Questions and Answers.
G. Ellery Crosby, Jun., asks if imagination stories are wanted as Table morsels. We reply that they are not. The reason is that a limit must be set somewhere, and we have set it at the practical and useful. Sir Ellery lives in the city that, for its size, has more insurance companies than any other in the world. Possibly we need not qualify the comparison by "for its size." Who can tell what city it is, and can Sir Ellery tell us something of the insurance "industry" of his city? Sadie Chandler, Anderson, Tex., is fifteen years old, and is interested in poetry. Are you?
Upton B. Sinclair, Jun., asks if a story in verse may be sent in competition for our prizes. No. John Pohland, Ahnapee, Wis., may apply to the Secretary of the Navy, Washington, for information about studies at Annapolis, and to his member of Congress to learn when there will be a vacancy there from his district. There are no cadets at Annapolis who are active members of our Order, but some sons and daughters of naval officers there have a vigorous Chapter. Sir John wants to hear from members in foreign countries.
In reply to several inquiries: The new badges are an exact reproduction of the rose in the centre of what is said to be the original round table of King Arthur and his knights. You can see a picture of the top of this table on the back cover page of our Prospectuses. The badges are: in silver, 8 cents and 2 cents for postage; in gold, 85 cents, no postage charged. Members are not required to buy badges. Those who purchase Harper's Round Table weekly on news-stands should send a postal card or letter applying for our 1896 Prospectus. It is sent free, of course. We send it to all subscribers without application, and we would mail it to weekly purchasers did we know their names.
Arthur J. Johnston, Box 136, Dartmouth, N. S., is the most active member of a stamp, correspondence, and social Chapter, and he wants corresponding members, especially those resident in Canada. Write him. "H. Mc." asks if Joseph Jefferson will send his autograph. Undoubtedly, if you ask him to do so, and enclose stamp. Address him care of the Dramatic News, this city. The president and secretary of the Episcopal Society Daughters of the King are Mrs. E. A. Bradley, 117 West Ninety-first Street, and Miss E. L. Ryerson, 520 East Eighty-seventh Street, both New York city.
Lincoln W. Riddle, 33 Roanoke Avenue, Jamaica Plain, Mass., wants correspondents in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia who are interested in botany. Claude T. Reno, Allentown, Pa., wants to found or to belong to a corresponding Chapter. Write him. No street number necessary.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.
"I'm the eldest of five," says Amaranth, in a piteous little letter, "and I'm worn out with sisters forever tagging around. I never can go anywhere with the girls of my set but that Eleanor or Cecile has to go too, and mamma says, 'Amaranth, if you can't let your little sisters be of the company, you will have to stay at home.' I am worn out with sisters," Amaranth concludes.
Well, Amaranth, you have a real grievance. Mamma herself would not like always in your place to have the responsibility of looking after two or three younger girls, who seem to you a little in the way, just a trifle de trop, and who insist on being where you and the older girls are. Yet look at it from mamma's point of view. She is a very busy woman, and she has the children with her many hours a day, while you are at school. You are glad to relieve her, and give her time to rest, when you come home in the afternoon. I am sure of this, for I know that you are a loving daughter and a great comfort, on the whole.
I won't bring up the argument, which we've all heard so often that it has lost its force, "What would you do if your sister should die?" I think such an argument is very little to the purpose. We are not talking of lack of love, but of the inconvenience of having our own families, in the shape of small sisters, always in evidence.
I think if I were you, dear Amaranth, I would try to get into another frame of mind. I would willingly, not rebelliously, as part of my day's work, take the charge of the younger children, and say pleasantly, "Come, dears, I'm going out with Jennie and Susie, and you may be part of the procession; but you mustn't tag, you must keep step." If you will feel differently about it, the other girls will, and their little sisters will be included, and before you know it everything will be harmonious and lovely, as harmony cannot help being.
Tell you where to sell poems and stories, dear Lilybell? I would, if I could, but, my child, I'm not in favor of your publishing your work until you are older. At thirteen one's work may be full of promise, but it is not generally worth payment in money. Write and read, and wait till you are a few years older, and then begin, if you still wish to do so, to send the stories and poems to the editors, always feeling sure that the best work will, one day, win for its author name and fame and silver and gold. Not much of the last, but not any of the others, unless it is the best work.
I advise you, Clementina, to strengthen your memory, by making it treasure things for you. Learn by heart, word for word, a few poems, perhaps a stanza or two at a time; a few fine passages from history, a good many chapters of the Bible. Do not be satisfied with half learning. By heart means that you know the thing so thoroughly that you cannot be tripped up anywhere in repeating it. I advise you also to fix in your mind, by constant repetition, some of the great battles of the world and their dates; great inventions and their dates; wonderful discoveries and their dates.
Margaret E. Sangster.