CHAPTER XVIII.

LIFE IN SKOOKUM JOHN'S CAMP.

Skookum John, which in Chinook means "Strong John," was a Makah, or Neah Bay, Indian, whose home was at Cape Flattery on the shore of the Pacific, and at the southern side of the entrance to the superb strait of Juan de Fuca. He was a _Tyhee_, or chief, among his people, for he was not only their biggest man, being a trifle over six feet tall, while very few of his tribe exceeded five feet nine inches in height, but he was the boldest and most successful hunter of whales among them. This alone would have given him high rank in the tribe, for to them the whales that frequent the warm waters of that coast are what buffalo were to the Indians of the great plains.

The Makahs are fish-eaters, and while they catch and dry or smoke quantities of salmon, halibut, and cod, they esteem the whale more than all others, because there is so much of him, because he is so good to eat, and because he furnishes them with the oil which they use on all their food, as we use butter, and which they trade for nearly every other necessity of their simple life.

The big Siwash, being an expert whaleman, had much oil to trade, and made frequent visits to Victoria for this purpose. Here, being an intelligent man and keenly noting all that he saw, he learned much concerning the whites and their ways, besides picking up a fair knowledge of their language.

So it happened that when the smugglers who proposed to operate in the upper sound began to cast about for some trustworthy person, who would also be free from suspicion, to look out for their interests in that section, and keep them posted as to the whereabouts of cutters, they very wisely selected Skookum John, and offered him inducements that he could not afford to refuse. He, of course, knew nothing of the laws they proposed to violate, nor did he care, for political economy had never been included in Skookum John's studies.

So the Makah Tyhee closed his substantial house of hewn planks on Neah Bay, and with all his wives and children--of whom Bah-die was the eldest and little Nittitan the youngest--and his dogs and canoes, and much whale oil, and many mats, he made the long journey to the place in which we find him. Here he established a summer camp of brush huts, and ostensibly went into the business of fishing for the Tacoma market. He had brought his big whaling-canoe, and the little paddling canoes in which his children were accustomed to brave the Pacific breakers apparently for the fun of being rolled over and over in the surf. Above all, he had brought a light sailing-canoe which was fashioned with such skill that its equal for speed and weatherly qualities had never been seen among canoes of its size on the coast. It was in this swift craft that he darted about the sound at night to discover the movements of revenue-men, watch for signals from incoming smugglers, and flash in return the lights that told of safety or danger.

Although not possessed of a high sense of honor, Skookum John was loyal to his employers, because it paid him to be so, and because no one had ever tempted him to be otherwise. At the same time he was not above performing a service for the other side, provided it would also pay, and so he did not hesitate to promise the cutter's third Lieutenant that in return for twenty-five dollars he would use every effort to find and return to him two lost boys.

When he did learn of the capture of the sloop (a blow that threatened to retire him from business), and the reason why the revenue-men were so desirous of finding the lost boys, he began to wish that he saw his way clear to the winning of that reward, for twenty-five dollars is a large sum to be made so easily. But the revenue-men wanted _two_ boys, and the only other besides Bonny at present available was the young medicine-man, the _hyas doctin_, who had not only found his dearly loved Nittitan in the dark _hyas stick_ (forest), but had so marvellously mended what he firmly believed to have been a broken leg.

The old Siwash, therefore, determined to make the boys as comfortable as possible, and keep them with him until he could communicate with the _Tyhee_ of the _piah-ship_ (steamer).

In consequence of these reflections, all of which passed through the Indian's mind in the space of a few seconds, Bonny had no time to make a request for food before the very best that the camp afforded was placed before them. There were small square chunks of whale-skin, as black and tough as the heel of a rubber boot. It was expected that these would be chewed for a moment, until the impossibility of masticating them was discovered, and that they would then be swallowed whole. After them came boiled fishes' heads, of which the eyes were considered the chief delicacy, and these were followed by several kinds of dried and smoked fish, including salmon and halibut, besides bits of smoked whale looking like so many pieces of dried citron. All of these were to be dipped in hot whale oil before being eaten.

Then came another course of fish, this time fresh and plain boiled, which the Indians ate with a liberal supply of whale oil. Their boiled potatoes were also dipped in oil after each bite. The crowning glory of the feast was a small quantity of hard bread, which for a change was dipped in whale oil and eaten dripping, and with this was served a mixture of huckleberries and oil beaten to a paste.

In regard to this liberal use of oil it must be said that Skookum John's whale oil was universally acknowledged to be the sweetest and most skilfully prepared to prevent rancidity of any in the Neah Bay village, and his family regarded it with the same pride that the proprietors of the best Orange County dairy do the finest products of their churn. It was therefore a great disappointment to them that Alaric did not appreciate it, and after trying a small quantity on a bit of potato, refused a further supply. He even seemed to prefer paté de foie gras, of which the boys had a single jar. This he opened in honor of the occasion, and with it to spread over his bread and potatoes, a liberal helping of the boiled fish, and an innumerable number of smoked halibut strips boiled after a manner taught him by Bonny, the millionaire's son made a supper that he declared was one of the very best he had ever eaten.

In order that their new-found friends might not feel too badly over Alaric's refusal to partake more liberally of their whale oil, Bonny gave them to understand that it was not because he disliked it, but not being accustomed to rich food, he was afraid of making himself ill if he indulged in it too freely.

At this meal the young sailor tasted both paté de foie gras and whale oil for the first time, and after carefully considering the merits of the two delicacies, declared that he could not tell which was the worse, and that as it would be just as difficult to learn to like one as the other, he thought he would devote his energies to the oil.

After supper a rude shelter against the chill dampness of the night was constructed of small poles covered with a number of the useful bark mats, of which the Indian women of that coast make enormous quantities. A few armfuls of spruce-tips were cut and spread beneath it, a couple of mats were laid over these, two more were provided for covering, and Alaric's first camp bed was ready for him. Both lads were so dead tired that they needed no second invitation to fling themselves down on their sweet-scented couch, and were asleep almost instantly. As Skookum John and Bah-die had also been out all the night before, they were not long in following the example of their guests, and so within an hour after supper the whole camp was buried in a profound slumber.

By earliest daylight of the next morning the older Indian was up, and stirring about very softly so as not to awaken the strangers. He was about to make an effort to earn that twenty-five dollars, and believed that by careful management it might be his before noon. He planned to notify the commander of the cutter that while he could deliver one of the desired lads into his Lands, the other had taken a canoe and gone to Tacoma, where he could no doubt be readily found. If the _Tyhee_ of the _piah-ship_ agreed to pay him the offered reward or even half of it for one lad, he would ask that a boat might be sent to the camp for him. In the mean time he would return first and invite both boys to go out fishing. Bonny in a canoe with him, and the other in a second canoe with Bah-die, who would be instructed to take his passenger out of sight, somewhere up the coast. Then the cutter's boat would be allowed to overtake his canoe, and Bonny could be handed over to those who wanted him without any trouble.

It was an admirably conceived plan, and the old Siwash chuckled over it as he softly launched his lightest canoe, stepped into it, and paddled swiftly away.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

EXPLORING NEW-FOUND RIVERS.

BY C. C. ADAMS

Some of the leading African explorers have never written a book. They have had other work besides exploration, and have been too busy to write long accounts of their discoveries. A single copy of this paper would hold all that Alexander Delcommune, who has travelled further in the Congo basin than any other explorer, has written about his work. Captain Van Gele, who has had remarkable experiences, and who took the last step in the solution of a great geographical conundrum--the destination of Schweinfurth's "Welle" river--has written very little. But we know what all these men have done. Every new map of Africa that is worth anything differs from all its predecessors, because it contains later and better information. These men have done much to change and improve the maps, and their short reports to geographical and other societies have been very interesting and important.

Foremost among these men is George Grenfell, of the Baptist Missionary Society of England, whose travels in 1884-5 gave us our first knowledge of six of the largest Congo tributaries. Many thousands of black people in the middle Congo basin first learned of the white man when they saw Grenfell pushing up their rivers on his little steamboat. He travelled for over three thousand miles on the Congo and its tributaries, and always as a man of peace, winning the confidence of barbarous tribes by patience and kindness. He never shed a drop of blood nor laid violent hands upon a native. How much better was this policy than to respond with violence to the mistrust and opposition of these frightened and savage peoples.

