One thing that the Czecho-Slovaks have particularly shown during the War, and which argues well for their future, is their capacity for self-government. Not only did they show splendid organization in their efforts to secure recognition, but when the time came to proclaim the Republic, it was found that their machinery was in perfect working order; and, although great reforms have been inaugurated, so far things have progressed with a smoothness not to be found in any of the other newly-formed states. C. V. W. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE PREFACE v I LAND OF PERSECUTION 1 II MUSHROOM GATHERING 9 III A SLOVAK FOLK TALE 17 IV THE VOICE OF THE WOOD 30 V SUMMER 34 VI VILLAGE INCIDENTS 40 VII AN ADVENTURE 50 VIII A VISIT TO "MATTHEW'S LAND" 60 IX JOZEF GOES TO SCHOOL 66 X SCHOOL DAYS IN BOHEMIA 74 XI WAR 85 XII UNCLE JOZEF'S STORY 97 XIII UNCLE JOZEF'S STORY CONTINUED 104 XIV THE CZECHO-SLOVAK REPUBLIC 114 List of Illustrations PAGE "THE NEXT DAY, RUZENA DROVE THE GEESE TO PASTURE" (_See page 41_) _Frontispiece_ "'WILL A TIME NEVER COME WHEN WE SHALL BE FREE?'" 5 "THE GIRLS HUDDLED TOGETHER, TOO MUCH FRIGHTENED TO MOVE" 57 "HE USED TO WANDER ... TO THE FORTIFICATIONS" 74 "THE VILLAGERS NEVER TIRED OF HEARING IT" 92 "HE ... DROPPED HIS TREASURE AT RUZENA'S BEDSIDE" 96 Our Little Czecho-Slovak Cousin CHAPTER I LAND OF PERSECUTION THERE was mourning in the little village high up in the Tatras, as the Carpathian Mountains are called by the Slovaks. Nine men and women lay dead and four lay wounded behind carefully closed doors of the little homes. Scarcely a person except Magyar gendarmes was to be seen on the one main street. Now and then the curious, frightened face of a child peeped out from behind the shaded windows, and again quickly disappeared. The day before, Magyar officers and priests had come to consecrate the little square church that had just been erected. It had cost the villagers many sacrifices, but they were proud of it. They had come dressed in their best and full of gayety to the services, never dreaming but that their beloved Slovak pastor would be allowed to assist. When they found, however, that he had been ignored, they pressed closely around those in charge and begged that he be allowed to take part, that they might feel that the church was actually their own.