MWMNJKI KS ara i : mm A JUVENILE MAGAZINE FOR AMERICAN SLOVENES April 1940 Mladinski List JUVENILE Editor ... Business Manager - IVAN MOLEK PHILIP GODINA Page * ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ i ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ : ★ * Published monthly by the Slovene National Benefit Society for the members of its * Juvenile department. Annual subscription, $1.20; half year, 60c; foreign subscrip- * tion, $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. * ★ ★ CONTENTS FOR APRIL, 1940 Pregled vsebine v tej številki STORIES AND POEMS Belokrajinska (pesem) ................................................. 9 Blots (poem) ..........................................................12 Janko in Metka (nadaljevanje).......................................... 4 Jerica Ribičeva ....................................................... 9 Mining Camp (poem)..................................................... 2 Po kočevskih kukavah...................................................10 Radio’s Lament, The (poem)........................................... 3 Reparation (poem) ..................................................... 2 Rože na oknih (pesem).................................................. 3 Spomladna (pesem) ..................................................... 1 Volkovi (pesem) ....................................................... 2 Vse za narod (pesem)................................................... 3 ARTICLES Birthdays of the Great Men............................................. 8 Stamp Collecting.......................................................15 FEATURES Introducing Book Friends...............................................13 Just For Fun............................................................ “King Coal” at North and South Pole.................................... 6 Our Own Juvenile Circles...............................................22 Our Pen Pals Write.....................................................26 OUR SCHOOL ............................................................16 When We Play...........................................................14 MLADINSKI LIST JUVENILE LETO XIX.—Št. 4. CHICAGO, ILL., APRIL, 1940 VOL. XIX.—No. 4 Pozdravljena 'CEfO^A Kjer so me zibal! namiga hoja / PPe-rm« tfa Drawn by Dorothy Dermotta, age 15, Box 101, Avella, Pa. Lodge 292. SPOMLADNA Katka Zupančič Daleč na okoli Pa snežec beli pricaplja, žari narcise cvet. pobeli žarni cvet— Zavida jo vijolica, in bela je vijolica, in z njo ves bilji svet. in bel ves bilji svet . . . Mining Camp By STEVEN KERRO All battered shacks, And many are they, One road with ruts, Where children play. Tin cans and stones, All ivell in view, Stray dogs and cats That follotv you. Coal sheds, wood sheds, Yes, crudely made, And grassless laivns Where iveeds parade. Through window panes Wide eyes will peer If you’re not knoion. But have no fear: Coal-mining camps Are all like that. Come, visit now, Aristocrat! REPARATION To think how long I built My snowman, Melted When the sun its spangles spilt. But for the fleeting spark of gilt It brought My life, I, too, might mingle with the silt. —Mary Jugg. Announcements By Annie Bozanic, 15, Worcester, N. Y., Lodge Spring brings winds From o’er the hills, Which stirs the yellow daffodils That peep from out the snow. It blows our kites Above the trees Volkovi Vladko Kos Že mesec na nebu ponočnem bledi, ko godec z nevesto od svatov ihiti. Veselo drčijo sani v mrzli sneg, v daljavi pozdravlja domač jih že breg. Veselo se godec nevesti smehlja, na lica rdeča poljub >svoj ji da. Kaj ne bi smehljal se, ne b’l bi poet, ko pa najlepšo ima vseh deklet. Tedaj pa preplašeno vranci se vzpno, nevesta pa v grozi pokaže z roko na sive postave, ki jima slede— in v strahu se krči ji plaho srce. Ah, vranci počasi v daljavo beže, da sivi volkovi že bliže drve, da vidiš žareče ognjene oči in glad neizmeren, ki iz njih blesti. A godec pa le ni poguma zgubil, ker vnete pajdaše je v noči dobil, lok, gosli veselo si vzame v roke in gosti in peti prelepo prične . . . Glej, dvigajo sivi volkovi glave, mar pesem jim godčeva moti srce? Saj bodo že kmalu dosegli sani, a pesem v zasmeh jim v želodce doni. Nevesta je bleda in tiho molči, ji vriskajo strune, drvijo sani. Da, zdaj so že blizu, da čutiš njih dih, a godec pa gode, minuto ni tih. “Sem ljubil vas strune življenja vse dni, naj slavi njih pesem mi zadnjič doni. Povsod sem vas gosli s sabo imel, še tebi -sem, draga, pod okencem pel. In kraljem in revnim na njih sem goslal, trpljenje sem lajšal, sem pesem jim dal. Zdaj vržem jih volkom, potešim jim glad, ker živel bi dneve brezskrbne še rad.” Utihnil je godec in gosli pognal volkovom je v žrelo, potem odpeljal se z nevesto je rešen v domači zdaj breg. Iz neba smejalo se sonce je v breg. That float in silence with the breeze Which Spring has brought for us. She floats about With grace and ease, To blow a message through the trees, To tell that Spring is here. THE RADIO’S LAMENT The radio small stood by the wall; It spoke out its heart; It cried out its heart; “0, listen, I call to you one and all. “You think me jolly—so very jolly; I sing; I squawk; I preach; I talk; But o! what folly to think me jolly. “I blare out the tales of deep despair, Of bliss, of worth, Of waste, of mirth; And everywhere other’s choice I must share. “And so this—my sadness you must know: That always and ever Through all Forever To the will of others I must go.” By Mary Jugg ROZE NA OKNIH Katka Zupančič Polžek je na piknik šel, hišico je sabo vzel. GUSTAV STRNIŠA Ali ko prilezel je nazaj— se je hvalil, da le kaj! Na mrzlih oknih rože cveto, bele rože ledene, mraz nam jih je prinesel čez noč s svoje poljane snežene. — Nisem nič piknikoval, sem za narod le garal! Zanj sem, poleg vseh dobrin, žrtvoval še vedro slin . . . Na mrzlih oknih rože cveto, mamica naša pa joka, saj očka so dali nam v črno zemljo zapustil me je siroto otroka. Polža so odlikovali: v zbornico so ga poslali. Na mrzlih oknih rože cveto, naša pečka ne diha, v naši sobi je mrko, hladno, naša soba je tiha. Tam iz slin denar si kuje, se bedakom posmehuje. Na mrzlih oknih rože cveto, hladna krsta je kočica naša, “Zakaj niso dali nas z očkom v zemljo?' mamica vsak dan me vpraša. 4 MLADINSKI LIST JANKO IN METKA Tone Seliškar (Nadaljevanje.) Deklica je ležala na bregu kakor mrtva. K sreči je stanoval v bližini zdravnik, kamor so jo zanesli. V vsem tem viku in kriku so pozabili na Janka, ki se je na škarpi kmalu opomogel. Vsi ljudje so drveli za onim, ki je nesel onesveščeno deklico k zdravniku v bližnjo hišo in ko je tako čisto sam sedel, ne da bi se zavedal, da je storil prav za prav veliko dejanje, se je nenadoma zbal za tega zalega otroka. Ali bo umrl . . . ? Oh ne, ne sme umreti! Saj je še skoro dete, šest ali osem let je staro in tako lahka je bila ta punčka, zdaj pa so mu jo iztrgali iz rok. Čutil se je krivično prizadetega. Sam je na svetu. Oče je v ječi, mati se mu je izgubila nekje v širnem svetu, ali pa je že umrla, tet nima ne stricev. Morda jih ima, toda kdo ve, kje so? Strašno hudo je, če je človek sam na svetu! Zdaj, ko je tako držal to ubogo, nezavestno dete v svoji krepki roki, si je silno zaželel nekoga pobožati, mu dobro storiti, ga rad imeti, skrbeti zanj in ga milovati. Janko ni rojen potepuh, da bi vrgel malho čez rame in stopal po široki cesti, kamor veter hoče. Tudi taki ljudje so na svetu. Janko je zares deček ceste, če ga že tako imenujemo, toda njega je trpka usoda postavila na cesto. Ali si morete misliti vi vsi, ki imate očete in matere ter lepo, sončno stanovanje, svojo mehko posteljo in kruha in vsega, kako bi se počutili, če bi vse to nenadoma izgubili? Da bi se kar iznenada znašli na ulici, kakor vsi revni be-rački, ki prosijo kruha? Janko se je k sreči počasi uvajal v to skrajno plat človeške revščine. Zato ni nič čudnega, če se je znal obvladati in si pomagati na sto načinov. Ko je v svoji zagrenjenosti le vstal in splezal na breg, je videl, da se ljudje že razhajajo. “Hvala Bogu, rešili so jo!” je slišal nekoga. V srce mu je šinilo neznansko veselje: Stekel je v hišo, v kateri je stanoval zdravnik. Pred vrati je še postajalo nekaj radovednih žensk, ki so ga prepoznale po premočeni obleki. “Ta jo je potegnil iz vode!” je dejala ena. Janko je odprl vrata in stopil v sobo. Tu je zagledal zdravnika v beli halji, mlado, lepo gospo, in glej—deklica, ki jo je rešil, sedi na zofi, zdrava in živa. Omotana je v toplo odejo, samo obraz ji gleda iz ovoja in velike, modre oči se plaho ozirajo naokoli. Zdravnik se je nemalo začudil premočenemu fantu. Janko pa se je nad vse razveselil, ko je zagledal deklico in bilo mu je dobro. Drugega si ni želel, kot le prepričati se, kako je otroku, ki mu je rešil življenje. Da, živa je in zdrava! Seveda, še je bleda in prestrašena, toda otrok je bogat življenja. Mlada, lepa gospa, ki je zdravnikova žena, jo pita s toplim mlekom in dekletce se že smehlja. Zdravnik pa gleda fanta: kako, ali je tudi ta padel v vodo in je prišel k njemu po pomoč? Neka ženska na hodniku pa se menda le ni mogla premagati. Odprla je vrata in pokazala na Janka: “Ta jo je potegnil iz vode, gospod zdravnik!” “O, taka je ta reč? Poglej ga no, junaka!” Zdravnik si ga je zvedavo ogledal, gospa pa se je zaskrbljeno ozrla v tega pobalina. “Julija, poskrbi tudi za tega vrlega fanta, ves je premočen!” je dejal zdravnik svoji ženi. “Morda boš našla kaj v omari? In v kuhinjo ga pelji, da se okrepča!” Janko pa je šel k deklici in jo vprašal: “Kako pa je tebi ime?” “Metka!” je dejala deklica. “Vidiš, Metka, ta deček je skočil v vodo in te je rešil. Zahvali se mu!” je dejala gospa. Metka se je sramežljivo nasmehnila, potem je s težavo izmotala desnico izpod odeje in ga rahlo pobožala po licu. Janko je bil vesel take zahvale, pogledal je zdravnika, ki je bil kar ganjen od tega prizora in fantove oči so vpraševale: Kaj pa sedaj? Kam boste dali to deklico? Čigava pa je? Gospa je bila preudarna žena. O vsem tem se bodo že še razgovorili, zdaj je treba rešitelja preobleči in ga okrepčati. Peljala ga je v sobo, kjer so stanovali njeni otroci in kmalu je našla v omari primerne hlače, srajco in lep, skoro nov suknjič. Tako, zdaj pa v kopalnico! Tu je voda, milo in brisača. Janko se ni mogel dovolj načuditi vsemu, kar je videl okoli sebe. Kako je vse to lepo in snažno. Saj se niti dotakniti ni upal ničesar. Preproge, zavese, slike, police s knjigami, svetlo pohištvo, tu v kopalnici se vse blešči od svetlih pip, kolesc in plošč in voda ve- selo žubori, kakor da bi bil živ studenec. Vrgel je s sebe razmočene in blatne cape, stopil v kad in si z milom nadrgnil vse telo, da se je veselo zarežal, ko se je zagledal v velikem ogledalu. Oh, kako je to prijetno! Kar čutil je, kako se mu telo prenavlja. Ko se je umil in oblekel v sveže, volhko perilo in se še počesal, ga ni bilo več poznati. Hlače so bile malo predolge, jopiča pa niti pomeril ni. Zavihal si je rokave srajce, ki so mu bili tudi predolgi in je odprl vrata. V sobi ga je že čakala gospa in ga peljala v kuhinjo. Tam je sedela Metka pri mizi in na mizi se je kadilo jajčno cvrtje in kolač belega, sladkega kruha ga je pozdravljal. Tudi zdravnik je prisedel. Janko ni nič okleval: vzel si je kruha in kaj kmalu je bil njegov krožnik prazen. Tudi Metka je jedla, le bolj nerodna je bila in gospa jo je morala siliti, da je pospravila svojo jedačo. “Zdaj pa, otroka, čigava sta in od kod?” ju je vprašal zdravnik. Janko je naglo razložil, kakšne vrste človek da je, le očeta je zamolčal, zakaj kdo ve, če bi bil zdravnik še dober in prijazen? Tudi o svoji revščini ni govoril z namenom, da bi vzbudil sočutje ali usmiljenje. Tako je in tako, nikdar mu ni prišlo na um, da bi prosjačil. Vsekdar si je znal sam pomagati iz vsake zanke, nikdar ni druge nadlegoval s svojim uboštvom. Le z Metko je bilo teže. Nihče od ljudi zunaj na cesti je ni poznal; torej ne stanuje tu kje v soseščini. Pa tudi otrok sam ni vedel mnogo. Le to sta zdravnik in njegova žena dognala, da je deklica sestradana in zanemarjena. “No, Metka, povej nam vendar, čigava si? Kje pa si doma?” “V jami za Bežigradom,” je dejala Metka. Oh, saj res, v tisti veliki jami za Bežigradom, kjer so nekoč kopali gramoz za stavbe, je tudi naselje barakarjev. Tam je huda revščina in zdaj podirajo vse barake in kolibe, ker zidajo na tistem prostoru veliko šolo. “Kaj pa tvoj oče dela?” “Nič.” “Kaj pa mamica?” “Je nimam.” Gospa je postala žalostna, s svojimi veliki-dobrimi očmi je gledala na ta živ majhen stvor človeške bede in najraje bi jo pri sebi ^držala, toda Janko je bil preudaren fant in Je dejal: “Vem, kje je Bežigrad. Peljal jo bom k očetu.” “Saj res!” je vzkliknil zdravnik. “Pelji jo lepo k očetu in pazi nanjo. Pameten deček si, oče pa je gotovo v velikih skrbeh. Kajne Metka, da boš šla z njim?” Metka je veselo prikimala in kar skočila je s stola. Tudi nji je dala gospa ponošeno, toda še precej lepo obleko svoje hčerke, ki je zdaj v šoli, in ko sta bila že oba pri vratih, jima je prisrčno voščila srečno pot. “Kadar bosta kaj potrebovala, se kar pri nas oglasita!” jima je dejala. “Zbogom, Janko!” je dejal zdravnik in mu krepko stisnil roko. “Le pridi še, za takega fanta se bo vedno kaj našlo!” In že sta bila na cesti. Janko je nosil v svežnju svoj novi jopič, Metka pa je tiščala k sebi kos pogače, ki ji jo je gospa darovala. Z drugo roko se je krčevito oprijemala Jankove dlani. Ko sta tako hodila pod cvetočimi kostanji, se je Janko domislil pravljice o Janku in Metki, ki jo je pred leti slišal v šoli. Ne da bi se zmenila za ljudi, sta koračila skozi mesto in Janko se je na vsem lepem pričel smejati. “Kaj pa se smejiš, Janko?” ga je vprašala Metka. “Zdaj sva Janko in Metka,” ji je pričel pripovedovati. “Zašla sva v temnem gozdu in ko tako iščeva prave poti, kako bi prišla iz hoste, bova zagledala čudovito hišico. Sezidana je iz same čokolade, opeka na strehi so piškoti in na oknih rasejo preste, fige in rožiči.” Metka se je pričela oblizovati in debelo je gledala na vse strani, kje bi bila taka hišica. Pa je seveda ni bilo nikjer. Le Janko se je smejal in se mu je čudno zdelo, kako da je nekoč veroval v take hišice in čarovnice in da ga je bilo celo strah, kadar je v gozdu nabiral suhljadi, če se je domislil tiste grde, zlobne babure, ki zvablja otroke, jih zapira v kur-nik, opita in speče. Kajpada, ko sta hodila skozi mesto, sta šla mimo mnogih takih hišic. To so bile izložbe velikih trgovin, kjer je bilo naloženega toliko bogastva, da ju njun razum niti obseči ni mogel. Videla sta zlato in drago kamenje, svilo, cele grmade mesa in peciva, obleke, kolesa, motorje, avtomobile, igrače . . . (Dalje prihodnjič.) “King Coal” at North and South Pole CAST Mr. Cook, friendly and authoritative Francis, interested and interesting MR. COOK: Good afternoon, Francis. Last Tuesday I left you with the question, “Have you heard that a mountain range, with seams of coal in it, was recently discovered near the South Pole?” The discoverer was Admiral Richard E. Byrd. He and a small party had left Little America on a flight of exploration and moviemaking. . . E’RANCIS: And, I suppose, you’ll tell me they found coal. But I thought there was nothing but ice and penguins at the South Pole. MR. COOK: Yes, there is plenty of both—and coal, too. FRANCIS: Coal at the South Pole! Did they really find coal there—was it really coal? MR. COOK: It was! In a mountain range—miles long and two miles high! Enough coal to supply people of the earth for many years! FRANCIS: I am like the sailor—I can’t believe it! Near the South Pole! MR. COOK: Well, have you heard that coal has also been found near the North Pole? FRANCIS: But I thought .that coal was formed only one way—by the slow decay of trees and other vegetable matter. MR. COOK: That is true. FRANCIS: Then 'how in the world could there be coal near the North and South Poles? MR. COOK: I see you are thinking of the Poles as being always great wastes of ice and snow. As a matter of fact, both North and South Poles used .to have a warm climate. . . FRANCIS: What! MR. COOK: . . . With tall tree ferns—and luxuriant vegetation. FRANCIS: But 'how do you know this? MR. COOK: Oh, we have plenty of proof. The Byrd Expedition found fossilized tree trunks and leaves; while near the Nor.th Pole they’ve found plants and ferns that grow only in a warm climate. You can. see many of these specimens in the American Museum of Natural History in New York and in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. FRANCIS: Then the coal at tlhe North and South Poles was formed from that luxuriant vegetation ? MR. 