The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 2, 1896, Page 24

24 'THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1896. NEW MONTH bows to us this morning, his arms laden with primroses and his fingers spark- ling with amethysts. A We are glad to see you, Sll’} February, and hope you will bring to us a | little more of sunshine than did your | brother January. % We are glad to see you, Sir February, | because you do bring to us two of the vear's best days—birthdays—St. Valen- e's and that of our own dearly beloved ‘Washington. Ah! there is another birthday, toof_ol one whom ive all love—which comes in this second month of the year—Charles'| Dickens, who was born in the land of the primrose, and who wrote of children, “I Jove these little people; and it is mot a slight thing, when they, who are so fresh | from God, love us.” A 5] So February is a precious month, isn’t | it? And we are all glad that it will last | one day more this year than it hasfora long time. Now for the primrose and the amethyst; the sentiment of the flower is ‘‘early youth,”” and of its mate in the mineral world, ‘“peace.” By the dewy gleam, by the very breath, Of the primrose tufts in the grass beneath— Upon thy heart there is laid a spell Holy and precious—0 guard it well. ek e —Twamley. The February-born will find Sincerity and peace of mind, Freedom from passion and from care, 1f they the amethyst will wear. | The primrose is one of the first flowers of | the year, its name being taken from the | ltalian and meaning ‘*‘the first spring flower.” | The home of the primrose is England and there it bloome sweetest and best. No flower. is so_dear to the heart of the Eng- lishman as the primrose. | The day which has been dedicated to Lord Beaconsfield, April 19, has come to be known as ‘‘Primrose day,” and his followers have clubs or societies, which they call “‘Primrose leagues,” having for their emblem a cluster of primroses, be- cause it was the favorite flower of this | statesman, just as the great Napoleon best | loved the modest violet, and just as the | lo: ornflower was so precious to Kaiser | Williar. | So on April 19 millions and millions of this “field duckling’’ are used for decora- | tive purposes, houses, market stalls, | horses, carriages and children being decked | Wwith as manv blossoms as possible, and | yet if you should ride out into the country | not one flower could be missed from sun fields or fragrant hedgerows, such prol bloomers are ‘months. In some parts of England much super- stition hovers around the primrose, it being considered an omen of ill luek fora person to enter a farmhouse with less than & generous handful of tbe blossoms, as a | fewer number is supposed to have a very serious effect on tbe number and well- being of the tiny members of the poultry flock. The amethyst is a lovely stone, worthy | of our devoting a little time to its study, ! which will be of; most interest to the ones | whose birthday stone it is. We find that it is really a variety of quartz or rock crystal of a fine violet-blue or purple color. But you say you have seen amethysts of other shades than these. Yes, I know, but they are mnot so colored | by nature, but are produced submitting the blue amethyst to the a n of fire. ‘Wherever manganese is found there the young student of geology may be quite sure of having his efforts rewarded if he be looking for amethyst quartz, nature hav- ing used oxide of manganese to produce tke fine color of the stone. The Eem is found in all parts of the world, but the very finest ones come from | Carthagena, Spain. | In our own country Maine possesses, | | J robably, the greatest store of amethysts. ut, boys and girls, when vacation comes | which he had the freedom, sleeping and c they during the spring| { a very amusing story about a little boy and his pet bear. The story told how Harry’s papa had been away up north on business, bringing to his little son on his.return a comical- looking ball of soft fur from which peeked | two bright eyes and a little pointed nose. | Harry was perfectly delighted with his oda pet, and as the bear grew older, many a rough-and-tumble frolic did they haye to- gether. The bear grew very rapidly, so by the time he was seven months old he was quite large and heavy. He spent his time in the back yard, of resting in a large box in one of the far cor- ners. One warm day, while Harry tvas at school, Master Bear, growing tired of his monotonous existence, thought he waquld take a walk and try to find something good to eat. 8o off he started, heading for the kitchen steps, which he clumsily mounted, only to be -confronted by the fastened screen-door. But this did not long prove a drawback, for the naughty fellow raised his front paws and soon tore a hole large enough to admit his whole body. On entering the kitchen he sniffed the