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The Woodcraft Girls in the City
“The first course for Indian Farmers in Wisconsin was held at Kashena, on the Menominee Reservation, and was attended by scores of Tribes-men.”
“O Chief, I can tell you something, too,” cried Billy, as his big brother sat down. “A treaty between Great Britain and the United States for the protection of insectivorous birds on both sides of the Canadian border was negotiated in 1916.”
“Who hasn’t read a paper?” asked Zan, looking around.
“You haven’t!” retorted Jane.
“I know, but I am reserving mine for the last as it is so superlative I knew the rest of you would feel too discouraged after hearing mine to read what you had written, so that the meeting would lose many reports,” explained Zan, mysteriously.
“Then I make a motion that the Chief be asked to make that boast good!” cried Elizabeth.
Amid laughter, the motion was loudly seconded and carried, and Zan waited for the uproar to quiet down before she said:
“You won’t feel so jubilant when you hear the lesson I have ready for you who persist in a great waste of physical energy. My article was culled from the pages of ‘The Guide to Nature’ which is a good magazine for Woodcrafters published by the Agassiz Association. They found this article in one of our leading magazines and considered it interesting enough to reprint.”
Then Zan read a paper she had written in her own amusing style, the main points of which she had read in the periodical mentioned.
“In June, 1916, an unusual but tremendously significant fiftieth anniversary of the chewing gum was ushered in – but not with laurels or pæans of praise did this gummy little product celebrate. In fact, very few of its enthusiastic masticators knew a thing of this birthday, until it was mentioned in the papers.
“Just think of it! Fifty years of chewing on something that never satisfies but always attracts more and more – like a nightmare where money lies scattered everywhere but vanishes when an eager hand tries to grasp it.
“We have had all kinds of trouble with Mexico in recent times, but never, no matter what we do or what they do, can the public of the United States ever properly reward Mexico for introducing the greatest boon known to base-ball fans, movie fanatics, and commuters – to say nothing of the miscellany and Woodcraft folks!
“It was on a certain occasion when General Santa Anna of Mexico was calling on a friend at Snug Harbour, Staten Island, that Thomas Adams also called upon the same friend. While the three talked the General took a chunk of something resembling a solid bit of over-shoe from his pocket and cut off a small piece. He placed it in his mouth and began chewing. Then he offered some to his companions.
“Mr. Adams looked it over dubiously and said: ‘Will you please tell me where you found it?’
“Then the General explained that it was the gum of the zapote tree, better known as ‘chicle.’ Mr. Adams was a brave man, so he experimented. As he chewed he evolved a brilliant idea and he asked the General for a goodly sized piece of the gum. He took it home to see if it could not be vulcanized for a patented rubber to be used as a basis of artificial teeth.
“But the tests proved hopeless for false teeth, as the chicle was too conscientious to lend itself to any falsity, knowing well that it was meant for a far greater blessing than to hold porcelain molars in place. It felt in its soul that it could entertain a great and mighty nation in its elasticity between the jaws but never to become a part of a jaw.
“So in a huff, the chemist who was experimenting for Mr. Adams got up and snapped out: ‘The stuff isn’t worth a darn for anything but just chewing!’
“Now Mr. Adams was a right clever Yankee so he suddenly felt inspired to try out this curse on the gullible American public, for he felt much as Barnum did, when he made his speech which will go down in history.
“So he and his son raised a capital of thirty-five dollars and began the manufacture of the greatest sorrow-quencher, intensest joy-maker, most fascinating jaw-acher, and effervescing hunger-stabiliser the world ever knew.
“In those pioneer days of chicle, there was no flavouring to lend enchantment to the gum, and it was chewing for the sake of chewing. However, once the children found out what a source of annoyance this chewing gum proved to be to teachers, guardians, and parents, its success was assured, for let the juvenile American public decide favourably upon a thing and other verdicts can condemn in vain. Later, when all protests were futile, the elders had to take to chewing in sheer self-defence.
