OCR Text |
Show IN TIIE QUEER ODD CORNER. THINOS AND CURIOUS AND EVENTS. i 'A Loit Afrteoa ropl Almost fa Inhablud HKlra If bar Dlatlnct Troon of Uroat Raea of Mm Ibj Bo boon Llfo 1b Babylon and Assyria. Tha Non. Who ha heard tha cod llna lnglng oer tha bow? Who haa hauled the flashing pray acroaa the waleT Who haa felt tha wet brine stinging on the brow When the boat la all taeath tlie gale? Who haa laid him in tha Bagging of the call While the maathead'a nodding Bleep to the moon, And haa alumhered till the atara grow dim and paleT Fill your bumpera! Join the chorua of my croon! aea! O, tha flckle, fuming, frolic-frettin-g O, the limpid, lapping, laughter-lovin- g aea! We who love her fill our glaaaea To the best of all the luaaea. And we drink a briny bumper to the aea! -- Who haa lain upon the aloplng deck Who haa hauled, and clewed, and chanted in the wind? Who haa watched the malnmaat bending nigh off While the rival boat'a behind? Who haa leaned agalnat the creaking. Jolting wheel Through a moonlit aummer night on aouthern aea? Who haa felt the old that X feel? your bumpera, men, and about aloud with me! aea! 0. the ainglng, alghlng, aalty-acentO, the ruahlng, roaring, ramping, raging aea! On your feet and claah your glaaaea, "To the beat beloved of laaaea Here'a a brimming, briny bumper to the aea!" Richard Stillman Powell In the aea-longl- FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. beet la evidenced Iqr the fact that every foot ef aoll was made available for cultivation, and the magnitude at their labors will be readily understood when t Is stated that frequently many as 150 to 200 parallel walla of atone can be counted on the face of the mountains, and these walls ean ha followed, conforming to every contour of the ground, for thirty or forty miles along one system alone. After the walls were built the ground had to he excavated and leveled. The water courses were then cut and the water, which had been flowing from hundreds of springs on the summits of the mountains, finding its nearest path was let Into these channels and thence regulated over the entire face of the country. There are numerous traces left of old forts, strongholds, and lockout posts, all very strongly built In stone. The method of Ingress or egress was through a small hole left In the foot of the wall. The people may have taken these precautions as a means of protection from wild animals. I think, however, that It Is more highly probable they were beset by a hostile surrounding. I cannot conceive It possible that so industrious a race could g have been other than a nothing that people. It is a great pity of their atory Is known. The few natives who now live in very scattered and small groups over the country know nothing and have no tradition of the past. A considerable number of the men In the surrounding kraals have the aquiline type of nose, and I have thought that this may possibly suggest that the people were of either Arab or Bedouin descent SOME OOOD STORIES POR OUR junior readers. u down-.war- of Gold, m Instructive "A runny Kkotoh for Oar Junior Mistake" Paying Old lfcibta Kouuld nnd Donald. The KU Konnld nnd Uonnld. d, peace-lovin- ed A Lett African People, It may be doubted . If many readers know of the entrance of the vaat Inyanga plateau, the roof of eaat Central Africa; but there, according to recent travelers, one may see a demonstration more Impressive than the Pyramids themselves of the possibilities of human handiwork. The plateau stretches away to the north of Umtall, the frontier station on the Belra railway, which Is eventually to Join Salisbury with the east coast White men have visited It hut It la almost uninhabited. And yet It was once the home of a powerful race, of whose history not a trace is known to remain, save in the topography of their country. That Is as they made It, and such It will remain as long as the earth lasts. The general level of the plateau Is about 7,500 feet above the aea. The scenery along the journey from Umtall is described as most varied and beautiful. The plateau Itself, hundreds of miles in extent, comprising throughout its length' and breadth one marvelous memorial of a vanished race, we may let the traveler describe who has sent the record of his journey to the British Central Africa Gazette. Approaching Inyanga from any direction one Is struck, says the writer, 'with the marvelously regular lines, or contours of elevation, which are to be seen from a distance running In long continuous parallels horizontally to the mountain slopes until they are lost to sight on the observers horizon. Here nd there