Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-12-06
CHEAP SPONGES.
WA&EN Those Sold by the Street
Fakirs Are Procured.


Sponges sold by the street fakir are
rather captivating in appearance, large
and almost white, and the price ranges
from to 10 cents each. People who
have bought sponges at drug store
know that no such looking articles can
be got there for so little money, and so
they invest. But they don't invest
more than once, because the sponge
soon falls to pieces, whereas a good
sponge will last for years.
Somebody started a story years ago
that the reason the fakirs could sell
these sponges so cheaply was because
they bought them from the hospitals,
and there are some people who still be-
nevs II. As II men devoting all their
energies and skill to ameliorating the
Ills Of mankind would spread disease
BY distributing old and possibly germ
infected sponges. AS matter of fact
surgeons sponges are small and
smooth as velvet, being close grained.
The fakirs' sponges are the clippings
OF the big sponges soId to liverymen
and others who need large sponges.
The parts cut away have little body
and would soon tear loose. The fakirs
buy these bits. trim them into shape
and then give them bath in diluted
muriadc acid. After lying there for II
hours they are taken out and washed
In clear water and dried. They are
bleached. In other words, but at still
further detriment to the sponge. New
er Of close texture. the mesh is made
more rotten by the acid, and that is
why they soon fall apart. But so far
as disease Is concerned they are as
pure as any sponge bought in the finest
drug store.-Chicago Tribune.
Love made IN germany.
Elopements are never heard of in Ger
many, and yet there is no such thing as
getting married there without the consent
Of the parents. Certain prescribed forms
must be gone through, or the marriage is
null and void. When a girl has arrived
mt what IL considered marriageable age,
her parents make a point of inviting
young men to the house, and usually two
or three are invited at the same time, so
that the attention may not seem too
pointed.
No young man, however, is ever invit-
Cd TO the house until after he has called
at least once and thus signifed his wish
to have social intercourse with the fami-
ly. IL he takes to calling on several oc-
casions in rather close succession 1t is
taken for granted that he has "inten-
tons" and he may be questioned con-
corning them.
In Germany the man must be at least
10 yaaEs old before he can make a pro-
posAl. but when It Is made and accepted
the proposal il speedily followed by the
betrothal, This generally takes place
privately. shortly after which the father
Of ths bride. az she Is then called, gives
a dinner or supper to the most intimate
friends on both sides, when the fact is
declared and. naturally, afterward be-
asnss Q matter Of public knowledge.
where the DimcuIty Lies.
'Can O fat man wear shirt waistT'
asked the seeker after information.
WELL" replied the haberdasher
thoushtfully, there is a good deal to be
considered in that connection. You see.
q shirt waist is worn without suspend
srs."
"wenr"
"And the trousera have to be kept up
without belt"
hWeHT"
"Well. in view Of the circumstances, !
should say that fat man might wear
shirt waist, but it would hardly be poll
ey fog him to do it."-Chicago Post.