Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 269, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1918 — Page 3

Letter to a Country Mouse From Her City Cousin

Dear Mouse:—Well, here I nm right in the midst of things and feeling exactly like a molecule. Lonesome? Weil, I should say so. Why is it tpat cky crowds mnke one feel so unnecessary? When you stroll out into the country, surrounded with the cbffckens, pigs, sheep, goats and cows an pigeons and thousands and thousands of tiny folks that go to make up the crowded country life, you feel that man is indeed lord of creation. But when you stroll out in the city and meet these same folk, just because they have .put on human shape, you feel quite small and inferior* and abashed. For they are arf here, Mouse, dear, every single .one —even to Greed/and Grun.ty, my prize Berkshires. I lunched at the next table to them today. The only marked difference was that there was no pen around them and Greedy wore beautiful diamonds. Grrtnty made Just as much fuss about his food. You would have thought Washington put on the sugar restrictions with no other purpose than to annoy him, and as he guzzled and grunted and grumbled, his fat jowls, red and shaking, as he tried to stuff, and complain to high heaven at the same time about how terrible the food situation really was, I was tempted to yell “Sewey” and drive him and Greedy back to their pen. I don’t believe he knows or cares to know that if he and his fat companion had not been exceptions, America could never have shipped 86,000,000 pounds of beef products during the one month of March to our hungry allies over yonder. It means nothing to them that before we entered the war we exported tb the allies 50,000,000 pounds of pork a month. When we entered the war this had increased to 125,000,000 pounds, and in March of this year the amount of pork exported to the allies amounted to 308,000,000 pounds, which is more than six times the normal and 50 per cent greater than any other month during the last seven years. This is what “porkless days” have done. So it’s back to the pen with Greedy and Grunty! * The old Domlnecker rooster had two pullets to lunch at the table Just next to mine, and he was shaking his red wattles, flapping his wings, scratching straw and allowing off generally. He was sixty, and a grandfather, if he was a day, and the girls could not have been over twenty-two and pretty as . pictures. »One was a stenographer and the other a bookkeeper in the ® a ™ e big office building where Daddy Domineeker heads a loan business, and believe me, food conservation meant nothing in their young lives, so long as daddy paid the bill. They ate straight through the menu card. I don’t see how they do it and beep their shape, for that they were easy to look.at goes without saying. They were built along leghorn lines, and in spite of their years had gained much knowledge of barn-yard tactics. /1 Jiad to admire their system. Two good-looking young aviators were just across from them, «o one of them would engross Dominecker’s attention while the other flirted with the soldiers. Then they would change about, and their team work was «o perfect that poor»old rooster paid the check, which-would have bought two five-dollar War Savings stamps and gone a long way on the third, and chuckled as he paid it; then strutted off to get his hat and coat, leaving them to smile “good-by” at the soldiers—and make a date to meet them in the moonlight, I hope, for youth should call to youth. Mouse, what is It that blinds a man of sixty and a woman of forty to the fact that when they act kittenish they never fool anybody but themselves, and the world laughs at them and not with them?

If the po* ole rooster hadn’t crowed so loud He might’er, passed for young In the barn-yard crowd, But, he drapped his wings and stepped so high ' Hat the pullets all laugh as he passes by. 1 And he ain’t by hisself in dat. . • No, honey, he ain’t by hisself in dat Mouse, I have a nice Juicy bit of scandal that I would write you, but I know how careless you are about leaving your letters about, and this Is entirely too risque to be read by modest brother John or Mollie of the tender years so I will postpone it. In the meantime, know that in the midst of all the exciting sounds and sights—the heady experience of nibbling this strong city’s cheese —I think of you and love you. So, dear, out of the peace and great spaces in which you are moving, send a quieting homey letter to ME*

