UNCLE BEN’S DRILL CORPS
Little Nelly Finn had been admitted to the camp at Happy Hills, and
was the happiest little girl there. Never had she seen such grass
and flowers, to say nothing of the big trees and noisy brook in the
Valley of Delight. The day she had stood with a lady, and several other
children waiting for the train that left at noon for Happy Hills, Micky
promised her to save his pennies and come for a visit to the Camp that
Summer. Not only Micky, but Ikey, Skelly, and another boy, who had a
shoe-shine box, agreed to visit Happy Hills.
Nelly was established in the Nest next to Maggie, the Little Mother
of six younger children--Maggie was eleven. Because of her motherly
instincts, Maggie felt a grown-up interest in the newcomers, who were
about Nelly’s age.
“I see you don’t know what to do wid dese girls, Miss Martin,” said
Maggie, the afternoon of the new arrivals, as the Mother Wings of that
particular Nest seemed bewildered and worried.
“This is all new to me, little girl, and I am only here until a
school-teacher can take my place,” replied Miss Martin.
“My name’s Maggie,” suggested the Little Mother.
“How did you know my name?” queried the lady, curiously.
“I heer’n Miss Selina--she’s our Flutey Bird, you know what owns this
place--tell Uncle Ben that six more little gals was comin’ wid a Miss
Martin.”
“Maybe you can tell me where to find Uncle Ben now?” asked the city
lady eagerly.
“Yes’m! He’s beginnin’ a drill fer the boys. They has to grow to be
fine scouts, brave policemen, and extry-brave firemen. You see we’se
goin’ to have a regerler city-run camp here, and Uncle Ben says boys
must know how to proteck folks and guard us against fires and udder bad
t’ings,” explained Maggie.
“That’s fine! Where is the drill to take place? Maybe we can all go
and watch them,” said Miss Martin.
“We kin! I was just washin’ Freddy’s han’s to take him wid me--he’s too
little to leave behind, yeh see.”
Miss Martin’s little flock of six understood _that_ part of life, for
had not each one of them been scrubbed and polished with brown soap and
coarse rags just before leaving the city?
Freddy was soon cleansed from the results of making mud-pies near the
brook, and Maggie triumphantly led the way to the large green clearing
where the drill was to take place. On the way she pointed out other
Nests and explained who occupied them, then she showed Miss Martin the
hospital, or clinic, as Maggie called it.
“Dis Nest next to yourn is goin’ to have some blind kids in it, from
the asylum up in the Bronx. Miss Flutey tol’ me not one of ’em ever saw
anyt’ing on de outside world. She said all dey coul’ see was what was
inside dere minds--do you b’lieve dat?” asked Maggie, doubtfully.
“Oh yes, Maggie. Blind folks have no idea of the exterior world and so
picture it for themselves in their thoughts--that is anyone who has
been born blind and never saw material things.”
“I see!” murmured Maggie, slowly comprehending.
Then passing the next Nest, she continued explaining:
“Them’s where the boys are campin’ just now. All the Nests fer the boys
ain’t done yet, and most of dem have to live up in de row where all dat
noise is comin’ from.”
“How old are the boys already here?” asked Miss Martin.
“Half of ’em are cripples er sickly lookin’ kids what was in a asylum
er hospital, so dat’s why dey ain’t runnin’ aroun’ playin’ ball er
diggin’ farms.”
“After the drill I’d like you to show us the farms,” suggested the lady.
“All right--I’ll show you anyt’ing you likes to see,” replied Maggie,
graciously, but eyeing the six little strangers to see how they took
her importance.
They now reached a rustic bridge spanning the shallow creek, and Nelly
stopped to watch the fascinating ripples flow past under her feet.
“Oh looka! Looka--Miss Martin! Dere’s a fish!” screeched Nelly,
excitedly pointing at some tiny minnows darting about.
The others crowded close to the railing to follow the direction of
Nelly’s pointing finger, and great interest was manifested in the
unusual sight.
