CHAPTER XXII.

THE NEW ARRIVAL AT FORTY MILE.

The man known as Strengel was probably as great a rascal as could be

found in all Alaska. His sole object in shipping aboard the steamer

_Norsk_ at San Francisco had been to make his way, by fair means or

foul, to the Yukon gold fields, of which he had gained extravagant

ideas. On the night before the _Norsk_ left St. Michaels he stole from

the chests of several of his shipmates such small sums of money as they

contained, slipped into a canoe, and deserted the ship. He remained in

hiding until she sailed, and then, claiming to have been discharged at

his own request, offered his services to Gerald Hamer in exchange for a

passage to Forty Mile. This proposition being accepted, and Strengel

regularly shipped as one of the _Chimo_'s crew, he made a secret

proposal to the old company through one of its clerks, who happened to

be Simon Goldollar, to so delay and cripple Gerald Hamer's expedition,

that he should be forced to abandon it. In attempting to carry out this

programme he was foiled by Phil Ryder's quick wit and prompt action.

Making his way back to St. Michaels, after Phil set him ashore at the

Pastolik wood-yard, Strengel fell in with Jalap Coombs, and, in company

with Goldollar, so managed the money affairs of that unsuspecting sailor

that he was unwittingly made to defray all their expenses to Forty Mile,

though he only expected to accompany them a short distance up the river.

Strengel's sole object was still to reach the gold fields; while

Goldollar was intent on winning a reputation for himself by forestalling

Gerald Hamer at Forty Mile, and at the same time inflicting what injury

he could on Phil Ryder. From the outset they agreed to rid themselves of

Jalap Coombs at some point so far up the river that he must necessarily

remain where they left him for the rest of the winter. They learned at

Nulato that the _Chimo_ was frozen in at Anvik, but took care that this

information should not reach Jalap Coombs, whom they soon afterwards so

cruelly deserted.

As they travelled beyond the point where they left him, the well-mated

pair had such frequent and bitter quarrels, that when Simon Goldollar

fell seriously ill, Strengel did not hesitate to rob him of what money

he carried and desert him at a native village near the abandoned

trading-post of Fort Yukon. Before doing this he discharged the Indians

who had come with them from Nulato, and sent them back, telling them

that he should remain with his sick friend until he recovered or died.

As soon as they were gone he engaged other natives, and set out for the

diggings that had for so long been the goal of his desires.

He planned to enter Forty Mile under a new name, and as a traveller from

one of the interior Hudson Bay trading-posts, who was ignorant of the

lower Yukon, its people, and its happenings. He was confident that Jalap

Coombs would never appear to contradict him, and almost equally certain

that Simon Goldollar would never reach Forty Mile. If by a miracle he

should recover from his illness he was helpless to continue his journey

before the boats came up in the summer, by which time the man who had

robbed and deserted him would be lost to sight amid the season's rush of

prospectors. In the mean time he had plenty of money to live on until he

should meet with an opportunity for making a strike of some kind.

Thus it was that on a pleasant day of late January Mr. Strengel

approached the mining camp of Forty Mile, riding comfortably in Jalap

Coombs's own sledge, with a light heart, and no intimation of aught but

an agreeable reception by its citizens. But in all his carefully worked

out plans he had made several miscalculations.

It had never occurred to him that there was any other route than the one

he had followed by which this point might be reached from the lower

river. Nor did he believe it possible that any word of Gerald Hamer's

expedition could have come up the river unknown to him. Finally, his

gravest mistake lay in supposing the population of this camp to be of

the same lawless class as is to be found in most Western mining camps,

and believing that here he should meet only with as great rascals as

himself. In this he displayed great ignorance of Forty Mile, which was

wholly in the hands of honorable old-time miners, who had framed a

simple set of laws for the regulation of their isolated little community

that they were determined should be respected. They had chosen one of

their own number as Judge, and from his decisions they allowed no

appeal. They had also elected a Marshal, whom they loyally assisted in

the discharge of his duties. Several lawless characters had already been

driven from the camp, and many others warned not to venture within its

limits.

As Forty Mile had received warning of the expected coming of Goldollar

and Strengel, and had learned many interesting things concerning the

previous history of these gentlemen, their arrival was eagerly

anticipated. Thus, upon Phil Ryder's announcement that sledges were

coming up the river, an expectant throng was quickly gathered at the

landing.

Mr. Strengel fired several shots from his rifle as he drew near, and was

surprised that his salute was not answered in kind. He was, of course,

gratified to observe the sensation that his approach was creating, and

undertook to arouse some enthusiasm among the silent spectators by

yelling: "Hurrah for Forty Mile! Hurrah for the diggings! Hurrah for our

side!" Then, as his sledge reached the bank, and he sprang out, he

cried, in tones meant to convey hearty good-fellowship:

"How are you, boys? You bet I'm mighty glad to see white men again after

camping with a lot of low-lived Injuns for more than two months. You

see, I've just come down from Pierre's House in the Porcupine. My name's

Bradwick, and--"

Here the speaker's fluent words seemed suddenly to fail him, his face

turned pale, and his eyes were fixed in a bewildered stare. He had

caught sight of the Yukon Trading Company's sign.

"Ha, ha!" he laughed, recovering himself with an effort. "Seeing the

name of an old friend who's long since dead kinder give me a turn. But,

as I was saying--"

"Yes, you were just about to tell us what had become of Goldollar,"

interrupted Mr. Platt Riley, who had received word from Phil that the

new-comer was Strengel.

"Goldollar!" stammered the stranger, at the same time starting as though

he had been shot. "Goldollar!" he repeated, reflectively; "I don't know

the name; never heard it before in my life. I think I mentioned that I'd

just come down from Pierre's House on the Porcupine, and hadn't seen a

white man since leaving there. There wasn't no one of that name at

Pierre's House when I left. What do you mean? Who is Goldollar, anyhow?"

"He's a feller that we heard was coming up from below with a dog train,"

replied Mr. Riley, deliberately, at the same time gazing full in

Strengel's face. "And we didn't know but what you and him might have met

up and concluded to travel together."

"How could you hear of him?" inquired the new-comer. "I didn't know

there was any way for news to reach Forty Mile in the winter."

"Oh, we might have heard by mail, or telegraph, or seen it in the daily

papers, or a dozen other ways. Anyhow, we did hear it, and that another

feller was along with him. So of course when we saw you coming up the

river--"

"You didn't hear that the other fellow's name was Bradwick, did you?"

interrupted the stranger.

"No, that wasn't the name. It wasn't so good a name as that."

"Well, then, you didn't hear that I was coming with him; for Bradwick is

my name, and I don't know nothing about any Goldollars, though I hope to

find out something about them right here in these diggings," replied Mr.

Strengel, boldly, and with attempted jocularity. "Now, seeing that I'm

tired, and cold, and hungry," he added, "supposing we adjourn to some

place that's warmer than out here in the snow, and better suited for

making acquaintances."

"All right," replied Mr. Riley. "We don't know much about Goldollars

ourselves, but we'll try and teach you all we do know, and at the same

time put you in the way of meeting acquaintances. As you say, though,

this is a cold place for talking, so I suppose you might as well come up

to my select family boarding-house for the night, seeing as it ain't

overcrowded just at present. Then in the morning we'll look round for a

place that'll suit you better."

So the new-comer walked away with Mr. Platt Riley, while the spectators

of this interesting meeting chuckled and winked significantly, and

remarked:

"Ain't the Judge a honey cooler, though? He ain't the kind that'll hang

a man first and try him afterwards. Not much; that ain't his style. Fair

play's his motter, and turn the rascals out every time."

It is needless to say that during the interview just described Phil,

Serge, and Jalap kept themselves out of sight.

All that evening a constant stream of visitors flowed in and out of Mr.

Platt Riley's cabin. Each wore an expression of expectancy and

suppressed mirth, and each bowed gravely without trusting himself to

speak when introduced to Mr. "Bradwick." It was also to be noticed that

none of them shook hands with him; when he complained of this to his

host he was gravely informed that hand-shaking was not one of the

customs of the camp.

On the whole, his impressions of Camp Forty Mile were so unpleasant,

that he fully determined to get his dog teams in motion the very next

day, and push on further up the river. It was only upon the urgent

request of Mr. Platt Riley that he consented to delay his departure long

enough to attend a public meeting of the greatest interest to all Yukon

miners, that was to be held first thing in the morning.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

RABBITS.

THEIR CARE, AND HOW TO BUILD THEIR HOUSES.

BY E. CHASE.

The first rabbit I had I put in a wooden box. Not knowing anything about

his habits, I nailed laths over the front to keep him in. The next

morning I was very much surprised to find that bunny had gnawed his way

out, and was busily engaged in eating up my last rose-bush.

The next house I built for him was against the back-yard fence. In front

of the house I tacked wire netting, and in addition made a yard for him

in which to run about, taking good care to cover over the top, so "brer

rabbit" could not escape by jumping out. I thought I had him secure this

time, but when I was at school he burrowed out under the fence, and ate

up all the neighbors' flowers. My first week's experience was certainly

very trying on my pocket-book.

[Illustration: DIAGRAM OF THE HOUSE AND YARD.]

Rabbits make very interesting pets if one knows how to take care of

them. The house shown in the accompanying diagram proved to be a very

serviceable one. It is divided into two "rooms," and has a small run

attached. The floor of the house should be provided with sliding pans,

which will make clearing an easy matter. In order to keep all dampness

from the house it is necessary to raise it a few inches from the ground.

In winter--that is, in very severe weather--it would be best to carry

this house in-doors. In order to keep the rabbits from burrowing out, it

is necessary to drive down stakes, about two feet long, close together,

all around the yard. A box sunk in the earth at the further end of the

yard, with an opening so that bunny can go in and out, is a luxury that

he will greatly appreciate.

For feeding rabbits, give them oats, corn, all kinds of greens, carrots,

raw sweet-potatoes, tea-leaves (after they come from the teapot), and

milk. I have heard it said that rabbits do not drink, but this is a

mistake, as I have had over sixty rabbits at a time, and never knew of

one that did not drink.

