MUDINJKI m V'-. '■ . • ■■■: • 2 •'! . • ••• A JUVENILE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICAN SLOVENES September 1940 «*****>*>****>+♦»**♦♦*♦**)*>♦*******>*+***********♦++*+****» ********♦*>*** * * ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ * ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ * ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ * ★ ★ ★ if ★ w w ★ * ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ir ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ * ★ ★ ★ * ★ ★ Mladinski List JUVENILE Editor..................................IVAN MOLEK Business Manager PHILIP GODINA CONTENTS FOR SEPTEMBER, 1940 Vsebina septembrske številke STORIES AND POEMS Pago Bele ceste dom so moj! (pesem).......................................30 Gosli pojo (pesem) ................................................. 5 Janko in Metka (nadaljevanje)......................................... 7 Moja pesem (pesem).................................................... 1 Na zatožni klopi ................................................... G Pisma mladih beguncev (nadaljevanje).................................. 2 Postal bom diplomat (pesem)........................................... 1 Spet bo čas (pesem).................................................. 30 Srečanje (pesem) .................................................... 1 Symbols (poem) ....................................................... 1 ARTICLES Birthdays of the Great Men............................................ 8 From the Pages of History............................................ 9 In Chicago ........................................................ \ Stamp Collecting......................................................11 FEATURES Introducing Book Friends .............................................13 Just For Fun..........................................................10 Our Own Juvenile Circles..............................................23 Our Pen Pals Write....................................................25 OUR SCHOOL ...........................................................14 When We Play..........................................................12 Published monthly by .the Slovene National Benefit Society for the members of its Juvenile Department. Annual subscription, $1.20; half year, 60c; foreign subscription, $1.50. Address: 2657 S. Lawndale Ave., Chicago, 111. Entered as second-class matter August 2, 1922, at the post office at Chicago, 111., under Act of August 24, 1912. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 'k it ★ ★ i( ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Vr * * ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ * i ************** ***************************************** *************** **+* MLADINSKI LIST JUVENILE LETO XIX—Št. 9 CHICAGO, ILL., SEPTEMBER, 1940 VOL. XIX—No. 9. Symbols Little scraps of tousled wool, Little squares crocheted, Medallions tatted, towels stitched. Edgings slightly frayed, Knitting on the needles, Embroidery on the hook, Pages folded carelessly From an arts craft book,— These are marks of girlhood’s Ambitions to pursue The work of elders ivhich They presently must do. —MARY JUGG. Postal bom diplomat Vladko Kos Ne jokajte se, mamca, če sin ne bo soldat, če rajši hočem biti, oj, mamca, diplomat. Z letalom se bom vozil brezplačno sem in tja, bom vedno smoking nosil, a v rokah kovčka dva. Bom pakte “večne” sklepal, zastonj šampanjca pil( kaj to, če bom drugače si mislil kot storil! Po radiu bom govoril, oj, in lagal bom v svet, da boš še sama rekla: “Moj sin je cel poet!” Če pa soldat postanem, magari general, bo drugi slavo užival, kolajne “svoje” bral. Ne jokajte se, mamca, če sin ne bo soldat, saj splača se dandanes le — biti diplomat. Srečanje Vladko Kos Veselo pojoč sem po ulici hodil, ni bilo mi v srcu, v obrazu ne mraz. čudna in lepa je pesem mladosti, čudna in sladka je pesem življenja. Skorajda večen njen glas. Potem pa sem srečal z gubami starca, njegove se vame so vpile oči, kakor da jeza na dnu njih gori, na pol posmehljivo, molče mi kriči: saj ne boš večno! Pogledal sem starca in sklonil glavo. In pesem je v srcu zamrla, in rana se v njem je odprla, veš, sanje zgubiti je strašno hudo! Potem pa se spomnil sem drugih ljudi. Izginil je starec in v srcu bolest, in vame je planila pesem teh cest: živi, saj mlad si, moj dragi! Moja pesem Vladko Kos V jasni noči mesečine, ko od trudne bolečine spati moglo ni srce, vzele so srebrne strune, pozlačene zdaj od lune, trudne mi roke . . . V svetlih dnevih brez obupa, ko veselja polna kupa moja je bila, pil sem s čaše te veselja, bratec, enkrat je nedelja, dvakrat bol srca! čujte, to je pesem moja, boli polna in pokoja kakor moje je srce. Da bi z mano se smejali, z mano peli in jokali, pesem moja je! Pisma mladih beguncev ii. Dragi bratranec! Ali se še spominjaš, kako sva si pred tremi leti, ko ste prišli iz Amerike k nam na obisk, želela, da bi bila že skoro odrasla človeka, moža? Meni je bilo tedaj dvanajst, a tebi štirinajst let. Ti si hotel postati zdravnik, a jaz arhitekt, graditelj svetlih domov, veličastnih palač, mogočnih mostov. . . Tako lepe načrte sva si zarisala v pesek tedaj, pred tremi leti. . . Danes pa se zdi, kakor bi straihotna šapa predpotopne pošasti zagrebla vse te lepe načrte v osrčje zemlje, in jaz si želim, da bi bil še dojenček, da ne bi videl in razumel ničesar, ali pa, kar bi bilo še bolje, da bi se sploh ne bil nikdar rodil! Strahote zadnjih mesecev so bile namreč tako silne, da bodo za vedno ostale zasekane v mojo dušo in mi vzbujale grozo v sanjah, v katerih se bodo ponavljale, kakor se ponavljajo že zdaj. . . Ko sta naša soseda Francija in Anglija napovedali vojno Nemčiji, je moj oče zaskrbljeno menil: “Belgija in Holandska bi morali iti z zavezniki, sicer ju bo Hitler posamič pomandral. Če bodo v Bruslju vztrajali pri tej slepi politiki nevtralnosti za vsako ceno, nas bo nekega dne nemški vojaški škorenj strl, preden nam -bo mogel kdo pomagati.” Njegovi prijatelji, armadni častniki kot on, so mu ugovarjali, češ da Nemčija ne bo hotela ponoviti “napake iz leta 1914.”, zlasti, ker je Belgija zdaj mnogo bolje pripravljena in jo ščitijo mogočne obrambne naprave ob Albertovem kanalu in med holandsko in luksemburško mejo. Nekateri so bili celo mnenja, da je treba bolj paziti na Francijo kot na Nemčijo. . . Toda, ko je nemški val preplavil Dansko in Norveško, nas je začelo zebs.ti pri duši in na obzorju bodočnosti so začeli vstajati črni oblaki. Vendar so optimisti še vztrajali: “Napasti Belgijo, bi bila blaznost, samomor. . .” Oče je bil na dopustu, ko je bil nenadoma pozvan nazaj k svojemu polku. Ko je odhajal, nas je tolažil: “Ne obupujte, dragi moji, morda se bo vse srečno izteklo. Vsekakor pa bomo mi storili vse, kar bo v naših močeh, da zadržimo nemški naval, dokler nam ne pridejo zavezniki na pomoč. Pogum velja!” Ubogi oče! Vedel je, da bo boj brezupen, vendar nas je bodril, ko je bil on sam najbolj potreben bodrila. Nekaj dni pred svojim nenadnim odhodom sem ga slišal, ko je pri čitanju svojega časopisa mrko zamrmral predse: “Bojim se, da smo svoj čas dokončno zamudili. . Jaz sem hotel vedeti, kaj je mislil s iem. “Če pride napad, bomo izgubljeni”, mi ja odgovoril. “Toda mi imamo vendar močno armado in mogočne utrdbe!” sem ga opozoril jaz. Očetu se je izvil iz prs težek