“It is a table of figures that can be added together in a great many different ways with the same result,” replied Miss Lee.
Marcus in a few minutes produced the simplest form of the magic square; and turning to a book in the library, he found another one, both of which are here given:
| 4 | 9 | 2 |
| 3 | 5 | 7 |
| 8 | 1 | 6 |
| 1 | 16 | 11 | 6 |
| 13 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
| 8 | 9 | 14 | 3 |
| 12 | 5 | 2 | 15 |
The several columns in these tables may be added up in the usual way, or crosswise, or diagonally (from one angle to its opposite) and the result will always be the same—15 in the first, and 34 in the second square.
Such were some of the methods by which the children were amused, at Mrs. Page’s, during the long evenings and stormy days of their vacation. They also had singing, reading aloud, story telling, and newspaper publishing, by way of change. Of this last I must tell you more.
CHAPTER XII.
THE NEWSPAPER.
AND what about the newspaper? Well, it was a famous thing, for a time, and made a great stir in the family. The idea originated with Kate, who thought it would be rare sport to edit and publish a newspaper among themselves; and as the others readily fell in with her plan, the enterprise was soon under way. Aunt Fanny, who had frequently written for the press, consented to act as editor, and Marcus and the children all agreed to contribute their portion towards sustaining the paper. The preliminaries were soon settled. The paper was to be called “The Home Wreath.” It was to be issued weekly, and composed of one or more sheets of letter paper, according to the quantity of matter furnished. Its contents were to consist of short selections, cut from other papers, and original articles. The latter were to be written on one side of narrow slips of paper, of a uniform size, so that, with the selections, they could be readily pasted into their places, in columns. Of course, but one copy of each paper could be prepared, which was to circulate as common property. The editor was authorized to reject, correct or condense whatever was sent for publication. Communications were to be sent to her through the letter-box; and it was further agreed that those who contributed an article or letter to the “Wreath” every week, should be exempted from further duties as members of the “Letter-writing Society,” if they did not choose to keep up their private correspondence.
The appearance of the first number of the “Home Wreath” was quite an event in the household. The editor maintained a dignified reserve in regard to its contents, until the day of publication, when it was quietly ushered before its little public, six or seven pairs of eyes being intently fastened upon it, before it had been two minutes from “the office.” As one and another, who had “a finger in the pie,” recognized their bantlings in the crowded columns, they looked pleased and surprised, while others, who searched in vain for their contributions, seemed still more surprised, and not quite so well pleased. But here are the “Notices to Correspondents,” which doubtless explain it all. Ah, yes, the editor is already bothered with articles too long for her little paper, or too carelessly written to appear in its columns. Well, perhaps this will be a salutary warning to the offenders; and meanwhile, they can avenge themselves by criticising the articles which have been more successful than their own. But we hear no captious criticism, and perceive no signs of ill nature. The “Wreath” is read, laughed over, discussed and admired by all, and at once takes its place as an “established fact.”