p>She saw a tall well-built man with the happiest, -cheeriest face she had ever seen. No wonder -everyone liked him so!</p> - -<p>Maggie waved a hand energetically to attract -his attention, and soon the man smiled and waved -his hat at her.</p> - -<p>“Dere now—he’ll come over pritty soon,” -sighed Maggie, with sublime faith in her prophecy.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>And sure enough! As soon as Uncle Ben had -taken down the names of the boys who were to -enter a squad of Camp Police, he came over to -welcome the lady he had not yet met.</p> - -<p>“Dis is my neighbor Mudder Wings, Uncle -Ben,” said Maggie by way of introduction.</p> - -<p>The two smiled and felt much more at ease -because of such an informal introduction than -if it had been given by a diplomat.</p> - -<p>“I have heard of your educational work with -the city children,” said Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“You have? Why I had no idea it was important -enough to be remembered by such a busy -man as you are known to be,” commented Miss -Martin.</p> - -<p>“It is most important to all who are sincerely -interested in the welfare of our future citizens, -because the work you are doing educates and -familiarizes the children with Nature, so that -they will grow kind and affectionate towards -things that used to inspire fear and cruelty. I -trust we will be able to keep you here this summer -to conduct a series of Nature talks for the -Little Citizens?” said Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“I should like nothing better, Mr. Talmage, if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> -I do not have to make my usual summer tour of -camps for the purpose of creating an interest -in Nature Study. I sent a few substitutes to try -the work this year and so I may not have to go -personally,” rejoined Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“Let’s hope you may remain with us. We -have a great work to accomplish here, Miss Martin.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I can see that. How I should love to -be connected with such a plan, where money is -no object, but the welfare of Little Citizens -is the main idea. Now let me see what you -plan to do this afternoon with the boys. I heard -it was a drill.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I am just organizing a staff of helpers -to look after the general good of those at camp. -Won’t you come over and stand under the shade -of the trees while I give the boys their first -lesson?” said Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>So Miss Martin and her little companions followed -Mr. Talmage across the grass to the shady -spot he had designated.</p> - -<p>“Now boys! Attention! I shall open this -first drill by giving you some good rules to guide -your life in camp, and later, the Blue Birds and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> -Bobolinks are going to distribute cards which -they are now printing with these same rules and -regulations.</p> - -<p>“First and foremost: You cannot repay the -kind people and children who made this lovely -country camp possible for you in a better way -than to show kindness and thoughtfulness to -everyone you meet. And when you go back to -the city, to take with you the rule of doing unto -others as you would be done by. If this Golden -Rule is obeyed the world will be a happy place -for everyone.</p> - -<p>“Every day, and every hour, you will find -ways to show your gratitude to Miss Selina for -this camp. It may be that a child is frightened -at something—you can comfort and encourage -it. Maybe a boys’ quarrel or fight is on—you -can separate them and make peace. It is more -than likely that someone will use slang or swear -words, or call names or use improper English! -You can correct them in a thoughtful way that -will not be resented, but appreciated.</p> - -<p>“‘The Guide for Little Citizens’ that we publish -in the little magazine each month, ought to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> -be well known by most of you now—how many -here have had a copy of the magazine?”</p> - -<p>Two-thirds of the hands went up and Uncle -Ben nodded.</p> - -<p>“Well, for the benefit of the few who have not -had a copy of our fine little monthly, I will explain:</p> - -<p>“Our general motto is ‘Do something for -Somebody.’</p> - -<p>“Our seven Nest Resolutions are as follows:</p> - -<p>“‘A Little Citizen makes himself useful to -others and is loyal to all friends, relatives, or -foes, in thought and deed.</p> - -<p>“‘A Little Citizen loves his Country and resolves -to be a good citizen. He loves everything -in the land or sea—beast, bird, fish, or insect, -and will not injure or tease them.</p> - -<p>“‘A Little Citizen loves and protects the trees, -the flowers, and other growing things in Nature’s -creation.</p> - -<p>“‘A Little Citizen will care for all beautiful -things: books, pictures, clothing, and everything -useful, ornamental, instructive or entertaining.</p> - -<p>“‘A Little Citizen will refrain from discourtesy -of any sort; from using vulgar language or<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> -being disobedient. In following these ideals each -one will soon see the great improvement in all.</p> - -<p>“‘A Little Citizen resolves to daily seek opportunity -to accomplish some good thing—something -that will add to his character-building and -do good to others.</p> - -<p>“‘A Little Citizen will help where help is -needed, encourage the unhappy and hopeless, and -be true to others as he would be true to his own -best self.’</p> - -<p>“If everyone will remember these rules and use -them wherever possible, you will find what a -happy camp this will be for each one.</p> - -<p>“Now I want to speak of my firemen—a squad -of the older boys who can be our official firemen -for the summer camp. For this work I have -chosen the ten boys who are standing at the left, -over there. Come forward, firemen, and let me -introduce you to the Little Citizens of Happy -Hills.”</p> - -<p>Ten strong boys ranging from nine to twelve -years of age now came over to Uncle Ben’s side -and stood eager to hear what he would have to -say to them.</p> - -<p>“First of all, I want to tell you—and then have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> -you tell and teach the campers at Happy Hills—that -most of the fires that destroy life and property -are not due to accident as much as to carelessness -and mischief. It is ignorance of what -to do in case of a fire that permits a small blaze -to grow into a consuming flame that wrecks -blocks of buildings and wastes millions of dollars -worth of property.</p> - -<p>“If everyone knew just what to do and did it -at once, you can understand that there would be -little danger. Of recent years, the large schools -in cities have introduced a course of lessons that -take up ‘First Aids’ and ‘Presence of Mind’ tests -for the children so that they may be ready to -apply such knowledge when needed.</p> - -<p>“You have most likely heard the proverb: -‘Fire makes a good servant, but a bad master.’ -Now just as long as we keep fire in its rightful -place to do all sorts of work for us, and to keep -us warm in winter, or to create steam in the -water placed on it for many important services, -then fire is the servant. But once let it get the -least bit of headway through neglect, or mischief, -or by any other cause, and it immediately<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> -consumes whatever it touches and feeds upon all -it burns so that it becomes a raging demon.</p> - -<p>“A child can control a fire in the stove or in -a lamp—all one has to do is to turn down the -wick or pull out a damper. But once we let -fire leap from its bounds, we need a force to -fight it. And that is what I expect of you boys. -To so train yourselves that in case of emergency, -you will know instantly how to fight the demon, -fire.</p> - -<p>“To help you all I can, I have invited one of -New York’s Fire Commissioners to visit us -shortly and tell you many wise things I do not -know in connection with this work. But long -before he comes I want you to be practicing daily -and have sham-fires. I have a hand-engine waiting -in the great barn back of the tool-house, and -enough hose to reach from the brook to any Nest -or building in the woods.</p> - -<p>“I have also ordered, but they have not yet -arrived, a set of small ladders and hooks and -other implements useful in case of fire. All apparatus -for the Fire Department will be kept -in this new shed back of us, and no Little Citizen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> -is ever to be allowed inside this door, unless it -be one of the boys detailed as a fireman.</p> - -<p>“You ten boys will have a dark-brown camp-uniform -to show you are Firemen; and in case -of a fire you will don the heavy overalls and -caps kept in the Fire-house.”</p> - -<p>As Uncle Ben explained the plan and held up -a sample fireman’s uniform, the boys shouted -and whistled and clapped with delight, for this -sort of thing was very unusual and gratifying.</p> - -<p>“Now, Firemen, you may stand back while I -call out our Police Force. The twelve boys on -the right will step up.”</p> - -<p>The chosen Firemen retired after being introduced, -and the twelve policemen eagerly ran over -to Uncle Ben’s side.</p> - -<p>“These are to be our official policemen in -camp. They are going to be taught all that a -policeman needs to do and know, and they are -responsible for the laws and good reputation of -Happy Hills. If anyone needs help or advice -about matters here or in any personal problem, -the policeman must give what aid he can.</p> - -<p>“The police must see that rules and regulations -are carried out to the letter, and all games,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> -drills, or other public gatherings must be ordered -by them, and all nuisances removed.</p> - -<p>“If a member of either Fire Department or -Police Force is disloyal to his fellow-man or -breaks his vow to live up to the laws governing -his department, he will be discharged, and another -boy elected to fill the vacant place. But I -hope no such vacancies will occur.”</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben then mentioned other important -things and good points in managing the camp, -and told the police he had blue uniforms for -them to wear when on duty. He held up a suit -made of blue denim, and a cap to match, but no -clubs were to be given to this police force! -Weapons were tabooed by Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Now, boys, I want each of you to ‘do his bit’ -in this camp, and to drill well so that you can -give a fine exhibition of your ability when called -upon to use it. I expect the Blue Birds and -Bobolinks at Happy Hills next week, and it will -be a great surprise to them to see what we have -accomplished in so short a time.”</p> - -<p>The boys quickly agreed to study and practice -well, so Uncle Ben smiled approvingly and -called upon a group of girls to step forward.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span> -There were six girls from ten to twelve years -of age in one group, and four, of thirteen years, -in another group.</p> - -<p>“Here you see six nurses who will have charge -of the Little Citizens who should accidentally be -scratched, cut or have any other physical trouble. -These nurses will have the right to go to the -infirmary and use whatever they may need for a -patient. But they will have to ask the grown-up -in charge of the infirmary for the needed -remedy.</p> - -<p>“These nurses will also see that Little Citizens -are careful of their manner of living in camp, -and will report anyone who breaks the rules or -is careless of the welfare of others.</p> - -<p>“The four big girls you see in the other group -are Mother’s Helpers. Everyone knows what -a Mother’s Helper is, and with these four Helpers -to go about and offer help to any little Mother -Wings, there ought to be a chance for everyone -to have a good time.</p> - -<p>“Take Maggie, for instance! Maggie has six -little brothers and sisters to look after, and they -are a handful. Now one of these official -Mother’s Helpers can help Maggie in the morning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> -so that she need not be late for breakfast on -account of having so many little ones to wash -and dress,” explained Uncle Ben, smiling at -Maggie.</p> - -<p>The latter heaved a deep sigh and said: “Oh -t’ank you, Uncle Ben!”</p> - -<p>“Tomorrow morning at nine o’clock sharp, the -Firemen will drill at this place, and at ten -o’clock the Police Force will meet and drill,” -said Uncle Ben, and the meeting was over for -that day.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV<br /> - - -<small>THE BLUE BIRDS VISIT HAPPY HILLS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>A week had passed by swiftly while the Firemen -and Police Force practiced and drilled constantly -to become proficient in their work. And -the official nurses found many little ways in -which to help with the smaller children and when -anyone was in trouble. Miss Martin had thought -out a plan, and was beginning a story-telling -class to be held directly after luncheon in the big -Refectory. She purposely called it story-telling -so the Little Citizens wouldn’t think they were -being bored with lessons or class.</p> - -<p>“Now, boys, show me what you can do today—for -tomorrow our visitors are coming, you -know,” said Uncle Ben, as he called his Firemen -and Police together at the Big Park, as it was -styled.</p> - -<p>But there were still other squads waiting to -show off what they could do, and these groups -had not yet been introduced to the general public.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>“I’ll tell you, my friends, what I discovered -after our last week’s meeting. I found that we -needed a Camp Cleaning Department and a -Health Department. The Camp Cleaners are -elected every two weeks, and the ones doing their -work best during the two weeks win medals. -Those in the Health Department work a month, -and are given a certificate if the time has been -well applied to duty. The reason for limiting the -Cleaning Department to two weeks is because -there is much daily work to attend to, and this -Force really works more in two weeks than any -other department in a month.</p> - -<p>“The Nurses are under the Health Department -and both the Health and Nurse Departments -are supervised by the Infirmary Head.</p> - -<p>“Tomorrow morning the Street Cleaning Department -begins work. Each of the twelve boys -is equipped with a big round basket on a push-mobile, -and a broom and shovel. The paths that -lead through or across the camp-site will be -cleaned of papers, or any other trash that is -likely to fly about where there are so many children. -It is the duty of every Mother Wings to -have the trash-bag waiting in front of the Nest<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> -so the Cleaning Department can remove the bags -and leave empty ones in their place—exactly as -we do in New York.</p> - -<p>“The Health Board must visit and inspect the -Nests each day and report any lack of attention -or seeming cause for concern to the Mother’s -Helpers, Nurses, and Infirmary Head. Then -the Helper investigates at once and the Nurse -sees if there is anything she can do, and both report -to the Infirmary. If it is serious the Head -immediately attends to it.</p> - -<p>“Our Health Board wears this uniform,” and -Uncle Ben held up white percale overalls with -blue stripes on the collar and cuffs of the under-blouse -that went with it.</p> - -<p>“And our Street Cleaning Department wears -this uniform,” then a pair of white overalls -without stripes, but a white helmet to match the -overalls, were shown to the enthusiastic Little -Citizens.</p> - -<p>“Isn’t this the most fun you ever heard of?” -cried one boy, who was a Health Officer.</p> - -<p>“Oh! I wish we could live at Happy Hills all -the time!” came from a Policeman, wistfully.</p> - -<p>“Now Little Citizens, we will stand back and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> -watch a trial drill of our brave Firemen,” called -Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>The big boys belonging to the fire department -now ran to the shed they had called the “Fire-house,” -and were soon in their uniforms. Then -they performed as only eager, enthusiastic boys -can before a number of spectators. They were -applauded loudly and Uncle Ben said they were -ready for the Grand Exhibit on the morrow.</p> - -<p>The Police Force drilled next, and they, too, -were heartily applauded. The second exhibition -ended, Uncle Ben ordered all to fall in line and -march away to play.</p> - -<p>“Wish we had a brass band, Mr. Ta’mage! -Wouldn’t it be fun to have parades!” called the -Fire Chief.</p> - -<p>“Say, Bill, that’s a fine idea! Are there any -Little Citizens here who can play on an instrument?” -asked Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“I kin play a fiddle!” squeaked a weak boy’s -voice.</p> - -<p>“I’ve got a mouth-organ,” called another.</p> - -<p>“I beat the drum!”</p> - -<p>“I ust to play a fife.”</p> - -<p>“I can blow a horn—I got paid fer it on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> -East Side, when any patent medicine quack -wanted to get a crowd around to buy his stuff,” -admitted one of the big Firemen.</p> - -<p>And a score or so of boys all cried that they -wanted to play something in the band. Uncle -Ben knew music was a great thing in a community -even if it had a discordant sound at -first; it would be helpful and elevating for them -even to try and play.</p> - -<p>“I’m going to act on Bill’s suggestion at once! -I will wire Mr. Richards to pick out the instruments -we may need to begin a Camp Band. He -will know what to buy,” declared Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Say, Mister Ta’mage, tell him not to waste -his good money buyin’ ’em new—he kin git all -kinds and all sizes of music instruments at a -pawn-shop along the Bowery. Me brudder got -a fine bass horn at one, fer a quarter of what it -was wuth!” bawled a big East Side German boy.</p> - -<p>“Yah! Hear Dutchy talk! It takes your big -brudder what was practicin’ music fer yer Kaiser, -to grab a bargain!” jeered Young Italy.</p> - -<p>“He didn’t not! My brudder is blowin’ his -horn fer a enlist camp on Long Island—so now!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> -An’ my fadder and mudder are natural Americaners, -I want to tell you yet!” retorted Bill.</p> - -<p>“Here, here, boys! No war arguments at -Happy Hills! It is absolutely forbidden! Bill -is as good a citizen as I am and should anyone -question my veracity on the subject, he can leave -camp now! We don’t want to give our Police -Force any unnecessary trouble and I know what -such a discussion will lead up to.”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Ta’mage, I gotta cymbals to my house -in New York. My uncle left them wid us when -he was drafted,” said another boy from the -ranks.</p> - -<p>“You write at once, Jimmy, and ask your -mother to send them on to us,—collect. You can -play the cymbals in the band,” declared Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>But that brought down a flood of trouble upon -his unsuspecting head, as every boy at camp -instantly yelled and begged for some position in -the new Brass Band, although many of them -had not the slightest idea of the difference between -a half-note and a fish-worm.</p> - -<p>“It all boils down to this: We’ve got to buy -instruments and all take part in the band. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span> -girls will have to take up the choral work and -give musicals in singing while we accompany -them in playing,” determined Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>The Blue Birds and Bobolinks arrived about -noon, the day following the drill and the decision -to start a brass band. As the noisy party -stopped before Aunt Selina’s door, each one tried -to crane his neck for a glimpse of the wonderful -camp they had been the means of founding. But -the trees screened everything from curious eyes; -still the shouting and laughter could be heard, -although even that was mellowed by the distance -from the house.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Uncle Ben, we are wild to see the Little -Citizens. Aunt Selina and you have not written -half enough to satisfy us!” cried Ruth Talmage, -as she jumped at her uncle, the moment the automobile -stopped.</p> - -<p>“Uncle Ben, Mr. Richards telephoned us this -morning early, that he couldn’t come with us. -You must have told him to get some stuff in New -York. He said he would attend to it today and -leave the city on a midnight train, so’s to be here -tomorrow,” said Ned Talmage, delivering the -message as he was asked.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>“That’s fine, Ned! If Mr. Richards can get -what I want there will be a heap of fun at Happy -Hills this summer,” replied Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“As if there was no fun here!” laughed Miss -Selina.</p> - -<p>“Come on,—come on, and don’t stand there -talking! I want to see the camp,” called Don -Starr, catching hold of Jinks’ hand to pull him -away.</p> - -<p>“Wait a moment! Don’t you want something -to eat?” questioned Mr. Talmage.</p> - -<p>“But why can’t we eat in the Refectory with -the Citizens?” wondered Meredith Starr aloud.</p> - -<p>“Sure thing, Uncle Ben! We don’t want a -ready-made house with fine furniture and things, -when we have a dandy camp right at hand where -a fellow can rough it for a few days!” added -Don, and he felt very impressive with the manner -in which he said “rough it.”</p> - -<p>The Little Citizens were expecting their young -benefactors, and the whole camp was as spick -and span as a Street Cleaning Department could -make it; and every child was polished till it shone, -thanks to the Mother’s Helpers; and the Police -Force was uniformed and waiting at cross paths<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> -of the camp ready to salute the group of Blue -Birds and Bobolinks the moment they passed -the City Line. Only the Fire Department was -invisible, but they were waiting impatiently at -the Fire House for the signal that would bring -them out in a glorious show.</p> - -<p>For be it known, my friends, that the Police -Force, the Street Cleaning Department, and the -Fire Company, had planned a secret all unknown -to Uncle Ben, or any Little Citizen—at least a -non-official citizen—that meant the girls, as -every boy in camp belonged to some Civic Department -or other and wore its uniform.</p> - -<p>The secret was so well guarded that not even -I had a peep of it, but it was dreadfully exciting -as one could tell by the flushed faces and meaning -signals that passed between the important -branches of the Camp Government.</p> - -<p>“Dere dey come—jus’ leavin’ de house!” called -Jimmy, who was perched up on an electric light -pole to spy.</p> - -<p>“Which way are dey takin’—Primrose Walk -or Daffodil Lane?” asked an eager voice from -the crowd.</p> - -<p>“Comin’ straight down Daffodil Lane—gee!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> -dem boys what calls demselves Bobolinks are -swells all right!” said Jimmy, as he slid quickly -down the pole and joined his comrades.</p> - -<p>“How many of ’em?” asked a boy.</p> - -<p>“’Bout six er eight—big and little.”</p> - -<p>“How little?” came from several small boys.</p> - -<p>“Two look to be about eight, some look ten -and de udders about Dutchy’s age,” explained -Jimmy, which goes to tell the reader that Bill, -the boy of German parentage had to suffer the -nickname of “Dutchy” in spite of Uncle Ben’s -protests. A boy will be a boy the world over!</p> - -<p>“Now—all ready for the cry!” warned the -Fire Chief.</p> - -<p>“One, two, three—yell!”</p> - -<p>Just as Uncle Ben and his little friends came -up to the camp-boundary line, the Little Citizens -gave a war-cry of:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="first">“Lit! Lit! Lit-tle Cits!</div> -<div class="verse">Cit! Cit! Cit-i-zens!</div> -<div class="verse">Unc! Unc! Uncle Ben!</div> -<div class="verse">Hurrah for the Prince of Men!</div> -<div class="verse">Bob! Bob! Bob-o-links!</div> -<div class="verse">Blue! Blue! Blue Birds too!</div> -<div class="verse">Aunt! Aunt! Aunt S’li-na!</div> -<div class="verse">’Rah! ’Rah! Flutey Mah!”</div> -</div></div> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>The concerted chorus, and the syncopated -action of the scores of hearty voices was deafening -to the newcomers, especially as it was unexpected; -but it was most satisfying as the laughter -and hurrahs attested the moment the welcome -was ended.</p> - -<p>Aunt Selina laughed and laughed at the way -the Little Citizens ’rahed for Flutey Mah!</p> - -<p>The Blue Birds and Bobolinks were then -escorted about the wonderful camp and shown -everything important or otherwise. Even the -mud-pies made by Maggie’s baby brother that -morning had to be shown and laughed over!</p> - -<p>“Now, my Publishing Friends, we will adjourn -to the Fire-house and watch the Fire Company -drill,” announced Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“What Fire Company?” asked Don, amazed—as -were the other visitors, too.</p> - -<p>“You’ll soon see! Have you failed to see the -Police Squad keeping order about the town?” -laughed Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>So eager and curious about other things had -the Blue Birds and Bobolinks been, that they had -not seen the stiff boys at guard in blue uniforms.</p> - -<p>“Well, I never!” exclaimed Ruth.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>“Whose idea is that?” questioned Meredith.</p> - -<p>Without reply, Uncle Ben gave a signal to his -police and the men saluted, turned upon their -heel, and marched away in single file towards the -Fire-house.</p> - -<p>“Oh! I want to be a fireman, too! Isn’t it -fun!” cried Don, running after the departing -Force much as a small boy would at a circus -parade.</p> - -<p>“Now, come and see my Firemen drill,” added -Uncle Ben, laughing at the amazement on the -faces about him.</p> - -<p>“How lovely!” cried Vene Starr, as she realized -what had been planned by Uncle Ben for -their entertainment.</p> - -<p>Immediately after the Blue Birds and Bobolinks -were stationed on a small platform near the -Fire-house, a Policeman rang the fire-gong in the -center of the camp-town. It was a great iron -hoop hung upon a cross-beam and was sounded -by striking it with a bar of metal.</p> - -<p>Not until this moment had Uncle Ben noticed -anything unusual about the Park, but now he -saw a column of smoke issuing from a structure -at one end of the field that had not been there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> -the day before. It was loosely built of old boards -and discarded lumber thrown aside by the carpenters -when building the Nests. He understood -what it meant, too.</p> - -<p>The moment the fire-gong sounded, the Little -Citizens standing about to watch the fun, began -yelling at the top of their lungs: “Fire! Fire! -Save us from the fire!”</p> - -<p>Then they all started to run for the temporary -house at the end of the field. At the same time, -the Fire Department flung open the doors of its -house and rushed out pulling the hand-engine -at their heels. The boys with the hose reel followed, -and last came the Hook and Ladder Team.</p> - -<p>All made for the now flaming structure and -naturally, the visitors ran too, to watch at close -hand the daring and bravery of the Fire Department. -Uncle Ben hoped the sparks from the fire -would not start anything else as it was too near -the Nests for safety.</p> - -<p>The Fire-engine reached the scene, and while -they were getting ready to pump water from the -creek into and through the hose-pipes, the other -firemen were screwing nozzles to the hose, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span> -connecting up the lengths so that it would reach -the burning dwelling.</p> - -<p>Other firemen were placing ladders against the -side of the frail structure to pretend they were -climbing up to save lives, but Uncle Ben protested -quickly.</p> - -<p>“Don’t dare too much, boys! The shack will -collapse with a suddenness that will give you no -time to get away! Don’t scale the ladders!”</p> - -<p>While he spoke, other boys were using axes -and rams on the wooden frame to show how a -closed and locked house can be made to give way -before a fireman. But the advice reached the -excited boys too late! The blows from ram and -axe had shaken the loose frame, and the flames -on the inside had eaten a way through the corner-posts -that held up the shack.</p> - -<p>Just as the weight of Bill was brought full -against the side of the building, the whole thing -fell in like a house of cards. The ladder and fireman -fell with it. Instantly a dense smoke arose -from the fresh fuel, and sparks flew out in every -direction.</p> - -<p>“Life Savers! Life Savers!” yelled the few -boys who had seen the accident, and they rushed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span> -in to grab Dutchy from the leaping tongues of -flame that now licked up the wood.</p> - -<p>The firemen at the creek heard shouting and -calling but they thought it was all part of the -game so they began pumping water into the hose, -and momentarily expected to see a fine stream -played upon the fire.</p> - -<p>But the nozzle had been dropped when Bill -fell headlong into the fire and the two firemen -ran to help drag him out; now the nozzle lay -pointing directly at the Blue Birds and Bobolinks -who were intensely concerned over pulling Bill -safely out of the fire.