Chapter XXII: Two Short but Exciting Voyages (2)

The Spring Field Day of the Academic Athletic League of the Pacific Coast was held on the University of California track at Berkeley, Saturday, April 18th, with the results as shown on the preceding page. It was a bad day for track sports--cold, and eventually rainy, with a cross wind that brought no help to the racers. Nevertheless, the performances were noteworthy in several cases, and a glance at last year's record of the California schools' games will show that the tendency of the records is downwards. Drum took the 100 after a hot fight with Jenks, and also scored a win in the 220. Jenks had been looked upon as a pretty sure winner for the longer sprint, having equalled the Coast record in his heat; but Drum was too much for him, and Switzer came near cheating him out of second honors. These two defeats seemed to discourage the O.H.-S. man, for although entered he did not compete in the quarter. This race went to Woolsey, who got his points through heroic treatment of his distance. He wanted to save himself for the relay, and yet take the quarter too, which he felt confident he could do, having covered the distance in 54-1/2 sec. So he set a hot pace from the start, covering the first 220 in 25-1/5. The field followed close, but the pace killed them, and Woolsey came home in the excellent time of 56-1/5 sec. The A.A.L. record is only 1/5 sec. lower.

Steele, O.H.-S., had trained to run his first quarter of the half-mile in 60 sec., counting on these tactics to slaughter the rest. But the bunch fastened on, and at the end of the second lap Shaw of Lowell showed unexpected endurance and crept ahead. He and Steele then ran within a yard of one another to the tape, which Shaw breasted first in 2 m. 12-4/5 sec. There was a big field for the mile run, and a remarkably tight one. At the end of the third lap Haseltine hit up the pace, but Cutler of Lowell was good for it, and rushed in a winner. Dawson was unfortunate in the hurdles. Some one has taught him a bad trick in practice--to run around an obstacle after knocking the previous one or losing his stride--and he suffered for it. He knocked the top bar off the eighth hurdle, played his trick of dodging the ninth, took the tenth, and beat Cheek to the tape. Of course he was disqualified, but as an O.H.-S. man won, his error was of less consequence than it might have been. It is always better to work in practice just as the rules require that you work in competition. Then you have an advantage over the other man.

In the high jump Grant, P. H.-S., proved a surprise. His form is wretched, but he has springs in his feet. He tied with Hoffmann for first place, and lost the honor on the toss. Cheek could have done better in the shot after he won it, in going for a record, but forbore on account of his other events. The hammer throw was somewhat complicated by the failure of the judges to mark accurately Lynch's sixth and last throw. The least they could give him was the 102 ft. 9 in., but to make the thing square all three were allowed a seventh throw. Smith and Johnson did not improve their marks, but Lynch threw 109 ft. In doing so, however, he fouled by overstepping an inch, and the event went to Smith of Hoitt's.

In the relay race the Berkeley team led all the way, and won in 3 min. 31 sec., which is within 10 seconds of the Pacific Coast record, made by U. of C. in 1894. Drum did the best work for O.H.-S., but his mates were not in condition, and the event was lost to them.

Every school that competed at the meeting scored. This fact is especially creditable for Polytechnic H.-S., St. Matthew's, and Hoitt's, all being new members of the A.A.L., and not so seasoned in athletics as some of the other schools. Their teams give good promise, and if they keep on as they have begun, Oakland and Berkeley will have to look sharp!

The Princeton Interscholastic tennis tournament was not held last Saturday, as had been announced. The date was considered too early in the season, none of the school players having yet had sufficient time to get into tournament form. The date now proposed is May 23d.

GEORGE W. ROLLINS, BOSTON, MASS.--The best kind of training for a
ten-mile bicycle race is to take short spins of a mile or two at
speed on a track, and long rides of from fifteen to eighteen miles
on the road, on alternate days, for two or three weeks previous to
the date of the race. If you can ascertain what road the race is to
be run over, it is well to become as familiar with it as possible;
but do not try to ride the distance on time more frequently than
once in ten days.

F. J. CHAPMAN, NEW RICHMOND, WIS.--See answer above for your
question on training. Cold baths are good, if you rub down well
afterward. Never continue exercising when you begin to feel the
slightest fatigue. It is not well to go to bed immediately after
exercising; and it is better to run early in the morning rather
than in the evening.

THE GRADUATE.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Arnold Constable & Co

* * * * *

INFANTS' and CHILDREN'S WEAR.

_Real Lace Robes,_ _Organdie Dresses, French Caps,_ _Hand-made Guimpes,_

COATS.

* * * * *

Children's Reefers, Outing Suits, Wash Dresses. Children's Hand-Emb. Underwear.

* * * * *

Broadway & 19th st. NEW YORK.

