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About The monitor. (Omaha, Neb.) 1915-1928 | View Entire Issue (May 27, 1927)
Fish Has Odd Power to Benumb Opponent In the winter of 1882, when the writer was at work on the fishes of Key West, a tourist came to his of fice, beuring a sftiall ray or skate of which he told a curious story. See ing the little fish close to shore, he stabbed it with a pocket knife. At 'Once he felt a sharp shock like that ifrotn a Leyden Jar, which, for the mo iment, paralyzed his arm. So he brought the fish to me. It be longed to the family of torpedoes or electric rays, being one of the small est kinds of these fishes, Narcine brasiliensis. It Is locally known to the Bahama and Key West fishermen as numb-fish or cramp-fish, and to the Spanish as entemedor. These fishes, the torpedoes or electric rays, are very much like the ordinary skate In ap pearance, but softer in body and more rounded In form, the flesh being very watery and the skin everywhere per fectly smooth. The torpedo yields a quick, sharp shock when touched, benumbing an enemy for the time being. The shock is well carried along a metallic con ductor, such as a knife or spear. Il is said to have the qualities of mag netlsm, ‘Tendering the needle mag netlc and decomposing chemical com pounds." However disconcerting to one who feels it. It is not dangerous The exercise of this power soon ex bausts its possessor and a period of rest is needed.—Prof. David Starr Jordan in the Scientific American. Had to Have Strong Coffee on Broadway During her recent week-end visit to a town on the South shore the Woman stopped in a fruit and vegetable store to make some purchases for her friend. The clerk wus having a ruth er difficult task, for the customer up on whom he was waiting wanted to know the history of each purchase. “What kind of coffee have you?” she asked. “Good coffee!” promptly responded the dark-eyed son of Italy. “Yes, I know. But what brand Is It?” “These one, she's drink by all the people downtown, New York. Fifty nine cents a pound.” “Oh, that’s too expensive." “Well, here’s another, only 49 cents,” 'hastily volunteered the man. “Is It strong?" asked the lady du blously. “1 like strong coffee." “Sure. Wonderful strong. They drink these kind on Broadway. They gotta have strong coffee there They stay up all night”—New York Sun. Hope-Making Plant Much of the peninsula of Yucatan is very stony, and as there are prac tically no rivers, the planters depend on rain to Irrigate their fields. Sisal hemp, or benequin. Is the chief article of growth and export throughout the peninsula. I The sisal Itself Is an evergreen plant iCiosely related to the century plant or American aloe. The fiber is extracted from the curving, swordlike leaves, [which are cut at the end of the third lor fourth year of growth. The leaves are macerated, or made Into pulp, and The fibers torn apart by machine. The pulp is then washed away and the fibers dried and bleached by the sun, land when the process Is completed .this yellowish-white fiber ranks next To Manila hemp In making rope.— . Washington Star. Recalling Early Daye With plenty of patience, paper ana a pencil. It la possible for yon to re member what happened when you I were six months old. asserts Dr. E. ! PIckworth Farrow, English psycholo gist, In Popular Science Monthly. For ; periods of one or two hours at a time, he says, write down any and every thought which occurs to you. Repeat the process several times Then, as memories of recent happen ings gradually are "worked off” on paper, you will go hack to recollec tions of your early life. Colore and Mentality That different colors may have Im portant effects on the mental state of people has been believed for many years. Some psychologists have gone so far as to prepare charts of the mental effects of different colors, red being stimulating and exciting, blue depressing, and so on. In a long series of tests made on children several months ago It was found that most of the children preferred red and orange colors to blue and violet ones. Red for most people Is a cheerful. Inspiring color. ! Not Copied From Nature ( My sculpture is not copied from na ture .1 follow a definite and preconceived Idea about sculpture, and from that I make a sketch in iclay. ... What I search for Is the j disposition of volume In space, the {figure In light and air. I search for -an ample form and the copying of an t actual figure Is of no Interest to me. . . . Who could copy nature? .Even the Greeks never attempted It >. , . What Is Important Is the gen eral Idea. It can’t be explained, but jbas to be felt.