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I JUST A SPLENDID TIME.
(High School Credit.)
Grandma's garret is all Tight for a rainy day,-but
grandma has something better for a sunshiny day. It is
a place whc^5 one can play dolls, have tea parties with
mud pies, orread books, and most important of all, tell
secrets. Where! Why, there is but one place you really
can tell secrets and that is under the lilac bush.
I have told so many secrets under the lilacs that it is
a -wonder the did bush doesn't drop some of them. But
it never has and as I am tired of carrying so many I am
going to tell you some if you will never, never tell. Sit
down with me under the fragrant lilacs and we will ex
change secrets. We have already promised not to tell, so
I begin by telling what I am going to do when I get big.
My brother says, when he grows up he is going to be
a millionaire and have a great, big, gold house with pearl
floors and lots of folks to wait on us, and he says that I
can have all the ice cream and choc'ts I want,my! I
wish I had some now,and that Oh! say, do you like
Celia Bastl If you won't tell, cross your heart, 111
tell you what she said about you. All right then, she said
you were^" awful stuck up!" Now, wasn't that 'mean
I don't think you are a bit.
"Do you girls want a lemon tart?" grandma says,
coming with a plateful. The only thing lacking is now
complete, and when we have told all we know and com
pleted our lilac leaf wreaths, we depart with a few more
"Dort't tells," thinking we have "had just a splendid
time. Emma Ghering,
Tenth Grade. Larimore, N. D.
THE HOUSE BANDY BUILT.
(High School Credit.)
Biddy and Bandy were two little sparrows who were
building a tiny nest under the lilacs. Biddy had decided
to place it under a thick bunch of leaves, but Bandy was
bound to have it in plain sight on the top of the bush.
"Now, see here, Bandy Sparrow, ain't I the boss of
this house?" scolded Mrs. Biddy from the ground.
"No, my dear, youJre
mistaken," expostulated mild
Bandy. "Indeed, and I'd like to know why? Didn't I
pick out the place and didn't I find the place where the
fattest straws growl" said Biddy.
"Oh, perhaps you did, but I think if you don't hurry
and get thru scolding we shall not get our house dona
tonight," said Bandy. "Our house, indeed," sniffed
Biddy. "~Very well, your house, my dear," he said.
"And besides, I saw the cat sitting right underneath your
site for the house yesterday. I 'm sure we want it up here,
don't we?" he concluded pleadingly.
That's the way you always act, and I 'm going right
home to my mother and you can build your nest just the
way you want to, now!" screamed the enraged Biddy.
Just then the cat leaped upon the fence and shriek
ing, Biddy flew up to Bandy and put her wing around him.
"Oh, dear Bandy, I've been so cross," she sobbed, "but
you can have your house where you want it
"Never mind, dear, I'm glad he didn't get my little
wife anyway'' said Bandy, and he hugged his plump little
wife and cooed *c her until the cat, with a frown on his
face, stalked into the house. Buth Moore,
Tenth Grade. -Wabasha, Minn.
WHEN FIDO LAUGHED.
(High School Credit.)
One day last summer as I sat on the veranda think
ing over the sorrows and joys of my nearly vanished vaca
tion, I was aroused from my reverie by a querulous voice.
Listening I heardf the following: 'Fido, you naughty
dog, go away! Poor kitty, I won't let him hurt yctuJ-i
Then a plaintive "Meow!" came from the kitten as Fido
gave vent to his feelings in a series of short barks.
"Mama! Aunty! Make Fido let my kitty be! Oh, he's
going to make her fall] Poor kitty," this in soothing
tones from little Willie. Hastily rising I went to find the
cause of this great disturbance and rescue the kitten if
It was in great peril.
