CHAPTER VI.

PREPARING TO BE A SAILOR.

During the conversation just recorded the boys by no means neglected

their luncheon, for both of them had been very hungry, and by the time

they arrived at an understanding in regard to Alaric's engagement not a

crumb of food nor a drop of milk was left before them. While to Bonny

Brooks this had proved a most welcome and enjoyable repast, to Alaric it

marked a most important era of his life. To begin with, it was the first

meal he had ever paid for out of his own pocket, and this alone was

sufficient to give it a flavor that he had never discovered in the rich

food by which his appetite had heretofore been tempted.

Then during this simple meal he had entered upon his first friendship

with a boy of his own age, for the liking that he had already taken for

Bonny Brooks was evidently returned. Above all, during that brief lunch

hour he had conducted his first independent business operation, and now

found himself engaged to fill a responsible position in active life. To

be sure, he was only taken on trial, but if good intentions and a

determination to do his very best could command success, then was his

position assured. How fortunate he was, after all! An opening, a chance

to prove what he could do, was all that he wanted, and behold! it was

his within the first hour of his independent life. How queer that it had

come through his baseball too, and how strangely one thing seemed to

lead to another!

Now Alaric was impatient for a sight of the vessel that was to be the

scene of his future labors, and anxious to begin them. He had so little

idea of what a sloop was that he even wondered if it would be propelled

by sails or steam. He was inclined to think that it must be the latter,

for Bonny had spoken of his craft as carrying passengers, and Alaric had

never known any passenger boats except such as were driven by steam. So

he pictured the _Fancy_ as a steamer, not so large as the _Empress_, of

course, but fairly good-sized, manned by engineers, stokers, stewards,

and a crew of sailors. With this image in his mind, he regarded his

companion as one who had indeed attained a lofty position.

So busy was our hero with these thoughts that for a full minute after

the lads left the bake-shop he did not utter a word. Bonny Brooks was

also occupied with a line of thought that caused him to glance

reflectively at his companion several times before he spoke. Finally he

broke out with:

"I say, Rick Dale, I don't know about taking you for a sailor, after

all. You see, you are dressed altogether too fine. Any one would take

you for the captain or maybe the owner if you were to go aboard in those

togs."

"Would they?" asked Alaric, gazing dubiously down at his low-cut

patent-leather shoes, black silk socks, and light trousers accurately

creased and unbagged at the knees. Besides these he wore a vest and

sack-coat of fine black serge, an immaculate collar, about which was

knotted a silk neck-scarf, and a narrow-striped cheviot shirt, the cuffs

of which were fastened by gold sleeve-links. Across the front of his

vest, from pocket to pocket, extended a slender chain of twisted gold

and platinum, at one end of which was his watch, and at the other a gold

and platinum pencil-case.

"Yes, they would," answered Bonny, with decision; "and you've got to

make a change somehow, or else our bargain must be called off, for you

could never become a sailor in that rig."

Here was a difficulty on which Alaric had not counted, and it filled him

with dismay. "Couldn't I change suits with you?" he asked, anxiously. "I

shouldn't think mine would be too fine for a first mate."

"Not if I know it," laughed Bonny. "They'd fit me too much one way and

not enough another. Besides, they are shore togs any way you look at

'em, and not at all the things to go to sea in. The Cap'n would have a

fit sure if you should go aboard dressed as you are. So if you want to

ship with us, I'm afraid you'll have to buy a new outfit."

"But I haven't any money, and you say they won't charge things in this

town."

"Of course they won't if they don't know you; but you might spout your

ticker and make a raise that way."

"Might what?"

"Shove up your watch. Leave it with your uncle, you know, until you

earned enough to buy it back."

"Do you mean sell it?"

"No. They'd ask too many questions if you tried to sell it, and wouldn't

give much more, anyway. I mean pawn it."

"All right," replied. Alaric. "I'm willing, only I don't know how."

"Oh, I'll show you quick enough, if you really want to do it."

As Alaric insisted that he was willing to do almost anything to procure

that coveted sailor's outfit, Bonny led him to a mean-looking shop,

above the door of which hung three golden balls. The dingy windows were

filled with a dusty miscellany of watches, pistols, and all sorts of

personal property, while the opening of the door set loose a musty odor

of old clothing. As this came pouring forth Alaric instinctively drew

back in disgust; but with a sudden thought that he could not afford to

be too fastidious in the new life he had chosen, he conquered his

repugnance to the place, and followed Bonny inside.

A gaunt old Hebrew in a soiled dressing-gown stood behind a small

counter. As Alaric glanced at him hesitatingly, Bonny opened their

business by saying briskly:

"Hello, uncle! How are you to-day? My friend here wants to make a raise

on his watch."

"Led's see dot vatch," replied Mr. Isaacs, and Alaric handed it to him,

together with the chain and pencil-case. It was a fine Swiss

chronometer, with the monogram A.D.T. engraved on its back; and as the

pawnbroker tested the quality of its case and peered at the works,

Alaric noted his deliberate movements with nervous anxiety. Finally the

man said,

"I gifs you den tollars on dot vatch mit der chain und pencil trown in."

Alaric would have accepted this offer at once, but Bonny knew better.

"Ten nothings!" he cried. "You'll give us fifty dollars, uncle, or we'll

take it down to Levi's."

"Feefty tollar! So hellup me grashus! I vould be alretty bankrupted of I

gif feefty tollars on effery vatch. Vat you dake me for?"

"Take you for an old fraud," replied the unabashed first mate of the

Fancy. "Of course you would be bankrupted, as you ought to have been

long ago, if you gave fifty dollars on every turnip that is brought in;

but you could well afford to advance a hundred on this watch, and you

know it."

[Illustration: "VELL, I TELL YOU. I GIFS YOU TVENTY-FIFE."]

"Vell, I tell you. I gifs t'venty-fife."

"Fifty," said Bonny, firmly.

"Dirty, und not von cent more, so hellup me."

"Fifty."

"Dirty-fife?"

"We'll split the difference, and call it forty-five."

"I gifs you fordy oud of charity, seeing you is so hart up."

"It's a bargain," cried Bonny. "Hand over your cash."

"How could you talk to him that way?" asked Alaric, admiringly, as the

boys left the shop, he minus his watch and chain, but with forty dollars

and a pawn-ticket in his pocket.

"I couldn't once," laughed Bonny, "but it's one of the things poor folks

have to learn. If you are willing to let people impose on you they'll be

mighty quick to do it, and the only way is to bluff 'em from the start."

The next place they entered was a sailors' slop-shop, in which were kept

all sorts of seafaring garments and accessories. Here, advised by Bonny,

Alaric invested fourteen dollars and seventy-five cents in a blue knit

jersey, or sweater, a pair of stout woollen trousers, two flannel

shirts, two suits of heavy underclothing, several pairs of cotton socks,

and a pair of canvas shoes.

Expressing a desire to make a change of clothing at once, he was shown a

retired corner where he might do so, and from which he emerged a few

minutes later so altered in appearance that it is doubtful if his own

father would have recognized him.

"That's something like it!" cried Bonny.

"Isn't it?" replied Alaric, surveying himself with great satisfaction in

a mirror, and fully convinced that he now looked so like a sailor that

no one could possibly mistake him for anything else. "Don't you think,

though, that I ought to have the name of the sloop embroidered across

the front of this sweater? All the sailors I have ever seen had theirs

fixed that way."

"I suppose it would be a good idea," replied Bonny, soberly, though

filled with inward laughter at the suggestion. "But perhaps you'd better

wait until you see if the ship suits you, and whether you stay with us

or not."

"Oh, I'll stay," asserted Alaric. "There's no fear but what I will, if

you'll only keep me."

"Going yachting, sir?" asked the shopkeeper, politely, as he carefully

folded Alaric's discarded suit of fine clothing.

"No, indeed," replied the boy, scornfully. "I'm going to be a sailor on

the sloop _Fancy_, and I wish you would send these things down to her at

once."

Ere the man could recover from his astonishment at this request

sufficiently to reply, Bonny interrupted hastily:

"Oh no, Rick! we'll take them with us. There isn't time to have 'em

sent."

"I should guess not," remarked the shopkeeper, in a very different tone

from the one he had used before. "But, say, young feller, if you're

going to be a sailor you'll want a bag, and I've got a second-hand one

here almost as good as new that I'll sell cheap. It come to me with a

lot of truck from the sale of a confiscated sealer; and seeing that it's

got another chap's name painted on it, I'll let you have it for one bob

tuppence-ha'penny, and that'll make even money between us."

Thus saying, the man produced a stout canvas bag, such as a sailor uses

in place of a trunk. The name plainly painted across it, in black

letters, was "Philip Ryder"; but Alaric said he didn't mind that, so he

took the bag, thrust his belongings, including his cherished baseball,

into it, and the two boys left the shop.

"By-the-way," asked Alaric, hesitatingly, "don't I need to get some

brushes and things?"

"What for!"

"Why, to brush my hair, and--"

"Oh no," interrupted the other. "There's a comb on board, and, besides,

we can't stop for anything more. I've been gone so long now that I

expect the old man is madder'n a wet hen by this time."

So Bonny led the way to the wharves, and to a narrow slip between two of

them that just then was occupied by but a single craft. She was a small

sloop, not over forty feet long, though of good beam, evidently very

old, and so dingy that it was hard to believe she had ever been painted.

Her sails, hanging unfurled in lazy jacks, were patched and discolored;

her running rigging was spliced, the standing rigging was sadly in need

of setting up, her iron-work was rusted, and her spars were gray with

age.

"There's the old packet," said Bonny, cheerfully.

"Where?" asked Alaric, gazing vaguely down the slip and utterly ignoring

the disreputable craft close at hand.

