The Woodcraft Girls in the City Part 46

"Are you jesting, Miss Miller?" wondered Eleanor.

"Jesting! At such criminal thoughts as these stories implant in the minds of adolescent girls and boys? Why, the woman who made such a fortune out of gullible young things ought to be condemned to purgatory-only we know there isn't such a place!" fumed the Guide, righteously indignant.

"I've read most of her books and I never saw anything bad. They were grand-and full of wonderful romance!" defended Eleanor.

"If the 'bad' was exposed your mother wouldn't have had you read them, and your appet.i.te would have been improved. But so subtle is the viciousness of such stuff that you now don't want to read a sweet wholesome story like 'Pollyanna' or similar girls' books. Do you suppose a mortal with a craving for liquor or tobacco is satisfied with cold water or home-made bread? So it is with a perverted appet.i.te for s.e.x stories and thrills-you won't content yourself with uplifting literature but demand more and more of the degrading kind!"

"But these books are not s.e.x stuff!" cried Eleanor.

"Just as bad. And their influence is the same as that created by drink or dope."

As the Guide spoke she looked through the remainder of the collection and sighed as she thought of the density of some parents. "Saving a few pence for fine clothing, and economising on reading for their children!

Clothing the exterior with 'fine feathers,' and feeding the mind with swill! Considering money wasted on good reasonably priced books and squandering wholesale, the spiritual, moral, mental and physical fibre of their children! Never sparing a thought as to the ultimate effects of trashy books and ignoring the outcome of deteriorating sensations in the young because they are so anxious to add to a savings account for the future! Just as long as the book-white or yellow-(mattered not) kept the reader occupied and quiet for a time, that the mother might finish the extra frill on the schooldress or party costume."

As Miss Miller concluded her excited vituperation on the prevalent disease of contagious novels, Eleanor was too angry to reply. Finally, however, she managed to say:

"If you had any decent story at camp I wouldn't have sent for any books.

But I hunted that first night and couldn't see a single magazine or book."

"If you had sought in the house you would have found a great bookcase full!" retorted Jane, angry at implied oversight.

"We-el, yes, I saw them afterward. While I was waiting for my box to come, I read a few," admitted Eleanor.

"Well, what was it-did you like 'em?" asked Zan.

"Oh, I found one called 'The Right Princess' and another by the same author 'The Opened Shutters,' that were pretty good for kid stories,"

said Eleanor, as if in apology.

"Kid story! Well, there are more grown-ups and parents enjoy those kind of books than kids, let me tell you!" said Jane.

"And you will find many more such books in that case, too, Eleanor,"

added Mrs. Hubert.

"Yes, I noticed them. I thought I would start and read them if these didn't get here soon. I did begin one last night!" confessed Eleanor.

"I wish you would read them instead of these and permit me to return these at once. I cannot have them in camp at all!" said Miss Miller.

It spoke well for Eleanor's salvation and improvement that she agreed willingly to send back the books. But she hesitated to admit that she had found many books in the Hubert's bookcase far more interesting than the paper-covered novels she had feasted upon hitherto.

The daily and hourly effect of a.s.sociating with the right kind of girls, and hearing good and constructive ideas, were making an impression on this character so like many girls who are not aware of their short-comings. And the change was being remarked by those about her.

Miss Miller was too wise a Guide to draw attention to the efforts of the girl to be obliging and truthful like those about her, but she was careful to encourage and help Eleanor in every way she could.

As is fully told in the book written for the Little Woodcrafters, the girls spent July and August in happy Woodcraft ways, and by the end of August not only were results apparent in objects made, but the cheerfulness and health of the Tribe proved how contented and enjoyable had been the weeks at Woodchuck Camp.

Then came a letter from the Doctor saying that the men of the families planned to drive the cars to the mountains and spend Labour Day with the Tribe. Mrs. Baker and her camp of boys expected to come in the doctor's car.

"Miss Miller, we want a Grand Council if they are all coming here. Why not invite other friends?" said Zan.

"The ride is too expensive by train, and few have cars, you must remember," said the Guide.

"Well, then, let's get up some new dances or games, anyway," suggested Nita.

"Humph! That isn't the same as having company!" grumbled Zan. But the spirit of entertaining replaced any feeling of complaint, and the girls were soon at work devising ways and means for a Woodcraft programme.

