THE BOBOLINK BOYS FOUNDED
"Now, Uncle Ben, we can make ourselves at home," said Ned, as he sat
upon a box in front of his uncle.
"Oh, maybe you'd like to smoke, Uncle Ben?" continued Ned, recalling
that most men liked an after-dinner smoke. "I shall never use tobacco
myself, because I have studied just what effects it has on one's system,
but I won't object to your smoking if you wish."
Uncle Ben threw back his head and laughed uproariously.
"Does that mean that you will sit calmly by and see me ruin my health
with tobacco, and not interfere?" laughed he.
"Oh, no, you know I didn't mean it that way, although it did sound
funny, didn't it?" replied Ned.
"Well, Son, I never smoke, either. I believe a man is a better thinker
and cooler business man without it," said Uncle Ben. "But, tell me,
what is the tremendous secret that made you lock the door and pull the
blinds?"
"Here it is," whispered Ned, leaning over toward his uncle. "You see,
when the Blue Birds started, I hadn't a thing to do, because the Starr
boys were at camp and many of the other boys away with their families;
so I undertook to print the _Chirp_ for the girls. I liked it, too. But
they are planning so much for next summer that it will take a regular
printer to turn out their work. Their organization freezes out the boys,
yet we helped in every way this summer."
Uncle Ben nodded comprehendingly.
"Well, this afternoon, we boys got together and said, 'What's to hinder
us from getting up a club for boys under twelve?' We all thought it
would be great, so we started, and have the name, but not the plans.
What do you think of it?" asked Ned.
"You haven't told me enough about it to judge," replied Uncle Ben. "Have
you founded the club for any purpose?"
"Oh, yes! We will gather all the little chaps under twelve years of age
into one organization, and take them on hikes, teach them work, play
games, and do other things," said Ned.
"And the name of this?"
"We thought that Bobolink Boys--B. B., you see--would be great as the
initials stand for Blue Birds, too. Of course, we won't sew dolls'
clothes, or bake cakes, but we will help the Blue Birds whenever we can,
or be independent if we wish. The girls wear bird uniforms, but the boys
will wear jumpers of a certain color, with stripes for grade. We haven't
gone any further. Our first meeting was held in Starr's orchard this
afternoon," grinned Ned.
Uncle Ben sat thinking very seriously for a long time, then he asked,
"What about the _Chirp_? Drop it?"
"Oh, no! That's one reason we want something of our own to back us up.
We can all help print the _Chirp_, and with the little boys to deliver
them, or run errands, it will be easier for all of us. Then, if the
girls get up some bazaar, or entertainment and we have to print cards,
etc., it will be much easier."
"Then your plan is more for cooeperation than competition?" asked Uncle
Ben.
"Cooperation in everything a boy can help in, but not to belong to a
Nest that has to do things the Blue Birds do," explained Ned.
Uncle Ben sat wrapped in thought, and Ned wondered what he was thinking
of. Suddenly, the older man slapped his knee and chuckled with delight.
"Now what, Uncle? I know it is something good, from your face!"
exclaimed Ned, eagerly.
"Yes, sir. I believe we can pull it off--we'll try, at any rate!"
declared Uncle Ben, half to himself.
"Do tell me!" begged Ned.
"Ned, did you ever see our magazine come out? I mean did I ever show you
over the whole plant, and show you what work it takes to produce a nice
little paper book each month?"
"Once, when father and I were at your office, you took me over the
place. I told you then that I wanted to be a publisher, and you laughed
and promised to start me on the right track when I was a man. Last
winter you sent me the printing press and told me to practice," said
Ned.
"Yes, I know, but I wanted to see if you remembered. Now, I think I have
a plan that will go a long way toward giving you elementary experience
in publishing, and at the same time provide just what your Bobolinks
would like to do. It will help the Blue Birds along for next summer, and
keep them busy to prevent the Bobolinks from making all the music." And
Uncle Ben slapped his knee again, laughing as he thought of how the boys
would unconsciously start a race between the two--Blue Birds and
Bobolinks.
"I wish you'd tell me your idea!" coaxed Ned, impatiently.
