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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1952-3-5, Page 3Share Alike By Richard Hill Wllkinsbn The second week after they reached the cabin on Wolf Creek, Sid Condon; exploring a tributary alone, found gold, He spent half a day estimating the value of the find, It was a pocket and would probably .net a total take of be- tweet $40,000 and $50,000. Sid ,fill* ed his pipa .and sat down to med- itate. The thingto do, of course, was to get Duke Brandon, his part- ner, clean out the placer, and hit for Big Rock settlement before the snow came. Sid sucked. on his pipe, and his eyes grew crafty. Into his mind there carne a picture of thin-lipped Duke Brandon, Why should he share this find with Duke? A man with $40,000 could retire and live for the rest of his days in comfort. A man with only half that amount would have to scrimp.' Forty thou- sand dollars! Duke. Brandon was in a surly mood that night, He had had no luck. The food supply was getting low. Snow would come soon. Why not quit now while ,heir chances of getting out were good? "Wait a week," Sid urged. "Might as well make sure we ain't missin' anything." • So Duke was prevailed upon. The next morning they started out again in opposite directions. Sid went south, circled west and came to his claim. Working feverishly he panned a handful of gold and carried it up stream a half mile, cacheing in beneath a large moss - covered rock. The next day and tilt next and the next it was the same. Duke be- came more disgruntled.. He decided to remain only one more day. The next morning, Duke, headed north, Toward noon he swung west and south, At midafternoon he came to a moss -covered rock lying near the shore of what was to him an explored tributary. He sat down to smoke and rest, and as he sat there the slanting rays of. the sun fell upon a dull, yellow piece of metal. Duke blinked, then leaned With the speed of a snake his • hand flashed to his hip where hung the revolver. forward. He picked up the piece of .metal and saw beyond it a small opening beneath the rock.' He knelt and. reached into the holre and took out a handful of gold. Sid Condon had stood in the bed of the stream when cacheing his placer gold, so there were no foot- prints nor other signs to indicate his having been there. There must be $30,000 worth of metal in the cache. Half of that was his, according to the unwrit- ten law. The other, half•..—blit what could a man do with a finers $15,000? Duke took a small sack from his pocket and filled it hill with the dull, yellow dust. His breathing was heavy as he knelt there, His eyes glowed feverishly. He knotted the sack together and rose from his knees—and stopped dead stilt. Sill Condon was standing not 15 feet away. Sid's left hand contained a sack similar to the one in Duke's, It was not frill, but the bulge was evidence enough as to its contents. Icor split seconds the two men stared at each other. Significance of the meaning of the situation dawn- ed slowly in their sluggish brains. Sid Condon's lips flattened. against his teeth. His eyes nar- rowed to slits, "Sol" he cried hoarsely, "So* This is how it isl Partners, eh?" "Partners," Duke Brandon echo. ed. "Partners!" he repeated In ugly scorn, "You. louse!" Sid Condon laughed harshly. Ile was bigger than the other mals, and l e felt roll ident, With the speed of a snake his hand dashed to his hip where hung the revolver. His linger contracted on the trigger and flame belched front its muzzle. Sid Condon saw his parter's body jerk convulsively, and he knew he had scored a bit; knew it only dimly though, for the -sound of his own gun had come from a great distance, and there was a drumming acrd pounding in his cars. Ile sank' to his knees, and through the haze of Isis vision Ise saw that Duke Brandon was also on itis knees. Then he knew that Duke had equalled him in speed at the draw. They lay, so close they could alutost touch, each holding firmly to a sack of gold; lay and cursed andwere eventually silent while, the silvery stream rippled on, and night finally came. Human Babies That Animals Adopted One morning in 1920 a native missionary of Midnapore, India, was asked by his neighbours to rid them of a "flan -ghost" who in- habited. a near -by ant -hill, Although frankly sceptical of their stories, he agreed to accom- pany them on a party to• watch over the ant -hill. At nightfall the party saw three full-grown wolves emerge from a tunnel into the hill, closely followed by two strange - looking creatures which looked very much like human beings, The following day the cave was excavated, and huddled together inside were two children, both girls. The missionary took theta to his home, where he and his wife tried to restore them to the ways of