It is considered best to keep the buck away from the doe until the young

are a month old, as he is apt to trample them. The number of young

varies from four to eight. They are born without fur, and their eyes are

shut. It usually takes ten days for them to open their eyes and get

their coats. The first little fellow who ventures from the nest is

regarded to be the smartest one of the litter.

I have only been able to discover three species of rabbits--the Angora,

with long silky hair; the lop-eared, with very long cars which drag on

the ground; and the common rabbit, with which most of us are familiar.

Rabbits are very good barometers in their way. Before a storm they will

become unusually frisky. Although the sky may be clear, if you see your

pets kicking up their long hind-legs you may make up your mind there

will be a shower within a few hours.

A noted French scientist recently experimented with the different small

animals as to which could stand the greatest amount of cold. He decided

that the rabbit could, for he locked one up overnight in a cake of ice,

and the next morning the rabbit hopped out, feeling very well, and with

a tremendous appetite. In spite of this notable gentleman's discovery, I

have had three valuable rabbits frozen stiff during a siege of cold

weather.

[Illustration: LOP-EARED RABBITS AT HOME.]

KNICKERBOCKER GRAYS.

BY ANNE HELME.

"IN TIME OF PEACE PREPARE FOR WAR."

[Illustration: IN COLUMN OF COMPANIES.]

The clear tones of the bugle sound through the big arsenal, and there is

a rush of small gray-clad boys carrying guns to their proper places.

Again it sounds attention! Assemble! And a long line is formed of

apparently motionless statues. Then comes the roll-call. As in the

regular army, the First Sergeant in command calls out the name. His

voice is not stentorian, and neither are the answers, but there is a

very effective military tone and ring to them, and answering every

purpose. The orders are given by the different boys in command--First,

Second, and Third Corporal, First, Second, and Third Sergeant, First,

Second, and Third Lieutenant, Sergeant-Major, Color-Sergeant, Captain,

Adjutant, and Major.

[Illustration: THE MAJOR.]

[Illustration: THE MAJOR AND HIS OFFICERS.]

To one who is not conversant with the manual of arms, the commands given

are somewhat bewildering; but so well trained are the boys that they

answer, and some with military precision, and present arms and carry

arms in a delightful manner, eminently military, not always

satisfactorily, for the small boys in command have sometimes to repeat

their orders, and occasionally Captain Hoyt, the officer in command, and

also an officer of the United States army, has to enforce the orders in

a more far-reaching voice and authoritative manner.

[Illustration: THE DRUMMER.]

The Knickerbocker Grays is a private organization intended to instruct

the sons of New-Yorkers in the knowledge of drilling. It is managed by

several ladies, who give their personal supervision to it. The class

meets twice a week during the winter season in the arsenal of the

Seventy-first Regiment, at Thirty-fourth Street and Park Avenue. The

ages are limited, no boy under seven being allowed to enter. The uniform

is gray, with black trimming, and all the military rules as to the

number of straps, epaulettes, and accoutrements are rigidly adhered to.

The boys learn to march well, although it is a comical sight to see some

of the very small boys carrying their muskets and making superhuman

efforts to keep time. Perhaps the pathetic note in the picture adds the

finishing touch in the little drummer-boy, who, clad in the same

uniform, drums with might and main. He is paid to drum, but there is a

look of pride and delight in his profession which quite prevents any

thought of pity at the contrast in his lot to those of the boys of his

own age who go into the drill merely for the sake of occupation and

amusement.

The boys love Tuesday and Friday afternoons, and although the stimulus

of the medal given to the one who does not miss a single drill has

something to do with the wonderful attendance, still it would be

difficult to keep the boys away even without having the prize to look

forward to. To answer to the name in roll-call is counted necessary,

and many a boy who has been far too sick to go to school or study finds

it quite possible to be on hand to answer to his name, even if, after a

few marches around the armory, his legs do get tired and he has to be

excused.

Promotion is eagerly looked forward to, and there is an immense amount

of pleasant rivalry over who shall be promoted to be Sergeant, Corporal,

and the other officers. The Color-Sergeant carries the colors around

with a most heroic disregard to fatigue, while the four boys who make up

his body-guard look at him most admiringly, and not in the least

enviously. Round and round the hall they go, while the notes of the drum

rattle out the time to keep. The officers give their commands, and the

companies go from right to left as they are bidden. The officers look

very stern, and the soldiers themselves seem thoroughly impressed at the

importance of their duty, although the boy nature will crop out at

times, and there are occasionally ebullitions of sheer good nature and

animal spirit which would hardly do in the regular army. Of course each

boy intends fully to be a soldier, and if a war should break out it is

to be feared that a number of young recruits would insist upon being of

service to their country.

The awkward squad is as amusing as all awkward squads always are, but is

only to be seen at the commencement of the winter. It is composed

entirely of beginners, who have to attain a certain degree of efficiency

before they can be put with the others. But as the American boy is very

imitative, he soon learns, and at the end of the term it would be

difficult for any one to pick out the boys who had only belonged for one

winter. The Captains and Lieutenants are fine, manly-looking fellows,

and their plumed caps and glittering accoutrements are extremely

becoming. They have a full sense of the dignity of their position, as

why should they not have, when promoted from the ranks, step by step, to

the proud office which they now hold? They have not bought their

commissions, but have earned them by good, conscientious work. The boy

who shirks, fools, and carries on has the mortification of staying a

private, while his comrade goes steadily upward. The two officers in

charge, Captain Hoyt and assistant, have, the boys complain, regular

lynx eyes, and sometimes find out trifling acts that are not compatible

with military discipline, much to the surprise of the fellows

themselves. When a boy is promoted, his promotion receives no end of

congratulation and applause from his fellow-soldiers, and it is doubtful

if a prouder moment can come in any man's life than comes to the boy

when he is put in command of the Knickerbocker Grays.

There is considerable emulation among the different companies. The

Grays, by-the-way, are divided into four companies, A, B, C, and D, and

each officer endeavors to have his company the best of all. And woe be

to the boy who _is_ insubordinate. However, cases of real

insubordination are extremely rare, for the boys soon catch the spirit

of true military life, and realize that the commands given must be

obeyed at once and without any question. It is contended, and with

reason, that one of the best features of the drill is this very spirit

of discipline, which every mother knows is one of the most difficult

things in the world to inculcate in boys.

[Illustration: "RIGHT FORWARD, FOURS RIGHT."]

The first movements of the regiment are quite picturesque. After the

roll-call the First Sergeant in command calls out "Count fours!" in

other words dividing off four boys at a time; if they are more than make

even fours, the Second or Third Sergeant takes the extra boys and

reports with them to the Color-Sergeant, who takes them for his guard.

"Right four, fours right," is then called, and the boys take their

positions. The First Sergeant faces about and salutes his Captain. When

the Captain has returned his salute, the Sergeant takes his post two

paces behind the company. Now is heard the tread of feet, and the

Captain to whose company the colors belong commands "Carry arms! Present

arms!" Then the Color-Sergeant and the body-guard march in front of the

company, and the Color-Sergeant takes his place two paces to the left of

the Third Sergeant, who is on the left guard of his company--and the

drill begins.

[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.

Do I ever have the blues? Why, Lottie, what a question to come from a

girl of sixteen? Am I to infer that you do, at your age, with the world

a blaze of beauty, and your feet so light and your heart so young that

you ought to go skipping instead of walking, if only you dared to let

the gladness of your life overflow.

But girls _do_ have the blues, insists Gretchen, at my elbow; and she

adds that they have reasons enough: that they are not always understood,

that they have fancies and thoughts which they cannot always explain,

that, in short, girls are not always as happy as they look.

Granting that this may be true of some girls, what are they to do? As a

person not subject to these disagreeable visitations, I can speak with

the sort of authority the doctor has when he enters the room of a

patient. The doctor need not have a fever in order to prescribe for it.

In fact, he will prescribe more successfully if he be well himself. The

blues make the person suffering from their presence extremely

uncomfortable, and her discomfort in a subtle way acts upon others, so

that nobody is quite cheerful in her neighborhood. People who are "blue"

are quite often cross as well, and are unable to accept pleasantly the

ups and downs of every day. Now, when you think of it, you must admit

that it is a very humiliating experience to be cross, for cross people

are 'disagreeable, and none of us wishes to be _that_.

The best way to get rid of the blues is not to own that they have you.

Put on your hat and go for a walk. Call on a friend and take her the

piece of music you are to try together, or the book you have just

finished, which you would like to lend her. Do something kind for

somebody, and stop thinking about yourself. The greatest waste of time

in this world, dears, is to think too much about one's self. Mrs.

Browning gives the right idea in her poem, "My Kate," where she says,

"'Twas her thinking of others made you think of her."

Don't laugh at me, girls, when I tell you that half the low spirits one

hears of springs from a very prosaic source. That pound of chocolates,

that rich pudding, that piece of frosted cake, all of them very

delicious, but all very indigestible, are to blame, in most instances,

for a young girl's depression. Try what Emerson called "plain living and

high thinking," and see how cheery life will become.

One of my girls writes that she had a vexatious little problem. She has

been accustomed to correspond freely with one or two friends--boys of

her own age--and "people tell her it is wrong." My dear child, pray

explain whom you mean by "people," and what they have to do with it?

Of course you do not write letters to any one without your mother's

approval, and I suppose your mother reads your letters, that you love to

share all those you receive with her, and that you show her those you

write. If you do this, nobody else is concerned. A girl should write no

letters, and should receive none, which she is not only willing but very

glad to show to her mother. When she has had the great misfortune to

lose her mother, then her aunt, or her elder sister, or some kind

matronly friend should be her confidante. It makes no difference to whom

she writes, if only she does it openly, and with the sympathy, advice,

and loving approval of those who are older than she, and able to guide

her.

[Illustration: Signature]

OFF WITH THE MERBOY.

BY JOHN KENDRICK BANGS.

CHAPTER IV.

THE BUREAU OF INFORMATION.

[Illustration: Decorative J]

immieboy took the reins in hand, and the Merboy sprang lightly out of

the carriage, and by means of his tail wiggled himself to where the

bureau stood. He opened the top drawer, and from where he sat Jimmieboy,

who was watching him with a great deal of interest, could see that it

was divided up into sections, in each of which lay a dozen or more large

envelopes, each fat with contents of some kind or another.

