The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 24, 1901, Page 5

fe and grown-up” republics. going many a mile to see jc. And it's only a c who can listen motherly Dr. Stow and not lans and ideals. Of course, devoting her n. A pathetic led wound in many seralie hea! years nnj four a winsome of The ¥ Arthur, but him “Birdle sprang up in the hea: the hope that ht make it possible for gather up the broken ey fell from her nished day’s er's death of Stow, who ored and esteemed cisco, Dr. Stow angled in litigation further her dearest fer the Wesley however, the way cleared and many different plans finally crystallized s e fa en’s republic. The demescal s ds were laid ©N THE STEPS OF TERRE . SCAPITOL. READING HER I‘&\X‘;&\DUGURAL A RESS To TH BIRDIE RELIG CITIZENS answer its requirements and Dr. e empty niches in her g the loss of and and 72 years of age, but she ved, bright and active as a woman of . “I am now in the youth ears young,” is Dr. Stow’s tting it. The citizens of republic regard her as w is now way of 1 Beil ie, philesopher; but above all, friend Birdie p all their woes and wor them for her motherly sym to dissipate. They share with her and aspirations, too, for they interested ey bundle ries and t Stow their frolics. In fact, play is largely the business of 1 the Birdie Bell republic. True, the 3 citizens have their officlal du* tics; but In such a model state as this junior republic, cares do not welgh heavily on the “servants of the public.” “I believe in play, plenty of play for chil- dren,” says Dr. ow. Horace Greeley once said to me, when I was an officer in the American Woman's Association for the Protection of Shop Girls in New York City, ‘Let the girls earn their own living, as I have done e 1 was five years old.” *Ah, Mr. Greel I replied, ‘the girls I plead for are not all Greeleys; besides they would gladly earn their bread if they could find something to do. I too, earned my living at five years of age on the farm; learned to spin on the big wheel and do all sorts of household labor that a child of that age could accomplish. But it was not the best thing, Mr. Greeley, for either of us, belleve me. A child should have his or her rightful inherit- nce of play days, weeks, months and and some time I will make a little spot where no thought of the stove, any grinding tofl is keenly - pla waeel, loom, plow or shall ever enter to mar and begrime its brightness, joy, love and beauty. And at the Birdle Bell republic this promise to Horace Greeley is richly ful- Its citizens have their God-given heritage, the Yight and time to play. It is a place where corroding care is forever banished; where joy and gladness are per- petual guests; where boys and girls make i’ \ fheir 1nitia1 pow to politics, so that when they have outgrown this junior republic they may skilifully help sail the big ship of state. Very impressive ere the ceremonies when a president of the Birdie Beil re- public is inaugurated. The term of office 15 one year and the age requirement is 14 years. The office is alternately held by boys and girls, elected by the citizens. The Sunday Call representatives fortu- nately visited the republic on inaugura- tion day and the photographer had an op- portunity of apping’ the earnest girl president while the youthful chief jus- tice solemnly administered the oath of of- fice. It was Saturday afternoon and the cit- 3zens were gathered on the broad veranda wf the “capitol” to listen to the inaugural address of Belle Riegelman, their newly elected president. President Belle is a very pretty rosy-cheeked lass with a fine air of resolute purpose that augurs well for her administration. Bhe read her able address in a clear, ringing voice and with much dignity. These were the words that gladdened the attentive citizens of the re- public: Madam Chairman, Guests and Cltizens of the Republic—Greeting: I, Belle Riegelmun, the first chief masistrate of this youthful nation, proclatm that it is with a sincere feeling of pride and gratitude that I assume the relns of government and take upon me the dutles and responsibilities of this high office. I am the sccond girl president to attain this ex- alted position and the first one to serve In the twentieth century, which is heralded as the children’s hundred years of time, as the last was signalized as *“The Woman's Century.” How well I shall serve you, fellow citizens, the virgin sisterhood of months will register on Time's plastic tablets as they pass In regal state, each with its sunburst of love, hope and promise. This is such a beautiful memorial work, so fraught with opportunities to all who Join hands with us in the varlous ways offered in the line of special growth and development of play and pleasure, that one bears the bur- den of chlet magistrate as lightly as Jeptha bore his shield. The seven opillars, States, upon which this unique superstructure is reared will each have its governor and staff for the first time this ar. Later on we shall have ministers and forelgn diplomats, which whl add Interest and cxecutive knowledge to the work of the repub- THE SUNDAY CALL. lic. It is the atm of the founder to have this an exact counterpart, in miniature, of the Fed- eral Government. In our Congress and clubs we become conversant with parliamentary law and the usages of both the upper and lowsr house. Priceless knowledge to those of us Wwho will some day wear the Senatorial togas. And I here and now pledge myself to try to make this presidential term a red-letter day in my own life and that of my constituents. I shall strive to flll every post of duty with cheerful alacrity and bring to the jubilees, clubs and entertalnments all within my power to make them mot only entertaining but first class 8s children’s efforts. It fs such a rare opportu- nity—this bringing to our very doors a place to play in, to put in constant practice what we Jearn at school and In orivate lessons; to abare in the courtesy and kindness of polite intercourse, and the knowledge gained from books In our circulating library, rehearsals and mid-month gala days. All these things are up- ufting and ennobling to every well-bred child. May the young year and young century bring ®s all happiness, peace and presperityl SITIZENS iNJOYLNG SAME. When the applause that greeted tnis am- bitious endeavor died the handsome young Chiet Justice solemnly swore her into of- fice: “I, Malcom Loughead, the officlally ap- pointed Chief Justice of the Birdle Bell Junior Republic, will now, in the presence of these witnesses, administer the oath of office to the nonorable Chie? Magistrate of our young nation.” (Right hand up- lifted.) “Belle Rlegelman, do you swear that to the best of your ablility you will faith- fully. perform the functions of this high office?”” With her right hand upon the open Hf- ble she replles: “This, honorable sir, T pledge my sacred honor that I will en- deavor to perform to the very best of my ability.” Chief Justice: ““Amen!