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THE MAIL BAG

A "COUNTRY SCHOOLMA'AM" ON THE UNDER-WEIGHT DELUSION

M

AY a humble "country schoolma'am" speak in reply to Mr. Charles K. Taylor's attack on "The Great Delusion"? Being one of "the victims" of an eruption such as Mr. Taylor refers to, I feel moved to speak.

One day last September the county public health nurse descended upon us with her scales. She tactfully asked permission to weigh and measure the pupils. We were pleased. Everybody likes to be weighed! But, horrors! We were under-weight: 29 out of 54 of us. We were so much under-weight as to be "malnourished." We also had many decayed teeth, a few diseased tonsils, some adenoids, and one or two were somewhat deaf and more complained of eye trouble. Of course these things had been noticed more or less before the nurse's visit, but such things were, and simply had to be endured. But to be underweight! That was something we all objected to being. The drooping shoulders, hollow chests, and dark, tiredlooking circles under our eyes had not been matters of importance to us. But when we learned that these were the result of being "under-weight" and as long as they remained with us we would continue to be "under-weight" we became interested in learning how to improve.

Milk we had always known was good food for calves and pigs. For chickens too. When we wanted to show our stock at the county or State fairs, we always gave them lots of milk. Oats too were good for the stock. Oatmeal we knew made the baby chicks grow nicely. Milk for us? Oh, no! We preferred real "eats"-fried potatoes and pie just suited us.. Eat oatmeal for breakfast instead of fried ham and hot cakes? Why? We liked the hot cakes with plenty of syrup. And coffee of course!

But the nurse said we were "underweight" and if we did not drink milk, eat oatmeal or those other things called "cereals," with plenty of cream, might stay under-weight.

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The nurse visited us again in March. When she finished weighing us again, she said to "teacher:" "Tell me, have you been doing anything differently from what you have always done? Have you changed any habits-done anything special to make you gain?"

"Indeed, we have tried to gain. See that row of milk bottles in the cloakroom? That has been there nearly all the time since you were here last fall. And we have done other things too. Tried to stand up straight and practice breathing deeply, as you taught us to do. Indeed, we have tried to gain. Have we gained?"

"I should say you have," said nurse. "And that is not all. You are lots better looking than you were when I saw you before. I wouldn't have recognized you as the same group of pupils. Keep it up. I'm mighty proud of you!".

When the nurse's little flivver started out of the yard, the pupils were gathered. at the gate, waving "good-by" and crying, "Come again, Miss X; come again soon." We want her to come again. We want to "be descended upon" and "deluded" if this be delusion.

As well write a criticism on the Christian religion, saying it consists of teaching there is a hell, as to condemn the weighing and measuring of school-children because it teaches that some of them are under-weight. Can Mr. Taylor suggest a way of getting the children interested in their own health and food habits that will be superior to this? If so, we will be glad to hear from him. If not, we wonder why he was given space in a publication so broad-minded as The Outlook for a tirade that has nothing constructive in it. Being an educator, he should know that children are not interested in such abstract things as "health." What could be more concrete, more vital, more interesting, than our own weight? It means physical development. It is expressed in units of measure which we all understand. Let us have more of the "Great Delusions." PEARL E. WILSON.

El Reno, Oklahoma.

[Last week we published a series of letters commenting most enthusiastically upon C. K. Taylor's article on "The Great Under-Weight Delusion." Of the few letters attacking this article the foregoing is perhaps the most interesting which we have received. This writer, like most of the other adverse commentators on Mr. Taylor's article, ignores the fact that Mr. Taylor places great emphasis upon an adequate medical examination. He would be just as much opposed to the unbalanced diet of the children described in the above letter and just as quick to criticise the drooping shoulders, hollow chests, and tired eyes as the visiting nurse who effected the revolution of the health of these country school-children.

Miss Wilson asks if Mr. Taylor can

suggest a way of getting the children interested in their own health and food habits that will be superior to the present weighing system. If she will turn to The Outlook of March 15, she will find a graphic illustration of the stimulus towards physical perfection given by Mr. Taylor's height-weight system. The effect of the application of Mr. Taylor's system is also told in the letter below.THE EDITORS.]

STANDARDS FOR BETTER CHILDHOOD

HIS is a day of standardization in all

Tunes of inx of ction, but at the eld

of moral and physical development there is room for tests and measurements. What seems to be needed is an abiding faith that definite results may be accomplished in this field.

Dr. Charles K. Taylor, of Orange, New Jersey, has that faith. His plan of moral education by a system of physical standards was outlined in the classroom of the University of Pennsylvania about ten years ago. At that time I offered to co-operate with him in the Meade School in trying out his system. In association with the Singerly School we were able to enter competitive events singly and in groups.

