THE PITTSBURG- - DISPATCH. SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 1S9L 19 u a Tn cits fex VI zL,' ' A FANTASTIC TALE OF THE GREAT SHOW IN KOBOL-LAND. yTEITTEX FOB THE DISPATCH BY FRANK R. STOCKTON, . Author of "The Lady or the Tiacr," "TJie Spectral Mortgage," "Negative Gravity," "The Late Mrs. Null," and Many Other Fine Stories. SYKOrSIS OF PKETIOUS CHAPTERS. In tbeKinsdom of Tanobar reigned Chainian and his cousin Millice. equal partner! to the throne, heme children of the twin Kincs of that land. Tboucb they had not quarreled the peo ple feared they noold. and so wished them to marry. The Minister of Aericulture. Gromline, didn't want them to marry, for he saw in tho fntnre a chance for himself if the yonnpr neople quarreled. Besides, the royal houses had alwars been opposed to a wonderful plant he had crown and which he called "The Cosmic Bean." This would grow and yield beans at all seasons of the ear. Thocbean, by different styles of cpokine. would come on the table in the shape of meat. "fruit, bread, or anythins else desired; or. treated in other ways, they would pro duce ine, coffee, milk or any other drink. The Cosmic Dean would, of course, do away with all necessity of labor, and the royal houses and the nobility saw that tncy could no longer maintain their exalted positions if peonlo did not work for them. So they opposed its cultivation. Grom line consulted a sorcerer, who advied him to Ret np"a Dip; show in Kobol-land, at n hich Chainian and Millice could meet Prince Atto and Princess Lista, of a noichborinc kingdom. A double weddins was the anticipated result of the meeting. Kobol-land was neutral cronr.d, and Inhab ited by gnomes, ells, brownies and what not. The day of the creat show came and it was all that couM be imagined. King Chainian and Lista soon becaini good friends. Queen Millice and Prince Atto, however, were a littlo backward. Gromline hastened to make tnem acquainted, but still thincs did not go smoothly. Prince Atto thought to win the Queen's cood graces by taking part in the athletic contests, though he was anything but an athlete. A griffin came to his relief and promised to carry him on his back in the sports. In his desperation Atto agreed, and the creat races took place. CHAPTER V. THE BABEBACKED GK1TFTS AND THE SPELLING BEE. "I shall like that," said Millice to Prince Atto when he told her-of his book, "I do aot think I shall care for the game this afternoon and if yon will bring; your book to my pavilion X will try and work out some of the puzzles." Atto sighed. "I am afraid I cannot be with you at that time," he said. "I per ioral myself this afternoon. I ride a griffin bareback." "You!" exclaimed Millice. "Is it possi ble that you not only devote yourself to in-' tellectual pursuits but to physical exer-cise1-." "Oh, yes" said Atto, straightening him self, and putting on an air of conscious merit, "I give preference to the perfection of my mental powers, but as a matter of course, I do not neglect my physical develop ment. However, I never forget that I am a Prince, and when I perform in public, I choose an act which no one but myself would dare undertake." As the young Queen walked back to her tent, she could not help comparing Chamian ami Attn. Here was her cousin, caring only for bodily exercises, taking part in games with low-born competitors, and worse than all, coming out second best. Ou the ether hand, Atto wis not only a Prince of intellect, but a man of most daring courage, willing to undertake an unheard of feat. In thee reflections she quite forget the inci dent of the cup-of-ten-iii jLt. The first pin of the alternoon was de voted to athletic game', such as vaulting, long jump, high jumps trapeze, tight rope per orninnces and other :rninisric :irt. In "vW Tlit llrrnldof the Gnmci. several ot these King Ohamian toot part, and each time ln-ntervl th arena helooked at the box of Queen Millice to see if she were observing him. It was not necessary Tor him to lwU at his own box. in which I.itt.i sat. She watched everything, and w:is generaliv more excited and clapped her hands louder than anybody else. The young King was determined that if he could liMp it, Millice should not see him cnie out sec ond b-st again, xlv had never bi ore given any thought to her opinion. "or he had never be'nre had reason to suppose she cared whether he succeeded or failed in anything. Thus animated, Chnmian vaulted higher than anybody else not a Kobol-lander, and in hurling a javelin at a mark he surpassed all competitors. Lista loudly applauded his success, and wanted to go into the arena and hurl a javelin herself, hut he dissuaded her. There was then a grand fencing match, in wnich a unicorn entered the ring and chal lenged all comers. After this spirited animal, with hi long, tapering horn, had disenncerttd some of the b-st swordsmen ol XustyrU ard Tanobar, King" Chamian entered the lists ngainst him. and by the rapid and skillful play of his stout blade not only war.'ed offall the attacks of the unicorn, but at lastforced him to turn tail and flv. At this victory Queen Millice stood up, clapped her hands and waved her handkerchief. This was a con test fit for a king. In ome of the games Chamian took no part, and throwing the great hammer was one of thee. There were many competitors entered in this game, but they did not all have a chance, for the giant Jirg swung and hurled the hammer with such force that it flew a6 far as the lake where the sirens sans, and then descended into the water with such a tremendous splash that the lour sisters on the rocks were nearly fright ened out ol their wits, and the dry .id's in the grove abov, who ran out from their tres trunks when they heard the creat noise, were all well wet by the descending shower of drops. The tut: of war next followed, in which a great number of Kobol-landers took hold ot one end of a long cable, and the athletes Iroui Tanobar and Xustyria grasped the other. As this was a sort of international contest everybody was wildly excited over it. The Ecbol-landers would, undoubtedly, have won the victory had it not been for the bright thought of a judge from Tanobar, who, seeing how matters were likely to go, hastily made out naturalization papers for three wild giants, who had just arrived and were standing among the spectators. When