The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-02-14

SuCil as duluidClle, semi aululdClIes semi
bituminous, and the many different varie.
ties of bituminous, is supposed to be owing
to the different degrees of progress made
in the process of sOftening and carboniza-
ton, and to there having been fIeer escape
for the gaseous constituents in some cases
than in others, Chemists have actually
converted vegetable matter into coal of all
degrees OF hardness, and possessing all the
various qualities OF thai formed by Nature,
aud observation and their labors seem to
show that all coal was first formed of the
bitumiuous variety, and the anthracite is
the result of ingenious action to which it
was subsequently subjected (McFarlane.) }
When this change has been carried still
: further, the result is plumbago, or black
lead.
1 have thus endeavored to set forth III a
plain, comprehensive manner tho theories
Of the formation of our fossil fuels, aud,
while difficulties may suggest themselves
to the reader, still that they are derived
from the vegetable kingdom admits no
doubt, this being one Of the we'll establish
ed facts of geology.
There is one more benefit that coal has
been the cause CT bestowing upon mankind
that is as striking as all those previously
set forth, to which I would call attention
before closing. The bible tells us that the
beasts Of The field and the fowls of the air
were not created until after earth brought
forth grass the herb yielding seed, and the
fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, and
with the aid of science we can see a reason
for this. Ithas been stated that one of the
requisites for the vegetation Of the coal era
TO flourish as it dbl was that the atmosphere
should be charged with a compound of car
bon with oxygen known as carbouic acid
gas, which except in very small proportions,
destroys life in warm bIooded animals. 1t
was the tree that drank in the noxious va
pOr through its leaves decomposed 1t, took
off the carbon 20 add to its stature, and to
yield seed and fruit after its kind, while it
breaJbed the life-producing oxygen back
into the air, and in this way the atmos-
phere vas purified for the use Of man and
beast.
Thus in the economy and wonderful
work of Nature not only was this gas that
precluded life removed, but it was stored
up for the future use of that same life tha.
its removal made possible, so that coal, be-
sides giving light and warmth, aud thou
sand other material blessings, was the
prime cause Of the very air we breathe
Surely It is, and u has been, a wonderful
and blessed boon to the earth and its popu-
lation, and it is no wonder that it has been
given the name Of the most costly gem we
know when it is called black diamond, -
s---
EvERYBODY's EXPERIENCE.-A story is
told Of one of the grand jurors from North
field, Vermont, in attendance upon the last
term of court at Montpelier, He was afraid
he would not awaken in season to take the
O'Clock train for the capital which be
had talked over with his wife on retiring
He had just got into sound sleep when
his faithful spouse woke him, suggesting
that it must be time to get up. He did,
found it was only midnight, and retired
again. Soon he was again aroused, and
this time, upon consulting the clock, It
proved to be only 2 a. m. Somewhat dis
gusted and angered at being so often bro
ken of his slumbers, he again sought his
couch, admonshing his wife thus 'Look
here, you keep your elbow ous of my back
and your mouth out of my ear till morn
ing" Feeling herself relieved of any
further responsibility, she went to sleep
for good and left her lord and master to
wake when he chose, which he did at
O'Clock. Thinking it would not pay to try
and get any more sleep he built fire, put
on his overcoat and hat, took bis valise in
his hand and sat down before the fire for
few minutes. Meanwhile his wife SUM
5ered on until 2 o'clock, when she awoke
and found him gone. whereat she felt quite
badly, saying she intended to have got him
a warm breakfast. Leisurely proceeding
to dress herself she sought The kitchen,
where, to her astonisbment, she beheld her
husband sitting bolt upright in his chair
before the stove, fast asleep, with the train
gone over an hour !-Portland (Ifc.) Adrsr-
tiser.