The many imitations of HIRES Rootbeer simply point to its excellence--the genuine article proves it.

Made only by The Charles E. Hires Co., Philadelphia. A 25c. package makes 5 gallons. Sold everywhere.

FOR THE CHILDREN.

Impure food that may not seriously affect the stronger digestive organs of an adult will frequently cause serious illness in a child. A child's food is largely cakes and bread, and these things when light, sweet, and composed of materials free from deleterious substances are easily digested, nutritious, and wholesome. But there is a danger to children too liable to be lost sight of. If their bread and cake are risen with alum baking powders they are not healthful, but will produce serious digestive disturbances. Mothers are liable to overlook this fact, and because such food may not produce immediate ill results with the adult, give it to the children unmindful of their greater susceptibility to harm. Professor Willard Parker, United States Surgeon-General Hammond, Professor Alonzo Clark, and other eminent physicians have spoken most earnestly of the evils arising from food made with these alum baking powders.

The makers of the Royal Baking Powder are entitled to the thanks of every mother in the land, because of the better food it insures. The physicians tell us that its use in biscuit and cake really adds to the healthfulness of these articles. We have known some of the best doctors to prescribe Royal Baking Powder as a remedy for digestive disturbances who, when asked why they did it, replied: "Because this is about the only form in which we can get chemically pure cream of tartar and bi-carbonate of soda."

Mothers should take a hint from this, and use as much care in the choice of a baking powder as in obtaining pure milk, or in having a prescription compounded from pure drugs.--_Mothers' Magazine._

_On Bosworth Field_
_King Richard cried:_
_"My kingdom for a horse!"_
_But times have changed--_
_To-day he'd want_
_A Monarch wheel, of course._

MONARCH

KING OF BICYCLES

and a wheel fit for a king. Made in 4 models, $80 and $100. For children and adults who want a lower price wheel the _Defiance_ is made in 8 models, $40 to $75. Send for Monarch book.

MONARCH CYCLE MFG. CO.,

Lake, Halsted and Fulton Sts., CHICAGO 83 Reade Street, New York.

HOOPING-COUGH

CROUP.

Roche's Herbal Embrocation.

The celebrated and effectual English Cure without internal medicine. Proprietors, W. EDWARD & SON, London, England.

E. Fougera & Co., 30 North William St., N.Y.

The Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject.
Our maps ind 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.

So many inquiries have been received of late asking information regarding bicycling in Europe, that it will prove more satisfactory to answer these in a general way in this Department than to attempt to give specific replies to each writer. The usual question which presents itself is the one of expense. How cheaply can a person make a trip from New York to England by steamer, ride through England for a month, and return? Many a boy and girl has the time in school or college vacation to take this trip if it could be done at a reasonable figure. Crossing the ocean is now a much cheaper, quicker, and easier matter than it used to be. There are very comfortable cattle-steamers leaving New York for London which make the trip in ten or twelve days, and which carry perhaps twenty-five passengers. The accommodations are very good, and it is a perfectly feasible method of crossing the ocean. The fare on these steamers, first-class, ranges from $40 up. On the regular passenger steamers it is quite proper, and does not involve a loss of dignity, for school-boys or college men to cross second-class, which ranges from $35 up. You can see, then, that so far as going from America to England is concerned not much expense is involved; $60 to $70 will procure the round-trip passage, which will occupy about sixteen to twenty days. On the other side the travelling expenses with a wheel may be made almost anything the individual chooses to make them. One wheelman will ride from city to city, stopping at large hotels in each city, spending several days there, and going to theatres and places of amusement. Another will stop at the inns through the midland counties of England, ride through the cities, and stop at hotels in Scotland. A third will invariably try some farmer or shepherd's cottage, there ask to be taken in overnight, and will only enter public-houses when he comes to some such famous hostelry as the Swan Inn near Therlmere. These are only three grades of travellers, and where the first will average from $10 to $20 a day, the third will probably do it on the average of not more than $1 a day.

Let us take up the question of English wheeling this week, and the French side of bicycling next week. To bicycle through England certain simple facts should be borne in mind. In the first place, do not take a steamer for Liverpool. Sail from New York or Boston by a steamer that stops at Southampton, and begin your trip through England from Southampton itself. If you go to Liverpool, there will be some difficulty in getting out of Liverpool itself, and the country immediately around Liverpool is not so attractive as that around Southampton. Starting from Southampton, then, cross to Isle of Wight and ride through Newport and Ryde, going even so far as St. Catharine's Point. Returning to the mainland, it may be said that any route you may lay out will lead you through beautiful country of fine roads, and suitable places for stopping at every mile. One good ride is through Dorset, Devon, and Cornwall to Land's End. But the chief route, and the best one probably if it is your first in England, is to run from Southampton through Winchester, Aldershot, and thence across a corner of Surrey to London. From London, following the Thames, out through Windsor, Henley, Abingdon, to Oxford; thence to Cheltenham, and from this point passing up through Warwickshire, circling around Birmingham instead of going into the city, and making for Leicester. From Leicester run straight to Derby, and then there are many routes to Chester. From Chester the object should be to reach Windermere without passing through too many of the great manufacturing towns. This route each man must pick out according to his map and his own judgment.

