Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 107, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1904 — Page 4

ALMANAC VAGARIES.

iAN INTERESTING COLLECTION IN ' THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. - . —_ , . ‘Voted Men Who Are Credited With l Being; the First Almanac Makers. : Yearly Almanacs the Rage Since ! the Sixteenth Century. i One of the most curious collections *t the library of congress is that of almanacs.- These publications, which as advertising mediums are left at the door, often to be at once thrown carejlessly into the wastebasket, have a ‘Striking and venerable history. It is still contended by many authorities that the almanac of 1457 was the ‘first specimen of printing, and it has lieen variously credited to Gutenberg, Schaeffer and Pfister of Bamberg. Dr. iFaustus, celebrated in legend, whose Strange story has been immortalized T>y Marlowe and Goethe, was the accredited author of almanacs containing astrological signs (retained at the pres- i «nt day) and necromantic secrets. 'Toor Richard's Almanac,” the production of Benjamin Franklin, is well known as a treasury of homely wit and wisdom. One of . the greatest of German authors, Auerbach, first won his way to popular esteem by using the almanac as a vehicle for fils talents. ’ Reyiomontanus, a famous German mathematician, under the patronage of Matthias Ccrvinus, king of Hungary, published a series of almanacs from '1475 to 1566. and yearly almanacs became an established custom in the sixteenth century. Henry 111, of France 'in 1579 enacted that the almanac Should not be 1 made the instrument of partisan politics by the introduction of prophecies against parties and individuals in the state. The first almanac in the modern Shape appeared in England in 1673. It jwas compiled by Maurice Wheeler, canon of Christchurch, Oxford, and •was printed in that city. The sale was 60 great that the booksellers of London bought the copyright in order to monopolize its subsequent sales. The •‘Almanac Royal” of Paris, 1697, contained notices of pastimes, court reception days, fairs and markets, to which were added soon afterward the genealogy of the reigning house, etc. In England James L granted a moYibpbly“dFtlje“trade to the universities - ' and the Stationers’ company, subject j to the censorship of the archbishop of Canterbury and the bishop of London. The universities accepted an annuity from their colleagues, and resigned the active exercise of their privilege into the hands of the Stationers. Under their supervision were conducted the popular almanacs known as “Moore's” and “Partridge's,” the latter of which was humorously attacked by Swift. “Poor Robin's Almanac,” published from 1652 to 1828, may have furnished a model, at least in title, for Franklin’a “Poor Richard.”" Popular superstititions and the extravagances of astrology found room In these almanacs, the Stationers, like a genuine corporation or “trust” of the time, having no personality of their own, and exhibiting no special bias except for what would sell, as' was particularly proved in 1624, when they issued a set of predictions in one almanac and bitterly contradicted them in another. The famous “Moore's Almanac” purported to be edited by Francis Moore, physician. The original Francis Moore died in 1724, but the publication was still isued as if under his supervision, and in 1775 a vigorous rival arose In another almanac claiming to be the genuine Francis Moore, , A great lawsuit followed, which was decided against the monopoly of the Stationers’ company. A bill to renew and legalize the. privilege was brought In the house of commons by Lord North in 1779, but Lord Erskine, the great barrister, most brilliantly exposed the absurdity and even indecency of the publication, and the bill was defeated. ’Although the privilege was thus destroyed, the Stationers purchased their rival and continued to hold the field With a but slightly improved style of publication until 1828, when the Society For the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge published the “British Almanac” and demolished their predecessors. With the able assistance of the daily press, which so vigorously assailed the Stationers’ publication that that company was constrained to follow the new example in the “Englishman’s Almanac.”