“To such vast proportions has this habit grown that at the present day the energy used in chewing gum is sufficient to propel a ferry-boat from New York Harbour to Hong Kong, China. In electrical terms a current powerful enough to lift 43,305,505 tons 34,000 miles per minutes per second per kilowatt hour.
“But to offset these stupendous figures in this loss of jaw-power one must stop to think of the good chicle has brought to the American public.
“It has been the means of having all cars and other transportation service hang signs in conspicuous places warning the passengers to conform to the City Health Laws – hence the floors of public places have been neater and cleaner than ever before.
“It has been the means of furnishing suitable slot-machines at every corner, in every popular store, and at every post in railway stations of every description. These boxes must needs attract the people for the gum, so they were equipped with mirror fronts to enable the ever-neat but not gaudy passengers to see that their hats were on straight, that tips of noses were properly powdered, that neckties were tied in the latest knot, or that Kaiser moustaches were twisted up at the correct angle – free from any thoughts of vanity, of course. While viewing these important details of toilettes folks naturally read the signs assuring them of the life-giving, harmony-creating, beauty-producing chicle.
“Now friends, the answer is: Drop one cent in the slot, take the minute package that shoots out into the pan, start chewing on the fragrant chicle, and sit in a subway car opposite other masticating engines, and you will see other hapless passengers run from the car at the next station and secure a similar package to that your cent brought forth. Such is the power of suggestion on a subway. The vaccination always takes!”
As Zan read, the audience had tittered, but when she concluded and sat down the younger contingent laughed outright and “How’ed!” Then Miss Miller stood up.
“O Chief, I am not sure whether that essay deserves a coup or a Chump Mark.”
Mr. Remington then jumped up. “It sounded as if our esteemed Chief was hired by the chicle company as a salesman or demonstrator of their products!”
“O Chief!” added Mrs. Remington. “I vote that the writer be awarded an honour as it is interesting and instructive to learn how great and universal has the pernicious habit of gum-chewing grown in this thoughtless age. Perhaps a few more notices like this will rouse the people to consider the final results of indulging in weakening and disgusting habits like continual chewing.”
“I’ll consider the last speaker’s sensible remark,” said Mr. Remington, rising from the log seat. “But I need to retire to weigh the case impartially.”
“You’re not going away, are you?” cried Billy, as his father walked from the circle.
“It’s long past bed-time and Baby is nodding,” explained Mrs. Remington.
The Guide looked at her wrist watch and then exclaimed: “Goodness me! It is past eleven o’clock’.”
“The parting song and then we say good-night,” said Zan, and the Woodcrafters all stood to join in the Indian hymn.
The next morning found the indoor campers as eager for fun as youngsters ever are, and seeing that the weather was still threatening rain but was not actually fulfilling its threat, made the Band declare for some out-door sport without delay.
While the breakfast dishes were being washed and the room put in order, voices were heard on the way from the garage. In a few minutes, the Baker boys, and Jack, with the Remington boys, peeped in at the double doors.
“Hello there! Fred Remington invited us over for a hike. Didn’t think you girls would be here, as you were sure of going to Orange Mountain,” said Fiji.
“Pooh, I know you, Fiji Baker! You never thought of a hike until you heard from Dad that we were here. I bet anything you called up Fred Remington first and asked him to invite you over!” declared Zan, nodding wisely.
“Well, I don’t know that it matters much who is right – but it remains a fact that now we’re here we may as well entertain you girls,” said Jack Hubert.
Instantly every girl was up in arms and what might have transpired is not known, for the ever watchful Guide comprehended, and said joyfully:
“Oh how fine! Then you boys will show us how to play ‘Hunt the Deer’ or ‘Bear Hunting.’”
“I’ll run to the house for the bear and spears. Meantime, you can warm up by having some races,” said Fred Remington.