these great hairy fellows became citizens of Tanobar and seized the end of the rope the struggling mas of KoboWanders were dragged over the dividing line in less than 20 seconds. It is needless to say that this judge obtained preferment When the exciting contest had been fin ished a mounted herald, clad in crimson and gold, rode into the arena, and, after blow ing his trumpet, proclaimed in a loud voice that the sports ol the day would conclude with n grand performance in mid air, in which the valiant and fearless Prince Atto, of Nustvria, would ride a bareback griffin. This announcement created a creat sensation, for no one who knew Prince Atto had sup posed that he was a man who would under take mch an unheard of feat. The Prince now entered the arena, and bowed to the ladies in the two royal boxes. Then he approached Queen Millice, and asked her if be had her good wishes in hii present perilous feat. He looked WfwIL i ybv a- bold and determined enough, for Grom line had been with him all the morn ing, assuring him that it would be the easiest thing in the world to ride a quiet, careful griffin, who would assist him in every possible way to keep his position and to feel a: ease, and the Minister had, fur thermore, fortified and encouraged him by an excellent luncheon, composed entirely of Cosmic Beans, cooked and prepared in many different ways. The Queen was pleated, with his brave appearance, and gave him a silken scarf to wear as a token of her interest Now the sound of great wings jras heard, and the griffin, swooping through the air, came down to the ground in front of the royal boxes. Then, curling his tail high over his back, he informed Prince Atto that he was ready to begin the net. Without hesitation, the young man stepped on the back of the horny monster, and stood up right, steadying himself by holding fast to the stiffened tail. Slowly uprose the great griffin into the air, Prince Atto standing upright on his back. This was not a difficult tear, nor an unsafe one, so long as the griffin's tail, by which Atto steadied himself, remained stiffly in positioL. As the first gentle circle above the arena was made, Atto looked a little pale, but he felt that h;-.. position was secure and boned ana smiled as shouts of applause came up from the creat multitud :. This griffin was a monster of a very hot and revengeful disposition, and his anger against Atto for deserting him and pre venting his performance on the first day had not ju the least cooled, and although his manlier toward the young man had been very mild, he had determined that during the act, he would punish him lor his treachery. t On the second grand tour, during which the griffin flew much more rapidly than be- lore, his tail was raised-higher in the air, so mat ci.no, sun clinging 10 11, was oougen to fctand on tlie tip of his toes. The Prince shouted to the griffin to lower his tail, but the latter paid no attention to him, darting upward and downward and from one side to the othsr. Xoh the tail was stuck perpendicularly upward, and Atto clung to it, .is he would to the'mast of a tossinr ship. Then without the least warning, and in the midst of a wild swoop, the tail went straight out be hind, and Atto found himself hanging be neath it, his legs and arms turne'd about it, as if it had been a horizDutnl bar in a gymnasium. Nearly frightened out of his wits, the young Prince began to shout for help, and as he did so the griffin swung his tail from right to left, and sometimes dipped it down ward, sothatAttn's leet were higher than his head. Tiie flights became swifter and wilder than before, and mounting high into the air, the griffin suddenly dropped down ward as if he would strike the earth, hut before reaching it, rose again, with a great swoop cud recommenced his mad gyrations above the people's heads. During this astounding and blood-thrilling performance every breath was held and cverv heart heat fast. Even the flying monsters o' Kobol-land had never known of :invthiug like this. Every one was wild wi'h admiration at A tin's amazing strfugth j and courage. His cries had been neard, hut it was supposed that he was shouting to his steed and urging him to swifter speed. But the griffin did not intend that Atto should get any rredit for his performance. ATHLETES AT He understood the anplause, and having thoroughly irightened the Prince, he pro ceeded to let the public know what sort of a man this bold rider really was. He curled up his tail so that Atto was able to scramble on his back and set astride of bim; then he sailed slowly around the arena not very far above the heads of the spectators, .tto now began to cry pitenusly for help. He besought the King, the Queen Lista, anybody, to stop the monster add take him down. He declared that he had not wanted to do this thing, that he had been lorced into it, and if the griffin began again to rush through the air he should cer tainly fall to the ground and be killed. He wiped his weeping eyes with the scarf Millice had given him, and when it was thoroughly wet he threw it to the ground. Many of the spectators pitied the Prince, but more laughed at him. The Kobol landers were delighted; here was a grand victory by one of themselves over a human being of high degree. Bnt the .griffin was resolved that Atto should not even he pitied. Presently a young dragon came toward him, bearing a large banner with an inscription upon it This the monster took in bis forepawi, and, holding it high over his head, continued his slow course. The inscription, in great black letters, read as follows: The fellow on my back has been punished for Claying raise with a griffin and trying to cheat a gardener. s. As nearly all the people of Tanobar and Jfi&l SIvTil Cr95T tCWSk-M BBS llmrWm Kustyria were interested in gardening and gardeners, and as all the inhabitants of Kobol-land sympathized with griffins, a yell of derision arose from the crowd. But Atto paid little attention to this, nor did he even look upwar.d to read the inscription. All he cared for was to get down from the grif fin's back, and he. ' continued to weep and beg and pray that some man, woman, giant, or even gnome or fairy would take pity on him. Now uprose Queen Millice, and as the flying monster passed near her, she cried out to him: "Good Griffin, he has had enough