Mr. Grenfell's steel steamer _Peace_ was built in England, and when she was shipped to the Congo all her plates and pieces of machinery were taken apart and packed into eight hundred loads; for every bit of the vessel had to be carried on the backs of men around two hundred and thirty-five miles of cataracts to Stanley Pool, where the long caravan of black porters arrived without losing a load. Another Congo steamboat was not so fortunate, for its brass fittings were stolen while in transit, and transformed into neck ornaments for native women. It has been said that a pioneer in Africa should be able to build a boat or a house without a nail or a tool. Grenfell seems to be that kind of man. The engineers who had been sent to put the _Peace_ together died of fever; so Grenfell trained natives in the art of riveting, and with their aid he put the eight hundred pieces together. When the _Peace_ was launched there was not a leak. All of the parts had been placed where they belonged. She was seventy feet long, and under her wooden roof were a cabin and cook-room, with an engine amidships. Her twin screws drove her ten miles an hour, and in all respects she was well fitted for her work. So in 1884 Mr. Grenfell and his wife, with a crew of fifteen natives, set out to find favorable points for mission stations on the great unexplored tributaries that stretch away hundreds of miles north and south of the middle Congo.

We cannot describe here all the discoveries Grenfell made. He greatly changed our notions of the extent, direction, and importance of quite a number of rivers, chief among which were the Mobangi and Mongala north of the Congo, and the Bussera, Chuapa, Lulonga, and Lomami south of it. You may easily find these large rivers on the map, and they are Grenfell's greatest contribution to our knowledge of Africa.

Most of the tribes whom Grenfell met live away from the Congo, and had never heard of the world outside the districts they occupy. We can scarcely imagine the astonishment and even terror which the white man and his puffing river monster inspired as the _Peace_ would suddenly round some river bend and pause at a village front. The natives did not always flee nor offer hostilities at once. Many stood motionless, as if rooted to the spot, with straining eyes, and hands over their wide-open mouths, a common practice among savages when they are greatly surprised. If one fled he was speedily followed by others. If one gathered his wits and began to poise his spear or bend his bow, others followed his example. Once a woman fell in spasms to the ground. One day, on the Ruki River, Grenfell surprised a party of fifty fisherwomen, who took one look at the wheezing _Peace_, and then sprang shrieking out of their boats, and swam, as a dog does, to the shore. A large crowd of men on an island in the Bussera saw the apparition, and rushed pell-mell for their boats, forgetting their paddles in their fright; and so, with frantic energy, they used their hands as paddles in their flight to the mainland. Grenfell was accompanied by the German explorer Von François on his ascent of some of the southern rivers, and sometimes the natives thought their white visitors came from the spirit world, and called to them, "We fear you because you are white ghosts."

On all such occasions there was nothing to do except to wait for the excitement to subside, very quietly displaying presents of beads, wire, and cloth, while anchored at a distance from the shore. Grenfell's interpreter would strain his lungs with shouting words of soothing and friendship. Sometimes he would cry "Ba, ba, ba," to indicate that he wished to buy goats, and he would exhibit trade goods to pay for them. On some island, in the night, while alarm drums were arousing the country for miles along the banks, Grenfell would kindle fires, and in the bright light display his presents to the best advantage. Once while a howling crowd were bending their bows, the _Peace_ was sent at full speed within a rod of the shore, and a cloth full of beads and cowrie-shells was thrown among them. Before the astounded natives had recovered their wits, the _Peace_ was again in mid-stream beyond the reach of arrows. This set the savages thinking, and they listened quietly when Grenfell shouted that he wished to buy fire-wood. They filled a canoe with wood, and tying to the boat a long rope made of vines, let it drift down stream to the steamer, where the canoe was emptied, and the beads which the explorers placed in it were hauled back to the shore. The ice was broken now, weapons were laid aside, and soon a dozen canoes pushed out from the shore with natives having wood or provisions to sell.

All of Grenfell's blandishments failed sometimes, and he was fiercely attacked. Only one instance is recorded where he fired a gun, and then it contained only a blank cartridge. He proved the efficacy of unusual noises, for the explosion, reverberating along the forest-lined shores, sent the enemy scampering. A blast from the whistle was sometimes enough to turn pursuing canoes about face. The explorer did everything possible to protect his men, and not one of them was hurt. Wire netting completely covered the open sides of the vessel and caught many flying missiles, while others lodged in the wooden roof. A few natives in one village on the Bussera appeared to have seen or heard of guns, for Grenfell was much surprised when the very friendly people told him that they had intended to attack the vessel until they saw his firearms. One village that had accepted the explorer's presents on his ascent of the river, attacked him on his return because the river had risen meantime, a most uncommon thing at that season, they said, and ample proof that the white man was bad. The explorer found himself in a predicament on the last day he spent upon the Bussera, but Mrs. Grenfell helped him out of it. While the _Peace_ was in shore, a party of warriors rushed to the bank with their weapons all ready to launch. In a moment Mrs. Grenfell had thrown among them a double handful of beads, and while the crowd were scrambling and fighting for the prizes, the _Peace_ reached a safe distance. Usually an hour or two of waiting and conciliatory talk turned foes into friends. Sometimes, however, the alarm drums would notify the villages for miles around that an enemy was coming; and when Grenfell saw a throng of armed warriors waiting for him, and not a woman on the ground, he knew that trouble was brewing.

Geographical information imparted by the natives was apt to be wholly incorrect. They had ready answers for all questions, but if they imagined Grenfell would like to hear of a lake a little inland, or five days more of navigation up the river, they would make replies which they thought would please him, regardless of truth. This is a widespread practice among savages. At the same time they were often eager to learn of his discoveries. They would ask him how many days' journey his vessel made above their village, and whether the natives he met dealt in ivory and slaves. Some tribes had not the slightest idea that ivory had any value, and thought it strange that any man should have occasion to buy wood. Some of them had no names for the rivers where they live. They were children of the earth, they said, and if he wished to know the names of the rivers he must ask the children of the water. The southern tributaries--Bussera, Chuapa, and Lulonga--are in the great belt of dense Congo forest, and in the upper reaches of the rivers the big branches form a complete roof over the streams, which are in deep shadow even on the brightest days; and in this roof Grenfell found some of his most persistent enemies. They were the little folks of Africa, the pygmies, who would clamber out on the branches overhanging the streams, and shoot their poisoned arrows into the wooden covering of the vessel.

It was Grenfell who gave us our first positive information of the many dwarfs who live in the forest south of the Congo, though about the same time other explorers discovered them further south. One evening a canoe drew up at some distance from the _Peace_, and when the interpreter asked the natives who they were they said they were Batwa. This is the name of the dwarfs living in the southern Congo forests, and Grenfell and Von François were overjoyed at the prospect of seeing them. It was now so dark that they could not determine what the canoemen looked like, but in the morning they found near by a cluster of huts inhabited by these little people, and then they knew they were in the land of the pygmies. Grenfell found many dwarfs on the Lomami, Chuapa, and Bussera rivers, and they proved to be the most troublesome and vindictive people with whom he had to deal. His black crew were badly frightened when they heard the dwarfs were near. All their lives they had been told that the dwarfs were most unpleasant people to meet. It was common report that they shot with poisoned arrows, permitted no one to live in their country, and excelled all warriors and hunters in skill with the bow and spear. We shall see later what Grenfell and other explorers have learned about these strange and interesting people, and also about the cannibals who are spread so widely over the Congo basin. Very little was known of the cannibals as long as explorers kept to the main river, but after Grenfell began his work along the tributaries the world soon came to know the appalling extent of this evil.

Nearly all the tribes discovered by Grenfell are cannibals. An interpreter whom he took with him from the Congo was in constant fear of being captured and eaten, and he would never venture ashore except in company with six or eight comrades: "You eat goats and hens," said some natives to Grenfell one day, "because you are rich and able to buy them; but we are poor, and have to eat men, whom we can get for nothing." Under the laws of the Congo State it is now a capital crime to eat human flesh. Wherever the influence of the white man extends, the practice is being discontinued, and some day this stigma upon human nature will disappear from all the parts of Africa where it has so long prevailed.

There are missionary stations now in some parts of the large regions that Grenfell traversed. His peaceful and friendly methods made it easy for other white men to go among the people he brought to light. The natives who sought to kill him are now glad to sell ivory and rubber to traders. His discoveries during fifteen months added about one thousand eight hundred miles to the known navigable waters of the Congo basin. No one except Stanley has surpassed him in the extent and value of his work among the waterways of the second largest river system in the world.

AN HOUR IN BICYCLELAND.

WITH AN ACCOUNT OF A PNEUMATIC CIRCUS.

BY HAYDEN CARRUTH.

I.

Kenneth had got his bicycle at last, and he was taking his first long ride on it. It was warm, and the road seemed to be all up hill. "If this road keeps on like this much longer," said Kenneth to himself, "I'll run into the moon. I guess papa was right when he said that bicycle-riding reminds him a good deal of work in its milder stages. However, I'd rather ride than work."

