CHAPTER III.

Chapter 39,630 wordsPublic domain

Tommy often wondered afterwards why it was that he did not feel frightened when he found himself so close to this great congress of wild animals. But at the time he did not feel in the least alarmed, and he and the ex-Pirate sat together for some time under the oak planning as to what they had better do. Perhaps Tommy felt no fear, because all the animals seemed to be on such good terms with one another, and so gave evidence that they would not harm any one else. The little boy noticed the Lion and the Lamb lying down together; the Fox was playing tag with the Geese ("Fox and Geese, I suppose," thought Tommy); the Red Wolf was strolling about, arm in arm, with a bearded Goat and his kids; and half a dozen Mice were having all sorts of fun with an old Tom Cat who wanted to sleep.

"I guess the only thing for us to do," remarked the ex-Pirate at last, "is to just walk over and go aboard. There's no use sitting here any longer. We have not any umbrellas, and it is liable to begin to rain at any moment. Let's try our luck."

"Perhaps it would be best for us to walk around to the other side," suggested Tommy. "There doesn't seem to be so many animals there."

His companion approved of this, and they started off together, making a circuit which soon brought them to the other side of the huge house-boat. There were scarcely any beasts in sight, and so they boldly approached the great craft which towered high up above their heads. When they had come quite close, the ex-Pirate's keen eye caught sight of a small port-hole near the stern, and after calling Tommy's attention to it they decided to try to get in that way. The port-hole was very narrow, and it was with the greatest difficulty that the two managed to squeeze through. But they succeeded, nevertheless, and found themselves in a sort of dark chamber where there was a ladder that led to the upper regions of the Ark.

"We're all right now," said the ex-Pirate. "Do you think this will be too much for you?"

"What?" asked Tommy, who did not quite understand.

"The ladder."

"Not a bit. Why?"

"It's more than you."

"How do you mean?" asked the little boy, now somewhat puzzled.

"You are a lad, aren't you?" said the ex-Pirate.

"Yes."

"Well, this is a ladder."

There was not anything that Tommy could very well answer to any such statement; but then he had long since given up any idea of following the peculiar arguments and reasonings of the ex-Pirate. Yet in order to show him that, even if the ladder was more than he, he was certainly equal to climbing it, he seized the rungs and clambered up. It ended at a trap-door which, when lifted, opened into a very large room that appeared to occupy the entire length of the Ark.

"Aha!" exclaimed the ex-Pirate. "This is where they have the boxing-matches."

"Will they have any?" asked Tommy, eagerly, and his eyes opened very wide.

"I don't know," returned the ex-Pirate, "but this is the spar-deck."

"How did you get here?" suddenly asked a familiar voice from behind them, which so startled Tommy that he almost stepped into the open trap. When he looked around he saw, to his great joy, that it was the Sheep.

"Oh, we just came," answered the ex-Pirate, quickly. "Things come and things go, you know."

"Yes, I've heard that before," interrupted the Sheep. "But if Noah catches you, he'll put you ashore."

"But we don't want to go ashore," said Tommy, who at seeing his old friend the Sheep had entirely recovered from his momentary alarm.

"Well, I'm very busy now," continued the latter, "and the animals will be coming in pretty soon. If you want to see them, you had better go up to the other end of the Ark and sit on a rafter over the entrance. But don't let the Bull see you. He's in a mighty bad humor. Good-by," and the Sheep trotted off and disappeared almost as suddenly as he had come.

"Guess we'd better do that," said the ex-Pirate, meditatively. "We don't want to get put out." So they walked to the other end of the big room, being very careful to make as little noise as possible, and when they came to the large arched entrance with the heavy bolted doors the ex-Pirate helped Tommy climb up a post, and the two slid out on a rafter, from which they could obtain a first-rate view of anything that might happen. Just below where they sat, and directly opposite them, was a window with a small counter in front of it and the words "Ticket Office" painted over it. Below the counter, nearer the floor, was another window, only smaller--"for the little animals, I suppose," thought Tommy. When their eyes had become accustomed to the semi-obscurity of their surroundings they found that they were not the only occupants of balcony seats. A few feet away from them sat a Gopher. He wore a pink sun-bonnet, and looked somewhat timidly at the intruders. As soon as the ex-Pirate saw him, he said: "What are you doing up here? Why aren't you outside?"

"Lost my ticket," answered the Gopher, timorously.

"Lost your ticket?" repeated the ex-Pirate.

"Yes, sir," continued the little animal, meekly. "Not exactly lost it. I put it in my mouth, and forgot, and swallowed it. I've got it inside."

"Oh," said the ex-Pirate. "Well, you'll get it back as soon as we start."

"Please may I stay?" asked the Gopher.

"Why, certainly," replied the ex-Pirate, affably, waving his hand in a grandiose way, just as if he had been the proprietor of the Ark; whereupon the Gopher looked much pleased and relieved, and settled down comfortably again at his end of the rafter.

Just then the shutter of the ticket window was thrown up with a loud bang that made Tommy jump, and the Bull stuck his head out and peered up and down the large room. He was a very fierce-looking Bull, and he wore on his head a cap with the word "Purser" embroidered on it in gold letters.

