Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 46, Number 247, 27 August 1921 — Page 16

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THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM, SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 1321

HAS THE ASTROLABE USED BY CHAMPLAIN BEEN DISCOVERED? An old-time instrument named the astrolabe which was used for measuring the distance north and south of the equator was discovered in 1867 by a farmer's boy in the

Ottawa valley near the town of Cobden, Ontario. Recently schol ars who have been studying very carefully the travels of the early explorer, Samuel Champlaln have found facts which make it seem reasonable that this very same old instrument belonged to that famous explorer who Is known as the foun der of Canada, when be made his first journey up the Ottawa river in 1613. The astrolabe is a simple circle of brass about six inches in diameter with a bar across it. Tbi3 particular astrolabe for of course there were many in use at that time and earlier was found on the direct route of Champlain's portage in 1613. - Had a Good Start. An Irishman was engaged in stone-breaking on the roadside, and, not being used to the Job, could not get on very fast. A traveler chanced to pass him as be was belaboring a large stone with renewed vigor. The traveler tried to show him the right way, and, taking the hammer, broke the stone with ease. "Sure, now," said the Irishman, "and it be easy for ye to break the stone afther I have been softening it for the last half hour." Lone Scout. The Eyelid of Birds. Birds have as people do, two eyelids; but while we use the upper one to close our eyes, birds usually use the lower one.

' fK WtM! frO LIKE TOSEE ) imam fgCy yfi- mfc.

THE DAYS OF REAL SPORT

MARY ELLEN HAS GHOSTLY VISITOR

Mary Ellen gave her braided hair a backward flip, slipped her feet out of her slifipers and jumped into her bed just as her cousin, Jane, switched off the light and made a dive for her's. They lay talking awhile and the moon shone through the elm tree Just outside and made the leaves dance in phantom shapes across the floor. Mary Ellen's answers gradually grew more indistinct and Jane knew she was about asleep so she lay quiet awhile and watched the little dancing shadows. Presently Mary Ellen was awakened by a shrill whisper and she opened her eyes to see Jane sitting bolt upright in bed. "What was that noise, Mary Ellen, did you hear it." "No 1 didn't hear anything till you whispered my name." "Why where was it?" "1 don't know," Jane said, "I was about asleep myself when 1 heard such a queer noise and it seemed to be "Oh, mercy me!" as the rattling came again and Jane dived down in bed puling the covers over her head. .V. Presently she peeped out and said, "M a r y Ellen it sounded like it was right under my bed, what do you suppose it could be?" "I'm sure I don't know," she whispered. "Suppose you turn on the light." "But I can't reach it from the foot of my bed," Jane protested and surely you don't expect me to get out on the floor and risk being grabbed by the heel.? Both girls heard a distinctly smothered sound but this time the noise did not come from under the bed. "Well," Mary Ellen said. "I don't j anow jusi wnere me Duiion is ana its dark over in that corner, you could do it much quicker than I." Zebus Held Sacred. Zebus are called sacred cattle in India, their native country. The . . ii tknln ninrrlA fin in . f"iii I ' to be very delicate and is used as food for only the Hindu chieftains. Camels Are Protected. The nostrils of camels are capa ble of opening and closing. This is very helpful to the camels, as they travel over the deserts, for' when the nostrils are closed the j into their systems.

Just then some dark object jumped from under Jane's bed and went bumpitybump across the floor and disappeared through the door. Both girls let out a little squeal and Airs. Buchamp, Jane's mother, came hurrying up to ascertain the cause of all the trouble, when she heard th girls' explanations both of them talking at once, she laughed a little and told the girls to lie down and she would soon discover the cause of the racket. She crossed the hall, but the girls were close at her heels and there was Archie, JamVs 8-year-old brother sitting up in bed with a portion of the bed sheet stuffed iu his mouth nearly convulsed with laughter and clutched In his hand was a long cord siring

and fastened tothe end of this and just inside his own door which was just across the hall from the girls was a tin can with a few small stones sealed up in it. A small hole had been punched in the lid and the string drawn through and a button tied to the end of it to keep it from slipping through, then the lid was sealed on. After Mrs. Buchamp's exclaiming that she would settle with him in the morning, they all went back to bed and to sleep, but the girls had to talk and giggle awhile as only girls can over the' funny episode. A Has-Been. (That is all this writer signed itself.)