"I guess this must be the information I want about your lockjaw," said

the Merboy, picking up an envelope. "Yes," he continued, as he took

great slips of paper out of it. "It is. This envelope tells how to take

spots out of carpets. Ha! ha! Listen to this: 'To remove an ink stain

from the parlor carpet, take a pair of shears and cut out the spotted

part.' That's good advice. Here's another telling how to start a fire.

It says: 'First build your fire, and then procure a match. Any kind of

match will do except one that has already been used. Light the match and

apply the burning end to the kindling. If the kindling ignites, the fire

is started. If it does not, light another match and apply the burning

end to the kindling. Keep this up until the kindling does ignite!'"

[Illustration: JIMMIEBOY SAW A HUGE WHALE RUSHING DOWN TOWARD THEM.]

As the Merboy finished reading this a great commotion was heard in the

water directly overhead, and looking up Jimmieboy saw a huge whale

rushing headlong down toward him. At first he was a little frightened,

but as the whale drew nearer and smiled pleasantly at him his fear for

some reason or another disappeared entirely.

"Hullo, Merby," said the Whale. "What are you doing?"

"I'm after information," returned the Merboy, shaking the extended

flipper of the Whale.

"So am I," returned the Whale. "I'm in great trouble."

"Indeed?" said the Merboy. "What's the matter?"

"I got into a fight with some whalers in the Arctic Ocean, and one of

'em threw a harpoon at me, and it stuck in my back. I want to get it

out, but I don't know how. Which drawer has information for Whales in

it?"

"I don't know," replied the Merboy. "I'm trying to find out what's the

matter with Jimmieboy here. I'm afraid he's got lockjaw, but the only

thing the bureau has told me so far is how to take spots out of carpets

and start fires."

"What nonsense!" said the Whale. "Let me try it, will you? I'm suffering

like everything."

"Certainly," said the Merboy, standing aside. "There isn't any special

hurry about our case."

The Whale smiled gratefully and grabbed up an envelope. Opening it he

extracted a slip of paper, and read:

"'To make a good peach pie get ten ripe sliced peaches, a tin plate, and

enough dough to cover first the bottom of the plate and the top of the

peaches. Put the whole into a hot oven and cook until done.'"

"Ho!" laughed the Merboy.

"This bureau's a nuisance," said the Whale. "The idea of telling a

sea-monster with a harpoon in his back how to make peach pie."

Here he selected another envelope. This one contained a slip which read:

"It is not polite to sneeze in company. If you like to sneeze, and are

going out to an evening party, contrive to do all your sneezing before

you go. If during the evening party you feel a sneeze coming on, rub the

bridge of your nose, or press the middle of your upper lip with your

forefinger, and the desire to sneeze will disappear."

"Nice advice to give a Whale," sneered the monster. "Where is my upper

lip I'd like to know, or my forefinger for that matter? If I don't catch

the right answer this time I'll hit that bureau with my tail and knock

it all to pieces."

The Whale made one more effort. This time the slip he took out read, "If

your teeth ache go to the dentist and have them pulled."

"That's a little nearer right," said the Merboy.

"I don't see how," retorted the Whale. "I haven't a toothache. I have a

backache. Shall I go and get my back pulled?"

"No," said the Goldfish, "but perhaps you could get the harpoon pulled."

The Whale's face wreathed with smiles.

"That's so," he said, eagerly. "Wonder I didn't think of that before.

It's a good idea. The bureau is some use after all--though if it hadn't

been for you, Merby, I'd never have discovered it."

"Oh, yes you would," said the Merboy. "After you had thought it over a

little while you'd have seen what was meant. Information isn't any good

unless you think about it a little."

"Well, I'm obliged to you just the same," said the Whale, backing off.

"It's pretty hard to think when one has a harpoon in his back. I suppose

you don't know where I can find a dentist, do you?"

"No, I don't," said the Merboy. "I've never had occasion to use one."

"Oh, well, I suppose there are such things, and so I'll set about

finding one. Good-by," said the Whale, and off he started in search of a

dentist.

"He's a very dull creature," said the Merboy, returning to the bureau.

"He never thinks much even when he hasn't a harpoon in his back. Now for

our trouble again. This envelope looks as if it might tell us."

Again was the little fellow doomed to disappointment. All the

information contained in this envelope related to the killing of

potato-bugs, and the best way to keep mosquitos from biting.

"This is the worst failure of a bureau of information I ever saw, or

else I don't know how to manage it," he said. "Suppose you try it,

Jimmieboy. You may have better luck."

Jimmieboy dropped the reins and alighted from the carriage. Walking to

the bureau he opened the second drawer and found it full of books. They

were very handsome books on the outside, and if one could judge from

their titles they were attractive inside too. One of them, for instance,

was named _The Porpoise of the Mediterranean, or A Minnow's Adventures

on the Coast of Africa_. Another was labelled _Poems of A. Swordfish_.

Another was called _Jellyfish Jingles_, a title which so interested

Jimmieboy that he opened it and read some of them. In a minute he threw

his head back and laughed loudly, opening his mouth as widely as

possible in his mirth. He was so amused that he couldn't keep his lips

closed.

"Listen to this," he said; "it's called 'The Unfortunate Tale of the

Polliwog:'

"The small sea-toad he climbed a tree

One windy summer's day,

And through the water chanced to see

A pollywog grown gray;

Whereat he cried, 'Oh, Pollywog,

Come tell me, sir, I pray,

How is it you are not a frog

And yet have grown so gray?'

"'Because,' the Pollywog replied,

His visage turning pale;

'Because,' and here he deeply sighed,

And sadly wagged his tail;

'Because,' he added, as the tide

Grew wavy in the gale;

'Because I shed but tears; I've tried

But cannot shed my tail.'"

"That's pretty good," said the Merboy, with a smile, noticing with a

great deal of relief that Jimmieboy had at last opened his mouth. "Are

there any more?" he added, just to see if Jimmieboy's cure were final.

"Yes," said Jimmieboy. "Here's one about 'A Sad Sea-Dog.'

"Oh, the sad sea-dog he has no fin,

And he never moves, they say.

He sits as still as a piece of tin,

And he's never known to smile or grin,

Or to wipe his tears away.

"His chief delight is to bark and growl,

And to yelp and screech and snap;

He does not mind if the wild winds howl,

He never will stir for fish or fowl,

And cares not what may hap.

"He shakes his flippers and wags his jaws,

Delights in the awful gale,

He breaks each one of the ocean's laws,

And no one lives that can make him pause,

From sharks to the mammoth whale.

"And it's all because a fisherman--

A man with a great green eye--

Mistook him once for his black-and-tan,

And whistled to him, and called him 'Fan,'

In the days long since gone by.

"When a sea-dog's name is Anthony

Montgomery Varian,

'Tis apt to sour his spirit to be

Miscalled as upon that day was he

By a mean land name like Fan!"

"I should think so," said the Goldfish. "It's like being christened

Algernon at church and being known as Petie in school."

"I don't wonder he sulked," said Jimmieboy.

"Nor I," said the Merboy. "But, say, Jimmieboy, you are cured of your

lockjaw, aren't you?"

"Dear me, I forgot!" said Jimmieboy. "I wasn't going to open my mouth

under water at all."

"Why not, pray?" asked the Merboy.

"For fear of swallowing the ocean," replied Jimmieboy.

"Ha! ha!" laughed the Merboy. "Why, you couldn't swallow a drop of it,

much less the whole of it, the way I've fixed it. Is that all you were

doing--just holding your month shut?"

"That's all," said Jimmieboy.

"Well, well! The idea!" said the Merboy. "You ought to have known

better."

"Well, I didn't," said Jimmieboy, glad to find that it was not really

necessary to keep his mouth closed.

"Apparently not--and it took the bureau of information to cure you.

That's a very useful bureau."

"Very," said Jimmieboy. "I'd like to go through some of the drawers if

we have time. Have we?"

"Lots," said the Merboy, taking the brush on the top of the bureau and

fixing his hair with it. "We have ten times as much time as there is

really."

"How can that be?" asked Jimmieboy.

"Well, never mind now," said the Merboy. "But some time you ask your

papa how long a dream a boy can have who is asleep only ten seconds. You

will be surprised at what he tells you. I once had a dream lasting forty

years in a nap that was less than a minute long. So go ahead. You have

plenty of time, and I dare say you will find lots of valuable

information in the bureau. I will be back in a few minutes."

"You aren't going to leave me, are you?" asked Jimmieboy.

"No. I'm only going to drive the Dolphins around to the stable. I'll be

right back."

The Merboy entered the carriage again and drove off, while Jimmieboy

turned his attention to the bureau of information. As he turned, his eye

caught sight of two little drawers that he had not noticed before on

either side of the mirror which surmounted the bureau. He tried to open

the right-hand drawer, but found it locked. The left-hand one opened

easily, and in it Jimmieboy found a little golden key. This, as it

turned out, was the key to the other drawer, and which, no sooner had

the key turned in the lock, slid out as though pushed by a spring, and

from it jumped the funniest little old man Jimmieboy had ever seen,

hardly taller than his thumb, and dressed from head to foot in beautiful

garments of silver and gold. In his left hand the little old man carried

a jewelled staff, and his right hand he extended to Jimmieboy, as much

as to say,

"Why, howdy do? I'm very glad to see you."

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

[Illustration: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT]

Although the New York athletes will by no means have a walk-over at the

Berkeley Oval next Saturday, when the N.Y.I.S.A.A. and the L.I.I.S.A.A.

contend for the Intercity championship in track athletics, they will

certainly carry off the honors of the day, and they ought to do it by a

good score. New York has better material this year than has Brooklyn,

and the schools here have been devoting more time and energy to field

sports than their rivals have across the Bridge. In fact, the

Long-Islanders have shown a certain lack of interest in the Intercity

contest which of itself is sufficient to betoken defeat. The relay race

between the New York and Brooklyn Interscholastic teams was to have been

run off at the Wilson and Kellogg games on April 27th, and a large

number of enthusiasts gathered at the Oval to witness the sport in spite

of the heavy downpour of rain. The hours passed, however, and no

Brooklyn racers appeared. Not even a word of explanation came, and the

race had to be postponed. It was thought at first that the Brooklyn team

did not come over on account of the storm, but I learned the next day

that the reason of its non-appearance was due to the fact that there was

no team to come. Not enough candidates had applied at the Brooklyn trial

heats for the managers to choose four capable runners. The very least

these managers could have done, under the circumstances, would have been

to notify the New York Interscholastic authorities of this fact. Young

sportsmen, as well as older ones, should remember that one of the first

considerations among amateurs is to fulfil engagements that have been

entered upon, or if this is found to be impossible, to give ample and

timely notice to their opponents of their inability to do so.

