SHOW YOUR PLUCK.
Kt'ver liko to see a feller
Show a lack o' manly pluck,
Hist his hands an' make a bcller
At a jab from rocky luck.
Kulher see him grin an' bear it,
Meet it in a nervy way,
Sinn it in the face an* dare it
Fur to make another play—
Kiss his hand at care like he
Didn't care a tinker's d.
Weakness never won a battle.
Cowardice cain't score a pi'nt.
An' you ort to show your mettle
When your luck is out o' j'int.
Don't go limpin' 'round a roarin'
How the world's a treatin' you,
For your kick is only borin'
Them you tell your troubles to.
Full yourself together, and
Shet your lists an' make a stand.
I &£k i I |
ii (H Stratagem Thai Tailed. 1
ilStei Ev P. Bcafo*. &>>•, ',
T | v HROUGHOUT the entire
| / course of my criminal career,
| which has Included all sorts
"g" and conditions of tips and
downs, I have encountered several
very discouraging failures. I will en
deavor to record the history of the
most humiliating of these repulses in
the lines that follow.
Early in September, 1885, I found
myself sitting in my den In St. Giles',
discussing tbe state of our mutual
finances with Ted Basting, my oldest
chum and partner. Basting was in
clined to take a pessimistic view of
tbe situation, and ho puffed savagely
at bis glowing clay as though concen
trating all the bitterness of his emo
tions on the tobacco which burned
therein.
"Heverythin's played out and hover
done," he remarked in a gloomy tone,
"and that's the hloomin' truth. Blow
mo if I don't feel like jolnin' the per
lice force unless somethin' turns up be
fore I'm much holder."
"My dear Ted," I remarked, with a
smile which I could not repress, "sure
ly you would not disgrace your family
in that manner?"
"Well, guv'nor, I dunno. A copper's
life ain't nrf bad when 'c 'nppens to
get 'old of n good beat, with plenty o'
cooks and pork-pies In tow. But,
there, wot's the good o' talkin' abaut
slch luxuries when it only makes my
mouth water to think of 'em without
satisfying the wacaney just below ray
belt?"
"I quite agree with you," I replied,
"but I fancy that I am on the verge of
effecting a coup which will bring us In
sufficient to remove tbe vacancy for
evermore, or rather, to lilj it up satis
factorily. What do you say to secur
ing twenty thousand pounds' worth of
jewelry from Stoner's, the big Bond
street firm? How would that suit your
book?"
He loaned hack and peered at me
cynically.
" 'Twould suit me down to the
ground, guv'nor," he answered, "hilt
the questiou is, 'ow do you propose to
work the job?"
"By a means which is simplicity It
self," . I returned slowly, "and if you
will listen for a few minutes I think
you will agree with me that the plan
Is not only workable, but almost .eer
ta. j of success."
"All right, guv'nor; fire away and
hunfold your tale, as tile song sez," he
muttered, with a grin. And, thus en
couraged, I proceeded to explain my
scheme.
"I propose to take a suite of rooms
nt the Hotel Recherche," I began,
speaking in a slow, deliberate voice, so
that he might follow my meaning,
"and when I have secured the apart
ments in question I shall attire myself
in gorgeous clothing and pay a visit to
Messrs. Stoner &, Sons."
"Werry good," he muttered, "and
wot then?"
"Then I shall ask to be fffiown some
specimens of their best work. I shall
explain that my wife Is lying In a
somewhat delicate state of health at
the hotel, and that she desires me to
choose some stones for her. After
some deliberation I shall go on to i>oint
out that I would prefer my wife to
view the things for herself, and that I
would suggest their sending an assist
ant with a large assortment to tue ho
tel during the afternoon."
"I see," he repliod, nodding his largo
head; "and when the chap comes round
with the stuff you'll just knock him on
the head and scoot with the swag.
Ha, ha, ha!" and here the worthy fel
low laughed long and loud.
"Your surmise is perfectly correct
except In one detail," I made answer;
"I shall not knock him on the head, as
you elegantly suggest, but shall admin
ister to the gentleman a mild sedative
in the form of a dose of chloroform,
which will render him quite harmless
until we have made good our escape to
the Continent. Or, rather, I shall leave
to you the task of drugging our friend
whilst I divert his attention in some
manner or other. And now, if there is
any weak spot in the scheme which
you have noticed lot me know."