vzdih. “Saj . . .” je mračno prikimal. “Na žalost pa nihče ne ve, ko- liko je v ti armadi častnikov, na katere se ni zanesti v slučaju napada. . . Kdo ve, koliko jih je 7e okužil kljukasto križasti bacil. . . Bojim se, da mnogo preveč, da bi nam ne škodovalo. . Jaz sem želel, da bi mi stvar natančnejše pojasnil, toda on, kakor da se je ustrašil svojih lastnih misli in že izgovorjene sumnje, mi je odsekano zapovedal: “Molči, sin! Premlad si še. . . Saj se bo nemara vendar srečno iz.teklo. . . Pozabi, kaj sem govoril. Truden sem, pa vidim strahove. . .” Padel je pri obrambi Albertovega kanala, ko je pognal v zrak most, ki so ga njegovi tovariši hoteli prepustiti sovražniku. Teden po njegovem odhodu je završalo. Radio nam je sporočil napad na Belgijo in našo sosedo Holandsko. Naša vlada je napovedala Nemčiji vojno in zaprosila zaveznike za pomoč. Naše mestece je bilo blizu francoske meje—bilo, ker danes ga ni več, kajti nemški ognjemetalci so ga vpepelili—in tako smo še tisti dan pozdravili zavezniške čete, ki so se vsule preko meje, našim na pomoč. Ob pogledu na njihove polke, tanke in topove smo začeli upati, da se bo vse res srečno izreklo. Dnevi, ki so sledili, so nam potekali v mrzlični negotovosti. Poročila z bojišča, ki jih je oddajal radio, so bila skopa in naznanjala le “strateške umike” in govorila o hrabrem odporu naših in zavezniških čet. . . Potem je treščilo med nas kot strela iz jasnega poročilo, da je bil Bruselj prepuščen sovražniku—“iz strateških ozirov”. . . Prebivalci na -šega mesteca so začeli misliti na beg, in mnogi so se že podali na pot preko meje. Moja mati pa o .tem ni hotela nič slišati. “Vojakove družine ne sme preplašiti vsak grom!” je poudarila, prepričana, da bodo naše in zavezniške armade nazadnje pognale napadalca iz dežele. Nekega dne pa so v dalji zagrmeli topovi in zvečer smo videli na obzorju silne kresove gorečih vasi in mest. Tok vojaških tovornih avtomobilov, ki je bil prej usmerjen na bojišče, se je obrnil nazaj. . . Drugi dan sredi dopoldneva so začel« treskati v mesto nemške granate. Zdaj je mati vedela, da ni več drugega izhoda kot beg. V največji naglici sva pobrala nekaj obleke in drobnarij ter planila na cesto. Komaj sto korakov od našega doma sva začula za seboj strahovit tresk: .težka granata je razkopala našo hišico kot bi bila otroška igrača! ICesta proti meji je mrgolela vojaštva, tovornih vozil in beguncev. Gneča je bila tolikšna, da smo se le počasi pomikali naprej. Bila je čudna, strahotna mešanica, ta nepretrgana, vedno naraščajoča človeška reka umikajočega se vojaštva in beguncev, vsakovrstnih motornih vozil in konjskih vpreg in utrujenih, preplašenih in zbeganiih ljudi. Midva z materjo sva dobila prostor na nekem angleškem tovornem av.tomobilu, ki je vozil ranjence. Sredi popoldneva so zabrneli nad obzorjem pogubni kovinski ptiči s kljukastimi križi. Na cesti je nastala strahovita zmešnjava. Vozila so se ustavljala, ljudje so kričali in jokali ter začeli bežati na vse strani. Naš avto je v tej zmedi zavozil v obcestni jarek in toliko, da se ni prevrnil. Voznik, lahko ranjeni vojaki in midva z materjo smo stekli proti grmovju, ki je rastlo nekaj sto korakov od ceste. Midva z materjo sva komaj dosegla prvi grm ter pod njim padla na tla, ko je nad nami začelo strahotno grmeti, okrog nas pa deževati svinec in bombe. Tisto, kar so nam v šoli pripovedovali o grozotah pekla, se mi je tisti čas zdelo kakor pravljica, saj ni bilo niti poštena senca tega, kar je tedaj tulilo in uničevalo okrog nas. (Vojaki so postavili nekaj strojnic ter začeli streljati na napadalce. V tem je ena bomba zadela naš avto in ko se je dim razkadil, je bila tam, kjer je bil stal, ogromna jama. . . Na avtu sta bila dva težko ranjena vojaka, ki nista mogla zbežati. . . Potem je pribrnela od nekod jata angleških lovcev ter se vrgla na napadalce. Dve letali s kljukastimi križi sta v plamenih treščili nizdol. Napadalci so se obrnili ter se spustili v beg. Cesta in polje sta bila posuta z mrtveci in ranjenci. Tisti, ki so ostali živi, so ječali, jokali, kleli, da se je človeku trgalo srce. Blizu naju se je zvijala v poslednjih krčih neka mlada mati, z dojenčkom v naročju, ki pa je bil živ in nepoškodovan. Moja mati je pokleknila k umirajoči in ji na rahlo vzela dete iz rok. Žena, zadeta v prsi, je tedaj odprla svoje lepe sinje oči in ko je videla svojega nebogljenčka v naročju ljubeznive tuje žene, ji je šinil preko ble-deg-a obraza radosten nasmešek in ustnice so se ji na pol razprle, kakor bi se ji hotela zahvaliti. . . S tem nasmeškom na obrazu in okrog na pol razprtih ustnic je za vedno obnemela. Mati je vstala. “Sin, ne oziraj se več po ti strahoti!” mi je velela ter me prijela za roko. “Zdaj je treba gledati samo naprej in bežati!” Bežali smo. Tri dolge tedne—ali je bilo tri večnosti?1—podnevi in ponoči, med gromom topov, mrtvaškim brnenjem letal, žvižganjem krogel in treska-njem bomb. Za seboj smo puščali strašno sled krvi, smrti in razdejanja. Meni se zdi, da sem se tiste dni postaral najmanj za sto let. Naposled smo dosegli morje in našli prostor na ladji, ki nas je srečno pripeljala v Anglijo. Jaz dolgo nisem mogel verjeti svojim očem, da smo res ušli iz flandrskega pekla. Često se mi je zdelo, da zgolj sanjam prijetne sanje. Vendar smo se rešili —vsi trije: ma.ti, na krvavem polju najdena sestrica brez matere, ki jo moja mati imenuje Viktorijo, govoreč ji, da bo dočakala zmago nad barbari s severa, ■n jaz. Toda naš oddih je bil kratek. Zdaj brne letala s kljukastimi križi nad Anglijo in njihove bombe rušijo ang-leške domove, ubijajo angleške matere in otroke. Flandrija pa se tu skoraj ne more ponoviti, kajti bežati nimamo več kam, razen če bi poskusili zbežati preko morja v Ameriko. . . Ah, blagor vam v Ameriki! Vi si niti predstavljati ne morete, kako srečni ste v tem edinem pristanu, ki ga ne doseza strašna poplava krvi in uničevanja, v kateri izginja ostali svet. . . Amerika! Kontinent, nad katerim še ne gospodujejo arhitekti razdejanja in smrti! Jaz včasih ugibam, ali znate pravilno ceniti srečo, ki vas obliva, in ali si jo boste znali oihraniti. . . Evropa tega ni znala. . . |Mati bi najrajši z Viktorijo in menoj v Ameriko. Pred nekaj tedni smo se že odpravljali, da odrinemo na pot preko morja, toda zadnjo uro je vlada odločila, da potrebuje vse bojne ladje j)ri obrambi svojega otočja in naš načrt je obtičal na sipinah. Vlada se namreč ne upa pošiljati ladij z begunci na morje brez spremstva, kajti nacijski barbar ne prizanaša niti ladjam z otroki in ženami. Vse, kar moremo storiti zdaj, je, da upamo, da se bo Angliji posrečilo odbiti nemški naval ter rešiti evropsko civilizacijo pred popolnim uničenjem. Po-.tem se bodo moje sanje morda uresničile in bom vendar le postal arhitekt, graditelj svetlih domov, veličastnih palač in mogočnih mostov, preko katerih si bodo podajali roke srečni in svobodni ljudje. . . Če pa še Anglija podleže, bo takih sanj za dolgo, dolgo konec in Evropi bodo zagospodarili arhitekti razdejanja in smrti, ki se bodo potem obrnili tudi proti vam! Mati, Viktorija in jaz vas prisrčno pozdravljamo in vam želimo, da ne bi vam bilo .treba nikdar iti skozi take strahote, ki so doletele nesrečno Evropo, ker ni hotela videti znamenj na nebu, dokler je bil še čas. Tvoj bratranec Albert. Cause and Effect Talkative Lady: “A big man like you might bo better occupied than