10 THE O r AH A DAILY flTTyDAT. PECEMMEP 5. 1807.
i
A7i OI'UH VTIOV UBTIlMtn.Vr II. IN TIII3
M.V.IOIMTV OK CASIiS-
A \ MV Theory IletitniiNtrnlrit null
I'rovcn I ! ) mi Oniiilui Mini Wlint
I r. .Srymimr Ilnn l < > Sny to
n live lUMiK'KCiiSiUUi' .
I make the statement that nlno out of every
ten persons who ate cross-eyed can tracs this
condition to a defect In their sight.
It IB very rare that a child In horn cross
eyed. In the majority of Instances the eyes
become crossed between the ages of QUO an 1
flvo ycara , and almost every mother will tell
you that this condition dates back to a fall ,
a BUddcn fright or some sickness.
But the real cause dates back farther
than this. The child wco born with defective
sight , and until weakened by sickness , they
were not obliged to croas them In order to see
As n dinall child the eyes are seldom crossed
fill the time. Hut repeated strain Is apt to
Icnvo them a little more crossed each time ,
until eventually the child Is croas-cycd. You
are opt to neglect this state of affairs , feelIng -
Ing certain that pa they grow older the eyes
will straighten themselves , or that an oper
ation may bo performed which will rcsto o
the , yc3 to their nomal condition ; but here Is
whcro you make a very grave mistake. In
the first place the cyo which becomes crossed
Is more than likely to depreciate In eight.
and , In fact , It persistently neglected , It Is
almost aiiro to become entirely useless , You
arc not aware of this fact , for the cjc docs
not change In appearance In the least , and
you only wait for a convenient time to have
It straightened by the use of the knife , never
dreaming that th'u operation Is very apt to
ho entirely useless If the sight has left the
eye , for there Is nothing then to keep the eye
fixed on the same object that the other eye
eecs. And If the operation In successful In
Improving the appearance. It docs not restore
the sight to the long-neglected cross-eye.
How often do we hear parents say that they
do not wish to take the responsibility of hav
ing their children's eyes straightened until
the child Is old enough to express a wish In
the matter Itself , for fear the operation
might Injure the sight , Thn ! view of the
matter If wholly unbecoming to a parent
who has the real welfare of the child at
heart , for the child Is sure to learn In later
years that 'this neglect has dost the sight of
an eye.
The family physician has been to blame
for many a sightless eye , as ho has advised
tiio parents to let the matter go and perhaps
the cyo will straighten Itself -In time. This
docs happen sometimes , but the occasions
ere very rare , and It usually goes from bad
to worse.
You ask why all these explanations and
what Is the proper etcp to be taken when
a tendency to cross-eyes Is first noticed in
chlldrcnt It Is simply this. Take them
at once to a thoroughly competent specialist
and have their eyes examined with regard
to the condition of tiic alght , and I will
promise you thut you have done the wise
thing , for almost Invariably the eyes can be
very much relieved and generally en
tirely straightened by the proper adjustment
ot leiiHUS , which will relluvo the strained
condition of the sight. To bo sure , It Is
only within recent years that It has been
possible to fit a small child with glasses , but
with the methods now employed chlldicu
even as young us three ycare of ago can be
as accurately fitted as a grown' person ,
although the means used are very different
i from the customary test given by the average
oculist an : ) optician.
Dr. Seymour has given this particular
feiUuro of his specialty years ot careful
study and his been employed by school au
thorities 'In xrany cities , as ho Is considered
an expert on children's eyes.
Nor docs this apply wholly to children.
There are grown persons In tdls city today
who have had their eyes operated on for
strabismus ( or cross-eyes ) and have only suc
ceeded In getting the use of both eyes and
having them strrlght after careful fitting
and refitting of glasses made with a view of
restoring all port'lble sight to the weak eye.
Proper treatment and scientifically fitted
glasses would have accomplished the same
results and avoided the surgeon's knife.
These statements , although they may eeem
radical to persons not acquainted with Dr.
Seymour , yet he has been In this city a
number of years and has demonstrated this
work to the entire satisfaction of these
who have Investigated the matter , and
there are a number of children and even
grown people In Omaha who realize the cor
rectness of tlirao statements from personal
experience. Again I want to emphasize that
the belief of many pcoplrt that an operation
will restore < the normal condition of the
eyes or In any way Improve them should
entirely be exploded , as It Is ono of the
old school methods and only on rare oc
casions dors an operation permanently Improve -
provo the condition of cross-eyes even In
appearance , and even more seldom are the
cases In which the sight la helped unless
glasses' are resorted to , coniiequcntly Is It
not better to Investigate the question of
having ( hem stiltlghtcned with glasses alone
before attcmptlifc an operation.
B11KCTACI.KS .V"MII1I3H.V XI5CI3SSITY.
AVIiorc Natural Slulit ; Full * Sett-lice
XIMV I'rcvnllH.
It Is not true that the ejes of the present
generation ore any more defective than those
TRAVELING LIBRARY IDEA
Aevlow of the Ori-rin , Growth and Keaults
of thofys.cm.
EDUCATIONAL POWER CF GOD BOOKS
A Worlc of liiciiloiilnlilo Valur
Upon ( lit * I'Vilcrndou of YVnniiiu'H
ClitliN U'lint Mny lit- Done
liy UnlttMl in irt.
