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diff --git a/old/53255-8.txt b/old/53255-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3c164fb..0000000 --- a/old/53255-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4168 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, February 11, 1896, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Harper's Round Table, February 11, 1896 - -Author: Various - -Release Date: October 11, 2016 [EBook #53255] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, FEB 11, 1896 *** - - - - -Produced by Annie R. McGuire - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: HARPER'S ROUND TABLE] - -Copyright, 1896, by HARPER & BROTHERS. All Rights Reserved. - - * * * * * - -PUBLISHED WEEKLY. NEW YORK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1896. FIVE CENTS A -COPY. - -VOL. XVII.--NO. 850. TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. - - * * * * * - -[Illustration] - -AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL VALENTINE. - -BY RICHARD BARRY. - - -A very strange old room it was, in a very strange old house, part of -which was brick, and part of which was wood. The wood had been cut from -the neighboring hill-sides, and the brick had traversed many thousands -of miles from across the Atlantic in a little ship with a strange Dutch -name. There was but one older house in the street, and from the corner -window of the room one could just catch a glimpse of the spires of the -college chapel; on winter days when the leaves were off the trees the -college buildings could be seen. - -The Professor, when he came in, announced his arrival by noisily -scraping the soles of his boots against the metal foot-scraper that had -been worn down to a thin blade, like an aged razor. The Professor was -tall and angular, but it was impossible to tell his age within a dozen -years, for his thin hair was very dark, and his face was always very -smooth shaven. His position in college was a most peculiar one. He had -an endowed professorship, which, odd to relate, he had endowed himself, -and there was a term in college parlance that was often applied to the -Professor's course in the electives (Sanscrit and archĉology), it was -known as a "snap." But the Professor was a very interesting and -well-liked man. He had taken honors at Oxford in the early fifties, and -had spent a great deal of money making deep researches into the great -libraries of Europe. - -But to come back to the room. - -It was not dark or dingy, as one might suppose the room of a student -would be, but was very bright, with a number of windows. The pattern of -the oil-cloth that covered the floor was worn out in regular paths -before the big shelves that reached up to the ceiling. There were two -large oaken cupboards and a long desk. The only thing that could be -called an attempt at ornament was a china figure on the top of one of -the cupboards. The Professor had picked this up in France. It was an -unmistakable likeness to Benjamin Franklin, but, nevertheless, it had -the name "George Washington" on it in gold lettering. The Professor had -bought it as an example of humor in French pottery, which showed that he -had a sense of humor himself. - -A fat old negro woman was dusting off the table. As she lifted -anything--a paper, or a book, or an inkstand, for instance--she would -replace it exactly on the same spot. In fact, the desk was a perpetual -tableau, and the Professor never got the mucilage and the inkstand mixed -up; he could have found anything on that table in the dark. - -Hearing the sound of prolonged scraping at the front door, the old -colored woman knew two things. First, that the Professor had arrived, -and, secondly, that it was a muddy day. She dusted off Benjamin Franklin -Washington, and opened the door in time to meet the Professor at the -head of the stairs. - -"Do you think, Hannah," began the Professor, "that the spare room could -be kept warm in cold weather?" - -Hannah looked quite frightened; no one had slept in the spare room since -the Professor had been in the house. - -"I never heerd no one complain, sir," she said, which was non-committal -in Hannah. - -"Make up the bed to-night there," said the Professor. "I'll sleep in it -myself." It struck him this was a brilliant way to find out. - -"Youse spectin' some folks, sir?" - -"Yes, Hannah," returned the Professor. "My two nephews are going to -spend a fortnight with me." - -"Is dey youn' gen'lemen?" inquired the old negress. - -"I hope so," answered the Professor, with a smile. - -"I means is dey youn'?" corrected Hannah. - -"Let me see. Upon my soul, I have forgotten." The Professor wrinkled his -forehead. "One's twelve, and one's thirteen years of age," he said, -after a mental calculation. - -Hannah left the room, and the Professor seated himself at the desk. - -"I reckin we's gwine hab some trubble," said the old woman, as she -waddled into the kitchen. "Twelve and thirteen is a rampanxious age for -boys." - -On the second day of February Bill Alton and Todd, his younger brother, -were met by the Professor at the station. They had seen him only once or -twice before, but seeing they were the Professor's only nephews, their -mother had insisted upon their making this long-promised visit, frankly -to state, much to their disgust. - -The Professor had decided, after his trial of the spare bedchamber, that -it would be very cold; so when the youngsters arrived at their room, -they found it presided over by a very small and very hot stove that -ticked and snapped like a hard-worked bit of machinery. - -Much to their agreeable surprise, the two Alton boys now for the first -time found themselves enjoying absolute freedom. In the first place, -they had succeeded in getting into the attic, where they had found an -old single-barrelled fowling-piece. They had asked the Professor if they -could have it to "play with," and, upon his acquiescence, had purchased -powder and shot at the hardware-store, and had gone out and bagged a -rabbit and a hen in one afternoon. It was well known that the rabbit was -tame, and the hen might not have been free from suspicion, as they had -stalked her close to Farmer Belknap's chicken-yard back on the hill. - -The Professor met the boys at breakfast and at supper. His mid-day meal -was generally neglected; he carried it off with him to the college -building in a tin box, like a school-boy. - -At the end of the first week two rainy days came in succession. Billy -and Todd were in the Professor's attic. That morning, for the first -time, the Professor had taken the boys into his study. He knew so little -about youths of this age in general that he was quite embarrassed. He -thought they were very well behaved youngsters, because they apparently -gave him no trouble, and the story of the hen and the rabbit, and -several escapades of like character, had never reached his ears, but he -felt it incumbent upon himself to make up for the lack of attention to -his guests. - -"Now, boys," he said, opening one of the cupboards, "I am going to show -you some very wonderful things. This is an illuminated MS. of the -fourteenth century, very rare and fine, done by the Franciscan monks, -you see." The Professor read the Latin inscription with an air of -triumph. "And this is an old cryptogram. This is an old copy of one of -the early saint's lives in Hebrew, and here is another--both very old -and very valuable." - -It was not very interesting, but the boys listened politely. The college -bell ringing at this moment, their uncle closed a most interesting -description of how one of the valuable parchments had come into his -possession, shut the cupboard, locked the door of the study, and left -the boys to play in the attic. - -"I say, Todd," remarked the elder Alton, "let's see if there's anything -in here." He lifted the lid of an aged trunk and disclosed a lot of -papers and old worn books that filled the garret with a musty odor. It -was a collection of stuff that the Professor had designated as -"rubbish," but yet had been loath to feed into the fire. There's not a -professor's attic in the world that does not possess this same sort of a -trunk, I verily believe. None of the books appeared very interesting, -and a great many of the papers were very commonplace in appearance. - -Todd picked up a tightly rolled bit of very aged vellum, and spreading -it out, looked over an imaginary pair of spectacles at his brother, and -began: - -"This is a very old and rare specimen of a kickograph. You can see how -beautiful it is." - -As there was nothing apparent on the blank sheet of parchment, his -brother burst into mock rhapsodies. - -"How much will you take for it?" he inquired. - -"One million dollars," said Todd. - -The idea seemed to take, and he sold the rest of the contents of the -trunk at fabulous prices, an old copy of Fox's _Christian Martyrs_ going -at enough to pay the national debt, for the simple reason that it had -pictures in it. - -"Hold on," said Billy at last; "let's stop this. I have an idea." - -"What is it?" said Todd. - -"Let's send Uncle Passmore" (the Professor's name was Passmore Webster -Bibby) "a valentine. To-morrow's Valentine day, you know. Let's write -him out a kickogram." - -"Kickograph," corrected the other. - -"Do you know he says he can read all those things?" said Todd. "So let's -make him a 'sticker.'" - -"And here's the very thing to write it on," exclaimed Billy, flourishing -the roll of parchment. - -They procured a pen, and diluting the ink with water to make it faint, -they spread the valentine out upon the floor. - -"Let's get a book and copy those funny-looking words out of it," -suggested Todd. - -"Why not make 'em up?" answered Billy. "They look just like this." He -made some weird hieroglyphics on the top of the parchment. It was most -interesting when it was once started, and it was completed by drawing -largely upon the characters in a Greek Testament, taking some few words -from an old Xenophon, and interspersing freely and frequently wiggles -and cabalistic signs of their own manufacture. When they had covered -the vellum they made it look quite aged by means of dirty finger-marks, -and then regarded the work of art with eyes of admiration. - -"It's a sort of an April-fool valentine," said Todd. "I wonder what he -will think of it? I suppose he'll read it right off; looks just like the -others." - -But how to send it--that was the question. If they gave it to him -themselves, there would be no fun in it at all. - -Suddenly there came a whoop from Billy, who was delving once more into -the trunk. - -"Here's the thing to wrap it in!" he said, triumphantly. - -It was a roll of thick brown paper that had once been sealed with -sealing-wax. It had the Professor's address on it, and some very foreign -looking stamps. They rolled the MS. inside of it, and, securing some -sealing-wax, sealed it up tightly. - -"Now," said Billy, "won't he be tickled when he reads it--eh?" - -Professor Bibby's mail was always placed upon the newel-post at the -bottom of the stairway, and he gathered it on his return from his first -class in the morning. The boys placed the long package with one or two -letters which were already there. The next morning, as we remarked, was -St. Valentine's day. - -The Professor came in, and when he saw the long package, he left the -other letters, and bounded up the stairway two steps at a time. The boys -heard him hurriedly unlock the door of his study. He broke open the -seals nervously, and spread out the parchment. As he had not closed the -door behind him, the boys could see everything very plainly through the -banisters. The Professor wrinkled his forehead; he turned the package -sideways and upside down; he looked off into space with a curious -expression; he followed a line with his finger, and made a note -(evidently of some of the puzzling characters) on a bit of paper. Then -he walked to the window, and held the parchment up to the light with the -wrong side to him. Suddenly he peered closer and closer, until it looked -to the boys, as Todd expressed it, as if he were "trying to bore holes -through it." All at once he whirled to the table again; he reached into -one of the cupboards and brought out a large magnifying-glass. As the -Professor spread out the young Alton's masterpiece, his hand was -trembling. What did it mean? thought the boys from their hiding-place. -They had never seen anything so strange in all their lives, for, after -reading for a few minutes, their uncle sank back, or, better, collapsed, -into the arm-chair. There was an ecstatic look on his face, and the boys -caught the words he was repeating. It was a very plain and homely -expression, but, under the circumstances, Uncle Passmore felt that he -must give vent to his feelings. "Well, by gum!" he repeated. - -Todd coughed at this moment; the Professor heard the sound and came to -the door. - -"Boys," he said, "I have made a most remarkable discovery." The success -of their valentine hoax was almost overwhelming to the two young Altons. -They had never suspected that they were to be successful, and, in fact, -their position was most embarrassing. "Come here, young gentlemen," -continued the Professor. "Do you see that aged manuscript?" He stroked -it with an affectionate touch. "That, my dear nephews, has been sent to -me from some strange source. It is a palimpsest." - -Billy looked at Todd. Had their uncle gone crazy? He shook the -wrapping-paper in which the boys had rolled the valentine and looked at -it. For some reason the post-mark was Constantinople, and, to all -appearances, it might really have come through the mails that very day, -instead of, as the case was, a dozen years before. - -"Strange," said the Professor. "It came from Constantinople. Now who -could have sent it?" Then he heaved a sigh. "Some dear and most beloved -friend." - -The boys were becoming frightened now, but Todd plucked Billy by the -sleeve. - -"Don't let on," he said, in a whisper. "He's an old fraud, that's what -he is." They walked out into the hallway. "He can't read those words at -all." - -"Maybe he can," said Billy. "I wonder what it was we wrote?" - -But the Professor had called them back. "Nephews," he said, "let me read -you what this says." - -The boys, hand in hand, came back, and the Professor, waving a finger in -gesticulation, translated slowly, using all the time, the -magnifying-glass. What he said sounded to the boys like what they had -often heard in church. - -"He's making up as he goes ahead," whispered Todd. - -Then an idea came from Billy. "He's just trying to fool us; that's what -he's doing," replied the latter. - -But the Professor was much in earnest. "Well," he at last remarked, "I -am going to take this right up to the president of the college. It's a -most important discovery. It's a palimpsest letter, probably one of the -earliest transcriptions of the Epistles. Boys, this wonderful parchment -is eighteen hundred years of age, perhaps." - -Billy whistled, and Todd, seeing that his uncle did not object, whistled -also. But when they were left alone, and their uncle had hurried out -into the rain without an umbrella, they again held a consultation. - -"We'd better tell him," said Todd, "that we only meant it for a -valentine." - -"He'll be awful mad," said Billy, quietly; "but I guess we had better -tell him, as you say." - -So they waited until their uncle returned. At supper he was still -elated, and when the table had been cleared Todd opened the subject. - -"Uncle Passmore," he inquired, "what is a palimpsest?" - -"A palimpsest is a parchment that has once been written on, then used a -second time; after the erasure of the first copy, however, very often -the original shows through. It is the case with this." - -"But what do those letters mean?" - -"Oh, that is a hodgepodge," replied the Professor, pedanticly, "of -Greek, Hebrew, Sanscrit, and something resembling Arabic. It means -nothing; evidently some scribbles to pass away the time." - -The boys looked relieved, and cast an admiring glance at the old -gentleman, who was continuing: - -"Of course it was not sent to me on account of this latter inscription; -it was sent to me merely because it was a palimpsest. But I wonder who -indulged in all that scribbling?" - -"We did," said the boys, in chorus. - -Again the Professor appeared quite astonished, but not in the least -angered. He listened to the story of how they found the screed in the -old trunk in the attic, and commented upon this fact. - -"So-so," he said. "I remember keeping that bit when I was in Turkey. I -thought it blank, but a very aged sheet. Why did you send it to me?" he -inquired. - -"Oh, for a valentine," replied Todd. - -"Well," said the Professor, smiling, "I'd give a great deal for another -one." Then he paused. "There's a minstrel show in town to-night, boys," -he added. "Let's go down to it." - - - - -THE SEA-URCHIN. - - -Strolling along the sea-shore at low tide probably many of you have -noticed more or less numerous small circular excavations in the sand -containing a dark substance, which at first glance might be taken for -sea-weed deposited there by the retreating tide. Probably some of you -have been tempted to a closer examination, and lifting one, quickly -dropped it again, sorrier although not wiser, for this insignificant -parcel of needles and pins has a most interesting history to tell. - -To naturalists it will introduce itself under the name of Echinoids; to -the laymen as sea-urchin or sea-hedgehog, related to the crinoids, -star-fishes, and sea-cucumbers, and representing with them the -Echinodermata--one of the most distinct types of the animal kingdom. - -An animal is this seemingly unmovable ball, although it is difficult to -associate it with what is generally implied by that name. - -For a closer examination, of course, it is necessary to remove the -spines with which it is covered. There are about 4000 of them on every -specimen, each one movable at the will of the owner, and difficult to -dislodge from the flesh of the hand, so that a little caution is -required in dealing with them. You will thus have accomplished a good -hour's work, but will not yet have reached the animal proper, for its -upper parts are further protected by a kind of shell--the armor of the -sea-urchin. This shell is well worthy of a closer examination. It is -formed of a number of separate plates, fitted together, one by one, like -the steel plates protecting our men-of-war. - -On a full-grown specimen there are about 300 of them. They grow in -number and size with the age of the sea-urchin, without alteration of -the general shape of the shell, since fresh deposits of the calcareous -matter that constitute it are made upon the interior edges of each -plate. - -Sea-urchins are not sociable creatures. They prefer solitude to company, -and rarely more than one occupies one dwelling. In earliest infancy they -dig for themselves a home in the quiet surf or in the sand, where the -retreating tides leave enough moisture to make them comfortable. There -they live and prosper, enlarging their homes as their increased growth -makes them uncomfortable, and mostly without enlarging the entrances -themselves. - -In this manner can be explained the fact of some large specimens having -been found in dwellings with entrances through which it does not seem -possible that they could pass. - -Sea-urchins may not be very palatable, yet they are edible, and in some -countries are extensively consumed by the poorer population, eaten -boiled in the shell like an egg. In certain