THE CITY HOME PLAN
At the Refectory the guests were treated to cakes and lemonade and were
waited upon by the Little Citizens who had been taught to wait on each
other properly, or when visitors were present to attend to their needs
first.
Everyone was talking about the success of the circus, and but few
remembered the Side Shows that had given Uncle Ben so much trouble to
arrange. It was the unusual talents shown by the young performers that
caused most of the comments.
“Now you can see why I had you come to Happy Hills,” said Uncle Ben, as
he heard the city friends exchanging their views.
“Yes, but what further good can we do than hope for the future of each
of these children?” asked one of the men.
“Now that you have heard and seen for yourselves, instead of being told
by others of the budding genuises to be found in our Little Citizens,
I have a plan to propose. It is something that will need immediate
decision if Richards is to go ahead with the scheme and have things
ready for September occupancy.
“This is the plan I wish to lay before you all today:
“We expect a number of new arrivals at camp next week, and no one knows
what talent may be hidden in the heart of each one of those Little
Citizens. We have already found valuable material to work upon here,
and it must be educated and taken care of--we must not permit it to die
for lack of nourishment--mental and moral, you know.
“I have discussed this plan with Miss Selina, Miss Martin, and Mr.
Richards, and they agree with me that it is not only feasible, but
necessary, if we are to keep up the ambition and education of these
talented children.
“Mr. Richards has agreed to hunt up a large house in New York at a
moderate rental--one that we can remodel to suit ourselves, thereby
being able to have a long lease at a reduced rent. We have even thought
of the name of such a home. How do you like ‘Blue Bird Home for Little
Wonders’ or just the ‘Blue Bird and Bobolink Home,’ or perhaps some of
you would prefer the name of ‘Little Citizens’ Home’?”
“Mr. Talmage, I think the name is the last consideration to worry over.
Let us first decide whether there is to be a home,” called out one of
the gentlemen visitors.
“Oh, there will be a home, all right, even if a few of us have to
support it,” declared Mr. Richards, positively.
“After hearing and seeing our gifted Little Citizens we all think the
same as Mr. Richards--there must be some form of home provided until
the children are self-supporting,” added a lady.
“The thing to decide upon is, how many of you will join in this
endeavor and enlist others to help support the home. Miss Selina has
promised to close up this country place for the winter and take up
her residence at the Home. Miss Martin, who is a most valuable and
experienced Settlement Worker and Nature teacher, has also agreed to
help Flutey look after the house and children. I, too, will agree to
take up a permanent residence at the place to be on hand during the
evenings and holidays to advise and help in any way I can. There will
be other friends who will eagerly offer their time and help also, I
am sure. The sum of money we may have to use for this venture will
determine the size of the house we can secure and pay for.”
“You will need a regular asylum to house all these Little Citizens,
and those extra ones you still expect from the city,” remarked a
pessimistic man.
“Oh, it isn’t at all likely that everyone here this summer will take
up a residence in the city home. In fact, the invitation is only open
to those who can prove themselves efficient in some manner of work or
study. Not that we shall discriminate between trades or professions--we
shall not--but in order to be an inmate of our home a Little Citizen
must prove that he is steady, ambitious, moral, and obedient to rules,
before he can become a member in our family.
“We will not consider the application of anyone who is resentful or
malicious in thought, or disobedient in purpose as well as in deed.
Anyone who will willingly mislead a companion to disregard rules and
regulations cannot be accepted, as one child can upset a whole colony
in a little time.”
“Well, Mr. Talmage, you seem to have decided upon having such a home
and it only remains for us to join the number who have already agreed
to experiment with the idea for the future welfare of our little ‘Jenny
Lind,’ the budding ‘Thomas Edison,’ the great band leader ‘Sousa,’ and
a few other famous people or their young namesakes,” said one of the
Committee chosen for the Easter Outing that spring.
“That’s about it,” acknowledged Uncle Ben.
“Then count on me--or count on my check which is more to the point,”
laughed the man.
“There now--Richards, hand Sam the agreement to sign at once before he
changes his mind. Sam you can mention the size of the check you will
donate after you sign your name. You will find several names already
signed,” said Uncle Ben, passing the long legal paper to Mr. Richards
to hand over to the man.
The first visitor to join the new organization read the paper handed
him and then stood up.
“I think I will read aloud the names of the members who have already
joined and donated to this Winter Home--it may inspire others to ‘go
and do likewise.’
