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THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1 907
STORIES AND ANECDOTES
OF INTEREST TO LITTLE MEN
CONDUCTED BY PETER PAN.
THE MERRY GO-ROUND.
One morning, the tour little Dolllvers
went
To the grand entertainment and ahow
That opened the season at "Festival
Park”—
•" For weeks they'd been longing to go!
They rolled in the "Coaster"—they
threaded the "Maxe,”
They skipped down the "Slip" with a
bound,
But nothing was there that could even
compare
With the wonderful Merry-Go-
Round!
Oh. the handsome and very
Entrancing and merry.
The Merry-Go-Round's a delight!
How the Dolllvers cheered
As the horses appeared,
It was such a magnificent sight!
They watched the great "Flood" and
the “Blograph," too;
The firemen "Fighting the' Flames,"
Then rode on the "Musical Railway,"
besides,
And played many Intricate games.
They easily won with the "Japanese
Balls."
And tried every "Target" they found.
But nothing the four little Dolllvers
saw
Quite equaled the Merry-Go-Round!
Oh, the charming nnd very
Attractive and merry.
The Merry-Go-Round Is the best!
And the Dolllvers cried,
"Mother, dear, let us ride,
Let us all ride away with the rest.”
Evangeline Gertrude, Belinda Luclle,
With John nnd Elisabeth Lou.
Each mounted a pony adorned with
rosettes—
Green, orange, magenta and blue.
With wavlngs, hurrahs and a flourish
of whips
They glided away to the sound
Of a beautiful band. Oh, the music
was grand
That was played at the Merry-Go-
Round!
Oh, the Jolly and very
Delightful and merry,
The Merry-Go-Round Is the thing!
All the Dolllvers stayed,
(And bought pink lemonade!,
Till they rode' every horse In the ring.
—Cornelia Walter McCleary In May St.
Nicholas.
FIRST BOY EDITOR.
James M. Beck, once assistant at
torney general of the United States,
says an exchange, amused himself
when he was a boy by playing editor
and running a small amateur maga-
xlne. Issued whenever the editor
wasn't too busy at other kinds of play.
He has kept up his Interest in juvenile
editing and can generally be found at
meetings of amateur journalists of the
past who are not too busy to remem
ber the enterprises of their youth,
was this Interest that led Mr. Beck to
discover the other day a complete file
of the first boy editor's paper published
In this country.
The finding of this file came by nc
cldent and confirmed a tradition that
the first amateur journal was published
In Philadelphia as early as 1112. Mr.
Beck got the file at the sale of the
library of'Governor Pcnnypacker, of
Pennsylvania, und an examination of
It brought to light many things of gen
eral Interest.
The first boy editor was Thomas G.
Candle, and, although he had been re
ferred to as the father of amateur
journalism, there was no solid basis
for this title until the file of his journal
was found. He was born In Philadel
phia in 1797, and was the son of book
binder Thomas Condle, from whom he
got Ills literary aspirations.
The young Condle's paper was called
the Juvenile Port-Folio, after one of
the first American literary magaslnes.
Tho Port-Folio was first print
ed In 1801 and continued until 1812.
Young Condle was IS when he began
to publish his paper, and had just
entered the University of Pennsylva
nia. His magazine was published only
during the time he was In the univer
sity, for after he had been graduated
and turned his attention to law, the
Juvenile Port-Folio ceased.
The editor had a house to house can
vas made for subscribers, and adver
tised for "an active young lad to so
licit subscribers for the Juvenile Port-
Folio." Philadelphia magazines of the
present day employ the same means
for securing subscribers.
Young Condle’s paper consisted of
four pages 8 1-2 by S 1-2 Inches, with
two columns to the page. ^
The Index of COndle's first volume
shows a wide ranga of subjects, chiefly
referring to moral questions and praise
•f "the fairest of creation." Beyond
A TRUE STORY OF THE STAGE
By M. S. HANDY.
Helen's father played the violin In
the orchestra at the Savoy theater. His
family had a comfortable little flat In
New York and were as happy as could
bo until one day Mr. Went fell ill.
