g i - “ wd Bw GHASING THE CENTIPEDE A PECULIAR INDUSTRY WHICH FLOURISHES IN CALIFORNIA, Quite Profitable Business—Youthful Hunters Who Make a Good Thing Out of Catching Poisonous Insects For the Curiosity Dealers, Among the many remarkable de- velopments of life on the Pacific coast, says the Los Angeles Times, the cen- tipede industry of Southern California | ifs uniquely prominent, thousands of these many-legged myriapodas being placed on the market each year, and even then the demand exceeds the sup- ply. Resides wholesaling immense numbers to Rastern firms, the Califor. nia novelty establishments find active customers in the tourists who pur chase formidable collections of semi- tropical bugs and insects, centipedes being especially popular. During the months of March April, | and May this strange industry is car- ried on with a vim, the collectors dry- ing and storing their crops to sell the worms to the dealers for five cents each. As an active boy can easily catch 100 centipedes a day, the pay is | quite considerable. The young hunter usually his lunch, sometimes in a basket, | sometimes in his pocket, but if he | were constructed like the Indian chila- ren of South America he would not be burdened with lunch, but would | satiate his appetite with centipedes, eating as he pleased and when he pleased, just as he would nibble wild | berries if he were on a berrying ex pedition. The native South American youngsters are said to « hase the cen- tipedes from their lairs, and, after tearing off the head, with the two at tendant poison fangs, eat the delicacy with gusto But this is a gustatory feat the American youth has yet to ac. quire. Besides the lunch, the hunter's paraphernalia consists of a pair of home-made pincers about eighteen inches in length, and a fdve-gallon oll can, with the top thrown half open. Scraps of paper line the bottom of can to a depth of six or eight inches, and in this rustling heap the worms are placed. If it not for the paper that pads the ja:l, and affords snug hiding places, there would be 3g terrific battle. in which the whole col lection of centipedes would unite, for they h i heins satisfied to carries Were ate their own ! their another i the fich on they eat one te tt iy Li termination of larger and Full-grown the Scolopendra castaniceps, five to eight forty-two legs ments. Each formidable thorn, worm is angered he <:multaneously thrusts every thorn the flesh of his victim, who feels as if a red bot | fron were carving lines of pain upon his skin. But the weapons that do the most mischief are placed just below the mouth and are formed from a sec- | ond pair of feet, which are modified into a pair of strong claws, set hori zontally, in a manner resembling the falces of ordinary spiders and termin ated by a sharp, strong hook in each gide. These hooks are perforated, and are traversed by a little canal leading from the poison gland. These claws come together under the flesh, with a hold so tenaclous that the centipede sometimes has to be torn to pieces before it will loosen its hold. Boys who gather the creatures are sometimes bitten, for on hot days the worms run like a streak of lightning, | and unlesa the pincers Fold firm they glide up the sticks and under the tor menters’ shirt sleeves, where, they wreak vengeance and make trouble generally. An application of ame monia or cooking soda is usually efil cacious in removing the poison. Though the pain of being bitten by a California centipede is the patient usually During the year fully deadly inaectas are, it is said, collected and prepared for the market in Pasadena. Centipedes, scorpions, tarantilas, tar antula hawks and trapdoor spiders are all victimized by “he small boy's | pincers and man's ingenuity, and ure arranged in artistic poses for the edl- | stronger one remains California centipedes, are from and average twenty-one nated and inches long and log leg SCE. bv the ig termi brown if into or - intense, recovers 10.000 fication of curiosity seekers. Horned | toads do not escape, and are marketed in immense numbers. Sven rattle- snakes fall into the meshes of this remarkable Industry, their skins be. ing made into belts, purses and many other things. Taking Advantage of the Situation. A member of the military band at a certain barracks came to the sur. geon recently with a long face and a | plaintive story about a score throat. “Sore throat eh?” said the surgeon, pleasantly. “Let me see. Oh, that's not bad—a slight irritation, nothing more, you will be all right in