The animals poured into the Ark like the tide through a sluice. They
pushed and shoved and crowded, and many tried to get to the Purser's
window ahead of their turns. The big ones brushed the little ones aside
with a total disregard of gentleness or consideration. But the Bull soon
put a stop to this sort of thing. He stuck his head out of the window
and said all sorts of horrible things, and vowed he would have the doors
closed if the beasts did not preserve better order. Things went along
better after that.
The larger animals came in first: Lions, Tigers, Elephants, Hippopotami,
Rhinoceroses, Camels, Giraffes, Dromedaries, Buffaloes, Polar Bears,
Grizzly Bears, and every other kind of Bear. Tommy thought he had never
seen so many different animals in all his life. It beat a circus all
hollow, and it reminded him of the college song his Uncle Dick used to
sing about:
"The animals came in two by two,
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The animals came in two by two.
Hurrah! Hurrah!
The animals came in two by two,
The Elephant and the Kangaroo,
And they all got into the Ark before it began to rain!"
After the large animals followed a long procession of deer--Elk,
Antelopes, Gazelles, Chamois, Moose, and Caribou. Behind these came dogs
of every kind--big dogs, little dogs, thin dogs, fat dogs, gay dogs, sad
dogs, shaggy dogs, sleek dogs, and all colored dogs; Greyhounds,
Mastiffs, Pugs, St. Bernards, Fox Terriers, Setters, Pointers, Poodles,
Great Danes, Skyes, Black-and-Tans, and Collies. Toward the end of the
procession came a long-bodied brown dog with big ears and long straight
legs. Tommy had never seen that kind before.
"What is he?" he said, pointing downward.
The ex-Pirate shook his head, but the Gopher answered, "That's a
Dachshund."
"A Dachshund?" repeated Tommy: "I guess not. Dachshunds are not built
like that. Look at his long legs."
"Well, that _is_ a Dachshund," insisted the Gopher; and then he pulled
his sunbonnet over his head and closed his eyes for a nap.
The French Poodle was the only one that had any trouble with the Bull,
because the Bull could not speak French, and refused to understand what
the Poodle said. Tommy plainly heard the dog muttering to himself as he
left the window:
"Espèce de John Bull! Il est toujours comme ça!"
But the little boy could not understand what the Poodle meant anymore
than the Bull could, because he had not gotten along any further in his
French exercise-book than "Have you seen the good General's red slippers
under the green table of the wine-merchant's beautiful mother-in-law?"
And he did not recognize any of the words in the Poodle's plaint.
The Bull had been losing his temper pretty rapidly ever since the doors
opened, and he seemed to be waiting for a chance to do or say something
ugly. Pretty soon a couple of harmless and sleepy-looking Oxen came
plodding up the gang-plank and strolled through the doorway.
"Look here!" the Bull shouted at them, "you've got to leave your
chewing-gum outside! No gum-chewing allowed on the Ark!"
One of the Oxen protested, but the Bull asserted that if the Ox made any
trouble he would come outside and settle the matter himself; and so both
Oxen regretfully stuck their chewing-gum under the gang-plank and passed
in. A little while later a Lizard came along and handed in his ticket
through the small window near the floor. The Bull looked at it and
frowned, and then stuck his head out over the counter and glared at the
little Lizard, who positively turned green with fright.
"What do you mean by presenting this ticket?" asked the Bull, savagely.
"Please, sir, I want to come into the Ark," replied the Lizard, meekly.
"Well, you can't get in on this ticket--see?"
"Please, sir, it's the only one I have," continued the Lizard,
trembling.
"Well, look here, young fellow," snorted the Bull, getting angrier as he
spoke; "this ticket is your shape, but it is not your size. You bought
it from a speculator outside!"
"Oh no, sir!" exclaimed the Lizard.
"I don't care what you say. This is the Crocodile's ticket, and it ain't
your size, and you can't get in on it!"
"Please, sir. I did not know," mildly protested the Lizard. "I can't
read, sir."
"Well, don't you know that the pauper, the insane, and the illiterate
are not allowed on this Ark?" roared the Bull, apparently deriving much
pleasure out of the fact that he was scaring the Lizard half to death.
The little fellow did not in the least understand the meaning of these
big words, but he was so frightened by the Bull's ferocious manner that
he turned away and scurried frantically down the gang-plank, and hid
under a big stone in the sand.
"How awfully mean for the Bull to talk like that to such a little
animal!" whispered Tommy to the ex-Pirate.
"That's what he always does. Never takes a fellow his size," answered
the ex-Pirate. "He bullies the little ones: that's why he's called a
Bull."
Presently a Crocodile came stamping up the gang-plank. He had a
business-like expression in his eye, and a cold sarcastic smile
displayed his glistening rows of sharp teeth. He stepped right up to the
ticket-window, and thrust his long snout in so suddenly that he almost
knocked the Bull off his stool.
[Illustration: "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SENDING ME A MINIATURE TICKET LIKE
THIS?"]
"What do you mean by sending me a miniature ticket like this?" he
shouted, fiercely.
The Bull stuttered, "I beg your pardon, sir; but won't you allow me to
look at the ticket?"
The Crocodile passed the paper in.
"Oh, it's all a mistake," began the Bull, apologetically. "I assure you
it is all a mistake--"
"I should say it was," interrupted the Crocodile, who appeared to be in
an exceedingly unpleasant frame of mind. "Do you think for a moment that
I am going to take any such accommodations as that? Do you think I can
sleep in any berth that was built for a Lizard?"
"It's a mistake," repeated the Bull, affably. "Your quarters are on the
main-deck, starboard side, No. 417," and he passed out the ticket he had
taken away from the Lizard.
The Crocodile did not appear satisfied. He stuck his nose through the
window again and shouted:
"Well, I want satisfaction! I want satisfaction, and I'm going to have
it--"
But the crowd of animals in line behind the Crocodile, tired of waiting,
gave a push that sent the latter past the window and out into the main
hall, still mumbling something about "satisfaction." The Bull looked out
of his office, much relieved, and shouted down the line,
"Somebody tell that Lizard he can come in."
It did not take so long as Tommy thought it would for all the animals to
get on board. When the last one had passed in, preparations were made to
haul up the gang-plank, for the wind had freshened, the skies had
darkened, and the general appearance of the heavens betokened the
approaching storm. Just as the big plank was about to be taken aboard,
faint voices were heard from the ground outside:
"Wait a moment! wait a moment!" they cried. "Wait for us; we're almost
there!"
It was the Turtles. By so close a margin did they get into the Ark. The
Bull scolded them as they passed, and then slammed down the window, and
the Gopher, on the rafter next to Tommy, heaved a sigh of relief.