"Why, right here," answered the other, a trifle impatiently. "Don't you

see the name _Fancy_ on her stern? She isn't much to look at, I know,

but she's a hummer to go, and a mighty good sea-boat. She's awfully

comfortable, too. Come aboard and I'll show you."

With this the cheery young fellow, who had actually come to a belief

that the shabby old craft was all he claimed for her, tossed his

friend's recent purchase to the deck of the sloop, and began to clamber

after it down a ricketty ladder.

With all his bright visions of a minute before rudely dispelled, and

with a heart so heavy that he could find no words to express his

feelings, Alaric followed him.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

THE COURAGE AND ENDURANCE OF ARCTIC ANIMALS.

BY THE CHIEF OF THE GREELY EXPEDITION.

The animals we have spoken of live on grass or other vegetation, and

their ability to exist depends primarily on their ability to cover

enough pasture ground to ensure sufficient food. Their dinner always

awaits their coming. With the fox and wolf the question is more serious,

for they live on flesh, either of animals or of fish. The long silky

hair makes the arctic fox beautiful in winter, and, indeed, quite the

whole year, for in the farthest north his color remains quite unchanged

from a snowy whiteness. They are much smaller than the common fox, the

total length, including the bushy tail, varying from two to three feet,

and their weight is from eight to twenty pounds; in late winter,

however, some do not weigh over five pounds. As the arctic ptarmigan has

feet quite clothed with fine feathers as a protection against cold, so

the arctic fox needs for the soles of his feet the thick covering of

hair that earns for him the designation of _lagopus_ (hairy).

After fifteen years' experience in South Greenland, Dr. Rink, fully

recognizing the craftiness of the fox, but also knowing the great

difficulty of obtaining animal food, says: "How these little fellows are

able to find food necessary to support life during eight months of the

year at the northern fiords remains somewhat of a mystery. Hares and

partridges are scarce, and seem unable to yield sufficient food for the

foxes. In summer the fox seeks the water's edge for mussels or other

food there exposed at low tide. He follows the seal-hunter, whether he

be man or bear, for the drops of blood or bits of skin and meat yielded

by the chase."

In Boothia Felix, Captain Ross found that he burrows and accumulates

supplies. He says: "One of their burrows was discovered on the sandy

margin of a lake; it had several passages, each opening into a common

cell, beyond which was an inner cell, where the young, six in number,

were taken. In the outer cell, and in the several passages leading to

it, we found a great number of the two species of lemmings, several

ermines, and the bones of hares, fish, and ducks in great quantities."

In the extreme north the difficulties of life for the fox greatly

increase. Shell-fish disappear, seal as a rule migrate for the winter,

and the hunting season shortens wofully with the lengthening winter.

Moreover, in Grinnell Land the fox cannot burrow, for the earth never

thaws more than a foot or two. However, the cunning animal utilizes

nooks and crevices as dens and store-houses. The theory advanced by

Professor Newton that the foxes of Spitsbergen lay up in summer a store

of food for winter use has been confirmed as to the foxes of North

Grinnell Land and Greenland.

[Illustration: THE ARCTIC FOX CATCHING HIS DINNER.]

In 1876, near the 83d degree of north latitude, Colonel Feilden shot a

fox who, with his mate, occupied a lair in a hillock of broken rocks.

"While resting," says Feilden, "we noticed that numerous dead lemmings

were scattered around. In every case they had been killed in the same

manner--the sharp canine teeth of the foxes had penetrated the brain.

Presently we came upon two ermines killed in the same manner. Then, to

our surprise, we discovered numerous deposits of dead lemmings; in one

hidden nook under a rock we pulled out a heap of over fifty. We

disturbed numerous _caches_ of twenty and thirty, and the ground was

honeycombed with holes, each of which contained several bodies of these

little animals, a small quantity of earth being placed over them. In one

hole we found the greater part of a hare hidden away. The wings of young

brent-geese were also lying about, and as these birds were at that date

only just hatching, it showed that they must have been the results of

successful forays of prior seasons, and that consequently the foxes

occupy the same abode from year to year."

It appears evident that the hoarding of supplies is peculiar to the fox

of North Grinnell Land, for two we held in captivity regularly hid such

portion of their food as was not needed for immediate consumption, and

it was also noted that the fox was an unusually frugal eater. Curiously

enough, our captive foxes would not hide anything while being watched,

and a piece of meat has been allowed to lie on the snow undisturbed for

half an hour or more while persons were around; but leaving the fox for

only four or five minutes, it would be found, upon returning, that the

piece of meat had been carried to a corner, a hole dug in the snow, and

the surface so carefully restored that it was difficult to notice any

change.

One of the foxes, under gentle treatment, became quite tame, and

permitted us to handle him, although he always caught the advancing hand

and gently applied his teeth, as if to give warning that he was not to

be trifled with. When stroked he seemed pleased, and gave forth a

purring noise very like that uttered by a contented cat. He would not

tolerate the bringing of the face near to, nor blowing at him,

invariably jumping at the person so offending.

The other fox, an old female, proved vicious and intractable. Despite

kind treatment, every effort to handle her resulted in serious bites.

She was kept chained, but made such frequent and violent shows of anger,

at times bordering on madness, as compelled us to kill her. She never

showed any signs of fear, and neglected no effort to free herself. She

was confined in a lean-to, at the door of which the Eskimo dogs gathered

for their daily food. Whenever a dog was in sight, Miss Fox put on a

bold front, showed her teeth threateningly, and emitted a series of low

growls, somewhat of a modification of the shrill barks the fox usually

indulges in. Several of the half-grown dogs rushed in on her, one at a

time and on different occasions, but the fox met the attacks with such

courage that the puppies retreated, one of them howling dismally at his

wounded muzzle, in which the fox had deeply inserted her sharp teeth.

The tame fox broke his chain and made a burrow in the snow wall that

surrounded the house. As daylight was then continuous, and there were

about thirty dogs around the quarters, it was thought that the fox would

fear to attempt an escape. After ten days, however, he took the chances,

and successfully ran the gauntlet of Eskimo dogs.

Doubtless the female fox has the hardest life, her energies being

severely taxed in caring for her young. She is always in poorer flesh

than the male, and as a rule she is much more vicious, and less amenable

to kindly treatment.

An instance of the endurance and possibly the craft of the arctic fox

may be cited in the experience of Biederbick, one of our expedition, who

put a bullet through a fox and apparently killed him. Failing to reload

his gun, the expectant hunter went forward to pick up his prey. To his

great astonishment and chagrin, as he neared the wounded animal the fox,

lamed and bleeding, sprang up and ran off at such a pace that he

escaped.

It may be added that the arctic fox, while noted for his courage and

endurance, is not skilled against traps or pitfalls, but shows a

proneness to be caught that borders at times on stupidity.

[Illustration: THE ARCTIC WOLF.]

The white-skinned, large-limbed wolf is the most ravenous, untiring, and

dangerous of all arctic animals. Its tireless gallop, sharp teeth,

snappish bites, and powers of a concerted action with its own kind make

it possible for this predacious animal to live wherever game of any

considerable size is to be found. In Grinnell Land he subsists almost

entirely on the musk-oxen, who find their only safety by travelling in

bands. When attacked they form a circle, and placing their calves and

feeble members in the centre, by opposing horns and desperate bellowings

stand off the encircling wolves. Woe, however, to the straggling ox who

falls in with wolves, for he never escapes.

In his widely read narrative, Kane most unjustly disparages the strength

and prowess of the arctic wolf. He says: "The Eskimo dogs of Smith Sound

encounter the wolf fearlessly and with success." There is absolutely no

foundation for this statement. Kane never saw a wolf either in southern

Greenland or in the Smith Sound region, for this animal is unknown in

Greenland, save one drifted from the American coast and killed at Omenak

in the winter of 1868-9.

In truth the arctic wolf is relatively the strongest, as he is in fact

the most courageous and enduring of arctic animals, and these qualities

are supplemented by unusual craft and caution. They average some twenty

pounds greater weight than the dog, which animal views their appearance

with terror, realizing his small chance of safety in an encounter. The

single wolf tempers his desperate courage with caution, and so rarely

attacks man. Indeed, he uses such good judgment that there are not half

a dozen instances in the annals of arctic expeditions where the hunter,

matching his wits and efforts against those of the beast, has succeeded

in shooting a wolf. When wolves assemble in packs they seem to act

without any fear of consequences whenever the community interests of the

pack demand it. They seem to realize that by concerted action the pack

is bound to prevail, and they accept the chances of death very much the

same as a soldier does when sharing the dangers of a victorious charge.

The British expedition of 1875 to Grinnell Land saw several wolves

following a herd of musk-oxen, on which the wolves of that region

subsist. Despite repeated efforts the sportsmen could not get within

three or four hundred yards of these very wary animals. Later a single

wolf followed Colonel Feilden's sledge for several days, but such was

the cunning displayed by the beast that all efforts to get a shot at him

failed. Very greatly to our surprise, in September, 1881, a large band

of wolves appeared on the harbor floe near our house at Lady Franklin

Bay. They were eighteen in number, and while they showed no signs of

timidity, yet their discretion was such that none of our many expert

hunters were able to get within gunshot. While this wariness is in

keeping with the general habits of the arctic wolf, which has been

rarely killed by sportsmen, yet it seems surprising when we reflect that

these wolves could never have been hunted, and doubtless had never seen

any animal, save the polar bear, which could injure them.

