CLEVELAND, OHIO, OCTOBER 21st, 1936 France Bevk (NADALJEVANJE) “Jaz moram nesti materi pi¬ smo,” je dejal trdo. In je še po¬ novil: “Jaz moram nesti mate¬ ri pismo.” Učiteljica se je naglo razbu¬ rila, naglo se je tudi pomirila. “Prav,” je dejala. “Naj bo. Ne¬ si materi pismo. Jutri naj pride mati v šolo.” Lukec je sedel. Smeje se je ozrl po tovariših. Danes in jutri tega materi ne pove. Nato bo morda pozablje¬ no .. . Pričel se je pouk. Nekaj časa je bil Lukec mi¬ ren. Učiteljici je bil celo hvale¬ žen za njeno dobroto. Kmalu je pozabil na to. Ure so bile dolgo¬ časne. Besede, ki so bile izgo¬ vorjene v tujem jeziku, se niso prijele njegovih ušes. Zazehal je. .Dregnil je Petra. Ta mu je vrnil pod klopjo. Šepetanje. Ne¬ pazljivost je postajala večja in večja. Šum je rastel. Učenci so dvigali palce, prosili na prosto. Vrata so se odpirala in zapira¬ la. Učiteljica je tolkla s palico po mizi: “Tiho! Tiho!” Lukec je segel v žep. Otipal je brneč. Nožič, ki je imel samo e- no klino in le pol platnic. Odprl ga je in zapičil rezilo v les pod klopjo. Položil je prst na konec noža in sprožil. Nož je brnel z drobnimi tresljaji. “Brrrr!” Nekateri dečki so se začeli o- zirati na Lukca. Vedeli so, kaj to pomeni. Kihali so predse. Lukec se je delal neumnega . . Brnenje je zaslišala tudi učite¬ ljica. Umolknila je. “Kaj je to? Kdo to dela?” “Ne vemo.” Tone se je smejal. Po strani je pogledoval Lukca, ki se je dr¬ žal resno, resno. “Ti si, Tone?” “Ne,” se je dvignil ta. “Mor¬ da je Lukec.” Lukec je sunil Toneta pod klopjo, nato se je dvignil. Ob¬ raz mu je sijal od nedolžnosti. “Saj nič ne delam. Sedim in poslušam.” Brnenje je bilo ponehalo. U- čiteljica je poučevala dalje. Ne¬ kaj časa ni nobena stvar motila pouka. Nenadoma: ‘ ‘Brrrr! ’ ’ Učiteljica je pogledala na¬ ravnost v Lukca. Ta se je zma¬ goslavno oziral. Ni opazil, da ga kdo opazuje. “Luka Brajnik!” “Saj nič ne delam."' “Šum delaš, da vse motiš.” “Ne razumem.” “Čakaj, razumel boš,” se je dvignila učiteljica, i Lukec je segel pod klop in iz¬ drl nož. že mu je tičal v hlač¬ nem žepu. Učiteljica ni ničesar našla. Na njenem drobnem, bledem o- brazu je trepetalo ko listje v vetru. Ker je imela v rokah ši¬ bo, je Lukec stisnil glavo med ramena. Tudi zamižal je. Ni od¬ prl oči, dokler ni slišal drobno hojo po sobi do mize. Pogledal je skozi okno. Mi¬ slil je na škorca, ki pleše po ko¬ či in ga kliče: “Luka!” Nato na pismo, ki ga mora nesti mate¬ ri .. . Tistega dne se z brncem ni več igral. 3. Po šoli je letel Lukec na po¬ što. Dobil je veliko, debelo pi¬ smo. Potipal ga je in pogledal znamko. “Oče piše.” Poizkusil ga je stlačiti v žep, & ni šlo. Ne¬ sel ga je v rokah. Na koncu vasi je postal in pogledal proti domu. Potegnil je klobuk na ušesa in se spu¬ stil v tek, da so ga komaj dohi¬ tevale pete. Roke so mu mahale po zraku, torba mu je tolkla ob boke. Srečal je voz. Skočil je v stran in tekel dalje. Pod klan¬ cem, blizu koče se je ustavil. Na vrtu je stala mati. Čakala ga je. Zasenčila je oči in mu za¬ klicala: “Ali si prinesel pismo?” Lukec je pogledal po sebi, ro¬ ke so bile prazne. “Pismo. Kje je pismo?” se je prestrašil. Ni poslušal matere, ki mu je nekaj klicala. Izgubil je bil pismo . . . Obrnil se je in bežal proti va¬ si. Oči so mu švigale na desno, na levo. Od strahu so se mu je¬ žili lasje na glavi. Pred njim je cincal voz. Iz kolovoznice je gledalo nekaj be¬ lega. Upognil se je in pobral. Pismo mu je bilo padlo v bla¬ to, kolo je šlo čezenj. Obrisal ga je v hlače. Vse je bilo zapacka¬ no, znamke in naslov. Vrnil se je. Mati ga je sreča¬ la sredi klanca. “Ali si izgubil pismo?” “Tu je,” je dejal plaho. Ma¬ teri se ni upal približati, da ga kaj ne doleti. “Lovih so me,” se je zlagal, “pa mi pismo padlo v blato.” Mati ga je pogledala z dolgim pogledom. Ni mu verjela. Poti¬ pala je pismo tudi ona, pogleda¬ la zlomljeni pečat. Pismo je bilo nenavadno. Jasna slutnja jo je navdala. Podvizala se je domov. Lukec je šel za njo. Iz pisma je padel bankovcu podoben papir. Poleg očetove¬ ga pisma je ležala velika pola popisanega papirja. Spodaj so bili pečati. Marjeti so se tresle roke. Lu¬ kec je vrgel klobuk v kot in se¬ del za mizo. Prišel je tudi ško¬ rec in radovedno ogledoval o- vitek. Mati je držala očetovo pismo proti svetlobi in brala. “Draga žena! Preden ti nadalje pišem, te srčno pozdravljam čez široko morje, čez