Soon afterwards it began to rain. The big drops fell noisily upon the
shingled roof of the Ark, and pattered on the window-panes.
"What is that noise?" asked a little Armadillo.
"That's the rain, dear," replied its parent.
"Oh no," said the little one; "the reindeer are sleeping down-stairs."
And then there was a great jolt, and the Ark floated off on the flood.
[TO BE CONTINUED.]
[Illustration: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT]
The interscholastic matches at Newport promise to be more interesting
this year than ever before. The game put up by the various players who
are to represent the schools in the national tournament has been of so
much higher an order than that of any previous season, that it has
attracted more than the usual amount of attention from sportsmen not
directly interested in the schools. There is better material blossoming
this August than has come forward for many years, and most of it is
coming out of the schools. The new players who are making themselves
prominent are all young men--not men who have been playing many years
and have finally developed skill. Thus it is very evident that the
formation of the Interscholastic Tennis Association has been a good
thing, and if properly supported--as I have no doubt it will be--it is
bound to aid materially the progress and refinement of the game. It
means the early development of good players and a higher standard in
inter-collegiate tennis. Already interscholastic tennis, in its first
champion, has given us a national representative who last year saved our
trophy from foreign hands.
The history or the movement may be summed up in few words. It was
initiated by the Harvard University Lawn-Tennis Club at the
suggestion of its secretary, William D. Orcutt, in 1891, when the
first tournament was held upon the college grounds, Saturday, May
2d, ten schools having replied to the circulars and letters by sending
representatives--twenty-five in all. The tournament, played off in two
days without a default, was won by R. D. Wrenn, of the Cambridge Latin
School, and created no small amount of interest both in college and
schools as the large audience at the courts testified. From this
beginning grew the idea of an Interscholastic Association, with an
annual tournament as a national fixture. In 1892, therefore, Harvard
sent out further circulars inviting preparatory schools to send
representatives to a second tournament, to be held under the auspices of
the United States National Lawn-Tennis Association, by the Harvard Club,
with the intention of forming a permanent association of the schools at
a meeting to be called on the day of the tournament. In response
sixty-six entries were received, representing at least twenty-four
schools. The tournament, held May 7th, was won by M. G. Chace, another
who has since distinguished himself among our ranked players, and
afterwards, as had been proposed, the association was formed.
The formation of the Harvard Interscholastic Association was an
incentive to other colleges to attempt similar organizations, and in
1893, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia started such associations, and held
tournaments. The four winners of these events met that year in Newport,
at the time of the national tournament, to determine the Interscholastic
champion, and again in 1894, after similar preparatory tournaments.
The following table shows the Interscholastic champions up to date:
Year. Played at. Singles. School.
1891 Cambridge R. D. Wrenn Cambridge Latin.
1892 Cambridge M. G. Chace Univ. Grammar, Prov.
1893 Newport C. R. Budlong High, Providence.
1894 Newport W. G. Parker Tutor, New York.
These Interscholastic lists have already introduced several fine tennis
players. R. D. Wrenn is the present national champion. M. G. Chace
ranked fourth in the ten of 1893, and by the new method is in '94 ranked
in Class 2. C. R. Budlong entered the first ten the year of his
interscholastic championship, and now, with W. G. Parker, is placed in
Class 4, (1/2 15). It is natural that the older players should watch the
ranks of the interscholastics with some interest, for it is here that
the coming players are most apt to show themselves first.
This year the contestants at Newport will be L. E. Ware, Roxbury Latin
School, of the Harvard I.S.L.-T.A.; M. W. Beaman, Lawrenceville, of the
Princeton I.S.L.-T.A.; and Waltz, Leal's School of the Columbia
I.S.L.-T.A. J. P. Sheldon, Jun., of Hotchkiss Academy, Lakeville, won
the Yale Interscholastic tournament, but may not be able to be present
at Newport this week. Of these four players the chances seem in favor of
Ware, who has already some practical tournament experience to back his
good play. Last year he won the Harvard Interscholastic, but was
defeated at Newport by W. G. Parker, winner of the championship. At
Longwood, last year, he showed excellent form in his match against
Larned, from whom he won the first two sets, and at Saratoga he was
"runner-up" in the tournament for the New York State Championship. This
season he has also appeared in several tournaments. At Longwood, having
reached the semi-final round, he lost to M. D. Whitman, whom he had
before defeated in the Harvard Interscholastic. In the double contests
at Elmira, Ware and W. M. Scudder played a close match in the finals
against Fisher and Paret. In his game, Ware's strong ground stroke,
quick judgment, and self-possession give good promise of a future
player.
The names of the other three contestants do not figure so conspicuously
in large tournaments. Sheldon has played in Western State championships,
winning in Ohio, but he has not had the experience of Ware against our
best Eastern players. He easily won the Yale Interscholastic, not losing
a set even to the winner of that event last year. He is good both back
and at the net, placing with some accuracy, and certainly in these
preliminary contests he showed a very good understanding of the game. If
he keeps his steadiness and coolness under the excitement of closely
contested matches he should prove a formidable adversary for Ware.
Concerning Beaman and Waltz it is more difficult to pass judgment,
these, as yet, having given little public exhibition of their games.
Waltz ranks as a third-rate local player, having been easily beaten in
local matches by the Miles and by Holcombe Ward at Orange.
It is to be regretted that Whitman is ineligible for the Newport event,
for he is a strong man, and has shown wonderful improvement since Ware
defeated him on Holmes Field in May. He is sure to become a prominent
player in the early future. Some of the other good men that the schools
have produced, and who will doubtless be at Newport, are Beals, Wright,
Henderson, and Moeran of Southampton, and Palmer of Hobokus.
It cannot be debated that larger co-operation by the different colleges
in this field of interscholastic tennis would be of the greatest benefit
to the game in this country. It would offer early incentive to young
players throughout the land, and carry a step further the general system
of sectional tournaments already instituted by the central association
to spur our players to greater and more scientific effort. The contests
last year at Newport, and again this spring at the Neighborhood Club,
West Newton, Massachusetts, where our men came in contact with
foreigners, brought out both our weakness and our strength; it showed
clearly that our worst fault is the unsteadiness of American players.
That this early tournament playing, accustoming young men to watch their
strokes and play carefully, must aid in remedying this evil among the
rising players hardly needs to be pointed out, while the new opportunity
of meeting equal or better players must also promote skill and
brilliancy in play. Add to this the closer contact of school and
college, and there seems strong argument for the more vigorous support
of such a cause.
