Throughout the book the observant reader will note the author's pride in his Dutch ancestry and his consciousness of the fact that he owes so much to the splendid qualities of his forbears. Such pride may be shared by every other progressive American of foreign birth or parentage who feels that he is bringing into our social and industrial life certain commendable traits that characterize the best sons and daughters of his fatherland, whatever that fatherland may be.

The admirable dedication that Mr. Bok has prepared for this little volume is addressed to American schoolboys and schoolgirls, but its message is just as vital for the older reader. In the prime of life and on the threshold of his Third Period, Mr. Bok has begun to give practical demonstration of the kind of service that is possible for those who are sincerely ready to serve. He is alive to the fact that as a nation we are still young and eager to learn. We have made serious mistakes in the past and our institutions are as yet far from perfect, but with more of our intellectual leaders accepting the watchword of altruistic service in the spirit of Mr. Bok's conception, there can be virtually no limitations to the part that America seems destined to play in the future.

JOHN L. HANEY

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
PHILADELPHIA

CONTENTS

[EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION]
[AN INTRODUCTION OF TWO PERSONS]
Chapter
I. [THE FIRST DAYS IN AMERICA ]
II. [THE FIRST JOB: FIFTY CENTS A WEEK ]
III. [THE HUNGER FOR SELF-EDUCATION ]
IV. [A PRESIDENTIAL FRIEND AND A BOSTON PILGRIMAGE ]
V. [GOING TO THE THEATRE WITH LONGFELLOW ]
VI. [PHILLIPS BROOKS'S BOOKS AND EMERSON'S MENTAL MIST ]
VII. [A PLUNGE INTO WALL STREET ]
VIII. [STARTING A NEWSPAPER SYNDICATE ]
IX. [THE FIRST "WOMAN'S PAGE," "LITERARY LEAVES,"
AND ENTERING SCRIBNER'S ]
X. [THE CHANCES FOR SUCCESS ]
XI. [LAST YEARS IN NEW YORK ]
XII. [SUCCESSFUL EDITORSHIP ]
XIII. [BUILDING UP A MAGAZINE ]
XIV. [MEETING A REVERSE OR TWO ]
XV. [ADVENTURES IN ART AND IN CIVICS ]
XVI. [THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S INFLUENCE ]
XVII. [THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOY ]
XVIII. [ADVENTURES IN MUSIC ]
XIX. [A WAR MAGAZINE AND WAR ACTIVITIES ]
XX. [THE THIRD PERIOD ]
XXI. [WHERE AMERICA FELL SHORT WITH ME ]
XXII. [WHAT I OWE TO AMERICA ]
[
EDWARD WILLIAM BOK: BIOGRAPHICAL DATA ]
[THE EXPRESSION OF A PERSONAL PLEASURE ]

ILLUSTRATIONS

[ Edward W. Bok . . . Frontispiece ]

[ Edward Bok at the age of six ]

[ Edward Bok's birthplace at Helder, Netherlands ]