Rural School Leaflet 



1093 



Keep in mind Corn Day next fall. It comes on December 5. Grow 

 your own corn if possible. See the report of this year's Farmers' Week 

 exhibit, on page 1090. 



Before I close this letter there is something that I wish to tell you. I 

 have a plan that is coming true, I think. For two years now you and I 

 have known and written to each other. It is time that we wenc further. 

 I want to meet you, talk with you, tramp the woods and fields with you, 

 work with you, play with you, eat with you, and, perhaps, stay in your 

 house overnight. This cannot come to all at once. For some, at least, it 

 will come soon, I hope. Here is my plan. The first day of next October, 

 if all goes well, I shall leave some central point in the State on foot and 

 walk into the country. In which direction? I do not know, for I have 

 no choice. You girls and boys are everywhere, and I shall not have to 

 walk far without finding some girl or boy who knows me by name. For 

 one whole month I shall walk and be among you, going from place to 

 place as the spirit moves me. Will you be glad to see me? Will you walk 

 with me a way, while we talk of the things that we see? Will you take 

 me to the schoolhouse and let me sit among you? Shall we be good 

 comrades for an hour, for a day, and firm friends afterwards? This is 

 my plan. Will it come true? I want it to. Again in April I shall do 

 the same, and thus spend two months of each year getting acquainted 

 with my young friends. Write me what you think of this. 



And now good-by. During the coming months, let us not forget each 

 other. Let us come to love and understand the out-of-doors. Let us 

 grow stronger and better. Let us resolve that through us others shall 

 be made happier, not in any great way, but because we daily live with 

 cheerful face and kind words. Let us take one piece of work and do it 

 well, so that we can look back on it and say, "I'm glad I did that; it was 

 worth the hard work." 



Do not hestitate to write to me often, in school or out of school. I am 

 glad to get your letters and will answer whenever I have time. 



Your friend, 