In less than a month football will be taking up most of the time and
attention that school athletes can devote to sport. The coming season
should be a notable one in the history of the game too, for it will show
whether or not the schools are going to allow themselves to be
influenced by the better or the worse element that is identified with
the game. The better element is the one which has been trying for years
to arrange a code of rules that would purge the sport as much as
possible of opportunities for the practice of rough and unsportsmanlike
methods. The other element is the one which has been trying for just as
many years to evade the rules laid down. If the school players will
frown upon all unfair methods, and refuse to countenance sharp practice
in the game, if they will insist upon adhering to the spirit as well as
to the letter of the law, they will soon swell the ranks of the better
element of football men to such proportions that the other class will
find itself entirely overruled.
It is unfortunate that we should be forced to admit that sharp practice
occurs in football to a greater extent, probably, than in any other
sport. But, nevertheless, I think this is true. More acts of meanness
are performed in the course of one football game almost than in a whole
season of baseball or tennis or track athletics. Men will punch and kick
one another when the referee is not looking, and they will resort to all
sorts of small tricks that they would blush to acknowledge afterwards.
But, remember, this is not the fault of the game, it is the fault of the
man. And the endeavor of every true sportsman should be to get this sort
of man out of the way. We don't want him. He does more harm than good,
even if he is the best player on the eleven.
It is considered clever by many to do as many small and mean acts as
possible in a match game of football. To resort to petty practices is
looked upon by them as good playing. But there is no good playing,
except fair and honest playing. These same men who will kick their
opponents in the shins when the umpire is not looking are those who
encourage players to attend school during the football season, not
caring whether they remain afterwards or not. It is surprising how much
of this is done, and I have actually heard men say (instead of refusing
to play with a team composed of such men) that they, too, have hired or
obtained players to meet their rivals' crooked tactics. What an
argument! Where would the ethics of sport end up if such logic were to
be accepted? Why cannot we all become thoroughly imbued with the idea of
sport for sport's sake only? We do not play to _win_. We play for the
sake of playing--for the sake of the sport, the exercise, the
fellowship, and good blood that is to result.
Last year and the year before there was more than one school in the
Connecticut High-School League that resorted to practices not entirely
consistent with true sportsmanship. I speak of these now because my
attention has been directly called to them, and because I believe from
personal investigation that they were guilty certainly of a portion of
the misdeeds that rumor credited them with. In the other scholastic
football associations I have known of irregularities, but of none quite
so flagrant as those of Connecticut. There several football players have
suddenly been seized with a desire to attend school just as the season
opened, and have lost all inclination to study immediately after
Thanksgiving.
It is, of course, impossible to say outright that these men are
improperly induced to enter school, for such a thing is very hard to
prove. But it is perfectly just to say that no Captain of an amateur
eleven or of a school eleven should allow any man to play on his team
whom he does not believe to be a _bona fide_ scholar who means to remain
in school until the end of the year--a scholar who has come to learn
what is taught in the class-room, not what is practised on the football
field.
It is ridiculous for any Captain to assert that he does not know what
the men on his team intend doing a month hence. It is his business as
Captain to know this. He should know where his players come from, how
long they are to be in school, and all about their football experience.
If he does not know all this he is a mighty poor Captain, and ought to
be replaced. And the Captain who allows a man to play on his eleven whom
he suspects of having intentions of leaving school before the year
closes is not a fit leader for an honest school's football team, and
should likewise be replaced. The best Captain in the end is the most
honest Captain, and the most honest Captain is the best sportsman.
While speaking of sportsmen and sportsmanship I should like to call the
attention of all the readers of this Department to a definition of
"sportsman," published in the "Amateur Sport" columns of _Harper's
Weekly_ of August 17th: "A sportsman engages in sport for sport's sake
only, and does by others as he would be done by. A 'sporting man' or
'sport' enters sport for mercenary motives, and prefers to 'do' others."
This is only one sentence from a very good sermon. I recommend the
entire article to every one interested in the welfare of sport.
The Academic Athletic League of California has track-athletic sports as
well as football in the autumn term. Their next semi-annual field-day is
to be held September 28th, and from present reports the new material in
the schools is going to make a showing. As the meet is to be held on the
University of California track, which has the fastest 100-yard course on
the Coast, the A.A.L. sprinting records, which are at present 10-4/5 and
25-1/5 secs., ought to be reduced. Parker, Hamlin, and Chick are the
most promising men to do the work, Chick being a new man and a brother
of the University of California sprinter. Lynch of the B.H.-S. has gone
to Oakland to live, and will wear the O.H.-S. colors at the next
field-day. He has improved greatly in his hammer throwing. The O.H.-S.
team, by-the-way, stands a good chance of retaining the interscholastic
championship of the Coast, and if the teams are increased from seven to
ten men, as is now proposed, the other schools will have to work hard to
defeat them.
The California school athletes certainly go ahead of their Eastern
brethren in enthusiasm and true love of sport. This Department has for
some time been urging the formation of a general Interscholastic
Association; but as yet nothing has been done toward any such
organization, although I understand that active steps in this direction
are to be taken here as soon as the schools open next month. It may be
due to the long summer vacation that nothing has been done yet. But in
California interest in sport seems to be so lively that there is no
vacation interference. In a recent letter from Oakland, one of the
prominent men of the A.A.L. says: "In regard to your proposition for a
general American Interscholastic League, I can say that it meets with
the approval of the boys here, and we would be glad to join it if it is
formed. The only difficulty to our participating in such a field-day
would be the expense for travelling to and fro. If we joined such a
league we would try to raise the necessary sixteen hundred dollars. For
it would take that much, at least, which is quite a good deal for
High-School boys to raise. Will you kindly let me know of any advances
in this direction, and also give me an outline of what is intended?"
With such a spirit as is displayed in this letter the sportsmanship of
the Pacific coast is bound to thrive. These lads are not only willing
to join the Interscholastic Association at once, but they believe they
can collect enough money to pay expenses to come East and be present at
the first meet. I hope they will have the chance, and from the letters I
have received from sportsmen along the Atlantic seaboard, I believe that
in a very few months the much-needed association of the schools of the
country will be in running order. Perhaps one reason why the
Californians are so anxious to come here and try their skill is that
they believe they can win. Their records are not up to those of the
Eastern leagues, but another writer from the A.A.L. says: "One of the
University of California team told me the Eastern schoolboys are clever,
but that an Oakland High-School team could pull a field-day away from
the best school of 'em. That makes me wish we had a 220 straight-away
here to see how Dawson and Woolsey would appear alongside of Syme."
Dawson holds the local high-hurdles record at 19-1/4 sec., and Woolsey
holds the low-hurdles record at 31 sec. The sticks are 3 ft. 6 in. and 2
ft. 6 in. high, respectively.
In other matters of sport the Californians are just as progressive as
they are in their desire to come East. They have recognized the justness
of the Round Table's advocacy of uniformity in field and track
programmes, and are trying to adjust the A.A.L. list to the university
schedule. They have already adopted a 440-yard run, which they did not
have before, and at an early meeting of the executive committee on
athletics a motion will be made to use a 16-lb. hammer instead of a
12-lb. weight at the coming games. The shot is already a
sixteen-pounder.