SAVE PITS AND SHELLS

Needled in Malang Gas Masks —How Boys and Girls Can Do Important War Work

By the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The war department has requested the boys’ and girls’ clubs of the country to help collect fruit piss and nutshells, the carbon in which is used in making gas masks. Contests have been suggested among the million club members by the' United States department of agriculture and the state department colleges, which conduct the club work, to see which member, which club, which district, and which state can deliver the largest amount of material in thf shortest time. Each member should try to furnish at least 200 peach pits, or seven pounds of shells—enough material for one mask. Since more and better carbon Is secured from the pits of peaches, prunes and plums than ffbm other sources, boys and girls should make it their special business to see that every home in their communities saves the pits of these fruits. They should also visit community and commercial canneries, hotels, restaurants and bakeries. In addition, seeds should be collected from dates and olives, and shell and whole nuts be saved from hickory nuts, butter nuts, English and native walnuts and hazelnuts. The material may be delivered to the local Red Cross headquarters, which are acting as central stations for collecting and shipping.

Words of Wise Men

Choose the just man. The partial man may not always be partial to yon, but the just man is always just. The great man expects everything of himself; the small man expects everything of others. a map should never be ashamed to own he has been In the wrong, which is but saying in oipey words that he ir wiser today than he was yesterday. ’ Denied a right to serve in the army, 100 Colorado Indians are doing their bit by working on the highways. They are building modern roads over the trails biased by their forefathers.

The Largest Cities.

The iclties with more than 2,000,000 Inhabitants by latest census are New York, 5,737.492; London, 4,522,964; Paris, 2,888,000; Tokio, 2,186,000; Chicago, 2.185.000; Berlin, 2,071,000; Vienna, 2,031,000.

American Farmers Should Follow Scotland’s Plan to Eliminate Food-Eating Rats

The canny Scots of West Perth-' shire district are living up to their reputation. They have organized in an active campaign to exterminate rats and save the food and property which they waste. They have demonstrated that it is cheaper to kill than to feed rats. According to a report from the American consul at Dundee, wldch has just been received by the United States department of agriculture, a campaign to exterminate rats in the district mentioned, for which $1,479.41 was appropriated, resulted last year in the killing of 100,000 rats. The board of agriculture appropriated $486.65 for the campaign. It is said that one rat in the course of 12 months caused damage estimated at $2.43, and as there were approximately two rats to the acre, the amount of damage done was equivalent to the average amount of rent paid by the tenants of West Perthshire. The campaign has been so successful and the people "so pleased with the results that community co-operation to exterminate rats is to be continued another year, according to the report. American farmers, who have long suffered losses from these food raiders, should follow the example set by this district and organize community campaigns to get rid of rats. In many sections of this country where similar campaigns have been conducted results always have been gratifying.

Three National Forests Recently Added to the List Complying With Weeks Law

The president has proclaimed the establishment of three new forests, the final step in carrying out the purpose of the Weeks law. The' first, observes a writer in Outlook, is the Whitd Mountain National forest. Its area of nearly 400,000 acres protects the watersheds of the Androscoggin, Saco, Connecticut and Apimonoosuc rivers. This watershed region has also long been famous as an important recreation ground. > As its name implies, the Shenandoah National forest is on the watershed of the Shenandoah rivdr, but it also protects a portion of the Potpmac and James river watersheds. Its area is about 165,000'acres. On this area, and still intact, are the trench systems constructed during the Civil war under Stonewall Jackson’s supervision. The White Mountain National forest lies mostly in New Hampshire, but laps over into Maine; the Shenandoah forest lies mostly in Virginia, but laps over into West Virginia. The Natural Bridge National forest however, is Wholly in Virginia. Its area is about 100,000 acres. The finest protects a part of the James river watershed.

XHE evening reppblka.v kbnsbelaek, ind.

War Has Given Women Chance To Show What They Can Do In Various Industrial Avenues

After many years spent in demanding access to various employments on the same basis as men, women are now being offered an unprecedented chance to show what they can do in Industry, states a writer in New York Journal of Commerce. Abroad they are the actual operating force of many businesses, and it may be expected that a Uke condition will more and more come to prevail in the United States. The women of Great Britain have made a splendid record In the industrial world, and there is no doubt they will likewise here if the emergency requires. 4 This state of things is usually presented as an outgrowth of the war, and not a few women are quite frankly holding their present placed as a patriotic duty rather than as the result of a personal desire. Very little study, however, is required to reach the conclusion that in many cases there will be tendency and disposition to broaden the scope of women’s employment after the end of the war, and, if desired by the employers, to accept them as permanent factors in places heretofore held exclusively by men.

