ye Denna itd. Belletonte, Pa., November 2, 1917. sone Birds of War. “Birds of war?” you question. “Don’t you mean dogs of war, or war horses?” No, indeed, I don’t. I mean birds of war—feathered crea- tures upon whom may depend the safety of cities and armies in time of danger from an enemy. In other words, there are birds that are so trained that they can carry import- ant messages over country where the telegraph has been destroyed and va- | T rious conditions make it impossible to use the wireless. Many of you will be surpirsed to know what a great part homing pigeons have already played in the terrible war in Europe. Little Belgium, as we have come to speak of her the past three years, has the name of being the greatest pig- eon raising country in the world. To- day her pigeon lofts are broken and desolate, but before the war every town and village had its lofts and its clubs. The sport of racing pigeons was very popular. Birds would be taken a certain number of miles from their home, all tossed in the air and , released at once, and the time noted. The pigeon that first entered its own loft was the winner of the race. Every loft was registered, so that the government knew just where the birds were and frequently there would be an exchange of birds between towns. So it came about that when Germany invaded Belgium, in 1914, and the telegraph and telephone wires were cut, and the wireless could not be used, the owners of these birds re- leased them with messages to other parts of the country, warning the in- habitants that the invaders were com- ing. Today these homing pigeons are being used in the trenches in Europe with great success. You know that such a bird will fly back to its home from a point hundreds of miles away from the place where it was bred. They have perfectly marvelous in- stincts for finding their way and will fly until they drop of exhaustion. Of course they must be properly trained when they are young, but as they grow older they will sometimes fly five hundred miles in a single day. There are 18,000 of these birds now in the trenches and the way in which they have been trained is most inter- esting. Of course, a pigeon must have a home to fly to. It always comes back to its own loft, but suppose its loft is in Paris, and a message is to be sent from the trenches to one of the en- campments? If you release a Paris- trained “bird it will fly to Paris, for the pigeons would not understand you if you said, “Go back to camp!” Those who were raising pigeons tried an experiment. Instead of raising the young pigddns in regular lofts they made use of movable vans, fit- ted up as lofts, and painted in vary- ing shades of brilliant colors. Wher- ever the van is taken, if the birds are released from it, they will return, un- less some accident happens to them. It is wonderful to think that these feathered creatures, flying high above the earth, can see with their remark- ably keen eyes the particular loft that belongs to them, and will fly to it straight as an arrow. It is said that when they are five or six hundred feet in the air they can see over a radius of 5,000 miles. When they are far from home they do not fly at night, but they will start with the earliest light and will not stop for food or water. Now there are many bright vans in the regions where fighting is going on and the pigeons carry mes- sages all the time back from the fir- ing line. The message is either tied around the bird’s leg or fastened in an aluminum case and tied to it. Pigeons can be used also with aero- planes. When our troops were on the Mexican border last summer some of you may recall that some avi- ators were lost for days on the des- ert and found only after a long and anxious hunt, almost dead from ex- haustion and lack of food and .water. If they had had pigeons with them the birds could have been set free and would have taken word back to the army headquarters where the broken earoplane was. There is an arrangement by which pigeons can be carried on an aeroplane, and this is done, too, in the warring countries. Homing pigeons can be taken on board ships that have no wireless, also, and can take a message to land from far out at sea. The entrance to their lofts is so built that a bell rings when a bird enters, and so the owner can always tell when a pigeon has re- turned. People who have been raising pig- eons for pleasure are now finding that they can be put to patriotic service. One of the recent additions to the homing pigeons department of the signal corps of the United States ar- my is Corporal Louis L. Hagedorn, formerly in the accounting depart- ment of the Methodist Book Concern in New York. For twenty-one years — ever since he was a boy—he has been interested in homing pigeons. He says it takes time and constant at- tention to be successful, but he has given all his spare efforts to perfect- ing his birds. He has several hun- dred of them, some of them very fine. Only a few weeks ago one of his birds won a thousand-mile race from Pen- sacola, Fla., to his home in Jersey City, flying that great distance in six days! Now the work he did for mere love of it—and it was hard work, too —is being turned to patriotic service “somewhere in America,” where he is helping to train our feathered help- ers, who will assist us in the war. He loves pigeons and says he “speaks their language,” and his birds know and love him. Remember, now and aiways, that a pigeon must never be harmed. If you find one injured, exhausted or even dead, try to find out “where it comes from (they are all marked by a metal ring about the leg) and notify its owner. It may be an important bird and it may have a message. If you find one with a message try to find some representative of the gov- ernment to whom you can give it.