Bolshevism—­A blow-out on the tire of world-politics.

BOOKS AND READING

A student assistant, engaged in reading the shelves at the public library, was accosted by a primly dressed middle-aged woman who said that she had finished reading the last of Laura Jean Libby’s writings, and that she should like something just as good.

The young assistant, unable for the moment to think of Laura Jean Libby’s equal, hastily scanned the shelf on which she was working and, choosing a book, offered it to the applicant, saying, “Perhaps you would like this, ‘A Kentucky Cardinal.’”

“No,” was the reply, “I don’t care for theological works.”

“But,” explained the kindly assistant, with needless enthusiasm, “this cardinal was a bird!”

“That would not recommend him to me,” said the woman, as she moved away in search of a librarian who should be a better judge of character as well as of Laura Jean Libby’s peers.

Books are the legacies that genius leaves to mankind, to be delivered down from generation to generation, as presents to the posterity of those that are yet unborn.—­Addison.

“Are you interested in a loose-leaf encyclopedia?”

“Nope, got one.”

“Indeed!  Whose?”

“The Britannica.”

“Didn’t know they published a loose-leaf edition.”

“Huh!  You ought to see mine after the children had used the volumes as building blocks a few years.”

A dressy lady asked one of the assistants for an up-to-date story such as “Women men love” or the “Adventures of Anne.”  The assistant selected a story which she thought this type of reader would appreciate.  After a few minutes the dressy lady again appeared with the book open, and pointing to a quotation on the title page said “I would like this book or any other by Proverbs.”  The astonished assistant read the quotation which was, “who can find a virtuous woman, her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10.

“How far have you studied, Johnny?” inquired the teacher.  “Just as far as the book is dirty, ma’am.”

Our youngest borrower is a little boy of three who reads surprisingly well for one so young and selects his own books from the children’s room.  The other day, however, his mother complained that lately he has become “lazy” and refuses to read.  As we stood talking the little chap ran joyfully toward her waving a picture book that had been made at the branch and said, “No words Mother, no words.”

  If this is borrowed by a friend
    Right welcome shall he be;
  To read, to study, not to lend
    But to return to me. 
  Not that imparted knowledge doth
    Diminish learning’s store,
  But books, I find, if often lent,
    Return to me no more.

  “Books are keys to wisdom’s treasures;
    Books are gates to lands of pleasure;
  Books are paths that upward lead;
    Books are friends, come, let us read.”