Helen's mother, with tears In her eyes,
told Helen and her little brother. John,
that father would not be able to play
the violin any more that winter. "I
don't know what will became of us
all," said poor Mrs. Went, tears now
streaming down her cheeks.
“Don't cry, mother, dear," said Hel-
i, ‘TU think of some way. We'U
manage; see If we don't”
Mrs. Went smiled at her little daugh
ter’s hopefulness, as she sat down to
write a letter to the manager of the
theater 1tfr. Went played for.
Helen was told to deliver the letter.
It was the first time she had ever gone
to a theater, except when her father
had been given tickets to see "Beauty
and the Beast" Her heart beat fast
as she waited In the office for Mr.
Scott, the manager.
Two men were talking os she entered
and after politely bidding ^he little girl
to sit down, returned to the subject
they had been discussing when she en
tered.
'I don’t know what we can do with
out him. The play depends on that
youngster, and his folks won’t let him
go on the road. We've only a week In
which to replace him and tho worst
feature Is that all the children who
are worth unythlng were engaged at
this time last year, I'm Just about
discouraged."
The men talked some more and Hel
en learned from their conversation that
they wanted a little boy to play In the
theater where her father was employ,
ed. She had often heard father tell
about the boy—Cecil Dale.
Here an Idea entered Helen's active
little brain. Why couldn't thdlr John
play the part and earn the 130 a week
that Cecil earned? This would pay
the rent nnd keep father from worry'
Ing ns to what would become «of them
while he was sick.
Before Helen knew how she got the
courage she approached one of the
gentlemen and said: “Excuse me, sir,
but I believe my little brother could
play the part, and do It well. He’s
very clever, and I'll teach him the
lines. Won't you just give him a
chance, sir? It won't do any harm to
try.”
"Has your brother ever beon on the
stage V asked the gentleman, who was
the stage manager, smiling at Helen's
eagerness and wisdom.
"Not on the real stage, sir, but In
play theater at home with all our little
friends and John always gets lots of
applause. He's just splendid."
"What parts has he played V' asked
the manager, more amused at Helen's
enthusiasm than with any serious
Idea of employing her brother.
"Oh, he’s good at anything, John Is!
I like him best as Little Lord Fauntlc-
roy, but mother thinks he Is better as
Eva. You know Eva’s the little girl
In a play called ‘Uncle Tom's Cabin.’
John himself likes to play 'Still Alarm,'
because there's a fire engine In that
play."
"What part does he take In the
Still Alarm?”' asked the manager.
"Why, the fire engine, replied Hel-
?n. "He plays it so real and natural
like, you get out of his way, you're so
afraid you'll be Tun over.”
Both men laughed, and told Helen
they would think about John as a can
didate for their play. It Is doubtful If
they would have gone any further
than to think about John, If it had not
been (nr John's determined sister.
Early next morning Helen was on
hand with John by her side. He was
a manly little fellow, with handsome
fare tin.I winning manners, anil a dis
tinct, clear, musical voice. The man
ager was attracted to him, and after
some questions, told Helen he had de
cided to let her take the port, and
sec what the two of them could make
of It
"Come Thursday, children, and
John can do It well. I'll engage him at
830 a week, provided Helen goes along
to take care of him."
Helen felt as If the whole chorus of
song birds were In her heart as she
started home to tell the good news to
father and mother. She was sure John
could learn the part and she would
teach him every bit by Thursday, for
wasn't today only Tuesday?
Patient little Helen! Her work was
lust beginning. All day she'struggled
to get John Interested and by coaxing
uni by bribing the child made great
headway. He was promised a me
chanical train when he had learned all
Indeed, the whole family now took the
greatest Interest In the success of Hel
en's plan.
Mother worried a little about her
darlings going away from her, but
Helen removed her fears by saying:
"You let me take full care of John,
mother. You trust me to take him to
school, and dress him now. I'll do my
part, don't you fear, and tather shall
have nothing to do but rest and get
strong this winter."
