ad been learned, as there were more "Contemplations" than rewards. When the children heard there wa

erest in the maxims Mrs

War Relief in Europe. I had thought of getting them a lightweight boat that would float on the creek, but now that every one ought to do something I

end before they complete a single sock. Besides, they feel as if knitting was worse than going in the trenches, so I haven't insisted upon the wo

between a boat and knitting

in health, too, as Kate s

cost of the boat togeth

. Now that they have the General Washington idea in their minds, I think the boat is just the thing. They can have fights at sea and use it for crossing and recrossi

to a building concern that specializes in canoes and pleasure crafts. I have to interview them about an insurance poli

e creek. He made the boat six months ago for some children, but the father lost a great deal of money in bad speculations and couldn't pay the balance due on i

it sent on?" asked

ken of the idea I wonder that I never tho

k was so entirely taken up with studying maxims and winning prizes that it was not until the beginning of the

al army dressed in its hard-earned uni

hman wore the American uniform; Jim was the whole regular army, for Martha and Anne took turns in being General Sulliv

ssels, Jim was made to wear a cap found in the attic chest. This was a sorry trial to Jim, who fondled the gold-trimmed hat he had won by learning maxims, but was not permitted to pa

y ain't no udder ranks den m

hat's the use of having so many officers and no regulars? Make Anne and Marth

made exactly like the boys', as the officers did in theirs, and they would

in the ranks continued all week, but the drilling with fife and drum and the rifle

Englishmen to help Jack. It had been decided that John take turns being first French and then British to help out Gener

fore, stating the reason the army never amounted to anything, Ji

s to see the cause of his surprise

in red, white and blue stripes. The ladies, Mrs. Parke and Mrs. Davis, walked

than five yards of the side road crossing the creek British and American officers and men ye

nd the driver reached the creek, where many hands were eager to as

for the safe delivery of the boat, and it is not fair to him to risk its safety

de gracefully on the slow surface of the stream. The teamster and the help went

t from aunty, so that they could play American

Can you, Jack?

ack and forth on the upper end of t

you begin practice. A bathing suit would be better

't fall out,

there is no telling when such experts in r

one set of oars, so only one could row. Seeing that Jack's mother presented the boat, Geor

and forth," it seemed difficult to move the boat in the right direction

ng at the general's failure to row

ant to try?" as

g to hope that he would ever be invited to row. Martha saw his intense a

"Jim, do you want to try and

nk and file" of the American army s

he prow, and then Jim climbed in. He turned a

, Jim. Then they are going to

taught how to manage a pair of oars and a boat. But the oars and boats found tied up to old tree stumps along the sluggish river banks we

d the ribbed sides and deck-flooring of the inside of the boat. The shiny varnish

and then let the rest have thei

dically in the oar-locks, he sat down. But the boys noticed that he sat on the next seat to the one they had occupied when trying to row. They

and as the flat sides of the oars pushed against the water, the boat began moving. With surprisingly regular and serviceable strokes for such a

ang Mrs. Parke, as Jim brought the nos

p than any of us!" declared George, will

on the raft that day!" admired Jack, looking Jim up

n't goin' t' be no common solger no moh! Ah k

al of the navy!" sud

t-they all did!" added John, n

nd marines how to row and manage a

honors, and he might have started for the bar

to sail to Cuba and fight

I mean, we will run over to John's side of the creek wh

The boat is not to be used for a sea-fight till every on

their entire time at the creek learning to row the boat. It had been named "The Wa

home again. Mr. Davis wrote he was lonesome without the children, and the cook had gone the day a

she was annoyed, for the woman had promised fai

as you Virginia people have!" sighed she, thi

lived South, the tables would be turned. But do not let the

op off at New York on my homeward way and show the children some of the histor

l make a suggestion," said Mr.

, but we seldom follow their

wife to accompany me. Now, if you will consider such a plan, we may as well take George and Martha, too, and make a family party of it. The children will be greatly improved by visiting all the poin

leased surprise, for such a trip alway

s for me to consult the four younger members of the

this proposed treat to them. Why, they'd have the whole place in an u

p matters here, and, without a word to the children

ay preceding, Mrs. Graham called at the Parke house to invite George an

rs were going on Monday, and I thought the children would enjoy

pected to start Tuesday morning, it was decided that she

trip. Mr. Parke was most grateful that he had not mentioned the event sooner; for even at that late hour he was not

E