Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1912 — Page 3

The Toy Man

Peggy told her mother about him. “Are you sure you are telling me the truth?” Mrs. Danforth asked. “Of course I do not want to doubt your word, Peggy, but you know you do weave fairy tales sometimes, and this sounds like one." “No, this is a really and truly man,” Peggy insisted, “and he lives in a big house on top of a hill, and you go tn by a little gate and there is a walk with holly trees on each side of it, and at the end there is a door, with a brass knocker with a funny face, and you knock, and the man opens the door, and. shows you into a long room that is almost dark except at one end where there is a window with a lot of colored glass in it, and all around the room are toys, and the man wears a velvet coat and he has a lovely smile, mother." “But how,” Mrs. Danforth demanded, “did you happen to go there, Peggy?” “All the children do,” Peggy declared. “When we go home from school we run up the path and bang with the knocker and see the toys, and he never scolds, but just seems glad to have us." “Well, don’t you go again," Mrs. Danforth said, “until I find out about him, Peggy. It is a strange kind of man that wanted to bother with all the small boys and girls from your school.” “They don’t all go, mother,” said Josephine, who was Peggy’s sister, nineteen, and very pretty. “I went to meet Peggy yesterday and there is a colored porter who stands at the gate and he does not let all the children in,' just the Uttlest ones like Peggy.” “Yes, Just the Uttlest ones like me,” said Peggy, complacently, “and I asked him who the toys were for and he said he was making them for good children for Christmas.” Josephine laughed. “Do you think you’re going to get some?” Peggy nodded. “I am going to be as good as good.” she said. When Peggy had left the room Mrs. Danforth asked, “Is It the new tenant at the Oaks that she is talking about. Josephine?” “Yes. He moved in a week ago, and Jt Is a funny household, mother. There is just the toy man with two old servants, two wolf-hounds and a white cat.” i “Does he make the toys?” Mrs. Danforth asked. Josephine nodded. “Yes, he carves all day, so the teacher told me. I met Jier the other day when I went for Peggy.” The next afternoon Peggy did not get home oh time. Her apologies when she did return were profuse. “The Toy Man was waiting for me and I just had to go.” “But I told you not to,” Mrs. Danforth said. “He asked me and asked me, mother,” Peggy said, “and you wouldn’t want me to be not polite, would you?" “The next time you must tell him that mother does not want you to go ln. Now, remember, Peggy." The next day Peggy came home With <a, rueful eeimtenangj. “He came out and asked me to go in," she stated, "and I did not feel very nice to tell him you wouldn’t let me. “I wonder why he wants Peggy more than the other children?’’ Mrs. Danforth asked Josephine. “Goodness only knows,” said Josephine, and that afternoon, moved by curiosity, she made her walk take her in the roadway that ,IM< to the. Oaks. F Thus it happened that she met the gentleman with the nice smile and the velveteen coat face to face. He was standing at the gate, and as the children passed he asked them to come in, selecting, as Peggy had said, the Uttlest ones. Josephine joined Peggy as the little maid said, regretfully, “I mustn’t come in. Mother won’t let me." Then she questioned Josephine, “Don’t you think I could, Josey?” '• Josephine hesitated. “Maybe if I went, too.” “Would you?” asked the Toy Man eagerly. "1 should be so glad to have you.” He led the way to the big door with the brass ktfqcker and Josephine and a group of little folks followed, half told of the beauty and charm of the big room where the toys stood in shadowy corners, and the stainedglass window gave a mysterious light. Thdy were strange toys, some of them little green gods with yellow eyes, little ivory elephants, whose heads nodded, Chinese mandarins, bronze lious. “Surely you do not’ make these,” Josephine said. He shook his head. “These are what 1 make,” he said, and brought down from a high shelf a little figure v at the sight of which Josephine exclaimed, “Why, it’s Peggy!" It was only in the rough clay, and a'tiny thing, but it was Peggy to the Mfe, poised on tip-toe, curls flying, eyes wide with mystery” bfchildhood. “They do not know,”-he said, “when they play with my lions and my Uttle old gods that they are my models. I ’' work-briskly, and tell them I am making toys; otherwise they would be ■ sclf-eonsctoua" 'k,‘