He went on a little farther, but the afternoon sun shone down hotter and hotter, and the road still seemed to have more uphill than a well-behaved road ought to have. After a while he came to a fine grove of trees. "I think I'll just turn in here and rest a few minutes, and then go back," said Kenneth. "Seems to me I ought to be able to coast about three-quarters of the way home--unless the road tilts the other way before I start, like a seesaw," he went on. He trundled his wheel into the grove out of sight of the road, stood it against a big tree, and lay down on the soft grass-covered ground in the shade.

"It seems to me," he mused, "that bicycles ought to be made so they would run themselves like--like--like horses. Then hills wouldn't make any difference." He was speaking very slowly, and half wondering if talking wasn't work too. "Then it wouldn't make any difference if the road _did_ tilt up or--or--or turn sommersaults if it wanted to. Just think of a road ten miles long turning a sommersault." He laughed a little at the idea, but _that_ was work too. "I--I wonder if bicycles couldn't be--be trained to--to--." It really was _too_ hard work to talk. He hadn't noticed that another wheelman had come into the grove to rest, and left his bicycle by the same tree.

"Trained to do what?" said the other, who was enough bigger than Kenneth to be a young man. "To talk like a parrot, or to sit up and beg like a pug-dog?"

Kenneth laughed at the idea of a bicycle sitting up and hanging down its handle-bar and begging; and then he answered:

"Oh, no; just to go themselves, you know." The presence of the stranger seemed to revive him, so he sat up and looked at the other.

"Oh, shucks!" said the young man. "Trained to go themselves! Where did you come from?"

"Smithville," replied Kenneth.

"Thought so," answered the other. "You're in Bicycle-land now, where they _are_ trained to go themselves. Come here!" he said, snapping his finger at his wheel, which rolled over and stopped by his side. "That's the way we have 'em trained here."

"Well, that's what I meant," returned Kenneth, not liking the lofty tone of the other very well. "That's precisely the way I am going to train mine." And he turned and snapped his fingers at his wheel, and it came toward him, though it wavered a good deal, and would have fallen if he hadn't caught it.

"That's very good," said the young man; "very good indeed. You have an extremely intelligent bicycle. Keep training it for a week; and it will go almost as well as mine."

"There aren't any pedals on yours," said Kenneth, as he looked at the other's wheel.

"Well, there aren't any pedals on a horse either, are there?" asked the young man, promptly. "Did you ever see a man riding a horse in Smithville, and pumping him along with pedals?"

"I forgot," said Kenneth. "I'll take them off of mine," and he reached down and did so. "What shall I do with them?"

"Oh, throw 'em in the ash-can," said the other, airily. "They're no good."

Kenneth didn't see any ash-can, so he tossed them behind some bushes, and began to give his bicycle practice at going alone about on the grass-plot. It learned rapidly, and he soon ventured to mount it, and after one or two tumbles it circled around, went ahead, and backed up very well indeed.

"Well, now, what shall we do?" asked the young man.

"I hardly know," answered Kenneth. "You're better acquainted with the country than I. You suggest something."

"I was on my way to the circus," said the other. "Suppose you come along. They say it's a very good show. It certainly has one great curiosity which I am anxious to see."

"What's that?" asked Kenneth.

"They have in this circus," answered the young man, speaking very slowly and impressively--"they have in a cage--a--live--horse!"

"Well, I don't--" began Kenneth; then he checked himself and went on, "I don't see where they got that."

"Captured it in the Smithville country at great expense and loss of life," replied the young man, proudly. "The Largest and most Ferocious Horse ever in the Captivity of Man. This Savage and Awe-inspiring Beast will daily Devour in Full View of the Breathless Audience a Peck of Oats and an Armful of Hay. At the Sight of his Food he Utters Blood-curdling Roars which bring Spasms of Fear to the Bravest. Don't miss this Chance of a Lifetime. I was just quoting from the bills," explained the young man hurriedly, as he lowered his voice again.

They then mounted their bicycles and rode away out of the grove and down a side road. The pedals being gone, Kenneth rested his feet on the coasters, as did his companion, and they sped along faster than he had ever ridden on the wheel before. It was, in fact, just like coasting down a long steep hill, but without the danger, as he soon came to have perfect confidence in the ability of his newly trained steed to keep upright.

"You see," said the young man, "that it's the simplest thing in the world to train a bicycle. Whoa!" he shouted, and his wheel began to stop. "Get up!" and it increased its speed again. "Yours doesn't know that yet, but it will soon learn. By-the-way," he continued, "they say a man actually goes into the cage with that horse at the circus. Don't fail to see Señior Jimjamdaza enter Fearlessly into the Cage of the Raging Bucephalus and Handle him as a Child might Handle a Bicycle. Remember, one Ticket admits to each and all of the Stupendous Wonders contained in this Gigantic Tentatorial Aggregation of-- Oh, I beg pardon; those bills _will_ keep running in my head," said the young man, just a little sheepishly.

"Oh, I don't mind," answered Kenneth; "only I think it's a good deal of a fuss to make over a horse. Why, I wouldn't be afraid to go into his cage myself."

"Now, see here," said the young man, "that won't do, you know. You can't fool me that way. You must think I'm green. The horse is the worst animal that ranges the Perilous and Deadly Jungle, spreading Terror and Destruction wherever he chances to show the Fiery Fury of his Face, and only Captured by our Agents after weeks of Superhuman Effort involving the Dreadful loss of Precious Life and the Sacrifice of Untold Treasure-- There I go again, quoting those bills; but, anyhow, you see what sort of an animal the horse is. And still you pretend to say that you wouldn't be afraid to enter the cage with one!"

"Well, I wouldn't," insisted Kenneth. "Didn't you ever have horses in this country?"

"They became extinct ages ago," answered the young man. (Kenneth thought of the pictures of mastodons and such things which he had seen in his physical geography book at school.) "Ages ago," repeated the young man. "Sometimes we find remains of 'em. Only last week a man discovered some horse bones while digging the cellar for a new bicycle-factory."

They had been wheeling along pretty fast, and had made several turns. There were a great many other people on the road, mostly going in the same direction as they were, evidently also on their way to the circus. Nearly all of them were riding bicycles precisely as they were, though a few were in carriages driving bicycles, usually two side by side. Suddenly at a sharp turn in the road they came face to face with a long bill-board covered with immense colored pictures and letters as high as Kenneth. The young man stopped the moment he saw it, and said:

"There, see that! There's a true picture of the gentle beast you say you would like to go in with."

Kenneth looked, and saw a picture of an animal ten or twelve feet high, with a great mouth like a hippopotamus, wide open, showing rows of teeth six inches long. A lot of hunters and black natives were trying to get out of his way, but the biggest hunter had fallen, and the horse was about to come down upon him with his forward feet. The animal's eyes seemed to be flashing fire, and he had a mane like a lion.

"How long do you think you'd like to stay in a cage with an animal like that?" asked the young man, proudly. "Like to sit down with him and do your sums, perhaps? Or maybe you'd rather lie down on the floor of the cage and take a nap--eh?"

"I can't say about that sort of a horse," admitted Kenneth, doubtfully. "I never saw a horse just like that, you know."

"See what it says," cried the young man. "'The Dreadful Terror in his Native Jungle! Captured after Awful Weeks of Cyclonic Struggle! To be seen in the Full and Excruciating Exuberance of his own Tremendous Verbosity in this Show alone!' What do you think of that?"

"Well, I don't know, hardly. I can tell better after I have seen the horse," said Kenneth.

"Yes, and we must be moving or we'll be late," returned the young man. "Here we go!" and off along the road they went again. In a few minutes they came to the circus-grounds. There were two large tents connected, with many smaller ones standing alone. There were great banners everywhere showing pictures of the wonders within, the largest being devoted to the horse. They left their bicycles in a shed, and after buying tickets, went into the first of the big tents. There was a great crowd inside, especially over at one side. "I think the horse is over there," whispered the young man. Just then they heard a man shouting:

"This way, ladies and gentlemen, to see the Mighty Monarch of the Trackless Jungle, the only Horse ever captured by Man. He is now about to be fed a Peck of Hardened Oats, which he will Crunch and Rend by the Terrific Force of his Unaided and Unassisted Jaws! Step up, ladies and gentlemen; step up!"

"We've got to see that horse if half of our bones are broken," exclaimed the young man, as he seized Kenneth by the arm, and began to force their way through the crowd.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

THE MILKY WAY.

BY ALBERT LEE.

I dreamed one night that I sailed away From my little cot at home, In a paper ship I had built that day, Toward the heaven's starry dome.

And an angel met my little boat, And clasped me by the hand When I stepped ashore, in my short night-coat, On the distant golden strand.

