The Blue Birds' Winter Nest Part 10

"I'll pay postage on a sample issue!" called Mrs. Catlin.

Again the joyous young publishers-to-be burst forth into cheers.

"What can I pay for?" laughed Mrs. Talmage.

"You'll soon find that you are paying the heaviest tax of all in overseeing the publishers," replied Uncle Ben.

"How soon can we start?" demanded the Bobolinks.

"What shall we write?" asked the Blue Birds.

Uncle Ben raised both hands for silence, and as soon as order was restored again, he spoke.

"We have just installed new machines in our printing plant in New York and intend selling the old ones to some small job printer who can use second-hand machines. Now, I can pick out a small press, st.i.tcher, and other things that you will need, and s.h.i.+p them out here. You have electricity here, and a small motor will furnish the power. When you are ready to go to press, I will send out an experienced man from our shop to direct the work and see that everything is done properly. The addressing and wrapping can be done by all of you. Of course, as far as we have gone, it all sounds like great sport, but there is another side to this plan that must be thoroughly agreed upon before we go any further. If you start this undertaking, you will have to keep on with it. At a certain date each month your periodical must be ready for mailing. You will have to write and edit, and print, whether the skating is fine, or the gymnasium is at your disposal, or whether Thanksgiving dinner makes you feel lazy, or a toothache keeps you awake all night.

Publis.h.i.+ng work is very interesting, most instructive, and profitable, but it is work, work, work, and not all play!"

"Oh, we know that, Uncle Ben," said Ned. "And we'll promise to take all of the consequences that go with the game."

The other boys seconded Ned's statement, and the Blue Birds eagerly agreed to the plan, so Uncle Ben really had no further objections to make.

"Oh, I can hardly wait to begin my page," cried Ruth.

"I'd rather see the magazine--maybe it will be a home-made looking thing!" exclaimed Dot Starr.

"It will not! Not with us boys to boss the plant!" bragged Don, her twin.

"If it is home-made, you'll have to do it all again," commented Uncle Ben.

"That is where Mrs. Talmage's work comes in," laughed Mr. Talmage.

"It will be a regular magazine, all right!" exclaimed Mrs. Talmage emphatically.

"We boys will see to it that no magazine is mailed that will make folks laugh at us," guaranteed Ned.

"I'm sure I placed my hobby in the right hands, for you children seem to take a pride in doing things well," commended Uncle Ben.

"And with a nephew stepping right in his uncle's footprints, why shouldn't things be done right?" laughed Mr. Talmage.

"Say, Uncle Ben, how long must we wait before we can begin?" asked Don Starr.

"Get as busy as you like to-morrow after school," replied Uncle Ben.

"I'll run into town and attend to having the things s.h.i.+pped here as long as you have agreed to my plans; you boys may start making benches, tables, or whatever will be needed in the plant."

"They'll need a desk, some chairs, a table and a few other things,"

suggested Mr. Talmage, looking around. "It might be advisable for them to part.i.tion off a corner of this room for an office."

"I have a good roll-top desk in the store-room at home; it has never had any use since Mr. Catlin pa.s.sed away. The boys shall have that," offered Mrs. Catlin.

"And I can spare that long table we used to have in the dairy before we installed the patent b.u.t.ter machines," added Mrs. Talmage.

"In case I find any other pieces of Mr. Catlin's office furniture I will send them over with the desk," said Mrs. Catlin.

"About those machines, Ben! How much will they cost the boys?" asked Mr.

Talmage.

"I thought of a.s.suming the cost, and any time the publishers give up the work I can easily sell them in the city. The children can pay the freight charges, which will not be very heavy," replied Uncle Ben.

"Then, there will really be no heavy expense to start with, will there?"

asked Mrs. Talmage.

"No, but a tax of application and interest will be necessary," smiled Uncle Ben.

"We will agree to pay all of that you want," promised several of the boys.

The Blue Birds did not have much to say about the machines and workshop, but each felt that it was to be their very own magazine, so that their interest and pleasure in every new development were keyed to the top pitch.

"Betty, what page do you want to take charge of?" asked Norma, eagerly, as they left the carriage house.

"I think we had better defer discussing that part of the work until we can all sit down quietly and talk it over," said Mrs. Talmage.

The men and boys remained with Ike to decide what boards and lumber would be needed for the morrow, so work could begin on their workrooms.

"Let's have a sign for the front over the door," suggested Jinks. "I'll paint it at home."

"Call it 'Bobolink Boys Publis.h.i.+ng Company,'" ventured Meredith.

"Oh, that wouldn't be fair to the Blue Birds if they are going to help in the work," said Ned.

"Name it 'Blue Bird & Bobolink Company,'" said Uncle Ben.

This last suggestion struck everyone as being just right, but Mr.

Talmage made a good amendment.

"Why not have a mysterious combination? Every mortal is interested in finding out a puzzle, or secret. The more elusive a thing is the more they chase it. Now, get folks guessing over your name and they will not forget you so soon. I just thought of the name of 'B. B. & B. B.

Company.'"

"That's great, father, but we haven't thought of a name for the magazine," cried Ned.

"Add a few more 'B's' to the others," laughed Uncle Ben. "We'll name it the 'B. B. B. B.,' published by the 'B. B. & B. B. Co.'"

"What does 'B. B. B. B.' stand for?" asked Mr. Talmage.

"'Blue Bird Bobolink Bulletin,'" replied Uncle Ben.

"That's mystery enough, I'm sure," laughed Mr. Talmage.

After a few more remarks, the first meeting of the organization whose influence was to be far greater than had been hoped for by Uncle Ben, or the boys who had started it, was dismissed.