The work done inside the King's palace was not seen by the multitude,
but they saw large pipes laid in the ditches, the ditches themselves
filled up, and a long row of tubes rising ten or twelve feet in the air,
whose uses they could not divine. But in spite of the diverse rumors
still circulated by the Snarlitz faction, the people cheered themselves
with the reassuring words of the Princess Amber, and patiently awaited
results. This was strengthened by the reports of the workmen who were
employed in the palace, and who averred--though they were bound to
secrecy--that what was to be done would be a great public benefit. Much
speculation was indulged in as to what the secret doings were, but after
a time this faded out; the people minded their own affairs, and only
talked about the matter occasionally when they passed the tall tubes in
the roadway. A guard was placed on the great tank on the hill, and the
public at large were forbidden to visit the spot.
And so time passed on until the six-months day had ended, the sun had
sunk out of sight, and the twilight had deepened into gloom. Then
suddenly bright lights were seen in all the windows of the King's
palace, and there issued forth a number of men bearing lighted torches,
which they applied hurriedly to the tops of the tubes that lined the
roadway down into and along the principal streets of the town.
A steady light was given out by each of these gigantic candles, making
the roadway and street light and cheery, while crowds of people came
from all quarters to enjoy the novel spectacle.
Count Gofaster was the hero of the hour. Even the adherents of Snarlitz
were silenced and forced to admit that the giant had conferred the third
great benefit on the state. The King, in his own brilliantly lighted
hall of audience, thanked him before the assembled nobles of the Court
for the great service he had rendered.
"In due time," said the King, "every street in the town shall be lighted
through this means, and if the six months of night be not bright as day,
they will at least be rendered enjoyable."
It was now the opportunity of Gofaster to demand the fulfilment of the
King's pledge in regard to the man who should confer three benefits on
the state and obtain the favor of the Princess.
But Gofaster dared not speak. To his surprise and sorrow, he found that
the manner of the Princess was not only less cordial, but shy and
reserved, and that she seemed to avoid him. The young giant was not
versed in the ways of womankind, and found discouragement in what should
have given him hope. He had not studied the proverb, "Faint heart never
won fair lady," and reflected much upon his former comparatively low
condition, from which he had only been removed by the favor of the
sovereign, and which did not seem to warrant a close alliance with the
royal family. He became moody, and sank into a kind of hopeless gloom,
under which his health suffered. His friend the Prime-minister saw this,
but did not conjecture the cause; neither, apparently, did the King nor
Princess.
Gofaster withdrew himself as much as possible from the royal presence,
and seemed to have no friend to whom he was willing to confide his
trouble. He even forgot the Phooka, but the latter did not forget him.
As Gofaster was seated in his apartments, ruminating upon his sad fate,
he heard a hollow laugh near him, which he recognized as that of his
invisible guardian.
"Clearly," said the goblin, "all human beings are fools, and Count
Gofaster seems to be about the biggest fool of all."
The giant did not resent the reproach, for the gratitude toward his
benefactor blunted the point of it, if it did not relieve the sting.
"Possibly," he said, in reply. "But why now more than usual?"
"Clearly," answered the other, "because you are breaking your heart
about the love of a young woman who is breaking hers because you do not
make the proper advances. Do you expect a maiden, setting aside her high
rank, to be won without wooing?"
"But I dare not," said Gofaster, despairingly.
"He who dares not is lost," said the Phooka. "I know everything that
goes on through the palace, because I pass everywhere without
observation. The Princess believes you indifferent to her charms, and is
mortified that she has given her heart to one who treats her with
neglect. The whole town is talking of it, and wondering why you do not
embrace the good-fortune in store for you."
A new light broke in upon the giant's mind. "I shall try," he said.
"Try is the best dog in the pack," said the goblin.
Gofaster now plucked up courage and appeared at the audience--which was
given every twenty-four hours--bravely arrayed, and with a cheerful
face. He joined in conversation with the friends whom he had made among
the nobles, and even ventured to address some observations to the
Princess and the ladies of honor around her, the latter of whom received
him with marked pleasure. Bit by bit the conversation in this group
became general, and finally the Princess herself joined in it, throwing
off her reserve. As the two spoke together more freely, the ladies of
honor drew back, as if by tacit agreement, and the Princess and Gofaster
were left together.
"I have not sufficiently congratulated you, Count," said the Princess,
"on your last great achievement."
"Nor have I, your Royal Highness," answered he, "thanked you for the
kindly and effective words you spoke in behalf of my project when its
success seemed doubtful."
"But _I_ never doubted it or you," said the Princess.
"Princess Amber," said the giant. But here he stopped.
"Well, Count?" said the Princess.
"I have been fortunate enough," said he, "to render three times some
service to the state, and might claim some reward for it; but there is
only one reward that I desire, and that depends upon your Royal
Highness."
"Name it," said the Princess. "Speak freely."
"I would be bold enough to ask your father for your hand were I sure it
would meet with approval from you, but I have not had the presumption to
hope."
"He who deserves," said the Princess, blushing, "does not presume," and
she turned away.
Thus encouraged, Gofaster boldly preferred a request to the King that
the royal pledge should be fulfilled. The King smiled good-naturedly,
and saying "A King should never break his word," led him to the Princess
and joined their hands. Then turning to the Court, he said: "We give our
daughter a fitting mate and the kingdom an heir-presumptive on whose
courage and capacity it can rely."
The lords and ladies of the Court congratulated the betrothed couple,
who were shortly after wedded in great state, to the satisfaction of
all.
Some weeks after the marriage, as Prince Gofaster--for he had been
raised to that rank--was passing into his cabinet, he heard the hollow
laugh which betokened the presence of Shon the Phooka. Turning to face
the sound, he saw before him a laughing boy a little over four feet in
height, who wore what seemed to be the jerkin of strength and the shoes
of endurance, shrunk to his own size.
"I have resumed my property," said Shon, "because you have no further
use for them, with the exception of the cap of intellect, which I leave
behind for your use. So long as you have that it will give you what
additional strength and endurance you require. I now leave you. My term
of banishment will end in a week. If my monarch knew what service I had
rendered you I should be banished again; but, fortunately, there is no
stray Phooka here to tattle, and I shall keep my own counsel. Rely upon
the cap of intellect, and your future, though it may be checkered by
losses and crosses, will be a glorious one."
"In what way can I show my gratitude to you?" said Gofaster. "How can I
let you know what I feel?"
"Best," replied the goblin, "by forgetting me in course of time. As days
and years go by all sense of obligation in human creatures grows less,
and I doubt if you will be the sole exception to the rule." Then, with a
hollow laugh, he disappeared.
The Princess Amber succeeded to the throne. How long and how wisely they
ruled the kingdom, and how, when the King died, he was succeeded by his
oldest son--this is all written in the chronicles of Huperborea. I
should be glad to tell all about it, but I have not been able to obtain
a copy of those chronicles. The Phooka has never shown himself to me,
and I have not been able to get him to convey me midway beyond the
barrier of ice and snow which separates Huperborea and its surrounding
kingdoms from the rest of the world; and the reader must be content with
what I have given him and ask for no more.
AN EXTRAVAGANT COSTUME.
There have been dandies and dudes in all ages. A hundred years ago these
were known humorously as "Macaronis," and their dress was wonderful. A
journal published at that time says:
"A few days ago a Macaroni made his appearance in the Assembly Rooms at
Whitehaven in the following dress: A mixed silk coat, pink sattin
waistcoat and breeches, covered with an elegant silver nett; white silk
stockings, with pink clocks; pink sattin shoes and large pearl buckles;
a mushroom-coloured stock, covered with a fine point-lace; his hair
dressed remarkably high, and stuck full of pearl pins."
[Illustration]
THE CHRISTMAS PIE.
BY MRS. DAVID MACLURE.
It was a merry Christmas Day
Not many years gone by;
A day of gifts and songs, my dear--
Description they defy;
But some especial features were
Roast turkey, nuts, and pie--
Particularly Pie!
On that bright day, not long ago,
A little friend of mine
Had had a merry time, my dear
(His age, I think, was nine);
He had a merry time, I say,
With all that cash could buy--
Especially with Pie!
He went to bed that Christmas night,
And closed his weary eye;
And what occurred thereafter, dear,
Was traceable to pie,
Though turkey had a share indeed,
Which no one can deny--
But not compared with Pie!
At midnight's still uncanny hour,
Lo! perched on each bedpost,
Appeared a long-necked turkey hen--
A pale, plucked, pimply ghost--
And sat and ogled him the while,
With wicked, leering eye,
Ejaculating "Pie!"
And there they sat through all the night,
Except that once each chime
They played at leap-frog on the bed,
And chanted all the time
A very melancholy song,
In tones pitched harsh and high:
"O give, O give me Pie!"
At early dawn my youthful friend
Sprang from his bed in flight,
To find the phantoms of his dreams
Had vanished with the night.
Said he: "Good Christmas cheer is fine,
But Wisdom's voice doth cry:
Pray draw the line at Pie!"
