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CONTENTS FOR SEPTEMBER

YOUTH

An Illustrated Monthly Journal for Boys and Girls
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Copyright 1902 by The Penn Publishing Company

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THE PENN COTTAGE.

BY ALLEN BIDDLE

“Pitch upon the very middle of the plat where the town or line of houses is to be laid or run, facing the harbor of the great river, for the situation of my house; ... the distance of each house from the creek or harbor should be, in my judgment, a measured quarter of a mile; or, at least, two hundred paces, because of building hereafter streets down to the harbor.” Such were the instructions which William Penn, founder of Philadelphia, gave to his commissioners, William Crispin, John Bezar, and Nathaniel Allen, for the building of what is now known as Penn’s Cottage.

It was in 1681 that the great Quaker completed the negotiations for the grant of Pennsylvania, and in the next year the first work of the building of the Proprietary House was begun. The plat chosen for its site was the one bounded by Front, Chestnut, Letitia, and High streets, the last now being named Market. In the place of the little cottage and its surrounding yard there is, to-day, one of the most thickly-built portions of Philadelphia. But the true centre of the city, at one time radiating from this point, has now, owing to the growth of two hundred years, moved a mile to the westward.

According to one tradition, the Penn or Letitia House was the first brick building erected in Philadelphia; to another, it was the first house to have a cellar. The name, “Letitia,” was given to it by Penn himself, as the house was intended eventually to be the portion of his daughter, Letitia. It is from this source, too, that Letitia Street gets its name.

One of the most interesting stories of this little structure is that the bricks and most of the finer building materials used in its construction were brought over from England. More recently doubt has been thrown upon this statement by the discovery that even at that time quite as excellent a quality of brick was being made in Philadelphia.

Despite its diminutive size, the cottage required what, to-day, would be an unusual time in its building, and it was well into the year 1683 before it was ready for the house-warming. Quaint, angular, and comfortable in appearance, it faithfully reflects the spirit of Philadelphia’s early people. True to the founder’s ideal in the laying-out of the city, the house, too, is characterized by economy of space and absence of mere ornament. Doors, windows, sills, and sashes—everything, in fact, except the gabled roof, is plain and rectangular.

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From the front door, we enter its largest room, serving, perhaps, at one time as dining hall, sitting-room, kitchen, and library. On its plain, bare walls we now see collections of old wood cuts, illustrating events which occurred in the time of the founder, including reproductions of Benjamin West’s painting of that famous treaty with the Indians which “was not signed and never broken.” Above the door hangs an old print of the wampum belt which was presented to Penn by the Indians upon that occasion. Near by are facsimiles of the charter of the Province of Pennsylvania, granted by Charles II, and also the first charter of the city of Philadelphia, granted in 1691. In the further corner to the left is an ample fireplace before whose glow we can readily recall to our imagination the serene features of the great founder surrounded by his family.

From this room, extending to the rear of the building, is a short hallway, on either side of which is a room so small that we wonder what could have been their function in the Penn household. Quaint and cozy as is the little mansion, we can scarce believe it to have been the home of one who owned our whole great State of Pennsylvania.

In the year 1684, after a stay of twenty-one months, Penn was forced to return to England to protect his proprietary interests, as they were at that time threatened by the plans of Lord Baltimore. In his absence, the proprietorship fell upon his cousin, Markham, the Lieutenant-Governor, who then took up his abode in the Letitia House. Later, according to the wish of Penn, who desired that his house be devoted to public service, it became the State House. It is hard to imagine such a dignified body as was undoubtedly the provincial council meeting in the tiny brick cottage. What a contrast it makes with Independence Hall, or the great capitol now at Harrisburg!

In after years, when other houses had grown up on all sides, the little cottage fell into obscurity. At one time, even, it was thrown open as a public inn, and the little room which at one time held the Penn family circle now became the haunt of the wayfarer and the chronic idler. But, recently, folks of the great State have come to think more of the little house and to recognize gratefully the part which it played in their history. They have lifted it from its late dingy surroundings and, as if to put before it the city’s best, have placed it on the west bank of the Schuylkill, overlooking Fairmount Park. Here, far away from the city’s centre, with its face toward the broad, green valley of the river, the little mansion rests patiently, as if waiting until the city shall again closely encircle it in its westward growth.

As would have been the wish of the great Quaker, the door is still left hospitably open, and citizen and stranger alike may freely enter the house of him who founded their State. Here, daily, come many pilgrims. The Schuylkill, too, winding placidly down from its hills, loiters gently in its course through the picturesque valley, as if to catch a momentary glimpse of the quaint old house.

CHAPTER XVI
From Germantown to Valley Forge

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Hadley slept that night at a friendly farmer’s, some miles to the north of Germantown. A large force of British were quartered about where Washington’s army lay the first day the boy had crossed the river and made his way to the Commander-in-Chief’s headquarters with the dispatches so nearly lost by the wounded courier. As far as he could learn, the Americans still rested at Skippack Creek, to which locality they had retired after the enemy entered Philadelphia.

He made a long detour the next morning to avoid the Germantown outposts, but fell in with a foraging party of Continentals before noon, and was near to losing his horse. But he was not so afraid of these marauders now as he had been the night he was halted on the Germantown road and his dispatches seized. So, after an argument with these fellows and the mention of Colonel Cadwalader’s name, he got away, with directions regarding the shortest path to headquarters. He was halted a good many times before he found the Pennsylvania troops; but the pickets saw that he was a recruit and let him through without trouble.

He found John Cadwalader with General Wayne, and was able to obtain speech with him without dismounting from his horse, as the officers were about starting on a tour of inspection through the camp. “And you want to see more fighting, do you, my lad—and your wound not healed yet?” said the colonel. “What good d’ye think a wounded man will be to us?”

“But I’m all right on horseback, and I’ve brought my horse,” Hadley declared.

“I wish we had more such fellows—and as eager to fight, Colonel,” said General Wayne. “He’s but a boy, too!”

“And how about the promise to your mother, Master Morris?” queried the other officer.

“My uncle has cast me off for carrying dispatches, and for being in the Paoli fight, where I got wounded,” the boy said, sadly. [Pg 240] “I can do nothing for him now. So I have come to do what I can.”

“Well, well. I will speak to His Excellency about you. There is a certain long-legged Yankee hereabout who, if I mistake not, has been inquiring for you through the camp.”

“Lafe Holdness!” exclaimed Hadley.

“The same. He said he knew you had got away from Philadelphia; but where you had gone was another matter, and one of which he was not cognizant. Now, Master Morris, you will find your friend, Captain Prentice, somewhere to the west of here. Keep near him and then you will be near me. When the propitious moment comes to present you to the Commander-in-Chief, I shall want you in a hurry.”

The officers rode on, and Hadley sought out Captain Prentice. “My faith, Hadley!” was the captain’s exclamation, “but we’re a pretty pair of winged birds.” His own arm was still in a sling, but he had taken active command of his company again.

“You can scarcely call me winged,” said Hadley, “for the ball went through my leg.” He climbed down from Molly and allowed a soldier to take her away. He could scarcely walk, having been so many hours in the saddle; but Captain Prentice made him welcome and saw to it that he had a bed for a few hours, where he slept away much of his weariness.

At this time Washington’s forces lay about twenty miles from Philadelphia and fourteen from Germantown. For some days the Continentals had been resting after the arduous campaign which had followed the landing of the British troops. The officers were planning some important move; but the army was kept in ignorance of its nature until the night of the 3d of October. Then the columns were put into motion quickly and took the road to Germantown. It was to be a night march to surprise the enemy, and never did Hadley Morris forget it. He and his friend, Captain Prentice, were both mounted—the latter on a sorry nag which his orderly had picked up somewhere—and there might have been some ill-feeling expressed among the other officers of the infantry over Prentice’s riding had he not been wounded. But those fourteen miles were hard enough for both the captain and Hadley, despite the fact that they were not obliged to tramp through the heavy roads.

Before the head of the column was half way to Germantown, the night fog began to gather, and before daylight it was so thick that it was almost impossible to clearly distinguish figures moving a rod ahead. Just at daybreak, however, despite the fog which had enveloped the whole territory, sharp firing broke out ahead. The troops were rushed forward, and the British, who at first had supposed the firing to be but a skirmish between outposts, were quickly being driven back by a solid phalanx of Americans.

After the first surprise the enemy formed and stood their ground; but the attack of the Americans was so desperate that they would surely have been overwhelmed in a short time had it not been for two things. Howe, hearing early of the battle, rushed forward reinforcements and came in person to encourage his soldiery. And the other thing which stayed the Americans, beside the smother of fog, was the imposing mansion belonging to Master Chew, which, occupied by the British, was a veritable fort, and withstood every effort of the attacking force.

It was a stone building, and with its doors and lower windows barricaded, and a strong force of the enemy using the upper casements to fire from, it soon became the pivotal point on the battlefield. The British kept up a destructive fire upon the American lines from the house, and, in spite of the fog, the casualties were considerable. Attempts again and again were made to capture it. The American lines could not go past, and it guarded the way to the British front.

And, with the long delay occasioned by the obstinate defence of the Chew house, the elements themselves seemed to be arrayed against the Americans. The fog became so dense that the men could not see each other a few paces apart, and only the spurts of red flame ahead betrayed the whereabouts [Pg 241] of the enemy. The Continental troops grew bewildered; aids were unable to find the officers to whom they were sent with messages from the commanders. There were shoutings and reiterated commands in the fog, but the files did not know where their officers stood and became bewildered and unmanageable.

General Washington’s plans were disarranged. The Americans had fought bravely and, without doubt, were on the eve of a decisive victory. But an alarm was created—the tramp of a regiment of American troops brought up from the rear was thought to be the approach of a flanking force—and the men who had fought so tenaciously during the day retreated in disorderly confusion.

Added to the general depression caused by this defeat was the fact that half the Maryland militia was reported to have deserted before the battle. It was the beginning of that awful winter when naught but the extraordinary virtues of George Washington himself kept the semblance of an army together. The American forces were rapidly becoming a disorganized mob, and the fault lay with Congress, which numbered in its group few of the really great and unselfish men who had once met in Philadelphia to approve of and sign the second greatest document in our history.

The period had now arrived when men of the second rank had come to the front in charge of the uncertain affairs of the struggling Colonies. Dr. Franklin was in Paris and John Adams joined him during the winter, for the purpose of watching Silas Deane, who was a bitter foe of Washington, and had sent over the infamous Conway to hamper and embitter the great man’s very existence. Jay, Rutledge, Livingston, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson were employed at home, and Hancock had resigned [Pg 242] from the governing house. Samuel Adams was at home in New England for most of that winter; and men much the inferior of these had taken their places—men who lacked foresight and that loftiness of purpose and love of country which had, earlier in the war, kept private jealousies and quarrels in check.

Without an organized quartermaster’s department, the soldiers could not be properly clothed or fed, and the warnings of Washington were utterly disregarded by Congress. The troops began to need clothing soon after Brandywine, and by November they were still in unsheltered camps without sufficient clothing, blankets, or tents. Hadley Morris, suffering with the rank and file, saw them lying out o’ nights at Whitemarsh, half clad and without protection from either the frozen ground or the desperate chill of the night air. Forts Mercer and Mifflin had fallen, and there was little cheer brought to these poor fellows by the news that Burgoyne had actually surrendered to General Gates and that the British army of invasion which had started so confidently from Canada was utterly crushed.

December came, and snow followed frost. The British were snug and warm in the “rebel capital.” Well fed, well clothed, spending the time in idleness and amusement, the invaders were secure of any attack from the starving, half-clothed men who, with Washington at their head, crawled slowly over the Chester hills toward the little hollow on the bank of the Schuylkill. There was gold in plenty at the command of General Howe, and for this gold the farmers about Philadelphia were glad to sell their grain. And who can blame them for preferring the good English gold to the badly-printed, worthless currency issued by the American Congress?

The ten redoubts from Fairmount to Cohocksink were stout and well manned. There was little danger of the Continentals attacking them, for the hills were already whitening with the coverlet of winter. The river was open, supplies and reinforcements were on the way from across the ocean, and the British had nothing to fear. So they gave themselves up to ease and merriment. And fortunate for the cause, then trembling in the balance, that they did so, for had they then conducted the campaign against Washington’s starving troops with vigor, the “rebellion” would never have risen in history to the dignity of a “revolution”!

CHAPTER XVII
A PERILOUS MISSION

To-day, after the passing of a century and a quarter, the Chester hills are much as they were on that chill winter’s day when the straggling lines of ragged, almost barefooted men marched along the old Gulph road. It is a farming country still, and although the forest has been cut away, in places the woodland is now as thickly grown as then. Here and there along the route the admiring descendants of those faithful patriots have erected monuments to their name; yonder can still faintly be defined the outlines of the Star Redoubt; there stands the house which was the headquarters of General Varnum, who commanded the Rhode Island troops; to the left of the road as one travels toward Valley Forge, is the line of breastworks running through the timber, which has been felled and grown up thrice since the axes of the Continentals rang from hill to hill.

One night they rested on the toilsome march near the old Gulph Mills, where the road passed through the deep cut between wooded heights: then on again, the various brigades separating and following different roads to the places assigned them. But the roads were, many of them, ill-defined, the timber was thick, the fields rugged. Little wonder that Baron de Kalb described the site chosen for the winter quarters of the American army as a wilderness.

Nevertheless, the situation selected for the encampment was a good one. In some of the towns, perhaps—Trenton, Lancaster, Reading, or Wilmington—there would have been shelter for the troops; but there were many objections to each place named. Had clothing and supplies been abundant, the little army might have harassed the British [Pg 243] all winter long, and even shut them up completely in Philadelphia when the spring opened. If the officers quarreled with the commander for his obstinacy in choosing this position, the men set to in some cheerfulness to build shelters. They were not afraid of hard work, and they had suffered enough already from the cold and storms to appreciate the log cabins which went up as if by magic on hillside and in hollow.