'COOK: Yes. That vegetation was transformed into coal that is now there. FRANCIS: How is coal formed? MR. COOK: Although people like to think of coal as being the result of rank tropical deposits of vegetation—actually there are very few tropical regions that produce such deposits. FRANCIS: I can’t understand w'hy—when the tropics are so full of jungles, trees and so many plants. MR. COOK: One of the most striking features of .the tropics is the rapidity with which decay takes place. For instance, a tree knocked over by lightning disappears in the course of months— FRANCIS: (Amazed) Why? What happens to it? MR. COOK: The high temperature, high oxygen supply, and the army of insects and animals make shor.t work of it! And that is true of nearly all tropical vegetation. These tropical conditions cause it to decay quickly—so it can’t accumulate. FRANCIS: Well, then, what kind of vegetation does form coal? MR. COOK: Any kind of vegetation will form coal under the proper conditions, but cold and swampy regions are most favorable to coal formation. FRANCIS: Cold regions? Why? MR. COOK: In cold regions there is a rapid and luxuriant growth of vegetation during a short period of the year. As this vegetation dies the cold weather checks the too rapid action of the bacteria and other fungi, causing them .to work slowly—transforming the vegetation into coal. FRANCIS: You mean we couldn’t have coal without bacteria and fungi? MR. COOK: That’s right. These billions upon billions of microscopic plant organisms, that are everywhere present in earth and sea and air—■ so small that six million of them have been known to be on a single house fly.—But let’s get back to coal. FRANCIS: But how do these small organisms transform vegetation into coal ? MR. 'COOK: These bacteria s.tart working on the dying vegetation, transforming the plant tissues or cellulose into a substance we call peat by eliminating the hydrogen and oxygen in the fibre of .the plants, leaving- the carbon. That’s the reason coal is black. FRANCIS: On account of the Carbon? MR. COOK: That’s right! FRANCIS: But if swamps are so largely responsible in forming coal, how do you account for so much coal being found in places like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the like? There are no swamps there—no.t big enough for that. MR. COOK: No, but the swamps were there when the coal was formed. It is certain tlhat millions of years ago there were extensive swamps throughout what ai’e now the coal regions. As the vegetable matter in the swamps decayed it turned first into peat— then to lignite, an intermediate substance— and later into bituminous coal. FRANCIS: That accounts for the coal already formed—but do we know any places where the act of formation is now going on, in the United States? MR. COOK: Oh, yes. There are peat bogs in Wisconsin and Michigan—lignite fields in North Dakota and Texas—and sub-bituminous coal in Montana and Wyoming—besides the bituminous coal fields of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Illinois—and, of course, in many other parts of the world. FRANCIS: Isn’t there another kind of coal, too— besides those you have named? I can’t think of the name of it— MR. COOK: You mean anthracite? FRANCIS: Yes—that’s it. MR. COOK: Anthracite is found in certain portions of eastern Pennsylvania, Colorado, Rhode Island and Nova Scotia. It is a further development of the process of coal formation I have just described to you, and much harder in substance. After all, coal is really rock—-Wait a minute—how can coal be rock when coal is made of plants? Although it consists chiefly of carbon left after the plants decay, coal is considered a rock because it does not have a constant composition like a mineral. FRANCIS: Oh!— MR. COOK: When bituminous coal is subjected to certain physical forces such as weight, heat and pressure, it changes into a hard, compact variety of natural coal which burns with a nearly non-luminous flame. And that is anthracite. FRANCIS: Oh, I see. Well, can you tell me how much coal is mined in the United States? MR. COOK: If all the coal mined in the United States in one year were put into one big lump, it would form a cube a half mile square and a half mile high—or twice as high as the Empire State Building! FRANCIS: Indeed! That certainly is a “big pile.” MR. COOK: And have you heard that there are more miles of railroad underground in Pennsylvania than there are on top? FRANCIS: For Pete’s sake! MR. COOK: No, for the coal’s sake! The underground tracks are in the coal mines. FRANCIS: Oh! (Laughing) Really, though, I had no idea t'hat the mines were that important. MR. COOK: Yes, Francis, they are. Minerals form one half of the wealth of the United States! The non-metallic minerals far surpass the metallic in value, and of these non-metallic minerals, coal ranks second. Oil is first. FRANCIS: I see. I gather that mining is very important. MJR. 'COOK: Mining is so important that the United States government long ago established the Bureau of Mines. FRANCIS: In what department is that? MR. COOK: The Department of the Interior. FRANCIS: Oh, yes, of course—mining would naturally coma in the Department of the Interior! MR. COOK: Well—(laughs)—I guess we can let that pass! I want to show you some of the work of the Bureau of Mines. For instance, here is a scene at a mine near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A state safety inspector has called on the owner and has brought a friend along who wanted to see a call mine. As they went down, his friend noticed that the miners took a canary with them, for the canaries are the gas detectors. When “wet damp” or the deadly gas carbon monoxide appears in coal mines—-.the birds are affected first. When the miners see their bird topple over they hurry out of the mine. FRANCIS: Seems too bad for the birds. MR. COOK: It’s better to sacrifice a few canaries, than many human lives. Besides—it doesn’t happen very often anymore. Anyway, the inspector noticed there was considerable dust in the mine—and the owner ordered .the miners to fire the drilled holes after the men left for home. He warned the owner not to shoot because the dust in the mine was .too thick, which is dangerous for an explosion. Instead, he invited them to the experimental mine at Bruceton and asked the Bureau of Mines to run off a demonstration explosion. FRANCIS: That was a wise thing to do. MR. COOK: It was.—Like many other mine owners whose sole interest is profit and more profit, this mine owner did not realize or did not care how dangerous that dust in his mine was. FRANCIS: What happened at the experimental mine ? MR. COOK: Considerable! The conditions prevailing at that owner’s mine were reproduced as nearly as possible. Then when they se^t off the shot, the dense clouds of dust ignited and there was a terrific explosion! FRANCIS: It must have been a severe explosion, all right. MR. COOK: In fact it was so severe .that trees some distance from the mine were burned by it, and one of the cars in the mine was picked up and hurled 147 feet—inward—toward the source of the explosion. FRANCIS: Toward the explosion? MR. COOK: Yes—by the force of secondary pressure waves which are thrown off from the original wave caused by the explosion. These pressure waves travel backward through the hot gasses toward the origin. FRANCIS: A mine explosion must be a terrible thing! (To be concluded next issue) LEAKING NECK Man (getting a shave): “Tony, will you please give me a glass of water.” Tony: “Sure, whatsa matter, Boss? Something in your throat?” Man: “No, I just want to see if my neck leaks.” Birthdays of the Great Men WASHINGTON IRVING This is the birthday month of Washington Irving, author of the widely known story “Rip Van Winkle” and originator of the American short-story form. He ivas bom on April 3, 1783, in Neiv York City, of Scotch and English immigrant parents. He was brought up uAith his ten brothers and sisters in the narrow path of strict Pres-byterianism, and by natural reaction grew up with a remarkably developed taste for freedom of religious ties. At sixteen his formal education, for ivhich he never cared, was over, and his failure to malce any headway in laiv during the next five years put him in the company of young idealists who later developed into eminent men of letters, namely, Cooper and Bryant. These three later founded the famous Knickerbocker School. At tiventy-one, eager to travel and threatened with consumption, Irving ivas sent abroad by his family. He traveled through France and Italy, seeing people and enjoying them with boyish eagerness. A journal which he kept in Paris for three weeks credits him with attendance of one lecture in botany and scores up seventeen theatrical performances. He was greatly impressed by the European way of life. After nearly two years he returned to New York and was ready to produce something worthwhile, as evidenced in the Salmagundi papers in 1907, his first attempt at short story. During the next ten years Irving produced very little, traveled extensively and absorbed what he saw. It was in 1819 that his first and one of the best of his short stories appeared, the already mentioned “Rip Van Winkle,” which ivas folloived by “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and tivo others that were published in the Sketch Book. Then another volume appeared under the title “Tales of a Traveler” consisting of fourteen short stories. From 1815 to 1832 Irving lived abroad, mostly in Spain and in England. In Spain he was inspired by the ancient historic structures and legends. Out of this experience and impressions came his nine short stories By LOUIS BEN IGER published in one volume, The Alhambra, after which followed four more in Legends of the Conquest of Spain. With this his success as the first great American short story writer ivas acknowledged in America and in Europe. His name became a household word and he became financially well established. He- undertook a tour in the western prairies, and returning to the neighborhod of New York built for himself a fairly big house on the Hudson, to tvhich he gave the name of “Sunny side.” Irving continued to write short stories and also wrote several biographies of famous people. In 18 U2 he was appointed ambassador to Spain where he remained for four years. During his stay in Europe on tivo previous occasions, he learned French, Spanish, German and Italian. It is interesting to know that out of his 48 short stories, only seven deal with life in America, all the others have to do ivith people and scenery abroad. The American short story really began in 1819 ivith Washington Irving. It is true that there had been short fiction in America before The Sketch Book, some of it written by men of significance—Franklin, Freneau, Brown—but from the standpoint of modern short-story form none measures up to it. He made the short story a literary form solely for entertainment, added definite locality and actual scenery and people, humor and originality. His characters are ahvays definite individuals and not types or symbols, as for instance his Rip Van Winkle and Ichabod Crane, both of them more vividly real as human personages today than George Washington, their contemporary. Throughout his work, from beginning to end, appear Irving’s knoivledge of the external world and his enjoyment of oddities. He does not delve very deeply into life. Irving ivas doing what ivas natural to his lot to do, in interpreting the externals of social life as they caught and held his attention. Washington Irving died of heart disease at Sunnyside on Nov. 28, 1859. Jerica Ribičeva B. iPotter-G. Koritnik Bila je žaba, kateri je bilo ime Jerica Ribičeva; živela je v vlažni hišici med kalužnicami ob bregu potoka. Voda je polzela in se cedila po njeni shrambi in veži. Toda Jerici so bile pogodu mokre noge, kajti niihče je ni zaradi tega karal in svoj živ dan. se ni prehladila. Na vso moč je bila zadovoljna, ko je pogledala ven in videla, da pljuskajo po ribniku debele dežne kaplje. “Poiskala si bom nekoliko črvov in pojdem lovit ribe, pripravila si bom porcijo belic za kosilo,” si je dejala, “če se mi posreči ujeti več ko pet rib, bom povabila .tudi svoji prijateljici, gospo Krastačo Grbačo in Lenko Zelenko. Nič zato, če je Krastača solatarica.” Jerica je oblekla dežni plašč in si obula svoje svetle galoše, vzela protico in košarico in se z velikanskimi skoki odpravila proti kraju, kjer je imela spravljen svoj čolniček. Ta je bil okrogel in zelen in zelo podoben drugim lilijskim lističem. Pritrjen je bil v neki vodni rastlini sredi ribnika. Jerica je prijela za protico iz regozovine ter odrinila čolnič na odprto vodo. “Vem, kje se zbirajo ribice,” je rekla sama pri sebi. Zasadila je protico v blato in pritrdila k nji svoj čolniček. Nato je s prekrižanimi nogami sedla ter pripravila svoj trnek. Ta je imel na vrvici ljubko rdečo kroglico iz plutovine, medtem ko je bila pro.tica iz trdega rastlinskega stebelca, vrvica pa iz tanke bele konjske žime. Na konec trnka je nasadila drobnega zvijajočega se črvička. Dež je curljal Jerici po hrbtu in skoraj celo uro je napeto gledala v svojo plutovino. “Preseda mi že to in zdi se mi, da bi rada kaj prigriznila,” je dejala po dolgem času. Naslonila se je nazaj med vodnim biljem ter vzela nekaj jedače iz svoje košarice. “Pojedla bom tale reženj z metuljevim sokom in počakala, da bo ploha ponehala,” je rekla sama pri sebi. Velik, rejen vodni hrošč je prigomazel izpod lilij-skega lista ter vščipnil za prst njene galoše. Jerica je skrčila svoje prekrižane krake, da jih hrošč ni mogel doseči, in je jedla dalje svoj prigrizek. Enkrat ali dvakrat se je nekaj s šumom premaknilo in zapljuskalo med trstjem ob bregu ribnika. “Stavit grem, da je podgana,” je dejala gospa Jerica Ribičeva, “menda bo najbolje, da jo poberem odtod.” Spet je odrinila svoj čolnič malo proč in spustila vabo v vodo. Malone hkratu je nekaj cuknilo za trnek; plutovina se je silno zanihala. “Ribica! Ribica! Jo že držim za nos!” je vzkliknila Jerica in potegnila protico kvišku. Toda, kolikšno razočaranje! Namestu gladke tolste belice je Jerica potegnila iz vode majhno bodci-k°, ki je bila čez in čez pokrita z bodicami. Bodci-ka se je zaganjala okoli čolnička in mlaskala in hlastala, da ji je sapa pohajala. Nato je skočila nazaj v vodo. ^ njene tovarišice ribice so v rojih pomolile svoje glavice iz vode in jele briti norce iz gospe Jerice Ribičeve. In medtem ko je Jerica klavrno sedela ob robu svojega čolnička in si sesljala ranjene prste in strmela v vodo pod seboj, se je namerilo še nekaj hujšega. To bi bila res prava strahota, da Jerica na srečo ni imela na sebi dežnega plašča. Nenavadno velika postrv se je zagnala kr-flop-op-op! proti čolničku ter hlastnila naravnost po Jerici. “Oj, oj, oj!” Toda naglo se je spet obrnila ter se potopila na dnu ribnika. Ali postrvi je okus Jeričinega dežnega plašča tako presedel, da ga je čez pičle pol minute izpljuvala. Edino, kar je riba pogoltnila, so bile Jeričine galoše. Kakor plutovina ali mehurčki iz steklenice sodavice se je Jerica pognala na vodno površino ter z vso svojo močjo zaplavala proti bregu ribnika. Skobacala se je na prvi obronek in v svojem razcefranem dežnem plašču odskakljala preko .travnika domov. “Kolikšna škoda, da ni bila ščuka!” je vzdihnila Jerica. “Izgubila sem protico in košarico; pa saj mi ni preveč žal tega, kajti prepričana sem, da ne bom nikoli več smela iti lovit ribe.” Prilepila si je na prste košček obliža in obe njeni prijateljici sta prišli k nji na kosilo. Jerica jima ni mogla ponuditi belic, toda imela je v shrambi še nekaj drugega. Gospa Lenka-Zelenka je bila oblečena v črno-zlato bluzo, a Krastača Grbača je prinesla solate v svoji pleteni mreži. In namestu izbornega prigrizka belic so naše prijateljice imele za kosilo zeleno poljsko kobilico in zraven omako iz pomladanskega hrošča. To velja žabam za izborno poslastico, po mojih mislih pa mora biti nekaj na vso moč priskutnega! Belokrajinska Kafka Zupančič Muc pri peči prejo prede, prede, prede, preje ni--- Stari ded iz pipe vleče, vleče, vleče, dima ni---- stari ded žveplenke išče; išči, išči, česar ni- V peči poči, muc poskoči; dedu pipa pade—plenk!— treba več mu ni žveplenk . . . Kdaj bo zmanjkal premog? Strokovnjaki trdijo, da bodo angleški rudniki premoga izčrpani čez 600 let, vestfalski pa šele čez 1150 let. 10 MLADINSKI LIST Po kočevskih kukavah Tone Ljubič Kukava pravijo pri nas oddaljenim hribovskim zaseljem. Po tem občnem imenu je dobila svoje lastno ime vasica Kukovo, kjer najprej naletimo na Kočevarja, če gremo od severovzhoda proti jugoza-padu. Kukovo je nekakšen mejnik med Suho Krajino, Ribniškim in Kočevskim. Kočevarji so po čudi in značaju popolnoma drugačni kot njihovi sosedje. Najbolj gibčni in vedri so Ribničani, samoglavi in zaprti pa Kočevarji. Ribniške šegave domislice gotovo poznate, vendar naj vam tudi jaz povem nekaj ribniškega, da boste pozneje bolje spoznali razliko med že navedenimi sosedi. Zgodilo se mi je nekoč, ko sem se klatil po teh hribovskih puščah, da me je dohitela noč. Oglasil sem se v prvi hiši, ki sem naletel nanjo. Neznanca so me sprejeli z nasmeškom in so mi na moje vprašanje po pravi poti v dolino odvrnili neresno: “I, po stezah pojdite, za nusam!” Takoj nato pa so se presrčno nasmejali in me povabili v hišo, da sem se odpočil in okrepčal. Precej smo si bili kot stari prijatelji. O marsičem se je razpletel razgovor, pri čemer sem opazil, da ni nobeden tarnal o težavah življenja, pač pa so bili precej pripravljeni šaliti se. Povedali so mi, kako so se v gostilni nekoč sestali Ribničan, Anierikanec in Kočevar. Prvi da se je začel hvalisati Kočevar, češ kako “nobel špraho” imajo Nemci, ki pišejo mucken, packen, izgovarjajo pa muken, paken. No, pa je menil Amerikanec, da to ni nič, v Ameriki pišejo ali right, rečejo pa ol rajt, to je ja bolj imenitno. Zadnji pa se je Ribničan odrezal: “Figo, narb’1 imenitn smo mi, k’ pišemo lonec, rečemo pa piskr.” O Krajinčanih menijo, da so prav dobri naši ljudje, le preveč po gosposko se izražajo, pa jim rado spodrsne. Vedo o nekem Krajincu, da je vprašal neznanca, za katerim je šel pes: “Slišite vi, oni, gospod, ali je vaš ta pes, ki za teboj gre?” O Kočevarjih se pa strinjajo z Janezom Trdino, ki je v “Slovanu” leta 1884. napisal, da Kočevarji niso Nemci, ampak posebno pleme, katerega jezik sam nebodigatreba ne razume. Med takim pogovarjanjem smo se takrat zmenili, da me bo starejši fant spremil do dolinske vasice. Kmalu sva vzela leščerbo in odšla. Vse mogoče sva ugibala gredoč; kar je iz grma nekaj skočilo na stezo pred nama. Vzkliknil sem: “Kam se ti pa .tako mudi, zajec?” Moj spremljevalec pa je pridal: “Sej je zajka.” Osuplo sem ga pogledal, pa me je zvito pobaral: “Al’ vejste, kaku se pozna, al’ je zaje, al’ zajka? A?