Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1914 — Page 2

Hunting the Playful Porpoise

i t m " ' HE playful porpoise has put ob Its winter underwear, in I I the form of a thick proj I tective layer of fat, and until early spring these &V A gamboling creatures of ImU the sea will be sought by a • special class of Atlantic fishermen. Heedless of time as the porpoise seemingly Ib, yet upon it •depends the busy man’s apportioning of his daily tasks. Because of ibis fact a curious industry has developed in this country of which the public generally knows nothing, an industry that intimately affects the running of watches and clocks. . ,».•• 3. . .... . ,

From the lower jaw of the porpoise sin extracted an oil which is peculiarly fitted to serve as a lubricant for watches, clocks and chronometers, and strange to say, from no other source can an oil of the requisite qualities be obtained. Therefore the porpoise is hunted as systematically as the whale used to be. . A few years igo nearly a quarter of a million clocks just out of their maker’s hands went wrong. It was not merely that they lost time but they actually came to a full stop and would not work at all. There was no question about their skilful fabrication and assembling. The whole trouble was'due to an imperfect lubricant, and a goodly sum of money and much time were spent before these clocks were in running order and fit for distribution. From this may be appreciated the value of the contribution which the porpoise makes to the daily life of mankind. For years the porpoise was taken principally as a side issue in other fishing. The increase In the demand for the oil led to the creation of a business having for its sole end the capture of porpoises in large numbers and under circumstances that could t}e controlled to meet commercial demands.

Harpooning had previously been the method of taking them, but this had many drawbacks. An oil refiner in New Bedford learned that the Turks on the Black Sea used dragnets to land the native porpoise when swimming near shore in quest of cer'tain small fish upon which they feed. This was a practice unknown here and conditions were not identical, but that clever Yankee believed that the facilities could be adapted to suit the requirements. From New -Jersey to Florida are now scattered fishing stations organized by that refiner of the old whaling city, and from November to April they are busy seining porpoises as they pass up and down the Atlantic shoreline. Porpoises can be caught at other seasons, but in winter they are fattest and furnißh the best and most profitable yield. To the uninitiated the fat of the body and the fat of the lower jaw appear much of a kind, but the oils produced from them are radically different in their characteristics. The oil from the body fat is worth in the raw state about 40 cents a gallon, while a like quantity of the yield of the jaw pans and the marrow of the Jawbone brings $lO. The blubber, or body fat, of a large porpoise furnishes from five to six gallons of oil, and the lower jaws of a fish of the same size give probably about two quarts on an average, and this quantity is greatly reduced before the various stages of refining have made the oil fit for the market. When ready for sale to watch and clock makers the oil is worth nearly double its value in the raw or unrefined condition. The equipment at each fishing station consists principally of the boats and the special nets designed for the work. A working unit is composed of four boats and a mile of seine. The seines are heavy and exceptionally stout, and it.is..something of a task to handle them properly. The boats are a cross between a skiff and the fishing dory of Newfoundland and our own down East coast. i ’ It is not possible to put out after the porpoises from sheltered points; the boats have to be launched right into the surf and carried safely beyond the danger line of the tumbling

TRULY A PUBLIC BENEFACTOR

Ohio "Burbank" Claim* That He Has Succeeded in Evolving a Heal Odorless Onion. 1 An Ohio Burbank sends the Joyful news that he has achieved a triumph in horticulture. It is an odorless onion, a combination of the Bermuda and the Golden Yellow. lacks nothtnfcgjn onion flavor or aest, but leaves no disagreeable taste or reminiscent V-' '

breakers. Loaded with its quarter of a mile of net it is a hard task to shove one of these boats through the broken water_ near, the beach- The most fruitful porpoise hunting station is close to Cape Hatteras, and it is well known what hazards lurk in the waters of that part of the coast of the Carolinas. Because of the risks run and the skill required in this occupation the crews are recruited from local fishermen who are perfectly familiar with the coast and are quite at home in the surf. They must have clear heads, steady nerves and the ability to act quickly. The surfmen are ever ready for their work when a school qf porpoises draws near, provided the sea gives them half a chance, and it takes but little imagination to grasp something of the excitement and the peril of their occupation. The habit of the porpoise is to swim in schools close in shore and probably. a hundred or two hundred yards seaward from the beach. This makes it, possible tos intercept their course and to drag them ashore after they have stranded in the shallow water, the seines preventing their escape seaward and frightening them shoreward. The operation of capturing them is simple to describe, but its proper execution is quite another matter. Sometimes the sea is so smooth that the fish detect the presence of their foe soon enough to go scurrying ofT at great speed. Again, the waters may be so troubleous that prompt handling of the nets and the interception of the approaching school becomes impossible. Perhaps one or more of the boats may be swamped before getting clear of the breakers, making further successful efforts at the time out of the question, or the porpoises may be swimming too far Off shore to be reached with a fair chance of drawing “them to shallow water before they can get away. There are many times when the efforts of the fishermen are fruitless, and days may pass without a single porpoise putting in an appearance. Sometimes a haul will net less than a dozen; perhaps the surfmen may land half a hundred; and there have been occasions when more than double this number have been beached at a single