of pun ishment I beg that you will take him to his tent and leave him there." At these? words the griffin turned, and Atto began to pour out thanks to the young Queen, but Bhe did not so much ai look at him, and the griffin carried him to his tent and dumped him off at the door. The griffin's performance was much en joyed by those people of Tanobar who lud a contempt for Nustyrians, by those Nus lyrians who had a contempt for Atto, and by those Kobol-landers who had a contempt for human beings. The entertainment of the next afternoon began with.something of a totally different character from the griffin act. This was a Spelling bee, and the judges 'were a learned man, a wizard and the Queen of the Fairies. As Mjllice had done nothing so far, she thought it but right that she should enter tliis contest. Among the competitors were Chamian and Lista, many persons attached to the courts of the two countries, and a miscellaneous lot of Kobol-landers. The words piven out by the judges were generally very odd and unusual ones, and a good deal of the spelling ot the competitors was ef en more odd and unusual. All the afrilcs, gnomes, dragons, genii and other in habitants of Kobol-land spoke the language ot the adjoining countries. For if these strange and semi-natnral creatures could not use and comprehend the speech of man thev would lose a greater part of the inter est which has always attached to them, but as few of them knew anything about read- PEINCE ATTO TAKES A ing or writing, their ideas of spelling were mvstical and vague. When a goat-legged satyr spelled "super sapient" as a word of two letters beginning and ending with v. and when a bottle-green imp, perched on the shoulders of a giant in order that he might steand be seen, spelled "gormandizer" with the figures 1, 8, 4, 3, it was plain that they knew wlat they wanted to spell if they did not know how to do it King Chamian did very well, although he failed on some five-svllabled word, but Lista spelled "euphemistic" youpbumistic, and when the judges, seeing she was not at home in this class of words, gave her "sad dle," she spelled it with one d and the e where the 1 ought to be. Queen Millice was by all odds the best speller on the grounds and the audience be came quite enthusiastic at her success with every word given her, no matter how hard it was, or how many had failed before her. Even "rodomontade" she spelled witnouf an b, although "rhododendron" had been given out a little while before. When Prince Atto, who had not shown himself since his griffin act, heard there was to be a spelling bee, he was anxious to take part, for he was very proud of his abil ities as a speller, and feeling that he might now retrain some of the reputation he had lost the day before, he ventured into the arena. He had changed his clothes, and was not recognized by the greater part of the crowd, but the judges knew him and they gave him the hardest words they could think of. However, they found no fanlt with his spelling until he came to .the word "xylophagan," and then the Queen of the Fairies cried out, "Wrong, he hould spell it with a z." "I beg your pardon," said the learned man, "but it I am not mistaken the word TIIE GAMES. begins with an x as be spelled it." "Nonsense," exclaimed the Fairy Qneen, whose" face had begun to glow with indig nationjhe moment she had perceived Atto. you need not try to make me believe that acowardly cheat, such as that fellow.uuder stands spelling better than I do. No one can hear the word without knowing that it beeins with a z. What say you, Wizard?" The wizard, who knew on which side his bread was buttered, replied to the -Fairy Queen that he agreed with her perfectly. The learned man, with two against him, could do no more, and Atto was told to sit down. The athletic games ended with a grand football match, in which there were hun dreds of players. The contest was very ex citing, aud Lista became so wildly enthus iastic that she fairly scolded Chamiau for not joining in this grand sport "Oh, if I were only a man," she cried, "I would show you how I would kick." But Chamian did not care to take part in this game. He had begun to think more of his dignity, and therefore restrained his in clination to enter the rough-and-tumble scramble in the arena. During the ap plause which followed the exploits of a jet black centaur, with a curly head and enorm ous hind hoofs, Chamian left Lista and went to the pavilion of Millice. He learned that she bad left the arena and gone to see the last of the flower show. Joining her there, he found ber in conversation with the griffin. "Xes," the monster.was saying, "jou are . ' the only person in all that crowd who had the conr.ige to speak to me and ask me to stop tormenting that' poor rascal, and in order to show ypu how I appreciate your brave spirit, I am going to give you my prize chrysanthemum," and he, therefore, presented her with the great plant covered with its fiery and'sparkling flowers, When the monster had left, Chamian and Millice walked together thfougfl the beauti ful passageways, and he congratulated 'her on her yictoryat the spelling bee. "It must be ever so much harder," he said, "to spell the words they gave you than to fence with a unicorn." Just then they 'came to the cdp-of-tea-'plant, which Chamian had notbeforenoticcd. Millice wanted some tea, and stopping, she broke off and filled two blossoms, oim of which she handed to Chamian. The King sipped it, and declared that as a rule he did not care for tea, but that this'was delicious. Not far away the Sorcerer stoo,d, watching the young couple, and as he watched, he smiled more and more. Presently he sum moned his body servant. "Graglick," he said, "measure my grin'." Taking a tape measure from his pocket, the servant obeyed. "Master," he said, "it is nine and a half inches long." "I thought things would turn out in that way," the Sorcerer said to himself, "if they were brought'together away from home." When "Millice had retired to her tent, Chamian said to the gardener. 