davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The silver star., 1900-04-20
SCIENTIFIC TOPICS
CURRENT NOTES OF DISCOVERY
AND INVENTION.
Rapid Ice, Cream Frsessr-Piatlnun
Eisctrods Arc LAnps-rhe Heat Of
stars-rhs Accuracy OF Modera Ia
strumsnts Il Used IL Ascsrtaining Il.
Tn. u... of STAR.

Some scientific measurements of the
heat Of stars In recent years. while
giving somewhat unsatisfactory results
as regards the direct purpose Of the
tests. have shown the exceeding deli
cacy of the instruments now en-
ployed for indicating heat effects.
Prof. Boys describes his attempts to
detect heat radiations from the stars
by means OF an exceedingly delicate
radiometer. used in conjunction with
a sixteen-inch rejecting telescope. In
spite of the fact that his apparatus
was sensitive enough to show the heat
equivalent to that of candle LII
miles away. no effect whatever could
be obtained from Venus. Jupiter. Sat-
urn. Mars, Arcturus, Capella, Vega or
any of the numerous bright stars said
to have been obtained many years ago
by Huggins and Stone with compare
lively insensitive apparatus. Further
investigations were undertaken by
Prof. Nichols at the Yerkes Observa-
tory. Wisconsin. The tests were made
with an improved radiometer of re-
markable sensitiveness. The radio
meter. stably mounted on a heavy
pier in the heliostat room Of
the observatory. was effectively
shielded from air currents and
other sources OF disturbances. The in
system formed Of two mica discs. each
two millimeters in diameter, blackened
on the face and supported on light
cross arm on either side of thin
glass staff. hung by an extremely fine
quartz fiber in a partial vacuum. Both
vanes were exposed to the radiation
of the sky, at the focus of silvered
aperture and eight feet focus. Rays
from the star were reflected into
the concave mirror by means of side
rostat having large, plane mirror OF
silvered glass. The rays entered the
radiometer through a fuorite window.
With this apparatus a detection of OIL
millimeters would be given by candle
thirteen miles away. Prof. Nichols
radiometer is five times as sensitive as
that used by Prof. Boys. and the area
of his telescope mirror is "a times
that of the mirror used by Boys.
seven determinations oil the neat varl-
ations Of Arcturus gave a mean de-
Election of 0.60 milimeters. Vega was
also observed on seven nights. and
gave mean detection of OPT milli-
meters. The results appear to be
trustworthy, and establish the fact
that the heat of some stars may be de-
termined with fair approach to ac-
n1&l
ror exist. the actual value of which has
not yet been established. The test.
however, may reasonably be consid-
cred to show that we do not receive
from Arcturus more heat than would
reach us from a candle at distance
of five or six miles. no account being
taken in the latter case Of atmosphere
absorption.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Flreproof Cloth.

In order to prevent the rapid spread
of flames in theaters and places OF
residence some attempt has been made
to substitute draperies of asbestos for
those usually employed as curtains and
decorations. The weight and cost of
that material. however. to say moth
ing of other objections, have inter-
fered with its use for this purpose.
And wish has long been entertained
for method of rendering ordinary
materials fireproof that shall be SIM
pie and inexpensive. thus making pos
sible the retention of the silk. woolen
and cotton fabrics now in favor. Such
process is now reported from Ger
many. The exact nature OF the chemi-
calls utilized in this operation Is not
made known, but the American consul
at Freiburg sends to Washington a re-
port on the subject. Samples Of the
preparation having been procured, the
consul tried few experiments. Cloth
that had been treated with the fluid
in question and dried was thrust into
a candle flame. The result was that
the goods were charred. but they did
not take fire. Kerosene was then
poured on a piece OF material that had
been dipped in the preparation. When
match was applied to 1t the oil would
burn. but not the cloth. A bit OF wood
wrapped in cloth that had been treated
with the preparation was protected
from fire when placed on the Goals OF
furnace. When bunting or lace cur
tains have been impregnated with the
fluid and dried an addition Of less than
per cent of the weight can be de-
tected. The increase cost amounts to
about cents a square yard when work
Is done on small scale and less when
operations are conducted on a whole
sale plan. The strength and color OF
fabric are said to be absolutely un-
touched by the process.-Memphis
Scimitar.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
THE ORANGE FREE STATE.
The Education OF Its Children One of
It's Primary Concerns.