The tenacity with which arctic animals hold to life was frequently

instanced in our experience, and the thought occurred that it arose from

the survival of the strongest and hardiest individuals in a clime where

nature ever seems at strife with nature's life. A few days later two of

our hunters ran across a pack of wolves, of which two were shot, but

both escaped. A rifle-ball went completely through the body of one

animal, which bled profusely. The wolf was followed for several hours by

its trail of blood on the snow, but it finally escaped. Later, a single

wolf came within one hundred yards of our house, and in the early

twilight was for a time mistaken for one of the dogs, who were much

disturbed. He was eventually pursued by several hunters, and was shot

through the body by Lieutenant Kislingbury. Knocked down by the ball,

the wolf lost in a few minutes at least a cupful of blood. He was chased

for some time, his blood marking his path, but no one got within

gunshot. He was let alone for several hours in hopes that he would die,

but, pursued by the hunters later, he travelled on, stopping and waiting

as did his pursuers. Leaving drops of blood in the snow, he kept walking

out of gunshot, until he fell down dead with his body substantially

bloodless.

As the repeated efforts of our best huntsmen failed to further diminish

the number of the pack, it became necessary to resort to other means of

offence, for our interests were too important to be neglected. The

terror and dismay of our dogs promised their destruction, and with their

loss was involved our future sledging trips. Again, the health of the

party depended largely on the herds of musk-oxen, which the wolves were

running down. Acknowledging ourselves beaten as man against beast, we

resorted to poison. Here we were surprised at their craft and caution.

Different poisons skilfully arranged in meat were visited and left

untasted by the animals. Eventually, by mixing good and bad meat

together, we succeeded in killing four wolves; but on more than one

occasion the animals ate all the good meat and left the poisoned. While

the remaining wolves gave anxiety to us, yet this was not unmixed with a

certain feeling of satisfaction that a brute of such courage, endurance,

and craft had been able to hold his own against man, as he had against

nature in her sternest mood.

A. W. GREELY.

DAILY DRILL.

This drill, used regularly, will be found of advantage in giving grace

and freedom to the movements of the body, and a better command of the

muscles most needed in every-day work and play. In order to learn them

correctly the exercises should be taken slowly at first. When learned,

fifteen minutes per day is all that is needed for a "drill." Each motion

is made a certain number of times, usually from four to eight, and

should be done vigorously and steadily.

Begin by assuming the "correct position," which must be rigidly

maintained during the drill, only excepting those parts of the body in

action.

Toes at right angles; heels together, with weight upon balls of feet;

legs stiff; abdomen well back; chest out; shoulders back and down; arms

stiff at sides; chin slightly in; slight forward incline of whole body.

_Head and Neck._--Bend the head forward upon the chest, and then up

again to erect position; bend the head backward, and then erect; to the

right side, and then erect; to the left, and then erect; "twist" it,

looking over right shoulder, and then back again to position; around to

the left, and again to position; "roll," dropping head upon chest; roll

it toward the right side, around to back, continuing to the left, and

back to front position. Reverse this roll.

_Shoulders._--"Shrug" shoulders up, shrug forward, shrug back; roll,

going up, to the back, down, and then forward. Reverse this roll.

_Arms._--With arms stiff at sides, twist them in their sockets, toward

the front, toward the back; bending the elbows, rest clinched hands upon

chest; thrust arms forward to full extent, and back to position; out to

sides, and back to position; straight down, and back to position;

straight up, over the head, back and to place, always with even, steady,

continuous motion.

_The Hands._--Extending arms straight in front, and afterward to the

sides, and then upward, open and close fingers to fullest extent. Shake

the hands at the wrists. Up; down; to the sides; then with a rolling

motion; slowly, and then faster.

_The Chest._--Keeping the shoulders well back, and holding the breath,

raise and lower the muscles of the chest.

_The Abdomen._--Raise and lower, forward and back, the muscles of the

abdomen. Learning to contract these muscles and to hold them back in

position is a great help to a good carriage.

_The Diaphragm._--Raise and lower diaphragmatic muscles, enlarging this

part of the body to widest extent in each motion.

_Hips._--Lifting stiff leg slightly from the floor, twist it at the hip

toward the front; twist it toward the back; lifting the leg in same

manner, "roll" it at hip-joint, working it to full extent, up, forward,

down, and back. Leg motions, of course, must be taken, one side of the

body, and then the other, alternately.

_Legs._--Raise "stiff" leg forward and out, and then back to place; out

to side, toward the back, and to place; flex leg at knee, and thrust

forward and up quickly; flex and thrust to the side; flex and thrust to

back; unhinge leg at hip and swing; out in front, to the side; across in

front toward the back, and to position; swing in a circle, around and

across in front, then around toward the back.

_The Ankles._--Holding leg stiff in front, work the foot at ankle, up,

down, to the right side, to the left; shake and twist feet, and "roll"

them, doing part of the work with a reverse motion; rise on the toes,

with a regular motion, and then slower, holding the body balanced on the

toes for a few seconds.

_Further Balance-work._--Throwing the weight of the body on the ball of

one foot, lift the other leg, and flexing at knee, describe circles,

moving the leg from the knee only.

_Step._--Pointing toe, and arching instep, and with stiff leg; to the

front, and back to place; to the side; to the back; across at back.

These motions, out of a large number, were selected for their simplicity

and usefulness for regular daily exercise.

THE INCANTATIONS OF ALI BEN MESROUR.

BY W. A. CURTIS.

The fame of Ducardanoy and Bouchardy spread through Algeria. Tho methods

by which they had deceived and despoiled the Arab tribes gradually

became known, and threats of vengeance coming to their ears, they

decided that it was no longer safe to dwell so near the Sahara and its

wild tribes, and they removed to the northern side of the Atlas. But

even in their new home they were destined to encounter the power of the

Shiekh of the Mountain of Singing Sauds, though not in a way that

menaced their personal safety.

It was at the close of the Mohammedan fasting season of Ramadan that the

great Arabian magician Ali Ben Mesrour came to town. Bouchardy, who

attended all of his performances, declared his feats to be easy of

execution, and their mechanism readily detected by the most unobserving.

Ducardanoy was inclined to attribute this to professional jealousy; but

when the magician began to cure the halt and lame among the Arabs of

grievous corns and bunions, he too denounced Ben Mesrour as a bungler

and a charlatan. Hearing of the criticisms of the two experts, the Arab

sage gravely sent them a challenge. He announced that if they dared to

give him a trial he would appear at their house, and by a certain

magical process change the one into a dromedary and the other into a

mule, and he agreed that in case of failure there should be forfeited

two five-franc pieces of silver, which he would deposit with the

commandant of the garrison previous to the trial. Two five-franc pieces

were nothing to the chiropodist and the prestidigitator, grown

exceedingly wealthy with the prudent investment of the results of their

late encounters with the Arabs, but they hailed with pleasure the

prospect of amusing themselves at the expense of the magician.

The lamps had been lighted an hour when Ali Ben Mesrour was ushered in

to begin the process of transforming Ducardanoy into a camel and

Bouchardy into a mule. He was attired in a robe of dark red silk, and

upon his head was the green turban that indicates descent from the

Prophet. Upon the side of the turban a white aigrette was fastened by a

single emerald, and about his neck was hung a long gold chain.

Ducardanoy and Bouchardy received him with great courtesy, and

profoundly salaaming, conducted him to a divan resting against a heavy

portière. The magician sat down, and the divan instantly flattened out

beneath him. He leaped to his feet, whereupon the divan promptly resumed

its former shape.

"I beg pardon for the conduct of the divan," said Ducardanoy. "Sit down

in this chair," and Ben Mesrour sank down in a huge arm-chair, which

rose beneath him and dropped him to the floor.

"Why, what's that on your turban?" exclaimed Bouchardy, and he reached

forward and took from Ben Mesrour's head a white rabbit and a pair of

doves. Bang! and the turban flew up in the air, and then settled back

again, and Bouchardy further relieved it of a frog and a large carrot.

"What a number of things you carry around with you!" said Bouchardy.

"Have a smoke?" and he handed him an amber mouth-piece holding a

cigarette, which, being lighted, began to lengthen out and curl and

twist into the semblance of a long and writhing snake.

"Bismillah!" grunted Ben Mesrour.

"What a man you are! Your breath changes a cigarette into a snake. But

if you can't smoke, have something else. Try this sherbet," said

Bouchardy, bringing out a long goblet of silver gilt. The magician

raised the goblet to his lips, when there was a sudden whir, and a

bright blue flame leaped up into his face.

"Mashallah!" he cried, dropping the goblet, which instantly exploded

with a loud report.

"All our little attempts at hospitality seem to fail," said Bouchardy,

with mock chagrin. "Have something to eat. Try this peach."

"No," said Ben Mesrour, waving a remonstrance; "it is time to make a

mule of you. The five-franc pieces have been deposited with the

Commandant. Let us begin. Stand upon this hassock, if you please, and I

will turn you into a mule."

"The first thing I shall do when I become a mule will be to kick you

good," said Bouchardy.

"We'll see about that," said the magician, and starting at Bouchardy's

ankles, he began to knead his legs, and proceeded over his entire body,

kneading, patting, and thumping him, all the while crooning a low chant

in Arabic. Having finished Bouchardy, he left him standing on the

hassock, and turned to Ducardanoy and repeated the process. An attendant

then handed him a chafing-dish in which a few coals were burning, and

withdrawing to the middle of the room, he threw a powder upon the coals.

A great opaque white cloud, stifling and acrid, arose and filled the

room, and from the midst of the cloud came the voice of Ali Ben Mesrour,

shouting: "Accursed, the Shiekh of the Mountain of Singing Sands is

avenged. I have made beasts of you."

In a moment the cloud drifted away, and the magician and his attendant

had vanished.

"Made beasts of us?" said Bouchardy. "Well, he didn't make a mule of me.

