Visual Education (Jan 1923-Dec 1924)

January, 19 2 i 21 £1\0t\\v\\r HOME, SWEET HOME After Rags discovered an old packing-box under a flight of cellar stairs in a dark area-way, Jerry put his home-making instincts to use and made himself and his doggie as comfy as could be. Just the same, it was no steam-heated apartment! ' that they had his name down as a member. Better still, they asked him to join the hike beginning next day to their camp irr "the" country. In Camp Did he go? Well, you can just believe he did, and that Rags went along, too — although it must be confessed that at first Rags hardly recognized his once ragged master in the neat and serviceable uniform which the other Scouts helped him to get together. Those weeks in camp in the country were a wonderful experience for Jerry, who saw things he had never seen before and did things he had never heard of doing. Everybody liked him because he was good-naturedy was not afraid of anything, and was always ready to do his share of the work. Jerry Plays Knight-Errant One day they heard bad news. "Egg Mary," the woman who sold eggs to their camp, had been robbed by an escaped prisoner who was said to be hiding in the neighborhood. All the boys were greatly excited. Every one liked "Egg Mary" and was indignant that she should have been robbed. Jerry felt especially sorry because, like himself, she had no family. She had to work hard for her living, and to have her purse stolen was hard luck indeed. Jerry knew just how she must feel. After thinking it over, Jerry told two of his pals that he was going out to hunt for the robber. The man had been wounded, so that Jerry didn't anticipate much trouble in finding him. Diligently the three boys searched the nearby woods, and after an hour or two spied some tell-tale blood-stains on the leaves. Following this trail, they came to an open space in the wood and a tumbledown shack, and in the doorway a rough-looking man binding up his arm. They were so surprised that naturally they made a little noise — not much, but just enough for the robber's quick ears to catch. Hastily he retreated into the cabin and closed the door. Then Jerry and his friends did some pretty fast thinking. They decided to leave Jerry on the watch while the others ran back to signal their camp for help. Soon they were wigwagging the story of their find and asking the Scouts in camp to send for the police and come at once to their aid. A Fight for Life Meanwhile, Jerry decided to look in at the window to make sure the robber was still in the cabin. He crept softly nearer and nearer, until he was right under the window. Slowly he raised himself until he could peer in. Yes, there was the robber, no mistake about that ! But at the same moment the robber saw him, and dashed a broken chair through the window. It was so unexpected that Jerry had to dodge pretty quickly to save himself. He not only dodged, but ran as hard as he could around the corner of the cabin — and bumped right into the robber himself ! Down they went together, pummeling and grabbing at each other, with Jerry just managing to hold his own until his two comrades returned and joined in the fight. While the four were rolling around, pounding each other for dear life, the whole troop was running pell-mell to help them; and the police, notified by 'phone from the camp, were rushing to the scene as fast as wheels and gasoline could get them there. But to Jerry and his friends, help seemed very slow in coming. Inch by inch their fighting and rolling were bringing them nearer to a A PRIVATE CLASS IN SCOUTING When a Boy Scout Manual fell into Jerry's hands, he and Rags stayed at home evenings far oftener than they had ever done before. There was so VERY much to learn! Every night Jerry learned something new, and the more he read the harder he wanted to be a Scout. Then, finally, he hit upon the Big Idea. He would play at being a Scout all by himself!