So, dear young friends, a word to you
Right at this Christmas Eve:
Use caution with your appetite,
Or cause may come to grieve.
Remember, _Indigestion_, dear,
Few stomachs can defy,
And draw the line at Pie.
THE MAGIC STOCKING.
A BIT OF CHRISTMAS MERRIMENT IN ONE ACT.
_CHARACTERS_:
SANTA CLAUS, _a jolly old elf_.
MARY, _mother's little woman, aged thirteen_.
NAN, _a stout champion of_ Santa Claus, _aged eight_.
LUCY, _a wee darling of three years_.
TOMMY, _a scoffer at_ Santa Claus, _aged eleven_.
TIME.--_The night before Christmas._
Scene.--_A cosy nursery with low-turned lights and bright fire. The
curtain rises, showing the children grouped around the fire,
little_ Lucy _in night-gown and tiny night-cap, cuddled with_ Mary
_in the big arm-chair_. Nan _is seated on a low stool_, Tommy _is
stretched at full length on the rug. They are making preparations
to hang up their stockings_.
_Nan_. Now let's begin at the beginning and sing it all over again.
_Mary_ (_caressingly_). But Lucy is so sleepy.
_Lucy_ (_drowsily_). Lucy isn't sleepy. Lucy wants to wait for Santa
Claus.
_Tommy_ (_contemptuously_). Santa Claus!
_Mary_ (_reproachfully_). Oh, Tommy!
_Nan_ (_tying on her night-cap_). You start it, Mary.
[They all sing.]
"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that old Santa Claus soon would be there.
The children were nestled all--"
_Tommy_. Oh, but you know there isn't any such person as Santa Claus.
_Mary_ (_very reproachfully_). Oh, Tommy!
_Nan_. Now, Tommy, you just stop.
_Tommy_. But there isn't, and you know it. It's just our fath--
_Nan_. Of course there's a Santa Claus.
_Lucy_ (_sleepily_). Dear old Santa Claus! He'll come down the chimney
pretty soon, won't he, Mary?
_Mary_. Yes, darling. You'll hear the tinkle of his jolly little
sleigh-bells, and then up he'll fly with his eight tiny reindeer.
[Sings.]
"To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall,
Now dash away, dash away, dash away all.
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around
Down the chimney old Santa Claus came with a bound!"
_Nan_ (_triumphantly_). There, Mr. Tommy, do you hear what it says?
_Tommy_. I don't care what it says. That's just a baby story. Santa
Claus! Shoot Santa Claus!
_Nan_. You'll catch it when he does come!
_Lucy_ (_confidently_). He's coming pretty soon, I guess.
_Tommy_. I ain't afraid of any Santa Claus. No reindeer could go flying
over house-tops. Now, I leave it to you, could they? Deers and cows and
horses and that kind of animals ain't made to fly. 'Tain't reasonable.
Santa Claus! I tell you there ain't any. There never was and never will
be. He's just a big, old--
_Nan_. Delicious, delightful--
_Tommy_. Deceitful, de-mol-al-iz-ing Fraud!
_Lucy_ (_sleepily_). Dear old Santa Claus! When he comes I'll just give
him a great big hug (_nodding_). I love good old Santa Claus. We love
him (_dreamily_), don't we, Nannie? but Tommy says--Tommy he says--
_Mary_ (_soothingly_). Never mind what Tommy says, darling.
[Sings softly.]
"He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings--"
_Tommy_. That's a likely story!
_Nan_. He won't put much in your stocking, Tommy Franklin.
_Mary_ (_softly_). 'Sh! Lucy's sound asleep, little sweetheart.
_Nan_. You've hung up the biggest stocking of any of us. What did you
hang up your stocking for if there isn't any Santa Claus?
_Tommy_ (_with pretended indifference_). Oh, just out of habit, I
s'pose. Just 'cause I always have. And I know well enough who'll fill
it. It isn't any old humbug of a Santa Claus.
[_While they have been talking and singing the children have hung
their stockings in a row on the mantel._ Tommy's _being a
conspicuously large and long one. A faint tinkle of sleigh-bells is
now heard. It comes nearer and nearer, and finally stops. The
children listen intently_.]
_Nan_ (_in an excited whisper_). I believe he's come!
_Mary_. Oh, hark!
_Tommy_. I tell you, Santa Claus is a great big humbug.
[_A loud jingling of bells is heard, and a great stamping of feet
at the door._ Lucy _wakes and rubs her eyes_. Tommy _tries to look
unconcerned_. Nan, _half frightened, draws closer to_ Mary, _and,
as the last word drops from_ Tommy's _lips_, Santa Claus _enters
with a bound. The children make inarticulate exclamations of
rapture and delight, and watch the movements of_ Santa Claus _with
wide-open eyes_. Santa Claus, _after depositing his pack on the
floor, proceeds to the business of filling the stockings_.]
_Santa Claus_ (_chuckling to himself_). Well, well, well! Here's a nice
row of stockings--a nice row of dear children's stockings! And here are
the blessed children themselves waiting patiently till I don't know what
o'clock at night, just to catch a glimpse of old Santa. That's the way
with the darlings. They know who loves them. They know--oh yes,
yes!--they know old Santa.
_Lucy_ (_slipping from_ Mary's _lap and timidly approaching_ Santa
Claus). I love you more than a bushel, dear Santa Claus.
_Santa Claus_ (_taking her upon his knee_). Bless her heart, of course
she does. And she may sit on old Santa's knee and watch him while he
fills her own cunning stocking. Here it is, the little one at the end of
the row. Now let me see (_scratches his head reflectively_)--let me see.
Ah, yes! here's a tiny gold ring, that shall go into the toe. And here's
a little pink tea-set and a lovely, lovely dolly, and a carriage for her
to ride in. That must go outside, it is such a wee stocking. I declare,
here's another dolly--a jolly sailor-boy, and a dainty box of
sweets--all for the sweet baby that loves Santa Claus.
_Nan_ (_in an undertone_). Now, what do you think, Mr. Tommy?
_Tommy_ (_in a loud whisper_). Humbug!
_Girls_. For shame!
_Santa Claus_ (_putting_ Lucy _gently back into_ Mary's _arms_). Now for
the next one! Ah, yes! Here's another little ring, with a blue set, for
a girl with blue eyes--
_Nan_ (_rapturously_). That's me.
_Santa Claus_. And here goes a silver bracelet and a jolly bottle of
mignonette and (_searching his pack_)--and--let me see--a copy of
_Old-fashioned Girl_--
_Nan_. Just what I was wishing for!
_Santa Claus_. And a box of sweets--it won't do to forget that--and a
funny puzzle for a clever little head to solve, and a mysterious
package--she'll find what's in it in the morning. (_Chuckles to
himself_)
_Nan_. Now it's yours, Mary dear.
_Santa Claus_ (_taking_ Mary's _stocking_). Now for the next one. No
time to lose. This is a busy night for St. Nick. 'Way down in the very
tip-toe shall go this bright little watch, to tick away the happy
minutes of the New Year for mother's own little woman.
_Nan_. You hear that, Tommy.
_Tommy_. Don't you believe it.
_Santa Claus_. This work-basket must go outside with the books. And now
for the next. Well, this is a big one.
_Tommy_ (_in an undertone_). I borrowed it of cook--the longest and
biggest she had.
_Santa Claus_ (_deliberately regarding_ Tommy's _stocking_). Is it
possible there is a greedy child here?
_Nan_. Now, Tommy, aren't you ashamed of yourself.
_Santa Claus_ (_reflectively_). A greedy child. I hope not, I hope not.
Well, we'll see. We'll soon see (_searching his pack_). Here is a
splendid pair of skates for a good boy--
_Tommy_ (_gleefully_). That's me.
_Santa Claus_. And here's a box of chess-men, and a-- Why, upon my word!
upon my word! when has this happened before? (Santa Claus _pauses in his
work, showing every evidence of great astonishment, for as he undertakes
to put the gifts into_ Tommy's _stocking, they behave in a most contrary
and unaccountable way. They drop to the floor, and the stocking seems to
refuse to take them_. Santa Claus _makes several efforts to insert the
gifts in the stocking, but without success_.) Well, well, I haven't had
an experience like this for many a long year. What will Mrs. Santa Claus
say, when I go back to the North Pole and tell her I found a contrary
stocking. A contrary stocking, which means but one thing--that the child
who hung it does not believe in Santa Claus. (_Sadly._) Oh dear, what a
pity! what a pity! Well, if I must, I must. (_Searches his pack._) It is
many a year since I have had any use for these things. I did hope I
should never have to take them out again. (_Draws from the depth of his
pack a broad leather strap, a large slipper, and other articles
mentioned later. He meets with no difficulty as he drops them one by one
into_ Tommy's _big stocking_.) There! (_Thrusting in the strap._) If he
don't know the use of that, I suppose his father will have to teach him,
and this (_holding up the slipper before putting it into the stocking_),
no doubt his mother will know what it is for. Oh dear! oh dear!
