Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 January 1917 — Page 2

INTERESTING ITEMA FROM THE CITIES

Baltimore Has Rooster That Is Expert Mouser H ALTIMORE.—AII the commission houses in the Pratt street vicinity find it U necessary to keep a cat or two to keep down the mice which are brought up from the country in the produce shipments. Down at

shipment of chickens about a year ago and, as he seemed to have weathered, the trip badly, was taken out of the coop and thrown into a corner to get well or die. A day or two later one of the employees whs surprised to see Dick hopping madly across the floor in the wake of a scudding mouse. Just before a pile of old crates and safety were reached, Dick caught up with Mr. Mouse, gave It several shakes in order to .squeeze out all the life and then gulped it Gown. This was the beginning, and every time a mouse was cornered thereafter Dick was thrown on the trail. - —■ - - - A year of petting has made Dick quite tame. When he came up from the country a year ago he weighed only three pounds. Now’he tips the beam at nine. Not only does Dick eat all mice that are pointed out to him, but he stalks them just like any cat. He. has been known to stand patiently for half an hour at a spot until a wary mouse poked out its head. Then there was~K ■imp and one less mouse in the world. \ Not only does Dick eat mice, but he 18 a & reat lover of oysters. Etych morning the men on the exchange open a dozen raw and serve them to him. That constitutes his breakfast. He also has developed a fondness for cracked, ice, and demands his share every time the iceman Comes around. He is a favorite in the neighborhood and when he is in a- good humor does not mind‘going through a variety of simple tricks, such as posing motionless In any position ip which he is placed,, and playing dead and jumping through a hoop at command. J Elevated Trains in Gotham Now Play Leapfrog NEW YORK. —To relieve the swelling traffic on the elevated lines in New York city trains are now made to play “leapfrog” by an ingenious method of track laying. A horizontal view of the completed structure would bear a

strange resemblance to the roller coaster railroads so much in evidence In nearly all of America’s amusement parks. Nearing a station the express trains for which the new track is being designed, rise swiftly on an incline/so that they play at a modified, mechanical game of leapfrog. Under the raised tracks, ]or “humps,” as they are technically known, the local stations are situated. The reason for the “leap-frogging”

is obvious. There are three tracks in service already on the elevated-lines, but the third track could not be used for express service unless the trains crossed over and onto the local tracks to - take on and discharge passengers. This would involve delay and a'serious possibility of accident , The stations selected for the express stops are either re-enforced or renewed, and the middle .track is raised about 12 feet. The loading platforms for the “extra elevated” express tracks are built over the existing local tracks, which are left unchanged. The length of the “hump” is determined by the grade of the present local tracks at that particular section, as the grade of the express tracks never.exceeds 3 per cent. The new platforms are about 350 feet long. 1 - It is expected that the cost of operation of the express trains will be somewhat decreased as the headway which they get on the incline will carry -them seme distance before power need be applied. Trains will also be able to stop quickly and smoothly because of the upward incline as they enter the station. '

Chefs Say Detroit Is a City of Soup Eaters DETROIT.— -Detroit is a soup eaters. The chefs s# are always racking their brains for new preparations to please the" palate. The waiters admit it. Many times their wives wash shirts spotted with

delicacies; Deliver likes French pastry and other imported sweets. Memphis and other cities below the Mason-Dixon line are strong for barbecued sqtrirrel. ■" . ’ But Detroit, um —ah. It is literally flooded with soups, French, German, Swiss, English and American. The investigator made his way into the kitchen of one of Detroit’s leading hotels. There 'were hundreffs of cooks.waltersahddishwashers, scurfylhjg.lh every direction. _1" ’ ’ \ “What is the gastronomical peculiarity of Detroit?” he askefl the chef. “It’s soup,” the chef replied. “I believe there is more soup eaten in Detroit than in any other city in the country. are two cooks who do nothing from morning till .night but prepare soup—German pea soup, cream at tomato soup, chicken gumbo, cream of chicken regence, chicken broth, beef consomme, French onion soup, clam chowder, mock turtle soup, clam Juice and special French chowder. Those, mem are conceded to be the best cooks. Ln the hotel.” ? -..i-1 In another hotel the same guestion was asked. The reply was “soup.” New Yorkers Watch a Man Make Pead Fish Flop JSW YORK—-Crowd at the window. Inside a man In a smock, struggling M with a three-foot eel. One second eel is about to slip through the man’s hands, but he grabs It just in time, and then the eel with another squirm is

| loose. Again‘the. man grabs it. This time he gives it a slap and the struggle is over. This is a regular scene on the West street front pf Washington market. David Tohias, who learned how to make a dead fish wriggle way k back In 1868, is the performer. He has an interested audience. KV If, you ask film how he makes .not onlK <‘ els hut codfish and flounders — and, ks they are in season, sturgeon— Outun Just as if they were alive, he

will tell you that he has an electrical thingamajig in the palm of his hand which puts llfe Into the fish ; but he is only joking.' . « “Making a fish squirm is a trick,” said Tobias. “I learned how to do it 1)0 Jr lb the old market. It can’t be explained, and the method can’t be acquired except by long practice;” - With this he grabbed a cod, which began to flap about and curve its spine Then thepollceman insisted that the crowd move on.