Look at that," and he held up the emerald from Ben Mesrour's turban and

the gold chain from his neck. "When I saw that spiteful old fellow

trying to turn me into a beast, and evidently thinking he was doing it,

I decided to punish him by taking his jewelry."

"If it is not too late, let us have in a few friends to celebrate the

successful outcome of our third encounter with Arabs striving to injure

us," said Ducardanoy.

"It is not too late," said Bouchardy, reaching for his watch. A look of

surprise swept over his face. The watch was not there. And his trousers

pocket was empty of the purse it contained a few hours before, and a

diamond stud was gone from his shirt front, and as for the emerald and

chain, which he now scrutinized in attempting to console himself, both

were cheap imitations worth only a few sous at most. Gone was

Ducardanoy's watch, too, and a roll of bank-notes, and a gold

match-safe. They ran into the hallway for their hats to start in pursuit

of Ben Mesrour. Gone were their hats. Gone were the rugs from the floor,

the divans, the pictures, the ormulu clock, the onyx tables, the silver

and china ware, the books--everything in the house that was easily

movable. They rushed into the streets, and in a moment were seeking Ben

Mesrour with a squad of soldiers. Ali Ben Mesrour? His caravan had left

the town two hours ago, on the way to Morocco. But Ben Mesrour himself

had not gone an hour ago, Ducardanoy and Bouchardy declared. The people

knew naught of that. The magician's caravan had gone, and the people

thought he had gone with it. Away went the pursuing party, riding out on

the road toward Morocco, and in a short time they overtook a man riding

upon a mule, accompanied by a closely veiled woman riding upon a camel.

"There he is," cried Ducardanoy. "That woman is Ben Mesrour disguised.

Drag him down."

"Hold," said the French sergeant, glancing around at his troopers, all

native Algerians. "Do you propose to strip the veil from the face of a

woman?" he continued, in a whisper. "Such an outrage of Mohammedan

customs would cause these men to fall on us at once, and the town would

rise to-night. We must let them proceed without interference."

Reluctantly Ducardanoy and Bouchardy turned back toward town with the

soldiers. The man on the mule shouted something after them in Arabic.

"What did he say?" asked Bouchardy.

"He said," replied the soldier, "that he and his wife were riding on a

mule and a camel presented to him by the magician Ali Ben Mesrour, which

same were formerly the Messieurs Ducardanoy and Bouchardy, transformed

into their present shape by his magic arts."

"That is not true," said Bouchardy, "for the magician Ali Ben Mesrour

made mules of both of them."

HURDLE-RACING.

From instantaneous Photographs of Ernest H. Cady.

[Illustration: 2.]

[Illustration: 1.]

[Illustration: 4.]

[Illustration: 3.]

[Illustration: 6.]

[Illustration: 5.]

[Illustration: 8.]

[Illustration: 7.]

[Illustration: ERNEST B. CADY.]

[Illustration: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT]

There are two distances for hurdle races which have become recognized by

the Intercollegiate Associations and the larger athletic clubs as the

standards for this event. The shorter distance is 120 yards, the race

being run over ten hurdles, 3 feet 6 inches high, placed ten yards

apart, the first and last obstacles being respectively fifteen yards

from the starting and the finishing lines. The longer distance is 220

yards, the ten hurdles in this case being 2 feet 6 inches high, twenty

yards apart, and the first and last respectively twenty yards distant

from the start and finish. These two events are usually spoken of as the

"high hurdles" and the "low hurdles," the distances being invariably

understood as given above.

Hurdling requires skill, strength, spring, nerve, and a cool head; and

to become a fast hurdler you must devote several years of hard and

faithful practice in this particular event. The training for a beginner

should be begun in the gymnasium in the winter, with light calisthenics,

rising on the toes, rising on the heels, raising the legs, and

practising the double jump on the toes. This double jump is a peculiar

exercise, and consists of raising one leg, bent at the knee, forward,

and the other leg, bent at the knee, backward, alternating the legs at

each jump; this serves to limber the muscles that are used in hurdling,

and also helps to lengthen the stride. An occasional short jog out of

doors on fair days, and light all-round work in the gymnasium, for

general physical development, should be made a part of this preliminary

training. One of the best exercises that a hurdler can possibly indulge

in is to dance up and down on the spring-board for ten or fifteen

minutes every day. This develops that very necessary quality of spring

and suppleness.

When the out-door training season begins, the first two or three days

should be spent in jogging up and down the track. After that take

occasional sprints of thirty or forty yards, without practising the

start. On the third day practise the start two or three times, and try

clearing one hurdle about three times. On the fourth day do the same

thing. On the fifth day place two hurdles on the track at their proper

distances, and negotiate them two or three times. On the sixth day

repeat this performance with three hurdles. After this first week of

out-door practice, whenever the hurdles are being jumped, the athlete

should rush at them with his utmost speed from the proper distances, so

as to become accustomed to them. The general training for a hurdler

should be about the same as that undertaken for the 100 and 220 yard

dashes, as described in this Department on February 25th.

After three weeks of this kind of preliminary work, the high hurdles may

be placed in position, and the hurdler may try going over the whole

distance on time; but he should never attempt this move than once or

twice a week, doing his daily work over not more than three hurdles.

There are two things of vital importance for the hurdler to work at in

order to acquire speed; he should drive himself as fast as he can go

from the crack of the pistol until he stops running, and each hurdle

should be rushed at as if it were the last.

[Illustration: FIG. 1.]

Speed between the hurdles is of the utmost importance. The secret of

obtaining this lies in starting the foot, which has crossed last over

the hurdle, forward for the first step before the forward foot has

reached the ground, thus making the first step after the jump a very

short one, yet a very quick one. This is a difficult movement to learn,

but the athlete will find that it will lower his time perceptibly if he

can master it. The instinctive act upon landing after the leap is to

take a long stride forward with the view of covering distance. But the

athlete must restrain this inclination and force himself to take a short

step, even if he has to work over it for months, or he will never be

able to acquire skill or speed as a hurdler. That first short step after

clearing the hurdle gives the runner his impetus, and the other two

steps easily follow. The third step is shorter than the second in order

that the runner may gather himself slightly for the spring over the next

hurdle.

[Illustration: FIG. 2.]

The ideal distance between steps in a high-hurdle race is shown in the

accompanying diagram (Fig. 1). The runner alights about 7 feet 6 inches

from the obstacle, and then takes the short quick step already mentioned

(4 feet 10 inches); then he makes a long step (5 feet 10 inches), and

then another short step (4 feet 4 inches), which brings him within 7

feet 6 inches of his next hurdle, and he makes that spot his take-off. A

fatal fault of many hurdlers is to bring the forward foot down in such a

way as to cut off the length of the jump, as shown in Fig. 2. The first

foot should be made to shoot as far forward as possible along an

imaginary line, as shown in Fig. 3.

[Illustration: FIG. 3.]

As the last hurdle is cleared, the head should be thrust forward as the

athlete lands on the ground, and so held, for this will greatly aid in

the sprint for the tape. There is a difference of opinion among the best

men in this event as to whether the standing start or the crouching

start is the better. Those who take the upright start assert that they

can get off quicker and are in a better condition to take the first

hurdle, which is only fifteen yards away, and say that it is difficult

to rise to the proper jumping position in such a short run. Those who

favor the crouching start deny this. This is a case where each

individual must decide for himself which method he prefers. Another

vital point that must be observed is to rush for the first hurdle with

the utmost speed, for the way in which the first obstacle is reached and

cleared often decides the race. A hurdle race is a constant drive from

start to finish.

The hurdles should be cleared by as narrow a margin as possible. From

the standpoint of speed it is better to strike the top bar lightly

rather than to clear it by several inches, for this margin makes a loss

of time. The athlete shown in the illustrations is E. H. Cady, and these

photographs give a very good idea of the position a man should train

himself to assume when clearing the sticks. The eighth illustration

gives a very good idea of the distance of the landing-spot from the

hurdle, as shown also in the diagram. The single thing which requires

probably the greatest practice is to get the exact length of stride for

the various steps between hurdles. A good way to get this is to mark

these spots on the ground, and then go over the hurdles, lighting on

these spots, until the stride has become absolutely natural.

The first annual in-door games of the Long Island Interscholastic

Athletic Association brought out a good crowd of athletes from the two

cities, and although no records were broken, the sport was good, and

each event was well contested. Everything went off promptly and sharply

except the pole-vault, which was not started until after five o'clock,

and dallied along for almost two hours. Even so, it resulted in a tie

that had to be settled by the toss of a coin. Forney, Hurlburt, and Eddy

kept abreast until the bar reached 9 feet, and there Eddy dropped out.

The other two then struggled for first place, breaking every bar the

committee could furnish. Two broken ends were spliced to keep up the

contest, but the imperfect bar sagged so deeply at the centre that it

was impossible to tell how high (or low) the mark was, and finally

Forney and Hurlburt split the points, and tossed for the medal, luck

favoring the former.

Berkeley won the banner offered to the school taking the greatest number

of points, the scores of the contesting teams being as follows:

Berkeley, 21; Barnard, 18; St. Paul's, 12; Brooklyn High, 8; Pratt

Institute, 6; Pingry's, 5; Adelphi, 4; Drisler's, 4; Cutler's, 3:

Oxford, 3; Alling Art, 1; Brooklyn Latin, 1; De La Salle, 1; Poly.

Prep., 1; Stevens Prep., 1; Hamilton Institute, 1. The struggle for

points was reduced to a duel between Barnard and Berkeley very early in

the afternoon, St. Paul's being the only other team that made any kind

of a showing.

