THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
8i5 
ings at home, and go early to a pretty, 
cozy room, than if the bedroom is for¬ 
bidding and cheerless. 
BELLE II. GARDNER. 
Let Young Folks be Young Folks. 
There are few places so isolated that it is 
not possible for young people to get to¬ 
gether for an occasional evening's amuse¬ 
ment. In this, they are but following their 
natural inclinations. Why, then, may not 
this social propensity be profitably util¬ 
ized during the long winter evenings 
which are before us ? I have in mind a 
little group of lads and lassies who as¬ 
semble upon stated evenings around the 
study lamp in the sitting room of an 
elderly lady whose interest in young peo¬ 
ple increases with her years. They meet 
for the study of the Sunday-school les¬ 
son, but I see no reason why chemistry 
or mathematics, or any science in which 
the boys and girls of any particular lo¬ 
cality are interested, may not be studied 
instead. Even supposing that neighbors 
are so far apart that only two or thi*ee 
could meet regularly, these would do 
better work together than each would 
do alone. No one will deny tliat there 
is enthusiasm in numbers, however, and 
a lesson which may be monotony itself 
when studied alone, may become a de¬ 
cidedly interesting and lively matter in 
the hands of several young people, each 
eager to help and be helped. 
The plan followed by the students re¬ 
ferred to, is something like this : Seated 
about the table with books, paper and 
pencils, the first question in the lesson is 
started at some given point, the ques¬ 
tioner directing his inquiry to his right 
hand neighbor. This query disposed of, 
the answerer becomes questioner, and 
so on around the circle. Made up ques¬ 
tions are always in order, occasioning, 
ofttimes, no little interest and amu.se- 
ment by their aptness. Although the 
utmost decorum is maintained, a hearty 
laugh which may be heard to the remotest 
corner of the house, may suggest to the 
members of the household otherwise em¬ 
ployed, that our young people are in no 
danger of getting gloomy over their 
study. Is this irreverent ? Hy no means. 
They would not allow themselves liber¬ 
ties at church or 8unday-.school, which 
were not entirely in keeping with the 
place, but around the home table, free¬ 
dom, enjoyment and profit go hand in 
hand. While bent upon obtaining the 
very best, they are but following the 
natural impulses of youth, and associat¬ 
ing with the most serious and profitable 
study, the joy and light-heartedness 
which it is quite right and proper should 
characterize this period of life. It need 
not descend into frivolity, for no serious, 
profitable study can be carried on in 
a frivolous spirit, no matter what the 
subject. 
If our tablers consider themselves gov¬ 
erned by any rule, it is that each student 
shall express without reserve, his or her 
opinion upon any given question. In 
this way ideas are drawn out, wits 
sharpened, and all are benefited. The 
contact of mind with mind is one of the 
best incentives to effort. Work does not 
seem so burdensome when done con¬ 
jointly. Each one striving to help him¬ 
self, benefits his neighbor ; consequently 
the advantages of united study are ap¬ 
parent. 
As 1 write, a young friend inquires 
concerning my subject, and I repeat to 
her The Eukal’s question, “ How may 
farmers’ sons and daughters best spend 
the long winter evenings on isolated 
farms ?” 
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 had Children, she gave them Castoria, 
We would like to see a woman get that 
$400 piano. See page 816. This is sui-ely 
a prize worth trying for. Remember that 
it is extra above regular commissions. 
“ Oh, by studying, playing games and 
eating pop-corn !” she answers, and thus 
disposes of a subject which will, no 
doubt, engage the attention of many. 
It is well, sometimes, to look at young 
people’s affairs from young people’s 
standpoints. This, certainly, is not a 
bad suggestion. (James and pop-corn 
are but helpful adjuncts to study. In 
planning for our young people’s even¬ 
ings, let us not forget amusements. 
MRS. S. E. KENNEDY. 
VALUE OF KINDERGARTEN TRAINING 
T he value of kindergarten work is 
best demonstrated by the i-esults 
obtained in the free kindergartens estab¬ 
lished in the poor districts of New York 
City, where children are most numerous 
and most neglected. I’he group shown 
at Fig. 311), from The Outlook, is from 
one of these kindergartens. They are 
not the pick of a whole class, as one 
might think from their bright faces; 
the kindergarten system develops the 
best in the child, and trains it to be 
alert and ready to learn or to act. A 
short outline of the work in these schools 
might be of interest to some of the per¬ 
plexed schoolma’ams who sometimes find 
6240.-GIRL’S COAT- 
it more than patience can bear when the 
baby of the family is sent to school to 
be cared for. 
