442 
FEB. 2S 
those slender ankles In leggings, and that would 
never do—no never. 
She put her hand down where the leggings 
ought to be and gave a sly rub once or twice; that 
was why 1 suggested drawing nearer the stove, 
and that was when I found out that PhUena was 
not cold. Her Jiead was protected by a light, 
feathery straw-hat,and her ears by fl ishy jewelry. 
I saw her give a sly nip at the tip of one, with her 
r Uurnh and finger as If to pinch back life Into the 
chilled flesh. 
To he sure, a gay nubia was thrown carelessly 
around her shoulders but her ears were not long 
enough to nestle In Its Inviting folds, so they had 
to stand out alone aaduupltled, and if they did 
not literally face the breeze, they had to ’ear It. 
“ Wouldn't you like another wrap? your ride will 
be a very cold one," I ventured. “ O! no. 1 am not 
cold at all, l always dress just the same in winter 
as la summer," she answered with a significant 
toss of the head “ For pity’s sake, child." I said, 
“don’t you wear flannels?" “No, never, they 
make one look so bungling.’' 
But the horse was at the door, and with a co¬ 
quettish jerk ol the head towards the young man 
who brought him up, while the 'insel ear orna¬ 
ments dangled In the breeze, she mounted and was 
away. 
One cold October morning, T sat upon a ferry¬ 
boat, crossing the Mississippi, literally burled In 
wraps. The wind came scurrying down the 
. stream right from the Arttc regions, l pulled the 
robe higher about me, lucked my ears, already 
covered by a nubia, into the convenient folds of 
the fur overcoat beside me, and yet thought I 
should freeze before the uncompromising ferry¬ 
boat dragged Its slow length across; but there a 
little to windward of our team was another.and In 
the buggy sat a lady chatting glibly with a gen¬ 
tleman friend she had discovered; her hat pushed 
back off her head as if a fungus growth were 
sprouting from beneath, while a ribbon or two 
flapped up and down, hither and thither, about 
the naked ears and neck as their only protection 
from the blast. 
Said a mother to me, “My little girl Is getting 
the rheumatism.” Does she wear flannels? ” I 
asked. “Oh. no; she never has,” she replied, and 
when I suggested they might act as a preventa¬ 
tive. she replied In a very uncertain tone, •• Possi¬ 
bly they mlgh t.” 
1 notice In church mothers keep on their cloaks 
and fathers, If they take oil their overcoats, have 
thick clothes beneath, but the babies are stripped 
down to their home wear, and with their thin 
shoes and stockings are allowed to run about the 
cold floor, where my own well-clothed feet half 
freeze In sermon lira. e. 
Our grandmothers knew nothing of some of our 
facilities tor keeping comfortable, but they wore 
stout, home-made woolen. in these times there 
Is no excuse for freezing one’s blood,only Philena’s 
“ It makes one look bungling,” to wear clothes for 
comfort. 
THAT GOOD-BYE. 
BY MRS. J. E. S. 
It Is with exceeding regret that the readers ol 
the Rural learn of Miss Ripley's leaving the de¬ 
partment “ For Women.” 
This special part of the paper was just what was 
needed throughout the whole country In every 
rural borne, and should It cease, or even lessen, It 
will be a great loss—a loss that cannot well be 
remedied, and one that the wives, mothers and 
daughters will feel and mour n lor most sincerely. 
In looking through the past life of the Rural, we 
recall the vacuum felt when Mary Wager said her 
good-bye (and although her name la seen occa¬ 
sionally, as we trust Faith Ripley’s will also be), 
we know it was a long time before that vacuum 
was Ailed. In fact, It was the one just leaving 
who made us cease our mourning and gave us food 
such as our hearts longed for. 
Farmers' wives and daughters have so much 
real labor that they require something relaxing 
brought to them to make their life gleam with 
sunshine. An Intense strain, with no Interval of 
rest, crushes out. the strongest life. It is human 
nature to fret if no change is wrought into the 
passing days. If nothing specially pleasing or 
interesting Is brought in occasionally, every mem¬ 
ber of the household feels that something is want¬ 
ing to make home what it should be, something 
little now, but whlcn may grow, and in years to 
come may darken the whole of some-onu s llie. 