Irwin-Martin, of Berkeley, had an easy thing of it in the quarter-mile,

taking the lead from the start; Hipple of Barnard likewise had his own

way in the half-mile, although he misjudged his pace, and failed to make

as good time as was expected of him. Moore, of course, made a double win

in the dashes, for there is probably no better sprinter in the New York

and Brooklyn schools than he. Berkeley depended on Armstead for five

points in the Junior 75-yards, but although he won his heat, he met a

better man in the finals. This was Robinson of St. Paul's, who proved so

far superior in speed to any of his rivals that we may well count on

hearing from him as a first-class man in the near future.

The hurdles furnished a surprise in the defeat of Beers by Bien. The

latter was a little awkward in his trial heat, but when he started in

the finals he showed much better form. Beers, on the other hand, was all

out of shape, bungled over the first obstacle, and took a cropper at the

second. Beers always has been a better man out-of-doors than in, but he

will have to look to his laurels at the Interscholastics this spring.

The mile run took five points off Barnard's forecast. Bedford had been

counted a pretty sure winner, in spite of the fact that Manvel of Pingry

was on hand. The two ran pretty evenly for half the distance, but toward

the end the Jerseyman displayed more wind and staying power, and spurted

for the finish, crossing the line well ahead of Bedford.

There have been a number of scholastic in-door games in and about Boston

the past month, and about the most interesting feature of each has been

the team race. I was sorry not to see a team race at the Long Island

games a week ago. Such races are always exciting, and create a great

amount of enthusiasm, the interest being shown for the school rather

than for the individual athlete.

The enthusiasm of some of the English High-School team's supporters at

the E.H.-S. games recently was so reckless that one young man thrust a

hurdle across the path of a rival racer. The E.H.-S. men won the team

race easily by about forty yards, but some one in the crowd upset a

hurdle in front of Lincoln, the second Boston Latin runner, and of

course the race had to be awarded to the Latin School on the foul. Fouls

seem to be frequently the result of the enthusiasm that breaks loose

over a team race--especially in Boston. On this same occasion there was

a race between teams representing the right and left wings of the school

regiment, and it proved exceedingly close. There was not three yards of

floor between any two of the runners, and finally Ober, the fourth man

for the right wing, won by only a few inches. But a foul gave the prize

to the left-wing team. I only mention these incidents to show how very

exciting team races are; for fouls are very infrequent at

interscholastic contests; yet when it comes to a relay race, enthusiasm

seems to get the better of both competitors and spectators, and

frequently the referee has to step in and assert his authority.

The Cambridge High and Latin School games followed some days later, and

as there were a number of open events, several Harvard men, old

interscholastic athletes, entered and kept the younger men up to their

best efforts. There were so many entries that the 20-yard dash had to be

run off in twelve heats, with a second round of four heats and a final.

The Boston Latin School's games had no open events, the contest being

entirely among the classes. McGuire of last year's football team made a

record for himself by winning the 30-yard dash in 4-1/5 sec.; the

35-yard hurdles in 5-1/5 sec.; the 300-yard run in 46-2/5 sec.; the pole

vault with a leap of 8 ft. 4 in.; and by captaining the winning team in

the relay race. McGuire is a good all-round man.

The entries for the big games at the Madison Square Garden on the 28th

will have a most cosmopolitan character. I spoke recently of the

Connecticut athletes who intended to compete, and I have heard that

several Bostonians are in training for the occasion. The Central

High-School of Philadelphia also expects to send representatives. It is

likely that the team will be composed of Frazier, Mekenson, and Hunt in

the sprints; Thomas, Hunt, Frazier, and Freeland in the relay race;

Thomas, Freeland, and Hunt in the half-mile; Thomas and Rutschman in the

mile; the Gillender brothers in the walk; F. Gillender, Halderman, and

Bay in the shot, and Buckley and Eyre in the high jump.

It is reported that St. Paul's School, of Garden City, is making

arrangements to withdraw from the Long Island Interscholastic A. A., and

join the new organization recently formed by Lawrenceville, the Hill

School, and a number of other large institutions, which from their

situation may properly be called "country schools." It seems to me that

St. Paul's is doing the right thing in joining the new league, for at

present it is competing with institutions not at all of its own class in

many respects. St. Paul's will doubtless at first be the weakest member

of the new league, but that should not be a reason for discouragement.

In the revised constitution of the New York Interscholastic A.A. a

penalty of $5 has been fixed for the forfeiting of any league contest.

This law should be strictly enforced, for there has been too much

forfeiting of games by teams that thought they stood no chance of

winning, and had not sufficient sporting spirit to appear upon the field

and do their best. If the five had been made double the amount, this

would not have been too severe a punishment. As it is, the treasury of

the N.Y.I.S.A.A. will doubtless reap considerable benefit during the

coming baseball season, if matters go as they went in the past. The

difficulty may now come in collecting the fines. It may be found

advisable to insert a by-law which shall make the fine for forfeiture

payable within a certain very limited period--say, before the date of

the next game scheduled for that team to play--on penalty of suspension.

Such suspension should be made to apply to the members of the offending

team, not to the school. The players who then found themselves debarred

from participating in other sports--track athletics, for

instance--would soon see that the fine was paid, and after one such

experience they would probably abstain from forfeiting.

ALBERT GEORGE, JUN., NEW YORK.--The ROUND TABLE will offer no

All-round Sports Medal this year.

PERCY HOLDSWORTH, ROCKVILLE CENTER, L.I.--An approximately accurate

table of interscholastic records was published in the ROUND TABLE

of July 9, 1895. Since then several of these records have been

broken, and another table will not be prepared until later in the

spring.

J. M. ALLEN, MARINETTE, WIS.--Hints on training for the 100 and 220

yard dashes were published in HARPER'S ROUND TABLE of February 25,

1896; for the half-mile run, in HARPER'S ROUND TABLE of March 3,

1896; for the high jump, in HARPER'S ROUND TABLE of July 30, 1895.

THE GRADUATE.

[Illustration: THE CAMERA CLUB]

Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly

answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to

hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.

Among the pictures sent to our recent photographic competition were some

not eligible for entry in any of the classes for which prizes were

given, but which were such fine specimens of amateur work that they

deserve more than a mere mention of subject and artist. There were

several excellent animal studies, a class of pictures which requires

special skill in order to be successful. Mr. Louis H. Flanders, of

Chicago, Ill., with other examples of good work, sent two--one was the

head of a Jersey cow, evidently without a flaw in the negative; the

other, to which no name was given, might appropriately be called

"Waiting for the Master." A large shepherd dog is sitting on his

haunches, holding in his mouth the bridle of a horse, which stands, like

the one in the nursery rhyme, "All saddled, all bridled, all fit for a

ride." The surroundings--a drive leading to a barn in the

background--are in keeping with the picture. This is one of the most

natural animal studies which it has ever been the good fortune of the

editor to examine.

Another good animal study, which is called "Friends," was made by Mr.

Orville Bassett, of New Bedford, Mass. The friends were a shepherd dog

and a handsome cat lying side by side on the grass. Mr. Huber Hoge, of

Brooklyn, N.Y., sent an animal study entitled "Fallen Majesty"--a

picture of an enormous lion in a cage; an unusual subject, and well

taken. Miss Bertha Lothrop, of Riverton, N.J., sent a picture of a pug

dog and a good natured looking cat playing together--"Playmates."

Franklin M. Conant, Providence, R.I., and W. Yost, of Cumberland, Md.,

both sent good studies of cats, and Mrs. Claud Gatch, Salem, Or., sent a

picture of a dog family, entitled "A Good Square Meal." A characteristic

Southern picture was sent by Lieut. W. C. Davis, Fortress Monroe, Va.

While this picture was not as sharp in detail as might be desirable, the

subject was very amusing. A ragged colored boy was holding by a rope

halter the framework of a horse--it could be called nothing more--and

"De Price is Fifteen Dollahs, Sah," was the appropriate title to the

picture.

Some fine photographs of unusual subjects were received, among which was

one sent by Mr. C. H. Voorhees, of New York city, of a flash of

lightning. It is one of the best pictures of lightning that could be

made, the effect in the picture being exactly what one sees on a summer

night when a flash of what is called "chain lightning" crinkles across

the sky, the landscape being faintly outlined instead of illuminated as

in the broad flashes. Photographs of lightning have revealed one mistake

of the artist, and that is that lightning never assumes the jagged

streaks with sharp angles which one sees in drawings of lightning. The

electric fluid runs in curved lines, and looks something like outlines

of rivers in map-drawings.

Two beautiful cloud effects were submitted. "Day is dying in the West,"

is the title of one taken by Mr. Newell B. Edson, of Portland, Me. The

clouds are very artistically shaded, and show no halation, as is apt to

be the case in most cloud pictures. This picture would make a fine

bromide enlargement. The other cloud effect was sent by Warfield T.

Longcope, Baltimore, Md., and is entitled "Moonlight." It is a harbor

scene, and the outlines of the wharves and shipping show dimly, while

the moonlight, breaking through the clouds, shines across the water.

Mrs. George Conn, of Black Diamond, Wash., sent a picture of a snow

scene, the snow looking like the real article and not like chalk, as is

often the case with photographs of snow.

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Reader: Have you seen the

* Franklin *

It is a Collection which no one who loves music should fail to own; it

should find a place in every home. Never before, it may truthfully be

said, has a song book been published at once so cheap, so good, and so

complete.--_Colorado Springs Gazette._

* Square *

This Song Collection is one of the most notable enterprises of the kind

attempted by any publisher. The brief sketches and histories of the

leading productions in the work add greatly to the value of the

series.--_Troy Times._

Collection?

Sold Everywhere. Price, 50 cents; Cloth, $1.00. Full contents, with

Specimen Pages mailed, without cost, on application to

Harper & Brothers, New York.

[Illustration: Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers.]

[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.