"All aboard!" he bellowed, in a voice that fairly made the timbers tremble, and scared the Gopher half out of his wits. And then some one from the outside opened the heavy doors and the animals began coming in.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]

The annual meet of the American Canoe Association, which is now in progress on Lake Champlain, is decidedly the most important sporting event of the year to canoe lovers. For the past week hundreds of enthusiasts have been paddling and sailing and racing off Bluff Point, and every known kind of canoe has been seen on the water. It is only twenty-five years since canoeing as a sport found favor in this country, but since then it has grown steadily, and now there are canoe clubs in every State. Although the canoe, both as a paddling and a sailing craft, is distinctly American in its origin, it is a fact, nevertheless, that canoe cruising and the sport of canoe sailing were introduced from England. About thirty years ago a Scotchman named John MacGregor built a canoe, which he called the _Rob Roy_. It resembled an Esquimau kayak, being low and narrow and decked all over, except for a narrow space in the middle. It had a small lateen-sail, but the mode of propulsion used most by MacGregor was his two-bladed paddle. In this queer little boat he explored many of the waters of Great Britain, and cruised extensively in Holland, Germany, Norway, and Sweden, meeting with many adventures, an account of which he afterwards published under the title of _A Thousand Miles in the Rob Roy Canoe_. He has also written several other interesting accounts of other trips. The most delightful account ever written of a canoe cruise, however, is Stevenson's _Inland Journey_. Any young man who has the slightest inclination toward the sail and the paddle will surely take them up with enthusiasm after reading these books.

The choice of a craft is always difficult, especially to one who has had little or no experience in canoeing. I told last week how an inexpensive canoe might be built of canvas, but for cruising purposes a boat made of wood is necessary. It is taken for granted that any one who can afford the time for a cruise can also afford the money to purchase a suitable craft for his journey. A good cedar canoe nowadays costs from $80 to $150, but boats made of less-expensive woods may be had for as little as $30. The building of these light canoes has become such a big business that there are over fifty varieties made now where there were only half a dozen fifteen years ago. But in spite of all the varieties there are only about three classes--the racing-canoe, the paddling canoe, and the cruising canoe--which use both sail and paddle.

Although Mr. Vaux, one of the most experienced of canoeists, said, "There is no such thing as a best canoe," he did not mean that there was no such thing as the best kind of canoe for certain purposes. He was particularizing. He meant that it was impossible for any man to tell another what particular make of canoe would suit his tastes best. It really depends entirely on what you want to do with your boat. If you wish to cruise in inland lakes and deep open rivers where there is plenty of wind, but no very heavy seas, and where you will use sail and paddle in about equal proportion, get a canoe of the "Nautilus" type. But for narrow streams and running rapids I should recommend a "Peterborough." The latter are of different sizes and varieties, and are built at the Canadian town of Peterborough. They are modelled after the Indian birch-bark canoe, and are made of basswood or cedar. They cost from $30 to $50, according to finish, and are very serviceable. The basswood boats are not so liable to leak as others.

Another advantage of the "Peterborough" is that it will carry more passengers and duffle than any other style of canoe, and can easily be carried over land or around locks if you are travelling along a canal. It is easy to paddle, sails fast before the wind, and is the best craft in the world to shoot rapids. At night it can be drawn up on shore and turned upside down, thus making a dry and comfortable shelter. The "Nautilus" style of canoe is from twenty-eight to thirty inches wide and about fifteen feet long. It is fitted with a centreboard, and is an excellent cruising craft. It will carry one person comfortably, and two at a pinch, and the air-tight compartments forward and aft make it a life-boat, unsinkable. Beneath the decks and hatches there is plenty of room for dry stowage. At night the owner of a "Nautilus" canoe can either haul his craft ashore or anchor in deep water. In the latter case, he hoists his canoe tent above his head, unfolds his mattress, and sleeps comfortably in the cockpit. Personally, however, I prefer to land and pitch camp.

It is always advisable to select your camping-ground and be in camp before sunset. Pull the canoe up out of water, take your duffle out, and turn the boat upside down over it. Then make your fire; see that there is no danger of its spreading, and that the breeze is blowing the sparks away from your camp or your canoe. The fire well started, take a pail and a glass jar and go to the nearest farm-house for milk and eggs. When you get back, you will find that the fire has made a nice bed of coals on which you can do your cooking. Never attempt to cook over a blaze. It sometimes happens, however, that the ground is wet, or that a storm will interfere with your fire. For such emergencies it is well to have an alcohol lamp in your outfit, for on this you can boil enough water to cook eggs and make a cup of coffee, and if you are an expert with a chafing dish you can rival the best of city restaurants. But it is not probable that you will have such a luxury as a chafing dish among your equipments. You will probably have a saucepan instead--in fact it is necessary that you should have a saucepan. And with a little practice you can cook almost anything in the latter that you can in a chafing dish. The other necessary cooking utensil is a coffee-pot. With that and the saucepan and a small kettle you can live very comfortably. There are a number of small books of convenient pocket size that will tell you all you want to know about camp cooking. This is a good subject to study up before starting on a cruise.

The supplies that a canoeist takes with him in his boat should consist of a few pounds of sugar, a box of salt, three or four pounds of ground coffee in a tin box with a close-fitting screw top, some bacon, a pound of tea, a couple of jars of marmalade or jam, a tin of deviled ham, and a pound or two of pilot-bread or hardtack. There will be lots of places along the course of your cruise where you will be able to replenish these stores should they run short, and at the villages you pass you can secure fresh meat if you care for it or are skilful enough cook to prepare it. Always have a line and some fish-hooks with you, for a canoeist should be a good fisherman.

A mess-chest is a good thing to have if you are travelling in a "Peterborough." This is a tin box three feet long, one foot high, and about eighteen inches wide. Its top should have a cover of painted canvas, with flaps that will come down over the edges. In this box your provisions and a change of under-clothes may be kept perfectly dry. Carry plenty of matches and a good lantern.

