Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1880 — Thomas’ Musk-Trap. [ARTICLE]

Thomas’ Musk-Trap.

A benevolent and ingenious Cincinnatian, who has temporarily turned from pork to philanthropy, has devised a method of reducing to a minimum the injury which may be done by a musician who plays out of tune or time. In accordance with the plan of this able inventor, eveiy member of Mr. Thomas’ orchestra will be seated over a separate trap-door, so connected byi wires with the conductor’s desk that as soon as a false note is played Mr. Thomas can touch an electric key and spring the trap, which, in sinking, will carry the offender down into the cellar,’ and instantly silence his instrument. It is understood that the newly-invented tjiaps are now being placed in the hall where Mr. Thomas’ concerts are given, and that they will be in working order by the Ist' of March., They wul give the conductor such a control over the orchestra as he has never yet had, and though, of course, every time iv-trap is sprung the orchestra will be weakened by the temporary loss of a*musician, it is better that ten cornetfets should be eliminated than that one bar should be falsely played. Mr. Thomas himself is said to be delighted with the invention, and to have suggested, as the only improvement of which it is capable, the tilling of the cellar with water, so teat offending musicians might be drowied as well as eliminated from thb orchestra. Whether this amendment has been accepted or not we arenot informed, but .it b ciiMiQly worthy es careful consideration.— N. r. Times. Cellars that gather dampness from condensation of the atmosphere may be remedied by closing the windows during the day ana opening them at night