Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 240, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1913 — Page 3

ODDITIES on the ISTHMUS

by E.W.PICKARD

Colon, C. Z. —Frequently the officials of the Republic of Panama—the minor ones—have been ridiculed for the combination of stu-' jpidity and pomposity that governs i their conduct. Sometimes the ridicule is not deserved, but often it is. Some months ago an American resident of the city of Panama imported a pair of riding boots from the states, and in his manifest submitted to the customs authorities he so listed them, with the price, $9.50. The paper was returned to him with curt instructions to correct it. Not knowing how lie had erred, he consulted the customs man and was told the boots must be dieted as two separate articles, thus: "One riding boot, value $4.75; one riding boot, value $4.75.” Mr. American complied silently, and received his ‘boots. The Isthmus of Panama does not ■belong to the English, never did, and there are not many real Englishmen there. Yet the presence of a large number of British subjects—the Jamaican negroes—has forced on the inhabitants an English custom, that of vehicles taking the left side of the road. Probably this Is due to the fact that most of the cab drivers are Jamaicans. All the people of that Island are Intensely proud of being subjects of King George, and they are tenacious of such British customs as they know. Every cabby in Panama and Colon — end their number is legion—carries - either a bicycle gong or an automobile horn with, which to warn other vehicles and pedestrians of his approach, and on a busy day the noise is more unpleasant than that of the blasting In the Culebra cut.

Speaking of the blasting reminds me that one of the very high up engineers on the canal job is exceedingly afraid of dynamite. He Is also a strict disciplinarian and does not allow the workmen to loaf. Whenever one of the frequent “doby shots” or small blasts Is to be fired, the nearest steam chovel emits a series of short, quick toots and the men scurry to cover. As soon as Mr. Engineer appears in the cut to see that the laborers are losing no time, the warning whistles are heard from steam shovels all along the way and he speedily returns to his jffice on the hill, leaving the unprodded workmen to resume their leisurely gait Tourists flocked to the canal sone in such Increasing numbers that the Panama Railway company—which means the United States government —•decided to erect a new Washington hotel in Colon to supplant the old hostelry of that name. The architect designed a handsome four-story structure of concrete and, to take full advantage of the cool breezes from the Atlantic, provided in his plans for a large roof garden and two dumb waiters running up to it. The builders made the roof all right, find put in the dumb waiters, but when the hotel was nearilng completion some one discovered 'there was no opening in the roof for the aforesaid dumb waiters. The necessary changes would cost several hunidred dollars, and the government official who passed upon the expenditures decided against making them as the hotel already had cost more than had been expected. Consequently those two dumb waiters run up to the celling of the fourth story and there •top, while the roof garden, having no •ervice, remains unopened. Charlie Ying, a moon-faced celestial, had prospered on the Isthmus and decided not long ago to open an “American bar.” He knew some English for he used to work on the docks at Canton, but when it came to the important matter of wording his sign he thought best to consult another Chinaman, who formerly lived in Chicago. This was the result of their joint effort: AMERICAN BAR • WE SERVE WHISKY COCKIES AND QIN RICKTAILS. Close to the shore of Taboga Island, iso close, in fact, that they are coninected at low tide, lies a little, rocky, wooded Islet known as Morro. For many, many years It was owned by a Spanish family, the present representative of which Is a widow of •mall means. On Morro Is a flowing spring of excellent water, and one of the Pacific navigation companies desired to acquire the Islet as a watering station for its vessels. The widow was paid a fair price, and as a bonus was given life passes for herself and her children on the boats of the company. No sooner had the deal been consummated than the estimable lady ■packed up her duds, stored her household belongings and with her family 'boarded one of the steamships for a trip. The journey was so pleasant ■that they have been traveling continually on the company's ships svsr

since, and the man who engineered the purchase of Morro is wondering who got the best of it Panama City’s water supply is derived from the Rio Grande reservoir, a little lake quite close to the canal. For obvious reasons bathing or wading in it is forbidden, and all around it are signs stating that'fact. Recency the wife of u member of the canal commission was entertaining friends from the states, and in the course of their wanderings one day they came upon the reservoir. They were fired and dusty and the cool water looked so inviting that they all took off their shoes and stockings and went in wading. Unfortunately for them, one of the efficient zone, policemen came upon them and arrested the whole party. They were taken before the nearest magistrate, and despite the pleading of the commissioner,, who had been hastily called to the rescue, each one was compelled to pay a fine and listen to a sharp lecture on law-breaking and sanitation.