coast towns of Italy they -even form quite an article of commerce with the more interior country, -and accordingly large is the number of those engaged in the pursuit of -collecting and diving for sea-urchins. This method of diving is very -picturesque and amusing, and, as may be imagined, requires some skill. - -More simple is the way the Chinese proceed about it. There the fisherman -provides himself with a bundle of slender wooden rods, tapered to a -little round knob at one end. With these he proceeds to the surf at low -tide, and drops one of these rods into each burrow where he suspects a -tenant. There it is left for about twelve hours. During this time the -sea-urchin is sure to swallow the button, and as the elastic tissues -contract, it is unable to release itself again, so that when the -fisherman returns he can easily extract the rod with the victim -attached. Palates differ with localities. So do the Chinese stew the -sea-urchins like a turtle soup. - -Of the rest of the family of the Echinodermata, the crinoids and -sea-cucumbers have many interesting characteristics; yet especially -worthy of mention is the star-fish. - -You all know that clammy mass that dangles so hopelessly from the hand. -Innocent as it looks, it is quite fierce company to the mollusks and -even larger inhabitants of the sea, upon which it feeds. Destitute of -any jaws or levers, and with the mouth located in the very centre of the -star, its method of nourishment is highly interesting. Its first process -is to lie prone upon its prey, folding its arms over it to hold itself -in position. Then it applies the mouth closely to the victim, and -deliberately pushing out its own stomach through its mouth, wraps the -mollusk in its folds, and then calmly draws back the stomach, and is -ready for digestion. - -As the star-fish is the enemy of mollusks, so it is also of fishermen; -and, confidentially, it is the fish which usually gets the best of the -fisherman. Able to scent its prey at a long distance, it will seek and -make itself familiar with the bait held out for its more noble kinsmen. -In reprisal, the fisherman seeks to destroy the fish, and often tears it -in halves, flinging the pieces back into the sea. This, however, suits -the star-fish exactly, for it is wonderfully tenacious of life, and can -bear the loss of one or all its rays without being inconvenienced. The -two halves simply heal their wounds, and become two star-fishes instead -of one. In time they put forth fresh growth, or remain as happy in the -possession of two or three stars as with all. - - - - -ODDITIES IN BICYCLES. - - -It is probable that the great Madison Square Garden in New York never -was so full as it was during the Bicycle Show of a fortnight ago. Twenty -thousand people filled the great theatre on the last night of the show, -and all through the week the throng proved how popular bicycling and -bicycles are now. Those who were in the city and could go saw many -wheels and many queer inventions in seats, pedals, frame, tires, and all -the other parts of the machine. Each bicycle-maker had his own little -compartment, with samples of his bicycles, and a big sign with his name -in electric lights upon it for the evening. Even if you knew nothing at -all about a wheel you were intensely interested in all you saw, and the -more intimately you knew bicycles the greater was your interest. There -were thousands of bicycles of all kinds, besides wheels for girls and -boys of six and eight years of age; and there was one wheel, perfect in -every way, with its pneumatic tires and ball-bearings, which was just -large enough for a baby two or three years old, if only some one could -have found a baby that age capable of riding it. The little pedals were -about an inch and a half wide, and the diameter of the wheels was not -over eight or nine inches. This was hardly what could be called a model, -for it was too large for that. Yet many a boy and girl thought of -"little brother" at home when he or she saw that tiny wheel. - -Some ingenious "farmer's boy"--so the sign attached informed the -spectator--in New Jersey must have been very anxious to ride a wheel -some time ago, for he had made a wooden machine, with solid wheels and a -wooden seat, which he rode as a bicycle. It was on exhibition at the -show, and was an interesting bit of workmanship, standing by the side of -a '96 model, as well as an interesting exhibition of what a boy in New -Jersey can do if he has the inclination. The most extraordinary part of -this extraordinary wheel was the barn-door hinge which attached the -forks and handle-bars to the rest of the wheel. The seat was hard, but -it must have given that New Jersey boy a great deal of satisfaction to -feel that he was riding on a machine made entirely by his own hands and -from designs out of his own bright brain. On the card which was attached -to the machine was a statement that this was a "spokeless bicycle," made -by a farmer's boy in Monmouth County, New Jersey; that it had "hose-pipe -tires" (these are pieces of ordinary lawn hose nailed on the outer edges -of the wheels, but sadly wanting in wind), and that it was "actually -ridden by him and apparently enjoyed." - -[Illustration: MADE BY THE FARMER'S BOY.] - -[Illustration: RIDDEN A THOUSAND MILES.] - -This bicycle, however, as you can see in the accompanying illustration, -is old style, for the cranks act on the front instead of the rear wheel. -In fact the whole machine is like the tall bicycle first used in this -country. Another wooden affair which was also on exhibition was much -more elaborate, and was really an interesting piece of work. It was made -by an Indiana boy, and used by him for a long time. He has covered over -1000 miles on it in riding to and from school, and in making short trips -in the vicinity of his home. The bicycle is entirely of wood, so far as -its frame and its wheels go. Old carriage-wheel hubs have been used, and -the wheel rims are wide, strong pieces of wood. Even the lantern is -"home made," for it was constructed from old tin cans. The seat has a -wonderful spring arrangement which allows the solid shaft of wood on -which it rests to sink in the hollow "tubing" of the frame as far as the -steel spiral will permit, and the young builder has made the seat itself -comfortable by covering the wood with a leather cap over some hair taken -out of a mattress. Any one who can build such a bicycle as this deserves -to have a fine new one presented to him, and that was precisely what -happened, for the company gave him a new '96-model wheel in exchange for -his own crude but serviceable machine. - -[Illustration: THE ICECYCLE.] - -Turning from these two pieces of Young America's ingenuity, you could -easily find some remarkable examples of the skill of older Americans at -the show. There was one wheel that looked like a huge grasshopper. It -had a system of cranks which permitted a man to ride with a gearing of -100 as easily as the ordinary wheel carries him along with a 60 gear, -but of course he covered much more ground at every revolution. Still -another machine had a frame in the shape of a triangle, instead of a -diamond, with the seat at the apex, and one wheel at each end of the -base. It was a strange-looking affair, but, of course, it could be built -much lighter than the ordinary bicycle, while the frame is said to be -stronger. Still another and very interesting novelty was a bicycle for -use on the ice. Everything about it is much like any bicycle of to-day, -except that runners instead of wheels are used. There is a rear wheel -which is fitted with a tire of spikes that catch the ice through a slit -in the rear runner, and in this way the "icecycle" is sent ahead. When a -good velocity has been attained the rider can shift this spiked wheel by -a movement of his foot in such a manner as to raise it off the ice and -allow the machine to coast. But an icecycle must be a very slippery -affair, and rather inclined to slide in any direction, as easily -sideways as forward. - -[Illustration: THE GIRAFFE.] - -[Illustration: A MAXIM GUN ON A DUPLEX.] - -[Illustration: THE COLT AUTOMATIC GUN ON A BICYCLE.] - -Further on in the show was the giraffe bicycle, which looked about as -much like a giraffe as it did like a bicycle. It is used only in trick -riding, and would naturally be useless as an ordinary roadster. It is 9 -feet 3 inches high from ground to the top of the handles. But if the -giraffe is useless as a practical affair, the cannon bicycles certainly -are not. These wheels are made to carry a Maxim gun or a howitzer on a -"duplex," or double bicycle, and a single bicycle can carry one of the -Colt's new automatic guns. There seems to be no reason why this use of -the bicycle in war should not be feasible. At any rate, the armed wheels -looked very symmetrical and ship-shape. - -[Illustration: INVALID'S TRICYCLE.] - -A still more practical use of the pneumatic tire and other bicycle -features, especially for a city paved with asphalt, were demonstrated by -some of the tricycles for delivering parcels or carrying baggage of any -light kind. One, a picture of which is given with this article, was for -invalids--for use in the parks of a city. Indeed, why should not nursery -girls ride around on tricycle baby-carriages, with places for the babies -in front or behind? And why should not old ladies who are timid about -horses go out in little bicycle landaus and broughams? But all these -will come in time. - -A dozen other novelties might be enumerated, but we have space for only -two more. One of these was a bicycle on which six men can ride at once. -We have all seen tandems and "quads," but bicycles with six saddles are -not common, even at a national bicycle show. The first man does the -steering, and the gear on his chain is very small. The second man's gear -is larger, the third's larger still until the sixth man has a huge gear, -something like 125 or 150. The speed that can be obtained on this wheel, -or rather the speed that is said to be obtainable, is something too -great to set down in type until it is actually recorded as having been -done; but there is a story afloat that a wager has been made to build a -track alongside the New York Central road, in order that one of the -six-man bicycles may race with the Empire State Express. - -Another interesting and possibly very useful development of the bicycle -is the power to change the gear. This wheel has a rod under the right -handle-bar, very much like a brake handle. When you are riding along -level ground, and do not touch the "brake," the gear is at 80. Soon you -come to a hill. Then by pulling the "brake" handle up half-way the gear -of the wheel is changed from 80 to 60, and thus you can go up hill, -slower, to be sure, but much easier. After reaching the top of the hill -you pull this rod up close to the handle-bar of the wheel, and the -gearing is thrown off entirely, so that the bicycle will coast down hill -without turning the cranks. Of course the rider can keep his feet on the -pedals all the time. - -This bicycle will be of great practical service if its machinery is -solid and durable, for there are many bad places along a country road -where a change of twenty in the gearing would save a large amount of -strength in the total of a day's work, and at the same time, on level -ground, much more distance can be covered by changing back to eighty. -Then also with the ability to keep your feet on the pedals, you can feel -sure of not losing the control of the machine when coasting. - -Meantime the great bicycle show had many another novelty, for the -description of which there is not space enough in this periodical. Taken -altogether, the show was an enormous success, and though many of the -novelties were covered up by thousands of ordinary '96 machines, still -they were there, and could be found by any one who was looking for them -carefully. - - - - -THE SPORTSMAN'S CODE. - - - Now these are the laws of the athlete, - That stretch the length of the field, - They make the code of the runner fleet - Who has never yet learned to yield. - They tell you how to lay your plan, - And how to carry it through. - They help the man, who's done what he can, - To bear his Waterloo. - - You shall give the foeman all his due, - And let him win if he can; - But keep all rights that belong to you, - For that is the law of man. - You shall hold the ground that is yours by right, - And yield not a foot you have trod. - But grant _his_ right in a stand-up fight, - For that is the law of God. - - If you row with the crew in the boat, - It's a wretched thing to spy. - There's plenty of work when you leave the float, - But little to do for the eye. - There's plenty to do to swing and slide, - And steady the fragile shell, - But to gain your strength from the other side - Is a method sent from hell. - - No man shall yield on the football field - Till the final whistle sounds. - No man shall show by a single blow - That he has no place on the grounds. - But when the foe is in racking pain - And cannot move or fight, - You shall help him up to his feet again, - And chafe his bruise and bind his strain, - To show the make of your own good grain, - For that is fair and right. - - The strength of the team, or nine, or crew - Is not the strength of the "star." - 'Tis what the body together can do - That carries the victory far. - So you shall give your mite to the rest - To bring the whole team through, - And then at the time of your single test - They shall give their strength to you. - - And these are the laws of the athlete. - You can heed them or not, as you like, - But they make the code of the runner fleet, - And they check a man when he'd strike. - They tell you how to lay your plan, - And how to carry it through. - They help the man, who's done what he can, - To bear his Waterloo. - - - - -PLASTER-OF-PARIS FISH. - -BY BARNET PHILLIPS. - - -When you want to make a mixture of plaster of Paris and water, never put -the plaster in the bowl first and then pour on the water, for that is -the way not to succeed. Pour the cold water into the bowl first, and -after that, little by little, add the plaster. Take the plaster in -pinches, crumble it with your fingers, and use it that way. When the -plaster is just below the level of the water, you can stir it with a -clean spoon or a spatula. If it seems too thin you can add more plaster. -You ought to make a mixture of about the consistency of a thick batter. -You stir it in order to get rid of the air bubbles. To make good casts -is a regular business. The ornamentations of ceilings are made with -plaster; and asking some of the workmen what they did when mixing the -plaster, they said, "the great secret is to mix the composition slowly." - -When I worked away as a boy, making casts of medals, I knew nothing -about taking casts of fish. In the United States National Museum at -Washington there are many casts taken from the actual fishes. No matter -what may be their size, from a minnow to a halibut, there they all are. -The modellers who do this kind of work go very far with these casts, for -they paint them the exact color of the fish. - -I remember having seen a Chinese of rank, attached to the Chinese -Legation, who was looking in a kind of indifferent manner at the many -objects in the National Museum. Nothing seemed to interest him -particularly. Presently, however, he saw the fish. Then he became very -much excited, and said in English, "That fiss in my countly, and that -fiss too." The painted plaster casts were so lifelike that they recalled -the fish in his own Chinese waters. The Museum was to that Chinaman an -object-lesson. - -Now I am certain that if boys or girls knew how to make plaster-of-Paris -fish look like the real ones, it would not alone be an interesting -occupation, but an instructive one. - -I have explained how the plaster is to be mixed. It is better to buy the -plaster in small quantity, not more than a pound at a time. It should be -kept in a well-closed glass preserving jar. Some books will tell you to -warm your plaster in an oven before using it so as to expel the -moisture. I say do no such thing. If you warm it, it will set -slowly--that is to say, it will take a long time to harden. Then you -never will know, if you heat the plaster, how hot you get it, and it -will set differently every time you use it. - -Here are the things you want: A plate of common window glass somewhat -bigger than your fish; a bit of wood, which will vary according to the -size of your fish; two small screws; some potter's clay; a few pins; -some shellac varnish; a brush; a little alum; and, of course, your fish. - -Do not be too ambitious at the start, but take a small fish, as a -shiner, a perch, or a sunfish. Do not try to make the cast of a catfish -at the beginning, because the barbules or head appendages of a catfish -are hard to take. Do not try, either, an eel, for eels and snakes -present some difficulties. With practice, however, a snake or an eel is -not hard to make a cast of. - -You have caught your fish. Wash it so as to get rid of the slime or -mucus. Sometimes this slime will not come off readily; then put a pinch -of alum in the water you wash the fish in, and the fish will become -perfectly clean. Dry the fish rapidly with a bit of paper or a towel. -Now you are ready for work. - -Place your fish on the plate of glass, and prop up his tail and his back -fin, or fins, with little bits of potter's clay. Sometimes the back fin, -or the dorsal fin, as it is called, will become contracted. Stretch out -the fin as the fish ought to look, and with pins hold it in place, -running the pins through the fin into the clay supports. Having laid -your fish straight and in a natural position, now build a little wall -around the fish. This is to prevent the flowing of the plaster. This -dike should be, say three-fourths of an inch higher than the fish. - -You mix your plaster and pour it in carefully on the fish. Now let it -all stand awhile, and exercise patience. It ought to be set and hard in -an hour, but that depends on the plaster, the batter, and the -temperature. You cannot try it with a straw, like you would bread, to -see if it is properly baked. When it sets, however, take the plate of -glass, hold the cast downwards, and remove the whole thing. If you have -worked properly you will have a perfect matrix. The fish being supple, -you take it by the tail and get it out. - -Your mould may be dry, but you want it drier. It may be left twenty-four -hours and put in the sun, or, if you want to hurry it up, you can place -it in an oven, but not in too hot a one. - -You have now gone as far as I used to go when I began to take the casts -of medals. You want to go beyond that, and get a perfect fish, and you -have the mould. It would never do to pour liquid plaster into a plaster -mould. The new mixture would stick fast to the old one. - -The shellac varnish now comes into use. You can buy the shellac varnish -ready made, but it is too thick, and you must thin it with alcohol so -that it will flow readily. A very little shellac goes a long way. Take a -soft brush, and give your mould a coating of varnish. Use a light hand. -When the first coat of varnish is dry give it a second coat. Not a bad -way is to pour some varnish into the mould if the varnish be thin -enough, and drain off the surplus. But remember, if the varnish is too -thick, you fill up all the fine lines the fish itself has made. - -You want to bear in mind now the piece of wood. This bit of wood should -be a little less in length than that part of the fish starting back of -the head to the beginning of the tail, and it should have a screw -sticking out at each end at right angles to the direction of the stick -itself. When your mould is full take this bit of wood with the screws in -it, and push it or put it into the soft plaster. - -The use of this wood is double. It will help, by means of the -screws--which, of course, are firmly embedded in the plaster when it -becomes solid--to draw the perfect plaster cast out of the mould, and if -you want to hang up the model you can pass a bit of wire through the -eyes or the head, of the screws. - -Let the plaster set just as before, and when it is dry draw it out by -means of the bit of wood and the screws. - -You can go, if you want to, much further than this, and paint your fish. -Here not so much art as careful study and knowledge of mixing and -preparing colors comes into play, which is foreign to the subject. - -I know of some lads who were clumsy at first, and speckled themselves -all over with plaster, but who after a while made many splendid casts of -fish, and worked on big fish, and hard ones too, like eels. Their casts -of squirming and twisting eels were first rate. One of the boys took a -fishing-pole and put on the hook a plaster-of-Paris eel which he had -painted olive green and silvered, and it looked just like a live one. -What they did which was worthy of praise was to take casts of all the -different kinds of fish which swam in a New York lake near the house -where they lived, and they had a little museum of their own. - - - - -THE MIDDLE DAUGHTER.