skalnati Kras ...” Sprva je brala počasi. Nato so njene oči hitreje in hitreje begale po papirju. Roke so se ji tresle. Končala je, pismo ji je o- mahnilo. Oči so ji zastrmele sko¬ zi okno v daljavo. “V Ameriko pojdeva,” je de¬ jala Lukcu. Lukec je poskočil in plosknil z rokama, škorec se je umaknil, zagnal krik. “Kdaj pojdeva? Jutri?” “Tepček!” je pogledala mati sina. Njene oči so bile žalostne. “Jutri ne. V enem mesecu. Ne veseli se prezgodaj. Iti v Ame¬ riko ... ni kar tako.” Deček je začuden gledal. Mati je imela solzo v očesu. Kaj ji je? Vedno je govorila: v Ame¬ riko pojdeva! In zdaj? Iti v Ameriko — to je bilo za Lukca veselje, ki ga ni hotel c .Pesem rudarskih otrok VLADO KLEMENČIČ Mi smo pa od tam doma, kjer se sonce ne smehlja, kjer ni tratice nobene, kjer ni šumice zelene. Tam pri nas je črni dim, črna fabrika pod njim, a pod fabriko so rovi, črni v njih noči in dnovi. Oče naš je pod zemljo, tam mu duša in telo v bridkih kapljah krvavita, dan na dan za nas trpita. (Ta pesmica je himna mla¬ dinskega zbora Trboveljski Slavček, ki je eden najboljših mladinskih zborov v Evropi. Kopirana je iz njih programne knjižice, izdane za časa turneje po Čeho-slovakiji. Pesem je ti¬ pična o naselbini, kjer so pre- mogorovi in tovarne, torej izra¬ ža tudi duh tipičnega slovenske¬ ga otroka v premogarski nasel¬ bini Amerike.) skrivati. Potoval bo, videl svet, morje, tuje ljudi, divje Živah Venomer si je želel po svetu . Odkar je bral pravljice, najbolj. Ah ni po svetu tako, kot je <>• pisano v bajkah? Očetovo pi¬ smo je bila čudežna kapa, o ka¬ teri je sanjal. Zdelo se mu je, da mu rastejo perotnice. “K očetu pojdeva? V Argen¬ tini jo ? Mati, ah so tam velika mesta?” “Kaj jaz vem! Ali sem jaz ho¬ dila v šolo?” 'i Brala sta pismo še enkrat Besedo za besedo. Škorec je gle¬ dal v papir, zmajal z glavo Zdaj, zdaj je pogledal Lukca. Ujel je -besedo in jo ponovil. Lu¬ kec je zamahnil z roko po njem Klepec je bil hud. Zabevska! j« kot pes. Oče je pisal, naj prideta za njim v Ameriko. Bankovcu po doben papir ima veliko vred¬ nost. Lukec je pomislil: “Kaj, če bi izgubil pismo?” Mati naj proda vse, tako je ukazal oče. S tistimi papirji naj gre v me¬ sto. Dobila bo denar in pravi¬ ce. “Buenos Aires,” je ponovil Lukec iz pisma. To ime mu je zelo ugajalo. “Oče je v Parana “Parana,” je ponovil škorec, “Parana!” ; “Parana, da.” Oče dela v to¬ varni. Ko prideta Marjeta in Lukec tja, se bosta odpočila. Nato pojdejo vsi skupaj v drug kraj. Tam bo boljši zaslužek. Lukec in mati >sta molčala. “V enem mesecu,” je razmišljal deček. Vtaknil je roke v žepe, se oslonil s hrbtom. V Ameriko hodijo veliki možje, a ne dečki In Lukcu se je zdelo, da ni vee deček, ampak pol moža. V pr¬ sih mu je igralo kot najlepša godba. “Mati, novo obleko mi boste morah kupiti.” j “Vsega bo treba,” je vzdihni¬ la mati. “Pa si tak. Očetu bom povedala.” f “Saj ne bota več,” je obljubil.. Za škorca se nihče ni zmenil Postalo mu je dolgčas. Popa¬ del je očetovo pismo in ga nesel po mizi. Z eno nogo je stopil nanj, s kljunom ga je trgal. “Klepec, pusti to! To je za¬ te!” Lukec mu je iztrgal pismo in mu vrgel ovitek. Mati je globoko vzdihnila im odšla v vežo. Lukec je božal škorca in mu govoril: “Klepec, v Ameriko pojdemo. Tudi ti pojdeš z na- (Daije na 2. str.) LUKEC /N NJEGOV ŠKOREC MAN E ATS MANY TIMES HIS WEIGHT IN FOOD (Dalje iz na. Da, tudi ti.’' 1 . str.) Škorec mu je stikal kljun v usta. Lukec se je Ivignil in mu odtrgal grozd, belega mu je vrgel na mizo. — Ptič je od radosti in od objesti poskočil in zavreščal kot sraka. Lukec je stopil na prag in vprašal mater: “Ali bom še ho¬ dil v šolo?” Mati mu je odgovorila. Skla¬ njala se je nizko nad skledo in pripravljala obed. Sin je stopil bliže. Videl je, kako so materi vroče solze kapljale na roke. Čemu joče? Ali ji ni prav, da gre k očetu v Ameriko? Stopil je na prag. Pod bre¬ gom je ležala Vipavska dolina. Srebrna voda, pobočja, polja in vrtovi. Tudi Lukcu je postalo tesno pri srcu. 4. t Koča, v kateri sta živela Mar¬ jeta in Lukec, ni bila njihova. Pred vojno je bil vzel Ivan Braj¬ nik, Lukčev oče, Marjeto za že¬ no. Po poroki sta se bila nase¬ lila na samoti. Brajnik je bil dober kovač, vsi so ga hvalili. Iz vasi in iz daljne okolice so mu prinašali dela. Od jutra do večera mu je pelo kladivo po nakovalu. Pri delu ni govoril, ni se šalil. Ves črn v obraz je mršil