CHAPTER IV.

THE "EMPRESS" LOSES A PASSENGER.

Professor Maximus Sonntagg, a big man with a beard, and his wife, Mrs.

Dr. Ophelia Sonntagg, who was thin and mysterious, had come out of the

East to seek their fortunes in the Golden City about a year before, but

up to this time without any great amount of success. The former was a

professor of almost everything in the shape of ancient and modern art,

languages, history, and a lot of other things, concerning all of which

he wrote articles for the papers, always signing his name to them in

full. The Mrs. Doctor had learned the art of saying little, looking

wise, and shaking her head, as she felt the pulse of her patients.

These people had managed to scrape an acquaintance with Amos Todd, whom

the Professor declared to be the only patron of art in San Francisco

worth knowing, and to whom he gave some really valuable advice

concerning the purchase of certain paintings. Thus it happened that when

the busy millionaire, in seeking to provide a safe and congenial

amusement for the son whom he firmly believed to be an invalid,

conceived the idea of sending him around the world by way of China, he

also thought of the Sonntaggs as most suitable travelling companions for

him. Where else could he find such a combination of tutor and

physician, a man of the world to take his place as father, and a

cultivated woman to act as mother to his motherless boy?

When he proposed the plan to the Sonntaggs, they declared that they

could not think of giving up the prosperous business they had

established in San Francisco, even for the sake of obliging their dear

friend Mr. Amos Todd. With this the millionaire made them an offer of

such unheard-of munificence that, with pretended reluctance, they

finally accepted it, and he went on his way rejoicing.

The next evening the Sonntaggs dined at Amos Todd's house for the

purpose of making Alaric's acquaintance. The Professor patted him on the

shoulder, and, in a patronizing manner, hoped they should learn much and

enjoy much together. The Mrs. Doctor surveyed him critically, and held

his hand until the boy wondered if she would never let it go. Finally

she shook her head, sighed deeply, and, turning to his father, said:

"I understand the dear child's case thoroughly. What he needs is

intelligent treatment and motherly care. I can give him both, and

unhesitatingly promise to restore him to you at the end of a year, if

nothing occurs to prevent, strong, well, and an ornament to the name of

Todd."

Alaric found no difficulty in forming an opinion of the Sonntaggs, and

wondered if going to France with his father and sister would not be

preferable to travelling in their company. So occupied was he with this

question that he hardly ate a mouthful of the sumptuous dinner served in

honor of the guests--a fact that was noted with significant glances by

all at the table.

It was planned that very evening that the Pacific should be crossed in

one of the superb steamships sailing from Vancouver, in British

Columbia, and a despatch was sent off at once to engage staterooms. The

journey was to be begun, two days later, for that was the date on which

Amos Todd and his daughter were to start for France; and though the

_Empress_ would not sail from Vancouver for a week after that, the house

would be closed, and it was thought best for Alaric to travel up the

coast by easy stages.

During those two days of grace the poor lad's mind was in a ferment. He

had no desire to go to China or anywhere else outside of his own

country. Having travelled nearly all his life, he was so tired of it

that travelling now seemed to him one of the most unpleasant things a

boy could be compelled to undertake. He did not want to go to France, of

course, and decided that even China in company with the Sonntaggs would

be better than Europe.

Still, he tried to escape from going away at all, and asked his brother

John to let him stay with him and go to work in the bank; but John Todd

answered that he was too busy a man to have the care of an invalid, and

that their father's plan was by far the best. Then, as a last resort,

Alaric went to the park, hoping to meet Dave Carncross, and determined,

if he did, to lay the whole case before him, and ask his advice. Even

here fate seemed against him; for, from a strange boy of whom he made

inquiry, he learned that Carncross had left the city a day or two

before, though where he had gone the boy did not know.

So preparations for the impending journey went busily forward, and

Alaric, who felt very much like a helpless victim of misfortune, could

find no excuse for delaying them. Even in the preparations being made

for his own comfort he was given no active part. Everything that he was

supposed to need and did not already possess was procured for him. His

father presented him with a superb travelling-bag, fitted with all

possible toilet accessories in silver and cut glass, but the boy would

infinitely have preferred a baseball bat, and a chance to use it.

At length the day for starting arrived, and, with as great reluctance as

he had ever felt in his life, Alaric entered the carriage that was to

convey the Todds to the Oakland ferry. Crossing the bay, they found the

Sonntaggs awaiting them on the other side, where the whole party entered

Amos Todd's palatial private car that was attached to the Overland

Express. In this way they travelled together as far as Sacramento, where

Alaric bade his father and sister good-by. Then he and his newly

appointed guardians boarded the special car provided for them, and in

which they were to proceed by the famous Shasta route to the far North.

Up to this point the Sonntaggs had proved very attentive, and had

striven by every means to make themselves agreeable to their

fellow-travellers. From here on, however, the Professor spent most of

his time in smoking and sleeping, while his wife devoted herself to

reading novels, a great stack of which had been provided for the

journey. Alaric, thus left to his own devices, gazed drearily from the

car window, rebelling inwardly at the lonely grandeur with which he was

surrounded, and wishing with all his heart that he were poor enough to

be allowed to travel in one of the ordinary coaches, in which were

several boys of his own age, who seemed to be having a tantalizingly

good time. They were clad in flannels, knickerbockers, and heavy walking

shoes, and Alaric noted with satisfaction that they all wore gray Tam o'

Shanter caps such as he had procured at Esther Dale's suggestion, and

was now wearing for the first time.

They left the train at Sisson, and Alaric, standing on the platform of

his car, gathered from their conversation that they were about to climb

Mount Shasta, the superb rock-ribbed giant that lifted his snow-crowned

head more than 14,000 feet in the air a few miles from that point. What

wouldn't he give to be allowed to join the merry party and make the

adventurous trip with them? He had been familiar with mountains by sight

all his life, and had always longed to climb one, but had never been

given the opportunity.

It was small consolation to notice one of the boys draw the attention of

the others to him, and overhear him say: "Look at that chap travelling

in a special car like a young millionaire. I say, fellows, that must be

great fun, and I'd like to try it just for once, wouldn't you?"

The others agreed that they would, and then the group passed out of

hearing, while Alaric said to himself, "I only wish they could try

travelling all alone in a special car, just to find out how little fun

there is in it."

The following morning Portland, Oregon, was reached, and here the car

was side-tracked that its occupants might spend a day or two in the

city. The Sonntaggs seemed to have many acquaintances here, and for

these they held a reception in the car, gave a dinner at the Hotel

Portland, and ordered carriages in which to drive about, all at Amos

Todd's expense. In these diversions Alaric was at liberty to join or

not, as he pleased, and he generally preferred to remain behind or to

wander about by himself.

The same programme was repeated at Tacoma and Seattle in the State of

Washington, and at Vancouver in British Columbia. In the last-named

place Alaric's chief amusement lay in watching the lading of the great

white ship that was to bear him away, and the busy life of the port with

its queer medley of Yankees and Britishers, Indians and Chinamen,

tourists, sailors, and stevedores. The last named especially excited his

envious admiration--they were such big men, and so strong.

At length the morning of sailing arrived, and as the mighty steamship

moved majestically out of the harbor, and, leaving the brown waters of

Burrard Inlet behind, swept on into the open blue of the Gulf of

Georgia, the boy was overwhelmed with a great wave of homesickness.

Standing alone at the extreme after end of the promenade deck, he

watched the fading land with strained eyes, and felt like an outcast and

a wanderer on the face of the earth.

After a while the ship began to thread a bewildering maze of islands, in

which Professor Sonntagg made a slight effort to interest his moody

young charge; but finding this a difficult task, he quickly gave it up,

and joined some acquaintances in the smoking-room.

Alaric had not known that the _Empress_ was to make one stop before

taking her final departure from the coast. So when she was made fast to

the outer wharf at Victoria on the island of Vancouver, the largest city

in British Columbia, and its capital, he felt like one who receives an

unexpected reprieve from an unpleasant fate.

As it was announced that she would remain here two hours, the Sonntaggs,

according to their custom, at once engaged a carriage to take them to

the most interesting places in the city. This plan had been suggested by

Amos Todd himself, who had bidden them spare no expense or pains to show

his son all that was worth seeing in the various cities they might

visit; and that the boy generally declined to accompany them on these

excursions was surely not their fault--at least, they did not regard it

so.

The truth was that Alaric had taken a dislike to these pretentious

people from the very first, and it had grown so much stronger on closer

acquaintance that now he was willing to do almost anything to avoid

their company. Thus on this occasion he allowed them to drive off

without him, while he strolled alone to the head of the wharf, tossing

his beloved baseball, which he had carefully brought with him on this

journey, from hand to hand as he walked.

"Hello! Give us a catch," shouted a cheery voice. And, looking up,

Alaric saw a merry-faced squarely built lad of about his own age

standing in an expectant attitude a short distance from him. Although he

was roughly dressed, he had a bright, self-reliant look that was

particularly attractive to our young traveller, and without hesitation

he tossed him the ball. They passed it back and forth for a minute, and

then the stranger lad, saying, "Good-by; I must be getting along; wish I

could stop and get better acquainted, though," ran on, with a laugh, and

disappeared in the crowd.

[Illustration: ALARIC MAKES HIS FIRST DECISION.]

An hour later Alaric was nearly half a mile from the wharf, when the

steamer's hoarse whistle sounded a warning note that signified a speedy

departure. He turned and began to walk slowly in that direction, and a

few minutes later a carriage containing the Sonntaggs dashed by without

its occupants noticing him. At sight of them Alaric paused. A queer look

came into his face; it grew very pale, and then he deliberately sat down

on a log by the way-side. There came another blast of the ship's

whistle, and then the tall masts, which he could just see, began slowly

to move. The _Empress_, with the Sonntaggs on board, had started, and

one of her passengers was left behind.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

* * * * *

BOBBY (_who heard his uncle say he lost his lawsuit_). "That's nothing:

why don't you ask papa for one of his old business suits?"

[Illustration: THE ARCTIC HARE.]

THE COURAGE AND ENDURANCE OF ARCTIC ANIMALS.

BY THE CHIEF OF THE GREELY EXPEDITION.

Among the many errors that enter into popular belief regarding the

arctic regions there are none more pronounced than some of those

relating to its animal life. In many of their ideas the general public

have been justified, for until the early part of this century even works

of scientific research were not wholly free from fables and fictions of

this character. Among these errors is one--_i.e._, that all arctic

animals migrate to the south with coming winter--which especially

pertains to the subject under consideration, for the fact that the

animals treated of in this article are permanent residents of the arctic

regions is one of the most convincing signs of their courage and

endurance.

