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THE DEMOCRAT.
B. H. ADAMS, PshlLher.
CAPE GIRARDEAU. . MISSICRL
HARVEST-TIME.
Tm free to say I never have seen a throne,
as yet;
-An old hen looks like she owned one, when
she s ready to set:
And the cat looks like she owned one. when
she takes the rocking-chair-I
always think a king or ueen must have
that kind of air!
Hut where I feel like I own one, good as a
king or queen,
-And maybe a little better. Is on the mowing-machine.
Star and Comet ahead of me. pulling for all
they're worth.
And the wheat Just bowing down to me
I tell you, I own the earth!
I've seen In some queer old picture a king
'n a war-machine
"With scythes fixed round the wheel-hubs
er maybe it was a queen
Hut I shouldn't like that business; you may
call it what you will.
War, or glory, or victory, but murder Is
murder still.
Eo I like my kind of a chariot better than
that old thing
That used to mow off people, ax.d anyhow,
what's a king?
The more I read the papers the more it
seems to me
That a king is the farthest person in the
world from being free.
liut when I'm up on the mower, watching
the falling wheat,
With the whole blue sky above me. I tell
you, life Is sweet!
And you'd wonder if you could listen to the
thoughts that come to me,
'That seem to grow right out of the things
I hear and see.
One of the thoughts that mother put in my
heart to stay
Was how the Iyjrd of the harvest took
things of every day.
And showed their wonderful meanings, and
made the far things clear
By likening them to little common ones
that were near.
A storm came up from the valley yester
day afternoon:
We were bound to save the wheat dry, and
we stepped to a lively tune.
And the last big load rolled into the barn,
all safe and Found,
-Just as the clouds turned over, anil it
seemed like the world was drowned.
We stood and watched and listened: the
lightning split the sky;
The thunder roared and shattered, ar.d
then the storm went by.
And great white clouds like castles and
mountains floated low.
All dazzling with the sunshine, whiter
than any snow.
I knew what mother was thinking: it
wasn't far to seek:
But I'm not much at talking; I waited for
her to speak.
The world was shining, sparkling, but all
as still as death.
"And the reapers are the angels," said
mother, under her breath.
Margaret Vandegrlft. in Youth's Com
panion. is "Che Charge at Sbilol)."
BY WRIGHT A. PATTERSON.
5 5
3 Written for This Paper. rfc
WK HOYS called hiin"OurVcteran."
To the townspeople lie was poor
Ul Join Worden, au inmate of the
county poorhouse, an expense to the
tax payers of the county, and a pent-rally
uninteresting- character. Rut I
believe that we boys knew the old man
Letter than our elders, for we got near
er the warm, patriotic old heart. And
lie -was patriotic. A wooden leg and
armless eoatsleeve testified to that. Rut
these thing's did mot seem to raise him
a'oove the balance of the inmates of the
county house to the grown people of
the tow n.
With us boys "Our Veteran' was n
penerai favorite, lie amused us with
stories of the war. Some of them of
the sad incidents of that long and ter
lible conflict, and some of them of the
humorous things he saw and experi
enced while wearing I'ncle Sam's bine.
Rut his masterpiece was the "Charge at
Shiloh."" That charge in itself was but
mi incident of a great battle. The his
tories hardly mention it. It may or
may not have had any important elTcct
on the reMi'.t of that bloody engage
ment, but to "Our Veteran" Shiloh was
the one great battle of the war. beside
which all others were but skirmishes,
and that charge the greatest feature of
the entire but! le.
I,iring the war Old John hadlieen a
Fcrireaitt in the th I.adiana cavalry.
His command had been with (irant at
Vieks'.iurg. lie h id been through the
f.iinp.iig'i leading up to the siege of that
:;v. had in fact, seen active service
from the beginning of the war under
Grant or his predecessors in the Mis
sissippi valley. Of the battle and skir
mishes of these campaigns he had an in
exhaustible fund of stories and inci
dents that would interest us. Of these
nve seldom heard the same one twice,
and no two of them ever began in the
same way. Hut with the "Charge at
Shiloh" it was different. The incidents
of that ride were related to us every
Saturday afternoon, and its completion
was a sigiual for us to scamper home, for
there would be no more stories that
, Iav. It was given as a fitting climax to
till of the other stories of the day.
We could always tell, too when that
tory was coming, for he had a way of
introducing it which he never used for
juiv other. He would take his pipe from
his mouth, lay it on the beineh beside
him. then rising to his feet would be
pin: "Now, boys."