along the face of the mountains, and intersecting the aforesaid parallels, are to he seen numerous streaks (when lit up by the rising or setting sun) descending from the mountalntops. On a closer Inspection It will be found that the long parallels are simply retaining g walla and that the streaks are waterfalls. The whole of the mountain slopes have been most beautifully and systematically terraced by the hand of man, and a most perfect system of Irrigation has at the same time been carried out and comEven the numerous valleys pleted. which are Inclosed in this mountainous region have been laid out in ridge and furrow; the ridges are about two yards wide by about three feet deep. Standing some distance up the face of any of these mountain slopes and looking downward Into any of these valleys, one Is at once struck with the remarkable symmetry with which the whole snrface of the country Is laid out. I used' to be impressed with the beautiful regularity of the Scottish fields as compared with the attempts at agriculture in other lands, and I hold tha opinion that In no place In the world Is farming carried on with auch Industrious or persevering regularity ae In Scotland and that other countries have a good deal to learn from Scotland. Yet here In east Central east Africa there is a record left behind by a race forgotten whom the Scotch would not be disgraced In copying with respect to irrigation. Of course, with such splendid facilities as those which nature has bestowed upon this portion of the earth, it was only natural that, when It first met the eyes of that wandering tribe who have left so grand a monument of their Intelligence and Industry behind them, they decided to make It their home. That they must have bean a mighty sllvery-lookin- Life la Babylonia and Assyria. Is now known that the standard of private morality was high, both in Babylon and Assyria. The Babylonians had passed far beyond the stage of making the satisfaction of ones own desires the standard of right And Their kings prided themwrong. selves upon being the promoters of Justice. Even the Assyrian rulers, who seemed, while conducting their wars, to he bereft of all the soft emotions, declare that their highest aim Is to spread plenty and happiness. Sennacherib calls himself a king who "loves and he, as well as righteousness, many a predecessor, busied himself in making good the rights of those of hU subjects, who had been wrongfully deprived of their possessions. The IsgQ and commercial tablets prove that duo consideration waa given to the treatment of women, the most satisfactory 8he Index of high ethical conditions. could hold property and dispose of It before the courts her status did not differ materially from that of men. A husband could not divorce his wife without sufficient cause, and children owed obedience to the mother aa wall as to the father. Polygamy, no doubt prevailed, but according to some able writers, It must be deemed an error to suppose that polygamy In ancle&t times was Inconsistent with high Ideals of family life. Such vices as adultery, hatred, lying, cheating, and Insincerity, together with the use of false measures and tha removal of landmarks, are denounced In the Incantation testa, and, la accordance with thla standard, are to he found is the records of lawsuits and agreements' between parties clear Indications of the stringent laws enacted for the purpose of protecting citizens against infringements of their rights. It Is a testimony to the prevalence of a sense of Justice In Assyria that Ashurbana-blays emphasis upon the fact that he established ordinances to the And that the strong might do no harm to the weak. It is true that the Institution of slavery flourished In Babylonia and Assyria throughout all periods of their history. There were various grades of slaves, however. Some grades differed but little from servants indentured for a longer or shorter period and expected to render certain specified services. The temple attendants seemed to have belonged mostly to this class. A benign treatment of slaves waa enjoined, and waa the rule. Slaves were often the confidential agents of their masters, and attended to the business affairs of the latter. Slaves are found holding property In their own right Contracts entered Into by them were binding. Injuries Inflicted upon them by their masters were punished, and they were protected against losses and mishaps encountered while in service. We observe, finally, that while there Is no evidence to show that the laws of Assyria were on a lower ethical plane than those of Babylonia, still it may be assumed