It was not unnatural for early travellers to believe that all arctic

animals were migratory, and one need not go back farther than the

narratives of Parry to find this opinion advanced. Instinct and a desire

for self-preservation, it was said, impelled animals to pass to the

southward, where the rigors incident to winter life would be less

severe, and when spring came, with a similar instinct, they fled their

coming foes from the south to seek safe breeding-places in the north. We

now know that these animals abide in the north through the winter, but

most people do not know how bitter their struggle for existence is.

Consider for a moment the winter environment of arctic animals, so as to

fairly view the very adverse conditions under which, with a courage and

endurance scarcely equalled elsewhere, they manage to maintain life from

the passing of one summer to the coming of another. In order to speak

with truth and exactness, the writer dwells on the arctic regions best

known from personal observation--_i.e._, those portions of Greenland and

Grinnell Land beyond the 80th degree of north latitude. These countries

stretch not less than a thousand miles beyond the arctic circle, to

within four hundred miles of the North Pole, and are from two to three

hundred miles farther north than any human inhabitants.

Here arctic animals live and thrive in large numbers, under the

disadvantages of darkness, cold, the inland ice, snow, and limited

food-fields. The sun is totally absent for a period ranging from four to

five months, during which time the darkness is such that even at mid-day

first-class stars are clearly visible. With the passing sun comes the

winter cold, so extreme that quicksilver becomes and remains solid for

weeks at a time, and so prolonged that for successive months the

temperature never rises above zero. Indeed, for only six scant weeks

following midsummer does water remain unfrozen.

It should be borne in mind that the greater portion of these regions is

eternally covered with what is known as the inland ice or ice-cap, which

at irregular intervals covers and destroys the fertile meadows that

furnish vegetable food. So it is that in this age there remain

feeding-grounds for herbivorous animals only in such valleys as are yet

untouched by the advancing ice-sheet, or from which the changing

conditions of a thousand years have withdrawn the glaciers and restored

the hardy arctic plants.

At first sight it would seem that no animal could live a single winter

under the physical conditions just enumerated, the disadvantages of

which are, if anything, understated. In truth, not only do these animals

flourish, but it may be even said that the very severity of the climate

and the difficulties of existence are the primal causes which populated

these lands with races of selected mammals of unusual endurance,

strength, and courage. Here stern nature extends no favor to the weak,

slothful, or improvident, and only the best, the strongest, and the most

cunning survive in person or by descendants.

Of the smaller mammals the lemming and hare entered the very high

regions to escape their inveterate enemies, the ermine and the fox, who

in turn followed these--their main food supply. Wandering here and there

for pasturage, the musk-ox found the more northerly grounds less

infested with wolves, and not at all frequented by man, so that here, in

a measure unmolested, are now found the only known extensive herds of

musk cattle. The predatory wolf naturally followed the musk-ox, the fox,

and other smaller animals on which he subsists.

Let us now turn to the means and methods by which these animals succeed

in maintaining life, which, it has been made evident, can only be done

by the highest order of intelligence, courage, and endurance.

The smallest of these arctic animals is the lemming, which looks to one

not a naturalist like a thick, short-tailed mouse, some four inches

long, excluding his scant inch of tail. The lemming forms the principal

food of the ermine and fox, while in summer it is likewise pursued by

the robber gulls and the arctic owl. His color is not unlike that of the

mouse in the summer, but with advancing winter the tips of the

individual gray hairs gradually blanch and become pure white. Whenever

the wind blows, or the lemming's fur is rubbed, it presents in winter a

pepper-and-salt appearance, for the lower portion of the hairs always

retain the summer coloring. The little fellow feeds entirely on arctic

vegetation, but his principal and probably favorite food is the buds of

the purple (_oppositifolia_) saxifrage.

This plant is possibly the hardiest of all arctic vegetation, and early

in February, after weeks of cold which kept the mercury solid, specimens

covered scarcely by an inch of snow were found to be sending forth their

tender green shoots. But how does the lemming reach the snow-covered

plant? Farther to the south, in the Parry archipelago, Dr. Sutherland

observed that the snow near the lemming's burrows in the shingle was

marked by his tracks, and here and there he had been scratching to reach

the vegetation beneath. In one place the snow surface was broken over a

tuft of purple saxifrage, which was covered by half an inch of snow.

"What instinct," he adds, "could have led the creature to single out the

exact spot on which to bestow its toil?"

Farther north the problem changes with increasing darkness, and the

field-mouse meets it by building his house under the snow, in the centre

of a flourishing patch of saxifrage or dryas. The tiny animal shows

himself to be a nest-builder equal to some of our Southern birds.

Finding a valley favored with vegetation, whereon the drifting snow from

the adjacent hills has spread a protecting layer, the lemming proceeds

to sink a shaft to the ground. He drives tunnels hither and thither

until he has opened up a good pasture-ground, and then, gathering bits

of grass from the bare ground elsewhere, constructs in the most suitable

place a comfortable nest, which serves as his headquarters for the

winter and as a cozy birthplace for the babes. He knows well that he is

not safe from the ravenous ermine or the cunning fox, so be proceeds to

tunnel from his nest in an opposite direction to the entrance of the

burrow--a passage which ends in the open air at a considerable distance

from the original place of entrance. The dry arctic snow above the nest

packs with such closeness that any footfall thereon extends its

vibrations a long distance, so that unless the little lemming is asleep,

his acute senses give him warning of the stealthy coming of the ermine

or fox in his pursuit.

[Illustration: THE LEMMING INSTANTLY BACKED UP AGAINST A ROCK.]

In the open the lemming can easily escape if the friendly snow is at

hand, for his pure white fur makes it difficult for the eye to follow

the tiny animal on the surface of the new snow, while the rapidity with

which he burrows in it astonishes an observer, and usually discomforts a

pursuer. Now and then the mouse is caught napping, and doubtless he

meets often as sudden and untimely a fate as did one under my notice.

Hurrying along the ice-foot with one of the largest of our Eskimo dogs,

we started a lemming under our very feet. The animal instantly backed up

against a rock and uttered shrill cries of rage and defiance at the dog,

who jumped for the lemming, and I for the dog. As my hands were closing

around the dog's neck, he seized the unfortunate rodent, and actually

gulped him down without stopping to bite. As far as I could judge the

lemming must have gone into the dog's stomach in a living condition--a

process easy for the dog, who was daily accustomed to bolt pieces of

meat much larger than the animal he had swallowed.

There is no doubt that the lemming's characteristic rashness is as

fertile a source of danger as is the activity of his pursuers. Often

when escape is certain, a delay to show his courage proves fatal. If he

is quite a distance from his burrow or a snow-bank, his chance of escape

by direct flight is hopeless. When this is the case, he always dies with

his face to the foe. Backing up against a stone or any inequality of the

frozen ground he shows no sign of fear, boldly making little rushes

towards the enemy, and as suddenly retreating to his coign of vantage as

they fail to stop. All the while the air is vocal with a series of sharp

little squeaks that are most surprising to the observer. The diminutive

size of the animal and the small volume of sound are so disproportionate

to the evident courage with which he utters his notes of defiance, as

to make the lemming at bay a most amusing were it not a pathetic sight

for an observer. One cannot fail to feel an admiration for his courage,

not unmixed with pity for the helplessness of so tiny an animal.

It is probable that the arctic lemming shares with his Norwegian cousin

periodical frenzies of migration, so that the large number in Grinnell

Land in 1876 was followed by a great diminution in 1881-3 in the same

region. Whether the migration was towards Greenland is unknown, but it

is certain that in 1882 the lemming was found along the coast of

Greenland to the most northerly point ever reached by man. At this

extreme northern point two lemmings were caught, one being run down by

the ravenous, half-starved sledge dogs, the most fortunate dog

swallowing him whole to avoid having the lemming torn from his jaws.

The lemmings that were held in captivity gradually yielded to kind

treatment, but they showed always an irritable, uncertain temper, and

even in mildest moods tried their teeth gently and playfully, but with a

certain air that promised aggressive action if Mr. Lemming's rights were

not fully respected.

The naturalist in naming the common hare called it _timidus_ (timid),

which in popular opinion describes its most striking quality. If this

species lacks the elements of courage, it would be injustice to bring

this charge against his northern brother, for the polar hare is bold,

tenacious, and enduring to an astonishing degree. He thrives in the most

northern regions under apparently the most adverse conditions, for

within five hundred miles of the North Pole, at Lady Franklin Bay, a

hare, killed two weeks before the return of the sun, after a winter of

unparalleled severity, was in such excellent condition that it weighed

eleven pounds, against an average of nine pounds for his kind.

He keeps the field throughout the year, and, like the hare of the south,

does not regularly burrow. For the greater part of the year he lives in

a "form," or a depression in his pasture among the saxifrages, willows,

or lichens; occasionally one seeks a sheltered crevice or overhanging

rock.

Nature, indeed, provides him with a winter undergrowth of fur consisting

of the finest, fleeciest hair imaginable, resembling delicate down; but

even with this defence it seems astonishing that he can endure an almost

continuous exposure to temperatures that hold quicksilver as solid as

steel. In a manner the polar hare accommodates himself to the situation,

and if he does not, like the lemming, gather materials for a shelter, he

does at least learn to use snow as a protection against the worst of

weather. Possibly he would burrow like the rabbit if the frozen earth

was not like iron, for he does at times tunnel the snow, to which

uncheery quarters he resorts from his adjacent pasturage. These snow

excavations or burrows are infrequent, for while they add to the bodily

comfort of the hare, they render him more liable to fall a victim to the

fox or wolf, always in search of this arctic dainty.

One of these snow burrows is described by Colonel Feilden, the

naturalist of the Nares expedition in 1875, in 82° 27' N. Hunting the

hare, two weeks before the sun reappears at mid-day, February 24th, in a

temperature 56° below zero, Feilden continues: "I started a hare from

its burrow, a hole about four feet in length scratched horizontally in

the snow. I have no doubt but what the same burrow was regularly used,

as the snow was discolored by the feet of the animal and a quantity of

hair was sticking on the sides." All around the hole he had been

scratching up the snow and feeding on the saxifrage, nibbling off the

delicate green buds which were shooting out from the brown withered

plant of last year's growth.

Dr. Sutherland, some three hundred miles further to the south, says:

"The hares burrow in the snow. One burrow which I measured was eight

feet in length, in a southern exposure, but it was never more than five

or six inches beneath the surface. From the appearance of the snow which

must have been removed in the process of excavation, it was my

impression that the burrow had been opened during the winter. The hares

were so wary, standing on their hind legs and spinning away in this

upright posture, with watchful eyes on all our movements, that all our

efforts to shoot them were useless."

