The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-30
ITEMS OF INTEREST.

SHoPKBEPERs are threatened with another
kind Of competition-as If among themselves
there were not enough alresdy-says q London
journal. It takes the form of a new develop
ment of the automatic machine, which, IL its
inventors hopes are realized. will require an
enlargement Of Trafalgar square to accommo-
GATE the unemployed licensed victualers, soda
water sellers. coffee house keepers, fruit mer-
chants and confectioners who will find them
selves obliged to join in the chorus Of the
starving poor OF old England" These new
machines are kind of miniature universal pro-
viders. Into the slot Of one you put your cop
pers and receive in return a cup of coffee, choc-
olate, or perhaps Cruel: from another lemonade
or soda water and biscuits; a third dispenses soda
and milk; fourth devotes itself to retailing
bitter ale or Scotch whisky; another sells fruit;
one more doles out sweets, and, lastly, there is
one which hands its customers basin Of hot or
cold water and a clean towel. The system is
OF course, open to indefinite developments and
every business will be liable TO its inrosds A
slight addition TO the mechanism of the clear
water -and-towel department will no doubt add
shaving TO its accomplishments, q gentleman
may in time be able to put his face into the slot
and draw 1t out as smooth as billiard ball.
And n as soon as the supply is exhausted, tho
machine at once can display in its window
card with the word empty" there is no reason
why it should not also be taught 30 whisper, III
thank you," each customer. 4.e
THE peculiar breed of cats found In the Isle
OF Man differs from others only In that they
have no tails, and the lack thereof is the insoI.,
uble puzzle to nsturalists, says the Chicago
Herald. Since 1t has become the fashion to ex-
plain everything by the principles Of evolution,
to the limited range and lack Of dense forests
the original cats had no use for tails and conse-
quently they (the tails, not the cats) gradually
strophied Tor lack OF use, and became rudi.
on all their cats tails, and In course of time
| developed tailless breed. One thing 10 certain
| the cats are there and they have no tails. The
highbred Chinese cat is q splendid proof OF what
| may be done by kindness and culture If you
were to repeat to a well-to-do but I'M
travelled Chinamsn the current saying
| devoid OF affection he would be very much
| astonished. and, IL the owner Of thorough
bred. probably indignant. The Chinese cat
| appears capable OF intense attachment to one
person, and ages OF selection and careful breed
| ing have brought the species up to high
| standard: The Chinese claim that one Of these
clock. In the morning the pupil OF its eye is
| broad band: 1t contracts regularly till noon.
| when 10 is q mere hair line, and expands again
as regularly I'LL night So when Gilman an
| wants 70 know the time Of day he picks up his
| cat and looks. p -
THERE are some delightful prerosatives ilci
dent to the high estate of empress-queen which
| would go far toward reconciling one to being as
stout and short as ia the present very worthy in
| cumbsnt of the English throne, SAYS the New
York Sun. Fancy being able TO command an
| entire opera company to come Co you at your
| home, with all of their paraphernalia, I'm
4 Sb6hu OF nustllbk through your Gunner ana rae
| ing UP elevated stairs, hanging on straps in
| street cars, spelling your temper and your best
gloves all to get to your seat In the close and
! crowded theater before the first act Ia over The
/ queen mapifests an increasing interest in this
| form of diversion, and although the year of
| mourning for the Duke of Clarence has not
| yet passed. Nile. de Lussan has been sum
moned twice to appear before her majesty the
| last time In the title role OF Carmen" Nearly
| 6, 900 were spent In the preliminary prepara-
| ton of the Waterloo chamber for the perform
| bringing down the company and special scenery
and large contingent of royalty was on hand
| in brilliant dress and handsome jewels. TO give
| the popular American prima donna the stimulus
| of spprecietive applause. The queen came in
| dressed in black, leaning lightly on her ebony
| staff. and apparently in the best Of spirits
| She applauded frequently, tapping her fan ON
the gilt tsble In front OF her chair and when the
] performance was over she presented Miss de
Lussan with diamond pin and most cordial
| congratulations on her success and talent.
A MAN charged with begging once declared
| that he had not been in bed for thirteen years:
| that he took his rest in doorwsys and passages
/ This 10 not a bad record says Cdsselrs Journal
/ but many OF the homeless class could probably
only in England. but all over the world-to
l whom such luxury az a bed 10 unknown; IN
fortunates obliged to lay their heads in the
oldest places Imaginable to prevent their being
l rudely swek ened by the police. sad ne err
do-well told the writer that this was his princi-
pal thought for more days than he could count:
Where should he sleep that night! And he has
theory that but for having this object CON
stantly in view a. he trampsd over
the monotonous pavements Of Lon
don he must hay. Ioss his reason He
| thought Of some Of his experiences at dosing
out" Even he, however. never slept in q stream,
l which was what some thirty persons Of both
sexes did 1t Buda-Pesth a few years back. The
1 water. which was warm, flowed from a mill,
| snd the Migrants got into it and converted a
number OF stones into temporary pillows Even
people with homes could tell some strange
stories on this head. OF course in some cohn-
tries beds are unknown. The Japanese, for ex.
| ample, sleep on the floor, mufhed in q great
wadded coat and with block of wood for a
juss talk to the jewellers in the sluns on the
subject. Why, going to bed there during the
summer months is positively inviting
min. and consequently those who live in
them ind it more comfortable to sleep any-
where rather than in the proper place-even on
hotel remarked . few months ago that visitors"
never went to bed. His servants are often
asked 70 provide breakfast at 8 to 4 o'clock
a. m. Certainly the streets Of Douglas are
pretty lively any time during the season A
gentleman Is fond of relating that one night a
! select party settled not far from his bedroom
window and created the most discordsnt din
rience for about five hours. and then, dressin z
e4possua.sd. saying he s' wanted amt @ soaas
| b6Sp. Olecp! tOGCou Ouc OF Cno RanR, dow
ing terrific blast on a toy trumpet Then
what did you come to the Isle of Man fors''
They say at Blackpool too. that II you arrive at
| any hour of the day or night you are lust in
time for something or other. The story goes
that early one morning dance was In progress
| on one OF the piers when a shipwrecked sailor,
who had been drifting about on spar and had
| fortunately landed" on the Orders below.
| crawled up the steps. The N. c. came forward
| they are never surprised ct Blackpool-s smiled
bowed. and said: PLEASED TO see you. sir. Can
| find Won a mariner. -"