Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 244, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 October 1913 — Page 3

BATTERBEE’S TALK

By KENNETT HARRIS.

The senior partner of Wallis & Ehrmann said to the junior member of the firm: “Have you noticed how particularly chipper and independent old Batterbee has been in his manner lately?" “Yes,” replied Ehrmann, the junior. “He’s acting too gay altogether. It’s a little demoralizing to the office force. I guess we’d better fire him and give Tarkins his job." “He's been with us close on to 20 years, Ehrmann," said the senior, irresolutely, “and he’s faithful and honest and —cheap. The old man might find it hard to get another job at his age." “That’s his look-out,” said the dap-per-like Ehrmann, blowing a speck of dust from his shirt cuff. "This isn’t an eleemosynary institution. Tarkins Is cheap, too if you come to that Who’s there? Come in.” An elderly man in a threadbare office coat came into the room and laid three large canvas-bound books on a side table. Then he approached the desk and in a mild voice said: “I’d like to have a few minutes’ talk with you gentlemen, if you are not too busily engaged.” “We’re busy now, Mr. Batterbee,” said the junior partner, snappishly. “Some other time. What are you bringing that cash book and those ledgers for?" “They have some bearing on the subject I wished to discuss with you, sir," said Mr. Batterbee, respectfully, but with a curious steadfast look. “If you will excuse me, I think perhaps it would be well to take the matter up at once. It’s rather important” “Well, go ahead, Batterbee,” said the senior partner, tolerantly. “Let him say what he has to say now, Ehr-

mann.” “Thank you, sir,” Bald the subordinate. “In the first place, I wish to call your attention to the fact that I have been in the employ of the house for 20 years.” “We know that,” said Mr. Wallis. “In fact, we were just speaking of it. I had mentioned it to Mr. Ehrmann.” “Ah! ” said Mr.v Batterbee. "Yes! Well, during that time I think I may •ay that I have discharged my office duties with zeal, diligence and intelligence. You will grant that, I hope?” ‘'Certainly,” admitted Mr. Wallis. • “Nevertheless,” continued Mr. Batterbee, “my salary at the present time is $25 per week, and considering that I have a family to support, and —” , “See here, Mr. Batterbee,” said Mr. Ehrmann. “We can’t help your haying a family, you know. We’re not to blame for that. And this isn’t an eleemosynary insti—■** “Pardon me,” interrupted Mr. Batterbee, with a dignified wave of the hand. “I am quite aware of the fact, but merit, perhaps— ** “Merit cuts no ice with the market price and the law of supply and demand.” "These books that I have brought in have been carefully examined by you, Mr. Ehrmann, at least once a month. You are an expert accountant, and a good business man. If there had been any flaw or fault in them, I am sure you would have detected It, and would not have hesitated to apprise me of the fact.” “You bet 1 wouldn't have hesitated,” said Mr. Ehrmann, with a short laugh. “Then, I assume, that you have had no fault to find?” “Mr. Batterbee,” said the senior partner, gently, “I think that we might cut short a discussion which 1 am afraid can only prove painful. We cheerfully admit the value * of your services, but, while your salary has not been large, it has been as much — even more than we could afford to pay, looking ut it from a business point. We can get the same services performed for us by a younger man for even less money. Now, I may as well tell you that we were talking over this very matter, and profits on the business having sensibly declined in the past few years, we feel that not only can we advance no salaries, but, I regret to say, we must dispense With your services at the close of the current week.” “Tbat’B the size of it, Batterbee,” said Ehrman, briskly. “Business is business.” “Just so,” said Mr. Batterbee. Now, let’s get down to business. To begin with, you gentlemen have misunderstood me. lam not asking you for any increase of salary. I had not the remotest intention of doing so. 1 want to work for the firm without any salary at all.” “What!” exclaimed Ehrmann and Wallis.

“ —But for a share of the profits,” continued Mr. Batterbee, calmly. “In short, I propose that you take me Into the firm as an equal* partner.” Ehrmann broke Into loud laughter, but the senior partner regarded the elderly clerk with a close and serious attention. “It you don’t mind, I will sit down,” said Mr. Batterbee, drawing up a chair. "Standing very long fatigues me, I find. Mr. Ehrmann, If you feel that you are sufficiently recovered, I will go on. Of course, I must show you how you would be justified In taking the step I propose. Possibly this might Interest you to start with.” drew a brown leather covered bank book from his pocket, and handed It to Mr. Wallis. “You will observe,” he continued, “that the account was opened with the bank In January, 1890. If I remember rightly, r it was one month after my third unsuccessful application for an Increase of salary. You will observe that the « deposits have been made at regular