obrvi, gr¬ bančil čelo. Zvečer je zaklenil kovačnico, sedel za mizo. Bil je zgovoren in vesel. Z ženo sta imela dva otroka. Sina in hčer. Nastala je vojna. Ivan je moral k vojakom. Hodil je po doljnih tujih krajih, pisal Marjeti pisma. Bil je ranjen V nogo. Dolgo je ležal v bolnici. Marjeta je bila ostala sama v koči. Jokala je za možem, skr¬ bela za otroka. Trpeli so po¬ manjkanje in stradali. Otroka sta zbolela in umrla. Marjeta je ostala popolnoma sama. Pri¬ čakovala je moža. Konec vojne. Ivan se je vrnil domov. Znova je pelo kladivo v kovačnici. Z Marjeto sta dobila še enega otroka, ta je bil Lukec. Mati od takrat ni bila več zdra¬ va. Tožila je, da jo boli srce. Lukec je jokal, pil mleko in nagajal materi. Shodil je. Pri- capljal je k očetu v kovačnico. Bil je siten, vse je hotel vzeti v roke. “Pusti! Opekel se boš,” mu je dejal oče. Sinček ni rad ubogal. Ko se je oče ozrl, je zgrabil za gorko železo. Speklo ga je, da je za¬ jokal. , Oče ga je vzel na koleno in mu popihal roko. Lukec je u- tihnil. Nato ga je oče zgrabil za roke, Lukec je jahal konjič¬ ka. Oče je pel: “Hopa, hopa, čička, Lukec, na konjička:” To je bilo pa res lepo. Lukec je pozabil, da ga skeli roka. Smejal se je. “še, še!” Oče se je igral z njim vsak večer. Lukec je rasel. Vsak dan je prihajal k očetu v kovačnico. V kovačnici je bilo toliko lepih reči. Stal je za vrati in gledal. “Oče, zakaj pa je to?” Oče mu je rad povedal. Ne¬ koč ga je vprašal : “Kaj bo iz tebe? Ali boš go¬ spod?” “Ne. Kovač!” Bil je še majhen, ko je po¬ magal očetu goniti kovaški meh. Oglje je žarelo, železo je posta¬ lo rdeče ko makov cvet. Oče ga je zgrabil s kleščami in tol¬ kel po njem. Svetle iskre so pršele na vse strani. Včasih sta oče in mati dolgo govorila. Lukec ni razumel vsega. Oče je tožil, da ni za¬ služka. Dejal je: “Mislil sem, da bom kupil kočo, a ne gre in ne gre.” Mati je molčala in vzdihnila. Nekega večera je prišel oče domov, povedal materi: “V A- meriko pojdem.” Mati je za¬ jokala. Naslednjega dne se je splazil Lukec v kovačnico. Gledal je očeta, ki je z vso silo tolkel po železu. Zdelo se je, da je hud. “Oče, kam pojdete?” “Za morje.” “Ali je to daleč?” “Tam, kjer zahaja solnce.” Lukec je počenil. Nekaj ča¬ sa je molče gledal v očeta. “Ali pojdem z vami?” “Ne,” je odgovoril oče na kratko. “Z materjo bosta osta¬ la doma.” Če je rekel oče, je bilo ko z žeblji pribito. Lukcu je bilo težko. Oče ni odšel tako naglo. Lu¬ kec je že začel hoditi v šolo. Nekega dne je prinesel oče ve¬ liko denarja domov. Vrgel ga je na mizo in ga preštel. Mati je zopet jokala. “Če mi pojde dobro, prideta za menoj.” Mati in Lukec sta spremila očeta v mesto. Na postaji so se objeli. Oče ni jokal, mati pa tako, da ni mogla govoriti. Tu¬ di Lukec je jokal. Vse večere sta z materjo mo¬ lila, da bi očeta ne požrlo mor¬ je. Prišlo je pismo. Oče je bil že v Ameriki. Poslal je denar¬ ja, da je mati plačala dolg. Pi¬ sal je: “Potrpita! Prišla bosta za menoj.” (Dalje sledi.) MAGIC FIGURES Mathematical curiosities are alvvays entertaining. Here is one that has recently enjoyed wide circulation. Take the fig- ures 142,857. When you multi- ply this number by two, the result is 285,714. If you multi- ply it by three you get 428,571. Again, if you multiply it by four the result is 571,428. By five, result is 714,285; by six, 857,142. In ali six of these instances you not only get the same set of figures each time, but the same sequence as in the original number 142,857. Be- sides, in multiplying by six you get a result in which the two sets of figures are transposed. Now try multiplying by sev- en. Sometimes it is jokingly said that many of us are living to eat instead of eating to live. As a matter of fact the average person, and it is the average person we are going to deal with, is so busy providing some- thing to eat that he seldom stops to consider which expres- sion applies to his own parti- cular čase. Least of ali does he pause to consider how big his appetite actually is or how much food he really needs. Some persons are said to eat “like a horse”—referring of course to the amount eaten. On the other hand there are those who are continually dieting as well as those who are said to eat “practically nothing.” Yet, even the latter classes would be surprised to know how much food they actuaily consume. At the third triennial