Women Make the 
woman And 
The Home. 
Homes Make the 
Nation. 
A MODEST SUM FS. $10,000. 
PARAGRAPH which has been going the rounds for 
some time gives emphasis to the point made by Alice 
Denison Wiley that papers must print what people want 
to know, even if it takes a $10,000 editor to be a good judge 
of the fare which tte public demands. The paragraph 
refers to the fact that Mrs. Cleveland sent back to its source 
a check for $500, which was offered her for a short paper 
on her life at the White House. A note just out affirms 
that this popular woman has lately refused an offer of 
$1,000 for two articles on her life while in college. 
It is no doubt true that the publishers who offered these 
sums for such a trifling amount of work, are more willing 
to pay them than they would be to pay the modest nobody 
who essays an article for the paper, even one dollar a 
column. They know that an article from the popular ex- 
White House lady would attract more attention to their 
periodical than 500 columns from the unknown would 
elicit, even from those who plead so bravely for the un¬ 
known ; they know that the public is greedy for just the 
information whlfch she can give. Thus they have two 
powerful reasons in favor of $500 for, say, one column, as 
against one dollar for each of 500 columns. 
For much the same reasons, these publishers probably 
will not insist that the $500 writer be as correct as regards 
the minutim of her work, as the other must be. One 
column can readily be put in proper shape for publication 
by the editor himself, if he has sufficient incentive to do 
so; while he would stand aghast at the idea of spending 
his time over the work of a “ penny a-liner.” 
The articles sent to The R. N.-Y. by various corre 
spondents show a better appreciation of the difficulties 
which lie in the editor’s way than we had supposed those 
not familiar with the work could gain. But in spite of 
all the just arguments that have been put forth—argu¬ 
ments fully sustained by facts—there is even now a power¬ 
ful factor at work to sustain Sara A. N.’s side of the 
question, of which we think she may not be aware. This is 
no less than an editor who meets every requirement of the 
ideal editor as sketched by her; and the interests of the 
many women for whom our friend pleads, lead us to give 
this information regai ding him. 
The periodical issued by the editor is question is called 
the “ Housekeepers’ Weekly,” and it is really, in its essence, 
written for and by the women who subscribe for it, and all 
matter published in it is paid for—the sum being the 
“ modest” one for which Sara A. N. stipulated. We do not 
hesitate to say that the papt r, as published, is excellent, 
but there are several noticeable features about it that seem 
after all to argue pretty sharply on the side of the “ high- 
priced editor.” For one thing, his great drawing-card 
consists in having secured the services is regular contribu¬ 
tor and editor of a department of one woman whose price, 
while it may not be $10,000, is certainly so far above a 
“ modest sum” that we have no doubt it would easily 
swallow all that is paid to all these other women, and still 
be practically unappeased. Again, this editor in-chief is, 
as the pronoun has already shown, a man. Now we think 
that a man editing a woman’s paper is an anomaly, and we 
are sure that such would be the case with Sara A. N.’s ideal 
home paper. Yet it is a fact that few of them succeed with • 
out a man at the h< ad. Still further, this editor, (whose 
salary we do not know, but if it isn’t $10,000 now, it is 
likely to be some day, judging from his capability for the 
work) is compelled by circumstances to be what we might 
call a professional scold. He does not hesitate to say to 
his contributors that not all people who aspire to write are 
delightful, and that “ some think their mission is to write 
who are the only persons who do think so.” He rings the 
changes constantly on the faults of length, inappropriate¬ 
ness and unseasonableness of articles, and declares that 
much manuscript is received which by reason of bad writ¬ 
ing, lack of punctuation, and other faults is so intolerable 
that it is not read at all. He constantly spurs his read¬ 
ers, who are his writers, to greater efforts at brightness, 
brevity, etc., and admits that the only salvation for a 
paper published on his plan is in the arduous work of the 
editor. These modest women who take the modest pay 
are even in this early stage of the Weekly’s life sending 
six times the matter that can be used. It will be readily 
seen that no matter who writes, the editor is a necessity, 
and the more women there are writing for the “ modest 
sum,” the more need is there of the editor who is worth 
$10,000 to the proprietors of the publication, whatever it 
may be. 
People who are worth anything at all do not stand still; 
they rise to better positions, and it is not denied even to 
the “ Chief Cook” in a rural paper which has but a depart¬ 
ment for women, to fix her eye on that $10,000 in the dim 
distance of the uncertain future, and to strive to attain 
unto it. 
Docia Dykens is right also; as soon as a woman attains a 
degree of proficiency in writing for the public which entitles 
her to payment for her work, she leaves the ranks of “ each 
and every woman,” and becomes in greater or less degree 
a professional. Let us not forget that there are always 
two sides to a story. 
Mrs. Chauncey M. Depew pays the penalty of being 
the wife of New York’s most popular dinner guest. It is 
a very rare event for him to dine at his own table during 
the season, except when he is host himself. “So rare,” 
Mrs. Depew is quoted as saj ing, “ that I have to engage 
him for it.” 