(_Shaking his head sorrowfully._) This is too bad! too bad! It will
spoil my Christmas completely. No box of goodies for this stocking-- It
wouldn't do--no, it wouldn't do at all. I'll have to put in this package
of smarty pepper candy, to make the boy's tongue tingle that says Santa
Claus is a Humbug.
_Nan_. What did I tell you?
_Lucy_. Poor Tommy.
_Santa Claus_. And here is a tin horn (_tries it_) without any blow in
it. My good horns are for good boys to toot in my honor on Christmas
day. Now a book--here is one--a nice Spelling Book, full of all the hard
words that were ever invented, and not a picture in it. And here is
another--a book on Good Manners--it is for the boy to study who says
that Santa Claus is a Fraud.
_Tommy_. Boo-hoo! boo-hoo! boo-hoo! boo-hoo! I didn't mean it! Oh, I
didn't mean it at all! I was just a-fooling. Boo-hoo! Oh, dear!
Boo-hoo-o-o-o!
_Lucy_ (_putting her arms around his neck_). Oh, poor, poor Tommy! I'll
give you my nice candy. Don't cry, Tommy.
_Tommy_. Boo-hoo! I didn't mean it. I won't do so again. I'll stand by
you forever. Indeed I will, Mr. Santa Claus, if you'll only forgive my
badness. (Tommy _kneels and clasps the knees of_ Santa Claus
_imploringly_.) Oh, please forgive me, and I'll never, never doubt you
again, dear, good Santa Claus!
_Mary_ (_entreatingly_). Dear Santa Claus, please forgive him.
_Nan_. He don't deserve it, but please try him.
_Lucy_. Santa Claus, please love Tommy again.
_Santa Claus_ (_heartily_). Well, well, well! I want to forgive him
badly enough, and for your sakes I will. But, mind you this, Tommy, my
lad, I must have your true allegiance from this time forth.
_Tommy_. Oh, good Santa Claus, I promise it truly, truly! Honor bright!
Hope to die!
_Santa Claus_. I believe you, my lad. There, there. Give me your hand. I
want to be good friends with every child in the whole happy world on the
glad Christmas day. Now, we'll try again. (_He draws out the strap,
etc., from_ Tommy's _stocking, and deftly inserts in their places
skates, books, etc._) Ah, the magic stocking opens to receive gifts for
a loyal child. Here go the skates, and the boys' own _Swiss Family
Robinson_. (_Searches his pack._) Aha, this tool-chest evidently belongs
here, and this big horn, with a jolly toot in it (_tries it_), and, ah,
yes, a whole menagerie of candy pigs and elephants and monkeys, and not
a pepper drop in the lot. (Tommy _looks on in delight, and the children
hug each other gleefully_.) Now, bless your sweet hearts, I must be
going. Here I am, delaying as if there were not hundreds of stockings to
be filled before daylight. (_Kisses little_ Lucy.) Good-night, my
precious one. Good-night, my darlings, and a merry, merry Christmas to
you all!
[Santa Claus _gathers up his pack, straps it upon his shoulders,
and departs_.]
[Song, with soft accompaniment of sleigh-bells.]
Hurrah for the merry Christmas-time,
And the jolly Christmas cheer,
And the reindeer sleigh when it comes this way,
And brings old Santa Claus dear.
Hurrah and hurrah!
For the merry Christmas-time, and the happy Christmas cheer!
Hurrah and hurrah!
For our Santa Claus so dear!
[Softly.]
Hurrah and hurrah!
For the merry Christmas-time, and the happy Christmas cheer!
Hurrah and hurrah!
For our Santa Claus so dear!
CURTAIN.
THE IMP OF THE TELEPHONE.
BY JOHN KENDRICK BANGS.
VII.--THE POETRY BOOK, AND THE END.
The Imp then arranged the wires so that the Poetry Book could recite
itself to Jimmieboy, after which he went back to his office to see who
it was that had been ringing the bell.
"My first poem," said a soft silvery voice from the top shelf, towards
which Jimmieboy immediately directed his attention--"my first poem is a
perfect gem. I have never seen anything anywhere that could by any
possibility be finer than it is, unless it be in my new book, which
contains millions of better ones. It is called, 'To a Street Lamp,' and
goes this way:
"You seem quite plain, old Lamp, to men,
Yet 'twould be hard to say
What we should do without you when
Night follows on the day;
"And while your lumination seems
Much less than that of sun,
I truly think but for your beams
We would be much undone.
"And who knows, Lamp, but to some wight,
Too small for me to see,
You are just such a wondrous sight
As old Sol is to me!"
"Isn't that simply lovely?" said the soft silvery voice when the poem
was completed.
"Yes; but I don't think it's very funny," said Jimmieboy. "I like to
laugh, you know, and I couldn't laugh at that."
"Oh!" said the silvery voice, with a slight tinge of disappointment in
it. "You want fun, do you? Well, how do you like this? I think it is the
funniest thing ever written, except others by the same author:
"There was an old man in New York
Who thought he'd been changed to a stork;
He stood on one limb
'Til his eyesight grew dim,
And used his left foot for a fork."
"That's the kind," said Jimmieboy, enthusiastically. "I could listen to
a million of that sort of poems."
"I'd be very glad to tell you a million of them," returned the voice,
"but I don't believe there's electricity enough for me to do it under
twenty-five minutes, and as we only have five left, I'm going to recite
my lines on 'A Sulphur Match.'
"The flame you make, O Sulphur Match!
When your big head I chance to scratch,
"Appears so small most people deem
You lilliputian, as you seem.
"And yet the force that in you lies
Can fight with brilliance all the skies.
"There's strength enough in you to send
Great cities burning to their end;
"So that we have a hint in you
Of what the smallest thing can do."
"Don't you like that?" queried the voice, anxiously. "I do hope you do,
because I am especially proud of that. The word lilliputian is a
tremendous word for a poet of my size, and to think that I was able,
alone and unassisted, to lift it bodily out of the vocabulary into the
poem makes me feel very, very proud of myself, and agree with my mother
that I am the greatest poet that ever lived."
"Well, if you want me to, I'll like it," said Jimmieboy, who was in an
accommodating mood. "I'll take your word for it that it is a tremendous
poem, but if you think of repeating it over again to me, don't do it.
Let me have another comic poem."
"All right," said Pixyweevil--for it was he that spoke through the book.
"You are very kind to like my poem just to please me. Tell me anything
in the world you want a poem about, and I'll let you have the poem."
"Really?" cried Jimmieboy, delighted to meet with so talented a person
as Pixyweevil. "Well--let me see--I'd like a poem about my garden rake."
"Certainly. Here it is:
"I had a little garden rake
With seven handsome teeth,
It followed me o'er fern and brake,
O'er meadow-land and heath.
"And though at it I'd often scowl,
And treat it far from right,
My garden rake would never growl,
Nor use its teeth to bite."
"Elegant!" ejaculated Jimmieboy. "Say it again."
"Oh no! we haven't time for that. Besides, I've forgotten it. What else
shall I recite about?" queried Pixyweevil.
"I don't know; I can't make up my mind," said Jimmieboy.
"Oh dear me! that's awful easy," returned Pixyweevil. "I can do that
with my eyes shut. Here she goes:
"Shall I become a lawyer great,
A captain of a yacht,
A man who deals in real estate,
A doctor, or a what?
Ah me! Oh ho!
_I_ do not know.
I can't make up my mind.
"I have a penny. Shall I buy
An apple or a tart?
A bit of toffee or a pie,
A cat-boat or a cart?
Ah me! Oh ho!
I do not know.
I can't make up my mind."
"Splendid!" cried Jimmieboy.
"That's harder--much harder," said Pixyweevil, "but I'll try. How is
this:
"I bought one day, in Winnipeg,
A truly wondrous heavy egg;
And when my homeward course was run
I showed it to my little son.
'Dear me!' said he,
When he did see,
'I think that hen did
Splen-did-ly!'
"I saw a bird--'twas reddish-brown--
One day while in a country town,
Which sang, 'Oh, Johnny, Get Your Gun';
And when I told my little son,
In tones of glee
Said he, 'Dear me!
I think that wren did
Splen-did-ly!"
"That's the best I can do with splendid," said Pixyweevil.
"Well, it's all you can do now, anyhow," came a voice from the doorway,
which Jimmieboy immediately recognized as the Imp's; "for Jimmieboy's
mamma has just telephoned that she wants him to come home right away."
"It was very nice, Mr. Pixyweevil," said Jimmieboy, as he rose to
depart. "And I am very much obliged."
"Thank you," returned Pixyweevil. "You are very polite, and exceedingly
truthful. I believe myself that, as that 'Splendid' poem might say, if
it had time,
"I've truly ended
Splen-did-ly."
And then Jimmieboy and the Imp passed out of the library back through
the music and cookery room. The Imp unlocked the door, and, fixing the
wires, sent Jimmieboy sliding down to the back hall, whence he had
originally entered the little telephone closet.