By VIRGINIA BLAIR

“Do you use only children for models?" Josephine asked. “I like them best—yet I have thought that my masterpiece will be the figure of a girl, half child, half, woman, *Where the brook and river meet.’" “You should have a very beautiful model," Josephine said. “Won’t it be hard to find?" i He smiled down at her' “I have found my model,” he said. -t But Josephine did not understand the significance of his tone. “I wish I might watch you work,” she said. “I hope you will watch me many times,” he said. He hesitated, and then asked, “Do you think your mother would let you sit for me? I should like to do you as you are now with that big muff and fur, and with that three-cornered hat on top of your curls. You seem the very spirit of youth; your vividness almost lights up this dull room.” Josephine had never been called pfetty, and there was something in this man’s tone that made her feel that he meant what he said. It was hot flattery, but rather the satisfied estimate of one who has found what he wants. “I. am afraid mother wouldn’t, let me come here,” she said, “but if you could work at our house.” “I will ask her," he told her. That night he pleaded so eloquently that Mrs. Danforth consented, and every day after that Josephine sat for him, with Peggy and the little folks, and the statue grew under bis deft fingers. It seemed to Josephine in these days that life took on new meanings This man, with the slender, white fingers and the kind smile, became so much a part of her thoughts and her dally life that when one morning he announced that _the statue was finished and his sojourn at the Oaks end ed, she gave a little gasp of dismay She didn’t dare ask him why; some Instinct told her that it was because of her that he was going. Because she was a woman she must let him leave in silence. The children expressed their regrets; they did not know how they were to get along without their dear Toy Man. “Aren’t we ever going to come and knock at the knocker and see the mandarin and the Hons?” Peggy wailed. “Josephine shall have ths key,” he said. “Perhaps she will come here sometimes and let you play. Will you?" he asked and Josephine said, “Yes.” After he had gone, however, she found that it was not easy to visit the big empty room. The spirit of the man who had presided was lacking, the children were restless without his quick suggestion and tactful planning It gradually came about, therefore, that the boys were left alone in the big room, and the children played out of doors in the winter sunshine. Josephine droopped and lost her brightness, and at last Mrs. Danforth sent her to visit an aunt in the city Then a round of sight-seeing and of excitement began for Josephine. One day she came to an art exhibit and was startled to find her counterpart in white marble in the center of the room. It was a beautiful .figure and twas surroundedby an admiring crowd. Josephine, gazing at it, forgot her surroundings. Then some One said, “Hush! here comes the sculptor," and she turned* and faced the Toy Man. "You —at last,” he said, and drew her away from the crowd. In a secluded corner of the room he asked her many./iuestlons. “Did you think me cruel to leave you?” Josephine’s face flaiped. “I didn’t dare think,” she said. "If I had not seen you here,” he. told her, “I was going back tomorrow to the Oaks to find you, and you know why I want you Josephine?” “I am not sure,” she faltered. “There were things that kept me from you,” he explained. “I had had great money failures, and the old furniture in that house was the extent of my possessions. Everything depended upon iny ability to make-good with this statue. I was to receive a contract for larger work, if I could produce something besides the tiny figures over which I had wasted so many years. If my statue of you had failed I wotild have had no right tn ask yon to marry me for ruin would have faced me, but now — now I can go back, and we will work together.” The children in the little town welcomed back their Toy Man with enthusiasm. He was too busy now to have them every day, but once a week they were welcome, and just before Christmas he and Josephine were married. After the wedding there was a strange departure from the usual custom, for instead of a reception at the bride’s house, there was a house Warming in the big living room at the Oaks. Only children were in vited, and each child as ft went away received a toy, and Peggy. rapturous and smiling assisted in the distribu tlon. •' ij “It is perfectly lovely.” she announced, “to have a Toy Man for a brother-in-law, it la* almost like being in the same fatally with Santa Claus It’s just the nicest thing that vwt happened, isn’t It Josephine?” and Josephine, standing radiant by her husband’s side, agreed. >