Your matches should be kept in a glass jar with a screw top--an old preserve jar is just the thing. Then they cannot get damp.

As to the cruise itself, it should be carefully planned beforehand. Never start off with only a general idea of where you want to go. It is a bad thing to trust to luck in canoeing. Plan your trip so that you will start at the head of some river, or as near the head as you can find good water, and cruise down. Don't attempt to cover too great a distance in one day. Twenty-five miles a day is enough, and is more than you will care to make if most of it has to be paddled. Further--never hurry. Take plenty of time to fish, bathe, land, visit the country, and eat your meals regularly. If you have only a certain number of days to devote to your cruise, lay out the distance you must cover each day, and try to stick to your schedule as closely as camping-grounds will allow. Keep a record of your adventures in a log-book; this will prove not only interesting but valuable in the future.

No one should ever think of taking a canoe cruise unless he can swim. The canoeist gets too many upsets to risk venturing into deep water unless he can take care of himself. It is a good thing to practise upsetting in shallow water, so as to learn how to climb back into your boat again. Having fallen into the stream or the lake, whichever it may be, swim back to your canoe and seize the side nearest to you at the middle with your left hand. Then reach across the cockpit to the opposite gunwale with your right, and extend your body horizontally on the surface of the water. By a quick motion you can easily draw yourself across the cockpit and into the canoe again. It is well to keep your paddle tied to a thwart with a stout string long enough not to interfere with your work. Then it cannot float away when you upset.

The sails most commonly used on canoes are the leg-of-mutton sail and the standing lug. On racing canoes you usually see the bat sails--but racing canoes are mere machines that are not good things to have or to imitate, and the better element among canoeing sportsmen to-day are frowning them down. A leg-of-mutton sail requires a tall mast, which some canoeists regard as a serious objection. The sail, however, runs to such a small point aloft that there is really very little surface exposed to the wind, and very little weight up there. It is the most simple form of sail, too, and can be easily raised and lowered, or reefed, and is, I believe, the safest kind of a sail for a canoe. It can be used to very good advantage on a boat of the "Nautilus" type.

For a canoe of the "Peterborough" type the best kind of a sail is the standing lug. It is very nearly square (and if you want to manufacture one yourself you can make it square), and very good for running before the wind. It is easily managed, and serves admirably as a tent or awning when you are camping with your canoe turned up for shelter.

One of the greatest pleasures of canoeing is that the impressions you get are so vivid and real. All the world seems so big and strong. Your craft is so tiny that everything else appears to be very large. A breeze that would be welcome to a yacht is a gale to a canoe, and what are moderate waves to a sail-boat of ordinary size are heavy seas to a "Peterborough." And then, in a canoe, you are your own captain and your own crew. You can go as close in-shore as you wish, and the panorama that passes by you is so near that you almost feel you can touch the fields and hills, or pick up the cows from the pastures and put them down again. And then the expense of canoeing is so moderate. You can live on your voyages at the rate of about fifty cents a day. You carry your house along with you; your only expenses are for provisions. I should be glad to give more space to the subject, but while I believe that a great many of the readers of these columns are interested in canoes--or would be if they had ever tried one--I realize, too, that there are others who are just as eager for bicycling and cat-boat sailing and mountain climbing and hunting and fishing. And to them I shall talk later. But if there is anything about canoes that any reader of the ROUND TABLE desires to know, I shall be glad to reply to his questions.

Football practice has begun in California. The school term opens in August on the Coast, and the football men of the Academic Athletic League are already on the gridiron. The Oakland High-School eleven promises to be a strong one again this year in spite of losses by graduation. Lynch will probably fill McConnell's place at tackle, and Walton will no doubt play half-back. Russ, the clever half-miler, is trying for quarter. He is not particularly apt at the game, and is too good a track athlete to risk his legs in a scrimmage. If the O.H.-S. Captain can find another man for the position, it will be best for the general welfare of the school's sport to keep Russ on the cinder track. Chickering will be on the end again, and Guppy is pretty sure to hold the other flank.

Captain Anderson will keep his old position at full-back. He has speed, endurance, and pluck; he runs low, uses good judgment, and plays hard all the time.

His principal fault is that he runs too far out in circling the ends. It is better football to make for a hole and to depend on your end rush to hold the opposite end off. A down inside the end is better than a hard run away around with the risk of being forced beyond the line. A two-inch gain is better than a run across the field. What the team needs most is a good punter and place kicker, and the ends ought to learn to get down the field quicker on punts, and to follow the ball better than they do now.

A great many letters come to this Department every week asking questions and making suggestions. Most of them are signed by the writers, just as any gentleman signs a business letter when writing to another, and these can be answered in due time. Others come signed with initials merely, or with _noms de plume_, and without addresses. Most of these writers expect me to answer them through the columns of the Department. This is not always possible or advisable. The subjects spoken of in the letters may not be of sufficient general interest to deserve space here, yet they may be of sufficient importance to warrant a personal reply. I always endeavor to acknowledge in some way all the letters that come to the Department, but I cannot promise to answer anonymous communications.

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.

The high prices for the Great Britain 4d., red or blue paper, garter water-mark, quoted in the ROUND TABLE, No. 821, has stimulated the readers of this Department to look over their collections, and several think they have the rare varieties, but are not certain that they know the difference between the three garter water-marks. Therefore, I give fac-similes of all three--small, medium, and large garters. There is not only a difference in size between the medium and the large, but also a slight difference in the design. There must be many copies of these stamps, as they were quite common for many years, and prices did not advance much until about 1888. They are frequently found in old Collections.

