UNCLE BEN'S BUSINESS TALK
"Ladies and gentlemen!" said Uncle Ben, bowing politely to each group;
"You may not know that I have always had one hobby--something like my
nephew here--and that is still, printing. My present position as editor
of a magazine does not satisfy my craving for the printer's workshop,
but it is as near as I can come to it, so I have bided my time until an
opportunity like the present one offers.
"Before I confide to you what the present offer is, I wish to explain
somewhat the working of a magazine plant. I believe it is necessary to
tell you how much hard work is attached to the business, and some of the
enjoyments when the magazine is ready to go out.
"The first thing is to have the right kind of a story, or article. To
find this it is necessary to read many, many manuscripts. We employ
'readers' for this work of selecting what we can use. The manuscripts
we cannot use are returned to the writers. After the first reader passes
on a story, another reader goes over it, and if it seems suitable, it is
handed to the editor. The editor decides whether or not to accept it. If
accepted, he has to go over it very carefully. Sometimes words are
changed, lines inserted, or whole paragraphs cut out.
"If the story needs illustrating an artist is sent for. If a soft-toned
illustration is desired, the artist makes a 'wash drawing'--meaning a
black and white painting done with brushes, as in a water color. The
'wash drawing' is then sent to the engravers and a 'half-tone' plate
made for use in the magazine. 'Half-tones' are made of copper sheets
with the picture photographed upon them.
"Sometimes we want an outline to illustrate the story. A pen and ink
sketch is required for this, and is made about twice as large as it will
appear in the magazine. This is reproduced on a zinc plate, and is
called a 'line cut.'
"Then the story is given to the linotypers. A linotype machine is very
interesting. It has a key-board almost like a typewriter. When a letter
is struck on the board, a piece of brass containing the impression of
that letter moves into place just like a soldier starting to form a
line. When the next letter is struck, the corresponding brass soldier
hurries into place beside the first one. This continues until a whole
line has been 'set.' Then the operator touches a lever, the line of
brass pieces moves to a new position, and molten type-metal is poured
into the mold which the brass pieces help to form. The lead at once
hardens, and the whole line is ready for printing, in one solid piece.
All of this is done very fast--much faster than I can tell you about it.
It is hard to believe that a machine can do all these things so quickly
and so accurately.
"When the linotype work is completed the printer places the lines of
type on a 'galley.' Then the type is covered with ink, a piece of paper
is laid on, and a heavy roller passed over it. This impression is called
the 'galley proof.' If the linotyper has made any mistakes in spelling
or printing, they have to be corrected.
"After the 'galley proofs' are corrected, the dummy--a blank-page book
just the size the magazine will be--is made.
"Before us, are all the pictures and reading matter to be used. These
are arranged and pasted into the dummy in the order in which they are to
be printed. Sometimes a page has a little space left at the bottom, and
this must be filled with a neat ornament or a verse. Sometimes an
article is too long, and then it must be cut down and made to fit the
allotted space.
"Thus, the whole magazine is 'dummied' with pages of cut-up galley
proofs and picture proofs, until it looks more like a child's scrap book
than a magazine model.
"This dummy goes back to the printer, who picks out the galley-type and
measures it off to compare with the pages of the dummy. This done, he
places the type in a form the size of the page, places the numeral of
the page at the top or bottom, with the name of the magazine at the
top--this is known as the 'running head,' as it runs along the top of
each page throughout the book.
"The printer next makes a page proof. That is, he makes a proof of each
page. These pages are sent into the editorial room again, and are gone
over carefully and compared with the galley proofs; if everything is
correct each page is 'O.K'd.' If, however, there are errors, note is
made of it in the margin on the page proof.
"When all the pages are 'O.K'd.' the page forms are 'locked up'
together, sixteen, thirty-two or sixty-four, in one big form, and
arranged so that when the sheet of paper is printed and folded, the
pages will come in the right order."
So Uncle Ben continued his talk about magazine making. He explained the
workings of different kinds of printing presses, how some print directly
from the type "made ready" on a flat bed, the paper being fed into the
press in flat sheets, and how some of the big presses print from curved
plates that fit around a big roller, the paper running into the press
continuously from an immense big roll as wide as the press. He told
about the wonderful folding and stitching machines, and many other
interesting things.
During Uncle Ben's talk, everyone had been so interested that not a
sound was heard. When he concluded, however, the tension relaxed and his
audience began asking questions.
"This is most instructive, but I can't see where it helps the Bobolink
Boys in their organization," said Mr. Talmage, quizzically.
