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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1925-09-17, Page 2NIMBLEWIT BY ANNIE M. STARR. Yes, there was one unhappy elf in Fairy -land, for the Queen had said severely to Nimblewit—but; before I tell you what the Queen said, I shall have to tell you why she said it. Now, Nimblewit was not a wicked elf by any weans, but he was incor- rigibly idle --hence, always in mis- chief. Complaints of his pranks were daily laid before the Queen, who was so soft-hearted that she was always giving him "only one more chance." But it did no good, for he was as idle as ever, and no one was safe from his frolicsome tricks. The night before his disgrace, he allured the grave Chucklehead, Ad- viser -in -Chief to the Queen, into woe- ful plight, and left him there. The wise old gentleman elf was very fond of curious creatures and would wander after them into the most out-of-the-way corners. On this particular evening, the Ad- viser -in -Chief was skimming along unsuspiciously—spectacles on nose and hands snider his coat -tails --plunged into the brownest of brown studies, when Nimblewit saw him. Mischief prompted him to flirt be- fore the nose of the learned fairy, in the form of a pink -eyed gnat, which is, as every one knows, a very rare insect. Chucklehead instantly gave chase. Nimblewit skipped over a Venus' fly -trap. Chucklehead, eagerly pur- suing, plunged right on one of its sensitive leaves, and snap! there he was, held feet, with only his head sticking out of its doubted -up leaf. Doubtless, the wise old elf would have perished miserably had not Mole - cricket, the Queen's sub -gardener, discovered hien and cut him free. This escapade capped the climax, and the Queen said, severely: "Nimblewit, I can stand your idle- ness and mischief no longer. Remem- ber!"—and the Queen raised her fin. - ger warningly—"you must sprinkle the stunted rose -bush every evening with fresh dew, andkeep continual guard over it lest any insects harm it. You are banished from Fairyland and our court until the rose -bush blossoms. Go now, and mind what I tell you!" Nimblewit hung his head and dug his toes into the sand as he walked slowly away with pouting lips. Rebellious thought filled his little bosom as he crossed the boundaries of Fairyland and alighted on the earth near the stunted rose -bush, in front of which he threw himself flat, and kicked his tiny heels in the air, as he gave vent to his swelling discontent. "I do not see the use," muttered he, "of bothering about that ugly, dried- up old tree. Mean old thing, to give a fellow such stupid work!" and he grinned spitefully at the sickly bush, "I suppose now I'll have to work like a bee, or the hoteful thing will not bloom in time for me to go to the mid- summer ball. 'Spose I must do it," Conti -'ted he, thoughtfully, as he arose. "Yes, I will!" and he scat- tered a heavy shower of dew over the withered bush, and ran a caterpillar down the hill and through the grass, till the poor thing fainted from sheer fright,. By this time, the moon was up, and Nimblewit made himself comfortable in a lark's nest near by, where he slept soundly until its twittering owner arose in the morning, Eating a hearty breakfast of wild honey, the little elf visited his bush. What was his surprise to see that it had raised its drooping head and un- curled its wilted leaves? He kept close watch over it all day, scaring the noxious insects away, and in the even- ing again bathed it with dew. Next morning he found that the leaves were not only crisp and fresh, but that none had fallen off. Nimble - wit labored faithfully for a whose week. and was repaid by seeing the rose -bush put forth bright, new leaves and green sprouts. "Now," thought he, "it is doing so well, I can have some fun." So off he flew with a drone -bee, and remained frolicking with this buzzing sluggard for two whole days and a n ight, On returning, he went straight to his rose -tree, expecting to see some buds, But no; there it was drooping and forlorn as when he first saw it, "Oh, bother!" said he, with great disgust; "all that work lost; but I don't dare. Yes I do, too!" So to work he went once more, and was relieved to find• that the bush revived much quicker than it did the first time. He did not leave it again. No indeed! he knew better. Each day he carefully freed it from dust; and woe to the unlucky insect that ventured too near. It -never knew what struck it, so swift was the blow that drove it headlong to the ground. One morning, to his great delight, he found his rose-bush.swarming with infant buds. His care was now great- er than ever, watching the slow'I growth of the little things and care- fully pinching off the dead ones, As time passed, the buds grew in size and promise, till one evening they were ready to open on the very next. day, it being midsummer. Nimblewit was up bright and early. But when he saw his bush, he stood stockstill: for 'the first time in his life, his coo-, Leal little