CHAPTER XVIII.

Edith recovered slowly; but the shock had told upon her, and it was

thought she needed a change of air.

"Take her to a city," suggested the doctor. "She requires diversion."

And very hurriedly and unexpectedly they decided to go to Washington for

a week or two, stopping in Philadelphia on their way back for a glimpse

of Neal.

The party consisted of Mrs. Franklin, Edith, and Cynthia, with the

addition at the last moment of Aunt Betsey. Each of the three Franklins

felt a slight pang of disappointment when they heard that Miss Trinkett

intended to join them; it would have been just a little nicer to go

alone. But the old lady never suspected this, and she met them in Boston

on the morning of the 1st of June, full of excitement and pleasure at

the thought of seeing "the inner workings of this wonderful government

of ours."

Hester's one thought was that she should soon see her brother again.

During the last few weeks a letter had come from the head master at St.

Asaph's, deeply regretting the unjust judgment that had been passed upon

Neal in suspending him from school. It had since been proved that he was

innocent, and the faculty would be only too glad to welcome him back.

Mrs. Franklin felt that she could not do too much to atone to Neal for

having suspected him, and she longed to tell him so.

"And if I once see him I can persuade him to come back. I know I can!"

she said, joyfully, to Cynthia.

The visit was an unqualified success. The Franklin party did a vast

amount of sight-seeing, Miss Trinkett being the most indefatigable of

all. Indeed, Cynthia was the only one who was able physically to keep up

with her energetic little grand-aunt, and even she was sometimes forced

to plead fatigue.

Miss Betsey left nothing undone. She journeyed to the top of the

Monument, she made a solemn pilgrimage to Alexandria. She was never too

tired to go to the Capitol, and her little black-robed figure and large

black bonnet soon became familiar objects in the visitors' gallery,

while she listened carefully to all the speeches, thrilling or dull as

they chanced to be. When the latter was the case, as frequently

happened, Miss Trinkett waxed warm with indignation at the lack of

attention paid to the prosy old member by his inconsiderate colleagues.

"Look!" she would whisper to Cynthia; "they are actually reading and

writing and talking quite load to each other while that poor old

gentleman is speaking; and some have gone out. How shocking!"

And she would lean forward again in an attitude of renewed attention,

and listen to the reasons for or against some very unimportant project.

At Mount Vernon, Miss Trinkett's joy and patriotism knew no bounds. She

bought little hatchets by the score, and herself drew up the bucket from

the General's own well. She was even guilty of breaking off a twig in

Mrs. Washington's garden, notwithstanding the signs which informed her

that she was doing it under penalty of the law.

"I just couldn't help it," she said afterwards to her nieces, in

apologetic tones. "To think of that labyrinth and that box-border being

Martha Washington's own, and me with the same thing in my garden at

home! It made me fairly thrill to think of Martha and me having the same

tastes in common. I knew she'd have let me take it if she'd been here,

for I always heard she was real kind-hearted, if she _was_ dignified, so

I just did it."

But the most exciting day of all was when they visited the Dead-letter

Office. Miss Trinkett, interested as she had always been in the mail

service, was much impressed. She sat upstairs for hours, and gazed over

the railing at the rows of men who were opening and examining thousands

of missent letters. She could only be torn away by the entreaties of

Cynthia, who begged her to come see the collection of curiosities which

had found their way to this vast receptacle.

At the first glass case Miss Betsey stood appalled.

[Illustration: "CYNTHIA FRANKLIN," SHE EXCLAIMED, "LOOK THERE!"]

"Cynthia Franklin," she exclaimed, "look there!"

Cynthia looked. There was every conceivable thing in the place, from a

beehive to a baby's rattle.

"Do you see?"

"What, Aunt Betsey?"

"There! Look, my own rag doll!"

"Aunt Betsey, it can't be!"

"It is, Cynthy. Don't I know the work of my own hands, I should like to

ask? Well, well, I want to know! I want--to--know! Find me a chair,

Cynthy. I feel that taken aback I don't know but what I'm going to

faint, though I never did such a thing. But do tell! do tell! Oh, this

government of ours! It is an age to live in, Cynthy."

Cynthia brought her the chair, and the old lady seated herself in front

of the case.

"I do declare if there ain't the very eyes I sewed in with my own

hands--black beads they are, Cynthy--and the hair I embroidered with

fine black yarn! And the petticoats, Cynthy! The flannel one's

feather-stitched. I could tell you what that doll has on to her very

stockings. To think that something I made so innocently, away off in

Wayborough, for our little Janet, now belongs to the United States

government! Well, well, it's a great honor; almost too good to be true.

But the little satchel, Cynthy--the satchel that hung at her side with

the gold in it, where's that?"

That indeed was missing.

"Well, well, we won't say anything. I'm sure government deserves it for

all the trouble it takes, opening all those letters and bundles."

But her family thought differently, and wheels within wheels were set in

motion by which the fifty dollars in gold were recovered--the famous

fifty dollars, the loss of which had so affected the fortunes of Neal

Gordon.

It seemed that in her agitation, after the death of Silas Green, Miss

Betsey, though she stamped it generously, had put no address at all on

the package, and having sent it off by the half-blind Mr. Peters, the

deficiency had not been discovered.

He had taken it to Tottenham post-office, where both he and Miss

Trinkett were unknown, and hurried away, leaving the valuable package to

the mercies of government.

"And to think that government takes care of things and gives them back

to you when you are as careless as all that!" said Miss Betsey. The doll

she would not receive.

"No, no," she said; "let it stay where it is. I'll make another for

Janet some day. It's an honor I never expected, to have one of my rag

dolls set up in a glass case in a public building in the city of

Washington for thousands and thousands of the American people to gaze

at! Indeed, I want to know!"

The two weeks in Washington finally came to an end, and the Franklins

bade farewell to the beautiful city with its parks and circles, its

magnificent avenues, its public buildings, and towering Monument.

"Well, well," said Miss Betsey, as she took her last look. "I haven't

lived all these years for nothing! I've been to the capital of my

country, and I've visited the tomb of Washington. And, Cynthy, now it's

all over and we're safely out of the way, I'm real glad I took that twig

from the garden. I had a kind of an uneasy feeling about it all the time

I was in town, but now I feel better."

When they arrived at Philadelphia Mr. Carpenter was waiting for them at

the station. Neal, he explained, was at the lumber-yard; he could not

get off at that hour. They intended going to a hotel, but William

Carpenter, with Quaker hospitality, insisted that they should stay under

his roof while they were in the city.

"Rachel expects thee," he said to his cousin when she remonstrated; "she

has made the necessary preparations."

"But there are so many of us," said Mrs. Franklin.

"There is room for all, and more," he replied, calmly.

Miss Trinkett was much pleased with all she saw, though somewhat

surprised when she heard herself called by her given name on so short an

acquaintance.

"However, it gives you an at-home feeling right away," she confided to

her nieces. "It seems as if I were back in Wayborough with the people

that have known me ever since I was born, I wouldn't like to say how

many years ago, though not so very many, either."

It was the middle of the afternoon when Neal came in. Hester heard his

familiar step coming down the long narrow hall to her room, where she

was resting. There was a knock at the door, and she called to him to

come in. In another instant his arms were around her.

"Neal, Neal," she cried, "is it really you at last? Oh, how I have

longed to see you! Let me look at you."

She held herself away from him, and scrutinized the face which was far

above hers.

"You've grown. You are taller than ever. I only come up to your

shoulder, Neal. What a big man you are going to be! And you have

altered--your face looks different. What is it?"

"Can't say," he laughed. "Don't stare a fellow out of countenance,

Hessie; it's embarrassing. Did you have a good time in Washington?"

It was evident that he did not wish to refer to past events, but Hester

insisted upon speaking. She felt that something must be said sooner or

later, and there was no time like the present. It would be well to get

it over.

"Neal," she said, tenderly, taking his hand as they sat together on the

sofa, "I never really thought you took the money. I only did for an

instant after you ran away. Of course that seemed strange. But, Neal,

you will forgive us for thinking so at all. You will come back, won't

you, dear? John wants you to as well as I, and you will go to college."

Neal rose and walked to the window. He stood there for a moment, with

his hands in his pockets. Then he turned, and, coming back, stood in

front of her.

"I'll tell you what it is. Hessie, we've both got something to forgive.

I was beastly extravagant at St. Asaph's, and not at all fair and square

when I asked you for the money that time. Then, being suspended was all

against me, and of course John had a right to get mad. It's awfully hard

to swallow the fact that he wouldn't believe me, and he thought I would

steal; however, he had some excuse for it. My old pride was at the

bottom of it all. You see, I've had time to think it over since I've

been here; two months is a good long time. I've been alone a lot, and

when you're not measuring boards at a lumber-yard you have plenty of

time for thinking over your sins. And I suppose I was pretty well in the

wrong, too. I ought not to have run away; I know that."

Now that Neal had reached this conclusion he was courageous enough to

acknowledge it.

"And you will come home now, and go to college."

"No, I don't think I will. Cousin William seems to think I do pretty

well in the business, and I shouldn't wonder if he'd feel rather badly

to have me go. He was very good to take me in. Then I made up my mind

I'd stick at the old thing and show Cyn--show some people I'm no coward.

Then I'm not very much gone on books, Hessie, and if I went to college

I'd want to give a good deal of time to sports and all that, and I'd

need a lot of money. Somehow I don't seem to be able to see other

fellows spending a pile without doing likewise. I haven't got it, and I

am not going to be dependent on you, Hessie dear, much as I know you

would like to give me every cent you own. But, on the whole, I think I

like better to make my own living. I rather like the feeling of it."

Hester felt that Neal was showing that he was made of good stuff. She

was not a little proud of his independent spirit. She was greatly

disappointed that he was not going through college; but, after all, she

reflected, there was great wisdom in what he said. She determined to say

no more until she had consulted with her husband, but she knew that he

would agree with Neal.

"And now where are the girls?" demanded Neal, with a view to changing

the subject. "I want to see them."

His sister called them in from the next room, and they had a merry

meeting.

"How funny it is," thought Cynthia. "The last time I saw Neal we were

like two drenched water-rats on the river at home. Whoever thought we

should meet away off here in a strange house and a strange city, where

all is so different? I believe things are really going to come right

after all, and that day I was perfectly certain they never would. Here

is Edith well and strong when I thought she was surely going to die, and

mamma has seen Neal and seems as happy as a lark, and Neal himself looks

fine. Somehow he seems more like a man. I'm proud of him."

All of which train of thought took place while Cynthia was indulging in

an unwonted fit of silence.

Neal soon suggested that they should take a walk, and the girls acceding

to it, the three set forth, Neal feeling extremely proud of the two

pretty maidens with whom he was walking.

"Philadelphia has an awfully forlorn look in summer," he said, with the

air of having been born and brought up a Philadelphian. "You see,

everybody goes out of town, and the houses are all boarded up. You're

here at just the wrong time."

"We are certainly here at a very hot time," remarked Edith, as she

raised her parasol.

"They call it very cool for this time of year," said Neal. "You forget

you are farther south than old Massachusetts. It is a dandy place, I

think, though I wouldn't mind knowing a few people that are not

Friends."

"How can you know people unless they are friends?" asked Cynthia, gayly.

"Cynth, what a pun!" said Neal, with an attempt at a frown. "I say,

though, it's awfully jolly to have you two girls here, even if Cynthia

does keep at her old tricks and make very poor puns. How long are you

going to stay?"

"As long as we're bidden, I suppose," returned Cynthia, with one of her

well-known little skips, as they set foot on Walnut Street Bridge.

