Women Make the 
Woman And The 
“ Here then Inscribe them, each red-letter day 
Forget not all the sunshine of the way 
By which the Lord hath led thee: answered prayers, 
And Joys unasked ; strange blessings, litted carts ; 
Grand promise echoes ! ” 
* * # 
Some one says that at the Thanksgiving season, no other 
six words In the English language can be used to express 
so much as the saying: “ May good digestion wait on ap¬ 
petite,” * * * 
A pessimistic observer of his kind suggests that some of 
us try making our friends Thanksgiving presents; that 
they will then be the more likely to remember us at Christ¬ 
mas. Perish the thought 1 Because some grasping natures 
can see only the give and take in our beautiful holiday 
customs, shall we all descend to their level ? 
* * * 
Essentially American, and connected everywhere with 
our grand American feast day is the American turkey; but 
it will doubtless be news to many that this bird is not 
found wild and native to any country outside this conti¬ 
nent. The Poultry Monthly relates an incident of ancient 
times in France, stating that at the marriage of Charles IX. 
to Princess Elizabeth of Austria, in 1570, turkeys were so 
scarce over the whole kingdom, that only 10 could be pro¬ 
cured for the royal nuptial feast; but a vessel from North 
America arrived at the port of San Malo, which had a pair 
on board, and these were Immediately despatched to Paris, 
and arrived in time to be served up with the others by the 
royal cook in the kitchens of the Louvre. A royal bird is 
the American turkey; let us give him his full due of 
praise and appreciative gusto as we keep the day of our 
forefathers. * * * 
We note two features of the late chrysanthemum 
show in this city especially for the readers of this depart¬ 
ment. A special feature of the fourth day was the com¬ 
peting for the prize for the best dinner table decorations. 
One of these tables as set for 12 people, was a perfect 
oval, of which all but about 1>£ foot around the edge was 
filled solidly with chrysanthemums, fringed with adian- 
tum.and lightly intermixed with Asparagus plumosus. The 
decorated plates were right side up, of course; at the left 
of each were three forks, side by side; at the right three 
knives of different sizes and a large spoon, and at right 
angles across these, its tines resting on the plate, was a 
fourth special-purpose fork. A trifle back, and further to 
the right were arranged six glasses all with stems, and ail 
different. Near what would have been the corners, had 
the table been square, were the water bottles, the cut facets 
of the stoppers shivering the sunshine Into myriad points 
of light. 
A new white seedling chrysanthemum very slightly 
tinted with pink, and medium in size rested with modest 
pride under a canopy of pale blue silk, decorated with 
white ribbon bows. Beside it on the floor stood a pair of 
miniature baby shoes. The whole was explained by a 
glanceat the name of the new blossom—“Ruth Cleveland.” 
Another had had a similar idea, but had not elaborated it 
so prettily; and a new dull pink seedling (not pretty 
enough for a baby) bore the name “ Baby Cleveland.” 
* * * 
Three of our contributors nave been moved to talk 
upon the same subject: the help which reading may 
give in making both the characters and the attainments 
of our children just what we should wish them to be. Is it 
not worthy of note that these three, speaking with the 
wisdom of experience, but from different points of view, 
should reach substantially the same conclusions ? In one 
sense, this may be considered a trite subject, in that it 
often comes up for discussion ; but for the encouragement 
of those who have tried so earnestly to give others the best 
fruits of their experience, and also with the hope of arous¬ 
ing in advance the interest of every mother of children, we 
may say that we do not remember to have seen at any one 
time three articles equally good upon this vital subject. 
We bespeak for them faithful reading and thoughtful 
digestion, especially as we are now approaching the time 
of year when most of the reading matter is selected, and 
also the season when, in farm homes, the mother will 
have most leisure. The third article will be given next 
week. * * * 
“ Charlotte ” makes a good point when she says that 
the mother, reading with her children, must make the 
reading entertaining by being interested herself; that if 
she reads in a half-hearted way, the children will hear in 
the same way. This is one of the first things which a 
teacher who would do good work with children has to 
learn. One must be bright, live, interested, enthusiastic 
in dealing with eager childhood. The power of zeal and 
enthusiasm is such that one zealous soul will move others 
more than 100 without zeal can do, even among men. Much 
more is it the case that zeal and Interest will carry chil¬ 
dren almost whither they will. Failure to grasp this truth 
constitutes one grand mistake of parents. 