Fred whispered to Fiji and ran away, and immediately afterward the boys led the way to the back-road that ran to the pasture. Here they had running races, jumping and throwing contests, and many other tests between the girls and boys, until Fred returned with a noticeably new burlap bear, and wooden spears.
The rest of the forenoon was enjoyed by having exciting Woodcraft games of hunting and spearing – both games that tested the surety of the arm and eye.
The sun came through heavy clouds during the afternoon and the girls enjoyed a hike through the woods and fields. Many an item was found that day to add to the collection of flowers and trees and birds for the new members’ lists.
Late Sunday evening, as all were ready to depart from the Council House, it was agreed that never had an indoor camp been so appreciated as this one by the girls of Wako Tribe.
CHAPTER TEN – IN FALLING LEAF MOON
That week a Council was held to decide upon the merits of the new members. As each was called upon to answer various questions, the replies were perfectly satisfactory until it came Eleanor’s turn. The report on her month of probation was not very encouraging to the five founders of the Tribe.
“What’s the matter, Eleanor – you’ve had the same time and privileges as the others?” asked Zan, impatiently.
“Oh, I don’t know as I care to join this crowd. It is always some silly deference to you as Chief. If Miss Miller was the one we had to ask permission of before we could speak to the others I wouldn’t mind, ’cause she is older and is a teacher, too. But I refuse to kow-tow to you!” retorted Eleanor.
“Humph! Guess you got out of bed with your left foot foremost, this morning,” complained Jane.
“If she don’t want to conform to our Tribe laws she can do the other thing! I have no intention of harbouring mutiny in the circle,” added Zan, angrily.
“No one asked you to! If the other snobbish girls want to be walked over just because your father has a car in which they can take a ride now and then, it’s none of my affair. I for one will not act the hypocrite for the sake of an automobile drive!” snapped Eleanor.
“Hypocrite! Good gracious! You’re the biggest – ”
What it was was not heard, for Miss Miller entered and, frowning, remarked: “Ladies! Ladies! are we Woodcrafters or are we irresponsible tramps with no education or refinement!”
Everyone flushed and looked uncomfortable but Eleanor shrugged her shoulders and walked out without a word to anyone.
“Let her go – I only hope it’s for good!” grumbled Zan.
“I am sorry this incident has occurred just now as I brought with me a letter addressed to the Tribe to be read at this meeting,” said the Guide.
Not a sound was heard and the teacher continued:
“The other school girls have heard of the good times and Nature studies you are having and many of them wish to join you. Of course there can be but ten more girls added to this Tribe but many of those not selected can start another Tribe.
“It seems that Eleanor Wilson has been talking of leaving this Band and the girls told her how foolish she was when it was going to do her so much good. But that is just what made the girl still more obstinate. Now matters have come to a crisis here, for this scene means Eleanor must stay or go – which shall it be? I know certain unpleasant incidents in connection with Eleanor’s behaviour that would prejudice me against her did I not know that the girl is in dire need of the training Woodcraft can give her. What say you?”
Put up to the girls in this way caused each one to think seriously and refrain from condemnation. Then the Chief said: “We were speaking of these things with Mrs. Remington the other day, and she advised us to go slow and not act in a way that we might regret later.”
“Miss Miller, maybe if we each took this case as a personal matter and judged Eleanor as if she was our own sister, we might feel more lenient and patient with her short-comings,” said May Randall.
Miss Miller was pleasantly surprised to hear a new member express such sentiments, and she nodded approvingly. “I am glad to hear this – shall we vote to give Eleanor another trial?”
“O Chief! Let me say a word before any girl votes on a matter that they may not feel quite satisfied with but will do as the others wish them to do,” said Nita, jumping up and flushing.
“Proceed.”
“If the new members knew of the trouble at Wickeecheokee this past Summer and what a change has been wrought in me! Some of you knew me before this Summer and some did not. But let me say, that this case of Eleanor Wilson’s seems much the same in a different dress, and if I have seen the truth and been helped to a different plane of life cannot Eleanor do the same? She needs us.”
