Abergavenny Chronicle

THE 1914 STAR. I a»? «, ? spit? of the publicity given m the Press Sa to those who are eligible to receive the 1914 ? Lord Derby, the Secretary for War, ?<?-? that there is "till a good deal of mis- ?PpreheQg?n co??cernms' it. All officers and Men who went to France in 1914 are entitled to it. The manufacture of the medals is being Pushed on, but some time must elapse before .ey are ready. In the meantime the ribbons will be issued gradually, and first of all to  in the field. th who are stil! serving in the field.

Mr. Cooper Mitchell, the entertainer at the piano, has died. The American command in France has de. cided to grant leave after four months' ser- vice in France to officers and men of good conduct.

MOTHER AND HOME. -—— —- The woman who has never known trouble may be bright and cheerful (although even this does not always follow), but she has not the moral worth of the woman who has suf- fered and learned to smile in spite of it. ThE woman who knows how to be happy is a blessing to herself as well as to her friends, She probably began by forcing herself to take an interest in other people's joys and sorrows, and by steadily schooling herself to appear bright and amiable, and to conceal her troubles from the world's eyes. It was doubtless a severe discipline at first, but it is richly rewarded, for so wonderfully consti- tuted is the human soul that to try to be happy for the sake of others is the surest way to be happy for one's own. PACKING CLOTHINO. Pack clothing away in plenty of news- paper, folding the two edges to secure the parcel. Moths dislike printers' ink, so newspaper is invaluable as a moth dispeller. I A SITTING-ROOM HINT. When the pattern has worn off a carpet just at the door, or where there is much traffic, the colours may be quite revived by painting them in wa-tercolour paints or Dolly dye" tints. The outline of the pat- tern always remains as a juide. This tip has been tried on a bordered art square with perfect success. I CHANGES OF HOSE. I Although "being too much on the feet" is the cause of much foot trouble, the condi- tions are often made worse by too infre- quent changes of hose, and by the use of one pair of shoes day after day. Stnckings should be changed daily, if possible, or two pairs should be worn alternately. The f-ame is true of shoes; two pairs, worn alter- nately, will give greatly increased comfort to the wearer, even if she is not couscious of any foot trouble. I DISCOLOURED TEETH. I When tectli have become brown or yellow a little lemon-juice applied with a tooth- brush is often effectual. It should, however, be rarely used-and the mouth should be well rinsed afterwards, as acids are very in- jurious. I BREAKING A CHILD'S WILL. I Don't try to "break" a child's will. If you insist too much upon blind obedience, and continue to exact it long after it should have been relaxed, the child has no oppor- tunity of acquiring self-control or initiative. This is why children accustomed to too great severity and restraint often turn out badly when they have to act for themselves. Either they are broken-spirited, or, having felt too heavy a hand on the reins, they rush into excesses. To BLACKEN BRowx BOOTS. I Make a strong solution of soda, and witn it wash over the leather to remove grease, etc. When the boots are dry, apply two coats of finishing ink. Then use ordinary blacking, and polish off with brushes in the usual way. BOOTLACE TAGS. I Bootlace tags which have come off may be I replaced for the time being with tags of sealing-wax. Cut the end of the lace, smear IT over