On reaching Windermere, on the edge of Lake Windermere, move on to Ambleside, Keswick; thence through Newmarket to Carlisle. Leaving Carlisle, make for the Solway Firth railway bridge, cross on the railroad train, and run up through Dumfries. From this point to Ayr there is a very good road, and at the end of it any one who is an admirer of Burns may study him in his home. From Ayr proceed to Glasgow through Kilmarnock, and from Glasgow the prettiest run is through Dumbarton up the western shore of Loch Lomond; then, following the valley at the north end of the Loch, you will come in time to Tyndrum, and from here it is not a long run to Oban. Here the trip may be further extended up the Caledonian Canal, or the return trip may be made through Stirling to Edinburgh, and thence back to London along the east coast. Such a trip may be completed, including the journey over and back, in from six to eight weeks, and if the method of going to private houses wherever feasible is followed, the expense need not exceed $250.

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

PREPARATION OF TESTED SENSITIVE PAPERS.

NO. 4.--HOW TO MAKE GREEN TONES.

Green prints may be made by first making a red print, and then, by the use of nitrate of cobalt, changing the red tone to a brilliant green. The process for making red prints is fully described in No. 850 of the ROUND TABLE, but we repeat the formula, referring the amateur to the paper on red prints for fuller details.

Sensitize photographic paper by floating it on a solution made of 96 grs. of nitrate of uranium dissolved in 8 oz. of distilled water. Dry by a gentle heat, and print. This is not a printing-out paper, but the picture is brought out by development. A strong negative requires ten minutes in bright sunlight and two hours in the shade. Remove the print from the frame, and place at once in a dish of hot water for 30 seconds (120° Fahr.). Drain off the water, and lay the print face up in a toning-tray, and flood with a solution made of 40 grs. of red prussiate of potash and 4 oz. of distilled water. Keep the tray in motion so that all parts of the print may be equally affected by the developer. In a few minutes the picture will begin to appear, and will develop up a beautiful red color. Wash this print in several changes of water till no more color runs from it and the washing water is clear.

Have ready a ten-per-cent. solution of nitrate of cobalt. Place the red print in this without drying, leave it in for one minute, remove, and, without washing, dry by a fire. The red print will turn to a beautiful green; the more intense the heat used in drying the more brilliant will be the green color. This print is not permanent, but must be made so by immersing in a fixing solution prepared as follows:

Distilled Water 4 oz.
Sulphate of Iron 80 grs.
Sulphuric Acid 4 scruples.

Have this solution made up at the dealer in photographic supplies, as the sulphuric acid is a dangerous acid to handle. The small quantity in the solution will do no harm, though it is best to use rubber fingertips when handling all known poisonous chemicals. Place the print in this fixing solution for 30 seconds, pass it through three or four changes of water, and dry by the fire. Landscapes printed on green tinted paper make a pleasing change from the brown and black tones generally used.

SIR KNIGHT W. F. BLATCHLEY asks what kind of sensitized paper to
use for pictures which are to be reproduced in periodicals. Any
printing paper, with the exception of blue prints, may be used; but
the black and white tones are preferred to the reddish browns.

SIR KNIGHT LE ROY THOMPSON asks what other color beside red and
violet may be produced with nitrate of uranium. Green, blue-black,
chestnut-brown, copper color, and several other tints may be made
by different toning solutions or treatments of the print. The
processes will be described in early numbers of the ROUND TABLE.

SIR KNIGHT THOMAS S. WINSTON, Box 65, Albertville, La., says that
he has some curios, consisting of turtle shells, water moss, water
celery, wild boar's tusks, etc., and a collection of about one
thousand stamps, which he would like to exchange for a Pocket Kodak
or a Kombi Camera.

SIR KNIGHT LAWRENCE FRALEY sends the following formula for
developing bromide paper: Water (filtered), 20 oz.; carbonate of
soda, 300 grs.; sulphite of soda, 500 grs.; hydrochinon, 30 grs.;
metol, 30 grs. Sir Knight Lawrence says that he has used this
developer, and finds that one can make a much shorter exposure and
obtain clear whites and fine detail in shadows. This developer
works equally well with dry plates. Sir Lawrence has the thanks of
the club for his formula.