Some time ago we published in this Department a series of maps giving

the trip from New York to Albany along the east bank of the Hudson

River. Before taking up the question of Chicago maps it will be wise to

extend the route from Albany somewhat further into New York State. To

begin this, we give this week a map of the city of Albany itself. The

wheelman approaching Albany from New York will cross the Hudson at South

or Greenbush Bridge. After crossing into the city, turn right into

Broadway, and proceed along Broadway until State Street is reached at

the Post-office. Turning left into State Street, go on to North Pearl

Street, stopping at the Kenmore Hotel.

The city of Albany is not by any means a bicyclist's paradise. The roads

that are asphalted in the city are few in number, though there are here

and there single blocks paved in this way, which, of course, do not

prove of any value to the wheelman. From the Kenmore Hotel, if you

desire to go northward, the best method is to go through Pearl Street to

Broadway, run out Broadway to the Loudonville Plank Road, turn left into

this, and proceed on towards Loudonville. This is the road to Buffalo.

To leave Albany on the south, the rider should make for Madison Avenue

as directly as possible, proceeding by State Street and Eagle Street. To

turn immediately south, Madison Avenue is left at Delaware Avenue. To

run in a more westerly direction, Madison Avenue is left at Lake Avenue,

which runs into New Scotland Plank Road. These are merely exits from

Albany. As for any riding in the parks or streets in Albany for

pleasure, it is quite impossible. The only possible runs are direct from

Albany out to some neighboring town and back, and of these the run to

Newtonville, Latham Corners, Centre, and Watervliet is the best.

Evidently the Albany authorities have not yet become aware of the

importance of bicycling, for when they do the streets of the city will

be paved in asphalt with more care as to continuous routes than at

present. There are more asphalted streets in the city than are marked on

the accompanying map, but few of them extend more than one block, and

none of them carry you to any definite point. They are of no use to the

wheelman, therefore, unless he is riding to some particular house within

the city, when it is, of course, some help to be able to take advantage

of even one block of this pavement.

There is little to delay the wheelman in Albany if he is on a trip from

New York or Boston to Buffalo and Niagara. The city, apart from its

Capitol, is not one that you would naturally choose for sight-seeing,

and with a good night's rest the wheelman is advised to go on his way

rejoicing that he has not got to pedal over more badly paved streets.

The Capitol, however, is well worth a visit; and as it is close at hand

from the Kenmore Hotel, one is advised to go there and look at the

artistic and architectural work put upon it.

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

route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford,

Connecticut in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New

Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814.

Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816.

Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No.

818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No.

820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822.

Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West

Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City--First Stage in

No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland--First

Stage in No. 627; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to

Boston--Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth

Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833.

Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to

Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to

New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839.

Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to

Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843.

Philadelphia to Washington--First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in

No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth

Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849.

[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.

Did you ever think of the flowers, how different they are one from

another? And yet each is a flower, each belongs to its own family, each

has its own place in nature, its own little mission to the world, its

time to bloom, its hour to be sweet and to live in the sunshine.

I wonder which is your favorite flower? I used to think the mignonette

was mine; but then when daisies whiten the fields I like them best, and

when lilies shine in the garden I prefer them, and, on the whole, there

are none of the dear things I would like to do without. How nice it is

that there are so many kinds, and how tiresome it would be if they were

all exactly alike!

The flowers have what each of us should have, individuality. We do not

wish the girls in a school to be alike in everything. One day last

October I sat on the platform of a woman's college during the opening

exercises, and in the bright morning watched the long lines of girls

march into the chapel to the sound of the piano. Two by two they came,

dark girls and fair girls, plump girls and thin girls, tall girls and

short girls, as sweet a band as I ever saw, all alert and alive and

eager, and looking as if they never had an ache or a pain, as girls

ought to look who have learned that health and vigor help to make

successful students. They were not like coins stamped in a mint and

precisely alike, though their college was giving each of them its own

stamp of culture and refinement. One may carry this stamp, as the flower

its perfume, and not lose the particular quality of mind and heart which

is her own special distinction. Keeping one's own individuality, one may

yet gain what is best in her school life and hold it.

This is a thoughtful talk for my older girls, and I am going now to give

them three rather long words, which they may use as pegs on which to

hang reflections of their own, or points round which ideas may cluster.

One is development. If you cut an apple through the circumference, as

you cut an orange, you will see in clear outline around the starlike

centre made by the seeds the shape of the blossom. The fruit has grown

from the flower, and the flower's shape is in the heart of the fruit.

The fruit developed little by little through summer days and winter

days, but the flower gave it the start. Take the little thought and use

it, and if you have a gift or grace--a taste for housekeeping, cooking,

sewing, painting, or reading--develop it by use and study and taking

pains.

My next long word is responsibility. It means, as we all know, the

answering when we are called, answering to our names. The responsible

person can be trusted. Not long ago, in New York city, a fire broke out

in the upper stories of a great apartment-house. Two young women, one, a

young lady visiting the family in a certain home on the sixth floor of

the house, the other a maid in the same home, were confronted suddenly

with black volumes of smoke, red tongues of flame, and no way of escape

but by the iron ladder that hung along the side of the house. There were

two little children there and some valuable papers, and though the young

women could not save everything, they took the children and the papers

down the fire-escape with calmness and courage. They were _responsible_.

My last word is consecration. It is a very sacred word, and I leave you

to weave your own sweet fancies around it. We must be consecrated to the

best possible ideal, we must fill every day with noble work.

ANNE B.--Write a formal note of thanks in the third person. It is

always proper to return thanks for courtesies of every description.

PERPLEXED MAIDEN.--Your long and thick hair is a very great beauty,

and you must not complain of it. Of course you are old enough to

wear it put up, and I wish you would take my advice, and wind it in

a great coil on the top of your head. I may give the same answer to

Helen L. R., who is equally perplexed, though as Helen is only

fifteen she may continue to wear her long braids another year if

she chooses. Both girls should wash their hair once a month, and

brush it every night with great care and a clean brush.

MARY W. L.--In addition to the spelling match, ask your friends to

lend you their earliest photographs. At a proper time in the

evening, just before the refreshments if you choose, unveil your

picture gallery, and let the girls guess the originals of the

babies on view.

SALLY R.--Sets of dishes all alike are not necessary. I think a

variety of pretty dishes quite as interesting and equally as

appropriate.

LEAH G.--Why not have an old-fashioned candy-pull?

[Illustration: Signature]

ADVERTISEMENTS.

21 Experts

[Illustration]

compose the Bicycle Council that passes upon each detail of Columbia

construction--engineers, metallurgists, designers, keen-eyed men of

science. And they do no guessing. Back of them is one of the most

complete Departments of Tests in this country. Such accurate scientific

methods must produce standard machines.

[Illustration: Columbia]

BICYCLES

Standard of the World.

$100 To all Alike.

Hartford Bicycles are next best.

$80, $60, $50.

The Art Catalogue of Columbia and Hartford Bicycles is free if you call

upon any Columbia agent; by mail for two 2-cent stamps.

POPE MANUFACTURING CO.,

Hartford, Conn.

Branches and Agencies in nearly every town. If we are not properly

represented in your vicinity let us know.

[Illustration: HARTFORD]

IF IT'S A HARTFORD TIRE IT'S RIGHT.

THE HARTFORD RUBBER WORKS CO.,

HARTFORD, CONN.

BRANCHES, NEW YORK AND CHICAGO.

_On Bosworth Field_

_King Richard cried:_

_"My kingdom for a horse!"_

_But times have changed--_

_To-day he'd want_

_A Monarch wheel, of course._

MONARCH

KING OF BICYCLES

and a wheel fit for a king. Made in 4 models. $80 and $100. For children

and adults who want a lower price wheel the _Defiance_ is made in 8

models, $40 to $75. Send for Monarch book.

[Illustration]

MONARCH CYCLE

MFG. CO.,

Lake, Halsted and Fulton Sts., CHICAGO

83 Reade Street, New York.

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

=LOOK HERE, BOYS!= 50 stamps and hinges, 15c.; 100, 25c. Cheaper packets

if you want. Sheets on approval. List sent free. Send Postal Card.

W. C. SHIELDS, 30 Sorauren Ave., Toronto, Canada.

310

foreign Bolivia, etc., 10c.; 100 different China, etc., 10c. Finest

approval sheet, at 50%. Agents wanted. Large price-list, free.

SHAW STAMP CO., Jackson, Mich.

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.

=Stamps.= Approval sheets. Agents wanted; 50% com.

G. D. Holt & Co., 155 Pulaski St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYEWATER]

For an Afternoon.

Mrs. Mary B. Miller writes to you: "We originated the following for

entertaining a few young ladies invited to spend an afternoon. A phrase

describes some character noted in history, literature, or art. The

initial letters of words in each phrase are also initial letters of the

character's name. Given the phrase, guess the name. Here are a few that

were used; others may be thought of by you: Able Leader--Abraham

Lincoln; Can Draw Girls--C. D. Gibson; Uncle Sam's Guardian--U. S.

Grant; Wrote Many Tales--W. M. Thackeray; Somebody Famous By

Messages--S. F. B. Morse; Crossed Courageously--Christopher Columbus;

Great Philanthropist--George Peabody; The Big Republican--Thomas B.

Reed; Wise Cultured Bard--W. C. Bryant; Great Warrior--George

Washington; Favors Water--Frances Willard; Betrayed Americans--Benedict

Arnold; Prone To "Blow"--P. T. Barnum; and Was Scotch--Walter Scott."

* * * * *

The Antiquary Puzzle.

Some members enjoy knotty kinks. There are not a few in the following

story. See how many you can unravel. No prizes are offered, and you are

not to send answers to us. We will publish the answers in a week or two.