It was six o'clock, but being June the sun was still high above the

horizon. A gentle breeze came off the river, and the afternoon light

threw a soft radiance over the masts of the vessels which lay at anchor

at the wharves, and the spires and chimneys of the town.

They wandered through the pretty streets of West Philadelphia; Neal,

happy in having companions of his own age again, laughing and talking in

his old way, care-free and fun-loving once more.

To Cynthia the past year seemed a hideous dream, now to be blotted out

forever.

She and Neal had one conversation alone together. It was the night

before the visitors were to leave Philadelphia, and the two were in the

old garden that was at the back of Mr. Carpenter's house. It was not

like Aunt Betsey's garden, nor the more modern one at Oakleigh, but the

roses and the lilac blossoms suggested a bit of country here among city

bricks and mortar.

Neal was very quiet, and Cynthia rallied him for being so, as she

herself laughed heartily at one of her own jokes.

"Well, perhaps I am rather glum," said he; "but I think you are horribly

heartless, Cynthia, laughing that way when you're going off to-morrow,

and nobody knows when I shall see you again."

Cynthia was sobered in a moment.

"Neal, I want to tell you something," she said. "Mamma told me that you

have decided to stay here and work instead of going to college, and I

admire you for doing it. Of course, it's a great pity for a boy not to

go to college, but then yours is a peculiar case, and I'm proud of you,

Neal. Yes, I am! You're plucky to stick it out."

"Wait until I do stick it out," said Neal, coloring hotly at the

unexpected praise. "But it's rather nice to hear you tell me I'm

something besides a coward."

"Hush! Don't remember what I said that day. Just forget it all."

"Indeed, I won't! It is written down in my brain, every word of it, in

indelible ink. There was something else you said, Cynth. You said you

had faith in me. I mean to show you that you didn't make a mistake. It

will be harder work than ever now, though. Having seen you all makes the

idea of toiling and moiling here pretty poky. My mind is made up. I

_will_ stick it out!"

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

IN THE VALLEY.

The night has filled the valley up

Brimful of darkness, like a cup;

But day will spill the mists again

Over the brim--in driving rain.

MARRION WILCOX.

A PARSLEY BED.

BY EMMA J. GRAY.

"I wish _I_ could make a little money," said confidential Florence to

her friend Annette.

Now Annette was notably practical, and though a diligent student,

managed to find time for apparently everything else, money-making

included. Indeed, had she not been as enterprising, much of her

enjoyment would necessarily have been left out. Her father and mother

had many conferences to contrive ways and means to supply their

children's needs. And stern necessity made frequent entertainments and

many dainty gifts quite impossible. So Florence appealed to the right

person, and her friend's advice would apply to any boy or girl who, like

Florence, would like to make a little money.

"Raise parsley." And Annette smilingly nodded her bright little head.

"Why, how could I make any money out of parsley?" was the doubting

query.

"If, Florie dear, you'll do exactly as I will tell you, you will see.

Now listen:

"Next spring have your ground turned to the depth of one foot. And be

sure to have it well manured, for parsley loves a rich soil. Some people

put soot around the young plants, and think it is very helpful. Before

planting your seeds soak them for an hour in warm water. Cover them half

an inch with soil, and watch carefully. The ground must never be allowed

to become parched, for your parsley would die. Raise as much as you can,

and if the supply is greater than the demand, dry some. Cut off close to

the roots, and dry in a shallow tin pan in a moderate oven. It will

scorch very easily, so look out. When it is dry, powder it in your

fingers, and pack in paper or tin boxes. You will find the dried parsley

will help out your winter supply wonderfully."

"But, Annette," interrupted Florence, "surely you cannot raise parsley

in the house?"

"Why not? Of course you can. During September, and later at intervals,

plant seeds in boxes and pots, and place in your sunny windows. It will

grow beautifully all winter, and you'll find you can get good prices for

it. By-the-way, so that your prices may be honest, inquire in any

grocery store, and aim to sell at the same figure. Of course in summer

it will be much cheaper.

"About customers. Arrange for them while your plants are growing. Your

family and friends will do to start with, and soon you will find more

and yet more. For parsley has such multiplied uses. For soups, fish,

entrees, meat, and game, for flavoring and garnishing. You know people

must have it. And remember parsley may be cut down to the root again and

again, and up it will come bravely each time. But frost is a great

enemy. Before its approach gather all you can and try transplanting the

roots. They may not always be depended upon, but often they will live

and flourish from season to season."

THE EAST-SIDE BOY AND HIS GAMES.

BY REV. JOHN T. WILDS, D.D.

Being a boy in a crowded city and being a boy in a village are two

different things, though boys the world over are always boys. The

balance of fun and sport is, after all, in favor of the city lad, the

offspring of the tenement-house.

After spending my boyhood in a delightful mountain village, and after

being much of a boy, although a man, for years in the crowded tenement

section of the East Side of New York, I am inclined to believe that pity

is greatly misplaced when a youthful reader of the Round Table spreads

himself in summer days under a great tree, feels sorry for the poor

East-sider of New York, and says, "It's too bad he can't be here with

me." Right now, my delightful friend under the tree, shouts of merriment

ring in my ears from boys who last night slept in a close room, or

possibly on the fire-escape, whose breakfast was most meagre because

their parents are poor and honest. They are as happy as the day is long.

They are happier longer than the day, because they never go to bed until

ten o'clock, and they only go then because the hall light is turned out

at that hour, and they don't like to climb up to the top story, or go

through a long alleyway in the dark any more than you enjoy going

through a graveyard in the night-time.

Necessity keeps the East-sider active. If he lolls on the street the

police stir him; if he hangs about a store the keeper chases him away;

but they tolerate him when he is playing. Necessity also make him

inventive. They make their games and have them in season. They would as

soon think of wearing an ulster in summer-time as play top in July. I

don't know but that they have a code quite as reasonable as the

high-classed youth who patterns after the dude.

Our happy lad of the tenement, until he is fourteen when he leaves

school and goes to work, is compelled to play in crowded streets where

hundreds of children swarm like bees, and necessarily within a narrow

space. But he has broad ideas, and insists upon doing, accommodating the

space in some way, whatever others do. The asphalt pavements are of the

greatest blessing--far better than roof-gardens, and since we cannot

have many parks, they are of greater importance to all concerned than

the little squares that dot our city. At evening-time, when the

street-organs have not gathered all the girls of the block for a dance

and during the day on the sunny side of the street one may find a most

energetic crowd of boys, eager, and intensely excited over a game. The

streets and pavements are all marked over with strange diagrams, each

one of which tells of a conflict. "Tip Cat" is always popular, but

played, as a rule, in the morning; so also is "Kicking the Stick or

Can." When the sun is hot they get on the shady side and play "Long

Branch" and "War." Later on they have the "Hopping Game" and "Spread the

Woman." Then when night comes--and it is not night, for the streets are

as light as day because of the electric-light or gas--they dart about as

detectives and robbers playing "Relievio."

It will be observed that they play what men do. You may often hear an

imitation of the fire-gong, and see boys rush out before an imaginary

wagon and engine, and go through the motion of having a fire. Children

are rescued, the dead are laid out, medals are awarded for bravery. When

the Ludlow Street Jail robbers escaped, the boys devised a jail, and the

three noted robbers were impersonated, and escaped. The jailer was in

dismay. Detectives and police went forth, climbing on tops of houses,

over fences, eagerly searching for the men. And they were successful, be

it said to the honor of the boys.

[Illustration: BASEBALL.]

Of course they play baseball. What boy does not? These East-siders have

not the green diamond--if they had they would roll over the grass, pat

it in love, sit down and look at it a long time before they would play

ball upon it. I have taken children to the Park, far up to the Bronx,

where everything is delightfully free, and they have sat down and rubbed

the grass, and petted it as a child will a tender animal. But they have

their ball games and get excited over them, although the diamond is on

stone, and not two feet square.

They are always at something, and less frequently in mischief than one

would think. They are divided into crowds, each street or block has its

gang, and woe be to him who dares encroach. They have chosen leaders

whose command they obey. There is a vast deal of honor among them, and I

am not sure but that he is somewhat better than the lad that hangs

around the country store or goes swimming, in the mill-pond of the

village.

The following are some of the summer games that engage his attention and

keep him out of mischief:

BASEBALL.

[Illustration: H. R.--Home-run. 3 B.--Three-Base Hit. 2 B.--Two-Base

Hit. 1 B.--One-Base Hit.]

Construct a square having four squares within, each marked as in the

illustration. Then construct your score-card after the usual manner.

Stand ten or more feet off and toss a penny or piece of lead, which the

boys call the lead digger, into the squares. If it touches a line or

falls outside he is out. If it falls within one of the squares it counts

for so many base hits as the square indicates. For example, if it is on

H.-R., it is a score, that being a home-run. If on 2 B., that means

two-base hit, which puts him on second base. The rest of the game is

like baseball.

TIP CAT.

A two-foot circle is made, or more commonly with the lad of these parts

the manhole or steam-escape tap selected. On the side of it is drawn a

mark which is called the measuring spot. In the centre of the circle is

placed a stick about four or six inches long, tapered to one end. This

is called the cat. The batter strikes this tapered end so that it will

fly up, and then bats it as in baseball. The one in the field returns

it. If he throws it within the distance measured by the bat from the

measuring spot the batter is out. If that is not done the batter

measures to the cat, and the number of times it takes the stick to reach

it counts so many tallies. The game is limited by a number from one

hundred and up.

RELIEVIO.

Make a boundary-line embracing such territory as is wise or as your

space allows, across which no player can go. If he does he is captured.

Then make a den by drawing a square 3 x 4 feet.

Divide the players into two equal parts, each side appointing a captain

and den-keeper. The two sides are called detectives and robbers. The

side being out are the robbers.

The robbers then hide in any place within the boundary. When hid the

captain of the robbers cries "relievio!" meaning "ready." The captain of

the detectives then sends out his men to search for the robbers. When a

robber is found and caught he must not struggle until within six feet of

the den, when he can try to get away. The work of the detective is to

get the robber within touch of the keeper. If the keeper touches the

robber he yields and enters the den. It is necessary for the keeper to

stand with one foot in the den. If both feet are placed in the den, or

both outside, the prisoners are free. If at any time a robber, not

captured, can place his foot in the den and cries "relievio!" he sets

the prisoners free. If in his attempt to free the prisoners the keeper

simply touches him he is captured. Only one detective at a time can take

a robber.

When all the robbers are captured, the sides change.

"SPREAD THE WOMAN."

A hat or tin-can is placed on the ground between a player's feet, whose

name is "It." All the other players gather near him for the purpose of

kicking the object. If a player kicks the object, and is touched by It,

he becomes It. If It chases the one who touched the object, the others

may kick it, and then It has to return.

The game has time limit. Each one plays for himself.

LONG BRANCH.

[Illustration]

Construct a diagram like the illustration; place a penny on a spot about

six inches from lower line, and shove it with the finger for one of the

numbered spaces. If it touches a line it is out. If it is on a space,

that space is marked by a line first drawn across, as seen on first

line. If first line is touched four times a star is made, as seen in

second space. If again it falls on that space a bullet is made, as seen

on third space. If the digger is on "Long Branch," it gives a mark to

each space. The side that has the most bullets on the stars, as in the

third space, wins. The players alternate in playing. The players are

equally divided. Two or more may play.

HOPPING GAME.

[Illustration]

Make a diagram like the illustration, each square about six inches

square, and five for each player. The first player hops around in each

space, commencing with "start" and finishing at "end." If he touches the

line he is out for that turn. If he goes round successfully, he is

permitted to put his initial or number on the space he may choose. When

he is hopping he may rest on both feet at such spaces, but all other

players must hop over them. The game is finished when all the spaces are

filled, and the one whose name is most numerous is winner. "F. L." has

won in the illustration.

