i89i 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
391 
A SPRING MEETING. 
ROBIN TO WREN. 
Hullo, Bob Wren! 
Are you back again ? 
Glad to see you so well and so merry ! 
Fear we're here 
Rather early this year! 
Dear, but I wish’d I’d a bite of a cherry 
Just ripe In the South, 
Melt In your mouth. 
Weren’t you sorry to leave the sunny 
Land of bloom and of bees and honey ? 
By and by here ’twill be bright and jolly 
With bud and blossom, but somehow now 
The atmosphere seems melancholy, 
For there's not a leaf on a single bough. 
And the wind, oh, how it makes you shiver 
And long for the balmy air that blows — 
That blows the reeds that quiver 
Above some river 
That warm in Floridian sutlight flows ! 
Have you any new songs to sing this season ? 
And do you know where you are going to stop ? 
We’ve taken rooms in the very top 
Of ‘ The Maple”—prices quite within reason. 
You’ve a flat nearby that you've leased till fall ? 
How nice ! Then surely you’ll come and call. 
—Clinton Scollard, In Harper's Young People. 
IN GOOD FORM, THEY SAY. 
A La Carte. 
M rs aristocracy smythe (look¬ 
ing over her mail): “I fancied 
those Blossoms were awfully new. This 
proves it.” 
Eleanor (her daughter): “Why, mam¬ 
ma ?” 
Mrs. Smythe: “Oh, they’ve sent four 
cards to acknowledge mine—two of his and 
two of hers.” 
Eleanor: “ Oh, how funny ! That makes 
Mrs. Blossom call upon papa.” 
Mrs. Smythe: “ Of course. There should 
have been only three. I shall drop them 
imme 'iately.” 
Elanor: “ By-the-way, Dr. Altarcloth 
wants us to call on his assistant’s wife. 
He says she is lovely.” 
Mrs. Smythe: “Rector’s assistants are 
much more interesting without wives. 
However, to please the doctor, I’ll inclose 
cards. And, Eleanor, those Yallanding- 
hams from Boston are here.” 
Eleanor : “ Oh, are they—those friends of 
the De Knickerbockers ?” 
Mrs. Smythe : “ Yes. They’re at Blank 
Hotel. I must send cards at once. I won¬ 
der if their second daughter is married ? 
I think so.” 
Eleanor (in dismay): “Oh, do try to 
recollect 1 It would never do to blunder 
with them. Let me see: for madame, 
yours, papa’s and mine; for monsieur, 
papa’s; for mademoiselle, yours, papa’s, 
and mine again—that makes seven. And 
now is that other daughter married ?” 
Mrs. Smythe: (musingly). “What did 
I hear about her ? Ah, yes, she is married, 
but divorcee.” 
Eleanor (with a little laugh of relief): 
“Oh, then papa can hardly be expected to 
call upon her husband ; so for her there’ll 
be yours, papa’s, and mine—10 in all.” 
Mrs. Smythe: “Yes, that’s right. I 
must send poor Helen Stafford a card to¬ 
day, too.” 
Eleanor: “Isn’t she dead yet? Why, 
she’s been ill for months.” 
Mrs, Smythe: “ Oh, it’s fully a year that 
I’ve been sending her a card once a month. 
We are old friends, you know.” 
Eleanor: “Yes, I know. How thought¬ 
ful you always are !” 
Mrs. Smythe: “I try to be, my dear. 
And now ring for James, please.” (To 
footman, as he enters.) “ How many en¬ 
velopes did you deliver yesterday ?” 
James: “Seventy-three, ma’am.” 
Mrs. Smythe: “I shall have as many to¬ 
day. Come back in an hour. (To daugh¬ 
ter, as James retires.) “At this rate I 
shall soon be through my visiting list.” 
Eleanor (at escritoire): “ But, mamma, I 
don’t believe there are more than 300 cards 
here. 
