Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 136, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1916 — Page 3

HANDICRAFT FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

By A. NEELY HALL and DOROTHY PERKINS

A SWINGING SEAT FOR THE PORCH. Any boy can make the substantial swinging porch-seat shown in Fig. 1 Fig. 2 shows the completed framework, and Figs. 3 and 4 details of the end frames. The frames must be absolutely rigid, and their parts very securely nailed together, else the seat will soon rack to pieces. You will

see by Figs. 3 and 4 that uprights A and B are notched to receive the horizontal pieces C and D. Make pieces A, B and C of 2-by-4-inch material, and Dos a l-by-4-inch board. The notches in upright B can be cut square across the piece, but those in A must be cut obliquely to allow for the slant of the seat back (Fig. 4). Fig. 3 shows the necessary measurements for cutting and assembling the parts. First lay uprights A and B upon the floor with their ends at the distances apart specified on the diagram. Then place C and D across them, and mark the positions for the notches. Cut the end notches in A and B with a saw, and the center notch in A with a saw and chisel. Be careful to make the notches no wider or deeper thannecessary, so the joints will be snug and flush. Before nailing the crosspieces in place, cut one end of each to fit the slant of upright A; also mark and cut off the

ends of upright A and bevel the top edge as shown: Crosspiece E is a l-by-4-inch board of the length of C, and is nailed to the edges of A and B as a support for the seat boards. After the pair of end frames have been nailed together, connect them with the one by four inch boards F and H (Fig. 2). The length for these will be determined by whatever length you have decided to make your porch seat. Nail boards F to the framework, first; then nail the top board H to uprights A, and afterward the other three boards H. Crosspiece G is the size of piece E, and is fastened halfway between the ends to support the seat boards at the center. Fig. 1 shows how the seat boards are fitted around the uprights, and nailed to the framework members Buy Books and chains at a hardware store for supporting the porch seat. Get very long hooks like those

shown in Fig. 5, with long screws that will screw at least 3 inches into the seat uprights- and poreh ceiling rafters; and select heavy iron chains. Fig. 1 Bhows how to Join each pair of end chains several feet above the seat arms so but a single end chain will connect with each of the two ceiling hooks. When you . have completed the carpenter work on the porch seat, sandpaper all rough portions, putty nail holes and Joints, and give the woodwork two good coats of paint.

(Copyright, by A. Neely Hall.)

HOME UTILITY BOXES. Any strong cardboard box may be used. The one for the model was 10 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 3 Inches deep, but of course the proportions may be that of whatever box you find. Fig. 2 shows the box partitioned off into 12 compartments, providing re-

ceptacles for lightweight and heavy wrapping twine, shipping tags, gummed labels, rubber bands, paper clips and brass fasteners, tacks and pushpins, passepartout paper, tubes of library paste and glue, bottle of ink, and picture wire and hooks. Fig. 4 shows how to cut the cardboard strips which partition ofT the compartments. You will notice that the upper edge of the long strips (A) are notched from the top edge down to the center, and that the short strips

which cross them (B) are notched from the! bottom edge to the center. The positions for these notches must be located carefully so as to come at the exact intersections of the partitions, and they must be cut of the right width for the crossing partitions to slip into. By examining the illustrations you will understand how the partitions interlock. Fasten the strips with pins pushed through the sides of the bo? into their ends (rtg. 3). The back edge of the cover rim must be separated from the rest of the rim at the corners (Fig. 6), and be glued to the back of the box, for a hinge. Then a strip of linen must

be glued to the outside of this rim strip, and be lapped over the cover, to re-enforce the hinge. By covering the outside of the box with cretonne you will greatly improve its appearance. Glue the cretonne to the cardboard. A string box to keep near the supply of wrapping paper is a handy article to have in the house. Fig. 6 and 7 show a box made for three balls, one of heavy wrapping twine, one of lightweight cotton twine, and one of red, blue or other color twine. You ean use a large candy box. Fasten the cardboard partitions between the sides with pins. The rim of the box cover-may be left on it, or may be removed in Fig. 6. , Puneh holes through the cover for the ends of the twine to run through. The outside of the box be covered with cretonne to give it a trim appearance,

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

HOLLAND FULL OF FOREIGN SPIES

International Secret Agents Follow in Footsteps of All Travelers. HAUNT HOTELS AND CAFES Attempt to Place Bpy In American Minister's House Foiled Marked Fondness for Things American Among the People.