As I rounded the corner of the house there stood my
little nephew, staring in wide-eyed terror at dear old
Fido, who was sitting under the big lilacs all alert, his
eyes twinkling with merriment, gazing up at Willie's pet
kitten, which he had treed. Gathering up Willie and
assuring him that Fido would not hurt the dear little
creature, I sat down a little way off to watch theout
eome. Fido soon became tired and curling down presently
went to sleep. Pussy's nerves having become somewhat
quieted she seemed to know that he was no longer watch
ing her. She crept softly down and across to the back
doorstep, where she sat and washed herself, then settled
down to wait his awakening with no apparent fear. By
this time, Willie, too, had fallen asleep. So laying him
beside Fido, 'neath the lilacs, I sat down beside pussy to
await the wakening and note the surprise and wonder
ment of both at her escape. Cora Bird,
Tenth Grade. Hawley, Minn.
A THBUSH OF THBUSHVILLE.
(Honorable Mention.)
I was building a nest under the lilacs, and was busily
NORTHWESTERN TOPICS
For Saturday, June S:
"GETTING MADAN AFTERWARDS.''
Eyerynody "gets mad" now and then, some people with
more frequency than others things may be very serious while
one is "mad." bat often when the tempest Is over, the ab
surdity of it or the nselessness of it comes orer one, and
makes him either laugh or blush. It is not necessary to choose
anything painful to the writer, but among the times of "get
ting mad," there is sure to be one that will fit the topic, and
that wUl noj be too tender an experience for tie "mad" one
to tell. The papers should be mailed so as to reach the office
of The Journal Junior
NOT LATER THAN THURSDAY MORNING, HAY 25.
They must be strictly original, written in ink on one side
only of the paper, not more than 300 words in length, nor
less than 100, marked with the number of words and each pa
per signed with the grade, school, name and address of the
writer.
For Saturday, June 10:
"A MEMORABLE RIDE
Any number of things may have made a certain ride long
to-be remembered. Perhaps it was the conveyance perhaps
It was the scenery perhaps it was what was at the Journey's
end perhaps it was what happened on the way perhaps it
wasbut surely. Juniors need no more bints. The story must
be true, altho it need not have been the experience of the
writer. The papers should be mailed so as to reach the office
at The Journal Junior
NOT T.ATEB, THAN THURSDAY HORNING, JUNE 1.
They must be strictly original, written in Ink on one side
only of the paper not more than 300 words in length, aor less
than 100, marked with the number of words and each paper
signed with the grade, school," name and address of the writ- -~i
er. The papers must not be rolled.
THE JOURNAL JUNIOR, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, SA1URDAY, MAY 20, 1905.
at work when I heard a step coming toward my horn*.
I chirruped loudly and soon my mate came flying up, hie
brown feathers ruffled. "What? Where 1 Who*" he
exclaimed as I hopped excitedly about, for he was a
Thrush of Thrushville and had fought many a brave
fight.
Just then a small hand parted the bushes and a little
girl appeared looking up at us gladly. Oh, I am so glad
you are building a house here because I can see it every
day." Then she began to rake a clean spot beneath my
home. When this was finished she hurried away, coming
back with a tab]*, and chairs (very small ones to be sure)
setting them in the middle of the clean spot she produced
from a pocket a small napkin which Bhe spread on the
table, then cookies and lastly a small cake about two
inched in diameter frosted and garnished with leaves.
Then she patted all the cookies and smacked her small
lips at the cake. Shortly, as I was working, she appeared
with two more little girls. They sat down and began to
eat, ehatting merrily, but discord entered when it was
time to cut the cake. How could they cut it into three
piecesf Now the little hostess suddenly said, "I'll tell
you, I'll cut it in four pieces. You can each have a piece
and I can have two." But the second said that it would
not be fair. Then they all began to cry. The visitors
declared they were "going right home and tell mama,"
and the little hostess went in, too. Then my "mate and I
fell to eating every crumb of the little lunch.
Eighth Grade. Gladys Lundie,
Salem, S. D.
DADDY-LONG-LEGS' DUEL.
(Honorable Mention.)
"Our Ladybug mother must have been very thought
ful to lay her eggs under this large lilac leaf," said my
little brother to me, and I certainly agreed with them.
NUGGETS.
To temple with Love or tent with
Misery.
Tlte best way to protect yourself is
to protect your brother.
^This old world is a whispering gal
lery be careful what you say.
Sunrise will never be postponed till
you are ready to get out of bed.