face beaming with delight'' and satisfaction, and his two pointed ear's pricked up in rapture; for the rose-tree—his rose-tree—was covered with the most lovely blossoms ever seen. "So pink, so large, so sweet, and all nine!" cried he, with a whoop that made a sturdy bumble -bee tunable down in great fright. Then Nimblewit capered about the bush, smelling each rose in turn, be- tween whiles standing on his head or turning somersaults in frantic glee. While thus expressing his intense satisfaction, the Fairy Queen and her elfin court were on their way to the world. Attracted by the perfume that filled the air, they alighted on the grass be- side the bush just as Nimblewit was trying an extra difficult pigeon -wing, and interrupted his ecstasies. I will leave you to guess the sur- prise of the elfin company when they found that this delightful fragrance was the result of the perseverance and labor of that little madcap, Nimblewit. Every one said that never was seen such a bush before—each rose large enough to hide a score of fairies, and level y enough to shame the prettiest elfin belle, while its scent was beyond comparison. As Nimblewit 'listened to the prais- es that his patience and hard work merited, his little heart swelled with honest pride, and he determined al- ways to be as meritorious. The Queen had the wonderful tree transplanted to Fairyland, which it filled with fragrance and beauty. That night Nimblewit was the mer- riest and wildest' elf that danced at the midsummer night's ball. He was in such demand for every frolic that his ]lead was quite turned. And the Queen herself, dressed in a robe made of rose -leaves from his tree, took him for a partner in a de- licious reel on the green moss. President Ccsgiravo, of tho Irish Free State, lays a wreath on the Dublin. cenotaphto the memory of Michael Collins and .Arthur Griffith at the recent anniversary services, . OUR NATIONAL PARKS AT WEMBLEY Canada's Tourist Attractions Are Featured at British Empire Exhibition—Display Awakens Keen Interest. Speaking in Ottawa, recently, Mr. J. has undoubtedly made a strong appeal, P, Lister, Chairman of the British Em- luny visitors from Australia and New' Piro Service League, stated that one Zealand have also conte to realize that they could avoid a long sea voyage by using the All -Red route either to or from the Pacific and at the -same time, the scenic and recreatioual attractions by whichever line they chose to travel, of this country, As a result, he said, see some of the great national parks many people from Great Britain and and the outstanding scenery of Can-. the continent wore planning to visit oda. Canada in the near future. An item published in the English In the pest Canada's agricultural and newspapers recently stated that from industrial opportunities have been the number of inquiries that were be- stressed and have bulked most largely ing received railway and steamship in the public mind. At Wembley, how- agents estimated that 10,000 visitors ever, both last year and this, Canada's would come to Canada this year. This scenery and climate, her big game and would seem to indicate that a new her National parks have been featured. stream of tourist travel had been 11 - One of the most attractive exhibits In vested to Canadian snores, The bene - tae Canadian pavilion last year was a ficial results of the extension of the large composite model of the parks, tourist industry are .,now too well re - depicting the snowclad mountains, gla- cognized to need comment. It is an tial streams, and beautiful waterfalls axions that `trade follows the tourist" characteristic of the district. and the saying would be equally true, The scenic exhibit this year takes that settlement follows the tourist. the form of a giant panorama covering The bookings indicate that these visit - practically the entire length of the ors ae'e many of them from Now Zea - northern wall of the main corridor and land, Australia, add the other Domini - picturing typical scenery of Canada one, in additioifo people from the BM - from coast to coast. The model shows tisk Isles, Their visits to Canada must the main water and rail routes, with tend 'to bring about increased mutual miniature steamships and trains in knowledge and -sympathy between pee- motion, the principal fishing, big game,' pie iron different parts of the Empire, and wild life regions, culminating In! as well as an appreciation of Canada's the National parks in the Rockies. Some rich possibilities as a place for invest - idea of the size of the piece may be meat and settlement. There are, too, gained from the fact that the mortal more immediate benefits which cannot canvas forming the backdrop is 250, be overlooked. If these 10,000 visitors feet long in one piece with an area of 1 spend on an average of $500 each while 10,000 square feet, Two thousand' hero, the whole will mean an addition powerful lamps illuminate the panor-I of 05,000,0004.o the national income of ama and the lighting is so maaimilated 