The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 15, 1898, Page 31

A”\‘ ¢ rRENNRK 88 su8R THE JOLLY BBRULRR . WUNRRBRNS resently walking up Market street, Ban Francisco, I met a queer little old man. He had on a sailor suit. His eyes were sharp and merry. He had Iron-rimmed spec- tacles which were tiited on his nose, raking llke a wooden yard across the mast of a fishing schooner. Hoisting rs, sailor fashion, he said to [ R-R- % et a little boy and a little girl to go along and I will tell the Lob-Lolly to show you how to have some fun.” Sure enough, dren, fun. two San Francisco chil- Charlie and Katy, happened to down the street and I hailed and the Lob- and we went on to- queer little old man or guide. Charlie and were the same age, about 1l. Where the Lob-Lolly came from I do not know. We came opposite the Lotta fountain and there the queer old man nodded his head and threw off his coat and disclosed so much rope wrapped around his body closely as would fill a wind- X ‘Is this the place?” asked the Lob- Loily. “‘Yes,” said the queer old man, “and st think what fun we will have. Do you like to swing, my dears?” “Yes, indeed,” said both of the chil- dren at once. “All right, Lob-Loll man, “puli away then. 7,”” sald the old At the same instant he presented the end of the bight of rope to the Lob-Lolly and steadied himself on a stout Malabar cane, brought over seas, balancing him- self upon the cane as if it were a pivot. The Lob-Lolly took hold of the rope and ran away with it, 1y, he were on ship board. direction of the Twin Peaks the Lob- Lolly tore along with great speed. The queer old man did not move from his the post, but the steady unrolling of rope, it being all in one tremendo long piece, caused him to spin arc and around and around ten thousan —a human tee-to-tum or tc nally, all the rope was unwound. dense crowd of people had gathered Market street and the assemblage zed with curiosity at the spectacie, sently the queer old man, as soon as he could recover his breath, seized the rope and held one end of it up to mouth, like a telephone, and ted: “Hello, Lob-Lolly.” ““Hello, inbad.” = you, Lob-Lolly?” 1 Peaks, Sinbad, a-cool- the Lob-Lolly came cet street on a cable car and and asked “What now?” Where from?” “Hang it from the top of the Spreck- s building and the Shot Tower.” Up the steep and tall wall of the vrech buildi Lob-Lol mbed, hanging on with the ease of a ly, and fastened one end of the rope id a he 10 the top of the dome. Then d, down the rope with great spi we 100l on, expecting to e him dashed to pieces, but no—he struck and bounded up like a rubber ball, twenty feet high, fully, seized the end of the rope and was off like a shot, holding fast to the rope. He climbed the front of the Pa Hotel building and then bounded from house top to house tep light as thistle down, even leaping across streets from one house to another, trailing the rope behind him, like the drawn-out and solidified tail of a very eccentric comet, all the way. And then there TYPICAL SCENE IN CAMP. Pl % i S N e THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, MAY 15, 1898. 2 iy W < Poge. fen (1| (AR CLANS HOOIZ TALE EDITED BY iy RS E e— nRUURIRI®Y 3 % LOB LOLLY. } nuuRINYLYYYYLN was a shout from the multitude; an approving smile from the queer old man as the Lob-Lolly, many blocks away, balanced himself on the very top of the Shot Tower and drew in the rope until it swung above the tops of scores' of buildings, blown freely back and forth by the wind. At once 500 boys saw the fine chance offered and begged the queer old man, “Gimme a swing, mister?” The old man chuckled and whispered to the Lob-Lolly, who had come ‘back along the rope, hand over hand, in true man-of-war fashion, and was once more beside his queer companion. “Go to a hardware store and get 500 hooks and chains and tell the store- keeper to charge them to Sinbad.” Five hundred boys heard and plauded; 5 ap- 0 boys were soon swinging at once, on this most royal of all swings, filling the th laughter and shrieks of fear: cried when Sint > at either end of the great swing, sw the line rer and higher and ung higher, but ac- r and over, so that 500 v held by the chains and atter being fastened to their went hundreds of feet as far above the top of s building as the swing depended below the top. Then and around, until they were until it swung hi gher, not onl y went ov had around whirled so fast that they looked like a string of black boys on a wire. boy in the middle of the rope, who was swung the hardest and high- est, was Charlie. fun,” were his when he came down. “Tm-mer said 489 other boys. Ho, ho! Hee, hee!” first words said would have asked the queer old man, as he came along with the Lob-Lolly.” “‘Oh? but that's only a starter. and