[1] - -[1] Begun in HARPER'S ROUND TABLE No. 845. - -BY MARGARET E. SANGSTER. - -CHAPTER VI. - -THE TOWER-ROOM. - - -As time went on, Grace surely did not have to share a third part of her -sisters' room, did she? For nothing is so much prized by most girls as a -room of their very own, and a middle daughter, particularly such a -middle daughter as Grace Wainwright, has a claim to a foothold--a wee -bit place, as the Scotch say--where she can shut herself in, and read -her Bible, and say her prayers, and write her letters, and dream her -dreams, with nobody by to see. Mrs. Wainwright had been a good deal -disturbed about there being no room for Grace when she came back from -Highland, and one would have been fitted up had there been an extra cent -in the family exchequer. Grace didn't mind, or if she did, she made -light of her sacrifice; but her sisters felt that they ought to help her -to privacy. - -Eva and Miriam came over to the Manse to consult us in the early days. - -I suggested screens. - -"You can do almost anything with screens and portières," I said. "One of -the loveliest rooms I ever saw in my life is in a cottage in the -Catskills, where one large room is separated into drawing-room, library, -and dining-room, and sometimes into a spare chamber, as well, by the -judicious use of screens." - -"Could we buy them at any price we could pay?" said Miriam. - -"Buy them, child? What are you talking about? You can make them. You -need only two or three clothes-horses for frames, some chintz, or even -wall-paper or calico, a few small tacks, a little braid, a hammer, and -patience." - -After Grace was fairly launched on her career as teacher, mother -suggested one day that the tower-room at Wishing-Brae could be -transformed into a maiden's bower without the spending of much money, -and that it would make an ideal girl's room, "just the nest for Grace, -to fold her wings in and sing her songs--a nest with an outlook over the -tree-tops and a field of stars above it." - -"Mother dear, you are too poetical and romantic for anything, but I -believe," said Amy, "that it could be done, and if it could it ought." - -The tower at Wishing-Brae was then a large, light garret-room, used for -trunks and boxes. Many a day have I spent there writing stories when I -was a child, and oh! what a prospect there was and is from those -windows--prospect of moors and mountains, of ribbons of rivers and white -roads leading out to the great world. You could see all Highland from -the tower windows. In sunny days and in storms it was a delight beyond -common just to climb the steep stairs and hide one's self there. - -We put our heads together, all of us. We resolved at last that the -tower-room should be our birthday gift to Grace. It was quite easy to -contrive and work when she was absent, but not so easy to keep from -talking about the thing in her presence. Once or twice we almost let it -out, but she suspected nothing, and we glided over the danger as over -ice, and hugged ourselves that we had escaped. We meant it for a -surprise. - -First of all, of course, the place had to be thoroughly cleaned, then -whitewashed as to the ceiling, and scoured over and over as to the -unpainted wood. Archie Vanderhoven and all the brothers of both families -helped manfully with this, and the two dear old doctors both climbed up -stairs every day, and gave us their criticism. When the cleanness and -the sweetness were like the world after the deluge, we began to furnish. -The floor was stained a deep dark cherry red; Mrs. Raeburn presented the -room with a large rug, called an art-square; Mrs. Vanderhoven made -lovely écru curtains of cheese-cloth, full and flowing, for the windows, -and these were caught back by cherry ribbons. - -We had a regular controversy over the bed, half of us declaring for a -folding bed, that could be shut up by day and be an armoire or a -book-case, the others wanting a white enamelled bed with brass knobs and -bars. The last party carried the day. - -The boys hung some shelves, and on these we arranged Grace's favorite -books. Under the books in the window were her writing-table and her -chair and foot-stool. The Vanderhovens sent a pair of brass andirons for -the fire-place, and the little Hastings children, who were taken into -the secret, contributed a pair of solid silver candle-sticks. - -Never was there a prettier room than that which we stood and surveyed -one soft April morning when it was pronounced finished. Our one regret -was that dear Mrs. Wainwright could not see it. But the oldest of the -Raeburn boys brought over his camera and took a picture of the room, and -this was afterwards enlarged and framed for one of Mrs. Wainwright's own -birthdays. - -"Mother dear," said Grace one evening, as they sat together for a -twilight talk, "do you believe God always answers prayers?" - -"Always, my child." - -"Do you think we can always see the answers, feel sure He has heard us?" - -"The answers do not always come at once, Grace, nor are they always what -we expect, but God sends us what is best for us, and He gives us -strength to help answer the prayers we make. Sometimes prayers are -answered before they leave our lips. Don't you know that in every 'Oh, -my Father,' is the answer, 'Here, my child.'" - -"I used to long years ago," said Grace, "when I was as happy as I could -be with dear uncle and auntie, just to fly to you and my father. It -seemed sometimes as if I would die just to get home to Highland again, -and be one of the children. Uncle and auntie want me to go abroad with -them this summer, just for a visit, and they are so good they will take -one of my sisters and one of the Raeburns; but I hate to think of the -ocean between you and me again even for a few weeks." - -"You must go, dearie," said Mrs. Wainwright. "The dear uncle is part -owner of you, darling, and he's very generous; but he can never have you -back to keep." - -"No, indeed." - -"Which of the Raeburns do you suppose they can best spare?" - -"I don't know which they would choose to spare, but Amy will be the one -to go. She was born under a fortunate star, and the rest will help to -send her." - -"I'd like Frances myself." - -"Frances is the stay-at-home daughter. She cannot be spared. It will be -Amy, and I will let Miriam go with you, and Eva, who is the youngest, -can wait for her turn some other day." - -"Is that Burden's cart going down the lane?" inquired Grace, looking out -the window, "It's queer how many errands Mr. Burden's had here lately. I -believe he's been investing in another cart, or else he has painted the -old one. Business must be brisk. There come papa, and Dr. Raeburn with -him. Why, mother, all the Raeburns are coming! If there is to be -company, I might have been told." - -"So might I," said Mrs. Wainwright, with spirit. "Hurry, Grace, bring me -some cologne and water to wash my face and hands, and give me my -rose-pink wrapper. Turn the key in the door, dearie. An invalid should -never be seen except looking her best. You can slip away and get into a -tea gown before you meet them, if they are coming to supper. Whose -birthday is it? This seems to be a surprise party." - -"Why, mamma--it's my birthday; but you don't think there's anything on -foot that I don't know of--do you, dearest?" - -"I wouldn't like to say what I think, my pet. There, the coast is clear. -Run away and change your gown. Whoever wished to see me now may do so. -The queen is ready to give audience. Just wheel my chair a little to the -left, so that I can catch the last of that soft pink after-glow." - -"And were you really entirely unprepared, Grace," said the girls later, -"and didn't you ever for a single moment notice anything whatsoever we -were doing?" - -"Never for one instant. I missed my Tennyson and my French Bible, but -thought Eva had borrowed them, and in my wildest imagination I never -dreamed you would furnish a lovely big room at the top of the house all -for me, my own lone self. It doesn't seem right for me to accept it." - -[Illustration: "AND HERE IS SOMETHING ELSE--FROM ME TO MY DAUGHTER."] - -"Ah, but it is quite right!" said her father, tenderly, "and here is -something else--a little birthday check from me to my daughter. Since -you came home and set me on my feet I've prospered as never before. Eva -has collected ever so many of my bills, and I've sold a corner of the -meadow for a good round sum, a corner that never seemed to me to be -worth anything. I need not stay always in your debt, financially, dear -little woman." - -"But, papa." - -"But, Grace." - -"Your father is right, Grace," said the sweet low tones of Mrs. -Wainwright, even and firm. "Through God's goodness you have had the -means and disposition to help him, but neither of us ever intended to -rest our weight always on your shoulders. You needn't work so hard -hereafter, unless you wish to." - -"Thank you, dear papa," said Grace. "I shall work just as hard, because -I love to work, and because I am thus returning to the world some part -of what I owe it; and next year, who knows, I may be able to pay Eva's -bills at Miss L----'s." - -Eva jumped up and down with delight. - -Then came supper, served in Mrs. Wainwright's room, and after that music -and a long merry talk, and at last, lest Mrs. Wainwright should be -weary, the Raeburns took their way homeward over the lane and across the -fields to the Manse. - -Grace from the tower window watched them going, the light of the moon -falling in golden clearness over the fields and farms just waiting for -spring. - - "To serve the present age - My calling to fulfil," - -she whispered to herself. "Good-night, dear ones all, good-night," she -said a little later, climbing up the tower stair to her new room. - -"God bless you, middle daughter," said her father's deep tones. - -Soft, hushed footsteps pattered after the girl, step by step. She -thought herself all alone as she shut the door, but presently a cold -nose was thrust against her hand, a furry head rubbed her knee. Fido, -the pet fox-terrier, had determined for his part to share the -tower-room. - -THE END. - - - - -FOR KING OR COUNTRY. - -A Story of the Revolution. - -BY JAMES BARNES. - -CHAPTER XVII. - -A COUNTERPLOT. - - -So fine a time were the English officers having in New York that they -chafed very little beneath General Howe's protracted inaction. The only -fighting that William saw was on one of Tryon's foraging expeditions -into Connecticut, and, if the truth may be told, he was sickened and -sorrowed in heart at the vandalism done by the forces of the King. What -was the use of applying the torch to the houses of these poor misguided -farmers? and how bravely the little band of homespun coats had resisted -their advance upon a quiet little village! One thing was firmly in his -mind when he returned to the city from this expedition of -plunder--Colonel Forsythe was right. It would take England's best blood -and resources. In fact, the task of getting back the Colonies was the -greatest that any army of Great Britain had ever had laid out before it. - -The fearless behavior of a farmer's lad, captured upon the march, struck -William with admiration. This was no "rebel." It was a patriot type, and -the Frothingham blood boiled at the brutality of a soldier who had -insulted the young prisoner. - -William had a dream one night which disturbed him more than a little. It -seemed to him that he was walking along the road through a very -beautiful country. On either hand stretched green undulating meadows, -and neat white farm-houses were on the hill-sides. The wind was waving -the tassels of the corn softly. It was just such a view as he had seen -on his ride to New York with Uncle Nathan and his brother after the -first excitement at Stanham Mills. - -It appeared, to him, however, as he walked along this road that was so -real, that he saw a gathering ahead of him, and caught a glimpse of the -uniforms of King George and the tall hats of the Hessians. As he -approached he saw that there was great movement in their midst, and -suddenly a beautiful woman dressed in white burst from the crowd. She -was struggling to free her hands, which were tied behind her back. The -soldiers and the Hessians were pelting her with mud and stones. - -"I am Liberty, Liberty!" she cried. - -To his chagrin, William saw himself in all his finery gather up a large -stone and hurl it at the beautiful figure in white, and at that moment -every little farm-house on the hill burst into flame, and the corn in -the fields shrivelled to the stalks, and a great voice resounded through -the air, - -"Fair Liberty is dead--is dead!" - -He had disliked himself very much for having had such a dream and -appearing in such a shameful character. It was some time before he could -shake off the effect of it from his mind. - -It was a starlit evening after the return of the expedition, and he was -walking quickly through the street to join a small party at the -headquarters of another regiment. As he followed the narrow path in the -snow a woman's figure stepped to one side. - -[Illustration: "WHERE IS THE OTHER UNIFORM?" SHE SAID.] - -"Where is the other uniform?" she said. - -"Pardon me," said William. "I do not understand." - -"No more do I," the woman answered. "But my heart is broke." - -William had smiled, but the woman had stepped out into the snow as if to -avoid him, and had hurried past. - -"Poor crazy creature!" said the young officer to himself. "She looked at -me as if she knew me." - -But he could not rid himself altogether of that reproachful look for -quite some time. And another thing that puzzled him was the strange -conduct of the landlord at the City Arms. - -"I had a guest at my house not long ago," said he, upon one occasion, -"who favored you most wonderfully. His name was Blount of Albany. Know -you aught of him?" - -Two or three people had spoken of the same resemblance, and told of the -disappearance of the lad from up the river. - -A suspicion had entered William's mind, but he kept it to himself. -Soon, however, was it to be confirmed beyond all doubt. - -A very good company it was that was gathered in one of the large rooms -at Fraunces's Tavern. There, for some reason, William's thoughts had -again recurred to the distasteful dream. - -"Lieutenant Frothingham, I have the honor to present to you Mr. Bolton -Blount, of Albany," a voice interrupted his thoughts. "He is the uncle -of the young man who disappeared so strangely some weeks ago. Every one -who had the pleasure of meeting him has remarked the curious resemblance -that you bear one another." - -"I cannot see it," said Mr. Blount, looking politely at William's face -and figure. "'Twould be quite a compliment to my poor unfortunate -nephew; but they say that relationship can never see resemblances." - -"Oh, 'tis most remarkable!" interrupted a young cavalry officer. "I had -the honor of piloting your nephew to the town, and a most agreeable and -well-spoken young gentleman he was." - -"Richard must have improved, then," said Mr. Blount. "Did you mark -whether he was lame?" - -"Yes, the left foot, but slightly," said the officer; "but he was quite -graceful with it all, and his hair was black and straight." - -"Like an Indian's?" - -"Yes," was the answer, "very like." - -"'Tis passing strange," said the uncle, and sighed; "it almost seems -like witchcraft. No trace of him to be found, although we have searched -everywhere." - -As William was walking to his lodgings that night a brother officer -joined him, and passed his arm through his. - -"Oh, Frothingham," he said, "I have something truly strange to tell you! -I was on a visit of inspection to the town prisons a week or so ago, and -at an old sugar-house on Rose or Vine Street I saw your very double. The -resemblance has been haunting me, and I just have placed it." - -"I seem to have doubles everywhere," answered William, carelessly, -though a great fear welled up in his heart. "I had supposed you were -going to tell me that I look like a Mr. Blount." - -"I know him not," answered the officer, "but I do assure you that you -bear a great resemblance to this prisoner." - -When William reached his room that night he rested for a long time, -wide-awake and thinking. It might be George who was held in prison. - -All the next morning he was on duty at headquarters, and in the -afternoon he hastened toward the old sugar-house, whose location he knew -from the officer's description. With little trouble he succeeded in -getting permission from the jailer to look through the cells and -corridors. He had muffled part of his face in a wide silk neckerchief, -and had pushed his hat well forward on his forehead. He advanced hastily -into the large hall, and his eye ran around in a swift glance. With a -sense of relief that there was no one there that resembled the -description in the slightest way, he went on until he came to the cell -next but one to the end of the corridor. He looked within. Though the -light was quite dim, he could make out a figure lying on a patchwork -quilt. He placed his face close to the bars. His heart was beating -furiously. There could be no doubt about it. He grasped the iron closer -for support. It was George, his brother, fast asleep. The Virgil lay -open on the floor, and one slender finger marked the place. - -With an effort William managed to compose himself. "What is this young -man imprisoned for?" he asked, in a whisper, of the jailer at his side. - -"For stealing a watch," was the reply. "He tried to escape, and has been -wounded slightly in the arm. He appears to have been a likely youth, and -'tis a shame that he should have fallen so, for he has some learning." -The man shook his head pityingly. - -William did not hear the last words. It appeared to him that a bright -flash came and went before his eyes, and again he grasped the bars of -the doorway. His brother George a thief. It could not be! - -"Shall I wake him, sir," put in the jailer, not noticing William's -perturbation. - -The