Blue Birds' Winter Nest

by Lillian Elizabeth Roy

  CHAPTER VI

  BEGINNING THE WINTER WORK

  It is needless to say that the moment school was dismissed the followingafternoon every boy and girl who was interested in the new PublishingCompany, ran toward the carriage house at Mossy Glen. The teachers,pupils, and even some of the members of the Board of Education had heardof the plans made the day before--for in a small community like Oakdale,news travels rapidly--and the men on the school board were as muchinterested in the success of the children's work as if it had been theirown undertaking.

  Ike had found some splendid pine boards, a number of two-by-four joists,plenty of odds and ends of railing, posts, moulding, and other trim thatwould make a boy delight in amateur carpentry work.

  Nails, screws, hammers, saw, and tools of all kinds were provided, sothat each boy could work without delaying or inconveniencing the others.Ike and Simon were to superintend the construction and show the boyshow to put things together properly.

  Uncle Ben and Mr. Talmage, who went to the city early in the morning toattend to the shipping of the machinery, had not yet returned.

  The Blue Birds gathered merrily in their Nest in the cherry tree, withseveral little girls who had been away during the summer and were eagerto join the Nest.

  Miss Selina insisted upon walking along the path from the house whenMrs. Talmage started for the Nest and, upon arriving at the foot of thesteps that led up to the Nest, looked up imploringly.

  "Flutey, I believe you can get up here if I help you!" exclaimed Ruth,seeing her aunt's expression.

  "Oh, no, dearie! What about the rheumatism in my ankles?" groaned MissSelina.

  "Leave it behind!" laughed Ruth, gayly hopping down from the Nest.

  "I wish I could!" declared Aunt Selina, taking a firm hold on thehandrail and trying to lift up her foot.

  "Ouch! that hurt my knee-joint!" cried she.

  "Flutey! That's no way to leave that rheumatism behind!" reprimandedRuth. "Now, make up your mind to walk right up and forget the nastylittle pain."

  Mrs. Talmage and the Blue Birds were hovering over the railing of theNest to advise the two at the foot of the steps. Dot Starr, with herusual bluntness and funny way of expressing herself, called down to MissSelina:

  "Flutey, you just feel those twinges in your joints because you'respoiled. Mumzie says I am always sicker if I let myself be fussed overand spoiled. _She_ just says, 'Try to forget it.' Now, if you were me,you never would be down there a second, but you'd jump here two steps ata time. So, I say like Mumzie would, forget you're not me, and we'll seeyou pop up here like magic!"

  Aunt Selina felt like rebuking Dot, but the children smiledsympathetically and knew Dot was sincere in her desire to help the oldlady, so the invalid replied instead,

  "Dot, that is just the trouble! I can't forget the habits of seventyyears. I wish I could make-believe I was as young and spry as you are."

  "If you wish, then you can! Remember the story of Sarah Crewe?" criedRuth, helping Miss Selina to the next step.

  "I saw an old lady up in Casco Bay town last summer who was older thanyou and she never had time to remember her age, because she had to workall day for other folks. She said she slept like a baby every night.Daddum said one reason she looked so young was that she hadn't time toworry about growing old," said Dot.

  "If I had had to work for others instead of being pampered until Icouldn't do a thing for myself, maybe I would feel as young as anyone,"admitted Aunt Selina.

  Meantime, without being conscious of the act, the old lady was beinghelped up the steps by Ruth, until, at the last words, she reached thetop.

  "Why, I'm up and never knew it!" she laughed.

  "That's just the way to forget!" cried Dot, clapping her hands.

  "And you've left your troubles behind as I told you to," added Ruth.

  A chair was placed for Aunt Selina who looked about the Nest with keeninterest.

  "Mary Talmage, I just wager this was all your idea, wasn't it?" shecommented, as she noted the sides of the Nest covered with strawmatting, and the cute wicker table and chairs.

  "Yes, Flutey, it was. But listen until we tell you how we found thisNest and the furniture," said Ruth, and all the Blue Birds chirped in totell the story about the Nest and how the furniture was found hidden inunexpected places about the lawn and in the shrubbery.

  Aunt Selina chuckled, but Mrs. Talmage spoke with some seriousness.