Interval ever since, but in increasing amounts; also, that no charges have been drawn against these sums, placed to my credit. interest has been compounded semi-annually* and altogether the sum total 1b now nearly $90,000.’’ Mr. Wallis gasped and handed the bank book to Mr. Ehrmann, who turned pale as he looked over the columns of figures. “Where did you get it?” he asked with starting eyes. Mr. Batterbee smiled easily. “* thought you would be likely to ask me that time-honored question,” he said. “At the same time you must pardon me if I decline to answer it. I shall not tell it —for it is not in that tfank now. It is accessible, but not that bank. “I fancy, gentlemen,” he resumed, after a silent pause, during which the partners looked into each other's eyes. ''"l fancy that you have your suspicions—entirely groundless, of course, as Ms. Ehrmann can testify, he having carefully examined my accounts. I think, Mr. Ehrmann, you will admit that the man who could embezzle $90,000, under your very nose (an altogther ridiculous supposition), would be a man of no ordinary ability.” “If you have, you’re a exclaimed Ehrmann, startled into involuntary admiration. “I am not talking of myself.” corrected Mr. Batterbee. “Please bear that in mind. I may say, however, that if, finding ordinary and conventional methods of demonstrating the fact that I had ability had failed, I had taken such a peculiar course, my natural honesty would lead me to make full restitution.”

He repossessed himself of the bank book that Ehrmann had laid down, and waited. / “Se here, Batterbee,” said the senior partner, suddenly, dropping his hitherto sauve manner, and speaking quickly and uneasily, “stop beating the bush, and come down to hard facts. We’re not babies. Now, what is it you want?” “I’ve told you already,” said Mr. Batterbee. “I’m trying to make you recognize the fact that I’m a man—a man with flesh and blood, and brains and Bplrit, and not a damned machine,” he added, fiercely and bringing his fist down oh -the desk with a bang. “If I have proved that to you—by 20 hard years in your service," he resumed, in his cußtomary even tones, “if your daily observation of me has proved to you that I have the business at my fingers’ ends in all its branches, and that I could extend and revivify the business if I had a chance; if your known generosity, coupled with your self interest inclines you to reward me —then I ask you to take me into partnership, as I have said.” “How about restitution?” asked Ehrmann.

“Nothing about restitution,” replied Mr. Batterbee. “I don’t understand your allusion. It occurs to me to mention that if the considerations I have mentioned impel you to offer me the partnership, I would be quite willing to put a little capital into the concern —say $90,000 —the savings of my modest little salary, gentlemen.” “We must have time to consider your proposition, Mr. Batterbee,” said Mr. Wallis at last. “Very well, sir," said Mr. Batterbee. “If you will allow me an hour’s leave of absence from the office, I will return by that time wiljj) my attorney, who will provide himself with the necessary contract for your signature, if you think favorably of the idea I have submitted.” Within the appointed time Mr. Batterbee and his legal friend appeared and were conducted into the private of the firm. Mr. Wallis welcomed them with a smiling face. Mr. Ehrmann looked sulky, but he, too, rose and shook hands. “Well, Mr. Batterbee,” said Mr. Wallis, “I believe that you have rather more than an inkling of what I am about to say. It gives me genuine pleasure to tell you that in consideration of your long and faithful services, and as a mark of our recognition and appreciation of your ability, Mr. Ehrmann and myself have decided to ask you to come into the firm.” (Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Co.)

Selling Land by Balloon.

America Is known as the home of the enterprising land agent and probably no feat performed elsewhere in the line of Belling “lots” has been equaled by the exploit of one Los Angeleß man. He had almost convinced a customer of the merits of a certain suburban lot, but the prospective client demurred at signing a contract without Beeing the property for which he was expected to pay out his good money. It was a little too late in the afternoon to go • out, and besides, the agent’s motor car was In use, but it would never do to let the customer get away, as he might change his mind or see some other agent. The salesman had an idea. A showman’s captive balloon makes frequent ascents just a few streets away from his office, rising to the end of a 1,000foot cable and carrying passengers at |1 a trip. With a little urging the customer was Induced to take the aerial jour ney, and from that altitude the agent pointed out the suburban lot, showiag its exact location and the character of the surrounding property quite as clearly as if they were actually on the ground. Before they descended the man had agreed to buy the lot

Parcel Post.