That evening Miss Miller took Zan and Nita aside and had a confidential talk with them. From the expression of their faces the secret was most pleasing, and during the mornings and evenings preceding Labour Day, the two girls were up in Huberts' loft working on the secret plan. Miss Miller, too, was seen only at intervals, and it was found that a farmer from the village ten miles down the mountain-side had brought several young turkeys with the feathers still on. Then Billy found the feathers gone and the birds cooked for sandwiches, but where were those feathers?

The afternoon before the arrival of the visitors, when the Tribe had been called together to p.r.o.nounce judgment on a new dance, Miss Miller began playing a mandolin. As the waltz sounded two figures came from the cabin. They represented Mr. and Mrs. Eagle. It was Zan and Nita dressed in the Eagle Dancer's Dress ready to do the Eagle Dance.

The head-dress and edges of the dresses were bordered with the missing turkey feathers, and an edging of down as well as feathers wherever they could be artistically placed, made the two costumes most striking and gorgeous.

Then began the dance. The two eagles circled about each other in a fluttering courts.h.i.+p. Mr. Eagle summoned courage enough to advance while Mrs. Eagle coyly retreated, and back and forth both danced and circled until finally Mrs. Eagle bashfully consented to accept the gallant's attentions. Then he flew over to her side and as she turned to flee once more, Mr. Eagle enfolded her in his wings and they danced away with heads together.

The entire dance was very well done, and the admiring audience applauded loudly for an encore, but Miss Miller said:

"No, I just wanted to see what you thought of it before it was danced to-morrow. The Eagle Dance, done by the Zuni or Hopi Indian men, is much more energetic but Nita makes a very good gallant, I think, and Zan a demure and willing lady-love."

"Indeed they do, and what is more, I want to get a picture of the costume. Zan, will you pose by that tree while I snap you?" said Mrs.

Remington.

"And let me add: Nita and Zan can claim a coup for that dancing costume," said the Guide.

The Little Lodge had become so imbued with the ambitions of the Big Lodge, that they, too, worked hard to present their claims for admiration. Tally Books were pasted up, bugs and b.u.t.terflies, moths and gra.s.ses, birds' nests and leaves, twigs, rush and reed specimens were arranged on a rustic table for exhibition. This kept the children busy and out of the way of the girls who bustled about preparing camp for the Grand Council.

That week-end was perfect and word reached the village hotel Sat.u.r.day morning that a number of autos filled with guests would need accommodations over Sunday and Labour Day. The unusual news speedily circulated and when the Doctor's party rode through the sleepy little place every villager was out and curiously watching the sight. All those city folks at the hotel at the same time! What would poor Mr. Haskins do-and his wife laid up with asthma so's you could hear her wheeze away down the lane!

Leaving the luggage at the "hotel," the visitors continued to the camp ten miles further on. Here they met a noisy welcome, and soon were seated under the pines telling the story of their trip.

"Now then," concluded the doctor, "if this Tribe doesn't appreciate our sacrifices to enable us to a.s.sist at this Council, I shall forever after wash my hands of them."

"If you haven't any vessel larger than the tin basin in our hotel bed-room, your hands will not be washed very well!" laughed Mrs. Baker.

Everyone laughed, too, for most of the campers knew of the hotel which was no more than an elongated farm-house with a lean-to added at one end for a "ristrant." This addition was politely called "The Annex."

"It's a wonder Mr. Haskins found beds for you all!" added Mrs. Hubert, chuckling at reminiscences.

"He didn't!" retorted Fiji. "He dragged some husk-mattresses into the low attic above the 'guest rooms' and told us boys we had to sleep there. I have to wash at the pump 'cause he hasn't enough basins to go round!"

"There's the lake-don't draw on the limited supply of rain-water from the pump!" laughed Mrs. Remington.

In spite of quarters and accommodations at the "hotel," however, the visiting party declared they had never had a better time than this Labour Day Council Meeting.

The lake offered many exciting sports, swimming and fis.h.i.+ng not the least of them. The hiking, Councils, games, and other diversions of camp-life filled every moment till the early morning after Labour Day when everyone had to rush madly about to pick up articles over-looked in the hasty packing of baggage, for the girls and Miss Miller were to ride back in the cars with the visitors.

When they were gone, and the Brownies went to say good-bye to the lake and camp-grounds, Mrs. Hubert turned to Mrs. Remington and said:

"Well, I guess they had a good time at this camp?"