The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-11-02
The Reading Public.
WHAT MAY BE GATHERED IN READING
ALL A PAPER CONTAINS.

WHAT MAY BE GATHERED IN READING
ALL A PAPER CONTAINS
We very often hear people complain
ing OF their county papers, and saying
that "they contain nothing worth read
ing = and we are all sometimes inclin-
ed to think, like some men do of the
weather,) that if we had the manage
ment we could improve it in many re-
spects. But we find, on looking around
that those very persons who complain
the most, are the ones that read the
least. A dandy-or a "dude," we
would call him now--might travel all
over the American continet, and when
he came back, could tell you nothing
worth listening to, much less remem-
bering while Franklin, Humboldt
or Newton, in taking morning walk,
would make some observations and
select some good things from natures
page that would be useful to science,
and worthy place in history. So it
is with the reading public. One man
picks up his paper for which, per-
haps, he is in arrears for ten years, at
least-glances over it hastily for few
minutes, throws it down and showers a
volley of curses upon its editor for in
serting some enterprsing business
mans advertisement which, were he
as tardy in paying for as our self-con-
stituted critic is for his paper, its editor
might be in fit condition to walk the
streets with a bundle of old umbrellas
under his arm, or scissor-sharpener's
grindstone on his back. We have a
case in point which serves to illustrate
our meaning better than anything else
which we can think of now, and we
will give it--not as reproach to any
one--but as showing how much man
may gain in general knowledge by read
ing all that apaper contains-no matter
how Insignificant it may appear at first
sight-as showing also how many use
full things are lost by persons who will
not learn when they haze the opportu-
nifty, yet are ever ready TO sneer at
those who, by reading and study, have
gained little more than they have
required.
A few months ago we happened to
be present when Mr. "Fault6nder'
opened his mail, adjusted his spectacles
and began looking over his papers.
One happened to be a 'Circular"-
nothing else designed merely as an
advertising medium-was sent to him
free, postage paid. He was only asked
the favor of reading it. Looking at it
about half minute he threw it on the
floor with an oath, and kicked it away
from him. Thinking there might, per-
haps, be something in it worth reading,
we picked it up and pushed it down in
our pocket. When again alone we
took it out and read it and while it
was nearly all made up of clap-trap
advertisements, there was one very no.
table exception. In one little corner
was table containing the names of all
the crowned heads of Europe, with the
lates of their accessions, and also their
ages. Ry looking over it carefully we
were enabled to gain the following his
torical facts, viz |: In Europe there are
Al monarchs and AZ crowns King
William, of Germany, wearing 2-that
of the German Empire and the
smaller kingdom of Prussia. He is
also the Oldest of all, being s5 years of
age, while Alfonso, of Spain, is the
gest-being but 25 years of age.
Dom Pedro, of Brazil, and William, of
Brunswick, each ascended in 1881
they being the longest reigning of all
1 while Alexander, of Russia, is the
shortest-having assembled in 1881.
We considered this table worth pre-
4 serving, and taking it home we care,
:, fully inserted it in our "scrap book
and waited to meet Mr.. Pathfinder,
which was not long-and the following
, conversation took place, as near as We
u can recall it at present
Q. Mr.. F-do you not know how
= many crowned heads there is in Eu
!, rope
!. A. No how do know
4 Q. Do you know the oldest Mon
arch in Europe.
d A. No and don't care a d
Il either.
n Q. Can you tell me the name of tn
only woman that wears a crown?
Il A. Now you think you're smart
1t My father didn't send me to schoo
like yourn did, If he did, / might {
/: knowed d---n site more nor wha
J" you do.
l. We merely cite this one case to shoy
e what flimsy excuses some men will IS
6 up for knowing nothing. Here was
man who shifted his responsibility
ID upon his father when the information
~ was thrust under his very nose, and h,
'e was too proud to read it because, fol
ID sooth, it was surrounded by advertise
N ments. Now there is no paper how
,e ever Insignificant it may appear, c
n, however crowded with advertisement
70 but may contain something wort
remembering, if we only take tn
n trouble to search for it. Then rea
your papers. Don't throw them asid
C. because some one advertises in then
he You may miss something worth MOI
t than your whole years subscription
as for truly
''rhere is many rose In the path OF life,
II we would but stop TO take Il
~ And many tone from the better land,
II the querulOus heart would make Il.
r." There is many gem OF rarest worth
Which we pass in idle pleasure;
~ That Is richer than the jeweled crown,
V or the misers boarded treasure
ou 1t is estimated that in $500 of 4
iS 5000 bar-rooms in Philadelphia fr
en er luncheon is provided. The quality
u the food varies according to the loc
~ tion of the bar room, where the sol
\; made of half-pickled beef bone,
IA -, few scraps OF fat and lean meat,
~ 4 !" small measure of potatoes, turnips al
'oa a tomatoes, and two gallons of Schuylk
nn ,on water to the spread consisting of b,
ns ton baked beans, boiled and bak
am, mS' macaroni, broiled reed birds in seasC
o o;a choice breakfast bacon, "and varie
mn n of other dainties that would probat
Wy cost from 40 to 60 cents were the F.,
=" tron to get the same thing in a regu