HOW TO TREAT A WOUND IN THE FOOT FROM 
AN OLD NAIL OR A PIECE OF TIN. 
DB. J. H. KELLOGG. 
HERE is no specific harm in an old nail: It is not 
because it is old or because it is rusty that a wound 
from it is likely to produce tetanus or lockjaw. The same 
may be said of an injury from stepping upon an old tin or 
upon a wooden stub which has lain in or on the ground 
for some time. The danger comes from a germ which is 
likely to be present in the earth, and which has infected 
these articles. These germs, if taken into the body, are 
propagated in the blood, and will bring on lockjaw if 
allowed to take their course. Horses and other animals 
are liable to have this disease, and one way by which the 
germs are scattered about is from the clearing up of barn¬ 
yards. 
It case of accident of this kind, the first thing to do is to 
remove the foreign substance, the nail or whatever it is, as 
soon as possible, and to encourage rapid el mination of 
the poisonous matter. Cleanse the wound first with warm 
water and then with a five-per-cent solution of carbolic 
acid; about half a dram of carbolic acid to an ounce of 
water will make a solution a little stronger than five per 
cent, but not too strong to use in such a case. Have this 
solution of carbolic acid and water just as hot as can be 
borne, and soak the foot in it long enough to make sure 
that the germs are all killed ; an hour or two is none too 
long if the wound is very deep. If a cut, it may next need 
a few stitches. It must then be dressed in such a way as 
to exclude germs from the air. Disinfectant cotton—that 
which is boiled in a solution of bichloride of mercury 
and then dried—is the best. Cover with oil silk and 
bandage neatly, with the expectation of leaving it un¬ 
touched until it is healed. If disinfectant cotton is not at 
hand, take plenty of clean white rags, boil them in a solu¬ 
tion of carbolic acid, dry them in the oven to prevent 
possible contamination, wrap the wound closely in them, 
and bandage as before directed. It should heal perfectly 
in a week or 10 days without further attention. If no 
disinfectant solution can be procured, cleanse the wound 
thoroughly in water that has been well boiled and allowed 
to cool to such a degree that it can be borne. Do not cool 
it by pouring water in which has not been boiled. By 
boiling, the water is sterilized. 
Battle Creek Sanitarium. 
THE BETTER FARMER HIS BROTHER’S KEEPER. 
V ERYBODY admits that, while farming is considered 
generally the humblest vocation, and, by the ignor¬ 
ant, even a degrading one, it is the one occupation that 
is the means of preserving or disturbing the equipose of 
nations. 
Agriculture Is the source whence the world draws phys¬ 
ical sustenance; and the very babes are informed now that 
it is the source from which the greatest numbers of the 
brightest luminaries—statesmen, orators, poets and ltter- 
ateurs—have sprung. And why is this? Is It not because 
in contact with, and under the direct influence of Nature, 
mind and soul are lifted up to Nature’s God, filled with 
lofty aspirations and ambitions not to be the meanest of 
all God’s creation which everywhere shows forth His han¬ 
diwork and declares His glory? Is it not because purity, 
healthfulness and simplicity of soul, mind and body are 
preserved under the fostering influence of the innocent ex¬ 
hilaration of Nature, until an up-looking, sterling, stead¬ 
fast integrity of life and purpose is recognized and honored 
among men? 
Then it seems to me the farmer should neglect no means 
by which to remove the stigma of ignorance so unjustly 
attached to his name and calling; and that it is the duty 
of all intelligent persons to put forth all their strength to 
elevate the “ illiterate and gullible,” of the same vocation, 
to a higher, independent standard. 
“ Man is the true Shekinah;” and he shines according to 
the light that is within him. The times are ripe and call¬ 
ing lustily for the greater lights to remove the obscuring 
bushel and shine forth from the hill tops. I do not believe 
with Carlyle, that Providence fails to meet the exigencies 
of the times; but woe unto him who hears the call and fails 
to respond! 
It is a fact that newspapers are the medium through 
which the poor and illiterate are being “humbugged.” 
They are dazzled by the gaudy trappings of riches, that 
are being obtained from them, if they only knew it, by 
“ rank felony.” But there are fearless, outspoken papers 
that are not afraid to unmask these vampires and drag the 
delusive film from the eyes of the ignorant. And it is the 
duty of intelligent farmers and their wives and sons and 
daughters to try to reach forth the kindly hand of broth¬ 
erly love and help these ignorant ones to a higher and hap¬ 
pier plane; their voices are calling loudly to us day by day. 
“The links that connect the first pair who woke to life 
in Eden’s garden, with the myriads of human beings who 
now cover the face of the globe, can never be broken, and 
there is, therefore, an intimate, though not always an evi¬ 
dent, connection between the history of the whole human 
race and that of every individual who swells its aggregate.” 
