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Chapter XX: Chitsah's Natural Telephone (2)

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In Brooklyn there is considerable dissatisfaction in certain quarters over the recent ruling of the I.I.S.A.A., which debars from competition in Saturday's games any student who ever attended collegiate exercises at the Polytechnic Institute. Hitherto the law has always been against any one who might have entered college and returned to school; but the prohibition was never exercised against students of Poly. Prep., who, from the nature of their preparatory work, took certain courses in the collegiate department of the Institute. The new amendment specifies that boys who do not spend twelve hours a week in school recitations, or who have been in business or at college and have returned to school, shall not be allowed to compete in scholastic events. Poly. Prep., the Latin School, and Bryant & Strattons vigorously opposed the adoption of this rule, because each one of them has candidates for interscholastic honors who are affected by the new legislation. A moment's thought will show that the question at issue is a very simple and a very clear one. A boy is either at school or he is not. That is one of the elementary propositions of logic. If he is at school, he should enjoy all privileges in interscholastic athletics. If, on the other hand, he takes certain courses at school and others at college, the determination of his standing should rest on whether or not he enjoys, in other respects, the privileges and advantages of a college man. If he is catalogued as a collegian and is otherwise admitted to collegiate functions or performances, he should be strictly excluded from everything scholastic. Furthermore, if a boy has left school for business or for college, he should not be allowed to compete in scholastic sports if he fails in his attempts or ambitions and returns, whether to the original school or to another. The new law will put a stop to this inducing of athletes to attend certain institutions--a practice we hear a great deal about, but the proof of which is difficult to obtain. Still, where there is so much smoke there must be some fire, and, on the whole, I am inclined to believe that the new rule will tend toward the purification of interscholastic sport.

The severe rain-storm of April 13th served greatly to mar the success of the first outdoor meeting of the season, held under the auspices of the Columbia College Union. By the time the final heat in the bicycle was due, the track was only lit for a boat-race, and consequently this event was postponed. The field events were contested under difficulties, the earth being so wet and soggy that creditable performances in the jumps were of course impossible. I was surprised to see Simpson drop to third in the pole-vault, but this weakness was undoubtedly due to the bad weather. The feature of the Sachs School games on the 15th was the inexperience of the judges. There being no referee it did not take long for things to get pretty well muddled up. When the mile run was adjudged to Tappen of Cutler's, there was plenty of loud talking. Tappen led to the last lap, when he was passed by Blair of Barnard, whom he fouled. Blair, nevertheless, beat him out, but the judges awarded the race to Tappen. This decision caused a great deal of dissatisfaction, and no end of disputing and protesting. The judges showed a certain amount of indecision and lack of firmness, and the matter ended altogether unsatisfactorily. The games, on the whole, were a perfect example of bad management.

The Berkeley School games on the 20th offered no particularly notable feature except in the matter of timing the winners. There was a strong sentiment shown on the part of the officials to record the smallest figures possible. Moeran was put down for 16-1/5, in the high hurdles. I know he did not cover the distance in any such time, because I stood at the finish line, and held my watch on him, and caught him at 16-3/5. In most of the school games there is too much of a desire exhibited for record-making, and the cry of "run for time!" is constantly heard. My efficiency as a timer may be inferior, but it is certainly impartial. It remains to be seen whether Powell can ride in 2 m. 32-2/5 sec. as he is said to have done at the Cutler games on the 24th. His former record was 2 m. 36-4/5 secs.

The baseball championship series of the N.Y.I.S.B.B.A. began two weeks ago, but I regret to chronicle a lack of general interest on the part of the schools in the games thus far. It is too early yet to judge of the relative strength of the various nines, but it looks as if the strongest teams had been placed in the first section, and so the winner of that series may safely be looked upon as the probable holder of the championship for 1895. In Brooklyn there seems to be more enthusiasm in baseball matters, and good work is being done. Poly. Prep. will undoubtedly develop a strong team, and, under the captaincy of Stevenson, ought to earn the privilege of representing the Long Island League at Eastern Park, on June 8th, unless they succumb to St. Paul's, Garden City. In Hall, the latter have a strong pitcher, and the fielding of the entire team is good. St. Paul's, however, has no excuse for not making a strong bid for first place.

It looks again this year, as if Exeter and Andover would allow their childish differences to interfere with the annual baseball game which used to be considered one of the most important events of New England scholastic sport. Both schools may have had very good reason, at the time the breach between them occurred, to sever temporarily all relations. I don't care to enter into the merits of the controversy at present. But to allow the squabbles of one generation of school-boys to be handed down and cherished by succeeding classes--like a Kentucky feud--is unmanly, and decidedly unsportsmanlike.

