Part 7

It often happens that men in public life find themselves in possession of sources of power--or it may be of weakness--of which they did not dream, and which, in not a few cases, they themselves maintain they do not possess. Sometimes they are at a loss to know why the public insists upon attributing the peculiarities to them.

During the political campaign of 1884 some gentlemen, serving on a reception committee, met Mr. Blaine on a railway train journeying toward the city at which a great meeting was to be held. Mr. Blaine was the Republican candidate for President, and, of course, the centre of interest. Always one of the most charming of conversationalists, he sat in the centre of a group of admirers who, as the train sped on, asked him questions of the campaign and of himself.

"May I ask you," interposed one young man, "if you know why people insist upon cheering so wildly whenever you come in sight? Or, not to be too blunt, do you know the secret of your magnetic power? This power you possess more than almost any other man in our history, unless it might have been Henry Clay."

"Now, frankly," said Mr. Blaine, "I do not. All I know about it is that ever since, as a young man, I began speaking in public, people insisted upon 'cheering wildly,' as you say, 'almost insanely,' I say. They did it, too, before I had said or done anything, so it could not have been my record in public life. I cannot explain it, though I have often been asked to do so."

"Then you found it one of your assets as a public man, just as some other men in public life have found a reputation for coldness a deficit, so to speak," observed the chairman of the reception committee, an older and a more experienced man than the first questioner.

"Exactly," responded Mr. Blaine. Then, thinking of his pending candidacy, a cloud of trouble flitted over his face, long of a peculiar whiteness, and he added, "I am trying to realize on that asset now."

Great as the "asset" was, he failed to realize his greatest hope upon it.

* * * * *

A Hammock Convenience.

These summer nights I camp out often. The other night we told riddles, and I told this one. It was not guessed. The answer is "Hatteras."

My first is an article of dress, One, two, is the man who will make it. My last is as-- But if I tell more You'll have no chance to mistake it. My whole is a point that can't be disputed; That its position's a sound one was never refuted.

J. G. BATTERSON. ASBURY PARK, N. J.

* * * * *

A Wonderful Look Ahead.

My uncle is an electrical engineer, and he told me to-day something of the future, so wonderful that I send it to the Table. May I call it a prophecy?

"The young person of to-day," said my relative, "who reaches the age of forty-three years--just my present age--will see, in that year of grace which will be 1925, a very different state of things from what I see at the same age. We talk of our own wonderful progress, but you, my young man, are destined to see changes in the next twenty-eight years that bring you from fifteen to forty-three beside which past changes are modest indeed.

"To begin with, you will see people flying through the air--that is, there will be mechanical flying-machines, under perfect control, that will carry passengers and packages through from place to place by the 'air route.' There is no doubt of this. Flying is solved.

"In the second place, you will see light not the expensive thing it now is, but as cheap as water, and turned on in every house at will, as water now is in towns and cities. It will be vacuum light.

"In the third place, you will witness the passing away of the steam-boiler, the furnace, and the coal-dealer. In your city of 1925 there will be no trolley poles, and, more startling still, no horses--or at least very few horses. The horse is doomed. Neither will there be screeching locomotives on the railways. Compressed air and electricity will take the place of steam and horses. People will not order coal delivered at their houses, nor will any ash man come around to make his morning litter. Your city of 1925, and your country, too, will be rather more desirable places to live in than they are to-day. I envy you your youth. I shall be, if alive, past eighty, and too old to enjoy such novelties."

What does the Table think of this wonderful look ahead?

ASHBEL P. JOHNSON. BUFFALO. N. Y.

* * * * *

Kinks.

NO. 7.--POETICAL PICTURES.--BIRDS.

Fill the blanks with the names of birds answering to the description, and find out the author's name. Answers will be published soon.

"O *****, that dost wing Thy flight from the far away! Thou hast brought us the signs of the spring, Thou hast made our sad hearts gay." (1)

"From post to thicket Hops the ******* blithe, sedate; Who, with meekly folded wing, Comes to sun himself and sing." (2)

"The ***** and the ******** piping loud, Filled all the blossoming orchards with their glee. (3-4) The ******** chirped, as if they still were proud Their race in Holy Writ should mentioned be, (5) And hungry ***** assembled in a crowd, Clamored their piteous prayers incessantly." (6)

"The noisy ******** twitter 'neath the eaves." (7)

"The ********* beats his throbbing drum: (8) The ********** pecks and flits: (9) The ****** flashes by." (10)

"The *** red-breast Peeps o'er her nest In the midst of the crab-blossoms blushing." (11)

"From morn to morn a merry ****** Sings hymns to sunrise." (12)

"Yonder gaudy ******* harshly cries, As red and gold flash all the eastern skies." (13)

* * * * *

Answers to Kinks.

No. 6.

1. Drum. 2. Assassin. 3. Bat. 4. Sole, soul.

This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.