We could always tell. too. when that
That was the introduction to the
"Charge at Shiloh." His gray eyes
would kindle with a new light, the
stooped body assume a more erect pose.
Our Veteran" would for the time be
ing become Sergt. John Worden, of the
th Indiana cavalry.
"Now, boys. I am going to tell you
of that great battle at Shiloh. Of the
cavalry charge in which I lost both an
arm and a leg while following my coun
try's flag across a bullet-swept meadow.
It was a wonderful chartre. boys; I ,
ihink it the most wonderful of the war.
I can see it all now as I saw it 20 yean
ago.
"I can see those shadowy forms mov
ing quietly through the timber away
over to the left; they are so plain that
you ought to be able to see them too.
There are only a few of them in sight
now, but I'll bet there are more back of
them. See them working towards the
edge of the timber, dodging from trea
to tree, craw ling through the grass and
running across the more open spaces.
Cap. them fellows mean trouble."
I!y the time this s'tage of the story
was reached the old soldier had be
come oblivious to our presence. He was
fighting the battle over again, seeinp
the things and saying the things he die
I'll years before.
"Cap, see that? See that smoke'
That's a line of skirmishers openinp
fire on us. !t tter raise them muzlet
a little. Johnny; you're fa'iin short.
"Cap! Cap! See there! I told yot
there was more a-eomin. See that yec
ond li:ie hack in there? They mear.
business. Cap. I bet they do. See their,
skirmishers eoniiir" out. Them fellows
in tile center is crawling further out
See that little rush on the right? Whal
you say. Cap? DtKi't think they'll do us
any harm? Why. man. I'll bet they come
at us ciear across that meadow. Ilu
then. Cap. they're only infamtry."
"See that skirmish line a fillin tip
Comin i.:i from the main body. Come
on. Johnnies; we're a-waitin' for you
Them bullets is get I in" a little closer
Cap. Must of raided the sights a bit.
Zi;-! That un went too high. Just
about a thousand yards there, Johnny ;
that'll catch us.
"Way on the left there. Cap. See! An
other company goin' in. The center of
that line's crawled tip "" yards in ten
minutes. Hurry up. Johnny; it'll bt
dark before you get here if you don't
move faster.
"What's that you say. Cap? Lieut
Kraser hit. J"aM their ornery hides.
I'll pay 'em for that before this day's
over. I'll bet. Wonder if the old man '11
let us charge "em? They're comin on
a little further. Cap. There's one of
them in that grass along the creek
Some one down there is A troop is aftet
that fellow. See him fire. There he
goes again, and. liy the great Harry, he
got him. There. Johnny ; there's a les
son in shoot in" for you. Them fellow!
in old A know how to crack "em out.
"It's a shame. Cap. not to charge on
"em. Maybe the old man's wait in' to
get 'em all together, (iood idea, too,
that is. See old Col. Hank down there.
Cap. See him watchin' cm. Relieve
he's got most the same idea I have
about ehargin' "em. My. but I'll bet
he'd like to send the old th across
that meadow after 'em.
"(iood! There goes an orderly. 1
bet he's got an order for the old th
to charge. Them Johnnies Feem to be
inclined to do the same thing them
selves. See them linin' up. Told you,
Cap. they was comin' after us.
"There goes little Hilly on the bugle,
boys. Listen an' see what he's tellin'
us.
" 'Mount! Onto them pranein" steeds
of yours. We're goin' after them John
nies. We'll settle your score for you,
lieutenant, even if they didn't hurt you
much. We're comin", Johnnies, better
run.
" 'Forward, guide center, march!'
Hear what little Hilly says on that
bugle, boys. Steady there in the cen
ter. Dress to the right. Next it'll be
trot, and then gallop, and then
" 'Trot! There it is. 1 to'd you. boys.
The next will come just outside the
timber in a minute. Them Johnnies
don't know- w hat's after them, or they'd
be getting back into the woods.
" 'Gallop!' Keep the line there, boys.
It's bayonets we're goin' against, boys.
Sabers against bayonets. Littie Hilly
will be speakin' that List command i:i a
minute now.
"'Charge! Charge! Charge!' Hilly,
you're a jewel. Watch for the ditch,
boys. Jump it. Over you go; there,
A T- r
THE CHARGE AT SHILOH.
Hess, that's a girl. Onto them now,
boys. Let them have it. Remember
the scores we have to settle with these
Johnny rebs. Don't let them run away.
Right at them. now.
