who lived in neighborhoods, one to another, all around the earth. When his turn came to recite in Greek mythology or history his English flowed easily, as he told of this great hero or that, of the time when their conquests were mighty in the earth. Here was a chance to help Little Athens overcome timidity about his broken English! The teacher assigned as his work for the next lesson to tell the class something of Greece. "Of the Old Greece, Miss Ward?" 'Of the Greece you care most for. Tell us the best thing you know of your country." Little Athens fairly beamed! After school each day he was busy caring for the lawn and running errands for Miss Grace and her mother. Then, for one happy hour before bedtime, with their little prints and few books, the father and son took wonderful trips through poetry, pictures, and stories, back to old Athens. To-night the father began in the pure Greek they always used together, "Son, I have wished as you grew older to tell you a message from your country. I have waited until you can appreciate it." They talked together long. After he had gone to bed Little Athens repeated to himself the message which had come to him from his country. The next day Miss Ward called for his assignment in history. The boy arose before his class. "Boys and girls, I thought yesterday of how happy I would be to-day, for I could tell you of some great warrior or grand conquest in the old land of my birth. Whenever I do, I think I help us forget I am a Greek immigrant and that you are all trying to help me. I think you may admire in the greatness of my country of the past some of the power of war which you like so much in your American heroes. I think I can help us forget I am ‘Little Athens' and came over steerage, and help us to think I am just another boy whose country was once grand and powerful too. But Miss Ward asked for the best I knew from Greece, so I give you this message of which I am growing more proud every hour. "In Athens long ago boys were taught when they became my age, a pledge. They said it each day, believed in and tried to live by the vow. Fathers taught their sons, who, growing up, gave it in turn to their own boys. Each helped make the pledge true until Athens became 'Athens, the Beautiful.' "Pledge of the Athenian Youths "We will never bring disgrace to this our city, by any act of dishonesty or cowardice, nor ever desert our comrades; we will fight for the ideals and sacred things of the city, both alone and with many; we will revere and obey the city laws, and do our best to incite a like respect and reverence in others; we will strive unceasingly to quicken the public's sense of civic duty; that thus in all these ways, we may transmit this city, greater, better, and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.' "I am away from Greece. My country of father's books and stories does not live to-day. But I wish to do the best my land has taught her sons. You are my friends, this my state and here is my own city. So every day like a Greek youth true to his own Athens, I will say this pledge for Junction City." With head high he began - "I will never bring disgrace to this our city by any act of dishonesty or cowardice,' slowly and clearly he continued, closing — "And I, Little Athens, may help 'to transmit this city, greater, better, more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.' Miss Ward, this is the best I have learned from Greece." The children sat silent a minute. Miss Ward was not thinking of their charge's English. One of the boys began - "Oh, Miss Ward, may he teach it to us?" A girl continued, "And it's for girls too, is n't it?" With Little Athens's dictation it was written on the board. Now, the pupils of this school had an organization with duly elected officers. They were installed that week, and the president's address, much to the surprise of the Greek lad, told of the Athenian pledge. A motion was carried that it be taken for their motto. After school two of the biggest boys caught Little Athens, put him on the shoulders of a crowd, and they carried him down the street. "Nine Rahs for Little Athens" rent the air. Surely the little Greek heathen was at home in their yes, in his city. CAMP SCHOOL SONG 1 C. R. TROWBRIDGE Tune: "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean.” To the goal of our long aspiration, For ourselves and our children a home. Bright her promise for me and for you; Three cheers for the red, white and blue, To America would we all proffer The best that each comer can bring. 1 Printed for The Society for Italian Immigrants, 129 Broad St., New York City. At her altar we joyfully offer The homage we'll pay to no king. Count no one of us alien and stranger; So that ever from ocean to ocean, May float the fair red, white and blue. MAY: GOOD WILL AMONG ALL COMMUNITIES For the Teacher: BROTHERS STUART MCLEAN "What have I said to make you sad, What do you care for a kid that's bad, "The city is full of temptation still, Of the things that hurt, and the things that kill; If I don't care for my boy, who will, Little Brother?" "Will you take me back, as you said you would, Will you stick to me till I do make good, "There's never a thing you could To shake the faith I have in you; say or do We started as pals - we're pals straight through, "What do you hope I'm going to do, What do you see in a kid like me, "I see the child that the feet, rough-shod Of the streets have trampled and torn and trod; I see the very image of God, Little Brother." "Why aren't there more good friends like you, To show us boys what we ought to do, "It's the old, old question, lad, to make Little Brother." when the men awake, Suggestions for morning talks How children can help. Calling upon new boys and girls who have moved into the neighborhood; kindness to new playmates on the street or on the playgrounds; sharing one's playthings with a new neighbor; respect |