Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1894 — Petroleum Bricks. [ARTICLE]

Petroleum Bricks.

“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of gjen shall be bowed down, and the Lord ftbose shall be exalted.” “Chinbse flee,”’ “Chinese flee,” Jugson,as glanced over his morning paper. .“Well, what’s the difference 'tween a Chinese flea and any other, near ? _ TIIE once famous organization known as the Grangers, has become somewhat of a reminiscence in this part of the United States, yet the order is by no means extinct. It is yet a power in the New England States, and is notably strong in Maine. The political schemes have been largely eliminated from the programme of exercises, and the meetings are exclusively devoted to social matters and topics especially interesting to the farmers. Science continues to progress in practical ways. The cumbersome refrigerator car, so long the absolute essential for successful transportation of fruit and meat, will soon give place to a car charged with carbonic acid gas, A recent test shipment from San Francisco to Chicago was entirely successful. The car was delayed en route,and was not opened for nine days, yet the consignment of fruit was put on the market in perfect condition. —_—ci-

Forty million silver dollars is an aggregation of valuable mediums of exchange not easy of comprehension to the average mind. A genius has figured out that if that number of silver dollars was placed edge to edge they might be made to cover the entire boundary line of Indiana, including even the crooked river lines. The same genius has figured out that Indiana’s bill for intoxicating beverages annually foots up about that amount. The statement is a trifle doubtful though possibly true. At five and ten cents a dram the Hoosier population would have to be pretty industrious to succed in gulping down $40,000,000 worth of liquor per annum. Perqusites pertaining to official positions sometimes amount to more than the stated salaries attached to the commission. For instance, the salaries of all French Ambassdors are the same —$8,000 per year—yet these lucky diplomates manage to draw large sums from the French treasury, ostensibly to keep up an official residence and maintain the dignity of their country in the eyes of the world. At St. Petersburg the French Ambassador is allowed 134,000 a year; at London, $32,000; at Constantinople, SIB,OOO. and at Washington SIO,OOO. Any of our readers who contemplate running fqr any office would do well to “fig ger” on the amount of “perquisites” that can be abstracted from the treasury in connection with the’ salary of the position to which they aspire.

The vice-presidential]“busts” continue to slowly assemble around the gallery of the chamber where their living prototypes were once the central figures, their to begin a sleepless vigil that will last through coming ages-just how long no prophet has yet been able to accurately foretell. Before Congress reconvenes in December four additions will have been made to the collection. These four will be effigies of Adlai Stevenson, Aaron Burr, Geo. M. Dallas and Elbridge Gerrv. The Stevenson bust is said to be especially fine. It was modeled at Rome. The collection is by no means complete. There is yet lacking the representation of Daniel Tompkins, Martin Van Buren, John C. Calhoun, R. M. Johnson, John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, W. R. King, John C. Bnrckinridge, Andrew Johnson and Schuyler Colfax. The busts are provided under an act of Congress, passed in 1886. The cost is limited to SBOO each ■ ■■ ■ 1- ■■■■ 1 A “long felt want” has again been satisfied. As a rule this statement would pass as an indication that a “new journalistic venture had embarked upon the troubled sea,” etc. In this case, however, we use itas a prelude to a statement that two Chicago physicians imagine that they arq endowed with a mission to cure mankind of the inclination to prevaricate —i. e., lie—which they elaitn is merely a mental disease — more so than drunkenness. M. D.s have established themrelvas In” New York and may possibly ppen a hospltal. Their first batient in Chicago was a St. |uouis merchant, who acknowledged that he bad been tormented with a

positive passion for untruthful statements from childhood. The merchant was treated—successfully,., sc the Doctors thought, and discharged as cured before they left. Chicago The senior of the neW,firm Tor medical cure for lying, in describing the case to a reporter, remarked, that it was a very interesting .one. Cas-. ually opening his pallet to show a check they had received for the cure, the Doctor exclaimed, “Well, by Jove; here’s a check for $5, and he told me before iy<? left Chicago thai i "jt, was for $500.” , A pATHKTic ease is reportcd from Milwaukee. Mr. and Mrs. Kusch, who resided near Muskego Lake, Oct. 30, bad ten chltdreb. -'Alrnos 1 the entire family, except Mr. Kusch, were taken with smallpox. The entire care of the family fell upon the husband and father. Three of the children died, one after the other, and were buried by the worn out and distracted parent. Kusch's neighbors were afraid to go near the house. Day and night Mr. Kusch continued his lonely vigil, caring as "best he could for his sick wife and children and his helpless mother-in-law, an aged invalid, who had lived with the family for-years. and heroism seldom make a more pathetic exhibition than this, yet people will be slow to recognize the strong points in the play and the heroic self sacrifice of such a man. Martyrs do not always receive theit due reward of honor, in this world, at least.

New York Sun, Something of an industry has been established in J taly in. the production of fuel bricks ofcrude petroleum, the size and form being similar to the coal briquettes extensively used in France and Germany. It is made in the proportion of one liter of petroleum to ten per cent, of resin, 150 grammes of powdered soap and 333 grammes of caustic soda- The mixture is heated and stiired at the same time. Solidification begins in about ten minutes and the operation is then watched with special care. If there is a tendency to remain liquid a little more soda is added, the mixture being stirred continuously until the mass becomes nearly solid. After this the thin paste is poured into the moulds, these being placed for ten or fifteen minutes in a drying stove, The briquettes are then cooled and and are ready for use in a few hours. As a matter of economy, as well as as to insure greater solidity. 20 per cent, of wood sawdust and 20 per cent, of elay or sand is practiced in some cases. The advantage of these for marine use, as compared with coal, are the absence of smoke and a large reduction m the bulk ol fuel that must be carried.