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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 1900)
--"Jiapi .-srjpF v ' Tr V r THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN. PORTLAND. APRIL' 15, 1900. 27 ja jKsCi - j-f-t jgggy5r PSSjifcWgc v v v ' i J.Xit'sli 7s. V lWWr-M --j- nSS v JfcrJ- ( Three Slllr Sailors. Three EUlr Old Billon went oat for sport; Went out for (port one day; They bundled Into a smallish boat. On a briny wave they were soon afloat. And they fished In Baaing Bay, But not for fish of a common sort. "Oh. no," said they, we'll have rarer sport. o they fished and fished for mermaids fair, Vlth shiny green tails and golden hair; Each baited bis line With a trinket fine That made the mermaids stare. Tra la la, tra la le," Banc the mermaids say. And the Silly Old Sailors laughed with glee As they fished in Baffling Bay. Brooklyn Eagle. PRYING WALTER'S MISHAP Hla Insatiable Curiosity Results la Bearing; Ulm Jfearly Out of HU Boyish Wits. Seven children were gathered together In the car that glided almost bounded over the track leading to a Portland suburb. Two al&ters, with their 'brother, occupied one corner. Directly ucross from them eat a little boy, nicely dressed and with "U. 8. S. Oregon" printed In gold letters upon the band of his middle cap. Near him was an exceedingly pretty little girl, not over 4 years old, while in the corner, diagonally across from the group of three, were a colored boy and girl, probably brother and sister. Bach of the two whlto sisters wore a brand-new Spring hat and was carrjlng her old one home In a paper bag. Between the colored boy and girl stood a market basket, stuffed with groceries, the upper most sack containing taffy, plnoche, cara mels and several other kinds of candy. The boy, whose soft, dark eyes made him at tractive to look at. In spite of his ragged clothes, carried an egg. It was chocolate, with white trimmings, and was quite small In comparison with the fine white ones Into which one may look and see pretty things flower-gardens and fountains and fairies, perhaps. The brother and two sisters had the best sort of a time, giggling and talking together. That their names were Stan ley, liable and Marjory could he learned j irom hearing them address one another. Marjory, the youngest, seemed a mere baby, yet evidently she did not consider herself so, for she took an Important part In the talking and giggling. The colored children, having each other for company, got along very nicely, while the pretiy little girl seemed content with looking out the window or about the car. But the little boy with "U. S. S. Oregon" on his cap band felt the need of entertainment. Tries to Scrape Acquaintance. He tried to get acquainted with Stan ley. Mabel and Marjory, by way of taking an Interest in whatever they said or did; by giggling whenever they glgled, and by occasionally saying something to them. "Walter, as he was called by the half grown girl who had him in charge, might have succeeded in bis undertaking had not the two sisters and their brother been disposed to make fun of him not out right, to be sure, hut in a way which he understood. He. however, showed himself not at all timid by addressing a stranger so cross-looking that not one in 20 little hoys would have dared to epeak to him. And the very reason he looked so cross was because this boy had made him nerv ous by turning, fidgeting and rattling the window. "Mister, will you plase tell me what time It is?" Walter requested. But the cross-looking man paid no attention what ever to him, and the girl In whose charge he was said: "You must sit 6tlU and behave yourself, or else I'll tell your mother how bad you were." This did not prevent "Walter from asking. "Is It 6 o'clock yet?" of the con ductor when the latter passed. "No; It's only 4:30," the conductor re IT WASN'T Richard (decorating raster eggs) New Arrival Tcs; very piled, putting back his watch. "Well. I wish it was 6 and we was home eating dinner." After this remark Walter asked questions about things he saw from the car window Mount Tabor reservoir, the orchards, the horses and cows grazing In the fields, and the bicyclists, with hunches of wild currant and dogwood tied to their handle-bars. Some of these ques tions were sensible and others were very foolish; several were so difficult that the big girl could not give the answers. In these cases. Walter turned to the cross looking mati, saying-: "Would jou please . (JV1? "4 1 Vo sass-' I ri5".5tf .. .i tell me?" But the man paid no atten. Uon beyond looking croster still and turn ing the pages of his paper. ""What's in that sack?" Walter queried. The sack was a burlap bag that the colored children carried. In addition to their market basket. 