In one respect at least, Panama is like no other Latin-American city that I have seen. It has no distinctively residence quarter. “Now that we have seen where the people do business, let’s see where they live,” said I to my amateur guide. "You have been seeing that too,” was the reply. “The people live over the shops in all parts of the city—all the people, Including the wealthy ones. The latter, however, also have beautiful country places in the savanna lands a few miles away, and spend much of the year there.” The asylum for the insane on Ancon Hill is inhabited mainly by negroes from Jamaica and Barbados. These colored folk seem to go crazy in large numbers, and I asked a doctor there the reason. “Rum and religion” was his terse reply. “They use a lot of both, and not-much is needed to throw them off their mental balance.” One of the Jamaicans in the asylum spends every evening sending vocal “wireless messages” to the governor

One Pair of the Immense Gates of the Gatun Locks, Seen From the Floor of the Lock Chamber.

of his home island, telling him how badly his compatriots are being treated on the isthmus. He utters the words of the messages with a sputtering explosiveness that is curiously like the sound of the wireless sender. Visits of congressional Investigating committees are no novelty to the people who are making the canal. Neither are they any pleasure. It is the general belief down there that these are mere junkets, and it must be admitted that the visitors often show a colossal Ignorance concerning the canal. Colonel Sibert, engineer In charge of the Atlantic division, one day spent hours showing a congressman over the Gatun locks and explaining it all to him. When the colonel concluded his little lecture the lawmaker clasped his hands behind him, gased about and remarked ponderously: “Weill So this is the famous Culebra cut! I’m glad I’ve seen it and learned more about It* Poor Colonel Sibert collapsed. Nobody now lives where once stood the proud city of Old Panama—that is, nobody except one old native woman who has a little shack by the Beach and sells liquid refreshment to the thirsty tourist Her stock Includes various soft drinks, beer and, hanging from the walls by strings, bottles of imported champagne. These last look as though they had been hanging there since the day when Morgan and his buccaneers departed from the ruined city.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

BUTTONS IN VARIETY

DISTINGUISHING MARK OF COMING SEASON’S GOWNS. Wonderful Assortment of the Decorative Ones Are Shown, and No Costume Is Complete (Ntthout the Fullest Quota. Until one examines a dress in detail it is not recognized how important a part buttons are playing in the prevailing modes, or what interesting effects may be accomplished with them. The shops display a wonderful assortment of decorative buttons, and very often these are responsible for the success of otherwise simple frocks. Self covered ones are still used, but their glory is distinctly dimmed by the more artistic examples in * China, crystal, cloisonne and all the metals, in each of which the variety is overwhelmingly great.

In the pretty frock of the accompanying sketch the buttons are not by any means the least feature. They are medium sized balls of silver oddly arranged on sleeves and skirt. The frock itself is bf plaited white crepe de chine and has a povel arrangement of the sash, which is of black charmeuse, wide and crushed about the waist, with a short overlapping loop to the hip, another almost to the knee, and one longer end embroidered and furnished with -tassels, reaching well down the skirt. The sleeves are cut in one with the yoke of the blouse, and to this the plaited front and back portions are attached in ah arched line under a selfcovered cording. The round neck has a narrow fichu collar of net arid the ruffles at the wrist are of net. The skirt consists of two short plaited crepe de chine flounces and a plain lower part, which is the founda-

tlon skirt and trimmed with an appllqued border done in black. Some of this black design is applied to the sleeves around the elbow where it puffs between the buttoned upper and lower parts.

MOST SUITABLE FOR HOUSE

Hardy Fern an Ornament That Will Show Its Beauty for Many Months. The hardy fern with glossy leaves is a much better plant for the tablethan the delicate fernlike ferns. It becomes a "life struggle” for any variety of fern in the dry and heated atmosphere of a house, and so one should select only the hardiest for table decoration. It Is well to be sure that there are enough holes in the receptacle In which the fern Is planted to afford good drainage. Ferns thrive best in a moist atmosphere, and this congenial atmosphere can, with very little trouble, be provided for even the table fern. Have a case made of four pieces of window glass set in a wooden frame, sufficients ly large to cover one or more ferns without brushing their sensitive fronds. After sprinkling the leaves (dp not pour water on the soli in this instance) plentifully with water, place the case, which has no bottom, over the fern, and allow it to remain thus over night. In the morning take the fern out and place near an open window for a few minutes, so that It may I “breathe” the fresh air. A small glass showcase, a large glass bowl or an aquarium would, of course, serve the same purpose.

Japanese Lampshade.

A novel and attractive lampshade comes from Japan. The frame is made of white wood lacquered black and the lining is of heavy paper pattern with attractive designs of flowers and birds.

