The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-04-16
THE COFFEE MACHINE.

did you think of it, dear?' nv wife
asked me one morning over the break
fast table, fathers birthday is day
after tomorrow. What present are we
to give him this year? Have you made
up your mind?"
l was deeply interested in my paper,
reading the report of our latest cause
celebre, murder trial, and not paying
any attention to her remarks, 1 an
swered Extraordinarily:
+ "Ten years states prison."
"W-h-a-t?" a startled expression com
ing into her eyes. Drop that non
sense" she retorted, hotly, land give
me sensible answer if you can"
l 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 well enough
that couldn't have meant the words in
good earnest. / was so very deeply en-
crossed in the district attorneys adj
dress to the jury that l became some
what confused. Overlook it, and be
friends! But to the point. What are
we to give the old gentleman? A nice
pocketbook"'
would that not be like throwing out
an indelicate hint?" she replied, some
what pacified.
Him. I don't know! Well. then,
how about a morning cap of red, white
and black, with large tassel?"
''He has one"
''Or comfortable house coat?"
mo, no! l tell you what; self
actor machine!' she exclaimed tri-
umphantly, ''just the thing"
"a what?" l queried, shaking my head
incredulously. Heaven defend us!
What kind of a thing did you say? and
what in the world is he to do with it?''
You know, dear"-Anna was all ex-
citement now-'how fond father is of
good coffee. How he scolds the cook
for not making the beverage to his
liking (what does she know about MAX
ing coffee, anyway. Not long since
i saw in Mrs. Faber's house a newly in
vented Observation-Disclosures coffee and
tea machine. l tell you that is exactly
what father wants."
80 that is it. A coffee machine. l
Thought it was sewing machine or
some such thing. What did you call it?
A characterization and so forth
machine? What monstrous name!
How dreadful"
But practical, nspeakably practi-
cal, tell you. You pour the water into
the boiler, and then some coffee into
a 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 boilers
weight diminishes as the water lessons.
The latter therefore raises itself
tritie, thus releasing Il spring attached
to the cover of the alcohol lamp, which
falls upon the lamp and eXtinguishes
the flame. Do you understand?
Not the least Bit" was my energetic
response. But my wife went On as
though it mattered little whether |
understood or whether l did not under
stand.
And as soon as the boiler has cooled
OIL, the beverage in the bowl, as the re-
suit of the pressure of the outer air-do
you understand, now?"
mol" l exclaimed more energetical-
ly than before, but with the self-same
result; for my better half kept on just
as if L had replied yes" instead of
moi"
"As the result of the pressure of the
outer air the now ready coffee runs by
means of a sieve and the identical tube
back into the boiler. Then you can
empty it into cups at your conven-
ience," she concluded deliberately. II
find that a wonderfully simple process"
Eyes, surprisingly simple, my DEAR"
j said doubtingly. "See here, wiley, /
think / shall have to take another
course in physiology and technology
before would be equal to comprehend
ing The raising of the tube by air press
are aud the dropping of the lamp cover