con- ference of the Country Women of the World held at Washing- ton recently one of the most interesting exhibits to many was that arranged by the Virgi¬ nia State Extension Service, dealing with this very subject. There before the eyes in basket after basket, can after can and package after package, was ap- proximately one ton of food. This, it was explained, showed the chief items of food in the correct amounts consumed by the average American in the course of one year. To begin with the average man annually eats more than his weight in potatoes alone. It is the same with fruits and flour. If given the potatoes he is due to consume, baked, boil- ed, fried, hashed and mashed within 365 days only a husky male could stagger home with them for they would weigh 200 pounds or more than three bushels. Fruits in a natural State, preserved, canned and dried, account for 250 pounds of the national crop in addition to another 100 pounds in citrus fruits. Each year our average man eats 125 loaves of bread and enough cereal, pie, cake and other pastry to use up 180 pounds of flour which accounts for more than four bushels of wheat. He also disposes of 75 gallons of milk during the year. This may be used for drinking pur- poses, sauces, cream for his coffee and dessert or for manu- facturing his cheeses but does not account for the butter he uses. Butter alone amounts to 20 pounds per annum. In his annual rations are included some 120 pounds of lean meat, ham, bacon and lard, not to mention an additional 20 pounds of dressed chicken, turkey or duck. It also requires one in- dustrious hen to furnish his year’s supply of eggs of \vhich 17 dozen are required. For roughage he eats 100 pounds of vvhite vegetables. These include onions, celery, turnips, etc., while green and yellow vegetables such as peas, string beans, peppers, carrots and the like make up another 100 pounds. The peas alone would fill a gunny sack. His allovvance of tomatoes and to- mato juice are included in the allowance for citrus fruits since the tomato is really a fruit. In stili another group are dried beans and nuts of which 25 pounds are eaten. Nearly everyone has a sweet tooth but the man who “doesn’t čare” for candy, cake or other svveets probably has children who make up for his shortcom- ing in this respect for the aver¬ age annual sugar consumption is estimated at about 70 pounds per person. This is one of our Staples which has to be import- ed since our own country does not supply enough sugar beets and sugar cane to supply sugar for our domestic needs. It is interesting to note in this connection the variation of the appetite or food demands. In comparison figures of the Virginia Extension Service in 1936 with those of Uncle Sam for 1933 it is found that despite higher prices the average per¬ son of 1936 is eating five pounds more meat, 20 pounds more flour and 30 pounds more potatoes than he did three years ago. However, he has cut down his sugar consumption by 30 pounds and his egg consump¬ tion has fallen off 66 eggs per year. Another interesting com¬ parison is made by checking these figures with the chief items mentioned in a menu on which a welfare organization claimed it was possible to live for $2.50 a week—at big-city prices. While a storm of con- troversy rose at the time it is noted that the welfare menu for the period of one year calls for 45 gallons of milk, 156 pounds of potatoes, 52 pounds of sugar, 104 loaves of bread and 26 pounds of butter. —The Pathfinder MORE MEALS RECOM- MENDED Mothers who prohibit chil¬ dren eating between meals and those who oppose the midnight snack are on the wrong track, according to Yale physiologists. After studying a specific group of people of varying ages they have concluded that efficiency is chiefly a matter of eating— not how much but how often. They recommend that the regu- lar amount of food be spread over at least five meals a day. Their studies indicated that ef- ficiency remains above normal level for only two hours on two meals a day; four hours on three meals; five to six hours on four meals, and seven hours on five meals. Billy (proudly) — My sister has a vvooden leg. Jackie—Aw, that’s nothing. My sister has a cedar chest. WITH OUR JUNIORS By Michael Vrhovnik, Director of Vrtec and English Speaking Lodges Jack-o-Lantern Some like to stew us iti