— Christian Advocate. _skim-coated on both sides. Rubber Soles Up to Date. Within two years leather has ad- vanced in price about 120 per cent. and genuine oak-tanned leather is hard to get at any figure. As a sub- stitute, rubber is being found more than satisfactory, we are told by An- drew H. King, in Metallurgical and Chemical Engineering (New York, July 15). With comparatively little effort, he says, rubber manufactur- ers have been able to turn out soles in every way equal, and in many ways superior, to any leather sole ever made. But since the type of rubber sole found in the cheap tennis shoes the one familiar to the public, a cam- paign of education has been necessa- ¥ Manufacturers have had to learn the difference between rubber and leather, and the ways of building shoes have had to be altered to suit the new conditions. The general pub- lic has been a bit skeptical, but high- priced $8, $10, and $12 rubber-soled shoes are now confuting, at any rate, the charge of cheapness. Mr. King goes on: “Tango-dancers long ago discover- ed the usefulness of the rubber sole. In fact, the modern dances, almost without exception, would be impossi- ble without them. Then the thing be- came a fad. We are still in this stage, and of course are paying fad prices. It might be possible that a good all-leather dress shoe can not be retailed for less than $8 a pair, but certainly this is a high figure when the soles are of rubber. Necessity for the craze has now passed. People know that a first-quality sole can be made of rubber, and the next thing is to bring it down within range of their buying power. . “The chief advantages of the rub- ber sole over the leather one are: “(1) Greater wearing-power; i. e., longer life. “(2) Being by nature absolutely waterproof. “The rubber sole properly made will last anywhere from two to three times as long as the leather one. This consideration is by far the most im- portant. Theoretically, for good shoes the uppers and the soles should wear out at about thc same time. Or- dinarily a shoe will stand at least two more sets of leather half-soles and heels. Consequently with a good rub- ber sole this theoretical condition is more nearly approached. “Teather is a porous, fibrous sub- stance, and to be made water-proof requires the use of large quantities of various waxes and greases. Rub- ber is non-porous and water-tight by nature. This fact constitutes the main objection to the rubber sole, for not only is it water-tight, but air- tight as well. It is claimed that leather allows the feet to breathe and | in this way prevents burning. How- ever, this is really only a minor point and can be remedied by using canvas uppers or by some form of a ventilat- Tr. “Another objection is that a rubber sole tends to slip on a wet pavement. With the first ones it was hardly pos- sible to walk with them on rainy days. This trouble has now been almost en- tirely done away with by incorporat- ing into the rubber cotton-fiber or ground leather, or both. Consequent- ly as a sole wears away a surface is produced which will absorb a little water, and thus prevent slipping. “The first rubber soles were quite heavy. It did not seem possible to prepare a stock with the desired stiff- ness, strength, and quality without having it also of high specific gravi- ty. This was not to be thought of for the addition of even half a pound to the weight of one’s shoes has an effect quite noticeable at the end of a day’s work. The introduction of ground cotton waste and leather dust as compounding ingredients made it possible to bring the gravity down.” For very rough, heavy shoes, such as are worn by teamsters, iron-work- ers, and railroad-section men, Mr. King tells us of a new sole consist- ing of plies of heavy duck built like a belt and stamped out with a die. Such soles have unsightly edges, but from the standpoint of service they are very satisfactory. He goes on: “To the keen observer it must be apparent that leather shoes are going —in fact, have gone—beyond the means not only of the poorer classes, but that of the better middle classes as well. War-conditions and specu- lation are largely to blame. It is the American way to beat such a condi- tion not entirely by legislation but by invention—invention of a substitute. “A number of rubber-soled shoes with canvas uppers are now being placed on the market. Canvas uppers can be water-proofed if desired in a number of ways. For instance they can be waxed, rubber-coated, or built of three plies, the inside one of fab- ric which has been frictioned and The pres- ent offerings are but feelers which will, no doubt, be followed up with a good, all-around canvas-rubber shoe. Such a shoe must be neat-appearing, serviceable, and have a long life. There is certainly no reason why it can not be made.”—Literary Digest. That Got Him In. The patient was waiting in the doc- tor’s office. He read all the last year’s maga- zines. He looked at the pictures on the wall—the bewhiskered physician, holding the pulse of a tiny sufferer, and all the others. He fidgeted. But the hours went by, and still his turn had not come. Then the doctor’s lovely assistant swept through the waiting-room, trailing ambrosial and antiseptic aromas. The patient im- patiently hailed her. “Tell the doctor,” he muttered, through his teeth, “that if he doesn’t admit me inside of five minutes I'll get well!” The assistant paled, and rushed in- to the inner office with the news. In two minutes the doctor was ready.— Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cure for a Quarrel. A little explained, a little endured, A little forgiven—the quarrel is cured. —Picture World. — Next to tryifg and winning the best thing is trying and failing. —TL. M. Montgomery. All Registered Men Will be Called in This Order. Washington, D. C.