The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-04
ITEMS OF INTEREST.


"A man was tried in Skowhegan, Me,
the other day, for stealing two bushels of
onions. The counsel for. the defense held
that as the testimony showed that the
onions were taken from the ground they
were part of the real estate. and, as real
estate cannot be stolen, he would ask for
the discharge of the prisoner; and he went
free.
They honor centenarians in a remark
able way in France, SAYS the New York
World. At Olivet the other day, when NJ
Michaut, the town hall librarian, COM
pleted his hundredth year, the event was
made the occasion OF a village festival.
They carried the old man to the town hail,
breWed up a rum punch for him, compli-
mented him in set speeches and had the
village poet read some enthusiastic STAN
zas about him. Children presented him
with flowers, and in the evening there was
a banquet in his honor, with a torchlight
procession later. Michaut's wife died
twenty-five years ago, and he is now
taken care of by two elderly women, who
are said to watch over him with sisterly
solicitude.
"A wall decoration which consists prac-
tically Of sheets or rolls of zinc with the
surface prepared by new process so as
to exactly resemble marble has been
brought out by an English inventor. The
most beautiful varieties of marble are
initiated in such manner that it is al
most impossible to detect the imposture.
The zinc is attached to the wall by
new cement, and its surface is enameled
so as to render it permanent, washable,
cts. Tiles or any other form of mural
covering can be as well initiated as mar
BILE, and the material is made in a great
variety of patterns. The manufacturers
claim for this decorative material that,
while as permanent as tiles or marble
it is much cheaper, and can be as easily
fixed as ordinary wall paper 1t can. be
applied, too, to any surface, whether fit,
broken or round and any beading, etc.
can be embossed on the metal to complete
design or panel.
The time-honored scheme of rolling up
piece of paper and using it for a lighter
has been utilized by an inventor in the
manufacture of matches says the English
National Druggist. The invention prom
ises to revomtionize European match man.
ufacturing, and perfectly timely. because
the wood for this purpose is constantly
growing Scarcer and more costly. The new
matches are considerably cheaper than
wooden matches and weigh much leSs-a
fact which counts for much in the expor-
tation The sticks of these matches con-
The paper is ather strong and porous and
when immersed in a solution of wax, ster-
in and similar substances will easily stick
together and burn with a bright smoke
less and odorless flame. Strips one inch
in width are first drawn through the com
bustible mass spoken of above, and then
turned by machinery into long, thin tubes
pieces of the ordinary length of wood or
wax matches being cut off automatically
by the machine When the sticks are cut
to size they are dipped into the phospho-
rus mass, also by the machine, and the
dried head easily ignites by friction on any
surface.
w. r. Taylor writes to the London In
vention to call attention to the use of
carbonic acid gas for extinguishing fires
on ships. His plan is as follows: CYL
inders containing the liquid carbonic acid
gas are to be placed in horizontal posi-
tons at the highest points in the hold of
a ship where goods are stored to the
lever valve of the gas cylinders a wiPe
rope with a large ring at he end is at
tached, and the end CT the rope car
ried to suitable part of the ship, where
it is easy of access. In the hold of the
ship a thermometer is hung. Should a
fire take place the quicksilver would rise
and make an electric contact which
would ring a bell and call the attention
of fire. He would the pull the wire
ropes, which would open the valves and
let out the liquid, which would expand
to its original form of gas and extin-
guish the fire without injuring the goods
in any way whatever. In addition to
this arrangement the cylinders containing
the liquid gas could be strapped under
the seats on deck, connected with fixed
iron pipe passing through the deck to the
hold, and the gas passed through when a
fire takes place.
"A very curious use for dogs is noted by
NJ Edward Renoir, in an account he lately
gave on the subject, says the Age of Steel
He says that dogs are largely employed
| in the cutlery works of Theirs, France.
Each grinder, man or woman, takes in win
ter dog to the grinding room, and the
four-footed beast stretches himself out
upon the back of his master or mistress
for no other earthly purpose than to keep
them warm. Instead of occupying an up
right or sitting position at their work, the
the grinders, both male and female, have
to lie fiat upon their stomachs on planks
placed horizontally on a SCaffolding, which
rises above the grindstones Sheepskins
are thrown over the planks to relieve the
hardness of the wood, and the head and
shoulders of the operators project over
the ends OF the planks, while their arms
grindstone. These latter are kept in con-
tinual motion by the betting, driven by wa
ter power. The grinder, extending his
length on the planks, becomes very soon
enfeebled, and cold would have very in
furious effect upon him, he whistles for
the dog, which Immediately springs upon
the bench, and lays himself upon the ex-
tended legs of his master, covering him
as much as possible and supplying him
with a much needed warmth. Verify, these
canine friends have great claims on our
gratitude.
The Presidents new home at Prince
ton, N, j., is of colonial architecture, says
the New York Tribune. 1t is surrounded
by pines and elms, with spacious lawns
and neatly trimmed walks and driveways
1t is pretty, but not extensive. Its dimen-
sions are 50x50 feet, with an 81" about z5x
25 feet. Its interior is divided into fifteen
rooms, with wide hallway running
through the center. 1t is two and a half
stories in hight. with a well-fnished base
ment. 1t is built of brick and stone, with
cream colored stucco finish. Dark brown
trimmings give a tasteful aspect to the
building, and the green blinds in the al
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