“Is a bulldog mailable?” “Yes; but not in this hull. Cats and pigs go In this mail.”—Louisville Courier-Journal.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

BLAME HOBBLE SKIRT

RAILROADS DECLARE THEY ARE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTB. Prominent Eastern Line Has Resolved to Raise the Question of Contributory Negligence In Such Cases In the Future. For several years women passengers on street cars and railroad cars throughout the country have been objecting to the high steps, asserting not only that they make it difficult to get on or off cars but also that they are a source of danger, particularly in the case of young children and elderly women. Now the railroad companies have started a back fire which may or may not result in quieting the complaints of the women. The street car companies have not as yet followed the example of the railroads. A few days ago a prominent eastern road declared that many accidents to women while entering or leaving the cars were directly due to hobble skirts and high heels. The injuries sustained have ranged from slight cuts and sprains to broken bones. A new order, which is posted on the trainmen’s bulletin boards at all points on the main line of the road, directs conductors and brakemen to make particular note of the style of skirt and the height of heel worn by any woman passengers who may slip on the steps of a car either while entering or leaving, while her probable age and the attending circumstances of the accident are to be recorded alsp. No insistence is made upon ascertaining the exact age of the passenger. These data are to be immediately forwarded to designated officials of the company, who are to place them on file for future reference if complaint is made to the company by the passenger injured. Alrefedy a number of such reports have been received by the company. “If women passengers on bur line insist on wearing such mantraps, or rather womentraps, as hobble skirts and high heels they cannot hold this company responsible for accidents which may happen to them,.’’ said an official of the company. “Aside from the question of whether the car steps are too high, which we deny is the case, women passengers who wear such contrivances are, we think, guilty of contributory negligence, and we believe the courts will so hold.”

RAILROAD OWNED BY WOMAN

Mrs. Jesse P. Williams Has a Distinction That Probably Is Possessed by None Other. Capt. Jesse P. Williams, one of the south’s greatest captains of industry, who died at Atlanta, Ga., recently, left no children, and, so far as known,

Mrs. Jesse P. Williams.

no will. Therefore, his great estate, variously estimated at $6,000,000 to $10,000,000, passes, under the Georgia law, to his widow. This gives Atlanta the only woman in the south, and possibly the only one in the whole world, who absolutely owns, in her own right, a 200mile interstate railroad, with its trains, stations, shops, terminals, docks and a steamboat line.

Snakes as Food.

In many parts of the world snake flesh is deemed perfectly good food, j'rank Buckland, the famous British naturalist, dined off boiled boa constrictor, finding It pleasant fare, with a taste not unlike that of veal. Snakes are frequently eaten by the Japanese, Chinese, Malays and West Africa. Several tribes of Brazilian natives eat anaconda —there is a good meal for pretty well every one In the whole tribe In a big specimen. Our own American Indians eat rattlers and a popular Italian delicacy Is a Jelly of. stewed vipers.

Trains Stopped by Electric Waves.

It Is announced from Nuremberg that Professor Wirth, who some time ago Invented a system of steering boats from a distance, has now invented a method of controlling railway trains by electric waves. His claim to be able to bring a moving train to an immediate standstill was successfully tested on the. line between Nuremberg and Graefenberg. the train being pulled up In twentyseven seconds.

MATTER RESTS WITH PUBLIC

8o Long as Fast Travel Is Insist'd on. Just 8o Long Will Train Speed Be Maintained. The public safety commission of the United States some time ago took up. the question of train speed afid brake efficiency and showed that at every mile of speed above fifty the difficulty of stopping increased rapidly. Now, Mr. George Westinghouse, inventor of the Westinghouse brake, says that at 60 miles a train can be stopped at 1,100 feet; but “when emergency brakes are set upon a train running 80 miles an hour, ,that train is still running at 60 miles 1,100 feet from the point of application.” The Stamford wreck showed how faulty brakes may complicate matters. In the coroner’s test run a train going 60 miles an hour could not be stopped for 2,296 feet; and the coroner’s report recommended that all distant signals should be at least 2,500 feet from the home signal. The mere demand for steel cars obscures the chief point at issue. “All engineers,” said the Stamford engineer, “try to go as fast as they can when they are making up time.” If the public wish to make traveling by rail safer than It is at the present time, some limitation of the maximum speed of trains should be insisted upon. But it must be admitted that it would be a matter o# great difficulty to fix any rate of speed to suitall travelers, living as we do In the age of speed, when everybody is willing to take risks to "get there.” —Montreal Herald.

News About Teeth.