'I don't know, I'm sure." the girl an swered. "I'm going to find out." and. before she could prevent, he had changed his seat for one opposite the colored children. But the conductor led him back immediately, say ing: "You musn't walk around the car." Quiet a Minute. For a few minutes after lhls, Walter "was so quiet that the cross-looking man relaxed his frown. "Do rabbits biter he commenced, when the few momenta had passed. Several of the grown people looked amused, as though they pondered whatever sent this thought Into his brain. But It Is not strange It should have entered his mind, considering that he'd "been seeing so many rabbits In show-windows. "You'll think your bitten by something when'we get home and I let your mother know how you've acted," the girl re plied. "Win you tell me what's In that sack?" he called across to the colored children, neither of whom paid any attention. "It's something alive; I know It Is," Walter announced. Now, at mention of "something alive." Stanley. Mabel. Marjory and the pretty little girl turned four pairs of eyes upon the bag. While they were looking, the colored boy asked permission of his sis ter, who was older, and took a peep, which he seemed to enjoy, for he smiled, as with pleasure. Then the sister took a peep, also, and she smiled; then they looked at each other and smiled. And the owners of the flv.e pairs of eyes, watch ing closely, noticed that the burlap moved a sure sign, one would think, that some thing alive was inside It. "Is It a puppy?" Walter called. This time the girl answered by a shake of the head that meant "No.", "Is it a cat?" The second question was ignored. Walter watched his chance, then slipped again Into a seat opposite the colored chil dren. The conductor allowed him to re main, but not long afterward had cause to regret having done so. Cannes a Commotion. "Won't you let me see?" asked Walter, when they were getting ready to take another peep. But, instead of waiting for his request to be granted, he pulled open the mouth of the bag. Instantly there was an alarming flurry, and, a second later, the air about Walter was set In mo tion by a flapping of wings that seemed larger and stronger than those of an eagle. A surprised, frightened look came into his face, and his middle cap was knocked off by the rooster for such the bird was as it settled Itself upon his shoulder and crowed and flapped Its wings; How Walter ".ld howl! Only pausing long enough to cry: "Get him off! Ob, do get him off!" And this Is exactly what the colored g'rt was ,tring to do. She would have suc ceeded a great deal sooner had not Walter persisted In Jumping frantically up and down. Finally she managed to get hold of the yellow legs of the rooster which, by the way, was a very proud-looking bird, with a brilliant red comb and shining plumage. Once the legs were gotten hold of. she had very little trouble In slip ping Mr. Rooster Into the bag. Then Walter quieted down and, picking up his cap. stole meekly back to his own place In the car. "Now jou see what you get for being so curious," the cross-looking man said. She "Was Frightened. When the rooster had stopped screech. lng and Walter had stopped howling. It was discovered that the pretty little girl was crying from fright. Every one pitied her, for she had been so sweet and good during the long ride. "Take It off! Take it offl I don't want that thing to ride In the car with me," she Insisted. "We're nearly home, anyway," said the BOILED. There! I guess that will dol good Job. Thanks! colored girl to the colored boy. "Let's walk the rest of the way." "All right." he replied. So the car was topped and they left It. The pretty little girl was the next to go. She had seemed to bashful that people were rather surprised when, at the door, she turned around and said to every one In th,e car: "It frightened me; It frightened me al most to death." As for Walter, although he rode nearly to the end of the line, he gave no fur ther trouble. Stanley and ilabel and Max- Jory were willing enough now to talk with him about the rooster, but he would have nothing to say. There was such a marked Improvement In his conduct that even the cross-looking man, before leaving the car, spoke to him quite kindly, remarking: "Well, little boy, I guess we're both glamour ride Is nearly finished." "Ses; sir: I ain't had a bit good time," Waft replied. AMY MAQUIRE. THE CIII.ESE EGG." Clever Trlelc of .Parlor Masrie, "When Properly Performed. Among several clever tricks of legerde main recently explained by Wizard Leon Herrmann, that of L'Oeuf Chlnols (the Chinese egg), is one of the best. This trick seemingly causes an egg, pre viously placed In an empty goblet, to dis appear, or change Into a colored handker chief, which later will be found In Its place upon uncovering the goblet. It requlrei some preparation. First, prepare