ed defiance. The captain
inquired of his home and his relations, and then said: 'I have heard all
about you, and thought I would like to see you privately, and talk with
you. You have been punished often--most times, no doubt, justly, but
perhaps sometimes unjustly. But I see in you the making of a first-class
soldier--just the kind of a man that I would like to have a whole
company of. Now, if you will obey orders, and behave as a soldier
should, and as I know you can, I promise on my honour as a soldier that
I will be your friend, and stand by you. I do not want you to destroy
yourself.'

With that the soldier's chin began to quiver, and the tears trickled
down his cheeks, and he said: 'Captain, you are the first man to speak a
kind word to me in two years, and for your sake I will do it.'

'Give me your hand on that, my brave fellow,' said the captain. 'I will
trust you.'

And from that day on there was not a better soldier in the army.

THE SYMBOLS OF JAPAN.

The Imperial House of Japan owns three symbols which are carried before
the Emperor on all state occasions. These symbols are the Mirror, the
Crystal, and the Sword, and each has its own significance. The mirror
signifies 'know thyself;' 'be pure and shine,' is the message of the
crystal; whilst the sword is a reminder to 'be sharp.'

HARE VERSUS PHEASANT.

Two friends while driving past a field of young grain observed a number
of pheasants together, a couple of the male birds being engaged in a
fight. A little way off they also saw a fine hare, which seemed to be an
interested spectator of the battle.

The hare, to the astonishment of the spectators, began to hop towards
the pheasants, and when a few yards off, charged them full with fore
feet and head. One of the cocks sneaked off, but the other tackled the
hare, and for a few seconds fought gamely, flying up and striking at the
hare's head with beak and spur, the hare in return butting with his
head. The fur, however, proved too much for the feather, and in the long
run the pheasant had to retreat in an exhausted condition.

That the cock pheasants should have a sparring match is nothing unusual,
but that the hare should interfere in the quarrel is not easily to be
explained. Can any readers of _Chatterbox_ who live in the country
explain this strange scene?

PUZZLERS FOR WISE HEADS.

8.--GEOGRAPHICAL ARITHMOREM.

_British Isles._

1.--50, tears, e, 100. A Warwicksh