Mkn go about, see their neighbors, learn what 
this one Is doing and what results follow such and 
such work. They have their periodicals tilled with 
all kinds of subjects relating to “Farmers and 
Farming” that are "helps” to enable them to 
work more Intelligently and to better advantage 
with bettor results; “helps” to learn what points 
are most desirable to cultivate, to secure certain 
qualities; 1 helps ” to amuse as well as Instruct, 
thus breaking the monotony of a lire that other¬ 
wise might grow dull and weary and llually ooze 
into nothingness 
While we see the advantage men derive from 
such resources we cannot help our cry for equal 
advantages, especially adapted to women. A part 
of your paper. Mr. Editor, has been set aside for 
that purpose. We have tasted Its sweetness; prof¬ 
ited by its goodness; seen its advantages; and 
know its value and are not willing to lose. all this 
thus obtained. 
You cannot afford to do without our good will 
and we cannot afford to have a whole paper to 
ourselves. We will be satisfied with a portion of 
the paper, leaving a large share to our husbands, 
fathers and sons and another share to “ Domestic 
Economy” (out or which the men ought to give a 
part ol their bhare for reasons evident), and It Miss 
Hipley cannot be Induced to retai n, let us have 
some one else to mi the place. Let us by all means 
have a department “ For Women ” edited oy a 
W 01 UJ.U, and may the dear old Rural advance 
without retrograding one single step. 
piano-forte:method. 
I have waited week after week hoping to see an 
answer to “ Jlek’s” letter upon music, I n the Rural 
of November 22nd. As It Is a subject which Is of 
great Interest to me, I venture to tell you what I 
know about “ Mason's Piano-forte Technics.” 
A short time before reading that article, while 
spending a few days with a friend, I noticed the 
facility and expression with which -a young girl 
a daughter of the family, played scales, arpeggios 
and pieces of more than moderate difficulty. 
I made Inquiries In regard to her teacher, and 
found mm to have been formerly a pupil ol Dr. 
Wm. Mason, the author or Piano-forte Technics. 
Ills manner ot teaching differed from anything l 
had ever seen, as he used no instruction book only 
a lesson card, with the scale arpeggio, Anger exer¬ 
cise and etude, or piece properly marked. 
I lound hun to be very successful In progressing 
his scholars rapidly, and his system of teaching 
was mat. of “ Mason's Piano-forte Technics.” 
I nave since ordered one of the books and al¬ 
though l have not had time to examine It thor¬ 
oughly, consider it the best and most thorough 
system of scale, arpeggio, and linger practice l 
have ever seen. 
ureal pains are taken to form a good touch, to 
strengthen the fingers and muscles of the hand, 
to teach scholars to play with expression and In 
perfect tune, and finally, there Is given an admira¬ 
ble way or playing brilliant passages “In velocity.” 
1 hope to hear more upon this subject from 
lovers of music. Those who have the advantages 
of city life, canuot begin to luiuginc how eagerly 
a few words or hints axe received by country peo¬ 
ple, who rarely hear a good concert, or any music, 
outside the walls of home, and who like myself, 
earnestly desire Improvement. Claire. 
- 
AN EXCEPTIONAL LETTER. 
I no not agree with your correspondent’s objec¬ 
tion to the extract from Professor smith's article, 
"The Prospects of a Moral Interregnum.” The 
extract published In the Rural caused me to get 
the article and read It very attentively. 
While the danger that the Professor suspects 
may be real. 1 think I can foresee the benefit to 
result to Christianity from the lafldel teachings 
of Modern science. 
That It will lorce upon religionists the gradual 
elimination of the errors that cause the unreason¬ 
able and Implacable divisions of Protestantism, 
and then we will have an exhibit ol Christianity 
in ito simplicity, beauty and strength, before 
which even scoffers will stand abashed. 
Therefore I do not think we benefit our children 
by keeping these questions concealed from them. 