On the bank of Valley Creek, near its junction with the Schuylkill, stood a stone cottage (as it stands to-day) of two small, low-ceiled rooms on each of its two floors. Behind it was a “lean-to” kitchen, in the floor of which was a trap which was the entrance to a secret passage which, when the house had been erected, led to the river, being a means of escape should the stone house be attacked by Indians. When Washington selected this house for his headquarters at Valley Forge the secret passage had long since been walled up and the entrance chamber was simply a prosaic potato cellar. The house itself was meagrely furnished—not at all the sort of a headquarters that Lord Howe enjoyed in Philadelphia.

Some distance up the creek, beyond the forge which lent its name to the valley, were the headquarters of big Major-General Henry Knox, of the artillery, and near him was the young French Marquis, Lafayette, but then recovering from the wound received at the battle of the Brandywine—also a Major-General, and trusted and loved by the Commander-in-Chief to a degree only equaled by the latter’s feeling for Colonel Pickering. General Woodford, of Virginia, who commanded the right of the line, was quartered at a house in the neighborhood of Knox and Lafayette.

Up on the Gulph road, the southern troops, lying nearest to Washington’s headquarters, were commanded by that Southern-Scotsman, Lachlin McIntosh, and strung along within sight of the road were Huntingdon’s Connecticut militia, Conway’s Pennsylvania troops, Varnum’s Rhode Islanders, and Muhlenberg, Weeden, Patterson, Learned, Glover, Poor, Wayne, and Scott on the extreme front of the embattled camp. Hadley Morris, still with Wayne’s division, messed with Captain Prentice, but found himself often attached to “Mad Anthony’s” personal staff in the capacity of messenger, for the Quaker general occupied a house in a most exposed quarter, some distance beyond the line of defences, and was in constant communication with the Commander-in-Chief.

Hadley, indeed, scarce knew whom he served. At first his wound had incapacitated him from participating in much of the work which fell to the lot of the rank and file, and, as he rode one of the fleetest horses in the American camp, he came to be looked upon as a sort of volunteer aide, for he had never been regularly mustered into the service. He often saw Lafe Holdness in the camp, and was not surprised, therefore, one day, when he had been sent post-haste to General Washington with some papers from Wayne, to find the Yankee in the front room of the Potts’ cottage in close conversation with His Excellency.

Hadley never entered the presence of the great man without, in a measure, feeling that sense of Washington’s superiority which he had experienced when first he saw him, and he stood at one side now, ill at ease, waiting for a chance to deliver his packet. The Commander had a way of seeing and recognizing those who entered the room without appearing to do so—if he were busily engaged at the time—and suddenly wheeling in his chair and pointing to the boy, said in a tone that made Hadley start:

“Is this the young man you want, Master Holdness?”

“I reckon he’ll do, Gin’ral—if he can be spared,” Lafe replied, with the usual queer twist to his thin lips. “He’s gettin’ more important around here than a major-gin’ral, I hear; but ef things wont go quite ter rack an’ ruin without him for a few days, I guess I’ll take him with me on this little ja’nt.”

Hadley blushed redly, but knew better than to grow angry over Lafe’s mild sarcasm. [Pg 244] His Excellency seemed to understand both the scout and his youthful friend pretty well. “I have a high opinion of Master Morris,” he said, kindly. “Take care of him, Holdness. It is upon such young men as he that we most earnestly depend. Some of us older ones may not live to see the end of this war, and the younger generation must live to carry it on.”

Hadley did not think him austere now; his eyes were sad and his face worn and deeply lined. Not alone did the rank and file of the American army suffer physically during that awful winter; many of the officers went hungry, too, and it was whispered that often Washington’s own dinner was divided among the hollow-eyed men who guarded his person and sentineled the road leading to the little stone cottage.

Lafe nodded to the boy and they withdrew. On the road outside the scout placed his hand upon Hadley’s shoulder. “Had, that’s a great man in yonder,” said he, in his homely way. “You ’n’ I don’t know how great he is; but there’ll come folks arter us that will. He’s movin’ heaven an’ airth ter git rations for this army an’ they aint one of us suffers that he don’t feel it.”

“HADLEY UNTIED HIS HORSE.”

Hadley untied his horse and they went on in silence until they came to the sheds behind an old country inn not far from headquarters. Here Holdness had left his great covered wagon and team of sturdy draught horses. Despite the condition of affairs in the territory about Philadelphia, the scout retained his character of teamster and continued to go in and come out of the city as he pleased. How he allayed the suspicions of the British was known only to himself; but, evidently, General Washington trusted him implicitly.

Hadley, as they drove slowly through the camp, gave Black Molly over into Captain Prentice’s care. Not until they were beyond the picket lines of the Americans entirely did Holdness offer any explanation of the work before them. “We’re goin’ ter stop at a place an’ take a load of grain into Philadelphy,” he began. “I ’greed ter do this last week. I aint sayin’ but I’d like ter turn about an’ cart it inter aout lines; but that can’t be. The man ’at owns it is a Tory an’ he’s shippin’ his grain inter town so as to save it from the ’Mericans. He’s got his convictions, same’s we’ve got ourn; ’taint so bad for him to sell ter them Britishers as it is for some o’ these folks ’t claim ter have the good of the cause at heart, an’ yet won’t take scrip fer their goods.”

When they came to the farmer’s in question the great wagon was heavily loaded with sacks of grain. Hadley, who had so plainly seen the need of such commodity in the American camp, suggested that they take a roundabout way and deliver the sacks of grain to their friends instead of to the British, without the Tory being any the wiser. “And spile my game?” cried Lafe, with a chuckle. “I guess not. Reckon His Excellency wouldn’t thank us for that. I’m wuth more to him takin’ the stuff into Philadelphy than the grain would be. We’re goin’ in there to git some information. Hadley, my son—this ain’t no pleasure ja’nt.”

“But what can I do?” queried the boy.

“What you’re told—and I reckon you’ve l’arned that already with Gin’ral Wayne. A boy like yeou can git ’round ’mongst folks without being suspicioned better’n me. It’s whispered, Hadley, that them Britishers contemplate making a sortie on aour camp. You know the state we’re in—God help us!—an’ if the British mean to attack we must know it and be ready for them. Every crumb of information you can pick up must be treasured. I’ll take ye to Jothan Pye an’ you can be an apprentice of his. He kin git you access to the very houses in which some o’ them big bugs is quartered. If plans are really laid for an attack, you’ll hear whispers of it. Them whispers yeou’ll give to me, sonny. D’ye understand?”

Hadley nodded. He understood what was expected of him; also he understood that the mission would be perilous. But he had been in danger before, and he did not lack some measure of confidence in himself now.

The huge wagon rumbled on toward the British lines. When they were halted, Lafe [Pg 245] managed to give such a good account of himself that he was allowed to pass through with little questioning, for the grain was assigned to the quartermaster’s department. Hadley was simply considered a country bumpkin who had come into town to see the sights. Soon the old scout and the boy separated, Hadley making his way swiftly to the Quaker’s habitation near the Indian Queen, where good Mistress Pye welcomed him warmly.

Friend Pye was a merchant and dealt in such foreign commodities—particularly in West India goods—as were in demand among the British officers. As previously noted, the Quaker had lived so circumspectly in the city throughout the war that his loyalty to the king was considered unshaken by his Tory neighbors, and yet he was so retiring and so worthy a man that the Whigs had not considered him a dangerous enemy.

If anybody noted, during these cold days of middle winter, that Friend Pye had a new ’prentice boy, it was not particularly remarked. The gossip of the camp and, indeed, all conversation was tinged with military life and happenings. Friend Pye’s young man carried goods to the Norris house where My Lord Rawdon—that swarthy, haughty nobleman, both hated and feared by all who came in contact with him—was quartered, and even to Peter Reeves’ house on Second Street, where Lord Cornwallis held a miniature court. Hadley was, in his new duties, quick and obliging. The British officers often remarked that, for a country bumpkin, Pye’s apprentice was marvelously polite and possessed some grace and gentleness. But all the time Hadley Morris was keeping both his eyes and ears open, and when Holdness came to the Quaker’s house under cover of the night, he told him all he had heard and seen, even to details which seemed to him quite worthless.

“Ye never know how important little things may be,” Holdness had told him. “It’s the little things that sometimes turn aout ter be of th’ greatest value. Stick to it, Had.”

But, one day, Hadley experienced something of a shock—indeed, two of them. He was walking through Spruce Street, carrying a bundle with which his employer had entrusted him to deliver at an officer’s residence, when a carriage came slowly toward him. It was a very fine coach—much finer than any he had observed in Philadelphia thus far—and it was drawn by a pair of magnificent horses. The horses were bay, and before many moments the boy, with a start, recognized them. His eyes flew from the handsome team to the coachman, perched on the high seat.

The bays were the same he had seen so often while Colonel Creston Knowles was a guest at the Three Oaks Inn, and the driver was William, the silent Cockney. The coach window was wide open and Hadley could see within. There, on the silken cushions, was seated Mistress Lillian herself! The boy stared, stopping on the edge of the walk in his surprise. Of course, he might have expected to find the British officer and his daughter here, yet he was amazed, nevertheless.

But he was evidently not the only person astonished. Lillian saw him. She leaned from the carriage window and, for an instant, he thought she was about to call to him. Then she glanced up at the driver’s seat and said something to William. At once the bays began to trot and the carriage rolled swiftly past. But Hadley had looked up at the driver, too, and for the first time saw and recognized the person sitting beside William on the high perch.

William was gorgeous in a maroon livery: the person beside him was in livery, also, and evidently acted as footman. But, despite his gay apparel, Hadley recognized this footman instantly. It was Alonzo Alwood, and as he gazed after the retreating carriage, the American youth was conscious that Lon had twisted around in his seat and was staring at him with scowling visage.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

By William A. Stimpson

“Good-by, fellows; don’t expect me back before supper time.” Waving his hand to his friends, Alfred Whyte pushed the bateau into the water, took his seat in the centre, and with a few strong, even strokes of the paddle sent the frail craft out of sight around a bend in the stream.

It was on the edge of the Florida Everglades, those low, marshy tracts of swamp land that cover the whole of the lower end of the peninsula. Two New York boys, Willard King and Marvin Stebbins, had homesteaded a claim in the heart of the morass and were engaged in growing tomatoes for the northern markets. Alfred, a former schoolmate, was spending a few weeks with them in their southern home.

The piece of land upon which the two northerners had settled was about fifty acres in extent. It rose, island-like, from out the midst of the network of little creeks and streams that crisscrossed in every direction and made a veritable land-and-water spider’s web of that part of the State.

The tomato plants were set out in February and now, the first of April, the tomatoes had begun to turn red and were large enough to be picked. They had to be handled very carefully, wrapped in tissue paper, and packed in light wooden crates, so as to permit the process of ripening to be completed on the trip north. Picking and packing them was tedious and took considerable time. Both the young truck farmers had their hands full, and when a flock of wild ducks flew overhead on their way to the feeding grounds half a mile further inland, they merely directed a passing glance upward and then, stifling their sportsmen’s instinct, turned to their work again.

All the morning the wild fowl could be heard thrashing about in the tall grass at the lagoon, and both King and Stebbins were sorely tempted several times to slip up stream in the hope of bagging a couple. But the steamer on which they intended shipping their produce sailed from Lincoln, fifteen miles east, the next afternoon, and by working persistently until dark they could hardly get their crop ready for an early start on the following morning for the river town.

“If neither of you fellows can spare the time to go duck shooting, why can’t I paddle up there and try a shot or two?” asked Alfred, late in the afternoon.

“All the reason in the world, Al,” replied King. “No one except a native, or a person who has lived here as long as we have, can traverse this swamp in safety. Why, before you reach the lake where the ducks are you will pass eight or ten little streams, any one of which you are just as likely to enter as to keep on up the main channel. We’re afraid you’ll get lost, Al. Don’t you think so?” he asked, turning to Stebbins.

“But I’ve been all around there with you fellows,” explained Alfred, trying in vain to conceal his disappointment. “I’ve been up to the lake, too, and I know the main stream perfectly well. I’m going to try it, for I must have some roast duck.”

Both the boys tried to dissuade him from the undertaking, but he was insistent, and finally they gave a reluctant consent. Realizing fully his lack of acquaintance with the swamp, Whyte paid particular attention to his surroundings as he paddled on, fearing that he might turn into one of those little side streams of which King had warned him.

Suddenly, ahead of him, he saw the ducks. Paddling noiselessly, scarcely rippling the water as he passed through, he [Pg 247] got within range of the flock without alarming them. Bang! bang! went both barrels of his twelve-bore, and at the reports the ducks rose from the water with a loud whirr. One bird was wounded and lagged behind the others. It fluttered along a hundred yards or so, then sank in a clump of marsh grass, took wing again, but went less than ten yards, when it turned a somersault in the air and dropped.

A few strokes of the paddle carried the bateau close to where the bird had fallen, but when he reached the spot Whyte found that a stretch of marsh lay between the edge of the water and his prize. He tried to reach the duck with the paddle but could not do so. It was a fine, fat bird, as he could plainly see, but it lay beyond his reach.

“Just my luck,” he muttered, after several unsuccessful attempts to reach the bird. “I wonder if those hummocks will hold me,” noticing the tufts of thick, coarse grass that dotted the morass in every direction.

The hummocks looked firm enough to bear his weight, so pushing the prow of the boat as far into the edge of the bank as he could, he stepped out and tried the first one. It was solid and unyielding. Certain, then, that his plan was a feasible one, he sprang to the next hummock and on until he had the bird in his hand. In returning, he rested too much weight upon one of the tufts of thick grass. The treacherous mud gave way, his foot slipped, and down he went into the black ooze up to his thighs.