LESLEY ASHBURNER asks what makes prints gray; the sizes and prices
of transferrotype and bromide paper; a formula for toning solution;
and in what number it gives directions for enlargements. The reason
prints assume a gray color is because they are left too long in the
toning solution, or the toning solution is not fresh. Bromide and
transferrotype paper may be bought in any size desired; 4 by 5
costs 50 cents per dozen, and 5 by 7 costs 65 cents per dozen for
both papers. A formula for toning solution may be found in No. 825.
A formula for toning solution comes with every package of sensitive
paper, and may always be relied on to produce good results. Several
toning solutions will be given in an early number of the Camera
Club. The number giving directions for enlarging is No. 801 of the
ROUND TABLE, and the article is entitled "Bromide Enlargements."

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 second type of the 5c. Baton Rouge has been seen by Mr. Deats with the error McCcrmick.

The widespread collecting of imprints of the current issue of U.S. stamps has led an enterprising publisher in New York to place on the market an album for the use of collectors. Each Plate No. has a page with spaces for all four positions of the imprint, and separate pages are prepared for the watermarked and unwatermarked varieties.

The newspapers report the arrest, in Chicago, of a gang of counterfeiters who have been printing counterfeit U.S. 2c. stamps by lithographic process, in sheets containing twenty-five stamps. It is said that large quantities of the stamps have been used. No copies have been seen in New York as yet. Should any of the ROUND TABLE readers have any copies of these stamps, I should be glad to see one. They are described as bearing a smudged look.

The influence of fashion in fixing the price of stamps has been curiously illustrated at the last large auction held in New York city. The gems of the sale were the 1878 reprints of the U.S. stamps from 1847 to 1870, and of the periodical stamps from 2c. to 60c. These reprint periodicals are the only copies known, and yet the price obtained for them was an average of only $6 each. The original 9c. stamp, of which hundreds of copies are in existence, sells for $15. The unique reprint of the same stamp brought $10 only. The purchaser secured a great bargain.

An old story has been going the rounds of the press lately of how a small boy wrote to Field-Marshal Yamagata for some Japanese stamps, and received in reply a complete set of all the Japanese stamps unused. The story is probably true, but the sequel is not given. The success of this boy's request was published, and as a result the Marshal was overwhelmed by thousands of similar requests from collectors all over the world. Of course they got nothing.

Belgium has caught the speculation fever. Designs have been invited for stamps to be used in commemoration of the International Exhibition to be held in 1897. Germany has filed an official protest against such stamps by proposing the following resolution, which will be considered at the International Postal Union Congress at Washington in May, 1897: "Resolved, That the International Postal Union will exclude all stamps which are not necessary for actual postal requirements, especially the so-called Jubilee and Celebration stamps."

Sir Robert Hart, Commissioner of the Chinese Customs, has been asked by the Emperor of China to organize a national postal system. If the project is carried out, the many Chinese Locals will be made valueless in the eyes of every one.

R. CRAIG.--The current 50c. U.S. cancelled is worth 10c. The old
bank bill has no value.

E. C. WOOD, Germantown, Pa., K. C. GIBSON, Morrisburg, Ont., wish
to exchange U. S. and Canada stamps.

W. C. A.--The rarest U.S. cents are 1793, Liberty Cap, $7.50; 1799
over 98, $7.50; 1799, perfect date, $10.

C. F. PHILIP.--Values of sets of U.S. Departments in unused "mint"
condition, are, State, $287; Executive, $49; Navy, $40;
Agriculture, $27.65; Treasury, $12; War, $4.50; Post-office, $4.50;
Justice, $110; Interior, $4.50. Used sets are not worth as much,
and damaged sets are materially less in value. The loss of a single
perforation, or uneven centering, will affect some of the stamps
from ten per cent. to thirty per cent. in value.

J. H. BROWN.--There are two varieties of the 1860 silver 5c. piece.
The one bearing the figure of Liberty with "United States of
America" around it is common. The one with Liberty surrounded by
stars in place of "United States of America" is rare. Dealers
charge $5 for a good copy of the rare stamp, 10c. for the common
one.

J. S. POPPER.--I do not know what album you have, nor can I say
whether your stamp is genuine or counterfeit, as I have not seen
it. The New York 5c. black, Washington's portrait, has a space in
all the standard albums, at the beginning of the U.S. issues. The
Saxony 10 gr. blue is worth $4. The Roman stamps are catalogued at
5c. each.