—The five classi- fications into which men taken inthe draft are to be divided in the new regulations approved by President Wilson are as follows, and show to every man registered to which class he belongs, and in which order the different classifications will be called to service. CLASS ONE. 1—Single man without dependent relatives. 92 Married man or widower with children (who habitually fails to sup- port his family.) 3—_Married man dependent on wife for support. 4— Married man (or widower with children not usefully engaged, family supported by income independent of his labor). 5—Men are not other description classes. 6—Unskilled laborer. CLASS TWO. 1—Married man or father of moth- included in any in this or other erless children. Usefully engaged but family has sufficient apart from . his daily labor to afford reasonably adequate support during his absence. 9__Married man; no children; wife can support herself decently and with- | out hardship. g 3 Skilled industrial laborer en-' gaged in necessary industrial enter- prise. 4— Skilled farm laborer engaged in necessary agricultural enterprise. CLASS THREE. 1—Man with foster children de- pendent on daily labor for support. 92—_Man with aged, infirm or inva- lid parents or grandparents depend- ent on daily labor for support. 3—Man with brothers or sisters in- competent to support themselves, de- pendent on daily labor for support. 4—County or municipal labor. 5—Firemen or policemen. _6—Necessary artificers or work- men in arsenals, armories and navy yards. 7—Necessary custom house clerk. 8— Persons necessary in transmis- sion of mails. 9—Necessary employees in service of United States. 10—Highly specialized administra- tive experts. 11—Technical or mechanical ex- perts in industrial enterprise. 12—Highly specialized agricultural | expert in agricultural bureau of State or nation.. 13—Assistant or associate manager of necessary industrial enterprise. 14—Assistant or associate manag- er of necessary agricultural enter- prise. CLASS FOUR. 1—Married man with wife (and) or children (or widower with chil- dren) dependent on daily labor for support and no other reasonably ad- equate support available. 9 Mariners in sea service of mer- chants or citizens in United States. 3__Heads of necessary industrial enterprises. 4—Heads of necessary agricultur- al enterprises. CLASS FIVE. 1—Officers of States or the United States. 2— Regularly or duly ordained min- isters. 3—Students of divinity. 4— Persons in military or naval service. 5—Aliens. 6—Alien enemies. 7—Persons morally unfit. Insufficient Evidence. In a New England town a local ce- lebrity was brought up before the justice for stealing chickens. The prisoner was noted for never telling the truth when he could help it, and consequently there was general sur- prise when he pleaded guilty. It evi- dently staggered the justice. He rub- bed his glasses and then scratched his head. “I guess—I'm afraid—well, Hi- ram,” said he, after a thoughtful pause, “I guess I'll have to have more evidence before I sentence you.’— Case and Comment. Turn it up, turn it down. Smokes just the same! What is the matter with this wick, anyway ? Ten to one it isn’t the wick at all. It’s the kero- sene you're using. Your lamp simply can’t give best service unless you use Ravolioht i « Rayolight Oil gives a brilliant : steady heat without smoke, sputter or odor. et mellow light, and a sure, Go to the store i that displays the sign: “Atlantic Rayolight Oil for Sale Here.” ¢ Then you'll be sure to get the genuine, and it costs no more Rayo Lamps For perfect results, al- ways use Rayo Lamps. The ideal light for all purposes. Made of best materials, Designs for cv: room. Askyour Go .. Price, $1.90 up. than the ordinary, unsatisfactory kinds. You'll likely find that store a good place to deal regularly, too. It’s a scientific fact that, of any artificial light, a kero- sene lamp is the most restful and pleasing to the eyes. THE ATLANTIC REFINING COMPANY Philadelphia and Pittsburgh PERFECTION Smokeless Oil Heaters Never smoke, soot or cause un- pleasant odors. Keep any room in the house warm and comfortable with its cheerful, radi- ating heat. Ask Bs dealer. Price, .50 to $8.50. Rayo Lanterns Your best friend on dark, stormy nights. Never blow out or jar out. Construction in- sures ect oil com- bustion. Ask your dealer. Price 50c up POWER. PRICES HAVE ADVANCED AS FOLLOWS: EFFICIENCY. DURABILITY. —— Four from $ 985 to $1050 Six from $1250 to $1385 Now is the time to BUY as prices will advance further at any time. va GEORGE A. BEEZER, AGENT, North Water St. 61-30 BELLEFONTE, PA. AAAAAAPPPPIP PPPS IS PIPPI PS PII ISIN i ) © 1917.STROUSE & BROS. INC. BALTO. MD Sidetrack Your Age Dress as Young as You Feel W- are showing styles for men of forty years and upwards that while not frivolous, elim- inate the age question and clothe the man rather in harmony with the youth he feels. The expression to-day is “Forty Years Young,” and the special designs of HIGH-ART-CLOTHES Made by Strouse & Brothers, Inc., Baltimore, Md. we are showing, justify the expression. Just as we show special models for these men, we have others well adapted to the requirements of the youth of eighteen; the chap five years older and men and young men of either stout or slim pro- portions. The longer service these clothes afford makes their purchase an economy. OPAPP PPPS SS FAUBLE'S. Allegheny St. =; BELLEFONTE, PA. LYON & COMPANY. Coats, Suits & Furs We have a wonderful collec- tion of Coats and Suits. All the new weaves; any desirable color. Cloth Coats from $10.00 up. Plush Coats from $20.00 up. " Suits from - - $15.00 up. STR. FURS Every woman may indulge her fancy for luxurious Furs at our prices. No extra cost on our furs for a maker's name. We guaran- tee all prices to be the lowest and the qualities the best. Shoes Shoes Don’t forget we can save you big money on Shoes—Men, Women and Children’s. Lyon & Co. --» Bellefonte.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers