Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1904 — FOR THE CHILDREN [ARTICLE]

FOR THE CHILDREN

Chinese Boy’s Coe. When the Chinese boy Is old enough he grows a cue. This event In the Chinese boy's life does what the first pair of trousers does to the American boy—changes' him from a baby to a boy., The cue has many uses. In some of the games played by the Chinese. boys the cue Is used In a variety of ways. In geometry it is used to strike an arc or draw a circle. The laborer spreads a towel over his head, wraps his cue around it and makes himself a hat. Cart drivers whip their mules and beggars scare away dogs with their cues. When a Chinese father takes his little son for a walk takes hold not of tha boy’s hand, but his cue. Sometimes the child follows the father, and, lest he should get lost, the father gives him his cue To hold, and when his little boys want to play horse their cues are always ready to be used for reins.

Drop the Handkerchief.'

A ring is formed by the players Joining hands, while one child, who is to “drop the handkerchief,” Is left outside. lie walks around the ring, touching each one with the handkerchief, saying the following words:

I wrote a letter to my love. But on the way I dropped it. A little child picked It up And put It In his pocket. It wasn't you, It wasn't you. It wasn’t you—but It was you. When he says, “It was you,” he must drop the handkerchief behind one of the players, who picks It up and chases him around the ring, outside and under the joined hands, until he can touch him with the handkerchief. As soon as this happens the first player Joins the ring, while it is now the turn of the second to “drop the handkerchief.”

Tbe Sea King.

This game can he played by any number of children. Tliey proceed by first choosing one of the party to act as the sea king, whosa> duty it is to stand in the center of aVng formed by the players seating themselves around him. The circle should be as large as possible. Each of the players having chosen the name of a fish, the king runs around the ring, calling them by the names which they have selected. Each one on hearing his name called rises at once and follows the king, who, when all his subjects have left their seats, calls out, “The sea is troubled,” and seats himself suddenly. His example is immediately followed by his subjects. The one who fails to obtain a seat has then to take the place of king, and the game is continued.

The Valuable Black Fox.

The pelt of a black fox killed between December and March is valued anywhere from SBOO to $1,500, the price depending upon the size. There is nothing in the fur line that can compare with the value of such pelts. The heaviest skin ever taken from a black fox would not weigh more than three pounds before it was dried. Not more than three or four skins reach the markets of the world in a year. If all the black fox skins that had been taken since the Declaration of Independence was signed were' to be brought together and made up into overcoats there would not be enough to fit out President Roosevelt and his cabinet.

What a Boy Can Do. Be frank. Be polite. Be prompt. Be obliging. Obey his parents. Keep himself tidy. Keep out of bad company. Never laugh at a coarse Joke. Never be disrespectful to old age. Be kind to his brothers and sisters. Take the part of those who are ill used. Never make fun of another because he Is poor. Never tell or listen to a story which he would not repeat to his mother. A Remarkable Old Tree. In the state of Washington there is a remarkable old tree. Inside of it twenty adult persons have gathered at one time and, comfortably seated, have eaten their lunch, which they spread a round the wonderful living spring that babbles up continually in the center. Probably there is not another such growth in nature. The coincidence is most noteworthy. The tree is situated on Vashlon island, and this island is in the middle of Puget sound. This “spring tree” is the Mecca for the summer school Chantanqna of the local organisation.

Clipped Horses. A correspondent of Breeder’s Gazette says: Hereafter we will make It a rule to clip all our work teams. We try to take the best care of all our work horses. Every evening after we unhitch them from their day's work they get a good brushing down. We find by experiment that our clipped horses stand the work‘better, keep In better condition and are far more pleasant to work. With a good stiff brush and a plentiful supply of good robbing rags you can keep your horses’ coats sleek and In far better condition in less than one-half the time that you can when they are not clipped. At the Bird College. The birds all met once on a tall maple tree. On the uppermost branch, to confer a degree. To one of their number this honor they gave Because he was cheery and happy and brave. The degree was conferred by the president crow, All dressed In the neatest black, as you know. J So now that proud member, which often you’ll see. Is known by the title of Chicka D. D.