Part I.

The other night Reginald was tossing about in his little bed, unable to go to sleep. The dull monotonous ticking of the clock fell upon his ear in a way that drove him almost mad, and the rain pattering upon the window-pane added to his misery, and made him wish for the light of morning as he had never wished for it before. And when the trees moaned in the wind, it filled poor Reginald's mind with dire forebodings, and caused him to bury his curly head deeper in the pillow to deaden the weird refrain that rippled in the blinds with a sort of fiendish playfulness.

And then he heard a soft footfall on the carpet, and, looking up, saw the strangest creature he had ever set eye upon standing grinning by the bedpost. At first Reginald was so frightened that he could say nothing; but when he noticed that the creature didn't move, and that his grin could not hurt him, he found his voice, and said, "Please, Mr. Robber--"

"Did you say robber?" asked the Presence, with angry emphasis.

"I did," replied Reginald, trembling violently; "but it was all your fault, I meant to say Mr. Robertson, but you cut me short before I could pronounce the last syllable."

"I will then pardon you," replied the Presence, which continued quickly, as if to catch Reginald in a lie: "What did you intend to say after robber?"

"I intended to say," replied Reginald, still trembling, "Mr. Robertson, can you tell me what time it is. That clock doesn't strike, and I cannot sleep. If I thought you to be a thief, I would ask you not to take my new locomotive or boxwood tops."

"Very good," replied the Presence, as it took the grin off its face, and holding an end in each hand, proceeded to stretch it this way and that, until it was a yard long.

"Why, what a singularly large smile you have!" said Reginald, who by this time had partially recovered his composure. "I never saw anything like it before."

The Presence evidently felt complimented, and proceeded to entertain Reginald further. It fastened one end of the grin to the bureau, and walked to the opposite side of the room, with the other end in its hand.

"Oh, don't," cried Reginald; "it might break!"

But just then the Presence let go of the end it held in its hand, and the grin flew across the room, and settled down to its size when in repose, on the bureau.

"Oh, please put it on again," pleaded Reginald; "because it is so becoming, and when it is off, you look so sad and homely."

So the Presence readjusted its grin, and looked just as it did when Reginald had first beheld it.

"Will you kindly tell me what you are?" asked Reginald, who was really at a loss for a question.

"With pleasure," replied the Presence; "because I am always ready to show myself in my true colors, which are warranted never to fade or wash out, and I am always ready to submit myself to the strictest critical scrutiny." Then the Presence drew itself up proudly, and sang, to a lively measure:

"In reply to your question, so natural, I Shall be happy to make you a truthful reply, And inform you that I am a-roaming, care free, The sprite of the pudding, the Slambangaree.

"Of the pudding of plum, when you've eaten too much, And you drop into sleep as the pillow you touch. Oh, you tumble about, and you snore, and you see Awful things, all produced by the Slambangaree.

"But as now you can't sleep, this occasion I take All my antics to play on you while you're awake; And until your plum-pudding's digested, ah, me! You can bill no farewell to the Slambangaree.

"But now, if it is just the same to you, I will drop into plain every-day prose. You see, it is just this way, to put it in a condensed form: Myself and my fellow-Slambangarees are the sprites--or the fiends, if you will--of the canned plum-pudding. From being slammed and banged around so much in our cans we gain our name of Slambangaree. Now, you see, to put it more clearly than I could do in song, after you have eaten too much plum-pudding, against which I exhort you to refrain (for it is better to be temperate in all things), you fall asleep, and have awful nightmares--dream you are falling off houses, and all that sort of thing. It is the mission of the Slambangaree to bring about this condition of things. But as you cannot sleep to-night, I, the Slambangaree representing the plum-pudding you have eaten, have come to give you your nightmare while awake. My brother Slambangarees are taking care of the others who devoured the rest of the plum-pudding, and not until all that pudding is digested shall we be free disembodied spirits."

Here the Slambangaree took off its grin and wiped its mouth, after which the grin was readjusted with great care. Then it said, "I will now see what you have in your pockets, for I am a little curious."

Then, while Reginald felt very anxious about the precious things in his pockets, the Slambangaree's eyes became larger, and shot out of his head and across the room, seeming to be attached to long wands.

"Those are the roots of my eyes," it remarked, playfully, as it shot its eyeballs into the pockets of Reginald's trousers, and sang:

"Two boxwood tops herein I see, A sling-shot and a knife, And a tin horn that unto me, With its uncanny witchery, A burden makes of life.

"Here are two soldiers made of lead, And here a little boat, And seven agates, blue and red, Likewise the hind leg and the head Of a green candy goat."

Then the Slambangaree withdrew its eyes, as if satisfied with the result of its investigations, and, as it did so, noticed Reginald's drum lying on the floor. No sooner had it seen it than the roots of its eyes suddenly lengthened, and it began to play a solo on it with its eyeballs. As the rumpy-tum-tum filled the room, Reginald thought the noise would alarm the house and bring some one to his rescue. But in this he was mistaken. The Slambangaree played on until weary of the sport.

"How long is this going to last?" asked Reginald.

"Until the pudding within you is digested; you must have patience--"

"I would rather have some pepsin tablets," said Reginald.

"I suppose so," replied the Slambangaree; "but you must never be upset by yearning for the thing you haven't got, or you never will be happy. I can only leave you, as I said before, when the pudding is digested. I will therefore leave you by degrees. The better your digestion, the sooner you will be rid of me. Now for the fun!"

Here the Slambangaree turned itself upside down and danced gracefully all over the ceiling. While Reginald was looking on in open-mouthed wonder, the Slambangaree reached down from the ceiling and lifted him out of bed in its arms and capered all over the room with him, but never bumped his head, although it floated under the bed with him, and jumped from the mantel-piece to the clock and from the clock to the bureau with great rapidity. When it dropped Reginald back into bed, it said,

"That was only to hurry your digestion."

"I would greatly prefer to let it take its time," replied Reginald.

Here the Slambangaree, not noticing what Reginald had said, took the top-cord from the surprised boy's pocket, and seating itself on the clock, threw one end of it into the water-pitcher. In another instant it pulled out a great fish, which, when released, flew about the room like a bird, for its fins were like wings.

[TO BE CONCLUDED.]

BY GASTON V. DRAKE.

XX.--FROM BOB TO JACK.

HOME AGAIN.

DEAR JACK,--Well its all over. We got to Hoboken, yesterday and thinking we'd seen all the foreign lands we cared to for a little while we decided not to stay there and came right through to Yonkers. Yonkers isn't such a bad place after all, but its queer: you can stay there a year and see it all in a day while those foreign cities you can stay in only a day when you couldn't see 'em in a year. Things seem to be arranged very queerly in this world. The kitten has turned into a cat four times too large for any use and my corn in the garden has grown so high it reminds me of the trees at Versailles.