Mrs. Smythe; “ Is it possible ? We must 
drive to Tiffany’s this morning and order 
a fresh 1,000.”— Harper’s Bazar. 
* * * 
Veils are worn more than ever, and not 
only are they worn, but they are made to 
cover the entire face, the back of the head 
Please mention The R. N.-Y. to our adver¬ 
tisers. 
When Baby was sick, we gave her Castoria, 
When she was a Child, she cried for Castoria, 
When she became Miss, she clung to Castoria, 
When she bad Children, she gave them Castoria. 
and the hat, trimming and all. The coarse 
diagonal-barred veiling, what is known as 
the “ English net,” Is favored in both black 
and white. At this season of the year this 
is particularly useful; it is thin, it is be¬ 
coming, and it serves to hide any spring 
eruptions or freckles that mar the faces of 
their wearers. Worn over the rim of a large 
bat, the appearance of the hat is softened 
by the veil; worn over bright-colored trim¬ 
ming of a hat, the flash is diminished for 
day wear. Some of the veils are dotted 
here and there with a round black-velvet 
“beauty spot,” but they have a “tacked 
on ” appearance that is not pretty. The veils 
of tan are most unbecoming to the com¬ 
plexion—they will make even a ruddy 
complexion look yellow. This will also 
apply to veils of ecru and all shades of a 
yellowish tendency—they cannot be worn 
for their becomingnes3—they are never be¬ 
coming Fair faces look like those of South¬ 
ern mulattoes under brown and yellow 
veils ; they cannot lighten even the darkest 
brunette complexion. Blue adds a white 
appearance to a yellow skin that is becom¬ 
ing, but a complexion that has a tendency 
towards redness will look painted rather 
than natural beneath veils of this shade. 
Gray is a standard color, and red, when 
very thin, is pretty and lends a warm color 
to the face, but for ordinary wear black 
and white are preferable. 
* * * 
A fashion has recently come in of wearing 
a wisp of net about the throat, tied in a 
small bow under the chin. Veils, when 
they have lost their stiffness, and become 
useless as a face covering, cau be thus util¬ 
ized with good advantage.—Providence 
Journal. 
* * * 
All kinds of ribbons are used for trim¬ 
ming summer muslins—f ille, royale, satin 
and velvet. Tnere is a fancy for doubled 
ribbons of two colors, one laid upon another 
a trifle wider the colors repeating those in 
the material, as stem green on rose, yellow 
on violet, pink on chocolate, light blue on 
fawn, gray on pale rose, and gray on violet. 
These doubled ribbons form high loops of 
shoulder knots, and bows and long loops 
that are set at the head of lace or embroid¬ 
ered frills, the loops dropping the whole 
width of the frill. A slightly folded b ind 
of ribbon, two inches wide, still edges 
pointed bodices, and is fastened in a slight 
bow at the left. Wider ribbon of faille or 
moire is basted around the belt of the lawn 
skirts, that pass above the edge of the bod¬ 
ice, and is set in four upright loops at the 
back, then falls in one deep loop, and two 
ends, that nearly reach the foot of the skirt. 
Three or four bands of ribbon are around 
close sleeves below the elbow, each fastened 
with a single loop and end on the inner arm. 
Rows of ribbon, like rows of insertion, are 
set around skirts above the hem; also in 
two or three lengthwise ends down each 
side, with a large bow at the foot. To wear 
with shirt waists are belts of ribbon, on 
which is set a wide girdle-like front in 
slight folds, held in place by three length¬ 
wise whalebones. A short sash of two 
wide ends of ribbon is set under a knot or 
strap on the left side.—Harper’s Bazar. 
* * * 
While our streets a*e left pretty much 
to take care of themselves the sidewalks 
are constantly sweptbyavolunteerbrige.de 
of ladies who promenade with long trains, 
not altogether, but in ones and twos. 
