namely, a tendency to choose very utilitarian stories, both in form
and substance, so that we do not lift the children out of the
commonplace. I remember once seeing the titles of two little books,
the contents of which were being read or told to children; one was
called, "Tom the Bootblack"; the other, "Dan the Newsboy." My chief
objection to these stories was the fact that neither of the heroes
rejoiced in his work for the work's sake. Had _Tom_ even invented a
new kind of blacking, or if _Dan_ had started a newspaper, it might
have been encouraging for those among the listeners who were thinking
of engaging in similar professions. It is true, both gentlemen amassed
large fortunes, but surely the school age is not to be limited to such
dreams and aspirations as these! One wearies of the tales of boys who
arrive in a town with one cent in their pocket and leave it as
millionaires, with the added importance of a mayoralty. It is
undoubtedly true that the romantic prototype of these worthy youths is
_Dick Whittingon_, for whom we unconsciously cherish the affection which
we often bestow on a far-off personage. Perhaps--who can say?--it is
the picturesque adjunct of the cat, lacking to modern millionaires.

I do not think it Utopian to present to children a fair share of
stories which deal with the importance of things "untouched by hand."
They, too, can learn at an early age that "the things which are seen
are temporal, but the things which are unseen are spiritual." To
those who wish to try the effect of such stories on children, I
present for their encouragement the following lines from James
Whitcomb Riley:


THE TREASURE OF THE WISE MAN[37]