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a great stream of water shot out of -the nozzle and quickly drenched the girls standing -in its pathway. Don, taking in the situation -at a glance, ran over to hold the hose properly -and turn it upon the blaze.</p> - -<p>He secured the nozzle all right, but in turning -toward the fire he had to sweep it about in a -circle, and in so doing, the rush of water from -the hose managed to drench everyone in the radius -of its swirl.</p> - -<p>Amidst the screaming from the girls and the -shouting advices from the boys, the firemen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> -yelled and worked, while Don did his best to flood -everyone near the almost burnt-down building -with the stream pouring incessantly from the -nozzle that was being so carelessly directed by -him.</p> - -<p>“For goodness sake who’s driving that flood -after me wherever I run to get away from it?” -now bawled Uncle Ben, as nearly angry as he -had ever been.</p> - -<p>“Here, you! Gimme dat hose—cain’t ye see -ye ain’t sendin’ a drop on de fire but soakin’ yer -fren’s!” shouted Jimmy, as he caught the nozzle -from Don, and poured one last flood down -Dutchy’s back.</p> - -<p>When poor Dutchy Bill could gasp again, he -managed to say: “Did any of you’se blockheads -t’ink a feller coul’ burn wid all de creek emptyin’ -itself on his back!”</p> - -<p>But that was only his way of showing how -thankful he was for the timely aid given him by -his companions. For he would have been seriously -injured had not the other boys been quick -to drag him forth from the flames.</p> - -<p>“That was some fire, boys!” declared the Chief,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> -delightedly, as he ordered the Company back to -their quarters.</p> - -<p>“I thought it was a flood—not a fire!” commented -Ned, as he tried to wring out his light -summer coat.</p> - -<p>“We all look as if we had just come out of the -ocean,” added Dot, grinning at the clinging organdie -dresses of her companions.</p> - -<p>“Still, it was a good blaze and heaps of excitement, -and that’s all a fellow wants at a real fire, -you know,” explained Jinks, as he remembered -the fire where Mete and he had saved some lives.</p> - -<p>“If that were all that was needed at a fire then -every city fire would be a success as there is always -excitement to be had and a big blaze if you -give it time,” said Uncle Ben, who had recovered -his good-humor.</p> - -<p>The fire apparatus was replaced in the house -and the brave firemen came out to be congratulated -on their prowess. Don being the only dry -Bobolink of his party, stood watching the boys, -and finally said:</p> - -<p>“Uncle Ben, you ought to have given a medal -for bravery! Bill scaled the ladder in spite of -danger to life and limb.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>“We’re going to give you the medal this time!” -replied Uncle Ben, seriously.</p> - -<p>“Me! What for—what did I do?”</p> - -<p>“You wasted more water than Happy Hills -uses in a month, and you spoiled a dozen or so -good dresses and suits, so we will present you -with a leather medal!”</p> - -<p>At that the older children laughed merrily, and -Don knew a leather medal was nothing to be -proud of; still he kept his tongue under control -until he had had time to ask someone what a -leather medal meant anyway!</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V<br /> - - -<small>MISS MARTIN’S TALK</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The Blue Birds and Bobolinks had to hurry -to the kitchen where a good-natured cook and -kitchen girl offered to dry their wet clothes. -Meantime, the hapless boys and girls would have -to wear overalls just as the Little Citizens did -for work.</p> - -<p>The majority of the Little Citizens had followed -their visitors to the big kitchen and when -the transformed Blue Birds came out in blue -denim jumpers, everyone laughed.</p> - -<p>“What can we do while we’re waiting for our -clothes to dry?” asked Dot Starr, who never -could keep quiet a moment.</p> - -<p>“Let Miss Martin tell one of her stories!” suggested -Nelly.</p> - -<p>“She’s an awful good story-teller! You just -oughter hear one,” added Maggie, with the air -of one who knows.</p> - -<p>“If you will all sit down on the Refectory floor<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> -while we are waiting for dry clothes, I will tell -you a short story,” agreed Miss Martin. And -everyone sat down just where he or she happened -to be.</p> - -<p>“What shall it be?” asked the lady.</p> - -<p>Just then a hop-toad jumped upon the platform -of the Refectory floor and almost landed in Betty -Blue Bird’s lap.</p> - -<p>“Oh, oh! A horrid toad!” cried she, jumping -up to shake herself free from the disagreeable -contact.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you a story about a <i>nice</i> little toad!” -laughed Miss Martin, instantly.</p> - -<p>“Oh yes, and cure Betty of her dread of wood-creatures,” -added Dot, eagerly.</p> - -<p>“That little toad only hopped up to say, ‘Glad -to see you in the country, children!’ because he -is so happy here himself, he wants everyone to -feel as happy as he does.</p> - -<p>“You see Speckles—that is the toad’s name, -I’m sure—had had a dreadful long season of it -last winter as he lay dozing under the old tree-roots -over there. You will find a deep hole running -under the roots, and in the fall the wind<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> -blows leaves and other dry material into the opening -to keep out the cold.</p> - -<p>“Speckles has a wide mouth and great shining -eyes, but his eyes could see nothing to eat in the -tunnel where he waited for spring, and his -mouth had chewed nothing since the cold blast -of winter had driven him to cover late in the -fall.</p> - -<p>“Speckles was too tired and cold and hungry -to force a way out to the open until he was quite -sure there would be a fair-sized meal for his -empty stomach, so he waited and dozed some -more. As he dozed he wondered—and that made -a dream you know—where Spot, his mate, could -be. Was she still sleeping or was she out and -working for something to eat?</p> - -<p>“That made Speckles sit up! He rubbed his -button eyes with a fore-foot and yawned—oh -what a yawn from that great mouth! He determined -to go out for some air. Perhaps, who -knows—there might be a tidbit about somewhere -to ease the gnawing in his insides!</p> - -<p>“The dry leaves were soon pushed out and -forth came Speckles, but a very different-looking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span> -toad from the fat one that went into winter -quarters the previous fall.</p> - -<p>“‘Good-day, Mr. Cricket!’ said Speckles, politely, -to a very tender-looking cricket that sat -just above his reach on a twig.</p> - -<p>“Being once removed on the plane above a -common toad, Mr. Cricket never deigned to notice -the polite greeting. Had the <i>toad</i> been -above, the entire scene would have changed instantly! -Perhaps proud Mr. Cricket would have -been the suppliant for life and liberty.</p> - -<p>“Speckles hopped over to the tunnel to which -he had escorted his mate the season before, and -now he churked a sickly roundelay to wake her -from her dreams. Spot was having a glorious -dream of bugs and maggots and all kinds of -toothsome dainties, and the faint call from her -mate failed to rouse her the first time. Again -he chirruped, a bit louder and stronger this time, -and Spot awoke with a shock to find her feast -vanish! It was but a dream!</p> - -<p>“Spot then waddled out—she need not have -waddled, as she was thin and scrawny, but she -was still dreaming that she had stuffed herself -at the feast, so she waddled. Then, too, her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span> -joints were stiff from the cramped position she -had been in for many months.</p> - -<p>“‘Ha, Spot, my dear!’ saluted Speckles, as he -saw his mate stumbling from the winter resort.</p> - -<p>“‘Well, Speck, have you found any dinner?’ -was the first house-wifely question from Spot.</p> - -<p>“‘I met Mr. Cricket, but he seemed very lean -and unsatisfying, so I passed him up,’ replied -Speckles.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, did you? Or did he hop up himself?’ -tittered Spot.</p> - -<p>“‘Isn’t it all the same, my dear? I did not eat -him!’</p> - -<p>“Spot gave a sleepy look at her spouse but said -nothing.</p> - -<p>“‘I have been thinking, my dear wife, that -perhaps some of our friends may hold a musicale -at the frog-pond tonight—shall we hop down and -see? We may find some juicy bugs on the way, -too.’</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, let us be off! I must find a home for -the children as soon as possible, too, and perhaps -the tepid water of the mud-hole will be just right -for the eggs.’</p> - -<p>“So the pair hopped away from the trees and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span> -were soon at a small spot beside the creek, where -the water had made a tiny bay in the bank. On -the way they found a spider and a few thin ants, -but what was such a tiny mouthful to such hungry -toads?</p> - -<p>“On the muddy brink of the small inlet, Spot -sat and wondered! Here she had laid a number -of tiny eggs the spring before, and these had -hatched out into fine, fat little tadpoles. How -well she remembered the day the tads turned into -tiny toads with wide gaps for mouths and bright -button eyes like her own, and had hopped out of -the water to prance about and play with each -other!</p> - -<p>“Where now were all those dear children? -Would any of them remember the old home-spot -and return to bring their grand-children, and -gladden the old frogs?</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, well,’ sighed Spot, ‘It is the way of all -human nature! Once the child is grown it -throws off all restraint and protecting care of -parents and plunges headlong into life!’</p> - -<p>“But Speckles interrupted her thought by calling -her attention to an old decayed log under -which he had just burrowed.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>“‘Spot—come quick! A fine mess of bugs -here!’</p> - -<p>“And Spot jumped over to gorge herself on the -feast—almost as delicious a feast as in the dream, -but far more satisfying than the dream-feast had -been.</p> - -<p>“Spot then made her way carefully down the -muddy bank and waddled out to water that -reached to her nose. The rest of her body was -submerged. There she sat all night, listening to -the singing of the male toads who serenaded -their mates on the banks, while their wives were -attending to family duties.</p> - -<p>“Speckles sang and sang, too, as he sat on the -grassy bank just above Spot where she was laying -the yearly batch of eggs.</p> - -<p>“At the first streak of dawn, Speckles whispered: -‘Spot, the day is breaking—we must -away to our home.’</p> - -<p>“Spot scrambled out at that, and followed her -mate to the woods, saying as she went: ‘I wish -we could have a grand family reunion this year, -Speckles. When the new eggs hatch out into -polliwogs, I would like to have our children of -last year come home and meet the babies.’</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>“‘That is a silly mother’s sentiment! I suppose -our large family of last year is well-scattered -in every direction this year.’</p> - -<p>“Spot said nothing but sighed for she knew -how useless it was to wish an impossible wish!</p> - -<p>“Some time after this event, the eggs laid by -Spot that lovely moonlight night, hatched into -queer little black things with but two legs and a -slippery tail. Some of the saucy polliwogs -whisking about in the outside creek jeered:</p> - -<p>“‘Pooh! You Tads! Where are your front -legs?’</p> - -<p>“‘They’ll grow soon, and when they do we’ll -come out there and duck you impudent Polliwogs!’ -threatened one Tad, named Tibby.</p> - -<p>“At the bare mention of ‘duck’ every Tad -jumped and even Tibby Tad shivered with apprehension, -for it was well known that a duck was -a deadly foe to a Polliwog or a Tadpole.</p> - -<p>“‘Quick—run to cover! Here comes a duck!’ -shouted a Polliwog from the larger creek.</p> - -<p>“Instantly every Tad burrowed down through -the muddy inlet and remained hidden until they -heard the Pollys’ laugh and jeer, then the Tads -knew they had been made sport of.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>“‘I’m going to swim out there and slap that -Polliwog’s face!’ exclaimed Tibby Tad, as he -started up from the soft mud.</p> - -<p>“Just then a dreadful thing happened on the -surface of the water above him. A big black -thing fell ker-splash into the pool, and the ripples -circled about as it tried to scramble forth -again.</p> - -<p>“The big black bug saw the Tads, however, -and made a quick dive for them. Alas! Some -were caught and gobbled up, but Tibby escaped -without a scratch!</p> - -<p>“‘That wasn’t a duck, but it was just as bad -as one,’ said Tibby to himself, as he decided not -to swim out to the big creek that day but stick -close to the home-bank of mud.</p> - -<p>“Some time after this, the other legs began -to grow and the Tads who had survived the -raids of ducks, beetles, bugs and other enemies, -found they could hop feebly to the bank.</p> - -<p>“‘Why this is our birthday—we are six weeks -old today,’ exclaimed Tibby, as he managed to -scramble out of the puddle and sit up in the -grass, panting after the unusual exertion.</p> - -<p>“He watched his brothers and sisters crawl<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> -up beside him, and after a time, they began to -jump and have the most fun! Leap-frog was -too strenuous for that day, as the little legs would -wobble when they tried to hop.</p> - -<p>“‘Come with me, Tina,’ coaxed Tibby to his -sister, as he found she was the sturdiest of the -lot who had hopped from the pool.</p> - -<p>“As Tibby and Tina hopped away, a few of -their brethren followed. Now and then the Tads—or -Toads they now were—stopped to feast -upon an unknown tidbit, but they ate it whether -it was familiar and certified by the Pure Food -Commission or not! They ate and ate, every -sort of bug or worm they found, and not a single -thought was wasted on Mr. Hoover or his wartime -rations! Tibby and Tina were not very -patriotic in their self-denial that first day out -of the puddle!</p> - -<p>“Tibby led the way, for he was the bravest -of the party. Soon he came to a tall grassy -place where he heard a queer sound.</p> - -<p>“‘Tina, do you hear?’ asked Tibby.</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, brother, what is it?’</p> - -<p>“‘No time to ask—run, Tina!’ cried Tibby, and -the two made a mighty leap just in time to escape<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> -a quail that pounced down upon the tiny toads -and gobbled one quickly out of sight.</p> - -<p>“‘It was Clumsy that disappeared!’ sighed -Tina, all sympathy for the awkward little toad -that could not escape death.</p> - -<p>“‘Watch out for other assassins! We know -not where the next may lurk,’ whispered Tibby, -for he was poetical as well as practical, you see.</p> - -<p>“Tina admired her big brother and watched -carefully as he had advised, so she was the first -to spy a swift animal with a bushy tail. What -was it? How it did jump—almost as fast and -high and far as a toad!</p> - -<p>“‘Run, Tina, Run! It’s a squirrel!’ shouted -Tibby, as the tiny toads stood petrified with fear.</p> - -<p>“The squirrel soon had the smallest and weakest -of the family and that left four to wander -along heart-broken over their loss.</p> - -<p>“‘I fear we shall end like the “ten little niggers -that sat on a gate,”’ wailed Tibby, the poem -of those unlucky little black children appealing -to him at the moment.</p> - -<p>“‘Tibby, will you or I be the last one to swing -on the gate and then fall off, so there was none?’ -mournfully asked Tina.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>“Suddenly, before Tibby could reply, there was -a happy cry and two fat toads appeared who -greeted the four baby toads.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh my darlings—it is Mamma Spot! Don’t -you know me?’</p> - -<p>“Then Speckles puffed up proudly as he saw -young Tibby and the baby brother, and said, -‘Tib, my son, I am glad to see you have brought -the children safely home.’</p> - -<p>“What became of the other tads in the puddle -I never could find out, but the four we followed -to the woods lived happily with Speckles and Spot -and as they grew up and married they raised -their Tads in that same puddle.</p> - -<p>“The pretty toad that jumped into Betty’s lap -a while ago was either Father Speckles or Tibby, -who sniffed something to eat and wondered if we -humans ate the same delicious bugs that he preferred -above everything else.”</p> - -<p>Everyone clapped at the ending of the story -and Betty laughed gayly, as she admitted that -she would like to find Tibby, just to tell him how -glad she was he had escaped from his enemies.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI<br /> - - -<small>LITTLE MOTHER MAGGIE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The clothes were dry, and the Blue Birds and -Bobolinks were again dressed, but Uncle Ben -advised them to keep the overalls to protect their -good clothes while they were playing in camp.</p> - -<p>Tea—it was called supper at Happy Hills—was -served at 6 p. m. sharp each day, and now the -Refectory was soon arranged for the children. -As the Oakdale visitors intended having the -evening meal at the camp Refectory, a table was -set out for them.</p> - -<p>Maggie found the neighboring table the one -occupied by the adored Blue Birds, and very -little did she eat that noon! Even the table manners -of her six little sisters and brothers failed to -distract her attention from watching the girls at -Uncle Ben’s table.</p> - -<p>Supper over, Uncle Ben said: “Now what shall -we do?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>“Let’s go over and look at the Little Farms,” -said Ned.</p> - -<p>“Oh yes, Uncle, you see we want to know what -to say in the next issue of the magazine when we -offer prizes to the farmers of Happy Hills,” said -Ruth.</p> - -<p>The Little Citizens had gathered around and -now looked eager to hear more of the prize idea. -Uncle Ben surmised as much and laughed.</p> - -<p>“I doubt if the Little Citizens have heard of -your plan to distribute prizes. I will tell them -now.</p> - -<p>“Citizen Farmers, I beg to announce that the -Blue Birds and Bobolinks are about to give a -prize for the best kept farm in camp, another -for the largest vegetable of ten varieties raised; -the ten to be radishes, beets, cabbage, carrots, turnips, -squash, beans, potatoes, onions, and corn.</p> - -<p>“Another prize will be given for the greatest -amount of good produce raised on one farm this -summer. Yet another will be awarded to the -farmer who makes the most of rotating crops. -I have explained to you what that is.</p> - -<p>“As most of you have just started the farms -you can all begin fairly to try for the prizes. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> -age and size of the farmer will have much to do -with the judgment of the Blue Birds. So I suggest -that the farmers be divided in classes, one -for boys of eight and over, one for girls of eight -and over; another class for children—boys and -girls—under eight years of age. The prize will -be duplicated for these classes. Any remarks?”</p> - -<p>There were none, so Uncle Ben led his young -visitors to inspect the farms.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Ta’mage, we’se gotta street cleanin’ -squad, an’ a police force, an’ a health board wid -nusses, an’ to say nuttin’ of dem firemen, but we -hain’t got no head farmers in camp to show helpers -all de time, what we wants to know,” ventured -a voice from the crowd that followed at -Uncle Ben’s heels.</p> - -<p>“That’s so! Farmer Jones is master here, but -he can’t be at everyone’s beck and call. We’ll -have to plan a farmer club tomorrow, and I will -send down books and pamphlets for all to read -or study.”</p> - -<p>“Why can’t some gals be in the farmer clubs -as well as the boys that have everyt’ing goin’,” -remarked Mother Maggie.</p> - -<p>“You’re right, Maggie! We men have to share<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span> -alike with you women now that you have the vote -in New York State!” said Uncle Ben, smiling -at his Citizens.</p> - -<p>At the Little Farms the visitors were delighted -to see what had already been done. Mr. Jones -was there to explain things.</p> - -<p>“You see, we worked very hard at digging the -plots when the first Little Citizens arrived at -camp, and now, as new arrivals come each day, -they too are set to work at their farms; so we -will have some farms harvesting while others are -just sprouting their first crop.</p> - -<p>“I showed the children how to dig and work -over the soil until it was right for planting. Then -I taught them how to choose the right seed for -this time of the year, and each child was shown -how to plant the seed chosen by him.</p> - -<p>“Now you see, some plants are already growing -fine, and some are just sprouting from the -ground. Some farms have been seeded and are -not yet sprouting, and some have just been made -ready to plant.</p> - -<p>“We farmers think it great fun to hunt the -bugs and worms that would injure our plants. -We are very careful to keep the ground well<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> -watered so the roots can keep healthy and feed -the green shoots above the earth. We have some -fine radishes that will soon be large enough to -pull for dinner.</p> - -<p>“Bill’s radishes are the best and finest, and he -will soon be able to pull some and sell them to -the cook at the Refectory at market price.”</p> - -<p>This attracted attention to Bill’s garden and -the children took great pride in the order and -neatness of the farm-plot.</p> - -<p>“Looks as if Bill might win a prize for neatness,” -said Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“You’se diden’ say what de prize was! Ef -it’s going to be a choice of t’ings, lemme take cash, -’cuz I’m goin’ to save all dis summer an’ lay by to -git a farm fer us all ferever!” vowed Maggie, -enthusiastically, as she waved her arm at her six -brethren.</p> - -<p>“We will consider that matter for you, Maggie, -and decide what the prize shall be,” agreed -Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>As the children went from one well-kept farm -to the next, something interesting was learned -from each plot.</p> - -<p>For instance the Blue Birds heard from Farmer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> -Jones that a radish was really a root. Because -of its red color it could be mistaken for -fruit or a bulbous vegetable, but it grows and -produces stems with leaves, so it must be classed -with root vegetables.</p> - -<p>“Besides all this, a thin root tapers from the -round bulb. It is this long tapering root that -finds the food and drink in the deep, dark ground -for the plant above ground to grow upon,” explained -the Farmer.</p> - -<p>“Now the interesting thing about a radish is -this: the plant stores up food in its root for its -own use. It takes the first half of its life to make -a great big root, and when the root is fully grown -and the upper green leaves are through, it dies. -Then there shoots up a long slender stem, and -on top of this the flowers of the radish bloom. -As these in turn fade and die, the seeds form and -the entire plant dies—its work accomplished.</p> - -<p>“If we dig up a dried radish plant we will find -the round radish entirely changed in appearance. -Instead of a juicy red bulb we find a shrivelled -colorless root, because the stem and flowers that -finally turned to seed ate up all the nourishment -the green leaves had given to the radish-root.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> -And the stored up food gone, there was nothing -to draw upon, so the root died, too.”</p> - -<p>“How interesting! Do tell us some more, Mr. -Jones,” exclaimed Vene Starr.</p> - -<p>“Well, then, here’s a potato. Is that a fruit, a -root, a plant, or a bulb?” asked Farmer Jones, -smiling at his catch-words.</p> - -<p>“It’s a root,” shouted Don.</p> - -<p>“No, it’s a plant—a potato-plant,” said Ruth.</p> - -<p>“I think it’s a bulb—like tulips or other bulbs,” -added Vene.</p> - -<p>“It’s neither, children—a potato is a stem!” -said the tickled farmer.</p> - -<p>“A stem—what to?” asked many curious -voices.</p> - -<p>“Let me tell you: A potato is an underground -stem with all the properties of a stem but it shoots -downward instead of up above the soil.</p> - -<p>“You see a potato has many eyes, and these -eyes grow when properly cut and planted. The -white shoot pushes itself up out of the ground -and bears leaves, which is the vine, or plant.</p> - -<p>“The old potato which was planted to furnish -food for the plant is gradually used up as the -green leaves open out and grow to be a large<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> -healthy vine. Then, the old food-store being -used, and the potato-plant flourishing, new roots -or stems grow downward from the plant; these -swell out, and out, and out, until all the little -tendrils that would be long thin roots in another -kind of vegetable, are swollen bulb-like tubers of -the potato-plant.</p> - -<p>“When the plant is exhausted and can furnish -no more life and strength to its underground -tubers, it dies, and the potatoes stop growing.</p> - -<p>“If a plant above ground kept on indefinitely -furnishing life and food to the potatoes underground, -they would keep on increasing until one -hill would supply more than one ever saw. But -the plant produces just so many tubers and then -stops.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, that is funny! I never dreamed a potato -worked so hard for us,” giggled Dot Starr, as the -farmer concluded his talk.</p> - -<p>“Is a carrot or turnip a stem or bulb, too?” -asked Don.</p> - -<p>“No, a carrot, like the radish, is a root and is -grown from seed. As the seed bursts open, the -sprout sends up two tiny leaves, while the root -goes down into the earth to seek food for its<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span> -plant. The root grows fatter and fatter as it -keeps on feeding the green leaves that in turn -give the root sunshine and air. In the fall when -the plant dies, the carrot is ready to be dug out -and used.</p> - -<p>“If it remains in the ground through the winter, -it freezes but does not die. In spring, it -sends up a new shoot and this flowers to make -seeds. The old carrot in the ground dies as its -seeds are perfected, for it has produced the -wherewithal for many more plants.”</p> - -<p>“I s’pose the turnip and beet and other swollen -roots are all the same then,” suggested Ned, who -had been listening with great interest to Farmer -Jones’ talk.</p> - -<p>“Just about, and you can quickly determine -for yourself which class a vegetable belongs to -by examining the root or full-grown product. -A cabbage, kohlrabi, and similar vegetables are -not roots.”</p> - -<p>As the children passed other Little Farms, -they found that some owners had planted dwarf -and bush peas; dwarf and climbing beans; and -other vegetables not commonly used by other -Little Citizens.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>Maggie appeared very eager as they neared -her small farm, and finally, Vene called out to -the others:</p> - -<p>“Oh, see that pretty plot. Full of flowers! -Whose is it?”</p> - -<p>“That’s Little Mother Maggie’s,” replied the -farmer, smiling at the wizened little girl.</p> - -<p>“How neat and well-kept,” commended Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>“Yes, Maggie spends all her spare time here -and takes great pride in the plants. I told her -the variety to plant to show quick results; but -now she has a box full of young plants at the -Nest, where she is starting later flowers for her -garden when these are gone,” explained Farmer -Jones.</p> - -<p>As Maggie could do with her garden what she -pleased, she now went carefully between the rows -of flowers and gathered all that were full-blown. -These she presented to Uncle Ben and to the Blue -Birds.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Maggie, why did you pluck all the lovely -blossoms?” cried Ruth.</p> - -<p>“Farmer Jones says dey make twice as many<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> -flowers if I keep a-pickin’ dose wide open an’ -ready to fade,” replied Maggie, astutely.</p> - -<p>“For instance, take a pansy plant,” added the -farmer. “A plant may only produce a few blossoms -and these will be very large and beautiful. -But cut them off as soon as they are fully opened -and the plant will send up more buds—not quite -as large. If these are picked too, more buds will -appear, but will be still smaller, and so on. If -you want to produce an extraordinarily large and -beautiful flower on a plant, you pinch off every -bud that appears excepting the one you wish -over-fed with the plant’s food. All the strength -and vitality that would be divided between many -blossoms now goes to the one and produces an -extra large and fine single flower.”</p> - -<p>“When I go home I’m going to plant flowers -and try that idea,” said Vene Starr.</p> - -<p>The Little Citizens were almost finished with -the inspection of the farms when a signal sounded -from the fire-gong. The visitors looked at each -other for an explanation.</p> - -<p>“It is the call for evening song,” said Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>“Who started that idea?” asked Ned.