Sighs will not bring sunshine, and
moanings will not cause dark
clouds to break.
We were growing very fast and fat on the sweet juice
of the lilac, when one day we saw the gardener come
along with a spray. We tried to hide but the power of
the water was too strong, and when he was gone I crept
out and looked for my companions. I saw them lying still
at the bottom of the bush.
I was mourning my sad loss when I saw two daddy
long-legs and two beetles coming up from the apple or
chard. The beetles seemed to be carrying something
heavy and the daddy-long-legs looked very solemn. I
could not imagine what they were going to do because,
you know, I was just a very young lady-bug. Up stepped
the larger beetle and in a shrill voice said, "My kind
friends, I am very sorry that you two most esteemed
young insects should have a quarrel and then challenge
each other to fight a duel. I have been honored by being
asked to be Mr. E. Daddy-long-legs' second, and my_fjiend
Beetle to be Mr. F. Daddy-long-legs' second and we hope
you will give up this business after you have had one
round." He handed each one a weapon, a pistil from a
butter-cup, and a terrible fight began. Both were killed.
I shivered all night and moved away from the lilacs the
next day. Nina Koto,
Eighth Grade. Northwood, N. D.
A CUBE FOE CRANKINESS.
(Honorable Mention.)
I won't."
"You will."
I won't."
"Ton will."
"If birds in their little nest agree, I should think
that children under the lovely lilacs would not quarrel,"
gravely said Polly.
"Go 'way, you bad girl, and never repeat that
again," I angrily cried.
"Very well, dear," said Polly, and she went away.
"Margaret, I want that purse. Pattie gave it to
me and I am going to have it, so there!" I said to Mar
garet, returning to our quarrel.
*^I won't give it up. It's mine and I'm going to
keep it
"You are not."
I am."
Just then Polly returned and said, "Can*t you
agree! I should think that that lovely, cool lilac that
has fallen against your red cheek would cool your anger."
"Go away. I don't want any of your sermons."
Polly went away and we girls did not continue OUT
quarrel, for the lilac that had fallen against my cheek
had,cooled my anger.
"Isn't it nice to have a beautiful lilac bush like ours
in the yard?" said Margaret.
"Yes, it eertainly is," I said. "Say, Midie (Midie
is her nickname) let'a keep our money together in the
purse."
"All right."
And so the *4
child" of the lilac bush stopped our
quarrel and made us friends under the lilacs.
Sixth Grade. Cora Jones,
Breckenridge, Minn.
*t
THE PRICE OF PEACE.
(Honorable Mention.)
I was going to give a little tea party for my dolls.
I was then five years old, and the plaee where the guests
were to assemble was under the mgg white lilae Duah.
Pour guests and myself made five, so at the appointed
hour four little girls came skipping into the yard, each
hugging a doll nearly as big as herself.
I just brought Nip along, too, because mama is
away and I'm over here," said one guest.
Now, Nip was a dog, and a meaner dog I never knew.
My guests hung their doUs' wraps on the lilac bush. What
should Nip do but jump up and drag down a hatf Next,
while we were not looking, a cloak went, then another
hat, and then we looked. Three of my guests were be
wailing their loss, and what could my other guest and
myself do but join in? I went into the house and brought
out the things to eat, not havi_g played half the games
I had planned. This act promptly attracted all the at
tention of my guests and they eyed everything from
sandwiches up. Nip came back after having buried his
treasures, and was quieted by three sandwiehes, five
cookies and six pieces of candy. Nevertheless my tea
party under the lilacs was a success.
Sixth Grade, Berniee Vale,
Washington School. 715 Second Av. S,
St. Cloud, Minn.
DURING A SNOW STORM.
I* had been watching a nest of young birds under a
lilac bush for a long time. The nest was built early and
the young ones were out just about the time that the
bush budded. I went by there every day and saw the old
birds flying around. After a while the young ones grew
big enough to hop around and I often watched them. One
day there was a snow storm, and but for the lilac bush
which sheltered them from the cold the birds would have
been frozen. ^They practiced every day, trying to fly
from the top of the bush to the ground. They learned
quickly and in a few days the nest was deserted.
