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Short on Inches, Long on Ability Although he's actually twenty- eight years oldâ€" has been twice mar- ried, once divorced, and j' the fath- er of two childrenâ€" most folks still mentally jiictiire him as a boy of seventeen or eitjhtetn. Hir first stage appearanceâ€" one of the very few for which he received no financial rewardâ€" -was at the age of fifteen months. Shortly after achieving his second birthday he turned professional, and ir one way or other has been appearing before the pnlilic as a paid actor ever since. He's only five feet, one and a half i chcs tall, and so yonthful ooking that in 1942â€" aged 22â€" he was refused admittance to the Hialcah Race Track on the ground that he was a minor. His mother was a chorus girl. He was named for his father â€" a stage properly man, later coinedian â€" and for years kno»vn as loe Yule, Ir. He had this name legally changed, ' however, to Mickey McGuire Rooney â€"and he's known to millions the world over as plain Mickey Rooney, one of the strangest and most in- credible figures in all the fabulous realm of stage and screen. In The Spotlight Nobody who knows him, or has ever even met him casually, would ever accuse Mickey Rooney of being in any sense a shrinkink violet. Even his best friends will admit that he's an exhibitionistâ€" something of a braggartâ€" and a constant seeker after the brightest section of the spotlight. But unlike most people of Hint type, be has the goods to back up all his claims. He has appeared on the screen wilh such top-ranking actors as Spencer Tracy â€" remember "Cap- tains Courageous" and "Boys' Town"? â€" and Frank Morgan; with actresses like Lana Turner, Judy Garland. F.'^thcr Williams, .^nn Ruth- erford. But with all their ability and experience, not one of them ever came close to stealing a scene on him. Indeed, it was generally the other way around. A Surprise Performance What he did at President Roose- velt's Inauguration Gala at Washing- Ion in 1941 is typical of Rooney. Ap pearing on the same bill with stars Mich as Charlie Chaplin, Nelson Elddy, Ethel Barrymore, Raymond Massey and other famous figures, most folks expected Mickey to do iome of the imitations for which he has long been noted. When he sat down at the piano the audience start- ed to laugh, thinking he was about to mimic Iturbi or some other key- board celebrity, and probably end up by standing on his head on middle B Flat, or something of the sort. But they soon quieted down and paid strict attention, once they rea- Bzed that for a change Rooney wasn't downing. For nineteen minutes •traight he played a three-movement symphony which he himself had com- posed. When tlie solo ended there was a tumult of applause; he was invited to the Presidential Box to receive congratulations; and the con- ductor of the National Symphony Orchestra seriously informed him that, with such talent, it was a real pity he was an actor. Not bad â€" especially when you con- â- Ider that his only formal musical education consisted of a few fifty cent piano lessons when he was five JOLTS old. Ai "Mickey MacGuire" His initial appearance on the Kreen was a cigar-inioking midget in a now-forgotten epic entitled 'Orchids and Ermine" and starring Colleen Moore. Then, In spite of fierce competition from tome 300 other ambitious youngsters, and their mothers,â€" also in spite of having blond locks instead of the dark hair the part called forâ€" he secures the leading role of Mickey (Himself) McGuire, a movie serial based on Fontaine Fox's comic itrip character of the same name. At the beginning it was expected that young Yule would soon out- grow the part. Instead, he remained lo small that he was able to play in no less than 78 of these pictures over a period of 6 years, and so identifying himself with the tough kid that, when he came to change his own name he had merely to add "Rooney" to the "Mickey McGuirc". More than 40 countries have adinted the idea of selling stamps ?! ('hristnia.<i lo raise money to fight t ,-'.il; sis. ' i^^.JHi 1 ^H|^^^9 ^^<? -tj- i H^^T^OH^c 1? i 1 1 ^HHK1#' Vi^^... ..y^^^.A.&i^ ^ 1^. 1 f: 1 '- â-  -^W'^/ %.mmMt'm:M How's Your Water Supply? â€" The iniporlaucc of \nuc water and the terrible dniipers of polhition are strikins;ly ilhistrated in new Film Board picture "Out Beyond Towti". "Out Beyond Town" The Benson farm is typical of many to be found in rural Ontario. The house, the farm buildings, the fieldsâ€" and even the old pump by the kitch(n door. All these go to make it typical and familiar. Just take the pump for example. Mrs. Benson draws her household water from it sc\eral times a day. Mr. Iicp on washes up there for sup- per. Young Paul often goes tlicre for a drink. The pump is a friend in a friendly land where the air ii clean, tlic food nourishing, and exer- cise unlimited. * • v The years pass, and altlioii;^ 'le ren.sons do not suspect it, the pump slowly turns into an enemy. Young Paul becomes ill, and is taken away to hospital. His parents are worried â€"and puz-/.lcd. How can a lad be- come so ill on so healthy a place as a farm ? The doctor finds the answer, and the sanitary inspector back's him up. The well and pump are to blame. Over the years the well has accumu- lated poisons and infectious