civil- ization, • I(amala and Amala, as he chris- tened them, slowly responded.. But in some ways they retrained com- pletely savage, They would not eat vegetable foods ,they were incapable of standing erect, and they showed an intense dislike of human company, seeking instead the society of dogs. and goats. They were both making gradual progress when, eleven months after comnig to the mis- §ion, Amala died, and. her sister showed her first sign of human emotion by weeping. Slowly Kamala learned to walk. and developed a small vocabulary of about forty words, In the years that followed her sister's death she appeared to be developing into a lovable and obe- dient child. But she never completely recov- ered from her loss, and at the age of fourteen she, too, died. The story of the wolf -girls prov- ed beyond doubt that certain ani- mals will adopt human children and. rcai• then like their own offspring, and many people began to review previous stories of similar cases that had been dismissed as fiction. Tigers and leopards have both been reputed to act as foster -par- ents, but the best mothers in the animal kingdom seem to be ba- boons. There are at least three cases of human children being brought up by these animals, and of these the best authenticated is the story of the baboon -boy discovered in a wild region of South Africa. He was found among a group of. -apes by two officers of the Cape Mounted Police, chattering and jumping about on all fours. They took him to the Mental Hospital in Grahamstown, where doctors said : he was harmless but mischievous. He knew no human speech, and refused all food except raw corn and cactus. Later he was adopted by a farm- er, and turned out to be a useful labourer. But although he lived to be nearly fifty, he still had to be called anew to each routine task. All through life he retained cer- tain mannerisms and a frightened grin that spoke clearly of his early association with the apes. Freshen Up That Old Wallpaper Dingy Dust There are many wallpaper clean- ers on the market, but you have one of the best in your own bread box. You can buy ah inexpensive putty especially made for cleaning wallpaper. Or you can work a fair- sized mass of trustless bread in your hands until it is warm and pliable. Then rub the paper with R from top to bottom, always in the same direction. Grease and Oil Spots These spots, if fairly fresh, can be removed by holding a piece' of clean blotting paper against the spot with a warm iron, "Rayon" temperature is safest, but turn it down if the paper is old, as heat darkens such paper. A stubborn spot responds to Ful- ler's earth mixed with enough ben- zine or carbon•tetachloride to forst a thick paste. Apply h thin coat over the spot, let dry overnight, then brush off. Clay Flower Pots Turn Decorative in Bright, Plastic Jackets ***.• kik* Make Bright Color Accents for Every Room BY EDNA AMEd Ordinary Plain -Jane red clay flowerpots now''can be turned into decorative spots of bright color in a fe' . conds. All you have to do is to dress them up in some of lir' clever new jackets of vinylite,plastie sheeting, made especially for the purpose. The jackets come in several shapes, some with two side handles,like jugs, some in "teapot" shape, with handle and simulated spout. Sonic are one-piece affairs into which you, just slide the flowerpot and some wrap around the pot and Close with decorative snap' buttons. They come in solid ,colors and patterns of yellow, red and blue, embossed in three-dimensional textures, The tear -resistant plastic is easy to clean and maintain because all it needs is a few swabs with a damp sponge. The material resists moisture from spilling while watering the plants, chemical action from dissolved plaril foods and abrasion by gritty soil particles. The one-piece jackets have strong, heat -sealed seams. They come in sizes to aceommo- •date 3. 3%, 4 and 41/1 -inch flowerpots. This blue wrap-around Jacket fastens with snap buttons. One -oleos Sachet In oh. simulates a decorative bowi. Just a wipe of a damp sponge (left) deans the jackets. one at right has a "teapot" shape. Ink Spots Ink eradicator is your only re- sort for ink spots, but it will prob- ably take off any pattern in your wallpaper as well. If the spot is small, it can be touched up with water colors—if large, a patch may be necessary. Loose Seams, Bulges, and. Tears Stick down loose seams with dabs of library paSte at strategic points. Use a clean blotter or wax- ed paper to protect other areas. Slit a bulge with a razor blade and work paste behind it with a knife tip or thin brush, Then stick down carefully. Torn paper and damage spots require patches. Patching Taking an extra piece of the same paper, ,match the pattern. Tlren tear out a piece, larger than the damaged spot, tearing from