HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1961-12-07, Page 6Coins Hip To
Trace HksMMory
When you receive a wilt ire
change, do yeti bite it to be sure
it real? prop it for the bell-
like ring? . Weigh it on. g scale?
Of course not, but before King
Ceocsus melted gold .and silver
intocoins around 600 B.C. metal
money was always pi uncertain
value, "Wealthy as Croesus"
doesn't necessarily mean a man
has all the money in the world
but it means he knows the
extent of his wealth to the Iast
penny.
As far back as 2500 HC„,
Egyptians recognized the supe-
rior value of metal as e medium
of exchange, it lasted far be-
yond paper or animal "money."
The clever Chinese bought
farm :lands and exquisitely em'-
broidered tapestries with meas-
ured cubes of gold around 2100
B.C. In crucibles, or melting
pote, small chunks of precious
metal were melted and formed
into easy -to -store blocks .
saved for "rainy -day" spending.
Even the Bible mentions the
use of gold and silver bullion
for stoney! In Genesis 23:16 we
End, "Abraham weighed to
Epluron . , . four hundred shek-
els of silver, current money with
the merchant,"
Lives of ancient peoples were
usually centered about their
temples or other places of wor-
ship,
Around 550 B.C, folks did
their banking at the temple!
They deposited what gold and
silver they could spare . . or
borrowed from the "bank" at
suitable rates of interest,
That was just about the same
time the Lydians' King Croesus
decided to take the guesswork
out of finance. Too many fakers
were melting impure metals in
with precious stuff, and the time
had come to certify the true val-
ue of stoney. Coinage by means
of dies or',. -stamps was begun.
The purity and weight of metal
were marked on each coin
and even if it wore a little thin
with wear, every trader along
the line credited the coin at its
original value from Croesus'
mint.
Coinage became an art when
the Greeks borrowed the method
from Lydia, Grecian coins were
out better and decorated in a
more beautiful manner, From
Greece, the custom traveled to
Rome.
Modern crucibles are used for
fear more than coinage or creat-
ing home accessories. Copper,
brass, bronze, aluminum, etc. are
Melted in crucible furnaces for
4lie thousand -and -one factory
4nd construction alloys demand-
ed by induustry.
And hard stoney is still one
eef the most important products
Of the crucible.
At the United States Mint in
dphtladelphia, alloys for different
enominations of coins are melt-
ed in crucibles in electric fur-
naces. When they reach the right
temperature, these molten met -
els are poured into molds and
ilast into ingots of various sizes.
The ingots go through rolling
mills which flatten them to the
broper thickness for coins. Then
lank circles are punched out of
the strips, polished by various
solutions in "tumbling barrels,"
And finally struck with dies
which make them money we're
teed to seeing. The back, front,
and reeded edge are stamped all
at one time.
Most coins are made from an
alloy of several metals. The
silver in your pocket, for ex-
ample, is 000 hart copper to nine
paras silver, Five -cent coins• are
75 per centeopper, 25 per cent
nickel. Bronze pennies are 95
per cent copper, 5 per cent zine
and tin combined.
Did you know that no copper
cents were struck at the U.S.
Mint during 1943?
Another wartime restriction
in the use of Metals caused
a unique five -cent piece to be
created, 4 silver -copper -man-
ganese substitute alloy was
adopted temporarily ... and the
mint work was changed from its
usual position at the right of
Monticello to a position above
the done of that building. The
letter "P" was used on all phila-
delphia five -cent coins for the
first and only time in the history
of that mint. After the war, the
old appearance of the coin was
reinstated.
You'll probably never see or
spend a half -dime .. but that
was the first coin minted in
America, In 1792, the first Direc
. for of the U.S. Mint, David Rit-
tenhouse, presented the Presi-
dent's wife, Martha Washington,
with a batch of half -dines, None
were put into circulation. By act
of Congress the half -dimes were
issued expressly as a gift to the
First Family of America.
More pennies are turned out
of the mint each year than any
other coin ... about 2,000,000,-
000 in number, Next titne you
jingle coins in your pocket ,
that's history talking out loud to
you!