The Hague.—Holland is full of spies of all nations, but an overwhelming majority of them are In the service of the central empires. In Rotterdam the German spy is everywhere—in the hotels, cohcert halls, theaters and cases. He, in turn, is spied upon by the paid agents of the opposing powers, and all of these spies unite in looking into the affairs and, when circumstances permit, the private papers and correspondence of new arrivals. Not even the American minister at The Hague is immune, as only a few weeks ago he foiled a scheme which had for its object the placing of a spy of one of the belligerent powers on his pay roll as a domestic servant. When I reached Rotterdam I went to the ever crowded case attached to the Grand Hotel Couymans, and while I sat there, bewildered by the sound of tongues that outbabeled Babel, a dapper, clean-shaven man, who might have passed for twenty-five, but really was about forty years of age, took a chair next to mine and opened the ball by asking, "Are you an American?” Also German Agent. During the next ten minutes he mentioned the names of a score of New York business men who were —I let him tell it —intimate friends, and then he sought to discover why I was in Holland. As a reward for frankness which rivaled his own, and therefore revealed nothing, he warned me to guard my papers carefully and never to leave them in my hotel, as there were hundreds of German spies about who would not stop at anything to gain information for the fatherland. As he left the case a London acquaintance dropped into his vacant chair and whispered, "Do you know the man with whom you were talking?” “No,” I replied, "but I like his brand of cigar.” “Well,” said my Englishman, “beware of him; he is a German secret agent who poses as an American.” I thanked him for his warning, accepted a cigar from him, too, and was told next morning that he also is a German agent. “This is no place for another ‘lnnocent Abroad,’ ” was my thought, and I quickly left for The Hague, only to find that I had stepped from the frying pan into the fire. Here I have obtained first-hand knowledge of the wonderful German intelligence service which has succeeded after nearly two years’ persistent, unremitting labor, in converting a section of the population—whose pockets have been hit by the blockade —to anti-British, though not pro-German, views. “Gott Strafe England.” It must be said, however, that as a general rule these propagandists are shrewder than the agents who were directed by Doctor Dernburg, in the United States, and they have concentrated their energies in the promotion of a "Gott strafe England” sentiment among the Dutch. If they have not succeeded to the extent hoped for by Berlin, it is due, not to lack of zeal or effort, but to the common sense of the Dutch government and people, who, when the German agents charge that the English blockade is forcing the workers of the country into idleness and compelling the inhabitants to eat “war, bread,” reply that, while England is undoubtedly partly to blame for the deplorable state of affairs, Germany, which has torpedoed and mined many Dutch vessds, is from this same Dutch point of view quite as culpable. There is only one attractive thing about - these spies in Holland —their money, which they spend freely.

IN THE TRENCHES NEAR LAS CRUCES, MEXICO

Company A of the Sixth infantry in the trenches which they have made at their camp near Las Croces.

A marked fondness here for things American is shown among all classes. American shoes are driving out the wooden shoes of **Wynken, Blynken and Nod American clottoes are rapidly replacing the baggy monstrosities that once reached here from London; the girls look like American girls—and therefore they look good to me—and your Dutchman is very happy when you tell him that he speaks English like an American. The only foreign touch in public gatherings is supplied by the spies—and not by all of these either. In fact, the hotel section of The Hague looks at night like a slice of the Broadway white light district, and the modern Dutchman looks like and is the American of Europe.

RUSSIAN - BRITISH ALLIANCE

Daughter of Grand Duke Michael to Wed Prince George of Battenberg. . London. —Although the official announcement of the engagement of Countess Nada Torby to Prince George of Battenberg, the "black prince,” as he is being called by his friends, be-

Countess Nada Torby.

cause he recently acted as a coal passer aboard one of the big British battleships, has not as yet been officially announced In their circles, they are looked upon as being engaged. She is the daughter of Grand Duke Michael of Russia and niece of the conqueror of Erzerum. Prince George is the son of PrinceLouis of Battenberg, former first lord of the British admiralty.

