or
Freddie was only six years old) to picking oranges for him to eat as he
sat on the grass beneath the cool shade of a tree. Freddie's seventh
birthday had come round, and his father had sent him a kind little
letter saying that if he wanted almost anything he could get him he
should have it.

Freddie was delighted, and began to think what he should ask for. He had
everything a reasonable boy could wish for. At last he thought of
something. It was this he would ask for--Uncle Sam's freedom.

He sat down at once and wrote a note to his father saying the thing he
most wished for was Uncle Sam's freedom, and he should be very pleased
if his father would grant it to him. Then he sealed it up, and running
out told a servant to ride with it to his father.

He did not tell Uncle Sam anything about it, for fear his father would
not grant his request.

When his birthday came, he had a present from his mother and some little
things from nearly all the servants of the household (for they all liked
him), but there was no letter.

After breakfast, he wandered out into the garden, and walked towards
some high ground to see whether he could see anything of a messenger.
Yes! there sure enough was a horseman riding towards the house, and by
the time Freddie had got to the door the man had reached it. He handed
Freddie a letter, which he eagerly tore open.

When he had read it, he ran quickly to Uncle Sam's hut, for his father
had said that though it was rather a surprising request he would grant
it, for Uncle Sam had served him for more than forty years.

When Freddie reached the hut Uncle Sam was sitting on a stone outside
the cottage door, smoking his pipe. Freddie leaned against his knee and
read him the letter, and when Uncle Sam heard it he thanked his little
benefactor so much that Freddie declared he had never enjoyed a birthday
present so much.

EDITH E. LUCY.
(Aged 12.)

_Thornleigh, 50, Woodstock Road, Oxford._

Certified by ALICE LUCY (Mother).

LIST OF HONOUR.

_First Prize (Divided):--Half-Guinea Book, with Officer's Medal of the
"Little Folks" Legion of Honour, to_ C. MAUDE BATTERSBY (15), Cromlyn,
Rathowen, Co. West Meath, Ireland; _and Half-Guinea Book with Officer's
Medal to_ MARY JOHNSON (15-3/4), Boldmere Road, Chester Road, near
Birmingham. _Second Prize (Seven-Shilling-and-Sixpenny Book), with
Officer's Medal_:--EDITH E. LUCY (12), Thornleigh, 50, Woodstock Road,
Oxford. _Honourable Mention, with