The educational and beneficent Influence
of traveling libraries was Hie subject of an
iaiDo.tant paper read by Mrs. Edward I *
Iluchwalter of Springfield , 0. , at the
Women's congress at Nashville. The
origin and development of th move
ment , as well as the advantages of the
system to residents In the country , were ills-
ciisfcil In detail. Tno subject Is of consid
erable Interest to the west and Us treat
ment deserves careful study ,
Mrs. Uuchwaltcr said ;
The deslro lo extend all that good litera
ture moms has always been a distinctive
trait of the book lover. After reading a book
that means much to ono wo are not happy
until our friends iiavo read It. This Idea took
shape In the year of our centennial aiU In
October , 1S7C , the American Library associa
tion wus pcrmaiMiitly organized "for the pur
pose of promoting the library Interests of the
country and of Increasing reciprocity and
Kood will among librarians and all Interested
In library economy and bibliographical stud
ies , " The association took as Its motto
"Tho best readlug for the largest number at
the least cost. " Its growth was slow , for
jr.ony years scarcely extcnllng Its Influence
beyond the circle of Its own active members.
For the lad six years Ita lines have bc-eu
broadened , and the work of the preceding
years Is bearing fruit , liy repeated consul
tations and conferences as to ways and means
library methods are more harmonious and
consequently moro effective. State library
ccoclatlons have been formed In many states
tad library clubs in the largo cltlca , all ttiU ,
of our ancestors , although many believe to
the contrary , owing to the Increased num
ber of glasres worn today , as compared with
a few years ago. This la a progressive
ago and people are more allvo to the ad
vantages given by science than they have
been In the past. Tills opinion Is not so
common wl'.h the pressnt generation as with
our riders , and the more enlightened hall
with Joy every device which aids man to
perfect his plusloil condition. Children
are not to blame for being born with do-
fcctlvc sight , and when the parents realUc
that their child Is so unfortunate can they
afford to neglect sate and sure means of
correcting that which nature has failed to
supply. Many mothers sity to us that they
cannot bear to sec their children wear
glasses. Wo cannot blame nny one for
lamenting this misfortune , but Is It not bri
er than letting your children go from day
: o day Impairing so Inillspen&ahle nn or.tan ,
and through this mo ns affecting health ,
dlnilng all that Is beautiful In nature , and
lessening the chance of succesu In life. This
foolish pride Is very likely to mnVe 'he
parent responsible for many failures In ll'o
which are sure to follow the failure of slj'.t '
' Progressive myopia , or nearslghtodns3 ,
1 la > ory prevalent among the Germans , nr < I
has .ilmcst threatened the welfare cf the na
tion , and why ? Germany represents a na-
, lion of rtudcnts and this clcsf > application
r-f sltht from geusratlon to gc-ne'"atlon ' IWB
produced , through the lr a of heredity awl
Impioper care cf the "yes , this c-nlltlon of
shjht. Observe the number of German stu-
a'cnts wearing glasses. To the noted Gor
man scientist. Hclmh.Mtz , these with defect
ive slijl.it should bs grateful. This IcarncJ
man Invented the ophilnlmoioop ? for mak
ing examinations of the Inferior cf the eye.
This Instrument Is one of the greatest Inven
tion i of the age. as it gives the oculist anl
e-ptlclan , who Is familiar with the physbl-
I ogy and pathology of the eye and Is skilled
In Its U K > , every ad.ai.ose that can bo had
' In the scientific fitting of glasses. The man
who undertakes to fit lensea without the
proper use of this Instrument Is not worthy
of the name cf cither optician or oculist , and
should cot be trusted to attend to the wants
of so Important an organ.
' Dr. Seymour has Just icturned from an ex-
'tcnslvo ' trip through 'the west and while IP
, ' San Frtnctsco , where he remained some
weeks , ho was actively liitercste-l' ' In the con-
dllkii of the children's eyes In the- public
si-hoals In that city , ind the following Is an
exact cc.py of the reports iccently submitted
to 'tho health committee In that city :
901 Sutler Street ,
San Francisco , Cat. , Oct. 27. 1S97.
SAM'L L. WALLER , Esq. , Chairman
Health Committee Dear Sir : Wo beg leavs
to submit the following results of the ex
amination of the eyes of 1,125 school chil
dren :
Number with normal sight " >
Number far-sighted A <
Number astigmatic > > <
Color blind 8
Cross-eyed 1'
Wall-eyed -r ,
Among the 552 defective pupils thirty lire
provided with correcting glasses. Respect
fully. JAMES F. SMITH. M. D.
CHAS. P. M'CAHTHY. M. D.
The above speaks volumes. Think of It ,
SC2 children out of a total of 1,123 with de
fective vision , zud only thirty of that num
ber provided with the means to see prop
erly and thereby protect the health of eyes
and body. What would you e-jy If 522 chil
dren wcro cent to our public schools at ail
seasons of the year unprovided with shoes
and stockings and upon half allowance of
food ? Draw your owfi conclusions ; caa par
ents afford this ? We eay no !
LITTLE SYMPATHY.
