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The Floating Press - Edith Van Dyne

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108 pages

English

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Under the pen name "Edith Van Dyne," Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum created the memorable character Mary Louise, a spirited teenager with a knack for solving mysteries and righting injustices. In Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls, the heroine and her chums contribute to the war effort.

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Children's

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Publié par	The Floating Press
Date de parution	01 septembre 2014
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781776585458
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0134€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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MARY LOUISE AND THE LIBERTY GIRLS
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EDITH VAN DYNE

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Mary Louise and the Liberty Girls First published in 1918 Epub ISBN 978-1-77658-545-8 Also available: PDF ISBN 978-1-77658-546-5 © 2014 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
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Just a Word Chapter I - The Mass-Meeting Chapter II - Mary Louise Takes Command Chapter III - The Liberty Girls Chapter IV - The Traitor Chapter V - Unconvincing Testimony Chapter VI - To Help Win the War Chapter VII - The Liberty Shop Chapter VIII - The Detective's Daughter Chapter IX - Gathering up the Threads Chapter X - The Explosion Chapter XI - A Font of Type Chapter XII - Josie Buys a Desk Chapter XIII - Joe Langley, Soldier Chapter XIV - The Professor is Annoyed Chapter XV - Suspenders for Sale Chapter XVI - Mrs. Charleworth Chapter XVII - The Black Satchel Chapter XVIII - A Hint from Annie Boyle Chapter XIX - The Printing Office Chapter XX - One Girl's Wits Chapter XXI - Surprises Chapter XXII - A Slight Mistake Chapter XXIII - The Flashlight Chapter XXIV - After the Crisis Chapter XXV - Decorating Chapter XXVI - Keeping Busy
Just a Word
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The object of this little story is not especially to encourage loyaltyand devotion to one's country, for these are sentiments firmlyenshrined in the hearts of all true American girls. It is ratherintended to show what important tasks girls may accomplish when spurredon by patriotism, and that none is too humble to substantially serveher country.
Organizations of Liberty Girls are possible in every city and hamlet inAmerica, and are effective not only in times of war but in times ofpeace, for always their Country needs them—always there is work fortheir busy hands.
One other message the story hopes to carry—the message of charitytowards all and malice towards none. When shadows are darkest, thosewho can lighten the gloom are indeed the blessed ones.
EDITH VAN DYNE
Chapter I - The Mass-Meeting
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One might reasonably think that "all Dorfield" had turned out to attendthe much advertised meeting. The masses completely filled the bigpublic square. The flaring torches, placed at set intervals, lightedfitfully the faces of the people—faces sober, earnest, thoughtful—allturned in the direction of the speakers' platform.
Mr. Peter Conant, the Chairman, a prominent attorney of Dorfield, wasintroducing the orator of the evening, Colonel James Hathaway, whoseslender, erect form and handsome features crowned with snow-white hair,arrested the attention of all.
"You have been told," began the old colonel in a clear, ringing voice,"of our Nation's imperative needs. Money must be provided to conductthe great war on which we have embarked—money for our new army, moneyfor ship-building, money for our allies. And the people of America arepermitted to show their loyalty and patriotism by subscribing forbonds—bonds of the rich and powerful United States—that all mayparticipate in our noble struggle for the salvation of democracy andthe peace of the world. These bonds, which you are asked to buy, bearinterest; you will be investing in the Corporation of Right, Justiceand Freedom, with the security of the Nation as your shield. As astockholder in this noblest of corporations you risk nothing, but yougain the distinction of personally assisting to defeat Civilization'sdefiant and ruthless enemy."
Loud applause interrupted the speaker. On one of the rows of seats atthe back of the stand sat Mary Louise Burrows, the granddaughter ofColonel Hathaway, with several of her girl friends, and her heartleaped with pride to witness the ovation accorded her dear "Gran'paJim."
With well chosen words the old gentleman continued his discourse,stating succinctly the necessity of the Liberty Bond issue andimpressing upon his hearers the righteousness of the cause for whichthis money was required.