yourseit with an eggshell which has been emptied of Is contents. This Is easily prepared by wthdrawlng the egg meat by suction through a pinhole. Then Mcure two small figured handkerchiefs duplicates one large white silk handkerchief and an empty goblet. Attach a small white string or heavy white thread to the hollow egg shell and sew the other end of the str.ng to the center of handkerchief. Excuse yourself presumably to get the egg, which has been purposely left In another apart ment. Place the egg on top of your closed right hand, with the folds of the white s.lk handkerchief, to which It Is already at tached, hanging loosely and hold concealed In the palm of the same hand one of the colored handkerchiefs. Place the other figured handkerchief next to the empty glass, assuming, of course, that there is but one colored handkerchief. Take the folds of the white silk handkerchief In the left hand and cover the right hand com pletely, at the same time placing the egg In the glass In full view of the company, but being dexterous enough not to allow them to notice that you place the colored handkerchief In the goblet at the same time that you do the egg. Be sure that the colored handkerchief rests on the bot tom of the glass. You may then shake the glass and the egg will rattle, thereby proving Its pres ence In the glass beyond any doubt. Then pick up the exposed colored handkerchief from the side of the boblet. and retire to a far corner of the room. Fold the colored handkerchief into a very small compass ask some one to again shake the glass llghtfy, being sure to direct the attenton of the company to the goblet, during which time you must get rid of the small colored handkerchief by palming It, plac ing It In your pocket, or dropping It be hind a piece of furniture unobserved. which Is very easy If the company's atten tion Is distracted. Then rub your hands mysteriously to gether, show that they are empty, cross over to the goblet, grasp the whle silk handkerchief by the center, draw It slowly and carefully from the glass. The egg shell being attached lo It. It will be drawn from the goblet as you remove the white silk handkerchief, and the colored hand kerchief will be disclosed lying In the glass, where the egg had been previously deposited. Be sure to throw the white 41k handkerchief aside immediately after finishing the trick, where no one will pick it up and discover the egg. Place It in a loose pocket or excuse yourself and carry It out of the room again on some pre text. While doing tricks of this kind, keep up a running conversation all the time, mak ing It of a humorous nature. If possible, and always select the most pliable person In your company to use as a foil whenever neccrsary. When using a confederate never select any ono unless you feel sure of his power of self-composure. bright Colorado girl. Dnllds Models of War Vessels and la Otherwise Clever. In the great mining camp of Leadville. Colo., lives a bright little girl. Her name Is Florence Fulton, and. she Is 11 years old, but she Is so small of her age that she doesn't look a day over 9. Among her accomplishments Is that of shipbuilding. On both sides of the street where she lives runs a ditch. The monster pumps at the mines, says the Denver Post, force the water up and send it down through the ditches of the town In a mad rush. In these ditches Florence has naval pa rades. The finest piece of work that Florence has ever turned out is the gunboat Nash ville. She built It without assistance or advice from any one. copying from pic tures of the real Nashville In old maga zines. It has portholes made ot eyelets taken from old shoes. Its smokestacks rise tall and majestic, as It they really carried clouds of black smoke from pant ing furnaces below. All the finishings ot the miniature war vessel took time and skill. Thero were masts to carve out and ropes and spars to adjust, and all the details of a big fighting ship to arrange. It was only after many days of hard, patient work that Florence, by adding Im provements here and there, at last turned out a clever copy of the warship. Florence also draws well, and she has a good ear for music She was taunted one day with not doing things that little girls should, such as sewing and doll-making. In her disgust she sold nothing, but a few days later presented her doll to her moth er, completely dressed as a boy, havlnz even made a pair of kid boots for It. Manners. Mother says that we must try And study while at school. To learn politeness, and ot rood Society the rules. We must not bounce Into the room; We mustn't scutle out. Nor ever slam the parlor door. And girls must never shout. There's many a thing for boys to learn Before they will behave; They must not ask old gentlemen Why their heads are shaved. They always ought to