THE GRADUATE.

* * * * *

LAUGHING BABIES

are loved by everybody. Those raised on the Gail Borden Eagle Brand Condensed Milk are comparatively free from sickness. _Infant Health_ is a valuable pamphlet for mothers. Send your address for a copy to New York Condensed Milk Co., N. Y.--[_Adv._]

ADVERTISEMENTS.

One Swallow

"don't make a spring." Neither will one bottle of Scott's Emulsion cure a well established case of Consumption, but it will ease the Cough, relieve the irritation and arrest the progress of the disease, and if persistently used, with the observance of the laws of health, will surely restore the patient in the early stages and give great comfort and prolong life in the latter stages.

It is simply Cod-liver Oil properly emulsified, combined with Hypophosphites and Glycerine. It is a tissue-builder.

_Don't be persuaded to accept a substitute!_

Scott & Bowne, N. Y. All Druggists. 50c. and $1.

_BROWNIE STAMPS._

More fun than a barrel of monkeys. A complete set of these Grotesque little people with everlasting Ink pads. With them a boy can make a circus in a minute. To introduce our big Catalogue of 1000 new articles, we send the Brownies postpaid for 10c.

R. H. Ingersoll & Bro. 65 Cortlandt St. N.Y. City.

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

Arnold

Constable & Co

* * * * *

LADIES' AND CHILDREN'S

Furnishing Dept.

WASH DRESSES

For Infants, Misses, and Ladies.

CAPES AND COATS

For Misses and Children.

Silk Waists, Stylish Skirts

Wrappers, Tea Gowns, Matinees; Pique, Plain, and Fancy Duck Suits,

Foreign and Domestic Underwear.

CORSETS

* * * * *

Broadway & 19th st.

NEW YORK CITY.

MONARCH

King of all Bicycles.

TRADE-MARK.

Five Styles. Weights, 18 to 25 Pounds.

Prices, $85 and $100.

MONARCH CYCLE CO.

Factory and Main Office, Lake and Halsted Sts., Chicago.

Eastern Branch: 79 Reade St., & 97 Chambers St., N.Y.

The C. F. GUYON CO., Ltd., Managers.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

of the award on

=GILLOTT'S PENS= at the CHICAGO EXPOSITION.

=AWARD=: "For excellence of steel used in their manufacture, it being fine grained and elastic; superior workmanship, especially shown by the careful grinding which leaves the pens free from defects. The tempering is excellent and the action of the finished pens perfect."

(Signed) FRANZ VOGT, _Individual Judge_.

Approved: { H. I. KIMBALL, _Pres't Departmental Committee_.
{ JOHN BOYD THACHER, _Chairman Exec. Com. on Awards_.

Leading Books for Boys and Girls

* * * * *

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. By THOMAS W. KNOX.
Profusely Illustrated. Square 8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $3.00.

TWILIGHT LAND.

Written and Illustrated by HOWARD PYLE, Author of "The Wonder
Clock," "Pepper and Salt," "Men of Iron," etc. 8vo, Half Leather,
Ornamental, $2.50.

THE STORY OF BABETTE.

A Little Creole Girl. By RUTH MCENERY STUART, Author of
"Carlotta's Intended," "A Golden Wedding," etc. Illustrated. Post
8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.50.

THE FUR-SEAL'S TOOTH.

A Story of Alaskan Adventure. By KIRK MUNROE. Illustrated. Post
8vo, Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

SEA YARNS FOR BOYS.

Spun by an Old Salt. By W. J. HENDERSON. Illustrated. Post 8vo,
Cloth, Ornamental, $1.25.

* * * * *

Published by HARPER & BROTHERS, New York.

_The above works are for sale by all booksellers, or will be sent by the publishers, postage prepaid, to any part of the United States, Canada, or Mexico, on receipt of the price._

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the
Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject,
besides inquiries regarding the League of American Wheelmen, so
far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor Bicycling
Department.

The map this week is a road map from New York city to Tarrytown, and return. The reader will notice at the bottom of the Tarrytown route map that the route begins at 155th Street and the Boulevard.