The Orange Free State. which is now
invaded by the British. expends about
s150.000 annually on roads, 100000 on
bridges. and large sums for so small a
country, on public buildings. In fact
nearly one-third of the entire revenue
ofsthe state is absorbed by educational
grants and public works. This would
be a very fine showing for countries
outside of Africa. The government of
this Boer state is very careful about
the education of the children of the
land. For this purpose a permanent
fund of 100000 is set aside. The ed
ucational department is a very thor
ough one. This department is under
a superintendent, who has under him
a corps of inspectors and sub-inspec-
tors. There are about So government
schools, with staff or $50 teachers.
These schools are exclusive of private
and non-aided schools, such as those
which are maintained by the Catho-
lies, the Anglicans, and other religious
denominations. The great majority of
the citizens of the Orange Free State
are. from the circumstances of their
Dutch origin. members of the Dutch
Reformed church. This is the estab-
lished church of the land. There is a
congregation in nearly every little viii
lage Of the country. The government
annually contributes about $4,000 to
the support Of this religious sect. 1t
is paid into the church synod. to be
used as that body deems fit. This
synod meets every other year, in the
month of May, at Bloemfontein, the
capital. 1t is composed OF the pas
tor and lay member Of each congre-
CATION. The following denominations
also have churches In the Orange
Free State: The Episcopalians, Luth-
Grams, Catholics. Methodists, Baptists,
and Presbyterians. The Orange Free
State has sort OF Maine liquor law.
It was passed in 1883. This statute alb
solutely fOrbids the sale OF alcoholic
stimulants Of any kind to the tribes
men and to people OF color generally.
1t pevents Its sale to any one except in
towns. There is no license granted
for the sale of drink outside Of munich
palities.
The silver star., 1900-04-20

with bundles containing gifts. her
heart futtering like that Of happy
girl. Susan-in her fresh gown-was
in the other car. destined for James.
her lap heaped with presents. her
heart dancing like an accepted lovers.
The cars started by the watch, spit
blue fire from the furious wheels and
green fire from the frantic trolleys.
and made the run in fifty-eight and
fifty-nine minutes. respectively. pass
ing each other on the way.
The summer rain turnedinto DOWN
pour. and all in the deluge Jane
climbed the hill to Susan's house. and
Susan plodded along the common to
James.
Never mind, Jane" said John Lath-
rop to his sister-in-law. You Just
make yourself to home. Susan1l be
back in no time. Don't you move out
O. this here house till Sue gifts home.
She's been frettin' and stewin' fur ye
till up and said t her guess she
made a mistake in livin' with me. 1t
was you she ought t have had"
So Jane staid and looked after Su-
sans children and cooked for Susan's
husband. and watched every car for
the appearance of her sister.
AS for Susan. she broke down for a
moment when she found that her Jour
ney had been in vain.
mo. see here. SUSIE" argued her
brother-in-law. Hank French, what
use is it to cry? Jane'll come racin'
home like Maud s. when she finds
you're here. You stay right where you
be-"
So Susan did as she was bid. and
visited with James husband and
hemmed James napkins and made a
new kind of pickle for Jane out OF
some overripe string beans.
But on the third day Jane concluded
to go home. And on the third day
Susan concluded to go home. And
so-but that's really the end OF the
story.
They're a fool invention to my
mind. them 'lectric cars" said Jane to
her husband.
Susan dropped tears in the bath as
she bathed the children.
There's too many new tangled
things in these parts" she said to the
children. Next time your ma goes
anywhere she's goin' to drive the
horses, and then maybe she git some
thing that she wants"
The silver star., 1900-04-20
The Nicer Phrase,