scrape their shoes And wipe them on the mat: They should not steal the custard pie And say It was the cat. You should answer when you're spoken to, At least If you are able; The place for elbows, you must know Is not upon the table. Then mother ends her lecture with, Remember, If you can. This simple little saying, that " TU manners maketh man.' " Lue Vernon. Where Xothlnsr Grows. A Scotch mother was assisting her little boy with his geography lesson, when they came to the word "desert," which he could not understand. She explained that It was a barren place a place where nothing would grow. The boy's face brightened up at her words, and. feeling sure that he had solved the difficulty, she asked him to explain the meaning, and the prompt answer came: "My feythera bald head." Phil adclphla Inquirer. Don't Husr SIclc Pets. Dogs and monkeys, says the Home Jour nal, are subject to tuberculosis, and are said to be capable of communicating the infection to human beings. A large num ber of the canaries that die In captivity fall victims to the same disease. Parrots suffer from a malady peculiar to them selves. The bacillus that causes it Is thought to originate pneumonia In man. Cats have been known to be the carriers of diphtheria, and possibly of scarlet fever and other infectious diseases. Great care should be taken during an epidemic to keep pet animals out ot the reach of Infection, or else away from the children, and at any time a bird or animal that seems ailing should be at once Isolated- BOBBY'S FIRST "WATCH. Took the Best of Care of It, hut It Wouldn't Go Right. When Uncle John came home from Eu rope what do you think he brought to Bobby? Why, a watch, a really, truly watch that would keep time. Of course, as Bobby was only 6 years old, he was rather young to take care of a nice watch like that, but Uncle John showed htm how to wind It and set It. and so Bobby Tempest In a Barrel. Mouser Has Decidedly the Best of This Surprise Party. "I'll hide and skeer pop." Til ambush the cat." "I'm laylnr for rats." ' ' ' "I "crP " - CD "We've got "ear kept his watch In first-rate order. But one day he noticed a speck of dirt on Its face. "Ho, ho," said Bobby to himself, "I don't want my nice, new watch to have a dirty face. I'll wash It." So he went up In the bathroom and he put the watch In a bowl of warm water and rubbed plenty ot soap on it. He even took a little brush and scrubbed the In side works, so there shouldn't be a speck of dirt about It anywhere. Then he wiped It dry with a clean towel and put It back in his pocket. Well, after that it didn't seem to go as well as usual, so Bobby decided It needed oiling. He got his mother's oil can from her sewing machine, and carefully oiled all the wheels ot his watch. But still It didn't seem to go right. Then Bobby happened; to think that per haps the weather was too cold for It, so he went out In the kitchen and put it In the oren for a while. It got so hot ho had to take it out with a pair of tongs, and then he put it out of doors In a big snowdrift to cool off. But, do you know, even after all that careful treatment the hateful old watch wouldn't o right, so jfeiijgj Bobby gave It back to Undo John and said he didn't care much for watches, any. way. Pittsburg Dispatch. BRAHXA JACK. He Mokes the Acquaintance of a Rowdy Cockerel. "Oh. dear," said Brahma, a fine young cockerel, as he looked through the meshes of the wire fence which Inclosed the yard In which his family lived. "Oh, dear; how I wish I could get out and play with those , chickens. They are having lots of fun." "i don t wisn you to play witn sucn low bred fowls," said his mother. "They are Just common barnyard chickens." "But I want to. Ma. See, they run everywhere, while I have to stay in this old yard," said Jack, discontentedly. Just then a rowdy little cockerel came to the fence, flapped his wings defiantly and crowed. "Cock-a-doodle-doo. Say, who are you?" Jack looked at him scornfully and noticed how coarse and common he was, and made up hie mind at once that he didn't like bis appearance, so he treated him with silent contempt. "Cutty-qua-qua-; you dassen't leave your ma." said the young rowdy. Jack, slowly lifting one foot and then the other, gradually approached the fence, but still he said nothing. "Cock-a-doodle-doo. Who's afraid of your crowed the rowdy. Then he stuck his head through the fence and made a face at Jack, who looked at him with as tonishment. In all his life and Jack was almost six months old he had never seen such Impudence, and It made him angry. He drew himself up haughtily, as became a high-bred cockerel, and looked Indig nantly at the Intruder, who still persisted In making faces at him. Jack's patience was exhausted at last, and he gave a quick, vicious peck at the head so temptingly near