Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, December 20, 1910, Page 9

BURNT CORK. The Paste Used by Minstrel Perform- ers'When “Blacking Up.” The popular impression as to the ap- plication of buint cork by minstrel performers and actors in general is that it is rubbed on the face and hands of the player from a cork whose end is charred in a convenient gas jet. This impression is, however, incorrect. The burnt cork used by minstrels and others is the product of the theatrical “paint factories,” just as is any other cosmetic or pigment employed by the profession. One house makes it in the following manner: The corks are placed in three tin vessels. resembling wash boilers, with holes punched in their sides and bottom. Alcobol is sprinkled over the nd they they are “fired.” When the corks have been properly charrved they are placed in muslin sacks. which are kneaded in barrels of water. This eperation forces the powdered charcoal through the sacks into the water. When all the charred corks have been worked through the sacks into the water in this way the water is drained through a close canvas sack. and what remains in that sack is ready for the performers. The stuff is put up in cans, from which, when the minstrel is ready to “black up.” he takes a little of the black paste in his hands and applies it to his face, neck and sometimes his hands.—New York Herald. A CURIOUS BIRD. The Crested Hoactzin When Hatched Has Four Legs. The crested hoactzin of British Gui- ana is the only survivor of a certain | race of birds most of which are now known only as fossils. The hoactzin inhabits the most secluded forests of South America, and its survival be- yond its congeners is doubtless owing to its retiring habits and to the fact that it feeds on wild arum leaves. which give its flesh a most offensive flavor, rendering it unfit for food. The chief peculiarity of the hoactzin consists in the fact that when it is hatched it possesses four well develop- ed legs. and climb about like monkeys over the adjoining limbs and look more like tree toads than bi The modifi mou of the fore limbs begins at once after hatching. when the claws of the digits fall off and the whole clawlike hand begins to flatten and become wing shaped. Feathers soon appear, and before full growth is reached not a vestige remains of the original character. The adult birds not ounly have no claws upon their wings, but their thumbs even are so poorly developed that one would hardly suspect that in the nestlings we have the nearest ap- proach to a quadruped found among existing birds.—Loundon Tit-Bits. Tung Po and Teamaking. There is but one way of making tea, for— Unless the water boiling be To pour on water spoils the tea. The teapot itself should be heated very hot before the tea is placed in it and the boiling water poured on. It should be scalding hot water or the leaves will float to the top. No less authority than Tung Po, the Chinese poet, is quoted for a recipe for teamaking. He says: “Whenever tea is to be infused take water from a running stream and boil it over a live- ly fire. It is an old custom to use run- ning water, boiled over a lively fire. That from springs in the hills is said to be best and river water the next., while well water is the worst. A ¢, lively fire is a clear, bright charcoal fire. When making an infusion do not boil the water too hastily. At first it begins to sparkle like crabs’ eyes, then somewhat like fish's eyes, and lastly it boils up like pearls innumerable springing and waving about. This is the way to boil water.” “Touch Not the Queen.” TUnder this title a Paris journal pro- fesses to give an account of the tragic death of the queen of Siam, who was as greatly loved as her consort. Some years ago her majesty was boating with ladies of the court in a lake in the gardens of the palace at Bangkok. The boat overturned, and the queen could not swim. She was surrounded by nu- merous personages who could have saved her life, but no one has the right to extend the hand upon the queen. The king alone could have held her up and prevented her from sinking, and he was nowhere at hand. Respectful- ly the court allowed the queen to drown. Chippendale’s Own. “Is it genuine Chippendale?” “Absolutely, sir.” “But this looks like a crack right across’'— “Done by Chippendale himself, sir, in a fit of rage when he heard the union had called the men out.”” — London Punch. The Other Was Important. “Two great desires of my life have been gratified. One was to go up in an airship.” ) “And the other?” “To get safely back to earth.’—Ex- change. A Real Pretty Excuse. Bessie's Mother—Bessie, did you let that Mr. Snuggle have a kiss? Bessie —Yes, mamma. He said it would be a goodby kiss, and 1 was just dead anx- fous to have him go.—Puck. The judicious reader of judicious ad- vertisgments always gets more than his money's worth. — Florida Times- Unlon. The young birds leave the nest | HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. Wellington’s Plea In Favor of the Thames Embankment Site. Wellington once declared that the most exciting aoinent of his life was not in any of Lis great battles, but that in which he had to forbid William IV. to attend a public banquet in the €ity during a time of great national excitement. Of the millions of people who every year See the English houses of parliament how many imagine that their Position was determined by stra- tegic considerations? No une nowadays can think of the palace of Westmin- ster in any other position than that which it occupies. But when the old houses were burned down and the task of rebuilding faced there was a propo- sition to establish them on or near the site of St. James' palace. Wellington resolutely put down his foot on the proposal, The site suggested, its advocates pointed out, would be better:as regards centrality