[Illustration: WAR.]

WAR.

[Illustration]

Construct a diagram like the illustration; place a penny on a spot six

or more inches from the last line, and shove or shoot it with the

finger. If it touches a line the play is a failure, and the next player

takes his turn, but if it stops on a space, you make a round mark in

imitation of a man's head. If it falls on the part marked "War," it

entitles you to a mark in each space. After the head are formed the

body, the legs (one at a time), then the arms (one at a time), then a

gun is placed in the soldiers' hands; each play in that space then gives

a bullet, so marked by little balls, until there are three; then the

next successful play on that space fires the gun, and, of course, kills

the enemy. Thus the game continues until one side has all its soldiers

killed by the men of the other.

During the war between Japan and China, those two countries were at war

every day on the sidewalks of the city. Often I have heard shouts that

called me to my window, when I would see the triumphant party rejoicing

over their victory.

HOW A BOY CAN COME TO NEW YORK AND GET A SITUATION.

BY H. G. PAINE.

This is a question that cannot be answered specifically, or to meet

every case. It cannot certainly be answered in a way to meet any case.

All that I am going to undertake is to show how some boys whom I have

known have come to New York and obtained situations, and by throwing

some light on business methods and business chances in the metropolis to

help some other boys who may read this to find answers to suit their own

individual cases. In the first place I will assume that the boy to whom

I am speaking is living in the country, or in a small town, and that he

wishes to go to New York for the purpose of getting a position in a

mercantile or business house, and that he will be entirely dependent on

his own resources as soon as he leaves home. Of course I do not mean by

this that he will come to New York penniless. He must, of course, expect

to have enough money saved or spared him to live on until he gets a

place. But he will expect to support himself as soon as he finds work.

On this account, unless he has had some previous experience, or has some

special knowledge that he can make useful, he would better stay at home.

For he will at once find himself competing against the city boy, who

lives at home, and who therefore can work for little and sometimes no

wages.

That same word "home," too, is a great stumbling-block to the boy from

away. "You don't live at home? Well, I'm afraid we can't engage any boy

who doesn't live home," will become a too familiar sentence to the

inexperienced lad looking for work in a strange city. Yet this is

perfectly natural and proper. "Home" implies some older person to be

responsible for the boy out of business hours. It implies the ties of

church and of school and of social life. For this reason the country boy

who wishes to come to New York and get a situation would better first

try to get a situation nearer home. If there is no chance for him in the

"general store" close at hand, perhaps in some nearby town he can learn

the rudiments of business--of stock, of book-keeping, of attending to

customers--for his keep. Then if he is a wide-awake boy, and determined

to try his fortunes in a big city, he will perhaps make friends, in so

far as he can properly, with the salesmen of the large city commission

and jobbing houses who sell goods to his employer. Many of these

salesmen are very influential men in the houses where they are employed;

some of them are men who find it more profitable to sell goods on

commission than to accept partnerships in the firms for which they work.

I have known of several boys who have attracted the attention of New

York salesmen by their bright and attractive manners, and by their

evident knowledge of their business, and have secured employment in New

York through their influence. This, however, is not a way that it would

be safe for a boy to count on. It is only the exceptional boy who will

get to New York in this way.

Sometimes a boy's employer may help him to get a place in New York, if

he likes the boy, and has influence with some of the big wholesale

establishments, or the boy may have personal or family friends whose

influence may secure him the coveted place. This is the age of the

summer boarder, and the country boy may be so fortunate as to be thrown

every summer into acquaintance with city people who, if they become

interested enough, may help him in his ambitions. But, after all, few

country boys can command enough influence to get places in the city. The

country boy, then, must go to New York armed with the best

recommendations that he can obtain from his former employers, and with

as much experience as possible. He must also have personal letters from

his father or other guardian, and from the pastor of the church which he

attends, and perhaps one from his last school teacher as to his mental

progress and attainments. Not every business man would ask to see all of

these, but it is best to be fully prepared.

If he have some friend to whose house he can go, he will be more

fortunate than most boys who come to New York, but he should at least

have some known objective point to which to go on his arrival. If there

is no friend to whose house he can go, at least temporarily, until he

can find a suitable boarding-house, he should endeavor to secure through

trustworthy friends the address of some such house, and, previous to

leaving home, he should make arrangements for staying at least a week or

two there. If none of these things be possible for him, he may have to

depend on the advice of the clergyman to whom his own pastor will have

given him a letter. Perhaps there is no better way of establishing a

headquarters for himself, a place and people to tie up to, than by

identifying himself at the start with the Y.M.C.A. A letter enclosing a

stamp for a reply to the Secretary of the New York Branch, Twenty-third

Street and Fourth Avenue, will soon put him in possession of a great

deal of useful information. Five dollars will make him a member for one

year, and give him many advantages, among others, what will be

immediately available, a directory of cheap but respectable

boarding-houses, and an employment bureau. Unless a boy has exceptional

facilities he will easily save the cost of joining in the first few

weeks after coming to the city in the advice and opportunities afforded

him.

The first thing that the country boy will have to consider is where and

how to live. As a matter of fact it is a question which rapidly resolves

itself into a choice of hall bedrooms in boarding-houses. For in no

other way can he live so well within the income that he is likely to

earn. The best way is to spend as little as is consistent with decency

and getting enough to eat, at least until employment is secured, and

then the style of living can be improved if the wages warrant it. They

probably will not warrant it until after a year or two. Good board and

clean beds can be secured in New York for as low as five dollars a week,

and an occasional landlady will be met who will put up a plain bread and

butter lunch to be taken to business without extra charge. This is the

kind of landlady for whom the country boy must look. Washing and car

fares will amount to a dollar or a dollar and a half more, depending on

the amount of clean clothes required, and the distance of his

boarding-house from his place of business when he gets one.

The young adventurer having now found a place to eat and sleep in, and

where he may leave his satchel, can start out with the knowledge that he

must find a place where he can earn at least six or seven dollars a week

to begin on. And then he will have nothing over for clothes, repairs,

emergencies, and last of all for spending money. Eight dollars a week is

about the smallest sum on which a self-respecting boy, well brought up,

and accustomed to decent living, can keep himself going. For the first

year, if he is well stocked with clothes, he could perhaps, with a

little assistance from home, manage to scrape along on seven or even

six, but such an experience would be pleasanter to look back on than to

pass through.

Boys beginning at the beginning in large commercial houses generally get

about three or four dollars a week if they are in the stock, and from

five to seven dollars if they are in the office. But a boy who goes into

the stock and learns it, and how to sell it to customers, has acquired a

knowledge of a business, while a boy who goes into the office learns how

to become a book-keeper only. For this reason a knowledge of some sort

of stock is very valuable to the boy from the country. If he can go into

a business house and make himself immediately useful, instead of merely

helping around while he is learning about the goods that the house deals

in, he may be able to earn enough at the start to support himself.

It is the office, however, which is very apt to capture the country boy,

because it offers wages on which a boy can at least sustain life. Almost

any boy who has worked in a country store has picked up some knowledge

of book-keeping, and book-keeping is taught theoretically in many

high-schools, as well as in the countless business "colleges" of the

country. It is not difficult, therefore, for a boy to obtain sufficient

knowledge of its rudiments to be able to take the first position above

that of office-boy. To fill such a place, however, he must be bright,

neat, prompt, attentive, write a good hand, and be quick at figures.

Though a boy may fill the bill in all these particulars, and not be

able to find work at once, he will succeed in the end, keep his place

when he gets it, and win promotion. He will look through the

advertisements for help wanted in the daily papers, and answer all such

as seem to come from good houses.

He must, however, beware of a too common kind of swindler--the

smooth-tongued man who offers to get a boy a place for a money

consideration. He usually works in with a partner who runs a mythical

business, and engages the victim at an unexpectedly large salary. The

happy boy pays over all his savings to the agent, and suddenly finds

himself discharged on some trumped-up charge, or comes down-town next

day to find the office locked and employer and "business" flown.

Sometimes this game is worked by the "employer" alone, who requires a

deposit, usually accurately gauged to the amount the victim has or can

raise, as a guarantee of faithfulness in a position of trust. The trust

turns out to be entirely on the part of the employe, and he soon finds

himself without job or money.

Many business houses, however, never advertise for help--most of them

have a list of applications of portentous length, from which they can

choose people who come recommended by friends or employe's. It is well

to make as many friends as you can, and to ask them to let you know of

any vacancies likely to occur. It is permissible to go to a business

house and to apply for a place. This sort of work is very discouraging,

yet I have known of many places obtained in just that way.

I knew a boy, an Englishman, a stranger in the country, who in less than

a day's seeking got a place as entry-clerk at five dollars a week in a

large notions house. He lived on it, I don't know how, and I fancy he

would have difficulty in explaining, for six months, and then applied

for an increase. The firm, which was noted for its close methods,

refused; and the English lad, who was nearly desperate, simply resigned

and walked into the place next door and applied for work. There was

nothing for him there, nor next door, but before he had gone two blocks

he found employment at seven dollars a week. The firm was doing a large

business, which necessitated his staying until seven or eight o'clock

two or three evenings a week. On such occasions he received fifty cents

supper money. This boy shared a furnished room in Brooklyn with a

friend, and took his meals at cheap restaurants. His extra fifty cents

was, therefore, clear gain. The boys who boarded did not fare so well.

One of them, however, was able to find a boarding-house near enough for

him to go to it for all his meals, and so secured the same benefit, and,

in addition, all the advantages that come with having a settled home and

regular habits. This boy, too, had secured a place with no more

influence than that of the roommate his slender finances compelled him

to take when he came to the city looking for work. Both of these boys

were unusually bright. Though they had to work hard, they found time to

study at night. The English boy studied mechanical drawing, and is now a

successful designer in an architectural iron-works. The other boy

studied medicine, and is now a resident physician in a large hospital. A

third boy in the same office is now an editor. A fourth is a successful

life-insurance canvasser, and has lately insured the lives of the other

three. All four of these boys would rather have been in the stock, but

they couldn't afford to live on the low wages they would have had to

take. They were too ambitious to remain clerks, and so fitted themselves

for other employments. A fifth boy had not sufficient application or

ambition to follow their example, and a short time ago he was still a

book-keeper, and was making not over twenty dollars a week--not a rapid

advance in fourteen years. A sixth boy staid in the office until he was

earning ten dollars a week, lived on eight, and saved two. When he had a

hundred dollars he applied for a place in the stock. As he had been four

years with the firm, and was twenty-one years old, they gave him six

dollars a week to begin on. This, with the money he had saved, enabled

him to live as well as the year before. The following year he was raised

to eight dollars; in six months, to twelve; six months later, to

fifteen, and he is now head of his department and buyer for a large

importing house. He receives a salary of five thousand a year, and a

share in the profits of his department, which amounts to as much. He

makes two trips every year to Europe, and has all his expenses paid

while he is travelling for the house. Of those six boys, the parents of

only two lived in the city.

Thus far I have treated only of the chances in wholesale mercantile

establishments, such as deal in dry goods, hardware, and so forth.

These, however, form only a small portion of the business enterprises in

New York. There are banking houses, manufacturing concerns, publishing

houses, insurance companies, and hosts of agents for anything and

everything, not to mention the great number of retail stores, all of

which employ clerical assistance, and in any one of which the country

lad looking for work may suddenly find himself employed. It is a saying,

as true as it is old, that it is the unexpected that happens.