Handles Snakes To
Get A Better Job
These days young people take
on all -sorts of jpbs — from dish-
washing to cleaning cars — to
help pay for a college education.
But Max Nickerson, a student
at Arizona State University,
Phoenix, is doing a job which
few would want — even for all
the wisdom in the world.
Twenty -two-year-old Max is
paying his way by looking after
the snakes in the university's
poisonous animal research la-
boratory.
Rattlesnakes, boa -constrictors,
pythons — they strike no terror
into his heart. Every day he
handles these dangerous reptiles
with his bare hands.
"It's nearly two years since
I've been bitten," he says. When
he was first bitten, at the age of
fifteen, Max lost the index fin-
ger of his right hand. But since
then he has never been bitten
seriously by the 10,000 snakes
he has handled.
Max was first introduced to
snakes at the age of twelve—his
parents run a zoological garden
in his home state of Missouri.
And he was taught all about the
wiles of reptiles by experts.
Caroline, his wife of eight
months, is now used to having
snakes about their trailer
home, although she was a little
uneasy about it at the start.
Snake -handling has provided
Max with many amusing mo-
ments. One night he pulled into
a filling station to b u y gas.
While the attendant was filling
his car, Gertrude, a sixteen -foot
python. who was curled up on
the back seat, poked her head
out of the window.
"The attendant almost fault-
ed," says Max. "He was so
scared he didn't -even want to
collect his money. But then, I
don't blame him."
SHIRTS FOR SKIRTS — The fashion scene is seeing a big ohnnge
when a skirt is replaced by a long, long shirt, The flannelette
muu muu, left, has hit the 'at home wear" scene. Blazing red,
rxreen, gold and white stripes accent the tent a feat, For
lounging and sleeping is the beat -knit shirt, night, Finished
With crew neck and push-up sleeves, It sports black, red, oliva
tand blue stripes.
•
IT DOESN'T MEAN HORSEPOWER — Its name is the HP 115,
but the designation has .nothing to do with horsepower. Billed
as the slimmest of let planes, this British Handley Page delta
wing lob is considered a trail blazer for later 1,400 m.p.h.
super passenger planes.
The perfect Crime
A Complete Story
by CYRIL DONSON
— With One Exception
The Rev. Peter Bumble affa-
bly bade his congregation good-
night with a handshake and a
comforting word..
He had already spotted that a
good -Looking woman of about
forty-five had hung back so that
she was the last one to leave the
church,
"May I speak to you—in pri-
vate?" she said.
"I am at your service, Mrs.
Parkinson," he replied. "I did
not see your husband in church
to -day,"
Nervously she fluttered her
hands, "No, Rector. That's what
I want to talk to you about."
Sensing that something more,
than ordinary stress gripped her,
Bumble gently invited her to ac-
company him to his house. -
She nodded and they walked
the short distance from the
church.
Buinble made his guest com-
fortable in the best chair in his
study.
Then, with an easy smile, he
said: "And now—what can I do
to help you?"
"I'm worried about my hus-
band," she blurted. "I have a
feeling ..." She stopped, frown-
ing.
"Please don't think I'm silly."
Bumble's eyes shone gently
behind his glasses.
"Why not tell me about it?"
She bit her hp.
"Harry—my husband—is so
trusting, so gullible. As you
probably know, Rector, he is in
the diamond business. Two or
three times a year he has to go
to Holland. He left home three
days ago to go to Amsterdam.
Then something strange hap-
pened. 1 received a letter from
him,"
Bumble asked quizzically:
"Why do you say this was
strange?"
"Well. In all the years we've
been married—and the times
he's gone to Holland—he never
wrote before,"
Bumble tried to dismiss her
fears: "Perhaps his conscience
nagged hiin."
She shook her head.
"No. There is more to it than
that. I think something has
happened to Harry—something
dreadful!
"Rector—you must help me.
Please! Your hobby is well
known to me. Harry often spoke
of your successes investigating
crime."
