342 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
MAY 21 
the wonderful power of the instrument that the 
objects which were now thrown upon the wall, 
though only a few miles distant, were no larger 
nor more distinct to our view than those four hun¬ 
dred miles away. As the views had been approach¬ 
ing us on our right, having crossed our position, 
they now began to recede upon our left. The 
manager now gave us a great variety of pleasing 
scenes. Long practice with the 1 nstrument had 
enabled him to And readily every Important scene 
In this very Interesting section of country within 
a radius of over four hundred miles, so that, sit¬ 
ting lu our easy chairs, we were In effect travel¬ 
ing rapllly from one interesting point to another 
over the country and feasting our eyes upon every 
variety of scenery. Cataracts, lakes, rivers, wild 
mouutalu views, peaceful rural scenes, and the 
busy scenes of the cities were thus In succes¬ 
sion brought berore U6, till we had traveled over 
the country on our left a distance of nearly three 
hundred miles from Mount Koplah. 
Here a most Interesting scene was reserved for 
us. Old oceaD, with Its swelling waves beating 
against a rock-bound coast, now crossed the Held 
of our view. 
We wandered along the shore, feasting our eyes 
upon a great variety of coast scenery, till we came 
to a great marailme city. Here we stopped awhile 
to view the snipping in the magnificent harbor. 
By the wonderful power of the instrument the 
whole hay could be thrown on the wall at once, 
or a ship enlarged so as to cover half its surrace. 
These ships were queer looking things, without 
mast®, or sails, or smoke stacks. They wore con¬ 
structed of wood which was covered with a prep¬ 
aration of bllsten, which made Its surface, at 
least on the bottom and sides of the vessel, as hard 
and smooth as glaBS. They were all propellors, 
having ohiilego as their motive power. They al3o 
had phlllego sails, to be used on the ocean, which, 
being seif-sustaining and controlled by suitable 
tackling, entirely did away with masts and spars. 
In unfavorable weather these could bo folded 
away and the ship managed by her propeller. 
promise appeared in the clouds, the enthusiasm of 
the audience could no longer be restrained, but 
round expression in a shout of delight. 
This was a fitting conclusion to the entertain¬ 
ment. Jt had held our unwearied attention for 
three hours, and we were satisfied to leave, that 
the vividness of this last grand science might re¬ 
main unmarred by anything which might follow. 
A busy scene was now presented as the great 
audience or live thousand souls made preparations 
to depart. During the entertainment nearly all 
the ships had been elevated to the terrace Imme¬ 
diately ab out the building, where they were ranged 
Bide by side with their prow's turned outward, al¬ 
most as thick as they could stand. To avoid col¬ 
lision each tenth one was filled first, and, as soon 
as it had taken the air, the one on Its left was 
quickly prepared to follow. By this arrange¬ 
ment bet we?u thirty and forty rose safely In the 
air together, and in a little more than half an 
hour all had departed. The larger ships remained 
on the lower terrace, and to these their passen¬ 
gers descended by the Inclined roads. It was 
really a hair lifting sight these great air ships, 
filled with human beings, shooting off into the atr 
one after another from this dizzy hlght with the 
same boldness and confidence that a nook of birds 
would take the air. But of course I was a stranger 
to such scenes, it was about twelve o'clock when 
our party got started on Us homeward journey. 
We had to strike j* higher attitude than that by 
which we came to find a favorable current, and 
then we made but half the speed of our outward 
trip, still we had all the afternoon for our Journey, 
and we were willing to have It prolonged. 
As sood as we were well settled on our course 
we turned our chairs inward and spread out our 
lunch. This was the last thing which I remem¬ 
ber. A giddiness here came over me, and It seem¬ 
ed as If the captain had lost control of the ship, 
and it was whirling wildly through the air, and 
sinking rapidly toward the earth. This feeling 
lasted perhaps a minute. Then there came a crash, 
and l woke to consciousness. 
After lingering awhile In the harbor and along 
the wharves of this city, we passed out to sea that 
we might gain a view of a ship under sail. Dimin¬ 
ishing the magnifying power of the Instrument so 
as to take In a larger surface, the manager scoured 
the sea for some time before the desired object 
was discovered. 