“You’ve always been taught, haven’t you, that any acid is bad for your teeth—either natural or stored, but especially natural? But Dr. William J. Gies of Columbia university after four years of study and experiment, declares we’ve been wrong for all these years and years in regard to the care of our teeth and advises us to use as cleansers vinegar, lemon or orange juice or “some food acids." Far from destroying the teeth, he says these acids will preserve them. He says: "Food acids, even in strong solution, have very little effect on the enamel, even during long periods of exposure.” But in ÜBlng food acids as dentifrices don’t make the solution too weak or too strong. Get it right, and if you don’t know what is right, find out somehow —the doctor neglects to tell us.

Chilled Iron Car Wheels the Best.

In a paper read at the meeting of the New England Railroad club, Mr. A. A. Hale showed that, in the development of the freight car from 20,000 to 100,000 pounds capacity, all parts of the car have been increased in weight, but no part has shown such slight increase, as the chilled-iron wheel. Car capacity has increased 400 per cent., the weight of axle 149 per cent., the weight of rail 100 per cent., whereas the weight of the wheel has increased only 38 per cent. In the opinion of the author, chilled-iron is the only metal of which wheels are manufactured which will stand up under extremely heavy loads without crushing or flowing.—Scieniflc American.

Assures Doors Being Closed.

A certain number of cars on the Gerat Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton tube, says the Electrician, have been fitted with a center door opening inward. These , doors are completely under the control of the conductor from his platform, and can be either bolted or unbolted by merely pressing a small lever. Each doorway is connected with electric lightß on the conductor’s platform and in the driver’s cab, which light or go out, according as the doors are bolted or unbolted. No train is, therefore, started until the light by the driver’s side assures him / that all the doors are closed.

Might Help Some.

TMere was a cow op the track. The shoe drummer, who had been cutting cards for the cigars, beckoned to th« porter. * , “Boy, is that cow still on the track?” “Yeas, sah.” “How fast is the train moving?" “ ’Bout fo’ miles an houah while d« cow am on de track.” “And how fast is the cow moving?" “ ’Bout five miles an houah, sah.” “Well, here is a quarter. Take a few yards of rope up to the engineer and tell him to hitch the train to the cow. We might make better time."

Boasts of Hauling Biggest Train.

H. L. Butts, engineer, claims the distinction of having pulled the biggest train of loaded cars ever hauled in the south. This week he was at the throttle of engine 4235, one of the heaviest and most powerful types of freight engines used on the road, and went from Cumberland to Brunswick with 104 loaded cars. His average running time was 33 miles an hour. The run breaks the record for the number of loads pulled in one train on '.this division.

Depends on the Fireman.

The factor determining the size and power of large locomotives is the physical endurance of the fireman, as an ordinary fireman cannot put UrebOfc more than 5,000 to 6.00 C pounds of coal an hour. This is one of the considerations which render compounding and superheating, which together, under favorable conditions, secure as much as 40 per cent, economy in the fuel burned for a given out put, such valuable factors In the de velopment of the locomotive.

WAY OF DRAPING CURTAINS

Method That May Appeal to the Housewife Because It Is Something of a Novelty. A new way of draping bedroom curtains of sheer and soft, thin materials like casement cloth, cotton voile, marquisette or net, is to hang a single width at each end of the pole and let it fall in straight folds to the floor. The hooks supporting these straight widths occupy about one-third of the space at each of the pole, and next to them are suspended two double widths of material, both of which are hooked back at the window sill, but while at the top one of these widths fallß naturally, the upper inside corner of the other width is brought forward to overlap the first one and hooked to the pole within three inches of the end widths inside edge. Finally, several feet from the pole at the opposite side of the window this overlapping curtain is partly caught back by a narrow ribbon or twist of silk starting from its own end of (he pole. The lapover fills in the space at the top of the window, which draped-back curtains always form, and it is less stiff in appearance than is the short width of cirtaining sometimes employed to obviate the abrupt break at the center of the window pole.

SHOULD MAKE GOOD EATING

Bpinach Molds a New Way of Preparing This Popular and Valuable Vegetable. Spinach ie with us nearly all the year. It is always relished by many when simply cleaned and boiled. The spinach flavor in the liquid is good and decidedly valuable. If we must squeeze the liquor all out and work hard to waste this element, it seems that the following recipe, supposedly a French v method, should produce, a luxurious result. To prepare it, wash well and put it while wet into a hot covered saucepan on the stove and let it steam; when half done, put it twice through the meat-chopper, season with salt, pepper, lemon juice and a little cream and cook five minutes more; press into small molds and stand on ice over night; the next day turn out of the molds on lettuce and put a round yolk of a hard-boiled egg on top of each little mold, garnish with the chopped white of the eggs. Pass either French dressing or mayonnaise with this.

Gravy for Roast Meats.

