The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-03-30

book and then the son of high science
quietly remarked
'Seventyrsix feet four iDches--short Eve
feet two inches.
just here several urchins of an inquir-
ing turn Of mind drew near and began to
make infantile comments, and asked with
charming freedom il it was circus
''Noli' said Alma, from under her paper
tent. mol run away, children, run
away
1t was too warm for so much exertion,
and they wouldn't move.
'.Oh! never mind them. They don't
trouble me; and if it amuses them, it's so
much clear gain''
They are some of the factory children,
and thought they might bother youp
'Inelegant but thoughtful" He
didn't say SO. He only thought it, which
was quite as well.
During this little episode the inn
pressive facts that all this scientific
exertion had brought out concerning
the chimney were lost upon Alma.
1t was small consequence. She knew it
well enough before night,
Now for the shadow by way Of proof.
The theodolitc, paper umbrella, and adj
nliring crowd of children trotted severally
and collectively over the grass till they
reached the chimney again.
ssThe tape measure, Alma. You hold
the ring and I'll unreel the string y
It was surprising how quickly these
two made each others acquaintance. BY
the time the long shadow Yves measured,
d stake set up and the two shadows COM
pared, they seemed to have known each
other for weeks Such is the surprising
effect of pure science when applied to love.
Had it come to this already She was
engaged to the confidential clerk, the
chimney builder His ring ghttered Cd
her finger True-ail of It'll
See them sauntering slowly (the Their
mometer at 81 dogs. homeward under the
friendly shade of an oiled paper umbrella
They are indeed good friends already
They enter the house together, and the
cheerful dinner bell greets their ears. She
folds her oiled paper tent and he sets his
instrument up in corner of the great
shady hall. She leads the way to the
chamber that is to be his room during his
stay, and then retires to her own to pre-
pare for the frugal roontide meal
The exact truth records that the meal
was not severely frugal. 1t was other
wise, and so much nicer.
The entire family were assembled, and
conversation was lively, considering the
weather. Near the close of the meal it
grew suddenly warm. The innocent son
of science, proud of his accomplishments,
made most incautious statement, and
the result was peculiar
'sOh, uncle, you were saying this morn
ing thatmy science WAS not very practical
l tried a bit Of it on your chimney this
morning, and what do you think foundsn
I'm sure can't tell. y said Mr.. Dennyss
II measured it, and it is exactly sew
enty-six feet four inches high"
If he had dropped a can of nitre-glycer-
inc under the table the effect couldn't
have been more startling Mr. Lawrence
Bedford dropped his fruit knife with
ruinous rattle, his face assumed the color
of frosted cake (the frosting, to be exact,
and he seemed thoroughly frightened.
Mr.. Denny looked surprised. - -
Alma said nothing, but flshed for the
sugar in her strawberries and cream.
what did you say, Mr.. Franklinf'
II said that measured the new Chin
ney, just for the fun of the thing, and
found that 1t is exactly seyenty-six feet
four inches high.s'
sit is an abominable lic.''
S'Lawrencer' said Alma, with an APP
pealing glance.
Are you sure, Mr.. franklin Have
you not made some mistaken
.'You are utterly mistaken, Mr. Frank
lin. measured that chimney with line
from the top, and know your statement
is entirely incorrect
Il hope so,n said the old gentleman.
ct is so, sir,n added Mr.. Bedford; and
then, waxing holder, he said; "How
could this young person, just from
school, know anything of such mattersg
Did he build staging, or did he climb up
the inside like o chimney sweepsn
Young Mr.. Franklin saw that he had in
some innocent fashion started most dis
agreeable subject. Why Mr.. Denny
should be so disturbed and Mr. Bedford so
angry was past his comprehension At
the same time Mr.. Belford' s language was
offensive, and lie replied with some spirit:
There is no need to climb the chimney,
or use line. 1t is q trifling affair to as
certain the height of any building with
theodolite, as you probably know
II tell you, sir, it is false-utterly
false. Besides, you have made some
mistake in the figures. Yon-you--
but I've no patience with such boys play
It's only fit for school children"
Lawrence said Alma, ''you are I'M
kind. I'm sure we meant no harm. /
helped Mr.. franklin, and I'm sure he's
right; besides, we measured the chimney
by its shadow, and both statements We're
alike y
ooh, il you've turned against me, I've
nothing moro to say"
Mr.. Denny meanwhile seemed lost in
deep study, and he hardly needed what
was going on.
What can that boy know about such
things2 / tell you its
at seems to me, Mr.. Bedford, you are
unnecessarily excited, F" said Mr. Denny.
Mr.. Franklin is much younger man
than you, but he showed a knowledge of
this matter, and if his figures are cor
reetl'-
"They are, SIR said Elmer warmly.
II can show you the base line, and the
theodolite is still at the same angle AL
ma saw me measure the base, and she can
tell you its length. There are the figures
in my notebook
Mr.. Denny took the notebook and
examined the figuring out of this
problem, and Elmer went to the hall
for his instrument He returned with
the theoaolite still secured at the angle
at which tie sight had been taken. AS
he laid the instrument ON the dining table,
he said:
Il am very sorry, uncle that I did any