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 ship functions three hundred and sixty-five days a year; it is alive, active and intelligent; it plays its part and does not shirk; it consults with its elected officials and helps them to formulate policies of wisdom and justice.

The eight hundred boys and girls of the high school who yesterday came to the City Hall and asked Commissioner Hunter to improve a street showed that they are alive to the possibilities of popular government. Instead of wasting time by grumbling, they chose the direct road and put their case frankly before a city official. The citizens of to-day who take their citizenship lightly can learn a needed lesson from the part these high school students have played. They have shown the will and spirit to function as Americans. They are torch-bearers of a true Democracy.

The minutes passed, but Praska remained on the porch. Twice he read the editorial through. Slowly, at last, he came into the house. "Mother!"

"Yes."

"Will Pop be home early to-day?"

"No; he telephoned a little while ago. There is some business that must be attended to to-night. He thought he'd probably be up on the midnight train."

The boy appeared to be lost in thought. By and by he folded the Evening Star so that the