While it is gratifying to see such active interest displayed by the New

York schools in out-door sport, it is also to be regretted, as I have

had occasion to say before in this department, that so much of this

interest should be turned in one direction. The New York school-boys

have taken up track and field sports to so large an extent that baseball

has suffered materially this spring, and tennis has practically been

dropped. Such a state of affairs must surely bring evil results. It is a

condition that cannot last long, but while it does last it works

considerable harm. The genuine interests of field sports are not

advanced by excessive indulgence. It is best to encourage every game

that the season favors, and to attempt to do well in all branches of

sport than to excel in but one. Such an excellence can be but ephemeral.

In New England the school-boys are wiser in this respect. They endeavor

to develop themselves in all branches. Only a few days ago Mr. D. S.

Sanford, principal of the Brookline High-School, told me that from

statistics he had prepared he had learned that twenty per cent. of the

boys at the High-School play football, fifteen per cent. play baseball,

fifteen per cent. take part in track athletics, and forty per cent. (of

the boys and girls) play tennis. Fifty per cent. take part in no

athletic games at all. From what I have observed in and around Boston I

should judge that the athletic efforts of most of the other New England

schools are distributed in a similar ratio. And yet, with only fifteen

per cent. of the boys indulging in track athletics, they manage to make

pretty fair records!

In Brooklyn baseball has not been allowed to suffer neglect because of

track athletics, and so the race for the Long Island championship

promises to be interesting. The teams are evenly matched with but one or

two exceptions. Pratt Institute has no nine in the field, and Bryant &

Stratton's is practically out of the race, having already been defeated

a number of times. The St. Paul's team has a decided advantage over most

of the other nines in the Association in that it is mainly composed of

experienced players, most of whom were members of last year's nine. Hall

is pitching well, and has good support. The Brooklyn High's team is made

up wholly of raw material, with the exception of Captain Brum, but the

men are working hard, and will do well before the season closes. One

good feature in this year's High-School athletics is the barring out of

all questionable candidates, the two forfeited championships of last

year having evidently proved a salutary lesson. The Brooklyn Latin has

one of the strongest nines in the league, and will probably make a

strong bid for the pennant. Captain Litchfield is playing good ball at

third, and both Goodwin and Sleven are doing good work at short-stop and

first base respectively. Hall, of last year's Poly. Prep. team, is

pitching, and Watt, formerly of Bryant & Stratton's, is catching.

The Adelphi Academy has turned out a better set of players than it had

last year, and promises to make a good record. The team is made up

pretty much of new material, but the men are working hard. Jewell and

Simpson alternate in the box, with Forney as back-stop. Byers at first

and Graff at third are capable players. Poly. Prep. is laboring under

the disadvantage of an unfavoring faculty--a group of honest gentlemen

who have not yet caught up with the fact that athletics have come to

stay, and are, in moderation, a part of every educational system. As the

school officers take no interest whatever in the sport, the players are

working along as best they can under these adverse circumstances, and

they are fortunately getting good support from their fellows. The

authorities have gone further than being passive in their attitude

toward athletics by ruling that Stevenson, the Captain of the nine,

shall only play in league games. This is all very well if Stevenson

neglects his studies for baseball, but as far as I am able to learn,

such is not the case. Dunne is pitching fairly well, but to be

successful he must get better control over the ball. Noyes, who is

acting as substitute Captain, is putting up a steady game at second, and

McKay is doing well at first. The other players are new. The out-field

is weak, but the team work at times is fairly good, and the men

certainly have a spirit and energy which are commendable.

Even a casual observer cannot fail to notice how much more is done for

interscholastic sport in New England than in New York and its vicinity.

Not only do Harvard and Yale universities take an active interest in the

work of the young men whom they expect to gather into their own ranks,

but even the Boston Athletic Association, which cannot hope to derive

any material benefit from its exertions, offers cups and medals for

interscholastic events, and does all that is possible to aid and advise

the Boston school-boys. It seems to me that the New York Athletic Club

could do worse than follow the B.A.A.'s good example. As far as I know,

the N.Y.A.C. does nothing in the interest of school sports. To be sure,

my indefatigable friend Evert Wendell performs enough good service as

referee at scholastic contests to make up for many of the club's

shortcomings; but Mr. Wendell does this purely as a lover of sport, and

not as a representative of the club. Many of the best athletes of the

N.Y.I.S.A.A. are members of the N.Y.A.C. They ought to get together in

the near future, and, with the aid and advice of Mr. Wendell, endeavor

to get the managers of the N.Y.A.C. to show more active interest in the

exceedingly good work now being done by the schools.

In Boston, all the Interscholastic Committee meetings are held in the

B.A.A. club-house on Exeter Street, and every winter the club holds an

in-door meeting for the especial benefit of the thirty schools that

compose the New England League. The silver cup which the B.A.A. has

offered this year to be played for for five years by the school baseball

teams is a fine trophy, and cannot fail to act as an incentive to the

young players of the league. Harvard's work for the schools is even more

active. Seven years ago the university was instrumental in forming the

New England I.S.B.B.A., and in 1891 it organized the Interscholastic

Lawn Tennis Association, whose fifth annual tournament was held on

Jarvis Field, Cambridge, May 4th and 6th, with an entry list of over

fifty names. The prizes offered each year are a gold medal or a cup to

the winner, a racquet to the runner-up, and a championship banner to the

school whose team scores the largest number of points. This year the cup

is a handsomely engraved piece of silverware in the shape of a pitcher

with one handle. As a general thing, I do not believe in medals and cups

as inducements to young men to enter into amateur sports. The pure love

of the game should be sufficient to call out their best efforts. But

there is no doubt that interest in their early efforts, expressed in

some such material way by associations of older players is a good thing,

and it is certainly a strong incentive to a general participation in

athletics for many boys who might otherwise be too indolent or too

disinterested to discover and develop their own capabilities. This once

done, however, there is no school-boy who is not enough of a true

sportsman not to keep on, regardless of any possible material advantages

or rewards. The mere title of champion is the most precious prize to be

won in any field.

That Harvard's efforts for the promotion of tennis in the New England

schools have been successful there is no doubt. At the first tournament,

held in 1891, R. D. Wrenn, now the national champion, then in the

Cambridge Latin School, was the winner, and he helped earn the pennant

for his school. The following year Malcolm Chace met Clarence Budlong in

the Interscholastic finals, and, after a hot match, Chace took first,

and carried the banner to the University Grammar School of Providence.

Budlong won in 1893, but only after a hard struggle with Ware, of the

Roxbury Latin, who came up again in 1894 and carried off all the honors,

including the championship banner for the school making the highest

number of points. Ware's second victory in the finals last week entitles

him to a position among the leading young players of the country, and I

have no doubt that he will win at Newport in the Interscholastic

tournament this summer.

Jarvis Field afforded a beautiful sight while the tournament was going

on last week. There were twenty-two courts in use during the preliminary

rounds, and a goodly number of spectators stood around to watch the

players. I was most interested in Ware's work, and gave most of my

attention to his play. He was in three matches the first day, and won

them all. He first met Edwards, who is a strong player, and who made him

do some sharp work in the second set. Ware is particularly good on hard

drives, and it is really inspiring to see him smash the ball at the back

line, and come within a few inches of it every time. But Henderson was

lively, and returned many of the champion's swiftest drives; he would

have made a better showing if he had been more accurate in his placing.

Later Ware defeated Bartlett and Seaver, both in two straight sets,

three of which were love sets. Fitz showed great improvement in form

over last year, and reached the semi-finals. He is a rising young

player, and will be heard from next year. On Monday, the 6th, Ware

played in the semi-finals and the finals and won the cup. Newton High

took the pennant offered for the school winning the greatest number of

points.

[Illustration: W. T. LAING. N. W. BARKER.

ANDOVER ACADEMY'S TWO RECORD RUNNERS.]

Arrangements are being made to bring about a meeting between the

track-athletic teams of Phillips Andover and Worcester academies. As yet

no date has been set for the games, but if the two schools can come to

an understanding on certain minor points, it is probable that they will

be held at Worcester during the week previous to the big Interscholastic

meeting at Cambridge in June. The games will be most interesting, for

both the Worcester and Andover academies have strong teams. Readers of

this department will remember that the Worcester Academy took second

place, with 141 points, at the in-door meeting in Boston last March, and

Andover won the Interscholastics in June last year. The programme of the

dual games will be the same as the Intercollegiate order of events, and

only three candidates will be entered from each school. Worcester's best

sprinter, Clark, has been ill, and will not run again this year, and so

Senn or Barker of Andover will have a better chance for the 100 and 220.

Barker, however, is inclined to be indolent, and is not careful or

regular in his training. Laing of Andover is pretty sure to win the

mile. He won that event in the Interscholastics last June in 4.32-2/5,

but as he is twenty-one years old this year, he is debarred from

competing on Holmes Field in June. This I.S.A.A. rule would not affect

his status in the Worcester-Andover games, however, and Laing will there

try to lower his record. Holt will take the shot event for Andover, and

Malby, his schoolmate, will probably get second. Holt should also win

the hammer throw. Lorraine of Andover will do no better than to secure a

place in the 440, which will be won by Judd of Worcester, if he runs.

But Judd may reserve himself for the half-mile, which he is sure to

take. As Andover has no good men in the jumps, Worcester should get 10

points or more there, and Johnson of Worcester will easily take the pole

vault, having a record of 10 feet 8 inches. Barker will give Hine a

close race over the low hurdles, and may win. Hine took the event at the

Interscholastics last year. These dual games will be an excellent thing

for the advancement of the sport, and I hope some of the other large

schools, situated at a distance from one another, will take up the idea

and arrange similar meetings.