He led me forth down a great broad street That seemed as bright as day, And it felt all soft to the tread of my feet,-- For I walked on the Milky Way.

Along the sides of this heavenly road That stretched away so white Were a myriad stars that softly glowed, Like fire-flies in the night.

The angel said that the Milky Way Is the place where the girls and boys Who are lame or crippled may go and play, And trade their crutches for toys.

For when lame children go to sleep In their sufferance beds below, They are ferried by angels across the deep, To the path where the star-lamps glow,

And the crutches they placed beside the bed, Where they lay at close of day, Are changed to tops and dolls instead When they come to the Milky Way.

So I saw them there whom I knew down here, Whom Heaven has not so blessed With the strength to romp for the day's good-cheer, But who hold the blessings of rest.

And now when I gaze toward the skies at night, And look at the Milky Way, I know why the near stars shine so bright:-- The little lame boys are at play.

FROM CHUM TO CHUM.

BY GASTON V. DRAKE.

XII.--FROM BOB TO JACK.

STRATFORD-ON-AVON.

MY DEAR JACK,--This is the place where William Shakespeare was born. He was the man that some people say didn't write his own works, but I guess there must be some mistake about that, because if he didn't, why then they weren't his _own works_. Pop says that's a very suttle point that nobody else ever thought of and I think he's right, though I don't know what suttle means. We came down here from London yesterday, and on the whole I was kind of glad to get away. We used to think it would be nice to go to the circus every day, and I remember feeling very badly once because I couldn't, but you change your mind after being in London a couple of weeks with nothing but go, go, go, and see, see, see from morning until night. I've seen so much in London that I can't keep it straight in my head except the wax-works and they were royal. They had a collection of Kings and Queens there that beats anything I ever saw and Pop says they're just as valuable as the real article, except in the matter of jewelry, which is only imitation and made of paste. I said I'd rather see a real King than a wax King, but Pop says the wax King would pay just as much attention to me as a real King, and that you could slap a wax King on the back, which you wouldn't be allowed to do with a real King. I don't know about that though. I'd like to try it once. I sort of feel that if I could get hold of a real King he and I would get along pretty well together, because when I saw the Prince of Whales it struck me that he wasn't much more than a human being after all, and from the way he wore his hat, wouldn't mind much if somebody did slap him on the back and tell him a bear story. I'd like mightily to try that bear story of Sandboys' on that Whales fellow. I don't believe he'd be very horty after he'd heard half of it.

In some ways though the wax people are more interesting than the real rulers. They wear better clothes. The wax Prince was a great deal more gorgeous than the real one. He simply blossomed all over with jewels and medals and uniform. There wasn't any beaver hat and umbrella business about the wax one, and all the wax Kings had their crowns on. I always thought Kings got along without hats and wore gold bands with prongs on 'em all around their foreheads, but Pop says they gave up that because it gave 'em colds in the heads going out with prongs on, and besides the English crown was too valuable to hang on a hat-rack.

They had wax plain people too, sitting all around the place to make it look popular. A man came in here once and asked a wax policeman where the figure of Napoleon was, and of course the wax policeman didn't say a word, and the man got mad and took his number and complained about him for not being civil. There's a Chamber of Horrors too where they keep the wax heads of bad people and show you how burglars look. Generally they didn't look any worse than the fine people upstairs, only their clothes weren't so good and they didn't wear diamonds.

Napoleon wasn't half as great looking as I thought he would be. Pop says he wasn't the kind of a man to work up in wax anyhow. He had a face that needed cast-iron or granite to make it go as a figure in a wax-work show, and as for the Duke of Wellington that beat him at Waterloo, he didn't show up for much in wax except his nose and that was fearful. He had a funny nose, the Duke of Wellington had and I guess that's what beat Napoleon. If Napoleon ever saw it it must have made him laugh, and nobody can fight and laugh at the same time. He had a hard nose to follow if the wax-work was like him, because it went in two directions. If I had a nose like that and wanted to go somewhere and somebody told me to follow my nose the way some people do sometimes, I'd know what they meant though. They'd mean go across our block, turn a corner and go down two. It had a thank-you-marm in it like country road's that you slide down hill on in winter. But he got there just the same, which I'm sorry for because Napoleon wasn't half as tall as he was, and I like to see the little man win generally.

Next to the wax-works I remember the Zoo clearest of all I've seen. I saw more monkies than you could shake a stick at and the fun they were having made me wish I might be one of 'em for a little while. Some of 'em looked almost as human as our hired man, and Pop says he didn't know but what they were nearly as useful. The only objection to 'em was that they were never quite still enough to be good hired men. Besides monkies they had bears, and horned toads, and red, white, and blue parrots--Pop says he thinks the red white and blue parrots are called Jingo-birds, and we have lots of 'em in the United States, but I never saw any up our way, and I guess if we had 'em I'd know it because they spend most of their time screeching and shaking their feathers. I didn't care much for the snakes. They've got a whole house full of 'em, but they don't amount to much, spending most of their time asleep. They aren't half as lively, nor any more snakey to look at than the elephants' trunks. The Elephants in this Zoo are awfully friendly and they'll eat anything from chocolate creams to pie. There was a man in the Zoo once that saw a little girl giving the Elephant a piece of chocolate and he thought it was tobacco, so when the elephant put out his trunk for something from him he put his cigar in it, forgetting unfortunately that it was still lit, and the elephant got awful mad and grabbed the man around the waist and threw him up in the air so hard that the Zoo man says he hasn't come down yet, and that was three years ago. Try that on Sandboys and see what he has to say about it.

I've used up all my paper now and so must stop, or else I'd tell you all about that Shakespeare man who was born here. He was a great man and wrote Julius Cæsar and lots of plays that have people die in, right before your eyes. They still keep his memory green here and Pop says are making more money out of doing so in a week than Shakespeare made in a year. He never wrote his name twice alike and was buried in the church. His grave is very interesting and has an epitaph on it forbidding anybody to dust it off, which I think is mighty queer.

Next Monday, we are going over to Paris, and whenever I have the time I study a little French. I've learned already to say bon jour so that Pop knows what I mean and before long I expect to know the language well enough to talk to myself in it anyhow.

Always yours, BOB.

It is only a question of time when the Cambridge High and Latin schools will be forced to compete in interscholastic sports as separate institutions. Already the football authorities have refused to recognize a C. H. and L. eleven, and at the recent annual meeting of the Baseball Committee a fight was made to force the united Cambridge schools to enter separate baseball teams. The battle was lost; but the feeling against the Cambridge schools seems to be very strong, and sooner or later the High-school and the Latin school will be compelled to stand on their individual merits.

The constitution of the Baseball League provides that no amendment can be made without a two-thirds vote, and when the question of separating the Cambridge High-school from the Cambridge Latin School in baseball came up, the vote stood three to three, and consequently C. H. and L. will be represented by one nine in the league games this spring. The schools that voted for C. H. and L. were the English High, the Somerville High, and, naturally, the Cambridge High and Latin. English High's representatives claimed that they voted to allow the schools to play as one, because separation would make the number of teams in the league too great, and they also thought the expense of such an arrangement would be inadvisable. Somerville High voted for the Cambridge institutions because it, too, is what they call there a "combined" school, and it was practically voting for itself by standing up for C. H. and L. The three schools on the opposition side were the Roxbury Latin, Boston Latin, and Hopkinson's. They voted for separation on the ground that it was for the best interests of interscholastic sport in Boston.

The Baseball and Football Interscholastic leagues are encouraged and looked after by Harvard University athletes, because they develop players who enter Harvard and make good material for the university tennis. For that reason the influence of Harvard men has always been exerted in behalf of the schools that send the best and the most material to college, and also, of course, for the best interests of sport. It was largely due to the influence of Harvard men that C. H. and L. was forced out of the football association. Eventually these graduates will doubtless take the same stand in baseball.

For the last ten years--that is, from 1886 to 1895--the number of scholars sent to Harvard by Somerville High, Cambridge High and Latin, and English High schools (the three institutions which voted for C. H. and L.) has been 236, or an average each year of 23.6 men. On the other hand, Roxbury Latin, Boston Latin, and Hopkinson's (the three schools that voted against C. H. and L.) have sent 639 men, or a yearly average of 63.9. These figures are taken from the annual report of the President of Harvard University. From other sources I find that the approximate number of scholars in the three schools first mentioned is 1300, while the approximate number of students at the three schools last mentioned is 1000. It is fair to assume too, that 175 of the latter are too young to enter either the Cambridge or English High or the Somerville High schools, for Hopkinson's and Roxbury Latin accept boys as young as nine and ten years. This makes the discrepancy between the two groups even greater from an athletic point of view. Therefore it is evident that while the Cambridge schools and their adherents have some 1300 pupils, they send only about 38 per cent. of the number of men to Harvard that the other three schools send there.