The newest development in the collection of U.S. stamps is that of plate numbers and stamps showing all or part of the imprint. Many English stamps bear the plate numbers on the stamps themselves, but the U.S. has never followed this example. Collectors who have a chance to look over the stamps on sale at their post-office, should buy all the different stamps they can find with the marginal imprint and plate numbers, and lay them aside for future exchange. This is especially true of all the stamps issued previous to 1890. Many of the smaller offices have stamps of previous issues. Only the other day a collector bought of a local postmaster complete sheets of several 1870 issues, and about a year ago a sheet of 1868, 24c., was bought at face, and sold immediately for $200.

S.S.S.S. These four initials stand for the "Society for the Suppression of Speculative Stamps," which has just condemned the following issues as not worthy of collection: Portugal "San Antonio" Centennial Stamps, the 4, 10, 20, 30, and 40c. surcharged on the one dollar stamp of North Borneo and Labuan, and the various Chinese locals.

The annual meet of the American Philatelic Association is about to hold its convention at Clayton, N.Y. It seems probable that Mr. Tiffany, of St. Louis, will retire from the presidency, and Mr. Alvah Davison be elected in his place. The society now numbers about 1200 members, but lately has not occupied the commanding position it formerly held.

J. O. P.--No premiums on the coins mentioned.

CONSTANT READER.--It is the St. Anthony Jubilee issued by Portugal. It has little value, as these stamps were made for the purpose of selling to collectors primarily, and for postal use secondarily. I do not think Portugal will find it very profitable, as collectors are growing shy of philatelic trash.

A. B. STERN, Asbury Park.--It is a medal or token, not a coin, and it has no money value.

J. V. D.--Priest's Paid Despatch stamp is worth from $5 to $20, according to variety and condition. The 1818 half-dollar is sold by dealers for 75c.

F. M. L.--Dealers quote the 1859 1c. at 5 to 10c.

INTERESTED READER.--Your coin is either Austrian or Russian, probably the first. The value is about 10c.

N. P. P.--There are four varieties of the 1807 and five varieties of the 1802 1c. worth from 20 to 75c. The "Army and Navy" is not a coin, but simply a medal or token. There are tens of thousands of varieties of these tokens issued from 1861 to 1865 during our civil war.

PHILATUS.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

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

HARPERS NEW CATALOGUE

Thoroughly revised, classified and indexed, will be sent by mail to any address on receipt of ten cents.

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.

This week we have divided the trip from Philadelphia to Atlantic City into two parts, of thirty-one and thirty-five miles each. It is perfectly possible for a good rider to go from Philadelphia to Atlantic City in one day, but if he can take two days to it, the ride will be pleasanter, he will see more of the country, and he can then take the train back to Philadelphia instead of riding the return.

Leaving Philadelphia by Market Street, go east, across the ferry to Camden, and thence proceeding by Federal Street turn into Haddon Avenue. Upon reaching Line Street, keep to the left until the city line is reached; then take the right fork. The rider passes through Collingswood, Haddonfield, Greenland, to Kirkwood, a distance of ten miles or more over a reasonably good road, though not of the best nor in the best condition. Keep to the left in going out of Kirkwood, and be careful of the railroad crossing, which is a bad one. After passing over this crossing, turn to the right at the paint works, passing by Lakeside Park to Gibbsboro, a distance of two miles. Here the grade is very good, but the road is in a pretty bad condition, and the rider had better keep to the side paths when outside of the town. From Gibbsboro to Berlin is four miles over a gravel road not in any too good condition, and side paths will again be a boon. The road is direct. It is also direct through Wilton to Blue Anchor, a distance of eight miles. There will be no difficulty in recognizing the road, it being very straight, and in most cases showing by its size, as compared with branch roads, which is the main road.

Running out of Blue Anchor, the rider takes the middle road of three forks, and shortly after passing this main fork he arrives at another, where, keeping to the left, he runs two miles into Winslow Junction. Crossing the track, he will find the road to Rosedale, a distance of a mile and a half, still gravel and not in the best of condition, but it is perfectly easy to tell which is the correct road. At Rosedale the tracks are crossed again at the station, and the run into and through Hammonton is made, the road being pretty good if you keep to the side paths. This makes in all about thirty or thirty-one miles, and the rider can stop at Hammonton for the night, though there are very few good accommodations, or even passable ones, to be found anywhere on the route from Philadelphia to Atlantic City; but the lack of good accommodations is really the one objection to making a two-days-trip of the Atlantic City route.

A word should be said here as to riding long distances. Any one who practises on a bicycle, _i. e._, any one who rides a certain number of miles a day for a certain number of days, depending on the particular make-up of the individual, will get himself into such a condition that he can ride any reasonable distance; _i. e._, up to one hundred miles in a day. It is not, therefore, a particularly desirable or difficult-to-be-attained facility to ride long distances in a day. Some men like to ride long distances fast; others like to ride a short distance fast, and then stop and walk or make a detour; while still others like to do a certain amount, say thirty or forty miles, taking a whole day for it, at a slow gait.

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 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824.

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.

PAPERS FOR BEGINNERS, NO. 12.

PRINTING AND TONING.

There are so many brands of sensitive paper on the market, and they are so cheap, fresh, evenly sensitized, and easy of manipulation, that it is a waste of time and money for the amateur to attempt to prepare his own. Even professional photographers are taking advantage of the prepared papers, and buy the paper ready sensitized.

The gelatine papers have almost entirely taken the place of the albumen paper, a paper which was always hard for the amateur to handle. The gelatine paper prints quickly, tones easily, and many different tones can be obtained in the same bath by removing pictures at a longer or shorter time. The combined toning and fixing bath is very popular, but the real gold tones can be obtained much better with a toning and fixing bath prepared separately.

