was much interested in your letter. Yes, I am glad to hear anything
interesting about birds and animals of every kind. I will copy your
letter for the Pansies to enjoy. It gave me a great deal of pleasure to
notice the resolve you made. If you keep it, you will have a good and
happy life.
_Anna_ from Iowa. Here is another Blossom who "wants her own way."
Shall I tell you how to always have it? Just decide that your way shall
be the one that the Saviour of the world wants you to have, and then it
will be the right way, and you will always get what you want. There is
a beautiful secret hidden in that thought; I hope you will hunt for it
until you find it.
_Anna_ from Wisconsin. Dear little friend, I am afraid you expect too
much of the P. S., if you hope that joining it will keep you from
being "selfish" and "spunky." It will help, but you must do your part,
you know. You would make poor work of mending the hole in your apron
without a needle and thread, but just imagine what a mess the needle
and thread would make of it without your hands to help!
_Maud_ from Pennsylvania. "Dreaming" is really very pleasant, but you
are right, it does not help work along very well. The best time to
dream is at night when your eyes are tightly closed. I know a little
girl who sat dreaming she was a fairy, and when she wanted anything had
only to wave her wand and it would come to her; and she let the water
boil from the potatoes, and they burned to the kettle and were spoiled;
so because of this naughty fairy, the family had to eat their dinner
without potatoes.
_Auburn_ from Pennsylvania. My boy, that is a splendid pledge to take.
As I watch the boys at play, I am constantly wondering what pleasure
they can find in being so "rough" that lookers-on will be sure to say:
"What a disagreeable boy that is! I should think his mother would teach
him how to behave better than that." I wonder if the boys know how
constantly mothers are blamed when they do wrong? I think it would make
some boys who love their mothers more careful. Don't you?
_Minnie_ from Minnesota. Were you named for the State, my dear, or was
the State named for you? What a question! We receive your name with
pleasure. I wish I knew about some of the "kind acts." Tell us their
story.
_Walter_ and _Laura_ from New Jersey. We are very happy to welcome this
brother and sister to our ranks. I wonder if I met you last summer? I
saw a great many boys and girls when I was at the seaside where you
live. Perhaps you were among them. I remember a sweet-faced little
girl who was trying to speak gentle words to two older ones who were
in ill humor about something. They called her Laura. Perhaps it was
you, little Blossom. Be sure that you both shed fragrance about you for
Jesus.
_Fannie_ from Illinois. Your pledge reminds me of two boys who were
under my window not long ago. They were very angry; they called each
other hard names, and threw mud at each other, and at last they took
off their little jackets and began to fight with their strong little
fists. When they were separated, and peace was declared, it was
discovered that they had been disputing as to whether a small brown bug
which they had found, had four legs or six! But as the bug had crawled
away, I am afraid it will never be known which was right.
_Maxwell_ from Ohio. Yes, indeed, I sent you a badge, with pleasure.
The more boys we can get to pledge each day to do a "kind act" the
better are we pleased. I believe a boy who honestly tries to do one
good kind act each day, will grow into the habit of it, so that, some
day, he will do a great many. Don't you think so?
_Clara_ from New York. I do not know that I have ever received a pledge
which gave me more pleasure than yours. To help to lead others to give
themselves to the Lord Jesus, is the greatest work we can do in this
world. God bless you in your efforts!
_Cora_ from New Hampshire. Thank you for your very high opinion of THE
PANSY. I believe all the Pansies are fond of it. I like to think of
their bright faces when I am writing anything that I think will please
them. I do everything I can think of, to make it a good and helpful
magazine for them.
_Stella_ from Ohio. Oh! not at all too old. We have many who are older
than you. What an astonishing age your "chicken" reached! I have never
heard of such a thing before. I should think it would have forgotten
how to be a chicken! Orderly people are very pleasant to live with. I
really do not know much about it by experience, but I know all about
what it is to travel after a disorderly young person, and put away hat,
and coat, and books, and blocks. I send my congratulations to your
mother.
_Carrie_ from Minnesota. Bless her heart! You certainly do have need of
patience. Five little people to copy all you say and do. If you chance
to slam a door, or bang a book down hard, or say, "Oh, dear!" in a
sharp sort of way, just as likely as not five doors will slam! and five
"oh dears!" will be singing around the room. Yet, my Blossom, there
is a very sweet side to it; what a chance you have to help the little
lives to grow up pure, and sweet, and patient. May the dear Saviour
give you a fresh blessing every day!