A field meeting of Pacific Coast amateurs was held at the Olympic Club

Grounds, San Francisco, April 20th, and the school-boys who entered made

a very good showing. The games were held for the benefit of the

University of California team, now in the East, and the young athletes

of the A.A.L. compared very favorably with the men who have come on to

joust with Yale, Princeton, and Pennsylvania. Jackson of the Oakland

High-School won the mile run in 4 min. 38-3/5 sec., with Brown of the

University of California second. Brown led in the last lap until the

stretch, when Jackson spurted and won by the very narrow margin of ten

inches. Jenks, O.H.-S., won the quarter in 52-3/5 secs. by ten or twelve

yards, with two university men, Barnes and Parkhurst, behind him. Cheek,

the captain of the O.H.-S. team, got second in the broad jump, covering

21 feet, and cleared 10 feet 2-1/2 inches in the pole vault. McConnell,

O.H.-S., cleared 5 feet 3 inches in the high jump, and took second in

the event. The Pacific Coast scholars may well be proud of these

achievements in a competition with men so much older and more

experienced than themselves.

THE GRADUATE.

[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.

Ailsie Bond came to see me on last Saturday afternoon, and I noticed at

a glance that something was wrong. I knew it by her very step and her

look. Ailsie is one of my darlings, such a bright, brave girl, always

just where one expects to find her, the sweetest, dearest, sunniest of

companions. But she was under a cloud last week. Let me add that she is

sixteen years old, and a school-girl.

"I am so homesick," she said, sitting in her favorite corner of the

lounge, with her elbow resting on a cushion. "Here I've kept up for

months working hard and learning ever so much, and feeling every day

that father and mother are so good in sparing me to stay away so long,

and in giving me these advantages, and now, when the last school term of

the year is almost ended, examinations coming on, and then so soon home,

sweet home and a long vacation, I can't _stand_ it. I want my mother. I

want to sleep in my own little room. I want to hug the baby. I want to

count the silver, and dust the parlor, and keep the library in order,

and run to meet my father when he comes home from the office. Oh, I know

it is silly!" she said, laughing and crying both at once, "but I can't

help it. I'm homesick, and I'd rather have the toothache. It wouldn't

hurt any more."

There was no use in arguing with dear Ailsie, so I comforted her as best

I could. You girls who are away at school know all about it. The

homesick hours must come, and you wouldn't be really home-loving girls

if you didn't have them. But if one never went away from home, she

couldn't have the joy of going back there, and being met at the station

by her big brother, and having father and mother welcome her, and the

little ones show how much they had grown in her absence, even the cat

and dog showing their delight that one they had missed was with them

again. Poor puss, and poor collie and terrier, I often wonder at _their_

dumb wonder and speculation as to what has become of their friends when

somebody in the house goes off and stays away a long while. They cannot

talk, but they purr or wag their tails, and all but laugh when the

friends return. Yes, girls, brace up, as your brothers say. A half-hour

at home will console you for the homesickness you suffer from when

absent. Keep up your courage, and at the worst remember that

"The darkest day,

Live till to-morrow will have passed away."

The woods are perfect dreams of beauty in these May days, and what with

the dogwood blossoms shining in starry splendor, and the laurel getting

ready to bloom, and the orchards drifting their pink-and-white blossoms

on the softly caressing winds, the world is a beautiful place. Be on the

lookout for exquisite things and you will surely find them. It is a pity

to go blindly through so much splendor. Use your eyes and _observe_;

every day will show you something new.

Did you ever notice how cunningly some birds hide their nests, weaving

them of twigs just the color of the ground, and then sitting on their

eggs almost in your sight, yet so unobtrusively that you discover them

only by accident? The little sociable wrens, less timid and more

friendly, build their nests by the very house door, and are not afraid

to let you have a peep at their pretty housekeeping. Birds are

interesting neighbors to my mind.

Anna C. asks what you must have at an afternoon tea. You _may_ have

anything you choose, sandwiches, small cakes, salads, ices, candies,

and, of course, tea served with cream and sugar, or with thin slices of

lemon and sugar. But you _must_ have, or, rather, you need only have, if

you wish, tea and very thin, daintily served slices of bread-and-butter.

The idea of afternoon tea is merely a light refreshment about five

o'clock in the afternoon, when you may have a few moments' pleasant chat

with the family and your friends, and when what you eat and drink is a

delicate accompaniment to the conversation. Among the most acceptable

sandwiches are those made with a crisp green lettuce leaf between thin

slices of bread-and-butter, the lettuce salted and sprinkled with

vinegar, or of very dainty brown bread with cottage cheese thinly spread

on the two inner sides.

[Illustration: Signature]

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Highest of all in Leavening Power.--Latest U. S. Gov't Report.

[Illustration: Royal Baking Powder]

Books by Thomas W. Knox

* * * * *

THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN THE LEVANT

Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey through Morocco, Algeria,

Tunis, Greece, and Turkey, with Visits to the Islands of Rhodes

and Cyprus, and the Site of Ancient Troy. Illustrated. Square 8vo,

Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00.

_THE "BOY TRAVELLERS" SERIES_

Copiously Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00 per

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ADVENTURES OF TWO YOUTHS--

IN SOUTHERN EUROPE.

IN CENTRAL EUROPE.

IN NORTHERN EUROPE.

IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

IN MEXICO.

IN AUSTRALASIA.

ON THE CONGO.

IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE.

IN SOUTH AMERICA.

IN CENTRAL AFRICA.

IN EGYPT AND PALESTINE.

IN CEYLON AND INDIA.

IN SIAM AND JAVA.

IN JAPAN AND CHINA.

_OTHER BOOKS BY COLONEL KNOX:_

Hunting Adventures on Land and Sea

2 vols. Copiously Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental,

$2.50 each.

THE YOUNG NIMRODS IN NORTH AMERICA.

THE YOUNG NIMRODS AROUND THE WORLD.

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_The above works are for sale by all booksellers, or will be sent by the

publishers, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, Canada,

or Mexico, on receipt of the price._

[Illustration: If afflicted with SORE EYES use Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE

WATER]

=A Request.=--Readers of _Harper's Round Table_ will please mention the

paper when answering advertisements contained therein.

[Illustration: BICYCLING]

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the

Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject,

besides inquiries regarding the League of American Wheelmen, so

far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Bicycling

Department.

[Illustration: Map]

The map this week marks out one of the several different ways of going

from New York to Stamford, Connecticut, or any of the points along the

way. A good ride for an ordinary bicycle-rider who is not out to cover

distance, but wants to reach a certain point, stop for dinner and

return, is to go from Fifty-ninth Street to Portchester, which is about

twenty-five miles, making in all a fifty-mile run. This route may be

extended if the rider is looking for a longer distance, as far as

Stamford, which is perhaps about thirty-two miles from 110th Street. The

road is an uncomfortable one to ride over until the rider is well out of

the city, but after that it is reasonably good, except for the hills

before going into New Rochelle, and before going into Mamaroneck.

The rider should enter Central Park at Fifty-ninth Street and Eighth

Avenue; thence diagonally over to the Eastern Drive, leaving the Park at

its northern end; up Lenox Avenue to 128th Street; then east to Third

Avenue, and then across the Third Avenue Bridge. Half a block north of

the bridge turn to the right on the southern Boulevard; follow the

southern Boulevard east to Union Avenue, something more than a mile,

with Belgian block pavement all the way. At Union Avenue it is well to

leave the southern Boulevard, because the macadamized road is so full of

holes, and otherwise in very bad condition. Go on Union Avenue about

one-half mile north over mud ruts, and come out upon Westchester Avenue.

Here the rider has sixteen blocks of Belgian block pavement eastward.

After this comes a badly macadamized road, which has several descents

and short sharp hills for about three blocks to Fox Street; thence go on

a fairly good road, improving all the way, to the village of West Farms,

where you cross the Bronx River and come out on the old Boston Post

Road. From here the road is macadamized and is very good, and the rider

should keep to it all the way to Stamford. Or he may turn right just out

of Bronxdale and go down to New Rochelle through Westchester,

Baychester, etc. In either case the road is the same after leaving New

Rochelle.

There are many little hills between Pelham Bridge and New Rochelle, the

longest being in Neptune Park, just south of New Rochelle village. The

road is macadamized and in excellent order. There is a steep descent

about four blocks long as you approach Larchmont Manor, with a

corresponding hill to climb as you enter the village. There are three

hills, each about three blocks long, between Larchmont Manor and

Mamaroneck, the road being macadamized all the way. North of Mamaroneck

the road is macadamized and kept in excellent condition as far as Rye.

The road from Rye, thence around the north of Portchester, thence to

bridge at Bryan River, sharp turn to right here, and thence to

Greenwich, is a well-kept macadam. The rider may stop at Greenwich, if

he choose, but the run to Stamford to the north of Coscob at the head of

Coscob Bay is a good one. The country is rolling rather than hilly.

There are no specially steep hills in this district.

At New Rochelle a stop may be made at the Hugenot House, after a run of

fourteen miles. By taking the turn to the right indicated on the map

just before entering Portchester, instead of turning sharp to the left

and following the bicycle route, the rider may run into Portchester and

stop at the Irving or the West End Hotel, while at Stamford the Stamford

House is in the centre of the town, and furnishes a suitable

stopping-place for the end of the journey.

NOTE.--Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of

route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810.

[Illustration: STAMPS]

This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp collectors,

and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the

subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor

Stamp Department.

Since the finding of the variety in the twelve-cent stamp of the United

States, illustrated a short time ago, the collectors have been

industriously seeking for varieties in the other values in the same

series, and not without results, as two varieties are now mentioned in

other stamps, one of them being the seven-cent of the 1872 issue, and

the other in the current two-cent stamp.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

The first variety discovered is shown in the accompanying illustrations,

these showing the lower left-hand corners of the seven-cent stamp. In

Fig. 2 a very fine line will be noticed around the two points of the

bulb, these being absent in the other variety. As the seven-cent stamp

is somewhat scarce, young collectors will hardly be in a position to

sort a number over to look for the variety.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

The other variety which has been found is shown in the two cuts given,

these representing the triangular ornaments in the upper corners of the

current two-cent stamps. In the ordinary or common variety the lines run

across the ornaments, while in the new variety the lines stop at the

frame of the triangles, thus causing them to show clearer. As there are

a great number of plates used for printing the two-cent values, the new

variety will probably be found in profusion, and it is interesting to

hunt for them.