him. "Qua-qua-qua. I'll tell my pa," cried the bad little cockerel, as he ran away. "There," said Jack's mother. "You see what rude, bad boys they ore. I hope you don't want to play with them." "Didn't you see me lick him, ma? Cock-a-doodle-doo," and Jack strutted about the yard, so proud of his achievement that he forgot to be discontented. Pittsburg Dis patch. TRAINS WATCH DOGS. Instructed to Attack Burglars and Guard Property. In Berlin one Herr Strauss has estab lished an academy from which watch dogs are turned out by the hundred every year. His system is education, and Is applied to almost every kind of dog. He first teaches the animal obedience by training it to perform certain "tricks" at com mand, and then trains it to distinguish between a visitor and a burglar, and what part of a man's body should be at tacked to render the man helpless. Outside of the gate the trainer places a dummy representing the burglar, and to the latch is attached a string. By means of the string the gate Is opened slowly, until the bead of the dummy becomes vis ible, when the dog is taught to fly nt his throat. Herr Straus is very particular about this; he make his dogs attack the throat or the upper part of the body al ways. Sometimes a real man, well pad. ded, takes the place of the dummy, and, of course, he is weil paid for his services. All dogs. It seems may be made gcod watch dogs, but the St. Bernards and the Russian, wolfhounds are the b;st where property of great value Is to be guarded. For dogs not so fierce as they are a different system of training Is used. They soon leam to guard anything com mitted to their care, but are liot so qulclt to attack an Intruder as tho fierce dog? are. Rock-a-by Land. ITo and away for the Rock-a-by land The rollicking, frolllcklng- Rock-a-by land. Where the little ones go on the hush-a-by cars To play peek-a-boo with the silvery stars. Tls the airiest, falriest land that I know Is this land where the dollies and sugar plums trow; The dream train Is ready, with lore in com mand For the Rolllcklnc Frolicking. Rock-a-by land. Roek-a-by land Sweet Roek-a-by land! Dancing and singing while bluebells are ring ing. Close your eyes, little one. Soon will you stand On the borders of far-away Rock-a-by land. Such a queer little car for the Rock-a-by land The rollicking, frolicking Rock-a-by land. The wheels are the rockers, 'tis deep and 'tis wide. All quilted and cushioned for baby's long ride: Then out hrough the shadows we dreamily so. Past Blumberland hills and the heights of Ey- low We are off on a Journey delightful and grand For the Rollicking. Frolicking. Rock-a-by land. Rock-a-by land Dear Rock-a-by land I Stars are a-gleamlng- while baby Is dreaming Dreaming- sweet dreams Of a falrykin band In. the far away beautiful Rock-a-by land. Oh. what a trip to the Rock-a-by land The rollicking, frolicking Rock-a-by land. There's dancing and singing and music that's sweet. And peek-a-boo dreams that are tiny and fleet. We glide past Love's river, which ripples and gleams Through blossoming- meadows In silver) streams; -At Sound Asleep Station we finally stand For the Rollicking. Frolicking-. Rock-a-by land. Roek-a-by land I Charming- Rock-a-by land! Fairies are winging while baby la swinging. Nestle close, little one! Now band in hand We'll wander and dream in the Rock-a-by land! E. A. Bralntstool In Atlanta Constitution. Character Shown In Hair. If your hair is fine. It denotes gentle birth; If the ends clings together. It is a sign of great Intellectuality, and a ten dency to curl shows inherent grace and a poetic nature, says the New York Press. These are some of the things set forth by the new science of hair reading, yet undeveloped, but likely to "give us-away" In a manner often more accurate than pleasing. This new science tells us, too, that the, person with straight hair has a firm, positivo and practical disposition. Color shows the temperament. For in stance. It is well to watch out for the per son wltb black, lustrous hair. He is apt to be tre.icttrous and Jealous. The lighter the hair, the more sensitive and "touchy" Its owr.cr. Brown hair belongs to him who has cemmon sense, good Judgment and reason in high degree, which would Indicate that humanity Isn't even half bad. Red hair shows honesty and cleverness. How Hot She Was. It was one of the first warm days, and tittle Mabel, axed 4, who had been play ing with somo neighboring children, rush ed Into the house, and, throwing herself across her mother's lap, exclaimed: "Oh, mamma, take off some of my clothes. I'm a whole petticoat too hot!" Philadelphia Inquirer. SAVED BY HIS HORSE. Yonng- Newspaper-Carrier of Illinois Rescued From a Flood. A most remarkable case of Intelligence In a horse 'came to light In La Salle. 