The best route now open to a wheelman is to turn, as described last week, from Broadway into 181st Street, and go over a bad bit of road until he reaches Washington Bridge (2). On crossing the bridge turn sharply to the left and go down Featherbed Lane, which is anything but a featherbed road. There is a short winding hill as the road turns eastward into Macombs Dam road. The latter is in a somewhat better condition than Featherbed Lane, but it is irregular, narrow, and hilly. It is short, however, and the rider should turn into Fordham Landing road sharp to the left, going down an incline until he reaches Sedgwick Avenue. Here he turns to the right northward, follows Sedgwick Avenue for a few hundred yards, and then takes the left-hand fork where Sedgwick Avenue turns to the right. The left-hand fork is Bailey Avenue, and a somewhat long hill may tempt him to coast. On the whole, it is wiser not to do so, however, as there is an extremely bad piece of road at the bottom, where it is wiser to dismount and walk two or three hundred yards.

After this the wheelman takes the first important turn to the left, goes down a sharp incline and across two railway tracks. This is a bad place, and should be taken slowly and with great care. Immediately after crossing the track he comes into the Kingsbridge road, which is the turnpike road to Albany. This is macadamized and in excellent condition, and the run from there into Yonkers is a delightful one. As he passes Van Cortlandt Park there are three or four long slight ascents, which, though they do not look in the distance to be very difficult, are so long that I would advise him to take them slowly. He will know when he is approaching Yonkers by striking the asphalt pavement, which runs into the middle of the town. The road through Yonkers is direct, passing by the main square of the town, where the Getty House is the best place to stop, and where bicycles are repaired, though Yonkers is not by any means half the Tarrytown trip. Nevertheless, a short stop may be made at Yonkers and another at Dobbs Ferry, which roughly divides the journey into three parts.

The road from Yonkers to Hastings is almost straight, and in capital condition, as, indeed, is most of the road up to Tarrytown. About a mile from the Getty House the wheelman passes through Glenwood. Two and a half miles out of Glenwood he should turn to the left at the fork in the road, and keep on one mile to Hastings. There is a piece of hilly road before running into Hastings. On leaving Hastings he should keep to the left and run into Dobbs Ferry, a half-mile distant. If the wheelman will take the time and turn to the left as he enters the town, he will be shown upon inquiry the house of Judge Beach (3), which is the same old manor-house in which Washington signed the treaty of peace with Great Britain in 1783.

Returning from Judge Beach's house to the main road again, the wheelman passes north out of Dobbs Ferry, and after travelling a half-mile, turns to the right, runs a quarter of a mile further and turns to the left, and the road is then direct to Irvington. It will well pay him to take the road following the valley down towards the Hudson westward, and stop a moment to see "Sunnyside" (4), the home of Washington Irving. Pulling back to the main road, again up a hill, the wheelman will find the road from here to Tarrytown, about two miles in length, well supplied with hills.

On running into Tarrytown and inquiring for the road to the station, which runs westward downhill, a rider can put up at the Mott House near the river. Three courses are then open to him. He may either take the train back, if the ride has been sufficiently long already, or he may return by the same road, or on going up to the turnpike-road again, turning left northward, he will come after a few hundred yards to the Andre monument (5), which every bicycle rider who reaches Tarrytown should not fail to see. Turning back again southward, he may take the alternative road back to Yonkers. He may then take the main turnpike, which he passed over early in the day, or, following the alternative road marked on the chart, may come down through Riverdale and the villages along the bank of the Hudson, meeting the Kingsbridge road at Kingsbridge again.

NOTE.--Already published. Map of New York city, No. 809.

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.

"Tell you what books I read when I was a little girl?" Molly E---- asks the question. Why, I am delighted to answer you, Molly. I am very fond of the little girl I used to be a long time ago. I can see her now, merrily going to school, day after day, along a river road bordered by tall willow-trees, crossing a bridge, and reaching a pretty little school-house, with windows giving on the pleasant life of a river, which all the year round was beautiful in the children's eyes, and which is very dear in their memories.

In those days an enchanter, whose name was Jacob Abbott, was writing wonderful books for young people. None of you will ever have greater enjoyment in the books written for you now than we girls of that period had in the Rollo Books, in which Rollo and Lucy, and a pearl of a hired man named Jonas, and Rollo's father and Rollo's mother, played important parts. We ate and slept and travelled with Rollo, we breathed his mountain air, we studied with him, and learned a great deal about both nature and morals, without suspecting that we were being taught. Abbott's histories, _Charlemagne_, _Napoleon_, _Charles I._, _Josephine_, ever so many of them were on my bookshelf, where I had, a little later, the Waverley Novels; nor shall I ever forget the breathless pace at which I raced through Macaulay's _History of England_.

