Harper's Round Table, March 3, 1896, Vol. XVII., No. 853

In Short

This weekly magazine issue brings together serialized historical adventure, practical advice on athletics, slice-of-life humor, and natural history for late nineteenth-century youth. Its pages move between a wild cattle-and-court-house chase on the Nebraska frontier, Revolutionary War drama, a young baseball player stranded in British Columbia, and expert observations on Arctic wildlife. Through straightforward storytelling and informative columns, the publication reflects a period of rapid technological change, growing national pride, and expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation and personal initiative.

The Story

The issue opens with an energetic frontier adventure set in western Nebraska, where two brothers, Milton and Barney, set off to retrieve their family’s lost Durham bull. Their father’s debilitating rheumatism forces him to send the boys along with their German neighbor, Otto. The journey takes a sudden, chaotic turn near a disputed county seat when the runaway bull crashes directly into a team of horses hauling a wooden court-house over a ridge. In the ensuing stampede of cattle, plunging horses, and firing revolvers, the building tips onto its side, smashing its windows and allowing the boys and their neighbor to escape the surrounding cowboys and head safely home.

Lighter thematic territory follows in a story detailing a scheme hatched by two close friends, Dick and Joe. Eager to celebrate the approaching April Fool's Day, Dick proposes a masked "kite masquerade" to be held in their local baseball lot. Armed with Joe's brand-new "sky-scraper" kite, the pair enthusiastically plan their costumes—including an oversized, cast-off military uniform—hoping to fool their neighborhood friends during the festivities.

Historical drama takes center stage in an installment of James Barnes's Revolutionary War serial, For King or Country. George, a young officer in the Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry, escapes from the sugar-house prison in New York and seeks aid from a patriotic, one-legged veteran chopping wood on the Paulus Hook Turnpike. The old man and his granddaughter, Minnie, welcome him, share their modest meal, and offer to drive him out of the contested "Debatable District" so he can rejoin his command in Morristown. Meanwhile, back at his home in Stanham Mills, George's family grapples with his uncertain fate. His aunt, Clarissa, breaks down in contrite prayer over his recovery after he is brought in from the snow, while his sister Grace wakes from dreams of wartime disruption to spot him slipping down the hallway in his riding clothes.

Modern youth culture and personal growth drive the narrative in William O. Stoddard's serial story. Alaric Todd, the wealthy son of a San Francisco millionaire, faces ridicule from local boys when he tries to learn baseball in his fine clothes. After a sympathetic pitcher named Dave Carncross steps in to defend him, Alaric receives his first real coaching lesson. Soon after, Alaric's father arranges for him to go on an elaborate world tour accompanied by a pretentious tutor and doctor couple, the Sonntaggs. Unhappy with his guardians, Alaric seizes a sudden moment of decision during a stopover at Victoria, Vancouver: he lets the couple drive off and deliberately watches his steamship, the Empress, sail away without him.

Non-fiction pieces complement the fictional stories. A former Arctic expedition leader details the surprisingly aggressive courage of the northern lemming, recounting how the tiny rodents stand their ground against giant sled dogs. An instructional piece on middle-distance running breaks down the strategy and pacing required for 440-yard and 880-yard races. Interspersed among these features are international anecdotes, bicycle buying advice, camera maintenance tips, stamp collecting news, and lively letters from young readers across the nation.

How It Unfolds

Chaos on the trail When a farmer's rheumatism lays him low, his sons Milton and Barney team up with their German neighbor Otto to recover their missing Durham bull, only to get swept into a wild town-rivalry stampede that overturns a moving court-house.

Plotting a kite masquerade Two best friends, Dick and Joe, gather with a prized new kite to plan an elaborate April Fool's Day event where neighborhood boys will fly kites in full costume and mask.

Shelter in the neutral ground Escaping a British prison in New York, Continental Lieutenant George receives shelter, food, and safe carriage from a one-legged veteran and his granddaughter near Paulus Hook.

A sister's nocturnal vigil At the family estate in Stanham Mills, Aunt Clarissa prays in deep remorse over her wounded nephew, while young Grace wakes from bad dreams to see George stepping silently down the corridor.

Learning the national game Spoiled millionaire's son Alaric Todd endures the taunts of local ballplayers until a kindly pitcher takes him under his wing and teaches him the basics of catching.