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span>“Flutey. She said no child should go to bed -without having its soul lifted to a sense of harmony -that would really affect its sleeping hours. -And we find the singing is really a good thing -for us all,” explained Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>The Little Citizens seemed to look forward to -this song-exercise and soon all were seated in -the open Refectory, where a small upright piano -stood. One of the young women who helped -with the Nests, sat down before the instrument -and played a gay little air; then the signal -sounded for silence.</p> - -<p>Miss Selina made it her business to be present -at these song-times, and generally stood up after -the prelude and offered a very short, simple -prayer. Then the Little Citizens sang.</p> - -<p>In the short time they had been at Happy Hills, -most of them had memorized several sweet songs, -and could sing really well. Uncle Ben and his -group sat in the back row the better to get the -effect of the chorus singing, and when the lovely -song called “The Prince of Peace” was finished -he felt that he must wipe his eyes for they were -moist.</p> - -<p>The Blue Birds and Bobolinks encored this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span> -song with such enthusiasm that Flutey smiled -and said: “Little Citizens, our visitors appear -to favor that selection. Suppose we now treat -them to the new one we have been learning. How -many think they can sing it in public?”</p> - -<p>Someone had drawn out a large paper chart -from back of the piano and now it stood in the -center of the room. Upon it the visitors saw the -words of the song plainly written for all to read -or learn by heart.</p> - -<p>The pianist played the air over once and some -of the children hummed it eagerly. Then they -all stood up and sang.</p> - -<p>It was “The Song of Love” and as the childish -voices filled the place and echoed from the -woods and vale, Uncle Ben felt that this was one -way to introduce universal peace and brotherhood. -However could such a motley gathering -of city waifs, whose parents most likely came -from every known country in Europe, return -home feeling the same in mind and soul as before -spending this summer at Happy Hills! He knew -it was impossible, and that every child singing -there that night must be benefited permanently<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> -by the words and music of such songs as Miss -Selina had purposely selected.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben made another great discovery during -that singing, but he made no mention of it -at the time. He was determined to investigate -the matter well before taking others into his -secret.</p> - -<p>Little Mother Maggie, because she had to keep -her little family quiet and in order during the -singing, generally sat at the back of the class. -Uncle Ben sat directly beside her and so made -his discovery.</p> - -<p>When the Even Song was ended, the children -trooped to their different Nests to retire for the -night. Uncle Ben asked the Blue Birds and -Bobolinks to escort Aunt Selina home while he -helped Maggie with the little ones. This they -eagerly agreed to do. So Maggie was delighted -to have Uncle Ben walk to the Nest with her.</p> - -<p>“Maggie, you seem to have your hands full -with so many children,” ventured Uncle Ben, -after they had left the hall.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir, but dey’ll grow big some day an’ den -I kin help myself.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean—help yourself?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span>“I means, dat den I kin do somethin’ what I -wants to fer myself,” replied Maggie.</p> - -<p>“Can’t you do it now?”</p> - -<p>“Dere ain’t no time, when six kids is to be -looked after—on’y maybe a bit at night when -dey is all in bed.”</p> - -<p>“What is the something you want to do for -yourself, Maggie? Maybe I can help you a bit -now,” offered Uncle Ben, hoping to win the little -girl’s confidence.</p> - -<p>It was not difficult, as Maggie was frank and -confiding by nature, so she stopped short in the -pathway and exclaimed rapturously:</p> - -<p>“Oh Mister Uncle Ben! I loves de flowers -growin’, I loves pickshers! I loves pritty people -like Miss Martin an’ de Blue Birds an’ you! An’ -oh! how I loves singin’!”</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben had the information he wanted! -But still he drew her out.</p> - -<p>“Why, Maggie, no one would call Miss Martin -or me pretty! And some of the Blue Birds and -Bobolinks are not nearly as good-looking as you -are,—if you were plump you would be as pretty -as anyone.”</p> - -<p>“Mister Uncle Ben, you don’t unnerstan’!” replied<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> -Maggie, with a worried expression. “I -diden’ mean looks, don’che know—I mean somethin’ -else, but I can’t call it like I wantta!”</p> - -<p>“I understand, Maggie; and I know that you -wish to call it ‘individuality,’ or the mental beauty -of the soul. It is this grace of each one’s thought-power -that makes true beauty and attractiveness.”</p> - -<p>“Dat’s it—yes, dat’s it, Mister Uncle Ben! -But I diden’ know how to say it!” cried Maggie, -her eyes shining.</p> - -<p>They had reached the Nest by this time, and -Uncle Ben was so interested, that he said he -would step in and help put the six romping sisters -and brothers to bed. Maggie was over-awed!</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben took quick notice of the cleanliness -of the Nest, and the crude attempts at decoration. -Maggie had gathered wild flowers and filled -empty tin cans with water to hold the lovely -blossoms. The very arrangement of the colors -and ferns showed her artistic temperament that -so pleased the visitor.</p> - -<p>“Why did you remove all the paper from the -cans, Maggie? Didn’t you like the gay colors<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> -of the printing, and the pictures of tomatoes, and -corn, and squash on the outside?”</p> - -<p>“Oh sakes alive! Dem ain’t pickshers! Dey is -awful ink ads. what folks have to make to boost -dere stuff er not sell it!” returned Maggie, scornfully.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben laughed aloud. Here was truth -indeed!</p> - -<p>“So you thought that flashy tin was better, -eh?”</p> - -<p>“Not much better, Mister Uncle Ben, but -cleaner—besides de flowers said dey wouldn’t -stay fresh if dey had to drink water from a tin -what told everyone it had one time been full of -beans!” said Maggie, with disgust at the very -idea!</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben could hardly keep from laughing -again, but he did not want to offend the little -girl he was questioning. Now he said:</p> - -<p>“Maybe you’d like something nicer to hold -flowers?”</p> - -<p>“’Tain’t no use wishin’—I hain’t even got any -green paint to paint dese tin cans wid. If dey -was green dey would look all right, ’cause you see -everyt’ing—the grass, the trees, the plants demselves,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> -is all green before the flower shoots up -and opens. An’ a green can would look more -like leaves for the flowers to stick up from,” explained -Maggie.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben now found that his hostess was -logical and a student of Nature’s ways and motives. -He felt that his visit was teaching him -more about Maggie than he ever thought to -know.</p> - -<p>The six little ones were in bed by this time, -and Maggie kept glancing at the electric light -which hung from the center of the sloping roof -of the Nest.</p> - -<p>“What’s wrong with it, Maggie?” asked Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>“It’ll go out at nine sharp an’ leave you in the -dark,” said she.</p> - -<p>“Oh—then you want to go to bed?”</p> - -<p>“No, I don’ go to bed when dere’s a full moon -like dis one. I coulden’ sleep away such a lovely -time! I likes to sit on de steps and think!”</p> - -<p>“And think? Don’t you sing to the moon, -Maggie?”</p> - -<p>“Who tol’ you?” quickly countered the little -girl.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>“No one told me, but the moon ought to make -you feel like singing, I think,” returned Uncle -Ben, soothingly.</p> - -<p>“I sings soft-like so no one kin hear. It might -wake up de children an’ make ’em cry, so I jus’ -sing inside, you know!”</p> - -<p>“So I thought. Well now, Maggie, I have a -favor to ask. Suppose we ask Miss Martin in the -next Nest to keep her eye on the sleeping children -here, while you and I walk over to the lake and -watch the moon sail over the trees. There you -can sing to me without disturbing anyone, you -see.”</p> - -<p>Maggie looked at Uncle Ben and grasping his -arm, said:</p> - -<p>“I’ll do ennyt’ing for you, but you’ll wish you -never ast me to sing!”</p> - -<p>Miss Martin quickly consented to keep guard -over Maggie’s brood as well as the little ones in -her own Nest; and Uncle Ben shared his secret -with her, while Maggie sought for a hat and an -old pair of cotton gloves—for was she not going -for a walk with a real gentleman! Ladies always -wore gloves at such times.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben took Maggie’s hand to make her feel<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> -quite at ease with him, and soon the two reached -the Summer House built on the little bluff overlooking -the ornamental lake where Aunt Selina -first heard Ruth plan for Happy Hills.</p> - -<p>All was quiet and peaceful and the faint lap, -lap, lap of the water as it was lightly rippled -by the night-breezes, gave one a feeling of being -in another world. So thought Maggie.</p> - -<p>She forgot where she was and who was with -her as her soul drank in the beauty of the scene, -and when Uncle Ben whispered, “Sing ‘The Song -of Love,’ Maggie,” she sang it softly as if in -accord with her own wishes at the moment.</p> - -<p>The melody came forth so pure and clear and -free, yet so controlled, that Uncle Ben marvelled. -He had found a wonder indeed!</p> - -<p>Maggie softly trilled every song she had -learned at Happy Hills, and then her silent companion -took her hand and they walked back to -the Nest.</p> - -<p>“Diden’ you like my singin’, Mister Uncle -Ben?” queried Maggie, wistfully, for he had not -said a word.</p> - -<p>“Maggie, it was so wonderful that I can’t -speak!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>“I know! I know, how you’se feel! I always -feels dat way when I stan’ outside a church an’ -hears some angel singin’ inside. Den I want glad -rags an’ fine ways so I kin go in an’ <i>see</i> de shinin’ -wings an’ face what’s singin’!” cried Maggie.</p> - -<p>“Thank you very much for this treat, Maggie, -and tomorrow I will treat you in return,” said -Uncle Ben, patting her head.</p> - -<p>“Now hurry to bed, little girl. Good-night!” -added the visitor, as Maggie stood on the top step -of the three that led to the Nest.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII<br /> - - -<small>UNEXPECTED GENIUSES FOUND AT HAPPY HILLS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>Uncle Ben sat up with Flutey a long time that -night, after he entered the house, and when the -two parted to go to bed, it had been decided to -experiment as Uncle Ben planned.</p> - -<p>The following morning the Blue Birds and -Bobolinks heard Uncle Ben telephoning long-distance -to New York. Having secured the number -he wanted, he talked for a long time over the -wire.</p> - -<p>“Whew! That call will cost Uncle Ben a lot -of money,” ventured Don, who was curious to -know what it was all about.</p> - -<p>“It will be money well invested if the returns -are such as we look for,” returned Flutey, smiling -but not offering to inform anyone of the cause.</p> - -<p>“Well, Aunt Selina, it’s arranged! She’s coming -down with Richards this afternoon. I’m so -glad I could reach her,” said Uncle Ben, entering -the breakfast room.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>“And Mr. Richards said he would bring down -that music teacher who used to direct the band,” -added Miss Selina.</p> - -<p>“We’ll have quite an opera company as well -as an orchestra at Happy Hills,” laughed Uncle -Ben, highly pleased at something.</p> - -<p>“I guess I’ll stay at Happy Hills the rest of -the Summer, Uncle Ben, and help play the drum,” -now ventured Don.</p> - -<p>“Pooh! A lot you’d play! You’d only <i>beat</i> it!” -exclaimed Dot, for she knew there would be no -place for her in the band.</p> - -<p>“He’ll <i>beat</i> it from here, all right, when we -go home again,” laughed Jinks.</p> - -<p>“As soon as I finish my breakfast, I’m going -over to the camp and make a tour of each Nest. -I have important information to secure before -noon. What do you boys and girls propose -doing?” now asked Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Can’t we go with you?”</p> - -<p>“You can go to the camp but not with me on -my tour of inspection. You must amuse yourselves -this morning.”</p> - -<p>“All right! We’ll go and help the Street -Cleaning Department,” offered Don.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>“And we girls can watch the Health Board -work. I think it must be great fun to see those -girls teach the younger ones how to clean their -teeth and chew their food!” giggled Ruth.</p> - -<p>Immediately after the morning meal had ended, -Miss Selina ordered Jackson to bring her wheelchair -out and she sat in it, ready to start.</p> - -<p>Flutey was no longer troubled with rheumatism, -so it was not that she <i>had</i> to use the chair, -but Happy Hills was at least a half mile from the -house so that a walk there and back, besides -the walking about the camp, or going in and out -of the Nests, was too fatiguing for a lady long -past seventy years.</p> - -<p>“We’ll push the chair, Jackson, as we want -to be with Aunt Selina,” said Ruth, as the manservant -waited.</p> - -<p>“All right, Jackson. You may attend to other -duties,” added Flutey, smiling.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben had gone, carrying his important -secret with him, but once the Blue Birds and -Bobolinks were on their way to camp, they forgot -about his desertion of them.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben reached Miss Martin’s Nest and -engaged her in conversation over his secret. She<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> -was as eager as he, and soon they had decided -upon what was best to do.</p> - -<p>“Maggie, I am going to have a little talk with -you, to tell you how much I liked your singing -last night,” said Uncle Ben, walking up the steps -of Maggie’s Nest.</p> - -<p>The little girl was sweeping up the floor of the -Nest as her visitor spoke, and quickly looking -up, she smiled at him.</p> - -<p>“I’ve decided to find someone to take the care -of the children entirely from your hands during -the day, Maggie, and Miss Martin says she can -easily manage them as well as those she now -has charge of.”</p> - -<p>“What fur?” wondered Maggie.</p> - -<p>“To give you plenty of time to sing.”</p> - -<p>“Sing! Me—sing all day?” cried Maggie, -amazed.</p> - -<p>“Sing when you like and as often, but at certain -times of each day you must sing and practice -just the way the teacher wants you to.”</p> - -<p>“What teacher—have we a singin’ teacher -here?” gasped Maggie.</p> - -<p>“We intend having one, and she is coming -down today to start those pupils who really have<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> -good voices. I think you have a good voice but -she can judge better than I. If she says you can -sing, will you promise to practice?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, Mister Uncle Ben,—<i>will I</i>?” came from -Maggie in a trembling whisper.</p> - -<p>“Den maybe I kin sing like dose angels in Fift -Avenoo churches, hey?” added Maggie after a -moment’s thought.</p> - -<p>“Just like them, I hope—may be sweeter than -they sing!”</p> - -<p>“Oh no, Mister Uncle Ben! Never could a -poor kid like me sing better’n ’em!”</p> - -<p>“But you wouldn’t be poor if you had a fine -voice,” ventured Uncle Ben, carefully watching -his protégé.</p> - -<p>Maggie’s eyes opened wider and wider as this -astounding statement dawned upon her mind, and -finally she dropped upon the floor beside the -broom.</p> - -<p>“Dat’s so—I coul’ buy de children all dey need -an’ git some nice clo’es fer myself wid what was -left!” sighed she, the tears of joy coming to her -eyes.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben now felt sure he had read the girl -aright. Her first thought had been of the little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> -sisters and brothers who had never had what was -necessary—she came last—if anything was left!</p> - -<p>“Well, Maggie, I’m going to give you a new -name for the singing teacher to use. You must -always be ‘Margaret’ henceforth, and see to it, -that everyone is corrected should they call you -‘Maggie.’ Tell them it was my order that you be -called ‘Margaret.’”</p> - -<p>“Oh, you’se sure kin read my wishes, Mister -Uncle Ben! <i>How</i> I always hated that ‘Maggie’ -widdout any soft music in its sayin’! But Margaret -is differunt! It’s low and smooth!”</p> - -<p>Even in this degree was the girl’s sense of harmony -so finely attuned that she rebelled at hearing -herself called by an inharmonious sound.</p> - -<p>The teacher arrived with Mr. Richards and -the music master on the one o’clock train, and the -car soon carried them to Miss Selina’s country -estate. A group of merry children met them on -the steps of the veranda, and after a noisy time -at luncheon, all started for the camp.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben had gone over the camp-ground -that morning and made a list of names of those -Little Citizens who showed any desire for music—to -join the band or chorus at Happy Hills.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>Mr. Richards had personally attended to the -order of securing instruments made especially -for half-grown young folks, and these bulky -boxes had been shipped by special delivery to the -train at the Pennsylvania railroad station that -morning. They arrived at Happy Hills on the -same train with the teachers.</p> - -<p>Great was the confusion that afternoon as -many of the Little Citizens tried to blow a cornet, -bass horn or beat a drum. And such a -squeaking and squealing as issued from many -throats when the singing was tried out by the -teacher!</p> - -<p>Margaret had insisted all that morning on being -called Margaret instead of Maggie, and her -head was held up an inch higher with the sense -of her promotion to a harmonious name.</p> - -<p>She had allowed other girls and boys to precede -her in the testing of their voices, and now -she came last. Uncle Ben waited anxiously for -this moment, and when she stood up beside the -piano and did as the others had done, singing -“Ah, eh, oh, ooh” for the teacher, he listened -carefully.</p> - -<p>“Now sing this: and close your eyes to keep<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> -out all sight of things outside your mental vision -of song,” advised the teacher, as she sang the -queer sounds she wished the little girl to try.</p> - -<p>Margaret did them, and the lady had her try -others, until the girl laughed: “I kin sing songs -better’n ’em funny noises!”</p> - -<p>“Can you? Well then let me hear you sing -‘The Song of Love’ that I see printed on that -chart,” replied the teacher.</p> - -<p>Margaret sang it with her natural childish -voice and in spite of having never had any idea -of music other than that which inspired her -soul, the true placing of her voice and the volume -in the tones so pleased the teacher and music -master that both exclaimed:</p> - -<p>“Mr. Talmage, I am sure we have a wonder -here! If she will show the same ambition to -learn properly as she does to sing naturally, we -will be amply rewarded.”</p> - -<p>The training of Margaret began that summer, -and so careful was the teacher because of the -girl’s youth and refined mentality, that the course -seemed to include everything except singing lessons.</p> - -<p>Margaret was taught to walk and stand properly,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> -and when seated or lying down, to keep her -body from sagging. She was given breathing -exercises daily, and taught to masticate her food -thoroughly. She was shown how to speak with -a sweet, low voice, and to enunciate her vowels -carefully, always listening for a harsh note or -discordant sound in her speech.</p> - -<p>Easy, simple songs were permitted the girl, -but the majority of her exercises were “Ohs and -Ahs,” until she felt that singing was not quite -so easy to master as she had thought. But she -persevered, and when her growth was attained -and her voice matured with the years, Margaret -became one of the most sought-after of all soprano -church soloists!</p> - -<p>Other voices were found at Happy Hills, but -none so marvelous as Little Mother Maggie’s. -A strong tenor developed from a boy’s high -singing voice; and a contralto emerged from a -Russian peasant child’s low-pitched voice. Both -became well-known public soloists and some -others who were trained that summer found success -in chorus and choir work, later in life.</p> - -<p>The band was the greatest source of attraction -for the boys, however. The music master<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> -began instructions with ten pupils, each of whom, -having had some teaching at school, could read -notes. At first, the blare of instruments sounding -from those young, hearty lungs, caused the -audience to muffle their ears. As Uncle Ben remarked:</p> - -<p>“Seems to me, a barnyard is on a strike!”</p> - -<p>Everyone laughed and the master said: “Once -more, now boys; and show Mr. Talmage how -hens cackle, roosters crow, cows moo-oo, donkeys -bray, and horses neigh—all together!”</p> - -<p>And the blast that resulted made Uncle Ben -run away!</p> - -<p>But harmony came from this chaos as the -boys practiced faithfully day after day, and before -the band leader returned to New York he -felt encouraged to keep up the class through the -winter months. Uncle Ben hired an assembly -room on the East Side and other boys joined -the band, each one eager enough to buy his own -instrument. Before the following spring, a band -of forty boys could play quite well!</p> - -<p>So much for the musical talent at Happy -Hills!</p> - -<p>A few days following the advent of the music<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> -teachers, Miss Martin called Uncle Ben’s attention -to little Nelly Finn.</p> - -<p>“Have you seen the child use pencil and paper?” -asked Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“No. But don’t tell me we have a born artist -among us,” laughed Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Really, Mr. Talmage, I think we have a designer -with unusual talent,” replied Miss Martin, -anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Designer! Why the child has never been -outside of a dirty tenement room. Being crippled, -you know, she could not run about as other -children do. Where could she see anything to -inspire her brain to design?”</p> - -<p>“Wasn’t Beethoven stone deaf? And didn’t -he compose the sweetest music and most perfect -symphonies without ever having heard the sound -of them—other than in his own thoughts! That, -as well as other wonders, proves that it is not -from without that we find inspiration and true -talent. It is solely from within, and one whose -mind is seeking for the beautiful and eternal will -find it there, whether it be music, verse, form, or -color,” said Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“You’re a philosopher, Miss Martin, and a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> -true one, at that,” said Uncle Ben, highly pleased -at his companion’s reply to his doubts.</p> - -<p>“So you see, Mr. Talmage, Nelly Finn may be -a great designer in mind, and the fact that she -does not lose her artistic ideas of what she sees -and feels in her thoughts, by coarse contact with -the outside world, leaves her original and expressive.”</p> - -<p>“Well, show me some of the sketches you seem -to think are so marvelous,” said Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>As is generally the case, those who come to -laugh go away to wonder, and it was so with -Uncle Ben. The moment he saw the lead-pencil -lines crudely drawn on yellow manila wrapping -paper, he detected the talent displayed. He took -several of these samples with him to show Mr. -Richards.</p> - -<p>“What do you think of this work, Richards?”</p> - -<p>“Where did you get them?” asked the newspaper -man instantly interested.</p> - -<p>“Oh, one of our Little Citizens is an expert -artist, I find,” laughed Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Why, Talmage, this is quite clever! Do you -know, we must change the name of our campers? -They are not Little Citizens. They are Little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> -Wonders! Now tell me truly, where did you get -these sketches?”</p> - -<p>“One of Miss Martin’s Nestlings, Richards. -No less than puny Nelly Finn,” replied Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>“What! The sister of Micky, our newsboy -and boot-black?” cried the astonished newspaper -man.</p> - -<p>“The same.”</p> - -<p>“I can see myself resigning from the paper, -Talmage, and giving all my attention to discovering -talent at Happy Hills. Then to find teachers -for such talent that it may bloom in full -beauty,” laughed Mr. Richards, but he was feeling -quite serious over Nelly’s development.</p> - -<p>“We won’t hide these talents ‘in a napkin’ -whatever else we have to do,” added Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“But Nelly must just play and grow strong -this summer, then we will enter her in some -class where she will be given all the help she -needs without ruining her original ideas. Who -knows, Ben, but she may rule the world of fashion -with her designs?”</p> - -<p>“No one would dare prophesy such a thing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> -to look at the wisp of a child now,” added Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>Nothing was said to Nelly about her gift, for -they all agreed it might create other ideas in her -mind than those she loved to draw upon paper. -But it had been decided that she would be given -a good home and a teacher to train her childish -ideals to conform with her talent.</p> - -<p>“If we keep on digging up any more geniuses -at Happy Hills, Flutey, you will have to close -your house this winter and take a big place in -New York just to prepare a home for your Little -Wonders,” teased Mr. Richards, that night after -he had told about Nelly’s talent.</p> - -<p>“Not such a bad idea, at that!” added Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>“Good gracious, Ben! You don’t mean it—really!” -cried Miss Selina, aghast.</p> - -<p>“Why not! Richards and I are homeless city -waifs, as well as the Little Citizens, so we could -live with you and help keep house,” replied Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>“Ben, think of my age! And New York, too!”</p> - -<p>“Why should I think of your age now, when -you have proven without a doubt that you are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> -only fifty-five or sixty in reality! Years count -for nothing when one is as spry as you are,” -laughed Mr. Talmage.</p> - -<p>“Why Ben Talmage! How you talk! Only -last year I was all tied in knots with rheumatism -and couldn’t walk!” cried Flutey.</p> - -<p>“Oh Flutey, stop trying to make believe you -want to be back where I found you!” exclaimed -Ruth, indignantly.</p> - -<p>The other Blue Birds laughed teasingly at -Miss Selina, and she smiled too. “Yes, I suppose -the surest way to charm back that rheumatic -state is to think of it!” said she.</p> - -<p>“Well, it’s just the same with old age! If you -keep talking and thinking of it, pretty soon you -<i>are</i> old and helpless! And we know you’re <i>not</i>—so -there!” declared Ruth.</p> - -<p>“Didn’t you trot everywhere with the Blue -Birds and Bobolinks while you were at Mossy -Glen?” demanded Ned, her grand-nephew.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I was visiting and had nothing else -to do!”</p> - -<p>“Oh, is that it! Well, I’ll tell you what, Flutey! -I’ll rent the big house and ask you to visit -me all winter. Then you can run about and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> -enjoy the Little Wonders we found at Happy -Hills without thinking of your age. If it is your -own home that makes you so aged, we will never -allow you to return here!” said Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“You’re all talking a lot of poppy-cock stuff! -Flutey has been livelier here at Happy Hills than -I ever saw her before,” said Dot Starr, who -must have a word in everything.</p> - -<p>“Sure! Doesn’t she visit the camp twice a -day, and go up and down all the steps to the -Nests, to say nothing of going about the Little -Farms, and hospital and Refectory. If she can -stand that, she can stand a little of New York,” -said Don, who felt a great attraction in this sudden -idea of a New York Home for Little Wonders!</p> - -<p>“Well, we have all summer to plan such an -outlandish thing as Uncle Ben just sprang on -us, so we will think it over,” said Mr. Richards, -who did not think it wise to urge matters further.</p> - -<p>“What are we going to do tomorrow, Uncle -Ben?” now asked Ned.