Mladi njki \ I L UT si« A JUVENILE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICAN SLOVENES November 1940 I ★ t * t * 1 * * ★ £ T% /T T * * W /I - - — I ^ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ * ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ n * TT ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 'k ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Mladinski List JUVENILE Editor Business Manager - - IVAN MOLEK PHILIP GODINA CONTENTS FOR NOVEMBER, 1940 Vsebina novembrske številke STORIES, PLAYS, POEMS Page Mladina in Demokracija.............................................. 8 Skrivnostni Miklavž .............................................. 1 Strutter ...........................................................10 ARTICLES Birthdays of the Great Men.......................................... 6 From the Pages of History........................................... 7 Oliver Goldsmith ................................................... 9 Stamp Collecting ................................................... 9 Vacation in the Fall, A.............................................11 FEATURES Introducing Book Friends............................................32 Just For Fun........................................................13 Our Own Juvenile Circles of the SNPJ................................23 Our Pen Pals Write..................................................27 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ * ★ ★ ★ ★ * ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MLADINSKI LIST JUVENILE LETO XIX—Št. 11 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, NOVEMBER, 1940 VOL. XIX—No. 11 SKRIVNOSTNI MIKLAVŽ (Božična enodejanka za mladino) Katka Zupančič POZORIŠČE: Preprosta sobica z mizico in dvema stoloma. Na levi (od gledalca) nizka omara s knjigami; nad omaro ura na steni. Vhod z leve in desne; na desni še druga vrata v ozadje. OSEBE: Andy, 5 let; Bob, 6 let; Connie, 8 let; Dorothy, 10 let; Emil, 12 let; Fred, 12 let; Tat, v Miklavža preoblečen; Miklavž; Policaj. PRVI PRIZOR Otroci sami Ko se zastor dviga, se Andy in Bob igrata v ospredju odra. Na tleh si sedita nasproti (v razdalji kakih šest čevljev) in si pošiljata avtomobilček. Connie stoji nekako v sredi in ju opazuje. Fred sedi na stolu in pregleduje MLADINSKI LIST. Za njegovim hrbtom stoji Emil, ki tudi gleda v list. Dorothy briše mizico in potihoma poje. DOROTHY: Tako! Da bo Miklavž našel vse lepo in čisto. EMIL (se ozre in pristopi): Treba se prepričati. (Potegne s prstom po mizi in pogleda:) No, no, za silo bo že. DOROTHY: Le norčuj se, le. Ah, kaj veste vi, dečki, ki samo mažete in prašite . . . (Je huda.) EMIL (vzame iz žepa jabolko, ga obdrgne ob rokav in ji ga ponudil): Na, ki si pridna in pa da ne boš huda. DOROTHY (vzame in ogleduje, pa kima): Se mi je zdelo, da bo nekaj narobe. Piškavo je, zato ga ti ne maraš, pa ga daješ meni. (H Connie, ki pristopi) : Vidiš? Tukaj notri je črviček! EMIL (se čudi): Je res piškavo? Pa tako lepo, rdeče jabolko! FRED (ki se je zdaj pa zdaj ozrl): Ni vse zlato, ne, kar se sveti — saj veš. DOROTHY: Vseeno ga obdržim. (Smeje): Miklavžu ga bom vtaknila v žep. EMIL: Tako! On tebi darila — ti njemu črvička . . . DOROTHY: Hm, ali si ti kaj boljši? (Postavi se pred uro. Pridruži se ji Andy, ki se je igre naveličal; Bob se igra sam.) Oh, da bi bila že kmalu osma ura! Tako, tako počasi se pomika ta nesrečna ura. ANDY: Pomika? Saj se ne pomika nikamor . . . DOROTHY: Eh, ura le kaže, pa kaže zmerom eno in isto. ANDY (gleda in gleda na uro, nazadnje pa zmigne z rameni in vzdihne globoko) : Oh, meni pa ura nič ne kaže. VSI (se zasmejejo. Bob, še vedno na tleh sedeč, se je nehal igrati in jih smehljaje se opazuje.) FRED (pristopi h Andyju) : Ce ura tebi ne kaže, pa kaži ti uri. ANDY: Kako . . . FRED: Takole. (Naravna mu roke, kakor bi ravnal kazalce na uri.) Tako vidiš: zdaj kažeš deveto. (Mu znova naravna roke: eno navzdol, drugo kvišku): Zdaj kažeš šesto. (Obe roke kvišku:) Zdaj je pa poldne. DOROTHY: Ali pa polnoč! (Smeh). (Na levi v ozadju nekaj močno zaropota. Vsi se zdrznejo in utihnejo, kakor bi odrezal.) (Zaropoče še enkrat, nalahno.) BOB: Uuuh! Mene je strah! (Zleze pod mizo.) ANDY (ves nesrečen): Saj ne kažem več polnoči . . . FRED: Šššt . . . (Vsi napeto poslušajo. Nič glasu.) EMIL: In vendar je nekdo v hiši. Je in je! FRED: Kako bo . . . Saj so zadnja vrata zaprta. Jaz sam sem jih zaklenil od znotraj. (Zopet prisluhnejo. Nič glasu.) FRED: Čeprav vem, da ni nikogar, grem vseeno pogledat, samo da boste pomirjeni. EMIL: Jaz grem s teboj. 2. PRIZOR Prejšnji brez Freda in Emila BOB (Zleze izpod mize): Kaj pa, če je Miklavž ?! CONNIE: Ššt! (Poudari vsako besedo posebej) : Miklavža ne bo -pred osmo uro. BOB: Oh . . . (Zleze zopet pod mizo.) ANDY (kima) : Boste videli, da bo Miklavž. Bo, bo . . . (Zunaj se v Miklavža preoblečeni tat glasno zasmeje.) TAT (še zunaj): Ahaaa! Sem vaju presenetil, sem! FRED: Kod ste px*išli noter? TAT: I, kod . . . Skozi dimnik. Ali pa skozi luknjico v ključavnici. Miklavž pride noter, koder se mu zazdi. Hm. EMIL: Zakaj ste se pa skrili za vrata? TAT: Zakaj, zakaj . . . Zato pač, da sta me poiskala. 3. PRIZOR Prejšnji, Tat, Emil in Fred (Emil, tat, Fred vstopijo; Bob zleze izpod mize.) ANDY (veselo tleskne v roke) : Pa sem le uganil. Miklavž, naš Miklavž je tukaj! (Se okrene k uri) : Ura, ti ne veš nič! (Se oklene tatu.) BOB (odrine Andyja) : Jaz sem uganil, ne ti. Miklavž, kaj ste mi prinesli? TAT (pomaha, naj potrpi, takisto i ostalim, ki kažejo hudo razočarane obraze zavoljo prazne torbe pod njegovo pazduho) : Glej no, saj nisem niti vedel, da vas je toliko. Ste sami? CONNIE: Da, sami smo, sami. (Ne opazi Freda, ki ji odmigava.) Vsi so odšli in kdozna kdaj se vrnejo domov . . . TAT (kažoč na Fredo): Ti si domači, kaj ne? DOROTHY (uslužno) : Da, in jaz in tale tudi (pokaže na Bobbieja). Naš oče je tajnik druš . . . umolkne, ko jo Fred sune v komolec. Nadaljuje pa Connie, ki tega nič ne opazi.) CONNIE (skrivnostno) : Da, in denarja imajo v hiši, zato . . . FRED (jezno očitajoče) : I, kaj pa čvekaš? Kakšnega denarja le? CONNIE (v zadregi) : Ne vašega, ampak od društva . . . FRED: Ja kaj pa ti veš . . . Kdo ga je štel? Mar ti? DOROTHY (posreduje) : Oh, Miklavžu se pa vendar sme povedati, nel FRED (pokaže) : To ni naš pravi Miklavž. TAT (se zavzame, nekoliko ogorčen): Kako, da ne . . . ANDY: Saj ima brado in vse . . . (Se ga o-klene) : O, nič ne bodite hudi . . . EMIL: Pa vseeno ni pravi. Jaz našega Miklavža prav dobro poznam. Ob osmih bo prišel. In bo tisti ko lani. ANDY: Kdo je bil lani? EMIL: Oni, ko predlanskem. Je domači človek. ANDY (jokavo) : Morda je pa ta pravi, pa oni ne . . . TAT : Le potolaži se. (Vzame iz žepa novec.) Na, le vzami, zato ker si se potegnil zame, za Miklavža, ki ga vi drugi ne marate. Oh, tako je, tako . . . (Sede.) (Emil in Fred šepetata v ozadju; Emil se na skrivaj bliža vratom. Tat pa, ki ima zmerom oči povsod, opazi.) TAT: Kam pa, kam? EMIL (v zadregi) : Eh, rad bi vedel . . . Rad bi videl, če ... če luna ... če je nocoj mesečina. TAT: Seveda je. To ti jaz lahko povem. Zato kar lepo tukaj ostani. Saj sem celo govoril z možem v luni, ko sem se pripeljal (kaže) zgoraj po rimski cesti, pa zavil mimo lune. Vprašal sem moža: Ali veš, kje bivajo najpridnejši otroci? — Tam doli v onile hiši, je dejal in mi pokazal. Pa sami so doma. Pojdi k njim! Komaj, komaj te čakajo . . . Na, in zdaj, ko sem res prišel k vam — pa tak sprejem! Tak sprejem! Mož v luni ve vse, pozna vse in se zlepa ne zmoti. Ampak to pot se je pa zares ukanil. Nič, prav nič me niste veseli. FRED: Ah, saj nismo več deteta v zibeli, da nam bi take pravljice pravili. Verjame nobeden ne. ANDY (kima) : Ooo, jaz da. FRED: Tiho ti! Ti, ki se daš podkupiti. TAT (zamišljen — je vse to preslišal): Da, le pojdi k njim, mi je naročil mož v luni, pojdi, da bodo enkrat videli pravega Miklavža, ne pa tistega od lani in predlanskem. Pa skrij se, mi je dejal, dobro se skrij in se onemu njihovemu Miklavžu prej ne pokaži, dokler ne bo razdelil vseh svojih udaril, če jih bo seveda kaj imel. DOROTHY: Imel? Več že, nego vi, ki jih nimate nič! TAT: Praviš, da jih nimam? BOB: Kje so? TAT (Andyju) : Ti si najpridnejši. Na sezi mi v tale žep . . . Kaj je notri? (Žep mora biti predeljen.) ANDY (ko dobro pobrska po žepu): Notri ni nič. TAT: Nič? (Se smeje, seže sam noter in privleče iz žepa vsako jako drobnarijo.) Nič? Kaj to ni nič? (Andy, Bob, Connie, Dorothy razveseljeni planejo bliže.) O ne, zdaj še ne. (Pobira nazaj.) Prej darila vašega Miklavža, potem bodo šele moja na vrsti. (Kima samozavestno.) Ste videli, kaj vse je bilo v praznem žepu? Takisto je s tole torbo, ki je tudi videti prazna. Ali imate zdaj vero vame? — ge ne vsi . . . (Pokima.) čakajte, Tomaži neverni, pa odprite oči! (Vzame kapo z glave, in visoko nad otroki potegne iz kape na komaj vidno nitko privrščene “dolarske” bankovce.) Jih vidite? VSI (se čudijo): Oooo . . . EMIL (na skrivaj sune Freda): Saj niso to pravi dolarji ... Ali so? FRED (tudi na skrivaj) : Kaj vem, so ali niso ... Pa čeprav i so, ta človek ni nič prida! On pazi na nas, mi pa moramo paziti nanj. Ne spusti ga z oči . . . TAT: Hej hej! Kaj pa vidva šepetata? FRED: O, nič. Le vašemu bogastvu se čudiva. Odkod ga imate? (Emilu: Odslej se delajva, kakor da mu vse verjameva.) TAT (ki je medtem spet zložil “bankovce” nazaj): “I Miklavž mora biti bogat. Bogat mora biti in pa tuj, da ga na vsem svetu nihče ne pozna. EMIL (stopi bliže): Vi ste tuji, pa vkljub temu imate masko. Zakaj si je ne snamete, da bi vam videli v oči? TAT: Ti si pa res moder ... In potem se naj bi dal še slikati, kaj ne! FRED (na skrivaj): Ah, če bi imel kamero, bi te . . . TAT: Zapomnite si, otroci, tole: Najlepše na svetu je skrivnost! (dramatično): Tam v kotu nekaj zakreblja ... Ti ne veš, kaj škreblja ... Pa se zanimaš, se bojiš, ugibaš, kaj bi bilo . . . poslušaš, gledaš, čakaš, morda trepečeš ... pa se iz kota pokaže miška .... in vse skrivnosti je na mah konec! — Vidiš miš, pa premišljaš samo še, kako bi jo ujel . . . FRED (na skrivaj): Saj to je, kako bi jo ujel . . . TAT: Aaaa, nečesa sem se spomnil. Kaj pa, če bi si tudi vi nadeli krinke. Bi vsaj videli, kako bi z njimi zmedli tistega vašega Miklavža. DOROTHY: Če bi jih imeli . . . Saj res bi bilo kar smešno, ko nas ne bi poznal. TAT (potegne iz rokava šop krink za čez oči in jih vrže na mizo) : Evo vam jih! Saj sem vam povedal, da doslej pravega Miklavža še nikoli videli niste. Miklavž mora biti skrivnost. In jaz sem skrivnost. FRED (na skrivaj): Dokler te ne ujamemo . . . VSI (si natikajo krinke in se drug drugemu smejejo.) DOROTHY: Jaz že vem, kaj bomo našemu Miklavžu zapeli . . . (Potihoma pripoveduje in poje natihoma. Tat prisluškuje in kima zadovoljno. Medtem si Emil in Fred tudi natikata krinke in nekoliko oddaljena od ostalih govorita med seboj.) FRED (Emilu