young officer recovered himself. - -"Oh, by no means!" he said, trying to control his voice. "Pray do not -disturb him." - -As he was about to release his hold from one of the iron bars, he -perceived that it was filed almost in twain from the inside! He could -feel it with his fingers. The sleeper moved slightly, and William -stepped to one side out of sight. - -It was quite difficult that he could affect any interest in the rest of -the prisoners, his brain was whirling so, and soon he thanked the jailer -and left the gloomy shadow of the building. - -When he reached the outside air he drew down the muffler, for he felt -faint and sick. The tall soldier on guard at the gateway saluted him. -William turned, and as he did so almost ran into the arms of the little -schoolmaster, who was bobbing quickly along. - -"Ho, ho, Lieutenant!" was the greeting; but a glance at the young man's -face told the story. "You know it. You have seen him?" asked -Schoolmaster Anderson. - -"I have, and I am going to find out more. They say he stole, that my -brother is a thief. I cannot--" - -"No, no, he is not," said Mr. Anderson. "On my honor no--and try to find -out nothing, for by doing so you may place a halter around his neck." -Then he added, quite calmly, "Your brother is a spy." - -A sense of horror and yet of relief came over William. - -"I have imperilled my own safety by befriending him," said Schoolmaster -Anderson. "Surely you, his brother, will not betray him?" - -"Tell me," inquired William, "is he Richard Blount of Albany?" - -"He took the young man's place at the peril of his life," answered the -schoolmaster. "Now say nothing more." - -"But he is about to escape!" exclaimed the young Lieutenant. - -It was the schoolmaster's time to start. "He is?" he inquired, half -faltering. - -"Ay," said William. "The iron bars are almost filed in two." - -"Well, well," remarked Mr. Anderson. "That will never do. We will have -to change that. Sure enough. He must be moved, but his safety is the -first thing to be thought of. You agree with me?" - -"I am going to make myself known to him," exclaimed William, turning as -if to retrace his steps toward the prison. - -"I pray that you will do nothing of the kind," broke in the old -schoolmaster. "It is only by great good fortune that his identity has -not been established. Any attention attracted to him might be the means -of accomplishing just what we wish to avoid." - -"I will leave it all to you then, Mr. Anderson. Only we cannot connive -at the escape of a rebel spy, even if he is my brother." - -"Your family is not the only one that is divided on this sad subject," -said the schoolmaster, shaking his head. "Just look about you -everywhere." - -After this there was but little said, and the two parted further down -the street, William depressed and sorrowed by the discovery and the -secret that bore upon his mind. - -But to return to the cell of the mysterious young prisoner who read his -Virgil so indefatigably. - -He had not been asleep at all upon the occasion of William's unexpected -visit. In fact, he had been working with a small file upon the iron -bars. It had to be done very carefully indeed, by fits and starts, for a -long-continued exertion might at any time bring upon him the attention -of the guard. - -He had not recognized his brother in the dim light, and only thought him -one of the inspecting officers, although he had shivered when the jailer -spoke in such an off-hand manner of his being accused of theft. - -In the mean time he had read his cipher note. - -It told him that on a certain night, if it were possible for him to file -his bars in two, a boat with two rowers would be waiting beneath a wharf -of the North River. If everything worked smoothly on both sides, signals -would be exchanged. - -The note was signed by Number Two. George knew this to be friend -Anderson. It stated that Number Three was unfortunately ill, and George -knew that Number Three was Abel Norton. - -He had destroyed the epistle, and recommenced the tedious work of filing -away the bars. - -Despite Mr. Anderson's warning, William could hardly restrain a desire -to visit the sugar-house and have a long talk with his brother, but he -saw that the consequences might be most disastrous. However, there was -one thing he could do--help George's material comfort; he would claim -this privilege at least. - -Meeting Mr. Anderson one day, he asked him if George needed anything -that he could procure. To his surprise, the little schoolmaster refused -to discuss the question, and William took the hint that he was not -supposed to know that his brother was in New York at all. So, pained and -chagrined, he dropped the subject; he could not insist, as he had left -the matter in Mr. Anderson's hands. - -He was, however, soon to undergo a great surprise. - -Huddled up in his long gray cloak, he was facing a small snow-storm that -whirled the drifts around the corners of the houses, and as he emerged -into Waddell Lane a tall man who was approaching glanced at him most -curiously. Just as William was passing, the other extended his arm and -grasped him by the shoulder. - -"Hold! I would not go in that direction," said the man. "Don't be rash. -Be cautious, Frothingham, I do beseech you. Step to one side in the -alley here; no one will see us, and I would have a word with you." - -William, to his best knowledge and belief, had never seen the person who -addressed him so readily and excitedly by name before. - -Something told him at once that here was one of the persons concerned in -his brother George's intended escape. It behooved him well to listen. - -"You have chosen a good night," said Mr. Abel Norton, drawing the young -Lieutenant into the shadow of the doorway of an empty house, "a splendid -night. It has worked well; but, Heavens! a full uniform! How did you -procure it, in the name of mercy?" - -"It was easier than you think, I suspect," said William, now speaking -for the first time. - -"I wish I could say it becoming," went on the older man. "It must itch -you like a hair shirt--eh?" - -William said nothing. - -"I met your colored servant two days ago. I remembered having seen him -with your uncle years gone by. He has returned to New Jersey with -tidings of you, and the news that you have been slightly wounded and -that you will follow him. By this time they at Stanham have learned of -your intention to escape. I have been ill," continued Abel Norton. "This -is the first day that I have been out. I was on my way to the prison to -see if in some way I could learn tidings of you." - -"There is no necessity of going now," said William. - -"So I see, my dear boy. You never liked me when we worked together in -Sir Wyeth's office. What a proud young limb you were, and as solitary as -an owl! But this is no time for reminiscing. Is the boat prepared?" - -"That's just the question," put in William, at a venture. "Everything -has worked well, but that I do not know." - -"It must be arranged then at once to-night. I will see to it myself," -said his mysterious acquaintance. "I know the ferrymen and where to -reach them. Shall I do it?" - -"You had better," was the answer. "And let me know where I can find -them." - -"At Striker's wharf, then, at eleven o'clock to-night. It will be -pitch-dark and a rough passage. Where are you bound to now?" - -"To a safe hiding-place," answered William. - -"Take care--take care--don't be too bold," said the other, cautiously. -"Well, if you will, may good-luck wait on you. To-night, then, at -eleven." - -Abel Norton did not know what loyal British hands grasped his, but the -pressure was firm and hearty, for William's heart went out to this -friend of his brother's. - -"Schoolmaster Anderson has frustrated the attempt at escape, of course," -he thought to himself, "and the boat-men will wait in vain. I could not -find it in my heart to tell the old fellow who I was. He might have died -from sheer astonishment." But it seemed quite natural to be taken for -George again. The resemblance was not lost. - -Abel Norton would have been astounded had he known where the "safe -hiding-place" was toward which the young spy was hastening, for he -walked on down the lane until he came to the corner, and went straight -through the main entrance into the City Arms. He stamped the snow from -his heels and was hailed by a group of officers, who made room for him -at the table. He but half listened to the conversation, until some one -slapped his shoulder. - -"Come, come, recall your wandering thoughts!" - -William gathered his wits together with an effort. - -"I have just discovered," said an officer, "that despatches of the -greatest moment are passing between New England and General Washington's -army. We are quite as anxious to find out what his move will be as he is -to ascertain ours. You know something of the country over yonder?" - -"Yes," replied William, "I was born and reared there." - -A stranger in an ill-fitting uniform had been listening to the talk. He -now leaned across the table and addressed a question to the two -speakers. - -"Your name is Frothingham, I believe, sir?" - -"Yes, sir," answered William. - -"Are you a relation of that family at Stanham Manor? I am a New Jersey -man in the King's service." - -"I am," was the reply. - -"Have you not a brother?" - -"I have--or had. He," said William, laconically, "is in the American -service." - -"Think nothing of that," was the response. "My own father and two -brothers hold positions of some importance under Washington. In fact, my -own wife sides with the rebels." The Tory officer said this as if he -were stating something quite ordinary. "This post-route of which we were -speaking when you entered, and through which all the despatches go, runs -through your country; and General Greene has cut a road, I take it, -almost through your land. The 'Cowboys' and 'Skinners' keep things -lively not far to the northward, but methinks it would be easy to obtain -advices near Stanham Mills or at the Hewes's estates. They have turned -your foundry into rebel gun-shops." - -"Have they, indeed? I have heard no news for a long time from there." - -William again relapsed into silence. - -The inaction and the constant recurrence of the disagreeable dream of -poor persecuted Liberty had begun to tell. Insidious horrible thoughts -now and then flitted through his mind. Could he be doubtful of his own -loyalty? No; but he must do something to prove it and put it to the -test, if only for himself. - -Then an idea came over him with such force as almost caused him to -exclaim aloud, "Eureka!" he said, to himself. "I have it. For the -King--for the King!'" - -He pushed himself back from the table and hurried out of doors. He -fairly ran down the street to the corner on which stood the handsome -residence of General Howe. - -"I would see the General on important business," he said to the sentry. -"Tell him that it is most urgent." - -The orderly, after some delay, brought back a message of admittance, and -William followed him into the presence of the Commander-in-Chief. - -He was lolling back in his chair, with a half-finished decanter on the -table beside him. - -"Well, my young sir, what is this 'important business'?" - -"Merely a request, your Excellency, that I may be detailed to obtain -information of the movements of the American forces. I have an -opportunity to penetrate into their lines with the best chance of my -commission being undiscovered. I think I can obtain important news. - -"Your request is granted. And when would you leave?" spoke up the -General, lazily. - -"To-night, at eleven o'clock," was the reply William made, remembering -that that was the time the strange tall man had mentioned. - -[TO BE CONTINUED.] - - - - -THE CHANGED VALENTINE. - -A Play for St. Valentine's Day. - -BY CAROLINE A. CREEVEY. - - -_CHARACTERS:_ - - AMANDA STUART. - MARY ANN MURPHY, _of Irish descent, who often affects the brogue_. - GERTRUDE CAMPBELL. - LAURA THURSTON. - ALICIA PERRY. - ADA MCCLURE. - GEORGIANA THOMPSON, _a little girl who lisps_. - - (All members of Mrs. Eaton's boarding-school.) - - MISS STEELE, _a harsh, unpopular teacher_. - MRS. ST. VALENTINE, _aunt to_ Cupid. - CUPID. - -SCENE.--_A drawing-room in the school. The girls are seated around a -table, studying_. TIME.--_February 13th_. - -[Illustration] - -_Gertrude_. This is a horridly uninteresting lesson. Listen, now: -"Domestic affairs under Jefferson were at first marked by wonderful -prosperity. American commerce increased enormously, for as nearly all -Europe was at war, it was not safe to send goods in European vessels." I -should like to know what all Europe was at war about? Miss Goodrich will -be sure to ask. Can't you tell me, Alicia? You are so good in history. - -_Alicia_. What are your dates? When was Jefferson's administration? - -_Gertrude_. I'm sure I don't know. It must have been seventeen hundred -or eighteen hundred and something. - -_Ada_. Well, I call that great! Studying about Jefferson, and don't know -when he lived! - -_Gertrude_. Let's see if you know. - -_Ada_. Course I don't! But then I ain't studying history. Just now I'll -be satisfied if I can find out what an adjective clause is. - -_Mary Ann_. Aint is a regular verb--I aint, thou aintest, he aintet, we -aint, you aint-- - -_Laura_. Hush, Mollie; don't tease. - -_Mary Ann_. Is it t'asin' I am? I'm helpin' you, me darlint. Active -voice, third person. - -_Ada_. Mollie, you stick to algebra. - -_Mary Ann_. Wid pleasure, me choild. It's _x_ equals the number of -laborers, and _y_ the hours they worked, and _z_ the sthroike they wint -upon. - -_Amanda_. Oh, are you doing that example about the laborers? Just let me -see your statement; I can't get it. - -_Mary Ann_. I'm afther tellin' ye the statement. It's me _x_ equals-- - -_Gertrude_. There, I have found Jefferson's reign--administration, I -mean--1801 to 1809. - - [_Repeats it several times._] - -_Alicia_. Well, about that time Napoleon lived--didn't he? - -_Mary Ann_. - - Napoleon was a warrior bould, - From Corsica he came, - And so at least we've all been tould - He set the world aflame. - -_Amanda_. Girls, do you know what day to-morrow will be? - -_All_ (_shout_). St. Valentine's day. - -_Ada_. I hope to goodness I'll have six. - -_Gertrude_. There's nothing mean about her. - -_Georgiana_. There'th one coming for me, I'm thure. My brother alwayth -thendth me one. - -_Amanda_. Oh, brothers' valentines don't count! Haven't you any other -friends? Don't you know any boys? - -_Laura_. I am shocked. - -_Mary Ann_. Whist thin! Mintion no dangerous characters in a young -ladies' institootion. Would ye raally, thin, me poor, deluded child, be -recavin' thim valentines, which is pizined with Cupid's arrers, from -school-boys? - -_Laura_. Girls, it's study hour, and we ought not to talk, except about -our lessons. - -_Georgiana_. Thomebody'th coming. - - [_All bend earnestly over their books._] - -_Enter_ Miss Steele. _She stands looking suspiciously at the girls._ - -_Miss Steele_. I thought I heard voices. Young ladies, were you -communicating? - -_Mary Ann_. Yis, mum. I was a-communicatin' av me ixample to paper. It's -_x_ equals-- - -_Miss Steele_. Miss Murphy, you will be kind enough to drop that -outlandish way of speaking when you are addressing me. Were you -communicating with each other? - -_Gertrude_. I asked what all Europe was at war about? It said so in my -history lesson. - -_Ada_. I asked what an adjective clause was? It came in my grammar. - -_Miss Steele_. Young ladies, I fear you are not absolutely truthful. -Remember, the truthful person is never afraid to incriminate himself. He -fears deceit above everything else. Try above all things to tell the -truth. In the present instance I certainly heard a word that did not -belong to either your history or grammar. - -_Alicia_ (_behind her hands_). Eavesdropping, I do believe. - -_Miss Steele_. Miss Perry, did you speak? - -_Alicia_. I was restraining a sneeze, ma'am. - -_Miss Steele_. The word that I happened to overhear was "valentines." I -want you to understand that I wholly disapprove of those things. They -are silly and stupid. It is a reprehensible custom, that of sending -them. Keep your thoughts on higher, better things. I shall remain with -you during the rest of this study hour, and see that you pursue your -work faithfully till the bell rings. (_Seats herself, adjusts glasses, -and proceeds to darn a pair of stockings._) It is quite cool here. -Georgiana my dear, go to my room, and in the left-hand corner of the -drawer you will find a white shawl. Bring it to me. - -_Georgiana_. Yeth, ma'am. [_Exit._] - -_Miss Steele_. Strange how that child lisps. I must speak to the -elocution-master about it. He might suggest a remedy for the defect. - -_Mary Ann_. May I ask what this word spells? - -_Miss Steele_. Certainly. - -_Mary Ann_. Repr-ehe-nsi-ble. - -_Miss Steele_. You did not divide the syllables correctly. Try again. - -_Mary Ann_. Yes'm. Re-preh-ens-ib-le. - -_Miss Steele_. I cannot make it out yet. - -_Mary Ann_. It's what you said the custom of sending valentines was. - -[Illustration] - -_Miss Steele_. Oh! reprehensible. And so it is. That means blameworthy, -pernicious. A very pernicious custom--most reprehensible. - -_Mary Ann_. Thanks awfully. (_Murmurs._) So glad to know. - -_Enter_ Georgiana _with a red shawl._ - -_Georgiana_. Ith thith what you wanted, Mith Thteele? - -_Miss Steele_. No, dear. I said a white shawl. You don't call that -white--do you? As usual, you were inattentive. Now listen. Take this -back and lay it on my bed, and in the upper drawer, left-hand corner, -there is my white shawl wrapped in a towel. Bring it to me. Now mind, -the _white_ shawl. - - [_Exit Georgiana._] - -_Amanda_ (_whispers_). She didn't say whether bureau or wash-stand. It -isn't Georgie alone who is stupid. - -_Miss Steele_. Miss Stuart, you are whispering. Tell me what you said. - -_Amanda_. I said that child is too stupid for anything. - -_Miss Steele_. She ought not to be stupid. She is very careless, owing, -I suppose, to her bringing up. She has always been waited on too much. - -_Alicia_. Does that make people careless? - -_Miss Steele_. It's apt to do so. - -_Gertrude_. Miss Steele, why do folks call it Saint Valentine's day? - -_Miss Steele_. Do not say folks, Gertrude. It is inelegant. There was a -saint named Valentine once, I suppose. - -_Ada_. Did you ever get a valentine, Miss Steele? - -_Miss Steele_. I? Oh no--that is, not lately. I suppose when I was young -and foolish I did such things. - -_Mary Ann_ (_with mock reverence and admiration_). I'm sure, ma'am, now, -you were never young and foolish. - - _Enter_ Georgiana _with a blue shawl._ - -_Miss Steele_ (_wrathfully_). Did I ever see such idiotic behavior, such -extraordinary conduct? Did I say one thing about a blue shawl? Wasn't it -a white shawl I sent you for? Explain, miss. - -_Georgiana_. Thith ith what wath in the left-hand corner of the upper -drawer of the wath-thand. - -_Miss Steele_. Wash-stand? I said bureau. - -_Georgiana_. I didn't hear you thay bureau. - -_Miss Steele_. Don't add lying to your stupidity. Of course I said -bureau! The thought of wash-stand didn't enter my mind. - -_Georgiana_ (_beginning to cry_). I don't think you thaid bureau. - -_Laura_. Please let me get the shawl for you, Miss Steele. I don't -believe Georgie can find it now, she is so flustered. - -_Miss Steele_. When I want any of your interference, Miss Thurston, I -will ask for it. Georgiana Thompson, go back to my room, and don't bring -me a pink, or gray, or