</p> - -<p>“Farmer Jones said he would show us what -he does with all the wastage from camp that the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> -Street Cleaning Department wheels to the dump -each day,” said Jinks.</p> - -<p>“That won’t take all morning—only an hour,” -added Ned.</p> - -<p>“And after that—what do you want to do?” -said Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“I say, let’s give the Little Citizens a picnic. -We can all go in installments in the autos to some -other woods or lake and have something to eat, -then play games and come back,” suggested Don.</p> - -<p>“Oh yes, give Don a ride and something good -to eat and he is happy!” jeered Meredith.</p> - -<p>“I don’t think Don’s idea is so bad, Mete, -especially as we can use some of the large farm-wagons -filled with straw for the older children. -They have not seen any part of the neighborhood -as yet, and they ought to have an outing. -We can finish all chores at camp and see that the -little farms are all right for the day, and then -leave Happy Hills about eleven; have a picnic -luncheon somewhere and return about five,” said -Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Where could we go?” asked several of the -Blue Birds and Bobolinks.</p> - -<p>“There is a beautiful lake nestling among the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span> -hills not ten miles from here,” suggested Aunt -Selina. “It is used by anyone giving a picnic, -and is considered free to the public, although the -vast extent of woods is owned by a Philadelphia -man.”</p> - -<p>“If it is commonly used by the public, it will -be just the spot. No harm will be done by going -there,” said Mr. Richards.</p> - -<p>“If we are going on a picnic tomorrow, we -must plan all sorts of goodies to eat,” ventured -Don, anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Why not take what we might have at the -Refectory—cook it in the woods, that’s all the -difference,” said Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“What’s a picnic without cake and ice-cream!” -scorned Dot.</p> - -<p>“I’ll see that the ice-cream gets there safely -if Don and Dot will turn the freezers,” laughed -Ned.</p> - -<p>“We have a great freezer at the camp which is -turned by electric power, so that need not worry -you longer, Don,” said Flutey consolingly.</p> - -<p>So it was decided to have a picnic the following -day, and Miss Martin was telephoned at once<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span> -to ask the cook and other help if they could prepare -the necessities for the picnic dinner in time.</p> - -<p>This was satisfactorily arranged, and everyone -went to bed betimes so that they might rise at an -early hour and help in various ways to enable -all to get away on time for the outing.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII<br /> - - -<small>THE STREET CLEANING SQUAD</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>It took little time for the news to spread -around the camp that a picnic was planned for -that day, and many a Little Citizen forgot newly -acquired table manners, in the eagerness to talk -it over.</p> - -<p>Breakfast out of the way, the cook and her -helpers went to work to freeze cream, bake -cookies, and prepare other delicious goodies for -the treat. The Little Mothers hurried to their -Nests to attend to their several duties.</p> - -<p>The Health Board went its round conscientiously -to see that all beds were aired, all dust -swept and wiped up carefully, all clothing dry -and clean, and above all, that everyone brushed -and cleaned their teeth properly.</p> - -<p>The Blue Birds were present at these visits -and enjoyed watching the older girls of the camp -take charge of things and order the children -around.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span>One of the Health Officers named Marybell -was a red-haired, freckled girl of twelve. She -was a born captain and now found her opportunity -in life.</p> - -<p>“Say you, Rebecca Einstein, who tol’ you’se to -sweep that dust under de crex rug?” said Marybell -upon reaching the Nest where Rebecca had -the sweeping to do that day.</p> - -<p>“Dere ain’t no dus’ pan,” complained Rebecca.</p> - -<p>“Wall, you’se know where t’ git one, den! -Go ’an git it!” ordered Marybell, pointing a determined -finger towards the kitchens.</p> - -<p>Rebecca ran, glad to be away from the disconcerting -gaze of the Blue Birds.</p> - -<p>“Now you Eliza—come here and show the -ladies your teet’ an’ finger-nails,” said Marybell, -selecting the girl she had the most trouble with -on those very scores.</p> - -<p>“I ain’t all done wid dem yet,——lemme run -an’ finish,” said Eliza, hurriedly, but blushing at -being caught so unexpectedly.</p> - -<p>“Ain’ done! Laws me, sloven, yeh had more’n -an hour since breakfast t’ do yer toilet!” exclaimed -Marybell, frowning.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>“She gits out of doin’ ’em all the time,” willingly -tattled another girl.</p> - -<p>“Come right here, Emmy, an’ lemme see yer -own nails!” said Marybell, while the other little -girls in the Nest tittered.</p> - -<p>When Emmy slowly shuffled up and held -out her fingers, Marybell expressed disgust at the -sight. “A black mark fer you’se, an’ one fer -Eliza! Yeh can’t be depended upon. Mebbe yeh -better stay away from de picnic an’ tend to yer -teet’ an’ nails!”</p> - -<p>“Oh no, no! Please not dat, Marybell! Give -us all black marks, if yeh wants to, but let us go -today!” cried the two delinquents.</p> - -<p>“Well den, git a hustle on an’ clean up before -I git back,” said she, shaking a warning head -at them and going her way to the next Nest.</p> - -<p>This inspection continued, the Blue Birds enjoying -every phase of it, until they arrived at -one of the newest Nests—that is the tenants had -just come from the city. Marybell had been -asked to look after them until a regular Health -Member was selected for that district of the -camp.</p> - -<p>As the visitors came near the Nest they saw<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> -a little girl with skirts pinned up about her waist, -standing bare-legged in the creek, which was up -to her knees. She was bending over and doing -something energetically, but her back being -turned to the Health Officer and the Blue Birds, -they could not see what it was that so occupied -her time and attention.</p> - -<p>“What’s dat gals’ name—out in de brook?” -Marybell asked one of the six Little Citizens of -the Nest.</p> - -<p>“She’s Annie Markey,” said several voices -obligingly.</p> - -<p>“What’s she standin’ in de crick fer?”</p> - -<p>“She’s scrubbin’ her teet’ like we wuz tol’ to -do.”</p> - -<p>“Scrubbin’ her teet’ in all dat water! How -long’s she been at it?” wondered Marybell.</p> - -<p>“Ever since we came back from breakfus’, cuz -she says she was tol’ all dat grey had to come -offen her front teet’, an’ she can’t rub it off,” -explained the oldest of the group.</p> - -<p>Marybell hurried down to the creek and called: -“Annie—hoh, Annie Markey, come out here!”</p> - -<p>Annie turned and saw the Officer beckoning -her. She came up on the bank, and Marybell saw<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span> -she held a bit of broken mirror in one hand and -the brand-new toothbrush in the other.</p> - -<p>“Open yer mout’,” said Marybell.</p> - -<p>Annie obeyed—it opened widely.</p> - -<p>“Back teet’ all gone—nuttin’ but holes left -dere! Now skin yer teet’—like dis!” And Marybell -showed two rows of sharp front teeth as she -wrinkled up her face fearsomely.</p> - -<p>Annie imitated the Officer and Marybell -frowned. “You’se ain’t got no kinda teet’ to -clean, nohow! Dey gotta go to a dentis’ an’ be -scoured er pulled—I don’ know which, but I’ll -report you to de hospital anyway and let ’em -do what dey says,” was Marybell’s terrifying -verdict.</p> - -<p>“Oh please don’ report me to a hospital—please! -An’ I don’ want all my teet’ pulled neider! -I’ll run away firs’. I come here to eat all -I kin and have a good time, an’ now yeh wants -to pull out my teet’ an’ I can’t chew any more!” -wailed Annie.</p> - -<p>“Nah, I don’t, Annie! I on’y wants to git out -dem bad ones what will ache, an’ de udders kin -be scoured to git de black off. What made ’em -so bad?” soothed Marybell.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>“De school-teacher in Harlem says it was -’cause I eat so much candy—me fadder keeps a -candy store wid cigars, yeh see.”</p> - -<p>“Hum—we unnerstan’—nuttin’ like trashy -candy to eat up good teet’!” declared Marybell, -wisely, for she had just been told a few lessons -prior to this application, about the evil effects of -sweets on the teeth of children.</p> - -<p>In the last Nest in the row, Marybell found -that a roof had leaked during a slight shower the -preceding night. The bed-clothes of the bed -standing under the stream of rainwater were -soaked, but so eager was the child to finish its -work and get away that the damp sheets were -used in making up the bed.</p> - -<p>“Say—you chumps, who made dis bed?” -shouted Marybell, as the six Little Citizens ran -up to await inspection.</p> - -<p>“Franzy Bedell—it’s her bed!” cried five -voices in unison.</p> - -<p>“Franzy—pull off dem beddings!” ordered the -Officer.</p> - -<p>Franzy slowly removed the covers and exposed -a large damp place at the foot of the mattress.</p> - -<p>“Diden’ yeh know any better! Why, even in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> -Rivington er Ludlow Streets, de mudders know -better’n use soaked beddin’. Ye git a black mark -fer dat!” exclaimed the captain of the squad.</p> - -<p>Franzy said nothing but awaited further punishment.</p> - -<p>“Now spread each artick’l out on somethin’ -to dry an’ don’t yeh dare make dat bed till dey -is good an’ dry—you hear?”</p> - -<p>“Yes’sm!” quickly said Franzy, glad to get -off so easy.</p> - -<p>“I’m comin’ back, remember, so don’t yeh -cheat again!” And with that threat, Marybell -led the Blue Birds away.</p> - -<p>On the way back to the Infirmary where -Marybell had to hand in her reports, she said: -“Sometimes dem ninnies jus’ pull de bed-covers -up an’ smooth ’em out, tryin’ to fool me to thinkin’ -dey was all aired and made fresh, but I kin -tell! Yep, I kin tell every time!”</p> - -<p>“What else do you have to watch, Marybell?” -asked Ruth, who was highly interested.</p> - -<p>“Oh, some of de kids wear clo’es what is -dirty or damp from the brook, an’ I has to make -’em change er report ’em. Lots of dese East -Siders can’t see good, an’ lots got somethin’<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> -wrong wid dere noses an’ t’roats. I has to watch -ef dey breat’ hard. Den I tells de nurse at de -infirmary an’ she makes tests.”</p> - -<p>“I guess there’ll be a lot of better children going -back home after this summer,” mused Vene, -seriously.</p> - -<p>“Yes, and it’s too bad the city can’t let girls -like Marybell take charge of certain school departments -just as she is doing here at camp,” -said Ruth.</p> - -<p>Marybell now reported to the superior at the -Infirmary, and the Blue Birds waited outside for -her reappearance. Meantime, the Bobolinks -were entertained by the Captain of the Street -Cleaning Squad.</p> - -<p>“We begin on Primrose Lane—dat runs down -de middle of de camp-ground. One Member goes -down Violet Lane while anudder goes down Daffodil -Lane. Each member of the Squad has his -own streets to take care of—dere all called by -flower lanes and paths, but we fellers call ’em -streets like dey do in Noo York, yeh know!”</p> - -<p>While the Squad was collecting the rubbish -that was placed outside each Nest in the morning, -the Captain showed the boys how they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> -worked for promotion. A Captain held his office -two weeks and at the expiration of his term, if -he was worthy, he was given a medal for service. -Any boy holding a medal would be allowed to -come to camp the following year. Every boy -in the Squad was eager to be Captain of course, -but such an office was voted upon and decided -by the deportment of the applicant, during his -stay in camp.</p> - -<p>“Now come over to Farmer Jones’ dump-heap -and I will show you what he does with trash and -debris,” said the Captain.</p> - -<p>As the Bobolinks neared the extreme corner -of the estate far removed from camp and house, -they noticed a disagreeable odor.</p> - -<p>“Ha, ha! You smell our pigs!” laughed the -Captain.</p> - -<p>“Pigs! Whose pigs?” chorused the Bobolinks.</p> - -<p>“Little Citizens’ pigs! We are raisin’ a hull -litter of ’em on de leavin’s of de table. I’ll show -you.”</p> - -<p>The Bobolinks were soon watching the fat -little porkers who had so much clean food to eat. -All the garbage from the kitchens was carefully -sorted by a few of the Squad each day, and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> -peelings or bits of raw fruit and vegetables were -thrown into a great kettle near the sty. This -was boiled into mush and fed to the pigs. All -bread, meat and other refuse from table or -kitchen, was mixed well and given to the pigs -at noon. The mushy food was fed in the morning -and at night. The sty was kept as clean -as possible, and the pigs were scrubbed every -day to keep them clean and healthy.</p> - -<p>“Goodness me! Who scrubs them?” laughed -Ned.</p> - -<p>“Oh, we draw lots for that work. Every feller -in the Squad wants to do it, but we take turns,” -replied the Captain.</p> - -<p>Then he showed the Bobolinks the other refuse -heap. The papers were all picked out and kept -in bags to sell. All rags were also collected for -sale. Tin cans and other metals were picked out -and thrown in a bin for sale also. The money -thus earned was to be used for an outing or for -some form of general good for the Little -Citizens—such as a victrola, or game, or other -pleasure.</p> - -<p>The Bobolinks followed their host back to the -camp and found the Squad had completed their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> -rounds and were rolling the little basket-wagons -to the dump. So they said good-by to the captain -and ran away to join the Blue Birds who -were coming from the Infirmary.</p> - -<p>“Say, Uncle Ben has this plan worked down -to a fine system, hasn’t he?” said Ned, approvingly.</p> - -<p>“Of course he has. I’d like to own one of -those pigs myself, and try for a county-fair -prize,” said Jinks.</p> - -<p>“It’s a wonder he hasn’t thought of keeping -bee-hives for Little Citizens, or mushroom cellars, -and a lot of other things,” laughed Meredith.</p> - -<p>“Now say, Mete, that bee idea isn’t so bad. -Let’s suggest it. Lots of these boys would be -glad to try it out, I should think.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll mention it when we get home tonight,” -said Meredith.</p> - -<p>“There’s one thing they’ve overlooked thus -far, boys,” said Jinks.</p> - -<p>“Yes—what?” queried the others.</p> - -<p>“Some scheme to get rid of these mosquitoes -and flies! That always takes the fun out of -camping, I think,” replied Jinks.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span>“Maybe they have something planned, but it -ought to work. That’s another item we’ll ask him -about tonight,” said Ned.</p> - -<p>It happened that night, after everyone was -seated on the piazza of Miss Selina’s house, that -the topics were mentioned and Uncle Ben had to -admit that he had not yet taken care of ridding -the camp of flies and mosquitoes.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you what, boys! I wish you’d take -charge of those two important matters and I’ll -attend to the bee idea. I believe the care of bees -will help the boys at camp a lot, and give them -honey as well as pastime.”</p> - -<p>“We’ll do the fly and mosquito business, all -right, Uncle Ben, but we must have crude oil -to sprinkle over the marshy or pool spots in the -woods,” said Ned.</p> - -<p>“Easy enough to secure oil, and whatever else -you may need for the pests,” agreed Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>So the Bobolinks found an important work to -do while they visited at Happy Hills, and not -only were the Little Citizens more comfortable -thereafter, but they found out how to keep free -of flies and malarial mosquitoes.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX<br /> - - -<small>THE LITTLE CITIZENS’ PICNIC</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>As the time drew near for the large farm-wagons -to arrive at the camp to convey the Little -Citizens to the picnic ground, many eyes kept -turning in the direction of the farm-yard, and -every few moments one could hear a whisper of: -“When will they come, do you think?”</p> - -<p>Finally, however, a rumbling was heard and a -great shout went up: “Here they come! Is -everybody ready?”</p> - -<p>“Hurrah!” “Hurry up, everyone!” and other -calls made the camp sound like Bedlam for a -time. The cook had ordered her assistants to -pack the large baskets with all sorts of goodies, -and these most valuable items of luggage were -safely placed under the high seats of the farm-wagons.</p> - -<p>While the men were superintending this work, -some of the boys clambered up on the front seat<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> -and sat beside the drivers—quite a post of honor, -too, to sit there! The other Little Citizens piled -in wherever a seat could be found, and soon the -merry, noisy crowd was ready to start.</p> - -<p>Meantime the two touring cars had gone on -to find the place and see that all was ready for -the reception of the others.</p> - -<p>On the way, the Mother’s Helpers and “First -Aides” had much to do to keep order and peace -in the crowded wagons of happy children. -Finally the lake was seen and a loud clamoring -came from throats eager to have a rough-and-tumble -frolic once more—such as was common -in the city.</p> - -<p>The Police and Firemen forgot their duties in -the general scramble for the boats, of which -there were three.</p> - -<p>“Citizens! Don’t anyone get into the boats—I -find they are not water-proof!” shouted Uncle -Ben through his hand-megaphone.</p> - -<p>“Oh gee! What’s the fun of comin’ here if -we can’t sail?” grumbled one of the Street Cleaning -Department.</p> - -<p>“Say, Muller, don’t you give de Boss any sass, -now, er I’ll lock yeh up fer de day!” threatened<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> -a Policeman, roused to an abnormal sense of -duty.</p> - -<p>“Who’s givin’ him sass! Can’t a feller ask -a question widdout de police buttin’ in?” complained -Jakey Muller.</p> - -<p>“Dass all right! Jest don’t say nawthin’, see!” -returned the Policeman, as he hurried away to -watch a base-ball drawing for pitcher and batter -in the forthcoming game.</p> - -<p>“Humph! Think ye’re smart ’cause yuh got -on a blue uniform. Ef I wants to sail de boat, -I does, so there!” mumbled Jakey to himself, as -he watched the Policeman disappear.</p> - -<p>“Heigh, Jakey—come on over and see the -fun!” now called a friend a short distance away.</p> - -<p>The discontented boy turned and saw some -friends waiting for the farm-hands to finish putting -up some fine swings, but such a tame form -of sport failed to attract the Little Citizen, who -had determined to ride in a boat or do nothing -at all.</p> - -<p>Soon after this a score or more of children -were having lots of fun swinging and being the -motive-power back of the swings, for “pushing” -the others so high that they would scream in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> -dread of falling was more delight than being in -the swing screaming!</p> - -<p>A group of Little Citizens were paddling in -the edge of the pond, watched over by Little -Mothers and a few grown-ups. A group went -exploring up the hillside, feeling sure that a -bear’s cave, or perhaps, the secret home of the -Wood Nymphs would be found on the expedition.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben and some of his helpers were -clearing away the brush and stones that were -in the way of a smooth eating-spot. The grass -must be clean and level, for dinner to be safely -served there. The boys were wildly applauding -a “home-run” and some of the riders in the -swings were “letting the old cat die,” when -Jakey stepped into a boat just to sit down and -rock it for fun!</p> - -<p>A crowd of little girls were playing “drop the -handkerchief” and other outdoor games, when -Jakey felt lonely in the boat. He decided to ask -others to join him.</p> - -<p>“Hey, H’lena Bissel—come on over and sit by -me—it’s lots of fun rockin’ t’ boat!” called he.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span>“Mister Uncle Ben told us not to an’ I won’t!” -called back Helena.</p> - -<p>“Don’t then! Sugar-lump!—sugar-lump, too -good to melt!” taunted Jakey, making a grimace -at the little girl.</p> - -<p>“I ain’t ‘sugar ner spice’ but you’re nuttin’ but -‘snails an’ puppy-dog tails,’ so!” jeered Helena, -who had heard the Mother Goose line and wanted -to repeat it at the first occasion.</p> - -<p>“Mamma’s pet! Mamma’s pet—what can’t do -what she wants cuz she’s too goody-good!” replied -Jakey, turning his back upon the angry -little girl.</p> - -<p>Helena marched away from his company, and -soon Jakey saw Maggie’s little sister Prunel with -nothing to do.</p> - -<p>“Come and play wid me, Prunel,” coaxed he, -not mentioning the boat this time as it seemed -to inspire his hearers with doubt and fear.</p> - -<p>Prunel (where Maggie had found the name is -hard to say) was really named Polly, but such -harsh sounds could not be tolerated by Mother -Maggie, and when she took control of the six -younger sisters and brothers, she saw to it that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span> -each one had a beautiful name, thus Polly became -Prunel.</p> - -<p>Prunel was about seven and very energetic -for her age. It took much of Maggie’s time and -thought to keep Prunel out of mischief at Happy -Hills. In the city, Prunel had to attend school -and look after a short route of newspaper deliveries -after school.</p> - -<p>“What’che playin’, Jakey?” asked Prunel, coming -over to the lake-side.</p> - -<p>“Oh I’m a navy battle-ship and dat submarine’s -tryin’ to blow me up. I am shootin’ him -all to pieces, see?”</p> - -<p>As he explained, Jakey aimed stone after -stone at the nearest boat while he stood balancing -himself in the other boat.</p> - -<p>“Shall I be the German what shoots the torpedo?” -asked Prunel, all intense interest.</p> - -<p>“Naw, you git in wid me and both of us kin -sink him, I guess,” replied Jakey.</p> - -<p>“It won’t be half as much fun as if we had -someone to really fight,” suggested Prunel.</p> - -<p>“I got a fine idea—you jus’ get in here quick!”</p> - -<p>So Prunel, without knowing it had been forbidden,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> -got in the boat with Jakey, eager to hear -his plan.</p> - -<p>“I’m goin’ to break dis rope what holds the -boat, yeh see, an’ float around both dose submarines -by holdin’ fast to dese overhanging -branches, see?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t you let go on ’em—cuz yeh hain’t got -no rope er oars to get back wid,” warned Prunel, -anxiously.</p> - -<p>“Do you t’ink I’m such a silly?” said Jakey, as -the boat swung about to the great excitement of -both sailors.</p> - -<p>It bumped into the end of the other boat, and -the children laughed gayly as Jakey said: -“Maybe I diden’ jar dat Hun dat trip, eh?”</p> - -<p>“It would be heaps more fun if you’d get in -anudder boat and play shoot at mine. I could -fire back, and we could see which one gets hit -t’ most—den he would be sunk, you know!” said -Prunel.</p> - -<p>“It sounds good—say, you keep in dis boat -while I jump in dat one. You’ve got a lot of -stones left but I kin get some from the bank in a -minute,” consented Jakey.</p> - -<p>Jakey went to the end of the boat and stood<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> -upon the prow waiting for an opportunity to -spring over into the adjoining boat. This was -easy to do, and soon he jumped and landed safely -in the bottom of the flat boat, but the impetus -he used when springing sent the other boat out -from under him and Prunel, being alone and -without any hold on willow-branch or rope, was -floated out from shore.</p> - -<p>“Say, Jakey Muller—hurry out and get me -back!” called Prunel, but not loud enough for -the others to hear, as she knew it was not just -what she should have done without asking permission.</p> - -<p>“S-sh! Wait a minute! I’ll wade out and -pull you back!” replied Jakey, in a low voice also.</p> - -<p>He sat down and pulled off his sandals and -stockings, but the boat had caught the edge of -the current that made a channel quite near shore -at this spot of the lake.</p> - -<p>He endeavored to reach the end of the boat -but it eluded his hand. Then he waded deeper -and tried again, still the boat moved outward and -Prunel was becoming frightened.</p> - -<p>“Oh pshaw—I gotta jump fer it!” growled -Jakey, and at that he reached quickly while<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> -taking a far-advanced step. His foot went in a -hole, and he fell face downward into the lake. -The boat sped onward now faster, as it felt the -carrying tide of the current.</p> - -<p>Before Jakey could regain his footing and -splutter out the water that choked him and -blinded his eyes, Prunel was at least fifty feet -from shore. She had remained perfectly quiet -until now, thinking Jakey would surely rescue -her. But when she saw him fall, and get up -again without hope of reaching her, she began -to whimper with fear.</p> - -<p>Jakey took a last look at her and with fear in -his eyes as he thought of his disobedience, -he turned to run away from the picnic grove—even -if he had to run all the way back to the -city. He could not face Uncle Ben’s stern rebuke, -for he was sure he would be properly -scolded and punished for breaking a law.</p> - -<p>Had not Maggie seen a boat with one passenger -skim out in the direction of the old grist-mill, -Prunel might have met with more serious -disaster than that which befell her craft.</p> - -<p>“Looka dere, Miss Marting! A little girl is -out in a boat alone,” called Maggie to her friend.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span>“Why—it’s——” Miss Martin quickly glanced -at Maggie before completing her sentence.</p> - -<p>But Maggie, too, saw a resemblance to Prunel. -She hurriedly hunted about amongst the -groups of children, and not finding her sister -anywhere, she shouted to one of the Policemen.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, Miss Martin, understanding -the situation, ran to tell Uncle Ben what had -happened to Prunel. He called upon the Police -and Firemen nearest him and all ran to the place -where the three boats had been tied but a short -time before.</p> - -<p>Here they saw Jakey wading from the water -and taking to his heels so the Policeman who -had warned him cried: “Now what’che gone -and done?”</p> - -<p>Jakey trembled from head to foot as he was -caught and brought back to Uncle Ben. Then he -explained how the accident had happened to Prunel. -As he hurriedly described the scene, the -Police found that neither boat had any oars so -pursuit to bring back the water-waif in that way -was out of the question.</p> - -<p>“Can anyone swim dat far?” questioned one of -the firemen.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>“Not in fresh water—I kin swim anywhere in -salt water,” returned one of the boys.</p> - -<p>“Mebbe de boat’ll float in to shore down furder. -Mister Uncle Ben, dere’s a finger of land -runs out way down, you see!”</p> - -<p>“But there is also a mill-race just the other -side of that finger of land, and the current to the -mill runs mighty fast about that jutting bank. -If the boat doesn’t come in or isn’t caught before -it reaches that place it is impossible to say what -may be the consequences. An old water-wheel -turns the mill and the race feeds the wheel. The -child is in danger out there with no means of -helping herself and we are here with no way to -reach her,” said Uncle Ben, anxiously.</p> - -<p>“What’s all the excitement—anyone fall overboard?” -called Jinks, coming up and asking his -question laughingly.</p> - -<p>“Little Prunel is afloat in that boat—see her -down the lake there?” replied Mete, who was -standing beside Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Great Scott! And all of you standing around -here doing nothing?” cried Jinks, scornfully, running -away to the squad of Police who were still -umpiring the last game of ball.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>“Hey there! Dutchy—did you bring your -dog?” yelled Jinks, when he had covered half the -distance between the two groups.</p> - -<p>“Yeh! Why?” came back the answer.</p> - -<p>“What’s Jinks going to do with the dog?” -asked Uncle Ben, starting to run after the boy, -and thus starting all the other boys on the ground -running after him. Inside of a minute the long -line of boys running, looked like a thriller in a -moving-picture play.</p> - -<p>“Leave it to Jinks to think up some way of -rescue!” called Ned and Mete, panting beside -Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Remember that fire we went to when we were -on the Canal trip?” added Don, who came just -too late to do all the talking to Jinks.</p> - -<p>Before the crowd of curious boys reached the -spot where Jinks had hurriedly explained the -situation to Bill, the two boys and a few of the -ball-players had started off along the shore, calling -and whistling to the great mongrel dog that -was Bill’s beloved and particular care.