Dew Drops, Vol. 37, No. 16, April 19, 1914

In Short

This periodical serves as a weekly instructional and entertainment guide for young readers in 1914. Through short stories, poems, and structured Sunday School lessons, it emphasizes the value of character development, faith, and helpfulness. The pieces focus on domestic life, the wonders of the natural world, and the importance of choosing kindness over selfishness. It remains a fascinating historical artifact, capturing the earnest, didactic spirit of its time while offering timeless vignettes about growing up and learning to navigate the responsibilities of family and community.

The Story

The collection moves through a variety of settings, beginning in a domestic sphere where children learn the value of duty and the surprises of nature. In one instance, a family is astonished when an engineer papa brings home chickens that he accidentally hatched on a shelf in a power house. The children, delighted, learn to care for them with a makeshift "mother" made from a flannel-wrapped syrup can, illustrating the period’s focus on ingenuity and gentle stewardship.

The narrative shifts to the realm of fable and moral allegory with the story of Princesses Myrtle and Violet. When the twins hear a legend about a "good-luck plant," they respond to the temptation of discovery in different ways. Myrtle selfishly sneaks out of the castle, only to grow tired and cross as her search proves fruitless. Meanwhile, Violet stays home to complete her lessons and chores, and it is in the simple act of weeding the garden that she finds the plant. This reinforces the central theme that rewards often arrive through quiet diligence rather than impulsive pursuit.

The scope then widens to include real-world adventures that double as life lessons. A grandfather recounts a humorous tale of a young boy who once tried to lead a bear home, believing it to be a stray calf. This story serves as a playful reminder of the innocence and vulnerability of children. Elsewhere, a young girl named Maisie acts as a "good fairy" to a distressed boy who has lost his father’s money, using the power of imagination and kindness to restore his hope. The collection also captures the pioneer experience, tracking a family’s brief, panicked search for their toddler, Martha, who had simply fallen asleep inside a copper kettle in the back of their wagon.

The cycle of the week concludes with reflections on the natural world and spiritual health. A Persian kitten’s encounter with static electricity on a rug leads to a funny, bewildering shock, teaching the reader about the hidden forces in everyday objects. Finally, the volume turns to a structured Sunday School lesson on the "Cost of Discipleship," which uses the metaphor of salt and the building of a tower to explain the necessity of commitment and persistence. The issue closes with "knowledge boxes" that explain the science behind tree rings and urge children to "hang out" signs of kindness through their daily speech and behavior, ensuring that their internal characters are as pleasant as their external actions.

How It Unfolds

The domestic surprise The issue opens with the discovery of "power-house chickens," immediately establishing a tone of wonder grounded in family life. The children learn that observation and care are the foundations of pet ownership.

The moral journey The narrative moves to the fable of the twins, illustrating that self-discipline is often rewarded while restless selfishness leads to disappointment. This beat solidifies the collection’s didactic purpose.

Adventures of the small Historical and personal anecdotes follow, ranging from a pioneer girl hidden in a kettle to a boy’s mistaken encounter with a bear. These stories highlight the unpredictable nature of childhood exploration.

The unexpected science The collection introduces brief, educational moments, such as the static shock experienced by a kitten or the way trees record their age. These moments bridge the gap between simple storytelling and the curiosity of the natural world.

The spiritual takeaway The final section provides a formal lesson and practical advice on character. It encourages the reader to apply the day's stories to their personal conduct and their relationship with faith.

The People

Dorothy and Laurence act as the archetypal children of the volume, representing curiosity and the joy found in simple family surprises. Their interactions with their parents demonstrate a standard of respectful, eager learning. Myrtle and Violet serve as foils in their search for the "good-luck plant"; Myrtle’s impatience and eventual crossness contrast sharply with Violet’s calm adherence to her duties, marking her as the moral protagonist of their shared story.

Grandpa, who recounts the tale of the "black calf," occupies the role of the elder and storyteller, bridging the gap between the past and the present for Arthur and Willie. His story provides a humorous perspective on the mistakes of childhood. Maisie, the "good fairy," represents the proactive helper, a figure who uses empathy to solve the problems of others. Finally, Stephen Harris and his family represent the resilience of the pioneer spirit, their brief panic over little Martha’s disappearance emphasizing the importance of family unity and vigilance. Each figure is defined by their relationship to duty and their ability to learn from their immediate environment.

In Its Own Voice

"I'm going outside of the gate," said Myrtle. "I mean to find the good-luck plant to-day."

Myrtle’s impulsive decision to ignore her mother's rules initiates the moral conflict of her story.

"I looked, and, sure enough, there was a fine brood of chickens, just picking their way out of their shells!"

Papa explains the accidental miracle of the engine-room hatch, highlighting the blend of industrial life and nature.

"What kind of signs are you hanging out, boys and girls?"

The author uses this rhetorical question to challenge the reader to reflect on their own behavior and reputation.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the cultivation of a "good" character through small, deliberate actions. The volume argues that virtue is not a grand, singular achievement but a daily practice of kindness, obedience, and curiosity. It posits that children are constantly "hanging out signs"—visible indicators of their inner temperament—and that they have a responsibility to ensure these signs reflect a helpful and pleasant nature. The collection frames the world as a place where duty to one's family and faith is the primary source of happiness, suggesting that persistence, rather than impulsive searching, is the true key to finding "good luck."

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of childhood education will find this volume deeply evocative. It captures a time when moral instruction was woven into the very fabric of entertainment. Reading it feels like stepping into a quiet, sunlit parlor where every story is intended to polish the reader’s manners and strengthen their resolve to be "useful and helpful."

The writing is earnest and unhurried. Because the publication dates to 1914, modern readers should be prepared for the didactic, old-fashioned tone that often characterizes Sunday School materials of the era. The language is simple, sometimes to the point of being repetitive, and the moralizing can feel heavy-handed to a contemporary ear accustomed to more subtle narratives. However, there is a genuine, warm charm in the vignettes—particularly the story of the "Clover Cottage" earthquake or the kitten’s encounter with static—that transcends its period. It is an ideal read for those who appreciate the historical texture of early twentieth-century American life and the earnest, if rigid, ideals that parents of that generation hoped to instill in their children. It offers a glimpse into a bygone era of simplicity, where a syrup-can mother for a brood of chicks was considered a triumph of domestic engineering.