black shawl, but a white one which is in the -left-hand corner of the upper drawer in my bureau. And if you don't want -to spend to-morrow in your room, with bread and tea for your dinner, you -would better bring me the right thing this time. Do you hear? (_Exit_ -Georgiana.) She must enjoy running up two flights of stairs. I declare -it's most annoying. - -_Alicia_. Perhaps, Miss Steele, Georgiana is color-blind. - -_Miss Steele_. Possibly. I had not thought of that. - -_Amanda_. Really, Miss Steele, you didn't tell Georgie that the shawl -was in the _bureau_ drawer. Aren't you afraid she'll paw over your -things? - -_Gertrude_. And make a mess generally? You really ought to let one of us -go with Georgie. - -_Mary Ann_ (_jumping up_). Oh, do let me go! - -_Miss Steele_. Well, go. (_Exit_ Mary Ann.) I feel warmer than I did. I -dare say by the time the shawl comes I will not need it. What a -vexatious fuss about nothing! - -_Amanda_. Mental excitement makes anybody warm. Shall I go and tell the -girls not to bring the shawl? - -_Miss Steele_. Sit still where you are. - - [_A short, silent pause._] - -_Enter_ Mary Ann _and_ Georgie, _triumphantly displaying a white shawl._ - -_Mary Ann_. There, ma'am. We had to turn over everything in your -drawers. - -_Miss Steele_. How very thoughtless of you! I must go and see whether -you have done any harm. - -[_She rises in dismay, drops stockings and balls of yarn, and leaves the -room._ Mary Ann _screams with laughter, and drops on the floor._] - -_Mary Ann_. Oh, me darlints! me childer! It makes me that wake. But the -fun! We tossed her drawers all to pieces. There isn't one handkercher -lift upon anither. And the gloves and fans and letthers is scathered -about. - -_Laura_. Oh, girls, what a pity! How could you do that? - -_Georgiana_. Why, the thawl wathn't in the upper drawer at all. It wath -in the lower; and Mollie jutht puthed her handth under everything, and -thcattered them tho. - -[Illustration] - -_Mary Ann_. I did, I did. Och, could I but see her now! the ragin' and -tearin' av her, she's as mad as a ducked sitting hin. It's better than -medicine, me darlints. (_She sits in_ Miss Steele's _chair, picks up the -stockings and yarn, puts the white shawl over her shoulders, and tries -to look solemn and prim. The other girls gather around,_ Mary Ann -_mimicking_ Miss Steele's _voice._) Georgiana, it is quite chilly here. -Go, my dear, up two flights of stairs three times to my room, and bring -me not a gray, nor a pink, but a white shawl, which is not at all where -I tell you it is. And, dear, don't be color-blind just because you're a -Southerner, nor careless because your ancestors kept slaves. - -_Alicia_. Sent Georgie on a fool's errand three times, did she? I hate -her. Horrid old thing! - -_Gertrude_. Can't we get even with her? - -_Laura_. I think Mollie did get even with her. - -_Ada_. Do let's have our revenge. - -_Amanda_. - - It would make us very happy to be revenged upon her; - She's a cross and hateful teacher, and this is why we feel - That without the very tiniest and littlest dishonor - We would like to bother somehow Miss Araminta Steele. - -_Gertrude_. Let's send her a comic valentine. - -_All_ (_clapping hands_). Just the thing! - -_Laura_. I'm afraid that would not be respectful. - -_Mollie_. Whist, darlint, honey! It's the roight thing to do. - -_Alicia_. All in favor of sending a comic valentine to Miss Steele say -aye. - -_All, except Laura_. Aye! - -_Gertrude_. Come on, Laura. Don't be too pious. There's no harm done, -only fun. - -_Laura_ (_reluctantly_). Well, if you insist, girls, I won't stand out. - -_Enter_ Mrs. St. Valentine, _a little old lady in a gray gown, mob-cap, -and kerchief._ - -_Mrs. St. V_. Good-day, young ladies. - -_All_. Good-day, madam. - -_Mrs. St. V._ (_seats herself_). Would you like to buy any valentines -to-day? I have choice ones to sell, at low prices. - - [_All gather around her and take up the valentines._] - -_Ada_. Yes, these are lovely. Have you any comic valentines? - -_Mrs. St. V_. Yes, a few. But I never show them to young ladies. They -are not suitable. - -_Ada_. But we want one; real horrid and funny. - -_Mrs. St. V_. How singular! Will one of these do? But I do not like to -sell you such a thing. - -_Amanda_. Here's a good one, girls. (_Reads._) - - Once you may have been a beauty, but your charms are faded now, - There are puckers round your eyes, dear, and wrinkles on your brow; - Once you may have been seraphic, you are not angelic now. - -_Mary Ann_. Oh, that's too good by far! Now how is this? (_Reads._) - - You ugly, horrid, spiteful creature, - How distressing every feature! - Vinegar is sweet beside you, - And we cannot but deride you, - -_Gertrude_. The picture is consistent--old woman, big nose, goggle eyes, -hair fuzzy, cross as two sticks. - -_Alicia_. That will do very well. - -_Laura_. It's not very refined. - -_Mrs. St. V_. That's what I am thinking. - -_Mary Ann._ We're not hunting for refinement. What's the price of that, -ma'am? - -_Mrs. St. V_. It's cheap enough--ten cents. But look at some of these -pretty ones. - -_Mary Ann_. Another time, if it's all the same to you. Girls, here's the -money. I will pay it, and you all owe me one and three-sevenths cents. -How's that for algebra? - -_Mrs. St. V_. What are you going to do with this? - -_Amanda_. Send it to one of our teachers, whom we just hate for being a -spiteful old thing. - -_Laura_. I would rather not do it. - -_Gertrude_. Oh yes, you're in it. Now, girls, sign your names, while I -address the envelope. Disguise your hand-writing, and make up the names. -Here's mine--Patsy Tuckerty. - -_Georgiana_. Mine ith Tiny Tanthy. [_Writes._] - -_Amanda_. Mine, Formosa Fiddlesticks. - -_Ada_. Mine, Virginny Canary. - -_Mary Ann_. And me own is Bridget Mahoney. - -_Georgiana_. Oh, Mollie, the'll thuthpect! - -_Mary Ann_. She can't prove anything. - -_Alicia_. My name is Patessa Maressa. Now, Laura, you may have a pretty -name. - -_Laura_. Well, here's mine--Lily Myette. - -_Mary Ann_. There, I call that a triumph. I hope it will knock her down -flat. (_Reads the verse again._) Elegant! - -_Mrs. St. V_. Young ladies, I hope you won't get into trouble. But -surely it is not kind treatment of a teacher to send her this ugly -thing. Now here are such lovely--(_Bell rings. Girls scamper to the door -and exeunt._ Mary Ann _courtesies and kisses her hand to_ Mrs. St. -Valentine.) Well, I do declare! What a set of wild girls! I don't think -they mean harm, but-- Why, they have left their comic valentine here. -Forgotten it, I suppose. Now let me see. I might confiscate it; but I -will call my nephew. His wits are bright. Perhaps he can get these -naughty children out of their scrape. - - Come hither, Cupid darling, - As fast as you can fly; - Bring all your sharpest arrows, - And your merry magic try. - -_Enter_ Cupid, _bowing low and kissing_ Mrs. St. Valentine's _hand._ - -_Cupid_. - - What will my gracious aunt? - Command me as you please; - I'll serve you on my fleetest wings - Or on my bended knees. - -_Mrs. St. V_. Cupid, here is a curious case. I came to the school with a -bag full of my choicest valentines, hoping to start up a brisk trade -with these young ladies. You know times are hard, and I really need the -money. Very well. They would not look at these gems, these flowers and -Cupids, but must pick out the ugliest one I have, and sign false names, -and address it to one of their teachers. - -_Cupid_. Which one? Oh, Miss Steele! Yes, she's pretty dreadful. Heart -like flint. My arrows make no impression. - -_Mrs. St. V_. But they ought not to send her this. - -_Cupid_. I'm not so sure. The objection, from our point of view, is that -these comic valentines are made by a rival firm, and we should find it -for our interest to discourage their sale. - -_Mrs. St. V_. True; and I would not keep them in stock, but that boys -will have them and nothing else. - -_Cupid_. You have to keep a few in stock, of course. - -_Mrs. St. V_. Come, my child. Suggest some way out of this difficulty. -The girls must not be permitted to compromise themselves. - -_Cupid_. I have it. Pick out seven of your pretty ones, a valentine for -each girl, and I will substitute them for this hideous thing. - -_Mrs. St. V_. Oh, Cupid, you are so bright! Here's one. - -_Cupid_. - - When birds come back to bower and tree, - Pray, ladye fair, take thought of me; - No bird has note so sweet and true, - As all my loving thoughts of you. - -That will do for Gertrude Campbell. [_Signs her name._] - -_Mrs. St. V_. And this. (_Reads._) - - I would tell you how much I love you, - But I don't know where to begin, - So open your door, sweet maiden, - And let your true love in. - -_Cupid_. Let that be Amanda Stuart. [_Writes._] - -_Mrs. St. V_. - - I love my love with an A, because she's so attractive; - I love my love with an S, because she is so strong. - I send her a host of good wishes; - They are all in my little song. - -_Cupid_. That shall he Alicia Perry's. (_Writes._) It doesn't rhyme, -though. - -_Mrs. St. V_. Read this, my boy. - -_Cupid_ (_reads_). - - Oh! will you be my valentine? I'll fly at your behest; - And everything I'll proffer you, of first and very best. - -Delightful. Laura Thurston. [_Writes._] - -_Mrs. St. V_. Here's one with flowers. Take that for the little one. - -_Cupid_ (_reads_). - - Roses for you, gentle friend, - Lilies, too, and mignonette, - Daisies, and forget-me-nots - From your loving little pet. - -Good, Georgiana Thompson. [_Writes._] - -_Mrs. St. V_. Here's a pretty one. - -_Cupid_ (_reads_). - - I wish you joy, I wish you grace, - I wish you many a happy time; - May smiles light up your cheery face - Soon as you read my merry rhyme. - -Ada McClure. [_Writes._] - -_Mrs. St. V_. And one, the sweetest of all, for that mischief-loving -girl with the Irish name. - -_Cupid_ (_reads_). - - Thrue for yez, lady, here I be; - Belike ye'd hardly know 'tis me; - But I'll be good, and plaze attind - The valentine of this young frind. - -Good! Mary Ann Murphy. (_Writes._) Now, auntie, fold my wings down and -make a mail-carrier of me. I will deliver these missives myself. And -this comic thing we will tear up and utterly destroy. Keep up your -courage, auntie. I hear that times are better, and there's to be a big -sale of valentines this year. [_Exeunt_ Mrs. St. V. _and_ Cupid, L.] - - _Enter_, R., Laura. - -_Laura_. I am going to destroy that hideous valentine, and not let Miss -Steele see it. We might be expelled, and, anyway, such things do no -good. Why, where is it? Gone! Oh dear! Can any of the teachers have seen -it? What if Miss Steele-- [_Rushes frightened from the room_, L.] - - _Enter_, R., Miss Steele. - -_Miss Steele_ (_face red, hair dishevelled_). I have been all this time -putting my room to rights. That wicked girl had literally emptied my -drawers and scattered everything around the room. She is impertinent and -saucy to the last degree. I can't seem to do anything with her and her -set, and yet they are popular with the other teachers. But they treat me -shamefully. Mollie seems to be the ring-leader, and she must on this -occasion be severely punished. To-morrow is a half-holiday. I shall -request Mrs. Eaton to keep her in her room. In fact, I think all of them -ought to receive punishment. - - _Enter_ Cupid, _as mail-carrier._ - -_Cupid_. Good-day, ma'am. - -_Miss Steele_. This seems to be a new mail-carrier. Aren't you rather -young for this business? - -_Cupid_. I always deliver the valentines. Here are a lot for you. - -_Miss Steele_. For me? You are mistaken. Who would send me a valentine? - -_Cupid_. And why should not you receive a valentine? They are messages -of love. - -_Miss Steele_. They are silly, stupid things. - -_Cupid_. They are messages of love, I say. Is love stupid and silly? - -_Miss Steele_. What a funny boy this is! What do you know about love? - -_Cupid_. A great deal. It has been my business for centuries to make -people love. Here are seven fine valentines for Miss Steele. That's your -name? - -_Miss Steele_. Yes, but it is twenty-five years since I had a valentine. -(_Muses._) Robert, my friend, sent me one. I have it somewhere. But that -seems ages ago. I never acknowledged it, and he misunderstood my -silence. He went away, and my heart has been closed to love since. Boy, -let me see these valentines. Why, they are from my seven naughty -girls--Alicia, Ada, Georgie, and even Mollie! What exquisite designs! -These things grow more beautiful every year. And the sentiments are -lovely. - -_Cupid_. These valentines were selected on account of their sentiments. -The girls were talking about revenge. - -_Miss Steele_. They have indeed taken a most loving revenge. How kind of -them! I have misunderstood them. - - _Enter the seven girls._ - -_Laura_. And it was not on the table. I looked, but it was quite gone. - -_Mollie_. Like as not she has got it, and we're in for it. Oh, here she -is! Come on, girls. Face the music. Live or die! Survive or perish! - -_Georgiana_. I'm tho thcared! - -_Miss Steele_. My darling girls! Thank you for your sweet thoughts of -me. Your pretty love-missives-- - -_Gertrude_. Gracious, but she can be sarcastic! - -_Miss Steele_. --have won my heart. It is so long since I have had a -real valentine I am very much touched. Laura, Gerty, thanks. Georgie, -poor little dear, I was hard on you to-day. Alicia, Ada, Amanda, and you -mischievous Mollie, let us all be friends. - - [Cupid, _on one side, is aiming arrows at_ Miss Steele.] - -_Mollie_ (_aside_). Girls, I shall faint. Is it a cat playing with a -mouse? - -_Laura_. We hope, Miss Steele, you won't mind our little joke. We did -not mean to offend you. - -_Miss Steele_. How could I be offended? (_Reads one of the valentines._) -Isn't that beautiful? And these pictures show such good taste. They are -really gems of art. - -_Ada_. Are we dreaming? - - [Cupid, _from the rear, makes frantic gestures to the girls, with - finger on his mouth and shakes of his head._] - -_Alicia_. But, Miss Steele-- - -_Miss Steele_. Girls, will you take tea with me to-morrow in my little -parlor? I will give a valentine tea, with ices in heart-shapes, and -everything that girls like. Perhaps I will tell you a story out of my -life that may make you think kindly of a lonely old maid. Will you all -come? - -_All_. Yes, Miss Steele, thank you. - -_Cupid_. I can bring you some valentines for your tea, if you like. - -_Miss Steele_. Well, do. Select pretty ones, regardless of cost, and -bring them to me. [_Exit._] - -_Cupid_. You see, that's just in my line. - -_Mollie_. Somebody fan me! Salts, camphor, quick! Invited to tea by Miss -Steele! - -_Cupid_. Don't you think my plan worked famously. - -_Laura_. How did you do it? - -_Cupid_. Well, my aunt--she's the lady that was selling valentines--was -awfully worried because you girls were going to send a hideous old comic -to your teacher, and I suggested that we substitute _our_ kind--the love -valentines. So we just tore up yours, and I addressed one of my -prettiest from each of you to Miss Steele. Guess you aren't sorry? -Besides, I've filled her heart, now that it has softened, with my -arrows, and if you do the right thing by her she'll behave well the rest -of the year. You see. - -_Laura_. You blessed boy! I would like to hug and kiss you. - -_Cupid_. I'll shoot you if you do. - -_Amanda_. I'm so relieved. - -_Georgiana_. Tho am I. - -_Mollie_. That funny boy has been shooting at us too. My own heart feels -as if it had been hit, and I guess--don't you, girls?--that we'll never -send any more comic valentines. We'll stick to Cupid's own, the missives -of love. - -CURTAIN. - - - - -AN IRISHMAN'S PATIENCE. - - -In a neat little white painted house up in Maine, a baby's gold ring -hangs upon the wall tied with a bit of ribbon. The owner, an Irishman, a -humorous scion of his race, when interrogated about it, told the -following story: - -While fishing one day in an adjacent lake, he accidentally dropped the -ring out of his pocket, and slipping off the edge of the boat, it sank -down through the clear water. As he watched it disappearing, a large -fish darted through the water, and opening his month gulped it down. The -Irishman sadly lamented his loss of the ring as it belonged to his -little baby. He resolved to fish that lake until he found the rascally -thief, and day after day he hauled in the shiny, struggling members of -the finny tribe, and cut them open in search of his ring. Weeks went by, -and grew into months, until the cold weather arrived, but with a -fisherman's patience he continued in his task even to cutting holes in -the ice to fish through. One day after a severe and long protracted -struggle, he hauled in a fine fish, and some intuitive instinct told him -he had at last caught the thief, which, on cutting him open, proved to -be the case. - - - - -[Illustration: FROM CHUM TO CHUM] - -BY GASTON V. DRAKE. - -II.