with sealing-wax, then press it to a point while the wax is still warm. AVOID HURRIED TOILETS. I I I I Dressing in a hurry is a peculiarly trying experience for a woman, especially when she is being waited for by an impatient husband or lover. She rummages drawers and boxes for her scarf, which is probably all the time in plain sight. Her gloves are nowhere to be seen; she is short of hair-pins, and her gold chain is hopelessly knotted. In the hurry, buttons come off and strings break, and when she is at last readv she is hot, angry, and conscious of appearing at her worst. The remedy is to insist on notice of outings, so that she may have leisure to dress in comfort and make the best of her- self. BOOTS THAT SQUEAK. I To remove the squeak from ooots, let a cobbler drive two or three shoe nails (some- times one is sufficient) in centre of bottom I of boot..Castor oil applied to the upper will soften leather and prolong wear. TAILORING HINTS. I If a pair of trousers go baggy at the knees, turn them on to the wrong side, damp, and thoroughly prefe. Repeat this again and again until the cloth has shrunk back to its original size. This is a method adopted by tailors. If your serge suit or costume gets torn, take a piece of material left over from the making of the article, and unravel the threads. With these darn the tear neatly, taking care to follow the lines in the serge. Then press over a damp cloth, and the darn will then scarcely be seen. A SAVING HINT. If, when stitching on apron pockets, you sew a piece of tape between the pocket and the apron, you will find that it does not tear down at the sides if it gets caught in any- thing, and the apron lasts much longer. To CLEAN WHITE VELVET AND PLUSH. Take one pound of hard, white soap, paIf an ounce of gum arabic, and one gallon of water. Cut the soap into thin slices and boil up with the gum until all is dissolved into a smooth, thin cream. When cool enough to bear the hand, dip the fabrics into the liquor and wash by drawing them through the hand, but do not rub until they are clean. Then rinse in cold water, dry them, and pin out on a table-cloth, and carefully, with a clean clothes brush, raise the nap by brushing the way of the grain for velvets. Another way is to take stale breadcrumbs, sifted fine. Mix them with a little powdered blue, and rub the fabrics well over with it by means of a soft, clean flannel. Then shake, and dust off with a very soft hat brush, or clean linen cloth. OIL STAINS ON KID BOOTS. I Use so-called petroleum spirit (benzine, benzoline, petrol spirit, wood naphtha, or turpentine). A pad of cotton wool soaked in the solvent used should be put on the place stained, and left on for some time. It may be required to put such a pad on both sides of the kid. Repeat if necessary until the oil be dissolved out and into the cotton wool. To MAKE HEALING OINTMENT. I Obtain from a chemist the following: 2d. of swallows oil, 2d. of eucalyptus oil, 2d. pf white wax, 2d. of vaseline. Melt white wax and vaseline together in a tin, then add eucalyptus oil and swallows oil; mix I all well together. Then pour into tins or jars; when cold it is ready for use. Always replace lid of tin or jar after using. CUFFS FOR WRISTS AND ANKLES. I I For ladies doing winter gardening tnese are excellent as a help to Tceep hands and feet warm. Make the ankle cuffs of very thick black wool, one ounce in each; they can be worn underneath gaiters and either over or inside high-legged boots. The idea comes from a doctor's prescriptions that keeping the wrists and ankles warm, warms the whole body.