germs, and nothing has been done to counter this contamination. * » * But when the Bensons realize what has happened, they make amends as fast as they can. Mr. Benson has a cement close-top well installed. But he doesn't stop here. When be gets to thinking about it, he sees water can be contaminated in many other ways : from .accumu- lated barnyard manure, from a ne- glected privy, from the refuse of the animal pens. And, again, summer insect pests can carry the pollution to the water supply. The Green Thumb By Gordon L. Smith Try Something New One should remember that the business of improving flowers and vegetables does not stand still. There are strains and types today that were not in existence before the war, and each year there are some brand new varieties. It is a sound rule to try something new each season. In this way variety and interest will be added to the garden. Even the old standbys like Golden Bantam corn ..nd Rosy Morn Petunias, to mention only two, have been vastly improved. Plant breeders are con- stantly 8trivin„ for new colours, more disease resistance and hardier and earlier plants. Much interest and value can be added to the garden by trying two or three new varieties or types of vegetables and flowers each year. Big Show For Little Work A really wonderful showing can bt made with a big bed of annuals and at surprisingly little cost. Where space is available one should not crowd these things. Indeed in very long borders along roadways or paths it is possible to do much of the preliminary cultivation with a hand-drawn or tractor - operated cultivator. First the bed should be dug or cultivated thoroughly at least twice before the annuals are sown or set out. This get* rid of the weeds and gets the soil in good shape. For a long bed, three ftet wide is about a minimum requirement. Into this one can plant dozens of differ- ent type annuals, with th« smaller things generally at the front, the bigger things at the bottom. For tiny tilings like French Marigold.s, allow about ten inches between, and for the biggest things like cosmos, full size linnias, etc., two and a half to three feet Is not t > much room. Where one has only a small piece of ground available rloser planting is advised in order to get more bhjom. So Mr. Benson put screens on the windows, and cleans up the barn- yard and privy. He makes sure that his well water is analysed regularly after Paul's illness. He even puts in a covered leaking-pit f^r water dis- posal, since he has no drains. * * * Who are the Bensons? They might be you. But, if you like, you can see these particular Bensons in a new National Film Board film, "Out Beyond Town", which is now playing on the rural film program* in many Ontario counties. 2-4-D Wonderful But Not Cure-Ail .•\ new chemical, 2-1-B. is proving to be one of the most effective iv the control of a variety of weeds. The expansion of the market for 2-4-D in Canada has been pheno- menal. In ]U47 about 500,000 acre: of farm land in Western Canada were treated with the new chemical. In 11)48, according to an estimate of a leading mar facturer of chemi- cals, from five to 10 million acres will be treated. Meanwhile weeds are pausing an annual loss to farmers in Canada of more than 3':oo, 000,000. Those who have made a study of tlie effectiveness of 2-4-D| as a weed control agent, feel confident in rc-ommciulinj; it for the control of weeds, such as mustards, stink- weed and ragweed in cereal crops. At recommended rates, an increase in yield in proportion to the number of weeds removed will more than pay for the cost of application. On the other hand, there are weeds, which may be resistant to 8-4-C. New chemicals for weed control should not be regarded as a "cure- all", but Ibey can be powerful weapons in the farmer's fight against weeds. Ack Ack The aunts were paying a visit to Southern England during the war and went upstairs to hear their little niece say her prayers. All went well and the little girl remembered to bless all her aunts and uncles, but just as she was going to say Amen, she paused and added very hurriedly: JlOh, and God bless Auntie Aircraft." /5H0llT5roI^ Thief In the Night By N. G. ADLINOTOV The old csretaker was not sur- prised when confronted by the man with the gun. He had been expect- ing something of the sort ever since the publicity in the paper. He was swiftly but thoroughly searched. "Where is it?" demanded the gunman. "In the table drawer," said the old caretaker. "I never carry it with me. I'm afraid of it." The old man darec to relax. "Thanks," he said, "I was getting kinda tired holding 'em up. Do you mind if I sit down?" "Yes," he said, with a sigh. "I told Mister John it was foolishness, putting all that stuff in the paper, no good would come of it." "How right you were," grinned the man with the gun. "According to this spread, he's closed the joint up while he and his wife spend the sum- mer on the coast. Must be nice to have dough." "The old man shrugged. "That's the story the paper got." "What do you mean," asked the gunman sharply. "Aren't you alone here?" "Sure I'm alone," said the care- taker hastily. "I mfant there was more to 'em closing the house up than the paper was told. Mister John's wife didn't like it here." "Most dames could stand living in a