Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-12-12
QUEER USES FOR ELECTRICITY.
Rich Men Employ 1t to Serve Them in
Everything They Do.

Electricity dominates invention now
adays. A steady stream of new ideas
relating to the mysterious fluid is
pouring into the patent office. Yet
this branch of research is only in its
infancy. Before long, if progress con-
linues at its present rate, the work of
the world will be mainly done b. cleo
trical apparatus.
Already electricity contributes enor-
mously to the luxury of the rich The
household establishment of GORGEOUS
Midas is fairly run by harncssed light
ming. Tie walls of the dwelling are
threaded with maze of hidden wires,
the currents are distributed over it, be-
ing controlled by switches and auto
matte regulators. complete electric
plant in the basement furnishes lights
and runs an elevator which has no at
tendant. being perfectly controlled by
pushbuttons.
On waking in the morning Mr..
Midas summons his valet by a push
button and presently is notified that
Mo DttbI iNody' Ilio tlDluIIOlo oil
accompanied by a mild scrub with an
electric brush, which produces a pleas
ant tingling sensation and is health
full for the skin. Emerging from the
tub, he rubs himself to glow with an
electric towel, which is woven on a
loose web of very fine fires. so as to
be perfectly flexible. Towel and
brush are connected with small
storage battery, and the current may
be made as gentle as desired. This
also applies TO a comb that hangs by
the shaving glass. Nobody has yet in
vented an electrical razor, but that will
come in time.
Mr.. Midas uses an electric tooth
brush for the benefit Of his gums, and
then, feeling fit for a little exercise,
he devotes five minutes to handling a
pair of light dumb-bells. These also
are electrical and give a series of mild
shocks to the person employing them.
The gentleman is now ready for his
breakfast. His coffee is drunk out of
cup of precious metal which is read
lily attacked to little battery beneath
the table by hooking it to the end of a
fine wire. In his lett hand he holds a
small electrode that terminates an
other wire. The act of drinking
closes the circuit and the liquid con-
veys the electricity to the alimentary
canal and stomach. This is not only
excellent for digestion, but it renders
n,,;l I,Jy
the cup, because the electricity stimu-
lates the organs of taste.
Having finished breakfast and read
the morning paper, Mr.. Midas takes
his hat and cane and starts down town
for his office. The stick has a mas
sive gold head and would be a prize
for sneak thief but it rcposcs safely
in the hall rack, which has an alarm
attachment so as to give instant no
tiCe in case coat or anything else on
it is removed. The cane referred to is
itself electrical, sending pleasant
thrills through the body of the user.
Mr.. Midas wife, who is musically in
clincd, spends most of the morning III
playing on piano which is so CON
trved that she receives Il series of
shocks while manipulating the keys,
thus undergoing a treatment for rheu-
matism incidentally to the perform
ance Upstairs the children are play
ing with dolls that are made to dance
by electricity.
All this might be considered rather
far-fetched were it not that patents
have been taken out for every one of
the devices described
Mr.. Midas occasionally has an en-
gagement at his club that keeps him
out late. He may decide to have his
shoes shined. He drops a nickel into
a slot, sits down in a chair and puts
his feet upon two supports provided
for the purpose. An electric motor
aCtuates the brushes-tirst a brush
that carries backing supplied from
reservoir, and then polishing brushes.
On his way home several hours later,
the night being very dark, Mr.. Midas
wishes to know the time. His watch
is provided with a very small cleo
lllc-llSul DulD. III MS OlHeI WdlSlCudC
pocket, connected with the watch by
chain which serves as a conducting
wire, is little battery. An instant's
pressure upon charm that is at
tached to the chain closes the circuit,
ignites the lamp and Eliminates the
dial.
When Mr., Midas reaches home he
has no trouble in finding the keyhole.
He pushes a button and an electric
light shines through a round hole in
the door, Illuminating the keyhole.
AS he enters the house all is silent.
The only noise he hears as he passes
his wife's room is that of the baby's
cradle, which is being rocked by cleo
trnitv. He retires to rest and dreams
that he is shipwrecked on desert is
land where savages amuse themselves
by tattooing him with every improper
pictures so that he will never again
he able TO appear in civilized society.