111., during recent high water In the Illinois River. Edgar Bray, a paper-carrier, is the owner of the animal, which saved him from almost certain death. Bray, who is 13 years old, carries the La Salle Dally Tribune through a sparsely settled territory across the river. He had been riding a great gray horse ot uncer tain age. One day, with the river 25 feet out of Its banks. Bray left La Salle for the route over which he dally traveled. He had found some trouble In reaching the city, because of tho river overflowing the road at several points. Nevertheless, he started for the bridge over which he was accustomed to cross the river to de liver the papers. When he reached the half-mile stretch ot road that leads across the level bottom land In the valley, he found heavy cakes of Ice crossing, swept along by the current of the stream. An older rider would have gone back. The boy went forward and entered tho dangerous flood. When mid way, a huge chunk of Ice struck the horse. It plunged wildly and lost its footing, throwing the boy into the water. Instead of going shoreward, as would have been expected, the horso followed the boy and stood quietly while being re mounted. Then the Journey was recom menced. Another piece of Ice. larger than the first and immensely thick, came down upon them. This time the horse Jumped squarely upon the Ice, and boy and horse were at once carried off the road over 30 feet of water. The horse realized tho JUST OUT EASTER EDITION. 0- jV.tf 5 danger of the current, and soon Jumped back Into the water, snlmmlng toward tho fringe of willows that marked the colld ground. After a hard struggle, the boy was brought safely through to the road. A remarkable feature of the affair was that the youngster rode back to La Salle and crossed the river on the big bridge of the Illinois Central Railroad, delivering his papers on time. The brlrge used Is closed to all but foot passengers, for which It bos a narrow walk on each side. On this occasion the boy eluded the brldse-tender and led his horse across In safety. It Is the first time In 30 yearn that the railroad bridge Is known to have been used for the passage of a horse ot other animal. The boy was reticent about telling of his adventure, but the storj finally leaked out from his home. Reminded the lien. "It's well I ran into the garden." Said Eddy, his face all aglow; "Fcr what do you think, mamma, happened? Tou will never guess it. I know. "The little brown hen was there clucking: 'Cut-cut! she said, quick as a wink. Then 'Cut-cut' again, only slower; And then she would stop short and think. "And then she would say It all over. She did look so mad and so vexed; For mamma, do you know, she'd forgotten The word that she ought to cluck next. "So I satd 'Ca-daw-cut. 'Ca-daw-cut. As loud and as strong as I could. And she looked 'round at me very thankful; I tell you. It made her feel good. "Then she flapped and said. 'Cut-cut-ca-daw-cut:. She remembered Just how It went. then. But It's well I ran Into the garden She might never have clucked right again!" Bessie Chandler In New Tork Tribune. Enigma. My first Is In eel. But not In nnh: My eecond Is In spoca. But not In dlah: My third Is In girl. But not In man; My fourth Li In boiler. But not In pan: My fifth Is in land. But ! In nation; My sixth Is tn pain. But not In sensation; By last la In knotted. And also In tied: My whole Is a kingdom Known far and wide. New York Herald. Acrostic. My first Is In mat, but not in rur. My second Is In April, but not In May. My third Is In ice. but not In snow. My fourth Is tn peach, but not In plum. My fifth la In like, but not In hate. My sixth Is in girl, but not In boy. My seventh Is In bad, but not In good. My eighth is In hint, but not In sew. My whole Is a salt-producing stste of the Union. Spain's Boy Klncr. The young King of Spain always Insists on having his pockets filled with coppers before going for a drive., and scatters the coins among the many beggars who crowd round his carriage. How to Corn Beef. Eddie I know how corned beef Is made now, grandpa. Grandpa How? Eddie I saw the men giving the cowb rock salt. Exchange. Xot Without Ability. TJncle Bob Well. Johnny, are you at the head of your class?" Johnny No, but I can lick the fellow that Is! Hartford Courant. Miss Asket Wnat animal would you prefer most for a pet? Miss Anteek Manl Philadelphia Bulletin. All They Knew. An artstocratlo young- pug. With countenance smirking and smug. Would turn up his nose. And posture and poae. For he slept on an imported rug. There was a gnu that knew a new way For gnus to earn (4 a day; But no other g-nu knew What that new gnu knew. So the old gnus work the old way. Philadelphia Press. ROELOFF AND LAD PIETER Traaio Story of the Canting? of tho "Poor Sinner's Bell," Five Centuries Ago, It was the 17th of July, 13S8. For months the