" 'Ow are you goin' to dispose of the
stuff?" he asked, as he eyed me nar
rowly.
"Nothing will be easier. Our friend
Groby, at Amsterdam, will discount
the stones for us, after deducting his
usual Infinitesimal profit of four hun
dred per cent."
Basting smiled approvingly.
A week later I drove up to the Hotel
Recherche in a liansom, accompanied
by some baggage in the shape of a
trunk containing a largo consignment
of stones, a portmanteau wherein there
reposed a few necessaries of the toilet,
and lastly my faithful associate, Ted
•Basting, who, garbed In black, repre
sented a valet to the life. Assuming
what is known as a "lordly" manner I
engaged a couple of sleeping apart
ments for Basting and myself, together
with an elegant sitting room adjoining.
Ihe suite in question formed one of the
Half the soul-enthrallin' troubles
That a skecred-up mortal sees
Are but airy, thin-shelled bubbles
He eould prick an' bust with eu.se
If he'd only stop his kickin' .
'Bout his luck and git to work,
Fur the troubles only thicken
Round the man that's on the shirk—
Only makes the matter wuss
Fur to loaf around and cuss.
In a word,.despairin' brother,
When the clouds obscure your sun
You must do jest one or t'other— . j
You must make a light or run.
Nineteen times in every twenty
If you stand you'll land on top—.
Run an' you will git it plenty
Where the chicken got the chop.
An' the world will hustle by
Your remains without a sigh.
—James Barton Adams, in Denver Post.
most expensive In the hotel, but that
detail did not trouble me at all, seeing
that I did not contemplate waiting for
the presentation of the bill.
Wo lunched In the great hostelry,
my chum, of course, taking his meal at
the seryanls' table, and directly the
elaborate refection waa concluded I
attired myself in a gorgeous frock
eoat and silk hat, and, hailing a han
som which was passing the hotel, was
driven rapidly to Bond street.
Messrs. Htoner & Sons' establishment
was a huge double-fronted shop, con
taining more wealth In the shape of
precious stones than nny other hnlf
dozeu places of the kind In England,
and the arms of royalty shone bril
liantly over the door. Telling the cab
man to await my return I swaggered
into the emporium and approached the
long, glittering counter.
A gentlemanly assistant leaned to
ward mo, asking in a low, mellifluous
tone what he could have the honor of
showing mo. I hinted my require
ments In a few peremptory words,
which seemed to impress him very
deeply, and during the next half hour
I kept the youth busy displaying to me
all sorts and conditions of precious
stones, the mere sight of which made
my mouth water, to übc a somewhat
forcible, though Inelegant expression.
When I had sustained the farce long
enough I shrugged my shoulders dis
consolately and observed:
"Really, I don't care to docide on
anything without consulting my wife.
Unfortunately, she is kept to the hotel
by a had cold and cannot stir out."
It was then that the nssitant made
the suggestion for which I was wait
ing.
"Wo could send around an assort
ment by one of our people, if you like,
sir," he remarked affably, "and then
the lady eould see for herself."
"Ah! an admirable plan," I cried,
speaking as though tbe arrangement
had occurred to mo as he spoke. "Do
you think you could seud your man be
tween five and six this evening?"
"Certainly, sir. Will you be good
enough to state your name and hotel?"
"Hero is my card," I returned, as I
produced a piece of pnsteboard spe
cially printed for this purpose, and
which bore "the name of "The Hon.
Charles T'ugct." "I am stopping at the
Recherche."
"Thank you very much, sir. The
messenger shall wait on you at the
time you name."
Ho bowed politely, and Insisted on
accompanying mo Into the street and
holding open the flap of the hansom
Whilst I took my seat In tho vehicle.
Much pleased with tha success of my
scheme thus far, I drove liaek to the
hotel and told Basting that all was in
capital train for the working of the
stratagem. Ilis eyes lit up with de
light.
"Blow nie. guv-nor," he muttered.
"If yon ain't a werry Nerpoloon o'
dooplteity. 'Pon my slvvy, it's a pleas
ure to commit a fellerny with a bloke
like you, and no mistake."
"I-lush!" I said quickly, "remember,
the game is not ended yet, and one
false stroke may bring everything to
ruin. Have you tho chloroform
ready?"
" 'Ere It Is," he replied with n
chuckle, producing tho phial from his
pocket.