With an exclamation of impatience, he endeavored to withdraw his feet and legs. They stuck fast. He tried a second time, but the mud held him as in a vise. Putting forth all his strength and seizing several blades of the long, coarse grass within his reach, he tried his best to extricate himself, but to his dismay he found the sticky mud to be as unyielding as quicksand. What was worse, when he ceased his efforts he discovered that he had sunk deeper in the mire and was now embedded nearly up to his breast.

Thoroughly frightened, he remained perfectly passive and began to think. He realized that he was in a serious predicament, held a prisoner, as he was, in the black, slimy mud of the swamp, and it was cold there, too. His gun lay within reach, and, resting the arm lengthwise, he made another attempt to release himself, but his efforts were unavailing. The gun sank in the ooze, and in extracting it he found that his exertions had caused him to sink several inches deeper. The top of the mud now reached to his armpits.

He glanced at the sun, and, seeing it low in the west, was comforted. King and Stebbins, becoming alarmed at his non-appearance, would soon be setting out to look for him, he thought, if they were not already doing so. His eyes wandered towards the opposite bank, and he was struck with its unfamiliar appearance. Instead of the low, flat marsh that lined that side of the stream, as he well knew, he was looking upon a patch of higher land similar to the one upon which King and Stebbins had their home. It dawned upon him then for the first time that he had left the main channel.

As the realization of his true position came home to him, hope died. Thinking that he was somewhere along the stream, he had felt sure of rescue, but his discovery altered the situation completely. How far out of his true course he was he had no way of knowing, and the thought of the awful days and nights that would pass while he stood there dying, if the mud did not eventually bury him and make his death even a more horrible one, was far from pleasant.

Frantically he struggled to free himself, but he was held fast as though he had been shackled in irons, and his struggles only left him exhausted. Great beads of perspiration stood out on his brow. His mouth was dry and parched and his head began to swim. He felt that he was losing his reason, but he pulled himself together with a herculean effort. His legs and feet were cold and numb, and the keen night wind nipped his ears and nose cruelly. The mud under his arms had begun to freeze, and unless he kept breaking it continually [Pg 248] with his hands, a stiff crust would form at the top.

He racked his brain to devise some plan of escape from his terrible position, but could think of nothing except to shout. That, he supposed, would only be a waste of energy, but he must do something. Gathering himself together, he essayed to call, but his mouth was so parched that his voice did not penetrate further than ten yards. He tried again, and this time found himself shouting louder. Again and again he shouted until his voice echoed and re-echoed through the everglades.

As the sounds died away his ear caught a faint call that seemed like an answer to his own. Flushed with hope, he shouted again and then strained his ears to listen. But silence, broken only by the twittering of the night birds, reigned about him.

Once more he shouted, and again he thought he heard a reply, or was it an echo of his own voice? The ordeal was too much for him, and with a groan his head drooped and he lost consciousness.

With King and Stebbins the time passed until sundown before they realized how late it was, and then they dropped their work and looked along the stream in the direction taken by their guest.

“It is nearly seven o’clock, Marvin,” remarked King, consulting his watch. “Al said he would be back by supper time, and here it is an hour after. I believe he’s lost.”

“If that’s the case, we must find him before dark, or he’ll have to stay in the swamp all night,” said Stebbins.

Both young men were hurrying towards the boat landing as they spoke. “Maybe he’ll row around there a week before he finds his way out,” declared King.

Stepping into the remaining boat, they both seized a paddle and sent the light skiff whirling along towards the lake, keeping a sharp lookout for any signs of the missing boat. “He promised not to go further than the lake,” said Stebbins, as they reached a point where the stream began to widen. “Let’s course over some of those creeks back there,” indicating a part of the swamp in the rear of their island home.

The boat’s prow was accordingly turned in that direction, and they had proceeded but a few yards when King’s ear detected a faint call somewhere in the distance. It was so low and indistinct that he was unable to tell from what direction it came, but shouted loudly in answer.

“Did you hear anything?” asked Stebbins, whose hearing was not so keen.

“I thought I did,” answered King, “and shouted in the hope that it might be Alfred. He’s certainly out of the channel and is calling us. Halloo! halloo! we’re coming! Where are you?” he shouted.

The boys rested a moment or two and listened for a reply. None came. “We don’t know which way to go,” said King. “Let’s go south on a venture.”

“Call again,” said Stebbins, after they had been paddling for a few minutes. King did so, and in answer came a faint shout that both boys heard. “We’re right, keep on straight ahead,” said King, excitedly. “Where are you?” he called, but they did not receive any further answer.

They paddled an eighth of a mile along this course, calling constantly without seeing anything of the person for whom they were looking. “Strange he doesn’t answer us,” remarked Stebbins, thoughtfully. “I’m afraid something’s happened to him.”

King said nothing, but kept peering ahead into the gathering gloom. Darkness had fallen by this time and objects were hardly distinguishable. Rounding a bend in the stream, they suddenly saw a boat—the one in which Alfred had rowed away—drawn up on the bank. With a shout the boys pushed ahead with rapid strokes. “Alfred, where are you?” they called. As there was no response, they backed water, and bringing their bateau to a stop, looked with blanched faces into the empty boat.

“Where can he be?” muttered Stebbins.

“Look there! look there!” exclaimed King, rising in the skiff and nearly upsetting it.

Stebbins followed the direction indicated, and saw what appeared to be a man’s head upright on the ground.

[Pg 249]

“It’s Alfred, and he’s fast in the mud,” exclaimed Stebbins, grasping the situation. “He’s dead!” he groaned.

Without further words, the boat was driven to the bank, and, stepping on the very hummocks that had supported Whyte, they reached his side. “Quick, Stebbins, get your paddle under his left arm; I will do the same on my side,” said King, and, working together, they succeeded in raising the apparently lifeless form from its position. In another moment they had placed the unfortunate youth in the boat beside them, and while one sent the skiff skimming towards home, the other rubbed and chafed the cold hands and feet. At last they were rewarded by seeing the eyes open and feeling the heart beat faintly.

By the time the party reached the house, Whyte was himself again, but so weak and sick that he had to be carried from the landing and put to bed. A doctor was brought from Lincoln the next day and left some medicine and a few directions, but Alfred’s robust health and good constitution did more for him than all the pills and powders, and in a few days he had recovered from all traces of his terrible experience, except the memory of it. That will stay with him always.

An interesting account, showing the numbers in which birds often live together, is the following, written by Audubon. The great ornithologist was, at the time of writing, visiting Bird Rock, a little granite island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, so named from its only inhabitants, birds, mostly of a species called Gannet.

“About ten, a speck rose on the horizon, which I was told was the Rock. We sailed well, the breeze increased fast, and we neared the object apace. At eleven, I could distinguish its top plainly from the deck, and thought it covered with snow to the depth of several feet. This appearance existed on every portion of the flat, projecting shelves. Godwin (the guide) said, with the coolness of a man who had visited this rock for successive seasons, that what we saw was not snow, but Gannets. I rubbed my eyes, took my spy-glass, and in an instant the strangest picture stood before me. They were birds we saw—a mass of birds of such size as I never before cast my eyes on. The whole of my party stood astounded and amazed, and all came to the conclusion that such a sight was of itself sufficient to invite anyone to come across the gulf to view it at this season. The nearer we approached, the greater our surprise at the enormous number of these birds, all calmly seated on their eggs or newly-hatched brood, their heads all turned to the windward and toward us. The air above for a hundred yards, and for the same distance around the Rock, was filled with Gannets on the wing, which, from our position, made it appear as if a heavy fall of snow was directly above us. The whole surface (of the island) is perfectly covered with nests, placed about two feet apart, in such regular order that you may look through the lines as you would look through those of a planted patch of sweet potatoes or cabbages. When one reaches the top, the birds, alarmed, rise with a noise like thunder, and fly off in such a hurried, fearful confusion as to throw each other down, often falling on each other until there is a bank of them many feet high.”

This was in 1833. If Audubon could visit the island now, how he would find the “snows” melted. There is to-day not a single Gannet nesting on the top of the rock. On the ledges and in the crannies about its sides, the birds still dwell in great numbers, even in thousands, but not in the countless myriads of the past.

[Pg 250]

CHAPTER XVIII
In the Hour of Darkness

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

“No sign yet?”

“No sign.” Margot’s tone was almost hopeless. Day after day, many times each day, she had climbed the pine-tree flagstaff and peered into the distance. Not once had anything been visible, save that wide stretch of forest and the shining lake.

“Suppose you cross again, to Old Joe’s. He might be back by this time. I’ll fix you a bite of dinner, and you better, maybe—”

The girl shook her head and clasped her arms about old Angelique’s neck. Then the long repressed grief burst forth in dry sobs that shook them both, and pierced the housekeeper’s faithful heart with a pain beyond endurance.

“Pst! pouf! Hush, sweetheart, hush! ’Tis nought. A few days more, and the master will be well. A few days more, and Pierre will come. Ah! but I had my hands about his ears this minute. That would teach him—yes—to turn his back on duty—him. The ingrate! Well, what the Lord sends the body must bear, and if the broken glass—”

Margot lifted her head, shook back her hair, and smiled wanly. The veriest ghost of her old smile it was, yet, even such, a delight to the other’s eyes.

“Good. That’s right. Rouse up. There’s a wing of a fowl in the cupboard, left from the master’s broth—”

“Angel, he didn’t touch it, to-day. Not even touch it.”

“’Tis naught. When the fever is on the appetite is gone. Will be all right once that is over.”

“But, will it be over? Day after day, just the same. Always that tossing to and fro, the queer, jumbled talk, the growing thinner—all of the dreadful signs of how he suffers. Angelique, if I could bear it for him. I am so young and strong and worth nothing to this world, while he’s so wise and good. Everybody who ever knew him must be the better for Uncle Hughie, Angelique.”

“’Tis truth. For that, the good God will spare him to us. Of that be sure.”

[Pg 251]

“But I pray and pray and pray, and there comes no answer. He is never any better. You know that. You can’t deny it. Always before, when I have prayed, the answer has come swift and sure; but now—”

“Take care, Margot. ’Tis not for us to judge the Lord’s strange ways. Else were not you and me and the master shut up alone on this island, with no doctor near, and only our two selves to keep the dumb things in comfort. Though, as for dumbness, hark yonder beast!”

“Reynard! Oh! I forgot. I shut him up because he would hang around the house and watch your poor chickens. If he’d stay in his own forest, now, I would be so glad. Yet I love him—”

“Aye, and he loves you. Be thankful. Even a beastie’s love is of God’s sending. Go feed him. Here—the wing you’ll not eat yourself.”

They were dark days now on the once sunny Island of Peace.

That day when Mr. Dutton had said, “Your father is still alive,” seemed now to Margot, looking back, as one of such experiences as change a whole life. Up till that morning she had been a thoughtless, unreflecting child, but the utterance of those fateful words altered everything.

Amazement, unbelief of what her ears told her, indignation that she had been so long deceived, as she put it, were swiftly followed by a dreadful fear. Even while he spoke, the woodlander’s figure swayed and trembled, the hoe-handle on which he rested wavered and fell, and he, too, would have fallen had not the girl’s arms caught and eased his sudden sinking in the furrow he had worked. Her shrill cry of alarm had reached Angelique, always alert for trouble and then more than ever, and had brought her swiftly to the field. Between them they had carried the now unconscious man within and laid him on his bed. He had never risen from it since; nor, in her heart, did Angelique believe he ever would, though she so stoutly asserted to the contrary before Margot.

“We have changed places, Angelique, dear,” the child often said. “It used to be you who was always croaking and looking for trouble. Now you see only brightness.”

“Well, good sooth. ’Tis a long lane has no turnin’, and better late nor never. Sometimes ’tis well to say, ‘Stay, good trouble, lest worser comes,’ eh? But things’ll mend. They must. Now, run and climb the tree. It might be this ver’ minute that wretch, Pierre, was on his way across the lake. Pouf! but he’ll stir his lazy bones, once he touches this shore! Yes, yes, indeed. Run and hail him, maybe.”

So Margot had gone, again and again, and had returned to sit beside her uncle’s bed, anxious and watchful.

Often, also, she had paddled across the narrows and made her way swiftly to a little clearing on her uncle’s land, where, [Pg 252] among giant trees, old Joseph Wills, the Indian guide, and faithful friend of all on Peace Island, made one of his homes. Once Mr. Dutton had nursed this red man through a dangerous illness, and had kept him in his old home for many weeks thereafter. He would have been the very nurse they now needed, in their turn, could he have been found. But his cabin was closed, and on its doorway, under the family sign-picture of a turtle on a rock, he had printed, in dialect, what signified his departure for a long hunting trip.

Now, as Angelique advised, she resolved to try once more; and, hurrying to the shore, pushed her canoe into the water and paddled swiftly away. She had taken the neglected Reynard with her, and Tom had invited himself to be a party of the trip; and in the odd but sympathetic companionship Margot’s spirits rose again.

“It must be as Angelique says. The long lane will turn. Why have I been so easily discouraged? I never saw my precious uncle ill before, and that is why I have been so frightened. I suppose anybody gets thin and says things when there is fever. But he’s troubled about something. He wants to do something that neither of us understand. Unless—oh! I believe I do understand. My head is clearer out here on the water, and I know, I know! It is just about the time of year when he goes away on those long trips of his. And we’ve been so anxious we never remembered. That’s it. Surely it is. Then, of course, Joe will be back now or soon. He always stays on the island when uncle goes, and he’ll remember. Oh! I’m brighter already, and I guess, I believe, it is as Angelique claims—God won’t take away so good a man as uncle and leave me alone. Though I am not alone. I have a father! I have a father somewhere, if I only knew—all in good time—and I’m growing gladder and gladder every minute.”

She could even sing to the stroke of her paddle, and she skimmed the water with increasing speed. Whatever the reason for her growing cheerfulness, whether the reaction of youth or a prescience of happiness to come, the result was the same; she reached the further shore flushed and eager-eyed, more like the old Margot than she had been for many days.