A recent despatch from Washington stated that the Attorney-General had

given it as his opinion that foreign postage-stamps were securities, and

therefore came under the law in relation to counterfeiting. This

opinion, it would seem, would stop the using of stamp cuts of any kind

in this country, but the publishers have as yet taken no notice of the

matter.

The four, five, and fifteen cent values of the United States 1890 issue

have been found in an unperforated state.

In the first issue of United States envelopes, in giving the various

dies of the three-cent value the catalogue gives the width of the labels

in millimetres as showing the dies. The label is the space at top of

stamp enclosing the word "Three," and in measuring you take from each

side of the label, in some dies the label being curved, and in some it

is straight on the ends.

LOUIS A. DYAR.--There is no half-penny English postage stamp of a

dark blue color. A complete catalogue of all stamps can be had of

any dealer for about fifty cents. All English stamps issued

between 1858 and 1887 had letters in the corners. The first stamp

on the sheet was lettered A. B. in the upper corners, B. A. in the

lower corners. The next stamp was lettered A. C. in the upper,

C. A. in the lower, and so on. In addition each plate had a

separate number.

R. F. J.--We cannot give addresses in this column. Apply to any

stamp dealer if you do not find a satisfactory advertisement in

the advertising columns of this paper.

F. SMITH.--The two stamps described by you are very rare

Confederate locals. The New Orleans is worth from $2 to $5,

according to the color of the ink and paper. You do not describe

it sufficiently to determine whether it is the regular issue or

one of the red on blue paper. The other stamp is the Mobile black,

sold by dealers at $40 each. You are to be congratulated.

A. K.--Yes. All United States stamps are increasing in value.

K. C. B.--The 1838, 1845, 1847 United States cents are sold by

dealers at from five to fifteen cents each, according to

condition. There is one 1838 cent in which this date is struck

over the date 1836. That is a rare coin, and is worth $6.

FRED. W. COON.--The Cape of Good Hope stamps made in 1861 are

woodcuts made for an emergency. The one penny blue and fourpenny

red of this issue are "errors," and are worth $250 each.

ALBERT CURRIER.--The value of the two locals which are catalogued

at $35 and $20 respectively, which you wish to sell, depends

largely on their condition. This department cannot tell what a

dealer ought to give for them. If one dealer will not buy at your

price, perhaps another will, but remember dealers expect to, and,

in fact, must make a profit.

M. B. W.--The United States Internal Revenue stamps on the back of

old photographs have no value as a rule. Many millions were used

every year for a long time. This is especially true of the

one-cent stamps, except the one marked Playing Cards.

* * * * *

THE SECOND SUMMER,

many mothers believe, is the most precarious in a child's life;

generally it may be true, but you will find that mothers and physicians

familiar with the value of the Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk do

not so regard it.--[_Adv._]

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Physicians

prescribe Scott's Emulsion of Cod-liver Oil and Hypophosphites because

they find their patients can tolerate it for a long time, as it does not

upset the stomach nor derange the digestion like the plain oil.

Scott's Emulsion is as much easier to digest than the plain oil as milk

is easier to digest than butter. Besides, the fish-fat taste is taken

out of the oil, and it is almost palatable. The way sickly children,

emaciated, anaemic and consumptive adults, gain flesh on Scott's Emulsion

is very remarkable.

_Don't be persuaded to accept a substitute!_

Scott & Bowne, N. Y. All Druggists. 50c. and $1.

MONARCH

King of all Bicycles.

[Illustration]

TRADE-MARK.

Five Styles. Weights, 18 to 25 Pounds.

Prices, $85 and $100.

MONARCH CYCLE CO.

Factory and Main Office, Lake and Halsted Sts., Chicago.

Eastern Branch: 79 Reade St., & 97 Chambers St., N.Y.

The C. F. GUYON CO., Ltd., Managers.

[Illustration]

Sick Headache

AND

Constipation

are quickly and pleasantly

cured by

Tarrant's Effervescent Seltzer Aperient.

The most valuable family remedy for

Disordered Stomach

and Impaired Digestion.

50 cents and $1.00. All Druggists.

TARRANT & CO., Chemists, N. Y.

* * * * *

Postage Stamps, &c.

* * * * *

[Illustration]

_STAMPS!_ _300_ fine mixed Victoria, Cape of G. H., India, Japan, etc.,

with fine Stamp Album, only =10c.= New 80-p. Price-list =free=. _Agents

wanted_ at =50%= commission. STANDARD STAMP CO., 4 Nicholson Place, St.

Louis, Mo. Old U. S. and Confederate Stamps bought.

[Illustration]

100 all dif. Venezuela, Costa Rica, etc., only 10c.; 200 all dif. Hayti,

Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Ag'ts wanted at 50 per ct. com. List FREE!

=C. A. Stegmann=, 2722 Eads Av., St. Louis, Mo.

=50= var., all dif., 5c.; 12 var. Heligoland, 15c.; 6 var. Italy, 1858

to 1862, 5c.; 3 var. Hanover, 5c.; 35 var. C. American, 50c. Agents

wanted.

F. W. MILLER, 904 Olive St., St. Louis, Mo.

=100= all different, China, etc., 10c.; 5 Saxony, 10c.; 40 Spain, 40c.;

6 Tunis, 14c.; 10 U. S. Revenues, 10c. Agts. wtd., 50% com.; '95 list

free.

CRITTENDEN & BORGMAN CO., Detroit, Mich.

=POSTAGE DUES.=--50c. and 30c., at 70c each; the pair for $1.25.

=Diamond Stamp Co., Germantown, Pa.=

PUZZLE PURSE.

[Illustration]

A first-class morocco purse with nickel frame and clasp. Can't be opened

without the secret; worth 25c. as a purse and $5.00 as a "brain

cracker." As sample of our 1000 Bargains we mail it postpaid with large

Catalogue for 10c.

INGERSOLL & BRO., 65 CORTLANDT ST., N. Y. CITY.

[Illustration: If afflicted with SORE EYES USE Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE

WATER]

=HARPER'S CATALOGUE= thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will

be sent by mail to any address on receipt of ten cents.

Twenty-three Puzzle Awards and Answers.

The West carried off the honors in the Twenty-three Club Contest, and

they are high honors, for the questions were very difficult. The answers

follow. The authority for most of them is Mr. Joseph West Moore's

_History of the American Congress_, just published.

1. Nathaniel Macon. 2. Benjamin Harrison, great-grandfather of

ex-President Benjamin Harrison. 3. John Hancock. 4. James Oglethorpe. 5.

Gen. John Newton. 6. Jonathan Edwards. 7. Miles Standish; Gov. William

Bradford. 8. Eliphalet Nott. 9. Thos. H. Benton. 10. Thomas Corwin. 11.

Gen. Sam Houston. 12. James Otis. 13. George Washington. 14. Davy

Crockett. 15. Geo. B. Roberts. 16. James Fitch. 17. Jared Ingersoll. 18.

Thomas Godfrey. 19. Bayard Taylor. 20. Charles Ellet. 21. Robt. R.

Livingston. 22. Anne C. de la Luzerne. 23. Henry D. Thoreau. 24. George

Inness. 25. Henry Inman. 26. John Adams. 27. William Lloyd Garrison. 28.

Oliver Hazard Perry. 29. Stephen A. Douglas. 30. Timothy Ruggles.

Longfellow credits Miles Standish with the sending back of the

snake-skin, and the "S" in his name is needed to get the second answer:

but the act is also credited to Governor William Bradford. Hence both

were accepted. George Inness is the correct answer to Number 24, for the

puzzle was particular to say "the late."

The first prize, for sending correct answers to the greatest number of

questions, was won by Alga Fawcett, of Minnesota, and is $10 in money.

Two second prizes of $3 each are awarded to John Morton Espey, of

Pennsylvania, and Frances C. Bliven, of distant Washington. Two third

prizes of $1 each are given to John H. Blair, of New York (Ithaca), and

Walter Johnson, of Minnesota. And nine Columbian half-dollars, as fourth

prizes, are sent to Marion Miller, of Maryland; Marguerite Clow, of

Minnesota; Edmund Rice, Jr., of Washington; Harold D. Sampson and

Kenneth Burton, of Wisconsin; Gertrude G. Wilcox, of Massachusetts;

Esther Neilson, of Pennsylvania; Mary T. Porter, of New York, and Katie

Bartholow, of Maryland.

The first prize winner got 25 correct answers; the second, 24; the

third, 23, and the Columbian half-dollar winners, 22 and 21.

If the last names of the twenty-three members of the Club be rightly

arranged the initials spell "The Landing of the Pilgrims." Prizes of

bound volumes of HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE were offered for finding this

sentence, no regard being had for the number of names found. The winners

are: Pennsylvania, William F. Campbell; Wisconsin, Harold D. Sampson and

Kenneth Burton; Washington, Edmund Rice, Jr.; Illinois, Alice Enright;

New England, Helen C. Hopkins; Minnesota, Alice E. Dyar; Michigan, Henry

Martin Jones; Indiana, James Gibbons; New York and New Jersey, Mary T.

Porter (New York); Missouri and Kansas, Mary T. Robinson; Tennessee,

Frank Hopkins; Manitoba, Jules E. Marjoribanks; and "at large," Pansy

Caldwell, of Alabama, and Maddie C. Marshall, of South Carolina.

Round Table Chapters.

No. 687.--The Washington Chapter, of Warsaw, Ill. Phillip Dallam, Willie

Hoffman. Box 106, Warsaw.

No. 688.--The Grove Literary and Musical Chapter, of New York city.

Hattie Lovell; Edythe G. Hathaway, 67 Horatio street.