The trip home was pretty fine. We didn't find much to do at Genoa and with all due respect to Columbus's birthplace the only thing I particularly remember seeing there was a dead horse. The hotel was interesting. We had five rooms and one of 'em smelt like macaroni, another smelt like pie, the third smelt like cake, the fourth reminded me of the circus and we didn't keep the fifth. As for the house where Columbus lived we drove out to see it and that was the time I saw the dead horse. Columbus's house was a very poor sight, and between you and me I don't believe he ever lived there, because if he had he'd have gone into the business of selling cabbages the way everybody else in the neighborhood does instead of becoming a great discoverer, though I'll tell you one thing. If I'd had to live a week in that neighborhood I'd have wanted to be on the ocean for the rest of my natural life to get fresh air enough to carry me through. That's a queer thing about Italy. There's less fresh air to the square inch in Italy than there is anywhere else in the world. Pop says Italians most always sleep with their windows open and maybe that's the trouble. It is the closest country I ever was in.

We got on board the _Werra_ Thursday morning and she's a great ship. Aunt Sarah says the only thing against her is the band that plays all through dinner, but Pop doesn't think so. He says the band is a good investment because it keeps people from eating and hasn't been known to blow a ship to pieces, which is a great thing considering the band. I liked the music. Why one night I was feeling pretty mean when the sausages were served, and I wanted to go up on deck and the band began to play the Washington Post March, and it settled my stomick right away. Besides the officers aren't so great but what they can notice kids. I got to know every officer on the boat from the deck steward down to the Captain, and when they weren't on duty they were fine; but on duty--my--you'd have thought the world depended on 'em. I tell you, Jack, I liked Chesterfield, and I liked the officers on the _New York_, but if a _Werra_ man chose to throw me overboard I wouldn't care because I'd _know_ he'd get me home safe and was looking after me whatever he did, whether the band played or not. You are ten and I'm nine but we can size up fellows just the same, and when it comes to sizing up, give me Captain Pohle and Captain Polack. They can have me for a cabin-boy or anything else. I'll get home safe as long as I'm with them and I won't have to wear rubbers either.

After leaving Genoa we sailed through a sea so blue that you could imagine the red and white and the stars and the stripes. It's called the Mediterranean and it reminds me more of America than any sea I've seen. It's pleasant. It sort of winks at you when the sun shines, but its as independent as if it was an ocean.

After we sailed about two days through this beautiful blue water we came to Gibraltar, and how it does stick up out of the water! A big insurance building is very noble in a city but Gibraltar beats everything I ever saw. It just sticks itself up and says look at me and whether you want to look at it or not you've got to. It's like Pop when he's nervous. You've got to do what he says and not say a word. Every time I've seen anything over here I've had something to say, but when I took in that bit of rock, I wanted to go off and sit in a chair and not move for five minutes. Aunt Sarah was the same way, and that's saying lots.

And if we hadn't gone ashore it would have been all right, but we did go ashore and then it seemed different. Pop took me to see a comic opera once, and Gibraltar reminded me of it. Everybody wore a costume and when we'd meet a man dressed up like an Arab we'd stop to see if maybe he wasn't going to sing a song. Nobody did though and everybody walked along as if they were going to market in Yonkers and didn't know they were at Gibraltar, which I think is awfully queer, but it has made me think that maybe when I think there's nothing to see in Yonkers its because I'm so used to it that I forget it all.

There were lots of boys selling matches and grapes and flowers at Gibraltar and Pop threw away a beautiful coin collection buying everything he could find. They take any kind of money there. But after it was all over and we were back on the _Werra_ again and sailing towards home, I forgot all about everything except the rock and how it just made you hold your breath and wonder how on earth Spain ever let England have it.

And that's all about the trip. We're home and nothings happened. After seeing Gibraltar I'm not going to waste my ink describing Hoboken--but I will tell you one thing; when you've travelled all around the way we have and seen lots of beautiful places and beautiful things, and then come back home you're just as glad after all that you live home instead of abroad. The people on the streets at home look better and happier, and somehow or other the world doesn't seem quite so much in need of an airing as it does abroad.

Good-by for the present. Next time either of us goes anywhere I move we start up a correspondence again, for whether you've enjoyed this one or not I have.

Always yours BOB.

An unusually small crowd turned out to witness the New England Interscholastics on Holmes Field a week ago Friday. The meeting, however, proved an exceptionally good one, and although but few records were broken, the general standard of performance was uniformly excellent. The figures were changed in the mile bicycle, half-mile run, and pole vault, and those equalled were the 120-yard hurdle and the 320-yard flat.

Worcester Academy won the meet, with English High second, and Andover third. Worcester High, last year's champions, landed in eighth place. The day was warm and still, without being sultry; just an ideal day for record-breaking. The track was in excellent condition. The standards set by the Executive Committee of the N.E.I.S.A.A., which must be attained by the athletes who are to be sent to the National Games, Saturday, were equalled or excelled in all but two events--the mile walk and the shot--and as it is well known that the winners of both these events are capable of at least equalling those standards, it was determined by special vote to send them to New York. It will be seen, too, that in every event in which the conditions are similar to those obtaining at the recent New York Interscholastics, with the exceptions of the hammer and the quarter, the New England records are superior. Verily these New England boys will be a hard crowd to beat!

The first event on the programme was the 100-yard dash. Jones of Andover won, in 10-2/5 sec., with Robinson of W. A. second, and Kane of E. H.-S. third. Jones tied the record, 22-2/5 sec., in the 220. Robinson and Kane drew second and third places. The half-mile was the best performance of the day. About fifteen started, and ran in a bunch for a lap. Then Hanson, E.H.-S., let himself out, followed closely by Albertson, W. H., and Gaskill, P. A. A. Hanson's pace proved too much for the others, and when he turned into the homestretch he was leading by twenty yards, and seemed to be adding a little with every stride. He finished in excellent form, having lowered the record from 2 m. 5-1/5 sec. to 2 m. 1-1/5 sec. There was a pretty race for second place. Albertson, last year's champion, finally got it by a narrow margin over Gaskill.

A big field started in the mile run. Mills of Berkeley took the pole and held it throughout. He gave a fine exhibition of running, and won in the fast time of 4 m. 33-4/5 sec.; but he was so far superior to the others that as a race the event was a failure. Sullivan of W. H. was second, and Palmer of Andover a good third. When the time was announced, it was thought that the record had been broken, as Laing's time was down on the score-card as 4 m. 34-2/5 sec., but on investigation it was found that Laing's record was 4 m. 32-2/5 sec.