[Illustration: "HULLO!" SAID HIS PAPA. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"]
"Hullo!" said his papa. "Where have you been?"
"Having a good time," said Jimmieboy.
"And what have you done with the key of my cigar-box?"
"Oh, I forgot," said Jimmieboy. "I left it in the telephone door."
"What a queer place to leave it," said his papa. "Let me have it,
please, for I want to smoke."
And Jimmieboy went to get it, and, sure enough, there it was in the
little box, and it unlocked it, too; but when his father came to open
the door and look inside, the Imp had disappeared.
THE END.
[Illustration: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT]
The final game of the Long Island League was played on Thanksgiving day
at Eastern Park, between Poly Prep, and the Brooklyn High-School.
Although Pratt Institute had won the League championship, and both the
contesting elevens had been defeated by St. Paul's, the interest taken
by Brooklyn football enthusiasts in the rivalry of these two teams was
sufficient to draw a larger crowd to Eastern Park than has been seen
there at a football game since Yale played Princeton in 1890. Over 7000
people paid admission to witness this interscholastic contest. The game
resulted in a victory for the High-School--16-12. The defensive work of
both teams was weak, and when once one of the elevens secured the ball,
they were pretty sure of carrying it down the field for a touch-down,
unless they lost it on a fumble. The cause for this weakness in
defensive play is no doubt due to the fact that it is the hardest kind
of work to get a scrub team for the first eleven of either school to
practise against. St. Paul's is about the only school in the Long Island
League that can boast of a regularly organized second eleven. At the
other schools no one seems to care about going on the field unless he is
reasonably sure of securing a position on the first team.
In the first half, High-School scored ten points and Poly Prep. six. The
work of both teams in this half was of about an even order; neither
kicked, apparently feeling that the only hope for success was to cling
to the possession of the ball. This was a mistake on Poly Prep.'s part,
for in Mason, their full-back, they have a punter whose superior is not
to be found on any school team of the Long Island League. In the second
half, Poly Prep. took a brace, and although High-School scored again,
they never gave up hope of success. The Prep. team scored chiefly
because of the plunges through the line of Mason and Bresze, who carried
the ball for repeated gains through tackle and guard, while Richards
went around the end a number of times. These men did the best offensive
work of the day for their side. Robeson at quarter did well, and seemed
to have gotten rid of that nervousness which characterized his play
earlier in the season. His passing was clean and accurate, and he used
good generalship in giving signals. Bresze's tackling was low and hard,
and at breaking up interference he proved himself most valuable. The
best defence was put up by Boorum at centre, and by Norton and Hoover,
his guards. Only one gain was made through them.
[Illustration: BERKELEY _VS._ PRATT.
Full-back "bucking" the line.]
For the High-School, Laner, the Captain, and Lambert did the best work.
The latter's offence was strong, and his good runs around the ends were
in a large measure responsible for High-School's victory. This team was
strong at the ends and back of the line, in this having some advantage
over their opponents. In no game that I have seen this season has there
been so little kicking; High-School did not kick at all, and Poly Prep.
only once. This was when Mason punted for a 35-yard gain into
High-School territory, Laner missing the catch, and letting the ball go
to Poly Prep. on the 30-yard line. This should have encouraged the Poly
Prep. Captain to play more of a kicking game, but he was apparently
blind to his advantage. Both elevens were weak at tackle, and most of
the plays were shoved through here on both sides.
[Illustration: BERKELEY _VS._ ST. PAUL'S.
Holding in the rush-line.]
The Long Island football season has not been so successful this year as
might have been desired. It made a bad start and ended up weakly. Bryant
and Stratton's decided at the beginning of the season not to put a team
in the field. Adelphi, after being defeated 66-0 by Pratt Institute,
disbanded her eleven, and forfeited the remaining games scheduled. A
little later the Latin School followed suit. The latter had played but
one game with High-School, in which they did good work, although the
score was 18-0 against them. This wholesale resignation left only four
teams in the League: St. Paul's, Pratt Institute, Poly Prep., and
High-School. The reason given by Bryant and Stratton's for withdrawing
from the League was that so little interest was taken in football that
it was impossible to organize an eleven. I think the additional reason
of bad management on the part of the Athletic Committee might well be
added to this. At Adelphi one player was hurt early in the season,
whereupon the parents of five of the best players in school took it upon
themselves to prohibit their sons from taking any further part in the
game. Another reason given by the Adelphians is that their men were so
light that it was useless to attempt to pit them against the heavier
teams of the League.
The Latin School eleven was unfortunate in having some of its best
players laid up at the start. This seemed to discourage the men, and
some of them announced openly that they intended to play Poly Prep., but
would forfeit to St. Paul's and Pratt Institute, because they were not
heavy enough to play against such teams. Later in the season they did,
in fact, play Poly Prep., and were defeated 20-10. This business of
forfeiting games for one reason or another is a very bad thing. The
League ought to have some rule to penalize such conduct, or every season
will see the same kind of fizzle that this year has exhibited. Any team
that feels it cannot win in Brooklyn decides apparently that the noblest
course of action is to forfeit at once. This is not sportsmanlike, and
very little thought on the part of athletic leaders across the river
ought to show them what a serious mistake they make by encouraging or
allowing any such conduct on the part of the Captains or Managers of
football teams.
[Illustration: BERKELEY _VS._ ST. PAUL'S.
Formation for tandem play.]
When the season opened, St. Paul's School was looked upon as a probable
winner of the championship, but after the eleven had played several
games it became apparent that the men lost heart in an uphill contest.
In the game against Berkeley, however, they belied this reputation by
playing a beautiful uphill game. High-School and Poly Prep. are now
tied for third place, in spite of the fact that the former was
victorious in the Thanksgiving-day game. The League will undoubtedly
give to the Latin School the game that her eleven played against the
High-School, which the latter won 18-0, and in which there was that
peculiar agreement between the Captains to which I referred some weeks
ago.
The results of the games played in the Long Island Interscholastic
Football League this fall, are as follows:
Pratt Institute, 18--High-School, 0.
Pratt Institute, 66--Adelphi, 0.
Pratt Institute, 26--St. Paul's, 0.
Pratt Institute, 24--Poly Prep., 4.
St. Paul's, 36--Poly Prep., 0.
St. Paul's, 18--High-School, 0.
High-School, 18--Latin School, 0.
High-School, 16--Poly Prep., 12.
Poly Prep., 20--Latin School, 10.
Adelphi forfeited to all except Pratt Institute; and Bryant and
Stratton's forfeited to everybody. The Latin School forfeited to Pratt
Institute and to St. Paul's. Poly Prep. was the only team to score
against Pratt Institute.
Matters of importance have been occupying the New York Inter-scholastic
Athletic Association's attention for the past two weeks. These matters
are of importance not only to students of the New York schools
immediately interested in the questions in dispute, but also to all
readers of this Department who favor cleanliness and honesty in school
sport. Space will not allow me to go very fully into the questions that
came up for decision at the two meetings of the N.Y.I.S.A.A., recently
held here and fully discussed in the daily papers; but I shall try to
touch broadly enough upon the principles involved to make the resulting
lesson of service even to those who may not be familiar with the details
of the two cases. The N.Y.I.S.A.A. this fall found that it had two
difficult matters to settle. One of them was a charge brought by the
rector of Trinity School against the head-master of Barnard School,
accusing him of calling upon and personally asking a member of Trinity
School to leave that institution and to accept a free scholarship at
Barnard. The purpose of this inducement was said to be that Barnard
wished thus to add to the strength of her football team. At the meeting
of the committee intrusted with the task of deciding whether or no these
charges were justified, Barnard School was represented by a lawyer, two
teachers, and a stenographer, and doubtless with a very strong defense,
because the committee after a protracted session decided to dismiss the
complaint. The second question that the Arbitration Committee had to
pass upon was the protest against Ehrich, of Harvard School, filed last
spring by De La Salle.
The Ehrich matter is already familiar to readers of this Department, for
I touched upon it at the time the protest was made in June. It will be
remembered that in the game for the championship of the New York League
in baseball, Ehrich caught for Harvard in spite of the fact that De La
Salle claimed he had no right to play, having been a student at the
College of the City of New York. Harvard School won that game, and as a
result the pennant was subsequently awarded to them. At the recent
meeting of the Arbitration Committee to decide the question of fraud on
the part of Harvard, this school claimed that the association had
already legally awarded the championship, and that therefore no further
action could be taken. De La Salle, on the other hand, contended that
they had protested Ehrich before the final game of last year, and showed
that he was ineligible to the Harvard team because of having been
enrolled the previous autumn in the Freshman class of a college.
According to the constitution of the N.Y.I.S.A.A. any violation of the
rules is fraud. There is a rule which says that no one having attended a
college may thereafter play upon a school team. De La Salle therefore
charged Harvard School with being guilty of fraud, and tried to have the
question settled last spring. Three attempts were made to have the
protest decided. The first time there was no quorum present; at the
second meeting the Condon delegates left the room, refusing to pass on
any question of fraud; at the third meeting, on June 19th, the
championship was awarded to the Harvard School; but from all I hear, the
voting was carried on in a most questionable and peculiar manner. I hope
there is no truth in the report that clerks from the drug-store located
in the building were brought in as delegates, to make a quorum, and
voted as such.