I know a boy who had lived all his life in the city, whose parents were

people of position and influence. He spent three weeks, working six

hours a day, in calling upon every business man he knew, or whom his

father knew, or to whom he could get letters of introduction, asking for

work, and finally found it through a young fellow of his own age whom he

had met casually during his previous summer vacation. So it may be with

the country boy. The opening, when it does come, may be in the very

opposite direction from that in which he is looking. If he is wise he

will slip into it, however different it may be from what he wants. He

will at least be earning money, and can keep up his search for what he

does want until he finds it. If he is faithful and energetic he will

gain the approval of his employers, and be able to take a city reference

with him when he leaves for the "something better."

He may even find that there are unsuspected opportunities in the place

that seemed so unpromising to him when he took it. A great deal depends

upon the boy. Some boys will rise more quickly in one place than in

another. The boy who is bound to rise will get to the top no matter

where he finds himself. Few boys would take a position behind the

counter in a retail store if they could get anything better, yet some

clerks rise to be floor-walkers, and some floor-walkers rise to be

buyers, and some buyers become partners and proprietors and amass great

wealth.

I know one young man who had a good position in a wholesale hardware

house, who gave it up to take a place at lower wages in a retail store.

He argued that as the retail hardware business was not one which usually

attracted energetic and ambitious young men he would meet with little

competition from his fellow clerks. He was right. They knew only one

side of hardware, the retail side. He knew hardware inside and out. He

soon found that he knew more than the proprietor, and showed him how he

could buy to better advantage. Then he said he thought he would go back

to his old place, but his employer offered him an interest in the

business, and he staid.

I know another boy who had some experience in retail clothing in an

interior town. He came to New York, answered an advertisement, and

obtained work in a large retail clothing house here. Then he studied

clothes. When he had learned all about clothes, he studied cloths. He

made friends with young men of his own age who were employed in

importing houses and commission houses, and learned the difference

between English cloths and French cloths and American cloths. Whenever

he could he would go into other clothing stores, price their goods,

perhaps try on a suit, and observe their methods. One day a

fellow-salesman came to him, and said: "I have just come into a legacy

of twenty thousand dollars, and I am going into business on my own

account. But all I know is how to sell ready-made clothes. I know very

little about cloth, and nothing about manufacturing or buying clothes.

If you will come with me and attend to that end of the business, I will

give you a two-fifths interest." That firm now imports its foreign

cloths direct, and its American goods are manufactured to its order.

Such are the stories of a few boys whom I know. They show how some boys

came to the city to seek employment and found it, and may serve to show

the way to others.

THE HORSE OF THE SHEIK OF THE MOUNTAIN OF SINGING SANDS.

With the money which they secured from the spoils of the Arab tribe,

Ducardanoy, the ventriloquist, and Bouchardy, the prestidigitateur,

purchased a fine vineyard at Nouvelle Saar-Louis. The story of the

manner in which they had acquired their money passed from mouth to mouth

among the European population, and at length the Arabs of the town heard

it, and repeated it to their brethren of the desert. At times the

ex-chiropodists saw strange Arabs loitering in the road before their

premises and regarding the house with careful scrutiny, but the garrison

was not far away and no acts of violence were committed. It was nearly a

year, however, before they ceased to have apprehensions of poniard

thrusts in the back or of awaking to find their house in flames.

"It is plain," said Ducardanoy, as they were celebrating the anniversary

of their arrival at Nouvelle Saar-Louis by a dinner to their friends,

"that those fellows regard us as magicians of great power, else they

would have sought revenge before this."

"I don't know about that," said Bouchardy. "Everybody here is well

acquainted with our story, and I'll wager that the frightened tribesmen

themselves now know that there was nothing supernatural in the

entertainment to which we treated them. It is the proximity of the

garrison that has prevented them from taking a revenge."

"I would like another encounter with the fellows in trade or in battle,"

said Ducardanoy. "There would be money in it, there would be money in

it." And as if in answer to his wish, there was ushered in an Arab

mulatto of the giant stature that characterizes the cross of the Arab

and negro. He was a messenger from the Sheik of the Mountain of Singing

Sands, he said, and had come to request the professional services of the

two gentlemen in the case of the Sheik's horse Sunlight, who was

grievously afflicted with a corn on his right forefoot. The chiropodists

opened their eyes. Everybody in Algeria had heard of the stallion

Sunlight, an animal whom money could not buy, and who was said to wear

shoes of gold set with precious stones.

"A corn on a horse's hoof is not the same thing as a corn on a man's

foot," said Ducardanoy.

"But we can cure it, nevertheless," said Bouchardy.

"Do not interfere, Bouchardy. You know nothing of surgery of the feet,"

said Ducardanoy, scornfully. "I shall require more pay for curing a corn

on a horse's hoof than I would in the case of a man."

"The Sheik will fill your mouth with gold," said the messenger.

The Sheik's camp was pitched in the open desert, and the men of science

vainly looked about in every direction for the far-famed hill against

whose western face lay an immense heap of sand that hummed and sung

whenever its surface was disturbed and sent sliding downward. The Sheik

was himself troubled with a bad foot, due to his imprudently wearing a

pair of razor-toed patent-leather shoes presented to him by the General

commanding the department, and Ducardanoy was asked to relieve him

before examining the golden-shod horse.

"Where is the Mountain of Singing Sands?" asked Ducardanoy, as he

finished tying the last bandage on the Sheik's foot.

"We do not always camp in one place, you know," said the Sheik; "but you

will see it shortly."

"How so?" asked Ducardanoy, in surprise. "It is not visible on the

horizon, and must be a day's journey. How shall I see it shortly?"

"You will see it as the Evil One flies through the air with your soul on

the way to the abode of the lost. Mustapha, bring out Sunlight and his

consort, and make ready to drag these infidels asunder."

The chiropodists turned pale as this command was given, and the horses

were brought forth, one a dapple gray with gold shoes, the other a

dapple gray with silver shoes, and they had not yet uttered a word when

the Sheik's retainers advanced to bind them.

"Stop!" cried Ducardanoy. "Why are we to be killed? What is our crime?"

"Do you not remember the time when by your devilish arts you frightened

some true believers at the Roman tower and took their property? The

Sheik of that tribe was my nephew, and even if he were no kin of mine,

you infidel dogs should die for robbing true believers."

"When death is a punishment," said Bouchardy, "it is where the man

desires to live and cannot, for if he desires to die, death can be no

punishment. Now when you subject us to the slow torture of being pulled

apart by these horses, we hail death with delight as a relief to pain,

and your punishment has failed."

The Sheik scowled and said nothing.

"Where death comes quickly and without pain," continued Bouchardy, "the

desire to live is intense, and death is all that the utmost hate can ask

for as a revenge."

"Why do you point out these things to us?" asked the Sheik's vizier. "If

what you say is true, why do you point out to us a way to make your

punishment more terrible?"

"To show you how much wiser we Frenchmen are than you Arabs. To make you

see how hopeless is the design you witless Arabs cherish of driving the

wise French from the land. If my sorrow can accomplish anything for the

republic, I willingly endure it."

"Let them be shot, and at once," growled the Sheik.

"I crave a boon," said Bouchardy. "We have cured your painful foot, and

we have the right to ask a boon."

"If it be nothing that interferes with your death before the edge of the

sun touches the horizon it shall be granted."

"It is that we be shot with my revolver, and I be allowed to load it."

The revolver was loaded, and the Sheik himself stepped forth and aimed

it at Bouchardy.

Bang!

"Ha! ha!" laughed Bouchardy, and opening his mouth, he dropped out the

bullet.

Bang! went a second chamber of the revolver.

"Ha! ha!" laughed Bouchardy again, and again he dropped a bullet from

his mouth.

"Ha! ha!" chuckled a big dromedary at the right of the Sheik, and the

man turned in startled fright and fired at the animal.

"Ha! ha!" said the dromedary, and Bouchardy stepped up to it, and

opening its mouth, produced the bullet.

"Ha! ha!" said the dromedary. "Ha! ha!" said the donkey of the Sheik's

favorite wife. "Ha! ha!" said the horse of the vizier.

"Dogs, scoundrels, cowards!" sneered the dromedary.

Bang! But not the bang of the revolver, and the flint-lock of the vizier

was smoking, and the dromedary had fallen, and its life blood was

pouring out on the sand. Bang! bang! went other flint-locks. Bullets

whizzed by Bouchardy'a ears, and he did not take them out of his mouth.

"Hold!" came a voice from the mouth of the dying camel. "The curse of

Allah is on the tribe. He has loosed the Singing Sands from their place,

and they are sweeping over the desert to overwhelm you. Listen!"

Guns that had been raised to the position of aim were lowered,

half-drawn swords dropped back into their scabbards, and all listened as

a low hum was heard in the distance, and rapidly began to grow louder

and nearer.

"I see it," cried Ducardanoy. "Fly! fly!"

The Arabs rushed wildly to their steeds. Bouchardy and Ducardanoy sprang

upon Sunlight and Moonlight and spurred away to the north, and the Arabs

rushed away to the west, and the hum of the approaching Singing Sands,

if it was still sounding, was drowned in the confusion. It was not until

they had ridden half an hour that Bouchardy and Ducardanoy saw the Arabs

pause in their flight and finally turn northward.

"They have begun to suspect that we outwitted them, and are after us,"

said Ducardanoy.

"Let them come," said Bouchardy. "There is not a horse in Africa that

can catch us."

W. A. CURTIS.

[Illustration: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT]

It is to be regretted that the New York I.S.A.A., at its meeting two

weeks ago, failed to take any decisive action in regard to the formation

of a National Interscholastic Association, for an enterprise of this

nature requires much time and thought to ensure success, and in order to

hold a creditable field day next June preparations for the gathering

should be begun at once. We may confidently count, however, on definite

action being taken at the meeting to be held a fortnight hence, and then

the work will be pushed along rapidly, and the plans hitherto merely

talked of will be crystallized into permanent form. That the various

scholastic associations all over the country are anxious to have the

scheme put through there is no doubt. The Maine and the California

associations have already given notice, through their secretaries, of

their desire to join a National Association, and similar informal

notifications have come from the New England, the Pennsylvania, the

Connecticut, and the Iowa associations. I would suggest that all other

interscholastic associations whose sentiments lean in this direction

communicate informally with this Department, giving the name and address

of some member with whom the N.Y.I.S.A.A. committee on preliminary

organization may correspond as soon as they organize, and these

communications will be submitted to the proper officers of the

N.Y.I.S.A.A. in due time.

One of the questions that must come up at the outset, and that as a

matter of fact has already come up in the informal discussions of the

subject, is whether membership in the proposed National Association

shall be restricted to State and city I.S.A.A.'s, or open, as well, to

individual schools. It were better at first, I think, that membership be

restricted to associations; that is, that the larger body be made up of

smaller organizations, which in turn are composed of individual

institutions. Then the competitors at the national meeting would

represent the best and strongest athletic talent of the State and city

leagues--men who had earned their right to compete by having won in

their event at their own State or city contest.

Some sort of exception could be made in favor of large schools that do

not belong to any association, or whose association, should they be

members of one, could not for some reason send a team to the national

meeting. The question will come up for decision in the case of the

Oakland High-School of California. This school belongs to the Academic

Athletic League of the Pacific Coast, and is imbued with sufficient

sporting spirit to wish to come East, and enter the National

Interscholastic lists. The A.A.L. might hesitate at undertaking to send

a team to New York on account of the expense; but because the A.A.L.

cannot send a representative team is no reason why the O.H.-S. should

not be allowed to compete. As a matter of fact any team representative

of the A.A.L. would be largely made up of O.H.-S. athletes. It is very

probable, however, that the A.A.L. will be perfectly willing, and even

anxious, to have the O.H.-S. team come East (at its own expense), as the

representative not only of the Oakland School, but of the entire

Academic League. It could place its reputation in much worse hands. But

whatever the A.A.L.'s inclination may be, the organizers of the National

Association must formulate some rule that shall cover this and similar

cases, or they will find themselves constantly called upon to solve

knotty and complicated questions.

