Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-02-26


to high degree of pressure and heat. The re-
suit is hard product of extraordinary tough
ness and elasticity. 1t can be made plastic
again and nodded into any required form:
Any color can be given to it by the use Of
coloring matter during the progress Of man.
ufacture. The uses to which celluloid is put
are numerous, and are constantly increasing.
1t extensively used as substitute for ivory,
which it resembles so closely that it is some
time difficult to detect the difference 1t is
said to equal ivory in strength and elasticity,
and not to warp or discolor with time. 1t
has proved good material for piano and
organ keys, billiard balls, backs of brushes,
looking-glass frames, handles for knives,
forks, umbrellas, and many other articles.
1t is much cheaper than ivory, and is claim
ed to be better for decorative purposes. 1t
is also used with much success to initiate tor.
toise shell, malachte, amber, pink cora, ,
and other costly materials. In imitation OF
tortoise she'll, it is made into combs, napkin.
rings, match boxes, card cases, etc. 1mita-
tions of pink. coral jewelry are made and sold
at prices much below those of the genuine.
The same is true of imitation of malachite and
amber. Mouth.pieces for pipes, cigar holders,
etc., are common. 1t is also used as SUBJ
sti,ute for porcelain in making dolls heads.
The frames of eye.glass, opera glasses, and
spectacles are made of it. More recently it
has come into use in combination with linen,
cotton or paper, for shirt-bosoms, cuffs and
collars. The material has a hard, glistening
surface, like that of newly y-laundried linen ;
is elastic and impervious to moisture, and
when soiled can be renovated with moistened
sponge.
BLIND ToM.-Bliud Toms birthplace is
Georgia, and he began to excite attention as a
musician at the age Of four years. All sounds
afforded him delight; even the crying of a
child caused him to dance about in state of
ecstacy. When at home he often bit and
pinched his brothers and sisters to make them
emit cries ofpain. Ifkept away from piano,
he would beat against the wall, drag chairs
about the room, and make all sorts of noises.
When in London, flute was produced for
him, of very complicated pattern, and hav-
ing twenty-five keys. He frequently rises up
ut night and plays this instrument, initiating
upon it all sorts of sounds which he may hear
at the time. Once when the agent attempted
to make him stop playing a piano in high
toned hotel, at three o'clock in the morning,
Tom seized him and threw him through the
door. In Washington, he threw man down
stairs, who came in his room. When at his
home, in Georgia, he lives in building about
two hundred yards from the house, and there
remains alone with his piano, playing all day
and night like one possessed Of madness.
Bad weather has an effect upon his music.
In cloudy rainy seasons, he plays somber mu;
sic in minor chords and when the sun shines
and the birds sing, he indulges in waltzes and
light music. Sometimes he will hammer
away for hours, producing the most horrible
discord imaginable. Suddenly change comes
over him, and he indulges in magnificent
bursts of harmony taken from the best pro.
ductions of the masters. Since his childhood
he has been an idiot, and he played nearly as
we'll at the age of seven as he does now but
now his repertoire is much larger, as he can
play anything he has ever heard. He now
plays about seven thousand pieces, and picks
up new ones everywhere. 1t is a curious fact
that he will not play Sunday school music if
he can help it, having great dislike tor it.