STOLEN ART COMING TO U. S.

Many Churches In Italy Robbed of Their Treasures During the War. Rome. —The recent robberies of valuable paintings from St. Peter’s basilica at Perugia and Etruscan gold jewelry from the museupi of Corneto, as well as thefts of minor works of art from small churches in Tuscany, are suspected to be due to the increased demand for Italian works of art abroad, and especially in America. In fact, despite the war, art dealers in Italy are doing a profitable business. Many American buyers for museums and collectors in the United States are now in Italy. An ancient statue has been sold for $160,000 in Rome, two figures by Donatello have retched $200,000 in Florence, and similar big deals in paintings and sculptures have been made In Venice and other cities. It is admitted that business transactions in works of art with American buyers have been aboveboard and ~legal, but it is believed that art dealers’ agents resort to robbery to satisfy their customers. Since mobilization the Italian churches and museums are not so well guarded as before. It is probable that the fine art department will suspend the granting of exportation permits during the remainder of the war.

BOY OF 10 SUPPORTS MOTHER

Former Actress, Blind, Never Has Seen the Pace of Her Plucky Son. San Francisco. —A wonderful little life story of boyish pluck and maternal patience has been picked from the streets of San Francisco, where Frankie Lewis, now ten years old, has been supporting for two years his blind and helpless mother., f And an angle of it that lifts it out of the usual is that the mother, Mrs. Frances Lewis, lost her sight three months before the boy was born and has known only th 6 touch of his hand and has never seen him. Mrs; Lewis, who .used to be an actress, retired from the stage fifteen years ago to marry George Lewis of Los Angeles. Lewis met with an accident and became disabled. Mrs. Lewis, worrying over their affairs to a point of obsession, was suddenly stricken blind. Three months afterward little Frank was born. It was a hard struggle for Lewis to support his family, and he finally gave it up." Mrs. Lewis, when Frankie was one year old, came to San Francisco to live. Two years ago—Frankie was eight years old at the time —Mrs. Lewis was herself giving up the struggle, not wanting to be a burden to her friends. Little Frankie solved the problem — not all at once, by any means, but slowly and with certainty. He took to selling papers on the street. The first day he made 40 cents. Twenty-five of this was expended for a room for the two of them in a cheap lodging house and 15 cents for their dinner Dark days, many of them, followed. They never got very bright, except for the sunshine that Frankie brought home with him, along with his meager earnings. “It’s a hard struggle,” said Mrs. Lewis. “But the courage of my boy is overwhelming.”

HOMES FOR DISABLED TROOPS

Sale of ‘War Seals’ Provides Funds to Endow Flats for British Soldiers. London. —Harry Gordon Selfridge in his strenuous business career never hit upon a happier idea than that of the “war seals,” the little red paper things which are sold for a cent to fasten letters. The money derived from the sale of these seals goes to the new “foundation” which is in the hands of Mr. Selfridge, Oswald Stoll and other leading business men for building blocks of flats where the disabled soldier or sailor can live with his family on his pension without charity. The sale has brought in nearly SIOO,OOO so far. There will be fortyeight flats in War Seal Mansions at a rent of $1.56 a week. The disabled man will get medical attention, heat and light baths, galvanic treatment, massage and so on. There will be a big entertainment room. It costs about $2,000 to'’endow a flat, and people are asked to do so as a memorial to relatives lost in the war. It is hoped that clubs and societies all over the country will collect funds.

LION SOOTHED BY PERFUME

Trainer Says Animal Whiffs Attar of Roses and Then Becomes Docile. Chicago.—A new method has been discovered for curhlng the temper of lions. It Is simple and safe. and. according to Charles Smith, boss of a local menagerie, it is highly effective. It consists merely in permitting a lion to whiff attar of roses. Smith gave a demonstration at the Coliseum, when he sprinkled the perfume over a handkerchief and entered the cage of King Leo. Leo was sleeping, but trhen the cage door was opened he prepared to spring. Smith dangled the handkerchief in front of the lion’s nose and Leo sniffed heavily. Then he buried his nose in the cloth. He seemed more contented than when sleeping, and permitted Smith to brush his mane and head and pat him on the back. Smith said he had been experimenting with perfume with the lions for several months and is convinced the aroma has a remarkably peaceful and soothing effect on wild beasts.