EAST AFRICAN PROGRESS. I The Secretary of the War Office an- tiouncles:- The advanced troops of our column opera- ing- inland in East Africa from Port Amelia have reached Nanunya. about fifty miles from the coast. In the wee-tern area there have been patrol encounters in the Mwembi, in which appreciable lasses have been in- flicted on the enemy. Heavy rainfall con- tinues.

FAMOUS MARKSMAN'S DEATH. I Private McVittie, the famous marksman, has just died at Langholme. For a decade he was a notable figure at Wimbledon, and the winner of scores of prizes. He shot for and coacbed the British team against America; also the Scottish Eight.

I Scarlet Sage.-Salvia splendens is one oi our best greenhouse flowers for the beds and borders in summer. Fireball and Glory of Zurich are two dwarf shorts producing com- pact plants 20in. to 24in. high, a blaze oi scarlet blossoms in late summer and autumn. Sow seeds now in a heat.ed greenhouse, 01 insert cuttings under a bell-glass, taken from stock plants wintered on a greenhouse shelf. Shasta Daisy.—To supply quantities of blooms for cutting the Shasta or Ox-eye Daisy is one of our best border flowers. Increase is by division of tie clumps and from seeds sown in a heated greenhouse during early spring. Borne on long white stalks the pure white lfowers with rich yel- low centres are indispensable in the border and home. Among the numerous sorts, May Queen, Westralia, King Edward VII. and Mrs. C. Lothian Bell are strongly re- commended. Protecting Border Carnations.—To pre- vent the ravages of slugs, which often do much damage m winter to-border cariffations. it is a good plan to surround each plant with a thick ring of ashes, renewing as they be- come washed away by rains. Sparrows cause a lot of trouble in some districts. To keep them off. short sticks are inserted around the plants and black cotton is stretched between them. A simple method is to place lengths of jin. mesh wire netting round the plants, held in position by peg?s. Two fl?ii-tlis of willow or hazel stems are bent over the top, and covered with nettino-. Both netting and pegs will serve the purpose for many seasons and occupy little room in storing, and may be found useful for other purposes. Pruning Cherries.—It is very easy to over- prune cherries. Yet the trees answer well to spur pruning with the exception of the Morello. Allow plenty of young shoots to remain where the branches are liable to the disease known as "gumming." When this is done there will be found plenty of material to fill up space when a branch or growth fails from the above troubles. Do not cut back MoreHos, but secure young shoots over the whole available space about 4in. apart. Pruning Gooseberries. In doing this work cut away low branches and shoots from near the soil. This allows of the hoe being worked beneath the bushes in summer and prevents the branches from becoming rooted in the earth. Cut out shoots too thickly placed, so tha.t when pruning is completed the hand can pass freely so that there may be little difficulty later on when gathering the berries. Do not cut back young growths, unless in the case of pendulous sorts, when it may be needful to keep young shoots from touching the ground. A Hint on Pruning.—In the pruning of fruit trees the advice generally given is to prune to an outward bud. In the case of trees of upright growth, especially those newly planted, it is correct to prune to a bud pointing outwards. In the case of es- tablished trees it iz best to choose the bud which points in the direction new growth is desired. Again, in dealing with such as Victoria plum, and Lane's Prince Albert apple, of which the growths are more or less pendulous, it would be unwise to cut to a bud pointing outwards, one pointing up- wards should be chosen. Birds and Buds.—Birds will now begin to take toll of the buds of fruit trees unless prevented by some means. Protection can be afforded in some cases by netting, but this is not always possible. Lime sprinkled o-o-r the trees when damp will prevent damage being done for a time, but needs renewal to be continuously effective. I hardly like to suggest shooting, but this sometimes is the only satisfactory method of stopping the feathered pests in their depre- dations. The Week's Work.—As an edging for bor- ders Japanese stonecrop (&dum spectabile) Is one of the best autumn perennial flowers. The roots can be lifted and divided now. The plants grow about 1ft. high, and pro- duce flat heads of rosy-red flowers; they thrive in most soil, and are particularly valuable in a north border. Several strains of carnations, notably Marguerite, Van- guard, and Grenadin blossom from July to October or later in sheltered corners if sown in a heated greenhouse by the end of this month. Seedlings grow freely, and are ready to plant outside in the flowering posi- tions during May. A large percentage pro- duce double flowers, and the singles a.re quite attractive to cu# for vases. Woolly aphis, the troublesome pest of apples, can be deal with to some extent at this season. Where the pests have congregated in cracks and rough places on the stems and branches of old trees they may be treated -with uctroleum. It will be wise to get all winter work on wall trees finished as early as possible. All ties should be examined and renewed where necessary. Allow room for growths to swell during the coming season. There may be instances where peach trees are tied back from the wall for the purpose of retarding the blossoms, and in such cases the work may be deferred for a week or two. Sow a little parsley seed very thinly in boxes filled with light soil. The seed- lings may then be transferred to the open any time after March, the large leaves being most useful from May onwards. Forcing Rhubarb.—If strong clumps of this were put into warmth last month signe of active growth should now be- apparent. Plenty of moisture at the roots and overhead is essential; if the growth is made in total darkness the sticks of rhubarb will be a fax nicer colour. Peas in Pots.—If an empty garden frame and a few dozen small pots are on hand, those who value a dish of peas early in the summer should take advantage of th< opportunity to sow half a pint of seed. A four-inch pot will be ample for eight seeds, and the garden frame will give the neces- sary protection until April. If the plants are then put on a sheltered border no harm need be expected to follow. Peter Pan Little Marvel, and Laxtonian ar good sorts.