we can do better than that later on. You'll see.” Charlie’s eyes glistened, and Xaty looked wonderingly at the two queer ay,” remarked the Lob-Lolly, ‘“‘y children must be hungry. Le s feeling around in his pockets. “I've got , peanut here somewhere. Yes, here Now I am very particular how cracked, but when it has been divide it between you 1t will be a feas It is not good for children to overeat!” “Oh,” asked Katy, “‘do you think one peanut would be too much lunch for two “Can’t tell. Perhaps.you .are strong enough to stand {it, ’specially ‘since i been exercising on. the But come on, I can’'t anut here. We’'ll go and chine that will do the work . We went down Market street to the er front, and there found a pile- r that towered high above the highest building. “Just the thing,” said the Lob-Lolly, “just the thing. ow we can crack the peanut in fine style and you shall lunch at onc The Lob-Lolly la peanut, which B not a very big one, on the top of a pile, that was about to be driven. Then he climbed up so high that Katy dizzy looking at him. 'Are you getting hungrier?” trumpeted down from the height. “Yes, hurry up,” said Charlie, as getting excited. Crash! The big weight of the pile- er fell whistling through the air and struck with a shock that shook buildings to their foundation and—but the peanut. “Haul away!” shouted the Lob-Lolly, and the pile-driver engine puffed, out of breath, while the weight went up- ward. . “But,” asked the Lob-Lolly, when he he who came down and hunted for the peanut, “where is your lunch?" The peanut had stuck to the bottom of the weight. “Never mind,” said Sinbad. “I know where they are cooking dinner and we can stand in the door and smell the stewed clams, but, say, Isn’t that a great way to crack a peanut?” THE VOYAGE OF THE DOLLS BY RAYE LIPPMAN. HUENEME. OTTY SMITH and her brother, Willie, lived in a very pretty country. Willie had many toys and a lit- tle bank where he saved his pen- nies and silver. Dotty had four dolls. ‘Willie and Dotty lived near the river, and they had fine times along the shore throwing in sticks and stones and little bits of bark which they call2d boats. Willie was 7 ‘years old and Dotty was 9. The river was not very deep and they played near the shore all they chose. They put lots of small sticks on a bark boat and played they were boys and girls going out for a sail. One day Dotty went to visit a play- mate and Willie played alone. Willie got tired of playing, so he thought he would have some fun. He went slyly into the house and got Dotty’s four dolls—the names are Polly, Susy, Midge and Laura—and set them on a large board and started them off for “Klondike.” ’ They sailed along in fine style. Willie followed them along the river and was pleased to see them sail. They got so far away that he could hardly see them. Then he went home. Dotty had a playmate named Maud who lived further down the river, and Maud had a big black dog. Whenever they threw sticks in the river the big dog would bring the sticks back in his mouth. 3 ‘All at once Dotty noticed a boat com- ing along the river, and she was sur- her own dolls sailing in aud said: “P'raps Trip will get them.” Trip was the name of the dog. then Maud said: “Trip, Trip. But the dog would not go into the water unless something was thrown in for him to go ter. Maud threw a stick and the dog am out and got it, but let the dolls sail away. Maud ran home to tell her mamma. Maybe she could get them out. But the board ran against a rock, all thz dolls tipped out, and before Maud's mamma arrived the empty board had floated far down the river. Dotty went home very she told her mamma what Willie had done, Willie's mamma said that he must open his bank and give all his pennies and silver he had s Dotty to buy some new dol And sad. When Willie never sert Dotty’s dolls to “Klondike” any more. - ABY. A LUL BY MRS. G. H. PHELPS, Now the da; Little on must Sieep, my bube, your head reposes Lovingly on mother's breast. S0 Close against the heart that loves you, ‘And will shield from every snare, Sleep, my little one, contented, For God’s love smiles on you'there. , my pretty one; Sleep, my little one; 6 thy brow. Happy thoughts come s. miles 80 sweet in slumber; talk with baby now. Angels Sleep on there until the morrow Dawns for thee so bright and fair; Mother's love proteets her darling, May you always nestle there. Time, cease flying, stay thy footsteps, Baby's pressed to mother’s breast; Or the years will pass too quickly When he'll leave the old home' nest. ST AL \/,—b/\w.u- )u-,-( \\ i | 82 : THE NAUGHTY SPIDERS. ] . 