Every boy was judged physically according to his own build. This proved to be an effective way of hitting bad habits a deadly blow. Each boy saw the impossibility of competing with Lee Griffiths and Mifflin Armstrong if he continued late hours, coffee drinking, and smoking. Cigarette smoking almost ceased during the period that Mr. Taylor's system was in full swing.

A lot of boys substituted hiking for corner loafing when Andrew McGowen, the mile-runner and hurdler, and Wallace McCurdy, the Olympic champion, were in charge of Saturday "hikes."

Girls undertook home planning, room planning, decoration, care of hair, teeth, and the like, under the direction of Dr. Frida Lippert, who sought to give them wholesome ideas and ideals of "home."

Assembly talks by educators and representative citizens developed a fine co-operative spirit in the school as a whole. CORNELIUS J. WALTER, Supervising Principal, Meade School, Philadelphia.

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standards, is one I have long held, and last year, and again this year, with the co-operation of the physical director of my home-town Y, I offered prizes to that same end. It is a field that has long been neglected, and I hope that the seed you are sowing will not fall on stony ground. A. W. CARTER.

Grand Mere, Quebec.

Do you have any reprints of "The Under-Weight Delusion"? For some time I have been trying to convince the public that it was not always advisable to stuff their children simply because they did not weigh what the chart said they should.

H. W. ELIOT, M.D., State Board of Health, State of Vermont.

It strikes me that you are making a splendid contribution to the promotion of a desire in the minds of a larger number of boys than ever before for physical perfection. AVERY L. RAND, County Secretary, Y. M. C. A., Jasper County, Missouri.

I enjoyed your article in a recent number of The Outlook and heartily agree with what you say. Will you kindly send me one of your leaflets? Gilmore, Iowa. G. B. WARD, M.D.

I

THE AUTOMATIC THIEF

CATCHER

NOTE in your publication of March 1 an editorial on "The Automatic Thief Catcher," in which you advocate the registration of automobiles by the State and the issuing of certificates of title, to be transterred in the case of sale. The State of Michigan has such a law, and I am inclosing a pamphlet, published by the Secretary of State, which gives this act in full. R. W. SCOTT. Marquette, Michigan.

[The Michigan law, with which we were not familiar at the time of writing our editorial, provides that no certificate of registration of any vehicle, or number plates therefor, whether original issues or duplicate issues, will be issued by the Secretary of State unless the applicant therefor shall, at the same time, make application for, and be granted, an official certificate of title, or unless the applicant shall present satisfactory evidence that such a certificate covering the motor vehicle has been previously issued to the applicant.

It also provides that the sale of a motor vehicle in Michigan without the prescribed formalities of transferring title makes such act of the owner a felony and punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than ten years, or both, in the discretion of the court.

Under this law dealers in used vehicles, or parts thereof, must obtain a yearly license and keep a record of purchases, sales, and exchanges of all second-hand vehicles.

The Michigan law seems to be an ad

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He only sez, "Ye've put it strong,
Ye mout be right an' ye mout be wrong,"
An' he stroked his long goatee.

IX

But he wrinkled his brow like his sperit

was vexed

'Bout what he ought ter be doin' next An' what he oughter say.

With the hul world a-knockin' at his

door

An' him so rich an' them so poor, He'll jes' hev ter find a way.

X

Wall, I thought as I shuk his han' good-by,

A-ketchin' a kindness in his eye,

He wus fixin' to cum reound.

Fact is, he's the softes' critter alive,
He's balky an' pesky hard ter drive,*
Yit his queer ol' heart is seound.

WEARY PEDDLERS

BY ELIAS LIEBERMAN

HE roads of spring wind gallantly

THE Fords of the win knows best:

They lead to Inns of Memory

Where weary peddlers rest.

There, hawkers, tired of crying wares
Along the crowded street,
Slump lazily in cushioned chairs
To rest their calloused feet.

The quest that led from door to door For emptiness atones;

They put their packs upon the floor And ease their aching bones.

Each man, as if the spell of spring
Made hidden fancies stir,

Stares moodily, remembering
The things that never were.

I, too, would like to drop my pack
If they will let me in,

A lonely peddler wending back
Where dreams and faith begin.

T

THE MESSENGERS

A Folk Tale from the Azores
BY ELSIE SPICER EELLS

HERE lived long ago in the island of Terceira a youth whose name was Vladmiro. He had come from Flanders. and he was a cavalier of the Order of St. John. He was betrothed to a fair maid of the islands.

One morning he was hunting in the forest of cedars when he suddenly saw Death standing before him. He fell upon his knees and sent up a fervent prayer to the Holy Virgin.

Then he said to Death: "O Death, why is it that you have come in search of me so soon? I am young, rich, happy. I am betrothed to a fair maid who loves me. Life looks very bright."

