Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1887 — Old Newspapers. [ARTICLE]

Old Newspapers.

They are of more use than would appear at a first glance. We subscribe to the daily newspaper because we must be informed on all the affairs of the day. Then many think the next thing is to relegate them to the kitchen in order to provide kindling for the househo d fires, and it must be confesstd that Bridget makes very free use of them in that way. But they serve so many excellent purposes besides that it seems a pity to let Bridget have full sway, though she may try to convince you that it is impossible to get the breakfast w thout even using those of the very latest dates. It has been several times suggested by economists that newspapers can be made to take the place of blankets in guarding from co’d, and it is a fact well worthy of notice that they have been proved very satisfactory in making light, convenient, and warm bed covering when others cannot be had. Travelers would do well to bear this in mind when far from the region of hotels, and not throw their paper out of the car window, or leave it on their seat in changing cars, for there is no telling how useful it may prove in some emergency to ward off co d. As a preventive of that fatal disease, pneumonia, a to ded newspaper laid beneath the outer c otliing across the chest is said to be infallible. A 8 a preventive of cold feet, a pioce of newspaper folded in the sole is quite equal to if not so elegant or so expensive as cork or lambskin soles, being light, soft, and easily renewed. If you wish to test the power of a newspaper in excluding cold, try tacking one, doubly folded, between your window and your stand of plants, and see how nicely they will be protected, and how frosty the window will consequently be. Newspapers will in the autumn, before severe black frosts come on, effectually protect greenhouse plants, before you take them up, from cold and wind.

The writer remembers once driving up about dusk to a country place, and being startled at seeing what looked like a platoon of ghosts drawn up in white array before the house, which turned out to be, on closer inspection, rows of tender plants all tied up in newspapers to protect them from the sudden frosts incident to the season, that in one night might cut them all down. We have known tomato plants protected in the same way, and made to ripen in the open garden much longer by this inexpensive, easy precaution within every one’s reach. Old newspapers are admirable as floor coverings under carpets, or even spread under the Kensington squares, retaining all the dust which neither remains in the carpet nor sifts through to the floor; then they can be so easily removed that it is a great saving to use them in this way, especially as, the dust well shaken out, tho papers are equally serviceable for kindling purposes afterward, so can do double duty besides the legitimate one of heralding the news of the day. Weather strips are now almost universal, as well as double windows, for securing warm rooms; but where, as in the case in some old-fashioned country houses, they are not procurable, newspapers can supply the deficiency very well by being cut in long strips, neatly folded over, and stuffed in the interstices, and so most effectually exclude the cold outer air. Old newspapers are excellent to clean windows with; slightly damped, then rubbed till dear, they serve the purpose much better than even linen cloth, for there is no lint to rub off. Newspapers xvrapped around the feet under tlie stockings are an effectual protection against mosquitoes, as with all their virulence they cannot bite through paper. Old newspapers are faithful mirrors of the past. As they increase in age, the very advertisements become curious. Therefore those who have no use for the modern newspaper in all the various ways we have pointed out must find intellectual profit in storing them away till the time when some circumstances may drag them from their longforgott n hiding-places to claim an interest in human eyes, which perhaps they never had to such an extent before.

Illustrated papers are very useful in adorning the walls of rooms, covering up unsightly wall paper or obnoxious boles, the delight of children as well as their instructors, affording gleams of clieerfulnesi and pleasure in else gloomy apartments. They are of such infinite variety, too, with their lovely illustrations of poems, stories, natural history and comic sketches, as well as portraits of be mties and notabilities, that they continually educale the public taste, and give the impecunious a glimpse of real art they cannot else afford. — Harper's Bazar. The Sultan of Morocco is fond of tricycling, but too lazy to work the pedals himkelf, so he lias had a gorgeous machine constructed, propelled by slave labor. He sits cross-legged upon an embossed coucb, curtained and canopied with silk and s.lver and gold. At Iris right hand is a clock, and at his left a compass, in order that when beyond the reach of the muezzin’s call the faithful Mohammedan may observe the exact hour of prayer and the exact direction in which his orisons are to be addre. sed. A down-town policemau found a loafer last week on the wharf asleep, with his mouth wide open. Being at a loss what charge to make, the sergeant suggested that he charge him with keeping a rum-hole open without a license.