The New York interscholastic football season is more backward this year

than ever before. There seems to be almost no interest in the game

except here and there, and several schools have announced that they will

not even put teams in the field. Harvard School is one of those. The

reason given is that the principal considers the game as played now too

rough for his pupils. A member of the school, however, asserts that the

true reason is that the Harvard scholars are not good enough at the game

for the school to stand any chance in the league contests, should it

enter. There is a good deal too much of the desire to win "prizes" in

most of our local scholastic athletics which ought to be strongly

discouraged. It is regrettable to have to admit it, but I am persuaded

that if it should be announced that only ribbons would be given as

prizes at all future track-athletic games, five-eighths of those who go

into the games at present would cease to take any interest in the

sports. As a purifier of athletics I think the ribbon system might be a

good thing to try.

The Long Island Association, like its cousin on this side of the river,

has decided to adopt the Yale-Princeton football rules. This is

fortunate, because it will save considerable trouble in view of the

Inter-City games, and we should always be glad when we can get rid of an

element of dispute. For the Fates only know that there are enough

squabbles in athletics already without borrowing any from the colleges

or anywhere else. And, besides, the Yale-Princeton rules are the most

suitable for the schools in this section. In New England it is

different, for the presence and influence of Harvard there enter into

the question.

The St. Mark's eleven is making every effort to get into form for the

game with its old rival, Groton, and in its preliminary games thus far

the men have shown up well. White is a veteran, and is playing again at

full-back, where he did good work last year. The previous season he was

at quarter-back, but his punting makes him a more desirable man further

back. Nash is playing right half-back, and Captain Mills will probably

play left half. Nash is a new man on the team, but has improved greatly

since the beginning of the season. Hatch is another novice on the first

eleven, but had some practice at quarter-back on the second last year

which position he will fill on the first this year. In the line, Watson,

right tackle, Hare, left tackle, and Davis, right end, filled the same

positions last year. The new men, Watson, Egbert, and Humphreys are all

improving fast under good coaching, and there is no reason why the team

should not develop into a strong one at the end of the season.

The Connecticut League has been reorganized, and now consists of the

following schools: Hillhouse H.-S. and Hopkins Grammar, of New Haven;

Hartford, Bridgeport, New Britain, and Waterbury high-schools; and

Norwich and Suffield academies. The schedule of championship games

begins on October 26th, when Hartford meets New Britain, Suffield meets

Norwich, Hillhouse meets Bridgeport, and Hopkins Grammar meets

Waterbury. The winners of these matches will play on November 2d, and

the championship will be decided on the Yale Field a week later.

All the teams of the league have been getting good practice, and have

played a number of smaller games. The Hartford H.-S. team seems to offer

the greatest promise at present; but since their defeat by the

Springfield H.-S. there has been a notable shake-up. Bryant is playing

at tackle again, and Smith, last year's centre, is in his old place.

Grant, a new man, is playing guard in Lyman's place, while Lyman has

moved up one to tackle. Goodell has dropped back of the line, taking

Jenkins' place, who is laid off. Morcum is holding down right end, vice

Twitchell. This new arrangement will probably be in effect when Hartford

lines up against Hillhouse on the 2d of next month.

For some years past there have been rumors, more or less well-founded,

that certain players on teams of the Connecticut League had no business

playing, and hints of pecuniary recompense were not whispered in low

tones, but called out loudly. New Britain came in for a generous share

of these aspersions, and from all I am able to learn richly deserved

them two or three years ago. I believe, however, that a better

appreciation of sportsmanship prevails there at present, and I doubt if

the other schools in the league will find it necessary to protest any of

the New Britain players this year.

Complaints have been made, to be sure, but upon investigation I find

that the trouble arises out of the fact that the New Britain Captain has

allowed two or three outsiders to play on his team in practice games

(notably in the recent contest at Waterbury), rather than to jeopard his

chances of victory by using weak substitutes. I am assured, however,

that no such tricks will be played in any championship match. The method

ought not to have been adopted even in practice. It is not

sportsmanlike, and is cowardly in that the New Britain men are knowingly

and unfairly taking advantage of their opponents if they allow players

on their eleven who are not in regular attendance at the New Britain

High-School.

By doing anything of this kind a captain not only attempts to conquer

his opponents by unfair means and false representations, but he

stultifies himself. He admits that he has not men good enough, or is

incapable to training players who shall be strong enough, to defeat the

eleven with whom he has agreed to play. He therefore secures a few

good-natured, able-bodied outsiders, who are the means of earning a

victory; but it is not the High-School team that has won. It is a team

made up of a few High-School players and a few others. All this sounds

harsh when put into cold type. The case seems so different when smoothed

over with pleasant words. It is good for sport to have facts put in

plain English occasionally. So far there has been no great harm done at

New Britain this year, and I hope the players there will soon see the

justness of restricting membership on their team to _bona fide_

scholars. And, in passing, let me add that there are a number of other

captains who may read the foregoing paragraphs to their great advantage,

for this criticism is by no means intended to be particular, but

general.

Next Saturday the New Britain team will play the Hillhouse High-School

eleven on the Yale Field at New Haven. The game should be of interest

not only because both teams are good ones, but because these two schools

have not met since the championship game played in the fall of 1893,

when New Britain succeeded in defeating the New Haven eleven for the

championship of the League. At the time a protest was entered against a

player named Wheeler, of the New Britain team, who was charged with

being a professional athlete. There is little doubt that Wheeler was a

professional, but the charges were not sustained at a later meeting, and

the trophy went to the New Britain team.

The biggest score at football that the Harvard Varsity ever made against

Exeter was 158 to 0. That was in 1886, I believe, and unless I am

mistaken it is the record for big scores in a game between two regularly

organized and trained elevens. Nevertheless, the P.E.A. team that was

vanquished by this enormous score went down to Andover and defeated

their rivals 26 to 0. This year Harvard's score against Exeter was 42 to

0, and yet there is little doubt that Andover could easily take Exeter

into camp if the two schools should meet. This shows how little teams

can be judged by comparing scores. The Exeter eleven this year is not a

good one, and yet the figures of the Harvard game would seem to show

that it is. When the play is analyzed, however, the truth is apparent.

For instance, at no time during the game did Exeter succeed either in

advancing the ball the necessary five yards on four downs, nor were her

men able to hold Harvard for four downs, or to compel the Harvard back

to punt.

The Play between each touch-down was almost identical. Exeter would kick

off and the ball would be punted back by one of the 'varsity players. If

the crimson forwards got down the field fast enough, as they frequently

did, they secured the ball and proceeded with the play until they

scored. If a P.E.A. man got the ball then Harvard would force the

school-team to lose a few yards, and at the fourth down Williams would

punt. Sometimes he would, and sometimes he would not, because the Exeter

rush-line was seldom able to hold the college men. As soon as Harvard

got the ball on a play of this kind a couple of runs around the end or

dives through the centre would net a touch-down. It is surprising that

the winning score was not twice as large. Two halves of fifteen minutes

only were played. If I remember correctly the 158-0 game lasted two

full-time halves, and in those days each half lasted three-quarters of

an hour.

New leagues are springing up continually. A few days ago the three most

prominent military schools of the West met in Chicago and organized the

Northwestern Military School League, which is to consist of the Shattuck

Military School, at Faribault, Minnesota; St. John's Military Academy,

at Delafield, Wisconsin; and the Michigan Military Academy of Orchard

Lake, Michigan. The organization is to cover baseball, football, and

track athletics. It is to be a triangular league at present, but other

schools may be admitted by unanimous vote. No arrangements have yet been

made for baseball or track contests, but a football schedule has been

laid out as follows: Shattuck will meet St. John's at Minneapolis or St.

Paul the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and the winner will play Orchard

Lake at Chicago the week following. This league ought to grow and

prosper, for it is just the kind of thing that is needed among the

schools of the Northwest to encourage and foster interscholastic sport.

The Inter-Preparatory League and the Cook County High-School F.B.

League, of Chicago, are at present the most nourishing scholastic

associations of the West. They are both strong in members, and some of

the school teams are putting up good football. The Cook County H.-S.F.B.

League's schedule is made out as follows:

At Oak Park--Oct. 19, English High and Manual Training; Nov. 2,

West Division; Nov. 16, Hyde Park.

At Chicago Manual--Oct. 12, English High; Oct. 19, North Division;

Nov. 16, Lake View; Nov. 23, Oak Park.

At Lake View--Oct. 12, Oak Park; Oct. 19, Hyde Park; Oct. 26,

North Division; Nov. 2, Englewood.

At Englewood--Oct. 26, Oak Park; Nov. 26, West Division.

At English High--Oct. 5, Chicago Manual; Oct. 9, Lake View; Nov.

23, Englewood.

At West Division--Oct. 5, Lake View; Oct. 12, English High; Oct.

28, Manual Training; Nov. 16, North Division.

At Hyde Park--Oct. 9, Englewood; Oct. 26, English High; Nov. 20,

Manual Training.

At North Division--Oct. 5, Oak Park; Nov. 2, English High; Nov. 9,

Englewood; Nov. 23, Hyde Park.

The season of both the Chicago leagues began Saturday, as the schedules

show, the Inter-Preparatory A.L. arrangement of games being in this

order:

Oct. 19--Princeton-Yale _vs._ University, at Lincoln Park: Harvard

_vs._ South Side Academy, at Washington Park.

Oct. 26--Princeton-Yale _vs._ Harvard, at Washington Park;

University _vs._ South Side, at Lincoln Park.

Nov. 2--Princeton-Yale _vs._ South Side, at Washington Park;

Harvard _vs._ University, at Lincoln Park.

Nov. 9--Princeton-Yale _vs._ University, at Washington Park;

Harvard _vs._ South Side, at Washington Park.

Nov. 16--University _vs._ South Side, at Washington Park;

Princeton-Yale _vs._ Harvard, at Washington Park.

Nov. 23--Princeton-Yale _vs._ South Side, at Washington Park;

Harvard _vs._ University at Washington Park.

The opening game of the Junior League of Boston proved a walk-over for

Newton High, whose eleven defeated Roxbury High, 30-0. The Newton team

has greatly improved since Brookline High forced it out of the Senior

League, and will be able to give the Brooklinites a hard tussle should

they meet again. The team-work, especially, in the Roxbury game was

good. Every man knew his place, and played it for all he was worth, and

the interference for the backs was excellent. Roxbury, on the other

hand, put up a weak game, and their rush-line seemed incapable of

shutting off the Newton backs. The Roxbury ends did the best work for

the visitors.

THE GRADUATE.

* * * * *

LITTLE MARGARET. "Mamma, I jes b'lieve 'twas Johnny 'at broke my doll."

MAMMA. "Why, dear? What makes you think so?"

LITTLE MARGARET. "'Cause he said he _didn't_ 'thout my askin'."

[Illustration: THE PUDDING STICK]

This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young

Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on

the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address

Editor.

The prettiest way to arrange your hair? Especially if it is very long,

very thick, and a most beautiful color, yet cannot be worn hanging down

in braids, because you are too tall for anything so childish, nor

fastened up in a graceful Psyche knot at the back of the head, quite

near the neck, because it is too heavy, and comes tumbling down at

inconvenient seasons. Lovely hair, but an embarrassment of riches, is it

not?