_Marion_ from ---- You do not give me the State, so I have to "guess"
at it. It always gives me pleasure to hear of a Missionary Blossom. I
wish you had told us the subject of your Bible reading. Did you select
the verses yourself? Suppose you send me a copy for the Pansies? Thank
you for the sweet bit of good news which you gave me at the close of
your letter. Nothing better could have been told.
_Fred_ from Massachusetts. Your letter gave me great joy. When I can
write down one of the P. S. members as a servant of the Lord Jesus, I
always feel so safe and glad. May you be a brave soldier as long as you
live.
_Lizzie_ from Nebraska. Welcome. May the "kind words" you are pledged
to speak echo so far that we shall catch their music and send them on
until they reach around the earth. Nay, they will reach further than
that; every one of them echoes around God's throne.
_Agnes_ from Massachusetts. Do you know I think it is a very good hint
as to a girl's character, when she says she always likes her teacher?
It is apt to prove that she behaves herself in such a manner that her
teacher can be kind and gentle to her. Is that it? Remember the "kind
words" you are pledged to speak.
_Alice_ from New York. It is a great trial to a teacher to have
whispering girls in her school. I know how your teacher will rejoice
that you have chosen to break yourself of that habit. I suspect you
will find it hard to do. Don't get discouraged.
_Chauncy_ from Massachusetts. Another boy with a temper! As soon as I
get time, I am going to count the number of boys in the P. S. who have
already taken that pledge. Then I shall know the number who are sure to
be better men than they would have been without that resolve.
_Mary_ from Nebraska. I wish you had given me the name of the fault, my
dear Blossom. I could so much better understand what your temptations
are, and perhaps be able to help you. Still, you are welcome to all the
privileges of the P. S. Will you let us hear how you succeed?
_Oscar_ from Pennsylvania. That is right, my boy. "By-words," beside
being senseless things, are very apt as you say, to lead one at last
into using profane by-words. I heard an old man who was trying hard to
break himself of that dreadful habit, say that he began by constantly
using the by-word, "My goodness!" until the time came when it did not
seem to be strong enough to express his feelings, and he took a worse
form of the same sin.
_Minnie_ from Pennsylvania. Another "dreamer." "I dreamed I was a great
merchant," said a boy to his father, one morning. "Well, you will never
be one," said his father, "for you will spend your time sitting and
dreaming how nice it would be if you were somebody, instead of setting
to work with a will, and being somebody."
This habit of talking about others is one very easily formed. If we
would always say good and sweet things of them, I suppose it would do
no harm. Did you ever hear of the dear old lady who was in the habit
of always saying something good about every one who was mentioned in
her hearing? One day, a daughter said of her, "I believe mother would
find something good to say about Satan himself, if we should try it."
So they agreed to try the experiment, and when their mother entered
the room they were talking about how he tempted people constantly to
do wrong. "Yes," said the dear mother, "I have often thought we might
learn a lesson from his perseverance. He doesn't waste any time!" As
to wearing the badge, you must be your own judge of when. Some of the
Pansies only wear them at their weekly meetings; others wear them when
they think there is a reason that they will be specially tempted to
break the pledge. Others wear them all the time, and when they are
soiled, send ten cents to have them renewed.
_Mary_ from Kentucky. How sorry I am for your disappointment! I do not
know how it happened. We always attend to the badges as soon as the
letters come. But about answers to letters, sometimes the poor little
Blossoms have to wait until I am afraid they will almost wilt in their
impatience! You see there are so many thousands of them, that, try as
hard as I can, it is impossible to keep "caught up." We must each take
a pledge of patience, and try to live up to it.
_Annie_ from Massachusetts. That is good news. It is a great joy to me
to hear from my Pansies that their badges are really helping them. A
great many forget to tell me anything about it. I hope you will have
a very pleasant visit. When you lie in your hammock under the trees,
looking up into the blue sky, I hope you will have sweet and helpful
thoughts.
_Nellie_ from Pennsylvania. My dear, your pretty things that you make
for those who have none, are to be sent wherever you please. Some of
the Pansies send them to the great cities, in all of which there are
hospitals for the sick poor children who have no parents to take care
of them. Some select homes in their own town where they think their
gifts would do good, and send them there. If you have anything to send,
you might select the city nearest you, and address the package to the
matron of the Children's Hospital, sending a letter of explanation with
it.