"I haven't it all in shape to explain, yet, but I will hammer it
together in some way to tell you to-morrow. Where do you boys expect to
meet at your weekly, or daily meetings?" asked Uncle Ben.
"If there are but a few, I thought we could meet in this den of mine.
But later, if there is a crowd, we might secure the Y. M. C. A. boys'
room, or the reception room of the school," replied Ned.
"By Thanksgiving time you ought to be in working trim to assume any
large work I might think of, eh?" asked Uncle Ben.
"Oh, surely! Long before Thanksgiving, I should think."
"Now, don't be too sure. Boys are just as hard to muster and understand
as girls, and the plan that suddenly suggested itself for you boys to
try out is a secret ambition that I have nursed ever since I went into
the publishing business--and that was over twenty-five years ago. I have
never had time to take it up alone, and never found anyone to whom I
could trust so precious a hobby. I see how this combination of Blue
Birds and Bobolinks might bring the idea to success, but I shall have to
think it over before speaking further," explained Uncle Ben.
"Uncle, I surely am grateful for your confidence, and I shall be glad to
know when you can tell us all," said Ned.
"I wish to talk the matter over with your father first, but you may call
together some of the boys to-morrow afternoon and I will talk with them
to see how many are willing and able to help."
"Well, I suppose I must wait, but I did hope we could organize our boys
to-morrow at recess," said Ned, with an air of disappointment.
"What's to hinder your doing it?" asked Uncle Ben.
"How--until we know what we're going to do?"
"Oh, just make your plans broad enough to take in any ideas that come
along," responded Uncle Ben, rising to go.
That night after everyone had retired, Uncle Ben took Mr. Talmage down
the drive toward the woods. As they walked slowly along in the bright
moonlight, they discussed various plans suggested by the ladies of the
Blue Bird society. Uncle Ben led up, quite naturally, to the new
organization of Bobolinks.
"Al, those boys are wide awake, all right! If we were to give them a
boost now and then, there is no saying how great a philanthropic success
this undertaking may be. It may grow so far out of Oakdale limits that
the whole world may take part in it. I, for one, have decided to lend my
support and see what comes of it," said Uncle Ben, seriously.
"Great Scott! Ben; you _must_ be interested; I haven't seen you so
enthusiastic over anything in years," laughed Mr. Talmage.
"You know how interested I have always been in the publishing
work--even as a boy, like Ned is now. Well, one thing you, and no one
else, ever did know, was the hope of being able some day to circulate a
model magazine for children. I have known for years that the little
souls craved something more than the wishy-washy stuff that is given
them in the name of 'juvenile reading'--Heaven forgive the criminals!
Why, our little ones of to-day are as wide awake as grown-ups, and they
demand--unconsciously, perhaps--the same strong quality of bread and
meat reading as adults have been digesting of late years. Educational,
adventurous, interesting, work-a-day reading! But the books and
magazines in the main have not advanced to meet the demand for better
children's literature. I have long dreamed of just what I would like to
give the children of to-day." And Uncle Ben lapsed into silence.
"I never gave the subject much thought, but I suppose you are right,
Ben," admitted Mr. Talmage.
"That's just it!" cried Uncle Ben, excitedly. "No one ever stops to
think about it, but keeps right on filling the minds of their children
with stuff that never benefits them a particle. How many boys of to-day
want to read 'Mother's Brave Little Man,' or 'Jerry the Newsboy'? Bosh!
Boys of to-day want 'True Tales of an Indian Trapper,' or 'Boy Scout
Adventures,' or good clean stories--school life, or outdoor sports.
It's LIFE and HEALTH they want."
"Guess you're right, Ben," said Mr. Talmage, smiling at his brother's
denunciation of present-day literature for children.
"All right, then! Help me bring about a reform in this line. I have
studied this problem from every point of view and I really believe that
the growing youth of to-day would not acquire bad habits so readily if
they were given some occupation that would thoroughly interest them.
It's worth trying, at any rate. Let's fill them with some great plan or
ambition and see how many children will fall into the snares and
pitfalls of the past!"
Uncle Ben so inspired his brother with his enthusiasm that he, too,
declared he would do all he could to help.
