Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1904 — FOR THE CHILDREN [ARTICLE]

FOR THE CHILDREN

The Vesper Rite. Take half a dozen large potatoes and cut them in half. Shape each half into a candlestick by scooping out a round bole In the small end, making it large enough to hold a candle. Place a half candle in each of the potato candlesticks and pin around each candle a strip of paper on which is written a word Indicating a trait of character, such as “modesty," “bashfulness,” “vanity,” etc. Then form a magic ring, with the candles in the center, in a dimly lighted room. «»The ring should be about three feet iu diameter. Blindfold one of the players and have the center party join hands and run three times around the lighted candles. Then, leaving the blindfolded player standing two feet from and facing the ring, let the others fall back while a chair is placed before her and a fan is handed to her and she is told to make three trials at fanning out the caudles over the back of the chair. After the third trial she must remove the bandage from her eyes and examine the papers on the candles that are left burning, reading aloud the words which reveal her character. If care is taken that no one approehes the candles after they are lighted except the person managing the game and the one whose character is being tested, there will be no danger of skirts ' catching fire.

Hidden Name*. In the following are to be found, first, the name of a continent; second, the name of a country in that continent, and, third, the name of the capital of that country: “Did you lose a bird, sir?” Katie asked. As I answered “No,” I happened to catch a slight twinkle in her eye. “Kate,” I laughed, throwing down my papers, “I am afraid you are joking.” “No; I found a bird,” she replied. “Where?” “Never mind, sir. Is it yours?” “No.” “Then I’ll keep it” “Ail right, you may keep it; only tell me what the fun is about, Kate.” Her answer floated in through the window: “It’s a gold eagle. I found it In your pocket but I’m so glad I may keep It”

Suggestions For Forfeits. In redeeming forfeits in the many games young people play, few ideas seem to spring to the minds of those who are asked, “What shall the owner do?” Here are some suggestions: Laugh in one comer of the room, cry in another, yawn in the third and dance in the fourth. Put yourself through a keyhole. (Write the word yourself and put it through.) Write your name in one letter. (Write a letter to some one, with your name in it.) The one to pay the forfeit stands with his face to the wall; one behind him makes signs indicating a kiss, a pinch, a box on the ear. Then the question is asked, “Which do you prefer, the first, second or third?” Whichever happens is given to him. Imitate without laughing such animals as companions name.

Punctuation Counts. Punctuation marks are small things, but they make meanings plain when properly used, as appears from the following: “The old gentleman then entered the drawing room on his head, a white hat on his feet, finely polished boots on his nose, gold rimmed spectacles in his hand, a silver headed cane was carried in the manner of a sword.” This is ridiculous, but may be made sensible by slight changes in the punctuation, as follows: “The old gentleman then entered the drawing room; on his head, a white hat; on his feet, finely polished boots; on his nose, gold rimmed spectacles; In his hand, a silver headed cane was carried In the manner of a sword.” Indoors Versos Outdoors. Divide players into two sets, outdoors and indoors. The challenging party says, for example, “I have teeth.” If this is the outdoor contingent the indoor set by pantomime show what they guess the outdoor article with teeth to be—for example, a saw. If they fail to guess, the outdoor players score five points. Then the indoor ones challenge with the same, the answer being comb, an indoor article. Other hints are as follows: Outdoor. Indoor. Eyes Potatoes Needles Ears Corn Pitchers Tongue ..............Wagon Shoe Neck ...Squash Bottle

No Chance to Practice. “No, Tommy,” said his mother; “one piece of pie is enough for you.” “But, mamma,” protested Tommy, “you said the other day that I should learn to eat properly, and now you won’t give me a chance to practice.” “Not Me.” Our house is the home of a naughty elf. And “Not Me” is his name. If the cake falls down from the pantry shelf. Why. "Not Me” is to blame. You open a trunk, and he pops inside As quick as a wee brown bird. But, however you hush, however you hide. He is never seen or heard. If you find black marks on the parlor > floor Or a wigwam in the hail Or a bonfire built on the cellar floor. Why. “Not Me” did it aIL Whatever you hear, whatever you see. Whatever has gone amiss. The answer is always pat—" Not Me!”— When you question, “Who did this?** —Christian Work.

The general assembly of Indiana will convene on Thursday, Jan. 5, and on Monday, Jan. 9, Governor-elect Hanly will be inaugurated. January 17 the two bouses will hold a joint session and elect Heminway to succeed Senator Fairbanks and Beveridgo to succeed Senator Beveridge, providing, of course, Mr. Fairbanks resigns. It is rumored that he will hang onto the Senatorship until March 4.

Senator Will R. Wood, of Lafayette, will introduce in the next Legislature, in addition to his garnishee bill, a measure for the regulation of private banks. Mr. Wood says that there are at present 250 private banks operating in Indiana, over which there is not the slightest supervision. Eight years ago, when Wood first went to the State Senate, he introduced a bill providing for the regulation of private banks, which contained practically the same provisions embraced in the bill he will present at the coming session. It was jumped on by all but nine members of the Senate, and until this year it had not been mentioned.

• “It created a good deal of consternation at the time,” said Mr. Wood, “but if that private banking bill had been passed eight years ago there would have been no Rensselaer affair, and none of the otherprivate banks in northern Indiana would have caused so many heartbreaks. The bill will pasß this time, as there is a wave of popular demand in its favor.” The private banking bill will provide for a cash capital of not leas than SIO,OOO, and the name and place of organization, officers, capital, those interested, must be filed with the Auditor of State. At least three examinations must be made each year, quarterly reports must be tiled with the Auditor, showing the financial condition of the bank. The Auditor is to have power to appoint a private bank examiner, and the tax examiner may have access to the bank’s books through court order. The penalty for violation of the law is to be a fine of not less than SIOO nor more thau $5,000, to which may be added imprisonment in the county jail.