a pot, Whatever use you prit us to, And make us into pies; Others like to fix us up With ugly mouth and eyes. We’ll gladly do our duty; Really, though, we’d like to be Your jack-o-lantern beauty. — Ation. know, is the last night of Octo- ber, being the eve or vigil of All-Hallow’s or Ali Saints Day, and no holiday in ali the year is so informal or so marked by fun, both for the grown-ups as well as children, as this one. On this night there should be nothing but laughter, fun and mystery for it is the night when Fairies dance, Ghosts, Witches, Devils and Elves wander around. mischief-making Haliowe'en Night Halloween, as most of you ask . . . “You’re only as young as you feel and if you really feel like going out and celebrat- ing Halloween in the good old- fashioned way, what’s to pre- vent you?” . . . To be frank with you, age has something to do with my present attitude tovvards- those old ~ fashioned ways of making fun on Hallo- ween Night. I’m afraid my age and size, too, would play an important part in some man’s judgment if I were ever caught . . . But then, thafs another story altogether . . . Besides I wouldn’t want any of you Vrtec members to get mix- ed-up in something that might not be looked upon as good, clean, wholesome fun. There are many ways of having a grand time without re- sorting to tricks and stunts that are damaging to property or to person. There is really no necessity for that, especially if you belong to an active Vrtec unit for you can always have a better time at an affair that has been well planned and is being well managed. You are, indeed, fortunate to be mem¬ bers of our SSPZ Fraternity for boys and girls and I hope you ali make the best of the oppor- tunities it affords you . . . At- tend your October meeting . . . Take an active interest and part in your Ha!loween celebration... Bring in a new member. A Game Or Two In planning a Halloween par- ty for their Vrtec members, Administrators and Adminis- tratrices should arrange a pro¬ gram of stunts and games, for few children ever tire of them. It should be full of fun and surprises, but nothing should be used that might frighten some of the nervous and sensi- tive children. Everything should be kept as secret as possible, the more secret everything is kept the bigger the surprise and the greater the fun. Gosh, when I begin to think of ali the fun some of you youngsters are going to have during the next several weeks, I almost envy you and wish I were young enough to go along 'with yo ; u and help pull-off some of the tricks and pranks we used to when I was a “kid”... “Well, why don’t you . . . what’s stopping you?” some of you new members teliš the who!e sincerity on the part of the story . . . Not a discouraging leaders . . . Not enough activi- or disappointing one, but cer- ty and Jack of publicity are tainly far from a successful and other reasons ... The last men- gladsome one . . . What seems tioned can never be stres sed too to be the trouble? . . . Are much . . . Publicity or adver- there no other boys and girls in tising plays an important role your community who might be in the success of every affair... interested in joiijing your Vr- Make full use of the Vrtec sup- tec? . . . Are you sure you’ve plement. Tell us about your combed ali prospective members plans for the future. Describe of your community—of your your past affairs in short arti- . circle of friends? Until you cles. Tell us what you think have tried and tried and tried, of the Vrtec movement and again and again and again, you what you have gained by being should never admit failure ... a member. What do you think Any Vrtec, not gaining a new of the SSPZ and how is it be- member over an extended peri- j n g received in your town or od of time, cannot be said to be c j^y Have you any ideas to progressing. It is usually an . ,, . ,, o ^ & , , b . . ,, • improve the Vrtec set-up: . . . unhealthy sign and the sooner r , ... a remedy is applied the better. If y° u have - Im sure the y Wl11 Sometimes it might be attribu- always be welcome to your ted to a lack of ambition and readers. Campaign Leade rs Below are listed the leading tors and the secretaries. On'iy Vrtec units in the current meiri- the five highest are showh in bership drive. Included, also, the follo\ving standings. arethe names of the administra- Pos.