Seventh Grade. Harry Crozier,
Larimore, N. D.
FUNNY BIRD ANTICS.
One day as I was lying idly under a lilac bush rest
ing after a few hours' labor with my flowers, I noticed a
beautiful bird sitting on a branch a short distance from
me. He was watching me with a knowing look which
seemed to say, I wonder who you are and what you
want here!" I reciprocated bis interest by scattering a
few crumbs near me, but he would come no closer. After
persevering many days I made friends with him and he
often sat and sang within a few feet of me.
Soon I missed Dickey, as I called him, and hunt and
call as I would I received no answer. Picture my joy
when he returned, not alone, bufwith a shy little mate!
The next few days were busy and happy. Dickey pointed
out all his favorite haunts and together they searched
for a nesting place. The spot chosen was in the midst
of the lilacs. When the nest was completed, the joy of
both was boundless. Time passed happily. Dickey was
often perched on a branch singing away to his mate, who
was sitting on the nest, which now contained five eggs.
When the birdies came it was comical to see the antics
of both birds. One day, hearing an unusual commotion,
I hastened out and found our cat investigating their
home. I soon restored peace and order and was rewarded
by a sweet song of thanksgiving. By the time the little
ones were ready to leave the home winter had come and
the lilac bush was the scene of other events. But I da
not think I learned as many lessons from them as from
the life of little Dickey and his mate.
Tenth Grade. Rubie Dunn,
Harmony, Mmn.
SNOW-WHITE RIGGED OUT.
One day I was flying lazily along with a small fleecy
cloud. It was a hot July afternoon and it seemed as if
the whole world was lazy I knew I was anyway. As I
was flying along I heard gay shouts of laughter from the
ground below. I looked and I saw a group* of small girls
playing with a kitten under a lilac bush, but I could not
see what they were having so much fun about. I flew
down and lighted on a beautiful spray of lilac just in full
bloom. The little girls did not see me. I watched them.
They were trying to put something that they called a
dress on the kitten. But Snow-white (as they called
him) did not like this kind of play and every once in a
while he sprang away and sprawled among the lilae
blossoms. I was still watching when the kitten spied me.
He sprang forward and was in my faee before I knew it,
but my wings were quicker than his claws and in a seo
ond I was in the top of a large tree singing my song.
Since that I always think of any lilac bush as a place of
danger for me and this one especially.
Sixth Grade. Blanche Eldred,
Dassel, Minn*
THE FAIRYLAND OF EARTH.
In our front yard is a lilac tree and I would stay
under it always if other things did not call or if it did
not rain. When I wish to have a real pleasant time I
take a book and go to my favorite haunt, the lilac.
Under it I let my imagination hold sway. Now I am a
sailor or princess in a castle, but the play I like best is
that I am one of the girl characters in the book, "Under
the Lilacs." To me a lilac tree is the earth's fairyland
and therefore not to be despised.
Then when the delicate little blossoms come I try
to count them to see how many it takes to make one clus
ter. Last year my lilac had tenants. I do not know what
they paid their rent with, as I did not see any purses
about them. Two little tree wrens had built their nest
in my tree's branches at first they were inclined to re
sent my visits, but when I held my peace they gave up
scolding and went on with their work. I expect they
will come again this year, if nothing happened to them
in their southern home, and I think we can get along
with just one tree for the three of us.
Seventh Grade. Olive Finton,
Alden, Minn.
AND SOMETHING BESIDES.
"Let's play hide-and-go-seek," I said one bright
Saturday. "You're it, you're it the boys all cried.
"Well, then, no fair hiding in the lilac bushes," I
said. "No." the boys answered.
I began to count five hundred, occasionally stopping
to yawn. Then I set out to hunt the boys. There was
Tom under the lilae bush. I was angry.
I told them to keep out of those lilacs," I said to
myself. "Why don't they do itt" I went to the lilae
bush and gave the supposed Tom a kick. "Whiz, buzz!"
and a number of bees came flying from Tom's coat and