Appearing first a mere blurred spot on the sur¬ 
face of the water, the ship gradually grew In size 
and distinctness till It occupied In lenglh about 
thirty feet ot the wall. With all sails spread it 
seemed to bo cutting its way rapidly t hrough the 
gently swelling waves. We could see the spray 
dashing back rrom It® prow, and the long line of 
agitate i water which It leit behind it. The sailors 
also could be seen moving about at their various 
duties. We saw them so distinctly that we almost 
wondered why they were so indifferent, to our 
presence. They looked to us as they would from 
a cliff but a few hundred yarns from them, though 
they were In reality nearly four hundred miles 
away. 
While we gazed upon this pleasing spectacle, a 
man whom we took for the captain came forward 
to the prow with a spy-glass In his hand, and step¬ 
ping to the gunwale, earnestly scanned the horl- 
son. lie called two others to his side, and they In 
turn look ed through the glass. They seemed to 
confer with one another, and then the first looked 
again, After which he folded the glass abruptly 
and appeared robe giving orders to his crew. 
“ A storm is coming,” said the manager. 
Scarcely had he uttered these words when the 
sails fell to the deck and an animated scene was 
presented to our view as the satiors flaw about to 
get the ship in order tor the approaching gale. 
The deck was soon cleared of tackling, everything 
was made secure and the sailors stood round upon 
the deck, earnestly scanning tne horizon, and 
apparently waiting for the storm. Soon the 
waves began to swell and the ship rose higher and 
sank lower at every undulation. Then the gale 
seemed to buret upon it in all Its fury. Tne sail¬ 
ors disappeared from the deck, the hatches were 
closed and the ship like a dismantled and deserted 
hulk scudded before the breeze, while the foam- 
created waves broke over her deck and sometimes 
nearly burled her from sight. Then a mist came 
over the scene, which deepened rapidly till it as¬ 
sumed tne black appearance of a fierce thunder 
storm. 
A sound as of rain pattering on the roof was now 
lieard#vldch Boon became the roar of a deluge. 
In the Jhiist of this a blinding flash of lightning 
Illumined t he scene, and a pealof thunder followed 
which fairly caused us to shake in our bools 
Never wai there a more realistic scene. Indeed, 
dlfli leuce alone prevented me from running to the 
door to see if a storm were not actually raging 
wltnout,, while the thought flashed across my 
mlod: perhaps all these scenes which have been 
presented to us as actual existences are merely 
painted representations thrown upon the wall by 
an instrument of the magic-lantern order. 
This thought did injustice to the entertainment. 
It was everything that It was represented to be 
and these accessories of rain, thunder and light¬ 
ning were the results of mechanical appliances 
made U3eor tohlghten the effeot of the scene, 
when, as was often the case, a storm came within 
the scope ot the Instrument. 
The roar of the down-pour was now subsiding, 
the flashes ot lightning became less vivid, and the 
roll ot the ihunder seemed to be dying away In the 
distance. Boon the mist, on the Gall lightened, and 
dark clouds could be seen rolling away across Its 
surface. Then, Just as the roar ot theBtormhad 
completely ceased, a gleam or sunlight was thrown 
upon the scene, and the next inslant tire bow of 
promise appeared in the clouds, spanning the 
whole length of the wall with its graceful arch. 
Never vras i.-.nyihlng more natural, more antstlc, 
or more skillruliy extern ed then this whole storm 
scene. Growing so na": ally out of the grand 
oceau view, every f li p In the progress of the- scene 
seemed to li ghten Its effect, ’till, when the vio¬ 
lence of the storm had passed and the bow of 
I found myself seated In my easy chair, where 
1 had thrown myself the previous night, the morn¬ 
ing light was st reaming in through the closed win¬ 
dow blinds, and my friend, grown anxious beoause 
of my non-appearance at the breakfast room, was 
pounding on my door, and calling out excitedly 
to know what had happened to me. 
I sprang up and opened the door, and with my 
Anger on my lip enjoined silence. ‘’Say not a 
word." said I •• lest the spell he broken. But take 
your pen. and Bit down quickly." Then throwing 
myself on the lounge, and covering my eyes from 
the light, i never got up till J had dictated to him 
my vision. 
THE END. 
CONDUCTED BY MISS RAY CLARK. 
HER SECRET POWER. 
EDGEBTON. 
Thebe lived a spinster maid, In daysRona by, 
Of age moat doubtful and of habits sly, 
(Exactly where she lived, is now forgot, 
But this unto luy story mutters not, 
My readers all, no doubt, can fix the place. 