</p> - -<p>The shaggy, tawny hound came crashing from -the bushes with tail wagging joyously at the unusual -outing he was given that day. When Bill<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> -saw him, he snapped his fingers and called excitedly:</p> - -<p>“Crummie go in and fetch! Fetch it out, good -ol’ doggie!” and at the same time, he threw a -stone far out into the lake to attract the dog’s attention -to the water.</p> - -<p>Crummie went in ker-splash and swam about -for a short time looking for the object which -his master had thrown for him to bring out -again.</p> - -<p>“Say, Dutchy, Prunel is too far out for the -dog to reach—let’s run along shore till we get to -the finger over there. You see, the current runs -quite close in to shore there and we can send -Crummie out from that spot. Maybe we can -tie a rope to his collar and let him swim out with -it to the boat, then we can pull the girl in to -shore,” quickly explained Jinks.</p> - -<p>“Fine! Say you, Dink Brown—run back and -get a rope er somethin’ fer us, will you? We’ll -be down on that finger waitin’ fer you. Mebbe -we kin shout an’ make the kid hear what we want -her to do,” replied Bill.</p> - -<p>Before he had completed his sentence, Dink -was running back to Uncle Ben to ask for a rope.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> -Then the other boys with the dog ran swiftly -away to the spot Jinks had designated.</p> - -<p>As they ran, Jinks found a section of newspaper -on the pathway, and this he caught up and -began rolling into a long tube.</p> - -<p>“What’s ’at fer?” asked Bill.</p> - -<p>“Make a megaphone for us to call through, -you know.”</p> - -<p>“Big idea! Make it wide at the open end so’s -she can git the call better. If you make it narrow -the sound won’t go out so clear, you see.”</p> - -<p>At the finger of land, Jinks stood out on a -large rock and shouted and shouted at Prunel -who was crying fearfully and kneeling in the bottom -of the boat while clinging to the oar-lock.</p> - -<p>At the echo of Jinks’ call she looked about but -did not at first see the boys standing where the -channel curved in towards land. At the second -shout, however, she looked in the direction from -which the sound came, and stopped wailing as -she saw the group of police waiting to assist her.</p> - -<p>Then she heard her name called and listened -to what was said.</p> - -<p>“We’re going to send the dog out to the boat—you -call ‘Here Crummie! here Crummie!’ as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> -soon as he goes in the water. He will come to -you and then you will find a rope tied to his collar. -Fasten the rope to the ring in the boat and -we will haul you in!”</p> - -<p>It needed several trials before Prunel understood -the plan, but once she did it was all right, -although the boat was fast reaching the place -where the current flowed in towards land so the -dog had to hurry out with the rope if it was to -work as planned.</p> - -<p>“Here I come—get him ready!” called the boy -who had been sent for the rope.</p> - -<p>The boys turned and saw him racing along -with a long coil of swing rope that had been -hastily cut down to use. Dink, being the swiftest -runner in camp, was soon back with the Police -and Jinks.</p> - -<p>One end of the rope was tied to Crummie’s old -leather collar and then he was sent in to bring -out Prunel. At the same time Jinks shouted -through the megaphone:</p> - -<p>“Call him, Prunel! Call him, again and again, -till he reaches you with the rope.”</p> - -<p>Then they heard the little girl cry excitedly: -“Here Crummie! Here Crummie!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>“See her over there, Crummie? Fetch her out! -Fetch her out, I say! Go get it—get it—good -doggie!” coaxed Bill.</p> - -<p>And Crummie, sniffing over the water, saw -the approaching boat and heard the child’s cry -for help. Instantly the yellow dog understood -what was required of him and in he went, dragging -the long line of rope after him.</p> - -<p>The boys on shore held their breath so the -dog would not be confused, and Prunel kept on -calling, “Here Crummie! Here Crummie! Good -dog—come to me, Crummie!”</p> - -<p>And the dog swam as fast as he could in a -direct line for the object he saw on the surface -of the lake. He came within five feet of it when -it swept past him in the current now running -fast to the mill-race.</p> - -<p>Groans and cries on shore showed that more -than one anxious group were watching the efforts -of the brave dog. But Crummie was of -the nature that resents failure or trickery. He -was of the dogged kind that will fight harder in -spite of all obstacles, and perseverance and persistence -always win out!</p> - -<p>Crummie kept on swimming after the boat<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> -while Prunel continued calling and pleading, and -the boys on the bank kept on anxiously letting -the rope out and wondering if it was long enough -to reach.</p> - -<p>“Gee, Jinks, it’s the end!” gasped Bill.</p> - -<p>And just as Jinks was about to give up in despair, -one of the other boys yelled: “By golly! -Crummie’s got hold of the rope that dragged -after the boat!”</p> - -<p>Everyone strained their eyes to see, and sure -enough the dog had caught hold of the rope that -had tied the boat to the bank and was swimming -back the way he came against the current.</p> - -<p>The struggling animal was not making much -headway against the swift stream and Jinks instantly -saw that he would tire himself out and -be useless, so he signaled to Bill, and the two -ran through the bushes growing on the shore and -reached a place opposite the boat. Then Jinks -called again to the dog.</p> - -<p>“Here, Crummie! Crummie, come in here!”</p> - -<p>At the strange voice, the dog stopped battling -against the current but did not turn. However, -Bill saw through Jinks’ idea and quickly abetted -him.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>“Here, good old Crummie! Fetch it home! -Fetch it home!”</p> - -<p>And at his master’s well-known call, the dog -turned and swam for shore where the two boys -were waiting to help. Jinks pulled off his shoes -and stockings, rolled up his trousers and waded -in as far as he could. When Crummie came -within arm’s reach, Jinks leaned out to catch hold -of the rope, but the dog growled fiercely.</p> - -<p>“Ha, ha, ha! Crummie won’t let you interfere! -He don’t know what you’re after—mebbe -you want to take away the prize he’s bringin’ in -to me!” laughed Bill, delightedly, now that the -strain was over.</p> - -<p>Even Jinks laughed at the treatment he had -been given by the dog, but Crummie dragged the -rope straight up to his master and left it in his -hands. Then it was seen that the rope that had -been tied to the old collar had torn it away and -was out in the lake.</p> - -<p>“When did the swing rope break?” asked Don, -who failed to understand.</p> - -<p>“Soon after the strain came on it, most likely,” -said Mete.</p> - -<p>“I’ll tell you what I think!” ventured Uncle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> -Ben, who had hurried up with Maggie, and now -stood patting Crummie’s wet, matted head.</p> - -<p>The children all looked at him for an opinion, -and he continued:</p> - -<p>“I think that Crummie would have gone for -that boat and found his own way to drag it back -to land, whether any of you boys had interfered -with him or not. Now, seeing that our hero dog -lost his neck-band in his effort to save a life, I -shall award him the medal for bravery this -month. Anyone opposing this motion say ‘No!’; -if there is no opposition and everyone agrees with -me that Crummie shall have the prize let us all -say ‘Aye!’”</p> - -<p>Such a tremendous shout of “Ayes” went out -instantly, that Crummie was unanimously voted -the hero for the month, and Bill was the proudest -boy in camp.</p> - -<p>“What’s the prize going to be, Uncle Ben?” -asked Don.</p> - -<p>“Oh something that Crummie will appreciate -and everyone will stop to admire and read. I’m -thinking a wonderful studded collar with his -name and the story of the rescue engraved on a -silver plate might be suitable.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span>“Oh yes—yes, indeed!” chorused most of the -Blue Birds and Bobolinks.</p> - -<p>“And, Uncle Ben, spend a lot of money on it to -make it as big and shiny as you can,” advised -Dot Starr.</p> - -<p>“How much money do you think will do?” -asked Uncle Ben, teasingly.</p> - -<p>“Well, you know how much a funeral for Prunel -would have cost if Crummie hadn’t saved -her life, so you might as well spend that much -anyway,” replied Dot in all seriousness.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’ve got an idea!” cried Don, inspired by -his twin’s words. “Have it tell on the collar that -the prize is a souvenir of a watery grave that was -never filled by the saved child ’cause Crummie -was here to fly to the rescue—you might say -‘swim’ to the rescue, only it doesn’t sound as -grand as ‘fly.’”</p> - -<p>Everyone laughed heartily at Don’s suggestion, -and Ned said: “Don’s growing a streak -of poesy and we all had better beware or he’ll -rhyme us into jingles some day.”</p> - -<p>Don scorned such ideas, and after giving Ned -a meaning look, he said: “I wouldn’t be anything -so silly as a jingler like Ned Talmage is!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> -I’m going to buy Crummie and start a kennel of -fine life-saving dogs to send to the Allies! So -there!”</p> - -<p>“Ha! that’s why Don wants Uncle Ben to -spend all that funeral money on a collar. He’ll -sell the collar and keep the money to found the -kennels!” laughed Mete, in a big brother’s tone -of voice.</p> - -<p>“Say, you kids! Don’t fool yourselves on dat -score! Dis dog is mine and he stays mine till -the las’ trumpet blows—see!” was the last word -from Crummie’s master, and the yellow dog -wagged his tail approvingly as he blinked up into -Bill’s blue-green eyes.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X<br /> - - -<small>MISS MARTIN’S NATURE STORIES</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The picnic was declared a grand success in -spite of the fright little Prunel had had, for such -a thrill as the Little Citizens had been treated to -at the danger and escape of one of their members -was not to be had every day! So that event -added glory to the occasion and was one long to -be remembered.</p> - -<p>The day after the outing, most of the Little -Citizens were seated at the Auditorium (as they -called the Refectory when other occasions demanded -its use) waiting for the Blue Birds who -had promised to come and hear Miss Martin’s -nature story that day.</p> - -<p>Miss Martin was seen coming from her Nest -and soon after she had greeted the children, the -Blue Birds were heard laughing and talking as -they hurried down Harebell Road.</p> - -<p>When all were seated Miss Martin began:</p> - -<p>“I’m going to tell you about some pests we<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> -have in camp, and your Uncle Ben agreed to be -present so he could hear what a nuisance they -are. I see him coming from the Fire-house so -he will soon be here. Before he arrives, however, -I want to ask you children a favor. When -my story is finished I shall call upon you to ask -how many will volunteer to work in the Health -Department for a few days to get rid of flies -and mosquitoes, and I wish everyone here to -offer their services to Uncle Ben.”</p> - -<p>“Oh we will! You don’t have to ask us a favor -like that—we’d do it anyway!” replied one of -the Health Inspectors.</p> - -<p>“Am I late?” asked Uncle Ben, now coming -over to the group gathered to hear the stories.</p> - -<p>“Just in time,” replied Ruth, making a place -for him.</p> - -<p>“My first story will be about a mosquito that -settled down at Happy Hills and founded the -colony of pests that annoys us so at camp.</p> - -<p>“Skinny was a malarial mosquito that happened -to crawl from the reeds near the lake into -a carpenter’s tool-chest while the man was eating -his lunch late last fall. As his job was completed, -the carpenter caught up the tool-box and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> -hurried towards Miss Selina’s place to leave it in -the tool-house.</p> - -<p>“Skinny was very sleepy because of the cold -air, and the tool-box being left in a snug, sunny -spot on a shelf in the tool-house, she soon fell -asleep for the long cold winter months.</p> - -<p>“But in the spring the warm sun-rays roused -her and she began to open her sleepy eyes and -stretch her stiffened legs; her poor wings she -could not use at once—they were so nerveless -and stiff that it took some practice to whip them -into general use again. She succeeded somewhat, -just as the carpenter came in and took up -the tool-chest.</p> - -<p>“‘Where’re you goin’ to work, Pete?’ asked -a man standing outside the shed.</p> - -<p>“‘Down at Happy Hills Camp. I’m goin’ to -build some Nests for the Blue Birds’ Little Citizens, -you know.’</p> - -<p>“‘Well, thar ain’t no mosquitoes around er no -flies, either, so you won’t be pestered any, I -guess,’ said the first man, as Pete walked away -down Daffodil Lane.</p> - -<p>“Skinny heard the conversation and smiled. -‘Not a mosquito on the place, eh? Well I will<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> -have to get busy and change that lonesome state -of affairs mighty quick!’</p> - -<p>“So poor Pete carried the little pest along in -his harmless tool-chest, and while he left it standing -in the sunshine until he could find the boss -carpenter, the sun-rays made Skinny feel so lively -that she decided to try her wings and soar a bit.</p> - -<p>“This was easier than she had thought possible, -so she flew down to a little shallow pool -in the creek for a drink of water. Here she -found a slimy little back-water puddle so warm -and comfortable that she soon chose that spot -for the eggs she proposed laying to found the -mosquito colony of Happy Hills.</p> - -<p>“Early the following morning, Mrs. Spot -Toad saw hundreds of oblong-shaped eggs floating -on the slimy pool, but it was none of her business -so she did not report the matter to the -Board of Health as one of the Little Citizens -would have done. In fact Spot was so busy with -her own family cares that she forgot all about -the mosquito larvæ soon after she had seen the -small sooty specks floating on the water.</p> - -<p>“Skinny left her eggs to hatch and went her -way rejoicing, but not for long!</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span>“She had hardly reached a tree where a dozing -carpenter tempted her to eat, when a mother -Blue Bird swooped down from her nest and -caught up the lean, lanky mosquito to feed to -her babies. Of course there was no nourishment -in a poor thing like Skinny, but it would help -fill the gaping mouths of the baby-birds a bit!</p> - -<p>“Inside of twenty-four hours, Skinny’s eggs -began to hatch out, but they were not mosquitoes—they -were wrigglers. In appearance they resembled -wooly, little caterpillars, but one end of -the squirming body was the breathing tube for -air. The fuzzy part of the wriggler was the -means of its moving about, and they all wriggled -or jerked about continually. Some grew faster -than others, but all grew very fast, their heads -seeming to grow faster than their bodies.</p> - -<p>“In about six days’ time the wrigglers had -grown so strong that they floated on the top of -the water in the hot sunshine, so that the heat -might crack open the skins that enclosed the -young mosquitoes. As one shell opened after -another, the insects crawled out and waited upon -the tops of their little boats to dry their wings -and legs. The sun soon accomplished this work,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span> -and then the hundreds of young mosquitoes were -flying about waiting for an opportunity to eat -something good.</p> - -<p>“About this time the first Little Citizens appeared -at Camp, and many of the children ran -down to the creek to play in the water. Of course -Skinny’s family sniffed the sweet young blood of -the children there, and many a young mosquito -ate till it almost burst open, and the Little Citizen -had an irritating bite on arms or legs.</p> - -<p>“Many, many of the young mosquitoes remained -near the creek and laid eggs for a new -family, and others flew away to the puddles in -the woods, or settled on the eaves of the roof -where rainwater had left tiny pools. Others saw -the lake, and still others found water in pails or -bottles and vessels of all sorts. In a very short -time every one of Skinny’s children was laying a -multitude of eggs that would hatch out in a day -or two, and in ten to twelve days there would be a -pest of mosquitoes at Happy Hills.</p> - -<p>“By the time Little Citizens were running -about these woods, playing, or digging by the -creek, or making mud-pies from the soft mud in -the little pools, thousands and thousands of nasty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> -mosquitoes were flying and humming everywhere, -while hundreds of thousands were being -hatched from the wrigglers that had been the -outcome of eggs laid by every mosquito in the -place.</p> - -<p>“Finally the Little Citizens had such itching -red spots on their bodies, and so many of the -younger children had to keep away from the -fascinating little brook because of the pesky, -stinging insects, that Uncle Ben said something -must be done at once to rid Happy Hills of this -menace.</p> - -<p>“But what can we do to so many? If we have -to catch every wriggler or mosquito about Happy -Hills, it will take ten times the number of Little -Citizens here to catch and kill them—and then -there will be thousands of insects left to breed -new pests.</p> - -<p>“Ah, but there is a way that will smother all -the young and kill the old mosquitoes! Now listen -carefully!</p> - -<p>“We will get kerosene or crude oil, and pour -a little on the surface of the water wherever -we think a mosquito has laid her eggs. -While we are doing it, we will oil all the still<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span> -waters so no mosquito will dare to settle anywhere -and lay new eggs.</p> - -<p>“You see the oil will spread out over the surface -of the water and keep the wrigglers from -getting air for their bodies—this will soon -smother them and they will sink to the bottom -of the pool, dead! The old mosquitoes that -should come to visit the pond or pools, will light -upon the glassy, oiled water and instantly find it -impossible to remove their hairy legs; besides, -their noses will be filled with the fumes and soon -choke them so that they, too, will sink down to -the bottom of the stagnant pool or float dead -upon the oil.</p> - -<p>“Happy Hills will then become a comfortable -place at night and a more enjoyable camp for -the children at day.”</p> - -<p>Miss Martin concluded her first story and the -children showed their interest by the many questions -they asked. Among other things, she was -asked if there was more than one kind of mosquito, -and this brought up an explanation of the -difference between the malarial mosquito and the -simply poisonous, stinging kind.</p> - -<p>“The mosquito that causes malaria by its bite<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> -can be detected if you see it sting, for it always -stings with head pointed downward and its tail -and hind legs held straight up in the air. The -common mosquito stands with its body on a horizontal -line when it stings, but both kinds are -poisonous and are of no use whatever. The -sooner the country is cleared of such plagues the -better.”</p> - -<p>“You have done a good work, Miss Martin, by -telling us how to rid the camp of mosquitoes. I -ordered several barrels of unrefined petroleum -oil and Jones told me this morning that they are -at the freight station. He is there now with a -wagon to bring them back. When he comes, we -will all start in with cans and anything we can -find to hold oil, to hunt mosquitoes,” remarked -Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“There’s another pest to be gotten rid of, Mr. -Talmage,” suggested Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“And have you a story ready for it?” laughed -Ned.</p> - -<p>“It won’t take a moment to weave one just -as long as we may need for the occasion,” replied -Miss Martin.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>“Is it the fly that you have such an antipathy -to?” continued Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Yes, it is, and if you will do as I advise, -Happy Hills will soon be rid of flies as well as -mosquitoes,” rejoined Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“Well, tell us a story and we will judge of -the importance of the battle against the fly,” said -Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>So Miss Martin sat thinking for a few seconds -before she began:</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, Flossy, did you know Uncle Ben Talmage -has started a camp at Happy Hills for the -Little Citizens?’ cried a noisy fly to her companion -one nice day in June.</p> - -<p>“‘Really! How interesting; but what good -will that do us here? We are keeping house in -the pig’s trough, so how could we hope to reach -camp so far away?’</p> - -<p>“‘I’ll tell you about a plan I have, Flossy. Of -course, there will be lots of children staying -the summer at Happy Hills, and where there are -little ones there is sure to be food and things -lying about for flies to picnic upon. Now we -can steal a ride from the pig-sty to the camp -when Farmer Jones feeds the pigs. We can sit<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> -in the bottom of his swill-cans and sneak into -camp without anyone seeing us. Once there we -can set up housekeeping at any of the Nests. -Soon we will have a large family and found a -great fly-colony.’</p> - -<p>“‘How wise you are, Noisy! Let us sit in the -dark corner and wait for the farmer’s can,’ replied -Flossy, eagerly.</p> - -<p>“So the two flies were carried from the smelly -pig-sty to the nice clean, brand-new Nest built -for Miss Martin and her Little Citizens. But -Miss Martin didn’t know the two wicked flies -had arrived to live in her Nest.</p> - -<p>“No one knew the two flies were perched on -the edges of the milk-glasses with their filthy, -fuzzy legs and feet, and leaving all kinds of foreign -matter on the glass rim where little babies’ -lips would soon sip the milk! Neither did anyone -know that one of the pesky flies had just -deposited its filth on a slice of buttered bread for -one of the children. But so it happened just the -same!</p> - -<p>“There had been a few other flies in the pig-sty -when the two adventurers started forth, and they -too decided to follow their friends. So a number<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> -of dirty insects caught hold of the horse’s legs -and belly and thus were brought to camp. Here -they sought out Flossy and Noisy and suggested -that they all go to housekeeping together.</p> - -<p>“‘Where shall we set up housekeeping?’ asked -Noisy.</p> - -<p>“‘Well, when we rode into camp on old Dobbin, -we passed by the stables. There are a number -of choice apartments about the building, and -I located one in the manure heap outside. Another -good flat-house is over where the dump-ground -is. We can always find decaying fruit -or rotting stuff there,’ returned one of the new -arrivals.</p> - -<p>“So Flossy and her husband started housekeeping -in the dump-ground, while Noisy and her -spouse settled in the manure heap by the barns. -Noisy crawled about over the damp straws that -had been swept out from the stable-stalls and -soon found a fine spot to deposit her eggs.</p> - -<p>“That evening Noisy and her husband flew -back to camp to visit Little Citizens and see what -they could do to interfere with the wholesome -plans of Uncle Ben and Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“The hundreds of tiny white eggs laid in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> -manure heap by Mother Noisy, as her first brood -of children for that summer, and the hundreds -laid by Flossy in the dump-heap to found her big -family, began instantly to hatch out into queer -worm-like creatures. In less than twenty-four -hours a swarm of these pests were stirring about -as lively as could be, and in less than a day after -they were hatched from the eggs, they cast off -their skins. It took another day for them to shed -a second coat, and then a day or two later they -got rid of a third skin.</p> - -<p>“Now they looked like little oval grubs that -remained as quiet as if there was no life within -them, but at the end of a week, the shells cracked -open and a multitude of young flies crept out to -fly away just as Noisy did from the pig-sty where -she was born.</p> - -<p>“The thousands of flies hatched out of the -manure heap and dumping-ground now feasted -on all the filth and decaying mess they could find -and soon they were laying eggs wherever a -smelly dirty spot could be found, because flies -prefer filth to cleanliness.</p> - -<p>“Thousands more hatched from these eggs and -in three generations of flies, and in three weeks<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>’ -time, there were millions of horrid pests flying -about camp. Millions buzzed in our ears and -slapped their dirty wings in our faces. Millions -crept over our food leaving the nasty trails of -their hairy feet everywhere—but so fine a dirt -that we could not see it with our naked eyes. -There were millions to bite baby’s sweet rosy lip, -to tickle our noses with their fuzzy legs and -tails, to drop into the butter, or swim about in -our water and milk, always leaving their filth -as a mark of their nuisance!</p> - -<p>“Then along came the man with the barrels of -oil from the station, and the pools and damp -places about camp were soon saturated with kerosene. -It was noticed that the flies kept away -from such spots.</p> - -<p>“‘Suppose we try oil on the hatching places -of the flies, Miss Martin?’ asked Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“‘It will kill the eggs anyway, and may catch -some of the flies. But we can keep everything -securely covered and screened so a fly will have -to starve and then be forced to eat from the -poisoned saucer filled with water. Soon we can -kill off all the old flies and with the breeding<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> -spots disinfected there will be no flies to sicken -us,’ replied Miss Martin, and so it was.</p> - -<p>“Little Citizens hated the flies almost as much -as did Miss Martin and the other grown-ups at -Happy Hills, and as soon as the oil-barrels were -opened and ready for use, everyone started out -to find breeding nests of flies and soak them well -with oil.</p> - -<p>“And what a lovely summer the rest of that -season was at camp, without flies or mosquitoes -to annoy the very life out of one!”</p> - -<p>“Ha, ha! That’s a better story than the first! -Here comes Jones with the farm-wagon bringing -in the barrels! Come on, Police and Health -Board—to work to rid the camp of pests!”</p> - -<p>At Bill’s call to Little Citizens, they jumped -up and hurriedly thanking Miss Martin for her -stories, ran off to meet the driver with the oil-cans.</p> - -<p>“There, that is one way to plant ambition for -better conditions,” sighed Miss Martin, feeling -she had invested her half-hour to some good purpose.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br /> - - -<small>THE AMUSEMENT COMPANY</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The next few days were very busy ones for -the Little Citizens, but the comfort and peace -about camp was remarked by everyone, especially -Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“I declare, I never dreamed flies and mosquitoes -could make folks so miserable and irritable -with each other!” said he.</p> - -<p>“Now that those two pests are diminishing, I -wish to mention another cause of impatience and -concern in camp. The boys and girls past the -age of eight or nine, who are not actively engaged -with the Police, Firemen, or other departments -established at Happy Hills, really need -something to occupy their thoughts and time. In -the city they have so many ways of working or -entertaining themselves—often detrimental, too, -that time begins to hang heavily on their hands -now that the novelty of country-life is wearing -off,” explained Miss Martin.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>“But I don’t know of anything more we can -do to keep them busy,” replied Uncle Ben, with -an anxious frown.</p> - -<p>“I have an idea and it may work out to the -benefit and amusement of everyone.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll be glad to try anything you say,” returned -Uncle Ben, encouragingly.</p> - -<p>“Let us start ‘An Amusement Company.’ -Elect managers of the different departments and -‘stars’ and ‘supers’ and have the Band furnish -music. If you think well of my idea we may -even go so far as to reward the actors and musicians -who entertain us best. Let it be known -that this company is formed more as a means -of starting various contests for music, oratory, -and acting, and is open for all entries, young, -aged, small or large citizens.”</p> - -<p>“Humph! Who is there to teach them such -things?”</p> - -<p>“I do not believe the street children of a large -city need much teaching in entertaining. They -are so precocious and experienced from their life -in general, that they only need suggestions to -boost their ideas,” laughed Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“Well, it will cost us nothing to try out your<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> -idea anyway, and no harm will be done if it -fails to inspire your performers as you think -it will.”