"How shall I perform an introduction?" inquires a girl who likes to do things gracefully, and who is entirely right in her notion that for most things there is a right way and also a wrong one.

Introducing people is neither difficult nor occult, and it requires no special training. There are a few very simple rules to be observed. You present a gentleman to a lady, and a younger to an older person. You are careful to speak clearly and distinctly, for nothing is more embarrassing than to have a stranger's name mumbled so that it remains unknown, thus defeating the end of the introduction. You do not say, "Mamma, let me present my classmate," leaving your mother to guess at the part of your speech which was really the most important; you say, "My classmate, Miss Leonard." And, equally, when you are introducing Miss Leonard to your friend you do not say, "Alice, may I introduce my cousin Sophie," in which case neither young woman would have the least idea of more than the other's Christian name. If a person is a personage--a professor, or doctor, or clergyman, or in any way noted or famous--the tactful young girl makes the title a part of her introduction, so that the people presented to him are aware that they are honored by the new acquaintance.

When you ask your friends to a little informal tea, at which a visiting friend in town, or an author, or artist, or distinguished stranger is the guest of distinction, you simply write on your own ordinary visiting-card: "Tuesday [or whatever day you select], July --, from four to seven. To meet Madame Thus-and-so." No formally engraved invitation is required for what is a purely spontaneous affair in which informality is part of the attraction. The day and hour arrived, one stands near the door of the drawing-room with her guest, and with any other lady who is receiving with her. As they enter, friends who call are presented to the guest; the guest is not presented to them; and here the rule about age is waived, for the company are gathered for the express purpose of doing the guest honor and giving her pleasure. Only light refreshments are needed in summer--iced tea, coffee frappé, small cakes, and very thin biscuits, with possibly an ice, are admissible at such a gathering.

To the girls of fourteen who anxiously inquire concerning the length of their frocks I can only say that custom just now indicates common-sense in this matter. Have your frocks to the tops of your boots, and enjoy the freedom of walking, and playing games, bicycling, etc., which this length gives. A girl of fourteen needs very simple frocks. She is not out in society, and nothing in the way of costliness or great elegance is expected of her, nor would it be appropriate.

The prettiest fashion in hair-dressing for very young girls is either to wear the hair in lovely loose curls or else in long braids. One thick braid is apt to be less comfortable than two braids, and as a girl can seldom do her hair nicely herself, she should get her mother or sister to help her, unless there is a maid who has time to give the hair the careful brushing it needs. I do not advise shingled hair for girls of any age. Sometimes, if the hair is very thin and dry, a little vaseline may be rubbed into the scalp at night, but usually regular brushing will be sufficient to keep it in nice order. Do not have a frowzy and untidy appearance in any part of your dress. A little pains is well worth the taking, for your friends' sake as well as your own.

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.

Interest in U.S. Revenues is growing rapidly. The great rarities, 6c., 50c., $1, and $5 Proprietary, the $200 and $500, second issue, now readily bring two or three times catalogue prices. Many millions of these revenue stamps are on legal documents, agreements, contracts, leases, insurance policies, conveyances, mortgages, wills, etc., which are now out of date and of no legal value. All the U.S. Revenues were used throughout the United States for about twenty years, consequently a valuable lot may turn up any day in any part of the Union. During the past week several new minor varieties have been found, notably an unsevered pair of 10c. Power of Attorney, a stamp hitherto believed to exist in this condition, but no pair had ever been seen.

The philatelists of New York contemplate a club-house, and the committee is now asking for one hundred subscriptions of $25 each. They hope to have the club-house ready this autumn.

A few years ago most collectors in Europe preferred cancelled stamps, and several Americans exchanged many of their cancelled for unused copies. Now the demand all over the world for unused specimens has resulted in advancing the price of scarce stamps in this condition to a prohibitive degree. Most of the stamps in the following list of English could have been bought five or six years ago for one tenth the present price or less:

[3]2d. 1840 $40 1d. huge crown water-mark, perforated, 16 40 2d. huge crown water-mark, perforated, 125 1d. red, plate 132 10 1/2d. red, plate 9 10 [3]1s. octagonal, 1847 40 [3]10d. octagonal, 1847 25 [3]6d. octagonal, 1847 30 2-1/2d. plate 3, orb water-mark 20 3d. plate 4, spray water-mark 25 4d. plate 10 15 6d. plate 6, four flowers water-mark 20 10d. red-brown 5 2s. blue 40 5s. plates 1 or 2, Maltese cross water-mark 15 5s. plate 4, anchor water-mark 75 10s. Maltese cross water-mark 125 10s. anchor water-mark 175 £1 brown, anchor water-mark 150 £1 brown, Maltese cross water-mark 300

[3] Practically unobtainable.

H. L. WATSON.--Stamps surcharged "specimen" are exactly what they purport to be, genuine stamps whose postal value has been destroyed by the government's action in printing the word "specimen" on face. As a rule such stamps are worth about the same as the same stamp cancelled, but in the case of U.S. stamps they are frequently worth as much as unused stamps.

