The Girl Scout Pioneers | Page 5

seem adequate compensation.
All day at school the girls of True Tred planned and contrived little
favors for their unhappy sister, and it was noticeable those of the
classes who usually scoffed at the scouts and their activities, could not
well conceal their admiration for the spirit of kindliness displayed.
The True Treds had members in the seventh and eighth grammar grades,
and the girls' ages ranged from thirteen to fifteen years. Margaret
Slowden was fifteen, Cleo Harris fourteen and Grace Philow and
Madaline Mower were thirteen. This group was most active in the scout
girls' movement, and although the organization was only three months
old in Flosston, few there were in the town who had not seen and
admired the smart little troopers, in their neat uniforms, always ready to
assist in the home or in public at any task consigned to them. It was to

be expected they would meet opposition in the way of criticism from
such girls as are always indifferent to team play, and the best interests
of the largest numbers, but the scouts knew how much they enjoyed
their troop, and realized how beneficial was the attractive training they
were receiving from its rules and regulations.
Grace and Madaline were still in the tenderfoot class, and wore the
little brooch at the neck of their blouses. Margaret and Cleo were
already in the first class, and permitted to wear the left sleeve badge,
while others showed their rank in the Tenderfoot, the first and third
class, three patrols of eight members each making up Flosston troop.
The real work of the scouts is so interesting in character that the writer
has no idea of detracting from it, by relating the detail, feeling the
charm and significance is best expressed in a real story of the live girls
as they live their characteristic scout life. Nevertheless, it may not be
amiss to call attention here to the value of such training given almost in
play, and without question in such attractive forms as to make character
building through its influence an ideal pastime, a valuable investment,
and a complete program, for growing girls, who may emerge from the
"bundle of habits" as strong members of society, progressive business
women, or nicely trained little helpers for the home, or for the more
sheltering conditions in whatever path of life they may be selected to
tread.
That schools or even homes cannot compete with such training is
evident, when one considers that a girl is creative, and should have
ample chance to develop her character without force or rigid self
defacing, instead of self creating rules; also it must be apparent that
guidance is only successful when imposed gently, and with that subtle
persuasion, ever aiming to show the result of correct training, and thus
affording the principles of freedom for selection, with a knowledge of
what that selection will result in.
What sensible girl will deliberately choose to go her own careless way,
when she realizes that nothing satisfactory can be expected from such a
choice, and that the very freedom coveted makes her a slave to the most
cruel limits of prospects or attainments?

But we will not sermonize; even at this distance we may hold out the
strong arm of influence, assuring our readers that the highest aims of
writers and publishers are for the advancement of the younger girls,
whose minds, for the moment, are entrusted to our keeping.
Coming back to our group of Girl Scouts, now holding conclave in the
school yard of Flosston grammar grades, we find Grace and Madeline
forming themselves into a committee of two, with the avowed intention
of getting lip a hiking party for their own special benefit. These
younger girls must soon undergo the test necessary for their
qualification as second class scouts, and a hike on this lovely spring
afternoon would aid them greatly in acquiring the outdoor knowledge
necessary.
Margaret was rather inclined to dissent when the jaunt was proposed,
she did not feel quite as hiky as usual, and she promptly remembered
she had promised her mother some assistance in the little kitchen
garden both were developing.
"Oh, come on," pleaded Grace. "If you say you want to go, I am sure
Captain Clark will agree. I know where we can get the lovliest
watercress."
This lure won Margaret, who had now fully recovered her scout cheer,
and was trying bravely to forget the loss of her cherished badge".
"Mother loves watercress," she conceded, "and I would go, if we are
sure to be back by five. I have to go call for the mail before dark."
"Oh, goody-good!" sang out Grace. "Now I can surely get my nature
work all nicely covered. I'll tell Madaline. She is over there coaxing
Cleo," and with