How Ethel Hollister Became a Campfire Girl Read online

  HOW ETHEL HOLLISTER BECAME A CAMPFIRE GIRL

  by

  IRENE ELLIOTT BENSON

  ChicagoM. A. Donohue & Company

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  CANOE AND CAMPFIRE SERIES

  Four Books of Woodcraft and Adventure in the Forest and on the Waterthat every Boy Scout should have in his Library

  By ST. GEORGE RATHBORNE

  CANOEMATES IN CANADA; or, Three Boys Afloat on the Saskatchewan. THE YOUNG FUR-TAKERS: or, Traps and Trails in the Wilderness. THE HOUSE-BOAT BOYS; or, Drifting Down to the Sunny South. CHUMS IN DIXIE; or, The Strange Cruise of a Motor Boat. CAMP MATES IN MICHIGAN; or, With Pack and Paddle in the Pine Woods. ROCKY MOUNTAIN BOYS; or, Camping in the Big Game Country.

  In these four delightful volumes the author has drawn bountifully fromhis thirty-five years experience as a true sportsman and lover ofnature, to reveal many of the secrets of the woods, such as all BoysScouts strive to know. And, besides, each book is replete with stirringadventures among the four-footed denizens of the wilderness; so that afeast of useful knowledge is served up, with just that class of stirringincidents so eagerly welcomed by all boys with red blood in their veins.For sale wherever books are sold, or sent prepaid for 50 cents each bythe publishers.

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  Copyright, 1912, M. A. Donohue & Co.

  CONTENTS

  Chapter Page

  I--A Fashionable Mother 7 II--Ethel Hollister 14 III--Grandmother Hollister 18 IV--A Pink Tea 23 V--An invitation to Aunt Susan 29 VI--Aunt Susan Arrives 41 VII--Aunt Susan Makes Friends 48 VIII--Ethel is Invited to Visit 51 IX--Ethel and Aunt Susan Start 55 X--The Journey 58 XI--The Next Day 62 XII--Ethel Learns to Cook 65 XIII--A Little Drive 68 XIV--Some Confidences 72 XV--A New Ethel 81 XVI--Aunt Susan's Trials 84 XVII--Cousin Kate Arrives 88 XVIII--Selecting the Costume 90 XIX--Ethel Meets Her Uncle and Aunt 97 XX--Gathering of the "Ohios" 103 XXI--The Trip up the River 109 XXII--An Evening in Camp 115 XXIII--The Legend of the Muskingum River 120 XXIV--Ethel's First Day in Camp 141 XXV--Ethel's First Lesson 144 XXVI--A Loss and a Dinner 147 XXVII--A Discovery 153 XXVIII--Mattie's Story 159 XXIX--Mattie Starts Afresh 167 XXX--Aunt Susan Comes 172 XXXI--Back To Aunt Susan's 175

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  CAMPFIRE GIRLS SERIES

  HOW ETHEL HOLLISTER BECAME A CAMPFIRE GIRL ETHEL HOLLISTER'S SECOND SUMMER AS A CAMPFIRE GIRL CAMPFIRE GIRLS MOUNTAINEERING CAMPFIRE GIRL'S RURAL RETREAT CAMPFIRE GIRLS IN THE FOREST CAMPFIRE GIRL'S LAKE CAMP

  List Price 75c Each

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  HOW ETHEL HOLLISTER BECAME A CAMP FIRE GIRL

  CHAPTER I

  A FASHIONABLE MOTHER

  "No indeed, Kate!" ejaculated Mrs. Hollister emphatically, "Ethel has notime to join any Camp Fire Girls or Girl Scout Societies. She has herhome and school duties, while her leisure is fully occupied. At presentI know with whom she associates. As I understand it, these girls formthemselves into a Company with a Guardian or Leader. They wear certainuniforms with emblems on the waists and sleeves, as well as a ring andbands of beads on their heads, all of which savors of conspicuousness,and it seems to me ridiculous."

  "But, Aunt Bella," replied her niece, "think of what it makes of thesegirls. It teaches them to take care of themselves. They very oftensleep out of doors for two months and get an honor for it."