People who have strurig eyes have but
little sympathy for thoee who are less for
tunate In this respect. The necessity of
glasses to asalst a child in school work
and put them on a moro even footing
with other students Is not appreciated by
many parcnto who are otherwise thoughtful
and corslderate of the- welfare of their chil
dren , and who are In many cases under
going privations that their children may
secure an education. Do not be too ready
to Judge these chl.dron as having a fad for
glasses or wishing to wear them because
sonio of their playnates do. Better be a
little over-cautious In having the child's
cyeij examined than to take too much re-
spons/blllty in jour own hands. We ex
tend a special invitation to those Inter
ested In this subject to bring your children
to us If their eyes are not perfect. We
make a specialty nt children's eyes and be-
llevo that we are better prepared to do this
elate of work than any ono elf2 In this city.
Glasses are put on the market as an arti
cle of merchandise , end there Is no law
to prevent any man calling himself an
optician.
A fine store , with a flaming advertisement ,
and people take their children to the man
who sells glasses the cheapest , and the child
Is practically allowed to pick out Its own
glasses from the superficial test made by the
so-called optician In charge , the parent payIng -
Ing the price , believing they have done their
duly. As stated before , the only way to
accurately fit lenses Is , to use every means
known to the science , end the oculist _ who
has made th s a life study and who has the
means of doing the work Is the only aafo
person to truet.
however , by llbrarlnns or those closely con
nected with libraries.
When the 'first state library commission
was formed by direct act of the legislature
a long etcp forward was made , as it was
thn first formal recognition by the state of
tliu library as a pirt of tbo educational sys
tem of the state.
The year of 189C Is crowded with red-
letter days marking strong and steady advance -
vance and the progress Is almost beyond be
lief , The National Educational association
the great organized body of educators at
Its meeting In July of that ycur , nskcd
for the co-operation of the American Library
association , and In December ot the mine
year the United Slatca government , through
Us joint committee of congress on the library ,
asked the American Library association for
suggestions as to the management , object and
alms of the library of 'congress. This state
ment shows nn advance that needs no com
ment , Is eloquent with possibilities and was
the step which counted. The direct and
Immediate result was that the/ ( American
Library association was placed at once In the
position of ono of the recognized educational
forces of the country. Although It had taken
twenty years to reich this position , 'It had
clearly gained the right to do so by the wls-
dcm that had characterized all Its delibera
tions.
It does Its work through several sections ,
the most Important of which Is the State
Library section , which Includes both itatc
and law library Interests. The point seems
now to be reached where the most Ini'portont
library problem before the country Is the
relation of > the state 'to the library. ThU In
cludes legislation , subsidies , state aid. ex
emption from taxation , organizations of the
library Interests of each state , library com
missions , traveling libraries , In short , every
question concerning the state's relation to Its
library Interests.
The results already obtained In the way of
state library commissions , state old to li
braries , both by grant , ? of money and travel
ing libraries , are most satisfactory and are
full of promise for the future and teem to
warrant the opinion that through the state
library Is to bo found the best means for
library advancement.
ABSENCE OP UIUIAIIY LAWS.
It Is much to be regretted that there Is
no compilation of the library laws of the
different ut'itts. The Information In many
states Is fragmentary and not at o'.l satis-
factory. In other states It appears that no
effort has been made to collect these laws
and It would require the niost'oireful ' search
to aictrtUa just what law * have b en n-
SOMETHING ABOUT
CIULDRENS EYES
Disposition Somatitrias Affected bj a
Severe Straining of
the Eyesight
I'nrciitK mill 'IVuHirrNro . \iit to Over
look IIUUI'rviitlnrltlin III the
AVn.v Clilldr.-n Ilolil
| Tliolr llookt.
Now thut thti care of eyesight of llio pu
pils of our public schools hns beome ono oil
the duties of tlu te.iche1 It mi-y Interest
many to know the effect of eye-strain en
different children. Anil always having taken
rortlcular Interest In this bivinch of my spe
cialty I quote an Instance from experience.
A lady brought ( wo of her children to mo
( boys aged nlns anil eleven ) to luivu their
eyes oxnmlnul ) wishing to know If glumes
wouM hlp them In 'their school work.
In answer to iiucstlons about the general
health of the children , their disposition ,
complaints they made regarding headache ,
etc. , she made the following statement :
"I really am puzzled to know what to
do with the older boy , he seems so Irritable
and crras after a few rtaj s at school , and
ho always seems .to be spoiling for u fight.
His health seems very gooJ , with Iho excep
tion of headache after study , but ho U not
as far advanced In school for his age as his
younger brother. "
WORKED ( A CHANGE.
After n.uklng .1 careful examination I pre
scribed g.'i.raes for the older one , hut told
the me ( her that the younger boj did not need
them a : present. I did rot sec them again
for fix months , when , upon meeting the
mother , she told mo the gltsss hail worked
n marvelous change In her son , that he wore
| them constantly , and could not bear to be
without them. Ho was picking up In h's
school work , and was better natuie.l tV.i i
she had ever known him to. be.
