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THE NEW BATTLESHIP PENNSYLVANIA,
• a
4,
ONE OF FIVE TO BE BUILT FROM IDENTICAL PLANS AND FOR WHICH BIDS HAVE BEEN ASKED,
The Future Home
in Belgium of
Ex-President Kruger
As soon ns ex-President Kruger
reaches Belgium he will find liis future
home all ready for him. Thanks to
the generosity of Oswald d’Aumerle, a
Boer sympathizer In Belgium, the
Chateau d’Anderlecht has been put at
the disposal of the refugee ex-Prosi
dont by its owner. M. d’Aumerie has
owned this chateau only two years,
and when he bought it it was exceed
ingly run down, but he spent money on
it liberally, and made it look as if it
really were an ancestral seat.
M d’Aumerie has had great sym
pathy with the Boers all along, not be
cause of any special hostility to Eng
land, but because he believed in ob
serving inviolate the sanctity of small
nations. So, when it became known
that Kruger was on his way to Bel
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CHATEAU D’ANDEIILECHT, WHERE KRUGER WILL LIVE.
gium, the Belgian got together several
©f his friends and fellow countrymen
who believed in the Boer cause, and
proposed to them that he give up his
chateau to the use of the refugee. They
were willing, of course, and so the
scheme was brought about.
Auderlecht is a pretty suburb south
east of Brussels and consists of hand
some mansions dotted about in
grounds of limited extent on the slopes
WHAT THE BOER RIFLE PITS LOOK LIKE.
•of the undulating country. The chateau
Is reached by a drawbridge crossing
a narrow moat, and the road leads
directly to the colannades which form
the front of the mansion. The main
gate is flanked by two colossal busts,
which formerly belonged to the Castle
of Gravesande. On the right of the
vestibule is Mr Kruger’s antechamber,
which Is furnished in Gothic style.
Here the oje-Presideut will find at large
Bible, of which book he is said to be so
fond. T t is more than seven inches
thick, aud was printed in 1772. The
grounds have an area of ten acres, laid
out by M. d’Aumerie, who also drew
QUIET CHAT IN A RIFLE PIT.
the sketch of the chateau and its sur
roundings accompanying this article.
There are two odd coincidences con-
uected with this gift. Catholic monks
built the chateau three centuries ago,
and now it will shelter the ex-l?resi
dent of a Protestant republic, who is a
descendant of the Huguenots. Besides
this, the chateau once was occupied
by King Leopold 1., who slept in the
same bedroom which is assigned to
Mr. Kruger.
A rifle pit hardly realizes one’s ideal
of what a subterranean dwelling ought
to be, even when hollowed out and en
larged into quite a respectable bomb
proof, like that shown in the accom
panying illustration. But tire pit served
its purpose admirably from the Boer
point of view, and many a gallant
Britisher came xo an untimely end
through the Boers’ persistent use of
this ingenious hiding place on the
veldts and kopjes of South Africa.
Snugly ensconced in their bottle
shaped retreats, with spirituous re
freshments contained in vessels also
bottle-shaped, at hand, their guns
tightly grasped and a companion ever
alert for the enemy’s approach, the
Boers w r ere continually on the watch
for a chance to “snipe” the foe, while
the shells whistled and screeched over
head and the battle waged fiercely
around them.
It is claimed that the art of digging
rifle pits, or “sniping” or sharpshoot
ing and the use of sand bags in de
fensive earthworks were all derived
from observation of American meth
ods.
Motors For Market Gardens.
The idea of utilizing a motor haul
age iu connection with the market gar
oen near a metropolis has been sug
gested of late. Motor vehicles would
obviate some of the difficulties that
market gardeners have now to encoun
ter in produce to market,
and it would certainly pay some en
terprising carrier to make the venture.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CENTENNIAL
Description of the Ifememto Fubrioated by
the United State* Mint in Philadelphia.
The medal to be struck in commem
oration of the hundredth anniversary
of the day upon which the District of
Columbia became the seat of the Uni
ted States Government was received
in Washington December 1. It was
made at the United States Mint In
Philadelphia, and In point of work
manship, as well as excellence of de
sign, is one of the most expensive of
the sort ever Issued.
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ME U 8M338QG5 ETfl>
SK 1 WMSi]
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF THE HUN
DREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIS
TRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The bronze used is of rich dark
color. The medal is one and three
fourths inches in diameter. The ob
verse ride carries the heads of .John
Adams and William McKinley In pro
file, with the following inscriptions
encircling the heads: “John Adams,
1800;” “William McKinley, 1900.”
On the reverse side, across the centre
is a panel with the inscription “Com
meorative of the establishment of the
National Government at Washington.”
Above this panel is a view' of the Capi
tol building as it is to-day, over which
is inscribed “United States Capitol,
1900.” Below the tablet is a view of
the Capitol building as it appeared 100
years ago, over which is inscribed
“United States Capitol, 1S00.”