“Oh! he’s there. He is at home. There is smoke coming out of the chimney. Joseph! Oh, Joseph! Joseph!”

She did not even stop to take care of her canoe, but left it to drift whither it would. Nothing mattered, Joseph was at home. He had canoes galore, and he was help indeed.

She was quite right. The old man came to his doorway and waited her arrival with apparent indifference, though surely no human heart could have been unmoved by such unfeigned delight. Catching his unresponsive hands in hers, she cried:

“Come at once, Joseph! At once.”

“Does not the master trust his friend? It is the time to come. Therefore, I am here.”

“Of course. I just thought about that. But, Joseph, the master is ill. He knows nothing any more. If he ever needed you, he needs you doubly now. Come, come at once.”

Then, indeed, though there was little outward expression of it, was old Joseph moved. He stopped for nothing, but leaving his fire burning on the hearth and his supper cooking before it, went out and closed the door. Even Margot’s nimble feet had ado to keep pace with his long strides, and she had to spring before him to prevent his pushing off without her.

“No, no. I’m going with you. Here—I’ll tow my own boat, with Tom and Reynard—don’t you squabble, pets—but I’ll paddle no more while you’re here to do it for me.”

Joseph did not answer, but he allowed her to seat herself where she pleased, and with one strong movement sent his big birch a long distance over the water.

Margot had never made the passage so swiftly, but the motion suited her exactly; and she leaped ashore almost before it was reached, to speed up the hill and call out to Angelique wherever she might be:

“All is well! All will now be well—Joseph has come.”

[Pg 253]

The Indian reached the house but just behind her and acknowledged Angelique’s greeting with a sort of grunt; yet he paused not at all to ask the way or if he might enter the master’s room, passing directly into it as if by right.

Margot followed him, cautioning, with finger on lip, anxious lest her patient should be shocked and harmed by the too-sudden appearance of the visitor.

Then, and only then, when her beloved child was safely out of sight, did Angelique throw her apron over her head and give her own despairing tears free vent. She was spent and very weary; but help had come; and in the revulsion of that relief nature gave way. Her tears ceased, her breath came heavily, and the poor woman slept, the first refreshing slumber of an unmeasured time.

When she waked, at length, Joseph was crossing the room. The fire had died out, twilight was falling, she was conscious of duties left undone. Yet there was light enough left for her to scan the Indian’s impassive face with keen intensity; and though he turned neither to the right nor left, but went out with no word or gesture to satisfy her craving, she felt that she had had her answer.

“Unless a miracle is wrought, my master is doomed. Oh, the broken glass—the broken glass!”

CHAPTER XIX
THE LETTER

From the moment of his entrance to the sick room, old Joe assumed all charge of it, and with scant courtesy banished from it both Angelique and Margot.

“But he is mine, my own precious uncle. Joe has no right to keep me out!” protested Margot, vehemently.

Angelique was wiser. “In his own way, among his own folks, that Indian good doctor. Leave him be. Yes. If my master can be save’, Joe Wills’ll save him. That’s as God plans; but if I hadn’t broke—”

“Angelique! Don’t you ever, ever let me hear that dreadful talk again. I can’t bear it. I don’t believe it. I won’t hear it. I will not. Do you suppose that our dear Lord is—will—”

She could not finish her sentence and Angelique was frightened by the intensity of the girl’s excitement. Was she, too, growing feverish and ill? But Margot’s outburst had worked off some of her own uncomprehended terror, and she grew calm again. Though it had not been put into so many words, she knew both from Angelique’s and Joseph’s manner that they anticipated but one end to her guardian’s illness. She had never seen death, except among the birds and beasts of the forest, and even then it had been horrible to her; and that this should come into her own happy home was unbearable.

Then she reflected. Hugh Dutton’s example had been her instruction, and she had never seen him idle. At times when he seemed most so, sitting among his books, or gazing silently into the fire, his brain had been active over some problem that perplexed or interested him. “Never hasting, never wasting” time, nor thought, nor any energy of life. That was his rule, and she would make it hers.

“I can, at least, make things more comfortable out-of-doors. Angelique has let even Snowfoot suffer, sometimes, for want of the grooming and care she’s always had. The poultry, too, and the poor garden. I’m glad I’m strong enough to rake and hoe, even if I couldn’t lift Uncle as Joe does.”

Her industry brought its own reward. Things outside the house took on a more natural aspect. The weeds were cleared away, and both vegetables and flowers lifted their heads more cheerfully. Snowfoot showed the benefit of the attention she received, and the forgotten family in the Hollow chattered and gamboled in delight at the reappearance among them of their indulgent mistress. Margot herself grew lighter of heart and more positive that, after all, things would end well.

“You see, Angelique dismal, we might as well take that broken glass sign to mean [Pg 254] good things as evil; that uncle will soon be up and around again, Pierre be at home; and the ‘specimen’ from the old cave prove copper or something just as rich, and—everybody be as happy as a king.”

Angelique grunted her disbelief, but was thankful for the other’s lighter mood.

“Well, then, if you’ve so much time and strength to spare, go yonder and redde up the room that Adrian left so untidy. Where he never should have been, had I my own way, but one never has that in this world; hey, no. Indeed, no. Ever’thin’ goes contrary, else I’d have cleared away all trace long sin’. Yes, indeed, yes.”

“Well, he is gone. There’s no need to abuse him, even if he did not have the decency to say good-by. Though, I suppose it was my uncle put a stop to that. What Uncle has to do he does at once. There’s never any hesitation about Uncle. But I wish—I wish—Angelique Ricord, do you know something? Do you know all the history of this family?”

“Why should I not, eh?” demanded the woman, indignantly. “Is it not my own family, yes? What is Pierre but one son? I love him, oh, yes! But—”

“WHERE IS MY FATHER?”

“You adore him, bad and trying as he is. But there is something you must tell me, if you know it. Maybe you do not. I did not, till that awful morning when he was taken ill. But that very minute he told me what I had never dreamed. I was angry; for a moment I almost hated him because he had deceived me, though afterward I knew that he had done it for the best and would tell me why when he could. So I’ve tried to trust him just the same and be patient. But—he may never be able—and I must know. Angelique, where is my father?”

The housekeeper was so startled that she dropped the plate she was wiping and broke it. Yet even at that fresh omen of disaster she could not remove her gaze from the girl’s face nor banish the dismay of her own.

“He told—you—that—that—”

“That my father is still alive. He would, I think, have told me more; all that there may be yet to tell, if he had not so suddenly been stricken. Where is my father?”

“Oh, child, child! Don’t ask me. It is not for me—”

“If Uncle cannot and you can, and there is no other person, Angelique—you must!”

“This much, then. It is in a far, far away city, or town, or place, he lives. I know not, I. This much I know: he is good, a ver’ good man. And he have enemies. Yes. They have done him much harm. Some day, in many years, maybe, when you have grown a woman, old like me, he will come to Peace Island and forget. That is why we wait. That is why the master goes, once each summer, on the long, long trip. When Joseph comes, and the bad Pierre to stay. I, too, wait to see him, though I never have. And when he comes, we must be ver’ tender, me and you, for people who have been done wrong to, they—they—pouf! ’Twas anger I was that the master could put the evil-come into that room, yes.”

“Angelique! Is that my father’s room? Is it? Is that why there are the very best things in it? And that wonderful picture? And the fresh suits and clothing? Is it?”

Angelique slowly nodded. She had been amazed to find that Margot knew thus much of a long-withheld history, and saw no harm in adding these few facts. The real secret, the heart of the matter—that was not yet. Meanwhile, let the child accustom herself to the new ideas, and so be prepared for what she must certainly and further learn, should the master’s illness be a fatal one.

“Oh, then, hear me. That room shall always now be mine to care for. I haven’t liked the housewifery, not at all. But if I have a father and I can do things for him—that alters everything. Oh! you can’t mean that it will be so long before he comes. You must have been jesting. If he knew Uncle was ill he would come at once, wouldn’t he? He would, I know.”

Poor Angelique turned her face away to hide its curious expression, but in her new interest concerning the “friend’s room,” as it had always been called, Margot did not notice this. She was all eagerness and loving excitement.

“To think that I have a father who may [Pg 255] come, at any minute, for he might, Angelique, you know that, and not be ready for him. Your best and newest broom, please, and the softest dusters. That room shall, indeed, be ‘redded’—though uncle says nobody but a few people like you ever use that word, nowadays—better than anybody else could do it. Just hurry, please, I must begin. I must begin right away.”

She trembled so that she could hardly braid and pin up her long hair out of the way, and her face had regained more than its old-time color. She was content to let all that was still a mystery remain for the present. She had enough to think about and enjoy.

Angelique brought the things that would be needed and, for once, forebore advice. Let love teach the child—she had nought to say. In any case, she could not have seen the dust, herself, for her dark eyes were misty with tears, and her thoughts on matters wholly foreign to household cares.

Margot opened the windows and began to dust the various articles which could be set out in the wide passage, and did not come round to the heavy dresser for some moments. As she did so finally, her glance flew instantly to a bulky parcel, wrapped in sheets of white birch bark, and bearing her own name, in Adrian’s handwriting.

“Why, he did remember me, then!” she cried, delightedly, tearing the package open. “Pictures! the very ones I liked the best. Xanthippé and Socrates, and oh! that’s Reynard. Reynard, ready to speak. The splendid, beautiful creature; and the splendid, generous boy, to have given it. He called it his ‘masterpiece,’ and, indeed, it was by far the best he ever did here. Harmony Hollow—but that’s not so fine. However, he meant to make it like, and—why, here’s a note! Why didn’t I come in here before? Why didn’t I think he would do something like this? Forgive me, Adrian, wherever you are, for misjudging you so. I’m sorry Uncle didn’t like you, and sorry—for lots of things. But I’m glad—glad you weren’t so rude and mean as I believed. If I ever see you, I’ll tell you so. Now, I’ll put these in my own room and then get to work again. This room you left so messed shall be as spotless as a snowflake before I’ve done with it.”

For hours she labored there—brushing, renovating, polishing; and when all was finished she called Angelique to see and criticise—if she could. But she could not; and she, too, had something now of vital importance to impart.

“It is beautiful’ done, yes, yes. I couldn’t do it more clean myself, I, Angelique, no. But, ma p’tite I hear, hear, and be calm! The master is himself! The master has awoke, yes, and is askin’ for his child. True, true. Old Joe, he says, ‘Come! quick, soft, no cry, no laugh, just listen.’ Yes. Oh, now all will be well!”

Margot almost hushed her very breathing. Her uncle awake, sane, asking for her. Her face was radiant, flushed, eager, a face to brighten the gloom of any sick room, however dark.

But this one was not dark. Joe knew his patient’s fancies. He had forgotten none. One of them was the sunshine and fresh air; and though in his heart he believed that these two things did a world of harm, and that the ill-ventilated and ill-lighted cabins of his own people were more conducive to recovery, he opposed nothing which the master desired. He had experimented, at first, but finding a close room aggravated Mr. Dutton’s fever, reasoned that it was too late to break up the foolish habits of a man’s lifetime; and as the woodlander had lived in the sunlight, so he would better die in it, and easier.

If she had been a trained nurse, Margot could not have entered her uncle’s presence more quietly, though it seemed to her that he must hear the happy beating of her heart and how her breath came fast and short. He was almost too weak to speak at all, but there was all the old love, and more, in his whispered greeting.

“My precious child!”

“Yes, Uncle. And such a happy child because you are better.”

She caught his hand and covered it with kisses, but softly, oh! so softly, and he smiled the rare, sweet smile that she had [Pg 256] feared she’d never see again. Then he looked past her to Angelique, in the doorway, and his eyes roved toward his desk in the corner. A little fanciful desk that held only his most sacred belongings and had been Margot’s mother’s. It was to be hers, some day, but not till he had done with it, and she had never cared to own it, since doing so meant that he could no longer use it. Now she watched him and Angelique wonderingly.

For the woman knew exactly what was required. Without question or hesitation, she answered the command of his eyes by crossing to the desk and opening it with a key she took from her own pocket. Then she lifted a letter from an inner drawer and gave it into his thin fingers.

“Well done, good Angelique. Margot—the letter—is yours.”

“Mine? I am to read it? Now? Here?”

“No, no. No, no, indeed! Would you tire the master with the rustlin’ of paper? Take it, else. Not here, where ever’thin’ must be still as still.”

Mr. Dutton’s eyes closed. Angelique knew that she had spoken for him, and that the disclosure which that letter would make should be faced in solitude.

“Is she right, Uncle, dearest? Shall I take it away to read?”

His eyes assented, and the tender, reassuring pressure of his hand.

“Then I’m going to your own mountain top with it. To think of having a letter from you, right here, at home! Why, I can hardly wait! I’m so thankful to you for it, and so thankful to God that you are getting well. That you will be soon; and then—why, then—we’ll go a-fishing!”

A spasm of pain crossed the sick man’s wasted features, and poor Angelique fled the place, forgetful of her own caution to “be still as still,” and with her own dark face convulsed with grief for the grief which the letter would bring to her idolized Margot.

But the girl had already gone away up the slope, faster and faster. Surely, a letter from nobody but her uncle, and at such a solemn time, must concern but one subject—her father. Now she would know all, and her happiness should have no limit.

But it was nightfall when she, at last, came down from the mountain, and though there were no signs of tears upon her face, neither was there any happiness in it.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

STATE FLOWERS

The following are the “State flowers,” as adopted by the several States. In Maine, Michigan, and Oklahoma Territory the decision was made by the Legislature, in the other cases by the votes of the scholars in the public schools.

