The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-06-15

kor . gun that can shoot more than
twenty miles really is Of little use 70
fort.
This is because a ship cannot be
seen very much beyond that distance.
1t is hull down then. owing to the
curvature of the earth. And, OF
course. II the ship is invisible, there 10
no use in shooting at II.
But the ship can Just as well shoot
at the fort even II II cannot see the
land; for the men on the ship know
exactly where the foit Is and can.
not move away, while the men in the
fort never can tell where the ship IL,
and If they did now and then get It's
range, the vessel can move away In an
instant.
But there is one respect In which
the forts still will remain ahead of
the ship-that is In the amount
OF protection tht they can utilize.
There Is, of course, no limit TO the
mountains OF earth which the army
engineers can pile over and around
their batteries. And no steel plate
ever made is az effective In stopping
a protectile as is plain, common dirt.
A good earth work will stop the
mightiest of the new half-ton steel
shells. with all Their a;mor penetrating
devices. The foe can throw in as many
explosives as he pleases the modern
earthwork Is SO constructed that II
VIII practically repair itself. Ordi-
nary breaches in II are closed up al
most automatically by the dirt that
slides into the cavity from above.
So, even IL fleet should at last
get an armament that would enable
1t to lie SO far away that curvature
OF the earth hides 1t utterly from the
gunners in forts. the ships might
pound away for many days and yet
do little damage.-New York Press.
Chenchu at the Toyman's Shop.
1t was the fifth day Of the fifth
month, and one Of the greatest holi-
days of the Chinese year,--the spring
festival. A fair was being held at the
largest Buddhist temple in the city,
and both Chenchu and her brother.
1ushan. were to be allowed to go.
The large black mule was hitched
to the cart-the official cart, with red
wheels, notched tires, two windows
on each side, and a red oilcloth band
around the bed or body of the cart.
1t was like a very large Saratoga
trunk on two wheels, and would have
been rough to ride in but for the fact
that 1t was we'll filed with cushions.
Both children and the old nurse
were packed in the cart, while one
servant walked on each side with one
hand on the shaft, and another led the
mule. They went just as fast as the
legs of the servants could carry them,
bumpity, bump! bumpity, bump! over
the rough streets, with clouds Of dust
following them all the way. When
they reached the temple, you could
have written your name with your
finger in the dust on their fine silk
garments.
But what did they care for duste
Besides one of the servants soon
brushed II all Off with piece of silk
tied to the end of q stick, with which
every cart is provided. There were
too many attractions to allow them
to think of dust, or of anything else
except the many things there were
to hear and see and eat and drink.
1t was like Fourth of July or Bunker
Hill day on Boston common, with
many other side shows and entertain.
ments added to the list
First and foremost, before they en-
tered the gate, was the peanut man,
with Chinese peanuts, American pea
nuts, hulled peanuts. salted peanuts.
sugared peanuts--peanuts in every
form that would attract the attention
of the child.
Next to him, but Just inside the
gate, was the toyman; and. as they
entered, Chenchu. forgetting for the
moment that she was the daughter
of a great official. and realizing that
she was only little girl, exclaimed:
20 nurse, just look at the toys!"
Yes" said the nurse, would you
like to buy some?"
But as she spoke the toy-seller turn
ed from poor little girl who did not
have money enough to buy the doll
she wanted. saying:
NO. II you do not have the money,
you cannot have the doll. What will
the little lady have?' this last to Chen
chu.
What does she want?" asked Chen
chu, pointing to the poor little girl.
"She wants the large doll, but sheu
does not have money enough To buy
it," II
How much is it," Chenchu con-
tinued.
Twelve cents" said he. adding two
cents to the price he had just asked
the little one.
Give 1t to me-" she said. And, TAX.
ing it in her arms, she placed it gent
ly in the arms Of the others saying:
DO you like it? Nurse will give
him the money. Would you like any
thing else?"