Whats the difference between n
bet and wager?" asked the man who
thinks there are too many words In
the English language. "A bet." said
the friend who always wears a dress
coat after o'clock, lis something you
make with man. which has to be
paid. no matter who loses. A wager,
Is something more refined. It's made
with n woman. and Is not considered
collectible unless she wlns."-wash-
ington Star.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
slightly mixed.

Prisoner" said his honor. as the
case was closed, you have been found
guilty of stealing pig belonging to
Col. Childers. Have you anything to
say before l pass sentenceT
Il has, sah." answered the prisoner.
as he rose up. 1T was all mistake.
1edge-all a mistake. didn't dun
reckon to steal no pig from Kurnel
Childers. What l was arter was a
hawg belonging to Majah Dawson. an
how dem two animals got mixed up
and de constable found de meat in my
cabin am gwine to bodder me till l
come out O. jail an lick de ole woman
fur not keepin' better watch at de
doah!"
The silver star., 1900-04-20
PETERS CREEK
ELECTRIC ROAD,

Though Jane French and Susan
Lathrop were twin sisters. and though
hey lived only fifteen miles apart. yet
hey had not seen each other for three
fears,
1t was not because they were bad
'riends-no, no! Jane invariably spoke
" Susan with emotion and gave it as
Ter opinion that whatever might be
'aid to the contrary. no one. to her
mind, ever seasoned tomato pickles
he way that Susan did. AS for Susan.
.he was given to remarking that Jane
made bed with more celerity and
aeatness than any woman of her ac-
luaintance. By this 1t will be seen
that feeling OF most affectionate
lordiality existed between the two.
But neither Of them found 1t easy
to take the horses away from their
work for two days, and even II such a
thing could be accomplished row and
then, 1t was impossible for either VIC
man to achieve the journey without
some sort of man-body as conductor
of the expedition.
1t was not that Jane and Susan were
timid drivers, but that 1t hardly SEEM
ed womanly for them to ford two
streams and dash up hill and down.
as the peculiarities of the road re-
auired them to do. Such display Of
courage they would have considered
as distinctly masculine as the riding
Of a diamond-framed wheel.
1t must not be supposed that the
part of New York state in which this
occurred was unenriched by railroad
activity. Dear no! BY riding
thirty-three miles, thus describing an
acute triangle, and waiting Ave hours
The silver star., 1900-04-20
sp.e.ae,es for the nina,

From Russia comes the news that
Prof. Norshcweski has invented an in
strument. the principle Of which is the
sensitivepess to light Of sclenium and
tellurium. both Of which change their
quality as conductors Of electricity
with variation In tho light to which
relative meaning only In Indicated.
While their actunl vision will be un.
affected. they will feel tho various ef.
fects Of changing light by its action.
Il Ii claimed that totally blind man
has been enabled TO hnd the windows
In room. and after some practice 10
distinguish approaching objects. The
inventor hopes to make the instrument
10 efhcient that the blind will be able
to tell almost certainly when they arc
approaching an Opaque or transparent
substance.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Koens Bor did psass

The collecting Of lnce is not the only
hobby OF the princess Of Wales. She
has remarkable lot Of hats and bon.
nets, consisting Of all those she has
worn during the thirty years she has
led London fashions. Each hat or bon
net. carefully put nway. bears the date
OF the season Of It's se.-Washing gton
Post.
The silver star., 1900-04-20