"They're goin to shoot, boys. It's
to be bullets first, then bayonets. There
it conies, a solid volley.
"Go on, boys, I'm hit. One more score
for you to settle. See that it's done
well'."
It always ended so. The old man
sank down onto the bench and leaned
back against the building. The recita
tion was given with all the force and
gesture that he must have used that
dav at Shiloh, and had cost him more
strength than he could well spare.
Each Saturday he seemed to grow weak
er. We boys always left quietly with-
, r 11 Tl ...... .1.1
out a word OI iarenen. met nuuiu
not have been heeded had we offered
them.
This story, always the same, related
in the same srraphic manner, stamped
the incidents of that charge on my
mind so strongly that I shall never for
get them; but "Our Veteran" hai
crossed the last river, has made ms last
charge, and I shall never hear the
"Charge at Shiloh" from his lips again
ICopyrlght, 1898.
HERE, Maggie, I've
explained every
thing to you, and
if you are afraid
you need not go."
"I am afraid,
Maj. Tallmadge,
but I'm ready to
go. I'll do my best
for you."
"Very well.then.
Remember the
words 1 have given you, and don't fail
to hasten, back to this inn. I shall be
iere and wait for you."
Maggie Ilickok lifted the basket of
eggs, and carrying it upon her arm at
once left the tavern and started on her
walk to Philadelphia, five miles away.
Her step was light and an air of deter
mination was so manifest in her bear
ing that the major nodded his head in
approval as she disappeared up the
road, and said to himself as he reen
tered the house: "She'll do."
And much more than Maggie knew
depended upon her success that day.
In a general way she knew that Maj.
Tallmadge was in command of a band
of cavalrymen who were scouring the
region and endeavoring to gain such
information as could be had concerning
the British forces in Philadelphia.
Maj. Tallmadge had done his best
and had gained much information,
which was of value to Washington; but
there had been special warnings sent
him of late that the boys he had sent
Into the city were suspected. These
boys had gone apparently with produce
to sell, but somehow they always con
tinued to enter certain houses before
ell their wares were disposed of, and a
few peculiar words never failed to
bring a strange response from the pur
chasers, a response which was borne
to the waiting major, and quickly for
warded to Valley Forge,
The rumors which had come that his
produce dealers were suspected had
troubled him of late, but he was very
desirous of gaining some information
that day in the winter of 1777, for
strange reports of the contemplated do
ings of the enemy had been scattered,
and Maj. Tallmadge was eager to veri
fy them before he reported to the com
mander. His fear of sending some boys
or men disguised as countrymen with
produce had prevailed, however, and at
last he had persuaded the mother of
Maggie Ilickok to consent to her mak
ing the attempt. And Maggie was will
ing to try. for her own father and broth
er were at Valley Forge, and she could
see no good reason for a girl of 16 to be
entirely idle when the men were en
gaged in such a desperate struggle.
The girl trudged on with her basket
on her arm, thinking far more of the
peril bafore her than she did of the
muddy road along which she was walk
ing or of the biting air of that winter
day. Occasionally she met men who
looked keenly at her, but no one spoke
till she was near the city. A band of
a half-dozen red-coated men were
standing by the roadside, and as she
approached her heart almost stood still
es she heard one of them say: "Here's
another one of the produce dealers.
What have you for sale, my wench?"
he added, as Maggie came nearer.
"Only eggs," replied Maggie, boldly,
although her face was almost as white
as the snow by the roadside.
"Only eggs, is it? Well, my mesa
wants eggs, and I'll buy them all."
"Indeed, sir, I cannot sell you all."
replied Maggie, "for a portion are prom
ised." "Doubtless promised to Mistress
Jones," laughed the man, brutally.
"Somehow all the bumpkins sell to her,
though I have my doubts as to what
she buys."
"I can let tou have two dozen," re
plied Maggie, boldly, placing her bas
ket on the ground and beginning to
count out the eggs as she spoke. It
was better to appear willing to deal
with the men than to increase their
suspicions by striving to pass.
"Nay, nay, wench. I want not thy
eggs. I spoke In Jest, for I was afraid
that you, too, might be one of those
country people whom the rebel Tall
xnadge sends into the city with strange
wares for sale. You may pass in safety,
and I doubt not that you will readily
find purchasers, for fresh eggs are not
overplentifnl at present."