The uniform price for an English almanac for many years was a penny, but the monopoly increased the price, and the imposition of the stamp taxes after Queen Anne's time raised it still more. In 1781 “Moore's Almanac’’ was nlnepeuce, two being for the stamp. In 1796 it rose to Is. 4d. and in ISIG to 2s. 3d. An almanac was established by Isaiah Thomas in Worcester, Mass., which gained and established an extraordinary repute in 1780 from the happy accident that, as It was being set up, one of the boys asked what should be placed against the 13th of July. Mr. Thomas, in careless haste, answered: “Anything! Anything!’’ The fed, literally obedient, set up “Rain, hail and snow.” The diligent readers were surprised, but when the day came the prediction was fulfilled—it really did rain, hail and snow on the 13th of that July, and the fortune of the almanac was made. K The “Almanac de Gotha” is the best known of the German publications. .Whittaker’s is the standard English publication of the kind, while In this country several of the large newspapers issue annual almanacs. The stray production, however, with Its old astrological and magical symbols of must, must ever possess an Interest for the curious who are versed In the history of almanacs. Washington Times.

BATTLES OF NATURE.

Unceasing Struggle* Which End la Survival of Fittest. We read the tablets of long ago which the geologist has deciphered for us, and we find them an endless story of battles. The successful species which occupy the great geological horizons have come out of great tribulation. The trilobites and stone lilies of the Silurian period, the gigantic club moss and fluted sigillarians of the coal age, the enormous ammonites of theJurassic and chalk epochs, the mighty elephants and majestip deer forms of the tertiary era are magnates of the times and masterpieces of the struggle. They have been redeemed at great price, even of a thousand species and tens of thousands of individuals who fell short of the typical fitness and were killed out. These magnates, each in Its turn, were pioneers of progress, like the scouts of a great army and were caught In a physiological ambush. The pedigree of the horse in the most recent past has been made out, traced shall we say, for a hundred thousand years before man came on the scene (for Lord Kelvin asked the geologist to hurry up and not be too lavish with time or we should have said 250,000 years before man). The fleetness, grace and strength of the horse are owing to his ability to walk on one toe, to which have been correlated the wonderful instincts by which he has become the partner of man in his Industries and struggles. He has been derived in almost a strict gradation from the two toed, three toed, four toed and five toed ancestors which flourished in the ages which preceded man. Myriads of Individuals and all the species and varieties died out to make room for the one toed selection to enable this favorite to occupy the ground unthwarted bycrossing or by recurrence to average forms. He was redeemed at a great price ahd has come through a great tribulation.—Contemporary Review.

Only a Lawyer.

When Justice Bookstaver was on the supreme court beuch. he had as special officer or attendant a punctilious old German, who always stood guard at the door leading to the justice’s private chambers when the justice was within. One day a prominent lawyer and two of his clients called and asked if the justice would receive them. The officer threw open the door and called out loudly to the Justice: “Shudge! Two shentlemans und a lawyer vants to speak mit you.” The three gentlemen laughed. “Vor vhat you lass, eh?” “Don’t you count mea gentleman?” asked the lawyer. “Ach, you’re a lawyer only; dat’s different.”—New York Mail and Express.

A Crownless Coronation.

A coronation without a crown sounds distinctly Irish, yet such was in effect the ceremony in which Henry 111 took the most prominent part at Gloucester on Oct 28, 1216.. On this occasion a plain circle was used instead of a crown, which had been lost with the jewels and other baggage of King John In passing the marshes of Lynn or the Wash near Wlsbeach.—London Telegraph.

Evasion.

“See here, you sir!” cried her father. “Didn’t 1 tell you never to enter my house again?” “No, sir, you didn’t,” replied the persistent suitor. “You said act to ’cross your threshold,’ so I climbed In the window.”—Exchange.

AN INDIAN CIGAR SIGN.

