Part 11 (2/2)

”Nellie,” said Uncle Jack to Mrs. Dalton that night, when the Safety Scouts were off to bed at last, ”those twins of yours are making history--do you realize that?”

”Well,” said his sister, ”they have their faults, like all the rest, but they're pretty fine youngsters at that. But, oh, Jack, they're growing up so fast!”

”They are, sure enough, like weeds; but their harvest isn't going to be any weed crop, now mark my words. I heard most of what was said at their patrol review this afternoon before anybody saw me; and on my word, Nell, those youngsters have started something bigger than they have any idea of, something that no power on earth is going to be able to stop.

After all, I'm just as pleased that the old chief's spear thrust sent me home in time to see the Safety Scouts of America in the making!”

_A real Scout knows how to take care of himself--and of others._--SURE POP

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

ADVENTURE NUMBER FOURTEEN

SIX TIMELY TIPS

Sure Pop and Uncle Jack were sprawled out side by side on the green river bank, talking over old times. Bob and Betty were hanging on every word.

”My first few months of Safety work among American factories and mills,”

Sure Pop was saying, ”was largely planting. I planted the Safety First idea and gave it time to grow. I began with the steel mills; then I turned to the railroads, then to the wood-working shops, and so on.”

Uncle Jack gazed thoughtfully at the sparkling river. ”Well,” he said at last to Sure Pop, ”what results and how?”

”How?” repeated the little Colonel. ”First, by putting the idea, Safety First, into the mind of every workman we met. Second, by whispering in his ear new ways of cutting out accidents--_after_ the Safety First idea had had a chance to sink in. Results? Three fourths of the deaths and injuries in the steel mills were cut out entirely in six years' time; in the railroads, the number of accidents was cut squarely in two in three years' time; in other kinds of work--all except one--big reductions all along the line.”

”Great!” There was no mistaking the admiration in Uncle Jack's voice.

”What about the one exception--what line was that?”

”It's a certain cla.s.s of mills that is practically controlled by one man, a very able man, but exceedingly self-willed and stubborn. He owns a chain of mills from coast to coast, and the rest of the manufacturers in his line follow his lead in everything. He has fought the Safety First idea from the start--calls it 'one of these new-fangled notions'--will have nothing at all to do with it--and he has held back the Safety movement in his whole line of work.”

”Hm-m-m! Hard nut to crack, eh? What's the old codger's name?”

”Bruce. He's done more to handicap Safety work than any other man in the country--and I do believe he's proud of it,” said Sure Pop, grimly.

”Bruce--isn't that the man your father works for, Bob?”

Bob nodded. ”He has a heart, though”--and he told them how the mill owner had come to Chance Carter's aid, and how like a different man he had seemed when little Bonnie threw her happy arms around him.

”Queer mixture, isn't he?” said Uncle Jack.

”Yes, he is. But don't you suppose our patrol could do something to change his mind?”

Uncle Jack waved the idea aside. ”Forget it, Bob, forget it! Don't lose sight of what the Colonel told you Scouts yesterday about the right way to go at things. Well, the right way to go at Bruce is to leave him alone for a while. If he's as prejudiced as all that, interfering would only make him worse. He'll come around by and by, won't he, Colonel?”

”All in good time,” said Sure Pop. ”Your work is cut out for you, Bob, as I told you yesterday. Get the Safety First idea well rooted in the homes, and then we'll begin on the streets, and get folks in the habit of thinking Safety every time they cross the street.”

<script>