Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 November 1908 — FOR THE CHILDREN [ARTICLE]

FOR THE CHILDREN

The Cat ind the Mouse. About twelve people can best play this game, although a larger number can play if there is room enough for them to romp around in a cirqle. All but two of the party join hands In a circle. One of the two stays within the circle and is called the mouse, and the other remains outside and is called the cat. To begin the game the children with their hands clasped must start going round in a circle, at the suuie time moving their arms up and down. Th* mouse, who is inside, runs out through a convenient opening, and the cat dashes in. Then all the arms are suddenly lowered so that the cat cannot escapu. The cat cries “Mew, mew!” and tries to find an exit. She soon manages t* escape from the circle and pursues the mouse, who tries to save herself by again running into the ring. Should she get in with the cat on the outside the cat musit pay a forfeit, and if the mouse is caught sb» herself must pay a forfeit The cat and mouse name tlieir successors, and the game is started again.

Deserved a Cracker. Here is the story of a parrot that protected her master’s home from burglars. The thieves entered through on* of the front parlor windows, crept through the hail, passed the bird and began opening the sideboard In which the silver was kept. One of them had gathered up the costly Turkish rugs on the floor when Polly spoke out. * “Is that you. Frank?” she asked. The burglars stopped, and Polly repeated the question in a louder and more Imperative key. By this time the noise had awakened her master. He grasixsl a revolver and made for the head of the stairs, touched an electric button and lit the lights In the hall Three men were struggling hastily through the front door. Downstairs the master found Polly In her cage under the piano. The cage was upset' but the bird uninjured. < He placed her tight side up on the piano, when sht) lifted her frightened head from under her wing and asked again, “Is that yoti. Frank?”

Th* So Called Century Plant. ▲ widespread misapprehension exists about the so called century plant, which is that it blooms only at the expiration of a hundred years, says the Chicago News. Another misapprehension is it takes the plant a hundred years to get Its ‘first flower and then blooms every year. Still another Is that it is a cactus. The truth about the plant Is as foljows: It is an agave, not a cactus. It got Its name, century plant, from ibe fact that It was formerly believed to attain its growth and bloom only after a hundred years, but It will mature iu ten years with the soil and climate both favorable. In less favorable situations It matures In about seventy years. The plant is remarkable for one thing especially Tt blooms as soon as It has attained Its fall growth, whenever that may be. and then dies. But the bloom is worthy of from ten to seventy years to produce it for it has a stem about forty feet In height. No wonder it Is called “agave,” which In Greek means “noble." Orville Wright’s wiuglike attachments may be crippled for life, but his thinking apparatus will, work on Just the same. When the football rush breaks loose the “rooters” marvel that they ever saw any fnn in a. mere election. ; ;4r “ . ■> Time Is getting short for limiting the leap yeer crop of “might have been*” ' > , ... .. . , M Order r obld Medal Flour If your folks are pemlcldty about their victuals. Bax.lt Ann.