others to King Cunobelin's Gold Mines(29). Of course we were
disappointed at not being able to visit the heart of Midlothian(30),
Montezuma's Watch(31), or the Land of the Morning Calm(32). But we got
home on Running Thursday(33), just in time for New Year next day. We had
a little money left, for we had consulted the wise men of Gotham(34).
Had we not done so, we should certainly have donned the badge of
poverty(35) forthwith, or we might have put on a badge bearing what
follows, and charge a certain sum per guess at the answer. Did you ever
hear of a person increasing his income in that way? But here is what we
might have donned, for people whom we met to answer.
"I(36) used to live, for two hundred years or so, in the tops of high
trees in the forest. Then I was smashed, oh! so fine, and went into war.
I played an important part in the Civil War. I helped to kill, and was,
by thousands and thousands of men, torn to pieces myself. I am light,
yet heavy, and everybody knows me, or of me."
Or this badge might have earned us more money:
"I(37) have two legs only, but everybody would say, judging from my
name, that I have a dozen. I am often called a crank. Know books? Yes,
but never read them. I have much to do with chairs--wearing them
out--and people often wonder how I live."
But to return to the trip long enough to say that it was a great one!
* * * * *
In this fanciful story are mentioned some famous people, usually by
their nicknames, and some odd historic places and things. There are also
two riddles. In sending answers, do not write out the story. Number
names as numbered here, write one below another in the proper order, and
put your name and address at the top of your first sheet of answers.
Mail answers not later than January 9, 1897, to HARPER'S ROUND TABLE,
New York--no street number required--and put in the lower left-hand
corner of your envelope "Puzzle Answer." Correct answers, with names of
winners, will be published in HARPER'S ROUND TABLE as early after the
close of the contest as possible, probably within about two weeks.
The prizes, which will be awarded by the Messrs. Harper & Brothers,
Publishers, New York, are: $40, divided among the ten best solvers
according to merit. If one solver stands conspicuously ahead of the rest
he or she will be given from $10 to $25, as the comparative excellence
of the answer warrants. Persons of any age may help find the answers,
but only those who have not passed their 18th birthday, and who are
members of households in which this paper is regularly read, may send
them in. Merit signifies correctness and neatness, and has no reference
to the solution reaching the office of HARPER'S ROUND TABLE first in
point of time. Elaborate decoration of answers is not encouraged. Use
common stationery, note size, and do not roll. Write on one side of the
paper only. Everything comes to those who--try!
[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.
The stamp business was unusually dull throughout the summer and fall,
and the expected revival has not yet appeared. Probably one reason is
that every one is waiting for the 1897 catalogues. The astonishing rise
in the value of unused stamps seems to have concentrated speculation in
this direction, and the needless manufacture of "new varieties" with
fancy prices has discouraged the average collector. It is high time to
come down to a philatelic basis, and let the financial side of
collecting alone for a season. The advance in prices has nearly reached
its limit in the majority of cases, and subsequent increase of value
will be slow. In many instances there will be either a retrocession,
or--the dealers will keep the stamps in their safes vainly waiting for
customers.
Some idea of the extent of the U. S. postal service is given in the
following figures from the President's message:
MAIL MATTER FOR THE YEAR ENDING
June 30, 1896.
Weight.
Pounds. Revenue.
Letters and postal cards 65,337,343 $60,624,464
Newspapers 348,988,648 2,996,403
Books, seeds, etc. 78,701,148 10,324,069
Merchandise 19,950,187 3,129,321
Free matter 94,480,189 ....
Received for box rents, etc., over .... 5,424,951
----------- -----------
Total 607,457,515 $82,499,208
The entire expenditures of the department, including pay for
transportation credited to the Pacific railroads, was $92,186,195.11,
which may be considered as the cost of receiving, carrying, and
delivering the above mail-matter.
F. ORMISTON.--An immense quantity of Roman States remainders were
sold to dealers, hence prices are very low. Your stamps are worth
from 3c. to 5c. each.