_Julia_ from Virginia. We are glad that you find so much pleasure in
THE PANSY. Hope you will succeed with your "club." It is those who try
who are always the successful ones. I congratulate the "teeth." I know
they are shining over their good fortune at this moment.
_Ettie_ from California. You have a "giant" to fight, it is true; but
there is a happy thought--you are sure of success if you wear the
armor which the great Captain has provided. Have you read a careful
description of the armor? And are you clothed in it from head to foot?
We should like to hear something about the country you live in; the
birds, the flowers, the fruits, anything which interests you.
_H. A. M. W._ from Wisconsin. Dear friend, what an honor you have
bestowed on the P. S. A "Blossom" which has been cultivated for
threescore years must have a wonderful record of perfume shed for the
glory of the Master! I regret that your young friends should have had
to wait so long for their badges. There is some misunderstanding or it
would not have occurred. We try to be very careful, but in a family of
sixty thousand some mistakes will happen.
_Carroll_ from Vermont. You have plenty of company. The people who
"start right off" to do things are few and delightful. They are the
people who will, one of these days, do things that the world will be
proud of. In other words, in this busy world, one must be "diligent in
business" if he wants to accomplish much. As to the "hectoring," if you
decide to attend promptly to all your duties, you will find that you
have not so much time for that occupation, and I shouldn't wonder if it
would also lose its interest to you. Do you know a little couplet--
Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do?
_Clara_ from Michigan. So you don't mean to tell us what that "worst
fault" is? Well, tell it to Jesus, and ask his hourly help; then you
will overcome it. I hope the badge will remind you of your Helper.
WONDER STORIES OF SCIENCE.
I HOPE that name pleases you, my dear Pansies, and I wish each one
of you had a copy of the book to which it belongs. Let me describe
the one which now lies on my desk. A lovely colored binding, I don't
know whether the artists call it "olive" or "old gold" or "crushed
strawberry" or what. It isn't exactly _any_ color, but reminds me of
sunshine and autumn leaves. There is a medallion in gold on the upper
half, and the monogram of the publishers on the lower right-hand
corner. There are three hundred and eighty-three pages of good clear
print, and some excellent pictures.
It is a book which retails for one dollar and fifty cents; and now
comes my special bit of news which ought to rejoice your hearts. Every
subscriber to THE PANSY who is also a member of the P. S. can secure it
for eighty-five cents, by sending that amount to D. Lothrop & Co. with
their order!
As for the things which it talks about, of course you know that in
so many pages many interesting topics can be handled; for instance,
"Christmas Cards," and "Newspapers," and "Camphor," and "Umbrellas,"
and "Combs," and "Thunderstorms," (!) and "Brooms," and "Lace," and a
dozen other things. The fact is, if you take one article, no matter how
simple, and seat yourself in a corner to think about it, you can get up
twenty questions, right away, which you wish somebody would answer for
you. Well, this book answers those very questions.
Now I am going to copy for you a bit right out of the heart of a story
in it, which I know will delight the boys; the name of the story is:
"TALKING BY SIGNALS."
When boys live some distance apart, it is pleasant to be able to
communicate with each other by means of signals. Many and ingenious
have been the methods devised by enthusiastic boys for this purpose.
But it can be brought much nearer perfection than has yet been done, by
means of a very simple system.
At the age of fourteen, I had an intimate friend who lived more than a
mile away, but whose home was in plain sight from mine. As we could not
always be together when we wished, we invented a system of signalling
requiring a number of different colored flags; but we were not quite
satisfied with it, for we could send but few communications by its use.
Then, when we came to test it, we found the distance was too great to
allow of the different colors being distinguished. The white one was
plainly visible. It seemed necessary, therefore, that only white flags
should be used. We studied over the problem long and hard, with the
following result. We each made five flags by tacking a small stick,
eighteen inches long, to both ends of a strip of white cloth, two feet
long, by ten inches wide. Then we nailed loops of leather to the side
of our fathers' barns, so that, when the sticks were inserted in them,
the flags would be in the following positions:
[Illustration]
The upper left-hand position was numbered 1, upper right 2, lower right
3, lower left 4, centre, 5. Notice, there was no difference in the
_flags_; the _positions_ they occupied, determined the communication.