'I wish to buy this cup-or-tea-plant, and make it a present to the Queen. Send it to the palace, andI will pay you your price." That evening the exhibition was pro nounced closed, and every road was covered with the visitors returning to their homes, all delighted with the success of the great show in Kobni-land, At daybreak Lists mounted her wicked mare and setoff for home at full speed, soon outstripping her attendants, as washer cus tom. In the course of the morning hhe overtook Attn, on his elephant. He had left the Dimmer-GRide in the night, and was now reclining ou his cushioned platform, EIDE -WITHJCHE GRIFFIN. studying a book of logarithms. - Lista pulled un her horse. "Heiebo, Mr. Atto," she cried; "going home, are you, to show your papa and mamma the prize you took iu the great griffin act?" Atto turned slowly over and looked down at her. "Where is yonr great prize?" he said; "I don't see him anywhere. Did you ride so fast that you left "him behind von?" "What prize do you mean?" asked Lista, sharply. "I mean the .King of Tanobar," replied Atto. Lista turned red in the face and shook her whip at Atto, and then, too angry to say a word, she dashed away. Two days'alter his return. King Chamian left his apartments in the royal palace, and walked to the othe. end of the splendid building to visit Millice, which was a very unusual thing for him to do. "Cousin, he said when they were together, "do you not think it would be well if this kingdom should have but one throne, and that we both should sit upon it?" The young Queen played with her fan. "Do'you think it could be made wide enough?" she asked. "Oh, I will see to that?" he exclaimed. "Aud we shall eaeh wear the crown we inherited?" said she. "Indeed we shall," he cried, "and you shall be doubly Queen Queen as my wife, and Queen as your father's child," The eyes of Millies sparkled as she looked upon the noble and glowing face of Chamian. .'"And you shall be the-King that you are," she said, "and my King besides." When it was proclaimed that Millice and Chamian were to marry, and that there was to be bnt one royal family in Tanobar, the joy of the people knew no bounds. But in the midst ot the universal happiness the Minister of Agriculture stood shocked aud downcast. He had not expected this blow. but he was a man of action, and he felt that if he made any hay at all he must do it while the sun shone, so he hastened to the Iing. 'Tour Majesty," said be, "as a proof of my rapturous delight on this glad day I wish to offer you the best I have the result of my life's most earnest labors. I give to you my Cosmic Bean. It gained four first prizes at the Great Show, and its value is now undoubted, Take it, my King) Through you I give it to my country." "How many plants have you?" asked the King. "I have 20," answered Gromline, "they are here in these pots, which my servants have brought you." "And have you any seeds or slips be sides?" inquired Chamian. ".None, Your Majesty," said the minister, "hut there are pods there which will soon be ripe, and you will have seeds enough to spread broadcast over the kingdom." "Very good," said Chamian. "I accept your gilt." When the King next saw Millice, he found her admiring her Chrysanthemum and her cup-o -tea-plant. "I, too, have had a horticultural present," he said, and he told her of Gromline's gift of the Cosmic Bean. "That is the plant which will make it un necessary lor people to work, is it not?" she asked. "Yes," he said, "and I want to consult you as to what shall be donewith it." "It is my opinion," said Millice, "that if we do not wish to be King and Queen of Lizyland it willbe well to" utterly destroy this plant. For if no one need work, no'oue would work, and iu the course of time we should become as cattle, and live on beans as they live on- grass." "You speak well," said the King, "and I agree with you entirely." And he ordered the 20 plants of the Cosmic Bean, pots and all, to be cast into a furnace and burned up. Shortly after this had been done the Sor cerer called on the Minister of Agriculture, and lound him in a very angry mood and engaged in packing up his goods and chat tel's. "I am going to leave this wretched coun try," said Gromline, "everything has gone wrong. Your advice abontgetting up the great show in Kobol-land was worse than worthless, and you ought to repay me the 70 sequins I gave you for it." "I don't do business in that way," said the Sorcerer. "I consider that the advice was worth double the money. Vlt made you a' positive benefactor to yonr country. In your efforts to create dissensions in the land, and by means of your universal food, to put yourself at'the head of a mob of lazy peo ple, whom you would cheat into the belief that you wo aid allow them to live without work, you have brought together our King and Queen, who otherwise .might never hare J found out how well suited to each other they were. You have cultivated friendly rela tions between Tanobar and Nustyria, and above all, in endeavoring to work upon" the generous feelings of the King you have put out of existence that baneful plant, which would have taken from men theincentive to the improvement of their condition, and so I say there never was a grander success than the great show in Kobol-land." "Away with you," cried Gromline, and went on with his packing. the END. pt wc hlibY. rTRANSLATED FOK THE DISrATCH.l In ancient times there lived an old king, who was so miserly that he almost starved himself and his servants in his desire to save'his money. His one pleasure was to count his gold, df which he had a great quantity. The King's only son in no re spect resembled his father. He was a gay, lively youth, who whistled and sang from morning till night True, ho was very idle and spent very little time over his books; but then he was always so bright and happy that every one who knew him loved him. He bad a beautiful voice, and enjoyed noth ing better than singing. To' the King who loved only the music of his jingling gold, the Prince's constant singing was a great trial, and be often chided his son for his thoughtless ways. One day the King was in a trul y frightfu passion. While at the dinner table, he had put a piece of bread in his pocket, thinking that would do for his supper, but when evening came, although very hungry, he decided to keep the bread for his breakfast. During the night a hungry mouse, running through the King's room, smelt the bread, and as it could not find the way into the pocket, it ate an hole in the coat, and car ried away the bread. When the King fouud his best clothes thus ruined he was -in a towering