polglasno): To je še boljše. Bova ga vsaj laže opazovala. Imam že načrt . . . EMIL: Jaz tudi. Povem pozneje. Zdaj naju že opazuje . . . (Glasno): Ali se mi poda? FRED: Pa še kako! Zgledaš prav kakor sova na panju. (Se smejeta). TAT: Hahaaa, vidite, kako ste spremenjeni. Prej ste bili otroci, nič več, nič manj, kot edinole otroci. Pa se vas zdaj naglej! Zdaj ste skrivnostni. Vsak zase skrivnost. Živijo skrivnost! DOROTHY (dvigne jabolko) : Živijo skrivnost! (Nato stopi tatu za hrbet in mu vtakne jabolko v žep.) (Od zunaj se sliši oddaljeno žvenkljanje. Vsi prisluhnejo . . .) DOROTHY: Že prihaja. Naš Miklavž prihaja . . . (Vsi, razen Emila in Freda planejo k vratom na desno.) TAT (hudo nervozen) : Semkaj, nazaj k meni, otroci, da se zmenimo. (Vsi ubogajo.) Tiho vsi, tiho! (pomiga s kazalcem.) Pa dobro poslušajte: Jaz se bom skril. Vaš Miklavž ne sme ničesar vedeti o meni, dokler sam ne potrkam na vrata. Če bi me prej kateri od vas izdal, bi bila vsa naša igra pokvarjena. Za moja darila bi se pa vi vsi po vrsti obrisali pod nosom, takole (pokaže). To se pravi, da ne bi dobili od mene prav nič. Ste me razumeli ? Ponovim: Molčite o meni, dokler ne potrkam na ona-le vrata (pokaže na levo). FRED: Ne na ona, ne. (Kaže vrata na desni v ozadje): Skozi ta pojdite. Na ta potrkajte. Hitro, hitro, Miklavž je že na vratih . . . EMIL (kliče otrokom, ki se gnetejo ven): Samo za trenutek ga zadržite . . . FRED (naglo, vzpodbudno tatu) : Bom že skrbel, da vas nihče ne bo motil. Odprite si luč, da nam ne boste zaspali. Tako, kar hitro tu skozi! (Odpre naglo vrata, tat smukne noter. Fred hitro zapre za njim in obrne ključ . . . Naslonjen na vrata se globoko oddahne.) Tako, zdaj je na varnem. Nobenega okna, nobenih vrat . . . (Se smehlja.) EMIL (občudovaje): Ti, to si pa pogodil! FRED: Saj sem si dovolj belil glavo. To je sreča, da se mi je vse tako lepo obneslo. EMIL: Pa zdaj? FRED (dene prst na usta): Bolj tiho . . . Zdaj je lahko. U. PRIZOR Prejšnji, namesto tatu Miklavž MIKLAVŽ (odlaga polno torbo na tla) : Dober večer, deca, dober večer! (Otroci stoje v polkrogu, se spogledujejo med sabo, se smehljajo a molče.) I, kaj pa je z vami? Namaškarani ste, povrh pa še mutasti? (Otroci se hehetajo in so neznansko dobre volje, a molče in se ne ganejo z mesta.) MIKLAVŽ ( se ozre naokoli): Menda pa nisem prišel v pravo hišo. (Se sklone, da bi torbo spet pobral.) OTROCI (planejo. Fred odnese torbo v kot. Nato obstopijo Miklavža in zapojejo): A-a-a, Miklavž nas ne pozna. Radi bi ga počastili, pa daril se veselili, A-a-a Miklavž nas ne pozna. O-o-o, kako je to hudo! Ali mi ga ne spustimo, vrata trdno zaklenimo. O-o-o, kako je to hudo! (Fred steče k vratom in ven.) E-e-e, Miklavž le vsedi se! (Dorothy primakne stol.) Smo nocoj se tukaj zbrali, tebe dolgo smo čakali. E-e-e, Miklavž le vsedi se! MIKLAVŽ (sede): A, vi navihanci vi! Ampak zdaj si že lahko staknete tisto z obraza, da bom videl, kateri je najprid-nejši. OTROCI (vse križem) : Jaz, jaz, jaz . . . (In hite snemati krinke.) MIKLAVŽ: Jaz — jaz — jaz — ... Vidim, da tako ne zvem ničesar. Bom vprašal pa drugače: Kateri od vas je najbolj poreden? (Vse tiho. Tat notri strga po steni.) Kaj pa to? Imate podgane v hiši? BOB, CONNIE, ANDY (si pritiskajo dlan na usta in se hehetajo). EMIL: Podgano! In še kakšno . . . ANDY (se zavzame) : Saj ni podgana, ampak . . . DOROTHY (mu zamaši usta) : Boš ti tiho. Ti klepetalo. MIKLAVŽ (kima) : Ohooo! Imate skrivnost? CONNIE: Kako ste uganili? DOROTHY (h Connie) : Bo treba tebi tudi zamašiti usta? MIKLAVŽ (pomirjevalno) : Na-na-na, le imejte svoje skrivnosti, le. Saj jih imam jaz tudi (pokaže na torbo) tamle notri so. CONNIE: Oh, dajte, pokažite nam jih . . . (Otroci so nestrpni; silijo v Miklavža.) MIKLAVŽ: Ne še, imamo še dovolj časa. VSI (vzdihnejo in si namigujejo na onega za vrati). ANDY: Pa nam pokažite vsaj, kaj imate pod kapo . . . (Stezajo roke po kapi.) MIKLAVŽ (začudeno) : I, kaj! Lase vendar! Ne? ANDY: Pa nič drugega? Saj to imam jaz tudi, ki nisem Miklavž . . . BOB: Pa v žepih? Kaj imate v žepih? (Mu skuša seči v žep.) MIKLAVŽ: O ne, mojih zamazanih robcev pa vendar ni treba, da bi jih kdo zračil. CONNIE: Morda pa imate kaj v rokavu? Stresite ven! (Ga primejo za rokav.) MIKLAVŽ: Povejte mi 110, kaj je z vami? Kakšen zlomek vas je obsedel, da ste kakor brenclji, ki se jih je treba otepati. Če bi ne čutil in videl svoje dolge brade, pa svoje rdeče suknje, bi sploh dvomil, da sem Miklavž! Tako malo rešpekta mi izkazujete. Silite mi pod kapo, silite mi v žepe, v rokave. Čudno, da mi še v usta ne pogledate, pa preštejete 'zobe! Joj, deca, deca . . . (Od desne se zaslišijo koraki.) EMIL: Zdaj se le pripravite, Miklavž. Kmalu vam bo vse jasno. 5. PRIZOR Prejšnji, Fred in policaj (Fred vstopi, za njim policaj. Miklavž se dvigne, gleda začudeno vprašujoče; Emil stopi novodošlima naproti, se smehlja; ostali se odprtih ust presenečeni odmikajo.) POLICAJ: Je tale tisti, ki ga iščemo? FRED: Ne ta, ne. Oni je zaprt tamle notri, pri metlah in drugi ropotiji. Čakajte, da odklenem. (Odklene.) POLICAJ: Ti tam notri, roke kvišku in mirno ven. (Fred odpre vrata na hitro in tat vstopi ves razmršen.) TAT (se posili smehlja, medtem ko ga policaj pretipava in vklepa): Ah, kako me je mož v luni speljal! Poslej mu tudi jaz ne bom verjel nič več. POLICAJ: Otroci, pohvaliti vas moram. Dobro ste se odrezali! (Poda Miklavžu roko): Le obdarite jih, saj zaslužijo! (Tatu) : Vi pa z menoj! MIKLAVŽ ( miga z glavo): Ni vse zlato, kar se sveti, pa Miklavž tudi ni vsakdo, ki ima belo brado in rdečo kapo. DOROTHY: Zato pa je odnesel piškavo jabolko v žepu. (Se smeje.) MIKLAVŽ: Kdo bi si mislil! Res sem že večkrat čital o takih lopovih, ampak da bi se kateri priplazil k vam sem . . . Zakaj ste mu odprli? FRED: Odprl si je sam, pa ne vrata, ampa]/ okno. MIKLAVŽ: To je sreča, da mu niste zaupali ! ANDY: Ampak darila, darila je odnesel . . . (Skoraj ihti.) BOB: Tak kup jih je imel. (Kaže.) CONNIE: In vsega je imel: pod kapo, v žepih, v rokavih, povsod. MIKLAVŽ: Kar potolažite se! Bomo takoj tistole torbo tam obrnili in videli, kaj se bo iz nje streslo. Ali prej moram videti v vas božično veselje. Kar brš zapojte! VSI: Hurej! (Obstopijo Miklavža in zapojejo katerokoli veselo božično pesem.) (Zastor počasi pada.) JL DL.nL dgiuincj A little group of young and old Sat around the dining table. The oldest one held a pen And wrote of what they were thankful for, And that they could not ask for more. The oldest one of all was Granny; The youngest one of them was Danny; They thought of what had happened in their lives; Some things had been pleasant, others, strifes, But still they were so very gay, For now it was Thanksgiving Day. By MARGARET POLONČIČ, 13, R. P. D. 2, Uniondale, Pa., Lodge 124. No Audience Mother (as son starts for football field): “Now, Willie, promise me not to get hurt today.” Willie: “Of course not, mother! This is a practice game, so there will be no audience there.” Birthdays of the Great Men JONATHAN SWIFT November 30 is the birthday of the greatest English satirist, Jonathan Swift, author of the famous book, “Gidliver’s Travels." He was born in 1667 in Dublin, Ireland, of English parents, a few months after his father died, and he grew up to share his mother’s poverty. He obtained his elementary education at the local school and at the age of 15 his rich uncle sent him to Dublin university. There he read much history and poetry, but was disdainful of his courses and of regulations. Swift completed his studies at Dublin university and received his degree of natural philosophy only by special grace. He obtained employment as secretary to a distant relative in London. He continued reading, wrote poetry and associated with men of culture. It was during this time (1696) that he wrote his first prose work, “The Battle of the Books,” a satirical burlesque upon subjects then in dispute. About this time, also, he ivrote a satire on the division of Christianity, called. “The Tale of a Tub.” However, neither of the two works was published until 1704. Dispairing of any other career, he entered the church to become chaplain, rector, and finally deacon, not because he wanted to but rather because he saiv in this an instrument of poiver. He realized he was a poor preacher and called his sermons pamphlets. In fact, he became a political pamphleteer. Personal interest united him with political intrigues and, for a time, he wielded influence in politics. After the disruption of the Tory party, he permanently retired. Swift’s “Tale of a Tub” is considered the most amusing of his satirical works. It is the most strikingly original in which the full compass of his powers is perfectly displayed. With matchless irony he ridicules many forms of religion and literature. But he attained full glory with his “Gulliver” which, with the exception of certain passages, is one of the most delightful children’s books ever written. On the surface it is innocent mirth, yet it is equally valued, as By LOUIS BENIGER Swift meant it to be, as an unrivaled satire on mankind. For in it he attacked the political corruption of his time. The story of “Gulliver’s Travels” takes place in Lilliput, an imaginary island peopled by a race of tiny men. It was made into a technicolor moving picture last year and is still being shown in many theaters throughout the country. In 1724, om attempt to exploit the Irish people by a scheme of debased coinage called forth the most bitter and masterly of his controversial series, “The Letters of M. B. Drapier,” in which he voiced his bitter indignation at injustice. But it was in his “Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People from Being a Burden to their Parents,” and in other similar ironical satires, that he showed his full poiver as a great satirist by voicing his indignation at the unjust and heart-rendering poverty of his adopted people in Ireland. It was his “Modest Proposal” that was aimed directly at the corrupt practices of the Catholic church in Ireland where it holds sway to this day. For the great part, Swift’s writings were occasional, and grew out of the circumstances of his life. He was a man of affairs, who became a man of letters because of his ability to write and because literature was a means by which affairs could be directed. His writings were expressions of energy turned to practical ends. No one can deny that in his ironical playfulness there is something awakening. In all his works there is a certain wholesome stimulus because it is a change from the conventional light in ivhich we are taught to look at the world. His satires contain something of vigorous challenge that forces us to pi-ove everything, and to call things by their right names. As the years passed and Swift was already an old man, his satires grew more tense and bitter. A disease from which he had suffered at intervals