J. HALL.--The 24c. U.S. 1851, unperforated, is a very rare stamp.
An unsevered pair would be worth from $250 to $500. A single stamp
is worth $100. Unprincipled parties have taken copies of the 1856
perforated stamp with wide margins, and trimmed off the
perforations, then offering the same as unperforated.

N. C. WILBUR.--Your coin is a Columbian quarter made by the U.S.
government, and is a legal tender for face value. It is getting a
little scarce, and dealers now ask $1.25 for it.

PHILATUS.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

HOW MANY

different advertisements of

COLUMBIA

BICYCLES

HAVE YOU SEEN?

The variety of Columbia Bicycle advertising is great. All the good points of Columbias, all the delight of riding them, cannot be fully described in any one advertisement, nor in a hundred.

We wish to know how many announcements can reach any one person, and so offer a

COLUMBIA BICYCLE

as a

PRIZE

to whoever shall send us the greatest number of _different_ Columbia Bicycle advertisements clipped from newspapers or magazines issued since Jan. 1, 1896.

Many advertisements differ only in a word or two; others in the
style of type; distinct variations only, however, will be counted.

Each advertisement must have plainly attached to it the name and
date of the newspaper or magazine from which it is clipped.

Separate entries cannot be combined.

Entries must be received by us at Hartford on or before Tuesday,
June 30, 1896. In case of a tie, the award will be made according
to priority of receipt and entry. Address

Department of Statistics, POPE MFG. CO., Hartford, Conn.

Right

KIND OF

Tires

FOR RACING

No. 75 Hartford Single Tubes--the standard racing tires, the kind
Bald rode in 1895.

FOR PLEASURE

No. 80 Hartford Single-Tubes--the standard fast road tires,
delightful, buoyant, comfortable.

FOR SECURITY

No. 77 Hartford Single-Tubes--the standard tires for those who are
willing to sacrifice a little speed for greater security from
puncture. The ideal tire for tandems.

FOR ROUGH SERVICE

No. 70 Hartford Single-Tubes--the standard tires for rocky, hilly
country.

* * * * *

THE HARTFORD RUBBER WORKS CO. HARTFORD, CONN. NEW YORK. CHICAGO.

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.

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.

JAPANESE POSTAGE STAMPS!

Every one who sends me 20 unused stamps of his land will receive 20 unused stamps, in good varieties, from Japan.

Sekigyokuken, Mitsunosho, Bingo, Japan.

=LOOK HERE, BOYS!= 50 stamps and hinges, 15c; 100, 25c. Cheaper packets if you want. Sheets on approval. List sent free. Send Postal Card.

W. C. SHIELDS, 30 Sorauren Ave., Toronto, Canada.

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

=Stamps.= Approval sheets. Agents w't'd; 50% com.

G. D. Holt & Co., 155 Pulaski St., Brooklyn, N. Y.

=Stamps,= 105 all dif. fine S. Am., etc., 10c. Agt's w't'd, 50%. List free. Stockbridge Stamp Co. 1219 Shawmut Pl., St. Louis, Mo.

=FINE APPROVAL SHEETS.= Agents wanted at 50% com. P. S. Chapman, Box 151, Bridgeport, Ct.

HARPER'S

ROUND TABLE

Not only is it excellent in its written text, but artists make its pages artistically beautiful.--_Chicago Inter-Ocean_, Feb. 22, 1896.

5 CENTS A COPY--$2.00 A YEAR

HOW HECTOR SAVED THE TRAIN.

SECOND-PRIZE STORY.

BY S. O. RITTENHOUSE.

"When may I hear the story?"

"Well," replied Walter Preston, the genial station-master at Springdale, "it happened several years ago. I could tell you many more wonderful stories than this, concerning Hector, in which he displayed almost human intelligence. The only remarkable thing about this story lies in the fact that a number of human lives were placed in a position of deadly peril, and that all were saved--not in any wonderful manner, but, nevertheless, saved by Hector.

"When we first moved here we lived a mile down the track in the only house near the station at that time. Hector was my only companion while on duty, and in all these years he has never failed to accompany me, night or day, in sunshine or in storm. He is one of the best dogs I ever saw. I have never been able to make out his breed, but that is of small importance to me.

"Since the company put in their new system of signals there have been but few accidents, but before that they were of frequent occurrence. When I came here the road had only a single track, and the signal-station was put in as a matter of precaution, owing to the dangers arising from the heavy grades, dangerous curves, and many deep cuts.

"For several years I had only one man to help me. During the first month I did all the day work, but after that we changed about, and I frequently took the nightshift. My partner came down from C---- on the six-o'clock train in the morning or evening as the case might be; but as these trains were frequently two or three hours late, I often had to send Hector home for my meals. I would tie a note to his collar, and he would carry it to the house in a very few minutes. Wife would then put up my lunch for me and tie it to his collar. He never failed but once in bringing it to me safely. Then the basket came loose and fell in the dirt; but Hector took the basket in his mouth and carried it back to the house to be replenished.