and convenience than any other. But to the argument of the duke there could then be no answer. “With a vast and growing population. | “you must never make it possible that you can be surrounded. You must build your houses of parliament upon the river, so that the means of ingress and egress are safe and that the popu- lace cannot exact their demands by sitting down around you.” Sir William Fraser, in whose memoirs the story is recalled, mentioned it to Napoleon III. just before the death of the latter. “What wisdom!” he said. “What wis- dom!” And it set him musing upon the different turn which the history of France might have taken if in other Gazette. HE LED THE CHARGE. And Then the General Changed His Mind About the Colonel. The French (leneral Gallifet was'a famous cavalry leader, a good liv fine soldier and a man of impetuosity, daring and Dbrave It is said that Gallifet’s pluck in great measure L owing to his extraordinary powers >f digestion. he once nndertaking and ac complishing the feat of eating a wine- glass. In a biography of General Gal- lifet is the following story: “During some maneuvers he watching a charge of cavalry his orders. Suddenly the squadron stopped dead. Gallifet roar- ed, ‘Send me the colonel’ And the colonel galloped up. “Now. colonel, what's wrong? “9Ve came upon a road at the bot- tom of an embankment which was too steep to ride down, «ir” “‘Nonsense. sir! You're not fit for your job. I wiil lead the charge. You go to the tail of the squadron.’ “Galiifet took the command. Wwas under gallen- pacity. i such as yours in London,” e said, ! leading | ways as great precautions had been| manufacturers in it, observed in his own case.—St. James': G5t model of the modern typewriter i in honor of tine ed to the road' and rolled down the émbankment with his horse. on his back with a sprained muscle in his leg,he shuuted to hls men to stop,’ addiug ““Send me tl\e colonel? : “The colonel came up from the tail of the squadron. “‘Colontl, yeu were right. I am a d——d fonl! Yon may take the com- mand of your regimeut again.*” FIRST TYPEWRITER. It Was a Clumsy Machine and Frac- ticaliy Uscless, Most persous will be -surprised to leam that the typewriting machine is not, 58 w0 long ago taken out in E ra 1w for <ingly and progre whereby all v £ d in paper so e not to be distinguished from print.” His machiue . howey one and pr y usel not until over a ceitury that anything wmore in thi attemipted. Then the fir: typewriter, d o typographer,” patented 1 A. Burt. In 1823 France for each leitoe 1820 and 1 invented im- wils whine was produced in lever a separate key nd between the Sir Charles Whets 11 machives which ar d in 1he South Kensing- London. Sholes. an American. ucceed- ma hine sufficiently. ant extensive manu- ed in producing perfect to wa facture. and in 1874 the incinnati was put upon the market. Commercial Tribune. Battle of the Herrings. The Lattle of the berrings was the comicil name ziven to a fight between an Buglish force and a -l derach ment ot e frons O] i The LEnglish were couveying quanti oS supplies, mainly for it was Leut, to the arm, cing Or The L00 men e French Gouo, mer repulsed the assatiants and saved the herr o the hattle was named <|x[n|1|it'\‘ Willing to Taks Thom Back. A lefter cat saying that the ctoth rha sent them wa wholesate o had heep fuli of moths, Was the e taken ab; Not it ! By return post went a wissive to this effect: “0On looking over your ovder se find that you did not order any moths. was our error, turn them at once Argonaut. al our expense.’— G Ile interested a firm of gun ; s from the elothing Grm’ It | and you will plesse re- | Lying |~ { Suitable Christmas Gifts What will make a more suitable Christmas Gift than a handsome pieno, organ or sewing machine? You can look the world over and find nothing quite so acceptable, 1s a pleasure to receive as well as to make. same amount for this reason:---You can buy either a plar"‘b, organ or sweing machine with a small payment down and the balance on terms that will suit your purse. Our repair department is equipped for pianos, organs and sewing machines. We carry a com- plete line of needles for every machine made. We have made arrangements with the factory to dealin a wholesale as well as a retail ca- Remember also that we have moved from Third street to 318 anesota avenue. phoneanumber 1s 573. .ity and prices. and $12 anta Claus Headquarters| This store is now ready to demon- | strate to you its usefulness in providing you unmatchéable goods for your Holi- day gifts. Many people have made it a practice of doing their Christmas buying at this store for 5 years and they claim it is to their advantage to do so. ? The time of every holiday buyer will be well spent in looking through our bright, new selection of up-to-date gifts. Post Card Albums Cards Seals, Tags Christmas Boxes Brass Craft Pyrography Stationery Novelfies Useful gifts in the fancy china Bon Bon’s, Salads, Cakes, Sugar & Creams, Celery and Spoon Trays. Our Dinnerware Can not be equaled in quality, -quan- 100 piece Haviland . . . . . $34.00 100 piece Austrian $21.30 and $25.00 100 piece Homer Laughlin $13.50 and $15 Muslin, Linen, |Gifts for Parenis Paper, Books Gifts for Lady Friends Algers, Meades, Gifts for Gentlemen Friends Holmes & Southworths | Gifts for Grandma and Grandpa Coods Brown,s Delivered Busy Store Iron, Musical, Electrical and Mechanical Toys Blocks and Games Gifts for Ghildren Low Prices SUBSCRIBE FOR THE PIONEER It 1s a gift that It is a gift that 1s easier to make than most at the Pianos for - $250, $275, $300, $350, $400 and $650 Organs for ! $50, $65, $75, $85, $90,! $110 The]Singer and Wheeler & Wilson Sewing machines, of which there is no better make on the market will be sold at reasonable time payment terms. 24 Our tele- IC HOUSE < X MEECCETATIA\/IE DAArE e e———— RN G T — s I