that aa the Assyrians were the pupns and Imitators of the Babylonians In almost everything pertaining to civilisation and religion, the general tone of Ilfs In Assyria was scarcely as high as In the south. The warlike spirit of tha rulers was probably hut a symptom of the fiercer character of the people. It . al J Who was Job? asked a Sunday-schoteacher of a class of boys about eight years old, and Jesse, in Bible history, answered: He was the man who couldnt pull out .i levl than with a hook. ol well-vers- ed Even a dumb clock can make Itself understood with Ita hands the Mexican city and looked about her in a puzzled way. She bad erptoted RUFFIANISM some one to meet her, and nobody waa there. 1 leave the street cars at the plaza and walk two squares, she said, and I come to a house with a stovepipe protruding from a window. Thats where my son lives. The old lady reached the plaza without any trouble. She walked two squares, but did not come to the house with the stovepippe protruding from a window. Then she returned to the plaza and' walked two squares In another direction, with no better success. Five times she walked her two squares, and the last time discovered that she wits going over old ground. She spoke to three men who looked like Americans, asking her way. The first answered In German and the other two In French. Thereupon the old lady sank down uppon a bench In the plaza, wondering what on earth she would do. Then suddenly she saw something that she recognized a little red calico dress on a fat little hoy who was trotting from the plaza. The King of Gold and Mamaclta walked two squares, and the little old lady caught up to them Just as Mamaclta sounded the knocker of the great Ronald and Donald, with Nora the nurse. Go out for an airing each day. Now Ronald had passed hla first birthday, I know. But Donalds Is still weeks away. Yet Ronald can only Just toddle along By clutching at Noras pink skirt. While Donald can run without stubbing his toes. And never falls down In the dirt. Then Ronald has Nora, beside his mamma. To serve him with tenderest care, While Donald must carry and fetch . for himself! And yet, I dont know but Its fair; For Ronald, you see, haa but two little legs, And not very strong ones at that, V hlle Donald has four. Ones our doors. And oh, my! how glad the American baby, of course; The others his playmate the cat mamma was that she had allowed the Elizabeth L. Gould. King of Gold to wear the little red dress! Louise R. Baker in Youths The KIb of Gold. Companion. When you visited the King of Gold you sounded a knocker on a great pair Paying Old Debts. of doors that were barred on the InA certain master of a grammar side, and when some one answered the school in a Scottish burg was a worthy knock and let you in you found your- Trojan by the name of Racket, a noble self In a square hall, the back of specimen of the thrashing pedagogue which was altogether open upon a of a past age. Among Hackets pupils was a boy who hoarded with the famcourtyard. The floor of thla strange hall was ily, named Walter Anderson, who was made of cement and the Mexican who frequently and most unjustly subjectrehauled the wood ordered by the King ed to floggings. Naturally cf a said he served character, and reflecting of Golds papa brought hie donkey and nothing, but the strokes sunk Into his cart also through the great doors. In a room off the hall you might find verv soul, and aecretly writhing under the King of Golds mamma sitting by a sense of the Injustice and Indignity cona little American stove, the pipe of from which he was treated, he which was run out of a front window ceived a sentiment of revenge against his master and determined to nurse Into the street inBack In the kitchen Mamaclta per- his wrath so that time should not In terfere favor of the tyrant. haps was cooking the dinner, or it may Anderson, at an early age, was draftbe that she was preparing some special ed to serve in India, where he remained Mexican dish for herself and the King e years, after which time of Gold. It was Mamaclta who named for twenty-fivScottish home, still he his to returned the little boy the King of Gold, on acof vengeance. scheme his cherishing count of his yellow hair. He sent a note to Racket, who was still of fond was The King of Gold very In life, though retired, to his American mamma, but then she dinethe vigor of with a gentleman who that day had a very little hahy lying In the had once been his pupil. Racket dresscradle In the room' with the stove, bo ed In his very best, sallied forth and the King of Gold was fonder still of was ushered