Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1911 — For the Children [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

For the Children

Rain Gauge Used by the Ancient Koreans.

The first use of the rain gauge has been credited to Benedetto Castelll. an Italian contemi>orary of Galilei, bat recent research shows that rein gauges were us**d in the fifteenth century, nearly two centuries before, says Popolar Mechanics. In the second volume cf the historical annals of Korea is found a reference to rain gauges which translates a* follows: \ “In the twpDty-fourth vear of the reign of King Reje (1442> the king ordered constructed a bronze Instrument to measure the rainfall. It is a vase resting on a stone base and was placed at the obse'walory. Each time it rained the attendants measured the height of water In the vase and reported *o the king. Similar instruments were also placed in all the provinces." The ancient rain gauge herewith Illustrated may still he seen at Taiko, Korea.

A Japanese Fable. One day the monkey saw the ant climbing np a tall tree and tbongbt that he would amuse himself at his expense. “Look here. Mr. Ant.” said be. “bow quickly yon are ascending the tree! Won’t you have a race with me to the top of the tree? I am certain that you can beat me.” “All right,” replied the ant, and both started to run up the tree from the bottom. In a minnte the monkey bad reached the middle branch of the tree, while the little ant had scarcely traveled an inch. The monkey looked down haughtily upon the ant and then began to perform his favorite acrobatic feats upon one of the outstretching branches. Suddenly the wood snapped under his weight, and he fell to the ground. He was so badly hnrt that it took some time before he coold pick himself up. In the meantime the ant bad reached the top of the tree and won the race. Morel—One wbo relies too mncb on his own ability often fails.

The Waltzing Egg.

Place a plate on the table so that it is near enough to the edge to be easily taken in hand. Then place the egg in the middle and with the help of the thumb and the index finger of the right hand, placed respectively at either end, give the egg a lively rotary movement. It will soon stand upright on its points and turn. Now seize the plate and ail you have to do to make the egg waltz is to move your band In a waltzing motion. The egg sbduld be a hard boiled one and should while boiling be kept in a perpendicular position in the saucepan. Try it and see the egg spin around the plate.—Magical Experiments.

The Engineer Mouse.

Several years ago workmen were digging boles for some telegraph poles in New Tork. and into one of them a poor little mouse fell. The tiny prisoner at first raced around the hole frantically; then be seemed to set bis wits to work. The hole was several feet deep, but he began to dig a spiral groove around it from the bottom, working night and day. When he got tired he built little: landings to his staircase where he con Id rest. The workmen had become interested in him and gave him food, and when on the third day mousie reached the top all the men cheered him. An Elephant Rope Walker. The elephant was trained in the olden time to perform many feats. Mention Is made of one that walked the tight rope, and not only near the ground. If we may believe what the old writers say it also walked a rope stretched above the beads of the spectators and carried a man on his back. The Friendly Sunbeam. There’s a certain little sunbeam who Is very fond of me. And every single morning, bright and early as can be (Becsftise he knows my nursery is on the shady side). He leaves his brothers frolicking o’er dewy meadows wide. And be climbs into a window at the east end of our halt And he creeps across the carpet, and be feds along the wall, And he slips between some curtains and through an open door. And he makes a golden bee line across my bedroom floor Until, without a tiny sound to tell he’s near the place. Be has Jumped upon my pillow and la shining In my face! Then up I start and out of bed. for who would wish to stay When such a friend has . come so far to call one out to play? , —Youth’s Companion.