The final outcome with reference to the industrial status of women will, however, depend primarily upon the degree of efficiency they are able to develop. If there are, as often alleged, large and increasing classes of women who desire permanent industrial opportunity on the same basis with men, their time to “make good’’ is n<ny at hand and will probably not soon come again. 1 That there are many who realize the situation no one can doubt. It is equally clear, nowever, that there are many others who thus far are showing traits which not only disqualify them from competition with men, but will render them unacceptable in any capacity as soon as men are again aVailable as employees. Of these traits the most serious probably are the lack of professional pride in work, the failure to regard it as a permanent occupation, and as such to be studied and perfected, and the tendency to lack of responsibility. Time may correct these traits and develop the women of the country into an" efficient, well-disciplined body of industrial workers. It will be necessary that they train and educate themselves for their tasks and recognize that retention of the new place already assigned them will be dependent entirely on the merit they are able to show.

Platinum Mines of Russia Said to Afford the. World’s Most Profitable Dredging

The most profitable dredging in the world can be done on the platinum placers of Russia, says the San Francisco Chronicle. The value of the metal recovered is often equivalent for considerable periods of operation to $5 a cubic yard. When one remembers that the gravels of the California gold-dredging fields yielded only about 10 cents to 15 cents a cubic yard on an average, and nevertheless paid welV the possible profits of platinum dredging become apparent. Before the war there were about 25 dredges at work in the Urals, operating two-thirds of the time of each working season of about 150 days, and averaging 500 cubic yards a dredge a day, thus working a total of about 14250,000 cubic yards of material a year, and recovering annually 70,000 to 100,000 ounces of platinum. There is only one first-class dredge in operation in the Urals. They are mostly of antiquated design and of poor construction.

First-class dredges working in material of similar characteristics dig several times as much gravel a day in other countries with similar climate. Working costs in the Ural regions are twice those in Montana, which has a similar climate, but where the auriferous gravel is much harder to dredge.

FOR POULTRY GROWERS

Don’t forget that the hen is finder unnatural conditions during the winter, and that summer is ideal weather for egg production. Try to imitate this condition as nearly as possible. Do everything within your power to make the bird comfortable. Don’t merely house her; give her a home and care for her. ~ t"

One reason why many poultry keepers fall to get eggs is because they fail to interest their birds. By that is meant they fail to give them sufficient litter on the floor and to feed them their grain in this, so as to keep them working for It all day. Keep their minds as well as their bodies engaged, and the hens will be happy, contented and will produce more eggs. The ideal method for feeding is to give them a little feed frequently in the litter, to keep them constantly alert and active. The feeding of a little stimulant, such as onion tops or occasionally a feed of hot, wet mash, or a change to some sprouted oats, fresh, green-cut bone, or In fact anything that the bird relishes, acts as an appetiser, and not only Is effective in producing more eggs, but also actually develops the Interest of the caretaker or feeder to the point that he will give bis birds other care. Know the individuals in your fiockotnd try to satisfy their needs. Remember, they are under artificial conditions during the winter. • '

Everyone His Own Chauffeur at N. Y. Zoological Park

To release the men, who heretofore furnished propulsion for wheel chairs, so that they might find essential work In helping the government, the New York Zoological park has installed the first of a fleet of electric storage battery-driven chairs. Now, every viaitor to the gardens may have the pleasure of driving one of these chairs. The chairs will be installed on ail board walks at summer resorts and In hospitals for the use of invalids. ,*