For this reason, if for no other, Harvard is likely to support the separatist party among the schools, and thus ultimately force the Cambridge High and Latin schools to support separate teams. In view of this, and in view of the fact that it is beyond question for the best interests of sport that the Cambridge schools should be separated, it seems that the sooner C. H. and L. men come to realize this, and act upon the conviction, the more gracefully will they effect the scission, and besides that they will come out with credit rather than otherwise.

It is probable, as matters now stand, that the first annual games of the National Association will be held on the Berkeley Oval the afternoon of Saturday, June 13th.

The baseball schedule of the New Jersey I.S.A.A. has been laid out as follows: April 18th, Montclair High-School against Plainfield, at Plainfield; April 18th, Pingry against Newark Academy, at Elizabeth; April 25th, Montclair against Stevens Institute, at Montclair; April 25th, Plainfield against Pingry, at Plainfield; May 6th, Stevens Institute against Newark Academy, at Newark; May 16th, Stevens Institute against Plainfield, at Hoboken; May 16th, Montclair against Pingry, at Elizabeth; May 23d, Plainfield against Newark Academy, at Newark; May 23d, Pingry against Stevens Institute, at Hoboken; May 27th, Montclair against Newark Academy, at Montclair. It would be well if a game could be arranged between the winner of this series and the winner of the New York League, or, better yet, of the Inter-city game.

The dates of the New York baseball series are juggled with so frequently that I have given up all hope of keeping track of the schedule. At the last meeting of the I.S.A.A. more alterations were made, but with the aid of the god of sport perhaps the schedule will come out straight. One date that can be announced with reasonable assurance at present, however, is that of the Interscholastic games. These will be held at the Berkeley Oval on Wednesday, May 13th.

A striking feature of the recent interscholastic skating races at the 107th Street rink was Morgan's winning of every event in the finals on Friday evening, April 10th. He seemed to be as much at home in the sprints as in the distances, his time in the various races being: 220 yards, 23 sec.; quarter-mile, 50-1/5 sec.; two miles, 6 min. 36-2/5 sec. He skated also with the winning team in the one-mile relay race.

Although these skating races were not officially sanctioned by the N.Y.I.S.A.A. almost all of the schools in the Association sent entries, of which there were about fifty. The trial heats were run on Friday night, the 9th, and the finals on Saturday, and there were between 3000 and 4000 spectators present on each occasion.

Alfred Morgan, of De La Salle, won the 220 trial and the two-mile with ease, and in the quarter he almost lapped his field, and, mistaking the finish, he stopped. Realizing his mistake as soon as the field had rushed past, he plunged ahead again, and making a hard spurt managed to secure second place, which gave him a chance in the finals.

In the finals the finishing of the second and third men was in almost every instance more exciting than that of first and second, because Morgan was so far superior to the other skaters. In the 220 he was the quickest to get in motion when the pistol was fired, set a clipping pace, and won easily by twenty yards. Pitizipio beat Goulding for the place by five yards. Goulding was fortunate in getting third prize, as he slipped and fell five yards from the finish, but managed to slide across the tape in time. In the two-mile Morgan came in fully three laps ahead of the second man.

Morgan has great speed, and is particularly quick in getting off the mark. His time in the 440 comes very near to the world's in-door record. In practice Donohue has only been able to beat Morgan by about two feet in a 220 race. Morgan is not yet nineteen years old, and besides being the best skater in the schools, he is pitcher of the De La Salle nine, and a speedy bicycle-rider.

The turns in the track at the 107th Street rink are very sharp, and a number of the skaters were bowled over like tenpins at the corners. On a longer track the time might have been a trifle better. But even so, next year the scholastic competitors will have pretty high records to beat. De La Salle won the cup which was offered to the school making the largest number of points, by scoring 14. The next highest score was 6 points.

The officers of the National Interscholastic Association have finally decided to ask the New Manhattan Athletic Club to take charge of their first field meeting--upon the success of which so much depends--and the club has undertaken the task. I think the school athletes of the country are to be congratulated upon this move, for the financial element of the enterprise has now been entirely eliminated so far as they are concerned, and this is one of the greatest advantages that could be wished for.

That the National Association has done a clever thing in getting the N.M.A.C., or rather, the Athletic Manager of the club, to superintend and arrange these games is proved by the fact that for some time past the Inter-collegiate Association has been negotiating with the club to achieve this same end. But the governors of the N.M.A.C., in their endeavors to assist in the promotion of pure sport, have decided not to attempt more than they can handle at the outset, and believing that the schools deserve more of them than the colleges, they will, I believe, give their time and assistance this year to the latter only.

And at this point let me give the readers of this Department a little glance into the inside history of the negotiations which have just ended between the National Association and the club. It will give them a better idea than anything else could, I think, of the spirit which is to pervade the management of scholastic affairs in the future. When the officers of N.I.S.A.A. went to the managers of the N.M.A.C. they explained what they wanted, and they talked about gate receipts and medals and percentage, and all that sort of thing, and the word "dollars" was used a good deal more than the word "sport." That was all very well and entirely excusable, because the officers felt a certain responsibility in the matter, and they knew they could not secure grounds and prizes for nothing, and perhaps they allowed the latter factors to assume a greater importance than they deserve.

The managers of the club, however, who are ranged in opposition to the financial element in athletics, replied that they would make no agreement whatever with N.I.S.A.A. on a dollars and cents basis. They said they would take charge of the games if the association so desired, and they agreed to carry out the athletic plans of the association to the best of their ability and to the satisfaction of the scholastic representatives, but they firmly refused to enter into any contract or to discuss any question involving money matters. They stated that their purpose was to get the element of dollars and cents as far separate from that of sport as it was possible to do, and expressed a willingness to go ahead at once on that basis.

In other words, the situation resolved itself to this: The managers of the N.M.A.C. are sportsmen. The members and officers of the N.I.S.A.A. are sportsmen. The younger men say to the older men, "We have perfect confidence in your ability and integrity; will you conduct our games?" The older men reply, "We know exactly how such games should be conducted, and we know what you want; we will conduct your games." They shake hands on that agreement, and that ends the matter.

As affairs stand now the N.I.S.A.A. officials feel perfectly confident that everything that it is possible to do will be done to make the games a success. It is for the interest of school sport and for the interest of the N.M.A.C. that everything should so be done. The N.I.S.A.A. men know that the N.M.A.C. managers are aware of the fact that rewards or mementoes of some kind are customarily given to winners on occasions of this kind, and they are consequently confident that such trophies will be forthcoming upon this occasion. The value of these trophies has no place in the discussion, no matter what the constitution of the N.I.S.A.A. may say. It is further known by all concerned that the governors of the N.M.A.C., being sportsmen and not sports, are not undertaking the management of these games for purposes of gain, and that, therefore, whatever pecuniary profit may result will, no doubt, go to the scholastic association and not to the club. Hence everything seems now to be arranged on the best possible basis, and the disagreeable consideration of dollars and cents is entirely eliminated. In a few years scholastic sport will probably have gotten so far away from the financial question that we shall all of us have forgotten what a disagreeable tangle it once was.

THE GRADUATE.

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.

Several collectors have lately sent me Newfoundland stamps for identification, in the belief that they had the rare early issues, but in each case the stamps were the 1863 "lake" issue. The 1d., 3d., and 5d. of the two issues are easily identified. The 2d., 4d., 6d., 6-1/2d., 8d., and 1s. (all of about the same type) were printed in at least three colors--orange vermilion, scarlet vermilion, and "lake." The first two were used between 1856 and 1863, and are very scarce, especially the 6-1/2d. and 1s. The "lake" issue, on the other hand, was printed in larger quantities, and went out of use in 1866, having had a circulation of little more than two years. A very large supply of all these varieties were left on hand, and for many years could be bought at the post-office singly or in sheets at face value. The used copies of the "lake" issue on the original envelope are worth ten times as much as the unused copies.

The following new counterfeits have made their appearance in New York: The Hawaiian 12c. mauve surcharged in black "Provisional Government." The rare U.S. 1861 10c. without the colored line. A clever rascal has taken the common 10c. of the same issue and painted out the white vertical lines. This is a dangerous counterfeit. The Tuscany 60c. has been imitated so successfully that even some dealers were at first deceived. It seems to have been made by the same person who imitated the 3 lire Tuscany.

A. L. A.--They are tokens, not coins, and have practically no value.

T. D. H.--Die A of the U.S. 1887 envelope is scarce on white and amber, and rare on blue and Oriental buff. It may be distinguished by the bust, which points to the space between the third and the fourth tooth. In the common die B (now current) the bust points to the space between the second and the third tooth.