  "Blue Birds, time is flying, and we must talk about our magazine."

  Ruth then explained the presence of the children who wished to join theNest. Mrs. Talmage looked sorry.

  "Dearies, I would like to have you with us, but really I cannot takeproper charge of more than I have at present. I want to do the workright and that will be impossible with too many in one Nest. But I havea suggestion to offer. Mrs. Catlin is so interested with us in the workthat I am sure she will gladly start you in a Nest of your own. She hasplenty of time, and a beautiful place, so you will be just as happythere as here. We can all meet when necessary and talk over affairstogether. I will write a note to her and explain, then you can take itover."

  "I know Mrs. Catlin! We live on the same street!" exclaimed one of thechildren.

  "I guess we all know Mrs. Catlin, and like her; if we can't join Ruth'sNest, I'd like to be in one of Mrs. Catlin's," said another little girl.

  After bidding them good-by as they ran across the lawn, the Blue Birdssettled down to hear the plans for work on the magazine.

  "I have some ideas which I would like to present to save time," saidMrs. Talmage.

  "I apportioned a page to each one of you to edit and expect you to havethe line of writing that best suits your ability.

  "For instance," continued Mrs. Talmage: "To Dot Starr, who did thecut-out paper furniture so well at the school-house this summer when wemade the paper doll houses for the city children, I gave a page called,'What Can Be Made of Paper.'

  "To Edith, who always makes such good candy, I gave the 'Candy Kettle.'

  "To Betty, who is clever with her pencils, I gave the 'Drawing Lesson.'

  "To Ruth, who loves housekeeping, I gave 'Household Hints.'

  "To Norma, who likes to sew, I gave the 'Doll's Wardrobe.'

  "To May, who takes such good kodak pictures, I gave the 'Camera Corner.'

  "To Frances, who is an adept at puzzles and games, I gave 'Puzzledom.'

  "There are besides many other pages to edit which I think will have tobe done by the boys, and some grown-ups, so I just jotted down the namesof the boys that I think are capable of doing it.

  "I gave Ned a page for 'Domestic Animals,' Meredith Starr can have apage on 'Wild Animals,' and Jinks a page on 'Insects and Reptiles.'

  "Then, there will be need for other articles which the other boys cansupply, and they can all help with the publishing. I shall write to anold friend who was judge of the Juvenile Court for years, and mostlikely has very interesting stories to tell. Another well-known writerof children's books lives in Washington, D. C., and I feel quite sureof her interest when I tell her what our plans are. Besides, Uncle Benknows people who will contribute, as he told us so."

  "Oh, Mrs. Talmage, do you really believe the magazine will be so goodthat folks will subscribe for it?" questioned Norma.

  "Why, of course! Didn't you hear Uncle Ben say that he would be ashamedto send anything less than a real magazine through the mail?--That wewould have to do our work over again if it was poorly done?" said Mrs.Talmage.

  "Just think! My name on a magazine page with my cut-out furniture onit!" cried Dot, hugging her sides.

  "How many folks will get one, do you suppose?" asked Betty.

  "The more the merrier," laughed Mrs. Talmage.

  "Mother Wings, how do people get a list of names where children want amagazine?" asked Ruth.

  "Oh, different ways. Uncle Ben may have a list of families where thereare children. I know dozens of friends who have children; Mrs. Catlindoes, too. Then, there are the Wells, Stevens, S
tarrs, and so on: allfamilies who know other families where there are children. Why, friendsof mine in England and Germany will take this magazine if I send them asample copy. And so a list grows when everyone tries to help."

  "If we are only printing this magazine to help along our farms for poorchildren I don't see why anyone in Europe would want to take the paper,"said Dot.

  "Don't you be so sure about that, Miss Dot!" said Aunt Selina. "Afterthis organization gets agoing I believe it will make such a stir thatits light won't 'be hidden under a bushel' very long. Only keep yourmagazine at high-water mark, and you will see a marvel before the yearis over."

  Aunt Selina's remark made such an impression on Mrs. Talmage that shesuddenly realized how important their venture might turn out to be,providing everyone did their best.

  A loud halloo coming from the direction of the carriage house called theBlue Birds' attention to the open door. Mr. Talmage and Uncle Ben werestanding there beckoning for the Blue Birds.

