Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 November 1895 — FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS. [ARTICLE]

FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS.

TOE SNEEZE-WOOD TREE. * This remarkable tree is a native of Natal and other parts of South Africa. Its funuy name was given to it because one cannot saw it without sneezing violently. The dust of its wood has the same effect as the strongest snuff, and is so irritating to the nose that workmen are obliged to sneeze even when planting it. If a piece of the wood of this tree is put in the mouth it is found to huve a very bitter taste, and no doubt it is this bitterness which prevents insects of any kind from attacking the timber of the “sneeze wood” tree. The fact that insects find it so disagreeable makes its wood very valuable for work that is required to last a loug time. HOW THE MAKER BOVS SAVED THE TOWN. During the Middle Ages, the inhabitants of Linz and Anderuuch could uever agree, and were coutiuually at war, each hoping to obtain the supremacy and utterly destroy the other city. As the towns were ouly a short distance ajiart, they could often pounce upon each other unawares, and the inhabitants of Linz knowing the people of Audernach were sound sleepers und took special pleasure In prolonging their morning nap, once re■olved to attack them at dawn of day. In silence the enemy stole up under the city wall, which they prepared to scale. Their attempt would probably have proved successful, had it not been for two greedy baker lads, who had crept up into the tower to steal honey from the hives the watchman kept up there. Hearing a slight noise, and fearing the approacli of the watchman, tiie youths cautiously peered over the wall, aud thus became aware of the enemy’s proximity. A moment later, having thrown the hives down upon tiie foe, the boys, rushing to the bell, loudly rang the alarm. The Anderuachers, springing out of bed, hurriedly douued their armor, seized their weapons, and rushed out, but their interference was no longer necessary, us the infuriated bees had already routed tiie enemy. In commemoration of this event, tiie statues of the two baker lads have been placed just within the Andernach gates. There they can still be seen— exact eflleies of the boys who crept up into the tower to steal honey, und saved the town.

HMABT DOGS. “Toby” Bwnyne’s frisky little skye terrier, Jack, isn’t the only canine in Toledo that knows a few things out of the ordinary. A gentleman who fancies a good dog, aud whoso word is absolutely unimpeachable, called tiie attention of a Blade man to a couple of intelligent dogs in Toledo. Oue of tlicm is a littlo white animal belonging to Henry Williams, janitor of the Hartford Block, on Madison street. Those who are accustomed to going up and down the elevator in that block know how the elevator signal is arranged. It is a little white button set on an ordinary annunciator. This dog when downstairs will jump up and press one of his paws on the button until lie hears tiie bell ring, when he will sit on his haunches and wait patiently a few moments, when, if the olevutor does not commence to descend, he repeats tiie performance. He lias been seen to do this so frequently that it has ceased to be a matter of curb oslty about the building. When the bell in the old High School tower tolled out the Are alarms for Toledo, if at night, this dog would jump upon ids owner’s bed and whine und paw about until Mr. Williams would awaken; but he would never pay any attention to other hells, no matter how often or at what time in tiie night they might ring. “Speaking of the intelligence of dogs," continued the Blade’s informant, “you have doubtless often noticed tiie Great Dane that W. E. McKecktiie, the coal man, formerly owned. Some weeks ago Mr. McKecluiie sold the dog to his brother-in-law. Well, tiie dog remains with his new owner all right during the week, but regularly every Suturday night he returns to the house of his former master and stays there until Monday morning, when he returns to his rightful owner. In the several weeks that huve elapsed since Mr. McKecknie sold him lie has never missed a Sunday, He geems to regard the Sunday influences about McKeckuie’s more congenial for some reason."

Talking about dogs, there is a little black terrier owned out near the corner of Cherry and Frederick streets that answers to the name of ••Frank." Among the numerous tricks the hoys of that neighborhood have taught the animal to perform there is one which they work almost continuously. The dog will sneeze whenever commanded to do so, provided there is a morsel of something to eat as an inducement. The boys have worked the dog so hard he lias developed a serious case of nasal catarrh, and unless a compromise can be effected between the street urchins and Frank the subject of their fun is liable to go into decline. The animaj is owned by Mr. Bartel Wilson.