Nita’s earnest voice finished speaking and the girls realised she had been pleading for the future of a girl’s life. The Guide found it necessary to turn away her face to pretend to look for a paper in her desk – in reality to dry the sudden moisture in her eyes caused by Nita’s heartfelt words.
“O Chief! I make a motion that Eleanor be given a patient trial just as we would do if a girl was sick,” said Elena.
The motion was seconded by Zan, and carried unanimously.
“Now girls, let us write a letter to the new applicants and let them know that they may look forward to joining a second Band in November, and then we will send a short note to Eleanor to tell her how sorry we were that she did not remain to vote with us,” said Zan.
As impulsive Zan, proud Jane, superficial Nita, and indolent Elena of last Summer’s experiences showed such wonderful improvement for better and nobler things, Miss Miller felt that the efforts and time spent about “Her Father’s Business” were beginning to bear fruit abundantly.
That week the Band met two evenings for social and Tribal affairs. The first meeting was held at Zan’s house and the second one at Jane Hubert’s. Both of these places offered ample space for the Indian songs and dances enjoyed by Woodcrafters, so they were usually selected in preference to the small rooms of modern apartment houses such as the ones where Elena, Hilda, and some of the new members lived. At Dr. Baker’s house, the girls were discussing the limited music given by the tomtom. As the complaints were finished Miss Miller addressed the girls.
“I find some of our sweetest songs need a greater depth of harmony than is possible to bring out of hide, so I will suggest a simple instrument that was much in vogue in ancient days. To-day we hear little of it. Who present can play on glass?”
No one could and several voices expressed amazement.
“Zan, can you bring me eight thin glass finger bowls? If you haven’t them, just tumblers will do, but the bowls offer a better surface. I will also want a jug of water and your moist colours,” said Miss Miller.
Zan brought the required articles and Miss Miller placed the eight bowls in a row on the table. Then she placed a dab of water-colour in each of seven bowls, leaving one natural water. Next she poured water into the bowls – different quantities for the different notes. The first bowl was almost full of water and that had no colour in it. The second bowl had not as much water and was coloured red. The third bowl held still less water which was blue. The fourth with still less water was coloured yellow. The fifth was green and that was half full. The sixth was less than half full and was tinged purple. The seventh held a quarter of a bowl full and was orange. The eighth and last held but little water and was tinted black. The colours were stirred from the bottom so that all the paint was well dissolved.
“Now girls, the bowl holding the clear water, having more in it than the others, will give us the highest note, and so on down the scale until we reach the lowest note which holds least water in the bowl.
“By placing the highest note and fullest bowl at my right hand and so on until the lowest note is at my extreme left, I can play the scale just as if I was playing on a piano.”
Miss Miller carefully moistened her fingers in the water and also moistened the edges of the bowls.
“Now listen and tell me what I am playing?” said she.
The Guide lightly passed her moist fingertips around the rim of the right-hand bowl and produced a clear sweet tone.
“G!” called the girls as she looked for their reply.
“Now these?”
Again she passed her fingers over the rims of the glasses and played the scale. As she brought out the notes the girls gathered about the table and listened with surprised interest.
“Now I will play my favourite patriotic song, ‘Our America,’ and after I have played it through you girls might sing it.”
The music was played through and then the Guide began the song again, expecting the girls to sing, but they were so intensely interested in watching her deft fingers touch the rims of the bowls that they quite forgot to sing. As Miss Miller concluded the song the second time, she looked around and laughed:
“That was the softest singing I ever thought possible!”
The girls laughed, too, and Zan said: “Try us again – maybe we can voice more sound.”
Then the song was played and sung through and Mrs. Baker came in to listen, saying: “It sounded so sweet that I wanted to hear it at closer range.”