If it were my hair, and I were the dear young girl who finds it a bother

and a burden, I would coil it on top of my head and wear it like a

crown. I wouldn't mind its having the effect of making me look taller,

and I would stand up very straight, and look as tall as I could. In my

opinion height is a beauty, and I never care about a girl's being tall,

except to admire her. Tall girls must mind that they carry themselves

well, and do not stoop nor crane their heads forward as if they had lost

something and were perpetually looking for it. You remember Tennyson's

picture, do you not, a word picture such as only a poet could paint:

"A daughter of the gods,

Divinely tall, and most divinely fair."

If the coronal effect were unbecoming, or gave a feeling of weight on

top of my head, then I would braid the hair in several strands, and mass

it all over the back of the head. I would simply part it in the middle,

and avoid fringes, and bangs, and little curls, crimps, and other

attempts at decoration in front. When hair has a natural wave or ripple

it is very pretty, and should have its way, but straight hair is pretty

too, and girls should be satisfied to wear their hair in the style

nature intended for them.

Avoid following a fashion in hair-dressing simply because it is a

fashion. Simon says "up," and, presto! a hundred thousand young women

alter their way of arranging their hair, and pile it steeple-fashion

above their heads; Simon says "down," and in the twinkling of an eye the

towers fall. Now any sensible girl can see that the shape of the head,

the shape of the face, and the general style of the individual are to be

taken into account in her dress, and her hair is an important part of

this. Choose a style, and do not change it, except for some reason

stronger than a caprice. Do not use oils or liquids of any kind on your

head, and never try to change the color of your hair. Whatever its

color, it is the one which best suits you, or it would not be yours.

Red, golden, brown, black, flaxen, whatever be the tint, be sure it is

the one tint that matches your eyes and your complexion better than any

other could.

Wash your hair thoroughly and dry it well once a month. Brush it

carefully for a long time every night, and braid it on retiring.

The girl with thin hair has a harder problem than the girl whose hair is

thick. She must beware of straining it back and of braiding it tightly.

Loose coils are best for her. The girl who insists on crimping and

waving her hair should know that by wetting her hair with cologne before

putting hot irons on it she can insure the waves staying in for a long

time, and she must not forget that very great heat often applied will

kill the life of her hair at the roots.

[Illustration: Signature]

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Highest of all in Leavening Strength.--Latest U. S. Gov't Report.

[Illustration: Royal Baking Powder]

Arnold

Constable & Co

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HOSIERY.

_Ladies' Wool, Camel's-Hair, Merino, and Silk Hose. Children's Hose of

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Golf and Bicycle Hose.

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NEW YORK.

Commit to Memory

the best things in Prose and Poetry, always including good Songs and

Hymns. It is surprising how little good work of this kind seems to be

done in the Schools, if one must judge from the small number of people

who can repeat, without mistake or omission, as many as =Three= good

songs or hymns.

Clear, Sharp, Definite

and accurate Memory work is a most excellent thing, whether in School or

out of it, among all ages and all classes. But let that which is so

learned be worth learning and worth retaining. The Franklin Square Song

Collection presents a large number of

Old and New Songs

and Hymns, in great variety and very carefully selected, comprising

Sixteen Hundred in the Eight Numbers thus far issued, together with much

choice and profitable Reading Matter relating to Music and Musicians. In

the complete and varied

Table of Contents,

which is sent free on application to the Publishers, there are found

dozens of the best things in the World, which are well worth committing

to memory; and they who know most of such good things, and appreciate

and enjoy them most, are really among the best educated people in any

country. They have the best result of Education. For above Contents,

with sample pages of Music, address

Harper & Brothers, New York.

[Illustration: If afflicted with SORE EYES USE Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE

WATER]

[Illustration: BICYCLING]

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the

Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our

maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the

official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen.

Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L. A. W., the

Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership

blanks and information so far as possible.

[Illustration: Copyright, 1895, by Harper & Brothers.]

At the junction of Huntington Avenue and Boylston Street is Copley

Square, one of the most artistic spots in Boston, and a very convenient

and popular starting-point for cycling trips into the suburbs and the

outlying country. For the ride to Lexington and Concord one should leave

the Library on the left, and, continuing through Dartmouth Street, turn

to the left into Commonwealth Avenue. At the statue of Leif Ericson turn

to the right onto Massachusetts Avenue and pass over Harvard Bridge, a

mile in length. After crossing the river turn to the right at Norfolk

Street, and then to the left, onto Harvard Street. You now pass a

section of new asphalt road, and, approaching Harvard Square, keep to

the right past the College, with the Common on the left. Among the

interesting buildings of the University there stands out the commanding

form of Memorial Hall, where hundreds of students board. On the left, at

the beginning of Brattle Street, is the old elm, and near by it a tablet

indicating the spot where Washington took command of the Continental

Army. A few minutes' run out Brattle Street will bring one to the home

of the poet Longfellow, opposite Longfellow Park. From Cambridge Common

the ride to Arlington and Lexington is a direct road via Massachusetts

Avenue. The condition of the road is good. The surface for most of the

distance has been macadamized, while the other portions are gravelled

and well rolled.

At the corner of Beech Street you come upon the line of march of the

royal army which was sent out to capture Adams and Hancock at Lexington,

and to destroy the stores collected by the patriots at Concord. From

this point on almost every old house has some historic association, and

occasional tablets by the road-side mark scenes of heroism. In the

vicinity of Lexington the country becomes more rolling. The village

itself is two hundred feet above the sea-level. Follow the main street,

and pass on the left an old-time house shaded in front by two

magnificent trees. This is the Monroe Tavern, where the British officers

made themselves at home. On the rising ground to the rear of this house

were some of Lord Percy's fieldpieces. Shortly after you come to the

village green, where the first stand was made for liberty, and where

there has been erected a beautiful monument in memory of the first

Revolutionary martyrs. To the right, and a short distance from the

Common on the road to Bedford, is the old Hancock-Clarke house, in which

were Hancock and Adams when the royal troops approached Lexington. From

the Common keep to the left on Lincoln Street to the Five Corners. There

turn to the right, into Marrett Street, and then turning to the left

there is a straight way into Concord by the Lexington road. At Merriam's

Corner, not far from Concord, is a stone marking the beginning of the

British retreat. Passing this, and entering the village, you come upon

the green where stands the old Wright Tavern, a popular place for

wheelmen to dine. A run should be made out Monument Street, past the

Thoreau House, to the monument which marks the fight at the bridge. It

is located on a lane leading from the left of Monument Street, and a

sign at its entrance gives you the cue.

In coming back to Boston follow the same route to the Five Corners, and

there turn to the right into School Street, and to the right again into

Waltham Street. Here the rider has before him a long and gradually

descending road with excellent surface and good coasting most of the way

to Waltham. Keep on the direct road until Main Street is reached, and

there turn to the left, following Main Street into Watertown. Then turn

to the right into North Beacon Street. This is practically the

continuation of Commonwealth Avenue, and the rider can now follow a

direct way to Dartmouth Street, where, turning to the right, he passes

into Copley Square.

Distances are: Boston to Arlington, seven miles; to Lexington, five

miles; to Concord, six miles; to Waltham, nine miles; to Watertown,

three miles; to Boston, seven miles; in all, thirty-seven miles.

NOTE.--Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of

route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford,

Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New

Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814.

Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No 816.

Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 811. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in

No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No

820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822.

Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West

Chester in No 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City--First stage in

No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland--First

Stage in No. 827. Second Stage in No. 828. New York to

Boston--Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No 830; Fourth

Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833.

NOT ENCOURAGING.

A French paper tells of a discouraging experience an ambitious young

tenor once had when trying to show what kind of a voice he had to a

manager. After he had sounded three or four notes the manager stopped

him.

"There, that will do," he said; "leave me your address. I will bear you

in mind in case of emergency."

"What do you call a case of emergency?"

"Well, supposing my theatre got on fire."

"Eh?"

"Yes; I should engage you to sing out, Fire! fire!"

* * * * *

A POUND OF FACTS

is worth oceans of theories. More infinite are successfully raised on

the Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk than upon any other food.

_Infant Health_ is a valuable pamphlet for mothers. Send your address to

N. Y. Condensed Milk Co., N. Y.--[_Adv._]

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Cycling Delight

is at its greatest these days. Cool, bracing air; hard, smooth, dustless

roads. The

COLUMBIA

BICYCLE

[Illustration]

holds $100 of delight in every dollar of the $100 it costs. You may just

as well buy your machine for next year now.

POPE MFG. CO.,

GENERAL OFFICES AND FACTORIES,

HARTFORD, CONN.

Timely Warning.

[Illustration]

The great success of the chocolate preparations of the house of =Walter

Baker & Co.= (established in 1780) has led to the placing on the market

many misleading and unscrupulous imitations of their name, labels, and

wrappers. Walter Baker & Co. are the oldest and largest manufacturers of

pure and high-grade Cocoas and Chocolates on this continent. No

chemicals are used in their manufactures.

Consumers should ask for, and be sure that they get, the genuine Walter

Baker & Co.'s goods.

WALTER BAKER & CO., Limited,

DORCHESTER, MASS.

Well--Well--Well!

Oh, Boys,

How long are we to tell you

"Rugby" Watches

are waiting for you? We wouldn't jolly you this way if we hadn't

something that we are sure you want. Send for the "Rugby"

Catalogue--never mind if you don't want a watch now. You will have a

pointer when you are ready.

The Waterbury Watch Co.,

Waterbury, Conn.

We will help bright Boys and Girls in every town to earn some

Pocket-Money before Christmas.

It will be an easy matter to Earn from $5 upwards, after School hours

and during Holidays and vacations. If you are interested, write At once

to

ALPHA PUBLISHING COMPANY,

212 Boylston Street, Boston.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT of the award on

=GILLOTT'S PENS= at the CHICAGO EXPOSITION.

=AWARD:= "For excellence of steel used in their manufacture, it being

fine grained and elastic; superior workmanship, especially shown by the

careful grinding which leaves the pens free from defects. The tempering

is excellent and the action of the finished pens perfect."

(Signed) FRANZ VOGT, _Individual Judge_.

Approved: { H. I. KIMBALL, _Pres't Departmental Committee_.

{ JOHN BOYD THACHER, _Chairman Exec. Com. on Awards_.

[Illustration]

CARD PRINTER =FREE=

Sets any name in one minute; prints 500 cards an hour. YOU can make

money with it. A font of pretty type, also Indelible Ink, Type Holder,

Pads and Tweezers. Best Linen Marker; worth $1.00. Sample mailed FREE

for 10c. stamps for postage on outfit and large catalogue of 1000

Bargains.

R. H. Ingersoll & Bro. 65 Cortlandt St. N.Y. City

[Illustration]

"Napoleon"

Handsome, instructive

One of the new

Parker Games

For Boys and Girls.

* * * * *

"=Innocence Abroad=,"

"=Waterloo=,"

"=Chivalry=,"

"=Yankee Doodle=."

ASK FOR THEM.

SPRUCE GUM.

Miniature Barrel of Pure Spruce Gum, by mail, 10 cents.

Fern and Wild-Flower roots; Birch bark; Tree fungi; Evergreen seedlings;

Balsam twigs for pillows, etc.

ADIRONDACK FOREST NOVELTY CO.,

Keene Valley, New York.

Postage Stamps, &c.

[Illustration]

=STAMPS!= =300= fine, mixed Victoria, Cape of G. H., India, Japan, etc.,

with fine Stamp Album, only =10c.= New 80-p. Price-list =free=. _Agents

wanted_ at =50%= commission. STANDARD STAMP CO., 4 Nicholson Place, St.

