“‘A Little Citizen loves and protects the trees, the flowers, and other growing things in Nature’s creation.
“‘A Little Citizen will care for all beautiful things: books, pictures, clothing, and everything useful, ornamental, instructive or entertaining.
“‘A Little Citizen will refrain from discourtesy of any sort; from using vulgar language or being disobedient. In following these ideals each one will soon see the great improvement in all.
“‘A Little Citizen resolves to daily seek opportunity to accomplish some good thing—something that will add to his character-building and do good to others.
“‘A Little Citizen will help where help is needed, encourage the unhappy and hopeless, and be true to others as he would be true to his own best self.’
“If everyone will remember these rules and use them wherever possible, you will find what a happy camp this will be for each one.
“Now I want to speak of my firemen—a squad of the older boys who can be our official firemen for the summer camp. For this work I have chosen the ten boys who are standing at the left, over there. Come forward, firemen, and let me introduce you to the Little Citizens of Happy Hills.”
Ten strong boys ranging from nine to twelve years of age now came over to Uncle Ben’s side and stood eager to hear what he would have to say to them.
“First of all, I want to tell you—and then have you tell and teach the campers at Happy Hills—that most of the fires that destroy life and property are not due to accident as much as to carelessness and mischief. It is ignorance of what to do in case of a fire that permits a small blaze to grow into a consuming flame that wrecks blocks of buildings and wastes millions of dollars worth of property.
“If everyone knew just what to do and did it at once, you can understand that there would be little danger. Of recent years, the large schools in cities have introduced a course of lessons that take up ‘First Aids’ and ‘Presence of Mind’ tests for the children so that they may be ready to apply such knowledge when needed.