These excellent persons keep the dust on 
the sidewalks well agitated, even if they do 
not succed in sweeping much of it off into 
the gutters. This dirty fashion of wearing 
long trains in the streets is quite incompre¬ 
hensible to the dull masculine mind on 
general principles; the only explanation 
which occurs to the editor is that it is an 
evidence of the determination of the gentler 
sex not to be outdone even in folly by their 
more robust rivals of the male persuasion. 
When April came in cold and raw one of 
the daily newspapers remarked that the 
biggest April fool was the man who had left 
off his winter things on the first of April. 
The distinction must have excited the 
jealousy of the ladies, for the long trains 
began to come out very rapidly after that. 
On behalf of the men we therefore humbly 
withdraw all pretensions to the honor of 
being the biggest April fools, and accord 
the prize to the woman who wears the 
longest train on the street.—New York 
Witness. 
* * * 
Society mourning stationery is a new 
line brought out, of novelty and originality. 
The envelopes are of the “wallet” shape 
as regards their flaps, and on this portion 
alone are they black-bordered. The border 
itself is graduated, widening out from 
thin line at the sides to a thicker one in 
the center of the flap—about the width of 
“ middle ” bolder. The paper has the first 
leaf turned over at the upper right hand 
corner, in the style known as “dog earing” 
a book. On the two edges of this triangu 
lar space alone is there bordering. There 
is only one width of border for the whole 
series.—Paper and Pres?. 
* * * 
Gold rope is much used for picture 
frames. It should not be much more than 
half an inch in diameter, except for large 
pictures. Hemp and manilla are also used; 
but hemp is the best, for it is smooth. One 
of the piettiest frames of ihe kind I have 
seen, with this adaptation of rope to a new 
purpose, was a wooden one, well grained 
and colored. Some close, flue string netting 
had been stretched over this and secured at 
the back. A small size of rope of three 
strands was then fastened to the inner edge 
with slender nails, and the rope and the net¬ 
ting subsequently gilded. 
* * * 
The craze for gold and jeweled trimming 
is fa“t subsiding, and it is well. While 
a very little of such garniture may be used 
with good effect on a party or evening dress, 
when it is used in such quantities as now, 
and even on woolen street dresses, the 
fashion becomes a vulgar one. Even on 
millinery gold will not be so much used as 
at first predicted.—Providence Journal. 
* * * 
The pretty double ruffs or collarettes, 
which have Been so popular for the past 
season are now followed by ribbon collar¬ 
ettes in the same style. These consist sim¬ 
ply of wide ribbon plaited in triple or quad¬ 
ruple box plaits, fastened at the center to a 
foundation perhaps an inch wide and long 
enough to pass around the neck. They are 
tied with ribbons in a bow, after the same 
style as the net collarettes, and are more 
durable, if more expensive than the former. 
A Helpful Hint —As I get much good 
from the Womans Department of The 
Rural New Yorker, I would like to con¬ 
tribute an idea which will perhaps be of 
use to others. Most of us have on hand at 
one time or another a piece of work a little 
out of the regular routine, which it will 
take some time to do. We hate to attack 
it; or if already begun, we dislike, or feel 
that we have no time to continue it. Now 
I have found it an excellent plan in such 
cases to make a point of doing a little on 
this particular work every day ; that is, 
not to let one single day pass without tak- 
it up, if only for five minutes. If this plan 
Is rigidly adhered to, the work constantly 
progresses, and will before long be finished. 
If one day is missed, many more are likely 
to be ; interest slackened, and the charm is 
broken. I think this will be found to ap¬ 
ply to nearly every tedious undertaking, 
from house cleaning or braiding a rug to 
catching up with one’s correspondence or 
learning a new language. L. r. 
In writing to advertisers please always 
mention The Rural New-Yorker. 
RHEUMATISM 
neuralgia, 
and sciatica 
can always be 
successfully treated 
with 
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla 
A cure 
is sure to follow 
the persistent 
use of this 
medicine. * 
Has Cured Others 
will cure you. 