' Tl.'ls child Is only one of many thousaniM
i In our schools toJay who arc having their
dispositions ruined , and arc culled dull an.l
1 t-tiipld by their parents and teachers , throug.i
MI fault cf their own. Being pcihrps born
with a defect In sight , they do not know
of any different woild than that which
they ECO through defective eyes , consequent ! }
cannot rotate their troubles to their pa-
renti' , as they arc entirely unconscious ol
their defect. Therefore , I wish to emphasize
most cmrintlcnlly. that It is the duty of all
parents anj teachers to mark very closelj
any pocul'arlty that children may have In
looking at objects at a long distance or close
at hanl , such aa sciulntln ; their ejes
frowning , looking sidewise from par
tially closed eyes , and particularly re
garding the distance at which they hold their
rending metier from their cjcs , for It ! B
natural for a child , or for a grown person , for
that matter , who has normal sight , to hold
clearly printed reading matter about fifteen
lnhes from their eyes. Should this bo varied
ID any extent , such as drawing the reading
quite close to the eyes or holding It at arm's
length. It is .almost a sure sign that there is
something wrong.
There are few subjects of more general
.Interest and none in respeot to which more
knowledge would bo of greater advantage to
people in general than the human eye. Vision
is very properly described an the most
precleus of our senses , and Its loss Is con
sidered ono of the most serious afflictions that
CEO befall mankind. It Is only of late year ?
that the-eauses of certain deficiencies In Bight
have been made known , and the most
erroneous statements are still made and be
lieved regarding them. Even Intelligent people
ple may be excused If they have njt yet be
come acquainted wltja the new discoveries
vyhlch are comparatively recent , .In the mak
ing cud scientific fitting of glasses. Dut we
shall have no excuse to offer In their behalf
If they do not avail themselves of the means
yloced at their disposal for acquiring the
knowledge of the nature , of troublesome de
fects of sight , and of learning how simply , In
the great number of cases , they can be cured
"
or assisted "by the scientific adjustment of
perfectly made lenses.
Dr. Seyirour has snecwded In. securing the-
rorviccs of Dr. J. H. .Dally of Chicago and
has add ml many n w and scientific Instru
ments to his present equipment and th y
now have-without a doubt the ( Inert facil
ities and appliances for th's work Jn the
west. The customary fee for an examination
as given by thorn varies from J5 to $10. This
is certainly a reasonable figure ecnilderlng
the fact that the mcithocJe ua&d In fitting
glasses to children , arc entirely different than
those urod for grown persons and require
the meat careful attention , as It Is a , critical
point In the life rf a child when 'it com
mences to wear glasses , For the coming
week they extend an Invitation to parents to
bring their children either on WcdCicaday ,
December 8th , or Saturday , December llth ,
at which time they will make 'the ' usual ex
amination without charge.
People having cross-eyed children arc In
vited to call at any time with the assurance
that they will not bo charged for consulta
tion. Heepeotfully ,
DRS. SEYMOUR & DAILY ,
Room , 413-414 Kai'bach 'Block ' ,
O-r. 15th and Douglas St. ,
Over Nlcoll , the Tailor.
acted from tltno" to time concerning public
libraries. Massachussctts , Is In advance In
this as in all other phases of her library
work und Is the only state which has pub
lished a compilation of her library laws.
This compilation has a historical value and
will probably be made a model for other
states to follow. The diflleulty of getting
"up-to-dato" Information his not been over-
coma and all references In this paper to
library legislation do not date later than
181)6. )
181)6.Seven
Seven states , Massachusetts , Vermont.
Now Hampshire , Connecticut , Wisconsin
Ohio and New Jersey , have already estab
lished library commissions and offer aid In
money , advice and other assistance to new
libraries. California , Maine and Rhode
Island glvo nssIsMnco to school and other
libraries either through the boards of edu
cation or the State library.
The legislation which has brought about
traveling libraries Is most Interesting. It Is
attiactlng universal attention und Is being
closely Investigated In several states. New
York has carried on a successful system of
traveling libraries since February , 1893 ,
More recently Iowa , Michigan and Montana
have passed laws establishing them. In Ohio
they are already an accomplished fact to the
provisions of the general library law of
189C. In Massachusetts and Wisconsin they
arc conducted under private officers , but as
Massachusetts has only fourteen towns where
there are no public libraries there does not
seem to be a crying need for the adoption of
the system In that state. Philadelphia ,
'through her free library commission , has
started traveling libraries through the more
remote parts of that city and will likely
develop a system best suited to the nerd * of
the locality. There were library bills be
fore the legislatures of several states last
year , the results of which could not bo cs-
certalned. California , Colorado. Illinois , In
diana , Kentucky , Georgia and Tennessee are
all agitating the question and may bo con
fidently expected to take no step backward
until they succeed In accomplishing what
they have undertaken.
PLAN OF TRAVELING UURARIES.
New York U the pioneer among the states
in establishing .traveling libraries as part of
the public library fiystcm. They are under
the direct management of the regents of the
unlverUty with Mr. W. II , Eastman , Inspec
tor of libraries , In Immediate charge of them.
Application blanks are prepared and sent to
those asking for them and entitled to become
borrowers. These have been arranged In
( our croups :
First Publlo libraries under iho visitation
SALE
Our immense establishment is iammed with
everything that is beautiful and useful in home furnishings , Hundreds of articles that
are just the thing for Christmas presents. All go on sale this week at these extremely
low prices ,
" QUOTE here only a lew of the STOVES STOVIS
CARPETS DRAPERIES
a many items we carry that will , ,
make excellent Christmas gifts If A few parting words about heating
Jl.r.O . Hoily Brussels
this week 90c stoves Those who have not yet
have the cash will give
you not we 11.35 Velvet
till ? -week . . 78c bought can take advantage of these
lots of time in which to pay These We Tnpestry > 49c
thl ? week remarkable prices
prices show what we will do this week 70c tills All week Wool . Ingrains . 38c
33c Matting Peninsular Bnso Hurner
I3c . . . 23-75
thin wee ) ; . . till ? week -
7Jo Linoleum flC.50 Estate Onlc Heater
till ? week 38c this week , . . . . 10.75
too Oil Cloth ISc flo.OO Home Coral 13nso Burner
this week this week , . . . I3.7B
A beautiful oak mahogany finished
Cobbler Pont Uoeker or , nicely finished and 2.90 $1.25 Lace Curtains 65c J1J5.K ) Coral Oak
this week this week . . . . 8.25
\vc-l worth $7.00 , this week
J. ) . 0 IrUli Point Curtains 248
JO.iVi Coal Oil Heater
this uvi'ek
and thi week . . . 3.25
A very line Combination Book Case ?
. nrusscls Net Curtains
Writing Desk , solid oak. highly polished , 8.90 $ S.OO tills week 4.25 JM.OO Star Estate Steel llnnge
worth regularly $13.00 till * wcok . JG.M ) Silk Curtalns- 2,45 this week . . . . 29.50
thlp week , J13.iV ) Cook Stove
i
A handsome Center Table , good size top , till. week , . . . . 9.65
polished onk and worth legulur $3GO this 1,65 $5.fio Ucipo Portieres 2.25
week , this week K > .00 C-hole Flange and Hcservolr
JG..10 Tapestry Curtains 285 this week . . . . 29.75
this week
A solid oak Sideboard , very handsome ,
richly carved , has sweled front , French 13.00 Kic Window Shades
Pluto mirror , worth $22.00 , this week . till ? week
J1.S3 Chenille Table Covers 78c !
thl * week
Antique Rxtrmslon Table , well made and
pretty , worth about $ S.OO on sale this 3.90 $1.70 Tapcftry Table. Covers
wcok thi * week * ii u Q 5i * tiiutX / B H F H ij K > ( Pa gv8 Q
$3.00 Lace Curtains 135
A nice Library Table , antique , worth this week
anywhere very $0.50 lieie only $7."iO Snowllnke SlUc Curtains 1,98 A IxMUttfiil 100-plecp English Dinner Set ,
this week , doc-orated In natural colors , very linn Home
I Madres design , worth unywhcre clsc > J1V.OJ our
' A fine $20.00 Leather Couch , well made , with 9 85 We this per week yard I4c price this week 9.75
! heavy frame , on sale this week , at only. . . .
40o yard Sllkallnc
per I4c
this week . Carlsluil China Tea Set of C3 pieces , choice
$50.00 Parlor Suit , solid oak frame , uphol f.0c per yard Furniture Fringe 24c of four decorations , worth regular JloOO . . . . 1 Eft
stered In beautiful patterns of tapestries , this wcok . sale price ; SiOU
full spring .worth $ 'iO.OO this i\eek only. . . 24.00 10p per yard Oulmpc
2c
this week . Elegant n & II , Banquet Lamp , with onyx
Very flno Bed Iloom Suit , finished In an DOc per .yard Japanese. Silks 19c renter with , handsome central drailght decorated burner globe complete worth
tique , bevel plate mirror , worth $22.00 this week . regular $ G.JO ! our price this week 295
. Slllcs
sale price $1.00 this per wcrk yaul . China 48 c
7"i ! Chenille Loops- 25c H.imlsomo Hanging Lamp , 'with ' decorated
A $7.50 Iron Bed , white enameled , brass tills week . . fount and shade to match , worth JS CO
trimming price this week our price this uveok i. . . . 4.75
i ,
sS \
Everything If there's a gap j
iI sold on Easy in your ptirse
I Payments * our convenient j
\ Withouttaay extra cost. credit system will fill it. \
of the regente , In which .
and the "librarian slsn "the agreement ,
Second Communities without uny public
library privileges. In which case the appli
cation Is slgaed by twenty-five resident tax
payers and a trustee who becomes respon
sible -Tor the proper usage and gate return
of tSio books.
Third Organized groups of students agree
ing to study ono subject not less than ten
weeks In which a guarantor Is required.
FoUith This group contains unregistered
clubs , summer hotels , business corpoiutlona
or other organizations not falling in the other
gi oups , but having * special need of books
not otherwise available. The rules provide
that a selection of 1001 books be sent for six
months on a payment of a fee of $5 , and a
library of fifty books upon a payment of ? 3
for the tame length of time , the state payins
transportation both ways In all Instances ,
save that of the fourth group , which In addi
tion to Iho fees payo all expenses of trans
portation and can keep the books for three
nwnths. The booka am bound la cloth and
are provided with a plain oak cabinet hav
ing a single drawer with compartments to
hold cards. A catalogue note on each volume
Is Intended to give In the briefest possible
manner Us scope und character. Each
copy of the printed catalogue contains
the rules for local circulation ; a simple sys
tem of charging bookti lt > Indicated In the
rules and book cords anJi readers' cards arc
supplied all , which carda are to bo returned
to Albany with the books , thus enabling the
central office to keep statistics of the num
ber of tlmrs each book has been read.
After much revision and consultation the
first thousand boata wcro distributed Into
groups as nearly equal as possible in the
range of subjects and In literary merit and
attractiveness. The percentage was : Fic
tion , 22 per cent ; history , 18 per cent , biog
raphy , 13 per cent ; travel , 11 per cent ;
science and useful art9 per cent ; sociology ,
5 per cent ; religion and ethics , 4 per cent ;
flno arts , 3 per cent ; other llteratu'e , 15 per
cent. In addition special subject lists have
been prepared on economics , agriculture ,
French history , United States history , be
sides lists In literature to cover Regent's
reading courses ,
SUCCESS OP THE SYSTEM.
In regard to the success of these libraries ,
Mr. Eastman , who manages them , sajiK
"The record of the number of times books
SBVO been read by a single reader la not
: ompleto In every caeo , hut the cards show
that the eame books has been read by
thirty-eight , thirty-two , thirty-one , twenty-
seven different readers. " The New York
records show that ID a little more than two
ream after starting .Traveling Llbrarlcu , 4G-
000 books hsvo been read. Mr. Eastman
says further , "That these have been good
jooka and bavo left their marks upon a mul
titude of minds. Tli6y have everywhere pro-
noted an Interest Im good reading , and have
jpen cordially received and are more and
moro In demand -cachiycar. AH a public In
vestment they have fully vlndleited the wls-
loiu of their projectors , and have proven
worthy of the continued Interest of the
atate. "
As fast as thoiothrr states take up tbo
work the same re&ultx follow. The general
Ibrary law of Ohio . | ia two good points. It
takes tbo appointment of librarian out of
lolltlcs and IcaveH the management of the
State library to aicoramUelon to whom shall
) o referred the aUsaluto management of the
state library , Thou first rules and regula-
lens sent out bythdrowly appointed library
commlslsoncrs show/itliat a startling change
was to bo Inaugurofnd at the State library.
Jp to this time thai only persons who have
tad access to tbefCO.OOO volumes have been
ho ofllclal claen. VNow the new rules pro
vided that any cillaen of Ohio could secure
ho use of the hooks upon precisely the same
erms as are In use In local public libraries ,
The library committee of the Ohio Federation
) f Women's Clubs hailed this new library law
with Joy. A conference was ar.anged at
once between the library committee and
ho commissioners with most satisfactory re
sults. The commUsloneivj agrted to send
small libraries of from twenty to forty vol
umes to clubs wanting them , to bo kept for
in Indefinite time , the eoinmlt-aloners re
serving to themselves the right to call them
back after the Hi at month , a right which
ms never been exercised ; and the club to pay
ransportatlon both ways , The cluba wcro
jsked to send their year books to the State
Ibrary when they sent for application
Jlanks. Books were Delected bearing upon
ho topic studied In the club and when the
nodcst requlrcmonte of the commissioners
vero acceded to by the proper filling out of the
ilanks and tending them back to the
Ibrory , the books were sent to the club.
Thus traveling libraries upon a limited scale
were eoon spinning to Ohio. They were made
op cf tbo books already upon the shelves , as
no special ariiroprlatlon had yet been madi
< or-thls puiciose. But the state board enterei
into the spirit of the enterprise and tin
results have far exceeded expectation. Thi
clubs were ashed to send monthly reports HI
to the use of the books an.l throe report !
have been so satisfactory that during tin
currpnt club year the commissioners allowcc
thh bocko to stay for six months. In low :
the system Is working most satisfactorily
.With the first appreciation of $1,000 ths ;
I bought fifty libraries of fifty volumes each
A very short time after these were read ;
there were over 175 arollcatlone made foi
these libraries , the demand thus for exceed
ing the supply. In Michigan the same In
terest Is manifested , though definite figure :
are not ready to bo given. The libraries an
of fifty volumes each and the borrowers an
divided into proi'os much as In New York , ex
cept that the Grange figures largely as :
factor amotis the borrowers. In Montana th <
appropriation failed to paes , so that the ]
have not yet been fully established. In WIs
consln the system of traveling libraries 1 :
carried on , by a private philanthropy. Ir
January , 1S9G. Mr. J. H. Stout of Menomlucf
tasked the aid of the Free Library Association
of Wisconsin to aid him In establishing tray ,
cling libraries for DUIHI county , he bearing ol
expenses. Mr. Stout was anxious that thi
rural part of the population should have ac
cess to gcod reading. He purchased slxteor
libraries of thirty volumes each , which he
sends to villages and farming communlttec
on the payment of a fee or $1 , he paylnp
transportation both ways , allowing them tc
stay four months , but not allowing them tc
gu out of Dunn county. He only asks thai
the people form bcal library associations ami
agree to takd' ' good 'care of the bookrc am !
return them promptly. In Wood county Mr ,
J. D. Wlstar has ilcuc , with same difference
in detail , what Mr. Stout did In Dunn
county , as has also Miss Schaffer in Chlppewa
county.
EXPLODED THEORIES.
A careful reading of < ill the statistics en
traveling libraries OB they are now carried
no develops some facts that may be re
garded as settled beyond a peradventure. In
the first place the theory that the farmers
would not use the books Is exploded. The
book hunger that was made manifest was
pathetic and better than all was the under
lying recognition of the fact that in order
to take a high place as god citizens it Is
necessary to bo well Informed. U IB reported
further that the farmers of Wisconsin and
Michigan took out tlicso books to be read
during the harvest flcasnn ,
This U the first philanthropy that has
considered the people living In the country.
Much thou it and more money than haa been
computed has been used to smooth out the
rough places and elevate Iho biirroundlng
of the Inhabitants of our large towns and
cities. But not the faintest attempt to re
lieve the deadly monotony of the people ,
young and old , who live far from the centers
of thought and action. The situation IB worst
for the young In the villages than -in the
country , for their honest toll fills the houra ,
but In the village enforced Idleness through
Jack of opportunity to work leaves vice the
only attraction. All thU ) rural population
are completely out of touch with .the great
activities and tendencies of thought that
como to the dweller In the city , ttius rellcv-
ing Its strain of dally occupation and thereby
sweetening their Ilvcn and enlarging their
vlowH ,
fiow to thefio people comes the 'traveling
library und with It and through Its agency
will como the remedy for this stagnation
by thii gradual leavening process of educa
tion and culture , It will not bo a hap-ha-
ard process either , for thi-so different libra
ries are selected with care and a symme
trical development Is sure to result. The
modern sciences ore now tot forth In hooks In
such a popular ntylo that the most ordinary
mlndtj can grasp the Ideas , The social pro
blems of modern life are taken up by the
writers of fiction and start currents of
thought that c ° 'ar beyond mere entertain
ment , niography IH a groit Incentive to the
young to press forwanV and aim high. The
moral agencies are never lost E-lght of In
theee books and sermons do not fall on un
heeding c-ars , when they are presented 1n Hie
attractive manner of the moJern writer. The
school system 13 not forgotten , and there
are books that lllumln > ' .to all departments
from the klnjcrgartcn lo the Mltrli school.
Should there bo a local Industry Its latest
developments may be had written In ttie
clearest possible manner.
INFLUEXCi : OF WOMAN'S CLUIIS.
Ths example of these libraries Is conta
gious and cno library makes a dcinaij for
unotlier In a neighboring community. Then
there is another fact brought out by the study
of this subject , and this Is the highly cred
itable attitude of the Women's clubs to
ward this generous project , They bavo
i
| been Instrumental In promoting leglslatio
i In favor of these libraries , and they hav
been largo borrowers of the bocks after the ;
I were established. In Kentucky and Georgl. .
I they uro working , scarcely letting their let
hand know what their right hand Is dolr
and consequently the public Is not In pocscs
slou of the facts In these states. In Iowa the ;
! probably affected the legislation more thai
. In the other states. Not thinking It wisi
to present a bill themselves , they were askec
to aid in forming a sentiment In favor of oni
presented by others , and ire said by thosi
In position to know to have done yeomai
service In securing Its passage.
In Ohio of the twenty-three libraries eenl
out 'by ' the Sta/to / library twenty went u
I women's clubs and two to country neigh-
, borhooda as the direct work of a club wo
man. From these clubs the State library has
received letters of grateful appreciation ol
the .benefits . the club has derived from the
use of the books. Those letters -n-lll he
preserved , and with the monthly report will
ba used as ea many arguments for a special
[ appropriation for these libraries. How will
traveling libraries affect the Women's clubs ?
tin Ohio It has affected them visibly In 'that
I It has made the country club a possibility.
I Hitherto the want of books has made It
, difficult to carry on a club In the country.
IA little fact will go farther than much
theory , and the fact is that as BOOH aa the
woman In country neighborhoods In Ohio
j found out that 'they ' could secure books they
] began to form cluba. Group ? ol women
j would meet , organize , federate and apply for
'books ' the name day. These women needed
no argument ! ns to benefits of organization ;
they grasped the Idea at once and knew
that they wanted It.
It la a truism that education Is the bul
wark of our Institutions. Another fact no
less 'true ' Is that no nation can rise higher
than its mothers. The Importance of broad-
onlnjj the education of the women on the
farms cannot .bo overestimated. They should
bo kept In touch with all that Is highest
In our civilization. It Is the farm that sup
plies the ibraln and brawn of each successive
generation of the professional and business
men of our largo cities , and the fountain
head must bo kept energized with all that
IS 'best ' In thought and purpcao In order that
wo may keep the place ithat we- have al
ready gained among the nations of tlio
e-arth. With 'those ' libraries the young
i people , as they como back from the schools
and colleges , can go on with their studies ,
thus keeping pace with their friends whcno
homes are In the towns , With the library
at their command the farmers' Initltutra
will take up now flubjccts of research and
study. Too often 'the ' commercial arpect ah.
sorts all their deliberations and they miss
the sweetness and light that comen from
the contemplation of something higher and
better. '
PROGRESS OF THE WORK.
In Now York they report many public
libraries to have started * the result of
the traveling library. This will not be so
often the case In 'the went and south. The
traveling library , bringing oich year Its
change of hooks , Is far better than any small
library whoso booka have lost their fresh
ness and whoso contents ore a "twice-told
tale , " The fact that a given set of books
are to IK > at the call of n community for a
given tlmofi \ an Incentive for the people to
read and make the boM passible use of
thorn whllo they have them.
Besides the libraries already provided Prof.
Thomson of the Free library of Philadelphia
ays < thit In the further development of the
traveling library Idea there should bo spe
cial libraries for shipboard , army stations ,
police , flro and telegraph stations , all under
the fostering care of itbo central library
force of the utate. Then In the Intervals
of duty there will bo an cdiicitlonal process
going on ithat will not only mentally Im
prove , 'but will make thc > 'e men do their
dally 'work ' In a better manner.
The high place a public library of a city
takes In the Intellectual development of Its
citizens admits of no argument. The travelIng -
Ing library has the same effect , only doubled
igaln and again , and there now seems to bo
hut ono opinion concerning their dcelrabllrty.
Ono by ono the objections urged against them
havu been shown to bo groundless , and now
as fast as ono ntato secures them another
begins agitating the question.
Now ono word to those desiring to begin
this work. There uro two agents that may
bo used In securing ( raveling libraries
working together In harmony they would
bo Irmilntltjle I refer , of course , to the
American Library association and the Gen
eral 1'cdcratlon of Women's Clubs. These
two organizations are animated by the same
spirit. Without either knowing It , each baa
been working along the satno lines , which
U always the good of others. The American
Library auoclatlou , as luu been Bald , want !
to secure "tho best reading" for the largcat
number at the least cost. " And the gcnoral
federation Is working to bring about a higher
social order and a better public pplrlt
through the process of education. But bpt-
, clflo state work Is better carried on by the
, respective- state organizations. A state fed
eration working with the organized library
work of the state would nnko the work cabler
and the result would not long be In doubt.
I There never was a better agency for carrying -
| rying on a campaign of education than a
1 State Federation of Women's Clubs. It It
composed of clubs from all over the state
representing all grades of society , all crcods.
and opinions , all ages and conditions. Should
It adopt any idea ns wo th working for Ittt
, opinion on this subject would permeate every
stratum of society and public opinion would
be rapidly but correctly formed. The Htate.
i federation would strike the keynote , direct
the aim and watch the process along the
whole line , making rough places smooth and
weak places strong and by preventing a.
waste of energy through misdirected efforts
would bo a g'cat preserver of vital forces.
Combine this force with the organized li
brary workers of the stito and you will see
I what it means. They are now working
| along the same lines having the same end In
i view , which Is the gradual uplifting and cn-
I nobling of the thoughtu and the purposes of
the niaEBPs. Should a state call upon thcso
two forces to promote traveling library leg-
' ( station , each would supplement the work
I of the other and finilly both would rejoice.
I In the full fruition of their hopes and the
state would profit by the alliance.
Drummond sajH the vital principle of our
spiritual life IB the struggle for the life of
othcis. Philosophy has crystallized tli.'w Into
the one word altruism , and altruism will
find Its highest development In evolving the.
plans and realizing the aspirations ot thcso
two organized bodies of workers.
Arnold's Jlromo Celery cures headaches.
lOc. 25a and f.Oc. All druggists.
UHPIiCTIOXH OX/AX AI'l'ICTITi : .
TliomiH F. 1'crtrr In New York Hun.
Rebecca D.ilnty H.-IS a maid whose summer *
no one knew ,
ThouKli she for llflcon years had paid that
she was thlrty-t'Ao ' ;
And though xhc never 'clt real hinart , folks
called her rat .IT bright ,
And while she lud a ( TOO 1 , kind licart , she
Imd no npiietlte.
She always rnmo to breakfast lute , anil
no'er forgot her slBH ;
First flio would pass her llttlo jilato nml try
a ploci ) of nle ,
Next flhr would rn t her eyes mound the
table , left nml right ,
To sen If something could l > o found to tempt
her iippellte.
If on the tnlile beans were found , lo c.il
omo shit would try.
And then of lamb c.trjps poll a pound , nor
jinm the codllKh .by.
A plfco or two of hot corn bread was al
ways her ilelltflit ,
Although , poor thing , ri'to alwayn nld tine ,
hud no appetite.
Shu next would try a chicken's leg and then
a iilcco of lAlng ;
Next she would rat a soft boiled t'KK and.
then most nriylhlng ,
She nlwnj-H wnnled Mmiotlilm ; light when ,
flriit aha started In ,
Rut how hc coaxed her appetite woulut
muko an ostrich grin.
Most torturing and dlnIgurlii ! | ; of Hilling ,
burning , scaly blfln and scalp huniom In in
stantly reilc\i ! < l liy n warm hath vllh CUTI-
CUIIA HOAIn single application of Ciinu HA
( olnlnifiit ) , the great ekln cure , and a full ilusa
of CUTIOUHA Itr-Noi/vesT , greatest of Mow
purifiers anil humorcuies , when all cl o falls.
lltlt.
Co r.rippi.C04t D. "Ilowf Jl UlOH
FALLINQ HAIR p'BSt '