Tracking

A y Wrtf H»* *** * v *•> Tracking By Heber Taylor, Scoutmaster, Provo, Utah On a fine spring day "Brer Rabbit" went hopping along the hill- side looking for the tender grass that was just coming up where the sunshine was warm. Mr. Bear, coming down the canyon, met the rabbit. Being very hungry after his long sleep, during which he had often dreamed of tender young bunny, he soon tucked away "Brer Rabbit" and went on his way rejoicing. A hunter, coming out from town, found the rabbit tracks and followed them until they met- the bear tracks. Then there, were no more rabbit tracks to follow, so he followed the bear tracks. He crossed the creek on a log and continued on the trail until he could see that the trail was quite fresh. He then grew cautious; turned off to the left and went parallel with the trail until he saw the bear. The bear was not looking his way, so he sneaked up be- hind a big boulder and killed Mr. Bear. As it was a big bear and a long way from town, the man couldn't carry it, and had to go back to town for a wagon and some help. With this he was able to get his bear home, so everybody could see what a brave man he was!

BOOKS The Standard of Living, by Newell H. Cornish, Professor of Economics in the Oregon Agricultural College, is a book recently published by the McMillan Company which should be of special interest to Utah people. Professor Cornish, a graduate of the Utah Agricultural College, was borr and bred in Utah. His book is exceedingly well written, and both the material it contains and the point of view it gives deserves far wider reading than such books usually get. The Standard of Living places emphasis on economic consumption, a fact that gives both distinction and importance to the book. The American people have been so accustomed to emphasize the economy of production that we have almost lost sight of the importance of economy in consumption as a factor in our standard of living. Because his per capita income is greater, the average American citizen has more to spend by considerable than the average man of any other nation. It is because we have had so much wealth that we have not learned how to consume it wisely or efficiently. It is commonly said, and perhaps truly, that the average French family can live well on what the average American family wastes. It is with this big thought in mind that Professor Cornish attacks the wasteful methods of American consumption, and he would have us improve our standards of living by helping us to economize in our standards of consumption, to spend more efficiently and more wisely. The chapter on the "Minimum Budget Necessary to Support the Average Family" is particularly helpful to the house wife and home maker. The chapter on "Cooperative Buying" suggests the social economy which is at present not entirely approved by private business enterprises, but, nevertheless, it offers great opportunity for a useful cooperative service in buying. Another chapter, particularly useful at the present time, is on "Saving and Invest- ment." We Americans are particularly prone to speculative and foolish investments. The chapter gives us a sane point of view in this important matter. It is just because the book discusses these questions that lie so closely to our everyday interests and our common welfare, that it deserves a wide reading. Such books are usually read by students in economics, but the problems here presented are of such vital and general interest that the book can be recommended to any person interested in improving his own economic welfare. — John C. Swenson, Brigham Young University. Fay. Before metal is of any use to man it must be put through tempering fires. Before tempered it can be bent first one way and then the other, and in many cases, is destroyed in the bending. Once tempered, it stands rigid, and if swayed from its position immediately springs back again. Edwin Baird, a well-known editor of Evanston, Illinois, has written a book called Fay. After reading this well-written book one is taken with the idea that Edwin Baird should be encouraged to write more books of the same type, for this book is clean! Arlo Bowen, the leading male character in Fay is a human sort, but he is at first like the untempered iron and is easily intrigued by pretty faces, carried away by ambition, but lacking in responsibility and the quality of application to put himself across. After drifting like a ship without a rudder, wrapped in his own ego and petty vices, he meets a crisis and in the tempering fires of adversity is hammered and mauled, tossed hither and yon until he emerges, a real man. The book is beautiful in its plausibility. Everything in it could have happened, and because it is a clean story of human life it never leaves a bad taste in the mouth. The younger brother of Arlo Bowen is true to type and life. The South abounds with girls like

BOOKS 437 Stella and Jean, and fine old gentlemen, like Colonel Littlefield. Wash, a son of Ham, deserves a high rank among synthetic characters. He is always "hongry." Fay is lovable, teaching as she does, unselfish love for the helpless, a maternal care for all, and the emptiness of love of money and splendor, fame and pomp, as compared with the man she loves. One valuable lesson taught in the book is found in chapter twenty-four. It drives home the fact, that regardless of ambition, never forget the little mother back home who has suffered and made many sacrifices that you might be brought into the world. Chapter twenty-four is a sermon in itself, one never to be forgotten. Fay is published by Edward J. Clode, 15 6 Fifth Ave., New York — H. L. Johnson, Tobar, Nev. "Suggestions on Plays and Their Production" by T. Earl Pardoe, professor of public speaking and dramatic art, Brigham Young University, Provo, was mentioned some time ago in the Era, as a useful pamphlet for associations who desire valuable information on this subject. A number of inquiries have come regarding them, and we say in answer to questions that these pamphlets are sold for 10c each, which is the actual cost. Quite a number are still on hand and can be obtained by addressing the University, at Provo. Where officers of a Church organization ask for them, the booklets are sent free. — A. Rambles in Scriptural Lands — Oliver C. Dalby has printed a pamphlet of 102 pages under the above title. It is a key intended to help unlock the treasures of the Bible to students. There are ten chapters treating on the general features of Palestine, the Maritime plain, the Shephela, the plain of Esdraelon, the Jordan valley and the Dead Sea, the province of Samaria, of Galilee, and beyond Jordan, the province of Judea and the effects of en- vironment. The purpose of the book is to revive an interest in the perusal of the Bible and to encourage scriptural reading which there appears thes: days to be a tendency to disregard. The book is accompanied by a map of Palestine and will be of considerable value to those who are now engaged in studying the lessons for the Melchizedek Priesthood for this year. — A. Abstract Mathematics He studied his geometry, He learned each sine qua non Of angles, points and lines galore, In arc and polygon; "Quod erat demonstrandum," Tiiumphant he declared, "Quod erat faciendum," Another problem shared: He flourished on the black-board Beneath his lettered lines His Q. E. D.'s., and Q. E. F's. In flattering designs: But, where the problems could be used Or what on earth they're for, No pupil could inform me — And the teacher, — knew no more! Payson, Utah, JOSEPH LONGKING TOWNSEND.