PHILATUS.

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This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L. A. W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.

Leaving Powers' Hotel at Rochester, proceed westward across the bridge over asphalt pavement, and taking the turn to the right at the fork of the road cross two railroads. After crossing the second, or rather on crossing the second, turn to the right, and keeping then to the left, pass through the toll-gate and follow the turnpike to Gates Centre. The route from Gates Centre, past Coldwater, to North Chili, and thence to Churchville is direct and unmistakable. Churchville is fifteen miles from Rochester, and the road is a good one most of the way. If you stop at the Cottage Hotel you will find good rooms and excellent meals served at sixty cents.

For an experienced rider it may be safe enough to take the cinder path from Churchville between the two tracks of the railway, and ride thence to Bergen, three miles further on, since of these three miles two miles on the road are practically unrideable on account of the sand; but for any one who is not an experienced rider--and, to be honest, for any one at all--to do this is a great risk, and you are advised, therefore, to walk or ride in a wagon these two miles of sand. From Bergen a turn should be made to the right, the track crossed about a mile out from town, and a direct run made to Byron through West Bergen. Thence proceed due west, following the track for about a mile, where a sharp turn to the left is made, and this road is held until Batavia is reached, ten miles further on. The road, as will be seen upon the map, is somewhat irregular, but is very easy to follow. The road itself is in good condition, though it is somewhat uphill as you run in towards Batavia.

It is possible to take the fair bicycle route marked on the map, running direct from Bergen to Batavia, to the south of West Bergen and South Byron; but, everything considered, it is better to follow the best route. This stage of the journey to Buffalo--from Rochester to Batavia--is one of the most difficult, as much of the road is sandy and, at best, aggravating riding. A good deal of care should be taken of the wheel during this run. In the first place, sand roads often give the rider a throw which wrenches his bicycle; and in the second place, the sand itself is apt to get into the bearings of the wheel, and if considerable care is not taken in cleaning it at night evil results may develop.

* * * * *

Phil May, of _Punch_, seldom lets slip a chance to play a practical joke. Not long ago he needed a policeman for a model. He went out into the street and accosted the first one he met, saying who he was and what he wanted. "Come to my house at noon to-morrow," said Phil May, and he gave the man his address. Then he walked on a couple of blocks further until he met another bobby. This one was also willing to pose, and he was likewise told to apply at noon of the following day. The artist wandered about London for several hours making appointments with policemen. The next day at noon there was an entire platoon of police in front of Phil May's residence. A crowd collected, and the reason for such an array was freely discussed. Some asserted that a den of anarchists had been discovered and was about to be raided; others insisted that a swell gambling-place was about to be seized; others hinted at a murder or at some other mystery. A few minutes after twelve o'clock Phil May came to the door and invited all the policemen into his garden. There he lined them up and inspected them. He picked out the man most suitable for his purposes, then handed to each of the others an envelope containing the regulation fee for a sitting, and dismissed them.

Every girl cannot, of course, find a blind neighbor who wishes to hear somebody read aloud, nor are little dancing classes to be formed at one's pleasure. But if a girl is fond of her needle, she may keep a dainty piece of work on hand--a centre-piece, or a bureau scarf, or a doily or two, and embroider these as she has opportunity, gradually becoming so expert and deft that her needle produces exquisite effects, like those of a painter's brush. Such work is saleable, and there are always people who will order it for holiday or birthday gifts, or for their contributions to fairs. You must not hope to sell what you do in this line unless it is really excellent work, but if you are skilled you will be able to reap some profit from your labor. Many girls earn their money for charity in this way. I know one who trims the family hats and bonnets, and so earns Easter and Christmas money for the poor and for her gifts.

Among pleasant methods of earning money I must mention the device of Marion, the sixteen-year-old daughter of a friend, who pays her a little salary for keeping a set of books for him. There is, in this case, a particular account which the father wishes to keep separate from all others, and Marion, who has studied book-keeping, has charge of this, her father willingly remunerating her for her time. When a girl's parents are able to pay her for some work which she does at home she is to be congratulated.

Anna M---- frankly declares that her talents are of the home-making order. She is quick and neat, and likes to make cake, and candy, and salted almonds, and other goodies which people enjoy. If she had time to make them, her peanut taffy and her maple-sugar caramels would be in great demand, but as it is she never has trouble in getting orders for all she can supply. Her sister Sallie has earned a really large amount of money for a young girl by obtaining subscriptions for a favorite periodical, the publishers allowing a liberal commission on every paid subscription.

But after all, girls, I cannot urge you to devote your powers as yet to the earning of money. This is your preparatory season. Think of something you would like to become, and spend your time in getting ready for it. I admire Louise W----, who, when she was a child, enjoyed her needle and her little bit of patchwork, and learned to dress her dolls beautifully. Louise took a thorough course in millinery and dressmaking, learning the art of cutting and fitting perfectly; then she began to teach it, and now, as a young lady, she goes about to different schools to impart what she knows, and she also forms classes and takes single pupils. She waited till her school days were over before entering on her profession, and she is so fully mistress of her art that nobody is more independent than she.

Concerning singing, about which Lulu D---- writes, lessons from the best masters are very costly, though it is possible to study at a conservatory, and by sharing the lessons of a class receive instruction at a smaller outlay. If the voice is worth cultivation a conscientious teacher will tell you its probable range, and advise you whether to invest money in vocal culture.

MARY G. H.--Your letter reached me too late to be answered by the date you set. Should your club have another entertainment mentioned, have either a flower party or a library party. In the first instance each girl must dress in the color of her favorite flower, wear it in her belt, and recite a little poem or tell a story in which her flower is mentioned. In the second, each chooses a book and is dressed to represent its title, which the rest find out by guessing. Bring a copy of the book with you, if you wish, and let it be given to a hospital or other charity.

FLORA B.--All the way from Chili your letter came straight to my desk. I am glad to have warm words of appreciation of The Pudding Stick from a South-American reader. You write a beautiful hand, and use English well.

FRANCES.--I think twenty-five cents a week would be a sufficient allowance for pocket-money at your age.

HELEN.--As you are small for your age, wear your dresses just to the tops of your boots.

MAY AND ROSALIND H.--I thank you and your mamma for your letter, and grandmamma for her excellent culinary hint, which is that a bit of charcoal put in the vessels in which cabbage, onions, cauliflower, turnips, and spinach are cooked will quite do away with the disagreeable odors which usually accompany the process of boiling.

MRS. T. E.--You will gain the information you ask for by addressing the Young Women's Christian Association, New York.

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=125= dif. Gold Coast, Costa Rica, etc., 25c.; 40 U. S., 25c. Liberal com. to agents. Large bargain list free.

F. W. MILLER, 904 Olive St., St. Louis, Mo.

STAMPS! 100 all dif. Barbados, etc. Only 10c. Ag'ts w't'd at 50% com. List free. L. DOVER & CO., 1469 Hodiamont, St. Louis, Mo.

=100= Mixed stamps for 5c.; 100 all dif., 10c. Agents w't'd at 50% com. American Stamp Co., 1607 14th St., West Superior, Wis.

=AGENTS= w'nt'd to sell Confed. bills; 5 samples, 10c.; 1500 var. stamps and $2.50 album, $15. =R. & A.=, 113 W. 15th St., City.

* * * * *

A Novel Experiment to Try.

Sir Edward C. Wood, secretary of a Round Table Chapter in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa.--his address is 156 School Lane--is interested in science, and he sends us the following, adding that he intends to test the experiment, and will be glad to answer questions as to the result. Here is the novel item:

A French scientist, M. Ragouneau, has just discovered how to make a plant grow from the seed in thirty minutes as much as it would under ordinary circumstances in as many days. Heretofore nature has shared this secret with the Yogis of India alone, and the methods pursued by these clever magicians in performing this trick have been often described. They plant a seed in the earth and cover it with a cloth. In a few moments the cloth begins to be pushed upward by the growing plant, which, in a short time, attains the height of several feet. Various theories have been advanced as to the _modus operandi_ of this miracle, one of the latest being that the spectators are all hypnotized by the magician. During his travels in India M. Ragouneau saw this trick performed frequently, and noticed that the Hindoos always embedded the seed in soil which they brought with them specially for that purpose. At last he learned that they obtained this earth from ant-hills. Now ants contain a large proportion of formic acid, with which, in time, the soil of their habitations becomes charged. This acid has the power of quickly dissolving the integument surrounding a seed, and of greatly stimulating the growth of the germ within. After a little experimenting with this acid the learned Frenchman was able to duplicate perfectly the Hindoo trick. His further researches have led him to believe that this discovery may be profitably applied to agriculture. By infusing ants in boiling water, acid as strong as vinegar can be obtained. M. Ragouneau has achieved the best results and most perfect growth by using earth moistened with a solution of 5000 parts of water to one of acid.