Alabama, goldenrod; Arkansas, aster; California, California poppy; Colorado, columbine; Delaware, peach blossom; Idaho, syringa; Iowa, wild rose; Maine, pine cone and tassel; Michigan, apple blossom; Minnesota, moccasin flower; Missouri, goldenrod; Montana, bitterroot; Nebraska, goldenrod; New Jersey (State tree, maple); New York, rose (State tree, maple); North Dakota, goldenrod; Oklahoma Territory, mistletoe; Oregon, Oregon grape; Rhode Island, violet; Vermont, red clover; Washington, rhododendron. In Kansas, the sunflower is usually known as the State flower.

The largest bell in the world is the great bell at Moscow, at the foot of the Kremlin. Its circumference is nearly 68 feet, and its height more than 21 feet. It is 23 inches thick in its stoutest part, and weighs 433,722 pounds. It has never been hung.

By JULIA McNAIR WRIGHT

The year around and the world around, journey the plant pilgrims. Among those perennials which are found in all latitudes and seasons are the lichens and fungi. In September, while we wait for fruits and seeds to finish ripening, let us make small studies in these related groups in the vegetable sub-kingdom called the thallogens.

This sub-kingdom, one of the chief divisions of the vegetable kingdom, is known as the class thallophytes. It contains the simplest forms of vegetable life. Its chief groups are the fungi and algæ, the lichens being related to both, as if algæ and fungi had united in one plant, dividing and somewhat changing the characteristic of each.

At any period of the year you can find lichens in abundance. They cover ragged rocks, dress up old roofs, walls, fence rails and dead stumps, especially delighting in the north side of trees. If we examine them through a magnifying glass, we shall see that they are made up of cells, laid side by side like little chains of beads, or of cells expanded into short tubes or threads lying like heaps of tiny fagots. Instead of seeds, lichens have a fine dust, called spores, from which they develop.

Lichens are exceedingly long-lived and excessively slow of growth. The lily attains its lovely maturity in a few months; the oaks, elms, pines, become great trees in twenty or thirty years; the humble lichen often lives forty or fifty years before it is old enough to complete its growth by producing spores. Botanists say that the life of a lichen is fitful and strange, and is practically indefinite as to duration. Lichens simply live on and on.

Some lichens have been known to live nearly fifty years without seeming to grow; they appear to dry up, and nearly vanish; then, suddenly, from some cause there is a revival of growth—they expand again. Small and insignificant as these lichens are, they often outlive those longest-lived of trees, the cedar of Lebanon and the California redwood.

The condition of lichen existence is water, for from moisture alone, in dew or rain, they secure their food. The carbon, oxygen, ammonia, hydrogen, in air and rain, afford them their nourishment. The lichen generally refuses to grow in foul air laden with noxious gases. In the impure air of cities few appear, but they abound in the open country. They absorb by all the surface, except the base by which they are fastened to their place of dwelling. They have no roots, and simply adhere to bare rocks, sapless wood, even to naked glass, from which they can receive no nutriment whatever.

In comparison with what is known of plants in general, our knowledge of lichens is yet very limited. They seem to be made chiefly of a kind of gelatin which exists in lichens only. Humble as they appear, they have always been of large importance in arts and manufactures. They produce exquisite dyes—a rich, costly purple, a valuable scarlet, many shades of brown, and particularly splendid hues of blue and yellow are obtained from these common little growths, which in themselves display chiefly shades of black, gray green, varied with pink, red, and orange cups, balls, and edges.

Fungi

While not so abundant as lichens, the fungi are well known everywhere. We cannot claim, as for the lichens, that they are harmless, for many are a virulent poison: others have a disgusting odor, and [Pg 258] nearly all are dangerous in their decay. On the other hand, many of them are a useful, delicious food, and nearly all are beautiful when first developed. Their variety, also, is very fascinating.

THE FLOWERLESS PLANTS

In a walk of less than two miles in a wet summer, may be found twenty different kinds of fungi—some no larger than a pea, some eight inches in diameter. They may be round, oval, flat, cup-shaped, horn-shaped, cushion-shaped, saucer-shaped; they are snow-white, gray, tan, yellow, lavender, orange, dark brown, pink, crimson, purple, and variously mottled, scaly or smooth as with varnish. Placed on a large platter among dark green mosses, they will be, for one day, a magnificent collection.

One large, egg-shaped variety, growing in pairs, is of a purple shade, very solid, and when broken open seems filled with glittering matter like iron or steel filings. Another tan-colored, plum-shaped fungus, firm and smooth, is of a nearly royal purple within.

September is a good month for the study of fungi, especially after the early fall rains, when the woods and pastures will be found well-filled, not only with brilliant, useless, or poisonous varieties, but with delicious edible kinds. Popularly, people call the edible specimens “mushrooms,” and the rest “toadstools,” the number of poisonous or of edible instances so named depending rather upon the amount of knowledge of the collector than upon the real qualities of the fungi, for many denominate as “toadstools” what others know to be an excellent food.

Many varieties not usually eaten are wholesome, and many which human beings reject, other animals thrive upon. One large, brown “toadstool” of the woods is, at this season of the year, the chief food of that epicure, the wood-tortoise.

In general a fungus may be defined as a thallophyte without any chlorophyl or leaf-green in its composition. Among the brilliant colors displayed by fungi no green or blue can be found.

The most popular and most useful fungus is the table mushroom. This rarely ever grows in the woods, in shade, on wet lands, or on decaying stumps. It prefers the open, breezy, well-sunned pastures, where the grass is kept short by the grazing of sheep or cattle. Early in the morning or shortly before sunset, the dainty white or cream-colored buttons, borne on snow-white stalks, push up through the soil and gradually expand until the discs are flat or slightly convex. From two to six inches is the diameter, seldom more than three.

Varieties of the pasture mushroom are few and can readily be learned. The mushroom is composed of stem and cap; the stem is finger-shaped, with the roundish end in the earth. About half way up is usually a [Pg 259] ring of the covering skin, where, in the button shape, the veil of the mushroom was attached.

This veil extends over the cap and is left at the edge of a little frill; it can be easily stripped off. Under the veil the flesh is ivory-white, and is smooth and firm.

The under side of the cap is laid in plaits, called gills, from their resemblance to fish gills. They never grow fast to, or down upon, the stem, usually stopping short off, about one-tenth of an inch from its juncture with the cap. Mushrooms are cultivated in gardens or cellars. They grow from spores or little finger-like lengths, called spawn, which are produced by the spores. Mushrooms turn black or purplish after the first twenty hours of growth. When the gills have taken this dark hue, the mushroom is unfit to eat.

Some fungi grow in very wet places; the woods are likely to be full of them after a few rainy days. They are all short-lived.

INDEPENDENCE

Although not new to some of our readers, we think the following anecdote, illustrating one phase of Benjamin Franklin’s character, will bear repeating:

Not long after he began editing his newspaper, Franklin’s free manner of criticism called forth the disapprobation of many of his patrons. One of them in particular felt so greatly moved as to make it his duty to tell him so. “The doctor listened with patience to the reproof, and begged the favor of his friend’s company at supper on an evening which he named; at the same time requesting that the other gentlemen who were dissatisfied with him should attend.

“When the guests arrived, the doctor received them cordially, and his opinions were thoroughly criticised and much advice given. Supper was at last announced and the guests invited into an adjoining room. The doctor begged the party to be seated, and urged them to help themselves: but the table was only supplied with two puddings and a stone pitcher of water. Each guest had a plate, a spoon, and a bowl. They were all helped, but none of them could eat. The doctor took freely of the pudding, and urged the others to do the same; but it was out of the question. They tasted and tried in vain. Upon inquiry, they learned that the pudding was made of sawdust.

“When the facetious host had made sure that they could not eat, he rose and addressed them thus: ‘My friends, anyone who can subsist upon sawdust pudding, as I can, needs no man’s patronage.’”

The doctor’s life has proved his statement. The person who can adapt himself to all circumstances and deny himself when necessary can attain true independence.

CHAPTER XVI
IN THE BARN

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

While the old people at Manser Farm were reading Polly’s letter, the little girl herself was listening with a sober face to a piece of news which had come to Miss Pomeroy. It was eight o’clock—past Polly’s bed-time—but she was so anxious to finish the wonderful story of the Snow Queen that Miss Hetty had offered to read the last pages aloud. She had reached the end only a moment before Hiram brought the mail.

“Bobby—my little nephew—is coming here to spend Sunday on his way to see another aunt, his mother’s sister,” said Miss Pomeroy, looking up from her letter to Polly, who stood waiting to say good-night. “I’m very glad, Mary, for I am sure you two children will enjoy each other, you are both so quiet and fond of books. Perhaps we can persuade Bobby to make us a longer visit on the way home.”

That night and the next morning Polly stretched in Ebenezer’s fashion until her little arms and legs ached. She made up her mind that she would lose no opportunity for the next three days of performing this gymnastic exercise or of hurrying on her growing likeness to Eleanor in other ways.

She sat for hours with Miss Pomeroy, sewing patchwork and listening to stories of the old curiosities in the Indian cabinet that stood in the parlor. They were interesting stories, but the room was kept very warm because of Miss Hetty’s rheumatism which was troublesome just then, and Polly’s head grew hot and tired as she sat quietly in the little chair at Miss Pomeroy’s side. She ate as much as she possibly could at every meal, and she did not speak of going out to walk in the afternoons after her hour on the bed.

“I shall be glad when I get over this stiffness, so we may have our walks together again,” said Miss Pomeroy, when Friday night came. “I’m afraid if it were not for me, Mary, you would not have enough outdoor air. But I am glad you are so contented in the house, for it is very pleasant to have a little companion while I am obliged to keep still so much of the time.”

Polly smiled affectionately at her, but the little girl’s heart was heavy. She was listless in her movements except when under some one’s eye, and felt a strange indifference to the things which had always delighted her.

“I guess I’m getting just exactly like Eleanor in some ways,” she said to herself many times a day. “The brook calls and calls me just the way it did at first, but my legs feel so queer and my head is so funny. I don’t seem to care so much about paddling in the water now. Miss Arctura says it is too cold in the woods yet, anyway. She says her brother John’s wife caught her death once, neglecting to use her judgment when a cold spell came in April. Oh, dear. [Pg 261] I wish Bobby had been here and gone away! S’posing he doesn’t ’prove of me. Wouldn’t that be dreadful!”

Hiram was Polly’s stay and comfort in this trying time. Arctura—the truth must be told—had suffered more or less from a grumbling toothache ever since her afternoon in the woods. Arctura objected to going to the dentist “on principle,” she said, though Miss Pomeroy had never been able to understand just what she meant by that. Hiram was the only person who ventured to brook the subject to his sister, and his advice was sharply scorned.

“Don’t you think you’d ought to have that tooth pulled, ’Tura?” Hiram had mildly asked as he washed his hands at the noon hour on Thursday, and Miss Green had turned upon him with swift contempt.

“Better have my legs removed next time they get a mite overtired and ache a little, hadn’t I?” she said, severely. “Go and have all your own teeth out whenever you want, but just leave mine alone, if you please!”

Polly had overheard this dialogue as she entered the kitchen on an errand, and she could hardly believe her ears.

“But, ’Tura’ll be all right soon as the weather warms up again,” Hiram had explained to Polly in the barn at milking-time. “She ain’t been quite herself the last day or two; toothache appears to upset her more than anything else in this world. I saw her grinding her jaws together yesterday morning, and I knew ’twas that old left-hand wisdom of hers at it again. She’s got a roasted raisin in it now, I know by the way she mumbled at me when I went in for the milk-pail, but I dursn’t refer to it. We’ll just step kind of easy for the next twenty-four hours and it’ll be all clear weather again. She hasn’t got any real malice in her, ’Tura hasn’t.”

“I think she’s just as kind as she can be,” said Polly, warmly. But it was a sober little face at which Hiram smiled broadly down when he arose from the milking stool.

“You stay here while I take this in,” he said, cheerily, “and I’ll fetch out a lantern so we can run through ‘On Linden’ far as we’ve gone. You said old Marm Hackett was with Miss Hetty, I believe?”

“Yes,” said Polly, “and she told me to run out for a while as she had something to lay before Miss Pomeroy. Do you think she’s a very pleasant old lady, Mr. Hiram?”

“Well, now, let’s see if I’ve ever heard anybody speak of her that way,” said Hiram, cautiously. “I guess I’d better consider it while I’m carrying off the milk.”

Polly knew that his opinion agreed with hers, and she gave a little laugh as he swung out of the barn with the pail of milk. When he returned with the lantern she was standing in the middle of the barn floor and made a sweeping courtesy to him as he entered.

“That’s good,” said Hiram, setting down the lantern and seating himself on the lowest stair of the flight that led up to the loft. “That’s first-rate. How would it be if you should make two of ’em—one to the left and one to the right? In case folks were seated promiscuous—that is here and there,” explained Hiram, “it would be fair to all parties. That’s it—that’s the way to do it!” and he clapped his hands as Polly greeted an imaginary audience. “Nobody’s going to feel left out with that beginning. Now for it.”

“Ladies and gentlemen,” said Polly, with a wide sweep of her arms, “the piece that I am about to speak to you is ‘Hohenlinden,’ by Mr. Thomas Campbell.”

“Little louder, if you please,” said Hiram, in a disguised voice, “there’s a couple of old ladies at the rear that don’t want to miss a word.”

said Polly, in a clear, loud voice—and as she spoke, she stooped and indicated the position of the sun with her right hand—

The rapidity of Iser’s flow was shown by Polly’s two little arms, which swung back and forth from her shoulders as fast as she could possibly move them.

[Pg 262]

“That’s prime!” said Hiram, approvingly. “Seems as if I could see old Iser right before me. Now, the next verse.”

said Polly, flushed with pleasure, shielding her eyes with her hand and gazing anxiously about the barn.

“First-rate!” cried her instructor. “I tell you, little Mary, you’ve got the real spirit for reciting! Now that gesture had never come into my mind, and yet there ’tis, fitting in complete. I make no doubt Linden folks were out looking just that way, bound to see, yet scared of what would meet ’em. Now for the drums!”

said Polly, valiantly belaboring her right palm with the clenched fingers of her left hand.