8 s e s8 Fd 2 BY NINA C. KYLE, e g SACRAMENTO. g gs’éfi88225283533S9335898338_3983afisfisfififififififififififififififififi large family of “Catch a firefly to light it with. Then ! small pidersiiiyed it sv:mthg:;made a trap and lay very in an old barn. o) (waiting. Soon a pretty firefly. M. They were Very came slowly buzzing by. She did not® Z Z Jively little fellows, notice where she was going, and flew and loved to playfrom the time the sun rose until itset. But their busy mother never found time for pleasure. She worked early and late to keep them fed and clothed. One bright morning she decided that they must learn something useful, so she set them spinning. Then she went away to her own work. Little Red Legs spun a long silky thread, of which he was very proud. He ran up and down to show how strong it was, crying, “See my ladder! o See my ladder! “TI can make a ladder, too” cried Black Legs, kicking his spinning away, » “and “L!” “and I “And so can I, cried all the other little spiders to- gether. So they all made ladders and climbed up and down, laughing merrily. Justthena lively breeze came in at the open door and every little spider was swung to and fro at an alarming rate. They clung desperately to their lad- ders until the wind grew gentler. Then they began to enjoy the swinging and made ready for the next hard blow. >id you see me then?” cried Red Legs, & ng for breath. “I swung farther than anybody.” But Black Legs s not to be out- done. He swung so far that he hit a rafter, and nearly lost his hold. Then every little spider swung as hard as he could. Two of the swings became tangled together and could not be un- done, 80 their owners htd to leave them and ma new swings. Black Legs again swung to the rafter, and suc- ceeded in fastening his swing there. “Now I have a bridge,” he cried. And every other little spider made a bridge likewise. When mother spider came to call her children to lunch she was amazed to find them running wildly back and forth upon their bridges. She forgave them this time, for they were very penitent. They meekly fol- lowed into the kitchen to have their hands and faces scrubbed, and did not murmur because the water was cold. Even when the soap got in their eyes they stood it like little majors. Each one then had a slice of fly and a drop of milk and was sent back to spin again. For some time all went well because the little spiders were try- ing very hard to be good. But when naughty Red Legs jumped up and be- gan whiriing round and round, drag- ging his thread and tangling up every one of his brothers’ threads, and shout- ing, * merry-go-round, a merry-go- round,” they could sit still no.longer, but chased each other around in a circle, till their heads spun. “Let's go outdoors and get some fresh air,” said Black Legs, holding his head. So all his brothers trooped out after him. The first thing they spied upon the road w: fine locomotive, which Wil- lie had left there when Eddie Jones called him to play ball. “Let's have a ride.” “A: ride,” echoed every little rogue. So they quickly scrambled in, and left Fat Legs to push. And poor Fat Legs did push with all his might and main. He lay down on the ground and pushed with all his eight legs at once, but he could not make it budge. Then they -all helped, but still the locomotive would not go. Meanwhile Red Legs had a bright idea. He saw that the engine contained paper, wood and coal, ready to light. All that was needed was something to start the fire. “I know what we'll do,” i A =l - ¥ cried he. ) W ~ . 7 DAVID r.WALKER PR RERRAEENNNNNERRELRRELRRRRRRURERNIRRY right into the trap. Red Legs caught the poor little thing and quickly shut her in the dark firebox of the engine. At first she was very badly frightened, but finding that she was not hurt, she lit her bright light to see where she was. When, lo! the paper caught fire, the wood began to burn, the coal lighted, and soon the water in the boiler was steaming. Then the little engine began to puff, puff, puff, and moved slowly down the road, carrying the delighted little spiders with it. “Hurrzh!” they cried, dancing on each leg in turn. “Hurrah, for a ride!” The engine went faster and faster, rattling over stones and rushing over sticks at such speed that it nearly threw the frightened little spiders out on the road; and all the bugs and worms crossing its path ran wildly here and there to get out of the way. But there was no one to put more coal on the fire, and it soon burned down, letting the water cool and the steam grow less, so that the engine went more slowly. The spiders drew a long breath of re- lief, and let go their frantic hold of one another. They were very glad, though, when the engine stood still, and three or four of them fell sprawling in their haste to get out. They decided to walk home andsbe good children the rest of the day. On the way they found a pile of little round black seeds, which some busy ants had stored awa “See the balls, the