* * * 
“ I have no time,” is a common plea given as an ex¬ 
cuse for the non doing of whatever work may be in 
question. Perhaps we hear it oftenest, too, in explanation 
of the reason why we let the best things of life slip past 
us: why we fail to make an effort to take part in the work 
that might uplift both ourselves and others. And even 
while we make these pleas we are swallowed up in a whirl¬ 
pool of daily doings which seem to us essential, yet which 
are of the groveling, which keep our better natures down 
instead of uplifting them. We are a part of a daily grind 
which seems to be the only thing possible to us. Katherine 
B. Johnson says: “This matter of having time to read is 
very greatly a question of what one considers the non- 
essential.” This is equally true of the question as to having 
time for any ennobling thing. Mrs. Whitney, in one of 
her earlier books, “ A Summer in Leslie Goldthwaite’s 
Life,” elaborates this idea very effectively. There are al¬ 
ways thlhgs that must be left out, Leslie decides, and we 
must choose and bear the responsibility, and the conse¬ 
quences of choosing, whether it shall be the best things 
that are left out of our lives, or whether we will give time 
to them, despite the lack of fancy work, and things of 
more questionable value. 
* * 
It is not in accordance with editorial practice to mention 
in this department, the wares of one firm, to the detri¬ 
ment of others; but the granite-ware has really no com¬ 
petitor, and it is so nearly perfect that we cannot refrain 
from recommending it. It may be cleaned as easily as 
glass-ware (ha\ ing practically a glass surface) while it has 
not the transparent quality which necessitates that won¬ 
drous wiping to remove possible lint. It is both light and 
lasting if used with reasonable care. We know that the 
great objection to it is its snpposed extravagance. It is 
not more expensive than were the porcelain-lined kettles of 
our ancestors, and it lasts longer in fine condition than did 
those old-time wares. And although this may seem an 
extravagant statement, we believe it to be true that its use 
may make the difference between doing one’s own work, 
and being obliged to have a “girl,” to some half-invalid 
housewives. It can be bought of the tin-peddler, although, 
of course, he charges two prices for it. One can, however, 
get the peddlers’ commission if the nearest town is a depot 
from which they start. This commission is usually about 
25 per cent, and by carefully saving rags, papers, rubbers, 
old iron, etc., and carrying them to the village in connection 
with some necessary trip when there is no other load, one 
can trade them for good wares at the general peddlers’ 
depot, and get the discount of 25 per cent. This is “ small 
business,” of course, yet to exchange a pile of worthless old 
rags and rubbish for even a few good new articles gives a 
sense of victory over circumstances, of having made the 
very best of things, and of joy in the newly attained treas¬ 
ure which is almost literally “something for nothing.” 
THANKSGIVING DAY AND GOOD CHEER. 
HE celebration of Thanksgiving Day is one of the 
oldest of our American Institutions, though its 
earlier observance was not national, but rather confined 
to New England. After the first harvest was gathered by 
the colonies in 1621, Governor Bradford made especial pro¬ 
vision for a day of general rejoicing with praise and prayer. 
During the Revolution a day of national thanksgiving was 
annually appointed by Congress, and, after the adoption 
of the Constitution, Washington recommended the ap¬ 
pointment of such a day, a practice which was followed by 
some, but by no means all of his successors. The day was 
more especially observed in New England, and its appoint¬ 
ment was made by the governors of New England States 
yearly. During the Rebellion President Lincoln frequently 
recommended the celebration of days of thanksgiving alter 
victories, and in 1863 he made a proclamation for a na¬ 
tional observance of the day. Since then a proclamation 
has been issued yearly, and the last Thursday in Novem¬ 
ber is the day usually chosen. The idea of giving thanks 
for the bounties of the year, seemed so intermixed with the 
enjoyment of those bounties that Thanksgiving Day means 
a day of royal cheer, when friends and neighbors assemble 
to enjoy the good things of earth. The Thanksgiving 
dinner crowns the New England year as Christmas festivi¬ 
ties do those of old England. 
Thanksgiving Pudding.— Every one has had pumpkin 
this fall until tired of the name and a pudding will please 
the average farmer better as a finish to his Thanksgiving 
dinner than would another pumpkin pie. Here is a recipe 
which makes a famous pudding and if the family is not 
very large there will be some left to warm in the steamer 
and eat at a second meal. The ingredients are one heaping 
quart of bread crumbs, one scant quart of flour, one scant 
quart of suet, half a pint of sweet milk, half a pint of 
sugar, one quart of raisins, one pint of currants one pint 
of citron, one pint of apples, one teaspoonful of salt and 
eight eggs. Seed and chop the raisins, peel and chop the 
apples, clean the currants, chop the suet, cut the citron in 
small pieces and crumble the bread the day before the 
pudding is to be made, as it will save time when time is 
valuable. It will require about four hours to mix and 
boil the pudding. Take a little flour and dredge the 
fruit, then put it with the bread crumbs and suet into a 
pan, sprinkle the salt and grated nutmeg over it. Beat 
the eggs separately and add, then stir in the flour. Have a 
strong pudding bag ready, made larger at the top than at 
the bottom. Wet the bag and sprinkle the inside with 
flour. Put the pudding into the bag and tie securely 
leaving ample room for it to swell. Plunge it in a large 
kettle of boiling water and take care that the water boils 
continuously for three hours. A plate in the bottom of 
the kettle will prevent the pudding from sticking. If the 
water boils away It must be replenished with boiling 
water. 