  "Yes, imagine a delicate girl like Ethel doing that," rejoined Mrs.Hollister. "Why, she'd contract pneumonia or consumption right away."

  "But if she were delicate she wouldn't be allowed to do so unless by theadvice of a physician. Then for one month she's obliged to give up sodasand candies between meals."

  "Yes, and isn't that silly? Why, any girl can do that without belongingto a society."

  "Well, they become healthy and strong; they play all kinds of out ofdoor athletic games; they swim, dive, undress in deep water, paddle orrow twenty miles in any five days; they learn to sail all kinds of boatsfor fifty miles during the summer, ride horse back, bicycle, skate,climb mountains, and even learn how to operate an automobile."

  "There, Kate, stop; you make me nervous. Now what good is all suchexercise to a girl?"

  "Why, it gives her the splendid health so necessary to every woman, andoh! if only you'd read about it. You won't listen, but they learn how tocook, how to market, to wash and iron, and keep house, how to take careof babies,--and don't you see if a girl marries a poor man she can be ahelp to him and not a hindrance? Then they have to be kind andcourteous, to look for and find the beauties of Nature until workbecomes a pleasure and they're happy, cheerful and trustworthy. Theygive their services to others and learn something new all the time."

  "My dear Kate," said her aunt, "nowadays a girl has all she can possiblydo to fit herself for her future position in society; that is, if herfamily amounts to anything socially. Why should a girl learn to cook andmarket unless she intends to marry a poor man, and I don't propose thatEthel shall ever do that. And as for being so athletic, I don't approveof that either. It's all right for a girl to ride. Ethel is a goodhorsewoman; she learned from a splendid riding master. She playstennis, golf, and can swim; so you see she has nearly all therequirements of Camp Fire Girls."

  "Oh, Aunt Bella, she has hardly any. Why, look at the Boy Scoutmovement--how marvellous it is and how it has grown. It has become aninstitution, and in England when several Boy Scouts while camping outwere drowned, the Government (think of it) sent out a gunboat--sent itup the Thames to bring their bodies back to London. Think of theNational recognition. Why, it's spreading so that every boy will becomea Scout before long. And the good that they do no one knows."

  "Well, my dear," said the elder lady, "you are an enthusiast, andnaturally as you are a 'Captain' or 'Guardian,' as they call it, yoursympathies are all with the organization. But to me it's like marchingwith the suffragettes. It belongs to the women who favor 'Woman'sRights,' but not for a girl like Ethel."

  "But you certainly approve of the 'Scout' movement, don't you? Why, boysare joining from every rank of life."

  "Ah! my dear," broke in Mrs. Hollister, "that's the great trouble. They_are_ from every rank, and that's why I object. Had I a son I should notcare to have him become interested in it, and for a girl like Ethel torub shoulders with 'Tom, Dick and Harry,' it's simply not to be thoughtof. No, when she marries I trust it will be to a man who can afford togive her enough servants to do the work, a chauffeur to run herautomobile, and a captain to sail her yacht. I hope she'll have acompetent cook to bake her breads and prepare the soups, roasts, salads,and
make preserves. I should feel very badly if she had to wash andiron, wipe her floors, or do any menial work. Were such a thing tohappen, I hope I shall not live to see it, that's all. No, kindly dropthe subject. Ethel is but sixteen. She'll have all she can do to finishat Madame La Rue's by the time she's eighteen. You know how hard yourUncle Archie works to obtain the money to pay for Ethel's education, andhow I manage to keep up appearances on so little. It's all for Ethel. Itmeans everything for her future. She must have the best associates, andwhen she graduates go with the fashionable set. We are very poor and shemust marry well and have her own establishment. All of this Camp Girlbusiness would be of no earthly benefit to her. It's only a fad and Ibelieve not only that, but the 'Scout' movement will die a natural deathafter a while. Young people must have some way to work off theirsuperfluous energy; these Societies help them to do so. Now remember,Kate, you have a fairly well-to-do father and you need not worry overyour future. Not so poor Ethel. That I have to look out for. Please donot refer to this subject again, especially before her. I mean it andshall resent it if you do. I'm sure you'll respect my wishes in thematter."

  "Of course, I shall, Aunt Bella," replied Kate, "but were you to morethoroughly understand this new movement I'm sure you'd view itdifferently and change your mind. The Boy Scouts have done so much good,and now this Camp Fire Girl is going to be such an improvement over theordinary girl. She's going to revolutionize young women and make ofthem useful members of society--not frivolous butterflies--and it willbe carried into the poorer classes and teach girls who have never had achance, so that they may become good cooks and housekeepers and lovebeautiful things. And their costume is so pretty and sensible. Oh! Iwish you could see it with my eyes."

  "To me, my dear, it is very like the Salvation Army. They wear badgesand uniforms, and they too do much good, I am told. Yet I shouldn't careto have my Ethel become a member of that organization. Buthush--remember your promise--not a word. Here she comes."

  CHAPTER II

  ETHEL HOLLISTER

  A young girl entered. She was lovely with the beauty of a newly openedrose. Her features were exquisite. Her rippling brown hair matched hereyes in color. Her complexion was creamy white with a faint touch ofpink in either cheek. Although her figure was girlish it was perfectlyformed and she carried herself well; still she looked delicate.

  The mother and daughter were alike save where Mrs. Hollister's face washard and worldly, Ethel's was soft and innocent.

  "Well, dearie," said her mother, "here's an invitation for you from theKips. Dorothy will celebrate her fifteenth birthday on Saturday with aluncheon and matinee party."

  "Oh, how perfectly lovely," exclaimed the girl, showing her pretty teethas she laughed. "Dorothy is such a dear. Why, she hardly knows me.She's only been at Madame's half a term."

  "Never under-rate yourself, Ethel," spoke up Mrs. Hollister. "Rememberthat you belong to one of New York's oldest families. Although you havebut little money, people are sure to seek you not only for your familyname but because you are an acquisition to any society."

  Ethel blushed painfully while Cousin Kate gazed out upon the buddingleaves on a tree in front of the Hollister house. By a keen observer herprivate opinion might be read in every line of her face. She loved Etheland her grandmother--old Mrs. Hollister. She pitied her Uncle Archie,but she despised her Aunt Bella and rejoiced that at least none of thatlady's blood flowed in her veins. She worried over Ethel who,notwithstanding her mother's worldliness was as yet unspoiled, for thechild inherited much of her father's good sense. Still under theconstant influence of a woman of Mrs. Hollister's type it would bestrange if the daughter failed to follow in some of her mother'sfootsteps or to imbibe some of her fallacies.

  "I'm going up to tell Grandmamma," said Ethel, and bursting into the roomshe kissed the old lady.

  "Listen, Grandmamma, I'm invited to Dorothy Kip's birthday--a luncheonand matinee party."

  "That's lovely, my darling," replied the elderly woman. "When does itcome off?"

  "Next Saturday, and I presume we'll go to Sherry's to lunch. Think ofit! I've never been there--I'm so glad," and she danced around the room."And my new grey broadcloth suit with silver fox will be just right towear. You know the lovely grey chiffon waist over Irish lace that Mammahas just finished, and my grey velvet hat with rosebuds and silver foxfur--won't it be stunning?"

  "You'll look lovely, I know. But where is Cousin Kate?"

  "Oh, she's with Mamma. I entered the room while they were in the midstof an argument and they stopped suddenly. I guess it was about me. Youknow how set Mamma is in her way, and she was reading the riot act aboutsomething. As Kate leaves here tomorrow, shouldn't you think that Mammawould be too polite to differ with her? But no, she was talking quiteloudly. I wish I might go home with Kate. I'd like to see her father andmother; they must be lovely.

  "They are," replied Grandmother Hollister. "Your Uncle John is my oldestboy, and he has the sunniest nature imaginable."

  "Yes, and Kate does something in the world," replied the girl. "I wish Imight belong to her Camp Fire Girls that she has told you and me about.But Mamma--why! I shouldn't even dare suggest it; in fact, she doesn'tdream that I know about Kate's being the Guardian of a Company. I fearedthat she might be rude if I spoke of it and might say something tooffend Kate. Well, goodbye dear, I just wanted to tell you," and withanother kiss Ethel left the room.

