davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
Rad FFsct of Heat on Rocks.

Mr.. A. K. Spofford, Librarian of Congress- has
some interesting statements before the American
Library Association with reference to the des-
Effectiveness of heat on books stored in the upper
rooms or galleries of libraries. He described
the condition of the books in the fourth gallery
of the Congressional Library, and said if the
books were animate and intelligent beings they
would cry aloud from their sutferings. Their
shriveled and parched appearance showed plain
" enough the destructiveness of heat, and yet
there is no heat from gas burners nor coal gas;
these are excluded from the precincts of that
library. A discussion followed upon the action
of heat upon the different bindings Of books, the
opinion being pretty general that Russia leather
bindings are the very worst kind, and should be
discarded altogether as the most susceptible to
damage from heat. The red dust so common to
libraries is simply the combustion from gases
produced by the heat, and shows the necessity of
getting rid Of heat influence in the progress of
library architecture and MISUNDERSTANDING
IN Star
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

LICE on SrocK.-There are many remedies for
lice. Some dense oil, like sperm oil, destroys
lice by closing up their breathing apparatus
If the lice are attacked early they may be ban
ished by amounting with oil. II the lice gain
greater Roadway, an ointment made of one part
mercurial ointment and five parts of lard is ex-
cellent. This should not be daubed over the an
imal, but sparingly applied and rubbed in
thoroughly. There are powders which are
also effective. Carbolic powder, such as is used
by poultry breeders, also bubach. or California
insect powder, thoroughly busted through the
hair, would work well. Any remedy must be
supplemented by generous food aud good care,
and all contact with neglected animals must be
avoided if possible.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
THE LITTLE wH1rE-HAnxp xorHnr


With sudden praise Q mighty voice
Sweeps all the continent:
Helpless before the peoples choice.
The statesman wills have bent;
Ii hunors hrsf. before all other,
A patient little white haired mother
The day has come: the hour draws near;
Looks the listening land;
Whom briDgs this Rnler peer with peer,
Who stays him. hand in hand
Honsrei by him shove all other,
He brings his little whitehaired mother"
Ths glitterins embassies Of Kings
Are standing in their state:
Their tributes rank a lesser things;
They and their Kingdoms wait
While revercnfly, before all other.
The Ruler sreets his white haired mother"
Al. Stztes may grow and men may gain,
And power and riches swim increase;
The brunt Of every csunfry's strain,
It's fight for purity and peace.
AZ i.at an patient, ..whits hsirea nesisu.'
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

Few people have an idea of the numerous vex-
ations attendant on keeping large public estab-
ment, or understand the cares of landlord.
For instance, a negro approached the other day
and commenced with
"Massa, you know dem big glass shades, what
am arribe last night"
''Well, said the Master.
swell, dey was put in de store room, continu-
ed the boy.
"Well," continued the master, looking inquir-
ingly.
"Well, was peelin' de apples, when Mr.. John
son told me to bring one of dem out and"
swell, said his master, impatiently.
''Well, just as / was gwine to do"
''You let it fall and broke it, you careless
scoundrel," said the master.
"No, didn't, nudder," said the negro, sulkily.
''Well what thenf" said the landlord, recover.
ing.
''Why, struck him agin the corner oh dc
shelf, and he break hisself all to pieces
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
A Reply to William Haines Lytls's "Antony and
Cleopatra"



Sinks the sun below the desert.
Golden CLOVIS the sluggish Nile;
Purple fame crowns spring and temple,
Lights mp every ancient pile.
Where the old gods now are sleeping;
Isis and Osiris great,
Guard me- help me, give me courage
Like Queen to meet my fate.
II am dying Egypt dying!"
Let the CRsars army come
will cheat him of his glory,
Though beyond the Styx roam
Shall he drag this beauty with him,
While the crowd his triumph singsf
No. no, never, i will show him
What lies in the blood Of Kings!
Though he holds the golden seeptre.
Rules the Pharoah's sunny land,
Where old Nilus rolls resistless
Through the sweeps Of silvery sands
He shall never say met him
Fawning abject, like slave
will foil him, though to do IL,
! must cross the Stygian wave
Oh ms hero, sleeping. sleeping
Shall meet YOU On the shore
or Plutonian shadowsi Shall we
In death meet and love once meref
See, follow in your footsteps
Soorn the Cesar and his might
For your love will leap boldly
Into realms Of death and night
Down below the desert sinking
Fades ApollO's brilliant car.
And from out the distant azure.
Breaks the bright gleam Of q star;
Venus Queen Of Love and Beauty.
welcaines me 10 Death embrace,
Dying. proud, FREE, and triumphant
The last sovereign Of my raee.
Dying dyingi 1 am coming.
Oh, my hero, to your arms;
You will welcome me- know it.
Guard me from all rude alarn&
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