“Pooh! One of the bigger boys _caught_ a fish yistiddy! A real live
fish, it was, an’ he said it was swimming in the big crick what comes
from dis little one,” bragged Maggie, proudly.
“Caught a real fish!” gasped the group of astonished city waifs.
“Yep! And lemme tell you’se somet’ing else! Dere are _reel_ berries
a-growin’ on bushes over on dat hillside!” and Maggie pointed at a
sunny slope a short distance from the camp grove.
“My!” chorused most of the little girls.
“An’ birds, an’ bumblebees, an’ snakes, an’--oh, heaps of awful stinger
things what you’se have to run from er jump over!” warned Maggie with
awesome tones and rolling eyes to impress her hearers.
“Snakes won’t sting, Maggie, unless you tease them. And even then there
are many snakes quite harmless. As for a bumblebee! The big, clumsy
fellow is as good-natured as a puppy,” said Miss Martin.
“Say, Miss Martin, you knows an awful lot of stuff, don’t you?”
exclaimed Maggie, admiringly.
“I ought to, Maggie, as I am three times your age. Maybe you will know
more than I do, when you grow up to be my age,” replied the lady,
smiling at the earnest little face.
All during this walk, the other children had been silent, as they were
not yet quite at ease. All was so new and interesting that they had
no words with which to express their feelings, but Maggie had been a
Little Citizen almost two weeks, now, and so felt qualified to act as
official guide to newcomers.
“Mebbe Miss Marting will tell us somet’in’ about a bee er a snake?”
ventured Katy Kronen, a little girl of eight.
“When we get back to the Nest I will tell you all about some snakes
I have seen, and about the bees, too,” promised the Mother Wings, as
they reached the open field where outdoor games and drills were to take
place.
“Dere he is--ain’t he grand?” cried Maggie, excitedly.
“Who--where?” asked several voices.
“Our Uncle Ben--he’s really de Uncle to some kids what live in Oakdale.
Dey made up dis camp, and Miss Selina what’s got a heap of money is
lookin’ after us an’ payin’ de bills. Uncle Ben is her nephew, but
everyone calls him Uncle Ben, ’stead of Mr. Ta’mage, an’ he says he
likes to have so many nieces an’ nephews,” explained Maggie all in one
breath.
Miss Martin now had her first glance at the man she had heard so much
of--not only in the Welfare work but also from the papers at the time
of the Christmas Tree and Easter Picnic in New York.
She saw a tall well-built man with the happiest, cheeriest face she had
ever seen. No wonder everyone liked him so!
Maggie waved a hand energetically to attract his attention, and soon
the man smiled and waved his hat at her.
“Dere now--he’ll come over pritty soon,” sighed Maggie, with sublime
faith in her prophecy.
And sure enough! As soon as Uncle Ben had taken down the names of the
boys who were to enter a squad of Camp Police, he came over to welcome
the lady he had not yet met.
“Dis is my neighbor Mudder Wings, Uncle Ben,” said Maggie by way of
introduction.
The two smiled and felt much more at ease because of such an informal
introduction than if it had been given by a diplomat.
“I have heard of your educational work with the city children,” said
Uncle Ben.
“You have? Why I had no idea it was important enough to be remembered
by such a busy man as you are known to be,” commented Miss Martin.
“It is most important to all who are sincerely interested in the
welfare of our future citizens, because the work you are doing educates
and familiarizes the children with Nature, so that they will grow kind
and affectionate towards things that used to inspire fear and cruelty.
I trust we will be able to keep you here this summer to conduct a
series of Nature talks for the Little Citizens?” said Uncle Ben.
“I should like nothing better, Mr. Talmage, if I do not have to make
my usual summer tour of camps for the purpose of creating an interest
in Nature Study. I sent a few substitutes to try the work this year and
so I may not have to go personally,” rejoined Miss Martin.
“Let’s hope you may remain with us. We have a great work to accomplish
here, Miss Martin.”
“Yes, I can see that. How I should love to be connected with such a
plan, where money is no object, but the welfare of Little Citizens is
the main idea. Now let me see what you plan to do this afternoon with
the boys. I heard it was a drill.”