“I think the idea is charming, but of course there is nothing like the tomtom for an Indian scalp dance or Hopi Indian song,” said Miss Miller.
She then played several old ballads, the girls humming the chorus of each as she played it.
“Girls, let’s have Miss Miller play that Morning Prayer that was written for us by request. We all know the words and with this sweet music it ought to sound lovely!” exclaimed Zan.
Then the manuscript sheet of music sent the Band by a friend was produced and the Guide played it. At the second playing the girls all sang in low sweet voices and who can say that the genuine desire expressed in the words of the simple verses was not as acceptable to the Great Spirit as any scholastic prayer ever uttered by famous theologians.
“If Miss Miller will agree, we can practise this glass music at odd moments during the week and any member excelling in the performance on Saturday will have a prize – same as May’s chest,” ventured Jane. “Yes, unless we have a camp this week-end. If we do we can award the prize some evening next week,” assented Zan.
“You girls can all try but I have too many other things to do this week. Besides, I wouldn’t bother to work for such nonsensical prizes as the kind you gave May,” said Eleanor, aggravatingly.
Zan flared up but a look from the Guide calmed her again.
“By the way, Eleanor, did you ever complete your Woodcraft test of carpentry?” now asked Miss Miller, meaningly.
“Why, no – I thought I would leave the Band so I did not bother to waste my time.”
“Well, as long as you remained with us, I would advise you to finish it without more delay so we can credit up your Tally.”
Eleanor said nothing but she sulked all evening, and when the girls were ready to leave, Miss Miller said: “I am walking down your way, Eleanor, and I will be glad to have company part of the way.”
The girl would much rather not have had the Guide walk home with her for the memory of her confession at Staten Island Camp was never forgotten although she had tried to bury it many a time. So she was not in a very friendly mood when the two were alone and walking down the quiet street.
“I made this opportunity on purpose, Eleanor, and I trust you will remember why?” said Miss Miller.
“I haven’t the slightest idea of what you mean, but if you walked this way just to be with me why should you prevaricate before the whole crowd?”
“I hardly think I did that! I always try to speak the truth – in thought as well as in deed. But in this instance I felt sure you would prefer to have me word my invitation as I did rather than speak bluntly of my purpose. I believe in using the ‘wisdom of the serpent’ when one can be absolutely true to one’s self.”
“Huh! ‘And gentleness of the dove,’ why don’t you add?” sneered Eleanor, unkindly.
“I didn’t think it necessary to add that with you, as you should be aware of my gentleness in handling this delicate situation. As long as you fail to appreciate my good intentions it may be that you will understand bluntness better.”
Miss Miller waited but Eleanor made no reply, so she added:
“When do you intend telling May and the others about the theft?”
“How dare you say that to me!” cried Eleanor, trying to be furiously insulted.
“Because I dare to stand for the truth. I have waited many days now, and offered you many good opportunities to admit your deed, but you seem farther from doing the right thing than ever. Do you know that the hiding of any wrong thing is a hindrance in itself to one’s progress?”
“I shall turn in this side street unless you mind your own business!” flared Eleanor, looking down the uninviting dark road. “You may do that but you cannot run away from your own self-condemnation and conscience. And I know from the signs that you have shown, that the trouble is preying upon your mind and making of you a most petulant, disagreeable being. Rid yourself of the error and see the uplifting you will feel at once.”
Whether it was the yearning in Miss Miller’s voice or the answer to her earnest silent prayer for guidance, it matters not, for both were sweet to the Father’s ear, and Eleanor again felt the surging desire to reform and build up a different character for herself.
Quite unexpectedly, she turned and threw her arms about the Guide’s neck and wept forth: “Oh, if I could only see the girls this very minute – here in the dark – I would be so happy to confess.”
“Eleanor, do you really mean that?” asked Miss Miller, her voice quivering with hope and joy.
“Um-um, Ooh, ye-e-es! But to-morrow I will be hard again!”