—Maillol. Knowledge and Power j A great many people “kuow” many -things they really don’t know. Some lone has said that what Is not known ^would fill more books than ever have been printed. Human knowledge Is limited, yet a little knowledge may exert tremendous power.—Grit Gem Worn by Musician Idea of Old Creeks When we sit at a concert listening to a great violinist, we are often di verted by the flash of a large dia mond on one of the fingers of his bow hand. If we like the music and the artist we dismiss the Impression with the thought that it is merely a bit of personal vanity on the part of the player. But when we read that the practice of displaying handsome rings to the audience was In vogue at musical contests 2,400 years ago, and learn that the eminent Greek lyre players of the time of Timotheus wore Jewels on the right hand, the hand which held the plectrum and sounded the strings, we find that we are confront ing a long tradition of professional practice. Perhaps this persistent hahit may he traceable to the Greek desire to discover and reveal beauty every where, and to harmonize glints of color with musical tones, if such a combination is possible. Granting that this was the aim of the Greek artist, we must then be dealing not merely with the momentary whim of a vain musician, but with traits of Greek character which are also hu man, showing themselves in similar guise wherever similar situations oc cur, and persisting, therefore, through | long years In the practices of a guild ! —Charles Burton Gullek, in “Modern i Traits in Old Greek Life." — Little Visible Charm in Captured Mermaid That the belie! in mermaids should huve survived all these years Is ex iraordinary; but there is another curious side to the matter—that each successive mermaid seen through the centuries seems to have been uglier than its predecessor Of this there can be no doubt if one .-entrusts the description of the “mer maid" of the ancient Greeks with those of more recent times. In an account of a "mermaid'’ cap tured off the coast of Natal, a writer describes It as having screamed likp a woman when caught, and goes on to state that It had seven ribs on each side, lungs, kidneys and a heart about tiie size of an ox heart. According to the writer, the “mermaid” was 11 feet long, had a huge tall Instead of legs, lacked a tongue arid teeth, but had a heavy chin, fiat nose, eyes, and a kind of hair that grew In tufts. Not a very prepossessing “mermaid"! It is more than probable that this 800-pound monster was a dugong. which, though once a land dweller, Is now an inhabitant of the sea and un doubtedly responsible for many of the “mermaid" legends. __f Childish Frankness Speaking of embarrassing moments, Mrs. F. S. R. writes that she took her four-year-old daughter with her when calling one afternoon and they had not been In a woman's bouse long when the little one remarked: “You may as well start getting din ner, Mrs Brown, ’cause daddy's out of town an' If you ask us we cun stay to dinner just as well as not." "Needless to say,” adds Mrs. F. 8. R., "we got the Invitation and I was *ery much embarrassed.”—Boston Transcript. Fly a “Free Animal Not Pest—in Italy In Florence you get over expecting things to be done and learn to take what Is given In a mild spirit of thankfulness and to let the rest go. The ily question Is an example. We were Americans and we were deter mined that we were not going to be tormented by flies, Italian flies at that, lazy, insolent brutes unused to molestation. We combated them with screens, with sticky paper, with de termined slaughterings. They merely returned in slow, persistent clouds the moment the holocaust was over. It seemed as though they were bora both wise and wary, for screens Would not keep them out nor fly paper en- j trap them. This was seemingly Inex plicable until we discovered the j kitchen windows invitingly open and I Lltlzia placidly peeling (totatoes with a sort of black halo moving about her head. She listened to the storm of expostulation unmoved and rather j amused. “Ah, signora," she explained, "but | there is no way to keep out a fly—a fly—he is a free animal.”—From “Falling Seeds.” by Elizabeth G. Chap man. Thinkers Have Ever Seen Trouble Ahead We are all more or less nervous at times—especially when something goes wrong with us—about what is going to happen to the human race. The psychiatrists are particularly a|» prehenslve. Dr. Max Shlapp, for In stance, told the Academy of Medicine, at New York that he feared that the whole race of tomorrow would either be grossly damaged or lowered In gen eral efficiency as a result of the high tension lives we lead—though, to he sure, all of us don't lead that kind of lives. Twas ever thus. Greece saw trouble ahead; so did Koine. Those who watched the moths flutter round the Louis XIV candle in France were gravely apprehensive, and so were those who frowned on the gayeties of the court of Charles II in England. Trouble was ahead then as It Is now. Some pretty bad jnesses followed, but humanity survived and on llie wli.’e. Improved Bui rroiiltle Is always ahead We never catch up wllli the direst of It Surely there Is comfort In the thought that the worst Is yet to come—and probably will never gel here.