—No, če je skočila, je zajka, če je skoču, je pa zaje. Al’ se vam ne vidi ranku taku, de je skočila?” Tako je pri Ribničanih. Neko zimo pa sva s tovarišem smučarjem zašla in se nenadoma znašla v kočevarskem zaselju. Ka- ko drugače se nama je namahnilo tam. Niso bili pripravljeni niti za pogovor, kaj šele za šalo. Kar hitro so se naju odkrižali. Potem sva večkrat ugibala, od kod taka razlika med tako bližnjimi sosedi. Morda je tega kriva revščina? Ne bo prava, saj naši ljudje živijo na isti zemlji. In tudi ona, ki jo je napisal Valvasor o Kočevski, ni prazna: “. . . skratka, kar koli si morejo usta zaželeti in zahtevati od rastoče narave, vse je položila v ta tla kakor v zakladnico in vse daje ob času z darežljivo roko.” Isti omenja tudi izredno veliko število divjačine, ki se skriva po teh krajih. Pravi, da je knez Turjaški blagega spomina dobil v treh tednih lova s sokoli nad 3000 jerebic. In še to ne pozabi, da so kočevski gozdovi pribežališče mnogim medvedom, tako da jih je prej omenjeni lovec v 1 tednu ustrelil celih 8. En sam medved da je ranil kar 12 gonjačev ter se je baš lotil trinajstega, ki se je slučajno pisal Medved, ko ga je podrla lovčeva krogla. Nič čudnega; klin s klinom, medveda z Medvedom! Torej v resnici ne moremo govoriti o revščini, ki bi vplivala na Kočevarje. Šele zgodovina nam razjasni vzroke. Ko so naši pradedi prišli v Slovenijo, so poselili tudi ozemlje sedanjega kočevskega okraja. Vendar bolj na redko zaradi gozdov, ki so še danes bogastvo Kočevske. Kmalu smo postali Slovenci podložniki nemške gosposke. Tod so gospodovali poleg drugih tudi Ortenburžani. Tolikšna površina jim je nudila premalo užitka zaradi preredke naselitve. Pa so izrabili priliko in so na to zemljo po sili naselili svoje uporne podložnike iz gospodstev po Nemškem. Na novi domačiji so, hočeš nočeš, morali trebiti gozdove in sploh trdo delati, da so se preživili. Vendar niso nikoli pozabili, da delajo na tuji zemlji in za kazen. To se jim je najprej zapisalo v čud. Blagostanje so začeli kaliti pogosti turški napadi. Zlasti v 15. stoletju so Turki tako opustošili Kočevsko, da je ljudstvo začelo stradati in je bilo prepuščeno samo sebi v nezavarovanih vaseh. Edino pribežališče so jim bili zaščitni gozdovi, v katerih je bilo s postavo prepovedano vsako izsekavanje. Ce so koga zalotili, da je sekal v zaščitnem gozdu, so mu na istem parobku odsekali roko. Ta negotovost je postala drugi temelj njihovi čudi. Namočne|e pa je vplivala vojvodska uredba od 23. oktobra 1429, ki je dovolila vsem prebivalcem kočevskega kota svobodno trgovanje z domačimi izdelki. Takrat se je razvila domača obrt: lončarstvo, izdelovanje suhe robe ter domače rezbarstvo. Možje so začeli odhajati z izdelki domače obrti v široki svet. Žene so pa ostajale doma na osamelih domovih. Na čud obojih je to dejstvo močno učinkovalo. Žene so se v samoti odtujile, možje pa so v svetu spoznali, da se da laže živeti s trgovanjem iz kraja v kraj. Sčasoma so spoznali, da jih ta zemlja ne živi, zato so se ji popolnoma odtujili. Edina tenka vez je bila še snov, ki so jo doma pridobivali za izdelovanje izdelkov domače obrti. Tudi ,te rahle vezi so se iznebili, ker so toliko časa moledovali, dokler jim ni dvorni patent iz 1. 1785. dovolil trgovanje z južnim sadjem, kostanjem in sladkarijami. Takoj so pustili trgovino z domačimi izdelki in se lotili novih predmetov. Slovenski človek na Kočevskem pa je ostal zvest delu svojih rok. Zato ne dobiš Ribničana, ki bi kaj drugega prodajal kot svojo “siiho” ali pa lončeno robo. Kočevske može pa lahko srečuješ doma in na tujem zvečer, ko od gostilne do gostilne ponujajo sladko robo. Postavijo pred tebe črno vrečico z zavitimi lističi, na katerih so številke. Ce potegneš sodo številko, je dobitek tvoj; če potegneš liho, moraš kupnino brez blaga pustiti možakarju. Tako žive brez telesnega truda. Ali se vam bo čudno zdelo po vsem tem, če še to povem, da je bilo 1. 1910. na Dunaju 1134 Kočevarjev, da je danes samo v New Yorku in Kleve-landu okoli 13,500 Kočevarjev. To se pravi, da jih je tam več kakor na Kočevskem, kjer smo jih 1. 1931. našteli 11,668. Razumeli boste tudi, zakaj je na Kočevskem 999 neobljudenih, praznih hiš in da so se 3 vasi že popolnoma zničile, le spominska znamenja kažejo, kod so bile. Okoli vsake slovenske kočice pa je skrbno obdelana še tako majhna krpa zemlje. Končno preostane še vprašanje, kaj je naš človek prevzel od novih naselnikov. Prav malo: revščine še največ, čudi in značaja pa prav nič. Morda bi našli kakšno sled v nekaterih običajih. Tako sem opazil v kostelskem koncu po slovenskih domovih, da o božiču ne poslavljajo jaslic, ampak obesijo v kot smrekov venec, okrašen s sladkarijami in svečami. V sredi pa visi narejena ptica—sv. D\lh. Po vrvci je zvezan sv. Duh s sobnimi vrati, da se poniža do mize, če se vrata le odpro. Baje je smrekov venec povzet po Nemcih. In še nekaj zunanjega so nekateri sprejeli, namreč, da svoj priimek, ki se končuje na ič, napišejo z itsch. Toda takih je malo. Vajenec in žeblji Neki ključavničar je moral pribiti na vrata železno ploščo v obliki kvadrata. Pri delu mu je pomagal vajenec. Ključavničar je izvrtal na plošči toliko lukenj, da jih je bilo na vsaki s,trani 5. Vajenec ga je pri delu opazoval. Po vrtanju je poslal ključavničar vajenca v trgovino po žeblje. Vajenec mu je prinesel 20 žebljev. Mojster se je zjezil. Ali je vajenec kupil pravilno število žebljev? Odgovorite najkasneje v pol minuti! Previdni dragec “Dragec, zakaj pa si šel v čevljih spat?” “Veš, mama, to je pa tako: sinoči sem sanjal, da sem ihodil bos po ostrih črepinjah, in sem se porezal Po nogah. Tako me je bolelo, da sem se zbudil. Pa sem šel danes v čevljih spat, da bi si nog ne porezal, C€ bi spet v sanjah hodil po črepinjah. Ali nisem storil prav, mamica?” ORIGINAL CROSSWORD PUZZLE By Lawrence Garm, 17, 994 Stambaugh Ave., Sharon, Pa. 1 l. 3. H. 5. b. 7. 6. i. IO. II. 17.. 13. M. 15. MM! !'!!!!:! lb. \n. IB. H: u iiiil 19. aa 2.1. 12. li 1! r,i 1 2 3. i a* ■as. 2 4. ill 1 jl! i 11. 29,. 11. 30, M!'|! it 31. 3 Z- !{!!!! Kill! 33. 3 -r. •I!!1' 1 "1 liilll SS. 3b, 37. 38. 3«». io. H2. *(3. ACROSS 1. The fourth month. 6. Quick; fast. 11. To shape or fashion. 12. A circular vessel for holding liquids. 13. In accordance with. 14. An essay or literary contribution. 16. Georgia (abbr.) 17. Finish; terminate. 19. An animal kept to pet and play with 20. A membranous pouch; cyst. 21. A pastoral pipe; an arrow. 23. Saucy; forward. 24. A small square of marble, glass, etc., used in mosaic work. 25. Form of be. 27. A pot (Latin). 30. Organ of hearing. 31. Summit; excel. 33. Turf; sward. 34. Like; comparable to. 35. One who mines. 37. River in Italy. 38. Kingly; royal. 40. A single thickness of a row, stratum, or bed. 42. An oblique direction. 43. In that place. DOWN 1. Subsequent; later. 2. Inclined; disposed. 3. Ancient Egyptian sun god. 4. Sprite; a mischievous child. 5. Jump. 6. To encourage; to incite. 7. State of equality. 8. Like; comparable to. 9. A small roll of tobacco leaf used for smoking. 10. To decree; pass into law. 15. A subsidy or allowance. 18. Restrain; dishearten. 20. Carnivorous marine mammals, valuable for their skins and oil. 22. Lair; hollow of a wild beast. 23. One who votes affirmative. 25. Large, heavy quadrupeds. 26. A wooden frame or tripod for supporting a canvas, blackboard, etc. 28. A horse that lopes 29. Admire; worship. 31. A thin slab of baked clay, used for roofing, etc. 32. A raw hide; skin. 35. A delineation. 36. Hurrah! 39. Leave. 41. Old form of the second person personal pronoun. (Answers on inside back cover page.) Diner—How is the hash made here? Waiter—Made, sir! Our hash isn’t made. It accumulates. JUST FOR FUN By Ernestine Jugg E> ./ V RIDDLES: Why do potatoes grow better than any other vegetable ? A.: Because they have eyes .to see what they’re doing. What is the worst kind of fare for a man? A.: Warfare. HOW IS YOUR GRAMMAR? HERE ARE MISTAKES FREQUENTLY MADE: It’s me He don’t He don’t look good. She sang good. He is much taller than me. DO YOU KNOW? You eat chlorine every day, and it is a poison gas? Yet, when it is combined with sodium, it is harmless for then it is ordinary salt which, is required by your system. Chemicals will produce most of ±he wearing apparel in the future. Take for instance Rayon can be made from cotton pius lye plus carbon dissulfide. Fabric can be made from natural gas, coal, oil, salt and air through chemical processing. Some of the richest treasures were given us by those who suffered either physical deformity or great sorrow as Mozar.t, Beethoven, Lincoln, Edison, Walt Whitman. The luminous circle that surrounds the sun is called the corona. It can be seen when there is a total eclipse. In the early days man believed that the Earth was the canter of the Universe and the Sun and S.tars revolved around it. The first scientists who discovered that the Earth was not the center were tortured and put to death and their writings and books burned. TRICKS: 1. You can pass the ringing sound of a fork into a glass of water like this: Hold a fork with prongs upward and make sure they don’t touch the table. With the fingernails of your thumb and 3rd finger, press the two middle prongs of the fork together so it makes a singing sound. Then place fingers inside of rim of water glass and at the same time place fork down on table. It will sound as if the sound comes from the glass. 2. This is a trick in Mathematics. See if you can fool your friends. The problem is—Can you add 5 matches to 4 and make 10? Here is the answer: I I RD D Five 3. Can you balance two coins as shown? Break a match so that it equals the diameter of the .two coins and then hold the match secretly in back ^*^3 of them. LAFF CORNER A little boy, after his first day at school, was questioned as to what happened on his first day. “Nothing much,” he said, “except that a lady there didn’t know ‘how to spell 'cat’ and asked me, so I told her.” The two little girls were playing house together when the little brother of one of them came along and desired to play with them. They did not want him, but .the grownups insisted. “All right, then,” they said, “you can be the little boy that got lost and never came back.” BLOTS Little smudge of ink You see Plainly On the paper here. Do you stop to think: Every Paltry Action is as clear? —Mary Jugg. Introducing Book Friends Reviewed by Betty Jartz BOOKS THAT WILL NEVER GROW OLD Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. This is a story which is appearing on the screens of our local movie houses. The author conceived the story as a symbolic attack on .the people and conditions of the times; but the story became a children’s classic. Don Quixote by Cervantes. This story of the adventures of an old man with delusions of knight errantry was written as an attack on the institution of feudal customs. The author was well aware that the best method of exposing a delusion is to make people laugh at it. The wind-mill incident, in which the hero, Don Quixote, deluded himself into believing the mill to be an enemy and therefore a fitting foe to annihilate, is generally known by people even though they have never read the book. Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll, are books, that can be read over and over again, even by grown-ups, and their charm s.till remains. The sarcasm is lost to the child readers, but is chuckled over delightedly by adults. The lilting poems express quaint thoughts and run off in a dancing delightful manner; for instance (from Through the Looking Glass): “The time has come,” the Walrus said, “To talk of many things: Of shoes—and ships—and sealing-wax, Of cabbages.—and kings— And why the sea is boiling hot— And whether pigs have wings.” Chang Chce is a seven-year-old Chinese boy about whom Melicent Humason Lee and Jung Ho have written this story. iChang Chee differed from his playmates in that he was a dreamer and he liked very much to draw. At school the characters on the pages of his school book turned into birds and animals with which he was familiar. While helping his mother transplant rice plants in the flooded paddies, Chang Chee was most impressed by the sights and smells about him. While he watched the pink sunset-glow color his little world, he wisely thought to himsef, “Everything catches color. Nothing is just one color.” Many scenes he tucked away in his memory to sketch at the first opportunity. Chang Chee’s greatest concern was to satisfy the Jtching desire to draw which was consuming him. Secretly he longed to go away to study. An exciting adventure, in which he was the hero, brought him his wish. A flood had washed through the ■village usurping the homes and sending the villagers scurrying to the housetops where they perched for three days with all of the wordly goods that they could save. It was during this time that Chang Chee apprehended the approach of bandits, who made a practice of surprising and robbing unsuspecting stranded flood victims; and contrived to warn the villagers and so frighten the marauders away. As a reward for Chang Ohee’s heroism the grateful villagers sent the ambitious lad off to the city to study under a Chinese master. This is a good book for the western youngster who would like to know something about the life of the people who inhabit .the other side of the world. The reader learns something of their simple everyday life, their unusual diet, their curious customs, and the evil spirits which they fear. He is also introduced to Confucius, the much-revered Chinese sage. RIDDLES AND JOKES Why can’t secrets 'be told in the garden?—Because the potatoes have eyes and corn has ears. On which side of the cup is the handle?—On the outside. When is a piece of wood like a queen?—When it’s made into a ruler. Why is a sentence like a stubborn mule?—Because it usually comes to a full stop. What is the oldest piece of furniture in the world? —The multiplication table. What is that which no man ever did see, which never was, but always is?—Tomorrow. * Tom: “Hey, Jack. I betcha you never wash your shirt.” “Jack: “Why?” “Tom: “I know what you had for breakfast this morning.” Jack: “What?” Tom: “Eggs.” Jack: “Wrong, I had them yesterday morning.” * School visitor: “Well, Randy, I suppose you are on the football team?” Randy: “Well, yes, I do the aerial work.” Visitor: “What’s that?” Randy: “I blow up the footballs.” PAULINE RANT, 16, lodge 387. Box 15, Traunik, Michigan. WHEN WE PLAY Compiled by Ann K. Medvešek --in MUSEUM To amuse your guests on April Fool’s Day, you may prepare a museum of curios and souvenirs which may be displayed in numerous paste board boxes, on a large table or distributed in convenient places about the room. Each box should bear a large label of its contents. The following are some suggestions for articles for display: “An Ancient Instrument of Punishment,” a worn slipper; “An Irish Bat,” a brick bat; “The Mummy of the Mound Builders,” a stuffed mole; “Bonapart,” two small bones placed apart from each other; “An American Fool’s (Cap,” a sheet of fool’s cap paper; “Tainted Money,” a penny flattened and mutilated until it is spoiled; “A Longfellow Souvenir,” a section of bamboo; 'We TWO “A Pair of Ancient Pincers,” two dried crawfish or lobster claws; “A Fool’s Paradise,” a pair of dice; “Sacred White Rabbit,” a white hair. Pitfalls and snares for the unwary are all around. A silver coin is glued to the floor. A vase of flowers has a little snuff or pepper sprinkled on them— those who smell will sneeze. An artificial mouse is attached to a curtain. Slyly papers bearing different inscriptions are pinned on the backs of some of the guests. One may read, “Please tell me my name.” All who read it will tell him his name which becomes very monotonous. Other inscriptions may be, “Please kiss me;” “Please kick me gently;” “Please borrow my money;” “Please make me laugh.” These and many other foolish things will seem funny on All Fool’s Day. * The word April comes to us from the Latin which means “to open.” This month is truly the month of opening flowers, and opening of buds. MW OWE /3RADS MAKE /8 io \ , 3 u$£i SC.RZW r LoHOr SCRZW House To (bftsz iHt'iorHV i/7l' LOftCr Stamp Collecting SURCHARGED OR OVERPRINTED STAMPS For the stamp enthusiast who desires ,to be different we suggest the collection of both surcharges and overprints. Especially is it interesting to the person who has a knowledge of printing or similar vocations. Men have discussed overprinted stamps as well as surcharges ever since they were firs,t applied. Most of us seem to suppress a yawn when talking of such things, yet overprints and surcharges can be made an interesting