The metal used in the manufacture
is from the old portion of the Capitol
building, and some that was used at
the White House.
Everything Made of Irish Peat.
A large Dublin manufacturer has a
room entirely furnished w’ith Irish
peat. The carpets ou the floors, the
curtains at the windows and the paper
on the wall are made from this sub
stance. For years be has experimented
with the material, which is now very
largely exported as fuel, and he ha?
discovered that from it it is possible
to produce almost any kind of fabric.
The process is simple—the fibres,
which are strong and tough, being ex
tracted and woven like cotton or Silk.
The fabrics have the toughness of
linen and the warmth of wool. Blank
ets made of them are found to excel In
warmth and lightness anything yet
discovered.
Newspapers of Regiments.
Most of the British regiments have
their own newspapers, published once
a mouth. The news consists chiefly of
matters pertaining to the officers and
men of the regiment and their fami
lies, but the papers also devote regu
lar columns to sporting news, humor,
poetry or other departments. All con
tributions are from members of the
regiment. These papers are. much in
favor among the officers and soldiers,
and many of them are Wry well edit
ed- V -
SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL.
It is reported that the immense cok
plants at Connellsville, Penn., are to
ho equipped electrically, with the idea
of cheapening production. Not only
will electric mining appliances be in
stalled in the coal mines, but the elec
tric lifts and electric cars will handle
it afterward.
Anew device for moistening and
sealing envelopes will commend itself
to many people as more cleanly than
the method with which every one is
familiar. The moistener and sealer is
a central glass tube, provided at one
end with a soft rubber nipple, in which
metal bearings hold a soft rubber roll
er. The central glass tube contains
water, which is fed to the sponge. In
sealing an envelope the sponge is
drawn across the gum flap, which is
thus moistened. The device is then
turned around and the moistened flap
is evenly and squarely sealed by means
of the rubber roller. For holding the
moistener and sealer when not in use
a holder is used, composed of a soft
rubber suction base, upon which a
glass rod is mounted. When the suc
tion base is moistened and pressed
down on the table or desk the air is
expelled and *h 1 holder stands up
right, convenient for use when re
quired.
The developments of recent years
have given new importance to water
powers, and at a recent congress of
physicists at Dusseldorf it was pointed
out that great progress in the use of
such power must follow the damming
of mountain streams to hold back
water for dry seasons. The advan
tages of this water storage were thus
summarized: Creation of a uniform
water power for the factories in the
valley and inducements to increase
said industries; distribution of power
by electrical transmission; a higher
water level in the streams, even in
the warm summer months, and a de
crease of their impurities; decrease of
liability of rivers to freeze by the
drawing off of comparatively warm
water; improvement of the water sup
ply for cities and irrigation of barren
lauds; decrease in the liability of
floods and the damage done by them;
decrease of the desire of the inhabit
ants to collect in large towns; beauti
fying the landscapes, developing fish
eries, water and ice sports, etc., and
improvement of means of transporta
tion.
'• „ t
A device has been introduced for the
.purpose of combining the good effects
of exercise and the physiological ef
fects of electricity. By this apparatus
a person can have an electric shock
while going through Ins usual matuti
nal rope and pulley exercise. The ma
chine resembles the ordinary exerciser,
with elastic cords passing over the
pulleys, but the cords serve as conduc
tors and the handles ar electros. Close
to the hand of the exerciser is an ap
pliance which enables him to increase
the current strength at pleasure. A
metallic foot plate with which the ap
paratus is supplied can be placed in
the circuit, so that the current can be
passed through the body. It can be
so switched as to be directed from
either hand through the body to the
other hand, through the body to the
feet, or through the feet to the
body. The drawing out of the slide
of an induction coil regulates the cur
rent in strength to meet all require
ments. The dosage of electric current
which is supplied by this invention is
so slight that it would be difficult to
do any harm with it, and it may possi
bly prove of much benefit to those who
use it to a moderate extent.
A Poisonous Food-Plant.
“One of the most deadly poisons and
a common article of food are combined
in a single plant,” remarked a botan
ist. “This is tapioca, a South Ameri
can shrub that grows to a height of
six or eight feet. The root as well as
the wood of the plant, secretes an
acrid milky juice so toxic that it kills
in a very few minutes. This quality
is eliminated by heat, and that which,
in a raw' state, is so deadly is thereby
converted into a nourishing and agree
able aliment. The root is grated into
pulp and subjected to great pressure,
which extracts all the poisonous juice.
It is then heated on metal plates which
transforms it into the tapioca of com
merce. This information regarding
the poisonous properties of the shrub
need not disturb tbe equanimity of
consumers of tapioca, as the process
employed in its conversion from a
deadly plant into a substance entire
ly innocuous is absolutely infallible.”