THE REPUBLIC OF HAITI

THE Republic of Haiti, occupying the western portion of the island of the same name, has an area of 10,200 square miles, and a population of 2,000,000. It is one of the most populous of the American republics, taking into account its area, with 186 inhabitants to the square mile. Haiti is a land of mountains and valleys, and Inclosing the Gulf of Gonave, around whose shores are several fine natural harbors. The principal products of the island are coffee, cacao, cotton, tobacco, sugar and logwood. In the forests and deep valleys there is a wealth of flora unsurpassed in the western world. Haiti also possesses considerable undeveloped mineral resources, among them being gold, silver, gypsum, limestone, and porphyry, A number of small islands belong to the territory of the republic; Gonave, about 40 miles long; La Tortue, 33 miles long; Les Cayemites, and a number of small islands. The constitution of the republic of Haiti was proclaimed on the 9th day of October, 1889, and a unitary republican form of government was adopted, vesting the administration in a legislative, executive and judicial branch. The legislative is composed of two chambers —a chamber of representatives and a senate, the two together forming the national assembly. The cabinet of representatives consists of 99 members, elected by the people for a term of three years, and the senate of 39 members chosen by the representatives from lists furnished by a board of electors and by the president of the republic, for a term of six years. The senate is renewed by. thirds every two years. The national assembly meets annually on the first Monday in April for a period of three months, which may be extended for another 30 days. The president of the republic is elected by the national assembly for a ternwof seven years and cannot be reelected except after an Interval of at least one term. He receives a salary of approximately $24,000 per annum. A cabinet of six secretaries-, each in charge of some department of the government, assists the president. They are appointed by and responsible to him, and receive an annual salary of about $6,000 each. The departments delegated to the various secretaries of state as as follows: Foreign affairs and public instruction; war and navy; interior and general police; finance and commerce; justice and worship; public works and agriculture. The president, Cincinnatus Leconte, was inaugurated on August 16, 1911, Incomplete reports would seem to indicate that commercial conditions for the year were satisfactory, but full returns upon which alone estimates can be based are not yet available. A serious effort was made by the government to balance the budget. In many directions improvements were begun or authorized, to show,that the country was ambitious to be brought up to modern standards. A compulsory education law, applicable to'the primary grades, was passed, and a new water system for the capital, Port au Prince, was aprowed and the contract for the Haitian National railroad was signed. Haito has given noticeable encouragement to foreign ' investors during this and former years, and the advances which will follow liberal concessions of this kind are sure to benefit the country materially within a short time. Product* and Industries. r The industries of the country are mainly agriculture, the most important product being coffee of an excellent quality. Cacao is also grown extensively, the annual output being estimated at «,- 000,000 pounds. Cotton is exported in Increasing quantitl**; of ths grads

grown in Haiti the fiber is not so long as that of the United States, although this is a condition that coulfl b# improved by proper seed selection and cultivation. Cheap lands and cheap labor make this branch of industry an attractive and remunerative one, and the several experimental plantations speak most optimistically of the future of this industry. Apiculture is another industry which has its inception on the island, but a few years ago and has flourished to a notable degree. The culture of pite (American agave) has been taken up. The cultivation of tobacco is extending, and the manufacture of cigars and cigarettes has been successfully engaged in. The soil of the country is well suited for tobacco growing. Only a small quantity of this article is raised, however. One plantation, conducted on scientific principles, Is producing tobacco of a fine grade. The manufacture of shoes within the Republic has reached a point where the output is nearly sufficient to meet the needs of the home market, with the result that importations of foreign shoes have almost entirely ceased within the past eight years. The mineral resources of the republic, consisting of gold, silver, copper, iron, antimony, tin, sulphur, coal, kaolin, nickel, gypsum and limestone, are as yet undeveloped. Remains of an ancient gold mine have recently been discovered near Ouanaminthe on the Dominican frontier, and iron deposits are known to exist in the same locality, deposits of copper and iron oxide have been discovered. Near Les Cahobas considerable outcroppings of soft coal are reported, and at Camp Perrin, some seven leagues inland, there is a coal mine showing numerous rich veins. In the vicinity of Jacmel there are copper and silver deposits which have never been worked, and at Terreneuve, distant about four hours’ travel from Gonaives, a capper mine is being worked by a syndicate of Haitians. There are numerous sugar plantar toins in the country, but no refineries. Rum and other spirits are distilled. Logwood is the most important of the many valuable woods shipped from the republic.

Vanity of the Song Bird.

M. Gatti-Casazza, the manager of the Metropolitan opera house, was talking about famous song birds. “These women, as a rule, are modest,” he said; “but now and then we meet a song bird of inordinate vanity. “In Milan, in the Arcade, I chanced one afternoon upon a song bird of the vain type, and she asked me how 1 ( liked her performance the evening before. “‘lt was superb, perfect!’ I said. “She beamed with such delight that, to please her still more, I added: ' “ ‘lt was divine —like an angel's song.’ “But at that she bit her lip. “'I don’t see any need,’ she said, with an annoyed air, ’of dragging in the angel.* ”

Old-Fashioned Plants.