in cruelly catching little fish.” Angler: “Perhaps you’re right. But if this fish had kept his mouth shut, he wouldn’t be here.” SCHOOL IS ON By Pr. Padar Jr., Brooklyn, N. Y. i MLADINSKI LIST IN CHICAGO By Mary Jugg I must tell you about a “World’s Fair" that is in progress in Chicago. It is called the “American Negro Exposition.” And this Negro World’s Fair is the first one of its kind in all history. It was five years in preparation, and it is celebrating 75 years of negro achievements and progress. The Exposition is in the Chicago Coliseum. This is an enormous building, which ordinarily could not boast of an inviting appearance—largely because of its huge interior. But for this Exposition it has been very pleasingly divided into a South Hall, in which is a large Art Gallery, and a North Hall, in which is the Theatre. Between these two there is the large Main Hall, and this is all subdivided into various departments, such as Health, Newspapers, Department of Labor, Education, Department of Agriculture, City of Chicago, and so on. * As you enter through the center entrance into the Main Hall, you are first confronted by a circular display of dioramas. In case this word is new to you: a diorama is a boxlike stage—somewhat like that used for puppet shows—containing miniature figures and scenery that illustrates some scene or historical period. In this Hall of Dioramas, there are 33 such scenes, showing the progress of the negro race from the time of their helping to build the temple at Kharnak and the Sphinx, to the present time. Some of the interesting ones are those showing the Ethiopians using perhaps the first wheel for drawing irrigation water, the Africans smelting iron, the slave trade in Africa, the first slaves in Virginia, the negro Pietro Alonzo, who came to this country with Columbus; Matt Henson, the negro who accompanied Peary to the South Pole in 1909; a scene showing how Georgia slaves defended their plantation against the British, the part that negroes played in the Gold Rush, and the part that they played during the First World War. This circle of dioramas is placed around a beautiful replica of the Lincoln Memorial, which has been erected with painstaking care. Of course, you know why they would have the spirit of Lincoln present wherever possible in the Exhibition. * As you look upward, you see about 20 large murals decorating the balcony area of the Exhibition Hall. These were painted by W. E. Scott, an internationally famous painter. Some of the more interesting ones here are: a scene in a negro home, showing the husband and wife seated at a crude table with opened books before them and the light of a kerosene lamp, being interrupted by the door opening and the figures of the Ku Klux Klan appearing to molest them. This is after the Civil War. Of course, they are immensely proud of their negro athletes, and show this by their large portraits of Joe Lewis, Henry Armstrong, Jesse Owens, and Jack Blackburn. Another scene shows Booker T. Washington and George W. Carver. By the way, you stamp collectors would be interested in knowing that at the stamp-collecting booth they have an enormous portrait of Booker T. Washington with sheets upon sheets of stamps of the recent series, issued to commemorate him. Another mural is labeled: “Thanks for Freedom.” It shows a group of negroes thanking Abraham Lincoln for the freedom he made possible for them. * You would be amazed at the large exhibit of oil paintings and sculpture in the Art Gallery. It shows clearly that we cannot think of the negro as expressing his art only in the form of song and poetry, but that he has also employed other mediums as well. In the literature section you see such prominent names as Paul Laurence Dunbar, Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, and Richard Wright. It may also surprise you that in the Journalism section, two hundred and thirty negro newspapers are represented. * One of the most delightful features in connection with this Exposition is the presentation of “Chimes of Normandy” in swingtime, with a negro chorus of over 80 members. The costumes are so colorful and the sing- ing, acting, and dancing is so well done that you cannot help getting a thrill at the ability and the artistic success of a people that have had to fight against so many odds all through these years. We must not forget that in Chicago as elsewhere the negroes are the lowest paid group and are housed in the most undesira ble surroundings. And this is not because they do not pay as much rental as the white population. Figures will show you that the negroes pay the highest rental in proportion to other groups in the city. This Exposition should help to show us the achievements of this race of people against all the unequal opportunities they have had to overcome. If they have been capable of showing so much improvement with what they had at hand, what could we not expect of them if they were given better opportunities? * Amazing is the display of what the black man has contributed to the progress of our country and of the world. And the purpose of the Exposition will have been fulfilled if it helps all of us to see and understand just what the progress has been and of what it is capable of achieving if we become conscious of it. An Exposition of this type for whatever race or nationality group should fill any individual with pride for his group and with ambition to do his utmost to help with further progress. Gosli pojo Vladko Kos Le pojte, pojte, moje strune, kot niste še nikdar sladko! Ni sanj mi v srcu zlate lune, ne zrem nocoj v noči tolmune, ljudje le name z oken zro. Jokajte, strune, ah, jokajte, saj s ceste sem ubog goslar. Od tam, kjer ždijo sive bajte, mi pesem revščine igrajte, kjer ni smehljaja src nikdar. Tam daleč mati name čaka, da se ji vrnem na srce, kot gosli moje bolno plaka, gorje ji je minuta vsaka, v samoti ji življenje mre. LORD BYRON Of all the volumes of poetic lore that 1 have pondered over that pictured the poets, none have satisfied my artistic eye as the portrait of Byron. An artist, one who is touched and satisfied beyond words at gracious lines, at beauty, finds that in the facial features of Byron. He, to my humble opinion, is the Clark Gable (or what good-looking movie star haven't we?) of the poets dead and gone—yes, and of the present contemporary poets! He had the head of an Apollo, handsomely shaped with neatly curled hair—true to the original Apollo, who was the God of music, poetry, eloquence, medicine, and the fine arts. His nose was one that an artist loves to sketch or jiaint with finesse. His eyes had the spark of geniality—eyes, touching eyes that one loves to see. Yet Lord Byron (he acquired that. title when he entered the House of Lords at twenty-one) was rebellious at heart. Like Shelley, he was often called the revolutionary poet. But, being rebellious at heart, not all of his poetry had that slant. It glowed with the eloquence and beauty which I see in his portrait. See? —By Steven Kerro. NA ZATOŽNI KLOPI (Basen) Katka Zupančič Sodnemu zboru je predsedoval Čuk. Na zatožni klopi je seveda zopet sedel Lisjak. Doslej se je bil še vsakokrat srečno izmotal. To pot pa so živa': priporočale, naj se mu sploh ne da besede. Kar v kraj z njim! so zahtevale. — Niti najhujšim zločincem, je Čuk dostojanstveno