Let farmers, everywhere, strive to make this link be¬ 
tween themselves evident. We may wrap ourselves in an 
egotistic self sufficiency, or we may be 
“ Cradled into poetry by wrong 
And learn In suffering what Is taught In song,” 
but we cannot ignore 
“The love, the prayers, the interest of mankind.” 
Mississippi. S. ARMI3TEADN. 
KINDRED VIEWS. 
EFORE touching my subject I would like to tell the 
editors of The Rural, how much I admire that path 
and border. It looks so restful, I would also like to offer 
my heartfelt sympathy to Hattie Colby. I, too, am 
anxiously askiDg the question: “ Can I keep my farm ? ” 
For two years, I wrestled with the hired hand problem ; 
but finding that the majority of hired help are far too dig¬ 
nified to be “ bossed ” by a woman, and that as a rule they 
are not to be relied upon, except at meal time, and on pay 
day, I dtcided to do without their help. Many things 
will be left undone ; but if the harvest should prove as 
poor as that of last year, I will be thankful that there will 
be no hired man to pay. 
And now I would like to add my testimony in favor of 
the woman’s department of the agricultural papers. I was 
married at the age of 20, and had at that time but little 
knowledge of housekeeping. I soon realized my difficul¬ 
ties, and eagerly read everything that came in my way re¬ 
garding household matters. The habit once formed, I still 
follow it, as I do not think we are ever too old to learn. 
Not that I adopt every one’s method of work, or follow 
every recipe to the letter; but I select what Is best adapted 
to my own case. 
I think some sister hinted something about being paid 
for these articles. When our articles shall have reached 
so high a standard as to be sought after by other publish¬ 
ers, we may hope for pay in dollars and cents. Until then 
let us be content with the thought that perhaps we may 
have brightened the burden for some weary sister. 
Probably that “ city editress ” climbed to her position over 
obstacles that we would not think of trying to overcome. 
Neither fame nor wealth is to be had for the askir g. We 
cannot all reach the top; but we can all do the work that 
is nearest to our hands, and if we do it to the best of our 
ability, we will receive our reward at some time, and in 
some way. It may not be our way, but it will be sure to 
be the right way. MRS. J. L. G. 
Nebraska. * * * 
I think we aie too much afraid of helping each other ; 
that is, we would just a little bit rather another’s back 
would break than our own. Perhaps this is not 
exactly wrong, but it is not altogether charitable. 
When we write for the home paper we should write with 
the object of helping otters, rather than for the purpose 
of airing our own ideas, or of helping the editor. 
The probabilities are that editors grow very tired of 
looking over contributions, even if they do get paid for it; 
then let us also help them by boiling down our ideas as 
much as possible, but let us send them just the same if we 
think they will help some one else. I believe we will feel 
paid for the trouble even if the gain is not in haid cash. 
B-. 
SWEET APPLES AND WILLS. 
O you know what I would do if I lived near the edi¬ 
tor of this paper ? I would get up a nice sweet 
apple dinner and invite him over. 
On his arrival I would give him a glass of the sweetest 
of cider, made from those poor, condemned sweet apples. 
Oh ! you women folks need not stare at me or shake your 
heads; I am “ strong temperance; ” but if some one were to 
offer me a glass of sweet cider I think I would take it, for 
I haven’t had a taste since we have been in this State, now 
nearly three years; and the first sweet apple I tasted since 
coming here was last fall. I almost cried, I was so glad 
such apples could be raised here, for we had been informed 
that no matter what sweet variety was planted the apples 
would come sour because of the climate. It was a great 
big mistake and I am glad ! 
But to go back to the editor who has dared to give us 
such poor advice with regard to sweet applies. I would 
have dinner on the table at exactly 12. The table cloth 
should be spotless, and the silver, glass, and china shin¬ 
ing. I would have the most delicious sweet-apple pre¬ 
serves, a dish of old-fashioned boiled cider apple sauce, 
some prime apple butter and sweet apple pickles; and for 
dessert I would have baked sweet apples with cream and 
sugar. 
I prefer sweet apple pickles to all others and enjoy a 
dish of sweet apple preserves just as well as pear preserves. 
They are also fine to do up with quinces. I have a friend 
in Ohio, who, knowing my fondness for sweet apples, 
would always have two or three tucked under her shawl 
when she came to see me. I was always glad to see her 
coming. 
Now about wills; for I am sure my dinner h as convinced 
our editor of the merits of sweet apples. 
I have told husband a good many times that he ought to 
make a will, and he always says : 4 Probably I shall some 
day.” His life is insured in my name, and it shows me 
the confidence he places in me. If he were to make a will 
giving me the benefit as long as I remained a widow, I 
should think he had no confidence in me. I have always 
said that if I were to become a widow I did not think I 
would marry again, for I would always be making the new 
husband very unhappy by telling him how good John was. 
I think now that it would not be honoring my husband’s 
memory for me to marry again, but we never know what 
changes the future may bring about. 
It seems to me that if a woman is left well provided for, 
it would be far better to devote her remaining years to her 
own family and not to marry again. But if she should 
decide to take to herself another husband let her weigh 