CORRESPONDENT writes that weak solution
Of carbolic acid (about half dozen drops to gal
lon of water) will destroy worms and grnbs IN
iower-pots without injuring the plants. Paraf-
fine (duted) is also said to have the same effect
We have not tried these remedies, having always
found perfectly clear lime and SCOT water effect
ual without being injurious.-LondoH Journal Of
Horticulture.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

DISSATISFIED WITH HIS COUNsEL--An Irish
man, n few days since, was convicted in the mu-
nicpal court of an offence for which Judge Bige-
low sent him to the house of correction. Just as
Patrick stepping into the coach, his legal ad-
wiser approached him and whispered something
in his ear-the nature of which the reader will
divine by Pats answer, which was rendered in n
very decisive tone:
.1Not cint-ye thafe O. the world had ycZ
been wOrkin' the half as hard to get me clare as
the ould whitehead divil did to convict me, i
wudn't bin in this dirthy ould cart nOwi Dye
moind that-son O the divil that We are! Mkt
time I'll be gittin' that ould gintleman to defend
me, and sure ye'd be gittin' no more o. me path
ronage if yez starve for the made iv it-Och, We
palthry pitty.ogger, don't be bOtherin' me jist
yez see I'm TO start on n thra months jOurneyf y
-BOstoH Bee
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
Measure of Distance.

A mile is LEO yards, or $3.50 feet in length.
A fathom is six feet.
A league is three miles.
A Sabbath days journey is l, l55 yards. That
is eighteen yards less than two-thirds of mile.
days journey is 3Si miles.
A cube is two feet.
A hand (horse measuIe) is four inches
A palm it three inches.
A space is three feet.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
THE BANKS.
Watch Il

Watch the uiati0ns Of the banks
Busy banks,
How they close mp like army moving on in SOLID rAks
Spite Of wind and spite Of weather,
Firmly keeping STRIP together.
FoOt 10 foot and hand IN hand
Then the wheels Of speculation
Roll and rush through all the nation,
And the business Of the land
Sways and tOssrs like a feather,
Floafing hither drifting thiiher,
By the curious curious actions Of the solid, solid fhhS
OF the banks hanks banks banks
Banks, hanks. banks
The imitation and contraction Of the banks
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

A SURE CURE FOR BOILs.-Dr. Simon, ply
stefan of Lorraine, states that soon as the
characteristic eliminating point of a boil makes
its appearance, he puts in n SANGER thimblefull
of caInphorated alcohol and dipping the end of
his middle-iinger with the liquid rubs the in
famed surfac, especially the central portion,
repeating the operation eight OF ten times, con-
a minute. He then allows the surface to dry,
placing slight coating Of camphorated olive
oil over the infamed surface. He states that one
such application will, in almost all cases, cause
boils to dry up and disappear. The application
should be made at morning. noon, and in the
evening. He AYERS that the same treatment will
cure whitlows, and all injuries of tips of the fin
gers As soon as pain and redness appears, the
fingers should be soaked for ten minutes in cam
phOrated sweet oil. The relief is said to be i'm
mediate, and three applications are generally
enough to effect a cure.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

To MAKE OLD BLACK SILK LOOK LIKE NEW
Unpick the garment and wash the pieces in hot
soapsuds: rinse by dipping up and down in hot
water, then dip in second water prepared as fol-
lows: Boil two onces of logwood chips in five
quarts of water; add a quarter of an ounce Of
copperas; strain through and old bit of calico,
and dip your silk into this dye. Let the silk be
pinned on to a line by the corners, and hang I'M
iii il is nearly dry. Then take it down and iron
il between two pieces of old black silk. 1t will
look like new.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
ron THE OLD MEN THAT SMOKE

