Page:What to do for Uncle Sam; a first book of citizenship (IA whattodoforuncle00bail).pdf/118

114 other which is inked by the printer and from which the bills are printed. The printed bills are compared very carefully with the original plates to see that they are all alike. They are then trimmed neatly, tied into bundles, and sent to the United States Treasury for circulation.

A long time ago the Indians used shells for money. In certain out of the way corners of the earth to-day there are still savage tribes. Traders find it easier to buy goods from these people with jack-knives, bright ribbons, and beads, than with money. The English lad feels rich with a shilling piece for a weekly allowance, and the French lassie with a franc, both of which are silver coins different from our quarter of a dollar, but which are near it in value. So we come to see that Uncle Sam’s money is not of itself so important, but gets its value from the way in which we use it.

Our Uncle Sam wants all the boys and girls of America to think, to-day, how they can do the most with their allowance, or the money they earn selling papers or doing errands? In time of war the United States Government asks the children to open their home savings banks and start their pennies and nickels moving. A penny shut up in a tin bank is hoarded, not saved. Money needs to move in order to work. How can you keep money moving in the right way?