At mention of the name "Bobolink Boys" the Blue Birds looked at each
other, and then at their elders for information.
Uncle Ben saw their wonderment, and laughingly explained the plot. The
girls were delighted, and had so much to say to one another that it
seemed as if no further business could be attended to that day.
Uncle Ben, however, rapped loudly upon the box.
"We have many important things to attend to," he said, "and all are
requested to sit still and listen. I am going back to New York in a few
days, and in the meantime I should like to help start the boys on the
right road to success. Now, what you all want to know is, 'How does my
talk about magazines help the Bobolink Boys?'
"Well, this is the way: For the past half-score of years or more, I have
longed to issue a magazine for young folks that could reach out into
every plane of life; for the poor children in institutions; for the slum
children; for rich children, for children in the city and children in
the country--for every one of them!
"I would like to give so much instructive reading matter on its pages
that the schools will circulate it among the pupils; I would like to
have the pictures of the very best; I would like it to inspire boys and
girls to read better books, and make them ambitious to make the most of
their chances; I would like it to teach them to make things and do
things for themselves; in fact, I would like to make it the best and
finest magazine ever published! But I haven't had time to experiment
with my hobby and being an old bachelor I am afraid I do not understand
children well enough to know how to write for them. The plan that I have
been figuring out seems to fit most beautifully with the Blue Birds' and
Bobolinks' work."
Uncle Ben hesitated a second, but not a sound was heard. Then he
continued:
"Mother Talmage asked me last night about how much it would cost to send
circulars to people who might be interested in the farms next summer. I
propose that we start a children's magazine and use its pages whenever
there is an announcement of importance. If you want donations of money
or help of other kinds, ask for them through the pages of the magazine.
"With the Blue Birds to write articles each month telling other children
what they are doing, or how to make the things they are being taught to
make, and the Bobolink Boys to write the experiences of their daily work
and play, and some of the grown-ups to contribute poems and stories, of
course it would be necessary to have contributions also from some of our
best writers, and I know I can get them for you."
The idea of such a stupendous undertaking made the children gasp, but
Mr. Talmage said, "All you have said is fine, Uncle Ben, but who will
set type, buy paper, print, bind and circulate such a magazine?"
"That's just the thing! Don't you see? My very great interest in this
plan will compel me to help in every way and all the time, and the boys
will be kept busy at profitable and interesting work. When all the
manuscript is in, and turned over to me I will see that it is set, and
the proofs sent back to the children. The Blue Birds will enjoy making
the dummies, pasting in the pictures, and arranging the pages; and the
Bobolinks can proceed to print the magazines. If you don't expect to use
this carriage house for anything it may as well be turned into a
print-shop. With all these boys to work, the printing ought to be great
sport and not much trouble to get out a magazine."
The Blue Birds were clapping their hands in excitement while the
Bobolinks jumped up, and in their eagerness, crowded about Uncle Ben,
overwhelming him with so many questions that he was quite overcome.
Then Miss Selina stood up in the road-wagon, and after silencing the
noisy crowd, made an announcement.
"I'll pay for the paper that will be needed for the experiment the first
month!"
"Hurrah, hurrah! for Aunt Selina!" shouted Uncle Ben, and the rest
joined in with such good will that Aunt Selina sat down and held her
hands over her ears.
"I'll pay postage on a sample issue!" called Mrs. Catlin.
Again the joyous young publishers-to-be burst forth into cheers.
"What can I pay for?" laughed Mrs. Talmage.
"You'll soon find that you are paying the heaviest tax of all in
overseeing the publishers," replied Uncle Ben.
"How soon can we start?" demanded the Bobolinks.
"What shall we write?" asked the Blue Birds.
Uncle Ben raised both hands for silence, and as soon as order was
restored again, he spoke.
"We have just installed new machines in our printing plant in New York
and intend selling the old ones to some small job printer who can use
second-hand machines. Now, I can pick out a small press, stitcher, and
other things that you will need, and ship them out here. You have
electricity here, and a small motor will furnish the power. When you are
ready to go to press, I will send out an experienced man from our shop
to direct the work and see that everything is done properly. The
addressing and wrapping can be done by all of you. Of course, as far as
we have gone, it all sounds like great sport, but there is another side
to this plan that must be thoroughly agreed upon before we go any
further. If you start this undertaking, you will have to keep on with
it. At a certain date each month your periodical must be ready for
mailing. You will have to write and edit, and print, whether the skating
is fine, or the gymnasium is at your disposal, or whether Thanksgiving
dinner makes you feel lazy, or a toothache keeps you awake all night.