"Here's a few women who accomplished wonders this summer with the little
girls. We have a crowd of boys wasting their time day by day for want
of something interesting to do. Let the fathers follow the mothers'
example and help their boys band together for some good cause!" said
Uncle Ben.
"We'll get the men together and propose it--they'll see the value of the
suggestion, just as I have," promised Mr. Talmage.
"Well, Al, now that you're interested, I have an especially fine plum to
drop into your hands. Your own son was the one to start an organization
of boys and name it Bobolink Boys."
"My Ned!" exclaimed Mr. Talmage, joyfully. "That makes me very happy!"
"That is what he wished to tell me when we went to his den. He has
organized a club for boys under twelve, just as the Blue Birds have done
for girls, and the initials are the same--B. B.;--also, they wish to
cooperate with the girls, whenever possible," explained Uncle Ben.
"Well, well!" ejaculated Mr. Talmage, smiling to himself.
"When I heard Ned outline his plan I decided to encourage the movement
if possible by confiding my pet plan to them to experiment on," said
Uncle Ben.
"When the fathers hear of this they will be as happy as I am. The
problem of keeping a boy actively engaged in some uplifting work is a
sufficient one. Ned and you seem to have solved it for Oakdale,"
admitted Mr. Talmage.
"Think so! Then you get busy and gather the fathers together to-morrow
night for a conference. We will see how many will agree to help along
the work. I will donate all of my ideas accumulated during the past
years."
"I'll telephone everyone I know the first thing in the morning. Where
shall we meet--in the library?" asked Mr. Talmage.
"Yes, and if there are too many of us we will have to adjourn to a
larger place," said Uncle Ben.
Before breakfast the next morning the Starrs' telephone rang, and Mr.
Starr was informed that he was wanted at a meeting to be held in
Talmage's library that night. Meredith and Donald knew nothing of Uncle
Ben's talk with Mr. Talmage, but they felt sure the meeting had
something to do with their plans.
Mr. Wells and Mr. Stevens were the next ones to be invited to the
meeting, and after that a score or more of fathers were invited.
Uncle Ben, who had hoped to take a few days' rest in his brother's quiet
country home, found himself very busy in working out his idea so that it
could be simply presented to the meeting of boys and men. He spent the
entire morning in jotting down ideas as they came to him.
Luncheon over, Ned caught Uncle Ben's hand and said, "You haven't
forgotten the date we made, have you?"
"You wouldn't think so if you had seen me working all morning,"
complained Uncle Ben.
"That's all right then; we boys will meet you in the big empty carriage
house this afternoon at three-thirty," nodded Ned.
"I'll be there!" laughed Uncle Ben, as Ned ran off.
The big room in the carriage house had not been used since the garage
had been built.
Ned and Ike found some chairs in the store-room, and Simon provided
several empty boxes. Long planks were placed across the boxes, making
very good benches for the boys to sit upon. A large packing case stood
a few feet in front of the benches to be used as the speaker's stand.
At three-thirty every boy who had expressed a desire to join the
Bobolinks was there with expectant looks. Uncle Ben soon arrived and
took a seat by the large box. He spread his papers out in front of him
in a very business-like way.
"Boys, I will go straight to the business under consideration this
afternoon," said Uncle Ben, standing up the better to impress his
audience.
"I think the first thing to do is to appoint a secretary."
Ned was selected, so he sat down behind the packing case to jot down his
notes.
"Have you boys formed any kind of an organization?" asked Uncle Ben,
turning to Ned.
"No, sir, not yet," replied Ned.
"Then let us attend to that now. You must have officers, and rules and
by-laws for governing the boys and meetings. Now, I should suggest that
we begin properly, and hold an election of officers."
Uncle Ben then told them the proper way to proceed, and the boys were
greatly impressed with the importance of what they were doing. When the
election was completed, Ned had been chosen President, Meredith
Treasurer and Jinks Secretary.
"Now," said Uncle Ben, "with your permission I will preside at this
meeting, instead of your new President. I will read to you what I have
written on this paper:
"First: The undersigned have met together to form an organization to be
known as Bobolink Boys.
"Second: The purpose of this organization is to provide a club for boys
under twelve years of age, that will plan healthful sport, social
meetings, and assist the Blue Birds in their work and play.
