Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-06-17
THE CoFFEEPoT.

THE COFFEEPOT.
"Did you think of it, dear?' my wit
asked me one morning over the break
fast table. Fathers birthday is da
after tomorrow. What present are we
give him this year? Have you made a
your mind?"
I was deeply interested in my paper
reading the report Of our latest caus
celebre, murder trial, and not payins
any attention to her remarks. I answer
ed absentmindedly:
"Ten years states prison"
"W-h-a-t?'' startled expression com
: ing into her eyes. drop that non.
sense" " she retorted hotly, "and give
me sensible answer if you CAM
, I put the paper away and looked up,
noticing for the first time that she was
in temper and remembering the fool
ish remark had made.
. Pardon me, darling,'' I begged re-
: morsefully. "You know we'll enough
that couldn't have meant the words in
good earnest. 1 was SO very deeply en-
crossed in the district attorneys address
to the jury that became somewhat con-
fused. Overlook it and be friends. But
to the point. What are we to give the
old gentleman? A nice pocketbook?''
| RI fI,ofv 1,o
an indelicate hint?" she replied, some
what pacified
"H'm! don't know. Well, then.
how about morning cap cf red, white
and black, with large tassel?'
"He has one''
Or comfortable house coat?''
mo, no! I tell you what, self actor
machine, :" she exclaimed triumphant
ly; "just the thing!''
! "A what?" I queried, shaking my
head incredulously. Heaven defend us!
| What kind of thing did you say? And
what in the world is he to do with it?'
You know, dear'-Anna was all
excitement now-''hcw fond father is of
good coffee; how he scolds the cock for
not making the beverage to his liking.
What does she know about making cof-
fee anyway? Not long since 1 saw in
Mrs. Faber's house newly invented
self actor extraction coffee and tea ma
chine. tell you that is exactly what
father wants. "
$50 that is it! A coffee machine! I |
thought it was a sewing machine or |
some such thing. What did you call it? |
A self actor extraction and so forth ma
chine? What a monstrcus name! How
dreadful!'
But practical, unspeakably prac-
t1cal, tell you. You pour the water
into the boiler and then some coffee
into little bowl above. Then you light
the alcohol beneath. The heated water
Is by means Of glass tube led from the
boiler into the bowl. The boiler 8 weight
dlminishes as the water lessons. The
latter therefore raises itself trifle,
thus releasing a spring attached to the
cover of the alcohol lamp, which falls
upon the lamp and extinguishes the
name. Do you underestimate
Not the least bit!'' was nv ener-
getlc response. But my wife went on as
though it mattered little whether 1 un-
oerstood or whether I did lot under
stand:
And as soon as the boiler has cooled
on the beverage i'll the bowl, as the re-
suit OF the pressure Of the outer air-do
you understand, now?''
'No!' l exclaimed more energetical-
y than before, but with the selfsame
result, for my better half kept on Just
IS if had replied eyes, instead of
''Nor
"As the result of the pressure of the 6
outer air the now ready coffee runs by
means OF sieve and the Identical tube
pack into the boiler below. Then you 9
san empty 1t into cups at your conven-
ence, /" she concluded deliberately. 9"
md that wonderfully simple proce- '
lure.'' K
Yes, surprisingly simple, my DEAR" :
, sa1o doutFlngly. See here, wifey, I q
hlnk l shall have to take another
curse Ill physiology and technology be- 81
ore would be equal to comprehending y
ne raising OF the tube by air pressure u
no the dropping of the lamp cover as q
ne result Of the escape of heated water n
md you really intend giving such a "a
Ehat do you call it machine as a pres-
MT to your father? I am quite sure I "
on t care, but bet your father will be :,
simply because he will not a. q,
able to make head or tail of SO com :"
llcated thing
You have always fault to find with r
~ propositions, " she pouted sensitive :.
2. Always But take the bet. What II II
1t to be fora kiss?" u
"A kiss! AS though an everyday af. :"
slr ike that We're an object for a wa ~ ~
err it
My wife laid the index finger Of her
ght hand on to her little nose, her IA a.
orlte attitude when in a reflective 80 ..
ood. In
~The other day." she said, 81 noticed :,
splendid brooch in S. s show window. IN
lst the thing M
'And I a rocking chair at F. g. such ol
| always longed to possess, - added.
1t is bargain. Rocking chair against p
oech! Ii your what do you call it ma Id
'lne does its duty, you will get your
'ooch; it not, you are bound to buv ma do
q chair. Shake on itp' tai
All right" my wife acquiesced in a ed
lumphant tone. on
She really purchased the extrac+;o,, CHI
achlne, which, to Judge from appear
ces, was pretty, neat and brightly wi
llshed little affair. The birthday ar. Fa
1ed' and we solemnly assembled in her Of
Iher $ house and handed kim the pres fill
:, put he looked rather surprised. is
well, wellP' he exclaimed. "Just Isl
* at thisl A filtering machine. Did ag'
ever! l must confess like the ;dea Of
our city water is not very clear. and
supply is poor. It may come in hal
ndy.'' o' - the
What are you talking about. INV mo
Y father?' my Anna interrupted er. An
edly and in an almost angry tone the
on DO not really mean to say that Won ma