The best race of the meet was in the final heat of the 440. Bascom Johnson, W. A., took the lead, followed by Warren, C. H. and L., and Whitcomb, P. E. A. They held this order until the turn into the homestretch. Then Johnson let out a little, and won by a scant five yards. Warren was plugging along, trying to save second place from the smaller Whitcomb, but Whitcomb gained surely, step by step, and plunged across the line second.

Hallowell of Hopkinson's won his heat in the high hurdles in 17-2/5 sec., equalling Hoyt's old record, which has stood since 1893. Edmands of W. A., who was booked to win the event, had a streak of his usual hard luck, and got mixed up with a hurdle in his heat. The final was an exciting race. Shirk of W. A. proved equal to the emergency of winning in default of Edmands, although it was only in the short dash for the tape that he managed to slip by Hallowell, who had made an unfortunate stumble. Cady of Andover drew third place. Converse of E. H.-S, won the low hurdles, as was expected. His time was 27 secs. Peters of Andover was a good second, and MacDonald of Chelsea ran third.

New England. I.S.A.A. Games, Holmes Field, Cambridge, June 5, 1896.

Event. Winner. Performance. 100-yard dash Jones, P.A. 10-2/5 sec. 220-yard dash Jones, P.A. 22-3/5 " Quarter-mile run Johnson, W.A. 52-3/5 " Half-mile run Hanson, E.H.-S. 2 m. 1-1/5 " One-mile run Mills, Berk. 4 " 33-4/5 " 120-yard hurdles Shirk, P.A. 17-2/5 " 220-yard hurdles Converse, E.H.-S. 27 " One-mile walk O'Toole, E.H.-S. 7 " 43 " One-mile bicycle Boardman, Noble's. 2 " 35-4/5 " Two-mile bicycle ------------- Running high jump Rice, Noble's. 5 ft. 7-1/4 in. Running broad jump Hersey, W.A. 21 " 5 " Pole vault Johnson, W.A. 10 " 9 " Throwing 16-lb. hammer ------------- Throwing 12-lb. hammer Boyce. B.H.-S 122 " 1 " Putting 16-lb. shot Heath, Hop. 36 " 7 " Putting 12-lb. shot -------------

Connecticut H.-S.A.A. Games, Yale Field, New Haven, June 8, 1896.

Event. Winner. Performance. 100-yard dash Luce, H.P.H.-S. 10-2/5 sec. 220-yard dash Morris, H.P.H.-S. 23-3/5 " Quarter-mile run Morris, H.P.H.-S. 52-4/5 " Half-mile run Bradin, H.P.H.-S. 2 m. 10 One-mile run Twitchell, H.S. 5 " 13-4/5 " 120-yard hurdles Ellsworth, H.S. 17-2/5 " 220-yard hurdles Ellsworth, H.S. 27-2/5 " One-mile walk Eelk, H.S. 7 " 11-3/5 " One-mile bicycle ------------- Two-mile bicycle Rutz, H.H.-S. 5 " 26-2/5 " Running high jump Sturtevant, H.P.H.-S. 5 ft. 6 in. Running broad jump Brown, H.S. 19 " 8-1/2 " Pole vault Sturtevant, H.P.H.-S. 10 " 1/2 " Throwing 16-lb. hammer Ingalls, H.P.H.-S. 118 " 2-3/4 " Throwing 12-lb. hammer ------------- Putting 16-lb. shot Ingalls, H.P.H.-S. 34 " 2-1/2 " Putting 12-lb. shot -------------

New Jersey I.S.A.A. Games, Bergen Point, New Jersey, June 6, 1896.

Event. Winner. Performance. 100-yard dash Sulzer, P.S. 10-4/5 sec. 220-yard dash Sulzer, P.S. 24-2/5 " Quarter-mile run Manvel, P.S. 54-1/5 " Half-mile run ------------- One-mile run Adams, N.A. } 5 m. 27-2/5 " Myers, P.S. } 120-yard hurdles ------------- 220-yard hurdles Plum, N.A. 29-4/5 " One-mile walk Adams, N.A. 8 " 20-3/5 " One-mile bicycle Pager, M.H.-S. 2 " 58-2/5 " Two-mile bicycle ------------- Running high jump Jones, N.A. 5 ft. 3-3/4 in. Running broad jump Jones, N.A. 19 " 2-1/2 " Pole vault Smith, P.H.-S. 9 " 3 " Throwing 16-lb. hammer ------------- Throwing 12-lb. hammer Smith, P.H.-S. 96 " 4-1/2 " Putting 16-lb. shot ------------- Putting 12-lb. shot Smith, P.H.-S. 37 " 2 "

ABBREVIATIONS:--P.A., Phillips Andover Academy; W.A., Worcester Academy; E.H.-S., Boston English High-School; Berk., Berkeley School, Boston; Noble's, of Boston; B.H.-S., Brookline High-School; H.P.H.-S., Hartford Public High-School; H.S., Hotchkiss School, Lakeville; H.H.-S., Hillhouse High-School, New Haven; P.S., Pingry's School, Elizabeth; N.A., Newark Academy; P.H.-S., Plainfield High-School; M.H.-S., Montclair High-School.

O'Toole of E. H.-S. won the mile walk, with 70 yards to spare, and, as usual, got through without a caution. Mallette, B. L. S., was ruled off, after a hard brush with O'Toole on the third lap. Lockwood of W. A. got second, and Mohan of E. H.-S. third.

The mile bicycle was a genuine race, and, strange to say, proved exciting. Stone of Andover was thrown in his trial heat. Lincoln of B. L. S., who was looked upon as the next best entry, met with an accident in the final. Then a pretty race began among Boardman of Noble's, Warnock of C. H. and L., and Hardy of Hopkinson's. They finished in that order, Warnock breaking away from a bad pocket just in time to spurt for second place.

The field events developed uniformly high performances. Rice of Noble's won the high jump, after a close contest; his height was 5 ft. 7-1/4 in.; Perry of Andover was second, with 5 ft. 6 in.; Lorrimer (Mechanics Arts), Howe (W.A.), and Phillips (Noble's), tied for third. Hersey of W.A. won the broad jump with a performance of 21 ft. 5-1/2 in.; within half an inch of Brewer's record made in 1890; Theman, W.A., was second with 21 ft. 4 in.; and Prouty, P. E. A., third, 21 ft. 1 in., making this event much more even and creditable than usual. Bascom Johnson, W.A., added two inches to his own record of 10 ft. 7 in. in the pole vault, beating out Clapp of Williston, who vaulted 10 ft. 6 in.; Kendall of W.A. and Prouty were tied for third. Boyce of B. H.-S. won the hammer, throwing it 122 ft. 1 in.; Edmands was second, 117 ft.; and Shaw, Hopkinson's, third, with 105 ft. O'Brien, E. H.-S., failed in the shot, putting it only 36 ft. 2 in.; Heath, Hopkinson's, surprised the crowd by doing 36 ft. 7 in.; Edmands was able to do only 34 ft. 2-1/2 in.