rage, and at that moment the Prince, singing a gay song, passed the door. "How can vou sing, you idle boy," cried the King, "when such a misfortune has fallen upon your father. I wish you were a frog, and then you could croak all day long without troubling me." No sooner were these words spoken, than the handsome Prince became an ugly, green frog, and with a "croak, croak," hopped down the stairs. "Help, help," shouted the King, terrified at the unexpected result of his wish. "Catch him, stop him," The servants ran hither and thither, cry ing, "Where is the thief?" Where is the murderer?" "The Frog, you stupid," cried the King; "stop him." But by this time the Frog had gone through the palace gate, and had reached the duck pond. From that day the King was sad and sorrowful. He took no more pleasure in bis gold, but constantly grieved after his son. who he honed would soon re turn to bim. Then came to his mind this dreadful thought: "What if a stork should devour me boy." And the idea was so dis tressing to him that he cried out in his agony. Meanwhile the Frog Prince hopped from one pond to another, croaking to his heart's content, and even though he had lost his beautiful form, he could uot be entirely sad. One morning, as the Prince sat on the shore of a pond and was looking about for some thing on which to make his breakfast, a great stork stood before him and was about to take him up with his long bill, when the Prince croaked: "Stop, Mr. Snapperbill, I am no food for you. I am the King's only son." "If this is true," said the stork, "you shall live; but promise me that if ever you return to your father's castle and become Jcing of the country you will punish by death anyone who injures a stork." The Prince gave the desired promise and the stork flew away. For a long time the king's son could find no pond which he thought,. tine, enough for him to live in. Finally he caine to a small lake in which lav a green island. "Here I shall live," thought the Prince, and springing into the water he swam toward the island. As he drew near, he saw sitting ou the shore a large, green frog, who said: "Here comes a stranger." "Yes," replied the Prince, "I suppose you have never seen me before; but I am not a frog as vou think, but I am a king's sonand I have been changed into this form because my father wished it p "I am no frog either," returned the other, "but the daughter of a noble duke. After my father's death my cousin changed me into this form. I have been here a year and a day. Yesterday the water nymph who lives in the lake promised to come to the shore to-night when the moon rose and tell me how I may be free."1" The Prince was delighted to find such a pleasant companion on the island. All day they talked over their experiences, their plans lor the future, and were pleased to find that each was fond of music. They tried to display their powers, and with their croaking voices produced some very fine melodies. That night when the moon rose round and full, the water nymph came to the shore aud cried: "Princess Frogl" "Yes, I am here," was the reply. "I have had company all day, the son of a King, who has been changed into a frog like myself. Can you tell him, also, how he may gain again nis own iorm "Certainly I can," langhed the nymph, "he is the verytone who can rescue Doth of you." "Tell me quickly," cried the Prince, "and I shall do exactly as you direct" ''Well, then," said the nymph, "not far from the shore, in the forest, is a great rock, iu which is a dark cave, where lives au im mense dragon. As soon as the dragon sees you he will open his great mouth and breathe forth fire and smoke. But do not fear, hop boldly into the monster's mouth. aud under his tongue you will find a blood red ruby. Take this iu your mouth and hurry away. When the first ray of sun light shines in the gem both you and the Princess will be free from the enchant ment." The Prince listened carefully to what the nymph had said, and then hopped away to the forest: He soon found the rock, aud heard a loud, roaring sound, which he dis covered to be caused by the breathing of the dragon. The Prince went to the cave and looked in. There lay the hideous creature, sleeping. The dragon slowly opened his ,cyes, and when it saw the frog, it turned over, opened its huge mouth aud snorted forth fire and smoke. The Prince remem bered the nymph's words, and at once sprang intothe great cavity. He hud no trouble in finding the ruby. He had seized it, and bad sprung out of the dragon's mouth before the monster could close its great jaws upon him. It was with difficulty that the Prince could carry the ruby between his thick, green lips, and, as he must stop every tew moments to rest, it was nearly daybreak when he reached the shore. Long before he arrived there he heard the Princess croaking to the nymph, telling her that she feared (he drag on had destroyed the Prince, and now that all hope of rescue was lost. .But the nymph assured the Princess that the Prince would be very careful, and that he vould not allow himself to be devoured by the dragon. When the Prince reached the shore, he was received with great joy both by the Princess and the nymph, who listened eagerly while he told his story. Just as thej Prince was saying, "I took the ruby be tween my lips, and sprang out of the dragon's mouth," the first ray of the morn ing sun glided across the water and fell on rnby. At the tame instapt both frogs van ished, and in their stead stood a beautiiul Princess and a noble Prince, who stared at each other with astonishment and admira tion. Then the Prince said: "You shall be my bride, and go with me to my father's palace." When the new King was holding his first council with the wise man a great stork stalkedinto the room and reminded tbeKing of the promise he had made, and from that time storks were considered sacred birds in the Kingdom, and no one dared molest them. PAY3IE. SEEING INTHE DARK. It Is a Popular Error That the Owl Does Kot Need AnytLight. THE C0NSTKUCTION OF HIS EYE. Hott the Prowler Gets Into Tronula by Etayins Out Too Late. LATEST PHOTOGRAPHIC DISCOTEBI rwr.iTTEjr ron tuk dispatcii.i How do we account for the ability of cats, rats, cwls, and 'other nocturnal prowlers to see in the dark? How can the cat see the rat at night, and how can flfi owl see the