"The allotment of Dorfield," he added, "is one million dollars,seemingly a huge sum for our little city to raise and invest, butreally insignificant when apportioned among those who can afford tosubscribe. There is not a man among you who cannot without hardshippurchase at least one fifty-dollar bond. Many of you can investthousands. Yet we are approaching our time limit and, so far, less thantwo hundred thousand dollars' worth of these magnificent Liberty Bondshave been purchased in our community! But five days remain to us tosubscribe the remaining eight hundred thousand dollars, and therebypreserve the honor of our fair city. That eight hundred thousanddollars will be subscribed! We must subscribe it; else will thefinger of scorn justly be pointed at us forever after."
Another round of applause. Mr. Conant, and Mr. Jaswell, the banker, andother prominent members of the Liberty Loan Committee began to lookencouraged and to take heart.
"Of course they'll subscribe it!" whispered Mary Louise to her friendAlora Jones. "The thing has looked like a failure, lately, but I knewif Gran'pa Jim talked to the slackers, they'd see their plain duty.Gran'pa Jim knows how to stir them to action."
Gradually the applause subsided. The faces of the multitude thatthronged about the stand seemed to Mary Louise stern and resolved,determined to prove their loyalty and devotion to their country.
And now Mr. Jaswell advanced and seated himself at a table, while Mr.Conant requested those present to come forward and enter theirsubscriptions for the bonds. He urged them to subscribe generously, inproportion to their means, and asked them not to crowd but to pass inline across the platform as swiftly as possible.
"Let us raise that entire eight hundred thousand to-night!" shouted theColonel, in clarion tones. Then the band struck up a popular war tune,and the banker dipped a pen in ink and held it ready for the onslaughtof signers.
But no one came forward. Each man looked curiously at his neighbor butstood fast in his place. The city, even to its furthermost suburbs, hadalready been systematically canvassed by the Committee and theirefforts had resulted in a bare two hundred thousand dollars. Of thissum, Colonel Hathaway had himself subscribed twenty-five thousand.Noting the hesitation of his townsmen, the old gentleman again aroseand faced them. The band had stopped playing and there was an ominoussilence.
"Let me encourage you," said Colonel Hathaway, "by taking anothertwenty-five thousand dollars' worth of these wonderful bonds. Put medown for that amount, Mr. Jaswell. Now, then, who are the patriotseager to follow my lead!"
There was applause—somewhat more mild in character—but none cameforward. Alora's father, Jason Jones, who had already signed for fiftythousand dollars, rose and added another twenty-five thousand to thatsum. This act elicited another ripple of applause; more questioninglooks were exchanged between those assembled, but there were no furtheroffers to subscribe.
The hearts of the committeemen fell. Was this meeting, on which theyhad so greatly depended, destined to prove a failure, after all?
Jake Kasker, the owner of "Kasker's Clothing Emporium," finally madehis way to the platform and mounting the steps faced his townspeople.There was a little murmur of surprise and a sudden tension. The man hadbeen distrusted in Dorfield, of late.
"You all know what I think about this war," said Kasker in a loud voiceand with a slight German accent. "I don't approve of it, whateveranyone says, and I think we were wrong to get into it, anyhow."
A storm of hisses and cries of "Shame!" saluted him, but he waitedstolidly for the demonstration to subside. Then he continued:
"But, whatever I think about the war, I want to tell you that this flagthat now waves over my head is as much my flag as it is yours, forI'm an American citizen. Where that flag goes, Jake Kasker will follow,no matter what fools carry the standard. If they don't think I'm tooold to go to France, I'll pack up and go to-morrow. That's JakeKasker—with a Dutch name but a Yankee heart. Some of you down there gotYankee names an' hearts that make the Kaiser laugh. I wouldn't tradewith you! Now, hear this: I ain't rich; you know that; but I'll taketwo thousand dollars' worth of Liberty Bonds."
Some one laughed, jeeringly. Another shouted:
"Make it three thousand, Jake!"
"I will," said Kasker; "and, if there ain't enough of you war-crazy,yellow-hearted patriots in Dorfield to take what we got to take, thenI'll make it five thousand. But if I have to do that—an' I can'tafford it, but I'll do it!—it's me, Jake Kasker, that'll cry 'Shame!'and hiss like a goose whenever you slackers pass my door."
There was more laughter, a few angry shouts, and a movement toward theplatform. The German signed the paper Mr. Jaswell placed before him andwithdrew. Soon there was a line extending from the banker's table tothe crowd below, and the signatures for bonds were slowly but steadilysecured.
Colonel Hathaway faced the German clothier, who stood a few paces back,a cynical grin upon his features.
"Thank you, Kasker," said the old gentleman, in a cold voice. "You havereally helped us, although you should have omitted those traitorouswords. They poisoned a deed you might have been proud of."
"We don't agree, Colonel," replied Kasker, with a shrug. "When I talk,I'm honest; I say what I think." He turned and walked away and ColonelHathaway looked after him with an expression of dislike.
"I wonder why he did it?" whispered Mary Louise, who had overheard theexchange of words and