"Being away from home from twelve to fourteen hours each day, no duties to speak of, and only Hector for a companion, the time passed slowly enough. Trains made no regular stop here, and when by some unusual chance a stray passenger wished to take the train, my red flag by day or red light at night 'hauled up' the desired train.

"One stormy evening when I was on the night shift I sat in my little den of an office listening to the clicking of the telegraph instruments, as the usual business passed to and fro on the wires--business in which I took no active part. Hector lay behind the stove as you see him now, entirely oblivious of the gale that rattled the windows and went shrieking and howling through the upper gorge.

"For once my little office seemed cheerful, when compared with the raging storm on the outside, and I had just settled myself before the fire to enjoy my book when I heard the instruments calling. Answering at once, I took my pen and copied the following message:

"'To operator at Springdale.--Special left A---- at 7.30, and by mistake No. 12 left C---- at 7.45: both due at Springdale at 9.15. Be very sure to stop them if possible!--Hobbs, Despatcher.'

"No. 12 was a through freight that never stopped at Springdale, and the special contained some of the officers and stock-holders of the road, with their families, returning from a pleasure trip. I had been watching the progress of the special, as its orders had been flashed along the wires, and knew that it was running at the rate of nearly a mile a minute.

"I glanced at the clock. It was already just nine o'clock. Only about ten minutes left in which to act. My only chance lay in hanging out my red light for the special, and then running in the direction of the freight, as that was coming down grade and would be hard to stop. Still, I knew that the engineer of the special could not see my signal until he rounded the curve, and having no orders to stop, he might disregard it altogether.

Drawn by C. A. Bostrom, Winner of Third Prize in Drawing Competition.]

"Luckily, I had several red lanterns, and they were soon lighted. Hanging up two as signals for the special, I took two more, one in each hand, and started up the grade. But a sudden thought struck me. My home lay in the direction from which the special was coming; so I turned back and called to Hector. He came to me at once, and I fastened one of the lanterns to his collar and ordered him home. He didn't like the looks of the storm, but he started off, the lantern swinging back and forth about six inches from the ground.

"Seeing that Hector was well started on his mission, I turned again and started up the grade. As I beat my way as best I could against wind and storm, I began to realise how nearly hopeless my task was. Just ahead of me lay the great gorge, a deep cut nearly a quarter of a mile in length. It was extremely dangerous to enter this even in the daytime, as the cut was new, and there was little room to get out of the way of the train. But I must risk it if I hoped to save the many precious lives; so on I went, stumbling over the uneven ties, falling several times, but never daring to stop even to catch my breath. I thanked Heaven when the last rock of the cut was passed: but now the fierce gale met me stronger than ever. Fearful of having my light blown out, and hearing the train close at hand, I stepped aside under the shelter of a rock. As the train rounded the curve and the headlight flashed into view I swung my lantern vigorously, but no one seemed to notice me.

"'Gracious!' I cried, 'will they never see me?'

"The huge monster lighted up the gorge at my feet for an instant, and then with a shriek dashed by; but that shriek meant 'down brakes.' Ah, what a load was lifted from my heart when I heard that sound!

"By the time the way-car had passed I could see that the speed was slackening. With the wind now at my back, I made quick time down the grade. The two engines stood in front of the station 'nose to nose.' They had met with sufficient force to throw all the passengers from their seats, but no damage had been done.

"The little platform was crowded with people, passengers of the special and trainmen, who eagerly awaited my coming. In a few words I told them my story--how I had hung out the signals, how I had run up the track in time to stop the freight.

"'I saw a red light swinging back and forth near the ground, about half a mile back,' said the engineer of the special. 'I only caught a glimpse of it as we rushed by, but I slowed up; then when I saw the red light at the station I whistled for brakes at once, and, coming to a stop, I saw the headlight of the freight just in time to back up enough to escape disaster.'

"'What was the light you first saw?' was asked.

"As if in answer Hector just then appeared from behind the passenger train, the lantern swinging back and forth in front of him. It was the first time he had ever failed to go home when I sent him, but he evidently knew that his mission was fulfilled. He was at once the centre of an excited crowd, and I am sure he received enough attention that night to spoil any dog.

"It was only a few days before I received a check for a large sum, a present from the company, together with the notice that Hector had been put on the company's pay-roll at fifty dollars per month. I was also offered another position with a larger salary, but I declined it.

"In about a week there came to my office a little package addressed to 'Hector, care of Walter Preston.' It contained a handsome gold-plated collar, on which were engraved his name and a little sketch, 'How Hector Saved the Train.' It has never since been off his neck.