  Aunt Selina found she could get down from the Nest quite nimbly, andall started toward the building which was to be known in the future asthe "Publishing House."

  Inside, about twenty boys were sawing, hammering, and calling to eachother while Ike and Simon bossed the work. At one side of the entrancethe front corner of the large room had been measured off, and apartition about six feet high erected. This office had a wide window infront, and a closet on the side wall. The partition was of oak-stainedceiling boards that had been taken out of an attic chamber of theTalmage residence when that room had been refinished. The partition hada door to match, and the boys' work was exceptionally good. Six boyswere busy completing the nailing of the partition and two more were soengaged upon hanging the door that the visitors were scarcely noticed.

  "Hi, there! Jinks, start that screw, will you?" called Ned, trying tobalance the door on his toes while the hinge insisted upon slipping outof the notch that had been made for it.

  "I will, if you will stop wriggling the old thing!" replied Jinks, whohad pinched his finger several times and had become wary of theunsteady door.

  Ike saw the difficulty the boys were having and, while the Blue Birdsstood watching the struggle, came over and offered to help them.

  "This scene is as good as a vaudeville, Mary," laughed Uncle Ben."That's why I wanted you to see it."

  "Oh, I think they have done wonderfully well," replied Mrs. Talmage,with interest.

  "They have, and Ben is so tickled with the boys' whole-hearted supportof the plan, that he is having the time of his life," added Mr. Talmage.

  The other boys had made a strong bench to sit upon, and a rude tablewith a board top.

  The whole interior of the place was covered with sawdust, shavings, andpieces of timber. Planes and chisels were in constant demand, andhammers, screw-drivers and saws were all making a veritable bedlam of anoise, when Ike called "Time."

  "Too dark to see what you are doing," he explained.

  "Turn on the electric lights, Ike," said Ned.

  "Better not--you boys have done far more than we thought you could andthere is no use in 'driving a willing horse to death,'" advised Mr.Talmage.

  As the boys dropped tools and stretched tired arms, or bent backs, theyrealized that the unusual work had made muscles ache.

  "Get on your caps and coats, Bobolinks, and come out on the lawn to hearof my trip to the city," said Uncle Ben.

  In a few moments the room was empty and the children crowded about UncleBen who sat cross-legged on the soft grass, while Ike placed chairs forAunt Selina and Mrs. Talmage.

  "Well, to start at the beginning, I took the eight-ten train thismorning, and I was introduced to the Oakdale Commuters as 'Uncle Ben ofthe Blue Birds and Bobolinks.' That was reference enough for anyone. Iwas looked upon as a man to be envied and I even saw covert glances fromsome jealous eyes that looked me up and down and saw no especial favorto have boosted me in the estimation of the B. B. & B. B. Company."

  "Now, Uncle Ben, stop your fooling and tell us about the trip," rebukedRuth.

  "I am, Fluff, but I want to begin at the right end of the story,"teased Uncle Ben.

  "Oh, begin anywhere, only get somewhere!" cried Mr. Talmage, laughing.

  With a sigh that indicated that he was misunderstood, Uncle Bencontinued his story.

  "Mr. Wells, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Starr, Mr. Wilson, and many other men youknow promised to advise and assist the boys in every way possible."

  "What did Daddum say?" cried Dot, eagerly.

  "Don't interrupt, Dot!" admonished Meredith, sternly.

  "Well, Mr. Starr offered a series of articles on his experiences inlumber camps, and, besides, he promised to take hold of any part of theplan in which we could use him," replied Uncle Ben. "Mr. Wells has abook that will prove valuable for our undertaking. It is a directory ofbenevolent institutions and contains the names and addresses of everyasylum or home in the country."

  "Why, Uncle Ben, that is exactly what we need to find our sick childrenfor the farms, isn't it?" said Ruth, happily.

  Uncle Ben nodded his head and continued.

  "Then, Mr. Stevens offered to have his solicitors try to secure someadvertising for the magazine. His agency is one of the best in the cityand I think his offer a fine one."

  At the idea of having advertisements appear in the magazine, the BlueBirds and Bobolinks looked at each other in surprise.

  "We never thought of _that_!" ventured Ned.