THE GRADUATE.
[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 as far as possible. Correspondents should
address Editor.
[Illustration]
One of the greatest "finds" in the history of stamp collecting has just
been made in Kansas City. The letters of an old firm were about to be
destroyed when the attention of a stamp-collector was called to them. He
immediately bought the entire lot of letters for a small sum. Among the
lot were about one hundred letters each bearing one or more of the rare
St. Louis stamps issued in 1843, and remaining in use until 1847. The
5c. stamp has hitherto brought from $150 to $200 at auction; the 10c.
about $75, and the only copy of the 20c. in the market was sold in 1894
by the veteran dealer J. W. Scott, usually called "the father of
philately," to a collector in Bangor, Maine, for $1500. This gentleman,
it is said, refused an offer of $2500 for the stamp.
In this new lot are a number of pairs of all three varieties and several
strips of three. The immediate result will probably be lower prices on
all three St. Louis stamps, but the demand will probably fully equal the
supply.
FRED.--No premium on the English shilling, 1817.
J. HALL.--Very few gold dollars were ever coined, and many have
found their way to the melting-pot, or have been practically
destroyed by conversion into bangles. Hence the dealers ask from
$1.50 upward for all U.S. dollars in gold.
H. STEVENS.--It is impossible to give anything more than a rough
estimate as to the number of stamp-collectors and dealers, or the
value of the stamps now in existence in albums, or the amount of
annual business done in stamps. I hope to give some statistics on
all these points in a future issue.
M. C. W.--It would be very difficult to explain the differences in
the Brazils and Guatemalas without illustrations, or within the
narrow limits of this column. I congratulate you on your "find" of
Wurtembergs.
R. B. HADDOCK.--The 1864 and 1866 2c. coppers are quoted by
dealers at 10c. each for "good," and 50c. each for "fine."
PHILATUS.
AN ASTUTE SEA-LION.
It has always been a question in the minds of naturalists whether or not
animals have any means of conversing or of communicating to one another
more than the most elementary ideas of danger, hunger, and affection. It
would seem from what lately happened at Lake Merced that seals, at
least, must certainly have the powers of description and persuasion well
developed. Lake Merced was at one time a favorite resort of fishermen
from San Francisco. The trout that were pulled out of its quiet waters
were said to be the best, but so much angling was done that the trout
finally disappeared, and only carp were to be caught. Then the fish
commissioners decided to stock the lake with muskallonge, in the hope
that the latter would destroy the voracious carp, and eventually afford
good catches themselves.
Lake Merced is not very far inland from Seal Rock, and in some manner an
old sea-lion found his way from the ocean to the quieter waters beyond.
He tasted of the carp and enjoyed his meal, and being a genial sort of a
sea-lion, he returned to the rock, where he must have told his friends
of his adventure. He must have told them, and he must have organized a
picnic party, because the next night a number of seals flopped their way
into Merced. Everything was just as the old lion had represented, and
the band decided to remain.
Soon afterwards some employés of the commissioners drew a net across the
lake to see how the muskallonge were getting on. The seals, now
permanent residents of the lake, laughed loudly, after the fashion of
their race, and waved their flappers at the net-men as if to encourage
them to keep on and find out how many muskallonge were left. For the
muskallonge had got to the last dozen or so of carp, and the sea-lions
had gobbled the muskallonge, and only a few cat-fish were found in the
lake.
The seals are still in Merced, but there is a firm conviction in the
minds of those who live near by that unless the lake is stocked again
the greedy fellows will return to the rock in the sea.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Highest of all in Leavening Strength.--Latest U. S. Gov't Report.
[Illustration: Royal Baking Powder]
Arnold
Constable & Co
* * * * *
Camel's-Hair
Chudda Shawls,
75c. to $3.50 each.
Worth from $2.00 to $10.00.
* * * * *
Broadway & 19th st.
NEW YORK.
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_.
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 A BROTHERS, New York, N.Y.
[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.]
Continuing the trip from Philadelphia to Atlantic City, the first stage
of which was given in the Round Table for last week, we start from
Hammonton. The run from here to Atlantic City is somewhat roundabout,
owing to the nature of the country through which you must pass, and the
run is about forty miles in all. Leaving Hammonton proceed through New
Columbia, five miles away, to Batsto. The condition of the road is not
of the best; but there are almost no hills, and the side path will, in
many places, save you a good deal of hard riding. There is no difficulty
in finding the road, except about three miles and a half out of New
Columbia you should keep to the left at a fork in the roads. From Batsto
to Greenbank is five miles over a gravel road in capital condition, and
from this point on to Wading River and New Gretna there will be little
or no difficulty in finding the way. The road becomes poorer as you
approach Wading River, and the side paths should be resorted to wherever
possible.
There are several bridges to be crossed during this part of the ride,
from Greenbank to Chestnut Neck, and indeed there are a number of
bridges over the entire route. It may not be out of place to say a word,
therefore, about bicycle-riding over bridges. Most bridges in the
country are composed of horizontal supports, running lengthwise with the
bridge, along the tops of wooden posts. Across these at right angles to
the direction of the bridge are laid logs, sometimes nailed down to the
supports underneath, sometimes not fastened at all. If they are nailed
the wood wears away quickly, and the heads of the nails stick up perhaps
half an inch, and offer one of the most admirable opportunities for
puncture that could be found. Never ride over a bridge of this sort at
speed, therefore, and always keep a line between the rows of nails, so
that you may not run the chance of thrusting one of the nail-heads
through your pneumatic tube. If you are riding at night, and want to be
on the safe side, it is wise to dismount, and either carry or push the
bicycle across the bridge.
From Greenbank to Chestnut Neck, through New Gretna, is twelve miles.
From Chestnut Neck you should then proceed, following the main road, to
Port Republic, Smithville, Oceanville, Absecom, a distance altogether of
ten miles. Shortly after passing out of Chestnut Neck the rider must
keep to the right at the fork, and run into Port Republic. On running
out of Port Republic he should bear always to the left, going down
through Smithville as described. There is a road direct to Absecom, as
the map will show, but it is by no means as good a road, and passes over
several hills, that can be avoided by following the main road, which
runs along the valley. From Absecom to Pleasantville, a distance of
three miles, the road is clear enough. At Pleasantville a sharp turn to
the left should be made, and the road thence to Atlantic City is very
easily followed. It follows the track until after crossing the bridge,
then crosses the track and follows it to Atlantic City on the other
side. This part of the road is in moderately good condition, considering
that it is so near the water, and that the sand and gravel do not
readily admit of good hard road bed.
