The morning times., 1896-03-08

silk button. about the size OF quarter,
upon the top OF the showcase. AT one
side of the circular object a triangular
shaped red spot OF the silk contained
a white star with five points. Running
from out the red corner We're parallel
stripes of alternate white and blue extend
ing across the button. To one at all IA
miliar with il, il was at once recognizable
as the Cuban button.
1t is needless for me 10 add con-
tinued the dealer, that this button is not
at present i'll any special demand in Spain.
But there is u wonderful call for il here.
This is the last one have out of SEQ, but
am now preparing for the Manufacture Of
more as rapidly as possible"
well, it is partially a fad, but 1
think there is also lot of real, patriotic
liberty-loving sympathy in it frem the
way some people talk when they come 10
purchase the buttons Only day or two
ago one gentleman bought five of them,
one for himself, and one apiece Tor each
OF his four boys, he said
Then in seemingly endless array began
to come buttons before the reporters
eyes. Big buttons, little buttons, buttons
of gold silver. cloth or CeIluIOid and buttons
Of stone and wood. Some were shapely;
others were not Some said on their faces
many things, others said nothing except
10 the initiated. All, however. had pur-
pose TO subserve and the dealer kept al
because he was in the button business.
Here is a very familiar button" said
he, as he threw down one of the little
discs with the letters &C. E" placed on
the center in the shape OF a monogram.
THAT Is, as you readily see. one of the
Christian Endeavor buttons. I say one
OF them, for there are at lea st score and
half of different buttons all in use by the
members OF the society.
DESIGNS ARE PATENTED.
Every one of the designs is patented,
and understand the general society reaps
i handsome revenue from the royalties
paid by manufacturers for the privilege OF
making the buttons. None of them are made
I'D tins city,
Here is the button OF the Travellers
Protective a SSoCiation. You Will note that
it is not an uncommon design. however,
The members of the organization are all
travelling men of some kind, drUmmerS
and agents Each one of these buttons is
stamped with = certain number on the
back Of the button are directions that in
case the wcarer is killed in an accident
the finder OF his body VIII send the button
10 the lodge that is mentioned on the
button.
1T is an insignificant club, indeed. that
has not Il button for its members. Every
bicycle club has one, every boat club. in fact,
all athletic societies. An of the clubs have
dies that they leave with their dealers, so
there is comparatively little expense for
them when they wish new batch OF the
emhlems."
Some of the buttons seen on the coats OF
men have mystic meanings that the aver
age pedestrian knows not of as he passes.
y not uncommon emblem is a little dark
blue button with q golden monkey inlaid in
the center of the dark enamel. The club
has a name in keeping with the emblem,
and iscompoSCd entirely unmarried young
men. But that is not all outside the intia-
tion fee that it costs to get into the order.
The applicant for membership must prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that he is not
in love. Just how he shows that Cupid has
not been humping at his heart is one OF the
secrets of the order.
THE SUICIDE BUTTON.
There is another button that is seen on
rare occasions This is bright red in color,
with a white line running like a thread
across the surface and cutting the middle
Careful inspection will show that the line
parts right at the center, however. The
button cannot be had at any dealers. Be
cause of the InySteriOuSnesS ALWAYS borne