—Indianapolis News What She Wanted to Kno o A woman called up the Times office the oilier day and asked the able and efficient young woman in charge of the telephone: “Is there a bureau of Information in the Times office?" “What do you want to know?" asked the obliging young woman. “That's what I want to know ” “Well, but what do you want to know?” “That's what I want to know Is there a bureau of—” “I know, hut what do you want to know?” “TIihI's what I want to know!" “There's no bureau of Information, but if you'll tell me what you want to know I’ll—” “Thank you. That’s what I wanted to know Good-by.”—Leavenworth Times. Cannot Harden Rubber The bureau of standards says when rubber is melted It Is changed both chemically and physically. It cannot be hardened. Contrary to what seems to be tlie quite common Impression, rubber goods are not cast by pour ing die melted material into molds. Instead the crude rubber Is worked between steam-heated rolls and at tlie same time the sulphur and other In gredients are mixed up. The warm, plastic mixture Is then molded and heated to vulcanize tlie rubber—Ilia! ts. to cause the sulphur to combine with It. News “News” is eounimtily believed to be formed from the Initial letters of the four directions, north, east, west. Hiid south, but It Is authoritatively claimed that tlie Interesting sameness Is merely coincidence. There are synomous foreign words "nova” and “nouvelles,” which employ various letters to mean the same thing. In our own language the word was for merly spelled “newes.” It ts likely that the German word “das neue" is ttie origin of ours since their phrase. “Was giebt neues?" means the same as our, “What's the news?” The Crisis It ts a common saying that men and women hate to pass forty and put on glasses. There la a greater trial ahead of them; to have all their teeth out and buy a set of the kind that never looks natural. False teeth are as easily detected as a wig; but people are rather more charitable for false teeth—somehow, they expect a man to boldly face bald ness.—E. W. Howe’s Monthly. Sure Winner Buddy Cohen was bragging about now much his father knew. “He knows everything," declared Buddy, but little Bertha was skeptical and finally Buddy did remember that he had asked his father a question or two that he couldn’t answer Still loyal to hls argument, however, he finally said: “Well, iny fattier may Dot know everything but we’ve got e dictionary that knows tlie rest " TWO KINDS OF JUSTICE — The Colored people of this country are its greatest asset. They are pa triotic, as proven in every war this country has been engaged in. But their patriotism has not only been shown in the time of war but in the days of peace their love of country has been shown. There have been no labor troubles made by Negro workmen. There have been no as sassinations of presidents or other U'overning authorities by Negroes. We have been patient and forbear ing in the face of all kinds of adverse legislation. If the meek shall inherit the earth the Negroes of “these United States of America” ought to | >wn America. For we are meek and forgiving and we are gluttons for . punishment and always bob up smil ng and happy after our “good white folks” have kicked us on the shins and have hit us below the belt. But The News sounds this warning to our good white friends: The Negro is getting tired—we almost said ‘darned tired”—of this two handed justice. W'e are wondering why the white man cannot be fair and square, lere are two cases: Fleming and 3ard, Negroes, are sentenced to death or an alleged rape of a white girl vho never has identified them and ibout whose guilt there is great room ’or doubt. Yet it is Baid they must lie. Charles Falone, white, is charged vith rape of a Colored girl. He is dentified, in fact he is almost caught n the act, and yet he only gets five ■ears in jail and a thousand dollar ine and that not for rape but for ‘assault and battery.” What can our /hite friends and fellow citizens be linking about—to deal out this kind jf justice? We have produced no narchist assassins, or even radicals, <ut we warn “our good white folks" hat it is not human nature to go on grinning and bearing this kind of thing. Patience ceases to be a virtue some , time and we hope for their sakes as well as our own that the white man will come to himself and play the game fair and square. We make no threats. But— —The Louisville News. COLORED LAD IS THE PRESIDENT OF CLASS AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY Boston, Mass.