SOLD WITHOUT PERMITS. For selling certai n war materials-to wit, second-hand wagons without a permit from the Ministry of Munitions, the Cam- brian Wagon Co., Ltd., Cardiff, and R. H. Neal, of Ealing Common, were at Bow-street Police-court fined £50 each, and ordered to pay £10 10s. costs each.

INTERNED AUSTRIAN'S DEATH. A verdict of "Death through misadven- ture, due to the negligence of the occupiers of the factory in not having the machinery fenced," was returned by a jury at Hamp- stead in the case of Gustave Barbaery, an Austrian from an internment camp em- ployed in an engineer's shop, who was caught in a flywheel and killed.

IN THE POULTRY YARD. By COCKCROW. BREEDING FOR EGGS. The breeding season is fast approaching, and as it is the poultry-keeper's policy ta look ahead, a few hints given now on the subject of breeding cannot fail to be of in- terest, and most certainly they cannot be called out of place. When the breeding season begins the poultry-keeping industry ha4 many new recruits, although it is doubt- ful if the number this year will be large owing to the greatly increased cost of keep- ing the birds and the food difficulty. But even should there be no new recrui ts to the business our notes this week will most prob- ably prove of use to others, who, for a cer- tainty, cannot know everything about poul- try worth knowing. The coming season is likely to be one in which the chief object will be to obtain eggs. A SUITABLE BREED. The nrst item to pay atten- tion to, therefore, is the breed which will be most suitable for this purpose. You have three classes to choose from They are the birds which arc small in size, those which are large, and those which are be- twixt and between these two; or, in other words, ithose which are of medium size. Now, as a rule, small birds do not lay well during the months of cold weather unless they are given a t special degree ot comiort ana led In a rather generous manner. The sort of birds you require are those that lay well in winter and summer, and therefore the sm3,ll varieties may be dismissed as being unsuitable. Next, there is the large-sized varieties. Such birds have large appetites. Even supposing they prove to be good layers they do not leave any margin of profit owing to the cost of keeping them. So if you are only keeping poultry on "small lines," large birds may also be turned down as being unsuitable. We have, therefore, only one class of bird left, and that is the medium-sized varieties. And, without the slightest doubt, these are the best. They are only moderate eaters, and are quite sturdy and strong enough to stand the rigours of winter. Often the common black farmyard fowl, with perhaps some old game blood in her veins, proves an excellent layer. Such birds do well whether they are in close confinement or running about with freedom. As a rule it is only the man with a wide ) experience of poultry who can pick out the CHOOSING THE HEN. best laying hen on sight. I Such work comes only after I years among the birds, and an amateur would be doing wrong to try to test his knowledge by at- tempting to detect the best layers. The better plan for an amateur to follow is to keep a careful account of the number of eggs laid by each hen. When you have secured for yourself this information the best layers should be earefully handled with a view to finding out their condition. If the wings have plenty of flesh on them and plenty of fat on the breast; if the abdomen is soft and the internal organs are freely movable, you may depend upon it that you have a bird which is in excellent condition for the breeding pen. Should the abdomen be hard and firm, the probability is that the hen is too fat, in which case the eggs laid will be infertile. It is necessary to remove the fat. This may be done by reducing the food al- lowance a little every two days and giving food of a less fat-forming nature. The re- sult of this treatment should show itself in the softening of the abdomen and an in- creased liveliness on the part of the sub- ject. After this the hen will be ready for the pen. In pre-war days there was but very little doubt as to the best food to give hens that THE FOOD QUESTION. were being used for breed- ing purposes. Oats or wheat were given, and on these the birds thrived. To give these foods now is an offence punishable by law, and thus the question of food for breeders has become a difficult and important matter. Give it a little of the finest mixture that can be obtained, also a raw mangel or turnip. Or in place of this latter chopped grass or cabbage leaves can be given. As time goes on it is necessary for them to have their soft food, and this should be made of the best meal which you can obtain in these days of sub- stitutes and inferior foods. The average amount of soft food per bird itS usually con- sidered to be about an ounce and a half. The soft food should be, mixed with water, so that it forms a stiff, "stodgy" paste. Before mixing, however, add just a little liquid sulphur to the water. After the soft food has been given, the birds must not be given anything more to eat until evening, rh?,. they should be given a little hard food before going to roost. If your hens lose weight on the quantity of food that has been prescribed here it must be in- creased, but such a thieg is not likely to happen. From such a diet as that mapped out fertile eggs and good healthy chickens should result. See that the birds have always a liberal supply of grit and a dust- bath. Clean water is another necessity. The male bird plays a more important part in breeding than many people know or THE MALE BIRD. realise, ?evcr use a oird unless you are sure that he has a good family history behind him to "back him 1 up. He should be the offspring of a pro- lific layer. A year-old cockerel may be put with six or eight hens, and a two-year-old cock with three or four. There should be no need to remind poultry-keepers that the roosting-house must be kept dry, clean, and free from all draughts, and the floor of the day shelter covered to a good depth with dry earth. If it is your intention to purchase eggs for hatching you must be prepared to pay BUYING HATCHING EGGS. a good price tor them, especially in these days, if you want good eggs. Only buy off of a man who has an established good repu- tation. As a ruje it is the seller who is blamed for bad hatches, but the fault does not always lay with him. Eggs which have to come a long train journey are very often knocked about in transit. It is not wise when eggs have travelled a long distance to set them as soon as they arrive. Keep them for a few days. Even when the eggs are fresh and fertile, and arrive in good condition, there may be something wrong. The incubator may be over- or under- heated, or the hen may be at fault. There is always the chance, of course', that some of the eggs may be unfertile, and as a general rule during January about eight or nine good ones in a dozen is considered a reasonable average. Most breeders will replace the unfertile eggs or, in certain cases, sell another sitting at a reduced price. ANSWER OFO CORRESPONDENT. Amateur.—Am looking into your several queries and will answer you as soon a8 I possible.