1 Canada, a very satisfactory return in that the country is seen in turn at sun -1 onetract yearthem. from the efforts spent to at - ,•t t Th exhihit� of the noticeable results of the Cana- dian Exhibition at Wemoley had been the awakening of a keen interest lu His triumph was so complete that he ventured to ask Dimpling, the belle of the revel, the pleasure of her com- pany to supper. He was, indeed, the envy of all when she put her wee hand through his arm and walked with him to the feast which was spread on the broad leaf of a hly that rocked in the lake. Dimpling told Nimblewit in confi- dence that she had always considered him a handsome fellow, but now that he had done such wonders, she thought him the most charming elf in all Fairyland. So the sweet night passed most joy- ously till the blushing east warned them to fly away home. Dimpling and Nimblewit sailed away together on the broad back of the same shaggy moth, on their jour- ney to, Fairy -and. At last they reached that marvelous country, and Nimblewit was never banished from it again, for he became one of its most useful elves. REG'LAR FELLERS—By Gene Byrnes. rSTrtlEizes SOM5 Rgte i SPEA41NRANGERS GETTIN' READY To eNooT SM1&ee' eRoc -e . 5-20 WORLD'S GREATEST SECRET Can We Use the Atom's Energy? ates four million tons of matterevery second. Although of this vast total our small globe receives only an exceedingly stnalil proportion—about. three': hun- dredweight per minute—that portion is.responsible "for all the activities. of the earth and for our life itself, Thecorrelation to be noted between the enormous moss of the sun, who's; diameter, is• one hundred times that of the earth, and the mass of, the,atom, which is so infinitely small as to be beyond detection by the most power- ful microscope, is that both manifest the same form of energy. Can It Be Done? The analogy may be carried further, inasmuch as every atom• has a solar system of its own In which the elect- rons revolve round a central nucleus Just as the planets revolve round the sun; only with this difference, that the electrons, may, and. do, suddenly change their paths or orbits, and every Such change liberates a certain amount of energy which takes the. form of eradiation. • • The claim Is once mere pat.torward, this time by a young Welsh investiga- I tor, •that the problerii, of utilizing the onergy of the" atom has been solved. ` The experiment is in too early a 1 stage for a definite.pronouncement to be made, but it inay be said that the results reported to have been achieved' Ere more promising than they, have boen at any previous .period in this „peoific,form of research, A.11 the great scientists, headed by Sir Erinest Rutherford, who have been investigating the properties of the atom, are agreed that its potential. energy is enormous. It has boen cal- culated that the atomic' energy of, a piece of metal the size of a Walnut would be sufficient to drivethe Mauro- I tania across the Atlantic and bock, could it but bo released'<and kept un- dei; control, The Sun's 'Activities. Mme. Curie's experiments with radium, and those of the ,physicists who have followed her in this line of Investigation, enable the 'layman' to grasp the elementary conditions of the Problem, The seventieth part of a 1 grain of pure radium emits thirty Hill- 1ion electric particles in one. second, These particles 000 so minute that; their: size can only be calculated Ma- thematically, but they have been cal- culated, and it has been found that one thousand million electrons would have a mass of rather less than one gramme. 1 The researches of Rutherford, Lodge ; and others have shown that all matter of whatever kind is composed of atoms; that all atoms are composed oT i negative electrical particles, or elect- rone, and positive electrical particles, i or protons, '-and that the electrons, , even in an apparently inert masa of iron, are in a constant state of motion. It is the energy indicated by this constant activity,.. in the atone that scientists are seeking to control and utilize. We have the most familiar and poly- erful illustration of atomic energy in the radio -activity of the sun, which, according to SIr Oliver Lodge, radi- 00, noonday, and sunso . e attracts throngs of visitors from early morning till night and the officials of- ten have difficulty in keeping the crowds from blocking traffic. An of- ficial of the Canadian National Parks Branch of the Department of the In- terior has been at Wembley during both exhibitions, distributing specially ,prepared literature, giving lectures, and answering inquiries from interest- ed sources. The extent and magnificence of Can- ada's scenic and big game areas have been a revelation to people Of the. blether Country, and the fact that a new playground was . open to then within the limits of the Empire, whe?e a holiday could be enjoyed in more comfort and in not a great deal more time than is required by a trip to the Shetlands from the south of England, Both Right. A. four-year-old