“There’s not a bit of fault to be found with that,” said Hiram, as he received the lantern from the hands of his pupil, who had seized it and swung it wildly about when the “fires of death” were lighting. “Of course, the lantern will be behind you the night of the entertainment, ready for use.”

“Of course,” said Polly. “Now comes the best verse of all, I think, Mr. Hiram:

I shall have a candle and the tin horn that night, you know—

Uncle Blodgett’s gift was drawn with a fierce flourish—

The verse ended with an indescribable sound, and Hiram drew his hand across his mouth before he spoke in answer to Polly’s questioning eyes.

“I call that a pretty fair neigh,” he said, encouragingly. “I don’t know as I’d go so far as to say ’twould deceive anybody into thinking there was a horse right on the spot, but it’s improving in its quality all the time, I notice.”

“I’m so glad,” said Polly, “because, you see, I can’t make the roars and other noises for the ‘dreadful revelry’ the way you can, and I wanted to do something.”

The next two verses finished Polly’s recitation for that evening. Hiram had promised to assist with “the hills with thunder riven” and the “red artillery.” The thunder was to be made with a pair of wooden dumb-bells, and the “red artillery” was a little old lantern with a red glass front which would dart about Polly’s figure in Mr. Green’s hand.

“That was an extra good rehearsal,” said he, as the little girl sat down beside him on the stairs. “Now, we’ll learn the next verse, shall we, and call it we’ve finished for the night?”

When the next lines, with their “furious Frank and fiery Hun,” were pronounced perfect, Polly begged for a story.

“Just a little bit of a short one, Mr. Hiram, before I go to bed,” she said, coaxingly, “and I don’t care whether it is true or not.”

“That being the case,” said Hiram, soberly, as they sat close together with the lantern at their feet, “I’ll relate a little circumstance that a man once told me. It’ll give you something to think about, but I shouldn’t want to say how true ’tis, for it seems a mite improbable. This man said that a friend of his out West somewhere had always had trouble with the chimney in his parlor—I would say with the draught of it up from the fireplace. He had it tinkered off an’ on for years, and finally he decided he’d have the old contraption torn down and a bran’ new chimney put up.

“Someway the mason made a mistake and got the new chimney on wrong side up, and the draught was a powerful one, and, first they know, rain, hail, snow, and what-all were drawed right down into the room, making dreadful work.

“They sent for the mason, of course, and he took the chimney down and put it on again right side up, and then the draught [Pg 263] was so powerful that it drawed a braided rug and a pair o’ tongs and a three-legged stool and a number of other articles right up the chimney.

“Then they saw something had got to be done, so they put a poultice—a flour poultice, I understood him to say—on the jamb of the fireplace, and that drawed down so it balanced and counteracted the draught, and after that the chimney gave perfect satisfaction.”

Polly had stared at the narrator when he began the story, but as he progressed she covered her mouth with both hands for fear she should laugh out and interrupt him.

“Mr. Hiram,” she cried, as the storyteller rose, chuckling, and began to close the barn for the night, “next to Mr. Hans Christian Andersen’s I would rather hear your make-believe circumstances than anybody’s that ever I heard!”

“Compliment number two,” said Hiram, as they stepped out of the barn, side by side. “You’d better be looking sharp or you’ll have me all stuffed out with pride before you know it, young lady.”

CHAPTER XVIII
A DREADED VISITOR

Nobody but the kittens knew that Polly dreaded the coming of Eleanor’s twin. She told them all about it Saturday morning as they sat in her lap, cuddled up into a warm heap under the gray shawl that Arctura had wrapped about her.

Arctura’s tooth had not quite stopped its grumbling and she had firmly declined Polly’s aid in the kitchen that morning.

“I’ve got some bothersome cooking to do,” said Arctura, without the smile which might let in a draft of air on the convalescent jaw, “and I’d best be alone, for my nerves are sort of jumpy along with a pain I’ve been enduring in my head without speaking of it, for some days. The air’s mild enough for you to sit out on the piazza and watch for Miss Hetty and Bobby, if I wrap you up well. It’s getting ready to rain again to-morrow, and then I have hopes of some fair, warm weather when it clears off finally.”

Miss Pomeroy’s rheumatism was much less troublesome than it had been for some days, and Hiram had helped her into the low basket phaeton an hour before.

“I expect she’s ’most home now,” said Polly to the kittens, with a little shiver, “and she’s bringing that boy—that Bobby—home with her. He’s going to stay till Monday morning. You needn’t be frightened, Snip and Snap, for he’s a boy that just likes to read; he wouldn’t do the things to kitties that the Higgins boys do—things with strings and spools, till the teacher stopped them. And, anyway, you’ve got lots of places to hide, where nobody could get you. But I can’t hide. I’m obliged to be right out where he can see me, and tell whether I’m like his sister Eleanor that died, and maybe change Miss Pomeroy’s mind after all, and lose Grandma Manser her ear-trumpet, and the money for the leaks and shingles and everything!”

Polly buried her face in the old shawl for a minute, and then sat up straight with a little gasp.

“I hear the phaeton!” she whispered, squeezing the kittens in her excitement. “I hear it coming over the bridge—fast!”

Snip and Snap objected to squeezing. They struggled under the shawl and dashed out over Polly’s knees, clutching wildly at the fringe. They looked up at her cannily with arched backs, and then scurried off toward the barn.

As the phaeton came around the curve of the driveway, Polly stood up, clasping her hands under the old shawl. She heard Arctura bustling out of the kitchen to the porch, and moved slowly along to stand beside her. In a moment more she found herself solemnly shaking hands with a boy who had jumped into the phaeton and then politely helped Miss Pomeroy out.

“This is my nephew Bobby,” Miss Hetty was saying. “And this is little Mary Prentiss.”

“I am very pleased to make your acquaintance,” said Polly, lifting her brown [Pg 264] eyes to meet a pair of very large blue ones which gazed at her through spectacles.

“How d’you do?” said the boy, pleasantly. “Haven’t you got about through with my hand?”

He laughed as he said it, and so did Polly, but when the hand-shaking stopped they stood looking at each other awkwardly until Arctura broke the ice.

“You two children step out to the dining-room, while Miss Hetty goes and rests after her ride,” said Arctura, cordially. “I’ve set a tray with two tumblers of milk and some crullers on the buffet, and you can stand up and eat on to it, so’s not to scatter the crumbs. I never saw the time a boy wasn’t ready to eat, and Mary here’s got a most excellent appetite of her own. Dinner won’t be ready for nearly two hours yet.”

“Thank you,” cried Bobby. “You’re a trump!”

“Seems to me you’ve thickened up a little since last time,” said Miss Green, cautiously guarding the entrance to the cavern wherein dwelt her wisdom tooth, as she acknowledged this commendation. “I suppose you’ll drop into the kitchen along in the afternoon while Miss Hetty and Mary are taking their naps? I don’t see my way clear to sitting down at dinner for a talk with you, for I’ve been having a little neuralgy and the air in the dining-room seems kind of chilly after the kitchen.”

“Do you take a nap every day?” asked Bobby, curiously, as he and Polly drank their milk and ate the crisp crullers. “I s’pose girls like to do that kind of thing, but I’d rather read all night than waste time sleeping in the daylight. I’ve never known any girl very well except my sister. I’m afraid of them, they’re so queer.”

“Oh, they’re not half so queer as boys, I’m sure!” asserted Polly, with much decision. “I guess if you knew the Higgins boys that I’ve been to school with, you’d say so. I never could get those boys to play house with me once! They said it wasn’t any fun.”

“Well, ’tisn’t, you know,” said Bobby, without a moment’s hesitation. “Of course, nothing happens when you play house, no adventures—no accidents—no anything.”

“No accidents!” echoed Polly, in amazement. “I should think it was a pretty dreadful accident to invite four dollies to tea (cut out of a newspaper, they were, beautiful ones, Uncle Blodgett did them for me), and find you had burned up every biscuit to a crisp while you were setting the table. I mean they had burned themselves up! Don’t you like to play any make-believes?”

“Yes, I like some,” admitted the boy, frankly, “but you wouldn’t like my kind, and I call yours pretty slow.”

“What kind of make-believes do you like best?” asked Polly, as she and the dreaded guest sat together in the library at dusk. Miss Pomeroy was entertaining Marm Hackett in the parlor, much to the old woman’s rage, she having desired a talk with the newcomer, for whom she had prepared a list of searching questions.

“I like the kind of make-believes that are in books,” said the boy, staring into the fire. He sat on the hearth-rug with his legs crossed in a position of tantalizing comfort. Polly sat in a straight-backed chair and viewed him with envy. She would have liked so much to be beside him on the rug with her hands clasped over her knees and her chin resting on them. And he had not felt obliged to take any nap. She had heard him talking to Arctura while she lay on that hot bed.

“‘Treasure Island’ is a mighty good make-believe,” remarked Bobby, after a short silence. “I shouldn’t have had any objections to living that story right along.”

“I’ve never read it,” said Polly, with a little sigh. “I’ve never read much of anything till now. Is ‘Treasure Island’ as beautiful as the ‘Snow Queen’?” she asked, doubtfully. “It doesn’t seem as if it could be.”

“Beautiful isn’t the word for it,” said Bobby, turning his spectacled eyes toward her for a moment. “It’s wild, and murderous in places, and it carries you along with it. So does ‘Kidnapped.’ That’s what you want of a book. I never can make up my mind whether I’d rather have been David Balfour or Napoleon. If I had my choice, I believe I’d have to draw lots.”

[Pg 265]

“There are places in the woods where Miss Arctura and I went one day that would be splendid for make-believes, I should think,” ventured Polly, anxious to please this remarkable boy. “There are rocks that you could hide behind and jump out at me. I shouldn’t be a bit afraid—truly, I shouldn’t!”

“We’ll see,” said Bobby, “only to-morrow’s Sunday, you know, and, of course, we have to go to church—and, anyway, I couldn’t be as fierce about it as if you were a boy. I couldn’t knock a girl over, or pitch into her and wrest her sword from her grasp. That’s where the fun comes in.”

“I thought they said you didn’t care much about play,” said Polly, much surprised.

“I don’t care for ball, or marbles, or any of those things,” said Bobby, scornfully. “I’d rather read, any day. But there’s a fellow at home, George Rogers—just twelve, my age, you know—and he and I play a robber band piece that we’ve made out of different books. I can tell you it’s worth seeing. Only, I suppose, ’twould scare a girl blue.”

“It would not scare me blue.” said Polly, shaking her curls. “I should like it!”

“Eleanor never minded it,” said the boy, softly, to himself, but Polly heard him, and her heart beat high with hope as he took off his spectacles, rubbed them for a minute with a big, white handkerchief, and then adjusted them carefully to his nose, as Uncle Blodgett always did when preparing to read the newspaper.

“Perhaps he’ll think I’m something like Eleanor, after all,” said Polly in her heart. She hesitated for a moment and then leaned over until her head was almost against the boy’s shoulder, as he sat gazing into the fire.

“Do you like ‘Mary’ for a name?” she asked, scarcely breathing the words.

“Why, yes, I don’t know but I do,” said the boy, turning to face her. “But what are you whispering for? I can tell you what I don’t like—I despise ‘Bobby’ for a name! It’s just like baby talk—but I’m afraid of hurting Aunt Hetty’s feelings if I say anything about it. Next time she comes over to our house, I’m going to get grandfather just to suggest to her that it’s time to give up nicknames when a boy’s all but in his teens. He can do it all right. Maybe she’ll bring you over. I’d like to show you George Rogers, and we could do our act for you.”

“Perhaps I shall be in school then,” said Polly, feeling highly honored by this invitation, “there are only two weeks more vacation.”

“You’re not going to school next term,” said Bobby. “I know, for Aunt Hetty told me. She wants to get you more ‘chippered up,’ Arctura says. Isn’t Arctura an old dear? Did she ever tell you what the children used to sing about her nose when she was a young one? It’s funny, and she says she never minded, but I’d have soon stopped them if I’d been there.”

“She never told me,” said Polly, with a glance of admiration at the boy who spoke so valiantly while he looked so mild, “I’d like to hear it.”

“Her nose is pretty prominent, of course,” said the heir of the Pomeroys, reluctantly, “and she says it got its growth before the rest of her. And when they’d see her coming they’d sing out:

“How mean!” cried Polly, indignantly.

“That’s what I say, but she laughed like everything when she told me about it,” said the boy. “She says her voice was hoarse and queer because she was always having coughs and colds. She seemed to think it was a good joke.”

“That’s because she’s so good-natured,” said little Polly.

“I say, let’s act a charade to-night and make Aunt Hetty guess it.” said the boy, after staring at the old andirons in silence for a few minutes. “I know a fine one that I’ve just thought up, and I’ll tell you how [Pg 266] to do your part. George Rogers and I are always making them up, and then our families try to guess them.”

Polly assented with mingled joy and fear. Bobby pressed Arctura into his service to collect materials for this impromptu entertainment, and at seven o’clock Miss Pomeroy sat in the library, waiting for the first syllable. The door that led into the little porch hall was open, and Arctura and Hiram were seated side by side just over the threshold of the dining-room.

“I don’t want to sit in the library along with your aunt, for it gets het up so with that fire,” Miss Green had explained to the actors. “Hiram and I will sit outside where we can see all, and yet keep comfortable.”

The children had exchanged a glance of perfect understanding and some amusement, but loyalty to the faithful Arctura kept them silent.

A moment after the tall clock had given its seven silvery strokes, the door into the front hall burst open and in rushed a strange figure. He was wrapped in a blanket with a bright red border, tied about the waist with a blue and green plaid shawl. In this belt were two carving knives and a hammer. A feather duster waved above the boy’s head, its handle imparting a peculiar stiffness to the action of his neck. A brown calico mask was drawn over his face. In each hand was an old hatchet.