the back so as to leave thin feathery edges. Do not cut with scissors as straight edges will show. Apply the pasted patch to the wall, care- fully working it into pattern while the paste keeps paper pliable. If faded' paper is to be patched, let patch first stand in strong sun- light until it matches. Protect. ,New Wallpaper With a spray gun and the new wallpaper wax or lacquer, you can protest newly -papered walls from city grime and children's artistic efforts, When the instructions are carefully followed, a rubdown with a damp cloth is enough to keep your walls bright. It's only natural for a boy, and especially a boy on a farm, to want a gun of some sort, But owning a firearm and knowing how to handle it, are not one and the same thing, as the almost -daily news-' paper tale of accidents and fatalities clearly testifies. So I don't have to apologize for passing along some sound advice on the subject from a man who knows what he's' talk- ing about. * * * "Almost every youngster has an itch to handle firearms and to go shooting," says K. N. Morris, exe- cutive . dirr(ctor of the Canadian Civilian Association of Marksmen, 'and sooner or later the chances are that he will. When this happens, • it is the responsibility of his par- ents to make sure he knows enough about guns to handle one safely. * * * "The only realistic safeguard against hunting accidents is proper training in the care and handling of firearms. Records maintained over 20 years by the Canadian Civil- ian Association of Marksmen and the National Rifle Association of America show that none of their members — currently more than 300,000 — has ever been responsible for a fatal hunting accident. * * * "When choosing their son's first gun, parents unfamiliar with fire - 110 a ARNETT A PORTABLE °OFFICE" MAY EASILY BE MADE BY DIVIDING A SUITCASE, INTO_ PIGEONHOLES W1114 CORRUGATED CARDOOARD Olt *THIfl PL-YWOoe, arms should talk the matter over with someone who knows firearms and shooting, and whose judgment they respect, preferably a member of an organized shooting club or association. Shooters are a friendly lot. In almost every Canadian com- munity there are marksmen who will gladly give a youngster sound advice and guidance. F * *. "In return for understanding and co-operation in providing a safe, sensible outlet for a youngster's natural interest in firearms, parents will find their children gaining in the development of such character traits as self-reliance, carefulness, good sportsmanship and co-opera- tiveness. No other sport demands these more." While many of us are under the impression that resistance by flies to DDT is a new trait developed by insects in the last, few years, the fact is that 'resistance to pesti- cides dates back more than half a century. * * Strains resistant to certain insec- ticides have been observed in 'natty insect species in different parts of the world since 1900, writes 3. A. Oakley, prominent entomologist. The San lose scale developed a resistance to lime-sulphu.r The California Red scale and Black scale became immune to the lethal powers of hydrogen cyanide,' the codling moth to lead arsenate and the Gladiolus thrips to tartar- emetic. +. * * The first instance of house fly resistance to DDT occurred in Italy in 1946, two years after DDT was first introduced, Mr. Oakley states. Three years later the first authentic evidence of DDT resist- ant strains in Canada came as a result of tests to certain areas of Ontario and Quebec where control of flies could not be obtained with DDT. Several e'xplanargns for this re- sistance are given by various re- search workers, One DDT resistant fly strain was observed to have thicker cuticle on the foot pad which may have reduced the ab- sorption of DDT. Another strain of flies was found to be larger and more vigorous than normal flies due to a longer larval period. In several strains, resistance was as- sociated with the ability of the flies to convert DDT into less toxic substances. This explanation ap- pears to be the most advanced and a search is now underway to find an additive which will prevent flies from changing DDT. * * * Where DDT -resistant flies are present, other insecticides may be used. These include methoxychlor, lindane, chlordane and other chlor- inated hydrocarbons. * * * Though the modern refrigerator drying electricity or other means of energy, is replacing the ice -box in many rural areasv ice can still be used to advantage -when a source of supply is'readitysavailable. And it can be stored without providing an elaborate ice -house. * * * Any unoccupied corner of a shed will serve as a site for a rough - board enclosure. An enclosure ten feet square and eight feet high will hold enough ice to provide 50 pounds a day for 130 days, after allowing for a reasonable amount