been digesting of late years. Educational,
adventurous, interesting, work-a-day reading! But the books and
magazines in the main have not advanced to meet the demand for better
children's literature. I have long dreamed of just what I would like to
give the children of to-day." And Uncle Ben lapsed into silence.

"I never gave the subject much thought, but I suppose you are right,
Ben," admitted Mr. Talmage.

"That's just it!" cried Uncle Ben, excitedly. "No one ever stops to
think about it, but keeps right on filling the minds of their children
with stuff that never benefits them a particle. How many boys of to-day
want to read 'Mother's Brave Little Man,' or 'Jerry the Newsboy'? Bosh!
Boys of to-day want 'True Tales of an Indian Trapper,' or 'Boy Scout
Adventures,' or good clean stories--school life, or outdoor sports.
It's LIFE and HEALTH they want."

"Guess you're right, Ben," said Mr. Talmage, smiling at his brother's
denunciation of present-day literature for children.

"All right, then! Help me bring about a reform in this line. I have
studied this problem from every point of view and I really believe that
the growing youth of to-day would not acquire bad habits so readily if
they were given some occupation that would thoroughly interest them.
It's worth trying, at any rate. Let's fill them with some great plan or
ambition and see how many children will fall into the snares and
pitfalls of the past!"

Uncle Ben so inspired his brother with his enthusiasm that he, too,
declared he would do all he could to help.

"Here's a few women who accomplished wonders this summer with the little
girls. We have a crowd of boys wasting their time day by day for want
of something interesting to do. Let the fathers follow the mothers'
example and help their boys band together for some good cause!" said
Uncle Ben.

"We'll get the men together and propose it--they'll see the value of the
suggestion, just as I have," promised Mr. Talmage.

"Well, Al, now that you're interested, I have an especially fine plum to
drop into your hands. Your own son was the one to start an organization
of boys and name it Bobolink Boys."

"My Ned!" exclaimed Mr. Talmage, joyfully. "That makes me very happy!"

"That is what he wished to tell me when we went to his den. He has
organized a club for boys under twelve, just as the Blue Birds have done
for girls, and the initials are the same--B. B.;--also, they wish to
cooperate with the girls, w