FOR HOLDING THE MATCHES

Handy Box That May Be Made an Ornament with a Little Time and Work. A box of matches should find a place in every room, and if it is fixed to the wall near the gas bracket, especially in bedrooms, it will always be at hahd when needed. The little holder we show here is very easy to make; it has a foundation of cardboard cut about eight inches long and three and one-half inches wide. Cover the

card with some pretty pieces of silk or satin and bind the edges all round with ribbon; for our model, ribbon with picot edge was used, the little picots giving a nice finish. Turn one end sharply up about three inches, then in the spaces at side* put a sWpdge-shaped piece of silk4>ound at top with ribbon, it can be slip-stitched inside the holder; the width of the wedge at top should be enough to allow of the box being slipped easily into the holder. A bow of ribbon with loops by which it may be suspended is sewn to the top. For large size boxes of matches the case would of course need to be made a little larger.

Petticoat Pointers.

If possible, make your own petticoat. In this way a better quality of silk, satin, pongee or washable fabric can be used, deeper seams can be taken, a better fitting and fastening can be secured, and, of course, immense satisfaction. Crepe de chine is one of the favored fabrics, giving clinging lines, excellent wear and a novelty that is always attractive. Crepes de chine are purchasable in washable varieties in all colors. They combine excellently with fine or coarse lacen and are easily plaited, retaining the accordiop or knife plaitings for a gratifying length of time. Petticoats must be well fitted over the hips and constructed on straight lines. A slight fullness is allowable z at the back, for suits and dresses are showing gathers here and no bulkiness under straight panels need be feared. To give ease of walking, petticoats are showing slashes at the side.

Rose and Yellow Both Leading Shades.

Rose and yellow shades—from —the palest pink and lemon to the damask red and coppery yellows lead the way among colors in the newest silks and satins, corded crepes de sole and other fashionable fabrics, while among the materials which will make some of the prettiest of garden party and afternoon frocks are the many varieties of chine and pompadour crepe silks and delaines patterned with the little floral bouquets that were popular In the 60s. The woman, however, who has but a limited dress allowance or who is shaft, would be wiser to have her tailorimade of one material only, and if for afternoon wear it might be of soft broche crepe or corded silk, if not of chiffon moire.

TRIMMINGS MAKE THE GOWN

Plain Gray Cotton Voile Bet Off by, Handsome Arrangement of Pink and White. A charming idea is the color scheme of this plain gray cotton voile with

silk. The skirt is cut in two pieces and is plain except for groups of pink buttons.

Winged Creatures on Parasols.

Birds are one of the artistic and beautiful subjects for parasol designs. One charming parasol shows a flock of birds In black. Chantilly lace flying over a light silk ground. Another shows circles of bluebirds and butterflies forever flying about ,the edge of a white silk background.

trimming of pink and white. A continuous band of pink and white cotton embroidery outlines the bottom of the elbow sleeve, continues over the shoulder and forms a V-shaped neck beneath a yoke of white tulle crossed surplice fashion and fastened with tiny pink buttons. The neck and sleeves are piped with pink,' the latter being softened by two-inch pleated frill of net. The crushed girdle is of pink and gray

Vocations for Young Christians

By REV. JAMES M. GRAY. D. D.

Dean of Moody Bible Institute of Chicago

TEXT—But unto every one of us is riven grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. —Ephesians TV:7.

such as these the Lord Jesus Christ bestows spiritual gifts according to His grace, as the rest of the verse says. These “girts” are for the use and blessing of the whole church, and are described in general terms in the following verse as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teacher*. Note this, that while we all believe in education and especially in an educated ministry, yet all the colleges, and seminaries and Bible institutes in ihe world can not make such apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. They have tried to make them and have turned out graduates that looked and acted like them, perhaps, but they were not the real thing, and the church has suffered by the imposition. A true apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher is the gift of the Great Head of the Church in his body. He is a Spirit-taught and Spirit-endowed man, and when the church sees or hears such an one it recognizes his divine commission whether he has the imprimatur of a school or nqt.

What Ministers Are For. Now, specifically, what are these “gifts” bestowed upon the church for? The answer of the text verse is, “For the perfecting of the saints,” which means all true believers, for every believer on the Lord Jesus Christ becomes a saint the moment he so believes. But when the saints are thus "perfected,” enlightened, strengthened in the knowledge of the X,ord, what are they to do? The answer is to engage in the “work of ministering for the edifying (building up) of the body of Christ.” (Verse 12.) Here comes in the question of Christian vocations for young people who may not have the gift of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors dr teachers. There is a work of ministering for them to do nevertheless, when they are “perfected” for it by those who have been truly set apart for that task.

