ADVERTISEMENTS.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain many valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.
Again it is necessary to give up the Department to answering questions. There are many inquiries which can be and are answered by letter, and as they are special requests on certain particular points not of any great general interest, we do not mention them here. Some points are brought, however, which are of such general interest that when it is possible we mean to answer them in the Round Table. Many requests have come during the last week or two asking how to keep a bicycle bright, what to put on it, how to take it apart, and so on. In Harper's Round Table dated March 24, 1896, No. 856, there is a carefully prepared article, entitled "The Care of a Wheel," answering most of these questions, and a copy of this issue can be obtained from the publishers by sending five cents in stamps. One or two correspondents mention one, two, and three week trips which they are planning, and they ask what they should carry in the way of luggage and hammock. Another article, published in the same issue of the Round Table, entitled "Bicycle-touring During Summer Vacations," will be found to cover most of these points. Of course there are many points which a wheelman most surely can learn for himself by experience. At the same time the general suggestions made in these two articles will be found useful to anyone who has either touring or the best care of his bicycle in mind.
Your Constant Reader asks about the expense of touring. He is about starting with his brother on a tandem to run from New York to Washington and return, spending about two weeks on the trip. He asks if the Road Book of the L.A.W. gives the best route. It certainly does. One may find, however, a somewhat more detailed description, with map, in the Round Table, Nos. 812, 820, 821, 844, 845, 846, 847, 848, 849, which can be procured at the regular price from the publishers. Our correspondent then asks about the price of such a trip. This is always a difficult question to answer, since the amount of money spent depends more on the man than on the trip. A trip from New York to Washington and return, occupying two weeks, or any other similar trip occupying that extent of time, may be done for $30 apiece, that is to say, about $2 per day for each man. There is no question about it. Such trips have been made at such rates. Of course that means a care in expenditures that is totally beyond the capacity of some people. It would mean that meals should be procured at farm-houses along the way, and that wherever possible nights should be spent either in farm-houses or under the sky in the fields. The last plan is often not the least interesting part of such a trip, and if the bicyclists—if "Your Constant Reader," for example, who is going on a tandem, and can thus carry a good deal of baggage—can procure a bicycle camping outfit, such as is used in some of the military bicycle companies, there will be few more comfortable beds along the route. When it rains, the farm-house or inn can be resorted to, but as a rule the out-door nights will be quite as pleasant. In making such a fort-night's journey, however, the average young man will do well to make an appropriation of about four or even five dollars a day, and then he will not have much left when he gets home. Fifty dollars would be a reasonably small amount. And that takes no account of a bad fall and consequent fracture to the wheel.
L. E. Barnet asks how to join the L.A.W., what are its advantages, and what its purposes. We have announced from time to time at the head of this column that we would give information so far as possible concerning the L.A.W., and this has been done in a great many cases. Mr. Barnet's questions give an opportunity for us to say a word regarding the purposes of the League. This organization is composed of men interested in bicycling in all its many branches, in the construction of good roads, and in the protection of the rights of all others who are riding wheels. If you join the League you become a member of the division which is composed of all the members residing in your State. This division issues road-books of one kind or another, some containing maps, others only description. By becoming a member and paying two dollars you receive a copy of this book free and a ticket or member's card which gives you somewhat reduced rates at hotels of standing all through your State, and all through the United States for that matter to-day. In the many League meets you may take part in racing and so on, and most important of all, you become an influence for improving the roads of the United States in a way that would be totally beyond your power as an individual.
[THE HUNTER.]
BY EMMA J. GRAY.
This very lively game is played by both boys and girls, and the more, of course, the merrier. The hunter must be a boy, and to decide which boy it is best to count out. Use for counting the old rhyme,
"Ana, mana, mona, mike,
Bassa, lona, bona, strike,
Hare, ware, frown, stack,
Halloka, balloka, wee, woe, why, whack."
Whoever is fortunate enough to have the word "whack" counted to him is out, and then the rhyme must be repeated over and over, and finally the hunter is left. It now becomes his duty to name the rest of the company as his equipments as sportsman, and also as his game—for example, pointer, setter, two species of hunting-dogs, and shot, belt, powder, gun, powder-flask, rifle, cartridge, rabbit, squirrel, partridge, kingfisher, etc., etc.
Put two rows of chairs back to back. There should be one chair less than there are players. This done, each one of the company except the hunter takes a chair. The hunter, standing before the rest of the players, then sings, to the tune "I love a sixpence,"
"I am a hunter, a jolly, jolly hunter;
I love hunting as I love my life."
This he may sing over as many times as he likes, but finally stops short in the middle or anywhere, and immediately calls out a name—for instance, "Shot." The person bearing this name must at once rise, and hurrying towards the hunter, must take hold of the back of his coat or jacket. Then the hunter continues his song, and calls for each one, until all are behind him, each holding firmly to the one in front. When all are in place, the hunter starts running, all of the party following and holding tightly together. He may run around the chairs or wherever he pleases, provided he keeps in the room. For fully two minutes this must keep up, when suddenly he will call "Bang!" and instantly sit on one of the chairs. Of course there is a great scramble for every one to do likewise, but as one chair is short, some one is necessarily left out, and this person now becomes the hunter.
The game now continues as before, or it may be varied by the hunter having to find something hidden.
Any object may be placed out of sight in the room, and when the hunter nears it, the company may aid him by the usual words, "warm, warmer, hot," or "cool, very cold, freezing, zero, below zero," etc. If he finds it within five minutes, he may choose another hunter, but if not he must pay a forfeit, to be determined by the rest of the players.
Or the game may be played in a similar way by the use of nautical instead of hunting terms. Should this be preferred, the hunter becomes the captain, and instead of singing to his company he may blow a few blasts on a horn. He is supposed to be on shipboard, so he must have ship equipment, crew, officers, passengers, cargo. Again the players must be named, only this time call them life-boat, rope, anchor, sailor, steward, captain's boy, purser, first mate, doctor, etc., etc.
Any questions in regard to photograph matters will be willingly answered by the Editor of this column, and we should be glad to hear from any of our club who can make helpful suggestions.