"I know you will, dear,” said mother,
"you have been a blessing ever since
you were born."
On Thursday Helen and John pre
sented themselves at the theater to bo
given a trial before the company. The
little fellow had none of the self-con
sciousness and affectation of the ordi
nary stage child. He was so natural
all were loud In his praises. In one
scene he had to play horse with his
grandfather. In this scene John got so
excited he forgot his exact lines, but
shouted. "Whoa, there!” and "Get up
there. Horsey,” such a real way that
all shouted, "Bravo” and "Hurrah.”
"He’ll do,” said the manager. "Ho
plays the part better now than Cecil
ever did."
While John was being congratu
lated, Helen was being questioned by
several ladles In the company, who
had heard the stoiy of Mr. Went's
sickness and how Helen had planned
to keep the wolf from the door. When
they learned that she was to travtl all
over the United States to take core
of John—to have him ready for trains,
to be always dressed* for his part of
the play—they determined to help the
brave little girl and lessen her care in
any way they could.
And all kept their promises, as the
next six months showed. The com
pany traveled from New Orleans, In
the South, to Omaha, In the West, and
the'h back to New York again when
spring came.
John’s part proved a great success,
and every newspaper spoke In loudest
praise of his talent. There was one
other, I think, who played even
harder part and played It better,
don't you?
The quiet little girl who cared for
the little actor, being father, mother,
sister, teacher and friend, all In one to
him. Tho ono who sent the money to
that little flat In New York—the ono
who was always brave. Don’t you
think in "God's book," dear little Hel
en would win even more splendid no-
tlcea'than John did In the papers? \
am sure she would, and what Is more,
I am sure she got them.
a few references to Washington and
to the naval heroes of 1812, the Juve
nile Port-Folio had no reference to the
political events of the day. Its con
tents closely Imitated The Spectator,
The Rambler and other periodicals of
the eighteenth century and the Influ
ence of Addison and Steel In prose es
says, and Pope, Swlfe and Drydon in
poetry dominated tho taste of the
youthful editor and his contributors.
Ills paper seems to have attracted
more than local attenjlon, for the .sub
scription list contained a number of
names In other states as far north os
Boston and as far south as Savannah.
In the preface to the fourth and last
volume of the Juvenile Port-Folio Con-
die stated .his intention to enlarge his
lerlodlcal and change lfs name to the
Parlour Companion, suitable for more
advanced readers. Later he recorded
his disappointment at the failure of
the public to respond to hta call for
subscriptions to the more ambitious
periodical, and there Is no record that
it was ever published.
Dunning.
No doubt a great many of us have dunned
people for various things, and perhaps some
of us have been unfortunate enough to be
dnnned: but It Is doubtful if msny know
where the phrase originated. It has been
said that It originally came from the French
verb donnez.
This may be true, but the word prob-
ebly came from Joe Dun, a famous bslllfT
of Lincoln, about tbe time of Henry VII.
Dun was so noted for bis ability to extract
money from debtors that his name became
proverbial, and It got to be a custom to
say, "Why don't you Dun him?"
“Fiasco.”
The phrase, "a complete fiasco,” oriel-
nated with a German workman who de
clared that he could blow glass as well as
an expert glass worker.
A friend laid a wager with him to the
contrary, and when the test came otf the
would-be glass blower found that he could
ffl 0 dS!fn, a ed, P ?. r -;?| 5 e P / d ng^ k b^“^
the same result
The story of the workman became known,
and henct the origin of the phrase which Is
used In designating a failure.
TO GAIN THE HEIGHTS.
When you were a boy at school, yon
know a boy who was regarded as rather
slow-witted, doll and stupid. He was not
quick in repartee, not gifted In memory,
and stood away down at the foot of his
classes. You did not expect much of him,
and his teachers expected still less. But
as the years have come and gone, slowly,
but none tho less surely, that hoy lias
forged to the front, nnd now he Is standing
in lofty eminences, commanding the re
spect of all with whom he comes In con
tact. Ills word Is law for a multiplicity
of employees under him; and to him in
times of trouble many people turn.
nnd has achieved so much that you stand
looking at him with wonder nnd amaze
ment. __
How do great men gain the heights?