"Third: Meetings shall be arranged for by vote of members, and all other
important matters shall be discussed and decided upon at these meetings.
"Fourth: An initiation fee of ten cents shall be charged each boy
desiring to become a member of the Bobolinks, and dues of five cents a
month shall be collected from every member. Should any member find it
impossible to pay these costs he may be discharged from the obligation
by filing an acceptable excuse with the treasurer.
"Fifth: A bank account shall be opened at the Oakdale National Bank and
all funds deposited there. All bills must be paid by check signed by the
treasurer and secretary.
"Sixth: Any member found deliberately breaking any of the rules and
by-laws shall be expelled from the organization, after a meeting held to
investigate the misdemeanor."
Uncle Ben looked up from the paper and said,
"Is that the plan of organization that you boys feel will cover what you
want?"
"Oh, yes, that's fine!" cried several boys.
The others still felt too over-awed at the business-like terms just
heard, to make any sign, favorable or otherwise.
"Well, if this paper is acceptable a motion to make it official will be
received. I want to get to the principal thing for which we have
gathered," said Uncle Ben.
"Now, I shall make some suggestions," continued Uncle Ben, after the
outline had been accepted by a vote. "Are there any boys here who do not
wish to become members?"
All of the twenty-three boys wished to become Bobolinks.
"Are there any boys present who cannot pay the initial fee and regular
dues?" continued Uncle Ben.
None thought this impossible.
"After this you write down the names and addresses of every boy who
applies for membership."
Ned made a note of it in his book.
"Now for a catechism: This is very important," said Uncle Ben, looking
about at the boys. "And answer truthfully!"
"Ever smoke?"
"Ever drink?"
"Ever gamble?"
"Ever swear?"
"Ever steal?"
"Ever fight?"
"Ever play hookey?"
"Ever strike anyone weaker than yourself?"
"I noticed that most of the boys smiled when I said 'hookey,'" ventured
Uncle Ben, critically. "But let me tell you! 'Hookey' is an
innocent-looking vice that leads to great trouble. It is the seed of
being unreliable. A man who is unreliable is a failure in the beginning.
So, boys, beware of 'hookey'!"
The boys felt the serious import of the words and each vowed to forego
the delight in playing hookey when fishing was good, or when baseball
was being played in town ten miles away.
"Have any of you boys ever been in a printing plant and watched the
process of turning out papers?" asked Uncle Ben.
Almost every boy raised his hand instantly in answer to this question,
for what boy had not stood at the village printer's yearning to set type
or run one of the fascinating presses?
"Fine!" smiled Uncle Ben. "And now how many can set type or do small
jobs on the press?"
Very few could do this, but the Starr boys and Jinks often helped Ned
with printing the _Chirp_ on his small press, and a few other boys knew
something of the work.
"Well, I'll have to explain to you what kind of work is required of a
firm that prints papers or publishes a magazine. You may think this has
nothing to do with your organization, but you will soon see," said Uncle
Ben.
As the speaker turned to take up several sheets of paper, a noisy
chatter was heard outside the house and in another moment all of the
Blue Birds, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Talmage, Mrs. Catlin, and Miss
Selina, entered the room.
"In passing, we heard the harangue going on in here, and found out from
Mr. Talmage that a secret meeting was under way. We would love to hear
the motive and perhaps suggest an idea now and then," laughingly said
Mrs. Talmage.
The Bobolinks looked at each other, and Uncle Ben said, "Members, shall
these intruders be ejected, or shall this organization extend the first
courtesy to one we hope to assist in the future?"
The boys giggled, for the manner of presenting the case appealed to
every one of them, and eliminated any feeling of intrusion from the Blue
Birds.
"One item to be written in our by-laws must be: 'Consider the ladies
first,'" announced Ned, standing.
"The visitors are welcome!" said Uncle Ben, making a ceremonious bow.
"But please remember, visitors, this is a business meeting, not a social
function, so I must ask the ladies to find their own seats and not
disturb the gentlemen," said Mr. Talmage.
The ladies were soon seated in a corner where Ike placed some boxes, and
the Blue Birds squatted upon carriage robes spread out on the floor by
Simon. When all was orderly again, Uncle Ben proceeded with his
discourse.