a day or two. 1 think you had better tak: no risk by using your throat though, so | will recommend you for a fortnight's sick leave.” Armed with the surgeons certificate, the bandsman obtained two weeks’ sick leave. The two weeks had just come to an end when he met the sur. geon on the parade ground. The bandsman saluted and the surgeon, recognizing the face, stopped. + “How's the throat?” he asked pleas antly. “It's quite well, sir,” was ths re. “That's good,” said the surgeon. "You can get back to your duty with. out fear. By the way, what instru ment do you play in the band?” “The small drum, sir!” sald the mu. sician, ro i SE. SAAT HI ASN KING EDWARD'S TELEGRAMS. His Cipher Talks Over the Wires with His Ministers and His Friends, The task of writing a royal mes- gage is one that involves considerable labor and expense, and the popular fallacy to the effect that all the King's telegrams are transmitted free of charge may at once be explode! Yhy the statement that royal telegrams ara responsible for a bill of £1,500 per annum. while a secretary ls specially employed to attend to this brancn of the correspondence department. A number of codes are in tween the sovereign and his ministers at home, while all the ambassadors abroad have a separate code whicn can only translated by the King and themselves, When telegraphing to intimate friends and relations King Rdward always uses the word code use be be All the King's of- messages are signed “Edward I.” and his private wires "Albert Edward” or “Bertie,” while the Queen signs herself “Alexandria” to her friends and subjects alike. The King's telegrams are never kept waiting, and direct wires are connect ficial As soon Aas the telegram has been prepared a “pilot message” is sent forward to clear the way, no one being allowed to use the wires in the mean The receiving clerk then makes mits it back again for verification, so as to avoid mistakes, wires are again open to the Only confidential clerks are to receive an important message, for to pay heavily for a copy, trusting to will be able to decipoer it. But despite these srecautions messages sometimes leak out, and the paper had reposed while the clerk cil. An blotting was the impression remained on pad which translated, neans of an important se ret being prematurely divulged to world. Naturally the King is often requested to telegraph his views on a certain subject to a but one occasion has he done 80 the Ven ry a whe newspaper, on This nccurred in 1885 during Prince ram fr of om the - than : La ezuelan Wales he Sand New American of beseeching for a peaceful difficulty Londo mination Tid-Bits A WINGED CRIMINAL. One of the Possibilities of the Future Aerial Navigation. a New York recently | that Edison humanity to be ashamed self for not having solved navigation.” said an obasory- ant citizen: “and I guess Edison must be right about it age of h marvelous along other lines ought t this interesting lem. Can't we as much as the birds? jut 1 thinking of the many possibilities which are wrapped up in this problem, and when we come to think of it the of “In looking over paper said of it. the problem noticed ought Hu achievements y have solved and important prob do was sudden solution benefit to humanity, would bring Into existence a fair quota of embarrass. ments. [It would change the whole as pect of the situation In many respects There would no doubt be balioon air and was the occasionally the who making other fellow's girl away with some would find himself rapid {0 De rate on Or, if he should happen according to some of the contrivances which have he might fow fall just the wings, hoon do. vised lose a feathers and same way of looking at the possibilities of Take the criminal sg, for instance What would hinder the safe the and the murderer from sailing out in- to the air after the commission of a blower, and be gone in a Jiffy. into the open air Policemen would have to wear balloons, else they would have to be provided with wings, a rather incongruous thing, when we come to think of it. Yet a policeman with wings may be one of the things of the future, if inventive genius ever succeeds in solving the problem of aerial navigation. There will be no other way for the minions of the law to pursue the men who commit all kinds of acts against the written law. Many embarrassments might come up, when we come to think of it, in con- nection with the problem of aerial navigation.” —New Orleans Times Democrat. Oil on the Water, A test of a cannon that throws a ghell designed to scatter oil on boisterous waves was recently made. The shell is of wood and conieal in shape. It contains two gallons of ofl. At one end of the projectile is a vein. This is covered with paper, which is blowns off as the shell leaves the plece, allowing the oil to escape. ——— When a boy Is told that he is a chip of the old block it generally makes him feel chipper. C—O. The lazy man wastes a lot of time looking at the clock. AN A A WARS ERM A = ARRAS SARA RAR RE What the Microscope Has Done. LA SL Se Te Ty yy .