--FROM JACK TO BOB. - - - BOSTON, _June_ --, 18--. - - -[Illustration] - -[Illustration] - - Dear Bob,--Got your letter last night. Wish I was going to Hoboken - with you, but most of all I wish you were going to be at the - Mountain House. I got a letter from our old friend Sandboys the - bell-boy, last month, and judging from what he says in it there's - going to be lots of fun up there this summer with the bears. He - says there never was such a lot of bears anywhere before. I hardly - know whether to believe what he says or not, but there's one - parrygraph in his letter that is very interesting. This is it. I've - copied it off "verby tim," as Dad calls it. He says, "We don't know - whether we can get the hotel opened this season or not on account - of them bears. About two months ago the Colonel sent over for me - and asked me if I wouldn't go up to the Notch with him and help - unlock the doors and start things along and I said yes I would. You - know in a big hotel like that with three hundred and forty rooms - it's pretty hard work getting it ready for the summer season, and - you have to begin very early to put things to rights, so along - about April the Colonel generally sends for me and we go up there - to see how things are going. So as I say I said yes I would and I - got ready to go, but the day before the one we were to go on the - Colonel sent me a telegraph message saying that he couldn't get - away and asking would I mind going up alone. So I said no I - wouldn't and went. It was about the twenty-first of April when I - got there and the snow was pretty deep, but it was crusted hard - enough on top for me to walk on, so I slid around to where the - front door was, but couldn't get in there because the snow came up - to the second story. Then I slid around to the back door and found - the snow there had drifted up as high as the third story, but there - was an open window that I could climb in through and through I - clumb, exclaiming as I did so against the carelessness of the - people that had left it open. Little did I dream how unjust I was, - but later on I found out. I went through the room out into the - hall, and thence down stairs to the office floor, where what did I - see sitting in the Colonel's big arm-chair back of the counter but - a huge black bear, his fore-paws folded over his chest and his head - thrown back, blinking his eyes at the ceiling! I was transfigured - with terror, being unarmed and little expecting to see a bear in - that place. I turned quickly about and started to sneak back up - stairs the way I had come when what should I see playing in the - hall in front of your old room, the door of which was open, but two - roly-poly cubs, having the finest time imaginable. As soon as they - saw me they gave a squeak and rushed in head over heels into the - room and would you believe it slammed the door after them! Well, I - didn't know what to make of it, and my first, thought was to get - away as fast as I could, but remembering that in my room on the top - floor under the cupola I had left a book I had given me by one of - last year's guests, I went up to get it, and really and truly, - Jack, there stretched at full length on my bed was another bear. - This time I was thoroughly scared out of my wits, and the first - thing I knew I had given a cry of fear and of course that attracted - the bear's attention. As soon as he caught sight of me he sprang up - off the bed and chased me down the stairs along the hall to the - East side, then down the next stairs along the lower hall to the - West side, and so we went lickety-split up and down those halls - like lightning. He could gain on me in the halls having twice as - many legs as I have, but I could gain on him on the stairs, by - sliding down the banisters, which was a trick he hadn't learned. - Finally we got to the ground-floor, and I dashed along through the - office, past the first bear who was still blinking at the ceiling - in the Colonel's chair behind the counter. The bear that was - chasing me was now gaining constantly. By the time we had got to - the last flight of stairs he had learned, by watching me go down, - how to slide on the banisters himself, so I couldn't gain an inch - there, and he roared like a thunder-storm all the time, which was - very destroying to my nerves. I tell you I thought my last hour had - come, but I didn't sit down to cry about it. I just kept on and as - luck would have it managed to jump into the elevator and slam the - iron-barred door in his face just as he was about to grab me." - - [Illustration] - - [Illustration] - - "My! Didn't I sit down and pant and wasn't I glad that elevator - door was made of iron, for as I sat there the roaring and raving of - my particular enemy seemed to summon bears from everywhere. They - rushed in from all sides. Three came from the writing-room, one - from the Post-office, five from the parlors, and no end of 'em, big - bears, little bears, and middle-sized bears, came tumbling down the - stairs to see what the trouble was, and then I saw what had - happened. Every blooming bear in New Hampshire had deserted his den - to come and live in the hotel! I gave myself up for lost. I knew if - I tried to get out of that elevator they'd pounce on me, and if I - didn't get out I'd either freeze or starve to death, and it was - sickening to think of, but all of a sudden an idea came to me. The - elevator was one of these hydrahaulic lifts and it occurred to me - that there might be enough water left in the tank to make it go up - if I pulled the rope. It was worth trying anyhow, and I did it. As - I had hoped, it worked and to the astonishment of the Colonel's - unexpected guests, I and my room shot up to the third story, where, - all the bears being down stairs, I got out in safety, and rushed - down the hallway to the room with the open window. Then I closed - the door quickly behind me and locked it, as a precaution in case - of pursuit, and jumping out of the window I escaped. - - "It was a terrible experience and I've found one or two white hairs - in my head since. The Colonel was very angry about it, but of - course it was nobody's fault. The window was opened by the bears - themselves. It must have been, because the housekeeper says she - closed it herself, and as for locking it, she says she didn't think - it necessary to lock a third-story window to keep out bears. - - "Just what is to be done about getting 'em out nobody seems to know - yet, but it is probable that the Colonel will call out his regiment - and go up there and engage them in a long and bloody conflict as - the historians say. If he does, I'm going with him, but I'm to have - charge of the provisions and not do any of the fighting, because - the Colonel thinks I've had escapes enough for one year." - - How's that for a tale? I think it's great, but I don't want to go - to any such place as that alone. If you were going I wouldn't be - scared of a thousand bears, but all by myself I don't even care to - fight one of 'em. Can't you get your Dad to change his mind? - - Yours ever, JACK. - - - - -[Illustration: INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORT] - - -For several years past there has been considerable ill-feeling among the -schools of the Boston interscholastic organization against the Cambridge -High and Latin School. This feeling has arisen from the fact that the -High-School and Latin School of Cambridge are two separate and distinct -institutions, presided over by separate officials, and yet the scholars -of the two schools join forces in athletics, and appear upon the field -with teams made up from the strongest and best material to be found in -both bodies. In years past, when the participation in out-door sports -was not so general among the student body as it is now, there may have -been good reason for allowing these two schools of the same town to join -forces in athletics. But as matters progressed, and more and more of the -students became trained in the science of football and baseball, it -seemed manifestly unfair toward the smaller schools in the league to -allow the Cambridge team to draw upon so much larger a field for -material. - -The question of having the Interscholastic Football Association step in -and interfere with the combination has been agitated for some time, and -the opposition at last came to a head at the meeting of the executive -committee last week. On this occasion a specific charge was brought -against the football management of the Cambridge High and Latin football -team, and as a result the following resolution was formulated and -adopted: - -_Whereas_, Cambridge High and Latin played a man through the entire -season who was at no time a member of either school; - -_Resolved_, That Cambridge High and Latin be dropped from the -Association, and that no member or manager of the 1895 team be allowed -to play in league games, except at the request of the head-master of the -school he may attend; that the Cambridge High and Cambridge Latin -schools be admitted separately to the Junior Interscholastic League. - -After adopting these resolutions, however, the executive committee -decided that if the head-master of either school should so request, they -would reconsider their vote. But as matters now stand the Association no -longer recognizes the Cambridge High and Latin School as an athletic -organization, and if sportsmen of either school desire in the future to -enter any interscholastic football contests, they will have to apply for -membership in the Junior League as separate institutions. But even if -such application should be made, and were it accepted, as it probably -would be, neither school can play upon any team it organizes any man who -had any connection, either in a playing or a managing capacity, with the -football eleven of last fall, except, possibly, at the special request -of the head-master. - -At the present date of writing I have been unable to secure full and -exact confirmation of the charges made against the C. H. and L. team, -but I feel perfectly confident that the executive committee, doubtless -acting under the advice of the B.A.A. and of graduate members of the -schools, made a full and careful investigation, and had thorough proof -of the guilt of the player referred to. An extenuating circumstance -seems to have been that the Captain of the C. H. and L. team attended -the Latin School, and the alleged non-member claimed to attend the -High-School. The Captain doubtless argued that he took the man's word -for his connection with the High-School, and the committee no doubt -seized upon the argument as a very sound pretext to separate the -schools, probably ruling that although a Captain ought to know -positively whether or not his players are _bona fide_ students, it is -perhaps too much to require him to be familiar with the roster of more -than one institution. - -The punishment inflicted upon the players--if the charges have been -proved valid--strikes me as being the best possible solution of a very -unpleasant situation. It frequently happens that players who are not -strictly amateurs get on amateur teams. We hear of this continually. It -is always very hard to find out whether the Captain of the team or any -of the other players were aware at the beginning, or at any time, of -this player's actual standing. It is impossible to prove whether or not -such knowledge existed. But if you make the penalty for such -infringement of the law so severe that every Captain and every player -will make it his business--for his own sake--to know all about every -other man on his team, you will be purifying sport at a rapid rate. - -It is useless, unwise, and unnecessary to expel an entire school from an -athletic organization because there was a non-amateur on that school's -football team. That does not help the cause of sport. On the contrary, -it injures it. But if you place the responsibility upon the players -themselves, upon the men who are looking forward hopefully to a -successful career among other amateurs, then every one of these fellows -will be looking out for his own skin, and the moment he hears there is -something crooked about his companion he will investigate for himself, -and if he finds there are good grounds for suspicion he will soon see -that the evil is remedied. - -This may sound as though I were advocating a system where selfishness -rather than a just sense of honor must be the controlling motive; but -that is not the idea I intend to convey. No one recognizes more fully -than I do how greatly young men dislike to put themselves to any -trouble, especially in matters of this kind. I fear the average strictly -honest sportsman on a school team would do nothing to rid his eleven or -nine of a player whom he was fairly sure had no right to be there, -simply because it would necessitate his putting himself to some trouble, -and possibly subject himself to some unpleasantness. - -It is for this reason that I so strongly approve of any honest incentive -that can be given to youthful energy, even if it has to work through -selfishness and "the first law of nature." Therefore I repeat that the -plan adopted by the executive committee is most excellent. It is like -cutting out a cancer. By removing all the players who were in company -with the guilty man they get rid of the possible good with the surely -bad, but they make room for new material that will certainly profit by -the lesson given to its predecessors. It seems to me that if this year -there is found on any New York interscholastic baseball team any player -who has no right to play, as was the case last year, the wiser method -will be to blacklist the whole team rather than to expel the school from -the association. Then, the following year, the school body will see to -it that there are no dishonest fellows wearing the school colors on the -field of honest sport. - -The proposed in-door track-athletic meeting, to be held next month at -the Madison Square Garden under the auspices of the New Manhattan -Athletic Club, will be the first real interscholastic in-door meeting -that has ever been held in this city, and will consequently establish -in-door interscholastic records for the New York I.S.A.A. At present -the in-door scholastic records for this city are as follows: - -_Sixty-yard Dash_--6 3-5 seconds, P. W. Simpson, Barnard, 1893; Junior, -7 2-5 seconds, D. M. Armstead, Berkeley, 1895, and G. Mayne, Barnard, -1895. - -_Seventy-yard Dash_--7 4-5 seconds, T. H. Hall, Jun., Yale, 1895; H. -Moeller, Columbia Grammar, 1894; H. L. Patterson, Wilson and Kellogg, -1892; boys under fifteen years, 8 4-5 seconds, P. W. Simpson, Barnard, -1894; R. Thompson, Columbia Grammar, 1894; boys under thirteen years, 9 -seconds, G. G. Soper, Berkeley, 1894. - -_Seventy-five-yard Dash_--Boys under fifteen years, 8 3-5 seconds, T. H. -Hall, Jun., Yale, 1892. - -_One-hundred-yard Dash_--10 3-5 seconds, T. H. Hall, Jun., Yale, 1895; -Junior, 11 1-5 seconds, W. Wilson, Barnard, 1895. - -_Two-hundred-and-twenty-yard Dash_--25 4-5 seconds, R. W. Moore, -Barnard, 1895, and P. W. Simpson, Barnard, 1894; Junior, 28 seconds, W. -Wilson, Barnard, 1895. - -_Four-hundred-and-forty-yard Run_--54 1-5 seconds, C. Martin, Berkeley, -1894. - -_Eight-hundred-and-eighty-yard Run_--2 minutes 14 2-5 seconds; C. -Martin, Berkeley, 1894. - -_One-mile Run_--4 minutes 55 4-5 seconds, L. Tappin, Cutler, 1895. - -_One-mile Walk_--7 minutes 37 4-5 seconds, G. L. Berget, Berkeley, 1892. - -_One-mile Bicycle Race_--2 minutes 46 seconds, W. H. Blake, Harvard, -1894. - -_Sixty-yard Hurdle Race_--7 3-5 seconds, S. A. Lyme, Barnard, 1894, and -Von Bour, Barnard, 1895. - -_Seventy-yard Hurdle Race_--9 seconds, H. F. Willney, Harvard, 1894, and -W. B. Rogers, Barnard, 1894. - -_Seventy-five-yard Hurdle Race_--9 1-5 seconds, E. W. Brooks, Harvard, -1892; Junior, 10 2-5 seconds, J. D. Pell, Cutler, 1892. - -_One-hundred-yard Hurdle Race_--13 seconds, S. A. Lyme, Barnard, 1895. - -_Two-hundred-and-twenty-yard Hurdle Race_--31 4-5 seconds, E. M. Brooks, -Harvard, 1892. - -_High Jump_--5 feet 8 1-2 inches, S. A. W. Baltazzi, Harvard, 1895. - -_Putting the Twelve-pound Shot_--37 feet 5 inches, E. Bigelow, Wilson -and Kellogg, 1895. - -_Pole Vault_--9 feet 4 inches, E. F. Simpson, Barnard, 1895. - -These are the records, therefore, some of which we may look to see -broken at the big meeting in March. The rules that are to govern -eligibility of contestants are, as I announced last week, to be those of -the New York I.S.A.A. They are as follows: - -"_Art. XI. Sec. 1_. No one shall represent any school as a competitor in -any athletic contest who has not been a member of that school from the -1st of January of the school year in which the contest is held; or who -has actually been paid wages for services during the school year; or who -has been enrolled as a member of any college; or who has attained the -age of twenty years; or who is not in good standing with the Amateur -Athletic Union of the United States. _Sec. 2_. Having been a member of -the Sub-Freshman Class of the College of the City of New York does not -debar a scholar from competing. - -The game of basket-ball is a comparative innovation this winter, but in -many sections of the country it has sprung into great popularity. In New -England, especially, is this the case. The reason for the game's success -is that it offers to those who wish to keep in training during the -winter months an ideal recreation, affording a greater variety of -exercise than any other kind of gymnasium work. It furnishes an -opportunity for all-round physical development such as cannot result -from even a systematic use of dumbbells, Indian clubs, and -pulley-weights. - -Another reason why basket-ball has become popular is that it may be -played upon any kind of a ground, in-doors or out-doors, in a gymnasium, -a hall, a back yard, or a ten-acre lot, on a dancing-floor or a stubble -field. I have seen the game played in a room 12x20 feet, and I have -known it to be played on a football field. Furthermore, it is allowable -for any number of men to join in a game, although the regulation number -of players for a team is five on a side. Where a match is not being -contested the number on a side may be increased to the capacity of the -field, and two balls may be used. This adds to the fun, perhaps, but, of -course, the true science of the game is then lost. - -Let us consider basket-ball merely as an in-door game for the present. -It is probable that wherever the game may be taken up it will be played -in a gymnasium. The floor should be well cleared of all apparatus, and -if there is a running track around the building the baskets may be hung -upon it, or, if there is no track, they may be suspended from the wall, -ten feet above the ground. The "baskets" now most generally used consist -of hammock nets of cord, eighteen inches deep, suspended in metal rings -eighteen inches wide. Any kind of basket of that approximate size, -however, will answer just as well. The ball is round, and made of an -inflated rubber bladder covered with leather, and it should be between -thirty and thirty-two inches in circumference. It may be just as well to -insert at this point that the object of the game is for the men of one -team to put the ball into their opponents' goal. This may be done by -tossing or throwing or batting the ball from any part of the field with -one or both hands. Boundary-lines must be drawn around the room several -feet from the walls, and when the ball goes outside of these lines it is -out of bounds. - -The game is started by the referee, who throws the ball into the middle -of the field. It is then in play--as in polo. The energies of the -players are exerted toward getting the ball into their opponents' goal -or basket, but no player may kick the ball or run with it. He must throw -it from the spot on which he catches it, although allowance is made for -momentum in a running catch. Shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping, or -striking is, of course, not allowed, the penalty for such conduct being -a foul called, with disqualification for the second offence. A player -has the right to take the ball at any time while it is in the field of -play, but he may only touch the ball, and not the opponent. - -The ball goes out of bounds when it crosses the line drawn about the -field of play. When this happens it is returned by the side first -holding it. The man who "throws" it in may do this by bounding the ball -in, or by throwing it to some one on the field, or by rolling it in. He -is allowed five seconds in which to do this, and if he holds the ball -longer, it goes to the opposing side. If the referee is in doubt as to -which side first held the ball, he throws it in himself. - -A goal is counted when the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into -the basket directly, or by a rebound from the sides, and stays there. If -it bounces out there is no goal; but if while the ball is on the edge of -the basket the basket is moved by an opponent, a goal shall be scored. -The time of play is forty minutes, divided into two halves of twenty -minutes each, and the side scoring the greatest number of goals in this -time wins. - -The officials of the game are a referee, two umpires, a scorer, and a -time-keeper. The referee is judge of the ball, and decides when it is in -play, to whom it belongs, and when a goal has been made. He also -appoints the time-keeper. The umpires are the judges of the men, call -fouls, notify offenders, and have the right to disqualify players. A -foul called by one umpire may not be questioned by the other. A great -deal of responsibility thus rests upon the umpires, for it is in their -power to keep roughness out of the game, and to see that science rather -than brute force becomes the chief road to success. - -It is evident that basket-ball is a game capable of great scientific -development. It is by no means child's play. It is a sport in which -team-work counts fully as much as in football, and where individual -brilliancy must become secondary to concerted effort. This very season, -in several important games, the value of team-play has been made -evident, and its superiority has been conclusively shown. Basket-ball is -certainly a game to be favored. It is the ideal competitive sport for -gymnasium recreation; and for dwellers in cities, who must nowadays get -most of their exercise in a gymnasium, it ought to be welcomed with -enthusiasm. - -At Andover there seems to be some hesitancy about joining the -interscholastic league newly organized by Lawrenceville and the Hill -School. Andover's objection seems to be valid, being based on the fact -that she already belongs to the New England I. S. A. A., and is in a -dual league with Worcester. This brings Andover also into the National -Association, and a large faction in the school considers that those -applications will furnish all the opportunities for contests that the -team will be able to accept. - - THE GRADUATE. - - - - -[Illustration: STAMPS] - - This Department is conducted in the interest of stamp and coin - collectors, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question - on these subjects so far as possible. Correspondents should address - Editor Stamp Department. - - - H. WANGELIN.