“Yes, I am just organizing a staff of helpers to look after the general
good of those at camp. Won’t you come over and stand under the shade of
the trees while I give the boys their first lesson?” said Uncle Ben.
So Miss Martin and her little companions followed Mr. Talmage across
the grass to the shady spot he had designated.
“Now boys! Attention! I shall open this first drill by giving you some
good rules to guide your life in camp, and later, the Blue Birds and
Bobolinks are going to distribute cards which they are now printing
with these same rules and regulations.
“First and foremost: You cannot repay the kind people and children who
made this lovely country camp possible for you in a better way than to
show kindness and thoughtfulness to everyone you meet. And when you go
back to the city, to take with you the rule of doing unto others as you
would be done by. If this Golden Rule is obeyed the world will be a
happy place for everyone.
“Every day, and every hour, you will find ways to show your gratitude
to Miss Selina for this camp. It may be that a child is frightened at
something--you can comfort and encourage it. Maybe a boys’ quarrel or
fight is on--you can separate them and make peace. It is more than
likely that someone will use slang or swear words, or call names or use
improper English! You can correct them in a thoughtful way that will
not be resented, but appreciated.
“‘The Guide for Little Citizens’ that we publish in the little magazine
each month, ought to be well known by most of you now--how many here
have had a copy of the magazine?”
Two-thirds of the hands went up and Uncle Ben nodded.
“Well, for the benefit of the few who have not had a copy of our fine
little monthly, I will explain:
“Our general motto is ‘Do something for Somebody.’
“Our seven Nest Resolutions are as follows:
“‘A Little Citizen makes himself useful to others and is loyal to all
friends, relatives, or foes, in thought and deed.
“‘A Little Citizen loves his Country and resolves to be a good citizen.
He loves everything in the land or sea--beast, bird, fish, or insect,
and will not injure or tease them.
“‘A Little Citizen loves and protects the trees, the flowers, and other
growing things in Nature’s creation.
“‘A Little Citizen will care for all beautiful things: books,
pictures, clothing, and everything useful, ornamental, instructive or
entertaining.
“‘A Little Citizen will refrain from discourtesy of any sort; from
using vulgar language or being disobedient. In following these ideals
each one will soon see the great improvement in all.
“‘A Little Citizen resolves to daily seek opportunity to accomplish
some good thing--something that will add to his character-building and
do good to others.
“‘A Little Citizen will help where help is needed, encourage the
unhappy and hopeless, and be true to others as he would be true to his
own best self.’
“If everyone will remember these rules and use them wherever possible,
you will find what a happy camp this will be for each one.
“Now I want to speak of my firemen--a squad of the older boys who can
be our official firemen for the summer camp. For this work I have
chosen the ten boys who are standing at the left, over there. Come
forward, firemen, and let me introduce you to the Little Citizens of
Happy Hills.”
Ten strong boys ranging from nine to twelve years of age now came over
to Uncle Ben’s side and stood eager to hear what he would have to say
to them.
“First of all, I want to tell you--and then have you tell and teach
the campers at Happy Hills--that most of the fires that destroy life
and property are not due to accident as much as to carelessness and
mischief. It is ignorance of what to do in case of a fire that permits
a small blaze to grow into a consuming flame that wrecks blocks of
buildings and wastes millions of dollars worth of property.
“If everyone knew just what to do and did it at once, you can
understand that there would be little danger. Of recent years, the
large schools in cities have introduced a course of lessons that take
up ‘First Aids’ and ‘Presence of Mind’ tests for the children so that
they may be ready to apply such knowledge when needed.
“You have most likely heard the proverb: ‘Fire makes a good servant,
but a bad master.’ Now just as long as we keep fire in its rightful
place to do all sorts of work for us, and to keep us warm in winter,
or to create steam in the water placed on it for many important
services, then fire is the servant. But once let it get the least bit
of headway through neglect, or mischief, or by any other cause, and it
immediately consumes whatever it touches and feeds upon all it burns
so that it becomes a raging demon.