The last turns of the big screw of a cider mill crushing out the cider. It takes all the power of a strong man to turn It when it gets low.

Those who like onions as a seasoning in foods, but dislike to offend others who may have an abhorrence for the odor have learned that there ate any number of curatives that will dispel the effects of ordinary onion eating. V Italian opera singens are especially fond of onions, which they believe have a curative tonic effect on the throat and vocal cords; .but as their work brings them in close association with others oq the stage they eat along with the onions fresh parsley,

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

try. As several thousand must be caught during the season to supply the annual consumption of oil for this country It is easy to understand why there are stations for this work located along the Atlantic seaboard from New Jersey to Florida. Porpoises vary from six to twelve feet in lengjji, and the biggest of them weigh fully a quarter of a ton. Their speed in frightened flight and their beautiful leaps above the water’s surface tell of their great strength; and one can easily picture the task involved in drawing the heavy seines with added burden of a goodly number of these excited mammals making their utmost efforts to break their way to freedom. The porpoise is the largest denizen., of the deep caught by seines’ within the water” of the United States, and. for excitement the nearest approach is the taking of the tunny in the waters of Europe. As soon as the porpoises are stranded tn shallow water, the fishermen rush in among them, taking good care to avoid the slashing sweep of their powerful tails, and hook them bo that they may be dragged high and dry upon the beach, strange as it may seem, the fish ar« not infrequently drowned or suffocated before they can be pulled ashore. This is because thev cannot breathe properly when resting on their sides or their bellies.

No time is lost after these graceful creatures of the sea have been landed in stripping them of their fat. The head is severed from the body and the precious tissue of the lower Jaw and cheeks is tried out separately from the body blubber. The reason for this is that the two oils are quite unlike as lubricants, and haste ia needful in order to prevent the fatty tissue from becoming rancid before rendering. Rancid fat seriously affects the final product, and seemingly trifling conditions bear importantly upon the ultimate suitability of the lubricant. At the fishing stations the oil produced is essentially raw or crude by comparison with the finished and contains a good deal of foreign substance which must be removed before the stuff is fit for the market As soon as the oil is received by the refiner it is heated gently in order to complete the cooking process begun by the fishermen at the seining stations. Up to this point man has done his work and now time and Nature take uft the task. The oil is allowed to rest for eight months and is exnosed during that time to the clarify"tßg off gets- of the sun and also to the Influences of climatic heat and cold. Then it is strained or flltened through suitable fabrics to cleanse it

As a Last Resort.

“Grabson says he is not averse to .spending money when the occasion seems to warrant it.” “That’s true. I’ve seen him buy a Stamp when he couldn’t borrow one.”

certain kinds of nuts salted, dry coffee beans and various other preparations which act as dispersers of the aroma that stands in disrepute.

What She Wanted.

Library Attendant—A foreign-look* ing woman came in today and asked for “cottage cheese.” -VFriend —Ha! Did she think the library was a grocery store? L. A. —No; after some questioning. I found out that she wanted "Scottish Chiefs." "*•■ * ,

PLACE FOR THE BOOKS

NO HOUSE COMPLETE WITHOUT PROVISION FOR THEM. yPractical Idea, Which Can Be Made to Do Double Duty, Is Shown— Cretonne-Covered Shelves Will Be Found Useful. -t—.-