Maggie again took up her basket and
resumed her journey, not daring for
several minutes to glance behind her;
but when she did look back her fears
were not allayed when she saw that
they wart all watchin sr. and apparently
fn
talking of her and her errand. Realiz
ing the need of increased caution, Mag
gie passed on, and soon stopped at sev
eral houses, where she easily disposed
of a portion of her burden. Declining
to part with them all, for each pur
chaser desired to gain the contents of
the basket, she pushed on until she en
tered the street where Mistress Jones
lived. No one was in sight and she ran
quickly up the steps and lifted the
heavy knocker.
She had hardly given the summons,
when she saw a red-coated soldier ap
pear on the corner of the street, and
stop and gaze curiously at her as she
stood before the door. She was in a
flutter of excitement when the servant
admitted her, and she said:
"I would see Mistress Jones. I have
some eggs for sale, and perhaps she
will buy."
"Doubtless she will that," replied the
maid, "but it will not be necessary for
you to see her. I can pay you," and
she started from the hall as if to get
her money.
"Nay, nay," said Maggie, quickly, "I
would deal with Mistress Jones her
self." The servant made no response as she
turned to seek the mistress, and in a
few minutes Mrs. Jones herself ap
peared. "Was it to me you desired to speak?"
"Yes, I have fresh eggs to sell."
"You are sure they are fresh?"
"They are that, fresh and prime,
too."
Mistress Jones looked keenly at Mag
gie as she heard the combination of
words which was well understood by
her, and she quickly replied : "You have
brought your wares to the right mar
ket. I see. She then took the basket
from Maggie's hand, and in a few mo
ments returned with a loaf of bread.
She did not inform her that within the
loaf there was a note concealed, but
Maggie understood. It was all as she
had been informed it would be.
"If you lose the bread, or find it ne
cessary to destroy it, you may simply
say to your friend: 'Not yet.' Do you
understand?"
"I do," replied Maggie, quietly, as she
again took her basket and prepared to
depart. The door was quickly closed
behind her, and she lingered a moment
on the steps before she went down to
the street. She could see no one now
and the curious soldier had disap
peared; but Maggie's fear was none the
less when she started up the street, for
she knew not who was watching her,
and the words of the guard still lin
gered in her mind.
As she approached the edge of the
city she was alarmed when she saw the
same six men there whom she had met
at her entrance; but. striving to quiet
her heart, and r.ot reveal the fear un
der which she labored, she walked
steadily on.
"Here's my wench again," laughed
one of the soldiers as she drew near,
"And what luck?"
"I sold my eggs."
"Doubtless. And was Mistress Jones
a purchaser?"
"I know rot Mistress Jones," replied
Maggie, endeavoring to pass on.
" "Pis well for you, my wench. And
what have you in the basket now? A
bread loaf as I live! Tis the very thing
I most desire." And the soldier rough
ly grasped the basket and seized the
loaf which it contained.
"The bread I would give my little sis
ter who is ill," said Maggie, with trem
bling voice. "I pray you to take it not
from me,"
Her evident distress moved the sol
dier, and one of them roughly, said to
the man who had taken her bread : "Let
the wench go. Jack. A bread loaf would
hardly satisfy us to-day. 'Tis Tall-
madge's head I crave. Give her the bas
ket and let the poor girl go.
With a laugh the Boldier returned the
basket and the bread, little dreaming
of their contents, and Maggie sped on.
not even turning her head to see if she
were pursued. Perhaps if she had
looked bock the sight would not have
comforted her, for the six men were
standing together, and the frequent
glances they cast at the departing girl
showed that they were talking of heT.
But, all unconscious of what was go
ing on behind her, Maggie kept on her
way and when once she was on the
country road she broke into a run, all
unwearied by her long journey. She
had information of importance, and the
thoughts of her father and brother In
Valley Forge, and the little sister at
home, gave her renewed strengin.
She was almost breathless when at
last she entered the inn and deliverer
the loaf to the impatient major,
who was waiting for her according to
his promise.
' 'Tis well you have done, Maggie,
my girl," said Maj. Tallmadge. as ha
broke open the loaf and quickly found
the folded note within. "This shall not
be forgotten "
The major did not finish the senr
tence. for just then the landlady en
tered the room with white face, de
claring she could see a band of British
light horse coming swiftly up the road.
"They ve suspected you. Maggie,
said themajor.quiekly. "Twillneverdo
to leave you here. Can you mount and
ride behind me?"
'I can," replied Maggie, quickly, amd
before the words had been spoken Maj.
Tallmadge ran from the room and a
moment afterwards was before thedoor
with his fleet black horse. "Up behind
me. Quick! For your life!"
