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15he JOURNAL JUNIOR..
M».e Hsvrris Anson
The Junior is published by tua iMiane:ipolls Journal for the publlo
school children of the northwest, in aud above tne fifth grade, and Is de
voted prlncip illy to their own writings. There is no expense attache!
and all are welcomed as competitors. The editor wishes to encourage cor
lospondenceanl s ideations from teachers. All correspondence snoull
be addressed to the Editor Journal Junior.
About the Vacation Journals.
QUITE a catechism about the vacation journals came in this
week, and as the questions may be puzzlers to other
Juniors, they are all answered here.
1. Is the diary to be written in a terse condensed style or
in the same manner as the usual topics?
The style of writing is to be the choice of each writer. The
announcement specified that the award would be made more upon
how the story of vacation was told, than upon what events were
mentioned. However, do not be too terse.
2. Are we to select from the diary the most interesting
days, or are we to send in the whole record, or is this optional?
The announcement specified a "journal" which differs from a
diary in that it is not necessarily a daily record. So it is op
tional, though the announcement does not call for a daily record.
3. Are type-written contributions acceptable, or must they
always be written in ink?
Typewritten papers are always preferred to any other kind,
but have not been required in the Junior work, because few can
comply.
4. Is the diary to be kept as usual, or must we explain who
the people are whcse names we mention? May we use initials of
the names of people and places?
No explanations are necessary except in cases where they
are required to make the story clear. By all means use only
initials of people or fictitious names, but names of towns, etc.,
should Hae written in full.
5. May we use abbreviations?
No.
If there are any other questions about these prize vacation
Journals which the Juniors wish to ask, send them in, and they
will be answered in the editorial columns of The Junior, for the
benefit of the rest.
If the ifa.entors keep od, even dishwashing may become less
' of a terror than it is now to the younger members of the fam
ily. An ingenious woman has invented a washing machine for
clothes, run by a see-saw arrangement, which is intended to be
worked by the children. If Tommy and Katie have to help about
euch things, this will probably be more satisfactory to them than
anything so far —but even then, see-sawing like this when one has
to, isn't any fun. So Tommy and Katie will probably object, to
the end of the chapter.
"The bravest man of the year." It seems rather hard for
anyone to choose such a one out of the many who show them
selves heroes during any given twelve months. But the Royal
Humane Society of London has made the choice to its own satis
faction. The man is William Allen, a retired sailor, and the
deed was his rescue of three men who were overcome by sulphur
fumes in a still. Allen fastened a rope about his body for his own
possible rescue in case he too was overcome and then three times
he entered the still, each time coming out with one of the men.
Those who know, say that each time he entered the place he risked
his life.
Sir Thomas Lipton, who has made many friends among
grown up Americans because of his fair and honest sportsman
ship in connection with the races for the American cup, has now
a strong claim upon the approval of young America. He say 3
that the American boy is ahead of the English boy, because he
Is made to shift for himself at a younger age. However, what
concerns us most is that so loyal an Englishman should acknowl
edge this fact, even if he saw it.
For once, a scientist seems to be on the side of those who
have sweet teeth. A celebrated English physician says that the
Increased height and weight of English and Americans during
the past century, are chiefly due to the increased consumption of
sugar. But before beginning a greater patronage of the nearest
confectionery shop, just remember that it is "sugar" and not in
discriminate sweets. There is quite a difference, you know.
What use did you make of the hot days this week? When
you could not play out of doors, did you get to work on that
prize vacation journal? You did, if you were loyal Juniors, and
really want to win that prize of $2.50. Remember, it is at least
twenty days during vacation that you must write about and
three days at least must be devoted to each month.
Europe is exclaiming over the fact that the Germans are
learning to eat and like cornmeal of American manufacture.
When they have once acquired the maple syrup habit with corn
meal concoctions, they will all exclaim a good deal more to think
;what they have been missing these hundreds of years.
Writers of patriotic songs in the future will have to get
some other rhyme than that which goes with "the boys in blue"}
that is, if they are going to sing of the soldiers of to-day. The
yellow-tan khaki has proven so serviceable and comfortable that
the army blue has almost passed from active service.
HOT WATER IS SCARCE.
Hot water is very difficult to obtain in Cuba. Water is heated
1a small vessels, and a surprisingly meagre amount seems to be
needed In the day's work- Cuban cooks have developed the system
of washing dishes in cold water to an art, but American servants
find It difficult to get accustomed to thi" hot water scarcity.
THE JOURNAL JUNIOR, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, SATURDAY, JUNE 29. 1901.
■^fflL In the Land
Editor
Yesterday, To-day and To-morrow.