odvrnil, se ne sme jemati pravice do zagovora. Mar se naj ponižamo do diktatorstva?! Živali so umolknile. Lisjak je začel takole: — Vsakdo ima svoje slabosti in jaz nisem izjema. Če sem zagrešil majčken prestopek . . . Z galerije zažvižga orel: Kriv sem! reci, in pika! Iz kota zatuli ihijena: Linčajte ga in jaz ga pokopljem! — Mir v zbornici! kriči Čuk in tolče s kladivom. Nato: Obtožen si, Lisjak, da si snedel osirotela mačeta, ki si jih vzel v oskrbo. Obtožen si pa tudi, da si snedel našega vrlega policijskega načelnika Petelina. To nista več malenkostna prestopka, marveč do neba kričeča zločina . . . — Tako je! odmeva po dvorani. Čuk potolče s kladivom. — .... marveč do neba kričeča zločina, sem rekel, nadaljuje čuk. če imaš kaj navesti sebi v prilog, navedi! Toda ne troši mi preveč besed. — Res je, mačeta sem imel v oskrbi, štiri nedolžne sirotice. Ah, kako so se mi smilile, ko so lačne zamar. klicale svojo mamo. . . — Ki si jo ti požrl! se z okna sem zadere Muc. — Imaš priče, dragi Muc? Povej rajši, komu se je prejle tik pred vhodom stežkalo in mu je odleglo šele, ko je izdavil iz sebe šopek ptičjega perjeca. . . Šušljanje po dvorani. Vzkliki: Na protokol z Mucem! Škandal! Sodnik: K stvari! Z nestrpno kretnjo namigne Lisjaku. — Uboge mačice so se mi neznansko smilile. Zato sem pojedel dve. Z ostalima dvema sem pa postregel državnemu pravdniku Volku — — Ni res! zatuli Volk. Jedel sem pri .tebi klobase. — Da, da, klobase, se posmehne Lisjak. A sam si krohotaje se pripomnil, da nisi še videl takih klobas, ki bi imele noge, rep in dlako. . . In kar je več: “klobasi” sta bili še živi. . . — Nista! se je Volku grdo zareklo, pa je pobesi' rep in glavo in klavrno utihnil. — čujte, čujte! Sramota in škandal! Fej! Volka na zatožno klop! Čuk je medtem hitro dal poklicati namestnika Bobra. Osumljeni Volk se je skril v kot. -— Dokler se zadeva pod prvo točko obtožnice ne razči&ti, preidimo na drugo točko. Obtoženec Lisjak, drži se svojih mej, pa na kratko pojasni, kaj se je zgodilo z našim vrlim, nepozabnim policijskim načelnikom Petelinom. Lisjak vzdihne. Na kratko? Pa bodi! Petelina je pokopala lakomnost. — Ni res! je zakokodajsnila Puta in toliko, da se ni zaprašila Lisjaku v obraz. •— Nadaljuj Lisjak, a govori spodobno. — Prav za prav sem povedal vse. Toda če hočete več podatkov—evo vam jih: Zaslišal sem neko prhanje pred brlogom. Pridem ven in kdo je? Sam policijski načelnik. Spoštljivo se mu priklonim. Vpraša me, kako je in kaj. . . Slabo, slabo, pravim, žvečim sveža koruzna zrna, ker drugega ne smem in nimam. Oj, oj, pravi, sveža koruza ni zdrava. Na solnce naj si jo prinesem, da se osuši. Res pohitim v brlog, pa prinesem ven pest koruze. Nato se takoj spet vrnem noter, da se malo očedim in skrtačim. Kajti takile načelniki niso vsakdanji gostje—saj veste. Ali ko stopim zopet pred prag, opazim, da je koruze nekaj manj. Osupnil sem. Kaj ne bi! Taka veličina, pa—tat? Nak, nisem mogel verjeti. Oko postave! Poosebljena poštenost! Toda vera se mi je le omajala. Pod različnimi pretvezami sem se zopet in zopet odstranil—dokler ni nazadnje izginilo poslednje zrno. Kje da je moja koruza, sem vprašal brez vseh ceremonij. On pa ošabno, dali sem pozabil, pred kom stojim. . . 1— Pred tatom! sem odvrnil in ga že tudi držal pod vratom, kjer sem zatipal zrna. — Moja zrna! — slavni sodni zbor. Kaj sem storil? Vzel sem si jih — z vrečo vred. V zbornici je zabučalo. Zgraženje, ogorčenje, hah-(Dalje na 30. strani.) JANKO IN METKA (Nadaljevanje.) Gospod z očali je vzel iz svežnja listin, ki so jih zaplenili v Kolarjevi baraki, sliko in jo dal Janku. “To je tvoja mati!” je dejal. Janko je videl na sliki obraz mlade žene z velikimi, lepimi očmi. Nenadoma ga je oče zgrabil, dvignil k sebi, ga pojubil in že ga ni bilo več v sobi. In Janko je bil spet na cesti. Zdaj pa zdaj je potegnil sliko iz žepa in bilo mu je prijetno, ko je tako gledal ta lepi obraz. Ta človek prav gotovo misli name, ta mila, lepa žena me je nekoč, ko sem bil še dete, objemala, poljubovala in milovala . . . Tako si je s takimi nežnimi mislimi nehote vklesal to podobo globoko v srce. Zatopljen v razgovor s svojim srcem, ni niti opazil, da se je bil že storil mrak. Lačen je postal. Zaprl je vse te nežne misli na dno srca, kajti golo življenje ga je klicalo, da se pobriga zanj. Mar ni dovolj vsega tega za danes? Toliko novega je doživel, da je pozabil, kam prav za prav kolovrati. Bil je že zunaj mesta, poglej ga—mar ne hodi naravnost nazaj v svojo barako? Domislil se je svojega sklepa, toda noč ima svojo moč. Kadar se stemni, se vse vesele misli poskrijejo in četudi se ni bal strahov, ki jih ni, je le pričel omahovati. Ali so ali niso? Čolna ni več, baraka pa ima vsaj štiri stene in streho! To je tudi nekaj. Mar ne pobliskuje za Krimom? Soparno je, ali se k nevihti pripravlja? Pospešil je korak. Eh, danes, to noč, ki bo viharna, bo še prenočil tamkaj, jutri pa znova poskusi drugje najti svojo srečo. Tudi brez večerje bo prestal, saj ne bo prvič! Metka pa .. . Da, Metka! Že si je spet predstavljal to ubogo deklico kako prosjači na ulici. Ljudje žive na sto načinov, kajpada . . . Toda le zakaj? Cemu niso vsi ljudje enako dobri, delavni in skrbni? Janko razglablja po svoje, seveda, mnogo tega mu je nerazumljivega. Pa vendar, Janko le ve: da je človek lačen, če nima jesti, da postane človek len, če nima kaj delati, da je človek nag, če nima kaj obleči, da je človek žalosten, če ni vesel, da je človek bolan, če ni zdrav. In ve tudi tole: Človek ne potrebuje mnogo, toda četudi tega ni, da je potem človek berač, potepuh, revček— Tone Seliškar ve pa še to, da vsak človek rad živi! Zato si pomaga kakor ve in zna. Ce preneha tovarna z delom, je tisoč ljudi brez dela. Živeti pa morajo. Zato se včasih zgodi, da lačen človek ukrade štruco kruha. Tudi beračijo ljudje, če so lačni. Ker je odrasle ljudi sram beračiti, pošiljajo otroke na cesto. Metka je otrok, Metka stori, kar ji doma ukažejo. Njena teta, ali kar ji je že, je grda ženska. Različni ljudje so na svetu. Morda jo celo tepe? Kjer je mnogo revščine, je tudi vsega drugega hudega v izobilju. Oh, ampak Metko bi spet rad videl! To je otrok, to je tako lep otrok in na cesti se ji spakujejo pobalini, ker berači, reže vanjo ljudje, ker jih ustavlja in po vsem mestu se potepa! Spet ga zamamijo sladkootožne sanje: kako bi bilo lepo, če bi zdaj imel svojo mater pri sebi! Najbrže bi stanovali kje v mestu in mati bi bila prav gotovo vesela, če bi Metko pripeljal domov in dejala: Naša bo! Nenadoma se je močno zablisnilo in čez gmajno je že zapihala hladna, vlažna sapa in ko je grom zarohnel čez planjavo, se je podvizal, da bi čimprej dospel v zavetje. Že so pričele padati prve debele kaplje, bliskalo se je bolj in bolj in kar oddahnil se je, ko je zagledal medle lučke barakarske naselbine. Oh, tu je hrast, tu je njegova koliba! Le naglo pod streho in še bolj naglo zaspati, da ne bo utegnil razmišljati o večerji! Zaletel se je v vrata. Takoj za pragom je zadel ob nekaj mehkega in nekdo je kriknil: “Jezus ... Na pomoč, roparji!” Na mah je postalo v baraki vse živo, otroški glasovi so se zadrli, s tal je planil nekdo, zavihtel nekaj svetlega in zarohnel: “Ubijem te!” Ves zmeden je skočil Janko venkaj na cesto in zdirjal v divjem strahu na gmajno. Ploha dežja ga je oblivala, bliski so švigali kakor ognjeni zmaji po vsem nebu. V tej stiski se je spomnil zapuščenega skednja onkraj travnika. Urno jo je ubral v ono smer. Bliski so mu kazali pot. Tu je! Vrata pa so bila zadelana. Zgrabil je za desko in ker je bila trhla, so žeblji popustili in skozi odprtino je zlezel v skedenj. Premočen je bil do kože. Zaril se je v seno. (Dalje prihodnjič.) Birthdays of the Great Men FRAN ERJAVEC Fran Erjavec, the great Slovene naturalist, writer and educator, was born on Sept. 4, 183^, in Ljubljana. From his father, a watchmaker and lover of flowers, young Fran inherited his love for natural sciences, and from his mother his likeable personality. His parents died when he ums very young and during his formative years his grandmother and his aunt took care of him as best they could. He obtained his elementary and high school education in his native Ljubljana. Erjavec completed his studies at the Vienna university where we studied natural sciences: biology, chemistry, physics, and geology. At the age of 25 he obtained his degree as professor of natural philosophy and taught first in Vienna, then in Zagreb and finally in Gorica. But he did not limit himself to academic activity only; he was very active in the Vienna Jugoslav Club of which he was president, and ivas later co-founder of the Slovene Dramatic Association and other educational institutions in Slovenia. The young professor soon proved himself a great educator both in his classroom and in public life. Everywhere in learned circles his name became well known and respected. In fact, Erjavec attained worl-wide fame in his original research toork and his name will be recorded as long as biological science itself icill last. As recognition for By LOUIS BEN IGER his work he ivas made a member of the Belgian Society of Science and of the Jugoslav Academy of Science and Art. Fran Erjavec also distinguished himself in the literary field. Even as a high school student in Ljubljana he contributed to the student paper tivo artistic works, “Žaba” (The Frog) and his classical “Mravlje” (The Ants). But he went further and wrote the first Slovene textbooks on natural history, as well as humorous stories dealing with nature. The best known of his books in this field ivere his “Domače in tuje živali” and “Naše škodljive živali.” Erjavec traveled extensively through Croatia, Bohemia, Austria, Germany, France, Italy and Swithzerland, and continued his research. The main subject of his scientific research was the snail. He also wrote several strictly scientific essays on zoology in Croatian and German. His first travelog ivas “Iz Ljubljane v Šiško”, a satire on conditions of the period. However, his best travelog ivas his “Med Savo in Dravo”, portraying cultural, national, social and, political life in Croatia. His “Božični večer na Kranjskem” is of national historic character. As a novelist and short story writer Erjavec was no less known. His humor and sympathy is shown in such works as “Avguštin Ocepek,” “Zgubljeni mož” and “Črtice iz življenja.” His first novel was “Veliki petek”, but his best novel is “Na stričevem domu.” He was at his best in portraying idylic scenes from life on farms, as is shown in his “Hu-zarji na Polici.” He always sought to inject in his works educational thought. In this class his best work is “Ni vse zlato, kar se sveti.” Erjavec’s style is vivid, moving swiftly from point to point with ever increasing interest, his expressions being those of the common people. His service to his fellow men was scientific research, literary accomplishments, and educational work, and his is the credit of laying the foundation for the use of the Slovene language for general education in Slovenia. Fran Erjavec died on January 12, 1887, in Gorica. FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY The Third Term—-Is It New in American History? By MARY JUGG This year you will be hearing much about the “third term.” President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who has served two term's as president of .the United States, was named by the Democratic Convention, held in Chicago, in July of this year for a third term. Is this something new to our American history? Has any other president ever sought a third term? Since many people will try to make an issue of the third term and talk about it as something tha± has never been thought of before, it is well for us to look up our historical facts and scan them in quick review to learn the facts. * Two other presidents aspired for a third term in office—Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt. There was this difference between the third term candidacy of both of these and that of P. D. Roosevelt: Grant and T. Roosevelt, after serving two terms gave way to another president, after whom they decided to appear as candidates once more. Let us look at the review of facts of both of these presidents. * Ulysses S. Grant was nominated in 1868 on the ticket of the National Union Republican Party. He was known as a man who never had strong party affiliations of any kind; nevertheless, he had belonged to the Democratic Party. But because he had quarrels with Johnson (who succeeded Lincoln, you will remember), Grant joined the National Union Republican Party and was elected to the presidency. In 1872, Grant was reelected for a second term. Roscoe Conkling, an influential party leader, tried, as the elections of 1876 were nearing, ,to secure a third term for Grant. But this was checked late in 1875 by a vote of the Democratic House of Representatives to which the Republican members also joined. Grant was then followed by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876. There was a bitter dispute in this election, for the Democrats were claiming that their candidate, Tilden, was rightfully elected. The Democrats were gaining ground, at the elections of 1878. This growing strength of the Democrats alarmed the Republicans as the presidential election of 1880 was approaching, and intent on gaining control, the Republicans, under Roscoe Conkling, decided to present Ex-President Grant as nominee once more. Immediately the Anti-Grant forces became more vigorous and began their Anti-Third-Term movement and even held a National Anti-Third-Term convention. When the National Republican Convention took place on June 2, 1880, 306 of the 757 delegates were pledged to Grant. But it took 378 vo.tes to nominate him and Grant never received more than 313 of this number. Consequently, a “dark horse”, James A. Garfield, emerged and he secured the nomination, thereby defeating Grant for a third-term nomination. * Now for a brief look at the career of Theodore Roosevelt in this respect. In 1896 McKinley was elected president and in 1900 he was renominated at the Republican convention, with Theodore Roosevelt, governor of Nev/ York, as vice-president. iMcKinley, elected to his second term, did not servo long. On Sept. 6, 1901, he was assassinated in Buffalo while attending a Pan-American Exposition. Thereupon Theodore Roosevelt took office. In 1904 (June 21), after Roosevelt had completed the term, he was again named by acclamation at the Republican convention in Chicago, and was also elected to presidency. In 1908, when Roosevelt’s second term drew to a close, he threw all his support to William Howard Taft, who, he thought, would follow up the progressive policies he