  "Sounds like real work, when you hear the words 'solicitors' and'advertisements,' doesn't it?" commented Jinks.

  "I've been trying to make you understand from the first that this willmean work as well as pleasure," insisted Uncle Ben.

  "They'll all wake up to that fact soon enough, Ben--go on with yourstory," laughed Mr. Talmage.

  "Mr. Wilson, who is connected with the Oakdale Paper Mills, then offeredto donate enough paper to get out several months' issues, so I acceptedthat offer with delight, thinking you could make use of Aunt Selina'soffer in some other way. Mr. Wilson is going to bring some samples ofpaper over to the Publishing House soon and let us make our selections.A man whom I just met offered to speak to the Manhattan SubscriptionAgency about taking subscriptions for you and giving the magazine agood position in their next catalogue."

  "So much good luck actually turned Uncle Ben's head," laughed Mr.Talmage, during a moment's silence. "Why, he hardly knew what he went tothe city for, and I had to guide him by the arm to show him the way tohis office."

  "Of course, my friends here know better than to believe any suchscandalous tales about me!" replied Uncle Ben, looking at his brother asif to dare him to tease any more.

  The children always enjoyed these make-believe quarrels between the twobrothers, and Ned generally egged them on. To-day, however, he was tooeager to hear about the trip to the city and so urged Uncle Ben tofinish the story.

  "We found the machinery that I think you can best use here, and had itprepared for shipment. Just as we were leaving the store-room a man camedown with a load of type.

  "'Where are you taking that?' I asked him.

  "'Boss said to send it off to be melted down,' replied the man.

  "'Just leave it on top of this packing case--I'll see that it is takencare of,' I told him, and he did as I said.

  "Now, boys, all of that type is coming out here for you to work with. Ihad it charged to my account at the office, for it was a 'big find' toget hold of some type just at the time we needed it," concluded UncleBen, taking a long breath of relief.

  "And now, I'll tell you of all the things Uncle Ben forgot to mention,"laughed Mr. Talmage.

  "When we left the stock-room and went to his office, he picked up thetelephone and called up more friends than I ever thought he knew. Two orthree of them were invited to lunch with us, and the others were toldabout the wonderful work the Oakdale children were planning. Every oneof his friends was told to help along or suggest some way to boost themagazine. Of course, they had to promise."

>   Uncle Ben chuckled to himself as his brother told about the telephoneexperiences.

  "Now, we come to the time when this crafty uncle of yours met hisfriends at lunch. What do you think his plot was? Well, just listen andI will tell you," and Mr. Talmage nodded his head warningly at hisbrother.

  "One of his guests was Mr. Connell, the man that owns one of the largestengraving plants in the city. This Uncle Ben told his story in such anengaging way that that business man actually offered to turn out theplates you needed for the magazine at actual cost for several months. Weall know what that means--several hundred dollars on the credit side ofthe ledger."

  All eyes were turned toward Uncle Ben for confirmation of the greatoffer, and he nodded his head smilingly.

  "One of the best business advisers I know in New York said that hethought you children had an unusually good idea for a successfulbusiness investment, and hoped that you would keep it up until you wereadults and saw the financial benefit in it," said Uncle Ben, seriously.

  The girls were pleased at this news, but the boys were hilarious to findthat a clever business man approved of the plan they were working out.

  "When will the machinery be here, Uncle Ben?" asked Ned.

  "It is coming by freight and will take a few days, but you will be keptbusy until then in finishing the shop-work," returned Uncle Ben.

  "Yes, indeed, we will have to build some stands for type, too, with theboxful you got for us," answered Ned.

  "We Blue Birds spent all of our afternoon engaging editors to takecharge of the pages," ventured Ruth, who thought the Blue Birds had beenquiet too long.

  "You'll have to have all the pages ready to hand over to me by the tenthof October, you know; I'll need about three days for making linotype andthen you can have the proofs back," said Uncle Ben.

  "Oh, we will have everything ready long before the tenth," laughed Mrs.Talmage.

  "From the way the Blue Birds are working, I should say that each onewill have about five hundred pages written by that time," added AuntSelina, smilingly.

  "In that case, we will have to have each page add a notice at thebottom: 'To be continued in our Nest.'"