See that the glass side of the negative is perfectly clean. Place it in the printing-frame, the glass side out, adjust a piece of sensitive paper over the film side, fasten in the printing-frame, and expose to the light till the picture is a little darker than required for a finished print. As soon as it is dark enough, remove it from the frame, and put it in a book, and put the book in a drawer. Do this with each print till all are printed. Thin negatives must be printed in the shade, but a good negative may be printed in direct sunlight.

For beginners who wish to use the combined toning and fixing bath, it is better to buy it already prepared. A bottle of prepared developer, which costs fifty cents, will tone from one hundred to one hundred and fifty prints 4 x 5.

Place the prints one by one in the tray, taking care that no air-bubbles form on the surface of the print. If not immediately broken they will leave dark spots on the prints. As the prints tone very quickly they must be kept in motion all the while. The best way to secure uniform tones is to slip the bottom print out and place it face up on top of the others, which should be face down in the tray. As soon as the last print has been turned in this way, turn the whole batch face down and repeat the operation. By handling the prints in this manner, the toning process is seen at once, and as soon as a print has received the desired tone it can be taken from the tray and placed in a dish of running water.

The prints should wash half an hour or more. The color obtained in the bath will remain. It does not fade as does the albumen print on being removed from the toning bath.

The gelatine prints should be toned at once after printing. Even if they are kept in a perfectly dark place, the half tones and high lights quickly discolor.

The separate toning baths are easily prepared. What is called the stock solution is made as follows: 15 grs. chloride gold and sodium, 7-1/2 oz. of water.

Dissolve and keep in a tightly corked bottle, marked "Gold Solution." Chloride of gold and sodium comes already prepared in 15 grain-quantities, and costs thirty cents a bottle.

The other stock solution is a saturated solution of bicarbonate of soda. A saturated solution is a solution which contains a little more of the substance dissolved in it than it can hold in solution. This is shown by a deposit on the bottom of the bottle.

To make the toning bath, take 3-1/2 oz. of water in the graduating glass and add 1/2 oz. of the gold solution. Dip a piece of blue litmus paper into the solution, and if it does not turn the paper red add a little more of the gold solution until it does. Then add enough of the bicarbonate of soda solution till it turns the litmus paper back to blue. A few drops of the soda solution should be added at a time, stirring the solution with a glass rod.

Mix the bath half an hour before wanted for use. Place the prints in this bath without previous washing, and tone till the required color is obtained. Rinse and place in a fixing bath composed of 1 oz. of hyposulphite of soda and 8 oz. of water. Leave them in this fixing bath five minutes, then wash for half an hour in running water.

In preparing stock solutions, label the bottles and write the formula with direction for use on the label. This saves time and trouble.

In preparing chemical solutions one must be very exact, as a little more or less of one ingredient sometimes produces chemical changes in the solution, rendering it useless for the purpose for which it was intended.

Pauline asks how to fume paper. Fuming albumen paper makes it easier to print and tone. Freshly sensitized paper does not need fuming, but paper that has been prepared some time should be fumed before using. To do this pin the paper inside a box, a wooden soap-box is just the thing, and set it over a saucer of ammonia water. Cover the box with a blanket, and let it remain for fifteen minutes. Use at once.

* * * * *

STARVED TO DEATH

in midst of plenty. Unfortunate, yet we hear of it. The Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk is undoubtedly the safest and best infant food. _Infant Health_ is a valuable pamphlet for mothers. Send your address to N. Y. Condensed Milk Co., N. Y.--[_Adv._]

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Arnold

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Postage Stamps, &c.

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CRITTENDEN & BORGMAN CO., Detroit, Mich.

Commit to Memory

the best things in Prose and Poetry, always including good Songs and Hymns. It is surprising how little good work of this kind seems to be done in the Schools, if one must judge from the small number of people who can repeat, without mistake or omission, as many as =Three= good songs or hymns.

Clear, Sharp, Definite,

and accurate Memory work is a most excellent thing, whether in School or out of it, among all ages and all classes. But let that which is so learned be worth learning and worth retaining. The Franklin Square Song Collection presents a large number of

Old and New Songs

and Hymns, in great variety and very carefully selected, comprising Sixteen Hundred in the Eight Numbers thus far issued, together with much choice and profitable Reading Matter relating to Music and Musicians. In the complete and varied

Table of Contents,

which is sent free on application to the Publishers, there are found dozens of the best things in the World, which are well worth committing to memory; and they who know most of such good things, and appreciate and enjoy them most are really among the best educated people in any country. They have the best result of Education. For above Contents, with sample pages of Music, address

Harper & Brothers, New York.

The Order's Badges.

The Founders decided to have new badges and asked for designs for the same. Old badges are still official, and those who have them need not feel called upon to buy the new style. Designs were received from about a score of members, but almost none of the suggestions were practicable. An old Founder, who has excellent taste in such matters, suggests an outline star; a centre the rose from the top of the King Arthur Table, and the letters K. L. O. R. T., one on each of the star's five points. The star is American, and the rose historic--a relic from the Order from which we get our name.

There can be two styles of badges, one a silver stick-pin to cost about ten cents, and the other a gold and enamel pin, same design, with pin and catch, to cost about $1, and handsome enough to be worn as a scarf or dress pin, instead of a pin of any other design. When so considered, it is not a direct outlay for the Order, since nearly every person has and wears a pin of some sort. The designs are not yet made, of course, but they will be if the Table agrees to them. Founders need not write unless they disapprove of the suggested designs. Badges will be prepared at the earliest possible moment, and orders filled.