M. E. JENKINS.--U. S. cent, 1798, worth 20c.; 1802, 25c.;
half-cent, 1809, 10c.; 1828, 20c.; 10c. shinplaster, face. "Army
and Navy" is not a coin, but is a token, and has no money value.
D. W. HARDIN, 1003 Court Street, Saginaw, Mich., wishes to exchange
U. S. Revenues with beginners in the same line.
H. L. MOSSMAN.--Canadian penny, 1854, is worth face only.
CONSTANT READER.--1. See reply to A. W. de Roade in No. 893. 2. The
coins have no premium. 3. Apply to any respectable dealer.
F. T. O.--Bergedorf half-schilling is worth 50c. The 5c. Columbian
worth 1c.
DEL ROSE MCCANN, Ridley Park, Pa., F. MIKELSKI, Bath, Me., wish to
exchange stamps.
J. RICO.--Do not attempt too much. The collection of minor
varieties requires time, money, and knowledge. You had better
collect "straight" stamps only. By the time you have got together
three or four thousand you will have required much knowledge, and
then be in a position to decide what special line, _if any_, you
purpose to take.
A. A. LATO.--West Indian and U. S. stamps _unused_ were the
fashionable stamps during the past year. The results of the late
auctions indicate quite a falling off in values. Probably now would
be a good time to collect them, if you care to specialize in them.
PHILATUS.
[Illustration: IVORY SOAP]
A fine complexion is too rare
To run the risk of losing;
But everyone who takes good care
(All other kinds refusing)
To get pure Ivory, grows more fair
With every day of using.
Copyright, 1896, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.
[Illustration: HOME STUDY]
of
SHORTHAND
and our instruction
BY MAIL
will prepare
Young Women and Men
to occupy positions of trust. We also instruct in =Book-keeping,
Penmanship, Commercial Law, etc.= by same method, fitting young and
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at once the most inexpensive and thorough method of securing a practical
business education. Trial lesson 10c. Interesting Catalogue free.
Address
_BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE_,
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EARN A GOLD WATCH!
[Illustration]
We wish to Introduce our =Teas and Baking Powder=. Sell 50 lbs. to earn
a =Waltham Gold Watch and Chain=; 25 lbs. for a =Silver Watch and
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75 lbs. for a =Bicycle=. Write for a Catalog and Order Blank to Dept. I
W. G. BAKER,
Springfield Mass.
BOYS and GIRLS
can earn money by working half an hour daily distributing free samples
of Headache Powders. For full particulars address, CAPITAL DRUG CO., Box
880, Augusta, Me.
[Illustration]
To Show
Your
Heels
To other skaters wear the
Barney & Berry Skates.
Highest Award World's Fair.
Catalogue Free.
BARNEY & BERRY, Springfield, Mass.
LAUGHING CAMERA, 10c.
[Illustration: MY! OH MY!!]
The latest invention in Cameras. You look through the lens and your
stout friends will look like living skeletons, your thin friends like
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as though you were living in another world. Each camera contains two
strong lenses in neatly finished leatherette case. The latest
mirth-maker on the market; creates bushels of sport. Catalogue of 1,000
novelties and sample camera 10c., 3 for 25c., 12 for 90c. mailed
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ROBT. H. INGERSOLL & BRO.,
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For Young Americans
* * * * *
GEORGE WASHINGTON
By WOODROW WILSON, Ph.D., LL.D. Copiously Illustrated by HOWARD PYLE,
HARRY FENN, and Others. Crown 8vo, Cloth, Deckel Edges and Gilt Top,
$3.00.
Professor Wilson has made at the same time a new biography of
Washington and a new history of America in Washington's time. In
the perspective of American history, a perspective clearer,
perhaps, to this writer than to any other, the period treated is
especially significant, being the culmination of the colonial era,
and including the final overthrow of French dominion on American
soil, the Revolutionary War, and the establishment of the Republic
on the firm basis of constitutional law. Upon this historic
background Professor Wilson has painted his living portrait of
Washington, and with masterly skill and homely simplicity has shown
the relation of the man to the stirring events of his time, and has
made the whole epoch luminous with the spirit of its foremost man.
