The National tribune., 1903-03-19
REAL PATRIOTS.
A Flag Story With Moral Children Homes
and Earnest in Adopting Sentiments.

Isabella Kellog tells very cute little
some children who were making study OF
patriotism in q society called The Chill
dren of the American Revolution The
story so aptly illustrates theory and prac-
tica, not only in the teaching of patriot
! ism. that il is given i'll full. 1t carries
with it lesson to every man, woman and
! child, particularly to the men and women
who are so good nj telling others what to
do. and so utterly needless of how they
put their own theories into practice:
These children" says Isabella keiios'
were invited to assemble for their meet
/ ing at the hone Of one Of the officers OF Il
| senior society. Everything was done to
make it an enjoyable occasion. After tie
singing OF patriotic songs and recitatlons,
| the hostess. a very patriotic wO:nan. talk
cd to them about the Flag. The children
were al attention rs she proceeded with
her instructive and interesting address.
In conclusion, she said:
Now, children, when you know
how we have inherited this Flag. and how
dearly it was pun chased, you should cher
ish it, and use your influence, as patriotic
American children. against anything that
may tend TO degrade cur National co.ors.
1t las grieved many coed people of late
to see pictures Of the Flag used for aGver-
Using cigarcts and other things. So. chill
drcn, let me impress upon your minds not
To buy or use anything that has Il picture
of the Flag Remember. dear children.
the Flag belongs to tie Nation. and should
never he used for individual purposes
Each little heart sweed with the spirit
of true American patriotism as they all
promised never to desecrate the Flag.
Then the party of % little patriots pro-
ceeded to the dining-room in a body. and
were ranged in chairs around the walls of
era lfl fD
center was Il marvel of beauty. decorated
with flowers and ribbons of the society
colors. Even the candies and cakes were
done up. as far rs possible. in the same
hue. The colorei walters whsked around
the circle. spreading paper napkins i'll the
laps of the cxpectant guests. Pending the
arrival of the first course, one little boy
examined his napkin carefully, nudged his
next neishbor, and Marconi wireless
message went around the circle. At last
it fQund voice. sic said not to use any
thing with q Flag ont remarked little
girl; let's put 'em on the table So, one
by ore, the youngsters folded their nap
kris and put them on the table. quietly
sliding back to their chairs again. The
how Jared her little guests, exciaimins as
she cast her eyes over the group, Where
are the napkins?
There was a dead embarrassing silence.
The question was repeated. Then Il little
girl stood up just as she would have re-
cited her lesson in school. Mrs. Smith,
you Just told us not to use anything that
had a picture of n Flag ont
"'And we never intend to neither said
Il brave little boy.
Mrs. Smiths face grew red as she ex-
amined one of the offending napkins. Sure
enough, there was a flowing American
Flag in each corner. Other napkins in
plain white linen We're substituted, and
things passed pleasantly after this. Lem
onade. cake and ice cream had been dis
tributed freely, and there remained but one
thing to be passed, large chocolate cake
cut i'll % pieces, each with Il tiny Flag
stuck into it. Mrs. Smith had forgotten
the episode of the napkins, and was chat
ting in the hall with some grOwn-up peO-
pie. John passed the cake. several hands
were raised to take piece, then dropped
helplessly with an expression of regret.
Mrs. Smith drew toward the portiere to
see what allied her hitherto noisy guests,
and was an unseen observer of what hap
pened. The cake was in process of pas
sage around the circle, and not one piece
had been taken. When it reached its
starting point, a sturdy little free-born
American exclaimed:
That's right, boys and girls. don't
touch it, but it's about the meanest sort
of entertaining | ever heard of, to make
rs all promise not to use anything with the
Flag advertising in it. and then stick the
best chocolate cake full of 'em. so none
of us can take any. Don't 'spose its very
good cake any way
after that the guests sang America
and departed, and Mrs. Smith was left
with much food for reflection. Those chill
dren.' said she, as the last one shook
hands and passed out. all their lives will
associate the American Flag with choco-
late cake'"