The skill, rapidity, and peculiar manner with which the hare travels

when closely pursued are worthy of attention. The first case noted was

by Sergeant Rice, one of my command, who shot and pursued a hare which

escaped him, although wounded. The animal would travel for a hundred

yards or more at a time on its hind legs alone, jumping a distance of

six to eight feet at each jump, when he would land upon his hind feet,

only to repeat the operation, never touching the ground with his fore

feet. Occasionally, for a change, he resorted to the usual method of

travel. Rice at first thought he was suffering from an optical delusion,

but as the actions were repeated he carefully examined the tracks, which

confirmed his eyesight, showing that only the hare's hind feet touched

the ground. Later the same method of travel fell under my own

observation, except that the hare did not follow it for any considerable

distance; probably it is resorted to only in dire distress.

Other instances could be cited of the tenacity to life and desperation

with which a wounded hare struggles, but the following experience of

Lieutenant Kislingbury, of my party, was probably the most striking that

fell within our experience.

Kislingbury first shot a hare through one of its hind legs, and knocked

him over, but he immediately straightened himself up and commenced to

hop away, leaving the snow marked with his blood. He travelled so

rapidly that the Lieutenant followed him for more than a mile before he

was able to get another shot, when a ball was put through the hare's

stomach; still it proceeded, losing here and there pieces of its

entrails. For two miles further the animal was followed, when a third

ball broke both fore paws just as the animal was in the act of jumping

to reach a high rock. The force of the blow carried the animal over a

cliff, where it rolled down a steep decline for nearly two hundred feet,

and when picked up it still showed signs of life. It seemed to us to be

a most astonishing example of tenacity on the part of any animal, much

more of one usually thought to be timid and weak.

A. W. GREELY.

LITTLE SCARECROW.

A SPANISH TRADITION.

Once upon a time there was a comely hen who lived comfortably in a

farm-yard, surrounded by her numerous family of chickens, noticeable

among which was a lame and deformed one. But this was precisely the one

which the mother loved most dearly; for that is always the way with

mothers. The lame chicken, that had been hatched from a very diminutive

egg, was, in fact, only half a chicken, and to look at him one might

have supposed that the sword of Solomon had executed on his person the

famous sentence pronounced on a certain occasion by that wise King. He

had only one eye, one wing, and one leg; yet for all that he put on more

airs than his father, who was the handsomest, the most valiant, and the

stateliest rooster in all the farm-yards for twenty leagues around. The

chicken thought himself the Phoenix of his race. If the other young

roosters made sport of him, he thought it was through envy, and if the

young hens did so, that it was because he took so little notice of them.

One day he said to his mother: "Mother, I have something to say to you.

The country bores me. I have made up my mind to go to the court; I want

to see the King and the Queen."

The poor mother trembled when she heard these words. "Son," she

exclaimed, "who can have put such nonsense in your head? Your father has

never left his native place, and he is the honor of his race. Where will

you find a yard like this? Where wholesomer or more abundant food, a

hen-house so sheltered and so near the station, or affection like that

of your family?"

"_Nego_," said Little Scarecrow in Latin, for he prided himself upon

his learning, "my brothers and sisters and my cousins are nothing but a

set of ignoramuses."

"But, my son," responded his mother, "have you never looked at yourself

in the glass? Don't you see that you have only one foot and one eye?"

"Since you take that tone," replied Little Scarecrow, "let me tell you

that you ought to drop dead with shame to see me in such a condition.

Pray who is to blame for it but yourself? But perhaps I may meet with

some skilful surgeon," he added, with his comb as red as fire, "who will

supply the members that I lack. So say no more, for I am going away."

When his mother saw that there was no way of dissuading him from his

purpose, she spoke as follows:

"Hear at least, my son, the prudent counsels of an affectionate mother.

Try to avoid passing by any church where there is an image of St. Peter;

the saint has little liking for cocks, and much less for their crowing.

Shun also certain men whom there are in the world called cooks. They are

our mortal enemies, and they would wring the necks of us all, if they

could, in the twinkling of an eye. And now go and ask your father for

his blessing."

Little Scarecrow approached his father, bent his head to kiss his

parent's foot, and asked him for his blessing. The venerable cock gave

it to him with more dignity than tenderness, for, owing to the bad

disposition of the chicken, his father had no love for him. His mother,

however, was so greatly affected that she was obliged to wipe her eyes

with a dry leaf.

Little Scarecrow started off at a trot after he had flapped his wing and

crowed thrice by way of farewell. Presently he came to the edge of a

Brook that was almost dry--for it was summer--whose slender current had

been stopped on its way by some branches. The Brook, as soon as it saw

the traveller, said to him:

"You see, friend, how weak I am. I can scarcely take a step, and I have

not strength enough to push aside those troublesome branches that

obstruct my way. Nor can I give a turn and avoid them, for that would

fatigue me too greatly. You can easily take me out of this difficulty by

removing them with your beak. In exchange, not only can you quench your

thirst in my current, but you may count upon my services when the waters

of heaven shall have restored my strength."

"I could, but I will not," responded the chicken. "Do I by chance look

like the servant of a shallow and miserable Brook?"

"One of these days, when you least expect it, you will remember me,"

murmured the Brook in a fainting voice.

"All that was wanting was that you should give yourself the air of a

great river," said Little Scarecrow, insolently. "Any one would suppose

that you had drawn a prize in the lottery or that you were counting to a

certainty on the waters of the deluge."

A little further on he met the Wind, who was lying stretched on the

ground, almost lifeless.

"Dear Little Scarecrow," said the Wind to him, "in this world we all

have need of one another. Approach and behold me. Do you see to what a

condition the heat of Summer has reduced me--me who am so strong and so

powerful; who raise up the waves, who lay low the fields, whose force

nothing can resist? This sultry day has killed me. I fell asleep,

intoxicated with the fragrance of the flowers that I was playing with,

and here I am now completely exhausted. If you would only raise me a

couple of inches from the ground and fan me with your wing, that would

give me strength enough to fly, and to go to my cavern where my mother

and my sisters, the Storms, are busy mending some old clouds which I

tore to pieces. There they will give me some soup, and I shall gather

new strength."

"Cavalier," responded the perverse chicken, "many a time you have

diverted yourself with me, pushing me from behind, and spreading my tail

out like a fan, for every one who saw me to laugh at me. No, friend, to

every pig comes his St. Martin's day, and so good-by to you for the

present, Sir Harlequin." So saying, he crowed thrice in a clear voice

and strutted haughtily away.

In the middle of a field covered with stubble, to which the harvesters

had set fire, a column of smoke was rising. Little Scarecrow drew near,

and saw a tiny spark which was fast dying out among the ashes.

"Beloved Little Scarecrow," said the Spark, when it saw him, "you have

come just in time to save my life. For want of nourishment, I am at the

point of death. I don't know where my cousin, the Wind, who always helps

me in these straits, can have hidden himself. Bring me a few straws to

revive me."

"What have I to do with your affairs?" answered the chicken. "Die if you

wish. For my part, I have no need of you."

"Who knows but you may yet have need of me," responded the Spark. "No

one can tell what he may one day be brought to."

"Hello!" said the perverse animal. "So you are still haranguing. Take

that, then." And so saying, he covered the Spark with ashes; after which

he began to crow, according to his custom, as if he had just performed

some great exploit.

Little Scarecrow arrived at the capital, and passing by a church, which

he was told was St. Peter's, he stood still before the door, and there

crowed himself hoarse, solely for the purpose of enraging the saint, and

having the pleasure of disobeying his mother.

As he approached the palace, which he desired to enter to see the King

and the Queen, the sentinel cried out to him, "Back!" He then went to

the rear of the palace, and entering by a back door, saw a very large

apartment where a great many people were coming in and going out. He

asked who they were, and was told that they were his Majesty's cooks.

Instead of running away, as his mother had warned him to do, he went in

with crest and tail erect; but one of the scullions caught him on the

instant and wrung his neck in the twinkling of an eye.

"Bring some water here and let us pluck this scarecrow," said the

scullion.

"Water, my dear Doña Cristalina," cried the chicken; "please don't scald

me! Mercy! Have compassion upon me!"

"Had you compassion upon me when I asked your help, perverse bird?"

answered the Water, boiling with rage and flooding the chicken from head

to foot, while the scullions left him without so much as a feather.

The cook then took Little Scarecrow and put him on the gridiron.

"Fire! brilliant Fire!" cried the unhappy bird, "you who are so powerful

and so resplendent, take pity upon my situation, repress your ardor,

quench your flames, and do not burn me."

"You impudent rogue!" responded the Fire, "how can you have the courage

to appeal to me, after having stifled me, because you thought, as you

said, that you would never need me? Come here and you shall see

something fine."

And, in fact, not content with browning the chicken, the fire burned him

until he was as black as a coal. When the cook saw the chicken in this

condition he took him by the foot and threw him out of the window. Then

the Wind took possession of him.

"Wind," cried Little Scarecrow, "my dear, my venerated Wind, you who

rule over everything, and who obey no one, powerful among the powerful,

have compassion upon me; leave me at rest on this heap."

"Leave you!" roared the Wind, seizing him in a gust and whirling him

about in the air like a top. "Never!"

The Wind deposited Little Scarecrow on the top of a belfry. St. Peter

extended his hand and fastened him firmly to it. From that time to this

he has remained there, black, thin, and bare, beaten by the rain and

pushed about by the Wind, whose sport he forever is. He is no longer

called Little Scarecrow, but Weather-Cock; but there he is, expiating

his errors and his sins, his disobedience, his pride, and his

perversity.

* * * * *

A MARINE SIMILE.

The fish are ships that swim the sea

In sunshine and in gales;

Their tails the trusty rudders are,

Their fins the spreading sails.

[Illustration]

FROM CHUM TO CHUM.

BY GASTON V. DRAKE.

V.--FROM JACK TO BOB.

OLD MAN OF THE OUT HOUSE.

[Illustration]

DEAR BOB,--Your two letters from the steamer got here yesterday.

Sandboys says your polite Pirate was stuffing you about that money

in Venezuela, and he thinks you'll get your money back when oysters

climb trees and not before, and I sort of agree with him. That

story about jumping overboard and getting washed back don't seem to

me ought to be told to people that love truth. Anyhow Sandboys

didn't like it, and he told me to tell you to tell your old Pirate

that he can do his own Grand Viziering when he gets to his Island

Kingdom and save his ten dollars a week--there's more money in

carrying ice-water up and down stairs here, Sandboys says, and he's

going to stick to it.