THE FIRST STRIKE. I The first strike recorded in the world's history occurred in the year 308 B.C. The city pipers of Rome, whose principal duty was to provide the temple muic, were privi- leged by an ancient custom to hold feasts in the Temple of Jupiter. When the high priests desired to abolish this custom all the pipNs withdrew to Tibur (the modern Tivoli, eighteen miles N.E. of Rome), much to the embarrassment of the priests. The Senate thereupon despatched an envoy to the Tiburians entreating them to use their best endeavours to persuade the pipers to return. Being umible to prevail by fair means, they had recourse to strategy. Players of wind-instruments even in those days were subject to drv throats, so they were generously supplied with liquor, until one day all the musicians were found help- lessly drunk. They were then placed in a wagon and transported back to Rome. The populace were so delighted at their return that they p.fpared a great banquet in their honour—and so ended the first strike.

I IRISH CONVENTION. I I CONFERENCE TO BE HELD WITH THE CABINET. The following official communique from the Irish Convention was issued on Thurs- day night:— "The thirty-sixth meeting of tie Irisl Convention was held to-day in the Regent House, Trinity College. Sir Horace Plun- kett took the chair at eleven o'clock. The discussion on the statement received from the Grand Committee way continued. "The chairman read a letter from the Prime Minister stating that before a de- cision was come to by the Convention on certain issues under discussion he and his colleagues in the Cabinet would be happy to confer with loading members represent- ing different sections of the Convention should they desire to follow such a course. It was thereupon decided to adjourn the Convention, and certain members were selected to meet the Prime Minister and his colleagues. The chairman was authorised to arrange the conference for the earliest pos- sible daJte, and immediately thereafter to summon the Convention."

