Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-03
The Supply Of Explosives Comprises
New and Novel Designs.
ALL READY FOR TEE GLORIOUSFOURTH
American Product, With Few Ex-
ceptions, ExceIs All Others.
FEATURES OF THE EXHIBIT

where the first thing which struck the eye
upon entering was sign, with the words:
Positively No Smoking Allowed" Every
thing was hustle and confusion in the
store. People were purchasing all sorts OF
queer-shaped bundles and packages, done
up in colored papers.
1t was Fourth Of July headquarters. a
store where material is sold to help per-
petuate the spirit of independence in the
minds of Americans, young and old. Fire
works of all descriptions were being dis
posed of in large quantities. to be held in
readiness for Monday night.
AS soon as the proprietor Of the place
could find time he showed the reporter the
novelties in the fireworks line on sale this
season.
I'VE have been rushed lately as never
before" he said. Whether the people are
becoming more patriotic or fireworks more
popular dent pretend to say, but We are
selling more than ever
He then picked up what at first looked
like internal machine of some sort.
He explained that it was bunch of .Wo
Chinese crackers, SO arranged that they
will go oft lin bunch They retail for
dollar bunch, and are warranted to make
as much noise as a battery of twenty
Founders
His Satanic Majesty.
Devil among tailorS' was the name
given to arother piece of fireworks. This
is sort of mine. which explodes in the
air, throwing out number of hfe-Iike
figures, one larger than the others, sup
posed to represent the ruler of the Internal
regions The effect produced by this Is
said to be startling.
japanese day fireworks are shells which,
when thrown in the air. explode ard throw
off American flags, balloons and other OBJ
Jects. They are comparatively new, and re-
tail for from fifty to seventy-five cents
apiece. They are said to be wonderful adj
dltions to the fireworks line.
Floral bombshells" make beautiful sights
at night, dropping sparks in the shape of
flowers. They bring from seventy-five cents
to dollar and a half each.
One of the most expensive pieces shown,
and one which the proprietor said was the
NEST beautiful, was a gigantic rocket.
weighing eight pounds. 1t ascends in the
air as high as, or higher than, the Wash
ington monument A stream of sparks like
the tail of comet is thrown out behind.
and when an explosion takes place balloons
and golden chains are revealed.
Buzz saws, which can be purchased for
ten cents apiece, are entirely new this sea-
son. They are formed of two wheels which
when the attached fuse is lighted revolye
In opposite directions, the sparks reseIn-
bling the Jagged edges of two saws in rapid
motion.
Up-tO-Dnte Crackers.
"Up-to-date cannon crackers are guar
anteed to catch the fancy of every young
ster who is delighted with fireworks. They
are warranted to make more noise to the
square inch than any other known ex-
plcsive, and can be heard for miles. They
are foot oc more in length, and are sold
Tor quarter apiece. All sorts of fire.
crackers, by the way, are more popular
than anything else. so the fireworks man
icta har
none but crackers manufactured by the
chinese were used, as other nations did
not KNOW now to make them. Now how
ever, the best, the kind calculated to shat
ter ear tympanums with greatest ease are
made exclusively in America.
oLNer maple trees are a novelty this
year. When touched off they emit showers
OF sparks in the shape of the tree whose
name they bear. Brazilian jugglers'' is the
title of fanciful figures which rush about in
the air. "
..Aerolites" which produce handsome fire
effects are rather expensive retailing for
a dollar apiece. but they bring the price
readily after they have once been seen.
Sancissons' throw UP showers of varie-
gated sparks, and make enough noise to
rouse enthusiasm in young America. They
retail for dollar and a quarter apiece.
while star mfnes,' which explode and
throw out many stars of all colors bring a
dollar "Rosette Wheels" which are what
their names imply bring half as much
Flower Pots Still Popular.
"Flower pots are made of more designs
now than formerly, and still retain their
popularity. They retail from twenty-five
cents apiece up. Devil chasers," pin
wheels and torpedoes are manufactured in
more shapes and designs than ever, and
attached to strings, the head part divided
into two sections, between which cans are
placed and exploded by being dropped on
ground or pavement, are very attractive to
the children.
Me sellee more a million clackers and
f1leewoks this plast week." was the greet
ing which Chinese gave the reporter to-
DAY when seen at mis- shop. The tired lock
which he wore and the feeling which he
expressed were caused, he said by selling
fireworks Monday, Tuesday and Wednes-
day. Hip Ching Long imports all of his
Fourth of July stuff directly from Canton,
China, and sells at both wholesale and re-
tall. He took in several hundred dollars
this week from the fireworks. how MANY
he would not say, but he must have felt
satisfied, for he rubbed his hands gleefully
Long sells novelties which are not made
In this country. Chief among them are
little paSteboard painted objects, represent
ing birds and fish. They are placed on wa
ter and a match attached to a fuse in the
rear. Immediately the fish begin to swim
on the water and the birds to float. as
and delight the old folk well as the chill |
dIen. They are very cheap, selling for only |
two and three cents apiece.
Bamboo u Chief Material.
Bamboo is one Of the chief materials
used in the manufacture of Chinese fire.
works. A Roman candle which the slant
eyed merchant showed the reporter was
made Of a bamboo tube, wrapped in gilt |
paper, on which Chinese characters were
Inscribed. 1t shot nine stars of various col
ors. and the price was five cents. |
Skyrockets. which, by the way, Long |
called ''lockets," had the stick part Of bam-
boo, long and slender. These. he ex-
planned, would go straight up in the air a |
very long distance. bomb which he ex-
hibited and declared would make a terrific |
noise was rectangular shaped, wrapped
around with bamboo strips. Flower pots |
and devil chasers" also had bamboo about /
them. rs.
Long exhibited little punches of crackers
which looked like lamplighters formed of |
red and green paper. These were to be |
held in the fingers. and lighted, when they |
gave out a suffering. cracking red fire. |
They are harmless and cheap, costing two /
or three cents q bunch.
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