I'm pretty lonesome for you this summer, though there's a half a

dozen pretty good fellows here; one of 'em's named Billie Tompkins

and he lives out in Chicago. He says there's no place like Chicago

in this world for fun. It's situated right out in the prairies and

he's got a sand-yacht that he goes sailing about in every spring. I

never heard of a sand-yacht before and neither did Sandboys, but

Billie Tompkins described it to us and I should think it would be a

pretty good thing to have. It has wheels, and is built just like a

cat-boat with a mast and a rudder, but no keel. He says that he's

sailed over pretty much all of Illinois with it and had lots of

adventures with Indians and kiyoots. Of course you know what

kiyoots are, they're prairie wolves and they're very dangerous to

people that need sleep because they howl all night. He's had lots

of trouble with them, but the Indians have bothered him worse than

anything, frequently chasing him for miles just to get his scalp.

One of 'em caught him once, when he was out sailing one day in

March. He had a little seal-skin cap on fortunately, and the Indian

ran away with that thinking sure he'd caught his head of hair. Ever

since that time he's worn seal-skin caps for sailing. The most

exciting time he ever had though was last spring. He'd gone out for

an afternoon's cruise and had got about forty miles out on the

prairie. He was sailing along beautifully before the wind when he

saw a black speck off on the horizon coming towards him like

lightning. He didn't know what it was at first but as it alarmed

him just a little he took a tack off to the East, and then he knew

that the object was bearing down for him for it changed its course

just as he had and came on in hot pursuit. In about five minutes he

saw that it was an Indian on horseback and he began to get sorry

that he'd disobeyed his father and come so far out. You see his

father isn't a millionaire and was rather put out about his losing

that seal-skin hat, and he'd told him to keep away from where the

Indians were. It's pretty tough to be placed where you're bound to

get hurt whatever happens, and Billie got pretty anxious

contemplating--how's that for a word?--getting scalped or spanked.

He steered his yacht right about, so's she'd fly before the wind,

which was his only chance, but it was too late. The Indian was

close enough to lasso him. Suddenly the pursuer's rope shot out,

but by some mistake in the aim didn't catch Billie, but got the

mast right in the noose. The horse stopped short, braced himself

and the Indian began to grin, expecting to see the boat capsize,

but he forgot that the boat had a speed of a hundred miles an hour

on and weighed three times as much as the horse in the bargain. He

found out in a minute though, for the rope snapped taut, yanked the

horse out from under the Indian, threw the Indian over on his own

neck and broke it, and went sailing over the prairie with the poor,

kicking horse in tow. Billie stopped the yacht as quick as he could

for the horse's sake, though it couldn't hurt him much towing him

through the soft sand. The horse got on his legs again, as meek as

you please. Billie fastened him to the rudder post and went back to

where the Indian was and found he was deader than a door-nail, and,

strangely enough, hanging from his girdle was the identical

seal-skin cap that had been scalped off Billie's head two years

before.

[Illustration]

He sailed home in triumph, having made a horse and recovered his

cap as well, and his father forgave him for not having minded, and

when the horse was sold later on for fifty dollars he gave Billie

five dollars of it all for himself.

Sandboys says that was a wonderful adventure and I sort of feel

that way myself. He says if Billie keeps on having adventures like

that there's no reason why he shouldn't grow up to be as successful

a man as your Pirate, but he thinks Billie ought to stick by

Chicago and not go seeking his fortune anywhere else because there

isn't another city in the world where a thing like that could

happen, which I guess is true. It certainly couldn't happen

anywhere around Boston, because even if they had a prairie and

Indians you couldn't steer a yacht through the fearful crowds of

bicyclers they have there, without having a collision.

Speaking of bicyclers there's a fellow here that's going to coast

down Mt. Washington next week and he's awfully proud of himself,

which he needn't be. It would be much harder work to go up Mt.

Washington on a bicycle, Sandboys says, and he ought to know,

because he's done both, and last year he came down all the way on

one roller skate without touching his other foot once. If you see

your Pirate ask him what he thinks of that.

Barring Billie and Sandboys everything's pretty slow here. We've

only changed the boots in the hall once, and the new head waiter

has got eyes like a ferret so's no one can sneak an apple or a

banana out of the dining room without its getting in the bill. We

boys are going to hold a Mass Meeting this week to see what can be

done about this. It isn't any fun eating fruit at the table, and

what's the good of nuts and raisins if you can't carry 'em off in

your pockets? If you see any live Dukes tell me about 'em.

Always yours,

JACK.

[Illustration: 3. The Finish. 2. The Stride. 1. The Start.

From instantaneous Photographs of T. E. Burke, Champion Quarter-miler of

the World.]

[Illustration: Boardman. Lakin. Crane. Kilpatrick. Hollister. Kingsley.

Start of Half-mile Race at the Inter-collegiate Games, 1895.

RUNNING THE MIDDLE DISTANCES.]

[Illustration: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT]

The middle distances are the hardest events for an athlete to work at

without the assistance of a trainer; but this fact should not discourage

the beginner, because there is a vast amount of preliminary work that he

can do which will put him into such condition that when he does at last

come under the care of a coach he will be able to make rapid progress

toward proficiency. The term "middle distances" is usually applied to

the quarter and half mile races only, for these have become recognized

as the standards by amateur associations and clubs. The quarter-mile is

sometimes set down on the card as a 440-yard dash--for it is practically

a dash from start to finish, as run nowadays--and the half-mile is

frequently called the 880-yard run. It is becoming more usual, however,

to look upon these events as fractions of a mile.

The preparatory work for the quarter should begin at the close of winter

with walks of from two to three miles across country, ending up with a

half-mile jog and a good rub-down. This sort of exercise should be taken

every day for three weeks, in order to harden the muscles and get the

body into regular habits of physical exercise. Let us presume that at

the end of this time the weather has moderated sufficiently to permit of

out-door work in light running costume. This should consist of running

at an easy gait distances longer and shorter than a quarter-mile on

alternate days. For instance, on Monday, run 220 and 300 yards a couple

of times, with a rest in between; on Tuesday run 600 yards or half a

mile; on Wednesday run the short distances again; and keep on doing this

for a month or more. Occasionally--say once a week--try a 100 yards for

speed, and about every tenth day take a trial quarter on time.

The most important of all things in running the middle distances is that

the athlete should become a judge of pace. He must know just how fast he

is going. It takes time, of course, to acquire this knowledge, but the

good men in the events know just how rapidly they are travelling around

the track, and can tell to a fifth of a second what their gait has been

for any fraction of the course. That is why these events are the hardest

to run. The best way to acquire this knowledge of gait is to get some

one to hold a watch on you every time you run. When you have not a

trainer, however, this is not always possible. But there is no reason

why you should not hold the watch yourself. And it is well to keep a

record of your speed as it increases.

Frequent runs of 150 and 300 yards on time will serve to show how your

speed is getting along, and the distances being short, this will enable

you to judge of pace so that you can tell very closely how you are

travelling over the various portions of your distance. As I have said,

the quarter as now run is a sprint from start to finish, and the best

thing to do in competition is to jump into the lead at once and head the

field all the way if you can. As in the 100 and 220, no heed should be

given to the other competitors, and, above all things, never look back.

There is little more to be said in the way of instruction for this

event, for it is one that must be worked over according to the powers

and capabilities of each individual. The general training after the

first four or five months is about the same as for the sprints, which

was described in this Department last week. As for the start, it is

optional with the individual whether he shall stand or crouch. Burke,

the world's champion quarter-miler, who is represented in the series

above, uses the standing start, but many others get off from the

crouching position. The second picture of the series gives a good idea

of the pace and the general position of the body, both of which are

identical with sprinting form. The finish is somewhat different. There

is always plenty of space ahead after a quarter-mile race (which, of

course, has to be run on a curved track) for the runner to keep on going

as long as he wishes to, and thus he can pass the tape at top speed and

keep on as far as he likes. Many hundred-yard sprinters coming down a

short straight track lose a fraction of a second of their speed by

slowing up too soon.

The half-mile run requires even a greater judgment of gait than does the

quarter, and it is a much harder race to run, having now been developed

into such a speedy contest that a man should never attempt to enter any

other event in games where he runs a half-mile. Moreover, the athlete

who adopts the half-mile as his specialty should give up every other

event and train continuously and solely for that distance. He must get

himself into such shape that he can tell to a fraction of a second just

how fast he is going. This is learned only by having a watch going all

the time, and while training there ought to be some one on the track to

shout the time every furlong or so.

The preparatory work for this distance is similar to that of the

quarter--that is, there should be long and short work, over and under

the distance, on alternate days. A half-mile trial on time once in two

weeks is sufficient. The start and gait are the same as for the quarter.

In the illustration of the start of the half-mile race at the

Intercollegiates of 1895 it is plain to see that Kilpatrick is

determined to get the pole if he can, while Siebel and Kingsley, who

have inside positions, are determined to keep them even if they have to

take a sprinting start. Hollister, on the other hand, has apparently

made up his mind to let Kilpatrick set the pace, and then try to pass

him. This was wise of Hollister, because he knew Kilpatrick's habit is

to run a very fast first quarter, and he himself has been trained to

sprint hard at the finish. Thus he felt that if he could keep up with

Kilpatrick for the first three-eighths he could sprint past him at the

finish. Hollister won.

I give this illustration of the tactics of half-mile racing to show how

very much strategy has to come in in this event. You must know how your

opponents run, and you must distribute your energies over the race so as

to counteract as far as possible those of the other competitors. It

would have been unwise for Hollister to fight with Kilpatrick for the

lead in this case, because the latter could have run him off his feet.

That is Kilpatrick's style. But by letting Kilpatrick set the pace,

Hollister had an easier time of it in the first quarter, because he did

not have to give any thought whatever to his gait. When it came to the

stretch, all he had to do was to sprint. Nevertheless, the best general

rule for a novice is to jump to the lead and hold it if he can. When he

gets to be a first-class man he can devote more thought to the

individual work of his opponents. One of the best things for any one

working at the half-mile is to attend every meeting he can and watch the

work of other half-milers. In fact, it is well for every athlete to

follow big games, and study his own event in the work of others. Big

championship games should never be missed if it is a possible thing to

witness them.

In announcing the date of the New York I.S.A.A. spring games of May 9th,

some of the daily papers said that the events would be open to "all

preparatory schools of the United States." This was erroneous. The games

are open to members of the N.Y.I.S.A.A. only. It is evident that no team

could be chosen to represent the New York Association at the National

meeting if these games were open to outsiders who could come in, and, by

taking a number of firsts, make it necessary for the New-Yorkers to hold

another field meeting to find out who their own best men were.