No. 689.--The Whittier Chapter, of Englewood, Ill. Percy Wilkinson,

Raymond Hathaway, Stearns Bushnell, Herbert Snider. Other members are

Morey Porter, George Ray, William Mueller. Its meetings are held on

Friday. Chapter address, 439 Englewood Avenue.

No. 690.--The Charleston Stamp Exchange Chapter, of Charleston, S. C. It

desires to correspond with other stamp exchange Chapters, and would like

members from other cities. Chapter address, James E. Nestor, 26 Pinckney

Street.

No. 691.--The El Dora Social Club, of San Francisco, Cal. J. J. Cohn,

George Dreck, George Rosenberg, S. Michels. Other members are Edward

Blanchard, Al Williams, Aaron Lewis, Dave and Hyman Caro. Its object is

social amusement, and it would like members from all parts of the globe.

Chapter address, 669 McAllister Street.

No. 692.--The Margaret Sangster Chapter, of Salem, Mass. Bessie Fabens,

Katherine Wardwell, Grace Oliver; Eleanor Little, 40 Chestnut Street.

Kinks.

No. 83.--DOUBLE ACROSTIC.

1. Clotted blood.

2. Smooth.

3. A circle.

4. A denomination of money.

5. Superficial contents.

6. Time of day.

7. An enclosure.

The initials and finals, read downward, give the names of two countries.

SIMON T. STERN.

* * * * *

No. 84.--AN EASY DIAMOND.

1. A letter. 3. A verb. 3. To crush. 4. A verb. 5. A letter.

ADA JEMPSON.

* * * * *

No. 85.--A RIDDLE.

Animal, nor vegetable,

Nor mineral am I;

A natural product, I exist

From two to six feet high.

I am not she, I am not he.

But just between the two,

You'll often see me take my place,

And sometimes hear me too.

I have no breadth, I have no length,

I'm neither thin nor thick,

I'm used to show a faithful love,

And mark a traitor's trick.

I'm mentioned oft in Holy Writ,

Both in the Old and New,

And strongly recommended there

By holy men and true.

J. M. C.

* * * * *

No. 86.

My first is in house, but not in barn,

My second is in sock, but not in darn,

My third is in love, but not in hate,

My fourth is in worm, but not in bait,

My fifth is in eight, but not in six,

My last's in slab, and likewise in sticks,

My whole an author is whose name and worth

Are known and cherished over all the earth.

HORACE F. MAYOR.

Answers to Kinks in No. 808.

King, French, Swett, Bangs, Sangster, Henderson, Patterson, Stuart,

Pyle, Lillie, Munroe, Curtis, Otis, Gibson, Brooks.

* * * * *

Priscilla.

* * * * *

BOYS' NAMES.

1. Sam, 2. Lew, 3. Adam, 4. Ed, 5. Rob, 6. George, 7. Andy, 8. Andrew,

9. Dan, 10. Lee.

College Yells and Colors.

The TABLE is indebted to many members for replies to the question asked

by "M. T." about college yells and colors.

Amherst.--"Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! Amherst!"--Purple and white.

Annapolis.--Navy blue and old-gold.

Bowdoin.--"B-o-w-d-o-i-n Rah, Rah, Rah."--White.

Hamilton.--"Rah! rah! rah! Ham-il-ton, zip rah boom!"--Rose pink.

Johns Hopkins.--"Hullaballoo, Kanuck, Kanuck! Hullaballoo, Kanuck,

Kanuck! Hoorah! Hoorah; J. H. U.!"--Black and blue.

Lafayette.--"Rah! Rah! Rah! Tiger Lafayette!"--Maroon and white.

Lehigh.--"Hoo, ray ray! Hoo, ray ray! Ray ray ray, Lehigh!"--Brown and

white.

Leland Stanford Junior University.--"Rah-Rah-Rah (three times)

Stanford!"--Cardinal.

Oberlin.--"Hi!-O!-Hi!-O!-Hi-O!-Hi!-Hi!-O! Hi! O-ber-lin!"--Crimson and

gold.

University of Alabama.--"Rah, hoo, ree! Universitee! Rah, hoo! Wah, hoo!

A. C. U.!"--Crimson and white.

University of California.--"Rah! Rah! Rah! Cali-forn-i-a U. C. Berk-lee

Zip-Boom-ah!"--Blue and gold.

University of Chicago.--"Chi-ca-go! Chi-ca-go! Chi-ca-go go!

Go-it-Chi-ca! Go-it-Chi-ca! Go-it-Chi-ca-go!"--Maroon.

University of Michigan.--"U. of M. Hurrah! Hurrah! Hoo-rah! Hoo-rah!

Michigan! Michigan! rah! rah! rah!"--Maize and blue.

University of Pennsylvania.--"Rah! Rah! Rah! Penn-syl-vani-ah!"

(seldom used). "'Ray! 'Ray! 'Ray! Penn-syl-vani-a!" (short and

sharp). This is the most common form. "Hoo-rah! Hoo-rah! Hoorah!

Penn-syl-va-ni-ah-h-h!" Each syllable is strongly accented, and the "ah"

prolonged.

Following are sporadic, borrowed from no one knows where

THE OLLY-KAZOOK.

Olly-kazook-Alack! Alack!

Olly-kazook-Alack! Alack!

Hoorah! Hoorah! Penn-syl-va-ni ah!

THE OWSKI-WOW-WOW.

Owski-wow-wow!

Whisky-wow-wow!

Holy-muckeli!

Kentuckyi!

Pennsylvanyi!

These last two are not the Pennsylvania yells, strictly speaking, but

they are used at nearly all games, etc., for a change now and then.

Another prime favorite is a melancholy chant.

"Oh me! Oh my! How we blacked the Tiger's eye!" The colors are red and

blue.

University of Vermont.--"Rah, rah, rah, rah, rah, rah! U. V. M.! rah,

rah!"--Straw and darkgreen.

University of Virginia.--"Rah-rah-rah, Uni-v! Rah-rah-rah, ver-si-tee!

Ver-gin-i-a!"--Navy blue and orange.

Vanderbilt.--"Vanderbilt, Rah, Rah, Rah! Whiz Boom! Zip-Boom, Rah, Rah,

Rah!"--Black and old-gold.

Vassar.--Rose and gray

Wesleyan.--"Rah, Rah, Rah Rah, Wes-lei-an-a! Rah Rah Rah Rah

Rah!"--Cardinal and black.

West Point.--"Rah! Rah! Ray! Rah! Rah! Ray! West Point! West Point!

Armay!"--Black and gray.

Thanks are due to the following for the information given. Grant Knauff,

Jun., F. M. E., R. H., Clara Rompano, Harold Simonds, R. C. Wente,

Dudley S. Steele, A. D. J., Isabelle Willis, B. F. E. Lantie V. Blum,

Harry B. Reese, and V. J. Smith.

Want Corner.

Samuel Byers, Sandiford, Philadelphia, sends the TABLE an account of a

trip which he and about twenty young friends made to New York last

winter. His account is admirably written. His grammar, construction, and

penmanship are away above the average for his age. He tells about visits

made by his jolly party to the Art Museum, to an ocean ship, and many

other places. We do not print his letter in full, because he describes

sights that are already quite familiar, by description at least. We know

his party had a good time, for it called at Franklin Square, and a look

at the jolly faces demonstrated it. Sir Samuel belongs to a Chapter

which wants correspondents everywhere, specially about moths, minerals,

and flowers. Write him for names of individual members. You can get some

good correspondents among them of both sexes.

Harrie O. Bender, 5903 Tulip Street, Wissinoming, Philadelphia, Station

F., is, we think, a member of the same Chapter as the preceding--the

Sylvia. At any rate, the Sylvia has the same wants. It seeks to make a

collection of pressed flowers from all over the world. Won't you help

it? Of course it sends flowers in return. Hubbard Marsh asks how to cure

the skins of small animals. Won't some member ask a taxidermist and send

the information in the form of a Table morsel? We will print it with due

acknowledgment and thanks. The TABLE is in receipt of a long letter from

its old friend, Janet Cowley, whose present address is care W. E. Moxon,

Bungalow, Sherwood Road, Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Writing in January, she says the weather is oppressively hot--such is

the difference in seasons. She also says that the Table's other

Karnerunga friend, Constance Smith, is married and living in Sydney.

Lady Janet promises to answer all her American correspondents as early

as their number and her time permits.

[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.

It is a fortunate thing for the would-be amateur photographer that a

dark-room, used exclusively for photographic work, is not one of the

"must-haves" of photography. If it were, there would doubtless be very

few amateurs, especially among the young people.

To make the work of arranging a temporary dark-room simple and easy, the

materials should be kept all together and in as compact a form as

possible. For storing the chemicals and trays a wooden box eighteen

inches long, twelve inches wide, and eight or ten inches high will be

found a convenient size for holding all the material necessary to use

for developing.

A rack to hold the bottles should be made of a piece of half-inch board

half the size of the bottom of the box. In this board cut holes the size

of the bottles containing the solutions for developing. Fasten this

board securely to the inside of the box, about four inches from the

bottom. The bottles will fit in the holes, and there will be no danger

of breaking or spilling their contents when carrying it from one place

to another. Square bottles should be used for the hypo, and round

bottles for the developers. Five bottles will be enough for the

chemicals--one for the hypo, one for old and one for new developer, one

for the restrainer, and one for the accelerator. Have the labels on the

bottles large and distinct, and make the box on the outside "POISONS."

The trays can be placed one inside the other and put into the box by the

side of the bottles. The glass funnel should be turned over the top of

one of the bottles, and unless the lantern is an extra size, there will

be plenty of room to set it in the box. Nail a strip of leather across

the box for a handle. A piece of board an inch or two larger all round

than the top of the box will serve for a cover when the box is not in

use.

With one's materials in this convenient and portable form it is a simple

matter to get ready for developing, and when one has finished it is but

a moment's work to replace the materials and put them away. This plan of

storing materials not only saves a great deal of time and trouble, but

often prevents mistakes in developing.

In preparing for developing get everything ready before the plates are

taken into the dark-room. Always be particular to place the hypo trays

in the same place each time you develop plates, and you will never make

the mistake of putting a negative into the hypo instead of the

developer.