Maggie grasped his outstretched
hand and in a moment was behind the
major .with her arms tightly clasped
about his waist.
"Now, Jehu, go!" said the major to
his horse, and the black steed started
with the speed of the wind. Maggie
almost lost her grasp as the major
turned for a moment and replied with
a taunting veil to the band which he
could see swiftly approachingdown the
hillside; but her arms were strong, and
though her face was white and her eyes
blurred, she clung to her protector
throughout the wild ride which fol
lowed.
On swept Jehu with his load, and on
came the band of red coats. The woods
by the roadside seemed to rush past
them. The breathing of the horse was
soon labored and hard, and his black
sides were covered with foam; but his
swift pace was never relaxed for an in
stant. Once or twice he stumbled and
nearly fell, but a sharp pull on the
bridle and a quick word from the major
restored him and the mad race contin
ued. His hoofs thundered over the
rude bridges, they struck fire from the
stones in the road, but Jehu minded
none of these things, for life and death
bung on his efforts that day.
For an hour the mad race continued.
and then, when the borders of German-
town were reached and the red coats
turned back in fear. Maj. Tallmadge
drew the rein on his black steed, and.
as he helped the wearied girl to the
groumd, he said, with a smile: "'Tis a
pity we lost that bread, Maggie, for
Washington sadly needs it; but far
more he needs what the bread con
tained and what he will soon have now.
You have saved us from a sad, and
what might have been a costly, mis
take, this day. my girL"
EVERETT T. TOMLTNSON.
Ode for Washing-ton's lilrthday
Welcome to the day returning.
Dearer still as ages now.
While the torch of Faith Is burning-
Long as Freedom s altars glow.
See the hero that It gave us.
Slumbering on a mother s breast;
For the arm he stretched to save us.
Be Its morn forever blest!
Hear the tale of youthful glory.
While of Britain's rescued band.
Friend and foe repeat the story.
Spread his fame o er sea and land;
Where the red cross, proudly streaming.
Flaps above the frigate s deck.
Where the golden lilies, gleaming.
Star the watchtowers of Quebec.
Look! the shadow on the dial ,
Marks the hem of deadlier strife;
Days of terror, years of trial
Scourge a nation Into life.
Lo, the youth became the leader!
All her baffled tyrants yield:
Through his arm the Lord has freed her;
Crown him on the tented Held.
Vain Is empire's mad temptation;
Not for him an earthly crown:
He whose sword hath freed a nation
Strikes the offered scepter down.
See the throneless conqueror seated.
Ruler by a people's choice:
See the patriot's task completed;
Hear the father s dying voice.
By the name that you Inherit.
By the sufferings you recall.
Cherish the fraternal spirit:
Love your country first of all!
Listen not to idle questions.
If its bands may be untied;
Doubt the patriot whose suggestions
Whisper that its props may slide.
Father! we whose ears have tingled
1 1 -: . 1- . 1. ..--.1 nf flniiht ,ntl Khnm
1 llil Y, Ul'.-J .J. v.u..... ...... -. ,
We, whose sires their blood have mingled
In the Dame s xnunuer-iiauie.
Gathering, while this holy mor'nlng
1 ir.v.ro t h. land frnm sea to sea.
Hear thy counsel, heed thy warning:
Trust us, wnue we nonor inee:
Oliver Wendell Holmes
A KLONDIKE! 1VASHISGTOSI.
"Gentlemen, I cannot tell a lie; 1
swiped that can of pork and beans."
He Followed Copy.
Once upon a time a printer brought
to Booth for inspection the proof of a
new poster, which, after the manner of
its kind, announced the actor as "the
eminent tragedian, Edwin Booth." ilr.
Booth did not fully approve of it. "1
wish you'd leave out that 'eminent
tragedian business. I'd much rather
have it simple 'Edwin Boot. " he said.
"Very good, sir." The net week the
actor saw the first of his new bills in
position. Hia request had been carried
ont to the letter. The poster announced
the coming engagement of "Simp.'t
Edwin Booth." Boston Journal,
HUMOROUS.
"Do yon know I don't think much
of Mawson." "You don't have to. You
can size Mawson up in two seconds."
Brooklyn Life.
Waiting. Mrs. Angell "How do
you like the new minister?" Mrs. Good
will "I don't know yet. I haven't met
his wife." Chicago News.
Xo Returns. "Do you think there
is any money in politics, Jimpson?"
"You bet there is. That's where all
mine went." Detroit Free Press.