Louis, Mo. Old U. S. and Confederate Stamps bought.

[Illustration]

100 all dif. Venezuela, Bolivia, etc., only 10c. 200 all dif. Hayti,

Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Ag't w't'd at 50 per ct com. List FREE! =C. A.

Stegmann=, 5941 Cote Briliante, St. Louis, Mo.

=SEND= 10c. for 250 finely assorted foreign stamps, Cape of Good Hope,

etc. Any grade of approval sheets sent for good references.

LAWRENCE TROWBRIDGE, Palmyra, N. Y.

=SEND= for our Approval Sheets at 50% commission. H. STONEBAKER & CO.,

1921 Eutaw Place, Balto., Md.

=FREE.= Comic return envelopes. Sleight of Hand exposed. List of 500

gifts. Album of cards. Send 2c. stamp for postage. Address Banner Card

Co., Cadiz, Ohio.

[Illustration: If afflicted with SORE EYES USE Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE

WATER]

HARPER'S NEW CATALOGUE,

Thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any

address on receipt of ten cents.

The Game of the Ring.

This game is well worth trying, even if it was known to France in

the eighteenth century. To play this game there must be no more

than nine in the company. State that while you are absent from the

room one of the company must slip a ring on any joint of any

finger he may choose. Also number each person as 1, 2, 3, etc.; the

right hand 1, the left 2, the thumb 1, index finger 2, second

finger 3, etc.; the first joint of each finger--that is, at the

extremity--1, the second 2, and the third 3.

For example: suppose that the fifth person has the ring concealed

on the first joint of the fourth finger of the left hand. To solve

the problem it is necessary to discover the numbers 5, 2, 4, 1,

which is done as follows. Ask some one to double the first number,

or that of the person (which will give 10), and to subtract 1; ask

him to multiply the remainder (9) by 5 (giving 45); next, to add

the number (2), and then 5 (which will make 52). Ask him to double

this number (giving 104), and to subtract 1 (leaving 103); to

multiply this remainder by 5 (giving 515), and to add to this

product the third number (4) or that standing for the finger

(which will give 519). Next ask him to add 5 (giving 524), and

from the double of the sum (1048) to subtract 1; to multiply this

remainder by 5 (giving 5235), and to add to this 1, standing for

the joint. In the last place, ask him to again add 5, equalling

5241. The figures of this number will indicate, in order, the

number expressing the person who holds the ring, and the hand,

finger, and the joint on which it was placed.

With a little practice you will be able to successfully gull your

audience, having first given each person a pencil and paper

wherewith to make the calculations.

VINCENT V. M. BEEDE, R.T.F.

A Prize-Puzzle Story.

When I was going to St. Ives, you know about my meeting with that man

who had seven wives. Well, the man, wives, sacks, cats, kits, and the

rest were coming from St. Ives, and, being interested, I sat down by the

road-side and asked the party about their journey thither. And this is

what the man told me:

"It's a roundabout journey, this one from St. Ives, and queer things are

to be seen on the way. Why, we came through a county in North Carolina

(1) where nobody ever slept, and we saw on a sign-board this:

"'Be cordial to all your fellow-beings. Just cordial, and no more.

Before counting them as friends, be sure you can trust them, and are

certain of their true and generous confidence.'

"Notice.--Take every ninety-ninth word in the foregoing, arrange them in

the order in which they are written, and you will have a good maxim (2).

"We crossed a lake in Michigan (3) that belongs to a drum corps; a river

of Spain (4) that school-children play on astride a fence; a river of

France (5) that ought to be a prison; through a county in Scotland (6)

that bald-headed people should go to; and through another county in

Illinois (7) that one could use to furnish his house with.

"We saw an island of Greece (8) that would not hold water, and a lake in

Minnesota (9) that would not either, but you could play tennis with the

latter. Beside a lake in Scotland (10) that is always the latest style,

we saw another sign board bearing this:

"'I will not go there. I don't care where it is. If he asks me, I'll say

no. He is like a child in regard to wisdom. Why, I never heard of the

like! But I'll say no with perfect frankness.'

"Notice--Certain words in this sign form an old adage (11).

"A river in Russia (12) that is always all right was so high we had to

be ferried across, and the boatman told us this:

"'A well-known, useful guide am I;

I am both far and near;

I travel fast, slow, up, and down.

To naught do I adhere.

I'm daily sought by rich and poor,

My home's both low and high;

I'm sometimes seen, and yet unseen,

Sometimes in depths I lie' (13).

"Not being an island of Michigan (14) I was not taken in by his tale,

and guessed the answer quicker than river in Australia (15) believe I

could--with so many wives, and river of Cuba (16) children, not one of

whom is an island off the Mexican coast (17). One of my wives indulged

in a game of island off the Cuban coast (18). She lost heavily, and when

I chided her she was as short as pie crust made with lake in Iowa (19),

and she shut me up like a mountain in Utah (20).

"This last happened only yesterday. I tell you, if the road _to_ St.

Ives is as bad as that _from_ there, you have no envious journey. My

wives have fallen to quarrelling. I see one river of Tennessee (21)

another. I must box their ears with the island of Australia (22) of my

hand. Good-day, sir."

As I resumed my journey to St. Ives I early found the prediction of the

man of seven wives true. Here is a sample of one of the guide-board

signs:

"I once was seen in water, but by substituting one verb for another I am

now beheld on land." (23).

Do you wonder I never reached St. Ives?

* * * * *

In this story are four riddles and nineteen geographical names. Clews to

the former are given, and the latter are described in the text, the

catch being in the double meaning of the geographical name. Four prizes

are offered for best solutions: $10 to the first, and $15 divided

according to merit among the next ten. Put your name, address, and age

at the top of the sheet, and write the answers, one below another,

numbering each. Post solution not later than December 2, 1895. Address

HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, New York. Only persons may send answers who have

not passed their eighteenth birthday, but grown persons may help you

find answers. Names of prize-winners, with correct answers, will be

published in HARPER'S ROUND TABLE for December 31, 1895.

Answers to Kinks.

No. 106

1. Poppy. 2. Mayflower. 3. Boneset. 4. Butter-and-eggs. 5.

Cardinal-flower. 6. Milkweed. 7. Sweet-william. 8. Jack-in-the-Pulpit.

9. Deer Grass (dear grass). 10. Marigold (marry gold) 11. Skull-cap. 12.

Lady's-tresses. 13. Dandelion (dandy lion). 14. Black-eyed Susan. 15.

Ragged-sailor. 16. Wandering-jew. 17 Mint. 18 Dutchman's-breeches. 19

Pennyroyal. 20 Shamrock 21. Bachelor's-buttons. 22 Tulips (two lips).

23. Honeysuckle. 24. Foxglove. 25. Lady's-slipper. 26. Rose (rows). 27.

Pickerel-weed. 28 Phlox (flocks). 29. Arrow-head.

GRACE V. BEDINGER.

2 FORRESTER STREET, SALEM, MASS.

Fruits in Old Jamaica.

Wild strawberries, just like those at home, grow on the mountains

in Jamaica, about 6000 feet up, and ripen in June. Apples, small

and green, but making good sauce, are brought from the same

height, and are ready in July and August. Some few peaches are

grown up there also, and ripen in June or July. Grapes vary in

season, according to the elevation at which they are grown; they

begin to be in market in July, coming from the lowlands.

Pineapples begin about the end of April, but June is the best

month for them. They are most delicious here, as they are

thoroughly ripe and soft. Bananas and plantains (a large variety

of banana eaten only when cooked) are ripe all the year round. The

early oranges come in June, but are not really in season until

October, December being the best month for them. They last until

about March. Limes are in season all the year round, some trees

being ready at one time, some at another. Melons are very poor

here, very small, and of poor flavor, as they have no good seed

apparently. They ripen in spring and summer. Bilberries ripen from

June till October; and wild but poor blackberries also. Both these

berries grow on the mountains from 2000 feet up.

Of tropical fruits the variety is endless; some are good, others

we do not care for. Avocado pears or alligator pears are

pear-shaped, but look more like green and brown fresh figs. The

skin is peeled off, and the pulp, which is green next the skin and

custard-color near the seed, is about like baked custard in looks,

and is eaten as a salad. The seed is very large, and confined in a

loose outer husk. These are ripe now, and continue a long time in

season.

Genips or hog plums are round green balls about the size of a

large plum. The skin is hard, but cracks easily and slips off,

leaving the pulp, which is like a grape's, and tastes a little

like one. The flesh sticks fast to the seed, and you can only suck

them, which is very tantalizing--but the tree holds thousands.

Rose apples are very pretty, light yellow, smelling like attar of

roses, and taste the same, and are insipid when raw, but delicious

crystallized. They ripen in June. Granadillas are something like

melons; they grow on a passion-flower vine, and ripen at different

times. The pulp is sweet but rather tasteless, but combined with

the seeds which are enclosed it is good in a tart jelly. Star

apples are so called because when cut in two the seed division

forms a five-pointed star. They are sweet, and ripen in spring.

Naseberries are dark brown inside and out, about the size of a

small peach, and with a rough skin. The flesh is good, but sandy

feeling to the mouth. Gold apples are brilliant yellow; white pulp

and black seeds surrounded with jelly. Seeds and all are eaten.

Water cocoanuts are the green nuts before the meat is formed

inside. They are as large as a man's head with the husk, and you

cut the top off with a machete, and drink the delicious water,

cool and sweet. Sour and sweet sops and custard-apples are all

more or less alike--sweetish and rather flat. Some like them.

FRED L. HAWTHORNE.

GARDEN HOUSE, KINGSTON, JAMAICA.

An excellent morsel. The Table thanks Sir Fred.

A Visit to a Marble-Mill.

Perhaps the Table will be interested in the account of a visit I

made to a large marble-mill. The block of marble, rough but

regular, being in position the cutting begins. The saws, which are

lowered everyday to cut just so much on the block, are held in a

big wooden frame hung above the marble. These saws swing back and

forth across the block, gradually cutting into it. A 2-1/2-inch

pipe above the saws pours a continual stream of sand and water

over the block.

The saws are kept going night and day, yet requiring a week to saw

a block 6 by 6 by 5 feet. The saws are strips of steel about 3

inches wide and 18 feet long, and do not cut more than 15 inches a

day. The blocks usually are sawed into slabs 2 inches by 6 feet by

5, or blocks 1 by 1 by 5 feet. When the sawing has been completed

stone-cutters trim and prepare the marble for shipment. An

interesting thing I saw was the marble for a pavilion in the

Woman's Exhibit at the Atlanta Exposition. Columns, caps, and

bases were being prepared.

The columns are first sawed out in blocks about 1 by 1 by 7 feet.

Then they are turned on a lathe until they are perfect though

rough cylinders. These are polished, first by rubbing sand over

them to take off the saw and lathe scratches, and then with three

different kinds of grit. After this they are rubbed with a hone

perfectly void of grit, and polished with acid. The caps and bases

are prepared in the same way, excepting that the blocks are of a

different size (almost square, in fact), and that they are turned

into their respective shapes. This mill is owned by the Tennessee

Producers' Marble Company. The marble quarries of Tennessee are

the finest in the United States.

JAMES MAYNARD, R.T.K.

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE.

Want Corner.

Harold P. Daniels, 73 East 127th Street, New York, collects beetles, and

wants to hear from others in the United States and Canada who do the

same. M. S. Newman, 722 East Ninth, New York, wants to receive sample

copies of amateur papers. Jessie Loomis and Mabel Moreland, Box 156,

Creston, Iowa, publish _Our Own Idea_, an amateur paper of much merit,

and they want to exchange with other amateur publishers.

