Dew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 09, March 1, 1914

In Short

This periodical issue acts as a didactic companion for children and parents of the 1914 era. It features brief, episodic narratives that illustrate the immediate consequences of character choices—whether a boy falling ill after breaking a dietary promise or a girl learning the value of kindness through an apple turnover. By framing everyday childhood interactions as spiritual tests, the publication encourages its young readers to view their actions as reflections of their inner integrity, ultimately aiming to cultivate "manly" responsibility and the quiet, consistent practice of the Golden Rule.

The Story

The volume opens with the cautionary tale of Lilian and Earl, a brother and sister invited to a lawn party. Because Earl is recovering from an illness, he is strictly forbidden from consuming cold treats like ice cream or lemonade. Lilian agrees to serve as his "surety," promising to ensure her brother remains obedient. However, amidst the excitement of play, the siblings are separated. Earl, overcome by the heat and the sight of refreshments, succumbs to temptation. He justifies his lapse with a series of errors: first forgetting the promise, then believing it is "impolite" to refuse offered food, and finally reasoning that since he has already eaten some, finishing the rest will do no extra harm. He falls ill, and upon his recovery, the siblings discuss the failure of their pledge, with Lilian resolving to be a more vigilant guardian in the future.

This theme of duty and self-discipline carries through to the story of Roy, a boy who yearns to participate in the arduous work of a maple sugar camp. Despite his uncle’s warnings that the labor involves backaches and long, cold hours, Roy insists that "it's manly to do hard things." He spends a week trudging through snow with a heavy yoke and pails, finding genuine satisfaction in the completion of his chores and the realization that hard work is more rewarding than easy play.

In contrast to these tales of physical labor, the story of Bobby and his neighbor, Joey, explores the challenge of responding to rudeness. When Joey repeatedly destroys Bobby’s snowmen, Bobby’s mother encourages him to "heap coals of fire" upon his adversary—a metaphor for kindness. When Joey’s sister, Sadie, later falls from a roof, the sturdy snowman Bobby built acts as a cushion, saving her from injury. The resulting gratitude bridges the gap between the families, turning rivals into friends.

The narrative scope then widens to include O Sanna San, a young Japanese girl suffering from a spinal injury. Through the intervention of a missionary and her parents, she is transported to a hospital where, despite her initial terror of the foreign environment, she finds hope and education through the friendship of a doctor’s daughter, Frances. The volume concludes with Sam’s dream about a dog that barks whenever he strays from the path, which his mother interprets as a personification of conscience. These stories are interspersed with formal religious lessons about the dangers of hoarding wealth and advice for mothers on teaching politeness. Each piece is designed to leave the reader with a clear moral takeaway: that true happiness is found in obedience, service, and the constant, humble effort to do right.

How It Unfolds

The test of a promise Lilian and Earl attend a lawn party where Earl is forbidden from eating cold refreshments. Despite Lilian’s pledge to act as his security, Earl’s lack of self-restraint leads to illness and a shared realization that duty requires active, ongoing vigilance.

The value of hard labor Roy accompanies his uncle to a mountain sugar camp to experience the realities of spring maple harvesting. By enduring the physical exhaustion of the work, he learns that overcoming genuine difficulties provides more satisfaction than pursuing simple leisure.

Kindness as a strategy When a city boy named Bobby faces harassment from a neighbor, he follows his mother’s advice to respond with patience. This approach reaches its climax when his snow sculpture accidentally saves the neighbor's sister, transforming an antagonistic relationship into a peaceful one.

The path of conscience After recounting a dream about a persistent dog that forces him to stay on the path, young Sam learns from his mother that his own conscience serves a similar function. The issue emphasizes that ignoring one's internal moral guidance inevitably leads to a metaphorical fall.

The People

Lilian and Earl represent the importance of mutual accountability. Lilian, the more thoughtful of the two, learns that being a "surety" for someone else requires active intervention rather than mere verbal agreement. Earl, though prone to impulsive mistakes, shows a willingness to accept the consequences of his actions and to rely on his sister’s guidance.

Roy is the embodiment of traditional, rugged industriousness. He is defined by his desire to be "manly" and his willingness to trade comfort for the sense of accomplishment that comes from difficult physical labor.

Bobby is the quiet, patient protagonist who struggles with the frustration of being bullied. His growth lies in his ability to move from resentment to a genuine, neighborly concern, influenced heavily by his mother’s guidance on Christian conduct.

O Sanna San is a figure of vulnerability and eventual resilience. Her journey from a state of physical immobility and homesickness to one of hope and curiosity highlights the impact of compassion, as she transitions from a fearful patient to a student with a bright future.

Finally, the various mothers throughout the volume act as the moral anchors. Whether they are teaching the meaning of "coals of fire" or explaining the connection between home life and outward politeness, they serve as the bridge between abstract religious doctrine and the children’s practical daily lives.

In Its Own Voice

"This was Earl's second mistake. The first was forgetting his promise, the second in thinking true obedience could ever be impolite."

The narrator offers this critique of Earl’s rationalization after he decides to eat forbidden food at a party.

"There must be a lot of fun, he said, and it's manly to do hard things."

Roy expresses his determination to join the maple sugar camp despite his uncle’s warnings about the exhaustion involved.

"I don't see how you could ever make coals of fire out of a snow man, mother!"

Bobby responds with innocent confusion to his mother’s biblical instruction on how to handle the neighbor who destroyed his hard work.

What It's Really About

The central argument of this collection is that a child’s character is not a fixed trait but a daily construction built through obedience and service. The stories consistently posit that life is a series of moral tests, and that the "right" choice—whether it is keeping a promise, performing hard labor, or showing kindness to a bully—is always the path to long-term happiness. Underlying these plots is a firm belief that spiritual health is inextricably linked to one's conduct in the home and neighborhood. The text argues that by focusing on small, disciplined actions, a child can align their heart with a higher moral standard, ultimately serving both their community and their own moral development.

Why Read It Today

Readers today will encounter a world that feels both distant and strikingly familiar in its concerns. The prose is earnest, warm, and deeply focused on the mechanics of character building, making it a gentle time capsule of 1914 moral education. Those who enjoy the "cozy" atmosphere of vintage children’s literature, or who are interested in the evolution of Sunday School pedagogy, will find the stories’ directness quite charming.

However, the reader should be prepared for the heavy-handed didacticism common to the era; every narrative is designed to deliver a lesson, and the subtext is rarely left to the reader’s imagination. The period attitudes—such as the unquestioned authority of parents and the rigid, gendered expectations of what makes a boy "manly"—are woven into the fabric of the stories. While the vocabulary is accessible, the Victorian-style moralizing might feel prescriptive or intense to modern sensibilities. Ultimately, this collection stays with you as a poignant reminder of how parents once sought to anchor their children in a changing world, using simple stories of maple syrup, snowmen, and promises to teach the heavy work of growing up.