at the end than at the beginning Of
the process and that the freesing -
much more rapid than with ordinary ,
freesers. The inventor halls from the
Nutmeg state. and gives Middletown ~
his residence. The advantages are OBJ
tained simply and cheaply. The usual
receptacle to contain the cream to be
frozen is mounted on two bearings,
inside Of the usual can to receive ths
Ice. 80 that 1t can be readily rotatsd.
About a pulley at its upper end 10 AZ
tached chord, chain, or flexible strap.
provided at Its end extending through
the cover with a convenient handle.
The ice is kept from touching the In
ner can by means OF a wire netting
closely enveloping but not actually
coming In contact with 1t. When the
flexible strip is unwound by pull on
the handle from the pulley the inner
can being free to revolve about Its
axis, does SO, unwinding the cord.
When the cord is all unwound the
can still continues to revolve In the
same direction. thus rewinding the
cord on the pulley, but in the opposite
direction. which operation may be re-
peated as often as necessary. A freez-
ing mixture is placed in the bottom
Of the outer can. and being able to
readily pass through the netting is
thrown up and around the freezing can
by the rotary motion. The contents OF
this can by the same motion are
caused to be in a constant state of
effervescence. SO that no scraper or
The silver star., 1900-04-20

Amiable Hostess-"well. now you
are here hope you will stay to lunch
with me-"
Gushing Visitor-"Oh. thank you so
much, dear Mrs. Browne, II we may.
ITO daughter): There. Vera, won't that
be delightful? Such pleasant sur
prise for you."
Severely Truthful Child-"Not sur
prise. mother. You know you said
Mrs. Browne must ask us to lunch II
we only stopped long enough
Punch.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
.I.sft Him Temporarily.

Say" remarked Wragson latter.
looking up from the old newspape,
which he had been reading, did ",
ever lose yer appetizer
WELL" replied Elton wrun, 81 ala
Just onct- One day in 'S7 l got what i
calls square meal. an fur mebbe Is
minutes alter It didn't have no appe.
tite at all.-Philadelphia Press.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Disabled.

There's man I'm sorry for"
He does seem to be in a pretty bad
way. Paralyzed, isn't he?"
Yes. Paralysis is bad in any case.
but 1t affects him more seriously than
it would most people,"
why so?'
You see he's been a teacher OF
French. Now he has had to quit it.
He can't wiggle his shoulders. Chi
cago Times-Herald.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
To BE Tried Again.

The thief had been caught, red
handed, but he feigned innocence nev-
ertheless.
Hal" exclaimed the policeman,
you're around again. eh?" l thought
they put you away"
mo. The Judge said he give me an
other trial"
"Oh, he did? Come along then; we'll
let him keep his word. rd."-Philadelphia
Press.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Rapid lee Cream Freezer.

The prime requisites In Ice cream
freexers. from the housewives point of
view. are the rapidity Of the operation
and the ease with which the freezer
may be rotated. Usually the longer
II Is operated the harder II becomes
TO work II. With the can illustrated
herewith. however. the inventor as
serts II is no harder to rotate the can
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Got Out Of Il Che.nlx.

"You saved my life. and whatever
you ask for Ill give you!"
Thank you. sir! I'm a poor man,
and II you help me with SIS l should
be greatly obliged"
You value my life at only SIS? Clear
out. you shameless fellow! won't
give anything to any one who would
insult me sol"
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Well ueaanaxa.

A little boy was asked the other day
what was meant by sins Of omission.
He astutely replied. without any hes
itation: Those we have forgotten to
commit" This almost equals the little
girls definition Of faith as believing
something we know isn't true
Household Words.
The silver star., 1900-04-20

