Veterans' Corner

AAL, yes," said the Major, unfolding his knife, And shaving a slice from his chair, "I carne from a fam'ly of purty long life - The longest, I reckon, 'round hyar. "My gran'father lived to a mighty old age- He died at two hundred an' four - " But the Major stopped short in his yarn at this stage, For the Judge entered in at the door. "Now, Major," the Judge very gravely remarked, "I knew your grandfather well; He was just eighty-three when his spirit embarked For that bourne' where the good spirits dweil. For a moment the Major had nothing to say, But finally rose to his feet; "He died at two hundred and four Broadway" - Then the Judge moseyed up and stood treat. Military Service Balloons. Balloons for warfare are a feature of up to date modern improvements. The big European armies have a well-organized balloon, corps, and it is interesting to know that Uncle Sam is doing something in the same line. That this government is interested in the air fights of science is shown by the experiments, not only at the Weather Bureau, but in the Signal Service. Out West, at a fort near Denver, the government has a balloon in the course of construction which is to be used as an aid in war. The shape is that of an ordinary balloon, but a drag-rope will connect it with the ground. It will carry several officers, whose work wil] be to watch the enemy's movements, study the disposition and strength of lis forces, to make photographs of the field and get all information possible. An instrument called the telephouetelegraph, will be taken in this balloon, and by means oí the wire, a conversation can be carried on between the occupants of the basket and the general on the field below. Telegraphing can also be done by the same instrument, which has recently been perfected by an officer of this branch of the government service. Bicycles are used by the Signal Service men and on a coil of the wheel the wire is run and paid out as the machine progresses. Thus, when the balloon has started up, the officer on the wheel rushes to the tent of the General and the telephone wire is carried along and let out till the tent is reached. This work makes direct communication between the officers on the ield and the man in the air, who from nis station has a complete view of the nemy and can thus give important inormation to his superiors. The Genral commanding thus gives his orders rom absolute knowledge of the enemy's trength, and the disposition of his ' men. This will be of incalculable valué ;o the mode of fighting in the future. The balloon, of course, is not designed o flght, but to be a watch-dog and keep sharp eye on the enemy. In the event f a shot from the foe, the balloon would e so high up as to make its effect unertain. But even if it were struck here is attaohed to the top a parachute, which would enable the offlcers to decend safely into their own camp. This arachute is part of the silken web of ie balloon- woven into the top so that ; is always spread and ready for action. hould a shot pierce the bag the silk would collapse, but the upper frame which is already a parachute, would Bimply let the car slowly down to the sarth. The French Government is said to have a fine balloon built for use in war. It is kept in a large garden, and no one is allowed to see it, nor has any drawing been made or photograph taken. It is steered as readily as a ship tt is expected that it will be on exhibition in the coming World's Fair in Paris. The French balloon is said to be 4 cigar-shaped envelope, within which is the gas and a small bag, which is to be pumped full of air. An electric motor drives in the rear a screw propeller. It is said that the ship will be able to make a speed of at least twentyfive miles an hour. Slang of the Itarracks. The British soldier uses a vernacular of his own, which must appear strange -o outsiders. For instance, he calis his bed cot the doss, and when he retires to It he goes bed-fllling. His food has curious ñames. Bread is rooty, and pudding with raisins is known as spotted dog. When he is only supplied with oread and tea for breakfast, he says he has slingers. The gray-back is his shirt, presumably from its color, jackboots are John shoes, and a heimet is a war nat Kit inspection once a month he calla rag fair. The sergeant major is the bloke, the quartermaster serïeant the quarter bloke, a shoeing ümith is shoey, the tailor stitchy, or snip, and a sergeant is No. 1. The Medical ttaff corps are poultice wallahs Dr linseed lancers, and whatever drugs de receives from the doek or hospitals he calis black strap. If he thinks a chum is exaggerating- chancing his ' arm he calis it - he whistles, and tbat shuts the romancer up. The reveille he terms the rouse. If he is put iuto the guard room he goes to the clink, pnd it he gets cells he is said to have got his hair clipped. His sword is h:s cheese knife, and sword exercise is wind slioing. Riding drill is bumping drill, and physical drill .is monkey motions. As Abraham Lincoln called them, do not care to argüe about tlieir ailmonts. AVIiat the.y want is a medicine that ivill cure them. The simp?e, lionest statement, ''I know that ETofl's Sarsaparilla cured me," is the t est argument in favor of this medicine, and this is -what many thousandg voluntarily say.