Since she is still well known this day ol' trrace—) 
IVho had a secret power of finding out, 
Whatever happened, and whate’er about; 
A moat mysterious power it sometime* seemed; 
She’d tell yon things of which you never dreamed 
And oftentimes would cause you great surprise 
By that which happened lust before your eyes. 
The sacred secrets of a neighbor's house— 
As they supposed, kept stiller than a mouse— 
Flowed just as glibly from her rattling tongue 
As though in public they'd beeu preached or sung; 
The little courtships of the girls and boys, 
She played with, as do children with their toys— 
This seemed, in fact, to bo her favorite theme, 
She loved go well to bailie, plot and scheme— 
And many a young heart did she bring to grief. 
By pilfering secrets like a common thief. 
At last, her victims, who could bear no more. 
Went to her with their wrongs, laid at her door 
And asked of her, ia tn-rcy to refrain, 
From idle tattling which might cause them pain ; 
And also sought of her to kindly tell, 
How all their little secrets she found out so well ? 
And she their anger only more to chafe, 
This explanation to them did vouchsafe— 
" The secret of my power has ever been, 
A blue-bird. nestling under w v warm chin /" 
YOUR CHILDREN’S FRIENDS. 
I know that childrens’company Is apt to make 
some trouble to a home-mother, hut it is a kind ot 
trouble that pays. It makes children so much 
happier to have their little mends made welcome, 
at their own home, it raises mother in their es¬ 
teem vo have other little folks think she Is “ aloe." 
Children are sharp little orttlcs; form their opin¬ 
ions, and speak of them to others, quite as decid¬ 
edly as their elders do. 
A little girl who had displeased her mother was 
“punished" byhavjng her little playmate sent 
home with sharp and angry words, which were 
entirely unmerited The heart of the little visitor 
was greatly shock d at the rude blow to her spirit 
and never, even to the grown up years, could look 
at that woman except with aversion. She was an 
excellent woman in the main, but the had her 
“cross spells,” like some others we may know. 
Everybody appears at. their worst, when such spells 
are on. 
It is an excellent thing to know with whom your 
children play, and how they deport themselves. 
1/ they are made welcome at your home, you have 
the very best opportunity of galntug this Informa¬ 
tion. it need not be very Irksome if you keep the 
number within bounds. In Summer our little vis¬ 
itors like to sit out with their playthlngB on the 
shady porches, or in the door-yard. In cold 
we ather they can have the warm dining room. If 
disposed to r un over the house, it is sufficient to 
say decidedly, “Don’t run up stairs, please, just 
play In the dining room,” and I have never kno wn 
a child to disregard the request. 
It la worth a groat deal to make children happy. 
They remember little treats longer than we sup¬ 
pose. A lady once said that one of the pleasantest 
recollections of her childhood was of sitting on a 
grassy bank, and of a fair hand reaching from a 
window and placing a handful of large, delicious 
strawberries In her lap. 
I often set out a plate ot sandwiches, cookies, 
apples, or whatever is handiest In the pantry and 
then let the little gtrl3 arrange them to suit them¬ 
selves on this little sprigged tea-set. A little oor- 
fee and sugar and milk In their small dishes makes 
their happiness complete. 
Be a lady to your boys’ Mends and leave a good 
impression upon them, if you wish to retain the 
respect ot your own dear boy. it hurts boy’s feel¬ 
ings. and mortifies them Intensely to have mother 
speak snappishly to them before companions, 
making them feel that they are not wanted. Such 
boys are apt to wander away, with most resentful 
feelings, to seek Buch company as the mother 
would dread to have for their associates. But whom 
should she blame the most? olive. 
HINT8. 
How to Wash the Face.— Many people object to 
use of soap, disliking the shiny, polished appear¬ 
ance it gives, but any who use Dr. Wilson's direc¬ 
tions will find that objection removed. They are 
as follows: “ Fill your basin about two-thirds full 
with fresh water; dip your face in the water and 
then your hands. Soap the hands well and pass 
the soaped hands with gentle friction over the 
whole face. Having performed this part or the 
operation thoroughly, dip the face In the water a 
second time and rinse it completely, You may 
add very much to the luxury of the latter part of 
the operation by having a second baslu ready 
with fresh water to perform a final rinse.” 