exchange, they have found a substitute in a big Plymouth Rock rooster,' are willing to pit against any cat in the city as a mouser. Dick, as the rooster is called, has the freedom of the exchange and holds a record of 19 mice killed in one hour. Not only does Dick kill the mice, but he swallows them head first. --- Dick’s mousing abilities were discovered accidentally. He came up from the Rappahannock river in a

consommes and chowders. And last” of all, the cashiers' books show it. -Alston baked beans are advertised; and eaten in all parts of the country. New York sharpens its carving knife, smiles broadly, smacks its lips and “digs into” its game—bear, venison, ' wild ducks, partridges, quail, grouse , and pheasants. Chicago feasts on choice steaks, chops, domestic fowls and stews. Baltimore casts its net and offers salt-water fish, oysters, dams and others; St. Louis likes

EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER. IND.

Evening Frock in Silver Brocade

It is difficult, in this day of gorgeous and colorful fabrics, for the evening gbwn to keep within just the right limit ofsdisplay. But in spite of all its gold ahd silver cloth and rich brocade it may practice a reserve that adds to Its distinction. Much glitter and gleam and riotous color, and many vagaries of style, are more than permissible — they are sought for, and if is left to the individual taste to choose from among them. The lovely frock pictured here is in light gray silk brocaded with silver and made with embellishment of sil-ver-run'* lace. There is something quaint and quakerish that is very engaging in the design, and no one will grow tired of the refined interpretation of the mode in evening gowns. It is a slim-model, with its plain style perfectly suited to its color and material. Wider skirts with puffy draperies are not so new. but they are equally good style. The skirt is laid in small, single box plaits about the waistline, and the Side bodies in the bodice appear to be cut in one with it. A narrow band of, the brocade is extended over the shoulders. The bodice is merely a wide girdle at the front, with two narrow bands of brocade across the bust. Silk lace over silver tissue is introduced

Demands of the Mode in Mourning

—The ehoiee- lies now- between white or black crape for those who are called upon to observe a period of mourning. It is the material and not the color which has significance Custom has made crape the insignia of mourning; this rfifakes ft possible to wear white instead of black, and removes the objection of sombreness. But crape hats are worn for ' shorter periods than those of mourning silk, which usually follow them. "It is admissible to wear silk during the whole period which is to be observed. 4 In the picture given here three hats in this particular kind of millinery are Shown. One of them is of white crape made on a sailor shape of medium size. The frame is smoothly covered and the effect of a double brim is given by a. shaped piece of crape with corded pdge overlald pn the upper brim. The hat has a soft crown and is trimmed with’roses and leaves made .of the crape. Veils of white net edged with narrow borders©! crape are made for wear with hats of white crape, and they are also in white. An elegant small turban of black crape is pictured, worn with 7 a scarf - like cape to match and a semicircular.

with buttons like those on the girdle. It has a plain back. As in many others among the latest evening frocks the bodice has elbow sleeves with smart, square, turnback cuffs. The brocade is cut awhy at the top of the sleeves and the space filled in with lace. To add a required depth of color a sash of black velvet ribbon is an accessory that is worn in the simplest manner. Silvey slippers and gray silk stockings complete a lovely costume which will be becoming to everyone.

Touch of Fur.

Everywhere one finds the touch of fur —or the lavish use of fur —and great cleverness has been shown in the handling of these fur trimmings, the ordinary bordering bands being less in evidence than odd little girdle arrangements of fur, fur collars, etc. Of course, the bordering bands are popular, too, and very wide bands appear on the bottoms of skirts or tunics in afternoon and street models; but these trimmings, though they are effective and handsome, are vieux jeu, and some of the less striking but more original fur motifs are more interesting.

Tho yell is of fine Brussels qet bordered wish crape. Grenadine or silk may be used for the cape. The collar and border are plain folds of crape. A turban of black silk,* in a weave made especially for mourning wear is very modish with its veil of fancy net bordered with chiffon. The veil is an important decorative adjunct to the hat, which is entirely plain except for a of dull jet beads about the coronet. This model is one of those which may follow the crape hat for the remaining period of mourning, or be substituted for crape during the whole period. Nearly all veils are of net, bordered either with chiffon, narrow grosgrain ribbon, or with crape. /"

White Marabou Evening Capes.

For young girls to wear with dell* cately. shaded dancing frocks of tulle and silver lace are being shown short rippled capes of white marabou. These just reach the elbows and are hoed with puffed chiffon; the same color as the frock. '-o.” ~"

SMILES

FALSE ALARM.

