“That’s just it!” cried Uncle Ben, excitedly. “No one ever stops to think about it, but keeps right on filling the minds of their children with stuff that never benefits them a particle. How many boys of to-day want to read ‘Mother’s Brave Little Man,’ or ‘Jerry the Newsboy’? Bosh! Boys of to-day want ‘True Tales of an Indian Trapper,’ or ‘Boy Scout Adventures,’ or good clean stories—school life, or outdoor sports. It’s LIFE and HEALTH they want.”
“Guess you’re right, Ben,” said Mr. Talmage, smiling at his brother’s denunciation of present-day literature for children.
“All right, then! Help me bring about a reform in this line. I have studied this problem from every point of view and I really believe that the growing youth of to-day would not acquire bad habits so readily if they were given some occupation that would thoroughly interest them. It’s worth trying, at any rate. Let’s fill them with some great plan or ambition and see how many children will fall into the snares and pitfalls of the past!”
Uncle Ben so inspired his brother with his enthusiasm that he, too, declared he would do all he could to help.
“Here’s a few women who accomplished wonders this summer with the little girls. We have a crowd of boys wasting their time day by day for want of something interesting to do. Let the fathers follow the mothers’ example and help their boys band together for some good cause!” said Uncle Ben.
“We’ll get the men together and propose it—they’ll see the value of the suggestion, just as I have,” promised Mr. Talmage.
“Well, Al, now that you’re interested, I have an especially fine plum to drop into your hands. Your own son was the one to start an organization of boys and name it Bobolink Boys.”
“My Ned!” exclaimed Mr. Talmage, joyfully. “That makes me very happy!”
“That is what he wished to tell me when we went to his den. He has organized a club for boys under twelve, just as the Blue Birds have done for girls, and the initials are the same—B. B.;—also, they wish to cooperate with the girls, whenever possible,” explained Uncle Ben.
“Well, well!” ejaculated Mr. Talmage, smiling to himself.