“‘The Blue Bird Society of Oakdale’--collectively $500
Each individually 10
“‘The Bobolink Society of Oakdale’ each individually 10
“‘The Bobolink Publishing Society’ 500
“Mr. Benj. Talmage, each month for Home donation 100
“Mr. Benj. Talmage, for starting Home and furnishing 1,000
“Mr. F. H. Richards 500
“Miss Selina Talmage, monthly for expense account 500
“Miss Selina Talmage, to start fund of Home 5,000
“Miss Martin, each month during life of the Home 50
“Mr. and Mrs. Starr of Oakdale--monthly 100
“Mr. and Mrs. Talmage of Oakdale, monthly 100
“Mrs. Catlin of Oakdale, for starting fund 500
“Mrs. Catlin of Oakdale, monthly for expenses 100
“Parents of Blue Birds and Bobolinks collectively 1,000
“So you see, my friends, we already have a goodly sum to add our mites
to. Mr. Talmage, I will agree to start with a thousand dollars, and
pay a monthly sum of a hundred dollars. If you find yourselves in need
of financial support let me know and I will pull you out to a certain
extent.”
The Blue Birds and Bobolinks had been most interested listeners to the
discussion which would mean a successful launching of the city home
for their Little Citizens, and when the last speaker concluded and had
agreed to donate so liberally, Ned sprang up and shouted:
“Three cheers for the Home for Little Wonders!”
And the rousing cheer that replied to his call showed everyone that the
interest was genuine and not for display purposes as is the case in so
many charitable gifts that are made.
The agreement to donate passed through every hand of the visitors
present and when it was returned to Uncle Ben, it was filled with
names. The grand total was more than enough to assure success to the
venture for the first year at any rate.
As the result of the visit and circus entertainment was made known to
all, the Little Citizens looked dumb with surprise. Such a lot of money
as these people agreed to spend just to give them a good winter home!
Then Bill jumped upon his feet--he had been kneeling in a corner of
the Refectory listening with all his might.
“Say, you kids, wassa matter wid cheerin’ Uncle Ben and all his
fren’s--not a sickly cheer but a good healthy one!”
“Nuttin’s de matter wid dat! Hey all! Git ready now! One-two-t’ree!”
yelled Joe, and he swung his old cap as he counted.
“Hip! Hip! Hurrah! fer everybuddy here!” shouted every lusty youngster
present, and the din spoke well for their health.
“Heigh--once more--whad’s de matter wid Uncle Ben?” called Bill,
excitedly.
“He’s all right! Hip! Hip! Hurrah fer all!”
Then Bill seemed to remember an important matter.
“Mister Uncle Ben, please kin I say somethin’?”
“Certainly Bill--speak.”
“What kin we do to help a poor dog what is a genius?”
Everyone laughed at the question, but Bill took no offence as he was
too concerned about finding a home for Crummie, where the canine
intelligence might be expanded.
“Why, it stands to reason that if you prove yourself efficient enough
to join our home this winter, Crummie will be most valuable in helping
Miss Selina to keep away tramps and those who have no business about
our house. At odd times the dog can practice his own profession and
report to you at night.”
Bill grinned joyfully and Crummie, who had been crouching beside him,
thumped his tail upon the floor in satisfaction.
The time was at hand when all the automobiles were summoned to carry
the visitors back to New York, and soon after the last whirr of wheels
was heard going down the driveway, the Little Citizens scattered to
their evening tasks. Some to see that the precious Fire-engine was
safely housed again, some to Police the community where laxity had
prevailed all day and Little Citizens had broken the strict laws laid
down by the Chief of Police; but the majority of the children were too
tired and sleepy to think of anything but a cup of milk and a piece of
bread and butter, before tumbling into their Nests for the night.
At Flutey’s house, the Blue Birds and Bobolinks were too excited to
think of supper or bed. The sum total of the donations signed up that
afternoon amounted in their opinions to such an enormous lot of money
that they thought it possible to buy outright a big ready-made Home
somewhere in the city.
“You country children do not understand the value of city real estate.
Why all of Mossy Glen and Oak Crest together would not sell for enough
cash to pay for one dirty old tenement on the East Side. So you can
understand that the sum which has been promised us will not seem so
much after a few months’ rent is paid in advance. Besides we must have
good plumbing and ventilation, and repairs cost money, too.”
“Then don’t choose an old house--get a brand-new one,” suggested Dot
Starr.
“But a new one will cost a great deal more to start with, and every
month besides. We can lease an old one and renovate it to suit
ourselves, with lots of little rooms for chambers and great big
assembly rooms on the first floor, and the rent will be but half as
much as if the owner makes repairs,” explained Mr. Richards.
“I don’t see why the Starr family has to stay in Oakdale all winter.
Other folks go to live in the city when it’s cold--why can’t we?”
grumbled Don, who would have preferred living with the Little Citizens
wherever they were to be located.
“If the Talmages and Starrs moved to New York this winter where could I
take the Little Citizens every Saturday for the weekly outing?” asked
Uncle Ben.
Don had not thought of this, and he brightened up instantly. Then Dot
thought of something.
“Besides, if we all went to live in the city how would the magazine
ever get published? And without a magazine you would have no way to pay
that donation.”
“It seems to me, that everything is arranged wisely and well, so there
is no need for Blue Birds or Bobolinks to wish they were in other
birds’ nests,” added Flutey.