Renovating Oii. Cloth —oil cloth washed In 
hot water or In soapsuds, or with a brush, will 
look dlDgy when dry, and soon crack and peel off : 
hut when always washed In luke warm water with 
a piece of sort, old flannel, and wiped p jrfectly dry 
each time, will last longer and retain Ua young 
looks down to old age; it. greatly improves Its 
appearance to use half milk and halt water. Skim 
milk. If not sour, is just as good as new milk. 
This makes oil oloth look as if varnished. Neither 
soap, hot w ater or brush should ever be used on It. 
To Clean Matting. —In cleaning matting wash 
twice during the Summer with salt and water—a 
pint of salt to halt a pallful of warm, soft water; 
dry quickly with a clean soft cloth. Treated in 
this way the matting will not grow yellow. Or, if 
preferred, apply a thin coat ot varnish to the mat- 
t.lDg. That will make it more durable and greatly 
improve Its appearance. If varnished, It will not 
need washing. Now and then wipe with a wet 
cloth and dry quickly. Use white varnish on white 
matting. Be sure and have the varnish thin or the 
matting will crack. 
--» 
FASHIONS. 
Straw-colored net Is used to line the Tuscan 
lace hornets. 
Folded stocks of Illusion are worn with high- 
necked white gowns. 
Jet bands are worked on the wrists ot black 
gloves to simulate bracelets. 
collars of white linen embroidered with small 
dots to match the color in the dress are to hi worn 
with glngharn suits. 
Old Pekin striped basques are brought out, fur¬ 
nished up, and worn as new striped garments, su¬ 
perseding the old brocade. 
Rough and-ready straw sailor hats are worn by 
young girls. 
Black is the favorite color this spring, for hand, 
some toilets. 
Bashes will be much worn. 
Argent la the new name for silver grey. 
Striped fabrics are very fashionable. 
Open yellow straw, figures largely in Spring Im¬ 
portations. 
Silk bonnets are In high favor and are made to 
match the toilet. 
Cheese cloth comes In a much Improved form 
for Summer suits. 
Large white collars ol linen batiste will be much 
worn this Summer. 
Uncut velvet In changeable colors will be used 
this season as a dres3 trimming 
Gloves to be fashionable must be loose In the 
hands and Augers, but actually wrinkled around 
the wrist. 
Shaded or ombre effects are a decided feature in 
Spring fashions. Shaded feathers, shaded flowers 
an 1 shaded ribbons are already plentiful, 
English and French women are adopting the 
American faslilon of tying a length ol gauze veil¬ 
ing over the hat and around the neck. By and by 
they will send it back to us. 
Dressy aprons of tinted mull or of silk In deli¬ 
cate colors are hand-painted In clusters of blush 
roses, dandelions, forget-me-nots and sprays of 
holly berries and leaves, and edged with slightly 
gathered Mils of Newport point lace. 
ABOUT WOMEN. 
Mrs. Louisa G. Allan, the wife of the Allan 
who adopted Edgar Allan Poe, recently died at 
Richmond In her 83rd year. 
Maggie Mitchell’s season, the largest she has 
ever played, will close In May. 
Marik Roze made her last American appear¬ 
ance at the Saaifleld conceit in New York and de¬ 
lighted a targe audience with a series of English 
ballads. 
Mrs. Frances Hodgson Burnet?', at a recent 
meeting of the Washington Literary Society, read 
two short original poems. 
Mrs. Gear, the wife of the Governor of Ohio, 
has, with the help of several ladles, been engaged 
In encasing the torn battle flags of the State In 
strong gauze, that they mar he kept from harm 
and yet not concealed from sight. 
A London letter says: “it was rather romantic, 
the first meeting of the Baroness and young Bart¬ 
lett. It seems he was a boy at Hlgbgate School, 
and Lady Coutts chanced one day to he present at 
a BChool exhibition and heard him recite some 
poetry. She took a fancy to the boy there and 
then, ’tls said, and Invited him, with one of hta 
school-feUows, to visit her. He did so, and In the 
luBs between lollipops and jam tarts recited his 
poetry over again, to what effect on the heart and 
feelings of the old lady the culmination can tes¬ 
tify." 
Mrs. Blaine can keep a secret and ward off the 
Inquisitive. One day, a short time ago. a fellow 
wtth a curious mind tlioughtto ascertain from M rs. 