The Hartford High-School track team won first place at the Connecticut High-School games a week ago Saturday for the sixth time in the history of the association. There were only five schools entered, and Hartford took the pennant with 51 points, Hotchkiss School coming second, with 37. Five records were broken--the 100-yard dash, the walk, the high jump, the hammer, and the pole vault.

The star performers of the day were Morris, Sturtevant, Ingalls, and Luce of Hartford, and Ellsworth of Hotchkiss. The 100 was taken by Luce in .10-2/5, with Morris and Pendleton behind him. The 220 was a race among these same men, but on this occasion Morris won after a sharp tussle with Luce, who came second, with Pendleton again third, the time being .23-3/5. Morris took another first by winning the quarter. This race had been conceded to Luce beforehand, but his work before he came to the scratch had taken a good deal out of him, and consequently he was not so fresh as Morris. The latter ran a very clever race, and finished strong, with Luce only about four feet behind him, in .52-4/5, Cheney being a good third.

Bradin's winning of the half-mile was somewhat of a surprise, the knowing ones thinking the event would go to Kearney. Bradin took the lead about half-way around the track on the first lap, and kept it to the tape. Kearney hung back with Luce, fearing him, and when the spurt came he was unable to overcome Bradin's long lead. Bradin's time was 2 min. 10 sec., and I am told that in practice he has frequently done 2 min. 5 sec.

The time in the mile was exceedingly slow. Breed of Hartford burst out ahead of the bunch at the beginning of the third lap, and was ahead until within 75 yards of the finish, when the two Hotchkiss men, Twitchell and Fox, dashed ahead, and won in that order. The walk went to Eelk of Hotchkiss, who finished some fifty yards ahead of Blakeslee. The time was 7 min. 11-3/5 sec., which is better than any other interscholastic performance that I know of.

Both the hurdles went to Ellsworth of Hotchkiss, who cleared the obstacles in excellent form, and is undoubtedly one of the cleverest hurdlers in the schools to-day. In his trial heat for the shorter distance his time was 17-1/5 sec.

Both the hammer and the shot went to Ingalls of Hartford, as had been anticipated. He surpassed himself in the first event, throwing 118 ft. 2-3/4 in., but in the shot his performance was less noteworthy, his best put being 34 ft. 2-1/2 in. He will be a factor in the National Games next Saturday. Sturtevant took the high jump, clearing 5 ft. 6 in., with Goodwin second. He can do much better than this, his record being 5 ft. 9-1/2 in., but he was not pushed on this occasion. Sturtevant also took the pole vault, clearing 10 ft. 1/2 in., with Hixon second.

The most exciting race of the day was the two-mile bicycle. In the first heat Strong's chain broke and threw him, and three other men ran into him and spilled. Lycett of Hartford was the only man in the heat who was not thrown, and was about half a lap ahead when the first man of the tumblers had mounted again. By the time Strong had secured another wheel Lycett was coming on him a lap to the good, but Strong pushed off, and before the heat was finished he had passed every one but the leader, and finished a close second to Lycett. In the finals, although badly bruised from his fall, he finished second to Ruiz, Hillhouse High, who won in 5 min. 26-2/5 sec.

The New Jersey Interscholastic A.A. is one of the new leagues brought into existence by the formation of the National I.S.A.A., and it is probably one of the strongest, and certainly one of the most promising, of all of them. Its first field meeting was held on the grounds of the New Jersey Athletic Club, at Bergen Point, a week ago Saturday, and some very creditable performances resulted. Hitherto our knowledge as to the capabilities of New Jersey school-boy athletes has been drawn from the performances of individuals in open games given by New York schools. The result of this field meeting shows that there is a high general average of proficiency among the teams of the New Jersey League.

The meet was won by Newark Academy, whose team scored 40-1/2 points; Pingry's School of Elizabeth was a very close second, with 35-1/2 points. Then came Plainfield High, with 27, and Montclair High, with 14; Stevens' Prep, of Hoboken did not score.

The star performers of the day were G. P. Smith, of Plainfield High, who scored a triple win, taking both the weight events and the pole vault, and finished second in the low hurdles; J. P. Adams, of Newark, and C. T. Meyers, of Pingry's, who finished a dead heat in the mile walk; and S. H. Plum, Jun., of Newark, who ran a beautiful race in the hurdles. The firsts and seconds in each event will represent the Association at the National games next Saturday, and there is every reason to expect that New Jersey's name will figure in the point schedule.

Lawrenceville defeated Andover in their annual baseball game, which was played at Lawrenceville on Friday, June 5. The score was 10-2, and Lawrenceville played an almost errorless game. The Andover men did not appear to be in very good condition when they walked on the field, seeming slightly tired from their journey, and their play showed, in addition, that a number of the players had not been as thoroughly coached in their duties as they might have been.

The Lawrenceville batters found the ball in the early part of the game, Hillebrand being ineffective during the first inning, whereas Arrott, who was in the box for the home team, never pitched a better game. He struck out only seven men, however, to Hillebrand's nine, but only four hits were obtained off him to ten off Hillebrand.

The weakest playing for Andover was done by the short-stop and the whole out-field, they being responsible for eight errors, which let in five runs. Fumbles and muffs covered most of the errors, and of course the Lawrenceville players took advantage of every occasion. Goodwin, Andover's catcher, is an excellent player, and allowed only two bases to be stolen off him. The Andover men did not try to steal bases on Kafer, the Lawrenceville catcher, after having failed on the first attempt. The latter played a star game, and captained the team in perfect style. He will be a valuable acquisition to the Princeton nine next year.

Only seven Andover men reached first base. Their two runs were made in the seventh inning, when Barton knocked a home run, which brought in Croker. Lawrenceville's scoring was done in the first, third, fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. Hastie, their right-fielder, who has not made an error this year, knocked out two singles and a home run. Three of Lawrenceville's thus were let in by Wentworth, Andover's left-fielder, who allowed a base hit to be stretched into a home run by letting the ball roll by him. Most of the other points were earned by hard and timely hitting.

Never before this year have the Lawrenceville players shown so much head-work in batting as they did on this occasion. Andover, on the other hand, resorted to bunting, trying in that way to advance men on first base, but they were almost always unsuccessful. Besides the good work of the Lawrenceville battery--Arrott and Kafer--good work was done by Righter at second base, who played a first-rate game, accepting every chance offered, and he had many. The out-field work was almost flawless, and it is very probable that if Hastie had not been playing so close up to the infield, Barton's home run might have been pulled down considerably.