When I was fifteen somebody gave me _Leatherstocking_ and _The Last of the Mohicans_, and these introduced me to Cooper, whose stories I found entertaining and full of a feeling of outdoor life. But for sheer pleasure in a book there never was anything so lovely as the experience I had, when about ten, in reading Mrs. Sherwood's stories. You girls do not know much about them, but there were _The Fairchild Family_, and _Little Henry and his Bearer_, and a thrilling tale, the name of which I have forgotten, all about a very naughty girl who went to live with an aunt, who spoiled her to such an extent that when she came home she couldn't live in peace with her brothers and sisters, and led the whole family, including her papa and mamma, a perfectly dreadful life. I remember this story with a great deal of affection, and I think the heroine's name was Caroline, but I am not sure. _Anna Ross_ was a book of this period, and it was followed by _The Wide, Wide World_, a _dear_ story, which I hope many of you will read, for it is probably in all your Sunday-school libraries. It was the work of Miss Susan Warner, who wrote _Queechy_ and other equally excellent books for girls, after Ellen Montgomery, her heroine in the first, had stolen our hearts.

I trust none of you will ever be so impolite as I was when I went to visit my girl friends. I blush to think of it now, after so many years; but, do you know, if they had a new book, I simply seized upon it, and never stopped till I read it through, so that as a guest I was of no use, never waking from my trance until I had finished the last page of the treasure. Finally one of my friends, Jenny V. G., devised this plan, and carried it out successfully: When she expected me to visit her for a week, she living in the country and I in town, she simply _hid_ all the books which she knew I had not read, and never brought them out till I had gone home again.

You see, my dears, I was not a pattern for you to imitate. There was not a paper in existence in my childhood worthy of being compared with the Round Table; but at our school we wrote a weekly paper, contributed to it ourselves, and made a half-dozen copies to pass around. I began being an editor quite early in life.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

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The price has nothing to do with the

FIT

For ALL of Dr. Warner's Corsets are fitted to living models.

Prices from one to six dollars each.

* * * * *

Postage Stamps, &c.

* * * * *

=STAMPS!= =300= fine mixed Victoria, Cape of G. H., India, Japan, etc., with fine Stamp Album, only =10c.= New 80 p. Price-list =free=. _Agents wanted_ at =50%= commission. STANDARD STAMP CO., 4 Nicholson Place, St. Louis, Mo. Old U.S. and Confederate Stamps bought.

STAMPS!

=160 VARIETIES=, many rare. 25c.; 500 Mixed Foreign, 16c.; 50 varieties United States, 27c.; 6 Peru, 8c.; 8 Brazil, 10c.; 9 Chili, 10c.; 3 Samoa, 8c.; 6 Servia, 10c.; 6 Egypt, 8c.; 6 Persia, 20c.; 10 Greece, 10c.; 7 Turkey, 10c.

=Edwards, Peeke & Co.=, 2728 Calumet Ave., Chicago. Ill.

100 all dif. Venezuela, Costa Rica, etc., only 10c.; 200 all dif. Hayti, Hawaii, etc., only 50c. Ag'ts wanted at 50 per ct. com. List FREE!

=C. A. Stegmann=, 2722 Eads Av., St. Louis, Mo.

=50= var., all dif., 5c.; 12 var. Heligoland, 15c.; 6 var. Italy, 1858 to 1862, 5c.; 3 var. Hanover, 6c.; 35 var. C. American, 50c. Agents wanted.

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

=$3 worth of stamps for $1.= All perfect specimens selected from collection; cannot be bought for twice our price. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. Send $1 bill. =Old Colony Stamp Co., Plainville, Mass.=

=FREE!= =8 Handsome Japan Postage Stamps= for 2c.; 100 all different, 10c.; 100 mixed, 5c.

J. A. WILSON, 1108 Fairmount Ave., Phila.

=POSTAGE DUES.=--50c. and 30c., at 70c. each; the pair for $1.25. =Diamond Stamp Co., Germantown, Pa.=

* * * * *

Varying Farm Life.

I live on a farm twenty-four miles from New York city, but am
fond, as you may see from my letter, of reaching out beyond the
farm and farm life and making inquiries about other things. I
collect stamps, and have some old coins, one, a 1720 piece, which
I found in the field one day while cultivating corn. I am sixteen
years old. Could you tell me how to make an induction coil for
taking shocks? Could you also tell me how to make a blow-pipe? I
am thinking of making an electric telegraph. Could you give me
some points on it? I have the Morse telegraph alphabet, but don't
understand it or know how to use it.