"And tho hag for the stones?" I
asked.
"It's In the sittin' room. Hevery
tliln's as right as a trivet, guv-nor, and
If the job falls through It won't bo
along of any want o' forethought on
the part of yures truly."
"fioodf I cried; "aud now there Is
nothing to be done but to await tho
arrival of Messrs. Stonor's man."
*$•
At a quarter past live a waiter en
tered and Informed mo that the jew
eler's assistant was below.
"Show him up," I replied smartly.
Tho man bowed and retired. A mo
ment later a tall, pale-faced youth
made his appearance, bearing a parcel
In his arms.
"(food afternoon, sir," he said softly.
"I have brought so.ae stones l'or your
inspection."
"Oh, ah, yes." I exclaimed; "my wife
will be down In a moment, and, mean
time, suppose I have a look at tho
things. Unfasten tho parcel, if you
please."
He obeyed silently. Whilst he was
untying the string Basting walked Into
the room nnd busied himself with some
Imaginary work in order to account for
his presence. Directly the paper had
been removed from the jewel ease, and
the glittering contents displayed to
my view, I took out a tiny diamond
brooch and held It tip to the light.
"Er—look here," I said, addressing
the youth; "just examine this brooch.
Is not the stone badly set?"
He was all attention in a moment,
and Basting, having overheard the
preconcerted signal, crept up behind
him, pressed a chloroformed handker
chief to his nose, and dragged him to
the ground. The young man struggled
helplessly for a few seconds, and then
with a heavy sigh became unconscious.
Without a moment's delay I grabbed
the stones and placed them In the
small bag. I then told Basting to
quit the hotel and meet mo outside
Charing Cross Station, as the sight
of my supposed valet acconlpanying ma
Into the street might have created
suspicion. He obeyed with a grin, and
ten minutes later we both stood upon
the platform of the big terminus await
ing the boat express to Folkestone. Ar
riving at the latter port we journeyed
to Boulogne, and next morning caught
the first train to,the Dutch capital. All
had worked thus far with the utmost
smoot ' .ess, and no scheme in which
I had taken part had ever occasioned
me so little trouble and so much amuse
ment.
We brer Wasted at the railway hotel
in Amsterdam, and then set out for
Groby's den, situated In the east end
of the city. Groby, though possessed
of an English name, had lived so long
in Holland that ho spoko our tongue
like a foreigner, and when we entered
his "office" he greeted us with a very
amazing accent.
"Ah! gute morning, zhentlemen," be
said, smiling. "And vat brings you
here di 3 fine morning?"
"Business, as usual, Mr. Groby," I
replied, as I took the greasy hand
which he extended to me; "my friend
and I have been engaged in the dia
mond trade of late, and wo have
brought you some very excellent
stones."
"Ha, ha! dnt was soot—very goot,"
cried Groby, rui)bing his linnds. "Yon
know me, zhentlemen. You know that
I give de best price iu Holland for
good things."
"Well, hero is your opportunity to bo
generous," I returned, as I opened the
bag and drew forth the big collection
of "annexed" jewels. "Look at these."
Groby eyed the stones for a few min
utes narrowly. Then he burst into a
honrne, irritnting laugh.
"Vat do you call dese?" ho asked,
slowly.
"I call tliom diamonds, rubles and
opals," I answered. "What do you
call them?"
"Paste, my goot sir—paste, and not
ing more."
"Paste!" I thundered, as I turned
sick with apprehension, while Easting
eyed the merchant as though he con
templated designs upon his life.
"Paste! Are you joking?"
"My goot fellow, I never ghoke 1n
blzneas. AH dls stuff Is a goot imita
tion of the real ting, but I do not deal
in imitations. Ze market price of the
lot would be one thousand marks—dnt
is, fifty pounds in your Engleeso
money. Not a groat more."
At first I would not believe this terri
ble truth. Next morning illumination
came. Easting, who had been enjoy
ing an early potation at a neighboring
cafe, returning to tile hotel, clutching a
copy of Galngnani'a Messenger In bis
hand, whilst his eyes gleamed with
fury.
"Read that paragraph, guv'nor," ho
yelled, "and you'll understand all."
He pointed to a passage that ran
thus:
"Strange Sequel to a Daring Jewel
Robbery.