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. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in
No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in
820. Trenton to Philadelphia in 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.
[Illustration: THE CAMERA CLUB]
Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly
answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to
hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.
PAPERS FOR BEGINNERS, NO. 13.
DARK-ROOM HINTS.
In guides to photography, directions are always given for varnishing the
negative, but with ordinary care a negative need not be varnished except
for the purpose of retouching. Retouching means covering the spots in
the film with some non-actinic substance. Small spots are covered by
touching them lightly with a rather soft lead-pencil. Sometimes
water-color is used applied with a delicate brush, and sometimes crayons
are used.
It is not necessary to varnish a negative in order to retouch it; for a
fluid can be bought for this purpose, called "retouching fluid," which
is applied locally with a piece of surgeon's cotton. To "apply locally"
means to put the fluid on the part of the plate which needs retouching,
instead of covering the whole plate. A bottle of retouching fluid costs
twenty-five cents, and will last a long time. Full directions for use
come with each bottle.
Fine retouching is an art, but the amateur can easily learn to cover the
spots in his negative which would disfigure or spoil his prints.
The small clear spots on negatives are usually caused by dust on the
plate. They make what are called pin-holes, and wherever these occur in
the negative a black spot will show on the print. Amateurs are often
advised to dust their plates with a brush before placing them in the
holders. It requires a very soft brush and a careful hand to dust a
sensitive plate without scratching the film, and if the plate-holders
and camera-bellows are wiped frequently with a damp cloth there will be
little danger of pin-holes from dust spots in the sensitive plate.
Transparent spots in the negative are caused by air-bubbles forming on
the plate when the developer is turned over it, and the bubbles not
being broken, the developer does not have a chance to act on the film.
Larger spots on the plate or near the edge, which seem less intense than
the rest of the negative, are caused by the plate not being covered all
at once with the developer. The undeveloped plate should be placed in
the tray and the developing solution turned over it quickly with a sort
of sweeping motion, and the tray rocked in all directions till the plate
is completely covered.
Never place a negative in sunshine or near a stove to dry. The heat
causes the gelatine to melt and run off the plate. If for any reason one
wishes to dry a negative quickly, wash it, after removing it from the
hypo, for about half an hour, wipe off the water with a piece of damp
surgeon's cotton, lay the negative in the tray, and cover it with
alcohol. Let it remain in the alcohol for a minute or two, then take it
out and set it up to dry. It will dry in from five to ten minutes, ready
for printing.
Sometimes in warm weather the edges of the sensitive plate will come
loose from the glass. This is called "frilling," and occurs when the
developer is too warm. If the plate begins to frill, remove it to a dish
of cold water, and lower the temperature of the developer by setting it
for a few minutes in a dish of ice-water. The temperature of solutions
should not rise above 85°, or sink below 65° if good results are
desired.
In a later paper full directions will be given for retouching negatives,
improving the high-lights, blocking out backgrounds, etc. But these
belong to the finer part of the mechanical work of photography.
SIR KNIGHT GLOVER BEARDSLEY, Auburn, New York, asks: 1, if one can
use a ruby light safely when putting a plate in the holder; 2, if
a plate should be left in the water after being taken from the
hypo, or if it can be washed off and put to dry at once; 3, in the
formula for making blue prints, where it says add one and one-half
ounce of citrate of iron and ammonium, if it means three-quarters
ounce each, and does it mean the ammonium in a liquid or solid
form. 1. One may use a ruby light with safety in filling
plate-holders. It is wise not to hold the plate too near the
light. 2. Negatives should be washed at least half an hour in
running water, and one hour if one has not running water, changing
the water four or five times. 3. "Citrate of iron and ammonium" is
a double salt formed of ferric citrate and citrate of ammonium,
and comes in brown shining leaflets. Ask for "citrate of iron and
ammonium" when buying the ingredients for the formula.
SIR KNIGHT A. SMITH, Trenton, New Jersey, asks for a good
developing solution, how to polish ferrotype plates, and how to
keep films from curling when drying. Makers of dry plates always
put in each box of dry plates formulas for developing, with full
directions for preparation and use. These will always be found
reliable. In No. 786 will be found a simple developer for
instantaneous pictures, and we shall shortly publish a set of
formulas with full directions for use. In Nos. 797 and 805 will be
found directions for preparing a ferrotype plate so that prints
will not stick. If the prints are trimmed before toning, they can
be pasted before removing from the ferrotype, and thus most of the
gloss made by the plate will be retained. Films may be kept from
curling by soaking the film, after fixing and washing, in a
solution of one-quarter ounce of glycerine and 16 ounces of water.
Pin them at the corners to a flat board, removing all drops of
water with a soft cloth. Set the board in an upright position till
the films are dry. Do not use any more glycerine than the
proportions given, as it will make the negatives sticky.
* * * * *
RECALLED STORMY TIMES.
"Well, that looks natural," said the old soldier, looking at a can of
condensed milk on the breakfast-table in place of ordinary milk that
failed on account of the storm. "It's the Gail Borden Eagle Brand we
used during the war."--[_Adv._]
ADVERTISEMENTS.
[Illustration: Columbia Bicycles ad]
Walter Baker & Co. Limited,
[Illustration]
The Largest Manufacturers of
PURE, HIGH GRADE
COCOAS and CHOCOLATES
On this Continent, have received
HIGHEST AWARDS
from the great
Industrial and Food
EXPOSITIONS
IN EUROPE AND AMERICA.
* * * * *
=Caution:= In view of the many imitations of the labels and wrappers on
our goods, consumers should make sure that our place of manufacture,
namely, =Dorchester, Mass.= is printed on each package.
* * * * *
SOLD BY GROCERS EVERYWHERE.
* * * * *
WALTER BAKER & CO. LTD. DORCHESTER, MASS.
[Illustration]
Noah's Ark
with animals, will be sent postpaid to any address on receipt of three
2-cent stamps. The animals are on cardboard--two and three inches high,
naturally-colored, and will stand alone. They can be arranged in line or
groups, making an interesting object lesson in natural history. This
offer is made solely for the purpose of acquainting mothers with the
merits of
WILLIMANTIC
Star Thread.
Send for a set for each of the children. Address
WILLIMANTIC THREAD CO.,
Willimantic, Conn.
WANTED.
Short stories and articles for the Boys', Girls', and Ladies'
Departments of a Weekly Magazine; also contributions of all important
subjects, all to be written by experts.
P. F. COLLIER, Publisher, 521 W. 13th St., N. Y.
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, Costa Rica, etc., only 10c.; 200 all dif. Hayti,
Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Ag'ts wanted at 50 per ct. com. List FREE!
