Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 4, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1914 — FOR THE CHILDREN [ARTICLE]

FOR THE CHILDREN

How to Make an Aeolian Harp. An aeolian harp can be made by almost any ingenious boy. It consists of a long, narrow Iwx of very thin wood, about five or six inches deep, with a circle in the middle of the upper side an inch and a half in diameter. in which are to be drilled small holes. In this side seven, ten or more strings of very tine gut are stretched over bridges at each end like the bridges of a fiddle and screwed up or relaxed with screw pins. The strings should all be tuned to the same note and the instrument be placed in some current of air where the wind can pass oter its strings with freedom. A window the width of which is equal to the length of the harp, with the sash just raised to give the air admission, is a proper situation. When the air blows upon the strings of the harp with different degrees of force it will excite different degrees of sound. Sometimes the blast brings out all the tones in full concert, and sometimes it sinks to the softest murmurs.

Nest Eggs—A Game. Have you ever played nest eggs? It is a game for any number of players up to nine, and you must make as many shallow holes in the ground as there are players. Every nest has three or four marbles placed in it to represent the eggs, and the nests are numbered. one belonging to each player. Ten feet away from tile holes a mark is drawn, and from this one of the players previously decided upon rolls a ball toward the nests, beside which the owners are standing. As soon-as the ball drops into- the hole all the remaining players run away as fast as they can. The owner of the nest into which the ball has rolled must snatch up the ball and try to throw it at one of the runners. If he hits his mark the player who is hit loses one of his nest eggs and in turn throws the ball at another player. Every one being hit loses an egg, and so does the thrower who misses. The game is won by the player who is last to lose his nest eggs. Instead of holes, boys who participate may substitute their caps.

Riddles. Why must chimney sweeping be a very agreeable business? Because it suits (soots) every one who tries it. In what color should a secret be kept? Immolate (in violet). Perfect with a head, perfect without a head; perfect with a tail, perfect without a tail; perfect with either, neither or both? A wig. What is the difference between reckless speculation and a slice of bacon? One is a rash thing, the other a rasher. Why is a joke less durable than a church bell? Because after it has-been told (tolled) a few times it is worn out. Why is Canada like wourtship? Because it borders on the United States. If an egg could speak what preserve would it name? Ma-me-laid (marina-

laden Hunting the- Egg. Hunting the egg is great sport on Easter. The hostess must have lots of eggs dyed ready for her guests. These eggs must be hidden away in the garden (or in the house where there is no outdoors) in many but of the way places. The guests then hunt for the eggs and are allowed to keep all they find. This game may be followed by the egg tbrowing game. .One player stands with a basket tilled with soft cotton or straw at a given distance from the player, who has a full basket of dyed hard boiled eggs. The idea of the game is to throw the eggs, one at a time, into the basket without letting them drop. This game may crack the shells of your eggs, but it is a good game and a fun producer. An Ancient Gauge. In the historical annals of Korea there is found a reference to rain gauges, which translates as follows: In the twenty-fourth year of the reign of King Sejo (1442) the king ordered constructed a bronze instrument to measure the rainfall, much like those used now in the weather bureau. It is a vase resting on a stone base and was placed in the observatory. Each time it rained the attendants measured the height of water in the vase and reported to the king. Similar instruments were also placed in all the prov inces The rain gauge, therefore, had its inception as far back as the tifteenth century.

A Coin Trick. Place a strip of smooth paper on a table so that the end of it hangs over the edge. Stand a new penny on edge upon the paper and announce that you will take the paper away without touching the peuny or disturbing it from itk position. It looks impossible, hut if you take hold of the paper firmly and give it a smart, steady pull it will slide away and leave the penny standing, unmoved, in its platje. You may not be able to do this th« first time you try, but a little practice will make yon perfect. Easter Eggs. "Oh, grandpa, in thejhedge we've found Four Easter eggs all colored blue! They’re in the sweetest little nest. We want to show our prize to you.” Said grandpa: "Touch them not. my dean. Those eggs God dyed with colors rare. The mother bird will soon come back And guard her nest with loving care These Easter eggs in leaf hid nests Imprison countless s®ng birds bright That soon will break the tinted shell And rise and sing in joyous flight.”