"A very extraordinary affair Is re
ported from London. It would appear
that s. few days ago a well dressed
stranger called at Messrs. Stonqrs, the
well-known Bond street jewelers, and
commissioned the firm to forward a
consignment of stones for his wife's
approval at the Hotel Recherche. On
the clerk arriving at the hotel ho was
sot upon by two men and drugged, and.
needless to add, be fonnd on recovery
that his assailants had made good their
escape. The extraordinary sequel to
the episode lies in the fact that the
rogues had their trouble for nothing,
seeing that the stones which he dis
played consisted of paste goods, worth
at most some fifty pounds. It would
seem that the assistant charged with
the errand in question was also com
missioned to proceed afterwards to an
other hotel, where he was to show some
paste goods to another possible cus
tomer, but owing to the faot that he
was suffering from severe neuralgia
and sleeplessness be made a lucky mis
take and displayed the sham stones to
the thieves, the genuine articles being
securely placed lu his breast pocket.
Thus has It come about that Messrs.
Stoner have been preserved from n loss
of some twenty thousand pounds."
Enstlng stared at mo with a curious
expression in his eyes.
"Guv'nor," he muttered, "I should
like to knve that clurk all to myself
for abaut two mlnlts."
"So should I," I answered.
And then wo let tbo matter drop,
for, Indeed, It was too painful for fur
ther comment.—Tit-Bits.
Steering; 151s: Ships.
Marvelous progress has been made
in marine architecture and equipment
within the past few years. There was
a time when the wheel-house of a big
ocean steamer contained eight stalwart
men, who in rough weather would find
it almost a herculean task to manage
the wheel.
Nowadays the light touch of an in
fant's hand upon the wheel Is of suf
ficient power to turn a vessel complete
ly around. Huge boats are steered by
a steam apparatus which is as quick
and effective as tho touch upon the or
dinary electric button.
* Catching lizard*.
Nearly half the boys in. New Orleans
are catching lizards and making good
pocket money by doing so. Tho price
started at twenty-five cents per 100,
and the delaers found many boys will
ing to catch them at that figure, but
the price lias lately gone up to fifty
cents per 100. They are wanted by a
San Francisco man, who expects to
make the lizards useful iu catching tho
Insects which are hurting the fruit in
California.
Domestic Training For Girls.
ej?
By Mrs. Coulter, of tlie UtaH Legislature.
uxt girls need domestic training at school because they have,
I 1v '" 1 now school methods and the present social life, little time
/jf vjk | at home for such work. The young inan who would fill a posi-
If I tion of responsibility and power fits himself for it by study and
| practical training, but our daughters, who are to be the builders
, | and business managers of the home, the dlsbursers of the family
i [ —-i—T | income, and the mothers of the coming generation, are per
| j iTi7l, | mitted to go into this work without n question as to their sci
"amcnsicmwv entitle preparation for it. If we would not sacrifice tlie mental
development of woman, if the school and college claim the girl
] during these foundation years, provision should be made by the school for
instruction which will not only make up for the lost opportunity at home,
but lit her to meet the increasing demand for skilled labor In this field. Edu
cationally, the first stop is found In the department of manual training now in
troduced into some of our schools. Financially and practically, we have taken
the second step in considerable sums of money pledged; in interest awakened,
and in the earnest co-operation promised on every side.
The time is not far off when it will be considered seemly and will become
the province of every good woman aggressively to influence public opinion for
all that constitutes human well-being. Toward this the clubs are certainly
well on their way, In thr.t they are now co-operating with leagues and societies
specially organized for reforms and ameliorative movements, while they have
long been working npart for the lowering of the Illiteracy record, the suppres
sion of unfit literature, tho relief of wage-earning women and children, a more
practical training in the public schools, and the reign of nobler standards.
JZ?
War, the Geographer,
By Franli Mnnsey.
GFOUE these troubles in Venezuela how many of us thought of
33 the country save as a patch of color on the map? How many
n were cock-sure as to the spelling of Caracas? How many knew
ij | that Venezuela means "Llttlo Venice," or had read that the first
a ! invaders, after the Spanish discoverer, were the Germans, aboui
ff I three centuries before James Monroe framed his famous maxim?
i is® S Even the Buccaneers are not associated intimately with tho
Ja country. There is only one reference in Esquemeling's bravo
chronicle where he writes: "Hence they departed, with design
to take and pillage the city of Caracas, situated over against tho
Island of Cumeoa, belonging to the Hollanders."