—Location Vrtec No. Administrator Secreiartj 1 Ambridge, Pa. . 44 Jos. Hochevar . Mary Posega 2 Burgettstown, Pa. .101 Fr. Laurich, Sr...Eddie Loiinder 3 Clinton, Ind. ... ... 28 John Skoff-- John Skoff 4 Export, Pa. ...103 Jurij Previc ... Julia Kosmach 5 Chicago, 111. .. 160 V. Zupančič ., Wilma Gratchner Conneaut, Ohio...137 J. Milakovich .. J. Milakcrvich CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR WORK IS BEING SPLENDIB- LY DONE! Vrtec Activity On The Upgrade BITING THE APPLE . . . Suspend a stick three feet long horizontally from the ceiling. Plače an apple on one end of the stick and a small bag of flour on the other end. Set the stick whirling. Then have each member take a turn at trying to bite the. apple. Just try to do this without getting dabs of flour on your face. HIT THE BULL’S EYE . . . In a dish pan plače a round baking dish and inside of that a tin cup. Have the players stand at a designated distance from the target and try to hit the bull’s eye. Five grains of corn are the ammunition and each one that lands in the cup counts five, going into the dish counts two apiece and each one land- ing in the dish pan counts one, Keep score and award a prize to the one with the highest score. A GUESSING CONTEST . . . Hold up an ear of corn and al- low the members to guess how many grains are on it. The guesses are written upon a sheet of paper or biackboard. Then the ear of corn is shelled and the grains counted, the member guessing closest to the correct number is awarded some kind of prize. BLIND NUT SEEKERS . . . Let several members be blind- folded. Then hide nuts or apples in various parts of the room or house. A prize being avvarded to the most successful seeker. Campaigning For New Members And now that you have each importance, an inventory of been served a small measure of September’s membership cam- Hallovveen cheer, let’s you and paign results. I turn to a matter of serious One tiny glance at the list of Fresh signs of activity are beginning to flame up here and there on the SSPZ horizon. Re- ports are coming in telling us of several Thanksgiving and Xmas parties in the making. No, it’s not too early to be thinking of your Xmas plans. This is one occasion of the vear we ali look forward to with the greatest of zest and it is the one we should aim to make the happiest. Now is the time to start the Xmas bali rolling so that every detail will be taken čare of on schedule. Vrtec No. 160 of Chicago, supervised by brother Victor Zupančič, have set their Xmas party dale for December 6th. Added features will be a plav in Slovene and possibly a movie short or two. Vrtec No. 139 of Chicago’s Southend, supervised by brother Stanley Tome, is ready for its 2nd Hallovveen Party and from what I’ve heard, it’s going to be a grand affair. At Export, Pa., Vrtec No. 103, which is administrated by brother Jurij Previc, opened their fall program of social af¬ fairs by putting on a play en- titled ,“Borrowing Trouble” . . . Dancing and a program of songs sung by the “Planinski Slavček” of Cheswick complet- ed a successful afternoon and evening of- entertainment. At Strabane, where Josephine Am- brose holds sway over the Vr¬ tec destiny, preparations are being made for the 2nd annual Halloween Party and over at Burgettstown brothers Frank. Laurich and Eddie Lounder al- ready have their eyes glued on the Vrtec softball championship in 1937 ... A dance will be held in the near future to help bolster the fund for equipment and traveling expenses. Thafs what I call looking far to the future . . . You’ve got the right idea, Eddie—Keep it up! . . . And ali you other Vrtec Admin¬ istrators and secretaries take the hint fro mthe Pirate Jun- iors and start preparing affairs for your fall, winter and spring seasons that will net you suffi- cient profit to take čare of at least a part of the expenses in- curred thru your summer acti- vities. Now is the time to build-up that sports nest-egg. (Continued on page 4) Stran 4 Juvenile Section of “Napredek” 21. oktobra, 1936 KAJ JE ŽIVLJENJE Lepo poletno noč se je sešlo več živali in sova je izpregovo- rila: “Kdo mi ve povedati, kaj je življenje?" Slavec se takoj oglasi, rekoč: “Življenje je pesem!” Oglasi se krt in pravi: “Jaz rijem pod zemljo in lovim črve in to imenujem življenje.” Metulj, ki je ves dan letal s cvetke