* * * * *

The Justice's Carriage Bill.

Not long since Mr. Justice Gray, of the United States Supreme Court, went down into Delaware to hold court, and was met at the railroad station by a deputy marshal. The fees are not large in that section and deputy marshals are not rich men. So this deputy met the Justice on foot.

"Where is your carriage?" asked Justice Gray.

"Well, Mr. Justice, you see the distance ain't great, and the fees are small. If I hired a carriage I should have nothing left."

"You get the carriage," said the Justice. "There is an account to which it can be charged. Write to the marshal in Baltimore, and he'll tell you what the account is."

So Mr. Justice Gray rode into town and the deputy wrote to his superior. Soon after the Justice returned to Washington he received a letter from the Delaware deputy.

"The carriage bill is all right," wrote the latter. "The marshal tells me to charge it up to the account of transportation of prisoners."

* * * * *

On Biscayne Bay.

The northernmost settlement on this Florida bay is Biscayne, first settled twenty-five years ago. The site is one of natural beauty and importance. The land is high, with very little prairie. Several orange and lemon groves have been put out during the past two years. There are pretty tropical flowers, stately cocoanuts, and the ruins of several old stone houses burnt many years ago.

Lemon City, three miles south, and the largest town on the bay, contains 150 families. It has a hotel, a church, and an excellent school. It is the terminus of the Bay and Key West schooner line. The harbor is deep. Buena Vista has the deepest water on the bay. It is a mile south of Lemon City. It is a very small town. It has one store, hotel, and the yard of the Pensacola Lumber Company is situated here. Schooners carrying 300,000 feet of lumber arrive along the shore. The back country is well settled. The largest shipment of beans for the whole bay was shipped from the Buena Vista wharf last season.

Historic Miami is situated three miles south. It is a picturesque region. The oldest cocoanuts in the State wave their nuts above the deserted barracks of Fort Dallas. The Miami River is narrow, silent, and slow-flowing, with rocky banks. There are only three families here, but the Miami River bottom-lands are full of people, owing to vegetable farms, which make this an important shipping-point.

Cocoanut Grove, the home of the yachtsman, is five miles south of Miami. The Peacock Inn is a "veritable English caravansary." This settlement is described as being "popular with travellers, leaders in social functions, and a favorite resort of professionals from all paths of life in need of rest and recreation." There is a hotel, a store, union chapel, and four clubs--the Housekeepers' Club, Girls' Pine-Needle Club, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, and a Knights of Pythias Society--all in active operation. There is a casino for social purposes, and a yacht-club house which was built in 1888. The club signal is a red field bordered with blue. Ralph Munroe is commodore, and Kirk Munroe is secretary. Many prominent people belong to the club, and the winter season is gay at Cocoanut Grove.

HARRY R. WHITCOMB. UMATILLA, FLA.

* * * * *

A Blunt but Practical Reproof.

Mr. Henry T. Durant, the philanthropist who gave to Wellesley College its largest endowment, was in early life a lawyer, but at fifty retired from practice and became a "lay preacher." He brought to the latter calling wide experience of affairs and no small knowledge of human nature. He saw through people and through things. One day, during a religious meeting in which he was much interested, he listened to a preacher whose eloquence had profoundly impressed his audience. Behind his eloquence, however, Mr. Durant saw the self-consequential bearing of the young clergyman. When the latter came down from the pulpit Mr. Durant said to him:

"That was an eloquent sermon. What was your purpose in it?"

"Why," answered the preacher with surprise, "to hold up the vivid personality of our Lord."

"I thought that was what you intended; but do you know," observed Mr. Durant, bluntly, "you stood so distinctly and directly in front of Him that nobody saw any one but you."

* * * * *

Answers to Kinks.

No. 1.--Pie-crust.

* * * * *

No. 2.--1, Bagpipe. 2, Hornpipe. 3, Blowpipe. 4, Stovepipe. 5, Pitchpipe. Poetical quotation from Browning's "Pied Piper of Hamelin."

* * * * *

No. 3.--1, Blame--lame. 2, Swarm--warm. 3, Pine--pin. 4, Wine--win. 5, Maid--aid. 6, Brown--brow. 7, Brow--row. 8, Sleight--sleigh. 9, Babel--babe. 10, Scorn--corn. 11, Pink--ink. 12, Learn--earn.

* * * * *

Kinks.

No. 4.--THE AMERICAN FLAG.

I am composed of 16 stars and 5 stripes. My stars 1-16 form a word square. My 1, 2, 3, 4 is a girl's name. My 5, 6, 7, 8 is _to mind, to yield to_. My 9, 10, 11, 12 is _to bring up_. My 13, 14, 15, 16 is a hawk's nest. My 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 is _a trembling, a quivering_. My 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 is _to place in contrary order_. My 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 is _a large strong rope or chain_. My 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 is a species of poplar. My 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 is to _rule over_, to play lord or mistress, My whole is the red, white, and blue of our nation.

RITA E. BOARDMAN.

* * * * *

No. 5.--ENIGMA AND ANAGRAM.

A spacious room am I, But when taken my first, What before I my second That no more mean I.

Into a sentence transpose me I tell that a fluid they pour; Reverse the two last words of this, And an animal they adore.

Once more an anagram am I, The impossible I denote; And still once more an anagram, "They're at a catch" is then my cry.

SIMON T. STERN.

* * * * *

Questions and Answers.

Harvey G. Brendersteth: National Guards of the various States are not national in the sense that they are directly under the command of the United States authorities. More properly speaking they are State Guards, or militia, and when called out to service are called by the Governor of their State. Their expenses are borne by the States and not by the national government. The commander-in-chief of the United States Army is the President of the United States. The commander, in a strictly military sense, is the ranking general, at present General Nelson A. Miles. He is not a West Point graduate.

Any question in regard to photograph matters will be willingly answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.

FLASH-LIGHTS.

Nearly every amateur has experimented with flash-lights, the results of his experiments being, like his photographs, good, bad, and indifferent.

The great fault with flash-light pictures is the poor lighting of the subject, especially if one photographs a group or even a single individual. The sharp high lights and the dense shadows make a picture which might be called a Rembrandt gone mad. In making a portrait by flash-light the effect of the flash-lighting may be seen by placing a lamp at a point where the best effects of lights and shadows are obtained. The lamp should be at a height of at least four feet from the floor, or at the place where the strongest light from a window, if there were one, would shine on the subject.

Having found the best place for the correct lighting of the subject, arrange the flash-light at this point. Next proceed to obtain a correct focus. This is more difficult to do than by daylight, as the light is so much duller, or has less illuminating power; but by a very simple device one can focus as easily by lamp-light as by daylight. Take a large piece of white card-board, on which either paste or draw plain black letters at least two inches in height. A sentence is better than letters made at random. Set this card-board in the lap of the subject so that it is at the exact horizontal of the camera. If the subject is standing, a string can be attached to the card, and it can be hung about the neck. Place the card-board so that the letters are _bottom side up_, and they will of course appear right side up when viewed through the camera. This makes them much easier to distinguish. Focus on the letters, and do not try to strain the eye to focus on the subject.

Having the flash-light ready to fire, lower the lights a little, but not enough to make objects indistinct. If the lights are turned out or very low, the sudden change from light to darkness makes the staring look to the eyes so often seen in flash-light pictures. The room being in semi-darkness, the pupils become diluted, and do not contract to natural size till after the picture has been made. Flash-light lamps, with full directions for use, can be bought at very moderate prices ($3 to $5), or one may buy the powder or cartridges. Each cartridge contains enough for one flash. A very pretty picture may be made by placing the powder in the fire-place, and firing it--placing something between the light and the camera--giving the effect of the room being lighted by the firelight.

If the subject does not look toward the camera when the flash is made the expression of the eyes will not be noticed. In firing either a lamp or the powder it is a wise precaution to protect the hands by either putting on an old pair of gloves or wrapping a cloth round the hand used in firing the flash. Aluminum is sometimes used in place of magnesium powder. Either the leaf or powdered aluminum when burned gives an intense light, without the smoke and fumes which make the use of magnesium powder so disagreeable.

Sir Knight Floyd E. Quick sends to the ROUND TABLE a tiny photograph of the picture of General Grant which was given with our ROUND TABLE last month. It was taken with the Kombi camera, and Sir Floyd says that he placed a lamp about a foot from the picture, and set his camera on some books about a foot from the picture, opened the shutter, and made a three-minute exposure. The picture is very good indeed, quite clear and distinct, so sharp a focus, that the name "U.S. Grant" can easily be read, though the whole picture is not much larger than a twenty-five-cent piece.