subject, providing one knows whereof he speaks on such a subject. Thus the collector who has a smattering of printing or knows the differences in type faces with which the various “styles” are depicted on surcharges and overprints, will enjoy a unique and different collection. An almost infinite number of type faces are represented on the surcharged and overprinted stamps of the world; a great many varieties of size; numerous individual idiosyncracies of use. Here is a field of an almost unlimited amount of research, Dry and uninteresting? Not at all. To a layman, the term “the art of typography” contains little meaning. But anyone who is drawn into investigation of the history of printing and into the study of the evolution of printing type, finds it replete with fascination and human interest. If those who desire the unusual in collecting will go out of their way to learn something of type faces they isoon will find that this field of research is enchanting. * BRAZIL STAMPS HONOR U. S. PRESIDENTS In 1843, the government of Brazil issued its first stamps. This was the first time any government It brings us fresh, green grass, and also the birds begin to arrive from their homes in .the South. Because of the arrival of the birds we should begin to think of building homes for some of the birds, and one of these is the Wren. Tihe Wren comes from the South around the first of May. Here is how to make a wren house. Use soft wood, such as white pine or poplar. Cut two pieces, one 8 inches by 5 inches and the other 8 inches by 4% inches from wood % inch thick, for the roof. For the sides cut two pieces 3 inches by 5Vi inches each, from wood % inch thick. For the base, cut one piece 8 inches, from wood % inch thick, with screw eyes in the middle of each of the four sides. For the ends, see the accompanying sketch for the measurements and design. When finished, paint the house roof green and the sides brown. Then set it on a pos,t or hang it from a tree limb. The happy song of the wren will soon be saying “thank you." in the Western Hemisphere had done so. The Bra-z i1i a n government thinks it significant that it should emphasize at this time its frienship to the people of the United States by honoring the father of our country, George W a s h i n gton; Grover Cleveland, who had settled the boundary dispute between Brazil and Argentina; Emperor Dom Pedro II, who was the first emperor to visit the United States at .the occasion of the Phialdelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876, and the statue presented to the people of Brazil by the government of .the United States. Four in Set All these are depicted on the four denominations just issued by Brazil: 400 R’s, Washington; 800 R’s, Dom Pedro II, 1200 R’s, Cleveland; 1600 R’s, the statue. MORE JOKES AND RIDDLES Dear Editor:—I have been reading the Mladinski List for the past few years and I like it very much. This is my very first letter to this magazine. I decided to send in a few jokes. Here they are: Teacher: “James, don’t you know you must not laugh in the schoolroom?” James: “Yes, I know. I was just smiling, and the smile broke.”—Teacher: “Some fish travel long distances. Can you give me an example, Cora?” Cora: “Yes, my gold fish. They travel clear around the globe many times a day.”—Teacher: “Nathan, what do you mean by coming to school with you hair looking like that.” Nathan: “No comb, teacher.” Teacher: “Can’t you use your father’s?” Nathan: “No hair, teacher.”—Teacher: “What do bees do with their honey?” George: “They cell (sell) it!” And here are a few more jokes: Tommy came running into the house, holding his head and crying hard. “Did something fall on you head, dear?” asked his anxious mother. “Yes, I did!” cried Tommy.—Riddles to guess: What man in Washington’s time wore the largest hat? Ans.: The man with the largest head. What is the second largest city in the United States? Ans.: Chicago. Who said give me liberty or give me death? Ans.: Patrick Henry. What president of the United States had the largest family? Ans.: George Washington because he was Father of this land.—Frances Klimp, age 12, lodge 29; Box 34, Coketon, W. Va. IT’S MA Teacher (in history) : “Now, class, who is the speaker of the House?” Pupil: “In our house it’s Ma.” 16 MLADINSKI LIST OUR SCHOOL AWARDS FOR THE BEST CONTRIBUTIONS A sum of not more than $100 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 June, 1940. 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. * CONTEST ESSAY, APRIL, 1940 For your next contest letter, think about the topic suggested below. You may use your own style in writing about the topic and anything original that comes to your mind pertaining to it. Because some juvenile circles use these contest essays in their group discussion, no letter on this topic will be considered for this column which is received later than April 30, 1940. OUR WORLD HAS CHANGED Think for a moment what a difference the following inventions and means of modern life have made for the people of a nation and for the relation of one nation to another: telephone, telegraph, radio, airplanes, railroads, movies. Do they tend to produce more or less understanding between peoples? Should they produce more or less understanding? Can you imagine how different our life at the very present, within our own country, would be without any one of them? * JOKES Smartie: Hey, Farmer Rube, have you seen a wagonload of monkeys go by here? Farmer: No, did you fall of? Teacher: Why did you spell pneumatic “neu- matic”? Pupil: The “k” on my typewriter isn’t working. * Father (scolding young son) : Johnny, I’m afraid I’ll not see you in at supper. Young Son: Why, what have you done now, pop? * Mother: What in the world has happened to you? Your shirt is full of holes. Tommy: We’ve been playing grocery store and I was the Swiss cheese. * Son: “Dad, give me a dime.” Dad: “Son, don’t you think you’re getting too big to be forever begging for dimes?” Son: “I guess you’re right, Dad. Give me a dollar, will you?” * A Three-Guessing Puzzle A tree is hidden in each of the following sentences : 1. He is a spendthrift; there is no doubt about it. 2. You should pop large grains of corn. 3. I will own my own home if possible. 4. O,. a knight is riding by. 5. The principal metropolis of the State is located on that river. 6. “Abba,” you know, is the Syriac word for father. 7. The vessel made port at midnight. ANSWERS: 1. Aspen. 2. Poplar. 3. Willow. 4. Oak. 5. Palm. 6. Bay. 7. Elm. * Riddles What fish could be a carpenter? Ans.: Sawfish. What fish could go to war? Ans.: Swordfish. an« zdTjon 50 y&ars of hi. THE PROGRESS OF THE UNITED MINE WORKERS Drawn by Dorothy Dermotta, age 15, Box 101, Avella, Pa. Lodge 292. levfMBMN -------YO SIGNS OF SPRING Drawn by Steve Fabian, age 16, 446 Plymouth Ave., Girard, 0. Lodge 675. What letter of the alphabet can fly? Ans.: Bee. What letter can you drink? Ans.: Tea. What letter could you eat? Ans.: Pea. JENNIE BRADLEY, 14, lodge 391 R. F. D. 4, Smethport, Pennsylvania. * TEN POPULAR SONGS Below there is a list of ten popular songs. In order to give you a clue to the title of the song, I filled in ai space here and there. Every hyphen indicates that a letter has been omitted. Spaces Indicate beginning of another word. 1. Sc—e- -r-i- 2. -ou— — — -or—r 3. M- P-y- 4. I d-d-’t k—'w -h-t t—e — w— 5. L—t N-gh- 6. F-th-u- F-r-v- 7. An Ap—e f-r — T-ac—r 8. Be-r Ba—el P-lk- 9. 0- Jo-n—e -h 10. O—r — R-i—ow ANSWERS: 1. Scatter Brain. 2. South of the Border. 3. My Prayer. 4. I Didn’t Know What Time It Was. 5. Last Night. 6. Faithful Forever. 7. An Apple for the Teacher. 8. Beer Barrel Polka. 9. Oh Johnnie, Oh. 10. Over the Rainbow. SYLVIA VICHICH, 16, lodge 15, R. D. No. 6, Wooster, Ohio. * THE MELTING POT The United States is known as the greatest melting pot of nations, and New York as its largest center with about fifty different nationalities mingling together. That certainly makes America the melting pot of nations. Each nationality has made some kind of contribution to our welfare and culture, and they all share in making the American democracy a better one. The mixture in social, cultural, religious and political life includes a variety of backgrounds. In our own community, the melting pot is not a very great problem. Most of the business establishments are owned and run by Italians. There is also a number of Slavs and French people in this town. The word race refers to breed and descent, while nationality is a political reference of your country, government and social life. There is no pure race. We all belong to a race of people but because of intermarriages there is no pure race. The result of mixed blood has an effect upon our social and political life. Intermarriages have done a lot to promote well-being among the nationalities in America. Each nationality has its good qualities. One should be proud of his background and should let others know of this fact. And for .the same reason, there is no need to change one’s name to hide his origin and his background. It it foolish to be nationalistic and fanatic about it. The main thing is to consider ourselves equal human beings with the rest of the people with whom we live. We don’t want to be superior and certainly not inferior. “Equal” is the word. America, with its many nationalities in its midst, has been progressing very nicely. Its political “iffliiW m CABLE BRIDGE Drawn by Dorothy Zager, age 16, Gilbert, Minn. Lodge 61. SPRING WINDS Drawn by Donald R. Stith, age 14, 218 N. 12th St., Clinton, Ind. Lodge 50. democracy is the best in the world, wrhile its economic democracy will have to be worked out in order to benefit all the people. RUDY SLAVEC, 13, lodge 412, Box 153, Louisville, Colorado. * IT’S A FACT That the cost of operating a car in normal .traffic, making six stops to a mile, is one cent a mile greater than for a car which does not stop. The Japanese plane on a round-the-world goodwill flight is a twin-mo.tored Mitsubiski type. The airplane carries a crew of four and two passengers. That in 1936 there were 61 net incomes of a million or more in the United States, compared with 41 in 1935, and 33 in 1934. That the name “Moscow” means “The Little Bridge Across the Swamp.” That on September 22, 1914, German submarines sunk the British cruisers Crecy, Aboukir and Hogue in the North Sea. That the Chinese government is offering inducements .to Shanghai and Kwantang skilled workers in linen embroidery and straw braid to move to Southwest China and teach the industry there. That a pedestrian was find recently in Chist-church, New Zealand, for not crossing the street at right angles in 46 feet, but taking 101 feet instead to get to the opposite curb. That the colors of Carnegie Tech are red, yellow, green and blue. JENNIE BRADLEY, 14, lodge 391, R.P.D. 4, Smethpor.t, Pa. ADVERTISING Mr. Jolhn Q. Public opens his radio in the morning and he is forced to listen to advertising. He leaves for work and billboards and posters face him from all sides. He reaches the subway and on the train is a series of car-cards announcing all types of products from tooth picks to houses. They urge him to buy this type of car, that brand of soap, to eat this brand of bread and use tha,t type of tooth paste. Ihus the advertisers continually bid for purchases of their commodities. Now, if the product ihas quality it is- entirely beneficial to the public if the people are told of its admirable qualities in a straightforward way. However, the case today, unfortunately, is almost the reverse of this. There are products, much too many, on the market today which are actually far from what they are claimed to be. It has been proved conclusively that there are toothpastes on the market which are actually poisonous. Products such as hair tonics, soaps, yeast, although not being harmful to our bodies are nevertheless unable to perform the marvelous feats which they are reputed to perform. “Cleano” soap chips will not make clothes four or five shades whiter unless a tremendous quantity of hard scrubbing is applied to the clothes in addition. Similarly, “Brite-Gloss’ shampoo and the 60 second workout will do as much for your hair as plain water and the 60 second workout will. Advertisers usually appeal to some desire of mos,t people as the desire to be healthy or to be popular. “XYZ Pills,” says the announcer on the radio, “will relieve head colds, coughs, and chest colds.” The people will buy these pills assuming that .they can accomplish these results. Yes, Science is still seeking the cure for a common cold. Soap ads usually imply that B. 0. (body odor) causes one to lose all his or her friends and become a wallflower. They claim, of course, that tihe use of their particular brand of soap will remedy the situation and before long the fortunate young individual will be the life of every party. These ads give the impression that the use of their soap will cause one to be full of beauty and vitality. “You, too, can be like Simone Benn&tt, girls,” they will say, “by using Peachlane Toilet Soap.” In the latter case they are appealing to the desire of many girls to be movie stars. To check this tendency of advertising numerous books have been written enlightening the public. Drawn by Marylin Zdrasky, age 14, Box 315, Parkville, Minn. Lodge 215. One of these is “A Hundred Million Guinea Pigs.” Organizations such as the Consumers Union are also educating .the people, teaching them to interpret the advertisements and make up their own minds as to the quality of the product in question. FRANK PADAR JR., 17, lodge 580, 222 Wyckoff Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. * IT’S TOUGH TO BE THE “LITTLE SISTER” Sure, I claim that enlightening title. To be more explicit, I’m the “baby” of the family. But don’t think, however, that is as grand as it sounds, especially in a family where four children precede me. For instance, one of my four “elders” will say, “Now, Mala (one of my nicknames), I—ah—I’m going to have to be in such-and-such place in so many minutes; would you please wash the dishes for me?” Or someone else will say: “Look, kid, if you’ll go to the store for me right away, I’ll treat you to a soda next time.” The next time usually is a very distant future. Sometimes my sister will invite her boy friend in for a game of bridge. Can you imagine a good evening wasted on bridge? They play four-handed bridge recruiting me for the fourth-hand. The only j°y that comes my way during the whole evening is when I’m dummy. I’m just a “filler-in,” and not a good one at that. Of course, “Little Sisters” do have their moments, but they seem to be “Little Sisters” to their “elders” all the time. ANTONIA SPARENBLEK, 16, Lodge 575, 746 N. Haugh St., Indianapolis, Ind. * STATE FORESTS OF WEST VIRGINIA Seneca, which covers 11,049 acres, was the first state forest in West Virginia. It provides picnic areas, a playground for children, a modern fire tower and fire trails which cause the skier or snow-shoe hiker to speculate on winter sport possibilities. The forest has an artificial lake where thousands of a small pan fish swim. Cabwaylingo State Forest covers 6,482 acres. It is in Wayne County. It has two picnic and play areas, and the remnants of railroads developments. An artificial (lake?) is under construction. Cooper’s Rock State Forest covers 12,915 acres in Monogalia and Preston counties. It fronts Cheat Lake and includes the famed Cooper’s Rocks. A second picnic area has been developed. THE SEASON IS NEAR! Drawn by Frank Padar Jr., age 17, 222 Wyckoff Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Lodge 580. Drawn by Joseph Zupančič, age 16, 4745 Modac Way, Pittsburgh, Pa. Lodge 118. Kumbrabow, with 9,425 acres in Randolph County, is largely a timber farm, but its skyline drive entices those who leave the beaten path for new motoring areas. A trout rearing station is maintained here and parties using the picnic area find it a source of much interest. Kanawha covers 6,075 acres in Kanawha County and is .the newest of West Virginia State forests. It is being developed into a woodland area. A swimming pool, picnicking and other facilities will soon be provided. Industries in West Virginia. West Virginia is rich in natural resources. Despite its relatively small area, it ranks first in the production of bituminous coal, producing from its fifty odd seams about one hundred million tons a year. Many gas and oil stands store large petroleum resources. About four million barrels of oil, one hundred fifty billion cubic feet of natural gas, and forty-six million gallons of natural gasoline are produced annually. Vast limestone, sand, gravel and building stone resources form the basis of an increasing manufacturing industry. Natural brines form an abundant source of sodium, bromine, and their chemical derivatives, chlorine, magnesium and other raw materials utilized by a rapidly expanding chemical industry. MARY VIDMAR, 13, lodge 29. Box 55, Coketon, W. Va. * TREES OF THE UNITED STATES The Sycamore This tree grows from Maine to Minnesota and Nebraska, and south to Florida and Texas. The American sycamore belongs to the plane tree family. The American sycamore is often called the buttonwood. It grows to a height of 60 to 125 feet and has a diameter of 2 to 5 feet. The bark is smooth. It peels off in large irregular flakes, leaving yellow-greenish patches. Sycamore wood decays easily. For this reason it is not used for railroad ties. It is brown in colar, clean and tough. It is used for making boxes, butcher blocks, crates, furniture and many other articles of trade. MARY VIDMAR, 13, lodge 29, Box 55, Coketon, W. Va. * HOW TO MAKE A BIRD HOUSE First, get a dry goods box 15 inches long and 1 foot high and 1 foot wide. Then partition it off into two rooms. After put a floor over these partitions and divide the second floor into two floors. Then cover the partitions with a floor again and cut three pieces of board the shape of a ‘‘V,” so they will just fit on the top of the box. That is, turn the “V” upside down, and then they will serve as rafter and partitions on which to nail the roof. These two divisions also form the third floor, on garret, which makes two rooms there also. Altogether you will have six rooms, enough to allow six pair or twelve birds to make their home for summer. In putting the smaller roof on, let one side overlap about five inches, to serve as a stoop for the birds in the second story. A fancy stoop may be made for the birds in the second story, for a plain one, just as you are able in craftsman. You can make a chimney, a weather-vane or a flag made out of tin. It can be painted to represent our flag. JUSTIN MARTINČIČ, 14, lodge 138, Box 684, Canonsburg, Pa. * MARCH WINDS The March wind utters a lowly sigh As it tosses my kite to the sky, With all its might it shook the earth And quieted down in merry mirth By rustling the tiny grasses As hurriedly it passes. Do you think he could be blowing just for me To hear me laugh with glee When higher and higher soars my kite As he blows with all his might. MARY IIORWATH, 13, lodge (?) 