Thirty combinations of these positions can be made.
These combinations were written down, and opposite each, was written
the question or answer for which it stood. The answers likely to be
used most, we placed opposite the shortest combinations, to save time
in signalling. My old "Code" lies before me, from which I copy the
following examples:
(Then follows a list, and an interesting account of a flag conversation
which you can read for yourselves when you get the book.)
We usually spent our noon hour conversing in this manner; and, when it
became necessary for either to leave his station, all the flags, 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, were put out, signifying "gone."
One combination, 1, 2, 3, 4, was, by mutual consent, reserved for a
communication of vital importance, "Come Over!" It was never to be
used except in time of trouble, when the case would warrant leaving
everything to obey the call. We had little expectation of its ever
being used. It was simply a whim; although, like many other things, it
served a serious purpose in the end.
Not far from my father's house stood a valuable timber lot, in which he
took an especial pride. Adjoining this was an old apple orchard, where
the limbs of several trees that had been cut down, and the prunings of
the remainder, had been heaped together in two large piles to be burned
at a favorable opportunity. One afternoon, when there was not the
slightest breath of wind, we armed ourselves, father and I, with green
pine boughs and set the brush-heaps a-fire. We had made the heap in as
moist a spot as possible, that there might be less danger of the fire
spreading through the grass. While the flame was getting under way, I
busied myself in gathering stray bits of limbs and twigs--some of them
from the edge of the woods--and throwing them on the fire.
"Be careful not to put on any hemlock branches!" shouted my father from
his heap. "The sparks may snap out into the grass!"
Almost as he spoke, a live coal popped out with a loud snap, and fell
at my feet, and the little tongues of flame began to spread through the
dead grass. A few blows from my pine bough had smothered them, when
snap, snap, snap! went three more in different directions. As I rushed
to the nearest, I remembered throwing on several dead hemlock branches,
entirely forgetting their snapping propensity.
Bestowing a few hasty strokes on the first spot of spreading flame, I
hastened to the next, and was vigorously beating that, when, glancing
behind me, I saw to my dismay that the first was blazing again. Ahead
of me was another, rapidly increasing; while the roaring, towering
flame at the heap was sputtering ominously, as if preparing to send out
a shower of sparks. And, to make matters worse, I felt a puff of wind
on my face. Terror-stricken I shouted: "Father! The fire is running!
Come quick!"
In a moment he was beside me, and for a short time we fought the flame
desperately.
"It'll reach the woods in spite of us!" he gasped, as we came together
after a short struggle. "There isn't a neighbor within half a mile,
and before you could get help it would be too late! Besides, one alone
couldn't do anything against it!"
A sudden inspiration seized me. "I'm going to signal to Harry!" I
cried. "If he sees it, he'll come, and perhaps bring help with him."
"Hurry!" he shouted back, and I started for the barn. The distance was
short. As I reached it, I glanced over to Harry's. There were some
white spots on his barn. He was signalling, and of course could see my
signal. Excitedly I placed the flags in 1, 2, 3, 4, and without waiting
for an answer, tore back across the fields to the fire. It was gaining
rapidly. In a large circle, a dozen rods across, it advanced toward
the buildings on one hand, and swept toward the woods on the other. We
could only hope to hinder its progress until help should arrive.
Fifteen minutes of desperate struggle, and then, with a ringing cheer,
Harry and his father dashed upon the scene. Their arrival infused me
with new courage; and four pairs of hands and four willing hearts at
length conquered the flame, two rods from the woods!
My father sank down upon a rock, and as he wiped the perspiration from
his smutty face, he said:
"There, boys, your signalling has saved the prettiest timber lot in the
town of Hardwick! I shall not forget it!"
For the way in which the father proved his gratitude, and what
resulted, and a great deal more which is delightful reading, I must
refer you to the book; for I have already taken too much space.
PANSY.
[Illustration: WIDE AWAKE ART PRINTS]
ARTISTIC FAC-SIMILE REPRODUCTIONS OF ORIGINAL PICTURES.
DESIRING to bring within reach of all homes Pictures of real charm and
real art value, we began, October 1st, the publication of a series
of superb fac-simile reproductions of the finest original pictures
belonging to the WIDE AWAKE magazine.