had the misfortune to fall out of bed one night. At breakfast next morning she •sub- denly exclaimed: "Mum, I think I know why I fell out of bed last night. It was because I slept. too near the place where I got in." Then, after a moment's thought, she • added: "No, that was not the reason. It was because I slept too near where 1 fell out One of our most famous chemists has calculated that if the molecular energy of two grammes of hydrogen could be utilized, it would be sufficient to raise a weight 0f 7701b, through a distance of one metre, which is a frac- The calculation is greatly simplified if it le remembered that two grammes are roughly equivalent -to a little more than one-flfteepth of -an ounce troy, Thus, if the energy of the atom could safely beutilizedit would otter to the service of mankind an unlimited source of power comprteed. within an exceedingly small compass. Can it be done? Some of our most famous authorities on physics have declared it to be as visionary as the Philosopher's Stone or the Elixir of Life, yet we have already approxi- mated to the one by the transmutation of mercury into gold, and the science 1 of electricity may easily bring us with - I in reach •of the other, COLORS KEEP 'YOU WELL' In ordem' to understand clearly how color can act on, disease as potently as some sh'uge, it is uecessary,to bear in mind• that the light emanating, say, • from a field of scarlet poppies, or a meadow green and yellow with grace and buttercups, is due to waves in the other of apace, of a certain particular frequency. Theso induce in the eye on which they impinge a sensation of light of a particular color. The light of the sun shining on these poppies and buttercups and that grass . le reflected by them into the eyes• of the. onlooker, ivho, therefore, experi- ences the g0i'responding sensation 01 red, yellow, or green, or of all three at once, Color then, is not rt nsatefial oxiStence any more than sound.is; it. is only k sensation. I Wireless has accustomed most Dna- tical enthusiasts, in oihol•-waves to think •of wave -lengths and vibration, and to them there will be nothing sur- prising in the statement that the fro - gummy of impact of ether waves on any part of the body isa02billion vi- , orations per second fcr reel and 707 1 billion for violet, For the colors bo- tween.these extremes, the frequencies of vibration increase ;gradually from the red to the violet, andby making use" of this tact we are enabled to 'graduate the dose of ether -waves in ac- cordance withtheeffect' we desire to I produce on a patient. These vibrations, when they act on the eye, produce, as -we have just o13. served, sensations of color; when, how- ever, they become operative on other. parts of the body, they are capable of causing physical, and eb.emical changes In the body generally, ' • Violet light, as the,alnost incredible frequency of its vibrations might load us to guess, Lae acquired a remarkable vogue amongst doctors' as a cure tor many diseases. It contains, of course, -those ultra -violet rays. of which so much is now hoped and expect .1. 1 oertaiia kinds of nervous-' affections, ' good results have been obtained by keeping patients in rooms decorated with a color scheme lu shades of violet. Green Rays, Bring Sleep. As the Kid Saw It. Lady—"Horrors. 1've never heard such swearingsince the day I was born!" Tough KId—."Why, lady, did they cuss much when you Avila born?" LET'S TELL tAls-r3I DOFF'( TM3 PLEECEMMI Ji s,,.at• The Seashore Shower. Father—"The sky looks liko rain." Shucks--"Noye ain't that jes our luck?" Useless Ship's Funnels. Many people think that the more funnels a ship has, the faster she can steam. This is notethe case, however. Two liners have recently been fitted with three funnels each—to give them a more imposing effect. There aro many giant vessels affoat to -day carrying extra funnels that are nothing more or loss than dummies, for modern engineering has proved it advantageous to bring all the up- takes" from the boiler -rooms to one funnel only. It is curious that motor -ships have at least one funnel- This is because the vessels contain boilers, although they are not used for creating steam to propel the ship. They ,are fol the hot-water systems and central heating. some means•have to be found for car- rying away the funises—hence the ma - to' -ships are fitted with funnels. Near the Head. Self -Healing COtThe soothing effect of green rays g nSSee. may be said to have been known from Definite' evidence of self -healing on time immemorial, but this knowledge the part of concrete has just been ob- Lib's scarcely bean applied effectively tanned by Professor Duff it. Abrams, at until within recent years. Everybody Lewis Institute, Chicago. Tests On' a is familiar with the refreshing effect • number of concrete cylinders, which that the verdure of the countryside has were cracked eight years ago and have in the townsman when, he comes with - since remained exposed to the weath-1 in its spheno of lufiuenco. es' prove