Queen Elizabeth at the castle of Kenilworth, in the book of that title written by Sir Walter Scott. She immediately became fascinated, and when, having finished that chapter, Beth found that she could not catch the drift of the plot, she turned to the beginning and read until the darkness closed around her and the words could not be seen. Then, lighting the wood fire, she went over what she had read, seeing the pictures in the flames. Never again did Beth say she had nothing to do on a rainy day. Instead, she would pick up some book of Sir Walter Scott's and revel in the vivid adventures of Guy Mannering, Waverley, and the others. They were companions who were ever ready to take her with them on their many journeys. Thus Beth learned "How to Pass a Rainy Day." HOW TO PASS A RAINY DAY BY WILLARD CARPENTER (AGE II) JACK lived in the country. One day he thought he would go swimming. It began to cloud up, but nothing was thought of it. Just as Jack got out to the road, it began to rain hard. He went back disgusted. He kept wondering what he could do. Finally he thought of something. "Mama," he called, "have we any cardboard boxes?" "Yes, dear," said his mother. Jack then got the scissors, a pencil, and his paints. He cut out houses, painted their shutters, made wagons with wheels on them, stores, post-office, and fire-station with engine, hose-cart, and hook and ladder wagon. Then he began to move things. In a little while he had quite an industrious city. That night he said: "I had a good time, even if it was raining." "UGH! What a horrid day," exclaimed Elsie, frowning. "We could have played Hare and Hounds if it had n't rained," she said, staring resentfully at the bare, leafless trees, muddy ground, and occasional yellow puddles. "There goes the telephone, what a nuisance! Hello! Yes. A candy-pull! Oh, how lovely it sounds. Yes, I'll be over in a minute." Rubbers, raincoat, and hat were on before you could say "Jack Robinson," and out she went into the pouring rain. In the house next door a merry party was gathered, and the candy-pull was soon in full swing. delicious odor arose from the stove. The candy was soon done and the pulling began. A "O-u-c-h! Mine 's too hot. I don't believe I can stand it another minute." Lucy Swallow Paul Stern Robert T. Bowman T. Weston Oscar K. Rice Anna McAnear Dr Smith's Discovery Will Save Your Hair Before It Is ALL Gone! DR. SMITH'S HAIR TONIC זוחד. AMBILL "TOO LATE!" BY EDWIN M. GILL, AGE 15. Dorothy Woolcott Rose G. Kadishevitz Florence Helwig Alexander W. Kruger PHOTOGRAPHS, 1 Elizabeth Allchin Esther B. White PHOTOGRAPHS, 2 PUZZLES, I PRIZE COMPETITION No. 186 THE ST. NICHOLAS League awards gold and silver badges each month for the best original poems, stories, drawings, photographs, puzzles, and puzzle answers. Also, occasionally, cash prizes to Honor Members, when the contribution printed is of unusual merit. Competition No. 186 will close April 24 (for foreign members April 30). Prize announcements will be made and the selected contributions published in ST. NICHOLAS for August. Verse. To contain not more than twenty-four lines. Subject, "The Harvest." Prose. Essay or story of not more than three hundred words. Subject, "An Outing Adventure." Photograph. Any size, mounted or unmounted; no blue prints or negatives. Subject, "The Water, or the Hills, at Twilight." Drawing. India ink, very black writing-ink, or wash. Subject, "Going Up!" or a Heading for August. Puzzle. Any sort, but must be accompanied by the answer in full, and must be indorsed. Puzzle Answers. Best, neatest, and most complete set of answers to puzzles in this issue of ST. NICHOLAS. Must be indorsed and must be addressed as explained on the first page of the "Riddle-box." The Wild Creature Photography. To encourage the pursuing of game with a camera instead of with a gun. prizes in the "Wild Creature Photography" competition shall be in four classes, as follows: Prize, Class A, a gold badge and three dollars. Prize, Class B, a gold badge and one dollar. Prize, Class C, a gold badge. Prize, Class D, a silver badge. But prize-winners in this competition (as in all the other competitions) will not receive a second gold or silver badge. Photographs must not be of "protected" game, as in zoological gardens or game reservations. Contributors must state in a few words where and under what circumstances the photograph was taken. No unused contribution can be returned unless it is accompanied by a self-addressed and stamped envelop of the proper size to hold the manuscript, drawing, or photograph. RULES ANY reader of ST. NICHOLAS, whether a subscriber or not, is entitled to League membership, and a League badge and leaflet, which will be sent free. No League member who has reached the age of eighteen