The Fate That Overtook One AggrM* Hive Woodei Savage. The city of Little Muddy, on the upper Yellowstone, was an exceedingly wide awake town in 1887. When it had reached the mature age of 8 months, every kind of business man was represented except the cigar dealer, and the next week a man from Chicago named Stark opened a tobacco store, with a large, gaudy and aggressive wooden Indian in front, holding a tomahawk savagely in one hand and a bunch of cigars in the other. It would take a chapter to tell of all the trouble Stark had with that wooden aborigine. This variety of sign was rare in that region, and gentlemen not unconnected with the stock growing Industry who came in from the ranges wearing spurs and weapons would .resent his threatening attitude—for that matter, no Indian, even the most peaceably disposed, was popular. He was knocked oft his pedestal half a dozen times a day. Stark learned to know what had happened whenever he heard a dull crash in front and would step outside and restore his fallen warrior. But the red man did not meet his Waterloo till Tobe Hartley and a friend, preserved to us under the name of Long Isaac, came in from the Lightning’s Nest neighborhood. A close friendship existed between these two worthies. It was their first vacation from the ranch for several months. They wandered about tQwn in a receptive mood and sought to enjoy their visit. No facts are extant concerning their condition after some hours, but we may perhaps be allowed our suspicions. Finally they separated, and Tobe, coming along to the Indian and not noticing his upraised hatchet, sat down at his feet to rest He soon fell asleep and sank lower. At this juncture Isaac came around the corner and took In the tragic situation at a glance. “Killed my partner for a simple bunch of cigars, did you?’’ he cried. “Well, we’ll see about It!” and he produced his firearms and began shooting accurately and rapidly. At the end of ten minutes Stark gathered up his noble savage In a basket, while the resuscitated Tobe end the avenging Isaac moved off arm In arm.—Harper’s Ma<aslna. . ~

PROFESSIONAL CARDS. S. O. JOHNSON, Physician and Surgeon. over Porter* "’o-e in new Bollings » Jrh jmldlng. OffidO PbODH 205. Sastdence 221 South River Ser jet, Phone 21. Mfloe hours: 9 to 11:30 a m. 1 * 7 tx> 8 p tn. BENBSBLAER, IND

M. WASBURN,’ M. D. Physician and Surgeon Makes a Specialty of Diaeaaes of the Eyes. Fits Eyes for. Glasses. RENSSELAER, IND* (JR. E. 0. ENGLISH. Physician ana surgeon Slant and day calls given prompt attention, luldence fnon© 116* Office Phone 17* RENSSELAER, INDIANA.

□R. A. J. MILLER,, Physician and Surgeon. Rensselaer, - - Indiana, >mce up stairs in Forsythe block. Genera) practice of medicine, surgery and X-ray work, □alls answered promptly day or night, Office and Residence phones 204 (Jasper Co.) pg, W. HARTSELL, M D. HOMEOPATHIC Physician and Surgeon, Chronic dtseasesla [specialty. In StocktonVllliamslblock opposite'court.houee, PboneSO RENSSELAEB, IND. JJR. A. L. BERKLEY, Physician and Surgeon. mice in Odd Fellows’Annex, opposite public Square. Phone 126. RENSSELAER, IND. JJR. w. L. MYER, DENSIST Modern Appliances Office rooms In K.of P Phone 96. Building.

[)R. H. L. BROWN, DENI IST Orown and Bridgework, Teeth without plate, -specialty. All the latest methods In Dentls try. Office over Larsh’e Drugstore. Gas ad min'ered (or ountais at wxjsijj j: casta. J. W. HORTON, t Dentist. i_ Bentlitig In all Its medein f«a UJSI. CeK ani Pewalaln Ifolk. ®a» tei Palnlais Bxtiastlen, & Office opposite court house

ATTORNEYS. HOPKINS, Law,\Loana and Real Estate, "Loans on Farms and City Property. Personal security and chattel mortgage Buy, sell and rent farms and city property. Farm and city tre Insurance. Attorneys tor the American Building, Loan ond Savings Association. Ornes ovaa Ohicaoo Dm. srou< RENSSELAEB, IND. RA.Y D. THOMPSON, Attorney-at-Law, Ketary Public, CoUectlons, Loans, and all Legal Business carefully attended to OBea Over’Flrst.Natlonal Bank North of Court House. J. J. HUNT. Attorney at Law. Law, Real Eetate, Insurance, Abstracts and Loans. OFFICE: Over Ellis * Murray's store

I M. Baughman. Q. A. Willlama Baughman & Williams, Attorneys-at-Law. Law, Notary Work, Loans and Real Estate, •nectai attention given to collections of all Unds. Office over “Racket Store., «INBMUK», - Indiana.

• ••••PIONEER ■■• MEAT_MARKET J Eisfelsbach,. Prop, Beef, Pork, Veal, Mutton, Sausage, Balogna. Etcat the lowest prices. —Highest Prices Paid so HIDES. & FALLOW

WILLIS Gunsmith, 48* Special attention g ven to Bicycle Repairs ot a kinds. u Front street, 1 block of Washington, BICYCLE SUNDRIES.

