tbe train labored on through the snowdrifts and 
the deepening obscurity. 
*' Once or twice there was a temporary stoppage, 
and the speed was lessened more and more; but 
the occupants of that first-class carriage were 
either drowsy or absorbed In their own thoughts, 
and failed to notice these ominous signs of the 
difficulties with which the eDgine-driver was con¬ 
tending, till the train came to a standstill alto¬ 
gether. 
“ But this Isn’t —f Station: I can’t we the 
lights I” exclaimed Mr. Lockwood, letting down 
a window, and attempting to look out. “Graolous 
me, what weather 1" as the snow was driven In 
his face, nearly blinding him, “ Guard I—I say, 
guard, where are we?” 
“Four miles and a-half this side—, sir, and 
snowed up l” was the reply. 
" But—but what are we going to do ?” 
” That’s just, what every one else is asking, sir, 
and I’m Sure I can't answer them. This is about 
the wildest bit of country the line runs across; 
but there Is a village some two miles off, where 
you’ll maybe get shelter till the morning.” 
Mr. Lockwood drew in his head, and regarded 
bte companions with such an air of dismay, that 
Leila found It Irresistible, and burst Into a merry 
peal of laughter. _ 
CHATTER II. 
UNDER WHAT SIGN 7 
As the discomfited Mrs. Lockwood refused to 
imitate the other passengers, who set off in a 
body to make the best of their way to the village 
of whloh the guard had spoken, she and her com¬ 
panions soon found themselves comparatively 
alone. At first she decided that the most digni¬ 
fied proceeding would be to remain where they 
were till one of the railway officials hud procured 
a vehicle; but with some trouble they succeeded 
In convincing her that nothing of the kind was to 
be had; and the cold becoming more aDd more 
Intense, she consented at last to make an effort to 
* reach the village on foot. 
But she had so sharply berated the guard, whom 
she persisted In considering to blame for what had 
happened, that he gave the necessary directions 
In the gruffest and curtest manner. The equally 
angry lady threatened to report him for lncLvlilty, 
and hurried Mr. Lockwood away, when ho would 
have bespoken the services of the stoker as their 
guide. The consequence was, that after wading 
through the snow till they were nearly exhausted, 
and Baker, the maid, was In tears, the fact be¬ 
came evideo t that they had lost themselves. 
“ What’s to be done now?” asked Mr. Lock- 
wood, as they huddled together under a bank 
that sheltered them lrom the drifting snow, ‘ i 
think we had better make our way back to the 
train.” 
”1 can’t do it,” answered his lady, faintly. 
” You are cruel to propose It. i should perish in 
the attempt. You had better leave us here while 
you go In search of assistance." 
But Gertie and Leila dung to his arms, protest¬ 
ing that ho should not. run any such risks. 
“ It is his duty to do It,” Mrs. Lockwood mut¬ 
tered selfishly. 
■' And it. is ours to prevent. It,” Gertie took com- 
- age to retort.. " We must and win keep together, 
let what may happen.” 
Here Baker buret Into louder weeping, and 
wished she had never been prevailed upon to leave 
London. 
‘ My good girl, pray be quiet l” implored Mr. 
Lockwood, almost beside himself with apprehen- 
slon for the safety of the four helpless women 
dependent on his exertions for their rescue. 
‘‘ Leila: Gertie, my darling | didn’t the guard say 
something about a roadslde-lnn somewhere In this 
direction ?" 
" Yes, but mamma would not hear him out, and 
one cannot tell how tar astray our wanderings 
have led us.” 
“ I can see a light I” cried Leila, suddenly, “ and 
at no great distance. See where It shines out 
again, as If somebody had drawn back a curtain to 
look out at the night 1” 
“Thank Heaven!” ejaculated Mr. Lockwood, 
fervently. “ it must be the inn of which we were 
speaking. Courage, girls; there’s a ohance of 
getting shelter at last. Wipe away your tears, 
Baker; you’ll see London again, never fear. Now, 
wife of mine, U’s your duty to make anotner effort; 
bo come along, and let us all try and reach the 
house we have been lucky enough to find." 