A Walk in the West Indies.

The other day I took a walk among the mountains with others of our family. We started in the morning before the sun had time to gain his full heat, and walked along the bank of a river until we reached higher ground. From the top of one of the mountains we could see wide stretches of blue sea, and green sugar-cane fields, and the whole of Kingston lying in the broad valley far away and beyond us. We saw Port Royal and the old Spanish ship _Urgent_, lying at anchor in the harbor.

All this we looked at as we rested, and it was the best sort of resting, too. Then we turned our backs on it, and walked in the opposite direction. Higher and higher we climbed, and I found a wild rose, a white one, growing by the path, and some butterfly-weed further on--a veritable breath of America. The path is only wide enough for mules and donkeys, and people single file. We met some negro women with fruits on their heads, and the ground was covered with mangoes, green and yellow, some with large bites in them, for all the negroes eat them. Parts of the river crossed our path, sometimes with occasional little waterfalls; and we drank, partly from thirst and partly from pure pleasure in drinking water so clear and sweet and cold.

We passed a coffee-mill with big barbecues, and men spreading out the coffee on them with shovels. There seemed to be a great deal of it, but there are only a very few people here who have succeeded in making their "pile" by raising coffee. The big mill-wheel was silent; it is turned by water power, and was probably out of order. I never heard of anything Jamaican that wasn't the latter. It was deliciously cool up there, with a strong wind blowing, and occasional small patches of shade from thick-leaved mango-trees. There were plenty of banana-trees, but only a few palms. Palms grow better further down. The mountains were becoming misty already when we turned to go back. They generally do in the afternoon.

GWENDOLEN HAWTHORNE. JORDEN TOWN, JAMAICA, B. W. I.

The Helping Hand.

Another memorial stone is promised for the School Building. It is to bear the name of J. Paul Charlton, who was a Canadian Knight and a Founder of our Order. His uncle sends $10 to the Fund, and says he will provide the stone as soon as the size is given him. The stone will cost $3 to $6. The Table will be glad to hear from others who may wish to place memorial stones in the building. It is not necessary that the person belonged in life to the Order. We hope most of the Chapters will also give name stones.

What do you think of Mr Munroe's appeal? We agree with him that _every member ought to be represented_ on the Honor Roll. Have you forwarded your dime yet? Let us raise the balance of this Fund and crown our efforts with success. Ten cents from _you_ will do it. We have received since last report. Josephine Howard, 10 cents. A friend, $1. Kirk Munroe, 10 cents. W. A. Charlton. Jun., $10. M. Le Roy Arnold, 25 cents. Harry Harper Chapter, of Newtown, Conn., $10. A friend (K), $10. Mary Barnes, $2. Total $33.45.

Note to Washington Members.

It is intended to have an entertainment in Washington, toward the end of September, in aid of the School Fund, and all readers there are cordially invited to attend. Due notice will be given of place and exact date. Any who are willing to help at selling tickets are asked to send word to Elizabeth W. Hyde, 1418 Euclid Place, N. W. The tickets will be twenty-five cents, and the entertainment a most attractive one.

A Sparrow's Ride.

In this city, and not far from our house, my father owns a large mill in which is a great deal of machinery. The other day a workman, busy beside a pulley that has spokes in it and a hollow cone for a rim, noticed an English sparrow fly rapidly toward him as if chased by an enemy and fleeing for its life. There was a flutter, and the sparrow suddenly disappeared. A workman near declared the bird had gone into the pulley. The first workman could not believe it, and so he did not stop the machinery.

Three hours afterward, when shutting down for the night, out flew the sparrow. It was a bit uncertain with feet and wings, but presently recovered itself and departed. An estimate was made, and it was found that the sparrow had made nearly twenty thousand revolutions, and was still unharmed.

JOHN B. KETCHAM. LANSING.

Help Wanted.

The Little Women chapter, of Upper Nyack, N. Y. is to hold a fair in aid of the School Fund, and asks for contributions of fancy-work and money. It also wants kitchen aprons, for they always sell. Send articles, postage prepaid, to Sophie Moeller, president, Upper Nyack, N. Y., at any time within three weeks. We ask the Table to help this Chapter.

Kinks.

No. 95.--IN A GARDEN.

Supply blanks by names of plants.

A ---- -- ---- stood off apart, Clad in her ----, she cried: "How can I stanch my ---- -- ---- Since my ---- -- ---- died?"

Often she ---- at ---- -- ---- To go to feed her ----; She also watered all the ----, And put ---- in their ----.

She tried to keep a notions shop For sale of fancy goods. Like ---- -- ---- for a ----, ---- -- ---- too, and ---- -- ----.

But nothing brought ---- or ---- -- ----, Till one ---- an ---- -- ---- Gave ---- advice that gave ---- -- ----. This was his pleasant plan!

Said he, "Your ---- shines, and ---- Your ----, sweet as honey. There's ---- -- ---- -- ----, and I think You'd best try ----."

* * * * *

No. 96--HOLLOW ST. ANDREW'S CROSS.

Upper left-hand diamond--1. In crystal. 2. A small fish. 3. Ventured. 4. The eaves of a roof. 5. Existing. 6. To moisten. 7. In crystal.

Upper right-hand diamond.--1. In crystal. 2. A large wooden vessel. 3. Pacifies. 4. Thunders. 5. Beneath. 6. To stitch. 7. In crystal.

Lower left-hand diamond--1. In crystal. 2. The end of a piece of lace. 3. Modified. 4 Fanatics. 5. Having the qualities of beer. 6. Arid. 7. In crystal.