Death stepped back a pace.

"Your prayer to the Holy Mother has

saved you," he said. "I had indeed come in search of you. You were about to die by an accident with your hunting arms. See, I have already retreated a pace. I have decided not to take you with me this time."

Vladmiro returned a prayer of thanksgiving. Then he said:

"O Death, I am going to make a request of you. Please do not come up to me so suddenly again. It gives me a fright. Next time you come will you please be so kind as to send messengers in advance to give me a little warning?"

"Yes, young cavalier," responded Death. "I will gladly do what you ask. I give you my promise that next time I will send my messengers ahead of me to warn you that I am approaching."

With these words Death withdrew and went on alone through the forest of cedars.

The spring of that very year the young cavalier married the fair maid who loved him. Life was full of joy. Many children were born to the worthy couple. Riches and honor came too. The years sped by as if they flew on wings.

At last a half-century had passed. Vladmiro held his grandchildren upon his knee and told them the story of the day he met Death in the forest of cedars. "We are glad Death passed on and left you," said the children.

"If he hadn't, we could not have had you for our grandfather,” said the namesake grandson, Vladmiro, snuggling closer in his arms.

"You do not have to fear Death now, grandfather, do you?" asked the little Maria. "He will keep his promise and send his messengers, won't he?"

"Yes, Death is a good Christian, and 'will keep his word," replied the aged cavalier.

The next morning he set sail for the island of Fayal, where there were other grandchildren to visit in the home of his married daughter, Francisca. On the voyage a fierce storm arose. The small boat was, buffeted about by the gales. Suddenly Vladmiro was startled to see Death standing beside him, just as in the forest years ago when he had been young.

"Why did you come to-day?" he cried in alarm. "Why is it that you have not kept your word? You gave me your promise that you would send your messengers next time you came, to warn me of your approach."

"I have kept my word," said Death. "I have sent my messengers."

"Where are they?" asked the old man in amazement.

Death pointed to Vladmiro's snowy hair.

"I have sent my messengers in your white locks, your failing eyesight and hearing, the wrinkles on your cheeks. Can it be that you have failed to recognize them?"

Vladmiro bowed his head in silence and without a murmur went with Death. In truth, Death had been a good Christian and had kept his word.

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Training for Authorship

40

Dr. Esenwein

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There is no other institution or agency doing so much for writers, young or old. The universities recognize this, for over one hundred members of the English faculties of higher institutions are studying in our Literary Department. The editors recognize it, for they are constantly recommending our courses.

We publish The Writer's Library, 13 volumes; descriptive booklet free. We also publish The Writer's Monthly, the leading magazine for literary workers; sample copy 25 cents, annual subscription $3.00. Besides our teaching service, we offer a manuscript criticism service.

150-Page illustrated catalogue free. Please Address

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Dept. 58, Springfield, Mass.

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BINGHAM SCHOOL MEBANE, N.C.

ESTABLISHED 1793

AN IDEAL BOYS' SCHOOL IN PIEDMONT NORTH CAROLINA Here, at Bingham, the spirit of old-time Southern hospitality makes each boy feel genuinely welcome. High moral tone. Military organization, begun in 1861. Lovely lawns. Gymnasium. Athletic park. Honor System. Celebrated climate. Outdoor classes. Limited numbers. Sports in variety. 340 acres. Summer camp. A modern school with an ancient name, fame and history. Send for catalogue. Col. PRESTON LEWIS GRAY, President, Box 3, Mebane, N. C.

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Boys!

A.C.Gilbert's
Own Column

THIS week I am going to

ask your indulgence while I take all the space in my column to tell you something of my own story.

My reason for this is that I want my boy friends (and I think I may count more of these in the world than any other single individual) to know what I have been through myself and why I feel that every boy should be trained for skill, adeptness, knowledge, popularity. and leadership.

I am not very far past boyhood myself. It seems only yesterday that I landed at the little university in Oregon from my boyhood home in northern Idaho.

I was interested in three outside things: athletics, sleight-of-hand, and scientific experiments.

In the Northwest I went in for wrestling, got beaten the first year, and the second year won the Pacific Coast championship.

I also went in for pole vaulting and broke the beside Northwest record, winning the track championship of that section.

Then I went to Yale, won the "Y" in three different branches, took the wrestling championship of the United States, took first honors as all-round gymnast, and twice broke the world's pole vaulting record.

But all the time I devoted every possible spare moment to my scientific experiments. This work of making science understandable, fascinating and usefu! to boys helped me earn my way through college and led me into my life work of making mechanical toys.

This is a lot for a man to talk about himself, you will admit.

But I want you to know these things to see therein where I got the inspiration to build the Master Hand Library for Boys which my publishers are now offering.