gained rapidly upon him. He died on Oct. 10, 174.5, at the age of 78, “a man who was an undaunted champion of liberty.” FROM THE PAGES OF 1940—A YEAR OF ANNIVERSARIES While history will record 1940 as a year of war and more wars, we who are engaged in that war in various ways are being deprived of the opportunity to mark it as the year of supremely important anniversaries. These anniversaries are the high marks of the means by which our civilization developed and some of the things it has been able to produce. You can add to the list, but for a starter let’s consider the following: PRINTING Five hundredth anniversary of printing! Some time around 1440 (the date is not definite) moveable type came in.to use in Europe. Of course, this was not the first time that it had been used, but it was the first time that it was found practical. Gutenberg is the man credited with having first discovered it in the city of Mainz, although very lit.tle is known of the life of this man. Have you ever stopped to think what role printing has played since 1440 ? Did you ever wonder how life must have been before 1500, when all of the writing had to be done by hand ? Do you wonder why knowledge was so slow to spread? Can you imagine what your school would be today without the means of printing? To celebrate .this occasion, a number of important exhibits have been prepared in our country. Perhaps the greatest of them all is the current one at the Congressional Library in Washington, D. C. There, in a large case, in the center of the floor, are three perfect volumes of .the famous Gutenberg Bible, printed on vellum. They are beautiful books—and they cost our government almost a half a million dollars to purchase them! From that as a starting point, the Congressional Library displays an entire room of history-making books. The New York Public Library also prepared an amazing exhibit to commemorate this event. The Newberry Library in (Chicago held a large exhibit earlier this year. * In Chicago, on Sunday, September 29, I was present at the occasion of the unveiling of the plaque to commemorate the first newspaper published in Chicago. It was called the “Chicago Democrat” and was published by John Calhoun, on the southwest corner of Clark and Wacker. Mr. Douglas MacMur- By Mary Jugg trie, who has written a pamphlet on the history of printing, was the chairman. The program was broadcast over a nationwide chain. * STAMPS The one hundredth anniversary of the postage stamp! Of this, the English Penny Black, you have read in previous issues of the M. L. You who are interested in stamp-collecting know the interest this caused among collectors. At the British Pavilion of the New York World’s Fair this year an international stamp exhibit was held. Stamp collectors who had made this their hobby for years declared it to be the peak of all exhibits thus far held. Perhaps there never was such a collection of stamps with autographs of presidents, presidents’ wives, and important personages from all over the world. In the Hall of Inventions at the New York Fair, souvenirs were distributed of “metered mail” as stamped and postmarked by the postage meter. “This postal specimen,” it says, “represents .the first advance in the payment of postage for the dispatch of mail since the introduction of the adhesive postage stamp just 100 years ago.” INVENTIONS At the New York World’s Fair, the Hall of Inventions commemorated 150 years of American progress through invention. The government department had lent models of most of the important American inventions from the Patent Bureau. Here the Rust cotton picker was also on view—and .the (Continued on page 9) Courtesy, Chicago Sunday Times The 500th anniversary of printing: The Gutenberg Bible. MLADINA IN DEMOKRACIJA Pripovedka iz današnjih dni Ivan Molek (Konec) DEMOKRACIJA: Tako! Obiskala sem vas in pogovorila sva se o glavnih napakah glede slovenskih spisov v vašem Mladinskem listu. Ali bo moj obisk kaj zalegel? UREDNIK: Če bi šlo po moji želji, bi bil vaš obisk, Demokracija, stoodstotno uspešen; slovenski—in tudi angleški—del Mladinskega lista bi bil korenito reformiran kolikor se tiče zbiranja vsebine in tehnike pripovedovanja za našo mladino. DEMOKRACIJA: Vidim torej, da vi vztrajate pri svojem; vidim, da urednik noče biti odgovoren, marveč ičšče drugje vzrokov za nedostatke v magazinu. Ali naj premlevava vso zadevo še enkrat od kraja? UREDNIK: Premlevanje je nepotrebno. Urednik je odgovoren! Prav rad prevzame nase odgovornost za vse nedostatke—ampak to še ne pomeni, da je urednik v stanju izvršiti vso revolucijo. Urednik je samo človek. . . . Česar ne more sam izvršiti, mora iskati drugje—in če ne najde tega, česar išče, ne more sam narediti pogrešanega. DEMOKRACIJA: To pomeni? UREDNIK: To pomeni, da bomo iskali. Volje za iskanje je dovolj. DEMOKRACIJA: Dobro je, da je vsaj volja; dokler je volja, je tudi upanje, da bo kaj. UREDNIK: Tako je. Volja je in upanje, da bo v Mladinskem listu demokracija zastopana stoodstotno. DEMOKRACIJA: Demokracija, kakršno so postavili Paine, Jefferson, Lincoln, Inger-soll, Mark Twain, Darrow, Debs itd.? UREDNIK: Pravilno!—Demokracija, kakršno so postavili naj večji ameriški demokrat je. DEMOKRACIJA: Iz'slovenskih pravljic v Mladinskem listu bodo izginili princi, princese, čarovniki, čarovnice, duhovi in strahovi? UREDNIK: Vse te spake in spački odidejo in zapro za seboj vrata za vselej! DEMOKRACIJA: Tako je prav! To me veseli. UREDNIK: Mene tudi veseli, ampak---- DEMOKRACIJA: Ampak kaj ?— UREDNIK: Zdaj je samo še volja in upanje, vse drugo je še onkraj hriba. Toda urednik bo poskusil. Urednik si obleče lepo novo suknjo, “zbiksa” si čevlje, na glavo si posadi klobuk naj novejše mode in na roke si natakne čedne rokavice—in tako opremljen obišče cenjene sotrudnike in sotrudnice Mladinskega lista. Pri vsakem in vsaki posebej potrka, uljudno pozdravi in sporoči željo Demokracije, katera je njega (urednika) obiskala in mu dala—šnofanca. Tako in tako, dragi prijatelji in prijateljice, bratje in sestre! Demokracija želi od Mladinskega lista to in to. Kaj pravite? Ali morete ustreči Demokraciji in meni? Ali čutite v sebi demokratično kri, ki jo lahko prestavite v demokratično misel in besedo, iz teh misli in besed pa sestavite lepe povestice za našo mladino, za njene starše, za naše dobre rojake po Ameriki, ki potrebujejo zdrave demokratične hrane?—Takole jih bo vprašal in od njihovega odgovora bo odvisno, dali naša volja in naše upanje postane dejstvo. DEMOKRACIJA: All right. Da ste mi zdravi!— /M/. mi BEAST Drawn by Margaret Blazina, age 14, Roundup, Mont. Lodge 114. MLADINSKI LIST 9 Stamp Collecting Oliver Goldsmith NEW U. S. ISSUES IN OCTOBER The “Famous Americans” series are now completed. The last five stamps of these series honoring American inventors were issued in October. Since the first of the year, five authors, five poets, five educators, five scientists and five composers have been postally remembered, and five artists were honored in September. The inventors have completed these remarkable series which are unique in history of the U. S. postage stamps. They are a little collection in themselves, and every beginner could, and should, easily obtain all of them. The inventors’ group include: 1-cent, green, Eli Whitney (1765-1825, who was granted a patent for his cotton gin in 1794); 2-cent, red, Samuel F. B. Morse (1791-1872, the “father” of modern telegraphy); 3-cent, purple, Cyrus Hall McCormick (1809-1884, who invented grain-havesting machinery); 5-cent, blue, Elias Howe (1819-1867, who devised the sewing-machine); 10-cent, brown, Alex. Graham Bell (1819-1905, who made the first telephone). October also saw three new U. S. stamps issued by the new postmaster Frank C. Walker in connection with the National Defense program. These stamps, which are one, two, and three-cent denominations, were placed on sale on Columbus day. The motif for the one-cent stamp is Industry and Agriculture, that for the two-cent stamp is the Army and the Navy, while the three-cent stamp represents Security, Education, Conservation and Health. (FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY) (Continued from page 7) already-further-developed model, besides a picture of the first machine. TSCHAIKOWiSKY In the field of music, the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of the great Russian composer Tschaikowsky has been observed throughout this year. Every larger city has had concerts devoted entirely to the music of Tschaikowsky, and a number of important recordings 'by well-known artists have been made. WALT WHITMAN Coming back to our own country—we can still remember the commemoration of Walt Whitman’s birth. Last year—1939—marked the 120th anniversary of .the birth of this great poet of American democracy. However, the Congressional Library in Washington, D. 1C., is still holding open the marvelous exhibit of Walt Whitman that had been prepared for this occasion. There you see a very great number of his letters (and they are difficult .to obtain), personal objects, and all of the first and various other editions of all his works. * This is a quick summary of some of the things Picture a happy-go-lucky man in “loud clothes,” a flute, wandering among the gypsies and peddlers, and you shall readily see a man whom they called “Poor Noll.” “Poor Noll” was a restless being, as most poets are. His childish attempts at various professions and his wandering over Europe verify that statement. Unlike the average human being satisfied with life if it is within the means of joy was “Noll.” There was, I imagine, for I am the restless type, a something forever pushing him onward; a something that would not let him remain in one environment long; a something that wanted him to see as much as possible, yet not long enough to be enjoyed; a something that would say, “Let us go here and see this or that; and when it got there and stayed a while, it would say, “Come, let us go. We are wasting time. And life is so short.” Whatever it was, this something was searching for peace, but could not find it. But you may call that something Death; yes, Death. That is where it ended; that is where it presumably found peace. * * * This is a curious world with curious people— people who think deep into a subject and are moved and people who only see the surface, the bare outline of any thing, and that’s all: He may see a war, like the present conflict, but it is only a war to him with no thought past the average; the other may see the same war through different eyes— eyes that are suffused with tears, and have thoughts that go deep into the realms of life. It will instantly take him back to the seats of his youth where he never had a thought other than play. It may even touch him so that solemn phrases form their eloquence in verse . . . such as “The