W. H. PARKISON Attorney at-Law. Insurance* Law Beal Estate, Abstracts and Loans: Attorney for the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railway co. Will practice in all of the Courts Office in Odd Fellows’bldg on Washington St. Rensselaer, Jasper county, Ind.

Frank Foltz. Charles G. Spitler Harry R. Kurrle. f«OLTZ & SPITLER, 'Rnncoßaora tj Thompson A Bro.) A ttomey-at-Law. jiw, Real Estate, Insurance, Abstracts and boons. Only set of Abatract Books lu Conn tv RENSSELAER, IND.

I. r. Irwin S.O. Irwin £RWIN & IRWIN. Successors to Warren & Irwin, Real Estate, Abstracts, Collections, Farm Loansand Fire Insurance Office in Odd Fellows Block. P. honan/. Attorney At Law. r .sw noans. Abstracts, insurance ana Rea B«jate. Will practice tn all the Courts AU business attended to wltb promptness and dispatch. RBNBBELAKR, INDIANA.

L- tl**•« ■/£?* a* H ■ -1 * 'j j

Monuments Designs and estimates famished on application, Wm .H. Mackey SUCCESSOR TO MAOKEY & BAROUS, DEALERS IN MARBLE AND GRANITE

Ralph w, marshall, Attorney at Law. Special Attention to Settling Estates. DEPUTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. —OFFICB In former Clerk’s office. East of Court House. RENSSELAER, IND. ,

Dr. Chas. Vick, Eye Specialist. \ jMia.- This is an of Specialists. The sbil ity to do one thing and do it well is more r~j - to be commended and is of more benefit to humanity than to do many things and none equal to the best. We limit our practice on the eye to errors of refraction, of which we have made a Special Study for over thirty years. Office in C. H. Viok’s fruit store next door to express office. Cedar Poles and Posts. Cedar turned hitching posts. Cedar clothes line or grape arbor poles. Round or sawed, cheaper than ever at Gwin’s lumber yard dwks

Expenses Are you in search of an inexpensive place for your summer vacation, where you can have a really enjoyable outing at but a I > I nominal cost? The inland lake country in A-J) southern Michigan and northern Indiana and that along the south shore of Lake Erie, J Jj X- between Buffalo, N. Y., to Toledo, Ohio, including the historic Lake Erie Islands, /i * ’ v will meet your wishes. There are hundreds of places in this summer region. You can secure good board with rooms at rates averaging from $5 to $8 per week. You can fish, boat, bathe, camp out, and enjoy in many ways the simplicity of summer life afforded in this delightful summer vacation land. Our book, “Quiet Summer Retreats." covering a large list r ft of boarding laces, with rates, proprietors’ names and addresses, features of location, camp sites, furnished cottages, etc., will assist you in selecting a place, and will be sent by undersigned for 2 cents gaSaaai in postage. . . UrOall For summer excursion rates to points named in book apply to VBSjgw your local ticket agent, and if he can not furnish, or for any desired information, address A. J. SMITH, Q. P. & T. A., Cleveland, Ohio. L The Lake Shore | SSk & Michigan Southern Ry.