"Yes, sir, I have been offered large sums for Hector, but there isn't money enough to buy him."

A Capital Guessing Contest.

Here is something to set the Table guessing. All articles mentioned grow, and all are of the same general character, hence the expression in the last verse, "numerous family." The questions are, What general family is it? and what are each of the forty-three things indicated by the numbers? No prizes are offered in this contest, and you are not asked to send answers. The latter will be published in two weeks. The Table will have a prize-puzzle contest very soon.

Our pedigree is old and long.
Starred with familiar names;
Our family is popular,
And much of worth it claims.

'Tis needless to discriminate
Where all such merit claim;
We'll just describe our characters,
And you can guess each name.

I am the oldest one of all, (1)
And I, the silliest; (2)
I help to play a pleasant game, (3)
While I am just "non est." (4)

I drive a carriage, as you see; (5)
I sit upon the seat; (6)
I'm just a summer visitor; (7)
I exercise the feet. (8)

I furnish you a light at night, (9)
And I am very slow; (10)
But I am of a royal line, (11)
And we are white as snow. (12-13)

I cover o'er the cottage roof,
Supply you with a bed; (14)
We furnish men two kinds of drink; (15-16)
We're looked upon with dread. (17-18)

We bear the names of animals, (19-20)
And we have wings to fly; (21-22-23)
My home is in a swampy place, (24)
And I live in the sky. (25)

I beautify the landscape wide
In early morning hours; (26)
And I adorn the maiden fair,
Mayhap in bridal bowers. (27)

I wear the color of the sky, (28)
And I'm of Afric hue; (29)
I'm an unwelcome visitor,
Though very useful too. (30)

I oft have crowned the victor's brow; (31)
We always block the way; (32-33)
I always keep you in suspense, (34)
And I make winter gay. (35)

Called for a migratory bird,
I'm very sour, you see; (36)
While I am just the opposite,
And sweet as I can be. (37)

We bring good cheer at Christmas-time; (38-39)
We keep the household neat; (40-41)
And I, who try your temper some,
Am really very sweet. (42)

Of all our numerous family
We've mentioned just a few,
But call attention to one more,
The last--'tis simply _you_. (43)

MISS A. C. BANNING.
NEWPORT, R. I.

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 to strengthen the memory is an interesting question. I think the best way is to use it constantly, making it serve you by giving it definite facts and events to carry, as a pack-horse might on a journey. There are many phases of the problem, some people finding that they cannot fix dates in their minds, others forgetting the faces and names of friends, and others still having great trouble in committing anything by rote. Devices of rhymes and associations help some persons, and others simply depend on memoranda, and do not tax their memories at all. As a rule, the more we give the memory to do, however, the more quickly and faithfully it will respond to our wishes. In little children memory is very retentive, because their minds are at the stage when impressions are easily made; you know the line which says that in childhood our minds are "Wax to receive, and marble to retain." So that we should be very careful indeed about what we say, what we do, and what we teach, where the dear little ones are concerned.

Gladys R. S---- has a great deal of trouble in remembering the rules of syntax, the Latin conjugations, and the pages of history which her teacher requires to be recited exactly as they are in the book. Try the method of studying aloud, Gladys. Go away by yourself to commit your lessons to memory, and then, over and over, slowly, carefully, with your mind and attention fixed on what you are doing, read phrases, sentences and formulas, over and over, and over and over, and by-and-by you will have them by heart. I have often done this when I have wished to learn a hymn or a poem, and I know that _hearing_ what one is studying assists the mere seeing. Then having other people in the room, talking and laughing, is very distracting to the attention. Try my method, and report results.

There is a good deal of useless luggage which one does not need to carry in one's memory. An engagement calendar, in which you enter explicitly the several things you have to do, the people you must meet, the places where you are to go--lunching on Monday with Emily, attending the Lookout Committee of the Christian Endeavor at five o'clock on Tuesday, going to the reception of the King's Daughters on Saturday at three--all these engagements may be recorded against their dates, and you need have no concern, beyond consulting your calendar every morning.

GENEVIEVE W.--A short skirt answers every purpose of gaiety and
convenience, though there is no objection to your wearing bloomers
if you wish to do so.

A luxury is "Any thing which pleases the senses and is also costly or difficult to obtain."

Ivory Soap pleases the senses, but is neither costly nor difficult to obtain. Your grocer keeps it.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.

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=LITTLE MEN AND WOMEN= is a finely illustrated magazine, $1.00 a year. Edited especially for children from 7 to 11. A great favorite.

Weight of Bicycles, from 20 to 22 lbs. 1896 Models. Proper sizes for all ages.