  CHAPTER III

  GRANDMOTHER HOLLISTER

  Old Mrs. Hollister's room was on the third floor back. It was large andsunny, but considering that she owned the house it was rather peculiarthat she had such an inferior room. She and her sister Susan were theonly children of Josiah Carpenter, a wealthy man living in Akron, Ohio.Upon his death the girls found themselves alone and heiresses. Alice,while visiting in New York, met Archibald Hollister, who belonged to anold and respected family but who was of no earthly account as a businessman. His handsome face won pretty Alice Carpenter. He was not long inspending nearly all of her fortune, but he really was considerate enoughto contract pneumonia and die before he obtained possession of herhouse, which fortunately was in her name and unmortgaged.

  She had two sons--John, Kate's father, who lived in Columbus, Ohio, andArchibald with whom she now made her home. Archibald loved his motherand begged her to let him pay her rent for the house, but she repliedthat if he would pay the taxes and keep the house in repair it wouldequal the rent.

  Her sister Susan still lived in the same town where they had been born.She had never married. People told Archibald Hollister that his AuntSusan was a millionaire. Every investment that she made was successful.She had adopted and educated two orphan boys, one of whom had died,while the other was finishing college, after which he was to become alawyer. Aunt Susan seldom wrote of herself. She corresponded with Alice(Grandmother Hollister) about twice a year, and at Christmas sheinvariably sent her a generous check.

  Grandmother Hollister and her son were alike in many ways. They werefree from all false pride and privately they considered Mrs. Hollister asnob, and worried lest Ethel should become one. Archibald seldomasserted himself, but when he did his word was law. While his wife wasa social climber he was exactly the opposite. He had been known to bringhome the most disreputable looking men--men who had been his friends inyouth and who were playing in hard luck. He would ask them to dinnerwithout even sending word, and his wife would invariably plead a sickheadache to get rid of sitting with them. She dared not interfere norobject for she was just a little afraid of him and she realized that innearly everything he allowed her to have her own way.

  Mrs. Hollister told Ethel privately that both here father andgrandmother were old fashioned. Although living in a handsome house theykept but one maid. Mr. Hollister's salary was but a little over threethousand, and at times they had hard work to make both ends meet. Ethelattended a fashionable school and hardly realized what the familysacrificed for her. She made many friends among the wealthy girls of thesmart set. Thanks to her mother's s
kill and taste she was enabled todress beautifully, but youth is thoughtless and she was just a littletoo self centered to see that her parents were depriving themselves forher.

  Mrs. Hollister gave bridge parties, and once every two weeks a tea forEthel. Upon those days she hired two extra maids. It was pitiable to seehow she strove to keep up appearances. There was a young man whosesister went with the set of girls who came to Ethel's teas. His name wasHarvey Bigelow. One of his sisters had married into the nobility. He hada large Roman nose and a receding forehead, but Mrs. Hollister wasdelighted when one afternoon Nannie Bigelow--his sister--brought him tothe house. He was only nineteen and at college. Ethel disliked him fromthe first.

  "Why, dear, why are you so rude to Mr. Bigelow? He's a gentleman," saidMrs. Hollister.

  "Yes, Mamma, but I simply cannot endure him," replied the girl. "For onething his nails are too shiny, and that shows his lack of refinement. Idon't care if his sister married the King, he's common--that's all."

  It was then that Mrs. Hollister would declare that Ethel was exactlylike her father and grandmother.

  CHAPTER IV

  A PINK TEA

  Although old Mrs. Hollister owned the house and nearly all of thehandsome antique furniture, Mrs. Archie seemed often to forget thatfact, and from her manner one might infer that the lady regarded hermother-in-law as a sort of interloper. The old lady would allow her togo just so far, after which she would suddenly pull her up with a sharpturn and admonish her with such a cutting rebuke that Mrs. Archie wouldblush painfully and apologize. But while antagonistic on most pointsthey each agreed on Ethel. Even Grandmother felt that herdaughter-in-law was wise in trying to fit the girl for the smart set,where she would have social position and money, and she even sided withthe wife against her son, who considered it all wrong.