To many readers the most charming feature of this work will be the
picture presented of Washington in the quiet days of Mount Vernon
before and after the Revolution.
* * * * *
HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York
[Illustration]
POSTER CALENDAR. 1897
_By Edward Penfield. Price 50c._
Published by R. H. Russell & Son, New York.
[Illustration: THE ANIMALS ENJOY A NOVEL CHRISTMAS TREE BY COURTESY OF
THE SQUIRREL.]
* * * * *
A BRAVE LITTLE GIRL.
Just one more kiss for good-night, mamma,
Just one more kiss for good-night;
And then you may go to my dear papa,
And--yes--you may put out the light;
For I'll promise you truly I _won't_ be afraid,
As I was last night; you'll see,
'Cause I'm going to be papa's _brave_ little maid,
As he told me I ought to be.
But the shadows won't seem so dark, mamma,
If you'll kiss me a _little_ bit more;
And you know I can listen, and hear where you are,
If you only _won't_--shut the door.
For if I can hear you talking, I think
It will make me so sleepy, maybe,
That I'll go to sleep just as quick as a wink,
And forget to--to cry like a baby.
You needn't be laughing, my mamma dear,
While you're hugging me up so tight;
You think I am trying to keep you here,
You, and--I guess--the _light_.
Please kiss me good-night once more, mamma;
I could surely my promise keep
If you'd only stay with me just as you are,
And kiss me till--I go to sleep.
* * * * *
ONE GOOD REASON.
BETTIE WITLESS. "Why does that little boy always go barefooted?"
SALLIE KNOWALL. "Why, because he has more feet than shoes."
* * * * *
Abraham Lincoln was fond of a good story, and it is a well-known fact
that he often illustrated an important point in the business at hand by
resorting to his favorite pastime. Probably one of the best he ever told
he related of himself when he was a lawyer in Illinois. One day Lincoln
and a certain judge, who was an intimate friend of his, were bantering
each other about horses, a favorite topic of theirs. Finally Lincoln
said:
"Well, look here, judge. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll make a
horse-trade with you, only it must be upon these stipulations: Neither
party shall see the other's horse until it is produced here in the
court-yard of the hotel, and both parties must trade horses. If either
party backs out of the agreement, he does so under a forfeiture of
twenty-five dollars."
"Agreed," cried the judge, and both he and Lincoln went in quest of
their respective animals.
A crowd gathered, anticipating some fun, and when the judge returned
first, the laugh was uproarious. He led, or rather dragged, at the end
of a halter the meanest, boniest, rib-staring quadruped--blind in both
eyes--that ever pressed turf. But presently Lincoln came along carrying
over his shoulder a carpenter's horse. Then the mirth of the crowd was
furious. Lincoln solemnly set his horse down, and silently surveyed the
judge's animal with a comical look of infinite disgust.
"Well, judge," he finally said, "this is the first time I ever got the
worst of it in a horse-trade."
* * * * *
NEW VARIETY OF COOKING.
MOTHER. "Freddie, pass the bread."
FREDDIE (_who has been studying about minerals at school_). "Do you want
aluminum bread, or the other kind?"
MOTHER. "What do you mean?"
FREDDIE. "One is very light and the other isn't."
* * * * *
SOME NATURAL HISTORY.
TRIPSEY. "I wonder does the catamaran feed on mice?"
FRIPSEY. "Yes; and the dromedary maid gives him cheese that she makes.
The tomahawk catches young chickens for food, the wanderoo eats nothing
on a journey, the spinning-jenny lives on cotton, the monkey-wrench apes
the saw horse, and lives on wood; while the gunwale eats nothing, the
toad-eater diets on favors, and the Welsh rabbit feeds everybody but
himself. Animals are queer things, Trip."
* * * * *
NEAR NEIGHBORS.
PROFESSOR SNIBLEY. "The _os humeris_ is the shoulder-blade, is it?"
STUDENT. "I'm not sure, sir; but it's somewhere near the funny-bone."
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, December 22, 1896, by Various