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_JUST PUBLISHED:_

For King or Country

A Story of the Revolution. By JAMES BARNES. Illustrated. Post 8vo,
Cloth, Ornamental, $1.50.

This is a story for young readers, and recounts the adventures of twin brothers who are brought up, just prior to the Revolution, in an American Tory family. One of the brothers becomes imbued with the spirit of American patriotism, and is one of the first to enlist in the service of his country; while the other, having been taken to England, obtains a lieutenant's commission in the English army, and sails with his regiment to fight under the standard of King George. The story is a strong piece of character drawing, and the interest centres in the struggles of the two brothers--one in his loyalty to his country and the other in his loyalty to his king.

* * * * *

_OTHER RECENT BOOKS:_

Tommy Toddles.

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

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

There is an endless amount of fun in "Tommy Toddles."--_N. Y. Times._

Just the book for children, and grown people will find plenty of fun in it.--_N. Y. Sun._

A Life of Christ for Young People

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

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

* * * * *

HARPER & BROTHERS, Publishers, New York.

SPORT AMONG THE MOONFAYS.

Clear the way!
Clear the way!
This is the Moonfays' Racing Day;
And the terrapin will race the hare
From the oaken-tree to the dodo's lair;
And this is the end of the second heat,
To see which terrapin is most fleet;
For since that time, long years ago,
When the hare was covered with dreadful woe,
When terrapin beat
Brer Rabbit fleet,
The hares have been
So full of chagrin,
They've wanted another chance to win.

And now to-day, this afternoon.
They're going to race by the light of the moon,
For a golden prize--
Two pumpkin pies.
So clear the way!
Clear the way!
So that all hands may have fair play.
P.S.--Don't wager upon the hare
Till you have heard the conditions there;
Brer Terrapin carries his home with him,
And to make things even the rabbit slim
Must race shut up in a ragman's sack,
With his hind legs strapped up over his back.

* * * * *

PERHAPS SHE HAD.

A colored "auntie" seeing the child of a white acquaintance for the first time, exclaimed:

"Law, massa, how like she is to you! She done got all yore symptoms."

* * * * *

Two negroes were fighting on a wharf in a little Southern town, and although apparently desperate in their intentions, the actual fighting was rather mild. A timid bystander, not accustomed to the harmlessness of such fights, and fearing that the under man would be seriously hurt, called out:

"Let him up. Can't you see you'll hurt him?"

At this both the negroes burst out laughing, and the one on top cried:

"Yah! yah! Let him up! Why, boss, Ise had too much trouble to git 'im down. Hi! hi!"

* * * * *

TEACHER. "What is the principal product of value derived from the seal?"

JOHNNY (_unhesitatingly_). "Sealing-wax."

* * * * *

"Ma, where is Atoms?"

"Athens, you mean, my boy; don't you?"

"No, ma'am; I mean Atoms; because when a person is in a boiler explosion, they always say he is blown to Atoms."

* * * * *

THE RULE OF THE ROAD.

In England the "rules of the road" require foot-passengers to keep to the right, and horsemen and vehicles to keep to the left. Some years ago a learned justice looked into the matter, and thus explained it: "The foot-traveller," he observed, "in ancient times passed to the right in order that the shield, which was carried on the left arm, might be interposed to ward off a treacherous blow, while the right arm, or the sword-arm, was left free for action. Horsemen, on the other hand, were accustomed to wearing suits of mail for the protection of their bodies, and it was believed that there was greater safety in having the arm actively employed in defence and attack nearer to the enemy than to have to strike at him across the horse's neck; hence the horseman passed to the left, and vehicles were naturally required to do the same." This seems like a plausible reason, but in the United States it has been considered safer to have the rules of the road the same for pedestrians as well as for horsemen and vehicles; hence in this country the rule of the highway is to pass to the right. Possibly we choose the right in preference to the left on the simple proposition that if you turn to the right you cannot go wrong.

* * * * *

A portly old gentleman was with difficulty making his way down the street on a very windy day. The strong gusts occasionally carried him from side to side in a tacking sort of fashion, which finally brought him up with a crash against an Irishman who was plastering show-bills on a fence. The old gentleman very politely begged the bill-poster's pardon, and hoped he had not inconvenienced him much by getting in his way. So much politeness puzzled the bill-poster, and in a rich Irish brogue, he replied,

"Faith, if yez ain't in yer own way, yer not in moine!"

* * * * *

A LUCKLESS BULL-FROG LOST HIS VOICE WHILE TALKING IN HIS SLEEP,
AND NOW HE'LL NEVER FISH IT OUT--HIS VOICE IT IS SO DEEP.

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, May 5, 1896, by Various