Drawn by Ernest E. Anthony. [The entire contents of this Magazine are covered by the general copyright, and articles must not be reprinted without special permission.] CONTENTS OF ST. NICHOLAS FOR NOVEMBER, 1916. Frontispiece. "Nancy." Painted by Mrs. M. L. Waller. Understood Betsy. Serial Story. Illustrated by Ada C. Williamson. The Whistling Oyster of Vinegar Yard. Illustrated by Reginald Birch. Illustrated by C. Clyde Squires. The Wonder-Box: Nip and Tuck. Story. Illustrated by W. Howard Montgomery. Old Jan's Twilight Tale. Story. Illustrated. Illustrated by Walt Louderback. A Camera Hunting-Cruise (Charlton Lawrence Edholm)-Government Service tinctly marked with owner's name. Bound volumes are not exchanged for numbers. THE CENTURY CO., 353 Fourth Ave., at 26th St., New York, N. Y. And what's more, they cost less than most tires. Because we make but one brand of bicycle tires-Blue Streaks. We have put all our time and thought on this one brand. We have cut out the waste that heretofore existed in tire manufacturing. We sell direct to your dealer- there is no third or fourth person to add his share of profit to the price now asked of you. These are some of the reasons you can buy Blue Streaks today for $2.50. Into every Blue Streak Tire goes all the goodness and quality we know how to put into it. Blue Streaks are handsome tires, too. They add to the beauty of your bike. And speed! Well, that's one reason they are called Blue Streaks. Ask the other fellows what they think of Blue Streaks. You will find they are the tires for you. You can get Blue Streaks from any reliable bicycle tire dealer. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio GOOD YEAR 741 ST. NICHOLAS ADVERTISEMENTS 5 ST. NICHOLAS for 1917 IN the whole history of ST. NICHOLAS, which for fortythree years has been acclaimed the one best magazine for young folk, not only in America but the world over, there seldom has been offered as fine a program of good things for a single volume as the list of features for 1917. The leading serial of the year will be a fascinating story for girls (and for everybody) entitled UNDERSTOOD BETSY By Dorothy Canfield Author of "Hillsboro People," "The Bent Twig." "A Montessori Mother," etc. The magazine and its great constituency of eager-minded young folk are to be congratulated upon having secured her first long story for girls from this gifted writer, whose most recent books have won a chorus of ardent appreciation from readers and critics all over the land. The New York Evening Post said of "The Bent Twig" that its characters were "living, breathing persons"; The New York Tribune, that "It is American to the core, and demands a second reading"; The Boston Herald pronounced it "a story of rare artistry." All these words of praise might as fitly be applied to "Understood Betsy," which is a unique and remarkably real story of American family life. From it, as from all Dorothy Canfield's writings, both young folk and grown-ups may learn. many things, besides constantly enjoying the humor, the keen and skilful characterdrawing, and the absorbing incidents of the narrative itself. It will run through almost, if not quite, the entire twelve numbers of the new volume, beginning with this (November) issue. ¶Another yearlong serial, intended primarily for boys but of interest to the general reader, is LETTERS From a Grateful Mother "Please let me say that I wish you could overhear, if for only one month, the remarks in our household during the days preceding the 1st-'In ten days St. Nick 'll be here' (ineffable gloat!) and so on progressively till The Day 'It's come! It's come!' To a friend-'Have you read "The Sapphire Signet"? You haven't?'— commiseration inexpressible! And this is only one home and two young people out of the multitude of your debtors-though we are three, really, for I enjoy it, I think, as much as they. "How can we parents thank you for upholding the true, sound ideal in ST. NICHOLAS and giving us something our children love and that we can unhesitatingly provide for them? It is like a rock in a weary land in these kaleidoscopic days." From a Well-known Photog rapher of Children "I shall be particularly gratified to see one of my pictures in ST. NICH. OLAS, as it is the first magazine 1 ever read, and I suppose I owe to it more and greater pleasure than to any other publication in the world." (See next page > (St. Nicholas for 1917-Continued) UNDER BOY SCOUT COLORS Author of "The Treasure of the Canyon," "The Courage of a Coward," etc. This fine story sets forth in a strong and vivid light the actual life of the great Boy-Scout organization, and the effects upon its members of the discipline and useful knowledge which it supplies. The military drill is of very minor importance in comparison with the steadfast habits of self-control which are emphasized and inculcated, and the value of this training in turning out a body of well-equipped, high-minded citizens who will be a great force in the American life of the future. From the opening scene in which the young hero, through his quick wit and special Boy-Scout knowledge, rescues a little lad from death by a broken electric wire, to the final instalment in which the whole local organization saves many lives at a time of sudden emergency, the story is a record of praiseworthy effort, of thrilling adventure, that will delight every boy-reader of the magazine. It was written, moreover, under the special auspices of the American Boy Scout Organization, and is officially endorsed by the leaders of the movement as an accurate and comprehensive presentation of its purposes and methods. A third serial which will bring joy to all girl-readers of the magazine will THE GIRL NEXT DOOR By Augusta Huiell Seaman Author of "The Boarded-up House" and "The Sapphire Signet" No contributions to the magazine in recent years have been more popular than the two stories named above, and the young readers' interest in their mysterious happenings grew with every chapter. Into this third narrative Mrs. Seaman has woven an even more perplexing and fascinating mystery which will keep the interest of her big audience on edge from first to last. Of single articles and short stories there will be literally no end, for Betty's Best Christmas By Alice Hegan Rice A two-part story in which the beloved author of "Mrs. Wiggs of the CabbagePatch," "Lovey Mary," and other worldfamous stories, will add to the joy of young readers a beautifully told, dramatic episode of Kentucky life at the time of the Civil War. The Origin of a Proverb By Ralph Henry Barbour Wherein one of the most popular writers for boys will give a delicious piece of clever fooling, quite unlike any of his previous contributions to ST. NICHOLAS but filled to the brim with irresistible humor and keen characterization. The Great Upheaval By Albert Bigelow Paine Motoring Through the It will be good news to all readers, old (See next page (St. Nicholas for 1917-Continued) The Christmas number of ST. NICHOLAS will contain The Glory of the World By Carolyn Wells A Christmas play written especially for ST. NICHOLAS by this favorite author. A practical and effective play for holiday presentation. JIM WILSON'S CHUM By Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell A stirring story of the Labrador wilds, and one of the finest dog-stories ever written. Beautifully illustrated by Paul Bransom. Also, two delightful, cheery ballads, "The King Who Changed His Mind" and "Peggy and Her Sixpence," illustrated to perfection by Reginald Birch and W. M. Berger. It is but half the mission of ST. NICHOLAS, however, to interest, amuse and entertain its readers. It is as careful every year to provide contributions that will renew their highest ideals, and enlarge in every way their vision of the meaning and value of life, and incite them to noble endeavor. To this end the magazine has laid before them, each year, numerous biographical sketches recounting the achievements of the world's great men and women, as in Miss Ariadne Gilbert's notable series "More than Conquerors." During the coming twelve months there will be an inspiring set of papers, written with the true literary touch and in a spirit of illuminating appreciation by Miss Mary R. Parkman, of Washington. They will be divided into a double series: The above are already in hand for early numbers of the magazine and Another biographical sketch of exceptional interest and assured popularity is entitled THE SINGER OF A THOUSAND SONGS It is a delightful tribute (with many beautiful pictures) to the famous Kitty Cheatham, who has sung her way into the hearts of countless little folk-and big folk, too," and who is preeminently the world's "singer of childhood for children." (See next page |