balls!” they shout- ed. Let's have a game of football.” Red Legs was captain of one team, and Black Legs was captain of the other. They chose sides and stood facing one another ready to play. You never saw better kickers. They had so many legs, you see! And they could run pretty well, too—that is, all of them except poor clumsy Fat Legs, so he was chosen umpire. The game was fast and furious. First one. side had the ball and then the other. When Red Legs caught the ball he would not let it go, but wrapped his many legs around it, making a ball of himself. Black Legs tried to take it, and soon there was a very dreadful fight. Just then mother spider appeared on the scene. When she found her chil- dren gone, she hunted high and low for them. She searched the yard and peeped into all the holes and cracks in the barn; but they were nowhere to be geen, So she hurried to Granddaddy Long Legs, an old gray spider, who lived on the other side of the barn. He was a very wise and good old man, and was fairy godfather to most of the lit- tle spiders in his neighborhood. Mother spider politely inquired about his rheu- matism, and was glad to hear that it was better. Then she said: “Grand- daddy Long Legs, please teil me which way my children have gone.” In an- swer he siowly straightened out one of his long, slender legs and pointed down the road. Mother spider thanked him, and immediately set off in search of the runaways. She found th€m jumping around in great excitement, with Red Legs and Black Legs rolling over and over in their midst. Sad, indeed, she felt to ses her children so naughty. She ranged them in a line and walked behind to ses that they behaved. When they reached home, she put them right to bed without supper, and without their usual good night kiss. As they lay snugly tucked In their swinging cradles they felt very uh- happy and longed for morning to come, so that they might show what good lit- tle spiders they could be. 31 RN RIRRUNRERIIIVIIIWIRRIINRRRR ‘] § VERDICT OF JUDGES. ! RN NERNRNNRNRRRRRNRNNRBURRRRRRAN HE county school superinten- tendents are still behind with their opinions as story judges. That is, some of them are. If they were children we would be compelled to put a tardy mark against the names of at least six of them. If these six will only get their opinions in this week all will be well, but they do not know how anxious thousands of boys and girls are to hear from them or they would make haste. The judges who have reported have something in- teresting to say, and it is to the point. Below are some of the expressions of opinion—the judgments of those who have made a study of children under favorable circumstances. Superintendent Hyatt of Riverside County finds that “the girls’ page Is very much better than the boys’. It has more variety, is more elastic, more sympathetic in character.” George M. Robertson, president of the Berkeley Board of Education, on the other hand, says: “My judgment is that the boys have written betfer than the girls, and I feel that it is not due to prejudice, for a young girl who herself writes stories agrees with me, and, in fact, expressed that opinion be- fore hearing my own.” Superintendent Howard of Sacramen- to County writes that “in freshness and origidality honors are even. But the girls are champions if judgment be based on the important point of liter- ary superiority. The girls’ work sug- gested something beyond the work of to-day—gives a promise of better ef- forts later, of broader sympathies. The boys have set up limitations for them- selves in the shape of a narrowness of scope, suggestive of one fleld of sympathy, bounded by .the machine shop, the prairie, the fortress. There is sex in taste more than in style.” Superintendent Finch of Glenn Coun- ty finds “as a whole, the girls’ page of stories the better.” Superintendent G. H. Stout of Butte County holds the same opinion. ‘“While the boys’ stories are pretty well writ- ten, yet I think that the girls have done the best. .I cannot help praising the brave boys who wrote so well, but shall have to cast my vote for the girls.” Superintendent Linscott of Santa Cruz differed with all the preceding. He finds that the boys have excelled in va- riety, originality and strength, but that the girls displayed better construction, a better choice of words, and they have a better style. Superintendent Kate Ames of Napa County does - * clearly rule for either the boys or the girls, but her opinion shows a sympathy for both that will win her many strong friends among all the young people. Here is the conclud- ing sentence of her opinion: “There is a ruggedness, a whole-souledness about the boys' stories, a boldness of imagi- nation, a vision of life as they see it. The vision of the girls is as clear, and as clearly