Washington Star.
Sudden Changes In Government.
Heilbron, in tbe Orange River Col
ony, has undergone some remarkable
experiences of late. Roth the English
and Dutch forces have occupied it
ueh a number of times that the in
nabitants hardly know, until they look
at the flag over the magistrate’s court,
whether the town for the day owes
allegiance to her majesty or is claimed
i by Theron’s guerrillas. Since May 23
—four months ago—it has changed its
rule no less than seven times.—East
Loudon (Cape Colony) Dispatch.
I’HE MERRY SIDE OP LIFE
STORIES THAT ARE TOLD SY THE
FUNNY MEN OF THE PRESS.
•Just a Way Slio Han-Ill* Becominen,!,,.
tlon—A Fountain rtf Ignorance-Hu
Lost Opportunity— One of the B u „i ne ,*
Troubles—The Whole Truth, Etc., Etc.
A woman can’t vote and a woman can't
throw
A brick or a stone very high.
But a weak little woman of thirty or so
Can bring a young nmn or liis grand,
father low b ua
By merely a drop of the eye.
—Chicago Times-Heraid.
His Recommendation.
She —“Would you Recommend any
particular method of learning golfy’
He —“Decidedly! Coeducation
Puck.
A Fountain of Ignorance.
Gayboy—“What have you been do
ing all day?”
Bighead—“lncreasing my ignorance.
I have just read the latest -historical
novel.”—Life.
Hts Lost Opportunity.
Bacon—“ Samson was noted for his
strength and his long liair, I believe?”
Egbert—“ Yes; too bad they didn’t
have pianos in those days.”—Yonkers
Statesman.
One of the Business Troubles.
“Every man lias liis limitations.”
“Yes; hut even after he reaches them
lie keeps on thinking liis salary ought
to he raised just the same.”—Chicago
Times-Heraid.
The AVhole Truth.
Judge—“And you say lie liad murder
in his eye?”
Victim—“No, Sor. I think it wuz in
his hand. Tliot’s where he liikl lb’
rock.” —Chicago News. -
No Necessity.
Miss Pepprey—“You don’t mean to
say that you absolutely do nothing.”
Cholly—“Aw, weally, I don’t even
do that. My nmn attends to ev’wy
thing, y’ know.”—Philadelphia Press.
Left at the Post.
May—“ They say that Miss Oldgiij
really has been engaged.”
Belle —“How often?”
May—“ Judging from appearances I
should say that she was engaged once
too seldom.”—Puck.
An Unreasonable Client.
First Lawyer—“Y'es, we’ve won the
case, but talk about an unreasonable
client! ”
Second Lawyer—“ What’s the trou
ble? Does lie expect some of the
money ?”—Brooklyn Life.
Bolstering Up Class Dignity.
Horse—“ Our coaching club .has made
a neiv rule.”
Mule—“ What is it?”
Horse—“ Why, w'lien an automobile
goes lame it must get another automo
bile to haul It home.”—Puck.
Her Preference.
Clerk —“Perhaps you'd like to look at
some goods a little more expensive
than these.”
Shopper—“ Not necessarily, hut I
would like to look at some of better
quality.”—Philadelphia Press.
Two Veterans.
“Yes, it’s true,” boasted Colonel
Bragg, “I’ve been in innumerable en
gagements, and yet I never lost my
head.”
“And I’ve been in hundreds of
them,” replied the summer girl, "and
never lost my heart.”
Bringing Up Children.
“Do you know much about the train
ing of children?”
“Do I?” returned the fond father.
“Well, you bet I do. I know a whole
lot, and if children weren’t so contraiy
and unappreciative, I’d have the best
rained hunch in the neighborhood.
Would Have Made No Difference.
A subscriber wrote to the editor
thus:
“I don’t want your paper any long
er.”
To which the editor replied:
“Glad to hear it. I shouldn't make
it any longer if you did.”—Pick Me D*
An Appeal For Adjustment.
Freddy—“ Papa, mamma promised
me a quarter if I would have my tootn
pulled.”
Papa—“ Well, Freddy, you got n,
didn’t you?” .
Freddy—“No, papa. I was thinkm
’bout the quarter an’ didn t m.
much fuss, an’ so she only gmime •
dime.”—Puck.
The Only Way.
Mrs. Dimpleton— “My dear, it is
ing reported around that we
everybody.” ,- s
Dashaway— “And the worst of a * •
it’s true. So what are you going
do about it?” h
“Do?- Why, we must corree -
:tn impression immediately >J F 3
on elaborate dinner party.”—Lite.
Hl* Disbelief- ~*
“He says he is from Nev, c
said one young woman.
"Yes.” answered the otbei.
“I cau’t believe it.
“He* bn Iked* with me for five min'd ej
without saying anything was 6" ■■ „
characterizing anybody ns n lobs
—Washington Star.