HOW HE PROPOSED

By SUSAN CLAGETT.

(Copyright, 1316, by the McClure Newspaper Syndicate.) In the half light of an October evening the room was charming. To the njan coming from the frosty outside air it was full of luxurious comfort. The man paused an instant, his eyes taking in every familiar detail; then they rested upon the woman standing -before the open fire, "The fates are indeed kind,” she said as he advanced toward her. “I was beginning to think myself forgotten.” ‘•Never that,” he answered, a smile lighting his face. "Think it the exigencies of business, anything, but not that.” As he spoke he pushed an easy chair nearer the fire and sank into it with a sigh of content. “1 have lost much, I know. You, who have it always, cannot, appreciate the charm, the delight of such a room as this to a weary man. It is always before me as a haven of rest and has so tantalized me this day that I was forced to yield to my mood although my desk is piled high with unfinished work.” "I am glad it was so,” she answered cordially. "Of my many friends, your presence is the most acceptable.” . “Are you not mistaken?” he questioned gravely. ' “It has seemed to me that I have lately been on the outside. It is as if you had shut a door in my face and said, ‘Thus far, but no farther.’ ” She dnmped her fan and looked at him in sildhce. Then she said gently: “Your voice sounds angry. Are you trying to provoke a quarrel? Do not. I will not quarrel with you,” “Then why do you always fence with me?” he asked impatiently. “It has been this way for months past, but it is unlike you. I value our friendship. The privilege of coming and going as I willed has for years been my chief pleasure. But this ‘rift within the lute’ that you will not explain away leaves me stranded. Our old-time friendship Is gone.” ' “Believe me, I have been most unfoN tunate if my manner has conveyed such an impression,” she said slowly. “Jack,” with a swift glance into his gloomy face, “for how long have we been friends?" “For more years than I care to remember,’* he responded promptly. Quietly she watched him, but there was & nervous tremble to her lips nearer to tears than laughter. “I have been a fool,” he* exclaimed abruptly. She let the accusation pass in silence. “And a coward.” “You are beginning to see how unreasonable you are?” she asked as she raised her fan to hide a smile. “No. On that point my opinion is unchanged. I was thinking of the loneliness of my life. The friendship on my side has always been make believe, for I love you, Margaret. I think I have always loved you. It is a commonplace way of putting it, but then I. am a commonplace man. I would have told you long ago, but I was afraid that my doing so would end everything.” “I think you should also add‘cruel’ and ‘selfish.’ The words would be applicable,” she replied with hardly concealed bitterness. The years had risen In a flash before her; years in which she had trained herself in the difficult art of friendship when her heart was crying against such dissimulation. Something in her voice again attracted his attention, but her face was still in the shadow. “I am in an unlucky humor this afternoon else I would not have jeopardized my greatest pleasure. Will you forget it and let me come as heretofore?” "Forget It? No!” She replied with deliberation. “I see no reason for changing the habit of years because a mood forced a confession from you. I well understand it was not voluntary.” “You anger me. It is you who wilj not understand. There is no little misapprehension in my mind that I ask you to give me an explicit answer at once.” “To what?” “To what? Was there ever such a woman! Surely my meaning is plain enough. It does not speak well for your intuition to ask under the circumstances.” “And yet I do ask it. Jack. You have talked and talked. At first accusing me. Then you dropped into a sort of monologue about friendshipand love, and —that is all.” “Do you mean me to understand that; I have not asked you to marry me?” “You did not even suggest it” “Well. I am waiting for my anwer.” “But you haven’t asked me anything —yet.” ■ ' . 1 ■ “Good heavens! How many times do you want to hear it?” he exclaimed in exasperation. “Once will be often enough,” she answered in a voice quivering with restrained tenderness. He leaned toward her, looking stead-. Ily into the amused eyes. “Will you be my wife, Margaret? Ia that what you want me to say? Do the words make my meaning any plainer?” She drew his hand against her cheek with a little laugh. "Why didn’t you say that before, dear? Surely after all these years you owed it to ma.’’ • • • HsHs