Baseball prospects in the Long Island League are bright. The St. Paul

team, which won the championship last year, is almost the same again

this spring. Starrs, Goldsborough, Baker, Hall, and Mortimer are back

again in school. Adelphi has excellent material in Brooks, Graff,

Crampton, Corbett, Forney, Langdon, and Baucher; while almost all of the

High-School team of last year are on hand to play again this season.

Poly. Prep. has as good a pitcher as any school in the League, and

plenty of athletic material to pick from, and the Latin-School players

promise to develop a strong nine. Baseball practice in New York has not

begun in earnest yet, but it is probable that the average of the teams

will be stronger than they were last spring, as there seems to be a

renewal of interest in the national game, which has led a pretty

precarious existence here for the last two seasons.

The interscholastic contests that are being held from time to time in

the gymnasium of the New Manhattan Athletic Club are excellent things,

and will serve to develop a good many young athletes who would not

otherwise have a chance to show what there is in them. A strong

incentive to energetic effort is afforded in the way of a trophy for the

school that shall have earned the greatest number of points when the

series of games has ended. This prize will be of small intrinsic value,

but as a trophy it will be worth the having. These games will also

develop a better spirit among the lads who follow athletics, for they

are looked after by the N.M.A.C.'s new athletic manager, Mr. Cornish,

who is as strict an enforcer of the amateur laws and the amateur spirit

as can be found anywhere. Mr. Cornish can have a very strong influence

for good over this rising generation of athletes if he cares to. His

strongest hold upon the young men's confidence is that he knows his

business, and if he now compels them to walk the straightest of straight

lines, they will do so all the more cheerfully because they know that he

has the right of the question on his side, and intends to stand by his

principles.

Readers of this Department will remember that I urged the New York

Athletic Club almost a year ago to show some interest in the sports of

the rising generation, to cultivate the young men, and to encourage

their efforts. I cited the Boston Athletic Association as an example,

and spoke of how that organization holds meetings for scholastic

contests, and helps the younger men with advice and suggestion. In fact,

the meetings of the Boston Inter-scholastic Association's committees are

held in the B.A.A. Club-house. The New York A.C., however, did nothing

as an organization to advance the interests and promote the welfare of

the boy athletes. Some of its members as individuals have done a great

deal for the young men, but most of their work has been in the nature

of acting as officials at meetings conducted by the schools.

The New Manhattan Athletic Club, however, after having stagnated in a

mire of unclean sportsmanship, finally gets an injection of new and

healthy blood, and realizes that from the boys of to-day are to be drawn

the athletes of to-morrow. The Club thereupon sets out to do all it can

to promote and encourage scholastic sports. It offers the services of

its gymnasium and of its athletic instructors, it organizes a large

in-door meeting and shoulders the entire financial and executive

responsibility, and does everything, in fact, that a club can do under

the circumstances.

Of course all this is done with the ultimate object of making the

N.M.A.C. a successful and prosperous organization. But with all this aim

there is a great deal more unselfishness about the movement than

selfishness. The Club is not by any means trying to secure control of

scholastic sports. I feel confident of this from what I know of the men

in control. What the club is trying to do is to help the young men

interested in sport by relieving them, as far as possible, from the

business part of athletics, and thus to make sport purer; and after this

has been successfully accomplished, the N.M.A.C. will be very glad to

see all these honest young sportsmen competing as members of its

organization--an organization which, I hope, will stand for cleanliness

in sport just as prominently as at one time it stood for the very

opposite.

The gymnasium work of the Trinity School has developed a new game there.

The sport was originated and first played in New Orleans, I believe, and

is called "The Newcomb." The boys of Trinity School were perhaps the

first to play it in this section of the country, and they have found it

to be exceedingly interesting. The game is on the order of basket-ball,

which was spoken of in this Department last week. A line is drawn in the

centre of the gymnasium; then another line is drawn on either side of

this, and about eight feet from it. These are called the "base-lines."

The distance may vary, it depending on the size of the room. Two sides

are chosen by captains, the number playing depending upon the available

space and number of boys present. Twelve or fifteen on a side is a good

number. The teams then take their positions between the base-line and

wall, so that they face each other, and are separated by the distance

between the two base-lines. A basket-ball or football may be used. The

referee, standing out of the way, throws the ball to one of the sides.

The object of the boy who catches it is to throw it toward his opponent

so that it will touch the floor behind the base-line. If he succeeds in

doing this it counts as three points for his side.

The player on the side to which the ball is thrown must try to keep it

from touching the floor, and if he succeeds in doing so he must

immediately throw it back to his opponent's side. This passing to and

fro is kept up until a touch-down is made. If the ball is thrown and

touches the floor between the base-lines, one point is scored against

the side making the throw. The principal rules are that the ball may be

thrown with one or both hands, but the person must not throw it while he

is down or on his knees. He must not run with the ball, and he must not

step over the base-lines. Breaking any of the above rules counts as a

foul, and one point is given in each case to the side not at fault. The

length of game is decided upon by the captains of the teams and the

referee before play is started, and the side having the most points at

the end of the allotted time is the winner. Two halves of twenty-five

minutes each, with a ten minutes' rest, are usually played.

At the annual in-door games of the Hotchkiss School, at Lakeville,

Connecticut, four of the school records were broken--R. B. Hixon

established a new school record in the fence vault of 6 ft. 11 in.;

C. D. Noyes in the high kick of 9 ft. 1 in.; H. H. Wells in the standing

broad jump of 10 ft. 3-3/4 in., and J. P. Goodwin in the running high

jump of 5 ft. 5 in. The first two records are most creditable for

scholastic athletes, and are better, unless I am mistaken, than the Yale

records for the corresponding events. Hotchkiss School made such a

strong showing at the annual games of the Connecticut H.-S.A.A. at

Hartford last spring that they must be counted as dangerous opponents at

any future meeting. They are unfortunately at too great a distance from

New York to send representatives to the N.M.A.C. meet.

THE GRADUATE.

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[Illustration: Royal Baking Powder]

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[Illustration]

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CARDS

The FINEST SAMPLE BOOK of Gold Beveled Edge, Hidden Name, Silk Fringe,

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Two

Beauties.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

THE DELONG HOOK AND EYE AND THE CUPID HAIR PIN. The one will not unhook

of itself, the other will not slip out of the hair.

Both made by

Richardson & DeLong Bros.,

Philadelphia.

[Illustration: Thompson's Eye Water]

[Illustration: BICYCLING]

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

Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our

maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the

official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen.

Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W., the

Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership

blanks and information so far as possible.

Before we take up the maps again a word should be said concerning the

purchase of a wheel for the ensuing year. Just at this time every

bicyclist is longing for a $100 '96 wheel, and looking with disgust on

his '95 or '94 machine, which has served him many a time, and carried

him over many a good mile. Of course the '96 is better than the same

make of '95. That is required of manufacturers if they wish to keep up

with the best things of the time. There are certain improvements this

year in bearings and tubes, in increasing the easy running of one, and

strengthening without adding to the weight of the other; but in spite of

those improvements, this year for the first time there have been no

great changes in wheels. If you have a '95 wheel, therefore, which has

run about a 1000 miles, two courses are open to you. You may be able to

get $50 for it, and by putting another $50 with that, buy a new one; or

you can spend ten or fifteen dollars on the '95 wheel and have a bicycle

practically as good as can be obtained for ordinary use. If you are

riding bicycle-races, or going in for long-distance records and

thousand-mile tours, it will unquestionably pay you to get what you can

for the old machine, and buy a new one of the highest price. On the

other hand, if you seldom do more than ten to twenty miles a day once or

twice a week, or if you use it for riding to and from the railroad

station each day, or for going to and returning from school, the one you

have already used a year, if it has been well cared for, will meet every

requirement as fully as the new bicycle could. Indeed, a '95 or '96

bicycle of good make ought to keep in good condition with such use for

three or four years without requiring more than five or ten dollars a

year. There are cases to-day of '92 and '93 wheels which run as well as

many '95 bicycles, and which have had constant use for three or four

years. Naturally they are heavier, and the running gear is not as

perfect as in the later wheels, but this year the improvements are so

insignificant, compared with those of past years, that '96 and '95

wheels are not different in important details. In a place like New York

city, or Chicago, or Philadelphia, or Boston, one can pick up a good

wheel for half price which will be sure to last him a year without

expense or annoyance. Somebody with a superfluity of money is willing to

let his wheel go at any price in order to have an excuse for buying a

new one; and such a man usually gives a bicycle a minimum amount of use.

In purchasing such a second-hand bicycle several important points should

be noted. In the first place, and most important of all, take the

bearings of front, back, and sprocket wheels apart and see if the balls

are worn. Put them in place and note if they "rattle round" more than

they should. Here is the first place where a bicycle begins to lose its

usefulness. If the bearings are worn, either from use or lack of care in

keeping dirt out, the wheel will never again run easily. Next look

closely at the pedals, not only at the bearings in them, but at the

condition of them generally. They get a large amount of wear and tear,

and they strike obstacles which come in the way of the bicyclist more

often than any other part of the wheel. From this they are apt to be

imperceptibly bent in one place or another, which will account for an

otherwise inexplicable difficulty in sending the wheel ahead. Then look

at the tires carefully. If they have had several punctures you might as

well pay out the money at once to get new ones as to spend it in

piecemeal, at great inconvenience to your riding because of frequent

punctures. Sometimes, too, the rubber is not of the best grade, and in a

year will become dried and likely to crack. Sometimes the owner has not

been careful to keep the tires well filled with air, and the rim of the

wheel cuts partly through them, making them likely to burst at that

point. Aside from these three important points, with the addition of

sprocket chain and spokes, the faults of a wheel will show themselves.

[Illustration: THE PUDDING STICK]

This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young

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

subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.

The quality of one's voice in conversation has much to do with the

pleasure listeners find in their part of the exercise. "A low voice,"

says Shakespeare, "is an excellent thing in woman." I agree with him,

adding on my part the adjective "clear." A low mumbling voice is not

agreeable, but when a voice has pleasant modulations, is low-toned,

sweet, and distinct, it is as delightful to hear it in speech as in

song.