had inaugurated. At the Republican national convention of that year, it was the support of Roosevelt that nominated Taft. After Taft became president, Roosevelt left for an African hunting trip, confident that Taft would carry out his policies. But this did not happen. Taft did not come up to expectations. Consequently, as the elections of 1912 neared, the Republicans prevailed upon Ex-President Roosevelt to allow his name to be placed in nomination once more in order to prevent Taft’s renomination. This Roosevelt did in the early months of 1912. He announced his readiness to contest Taft at the Republican national convention. But the Republican National Convention in Chicago on June 18, 1912, charged with “steamrollering” threw its votes to Taft and renominated him. The Theodore Roosevelt supporters decided to carry the fight to the public. They held a meeting and decided to form a new party. The new party bore the name of the Progressive Party. It held its convention also in Chicago on August 5 of that year and named Roosevelt as its candidate for the presidency. In the meantime, however, the Democrats had named Woodrow Wilson. It was evident .that the Republican forces were badly split, and this caused the election of that year, 1912, to go to the Democratic nominee, Woodrow Wilson. * Summing up, then, we have the following table: Ulysses S. Grant, 1868-1872. Grant reelected 1872-1876. Rutherford B. Hayes, 1876-1880. Grant tries for Republican nomination again, 1880. Grant fails to secure third-term nomination. (Continued on page 13.) JUST FOR FUN By Ernestine Jugg 9 2/ / V r—>%.05» V Here is another “Matching Game.” Were you very successful in your test last month? Well, you can try again this month. See how many inventors’ names you remember. All you have to do is match the answers in Group II to the statements in Group I. GROUP I Guglielmo Marconi is the inventor of 'Shales was the name of the man who invented Thomas A. Watson assisted in founding of a great invention The phonograph is the invention of Cyrus H. MciCormick succeeded in perfecting The sewing machine owes its origin to The telescope is an invention of John Gutenberg made Daguerre invented the James Watt is known because of his GROUP II Telephone The Reaper Elias Howe Galileo iCamera Thomas A. Edison Radio Inventing the 1st Typewriter Steam Engine The first Printing Press 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. QUIZZERS 1. A besieged battalion of 300 men had enough food to last 20 days. How long would the food las,t if there were only 200 men? 2. In the U. S., a government homestead consisted of 40 acres, 80 acres, 160 acres, 320 acres. 3. Horology is 1, the measurement of time; 2, science of rocks; 3, science of plants. 4. Which of the following would most likely wear a livery: 1, butcher; 2, stenographer; 3, chauffeur; 4, plumber. 5. Tom weighs 5 pounds less than Pete. John weighs 10 pounds more than Tom. Compare the weights of Pete and John. * * * THIMBLE TRICK Paint two thimbles black on one side. Then place them on the first fingers of your hand. When you turn your hand rapidly one side is always dark and the other always light. Fool your friends with the magic thimbles. (Answers on inside back cover page.) ORIGINAL CROSSWORD PUZZLE By Francis Zupon, 16, 546 Forest Ave., Johnstown, Pa., Lodge 82 / 2. 3 V S- to •7? V 9 i a n IX /3 w IS ! t> 'T a, i? 2.0 V zz 2.5 2.J 2.7 z.? Z-1 30 31 3* 33 ACROSS 1—Alone, solitary. 5—Egyptian dancing girl. 9 —A covert of a wild beast. 10—Of or pertaining .to a layman or the laity. 11—^Forward. 13—Fish-salting bin ( ?). 14—A sprout. 15—A suffix used in forming names of compounds. 17—Scotch River. 18—A color. 19—An American editor. 22—Joke. 23—One length of a course which has to be passed over more than once in a race. 26—Similar. 28— Funeral song. 30—Plate of baked clay. 31—Always. 32—Sacred. 33—Ebb and flow of the sea. DOWN 1—Thick slice. 2—'Main island of the Hawaiian Islands. 3—To tell a falsehood (past tense). 4— Period of time, epoch. 5—Malt beverage. 6—Terra firma. 7—Rodents. 8—Pain. 12—A funeral hymn. 13—A light anchor used in warping. 16—Deacon (abbr.) (?). 19—Act of washing. 20—A dish of many ingredients; a hodgepodge. 21—To slaughter; slay. 23—Son of Jacob. 24—Grown old. 25—A funeral pile. 27—Instrument to unlock. 29—Permit. (Answers on inside back cover page) Stamp Collecting STAMPS DEPICTING SPORTS One of the fashions now in vogue among stamp collectors is the assemblying of stamps depicting the various sports of the world. It’s a simple but interesting collection, where the sports-minded collector may get as much of a .thrill as though he were watching the various games themselves. More and more, sports-minded collectors have turned to collecting stamps depicting various athletics they are interested in, instead of trying to collect the whole world, or the various countries that Hitler has swallowed in the past year. BASKETBALL, one of our national sports, is on the 16 centavos stamp of .the Philippines. It’s also shown on the 50 centavos of Ecuador, on the 1 cen-tisimo of Panama, and on two stamps of Lithuania. And BASEBALL, the national sport of the United States, is por.trayed on the recent 3 cent stamp of the United States, on the 2 centavos of the Philippines, on the 18 centavos of Colombia, as well as on two stamps of Panama, and on three stamps of Nicaragua. TENNIS, another favorite spor.t, is depicted on the 6 centavos of the Philippines, on the 50 centavos of Ecuador, on the 8 centavos of Colombia, and on two stamps of Russia. SOCCER is featured on the stamps of Italy, Italian colonies, Aegian Islands, France, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Russia, Rumania, Bulgaria, Columbia and Panama. TRACK AND FIELD events, such as running, jumping hurdling, discus, javelin, pole vaulting, putting the shot (shot put), and weight throwing, are por.trayed on one or more stamps of Greece, Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, United States, Russia, Roumania, Jugoslavia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Lithuania, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Cuba and Dominican Republic. BULL FIGHTING is identified on the 5-lire stamp of Greece. While BOXING is pictured on the 1-sucre of Ecuador, on two s.tamps of Greece, on the 30 cents of Netherlands and two stamps of Panama. WRESTLERS are depicted on the 30-lire of Greece, on the 1-sucre of Ecuador and on the 20 cents of Switzerland. IROWING is pictured on the 1% cents of Netherlands, on the 4-leu of Roumania, on the 3 kopecs of Russia, on .two stamps of Jugoslavia, as well as on two stamps of Germany. FENCING is shown on the 500 krevzers of Hungary, on the 2 cents of Netherlands, on the 6 leva of Bulgaria and on the 15 pfenning of Germany. And TUG OF WAR is present on the 20 centimes of France. Another old-fashioned sport is ARCHERY as illustrated on three stamps of Mexico as well as on .two stamps of Lithuania. GYMNASTICS may -be found on a stamp of Bulgaria and one on that of Germany. Hiking, hunting, hurling, camping and mountain climbing may be seen on the 50 centimes of France, on the 3 leu of Rumania, on the 3 pence of Iceland, on the 1,000 korona of Hungary and on the 12 gro-schen of Austria, respectively. Then there are numerous other stamps which depict athletes on many