at the junction, it was possible for
Jane to go to Susan, and for Susan 70
go to Jane.
"It's preposterous" said Jane.
Outrageous. said Susan.
So they did not visit.
There's rumors afioat OF one OF
them electric roads to be built straight
long Peters Creek" John Lathrop
told Susan. his wife. "That1l take
you straight to James. and no chang
in Of cars nor nothin'."
"Laws," cried Susan. How soon'll
1t be builded?"
Bout three years." said Lathrop,
and laughed. But Susan was serious.
How many hours'll it take to git
from here to there on a 'lectric carr"
Hours! Minutes. you mean, wom-
an. Less'n fifty nlnutes'll do the
biz"
What? Me git to James in fifty
minutes 1t seemed incredible. Then
a resolution was born in the economi-
cal soul Of Susan Lathrop. III wait
till that there road is DONE" she de-
clared. It'll be a savin'."
Jane heard OF this resolve and COM
mended 1t.
"As Susan says" she remarked to
her husband, It'll be real economy to
put off visitin' till that there road is
done"
Yes" acqulesced Hank French.
when We git the 'lectric it'll be
quicker to go anywhere than to stay
at home"
"Eh?" said Jane. looking per-
picked.
Yep" growled Hank; and. vexed ut
his wife's lack Of appreciation Of his
humor. relapsed into silence.
But three years is a long time going
by. The sisters stood 1t with what
fortitude they could. But thousand
things had happened OF which they
desired to speak. People had died
people they both knew-and Jane and
Susan had no opportunity to discuss
ieathbed speeches. likelihood of
frances, details Of funerals. or tho
situation OF the bereaved families.
Beula Jones had used shaker flannel
Instead OF all-fiannel pinning blankets
Tor her baby. and Susan had no chance
TO tell Jane. Lila Gibbs had been mar
ried In green poplin--the idea.-and
Janc had lacked an opportunity to tell
susan. Pete Hines was converted and
was almost exploding with his pent-
up oaths; 81 Lewis had taken to.drink
since he married his second wife. Was
Il not pitlful that these events had re-
maIned undiscussed? Moreover. there
we're domestic matters OF still greater
lmportance-but these It would be a
breach Of confidence to mention.
The twins got so that the FIRST news
hey read In the Weekly Herald was
that which related to the construction
II the electric road. When the teams
we're put at work upon the roadbed.
susan and Jane were as happy as birds.
When the first rails were laid they ex-
ilted like successful politicians the
morning nfter election. Each was busy
ipon a frock which she intended to
sear TO the house OF the other; each
vas full Of childish anticipation at the
thought Of giving a surprise to the
ither.
The timn OF waiting pnssed. A morn
ng OF rain dawned. and mt each end of
he road n bright yellow car stood
eating to make It's initial Journey.
fanc-in her new frock--wns In one
ar. bound for Susan's. her arms filled
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Explained.

Il must confess to a great deal Of
egotism," said Willie Washington.
Indeed" responded Miss Cayenne.
Eyes. 1 think about myself entirely
too much"
20. that isn't egotism. That's mere
ly the usual human tendency to worry
over tribes. s."-Washington Star.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
HelpIns thu ra.ash.p.

Bred Williams. thought you said
de collection wuz tuck UP fer de starv-
In heathens?"
SO ! did. suh-so did: but I been
wrastlin' in pra'r bout 1t ever since. en-
It's now my opinion dat dem henthens
ls chuck full. en- any mo- would give
'em de indigestion!"
The silver star., 1900-04-20
sh. W.. So ssrpr,s.d.

i've something impawtant to-ah-
say to you." began young Cholly Sap
wit, who had determined. at length. to
propose. something which-ah-may
suhpwize you. think-ah-Miss
Peppwey-"
We'll. WELL" exclaimed Miss Pepp-
rey. THAT certainly does surprise
me-"
For once Cholly thought also. and
on second thought he decided not to
propose.-Philadelphia Press.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Mean. what n. s.,.,.

smith-Is your new clerk n good
manf Jones-Ncver saw his equal; he
works Just like n charm. smith-But
I was under the impression that
charms seldom work. Jones-Wsll.
you heard what I said.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Platinum EIectrod. Arc Lamps.