We should teach them to know that they are to 
be met and dealt wltb as living realities. We can 
assure them that Christianity has already with¬ 
stood an abuse from Its friends under which no 
human Institution could have survived, and we 
can safely trust It in any attack Its enemies can 
make. 
one reflection that consoles me In any Impend¬ 
ing danger to morality is, that our free land Is 
pre-eminently an agricultural country. My brother 
farmers do the thinking that gives direction to 
events and they are independent, conservative 
and sale. 
-- 
INFORMATION FOR WOMEN. 
EVA EDGARTON. 
“ In a Morn.” 
The articles I am about to describe are pretty 
and suitable for presents. The charm docs not lie 
in, but rather on the horn. Procure horns of any 
size,at tanneries or slaughter housesjboll, to whiten, 
then scrape, ornament with transfer pictures, edg¬ 
ing with gilt or silver paper. Hang in groups for 
effect, or to a window tor some tiny climbing 
plant. Cheap and very.pretty. 
Worsted Flowers. 
I have learned something new In this line. In 
making lilies, fuchsias, wild roses or any flower 
containing pistil and stamen, I found I 
must manufacture something for the same. 
So mother and I went to work. Not 
being successful In finding hog’s bristles, we pulled 
a hemp rope In pieces, cutting the tiny strands the 
desired length. Melted a little beeswax, dipped 
the ends of strands in It, then quickly rolled them 
tnflour. .Some of them we rolled in colored pow¬ 
der made by crushing bits of water-color paints 
saved from childhood. They look nearly as nice as 
any I could buy. If any of the Rural sisters are 
at a loss for material, this hint may help them. 
To stiffen Mourning Goods. 
Use skimmed milk and water, equal parts; or all 
skimmed milk and iron on the wrong side. 
M. A. H. B. 
-» ♦ ■* - 
Please give me the address of Mrs. J. J. Astor or 
some other person or persons Interested In the 
care of homeless children. I wish to correspond 
with such parties with a view of obtaining help 
of that class. a. e. w. 
Ans.—B y applying to George F. Betts, Secretary; 
155 Worth St., New York City, you will obtain the 
desired reformation. 
fttoarg Hfeadlang. 
rOUB OLD MAIDS. 
W. Y. A. 
“Girls, are you all alone, and Is there any dan¬ 
ger of our being overheard V for we have business 
to discuss of a deep and serious nature I” 
“ Indeed I” 
“Utterly Impossible In this clan! ‘Deep and 
serious.’ Why.you really make my head ache!” 
“ Yes, all alone! not a soul In the house beside 
ourselves I Come! unburden yourself; I know you 
are dying to tell us all about It.; and as we are 
quite charitably disposed this afternoon, we will 
listen to you.” 
“ AM light! I'll overlook your extreme pertness 
this time, my Lady Blanche; but beware of tho 
uture! To begin with—and don’t you dare to In¬ 
terrupt me until I have finished—” 
“ Good.’” 
“ Go on ! We are resigned to our fate !’’ 
“ Tell us some more—anything to keep awake 
this drowsy day 1 
“ You have often heard me speak or Unde Tom's 
lovely little place near Si-, and you have heard 
those Lansing girls talk by the hour of ‘Brother 
Harold’s elegant country seat,’ where they go every 
summer and have a gay time. Harold Lansing’s 
placeIsonly ahalt mile from UncleTom’s, and they 
are very sociable and neighborly. Every summer 
narold's sisters visit him, and he always has other 
young company enough to make up four our five 
coujiles. Uncle Tom and. Aunt Mary are going 
abroad this summer, and l thought to myself, 
‘ Why can’t the “ dan ” go out there and enjoy 
themselves while they are gone ?” And acting upon 
the Idea I wrote to Uncle Tom, who Is just the best 
and jolllest fellow in the world, and 1 have his 
written consent here In my pocket to come out and 
take possession whenever we like. Unde Tom 
lives In L-, and M-, is a small village about 
thirty miles from there. It will take us a half day 
to travel there, and If we go before Uncle Tom 
leaves for Europe, he will Join us at L-and 
escort us the rest of the way, and see us safely 
established In our new quarters. Now, young 
ladles, I shall be pleased to hear your seveval 
opinions. 