615 Arlington Ave. S. W., Canton, O. * THOUGHTS Don’t wait until you are broke before you start to mend your ways. Real salesmen know that the beaten path is. for beaten men. The fellow who does not need a boss is usually the man who is selected to be one. One of the things a soldier learns is to get in line or drop out. Social climbers are usually the “fall-guys.” There is not a better brain food than the swallowing of false pride. Success comes from working yourself, not your friends. To use a friend is to abuse a friend, and likewise lose a friend. When you know how little you know, you will know more than you ever knew. Those who never trust to luck are usually lucky. Many young men are held down, by being held up by .their parents. Dollars do not buy happiness. Happiness is the thing that friends give us. Memory only offers happiness to those of tomorrow, who rightly live today. FANNY GALICICH, 16, lodge 206, R.R. 1, Box 137, Arcadia, Kans. * TREES OF THE UNITED STATES The firs,t apple tree in America was planted in 1629 by a governor of Massachusetts. The trunk of the apole tree is short and stocky. The bark is soft, gray, and scaly. The head of the apple tree is round, the leaves are oval, distinctly veined with toothed edges. The insects harmful to the apple tree are ,the aphids which attack the branches and roots, the codling moth, the tent caterpillar, which chews the leaves. The apple tree belongs to the wild rose family. MARY VIDMAR, 13, lodge 29, Box 55, (Coketon, W. Va. * BRAIN TEASERS Answers will be found at the end of these questions. 1. When was the SNPJ Juvenile Department organized? 2. A wapiti is a deer, buffalo, pig or camel. 3. How many members were at .the first convention of our organization? 4. A wall creeper is a bird, worm, or a flower. 5. What year was the first convention of the SNPJ held? 6. The capital of Virginia is Cheyenne, Richmond, or Albany. 7. How many letters are there in the alphabet? 8. What is a cayuse? 9. The northern Europeans were skiing in 100 A. D., 1600 A. D., 800 A. D. 10. Who is the author of “Treasure Island”? Answers: 1—1912. 2—Deer. 3—Twelve. 4— Bird. 5—1904. 6—Richmond. 7—26. 8—Bronco. 9—100 A. D. 10—Robert L. Stevenson. FANNY GALICICH, 16, lodge 206, R.R. 1, Box 137, Arcadia, Kans. IS IT CIRCUS? Drawn by Mildred Hotko, age 15, 226 Main St., Oglesby, 111. Lodge 95. THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF PRINTING This year printers, publishers, writers and readers are celebrating three important anniversaries. They are: the 500th anniversary of printing, ,the 400th anniversai'y of printing in the New World (at Mexico City), and tihe 300th anniversary of printing in what is now the United States. Imagine a world without printing! One would be able to get news and knowledge only by word of mouth or longhand writing. In your home there would be no books, magazines, or newspapers. At school you would learn only what the teacher told you or what someone had written in longhand with great labor. In contrast we have the learning of the ages stored on shelves of our libraries today. Some 2,000 daily newspapers, 11,000 weekly newspapers, and hundreds of magazines published in the United States keep us informed of current happenings. The name of John Gutenberg is always associated with the beginning of printing. He is known to have been practicing a “new trade” in the Rhine Valley about 1440. It is certain, however, that Gutenberg was not the “inventor” of printing. So far as is known printing was first practiced by the Chinese some 700 years before Gutenberg. The Chinese had also invented that important material needed for printing—paper. At first tlhe Chinese did block printing. In other words they carved a wood block for each page of printed matter. At least 70 years before Gutenberg, the Koreans made another big step forward by using movable type. By this method each letter was carved on a single small block. Thus the blocks or type could be saved and used again and again to spell out words in different printed materials. The idea of paper, printing, and movable .type had all drifted from Asia to Europe by Gutenberg’s time. Furthermore, he was not the only one who knew about them. It took much skill and labor, however, to adapt these ideas to European ways and to make type and a press that would work. As citizens of democratic country, we slhould, indeed, celebrate the invention and development of printing. The quick and free spread of the printed word is a foundation stone of our democracy. JOSEPHINE VIDMAR, 11, lodge 747, 2027 W. Garfield Avenue, Milwaukee, Wis. * JOKES Teacher—Some fish travel long distance. Can any one give me an example? Scholar—Yes, ma’am. A goldfish. It travels around the globe every day. * Johnny: “We’re going to move soon.” Frankie: “How do you know?” Johnny: “This morning I broke that window with a baseball, and mother never said a word.” * First Goof—Did you mark that place where the fishing was so good? Half Goof—Yes, I put an X on the side of the boat. First Goof—Why, that’s silly. What if we should get another boat? JOHN BRADLEY, 12, lodge 391, R. F. D. 4, Smethport, Pa. * THE RAINS CAME Professor: “I forgot my umbrella this morning.” Mrs. Prof.: “How did you remember that you have forgotten it?” Professor: “Well, I missed it after I raised my hand to close it after the rain was over.” * INSTALLMENT COLLECTOR Sunday school Teacher: “Tommy, do you know who said ‘Whither thou goest I will go’?” Tommy: “I guess it must have been an installment collector.” * RULER Teacher: “Which ruler of today commands the most respect?” Jimmy: “The one you’re holding in your hand, ma’am.” NELLIE ULYON, 16, lodge 378, Box 344, Sheffield, Pa. * RACE AND NATIONALITY Whenever one considers a person, he should consider him as an individual, not as a member of a certain race or nationality. All these points.—qualities of a person—are necessary to consider. There are no particular traits that belong to any particular people or nationality. If one person of one nationality is disliked by the public, it does not necessarily mean that every person of .that certain nationality will be disliked, because some people have bad traits. You cannot judge a person’s, ideas and characteristics by another one. Before any idea should be thought, all these things should be known before any conclusion is made. The conclusions do not only depend on what one hears about a person. One must thoroughly know the person, be with him and talk with him. Then your experience with one draws your conclusion, what one sees himself. It is dangerous, to think of some nationalities or races bing better than others. “There is no such thing.” It has been proved many times that each nationality and each race has its outstanding men and women, and each has its weak points. The logical conclusion, therefore, is, that one nationality or race is as good as the other. Most countries are importing many things that they do not produce. That’s why they are interdependent. It is ,the dictators who are trying to divide the people into various groups and to make them feel they are “superior.” They are telling them that their nationality is better than the others. This is called stupid nationalism which often leads to war, and on which dictators built their power. MARY AMBROŽIČ, 17, lodge 88, R.D. 5, Box 424, Crafton Branch, Pa. 22 MLADINSKI LIST Our Own Juvenile Circles of the S. N. P. J Send all your questions and requests for your Juvenile Circles to Mr. Vincent Cainkar, president of the SNPJ, 2657 S. Laivndale Ave., Chicago, III. He has been appointed the Director of Juvenile Circles, and your Advisers should keep in touch ivith him. MOTHER’S DAY PLAYS If your Circle intends to put up a program with a play for the Mother’s Day next month, you can obtain a suitable one-act play, either in English or Slovene, from Bro. Vincent Cainkar, Director of Juvenile Circles. Write him for the particulars. * CIRCLE 11 PLAN FUTURE ACTIVITIES GIRARD, KANS.—It is about time that I make another appearance in .the ML after an absence of several months. The Jolly Kansans Circle is still going pretty strong, holding its regular monthly meetings and planning future activi- ties. And we are always on the alert for new ideas to promote our cause. Just as we have been working hard last year accomplishing some excellent results, we are now ready to launch another series of affairs which will bring us as much or even more favorable comments than last year. We want to make 1940 still better than 1939. Of course, this can be accomplished only with the active support of the entire Circle membership. Our members must realize that it means much to the officers if they attend the meetings regularly and become active members. Because that means MORE SUCCESS in 1940. And wouldn’t you be happy if you belonged to such a peppy family as our Juvenile Circle? Our December meeting was very interesting with the members taking an active part in making it so. Our publicity committee consists of Mary Cizerele, Valarya Humar, Anna Ales and Adolf Rodich; the entertainment committee includes Matilda Podpe-chan, Jennie Lampe, Anna Ales and Carl Ulepidh. All the juvenile members in different parts of this area can ask the following representatives for the time, date, and place of our meetings: Rudy Humar, Anna Ales, June Pecar, and the two alternates, Luella Pichler and Lucille Rodich. Our treasurer is Jennie Lampe, secretary is Dorothy Karlinger, vice-president is Valarya Humar and president is Henry Jelovchan. The writer is the new adviser. Our yule party and first 1940 meeting have both clicked well. Our Circle meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month at a place selected at the previous meeting. The April meeting will take place on the 7th, the place to be announced in the Prosveta. All members are urged to attend. OLGA KNAPICH, Adviser, Circle 11, R.R. 3, Box 714, Girard, Kans. * FEDERATION AFFAIR IS SUCCESS AGUILAR, COLO.—First of all, I must not forget to tell the SNPJ world that the SNPJ federation affair held at Ludlow, Colo., Jan. 28, was a huge success. And both Juvenile Circles, that is the Walsenburg circle and our Aguilar circle, participated actively in the program. Prizes were given to the two Circles. Aguilar received first prize of four dollars and third prize of two dollars, and Walsenburg received second prize of three and fourth prize of one dollar. Our Circle, No. 20, had in its program a Slovene speech that was given by the writer, and a speech in English given by Rose Ann Paulovich, our Circle president. An introductory speech was made by Adviser August Smolich before the program began, and he announced me the master of ceremonies. Two group songs were, “We Had a Farm in Aguilar Town” and “Strength of the SNPJ”; two songs by Mitzi Kosernik, “South of the Border” and “A1’ me boš kaj rada imela”; a joke and a riddle; Mitzi Kosernick, Rose Ann Paulovich, and Charlie Cozzy sang “Oh Johnny, Oh” and “It’ll be Down to Get You with a Taxi”; a piano solo by Norma Scavia; a tap dance by Marie Caputo, and a little playlet. The Walsenburg Circle No. 1 gave several very good speeches. For the dance, Benny Jerman and his orchestra played, and they were really good. My sister Mitzi and I made up the poem “Strength of the SNPJ.” It is sung to the tune of the “Beer Barrel Polka.” When the group sang it, each held a solid red apple and when the song was finished each member threw the apple in the air, above the audience. Here are the words of this song' Look at these apples, They are as solid as brick; They stand for our lodge, To show how solid it is, They stand for the SNPJ. Now’s the time to catch these apples Or they’ll hit—your head. And here is my Slovene speech which I delivered at the affair: “Bratje in sestre! Po dolgih letih smo se spet skupaj zbrali iz vseh okoliških naselbin, da se skupno zabavamo kot ena velika družina naše dične SNPJ. Naša velika podporna organizacija Slovenska narodna podporna jednota je naša vodnica in naša zaščitnica. Tudi mi, slovenska mladina, smo vsi navdušeni za našo SNPJ. Ostanimo zvesti sinovi in hčere naši materi SNPJ. Upamo, da se vam bo program, ki je prirejen v korist društev in mladinskih krožkov, dopadel.” I will write more next time. FRANCES KOSERNICK, Sec’y, Circle 20, Aguilar, Colorado. (Lodge 381). * REPORT FROM “JOLLY KANSANS” MULBERRY, KANS.—The ‘Jolly Kansans’ Circle held their regular monthly meeting on January 4 at Breezy Hills, Kansas. The weather was cold with much snow on the ground. As a result of this, we had a small attendance. The fifty cent award was changed after Christmas. There were presents left from the yule party. Two Presents were being given at each meeting, one for the boys and one for the girls. Dorothy Karlinger won the girl’s present and Carl Ulepich won the boy’s present. The next meeting was held Feb. 4 at Camp 50. There was a large attendance. A nice time was had by all. Jokes and riddles were prepared by Jen-nie Lampe. We sang the “Beer Barrel Polka” and “Oh Johnny, Oh.” When the meeting adjourned, refreshments were served. The next meeting place for March 3 was left to the committees. This is all for this time. I will try to write soon. FRANCES KUMER, Circle 11, R. R. 1, Box 371, Mulberry, Kans. * CIRCLE 19 PLAN MANY AFFAIRS STRABANE, PA.—Circle “Juvenlie Stars,” No. meets once a month at the SNPJ hall. We observed our first anniversary February 14 with a v&lentine party combined with birthday program. The February meeting was very interesting. Our new advisers are John Podboy, Sam Rotella, and Mary Ann Oklesson. The new officers of our Circle are Louis Progar, president; Melvan Novak, vice-president; Henry Mavrich, sec’y; Vincent Batista, treasurer, and Bertha Koklich, recording sec’y. During the past year we have had many enjoyable events. The most important were our softball games, several stage plays and many parties. Our Advisers have a number of things in store for us. Our publicity committee consists of Tony Mavrich, Mildred Chesnic, and Agnes Koklich. They are doing very well. A new publicity committee is selected every three months. Our Slovene School, organized by Joihn Zig'man, is also progressing very nicely. All members of the Juvenile Stars circle are asked to be present at the next meeting, Tuesday, April 2. Our Circle meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the SNPJ hall. I wish that other Circles have as much success with their work as our Circle. MELVAN NOVAK, Vice Pres., Circle 19, Box 41, Strabane, Pennsylvania. * KANSAS HAS A BIG CIRCLE GIRARD, 0.—Kansans boasts of a strong Juvenile Circle. And since we have organized this Circle in the Sunflower State, we always have something to write about, for our activities follow in regular succession. We, the members of the Jolly Kansans, consider it a great honor to be the members of this fine, active circle. At each meeting plenty of pep and spirit is shown, each member always willing and ready to help and take part in the various undertakings. With the best officers that we possibly could get, our meetings are the best of any 1 know. We appreciate their fine efforts and patience, and .to show them that we value their work, we should write a letter to the M. L. each month. On February 4, we held our monthly meeting at Camp 50. After the business meeting was over, the committee presented its program and we certainly had a swell time. At each meeting we give away a prize to a boy and girl. This time I was the lucky person to receive the award for boys. The prize contained a bill-fold, handkerchief, pencils, and candy. After the meeting adjourned, refreshments were served and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. I promise to write soon again. JOHN ZIBERT, Circle No. 11, R. R. 3, Box 1512, Girard, Kans. * CIRCLE 15 PLAN “GOOD TIMES” VERONA, PA.