TAKE 
giving elasticity of mind, bouyancy of body] 
GOOD DIGESTION. 
regular bowels aud solid desh. Price, 25c. 
“ACME BAIL" and “B0SS’’ff 
C HURNS 
CME WASHERS 
»“&DAIRY GOODS 
t Those using our goods 
appreciate their mer. 
,:Sa its. Address 
'II. H. PALMER & CO.[v^]‘ 
CO l'eurl St., ROCKFORD, Illinois. 
ALFALFA CLOVER SEED 
By the car-load or In any quantity. 
Write to W. A. HAWS. 
Las Animas, Bent County, Colorado, U. 8. A. 
Do NOT BE IMPOSED UPON BY DEALERS WHO MAY TRY TO 8ELL 
YOU OTHER FREEZERS BY TELLING YOU THAT THEY ARE 
“ Just as Good ” or “ Just the same as the Gem.” 
You Want The Best, 
The Most Convenient and Economical, 
INSIST ON HAVING THE • G £ M ’ AND SEE THAT IT IS LABELED IN HED * 
“Dainty Di$l9<?5 FO T R H A 6 LL Y<?ar I^outyd,” 
By MRS. S. T. RORER, ^ 
CONTAINING RECIPE8 FOR 120 ICE CREAM8, WATER |CE8, ShERBETS, 
Frozen Fruits, Etc., 
19 PACKED IN EACH GEM 
Freezer. Sample Copy 
WILL BE MAILED ON RE¬ 
CEIPT OF 6c. IN STAMP8, 
IF THE NAME OF THI9 PUB¬ 
LICATION 19 GIVEN, ON 
APPLICATION TO THE MANU- 
FACTURER9, 
AM ERICAN 
MACHINE CO . 
Lehigh Avenue and 
American 8t., 
PHILADELPHIA, 
USE BOILING WATER OR MILK. 
EPPS’S 
GRATEFUL-COMFORTING. 
COCOA 
SOLD IN LABELLED K LB. TINS. 
D’ye see those 
skates ? The Pitts¬ 
burgh lamp is 
ahead. It gives 
magnificent light. 
It is easy to 
care for. 
It keeps itself clean—all 
but wiping. 
Send for a primer—can’t 
tell it all here. 
T>Tft-aH,-iT.„Vi T>o ’PvT'T'CmT'D/TTT TfoAQQ Cct. 
ter.flfi.lllK 
Package makes 5 gallons. 
Delicious, sparkling, and 
appetizing. Sold by all 
dealers. FREE a beautiful 
Picture Book and cards 
Bent to any one addressing 
C. E. HIRES * CO., 
Philadelphia. 
General Advertising Rates of 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
TIMES BUILDING, NEW YORK 
The following rates are invariable. All are there¬ 
fore respectfully informed that any correspondence 
with a view to obtaining different terms will prove 
futile. 
Ordinary Advertisements, per agate line (this 
sized type, 14 lines to the Inch).30cents. 
One thousand lines or more,within one year 
from date of first insertion, per agate line, 25 “ 
Yearly orders occupying 10 or more lines 
agate ft ace.25 “ 
Preferred positions .25 per cent, extra. 
Reading Notices, ending with “Adv.,” per 
line, mtnlon leaded.75 cents 
No Advertisement received for less than $1.00 
for each insertion. 
Terms of Subscription. 
The subscription price of the Rural New Yorker Is 
Single copy, per year.$ 2.00 
‘ “ Six months. i. to 
Great Britain. Ireland, Australia and 
Germany, per year, post-paid. $3.04 (12s. 6d.) 
France. 3.04 (16*4 fr.) 
French Colonies. 4.08 (29^ fr.) 
Agents will be supplied with canvassing outfit on 
application. 
Entered at the Post office at New York City. N. Y. 
as second-class mall matter. 