THE GRADUATE.

* * * * *

The Round Table Fund.

The vote in favor of turning over the money in hand to the trustees of Good Will Farm seems to be unanimous. And hence, in accordance with these instructions a formal transfer will be prepared, to be placed in the hands of these trustees. This transfer will set forth, 1, That the money is to be known as the Round Table Fund; 2, That it is to be invested and the proceeds used to help one or more students at Good Will, the application of said income to be left wholly to the trustees. There is to be, we believe, a girl's department at Good Will, and the trustees are to be left free to apply the income of the Fund toward the support and education of a girl, if their judgment at any time approves; 3, The memorials, originally intended to buy stones for the school building foundation, will be indicated in the transfer, the name of each person or Chapter being mentioned.

Details of this plan will be carried out at once, and the formal correspondence and the deed of transfer published here.

* * * * *

DON'T WORRY YOURSELF

and don't worry the baby; avoid both unpleasant conditions by giving the child pure, digestible food. Don't use solid preparations. _Infant Health_ is a valuable pamphlet for mothers. Send your address to the New York Condensed Milk Company, N.Y.--[_Adv._]

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Constable & Co

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NEW YORK.

Commencing June 6, our store will close at 12 o'clock Saturdays during the summer months.

A cream-of-tartar baking powder. Highest of all in leavening strength.--_Latest United States Government Food Report._

ROYAL BAKING POWDER CO., NEW YORK.

Of course it's imitated--anything good always is--that's endorsement, not a pleasant kind, but still endorsement. HIRES Root-beer is imitated.

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

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

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.

Reader: Have you seen the

It is a Collection which no one who loves music should fail to own; it should find a place in every home. Never before, it may truthfully be said, has a song book been published at once so cheap, so good, and so complete.--_Colorado Springs Gazette._

This Song Collection is one of the most notable enterprises of the kind attempted by any publisher. The brief sketches and histories of the leading productions in the work add greatly to the value of the series.--_Troy Times._

Sold Everywhere. Price, 50 cents; Cloth, $1.00. Full contents, with Specimen Pages mailed, without cost, on application to

Harper & Brothers, New York.

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 many valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognising 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.

One of the best trips in New England is to start from Hartford, Connecticut, run out through the northwestern corner of the State into Massachusetts, through Great Barrington, Lenox, and Pittsfield, and either to Springfield or back to Hartford or to the Hudson River. It is one of the best routes in the Berkshire Hills, and though there are some severe climbs, the varied scenery, the attractive towns, and the good roads make up for the few hills that must be walked. This route we shall give in the next two weeks.

Leaving Hartford at the City Hall, run along Main Street, and follow the car tracks upwards of half a mile. At Albany Avenue turn to the left, and you will find the road direct to Talcott in good condition and with few hills, until you have passed Hartford Reservoir No. 2, where there is a steep climb over the hill by Talcott and down into Avon. It is impossible to ride this hill, and you must walk about half a mile. Unless you are somewhat used to riding, you are strongly advised to walk down part of the hill to Avon, though with great care it may be ridden. Cross the railroad at Avon, and run direct five miles to Canton. There are a few hills along this part of the road, but as the road-bed is in fairly good condition they can all be easily ridden.

At Canton bear to the left and cross Farmington River, turning to the right and running up the west bank close by the railroad into New Hartford, always following the river and the railroad, sometimes between the two and sometimes to the west of the path. Turn finally, after passing Greenwood Pond, to the left of the fork, keeping to the railroad and leaving the river. There are one or two pretty steep hills here. Pleasant Valley, through which you pass next, is easy riding, and Winsted is soon reached. From Winsted to Canaan is very hilly in parts, and the rider is advised to walk up many of the hills. Leaving Long Lake on the left, follow the railroad out to Colebrook; then keep to the right at the fork, through Mill Brook--where there are some bad hills around Burr Mountain--leaving Bigelow Pond on the right, to the depot at Norfolk. Turn to the right at Norfolk, run out by Mill Pond, and take the left fork, running along the valley through West Norfolk to East Canaan, where, crossing the railroad, bear to the left, and follow the railroad itself into Canaan, crossing it once more before entering the town. Canaan is a somewhat extensive town, and there are good accommodations for the night. The distance is forty-one miles from Hartford.

NOTE.--Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahickon Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City--First Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland--First Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. New York to Boston--Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839. Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843. Philadelphia to Washington--First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849. City of Albany in No. 854; Albany to Fonda in No 855; Fonda to Utica in No. 856; Utica to Syracuse in No. 857; Syracuse to Lyons in No. 858; Lyons to Rochester in No. 859: Rochester to Batavia in No. 860; Batavia to Buffalo in No. 861; Poughkeepsie to Newtown in No. 864; Newtown to Hartford in No. 865; New Haven to Hartford in No. 866; Hartford to Springfield in No. 867.

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.

Yes, my dears, I agree with you that the weather is warm. It was cold not so very long ago; and whether cold or whether warm, we must take it as it comes. To complain about the weather, to fret over it, to fuss and to fidget, and make everybody else as well as ourselves uncomfortable in consequence, is very stupid.

I have generally found that the heat or the cold, the wet weather or the dry, the windy or the cloudy day, affected me very little if I went calmly on and made the best of it. One's work should occupy one's thoughts and hands so fully that one has no time to be troubled about surroundings of atmosphere. The busy girl is happier than the indolent girl for the reason that her mind is taken up with something worth while.

A little caution about fans. Don't fan so vigorously that you put yourself into a heat by the exertion. Never fan the back of your friend's neck if you are sitting behind her. Fan with a gentle steady motion, so that waves of air strike your own face, but not so that you send icy shivers down your neighbor's spine.

On a very sultry day nothing is gained by drinking a great deal of ice-water. The more one drinks, the more thirsty one grows. A little water held in the mouth a moment, and allowed to trickle slowly down the throat, will relieve thirst more effectually than a gobletful hastily tossed off.

I wonder if my girls are careful, in these sultry days, of the comfort of their pets? The dog and cat grow thirsty, and cannot help themselves, as we can. The little singing-bird droops if it has not fresh water for its bath and in its drinking-cup. Pets are a dear delight, but they must be looked after every day, and whoever undertakes the responsibility of making their little lives happy must have them on her mind. It is surprising to watch the growth of intelligence in birds when they are daily and lovingly cared for. Of course we expect intelligence in the dog and the cat, but the bird seems less responsive; yet nobody who loves a canary or a parrot, or any other caged though contented captive, will fail to see its wonderful powers if it is cared for gently.