Deserted Village.” “The Deserted Village,” one of Goldsmith’s best works, is the resultant shadow of thought that is thrown from the sensitive being’s mind when the Past was compared with the ever-changing Present, the ever-changing Present. —By Steven Kerro. we should give attention to this year. Perhaps you can add to the list. If so, send your comments or descriptions to our magazine. And, by the way, what is your Circle or your schoolroom doing about commemorating any one of these important anniversaries ? STRUTTER Strutter was a turkey. His home was the back yard on the Volkschmeir estate. Strange how Strutter got his name. When Strutter was a very small turkey he could not run about the yard like his brothers and sisters. For one thing, he was sickly a great deal of the time and stood in corner alone, dismal and sullen, while the others romped about the yard and played. For another thing, he noticed that the colors of his coat were not as bright and gleaming as theirs. This annoyed him so much that he ruffled all his stunted feathers and guggled, “Hur-r-umph! I hate those other turkeys !” But it did not take Strutter long to discover that his physical shortcomings were proving advantageous to him. He was receiving the most attention! The master of the Volkschmeir house always brought him special helpings of corn. As he held out the pan to Strutter, Master Volkschmeir always paused to talk with him in a kind manner as he did with none of the other turkeys. How often he picked up the kernels and held out his hand filled with the plump, yellow grain and tried to pat Strutter’s head! To the other turkeys Master Volkschmeir simply scattered the grain and watched them scamper to get it as it plopped into the dust. And this was not all! At every opportunity, Strutter’s own mother and father came around and spoke to him in the most endearing terms. To console him, they told Strutter that he was the best turkey in the entire lot. “Look,” said his father, “you are different from all the others. They have one and the same coloring in their plumage. Each resembles the other like these kernels of corn. There’s nothing distinctive about them. But you—you would stand out in any group. See how dark your feathers are. You could never be mistaken for another.” “Yes,” nodded the mother. “You are better than all the rest.” At another time Strutter’s father approached him saying, “Strutter, one day you should become the leader of this mass. They will do whatever you tell them, for they can readily see how different you are By Mary Jugg from them. And it seems to me they are becoming unruly, basking here and growing fat under all this freedom they have. Someone should take them under his hand and make them obey. You’d be a good one for that job—yes, you would.” This idea stuck in Strutter’s head. Under the special care that had been tendered him, he, too, had grown up. He was not as large and fat as some of the rest, but he was no longer any weakling, either. He’d have to get his revenge for all the slights he had suffered from their hands. He’d show them! One day when Master Volkschmeir brought the food, he said, “My! My! Strutter, you’re growing up almost like the rest.” “Almost.” Strutter resented that word. “Come,” continued Master Volkschmeir, “eat with the others. No reason now why we should pamper you.” But Strutter turned on his heels, ruffled up his dark feathers and screeched in such an uproarious voice that the entire flock of turkeys came to see what the commotion was about. At that, Strutter made for a straight line right through the densest crow'd and strutted so proudly and impressively that all the other turkeys stood with their mouths agape at the demonstration. “Well,” said one of them, when he could catch his breath. “Did you notice the color of his feathers? It’s different from all of ours.” “Did you hear the sound of his voice?” said another. “Never anything like it,” added a third. “He is a turkey apart from us; he is a rare bird,” thoughtfully intoned another. “He is our leader! Our leader!” shouted one who had been stunned by the going-on. “Let’s follow him! Our leader!” Then Master Volkschmeir heard such a gobbling among the turkeys that he could naught but scratch his head. And most of all—the flock of turkeys moved as one, and followed Strutter as he led them far out into the field. “0, well,” he said. “They’ll come back when they get good and hungry. They’ll get wise to Strutter’s foolishness, or whatever he told them in turkey talk.” And so Strutter discovered himself the Leader of the flock. Why this was no turkey could understand. They did not exert themselves to try to understand. They only knew that they were ready to follow Strutter lead them where he will. But as Master Volkschmeir looked at them he became irritated. He reached an immediate decision! * No one can say what would have happened to the turkeys under Strutter’s guidance, for the very next day Master Volkschmeir carted all of them away—all of them except Strutter. But there were more strange things to befall Strutter. One day he noticed that the Volkschmeirs, too, were gone, and that he was left all alone. No one can imagine the anguish he experienced when this truth dawned upon him. The story of Strutter from this time on is a long one. Only a few facts here and there need be mentioned. Strutter had to keep himself alive; and he had to “start from scratch.” By and by Strutter discovered that the neighboring flocks were all finding their own food— that no one fed them from a full bowl of corn as Volkschmeir had done with him. Strutter had to learn from these other turkeys. But how could he, when he was better than they? One afternoon he gingerly fell into the rear of a flock that was making its way out into the meadows. They were gay and jovial, and chatted among themselves. How he longed to be taken into their company! Very soon threatening storm clouds appeared on the horizon. Where would they go? There were no sheds to give them shelter. Then Strutter was to learn that the “strange” turkeys knew where there was a grove of trees and bushes not far off. To this they hurried, and Strutter followed them. Would they force him away? Would they kill him? No, they let him stay. After that, there w ft 7/ V / y * Here is another group of sticklers and puzzlers which you will have to put on your thinking cap if you want to solve them. After you’ve solved them you can try them on your friends and watch them try to work on the answers: Do You Know How to Tell Your Friend’s Age? If you don’t then you can try this method—If he was born February 23 have him write 232 and have him multiply that by 2, which will make 464. Then add 5, which will make 469 and multiply by 50, making 23450. If he is 12 years old, have him add 12 which will make 23462 and subtract 365. The result will be 23097. Add 115 and the result will be 23212. From this finished answer you can see that he was born on the 23rd day of February and the last two figures (12) represent his age. What Do You Know About Our Presidents? 1. Which two Presidents were signers of the Declaration of Independence? 2. W.hich three Presidents were soldiers in the Revolutionary War? 3. Which three Presidents were soldiers in the Mexican War? * * * Latin words are frequently used in the English language. Do you know their meaning? 1. ad infinitum 2. e pluribus unum 3. per centum 4. per annum 5. ex libris The following words have different meanings. Do you know the other meaning? 1. How can you char without burning? A. By doing small jobs at other’s houses. 2. What is a hue besides raising a shout. WHEN WE PLAY (Continued from page 12) given buttons or tags and they also become helpers to the Zimbo. After each time some of them are caught a new circle is formed. As the circle of players grows smaller, and the group who are caught must help Zimbo and they grow larger, the game gets more and more exciting. When the players are all caught the Zimbo takes a player’s hand and forms a chain, with each player holding to ,the other. Then the Zimbo calls Kolo! again and starts to race about, as in the American game of Crack the Whip. Suddenly he stamps, jerks as hard as he can, and the child who first lets go and is tossed from the line, is It, or the Zimbo for the next game. A. A color tint. 3. A breeze is a .gentle wind, but also something in form of an insect. Do you know what insect it is? A. A horsefly. 4. What is mull besides a soft kind of muslin? A. To contemplate thoughtfully. 5. To become pale means to be white or wan. Can you think what else pale means? A. A picket; that which surrounds and encloses. Some Interesting Facts: 1. The Japanese Empire is composed of about 3,505 islands, the Philippines of 7,164 and the Fiji of about 470. 2. When a black bear is born he weighs a little over a half a pound but reaches a weight of 300 pounds when full grown. 3. The average cost of operating an automobile today is 3c whereas at the turn of the century it was 30c. 4. November this year has three important dates —Election Day, Armistice Day and Thanksgiving Day. 5. The nicknames of the State of Pennsylvania are “Keystone,” “Steel,” and “Coal”; of Illinois they are “Sucker” and “Prairie,” and its State Flower is the wood violet. Ohio is known as the “Buckeye” state and its flower is the scarlet carnation. Wisconsin also has the violet for flower but the nickname is either “Badger” or “Copper.” Kansas, of course, is the “Sunflower” state and has the nickname of “Jayhawk” or “Sunflower.” (Answers are on the inside back cover page) THANKSGIVING The turkey’s in the oven The puddings steaming hot; The pie and cake and goodies Are baked or in the pot. But ma with eyes so shiny Says “shoo, clear out of here.” When I go round the kitchen To smell the odors there. For I must be so patient And sit around and wait Till dinner’s on the table, And mother fills my plate. 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. 