The Piano

1895

Next to books there is no inanimate thing in the house that can produce so much profitable pleasure as a piano. A library and a piano are symbols of high cultivation. Those two spread that nobler banquet where the soul is fed without fear of gluttony or dissipation. As books bring into our daily circle as familiar companions the noblest spirits that ever wrought on earth and permit us to rear our children under the influences of the noblest natures, so the piano, with simple incantations, brings up from their sleep the noble brotherhood of song and persuades them to dwell among us. — Philadelphia Inquirer.


Trivia

The Greek holidays and festivals were very numerous. There were 50 beginning with the letter a, and besides these special festivals there were times set apart for the Isthmean, Nemean, Pythian and Olympian games, all of which were popular holidays.

Many glass ornaments found in Etruscan tombs contain small objects or images in the interior. How the ornaments were made is still a mystery.

During the time of Christ two sparrows were sold for a farthing, or, according to another evangelist, five were sold for 2 farthings.

Saranac, the name of the New York stream, means "river that flows under rocks."

Prince Discovers New Fish 20,000 Feet Down

1920

PARIS, France — The Prince of Monaco has discovered a new fish which lives at a depth of 20,000 feet under a pressure of 600 atmospheres. Although at such a depth there is practically no light, the Grimaldichthys profundissimus, christened after the Prince's family name, has rudimentary eyes.

The fish was brought up during one of the Prince's oceanographical cruises off the Cape Verde Islands. Two other species not hitherto known were caught at a depth of over 16,000 feet.


Invents Music Sheets for Piano

A Frenchman has invented piano music printed on long sheets, so mounted on motor driven rolls that they are advanced as rapidly as a user wishes saving the work of turning pages.

"Goodbye" to Doctor Costs Polly a Leg

1920

Door Nips It Off and Now Bird Must Wear a Peg

JEFFERSONVILLE, N.Y. — Dr. Cyril Mydole of this village has a parrot. The doctor bought the bird when she was a year old and gave her the real parrot name, Polly. Polly displayed much intelligence from the day he purchased her and in a few months developed startling vocabulary "cuss" words. Today the parrot is using her profanity freely and the doctor says she is justified.

Polly has been allowed the freedom of the physician's office. She would follow the doctor to his office door and bid him goodbye. On a recent afternoon the doctor started to leave his office. Just as he closed the door he heard a scream. He looked around and found Polly's leg had been caught in the door. Upon examination he found that the leg was so badly mangled that he amputated it at the second joint.

Polly is now forced to stand on her right leg. She says it is "damn hard luck," and hurls invectives at the doctor. As soon as Polly's injured leg heals the doctor will provide her with a peg leg.


Washboard Salary Halts Honeymoon

ST. LOUIS, Missouri — "On his salary she would have to use the washboard for a piano," said George W. Windmuller, in discussing the suit filed in the Circuit Court by his daughter, Mrs. Georgia Chembra, 16 years old, to annul her marriage to Albert L. Chembra.

She was married to Chembra by a justice of the peace in Clayton Jan. 28 last. He is 20 years old. After the ceremony she returned to her father's home, and he to that of his mother. When the girl's father learned of the marriage through the newspapers he refused to allow Chembra to see his bride.

Mrs. Chembra in her suit says her husband misrepresented his financial condition and his earning capacity.