“I wish to talk the matter over with your father first, but you may call together some of the boys to-morrow afternoon and I will talk with them to see how many are willing and able to help.”
“Well, I suppose I must wait, but I did hope we could organize our boys to-morrow at recess,” said Ned, with an air of disappointment.
“What’s to hinder your doing it?” asked Uncle Ben.
“How—until we know what we’re going to do?”
“Oh, just make your plans broad enough to take in any ideas that come along,” responded Uncle Ben, rising to go.
That night after everyone had retired, Uncle Ben took Mr. Talmage down the drive toward the woods. As they walked slowly along in the bright moonlight, they discussed various plans suggested by the ladies of the Blue Bird society. Uncle Ben led up, quite naturally, to the new organization of Bobolinks.
“Al, those boys are wide awake, all right! If we were to give them a boost now and then, there is no saying how great a philanthropic success this undertaking may be. It may grow so far out of Oakdale limits that the whole world may take part in it. I, for one, have decided to lend my support and see what comes of it,” said Uncle Ben, seriously.
“Great Scott! Ben; you must be interested; I haven’t seen you so enthusiastic over anything in years,” laughed Mr. Talmage.
“You know how interested I have always been in the publishing work—even as a boy, like Ned is now. Well, one thing you, and no one else, ever did know, was the hope of being able some day to circulate a model magazine for children. I have known for years that the little souls craved something more than the wishy-washy stuff that is given them in the name of ‘juvenile reading’—Heaven forgive the criminals! Why, our little ones of to-day are as wide awake as grown-ups, and they demand—unconsciously, perhaps—the same strong quality of bread and meat reading as adults have been digesting of late years. Educational, adventurous, interesting, work-a-day reading! But the books and magazines in the main have not advanced to meet the demand for better children’s literature. I have long dreamed of just what I would like to give the children of to-day.” And Uncle Ben lapsed into silence.
“I never gave the subject much thought, but I suppose you are right, Ben,” admitted Mr. Talmage.