When the meat is done, take out of pan, and if too much fat is left, pour off part, and if not quite juici enough is left, add hot water till you have the amount you wish. For a pint bowl full of gravy mix a dessertspoon of flour smooth, in little cold water, and add to juice of meat in pan, stirring all the time to keep smooth. Let took five minutes, and if thicker than you like add little water, if not quite thick enough mix up more thickening. Tastes differ in this respect. Add salt to flavor. Some like to strain it, but that is a mere matter of taste.

Macaroon Pudding.

Soak six macaroons in one-half cup of milk. Heat one pint of zailk Ini a double boiler, then add one egg well beaten, two tablespoons of cornstarch, one-half*teaspoon of salt, and the macaroons. Stir well to make it. smooth. Cook about 20 minutes. Talte from fire, add a little vanilla. Have ready the serving dish lined with one-half cup of sugar, pour in the pudding, covering with one-half cup of sugar. Put on top a layer of oranges cut into thin slices, and cool before serving. Peaches may be used in place of the oranges.

Fruit Pinwheels.

Two cups flour, four teaspoons of baking powder, not very full, one teaspoon salt, two tablespoons sugar, two tablespoons butter, two-thirds of a cup milk, one egg, one cup raisins, one cup currants, add a little citron. Roll onehalf inch thick, brush with melted butter, then add the fruit. Roll like jelly roll. If not stiff enough to roll well add a little more flour, cut one-half inch thick, then bake. The icing is made of powdered sugar, with a little cream and vanilla. -Spread with a knife.

Pan Broiled Beef.

Form the beef into a fiat cake to fit into a small frying pan, heat the buttter and then place the beef In pen and let cook until well reared on both sides, turning carefully when needed. When well done or rare as you may wish, season on upper side, turn over onto a hot plate, then season liberally with salt, pepper and a little butter. This is nice with a tomato sauce or can be served with toast points around edge, adding a little butter and hot water to the pan gravy and pouring over toast.

Green Grape Jelly.

Ts you like something tart make some by all means, and you vill make It every year afterward. Make, the same as other fruit I use! apples with some of my jelllqs this season, apples and rhubarb and apple and blackberry; also with a few green grapes. 1 make It all to sui: myself, as the man of the house caanot see anything of that kind and 'rill pass right by pie and pudding for a slice of bread and butter or a hot biscuit — Exchange.

Chopped Beef Pie.

One cup of chopped beef, one cup of sweet milk, two cups pi ’ mashed potatoes and four &r five onlo>is boiled and chopped. Mix together, Beason with salt and pepper and to he to a deep pan with two crusts a’ biscuit dough.

The ONLOOKER

By HENRY HOWLAND

MERE OPINION.

Some men are foolish enough to ask favors from stout people after joking about their loss of flesh. The patience that is developed at the butt-end of a fish-pole seldom brings very large returns In the genferal affairs of life. There are some things that men never learn. The one whose pretty wife tells him she Is glad to have him stay at the club if he enjoys himself there is always dumfounded when the scandal comes out. Some men think it is an Indication of genius to know when to wear a white tie and an opera hat.

A Good Word for Mark.

‘1 never was much of an enthusiast over Mark Twain,” said the man with the spleen, "but there’s one thing I want to say in his favor right here now, before witnesses.” “What’s that?” asked four people together. “I’ll bet a hundred dollars he isn’t the author of half the anecdotes we see printed about him, and what’s more, I’ll bet he never even had a chance to look over them and touch them up before they were put into print."

The Unpopular Dolorous Way.

The world has little time for Dante— Who quotes his gloomy lines? The lays That bring us gloom are noon forgotten. We seek to shun 'the dismal ways: To him who gives us mirth we gladly Return our patronage and praise. The world has little time for trouble From which it may escape. Be glad And men will turn aside to greet you. To hear of Joys you may have had. We coldly turn away from people When they approach us, looking sad.

Dark Mystery.

“There’s one thing I never could understand. Every little while you’ll see an item in-some paper about a church floor giving way and letting a lot of people fall through.” “I don’t see what there Is mysterious about an accident of that kind. It’» simply a case of getting a greater weight on the floor than the beam* will stand.” “I know that But how do they manage to get churches overcrowded so often?”

Rapid-Fire Thought.

“Always think twice before you speak,” said little Tommy’s mamma “Gee, maw,” he answered, “if you do that you must do some pretty fast thlnkin’ sometimes when you gjt to* goto’ for#'?.”

Absurd.

“Are you sure,” asked the captain of industry, “that you love my daughter?” ” “Come, I say.” replied‘the duke, “you’re not going to be sentimental at your time of life, are you?”