skillful bell founder. Roeloff. had had It In his thought to make tho most perfect and sweetest-toned bell that tho world had ever seen or heard; and for weeks, whllo preparing for the casting, he had gone about with scarce a word for any man. so intent was he upon the task which he had set himself to accomplish. His wife, who had a ready tongue, spoke In his presence every day. the gossip of the neighborhood, but he gave no heed to tho petty tales, and It Is doubtful It he knew oftentimes that she stooa by and talke-1 to him. His children questioned him con cerning tho ways of the men of theforest In the old time, when the chase and ilie banquet were known beside the Oder, aad clamored for stories of the monarchs of whom the people used to sing Henry the Lion, and Albert the Bear, Thereto Frederick with the red hair. Three lords are they. Who could change the world to their way. But he swept the little, ones aside with) Mary Miller. his strong arm, and shut himself In his furnace-room to think and to plan, and to experiment with the metal of which tho great bell was to be made. "Pleter." said a poor woman to her only son, cne morning. "I have heard that Roeloff. the bell founder. Is intent upon J piece of work, the like or which th world hat never seen or heard, and he Is aoro vexed because he cannot find man of boy with a quiet tongue to assist him with tho fuel for the furnace. His own cn'ldrcn are so fond of questioning, he will not have them about him. and ill whom he has tried as helpers have sorely disturbed the poor man v. lth their talk. Now. go you. and say that you can work and hold your tongue, and when the famous bell Is cast. I nm sure the good Roeloff will re ward you well. If you will work to n'eaia him." AVell Pleased Wna Roeloff. And that very day Pleter began to nsslit the belt founder, as he worxed In the furnace-room, nnd well pleaded was Koeictt with the widow's -son. for not a word passed the lip of the boy from morning until nlstht. except ns he answered "yea" and "nay" to the questions of his master. At last the day of the casting came, the date of which I have already mentioned. Very anxious was Roeloff that day. and more stern and thoughtful than ever, for failure now would spoil the work of weeks, and the chance of failure Is worrisome to a man at best, whether It concern soma great matter or only a small affair. The molten metal was almost .ready for the drawing, and the mold was' in its place, when a messenger came In haste and called the anxious bellfounder to an adjoining apartment.. "Watch the furnace, boy, and as you voluo your life, meddle not with tho catch which keeps the red-hot metal In tho cauldron." said Roeloff to the widow's son. as be Impatiently withdrew from the fnrn ace-room. Now. It was an easier matter for Pleter to hold his tongue than his hands, and no sooner had the door closed behind his master than he began to grow impatient to see the seething metal flow from the cauldron to the mold. "I wonder If this may not be the mo ment when the metal should be drawn." he said to himself. "Perhaps It will be too late, and all will be spoiled when tho master returns. Why may I not but touch the catch and see If the metal runs well?" And. not realizing fully what ha was. Impelled only by a curiosity to see the molten metal run from the cauldron, Pleter touched the catch and the fiery stream came forth and flowed rapidly and evenly Into the mold. Frla-htened Pleter. Frightened then oh. that the fright of all meddlers might come with the temp tation rather than at sight of the mischief they have wrought! the boy called loudly to Roeloff for help. The bellfounder rushed In with a look of consternation on his face, and when he saw what had been done, and fearing that all his work for many weeks past had been In vain, he struck the boy a blow which felled him to tho floor, and from which he shortly after died. Later, when the bell was taken from the mold. It was found to be all that Roe loff had hoped for It a piece of perfect workmanship and of a tone marvelously sweet and clear. Then Roeloff. filled with remorse because of his hasty action in dealing the blow which had taken the Ufa of the boy Pleter, gave himself up to tho magistrates. He was tried and condemned to death, and on the day of the execu tion it Is said that the sweet-toned bell was rung to call a mass to pray for the poor man's rouL From that day to this It has been called the Poor Sinner's Bell, and it hangs today In tho tower of St. Mary Magdalene's Church, in Brestnu, in the province ot Sllcsla, Prussia. For five centuries Its tones have carried to the hearts of men the thought: Judgo not hastily the fault of ano'her, lest thou become a more guilty man than he whom thou condemnest." Brooklyn Eaglo. - te - if - irf.iigf iirfr- - vl