“Never you fear, Miss Hetty,” came Arctura’s voice from the porch hall, as this extraordinary figure began to caper about the room, uttering discordant yells and brandishing the hatchets, “there isn’t a weapon in his outfit that would cut a string. Mercy on us, keep away from me!” she shrieked, as the calico mask turned in her direction.

Presently Polly appeared with a little basket on her arm, walking along with eyes cast down. There was a wild whoop from the figure in the blanket, a shrill cry from Polly, and the two rushed from the room, leaving the audience to reflect upon what they had seen.

“Looked like murder to me,” said Hiram, chuckling, “but I suppose that ain’t the answer.” Just then Bobby stuck his head in the door.

“We think it’s only fair to you,” he said, bowing to his aunt, and casting a glance beyond her into the darkness where sat the Greens, “to tell you that there were three syllables to the first act—there’ll be two to this next one—and one to the last.”

“Three syllables—that settles it—murder’s only got two,” remarked Hiram, solemnly. “Well, I’ve guessed wrong the first time. Got any light on it, Miss Hetty?”

“I’m not sure, of course, Hiram,” said Miss Pomeroy, with a laugh, “but I have the glimmer of an idea.”

Hiram’s chuckle ended abruptly as the door opened to admit Polly, bearing a slate, on which was drawn an irregular-shaped object, from the top of which a long line curved off to one edge of the slate.

“I call that a pin-quishion,” said Hiram, meditatively, “or else a balloon. I don’t know which. It’s first-rate for either one.”

“It isn’t,” said Polly; then she blushed, shook her head, and ran out of the room, to be received by her partner in the hall with a good deal of reproach.

“I seem to be sinking in deeper every time,” said Hiram, in a loud voice, intended to reach the other hall. “Murder—quishion is the nearest I’ve come.”

“In this next scene you’ve got to pretend you’re all English,” said the boy, pausing on the threshold before he and Polly entered, “for that’s the only way we can make it come out right.”

“Pretty short notice for a man that’s never been thirty miles from home,” said Mr. Green, in a melancholy tone.

The actors paid no heed to him. Polly put her little right hand to her ear and assumed a listening attitude, while the boy fell prone upon his stomach, and, raising his head, began to squirm over the floor, making a strange sound suggestive of tightly-shut teeth and breath drawn in and let out with all possible force. At last he [Pg 267] squirmed out of the door, followed by the listening Polly.

There was a sound of animated dialogue in the hall, and then just as Hiram had made the doleful announcement that all was lost as far as his guessing was concerned, in came the boy and girl, hand in hand.

“We can’t do the whole word,” announced Bobby, “for we’ve decided we don’t either of us draw well enough. But all I can say is, it’s on the map. Now, have you guessed? You have, Aunt Hetty, I know you have!”

“I’m not at all certain,” said Miss Pomeroy, cautiously. “Could it be—Indianapolis?”

“I knew you’d guess,” said the boy, delightedly. “Wasn’t it pretty good? Indian—apple—’iss. ’Twas her idea, thinking of dropping the h off hiss, because her Uncle Blodgett told her once that was the way English people talked.” He looked with appreciation at Polly, as he gave her this generous tribute. “Wasn’t it bright of her?”

“I move we clap the whole company,” said Hiram—and the entertainment closed in a burst of applause, while the two actors made their very best bows to the audience.

[TO BE CONTINUED]

“GOOD BY”

SPEEDING THE UNFORTUNATE WHOSE SCHOOL OPENS FIRST

By J. ALLISON ATWOOD

WHY BIRDS MIGRATE

There are very few people who really know why birds migrate—that is, fly south in the fall, and then return to us in the springtime. Some say that they cannot stand the cold, and so escape it by going south where it is warm all winter. Others believe that at the end of summer the birds have eaten all their food, so they have to go to some locality where the insects and other dainties have not all been devoured. Both of these explanations seem reasonable until one has learned the real cause.

A great many years ago, hundreds and hundreds in fact, birds stayed all year round in the same place they had built their nests, and, no doubt, they would do so now if they had their choice. But as it is, they no sooner feel the first breath of winter than they hurry away as if pursued by some enemy. And that they have some reason to fear, I’m sure you will agree when you have heard it.

It was a very cold winter. Most of the birds had to move out of their summer homes. Brown-thrasher and Song-sparrow had been forced to give up their thickets, all the undergrowth being dead. Thereupon the former grumbled much because Flicker was so well sheltered from the cold. In the summer time, Thrasher had been among the first to make fun of the carpenter for building such a peculiar house, but now he looked longingly at him as he disappeared within the comfortable-looking hollow limb. Kingfisher, too, was regarded with more respect as he took shelter in the long tunnel which he had made during the previous summer. But as for those most unfortunate birds who had built on the ground, as Bobolink and Meadowlark, they, indeed, were very much put out, for their houses were entirely covered with snow. Still, it is very probable that everyone would have stayed north all winter had not something far more dreadful occurred.

On the evening of the winter’s heaviest storm, the birds had all gathered under an evergreen to sleep. Among them were Flicker and Kingfisher, for they, much to Thrasher’s delight, had been driven from their homes on the day before by those improvident fellows, Squirrel and Muskrat, who thus obtained houses far better than any they could have built for themselves. The wind was whistling frightfully, and each one had his head tucked under his wing for warmth. Suddenly Bobolink stood upright and peered out anxiously into the darkness. His keen ear had caught some other sound than the harsh wind and spluttering snow. In an instant Bobolink was alert. Then he saw something that, even cold as he was, made him shiver. Before him, gliding on noiseless wing, was a gigantic white object. Its large yellow eyes gleamed terribly in the dark, and Bobolink was all but paralyzed with fear. Then, in desperation, he called out loud enough to wake his neighbors. They, too, saw the dim white form and scattered like leaves before the wind, just as the huge monster swooped down among them. Barn-swallow, in his haste to get away, caught his tail on a twig and made a great tear right in the middle of it. So badly was it torn that the feathers have never grown in properly, as we can see even to this day. But he was too frightened then even to know it.

For hours afterwards the terrified birds hid as best they might in the dark woods. [Pg 269] Then, when at length, he thought the danger past, Bobolink gave a chirp, as if to let his whereabouts be known. After a time the other folks answered his call, and in this way they soon collected, every one of them still trembling with fear. Then, although it was midnight, they prepared to flee. So dark was it that there would have been great danger of getting lost had not Bobolink suggested that they keep up chirping as they flew, and in this way be able to hold together.

In such a manner and at such a time the birds made their first journey south. When once they reached the warmer lands they scattered, for they had learned that to remain in flocks was dangerous. But what was more important, they had learned that they could migrate at night, and that it was the safest way, as then they could not be seen by their enemies.

Hear them chirp as they fly overhead some night in the spring or fall. That was Bobolink’s idea, and it was a good one, too. It keeps them from separating in the darkness.

None of the Woodfolk ever learned who the white stranger was. Some thought him a ghost or spirit, but all of them fear even the thought of him. No wonder they have never since dared to stay north during the winter. Of course, the larger ones, like Hawk or Crow, do not always leave, for they are not afraid of the stranger. But all of those who first saw him on that dreadful night have always migrated. Indeed, poor Bobolink is still so fearful of the “white spirit” that he never feels safe until he has flown all the way to South America.

But how do they know when the stranger is coming? Ah! that is what has puzzled so many of us. Have you ever noticed in the winter the little slate-colored fellow with a white breast, who comes to us just before the snow season? It is Snowbird, of course. He, too, lives in the north, but not so far away as the white enemy. At the first sign of danger he hastens south to warn his friends. Then, remaining between the Woodfolk and the enemy, he keeps a close watch all winter. There can be little danger to the birds as long as Snowbird is there to warn them. But how cold it must be for him? Indeed, some folks say that is what has made his bill and feet so pink just as our hands and noses grow red from the cold. But he is courageous. He stands guard between his friends and the terrible white danger, even during the heaviest snows. So you see that it was not without reason that folks gave him the name, “Snowbird.” Few of the birds would brave the cold as he does.

But when spring comes! How eager they all are to get back, for they know now that the enemy has fled to the far north. It is a race to see which of the Woodfolk will be the first to reach his northern home. Occasionally they arrive too early, Blackbird, Robin, and Bluebird first, of course, and then a warning from Snowbird sends them scurrying south again. The thought of the white spectre still terrifies them.

But this does not often happen, and for the most part when we hear them exulting on their arrival we know that they are here to stay. Just listen how Blackbird chuckles as he passes over our heads, for he knows that he will be the first to get home. Kentucky-warbler is a very slow flyer, yet he dreads to be the last. His mind is always on his favorite feeding-place, and he fears that Blackbird will find it. That is why he calls after him, “Greedy! greedy! greedy!”

And the white spirit? Oh, yes! That is only Snowy Owl. He lives in the far north and comes down to us only in the very cold weather, when snow covers the ground. When we see the great white fellow with his large yellow eyes, we can hardly wonder why the Woodfolk were so frightened. But the truth of it is that Snowy Owl, unless very hungry, would not harm the birds at all, for he lives mostly upon the small four-footed animals. What a pity it is that our birds leave us in the winter, some of them to go all the way to South America, just because of a superstitious fear for an arctic visitor who would not harm them if he could! If we could only explain to them, what a blessing it would be to both of us!

[Pg 270]

WITH THE EDITOR

As we look forward to the opening of school it is with feelings of a mixed nature. There is undoubtedly among some of us a lack of that ardor with which we hailed vacation. Nevertheless, none of us can fail to anticipate gladly the greeting of old friends and the return to that life which, though routine in its nature, will, in after years, be regarded as the brightest period of our existence.

In school, as in any other path of life, we can only get the most out by putting the most into it. The amount we accomplish, therefore, is determined in a great way by our powers of application. The boy or girl who can bring to bear his whole mind upon his lesson is bound to accomplish more than one who devotes a much longer period of time to broken study. Our great desire, then, if we wish to make the most of our school life, is to concentrate.

But this power of application is not only the secret of success in the school-room. Anyone who has cultivated it has taken an important step in their life, whether it be dedicated to study, business, or profession.

We are often brought into contact with persons not otherwise gifted, who continually surprise us by the amount they accomplish. Could we but make a study of them we would see that the greatest part of their ability lies in this same power of concentration. On whatever they undertake they put their whole mind. What appears to be a wonderful versatility is merely the ability to do one thing at a time, and to do it well.

Even in athletics, where success often comes to those who are apparently not making the most of themselves otherwise, it is this same power which excels. Should many of the young folks who have become proficient in athletics at the expense of their studies, concentrate upon their lessons as closely as they do upon their exercise, they would have become intellectual leaders as well.

Now, as the new period of our school life approaches, let us meet it with a full realization of its value to us. Then only will we be able to reap its full benefit. The secret of accomplishing the most and making the best of our time is by concentrating upon our task. Whether it be our lessons, our work, or our play, we can succeed only by bringing to bear upon it our whole mind and strength. Then, too, it is only when we have made our school days days of accomplishment that we can derive the fullest enjoyment from our vacation.

The Coronation

The coronation ceremonies of King Edward, postponed from June last and threatened with frustration, took place on August 9th in Westminster Abbey. Here were assembled no less than 7,000 people, including the nobility and clergy, together with foreign princes, ambassadors, and rulers from various quarters of the globe. Among them were nearly 100 Americans, all more or less prominent.

In the midst of such an assembly the climax of the event came when the venerable Archbishop of Canterbury placed the jeweled crown upon the king’s head.

Thereupon the electric lights throughout the Abbey sprang into brilliant existence, illumining the magnificent apparel and glittering jewels of both participant and spectator, and giving an effect of splendor which, according to one who beheld it, has never been equaled.

While on this side we are all too much interested in our own country to join in the chorus of “God Save the King” with any great enthusiasm, we can, nevertheless, wish King Edward VII a long and successful reign.

The Great Rifle

What is, without doubt, the most formidable gun ever constructed is the one recently built at the Watervliet Arsenal for the defence of New York harbor. While its calibre is but 16 inches, smaller than many guns already in use, its range is 21 miles, or half again more powerful than its nearest rival.

The length of the new gun is 49 feet 2 inches and its weight 126 tons. It throws a projectile whose length is 5 feet 4 inches.

The cost of firing a single shot is $1,000.

Eighteen other such guns are to be constructed and placed at such vital points along our coast as New York, San Francisco, Boston, and Hampton Roads.

There is something about these large rifles which appeals to and fascinates nearly every one of us. We all wish to see the series completed and distributed. But, further than that, let us hope that such terrible engines of destruction will never be turned upon a human foe.

The Seven-masted Schooner

Almost simultaneously with the completion of the great rifle at the New York arsenal, came the launching of the “Thomas W. Lawson,” the first seven-masted schooner ever built.

Differing from our usual idea of a sailboat, the new ship is constructed almost entirely of steel. So manageable are the six powerful steam engines which control the sails, spars, anchors, and rudder, that this, the largest sailing vessel afloat, requires a crew of but sixteen men.

The length of the “Lawson” is 403 feet, and she carries a cargo of 8,100 tons.

There is a system of electric lights and telephones throughout, while the cabins are heated by steam.

The “Lawson” will be used at first as a collier on the Atlantic coast, where her owners expect she will make a great profit.

It is to this application of steam and electricity to sailboats that we may look for strides in that science, which has probably advanced less than any other in the past two thousand years—the science of sailing.

Preservation of the “Buffalo”

The Secretary of the Interior has announced plans for the perpetuation of the American bison or “buffalo.” For this purpose he has secured an appropriation of $15,000 to build a wire corral at Yellowstone Park. Here the bison, both wild and tame, will be protected in every way. At present there are but twenty-two bison in the park, but this number will be greatly increased by purchase in the near future.

A numerical estimate of the pure-blooded bison now in existence gives, in the United States, 968, mostly tame, and in Canada, 600, all of which are wild.