—Spring is here or, rather, it will be here by the time this letter appears in print. And the Verona Juniors, Circle 15, are now well prepared for many good times during 1940. We are planning to have more and better activities this year than we have had last year. New Circle officers were elected at our last meeting, Feb. 4. They are as follows: Dorothy Sepalyak, president; Matilda Doles, vice president; Henry Krulac, secretary; Stanley Doles, treasurer, and Matilda Doles, reporter. We welcome these new officers and will do our best to cooperate with them. The best meeting of the year was held on January 26, but not many members were present. I hope a much bigger attendance was on hand at the March meeting, Sunday, March 3. Our meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month. After the February meeting, we had a Valentine party at the National Home, and we had our pictures taken while we were at the table. For March 6, we planned to Jiave a roller skating party in Blawnox at the National Park Rink. The party was a success. To our members: Don’t forget to attend the next meeting on Sunday, April 7, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at the National Hall. MATILDA DOLES, Reporter, Circle 15, 110 West Railroad Ave., Verona, Pa. * “JUNIOR ALL STARS” CIRCLE REPORT MILWAUKEE, WIS.—The Junior All Star Juvenile Circle chorus has its concert plans going in full swing. The concert is to be held on April 28. A play has been selected and the cast is rehearsing regularly. The play is in Slovene, and that is causing the members a little trouble. But they are all learning rapidly. The rest of the members are selling tickets and getting ads for the program. We have learned several excellent new songs under the able leadership of our singing teacher Mr. Jursik. This is our first big concert and everyone wants it to be a great success. In our other affairs and programs we had the help of the older lodges, but in this concert we are doing most of our own work. We should like to invite any and all the lodges in nearby cities and states. We plan to have some real entertainment in store for all. Some of the well-known singing societies will sing. Besides this, there will be our popular Bar Quartet, Dolores and Louis Ivancich, the tap dancers, and other good acts. So we’ll see you all at our concert on Sunday, April 28, in the afternoon and evening. On Saturday, Feb. 24, our whole singing chorus went to the indoor circus here, through the courtesy of Mr. Ermenc, one of our local friends. He bought tickets for all of us and then helped to drive us to the circus when the weather was bad. All the members thank Mr. Ermenc for his kindness, because it is friends like this that help to make our circle and chorus successful. During the winter months our boys have been playing basketball. But now we will soon turn to baseball because we expect to play against neighboring cities. And once again: Don’t forget our concert on April 28. JOHN POKLAR, JR., J. A. S. Reporter, 927-A W. Scott St., Milwaukee, Wis. * CIRCLE “WALSENBURG PIONEERS” RUGBY, COLORADO.—I haven’t written to the Mladinski List for a long time as I have been busy with my school work. But now I will write and tell about the grand time we had at the SNPJ federation affair at Ludlow, Colorado, Jan. 28. The affair was sponsored by the Federation and two of our Juvenile Circles participated, namely, Circle No. 1 of Walsenburg and Circle No. 20 of Aguilar. Each Circle gave a program. Circle No. 20 received first prize of six dollars and Circle No. 1 won second prize of four dollars. And we all had a grand time. After the program which lasted till about four, the dance started. The music was furnished by Bernny Jerman and his orchestra from Pueblo, and I think they can play very good. Come on, Walsenburg Pioneers—wake up and write to the Mladinski List. Let other Circles know about our activities. Best regards to all. ROSE MARY STROVAS, Circle No. 1, Box 153, Rugby, Colorado. * LUZERNE CIRCLE PLAN PROGRAMS LUZERNE, PA.—Well, Circle members and Pen Pals everywhere, I am writing again. I have been elected to write to the ML at one of our Circle meetings and I must perform my duty. Before I go any further, I want to say that I should like to have pen pals and I’ll answer all letters as soon as possible. Please do not be disappointed if you have not heard from me promptly because I have been very busy. At our last Circle meeting we discussed several things and also planned to hold an Easter party. We girls are busy preparing different things for this party and we hope it will be a big success. We have had a very nice time at the meeting. Mr. Frank Vrataric Sr. had just returned from a trip and he told us about many interesting things. He attended the annual meeting of the Supreme Board of the SNPJ in Chicago as he is a member of the Board. It certainly was interesting to listen to him. Our meetings are held on the 1st and 2nd Sundays of the month. I should like to see all our officers present at each meeting hereafter. Our meetings are interesting and important. Many boy visitors were present at our last meeting and I hope they will join the Circle. I should like to see more girls in our Circle. Thanks to Frankie and Angeline for their kind cooperation by bringing in new members. Irene Bruno is the latest addition and Carl Miller is a prospective member. With kind regards from all our members to all that read the ML. CAROLINE ROVISON, Circle No. 5, 815 Willard St., Luzerne, Pa. * CIRCLE 13 ATTENDS JOINT PARTY CLEVELAND, OHIO.—On Wednesday, Feb. 21, four Cleveland SNPJ Circles had a combined George Washington party. All the eats and entertainment, furnished by Circle No. 2, were enjoyed by all the members present. The Circles that were invited to attend were Circle 3, Circle 12, and Circle 13. The party began at about 7:30 and ended before midnight. We stopped dancing at eight o’clock to play games. The first one was a movie star game. Each one present was given a card with a name of a famous person on it. The hostesses pinned these card on our backs, and then we were given a sheet of paper. The idea of the game was to write the names of movie stars on these sheets of paper. The person that finished first won a prize. The second game was entirely different. We were all given a sheet of paper. On top was the name of a member that was at the party. On the paper were these questions: color of hair, color of eyes, kind of nose, weight, if talented, favorite actor, favorite actress, and hobby. While thinking of someone at the party, we filled out the papers. Then they were collected and read, disclosing the hidden name. And boy! were some of them funny. After the games, dancing was again started. At ten o’clock we ate. The menu was as follows: cherry pie, ice cream, sandwiches, cherry pop, cherry candy, and cookies. In the middle of the table was a wooden stump with an axe stuck in it. This commemorated Washington’s encounter with a cherry tree. After the eats, officers of the various Circles gave after-dinner speeches. Then there was dancing until about twelve. I know that all the members of Circle 13 want to thank Circle 2 for all the entertainment and also for the eats. VALENTINE PAKIS, Vice Pres., Circle 13, 976 E. 77th St., Cleveland, Ohio. * “VIOLET RAYS” SHOW PROGRESS WEST ALLIS, WIS.—I am a new member of the Violet Rays, Circle 18, and this is my first letter to the ML. I was elected secretary of the Circle at the annual meeting and I am proud to be an officer of our group. I am trying my best to perform my duties, always cooperating with our president, Stephanie iClarini, to promote our Circle. One of my duties is to write to the Mladinski List and the Prosveta. At the February meeting, I was chosen manager of our baseball team which shall start playing in April. We shall be ready to play any ,SNPJ circle in Milwaukee. On the wlhole, our Circle is rapidly progressing. I am 15 years old and in the eighth grade. My favorite hobby is saving stamps. I have a very good collection of foreign stamps. Our entire family belongs to SNPJ lodge 747, Vijolica. Here are my best wishes for continued success to other SNPJ circles. ANTHONY ZAJA, Secretary, Circle 18, R. 4, Box 1086, 68th Wicks, West Allis, Wis. * JOLLY JESTERS NEWS CLEVELAND, 0.—On Feb. 21, our Juvenile Circle, “Jolly Jesters/’ No. 2, held a party in honor of George Washington. To this remarkable event ■were invited also three other Circles—namely, Circle No. 3 from Collinwood, and Circle No. 12 and No. 13 from St. Clair Ave. Altogether about 55 juvenile members of the SNPJ were present. Was that a jolly group! Before and after the serving of refreshments, there was dancing to records of popular songs. Then the games were played, and a prize was given to a guest, Frances Suhadolnik, of Circle 12. Some °f the girls at this party proved to be splendid dancers and therefore had to do every single dance with a different partner. Although the party started at seven, there was almost everyone still there after eleven, which was a sign that they enjoyed our company and we their presence. We can truthfully say that a wonderful time was bad by all, and we hope that more parties like this one will be had in the future. The color scheme did its part in decorating the room, the colors being red, white and blue. To give a touch to the Colonial idea, there were four hostesses dressed in Colonial costumes. They were Marian Tratnik, Anna Cebul, Caroline Jerina, and the writer. All these girls are our present officers. The refreshments consisted of sandwiches, cherry pies, ice cream, cookies, candied cherries served in little baskets, and pop. Marian Tratnik, our president, expressed her enthusiasm over the successful gathering and called upon officers of the other Circles: Eugene Terbizan, Valentine Pakis, Leo Bruder, upon our Adviser, Mrs. A. Simcic, and Mrs. Ann Medvešek, Adviser of Circle 13. The essential idea of all these speeches was that such social gatherings and personal contacts with each other are very important for our circles. We wish to thank the Slovene National Home for the use of the rooms where the party was held, the Double Eagle Bottling Co. for their donation of pop, and the Kremžar Furniture Co. for lending us the victrola. ALMA ZAGAR, Treasurer, Circle 2, 1111 E. 66th St., Cleveland, Ohio. * CIRCLE NO. 5 IS WAKING UP COURTDALE, PA.—I am a member of Juvenile Circle No. 5. We had our second meeting of the year on February 11, and I was selected to write to the Mladinski List. Our Circle has a basketball team of its own, and we have lots of fun playing basketball. The girls cannot decide what they would want to play, but I think they will organize some kind of a club of their own. Our new officers are as follows: Frank Zupančič, president; Cicelia Baloh, vice president; John Baloh, secretary; Angeline Ofack, recording secretary. We are getting new members slowly but surely. One of our new members is Irene Bruno from Luzerne, Pa. And in closing this letter, I wish to thank those who had chosen me to write to this wonderful magazine. Wake up, Luzerne, and write and be active in the Circle! JOHN VOZEL, JR., Circle No. 5, 2 Barry St., Courtdale, Pa. * ANOTHER CIRCLE LETTER FROM DELAGUA DELAGUA, COLO.—A new Juvenile Circle has been organized here in Delagua recently. The Circle members meet once a month at the Club Hall. Our January Meeting was held on Sunday, Jan. 14 and it was very interesting and well attended Our Circle Manager is John Klobas. Our officers are the following: Mary Hrvatin, pres.; Pauline Fatur, sec’y.; Yolanda Banequista, vice-pres.; George Banequista, sgt.-at-arms, and others. This summer we are going to have games such Our Pen Pals Write (Naši čitateljčki pišejo) FRANK’S HIGHEST AVERAGE Dear Editor:—I enjoy reading the Mladinski List because it has many interesting stories, articles and letters. I am 11 years old and in the sixth grade. I like to go to school very much. Last year in the 5th grade I won first prize for having the highest average in all my grades since the second grade and I am doing K/iwi good so far this year. I have a baby brother who is 2% years old. We are all members of the SNPJ lodge 425. My mother is secretary of this lodge. I have often told her that I would like to be a secretary. I play the piano-accordion and sometimes play in school. I have been operated on for appendicitis in August and am feeling fine now. I wish that some pen pals would write to me, as I like to receive letters, and I promise that I would answer. Best regards to all. A proud member.—Frank Kosem Jr., Box 106, Elm Grove, West Virginia. « OUR KITES ARE READY Dear Editor:—Again I take the pleasure of writing to the Mladinski List. I was happy to see my letter in the February number but was disappointed not to se my drawing. I hope my March drawing goes into this magazine. (All drawings must be drawn in India ink and on standard size paper.—Ed.) And I was surprised to see that I have a pen pal from Waukegan, 111., whose name is Dorothy Ogrin. I was happy to receive her letter and I hope she received my answer. I also would like to see her write to this magazine. The SNPJ lodge 379 are planning to hold a picnic in June or July; their last year’s picnic was a huge success. The groundhog finally saw his shadow, which means there will be six more weeks of cold weather. I can hardly wait for Spring to come. The children are getting their kites ready and it seems as though they will have a swell time flying them since the wind is blowing so often. By the time this letter will appear in the ML, Easter will be gone. But at this writing (Feb. 3), as basketball, baseball, football, etc. The first time we went to the meeting the Senior lodge furnished ice cream for the juveniles. At the second meeting they gave us SNPJ pencils. Boy! they are nice. I am a member of the SNPJ. I am 12 years of age and am in the seventh grade at the Longfellow school which was built in 1906—34 years ago. I will write more next time. FRANK MANTERA, Circle 25, Box 343, Delagua, Colo. the people are talking about Easter outfits already. But I think we’ll have to use our winter coats yet since Easter is so early this year. I will close now, hoping to hear from more pen pals.—Louise Ku-rant, Box 336, Slickville, Pennsylvania. * OUR DRAWING CONTEST Dear Editor:—I am 12 years of age and in the sixth grade. I like to go to school a lot. I have been reading the Mladinski List for quite a while now and read about the drawing contest. I decided to draw something each month. For next month’s magazine I am sending three drawings. They represent the three months: January snow, March winds and April showers. I hope you will like them. If they are printed, I will send more each month. I thank you.—Lillian Beniger, R. D. 1, Export, Pa. (All drawings must be original in India ink on any subject that is acceptable by the editor. Please use regular size paper.—Ed.) * TEN RIDDLES Dear Editor:—I am 13 years old and in the eighth grade. This is my second letter to the Mladinski List. I go to the Diamondville Junior High School. I like to read the ML, its many jokes and riddles. The Junior High School played a few games of basketball. We lost by two points. We played three games and lost each by two points. Here are some riddles: 1. Why does a chimney smoke? If there were an apple and banana on the table, the apple fell off, why didn’t the banana fall off? 3. There were a dime and a nickel on the table, the nickel fell off the table, why didn’t the dime fall off? 4. What goes over the hills and valleys and never makes a move? How many people are dead in the Calvary cemetery? 6. What is the best state for mines? 7. Where does the West begin? 8. What word makes you sick if you leave out one of the letters? 9. Name me, and you break me. 10. What fruit grows on a coin? Answers: 1. Because it can’t chew. Because the banana was yellow. 3. Because the dime has more sense. 4. A road. 5. All of them. 6. Oregon (Ore) is the best state for mines. 7. It begins at W. 8. Music. 9. Silence. 10. Date.—I am a member of SNPJ lodge 253. Best regards.—Frank Shray, Diamondville, Wyo. * IS ASSISTANT MANAGER Dear Editor:—I have not written to the ML for so long that I guess you do not remember me. I am 13 years old and in the eighth grade. Our school prints a school paper, “The Cedar Tattler.” I am very proud to be the assistant advertising manager. The paper contains about twelve dollars worth of ads, and so it keeps me very busy. I like art very much and hope to be a designer someday. And when I go to high school, I am going to take up the commercial course, just in case I can’t be a designer. I also like to write poems. We have had some very cold weather hei’e, at least I think so. It was 13° below zero. I would like to have some pen pals and would appreciate it very much if someone would write to me. I close with good wishes to all. I am sending a poem I wrote and a picture I drew.