Into a room In which was Mamaclta, who had nobody but him- 'a table prepared for dinner. A gentleself. man entered, and to his surprise, lockOne day there waa a commotion In ed the door and took a whip from the the room heated by the American mantel. stove, and the King of Gold stepped "Do you recollect a boy at your briskly from the kitchen to see what school twenty-fiv- e years ago named was going on. His papa had opened Walter Anderson? a box, and his mamma had taken out Yes, said tbs teacher. a little red calico dress and was hold"Then, sir, I am that Walter Ander-sdI have come now to punish you ing It up, laughing the while. It la very sweet of your mother, for the many undeserved thrashings she said to the King of Golds papa, you gave me at school. All the time I was in India I never allowed this but It Is such a funny little dress! It seema to me It is a very nice little design to lie dormant for a moment. dress, had the King of Golds papa; Entreaty Is In vain, for nothing on then he called to the King of Gold, earth could induce me to allow yon to Come, son, and see the pretty dress escape. Hacket was frightened, for he saw your grandmother sent you from the states. that he was In the hands of a man The King of Gold held out his arms, not to be trifled with. He was, howand his mamma, still laughing, laid ever, possessed of presence of mind. I see, said he, that preparations the little red dress across them, sayare made for dinner. Now, if it la the ing, He wishes to show It to Mamasame to you, I very much prefer the clta." me Mamadinner first and the licking aftera dress, My ganma give wards. clta, said the King of Gold, marchAnderson was taken by surprise, bnt ing Into the kitchen. They sat down and the Mamaclta went into rhapsodies over assented. schoolmaster gradually engaged Anthe little red dress. I will wear .it when I walk on the derson Into relating the history of his life In India. The whole bearing of platha, said the King of Gold. the guest was so sympathizing that "Yea, yes, said Mamaclta. Anderson slowly became dispossessed The King of Gold and Mamaclta wftced on the plaza every evening af- of th esplrlt of revenge. In vain he ter Mamaclta had washed her dishes. glanced at his whip and tried to awak"I want to wear the deaa my ganma en the flagging emotions, but finally the spirit of the hour. give me, said the King of Gold, when gave way to a his American mamma prepared to Hacket spent delightful evening ande would-bdress him for the plaza, for sometimes was escorted safely home by his persecutor. was slow with her dishes. Mamaclta "No, said the American mamma, A Faanr M lata ka. you can wear your little red dress out was Willie exceedingly fond of In the courtyard." The King of Gold bad two big tears chicken! I could eat a whole one any time! In hla round eyes while his mamma declared. he often then he and dressed him, put his little Not long ago papa took him on a fat arm over his face and went into the kitchen to Mamaclta. Mamaclta said short ocean trip. Somehow the food his ganma In the states had made didn't taste as it did at home, for althe little red dress herBelf; she had though Willie didnt wish to admit It, shown him bow his ganma had he was a bit seasick. stitches. of However, the second day out Willie each the Mamaclta taken had bidden him kiss the little red went to the table with papa, feeling dress, and his American mamma would quite like himself again. "What will you have this morning, not let him wear It on the plaza! But one day all of the King of Golds my boy? asked papa, as he handed Willie the menu card. white dresses were in the wash. I think I'll have some Dlgby chickNow I can wear the dess my ganma give me! cried the King of Gold, en, replied Willie, his eye quickly My pltty wed dess! catching at the word "chicken. hopefully. It was such a beautiful day, and the Papa didn't say anything, but hla little boy did want to wear the red eyes twinkled merrily while Willie dress so badly, that his American gave his order. mamma relented, saying to Mamaclta. When the waiter set Willies plate "I am afraid all the people will know before him, the little fellow looked that yon are behindhand with the disappointed enough. wash. In place of the crisp, brown chicken, While the King of Gold trotted hapwhat do you suppose there was? One Dlgby pily about the plaza and Mamaclta sat lone, little smoked herring listening to the music, a little old lady chicken being only another name for from the states got off the train in it. thats all! A. F. Caldwell. n. IN PARIS. Pnsafa Neighborhoods Wbara Bows Bmu to Eld Eiery