</p> - -<p>“And I know just what you think, Mr. Talmage! -You are secretly laughing at the failure -you are sure will follow this endeavor,” retorted -Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“I really hope you will not be disappointed in -your high appraisal of these city children’s brilliant -possibilities,” returned Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“We’ll see! If you will find some sort of a -‘drop-curtain’ even if it does not drop—we can -draw it on rings slipped over a pole; and a raised -stage, it will be all I shall ask of you. The stage -can be a bare platform raised about two feet -above the Refectory floor. It can be built on a -rough framework, and take little time or cost to -construct.”</p> - -<p>“I will get some of the older boys to help me -build it, and the Bobolink Boys will revel in sawing -and hammering, I know.”</p> - -<p>“Well then, you announce the new society to -Little Citizens and have all who wish to enter -the contests register with me during the next<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> -three days, and I will examine each one to find -what each one is capable of doing.”</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben smiled indulgently at what he believed -to be Miss Martin’s mistaken judgment, -and agreed to call the Little Citizens together -that evening to tell them of the plan for their -amusement.</p> - -<p>The plan for starting an amusement company -met with great approval as was shown in various -ways, and the next morning Miss Martin was -sought by those who wished to join the new club. -In fact some of the children appeared at her Nest -before breakfast so as to be listed in parts they -hoped to fill.</p> - -<p>“Children, suppose you wait until I have had -something to eat and then we will go into this -work,” laughed Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“Well, don’t you let anyone take our place—remember -we came first!” warned several voices.</p> - -<p>“This Nest will be too small to hold you all so -I suggest that we use a folding-table as a desk -and find some secluded spot in the grove where -we will be away from the confusion of camp -work. If one has to be tried out in any line he -can perform without feeling embarrassed by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> -others watching or hearing him,” said Miss Martin, -to the group waiting anxiously for her.</p> - -<p>“I’ll carry the folding-table over when you’re -ready to go!” quickly offered Bill, who had an -idea of what he would do in the new company.</p> - -<p>“And I’ll take the chair!” added Joe.</p> - -<p>“All right, boys; now let us have breakfast -and do our camp chores—then we will be ready -to begin our fun!”</p> - -<p>Camp work was through sooner than ever that -morning and before ten o’clock Miss Martin was -seated before the impromptu desk in the quiet -shady grove.</p> - -<p>“Now, Molly Brown—you were so anxious to -sign up this morning—what can you do to entertain -an audience?” said Miss Martin, smiling at -the ten-year-old girl.</p> - -<p>“I kin ride bareback!” was the startling answer.</p> - -<p>“Ride bareback—but what good will that do us -in a show-house?” gasped Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“You’se don’t have to keep yersels to one show, -does you? In Noo York der’s a theayter an’ a -hippodrome, too!” was Molly’s quick reply.</p> - -<p>This opened vast possibilities before Miss<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> -Martin’s vision, and before she could collect herself -to speak wisely, one of the boys said:</p> - -<p>“I t’ink dat’s a good idee! Lots of us kin do -stunts dat goes wid a hippodrome show what -can’t be did on a stage in a regerler theayter.”</p> - -<p>“Very well, then; Molly, will you sit down at -my left hand side where I will place all the circus -actors, and the stage performers can go to my -right,” said Miss Martin, hastily postponing her -other answer.</p> - -<p>Molly sat down upon the grass with a satisfied -manner—was she not going to be robed in -tarletan and tinsel some day and leap gracefully -from an Arabian horse’s back, then throw kisses -at an admiring audience? That is how Molly -pictured herself.</p> - -<p>“Bill, what do you propose doing?” asked the -investigator of the theatrical company.</p> - -<p>“Well, I kin do lots of stunts, but best of all -I kin blow my horn. I will like to stay in de -band wedder you’se have it for the theayter or fer -de circus.”</p> - -<p>“All right, Bill, then I’ll enter you as cornetist. -But you must practice and render a solo every -now and then for a prize, you know?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>“Yes’m, I knows!”</p> - -<p>Bill’s name was entered and he signed himself -as a solo-cornetist in the company. As he was -about to place the pen back on the table he had -a brilliant idea.</p> - -<p>“Miss Marting, why can’t I enter Crummie -fer a show?”</p> - -<p>“Ah yes, Miss Martin—Crummie is a swell -show-dog! He does lots of tricks what oughter -be known by a real circus man; he would get paid -a lot of money fer ’em,” added several voices -back of Bill.</p> - -<p>“Really! How interesting! Of course we will -enter Crummie with the other actors. He can’t -sign for himself, but we will let Bill do it,” explained -Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>A chorus of laughter made her look about at -the amused faces, and Bill placed his two fingers -between his lips and gave a shrill whistle. Crummie -had roamed away from the group at the desk -in search of squirrels or chipmunks, but at that -call he came bounding back to his master’s side.</p> - -<p>“Say, Crummie, Miss Marting says ye can’t -sign yer name! She t’inks yer a fool dog an’ -it’s up t’ you t’ show her she’s mistaken,” laughed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> -Bill, delightedly, as he took up the pen he had -laid aside and dipped it in the ink.</p> - -<p>Miss Martin instantly suspected the act that -was to be performed for her benefit; that it was -generally known to the other children was evidenced -by the way they laughed when she suggested -that Bill sign for the dog.</p> - -<p>Crummie stood upon his hind legs and placed -his fore-paws carefully on the edge of the table. -Then Bill pushed the sheet of paper over under -his nose, and the dog took hold of the pen-handle -with his teeth. By moving his head up and down -and from side to side, he managed to scrawl a -number of circles and lines, then he lifted his -nose high in the air to take the pen-point from -the paper and when he brought it down again -he made a period very near the ending of his -writing.</p> - -<p>Everyone laughed and cried “Good doggie” -and Miss Martin patted his head as she laughingly -said: “Crummie is truly a wonder. He is -our first performer for the public pleasure.”</p> - -<p>“Dat’s nuttin, Miss Marting; Crummie kin do -lots of stunts better’n dat!” bragged Bill.</p> - -<p>It took some time to assure Crummie that he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> -need not show off any more of his tricks that -time, as there was too much clerical work to -accomplish to stop for him. But the dog resented -the business-like tone of Miss Martin, and -when she would have removed the pen from his -teeth he wheeled about and ran off to the woods -with it.</p> - -<p>Bill gave hot pursuit but Crummie was fleet-footed, -so everyone laughed at the trick the dog -had turned on the company. After a time, Bill -returned with the pen, but it showed signs of -having been through sharp-pointed teeth before -it was recovered.</p> - -<p>“He was jus’ goin’ to dig a hole and bury it -when I crept up behind and caught hol’ on his -tail. Dat made him open his mouth, y’ know, -and the pen dropped out,” laughed Bill.</p> - -<p>No further unexpected interruptions took -place, so Miss Martin proceeded with the programme -of actors.</p> - -<p>“What is your specialty, Jim?” to a freckle-faced -lad of eleven.</p> - -<p>“Me fadder was a champeen clog-dancer in -Dublin, an’ he teached me de dance afore he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> -died. I kin clog to beat de band!” said Jimmy, -eagerly.</p> - -<p>“Oh fine! Will you show us a sample of it, -some time?” replied Miss Martin as she wrote -down Jim’s accomplishment.</p> - -<p>“Shure, but not on de grass, ye know, Miss -Marting! It needs wood floors and wood clogs.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and we will have you dance on the Refectory -floor soon.”</p> - -<p>From Jim she went to one of the girls, who -appeared impatient to tell of her talents.</p> - -<p>“Well, Jenny, your turn next.”</p> - -<p>“Miss Martin, I kin take off anyone you wants -me to! I does it for fun at home an’ teacher -says I’m the funniest girl she ever saw!”</p> - -<p>“Jenny, suppose you impersonate Dinah, the -cook?” said Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>Dinah was a true southerner and spoke with -all the old-time darkey accent. Jenny beamed at -the simple trial given her, and cleared her throat -to begin.</p> - -<p>“Oh yo’ Jenny! Come yeah, Ah say, chile! -Doan yo’ heah yo’ Mammy callin’ yo? Heah -I’se waitin’ fo’ to carry yo’ ober Jordan an’ yo’ -don’ heah me, nohow!”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span>Jenny’s manner and voice, to say nothing of -the expression on her face, was so exactly the -counterpart of Dinah’s that everyone screamed -with enjoyment.</p> - -<p>“Jenny, that is very clever! Can you imitate -my ways as well?” laughed Miss Martin, after -the fun had subsided.</p> - -<p>“Oh you’se is easy to do, but don’che git mad -at me?” pleaded Jenny.</p> - -<p>“Of course not, child. It is all done in a spirit -of fun.”</p> - -<p>Then Jenny mimicked Miss Martin to such -perfection that Uncle Ben, who had quietly approached -the group, clapped his hands and -laughed.</p> - -<p>Examination went on merrily after Uncle -Ben’s appearance, and many talents were discovered -in the number of Little Citizens who -applied that morning. And so diversified were -the abilities signed up for, that Miss Martin felt -sure of succeeding not only with a theater company -but with a circus troupe as well.</p> - -<p>“I have discovered an embryo Buffalo Bill -among the boys, and he will have charge of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> -lassoing and broncho busting,” said Miss Martin -looking at her lists.</p> - -<p>“And Molly rides bareback. Several boys are -pugilists and target shooters. With practice they -will be able to take the part of Indians in fighting -and shooting, then we can have the old scene -of Buffalo Bill’s stage-coach hold-up in the West.</p> - -<p>“A dozen boys wish to form a string orchestra, -and half of the boys here are already interested -in the Brass Band. With all the other talent I -have discovered, I should say we might give an -excellent circus—lacking only the wild animals -and freaks.”</p> - -<p>“If I agree to supply the freaks and wild animals -will you promise to produce a good circus -troupe for a show?” asked Uncle Ben, seriously, -yet his eyes twinkled humorously.</p> - -<p>Miss Martin looked steadfastly at him for a -few moments before she said: “Are you serious?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly I am. Don’t you think the Little -Citizens ought to give an entertainment to all -the friends who have worked so hard to make -this camp a success?”</p> - -<p>“There is nothing they’d rather do, I’m sure,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> -than to give a circus. It will be the natural outlet -of much pent up energy,” laughed Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“Then let us have a circus, by all means. We’ll -get Richards to make an announcement of it to -all the people who are interested in this venture.”</p> - -<p>So it was decided to experiment with the talent -at camp, and see if there would be anything to -work on in giving a huge circus to which all -friends and acquaintances would be invited.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII<br /> - - -<small>THE CIRCUS AT HAPPY HILLS</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“Mister Uncle Ben, ain’t che goin’ to ask no -money fer our circus?” asked Joe Brennan, when -he heard of the entertainment.</p> - -<p>“Why no, Joe, this is to be a treat given by -us to the people who did so much for Little Citizens. -It will cost them a lot of money just to get -here, as it is.”</p> - -<p>“Dey all got autermobiles what dey will use. -Dey don’t have to buy car-tickets,” argued Joe.</p> - -<p>“The autos use gasoline, you know, and it is -a long ride. Besides, Joe, why do you ask such -a question. The cash taken in wouldn’t do you -any good?” wondered Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“I was t’inkin’—we could start a fund fer dat -city home yeh know—de one you’se said oughter -be run fer Little Citizens. I ain’t got no home -to live in when I gets back to Noo York and it’s -cold in winter, lemme tell you!”</p> - -<p>“Joe, I am going to take up that very subject<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span> -with these people when they get here and show -them the good that home-life has done for you all. -Now if you will promise to keep this secret, I’ll -explain just why I’m anxious to have them see -you boys and girls perform and do your best in -some way.”</p> - -<p>Joe eagerly agreed to keep the secret, and -Uncle Ben continued:</p> - -<p>“I’ve been planning about that City Home -ever since we discovered Maggie could sing and -Nelly could design, and some of you boys could -play so well on musical instruments. I see that -it will be necessary to bring all those interested -welfare workers together here to see for themselves -just what good a home in the city will do -to you all. It isn’t the circus so much, as the -idea to get them here and see the improvement -in Little Citizens.”</p> - -<p>Joe grinned at the confidence shared with him -and said he would do all he could to make the -show a success.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben then stopped at Mother Maggie’s -Nest to ask her which of her songs she had decided -to sing at the entertainment. Maggie was -so joyously happy at the opportunity to sing in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> -public that she rattled off ten songs, one on each -fingertip as she counted—or she would have forgotten -some.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Mister Uncle Ben, if we only had gold -wagons and an elephant! But of course we -can’t have such wonders!”</p> - -<p>“Some of the boys want a steam calliope to -play the music for the parade,” ventured Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>“Hoh never! You woulden’ let any such awful -thing come an’ whistle itself to pieces around -Happy Hills, would you?” cried Maggie fearfully.</p> - -<p>“No; besides, it is impossible to get a calliope -without hiring a lot of performers with it, and -we are going to supply our own talent, you see.”</p> - -<p>“Thank goodness! If one of them screech-enjuns -came here I’d run and run till I was out -of hearin’ of it!” said Maggie, decidedly.</p> - -<p>“I suppose you heard that we are to have wild -animals and other wonderful side-shows, eh?” -asked Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Yes, an’ I wuz thinkin’, Mister Uncle Ben: -You’d have to be mos’ pertickler about handlin’ -them animals! It takes a man what knows wild<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> -beasteses to look after ’em proper. You might -git bitten er killed if you don’t look out. I saw -some at Central Park Zoo, an’ at the Bronx too, -an’ the keeper had to keep safe away from ’em, -I <i>tell you</i>!”</p> - -<p>“My wild animals won’t hurt anyone. In fact -the ‘lion shall lie down with the lamb’ and the -wolf will never think of killing,” laughed Uncle -Ben.</p> - -<p>“Is it a joke?”</p> - -<p>“If I tell you my secret, will you promise never -to tell anyone?” whispered Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>Maggie quickly agreed, and thereupon she -heard the most remarkable secret as was yet connected -with the circus.</p> - -<p>“Oh Mister Uncle Ben! How funny! Won’t -everyone laff!” said she after a hearty laugh. -But she kept the secret.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben proceeded to the Big House where -the Blue Birds and Bobolinks were awaiting -him. As he drew near, Miss Selina remarked:</p> - -<p>“He’s smiling as if he had something funny -to tell us.”</p> - -<p>But he said nothing, and all the coaxing and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> -urging to tell what had occurred at Happy Hills -to amuse him availed nothing.</p> - -<p>While Uncle Ben was training the Blue Birds -and Bobolinks to do their part in the circus all -unknown to Miss Martin, the latter was gradually -absorbing every inhabitant at Happy Hills -camp into her company. Even Dinah and her -assistants offered to do their share. That share -consisted of baking pyramids of good cookies and -ginger-snaps, and preparing lemonade, for a -stand just beside the entrance to the arena.</p> - -<p>If the day was bright and clear, the circus -would take place in the clearing where the firemen -exhibited their prowess. If it was rainy, it -would have to be curtailed in many acts but could -be given in part at the Refectory, called “Hippodrome -Hall” for the occasion.</p> - -<p>The morning dawned bright and cloudless to -the great joy and relief of many worrying circus -people. The benches were quickly placed at the -upper side of the base-ball diamond, and several -large canvases borrowed from a house-painter -in the nearest town, were hung up as screens for -the side-shows.</p> - -<p>The Fire-house was decorated with greens and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> -flags but the apparatus was pulled out and left -to dazzle all eyes at one side of the building. The -inside was to be used for other purposes.</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben had supervised his police and firemen -in erecting temporary pens behind the canvas -screens, and here his wild beasts were to be -exhibited. Adjoining the pens were a number -of large piano cases raised upon posts so that -they were about eighteen inches from the ground. -The front sides of these great boxes were gone -but wooden laths made “bars to the cages.” On -the top facing each box was painted the name -of the wild thing within.</p> - -<p>The first case was to hold a fierce Numidian -lion, said to be the only one ever caught and -tamed at Happy Hills. Next to this was a red -wolf—a man-eating wolf at that! Then one was -to see the wild man from Borneo with a great -ring through his nose that he might be made to -obey without danger to his keeper.</p> - -<p>Then there was to be an Albino girl, and a few -savage Zulus with poisoned arrows to shoot at -passers-by. There was a placard over one of -the cages saying that the strange animal shown -was the only one of its kind ever found, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> -being a native of the Valley of Delight, it was -considered as very valuable.</p> - -<p>There were other curiosities to see in the side-shows, -but the greatest interest centered about -the animal cases. The boys who had helped build -the cages told the other Little Citizens, and -naturally it created much guessing and excitement. -Would Mister Uncle Ben really have wild -animals there?</p> - -<p>Maggie was in the secret, but so well did she -keep it that no one even guessed she knew the -truth about the plan.</p> - -<p>Inside the Fire-house, Uncle Ben and Ned and -Jinks worked hard for several hours before circus -time, then the door was shut and padlocked to -keep out all curious sight-seers.</p> - -<p>At two-thirty sharp, the Happy Hills’ Brass -Band struck up a patriotic air and the visitors -and friends who had assembled to witness the -show given by the Little Citizens, hurried to the -circus grounds.</p> - -<p>The side-shows had to be visited first, as they -would not be continued after the general performance -began. The Fire-house was the first -in the row so, not only visitors, but Little Citizens<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span> -as well, filed in to see what Uncle Ben had -prepared for them.</p> - -<p>The side walls of the small building were covered -with Navajo blankets and other barbarous-colored -draperies. Spears and weapons from -Aunt Selina’s cozy-corner and oriental collection -were gleaming dangerously from corners. -Freshly cut hay was thrown on the floor to make -a carpet of green, and upon this sat a group of -Hopi Indians. Don and Dot Starr were young -ones while Babs was a papoose strapped in a -wicker basket and stood up in a corner.</p> - -<p>A tent was rigged up in one corner and before -this a brave who strongly resembled Meredith, -sat smoking a long peace pipe. But no one could -see any smoke rising from the bowl or from the -lips of the stolid Indian. He was in war-paint -and wore all his trophies of scalps and wild -beasts’ teeth or skulls, so he seemed savage indeed. -Two squaws, one beading a pair of moccasins -and another cooking over a camp-fire, were -too industrious to look up at the curious visitors.</p> - -<p>“The squaw-cook what’s poking at the kettle -without any fire burning under it, looks a heap<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span> -like Miss Lavinia,” whispered Maggie, in a stage-tone.</p> - -<p>Everyone laughed and even the squaw had to -turn away her face or ruin the effect of the whole -Indian village scene. Dot and Don in streaked -upper-bodies and gaudy skirts from the waist -down, grinned pleasantly at their New York -friends, and posed in a true twin-picture when -Mr. Richards took a snap-shot of the Hopis.</p> - -<p>From the Fire-house the crowds went to the -first case: a ferocious lion! Here the visitors -saw an astonishing sight! As the truth dawned -upon them, the New Yorkers laughed heartily -but said nothing that might keep away other -curious visitors.</p> - -<p>A great lion-skin from Miss Selina’s library -had been sewed together so that it appeared as -real as when it was alive on the plains of Africa. -Inside this skin, Ned had carefully placed himself, -and then Uncle Ben had sewn him up in -the seam where the two sides of the skin met.</p> - -<p>The poor lion must have been frightfully hot -inside that skin, and he had to pace up and down -the limited cage-room on his hands and feet, for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> -it would never do to stand up on his hind legs -and try to get a breath of cool air!</p> - -<p>As the sight-seers filed past the lion’s cage, -the fierce animal pawed threateningly at the -weak, wooden laths which was all that kept him -from springing out at the people.</p> - -<p>Most of the circus-goers were already past -when a strange howl came from the inside of -that lion-skin:</p> - -<p>“Heigh, Uncle Ben! For pity’s sake rip me -out of this—I’m smothering to pieces!”</p> - -<p>Some of the visitors were lingering to study -the Wild Man from Borneo in the next cage and -heard the freak lion that could talk, and everyone -laughed uproariously.</p> - -<p>Jinks was the “Wild Man” and looked the part, -too. Chains of corn and large lima-beans, with -here and there a red kidney-bean, strung on -strings were profusely hung about his neck. -Wide armlets and anklets of tin were wound -about his limbs and his hair, which was made of -a close-fitted skull-cap with great bunches of -hair taken from a mattress found in the attic of -Aunt Selina’s house. His face was frightfully -scarred with <i>red crayon</i> cuts where he had fought<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> -men and beasts and survived; his single garment -was a long strip of sheep’s skin wound about his -waist. His body was dark red and shiny with -oil, and his hands toyed dangerously with barbed -arrows and a slender bow that now and then -was aimed at his tormentors. Such actions were -accompanied with wild grins that showed fierce -orange-rind teeth fitted into the mouth of the -man-eating human!</p> - -<p>The red wolf looked so like Crummie that -many of the Little Citizens were tempted to call -it by name, and strange to say, the animal acted -as if it knew that name! Overhead, however, -the placard plainly stated that the red wolf exhibited -was one of the dangerous kind found in -the Valley of Delight.</p> - -<p>“No one kin fool me dat dat’s a wolf! I knows -Crummie if no one else does. Diden’ he save -my life in de boat dat day of de picnic?” came -from Prunel in no weak voice, and everyone -laughed again at the poor red wolf. Thereupon -the animal wagged its tail.</p> - -<p>A strange animal never known to Nature before, -was seen in a small case next to the wolf. -It was green and red and white streaked, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> -had a stub tail that was orange colored. The -nose was snubbed and a fear-inspiring gleam of -teeth projecting from an under-shot jaw would -have made one’s flesh creep had the beast been -free. But everyone heaved sighs of relief to find -Aunt Selina’s old pet Bull dog safely chained in -a cage.</p> - -<p>“Laws sake! Now how did this dreadful -thing happen to poor old Billy. Ben! Ben! did -you paint Billy like this?” cried Miss Selina -when she saw her dog.</p> - -<p>“S-sh! don’t spoil the side-shows!” warned a -hissing voice behind her, and Flutey turned to -see Mr. Richards’ laughing face close to hers.</p> - -<p>“But how will we ever get Billy clean again?” -said she.</p> - -<p>“It’s only colored grease paint such as movie -people use—we’ll drop him in boiling water and -soon scald off the paint,” laughed her tormentor.</p> - -<p>Meredith Starr was the strongest man on -earth and was seen lifting great balls of iron -and heavy bars of metal. The spheres he picked -up as easily as if they were feathers were marked -5,000 lbs. each, and were as large as a barrel.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span>“Mr. Richards, do tell me what he is lifting?” -queried Aunt Selina.</p> - -<p>“Can’t you see they are marked iron?”</p> - -<p>“Oh, but they aren’t really! They look like -hollow paper cubes bronzed over to look like -rusty iron,” replied Flutey.</p> - -<p>“Maybe you’re right at that,” laughed Mr. -Richards.</p> - -<p>The last side-show was a huge cage with a -curtain hanging before its opening. On the curtain -was a notice stating:</p> - -<p>“This is the smallest baby-elephant ever exhibited -in a circus, and the visitor is requested -not to feed it peanuts or crackers, as it does not -yet know how to eat alone.”</p> - -<p>Whenever a large crowd gathered before this -cage, one of the Police would make a great flourish -of drawing back the curtain. Necks would -crane and those visitors standing in the back -could not see the elephant at all. But a loud -shout of merriment would tell all that it was a -good joke, so they waited till the others left when -they could go closer and see the elephant.</p> - -<p>It was a little papier-maché toy-elephant such -as are sold at Christmas time for the children’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> -nursery. There it stood in the center of the -great box and beside it was a great dish of water -and a huge bundle of hay for food.</p> - -<p>The fake side-shows being over, the visitors -began to fear their old tease, Mr. Talmage, had -played a joke upon them in bringing them so far -to witness nothing at all. So they walked away -from the cages wondering what would take place -next; then a few of the Police directed them to -the seats at one end of the diamond.</p> - -<p>“What next? Are you going to play a few -more jokes on us?” demanded one of the visitors -of a Policeman.</p> - -<p>“Naw—the reel circus is jus’ goin’ to start! -You see Miss Martin has charge of our show -whiles Mister Uncle Ben agreed to provide side-shows -and wild animals. Now he’s done with -his’n.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, I see,” said one visitor.</p> - -<p>“Thank goodness,” said another.</p> - -<p>But the majority of them laughed at the fun -and said it was all part of the game as Barnum -said: “An American public loves to be fooled.”</p> - -<p>Soon after the audience was seated on the -hard wooden benches that reminded them of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> -real circus seats at a dollar a seat, Mr. Richards -appeared in the sawdust ring to speak. He was -immediately welcomed with shouts and claps and -such a noise from his city friends that he could -not be heard.</p> - -<p>When the tumult died down and he began -to speak, the noise would begin anew, and finally -he shook his head and stood waiting. The men -in the audience finally grew tired of teasing him, -however, and he had his say.</p> - -<p>It was to the effect that all the talent about to -be seen and heard had been found and trained -at Happy Hills inside of the past month. All -allowance should be made for the handicaps met -with in a country camp, but the patrons would -find there was plenty of genuine talent in the -different performers about to make their first -appearance in public as entertainers.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII<br /> - - -<small>THE SAWDUST RING</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The audience felt the usual circus thrill as -they took their places on the narrow board seats; -the tent that always gives a twilight dimness to -the inside of a circus arena was not in evidence, -there being no canvas large enough to borrow -for that purpose, but the ground was thickly -sprinkled with sawdust for the performers’ circle.