Publishing work is very interesting, most instructive, and profitable,
but it is work, work, work, and not all play!"
"Oh, we know that, Uncle Ben," said Ned. "And we'll promise to take all
of the consequences that go with the game."
The other boys seconded Ned's statement, and the Blue Birds eagerly
agreed to the plan, so Uncle Ben really had no further objections to
make.
"Oh, I can hardly wait to begin my page," cried Ruth.
"I'd rather see the magazine--maybe it will be a home-made looking
thing!" exclaimed Dot Starr.
"It will not! Not with us boys to boss the plant!" bragged Don, her
twin.
"If it is home-made, you'll have to do it all again," commented Uncle
Ben.
"That is where Mrs. Talmage's work comes in," laughed Mr. Talmage.
"It will be a regular magazine, all right!" exclaimed Mrs. Talmage
emphatically.
"We boys will see to it that no magazine is mailed that will make folks
laugh at us," guaranteed Ned.
"I'm sure I placed my hobby in the right hands, for you children seem to
take a pride in doing things well," commended Uncle Ben.
"And with a nephew stepping right in his uncle's footprints, why
shouldn't things be done right?" laughed Mr. Talmage.
"Say, Uncle Ben, how long must we wait before we can begin?" asked Don
Starr.
"Get as busy as you like to-morrow after school," replied Uncle Ben.
"I'll run into town and attend to having the things shipped here as long
as you have agreed to my plans; you boys may start making benches,
tables, or whatever will be needed in the plant."
"They'll need a desk, some chairs, a table and a few other things,"
suggested Mr. Talmage, looking around. "It might be advisable for them
to partition off a corner of this room for an office."
"I have a good roll-top desk in the store-room at home; it has never had
any use since Mr. Catlin passed away. The boys shall have that," offered
Mrs. Catlin.
"And I can spare that long table we used to have in the dairy before we
installed the patent butter machines," added Mrs. Talmage.
"In case I find any other pieces of Mr. Catlin's office furniture I will
send them over with the desk," said Mrs. Catlin.
"About those machines, Ben! How much will they cost the boys?" asked Mr.
Talmage.
"I thought of assuming the cost, and any time the publishers give up the
work I can easily sell them in the city. The children can pay the
freight charges, which will not be very heavy," replied Uncle Ben.
"Then, there will really be no heavy expense to start with, will there?"
asked Mrs. Talmage.
"No, but a tax of application and interest will be necessary," smiled
Uncle Ben.
"We will agree to pay all of that you want," promised several of the
boys.
The Blue Birds did not have much to say about the machines and workshop,
but each felt that it was to be their very own magazine, so that their
interest and pleasure in every new development were keyed to the top
pitch.
"Betty, what page do you want to take charge of?" asked Norma, eagerly,
as they left the carriage house.
"I think we had better defer discussing that part of the work until we
can all sit down quietly and talk it over," said Mrs. Talmage.
The men and boys remained with Ike to decide what boards and lumber
would be needed for the morrow, so work could begin on their workrooms.
"Let's have a sign for the front over the door," suggested Jinks. "I'll
paint it at home."
"Call it 'Bobolink Boys Publishing Company,'" ventured Meredith.
"Oh, that wouldn't be fair to the Blue Birds if they are going to help
in the work," said Ned.
"Name it 'Blue Bird & Bobolink Company,'" said Uncle Ben.
This last suggestion struck everyone as being just right, but Mr.
Talmage made a good amendment.
"Why not have a mysterious combination? Every mortal is interested in
finding out a puzzle, or secret. The more elusive a thing is the more
they chase it. Now, get folks guessing over your name and they will not
forget you so soon. I just thought of the name of 'B. B. & B. B.
Company.'"
"That's great, father, but we haven't thought of a name for the
magazine," cried Ned.
"Add a few more 'B's' to the others," laughed Uncle Ben. "We'll name it
the 'B. B. B. B.,' published by the 'B. B. & B. B. Co.'"
"What does 'B. B. B. B.' stand for?" asked Mr. Talmage.
"'Blue Bird Bobolink Bulletin,'" replied Uncle Ben.
"That's mystery enough, I'm sure," laughed Mr. Talmage.
After a few more remarks, the first meeting of the organization whose
influence was to be far greater than had been hoped for by Uncle Ben, or
the boys who had started it, was dismissed.