“ ‘ To be oi' not to be’—that is the question now 
open for debate.” 
The speaker was a girl of medium size, a good 
figure, and a bright, sparkling brunette. She 
had a rich, warm complexion; flashing black eyes, 
and hair or deep intense black. Her cheek bones 
were a little too prominent, and her nose was 
rather large, but then her lips were so red, her 
teeth so whlto, and her cheeks always wore such a 
bright, healthy bloom that one never took a second 
thought of those defects. Her name was Olive 
Browning; and she was the eldest of Hugh Brown¬ 
ing's four daughters. The girls called her •* Olive 
Branch.” Her father was wealthyaudiufiuential; 
her mother was something of an Invalid, and de¬ 
voted her time to her twoyoungest daughters, who 
were still In the nursery. Olive was nineteen, and 
her sister Clare was seventeen; and a greater con¬ 
trast than these two sisters could not readily be 
found, Clare was the same bight and figure as 
Olive, but her hair was a rich auburn, and her 
eyes a rich reddish brown, and she was very fair, 
with pink cheeks, red Ups, and regular features. 
Tn maimer she was quiet and ladylike, rather 
retiring, but was quite jealous of her eldest sister. 
Olive was, by some people, termed " wild,” and I 
suppose she was to a certala degree, foe she was 
full of life and mischief; but she possessed many 
good qualttes, and was a general lavorite. There 
was a general warfare between the two sisters, 
Clara persisted in holding OUve’s language and 
actions up to the ridicule of there mother who was 
an exceedingly ladylike person and abhorred t.he 
loud hearty laughter and gay witticisms Indulged 
re by her eldest born. The father felt differently, 
however, and was very proud of Olive and allowed 
her every Indulgence. 
The other members ot the “ clan,” as they 
termed themselves, were two sisters, Blanche and 
Rose Sheldon and their cousin, Margaret Dean 
Blanche was tall and weU proportioned for her 
bight, and had bright golden hair, dark bi own eyes, 
a fare complexion and tolerably good features. She 
was a stylish, vivacious girl, and was In great 
demand among her companions. Rose was the 
smallest of the four, and was a brunette, though 
not or the brilliant style of Olive, she was more 
seJate and had little gentle ways of her own that 
made her very lovable. Her features were good 
and well-defined, and her hair was a dusky brown, 
but readily passed for black. Her skin was of a 
rich, creamy color, and the “clan” called her the 
“Yellow Rose.” Blanche was twenty-two and 
Rose eighteen. Their father was in easy, comfort¬ 
able circumstances, and quite proud of his two 
daughters, though he had several younger chil¬ 
dren. 
Margaret Dean, the cousin, was an orphan pos¬ 
sessed oi a handsome fortune of her own. Her 
parents having died when she was quite young, 
and Mr. Sheldon, her' uncle, being her legal guard¬ 
ian. her home had always been in lfls house. She 
had a married brother, who was many years her 
senior and who would gladly have had her make 
her home with him; but she preferred to stay with 
her uncle, who seemed like her own lather, she 
was about OUve’s bight, but was slimmer, though 
a weU-formed girl, she had a clear, pale complex¬ 
ion, blue-black hair, dark bluish gray eyes, that 
had a peculiar' way of darkening with airy deep 
emotion, though at times one would pronounce 
them a decided blue. Her general expression was 
calm and quiet, and one to look at the quiet, re¬ 
fined face, would never suspect her of the wild 
pranks she was guilty of. She and Blanche were 
of the same age, and the four girls were Insepara¬ 
ble, so much so, that there acquaintances called 
them “ the clan.” None of them were strikingly 
beautiful, but they were all bright, healthy, mis¬ 
chievous, good-natured girls. 
When Olive had finished her communication, 
Blanche stretched out her arms and exclaimed, 
“All honor to our chief!" while Margaret or 
“ Margie,” as sire was generally called, rose, and 
placing both hands on Olive’s head, exclaimed, 
with upturned eyes, “ Bless thee, my daughter, 
bless thee t" 
“O, girls 1 do stop your chaff, and talk sensibly 
for a revv minutes. If It Is possible. Can you go ?” 