When the question came up before the Arbitration Committee last week, De
La Salle claimed that, according to the constitution, charges of fraud
must be referred not to the Executive Committee of the I.S.A.A., but to
an Arbitration Committee, which is an entirely different body. De La
Salle also asserted that their delegates had never been notified of the
meeting at which the championship was awarded, and that even had they
been notified they could not have been present because their school
closed a week before. After a long debate Harvard School was found
guilty by the Arbitration Committee of violating the constitution and,
consequently, guilty of fraud.
The penalty for fraud is expulsion from the Association. Harvard now
cries that it has been unfairly treated, and the principal of the school
has stated in the newspapers that he will withdraw his school from the
Association. This, of course, he cannot do, because Harvard has charges
pending against her, and under these conditions resignation is out of
the question. The action of the Arbitration Committee in thus stamping
out the least semblance of professionalism in the Association cannot be
too highly commended. Last year the N.Y.I.S.A.A. was run almost entirely
by a few schools, and there was a great howl against "ring politics"
from certain quarters. The outsiders formed themselves into a "reform
party," and early this fall selected the men they chose to have
represent them in the Executive Committee of the Association, nominated
these men, and elected the entire ticket. It is to be hoped that this
"reform party" will stick to its determination to keep scholastic
athletics in New York clean and honest, and absolutely free from even
the slightest rumor or suspicion of professional tendencies.
If the managers of New York school athletics cannot do this, if they
cannot keep the professional spirit out of sport, they had better
disband their elevens and their nines, rather than make sport a farce
and a masquerade for dishonesty. A commendable step in the
"house-cleaning" now going forward is the revision of the constitution.
The most interesting, most scientific, and most important game of the
Boston season was that played Thanksgiving morning between Boston Latin
and English High Schools, before three thousand spectators. English High
pulled out the game, and thus won the championship with a clean score
of victories. The Latin School played desperately, realizing that to win
the game meant to tie English High for the championship.
After an exchange of kicks at the start, English High took the ball at
the centre of the field, and worked it over the line for the only score
of the game, without losing it. It was brilliant, hard, irresistible
playing that did it, and it won the game. It was the best football that
has been seen in the League this season. The only thing to be compared
to it is the game that Boston Latin played from that moment until time
was called. Latin forced the playing, after that fatal touch-down, until
the end. English High was on the defence throughout. But that defence
was so good that Latin, with an attack far better than it has ever shown
before, was unable to score. Three or four times Latin carried the ball
to the five-yard line of their opponents, only to be held for downs, and
see the ball kicked safely down the field. The play on both sides was of
the surest and most satisfactory order. There were no flukes to regret,
no incompetent officials to turn the result of the game.
There was almost no fumbling or poor tackling. Every five yards that was
gained was earned by straight, hard-played football. Every time four
downs were called it was because of superior defence. The football that
was played in this game would be a credit to any college team, and many
a 'varsity player could learn a lesson of sand from these boys.
Whittemore of the English High-School, and Maguire of the Latin, were
stars even in this group. Each one played football every minute of the
game. In offence or defence, not an error was made by either. Not far
behind them comes Callahan, English High's centre. In spite of two
recently sprained ankles, he played a most aggressive game, repeatedly
getting out and stopping end and tackle plays. It was his hole-making,
too, in this game, as heretofore, that made Ellsworth such a brilliant
line-bucker. Besides Callahan and Whittemore, Ashley and Eaton were most
valuable to English High. Ashley got around the end in a way that must
have surprised him. As a ground-gainer, Eaton, the guard, was not as
successful as usual, but he did an immense amount of work on defence.
Purtell, his side partner, played a steady, sure game.
For the Latin school, Maguire's work was far ahead of any one's else. He
was their surest ground-gainer and their surest tackler. McLachlan, who
is the tallest man in the League, played the best end in the game. He is
a hard man to put out, and is a great interferer. Daly, at quarter, had
a brainy day, and ran the team faultlessly. Nagle, at guard, quit even
with Eaton, and time and again helped Teevens, the full-back, through
the line.
Man for man, the teams were evenly matched. In the matter of sand
neither side can claim any superiority. English High can rest assured
that the championship was never more gloriously won. Boston Latin need
feel no chagrin because their opponents played a game just one whit
better than their own.
Two other great games were played Thanksgiving morning, one between
Cambridge Manual and Cambridge High and Latin, the other between Boston
English High and Boston Latin. The first-named game was played on a
soggy, slippery field, which did not allow of much good football. It was
intensely interesting and exciting, however, and resulted in a tie. In
the first half it looked like High-School's game; but in the second
Manual had everything her own way. It would be unfair to say that it was
a poor exhibition in so far as playing football was concerned, for the
miserable field was responsible for that. The backs never got started
well, and the punters could not stand firmly enough to do good kicking,
and anything but the most elementary plays was impossible.
High and Latin had a much better defence than Manual; there was but one
weak spot in the line, but that--left tackle--was worked repeatedly for
big gains. Cambridge played a new man at left end, Warnock, and he gives
promise of doing great work next year. Warren, at guard, and Saul, at
quarter, played their usual reliable defence, and Beardsell, at end,
played a most brilliant game. He followed the ball wonderfully. Nine
times out of ten, when the ball was fumbled, it was Beardsell who fell
on it. For Manual, Moore, at centre, played the most aggressive game.
White excelled among the backs, keeping his feet remarkably well in the
mud.
This game was to decide which team would finish last in the race; but it
failed to do so, as each of these schools now has four defeats and one
tie on its record. The question of last place must be decided, however,
in order to give Somerville High, who won the junior championship, a
chance to enter the senior league next year.
THE GRADUATE.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
Highest of all in Leavening Strength.--Latest U. S. Gov't Report.
[Illustration: Royal Baking Powder]
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[Illustration]
[Illustration]
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WILLIMANTIC
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Send for a set for each of the children.
Address
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PLAYS
Dialogues, Speakers, Magic Tricks, Wigs, Mustaches, Music Goods, Catalog
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FREE.
Comic return envelopes. Sleiqht of Hand exposed. List of 500 gifts.
Album of cards. Send 2c stamp for postage. Address Banner Card Co.,
Cadiz, Ohio.
[Illustration: BICYCLING]
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.]
The excellent roads and pleasant mingling of inland and coast scenery
make the cycling trip to Nantasket and the shore one of the most
enjoyable in the vicinity of Boston. The rendezvous is at Copley Square
in front of the new Public Library. Start northward through Dartmouth
Street, turn to the left onto Commonwealth Avenue, a finely macadamized
street, and follow the same until you reach Charlesgate Street, West;
here bear to the left, and cross the bridge over the Boston and Albany
tracks; this will bring the rider into the Fenway Parks, a part of the
great Metropolitan Park System. After leaving the bridge at the first
fork of the roads keep to the right, and shortly afterward to the right
again, thus following the main Boulevard to Brookline Avenue. There turn
to the left, and in a few rods to the right again. For some distance
after passing this point there are a few easy hills and moderate coasts,
the road winding in and out between picturesque hills and through
beautiful woodlands.
On coming in sight of Jamaica Pond turn to the left, and take the next
road to the right, passing the pond on the right hand, and taking the
main driveway in Jamaica Park. At this last turn, the rider passes on
the right a building so peculiar as to attract more than usual
attention; it is the Holland House, which was bought after the close of
the exposition in Chicago, and transported to its present site. After
passing the small pond on the left of Pond Street turn to the left, and
at the first fork of the roads keep to the left, and take the next road
to the right, which runs along the northern boundary of the Arnold
Arboretum (place of trees) with the Adams Nervine Asylum and
Agricultural College on the right. Keep now to the direct road, which
winds a little, crosses the tracks of the New York and New Haven
Railroad, and skirts Franklin Park on the south, bearing here the name
of Morton Street.
From the beginning of our ride up to the end of Franklin Park all the
roadway is of the best macadamized construction with smooth and
perfectly preserved surface. The rider gets a comprehensive view of the
Fenway Parks, Jamaica Park, and a glimpse of the Arnold Arboretum, and
Franklin Park, immediately to the south of which is Forest Hills
Cemetery, with the Blue Hills of Milton in the distance.
On leaving Franklin Park keep the direct road on Morton Street to Milton
Lower Mills. On reaching Sanford Street turn to the left, and at the
next corner to the right, past the Library Building; then bear to the
left on to Dorchester Avenue and across the bridge over Neponset River,
by the Milton Station on Adams Street, which we follow directly to East
Milton Station.
