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Show if ir alEvery evening at sunaown most a year past a black hoop alut four feet In diameter had been seen to appear on the sky-lin- e of this slope at a distance of some forty feet from the clump of trees at the top, and roll rapidly' down the incline, to vanish like an apparition within a short distance of the river below. What this mysterious black hoop was. no one knew ; and since Jeff Pearson's misfortune no one had attempted to Investigate the phenomenon. The old farmer had even advised the tourist to leave the matter severely alone; but James Moor was determined to Investigate for himself, and he now started off towards the slope, when suddenly, from a point about forty feet below the clump of trees at the top of the Incline, the black hoop appearing as unaccountably as If drawn out of thin air began Its usual evening descent, just as if a thick barrel-hoolying flat high up cn the slope, had suddenly erected itself from the short grass and began to roll down the hill. Only, when this mysterious black wheel had arrived within twenty feet of the river below, it vanished as suddenly and as strangely as It had come. Three times before James Moor had witnessed this remarkable phenomenon, but he was not less amazed at witnessing It for the fourth time. In fact, the thing grew more uncanny at each successive occurrence, and the toumst felt almost grateful that he had not met with the hoop in its descent. If he had, he might now be hiding In the old farmers straw stack ! Yet, now that the phenomenon was over for the day, he could safely investigate the track cf the black hoop. So, setting off, James Moor climbed to the top of the slope and carefully examined that particular spot where the apparition always made Its appearance. But he discovered nothing unusual in the ground thereabout. It being like all the rest of the uncultivated land In those parts covered with short grass, with a few pebbles and stones scattered about, and here and there a gopher or squirrel hole. Slowly and painstakingly he made his way down the incline in the late track of the mysterious circle, ending his Investigation at the bank of the river near which the apparition had suddenly faded into nothing and ending it in vain, for the nature of the manifestation remained as profound as before, and as uncanny. Returning to the farmhouse, he fell into a deep meditation about the matp, ter ; after which he dropped asleep, to dream that the black hoop was made of smoke and was bowled every evening down the slope by an Invisible fiend, who Invariably vanished at the rivers bank, taking the hoop with ui u buoy iuui me down upon that apparition. I know Im sensible, i kkotv I know Im very helpful. But Id like to feel I had more attraction. Id like to feel I was a treat. Thats it. I never feel as thoughI were a treat. And thats natural enough, for I never am a treat. I think I shall have to make the best of It, though. Its silly to worry about something one cant help. I cant help it If Im porridge instead of Ice cream. Youre worrying very foolishly, said the coffee. You are that, said the scrambled i'iu-neede- The spectators saw the uncanny circle let itself out like a frightened thing, and leap and spin through the air towards the river below. But the sow behind was not only racing now she was being shot down the slope as from a catapult with the weight of her own monstrous body, and in less than thirty seconds she closed her vicious fangs upon the mysterious black hoop. As she did so, the apparition seemed to vanish Into thin air, and the men believed that the sow, too, had been cheated. But instead of giving up eggs. the chase, the sow hurled herself upon You are that, said the toast. something that, instead of going upYou are that, said the orange right like a revolving wheel, went flat juice, waiting on the kitchen table, not in the grass, and began feeding and far from where the objects upon the grunting as contentedly as if at the stove were talking. trough. A boy rushed Into tne kitchen folWhen the four men reached the lowed by his sister. voracious animal, they beat her off Oooo, he said, doesn't breakfast with sticks and stones and Investigat- smell good! When will it be ready, ed her capture. It was a great black mamma? snake, fully twelve feet long, and of Almost right away, said hlg unusual thickness for that species. mother. Every evening at sundown, high up Oooo, goody, said the sister. near the clump of trees at the top of The things upon the stove all made the slope, this snake had come from d pleasant little sounds to show how Its lair which was a pleased they were. ground-squirre- l hole and cunningly Did you hear that? whispered the thrusting its tall into its mouth, had erected its body and bowled like a coffee. Did you hear that? whispered the hoop down the incline, to disappear scrambled eggs. Into an opening in the ground neap Did you hear that? whispered the the river bank. Every evening it did this, save on those rare occasions toast. Did you hear that? whispered the when, either through alarm or to diorange juice. versify its actions, it bowled uphill. Which proves that nature and not im really happy now, the porNo longer shall I call myman Invented that most useful device ridge said. self poor porridge. the wheel. I shall call myself proud porridge y wlde-moutlie- Ideal Soldier s Rations Instead. A sergeant of the Texas Rangers, writes a contributor to the Youths Companion, recently recorded that he was deeply impressed by the rations that the infantrymen used in the army of Gen. Joaquin Terrasas of Mexico o when he was fighting old Chief of the Apaches in Mexico and Texas In 1880. While on the march each man carried a little canvas bag that' held about a quart of ground parched corn sweetened with a little sugar. A tablespoonful of the mixture stirred into a pint cup of water made a good meal, and on that ration the men were well and strong