"Long live the Beggars! wilt thou Christ's word cherish;
Long live the Beggars! be bold of heart and hand;
Long live the Beggars! God will not see thee perish;
Long live the Beggars! Oh noble Christian band."
The words rang forth on the morning breeze and their in
spiration blended with the warm sunshine and a buoyant sense
of boundless freedom to make the moment one of immeasurable
enjoyment to their author, a manly youth showing in every linea
ment his stout, Hollandic nature. Hardly had the last word heea
sung ere the tune came back in softer, yet mocking tones.
"Beat the drum gaily, rub a dub, rub a dow;
Long live the beggars! is the watchword now."
"Bertha?" he inquired, turning around.
"Ernst?" she laughingly mimicked.
"I would have thought you were at home, sister."
"I was; but I came away. Our worthy prince's advice may
be wise, but to me it seems very tiresome to think of nothing but
the kirche, the kuche, and the kinder all day and all week long!
Come with me to the walls. I have a desire to see our new be
gotten freedom."
Together they made their way to the gates of the city, the
tall brother and' the fair, frivolous sister.
"I heard this morning that the prince has sent a message
rejoicing with us that all is well again. He seems, however, to
Tlie tall brother and the fair, frivolous sister.
feel the possibility of our again being besieged and urges the
magistrates to lay in a store of provisions in case of need," said
Ernest.
"Is that so? Well, being besieged isn't so bad, so long as
the Spaniards are dislodged by and by. But how sweet to feel
that as far as the eye can reach, this country is again ours!
Methinks I should have been a man so I could fight, too, for my
country."
As they stood gazing over the walls they chattered gaily,
touching now and then upon Leyden's trials, so happily past.
Finally Bertha started. "I must be going," she said. "Mother
will be waiting and wondering, and I have not done my marketing
yet."'
She took her way toward the market-place, occasionally
stopping to exchange merry remarks with her acquaintances and
finally, somewhat hastily turned homeward. She was not un
duteous, just careless and with a disposition that constantly
sought the sunshine. The busy housewife looked up as Bertha
returned.
"Thou shoulds't be more like other girls, my child," she re
marked reprovingly. "Thou shoulds't be more industrious, as be
comes a daughter of Holland."
"Yes, mother," returned Bertha, "I shall assist you now.
The morning was so pleasant that I lingered longer than I
thought." And putting down her basket she entered industrious
ly into Leyden's thrifty life.
"Go up into the tower, ye beggars! Go up and see if yon
can see the water sweeping o'er the dry land to your relief! Go
see if the ocean is coming to put bread into the mouths and roses
again on the cheeks of God-for-saken heretics!" The words, so
tauntingly uttered, came from one of the few royalists in the
long-suffering city of Leyden. The small group turned, and the
burning cheeks of one girl showed how deeply the insult was felt.
One would hardly recognize in her wasted frame and serious,
sweet face, the laughing Bertha of four months before. She
turned upon him, and a look of burning disdain flashed from hex
eyes as the reply burst forth.
"We are Beggars!" she answered proudly. "God pity those
who are not. I shall go up to the toweri God will send relief
to thiß famished people if it be only the relief of death! But be
assured that the Beggars of Leyden will never bow to the men
who can mock this starving peoplel"
She crossed the stone bridge and passed down a broad ave
nue once beautifully shaded but now sultry from the arm pour
ing down through the skeleton poplars from which the last leaf
had been torn to stay, if but for a moment, the pangs of hunger.
She passed, with a word of comfort, the wasted inhabitants of
Leyden, and finally her destination loomed up before her. It was
the tall tower, a remnant of forgotten antiquity. Its crumbling
battlements and ancient air of repose seemed to breathe a
eulogy to the past and at the same time suggest that the present
would soon, too, be lost in the march of ages.
There were some half a dozen people assembled at the top
of the tower. Exhausted and heartless from long watching the re
ceived Bertha's encouragement like tired chilrden momentarily
animated.
"Listen!" she said with manner like that of an Inspired mes
senger. "Look down yonder to the city walls. I was down there
yesterday when the Spaniards without were mocking the starva
tion within. Our men answered, 'Ye call us rat-eaters and dog
eaters, and it is true. So long, then, as ye hear a dog bark or a
cat mew within the walls ye may know that the city holds out;
and when all has perished but ourselves, be sure that we will
each devour our left arms, retaining our right to defend our
women, our liberty and our religion against the foreign tyrant,
and will set fire to the city and perish in the flames ere we suffer
our liberty to be crushed!' And this morning—but why remind
you of what you already know? You have surely not forgotten
how in front of that very church of St. Pancras below us, our
burgomaster, Van der Werf, maintained his intention of holding
out against the enemy to the very end and offered to give his
very life to the starving multitudes about him."