Here is a game to be played when there are many to play it. Each
one is provided with a slip of paper and a pencil. There are three
persons who are in the secret--a confederate, the clairvoyant, and
medium. Each one writes a word or short sentence on the paper. The
clairvoyant seats herself before the writers, and the medium rubs
her forehead with a handkerchief to put her in a trance. Then the
medium collects the papers, takes any one of them (except the
blank one, which must be left till last), and puts it on the
clairvoyant's forehead. She makes up a sentence, which sentence
must be claimed by the confederate, who really wrote nothing. Then
the clairvoyant takes it from her forehead to see if she was
right. Of course she reads it, and when the next paper is put on
her forehead relates what she read on the preceding slip, greatly
to the amusement and often the surprise of the writer.

Do you want some riddles?

H. A. KRETCHMAR.
WEST NYACK.

You cannot make an induction coil save at considerable expense, and even then it is not as good as the one you may buy for less money. Apply to any dealer in electrical supplies.

A blow-pipe is simply a small pipe or tube a few inches long and bent at a right angle very near one end. Insert one end in your mouth, the bent end in a gas or even lamp flame, and blow gently. The effect is a flame many times hotter than the still flame.

You can make a telegraph key. Make a walnut or oak base four by eight inches. Erect two uprights in the centre, one inch apart and two inches high. Put between them a wood lever six inches long. In one end of the lever insert a common screw, and from the base raise a metal contact--a common nail will do--about two inches back of the uprights. Any metal surface, as two brass buttons, will do for the screw and nail to "click" against, a hand-pin may be made from the end of a common spool. This key, of a good pattern, may be bought for $2, in brass. You can get along without a "sounder." Get some practical operator to show you about the alphabet. Do not try to learn it from instruction books. If you do you will be sure to learn at the same time many faults. We want good riddles--new, not old ones.

* * * * *

Costa Rican Country Life.

Costa Rica, or, translated into English, "rich coast," is the most
progressive of the Central American republics. The people are very
home-staying, that is, they do not like to travel, as do the
English and Americans. They all seem to like their country, and
rightly too, for there are few prettier lands or more delightful
climates. It is very mountainous, but not many very high peaks.
All the way from the port at Limon to San Jose, the capital, there
is grand scenery. Passing along on the train up a steep grade one
looks back and wonders how the road-builders ever got up. In some
places along on the mountain-sides, as the train passes, you can
pick ferns out of one window and out of the other can see the
valley far below, with little houses that look as if built for
dolls. In some of these places it is very dangerous, and the train
has to go very slowly.

Arriving in San Jose and just leaving the station you can see the
city lying below you. A little to the left, and at about the
middle, you can see the large round dome of the cathedral, and a
little way back the large red roof of the new theatre. To the
right lie the new school building and the Plaza de Toros. Entering
more into the city one is surprised and pleased at the numerous
pretty parks that are scattered all through it. San Jose is called
the "Little Paris," as here you can see the Spanish beauties
dressed in the latest Parisian styles. Sunday afternoon is the
time when the senoritas take a promenade in the Parque Central,
where the music is playing and all is gay.

Let us leave the city life and people and look at the poor folks
of the country, who toil that all these city people may be
comfortable. The average country people can neither read nor
write, because until quite a recent date schools have not been
general. Although they cannot read or write, most of them have
very intelligent faces, and are well informed about their
position. The houses of these people are very mean structures,
built of only rough boards lapped over and nailed. The roof is of
sugar-cane leaves, or, at the best, tiles made out of mud and clay
baked. Inside the houses there are rarely more than two rooms,
neither of them having other floor than the bare ground. The
cooking range is only a platform covered with sand. There are
three stones to set the kettles on. The smoke wanders off through
the roof or door, for as a rule there are no windows. The
furniture is not very extensive, and consists of a table and one
or two "taburetes" (chairs covered with the skin of an ox).

In every house you enter you will find some corner or shelf
whereon is placed some image or saint. The picture of their patron
saint is hung on the wall. The house is as free to the chickens,
pigs, and dogs as to the people themselves. The pigs run around,
picking up what can be found to eat on the floor, and then crawl
away under the bed or table and sleep the sleep of the--pig.