The question comes up every summer, how shall we best keep our homes cool during the sultry part of the day? Shall we close them and shut out the heat, or simply darken them and allow the air to come in? My way has been to open every window, both at the top and at the bottom, early in the morning, flooding the house with the sweet cool air. Then, about ten o'clock, or earlier, close the windows, except for a few inches at the bottom, and fasten shutters and blinds so that they will not fly open. Darken every room which you are not using until the sun goes down. But do not sit to read, sew, or practise in the dark. Your eyes need plenty of light. When you go into the darkened rooms, do so to rest, not to work.

Lottie and Carrie ask if I like flowers on the table. Why, certainly. Flowers should always form a part of the table decoration, and one does not need a great many. A few roses in a bowl, a bunch of white pinks with some green leaves, daisies with their glory of white and gold, ferns, whatever you can most conveniently obtain at the moment, will adorn your table well. Only bear in mind that withering, dying flowers are an offence, and not a pleasure. You must have your flowers fresh every day, and the daughter of the house is the one who should attend to this, relieving her mother of every thought on the subject.

MARGARET E. SANGSTER.

* * * * *

That Fatal Letter.

The message was formed of all the words found in the letter that had more than one way of spelling, and also more than one meaning. Single letters were also used in the same way. Of these there was, however, but one, "R." The "H" was used simply to increase the difficulty of getting the clew. Connective words, of course, were omitted from the message. It was noticed, doubtless, that great care was used in avoiding in certain places words of double meaning and spelling. The awkwardness of this construction was the only clew, as where the letter said, "A man _of_ this town," "in" being the more natural word, but, of course, according to the plan of the letter, not allowable in that place.

"Your guilt is seen. You are chased. I sent draft to Belle Isle. Meet me there. Flee or you die."

ADVERTISEMENTS.

_Only one way to know. Buy_

STANDARD OF THE WORLD

Every foot of Columbia tubing is made in our own mills from carefully selected and tested high-carbon steel and nickel steel. Columbia tubing is the strongest and best in the world.

Art Catalogue free if you call upon the agent, or by mail from us for two 2-cent stamps.

POPE MFG. CO.

Hartford, Conn.

Branch Houses and Agencies are almost everywhere. If Columbias are not properly represented in your vicinity, let us know.

* * * * *

All Columbia Bicycles are fitted with

HARTFORD SINGLE-TUBE TIRES

UNLESS DUNLOP TIRES ARE ASKED FOR.

WE KNOW NO TIRES SO GOOD AS HARTFORDS.

THE ORIGINAL SINGLE-TUBES

are made of proper rubber, proper fabric, properly put together--proper tires in every way. Make bicycling pleasure absolute.

Hartford Tires are furnished with most bicycles of highest grade. Can be had on any.

THE HARTFORD RUBBER WORKS CO.

HARTFORD, CONN.

New York. Philadelphia. Chicago.

EARN A TRICYCLE.

We wish to introduce our Teas. 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 Gold Ring. Write for catalog and order sheet Dept. I

W. G. BAKER,

Springfield, Mass.

Postage Stamps, &c.

$117.50 WORTH OF STAMPS FREE

to agents selling stamps from my 50% approval sheets. Send at once for circular and price-list giving full information.

C. W. Grevning, Morristown, N. J.

100 all dif. Venezuela, Bolivia, etc., only 10c., 200 all dif. Hayti, Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Ag'ts w't'd at 50% com. List FREE! =C. A. Stegmann=, 5941 Cote Brilliante Ave., St. Louis, Mo

=STAMPS!= 100 all dif. Bermuda, etc. Only 10c. Ag'ts w'td at 50% com. List free. L. DOVER & CO., 1469 Hodiamont, St. Louis, Mo.

Hold their place in the front rank of the publications to which they belong.--_Boston Journal_, Feb. 19, 1896.

HARPER'S

PERIODICALS

MAGAZINE, $4.00 A YEAR WEEKLY, $4.00 A YEAR BAZAR, $4.00 A YEAR ROUND TABLE, $2.00 A YEAR

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.

HOW TO PREPARE GOLD FOR USE IN PHOTOGRAPHY.

Several queries have been sent to the editor recently asking how to prepare gold for photographic use. Gold is one of the chemical elements. Its symbol is "Au," the first two letters of the word aurum, the Latin name for gold. Gold is used in photography in the form of chloride of gold. To make chloride of gold, pure gold is dissolved in a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric (muriatic) acid. This mixture is called "aqua-regia," from its being the only known solvent of gold. It is made by mixing one part of nitric acid, two parts of muriatic acid, and three parts of water. Gold dissolves very readily in this mixture.

Chloride of gold may be made from gold-leaf (such as is used by dentists), gold coins, scraps of gold ornaments, etc. Where the amateur prepares his own gold about half the expense is saved. Put the gold into a glass vessel and pour over it eight times its weight of aqua-regia. Set the vessel in a dish of hot water, and let it stand on the back of the stove till the gold is entirely dissolved. Pour the solution into a porcelain crucible, and subject to heat till all the free acid is evaporated or driven off. After the acid is evaporated, add three or four drachms of distilled water and evaporate again. When the water is evaporated, enough distilled water must be added to make the solution up to a standard strength--one grain of gold to three drachms of water. If twenty-four grains of pure gold are used, add nine ounces of distilled water. Keep this solution in a dark place or in an opaque bottle. The bottle may be wrapped in black needle-paper, which will also protect it from the light.

Gold coins and jewelry contain more or less alloy, but this does not seem to affect the print in any way. One grain of gold will tone from twenty to twenty-five cabinet prints. The chemical formula for chloride of gold is AuCl_{3}, meaning that a molecule of chloride of gold contains one atom of gold and three atoms of chlorine. In order to preserve the gold chloride longer, it is usually prepared with salt, and is called chloride of gold and sodium. It is in this form that it is sold for use in photographic work, the pure chloride of gold attracting and absorbing moisture from the air.

The chloride of gold and sodium is prepared by dissolving common salt in a solution of chloride of gold and then evaporating the solution. Sodium chloro-aurate is also another name for this salt. Chloride of sodium is common salt, and the chemical formula is NaCl, meaning that it is composed of one part natrium (the Latin name for sodium) and one part chlorine. The chemical formula for chloride of gold and sodium is NaCl, AuCl_{3}+2H_{2}O, meaning that it is composed of one molecule of chloride of sodium, one molecule of chloride of gold, to which are added (+) two molecules of water. The chemical formula is also written in this way: NaAuCl_{4}+2H_{2}O. When chloride of gold and sodium is used for toning, a larger quantity by weight must be used than when the pure chloride of gold is used.

A stock solution may be prepared by adding 15 grains of chloride of gold and sodium to 7-1/2 oz. of water. (By a "stock solution" is meant a solution that keeps for a long time, and may therefore be prepared in a large quantity.)