years may compete. Every contribution, of whatever kind, must bear the name, age, and address of the sender, and be indorsed as "original" by parent, teacher, or guardian, who must be convinced beyond doubt-and must state in writing-that the contribution is not copied, but wholly the work and idea of the sender. If prose, the number of words should also be added. These notes must not be on a separate sheet, but on the contribution itself—if manuscript, on the upper Write or margin; if a picture, on the margin or back. draw on one side of the paper only. A contributor may send but one contribution a month- not one of each kind, but one only; this, however, does not include the "advertising competition (see advertising pages) or "Answers to Puzzles." Address: The St. Nicholas League, 353 Fourth Avenue, New York. "Oh, yes," he said aloud, "this is the GRANDFATHER sat down in the wide rocker, put on his spectacles, picked up the morning paper, and scanned the top line. first day of April, sure enough!" Richard and Mildred were reading a new story-book, and five-year-old Ted was cutting pictures. "Wonder if we could April fool Grandfather!" whispered Richard, glancing warningly at the rocker. 66 "Easy!" Mildred whispered back. Easy!" "Um!" exclaimed Grandfather. "Sure enough! April first! Well, I certainly should like to see any one make an April fool of me! I should indeed!" Richard read Mildred's lips as she said behind Grandfather's back, "Of course we can--without half trying!" Grandfather whirled quickly. "What's that?" he cried, his eyes twinkling. "What's that?" Richard and Mildred straightened their faces and pretended to be reading. "I'll make a bargain," went on Grandfather, bringing his hand down on the table. "Any boy or girl who makes an April fool of me, Grandfather Gordon, gets a new wagon! Now go to work, for you have a hard job before you.' Richard and Mildred went scurrying to the back porch to think. How could they make an April fool of Grandfather? How? They thought hard, very hard, and all mixed up with their thoughts was a new shiny wagon. Grandfather smiled and shook his head at the neat package which Richard brought to him. When Mildred suggested that he might find something nice behind his chair, he said: "No, Mildred, I'm busy reading. I really have n't time to look. If If you find anything there, worth while, you may have it.' "A letter for you, Grandfather," said Richard, a little later, coming close to Grandfather's chair and handing him an envelop. "Maybe it's from Uncle John.” "Well, hardly," replied Grandfather, winking at Mildred, who was watching at the door. "It is n't Uncle John's turn to write. Just open it yourself, Richard— there's no secret about it, I guess.' Noon came, but no signs of getting that wagon. "You said it would be easy," said Richard. Mildred sighed. "I thought just any little trick would do, but we 'll have to think harder.' At dinner, they fixed chalk and water for Grandfather's usual glass of milk, but Grandfather seemed to overlook it. "Don't you want the milk, Grandfather?" asked Mildred. "N-no," replied Grandfather; "for some reason I don't care for milk to-day." "You have n't put any salt on your potatoes," said Richard. "You're a very thoughtful boy, Richard," said Grandfather, studying the saltdish doubtfully. "The potatoes are fine just as they are. Also I prefer them. without sugar, thank you." After dinner they had a bright idea. Surely this would catch Grandfather. He was coming leisurely along the garden walk. "Grandfather, oh, Grandfather!" called Mildred. "Hurry, hurry! The telephone! Call up Number 3119. Hurry!" "Three-one-one-nine," repeated Grandfather. "Sure that 's the right number?" "Yes, sure," nodded Richard. "Hurry! Maybe some one is sick. Hurry!" "Don't be scared," said Grandfather, calmly. "I guess there's no great rush. Perhaps to-morrow will do just as well. I'll have more time then. But if you think best, Richard, just see for yourself what Three-double-one-nine wants.' "With a grandfather like that, what can we do?" asked Richard, when they were out of hearing. After thinking a few moments, Mildred said: "We look alike-Grandfather himself said so you can put on my dress and hood and maybe he'll say, 'Why, here's Mildred. She fixed Richard nicely in her blue gingham dress, tied her white hood closely around his face, and hid behind the gate while he went into the garden where Grandfather was working. "Well, well, you make quite a nice-looking girl, Richard!" said Grandfather. "If it were not for your eyes, nose, mouth, and chin, I might have taken you for Mildred, in that dress." Richard went back into the house and Mildred helped him out of the blue dress. "We'll have to give it up," said Richard after a long silence. |