The people are generally strong and healthy. Their food consists,
year in and year out, of rice and frijoles (black beans), and the
great Costa Rican bread called tortilla. A tortilla is dried
hulled corn ground on a stone and made into a sort of pancake,
which is laid amongst the ashes and baked. When one has learned to
eat it, it is very good. The people are not such thieves as they
have been represented to be by many. To be sure, they will steal
food, eggs, vegetables, and firewood, but nothing more. I have
known a mill to be open for over three months, with valuable tools
lying around, but never a one missing. The people are very polite,
and when passing one in the road they always say adios (good-by),
or buenos dias (good-day). The men all carry a large knife
suspended at the belt, but it is for such use as we make of a pen
or pocket knife.

Sir L. E. TOWER.
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA.

* * * * *

The Helping Hand.

A friend of the TABLE and of the School Fund wrote recently to Jules Verne, telling him about Good Will Farm, and asking him for a letter to be sold to that American admirer who would bid highest for it. The great novelist readily responded, and the letter, wholly in Mr. Verne's own hand, is now in our possession. Of course it is in French, but here is a translation of it:

_March 27, 1895._

DEAR SIR,--I hasten to reply to your letter, which is inspired by
such a touching idea. I should be happy if these few lines, which
you request, could contribute, in some slight degree, to the
success of your charitable undertaking. I believe that I have in
your country many friends, unknown but sincere, judging from the
letters I receive. This will afford me an opportunity to pay my
tribute of gratitude to them, and I beg you to accept, with my
entire sympathy, the assurance of my sincere regard.

JULES VERNE.

The TABLE much appreciates the gentleman's kind act, and warmly thanks him. The original of the letter is to be used in an exhibition of other similar letters, and at the close of that exhibition will, with some other rare manuscripts, including one by James Russell Lowell, kindly given to the Fund by Professor Charles Eliot Norton, and original letters by Sir Walter Scott, Victor Hugo, Alexander Hamilton, Charles Dickens, William M. Thackeray, Louis XV. of France, and Emperor Napoleon I. and others, all belonging to the Fund through the kindness of its friends, be offered for sale to the highest bidders.

Our Fund grows slowly. Have you helped it along yet? We reprint the Mite for your use. Any one of any age may contribute. Write plainly that no errors may be made in the Honor Roll.

GOOD WILL MITE

HARPER'S ROUND TABLE

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FUND

_Amount_, $.....................

...............................
_Contributor._

If you use this Good Will Mite, simply pin it to your letter, in order that it may be detached for filing. If the amount is given by more than one contributor, add blank for their names, but attach the added sheet firmly to the Mite, that it may not become detached and lost. Include a given name in each case, and write plainly, to avoid errors on the Honor Roll.

* * * * *

Want Corner.

John Frame, 926 Main Street, Stevens Point, Wis., wants to trade pressed flowers and to correspond about botany. G. Edward Harrison, room 708, Fidelity Building, Baltimore, is interested in amateur journalism and wants samples. Similar requests are made by Claude Reno, 399 Chew Street, Allentown, Pa., who wants to contribute essays and funny paragraphs; and by F. R. Pyne, 717 Grove Street, Elizabeth. N. J., who wants to join a Chapter that publishes a paper and that trades stamps. Bert Segal sends money for a badge, but sends no address.

We should like to oblige Lantie V. Blum by telling the TABLE about his store, but cannot well do so. Josephine Moulton Shaw sends a diagram about the familiar bird-case and bird illusion. She also sends "Kink" answers which are correct. She may write again.

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

It is stated that Germany issued a special postal card to commemorate the birthday of Bismarck. Some think the cards were issued by private parties, as was the case of the Columbian cards issued at Chicago.

The new stamps of Mexico were given to the public on April 2d, there being thirteen adhesives in the set, of which two are here illustrated. Four of the designs represent the different modes of carrying the mail in Mexico, and the other design shows the statue of Montezuma.

L. DORR.--The United States stamps of current issue break when
folded, because the paper is brittle. The thirty-cent State
Department stamp is sold at $4, the fifteen-cent Justice at $3.

JAMES EDMONDS.--The Confederate States 1862, ten cents, is sold at
$3, the others have no value.

EDWARD TATNALL.--The Hartford die of the United States Centennial
envelope has a double line under the word "Postage" The
Philadelphia die shows only a single line.

S. H.--The set of Columbian postal cards is sold for about fifty
cents.

E. P. TRIPP.--The blue Special Delivery stamp was brought out
again after the orange color was retired from use. It is the same
plate as formerly used, and is practically the same stamp as was
issued before the orange color.