The toning-bath is made by taking 3-1/2 oz. of water and pouring in the gold solution till the mixture will turn blue litmus-paper red. (About half an ounce will be sufficient.) To this mixture add bicarbonate of soda until it turns the red litmus back to blue. This bath should be prepared about half an hour before it is needed for toning. A saturated solution (see first paper on simple chemistry) should be made of bicarbonate of soda, and kept in stock.

Bicarbonate of soda is a fine white powder, soluble in ten parts of water. It is used for neutralizing the excess of acid in gold toning-baths. Natural deposits of bicarbonate of soda are found in Africa, where it is called "trona," and in South America, where it is called "urao." Its chemical formula is HNaCO_{3}.

Names of chemical elements mentioned and their atomic weight:

Atomic Chemical Element. Symbol. Weight. Carbon C 12 Chlorine Cl 35.5 Gold (Latin name Aurum) Au 196 Hydrogen (standard weight) H 11 Oxygen O 12 Sodium (Latin name Natrium) Na 23

Hydrogen is the lightest substance known, and an atom of hydrogen is used as the standard weight by which all other atoms of the chemical elements are weighed.

SIR KNIGHT SILAS LEON SMITH, New Orleans, La., asks for a formula for making paper which can be exposed in the camera like a plate. Calotype-paper is probably the paper which Sir Silas says he has seen described, and which produces a positive picture when exposed in the camera. The process is too long to describe in the space devoted to the "Answers to Querists," but the formula may be found in _Wilson's Cyclopedia of Photography_, which is in most public libraries. Sir Silas sends a formula for sensitizing paper to produce a red image, for which he will please accept thanks. The formula will soon be published in the Camera Club, and credit given.

SIR KNIGHT FRANK EVANS, JUN., sends the following formula for developer, which he recommends both for plates and for bromide paper.

EIKONOGEN DEVELOPER.

NO. 1. Sulphite of Soda (Crystals) 3 oz. Hot Water 45 "

Thoroughly dissolve, then add 1 oz. of eikonogen.

No. 2. Sal Soda 4 oz. Water 15 "

To develop, take of No. 1, 3 oz.; No. 2, 1 oz.

This developer can be used over again.

* * * * *

Questions and Answers.

Irving R. Kenyon asks what paper should be used and what rules should be followed by persons submitting manuscripts to editors. It is not a matter of paper or rules that determines the value of poetry or prose articles. True, there are a few rules, but they are those dictated by convenience chiefly. For instance, write on one side of the paper only. Do not roll manuscripts. Fold them. Use common letter-paper, any convenient size. Write plainly, punctuate according to your judgment, and insert paragraphs where needed. If you can do so, have your manuscript typewritten. This is not a condition to its acceptance; merely a more easily read form for it. Put your name and full address at the top of the first sheet. A long letter to the editor is unnecessary. You can say that the manuscript is submitted at the publisher's regular rates, if you wish. These rates vary from 1/2 to 3 cents per word, with perhaps 1 cent per word as the average. Newspapers pay by the column, but rarely more than 1/8 cent per word. Anything beyond these simple rules is needless. Whether or not your production is accepted depends on many conditions: Its merit; its suitability to the publication to which you send it; the supply of such matter which the editor has already in hand, etc.

Archibald R. Smith asks if there is a national flower, and if there is none, which is the favorite American flower? There is no national flower, and no pronouncedly favorite one. Efforts are always making to have a flower selected as the national one, but they meet with indifferent success. Everybody seems busy, and there is no authority competent to decide, save, perhaps, Congress, and that is busier than the rest of us. The golden-rod and the rose have, we believe, their partisans. Harry R. Harbeck, 183 Elm Street, Albany. N. Y., is interested in photography, and wants to hear from others who have amateur photographs of interesting spots near their homes. He has many good Albany views. Edward C. Wood, 156 School Lane, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa., is well posted on the medals and souvenirs prepared to sell to visitors to the United States Mint in his city, and kindly offers to procure for members any of them at actual cost. There are fac-similes of the Liberty Bell and medals bearing the Lord's Prayer.

Forest Gaines, 703 North State Street, Champaign, Ill., wants to buy Nos. 644 and 655, March 1 and May 17, 1892, HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE. T. J. Pleavin, 61 Bland Street, Alexandra Park, Manchester, England, wants to hear from members describing their home scenery, industries, and interests, and he promises to reply in the same line. E. Raymond Jefferis is informed that the Table has at present no badges in stock. If new ones are in hand in future, due notice will be given on this page. David Blondheim says he has read _Recreations in Botany_, recommended in the "Handy Book," and now asks for definitions of genus, family, species, and classes. Genus is a group, having so many points of structure in common that they receive a common name. A genus may not be the lowest group, for all the species of oak may form a single genus only. In the animal kingdom the lion, tiger, and leopard species form a single genus, namely, the cat. A family is a group of organisms, more comprehensive than the genus, because based on fewer points of likeness. A species is an ideal or single group that proceeds from a single ancestor, and reproduces itself in readily identified forms, as the dog, the rose. Classes are general divisions of things having general points in common, but capable of being subdivided into species, genus, and families. Suppose you write to the author, in care of the publishers, suggesting definitions of these terms in future editions.

The centre of population of the earth is asked for. It would be impossible, we think, to determine such a point. Carrie Brush, Chelsea, Iowa, is interested in natural history, and wants specimens and correspondents. Harry J. Blunt asks again that question about entering the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Apply to your member of Congress. Only one cadet is allowed from each Congressional district at one time. There is no expense attached. Each cadet receives a salary equal to his board, tuition, and uniforms. Edith F. Morris is secretary of the New York Stamp Exchange, which issues comprehensive rules. If you want these rules, enclose a stamp to her at 95 Third Avenue, New York.

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.

One of the leading English philatelic journals says, "Some day we may be able to publish a list of postmaster dealers" (those who make or cause to be made new surcharges, etc.). Such a list would be most instructive. It would explain much, and open the eyes of many collectors to what is going on in certain quarters.

Of the rare wood-block Cape of Good Hope errors it has been definitely ascertained that only 201 of the 1d. error and 386 of the 4d. error were printed. Each sheet contained 64 stamps, and only one stamp on each of the 587 sheets was an error. It is wonderful that any copies should have survived.

One of the Boston papers claims that the P.O. clerk who sold the first U. S. stamp in 1847 and the first U. S. envelope in 1853 is alive, and in the Boston Post-office to-day. His name is James Lafitte Smith, seventy-nine years of age, and he has been in the service of the U. S. Post-office Department for more than fifty years.