other countries, in itself a complete collection. DO YOU KNOW THESE BIRDS? Can you identify birds either by sight of by their song? Birds are perhaps the most interesting of animals, and they are either the delight or the despair of the farmer. A clever bird is the yellow-breasted chat. He can bark like a puppy, caw like a crow, mew like a cat, quack like a duck and make any number of sounds and noises. He can throw his voice like a ventriloquist. He generally hides in briars or bushes so that pursuers canno.t see him. His upper parts are olive green, and he has a white line running from his bill around his eyes and another around the throat. He does all sorts of stunts like throwing somersaults, dancing and playing that he was shot. One of the loveliest birds is the bluebird. The bluebird is the farmers’ friend as he eats up destructive insects-. The bluebirds like to make their nest in houses put out -by birdlovers. When the baby bird is very young, it is blind and helpless and almos.t naked. Afterwards he attains a coat of dark feathers, and it is only after they can fly that they get the lovely deep blue shade of feathers and a rusty red at their throats, breast and sides. Because these birds are so helpless when small, Na-.ture has provided them with a protective dress so that they will not fall a prey to any enemy so easily. They are cheerful little birds. When Spring is here you will hear their soft musical tru-al-ly—tru-al-ly, and with Fall their note turns to tur-wee—itur-wee. A -bird easily identified by his sound is the Bob White. His whistle tells his name for he chirps, ah Bob White, ah Bob White! There may be from 10 to 18 eggs in the nest and when .the baby birds all hatch, they learn what insects and berries are good for them to eat. At bedtime they squat in a circle on the ground, their tails towards the center of the rings, and their heads pointing out ;to detect any approaching enemy. They are very useful birds to the farmer as they eat insects, pests and weed seeds. These are only a few of the interesting birds around us. There are many more with which you are, no doubt, very familiar. —Ernestine Jugg. CAN YOU ANSWER THESE? 1. How many peas are in a pint? 2. What state is round at the ends and high in the middle? 3. Where can you always be sure of finding money? 4. What 'has four wheels and flies? 5. Do you know why the letter G is like midnight? ANSWERS: 1—One P in a pint. 2—O-hi-O. 3—In the dictionary. 4—A garbage wagon. 5—Because it is in the middle of .the night. WHEN WE PLAY Compiled by Ann K. Medvešek BOTTLES Tall bottles or Indian clubs can be used for fehis game. Four small circles, two for each team, are marked at the far end of the field. One bottle is placed in the first, and another in the third circle. At the other end of the field, behind a mark on the ground, the two teams stand in readiness. Each player in turn runs the length of the field; moves his bottle from the first to the second circle, or from .tihe third to the fourth, or vice versa, and returns, touching off the next runner. The bottle must be put in the circle fairly each time, and should it fall over the person who last touched it must return and stand it up again. It often happens that more haste means less speed where the matter of moving the bottle is concerned. BALLOON RACE Each competitor is provided with a balloon and a fan—a magazine or folded paper may be used is a fan. (Each player propels his balloon down .the field, keeping it on the ground, without touching it. But the contest is not over when the end of the field is reached; for at the end of the field a basin stands in readiness for each player, and .the balloon must be fanned into the bowl. The referee must see to it that none of the fans touch the balloons, especially in this last part. CLOTHES PINS Three dozen clotihes pins are needed. The players are divided into two teams, so arranged that they will be facing each other. A dozen and a half of clothes pins is handed to the two players at the head of .their prospective lines. The clothes pins should be held in the grasp of both hands. At a given signal the first player (holding the clothes pins passes the bundle to the next player in the line. The object of the game is to pass the bundle of clothes pins from hand .to hand to the other end of the line and return. If any of the pins are dropped the person dropping them must recover them for his bundle before passing them on to the next player. Tthe team who first succeeds in passing the bundle of pins to the end of ,the line and back again, is the winner. LOCK ARM TAG A circle is formed with the players arranged in pairs. There should be a distance of at least three feet between each pair. Two players are then selected, one to be “It” and ,to chase the other. The one being chased can link his arm with any player in the circle. Tihis makes three players. The one who has a free arm is then subject to being tagged by “It.” The players are permitted to run through or around the circle in either direction. A player upon being tagged can immediately tag back, but as soon as he has linked arms with any one of the players in any pair within the circle, he is not subject to being tagged. PEANUT RACE— An ordinary table knife is given to each contestant; six or eight peanuts and a saucer. The peanuts are put in clusters at one end of the plot designated wthile the saucers are placed at the opposite end of the field. Each player is permitted to take one peanut at a time on his knife blade and take it to the other end and deposit it in the saucer. If a nut is dropped the player must return and make a new start. Introducing Book Friends Reviewed by Betty Jartz WHAT SHOULD WE READ “Many books require no thought from those who read them, and for a very simple reason; they made no such demand upon those who wrote them. Those works, therefore, are the most valuable, .that set our thinking faculties in the fullest operation.” —Colton. Ours is a world that seems to be filled with books. Printed and pictured stories are run off .the press in such abundance that it is impossible to peruse all of them. To top this all, there is an increasing yield and distribution of gaudy cartoon books; cowboy, flying aces, and detective story magazines; and trashy romances with sweet endings. In this paper and ink world we must sort out what is most likely to please and edify us. What should we read? What is most lasting and beneficial .to us? The answers to these questions cannot be found in a cartoon book of Popeye. The desire to know of events, past and present, to understand the things that mystify and allure children and adults can be satisfied by reading only those books which were written by authors who thought deeply on subjects we wish to know about. Listed ihere are a few books written by some of the best writers of the present day. They write about many subjects that will not only tease you to learn more—and more, but will reward you well with knowledge acquired. Stephen 1C. Foster—Composer and Song-writer He Heard America Sintr, by Claire Lee Curdy. This biography of Stephen Collins Poster has its setting in the days before the Civil War when our nation, still young, was struggling .to bring liberty and justice to all. Poster’s career was intertwined with the old plantation