Mrs. Lockwood was too much exhausted to re¬ 
sent this sly thrust, and hung heavily upon his 
arm. as he strode manfully on. Cheered by the 
steady glow of that bright lamp, everyone fol¬ 
lowed his example; but the difficulties of the route 
were tremendous; they soon found that they were 
traveling across country ; that there were low 
stone walls to climb and drifts to wado through. 
Twice Baker, who was short and fat, sunk Into a 
hole, where &he stuck fast, howling dismally, till 
Gertie and her father came to her assistance; and 
everyone was so exhausted, that even Leila’s 
bright orb6 shone through tears of thankfulness, 
when they found themselves standing In front of 
a long, low, old-fashioned dwelling, that looked 
delightfully snug and pleasant to the weary party. 
Mr. Lockwood's rap at the door brought to it a 
portly dame, whose cry of mingled astonishment 
and terror caused a door bn one side of the pas¬ 
sage to be thrown open, and Leila fancied she 
caught a glimpse of a couple of masculine forms 
standing Just within It. 
But Mrs. Lockwood, whose spirits revived as 
soon as she knew she was safe, out short the civil 
explanations of her spouse, by addressing the wo¬ 
man herseir. 
“ Are you the landlady or this Inn ? Then let 
chambers be got ready for us directly. There 
must be good fires lit in them, and I shall require 
a hot bath, and some wliite-wlnc whey, and my bed 
carefully warmed; and pray don’t keep us standing 
here, but show us where we can thaw our hands 
and feet, and take off our wet wraps.” 
The woman hesitated a moment, then ushered 
her unexpected guests into an exquisitely neat 
kitchen, where a huge wood-fire was burning on 
the hearth. Even Mrs. Inckwood was too glad 
to bask in Its glow to be as fastidious as usual, 
and condescended to say It was very comfortable. 
Long after she had retired with Baker to the neat 
tittle room hastily set in order for her reception. 
Gertie and Leila continued to elt with their feet on 
the hearthstone, drying their skirts, shaking the 
snow-cryBtala out of their tresses, and chatting 
merrily with their father, who pronounced hims elf 
too comfortable to stir from the huge old leathern 
arm-chair In which he was reclining. 
“ I wonder whether we shall be able to continue 
our Journey to-morrow ?” observed Gertie, as, in 
pity to their yawning hostess, they rose at last to 
follow her upstairs. 
“I hope not," answered Leila. " r hope we 
shall be snowed In by morning, and that there’ll 
be no signs of a. thaw till the larder begins to be 
empty.” 
“You foolish child, you’d soon ffnd yourself 
moped to death in a country inn.” 
“Not II” was the gay reply. "I'll find myself 
plenty to do, and when all other resources fall me, 
I’ll sing all my old songs, and make Baker and 
her mistress warble choruses to them.” 
The notion was so absurd, that both girls went 
upstairs laughing over It; till Leila, chancing to 
look back, sa w that the door in the passage below 
had opened again, and as before, she caught a 
glimpse of masculine figures. 
“ I fanoy we are not the only belated travelers 
staying here to-night,” she observed to Gertie, 
who was, however, too well satisfied at the sight 
of a comfortable bed to discuss any subject but 
the relief of resting her aching limbs upon It. 
Youth and their excellent constitutions enabled 
the young girls to Shake off tho ill effects of 
their fatigue and exposure. They slept long and 
soundly, and were already at their toilette, 
when Baker came In, red-eyed and dismal, to 
announce that her mistress was too ill to rise 
and firmly believed that she was going to have 
rheumatic fever. 
Gertie dutifully proceeded to her chamber, and 
came back to confide to her friend that Mrs. Look- 
wood’s indisposition seemed to proceed prlnclpally 
from the state of the weather. There was every 
prospect that Leila’s wish would be gratified, tor 
tho snow continued to fall so steadily that all the 
approaches to the cottage were blocked, and their 
hostess predicted that some days must elapse be¬ 
fore they would be able to cross the wide expanse 
of moor that lay between her d welling and the 
nearest town. 
“ Did you remind Mrs. Lockwood that It Is our 
duty to he resigned to the inevitable?” asked 
Leila, saucily, as they ran down stairs together. 
“ No; I behaved myself, which Is more than you 
know how to do; was civil and sympathizing; 
promised to send up as dainty a breakfast as we 
oan prooure here, and to ask for the latest news¬ 
papers, and a mounted messenger to carry to the 
Priory a report of our position.” 