=C. A. Stegmann=, 2722 Eads Av., St. Louis, Mo.
=25c. per 100= paid for cancelled postage stamps. For particulars, send
10c. silver, and get 20 foreign stamps free. Approval sheets at 50%.
H. P. HALBRAN, 101 CLINTON STREET, OLEAN, N. Y.
[Illustration: If afflicted with SORE EYES USE Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE
WATER]
Notice to all members.
It is desired to correct the Order's records, especially all changes in
addresses. The new Patent is now ready, and all will want it. It is far
handsomer than the old certificate. We make a special request,
therefore, to all Founders and members to send us at once their names
and permanent addresses. Use English capital letters, which you can
easily make with your pen, and spell out in full at least one Christian
or given name.
A "given" name is the name given you by your parents, as distinguished
from your last name, which you have from your father. Use a postal card,
not a letter, and put no other matter upon it. Address the card Messrs.
Harper & Brothers, Publishers, New York, and put in the lower left-hand
corner the words "Round Table." On the back of the card write the letter
"A," and follow it with name, as directed, and address in full--street
and number if any, town or city, and State. If you are a Founder, write
that word in full anywhere on the card. Your new Patent will then bear
that word. If you were not a Founder, do not use the word.
Remember that if a certificate was ever issued to you, you are still a
member, no matter if you have now passed your eighteenth birthday.
Chapter officers are asked to send, on postal cards, names and addresses
of their Chapter members. They are also asked to send names of any
grown-up friends of the Chapter whom they may wish to honor by making
them Patrons of the Round Table Order.
All who have not passed their eighteenth birthday, even if not formerly
members, are urged to send postal cards as directed. So, too, are grown
folks interested in the Order. If you have passed your eighteenth
birthday, and have not previously held a certificate of membership, send
your name and address and use the letter "D." Members are urged to send
names and addresses of their friends, that we may give Patents to them.
Your teacher may be made a Patron.
To all who comply with these suggestions we will send Patents in the
Order, bearing their names, creating them Founders, Knights, Ladies, or
Patrons. The advantages of belonging to the Order will be attached--and
there are many. We will also send our prize offers for 1895-6, in which
money incentives are to be offered for pen-drawing, story-writing,
poems, nonsense verses, entertainment programmes, photography, and music
settings, and for distributing some advertising matter about Harper's
Round Table.
This matter consists of announcements and a Handy Book. The latter is a
neat memorandum-book, which, besides blank pages, contains lists of
words often misspelled, interscholastic sport records, a calendar, list
of books to read, hints about amateur newspapers, how to get into West
Point, values of rare stamps and coins, and a great number of other
useful facts.
Of course no member or Patron is required or even asked to undertake
this work any more than they are asked to compete for prizes. Many
members wish to earn the rewards offered by the Table, and to all such
we desire to offer the first chance. These rewards consist of Order
badges in silver and gold, rubber stamps bearing your name and address,
fifty visiting cards with the copper plate, and a very limited number,
because we have only a few copies, of bound volumes of HARPER'S YOUNG
PEOPLE for 1893 or 1894. These rewards are offered, not for
subscriptions, but for giving printed matter to your friends. The offer
is limited, since we can allow only one member or Patron to accept it in
each town or neighborhood.
We repeat that the Order has no "have to's." But it has many literary
and prize advantages. We want the names and permanent addresses again in
order to correct our records. To all who send us such we forward the
Order's new Patent and our prize offers. Use a postal card--and write as
soon as convenient.
Who can give Us a Morsel on This?
An experience I once had with a garter-snake leads me to believe
that the family to which it belongs consists of more than one
variety. One warm day in May, while scouring the woods in search
of something of interest, I came upon a small pool at the edge of
the woods, seemingly a drinking-place for cattle. Yet the water
was black with a myriad of tadpoles, presided over by a monster
frog--the largest I have ever seen. I was interested in the queer
little wigglers, and did not notice the approach of a large snake,
making its way to the pool, till it had taken its fill of water,
as I then supposed. I quickly picked up a stone and killed the
snake, at first thinking it to be a water-adder. A second glance
showed it to be an unusually large garter-snake, less brilliantly
striped than any I had before seen.
I was about to leave the pool when I saw that the reptile's paunch
was considerably swollen, and that in it some live creature was
imprisoned. This aroused my curiosity, and in another moment I had
opened the paunch. To my astonishment seven squirming tadpoles
wriggled out upon the ground. I placed them in the pool, and all
swam off as briskly as before they had, Jonah-like, been swallowed
by a hungry monster.
Since this experience I have questioned in vain whether or not
there is a separate variety of the garter-snake which lives in or
near the water; or whether the snake was of the common variety,
and simply forced by hunger to make a meal of tadpoles. Can some
one enlighten me?
VINCENT V. M. BEEDE, R.T.F.
EAST ORANGE, N. J.
One Way to Learn.
One of the best ways to broaden one's mental horizon, to make one think
of more than the familiar things about him, is to enter into
correspondence with persons who live in distant States and countries.
You can find such correspondents in a variety of ways. Look in your
geography and see the name of a town in a far distant part of the
country. Perhaps it is a small village. It has a principal of a public
school. Write him a letter, briefly stating your purpose, and ask him
for the name of a pupil who wishes to correspond with you.
Are you interested in stamps, bugs, butterflies, minerals, rocks,
plants, autographs, cameras, amateur papers--anything? Enclose in your
letter a good specimen. It will interest somebody and hardly fail to
bring you a response. You can also find addresses through Sunday-school
teachers, Round Table Chapters, etc. Or you can, upon meeting a friend,
ask him or her for names of relatives who might like to correspond,
trade specimens, etc.
Use your ingenuity to find persons with the same hobby as your own. When
you find them, write them a really good letter; that is, treat them
well, not ill. Do not ask any one to excuse blots in letters. Busy
business men even do not do that. They write the letter over again, and
their time is more valuable than yours. Never say, "That isn't the best
I could do, but it is good enough." Only the best is good enough. Treat
your correspondents well, and you will derive much of both knowledge and
pleasure from them.
A Fire by the Esquimaux Method.
I read about the Esquimaux method of lighting fires in _Snow-shoes
and Sledges_. I had read about the method before, but had always
been somewhat sceptical on the subject. But as the directions were
plainer than any I had previously seen, I thought I would try it
myself. I procured a piece of soft pine and worked a hole in it
with my knife. The pencil I made of oak, and the piece that went
on top of the pencil I made of whitewood.
I then took an old bow, and taking the string off, put on a larger
one about an eighth of an inch in diameter. I took a turn of this
around the oak pencil, and drew the bow back and forth. At first I
could perceive no fire, but before long, to my surprise, the wood
began to smoke, and when I took the pencil out I found it was
somewhat charred. I have tried it several times since with more or
less success. I would like to know whether any one else has tried
this experiment, and how they have succeeded.