days; life on the river boats, and travel on the railroads tha.t were gradually creeping farther and farther into the West. He listened to the melodies and songs of the common people, to the pathetic themes of the colored race and then composed both the words and music of about one hundred and twenty-five songs for all of posterity to enjoy. The book is gaily illustrated and contains twenty-eight of the best loved songs of America’s greatest folk-song writer. A Visit to the Southwest A New Mexican Boy, by Helen Laughlin Marshall. This is a picture-story book which is appealing to younger children. This tale carries the reader to New Mexico where he will meet Pancho, a little boy who has for his pets a burro and a lamb. It also tells of the crafts and industries of this land and of the customs of its people, which date back to the Spaniards who first settled in the new world. Visits to Foreign Lands At Midsummer Time, by Emma L. Brock. For younger children is this story of the gay customs of that distant land, Sweden. The fun of riding on the merry-go-round, the gaiety of the Maypole dancing, the beauty of the joyful row across the lake, combine .to make the celebration of Midsummer Day the high tide of the Swedish year. The author illustrated the book with color and feeling that shows her sympathy and understanding with the people of tihe North. My Brother and I, by Alexander Finta, is the sequel to a previous book entitled The Herdboy of Hungary, dealing with Sandor’s experiences during his stay on his uncle’s ranch. In the later book, Finta relates the exploits of iSandor and his six brothers. The book is rich with descriptions of bird life and is full of good humor. FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY (Continued from page 9) Theodore Roosevelt, 1901-1904. ■Roosevelt reelected 1904-1908. William Howard Tafit, 1908-1912. Roosevelt fails to be renominated by Republicans, 1912. Roosevelt secures third-term nomination on Progressive ticket, 1912. * This should give us a picture of -the third-term history of our country. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt bosth tried for a third term, but neither one was successful in securing the nomination on his own party ticket. And neither one had sought the third-term nomination in succession. * While the idea and the attempts ait nomination are not new, then, it is true that Franklin D. Roosevelt is the first president to secure the .third-term nomination on his own party ticket and also to succeed himself. In the light of these facts, however, even the no-third-iterm tradition becomes weak, for that tradition has been broken by two previous (and fairly recent) attempts at renomination. OUR SCHOOL AWARDS FOR THE BEST CONTRIBUTIONS A sum of not more than $200 is available for the SNPJ juvenile members who will in the first half of 1940 contribute to the Our School section of the Mladinski List: 1) The best letters, according to quality as judged by the Editor, on the subjects as suggested from time to time in this column; 2) The best original drawings in India ink on any subject deemed acceptable by the Editor, such as cartoons, games, cross-word puzzles, etc. The publication of such letters or drawings on these pages is not indication that they all will be awarded; contributions published elsewhere in the Mladinski List although intended for Our School will be awarded under the same rules if qualifying. The number and size of awards for this six-month period will depend on the number of qualified letters and drawings contributed. The next distribution of awards will be made in December, 1940, and the winners will be announced in January, 1941. (Good news, contestants! The Supreme Board at its last meeting raised the sum of $100.00 in prizes for each six-month period to $200.00. Let’s see you entering the contest in greater numbers and better contributions.) RULES: 1) Every contributor must be a member of the SNPJ Juvenile Department. 2) State your age and number of the SNPJ lodge to which you belong. 3) Every contribution must be signed also by cither parent. 4) Every contribution must be in the hands of the Editor by the first of the month if intended for the issue of the Mladinski List of the following month. * CONTEST LETTER FOR SEPTEMBER All the letters for the November issue of the Mladinski List must be in the hands of the editor before or on September 30. No contest letters on the topic suggested below will be considered which are received after SEPTEMBER 30, 1940. OUR SCHOOLS Once more September has come around. And in the mind of every M. L. reader is only one bit of news—school opens! Did you ever stop to think why you are attending school? Did you ever ask yourself or your parents or your school teachers? For this month’s M. L. contest letter, we shall ask you to do just that very thing. DO YOU THINK THAT YOUR SCHOOLS SHOULD TEACH YOU FACTS, OR DO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD TEACH YOU HOW TO THINK? That is the question for you to ponder. And when you have arrived at some kind of decision within your own mind, write down your answer and send it to the Contest Letter of the M. L. before the closing date as specified above. NEW MEXICO New Mexico, the forty-seventh state, was first explored by the Spaniards in 1536-37. It is called the Sunshine State and the Land of Enchantment. It is the land of romance, color and historic background. It is the fourth state in the Union in point of size with an area of 122,503 square miles. North and northeast of Eddy County is the Llano Estacado or Staked Plain. It is interesting for the rock palisades which surrounded the borders. The Great Stake Plains, a treeless, waterless, grassy plateau, which contains 44,000 square miles, is nearly 5,000 feet above the sea level. The rest of the state is tableland which rises in the San Juan and Sangre-de-Cristo Mountains, which is the tail of the Rockies. The chief peaks of the Rockies in New Mexico and their heights are: Mt. Truchas, 13,306 ft.; Mt. Toas, 13,145 ft.; Mt. Costilla, 12,634 ft., and Sierra Blanca, 11,848 feet. The chief river is the Rio Grande. The Canadian and San Juan rivers drain the northeastern and northwestern corners of New Mexico. Storage dams and irrigation ditches water the lands that are dry. New Mexico’s climate is dry and stimulating. There is not enough rain for farming. Annually there is about twelve to sixteen inches of rain.— There are still a number of Indians in our state. About one-third of the population is Spanish-American. Manufacturing is of small importance. Car repairing, wool scouring, lumber, timber and coke are the leading industries. Most of the sierras are covered with timber. The Pecos, Lincoln and Gila rivers are reserves. The most valuable timber are pine, oak, juniper, cedar walnut, birch and maple. Pinon is everywhere. Chaparell, a bush, covers the northern half of the state. In the high mountains and valleys is grass, which is used for sheep and cows. There are about 1.189.000 cattle and about 2,490,000 sheep which graze on the lands. One-third of the area of land is cultivated, and 2.945.000 acres of this is irrigated. Cotton, corn, SCHOO AGAIN Drawn by Mildred Hotko, age 15, 226 Main St., Oglesby, 111. Lodge 95. IT 4W aKr £ i«., «%, 2Jtt£ tV tom t* tU M tr4 t^ ^j1 ntu r«04r$5 $