There daughter. stop seoldng Don't worry and fret,
And work yourself into such irei
Just about an the comfort your father can get,
Is smoke by the wxrm kitchen hre-
Lrf him smoke in the corner In pezce. If he can.
Though the clouds Of tobacoo may choke;
There Is can tel. but . lonely old man.
How mnch comfort there ID In . smoke
Like q free bird that hyeth frvm limb unto limb,
Your routine Of joys you 20 thruugh.
And sune Of them look just ~ foolish % him.
As smoking lsoks foolish Ia you
were none Of perfeet-all this you believe
Our lives shoald with charity shine.
Like the goden thrrads that the weayers weave
In and out Of the dark design
should you live be oid-thou-h you may smoke
Yet III wager penny or two.
You will have strung habit to tease other folks.
Bad ~ this that is worrying you
Lrt him smoke In the corner IN peace. be can.
Though the clouds Of tobacco may choke;
There h can tell. but . lonely old man,
How mnch pleasure there Is in smoke
Do smskef No; nat I. Nor win advise
ANY youth the bad habit TO gets
But when one !. old, and eznt stop be triea.
Is it wisdom to worry and fret
Let him smoke In the corner In peace. he can,
Though the clouds Of tobacco may eheke;
There i no one can t~il, but lonely old man.
How much comfort there is In smoke
Not long win tobacco smoke daily annoy;
Snuc fhe pipe on the mAnfel vii bay.
And fsfher win rcst where the vorus shall destroy
TIE tenanfless body Of clay.
La lin suoke IN fhe corner IN peace. II be cAa.
500 hs7l an b<fure De.fhis stardy stroke
Thsa yeah mis- III ebay pa .nd de fsshse Cd nsn
Al NJ yvad psf uP VII u Dske-
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
Nail in a Horses Foot.

neighbor of mine recently informed me that
he had lost most valuable horse by casualty
by no means uncommon. A knowledge of 4 sim
pie remedy would have prevented this loss.
The horse trod upon nail which entered his foot.
Lameness followed, the nail was extracted, hut
lockjaw supervened, resulting in death. An I'M
falling remedy in sneh eases is muriatic acid.
If, when nail is withdrawn from a horses foot,
the foot should be held up and some muriatic
acid he poured into the wound, neither lameness
nor loekjaw need he feared. Why the iron
should have the effect which it frequently has,
and the rationale of the above remedy, / am un-
able to explain; but Of the certainty of the
confederation of disease by this perfectly safe
application, am well convinced.-RHrdl Home
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.


|
Il am dying, Egypt, dying. T-shat,pedne.
am dying. Egypt. dying
Bbbs the crimson lifc-tide fast,
And the dark Plutonian shadows
Gather in the evening blast.
Let thine arm, oh Queen, enfold me-
Hush thy sobs and how thine ear;
Listen to the great heart secrets
Thou, and thou alone must hear.
Though my Starred and veteran legions
Bear their eagles high more,
And my wrecked and scattered galleys
Strew dark Actiums fatal shore:
Though glttefing guards surround ME.
Prompt To do their masters will,
must perish like Roman
Die the great Triumvir still
Let not Cesars seryile rnions
Mock the lion thus laid low;
Twas forman's arm that frlled him.
p Twas his own that struck the blow
His who, pillowed on thy bosom,
Turned aside FUN glory's ray
His who. drunk with thy caresses,
Madly threw world away!
Should the haSe. plebeian rabble
DARE a-sail my name at Rome.
Where the noble spouse, Octavia,
weeps within her widowed homes
Seek her-say the gods bear Witness
Affairs, augurr. circling wings
That her blood with mine o0mmingld-
Yet shall mount the thrune Of Kings,
And for thee star-eyed Egyptian,
Glorious sSrceress Of the Nile!
Light the path 10 Stygan horrors,
With the splendor Of thy smile!
Give the Caesar crowns and arches5
L-t his brow the laurel Irvine;
can scorn the Senate's triumphs,
Trumphing in love like thine.
lam diving. Egypt, dying!
Hark! the insulting fosman's cry!
They are coming, Quick my falchion'
Let me front them ere die!
All no more amid the battle
hall hearf sweuf
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

NOTHING MADE FOR NAUGHT.-A spiders web
affords an excellent barometer. An old sports
man of Coldwater, Mich, claims that one preser-
we'd in his house has proved almost invariably
correct When rain and wind are expected,
the spider shortens the threads which suspend
the web. When reefs are let ont, fine weather
NAV he certain; hut if the spider remains inert,
rain will probably follow within a short time.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