The movement to encourage collecting "straight" issues of stamps and to disregard minute varieties is gaining ground. One dealer in New York printed a catalogue omitting different perforations, etc., etc., and his album corresponds with the catalogue. Now another of the large dealers has sent out circulars notifying customers of a catalogue and an album on the same lines. It is a step in the right direction. Let the millionaires--and there are many of them--who are stamp-collectors, make up albums showing different perforations, inverted water-marks, double impressions, etc. They have the time and the money necessary. But ordinary collectors of moderate means are not wise in trying to follow them. The whole tendency hitherto has been to force the money values of stamps into prominence, and naturally this has attracted the attention of speculators. The pleasure in collecting stamps has been lost sight of. I hope the corner has been turned.

HARRY T. LEES.--Send your address to the stamp editor.

G. TARLETAN.--Before postage-stamps and stamped envelopes were used it was the custom to collect the postage from the receivers of the letters. The postage was charged according to weight and distance. For instance, I have a number of letters sent from Illinois to New York, on which the postage was $1.87-1/2 each. The same letter could now be sent for 4c. In the few cases (comparatively) where the postage was prepaid the postmaster either wrote the word "Paid," or else printed on the letter "Paid 5c." (10c., 25c., etc.). As such letters are neither stamped envelopes nor do they bear adhesive stamps, they are not collected by philatelists. Consequently they have no value.

WURTEMBERG.--You say you have a "complete" set of _unused_ Wurtemberg stamps. If you mean a set from 1851 to date, you have a fortune in your grasp. Some of the earlier issues, used, sell for 5c. or 10c. each, but unused they are worth $50 or $100 each.

PHILATUS.

The frequent use of a good soap like the Ivory will purify the complexion as no cosmetic can.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.

=Second-hand printing-presses.= All sizes and makes. Catalogue free. F. L. Garbutt, Garbutt, N.Y.

By CAPTAIN CHARLES KING

CADET DAYS.

A Story of West Point. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.

CAMPAIGNING WITH CROOK,

And Stories of Army Life. Illustrated. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.

BETWEEN THE LINES.

A Story of the War. Illustrated by GILBERT GAUL. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.25.

A WAR-TIME WOOING.

A Story. Illustrated by R. F. ZOGBAUM. Post 8vo, Cloth, $1.00.

* * * * *

By THOMAS W. KNOX

THE BOY TRAVELLERS IN THE LEVANT.

Adventures of Two Youths in a Journey through Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Greece, and Turkey, with Visits to the Islands of Rhodes and Cyprus, and the Site of Ancient Troy. Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00.

_THE "BOY TRAVELLERS" SERIES._

Copiously Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00 per volume.

ADVENTURES OF TWO YOUTHS--

IN SOUTHERN EUROPE. IN CENTRAL EUROPE. IN NORTHERN EUROPE. IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. IN MEXICO. IN AUSTRALASIA. ON THE CONGO. IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE. IN SOUTH AMERICA. IN CENTRAL AFRICA. IN EGYPT AND PALESTINE. IN CEYLON AND INDIA. IN SIAM AND JAVA. IN JAPAN AND CHINA.

_OTHER BOOKS BY COLONEL KNOX:_

Hunting Adventures on Land and Sea.

2 vols. Copiously Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $2.50 each.

THE YOUNG NIMRODS IN NORTH AMERICA. THE YOUNG NIMRODS AROUND THE WORLD.

* * * * *

HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York.

"IF FLOWERS HAD A LANGUAGE, AS HAS OFTENTIMES BEEN SAID, I WONDER IF THE BUTTERCUPS WOULD CRY ALOUD FOR BREAD?"

* * * * *

SLEPT IN THE HEN-COOP.

"Papa, is Mrs. Bigelow very poor?"

"No, Cedric, Mrs. Bigelow is well off; don't you know what a nice house she has?"

"But she sleeps in the hen-coop, papa."

"Why, Cedric!"

"She said she did."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember when she was here to dinner night before last she excused herself, and said she must go home early because she went to bed with the chickens!"

* * * * *

ELDERLY GENTLEMAN. "Well, my son, can you tell me what little boys are good for, anyway?"

BOY. "Yes, sir; they're good to make men out of."

* * * * *

He was a delicate young man in a pink shirt and duck trousers, both of which he wore in a pompous and conceited manner. He was seated in the train dangling his tennis racquet, and busily amusing a number of bright young ladies and gentlemen of his party.

"Ah, how good! Here's the conductor. Watch me astonish him."

"Ticket, sir," said the conductor.

"My dear man," said the young man, "my--er--face is my ticket."

The conductor smiled and looked around at the young man's friends, and then, in a polite and apologetic manner, said, "I beg your pardon, ladies and gentlemen, but my orders are to punch all tickets, and I'm afraid I might destroy this ticket so much that I can't turn it in at the end of the run."

Here the young man colored redder than his shirt, and hastily produced his ticket amid shouts of laughter from his friends.

* * * * *

The penny-in-the-slot-machine can be found in the remotest portions of the backwoods, and sometimes it is about the only thing to remind one of civilization that can be found there.

A weary hunting party stopped at a small hotel off in the backwoods not long ago, and wishing to remove the evidences of their long tramp before supper, found after washing that to secure a towel they would be obliged to make use of a slot-machine that stood next to the wash-basin. The sign read, "To obtain a clean towel put a penny in the slot, and pull the drawer slowly out." One of the party was somewhat of a wag, and procuring all the coppers he could gather he proceeded to abstract the towels one at a time. He had reached the fifth towel when the proprietor entered to wash his hands. He gazed at the man with the five towels in astonishment. The wag laughingly complimented the proprietor upon his enterprise in selling new towels for such a little money. It is needless to say the proprietor later put up a sign that read, "For the use of a clean towel put a penny in the slot."

* * * * *

Every lover of art knows of the celebrated works of Meissonier, the painter. Now Meissonier not only could paint, but he could tell a good story, and he was especially fond of relating this little anecdote of his gardener, whose horticultural erudition was remarkable. A smattering of learning is a dangerous thing, and Meissonier's gardener had a little knowledge of the Latin tongue, which he was fond of using to name his different plants. Meissonier for a long time was sceptical of the correctness of his gardener's Latin, so one day he set a trap for him by giving him the roe of a red herring and asking what seed it was. Without hesitating the gardener gave it a long Latin name, and promised that it would bloom in about three weeks. Meissonier chuckled to himself, and agreed to inspect the blooms in three weeks or more. When the time came the painter questioned his learned horticulturist about it, and that party led him into the hot-house to an enormous flower-pot. There, sure enough, were the blooms in the nature of the heads of six red herrings just emerging from the dirt in the pot. Meissonier breathed a deep sigh, and shook his gardener's hand, exclaiming, "What a wonderful man you are!"

* * * * *

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, June 16, 1896, by Various