"I hope you’ll not lie able to get one.” said 
Leila. “ I shall protest against any poor fellow 
risking his life for such a purpose. I’d rather 
spend my Christmas here a thousand times, than 
be compelled to be civil to my lord the viscount.” 
“ Now, for my part, I should dearly like to see 
him,” Gertie declared ; “ but where are we to take 
our matin meal t Are we to go into the kitchen 
again ? Oh i no, the cloth is spread here,” and she 
stopped through the door Leila had noticed on the 
previous night, and found herselfjn a low-oelled, 
quaintly-furnished parlor. “Empty eggshells 
and crumbs of bread! Was papa too liangry to 
wall for us 7” 
“ If so, he has not breakfasted alone,” said her 
friend, pointing to the two empty cups on the 
table. 
“Oh I please, miss, please’m," said a shy. awk¬ 
ward handmaiden, who had followed them Into 
the room, “missis Is boiling some coffee and bak¬ 
ing some cakes for you, and I’m come to clear off 
these things out or your way.” 
“ Who has breakfasted here ? Cannot we have 
the room to ourselves ?” asked Leila. 
“ Please, ’m, there ain’t no other, only the klt- 
ohen, and it’s the two gentlemen, Mr. Lee; and the 
t’other one," the girl answered Incoherently. 
“ I told you there were people here." said Leila, 
” What a borel” 
“I wonder who they are?” mused Gertrude. 
“ They call everyone gentlemen at these places. 
Perhaps they are commercial travelers.” 
“ What they call bagmen In ‘Pickwick,’ I sup¬ 
pose,” added Leila, advancing towards the bay 
window. “ t think I’ve seen them sometimes at 
Brighton — .Jewess-looklng fellows, who talk 
through their noses, and near a quantity of jew¬ 
elry. I hope they will have the good sense to 
confine themselves to the kitchen.” 
A smothered soured, very much like a laugh, at 
the other end of the apartment, made hey turn 
sharply round, and stand transfixed and crimson 
with confusion; for two young men, who had 
been seated by the lire reading, had risen, and 
were bowing politely to the fair intruders. 
Mr. Lockwood, who had been In the porch, sur¬ 
veying the weather, bustled in Just then, and hls 
genial manner relieved the embarrassment that 
had fallen upon the quartette. 
“Tho Reverend Norman Lee,” he read off the 
card the elder of the youug men put into hls hand. 
“ very happy to make your acquaintance. 1 was 
an Oxford man myself. And so you are doing a 
little quiet reading here”-he glanced at the Greek 
author open on the table—” with your—your 
brother ?" - 
“Only by adoption,” said the other, with a 
smile. “My name Is Robert Sidney; and Lee, 
who Is my old college friend and tutor, beguiled 
mo here for less studious purposes than renewing 
our acquaintance with the classics. But this 3 now 
has spoiled our shooting, and made prisoners of 
us.” 
“ TUeu come and be Introduced to your fellow- 
captives—tuy daughter, Gertrude; my wife's ward, 
Miss Dartou.” 
Mr. Lockwood wag a little vexed that hls cor¬ 
diality t.o hig new acquaintances was not seconded 
by Gertie or Leila, who seemed to have lost all 
their customary ease of manner; but he endeav¬ 
ored to atone tor It by hls own civility, and would 
not listen to Mr. Lee’s proposal that he and hls 
friend should carry t.heir books Into the kitchen. 
A PLEA FOR ONIONS. 
I noticed in the Rural an article from an Eng¬ 
lish paper regarding Onions, and feel Inclined to 
believe tbe fact of their vs^miness as a medicine, 
In this wise—During the prevalence of epizootic 
In this country we had 400 bushels of onions— 
prices were very low, and when the disease came 
In the neighborhood, we commenced feeding the 
onions at the rate of a peck twice a day tor each 
horse. The consequence was that In our case the 
epizootic was very slight—only old horses showing 
any symptoms, while all around us It was very 
bad. Of course, we gave tbe onions all the oredlt, 
not knowing any other difference of treatment. 
Canada. Annie L. Jack. 