Mothers’ Cook Book

What to Eat. Thare ain’t nobuddy but a butterfly kan liv on buty and git phatt.—Josh Billings. Bananas, like everything else in the food line, have soared in price, but when they can be bought- by weight they are not very expensive in the average market. Variety is the spice of food as well as life, and we need to vary our menus as much as possible. i Baked Bananas, Belgian Style. Remove the peeling from eight small bananas and scrape each to remove the coarse threads. Lay them side by side in a baking, dish suitable to serve from. Grate over them the rind of an orange and half oi a lemon; mix the juice of half a lemon, an orange and a half cupful of honey; pour over the bananas; bake in a quick oven until soft. Serve from the dish. One banana will make a serving. Baked Bananas, Sultana Sauce. the banana from the skins, scrape and return to its original place in the skin. Set bananas in an agate saucepan to cook until the skin is well blackened and the pulp is soft. About 20 minutes will cook them in a moderate oven. An hour before preparing the bananas put three-fourths of a cupful of sultana raisins with a cup of boiling water on to cook, adding more water as needed. Mix a half cup of sugar and two teaspoonfuls of cornstarch, a teaspoonful of butter and a grating of lemon peel with the juice; cook until smooth and pour boiling hot over the peeled bananas. Bananas added to a custard pie or riced bananas put on top of a fresh custard pie and served at once make a very tasty pie. Mashed bananas in whipped cream for cake filling is delicious, adding sugar to sweeten. '.

Bananas Fried In Crumbs., Remove the skin from six bananas, scrape and remove the coarse threads; cut in halves lengthwise, then crosswise. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, lemon juice, dip In flour, egg and crumbs and fry in deep fat. Drain op brown paper and serve garnished with lemon and parsley. Serve with lemon sauce. •' Bananas as a salad are so well known that it needs but a reprinder that rolled In nuts and served with a ' good dressing they are well liked. The peeling Itself may be used for a nest, when serving. Httut

G. A. R. Organized in 1866.

The Grand Army of the Republic war organized in Illinois In 1866 by Dr. B. F. Stephenson of Springfield. He was surgeon of a Union regiment during the Civil war and afterward librarian of congress for several year*. The object of the Society was to promote the interests of veteran soldiers and maintain the principles, memories and associations of the Union army. The first national convention of the order was held at Indianapolis November 20, 1866, the second at Philadelphia in 1868, and later ones annually fa many other cities. >

Uncle Sam Is to Conserve Gold Only by Distributing It For the Essential Uses

Need a new gold tooth? Going to wed during the war? Better order that ring right away. Expecting to invest in gold luxuries? Better forget that—it can’t be done during this man’s war. For our Uncle Sam has decided to keep a little red book on the geld supply- . - The gold administrator may . not come to rivajl the fuel administrator, the food conservator and the gasolinechecker. But gold—the commodity—will hereafter be distributed in bullion as the wholesale manufacturing jeweler and the dentist and other finer craftsmen set forth their absolute requirements. Use of gold, the commodity, will be restricted to the essentials. An officer of the assay office explains as follows: V “As far'as we know, first instructions to stop exchanging gold bullion for gold coin or cash has been rescinded. We have resumed the exchange in a modified or restricted way. The future course will be governed by the drain that is made on the supply. It will work out as simply as the campaigns to conserve sugar, wheat, fuel and gasoline. And in a dose way the plan follows the same general purpose. The government will keep track of its gold supply, see who needs it and who gets it, and will stop any attempts to hoard it”

Food for Thought

A woman would be mlgbty unhappy tied up for life to a man she couldn’t find fault with now and then. A woman Is always wanting something her hnsband can’t afford and a man always seems to enjoy telling her that he can’t afford It The best way to win this war is to send our soldiers so many guns and shells that it won’t be necessary for them to have to rise to superhuman deeds of bravery. The fourth Liberty bonds should go as fast as the Yanks going along the German frontier.

How the German Laborer Is Chained to His Job

Control of labor power In Germany is absolute, according to Information obtained from that country, Just how each workman Is chained to Ids job may be realized when it is known that he cannot change positions without the written consent either of bis employer or of a board of seven members appointed by the military authorities. The boards of seven include an army officer as chairman, two government officials, two employers, and two workingmen. Hie workingmen, therefore, not only have small representation on the board, but are denied the opportunity of choosing their own representatives, for that Is undertaken by the war office.