—Edward P. Simms was elected president of the Sopho j more Class of the Boston University School of Religious Education and Social Service. This is the first time in the history of the University that a colored youth has been elected to such a distinguished office. Mr. Simms is the son of the late Annie E. j and S. Simms. His mother was, be fore her marriage, a teacher in the j Boston public schools. His father | served three years on the Boston city council. His grandfather was Mr. Elijah W. Smith, Boston’s poet of twenty-five years ago. His great grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Paul, was New England’s first colored min ister. Mr. Simms has received many hon ors since attending this school, one j of which was to be selected as class j representative at the All-School Ban- i quet, held at Repertory Hall, Fri day evening. May 6, 1927. He was also one of the few student speakers on the same program with Boston University's president, Daniel Marsh, at the Men's Council Banquet held re cently. OKLAHOMA INVESTMENT CO. ; Dealers in REAL ESTATE We have newly opened our office and we are honest and trustworthy. Plea«e Give U» a Trial 1423 No. 24th St. WE. 7004 H. D. Williams, Mgr.—Adv. i EMERSON’S LAUNDRY 1 the Laundry That Suita All * 1301 No. 24th St. SHOE REPAIRING BENJAMIN & THOMAS always give I satisfaction. Best material, reason- 1 able prices. All work guaranteed, j 1415 North 24th St., Webster 5084 ' Classified FOR RENT—Two rooms, neatly furnished, strictly modern. Pri vate kitchen and bath. The new James Apartments. Call at 2221 No. Twenty-fifth St. Web. 3634. FOR RENT—Furnished room in strictly modern home. One block from Dodge carline. Call during business hours, WE. 7126, even ings, WE. 2480. tf-12-10-26. FOR KENT—Neatly furnished room. Modern home. With kitchen priv ilege. Call Web. 6498. —tf. FOR RENT Furnished rooms. Web ster 2180. 2516 Patrick avenue. WANTED—Working girl to take a room in my cosy apartment. Web. | 1186. I FOR RENT—Six rooms, 1148 North! 20th street; five rooms, 1152Ms| North 20th. Modern except heat. Webster 5299. -‘ j FOR RENT—Furnished room in mod ern home, with kitchen privileges. ■ Man and wife preferred. Call WE. j 0919 mornings. FOR RENT—Furnished rooms. 2516 Patrick avenue. Tel. WE. 2180. 1 ROOMS FOR RENT—1812 No. 23rd st. WE. 2089. 2-T. NICELY furnished rooms. All mod ern. WE. 3960. FOR RENT—-Nearly furnished room in modern home, kitchen privileges. WE. 3308. 4-T. BEAUTY PARLORS MADAM Z. c. SNOWDEN. Scientific scalp treatment. Hair dressing and manufacturing. 1154 No. 20th St •\ Etister 6194 UNDERTAKERS JONES & COMPANY, Undertakers 24th and Grant Sts. WEhster 1100 Satisfactory service always. PAINTERS AND PAPER HANGERS A. F. PEOPLES. Painting and decor j ating, wall paper and glass. Plas | tering, cement and general work. Sherwin-Williams paints. 2419 Lake St. Phone Webster 6366. I I _ _ LAWYERS W. B. BRYANT, Attorney and Coun selor-at-Law. Practices in all courts. Suite 19, Patterson Block, f 17th and Famam Sts. AT, 9344 or Ken. 4072. W. G. MORGAN—Phones ATIantie 9344 and JAckson 0210. H. J. PINKETT, Attorney and Coun selor-at-Law. Twenty years’ ex perience. Practices in all court*. Suite 19, Patterson Rlock, 17th and Farnams Sts. AT. 9344 or WE. 3180. HOTELS PATTON HOTEL, 1014, 1016, 101$ South Uth St. Known from coast to coast. Terms reasonable. N, P. Patton, proprietor. THE HOTEL CUMMINGS, 1916 Cum ing St. Under new management. Perms reasonable. D. G. Russell, proprietor. I —— --——— ---■ BAGGAGE AND HAULING I.J. A. GARDNER’S TRANSFER. Bag gage, express, moving, light and heavy hauling. Reliable and com petent. Six years in Omaha. 2622 Maple Street. Phone WEbster 4120. C. H. HALL, stand, 1403 No. 24th. Baggage and express hauilng to all parts of the city. Phones, stand, WE. 7100; Res., WE. 1066. Harry Brown, Express and Transfer. Trunks and Baggage checked. Try ua far your moving and hauling. Alao, coal a*d I ice for sale at all times. Phone Webster 2973. 2013 Crgce xtreet. DRUG STORES ROSS DRUG STORE, 2306 North 24th Street. Two phones, WEbster 277# and 2771. Well equipped to supply your needs. Prompt service. THE PEOPLES’ DRUG STORE, 24th and Erskine Streets. We carry a full line. Prescriptions promptly filled. WEbster 6323. PLUMBERS NEBRASKA PLUMBING CO., J. F. Allison, manager. Estimates fur nished. 3025 Evans Street. Phone KE. 6848. * V _
