Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-27
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to his messenger, the sunbeam, go down
to the earth and find out how the inhabi-
tants are doing" Now the earth was in
habfted by savage races who lived in caves
and huts. and ate berries, roots and the
raw flesh of such ANIMALS as they could
kill with the aid of their rude implements
To these people King Sun was great bless
ing, for he not only kept them warm but
also aided the plants in growing, in order
that the people and animals might not
starve. He was always interested in their
progress and success so 1t was no wonder
the people worshiped him as a god.
This day after the sunbeam had finished
all of his numerous tasks earth, he re-
turned to the heavens with the message
that volcano had set fire to a large oil
well. Great throngs of savages were drawn
to the sight by the reflection of the light for
miles around. With what delight the peo-
pie watched the flames leap higher and
higher until the whole country seemed to be
in blaze. Many of them had seen light
ming set fire to trees or a fallen meteorite
leave dried underbrush all ablaze, but few
had ever witnessed such a grand display
before. They understood nothing of the
cause or uses of fire. but now they began
to see the effect on forests and the far diff
ferent erect on stone or earth. Sometimes
the savage would add more wood to keep a
fire burning, and 1t was in this way he
learned that pine wood burnt better than
redwood and that hickory and beech made
the hottest fire. Man also found that fire
split hard stones and had no effect en-
softer stones. such sand stone.
One day after the savage had finished his
meal of birds or flesh of some animal he
threw the fat and bones into a small blaze
After the brilliant effect from the grease
perhaps he discovered the burning quality
of oil. He was anxious to see II other
things, such as coal, Ignite and peat from
the seams of the earth would burn.
But what was the use of keeping a fire.
1t just took gust of wind shower to
put it out What If he could summon it
again?
Long after this the favorite sunbeam car
ried another message to the grand old
monarch. 1t was this: While a man was
grinding a rough wooden tool or implement,
the dull heat of friction passed into flame;
just as 1t had often done before. But this
time the man caught sight of the tiny fame
and fed 1t with moss, catkin Of the will
low. cotton or dried leaves. The blaze was
kept and man could now produce fire at
will.
After this followed some very queer in
struments for producing fire. One was made
Of two sticks. one of them being pointed
and when twirled around in q small hole
in the second one. sparks were produced as
a result of constant friction.
Man now began to see the good of fire as
an illumlnator. Heretofore the moon was his
only guide at night through the deep for
est inhabited by fierce animals. Now a
fiery torch thrust into the face Of a wild
animal saved the hunter from unknown
of his cave or hut, he was safe from the
attack of rowing beasts.
The greater use man made Of fire, the
greater number of methods he invented to
preserve it. In Europe a torch was made
by soaking a piece Of rope IN resin Many
pine torches were used. In Alaska the ma
tives used an oily fish placed in a split
stick. perforated vessel or box filed with
large firefiies provided light for races in the
tropics. The people of the Orkney Islands
burned stormy petrol.
So the sunbeam took many messages to
the great king, telling him of the use Of
candles, OIL gas and electricity. The sun
Is still interested in the people and thinks
their progress wonderful, but 1 think he
boasts that we shall never be able to pro-
duce light equal to his own in brilliancy,
don't you?
Note to the Edtor.-In the Normal School
we We're constantly preparing such stories
as these on institutional life. For refer
ences I have had resource to Fire and
Fire-Making." by DR.. Walter Hough of the
Smithsonian Institution and Flame, Elec-
tricity and the Camera" by George lies.
Respectfully, ELSIE GERMAN,
Washington. D. @