Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1893 — FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS. [ARTICLE]

FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS.

THE SANDMAN. The sandman passes from house to house At dusk on nis way through town, He shakes his box to the right and the left Into baby eyes blue and brown. And the eyelids droop os the sand shower falls So softly that no one knows when The sandman came, but you soon can see He’s been on his rounds again. For wherever he passes, the dear little heads Droop like the sun-kissed flowers, And nestle into their pillows white To sleep through the quiet hours. —[Babyland. NARROW EBCAFB OF THR ELEPHANT. There was a ire at Coney Island a little while ago, and the big elephant almost burned up. His legs were scorched and his trunk had to be covered up with rubber blankets to keep it from being burned. While all this was going on, the big elephant stood stock still, and only when the flames were put out did he seem to heave a sigh of relief. Through all the excitement be remained motionless. Now this may seem very strange to you. But the elephant is made of wood, so you cannot expect him to show a great deal of emotion. He is tbe big feHow who stands upon the beach at Co*ney Island, inviting you to walk up inside of his legs and his trunk and take a view of the island. His name is Jumbo and his age is just nine years. He has never grown any since he was built, but he has changed his coat every spring, when new paint has been put upon him. People out on the ocean who had never seen the wooden Jumbo were very much alarmed when the fire swept across Coney Islnnd, because they thought the elephant was alive and that he would turn up. But when they heard that he was only made of wood, they enjoyed the sight greatly and could not help wishing that they could see the big brown fellow curl up into gray smoke.—[New York Ledger.

SIAM’S WHITE ELEPHANTS. Siam is attracting the attention of the civilized world just now by reason of the outrageous injustice with which Franco is treating her. When we speak of Siam it is natural to think of the white elephants to which such high honors are paid. In the Californian Magazine, 8. E. Carrington tolls us that in foimor days the ceremonies attending the capture of a white elephant were very impressive. Tho discoverer, were he the humblest man in the kingdom, was immediately made a mandarin; he was exempted from taxation for the remainder of his life, and presented with largo suras of money, the king himself giving him ft,ooo. As soon ns the capture was made, a special courier was despatched to tho king, and a posse of nobles with gifts and robes started immediately for the scene of action. The ropes which the enptors used in binding the royal victim were replaced by cords of scarlet silk. Mandarins attended to the slightest wants of the animal. Rioh feather fans with gilt handles were used to keep the flies from it during the day, while a silk embroidered mosquito net was provided at night. To remove It to the capital a boat was built expressly for the purpose, and a magnificent canopy erected over it, ornamented and bedecked, a« were tha king’s palaces. Silk draperies, heavy with silver and gold, inclosed the royal prisoner; and in this state he floated down the river, receiving the acclamations of the people. When neaf the eitv, tbe aoimal was landed, the king a ai nls court going out to meet him ana escort him to the city, where a place had been built for him within tbe royal palace grounds. A large tract of land wat set apart for his country place, chosen Jvom the best the kingdom afforded.. A cabinet of ministers and a large rettnuo of nobles were appointed to attend to his wants.

SHEPHERD DOGS.

In Sotth America, in the region of the great pasture plains, dogs are trained to be shepherds, writes Helen Everfon Smith. Ido not mean that a dog goes out with the herdsmen and helps watch the flock. I mean that the dog goes out alone and that he takes the entire care of the sheep without anvone's direction, in South America there are vast plains where for miles and miles there is little vegetation save the short grain on which sheep feed. There are no habitations for men. On thqse vast pastures there are Immense flocks whioh are often left for several days at a time with only a dog to take care of tbetn. But well he knows how to do it, for he as been trained for the business. When “Colly” was only a day old he was taken away from bis own mother and given to a big. motherly sheep. She let the little blind puppy share the dinner of her own baby lamb. His littlebed wns in a warm, soft nest made of the sheared fleece of a sheep. He was never allowed to taste of meat. He wns not permitted to associate with other dogs or with children. His onlv associates were shppp. Consequently ail the strong friendship, all the royalty, all the protecting instinct which belongs to a good dog’s nature were turned towards sheep. The little dog grew to love sheep, to play with sheep, and above all, to watch over sheep and protect them. No hungry stranger oould approach one of these big, wandering flocks in the vast and lonely plain and help him«elf to a lamb without being notioed. No! At tho first sign of a stranger the dog barks. Then a remarkable sight is to be seen. The oldest and strongest ram of the flock advances to the dog’s side. All the other rams come forward and take their places near by. faring the . foe. The ewes and the lambs huddle closely together behind their defenders. The dog does the talking for the whole party and gives sll the orders, acting the part of a commanding general, but the rams with their big. eruel horns and strong heads do the fighting. Sometimes when the owners have sheds near enough the dog drives the flock out to pasture and brings them back in the evening. No matter how large the flock may be, he knows if even one sheep is missing and he gets out and hunts for it until found.—[St. Loui9 Republic.