Cleanings

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 739, 18 May 1894, Page 7

Cleanings

Thrift of Cornish Miners.

Richard Tangye, the great English engineer, m bis autobiography, gives some curious examples of the economy of the old Cornish miners. His grandfather was a miner, and when once asked what his daily work was replied, ‘Ten hours at the engine, and eight at digging. The rest of the day I have to waste.’

Tangye states that he once saw this old man fall into a fury of rage because a boy whom he bad hired threw away a match after lighting a candle with it. ‘D’ve waste my property, ye loon ? Then ye wull never be worth a saxpence of yer own,’ he shrieked. A. careful old woman lamented a stolen pie for more than 40 years. The tears would come to her eyes whenever she talked of the lost dainty.

So admirable does this thrift appear to these people that they are unable to see that the waste of temper and cheerfulness is a more serious loss than that of pie and match. Mr Tangye and his three brothers all were men who possessed remarkable mechanical skill and talent. Their parents being extremely poor the lads were early driven to other labour, but after their day’s work was over they met in the kitchen, and far into the night built little models of pumps and engines.

Their father, who was a miner, angrily forbade this night work because of the waste of candles; but their mother interfered, urging that * tljg, tallow was well spent.' The result of these nights in U’ kitchen was the firm in Birmingham, of Tangye Brothers, known as hydraulic engineers throughout England and her Colonies. They amassed large fortunes, which they spent wisely and liberally.

Neither father nor mother lived to see their success, or to acknowledge that the candles were paid for.

Satisfied.

Two cockneys visiting a Lancashire coalpit asked of the ‘ banksman ’ in a patronising tone, ‘ My good man, how do you get the men up ?’ ‘ Oh,’ be replied, ‘ We pu’ them up by th’ yure o’ th’ yed.’ ‘lndeed, and ’ (thinking to corner him) ‘ how about bald headed ones ?’ ‘ Oh,’ he answered curtly, •we draw ’em up wi’suckers.’ The thirst for information was satisfied.

A subject which often puzzles owners of pianos is to know how to prevent the ivory notes from becoming yellow. Large stripes of thick white flannel, made to fit, are recommended and sometimes given by manufacturers for the purpose, and when employed in time are no doubt useful. Once the yellow colour is there, more energetic means must be resorted to. Small articles in ivory can be dipped for two hours (not more) in a weak solution of sulphuric acid. After which they must be well rubbed. In the case of a'piano, the notes must be rubbed with the solution. Renew this two or three times at intervals of a couple of hours and expose the ivory to the sun.

Husband : You look splendid in that hat. Wife : You always discover I look splendid when the time comes for me to have a new hat.

‘ So you have named the baby ‘ Obadiah T.’ What does the ‘T ’ stand for ?’

‘ Oh, that means ‘ Temporarily until he gets his Uncle Obadiah’s money, you know.’

* I hope you don’t mean to intimate that I can’t keep a secret.’ ‘ Certainly not, my dear,’ replied her husband in a mollifying tone. ' I don’t know whether you can or not. I never knew of your trying.’