When all was quiet again, and I lit another lamp in order to take an inventory, my bedroom was a sight to behold! I found that in the struggle, my old army sword had been plunged amidship into the handsome mirror of our dresser, and had also made havoc of a reproduction of Millets’ Angelus. I discovered, also, that I had used my brand-new $50 overcoat to extinguish the fire, and that many of the handsome photos of our friends that stood on the mantle had been ruined. Altogether that one night’s experience cost me in the neighborhood of $100, not to mention my own personal injuries. It was a terrible night, I tell you. And far off in one corner, I saw, crouching in abject fear, the cause of all my troubles--the burly black burglar. And what do you think it was? It was nothing in the world but an old black Tom Cat, who had been a member of our family for many years!
Surely all young girls ought to know how to sew, and, not only sew, but all girls, I think, ought to love the purely feminine occupation of sewing. Since I am sure that many of the little girls who will read this book know how to sew, I am going to tell you about some little sewing that my wife did.
In 1913 the Ladies’ Home Journal, of Philadelphia, offered a prize of fifty dollars for the best way to make pin-money at home. You know, girls, that pin-money means pocket change or spending money. Many hundreds of women all over the world sent in suggestions to the Ladies’ Home Journal, each one hoping, I am sure, that her suggestion would win first prize. The following letter sent to my wife will tell you just how her suggestion was received:
“It gives me much pleasure to tell you that among the hundreds of letters received in response to the offer made in our January magazine in connection with The Editor’s Want-Box, Mr. Bok has chosen your offering as the one entitled to the first prize of fifty dollars. He congratulates you upon your success and thanks you for the interest you have shown.
“Our Treasurer will send you a check within a week.
Very truly yours, “Wm. V. Alexander, “Managing Editor.
The check came all right, girls, and my wife thought, as she said to me, that in winning the prize she had found a new way to make pin-money--that is, by telling others how to make pin-money at home.