An entirely new departure in the
construction Of arc lamps is disclosed
In recent patent granted to an in
ventor of New York. This lamp COM
bines the essential features of the in
candescent lamp and those Of the IA
miliar arc lamp. the exhausted inclos-
ing globe of one and the are sprung
between two electrodes OF the other.
The electrodes are composed OF plati-
mum and gold. fused together In a
manner described by the inventor, and
these are supported by magnets and
plungers SO as normally to remain In
contact with each other when no cur
rent is passing. but to automatically
strike an arc when the lamp Is thrown
onto the circuit. The peculiar hori-
zontal arrangement Of the quadant-
shaped electrodes is shown in the
illustration. The chamber in which
the arc is maintained being highly
rarified prevents the oxidation and
consumption Of the platinum elec-
trodes. so that they are non-consum-
ing. the same as an incandescent lamp
alament. The high melting point OF
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Hone rhr.s4

IT believe we mothers cannot be too
careful. Whenever there is any dim.
Guilty between my husband and me
send the children outdoors imme.
diately."
VERY prudent; but ON the other hand
is It good for the children to be Obliged
to be ON the streets from morning to
night?"-New York World.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
yva.ias ee sss 1Is4.y :. !,

What time viii you be home, de.,,.
asked the young wife ~ her husbsn1
started down town after breakfast, =
"Oh, about 1 I. M. guess,'' y.
the reply.
You mean p. M. don't your" i.
asked.
NO" replied the heartless wretch
Il mean just what said I. m. 10.
morrow; sect"
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Return. Came In Early.

Husband-"Er-my dear, there is 60
ing to be very important-er-elec-
tion at my club tonight. and l may
Wife-"very we'll. Ill wait up to
hear the returns"
"Um-er-are you interested In the
returns?'
"Yes-your returns. York
Weekly.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
He Undsrssoosl.

Nov. Johnnie. do you understand
thoroughly why am going to whip
you"
"Yes'm. You're in bad humor this
morning and you've got to lick some
one before you feel satisfied"
Bits.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Blde-Traoked.

when. through her own careless
ness. discovered that she wore false
hair. lost all love for herr said
Handy.
Alas! He was not the first man
wrecked by misplaced switch.-Phil-
adelphia North American.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
He should be Gagged.

Jingo-"I tell you when It comes to
treacherous tactics the Filipinos leads
the band. He's bird"
Bingo-"That's right. and from our
standpoint a bird In the hand IL worth
two in the ambush. ."-Philadelphis
Press.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
oeea Evla.sse to nln.

Mrs. Thinkhard-Of late years the
spread Of intelligence among all CLASSES
has been simply wonderful.
Old Bachel0r-Yes, notice there ha1
been a great falling on In the numbss
Of marriages. Stories.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
OUR BUDGET OF FUN
SOME GOOD JOKES ORIGINAL
AND SELECTED.

A variety Of Osips. oibss and Irosiss
% Cause . Smile = rletsan and
Jssssn fron the Tide OF Hunsr-
witty sayiasa
The silver star., 1900-04-20
Voluntary Oner.

I'm goin' down east. Limpy."
'Wot for. Weary"
There's fellow down there some.
where's that's experimentin' with III
idee Of provin' that alcohol amt food.
an want to be his horrible example"
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The silver star., 1900-04-20
las DiRsrsse Thsrs

women should have their rights"
said she. with some spirit.
True he replied. but In . crowd
ed trolley car. for instance. they're not
willing to stand up for them. ."-Catho'
lie Standard and Times.
The silver star., 1900-04-20

the platinum preven,s their being
fused by the heat Of the arc. This ar
rangement permits the retention Of tho
high Illuminating efficiency Of the arc,
together with the advantages Of the
incandescent lighting - Wig. great
steadiness Of the incloscd air-tIght
4lnhe
The silver star., 1900-04-20
lsssss rrsisisg nsst.

"who won that long distance walk
Ing matchT'
''Bpriggins."
"He did! Who was his trainerr
His bnby."-Stray Stories.