“That Burbank man is a wonder," said Maude. “I don’t like a man who tries to be so smart,” replied Maymle. “The first thing we know, he’ll be undertaking to invent a kissless mistletoe.” —Washington Star.

The Resemblance.

“The keeper at the asylum who was pushing the crazy people along reminded me of a conterfeiter.” wr —~ “Because ho wa» shoving ths queer.". z •

EXERCISE TO DEVELOP CHEST

Simple Movements That Are Guaranteed by an Authority to Produce Good Results. Look at your figure in the next full length mirror you see. Nine chances out of ten your chest caves in, your shoulders round like a bow, your stomach protudes and you chin is thrust forward like a prize fighter’s. Now try an experiment Take a long breath, push your chest out and hold it to that position. Behold a miracle. Your shoulders straighten till your back is like a line, your stomach retreats and your chin assumes a position of modest dignity. Now you are standing correctly, and if you place any value at all upon a good appearance you must practice this position until it becomes second nature. Remember that the grand secret Is, “Push out tne chest.” The rest of the figure will take of Itself. If your chest is flat and narrow you ought, in the Interest of both health and beauty, to try to develop it. Breathing exercises are the best thing for this purpose. Singers and public speakers almost always have good chests, because they are trained to breathe deeply and correctly.. Breathing exercises are best performed at night, when all heavy clothing, the corset in particular, has been removed. The window should be open, for there is no profit in taking bad air into your lungs. Stand erect, with hands close to the sides. Inhale slowly and evenly 'through the nose. Hold the breath ar long as you possibly can, then exhale slowly and evenly through the mouth Do this ten times each, night. You will soon notice an Increase in the length of time you can hold the breath. Practice taking long breaths when you are walking. Dumb-bell and Indian club exercises are excellent for chest development. Go at them a bit gently at first, especially if you are not very strong. There are other simple home exercises which will help you in this direction. For instance, He fiat on the back on the floor, with legs and arms straight and knees close together. Now try to rise to sitting position without touching elbows to the floor. You won’t be able to do it at first, but you soon will be if you practice the exercise faithfully, and in the meantime your chest is reaping the benefit of the practice.—Woman’* World. - - ' | - ■■ ' __i. , _ ' ®

Concluded He Had Been Bribed.

Kellogg Durland, the author of "Royal Romances of Today,” after spending a morning with the children of King Alfonso of Spain and finding them bright, normal, healthy youngsters, was surprised to be engaged by people in his hotel in conversation' like the following: "What a pity that the princes are not right in their faculties." "But they are perfectly right,” I replied, indulgently; "those stories are pure nonsense.” "Oh, no, sir! You must be mistaken.” "How can I be mistaken?” I answered. “I have just spent a morning with them and I found them not only normal in every way, but particularly intelligent” "That -cannot be,” was the reply, “because it Is said they are defective." The writer grew indignant and broke off the controversy, but learned that after he left people had speculated on how much he had been paid by the king to say that the prinoqs were all right

What He Took.

Hilary K. Adair, the western detective, was praising at a banquet in Dubuque the generous warmth accorded by John D. Rockefeller to sheriffs, bailiff* and other myrmidons of the law. “They don’t get treated at John D.’s," said Mr. Adair, "as old Cluss once treated me. “Cluss runs, you know, a saloon. I was waiting In his place one cold December night to nab a bigamist when Cluss came out from an Inner room wrapped in a heavy ulster. “*Why, hello, Adair!’ he said, shaking me warmly by the hand. Tm glad to see you. What’ll you take?’ “ ’Well,’ said L T don’t know—l’m not particular—’ "Cluss, who had been watching me anxiously, now butted in with the words: “‘Good! Slip on your overcoat, then, and. we’ll take a walk. I was starting out’” —Exchange.

Opium Habit Among Japanese.

When the Japanese came Into control of Formosa they found the opium habit widely prevalent, especially with that portion of the that were of Chinese origin. The Japanese discovered that 64 per cent of the male population were addicted to the opium habit The greatest percentage of these were among the educated classes. In an endeavor to elucidate thepoint as to the instigation of the habit, Che first step was traced in 93 per cent of the cases to'the use of the drug by medical advice. Public opinion was at first hostile to the attempts of the Japanese fir eradicating the evil; but now, owing to the judicious measures adopted, a strong pub Be sentiment has arisen against the opium habit—Dietetic and Hygienic Gazette.

Refuted Adage.