One sometimes meets a charming girl who has a beautiful complexion,

bright eyes, a pleasant manner, and a merry laugh. But, alas! her

shrill, screaming voice, or her nasal tones, or her harsh discordant way

of speaking, neutralizes her other advantages. With my eyes shut, simply

by hearing a girl's voice in another room, or in a public conveyance

where she sits at my back and I cannot even glance at her, I can tell

whether a young girl is well or ill bred; almost I can state positively

whether she belongs to the better-educated or the untaught classes in

our land. Her voice tells the whole story. It is a surer indication than

anything else about her of the people she has lived among, the care that

has been taken in her upbringing, and the sort of character, refined or

coarse, which she bears.

There are little mannerisms of speech which belong to certain parts of

the country, and which are caught up unconsciously by young people, so

that when they go away from home those who meet them have little

difficulty in deciding from what point they started. For instance, if a

young girl drops her final g's, and says mornin', evenin', greetin',

meetin', comin', and goin', I know where _she_ comes from. I have

visited in a place or two where the sweet-voiced people nearly all cut

off their final g's. And if she rolls her r's, and says the words that

have r in them with a _burr_, I recall a journey I made one summer, and

I remember numbers of nice girls who all paid r the compliment of

twisting it lovingly around their tongues as they used it. A girl who

says daown for down and caow for cow labels herself as plainly as if she

labelled a trunk, and so does a girl whose vowel sounds are all matters

of conscience to that degree that she speaks as if she were mentally

spelling her words.

We ought to try to pronounce correctly. There are changes in

pronunciation from time to time, but the dictionaries and the usage of

well-educated persons will guide us, if we care about the matter and

take pains to be right. But if we happen to hear some old-fashioned lady

or gentleman pronounce a word in a by-gone manner, we shall, of course,

be too polite to take notice, nor will we, as rude people have been

known to do, repeat the same word in our own turn, with a different

accent. I cannot too strongly urge my girls to be polite in all

circumstances. Politeness is merely consideration for others, real

unselfishness.

Kathie asks me to give her my views about flirting. My dear child, I

haven't any. I cannot imagine school-girls flirting, if by this is meant

interchanging looks and smiles in a silly way with strangers. No well

brought up girl ever does this; and when a girl allows herself to

infringe on the code of behavior which holds her aloof from strangers,

she shows herself to be either very ignorant or very stupid.

When you are travelling, or are in any place where a stranger performs a

kind and obliging act, acknowledge the courtesy by a simple bow and a

thank you. The man who rises and gives you a seat in a car is entitled

to this acknowledgment, and so is any one who, at any time, shows you

politeness. But you must not enter into conversation with strangers, nor

make new acquaintances in public.

[Illustration: Signature]

[Illustration: THE CAMERA CLUB]

Any question 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.

Owing to the number of questions received and replies given, we are

compelled to omit this Department this week.

E. G., of Worthington, Ohio, asks what is the best kind of water to

use in photography, and what is done with the different solutions

after they have been used. The best kind of water is distilled

water, but as this cannot always be obtained, amateurs get along

without it. Water which has been filtered through blotting paper is

free enough from sediment to make it all right for ordinary

purposes such as developing, toning, etc. In washing pictures after

toning, or in washing negatives in running water, it is a good idea

to tie a flannel bag to the faucet, as this catches all sediment,

and prevents gritty particles settling in the soft film.

Photographers who use a great deal of material usually save their

solutions and separate the gold, but amateurs do not find it of

enough value to pay, as the quantity used is so small. Toning

solutions are usually thrown away after the gold is exhausted.

Developers can be used over several times if fresh is added to keep

up the strength. Hypo after being used for a batch of pictures

should be thrown away, for dirty hypo will stain negatives, and as

it costs but little it is better to have it fresh, and thus ensure

good results.

SIR KNIGHT LOUIS A. DYAR, OF WINONA, MINN., asks why pictures taken

with a camera that makes a picture 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 are not allowed in

prize competitions; how to make platinotype prints; if sepia prints

are considered artistic; if it is possible for one to take a good

instantaneous out-of-door figure study; and if a camera is not

perfect, if the manufacturers would repair it. The reason why

pictures made with a camera smaller than a 4 x 5 are usually

excluded from prize competitions is because the small cameras do

not admit of so much scope in the pictures, and while many artistic

"bits" are taken with the small camera, they cannot really enter

into competition with pictures taken with a larger camera, which

requires more care and skill in making. Prints made in sepia tints

are considered quite artistic for some pictures. Sepia tints would

not be appropriate for snow pictures or for marines, but for some

landscapes sepia tones are better than black or gray. It is

possible to take a good instantaneous figure study out of doors,

but the contrast between the lights and shadows is apt to be too

strong if the picture is taken in the sunlight. With a quick plate

and lens one may make a good instantaneous with the subject placed

in the shadow of a building. If a camera is found to be defective

it should be taken to the dealer from whom it was purchased, who

will return it to the manufacturers and have the defect remedied.

SIR KNIGHT LESLIE T. REDMAN, LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, says that

the film from his negatives has a tendency to rise from the glass,

and wishes some remedy. This is what is called "frilling," and is

usually caused by the solutions being used at too high a

temperature. A little alum in the fixing bath will harden the film.

The following is a good formula: Hypo, 16 oz.; water, 64 oz.;

pulverized alum, 1 oz. Mix thoroughly till the hypo and alum are

dissolved. Let it stand for twenty-four hours till the precipitate

formed by the alum has settled at the bottom. Then either syphon

off the clear liquid or turn it off carefully, so as not to disturb

the sediment at the bottom. The negative should remain in the

fixing bath five minutes after the silver has been removed.

F. P., MOK HILL, CALIFORNIA, asks for a good formula for an

intensifier. F. P. will find in No. 824 (August 13th) three

formulas for intensifying a plate, and one in No. 839 (November

26th) in answer to Sir Knight John H. Curtis. If not successful in

their use, please write to the editor of the Camera Club.

SIR KNIGHT ROBERT H. EWELL, sent, last May, directions for making

spirit photographs. The publication has been withheld until the

present time, as winter seems the best time for trying experiments,

there being little of out-door work for the camera. Drape a sheet

about a person, letting it fall below the feet. Take a picture of

this person standing near or behind a chair with the arm extended,

making a short exposure. Close the shutter, leaving the camera in

same position, pose some one in the chair--the ghost having, of

course, been removed--and take his picture. The first exposure for

the spirit should be quite short, while that for the real

photograph should be exposed as for any portrait. Develop the

plate, and the negative should show the dim outline of the "ghost"

standing by the person photographed. The editor has seen many

amusing photographs made in this way.

SIR KNIGHT TEEBOR ROLYAT, NEWARK, N.J., asks if the Night Hawk is a

good camera for a beginner, and if it is suitable to take good

pictures; what is the simplest and best solution for a beginner to

use; and if it would spoil a plate when the sun is shining on the

camera from the front. The Night Hawk is considered an excellent

camera for beginners, and it will take good pictures if the owner

will use care and judgment. Some of the pictures which won prizes

in a recent contest were taken with an outfit costing less than

twenty dollars. One must use that camera as the painter advised his

pupils to mix paints--"With brains, sir!" A beginner would be more

successful if he used one of the ready-prepared developers when

first learning. They are prepared by expert chemists and accurately

mixed. After a little experience in developing, one can then mix

his own solutions. Many formulas have already been given, and

others are to follow soon. Two formulas for developers are given in

No. 844 (December 31). The sun shining into the camera and striking

the plate would fog the plate, but if the lens is shaded so that

the direct rays of the sun do not strike it, the camera may be

pointed directly toward the sun.

* * * * *

FALSE ECONOMY

is practised by people who buy inferior articles of food. The Gail

Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk is the best infant food. _Infant

Health_ is the title of a valuable pamphlet for mothers. Sent free by

New York Condensed Milk Co., New York.--[_Adv._]

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Arnold

Constable & Co

* * * * *

SPRING IMPORTATIONS.

PARIS LINGERIE.

_Peignoirs, Matinées, Jupons, Chemises de Nuit._

Fancy Trimmed Waists,

_Organdie, Batiste, and Linon._

Silk Petticoats,

_Silk Waists._

* * * * *

Children's Wear

_Hand-made Guimpes, School Frocks,_

_Fancy Lawn Dresses,_

_Piqué Coats, French Caps._

* * * * *

Broadway & 19th st.

NEW YORK.

WALTER BAKER & CO., LIMITED

Established Dorchester, Mass., 1780.

Breakfast Cocoa

[Illustration]

Always ask for Walter Baker & Co.'s

Breakfast Cocoa

Made at

DORCHESTER, MASS.

It bears their Trade Mark

"La Belle Chocolatiere" on every can.

Beware of Imitations.

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.

$117.50 WORTH OF STAMPS FREE

to agents selling stamps from my 50% approval sheets. Send at once for

circular and price-list giving full information.

C. W. Grevning, Morristown, N. J.

[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

=500= Mixed Australian, etc., 10c.; =105 varieties=, and =nice= album,

10c.; 15 unused, 10c.; 10 Africa, 10c.; 15 Asia, 10c. F. P. Vincent,

Chatham, N.Y.

FOREIGN STAMPS ON APPROVAL. Agents wanted at 50% com. Lists free. CHAS.

B. RAUB, New London, Conn.

125 dif. Gold Coast, Costa Rica, etc., 25c.; 40 U. S., 25c. Liberal com.

to agents. Large bargain list free. F. W. MILLER, 904 Olive St., St.

Louis, Mo.

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.

FINE APPROVAL SHEETS. Agents wanted at 50% com. P. S. Chapman, Box 151,

Bridgeport, Ct.

BOOKS OF STAMPS at 33-1/3% com. References required. =Model Stamp Co.=, W.

Superior, Wis.

=WANTED= Vol. I. HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE, bound or unbound. H. WILLIAMS, 25

East 10th Street, New York.

[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]

[Illustration]

Harper's Catalogue,

Thoroughly revised, classified, and indexed, will be sent by mail to any

address on receipt of ten cents.

From a Naval "Veteran."

On Wednesday, October 2d, I saw the new United States armored

cruiser _Brooklyn_ launched in Cramps' ship-yard. There was a large

crowd outside the gates when I arrived. The _Brooklyn_ rested on an

inclined platform, which was well greased with tallow. She looked

superb and gigantic as she rested there waiting for the time to

come for her to take her first plunge. When the time did come the

cheering of the spectators and the shrieks of the whistles were

deafening. The launch was entirely successful from every point of

view.