A. S. S.--The stamps used at the period of the celebrated "Stamp
Act" were for the collection of revenue. The stamp dealers may be
able to supply them, but it is hardly probable.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

WALTER BAKER & CO.

The Largest Manufacturers of

PURE, HIGH GRADE

COCOAS AND CHOCOLATES

On this Continent, have received

HIGHEST AWARDS

from the great

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EXPOSITIONS

In Europe and America.

* * * * *

Unlike the Dutch Process, no Alkalies or other Chemicals or Dyes are used in any of their preparations.

Their delicious BREAKFAST COCOA is absolutely pure and soluble, and _costs less than one cent a cup_.

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SOLD BY GROCERS EVERYWHERE.

* * * * *

WALTER BAKER & CO. DORCHESTER, MASS.

Dingy carpets can be cleansed and brightened on the floor. Sweep thoroughly, spread a stiff lather of Ivory Soap over a small surface at a time, scrub with a clean scrubbing brush and wipe off with a damp sponge.

THE PROCTER & GAMBLE CO., CIN'TI.

Gallons for 25c.

Not of the preparations of coloring matter and essential oils so often sold under the name of rootbeer, but of the purest, most delicious, health-giving beverage possible to produce. One gallon of Hires' is worth ten of the counterfeit kind. Suppose an imitation extract costs five cents less than the genuine Hires; the same amount of sugar and trouble is required; you save one cent a gallon, and--get an unhealthful imitation in the end. Ask for HIRES and _get_ it.

THE CHAS. E. HIRES CO., Philadelphia.

HOOPING-COUGH

CROUP.

Roche's Herbal Embrocation.

The celebrated and effectual English Cure without internal medicine. Proprietors, W. EDWARD & SON, Queen Victoria St., London, England. Wholesale of

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

_FALSE MUSTACHES and GOATEES._

Fun for the boys, a complete disguise. Fine hair goods. As Sample of our 1000 Novelties, we send one of each with large Catalogue for l0c.

R. H. INGERSOLL & BRO., 65 CORTLANDT ST., N. Y. CITY.

WANTED. 100,000 BOYS,

to sell the =EUREKA MARKING TAG= for marking hats, etc., now and in Summer vacation. Sells at sight. Send 10 cents in coin for samples. Address =Eureka Marking Tag Co., Cedar Falls, Iowa=.

FISH

CATCH 10 TIMES AS MANY with CAPE COD COMPOUND; used for fresh or salt water, put a little on your bait and it attracts fish quickly. We have received hundreds of testimonials; $100.00 Guarantee that it is as we claim, try a p'kge, will last all Summer. SURPRISE EVERYBODY by your big catches. A 50 CENT PACKAGE will be sent postpaid for ONLY 10 CENTS, (silver or st'ps) if you mention this paper. ARGO MFG. CO., Box 1207, BOSTON, MASS.

CARD PRINTER =FREE=

Sets any name in one minute; prints 500 cards an hour. YOU can make money with it. A font of pretty type, also Indelible Ink, Type Holder, Pads and Tweezers. Best Linen Marker; worth $1.00. Sample mailed FREE for 10c. stamps for postage on outfit and large catalogue of 1000 Bargains.

R. H. Ingersoll & Bro., 65 Cortlandt St., N.Y. City

=SEND for Catalogue= of the =Musical Instrument= you think of buying. =Violins repaired= by the Cremona System. C. STORY, 26 Central St., Boston. Mass.

=BOYS & GIRLS= ARE MADE HAPPY by sending their name and address on a postal card to BOORMAN & PARKER, 173 5th Ave., Chicago.

PLAYS

Dialogues, Speakers, for School. Club and Parlor. Catalogue free. =T. S. DENISON=, Pub. Chicago, Ill.

Commit to Memory

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

Clear, Sharp, Definite,

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

Old and New Songs

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

Table of Contents,

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

Harper & Brothers, New York.

AN IRON PLUM.

The London coster has become a very interesting character, and many songs, and good ones too, have been written about his virtues and his weaknesses. Some of these street venders have made fortunes, and have retired to live the balance of their days in ease. One of these retired gentlemen was interviewed not long ago by a London newspaper, and in the course of the talk he showed how some of them had managed to grow rich so speedily.