air for a moment and then made straight for the pantry door, which was slightly ajar. hor wasia large jug of molasses setting on, the floor of the pantry, and Master Bruin was immediately seized by a strong desire to examine it; 5o sitting down on his baunches and drawing it toward him, first smelt and then licked the cork of the jug. My, how good it did smell and taste, and how he wished for more! After vainly endeavoring to tind the contents of cover of which being loose, of -course baby bear fell in an ignominious heap to the bottom, where he lay struggling and kick- ing, while his master shouted with laugh- ter. At last the poor beast gave sucg a desperate kick that over went the barre! and be made good his escape. B Harry had to sit down on the floor and hoela bis sides, they ached so from excess- siye laughing as he saw his disgusted pet rush throcgh the kitchen and out through the hole in the kitchen door like a streak .| of lightning, leaving a trail of white flour behind him all the way across the yard, never stopping until he was safe in the shelter of his own box. It proved. a source of greatamusement to the little boy for the next few days to stand and watwch the bear pick the sticky dough off his furry coat and put it- in his mouth, wearing all the time a look of such injured innocence. can assure you that Harry’s pet could never again be induced to mount the kitchen steps,which I am sure was perfectly satisfactory to Harry’s mother, while the sight of a jug would sena him at once in a perfect fit of terror straight to his box, ‘vivuere he would remain for the rest of the ay. . Diamonds and Coal. A little boy whom I know very well, having heard some one remark that coal and diamonds were of the same composi- tion, went into the cellar one day pro- vided with a large hammer and very soon commenced to whack away with it at a great chunk of coal which was lying on the floor. His mother, on hearing the racket, called to nim to find out what he was Vs e b = w g e “HE ATE AND ATE AS NEVER BEAR DID BEFORE.” [From a drawing by a “Call” artist.] the jug he became impatient, and uttering | a disgusted ‘‘ugh” dashed the jug with such force against the wall that the cork popped out, and much to his surprise the longed-for liquid poured in a stream all over the floor. Then didn’'t he bave a feast! He ate and ate as never bear did before, filling eyes and nose and ears as well as mouth with the sweet, sticky stuff. There Harry’s mother found him when she came to prepare dinner sitting in a pool of molasses, a picture of perfect bear- ish content. When the little boy.came home from school a few moments afterward she called 1o him to come and escort his “‘sweet” pet back to his own quarters. This proved to be no easy task, for, after “OVER WENT [From a drawing by a ‘“Call” artist.] THE BARREL.” and you go for long tramps and rides over hills and through vales keep your eyes open for manganese, then look for Febrn- ary’s precious stone. If you are successful lease write to the ‘‘Children’s Page” of 'HE BUNDAY CALL and tell us all nbgut it. A Mischievous Bear. Not long ago I read in an Eastern paper vainly endeavoring to coax the beast away from his treasure, when Harry took hold of him to try to pull him out he became Yery angry. and growled and clawed so fiercely that the little boy was forced to beat & hasty retreat into the kitchen. The bear rushed arqund the pantry in a doing. ‘‘Smashing the coal to find dia- monds for you, mamma dear,”’ was the reply. The Letter Box. Ever so many letters this week, from bright boys and girls, answering the ques- tions which were published in last Sun- day’s CaLL. They didn’t answer these because they ran a chance for winuing a paper doll ora tin whistle, either, but just because they are bright young Americans who are eager for knowledge. One letter there is from a little girl who did not answer the ‘questions. e are very glad indeed to get letters like hers, and hope many more will come. I am not going to ask any questions’ to-day,’but you all know that St. Valen- tine’s day will soon be here, so I should like you to find out. as much as you can about the saint and his birthday, and how and why we celebrate 1t. No matter if youcan just find out one interesting item with reference to the day, please write it in a letter, and then we shall all know it too. Following are some of thé letters, just as they were written: ORANGE VALE, Cal,, Jan. 27, 1896. Dear Mr, Editor : 1 am a little girl 11 years old. I came from New York three years ago. I go to school every day. It rained hard. to- day and there was only six there, two girlsand four boys. Boys and girls in California ‘are afraid of the rain. I have a pretty little kit- ten named Jerry. He is a very pretty cat. When I go to church in the evening he goes a long way up the road, then goesinto the hedge and. waits for me. I have a brother named Rolle and he has & little dog named Don. I must close, aud hoping this will be pub- lished in THE CALL néxt Sunday, I am your new friend, IDA L. WAITE. Orange Vale, Cal. P. 5.