Go hack, down the long, dim, dust grnv
Sr -
of the centuries for an Illustration of
•no man In the enrly days gained the
heights, knowing that his story is the
story of all who reach the delectable inoun-
Ing remembrance, was known as Knselin.
As a boy, living in the twelfth century, he
was dreamy and moody, and had no thought
for the things of this life. He dreamed
strange dreams of heaven and sought to
make his life heavenly. In the mountain
valley monastery where he was studying
he was regarded as Idle, slow-witted and
not bright. He did not care particularly
for the sports of l»oys. lie was not par
ticularly popular with his comrades, Flow
nnd laborious was his progress. But It
was progress.
As the years unfolded his goodness of
heart and amiability attracted the atten
tion of his superiors; nnd they, breaking
the harrier of conservatism that surround
ed his soul, found therein a rare spirit.
They nought to develop that soul, nnd pres
ently his entire spirit became aflame with
n desire to do good, and, what was better
still, t<» he good.
He became one of the greatest thinkers
of hts age. His hooks of philosophy are tho
terror of ronng stud*
inent of pfillosophcrs.
realm who was not afraid to rebuke Wil
liam II as-he sat on Ills throne.
Anselm had. indeed, gained the heights!
How gained he them?
In this way: Ilia passion for study after
his mind had been opened to “see things"
led him to spend whole days nnd whole
nights In study and writing. Oftentimes
he slept with wax tapers by his side and
tablets on bis pillow, so that he might pot
loved tho monks under him with stich fidel
ity that “they relish no drink save the
wine that Bnselm’s hand squeezed for them
~ the bunch of grapes.”
: succeeded as all men who have suc
ceeded have done, through patience, pains
and persistent work nnd ability to Initiate
new plans and methods. He knew no fear,
carried no malice and lived a clean life.
Would you gain the heights? There Is
no other way than thla way:
“The heights by great men reached nnd
kept
Were not nttnlmsl by smMon flight,
or they, while tbelr compsnlons slept.
Were tolling upward In the night.'
-J. A. JAYNE.
THE TALE OF CAPTAIN KIDD.
Ana now. wnen ou wvwib «»§»■
He murdered men and scuttled ships.
For many years ho sailed the sea,
And was as mean ns he could 1h\
Ills name would make the children cry,
And spoil their appetite for pie.
Tils eyes were black as anthracite.
And filled most persons with affright,
lie wore big boots upon bis feet.
And he would rather fight than eat.
Upon his ship he always dwelt,
With mighty pistols in his belt.
Anl sailing 'cross tho ocean wide.
A cutlass swung down at bis side.
The flag he flew was deepest black.
And ns he’d quickly sail and .tack,
He’d walk the deck to see If he
Could see a ship upon tho gca.
When ono was sighted he gave chase,
And then there’d t»o nn awful race.
The sight would almost take your breath
And likely scare you 'most to death.
.11 tell yon, lads, It was no Joke!
His cannon spat out flams and smoke.
The ship ahead would have to atop
And down Its flag would quickly drop.
Then Captain Kidd and all hta crew
Would awear until the air turned blue.
And when It was quite blue, they’d swing
Their swords and about like anything.
Then great big bolea were quickly drilled
Into the vessel till she filled.
And Just before the vessel sank,
The crew was made to walk the plank.
Immense bright heaps of shining gold
The pirate loaded In bis hold;
no swept the sea, and swept it dean.
Though no broom on bis ship was seen.
And when they caught him In the end,
IIo did not have a single friend,
Rut everybody said, “Hooray!
We’re glad that he’s been ‘put away I' **
—Exchange. ,
NO FAULT OF HIS.
Magistrate^—Now, HI let you off this
time, but it must bo a lesson for you
not to bo in bad company again.
Prisoner—It ain't my fault that I'm
here, yer honor; that p'lcecemen mad#
me come«