I would like some correspondents.
CASSIUS MORFORD.
BANFIELD, MICH.
Questions and Answers.
Avis K. Smith, Box 84, San Luis Obispo, Cal., wants to hear from a
Chapter that admits corresponding members. Gérasime Dubois, 21 Chaussie
du Vouldy, Troyes, Champagne, France, is a French Knight of the Order,
and wants to correspond in French, German, or English, to improve his
own and his correspondents' language construction. He will write in any
or all of the languages. O. Prussack, R. T. K., 84 Norfolk Street, New
York, wants to join a literary Chapter.
* * * * *
Elizabeth A. Hyde, 1458 Euclid Place, N. W., Washington, D. C., wants to
hear from other Washington members willing to help her get up an
entertainment in that city in aid of the School Fund. S. L. Barksdale, a
Mississippi Knight, says he has a good many correspondents. It is their
custom, besides describing places each may have visited, to propound
questions. They differ about answers sometimes, and so they send us five
questions, agreeing to abide by our decisions. What is the Flower City
and what the Flour City? Springfield, Ill. and Rochester. N. Y.
respectively. How does a spider get his web from one tree to another?
How does he spin a round web? How does he keep lines the same distance
apart? And what keeps him from falling?
The spider possesses no special ability to get from one tree to another.
He depends upon the wind generally. He spins a single thread long enough
to reach across and then trusts to the wind. If the end attaches itself
at what he deems the wrong place, he goes over it where it is, or around
by way of the ground and adjusts it. He makes the web regular, both in
size and distances apart, because he possesses mathematical and
mechanical instinct, just as does the bee, only in less degree. He keeps
from falling by clinging to his web. He possesses no peculiar power in
this respect over other insects. We cannot express an opinion whether a
certain firm is reliable or not. The price of Abbott's _Life of
Napoleon_ is $5 in cloth.
* * * * *
The rules of knucks up, with marbles, vary greatly. Here is one way to
play it: Dig three holes in the ground three inches in diameter and four
feet or more apart. The first player starting at the first hole tries to
get his marble into the second hole. If he succeeds he takes a span with
his hand and proceeds to the third; if he fails, the next player
follows. Should he manage to get into the hole, he plays again, and can
either try for the third hole or try to knock his opponent further away
from the hole. He also has the privilege of a span. If he should hit his
opponent's marble, the hit counts another hole for him, but he must put
his marble into the hole he was playing for before he can shoot at his
opponent's marble. There is a point to be gained in carrying your
opponent's marble from hole to hole. You can finish the game in this
way.
The players continue in this way until one or the other has gone up and
down three times. The player who has lost the game places his clinched
fist on one side of any of the holes, with his marble in front of his
fist. The winner gets on the opposite side. He then takes aim, closes
his eyes, and shoots. He does this three times, his eyes closed, and
every time he misses, or hits his opponent's marble, he has to put his
knuckles up on his side of the hole while the loser shoots at them.
These are called the "blind" shots. Then he shoots three times at the
loser's knuckles with his eyes open. These shots he very seldom misses.
It is best not to have too many players, because there is likely to be
confusion in the marbles and the holes. You can also play partners in
the same way.
* * * * *
The largest city in the United States is New York, and its population,
recently enumerated, is only a little below 2,000,000. The following
States fought for the Southern cause of 1861, passing secession
ordinances on dates in the order named: South Carolina, Mississippi,
Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, North
Carolina, and Tennessee. The States of Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and
Delaware refused to secede, but passed ordinances declaring themselves
to be neutral.
A VILLAGE OF CHESS-PLAYERS.
We learn from a foreign journal that the village of Stroebeck is known
throughout the whole of Germany as the "chess-playing village." For
centuries every native of that village, from the prosperous freeholder
down to the poor shepherd, has been an enthusiastic and a more or less
efficient chess-player.
From time immemorial the knowledge and love of the game have been handed
down from one generation to another, and parents are still in the habit
of teaching it to their children as soon almost as they are able to
walk. It is one of the regular subjects taught at the village school.
Once a year, at Easter, the children's knowledge of the game is tested
by a kind of examination conducted by an examining committee of
peasants, of which the clergyman is the president and the school-master
the vice-president. Forty-eight of the scholars are selected by lot, and
matched against each other by a similar method. The twenty-four winners
in the series of single combats then enter upon a second struggle among
themselves, and the remaining twelve on the third. The six winners in
the threefold contest are declared the champion players of the school.
They each receive a prize, consisting of a chess-board and chessmen, and
are escorted home by their parents and friends after the manner of the
Olympian victors among the ancient Greeks. Afterwards a feast is given
in their honor to which all the friends and relations are invited.
MARSHMALLOW PASTE AND CANDIES.
Dissolve five ounces of best white gum-arabic in twenty table-spoonfuls
of water, and strain it. Put it with a pound of powdered sugar into a
basin, and place this basin in another containing water. A farina or
double boiler is especially good to use for this cooking. Stir
constantly till the mass is very stiff and very white. Divide the paste
while still hot into parts, flavoring one with vanilla, another with
rose and a few drops of pink coloring matter, and another with
orange-flower water, if strong and fresh. Then pour the paste into tin
dishes dusted with corn-starch. When cool divide into squares with a
sharp knife, using it with a quick stroke. A variety of candy can be
made with this paste by dipping the squares when perfectly cold in
fondant. The fondant should be melted in small quantities, and each
portion differently colored and flavored. From marshmallow paste is made
another attractive candy, called Neapolitan nougat. Make the marshmallow
paste as before, but when thick and white add the well-beaten white of
an egg. When well blended remove the mass from the fire, flavor with
vanilla, and add a pound of blanched, chopped almonds, and an ounce of
pistache nuts, also blanched and chopped. When well mixed press into a
box, and when cold cut into bars and wrap each bar in double waxed
paper. As this candy will not keep long put it into an airtight box.
[Illustration: Ivory Soap]
Elisabeth R. Scovil in her book, "The Care of Children," recommends the
use of Ivory Soap for bathing infants, and says: "There is no particular
virtue in Castile Soap, which has long been consecrated to this
purpose."
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.
[Illustration]
EARN A TRICYCLE!
We wish to introduce our Teas, Spices, and Baking Powder. Sell 30 lbs.
and we will give you a Fairy Tricycle; sell 25 lbs. for a Solid Silver
Watch and Chain; 50 lbs. for a Gold Watch and Chain; 75 lbs. for a
Bicycle; 10 lbs. for a Beautiful Gold Ring. Express prepaid if cash is
sent for goods. Write for catalog and order sheet.