MANY persons have found relief from indises-
ton. and that nervousness which hinges on in
digestion, in lemon juice. An old magazine con-
tains the following still more agreeable prescrip-
ton, for summer use, from DIR. James, a celebrat-
ed English physician. of "James's Powder fame.
s.Dr James begs his compliments to Mr.. Rich
ar,lson and recommends him to take every day
three or four half pints of the juice of very ripe
cherries. Put sufficient quantity in an earth
en- vessel, and bake them little, so rs, in some
measure, TO destroy the elastic air in them.
Then let the Juice he pressed out and drank,
either with or without sugar. The juice should
be fresh every day, or, at least, should not -le
drunk while sour or fermenting."
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

TRAvEIIISG.-A strong lazy fellow who pro
ferred begging to work, called on gentleman
and implored him for cold victuals and old
clothes. The gentleman asked him what he did
fer living.
s.Not much, said the fellow, except travel
ling
.sWell, then" said the gentleman, coolly open
ing the door, ''let's see yOu travel"
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

WHEN some of the members of Belgian regi-
ment were in London, some time ago, Lady Bur-
dett-Coutts entertained them at her villa, Holly
Lodge, where every man was presented with n
tract and a cigar. "How kind of re lady," re-
marked one of the brave Brabanters, who did
not comprehend the nature of the publication
given to him, "not only to geef us re smoke, but
TO provide also papaire for to Tide re cigar
vfdw
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

HALLS JoHrHdl Of Health srys: III man will
give himself sleep enough, and will eat enough
nutritious food Mt proper intervals, and Will
spend two or three hours in the open air every
day, he may study, and work and write until he
is as gray as Thousand rats and will be still
Young in mental vigor and elcarness."
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
The WIDOW.

The Boston Post is responsible for the follow
ing:
is there any character in life 50 interesting as
a Young and beautiful widOwi Not thirty, CO.
quettish one, who, even amid her sorrows has an
eye to future welded happiness with another,
Int one of a genuine heart, welded TO her hus-
bands urn, Pensive, but not sad, her grief soft
ened TO a placidness.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
TIlc Fun Of the Ching.
BALLAD OF ARKAEsAw.

1.-The State Senate Of Arkansas has voted that the ai
81 thst State shall lie pronounced I'e
Oh. harmed Legislator
OF the STATE Of Arkausaw,
I crave your kind attention,
While indirate the law
II you speak concerning Kansas.
You must pot forget ysgr saw;
You re considered gaits Gu ydh
Unless you -ay kAHsaw.
Ia l,aying Scion ShiHgt,
II yOn ever hops Is draw,
You must substitute y"ur applesAss
For a larrtI II aIpirSzw.
As Of yoGr constituents
I'm safe against the Law,
Because say yon Iaekass,
Instead Of yea tICkaw.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

A TRAMP, the Galveston Necs tells us, was be-
ing escorted down Galveston avenue by one of
the most stylish policemen on the force. 81 hate
to walk along am-n-arm with a policeman"
said the tramp. ''Iou ought to be used TO it, by
this time" replied the policeman. "a can't get
used to hearing people say, aust look at that
yagabondy- when l know they must mean one of
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

AWFUL PUMA young gentleman of our ac-
quaintance perpetrated the following pun YES
terday:
"Tve discovered a new city,"
fiWhatr cried we.
"Scarce-city"
''what State is it ini" was the next interroga.
tory.
Estate of want
He has since died
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

cITRk was discharged, and asked the reason.
ssYou are so awful slow about everything said
the employer 'sYOu do me an injustice res
bonded the clerk. There is one thing that l
am not slow about 81 should like to hear you
name it," sneered his employer. well" said
the clerk, slowly, 'nobody can get tired as quick
as can
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

TooTHAcHE, according to the Lanoet, can be
cured by the following preparation of carbolic
acid: To one drachm of collodium add two
drachms of Calvert's earbolie acid. Agelatinous
mass is precipitated, small portion of which,
inserted in the cavity of an aching tooth, inva-
raiable gives immediate relief
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

A MINISTER at Ayr, Scotland, recently intro
duced the following petition into his Sunday
PRAYER: 80, Lord, bless the Established Church,
and the Free Church, and the United Presbyte-
riau Church, and all the other churches Thou
knowest the various nick-names, Lord, by which
they are called; bless them all"
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

