Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1907 — FOR THE CHILDREN [ARTICLE]

FOR THE CHILDREN

Who Will Go to th* Picnic. • Here Is a game that is fun when yon are all sitting quietly some afternoon on the piazza. The game is culled “What will you take to the picnic?” and is played in-the following manner: To begin with, only one should be let Into the secret, as If all knew it would be no fun. Siqipose the hostess is the one familiar with the game. She then commences by announcing that she proposes to give a picnic and that it depends upon what her guests bring whether they will be allowed to come or not. Each must furnish two articles of food. She then asks the person nearest her, "What will you bring to the picnic?” If the name of neither of the articles the player mentions commences with the initial letter of his or her Christian or surname, the hostess says the player cannot go, and immediately puts the question to the next person, and then all the way round, asking each, “What will you bring to the picnic?” For example, suppose one girl’s name Is Msry Smith and that her donation 1b candy and bread. Then she cannot go, for neither of her names commences with Cor B. But If she took sandwiches aud macaroons she would be doubly welcome, for M and S are both her Initials. Shopld she take sugar and crackers she could go, for one of her names commences with S. Continue to ask the question until every one finally understands why they may either go or stay home from the picnic. It Is very amusing when all but one or two have found out, and they sometimes have to be asked over and over again until they finally discover why they are not wanted.

The Fourth Finger. There is a widespread belief that the fourth finger of the left hand—counting the thumb as the first finger—is connected with the heart by a delicate nerve and that this is the reason why It Is used as the “ring finger.” The belief came to us from the old Greeks and Romans, who ware so full of the superstition that they were In the habit of using the fourth finger to stir their medicines with, the notion being that If there were anything harmful In the drugs the finger’s delicate nerve would give Immediate notice to the heart. It is said that there is still a superstition among the uneducated people of England that it is not good to scratch the skin or rub on salve with that finger. Strange that silly beliefs of this kind Have so deeply rooted a hold on some people, but it Is generally on people whose habits of life have a tendency to keep them from thinking. The whole thing Is a fallacy, for there Is uo delicate nerve connecting the fourth finger with the heart

Two Misunderstood Titles. There is a widespread misconception about the title of the emperor of Russia. He Is almost universally called the czar or tsar. That Is not a title at all, the word czar meaning simply king. He Is never called that in Russia, the educated people calling him emperor, and the peasantry, gossudar, or lord. The Russian ruler has been officially and diplomatically known as emperor ever since Peter the Great obtained recognition as such. The other misunderstood title is that of the German ruler. He Is not the Emperor of Germany as so many persons call him, but the German emperor, n title that was expressly stipulated for by the German states when the confederation was formed in the time of Bismarck.

The Enchanted Princess. A newspaper is held over the head of one of the company by the others, who thus represent the tower lu which the princess lives. The enemy comes up and asks: “Where is fair Margaret?” “She is shut-up in her tower.” The enemy carries off one of the pillars— that is, one of the children holding up the canopy. This is repeated until only one is left, who drops the paper canopy and runs, pursued by the princess. The one who is caught becomes the princess* Conundrum*. Why Is a policeman like a rainbow? Because he rarely appears before the storm Is over. What is that which is invisible, yet never out of sight? The letter S. What is the largest room lu the world? Room for improvement. When has a man four hauds? When he doubles his fists. Should a tree fall against a window and break it, what would the window say? Tree-iuend-us. It wa» a put up job. Wbat? A chandelier. Wee Little Ladies. Up in thg top of the maple-tree, Hid In the branches where n’one might see. Little green ladies, one and two, Fussed and chattered the long night through. i “Katy broke a pitcher!” JlShe-didn't!” Efche did!" **Katy broke a pitcher!” “She didn't!” , "She did!” Maybe the. frog at the fountain brink Closed his eyes for a wee. wee wink. Maybe the bat in the cherry tree Slept a little, but never we! Snug and warm in the nursery beds; Four little pigtails, two little heads. Little white ladies, one and two. Fussed and chattered the whole night through. "You broke my dollle!” “I didn’t!” "You did!” “Tou broke my dollle!" “I didn’t!" “You did!” Maybe the frog at the fountain brink Closed his eyes for a wee, wee wink. Maybe the bat in the cherry tree Slept a little, but never we! —St. Nicholas.