-— 5 > REMEMBER that in the year 1860 a man who occupied himself with 8 1 interest in the large affairs of humanity,—in the important quesfions of the microscope was smiled at as a blear-eved, narrow specialist, who had little time, such as the anti-slavery cause, the question of the Turk, the problems of free trade and the tariff, It was supposed that the microscope was a perfected instrument, and that little more could be done with it than in studying lower forms of life, which were interesting to the naturalist, but had little to do with humanity. At that time the death rate from diphtheria was over sixty per cent, and more than five per cent of women died In childbirth. Today, owing to improvements in the microscope, the death rate in diphtheria has been reduced to less than ten per cent, and the mortality in lying-in cases to one twentieth of one per cent, Zeiss has perfected microscopic lenses which have made possible the study of bacilli, and have led to some important results in the treatment of disease. Modern aseptic surgery is the result also of investigations with this new in strument of research. Thus the improvements in the microscope have led to the germ theory of disease, the discovery of antitoxin, and to that greatest boon to mankind of the century just closed, the realization of the importance of aseptic surgery. aseptic surgery the of the surgeon is to exclude the small germe which vitiate the blood, and the result of the study of electric discharges is now leading to methods of communicating electrons to the tissues or to meth ods of setting them free. Violet light can set free electrons from metals. X rays can the latter can burn the tissues, getting up It is claimed strenuously by good in malignant skin diseases, due to endeavor do the same, Moreover, some yet obscure form of electrolytic action. authorities that there electrical is a healing action new radiation nimals to Life , and Immunity From a ———— A A A ER FREES Ce Tele Tw BY CHESTER A. SNOW, President of the Washington Humane Society. OT very long ago no rights were recognized save the rights of kings, Slowly emerged Magna Charta. Habeas Corpus, and the day by the liberation of the caijed “divine. Declaration of Independence, followed in our slave and the serf up the cause of animals, These animals Now, some men and many have taken live harried lives becaus women many of whom Ui of tne abuse of men longer without « of the United States; to the voice or vole a sympathetic and powerful press is ad of happiness and a degree of liberty, no quite taelir right to ile societies pursuit offi £8 acess of law punishing their oppressors. equipped with and police agents are throughout States arresting and b} This flends diabolical oe pt reform, however, is well begun Thoughtiess, only are still catty caudal end of the backbone of horse % pr i % i pain and them impotent against tormenting flies. 3 oF Wen f i hey are MBE them of I and costly furs, an agyerdraw an unpatural @ hman once ‘ha realize that we represent, who reall tha 1 $ ean ized os kindness vimals can Iv systematic organized eflort No one In ate their cause, simplicity and t would be detraction to compare them 10 men. otherwise than rotd to advo Can fra idl ¢ patience, temperancs of life. honesty directness oO: manner and expression, i ¥ ow 66 99 C : The “Less” Century. é 2 2pp PP PIPIPIPIPEPPIIPIPPPN0 PPP PPPILPIIPIPIPPIPIPIVI a BY A SAGE OLD NEW YORKER. HIS will likely be known as the “less” century. [ was over at the Brooklyn Tc Navy Yard recently and was told that an order had been issued from the department in Washington to gell all of t the government. That is work heretofore intrusteqd to the pigeons Then. only the other day. 1 was reading about the girlless telephone. It attachment has been in he carrier pigeons belonging to on account of the wireless telegraphy that is to do the that some sort of an automatic connection the hello girl horseless vehicles that are more and appears vented that All through the city