THE Colder Rule say that ait costs COMMUNE
ty more to support one liquor saloon than It does
to run half dozen churches, and the heId'tT
retorts that sstleres more fun in one saloon than
in the six churches
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

CoRSs AND BUNiONs.-Have your boots and
shoes made to fit your feet. instead of trying to
shape your feet to the boots and shoes. Then
soak thee xcrescencesin warm water occasionally,
cut off the softened surface, and in due time
they will be seen no more forever.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

To MAKE HORSE SrAND.-To make n horse
stand while You mount, get on and dismount
four or five times before you move him out of his
tracks, and, by repeating this, your horse will
stand
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

ssMY friends" said the political speaker, with
n burst of ingenious eloqGnce, 81 will be hon.
est There was a large number of his neigh
bors present and the terrific Outburst of applause
which followed this remark entirely upset the
point which the orator was about to introduce
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

DIscrssING George Eliot's works one day with
some young ladies, something said suggested the
Apocrypha. / asked Miss B-if she had read IT.
ssSo sbe replied, .'the only novel of George FL
lots have read is Daniel Deronda-"
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

The use of wooden boxes and barrels as recep-
tacles for ashes is said to be the Of nearly
one-third of all the fires which occur in Ameri-
can cities
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

1T was q wealthy Philadelphia who, being
asked on his return from Europe how ne liked
the Bosphorus, replied that be didn't eat any,
aad preferred the ordinary homemade sausages.
--Anericcn Oseer
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

To DRIVE OFF yERMIN.-Cayenne pepper will
keep the pantry and storeroom free from cock
reaches and ants.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

An eminent foreign physician asserts that the
drinking of coffee invigorates and improves the
sight, and renders unnecessary the nse Of spec
tacles, while he considers the use of chocolate
injurious TO the vision.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

COTTON socks next to the skin and wooden
socks outside of them, are represented rs sure 20
cure cold feet. At night the cotton socks will
be quite dry and the outside ones damp.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

NEVER allow the oil to burn low in lamp, as
it injures the burner by getting too hot, and
there is more danger of an explosion.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

COP LIVER Oils extracted by steam; dis
peusatory viii give you such information.
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.


Gaze for the landmarks Of their distant home;
Slow wheeling ruoks. with lazy winnowing digit,
Sock the dark forest with ths coming gL,aui.
While every look and outward sisn attest
That Cloratras Egypt isat rest
Not 50 the Qu-<n: within her fearful heart
Sxift-6refins passions haid alternate sway,
Each Throwing. with remors-lesss hani. dart
Goading with eruel wounds their hrlpless prey.
Until Of her fine mould. the Gullrrt Iait
Becomes piece Of agonizing clay.
And her unqniet breast is all on IRE
With love, With anguish and with fierce desire
Wild IS the sea, the waves of each emotion
Break the trembling sho.es Of her unrest,
Whence swirl receslins to the fretfll ocean
They rise again with more niaddsning crest.
And rushing forw ard with increased devotion.
They court destruction With keener zest
And die eonfoundsd in a wasting strife.
Minglins the pillows with ths sands Of life.
Love is her tben,r g h-ro Is her gyd
Her auditors the world and listening Time;
The wand she wields. like Aarun's magic rU-
swallows all others Of each land and cline.
Ii makes the present and the future nod
Obedience 70 its mystic Law sublime;
IT CROWNS Disastrous Artium with glory,
And makes il famous in immortal story.
Listen how to her maids the arranging Queea'
Declares the merits Of her absent love:
Scornng as base comparison between
Him and great julius, erst her earthly Joye-
How with a xomanish, bewitehing spleen.
She thrones her wondrous hero high above
All prodigies, proclaming him her man Of men
How Rome to Egypt answers back again.
Dear Chairman, win the night again come o.
And not return this King %, cruel night
Cans't thou not breathess post quick Oberun,
To tell him Of his vrrtched Egypt's plight,
Or the lorsiIy. swiftdepating sun
To bear the message in his circling nightf
Kind wenches, help me in my helpessness
And take my blessing while yet may bess
'.Did love Caesar 50 p My salad days"
by Iss will give the bloody teeth"
Companon not my lord and monarch ways
With his for whom my love was but rs Lethe
To the flooded Nile. Oh, let me breathe
The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-03-24

CASTOR oil is an excellent thing to soften
leather.