sleeping bird on the limb of a tree? In the economy of nature there is no provision for times of inactivity, and so certain animals are so constituted that their working hours begin just when those ol other animals cease. When the weary laborer has finished his evening meal, when the chickens are seeking their roosts and the little birds are putting their heads under their wings, then the tiger emerges from the jungle, the rat from his hole, and the owl from his haunts in barn or swamp tree. In nature's stillest moments there are animals working in ac cordance with that first law of nature, self preservation, just as we see others do iu the glare of the sunlight. It is a mistake, however, to suppose that any animal, whether quadruped, bird or reptile, can see in absolute darkness. The cat cannot see the rat in the cellar if there is total darkness, nor can the owl see the sleep ing bird. Some light is an absolutely neces sary condition of sight, bnt while this is true, nature has provided that the natural night workers may see with the very min imum of light, and as an additional help, cer tain other senses are amazingly sharpened in order to assist the effort to see in the dark. The Owl and His Might Wort. The owl, which is the only night worker that will be considered now, is popularly supposed to be capable of.seeing in utter darkness. While it probably comes nearer to this ability than any other creature, the owl would be as helpless in total darkness as it would be at noonday if it were not for its remarkable organization for hearing and feeling. The so-called barn owl, which is the most common in our country, has per haps the best nocturnal vision of all the blinking family. It can undoubtedly at tend to business very well when it is so dark that you would hardly be able to see your hand before your face. All animals that prowl at night have eye pupils that are capable of great distension. By this means the quantity of light focused in the inner eye is greatly enlarged. But the owl has a strange additional arrange ment foi the same purpose. There is a feathery disk surrounding the eye which answers the purpose of a reflector, concen trating the rays ot light and focusing them upon the pupil. The favorite working hours of the common owl are the early morning and the late evening, when the faint light is ample for owlish purposes, but insufficient for the visual organs of the owl's victims. Stays Out too late. It sometimes happens, however, that the owl falls a victim himself to his keen noc turnal vision. He occasionally stays out too lute at night, just as- large un feathered creatures sometimes do, and then, like the latter, be has difficulty in finding his way home. If he forgets the flight of time in the pleasure of gratifying his inordinate appetite, if daylight comes upon him while he is still far away from home, then he is as helpless as a child in its first walking les son. When thus caught unawares by the dawn and it dorsn't often happen the owl makes a virtue of necessity and seeks tem porary lodgings for the day. Be isn't parti cular about the accommodations so long as they serve for hiding purposes. A corn shuck, a brush heap, or a tree with thick foliage will answer bis purposes. Woe to him, however, if the.day birds, on whomjie loves to prey at night, discover I him in his temporary retreat The small birds at once recognize the rapacious rascal as the awful big-eyed ogre that pounces upon them at night when they are practic ally blind and helpless. Let one robin, or jay, nr'even a little pee-wee detect the owl In his hiding place and with mysterious bird telegraphy the news will quickly spread to all the birds in the neighborhood, in a few minutes there will be dozens, scores, possibly hundreds of revengeful chirpers besieging the blinking relugee.who by reason of his davtimc blindness is novr as helpless as a drunken man. He is in about the condition of poor Samson alter he was shorn of hair and strength at one operation and then deprived of his sight Led. by a pngnacious jay or a plucky sparrow, the whole army of usually peaceful little chirpers will attack their big enemy and worry the very life out of him if thereis time enough before darkness ap proaches. Thev don't dare to get into his clutches, for if they did the blind giant would be as dangerous as Samson finally was when he got hold of the two great pil lars of the temple, tumbled the whole struc ture down and buried his enemies and him self in the ruins. All the besieged owl can hope for is to live through the lilliputian attack until darkness restores him to sight and freedom. The Photograph of the Future. It begins to look as if the time were drawing very near when we may have photographs taken that will look like us. In this remark there is no disparagement of the beautiful and artistic work which our best photographers now produce. But a nhotngraph of your face is nothing but an expressive shading of black and white, and there is neither black nor white in your face. Even if you be as "pale as a ghost" your face is not white, and it is doubtful if a purely black face coula be found even in "darkest Africa." If your eyes are blue, or gray or brown, they are only black shad ings in your picture. If your hair is the most pronounced auburn the picture makes it the same blending w blaclc and white. A true picture of your face must give the color of your hair and eyes aud all the natural flesh tints. When you get a photograph that will exactly imitate al! of nature's del icate coloring, then, and not till then, will you have a photograph that will look like you. This interesting consummation is just what we have good reason to hope for as one result of a remarkable discovery that has lately been made by M. Llppmann, Profes sor of Physics in a French institute. J. H. Webb. HOUSE'S TOHGUE CUT OFF. The Animal Balked and Its Owner Tied a Itope to Its Lower .Taw. Sew York World.! Henry Balsaur, a Highway Commissioner of Flatbusb, was fined $5 for maiming a horse by being an accessory to pulling off a'bout three inches of his tongue. Several weeks ago he came in possession of a hand some blooded horse. The animal was a very balky one, bnt nevertheless Balsaur started to drive him Monday, and accord ingly hitched him to a buggy. The horse refused to move, and finally broke one of the shafts. Balsaur became enraged, and, procuring a heavier harness, hitched the horse to a dirt cart, but the animal still re lucd"to move. m , Just then a farmer's' wagon came along, and Balsanr tfed the lower jaw of his horse to the rear of the farmer's wagon with a piece ot rope. The farmer's horses were lashed up, but Balsaur's horse sat' back on his haunches. He was dragged a good dis tance, and finally abont three Inches of the horse's tongue w:is cut off and fell to the street A physician at Candelaria, Nev., came near losing one of his eyes last Monday. He was playing with a pet oriole that drove Its bill In his eye. SOME ENIGMATICAL NUTS. Pnrzles for tho Little Folks That Trill Keep Their Brains Busy for Most of the Week If They Solve Them Correctly Home Amazements. Address communications for this department oKE. Ciiadboorn. Lewislon, Maine. 