STURGIS BODINE.--The wrapper is common, and is worth 5c.

J. C. L.--In hinging unused stamps with original gum be careful to cover up as little of the stamp as possible. Many advanced collectors will not "collect gum." They carefully scrape off all the gum.

DIANA VANDELEUR.--I regret to say I know nothing about the value of old newspapers. They are very interesting independent of any money value, and therefore worth keeping.

J. WALL.--No U.S. stamps were ever so surcharged. The 3c. and 10c., 1851, which you have, surcharged "3" and "10" respectively, are simply stamps cancelled by a hand-stamp, "Paid 5" or "Paid 10," in such a way that the figure came on the stamp. Previous to 1851 letters could be sent either prepaid or not. Paid letters were so marked. The others were delivered to the addressee on payment of the postage.

PHILATUS.

Why not wash with pure, white Ivory Soap and have pure, white linen? "Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well!"

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO. CIN'TI.

JOSEPH GILLOTT'S

STEEL PENS

Nos. 303, 404, 170, 604 E.F., 601 E.F.

And other styles to suit all hands.

THE MOST PERFECT OF PENS.

_Drink HIRES Rootbeer when you're hot; when you're thirsty; when callers come. At any and all times drink HIRES Rootbeer._

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

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

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.

EARN A GOLD WATCH!

We wish to introduce our =Teas and Baking Powder=. Sell 50 lbs. to earn a =Waltham Gold Watch and Chain=; 25 lbs. for a =Silver Watch and Chain=; 10 lbs. for a =Gold Ring=; 50 lbs. for a =Decorated Dinner Set=; 75 lbs. for a =Bicycle=. Write for a Catalog and Order Blank to Dept. I

W. G. BAKER,

Springfield Mass.

TRACK ATHLETICS IN DETAIL

Compiled by the Editor of "Interscholastic Sport" in HARPER'S ROUND TABLE. Illustrated from Instantaneous Photographs. 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25. In "HARPER'S ROUND TABLE LIBRARY."

The best short book we have seen dealing with this phase of athletics.--_Independent_, N. Y.

The young athlete who cannot secure instruction at the hands of a professional trainer will find this book invaluable.--_Boston Herald_.

A good book to put into the hands of the athletically inclined. It is capitally illustrated with instantaneous photographs, and is full of expert and sound advice and instruction.--_Outlook_, N. Y.

* * * * *

BY HOWARD PYLE

=THE WONDER CLOCK.= Large 8vo, Cloth, $3.00. =PEPPER AND SALT.= 4to, Cloth, $2.00. =THE ROSE OF PARADISE.= Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25. =TWILIGHT LAND.= 8vo, Half Leather, Ornamental, $2.50. =MEN OF IRON.= 8vo, Cloth, $2.00. =A MODERN ALADDIN.= Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.

* * * * *

HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York.

* * * * *

LONG-DISTANCE SHOTS.

Whenever the possibility of war with a foreign power is discussed, the subject of the range of heavy ordnance comes up, and the question is asked as to how close a fleet need come to our coasts in order to bombard our cities. It is therefore of interest to know just what the facts of the case are, and to set down in a few words the greatest achievements recorded for modern artillery. The longest distance a shot has ever been fired was from the 130-ton Krupp steel gun "Monster." This projectile weighed 1890 pounds, and traversed a distance of 15 miles and a few feet. The charge was 960 pounds of powder. Few cannon of the size of the "Monster," however, have been manufactured. It was found by experiment that such big guns are too expensive luxuries, as they can only be fired from 75 to 100 times, and then become useless. The Armstrongs, English gun-makers, build a 90-ton cannon that can fire a solid projectile about 12 miles. A city or fort into which one of these cannon-balls might be dropped would not even hear the sound of the discharge of the cannon that sent it. No guns that would be used in modern warfare can carry much farther than this, and even to achieve this range the pieces have to be elevated to an angle of 45 degrees. There are very few ships, too, even in the British navy, that could stand the shock of serving as carriages for such heavy ordnance, for the recoil after a few shots would almost shake the rivets out of a vessel's plates.

* * * * *

Many people in society invite artists and musicians to their houses simply because they hope to have them entertain their other guests. A story is told of Signor Paganini, the violinist, who was asked to dine at the house of a person of this nature. When he entered the drawing-room the hostess looked somewhat disappointed, and exclaimed, after a short pause,

"Oh, Signor Paganini, you have not brought your violin with you!"

The virtuoso smiled, and shrugged his shoulders, and replied, "Ah, madame, I really regret very, very much, madame; but my violin never dines out."

* * * * *

TOMMIE'S AMBITION.

"I tell you, my mamma's the best person alive," said Tommie. "And when I get to be a great big man--"

"Well, what will you do?" asked Uncle George.

"I'm going to be a _great big man_ like mamma!" said Tommie.

* * * * *

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, July 14, 1896, by Various