The children are first given balls cov¬ 
ered with colored yarns, from which 
they learn the prismatic colors. Form 
is taught by wooden cubes, cylinders, 
balls, etc. Drawing is introduced at the 
very beginning of instruction, beginning 
with the simple lines forming a square. 
The correct name of each article used is 
taught. “ Pri.sm” may sound incompre¬ 
hensible to some of us older ones ; yet 
how much simpler than to say “ the 
three-cornered block.” 
The tables used for the block work are 
marked out in checker-board fashion, 
and this enables the children to be 
accurate in placing the blocks in geomet¬ 
rical designs which are taught them. 
The eye is thus trained by seeing the 
designs exact, as they should be, and 
further by drawing the design on the 
slate. In teaching form, molding in 
clay is introduced. When we remember 
the mud pies of childhood, we can imag¬ 
ine how heartily the children enjoy this 
exercise. In weaving paper mats, the 
knowledge of color is called into action. 
The memory is trained by all of these 
exercises. The child finds it necessary 
to keep its mind on the work in hand. 
All of the work serves to develop dex¬ 
terity, and the variety is such that each 
child’s special talent may be indicated by 
its aptitude in any particular line. 
Another good point of the kindergarten 
training consists in teaching by means of 
songs. Instead of silly Mother (loose 
twaddle, the jingle of rhymes is used to 
convey sensible and true ideas. Calis- 
thenic exercises are also taught in con¬ 
nection with many of the songs, and thus 
the little bodies and minds are exercised 
at the same time. 
The quickness with which these child¬ 
ish minds respond to the training, shows 
how important it is that the right ma¬ 
terial be supplied while the mind is in 
the receptive state. Children will learn, 
must learn ; and if their minds be filled 
with useful knowledge, there will be no 
room for objectionable things. 
GAITHER HOWE. 
MOTHERS .—Be sure to use “Mrs. Win.s- 
low’s Soothing Syrup ” for your children 
while Teething. It is the Best.— Ad/v. 
PATTERNS FOR R. N.-Y. READERS. 
Write the order for pjitterns separate 
from other matter, give bust measure 
and pattern number, and enclose 10 cents. 
Each pattern is complete with instruc¬ 
tions for cutting the garment and put¬ 
ting together. 
6240. Girl’s Long Coat With Pointed 
Cape. 
The coat is of fashionable length reach¬ 
ing to the lower edge of the skirt. The 
fronts have wide pointed lapels that are 
reversed at the top and cross over in 
double-breasted fashion. The cape starts 
under the laiiels, and is pointed in the 
center back. This caiie may be joined 
to the coat or adjusted with hooks and 
eyes. The full topped sleeves fit closely 
below the elbow and tlie edges are fin¬ 
ished with braid. Pattern 6340 is cut in 
four sizes, viz.: 6, 8, 10 and 13 years. 
Pi.o'ccU»ncous)i 
In writiiiK to advertisers, please always mention 
The UiTHAr. Ne\v-Yoiikeu. 
Ayer’s 
PILLS 
Received 
Highest Awards 
AT THE 
World’s Fair 
AS 
THE BEST 
Family 
PHYSIC 
GEARHART’S FAMILY KNITTER. 
K KnitH u stockiiii; heal and toe In 
ten minutes. Knits evervthin^f 
re(|uired in tlie househuld from 
hoineH])un (»r factory, wool or cot- 
yarns. Most practical knitteron 
market. A child cun operate it. 
TRONG, DURABLE, 
SIMPLE, RAPID. 
itlsfaction (cimranteod. Agents 
ited. Kor particulars and sum- 
_ work, uildress, 
J. K. GEAkUAKX, Clearfieia, Pa. 
PRICE 
$8.00 
GAME OK 
yf 1 TTT.'KTTTTT C 
13 
—vjw The Newest and Best Yet 
By Mail fos aa cts. 