—Mary Horwath, 615 Arlington Ave. S. W., Canton, Ohio. * EARLY EASTER Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the ML. On January 28, the SNPJ Federation held a party. Boy! did we have a good time. And we are having lots of snow here (in January and February). It is snowing here right now (Feb. 8). And Easter Sunday is coming early this year, March 24. That is my birthday. I was very much surprised that my birthday should be on Easter Sunday. And the mines are working here since it was snowing. Here are a few jokes: Teacher—Why are you sitting in the back, George? George: I can’t sit all my life in the front of your eyes. John: Oh, boy! Can’t Jennie even hit 50 baskets? Joe: Why don’t you count 45 baskets in the basketball game. —Best regards to all. I hope more pen pals would write.—Josephine Kosemick, Box 199, Aguilar, Colorado. * HER FOUR SUBJECTS Dear Editor:—I didn’t think I would see my letter in the ML for February, because I sent it in rather late. I have two pen pals who have written to me. Mildred Rohnick of Midland and Violet Perman of Windberg, Pa. I would like to have more pen pals write to me, and I also would like to have some pen pals from my Lodge 300. In school, I take the following subjects: English, mathematics, geography, and history. When we have our physical examination, we play basketball; we have been playing it for three weeks now, and it is very interesting to play. I do hope we have more letters in from Lodge 300. Best regards to all members of SNPJ.—Irene Yuricich, 1323 Hilda St., East McKeesport, Pa. * “NO TIME TO PLAY” Dear Editor:—I am sending two drawings, a cartoon, and a poem for Our School contest. I am thirteen years of age, and belong to SNPJ lodge 124. Here is the poem called “Easter Rabbit”: Said .the Easter Rabbit, the other day, “Easter is coming, so I have no time to play. Now I must gather the eggs today, what say? So I can make the children very gay. “The’re some poor children on the other side of town, On their small faces I saw there was many a frown. So to each I’ll give a great big basket on Easter day, For I know they’ll be very gay, what say? Best regards to all SNPJ members.—Margaret Polončič, R. F. D. 2, Union Dale, Pa. * THE ML FEATURES Dear Editor:—I am fifteen years of age and I am very much interested in art. I have been reading Mladinski List since I became a member of the SNPJ lodge. The feature of the ML that I am mostly interested in are the drawings submitted by the juvenile members. They are excellent and they should always continue to appear in this magazine. I am enclosing a picture that I have recently drawn and would be glad to have it reproduced in the ML. My hobby has always been art and I would like to continue it.—Eda Pausek, Box 64, Thomas, West Virginia. * FREDA IS GRATEFUL Dear Editor:—I wish to thank all my friends who wished me a speedy recovery. I am now in the Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. I came here in November from the Martins Ferry Hospital where I was for five months. I have been sick for nine months. They did not know what I had for a while but they found out I had osteomyelitis. The Children’s Hospital is located in Columbus, the capital of the State of Ohio. The hospital is in Livingston Park in Columbus. The building is five stories high. It is a very beautiful building and covers a full block. It is a very famous hospital and is widely known for its great work, especially with children. The city of Columbus is particularly noted for the beautiful buildings. It is located on both banks of the Scioto River, and is connected with Portsmouth and the Ohio River by the Ohio Canal. —Regards to all members of the SNPJ lodges.—■ Freda Snoy, Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio. * RISBE V MLADINSKEM LISTU Dragi urednik!—V zadnji številki Mladinskega lista sem opazila več slik ali risb, ki so jih prispevali mladi člani in članice. Narisali so jih z indijskim črnilom. Nimam dosti časa, vendar sem narisala dve cvetlici, vijolice in radič, da bo še več slik v Mladinskem listu. Ako jih boste priobčili, bom zelo vesela. Če jih ne boste priobčili, bom seveda žalostna in ne bom z veseljem risala. Dne 2. marca sem bila stara 12 let in sem v 7. razredu. Mrs. Manning je moja učiteljica. Jaz rada hodim v šolo. Jaz sem članica društva SNPJ št. 416. Moj ata in mama, bratje in sestre, se imajo dobro. Moj starejši brat Steve tudi pošilja eno sliko za Mladinski list, eno pa mlajši brat Dušan. Tudi onadva bosta vesela, če bodo njih slike v tem listu. Mnogo pozdravov vsem bratcem in sestricam!— Zora Gostovich, Box 5, Raton, New Mexico. * SPRING IS COMING! Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the M. L. I wish to tell you that I am always thinking of being a cowboy. So I am enclosing a picture of a cowboy with my letter. I am busy with my lessons at school, and at home I am always trying to make a kite. I tried and tried and still I couldn’t make it. My mother told me that it was hard to make a kite, if I never saw how to make one. I think she is right. But there is no one here to show me how, because here, in Koehler, there are only a few families, and in school there are not many children. I think I have to work hard and think a lot before the kite is ready. I was 9 years old on Feb. 21. Spring is coming soon. I am going to play with a balloon. Easter will be here early and soon this year. After Easter will be April Fool’s Day. When April is over it will be Maj^ And then I am going to think and think about my grade and for school’s ending day. After that I am going to play and play, and think and think about cowboy toys and clothes. I think I wrote enough for this time. I wish most of the time that I could write to the ML, because I like to read jokes and stories.—Dan Gosto-vich, Box 5, Raton, New Mexico. (Lodge 416). * VEČ SLOVENSKIH DOiPISOV Dragi urednik!—Tudi jaz bom napisala kratko pisemce za Mladinski list. To je moje prvo pismo ali dopis. Dolgo sem se pripravljala, da bi napisala par slovenskih vrstic in sedaj sem se odločila. Sedaj bom povedala par stvari o sebi, da se predstavim vsem čitateljem našega mesečnika. Leta 1937 sem prišla iz starega kraja. Prišla sem k mojemu stricu in teti. In že čez par dni sem pristopila v društvo SNPJ. Kmalu potem sem prejela mojo prvo številko Mladinskega Lista. Z veseljem sem listala po njem in vselej sem najprej prečitala slovenske dopise. To se razume. Da bi pa napisala dopis v ML, se nisem mogla odločiti. V zadnjih dveh številkah ML pa sem čitala več slovenskih dopisov. Vsi ti dopisniki poudarjajo, naj pišemo več slovenskih dopisov. Pa sem si mislila: “Sedaj moram pa še jaz nekaj napisati, saj sem Slovenka!” In če bo le mogoče bom napisala vsak mesec nekaj. Prosim, če sem kako napako naredila, da popravite. Veste, v bližini baš sedaj igrajo “Beer Barrel” polko, zato ni nič čudnega, če sem se kaj zmotila. Želim, da se bi še več drugih deklic in dečkov oglasilo v ML s slovenskimi dopisi. Pozdrav vsem či-tateljčkom! Pa še drugič kaj več.—Mary Zupančič, Box 246, Library, Pa. * INTERESTING FEATURES Dear Editor:—After a few months of “sieep,” I finally decided to wake up and write to this wonderful magazine, the Mladinski List. This is my third letter to the Pen Pals Page. The ML is one of my favorite magazines. It has many interesting and educational features for boys and girls of different ages. What more could be expected of any magazine. I am only nine years old but I can say that I am very proud of our Jolly Kansans Juvenile Circle and our members. I’m writing a letter to the Our Own Juvenile Circle Page. And so this is all this time but I promise to be back with you soon. Just a reminder to you members to write to this magazine and tell us more of your activities.— John Zibert, R. R. 3, Box 1512, Girard, Kansas. (Lodge 225). * SEVEN SNPJ MEMBERS Dear Editor:—I haven’t written to the Mladinski List for a long time. In the future, however, I will try to write more often. There are seven of us in our family and we all belong to the SNPJ lodge 89. I enjoy attending lodge meetings and I read the ML each month. I like to read its many interesting letters, jokes, riddles, and poems. I am 12 years old and in the sixth grade. I would like to have some pen pals write to me. Best regards to all .—Helen Kostelich, Box 117, Bulger, Pa. * A LETTER FROM TOLEDO, O. Dear Editor:—I am 12 years of age and in the 7th grade at the Oakdale School. I have one brother and he is 15 years old. There are four people in our family. We belong to SNPJ lodge 666, Novi priseljenci. On Jan. 14, we had a lodge paity. The attendance was large and we all had a good time. It was a big success. I hope they hold another party soon.—I like to read the Mladinski List and this is my first letter to this magazine. I like to read the letters the boys and girls write.—We were out of school for six weeks because the city didn’t have enough money. But we didn’t have much snow this winter, so we couldn’t slide very much. Best regards to all.—Tony Valenčič, 1324 Toledo, Ohio. * DANIEL’S FIRST LETTER Dear Editor:—I am 13 years old and in the 7th grade at Baldia School. My father, my brother and I belong- to the SNPJ lodge No. 1. My brother and 1 belong also to the Juvenile Circle. We have games and refreshments and sometime also movies. We meet each Saturday at the Boys’ Club, 2801 S. Ridgeway Ave. This is my first letter to the ML.— Daniel Buh, 3345 Walnut St., Chicago, 111. * ENJOYS READING THE ML Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the Mladinski List. I enjoy reading the ML very much. I am 13 years of age and I go to Kemmerer Junior High School. I am in the 8th grade. I have six teachers and the subjects. I have are general science, English, social science, mathematics, cooking, and study hall. I will close now, hoping to hear from some pen pals.—Hilda Kropushek, Box 108, Frontier, Wyoming. * SENDS FOUR DRAWINGS D-ear Editor:—I am enclosing four pictures I have drawn myself free hand. I hope that at least one will be published. For any of them, the name can be “Death Rides on Wings.” I am a boy of 12 years of age.—Joseph Kokalj, 208 Monroe Street, Eveleth, Minn. (All drawings to be considered for publication must be drawn in India ink.—Ed.) * OLD MAN WINTER’S GONE Dear Editor:—I am 14 years of age and in .the ninth grade at the Junior-Senior Baldwin High school. (Quite a name, isn’t it?) This is my first letter to the ML. I know I should have written before, but I just couldn’t get down to it. Our whole family belong to the SNPJ and are proud of it. I have been reading this magazine for a long time but I never wrote. If you want my opinion, it is perfect. Well, Old Man Winter got us out here in Penna. We’ve had snow nearly every day in January. Confidentially, I am .tired of it. I must close now, remaining a proud member. I wish some of you pen pals would write to me. I would like that. —Rose Sturm, House 68, Streets Run Rd., Willock, Pa. (Lodge 36). * WILL WRITE EACH MONTH Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the Mladinski List and I hope it isn’t my last. I am seven years old and in the second grade. My teacher is Miss Bixler. She is very good to me. I made up my mind to write each month to this wonderful magazine. I like school very much and I like the ML also. Best regards to all ML readers — Joseph John Grskovich, 101 Kenmaur Ave., Rankin, Pa. * WANTS PEN PAL MAIL Dear Editor:'—This is my fourth letter to the Mladinski List. I enjoy reading and writing many letters, but I almost forgot to write this month. I would like to have some pen pals, and I promise to answer each, letter promptly. I enjoy reading the ML each month.—Mary Ann Grskovich, 101 Kenmaur Ave., Rankin, Pa. * A DIVISION POINT Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to ML. I am twelve years old and I joined the SNPJ lodge when I was about three months old. My mother and father belong to the SNPJ lodge also. The town isn’t very big but it is a division point for the Milwaukee railroad. My father works on the Milwaukee railroad.—Johnny Balock, Melstone, Montana. (Lodge 114). * TRUE OR FALSE CONTEST Dear Editor:—I am 10 years old and in the fifth grade. My subjects are reading, science, spelling, geography, arithmetic, history of W. Va., English and art. My teachers are Miss Thayer and Mr. Cup-pett. By the time this letter is printed—it’s my first letter to ML—Valentine day will be gone. Here is a True and False contest: 1. A pigmy is a small pig. 2. A camel 'nas .two humps. 3. More pencils if they aren’t round are flat. 4. An octagon is a three sided figure with a hole in the middle.—Answers: 1. False. 2. True. 3. False. 4. False. Animal Hash: Find the sound of each animal. 1. Cow (meow). 2. Dog (oink). 3. Lamb (woof). '4- Pig (ba-ba). 5. Cat (he-ha). 6. Mule (moo).— Wihat do the following spell: 1. Rumd. 2. Llab. 3. Leds. 4. Llod. Answers: 1. Drum. 2. Ball. 3. Sled. 4. Doll.—Best regards to all.—Sophie Vidmar, Box 55, Coketoon, W. Va. (Lodge 29). * IS HAVING A NICE TIME Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the Mladinski List, and I hope it is printed. I am eight years old and in the third grade. I like school very much. I am very anxious to pass to the fourth grade. Santa brought me many nice gifts. My girl friend and I are having a wonderful time sled rid-My family and I went to the mountains and enjoyed the trip very much. The trees were beau- tiful. I brought some leaves home to my friends. I belong to the SNPJ lodge 166. I have been a member for seven years. I will write more next time. Best regards to all.—Helen Petrovič, R. D. 5, Box 362, Crafton, Pa. * FRANKIE’S THREE “R’s” Dear Editor:—I am 7 years of age and I am in the second grade. My teacher is Miss Faraco. We have spelling, arithmetic, art, health, language, music, reading and writing. This is my first letter to the Mladinski List. I have one sister and our whole family belongs to SNPJ lodge 50.—Frankie Bregar, 1159 Anderson St., Clinton, Indiana. * HER TWO HOBBIES Dear Editor:—I am 11 years old and in the sixth grade. This is my first letter to the Mladinski List. I think the ML is very interesting. I have been intending to write for a long time. My two hobbies are collecting movie star pictures and designing dresses. I would like to have some pen pals. I promise to answer each letter promptly. Best regards to all.—Doris Kramer, Rillton. Pa. * FOND OF COWBOY MUSIC Dear Editor:—I am 15 years of age and this is my first letter to the Mladinski List, but 1 intend to write many more. I am very fond of cowboy music and songs, and I am ‘crazy’ about dancing. I go to Superior school and I like my teacher very much because she is very nice. I would like to receive letters from other members. I like to read letters and I will answer each one promptly. I am a member of the SNPJ lodge 84. I repeat that I would like to have pen pals. Best regards to all.— Pauline Pechar, R. D. 1, Box 111, Derry, Pa. * BUSY AND LAZY Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to the Mladinski List and I will be very disappointed if it is not published. I didn’t write before because I was sometimes lazy but most of the time I was busy. I am eleven years old and in the sixth grade. Our entire family belonged to the SNPJ until the day of my father’s death. Now only five of us belong, my mother, mv sister, and two brothers and I. I have three pen pals. They are Josephine Stub-ler, Sylvia Nahtigal, and Danella Lee Luce. I would like to add more names to this list, so pen pals I’ll be waiting. If I get any letters I’ll be sure to answer.—Violet Mihalek, Box 63, Dilles Bottom, Ohio. (Lodge 538). * A FEW JOKES ANI) A J‘OEM Dear Editor:—This is the first time that I am writing to the Mladinski List, but I read this magazine each month. I like the ML so I decided to write. Here are some jokes: Father (at breakfast) : “Aren’t these eggs pretty small, mother?” Mother: “They do seem small. I didn’t notice their size when I brought them.” Benny: “I guess the farmer must have picked them before they had a chance to grow.”—Teacher (in arithmetic class): “If I were to cut a pie into eight pieces, what would we say each piece was?” James: “Very small, I’d say!”—Teacher: “If I were to cut a piece of steak in two, what would I have?” Jack: “Halves.” Teacher: “Correct. Now if I were to cut each half in two, what would I have?” Jack: “Quarters.” Teacher: “Correct again. And if I cut each of the quarters in two?” Jack: “Eights.” Teacher: “You are right again. Suppose I were to cut each eight in two. What then?” Jack: “Hamburger.” And here is a little poem: “I got a bunny with very pink eyes and a nest full of eggs; it was quite a surprise. They are purple and red, and yellow and blue, I think the bunny’s an artist; don’t you?” Mary Klimp, Box 34, Coketon, W. Va. (Lodge 29, age 10). * PRVO SLOVENSKO PISMO Dragi urednik!—To je moje prvo slovensko pismo za Mladinski list. Seveda, pri tem mi je pomagala moja mama. Bolj težko gre, zato bom napisala samo par vrstic. Zelo rada se drsam po ledu. Ta zimski sport me najbolj veseli. Vendar pa že komaj čakam, da pride pomlad in poletje. Takrat bomo imeli šolske počitnice in jaz bom šla k moji sestri v Michigan. Prihodnjič bom napisala kaj več. Pozdrav čitateljem in uredniku!