1483 Hidden- -words. Find tho names or these objects, write them down in the order in which they come and then And hidden words to supply those missing in the following sentences: The should give to the poor. What color did he it? How that twinkles. John can a boat. Bnaz let Bnth in his field. Go to the uasture, Charle, and get the-r- This is a good of water. Tub gaeit ra$ grateful to his . the door. olives, 1489 CHARADE. Monosyllable. A boy who talks slang. And -'runs with the gang." Belated this traglo adrentare, And I scarce could decide If more loudly it cried For sympathy, laughter or censure. "No school yesterday, Tetcher had to go 'way. And I thought 'twas a big streak o' luck, One two to the oirlc I went for a lark. But you bet what I got was a duck. Folks was out on the lake Fit to make your heart ache. An' we hired au old tub of a boat Me an' Harry, an Joe Couldn't none of ns row. But we thought we conld get in an' float. "Then them kids would stand two. Spite o' all I could do. Till the boat gavo a kind of a roll, An' the first thing we knew. She turned bottom two. One there wo waa, all in the whole!" M. C. 8. 1490 THE DEACON'S TEETH. Of Greece renown'd for its learning sound ' In the palmy days of old, What songs are sung, what changes are rung On the marvellous stories told. They sowed a heath with a dragon's teeth And a crop of soldiers' rose, Who.soon as a stone amongst them was thrown. Were changed into mortal foes. It hasn't appeared what import weird Their seers to the fable attached: Bnt somehow, metbinks, by the laws of the sphinx Might the Qreclan myth be matched. Let nothing be flung the dragons among. And an army in battle array Arises, all spurred and waiting the word To ride to the thick of the fray. W. Wixsow. 1491. JUMBLE. The beautiful ladles rang a merry covering as the relative, a sweet flower In the Orient and the descendant echoed with shouts of rejoic ing. What Is the crow's song of all this nuisef Why, It is the glorious forward, the anniver sary of the ruler that gave ns portion, and It Is measure that we should keep it with gladness. Let the beautiful ladies circle, let the spirit biscuits snap, let the rales roar, and let the children have a good herb generally, tor it will remind them of the debt of gratitude they owe their brave ancestors who suffered so much. Ethyl. 1492 cedant aema togae. To this soldier true and tried. Who has won unfading fame, Shakespeare's words might be applied There "was nothing" in his name. Might o'er freedom will prevail. Men grow callous in her cause. Ere this hero's name shall fail To evoke the world's applause. Should the chevalier mate With a "virgin'' altered strange. Then you have a writer great By the union, by the change. Warriors, writers, gifted men. By whom blond and ink is ponrM Learn the addage old. "The pen Is more mighty than the sword." W. WlLSOW. 1493 CTJBTAILMENT. The one by which some painters snatch A certain pose, expression catch, Is to employ a whole Who stands er sits for many hours. With what seems marvelous "staying powers," And scarce a rest, poor son). Bitter Bwzkt. 1494 tommy's lesson. Mast tree. Pnrse. Form. Erase. Demand. 'Neath. Mite. Lien. Buffer. Kites. Span. Berai. Float. Emit Lenses. Garden, Tho above list of words was given Tommy for definition, when he tried his hand at transpos ing each word so as to form another and suc ceeded, so that in the readjusted list be bad eight burled cities, ranking hlmselr a literary Dr. Schliemann. W. Wilson. 1495 ANAGRAM. If I were going to moralize And give instructions and advise. Or preach of things that harm the soul And bodytoo. I would choose whole A a fit text, tor 'they are what Seem part of every person's lot They're always harmful and their stain On character may long remain. They are most prominent in youth. Though old age has tbem, too. forsooth. For vices they're another name We llkfl to call our sins the same, But If they are not sins indeed In sin's destruction they do lead. Nelsoniait. 1496 KIDDLE. We are two boon companions. We're always on the move; We travel many miles In the same old groove; We handicap each other By day and by night; We never seem to tire In our end!es3 flight C. L. E. THE APKIL PEIZES. The prizes for April are intended to give es pecial encouragement to new solvers. The first prize will be presented to the sender of the best lot of answers for the month, but the two other prizes will be given for the best two lots of an swers from readers who have not yet wan a prizo in 189L. Commence work this week, get what solutions you can and send what you get in weekly installments. AlfSWEES. 1478 Proserpine, Apollo, Pan, Saturn, Hy. geia. 1479 Madrlial. 14S0 L Charles Irtver. 2. Samuel Lover. 1481 L T from Canton leaves Canon. 2. P'g from Pope leave Oe. 3. B from Bracket leaves RackL 4. I from Minister leaves Minster. 14S2 Water. 14$ Shams, smash. 1484 Mistress, distress, his tress. 148.3-Jack-ketcb. 