“A child can control a fire in the stove or in a lamp--all one has to
do is to turn down the wick or pull out a damper. But once we let fire
leap from its bounds, we need a force to fight it. And that is what I
expect of you boys. To so train yourselves that in case of emergency,
you will know instantly how to fight the demon, fire.
“To help you all I can, I have invited one of New York’s Fire
Commissioners to visit us shortly and tell you many wise things I do
not know in connection with this work. But long before he comes I want
you to be practicing daily and have sham-fires. I have a hand-engine
waiting in the great barn back of the tool-house, and enough hose to
reach from the brook to any Nest or building in the woods.
“I have also ordered, but they have not yet arrived, a set of small
ladders and hooks and other implements useful in case of fire. All
apparatus for the Fire Department will be kept in this new shed back
of us, and no Little Citizen is ever to be allowed inside this door,
unless it be one of the boys detailed as a fireman.
“You ten boys will have a dark-brown camp-uniform to show you are
Firemen; and in case of a fire you will don the heavy overalls and caps
kept in the Fire-house.”
As Uncle Ben explained the plan and held up a sample fireman’s uniform,
the boys shouted and whistled and clapped with delight, for this sort
of thing was very unusual and gratifying.
“Now, Firemen, you may stand back while I call out our Police Force.
The twelve boys on the right will step up.”
The chosen Firemen retired after being introduced, and the twelve
policemen eagerly ran over to Uncle Ben’s side.
“These are to be our official policemen in camp. They are going to
be taught all that a policeman needs to do and know, and they are
responsible for the laws and good reputation of Happy Hills. If anyone
needs help or advice about matters here or in any personal problem, the
policeman must give what aid he can.
“The police must see that rules and regulations are carried out to the
letter, and all games, drills, or other public gatherings must be
ordered by them, and all nuisances removed.
“If a member of either Fire Department or Police Force is disloyal to
his fellow-man or breaks his vow to live up to the laws governing his
department, he will be discharged, and another boy elected to fill the
vacant place. But I hope no such vacancies will occur.”
Uncle Ben then mentioned other important things and good points in
managing the camp, and told the police he had blue uniforms for them to
wear when on duty. He held up a suit made of blue denim, and a cap to
match, but no clubs were to be given to this police force! Weapons were
tabooed by Uncle Ben.
“Now, boys, I want each of you to ‘do his bit’ in this camp, and to
drill well so that you can give a fine exhibition of your ability when
called upon to use it. I expect the Blue Birds and Bobolinks at Happy
Hills next week, and it will be a great surprise to them to see what we
have accomplished in so short a time.”
The boys quickly agreed to study and practice well, so Uncle Ben smiled
approvingly and called upon a group of girls to step forward. There
were six girls from ten to twelve years of age in one group, and four,
of thirteen years, in another group.
“Here you see six nurses who will have charge of the Little Citizens
who should accidentally be scratched, cut or have any other physical
trouble. These nurses will have the right to go to the infirmary and
use whatever they may need for a patient. But they will have to ask the
grown-up in charge of the infirmary for the needed remedy.
“These nurses will also see that Little Citizens are careful of their
manner of living in camp, and will report anyone who breaks the rules
or is careless of the welfare of others.
“The four big girls you see in the other group are Mother’s Helpers.
Everyone knows what a Mother’s Helper is, and with these four Helpers
to go about and offer help to any little Mother Wings, there ought to
be a chance for everyone to have a good time.
“Take Maggie, for instance! Maggie has six little brothers and sisters
to look after, and they are a handful. Now one of these official
Mother’s Helpers can help Maggie in the morning so that she need not
be late for breakfast on account of having so many little ones to wash
and dress,” explained Uncle Ben, smiling at Maggie.
The latter heaved a deep sigh and said: “Oh t’ank you, Uncle Ben!”
“Tomorrow morning at nine o’clock sharp, the Firemen will drill at this
place, and at ten o’clock the Police Force will meet and drill,” said
Uncle Ben, and the meeting was over for that day.