Arizona republican., 1900-08-04
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 !. TOPICS OF THE HOUR ;


An incident illustrative of the dan ger lying in Chinese superstition is re- lated by Chester Holcombe, for many years secretary of the American lega- tion at Pekin, says Leslie's Weekly. When Gen. Grant was visiting China MT. Holcombe secured for him a privi- lege never before that time accorded to a foreigner, the privilege of admission into the sacred precincts of the Tenn pie of Heaven in Pekin. Now it is con- trary to the settled belief of the Chi nese to admit a member of the female sex, old or young, even to the temple ground, under any circumstances. It is said that should a Chinese guard venture even to carryN baby girl in his arms within the forbidden lines, he would probably be pAnished with death Not knowing of these restrictions, a number of ladies in Gen. Grants party ventured to follow him when he visited the sacred edifce. Realizing the seri Ousness of this action, MT. Holcombe afterward apoligized to the emperoTs representative for the conduct of his countrywomen, and was informed that the intrusion would be overlooked, but must be kept as secret as possible, for should the populace learn of it an an ii foreign outbreak would be likely to follow. They would not forgive such a pollution of their most sacred building.
 
 A German scientist has patented what he asserts to be a puncture proof tire filling. The filling is jelly made of ic ta hardening, and an antiseptic prepara- tion that keeps it from fermenting. The mixture is first heated until it li- quifies, and then is beaten to a stiff foam. While in this frothy condition it is introduced into the tire or saddle and allowed to cool and partly solidify. The result is a light, spongy material of cellular formation, exceedingly light in weight and proof against tacks, nails, glass and all puncturing objects.
 
 On the new locomotives of the Denver and Rio Grande railway nozzles have been placed on the roofs of the cabs pointing at the rear of the tender and the platform of the front end of the baggage car. These connect to the hot water of the boiler through a cock convenient to the engineer or fireman. who can instantly send a jet of mixed steam and boiling water, at 200 pounds pressure, that would effectually kill anybody happening to be in it's range. The jet is for protection against train robbers.
 A Waterloo, Ia, man of infinite re- source and sagacity, is said to have uti- lized rats to lay the telephone cables through the conduits. Several rats were turned loose in the conduit with a ferret after them to which was at tached piece of cord. Through 700 feet of conduit the merry chase was carried and the rats emerged into day light at the other end just few feet ahead of the ferret, which was probably impeded somewhat by the cord.
 
 According to his father, Grant Allen began Greek six weeks before he was years of age. He commenced writing g book, as he called it, at the same age. His mother saw him one day very busy at his little table, and on her asking him what he was doing, he said, oh. mother, l am writing a book on War or Peace, Which Shall it Be?' and this is the chapter on Peace"
 There is in the Grant Allen memoir an amusing letter from London lady living in the west end. whose name and address are mercifully withheld. She had read that Grant Allen said that Browning was good for the nerves" and entreated him to tell her where to obtain some. as she suffered so severe ly with nervousness
 John P. Carroll. of Brooklyn, exactly loo years old.- has applied for member ship in the G. A. R. He came to this country from Ireland at the outbreak of the civil war; enlisted as private in