we see the thought was secure to the horse 11 will dispense with invading the domain that we over in Egypt. | made an excursion on a trolley car that I made over lands that Last spring a few years ago on a camel, and the maps as deserts We lines are being extended it already used to be marked on our rea looks 11s iy 4 have cameliess deserts very soon have a partially donkeyless Holy Land because of trolley cars Soon we will have a steamliess, smokeless, cinderlens elevated railway, and our underground railway will come to us gasless. Smokeless powder i new, {t is difficult to tell where this “less” business will stop, for now 1 read that a certain Dr. Loeb, of Chicago, has been experimenting with a collodion solu- tion, or something of that sort, and says it destroys the death principle in living if he is right we may have a deathless life before we reach the Science an Art in Homemaking. BY ADA C. SWEET. HE American globe-trotter iz of the feminine gender. The nations of the earth look in wonder at the bands of wandering North Americans who in. fest Burope. The French ask, “Where are the men?” They are—O inquiring foreigner--not at home, but they are at work in their own country, most of them, and when the long day in shop, bank or office is over they flock to the clubs and hotels and theatres, seeking recreation and change, these toiling husbands and fathers of restless sight-seers. “The curse of the wandering foot” has been sung by the Hoosier poet. He has treated the theme from its masculine side, showing the tragic shades of the lite of an adventurer, the soldier of fortune and the tramp. I fear that darker shadows still lurk behind the feminine unrest which thinks lightly of home and family, hesitates not over geparations from loved ones for years, counts not the risks of breaking up the restful refuge over the loss of which the most careless stops at times to sigh. Home. gimplicity of life might do much to restore the home to its old place—first {n the hearts of American women of all grades of fortune. Simplicity and are needed to lighten the burdens of both mistress and servant. Is it not worth study, this science and art in one of home-making? It is a study which every woman can tarry on without professors, books or fellow. el tes. A deep look first into her own heart, then loving, sympathetic, earn roading of the characters of every member of her family—this is the first lesson. Next to adapt the knowledge thus gained to the end of making each one of her household happy and comfortable every moment while under the home roof, herself included, is the problem. Is it not well worth to any one what effort soever must be made? A BEGINNING OF MILLIONS. The Chance Through Which One Man Has Become rich, One Western millionaire came into ‘he possession of his wealth through nls own abilities, beyond a doubt, but it is also true that his opportunities | were excellent, And they came to | 1im in an unusual way. i It happened that the wife of a very i rich man had for many years gone { to a certain shop in New York for yer gowns and had always been waited | upon by the same woman, One morn: } ing she went to the to order a gown. After the business of getting i the had i the gaid to ' the last i shall have the pieasure of waiting on you, Mrs, X, for | am going to be mar- i i ! store dross been saleswoman “This will new transacted, her: time that 1 be ried.” When the customer expressed an interest in her plans the woman told | her that she and the man to whom she | Yad been engaged for several years | had decided that they might as well | get married as wait, especially as she | {ittle money. “You bring your Sgid the customer: betrothed to my house tonight to see me. 1 would like meet him and have my husband know him too.” | A time was set and that night the | saleswoman and her betrothed visit. | ad the wealthy patron. The latter in troduced them to her talked with the man and ably impressed with him. to was favor He learned a small income at his business lefore the man left the house, a The man, of hack and the result was a place for him in sne of the millionaire’'s mills near a course, came i i That counts Today he fingers | And his was his beginning his millions on more fortune came through his BRIEFLY TOLD. Dispatches Boiled Down for Quick Reading. Special PATENTS AND PENSIONS GRANTED. To Use Noo-Uslon Men—$17.000 in Gifts to Le- banon Valley Board of [rusices Start the $50,000 Improvement Fund — Rich Mas 8 Suicide — Degree for James M. Beck Pennsyl Pittsburg, molds , Curtain wgton igton, pan Pittsbu raf Pitt W Hafler tachmen i sand 7 Verona tent; Be peed aL, ra, Kuhn and shUurg, lectric motor generator; Hugh age for fragile article Pittsburg, compound truss rail Rasner, Pitt in sash: Richard Reedes, Rr 1 Pitt Abraham and storm curtain for vehicles; i, Pittsburg | i, lector ri machines: Chas. Weber wuid oF ; g for irame ler Siegiried col metal bending burg impression on | the opportunities that New York Sun. advantage of came to him Tommy Visits Jack Frost waich for cold, “Now, Tommy, you must toni ve ght, for it is var 4 vel Frost nr pt Tommy's mother my v and 1 obahly be around b That i che tu e will ry t said s what ked ttle bed jommsy ould keep awake the better gone to bed his door open funny ered. ght is very ent went st indow and ra worked on 1 Tommy first i n was st Us his and he venture tle man “Don’t you think it that said a shame #0 come to bed early? Tommy “It is early,” are to be in “but too tired folks Jack Frost not are fies tie good for hed Ie plied if you sure you in morni consented, back the Tommy Of course dressed jee sleigh with with a surprise it fortable Jack Frost painted many other beautiful pictures and then they start- real fairy land The sleigh drawn by snow flakes that flew fast, and they soon Frost's palace beautif=i, SOON Jack's his COR but warm and shiver, to was was ciear, transparent without and Tommy could see the frost fairies having a splendid time Tommy emember, then some one said: you will be late to kinder don’t hurry.” But Tommy believes that it really happened, and to this day he says it did. But Tommy when he had that That was all for just “Oh, Tommy garten if you could 1 1 happy dream. again, but Jack has not called him yet. — Chicago Record-Herald. A Horse Story. Speed says: “Our skirts are not entirely clean on this side oi the Atlantic, though to be sure, it ia not yet by any meana common for gentlemen or ladies te take commissions from their trades men on account of services rendered As to whether it will be or not, I am pot so sure. That servants expect and exact commissions ia absolutely certain, however. A while ago 1 sold a horse to a friend. He took a fancy to the horse and finally bought hin for four hundred dollars. The next day he came to me with a check for four hundred and twenty-five dollars} ‘When you send that horse around,’ he sald ‘please give that extra twenty five dollars to my coachman. 1 don want him to lame that horse.or in jure him in any way. » Gracious!’ 1 asked ‘you seem to be in mortal fear of your coachman?’ , “Yes, 1 suppose 1 am. They are all allke, howaver. Commissions or purchased are the perquisites of the stablemen, and they have no use for » horse about which they have not beer consulted and on which they have no had a commission. 1 have had som nasty experiences, and as this horse is tor my own riding, I don't want any prejudices in the stable against him.’ Allentown bered sd on 14 men WwW. kK Frick, Steinheser Rey W lentown, received 1 james M. Beck, of Philadelphia, ain en the degree of 1 LD. and Julius : of Philadelphia, Ph.D H. S. Kettring, owner of many houses at Annville and surrounded by all the habiliments of wealth, took his life be- cause he lost $1500 by the faithlessness of employees Several weeks ago he jearned that building speculations had gone Wrong. and that he would have to make good the failing of a contractor, He brooded over the matter ever «nce, and his body was found hanging from a rafter in the barn back oi his mansion Frank 1. Buhl and P. Ll. Kimberly, retired steel manufacturers Sharon, are arranging to build a coke plant mw Eastern Kentucky. to cost $2,000,000 They have formed the Northern Coal & Coke Company. with headquarters Chicago, and have secured 100,000 acres oi coal land mn Kentucky. The works will be the largest of is kind in the 4 v. OV illam Roplin, a wealthy Montgom- ery county farmer, committed suicide by hanging himself mn his barn. Was Yu Sacns, ol The bursting of a lamp in the home of John Barrett, in Philadelphia, caus- ed a fire by which Mrs. Barrett, aged 22 years, and her tittle son, Edward, aged 2 years, were badly burned about the y. Jdhey were taken to the Hahnemann Hospital, where it was said death would pr ably be the result in both cases. i'n Lena R. Blake, aged 16, and gle, aged 24, first cousins, eft Mon Saturday night for Philadel Telegrams were sent out calling of the couple. They were Harrisburg and the girl was Altoona.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers