e a storm they will
become unusually frisky. Although the sky may be clear, if you see your
pets kicking up their long hind-legs you may make up your mind there
will be a shower within a few hours.

A noted French scientist recently experimented with the different small
animals as to which could stand the greatest amount of cold. He decided
that the rabbit could, for he locked one up overnight in a cake of ice,
and the next morning the rabbit hopped out, feeling very well, and with
a tremendous appetite. In spite of this notable gentleman's discovery, I
have had three valuable rabbits frozen stiff during a siege of cold
weather.

[Illustration: LOP-EARED RABBITS AT HOME.]

KNICKERBOCKER GRAYS.

BY ANNE HELME.

"IN TIME OF PEACE PREPARE FOR WAR."

[Illustration: IN COLUMN OF COMPANIES.]

The clear tones of the bugle sound through the big arsenal, and there is
a rush of small gray-clad boys carrying guns to their proper places.
Again it sounds attention! Assemble! And a long line is formed of
apparently motionless statues. Then comes the roll-call. As in the
regular army, the First Sergeant in command calls out the name. His
voice is not stentorian, and neither are the answers, but there is a
very effective military tone and ring to them, and answering every
purpose. The orders are given by the different boys in command--First,
Second, and Third Corporal, First, Second, and Third Sergeant, First,
Second, and Third Lieutenant, Sergeant-Major, Color-Sergeant, Captain,
Adjutant, and Major.

[Illustration: THE MAJOR.]

[Illustration: THE MAJOR AND HIS OFFICERS.]

To one who is not conversant with the manual of arms, the commands given
are somewhat bewildering; but so well trained are the boys that they
answer, and some with military precision, and present arms and carry
arms in a delightful manner, eminently military, not always
satisfactorily, for the small boys in command have sometimes to repeat
their orders, and occasionally Captain Hoyt, the officer in command, and
also an officer of the United States army, has to enforce the orders in
a more far-reaching voice and authoritative manner.

[Illustration: THE DRUMMER.]

The Knickerbocker Grays is a private organization intended to instruct
the sons of New-Yorkers in the knowledge of drilling. It is managed by
several ladies, who give their personal supervision to it. The class
meets twice a week during the winter season in the arsenal of the
Seventy