Gathered in Highways

There has always been a class of people whose highest ambition seemed to be centred on getting something for nothing.

When saloon-keepers began serving their customers with free lunches this class of beings was made happy; but of course, like all "deadheads," they were not satisfied with what they got, and soon began kicking because the menu did not include green turtle soup, quail on toast and other dainties.

The chances are that in the near future this class of deadheads will be again made happy, as a few saloon-keepers have set an example which other men in the business will be compelled to follow in order to retain their custom.

Several downtown saloon-keepers have commenced to serve hot clam broth with all "hard" drinks, and a big sign announcing it is a familiar sight in certain neighborhoods. To be sure, whiskey costs 10 cents, while beer remains at the old quotation; but there are any number of beer drinkers who will spend the other nickel for something stronger, if they know that a grateful something else will be "thrown in."

Tobogganing Is Still Popular and Toboggans Will Be Improved.

Tobogganing is one of the imported sports. It has long been enjoyed by the Indians, and with the Canadians it has been the chief sport for many years past. It is only recently that this enjoyable and health-giving sport has been indulged in by New Yorkers.

Four Winters ago, there were a few toboggans in New York, and the Winter following, several enterprising geniuses built slides and started in to make the sport a regular business, and to say only that they were successful is drawing it mild indeed. The indications are that the pastime will be indulged in more this Winter than formerly. The dealers in sporting goods are active and several improvements are promised.

The sleds are made of slats and the less frictional surface there is the better. The old Indian toboggan was perfectly flat on the bottom and formed of one or two pieces of thin wood, and in addition to lacking the necessary strength and lateral elasticity it offered the greatest frictional surface to the snow. For this reason all flat toboggans are more or less slow.

Instead of the riveted side-rail, which was formerly used, a light rail of oak or hickory will pass through a patent clasp and, being fastened at one point only, will permit a free bending movement of the toboggan. Another improvement this year is that toboggans will be put together in such a way that any broken part can be easily removed and a new part substituted.

Toboggans cost all the way from $2.50 to $7 and $48 each.