™ Willle "Der, the vice president, eworn n and then the citizens burst into song, their sweet, childish treble awaken- ing the birds, who lent their melody. The business of inauguration over, the citi- THE JUNIOR REPUBLLC WAS [ JFoUNDED zens helped themselves from a huge bas- ket of candy—for Dr. Stow does not over- look the childish sweet tooth—and then they scattered through the house and grounds to frolic at their will. Dr. Stow led the way into the library, which is her especial pride. Thers are over a thousand books on the shelves and it i1s managed like a circulating library. But there is plenty of room and need for more, for most of the citizens are greedy readers and have devoured many of the books. Anything viclous or demoralizing is weeded out of the library, but there is no objection to books that are “merely entertaining.” Dr. Stow understands chil- dren too well for that. In a simple, éignified way she explained that though her means have been sadly crippled since her husband’'s death, she manages to meet the necessary expenses in running the republic. The only depart- ment in which she solicits aid is the li- CITIZENS OF THE i REPURLIC TAKING THEIR DALLY . EXERCISE, Drary, O WNICA COMIIIDUTIONS arv sowgmw The rest of the expanses are pald entirely out of her private purse. Of course the Birdie Bell republie has its own flag, which is twined with that of the nation. This junior republic flag red, gold and blue, signifying love, wis- dom and peace. They also have a lucky number—7—which is combined in all their decorations. Dr. Stow was born on the 7th of the month, and the children in- 7 thelr lucky number, is sisted on having 7 “because it's so lucky for us that she was born.” There are seven states in the Birdle Bell republic, each sfate having its own Gov- ernor, who appoii his or her staff of- ficers. The names of the states are Jov, Peace, Love, Hope, Truth, LI and Faith. All the citizens are Congressme the Congress being divided into the up- per and lower h The President ap- points his own Cabinet. Besides this political training the chil- dren have clubs which serve the doubls purpose of enjoyment and parliamentary instruction. T! e is the Sunshine Club, to which all citizens are eligible providing they agree to get and give the maximum amount of sunshine possible. All citizens may also join the Bird Club, but only girls are eligible to the Busy Bee and But- terfly socleties. But the boys have the [ o B Cossacks lel in any other army in the world. They are irregular caval but very different from our National Guard or vol- unteers, for the right to be a Cossack comes o through inheritance. The son of a Cossack, therefore, is a Cossack as soon as he is born, and is taught the use of arms and the traditlons of his warrior race all through his boyhood. So exclusive is this hereditary military nost impossible for an sfficer of the reg 'my, no matter how 1 his rank, n in k regiment unless he has inherit- ed the right to such a command. Several hundred y ago the Cossacks were lawless bands of freebooters, living on the banks of the Don and the Dneiper in Russia. When this territory was ab- sorbed into the Russian dominions the Czar was confronted with the problem of turning these turbulent people into good Jre HE Cossacks form a branch of the Russian service which has no paral- caste that it is a to secure a commi eitizens, They had always been tralned to martial life and the use ef arms, so the most natural and the best solution of the problem seemed to be to turn them- wmmunwmmmmmumh\n ble Bee, the Elks and Robin Hood exclusive! rs. cit the republic are com- stantly increa: n number. The chil- dren gather at the “capitol” after school their bustness, hour is set aside to members. Equality is public, and the chil- p e even more welcome of the rich, for they need the it teaches and the pleasures it gs. Each citizen, on taking the oath aileglance to the Birdie Bell republic, adopts the name of some flower. e citizens are constantly planning {nments of sort—a concert, But just now the gals pying all attention fis ming inaugural ball. It will be held next week, and the boy . & hundred strong, will r Dr. Stow, ‘72 years young,” will lead the grand march, fol- lowed by President Belle Riegelman, Vice President Willle Dell and the executive offic in order of their rank. WIIl there be a Birdie Bell republie when Dr. Stow is no longer hers to shape its destiny? Let us hope so. bri ot . Born, /Yoi Made pride of their position that they would be loyal subjects and turn their restless energies into the channels which would be of benefit to the empire. The experiment proved a great success, and ever stnce it was put into execution the Cossacks have been of the greatest assistance to Rus- sta in all her mil tegprises, and to- day there Is no more familiar name i connection with the Russian army than of “Cossack.” nized into regiments, but s only certain of the officers who are on duty all the t Each man gets his horse a from the Govern- ment when not on active duty, and is al- lowed to settle down and to rear a family of young Cossacks for the service of the Czar. When the Government call comes, however, the Cossack must give instant obedience, and sometimes there is the necessity of his being kept many years In the fleld. There are many of these regi- ments In Siberia. They came in with the first adventurers and settlers, and &4 much to wrest these lands from the prim- itive inhabitants for the benefit of Russia. They are settled in large numbers in the south and the vast stretch of country, and as they are ays in uniform, are easily picked out from the masses of peas- ants who have settled thers, t0o. As the Russian mail steamships ply up the Amur and the Chilka rivers during the summer months, they are met at each small vil- lage at which they stop by a group of the inhabitants, Including several of these soldiers in white blouses and caps. The small boys are always in the same dress, the blue trousers with the yellow strip thrust Into high, wrinkled boo the ‘white blouse, d the white Mr. Billincoa—Ah! my dear, I wish I might De NKe & XnIMT of old &ng pers form some deed of daring for you, Miss Lovylips—Ob, Geerge! Now that you're worked up te it, Suppose rou speak to papa—] -Philadelphia P_