I AIR ATTACKS ON GOEBEN. — 0- I SEVEN TONS OF BOMBS DROPPED I AROUND THE SHIP. Admiralty, Jan. 25. Sinpe issuing the last communique aerial attacks on the Goebeii have been carried on ceaselessly, both by Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps, and durmg the last forty-eight hours some seven tons of bombs were dropped oil and round the ship, and on the aerodrome at Galata. several direct hits being observed, and results have been con- firmed by photographic reconnaissances. The Turkish cruiser which was near Goeben has left and proceeded up the Straits, and a steamer which was apparently engaged, in lightening the Goeben was forced to desist. The anti-aircraft fire has been very severe, but the only casualty as yet reported is one Greek officer, whose machine was shot down. The operation is continuing. —————

MEAT TO BE RATIONED. Meat, as well as butter and margarine, is to be included in the new rationing scheme for London and the Home Counties, which will come into operation on February 25. Each locality will have its proper share sup- plied through a central clearing house, and local Food Committees will have to deter- mine its equal distribution. Lord Rhondda made the foregoing an- nouncement at the Mansion House to the representatives of the London and Home Counties Food Committees. He said that in the next two months the position of meat would be difficult and acute. After that he hoped it would improve. The public must not raise their expecta- tions too much as to what was going to be the result of this scheme when it was put into operation. It was hoped that before long the whole country would be covered by schemes somewhat similar to the one which the meeting was now being asked to put into operation. After that compulsory rationing all over the country in certain article.- fats and meat—had got to come, and the sooner it came the better. It was no good having a rationing scheme in any area if the food was not put into that area. He hcped shortly to be able to throw into each district week by week its ascertained requirements of each food, and to leave the Food Control Committee to say in what quantities it should be divided.

FELL INTO CRiME. I At Marylebone Police-cor.rt on Saturday, Ralph John Clement Davies, 01 gentlemanly appearance, described as an accountant, v.aj sentenced to twelve months' hard labour 0:1 charges of stealing two Ylolirs, value E20, from 36, Leinster-square, Bays water, where he had resided, and obtaining a fur necklet, gold chain, and other articles to the valut of X38 18s. 6d. from Harrod's Store" falsely representing that they were to be pin down to the credit of his mother, .31, Clement Davies, a credit customer at the stores, residing near Barmouth. It wa stated that some years age, owing to pri- soner's bad habits, his parents 'sent him tc Australia, but he there fell into crime, and since his arrival in this country as an Aus- tralian soldier he had deserted two or three times.

NINE DAYS IN AN OPEN BOAT. An "Admiralty Recommend" for "coolness displayed while in action and courage shown whilst nine days in an open boat" has been given to Able Seaman E. Barker, whose home is at Chesterfield. His ship was tor- pedoed, and for nine days he and some companions were adrift in an open boat, without food. Their hunger and thirst be- came so intense they had to chew leather and drink sea water. Several of the crew died as a result of the exposure, and Barker and another became temporarily insane. Barker is now serving on a torpedo-boat de- strover. — o ■

R.N.V.R. OFFICER'S HEROISM. The King has awarded the Albert Medal to Lieut. John Neale, Royal Xaval Volun- teer Reserve, in recognition of his gallantry in saving life at Esher. On August 25, 10l6, Lieutenant Neale was conducting certain ex- periments which invol ved the projection from a Stokes mortar of a tube containing flare power. An accident occurred, render- ing imminent the explosion of the tubo be- fore leaving the mortar, which would almost certainly have resulted in the bursting of the mortar with loss of life to bystanders. Lieutenant Neale, in order to safeguard the lives of the working party, at once attempted to lift the tube from the mortar. It exploded while he was doing so, with the result that he was severely injured, but, result that lie Was owing to the fact that he had partly with- drawn the tube from the mortar, no injury was caused to others.