"Hold on," exclaimed Bum-
ble. "You talk as though
Harry is dead,"
"I think he may well be," she
said. .
Bumble let' leer talk. Finally,
he said: "I'll help you,"
He drove Mrs. Parkinson
home and spent an hour metic-
ulously going through the pa-
pers in Harry's study. When he
had finished he looked grim.
"I shall travel to see your
brother - in - law Stephen," he
said, "And I'll take the letter
with me."
Bumble drove to Stephen
Parkinson's house the next day,
Parkinson opened the door to
Bumble's knock and seemed
surprised.
"Come In," he invited. "I
didn't know we had a new par-
son here."
Bumble smiled. "I'm just a
visitor, Mr, Parkinson, My par-
ish Is a good distance from here,
Your brother and his Wife .are
members of my church. They
insisted I visit you if ever 1
was this way."
Bumble watched Stephen and
caught the sudden question in
his eyes—quickly covered up;
The man smiled.
"Well—I'm glad to have you
visit," he said with too -hearty
enthusiasm, "Funny you should
mention Harry. I recently had
him here. He usually stays
overnight when he goes to Ams-
terdam."
"Oh. Has he gone to Hol-
land?"
"A fe id days ago. I took him
to the boat -train. Had a letter
from hila, as a matter of fact.".
Beelike asked:
"May''I see the letter you got
from Harry?"
Stephen's eyes narrowed, "So
your visit is not just a socia]
one? What's going on, Bumble?
If there's some kind of trouble
involving Harry I've a right to
know about it"
"You have and you will,"
Bumble assured him.
Stephen produced the letter.
Clearly it was dated and stamp-
ed as having been posted in
Amsterdam.
He observed that the writing
was Harry's; it was identical, at
any rate, with the writing in
the letter received by Mrs.
Parkinson and she had confirm-
ed that it was her husband's
hand.
"Is there something wrong,
Bumble?"
Bumble inclined his head.
"Mrs. Parkinson thinks that
something has happened to
Harry, It may be no more than
misguided instinct—but she says
Harry has never written before
when he has been away."
Stephen laughed. "She's right,
tool And 1 can explain why he
wrote on this occasion. I got on
to him about it when he stayed
overnight.
"Harry's a bit of a dreamer,
you know. I insisted on him
writing letters here—ready to
post when he 'got to Amsterdam
—so that he wouldn't forget.
Told him it was about time he
changed his ways."
Bumble smiled,
"You accompanied Harry to
the boat -train. There could be
no possibility that he didn't
catch it?"
"No, I put him on it myself."
Bumble felt sure in his own
mind, then. But he had to be
certain. He bade Stephen fare-
well and departed.
He spent the remainder of the
day making several inquiries
and .interviewing a young wo-
man after observing her leave
Stephen's house later in the
day,
When Bumble called at Step-
hen's house again that evening,
he was accompanied by an old
friend, Detective Inspector
Parker.
"I hope you don't mind me'
brining along a friend," said
Bumble, "I felt you ought to
know what I've discovered,"
"Not at all. I appreciate it,"
said Stephen,
"Do you still insist that you
saw your brother off on the
boat -train?" Bumble asked.
Stephen looked angry, "Are
you insinuating I would lie
about thisl"
"Not insinuating," said Bum-
ble. "I am saying that you did
lie, Harry never went to Hol-
land,"
"N ever wen' t," spluttered
•
Stephen. "Then how, the devil
did he ,manage to post two
letters from Amsterdam? Tell
me that!"
"1 will," said Bumble quietly,
"ile didn't post them. Those
letters were "taken to Holland
by a lady friend 'of yours.—Miss
Freda Hanks,
"I understand she is very fond
of you and wee quite wilting to
help without asking questions.
But you made a very stupid
mistake."
The effect of this on Stephen
was devastating.
"I don't know what you're
- talking about, Bumble," he
blustered,
Bumble sighed, "Then I will
enlighten you further,
"I know that you have been
borrowing heavily from Harry.