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 either 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. ANNIVERSARIES In writing your next contest letter it will be necessary for you to refer to the article “FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY” in this issue of the Mladinski List. There you will see a partial list of some of the events that are being celebrated during the year 1940. Perhaps your school, or your class, or your Circle, or your town, or your city library has done something to commemorate some of these events, and you may know of them. Perhaps you participated in them in some way. Or if there were none of these things, perhaps you became interested in some of these fields yourself and did some original research work or reading about them and so discovered something new. Again, you may be able to think of other worthwhile anniversaries that should be added to the list. If you have personal experiences to relate that would include any of these suggestions, write a letter about it to the Mladinski List. This will make the contest letter to be published next. As all material must be in the hands of the Editor by the first of the month, remember to send your contest letter on this subject not later than NOVEMBER 30, 1940. * BOTH ARE IMPORTANT The question for this month’s “Our School Contest” is whether we think school should teach us facts or how to think. After giving it a little thought I believe both are very important. Facts about such subjects as mathematics, English, history, science, etc., are essential. We should THANKSGIVING DINNER NEARBY Drawn by Sylvia Ravnikar, age 17, Roundup, Mon.t. Lodge 700. WHO WILL WIN THIS PRIZE1 The Mladinski List is looking for a neiv attire for 1941. It ivants an interesting, attractive front cover. And it is turning to its troop of juvenile artists to cooperate in securing one. The Mladinski List will pay TEN DOLLARS for the best drawing—the draiving ivhich will be selected for its front cover for 1941. Naturally, this means the best in originality, symbolism, technique, and neatness. Only members of the SNPJ Juvenile Department are eligible. The draivings in this contest must be received by the editor of the Mladinski List not later than DECEMBER 1, 1940. Who will be the lucky wimier'l MLADINSKI LIST. U. S. DEFENSE ITEM Drawn by Eugene Skoff, age 15, 3603 S. 56th Ave., Cicero, 111. Lodge 559. be .taught facts in many and various things, but I believe learning to think is very important also, just as learning important facts. Now in our youth we have someone—our parents and mentors—to do our thinking for us, to a very great extent. Now is our chance to learn to .think for later life. Now while in school we can accomplish much by learning to think. In our future life when we will have to think things over for ourselves such as securing our occupation, in politics, in cooperating with the right people and many others, we will not have anyone to turn to. Then we will be glad and thankful that we had the opportunity of learning these very valuable things. We are usually taught to .think while we are learning our facts. I came to a firm conclusion that both facts and how to think should be taught in our schools. One can learn to repeat certain facts like a parrot. It is .the thinking ability coupled with facts that develops an individual. Therefore, I am convinced that teaching both facts and to think are very important factors in everyone’s life. As I pointed out before, facts alone are not sufficient. Facts must serve us in learning as tools with which to develop our thinking ability and on which we build our thinking capacity. It is thinking based on given facts that counts in the end. Facts furnish us a background—thinking develops and broadens our outlook. From this we can conclude that ,the latter is even more important than the first. NELLIE ULYON, 17, lodge 378, Box 394, Sheffield, Pa. * OUR SCHOOLS The primary aim of the school is to furnish an education for us. Education is important because it is a first step toward a career. Teaching facts does not acquaint a person with all the everyday evils confronting him. The important thing is to learn how to think, since the ability to think enables one to distinguish between right and wrong. Facts are not any good because we are always confronted with new prob- lems in our life. On the job in .the factory as well as anywhere else, it is the person wiho can think and overcome his obstacles who will succeed. Facts are necessary only in matters which help us in our everyday life. In the school, the thought is to keep up with the times, with an eye to the future. It is obvious that facts are part of the past and do not serve one well, although facts are a basis from which to learn. School is not a place where one merely occupies his .time, but a place to establish ourselves to learn our capabilities and our deficiencies. In other words, we gain an opinion of ourselves. Thus we continue through school learning to think, learning what others are thinking of. Of course, we acquire facts as we go along. Some are undoubtedly important and we remember them, but the unimportant ones we soon forget. JOHN iPOKLAR JR., 17, lodge 16, 927A We&t Scott Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. » PROGRESSIVE THINKING Some day in the near future this young generation will take part in the government of .this country. In preparing these people to be of good service to their country, we should try to get as much as possible from our schools. The country and our government are faced with great problems many times. Thinking out the solution to the problems, is many times tough work. For this reason thinking should be greatly encouraged and emphasized by the teachers. If you do not think and work carefully it is hard to remember facts. Our schools are the correct places .to get started to think. In school we have the experienced people to instruct us. 'By attending school one learns many useful things and so prepares to go out in the world. There must be stenographers as well as carpenters, musicians and technicians, scientists and machinists, etc. All these must get their training in schools. If we would not go ,to school we would live in ignorance. A THANKSGIVING SYMBOL Drawn by Margaret Polončič, age 13, Uniondale, Pa. Lodge 124. j^EAD I'OR ADVENTURE ” Drawn by Kill Baltezar, age 16, 1246 Short St., Butte, Mont. Lodge 207. Schools must give us at least the necessary fundamentals to enable us to train our minds in the right direction. No minerals would be useful, no great work would be accomplished without training and schooling. In Europe, during the Dark Ages, the people knew nothing about the other people very near to them. Ignorance prevailed then, and ignorance produces fear and superstition. So going to school and learning has much to do with a nation’s progress. Free, progressive thinking is necessary to achieve progress. JUSTIN MARTINČIČ, 14, lodge 138, Box 684, Canonsburg, Pa. * RIGHT THINKING I firmly believe that our schools should teach us how to think for ourselves. Because from thinking we arrive at facts. If our schools would teach us the facts we would not learn to think for ourselves. Therefore, as we grow older this would be a difficult problem, in business or .home life. Facts do not help us to solve all our problems in later life. We may at one time or other discuss a problem with some one. This would be awkward for us as we would expect to have the facts explained to us rather than to think them out for ourselves. We would, for the rest of our life, depend upon o.thers to think and to explain to us the facts, as in childhood. It is through thinking that most of the things worthwhile have b-een accomplished. Thinking is a powerful quality that every person possesses, but which everyone does not use. Right thinking which is beneficial to all is worth cultivating. SYLVIA ZUPANČIČ, 14, lodge 118, 4525 Friendship Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. * A MEMORABLE HIKE One fine Sunday afternoon a group of my friends decided tha,t since it was a nice day why shouldn’t we go for a hike. There were seven of us, namely, Dasie and Mary Radovich, Mary Mallich, Zora Rado-vich, “Tootsie” Bradich, my sister Dorothy and the writer. We started at 12:30. My sister was the only one who thought of carrying a lunch. The others carried water glasses and paper on which to sit. At first we intended to go up to McDonald Heights, which is directly above our house, to sun ourselves. When we got there Mary Mallich proposed going to her Aunt’s farm which was about seven miles from where we were. Five of us being in favor we started out. My sister and Mary Radovich not liking the prospect of a seven-mile hike, said they intended to go to a ball game. It was a long walk, and it seemed as though we had chosen the hottest day of the month. Before we had gone three miles, I sat down by the road and hugged my tired feet. Then we trudged along for another mile. By this time all five of us were complaining, “Oh, how hot it is!” “How tired my feat are!” “If I only had a glass of cold water!” As if this was not enough, Mary was not quite sure of the direction. We had to ask several persons along the way. Finally—we were there. Oh, how good the house looked to us. We all let out sighs of relief. Mrs. Bradich received us cordially. We sat down on the grass and cooled off by drinking large glasses of cold well water. We heard a car drive up, and what was our good fortune than to be offered a ride home. Water glasses, ,paper and all we piled into the car. Thankfully we sank down into the seat. The next day three of our group except Tootsie and myself discovered that they had a bad case of poison ivy. Even my sister Dorothy and Mary Radovich go.t it. The only thing I had was an awful case of sunburn (that being the reason for my cherry nose all week), two tired feet and an empty stomach. Needless to say, I didn’t go anywhere for a whole week, and resolved that I wouldn’t go on another hike for a long, long time. VIOLET MAE MASLEK, 15, lodge 122, 341 Park ‘St., Aliquippa, Pa. * THUNDER AND LIGHTNING Thunderstorms are most likely to occur on hot days when the pressure is low, w.hen there is little wind and the humidity is high. Low puffy clouds form quickly in the morning and tower high instead of flattening out. Dew forms readily on a tin cup of cold water. The thunderstorm gives a fair warning; if you are watching, you may see the spreading .top in the western horizon an hour or so before the squall wind strikes. Thunderstorms do not travel very fast, perhaps 20 miles per .hour, so that it is often possible to drive away from or around, a local storm. Thunder can seldom be heard more than 70 miles. Distant lightning, too far off for thunder to be heard, is sometimes called “heat lightning.” Hailstones as large as base balls have been measured, stones big enough to go through the tops of cars and to kill farm animals. Lightning is a visible flash that accompanies an electric discharge in the sky. Rain discharges the electricity quietly to earth, and lightning frequently ceases with rain. Benjamin Franklin invented the lightning rod, made of iron. He succeeded in drawing the electric fire from the clouds by a kite and a key attached to it. That was in June, 1752. ROSIE J. MATKO, 14, lodge 560, IRte. 1, Box 244, Hoquiam, Wash. * WHAT IS AN INCH OF RAIN? If the ground were perfectly flat and did not absorb water, an inch of rainfall would produce a sheet of water an inch deep all over. Because snow contains so much air, it takes on the average of 10 inches of snowfall .to equal 1 inch of