na cvetko in srkal med iz njih, reče: “Življenje je sr¬ kanje sladke slasti.” Oglasi se cvetka, rekoč: — “življenje je razvijanje.” “Življenje je svoboda, moč in letanje pod oblaki!” zakliče o- rel s pečine. Mimo pride bogatinov sin, vračajoč se z veselice: “Vsi skupaj tie veste nič! Veseliti se, uživati in neprenehoma misliti na veselje in slast, to je življe¬ nje.” A mravlja pravi: “Življenje je delo brez prestanka!” In čebela pripomni: “Življe¬ nje je satje, ki ga polni delo.” Mimo pride modrijan in re¬ če: “Najbolje sta odgovorili mravlja in čebela, zakaj življe¬ nje je res satje, ki ga pošteno in vztrajno delo polni z medom. Nikdar se ne smemo strašiti dela! Z delom razvijamo, jam¬ čimo in krepimo svoje moči, pa kadar jsmo močni, lahko čvrste bodimo, jahamo, skače¬ mo, dosezaroo svoj smoter in kljubujemo nevarnostim. Tako koristimo sebi in domovini.” 7. Podgornik TRICK WITH LUMP SUGAR Here is a simple little trick any amateur can perform to the amazement of friends. When lump sugar is served take up two of the lumps and ask if anyone present can make them stick together by placing one on top of the other. While the volunteer or volunteers are trying and failing the perform- er can take two other lumps of sugar and prepare to show how easy it really is. After the others have given up the per- former nonchalantly shows his two lumps of sugar. Then he carefully places one lump on top of the other and snaps his fingers above them. Next he picks up the top lump and to the surprise of ali present, and especially ali those who have tried and failed, the bottom lump adheres to it. The secret is that the performer, unknown to the spectators, managed to get a little dab of butter on the bottom of his top lump. When the two lumps are pressed to¬ gether the butter makes them stick. To destroy the telltale butter the performer simply drops his two lumps into his cup of coffee. VRTEC 118 Members of Vrtec 118 are urged to be present at the Li- brary Slovene Hall, Sunday, Oc- tober 25, 1936. Edvoard Rupnik, Vice-pres. Slovanska plemena Slovenci, Hrvati, Srbi, Cehi, Slovaki, Poljaki, Rusi in Luži- ški Srbi so velika slovanska družina, ki je nekoč živela v skupni domovini. Po priliki je bila ta velika domovina tam, kjer sedaj prebivajo Poljaki, pa tudi v predelih južno in vzhod¬ no od Poljske. Vsi so imeli skupno ime Slovani, vsi so ve¬ rovali v več božjih bitij. Ta velika družina se je pa polagoma razcepila v mnogo plemen, ki so zapustila drugo za drugim vzhodno Evropo ter se pomikala proti zapadu in ju¬ gu ter ustanavljala svoje po¬ sebne države. Srbi, Hrvati in Slovenci žive sedaj v eni državi. Imenujemo jo Jugoslavijo. Z nami so sorod¬ ni Cehi, Slovaki, Poljaki, Rusi in Lužiški Srbi. Kakor mi tako so tudi Cehi in Slovaki eden narod in žive na severu od nas v skupni dr¬ žavi Cehoslovaški. Tudi Poljaki imajo svojo dr¬ žavo. Imenuje se Poljska, leži pa severovzhodno od Cehoslova- ške. Rusi žive v državi Rusiji. Ta država je silno velika ter se raz¬ prostira vzhodno od Poljske. Lužiški Srbi nimajo svoje dr¬ žave. Žive v Nemčiji pod nem¬ škim gospostvom. Njih domo¬ vina se imenuje Lužica in leži na severovzhodni strani od Ce- hoslovaške. Ko so se našteta plemena raz¬ cepila in zapustila svojo skup¬ no domovino, so jela živeti vsa¬ ko samo zase. Niso se več me¬ šala med seboj in zato so na¬ stale tudi razlike v njih govo¬ ru. Toda čeprav so sedaj slo¬ vanski narodi razdeljeni v po¬ sebne države, čeprav so v njih govoru in veri razlike, čeprav imajo različna imena, vendar smo si vsi med seboj bratje, se medsebojno ljubimo in pomaga¬ mo. Še danes imajo vsa ta plemena skupno ime Slovani. Relighting Candle Stunt Most homes have a candle or two around for emergency lighting. One of these candles can be used to perform an un- usual stunt that will mystify your friends. However, the stunt should not be attempted by small children, because they should not be allowed to play with fire. Light the candle and allow it to burn long enough for a long “snuff” to be left. While the candle is burning explain to the audience that you can re- light the candle without touch- ing the snuff with the burning match. Light a match and get it burning properly, then sud- denly blow out the candle. As the wreath of smoke ascends into the air put the lighted match in the smoke at a dis¬ tance of three