sha'-k like this." "They've only been married three months. She lik. it here at first, then she said it got on her nerves. Claimed the place was spooky. It's a pretty old place, you know. "Enough of this spook talk," the gunman said roughly. "Here's what I'm interested in." He scored a few lines on the paper with his thumbnail, then tossed the paper to the old man. Slowly the caretaker read aloiid from the society page blurb. "Among the many treasures gath- ered under the roof of the historic old house is an early Van Gogh „ "I was going to tie you up first," said the gunman, with an- other quick glance at the dark pas- sage, "but on second thought I'll let you show me where it is. Let's go." They were half way, through the passage, the caretaker leading, when the gunman stopped and gripped him by the arm. "What was that?" "I didn't hear anything." They crossed a couple of roo;ns that must have been enormous, judging by the time it took to trav- erse them, before the caretaker halted again, this time of his own accord. "This is the music room," he said. "The painting's on the far wall." The man with the gun gave a grunt of satisfaction. With the pia- no as a bearing, it was easy to locate the Van viogh. He let the light play on it, making audible noises of satisfaction. "You can help me â€" " he began, but the sen- tence was never finished. High and clear, came the tink- ling notes of a piano. It was as MURMAC LAKE ATHABASKA MINES LIMITED A PITCHBLENDE (Uranium) PROSPECT Currently Selling At Around 9 Cents Per Share AN OUTSTANDING SPECULATION NATIONAL SECURITIES W. A. Smith, Sole Owner, S4 KING ST. W. TORONTO We act as Principal! in the sale of these shares. NATIONAL SECURITIES, 24 King St. W., Toronto P Please send me Information on MURMAC. D Please buy shares of MURMAC. (amount) Name .,....». _ Address MARK X ABOVE USE THIS COUPON though a., invisible hand had brushed over the keys, or lightly ran up â- â-  si-ale. The sound was re- peated, but this tim" the notes were slow and uncertain, as if che un- seen player tried to pick out an almost forgotten tune. The circle of light on the painting wavered violently, then jerked wildly down to the piano. By its light the two men saw that the stool was unten- anted, but as each note sounded a key was depressed by invisible fingers. The old man was touching the gunman, and he felt hi n go rigid in terror. The next second the room was in darkness as the lamp fell or was hurled to the floor. > The kitchen door had slammed behind the intruder before the care taker recovered the lamp. Ap- P'-oaching the piano, he fumbiid under the open top, and when he withdrew his arm the music ceas- ed abruptly. "You little rascal, you," chuckled the old man fondly, to the furry bundle in his hand. 'It's a good thing for Mister John he told me I could use his planner. But it s no place ffr a kitten to play in." The End How imes Change Pre-\,ar The Customer is aU ways right. Wartiine: The Customer was of- ten left. Post-war: Unless you treat Cut- tomers right, you won't have any Customers left. â€" »- â€" Red Cross Hurse Keeps Vigil on Lonely Island WINS DOW AWARD THERESA ARSENEAU OF MISCOU ISLAND, N.B. /// lier%elf, tends exptctmt molAer until plane with docler arrive$ yja barren, storm-swept Mis- cou Island, 20 miles off New Brunswick's northeast tip, Theresa Arseneau waited at the bedside of Mrs. Omer Ward, an expectant mother. All was not going well with the patient. Dangerous symptoms had de- veloped . . . and the 21-year-old Red Cross nurse feared for Mrs. Ward's life. But she stayed at her post all day ... all that night . . . doing what she could to help the suffering woman. PHONES MAINLAND By morning There.sa realized that a doctor must be summoned if Mrs. Ward and her baby were to live. She phoned the hospital in Bathurst for help . . . and then returned to wait at the bedside. The gallant nurse was seriously ill herself by this time . . . run- ning a temperature of 103. An hour later a plane landed a doctor on the bleak little island. Rushing to the Ward home he found the feverish and almost completely exhausted nurse still beside her patient. He delivered the baby safely and then attended to the nurse. Theresa Arseneau, who with one other nurse staffs the Red Cross Outpost Station on Miscou Island, has earned the praise of every Canadian foi ber coura- geous devotion to duty. We are proud to pay her tribute through the presentation of The Dow Award. THE DOW AWARD is a citation for outstanding herO' ism and include], as a tangible expression 0/ flf>(»reciation, a $100 Canada Savings Bond. Winiieri are selected by ths Dow Aivard Committee, a group of editors of leading Canadian newspapers. The gallant nurse, running a high temperature and seriously ill herself, realized that her patient's life was in real danger. Frantically she phoned the hospital in Bathurst and pleaded for help. Then she returned to Mrs. Ward's bedside and waited. A plane, carrying a doctor and medical supplies, was rushed to the desolate little island. The doctor delivered the baby safely and then treated the exhausted nurse. LISTEN TO THE DOW AWARD RADIO SHOW SATURDAY â€" 8.30 P.M. JITTER I THINK I'LL HME YOU FITTED FOR SHOES WHILE WE'RE rHBt?£. By Arthur Pointer A- â- < > A M t jt > M >», •> J- *• '4k