TO OUR QUERISTS.

Correspondents in sending as queries often ask to have the answers printed in the next issue of the ROUND TABLE following the receipt of the letter. For the benefit of those who make this request, and then fail to see the desired answer in the "next number" of the ROUND TABLE, we will explain that queries are published as soon as possible.

SIR KNIGHT L. K. says that in developing he develops his plates till the image can be seen on the back of the plate, but after the plate is fixed, while the picture is distinct the negative is nearly transparent, and wishes to know the reason. It is because the development has not been carried far enough. The best test of development is to hold the negative to the light and look through it. If it does not appear dense enough it is not developed sufficiently, and must be returned to the developer. A negative will look nearly the same after fixing as it does when examined before fixing. The method of testing development by the image on the back of the plate is not a true test.

SIR KNIGHT JOSEPH PERI asks what is used in retouching negatives. 1st, What is used to make the negative print black; and 2d, What is used to make it print white. Soft lead-pencils are used in retouching negatives. Any spot in the negative which is filled up or marked over on the negative will print white or light in the negative. To make the print of the negative black in certain places the film is removed by a reducing solution. Alcohol applied lightly with soft linen or cotton will reduce or thin the film where it is not very thick. Ferrocyanide of potassium dissolved in water is a powerful reducer, and will remove the film entirely, leaving clear glass, if such an effect is desired.

It costs a little more, but with chapped hands and clothes weakened by the free alkali in common soaps, the housekeeper soon finds that Ivory Soap is the cheapest in the end.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.

There is just a little appetizing bite to HIRES Rootbeer; just a smack of life and good flavor done up in temperance style. _Best by any test._

Made only by The Charles E. Hires Co., Philadelphia.

A 25c. package makes 5 gallons. Sold everywhere.

CARDS

The FINEST SAMPLE BOOK of Gold Beveled Edge, Hidden Name, Silk Fringe, Envelope and Calling Cards ever offered for a 2 cent samp. These are GENUINE CARDS, NOT TRASH. UNION CARD CO., COLUMBUS, OHIO.

THE

BALTIMOREAN PRINTING-PRESS

has earned more money for boys than all other presses in the market. Boys, don't idle away your time when you can buy a self-inking printing-press, type, and complete outfit for $5.00. Write for particulars, there is money in it for you.

THE J. F. W. DORMAN CO.,

Baltimore, Md., U.S.A.

PRINTING OUTFIT 10c.

Sets any name in one minute; prints 500 cards an hour. You can make money with it. A font of pretty type, also Indelible Ink, Type Holder, Pads and Tweezers. Best Linen Marker; worth $1.00. Mailed for 10c. stamps for postage on outfit and catalogue of 1000 bargains. Same outfit with figures 15c. Outfit for printing two lines 25c. postpaid.

Ingersoll & Bro., Dept. No. 123. 65 Cortlandt St., New York.

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

* * * * *

Tommy Toddles

By ALBERT LEE. Illustrated by PETER S. NEWELL. Square 16mo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

A more entertaining collection of nonsense has rarely been penned.--_Boston Traveller._

The story is intended to be juvenile, but it will appeal to thousands of grown-up juveniles better than to the juveniles themselves.--_Boston Daily Advertiser._

This is one of the most charming bits of fairyland writing I have read in a long time. The boys and girls will delight in it, but the old folks, no matter how many years they carry, will find an equal pleasure.--George H. Hepworth in _N. Y. Herald_.

A Life of Christ for Young People,

In Questions and Answers. By MARY HASTINGS FOOTE. With Map. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

It is only occasionally in the book-market that we come across such a clear decantation of long and well-digested reading as may be found in this book.--_Critic_, N. Y.

The Rev. Dr. DAVID H. GREER writes: "I believe it to be one of the most satisfactory manuals of that character which I have ever seen. It meets a need both in the family and the Sunday-school, and I am sure that its merits will be very quickly and widely appreciated. It is not often that I can give an indorsement so cordially and unreservedly as in this case."

OAKLEIGH

A Story for Girls. By ELLEN DOUGLAS DELAND. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

The incidents are full of life, the characters are very natural, and the conversations well sustained, so that the story is full of intense interest from beginning to end.--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._

By W. J. HENDERSON

=Afloat with the Flag.= By W. J. HENDERSON, Author of "Sea Yarns for Boys," etc. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

The story has been read with eager interest by thousands of ROUND TABLE readers, and it will have an additional charm to them and others in its present book form.--_Boston Advertiser._

* * * * *

HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York.

Come to the Moon-Fay Tennis-Courts, And see the Grand Athletic Sports. The Frogs will jump for the medal gold With the Famous cow of the fable old, Who took the moon in one grand leap. Two Snails will start on a Six-Day Creep, And sixteen gnats, In derby hats, Will wrestle a match With the Bandersnatch.

A dozen Clams Will take six hurdles against six lambs; And the Lobster's claw Will pull 'gainst the Crab's in a tug-of-war. The voice of the musical Pee-Wee Bird In a high-note contest will be heard. So come to the Moon-Fay Tennis-Courts And see these grand athletic sports. Admission Free!! All those must pay Who have the bad taste to stay away.

* * * * *

"Why, Pat, what's the trouble now?"

"Faith, whin oime asked to paint a life-sized man on this sign-board, and it not big enough to paint a half a man on, what on earth can I do?"

"Why, paint the half of a man, of course."

"Sure it's aisy enough to do that; but what troubles me is what shall I leave off."

"Leave off? What do you mean?"

"Faith, I don't know whether to let his legs hang off or put his head above the sign."

* * * * *

SCIENCE IN THE NURSERY.

Now, Fido, you'll be pleased to hear That when my dollie groans, Because I've let her fall and break Each precious limb she owns, We soon can make her well, for we May photograph her bones.

* * * * *

General Lee used to tell a story about a darky that served in the war. It seems during the heat of the battle the General and his attendants were posted on a small knoll watching the course of the action. They descried a colored soldier racing toward them, leaping over obstacles in his path, his face blanched with fear. He rushed up, and fell headlong on the ground in front of Lee, crying,

"Oh, massa General, let me stay here."

Lee saw at once that the man was almost frightened to death, and useless as a soldier. It disgusted him somewhat, but his curiosity was aroused, and he asked,

"Did you come here to get out of the way of the bullets?"

"Yes, massa; where de generals am is de safest place on de field."

* * * * *

TEACHER. "James, what makes you late?"

JAMES. "I was pursuing knowledge."

TEACHER. "Pursuing knowledge? What do you mean?"

JAMES. "Why, my dog ran off with my spelling-book, and I ran after him."

* * * * *

Mr. Chauncey M. Depew is very fond of telling humorous short stories, and the following one that he relates is a good specimen:

"When I was quite a young lad, about fourteen years old, my father lived on an old farm up at Poughkeepsie. One day I went to town to see the circus, and while there I saw for the first time one of those spotted coach dogs. I bargained for it with the owner, and trotted home happy with my new possession. When my father saw it his good old Puritan face fell, and he said, sadly,

"'Why, Chauncey, we don't want any spotted dog on the farm! It would drive the cattle crazy.'

"I succeeded in obtaining permission to keep him, however. The next day it was raining, and I took the dog out in the woods to try him on a coon. The rain was too much for the spots, and when we returned home they had disappeared. I hastened to town and hunted up the man who sold him to me.

"'Look at the dog,' said I; 'his spots have all washed off.'

"'Great guns, boy!' exclaimed the dealer, 'there was an umbrella went with that dog. Didn't you get an umbrella?'"

* * * * *

The Emperor of Germany is a man of versatile accomplishments, and rarely rests any length of time without appearing in some new rôle. Recently he was entertained at dinner by his officers of the cuirassiers, and enjoyed himself thoroughly--so much so that he prolonged his stay over six hours. As the time went by he entered into conversation with the bandmaster on the subject of historical marches. With a quick impetuous movement, the Emperor jumped to his feet, and summoning the musicians of the band, seized the baton and conducted the Hohenfriedberg March by Frederick the Great. As his baton fell on the final note, and the music ceased, he turned, and in an enthusiastic manner cried out:

"Ah, it is fine like that! I'll have it like that throughout my army."

It is to be wondered if the Emperor proposes to wander about his country rehearsing the bands of his army to suit his musical tastes.

* * * * *

OH, WOULD IT NOT BE FUNNY FOR TO SEE THIS SORT OF SPAT, AND HAVE THE RABBIT ARCH ITS BACK THE SAME AS DOES THE CAT!

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, April 21, 1896, by Various