Keep all the trays and bottles wiped clean. The trays should be

thoroughly rinsed each time after using, so that no trace of hypo from

the fixing tray may come in contact with the developing tray.

The amateur more than perhaps any other person should cultivate habits

of neatness, carefulness, and exactness.

[Illustration: Ivory Soap]

At all grocery stores east of the Rocky Mountains two sizes of Ivory

Soap are sold; one that costs five cents a cake, and a larger size. The

larger cake is the more convenient and economical for laundry and

general household use. If your Grocer is out of it, insist on his

getting it for you.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO. CIN'TI.

Tastes good as it goes down, does good when it gets down.

[Illustration: HIRES' Rootbeer]

makes the children rosy-cheeked, keeps the parents healthful, helps the

old folks carry their years lightly. A 25c. package makes the whole

family happy.

CHAS. E. HIRES CO.,

PHILADELPHIA.

[Illustration]

Kombi

Camera

$3.50

SMALLEST CAMERA MADE

Carry it in your pocket. Size 1-5/8 x 2 in. Weight 4 oz. takes 25

pictures with one loading. Made of seamless metal, oxidized silver

finish. Size of picture 1 in. sq. The simplest camera made. Any boy or

girl can use it. Every instrument fully guaranteed. Not a toy, but a

practical camera. The Kombi complete. $3.50. Roll of film (25 exposures)

20 cts. extra. We develop your negatives if desired. Illustrated Booklet

Free.

Alfred C. Kemper, Mnfr., 208 Lake st., Chicago

BRANCHES--LONDON: 36 Oxford st., W.

BERLIN: 10 Taubenstrasse, W.

HOOPING-COUGH

CROUP.

Roche's Herbal Embrocation.

The celebrated and effectual English Cure without internal medicine.

Proprietors, W. EDWARD & SON, Queen Victoria St., London, England.

Wholesale of

E. Fougera & Co., 30 North William St., N.Y.

[Illustration]

BASE BALL, HOW TO PLAY IT.

A Great Book, contains =all= the rules; also the =secret= of pitching

curved balls, and to bat successfully. Rules for Football and Tennis.

Every player should have it. Entirely new and handsomely illustrated.

This =Great Book Free= to any one sending us =10= cents to pay postage.

=Also= Catalogue Guns, Revolvers, Musical Instruments, Magic Tricks.

=All for l0c. Order quick.= For =$1.25= we will send =Our Base Ball

Outfit=, consisting of 9 Caps, 9 Belts, 1 Ball, 1 Bat. =BATES SPORTING

CO., 100 High St., Boston, Mass.=

[Illustration]

CARD PRINTER =FREE=

Sets any name in one minute; prints 500 cards an hour. YOU can make

money with it. A font of pretty type, also Indelible Ink, Type Holder,

Pads and Tweezers. Best Linen Marker; worth $1.00. Sample mailed FREE

for 10c. stamps for postage on outfit and large catalogue of 1000

Bargains.

R. H. Ingersoll & Bro. 65 Cortlandt St. N.Y. City

[Illustration: If afflicted with SORE EYES USE Dr. ISAAC THOMPSON'S EYE

WATER]

_PUZZLE PENKNIFE, 10c._

[Illustration]

Best steel Blade concealed in nickel handle. Press the button and it

opens. Worth 25c. as a knife and $5.00 as a puzzle. A sample of 1000

Bargains, mailed postpaid with Cat. for =10c.=

ROBT. H. INGERSOLL & BRO., 65 CORTLANDT ST., N.Y. CITY.

=DEAFNESS & HEAD NOISES CURED= by my =INVISIBLE= Tubular Cushions. Have

helped more to good =HEAR=ing than all other devices combined. Whispers

=HEAR=d. Help ears as glasses do eyes. =F. Hiscox=, 853 B'dway, N.Y.

Book of proofs =FREE=

[Illustration]

_Ten Old Songs._

The brief list given below names ten songs from each Number of the

Franklin Square Song Collection. This is only one-twentieth, by the

Arithmetic, of the round Two Hundred to be found in each Number, or of

the Sixteen Hundred in the Eight Numbers thus far issued.

=No. 1.= All Together, Annie Laurie, Blue Bells of Scotland, Bonnie

Doon, Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean; Home, Sweet Home; Last Rose of

Summer, Long, Long Ago; Old Oaken Bucket, When the Swallows Homeward

Fly.

=No. 2.= Flow Gently, Sweet Afton; Ever of Thee, Juanita, Kathleen

Mavourneen, Killarney, Mary of Argyle, Speak Gently, The Long Weary Day,

Twickenham Ferry, What is Home without a Mother?

=No. 3.= Ah! I have Sighed to Rest Me, A Life on the Ocean Wave, Be Kind

to the Loved Ones at Home, Blue Juniata; Chime Again, Beautiful Bells;

Do They Miss Me at Home? In Happy Moments, Old House at Home, Rain Upon

the Roof, The Vacant Chair.

=No. 4.= Dublin Bay, Happy Are We To-Night, Boys: Keller's American

Hymn, Ossian's Serenade, Rock Me to Sleep, Mother; Search Through the

Wide World, Sweeter than the Breath of Morning, Trancadillo, When the

Bloom is on the Rye.

=No. 5.= All Among the Barley, Ben Bolt, Fair Land of Poland, Home

Again, Maryland, My Maryland; Speed, My Bark; Thou Art So Near and Yet

So Far; Tramp, Tramp, Tramp; When I Come; Within this Sacred Dwelling.

=No. 6.= Alice Gray, Andreas Hofer, Eyes So Blue and Dreaming, Faded

Flowers, Listen to the Mocking Bird, Jamie's on the Stormy Sea, Men of

Harlech, Rockaway, She Wore a Wreath of Roses, Tenting on the Old Camp

Ground.

=No. 7.= Cousin Jedediah, Gentle Annie, Hark, I Hear an Angel Sing;

Irish Emigrants Lament, Touch the Harp Gently, Love's Golden Dream; The

Years Creep Slowly by, Lorena; O Give Me but My Arab Steed, The Star of

Glengary.

=No. 8.= Chimes of Zurich, Flow, Rio Verde; There's a Good Time Coming,

I'd Weep with Thee, Lone Starry Hours, Lovely Nancy, Johnny Schmoker,

Mermaid's Evening Song, Old Easy Chair by the Fire, The German

Fatherland.

Sold Everywhere. Price, 50 cents; Boards, 60 cents; Cloth, $1.00. Full

contents of the Several Numbers, with Specimen Pages of favorite Songs

and Hymns sent, without cost, to any address.

Harper & Brothers, New York.

OPENING OF THE CIRCUS SEASON.

AN ACT "NOT DOWN ON THE BILLS."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

IT DIDN'T WORK.

It isn't always safe for a small boy to take his father's jokes and

games too seriously. This was shown very plainly at one time by the

experience of an Englishman and his son upon a railway journey which

they took together. While the little fellow was gazing out of the open

window his father slipped the hat off the boy's head in such a way as to

make his son believe that it had fallen out of the window. The boy was

very much upset by his supposed loss, when his father consoled him by

saying that he would "whistle it back." A little later he whistled, and

the hat reappeared. Not long after the little lad seized upon his

father's hat, and flinging it out of the window, shouted, "Now, papa,

whistle your hat back again!"

A DAINTY FOR ELEPHANTS.

If there is anything in the world that an elephant loves better than a

peanut it is an orange, and if any boy who reads this wishes, when he

goes to the circus, to give the massive creature an especial treat,

instead of paying five cents for a bag of peanuts to put in the

elephant's trunk, let him purchase for the same money one good-sized

orange, and present that to the small-eyed, flat-eared monster. A number

of years ago, in a book which was called _Leaves from the Life of a

Special Correspondent_, Mr. O'Shea, the author of the book, gave the

following description of an adventure he had with a herd of elephants.

Said he: "A young friend asked me once to show him some elephants, and I

took him along with me, having first borrowed an apron and filled it

with oranges. This he was to carry whilst accompanying me in the stable,

but the moment we reached the door the herd set up such a

trumpeting--they had scented the fruit--that he dropped the apron and

its contents, and scuttled off like a scared rabbit. There were eight

elephants, and when I picked up the oranges I found I had twenty-five. I

walked deliberately along the line, giving one to each. When I got to

the extremity of the narrow stable I turned, and was about to begin the

distribution again, when I suddenly reflected that if elephant No. 7 in

the row saw me give two oranges in succession to No. 8 he might imagine

he was being cheated, and give me a smack with his trunk--that is where

the elephant falls short of the human being--so I went to the door and

began at the beginning as before. Thrice I went along the line, and then

I was in a fix. I had one orange left, and I had to get back to the

door. Every elephant in the herd had his greedy gaze focussed on that

orange. It was as much as my life was worth to give it to any one of

them. What was I to do? I held it up conspicuously, coolly peeled it,

and ate it myself. It was most amusing to notice the way those elephants

nudged each other and shook their ponderous sides. They thoroughly

entered into the humor of the thing."

ARITHMETIC.

MAMMA. "Suppose you have four apple-dumplings, Willie, and you eat

three, then what do you have?"

WILLIE. "Nightmare."

IN MEMORIAM.

My broken soldiers, made of lead,

Are buried in the garden bed,

And lovely flowers o'er them play,

For this is Decoration day.

TOMMY'S PROGRESS.

MAMMA. "You may open your school report, Tommy, and tell me how you have

been doing this week."

TOMMY. "Oh, here is the highest mark, mamma, a 1."

MAMMA. "And what is that for, Tommy?"

TOMMY. "Days absent, 1."

JOHNNY'S COUNTING.

JOHNNY. "Mamma, I can count all the way up to twelve."

MAMMA. "And what comes after twelve, Johnny?"

JOHNNY. "Recess."

AN APPEAL.

"Papa," said Jennie, climbing upon her father's knee, "don't you think

that 'stead o' ten cents a week you could give me fifteen?"

"Well, I don't know, my dear," was the answer. "What do you want of the

extra five cents?"

"I thought my dollie was old enough to have a 'lowance, and I want to

give it to her."

A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION.

"I know how Columbus made that egg stand up," said Wilbur. "He had it

hatched first."

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, May 14, 1895, by Various