"We remember and may God bless you for mentioning it,"
said a gray-haired man. "We will keep our trust in God, in our
country men, and in the noble efforts of our prince to the very
end."
Great was the comfort left in the group as she took her way
home again, by way of tUe market place. Distressing sights met
her eyes at every turn. As in the bygone ,times she lingered
by the way, but now it was to lend a helping hand and dis
seminate helpful words as only one whose heart is filled with
sympathy knows how to do.
Twilight was falling when she came home. She was met by
her brother Ernst, who, too, was greatly changed. They were
special comrades and friends—these two oldest ones of the Munch
family, and Ernst, through some unwritten law, had come to feel
that Bertha was under his particular protection. Lately her in
creasing frailty had made him very tender to her.
"See, Bertha, sister, what I found for you!" he exclaimed,
holding aloft a morsel of meat. Her tired, patient eyes lit up with
a glad light, but she answered,
"Nay, Ernst, you must keep it for yourself or give it to
mother and the children."
"Mother has had some and bid me save this for you. I will
not have it, so you must keep it."
She took it and thanked him, but did not eat it immediately.
All work was suspended indoors, for indeed there was almost
nothing to do in the present state of affairs and almost no
strength to work with; so she watched and prayed with her
mother as darkness fell and noted with a pang how weak her
mother was. Finally she stole softly out of the room and felt
along the wall till she came to a secret recess. There she de
posited the bit of meat with the softly murmured words, "For
mother," and then retired for the night.
What gladdening peal of bells rung forth in the stricken city
of Leyden! What shouts of men and boys! What rushing of glad
inhabitants toward the wharves and sinking down exhausted, only
to rise again with new vigor! Leyden was relieved! Slowly the
ocean had risen and advanced over thirty miles of land to the re
lief of the imprisoned city. Village after village of brave and
loyal Hollanders along the way had sacrificed willingly their
homes, fields and orchards to permit the dykes to be broken and
the water to pass. The onward roll of the mighty element com
bined with mysterious noises heard in the night filled the be
siegers' hearts with fear and then, having caused them to flea
through the darkness, the ocean duteously, a few days after, re
turned to its established haunts.
But now, having relieved the first cravings of the people, a
procession was formed and rescuers and rescued both repaired to
the church for thanksgiving and praise. The hymns begun in the
fullness of heart gave way, and the whole people sobbed aloud.
The cup of joy, however, was not full yet. News was re
ceived by the glad inhabitants that their prince.himself.had risen
from a sick bed and -was hastening to rejoice with them. And the
whole city again turned out to honor him whose efforts in their
behalf, had been so untiring. Nor were they disappointed in his
generous words to them.
"God has seen fit, in His mercy,' 'he said, "to send relief a
second time to the people of Leyden. For over four months the
city has ->-iown almost more than human strength in its trials.
The eyes of all Holland have been upon you, the prayers of all
her people have been with you. You have contended, not for your
selves alone, but for all Holland and for unborn generations to
come. And in response to the overflowing heart of the whole
country, must I endeavor to reveal to you the unutterable grati*.
tude of its people."
When finally he escaped from the press of gTatcful country
men about him, William the Silent sought Van der Werf. "Since
I came here I have heard," he said, "of a girl who has done
wonders in encouraging the people and comforting them. I should
like personally to see her and express my gratitude for her work,
Can you take me to her?"
"Her name Is Bertha Munch; God bless her and her nobie
work!" replied the burgomaster. "Come with me and we will
find her."
Plenty now reigned once more In the Munch household. As
the prince and Van der Werf paused on the threshold they saw,
through the open door, a young man holding up two pieces of
shrivelled meat and a morsel of chopped hide which apparently
he had taken out from the wall opening close by. And a girlish
woman with the faintest blush took them quietly from him say
ing:
"They are mine. I saved them in case relief did not come."
It was a proud moment to the Munch family when Bertha was
commended by the prince. Bertha herself stood dazed and irreso
lute for a moment; bnt quickly recovering, she made reply,
"1 receive your worda only that I may give them, threefoH
Increased, to the people of Leyden. In their courage, and pa
tience, and faith they hare done more for me than I can ever
hope to repay. Thanks are due to them and not to me who has
already received more than I could ever ask,"
A Eleventh Grade. —Julia Johnsen,
East Side High School. . 728 Huron street SE.
We marvel at the mechanism of the human body, with Its
four hundred and ninety-two bones, but man is not bo re
markable as la the fish called cans which moves no fewer than
four thousand three hundred and eighty-six bones and muscle*
every time it breathe*