lipv I J Hxa

MIKE AND PAL SPEND ! PLEASANT AFTERNOON AT TARGET PRACTICE

"Lots of extra time we pot this afternoon and nothin' to do with it," said Mike as he and Frank walked slowly up the road. "But, say. Mike," burst forth Frank, "I got an idea." "What is it?" "Let's go back to my house and make some darts and a target and have some practice gee, it's great sport." Mike was ready for anything, sol they turned back and were soon fixing up the target practice outfit. The darts were made by sticking a nail through a good sized cork and then sticking three feathers into the top of the dart. One of these darts is shown in the illustra - tion. A set of three were made for each boy. A suitable target was made by gluing and tacking heavy brown pa--per over one side of a barrel hoop. The box-like affair thus niade was filled with fine dirt. Another piece of brown paper was glued to J

the other side of barrel hoop. Thisjent for Dot,, no matter what hap-

finished the target except for the rings on the face of it. These were put on with water colors and a brush. The boys stood the target on a chair, paced off 15 feet, and drew a line. They took turns throwing their darts. The thrower stood even with the line, aimed his dart at the bull's eye of the target and then threw. Three throws were allowed each. Each ring counted for a certain amount, ' and the totals were added up to see who had won the competition. The sharp points cf the darts readily pierced the paper of the target and stuck in the soft earth. ' "Sport, ain't it?" asked Frank aft er they had been throwing darts for about an hour. "I'll say," replied Mike as his third dart hit the bull's eye. By Briggs

One-Reel Yarns

THEIR BIRTHDAY PRESENTS Dorothy and Donald were twins. They lived all alone with their mother in a little cottage at the edge of town. One day the mail man brought two legal-looking envelopes to the door. They told them that their third cousin, Jeremiah Jameson, of whom they bad never heard, had died leaving no will, and that in settling his estate $20 went to each of them. "O-h-h-hh," breathed Dorothy. "G-e-e-e-e," whistled Donald. " Their mother said that they might fcpend this wonderful fortune as they pleased. A Bicycle and a New Coat. "A bicycle," screamed Donald. That was the one thing he just had to have. Dorothy did not know what to get. She wanted everything that she saw, but finally decided in favor of a beautiful new coat that cost just $20. . The bicycle cost $21.50, so "Donald had to mow lawns for a week ; to earn the extra dollar and a half. He was so excited about earning the money so he could get his wheel that he forgot all about their birthday, which was on Saturday. By Friday night he had earned his i money and was on his way to get his wheel. Remembers Dot's Birthday. It was then that he remembered that tomorrow was Dot's birthday. After he had bought his bicycle he would not have a cent left to buy her a present. He just couldn't stand that. He had to have a prespened. Well, he guessed he could do without his wheel for a while' longer. He knew now much Dot wanted a new hat to go with her new coat, so he decided to get her one. The next morning he had forgotten all about his disappointment in thinking of Dot's Joy. Beaming, he handed her the big package. Dot Has No Coat. "It's to go with your new coat," he explained. Dot's lip trembled. "I haven't any new coat," she said. "I took it back to get the money to buy you a present." Her face lighted up. "I got you a light and bell for your ncaj bicycle." Then the horrible idea struck her. "Oh, haven't you a bicycle?" Big tears stood in her eyes. "Jimmy Gee," gasped Donald, and then they both laughed. Boys and Girts Newspaper. Plans Some children on a summer day Talked, when they were tired of play. And told each other what they'd do When they men and women grew. Florence said that singing Was what she meant to do, Like a nightingale to charm the world With her notes so rich and true. She knew that she must study hard For the path to fame is steep, But she took the first step that evening When she sang the baby to sleep. David thought like Livingstone He would make a great career, And push through regions unex plored A gallant pioneer. To cut through tropic forests Would be his choice meanwhile He used his ax to chop up logs To stack the firewood pile. - Like Shackleton or Peary Ernest thought that he would go And sek the North or Southern Pole In the lands of ice and snow. And so he told his father, Who said, "All right, my man, If you think the same when you grow up, We'll help you if we can. But since you are too young as yet So far away to go, Suppose you seek the Post instead, 'Twill practice be, you know. A Post is Just a little Pole With that you must agree, So off you run, my little son, To the Post with these letters for ine!" And father laughed his jolly laugh And so did Ernest, too, For both of them saw the littla Joke, And so do I don't you? Christian SVIonce Monl"