"The costers wot sold plums made the money," he said, "an' a bloomin' big part of it came from wot they calls the iron plum. A fair take in that was. You wouldn't have known it from a real 'un--colored just the same, and with a good bloom on it. Course you took care to keep it close at hand, and at your side of the heap you was selling from. 'Come and have lumping weight,' says you, and you popped the iron 'un in among the others, and wallop went the scale, with p'r'haps no more than half a p'und instead of a p'und in.

"All you had to do was to take just one--the one, as being rather too much of a good thing in the way of overweight, just as you were handing the plums to the customer, and the trick was done. It was bowled out, though, in a rum sort o' way before it had been in use long enough to do any of 'em so much good. I had a pitch in Leather Lane at the time, and it being plum season, I was working the bullet, as we used to call it, and so was the woman who kept the stall next to me. There used to be a beadle sort of chap to keep order in the lane, and he was always uncommon handy at spotting the finest fruit on a man's barrow and whipping it into his mouth without so much as asking for it. Course you couldn't say anything against it, or you might set up his back against you. So one day he was coming round as usual, and he spies that particler fine black plum on the woman's stall, and before she could prevent it he had hold of it. I s'pose it was her pouncing on him so quick confused him, and prewented him feeling the extra weight of it. 'Don't take that 'un, Mr. Grabbum,' she said; 'it isn't ripe. Let me pick you out a ripe 'un.' But old Grabbum he only grinned and winked, and popped it into his mouth. But he didn't keep it there long. He made one bite at it, and then he began to dance and splutter, which, being an uncommon thing for a beadle to do, soon brought a crowd round him. But it was wuss than we had first thought it was. We didn't know that the greedy old warment had false teeth, but he had, and he broke 'em all to shivereens along with the iron plum, which fell with such a whack on the pavement that there was no mistaking what it was made for."

A SMALL BOY'S ANSWER.

At a country school in England it is said that one of the examiners in a general exercise wrote the word "dozen" on the blackboard, and asked the pupils to each write a sentence containing the word. He was somewhat taken aback to find on one of the papers the following sentence, "I dozen know my lesson."

A STUPID BUTLER

Spanish people seem to suffer from the stupidity of some of their servants as much as we do in America, if the following story, which appeared in a Madrid journal, is true. It seems that a lady ordered her butler one morning to tell all visitors that she was not at home. At night, when enumerating the persons who had called during the day, he mentioned the lady's sister, when his mistress exclaimed: "I told you, man, that I was always at home for my sister! You ought to have shown her in."

Next day the lady went out to make a few calls, and during her absence her sister came to the house.

"Is your mistress at home?" she asked the butler.

"Yes, madam," was his reply.

The lady went up stairs, and looked everywhere for her sister. On coming down stairs she said to the butler, "My sister must have gone out, for I could not find her."

"Yes, madam, she has gone out, but she told me last night that she was always at home for you."

STRUCK TOO SOON.

Napoleon Bonaparte at one time contemplated an invasion of England, and so certain was he of success that he had a medal struck in Paris in honor of the event. Only one specimen has been left to posterity, because at the failure of the bold enterprise he expressly ordered the medals and dies to be destroyed. On one side is the Emperor's half-length portrait, on the reverse is the image of Hercules stifling the giant Antaeus in his arms. On the top are the words, "Descente en Angleterre," and underneath, "Frappe a Londres" (Struck in London). This remarkable bit of coinage is said to be still preserved in the Paris Mint.

AN INDEPENDENT BARBER.

Here is an entertaining story about a Frenchman who was too proud to do things which were against his principles. The story is vouched for as an actual fact by the man to whom the incident happened. While travelling in Europe he stopped overnight at Caen, and noting that his hair was unduly long he went to have it cut by the local barber. He told the barber to take off very little, but before the scissors had been at work many seconds he noticed a favorite lock fall on to the calico jacket in which he had been arrayed. Whereupon he reproved the barber for not following his instructions, upon which the man observed, in mingled tones of reproach and dismay,

"Monsieur must permit me to do my work in the way which seems best to me; and what is more, I shall take off some more."

"Not at all," said the traveller; "I tell you I want very little taken off, and must insist upon your doing as I direct you."

The barber, however, was not to be put down in this way, and said, "Monsieur, it is possible that this is how things may be done in England, but here in France we are not slaves. I shall cut off as much as I please."

End of Project Gutenberg's Harper's Round Table, May 7, 1895, by Various

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Harper's Round Table, May 7, 1895Chapter XX: Chitsah's Natural Telephone (2)

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