Just after leaving the river there is a stiff climb up Milton Hill, at
the summit of which there is a fine panoramic view of the country
through which we have passed, and of the region through which we are to
ride. We now have a good dirt road with some clay here and there, with
down grade and excellent coasts. Keep on Adams Street into Quincy, with
a sharp turn to the right after crossing the tracks of the Old Colony
Railroad, which brings us to Hancock Street, and there we turn to the
left at Washington Street, and follow the street railway track over
Quincy Point across the bridge into North Weymouth. Follow Bridge
Street, keep to the left at fountain into North Weymouth village, and
then to the left by Weymouth draw-bridge to Hingham. Bear to the left at
Hingham Station, crossing the bridge past the boat-house, and follow
Summer Street, which joins Rockland Street, a direct way to Nantasket,
where at the Post-office the road branches. The road to the left from
the Post-office takes one to Nantasket Beach. Distance of round trip
forty-nine miles.
[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. 17.
INDEXING AND STORING NEGATIVES.
To save time, trouble, and vexation of spirit one should have his
negatives in such order that he can put his hand on the very one he
wants at a minute's notice, and unless one forms the habit of indexing
and storing his negatives as fast as they are made, his photographic
affairs are sure to get into a hopeless tangle.
The easiest and most convenient way which the editor has found for
storing negatives is to have a cupboard partitioned off into
pigeon-holes large enough to hold 25 negatives each. The pigeon-holes
should be 3-1/2 inches in width and 6 inches in height, in which can be
conveniently stored 25 4x5 or 5x8 negatives. The negatives are first
placed in strong manila envelopes which can be bought of any dealer in
photographic supplies at from 25c. to 35c. a 100, according to size.
These envelopes are marked on the outside--No. ----, Name ----, Notes
----. Place the negative in the envelope, and in the proper places write
the name and number of the picture, and under the heading "Notes" write
anything about the picture which you wish to remember in regard to the
making, printing, etc., and also the date of taking. Copy the numbers
and names of the pictures in a blank-book which will be the negative
catalogue. Write nothing in the book but the numbers and names of the
negatives. All notes should be made on the envelope containing the
negative.
On the edge of each pigeon-hole should be marked the number of negatives
which it contains, thus: "1 to 25," "26 to 50," "51 to 75," etc. Such a
method of storing one's negatives makes the finding of any one an easy
matter.
Some amateurs classify their negatives, putting landscapes, interiors,
groups, etc., by themselves, but it is really more simple to number and
name them in the order in which they are made, and make a supplementary
classified list. Have the general list, and then, as one makes a
landscape and wishes to have the names of the landscapes, add it to the
classified list in this way: Landscapes--View on Hudson, No. 11. Mall,
Central Park, No. 14. A Mountain Road, No. 23, or whatever name and
number the negatives may be which comprise your landscapes. Place the
figure studies by themselves in a classified list, but make the general
list as directed. One remembers almost by instinct the number of a
negative he has once placed in his collection.
If one has not a convenient cupboard a wooden soap box fitted with
pigeon-holes, which can be done by any ingenious boy or girl, answers
every purpose. The box should be fastened to the wall, a tape tied to
the negative catalogue, and the tape fastened to the side of the box;
then the two will never become separated.
SIR KNIGHT HOWELLS FRECHETTE, No. 55 James St., Ottawa, Canada,
wishes some member living in Washington to exchange a view of the
Capitol for one of the Parliament buildings with him, or, if
preferred, will send any view round Ottawa. He also asks if the
editor would advise the use of combined bath with solio paper. The
combined bath is generally preferred, and if used according to
directions the results are very satisfactory.
ILL-TEMPERED BABIES
are not desirable in any home. Insufficient nourishment produces ill
temper. Guard against fretful children by feeding nutritious and
digestible food. The Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk is the most
successful of all infant foods.--[_Adv._]
ADVERTISEMENTS.
[Illustration]
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[Illustration]
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many misleading and unscrupulous imitations of their name, labels, and
wrappers. Walter Baker & Co. are the oldest and largest manufacturers of
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[Illustration]
THE
BALTIMOREAN PRINTING-PRESS
has earned more money for boys than all other presses in the market.
Boys, don't idle away your time when you can buy a self-inking
printing-press, type, and complete outfit for $5.00. Write for
particulars, there is money in it for you.
THE J. F. W. DORMAN CO.,
Baltimore, Md., U.S.A.
FREE
[Illustration]
As a sample of our 1000 BARGAINS we will send FREE this elegant Fountain
Pen, warranted a perfect writer, and immense Illus. Bargain Catalogue,
for 10c. to cover postage, etc.
R. H. INGERSOLL & BRO., 65 CORTLANDT ST., N. Y. CITY.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
"Napoleon"
Handsome, instructive.
One of the new
Parker
Games
For Boys and Girls.
* * * * *
"Innocence Abroad," "Waterloo," "Chivalry," "Yankee Doodle."
ASK FOR THEM.
CHATTERBOX
THE KING OF JUVENILES.
No book has ever been made for young people which compares in value, or
has had one-tenth the sale of this great annual. =Millions of copies have
been sold.= The new volume for 1895-6 is just ready, and has over 200
large and entirely new pictures, several new stories, (each a book in
itself), and hundreds of short stories, anecdotes, etc. The best Xmas
present possible for boys and girls of all ages. Order from your
bookseller or of us.
ESTES & LAURIAT, Publishers, Boston.
Postage Stamps, &c.
[Illustration]
STAMPS!
800 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'ts w't'd at 50% com. List FREE! =C. A.
Stegmann=, 5941 Cote Brilliante Ave., St. Louis, Mo
TUNIS
Set of Tunis to every one applying for approval sheets. PENN STAMP CO.,
WIND GAP, PA.
FOREIGN STAMPS ON APPROVAL. References required; agents wanted at 50%
com. Lists free.
CHAS. B. RAUB, New London, Conn.
25
Varieties U. S. Adhesive Stamps sent on receipt of ten cents.
CALEDONIA STAMP CO., Northampton, Mass.
FINE APPROVAL SHEETS. Agents wanted at 50% com. P. S. Chapman, Box 151,
Bridgeport, Ct.
STAMPS! 100 all dif. Barbados, etc. Only 10c. Ag'ts w't'd at 50% com.
List free. L. DOVER & CO., 1469 Hodiamont, St. Louis, Mo.
10 RARE STAMPS FREE.
Send 2c. stamp.
F. E. THORP, Norwich, N. Y.
[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.
I am so pleased, Katharine and Eleanor, to hear that you are going away
on a week's visit--one to the city, and one to the country--and that you
are both anticipating a very pleasant time. The date, I understand, is
not yet absolutely fixed, but the visit is to be made before long, and
you would like to know what to take with you in the way of clothes, and
to have all the hints I can give about making such a visit successfully.
Well, we will begin at the beginning. When the note of invitation from
your friend arrives, the first thing to do is to answer it, setting the
day and the train when she may expect you. She probably mentioned the
first in her invitation, and inclosed a time-table so that you might
select your train. Having decided on this, keep your engagement. Do not
allow a slight inconvenience, or an invitation elsewhere, or a caprice,
to let you change your plan. Go when you are expected, and stay as long
as you are asked to stay. An invitation usually mentions whether your
friend would like you to come for a week, or ten days, or a fortnight,
or it may read thus: "Please give us the great pleasure of a visit from
you. Come on Friday afternoon and stay until Tuesday," or on "Monday,
and help us celebrate Louise's birthday, which occurs on Tuesday; we
will hope to keep you with us until Friday." It is very much pleasanter
to know for how long you are invited than to have it left uncertain; but
when no time is mentioned, one takes it for granted that a week will
cover the period of the visit.
By all means, when you can do this easily, take a small trunk for your
wardrobe for a week. If not a trunk, then take a large dress-suit case,
or one of those handy bags called telescopes, which may be stretched out
or compressed as occasion demands. You must not forget that in some
places expressage is difficult, though this is probably not the case in
any town or village near a railroad. There are localities in our country
where luggage is difficult of transportation, and trunks have to wait on
the chance of a neighborly lift, but this is understood by those who
travel there, and they arrange accordingly. A small trunk gives a girl a
chance to carry several pretty waists and skirts, and to dress with
greater variety while at her friend's house. But one may pack a great
many things in her brother's suit-case.
A girl will find her pretty travelling dress, which at this season is of
rough cloth, dark brown or blue by preference, with a thick jacket and a
neat little hat, suitable for walking, driving, and sight-seeing while
away from home. She must be sure that her boots and gloves are in dainty
order, without missing buttons, and, if she chooses, a fur collar or boa
and a muff may complete her out-door costume. For use in company,
afternoon teas, evenings, little gatherings of friends at dinner, or any
fête to which she is invited, a pretty waist of silk or chiffon and a
skirt of silk or fine wool will be appropriate. In packing waists use
plenty of soft white tissue-paper, so that they will come out uninjured
at the journey's end. Your mother will provide you with a simple evening
gown, if she thinks it needful, and a girl never looks sweeter than in
simple white muslin or in a white gown of some sort. With the white gown
must be white shoes, and house gowns of all kinds need dainty foot-gear.