or four inches from the wick of the candle. To everyone’s surprise the fire will run down the cloud of smoke and relight the candle. ŽETEV Zeleno žito se je izpremenilo v zlato. Čas je žetve. Kako vesel čas je to, pravi praznik za ženjice prav tako kakor za vinogradnika trgatev. In prav je, da imamo veselje s tem, kar smo prejeli iz dobrotnih rok božjih. Za žetev mora biti vse pripr av¬ ljeno : srpi, kozolci in tudi sked¬ nji. Žito ne sme biti premalo, pa tudi ne preveč zrelo. Za se¬ me mora biti bolj dozorelo, za mlin pa ne toliko. Ako zrnje ni mlečno, ko ga pretrgamo, je že za žetev sposobno. Kolikor do zrelosti še primanjkuje, to do¬ zori pri sušenju v kozulcu. Pre¬ zrelo žito ne daje lepe moke, slama je tudi jako suha in manj vredna za krmo. Prezre¬ lo žito se tudi zelo otresa in izpada. Že zaradi tega je po¬ trebno, da ga požanjemo, pre¬ den popolnoma dozori. Žeti tre¬ ba ob lepem vremenu. Bolje je zgodaj nego prepozno, zlasti v onih krajih, koder rada pobija toča. Žanjemo s srpom pa tudi s stroji. Ponekod kose tudi s posebno koso. Ce je požeto ži¬ to suho, ga takoj povežemo v snope. Mokro ali vlažno se slabo suši in težko mlati. Po¬ vezujmo ga raje v manjše nego v velike debele snope! Preve¬ like snope težko skladamo v kozolc, pa jih tudi težko do či¬ stega omlatimo. Tudi v kozol¬ cu pazimo na žito, da ne hodijo nanje miši in druge živali. Posuženo žito mlatimo s cep¬ cem ali z mlatilnim strojem. S strojem je delo hitreje in tudi ceneje opravljeno. Omlačeno žito izvejamo in popolnoma o- čistimo na rešetu ali še bolje s posebnim strojem. Žito hrani¬ mo v dobrih hramih. Ce je zr¬ nje še nekoliko vlažno, ga ne smemo nasuti na debelo po tleh. Večkrat ga je treba premešati. Pa tudi suhega žita ne nametaj- mo več nego pol metra na de¬ belo! Žitni hram bodi suh in zračen! Preganjajmo v njem miši! Prav je torej, da včasih , dovolimo hišnemu mačku, da preišče žitne hrame. Continued from page 3 Without duties for members to perform our Society would not exist for long. Here are a number you should try to re- member: Attend ali meetings and af- fairs of your Vrtec unit. Pay regularly your monthly assessment. Perform willingly ali duties asked of you. Try to be of good character, honest and of good behavior at the meetings, entertainmen^s, at home or elsewhere. Take čare of your health and the health of your fellow mem- Vrednost človeškega življenja Japonski princ si je dal na¬ praviti dvajset prekrasnih po¬ sod iz porcelana. Živel je le za to, da jih je občudoval. Nekega dne ubije služkinja po nepre¬ vidnosti eno teh povsod. Princ, ves razkačen, jo obsodi na smrt. To zve neki prinčev podlož¬ nik. Stopi k njemu in reče: “Imam dragocen recept, kako bi popravil ubito posodo, ne da bi se poznala niti najmanjša razpoka. Potrebno je samo, da mi pokažeš vse cele posode.” Princ ga odvede v sobo, kjer so bile shranjene oboževane po¬ sode za svilenim zastorom. Pod¬ ložnik privzdigne zaveso in z enim sunkom vrže vse posode na tla, da se razlete na tisoč koscev. “Če bi ostale te posode cele,” reče nato princu, “bi to lahko uničilo devetnajst človeš¬ kih bitij. Zato zvemi življenje meni, da ne bo drugih nepotreb¬ nih človeških žrtev!” Princ je dobro razumel nauk, ki mu ga je dal ta mož. Spo¬ znal je, da ne bi odtehtale vse zlate in izrezljane posode v nje¬ govi palači niti enega človeš¬ kega življenja, pa je pomilostil njega in služkinjo. Iz francoščine Fr. Jordan PIRATE JUNIORS MAS- QUERADE DANCE We extend invitations to ali our neighboring lodges to be present at the Pirate Juniors Masquerade Dance which is to bo held at Burgettsto\vn on the evening of October 24th. Musič will be fumished by John Bolar and His Orchestra. We expect many Challengers and Progressors, so let’s see you al llive up to our expecta- tions. Sec’y of Pirate Jr s. Teacher — Johnny, can you name something that goes on and on and on without end? Johnny—Closing out sales of clothing Stores. bers to whom you should offer ali assistance possible when in need. Do at least one good deed every day. Boost your Vrtec unit and the SSPZ wherever and when- ever you have the opportunity. Ask your friends to join our Junior ranks. Keep the Vrtec membership drive constantly in mind. Horace—Our new boss is a man of few words. Maudine—Who told you so? Horace—He did—for three hours. WTTH OUR JUNIORS Duties Of Vrtec Members t