An Accident

One night after scout meeting, one of my friends and I were going to a picture show. We were riding on a bicycle. I was pumping and he was sitting on the bar. We had slowed down to cross a bridge and were speeding up again when my friend said: “There are many trees along here. You had better slow down.”

“Oh, pshaw! there is nothing to be afraid of. I haven’t ridden a bicycle for three years and not learned how to guide and balance correctly,” I boasted.

We were about a rod farther when “crash.” The round seemed to come up and meet me. My chin struck the ground on which I skidded for blocks, it seemed. Then I opened my eyes to see if I had reached heaven all right. I was disappointed, however, when I found myself on the ground all right except for a sprained arm. We got up, put the damaged “bike” in a neighbor’s barn and limped our painful way toward the show house.

– Arvel Anderson, Pleasant Grove, Utah, age 14

A Narrow Escape

Mother told me to go and run the dogs off the cistern. My two-year-old baby sister came after me. I told her not to venture any farther. it was too late, for on she came, and just as she stepped on the door one end tipped and she ell into the water. The door closed after her. Mother saw her fall in and called for father. he was asleep, but was awakened by our screams. Every chair in the house was in his way but he played an obstacle race and was very soon at the cistern. The door was very small. He could not get in, but as the water was close to the top he could lie down and reach her. he got her out but she was unconscious. By working with her she soon regained consciousness.

– Millie May Hall, Salina, Utah, age 11

A True Story

Last summer I spent many weeks in bed with leakage of the heart. Then I got hemorrhage from the nose and nearly bled to death. I didn’t seem to improve very much, then my feet commenced to swell so big, and at last it turned to dropsy. I wasn’t in much pain but it was sure hard to breathe.

They took me to the hospital, where they did all in their power for me, but didn’t seem to help. I was unable to lay down for a long time. At times I would take sinking spells and be gone for several minutes.

Then the Elders came and told me I should live and be a living testimony, and not long after those dear brethren had gone the swelling started to leve my body.

They prayed for me in Sunday School, Primary, Temple, and all their gatherings.

And now that I am able to walk around and feel as well as I do, I am sure thankful the Lord has helped me to get well. I can go to Sunday School and Primary, but not day school.

– Winona Olsen, Axtell, Utah, age 11

Conserving Our Forests

The forests in Canada are worth six and one half million dollars. They provide hundreds of men with work. The number of fires that occurred in 1921 were about 595. They burned over two million acres of land. In 1925 there were over two million dollars lost in Canada by forest fires. Canada forest resources are very valuable, because we get lumber from them to build our homes, barns, furniture and things we need to make our homes comfortable.

If you live on a prairie where there are no forests, you learn to appreciate them when you are passing through them on your summer vacations.

There is one week in April when all people in Canada are asked to help save the forests. Forest fires are started by carelessness. Men who throw away burning matches and cigarettes, careless campers who do not put their camp fires right out. they just put water around the edge and some in the middle, and go away thinking the fire is out. But if a very hard breeze comes up it will blow dry leaves and twigs into the fire and start it going. In these careless ways forest fires are started.

If we want to save our forests we want to put out our camp fires. Be sure your camp fires, matches, and cigarettes are out before you throw them away. The government pays men to watch the fires and put them out. They watch the forests to see when fires start so they can put them out before they get too large.

You tourists who are planning to go on a summer vacation, please remember while you are planning to mention the fires. Be sure your camp fires are out, also your matches before you throw them away. If you are careful of your fires, you will not be worrying about forest fires starting. If one should start, your conscience will not hurt you because you know that you never started it. So be careful and put out your fires. You will enjoy your summer holidays much better.

– Cleo Buck, Glenwoodville, Alberta, age 15

Childhood Reminiscences

When my sister was two years old, I thought it my solemn duty to take care of her.

One summer afternoon mother put a lemon pie to cool and then she went outside.

I was taking care of sister then, but while my attention was attracted by something outside, she grabbed the butcher knife, which was laying on the table, climbed upon a chair and deliberately put her foot in the pie. Just then I turned around and ran to get her. I was frantic. There she was ruining that pie and I couldn’t do a thing because she was waving he butcher knife at me. Hearing my screams, mother came running in and saved the day, but not the pie.

– Grace Walker, Pleasant Grove, Utah, age 15

My Pet Rabbits

One day Jack and I got a lot of lettuce to feed our rabbits. When we came to the pen there were six little new-born rabbits. One was all white with pink eyes. I named it “Snowball.” One was black and white with dark blue eyes. I named in “spotty” The other four was coal black so I called all by the name of “Blacky.”

When we had found and seen all of them we ran and told mama about our little “pets.” She was very glad also.

In a day or two they were able to stand up and walk around. And in less than a week, they were running around in their pens.

Brother and I then took them out on the clover patch and they ate until their little stomachs were full.

the next day our old tom ca got in and killed one of the blackies, so we have only got five more left.

Now they are a foot long and about three inches tall. they are certainly darling little pets.

– Vilda Ferre, Gunnison, Utah, age 11

A Kind Deed

Mr. Jones, an old man who lived on our block, was walking down the street one windy day when the wind blowing a little stronger, carried his hat from his head.

Mr. Jones was embarrassed when he looked across the street to a small group of boys laughing at him. But his embarrassment left him when a bright looking boy came and captured the runaway hat, bringing it back to its owner smiling happily.

“May the dear Father bless you, my boy,” said Mr. Jones. And I am sure he did.

– Catherine Price, Samaria, Idaho, age 11

Muir Woods

Muir Woods, the big tree grove, God’s most wonderful handiwork. That is where we went one Sunday of September.

The ride on the ferryboat was very pleasant. Past the docks and near Alcatraz Island we went. At Sausilito we got off and went on a train to Mill Valley. We climbed the two hundred and ninety-six steps (counting as we went) to the top of a hill. From there we followed Pipe Line Trail, which took us through much beautiful land, always in sight of Mt. Tamalpias. We came to the Muir Woods train line and followed it until it ended in front of a picturesque “Tavern.” Then we refreshed ourselves and started through the Reserve.

The path followed a ripping stream in and out among the giants. Pink azaleas and large ferns lined the path. These giants were about six to ten feet in diameter and so tall you could not see the top. Many trees ou could walk right through the trunk. These wonderful Redwoods grow only in California.

After a half hour of this beauty we came to the end of the Reserve and started quickly back to Mill, going the shortest way.

it certainly was worth the eight miles of hiking to see that grove.

– Ruth C. Zuppann, Oakland, California, age 14