—1I wish that there was two pages of the Childhood’s Realm, and if you will publish them I will write for THE CALL every Sunday. IpA WAITE. * SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 26, 1896. Editor. Children’s Page: My answers to the questions in to-day’s CALL are as follows: 1. Daniel Webster was considered a great man pecause he was considered the greatest of American orators.’ 2. Franklin achieved fame by finding out that lightning was electricity and by invent- ing the lightning-rod. . Fremont took California from the Span- iards. 4. Marshall discovered gold at Coloma 1848, Jenuary 24. 5. Mercury originates from the Latin word Mercurius, said to be formed from merces, wares, or_merear, to traftic. ALICE M. BELL, 1928 Geary street, City, aged 13 years, A > - SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 26, 1896, Mr. Editor Call’ Children’s Page: . Daniel Webster was the great8st lawyer and orator in his time. - 2. Benjamin Frlng n wasa printer, ascholar aud a great statesman. He instituted the light- ning rod and planned oyr first postal service. 3. Fremont helped to’free California from Mexican rule. ‘He tried to find a short route 10 Oregon through the Rocky Mountains, 4. Mercury was the pessenger boy of the gods. The Greeks have him pictured with golden curls Hnnd w(Ing.‘_ Yours é;ly. i ARRY 1. STAFFORD, ears old, 724 Twenty-third street. 2 SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 28, 1896. Editor Children’s Page—DEAR SIr: These are my snswers to Sunday’s questions: First—Daniel Webster was the atest of American orators. No man ever lived with greater power to control his fellow-men by elo- quence than Daniel Webster. - Second—Beujamin Franklin achieved great {'xmxet by discovering that lightning was elec- ricity. Third—General Fremont gained the great feat of finding an overland route to the Pacinc and exploring the Pacific Coast, thus rage and finally, in his indignation, jumped on tup of the flour barrel, the the fornians surrender to him. Fourth—Marshall vered gold in the {oothills. or the lower slopes of the Sierra Ne- vada Mountains, near Coloma. Fifth—Mercury is from the Latin word Mer- curius, said tobe formed from merces, wares, or mercari, to traffic. LILLIE PEARL MITCHELL, 6 Elliott Park, 12 years old. 8AN FRANCISCO, CAL., Jan. 30, 1896, Call Editor Children’s Page: As 1 am very much interested in your Sunday Question Box 1 thougkt I would answer your last Sunday’s questions. My answers run as follows: 1. Daniel tWebster was considered & great man because he was the best speaker Congress ever had. > . 2. Benjamin Franklin achieved fame by in- venting the lightning rod and discovering that lightning was the same s electricity. 3. The great feat that General Fremont ac- complished was that on Juve 15, 1846, he cap- tured Sonoma Pass, Mexican post and garrison, nine cannons and 250 muskets. 4. Gold was discovered at Coloma, near Sac- Tamento, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The origin of the word Mercury is “Mercury m:c a ?reek god, in Latin supposed to mean JEANNETTE C. TALFOR, 9 years old. = SAN FrANCISCO, Cal., Jan. 26, 1896. 1. Daniel Webster was considered a great man because he was a great orator and lawyer. 2. Benjamin Franklin achieved fame by his inyentions and by.his great discovery. 3. General Fremont accomplished the feat of crossing the Rocky Mountains. window, and beginning where they crossed he was hobbling round and round fasten- ing the crosslines of fresh shiny silk. Suddenly it occurred to me that I might reel out that silk for my own use—or amusement. Really, Ifancied myself on the verge of a great discovery. Why niight not a most beautiful fabric be made of that glistening material? Who could tell what might come of it? So I managed to get hold of the end of the strand, and began to draw it out. Now if there is anything that a spider par- ticularly detests it is to be roh%ed olphis silk; no pack-peddler values his stock half so highly. " As soon, therefore, as my vic- tim perceived what I was at he reached back with a claw and snipped the thread. This was repeated several times. Then I saw that I must devise some means for preventing this sort of inter- ference. So Icut a small round hole in a bit of cardboard and made a siitfrom the hole to the edge—see cut. Tbis ar- rangement I slipped sbout my spider’s wasp-like waist. As his legs were on one side of the card and his abdomen with the spinners on the other he could nolonger A TUG-OF-WAR. [Reproduced from the Youth's Companion.] 