W. G. BAKER,
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
HARPER'S CATALOGUE
thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any
address on receipt of ten cents.
[Illustration]
WONDER CABINET =FREE=. Missing Link Puzzle, Devil's Bottle, Pocket
Camera, Latest Wire Puzzle, Spook Photos, Book of Sleight of Hand, Total
Value 60c. Sent free with immense catalogue of 1000 Bargains for 10c.
for postage.
INGERSOLL & BRO., 65 Cortlandt Street, N. Y.
[Illustration: If afflicted with SORE EYES USE Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE
WATER]
By Kirk Munroe
* * * * *
Snow-Shoes and Sledges.
A Sequel to "The Fur-Seal's Tooth." Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth,
Ornamental. (_Nearly Ready._)
Mr. Munroe long ago established himself as one of our ablest juvenile
writers, and this latest work from his pen is perhaps the best that he
has published. The story continues the adventures of two boys--Phil
Ryder, a New-Englander, and Serge Belcofsky, an Alaskan--from St.
Michaels, in the northern part of Alaska, through a 2000-mile trip with
dog-sleds and snow-shoes up the Yukon River and across the mountains to
Sitka.
The Fur-Seal's Tooth.
A Story of Alaskan Adventure. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth,
Ornamental, $1.25.
A fresh and well-told narrative.... One would not willingly lose a page
of this charming story.--_Philadelphia Ledger._
* * * * *
_PREVIOUS VOLUMES BY MR. MUNROE:_
=Raftmates.--Canoemates.--Campmates.--Dorymates.= Post 8vo, Cloth,
Ornamental, $1.25 each. The Four Volumes in a Box, $5.00.
=Wakulla.--Flamingo Feather.--Derrick Sterling.--Chrystal, Jack &
Co., and Delta Bixby.= Illustrated. Square 16mo, Cloth, Ornamental,
$1.00 each.
* * * * *
HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York
[Illustration: MELVILLE IS AN INGENIOUS LAD. WITH HIS OLD HOBBY-HORSE
AND SOME PARTS OF AN OLD BICYCLE HE HAS A STEED THAT COMES NEARER A REAL
ANIMAL THAN ANYTHING YET SEEN.]
STORIES BY GRANDMA.
REMARKABLE HARVEST OF WILD ANIMALS.
"Grandma," said Ralph, "what did Uncle James go to Borneo for?"
"Well, I declare," answered Grandma; "who ever said that anybody ever
went anywhere?"
"You did, Grandma, you know you did; you're trying now to get out of
telling me a story."
"But telling you what he went to Borneo for isn't a story."
"No; but it's a good start for one," insisted Ralph.
"Well, then, he went there for his health, I believe," answered Grandma.
"What was the trouble with his health?"
"The doctor said he had indigestion."
"So he went to Borneo, did he?"
"Yes."
"But you are _so_ tantalizing, Grandma. Why is Borneo good for
indigestion?"
"Well, the doctor advised him to exercise by riding horseback. He told
your uncle that the shaking up which it would give him would be good for
him. But he didn't like to ride, so he went to Borneo instead."
"Well, I don't understand it at all," and Ralph drew a long breath and
looked deeply perplexed.
"Why, you see the earthquakes there come so often that they keep a
person bouncing up and down just as if he were riding horseback all the
time--so your uncle said. He would often tell, too, of what a good place
it was to sleep, because there are three or four earthquakes every night
which toss you up and turn you over and save you the trouble."
"I don't hardly _think_ I'd like it," said Ralph.
"Perhaps not," returned Grandma. "It makes some people nervous. He said
himself that it was the most fidgety and excitable island that he was
ever on. It would be a good place to play jackstones--don't you think
so?--the earthquake would toss 'em for you, and all you'd have to do
would be to hold out your hand and look on."
Ralph smiled a little, then he said, "_Now_ tell me the story about
Uncle James and Borneo."
"Oh, dear; I thought perhaps you'd forgotten that. Well, you know Borneo
is full of wild animals--lions and tigers and leopards and hyenas and
jackals and ant-eaters and chimpanzees and--"
"What are jimpansies?" asked Ralph.
"Chimpanzees are a big kind of monkey--you've seen pictures of them.
Your uncle James noticed that during every earthquake the animals were
shaken all over the country. They would go rattling and rolling around
on the ground everywhere, like pop-corn in a popper. He looked at the
wild-animal-market reports in the newspapers and saw that they brought
good prices to sell to circuses and park museums, so he made up his mind
to catch a few ship-loads and send them back to this country.
"The first thing he did was to hire a hundred Chinamen. He set them at
work digging a big hole in the ground. He made it two hundred feet long,
a hundred feet wide, and twenty-five feet deep; and when it was all done
he went home to his bamboo house and waited for a big earthquake. In a
day or two one came. It shook the animals out of the woods till the
ground was all covered with them, rolling about everywhere. There was
every kind of animal, from wild dogs and porcupines to elephants and
hippopotami. They soon began to roll into the hole, and as the
earthquake kept on it gradually filled up. Pretty soon it was full, and
ferocious and bloodthirsty beasts were boiling up out of it just like
foam out of a glass of soda-water--so I remember your uncle said. Then
just as the earthquake stopped he went out with the Chinamen and put a
big net over the hole, and staked it down all around; and there he had a
hundred thousand bushels of fresh wild animals.
"As soon as he could, your uncle began to take out the animals and load
them into freight cars to ship to the coast. He didn't get them out any
too soon, either, because the earthquake had rattled all of the little
ones to the bottom and the big ones to the top, and the little fellows
were pretty nearly smothered. One chimpanzee was so cross over being
squeezed that he hit an orang-outang on the nose, and if the men hadn't
separated them there would have been a serious fight. There were a few
natives mixed with the animals, so your uncle said; but he sorted them
out very carefully, because he didn't want the folks he sold them to to
say that he was trying to adulterate his animals with natives."
"That's a very _interesting_ story," said Ralph, "but it seems to me
that it is a pretty hard story to believe."
"It seems that way to me, too," replied Grandma. "But I suppose that is
because we never travelled in distant lands. Perhaps when you grow up
you can go to Borneo and see if you can find the hole in which your
uncle caught the animals."
H. C.
At a recent School Board examination in India, where the task was an
essay to be written on boys, the following was handed in by a girl of
twelve years:
"The boy is not an animal, yet they can be heard to a considerable
distance. When a boy hollers he opens his big mouth like frogs; but
girls hold their tongue till they are spoke too, and then they answer
respectable and tell just how it was. A boy thinks himself clever
because he can wade where it is deep; but God made the dry land for
every living thing, and rested on the seventh day. When the boy grows up
he is called a husband, and then he stops wading, but the grew-up girl
is a widow and keeps house."
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, August 27, 1895, by Various