There is no place where the old adage, “Put not off until to-morrow,” can be better applied than in the protection of our wild animals. If the American bison is to be preserved, it must be to-day.

Fire Damp

Fire damp and carelessness, perhaps, upon the part of one of the miners were responsible for the terrible disaster which again brought Johnstown, Pa., into prominence. Over a hundred lives were lost in the perilous “Klondike dip.”

Although it always seems a little heartless to point to any good resulting from such a catastrophe, it is probable that it will lead to a more careful inspection of our mines and greater precaution against that terrible explosive, fire damp.

[Pg 272]

·OUT·OF·DOORS·

The tennis doubles of the Round Robin Tournament at Westchester drew forth most of the country’s best players.

The hottest contest was between the champions, Ward and Davis, and Whitman and Ware, which, after four sets, resulted in a draw with the score 2 all.

The Wrenn brothers then took to the court, and after playing Ward and Davis in a set which ran as high as 10 all, finally defeated them.

At the end of the tournament the standing was: Wrenn brothers won 4, lost 0; Whitman and Ware won 3, lost 1; Ward and Davis won 2, lost 2; Little and Alexander won 1, lost 3: Clothier and Ogden won 0, lost 4.

In the Henley meet, in England, the race for the Diamond Sculls was the most interesting event to the Americans in spite of the fact that it resulted in a defeat for our candidate, C. S. Titus.

After winning from Scholes, the Canadian, and Fields, one of the English oarsmen, Titus was defeated by Kelley, although the time made in the last race was 20 seconds slower than that of the one in which Titus defeated Scholes.

The all-around championship in athletics was decided this year at Celtic Park, Long Island. Gunn, of the Buffalo Y. M. C. A., in winning first place, showed great improvement over his last year’s form. Second to him in the number of points won was Merrill, of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, while the third place fell to Prinstein, the great jumper and hurdler.

Golf players of this country were somewhat surprised at the result of the National Golf Tournament at Glenview, Chicago.

The two-year national champion, Walter J. Travis, was defeated by E. M. Byers, of Pittsburg, the former Yale individual champion. Later, however, Byers, himself, was defeated by L. N. James, of Chicago.

In spite of the fact that England will not try for America’s cup this year, the yachting world is more active than usual. In the race of the New York Yacht Club for seventy-footers, Cornelius Vanderbilt’s “Rainbow” showed her superiority over August Belmont’s “Mineola,” winning by one minute and ten seconds.

The German Imperial Yacht Race, too, aroused much interest among the Americans, because of the fact that the boats finishing second and third, the “Meteor” and “Navahoe,” were both built in this country.

[Pg 273]

THE OLD TRUNK

Answers to August Puzzles

1.

2.
Eagle, heron.
Kite, wren.
Sparrow, redbird.
Lark, robin.
Rhea, thrush.
Hawk, loon.

3. Washington, Lincoln.

4.

5. THE ESCAPE

“Kamby says Edith is worse. You asked me to write if she began to fail, and I am complying with your request. So, if the Union of the North can spare you, come. Do not delay, for Edith is very ill. Remember, she is waiting for you.

Capital letters spell: “Key is under mat.”

The first five perfect solutions were received from

• Charlotte Copp.
• Mary Folsom Pierce.
• Warren Raymond.
• Flavius Lentz.
• Alice Burr.

ENIGMA

I am composed of ten letters.

My 8-2-3 is a vehicle.

My 9-4-7 is a meadow.

My 5-10-6-1 is a money compensation.

My whole is a place of Divine worship known in ancient and modern times.

—Martha E. Evans.

DIAMOND

SOME LARGE NATIONS

1. A scheming nation.
2. A surprising nation.
3. A fanciful nation.
4. A nation that goes no farther.
5. A nation that ends.
6. A reflective nation.
7. A nation that ordains.
8. A nation that foretells.
9. A nation that personifies.
10. A most destructive nation.
11. A nation that names.
12. A nation that specifies.
13. A nation that kills.
14. A nation that crowns.
15. A nation that points out.
16. A nation that grows.
17. A mistaken nation.
18. A reproachful nation.
19. A nation that wanders.

—Margaret P. Boyle.

HIDDEN ORCHESTRA

—Julia E—.

[Pg 274]

IN-DOORS

PARLOR MAGIC

By Ellis Stanyon

Disappearing Handkerchief.—Obtain a small red silk handkerchief, also a loose piece of silk of the same color, about one and a half inches square. Keep this piece at the corner of the handkerchief between both hands until you have succeeded in getting it into small compass, taking care that the small piece is at the top. Retain the handkerchief in the right hand, and with the left hand pull up the right sleeve. Now, with the right hand pull up the left sleeve, but leave the handkerchief in the bend of the left arm, where it will be hidden by the folds of the sleeve, taking care, however, that the small piece of red silk protrudes from the closed right hand, deluding the spectators into the belief that the handkerchief is still in your hand—for do they not see the corner of it? Now, rub the hands together and roll the piece into a small pellet, and palm it between the bend of the thumb and first finger. Slap your hands together, and show both sides. Care must be taken not to spread the thumb and fingers too much while showing the hands, as this would reveal the piece of red silk. This showing of hands should be studied before a mirror, as it is upon the apparent naturalness of pose that many such tricks depend. Afterwards, while turning to the table, the real handkerchief can be palmed or got rid of, whichever may be necessary to the performer’s version of the trick. This is the most effective illusion, and will deceive even the conjurors.

Fig. 13.

Another clever disappearing trick with a handkerchief is the following:—Take a piece of flesh-colored thread, and place it about the right hand, in the manner depicted in the illustration (Fig. 13). The dotted lines represent the thread on the outside of the hand. With this simple device a handkerchief can be apparently placed in the left hand, when in reality it is stuck between the loop in the right hand. Vanish a handkerchief in above manner from the left hand, and by grabbing the air with your right hand you reproduce the handkerchief.

YOUTH

An Illustrated Monthly Journal for Boys and Girls

Edited by HERBERT LEONARD COGGINS

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GREETING

As the end of vacation draws near, Youth wishes to assure its friends that it is in the best of health, both physically and mentally. The long summer, usually so trying to periodicals, has in no way fatigued its energies. On the contrary, it has strengthened them. Each day we have been making many new friends, more even than we had anticipated, so that now, encouraged by this generous support, we meet the coming season with a new vigor.

A NEW FEATURE

Beginning with this issue, Mr. Allen Biddle will contribute to Youth a series of short articles on “Quaint Philadelphia.” As Mr. Biddle has made a specialty of juvenile writing, and is also well versed in Philadelphia’s early history, we believe that the new feature cannot fail to prove of interest to our young readers.

TO OUR READERS

Our recent encouraging experience has shown us that there is no surer way to increase our circle of acquaintances than through our present friends. During the past months many of our readers have taken advantage of the Special Subscription Offer which appears on this page, and in this way have obtained for themselves very complete libraries. Others, induced by our liberal cash premiums and by means of our easy arrangements for obtaining subscriptions, have proved of great service to us in enlarging our list, besides making for themselves a very considerable sum of spending money. Should any of our readers who have not already made use of these offers be inclined to aid us, we should be glad to forward them full particulars as to the premiums and the methods of undertaking the work.

50c. FOR TWENTY-FIVE NAMES

Anyone who will send us the names and addresses of twenty-five of his friends, boys or girls, and fifty cents additional, will receive a year’s subscription to Youth. The magazine will be sent to any desired address. This is a very easy way for any person, young or old, to obtain a year’s subscription. We wish the twenty-five names for the sole purpose of distributing sample copies of Youth. They will be put to no other use, so that no one need have any hesitation in sending the list.

SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION OFFER

In order to make it a substantial object for our subscribers to interest themselves in extending the circulation of Youth, we have decided to make the following special offer:

For every new subscription sent us we will send, free of all cost, one of any of the books named in the accompanying list. These books are the latest and best stories of the most popular writers for boys and girls. They are beautifully illustrated and handsomely bound. The regular price of each book is $1.25. This is an exceptional opportunity for any one to add to his library with little effort, and we trust that a very large number of our subscribers will quickly avail themselves of this special offer. This, of course, does not apply to those taking advantage of our other subscription offers.

It will be of advantage to mention this Magazine in answering this advertisement

[Pg 2]

Bird Manna,

the great secret of the canary breeders of the Hartz Mountains in Germany, is as necessary to canary birds as is seed. It is a stimulant that prevents their ailments and keeps them in health and song. They won’t even stop singing during the critical season of shedding feathers. No trouble to get birds to eat it as they are very fond of it. Ask your druggist for Bird Manna, or send us 15 cents and we’ll mail it to you.

---

The Philadelphia Bird Food Co.’s

Bird Bitters

is a medicine for sick birds and gives quick relief. Infuses new life and vitality into the household pet. A few drops mixed in the bird’s drinking water brings out the song almost immediately. Get a bottle of Bird Bitters from your druggist and see how quickly the bird will recover from its illness. There are numerous imitations of Bird Bitters. Be sure to ask for the Philadelphia Bird Food Co.’s Bird Bitters so that you get the genuine. 25 cents. Mailed for the same price.

The Philadelphia Bird Food Co.
400 North Third Street,   Philadelphia, Pa.

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PUSSY
MEOW

S·LOUISE
PATTESON

BUY, READ
AND THEN
RECOMMEND

THE
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF A CAT

By S. Louise Patteson. With an introduction by Sarah K. Bolton. 12mo. Attractively bound in cloth and fully illustrated. Price, net, 60 cents; by mail, 70 cents.

---

Here is a book that is a fitting companion to “Black Beauty” and “Beautiful Joe.” There are few books that have had so wide or deserved a circulation as these. Almost every parent has read them to children over and over, and when the children are able to read they read them again. “Pussy Meow” is another classic for children dealing with the cat.—The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Additional references furnished on request. Our 200-page book, “The Origin and Treatment of Stammering,” sent FREE to any address for six cents in stamps to cover postage. Ask also for a FREE sample copy of “The Phono-Meter,” a monthly paper exclusively for persons who stammer.

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THE STONE METHOD

The Clothes do not make the man. Of course the tailor does his part, but he must have a foundation on which to build. The Stone Method fills out every flabby muscle, straightens the stooping figure, making it erect, alert, self-confident. If you are not as vigorous as a young mountain pine, write us. We will send you our booklet, measurement blank and testimonials which are convincing proof of the value of our system of physical training. We are successfully teaching The Stone Method of Scientific Physical Culture to men and women in every part of the world. It requires only 10 minutes time each day in your own room, just before retiring, or upon arising. No apparatus is required, and you will be put to no expense aside from our modest fee. Individual instruction is given in every case, based on the pupil’s present condition, habits, mode of living, and the object which he wishes to attain. By The Stone Method of concentrated exertion, more exercise is actually obtained in 10 minutes than by the use of apparatus two hours. The exercises are rational, moderate, and are taught by an instructor thoroughly versed in physiology, and who has been prominent in athletics for 32 years. Does not overtax the heart. Both sexes, all ages, 12 to 85 years. Instruction given in deep breathing as well as physical training. Systematically follow our instructions and we can promise you a fine, strong, well-developed physique which bears every evidence of perfect manhood or womanhood; a clear brain; a light step; a splendid circulation that will make itself known in a ruddy complexion; bright eyes; sound, easy-working lungs, with plenty of room in which to expand; an increased appetite; good digestion; an active liver; sound, restful sleep; a cheerful disposition; an erect carriage. In a word, greater strength, better health, longer life. It is the duty, and should be the pleasure, of every mother to take a course in scientific physical culture, not alone for the benefit which would result to her own health, but that she may, in turn, instruct her children and bring them up to be strong, healthy, robust men and women. Illustrated booklet and measurement blank sent FREE. Address

The Stone School of Scientific Physical Culture,

1741 Masonic Temple, Chicago, Ill.

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Read Book News!

It makes it easy for you by giving you a bird’s-eye view of the whole literary field, thus keeping you in constant touch with the doings of the book world! Book News tells you what is best and what is least worth reading among the latest books and tells you at once. No need to wait three months to learn what the critics have to say about a book! Book News tells you the first month! It criticises without bias all works of importance, gives a full, classified list of recent publications and reviews the leading magazines. Book News Biographies, illustrated with portraits, introduces a number of the newest writers. A frontispiece portrait of some prominent author accompanies every number, while new poetry and articles of interest on timely subjects add each month to the general attractiveness.

Book News is a complete, up-to-date, original and purely literary magazine and reviews more books in the course of a year than any other literary journal.

Base ball

BASE BALL

How to become a Player

With the Origin, History, and Explanation of the Game

By JOHN MONTGOMERY WARD

Of the New York Base Ball Club

The work is adapted equally to patrons and players. Under the various chapters of Captain, Pitcher, Catcher, Short Stop, First Baseman, Batter, Base Runner, etc., it not only tells how every position should be played, but shows how to use the different curves, how to mislead the batter, how to hit safely, how to steal bases, how to stop ground hits, how to catch fly balls, in fact, gives complete directions for becoming an expert player.

Paper binding, 25 cents   Cloth, 50 cents

Sold by all booksellers or mailed upon receipt of price

The Penn Publishing Company   923 Arch Street PHILADELPHIA

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$4.10 FOR $2.00

A Combination Offer That Means Something

A sample of both magazines for a dime and two pennies—12 cents in stamps. Send for catalogue.

A. W. MUMFORD, Publisher, 203 Michigan Avenue, Chicago

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THE OLIVER
The Standard Visible Writer

Oliver truths are convincing and converting

GOLD MEDALS and AWARDS

Philadelphia, 1899.
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Buffalo, 1901
Liverpool, 1901

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The Greatest Honor that can be paid to a typewriter:
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Our new Catalogue just from the press tells an interesting story. Free for the asking. It will profit you to read it.

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General Offices: 7 Lake Street, Chicago, U.S.A.

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