4. Marshall discovered gold in Sutter Creek, | Amador County, Cal. 5. Mercury in mythology is the interpreter and messenger of the gods. Joe cy, age 13 years. THE DONALD SERIES---NO. XIV. FOR TINY BOYS. To-day I'm going to tell the tiny boys three little stories, or about three “little times” in Donald’s life, that will let you' wee chaps know how. very much he has always loved all kinds of animals. When he was just old enongh to stretch forth bis chubby fists for what he wanted, he would scream and Kick with delight at the sight of a horse, or dog, or cat. And, I am sorry to say, when he was about one year old he loved his two little kiitens so hard and squeezed them so-tight that I am sure they did not live to be very old cats, One day as Donald and his mamma were out walking they saw coming toward them a very cross dog that was really the terror of the neighborhood. (Maybe boys, strings, tin-cans and stones had something to do with his temper). Mamma walked into the street, calling to the little boy to follow her, so as to give the doe the freedom of the sidewalks; but Donald failed to obey. When mamma looked around to understand why: he had not come she saw him gently stroking the animal’s shagey head. “Why, Donald, how do yoéu dare to touch that creature?” “Oh, mamma, don’t be afraid,” he an- swered. “Don’t you know, I looked ,| straight into his eyes, and then he knew I was his master and let me pat him right away."” Once upon a time, wherr Donald was about 4, in the sweet Maytime of the year, the family left town to spend & few weeks in a delightful mountain glen. One day, when they were returning from a long walk, a snake suddenly glided across the path in front of them. “Look out, Donald, there’s a snake,’” cried his brother. - “Oh, where, brother?” shouted the child. “Let’s catch him by the tail quick and take him home to be |. our pet snake.”” Without one particle of fear off the boy darted to catch the snake, but Mr. Snake proved too swift for him and was soon far out of Donald’s reach, so the little boy was forced to give up his wished-for pet. 1 shall never forget the first day Donald spent in San Francisco. His mamma and he had occasion to cross Montgomery street about the middle of the block. Before they had reached the opposite sidewalk Donald. suddenly stopped and, pointing to the cobblestones, exclaimed, “Look, mamma, look " “At what, dear?" Her First Mouse. [Reproduced from Wideawake.] “Do they have to walk on those?” “Whom do you mean, my child ?”* ‘“‘Why the poor horses, mamma.” . “Yes, Donald ; they do.” “Well, but don’t it hurt their feet to walk over these hard stones?” questioned the child. ¢ All the rest of the afternoon Donald wore a puzzled expression, as if trying to reason out how men can treat the horses who work for them so faithfully in such a heartless way, - Silk Spun by Spiders.’ One day I was watching a fine large spider completing his web, says C. Kay in the Pittsburg Dispatch. The stayropes were already stretched -across the open meddle with the thread; neither could he get out of the sort of pillory in which I had placed him. He wasn’t hurtinthe least, but he was' altogether helpless and in the worst,of humors, Then T got hold Reeling Silk From the Reluctant Spider. of the strand with a pair of tweezers and | proceeded to draw out as much silk ag I pleased, winding.it about my finger. But this process was slow, and did not satisfy me. Iwanted spider’s silkin bulk; my head was full of schemes for producing anew and beautiful fabric from this bright and elastic material. I therefore mounted a spool upon a spinale in such a way that T could make it rotate with great speed by means of a band running from a wheel— Duel Between Spider and Large Ant. about eight inches in diameter—which I turned with a crank. To this spool T at- tached the end of the thread, and set my machine in motion. It wasa great success. The spindle sang like a humming-top as it spun on its bearings, reeling his precious silk from that disgusted spider until the glistening thread cdvered the spool as with a sheet of varnish. An angrier insect, I fancy, never lived ; but what could he do aboutit? And afterward I fed him well by way of compensation. Thus far my plans had worked to perfec- tion; bnt when I endeavored to utilize the material =0 unscrupulously obtained, like many another thief, I became involved in difficulties. I found that the adhesive strands, so perfectly adapted to the own- er’s own business of fly-catching, were not so well suited to manufacturing purposes as I had fondly hoped. In fact, they had glued themselves together so firmly that I was never ‘able to unwind them from the spool, and my invention, though highly interesting, did not prove remunerative— a lucky thing for the spiders. ————— The Bourbons in Spain. In none of their manysovereignties had the incapacity of the Bourbons been more completely demonstrated than in Spain. ‘With intermittent