“Well, B. B. & B. B.’s—do you want to know the result of that meeting?”
The children shouted and begged to be told at once, so Uncle Ben continued with evident pleasure in the telling.
“Those great publishers talked for hours of ways and means in which to help along your good work. Some promised to interest prominent people they knew, and others offered to insert advertising cards in their own publications to tell about the magazine and its purpose. Almost every one of them offered to make special clubbing offers with their own magazines to induce readers to subscribe for yours.
“Now, these letters are the results of some of the promises already kept by these men. I will read them to you.”
Uncle Ben then proceeded to read aloud the letters from prominent people and philanthropists who had responded to the call made by friends. They commended the interest shown by the younger generation and hoped the sympathetic work done for the sick and poverty-stricken little ones of the cities would win success. To this end a donation was inclosed.
As Uncle Ben read the last letter, he took from his wallet a package of checks and handed them over to Ned.
Ned saw the figure written on the face of the first check on top and held the package as if it were dangerous.
“Heigh, there, Ned, they aren’t loaded, are they?” laughed Jinks.
“Read it off, Ned,” urged the boys and girls.
“This top one is from the Cage Foundation and is for five hundred dollars—subscriptions to be sent to hospitals. The next one——” and Ned gasped again as he took up the second paper.