and, because they traveled light', capable of taking long forced marches through Vic-tori- rough and difficult country. It shows what an intelligent man the great general was. Make an Effort Drifting with the tide Is very apt to land one on the rocks. Boston Transcript. Anxious to Please When Bobby went to Sunday school for the first time his mother cautioned him to do just as the teacher in- structed. When it was time to go home the teacher helped Bobby into a coat several sizes too small for him. He submitted to the operation wihout a word, till the last button was forced Into the buttonhole. Then he said with all his politeness : This isnt my coat, for I didnt wear any, but mother said to do anything you wanted me to. Tongue Twisters Silly Sally sold seven stockings Saturday. large parsnips and Peel I two carrots. and slice one large onion, two white turnips and one cupful of the outside stalks of celery cut fine. Cook all slowly in three tablespoonfuls of butter, until Sprinkle with two tablespoonfuls of flour, add gradually two quart's of boiling water, cover and simmer gently for an hour and a half. Add one pint of cooked chopped spinach, cook fifteen minutes longer and rub all through a sieve. Return to the fire, add salt and pepper to season, two lumps of sugar, a pinch of dry mustard, and one cupful of thin cream. Simmer for ten minutes, take from the fire and stir In the yolks of four eggs beaten, with one-hacupful of cream. Puffs. Chop four sour apples Apple of very fine, stir them into a cupful of molasses, one beaten egg, a cupful and a half of corn meal sifted, one-hateaspoonful of salt ; dissolve one-liateaspoonful of soda in warm water, add the above mixture, with enough water to make a batter. Bake In buttered cups in a quick oven. Orange Ice Cream. Scald a pint of milk in a double boiler, add two tablespoonfuls of flour blended with a little milk, cook twenty minutes. Add n three eggs, one and one-haof cupfuls supir, the grated rind of two oranges. Stir, cook carefully, strain. Chill and add one pint of cream and one cupful of orange juice. Freeze as usual. Sponge Pudding. Heat to the boiling point one cupful of milk, stir in d of a cupful of flour which has been stirred smooth In a little cold milk, cook until smooth, then add a tablespoonful of butter, cool and add h the beaten yolks of three eggs and well-browne- lf one-fourt- h lf lf well-beate- Mary milk. Chalmers Myles MInter made chased malted lf ' little bit of nonsense rhyme Is proper to disclose, Since we are getting all the time A stream of nonsense prose. A one-fourt- of a cupful of sugar. Cut and fold in the stiffly beaten whites, flavor to taste, pour into a buttered baking dish, set In water and bake until the pudding seems firm. Serve with powdered sugar, a little cream and butter well-mixe- d. Chocolate Cup. Shave one ounce of chocolate and cook with two tableh of a spoonfuls of sugar in thick. water one of Add until cupful pint of boiling water, one cupful of the juice from canned raspbe-rieof a cupful of lemon juice, the two oranges and tls rind of of juice one. Sweeten to taste, and bring to the boiling point, fill chocolate cups full, garnish with marshmallow and a cherry with strips of one-fourt- s, ds one-fourt- h DUCKED, OF COURSE Birthday Celebration hear you gave a party last night, old chap. What was it to celebrate? It was for my wife. It was the tenth anniversary of her thirtieth birthday." 1 Mothers Idea Subdeb Why do you have to put me in corsets for my coming out? Mother To give you a staying in for your coming out. When that doctor struck at Jim for calling him a quack, what did Jim do? Ducked. Child of His Brain Home Hunting Author This idea is the child of my brain. Editor You cant call your brain a happy father. Any Bug in a Storm Do you hear that? asked the fair maid, as there came to' their ears the sound of a heavy step. It Is father. 1" fly Fly, sweetheart, You mean flee, corrected the lover. Just as you please but this Is no time for entomological distinctions. Country Gentleman. A GOOD JUMPER We care not for the house or land Round which the breezes If a garage is near at handquiver In which to leave the flivver. A Friendly Fit Beads of perspiration stood out on the forehead of the shoe clerk as he rose to his feet after trying on practically every No. 6shoe in the store. Shall I wrap up a pair for yoa, lady? asked the exhausted clerk. No, thanks, replied the lady shopI was just trying them on for a per. friend. Houston Post. Useful Knowledge are you getting on with Jim H the cooking lessons, honey? Betty Oh, wonderfully ! By the time we are married Ill be a perfect cook, and I shall be so happy, especially when you are III, for Im learning all Lorts of nice recipes for invalids. . one-thir- two-thir- Charlie Claras crazy cat. Crazy d. Slight Contrioution First Bug Mr. Grasshopper Is a good jumper. Second Bug Yes, he jumped his board bill last night 1 T rying If at first you dont succeed. You should try some more If too long this tip you heed. You become a bore. A Poor Financier He Well have to give up our Exactly So The eminent financier was discoursing. The true secret of success, he said, is to find out what the people want. And the next thing, some one suggested, is to give it to them. No, said the financier, "to corner it A Recommendation in- tended Florida trip. My funds In the bank are too low. She Oh, John, why dont you keep your account In a bank that has plenty of money? A Literal View She If Shakespeare were alive today we shouldnt consider him a very remarkable man. He Still, he would be, you know, for hed be over 350 years old. Wifey Why are you always boasting about this new preacher? He Isnt eloquent and he reads his sermons. Hubby Thats why I like him. He can tell when he gets to the end. Womans Home Companion. Sure of It Mrs. Jones Do you think that your husband thinks of you when he ts away from home? Mrs. Smith Im sure of It; thats why he stays away. Judge. |