Now, pray forgive me, but when going on a visit never omit your
night-gowns, changes of underclothing, stockings and handkerchiefs in
abundance. A lady is never unprovided with enough of these essentials.
Take your own comb and brush, your tooth-powder, tooth-brush, cold
cream, and all the little toilet accessories which you like to have at
home. Supply yourself with pins, the common kind and the sheath kind,
and have your needle and thread in case of a rent to be mended. Also
carry note-paper, stamps, and envelopes, so that you may write to the
home people often.
[Illustration]
An Appeal for a School-house.
Come, dear readers of the Table--Ladies, Knights, Patrons, and their
friends--let us make possible the laying of the corner-stone of Good
Will School next spring. The task is not a difficult one. It can be
accomplished in this way:
Get one subscriber to HARPER'S ROUND TABLE. Remit the $2 for it for one
year. Attach the accompanying Coupon. Say in your letter that you wish
the 50 cents turned into the Fund. And the thing is done. The Fund is
complete. The corner-stone will be laid. The boys will have an
industrial school-house. The Order will have performed a grand, a
chivalrous deed.
At this holiday-time every person who reads these lines has it within
his or her power to build this school-house. Because, if _you_ get the
one subscriber, the house will be built. If you do not, it will not--not
now. All depends on you.
Go out and ask your friends about it. Ask them to help you get the
subscriber. Your parents and teachers will help you. Ask them to do so.
Set your heart on getting this one subscriber. Go to a Sunday-school or
church committee, a day school, some well-to-do man or woman who has
young persons in the household. Ask the well-to-do neighbor. Relate the
merits of the paper, and show a sample copy and Prospectus. We furnish
them free. Ask us to do so.
But do more than this. Relate the story of Good Will. Tell the person
whom you are asking to subscribe why you want the subscription, and why
you want it now. Tell him or her that Good Will Farm, while in Maine,
takes boys from any part of the country, and is therefore not a local,
but a national enterprise. Say that it is a house for an industrial
school that the Order is to build. The Farm is in good hands, and the
school itself will be well conducted. Our task is only to put up the
building, not to conduct the school. Say that during the last few
years--two or three--more than 700 poor boys have applied for admission
to Good Will, and had to be refused it for lack of room. These boys were
deserving. Say further that if you get the subscription the school will
be built, and, by turning a house now used for the school into a
dwelling, more boys can be taken--boys of five, six, and seven years of
age, who are now homeless, may be given homes, school advantages, and a
chance to become useful Christian men.
During the next two weeks will _you_ get this subscription? Talk it
up--and get it. The appeal is not made to the Order. It is made to
_you_. If you do not wish to cut out the coupon, make a pen one nearly
like it, ask us for duplicates, or send on the subscription without a
coupon, simply saying that you got it to help the school, and that you
want 50 cents of the $2 given to the Fund. Be sure to give the
subscription address, and your own name for the Honor Roll.
Come on, dear friends, let us build this school-house.
THIS COUPON
Will be received by the publishers of HARPER'S ROUND TABLE as
[Illustration]
when accompanied by an order for a NEW subscription to HARPER'S
ROUND TABLE and One Dollar and Fifty Cents. The intent of this
Coupon is to pay you for inducing another person, _not now a
subscriber_, to subscribe for HARPER'S ROUND TABLE for one year.
This Coupon has nothing whatever to do with your own subscription;
that is, with the copy you expect to read next year, it matters not
in whose name it be ordered, and will not be accepted as payment
for any part of it. It is good for its face in the hands of any
person who performs the work indicated, whether said person is a
subscriber or not. HARPER & BROTHERS.
* * * * *
More about Garter-snakes.
Some weeks ago I noticed an inquiry by Vincent V. M. Beede whether
or not there is a distinct variety of garter-snake living near or
in the water. In reply to this I will say that I think there is.
Last spring when trying to catch some tadpoles in a small pond, I
saw a large snake swim towards me. Like Sir Vincent, I at first
took it to be a water-adder, but on looking at it a second time I
saw that it was a large, dull-colored garter-snake. A few days
after I was at another pool in the woods and saw at the edge of the
water a similar snake, which was wriggling about in a peculiar way.
I watched it closely, and saw that it was catching and swallowing
tadpoles.
From these observations I am inclined to think that there is a
separate variety of garter-snake. Both snakes were very large and
less brilliantly striped than any I had seen before. Can any one
tell me more on the subject? I should like to see and talk with Sir
Vincent. Does he attend the E. O. High-school? I would like some
correspondents.
EVELYN G. MITCHELL, R.T.F.
EAST ORANGE.
Sir Vincent, who is one of our most popular Table contributors, attends
the Centenary Institute at Hackettstown.
* * * * *
A Pretty Experiment.
The natural colors of a leaf may be easily transferred to paper.
Take a leaf of a tree or shrub, place over it a small piece of
white linen soaked in spirits of nitre, and insert between the
leaves of a heavy book with a sheet of paper to receive the
impression. Lay the book aside for a few days. The leaf will be
found devoid of color, which will have been transferred to the
paper in all the original beauty of tint and outline of leaf.
WILBUR E. CLAYBERGER, R.T.K.
* * * * *
Another Virgil Version.
In the ROUND TABLE for October 29th Sir Knight Alfred G. Baker
asked about a line from Virgil, "The Poles Resound." The ancients
believed that the earth was flat, and that the sky revolved round
it. On one side of the sky was the north star, and on the other
another star. Therefore the line is translated by, "The sky," not
the earth, "resounds with heavy thunders."
C. F. WHEELER.
[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.
So many inquiries come to me regarding value of coins, that I shall give
lists of the prices _asked by dealers_ for U. S. coins. These lists will
not be reprinted. Collectors will therefore preserve the Numbers
containing the same. The prices as quoted are for coins in "fair"
condition. For coins in "good," "very good," "fine," and "very fine"
condition much larger prices are asked. To begin with the lowest.
HALF-CENTS.--1796, $12; 1797, lettered edge 1802, $2.50 each; 1793, 1795
lettered edge, $1.50 each; all the others from 10c. to 50c. each.
CENTS.--1787, two varieties, 20c., 50c.; 1793, six varieties, $3.50, $5,
$8, and upward; 1794, 50c.; 1795, two varieties, 50c., $1; 1796, three
varieties, 50c., 75c., $2; 1797, four varieties, 25c., 50c., 75c., $1;
1799 over 98, $7.50; 1799, perfect date, $10; 1801, United, $1; 1804,
$4; 1809, $1; 1839 over 36, $3; 1851 over 81, $2; the balance from 5c.
to 75c. each, mostly 5c.
SMALL CENTS.--1856, flying eagle, $4. All the others, 5c. or 10c. each.
TWO CENTS.--1873, $1.75. All the others 10c. each.
THREE CENTS (NICKEL).--1877, proofs only, $2.50. All the others 10c. or
15c.
FIVE CENTS (NICKEL).--1877, proofs only, $2.50. All the others 10c. or
15c.
THREE CENTS (SILVER)--From 1863 to 1873 inclusive, 75c. to $1 each. All
the others 10c. each.
FIVE CENTS (SILVER).--1802, $250; 1805, $7.50; 1860, no arrow, $5; 1794,
1801, 1846, $2.50 each; 1795, 1796, 1797, 1800, 1803, $1 to $2 each. The
others from 10c. to 30c. each.
DIMES.--1804, $25; 1796 to 1803, inclusive, and 1822, from $2 to $3
each; 1809, 1846, $1 each. The others from 15c. to 50c. each.
TWENTY CENTS.--1875, 40c.; 1876, 50c.; 1877, 1878, $3 each.
M. R. GAUSE.--The four coins are common, and worth face value only.
You failed to give your address.
M. HALE.--The 1839 cent struck over 1836 is sold by dealers at $3.
The regular 1839 has no premium. The other coins are sold at 10c.
each.
MRS. A. M. R.--I cannot give addresses of dealers in this column.
Ordinary current stamps have little value. Ten million of the
present 2c. red are used every day.
CORPORAL P. CONN.--Dealers ask from 15c. to 40c. according to
condition.
A. L. CHURCHMAN.--Dealers ask 5c.
R. HITCHENS.--Dealers do not pay premiums at present on any
Columbians except the dollar values.
Z. C. FRICK.--Dealers ask 5c. each for the coins mentioned.
DUBUQUE, IOWA.--(No name signed to inquiry).--The 1795 dollar,
lettered edge, is worth $3.50. The other coins about twice face
value. Confederate paper money, as a rule, has no value. U.S.
fractional currency in good fresh condition is worth twice face. If
dirty or crumpled it has no premium value.
J. HALL.--Yes. Stamps catalogued at $2 each, or over, are disposed
of to best advantage by auction. Common stamps catalogued from 1c.
to 50c. each, do not as a rule bring anything like their value at
auction.
L. RICHARDSON.--Dealers charge $50 for the 1852 dollar. If yours is
in good condition, a dealer might buy it for $25 or $30. If the
date is not clear, or the coin is badly worn, it is not worth so
much.