.SOLDIERS' RATIONS. I Mr. Forster stated in answer to a question I in Parliament that the Army rations at I home and in France are:- UNITED FRANCE. KINGDOM. Lines of com- Troops at munication. Front. Bread 14oz 14oz lib Meat 1-oz loz llb Cheese Nil z oz Tea ioz loz oz Butter Nil Nil z (thrice weekly) Margarine Nil loz Nil

DEMOBILISATION PLANS. "The whole scheme of Army demobilisu-" tion has been arranged, and there are only a few outstanding details to be settled," said Dr. Addison, Minister of Reconstruc- tion, at a reception at the India Office. "Approval of the scheme has been given by the Cabinet, and the machinery was now being rapidly arranged. The idea was that every unit should know which of its men had their places in civ il Itfe kept open for them. "I am glad to say,' added Dr. Addi- son, "that we think that will apply to GO per cent. of the Army." In a review of the work of the Ministry Dr. Addison mentioned that arrangements were being made for the disposal of Govern- ment war stores.

NEW EXEMPTION CONDITION. I The Guildhall section of the Russian Tribunal granted two months' exemption tc a hairdresser named Green, of Burdett-road, London, E., on condition that he posted a notice prominently in the front of his shop offering to have or give a haircut to any soldier or sailor who might cliam it.