of wastage. The smaller the amount stored, the greater the proportion of wastage. * * * The bottom of the enclosure, should be covered with about one foot of sawdust. If the soil beneath is impervious clay it will be better if there are a few inches of gravel below the sawdust. In putting in the ice the boards can be taken away from one side and be re- placed when the 'ice is in position. A space of one foot should be left between the stacked ice and the side boards and this should be filled with sawdust. The ice should also be covered with sawdust. a * * It is the sawdust that keeps the ice from melting, and the drier the Ice the longer it will keep, Warns Hospitals About Gas Dangers The United States Bureau of Mines has a long history of ex- perience with explosive gaseous mixtures. Most mina disasters have been traced to an accumulation of methane underground and an igniting electrical spark. Last week the bureau reported on a four- year study of hospital operating rooms. The point of the report was this, in the bur'eau's words: "There probably is no combina- tion of equipment and activity any- where more likely to produce dangerous charges:.of static electri- city than that found: in the anesthe- tizing areas of hospitals in the nation. "When conditions are favour- able, the static sparks become in- tense enough to ignite gases or vapors escaping into the room air —and anexplosion results. Many of the mixtures used for anesthesia are rich in oxygen and are easily ignited by static sparks of low energy." Risk of Explosion The study began he 1948 after a series of explosions in Eastern hospitals killed several patients.' In an operating room the patient takes most of the risk of explosion (as he does the risk of the operation) because his lungs may be buil of the exploding mixture. The bureau tested a total of sev- enty'eight operating retsina, twea ty-twp delivery rooms and sixteela study. These units Were 'selected as representative. It was established that an aper sting table can collect charge of 9,000 static visits 12 a sheet is re- moved quickly from a rubber-cov ered mattress. Nine thosand volt*. would cause only a slight, sting, but it could ignite au exptoslvs mixture,the bareau reported. One person with rubber shoes, walking on a linoleum floor, Bevel-. aped a potential of 1,500 volts— again enough to set off .an canto - Won, Hazards in Fabrics A doctor wearing a woolen suit can create a dangerous charge by rising from a stool covered with artificial leather, Synthetic fabrics (nylon or rayon), frequently used in nurses' uniforms, have a strong tendency to "manufacture" static electricity, the bureau found, The bureau suggested that floors, shoes, covers and other materials used be such that static charges wilt be dissipated. Cotton gowns and uniforms avoid the danger of building up a charge, Simple ex- pedients, such as spreading w e t towels on the floor and touching them to the bases of operating tables and anesthesia _ machines, were recommended to those work- ing in old operating rooms. NEW and USEFUL Too Outside' from Inside Wood -framed window has three panes opening out like awnings. You can wash both inside and out- side from the inside. *. * * Carpenter's Samaritan A device for ,starting nails into boards in difficult -to -reach places fits on the side of any standard ,claw hammer. Slots take anything from shingle -nails to spikes. * * * Knife Holder Holder requires no hooks, slots or holes, Is magnetized to hold knives or small tools. Maker claims blades and points stay sharp longer. Available from 8 -in. lengths up. * * * Wise Vise Thick, pliable rubber rings mounted against knobs of new vise -handle -ends act as shock -ab- sorbers and protect against finger pinching. * * * Kitchen Cut-up Tempered -steel knife is swivel - mounted to a sturdy cutting board for shredding vegetables and fruits. Knife can be reversed for using blunt side to crack lobsters. * * * Short Permanent New kit can be used with both bobby pins and curlers, is said to considerably shorten itme for home permanents. Contains instruction book. 1 * * Magnetized Screw Driver Screw driver has magnetized shank, black tentite handle stores three" alternate insert bits. "Pull" of shank's magnet not only holds inserted bit, but energizes it to hold screws in position for driving, the maker claims. All My Sons—Paul Kolenda, 59, of Detroit, heads up what is perhaps America's largest family busi- ness partnership. He is seen "falling out his platoon:' of 10 sons with the tools of their trade—hompt sanitation. None of Kolenda's partners draws a salary, but each shares equally in the profits. Nine of the sons and a daughter -In-law occupy the family home. WEU. NeMarlydl MC A DOILY.., IT'S A TRAINED CNIMPAOSE.. LOT's NAVE A LOOK: By Arthur Painter