--—- ■» —.— — 
A CHRISTMAS AFTER-THOUGHT. 
MR8. ANNIE I. JACK. 
Now the holidays are over, and we settle down 
to the regular routine of winter work, it is safe to 
askone'8-self It the “play’s worth the candle,” 
and If we are satisfied with the results In holiday 
making? Does Christmas mean .to us but the 
interchange of gifts, gtven and received because 
such is the custom ? Does It mean to the children 
Btmply Santa Claus and turkey, or are there deeper 
and nobler alms that, Influence our lives after the 
giving and receiving Is over ? 
In “Every Day House” the living rooms are 
trimmed with ground pine, holly, and other ever¬ 
greens ; cards are brought out that speak of good 
wishes, and hung among the greenery. 
The Christmas tree stands In the parlor until 
January Is fairly on Its way, and each child leaves 
part of it,s fruit to be distributed to some of the 
little ones of the neighborhood, who speak of the 
tree as If It were public property to enjoy. We 
like this. It adds to our pleasure that It Is so, and 
we hope in this way to make the holidays last a 
little way into the year. 
But I often think these days are, with too many 
of ub, like a Sunday face that 1 b put off with our 
beat clothes when we go out to tight with the 
world. 
How oan we say a mean or slanderous word of 
the neighbor to whom we addressed tbe fervent 
“ Happy New Year I" or think hard thoughts the 
Dext week of the friend to whom In the melting 
holiday mood we have sent a timely gift ? Yet 
such Is human nature; and It would be well for 
us all, if in our homes we could inculcate the 
charity for all men, that would lead us to make 
New Year wishes last “ all the year round.” 
MARSH S CYLINDER-BED FOOT LATHE. 
This is the most perfeot combined machine we 
have ever seen, and is made Ln the most finished 
and workmanlike 
manner. Its great 
merit lies tn its 
capacity for doing 
so many different 
kinds of work. It 
is a machine shop, 
to itself, with 
tools, lathe, saws, 
% idrc u la r and 
scroll), and at¬ 
tachments. With 
this lathe a farmer 
Is to a measure Independent of the machinist; and 
the boys may acquire a familiarity with working 
to metals and wood, that will be of service to them 
to any station of life ; and for those out of em¬ 
ployment, the possession or this machine is a 
steady living. The Battle Creek Machinery Co., 
Battle Creek, Mich., wtusell It for $53.60, and we 
give It, away for a club of es subscribers, 
« - 
PHILADELPHIA BROADCAST SEED- 
SOWER. 
Broadcast Be«d-Sowers are becoming popular. 
With a good machine of this kind the grain can 
be scattered much more evenly than It can possi¬ 
bly be done by hand. We do not mean to persuade 
farmers that l hey oan no longer sow their grain 
by hand, but we do believe that a machine of this 
kind ought to be found on every farm, not only 
because It does excellent work, but also from an 
economical point of view; a boy can sow as much 
and do the work as well as the most experienced 
hand-sower can, in the same time. ’1 lie one here 
shown is made by Benson, Maule .v Co., Philadel¬ 
phia, Pa,, and since its Introduction has made a 
fine record. Its chief merits are an exceptionally 
largo seed-reservoir, perfect, and widespread cast, 
andnon-itabllicy to get out of order. The range 
of Its usefulness Is note-worthy, It being capable 
of sowl ng the largest and smallest seeds. A guage- 
plate, handily placed, makes tho change instantly 
for different seeds, and quantities. The price Is 
$6. We will supply it tor a club of 13 subscribers. 
lomfstir (fronumg. 
CONDUCTED BY BMII.Y MAPLE, 
THE KITCHEN CLUB ON - CHILDREN'S 
DRESS IN WINTER. 
MRS. ANNIE L. JACK. 
The Kitchen Club met at Miss MacGregor’s 
and were quite a cosy-looking company in her 
bright, cheerful kitchen. Some of the ladies 
had their work with them, and I remarked 
that Dearly every one had a stocking and was 
busy knitting. Mrs. Demaree said, in answer 
to a question, that she bad knit fourteen pairs 
of stockings during tbe month of December. 
She is a consumptive looking little woman and 
I was Dot surprised to hear Miss MacGregor 
remark that it had been asserted by physicians. 
that knitting steadily was bad for the lungs. 