The _Brooklyn_'s keel was laid in the summer of 1893, and she will

be finished next February, when she promises to be superior to any

cruiser afloat. After the launch I had a look at the United States

war-vessels _Indiana_, _Massachusetts_, and _Iowa_, and the

steamers _Curaçoa_ and _Comanche_. About two weeks later I again

visited Cramps' and went on board the _Brooklyn_. All over her were

men busy finishing her. I was also aboard the _Comanche_ and

_Paris_. The _Indiana_ and _Curaçoa_ were no longer in the yard,

and as the _Massachusetts_ was being repaired no one except the

employés were permitted on her. I expect to see the _Iowa_

launched. On Saturday, October 5th, accompanied by a younger

brother and a friend, I visited the United States Navy-yard, which

is situated on League Island in the Delaware River. We saw the

monitors _Montauk_, _Canonicus_, _Mahopac_, _Manhattan_, _Lehigh_,

_Catskill_, _Jason_, and _Nahant_, which lay in the arm of the

Delaware that separates League Island from the mainland. For fully

an hour we clambered all over the monitors, which had but one

turret and two guns apiece, and we thought, as we left them, that

the _Catskill_ was the best.

These monitors, as well as the ones we saw later, were in the civil

war, and since then, up to the middle of last August, when they

were ordered here, they have been lying in the James River, not far

from Richmond, Va. Crossing the island we went on board the

receiving-ship _Richmond_, where boys are "received" for the United

States Navy and then sent to Newport, R. I., to be instructed before

entering active service. We also saw the monitors _Miantonomoh_ and

_Ajax_. The former has two turrets, each containing two great guns.

Upon our giving him a "tip," a man showed us all over her, and

explained how her men and officers "bunked," how she was

ventilated, how her turrets were moved, how her guns were loaded

and fired, etc. After a jaunt of an hour or more over the island,

we wound up our visit with going on board the United States

dynamite cruiser _Vesuvius_, which we inspected in every part.

I am much interested in naval matters, and am collecting, besides

stamps and autographs, pictures, scenes, etc, of the navies of the

world. I like Mr. W. J. Henderson's stories, especially "The Old

Sailor's Yarns," and _Afloat with the Flag_. Any one who is

interested in naval matters, and who would like to enter the Naval

Academy at Annapolis, I will give a sample of the style of entrance

examinations, and also a few hints.

SIR JOHN H. CAMPBELL, JUN., K.R.T.

413 SCHOOL LANE, GERMANTOWN, PHILA., PA.

* * * * *

Santa Barbara's Flower Festival.

I do not think that you have heard much of the yearly flower

carnival held in Santa Barbara. This city is noted for its large

and beautiful flowers and foliage, and also for semi-tropical

trees, such as palms, bananas, guavas, lemons, oranges, and

loquats. The festival lasts about three or four days, and comes

almost always in the middle of April. The one I am going to

describe is that of last April. Unfortunately about a week before

it the pavilion in which was to be the carnival ball was burned,

and with it all the flags, bunting, and other decorations. This

dampened the spirits of the people, but thanks to the help of some

of the prominent citizens, money was soon raised for the

decorations and a temporary pavilion was built.

State Street, the main thoroughfare, was beautifully decorated, and

several arches spanned it. Tribunes were erected for a block and a

half, in which the people were to sit while the procession passed

by. The carnival opened on Monday. The first feature was the riding

at rings at the race-track. On Wednesday there was the flower show

at the pavilion, followed in the evening by a concert. On Thursday

the grand floral parade took place, and this was the gala day of

the carnival. Floats, spring wagons, surreys, phaetons, carts, and

horses were covered with flowers, and prizes were awarded to the

best-decorated vehicles. Friday night a grand flower ball took

place, opened by the French minuet in costume, and attended by a

number of United States naval officers of the United States cruiser

_Olympia_.

SIR FREDRIC N.

CALIFORNIA.

* * * * *

A Bit about the Old Hall.

We visited Independence Hall one day while in Philadelphia. It was

most interesting. In one room were the portraits of all the men

that signed the Declaration. On the floor were the chairs that the

men sat in. In the hall there hung the great Liberty Bell "with

many a chip and crack." In the west room was the arch that

Washington walked under when in the house.

In a case on the right of the door were a piece of Penn's elm, the

paper England tried to make us use before the Revolution, and some

old-fashioned money. On the left was the frame on which the Liberty

Bell used to hang. Right near it was a case with Lafayette's

epaulets In it, also a drum, a gun, a cannon-ball, and many other

things. We went out wishing we had more time to spend. Shall I

write again and tell you about our visit to Girard College?

JULIAN BREITENSTEIN.

TIDIOUTE, PA.

If you please.

* * * * *

The World and the Ancients Again.

Not long since the question was asked, "How the ancients knew there

were poles without having some idea of the roundness of the earth."

A phrase, _intonnere poli_, was quoted from Virgil which is

certainly translated "The poles resound with thunder." As I

interpret this it means the heavens thunder--the "heavens" being

symbolized by the "poles" upon which they were supposed to revolve.

According to the ancient idea the earth was a circular disk, above

which was the "starry vault of heaven," of solid metal, and below

which was the deep cave of Hades.

Around the earth flowed the black waters of the River Ocean, and

beyond this the heavens met the lower world in much the same manner

as the one half of a hollow sphere joins the other. But the shape

was not spherical, it was elliptical, and this peculiar mass

whirled on an axis extending from the highest point of heaven down

through the centre of the earth to the lowest point of Hades.

Either extremity of this axis was a pole, hence the use of "poles"

for "heavens," but whether this axis was an imaginary one or

whether it is to be taken literally I have been unable to

ascertain.

The earth was thus completely enveloped by the upper and lower

worlds, separated from them by strong horizontal pillars, and held

in its place by Atlas; but notwithstanding the fact that an axis

passed directly through it, the earth had no rotary motion; in

other words, the earth was in the interior of a spinning mass.

These are some of the most important facts, and I hope an answer to

the question. In looking over the Grecian and Roman mythology a

great many conflicting theories are noticed, and the ancient mind

appears to have been most unstable and unsatisfied in regard to the

idea of the construction and arrangement of the universe.

PAUL A. SINSHEIMER.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CAL.

* * * * *

Navajo Indians.

I am going to try and tell the readers a little about the Navajo

Indians, near whose reservation I live. The Navajos, as a rule, are

not a tall race, although there is one living about two miles from

town who is over six feet. His white friends call him "Lengthy."

The squaw who went to the World's Fair as being the best Navajo

blanket-maker of the tribe has two photographs, one of herself and

another squaw, and one of the Government Building which was at the

Fair, which she delights in showing to every one that goes to her

hut. She talks about "much people" whom she saw while there.

Some of the Indians are quite old, but as active as when young. One

squaw has great-grandchildren who can do as much work in field or

house as a man. Three years ago la grippe came among them; but few

died, as they have a way of curing it which they will not reveal.

One man died who had curly black hair which came to his knees--the

only Indian ever known hereabouts to have curly hair. Between Fort

Defiance and here, about nine miles, there is a large hill which

was made by the Indians, who, as they went from one place to the

other, would throw, as they passed this spot, a stone, stick, or

handful of dirt on it, praying that they would accomplish their

journey in safety.

It is seldom that those who have been to school for a year or two

live when they return to their tribe, because, after becoming used

to our food, they cannot live on their own, it being very poor and

insufficient. The Navajos live principally on corn, mutton, beans,

melons, and green pease, in their season, which they raise

themselves, besides tea, coffee, and sugar for those that can buy

or beg it. They have a bread made of a mixture of flour, meat,

water, and red pepper which has a very sharp taste. There are two

silversmiths in the tribe, who make buttons, belts, rings, bridles,

and bracelets out of silver money. One of them had his nose hurt on

the point, and he immediately filled it with clay and put plaster

over it, and now the skin has grown partly over it, giving him an

odd appearance indeed.

The clothing of the men usually consists of one or more calico

shirts, cut and made by themselves, a pair of overalls, and

moccasins, with a blanket tied around the waist, which is worn at

all times, with a hat sometimes, and sometimes not. The squaw

usually has four or five calico dresses, either made by herself or

given to her by some white friend, with blanket and moccasins the

same as the men. They make no money except a few dollars or cents

now and then by doing small jobs, running errands, and selling

their beautiful blankets for half what they are worth.

MARY D. TARR, R.T.L.

MANUELITO, N. M.

* * * * *

Geographical Hiding-places.

1, Find meat in an English river. 2, Find a mineral paint in American

mountains. 3, Find a small steamer in a European country. 4, Find a

floor-covering in a country of South America. 5, Find a destructive

animal in a New York watering-place. 6, Find a kind of clay in an

Atlantic sound. 7, Find a carriage in a lake. 8, Find a small carpet in

an Asiatic island. 9, Find small talk in an Asiatic sea. 10, Find a

discoverer in a continent. 11, Find a part of the foot in a Virginia

city. 12, Find a useful fowl in a city of New York.

Answer.--1, T-_ham_-es. 2, C-_umber_-land. 3, Por-_tug_-al. 4,

U-_rug_-uay. 5, Sa-_rat_-oga. 6, Albe-_marl_-e. 7, Ni-_car_-agua. 8,

Su-_mat_-ra. 9, Kamt-_chat_-ka. 10, Am-_eric_-a. 11, W-_heel_-ing. 12,

Sc-_hen_-ectady.

* * * * *

Blue-fishing off Nantucket.

I have been to Nantucket two summers and have watched the fishing

that is carried on there at all times of the year. In the summer

the blue-fish are the ones most caught. They are taken in seines.

The men who fish with these seines are called seiners. The

blue-fish are caught at a place called Great Point, where the water

is very shoal. Great Point is about twelve miles from the town of

Nantucket, but it is a part of the island.

A seiner starts from the town about 4 A.M. By law no net may be

used in the harbor or within a mile of the shore. When a seiner

sights a school of blue-fish he sends row boats out to surround the

school. As the nets are hauled into the sail-boat the blue-fish are

taken out and put in barrels. Sometimes one seiner gets as many as

a thousand blue-fish. The fish are then sent to New Bedford, where

they are loaded into "tank-ships." I have never seen a tank-ship in

Nantucket.

F. A. JUDSON.

LANSINGBURG, N. Y.

[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.

Since "specialization" has become fashionable many stamps which have a

larger or smaller perforation, a different water-mark, or a decided

difference in shades of the same color, etc., have increased in value

enormously. For instance, the 4c. slate, Hong-Kong, perforated 14, is

worth 6c. used, or 8c. unused. The same stamp, perforated 12-1/2, is

worth $5 used, $50 unused, and hard to find even at those prices. The

cataloguing of all these minute varieties has resulted in lists which

simply bewilder the beginner, and in catalogues of 600 pages or more in

small type. These minute varieties are out of the reach of all except

the very rich collector. Some thirty-five dealers recognizing the needs

of the smaller collectors have united in issuing _The American Standard

Stamp-Catalogue_, which omits these "varieties," simply listing the

stamps in the regular colors, etc.; and I learn the demand for this

catalogue has been so great that the first edition was exhausted on the

day of publication.