"No, I never take the newspapers
home; I've a family of grown-up daugh
ters, you know." "Papers too full of
crime, eh?" "No, too full of bargain
sales." Truth.
"They have never spoken 6ince they
took part in private theatricals," said
Miss Cayenne. "I see; professional
jealousy." "Oh, dear, no; something
far worse. It's amateur jealousy."
Tit-Bits.
"Why does the baron look so glum?
I thought he had just married an
heiress." "So he has; but he speculated
a few days after the marriage and lost
the better half of his wife." Fliegende
Blaetter.
Unscientific. First Arctic Explor
er "I have always considered Colum
bus a somewhat overestimated man."
Second Arctic Explorer "Why?" First
Arctic Explorer "He discovered Amer
ica the first time he went to look for
It." Puck.
The Prizo of Flattery. "That man
Crumlett has more invitations to din
ner than any other man in town."
"How does he work it ?" "lie tells every
hostess with a grown-up daughter that
she must have married much below the
legal age." Cleveland Tlain Dealer.
"What made Kladderfleisch in such
a hurry to get out of Germany?" "He
happened to bear a close resemblance
in personal appfaraiVM "lo Emperor
William." "There was no harm in
that." "No, but there came a boil on
the end of his nose one day, and he was
afraid of being arrested for lese
majeste." Chicago Tribune.
TREE 10,000 YEARS OLD.
Giant of Prehistoric Times li
enrthed In England.
An extraordinary discovery, and one
which is just now exciting considerable
interest in antiquarian circles in Lan
cashire and Cheshire, has been made at
Stockport. During the excavations in
the construction of sewage work for
the town some workmen came across
what has since proved to be a massive
oak tree, with two immense branches.
Prof. Bovd Dawkins, the well-known
antiquary, is of opinion that the tree
is one of the giants of prehistoric
times, and he says that the tree is cer
tainly 10,000 years old. The corpora
tion of Stockport are at a loss what to
do with the gigantic fossil, which is
supposed to weigh about 40 tons, and
as it is necessary that it should be re
moved a proposal has been made to
blow it up with dynamite. This has
aroused the indignation of a large sec
tion of the public, who presented the
following petition to the corporation:
"That there is a valuable tree of old
oak at present lying upon and exposed
in the gravel on and within their prop
erty; that the quality in color, grain
and solidity is better than any that can
be bought in the open market; that for
artistic work alone it is greatly to be
treasured, for nothing in this country
is at present grown which can come up
to its dimensions; that it contains
within itself sufficient material to make
the furniture for any public building
or town hall which may be erected for
the public benefit within our borough;
that it only requires lifting from its
bed, which in the opinion cf competent
geologists may be roughly estimated
as 15,000 years of occupation; that pri
vate effort has failed to achieve its re
moval; that its destruction would be a
public loss and an artistic calamity;
that your representatives in council
be and are hereby requested to con
serve for the borough this grant of na
ture to her sons and daughters, whose
ttguatures are hereby affixed."
The corporation have reserved their
decision, and in the meantime-elTorts
are being made by local antiquarians
and others to bring pressnre to lear
upon the council to preserve the tree
for the benefit of the town and the
country. It is believed that no discov
ery of such importance has hitherto
been made in this country, and this be
ing so it is hoped that those interested
in such matters throughout the coun
try will lend assistance toward pre
serving the tree. London News.
IVIIhelm ll.'a Toad Talisman.
The house of Hohenzollcrn possesses
a family talisman. Since the time of
the Elector John Cicero, who flourished
toward the end of the fifteenth century,
each ruler has, when possible before
dissolution, handed to his successor a
sealed packet. This contains a ring, in
which is set a black stone said to have
been dropped by a huge toad on the
coverlet of a princess of the family
just as she had given birth to a son.
Frederick the Great found the ring in
an envelope, which also inclosed a
memorandum, written by Frederick In
stating its value and its mode of trans
mission. Schneider, the librarian of
William I., declares that he saw the
packet handed by Geiling, the treas
urer, to his royal master on his acces
sion, and further asserts that he read
his account of the talisman to the em
peror, who fully confirmed it. St.
James' Gazette.
. Exposed Her Ace.
Spratts Miss Elder is much older
than I thought.
nunker Impossible!
"Well, I asked her if she had read
'Aesop's Fables,' and she said she read
them when they first came out." Tit
Bits.
Correct.
The Man Say, little boy, is your dog
good for rabbits?
The Kid No, siree. He is mighty
bad on 'em. Catches every one that ht
lumps. TJD-to-Date.