rainfall. So it is 10 inches of snowfall for 1 inch of rainfall. For farming purposes, a frequent light rain is far better than an occasional deluge. A land promoter was once trying to persuade farmers to settle in the dry part of (the Southwest. Turning to his partner, he said: “We had 23 inches of rain last year, didn’t we, Bill?” “Yes,” answered Bill, “I was here the night it fell.” California has its record-breaking rainfalls. In April, 1926, over 1 inch fell in one minute. On another occasion a cloudburst gave over 11 inches in 80 minutes. Europe has far more rainy days than America—• 200 a year is common in the British Isles, while in America some think it never rains but it pours! Going to the other 'extreme, we find high desert plateaus in Tibet surrounded by mountains and shut off from all ocean winds. There may not be any rain once in 100 years, and old steel weapons after lying on the ground for centuries have been found unrusted. Most rain is not dirty. Yet all rain-drops form around minute particles of dust, smoke, or sea salt. The larger the drop, the faster it falls. Sometimes rain appears to fall from a clear sky, because the FLUFF G- e ^ ^ 1 5 Q-Jp' Drawn by Annie Hotko, age 14, 226 Main St., Oglesby, 111. Lodge 95. cloud has passed before the rain descending from it has reached the ground. HELEN MATKO, 15, lodge 560, 960 N. Thornton Street, Aberdeen, Washington. * A FEW SCREENINGS Agent: “Sir, I have something here which will make you very popular, make your life happier and bring you a host of friends.” Student: “I’m sold on it—give me some.” Diner: “Waiter, take this egg away at once! Away with it!” Waiter: “Yes, sir. And what shall I do with it, sir?” Diner: “Do with it? Why, wring its neck, of course.” “The next person who interrupts the proceedings will be sent home.” declared the judge. “Hooray!” yelled ,the prisoner. SOPHIA VIDMAR, (age ?), lodge 29, Box 55, Coketon, W. Va. * IT’S A FACT THAT Airline travels for the first quarter of 1940 were approximately 65 per cent higher than for the same period of 1939. It is reported that the airlines plan to organize their own air express company this year, and will begin operation in January 1941, w.hen present con- tracts with the railway agencies will :be allowed to lapse. (More than half a million dollars have been expended in expeditions to climb Mount Everest, world’s highest point. The average annual mileage of the American passenger automobile has been estimated at 8,850. It has been estimated that one in every 37 inhabitants of the United States is a criminal. The “General Sherman”, giant Sequoca tree, has an estimated weight of 6167 tons. Locomotives of the express type use about two tons of coal every .hundred miles. Ice freezing at the bottom of lakes and streams often shifts huge boulders from .their position. NELLIE ULYON, 17, lodge 378, Box 394, Sheffield, Pa. * NAME A NUT 1. That is the side of a house. 2. That is made into a chair. 3. That our mothers bake. 4. That we spread on our bread. 5. That is a vegetable. 6. That is made into a chest of drawers. 7. That is a large country. 8. That is a name of a girl. 9. That is made into a beverage. 10. T.ha,t is a summer resort. ANSWERS TO “NAiME A NUT” 1. Walnut 6. Chestnut 2. Hickory 7. Brazil 3. Doughnut 8. Hazel 4. Butternut 9. Coconut 5. Peanut 10. Beachnut NELLIE ULYON, 17, lodge 394, Box 394, Sheffield, Pa. * THE DAY BEFORE VACATION ENDED In September, a group of friends invited me to go to Spring Mills State Park with them. After what happened to me, I still don’t regret g*oing. I was told to be ready at 7:30 Sunday morning and, since the lunch (.to be eaten there, of course) was to be a pot luck affair, to contribute my share. As a matter of fact, we got under way at 8:30 with all our equipment. It was a dismal morning, but by the time we got to .the park, it was as clear and hot as could be. We all were so eager to explore; we visited a cave which was dark, narrow, and filled partly with water. Since the lights the boys carried couldn’t penetrate the fog for a distance, we slipped in and out of .that water. The cave was unusual to me since I had never been in one before. The temperature remained at 52 to 55 degrees, the ceiling of this one was low, and the water very cold. As we were leaving the cave, I forgot to stoop— .the others all turned when they heard a sharp cracking sound—and I saw stars. The other accidents I suffered were minor affairs. After lunch (at which time we encountered bees, bees, and more bees) we visited the Pioneer Village which is as it was in the pioneer days. That took quite a while, but since we had a few hours of daylight, we started on a long, rocky trail .that led up and down, and finally led us to another cave (the park is filled with caves). This particular cave was well-lighted and roomy. Too well-lighted, I think, for you can’t imagine that anything ever happened in it. All too soon we left .the park behind us, and the only excitement along the way was a flat tire received as we rounded a sharp curve. ANTONIA 'SPARENBLEK, 17, lodge 575, 746 N. Haugh St., Indianapolis, Ind. * THANKSGIVING DAY Thanksgiving was first celebrated by the Pilgrims at Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621, immediately after the firs.t harvest in the New World. The Pilgrims did not like to be told how to give their thanks or where to give them. That is what they had to do in their country, England, from which they emigrated to America. In their Old Country they were told what to do, how to do it, and where to do it. They decided to leave England at once. One night they were all ready to go, but were seen by some of the king’s soldiers and were sent to jail. They soon were let out of jail and decided to leave again. They were caught again, put in jail, and were soon free again. They tried once more and this .time succeeded in their plans. P FROM HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING Drawn by Dorothy Dermotta, age 16, Box 101, Avella, Pa. Lodge 292. They soon reached the country of Holland. They stayed a few months, but had to leave for several reasons, the main reason being, as in England, religious intolerance and persecution. The children were learning the Dutch language and customs. “We must leave the country,” they said. "W'e must go to some far away country,” they all said. They left Holland and soon were on their way to a New World. It was a long and difficult journey. On the way a baby was born. The baby was named Oceanos after the Ocean. Finally, after many days on the Ocean, they spied land and cried for joy. “Land! land!” they shouted happily. They slept on the boat Mayflower for a few months after they landed, but soon log houses were built. That was the beginning of the colony at Plymouth. They were soon friends with the Indians who taught them many things. They taught them how to raise corn, and that by putting a fish in the soil with the seeds, the corn or wheat and the vegetables the soil is richer and the corn or wheat would grow better. They shot wild deer and hunted wild tukeys. They roasted this on a spit. They had a hard winter, many people died. The Pilgrims were in need of many things, such as nails, fat, clothing, etc. With .the help of the Indians in the summer, the next winter was mot as 'hard as the first one. They were shown how to make clothing from the hides of animals. They still needed many things but were grateful that they succeeded thus far. They decided to give thanks for their better crop the second summer. And so they had a great feast and invited all their Indian friends. They roasted plenty of venison (deer meat), wild .turkey, etc. Even the boys and girls helped prepare the feast. The Indians brought gifts and everybody was happy. Singing, shouting and applause filled the air. They had races and games, and they had large baskets of fruit. They gave thanks for abunidant crops and sang hymns in their little church. The feast lasted one week. It was a great feast consiting of eating and drinking. The entire colony celebrated together with their new friends the Indians. Now, nearly 320 years after the first Thanksgiving, we still celebrate the day. Since 1864, when President Lincoln appointed the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving is observed evei-y year. However, President Roosevelt, realizing the need if .the time, changed the date to the third Thursday of November as the annual observance of this holiday. MILDRED PADAR, 11, lodge 580, 222 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. * OUR SCHOOLS The United States has been long famous for its fine public schools. One of the first things some of the early settlers of our country did was to start schools, that is, public schools. Public schools are owned by the people, and all boys and girls have .the right to go to them. In our country the local governments namage the schools, but the states and the Federal Government also help. In each city or town or county there is a Board of Education or a School Committee which is a part of 'the local government. A Superintendent of Schools is elected, who manages the schools’ business. Under the superintendent, the principal and teachers we are educated. In most places children start school when about five or six years old and attend kindergarten. The children may spend six years in elementary school, junior high school for three years, then .to senior high school for three years; or they may go to elementary school for seven or eight years, then to high school for four years. Some go to college. In most states the government supports some colleges and a state university. Our Federal Government maintains some of these schools and also now maintains schools for Indians. It has an academy for army officers at West Point and one for navy officers at Annapolis. Ninety-five out of every one hundred people, ten years old or more in the United States now can read and write. Mos.t Americans can read letters, books and magazines. Schools help us in many ways. They teach us many useful facts used in life. They teach us how to thinik carefully and thoughtfully without 'being influenced by other people. They teach us how to read, write and figure, but they also teach us how a. vc k i n j T1 ^ e. ŠČJZ/ Drawn by Mildred Hotko, age 15, 226 Main St., Oglesby, 111. Lodge 95. to work and play together. They teach us how to keep healthier and to enjoy ourselves more. In schols we learn much about our ways of living. Schools help us to learn how to earn a living. They help us to be better citizens. Without schools our standard of living would not be as high as it is. My brothers, sisters and I as well as the rest of the children in our school are very glad to be American citizens. ZORA GOSTOVICH, 12, lodge 416, Box 769, Van Houten, New Mexico. * JUST A FEW JOKES Little Isador Rosenberg laid a dime on the grocer’s counter and said: “Mister, I want for ten cents some animal crackers and leave the pigs out.” Jerry: “Uncle Wfill fell asleep in the bath tub.” Tommy: “My gosh, did the water run over?” Jerry: “No, he slept with his mouth open.” Judge: “What’s the idea parking in front of the entrance?” Driver: “Well, the sign said: ‘Fine for Parking’.” Waiter: “You sometimes find a pearl in oyster stew.” Oliver: “I’m looking for an oyster.” Johnny: “What do they do with doughnut holes?” Frankie: “They use them to stuff macaroni.” Mary: “What’s the best thing to do for insomnia? I have a bad attack of it.” Jane: “Just go to bed and sleep it off.” MARY VIDMAR, 13, lodge 29, Box 55, Coketon, W. Va. A THANKSGIVING DREAM Drawn toy Elsie Polončič, age 16, Uniondale, Pa. Lodge 124. QUESTION AND ANSWER I had two volumes which he kept on a shelf. The covers were each one-eighth of an inch in thickness, and the pages within measured three and a half inches. When I looked I saw a bookworm had burrowed in a straight line from page 1 of volume I to the last page of volume II. How far had the bookworm burrowed? Few realize that the two books stand together. The first page of volume I is at the right, and last page of volume II is at the left. Thus the answer and the pages within measured three and a /1 K-pM'A SSo far I have collected 126 stars. I enjoy writing letters and would like to have some pen pals. Here are .two “true or false” sentences: John Adams was the second president. True or false? True.