Lower right-hand diamond.--1. In crystal 2. Uncooked. 3. Committed to memory. 4. Relating to the arch-fiend. 5. Winds. 6. An English prefix meaning "separated". 7. In crystal.

VINCENT V. M. BEEDE.

* * * * *

No. 97.

First is a prima donna. Second is a city in Germany. Third the capital of New Jersey. Fourth are the celebrated falls of the United States. Fifth is one of the five great lake ports. Sixth is the president of the United States. Seventh is a country in Europe. Eighth is a well-known temperance lecturer. Ninth is a celebrated English novelist. Tenth is an American explorer. My whole counted down the centre is a celebrated American poet.

LINDA MOHRMANN.

Answers to Kinks.

No. 92.

Name, Cromwell. 1. Craven, raven. 2 Rink, ink. 3 Olive, live. 4. Madder, adder. 5 Waft, aft. 6. Event, vent. 7. Lace, ace. 8. Lair, air.

* * * * *

No. 93.

1. Anti-mony. 2. Si-mony. 3. Patri-mony. 4. Cere-mony. 5. Matri-mony. 6. Ali-mony. 7. Scam-mony. 8. Parsi-mony. 9. Acri-mony. 10. Testi-mony. 11. Har-mony.

* * * * *

No 94.

L I V E D I N G I R O N I D O L V O I D N O D E E N D S I N G L E N I D O L N O S E D I N G L E E E L S I D E A E D I T N E A T L I M E G A T E S T E P

Two Facts about Germantown.

It was in Germantown that the mariners' quadrant was invented by Thomas Godfrey in 1730; and that Christopher Sower, Sr., printed the first Bible in America, a copy of which, with Sower's imprint, could have been seen at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876.

JOHN H. CAMPBELL, JUN. PHILADELPHIA.

Questions and Answers.

Charles Bellas, South Auburn, Neb., wants samples of amateur papers, and George W. Buchanan, Searcy, Ark., wants to correspond with editors of such papers. "O. E. S." wants us to offer prizes for music settings. We will do so. A "member" asks all about chicken raising. He will find this information in a long illustrated article in the ROUND TABLE, No. 806, which he can order through any dealer. It is too soon to reprint it. Estrella E. Ulrich, age sixteen, is a member who lives at Buckland's Road, Onehunga, Auckland, New Zealand, and sends us a puzzle answer "too late," as she says, "for the competition, but to let you see that children born and brought up in this out-of-the-way corner of the world know something about authors of England and America." If Lady Estrella's excellent answer is a sample of what Auckland Ladies can do, we will have to admit that New Zealanders are well informed on literary matters. Will you give the Table a morsel about Auckland?

Annie Kidder: It is impossible to tell, at this distance of time, who was the original of "Little Blue Jacket," the picture published by this paper nearly nine years ago. It was from a photograph taken in London, and we doubt if any record can now be found of it. We have none.

CHOCOLATE CREAMS.

The favorite candies illustrate the use of fondant both for the centre of candies and for the outside, or "dipping," as candy-makers call it. In the first place get everything in readiness. A fork, some sheets of oiled paper--paper rubbed with olive oil--or waxed paper, a large bowl, and three small saucepans or basins, your flavoring, the chocolate, and your mass of fondant are what you will need. Take a half-pound of fondant and work into it half a teaspoonful of vanilla drop by drop. Then break off small bits and shape them into balls or pyramids. Stand them on the papers so they will not touch each other, and let them harden in a dry cool place--not the refrigerator--for two or three hours. When the creams are ready to dip take half a pound of unsweetened chocolate or cocoa and put it in the bowl, and place this in one of the basins or saucepans into which boiling water has been poured. You can add a trifle of boiling water to the chocolate to hasten its melting. When it is melted add an equal amount of melted fondant, and stir constantly till the mixture is like thick cream. To melt the fondant put it into a saucepan, and set this into a second filled with hot water. Never place the basin with the fondant in it directly on the stove. It will scorch and burn in a twinkling. In melting fondant for dipping you must never forget to stir it, because unless stirred it will go back into clear syrup. Be very careful no water splashes into it. If when the chocolate and fondant are mixed together they are too thick for a smooth covering add a few drops of hot water, drop by drop, until it is as desired. If you get the fondant too thin it is useless. When the mixture is ready bring it to the table, saucepan and all. Drop into it one of the balls, and take it up on a fork, and, shaking it a bit, turn it on the oiled paper. This must be rapidly done, as the hot mixture will melt the balls if they are in it too long. If the mixture for dipping gets too stiff take it to the stove and let the water in the under basin heat again, or replace the cold water with hot from the kettle, carefully stirring the fondant every moment. If the chocolate runs off too much and shows the white cream underneath, the dipping mixture was too hot. Take it out of its basin of hot water and stir it, letting it cool a little before beginning the dipping again. The method of dipping candies, whatever may be their centres or their flavors, is the same, so that once you can make chocolate creams, you can make any of the cream candies.

GOOD HEALTH WORK.

Some conception of the constant danger to the public health of New York may be had by reading the last quarterly report of the Board of Health. The sanitary inspectors, who are kept more steadily at work now than ever before since the organization of the Department of Health, in addition to their other labor, destroyed 600,000 pounds of vegetables unfit for food, 300,000 pounds of meat, 13,000 pounds of fish, and 50,000 pounds of confectionery, so called--the poisoned sugar stuff sold to children at the penny shops all over town.

Plenty of fresh air, an abundance of sleep, a careful diet and the daily use of a good soap like the Ivory will purify the complexion as no cosmetic can.