PHILATUS.
[Illustration]
Copyright, 1885, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.
Every lot of Ivory Soap is carefully analyzed, and comparisons are made
with analyses of the popular castile and toilet soaps. Ivory Soap
contains less of impurities, less of free alkali and more real soap than
any of them; that is why it can be used without injury to the rose leaf
skin of the baby, to the sheerest of linens or to the daintiest of
laces.
PRINTING OUTFIT 10c.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: G. A. R. 25c.]
[Illustration: Brownies 10c.]
For printing cards, marking linen, books, etc. Contains everything shown
in cut. Type, Tweezers, Holder, Indelible Ink, Ink Pad, etc. Thoroughly
practical for business or household use and a most instructive
amusement. Sent with catalogue illustrating over 1000 Tricks and
Novelties, for 10c. in stamps to pay postage and packing on outfit and
catalogue. Same outfit with figures 15c. Large outfit for printing two
lines 25c.
=Brownie Rubber Stamps=--A set of 6 grotesque little people with ink pad;
price, postpaid, 10c.
G. A. R. series Rubber Stamps, 12 characters. Makes all kinds of
Battles, Encampments and other military pictures, 25c. postpaid. Address
ROBERT H. INGERSOLL & BRO.
Dep't No. 62. 65 Cortlandt St., New York.
[Illustration]
Highest Award
WORLD'S FAIR.
SKATES
CATALOGUE FREE.
BARNEY & BERRY, Springfield, Mass.
BREAKFAST--SUPPER.
EPPS'S
GRATEFUL--COMFORTING.
COCOA
BOILING WATER OR MILK.
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."
Approved: JOHN BOYD THACHER,
_Chairman Exec. Com. on Awards_
Ancient Indian Relics
Stone tomahawk dug from mound, arrow heads, flint spears, beads, and
other relics sent postpaid for $2. Valuable collection for sale from
Ohio mounds. Write for description.
F. I. BROWN, Hayden Block, Columbus, O.
NEW PLAYS
READINGS, RECITATIONS,
CATALOGUES FREE!!!
DE WITT, ROSE ST., N. Y.
GEO. F. CRANE,
90 Nassau St.,
NEW YORK,
will pay cash for collections or scarce stamps.
HOOPING-COUGH
CROUP.
Roche's Herbal Embrocation.
The celebrated and effectual English Cure without internal medicine.
Proprietors, W. EDWARD & SON. London, England.
E. Fougera & Co., 30 North William St., N.Y.
BAKER sells recitations and PLAYS
23 Winter St., Boston
CATALOGUES FREE.
CARDS
The FINEST SAMPLE BOOK of Gold Beveled Edge, Hidden Name, Silk Fringe,
Envelope and Calling Cards ever offerer for a 2 cent Stamp. These are
GENUINE CARDS, NOT TRASH.
UNION CARD CO., COLUMBUS, OHIO.
[Illustration]
Harper's
Round Table
for 1895
Volume XVI. With 1096 Pages, and about 750 Illustrations. 4to, Cloth,
Ornamental, $3.50.
A literal mine of instruction and entertainment.... The young
person who receives this beautiful book as a Christmas gift is an
enviable person indeed.--_Examiner_, N. Y.
There is nothing, we imagine, that the young reader would be likely
to prize more.--_N. Y. Sun_.
A truly royal volume for the youthful reading appetite.--_Boston
Courier_.
* * * * *
Harper & Brothers, Publishers, N. Y.
[Illustration: REHEARSING FOR THE CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME.
THE BEAR (_at rehearsal_). "SEE HERE, DOROTHY, WHEN I BEGIN TO DEVOUR
YOU IN THE CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE, YOU OUGHT TO BE AWFUL SCART, INSTEAD
OF GIGGLING."
DOROTHY. "BUT YOU MAKE ME GIGGLE, YOUR WHISKERS TICKLE ME SO."]
A WREATH OF CHRISTMAS SMILES.
BY CODDLES AND TODDLES.
C. (1 A.M.). "Is it raining out, Tod?"
T. "Raining! No; it's snowing hard."
C. "I don't think Santa Claus will come, then, 'cause papa said he uses
_reindeers_ only to pull his sleigh."
* * * * *
T. (2 A.M.). "Cod, I wonder why Santa Claus only comes at night!"
C. "I guess it's because he doesn't want to make his _presents_ known."
* * * * *
C. (3 A.M.). "Say, Tod, wake up! I thought you said you were not going
to sleep till Santa Claus came."
T. "I didn't go to sleep. I only forgot I was awake."
* * * * *
T. (4 A.M.). "Santa Claus is so long in coming, I think he's mistaken us
for somebody he's left presents with."
C. "Probably he's had a _misgiving_, and left them with somebody else."
* * * * *
C. (5 A.M.). "Tod, did you hear that crash?"
T. "No; what was it?"
C. "The day breaking through the window."
* * * * *
T. (6 A.M.). "I wonder what time it is, Cod?"
C. "Don't know; it's so cold, I guess the clock's frozen."
T. "Ha! ha! don't you know a clock has a running spring, and that never
freezes?"
* * * * *
C. (7 A.M.). "I wonder where Santa Claus learned to come down chimneys?"
T. "That's easy. He took lessons off that camel that went through the
eye of a needle."
* * * * *
T. (8 A.M.). "Look here, Cod, you shouldn't have eaten all little
Ethel's buckwheat cakes like that. Mamma's awful angry."
C. "Well, I only did what papa told me, and that was to always take her
part."
* * * * *
C. (9 A.M.). "Papa, did Santa Claus ever go to school?"
Papa. "I guess so."
T. "I don't think he had to study hard, 'cause he was a _gifted_ scholar
before he went."
* * * * *
T. (10 A.M.). "I wonder why Santa Claus gave me this rocking-horse?"
C. "What is the matter with the horse?"
T. "Why, you know all horses have to be broken before they are ridden,
and if I break this one, I don't see how I can use him."
* * * * *
C. (11 A.M.). "I am going to have lots of fights with the bicycle Santa
Claus gave me."
T. "What's wrong about it?"
C. "Oh, I'll have to give it a blowing up every now and then."
* * * * *
T. (12 M., _in a whisper_). "Cod, that turkey looks fine, doesn't it?
Ain't you afraid that when he goes to the next world he'll haunt you?"
C. "No. Turkeys have their _necks twirled_ in this."
* * * * *
C. (1 P.M.). "Say, Tod, this plum-pudding reminds me of a river with a
dam in it."
T. "Why?"
C. "Oh, because the currants are all stemmed."
* * * * *
T. (2 P.M.). "Cod, mamma said she is sorry she bought the Christmas
turkey for dinner."
C. "Did she?"
T. "Yes; mamma said we developed into such fine _turkey gobblers_ that
we might have been used instead."
* * * * *
C. (3 P.M.). "Papa, Dan couldn't pull this sleigh if he didn't have
legs, could he?"
Papa. "No, of course not."
C. "Everything that runs has to have legs."
T. "Oh no, they don't. The runners of this sleigh haven't any legs."
* * * * *
T. (4 P.M.). "Did you ever see any peddlers in the Park, papa? Cod says
there's lots of them."
Papa. "I never noticed any."
C. "Oh yes, papa! there are scores of bicycle-pedallers here every day."
* * * * *
C. (5 P.M.). "Did you know even old Father Time made us a Christmas gift
of an hour to-day."
T. "What hour is that, Tod?"
C. "Why, the _present_ one."
* * * * *
T. (6 P.M.). "You'd better look out for those turkey patties, Tod.
They're dangerous, and might go off."
C. "What's the matter with them?"
T. "They're full of _fowl in pieces_."
* * * * *
C. (7 P.M.). "Do you know why Santa Claus is like the weather to-day?"
T. "No."
C. "Because he was _dew_ this morning and is _mist_ to-night."
* * * * *
T. (8 P.M.) "Cod, look! that Christmas tree is so heavily loaded with
presents I'm afraid it will sink through the floor."
C. "Papa will start the candles on it in a minute, and then it will grow
much lighter."
* * * * *
C. (9 P.M.). "That little girl over there borrowed a face to come to our
party to-night."
T. "What makes you think that?"
C. "I heard mamma say she had her father's eyes and her mother's nose
and chin."
* * * * *
T. (10 P.M.). "We've taken pains to eat so many good things to-day, I
guess we'll have to do without to-morrow."
C. "Oh, we'll get something to-morrow for our pains."
* * * * *
C. (11 P.M.). "Mamma, Time takes wings on Christmas day like butterflies
on hot cakes. Can't you stop the clock for an hour?"
Mamma. "Why don't you ask papa?"
C. "'Cause you told me time stops for no man."
* * * * *
T. (12 M.). "Good-night, papa; we're tucked in all right."
Papa. "Now, boys, go to sleep."
C. "We're going to. Uncle Jack said there'd be a big war in us when the
turkey and plum-pudding discovered each other, and so we're going to
rest before the fight."
End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, December 17, 1895, by Various