"Talk Is cheap," commented the ready-made philosopher. “That remark,” replied Senator Sorgum, “proves that you have never undertaken to pay the traveling penaes and hotel MUa of a party oC campaign orators.*’ . '"■■■■ - - J , - ■ >■- '

SHOW KINDLY FEELING

ENGLISHMEN hfAKE GIFT TO NEW ENGLAND TOWN. J v Resident* of Hingham Have Sent Old Stepping Stone to Massachusetts Namesake—Presented by the British Ambassador. - “-a: The old stepping stone which for 70Q years stood in the public square at Hingham, England, was presentedto Hfiigham, in this state, on he hair of the citizens of the English village by James Bryce, the English ambassador, the Springfield (Mass.) Republican says. The stone is' to W used as a corner stone for a bell tower to commemorate the landing at Hingham 275 years ago of a band of pilgrims from Hingham, England. Mr. Bryce said that he was glad to be privileged to express on behalf of the people of old Hingham in England, whence came the settlers of the new Hingham here, the sentiments with which they had sent this stone from their village green to the descendants of their common Norfolk ancestors. Used as a mounting block; for riders in the old country, it spoke; of a time when riding on horseback! was practically the only means of: travel, It spoke not only of its origin,, but of all the changes that had passed: in 300 years and of the warm good; will and affection which those of the: old -town felt for those of the new l town after all that lapse of time. Looking through the list of settlers: who had crossed the sea to this Massachusetts town in 1633 to 1639, he i found many of the best known New England names. Among them was one name especially interesting, because: its bearer is believed to have been; the ancestor of the greatest American of the nineteenth century, Abra-i ham Lincoln. There was, however,, something more and something deep-: er than a mere continuity of famines. There was a continuity of institutions! and traditions. “The settlers,” said Mr. Bryce, “who! came from Norfolk to Massachusetts* bay to escape the oppressive rule of; King Charles I. and Archbishop Laud,; brought with them ideas and belief*' and habits already deeply rooted; among the Englishmen of East Anglia,, one of the most truly Teutonic parts* of England. The love of freedom in; the state/ the love of freedom in re-* ligion, the sense of duty to l God and ; to conscience. It was for the sake; of these things that they left their* quiet Norfolk homes to face thp sterni winters of a new and almost unknown* land, in whose forest* lurked unknown dangers from wild beasts and t wild men,? And. it was on the founda-t ’ tlon of these principles thatthey built* up their Institutions here,- set up their self-governing towns, legislated: in the general court of their self-gov-erning colony and in due time joined In framing the constitution of their state and of the federal republic. . “That’ the American hive grown to a greatness and prosperity* undreamed of by the little band who* came from Old Hingham' nearly three* centuries ago is due partly to the sturdy spirit of the old race, but largely also to the faith that has never’ faltered tn' the principles and belief: which the early settlers of the Bay state brought with them, and in their loyalty to which they and their descendants have never faltered. The history of American freedom is a continuation Of the history of English freedom and both countries have alike given an example to the world of what these principles can accomplish.”

A "Typical” Russian Scene.

At our feet, moored to one of the support* of the bridge, wa* a flat barge, and on it a soldier, In a black tunic and high boots, was washing hi* linen himself; he must have climbed down the bridge to get there. There was not a sound in the air, except the splash made by the wash- ; Ing. And then from the plain, dusty, rutty road a whole line of flat carts creaked along, one in front of the other, Qve of the foremost being without drivers; all of > these carts were full of sacks. Alongside of th« sixth walked the owner, a bearded peasant, dressed In a brown leather and very dirty coat lined with sheepskin. And every now- and then he influenced the march of.the line of car 4« by shout- * Ing a word (r two to the horses. Not long after this the line of carts crossed the bridge ami turned'into the town, and the creaking died-away te: the distance; the lazy' sfll'lne&s fell upon the place once more; and so great was that stillness that the whole landscape seemed like a colored 5 sUde of a magic , Baring’s in “The Ilussian People.” ■ . . • - ■'• ‘ ■

Remembering the Absent.

"I guess Txs getting intb this .soda! game all right," said< Mr. Cumrox. “Be polite and courteous, yet formaL That’s the idea.” “What have you been dplngr inquired his wife, sharply. ; “You knew them people who senC regrets because they come to our partyT “Well, after I saw the party I sat, down and sent ’em congratulation*." : , !,» i -**

Proof.

vush about him, hasn’t heF K ' •fi 1 h h °to ld gßt B Uw