. By ETHEL DAVIS SEAL. One can imagine 'a house without pictures more readily than one can imagine even a single room without hooks. Books stand for culture and education in our lives, for beauty and decoration in our homes; and the two facts are inseparable, in that the books, together with their keeping places, are a sure index to their own? er’s character. And you can’t fool the public about your books, either. Books, have a way

of telling tales—other than the stories they Jiold. People know whether they are loved books or not; they know if they are books for show or delight—both from what the books tell them, and where the books are. The first illustration shows a practical suggestion for a keeping place for books, and which does double duty as a seat a? well. This idea could be carried out for the living room, hall or bedrodm. It can be made of boards and painted to match the woodwork; or a large packing box of just the right proportions might answer, if one’s judgment approved it: The cushion fs of hair and is three inches thick. If hair costs more than one cares to spend, upholsterer’s cotton would be comfortable and serviceable. Sometimes bookshelves can be made out of faulty boards and covered entirely with cretonne, as shown in the Becond drawing. The ends and, if

necessary, the top are covered plainly with the material, tacked on by means of upholsterer’s tacks. Curtains to match are then hung at the front. ‘ And so, if you don’t love books enough to have a lot lying around loose, and are too old to learn (!) train your children to, and you will soon be sure to find a call tfl concoct all sorts of attractive little keeping places for books—and here are quite a number of ideas right to your hand. —New York Press.

Experiment in Breeding Chinchillas.

Chinchillas, valuable fur-bearing animals, which Inhabit high mountains in Chile, have been imported into England for breeding experiments on a farm.

BEDROOM DESK MOST USEFUL

Some Remarkably Handsome Designs, Though Expensive, Are Offered , to Prospective Buyers. The bedroom desk fittings have always been more or less of a problem, as the usual brass sets seem a little heavy for a dainty pink or blue chintz hung boudoir. This year there are Ivory colored sets of enameled wood which have a latticed pattern for the trimming which shows a bit of a brownish cast through it. They have more character than the plain .white sets, lind yet add rather than detract from the daintiness of the room. Silver which matches either the striped dresser silver or the engraved patterns can be matched for the desk fittings. Complete sets with blotter, clock and all the many useful and useless articles possibly run as high as $176. The new clocks are really lovely. They are shaped like half an orange and lib flat on the desk with the curved part up and holding the face of the clock. One does instinctively look dowy when writing, and It Bave time Instead of making a conscious effort to look at a clock.

Demi-Toilette.

For informal occasions a very clinging black crepe de chine, extending into a pointed train, has two rather deep flounces of black tulle immediately before the waist, the lower pne reaching almost#>to then knees, the other ending halfway W the waist and both bordered with a sequlned ribbon set on to a thin wire, consequently standing well away from the figure but not connecting the lines Of it The bodice: Full bretelles of

NEW MILLINERY WILL PLEASE

Choice of Coloring Is So Wide Thai All May Select Their Favorite, and Be in Btyle. In the new millinery there are some decided favorites of the spectrum, and so many changes are rung on the original'schemes that all eyes and complexions will be becomingly 'placed—that is, if women are as clever as we think. The all-black hat is a practical favorite, and will look equally well on blond and black tresses. If a touch of color is needed, there are countless ornaments in the shape of cabochons, fantasies, quills, buckles and odd trimmings that can be added to give brightness. • Many shades of blue will be used. Can you picture the glistening greenish blue of the peacock transferred to soft velvet and touched up with a dull gold ? This is one of the favorite combinations. Then there Is a great var riety of darker blue, including the Copenhagen, navy, lapls-luzuli and silvery tones. Mahogany browns are also very much In favor. Oak leaf, tobacco, seal, case aulalt—which is coffee and milk — come next. These are excellent suggestions for the girl with the auburn hair. Greens in the Russian and hunter’s shade are coming into line. There are also some vivid shades provided, which will be known qs turquoise* malachite, jade, Empire and linden. , Generally speaking, the color combinations will be less bizarre and more artistic in their alliances. Many of the old paintings have inspired the milliners, and the results are a credit to the ideas.

FLOWERS SET OFF COSTUME

New Designs Are Novel and Beautiful —and Return to Old Style Will Be Welcomed. After refraining of late from wearing the buttonhole, the beauty and novelty of the new designs are tempting the devote# of pretty etceteras to reconsider her decision. A bunch of aoerns and oak foliage made cleverly of leather and velvet is a pretty little novelty, and a knot of tiny dahlias arranged in an elongated form suggests the stately height of that favorite autumn plant. Upon an dress the large sinpie flower still maintains its ascendancy, and orchids vie with roses tor the first place in feminine favor. Yery bright pink and impossible blue everlasting flowers are a noticeable feature in some of the florists’ windows, but they are not to be worn. Their province is to add brightness to the house. Then are sent out in rustic basket! bunched with ribbonß of the same pattern as the receptacles that hold lilies of the valley or any other growing blossoms.

Hand-Painted Gowns.

