Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-06
OLD NEWSPAPERS.
The Various Uses to Which They May be
Put.

Put.
Old newspapers are of more use than
would appear at first glance. we
subscribe to the daily newspapers be-
cause we must be informed on all the
affairs of the day. Then many think
the next thing is to relegate them to
the kitchen in order to provide kind
ling for the household fires, and 1t must
be confessed that Bridget makes very
free use of them in that way.
But they serve so many excellent
purposes besides that it seems a pity to
let Bridget have full sway, though she
NAV try to convince you that it is i'm
possible to get the breakfast without
even using those of the very latest date.
1t has been several times suggested
by economists that newspapers can be
made to take the place of blankets in
guarding from cold, and it is fact
we'll worthy of notice that they have
been proved very satisfactory in max
ing light, convenient, and warm bed
coverings when others can not be had.
Travellers would do well to bear this in
mind when far from the region of
HOttlS, anu UoJ liioW paper out
OF the car window, or leave it on their
seat in changing cars, for there is no
telling how useful it may prove in some
emergency to ward off cold. As pre-
ventive of that fatal disease, pneumo-
MIA, folded newspaper laid beneath
the outer clothing across the chest is
said to be infallible.
This has been confirmed to the writer
by the testimony of an individual
whose avocations kept him constantly
exposed to all weathers, night and day.
He was resident of country village,
a perfect type of hearty, strong,
vigorous man, and he accounted for
his robust health, notwithstanding his
exposures, by saying that, although in
heriting consumptive tendencies, he
had been able to resist them through
the simple precaution of always wear
ing a newspaper folded over his chest
under his coat.
As preventive of cold feet, a piece
of newspaper folded in the sole is quite
equal to, if not SO elegant or so ex-
pensive as cork or lamb-skin soles,
being light, soft. and easily renewed:
If you wish to test the power of a
newspaper in excluding cold, try tack
ing one, doubly folded, between your
window and your stand of plants. and
see how nicely they will be protected.
and how frosty the window will con-
seguently be.
Newspapers will in the autumn, be-
fore severe black frosts come on, effect
ually protect greenhouse plants, before
YOU take them up, from cold and wind.
The writer remembers once driving
up about dusk to country place and
being startled at seeing what looked
like platoon of ghosts drawn up in
white array before the house. which
turned out to be, on closer inspection,
rows of tender plants all tied up in
newspapers to protect them from the
sudden frosts incident to the season,
that in one night might cut them all
down. We have known tomato plants
protected in the same way, and made
to ripen in the open garden much
longer by this inexpensive, easy pre-
caution within everyone's reach.
Old newspapers are admirable as
floor coverings under carpets, or even
spread under ksnsington squares. re-
tanning all the dust, which neither re-
mains in the carpet nor sifts through
to the floor; they can be so easily re-
moved that it is great saving to use
them in this way, especially as, the
dust well shaken out. the papers are
equally serviceabie for kindling pur-
poses afterward. so can do double duty
besides the legitimate one of heralding
the news of the day.
Weather strips are now almost uni
yersal, as well as double windows, for
securing warm rooms; but where, as it
is the case in some oid-fashioned couu-
try houses, they are not procurable,
newspapers can supply the deficiency
very well by being cut in long strips,
neatly folded over, and stuffed in the
interstices, and SO most effectually
exclude the cold outer air.
Old newspapers are excellent to
clean windows with. Slightly damped,
then rubbed till clear, they serve the
purpose much better than even linen
cloth. for there is no lint to rub of
Newspapers wrapped around the feet
under the stockings are an etfectual
protection against mosquitoes as, with
all their virulence, they can not bite
through paper.
Old newspapers are faithful mirrors
of the past. As they increase in age
the very advertisements become Gu
rious. Therefore, those who have no
use for the modern newspapers in all
the various ways we have pointed out
must find intellectual profit in storing
them away till the time when some cir
cumstance may drag them forth from
their long-forgotten hiding-places to
claim an interest in human eyes which
perhaps they never had to such an ex-
tent before.
Illustrated papers are very useful in
adorning the walls of rooms, covering
up unsightly wallpaper or obnoxious
holes, the delight of children as well as
their instructors, atfording CLEANS of
cheerfulness and pleasure in else
gloomy apartments. They are of such
infinite variety, too, with their lovely
illustrations of poems, natural history,
and comic sketches. as well as por-
traits of beauties and notabilities, that
they continually educate the public
taste and give the impecunio1s q