Of the truth of this assertion I am not prepared 
to vouch. Our grandmothers, who lived Into 
the nineties, BtroDg and vigorous, were often 
great knitters—but it may not be good exercise 
for people who are weak of lung or chest. For 
my own parti only confessed to a tiredness 
of fiugers as my present experience. At tea 
we were favored with Miss MacGregor’s 
specialty, which Is a cookie that is always 
crisp. She doeB not pretend to have any 
special recipe, but makes them as follows”: 
“Half pound butter. Hal f pound sugar, rubbed 
well together. Three eggs, beaten well, flour 
enough to make a stiff paste. Roll thin, cut 
with a round, notched cake cutler, prick with 
a sharp fork, and bake in rather a quick 
oven." “Haven’t you left out something ?” I 
said. “ Yes,” answered Miss MacGregor, 
quickly, “I generally have a little sour milk 
and putln a couple of tablospoonsful.” We 
were to talk of children’s clothing but I do not 
know that we made any wise or new remarks. 
The chief thing was oonceded to be warmth, 
neatness and good taste, The fashion of dress¬ 
ing little girls to imitate their elders was con¬ 
demned by all the ladles present, as was tbe 
costly and elaborate trimming 30 much in 
vogne- Mrs. Labarge suggested that the 
dresses of little girls be made longer In the 
skirt, and all the underwear be closer fitting, 
as giving added warmth. The kilted pants of 
boys coming just to the knee were universally 
oondemned, and we congratulated each other 
that many people would not be led by the pre¬ 
vailing style. Mrs. Tompkins who has eight 
half-grown boys, wished there was some 
fashion by which their arms and legs would 
not always be too long for their clothes, at 
which we all laughed and consoled her with the 
remark that she had always one ready to step 
into the out-grown clothes, and that boys were 
so much easier dressed than girls. This she 
doubted If one took the mending Into con¬ 
sideration. 80 with many pleasant remarks, 
some Interchange of patterns, and a tea where 
harmony reigned and gossip was rigidly ex¬ 
cluded, we bade each other a cordial good-bye. 
PIG’S-FOOT OIL. 
So long as Wager's grandmother was alive 
she always had me rub the little fellow’s chest 
and the soles of hls feet with pig’s-foot oil, if 
at night he chanced to be hoarse from a slight 
cold—rubbing in the oil with a warm hand^by 
the fire. How much good was effected by this 
I do not know, as one never can fortell with 
certainty what the result of an indisposition 
will be if let alone- But the application of the 
oil always seemed to act as a relief, and was 
sometimes applied again in the morning, if any 
trace of hoarseness remained. The oil or 
grease which rises on the top of pig’s feet when 
betog rendered into “ 6 ouse,” should be care¬ 
fully removed, made free from sediment by 
strainiDg, put into a wide-mouthed bottle not 
over a finger long, aDd duly labeled. It Is 
then “ handy ” for the sort of use above men¬ 
tioned- ^ 
— 4 ♦ »- 
EVERY DAY MEALS, CANNING MILK. ETC. 
Mrs. Annie L. Jack proposed that farmers’ 
wives should send in>n “ unembellished" bill- 
of-fare for a day, and, as I hope to see others. 
I_will give ours for a day in warm weather 
I Breakfast: Boiled potatoes, the objection¬ 
able fried pork, often, well- cooked and crisped, 
but not “ swimming in grease lettuce or 
something fre 6 h from the garden ; gord, sweet 
hop-ieast bread (white and brown), butter, 
and a good cup of coffee. Dinner: Boiled rice 
and milk, cold, prepared while getting break¬ 
fast ; bread and butter, and. In their season, 
some fresh vegetables from the garden; viz.: 
some green peas, string beans, green corn or 
anything we may wish. Supper: Bread and 
butter; fre 6 h fruit; sponge cake and Ua. 
Nothing elaborate, but wholesome and so 
easily prepared that many days [ have no fire 
from morning till night, which is bot h comfort¬ 
able and convenient for me. 
Will Mrs. Annie L. Jack tell us something 
about those Muakoka ducks ? We were much 
interested tn her former account and would 
like to get some, if possible. 
FEB. 7 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