</p> - -<p>“Ladies and Gentlemen,” began Uncle Ben, -as he walked to the center of the ring. “The -first number on our programme will be the Great -Circus Parade in which all members of the Side -Shows and the regular circus will take part. The -music is furnished by the Little Citizens’ Brass -Band. Kindly refrain from making remarks during -the exhibition.”</p> - -<p>The moment Uncle Ben concluded his short -speech, Mr. Richards sprang up and said: “I -surmise that we may make as many remarks as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span> -we like <i>before</i> the exhibition, so I wish to know -who elected you Master of Ceremonies?”</p> - -<p>The audience laughed and some clapped their -hands at the question asked Uncle Ben. But he -was equal to it.</p> - -<p>“Not ‘Master of Ceremonies,’ my dear sir, but -simply the ‘Ring Master,’” replied Uncle Ben, -with a low bow.</p> - -<p>“Then I take objection to being made to sit -here and see a Ring Master without the customary -long waxed mustachios and high silk hat—to -say nothing of the lack of a swallow-tail coat and -silver-handled whip!”</p> - -<p>Of course everyone knew it was all in fun, so -they laughed because Uncle Ben had no retort -ready. After a moment’s hesitation, however, -he said:</p> - -<p>“I have been given authority to maintain order, -and if I hear any further objections from -one who came to see this show on a <i>complimentary</i> -ticket, I will forcibly expel him from the -premises.”</p> - -<p>The threatening tones and the scowl on the -Ring Master’s face caused a great chorus of -laughter from the audience, and from those performers<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> -who knew that Uncle Ben and his dear -friend Mr. Richards were trying to get the best -of each other in the fun-argument.</p> - -<p>But the blare of horns coming from back of -the canvas curtain interrupted any further attacks, -so the Ring Master retired to attend to the -order of march.</p> - -<p>A drum-major led the band. He was dressed -in a high bearskin hat with gold tassels draped -in front of it. His blue uniform was also elaborately -trimmed with tinsel and gold ornaments -that reminded everyone of Christmas Tree trimmings. -In fact that is just what they were!</p> - -<p>The Brass Band followed and blew its instruments -so lustily that no attention was paid to -time or notes. Noise, and plenty of it, was what -every member was eager to accomplish.</p> - -<p>After the band, the freaks and wild animals -followed, but the Numidian lion had thrown -back its head-piece and the boy’s hot face peeping -out looked very strange as it surmounted the -shaggy lion rug.</p> - -<p>After the side-show members came the regular -circus performers—bareback riders, acrobats, -pugilists, etcetera.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span>Every Little Citizen in camp wished to be in -the Grand Parade and everyone had some odd bit -of decoration to distinguish his or her connection -with so illustrious a company.</p> - -<p>Some of the little girls had gathered great -quantities of daisies and buttercups and other -wild flowers, and had sewed them all over their -camp dresses. Many of the little boys, too small -to take part in the acting, were costumed in -foliage-covered clothes or in fancy paper suits.</p> - -<p>The parade over, the troupe sought refuge -back of the canvas curtain to await the call of -each performer. The selected “pieces” of the -Brass Band now took their seats in front of the -canvas and showed the audience what a volume -of sound six members of the band could send -forth.</p> - -<p>“Our first number will be a clog dance. This -is the public début of our famous Little Citizen -Dancer, so I wish all present to take particular -notice of his accomplishment,” announced the -Ring Master, who now appeared with the drum-major’s -bearskin upon his head, and the drum-major’s -tinsel-decorated baton for a stick.</p> - -<p>Uproarious applause followed the announcement,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> -but it was never known whether the clapping -was for the hat and stick or for the début -of the clog-dancer.</p> - -<p>The visitors were sincerely interested in the -dancing and felt gratified that one of the Little -Citizens should have been found with such ability—it -became apparent that something might -be made of the boy.</p> - -<p>Following the clog-dancer, came Maggie to -sing her songs. Miss Martin had had the piano -moved from the Refectory to the ring, and now -played the accompaniment while the little girl -sang her favorite songs taught her by the Settlement -Worker of the East Side.</p> - -<p>As the pure tones of the “Prince of Peace,” -then the inspired words and air of “Our America” -were heard, the audience showed more than -ordinary interest. The little singer was encored -again and again and she smiled happily as she -stepped to the Ring again and sang her other -favorites. The visitors whispered together at the -wonderful genius discovered in their midst, and -again Maggie was encored to sing yet one more -song. This last one was “Love’s Lullaby,” and -was Maggie’s solace in times of trouble.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span>The applause given Maggie was a great encouragement -to the other performers, so the orator -of the camp, the elocutionist, and many other -talented Little Citizens, found their efforts welcomed -by the audience.</p> - -<p>When the “Stars” had concluded their parts, -Uncle Ben announced that the thrillers would -take place.</p> - -<p>“Miss Goldie Silverheels will now show her -superb bareback riding,” said he, with a bow.</p> - -<p>Immediately after this introduction, Miss -Goldie rode in on Farmer Jones’ young horse. -The steed was gorgeous in his colored trappings, -and Miss Goldie was in the seventh heaven of -delight, for she had on a tarletan dress all beflounced, -and a wreath of flowers in her hair.</p> - -<p>The horse, Bob, moved sedately about the sawdust -ring, and it took some urging from his rider -to coax him into a gallop.</p> - -<p>The bareback rider was fearless and daring -in her tricks and showed an unusual understanding -of horses and the way to control them.</p> - -<p>“Do you know what that girl can become? A -wonderful instructor in a Riding Academy,” remarked -one lady to another, as Miss Goldie rode<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> -out of the ring with applause sounding acceptably -in her ears.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but I should hate to have her become a -circus actor, don’t you know,” replied the lady.</p> - -<p>“That’s just why she should be taken in hand -at once, to train her for something worthy before -a third-rate circus troupe discovers her courage -and ability.”</p> - -<p>“Make a note of it and refer the matter to Mr. -Talmage,” advised the lady, and it was written -down on a small pad.</p> - -<p>“We have a most remarkable treat in store, -now, for our New York friends. You have never -seen anything better at a dog show, nor at a -Circus or Hippodrome,” called Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“This is Crummie, the dog-hero that saved -one of our Little Citizens from drowning a short -time ago,” he added.</p> - -<p>At mention of his name, Crummie ran out into -the Ring. But what a different-looking Crummie -from the dirty, matted-wool dog that won -the medal for bravery the day of the picnic!</p> - -<p>Uncle Ben had superintended the task of clipping -him, so that he presented a distinctly aristocratic -appearance. His main body had been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> -shaven, leaving tawny patches of wool on ankles, -neck and head. The tail, too, had a thick bunch -of wool on its end and a ring of wool about the -base. The long hair on his forehead was tied in -a knot with a fancy ribbon.</p> - -<p>“Crummie, salute the ladies!” said Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>The dog faced the audience and bowed politely -to them. A general laugh rewarded him. Then -Uncle Ben said:</p> - -<p>“Now, Crummie, call for your master to take -charge.”</p> - -<p>The dog turned and looked at the Band and -barked again and again, but no result followed.</p> - -<p>“Crummie, go over and escort your master to -the Ring.”</p> - -<p>Then the dog ran directly to Bill and pulled at -his feet. Bill laughingly arose, and the dog immediately -took hold of his hand with his teeth -and led him out. This brought a loud clapping -from the visitors.</p> - -<p>Then Bill put Crummie through his letter-writing -trick, through his prayers, his dancing on -hind legs, his lately acquired trick of playing -fireman (taught him by the Fire Brigade) and -the other things he could do. The audience thoroughly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span> -appreciated it all and thought the performance -was over when they saw Crummie run -back of the curtain.</p> - -<p>But he soon returned rolling a small drum -before him. He left it just before his master and -ran away again. This time he returned with the -two drum sticks in his mouth. He held them -until Bill took them from him, and Uncle Ben -said:</p> - -<p>“Crummie has just joined the Brass Band and -has only been taking lessons in playing the drum -for a week. If he does not keep good time, or -hold the sticks according to the book, you must -overlook the fact.”</p> - -<p>Bill placed a drum-stick in the dog’s mouth and -Crummie sat upon his haunches before the drum -and began to rat-tat rat-tat-tat! rat-tat, rat-tat-tat! -r-r-r-at-tat-tat! r-r-r-tat-tat! Er-r-r-r-r-rat! -er-r-r-r-r-tat! er-r-r-r-r-rat-tattat-tattoo.</p> - -<p>This syncopated playing he kept up until Bill -laughingly clapped his hands, then Crummie -dropped the stick and pranced about his master, -showing how thoroughly he enjoyed music. The -clapping was prolonged until the audience found<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> -Crummie had still another form of music to render -for them.</p> - -<p>This time, Bill attached the cymbal to Crummie’s -tail and tied a small hammer to one paw. -The other paw had a string tied to it, and this -string pulled a lever that sounded a whistle. Then -the dog was given the drum-stick again, and the -signal for music was sounded by his master.</p> - -<p>This time, Crummie thumped the cymbals with -his tail, while striking the glass-cylinders with -the hammer fastened on his left paw. The string -was jerked irregularly to sound the whistle, but -the drum fared badly, as the dog was so intent -on the other three instruments that he forgot to -beat with the stick held between his teeth, except -at rare intervals. But the sagacity shown by the -animal won tremendous applause from the audience, -so that both master and dog felt amply -repaid for the tedious hours of practice.</p> - -<p>“Now we have a scene between two Roman -Gladiators in the open arena. This will end our -performance, but the guests are all invited to the -Refectory, where the Little Citizens wish to serve -refreshments to them.”</p> - -<p>After some arguing back of the canvas curtain,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> -the visitors were amused to see a Roman chariot -appear. Bob and Dobbin were hitched tandem to -a two-wheeled dump-cart. But the cart had been -white-washed—wheels and body, and festooned -with wild flowers until it presented a gala appearance. -The two horses balked at pulling the -familiar cart <i>à la tandem</i> and Bob wished to precede -Dobbin, and the latter wished to stop to investigate -a sweet-smelling bunch of clover right -in his pathway to glory.</p> - -<p>Therefore, the two Gladiators who stood in the -cart endeavoring to coax their steeds to more -speed, felt abashed at the laughter accorded their -entrance into the arena.</p> - -<p>But once the imperfectly-matched horses had -drawn the cart to its goal, the two athletic-looking -boys jumped lightly out and posed in attitudes -approved in boxing rings.</p> - -<p>This last number was wildly applauded by the -men present, but the ladies said they could see -nothing entertaining in boxing! The bout being -ended, the two contestants shook hands and -looked about for the chariot which was to carry -them back to the dressing room. The attention<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> -of all present was thus attracted to the cart and -horses, and a general laugh echoed over the field.</p> - -<p>Dobbin being unaccustomed to the wreaths of -wild clover blossoms and daisies hung about his -neck and farm-harness, had managed to pull part -of his decoration around to one side and stood -calmly chewing it up. Bob on the other hand, had -so resented being hitched to an old-fashioned nag -as Dobbin was that he had twisted and backed -and pulled until the not-too-secure tandem-harness -hastily contrived of rope and bits of strap, -broke and left him to gambol away to the fresh -green grass growing on the banks of the brook.</p> - -<p>So the exit of the Romans was made on their -own pedals and Farmer Jones was sent to capture -his two steeds and cart.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV<br /> - - -<small>THE CITY HOME PLAN</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>At the Refectory the guests were treated to -cakes and lemonade and were waited upon by the -Little Citizens who had been taught to wait on -each other properly, or when visitors were present -to attend to their needs first.</p> - -<p>Everyone was talking about the success of the -circus, and but few remembered the Side Shows -that had given Uncle Ben so much trouble to -arrange. It was the unusual talents shown by -the young performers that caused most of the -comments.</p> - -<p>“Now you can see why I had you come to -Happy Hills,” said Uncle Ben, as he heard the -city friends exchanging their views.</p> - -<p>“Yes, but what further good can we do than -hope for the future of each of these children?” -asked one of the men.</p> - -<p>“Now that you have heard and seen for yourselves, -instead of being told by others of the budding<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> -genuises to be found in our Little Citizens, -I have a plan to propose. It is something that -will need immediate decision if Richards is to go -ahead with the scheme and have things ready -for September occupancy.</p> - -<p>“This is the plan I wish to lay before you all -today:</p> - -<p>“We expect a number of new arrivals at camp -next week, and no one knows what talent may -be hidden in the heart of each one of those Little -Citizens. We have already found valuable -material to work upon here, and it must be educated -and taken care of—we must not permit it -to die for lack of nourishment—mental and moral, -you know.</p> - -<p>“I have discussed this plan with Miss Selina, -Miss Martin, and Mr. Richards, and they agree -with me that it is not only feasible, but necessary, -if we are to keep up the ambition and education -of these talented children.</p> - -<p>“Mr. Richards has agreed to hunt up a large -house in New York at a moderate rental—one -that we can remodel to suit ourselves, thereby -being able to have a long lease at a reduced rent. -We have even thought of the name of such a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> -home. How do you like ‘Blue Bird Home for -Little Wonders’ or just the ‘Blue Bird and Bobolink -Home,’ or perhaps some of you would prefer -the name of ‘Little Citizens’ Home’?”</p> - -<p>“Mr. Talmage, I think the name is the last -consideration to worry over. Let us first decide -whether there is to be a home,” called out -one of the gentlemen visitors.</p> - -<p>“Oh, there will be a home, all right, even if a -few of us have to support it,” declared Mr. Richards, -positively.</p> - -<p>“After hearing and seeing our gifted Little -Citizens we all think the same as Mr. Richards—there -must be some form of home provided until -the children are self-supporting,” added a lady.</p> - -<p>“The thing to decide upon is, how many of -you will join in this endeavor and enlist others -to help support the home. Miss Selina has promised -to close up this country place for the winter -and take up her residence at the Home. Miss -Martin, who is a most valuable and experienced -Settlement Worker and Nature teacher, has also -agreed to help Flutey look after the house and -children. I, too, will agree to take up a permanent -residence at the place to be on hand during the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> -evenings and holidays to advise and help in any -way I can. There will be other friends who will -eagerly offer their time and help also, I am sure. -The sum of money we may have to use for this -venture will determine the size of the house we -can secure and pay for.”</p> - -<p>“You will need a regular asylum to house all -these Little Citizens, and those extra ones you -still expect from the city,” remarked a pessimistic -man.</p> - -<p>“Oh, it isn’t at all likely that everyone here -this summer will take up a residence in the city -home. In fact, the invitation is only open to -those who can prove themselves efficient in some -manner of work or study. Not that we shall discriminate -between trades or professions—we -shall not—but in order to be an inmate of our -home a Little Citizen must prove that he is steady, -ambitious, moral, and obedient to rules, before he -can become a member in our family.</p> - -<p>“We will not consider the application of anyone -who is resentful or malicious in thought, or disobedient -in purpose as well as in deed. Anyone -who will willingly mislead a companion to disregard -rules and regulations cannot be accepted,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> -as one child can upset a whole colony in a little -time.”</p> - -<p>“Well, Mr. Talmage, you seem to have decided -upon having such a home and it only remains for -us to join the number who have already agreed -to experiment with the idea for the future welfare -of our little ‘Jenny Lind,’ the budding -‘Thomas Edison,’ the great band leader -‘Sousa,’ and a few other famous people or their -young namesakes,” said one of the Committee -chosen for the Easter Outing that spring.</p> - -<p>“That’s about it,” acknowledged Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Then count on me—or count on my check -which is more to the point,” laughed the man.</p> - -<p>“There now—Richards, hand Sam the agreement -to sign at once before he changes his mind. -Sam you can mention the size of the check you -will donate after you sign your name. You will -find several names already signed,” said Uncle -Ben, passing the long legal paper to Mr. Richards -to hand over to the man.</p> - -<p>The first visitor to join the new organization -read the paper handed him and then stood up.</p> - -<p>“I think I will read aloud the names of the -members who have already joined and donated to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> -this Winter Home—it may inspire others to ‘go -and do likewise.’</p> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - -<tr><td>“‘The Blue Bird Society of Oakdale’—collectively</td><td class="tdr"> $500</td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="indent">Each individually</span></td><td class="tdr"> 10</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“‘The Bobolink Society of Oakdale’ each individually</td><td class="tdr"> 10</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“‘The Bobolink Publishing Society’</td><td class="tdr"> 500</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Mr. Benj. Talmage, each month for Home donation</td><td class="tdr"> 100</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Mr. Benj. Talmage, for starting Home and furnishing</td><td class="tdr"> 1,000</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Mr. F. H. Richards</td><td class="tdr"> 500</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Miss Selina Talmage, monthly for expense account</td><td class="tdr"> 500</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Miss Selina Talmage, to start fund of Home</td><td class="tdr"> 5,000</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Miss Martin, each month during life of the Home</td><td class="tdr"> 50</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Mr. and Mrs. Starr of Oakdale—monthly</td><td class="tdr"> 100</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Mr. and Mrs. Talmage of Oakdale, monthly</td><td class="tdr"> 100</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Mrs. Catlin of Oakdale, for starting fund </td><td class="tdr"> 500</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Mrs. Catlin of Oakdale, monthly for expenses</td><td class="tdr"> 100</td></tr> - -<tr><td>“Parents of Blue Birds and Bobolinks collectively</td><td class="tdr"> 1,000</td></tr> -</table> - -<p>“So you see, my friends, we already have a -goodly sum to add our mites to. Mr. Talmage, -I will agree to start with a thousand dollars, -and pay a monthly sum of a hundred dollars. If -you find yourselves in need of financial support -let me know and I will pull you out to a certain -extent.”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span>The Blue Birds and Bobolinks had been most -interested listeners to the discussion which would -mean a successful launching of the city home for -their Little Citizens, and when the last speaker -concluded and had agreed to donate so liberally, -Ned sprang up and shouted:</p> - -<p>“Three cheers for the Home for Little Wonders!”</p> - -<p>And the rousing cheer that replied to his call -showed everyone that the interest was genuine -and not for display purposes as is the case in so -many charitable gifts that are made.</p> - -<p>The agreement to donate passed through every -hand of the visitors present and when it was returned -to Uncle Ben, it was filled with names. -The grand total was more than enough to assure -success to the venture for the first year at any -rate.</p> - -<p>As the result of the visit and circus entertainment -was made known to all, the Little Citizens -looked dumb with surprise. Such a lot of -money as these people agreed to spend just to give -them a good winter home!</p> - -<p>Then Bill jumped upon his feet—he had been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> -kneeling in a corner of the Refectory listening -with all his might.</p> - -<p>“Say, you kids, wassa matter wid cheerin’ -Uncle Ben and all his fren’s—not a sickly cheer -but a good healthy one!”</p> - -<p>“Nuttin’s de matter wid dat! Hey all! Git -ready now! One-two-t’ree!” yelled Joe, and he -swung his old cap as he counted.</p> - -<p>“Hip! Hip! Hurrah! fer everybuddy here!” -shouted every lusty youngster present, and the -din spoke well for their health.</p> - -<p>“Heigh—once more—whad’s de matter wid -Uncle Ben?” called Bill, excitedly.</p> - -<p>“He’s all right! Hip! Hip! Hurrah fer all!”</p> - -<p>Then Bill seemed to remember an important -matter.</p> - -<p>“Mister Uncle Ben, please kin I say somethin’?”</p> - -<p>“Certainly Bill—speak.”</p> - -<p>“What kin we do to help a poor dog what is a -genius?”</p> - -<p>Everyone laughed at the question, but Bill -took no offence as he was too concerned about -finding a home for Crummie, where the canine -intelligence might be expanded.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span>“Why, it stands to reason that if you prove -yourself efficient enough to join our home this -winter, Crummie will be most valuable in helping -Miss Selina to keep away tramps and those who -have no business about our house. At odd times -the dog can practice his own profession and report -to you at night.”</p> - -<p>Bill grinned joyfully and Crummie, who had -been crouching beside him, thumped his tail upon -the floor in satisfaction.</p> - -<p>The time was at hand when all the automobiles -were summoned to carry the visitors back to New -York, and soon after the last whirr of wheels -was heard going down the driveway, the Little -Citizens scattered to their evening tasks. Some -to see that the precious Fire-engine was safely -housed again, some to Police the community -where laxity had prevailed all day and Little Citizens -had broken the strict laws laid down by the -Chief of Police; but the majority of the children -were too tired and sleepy to think of anything -but a cup of milk and a piece of bread and butter, -before tumbling into their Nests for the -night.</p> - -<p>At Flutey’s house, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> -were too excited to think of supper or bed. -The sum total of the donations signed up that -afternoon amounted in their opinions to such an -enormous lot of money that they thought it possible -to buy outright a big ready-made Home -somewhere in the city.</p> - -<p>“You country children do not understand the -value of city real estate. Why all of Mossy Glen -and Oak Crest together would not sell for enough -cash to pay for one dirty old tenement on the -East Side. So you can understand that the sum -which has been promised us will not seem so much -after a few months’ rent is paid in advance. Besides -we must have good plumbing and ventilation, -and repairs cost money, too.”</p> - -<p>“Then don’t choose an old house—get a brand-new -one,” suggested Dot Starr.</p> - -<p>“But a new one will cost a great deal more to -start with, and every month besides. We can -lease an old one and renovate it to suit ourselves, -with lots of little rooms for chambers and great -big assembly rooms on the first floor, and the -rent will be but half as much as if the owner -makes repairs,” explained Mr. Richards.</p> - -<p>“I don’t see why the Starr family has to stay<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> -in Oakdale all winter. Other folks go to live in -the city when it’s cold—why can’t we?” grumbled -Don, who would have preferred living with the -Little Citizens wherever they were to be located.</p> - -<p>“If the Talmages and Starrs moved to New -York this winter where could I take the Little -Citizens every Saturday for the weekly outing?” -asked Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>Don had not thought of this, and he brightened -up instantly. Then Dot thought of something.</p> - -<p>“Besides, if we all went to live in the city how -would the magazine ever get published? And -without a magazine you would have no way to -pay that donation.”</p> - -<p>“It seems to me, that everything is arranged -wisely and well, so there is no need for Blue Birds -or Bobolinks to wish they were in other birds’ -nests,” added Flutey.</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br /> - - -<small>MISS MARTIN’S LITTLE STORIES OF GREAT -PEOPLE</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>The Blue Birds and Bobolinks had only a few -days more to stay at Happy Hills, and they all -wanted to make the most of them. They were at -camp from early morning till late at night, and -in that time they became better acquainted with -the lives and hopes of their Little Citizens than -years of casual visits would have accomplished.</p> - -<p>Miss Martin had formed a daily story-telling -class for anyone who wished to sit and listen. -But she was most determined about interruptions. -If you wanted to hear the story you were -welcome, but you must not scuffle across the Refectory -floor when the tale was half finished, and -once you came quietly in to listen, you must remain -till the end!</p> - -<p>So it became a custom for many of the Little -Citizens to so manage their play and work that -they might have the noon hour to spare for the -story-telling.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span>The day after the circus, Miss Martin pleased -her hearers by saying:</p> - -<p>“The theme of the story today, friends, is -about some famous people. But they will be -such short stories that it will be necessary for -each one to look up the longer story and history -of my heroes and heroines in the large book here -on this table. I will leave it for Jinks or Ned to -read from if anyone wishes to hear the full account -of the famous ones I shall mention.</p> - -<p>“My first story will be of a poor little peasant -boy who became a great poet.</p> - -<p>“It was a cold night in winter, and in the old-time -kitchen of an English abbey, a number of -servants were seated about a blazing fire.</p> - -<p>“Now an abbey is a place built to shelter and -protect the people who need sanctuary in times -of strife or war. And in olden times the people -needed such refuges as there was constant warring -and fighting with lawless men.</p> - -<p>“So this abbey, half-house and half-church, had -a number of servants to keep it in order. These -men now sat resting after the day’s work was -done, talking or singing songs as the wind whistled -out-of-doors.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span>“‘Whose turn is it now?’ asked the head-servant.</p> - -<p>“And so they took turns in singing their favorite -songs until the cow-herd saw it would soon -be his turn to sing. He thought he could not sing -a note and he dreaded being jeered at by his companions, -so he crept quietly away and hid in with -the cows in the straw in the stable. Here he remained -waiting for the men to retire and forget -about him.</p> - -<p>“Then, suddenly, he seemed to fall into a deep -sleep, and a glorious figure appeared before him. -The humble fellow thought it was an angel, and -when she spoke in stern yet loving tones, he -trembled and wanted to run away.</p> - -<p>“‘Sing,’ said she.</p> - -<p>“The cow-herd gazed pitifully up at her, but -could not open his mouth to utter a sound. He -was as mute as when he feared his companions -in the kitchen.</p> - -<p>“‘Sing of God and his Creation!’ continued -the angel.