nOORE

The careful Specialist of 40 years constant practice has locate 1 in Rensselaer. Indiana, and will devote hts time and skill lb treating he following diseases: Consumption, Scrofula — Ran be permanently c irod If taken in time and often in advanced stages by methods entirely our own, the result of years o' careful research and large experience. Short delays are often dangerous. 0 eart — Hundreds are dropping dead every dav from Heart Failure, whose Ilves might have have bosn saved by proper and timely treatment. In most cases relief Is certain. Stomach — Indigestion, mcjritioi ail alt oth > troubles affacting this im >itu i.or’fi ar treated with absolute success, old rema dies and methoiii h ive been abolished better ones have been Introduced, All are modern, sate and certain. Nervous troubles—of all kltds nave been treated wlthre markable success for 40 years. Noge and Throat — With recent methods and appliances affec tlons of these important and sensitive organs are quickly relieved. Kidneys and Bladder — Bright’s disease, Diabetes, etc. Theseus uaily fatal ma'adies can positively be cured. Here a short delay Is often ratal Call and be examined while relief la possible. Ear— All diseases of this dellc&to ergin handled with care and suocess. Piles— And all othes diseases of the Rectum cured quickly and with but little pals. Females —• The Doctor has had a rcES7.rka.hio record in creating successfully all _iliai&nos cecu liar to women. - -* Failing Vitality— Fro n whatever otiise perTnaentlv cured Epilepsy and Cancer— Fornerly two incurable diseases are r.«, treated with great assurance of sueces-, The Doctor’s facilities and resources a-e al most without limit: Oxygen Gas, Oxygen Compound, Compressed Air, Insufflation, Atomization with every appliance necessary to relieve the afflicted. Best of references given.

Rensselaer ai d Brook Property. For sale at a bargain, property in Reneeelaer, Indiana, The north west comer of the second block south of the depot; lotfacidg 50 ft. on Main St. and 125 ft. on Vine St. Two buildings one 14x 20 ft., the other 20x40 ft. Also first lot and cottage south of Christian church, on Van Rensselaer street; Rensselaer. Block one, East of depot on Main St., Brook. Indiana. Address Mrs. A. M. Harrison, 431 Taylor St, wAuglO Portland, Oregon

BUS FARES NOT RAISED. Having purchased the Nowels House Bus, I will run a bus to each hotel and will endeavor to give better service to the city trade than hae ever been given. The only change, I intend to make is after Sept. Ist, Bus fare will be cash. I will have tickets for sale 2 for 25 cents. Joe Jackscn. NOTICE LADIES. Mrs. Dr. Miller has kindly consented to give instructions in Art needlework beginning Wednesday A.ug 31, from 3 to 4 p- m, on Wednesday and Friday of each week at the “Women’s Exchange” She will first take up “Kloster” work or “Hardanger Embroidery” and the different “Mt Melliok” stitches. Ladies desiring instructions along this line will please be present at the above named place and time. Terms 50 cents for 1 hour lesson. For Sale.

1 single seated top buggy ; good condition. 1 set single harness, and ons 5 octave Benham’s cottage organ cabinet top. Call on Mrs. Berry Paris. d4w2

EBBf I, I I I u Kimball Piano Players at Manufacturer’s Prices. Daily Concerts At the Manufacturers’ Warerooms show the possibilities of entertaining yourself and friends in dancing to the strains of a Strauss Waltz ora two-step.— The Players have fingers that play like those of a professional, giving to anyone upon any piano and without instruction £ tactically unlimited command of the keycard. As manufacturers of both the player and music rolls for Its vperation our price in - cludes with each player A Fine Musical Library and also places the music of our entire catalogue at the disposal of the purchaser on terms not offered elsewhere. Stock includes Various makes. Cash or Easy Payments. • 0). W. Kimball $ Co. [Established 1857.] S. W. Cor, Wabash av. and Jackson blvd. CHICAGO.

o*o-*o*o*o*a* | LOANSI 0 a ! ON LAND. ♦ ♦ 2 ♦ = j. a ▼ ♦ We make our own Inspections. J No delay. Commissions reasons- Q ble. Interest 5 per cent. ♦ £ Loans on City Prop- { erty and on Personal ♦ I Security. ♦ J Call, Write or Telephone No. 36, I First National Bank I ♦ ♦ f Rensselaer, Ind. ♦

F° r Buß * neßß, The old Hansen blacksmith shop on Front street is now open for business, with Jesse Ball and Dr. J. L. Jones in charge. The latter is not only an experienced blacksmith but is also a veterinary surgeon, and will carry on a general veterinary practice. The firm does a general blacksmithing business, horse shoeing, etc. Give hem a call. For Rent. Suite of rooms consisting of kitchen, dining room, hall, sitting room, and three bed rooms, furnished or unfurnished. Preferably furnished, also barn. d4w2 Mrs. Berry Paris, One counter of men's and women’s new oxford tie shoes, about one half urine tn close, at the Ohio igo Barf