The. hoy who studied geography in the sixties, when the earth was still
comparatively romantic and unknown, was interested in land, or sea, or town,
chiotly through color or name. Blue or purple countries on the map were
necessarily delectable regions. No desert Is as sandy as the "Great North
American Desert" then looked. There was Van Dieman's Land, a dismal,
suspicion-exciting country; and after the hoy had been persuaded that it was
not inhabited by demons equipped with horns and hoofs and tails, he would
nevertheless have sworn to the truth of Hnzlltt's description: "Barren, miser
able, distant; a place of exile, tho dreary abode of savages, convicts and ad
venturers."
Bagdad, Damascus, the Galapagos, Andalusln—what fascination in the
very names to the schoolboy who delights in the smell of the wharves or
knows his Arabian Nights and Washington Irving as n clerk his ledger!
As the boy becomes man, names mqy still wield their spell; but they arc
vague, often imaginary localities. War breaks out; fleets meet and wage bat
tle off some obsenro flshlug town; an army surrenders near some hamlet
which had hitherto slept peacefully by day as well as by night. The village it
suddenly world-famous. Tho name of the fishing town is written on banners.
—New York News.
J27
Manhood Higher Than Money
By Edwin Markham.
®E are making remarkable progress in wealth-gathering, yet
one thing is certain—we shull reach no enduring greatness
until wo make manhood stand higher than money. A mere
millionaire, with his cramped and sordid life, cuts a sorry
figure when meutured by tho side of a progressive editor, UD
unselfish teacher, or a distinguished Inventor.
We are naturally horo-worshtpers, and it is right that we
should be. The thing important is that we should choose the
true heroes, not the stuffed ones, not the pompous nothings
strutting out their little hour upon a painted stage. Let us choose for our
honoring the large-hearted servants of mankind.
Once upon a time a distinguished foreign nobleman visited our land, and
desired to meet a representative American family. To whom was he pointed?
To the family of that worthy minister of the Gospel who stands for a clean
life and the sacred rights of the people? To tho family of that conscientious
teacher who is touching young souls with Ideals and Inspirations? No; the
nobleman was pointed by well-nigh all of us to tho family of a Sir Croesus,
who had inherited unearned millions, and who was In no wise a representative
of our American grit and generosity, of our democratic simplicity und fellow
feeling, to say nothing of our art and letters.
Thomas Hughes said, long ago, that we may not bo able to hinder people
In general from being helpless and vulgur—from letting themselves fall iuto
slavery to things about them, if they are rieh, or from aping the habits and
vices of tho rich. It' they are poor.
But, as he says, we may live simple, manly lives, ourselves, speaking our
own thoughts, paving our own way, and doing our own work, whatever that
may be. We shall remain gentlemen as long as we follow these rules, even
if we have to sweep a crossing for a livelihood. But we shall not remain
gentlemen, In anything but the name, if we depart from these rules, though
we may bo set to govern a kingdom.
Jc? j£7
Permissible Recreations
and Amusements
By Hamilton W. Mablo, Author and Critic.
BLAY is as much a man's duty ns work. Our taste for play
and tho Intelligent selection of proper forms of recreation
have never been sufficiently developed.
Many people pluy too much and unintelligently, others
give no thought to recreation and do their work in an inferior
way because they lose the freshness that piny brings. Work
and play should never lie separated; and this is particularly
true in tho higher forms of work, where play Is absolutely
essential. For example, in art there Is a necessity for tho
spontaneity of play. Tho suggestion of toll Instantly destroys the art quality.
I believe in all amusements that the rational, morally wholesome and
civilized man can enjoy. But I do not balleve in any kind of amusement In
excess. It is a mistake for a man to give up his work und devote his time
to golf, or so to overdo with the wheel as to strain the heart.
It seems difficult for the American to carry moderation into his work or
his play. Moderation in recreation Is ns essential as moderation In work.
Everything should he done In reason.
Again, that recreation Is best which takes one further from bis routine
and active life. The student, tho man of sedentary occupation ought to put
emphasis on out-of-door recreation. Ho needs more tramping, more horse
back riding and less theatre than the man whose vocation takes him con
stantly out of doors. Every man's life needs all the variety he can possibly
crowd into It Tho serious man needs to read novels, and go to tho theatre;
that Is, provided he reads good stories and sees good plays.