—Florence Alich, Box 607, Aurora, Minn. * WAITING FOR SUNNY DAYS Dear Editor:—First of all, I want to say that our Mladinski List has really improved. I find it very interesting. When I send in a picture or a letter, I can hardly wait to see it published in the Mladinski List. In the last issue I liked the topic on how to dress neatly. I thought it was something different. I have noticed that many members write from Pennsylvania and wish Illinois wrote as much. I would also like to have some pen pals. If there is anyone playing a Hawaiian guitar, I would be glad to hear from you. My birthday had just gone by last month, March 4, and now I am fifteen. Recently, we took a tuberculin test in our school. Every pupil had a chance to take it free of charge. But right now we are waiting for the warm, sunny days. I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Here is a poem about April: Someone tapped at my bedroom window. Something woke me without my door, Someone made noise, like tinkle o’ rain; The birdie sang songs o’er and o’er. I opened the door and the window high, I saw the sun, and the fresh blue sky, I felt the fresh wind blowing by, For oh! here came April weather! Best regards to all members, and I hope to see lettei's in the ML from Illinois.—Mildred Hotko, 226 Main Street, Oglesby, Illinois. * POMLAD JE PREGNALA ZIMO Dragi urednik!—Ker nisem za marčevo številko Mladinskega lista nič napisal, bom pa sedaj napisal par vrstic za naš priljubljeni mesečnik. Sedaj so vsi dečki in deklice zaposleni s šolskim delom. Tudi pri nas hodimo v šolo vsak dan. Ob sobotah smo doma. Po šoli in vsako soboto pa igramo basketball. Ta igra je zanimiva. Mi smo že večkrat dobili ali zmagali. Ko smo zadnjič igrali basketball, je bila igra precej napeta. Obe skupini sta bili odločni, da zmagata. Ker je naša skupina zmagovala, je nasprotna skupina bila jezna. Zdelo se je, kakor bi se bilo tudi med nas zaneslo sovraštvo, kakor je sedaj v evropskih deželah. Končno pa smo se sprijaznili in spet smo bili prijatelji. V igrah je navadno vedno tako. Nekaj časa vlada resnoba, potem pa se vse ohladi. Ko to pišem, dne 28. februarja, zunaj zelo sneži. Mama je rekla, da ga bo preveč padlo. Jaz pa sem rekel, da se snega ne bojini, ker je lep in bel. Večkrat smo morali vodo nositi zvečer, da smo se dragi dan lahko drsali. Tukaj v Chisholmu so imeli zimsko tekmo. Imeli so pet aeroplanov. Rekli so, da bodo bombe metali, da nam pokažejo “kako je na Finskem.” Čakali smo dolgo in zaman. Vrgli so nam le male vrečice, ki so bile napolnjene z žaganjem, ne pa bomb. Vsa stvar je bila zelo zanimiva. Imeli smo dosti veselja. Stari in mladi, vse se je zabavalo. Ampak sedaj se bliža pomlad in kmalu bo velikanoč. Kmalu bo zunaj spet lepo. Upam, da bodo dečki in deklice napisali še mnogo slovenskih dopisov za Mladinski list. Pozdrav vsem čitateljem!—Louis Perkovich, 304 East Oak St., Chisholm, Minn. * A LETTER FROM CORNWALL Dear Editor:—I was very happy to see my first letter in the ML. I showed it to some of my friends and they asked if they could write letters to this magazine. Their names are Marie Remesnick. Alice Cruise, and Mary Dupkas. But none of their families belongs to the SNPJ. (They may write to the magazine if they want to.—Ed.) My hobby is sewing and drawing pictures, and saving them. It is snowing very hard outside right now. On Feb. 22 we had to miss school on account of the snow. We had plenty of bad weather here in Cornwall. Best regards to all.—Olga Wizar, Box 166, Cornwall, Pennsylvania. * PRIŠLA JE PRELEPA POMLAD Dragi urednik!—Zima jemlje slovo. Dnevi so daljši. Zunaj postaja gorkeje. Vse ,to je znak, da je tukaj prelepa pomlad. Kljub temu mi je malo žal za odhajajočo zimo. Drsanje po ledu je namreč moje največje veselje. Bila sem žalostna, ko sem namazala moje drsalke in jih položila k počitku do prihodnje zime. Ampak pomlad nas bo še bolj razveselila. Dne 21. februarja je imel naš krožek Jolly Jitters št. 2 od društva Napredne Slovenke prijetno zabavo k rojstnemu dnevu Georga Washingtona. Našemu vabilu so se odzvali tudi krožki št. 3, 12 in 13. Bilo nas je lepo število in zabavali smo se imenitno. Članice našega krožka so nam dobro postregle z raznimi dobrotami, posebno pa naša vrla predsednica Marian Tratnik, Ann Čebulj in Alma Zager ter več drugih. Seveda ni manjkalo ge. Simčičeve in ge. Medveškove, ki sta nas na kratko nagovorili in nam dali vzpodbudo in bodrilo za skupno sodelovanje v dobrobit naše oiganizacije. Taki sestanki ali veselice so potrebne. Zato se moramo večkrat skupaj shajati in se zabavati. Zraven pa se tudi mnogo mučimo in se medsebojno spoznamo.—Pozdrav vsem čitateljem!-—Violet Vogrin, 19708 Shawnee ave., Cleveland, Ohio. * PLAY BALL! Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the ML and I hope it is not the last. I like to read this magazine because it is so interesting. My favorite hobby is baseball. We have a team and I play on it. We also have boxing gloves and a punching bag. We box at recess and sometimes play baseball. We never had a very bad winter this year. I went ice-skating a little, but not much. I am sending my best wishes to John Laush of Colorado. Best regards to all.—James Supancic, Box 4, Cameo, Colorado. * NARAVA SE PREBUJA Dragi urednik!—Iskrena hvala za lepo urejeni dopis v prejšnji številki našega mesečnika. Pomlad že prihaja in vse izgleda, da se bo narava spet prebudila iz trdnega spanja. Že se kažejo znaki zelene trave in prvih pomladnih cvetlic. Ptički že veselo žvrgolijo po vrtovih. In oni ptički, ki so prezimili v toplih krajih, se bodo kmalu pojavili na strehah in drevju. Vsi z veseljem pozdravljamo prihod pomladi. Saj je to najlepša letna doba. Farmarji bodo spet prijeli za plug in bodo orali ter sejali in sadili. Na jesen bodo pobirali pridelke in se veselili svojega dela. Koncem aprila bo že vse razcveteno. Kako krasno bo zunaj! Vse bo živo, vse veselo in dobre volje. Vrtovi bodo lepo očiščeni in zeleni. Zunaj na deželi bodo farme obdelane. Solnce bo prijazno ogrevalo zemljo in privabilo rastline na dan. Lepo je na deželi spomladi. Še ce- lo v mestu je lepo. Sedaj pa lep pozdrav vsem čitateljem in uredniku!—Joe Rott, 18815 Chickasaw Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. * WAKE UP, MONTANA! Dear Editor:—I haven’t written to the ML for a few years and I thought it about time I did. Come on Montana, wake up!—I am 14 years old and in the 9th grade. My subjects are English, general science, home economics and algebra. I also take gym. The snow is melting and already it looks like spring. I have a hobby of collecting nicknames and things people give me. I wish my pen pals would write to me; I would also like some new pen Pals. I will write more next time.—Violet Kenda, Box 14; Klein, Montana. * IS STUDYING PLANETS Dear Editor:—Here I am again writing to this Wonderful magazine. In the March issue I noticed that more members from Luzerne wrote, and I hope t-hey will keep it up. We have a very nice circle ttow, for which we all will have to be thankful to Vrataric Sr. and Mr. Bizjak. Our members Planned to have an Easter party and we hope it will be a success.—My favorite subject in high school is Science. It is very interesting now because we are studying about the planets. We could see Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn and Mars in the western sky. They are the five planets that you can see together only once in a century. I would like to have some pen pals both boys and girls. Best luck to all.—Angeline Ofack, 280 Main St., Luzerne, Pa. (Circle 5). * TAKES ML TO SCHOOL Dear Editor:—I like the ML very much and am writing another letter to this magazine. After I get through reading the ML, I take it to school and let other children read it. The classes (subjects) I like best in school are arithmetic and spelling. I also like reading. I have lots of fun coasting on my sled. My favorite sports are skiing and ice skating. I can’t think of anything else to write, so I’ll quit. Best regards to all.—Lucas Martin Garm, R. R. 1, Sheldon, Wis. * OUR SCHOOL BAND Dear Editor:—I haven’t written to this magazine for such a long time that it is possible that most of the readers have forgotten me. We have begun a school band recently and there are many children from this community who have joined. Since I have written to this magazine some time ago, I am glad to mention that I have two pel pals, Helen Vidmar and Mary Klevisher from Pierce, W. Va. I hope to hear from some more pen pals. Best regards to members and readers.—Doris Ladvig-sen, R. 1, Sheldon, Wisconsin. * WANTS TO BE A COWGIRL Dear Editor:—This is my first letter to this wonderful mazine. I enjoy reading the ML very much. I am a member of Lodge 52 of Broughton, Pa. I am 14 years old and in the ninth grade at Snowden Twp. High School. My hobbies are horseback riding and collecting cowboy pictures. If anyone has any cowboy pictures that they don’t want, I would be very pleased if you would send them to me. My favorite cowboy is “Big Slim the Lone Cowboy” from WWVA, Wheeling, W. Va. He broadcasts over WWVA every day, Monday through Saturday, at 8:15 a. m. and every day Monday through Friday at 4:30 p. m., also every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a. m. (S. S. T.) Big Slim and his gang were at our school Feb. 11 for two shows. He has a mighty fine group of entertainers and a mighty fine show. And I also like to sing cowboy songs. My chief aim and goal is to be a cowgirl. I would like to have some pen pals, especially those who have the same aim as I do, and I promise I will answer your letters. Best regards to everybody.—Veronica Urbania, Box 134, Clairton, Pennsylvania. * LILLIAN DRAWS PICTURES Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the ML. I was very glad to see my letter in this magazine for the first time. I enjoy reading the jokes and riddles and also the stories. I have a sister who is 16 and in her second year in high school. We had a very nice winter this year. It didn’t seem like winter to me; it was just like early spring. But in February we had very cold weather. It was 30° below zero one day. I love drawing very much. In school I beat everybody in drawing. Sometimes, when I haven’t anything to do, I always draw pictures. I have made a little drawing and will hope you will print it in the ML. —Lillian Požega, R. 1, Box 73, Willard, Wis. (Age 13, Lodge 735). * FAMILY OF NINE IN SNPJ Dear Editor:—This is my second letter to the ML. This is a wonderful magazine which I enjoy reading very much. I am 15 years of age and am in my first year of high school. There are nine in our family and we all belong to the SNPJ lodge 476 of Salem, Ohio, of which my brother is secretary. I am a member of Circle 10. We have a nice high school in Salem and also a large football field, R i e 11 y Field. I am interested in sports such, as football, baseball, swimming, roller skating, taking long rides on my bike and also building model aeroplanes. I played football for the Junior Varsity team last year and also baseball for the Junior Legion. Last year the merchants of Salem sponsored a trip to Cleveland for about 325 boys to see a baseball game. We had .the pleasure of seeing Cleveland and Detroit play and we enjoyed that very much. I hope we have that chance again, for it is fun going with a large crowd. Last summer I also visited the Goodyear Hangar in Akron which was interesting to me. I also have a hobby: to see more letters in the ML from Salem. I should like to hear from juvenile members of the SNPJ. I am enclosing a snapshot of myself .taken last summer.—Anton Hrvatin, 510 Aetna St., Salem, Ohio. * INTRODUCING THE FAMILY Dear Editor:—I appreciate your printing the main contents of my first letter in the March number. I would appreciate it a second time if you would print this second letter and the enclosed jokes. Here’s a brief introduction of our family: There’s Dad, 43 years old, works in Jerryville, vice-president of SNPJ lodge 285; there’s Mother, 40 years old; the rest are Mary, 18 (senior); Louis, 17 (Junior); Rosie (that’s me), 15 (sophomore); Eddy, 13 (freshman), and Elsie, 12 (8th grade). Next month I will tell you something about Richmond High School, a rather interesting school.—Rosie Prelaz, Box 616, Richmond, W. Va. * HER SCHOOL GAVE OPERETTA Dear Editor:—I am glad my first letter escaped the wastepaper basket. I was surprised to see it in the March issue of the ML. Our school gave an operetta and I was in it. All the children were practicing since January so it would be a success— and it was! The High School Auditorium was filled with people. I am sure glad it was over, because it was hard work practicing every day. Our teacher, Miss Taylor, worked hard with us, too. Here are some Odd Facts: Bears, on emerging from their hibernation, istill are fat, in spite of several foodless months; but exercise soon makes them gaunt.—Hamburgers rank first with the sandwich-eating public of America.—A. Dean Lindsay of Ocilla, Pa., tames porcupines as a hobby.—Rabbit skins are used extensively in the manufacture of felt hats.—There are about 186 cows for every 1,000 persons in the United States.—The dressing of 'hair was developed to unprecedented elaborateness at the beginning of the fifteenth century.—Approximately 33,000 persons are employed in the printing trades in Canada.—Spanish moss is used in upholstering.— Betty Vedic, Box 80, Park City, Utah. (Age 18, Lodge 639.) * FAVORITES: ART AND HISTORY Dear Editor:—I never have sent anything to the ML, but being an SNPJ member, I thought I’d drop a few lines. I am 14 years old (my birthday is on Jan. 2). I am in the 8-A class in .the Mt. Iroh Junior high school. My favorite subjects are art and history. My hobby is drawing in my spare time. I am sending two pictures that I drew and hope you will publish them in the ML. If they appear, I will know you like them and will send more next time I write. My regards to all members.—Marilyn Zdrasky, Box 315, Parkville, Minn. (Lodge 215.) * Anthony Penco, 812 Station Ave., Millvale, Pa., age 17, lodge 118, sends a letter and a drawing which he would like to see printed in the Mladinski List. RAZGOVOR “Dober dan, soseda! Kako ste pri ras zimo prestali?” “Bog daj! Prav dobro smo zimo prenesli. Otroci so se smučali, se sankali, se kepali in delali sneženega moža. Zdaj skačejo po soncu in vriskajo in pojejo! Kako pa vašiV’ “Joj, naši so pa vsi nahodni, prehlajeni in hripavi. Vso zimo so se tiščali peči, pa ni nič pomagalo. Zdaj se še na sonce ne upajo!" p “WIGGLE-WAGGLE” BINGO the Hun.ter and BONGO his helper are all excited about the big fellow hiding in the Wiggle-Waggles. If you’ll take a pencil or colored crayon and start drawing in a line from where the black arrow indicates, carefully going ahead only through the places .that are open you will soon know who is hiding. The drawings of a parrot ^nd a monkey will show you how your pencil should run through the Wiggle-Waggles— LET’S GO!-- Clovek in žival Josip Ribičič Ko sem bil še majhen, smo imeli kužka. Vedno se je motal okrog mene. Nekoč sem s škarjami rezal pajace. Pa se je zgodilo, da je kužek zamahnil s tačko po Škarjah in se zbodel. Žalostno je zacvilil in mi pokazal krvavo tačko. Jaz pa sem bil hud in sem ga ozmerjal “Ti neroda, ti!” In še s šibo sem ga po zadnji plati. Zato, da si bo zapomnil! Kužek je zbežal v kot. Tam je milo jokal in si lizal rano. Kmalu nato sem se pa še jaz zbodel v levo roko. Izpustil sem škarje in zakričal, da je kar odmevalo po hiši. Z levico sem mahal po zraku in z nogami sem divje cepetal po tleh. Tedaj je kužek nehal cviliti. Šepajoč se je priplazil k meni, nagnil je glavo po strani in z enim očkom pogledal na mojo roko. Potem je začel oblizovati rano na mojem prstu. In ko je zagledal še solze na mojem licu, jih je posušil s svojo mehko tačko. Tistega dne sem prvič spoznal, da je žival mnogokrat boljša od človeka. KOMU SE JE ŽE KAJ PODOBNEGA ZGODILO? Ko je linica prvič srečala leva, ne je zelo prestrašila. Mislila je, ‘da bo umrla od strahu. Ko ga je srečala drugič, si ga je radovedno ogledala. Ko ga je srečala tretjič, ga je že ogovorila’. TRMOGLAVOST “Ne grem se fotografirat in ne grem!” “No, pojdi, pojdi! Zakaj ne?” mi je rekel ter me vprašal tovariš Mihec. “Tako! Sem preveč jezen,” odgovorim zlovoljno. “Pusti me že!” Ko so odšli zadnji, sem stopil na ulico in skrivaj opazoval tovariše. Bilo mi je skoraj žal. če bi mi kdo v tistem trenutku rekel, bi se jim pridružil, če bi me ne bilo sram. Vrnili so se. “Zakaj se nisi dal slikati?” so mi očitali. “I, ne privoščim vam, da bi me imeli ne sliki,” sem dejal, čeprav mi je bilo žal za vse. P-i. Rešitev vprašanja Janezek je dejal: “Prvi, tretji, četr.ti, peti, šesti, sedmi, osmi dobite vsak po eno jabolko a jaz—drugi dobim dve. Nihče ne sme dobiti več kakor drugi.” Tako je Janezek lahko snedel obe jabolki. ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD PUZZLE By Lawrence Garm ACROSS 1—April. 6—Apace. 11—Frame. 12—Basin. 13— To. 14—Paper. 16—Ga. 17—End. 19—Pet. 20-Sac. 21—Reed. 23—Pert. 24—Tessera. 25—Been. 27—Olla. 30—Ear. 31—Top. 33—Sod. 34—As. 35—Miner. 37—Po. 38—Regal. 40—Layer. 42— Slope. 43—There. DOWN 1—After. 2—Prone. 3—Ra. 4—Imp. 5—Leap. 6—Abet. 7—Par. 8—As. 9—Cigar. 10—Enact. 15—Pension. 18—Deter. 20—Seals. 22—Den. 23— Pro. 25—Bears. 26—Easel. 28—Loper. 29—Adore. 31—Tile. 32—Pelt. 35—Map. 36—Rah. 39—Go. 41—Ye. 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?