EARN A TRICYCLE!

We wish to introduce our Teas, Spices, and Baking Powder. Sell 30 lbs. and we will give you a Fairy Tricycle; sell 25 lbs. for a Solid Silver Watch and Chain; 50 lbs. for a Gold Watch and Chain; 75 lbs. for a Bicycle; 10 lbs. for a Beautiful Gold Ring. Express prepaid if cash is sent for goods. Write for catalog and order sheet.

W. G. BAKER,

SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

=DEAFNESS & HEAD NOISES CURED= by my =INVISIBLE= Tubular Cushions. Have helped more to good =HEAR=ing than all other devices combined. Whispers =HEAR=d. Help ears as glasses do eyes. =F. Hiscox=, 853 B'dway, N.Y. Book of proofs FREE

HARPERS PERIODICALS.

Per Year:

HARPER'S MAGAZINE _Postage Free_, $4.00 HARPER'S WEEKLY " 4.00 HARPER'S BAZAR " 4.00 HARPER'S ROUND TABLE " 2.00

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_Booksellers and Postmasters usually receive subscriptions. Subscriptions sent direct to the publishers should be accompanied by Post-office Money Order or Draft._

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HARPER & BROTHERS, Franklin Square, N. Y.

Entertaining Books

HOWARD PYLE.

* * * * *

TWILIGHT LAND.

Illustrated by the Author. 8vo, Half Leather, Ornamental, $2.50.

MEN OF IRON.

Illustrated by the Author. 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $2.00.

THE WONDER CLOCK;

Or, Four-and-Twenty Marvellous Tales: being One for each Hour of the Day. Illustrated by the Author. Embellished with Verses by KATHARINE PYLE. 4to, Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00.

PEPPER AND SALT;

Or, Seasoning for Young Folk. Superbly Illustrated by the Author. 4to, Cloth, Ornamental, $2.00.

THE ROSE OF PARADISE.

Being a detailed Account of Certain Adventures that happened to Captain John Mackra, in Connection with the famous Pirate, Edward England, in the Year 1720, off the Island of Juanna, in the Mozambique Channel, writ by himself, and now for the first time published. Illustrated by the Author. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25; Paper, 50 cents.

A MODERN ALADDIN;

Or, the Wonderful Adventures of Oliver Munier. An Extravaganza in Four Acts. Illustrated by the Author. Post 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

* * * * *

CHARLES CARLETON COFFIN'S

Fascinating Historical Works

* * * * *

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. THE BOYS OF 76. THE STORY OF LIBERTY. OLD TIMES IN THE COLONIES. BUILDING THE NATION.

_A History of the Rebellion in Four Volumes:_

DRUM-BEAT OF THE NATION. MARCHING TO VICTORY. REDEEMING THE REPUBLIC. FREEDOM TRIUMPHANT.

* * * * *

_Nine Volumes. Profusely Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00 each._

* * * * *

HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York.

THE MERRY OWLETS.

There were three little owls that had slept all day In their downy nest in a dead tree's hollow; Said the first: "It's time to go out and play, I hear the good-night of the chimney-swallow!" "Oh no," said the second; "the sun is high. Who wants to be blind as a bat?--not I!" But the third said: "Rats! we have slept enough! Let's go, anyhow, and play blindman's-buff!"

SAMMY. "Who is the father of his country?"

JIMMIE. "George Washington."

SAMMY. "Correct. Who is his uncle?"

JIMMIE. "Why, I don't know."

SAMMY. "Uncle Sam."

MOTHER. "I really don't see how I'm going to make both ends meet."

BOBBY. "Why, mamma, you give me hold of one end, and you take the other, and we'll stretch it."

WILLIAM PENN.

Robbin and Dobbin, William Penn, He was one of the best of men. He was a Governor good and great Of Pennsylvania's early State. And he ruled by love, as a man should do, For he was a Quaker kind and true. Robbin and Dobbin, William Penn, He was one of the best of men.

A bee is a "busy bee," for it is said that in order to obtain enough honey for a load it has to visit many hundreds of flowers. It averages twenty trips a day, and from twenty to fifty pounds of honey are yearly produced by the hive, according to its size. Statistics taken from European countries place the number of beehives and their output of honey yearly as follows:

Germany, 1,910,000 hives, with an output of 45,000,000 pounds; Spain, 1,690,000 hives, with an output of 42,000,000 pounds; Austria, 1,550,000 hives, with an output of 40,000,000 pounds; France has 950,000 hives, producing 23,000,000 pounds; Holland, 240,000 hives, producing 6,000,000 pounds; Belgium with 200,000 hives produces 5,000,000 pounds, and Russia with 110,000 hives produces 2,000,000 pounds.

Europe is estimated to yield from its beehives 40,000 tons of honey, valued close on to $11,000,000, and its wax, 15,000 tons, valued at $7,500,000.

This is a large and rich amount of sweets for the little busy bee to bring to mankind yearly for nothing.

MOTHER. "Didn't I tell you to put the mince pie away this morning?"

JACK. "Yes, mamma, you did; but you didn't say where to put it, so I stored it away in my stomach."

MOTHER. "Jack, what have you done with the money you saved up last week?"

JOHNNY. "Papa told me to save for a rainy day; yesterday was the first one we had, so I spent it."

A STUDY IN NATURAL HISTORY.

"CAN WE CATCH THAT OLD CROW?"

"WELL, IF ONE OF US CAN'T DO IT, WE'LL SEE WHAT TWO CAN DO."

"HA, HA! WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT TOUCAN DO!"

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, August 20, 1895, by Various