Sandglasses Still Used To Measure Time

1900

A Sure and Silent Timer

Strange to say, the sandglass is still used to measure varying periods of time. The size depends upon the purposes to which they are to be put. The hour glass is still in use in the sick room, and in the music room, in both places affording a sure and silent indication of the progress of time.

Half-hour glasses are used in schools, and fifteen-minute glasses are used for medical purposes, and the sandglass also goes into the kitchen as an aid to exact cooking. There are also ten-minute glasses, five-minute and three-minute glasses, the two latter being used to time the boiling period of eggs. The three-minute sandglass is called an "egg boiler." Sand-glasses are also used for scientific purposes and on shipboard.

The sand is carefully prepared by a thorough cleaning, including boiling. It is then baked dry, and then ground into the requisite fineness and uniformity, as sharp sand would be likely to become wedged in the opening between the two sections of the glass. The sand is then introduced into the glass through an opening left for that purpose in the end of one bulb, the opening then being sealed, the right quantity in each sand glass is gauged by actually timing the flow from one part of the glass to the other, and every glass is individually treated like a good thermometer. The glasses are usually mounted in cylindrical frames or holders, so that the twin bulbs can be seen at all times.


Why We Are Like the Crow

Aside from the special question of profit and loss, we have a warm side toward the crow, he is so much like ourselves, said the late Henry Ward Beecher. He is lazy, and that is human; he is cunning.and that is human. He thinks his own color is best, and loves to hear his own voice, which are eminent traits of humanity. He will never work when he can get another to work for him — a genuine human trait. He eats whatever he can get his claws upon, and is less mischievous with a belly full than when hungry and this is like man. Take off their wings and put them in breeches, and crows would make fair average men. Give men wings and reduce their smartness a little, and many of them would be almost good enough to be crows.

Crowing Cocks in Suit Cases

Massachusetts, 1909

Game Birds at Union Station Sound Warning of Coming Battle at Some Secret Rendezvous

Evidently there is going to be a cock fight in the upper part of the state, tonight or tomorrow, as three of the game birds went through here, early this morning. In their passage through the city the three young men. in charge of the fighting cocks, threw a scare into the men in charge of the baggage room at the local station, and incidentally revealed the presence of the hidden birds.

It was shortly after 5:30 this morning, when three young men who had evidently arrived on the 6:20 train, stepped into the baggage room, each armed with a suit case. They placed their cases on the floor and inquired about the departure of trains for Bellows Falls. Upon receipt of the information they left the baggage room without their cases.

After the departure of the men the baggage room resumed its usual quietness at that hour of the morning and the baggage men resumed their work. Suddenly the room resounded with the cries of roosters and the baggage-men looked at each other in surprise. The crowing continued and investigation on the part of the employees traced the sound to the suit cases where it was quickly perceived that each suit case contained a bird. The case was filled with air holes so the roosters had plenty of room. Only for their unexpected noise they would have been undiscovered.

Train time found the young men on hand, the cases were picked up and the trio set forth for the scene of the battle.

—The Fitchburg Sentinel, Fitchburg, MA, Feb. 13, 1909, p. 2.