Some Extraordinary Name Are Occasionally Fastened Upon the Innocent Babes

Wba* . extraordinary name# some compelled to bear or cboosW to assume! I hestitate to call them “Christian names,” because they aren’t Christian, very often. “Given names" Is perhaps the better way of describing them. Perhaps you have heard of the Irishman assisting at- a baptism, who, when ho heard the godmother answer “Hazel ’ to the qoestion as to the child’# name, broke forth: “For the love av hlven; the whole calendar is full of the names of blessed female saints, and they do be callin' the baby after a nut!” I thought of that when I looked through the catalogue of a girl’s college the other day and noted these labels: Golde Mae, Eura, Ar villa, Kathryn; Elva, Melba, Izer, Neva, Ramona, Mabelle, Vida, Esta, Mi Ills, Mayme, Mable, Arthetta, Lilyan, Bnlah, Arbita, Nannie, Ara, Jennie, Roxa, Zurelle, Zuiiene, Vanja, Mote, Comma. It was a comfort to get back to Bridget and Margaret ! Names are not arbitrary combinations of vowels and consonants; they have, or should have, significance, a historic setting, a personal and family relationship, that dignifies them. r To invent fantastic labels for pet dogs may be allowed'; but human beings ought not to be put on that level. So, misspellings of familiar names, Christian or family, seem dither undignified or ignorant, now when fixed spellings have been accepted. Can some one explain Ga Nun and ITReU, both of which variants intrigue me?— Living Church.

THE FUTURE

What may we take into the vast forevert That marble door * Admits no fruit of ail our long endeavor, No fame-wreathed crown we wore, Nor garnered lore. What can we bear beyond the unknown portal ? No gold, no gains Of all our toiling life; in the life Immortal No hoarded wealth remains, Nor gilds, nor stains. , Naked from out that far abyss behind ns We entered here; No word came with our coming, to remind us What wondrous world was near. No hope, no fear. Into the silent, starless night before us. Naked we glide; No hand has mapped the constellations o'er us, No comrade at our side. No chart, no guide. Vet fearless toward that midnight, black aiW hollow, Our footsteps fare; The beckoning of a Father's hand W* , follow— V. ' His love alone Is there, No curse, no care. ‘ ' . —Edward Rowland SUL

JESTS AND JINGLES

Partly Right. “I don’t like your heart action,” the doctor said, applying the stethoscope again. “You have had some trouble with angina pectoris.” “You’re partly right, doctor,” said the young man, sheepishly, “only that ain’t her name.” In the Dark.

The Missing Link. Algernon (excitedly)—Oh, Miss Deering, half an hour ag<r I was just a minute too late to assist in rescuing a man from drowning! The crowd formed a human chain and — Alice (interrupting)—Yon were the missing link?

Dogs of War.

"Some of these war devices of the Prussians have proved clumsy.” “Yes. They were the sort of thing to be expected from a na-i tion that regarded a dachshund as a n improvement on a tegular dog.”

Easy Proposition. ‘•Whatever Induced her to marry 11MI man she did?” “I think the principal inducement was because he asked her to.” A Father's Disappointment. "That was a fine, letter Josh wrote home,” commented Mrs. CorntosseL "Every line of It was jes’ as grammatical as it could be.” "That’s what worries me,” replied her husband. “He has spoiled his style. I thought at first he was goto* to have a great future as one of these natural-born comical dialect writers.*

At the Patent Office.

In 1963 there were 67,986 applications for patents, and 35,025 were granted; In 1914, there were 00,311 applications and 36,276 granted; in 1915, 66,497 applications and 42,734 granted; in 1916, 67,348 applications, antl_44,lS granted; in 1917, 68,690 applications, and 52328 granted.

“Your daughter, sir, has referred me to you.” “Well?” “Can X have her?” “I dunno. She hasn’t given me any instructions, yonng man.”