—Cotton can grow in the North. True or false? False. Until next month I’ll say good-by to one and all, with best wishes to all the readers and writers.— Albina Femec, 20150 Tracy Ave., Euclid, O. (Lodge 142) * THE NEW YORK WORLD’S FAIR Dear Editor:—I will attempt to tell a few things about my trip to New York. Before I do this I wish to say that our Circle No. 3 is planning to stage a dance on Oct. 6 and on the same day Lodge 142 will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Due to this celebration we cancelled our program and only the dance will take place as scheduled. (By the time .this will be in print, of course, both of these two affairs will be a thing of the past.) It took us about 12 hours before we arrived in New York. My mother and I stayed wit'h our relatives. The first day was spend at their home, but the rest of our two and a half weeks were spent visiting interesting points. About five days were spent at the New York World’s Fair. The most exciting part of going to the fair is the first sight of the Trylon and -Perisp.here which you see from .the elevated train. -Soon you see the entire panorama of the fair. It was very interesting as well as entertaining. On the fair grounds, the General Motors exhibit is perhaps the best and most interesting-. When you enter the building you get seated in big comfortable chairs and you go around in an oval about a quarter of a city block. You look down and you see hundreds of small buildings which form a miniature city of 1960. The model represents bridges and higii-ways, farms and intersections, with automobiles going up and down. The suspension bridge with four tiers for traffic is very impressive. Then we saw the General Electric Building, the Westinghouse building and its .television exhibit, the Beachnut building where they were giving away chewing gum. Another interesting building was the Bell Telephone structure. In the foreign section it was interesting to note the anti-German atmosphere in the Czechoslovak and Polish buildings. T.he British and French buildings were the most interesting. iSorry to say, there was no Jugoslav building this year. iSome of the other buildings tha.t I saw were the Firestone and the Goodrich buildings, the Kodak building, etc. In New York City, we saw many interesting things. We visited the aquarium and saw many rare fis-h. We saw the Sta.tue of Liberty, the planetarium, the Museum of Natural History, all very interesting places and all very big. The things one sees in them are very interesting and educational. Of course, we went to the top of the RCA Building in Rockefeller Center. From it we saw practically the entire city of New York—Central Park, the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, the Hudson River, the huge ocean liners in the harbor, as well as many, many other interesting points too numerous to mention. My mother stayed in New York only one week. Before I left we went to the largest theater in the world—Radio City Music Hall, where we saw “Pride and Prejudice” on the screen and a stage show in wihich the famous Rocketts appeared. It was a novelty when we ate at .the automat—sort of a self-serve restaurant: you drop a coin and out comes what you want. In New York, with a population of about eight million, there naturally are many interesting things, and it would take not only days or weeks but months to see everything that is worth seeing. I hope that you will not find this letter boring. Best regards ,to all, and thanks to all the readers who “stuck it out” till the end.—Henry Gorjanc (age 14), 19806 Pawnee Ave., Cleveland, O. (Lodge 53, Circle 3) * HER SECOND LETTER Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to .the M. L. The September meeting of Circle 11 was held at Yale on the 1st. Refreshments were served, and after the meeting moving pictures of the old country were shown. Our October meeting was held on the 6.th at Camp 50. A wiener roast was planned for this meeting at Sterle’s. Now I’ll close for this time, with best regards to all.—Violet Humar, R.F.D. 3, Box 344, Girard, Kans. * MY TEN SUBJECTS Dear Editor:—School has started again. That means continual studying for eight long months. -School started on Sept. 3 in Aurora, Minn. When I complete the eighth grade I’ll be a freshman. Then I’ll feel more grown up. The subjects I take are history, English, home economics, mathematics, gym, swimming, art, music, reading, and science. My favorite is gym. I like all the games we play. I am interested in all games. Aurora has a new tennis court. In the spring we are going to play tennis during our gym classes. This schedule will keep us busy, all right. When school star.ts that means the football season has started. Even though Aurora has a fair team I like to watch the exciting games. I didn’t write in Slovene this time because my Mother seems to be always busy. If she isn’t busy, I have some school work to do. In the future I promise ,to write a iSlovene letter. I haven’t received letters from several pen pals of mine for quite a long time. Please do write. Best regards to one and all.—Florence Alich (age 13), Box 607, Aurora, Minn. * FROM A TWIN SISTER Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to .the M. L. I read the ML every month and enjoy it very much. I especially enjoy reading the letters. I am a twin. My twin sister, Dorothy, has written to the ML once. I also have five other sisters. I am 13 years of age and I’m in the eighth grade. I am five feet two inches tall, I have dark brown eyes and chestnut brown hair and I weigh 119 pounds. I would especially like to hear from Freda -Snoy of Bridgeport, Ohio, who at the present time is in the Children’s hospital at Columbus, O., the hospital in which I was about a year ago when I was operated upon my leg, which was shorter than the other since my birth. And I would be very glad to hear from some pen pals who are interested in cowboys. Because I would like to correspond with them and exchange cowbjy songs. I am closing with best wishes to all.—Doris Ujcich, Box 127, Glencoe, Ohio. (Lodge 54) * FROM A K. S. T. C. FRESHMAN Dear Editor:—I started to school Sept. 9 at K. S. T. C., Pittsburg, Kansas. I have a fine start now but the first week I didn’t know what buildings to go to or what room. But I suppose that happens to every green freshman. The next week was better and the third a lot better. It isn’t anything like it was in high school. A whole week was devoted to freshmen. It is called Freshman Week. This gave us a chance to get acquainted with other students. People from all over the United States come to school here, but most of them are from Kansas, of course. School will take most of our time the next nine months. But we should find a few minutes of spare time to write a couple of lines to the Mladinski List. As the old saying goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” So we should have work and play as both are necessary. Registration of aliens and fingerprinting is in full swing all over the United States until Dec. 26 of this year. This is done to determine how many aliens are in the United States, what they are doing and just where they are. Free fairs were some of the main attractions in Kansas during August and September. At these fairs 4-H Club exhibits were shown. Girls brought their handiwork, cooking, etc., and boys brought calves, pigs, sheep and other livestock. They also had car races, horse races, bands and drum corps. —This is all for this month.—Fanny Galicich, R. R. 1, Box 137, Arcadia, Kansas. * COLLECTS POSTAL CARDS Dear Editor:—First of all, I want to thank my friends Elsie Vidmar, Helen Matko and others from W. Va., Wyo. and Pa. for sending me the beautiful postal cards. I have surely started a large collection. I have received very many lately and want to say that I really appreciate getting them. Recently, I heard Norman Thomas, of New York, who gave a speech. It was very interesting to listen to him. He delivered his address in the High School auditorium in La Salle. My best regards to all.—Mary Hotko, 226 Main St., Oglesby, Illinois. * A BIT OF PROPAGANDA Dear Editor:—The time is rolling around to write to the M. L. again. This time I am writing a bit on propaganda. We hear so much on this subject these days that everybody is talking about it. I.t is propaganda when we hear some people say that the Allies are not fighting this war for democracy. They say that this is only so much propaganda to lure the masses of their people and ours into supporting the war. That the Allies did not fight for democracy during .the World War. That they are only defending the interests of their imperialism against German imperialism. Etc., etc. Furthermore, they say that we should not support neither camp of the warring countries. Of course, all of this is propaganda against the Allies. On the other hand, the Allies are using their propaganda by pointing at the totalitarian regimes which have suppressed all opposition in their countries. That the people are enslaved and have no rights whatever. Etc., etc. It is up to the American people to judge for themselves which side is right and to defend their own democracy and to gain more rights.