Sauce.— Take a piece of butter the size of an egg, two 
tablespoonfuls of flour, one cupful of sugar and a little 
salt, mix smooth with three tablespoonfuls of cider vin¬ 
egar (not too sour) and one teaspoonful of lemon extract. 
Add, gradually, enough boiling water to make the sauce 
Homes Make the 
Home. 
the right consistency. It must be stirred constantly until 
cooked to prevent burning as well as to make it smooth. 
Creamed Oysters.— When the Thanksgiving dinner 
is served early and the guests remain for an old-fashioned 
visit in the evening, as is often the case in the country, a 
dish of oysters, prepared as follows, will make a satisfying 
lunch and needs no accompaniment except a dish of 
crackers, warmed in the oven, some celery, and possibly 
tea or coffee : Drain some large oysters, roll them in pow¬ 
dered cracker crumbs, and fry in butter to a delicate 
brown. Put them into a warm tureen and pour over them 
some rich cream which has been heated and salted. This 
is a rich dish but greatly relished by most appetites. 
S A. LITTLE. 
THE MOTHER’S OPPORTUNITY. 
HAT shall our children read, is a question we often 
hear, and of course there is a great diversity of 
opinion on the subject. Years ago when there was the 
Bible for solid reading, and Pilgrim’s Progress for amuse¬ 
ment, the subject did not need much thought; but it is 
quite different now with such a variety to choose from ; 
and the matter is of more importance than a great many 
mothers seem to think. The taste for reading developed 
in children will influence their whole lives, and while they 
are young it lies in the power of a mother to guide them 
in a right direction. “ If we don’t want bad thoughts to 
come, we must keep ’em away like I keep weeds out o’ my 
bit o’ garden. I fill the bed so full o’ flowers that there 
isn’t any room for weeds.” Nearly all the magazines and 
papers published for children contain good reading for 
them. St. Nicholas, Harper’s Young People, Youth’s Com¬ 
panion and the Lothrop publications are among the best 
and one can pick out many choice bits among other papers; 
as nearly all have at least a small space for children. I 
would not advise indiscriminate reading of everything you 
see, but that you look over the papers and select what is 
best suited to the needs, and will most interest the chil¬ 
dren in your care. Among books there is “ Colonial 
Days” (by Richard Markham) containing anecdotes and his¬ 
torical facts of olden times, told in a way quite fascinating 
to children. “ Little Folks in Feathers and Furs,” by 
Olive Thorne Miller, a child’s book of natural history, is 
another which I have read many times to my children, yet 
they are always interested and have learned a good deal 
from it. The History of the United States in words of one 
syllable for young children, and larger editions as they 
grow older, will usually interest them. Children soon get 
quite a taste for history if you pick out entertaining ones 
to begin with. Bible history, written in simple form, or 
directly from the Bible, and Pilgrim’s Progress, together 
with stories especially for the purpose, make a good change 
for Sunday reading; and on that day there is usually 
quite a little time which can be devoted to the children. 
Do not make the mistake of trying to confine chil¬ 
dren to solid reading entirely, lest they tire of it 
but mix in stories and fairy tales, selecting always only 
the best. Let them read Arabian Nights, Gulliver’s 
Travels, Palmer Cox’s Brownies, Anderson’s Fairy Tales, 
and do not leave out Mother Goose. Then give them such 
stories as Little Lord Fauntleroy, Lady Jane, Miss Alcott’s 
books,Dickens’s Christmas stories and many others equally 
good. As to poetry, it makes a great difference whether 
you read it to your children or not; as unless some care is 
taken they are not so apt to like it. A little nephew, 
talking of a new book he had, said : “ We always skip 
the poetry. I do not like it very well.” A good many 
always skip the poetry, but as I have always read a great 
deal to my children, they are quite fond of it, and even en¬ 
joy hearing Ingelow, Longfellow, or any of the better 
poets. You must read to and with your children, if you 
would have them cultivate a taste for the right kind of 
reading. Make the reading entertaining by being inter¬ 
ested yourself, for if you read in a half-hearted way the 
children will hear in the same way. 
Again, choose your reading to suit the different tempera¬ 
ments of the children. If a child is very sensitive, don’t 
read all the affecting stories you can find. If nervous, 
don’t pick out all the hairbreadth escapes and harrowing 
Vile cod-liver oil has lost its vileness in 
Scott’s Emulsion and gained a good deal 
in efficiency. 
It is broken up into tiny drops which 
are covered with glycerine, just as quinine 
in pills is coated with sugar or gelatine. 
You do not get the taste at all. 
The hypophosphites of lime and soda 
add their tonic effect to that of the half- 
digested cod-liver oil. 
Let us send you a book on careful 
living —free. 
Scott & Bowne, Chemists, 132 South 5th Avenue, New York. 
Your druggist keeps Scott’s Emulsion of cod-liver oil—all druggists 
everywhere do. $1. 