Wallace Gibbs, Galva, Ill., publishes _The Sunbeam_, a neat eight-page

monthly. He offers to send us a morsel on the experiences of an amateur

publisher, if we want it. We want it, Sir Wallace. Send it along. Tell

us the discouragements, the pleasure, and the advantages. R. L. Miller,

Jun., asks if an autograph of President Diaz is wanted by the Table.

Yes, it is. Can you favor us with one?

THE HALLOWEEN WITCHES

BY MAMIE A. DENTON.

Mildred and Naomi Dean sat at opposite sides of a large room; Naomi with

her fingers in her ears, and her elbows resting upon her knees, while

Mildred gazed out of the window with dreamy eyes. The two girls were in

search of ideas for a Halloween party: they were twin witches, born on

witches' night, or Halloween, and had given regulation Halloween parties

since their babyhood. Now they wanted a change, and after eagerly

reading everything on the subject that came within their reach, they had

finally decided to "think something out" themselves.

"It's no use," Mildred exclaimed, suddenly. "I can't think of a single

thing except that we must have a party. Aren't you blest with an idea

yet, Naomi?" she shouted.

Naomi turned slowly, taking her fingers from her ears. "Yes, I believe I

am, but I don't know how you will like it. Why can't we have the girls

all come dressed as witches, and then we can give a prize to the most

bewitching?"

"The very thing, you dear little conjurer. That idea is worth

elaborating, and you know I just exist to elaborate your ideas. Now wait

till I finish my part."

Mildred ran to her desk, and was soon deep in its mysteries--wonderful

things had been known to come from this desk. When she finally arose she

handed Naomi two neat invitations, one of which read:

MISS NINA PRESCOTT,--You are cordially invited to attend a

witches' party on the night of the thirty-first. Each lady is

expected to represent a witch. A prize will be given to the

ugliest, and a "booby" prize to the most attractive witch.

TWO WEIRD SISTERS OF HALLOWEEN.

(Mildred and Naomi Dean.)

_Masks on._

"Oh," said Naomi, when she had read the invitation, "it is too bad not

to give the prize to the most attractive witch."

"No," replied Mildred; "witches are supposed to be ugly, and I think the

one who wears the finest costume should pay the price of her own vanity.

Now read the other invitation."

Naomi read it slowly aloud:

MR. ROY PRESCOTT,--You are requested to act as one of the judges

at a witches' contest on the night of the thirty-first, at the

home of the

TWO WEIRD SISTERS,

(Mildred and Naomi Dean.)

"What do you think of my specimens?" asked Mildred.

"I think they are very brilliant elaborations," Naomi answered; "but I

must see Nina, and caution her not to tell her brother what she is going

to wear. Yes, I am glad that none of the rest are brothers and sisters."

On the night of the thirty-first the home of the Deans was brilliantly

lighted, and the grounds were full of weird lights and mysterious music.

The boys were the first to arrive, and were ushered into the front

parlor, where they were commanded to stay until invited to come out. The

girls were shown upstairs to a room where a card with a large white

number upon it was pinned to each costume. When the boys were admitted

to the back parlor the witches were drawn up in line with masks on, and

numbers conspicuously displayed. The two weird sisters, unmasked, and

making no attempt to conceal their identity, passed slips of paper to

each gentleman, and explained that he must write the number of the one

who most nearly represented his idea of a witch, and also the number of

her whom he considered the most attractive. One of the boys complained

that this was not fair, as they were not allowed to see the faces. When

the votes were counted, and the prizes awarded, the signal was given,

and the masks were dropped, amid much surprise, laughter, and applause.

The young lady who received the prize as the ugliest witch proved to be

one of the most charming when unmasked, and the "booby" was a perfect

vision of loveliness in a long red cloak and steeple-crowned hat. She

surveyed her pretty face complacently in the hand-mirror which was given

as the "booby" prize.

An impromptu programme was rendered, in which the little "booby" recited

"The Elf Child," the "ugliest witch" and the "two weird sisters" gave

the witch scene from _Macbeth_, and several weird songs were sung by

different members of the company. The rest of the evening was given up

to fortune-telling, witchcraft, and charms. The young people voted the

party a "grand success," and the two weird sisters the most bewitching

of all the witches.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

[Illustration: Ivory Soap]

Those who think that imported soaps must be the finest, do not know that

the materials for Ivory Soap are the best to be found anywhere. The

vegetable oil of which Ivory Soap is made, is imported, almost in ship

loads, from the other side of the world.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.

GRATEFUL--COMFORTING.

EPPS'S COCOA.

BREAKFAST--SUPPER.

"By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations

of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine

properties of well-selected Cocoa, Mr. Epps has provided for our

breakfast and supper a delicately flavored beverage which may save us

many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles

of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong

enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies

are floating around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point.

We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified

with pure blood and a properly nourished frame."--_Civil Service

Gazette._

Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in half-pound tins, by

Grocers, labelled thus:

JAMES EPPS & CO., Ltd.,

Homoeopathic Chemists, London, England.

HARPER'S PERIODICALS.

Per Year:

HARPER'S MAGAZINE _Postage Free_, $4.00

HARPER'S WEEKLY " 4.00

HARPER'S BAZAR " 4.00

HARPER'S ROUND TABLE " 2.00

* * * * *

_Booksellers and Postmasters usually receive subscriptions.

Subscriptions sent direct to the publishers should be accompanied by

Post-office Money Order or Draft._

* * * * *

HARPER & BROTHERS, New York, N.Y.

[Illustration: If afflicted with SORE EYES USE Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE

WATER]

[Illustration: STAMPS]

This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin

collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question

on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should

address Editor Stamp Department.

How many of us know where Ipswich, England, is? An exhibition of stamps

has just been opened there which must be fine, as English collectors

value the stamps exhibited at over $100,000. A few years ago the New

York collectors made an exhibit at the Eden Musee on Twenty-third

Street, which probably called the attention of thousands to the "old

postage-stamp craze," and led to the making of hundreds of new recruits

in this absorbing hobby. Perhaps the same collectors may make another

exhibit. If they obtain the assistance of some of the New England

collectors the exhibit would be one of the finest ever seen. One

gentleman in Maine has a collection valued at over $200,000, consisting

chiefly of the great rarities.

A. T. D.--A surcharged stamp is one which has had a new value or

some inscription printed on the face of the stamp. As a rule

stamps of a high value are surcharged with a lower value. For

instance, Ceylon, in 1885, surcharged the 16, 24, 36, 48, and 64

cents and other stamps "Five Cents." These surcharged stamps were

then good for five cents only. Provisional stamps are those which

are issued in an emergency, and usually are surcharged stamps.

H. H. C.--The coin dealers ask $3 each for the commonest dates of

the quarter-eagle U.S. The scarce dates are worth much more. You

do not give the date of your coin.

PHILATUS.

TWO GLANCES FROM THE ELEVATED RAILROAD.

[Illustration: AT FIRST GLANCE OUR HEARTS ACHED TO SEE SUCH A SWEET

LITTLE GIRL SO TERRIBLY AFFLICTED; BUT]

[Illustration: A SECOND GLANCE REVEALED THE REAL OWNER OF THE FEET IN

THE PERSON OF THE FOND PAPA, WHO WAS THUS SECURING A FEW MOMENTS TO READ

HIS PAPER.]

A QUESTION.

WILLIE. "Don't the little Esquimau boys live on oil?"

MAMMA. "Yes, Willie."

WILLIE. "And do they always have a big lump of sugar after it for

dessert?"

"EARLY ENGLISH."

From wise professors, Brother Ned,

In the college town,

Was learning "early English."

My! how it made him frown!

While baby sister Annie

Cooed at home in glee,

In _purest_ early English--

'Twas as _easy_ as could be!

Some Irishmen are naturally stupid, but their mistakes are at times so

humorous as to provoke a laugh, which makes one forget the more serious

part of the error. Recently a son of Ireland went out rowing on a lake

at a famous summer resort. A stiff northwest wind came up, and not being

skilful with the oars, in a short time his boat shipped considerable

water.

A brilliant idea then seized him, and taking the butt end of the oar he

battered away at the planks in the bottom of the boat, finally knocking

a hole in them. Fortunately for him a steam-launch with a pleasure party

aboard came along and rescued him as his boat sank. Upon being asked why

on earth he drove a hole through the boat, he replied:

"An' phwat else would yez do? Sure the boat was half full of water, an'

so oi knocked a hole in the bottom to let it out; but, yez see, there

was so much more water in the lake that the little bit of a stream in my

boat had no chance to get out."

Some time ago I read a little anecdote of Longfellow which illustrated

his love for children. It seems that one little fellow in particular was

fond of spending his time in the great poet's library. One day, after a

long and patient perusal of the titles (to him great cumbersome works)

that lined the shelves, the little chap walked up to Longfellow, and

asked in a grieved sort of way, "Haven't you got a _Jack the Giant

Killer_?" Longfellow regretted to say that in all his immense library he

did not have a copy.

The little chap looked at him in a pitying way, and silently left the

room.

The next morning he walked in with a couple of pennies tightly clasped

in his chubby fist, and laying them down, told the poet that he could

now buy a _Jack the Giant Killer_ of his own.

We hear of veterans who have survived the wars of years ago, but here is

a poor old veteran of the civil war, and it is claimed the only one

living of his kind. His name is Ned, and he was captured near Washington

by a scouting party from General Jubal Early's corps. For years Ned has

taken part in the different memorial events and parades of the G.A.R.

But during a recent parade in Louisville his declining years prevented

his marching to the stirring music of the bands.

It grieved the poor old fellow's heart so that, as a compromise, his

comrades provided him with a float, upon which he mounted, and was

dragged through the streets, his kindly old head nodding to the time of

the band. As you have doubtless guessed, Ned is an old war-horse, and it

is said he has missed but one Decoration-day parade, and has reached the

ripe old age of forty years.

MOTHER (_to Albert, who came home from school looking very blue_). "Why,

you appear unhappy, Albert. Didn't you learn your lessons to-day?"

ALBERT. "Oh yes, I learned not to be sassy!"

Little Alice heard her father say that her Cousin Jack has the

small-pox, and exclaimed, "Oh, papa, I think it's real mean of Jack not

to send me any."

PAPA. "Jack, what are you crying about?"

JACK. "The conjurer at the circus to-day took five pigeons out of my

hat, and kept them for himself."

TOM. "Papa, I want a bicycle."

PAPA. "Well, Tom, and what will you furnish towards getting it?"

TOM (_thinking deeply a moment_). "I'll furnish the wind for the tires."

KEPT HIS WORD.

To the pranks played by college boys there seems to be no end, and

Professors are still suffering as much as ever from the undergraduate

trick. An amusing tale comes from Edinburgh, in this connection.

An examiner at Edinburgh University had made himself obnoxious by

warning the students against putting their hats on his desk. The

university in the Scottish capital is remarkable for a scarcity of cloak

rooms, and in the excitement of examinations hats are, or used to be,

flung down anywhere.

The examiner announced one day that if he ever found another hat on his

desk he would rip it up. The next day no hats were laid there when the

students assembled. Presently, however, the examiner was called out of

the room. Then some naughty undergraduate slipped from his seat, got the

examiner's own hat, and placed it on his desk. When the examiner

re-entered the hall, every eye was fixed upon him. He observed the hat,

and a gleam of triumph shot across his face.

"Gentlemen," he said, "I told you what would happen if this occurred

again." Then he took his penknife from his pocket, opened it, and

blandly cut the hat in pieces, amidst prolonged applause. What he said

when he discovered that he had destroyed his own hat the story does not

say.

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, October 22, 1895, by Various