flickerings, the light of that fantous land had been smdll‘y grow- ing dimmer ever since Louis X1V exult- ingly declared that the Pyrenees had ceased to exist. Stripped of her colonial ny rain-gFaps.on the pane, ) St my,0se 15 pressed out flat, | on this side,you on that, How you cwist end whigge douns ;mung,zhwng,m md glee, THE BIRD AND THE WORM. ‘‘Cheet, cheet, cheet, Sang the bird in the tree: Squirm, squirm, squirm, » Went the flne fat worm: The kird in the tree, Oh, merry was she. A happier worm Than this on the Could never, no ground never, No never, be found. ‘‘Cheet, cheet,” sang the bird. To a dry chip of And so very still With his sguirm, Squirm, squirm, went the worm. The bird spied the worm As it squirmed on the ground: Then down fast she flew. The worm looked around ‘‘Cheet, cheet,” said the bird. Squirm, squirm, went the worm As fast as he could wood. Then under it crept kept, While the bird looked around O'er the dust-covered ground, WWith a sob, as she sighed, ‘‘On, where did he hide, That flne fat worm, squix;m, squirm.” !'Cheet, cheet,” said the bird. ‘Cheat cheat, thought the worm. supremacy, shattered in naval power, re- ‘ duced to pay tribute to France, she looked | silently onr while Napoleon trafficked with Ler lands, mourning that even the memory of her former glories was fading out in foreign countries. ‘The proud ‘people themselves had, how- ever, never forgotten their past; with each successive humiliation their irritation grew more extreme, and soon after Trafal- gar they made an effort to organize under the Crown Prince against the scandalous regime of Godoy. Both parties sought French support and the quarrel was fo- mented from Paris until tne whole coun- try was torn by the most serious dissen~ sions.—Professor Sloane in the February Century. 1 NEW R e TO-DAY. 107-109 FPOST STRERT, 1g220-1222-1224 MARKET STREDT. Buyers. against it at the prices means a constant success novelties that experienced the lookout for. We ma Things that will not wait long for These and many other extraordinary Bargain chances await Monday shoppers. they may last the week out, but the chances are Perhaps quoted. Quick selling ion of novelties, and it’s shoppers are always on rk new goods at quick= selling prices, so that they ‘do not have time to go out of style or get shopworn. ; . Good all the Fine Dress ,,Jof o e yeer Fabl‘i cs. JSollows, Market-street store only: 50 pieces FANCY CHECKED CHEVIOTS, 88 inches wide, all Woof; ‘tans, grays or odes; value at 50c,.... .. 20¢ yard 10 pleces CAMELS’ HAIR SUITINGS, 50 inches wide, all wool; navys, brown: and black; were 75¢... 25 pleces PERSIAN NOVELTY SUIT- INGS, 37 inches wide, all wool, three-toned effects, plenty of colorings o choose from; were 75 50 pieces SHADED OMBRE SUITINGS, 36 inches wide, very choice assortment of colorings; worth thrée bits....... ......20¢ yard 3 reading gnBach others mls,) 0 beitee, gy 2 77 - fgh—'/ 5% A watthing —a3 you run W hen you e te window sl 4just & moment. you he ull, en you saftly drp away— Extra Special. 15 pleces ENGLISH NAVAL SERGE, 54 inches wide, stricly all wool, navy or biack only; regular $1 quality.... ++ee. B0C ¥ 3 Plenty of 25¢c Hosiery in HOSlery town, but not such qualities Specials. “ "5 ore CHILDREN'S WOOL HOSE, derby ribbed, merino heels and toes, absolutely fast black, sizes- 7 to Bla; ked d 85 LADIES' COTTON HOSE, plain or Riche- lieu ribbed, fast black, with or without white 0 unusual values at-prices asked...... 3 .-26¢ and 3315 Perfect in mate- | Mosquetaire ... o e Gloves, 75c. ™4 : th stores. LADIES’ DRESSED MOSQUETAIRE KID GLOVES, 8-button lengths; reds, grays and black; all sizes; superb ue at $1 Arrived thfge,mfift Mret;’haf;n: Last Week. g:::i;v:'uld like a first New Wash Fabrics. Abont 300 pieces 6 COTTON WASH FAB- RICS, dainty original patterns, exquisite colorings. 30-inch Scotch Dimities, 25¢c; 30- inch American Dimities, 15c and 20c; B Brode, a beautiful novel 2. 86-inch fast-color Percale New Shirt Waists. The 1896 WAISTS have different sleeves, different collars, cufts and fronts from last year's. We already bave 200 dozen on s * made of dimity, lawn or percale. .............. ..60¢ up t0 $3 50 New Neck Ribbons. WARP PRINT RIBBONS are the leading novelty; had seme a month ago; more came in last week: sell at Sight: 3 to 5 inches wide, 45c to 70c yard; -1mitation Warp Pri bon, 8 inchies wid Reductions ;5 utiful goods at In Laces. 2jo Specials next week. POINT DE VENISE LACES, € inches w! ‘Van Dyke points, ectu or white, bt:nll:u‘: bg:l signs; value at $1 25, --B0c yard ALL-SILK VAN DYKE POINT! inches deep; regular price §2. . e T ALLSILK BOURDON LACE, black, 10 inches ~wide, exquisite D83 reg PTICS $1 50, rruvn o i e S All of our HANDSO! CHIFFON TACE: MELY EMBROIDERED - 4 to colors; been I!ull'lg'bfl 755 lx:xh‘“ mfic‘:‘fl‘ BOW to uniform price. -.25¢ yard