Lady—My poor fellow, are you married? Hobo—No, ma’am; de hunted look I alius wear comes from bein’ chased from place to place by de perlice. It Would Seem So. A tombstone epitaph seems to be A case of posthumous fame, In which'a man gets what he wants After he’s out of the game. ' Courage Generators. “WomeivV remarked the scantyhaired man who had been up. against the matrimonial game for years, “are a great incentive to manly courage.” “What’s the answer?” queued his friend, who was still doing a bachelor stunt. “Well,” explained the other, “since I’ve been trotting in double harness and have had a few arguments with my wife, the phospect of a scrap with the toughest man in town seems like mere child’s play to me in comparison.” - Immune. “You stepped right in front of that hutomobile. If the driver hadn’t turned sharply you might have been killed.” “True. Very true.” “Were you trying to commit suicide?” • “No. I took out an accident insurance policy yesterday and I was just experimenting to see what sort of protection it would give me. By jinks, it worked like a charm I”

WANTED, THE EARTH

“Did you ever want the earth?” “Yes, once when J was fool. enough to let a fellow take me up in his airship.” Two and One Are Three. “Wonder why my ankles grow so thick?” Said Dick to his friend Harry. Said Harry; “ ‘Tis because, dear Dick. They have three calves to carry." Not His Fault. * “Women are peculiar.” “No doubt.” . “There is Mrs. Uilfur. She used to say she was just ‘crazy; about Browning,’ but since her worst enemy has been elected president of the BrownAug club, it even makes hsr. mad to hear the poet’s name mentioned.” Too Much for Him. . “Yes.” said the thin pa rt. “I am going to change my boarding place. Those three-course dinners are too much for my digestive apparatus.” “Three-course dinners!” echoed his One-man qudience. “If what do they’ consist?” “Napkins, ice water and. toothpicks,” was -the reply. - ■ Much in Their Favor. “You are rather too severe on the fair sex.” “Why do you think so?” asked the cynic. ■ “Because there are quite a number of pretty girls who wouldn’t marry moving-picture actors if they had a , Worryles# Wisdom. “Jollyboy is a philosophical sort ofa chap, isn’t he?” said Hyker. “In what respect?" queried Byker. “Why." replied Hyker. “he is the husband of a prominent movie actress, but his obscurity doesn't seem to worry him in the least.” What He Wanted. “Want something, sir?” the steward cried to the seasick passenger upon his berth; “Oh. Lord I” the weary vcy-ager-»replied, “the only tiling I want’s the earth.” • , .

TO AVOID TROUBLE. “There’s no particular reason why you shouldn’t take a cheerful view of life.” ’ “Yes. there is/' answered the pes- • sinfistlc person. “I complain in selfdefense.” “I don’t understand.” “IfT'abpeared happy and contented all the time reformers would accuse me of not having the interests of my fellow man at heart, so I frown and growl occasionally just to show that I belong to the progressive element. 0 Squelching ■ Dealer. “Can I sell you some antiques, sir?” ~ “What have you instock?” “I’ve got a chair George Washington sat in, a cradle Jenny Lind, was rocked in, a mirror used by Catherine the Great of Russia, and —” “Say no more. These things are comparatively modern.” “But, consider, sir—” “I want some real antiques. In fact, I am anxious to acquire the set of tools used by Noah in building the ark.”

FAMILIAR.

“Why does Hank Hayface look over the fence uneasily every time an automobile passes?” _“Why + -his old woman has a cold and when she yells: ‘Hank! 7 Hank!’ it sounds like an auto toot.” -A Man’s Wisdom. A man may wear light trousers With coat andvest of black— But as yet he Isn’t wearing clothes That button down the back. Easy. “Did that book agent succeed in inveigling you into buying a set of Shakespeare’s works?” “No.” “How did you get rid Of him so easily?” “I simply showed him the last dun I received for a set of books I bought on the installment plan two years ago.” Nautical Terms. “Y<su say his wife has a great deal of money and he’s poor?” “Yes.” ' “I don’t suppose he has smooth sailing,” “No. The neighbors say that’s the reasoti Why he’s of Leu seen in a condition described as ‘three sheets in the wind.’ ” ■ ■ hr I 'V|'= Plain Spoken. “Shall l put something else in the player-piano?” asked the obliging host. “Yes,” replied the crusty visitor. “What have you in the way of explosives*?”

It Sometimes Happens. "What’s the excitement down the street?” K - “Oh, we are just having another demonstration of the sass that appearances are deceptive and many a stout warrior has been deceived thereby.” “What do you, mean?” “A little chap with ringlets, named Clarence Egbert, is walloping the bully of the’Dloek.” —— Before and After Taking." Mrs. Wedderly—Before we were married my musfiand used to declare there was nothing too good for me. Miss Singleton—What does he sky now ? Mrs. Wedderly—Oh, now he gives me the impression that there is nothing good enough for him. Her Confession. The Parson—You should not neglect to east your bread upon the waters. - Mrs. Newed—l tried it 6'riCe. The Parson—And was- it not returned after many days ? Mrs. Newed —No; but a lot of innocent fish died from indigestion. Ob, Piffle! ‘ » made my hifsband cross this afternoon,” said Mrs. Caller. “How- was that?” asked Mrs. Homer “He was on the opposite side of the, street, and I beckoned.to him to come over,” explained the other. • One Man's Conclusion. “Watches and political candidates are much alike,’! staid the wise guy. “Oh, well.’Vwe rejoined, “we’ll be the goat. What’s the- answer Y’ “Unless they, run well,” replied the W. G„ "they aren’t njpeh good”