OUR CHILDREN'S CORNER BT UNCLE RALPH. THE GALLANT ROVERS. It was Sidney who was at the bottom oi it, of course. l; ever there was any mis- chief about, he was sure to be in it. The other boys had started a splendid game; they called themselves "The Gallant Rovers," and they used to go about in a band, with a Captain, and pretend to do all sorts of fine things. For some reason or other, they would not let Sidney be a Gal- lant Rover, so Sidney thought he would play a little game of his own. The Gallant Rovers said they were going to march to another village one afternoon, and they started very bravely, with fla ge and drums, and trumpets, but at the end of the road they suddenly stopped. For a minute or two they stood quite still, then they all turned round and ran back as hard as ever they could. "It's all white! said the Captain, as he rushed along. "With long armsI" "And horns on its head!" said the Drum- mer. "I expect it's a dragon," said the Trum- peter. Thev all ran into the barn where they held their meetings, and shut the door tight and looked at each other. In a minute or two the dreadful Thing's head appeared at the window. At the same time a voice from outside called out, "Ho, ho! You are fine Gallant Roycrs Afraid of an old scarecrow! Ho, ho!" It was Sid- nev After that the Gallant Rovers thought they had better let Sidney join them. I THE NEW CLASS. "Well," said Mother, "and how did you get on" "Oh, it was loycl," said Mariorie. "When I got there, there were such a lot of boys and girls, I felt rather afraid but Dorothy came and made me sit next to her, and then I didn't mind. And there was such a nice boy called Hugh he had a funny kind of dress like a skirt lonly he said it was a kilt), and when we had dancing he danced with me. And you have to hold out your drp?a like this, Mother; and Marjorie began to dance about the room until .she was quite out of breath. Mother smiled, and said nothing, and as eoon as Marjorie had got her breath again she went on: "We had ever so many dances, and then marching and drilling, and Miss Florence played the piano, and then we had tea and such nice biscuits, and Hugh sat next to me on one side and Dorothy on the other, and I was so sorry when Fanny came and said it was time for me to go home. How long will it be before it's Thursday again. Mother?" Mother laughed this time. "Not. very "I t h ii l th?.t long. Marjorie," she said. "I think that you like going to the new class, don't yc&l"- And Marjorie said Ehe did. THE MORNING WALK. Rover and Floss are two happy dogs, They are fond of their mistress dear, And so long as she goes with them by her side She never has need to fear. Up in the morning so early She takes them both out for a run. They bark with delight as they race o'er the grass. And they always have capital fun. Sometimes on a bright sunny morning She will give them a in. in the lake, And laugh at them both when they come to the shore. And give themselves each a good shake. Then Rover will carry his mistress's whip, And Floss then must carry her glove. There are nowhere two dcgs quite so happy as they When they're" out with the mistress they love. IN MISCHIEF. Somehow she had begun 'the day wrong. Nur.se said she must have got out. of bed the wrong side, or put on the wrong stocking first. Anyhow, she upset her milk at break- fast all over the table-cloth, and that was the beginning of it all. Next, when they went out for a walk, she gave Ada a push (not purposely, she said:, and Ada fell down in the mud and hurt her knee and had to go home. Then they began lessons, and somehow none of the sums Mould come right, and she could not keep her eyes on the read- ing-book, and she felt quite sure that "c-a-t spelt "kitten," and she did not think that she could write unless she had real ink. In the afternoon it was just the same, of course if Baby knocked down her towel- of brick*, she had to knock his down afterwards, and she couldn't help it if it did fall on Ada's and knock hers over 6he didn't mean it to. so there were three of them all crying at once, and the bricks had to be put away. Then at tea-time she didn't know that there were oiilv two sugary biscuits, or per- haps she wouldn't have eaten them; but she certainly did eat them up very quickly. Just before they were going to bed she did the worst thing of all ehe got the scissors (which s he ought not to have touchedj and cut off a bit "of Baby's hair' Of course, she had to go to bed directly without any 6upper. and Nurse said, "Well. I hope you won't be so naughty again, Miss But I think that I ought pot to tell you her name. GLADYS DOROTHY AND THE MILK-JUG Of course, she ought to have been going straight home with the milk instead of standing about at the gate. If she had gone straight home she wouldn't have met Toby Tinkler, and then it wouldn't have hap- pened. But she did stay by the gate, looking at the birds* and the flowers, and thinking what a bother it was to have to run errand- —and then Toby Tinkler came along. "Hullo. Snip]>ety!" he said (her real name wasn't Snipppty. of course-It was Gladys Dorothy Simpkinson). "where are you going to? What's that? How much was it? Who's it for? Where did you get it?, Gladys didn't know which question to answer first, and while she wa)s thinking about it. Toby Tinkler went on, "Oh. I know what we'll do: we'll play at beinr water-carriers of the East, like this!" And before Gladys could do or say anything he had got her jug of milk on the top of head atnd was walking along with 1: Sma.h Down it went. and was broken all to pieces, and the milk was spilt on the ground. Toby Tinkler looked at it. th< n without a word he turned round and ran away as fast as he could. Wasn't it me. u of him? Poor Gladys .Dorothy had to home and tell her mother what, had h- pened, and I don't expect she liked it.

FORECASTING WEATHER. Bircs ^beasts are all mere or less sensitive to coming changes in the weatLer, t-) v observation of their movements warnings of changes in the weather can be obtained. Sea-birds fly inland in search of ooci as stormy weather comes on; wildfowl ieave the marshy grounds for higher locali- Hc-s, sw allows and rooks fly low before and during bad weather: frogs are unusually no:>sy; and sheep huddle together near bushes before rain. In fine weather a strip of seaweed will keep dry, and have a some- what dusty feeling, but with an increase of moisture in the air will become limp and sticky, indicating rain. A rosy sky at sun- set, whether cloudy or clear, a grey sky in the morning, a low dawn—that is, when the first signs of dawn appear on the hori- zon-all indicate fair weather. A red sky in the morning- indicates bad weather or much wind. Assimilating these and other signs, that much-maligned class of peop)e, sign" prophets, are l able to give us our prophecies.