--See ROUND TABLE, December 17, 1895. The cent you - describe is worth 5c. - - M. H. HORN.--It is a Hungarian stamp, worth 1c. - - BRITISH.--The coin is Portuguese, not Spanish. The English coins - are not collected in this country. - - W. J. KERRIS.--Your stamp is a counterfeit. No rule in - stamp-collecting is more rigid than that not to buy rare stamps of - any one except of responsible dealers, unless you are an expert, - and are acquainted with both the counterfeits and the genuine - stamps. - - M. H. STILES.--The 2-cent U. S. stamps are printed in sheets of 400 - stamps, four "panes" of 100 each. On the outside margins, between - the panes, are "guide lines," showing where to cut the sheet apart. - - H. HASPERS.--1. Any one can buy or sell stamps without a license. - 2. Most collectors now keep all the shades of the current U. S. - stamps. 3. English stamps are usually printed in sheets of 240 - stamps. Some collectors make up entire sheets, but that is unusual. - 4. Pomeroy, Boyd, etc., are U. S. local express stamps, all used - before 1882. 5. Wuher, Corea, etc., are not worth collecting. 6. - Escuelas are school-tax stamps. - - H. MOORHEAD.--It is a token, not a coin, and has no particular - value. - - G. E. J.--The cents can be bought at a dealer's for 5 or 10 cents - each. The $3 gold piece has no premium, as it is one of the common - dates. - - HALL KING.--All collectors avoid cut postal-cards, and most - collectors refuse the Seebacks, unnecessary issues condemned by the - S.S.S.S., and many will not collect surcharges, but this last is a - matter of choice only. - - A. G. S.--The 5c. piece without the word "cents" is quoted by - dealers at 10c. The 1834 cent, small letters, is worth 50c., the - other two varieties of 1834 are 10c. each. All the other dates - mentioned can be bought at about 5c. each. - - F. BUTTMAN.--Dealers ask 50c. each for the Columbian quarter. - - E. STRAMBERG and L. MCHUGH.--No premium. - - J. O'NEAL.--U. S. $3 gold pieces no premium. 1809 half-cent is - worth 10c. - - MRS. PARK CHILD.--See ROUND TABLE, December 17, 1895, for value of - coins. - - N. MARTIN.--Address the Dorchester, Massachusetts, Stamp Exchange - direct. I do not know any more definite address. - - AMY ROGERS.--The 5c. Playing Cards, U.S. Revenue, are sold by - dealers at 50c. each. - - J. SUGDEN.--The 3c. U.S., 1869, is worth 2c. The 7c. U.S. with - Stanton's portrait is worth 30c. - - H. MARSH.--The 5c. nickel without "Cents" is very common. - - MARY H. HARTMAN.--We do not buy or sell either coins or stamps. The - coins and stamps quoted in the _Handy Book_ are the prices asked by - dealers. Age has nothing to do with value. For instance, the 1804 - dollar would be cheap if bought by a collector for $500, whereas a - 1798 dollar would be dear at $3. Old foreign coins, as a rule, are - worth their weight in metal only. - - L. G. VARNEY.--The English coin is worth face only. For value of - cents and half-cents, U.S., see ROUND TABLE, December 17, 1895. - - A. L. POISSON.--The three-cornered Cape of Good Hope shilling is - worth $2.50 if with good margins, etc. - - F. R. SABINE.--The stamp is the U.S. 3c., 1851 issue, worth 2c. The - original color was red, but it has oxydized. - - CORRESPONDENT, BARRIE.--The stamps are not very valuable. They - would answer very well for exchange purposes with any of your - friends who are collecting. - - ADELE B. CRAMER.--It is impossible to identify the stamps from your - description. I should advise you to purchase a stamp catalogue from - a dealer. - - C. H. TREAT.--For list of U. S. coins see ROUND TABLE, December 17, - 1895, and January 14, 1896. - - H. W. KNIGHT.--See answer to C. H. Treat. - - H. BERNEDELO.--No! Dealers sell it at 5c. - - J. RADBURN.--The guinea is worth $5. It is not rare. - - F. FRENCH.--The revenues are worth 1 cent each. The 3-cent postage - due, buff, is worth 5 cents. - - C. ARMSTRONG, Pre-emption, Illinois, desires to exchange stamps. - - M. S. MAYER.--Honduras, Nicaragua, Salvador, Costa Rica, etc., use - Seebeck stamps. - - CONNER, FLORIDA.--No name signed to letter. I would advise you to - buy a stamp catalogue. - - P. F. LISK.--List of U. S. coins from 1 cent to 20 cents will be - found in the ROUND TABLE dated December 17, 1895. The dollar gold - pieces are sold by dealers at $1.50 each. - - A. HALL.--Fashion plays a great part in the value of stamps. Just - at present the fashion is for old West Indian and British North - American colonials. Consequently the rarities are advancing in - price very rapidly. - - PHILATUS. - - * * * * * - -THE SECOND SUMMER, - -many mothers believe, is the most precarious in a child's life; -generally it may be true, but you will find that mothers and physicians -familiar with the value of the Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk do -not so regard it.--[_Adv._] - - - - -ADVERTISEMENTS. - - - - -There's no doubt about the advisability of riding a wheel--the only -question now is what wheel to ride. - -Monarch -King of Bicycles, - -represents cycle manufacture in its highest development. A wheel with -which no fault can be found. - -4 models. $80 and $100, fully guaranteed. 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 St., -NEW YORK. - - - - -[Illustration: Royal Baking Powder] - - - - -Arnold -Constable & Co - - * * * * * - -Children's Wear. -_Children's Wash Dresses,_ -_Dimity Dresses,_ -_Piqué Dresses_, - -Ladies' French Underwear. -_Ladies' Silk Skirts,_ -_Ladies' Shirt Waists._ - - * * * * * - -Broadway & 19th st. -NEW YORK. - - - - -Reader: Have you seen the - -* Franklin * - -* Square * - -Collection? - -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._ - -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._ - -Sold Everywhere. Price, 50 cents; Cloth, $1.00. Full contents, with -Specimen Pages mailed, without cost, on application to - -Harper & Brothers, New York. - - - - -[Illustration: Thompson's Eye Water] - - - - -[Illustration: BICYCLING] - - The Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. - Our maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from - the official maps and road-books of the League of American - Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the - L. A. W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with - membership blanks and Information so far as possible. - - -[Illustration: Copyright, 1896, by Harper & Brothers.] - -The city of Washington is perhaps the finest city in the United States -for bicycling, and it deserves to be given a place in this Department -simply on account of its asphalt streets, to say nothing of its -importance as the capital. In the better parts of the city, towards the -west and the north, almost every street is asphalted, and where asphalt -is not used, macadam or some smooth block pavement of one kind or -another is. But through the whole city most of the streets are rideable, -and it would therefore be absurd to give here any directions for getting -about from one part of Washington to another. Certain things there are, -however, which should be said regarding Washington. There is a good deal -of riding of late in the parks and grounds about the Smithsonian, and it -should be remembered that these park roads are kept in the best -condition, as are all the avenues that run up to the Capitol. These are -so wide that one need not fear crowding from carriages, as is the case -in most cities, Baltimore especially. New York is, of course, almost -impassable, except above Fourteenth Street, but the magnificent avenues -of Washington are a joy to the wheelman. The District of Columbia is, -indeed, filled with many good roads, and there are consequently several -trips well worth taking in the vicinity of the city. It will be -impossible for us to go into these trips, giving maps, since we must -begin in the Chicago wheelman's vicinity, as was promised some time ago. - -An opportunity is now given to explain a little more fully why the -longest bicycle route from Philadelphia to Washington was given in these -columns. It has already been said that the reason was because the road -was better and less hilly. It is naturally taken for granted that any -one riding a bicycle from Philadelphia to Washington is in no great -hurry. If he were, he would possibly think of the railway. Consequently, -unless the time occupied on the journey is a wager (in which case the -wager might just as well be laid over the long route), the wheelman is -probably out for pleasure. And one of the greatest pleasure creators, so -to speak, in the bicyclist's world is a good road. Hence, if you are -going by bicycle from Philadelphia to Washington, you will do well to go -the route given during the last six weeks. The trouble comes between -Philadelphia and Baltimore. Of course there are other routes, and they -are shorter. For example, one route runs from Philadelphia, through -Darby, Moore's, Chester Station, Linwood, Practical Farmer, Wilmington -Court-House (Delaware), Middleton, Warwick, Cecilton, Frederictown, -Galena, Locust Grove, Hainesville, Fairlee, Tolchester Beach (Maryland), -and thence to Baltimore by boat. This is a 92-mile trip as compared with -our 160-mile trip, or at least 68 miles shorter; but from Chester -Station on the road is apt to be bad. Another route is from -Philadelphia, through Moore's Station, Chester, Linwood, Practical -Farmer, Wilmington (Delaware), Hare's Corner, Glasgow, Elkton -(Maryland), Northeast, Perryville, and on direct to Baltimore, crossing -at Havre de Grace. Much of this road is sandy, and between Elkton and -Perryville it is usually easier to walk the whole 15 miles. The distance -is, all told, 105 miles, though any one who had done it once would -choose the 160 miles by the other route the next time. - -On the above map the black streets are asphalt or macadam. - - 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. 827; 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. - - * * * * * - -Getting Ready for a "Backward Dance." - - In the "Questions and Answers" column a Lady asks how to get ready - for a "backward dance." Comb your hair over your face, but do not - put it in a knot. Put a false face on the back of your head and try - to get as queer clothes as you can. Wear very large shoes, so that - when you walk they will clatter. In the dance you walk frontward, - but you look as if you were walking backward. You should wear also - a very large hat with lots of feathers and ribbons bobbing about on - it. - - AMY DU PUY. - ALLEGHENY, PA. - - - - -[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. - -PREPARATION OF TINTED SENSITIVE PAPERS. - -NO. 1.--HOW TO MAKE RED PRINTS. - - -Learning how to prepare sensitive papers is one of the most interesting -of photographic processes, and an art that is quite easily mastered. -While for general work the brown or black tones are more desirable, -still for decorative work the tinted papers are very effective, and in -these papers some simple directions on the preparation of tinted papers -will be given. - -A few general hints, which will not be repeated in the other papers, are -as follows: - -1. See that all dishes and utensils used in the preparing of solutions -are perfectly clean. The traces of chemicals used in some other process -left in the dishes will sometimes spoil the entire solution. - -2. Follow the directions exactly. In the preparation of sensitizing -solutions one must be careful to put in the amount given, and no more. - -3. In handling chemicals care must be taken not to get any on the hands -if one has a wound or sore. Some chemicals are very poisonous, and some -are quite harmless, but by using rubber finger-tips one will not only -avoid all danger of blood-poisoning, but will keep the fingers free from -stains. - -With the salts of uranium one may obtain several colors by treating the -prints with different solutions in developing. To make red prints, take -suitable photographic paper--which may be found at any dealer in -photographic goods all ready for sensitizing--and sensitize it as -follows: - -Make a solution of 96 grs. of nitrate of uranium and 4 oz. of distilled -water. Put in a flat tray, and float the paper on this solution for -twenty seconds; drain, and dry it in a dark room. If the paper is dried -by artificial heat it is much more sensitive to the light. As soon as -the paper is thoroughly dry, cut it in sheets a suitable size for -printing, and wrap first in post-office paper, and then in black -needle-paper, and lay away in a drawer or covered box till wanted. - -To print, place in the printing-frame and expose to the light. If the -negative is thin, three minutes in bright sunlight will be sufficient, -or one hour in the shade or on a dull day. If a strong negative is used, -expose for ten minutes to bright sunlight, or two hours in the shade. -Negatives vary in the time required to print from them, and the printing -may be judged by the time which it takes to print with other papers, and -gauged accordingly. - -Have ready a solution of red prussiate of potash, made with 80 grs. of -red prussiate of potash and 8 oz. of distilled water. As soon as the -print is removed from the printing-frame wash it for twenty-five or -thirty seconds in hot water (120° Fahr.), then place it face up in a -toning-tray and flood it with the potash solution. Keep the tray in -motion so that all parts of the paper may be affected equally. In a few -moments the picture will begin to appear, and will develop into a -beautiful blood-red color. As soon as the right tone has been reached -and the detail is well out, remove from the solution, and wash in -several changes of water till no trace of coloring matter shows in the -water. Pin the print by the corners to a flat board, and set the board -in an upright position till the prints are dry. These pictures may be -applied to glass by optical contact, as described in No. 788. - -One of these colored prints makes an attractive decoration for the cover -of a collection of photographs. Make the cover of heavy water-color or -picture-mat paper; cut a square in the upper right-hand corner, and -place the picture back of the opening. Letter the cover in red, and tie -with red ribbon or heavy red silk cord. - - - - -ADVERTISEMENTS. - - - - -Unanimous -Choice - -The New York Morning Journal recently offered ten leading makes of -bicycles as prizes in a guessing contest, giving the winners free choice -of any one of the ten machines. The result was ALL of the ten winners -selected - -Columbia -Bicycles - -[Illustration] - -The Journal accordingly bought ten Columbias, paying $100 each for them, -without discount or rebate. On even terms few will choose a bicycle -other than the Columbia - -STANDARD OF THE WORLD -Unequalled, Unapproached. - -Beautiful Art Catalogue of Columbia and Hartford Bicycles is free if you -call upon any Columbia agent; by mail from us for two 2-cent stamps. - -POPE MANUFACTURING CO. - -Factories and General Offices, Hartford, Conn. - -Branch Stores and Agencies in almost every city and town. If Columbias -are not properly represented in your vicinity let us know. - - - - -[Illustration: HARTFORD Single Tube Tires] - -Two years ago 80 per cent. of bicycle tires were double tube. But we -were making Single-Tubes. Experts soon found out how good they were. -To-day 80 per cent. of bicycle tires are Single-Tubes. Best of -all--easiest of all to repair--are Hartford Single-Tube Tires. - -The Standard Tires - -You can have them on any bicycle if you ask. - - * * * * * - -The Hartford Rubber Works Co. - -HARTFORD, CONN. - -Branches--100 Chambers Street, New York. -335 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. -18-24 Main Street, San Francisco. - - - - -Postage Stamps, &c. - - - - -JAPANESE POSTAGE STAMPS. - -Every one who sends me 100 good stamps of his land will receive 100 -stamps, in 20 varieties, from Japan. - -K. TODA, -BINGO MITSUNOSHO--JAPAN. - - - - -FREE! - -Send 10c. to pay the postage, and I will send you a 225-page catalogue -with illustrations of every stamp, FREE. 100 varieties foreign stamps, -5c.; 200 varieties foreign stamps, 25c.; 12 varieties Japan, Spain, and -Portugal, 2c.; 400 varieties foreign stamps, $1.25; 500 varieties, -$1.75; 750 varieties, $4.50; 1000 varieties, $6.50. Approval sheets for -good references. - -RICHARD R. BROWN--KEYPORT, N. J. - - - - -[Illustration] - -STAMPS! =800= fine mixed Victoria, Cape of G. H., India, Japan, etc., with -fine Stamp Album, only =10c.= New 80-p. Price-list =free=. _Agents wanted_ -at =50%= commission. STANDARD STAMP CO., 4 Nicholson Place, St. Louis, Mo. -Old U. S. and Confederate Stamps bought. - - - - -$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 - - - - -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. - - - - -10 Stamps - -free to every applicant for our app'l sheets at 50% disct. Franklin -Stamp Co., 74 Fayette St., Allegheny, Pa. - - - - -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. - - - - -10 different unused Venezuela, post free, 12c. Fine stamps on approval -at 50% com. =H. Stonebraker & Co.