</p> - -<p>“Then the frightened lad tried to make a sound -and to his astonishment he sang several pure -notes, so he continued. As he sang of the Spiritual<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> -Creation which was made so perfect and eternal -by the Father of All, the kine turned their -heads and listened. When the farmer-boy had -overcome his shyness in singing such wonderful -truths, the angel disappeared but the singer knew -it not. He was now so uplifted by his singing -that he even failed to hear the men who came -running from the kitchen to see who the great -singer could be.</p> - -<p>“Fancy their amazement when they found their -humble cow-herder singing in the stable. Then -they waited, breathless, till he had concluded, and -led him back to the house. There he was made -to sing for the mistress and other women who -took charge of the abbey.</p> - -<p>“They, too, listened in hushed surprise and as -the inspiring lines poured forth, they bowed their -heads in reverence, for they knew that the Lord -had given the lowly shepherd the gift with which -to voice His praise.</p> - -<p>“And so this cow-herd, whose name was Cædmon, -became a great singer and poet of England.”</p> - -<p>Miss Martin concluded the first story and -Maggie was greatly pleased, as she took the story -to herself, but some of the boys who were beginning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span> -to show a gift in singing, also felt that -the story was told for their benefit.</p> - -<p>“Now I’m going to tell you how a very humble -man became rich and famous. He was poorer -than any of you Little Citizens could ever be, for -he was a slave. He was the property of another -man and even though he worked very hard, he -could never have anything of his own while he -was a slave.</p> - -<p>“But one day, his master found he would have -to sell his slaves, so he had them all go to a -slave-market in a distant city.</p> - -<p>“Each slave had to carry a load of goods, as -the master expected to sell many of his valuable -possessions at the same time that he accompanied -the slaves.</p> - -<p>“In those days there were no carriages or -beasts to ride and carry baggage, for the slaves -were expected to do this labor. Great bundles -were made up so that each slave might have a -goodly-sized load. These were waiting for them -to shoulder when the procession came from the -house.</p> - -<p>“The young slave who was a deep thinker, had -pondered over the various pieces of baggage,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span> -and thus had discovered which one held the food -for the three days’ journey for the entire party.</p> - -<p>“This great package, Æsop chose for his burden. -The other slaves laughed at his foolish selection -for their own burdens were smaller and -lighter. But the young slave said nothing. He -started away with his load, and the others followed -him, jeering. The master rode last and -also wondered why the best young slave he had -should choose so cumbersome a load.</p> - -<p>“They had started out at daybreak and after -travelling several hours, stopped by a well for the -morning meal. Æsop opened his baggage and -spread out the rations for breakfast. All ate, and -the slave again shouldered his load, but it was a -bit lighter.</p> - -<p>“At noon they stopped and ate again, and the -load was then much smaller and still lighter. -That night, the entire party ate supper, and the -burden grew still lighter and much smaller.</p> - -<p>“The three meals the following day more than -lessened half the burden Æsop carried, and before -the travellers reached the city, hot, weary, -and exhausted from carrying such loads so far,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> -Æsop had nothing to carry as the food was eaten -and the load was gone.</p> - -<p>“The master was so impressed at this wisdom -shown by the slave that he told the story to the -men in the city. They said that Æsop was a wise -man and must bring a goodly sum to his owner.</p> - -<p>“A very rich man heard the story when he -came to the slave-market to select a servant, and -he determined to secure Æsop, so he bid high -and purchased him.</p> - -<p>“Xanthus, the new master, took Æsop to Samos, -his home, and there the slave became known -everywhere for his wisdom and judgment. He -always had a fable to apply to any need or cause, -so that he was sought by rich and poor alike for -advice and help.</p> - -<p>“Finally, Xanthus gave Æsop his freedom and -the man who once had been a slave with no rights -to own anything—not even himself—became famous -and was sought by kings and statesmen for -his wisdom.”</p> - -<p>As this story was ended, one of the boys shouted, -“That’s what I’m goin’ to be—a wise judge!”</p> - -<p>“To be a wise judge, you must first learn to -think and do only right and just things yourself;<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> -then you can find the wisdom to judge others,” -replied Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“That’s what I’m goin’ to do, Miss Marting,” -promised the eager lad.</p> - -<p>“Now another short story that I will tell you, -is about always speaking the truth. Truth is a -great power in the world, and we may sometimes -think we have been wrong to adhere strictly to the -truth, but in the end we find we have gained in -everything.</p> - -<p>“A great Persian king named Cyrus sent his -son to a far city to study in a famous school that -he might be ready to reign over Persia at the -King’s death.</p> - -<p>“Otanes had always been taught the great value -of truth, and as he stood ready to depart from his -home with the company of men who were to see -that he arrived safely, his parents again reminded -him to always adhere to truth and he would -lose <i>nothing</i>!</p> - -<p>“The caravan had travelled all day and halted -at sun-down for rest when a band of outlaws rode -from ambush and demanded all that the travellers -possessed. There was no use in resisting so -large a company of thieves, so the merchants<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span> -gave up their property. One of the rascals spied -Otanes who was silently watching the proceedings, -so he called to the boy:</p> - -<p>“‘Have you anything to give me?’</p> - -<p>“‘I have gold,’ replied the lad.</p> - -<p>“‘Gold! How much and where do you carry -it?’</p> - -<p>“‘In my hat, and it is enough to pay my way.’</p> - -<p>“‘Ha, ha, ha! That’s a good joke,’ laughed the -man as he passed by.</p> - -<p>“Then the Chief of the band rode up to the boy, -and said: ‘Well, I don’t suppose you carry anything -of value—you are too young to be trusted -with gold.’</p> - -<p>“Otanes said nothing to this as it required no -answer, but when the Chief looked at the silent -boy, and said again:</p> - -<p>“‘But have you anything of value about your -person? What do you happen to have?’</p> - -<p>“‘I have gold for my journey and education.’</p> - -<p>“‘Gold! Why, you’re a mere boy! Where do -you hide it?’</p> - -<p>“‘In my hat.’</p> - -<p>“‘Let me see,’ ordered the robber.</p> - -<p>“Otanes removed his hat and displayed the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span> -gold. The Chief stood in surprise for a moment, -and then said:</p> - -<p>“‘Why did you tell us you had it—we would -never have dreamed that you had gold hidden on -your person?’</p> - -<p>“‘Did you not ask me?’ wondered Otanes.</p> - -<p>“‘Yes, but you could have denied it, you see.’</p> - -<p>“‘That would have been an untruth, and I am -not a coward that I must lie to any man!’ replied -Otanes, proudly.</p> - -<p>“The Chief was so impressed with the lad’s -words that he gave back his gold and said: ‘May -you always live up to that ideal.’</p> - -<p>“And Otanes did, for he became one of the -great and famous men of his day.”</p> - -<p>There was silence as Miss Martin concluded -this tale, then one of the boys said: “Maybe -Otanes wouldn’t have been so honest about giving -up dat money if it was all he had; but he -knew he could git more from his fadder when he -got to de city.”</p> - -<p>“I am quite sure Otanes would have acted exactly -the same whether he were a newsboy in -New York or the king’s son in Persia. Besides, -he could <i>not</i> send back home for more money from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span> -his father, as it took a long time to cross the -desert and it might be months, or a year, before -another caravan would reach his father and be -able to bring back money for the boy. So that -was not the reason of his telling the truth, you -see,” replied Miss Martin.</p> - -<p>“Miss Marting, won’t you please tell us somethin’ -about children what made pickshers an’ grew -into fine painters!” asked one of the children, and -little Nelly Finn smiled with anticipation.</p> - -<p>“I told you about the great Raphael in my -last talk and also about the slave who watched -his master and thus educated himself to become -even greater than his teacher. Now I will tell -you about a simple shepherd lad who used to -make pictures on the rocks and pieces of bark, -with a burnt stick for crayon.</p> - -<p>“He was working with such interest one day -that he failed to see a man approach him. The -stranger watched the work for a time and was so -amazed at the talent shown that he touched the -boy on the shoulder.</p> - -<p>“The lad sprang up and courtesied, then the -man said: ‘Who taught you to draw like that?’</p> - -<p>“‘Myself, master.’</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span>“‘Who are you, and whose sheep are those?’</p> - -<p>“‘My name is Giotto and I am the shepherd-boy -to a rich man who lives near here,’ replied -the boy.</p> - -<p>“‘Would you like to know how to paint pictures -of other things as well as of trees and sheep?’</p> - -<p>“Giotto’s joy was answer enough, so the man -called upon the owner of the sheep and told him -what a great painter he thought the lad would -make. Then he also went to the humble home of -the shepherd-boy and asked the father to let him -take his son to be educated.</p> - -<p>“The stranger turned out to be Cimabue, the -greatest painter of his day, and Giotto accompanied -him to Florence where he was taught to -paint wonderful pictures. In fact, Giotto became -even a greater painter than his master, and -the simple shepherd-lad was the friend of many -great men at that time.”</p> - -<p>Nelly expressed her satisfaction at the story, -and the other Little Citizens who liked to draw, -also clapped their hands. Then Miss Martin -stood up and the children sighed for they did not -want her to end her stories so soon.</p> - -<p>“Ah, tell us somethin’ ’bout our own American<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> -people, Miss Marting!” begged one of the boys.</p> - -<p>“Yeh, Miss Martin! Tell us about Thomas -Edison, and Mister Colonel Roosevelt, and McKinley, -and other famous men of now!” added -many voices.</p> - -<p>Miss Martin laughed, as she replied: “Why -you children know as much about our present-day -heroes and great men as I do, but perhaps you -do not know about Robert Fulton, or the poets -and painters of recent years in America.”</p> - -<p>“No, no—tell us!” quickly demanded a chorus -of voices.</p> - -<p>“Well, Robert Fulton was a little country boy -who loved to fish and swim and paddle about the -creeks just like any other little boy does in summer-time.</p> - -<p>“One day he and his chum were fishing but the -boat was heavy and lumbering, and had to be -pushed about by means of a long pole. It was -slow work and as Bob was trying to reach a spot -in the stream where the fish might bite better, -he grumbled at the arduous task of moving the -tub.</p> - -<p>“‘Why don’t we use a row-boat the next time?’ -asked his friend.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span>“‘Even rowing is hard work, and there ought -to be an easy way for boys to push their boats -about,’ said Robert.</p> - -<p>“So the next day Bob called his friend and together -they went to the wood-shed to make something -Robert had thought out the night before as -he lay in bed.</p> - -<p>“‘What is it, anyway?’ asked his chum.</p> - -<p>“‘You’ll see—it’s something to move our boat -about without much work.’</p> - -<p>“After a great deal of sawing and hammering, -the two boys came from the wood-shed with two -cumbersome looking things that looked like small -fans on an old wind-mill.</p> - -<p>“‘What’s that you’ve got, Bob?’ called a boy -in passing the lads.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, we’ve got a scheme to make a boat go -without working!’ replied Bob.</p> - -<p>“The older boy laughed and passed on his way, -but the two friends hurried to their scow with -the heavy paddle-wheels and managed to fasten -them, one on each side of the boat. An old rod -reached across the boat from one wheel to the -other, and when all was ready, the boys jumped in.</p> - -<p>“Bob Fulton sat on the seat and took hold of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> -the iron bar. This he turned like one would turn -the crank on a well-handle. In revolving, this -bar turned the paddles around in the water and -the propelling moved the boat through the water.</p> - -<p>“The boys were so delighted at the success of -the plan that they did nothing else all day but -ride up and down the stream.</p> - -<p>“That night the boys told of their invention -and fun, and Bob was praised for his work. Then -he thought of the value such an idea might have -for others, and he worked and planned until he -finally evolved the side-wheel boats. Later, he -invented the way to propel boats by steam instead -of horse-power in turning the wheels.</p> - -<p>“From this small beginning, we have today the -great ocean steamers and other craft that sail -our seas.”</p> - -<p>“Dat’s a fine story, Miss Martin. Tell us anudder -like it,” said the children.</p> - -<p>“You Little Citizens are always hungry for -more,” laughed the story-teller.</p> - -<p>“Well, yeh see, Miss Marting, a feller can’t -never get enough of truth, kin he?” remarked a -young wonder.</p> - -<p>Miss Martin was so struck by the logic of this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span> -reply that she sat down and looked at the little -speaker in amazement. Then she said: “For -that remarkable sentence, Jimmy, I will tell you a -true story of King Solomon, the wisest judge and -man of words that ever lived.</p> - -<p>“Of course you have heard me speak of the -Queen of Sheba and how she tried to catch Solomon -in many ways but failed!</p> - -<p>“One day she brought in two garlands of flowers -exactly alike. One could not tell one from the -other, so alike were they.</p> - -<p>“‘Oh, King, I have here two garlands of flowers -for you to see and tell me which is the real and -which the false,’ said the Queen, after the ceremony -of presentation was over.</p> - -<p>“As Solomon gazed at the lovely flowers he -was at a loss to say which was Nature’s result -and which the one made by the cunning of man.</p> - -<p>“Then he looked from the window to think how -he might detect the false wreath. As he did so, -he saw some bees buzzing in and out of the blossoms -hanging from a vine over the window casement. -This gave him the idea he needed.</p> - -<p>“He ordered a slave to open wide the window, -and it was done. Soon after, a bee flew in and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> -circled about for a moment, but scenting the sweet -flowers, made straight for the wreath in the -Queen’s left hand. Another bee followed almost -immediately after and settled upon the honey-laden -blossoms. Other bees flew in and began sipping -the nectar from the cups of the flowers and -Solomon said: ‘You have your answer, O -Queen!’”</p> -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI<br /> - - -<small>THE END OF A HAPPY SUMMER</small></h2> -</div> - -<p>“Say Micky, dis is some trip from Noo York to -Happy Hills, ain’t it?” remarked Skelly, as he -fidgeted in the seat.</p> - -<p>“It’s cuz yeh are so anxious to git there. Now -I’m a lookin’ out the winder at all the trees and -little houses we pass an’ I ain’t so tired wid de -ride,” replied Micky.</p> - -<p>“Mick, do yeh really t’ink dey kin make a real -artist of Nelly? Why, she’s on’y a kid,” said -Skelly to whom it seemed impossible that quiet -and meekness should have any power hidden -under its cloak.</p> - -<p>“Dat’s what Mister Uncle Ben tol’ me last week -in his office, yeh know.”</p> - -<p>“Why ain’t you or me got some such talent in -our heads?” persisted Skelly, complainingly.</p> - -<p>“Maybe we have, but we are so chuck full of -work and fight that the quiet t’ings ain’t got time -to sift out, yeh see. Ef we was to settle down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span> -quiet-like for a week at Happy Hills mebbe somethin’ -would show up fer us, too.”</p> - -<p>“Well, t’ank goodness we got a ticket to take a -vacation anyway! I hope to goodness, dey don’t -make you sing church hymns and pray every -udder minute of de day!” muttered Skelly.</p> - -<p>“Don’tche go an’ spoil everyt’ing at camp wid -your kickin’, Skelly! Ef you don’t like de way -t’ings are run yeh kin always go back to de city, -yeh know. It ain’t costin’ yuh nuttin’,” advised -Micky, with anxious concern.</p> - -<p>“Oh, I’ll try and stick it out fer a week, as long -as you t’ink you’ll stay too.”</p> - -<p>When the station was called out where the two -boys had to leave the train, they looked eagerly -about at the lovely scene. Green grass, green -trees, green bushes everywhere and no sign up: -“Keep Off, Private Grounds”—or familiar -boards such as they knew of in the city parks -which read: “Keep off the Grass”—“Don’t pick -flowers.”</p> - -<p>“Gee, Micky! Even de sky looks green wid de -udder green t’ings a-shinin’,” breathed Skelly, -softly.</p> - -<p>A lark suddenly began his lay and the two boys<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> -looked at each other, then about them for the -songster.</p> - -<p>“Dis is somethin’ like, eh, Skelly?” chuckled -Micky.</p> - -<p>“Bet’cher life, pard! Come on, le’s hurry to -camp an’ see what it’s like. Ef it’s anything like -dis, I kin stand a week of it,” replied delighted -Skelly.</p> - -<p>Before either boy could see which country road -to take, a touring car sped up and Uncle Ben -hailed the travellers.</p> - -<p>“Oh, there you are, my boys! I was delayed -down the road by a blow-out or I would have been -here when the train pulled in.”</p> - -<p>The boys grinned and looked at each other. -Were <i>they</i> going to ride in that swell car?</p> - -<p>“Jump in now, and we’ll soon be whisked back -to Happy Hills where your friends are waiting to -greet you.”</p> - -<p>So the two over-worked little newsboys scrambled -in and dropped upon the soft leather cushions -with a sigh.</p> - -<p>“Hully gee! Dis is de life, all right, Mister -Uncle Ben,” gurgled Micky.</p> - -<p>“While we are passing this lovely country-side<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> -you can look about and see what an ideal place -it is for boys and girls. See the big lake for the -older boys where they can fish and swim? Over -there is a stretch of forest land where we often go -to hunt up wild flowers and other interesting -things in Nature. And just a few miles on the -other side of the station there is quite a town -where we can buy anything we might need during -the summer. Now when we reach Happy Hills -you will see how complete everything is there for -an outdoor life for Little Citizens.”</p> - -<p>The boys paid attention to the remarks and -agreed with Uncle Ben that the location was ideal -for everyone. Then the car neared the woods -from whence rose a noisy babel of sound—happy -laughter and singing, or calling, of many children.</p> - -<p>“Here we are, boys—and there comes Nelly!”</p> - -<p>Micky could not believe his eyes. Was that -rosy, plump little girl who was running to meet -him, his sickly, crippled little sister? Even the -precocious, hardened little Skelly was impressed -by the great improvement in the little girl.</p> - -<p>“Oh, Micky, I’m so glad you are here! And -Micky I kin make pickshers of ladies’ dresses all<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span> -de time now, and make money for you and me, -some day!” cried Nelly, flinging her arms about -her brother’s neck.</p> - -<p>From that moment, Skelly was a subdued -young man, for he was too interested to remember -his threats about going back to the city, and -he saw so many familiar faces of children—yet -not familiar as they had been once, for these faces -were round and rosy, and the children happy and -always busy about something which is the secret -of true happiness and contentment.</p> - -<p>Little Mother Maggie was introduced to -Nelly’s two visitors, and after a time, the little -hostess asked Maggie to sing and show the boys -how she was improving.</p> - -<p>Without demur, Maggie sang her old favorites, -and even though they sounded suspiciously -like “the goody-goody hymns” he had heard before, -Skelly sat and listened, keenly appreciative.</p> - -<p>“Come and see my prize asters, now,” said -Maggie, turning to lead the way to the Little -Farms.</p> - -<p>“Oh, and Micky, what you think?” exclaimed -Nelly, eagerly.</p> - -<p>“What?”</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span>“Dutchy Bill what blows de brass horn, won a -prize fer best playin’ dis month!” said Nelly, delightedly.</p> - -<p>“An’ Ikey Einstein, your friend, took the -medal for courage when Bob, the horse, ran -away wid on’y two little kids in the buckboard. -Ikey jumped out and hung on de horse’s neck till -Mister Uncle Ben could catch up and help,” added -Maggie.</p> - -<p>“We raised seven fine hogs for market, boys. -But Mister Uncle Ben bought them from us hisself, -and is going to use ’em in the Blue Bird -and Bobolink Home dis winter, you know,” -laughed Nelly, eagerly.</p> - -<p>So the four rattled on, telling great bits of -news—at least it was great for Little Citizens—and -finally they reached the garden plots.</p> - -<p>Micky and Skelly were surprised at seeing all -the fine vegetables and flowers growing in each -square, and when Nelly told them of string beans, -radishes, lettuce, and other produce that the children -had gathered and sold to the housekeeper at -Happy Hills, the two city boys began to see how -profitable and pleasant a life on a farm must be. -Ten times more profitable than selling papers!</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span>Maggie’s pet aster was admired to her heart’s -content, but when Skelly bent down to sniff at it, -that he might please Maggie by praising its perfume, -he could not truthfully say a word in its -defence.</p> - -<p>Maggie laughed merrily. “You don’t like de -smell, do you?”</p> - -<p>“Hully chee, Maggie! I t’hot it was sweet like -roses, but it’s just like medicine smell!” said -Skelly.</p> - -<p>A few Police sauntered up, eager to be introduced -to the two strangers, and because the newcomers -were a year older than the other boys at -camp, they were shown about with much pride.</p> - -<p>The Fire House and apparatus were displayed -and admired, then the base-ball diamond and the -team that was practicing for a match game -against the Police Team was visited.</p> - -<p>After this, the pigs had to be exhibited, and -the Street Cleaning Squads were interviewed. -By the time Micky and Skelly had met the Health -Board, and the many other Squads and Boards -formed that summer, they had met every Little -Citizen at Camp, for everyone was a member -of one or more organizations.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span>Miss Martin was very pleasant to the -strangers and took them to the Refectory for -some refreshments although it was not suppertime -and dinner was long past. Later they were -shown the Nest they might occupy for their visit, -and when Skelly was removing his shoes that -night preparatory to retiring, he whispered to -Micky:</p> - -<p>“Say, Mick! Ain’t dis a place, dough! Wish -to goodness we had come out here sooner and -stayed longer, eh?”</p> - -<p>“It’s fine, all right, but yeh see, ef we hed been -here and tooken up the place fer two sickly boys, -it wouldn’t-a been right! We’se is big and -healthy and didn’t need country-life like some of -dem poor little kids we saw coming away from -Noo York dat day in summer,” replied Micky, -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>The next day was the Saturday preceding Labor -Day and on the following Tuesday, the Camp -would close at Happy Hills and all the Little Citizens -were to be taken back to the city: some to -take up a residence in the new home, and some -to join their families or friends again, after a -long, wholesome summer in the country.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>That morning after Miss Martin’s usual story-hour, -Uncle Ben stood up to address the children.</p> - -<p>“Our New Home, thanks to the efforts of Mr. -Richards and others, is now ready to receive all -those who will belong to our family this winter. -Those who hold passports for this privilege will -stand over to my left side.”</p> - -<p>In a short time a crowd of boys and girls had -grouped themselves as directed. Then the -speaker continued:</p> - -<p>“Now I have some good news to offer the -others. One of the visitors who was present at -our circus saw a great need for a good home for -other children than those who had some talent to -develop, and she went to work and secured the -large house adjoining our home. This she has -renovated and turned into a lodging-house for -those boys and girls who earn a living, or for -those who do not wish to live separate from their -brothers or sisters. For a small weekly fee, a -Little Citizen can live comfortably and well in the -next-door house to our home.</p> - -<p>“Now I wish to know if there are any present -who would like to engage a room with board at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> -this house, so we can tell how many to provide -for on the day we all go back to the city.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, hully chee! What wouldn’t I give to be -a Little Citizen right now!” sighed Skelly, while -Micky looked wistful, too.</p> - -<p>Bill overheard the remark and a thought came -to him.</p> - -<p>“Hey, Mister Uncle Ben! Can’t anyone like -an outsider what is workin’ fer his livin’ join dis -house?”</p> - -<p>“The new house is open for anyone who can -pass a satisfactory examination by the Board. -Of course, you all know we have to question -every applicant so as to keep out bad characters. -Any honest, respectable boy can secure a home -at this house.”</p> - -<p>At that Micky and Skelly exchanged looks, and -Ikey Einstein ran over to join them.</p> - -<p>“Gee whiz! Boys le’s join quick! What a -fine home we will have next to Mister Uncle -Ben’s place!”</p> - -<p>Miss Martin laughed as she heard the cause -for rejoicing and called out:</p> - -<p>“It will not be because you live next to Uncle -Ben, but because you will be half of his family,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> -as he will not leave you without his company once -we are settled down for the winter.”</p> - -<p>A score of boys had started towards Uncle Ben -to sign an application for a home, when Micky -and Skelly followed close upon Ikey’s heels to -secure permission to live in such a heavenly place -as Ikey described it to be.</p> - -<p>While they were waiting in line to sign, or -place a mark after their applications, Ikey whispered -to his chums:</p> - -<p>“Miss Marting said dey got a music-box and -lots of good records fer de boys to play. Dey -got a tank in de cellar fer us to swim in, and a -big back room what is made over into a gym. -And every feller’s got a bed and burear fer himself. -He can lock de drawers, too, and ef he -wants to be alone, he kin pull his curtains about -his room and shet himself away from de udders!”</p> - -<p>“I guess ye’re talkin’ about de swell home fer -de gurls and talents, ain’t cher?” remarked -Skelly, skeptically.</p> - -<p>“Naw! <i>Dey</i> got <i>real</i> rooms fer demselves! -Little square ones all fixed up fine! And downstairs -in de big living room is a <i>real</i> piano fer -music makers. And all sorts of new-fangled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span> -things fer good times. Oh, dat Blue Bird and -Bobolink City Home is one grand place, I kin -tell yuh!”</p> - -<p>“Who tol’ you all about it?” queried Micky.</p> - -<p>“Maggie, what is called ‘Margaret’ by the -grown-ups!” bragged Ikey.</p> - -<p>“Well, as fur as I care, de camp kin shet down -now and start us all back to dat city home. I -never had a home, es I kin remember, in all my -life!” said Skelly.</p> - -<p>“Your turn next, Skelly,” called Uncle Ben -at this moment, and the two city boys quickly -went up and signed their names on the register.</p> - -<p>“And you will be there Tuesday without fail?” -asked Uncle Ben.</p> - -<p>“Of course, we will, Mister Uncle Ben!” declared -the newsboys.</p> - -<p>And so they were. Not only were they eagerly -welcomed to the first good home they had ever -known, but the “Little Wonders” found at Happy -Hills were welcomed to <i>their</i> “Blue Birds’ City -Nest” where many interesting and wonderful -things came to pass that year, all about which -will be told to you in the next book, entitled “Blue -Birds’ City Nest.”</p> - - -<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop" /> - -<div class="transnote"> -<div class="chapter"> -<p class="ph2">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> -</div> - - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> -</div> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE BIRDS AT HAPPY HILLS ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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