e——ressed, but it has been narrowed and cramped by their en- vironment.” Superintendent Harriet L. Wilson of Colusa County says that “of the stories submitted for consideration and com- parison, those by the boys were the better.” Mrs. Wilson says alzo: “The stories ‘were, all in all, very creditable, and exhibited literary talent.” ~ Julia L. Jones, Superintandent of Mariposa, finds ‘“greater originality of thought in the girls’ page, but more of the essential qu lities of the best prose style—more simplicity, clearness and energy—in the work of the boys.” As a whole, I consider the girls’ age of stories the better. I think that from the two pages WILLIAM F. FINCH, Supt. Glenn Co. no satisfactory conclusion can be drawn as to the li- erary superiority in sex of children. Though loth to | uarmieT L wiLson, RS T Supt. Colusa Co. stories submitted for consideration and comparison those by the boys were the best. This does not imply, however, that there is superior literary ability in the male sex in children. To determine this would ne- cessitate a knowledge of the ages, the opportunities and the environments of the boys and girls. The stories were, all in all, very creditabie and exhibited 1lit- erary talent. With reference to the competition in story writing I | Supt. Mariposa Co. consider the_ boys' | page the better. 1 find greater orig- the girls' page, but JULIA L. JONES, tnality of thought in i more of the essential qualities of the best prose style—more simplicity, clearness and energy—in the work of the boys. “Do the two pages show that there is any lit- erary superiority in sex in children?’ No, T think not. Other things may not have been equal. | a g eal of in- | £ T 3TouT, terest the . boys’ Supt. Butte Co. and girls’ letters. | ‘While the stories are all pretty well written, vet I think the girls have done the best. Boys of that age are hero-wor- shipers, and as a consequence they all write of heroic deeds. The girls look more upon the ethical side of life, and write of the triumph of the good and pure over the ugly and in- human. But I think the girl§ have written more connectedly and more smoothly. Girls, as a rule, like language, and early learn to express themselves more accu- rately. I cannot help Prfl.lslng the brave boys who wrote so well, but shall have to cast my vote for the girls. 1Ol\.u' boy% and girls are to be con- SUPT. LINSCOTT, atuiated uROR Santa Cruz County. the excellence of the worksubmitted in The Call of April 17 and April 24. There is so much in each page that merits praise that it is somewhat difficult to judge which is the better. The difference between boys and girls in the selection of subjects and the treatment of the same makes it very hard to ¢ompare their work. First—Which page is the more interesting? In my judgment, greater variety of topics, orig- inality and stronger treatment makes the boys' page more interesting. Second— Which shows the greater amount of lit- erary ability? In the construction of sen- tences, in the choice of words and in the smoothness of style the girls’ page is su- perfor. 3 Now how shall I tell you, my darlings? Will you have it in story or song? Shall I sing in in five little verses, Or is that too awfully long? RRBUVRUNERUNBNNLLN? It is all about Jack o’ the sunbeams, A Prince of the fairies is he; He came from the island of Roses In a shell that blew over the sea. And little Red Rover, the Princess, ‘Who lived in a hut on the hill, Where the winds tossed the buds of the clover And the buttercups never were still. It was just on the edge of the meadow, Near the shade of an old apple tree, And nobody saw how it happened Save only a squirrel and” me. Jack found her asleep in a poppy, And she never awakened nor- stirred. So he carried her off to his island On the back of a little brown bird! MR R R R R R R R R R R R R EELURRREN/VRIVBRIRLIR NIV OYS and girls who have sent stories or verses for publication and who have not received them back may safely hold the idea their work will appear in print. But many questions are asked, the summary of all of which is. “When?” The answer is, as soon as possible. Short stories have a better chance than long stories to get in early, be- cause room on the page is limited. All good stories are welcomed; not GARD HOV2E e ,.--’/' HARDTACK. WHERE THE BUMPKINS ARE NOW TENTING AND. SHOWING i M‘D THEIR PATRIOTISM. only stories, but suggestions. This page is for the amusement of the boys and girls. If they do not get what they want it is because they do not ask for it. Boys and girls, do not hesitate to make your wishes known. The field of young story-tellers is widening. They not only write better stories but more of them. The competition just closed has shown that the Pacific Coast children are very bright.