The story was written by a member of our Order. Here it is:

In the early fall of the year (1) in which Captain Cook died I set sail

in the _White Lady of Berlin_ (2) from the Modern Athens (3) for a three

years' trip abroad. The brother of the historian (4) whose name

signifies the long-armed ape had handed me an object the night before,

attached to which was a card reading as follows:

My name is short--it's in my head.

Behead me, and consider only

My threefold nature, and you'll find

That I'm in yours.

Yours truly.

I followed the directions, and found a roll of paper containing these

lines:

I once in hour of wicked wrath

Slew one fourth of this great earth's race.

I fled o'er plain and mountain path,

But ne'er could that crime efface.

In any clime may I be seen,

Of rustic form or city made.

I oft conceal a weapon keen;

Am found in many a street parade.

To arctic regions cold and drear

I once did journey years ago.

My faith was strong, nor was there fear

Of floating berg or deadly floe (5).

I read the verses to a group of passengers, and one gentleman, a friend

of the musician (6) who never could compose without his diamond ring,

laughed so immoderately that he tripped over a spare mineral (7) that

can box, and broke his leg. The physician (8) who first made use of

chloroform was summoned, and in short order had the tonic plant (9) used

in chills.

I reached Cairo in the month (10) of the gate, and spent five days in

studying the Great Sphinx and its near-by temple. While exploring the

latter I found a secret passage to the Sphinx itself, and there, in a

square excavation, on a massive altar of the stone (11) that is dainty

lay a huge black stone carved to represent the insect (12) worshipped by

the ancient Egyptians. On it was this inscription, which, deciphered,

reads thus:

"I am older than the Earth. I was born in Space. Once I was Fire. Now I

am Stone. Yet no man ever quarried me. I have journeyed to the Sun, yet

the Earth is now my tomb" (13).

After much difficulty I secured the stone for the museum (14) which

contains the Elgin marbles, together with treasures from the Petrified

City (15) and the City of Zenobia (16). I then sailed for England,

reaching Cockagne (17) in March. One day, as I was passing the Old Lady

(18) of Threadneedle Street, I saw a strange bronze-green sign-board

which read, "ANTIQUES." Being interested in antiques I crossed the

street and entered the shop.

An enormous claymore (19) hung by the door, and at a black-oak desk

which had once belonged to Old Noll (20) sat a little weazened man of

kindly look. As I entered he laid down a copy of the Vinegar Bible (31)

which he had been reading, and rose to greet me.

"As I live!" he exclaimed. "You remind me of the Man (22) of Blood.

Where do you hail from?"

"O, I have been visiting old worlds and new," I replied.

"Here are two busts," he went on. "They are of the Laughing Philosopher

(23) and the Weeping Philosopher (24), and the contents of these cases

are worth having. If you can answer my descriptions, they are yours.

Others have tried--and have failed."

He handed me the following rhymes:

My _first_ was used in Shakespeare's time

To exorcise the evil one.

My _second's_ life is spent in toil;

Reward it never yet has won.

The wondrous beauty of my _whole_

May well be praised in poets' verse.

To purchase it would much reduce

The contents of the longest purse (25).

My _first_ is a large reflector,

Old, but as good as new.

My _second's_ the bone and sinew

Of lands that we travel through.

My _whole_ is little, and lucky, and white;

Much like my first, but not so bright (26).

I gave up.

"Here is an easy one," he said. "It describes an every-day object, and

is no quiz (27), I assure you, but an honest riddle."

I was born in the sun, but I lived in the earth.

I died where I lived, and was buried from sight.

I rose from the tomb that had long been my home

To curse or to comfort, destroy or delight (28).

To my surprise my answer was correct.

An image of the Egyptian Mercury (29) brought to mind my recent solution

of the Riddle of the Great Sphinx. The old Antiquary was surely the man

to whom I should open my heart.

"Are you interested in Egypt?" I began. "I have just arrived from Cairo,

and, to be plain, have made a stupendous discovery--I have solved the

Riddle of the Great Sphinx!" And I gave him an account of my discovery

in detail.

The Antiquary seemed to drink in my last words, and in another moment

had dragged me to the back of the shop.

"Man!" he gasped, "do you know what you have done? By this solution you

have the chance of solving another and greater mystery!"

Leading me to a dark corner, the Antiquary lighted a taper and showed me

a narrow door of oak strengthened with iron.

"What is this?" I asked. The Antiquary slipped a roll of parchment into

my hand. I found on it this verse, engrossed in old English characters:

JVGUVAGUVFANEEBJCBEGNYQVZ

VAWRJRYYRQPNFXRGOEBHTUGSEBZSNE

UNFYNVASBEGUVEGRREPRAGHEVRF

XVATNEGUHEFFJBEQRFPNYVONE (30)

Though I carried the cryptogram back to America with me, it has to this

day remained unsolved--and the Antiquary is dead!

* * * * *

A Ute Indian Legend.

Long years ago the forefathers of the Utes lived near a vast warm

lake northeast of the Big River (Colorado). Snakes as long as a

hundred lodge poles were plenteous in this lake. The country was

full of big trees, big deer, and big oxen with white horns. One day

all the big oxen began to roar together, and they raised such a

steam from their nostrils that the earth tottered and trembled and

the sun was hidden. Then suddenly the warm lake fell and continued

falling for the space of three moons, and then became so low that

the Indians saw it not again.

The big lake of warm water had been drained away. It had gone out

through the mountains by the present cañon of Green River, and of

the Big River. The old bed in the Toom-pin-to-weep is where the

warm lake waters were drained. Next, all the big deer and the big

oxen with white horns wandered eastward and perished from cold or

by the arrows of the Ute hunters. Soon after a big flood formed

Grand River Cañon. After this came a race of small people who

brought seed corn of a small kind, called Chiquito maize. They also

brought skin canoes. They had silver and gold in abundance, and

iron tools which they had gathered in the mountains to the

northeast.

These little people were almost white. They built stone houses in

the cliffs, and cultivated corn, beans, and pumpkins. They taught

the Utes how to make spears and bows. Soon big red Indians came

over from the northeast and drove off the little people, who went

south. The big red men also went away. These were the Apaches,

Navajos, Kiowas. Down among these tribes were found the big oxen

with white horns, and the grande lagarios (alligators). By-and-by

the country became dry and cold, and only the Utes were left on the

Big River and its branches. Then melted rocks were poured out and

the country was left desolate.

SYBEL NEWELL STONE.

SELAK, COLO.

* * * * *

Questions and Answers.

Claude G. Smith, William F. Tillson, Hubbard Marsh, Lawrence Fraley,

Albert R. Bullman, Frances De Berard, Rolfe McCollom, G. Du Bois, and a

score or more others are reminded that the Table has no exchange column,

and cannot publish notices of trades, as of stamps, pictures, addresses,

printing-presses, and the like. We should be happy to oblige members in

this respect, but space does not permit. We do not give the addresses

because improper uses are often made of them by unscrupulous persons.

The only exceptions we make--and these we do not make often--are in

publishing the names of members in far-away countries, since advertisers

rarely use such, and cases where requests are purely educational, as in

getting seeds to plant and study, gathering mosses for a natural history

collection, etc. We repeat that we much regret that we cannot oblige you

in these respects. Charles W. Anderson and Charles Cohen apply for

Patents and give no addresses.

* * * * *

James D. Waite: The National Guard of the State of New York is not a

part of the regular army of the United States. It is under the State

control, but may be mustered into the United States service through the

action of the President, who calls upon the States, if need be, to

furnish troops. If your father does not wish you to join the

N. G. S. N. Y., do not do so. Hubbard Marsh, Groton, N. Y., wants to

belong to some literary or similar society having corresponding members.

Write him. Claude G. Smith: There are, just now, no prize offers open.

New ones, when ready, will be announced on this page. The only contest

awards in which have not yet been announced is the Illustration. In that

about 300 young artists are trying to make a picture for a story, a

proof of which has been mailed to them. This contest closes March 21st,

but applications for proofs with permission to enter the contest have

already closed. D. Blondheim: We fear it is a bit late for descriptions

of Christmas entertainments. Better tell us about oysters and the oyster

trade. E. M. Wallace, Monmouth, Ill., and Jay F. Hammond, Harford,

N. Y., want to receive samples of amateur papers.

* * * * *

Daniel W. May: We should think old skates could well be made use of in

constructing an ice-boat. Coils in use in the relay and sounder of

telegraph instruments are two in number. The cores are soft iron bars,

and around them there is wound, for the relay, very fine wire that is

covered with silk thread, to perfectly insulate it. The finer the wire,

the more its resistance. The large wire that you see on the poles

connects directly with this fine relay wire. When the electric circuit

is complete, the soft iron bars are magnets; when it is broken, they are

not. Thus is produced a backward and a forward movement of the armature

which opens and closes a second or local circuit, in which is placed the

sounder, having two similar coils, but wound with comparatively coarse

wire. The Century Dictionary describes an induction coil as being

essentially in two parts, one wound over the other. The first, of coarse

wire, is wound about the soft iron bar, and connected with a key for

breaking and closing the circuit. Above it, on the same coil, is wound

very fine wire, carefully insulated from the first, which becomes

magnetic by induction every time the electric circuit is closed. We

advise, for a first attempt, a single coil of fine wire. All wire used

in making coils should be insulated.

[Illustration: STAMPS]

This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin

collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question

on these subjects as far as possible. Correspondents should address

Editor Stamp Department.

In the ROUND TABLE for January 21, 1895, I mentioned the fact that

Ecuador had cancelled the contract for "Seebeck" stamps, as unworthy the

dignity of a great nation, etc. It seems that the only change that has

been made is one of name only. Another decree announces the issue of a

commemorative set, for use ten days only, "part of the sum accruing from

the sale to be devoted to the assistance of the families of soldiers

fallen in defence of their country." No collectors of any importance

will touch these stamps, nor will they be catalogued, or space reserved

in any of the albums.