This collection of water colors, oil paintings, and line drawings,
gathered during the past ten years, includes fine examples of eminent
American and foreign artists: Walter Shirlaw, Mary Hallock Foote, Wm.
T. Smedley, Howard Pyle, Henry Bacon, Jessie Curtis Shepherd, Harry
Fenn, F. S. Church, Chas. S. Reinhart, Miss L. B. Humphrey, F. Childe
Hassam, E. H. Garrett, F. H. Lungren, H. Bolton Jones, St. John Harper,
Miss Kate Greenaway, George Foster Barnes, Hy. Sandham, and others.
And while the skill of foremost engravers has enabled us to give in the
magazine many beautiful engravings from these originals, the mechanical
limitations of the graver, and of the steam press, render these
"counterfeit presentments," at their best, but disappointing attempts,
to those who have seen the originals with their greater delicacy and
richness and strength. The real touch of the artist's brush, the finer
subtler atmosphere, the full beauty and significance, and the technical
excellence, is missing--and it is these features that are retained in
these fac-similes.
The method of reproduction employed is the new photogravure process of
the Lewis Co., which in result is only equalled by the famous work of
Goupil & Cie of Paris. Each impression is on the finest India paper,
imported expressly for this purpose, and backed by the best American
plate paper, size 12×15 inches. Only a limited number of hand proofs
will be made. Ordinary black inks are not employed, but special
pigments of various beautiful tones, the tone for each picture being
that best suited to emphasize its peculiar sentiment.
These beautiful fac-simile reproductions are equally adapted for
portfolios or for framing. They are issued under the name of
[Illustration: WIDE AWAKE ART PRINTS]
Along with the unfailing and refined pleasure a portfolio of
these beautiful pictures will give, attention is called to their
educational value to young art students, and to all young people, as
the photogravure process preserves each artist's peculiar technique,
showing how the drawing is really made, something that engraving
largely obliterates.
_The_ WIDE AWAKE ART PRINTS _are issued on the first and fifteenth of
each month, and are regularly announced in the magazine._
=SPECIAL.=
Keeping in view the interests of our readers, we have decided not to
place the Art Prints in the hands of agents or the general trade. In
this way our patrons are saved the retailers' and jobbers' profits,
so that while these beautiful works of art, if placed in the picture
stores, would bear a retail price of $3.00 to $10.00, we are able to
furnish them to our readers and patrons at a
UNIFORM NET PRICE OF ONLY FIFTY CENTS EACH.
Orders for half-yearly sets of twelve will be received at $5.50 in
advance; and for yearly sets of twenty-four at $10.00 in advance. All
pictures are sent in pasteboard rolls, postpaid. Half-yearly and yearly
subscribers will receive each monthly pair in one roll. Portfolios,
suitable for holding twenty-four or less, will be supplied, postpaid,
for 75 cts.
=NOW READY=:
OCT. 1. "=Little Brown Maiden.=" KATE GREENAWAY.
The sweetest and quaintest of Miss Greenaway's creations. The original
watercolor was purchased in her London studio by Mr. Lothrop, and is
perhaps the only original painting by Kate Greenaway in America.
OCT. 15. "=On Nantucket Shore.=" F. CHILDE HASSAM.
A wood engraving from this sea-beach picture was the frontispiece to
the September Wide Awake. In a boy's room it would be a delightful
reminder of vacation days.
NOV. 1. "=In Grandmother's Garden.=" WM. T. SMEDLEY.
This is a picture of the time when mother was a little girl, and walked
with grandmother in the dear old lady's garden.
NOV. 15. "=The Dream Pedler.=" EDMUND H. GARRETT.
Every nursery should have this picture of the captivating Dream
Peddler, standing on the crescent moon and with his bell crying his
dreams for sale.
DEC. 1. "=Morning.=" F. H. LUNGREN.
DEC. 15. "=Evening.=" F. H. LUNGREN.
These are companion pictures--the beautiful ideal figures set, the one
in the clear azure of a breezy morning, the other in the moonlight
mystery of evening.
[Illustration: hand] _Other Subjects in rapid Preparation. See current
numbers of_ WIDE AWAKE _for particulars._[Illustration: flipped hand]
Address all orders to D. LOTHROP & CO., Publishers, Boston. Mass.,
U. S. A.
THE PANSY SOCIETY
P. S.