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Show WORK FOR THE HANDY BOY. Stilts This used to bo a favorlto outdoor amuscmcat among boys. To a casual observer It appears ratlier a dangerous sort of sport, but It Is not so; with a little practice It Is extremely easy. y Many of tho shepherds In tho desert of Landes, In tho south of Franco, uso them with perfect freedom and great rapidity; constant habit enables them to preservo their balanco so well that they run, Jump, stoop anil danco with tho greatest case and security. Thoy are by their stilts enabled to sec their flocka at a much greater distance, over a perfectly flat country, their feet being be-ing protected from tho wator during the winter and tho heated sand in summer. In addition to tho stilts, they use a long staff, which they carry In their hands; this guards them against an accidental trip, and forms a third leg whea thoy rctiulro rest. To ranko stilts: Procure two poles nbout six or seven feet long, nnd nail on a strap of leather, about one-third from tho bottom of each; Into theso tho feet aro placed, tho poles being kept in a proper position by tho hnnds and moved forward by tho action of the legs. A wooden step, however, Is better, aid It gives greater firmness to the tread; It is nailed or screwed to tho poles. Hut the he t of nil arc those that do not reach tho hands, but aro secured to tho leg Just below tho kneo by a strap, the footstep being tho same ns shown la the Illustration. With th6 ' x nddltioa of a long staff, any boy could noon manage to walk In safety upon them. |