Hand-painted evening gowns, scarfs, various toilet accessories (and the new methods of painting on silk and velvet which recently came into use are quite popular. The painte, which are applied with a brush in the case of silk, are specially prepared, so that, once dfy, they remain indelible and will stand both washing and ironing. For velvet the fnode of application is similar to tjiat when one is icing a cake, tiny paper bags of paint being squeezed between the fingers. A couple of lessons in this kind of painting are all that are neceesary.

Novelty in Combs.

A hinged comb is another odd idea just introduced. The top of most combs so far stands up in a line with the teeth and stands out from the hair. This why the top is hinged and vfaen the comb is placed in the hair the top bends down flat against the head. It comes in plain amber or fancy rhinestone effect.

black tulle cross the shoulders from the waist, where they are drawn into a full belt of the same material. These bretelles are carried over the very tips of the shoulders and form short sleeves. Across the chest are folds of white tulle fastened with a large bow of the sequined ribbed with drooping ends.

WITH THE TUNIC DRAPERIES

Moat Effective Frock in Gray-Blue French Serge Suitable for the Small (VVaiden. In the rage for tunic draperies the little girl’s frock is not exempt, and

small tassels. Is knotted at the' left side. The skirt tunic Is cut In wide scallops on the lower edge, and these are bound with self-tone taffeta. This latter la utilized also for the wide- col lar. Crystal buttona trim

very pretty it Is, too, If proportions are carefully observed and exaggerations avoided. This up-to-date design has one of the tunics and yet has sacrificed none of Its childish Simplicty. It Is developed in a grayblue French serge with long blouse cut in peasant style and joining the skirt beneath a silk cord in the color of the frock. This cord, which is finished with

ri^I^OWIAND He sat alone before his grate And musing watched the leaping flames; -The night was cold, the hour was late, • The windows rattled In their frames; But warmth was in the EOqmi a- book Lay open on his knees; his chair" Was deep and soft, and by his look ... You might have guessed his dream* were fair. i - “My ventures have gone well,” he said; My profits have been large today; I’ve caused no man to sit In dread. I’ve filched no other’s rights away; My dealings have been fair and just, a I have not claimed more than my right; Nowhere have I betrayed a trust. Or put another’s hopes to flight.” His open book slipped to the floor. And presently he was aware... Though no one had unlatched the dtwr. That Some One stood beside him there; The peace that had been In his breast Forsook him as he sat and gazed At his mysterious white-robed guest; He was affrighted and amazed. •’Today," the presence said, at last, ‘‘Success has journeyed at your side; The profits you have made are vast, And in your heart Is selfish pride.”’ "But all my profits were well-won,” The man In trembling tones, replied; “No single evil have I done, I have not robbed or crushed or lied.** “Ay, there was much yfcu did not do; You heard no hungry orphan’s pleas; The sick, the lame, the widowed, too— What thought had you for such a* these?” The flames that had so brightly played ' Died to a feeble, flickering spark; The rich man sat alone, afraid Because the night was cold and dark.

CANDID OPINION.

„ The successful baseball catcher must be a man who takes things as they come. There is always a crimp waiting for the man who gets to thinking that ha is too big for his job. Temptation is like trouble. It is always easily found if one looks for it. The world never bows very lowly to the man who depends on his clothes for his dignity. Even the most depraved man 1b not likely to want to name his boy after a skinflint Inspiration is usually about nine parts perspiration.

Real Work.

“How have you managed to reduce your weight so much?”' * “I bought a place with a good big garden attached and have spent at least two hours daily hoeing and spading.” “Gee! You must have found it pretty hard work.” * “Yes, but it was nothing compared . to the work my wife did in getting rid of about twenty pounds. She rolled on the floor so much that she got corns on her knees and elbows."

HISTORY.

“Pa, who was it said, ‘Give me liberty or give me death?’ ”

kitten. I want to read about this graft investigation.”

Fate.

He wrote a roundeau on her arms, A sonnet on her face: In quatrains he described her charms. In triolets her grace. He wrote an octave on her hair, A couplet on her nose, And then he lost the maiden fair By stepping on hep toss.

Dangerous.

“People who live In glass houses should not throw stones, you know.” “And people who operate airships should not be too much given to blow* ing about themselves.” w-i

The Sleep of the Virtuous.

"Bweet are the slumbers of the vir tuous,” says Addison. “Then the virtuous must know d some way to avoid sleeping In count ttr hotels ”

“Some fellow whose wife thought he was deceiving her every time he happened to look at another woman, I guess. Run along and play with the