Half of the mistakes of tho reformers, the philanthropists and tho ethical
teachers arlso from their lack of perspective. They are too much interested in
ono field. All followers of earnost pursuits especially need recreation. Wo
all ought to cultivate the senso and use of humor properly to balance life.
A great many admirable peoplo make serious blunders because they are
constantly at work and nover at play. The man of narrow and intense inter
ests is the man. of all others who needs to look over the wall.
All wholesome, normal forms of recreation ought to be recognized and
mnde legitimate. This Is the first step toward making roereatlon rational and
clean.
It Is a significant fact that so many of the great organizers of business en
terprises and leaders of gigantic interests at the present time take long vaca
tions and make time for their recreation. They have discovered that tremendous
activity is destructive unless the strain Is constantly relieved by intervals of
play. The colossal workers of to-day almost without exception are men who
pursue some form of recreation as earnestly and methodically as they push
their work to completion.
And it is not too much to say that the great financial men of the future,
the great organizers, the students, and the leaders in tho professions will by
necessity he great devotees of some form of recreation.
&he Funny
. Ifide of
3
7 Illrf SUIT.
She smiled upon his suit, v
Oh, luckv, lucky lad!
She srailcd upon his suit, *
1 And yet he v/as not glad.
1
c His coat was all awry,
His trousers baggea, to boot;
' And that's the reason why
fehc smiled upon his suit!
—The Smart Set.
l
AS WE TALK.
Iloax—"I just heard some news that
fieems too good to be true."
Joax—"That's too bad."—Philadel
phia Record.
THE RESPONSIBILITY PLACED.
"So their marriage was a failure."
' "Not nt all. Marriage is all right.
It was the man and the woman who
were failures."—Philadelphia Press. '
CROSS-EXAMINATION. j
— I
Lawyer—"What is your business?"
' Witness—"l am a conductor."
Lawyer—'"Railway, musical or light
ning?"— New York Journal.
HAS HIS DOUBTS.
"Truth lies at the bottom of a well,"
said the man who quotes.
"Not at the bottom of an oil well,/' .
I'll l>et," snarled the man who had in- \ I
rested.—Baltimore Herald.
IMPROVED.
Purchaser—"So this is an Improved
typewriter?"
Agent—"Yes; If you don't know how
to spell a word there is a key thnt will
make a blot."—Philadelphia Record.
HOMER'S GOOD POINT.
"I sec that Andrew Carnegie thinks
Homer didn't amount to much, after
all."
"That's queer. Surely Homer must
have had one good point in Andy's
estimation. He didn't die rich."—
Chicago Record-Herald.
CRAFT WINS.
"How did you ever manage to get
on the good side of that crusty ol|l
uncle of yours?" asked Fan.
"Fed him the things he liked when
be came to visit us," replied Nan.
"The good side of any man is his in
side."—Chicago Tribune.
TEST OF ALTRUISM.
Little Willie—"Pa, what's an al-tru
-1st?"
Ills Father—"A man, my child, who
carries Ids umbrella all day without!
using it, and then is glad It didn't rain
on account of the people who had no .
umbrellas with them."—Judge.
EITHER WAY.
"How sad Miss Forlorn looks," re
marked the gueet sympathetically.
"Yes, poor thing," replied her host
ess, "she was disappointed in love."
"And who 5s that awfully sour look
ing woman?"
"Oh, that Is Mrs. Kcteham. She wasj
disappointed In marriage."—New Yo."|a
Sun. r
HIS FALL.
"Speaking of bad falls," remarked
Joggers, "I fell out of a window ouee
and the sensation was terrible. Dur
ing my transit through the air I really
believe I tliought of evory mean act
I ever committed in my life."
"H'm," growled Jigglns, "you must
have fallen an awful distance."—New
York Suu.
TIIE EASIEST WAY.
Mald^"^hm^*'^smc' did ye
sor?"
Visitor—"Herr von Vanderscmertoo
tleheimer."
Muld—"Yes, sor. Will ye piaze walk
up stairs an*—an.' bring it wid ye?"—
Scraps. .
A NATION'S BLUFF.
"Do you want war?" asked the prime
minister.
"Certainly not," answered the king.
"Then why do you assume such a
defiant and bellicose attitude?"
"Because I have reason to suspect
that the other country is even mora
averse to war than I am."—Washing
ten Star.