that time not only adds to It is not surprising that it should. the etrength'of concrete but also actu- ally have beau -discovered within the last repairs its wounds. few months 'that the distressing in- The cracks were made in 1917 by soimla of 'sleepy' sickness" (paradoxi- applying an average pressure of 2,700 cal as it may sound is Influenced in a lb. per square inch. During the past favorable way by the use of green few weeks the cylinders wore careful- ly examined, and it was thou found Since then, medical amen Have ex- that practically all the cracks had dis- tended the application of green light appeared, When retested the cylin- to other types of sleeplessness with ders withstood a pressure exceeding beneficial results, the light appearing 2% tons per square inch. to exert a -sedative action on the ab - In the case of a bridge which had normally active brain. been subjected to an excessive load, Many people who are unable for cen•tain fine oracles which appeared various •reasons to sleep in. a dark were carefully snapped and photo- room, and only become more excitable graphed. A year later, when the and wide awake when they turn on bridge was again overloaded, it was the light, are able to fall peacefully found that the old cracks did not re- open, but that new cracks were formed by the great strain. - Robinson Crusoe's Hotel. "Pe,' said little Shinny, "I was very near getting to the head of my class to -day." "Hew is -that, my son?" "Why, a big word canoe all the way down to ins, ani. if I could only have spelt it, I world have gone cleat up!" A teaspoonful of glycerine taken after each meal prevents indigestion. WHAT KIND OF.A '. CANNON th TNAT AN IH05 - There will be very little hardship in store for anyone who in the future may be wrecked on Juan Fernandez, on which Alexander Selkirk, the orig- inal Robinson Crusoe, spent part of his life, The Government of Chile is propos• ing to erect an hotel on this "isle of romance" and to establish a regular service ofpassenger steamers for the benefit 011 Defoe enthusiasts. The best -loved story in the world has already given its name to an hotel in the British Isles, the Cruses Hotel at Largo, the little •liteshlre village which claims Alexander Selkirk as its most famous son. Largo also boasts a statue of the hero, set in the wall of the cottage which replaced his old home. This statue is a favorite subject with ama- tem, photographers who find their way to the rite coast during the holiday season. - Just Like Adults. "Did ygilhave a good time at the party, Willie?" "Yes, but wo had to wait a long time for the ice cream and cookies," Ready, Aim OFFTWO! S1e14T, ER t.EF7-rt1REE • PERIMETERSt WATd1 .YOUR HELICOPTER• 1 FOCALSl1A4 Copyright, gI ,, 1925; 11, 'rite 8.11 Sy ttfeatr,-- $y/RNm asleep when green shades have been fitted to the illuminant. The reason why ordinary white light (which is composed of rod, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and violet rays) is so ir- ritating to the insomniac is that the vibrations of the yellow and red rays stimulate certain areas of the brain which when roused into activity, pre- vent the onset of sleep. The green rays,. on the other hand, act in the dia- metrically opposite way. Iced light, as we have just noted, has a stimulating action on nerve tis- sue, and is, therefore, Harmful when a sedative effect is required, but it is of value in circumstances in .which its Particular therapeutic properties are called for. Sky Liners. So much progress has been made with the plans for the establishment of a regular service of aeroplanes be- tweell England and India that the,Air Ministry is in touebwith three differ- ent concerns which have tendered for the right to operate the a'outo; says a writer in the;Westminster Gazette. It is hoped that by next spring a pre- liminary'service will have heen•start- ed. It is not intended that the Great. Eastern Airway, as the new service bas been called, Shall compete with the regular line of airships which will be- gin operations between this country and India, probably in 1023, The aero- planes will inthemselves offer a gniok •mieans of reaching India, and will, at the same time, link up intermediate ,towns on the airship route, thus 'act- ing as feeders. , At the outset it is proposed to use• R. A. machines, of a typo now being used in Iraq, for operating the airway. One machine has already been de- signed by Mr. A.. V. Roe. This air ex- press will have accommodation for twenty -tour passengers; and be cap- able, with a full load, of crulsing at a,. speed of 100 miles an hour. Lighted throughout with electricity, the aero- plane is to he equipped with luxerious leather easy:chairs, /instead of; thee wicker chairs such as are used in tire Cross -Channel machines, It Is intended to fit it with -three Napier Lion engines—one 10 the nose and one on each side of the cabin— developing a total of about 1,500 lap. 'f'hecraft will be built entirely of steel, -' anch.metal propellers will be used.