"I also learned that in the
event of your brother's death
you Would enjoy half his estate
—a large fortune,"
Stephen's mouth was tight
now and he trembled. Bumble
continued:
"It is evident your only hope
was for your brother to die. So
you planned to murder him.
And like most murderers, you
are a vain man—confident that
where others had failed, you
would succeed and commit the
perfect murder."
Stephen acted then, With a
snarl of rage he ran to a bureau
and wrenched open the top
drawer to grab a revolver.
Parker grappled with him and
easily disarmed him.
Stephen sagged. He muttered:
"You . . . you .talked of a
mistake . . , what put you on
to it?"
"It was something that proved
beyond doubt that Harry could
not have landed in Holland,"
said Bumble.
"You told me Harry was a bit
of a dreamer, didn't you? He
was. •• I found his passport still
in his study desk . ."
There was a stricken look on
Stephen's face and he broke
down completely, confessing to
the murder, and revealing to
Parker where he had hidden the
body.
"It could have been the per-.
feet alibi," said Bumble. "Harry
supposedly vanishing in Amster-
dam—but this is one time when
I'll admit passports have a use- -
fulness." From "Tit -Bits"
FOR COLD TOOTSIES
Electrically heated socks for
chilly hunters and fishermen are
being offered. Current from
compact 6 -volt batteries attach-
ed to the outdoorman's belt
travels along connecting wires
and heats up other wires in the
socks, The socks, it is claimed,
are well insulated and provide
110 degrees of heat with safety
even if the boots are filled with
water.
A Big Shot may be only e
little shot, too stubborn to
stop shooting.
Anything ' Goes In
The Saperinarlkets
Housewives prowling through
the beauty aids, pots and pans,
overalls, and nylons 01 a New
Jersey supermarket last month
were 'offered still another di-
version front thoughts of food.
In posters, bag-stufiers, and
neatly piled pamphlets, Food
Fair Stores was plugging the
opening of its first bowling
alley,
To Food Fair, this unlikely
event seemed merely a logical
step in its widening diversifica
tion, The 439 -market chain al-
ready operates 25 gas stations
and an auto accessory store,
and recently bought a 33 -store
chain of discount houses. Food
Fair president Louis Stein fore-
sees supermarket -owned shop-
ping centers offering movies,
beauty treatments, and nurseries
to boot.
Food retailers across the coun-
try, increasingly 'fretful over
their chronic low profit margins
(a meager 1.5 per cent of total
sales), are trying similar solu-
tions. Kroger Co. (1,372 stores)
and Jewel Tea Co, (285: stores)
botl, have bought drugstore
chains; National Tea Ca. (900
stores), in partnership with the
Topps division of Interstate
Department Stores, has opened
five outlets which are combina-
tion food stores and small -appli-
ance discount houses.
Most supermarket executives
seem to agree with Jewel Tea's
president, George L. Clements;
"There is a limit. We fee] you
should not change your image
-as a food retailer." But some
have ventured much farther
afield. Grand Union Co. (472
stores) sells clothing, • hardware,
movie cameras, and stereo re-
cord players in addition to food
and drugs. Giant Food, Inc.,. a
55 -store Maryland chain, is now
building a store combining a
supermarket, dry-cleaning shop,.
coin-operated Iaundry, auto ac-
cessory -outlet, carpet store, dis-
count house, car wash, and cob-
bler shop.
Even Safeway Stores, Inc., the
U.S. nation's second biggest food
chain . (2,207 stores),admits it
"has been' -considering" discount
houses to meet the competition,
though it has, so far resisted the
move.
Only huge, conservative A&P
(4,304 stores) — w h i c 1s still
frowns on trading stamps—is
holding aloof. Last week, a
discount chain reported A&P
might handle the food half of a
new discount outlet. A&P's re-
sponse might be termed =en-
couraging: "No. Absolutely no."
Here's a way to make the eork
butts of your fishing rods Iasi
longer and wear better. Just
give them a couple of coats of
shellac or quick -drying enameL
This procedure also keeps the
water off the butt.
Fashion Hint