Uncle Ben laughed at his evident amazement.
“The second is from the Sarnegie Fund and is made out for a thousand dollars, subscriptions to be sent to homes and orphanages.
“And here’s another for five hundred dollars from Harriet Rowld. Then there’s—let me see! One—two—three—four—for a hundred dollars each for cripples’ homes.”
When Ned finished the children were too surprised to say a word, but Uncle Ben spoke for them.
“Well, Chicks—I mean Birds—you see that any time you grow weary of working out this scheme there will be no difficulty in selling the business for cash. Any wide-awake publisher will jump over the moon to get this magazine from you.”
“Oh, Uncle Ben! what a dreadful thing to say!” cried Ruth.
“As if we ever would sell out such a wonderful plan,” murmured several of the children.
“If every one of you feel the same about this matter, why not pass a resolution that we will never sell out this business for mere commercial reasons?” suggested Uncle Ben.
It was instantly agreed upon and the resolution made a part of the by-laws of the company.
“Now, for a social proposition,” said Uncle Ben, smiling in his possession of a pleasant secret.