Evening star., 1924-03-13
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS =
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN

Q. How can mah-3ong tiles be
cleaned?-M G. q.
A. The ends and sides may be
The faces and backs can be cleaned
with a soft cloth wrung out of soapy
water. Care should be taken TO keep
the sides dry, as the bamboo and
bone are glued together. A small
piece of gum camphor should be kept
In the box with the tiles to prevent
discoloration.
@. Why does a dealer offer the box
when a man wants to buy a cigar?--
F. l.
A. The bureau Of internal revenue
says that the law states that after
box it cannot be returned. 1t is,
therefore, customary for a dealer to
offer the box when a customer LIS pur-
chasing cigars.
Q. What is the origin of the word
''caucus"?-D. G.
A. The word caucus" is cor
ruption of the Caikers' Club. founded
by Samuel Adams for the purpose of
the best men for Office.
Q. Did the Indians have horses be-
fore white men settled in America?-
L. q.
A. Horses we're not known to the
Indians prior to the advent of the
white man in America. The first
horses seen by the mainland Indians
were those of the Spanish invaders
Soto brought the horse into Florida
and westward to the Mississippi.
while Coronado. in 1541, introduced
it to the Indians of the Great Plains.
Q. When were public schools
started in Scotland?-J. ID. w.
A. Elementary schools were estab-
lished in Scotland by the provisions
OF the elementary education act of
1872. Prior to that, however, educa-
tion had been regulated by the Scot
tish parliament AS early as 1886
schools. providing for the mainte-
nance OF a school in every parish In
connection with the kirk.
Q. What is the legend Of the
broken hand-the one Otis Skinner
mentions in "Kismet" IN. T. S.
A. Mr. Skinner says that he knows
of no legend of the broken hand. Il
was a device of the author of "Kis-
met" for the purpose of the fdenti-
fcation of a lost child by it's father
Many orientals wear what is called
the hand of Fatima, or Fatmah, which
is regarded as a lucky. charm. In
most frequently suspended from a
chain around the neck. 1t is one of
these little hands which is referred
to by the author of "kismet"
@. How many building and loan
oZcnnia finne n he yrtt
States?-A- n. II.
A. AS of June 81. 1923. according
to the data of the United States
League of Local Building and Loan
Associations, there were 1G,009 such
associations in this country.
Q. When did Abraham Lincoln's
mother die? Is her grave marked?
A j. G.
A. Her death occurred in Indiana.
at a time when frightful pestiience
called milk sickness" devastated
the. section. A stone has been placed
?. E. studebaker Of South Bend, Ind.
The inscription reads: Nancy
Lincoln, died October S, AID. 1919.
aged 80 years. Erected by friend
@. Is the Kafir orange like the
oranges raised in this country?-
C. F. NJ.
;. A. This fruit, which has been in
:troduced into the United States, is
not a member of the citrus family.
When ripe the fruit turns yellow and
has a fragrance like cloves. The
seeds contain a small amount of
strychnine and the flesh is edible.
having the favor of branded
peaches ...... -..-
@. OF the entire population in the
United States, what percentage is
Roman Catholicf-T. G.
A. In 1922 there were about 49,
100000 Roman Catholics IA this coun-