Page:What to do for Uncle Sam; a first book of citizenship (IA whattodoforuncle00bail).pdf/182

178 School is out now. You are not needed at home. You and the other boys or girls have started out together for an hour’s fun in the street. It may be a troop of boys, or if may be a crowd of girls, arm in arm, it does not matter which. It is more fun to play in a crowd, but how are you going to play?

Some new sod has been placed on the edge of the sidewalk by the Park Department and there is a sign on it, "Please keep off the Grass." Main Street is too busy a street for ball playing. There is a town ordinance about this. Pushing the passers-by, running over private lawns, or interfering with the games of other children by taking their playthings would never occur to you. And you go on to the playground, or the park together, looking out for the lame one, or the younger one who is with you, and have a good time when you get there for three reasons.

Your crowd did not break any laws that the town has made. You respected the property rights of others. You played with your mates instead of alone, taking care of them, and all trying to help.

When our American Nation began as a free country, Uncle Sam found that he had a very large family to look after. It was like a great house, every one of the states being a room in