Blaine whether the then Senator would become 
Prime Minister under Garfleld. “I suppose you 
will be delighted when the senator goes Into the 
Cabinet?” said Curiosity. “ Indeed,”replied Mrs. 
Blaine In apparent, astonishment, “ ( have noticed 
considerable comment in the newspapers on the 
subject. Pray, tell me what you know about, it.” 
Mbs. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., recently sold 
one. of the beautiful pieces of embroidery which 
were at the Boston Art Museum for fioo. It is a 
view of the Charles River wrought, on dark-blue 
satlD. Aside from the fact that it is always pleas¬ 
ant to see men or women use their talents, this 
will help some young women, who foolishly are 
unwilling- to work for pay, to see that wealthy 
women are nor, above receiving remuneration for 
work done by them. 
CORRESPONDENT’S CORNER. 
I have Just read Mrs. Wager-Fisher's article on 
“ Silk Culture in America,” and wish the Rural, 
as she suggested, would give Its readers as much 
general and particular Information on this subject 
as would be reasonable, or necessary to prolltably 
carry on the business on a small scale. I, for one, 
would be very grateful, as I have been quite en¬ 
thusiastic over silk culture ever since it has been 
started, but could get no saU.<jnGforn Information 
concerning It. Please tell ua where the cuttings 
and young trees can be obtained, as many of us, 
no doubt, must begin at the foundation. 
Wishing muoh arid long continued prosperity, I 
am alwayB the Rural’s friend, Experience. 
In a recent issue a request was made for Infor¬ 
mation regarding graduating dresses-something 
Inexpensive and such material a3 could be lauu- 
drled. Also request for color, &c. of silk for dress 
for young lady. 
We reply: -Get nun's veiling, which is very 
thin wool Btuff, at an average cost ot soe. per 
yard-lower and higher rates according to qual¬ 
ify. Make It with short or deml-traln skirt with 
narrow plaiting at the foot. 
Drapery In the shape of a pointed apron in front 
and two or three wide plaltlngs that cover the 
hack from the left to the bottom of skirt. 
For waist have a basque, square or pointed in 
the neek, and elbow sleeves. 
Use the new a'Aurlliac lace for Dimming the 
entire or a part of the suit, as fancy requires. 
This may be laundtl d. but with care can be 
worn a considerable leugth of time without the 
need of It. The lace may be bought for rrom 20 
cents per yard upwards. 
We think black silk would he the best selection 
in view of the requirements. Bottle green or 
navy blue would be a second choice. 
Weakness and sickness changed to health and 
strength with Hop Bitters, always.— Actv. 
$0trustu (bionorm). 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY MAPLE. 
CONCERNING SHOPPING. 
MARY WAGER-FISILEB. 
To go to “ town ” to shop or “ trade ” la for many 
country women an event of real Importance and 
often or very great fatigue, especially ft here the 
wants are many and there is only a little money to 
cover them. To be obliged to select arid to decide 
upon fabrics or furniture within a given time Is 
particularly wearisome to women who as a class, 
ate not trained to decide quickly lu affairs of busi¬ 
ness. 
In order to shop expeditiously, you should begin 
a week or two beforehand and make a list of 
everything you need to buy, or hope to ho able to 
buy. After this list la complete, revise It by put- 
ting groceries in a column by themselves, and do 
the Bame with “notions,” wnich include needles, 
pins, thread, buttons, trimmings etc., and classify 
fabrics in the same way. In making mu revised 
list place at the top of the columns me most im¬ 
portant articles—those that must he had at all 
events, Give yourself plenty of room, so that oo- 
posit® each article you can note down the quan¬ 
tity required, with space also left for what you pay 
for It. With this prepared list in hand, you know 
very nearly what you want; nothing la lorgotten 
and you are saved from confusion. In making 
your purchases first buy tie material things, and 
then use the means left for those next In order. 
I have shopped In many cities and villages, and 
with all my shopping I have found that I get the 
best satisfaction and the rncst for my money when 
I go t) a lire ;-ciass place wh :re there Is no devia¬ 
tion from a fixed pme and where I havB reason to 
believe that the shop or store is conducted in an 
honest way. l have never fouud It prufl ab.e to 
go from btoxe to store hoping to find an article at 
a less price. A good aiticie is never “cheap,” and 
It Is reasonable to suppose mat a large dealer can 