What is the nature of this work? If the student output of the Moody Bible institute may be taken atf* a criterion, there Is a wide variety in it. We have been taking a census of 8,000 to 9,000 young men and women who have passed through our hands, and have found that some are pastors or assistant pastors, and some are wives of pastors, for the last named Is a calling for which Christian young women need a distinct training. Some are evangelists or evangelistic singers, both men and women; some are home missionaries; some are teachers in Young Men’s and Young Women’s Christian associations; some are superintendents of missions and hospitals; some are matrons, deaconesses and nurses, while still others have simply gone into commercial or professional pursuits, and, in the case of women, are occupied in home duties. # Every "Joint” of Value. • This brings us to the closing words of Paul on this topic, in verse 16, wherfe, keeping up the figure of the church being the body of Christ, he says, “From whom the whole body fitly joined and compacted by that which evtfry joint supplleth . . . maketh increase of the body.” In other words, every single joint in this spiritual organism Is of value to the whole, which means that not one of us Christians can be spared in the exercises of our vocation whatever or wherever it may be. The smallest visible joint in the human body may be that of the little finger. It seems of comparatively little worth, but let It get “out of joint” for a while, and what happens? The whole body soon becomes aware of It, and in time may be "put out of commission” because of It. So you and I may have a small opinion of ourselves in the organism' of Christ’s spiritual body, and from one point of view'it is becoming that we should, nevertheless It is necessary that we do our part or-else "all the members suffer.” We may not be apostles, evangelists, prophets, pastors or teachers, but we are that which is represented by a “joint,” and need to be always In union with the Head, and with the other members of the body It the whole shall be profited and Increased The vital question, however. Is that suggested at. the beginning, are you included in the word "US?” It ie not enough to live in a Christian land not enough to be a church member.

I am to speak to you on the subject of “Christian Vocations for Young People,” which is my reason for using this text. “Us” is the important word to begin with, which does not mean everybody, but only true Christian believers in the sense of redeemed and regenerated men and women. On

The ONLOOKER

By HENRY HOWLAND

Things her changed a mighty lot Bine* our granddads went to spark, Hadn’t no electric lights in them days tu spoil the dark; Had to do things all by hand, couldn’t talk by telephone, Wa’n’t no oil trust in the land makin* everything Its own; Strikes was never heard of then, Huerta hadn’t riz to fame — Things hev changed a lot, but still human nature's ’bout the same. Wa’n’t no whlzzln’ trolley cars that were killin’ people then; Hadn’t any chauffeur chaps runnln’ down their fellow men; Folks had never heard of trust, but my granddad used to say Most men tried their best to git other people’s things away; Every little while the folks lost at some glib sharper’s game— Things hev changed a lot, but still human nature’s ’bout the sama Wa’n’t no elevators then, people had tn walk upstairs, Wa’n’t nobody glttln’ rich buytn’ up and sellin’ shares; Everyone was tryln’, though, to be grander than the rest. Or, at least, to make a show so they’d think he was; they dressed And they lived so folks would think they had more than they could claim— Things hev changed a lot, but still human nature’s ’bout the same.

By Its Other Name.

"What an eloquent man Senator Buncomb Is!” said the lady who was having her first experience in the visitors’ gallery. “Yes,” replied the senator’s longwhiskered constituent from Squashopolis, "that’s what he is. Down home we used to tell about him bein’ one of the gabbiest chaps that ever stood up on two 1 feet, but it ain’t right to that’s got as high up as Cy Buncomb is.”

In the Visitor’s Gallery.

"Who’s that standing over there?” asked the lady who was attending ths opening of congress. “That is a celebrated English buns orist who has come over here to writs up the proceedings.” “What a funny looking little mas he is.” -- “Yes. Sort of a standing joke, isn’t he?”

Another Outrage.

“What’s the matter?” asked ths beautiful singer’s husband. “This is awful!” she walled, crunv pllng the newspaper and tossing if spitefully away. “Here is a critic whd describes my performance in plain English that anybody can understand —and after all my years of patient training and study, too!**

Just a Guess.

*T saw you out walking with yotn wife yesterday." "I didn’t know you knew my wife." “I don't.” “Then what makes you think It was she that you saw me with?” “You didn’t appear to be saying anything to her."

News to Him.

"Why are professors always so ab-sent-minded?” she inked. "I don’t know,” said the dean of the faculty, as he wiped his brow with a bunch of keys and tried to unlock the desk with his handkerchief; "In feet, I never knew that they were.”

The New Firm.

Where Doubt A Walt had failed and where The ruins of their enterprise Were scattered round in sory heaps. Offensive to the public’s eyes. The firm of Hope A Try set up And hung their sign above the door; There stands a fine establishment, Where failure’s ruins were before.

Her Preference.

“Tour daughter seems to play 000 am ore,” said Mrs. Oldcastle. "Yes. That’s Josiah’s favorite pleos, but I like ‘Hiawatha’ better.”

A Just Conclusion.

“What would you thinl If a should ask you to marry him?” ’Td think pa had been doing some tan lying to us about what he’s worth."