—Betty Vedic, Box 80, Park City, Utah. (Lodge 639) * LIKES ML LETTERS Dear Editor:-—This is my third letter to the Mladinski List. I am glad that my two other letters were printed in this magazine. Winter season is almost here again, and I like to read the letters that are printed in the ML. Every time I write to the ML my sister Caroline says she wants to write to the ML too. And I say that she is too small to write. She is only four years old. When we get the ML I read it first and then give it to her. She likes the drawings and pictures, and she wants to know who the contributors are. I tell her the names. Until nex month.—Thomas Gornick (age 9), Box 706, Trafford, Pa. (Lodge 629). * FROM AN II. S. FRESHMAN Dear Editor:—It is about time that I make another appearance in the ML. I am writing again for the second time; I’ll write more often from now on. I am 14 years of age and a freshman at the Boswell High School. I have a sister in the sixth grade. The boys and girls call her “Bright Eyes.” My sister and I would like to be vocalists. We are very fond of popular music, like jazz and jitterbug music. My favorite orchestra leaders are Frankie Masters, Benny Goodman, Orrin Tucker, Gene Krupa, Eddie Duchin, and many other orchestra leaders.—The SNPJ lodge 503 sponsored a dance on Sept. 28 at the Polish hall, Jerome, Pa. The music was furnished by Frank’s Trio. I had a wonderful time.—I would like to have some pen pals. So pen pals, please write to me. My favorite sports are baseball, football, and bicycle riding. Best regards to all the readers of the M. L.— Stephania Kober, Box 228, Jenners, Pa. * CIRCLE PLANS DANCE Dear Editor:—I decided to write again, and hope to keep my promise to write each month. Our Juvenile Stars are planning to have a dance on Nov. 9 at the SNPJ Hall. The music will be furnished by Joe Kramer. Admission will be twenty-five cents. I’ll be there, won’t you? Come one and all for a good time is in store for all.—Best regards to all.—Irma Kern, Box 194, Strabane, Pennsylvania. * JESEN RUMENA Dragi urednik!—Tudi sedaj se vam želim lepo zahvaliti za tako lepo urejeni dopisek, ki ste ga priobčili v prejšnji številki Mladinskega lista. Jesen je tu, zunaj je hladno, včasih pa tudi v hiši. Jesen nam prinese obilo zabave in veselja. Po vrtovih in sadovnjakih zori sadje. Poljski pridelki so tudi dozoreli. Farmarji jih pridno pospravljajo. Vsaka poletna doba je lepa. Najlepše pa so pomlad, poletje in jesen. Pozimi je preveč mraz, kljub temu je lepo, ker se drsamo in sankamo. Pozdrav u-redniku in čitateljčkom! — Joe Rott, 18815 Chickasaw Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. Introducing Book Friends Reviewed by Betty Jartz re A series of little books have been written and illustrated especially for boys and girls of six to ten years, by Maud and Miska Petersham. The numerous illustrations are an inspiration, for on almost every page they are found conveying an explanation of the text in rich glowing colors. The Story Book of Things We Wear This newest work of Maud and Miska Petersham, The Story Book of Things We Wear, makes a romance of the origin and manufacture of everyday textiles, as woven goods are called. It begins with the time when all animals were living wild and free. Later, these wild creatures, among them sheep, goats, and camels, were tamed and kept in flocks and were used to furnish clothing as well as food. The sheep is most successfully raised for its wool, and the United States and Australia lead the world in sheep raising. Long ago, the people of Europe heard of a strange plant growing in India. Travelers from East told tales about how the flowers of this remarkable plant turned into tiny lambs covered with soft fluffy wool. They told how this soft white wool was spun into thread and then woven into a cloth wondrously soft and fine. When the New World was discovered this same plant was found already growing there and our American Indians were weaving it into cloth. As you have probably guessed by now, this strange and useful plant was the cotton plant. The story of silk is very exciting. The Chinese knew the secret of silk making some three thousand yeai-s before any other country discovered how this beautiful fabric was produced. Finally other countries, like Italy and France, learned this secret and busied themselves with the delicate painstaking process of silk manufacturing. Today, Japan is the foremost producer of silk. Through chemistry, fibres are being manufactured which are very similiar to silk. It is cheaper to produce these fibres than it is to produce real silk. Because it is cheaper and because cloth is being produced more and more successfully from these fibres, the demand for real silk is decreasing. What “artificial silk” fabric plays a very useful and important part in the textile industry? Yes, you have guessed; it is Rayon. Scientists discovered that silk produced by the silkworm was largely made up of a substance called cellulose. Two important sources of this substance are cotton and spruce wood. In the factory, the rayon manufacturer imitates the silkworm by forcing prepared cellulose combined with chemicals through tiny holes in a little instrument called a “spineret.” The filaments or strands thus spun ai’e twisted together to make a thread. Spun rayon is a variation of rayon which can be made into fabrics which closely resemble linen, wool, cotton, and spun silk. Rayon has many uses. It can be made into the heaviest materials, or into the most delicate of summer fabrics. Rayon is used in house furnishings and a specially spun rayon yarn is used in the making of parachutes and airplane coverings. From day to day chemists are making still more wonderful discoveries. Nylon, a fabric made from coal, air, and water and used largely for women’s hose, is creating a grave competitive problem for the silk industry. OTHER PETERSHAM STORY BOOKS The Story Book of Foods from the Field, tells how man learned to wrest a living from the earth through the ages. It starts from the time when our ancestors ate their food raw, till the time when man learned how to plant and tend wheat, corn, and rice to furnish the staples in his larder. And how man learned to utilize salt and sugar to flavor his foods. The Story Book of Wheels, Ships, Trains, Aircraft, is a complete and exciting story of travel; from the invention of the wheel down to the most up-to-date methods. The Story Book of Earth’s Treasures, told in the familiar simple language and embellished with the same lovely and informative illustrations found in all the Petersham books, is all about the earth’s four great gifts to man: gold, coal, oil, and iron. The Story Book of Things We Use, tells about the most important things in our everyday lives: houses, clothes, food, and transportation. Well, Then . . . Teacher: How much does a twelve-pound shot weigh ? Student: Don’t know, sir.” Teacher: Well, then, what time does the 10- o’clock train leave? Student: 10 o’clock. Teacher: Then what is the weight of the twelve-pound shot? Student (brightening): Ten pounds, sir. “WIGGLE-WAGGLE” Singing Sam, Warbling Willie and Curly Cal certainly think .they are fine singers, but just the same they are not the only ones who love to raise their voices. The fellow hidden in the Wiggle-Waggles thinks HE is the best one ever. Let’s draw a pencil line or crayon line through the open spaces of these Wiggle-Waggles, being careful not to cross any black lines, and we will soon have a picture of the hidden singer. The drawings of the two birds will help show you how it is done. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON JUST FOR FUN PAGE: 1. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams 2. Washington, Monroe, Jackson 3. Taylor, Pierce and Grant Latin words meaning: 1. endless 2. one out of many 3. by the hundreds 4. by the year 5. from the books (library) of What Did She Wear? Select some girl to dress up in all the extra clothing, jewelry, etc., that she can wear. She should then enter the room, walking slowly back and forth twice. The others are asked to observe everything that she is wearing. Make this as difficult as possible by including hat, coat, handbag, scarf, earrings, bracelets, etc. After the girl leaves the room, each player is to write on paper a list outlining the girl’s complete wardrobe. Nobody’s list will be accurate—and some of the items included will prove quite astonishing! * Yes, Indeed “Say, Doc, do you remember last year when you cured my rheumatism? You told me to avoid dampness.” “That’s so. What’s wrong?” “Well, is it all right for me to take a bath now?” EDITOR’S NOTE M. II., Oglesby, III.—There were many subjects on Halloween received for the October issue of the ML, and only the few deemed best were selected. The same thing happened for this issue. About half a dozen drawings depicting Thanksgiving have been submitted, and to avoid duplications, only a few of the best are published. The Editor notes with satisfaction some newcomers to our drawing contest. Their attempts are not the best, yet they are being published with the sole intention of encouraging these beginners to go on with the hope of improvement. Important Notice!—Some of our contestants are addressing their letters or drawings to the SNPJ Head Office or to Mr. Cainkar, the Supreme President of the SNPJ. If they would address their contributions to the Mladinski List, they would sooner get our attention and escape the probable one-month delay. Address directly to the Mladinski List! Write to Bro. Cainkar only when you seek some information relative to the Juvenile Circles! Smartie Teacher: “Now, Billy, what did I tell you last time about birds?” Billy: “Surely, you ain’t forgotten already, teacher?” * Down Hill Professor: The light of the sun travels at the rate of 330,000 miles a second. Student: Sure, but it’s down hill all the way. What About Your Circle? Is It Active? Am I a Worthy Juvenile of the SNPJ? I, a member of the SNPJ Juvenile Department and a recipient and regular reader of the Mladinski List, want to ask myself as follows: • Do I write letters to the Mladinski List or otherwise contribute something I think I am able to? If not why not? • Do I care to join an SNPJ Juvenile Circle in my town knowing that one exists? If not, why not? • Do I care to work for organizing an SNPJ Juvenile Circle in my town knowing that none exists as yet? If not, why not? • Am I prone to show my Mladinski List, after I am through reading it, to my closest friends with the wish that they, too, may enjoy reading it? If not, why not? • Do I talk in praiseworthy terms about the SNPJ Juvenile Department to my boy friends and girl friends, not members as yet, in order that they, too, may join and be as happy about it as I am? If not, why not? Yes, Why Not? What Am I Doing to Be a Worthy Juvenile of the Slovene National Benefit Society?