Don’t fall to uet one of your dealer, or of 
Greenfield Jfovelty Co. Greenfield, Maas, 
Hungry Leather. 
The natural food of leather is oil. 
Hard and stiff leather is soft in a 
minute with 
Vacuum 
Leather Oil. 
25c. worth is a fair trial—and your money back 
if you want it—a swob with each can. 
For pamphlet, free, “ How to Takh Cark 
OK LEAriiER,” send to 
VACUUM OIL CO.. K<ich.!Stcr, N. Y. 
Cook’s Floor Bin. 
WITH SIFTER. 
New. Convenient and Saving Device 
for lloldinx Flour. Built in three sizes, 
to hold a.I. tM and 1(K) pounds of Hour. 
Send for Special I’riee to Ajtents. 
COOK FLOUR BIN CO. 
HOMER, MICH. 
MONEY MADE 
sellinK licveriilsp’H Automatic 
(looker. Best cookinR ntonsil. Food 
can’t burn. No odor. Saves labor and 
fuel. Fits any kind of stove. AaentH 
wanted, either sex. Good I’ny. 
One agent hoI.I 1730 in one town. ' 
--Write for terms.- 
W.E.BEVKKIIMJE, Rultlmore, Md. ! 
BECKER WASHER. 
A Fair Trial will convince the 
most skei>tical of Its superiority 
over all other washing machines. 
Thousands In use. Ayentu Wuntril. 
Circulars Free. Made hy 
N. G. HAIIGIIMAN, York, I’a. 
cn D II A on Y ABINGDON, ILL., Mann- 
CUl Hi IIAIlll I f facturer of Black Gattle 
Coats, Robes, Gloves, Rugs, Caps, etc. 
AGENTS WANTE D 
to sell our machine in the locality where 
— they live. We furnish the work and 
’Sj pjgSi^ A^show you how to get a SINGER 
W^ S65.00 5ewlDg MacUoe 
fSia ABS 0 LUTELY ”JL:S! 
CDCC you can live at home and 
rtl tt.hiake ten times onlinary 
wages. ,Ye have machines raiig- 
[ng in price from $8.98 up. We are 
the only Mainifaetiir.'rs selling 
in thi.s way. We ship the machines on 30 day.s trial 
without one cent In a<lvance. Don’t fail to write today. 
CHICAGO SEWING MACHINE CO., 
23 North Halsted St., Chicago, III. 
rOURNAMEONi 
aLL ruu luckNTts.' 
L 25 Lovely CardSf/K 
I AllTl). ALBUM.JAP 
bx...' NANDKKK. 9ACDUM[CHIiinf 
FTT.H.SKH a HAMPI.Rr 
KINU GAUD CO..NOUTU UaVASM. ugNN* 
f our largo 21-pago caLaloguo of Or¬ 
gans, al.so our new and elegant cat¬ 
alogue of Bianos, containing 16 pp. 
A We have the largest manufactory 
-F in the world, from which wo sell 
direct to the consumer at whole¬ 
sale prices, thus saving the profits 
of the dealer and the commissions ( 
of the agents. We furnish a first- I 
class Organ, war- ,, ^ 
ranted ^ years (tk ^ 50 
with stool and blSk A / 
book, for only a. 
No money required until Instru¬ 
ment has been ihorouglily tested in j 
your own bouse. Sold on instal- ' 
ments. Easy payment. 
'V e positively nuarantee every 
Farm and Fireside says : 
S e only Meat Chopper 
er saw tliat we wou Id 
house room. It has 
oven sucli a very use- 
ul machine that we 
want our readers to 
enjoy its benefits 
with us.” 
i»“TINNED -e» 
TOR CHOPPING 
Sausage Meat, 
M ince Meat, 
Hamburg Steak 
for Dyspeptics, 
Tripe, (&c., &c. 
Guaranteed 
to CHOP, 
Not GRIND 
the Meat. 
ijj-j American 
‘ Agriculturist says : 
. “ We iiave given liiis 
Meat Uliopper a tiiorougli 
trial with most satisfac- 
^ tory results. They e.vcel 
UBything of the kind made 
in either hemisphere.” 
Third &, Dauphin 8ts., PhiiadaT^s,^*, 
SEND FOR CATALOGUE, FREE. 