The Post-Office Department will not sell the Periodical stamps either

used or unused, and yet they seem to be easy to get. One dealer in New

York offers a complete set of all the stamps from 1c. to $100, unused,

for $250, and offers to give the source from which he obtained the

stamps. Probably these sets are the complimentary copies sent by the

U.S. government to the P.O. Dept. of the various countries in the Postal

Union throughout the world. There are 175 countries in the Postal Union,

and each of these is entitled to five complete sets of all stamps issued

by each country.

The auction season is in full blast, not only in New York, but also in

Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, etc. Hardly a day without an

auction somewhere. And as auctions multiply, the quality of the stamps

offered improves. Cheap and common stamps are worth as little to-day as

they were ten or twenty years ago, and it does not pay to sell these in

the auction-rooms. But scarce or rare stamps continue to increase in

value, as demonstrated at each sale. At one sale last week every lot

sold consisted of one stamp only. At another sale two evenings were

given up to the sale of U. S. stamps only. They brought nearly $7000,

and probably had not cost their owner, an old collector, one-third of

the amount.

R. A. HUNT.--With a few exceptions (Russia, etc.), the way dealers

take off stamps is simply to soak them in cold water a short time.

A. T. D.--An "error" is a stamp made by mistake in the color of

another stamp of the same issue. Any daily newspaper is printed on

"wove" paper. Most fine writing paper is "laid."

[Illustration]

KERSKY G. WILLIAMS.--The 3c. 1851 U.S., with extra lines on the

right or left hand side of the stamps, are those from the tenth and

eleventh vertical rows of the entire sheet. The stamps were printed

in sheets of 200. These sheets were cut apart into half-sheets of

100. As a guide to the cutter, the division between the halves was

made prominent by two extra lines. The 1870-3 varieties of the U.S.

stamps were illustrated in the ROUND TABLE, September 10, 1895.

PHILATUS.

[Illustration: Ivory Soap]

"A cold bath is a good tonic and nerve bracer." If Ivory Soap is used,

it is a beautifier as well.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.

THE CHANCE OF

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teacher. For particulars write to

W. M. REED, Tyrone, Blair Co., Pa.

BAKER

sells recitations and PLAYS

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CATALOGUES FREE.

[Illustration: THOMPSON'S EYEWATER]

HOOPING-COUGH

CROUP.

Roche's Herbal Embrocation.

Tho celebrated and effectual English Cure without internal medicine.

Proprietors, W. EDWARD & SON, London, England.

E. Fougera & Co., 30 North William St., N.Y.

CARDS

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

Envelope and Calling Cards ever offered for a 2 cent stamp. These are

GENUINE CARDS, NOT TRASH.

UNION CARD CO., COLUMBUS, OHIO.

FREE.

Comic return envelopes. Sleight of Hand exposed. List of 500 gifts.

Album of cards. Send 2c stamp for postage. Address Banner Card Co.,

Cadiz, Ohio.

CHARLES CARLETON COFFIN'S

Fascinating Historical Works

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE BOYS OF '76.

THE STORY OF LIBERTY.

OLD TIMES IN THE COLONIES.

BUILDING THE NATION.

_A History of the Rebellion in Four Volumes:_

DRUM-BEAT OF THE NATION.

MARCHING TO VICTORY.

REDEEMING THE REPUBLIC.

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_Nine Volumes. Profusely Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth,

Ornamental, $3.00 each._

Mr. Coffin avoids the formality of historical narrative, and presents

his material in the shape of personal anecdotes, memorable incidents,

and familiar illustrations. He reproduces events in a vivid, picturesque

narrative.--_N. Y. Tribune._

Mr. Coffin writes interestingly; he uses abundance of incident; his

style is pictorial and animated; he takes a sound view of the inner

factors of national development and progress; and his pages are

plentifully sprinkled with illustrations.--_Literary World_, Boston.

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

[Illustration: From Chum to Chum]

BY GASTON V. DRAKE.

VI.--FROM BOB TO JACK.

LONDON, _July_ --, 18--.

DEAR JACK,--Land at last again, and a beauty at that. It's queer, they

call Ireland the Emerald Isle, but I don't see how it could be much

greener than England is. I never saw anything quite so green in all my

life, not even that small Harris kid up at the Mountain House. You

remember how we took him in on the echo don't you. How it would answer

any question he'd put to it at three minutes past four o'clock on a

foggy fourth of July morning? And how we got up at half past three to

ask it who struck Billie Patterson or some question like that. Well

England is greener than that--Pop says it's what he calls scrub green,

each blade of grass looks as if it had had its face washed five times a

day, it sorter of shines so.

We landed at Southampton Wednesday night after a beautiful sail along

the south coast, up past the Isle of Wight. I was very much surprised at

the size of England. Everybody's said it was only an Island anyhow but

as far as I could see it looks just as big from the outside as the

United States did when we were leaving it. Chesterfield says people are

all wrong who call it an Island. He says it's a vest-pocket continent,

and I guess he knows. It looks to me too big for an Island.

[Illustration]

We had a great time when we landed. All our trunks had to be opened by

the Custom House inspectors to see if we had any cologne or cigars in

'em. I don't see why they call them Custom House officers though. Their

costumes weren't anything wonderful. It took Pop a half an hour to get

his trunks all through because he said the inspector didn't know the

language. Pop says he asked him what nation he belonged to and the man

said he was Hinglish and Pop told him he'd never heard of any such

people, where did they live. In Hingland, the man said. Where's that

asked Pop, and the man nearly fainted and then Pop gave him a half a

crown and the man said he guessed he needn't open any more trunks,

because a man as ignorant as he was wouldn't have sense enough to try to

smuggle anything in anywhere.

[Illustration]

After the trunks were all passed Pop asked a man where the baggage car

was and that man couldn't speak English either. He asked Pop what, and

Pop says again where's the baggage car, and just then an American that

had been over before says to the man he means the luggage van, and the

man said oh wy didn't ee si so. Pop says he thinks that's Welsh, which

is a language he never liked anyhow. The only welsh thing he ever liked

was a rabbit, he said. Wots your name asked the Baggage man. Drake, says

Pop. Well your van is the seventh car up. It's marked with a D. Do you

know a D when you see it? Pop said he guessed so. He'd seen one once and

he had an idea that it looked like a P without a pedestal or a B cut in

two. That's it, said the man. Well you put your luggage in the van

marked with a P without a pedestal and when you get to London you can go

and claim it. But suppose somebody else claims it said Pop. That's his

affair and yours not mine says the man and he walked off. Then Pop found

out that they don't give checks over here, and he said he guessed the

reason was that they preferred cash.

After we got our trunks on board Pop took me up to see the engine and

you never saw such an engine anywhere outside of a toy-store. It looked

awful small and it only had a little platform at the back for the

engineer to stand in. Pop says the railroads can't afford to furnish

cabs for its engineers. The smoke-stack looked just like a piece of pipe

sticking up in front of the boiler and there wasn't a cow-catcher in

sight, but it had a bully whistle. It was one of those raspy whistles

that makes old people nervous and boys laugh. Pop says a whistle like

that makes a cow-catcher unnecessary because a cow is a quiet sort of an

animal and likes to chew its gum in peace, hating noise; and anyhow the

English people aren't bothering much about catching cows when there's so

many Americans travelling about with money in their pockets to be

caught; and I guess he's right because most everybody here goes around

holding his hand out. Chesterfield told me it would be that way so I

wasn't surprised. He said when you land every hand on the dock will be

stretched out to you but it isn't to welcome you, don't think that. It's

to relieve you of your surplus. I asked him what a surplus was, and he

said it was a collection of rare coins that you didn't need in your

business and when I said I wasn't any wiser than before he said a

surplus was the money you had in your pocket to spend on things you

didn't really need. And it was that way, and I tell you the way Pop

spent six-pences and shillings and half-crowns was a caution. A half

crown is two shillings and a sixpence, but you can bet I didn't spend

mine. All I had left after lending Chesterfield that money I've got yet

and I'm going to keep it until I get to Paris where they have toy shops

that are worth seeing whether you buy anything or not which you

generally do. Why just before we landed Chesterfield was telling me of

an oil-silk lion that he bought in Paris once that saved his life two

years later in the Desert of Sahara.

[Illustration]

It was one of those lions you blow up. You can carry it in your pocket

when you haven't any wind in it. Then you take it out, unfold it, blow

it up, fasten up the blow-hole and it looks real terrible, stands up

alone and does everything but gnash his teeth and growl. Chesterfield

was sleeping in the desert one night, when a real lion came his way and

was about to devour him, when, with a sudden perspiration, he remembers

the toy lion in his pocket, takes it out, blows it up, sets it down

before the real lion, who, reckonizing his match retreats, but

immediately returns. Of course the oil-silk lion remains cool. He hasn't

got any nerves to get excited on. The real lion roars. The oil-silk lion

says nothing. The real lion advances. The oil-silk lion doesn't say a

word. The real lion gets mad. The oil-silk lion stays cool. The real

lion hits him with one paw. The oil-silk lion just bounces and does

nothing. The real lion hits him with his other paw and the oil-silk lion

just bounces again and does nothing. But then the real lion hits him

with both paws a tremenjus whack and the oil-silk lion busts like a

blown-up grocer's bag with a report like a caution, which so scares the

real lion that he's running yet. Eh? How would you like a toy like that?

[Illustration]

It's getting so late now that Pop says I must go to bed, but to-morrow

I'll write again and tell you how we got up to London and what I've seen

so far.

Yours ever, BOB.

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, March 10, 1896, by Various