Missing the boat in Victoria Reluctantly sent on a global tour with two overbearing companions, Alaric deliberately sits down on a log in British Columbia and lets his steamship sail away without him.

Courage on the ice An Arctic explorer describes how tiny lemmings face down fierce Eskimo dogs, backing against frozen rocks and squeaking defiantly even when faced with certain death.

Tactics on the cinder track An athletic guide instructs young runners on how to pace themselves in the half-mile run, emphasizing the strategy of drafting behind opponents before sprinting in the stretch.

The People

• Milton: An ambitious frontier boy in Nebraska who spends his evenings laboring over Latin grammars in a sod house, hoping to resume his high school education despite the physical hardships of prairie life.
• Barney: Milton’s eager, impulsive younger brother, who craves excitement and quickly resorts to his revolver and war-whoops when a runaway bull charges a group of cowboys.
• Otto: A hard-working, honest German homesteader who assists his neighbors in recovering their lost cattle and despairs over Barney's reckless antics during the trail chaos.
• George: A brave Lieutenant in the Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry who endures imprisonment in New York and relies on the hospitality of fellow patriots to navigate back to American lines.
• Aunt Clarissa: The stern, prideful matriarch of the family estate at Stanham Mills, whose rigid exterior crumbles into tearful prayer when her injured nephew is brought home from the snow.
• Grace: George's affectionate sister, who dreams of her brothers' childhood play and acts on her instincts when she hears mysterious midnight footsteps in the hall.
• Alaric Todd: A wealthy, sensitive young traveler mocked for his fine clothes, who longs to fit in with ordinary boys and takes a sudden, brave step toward independence by abandoning his scheduled world tour.
• Dave Carncross: A sturdy, fair-minded amateur pitcher who stands up for Alaric against local bullies and offers him his first genuine baseball lesson.
• Professor Maximus Sonntagg and Mrs. Dr. Ophelia Sonntagg: A pair of opportunistic Easterners who present themselves as experts in art and medicine to secure a lucrative contract chaperoning young Alaric abroad.

In Its Own Voice

"Friends at court, eh?" suggested the old man, bobbing quickly over to a window and letting the light into the room. A patriot veteran greets an escaped officer who has just fled captivity in Revolutionary-era New York.

Backing up against a stone or any inequality of the frozen ground he shows no sign of fear, boldly making little rushes towards the enemy, and as suddenly retreating to his coign of vantage as they fail to stop. An Arctic explorer describes the startling bravery of the tiny lemming when cornered by sledge dogs.

"And he insulted you, like the young brute he is. I see. Red Top, if you won't learn manners any other way I shall have to thrash them into you." A generous young athlete steps in to protect a rich newcomer from being bullied on the baseball field.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the collection explores the transition from boyhood dependence to self-reliant maturity. Whether facing the physical challenges of homesteading, the perils of revolutionary warfare, or the social pressures of the playing field, the young characters must repeatedly choose courage, fairness, and independent judgment. The text champions a distinctly late nineteenth-century ideal of character—one forged through physical activity, honest outdoor play, mutual loyalty, and moral integrity. Non-fiction features reinforce this philosophy by highlighting resilience in nature and the value of disciplined athletic training.

Why Read It Today

This publication offers a vibrant, unfiltered window into the imaginative world of late nineteenth-century youth. Readers who enjoy historical fiction, vintage athletics, or cultural history will appreciate its blend of energetic storytelling and authentic period details. The prose moves at a brisk, engaging pace, free from modern cynical twists, presenting a world where resourcefulness and honor are straightforwardly rewarded.

The collection carries a few natural period difficulties. Modern readers will encounter light regional dialect, phonetic German phrasing, and occasional archaisms in dialogue. The serialized format means several fiction pieces end on sudden cliffhangers rather than complete resolutions. Furthermore, the instructional and news columns reflect late-Victorian domestic assumptions and technical advice specific to 1890s equipment—such as wheel-building standards for safety bicycles or development formulas for glass-plate photography.

Despite these historical quirks, the issue remains remarkably readable and warm-hearted. Its enduring appeal lies in its infectious enthusiasm for discovery, outdoor adventure, and the universal experience of growing up.