Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1910 — For the Children [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

For the Children

Facts About the Fishes That Fly.

The wings of two known kinds of flying fish are the pectoral fins grown to au enormous size, says St. Nicholas. The kind commouly seen is called the flying herring and resembles the garpike. They do not move these fiiis when flying, but seem rather to float on the wind, such flight sometimes extending in calm weather to a distance of more than an eighth of a mile. When they come on board a ship their coming is supposed to be caused by air currents which the wiud makes as it strikes against the side of the vessel and which lift the fish above the deck. Some ol®ervers say that It can change the direction of its flight at will, but it is probably at the mercy of the wind. The fish are supposed to leave tbe water to escape a hungry enemy. - ■ y Magic Writing. In this game a confederate is necessary. The player states to the company, after a few remarks-on ancient sign language, that he is able to read signs made with a stick on the floor and agrees to leave the room while the company decide upon some word or sentence. The game is played as follows: It is agreed by the player and his confederate that one tap on the floor s.hall represent A, two taps E, three taps I, four taps O, and five taps U, and that the first letter of each remark the confederate makes shall be one of the consonants.of the word or sentence decided upon by the company. The consonants must be taken in order. On the player’s return, supposing the word chosen to be “March,” his confederate would commence: “Many people think* this game a deception” (initial letter M). One tap on the floor (A). “Really it is very simple” (initial R). “Coming to the end soon” (initial letter C). “Hope it has been quite clear” (initial letter ll'. A few more signs are made so as not to finish too* abruptly, and the player then states the word to be “March.” If carefully conducted this game will Interest an audience for a Considerable time. An Idle Boaster. A most beautiful rainbow was lighting up the skies. Gold, crimson, purple* every lovely tint, was comprised in its arch, from the deepest to the most delicate hues. Every one admired it. Most of all it admired itself. “I am handsome,” it said—“more beautiful, far handsomer than the sun, for bright as he is he has but one color, and I have many.” The monarch of the skies heard this boast and smiled a quiet smile. Then, hiding his' beams in a cloud, he concealed himself for an instant. Where was the rainbow? It had disappeared. It bad forgotten that only by the reflection of the sun could it exist. And so it is with vain and conceited folks who forget by whose favor they live, whose hand has made them prosperous aud by whose grace alone they are permitted to enjoy those gifts the possession of which makes them conceited and proud. Conundrums. When was a piece of wood like George V? When it was made into a ruler. What is that which 'no man wishes to have, yet never wishes to lose? A bald head. What is the difference between a French pastry cook and a billposter? One puffs up paste and the other pastes up puffs. What is the first thing a man sets in his garden? His foot. Why are some men like pipes? Because they are mere sham. If a man bumped his head against the top of the room, what stationery article would he get? Ceiling whacks (sealing wax). What is a good thing to part with? A comb. Why is the Bank of . England like a thrush? Because it often changes its notes. A Cat In the Air. The three masted schooner William P, Hood of Somerset wgs sailing along the Massachusetts coast, and everything was peaceful. The ship’s cat was sunning himself on deck, not caring much if the schooner ever reached port again, when suddenly there was a sweep of wings, a frantic and agonized meow, and pussy was rising in the air in the talons of a great American eagle. That was, the last that the schooner’s captain and crew saw of their pet and the hungry bird. They say that -the eagle must , have measured more than six feet from tip to tip of the wings. Surely only such a bird could have flown away withi a fourteen pound car. We ask a chance to prove out statements or any others that wt have made in favor of the Ford. —John M. Knapp, Local Agent.