148U Deer, e'er. Dee. 1437 Lager, rcgaL SF00HS OF THE CITIES. A Keepsake Fad Imported From Europe Now Prevalent Here. ' New York San. . And now the mania for keepsake spoons has broken out in America. Of late years it has been the enstom for Americans trav eling abroad to pick up a spoon patterned so as to be emblematic of each city visited a spoon with a bear on it in Byrne, one with a liver (a nondescrrpt bird) in Liver pool, and so on. Tnis year Kew York sil versmiths have produced spoons to remem ber this city by, and there are already em blematic spoons for Salem, for.Boton, and for other cities. CHASED BY A II0H. An Adventure of One of the British South African Pioneers. Mr. George A. Logan, who is with the British South African Pioneer Force in Mashonaland, writing home from tho Nazoi. riv.er, says: "I bad a narrow escape from a lion. I had been over to see-some men, and was returning by moonlight When about a mile from home the horse became restless, and looking bark I saw a big lion coming a'ter me. I shouted at bim, but he still came on, sol put the 'gee' at his best pace and went off Looking back, I again saw the lion galloping after me. I had got near the hut by this time, so I shouted to my mate, who opened the door and showed a light I rode up to the horse-kraal full speed, and put my horse in, when his majesty, the lion, roared lustily at losing his prev." Mr. Claire A. Orr, one of The Dis patch's traveling contributors, is with this expedition and several letters from him hava already been printed. ijy3r Enjoy It. SCOTT'S EMULSION of pure Cod Liver Oif with Hypo phosphites of Lima and Soda la almost as palatable as milk. Children enjoy It rather than otherwise. A MARVELLOUS FLESH PRODUCER It Is Indeed; and the little lads and lassies who take cold easily, may be fortified against a cough that might prove serious, by taking Scott's Emulsion after their meals during the winter season. Beware of substitutions and imitations. nt'OTT'S EMULBION SOLD BT JOS. FLEMING fc SON. ' 412 Market street, mbl9-82 Pittsburg. 1 ' BOTTIiS Restored Loil Appe tite and cured' my Dyspepsia. MRS. E. A. JENKINS, 819 Car. son st,Fittsburg, Fa. TiURDOCK.BLOOD BITTERS. SOLD BY JOS. FLEMING & SON, 412 Market street mbl9-82-D Pittsburg; MEDICAL DOCTOR WHITTIER 814 PENN AVEXUE, PITTSBUItO, PA. As old residents know and back files of Pitts, bnrg papers prove, is the oldest established and most prominent physician in the city, de rotin; special attention to all chronio diseases. SEffp'SSSSNOFEEUNTILCURED Nnnwrtiloand mental diseases, physical Ln V UUOdecay, nervous deoility.lackot energy, ambition and hope, impaired memory, disordered sight self distrust, bashfulaess, dizziness, sleeplessness, pimples, eruptions, im poverished blood, f ailinz powers, organic weak ncss, dyspepsia, constipation. consumDtion. un fitting the person for business, society and mar riage, permanently, safely and privately cured. BLOOD AND SKINfes blotches, falling hair, bones, pains, glandular, swellings, ulcerations ot tongue, mouth, throat, ulcers, old sores, are cured for life, and blood, noisons thoroughly eradicated from the svstem. IIRIMAPV It'dney and bladder derange Unlllrtn ments, weak back, gravel, ca. tarrhal discharges inflammation and other painful symntoms receive searching treatment, prompt relief and real cure. Dr. Whittier's life-long, extensive experience insnres scientific and reliable treatment on common-sense principles. Consultation free. Patients at a distance as carefully treated as it here. Office hours. 9 A. iu to 8 P. M. Sunday, 10 A. M. to 1 P. ir. only. DR. WHITTIER. 8U Penn avenue. Pittsburg, Pa. ja8-49-DSUwk GRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE CURES NERVOUS DEB! LI TY, LOST VIGOR. LOSS OF MEMORY. Full particulars ln pimphlst sent irce. The genuine Grays bpecllic sold by druggists onlyia yeUow wrapper. I'rice, l per package, or six ror S3, or oy cult on recelDt oi nriee. bv address. UK THTC BRAY .MEIJICIHK CO, BUBaio, it. r ffoid in ritMBarj- by 3. 3. HOL.LA..NU. corner BmlthfleldandLiberiysu. mhi7-M-DWt pRAY'S SPECIFIC MEDICINE- ' SOLD BT JOSEPH FLEMING & SON. 412 Market street Pittsburg. NERVEAND BRAIN TREATMEHTJ Specific for Hysteria. DizzInes.Fits Kearalgla. Wake fulness, Mental Depression. Softening ot the Braln.re tmltlng' in insanity and leadlnjr to misery decar and death. Premature Old Age, Barrenness. Loss of Power In either sex. In-voluntary Losses, and Spermatorrhoea caused br OTer-eiertion of the brain, self-abuse or over-indu licence. Each box contains one month's treat ment. $1 a box, or six for to, tent by mail prepaid. "With each order for six boxes, will send purchaser pnaraatee to refnnd no--' if tlv t-e-itment fails to r it-'-' irtoni-''" EMILG.STUCKY,Drurcfst,. 1701 and 2101 Penn ave and Corner Wylie aai Fulton st. PITTSBUKG, PA. myl5-51-TTS3a XK. SANDEN'Sj ELECTRIC BELT WEAMEl lnMKNdebLllUtel through disease or otherwises WE WAKANTFT! f I UliEbT this Xevr 1 MPKOVEU JOiKCTIUc j-FfT or KitfuNUMONEY. Midi StoUspeeifle prTrp" i Physical Weak as.Blvm?j!?eely?Mn!. Soothinr Continuous Currents of Electricity throuKh alt weak parts, restoring them to HEALTH and V1UOKOU3 bUtENUTH. Klectrle current relt Instantly, or we lorletlf 000 in cash. BELT Complete fa mnd op. Worst cases Permanently Cured ln three months. Sealed pamphlets free. Call on or ad. dress SAttUZX ELECTKH? CO.. 819 Broadway. Hew York. mjr22-4TTSsa .UUuX FOR THE. MILLION FSEE' QME TMATMENTi k. WITH MFniCAL ELr.TieiTV For all CHHOITIC, OSGAHI0 aaj KEHVOTJS DISEASES in both sexes. BoT bo BHt till too read tMj boak. iddml THE PERU CHEMICAL CO., MltWAUU(,WI3 rrssu TO KSEN TVehare a positive enro for the effects of self-abuse Early Excesses, Emi-donsNeCTOUsDebility.LossofSexnAl Power. Iinpowncy &c. !o srreat is oar fa ith ln our specula ire will fend one fnll monxh's infxtlcliio and mac Talnubto Information FltUK. Aditrew ii. M. Co., 833 liroaOntn-' v York. nol6-10g-su TO WEAK MEN Suffering froa the effects ot youthful erron early decay, wasting weakness, lost manhood, efcx, 1 vvX send a valuable treatise (waled) containing full particulars for home cure, FREE ot charge. A splendid medical work; should be read by every man who Is nerv-ourf and debilitated. Address, Fro&V F. C. FOWIiEK, BXoodaa, Conjb ' deSl-rsuiric I CURE FITS ! When 1 say cure I do not mesa merely to stop theza ftir a time nd then Lato them return aghi, I mean radic&l cere. I hire made the disease of PITS FI IPSYorFAlXINGSICIIKESSalL'e-longstudy. Warrant my remcd7 to care the worst coses. Because) others have failed is bo reason for DotnewrecelTmcsk cere. Send at once for a treatise and & FreeBottIeo my infallible remedy. Gire Express and Post Office. H.JU. MOOT, XUC.,1S2 Pearl &C, Kt Xi Pbi Children 'Hrll DlElWESIS rfSfafcw M&S&L &
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