in the preparation of
this volume the dividing line is recognized and two general departments
are presented; that of domestic or household economy, and national or
political economy. The former department is a compilation of useful
household formulas so arranged and worded as to form a neat and concise
household receipt book. Frequent reference to its pages will impart
such information as will enable the reader to save money and at the
same time enjoy life.

Department number two treats on social questions that are now knocking
at humanity's intellectual threshold for admission and solution.

Records show that less than one-thirtieth part of the time of man in
general is consumed in productive pursuits, yet some people toil
diligently three-fifths of their time and receive only a scanty living.
To assist in making clear the road to private and national prosperity
is therefore the motive which actuates me in the publication of this
book.

C. A. B.

CHAPTER I.

QUICK SHOOTING RECORDS.

From the time I was twelve years old I was considered a very fine shot
with a rifle, although I did but very little shooting, and, in fact,
did not know that I was any more than a common marksman; yet in any
contests while a boy I always won.

One day in June, 1884, while passing a shooting gallery, my friends
called me in for a match to pay for shots: I beat them all shooting, my
score was 11 consecutive bull's eyes, while none of my friends had made
half that score. The boys said I did well, to which I jestingly
remarked that "that was common shooting for me; just throw up an apple
and I will hit it." The apple was thrown up, and I hit it, which was as
much of a surprise to me as it was to any of the rest. I then borrowed
a 22-calibre Stevens rifle and practiced shooting at objects thrown in
the air, first shooting at tomato cans, afterwards at smaller objects,
and finally at marbles and various other small objects. By practicing
half an hour a day, within a month I could hit 70 per cent of the glass
balls which were thrown in the air. On July 4, 1884, I shot a match
with James Robinson, at Pratt, Kansas; conditions, 10 glass balls each
at 21 foot rise, he using a shot gun, I a rifle; I lost with a score of
4 to 6. This is the only match I ever lost with a rifle against a shot
gun. The trouble with me was, this being my first match, I was thinking
more about the stake money than the shooting. Besides the stake money
whi