P. W. VARNEY.--This Department does not give dealers' names. The

gold dollar, 1849, is worth $1.50.

F. BRENGLE.--The capped 2's of the 1890 issue are sold by dealers

at 10c. each. Immense quantities are on hand, as every one saved

them.

G. W. SCHAICK--U.S. stamps issued previous to 1861 can _not_ be

used for postage. All others can.

G. CARLISS.--The $1 and $2, present issue, can be bought cancelled

at half face.

W. HILLES.--See the ROUND TABLE for December 17, 1895, and January

14, 1896, for values of U.S. coins. Circulated coins of the last

seventy-five years have very little value beyond face.

O. H. SAMPSON.--The coin is worth 5c., the "shin-plaster," 20c.

W. G. WALDO.--The prices quoted are those asked by dealers. See

answer to W. Hilles.

R. A. HAYES.--U. S. stamps cut in two and used on letters have no

postal value, and collectors do not care for them.

F. C. SMALL.--There are literally millions of Roman coins in

existence. Every little while some one digs up a whole boxful.

Dealers sell many of these coins at 10c. each.

L. HUBBARD.--The unused reprint of the 3c. 1869 U.S. is worth $15.

The reprint is on a different paper. It is worth about the same

used.

E. C. WOOD.--A few of the 1875 reprints were used for postage, and

they can be used for postage to-day. No rule can be given, but as a

general thing, when the catalogue does not price a stamp in both

used and unused condition, the inference is that so few copies are

known that no definite market value has been established. Jefferson

and Perry.

S. MANNING.--Defaced coins are worth metal value only; possibly

some such coins would be redeemed at face value at the Sub-Treasury

in New York.

R. H. MARTIN.--I shall always be glad to examine any rare stamps,

but it is not worth the expense to send common or ordinary stamps.

E. C. ALLEN.--Thank you for your courtesy, but I see all the new

stamps as soon as they reach New York. Re-engraved stamps have all

their lines deepened, and they lose the clear look of the

originals.

ORIGINAL SUBSCRIBER.--Your coin is of private mintage. The initials

S.M.V. stand for "San Francisco Mint Value." The coin is worth

bullion only ($5).

A. B. TAYLOR.--The 3c. 1869, unused, is worth 25c. The 1875

reprint, unused, on a different paper, is worth $15. Many of the

1869 issue were faintly grilled, or escaped grilling entirely.

G. WILSON.--The foreign coins are worth metal value only. The

U. S. coin list was published in the ROUND TABLE for December 17,

1895, and January 14, 1896.

H. L. GRAND.--Scotland uses the stamps of Great Britain. The

Columbian 1c. to 15c. can be bought for 45c. used, $1 unused.

R. SANDS.--The Massachusetts coin can be bought for $2. The 5c.

piece is worth face only, if it has been circulated.

B. M.--The stamp you describe is one of the five or six varieties

of U.S. Revenues, of which hundreds of millions were used, hence no

value.

PHILATUS.

[Illustration: IVORY SOAP]

If art embroidery be soiled

And washed with common soap, 'tis spoiled;

But Ivory Soap preserves the hue

As brilliant and as fresh as new.

Copyright, 1896, by The Procter & Gamble Co., Cin'ti.

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.

BREAKFAST--SUPPER.

EPPS'S

GRATEFUL--COMFORTING.

COCOA

BOILING WATER OR MILK.

=A NEAT BOX=, containing 12 mineral specimens from Millard County, Utah,

including genuine gold and silver ore, copper, onyx, etc., postpaid to

any address for 25 cts. J. A. ROBINSON, Clear Lake, Utah.

PLAYS

Dialogues, Speakers for School, Club and Parlor. Catalogue free. =T. S.

Denison=, Publisher, Chicago Ill.

[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYE WATER]

HOOPING

COUGH

CROUP

_Can be cured_

by using

ROCHE'S HERBAL

EMBROCATION

The celebrated and effectual English cure, without internal medicine. W.

EDWARD & SON, Props., London, Eng. Wholesale, E. FOUGERA & CO., New York

DOLL CLOTHES

Eleven Complete Patterns (all separate), for every article of Dolly's

clothing, with full directions for making, and one yard of fine lace,

all sent to any address for =only Ten Cents= (silver or stamps). Address

DOLL SUPPLY HOUSE, East 51st St., Bayonne, N. J.

=MAKE MONEY= by writing stories. Our Literary Bureau is the Open Door.

Stamp for samples and particulars. CURRENT EVENTS, Cleveland, O.

CARDS

FOR 1896. 50 Sample Styles AND LIST OF 400 PREMIUM ARTICLES FREE.

HAVERFIELD PUB. Co., Cadiz, Ohio.

POEMS BY MRS. SANGSTER

Little Knights and Ladies

Verses for Young People. By MARGARET E. SANGSTER. Illustrated.

16mo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

On the Road Home:

Poems. By MARGARET E. SANGSTER. Illustrated. 16mo, Cloth,

Ornamental, $1.25.

Home Fairies and Heart Flowers.

Twenty Studies of Children's Heads. With Floral Embellishments,

Head and Tail Pieces, Initial Letters, etc., by FRANK FRENCH. With

Poems by MARGARET E. SANGSTER. 4to, Cloth, $6.00. (_In a Box._)

* * * * *

HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York

TOLD BY FLORENCE.

William J. Florence, the comedian, had a reputation for bright stories

and practical jokes. The following one is said to have been told by him

at a dinner one night, when the conversation turned on travelling

theatrical companies:

"Years ago," said Florence, "I was in a small company skipping from town

to town. We had met with extremely bad luck up to our landing in the

town of D----. There we found the lowest ebb of all, for when the

curtain rolled up there were just two persons in the audience, a young

girl in an orchestra chair, and a young man in the front row of the

balcony. We went on with the performance, however, possibly to warm

ourselves more than anything else. According to my part, I was helping

the heroine to escape the clutches of the villain, and in one of my

lines I said, 'Have you noticed that even the bright moon is rising to

light us on our way.' Before she had time to reply, the young man in the

balcony called out, 'I am not so certain about the young lady

downstairs, but I can see it all right.'"

* * * * *

A LITTLE TOO ECONOMIC.

A gentleman residing in New York recently hired a colored boy for a

valet. The boy proved a valuable acquisition in everything except one,

and that was his practice of economy. He was forever endeavoring to save

money for his employer. One day he was sent to get some letters stamped

and to post them. Upon his return the gentleman asked him if he had

attended to it all right. The boy replied, "I's found a lot of gemmen

getting stamps, and as they didn't charge them anything to put the

letters in the slot, I saved you twenty cents, 'cause I slipped yours in

without stamps." That colored boy was too economic, and he was dispensed

with.

* * * * *

An awkward man attempted to carve a turkey, and in so doing pushed it

from the platter to the floor.

"There, now, we've lost our dinner," wailed his wife.

"Oh no, we haven't; I've got my foot on it!"

* * * * *

BOBBY. "Boo! hoo! hoo!" (_fingering a big bump on his forehead._) "They

do give things the most 'diculous names. I don't see what they call that

bicycle a safety for."

* * * * *

CLASS IN NATURAL HISTORY.

TEACHER. "Johnny, what do we call a creature with two legs?"

JOHNNY. "A biped, ma'am."

TEACHER. "Name one."

JOHNNY. "A man, ma'am."

TEACHER. "Are there any feathered bipeds?"

JOHNNY. "Chickens and ostriches, ma'am."

TEACHER. "That's right. Willie, what is a quadruped?"

WILLIE. "A thing with four legs, ma'am."

TEACHER. "Name one."

WILLIE. "An elephant."

TEACHER. "Are there any feathered quadrupeds?"

WILLIE. "Yes, ma'am."

TEACHER. "What?"

WILLIE. "A feather-bed, ma'am."

* * * * *

A "PUPIL OF THE CELEBRATED MASCAGNI."

Almost every boy and girl has heard of Pietro Mascagni, the composer of

_Cavalleria Rusticana_, made so famous in the world through its

beautiful intermezzo, and also through having the good fortune to be

sung by some of the most brilliant artists of the nineteenth century.

One day, when sitting in his study, an organ-grinder stopped below his

window, and began grinding out the intermezzo from the _Cavalleria_ so

rapidly that it could hardly be told from a jig. Mascagni jumped up in a

rage, and, rushing out, seized the handle of the organ, and played it

slowly, as it should be, explaining meanwhile that he was the author,

etc. This somewhat appeased the wrath of the organ-grinder, and before

Mascagni had finished, a broad smile illuminated his face. Shortly

afterwards Mascagni and some friends had the pleasure of passing the

same organ-grinder, and thereupon his organ was a large sign that read:

"Pupil of the Celebrated Mascagni."

* * * * *

RAILROAD REPARTEE.

A very smart young man wishing to supply amusement for a group of young

ladies that accompanied him, accosted the conductor of a railroad train

as follows:

"My dear conductor, what--er--do you call an up train!"

"Why, a train that blows up, explodes, goes to smash--anything of that

sort."

"Ah, yes, to be sure. And--er--what do you call a down train?"

"Down train!--why, that's a train that goes down an embankment, or

through a trestle-work; has some sort of a fall, you know."

The young ladies were laughing heartily at these answers, which

embarrassed the young man, and desperately pointing to the train they

were about to board, he asked,

"And where might this train be going?"

"Oh," replied the conductor, "we never agree to answer those questions

beforehand."

* * * * *

KIND-HEARTED PRESIDENT FAURE.

Felix Faure, President of the French Republic, has made the hearts of

many of the little girls of his country beat with joy. It is one of his

practices to devote at least two mornings a week to visiting hospitals.

His visits are not of the hasty order, but much the other way, as he

spends time passing through the different wards, especially among the

sick children. One of his favorite questions is to ask the little

unfortunates what he can do for them, and in the case of little girls

the answer is invariably _une poupée_ (a doll). Then with a kind-hearted

smile President Faure takes out his pad and pencil and writes down the

child's desire. The next morning usually finds several boxes of dolls at

the hospital, all of them very handsome. It is said that his generosity

has already cost him over one thousand dolls since he has occupied the

Presidential chair.

THE TRICK BEAR AND THE PUNCHING-BAG.

(_A Comedy in four Acts._)

[Illustration: 1.]

[Illustration: 2.]

[Illustration: 3.]

[Illustration: 4.]