Festivity. Cases of ruffianism continue to occur in the streets and suburbs of Paris, saya a Paris correspondent of the London Times. Proceedings open with more or less brutal horse play. Unoffending victims resent the treatment and retaliate. Their persecutors warm to the fray. Bullying Is carried on with renewed energy and a general melee usually ensues. Scenes of this description form part of the da'.ly program, particularly In suburban pleasure resorts.. In these places, where g is the order of the day, the proceedings appear to Include a fight at the finish as a matter of course. The exhilaration of the ballroom seems particularly conducive to pugnaciousness. Dancing, with the accompanying pleasures of flirtation and refreshments, has, for example, resulted In a serious affray in a public ballroom on the picturesque riverside of the Marne. The dance music was capital, the tunes lively, and couples were waltzing to their hearts content, when a party of partnerless youths made a sudden Inroad upon the ballroom, out of spite, no doubt, at having had to act the part of masculine wallflowers. They proceeded to smash chairs and tables and behave generally after the ruffianly bounders accustomed manner. Having been turned out, they made a second onslaught later on. The victimised dancers showed fight and a battle royal ensued. Tables, chairs, stools, glasses and seltzer bottles were the awkward and dangerous weapons employed. When after a half hours engagement order was restored the casualties on both sides were found to reach a total of three. One of the wounded men was so badly Injured in the head that his life Is despaired of. Similar riots have taken place in other localities. The Inhabitants of two contiguous and equally unsafe neighborhoods La Glaclere and Gentllly have feud. They fight pitcha ed battles among themselves on ordinary occasions. When a third foe turns up, however, In the shape of any official whose duty It Is to see that the public peace Is not disturbed they bury the hatchet for a time and hand together to set upon the common enemy. One unfortunate gendarme has thus lately been assaulted In this manner. A police official found him In the clutches of some twenty ruffians. Other gendarmes were summoned to the rescue and succored their unlucky comrade none too soon. Ills aggressors were provided with knuckle-duster- s, revolvers and knives, all of which they knew how to use with effect Seven of the men have been arrested. They have been found to belong to an organized army of evildoers, called the Banda de La Glaclere. Among them Is the ringleader, who goes by the name of the "Terror of La Glaclere. merry-makin- long-standi- ng PATTI LOOKS YOUNGER. Alva In liar Old Ap Objacta to Boho-rol- an Ways. It Is said by those much with her that the great Fatti is looking younger and better than ever just now. At the present time she Is entertaining no less than 24 guests English, French and American Indeed, a most cosmopolitan asis very sembly. Life at Cralg-y-Npleasant. Mme. Patti objects much to bohemian ways, and a grand teune is always kept up, beautiful dresses worn, and more state observed than os Is customary. In English country houses. The divas guests fall Immediately into her ways under the spell of her kindness, her merriments, and natural good breeding. Her wonderful Jewels are, of course, the great sight The latest adto see at Cralg-y-no- s. dition to these is a diamond bow brooch, presented to her by Alfred Rothschild when she sung at his house one June evening during the season. The Rothschilds are the oldest friends Patti possesses, and she shows her attachment to them by refusing to sing In any privatS house that is not a RothBchllds! Tha Training of Spain's Boy Slag. It Is said that Alfonso XIII., Spains boy king, amuses himself by drilling a company of guards In the grounds of the palace, and In one of the apartments are toy models to the extent of a hundred or more of men and officers of the various regiments of the Spanish forces. He haB also models of different floating in one of the lakes In the palace grounds, and, In fact, every possible means is taken to instill warlike Ideas Into his youthful mind. In view of current developments peace Ideas would be a vast deal more appropriate. war-shi- ps A Bright OntliKih. Lady Where Is your son today, I hope he isnt ill. Mrs. Murphy? Mikes to be marSure, Mrs. Murphy ried tomorry, maam, an he's gone to bed today whoile 01 washes hla troosaw tor him. Ally Sloper. Faotory Employe la Rossla. Among the 780,000 people employed In Russia's factories about 200,000 arr women. Woman |