=, 1921 Eutaw Place, Baltimore, Md. - - - - -CONFEDERATE STAMPS (fac-simile), 100 all dif., 12c. S. ALLAN TAYLOR, 24 -Congress St., Boston. - - - - -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 ON APPROVAL. Ag'ts w't'd. Big com. T. J. MANNING, Norwich, N. Y. - - - - -[Illustration: Thompson's Eye Water] - - - - -Prize Poems by Order Members. - - -The Table offered three prizes of $5, $4, and $3 respectively for the -best original poems written by persons who had not passed their -eighteenth birthday. They were limited to five stanzas in length. Here -is the first-prize one, written by Clara Louise Angel, aged fifteen, of -New York City. - -OCTOBER. - - Ho for October! he's coming! he's coming! - Swallows fly southward, the bees cease their humming. - Leaves red and yellow, air soft and mellow, - Herald this very old, merry old fellow. - - Say you he's sober? Nay, not October, - Gay as Aurora, first glimpse of the morn; - Ho for the apple bees! Ho for the evening glees! - Ho for the husking of ripe yellow corn! - - Down by the river's flow softly the zephyrs blow, - Brightly above smiles the radiant sky; - Dreamy the morning haze, beauty meets every gaze. - Sweet songs of joy on the breezes float by. - - Up on the mountain's crest light fleecy cloudlets rest. - Gorgeous the forests with crimson and gold, - Squirrels hop all about sorting ripe chestnuts out, - Hide them in coverts they never have told. - - Dear old October, how gladly we greet him, - Bringing the autumn days full of good cheer, - Stories at eventide all round the fireside; - Ho for the merriest month of the year! - - CLARA LOUISE ANGEL, R.T.L. - -Oddly, the winner of the second prize lives also in New York city. His -name is Simon T. Stern, aged sixteen. - -THE LITTLE BLIND GIRL. - - There's a winsome little maid, - For her age quite prim and staid-- - Yet _so_ kind; - But this bonnie lassie bright - Has ne'er seen the golden light-- - For she's blind. - - Hers in a pleasant oval face, - Full of sweetness, full of grace, - And no care; - Two blue eyes look up at me, - It is not that they can see-- - Only stare. - - "What if I have no sight, - And see not a ray of light," - So says she; - "God has given me a mind, - In a thousand ways been kind - To poor me. - - "With the dearest happy home, - Through which I delight to roam, - Am I blest; - Have I not a father bold, - And a mother I can fold - To my breast?" - - So this bonnie lassie brave - Does not sigh at what He gave, - Nor lament; - If to murmur you're inclined. - Take this lesson from the blind: - Be content. - - SIMON THEODORE STERN, R.T.K. - -The third prize goes to Detroit, Michigan, the winner being Carrie R. -Schrop, aged twelve. - -TWO SHOULDERS AT THE WHEEL. - - Should you meet a troubled brother, - Then a kindred spirit feel. - Heavy burdens might be lifted - With two shoulders at the wheel. - Let him know you take an interest; - 'Twill not take him long to see - Whether you're a true well-wisher, - Or a shamming Pharisee. - And the time may not be distant - When you'll lack both strength and zeal,-- - When perhaps you will be grateful - For one extra at the wheel. - - Do not turn your back upon him, - Do not coolly walk away, - Just because you think you're made of - Some superior kind of clay. - When you come to think about it.-- - And sometimes we mortals must,-- - There is nothing very striking - In the finest kind of dust. - More than that! We cannot claim it; - 'Tis but lent to us on trust! - And pray what is there to boast of - In ashes, clay, _or_ dust? - - CARRIE R. SCHROP, R.T.L. - -Poems deserving special commendation are: "The Harvest-Time," by Ethel -Marjorie Knapp, of Virginia, aged twelve; "The Valkyries," by Virginia -Berkley Bowie, of Maryland, aged fifteen; "Skating," by Leslie D. -Reeves, of Pennsylvania, aged seventeen; "An Appeal to Apollo," by -Sanford M. Salyer, New York; "Ike," by Lottie Hay Meredith, of Illinois; -and "Pleading," by Ida Lee Sharp, of Maryland. - - * * * * * - -Prize for New Puzzle Idea. - -The Table is constantly in search of new ideas in puzzles. To stimulate -this search it offered $5 for one new idea. - -We received a great number of suggestions, of course. Many of them came -from persons who had not read the Table, for the ideas were old, not -new. The very best idea to reach us came from Sir Knight John R. -Moreland, who is a Virginian. It was in a puzzle, and here it is: - -A man was asked which is the most unlucky day of the year, and replied: -If you multiply the date when fans were first used in England (1) by the -number of letters in the name of a celebrated painter who died in 1483 -(2), and add to the product the date when Jerusalem was destroyed by -Titus (3), subtract from this sum the date when Moscow was founded (4), -multiply this by the numeral part of a bird's name (5), divide this by -the number of American Presidents that have been assassinated (6), from -this subtract the date when Canute invaded England (7), and the date -when barometers were invented (8), add the number of letters in the name -of the man who invented spectacles (9), divide this by the number of men -who captured André (10), add the number of words in the two shortest -verses in the Bible (11), add the number of letters in the name of the -first inventor of the thermometer (12), subtract the number of letters -in Charles VII.'s nickname (13), subtract the number of ships in the -Spanish Armada (14), add the number of signatures to the Declaration of -Independence (15), subtract the number of letters in Louis Philippe's -nickname (16), add the number of letters in the name of the president of -the first Continental Congress (17), subtract the number of letters in -the right name of "The Swamp Fox" (18), divide the number of letters in -the last name of the Puritan who, when his right hand was cut off by the -order of Queen Elizabeth waved his hat in his left hand and said, "Long -live Queen Elizabeth" (19), subtract the number of letters in the name -of the Massachusetts girl who fought in the Revolutionary war (20), add -the number of letters in the right name of "Max O'Rell" (21), subtract -the number of letters in the name of a river in Utah, who from the sound -of his name you would think he would be in a warmer region (22), -subtract the number of letters in the right name of "The Melancholy -Dane" (23), subtract the date of Cleopatra's death (24), and last, -subtract the number of letters in William IV.'s nickname (25), you find -the day and date you ask for. - -The Table awards the $5 prize to Sir John. Who can find the correct day -(of the week) and date (of the month)? The second-best suggestion--we -offered no second prize--came from Miss M. B. Banks, a Patron, who lives -in New Jersey. It is a puzzle story, but not wholly new in idea. The -answer to this prize puzzle will be given in two weeks. - - * * * * * - -The League of Junior Patrons and Patronesses of the Messiah Home. - - _Dear Editor of_ HARPER'S ROUND TABLE: - - Do you think the ROUND TABLE readers would like to know how I, a - little boy only seven years and nine months old, became an editor, - like you, of a children's magazine? Mrs. Champney told me that - seven years ago some very little girls made some pin-balls and - paper dolls and had a fair. Many grown-up people came to it, - because they thought it strange that little girls should have such - a fair. With this money the children decided that they would form a - home for poor little children, and their mothers should be - managers. The mothers didn't like this plan at first, but - afterwards they gave in, and the Messiah Home was founded, and has - been helped by children ever since. - - Last spring the League of Junior Patrons and Patronesses was - formed. We voted that we would publish a paper, all by ourselves, - to help the home. We elected a staff of editors, and I am one. So is - Karl Dodge and Gilbert White and some other boys and girls. We want - all the boys and girls who take HARPER'S ROUND TABLE to join our - league, and to write articles and draw pictures for our paper. We - offer thirteen prizes. The editor of HARPER'S ROUND TABLE is going - to be one of the judges. If any one will write to Mrs. J. W. - Champney, 96 Fifth Avenue, New York, she will send a little - pamphlet which will tell all about it. Any one can send their - contributions to her or to me. - - GILBERT E. JONES, - Editor Junior League. - 222 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK CITY, N. Y. - - * * * * * - -A Picture in a Word. - -WHAT IS IT? - -War, carnage, and sacrilege; priests and friars preaching in city -streets or by country road-sides to thronging crowds; thousands of -travellers of all ages starting on a long and toilsome journey, many of -them dying from its hardships ere they reach their destination; costly -ships, loaded with soldiers and passengers; kings leaving their thrones -and peasants their hovels, all impelled by the same motive; great armies -going into battle bearing the cross on their shoulders; money and blood -poured out like water for years to win from infidel hands a place dearer -than life. - -Answer.--Saunter, from Santa Terrĉ, the Holy Land. - - - - -[Illustration: THE PUDDING STICK] - - This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young - Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the - subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor. - - -I wish I could gather my whole company of girl friends about me to-day, -and see their faces, and bear their replies by look and word as I talk -with them. These are talks with my own girls, and I follow the paper -with very loving and wistful thoughts as it goes on its way to them, -wondering and hoping a great deal about them, hoping that they are -making the best possible use of life. There is something splendid in -being young and a girl, with the bright years before her, each fairer -and fuller than its predecessor. If I could give the girls my eyes to -look through, what visions they would see! If they could dream as I do -for them, what pleasures they would have when the dreams came true! - -I have been thinking lately about our habits of speech. What do we talk -of when we are with our friends? What is our rule so far as speaking of -others is concerned? Are we of the number who refuse to set unkind -gossip going, and of whom it may be said, in the beautiful words of the -Bible, "On her tongue is the law of kindness?" - -To decide never to allude to our neighbors and their affairs in our -every-day talk would be silly as well as impossible. Neighbors and -friends are part of the outside family which composes the community, and -a community is made up of all the families who reside within its -boundaries. We are interested, or we ought to be, in whatever happens to -our friends and townspeople, both of good and of evil fortune. If Mrs. -Brown's house burns down, we are most happy to invite Mrs. Brown and -Sally Brown and the little Browns to come and stay with us until their -arrangements can be made for living in another home. If Louis Larcome -takes the Latin prize at college, or Alfred Cocks is selected as captain -of the Freshmen crew, or Margaret Lane's essay receives honorable -mention, or Nelly Parsons writes a book, we are, of course, sharers in -the pleasure of the Larcoms, the Cockses, the Lanes, and the Parsons. -And on the other hand, if there is illness at the Jenkinses, or Polly -Marten falls from her wheel and hurts her knee, or the dear baby dies at -the Whitfords, we are saddened with these who are sorrowful. It is quite -right to take, and it would be most selfish and shocking not to take, a -real interest in our friends and their concerns. - -The wrong and the mean thing is to tell little trivialities which are -personal affairs, as if they had to do with society. To observe that -Martha Newcome is so stingy that she wears her old cloak when the whole -town knows she could afford another, but won't do it; that Elias Judson -makes his boys get up in the morning and work in the field without their -breakfast; that the people over the way spend their whole time going -about, and goodness knows they cannot find time to mend their children's -stockings, etc. These are the stupid things some absurd people talk -about. Pray, my dear girls, set your faces against this, and never take -part in it. Never say that Eleanor is proud, or Edith is vain, or Marie -has no taste, or Lulu has the temper of a wasp, or Charley's word is not -to be depended on. When you cannot honestly utter a kind word, then be -silent. - -Should it ever happen that you learn directly or indirectly anything -about the affairs of a friend, something concerning which the friend has -said nothing, respect his silence. Much harm is done by indiscreet -speech. Little trouble comes from discreet silence. Silence is golden. - -Again, if you are a guest in a house, you must remember that to no one, -not even to your very nearest and dearest, must you reveal anything -disagreeable or unfortunate which may come into your knowledge. This -rule has no exceptions. Only a dishonorable person goes away from a home -in which she has been entertained, observing that the family quarrel -among themselves, or that the daughters are disrespectful to their -mother, or anything else of the kind. Here silence is golden. - -Silence is not golden, though, when you hear the absent accused -unjustly. Then you must defend him or her. Be brave in standing up for -the absent, and never speak ill of them. The ancients made it their rule -to speak no evil of the dead, because they were helpless and at the -mercy of the living, and it is a good rule for us to follow. It is -surprising how much that is true and loving and beautiful we can find to -say of all our friends, if we determine that we will be like the -princess in the fairy tale, out of whose mouth, whenever she opened it, -pearls and rubies dropped. - -[Illustration: Signature] - - - - -[Illustration: Ivory Soap] - -There is a "comfortable feeling" that comes after a bath with Ivory -Soap. - -THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI. - - - - -JOSEPH GILLOTT'S -STEEL PENS - -Nos. 303, 404, 170, 604 E.F., 601 E.F. -And other styles to suit all hands. - -THE MOST PERFECT OF PENS. - - - - -HOOPING-COUGH -CROUP. - -Roche's Herbal Embrocation. - -The celebrated and effectual English Cure without internal medicine. -Proprietors, W. EDWARD & SON, London, England. - -E. Fougera & Co., 30 North William St., N.Y. - - - - -HALF-RATER FREE. - -For Particulars address with Stamp, -=The Rudder=, 155 Broadway, N. Y. - - - - -BREAKFAST--SUPPER. - -EPPS'S - -GRATEFUL--COMFORTING. - -COCOA - -BOILING WATER OR MILK. - - - - -CARDS - -The FINEST SAMPLE BOOK of Gold Beveled Edge, Hidden Name, Silk Fringe, -Envelope and Calling Cards ever offered for a 3 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. - - - - -BAKER -sells recitations and PLAYS - -23 Winter St., Boston - -CATALOGUES FREE. - - - - -[Illustration: Thompson's Eye Water] - - - - -LINCOLN AND HIS TIMES - - * * * * * - -Recollections of -President Lincoln and His Administration - -By LUCIUS E. CHITTENDEN. With Portrait. 8vo, Cloth, $2.50; Half Calf, -$4.75. - -Abraham Lincoln - -By CHARLES CARLETON COFFIN. Profusely Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, -$3.00. - -_A History of the Rebellion in Four Volumes by_ -_CHARLES CARLETON COFFIN:_ - - DRUM-BEAT OF THE NATION - MARCHING TO VICTORY - REDEEMING THE REPUBLIC - FREEDOM TRIUMPHANT - -Profusely Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00 each. - - * * * * * - -Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York - - - - -AN OBLIGING TRAVELLER. - - -There has been a great deal of complaint both in London and New York of -the way in which a certain class of shopkeepers try to force their wares -upon passers-by. One man, a traveller, has managed to get the better of -one of these shopmen, a clothing-dealer, who had a way of almost -dragging people into his place. One day shortly after his arrival in -London the traveller stopped for a moment to examine a coat hanging in -front of a clothing establishment, when the shopman rushed out and -asked, "Wouldn't you try on some coats?" - -"I don't know but I would," responded the traveller, consulting his -watch. "I've got some time to spare. Yes." And he went in and began to -work. No matter how often he found his fit, he called for more coats, -and after he had tried on thirty he looked at his watch again, resumed -his own garment, and walked off, saying: - -"I won't charge anything for what I've done. I believe in a man who'll -oblige another when he can do it. If I'm ever this way again, and you've -got any coats to try on, I'll do all I can to help you!" - -What the shopkeeper said we are not told, but it is not hard to imagine -what he thought. - - * * * * * - -The other evening Toddletums called his papa to tell him that he -couldn't get to sleep for the mosquitoes. - -"Never mind, Toddle; just put your head under the clothes, where they -can't get at you." - -Toddletums did so, but in a little while he peered from under the -clothing. A firefly happening along at the moment set him yelling: - -"It's no use, papa. I hid under the clothes, and now they've gone off -and got lanterns to find me with." - - * * * * * - -[Illustration] - -WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY IN THE SCHOOL-ROOM. - - "EF GEORGE HAD BEEN A GIRL, AND HAD DRESSED IN FEMALE CLO'ES, - WOULD HE HAVE BEEN THE MOTHER OF HER COUNTRY, DO YOU S'POSE?" - - * * * * * - -[Illustration] - -THE BULL-FROG DANCE. - - It is lovely when the moonlight is a-shining on the bog, - To watch the lively antics of the agile-legged frog; - When the moonfay boys are playing on their long and limpid flutes, - It sends a thrill of pleasure down our spinals to our boots. - On a mushroom seat, - With the grasses at our feet, - And the lightning-bugs a-flashing here and there beneath the trees, - 'Tis a very pretty sight, - In the pale moonlight, - With an undertone of humming and a-thrumming of the bees. - You can talk about the pleasure that you mortals find on earth, - You can crack your funny jokelets, we don't envy you your mirth; - For you've never had the laughter - That we moonfay boys get after - We have watched for forty minutes three long-legged bull-frogs dance! - - * * * * * - -A WONDERFUL SEA-TALE. - -A lad was found begging in Plymouth, England, some years ago, who told a -most wonderful tale of woe. According to his statement, given with a -straight face and an apparently clear conscience, he had been a -cabin-boy upon an American steamship. For some misbehavior, as a -temporary punishment he was headed up in an empty water-cask, and left -to reflect upon his wickedness, with only the bunghole of the cask to -breathe through. On the following night a terrible storm came up, and -the vessel went down with all on board, excepting himself, the cask -having rolled over into the sea at the first lurch of the sinking ship. -Fortunately for its unhappy occupant, the cask floated with the bunghole -free from the water, and in the course of a day or so was cast upon the -coast, where the lad, after making numerous vain attempts to release -himself, settled back to die. Some cows, however, he said, came -strolling along the beach, and one of them, while switching its tail -about, accidentally let the end of it into the bunghole of the cask. The -boy immediately seized upon it; the cow, electrified, jumped, stood -still, and jumped again, and then rushed bellowing down the beach, the -boy hanging on like grim death, and the cask, consequently, bumping the -hind legs of the frightened bovine as she fled. Finally, as the boy had -hoped, the hoops of the cask were loosened, and striking upon a rock, -the whole thing was shattered, and the boy, letting go of the cow's -tail, found himself free once more. After wandering about for several -days he hailed a vessel, and was carried to Plymouth, where his -wonderful experience first became common talk. - - * * * * * - -A LITTLE TOMMYTHOUGHT. - - The coal-man on the wagon sits, - And shivers in the storm. - I don't see why that load of coal - Won't keep the driver warm. - - * * * * * - -HEREDITY. - -FREDDY. "I think papa takes more after my little baby brother than he -does after me." - -MAMMA. "Why, Freddy?" - -FREDDY. "Because all his hair is at the back and sides of his head, and -it won't come to the front." - - * * * * * - -THE FINEST KIND. - -"I tell you, mamma," said little Herbert, when his mother gave him a -chocolate éclair for the first time the other day, "this is the finest -kind of a banana I ever tasted!" - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, February 11, 1896, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HARPER'S ROUND TABLE, FEB 11, 1896 *** - -***** This file should be named 53255-8.txt or 53255-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/2/5/53255/ - -Produced by Annie R. 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