A. C. GILBERT.

A.C. Gilbert

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Keeping Up With Father

In which Jim Craig tells how he got new
power of Leadership

WE HAVE a new game at our house, my two

brothers and I. We call it "Keeping Up With Father." We just hit on the name all of a sudden on last Christmas day while we were going through the pictures and titles of ten corking books that father had smuggled in on the quiet and put with my presents. It sounds funny, but we couldn't "see" our other presents for a while. You want to know about that game and why we named it.

Well, father is a very busy man, but he knows a tremendous lot of interesting things about science, and engineering and chemistry, and magic, and wireless, and electricity, and athletics. He had always been keen about magic and tricks of all kinds. So he got us to like these things, too.

Then he discovered that set of books which let us right into a lot of wonderful secrets.

Here are some of the things we learned: How to understand the wonders of the Radio Telephone and Broadcasting and how to build your own Wireless Outfit. How to train to become a champion athlete, to be a champion pole vaulter, high Jumper or broad jumper.

How to do the strange rope tricks of the Davenport Brothers, who, as you know, made everybody think they had spiritualistic powers until their secrets were exposed.

How to master the secrets of Hydraulic and Pneumatic Engineering, Coin Tricks and Chemistry, how to do some of the amazing tricks that made such magicians as Herrmann and Kellar famous.

How to build all kinds of wonderful and useful things at home with a few tools and a carpenter's bench.

How to be able to talk about big inventions intelligently and explain them to others.

The set contains these ten wonderful volumes:

Radio Telephone and Broadcasting, Boy Athletics, 66 Stunts with the Electric Motor, 75 Electrical Toys and Tricks, Chemistry, Hydraulic and Pneumatic Engineering, Signal Engineering, Carpentry, Knots and Splices, Coin Tricks.

I think I have told you enough about these books to make you long to possess a set yourself. But, to give you any real idea of all the splendid information there is in these books is quite beyond me. Just think of having a quick answer to all ⚫ questions that come up in the wonderful fields covered by these volumes.

I only hope for your sake that someone will give you this great set of books. And I'll bet you right now, that if your father gets this marvelous Boy's Library for you, he will have just about as much fun with it as you do.

But here! I haven't told you the name of this set, or who wrote it.

It is called the Master Hand Library (ten
books in all), and it was got up by Mr. A. C.
Gilbert. You know, the man who invented the
building sets (Erector) and all those other sensi-
ble toys we get for Christmas and Birthday and
Vacation presents-I mean the mechanical ones
that teach us engineering and carpenter work, and
wireless and magic and chemistry.

Believe me, he knows how to write for boys!
He ought to, for he was "some boy" himself.

That game I told you about-"Keeping Up With

Father"--is more fun than anything we ever played. That's pretty strong when you think of football, hockey and all that.

But this is another kind of fun. It is planning and building and doing experiments in wireless and chemistry and everything else that men do.

It beats school learning all to pieces, and you haven't any idea what a lot of interesting things. which you never dreamed of before, you can get from Mr. Gilbert's books in almost no time. JIM CRAIG.

FA

Don't send a single nickel

Cover

ATHERS, mothers, sisters, brothers, aunts! You have read Jim's own story. He knows what he is talking about because he has read Mr. Gilbert's fascinatng books from cover to and in his spare moments has gathered a perfectly surprising fund of information and inspiration on the things of popular science which every man must know to be well-rounded.

Jim didn't tell you, but they have wrought a wonderful change in him. His father tells us he has gone ahead with leaps and bounds-so far as popularity is concerned-since he began reading and using the Master Hand Library. Jim wasn't naturally a leader, but somehow he seems to be chosen now for the job whenever the boys get together. He seems to be always a few steps ahead of the procession.

But how about the Boy you have in mind? Don't you think these books would make a great present for him?

It is all very simple. Just send the coupon by next post without any money, and we will send you the entire set of ten books for five days' free examination. You see, it costs you nothing to look them over.

Then, if you decide (as we are very positive that you will) that Mr. Gilbert's Master Hand Library is "just the thing" for Bob or Bill or Jack or all of them, send only $3.50 and the set is yours to give him, or them. It is ready for immediate shipment.

Upon receipt of your coupon we will send you, with Mr. Gilbert's compliments, a copy of his 160-page book, "Boy Engineering," in which you will find many interesting

Send
this

coupon
today

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and fascinating things. This book is yours free of all charge whether you buy the Master Hand Library or not.

THE MASTER HAND PUBLISHING COMPANY. New Haven, Conn. PLEASE send me A. C. Gilbert's Master Hand Library for boys. If, after 5 days' trial I like it, I agree to send $3.50 in com

plete payment, for the ten volumes. If, for any reason I am disappointed, I will return the set at your expense and owe you nothing.

Name..

Address........

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