“ Of course we can!” said Blanche In her quick, 
decided way; and she generally spoke for the rest 
of the “clan.’ - 
“But do you think mamma will let us go, 
Blanche?” asked Rose. 
“Never you mind Aunt Nellie,” said Margie, 
*' I’ll settle all of her objections!” 
“ Now for proposition number two.” said Olive. 
“Let us all masquerade for the occasion, It would 
be such tun 1 Just think! Rob Lansing, Lance 
Stcdman and bis sister, his royal highness, Hugh 
EMders, and that conceited simpleton. Edgar Far- 
ras, are part of the number who are going to 
Harold Lansing’s in about two weeks, and It would 
be the best Joke of the season If the “clan ” could 
fool those Lansing girls. They think they are so 
exceedingly • cute ’ to get four of the most eligible 
masculines In our set all to themselves for a couple 
of months.” 
“Good! good!” cried the girls in chorus when 
Olive had finished. 
“What shall we represent,” askedRose, “witches 
or fairies ?” 
“Neither!” said Margie. “Let us be four old 
maids!” 
“ That’s It!” said Blanche. “ We will all have 
weak eyes and wear goggles to conceal our bril¬ 
liant orbs 
“ And I will be the youngest sister who affects 
youthfulness,” said Olive. 
“I'll be the deaf one,” said Margie, “and make 
everyone repeat his remarks, and Imagine him to 
have said just the opposite of what he really did 
say.” 
“ O. won’t It he fun!” said Rose, clapping her 
hands. “ I’ll be the eldest sister and something 
of an Invalid ” 
“ O’ dear! You three have monopolized all the 
Characters. Pray, what shall I be?” said Blanche, 
laughingly. “ But stop! ” I have It! T will be the 
strong-minded one. How will that do? ” 
“O. splendid! ” cried the girls In chorus. 
“Now comes the usual lemteine query,” said 
Olive, “ What shall we wear? ” 
But we will not listen to the many details of the 
dress and other questions but will wait until a week 
later when four ladles, well disguised by veils and 
and linen ulsters, leave the city or C-on an 
early train. They are very quiet for tho “ clan;” 
In fact they arc quite sedate. At L-they are 
joined by Uncle Tom, a portly, well-to-do looking 
gentleman of some fifty odd years. 
“ Well, young ladles, how are you? ” said he, In 
a brisk, cheery manner. “ I don’t know which of 
you is my niece, but I will shake hands with all 
of you-” Which he proceeded to do and thereby 
found out which was his niece,lor she held on his 
hand and drew down his face and, raising her veil 
printed a sounding kiss on his Ups. 
“You blessed told darling ofan Uncle!” she 
whispered, “ We won’t talk to you now, but we 
will make up tor It when we get to M-.” 
Arriving there several hours later, they entered 
the handsome carriage that was waiting for them 
and were soon driven to “The Retreat,” Mr Brown¬ 
ing's beautiful summer home. 
“Now, Uncle Tom,” said Olive, after she had 
Introduced her companions, “call Rachel and Jer¬ 
ry. and let them Into tho secret and make them 
“ swear eternal secrecy.” 
Rachel and Jerry, a faithful and elderly couple 
who had served many years under Mr. Browning, 
were called, and after Olive had shaken hands 
with them and they had expressed their pleas¬ 
ure at seeing her, Mr. Browning said: 
'• Rachel and Jerry, this madcap niece of mine, 
and her three friends, will spend several months 
with you, and 1 put them Into your keeping and 
trust that you will be as ralthlul in tills mutter as 
in other things. ’They do not wish to be recog¬ 
nized, and for that reason each one of them has 
ohosen a character and will act a part. Now I 
want you both to promise mo that you will keep 
wen the secret of their identity and, If questioned, 
be very careful how you answer. Will you prom¬ 
ise me? ” 
“Certainly, sir,” was their answer, and after a 
few instructions they were dismissed. 
“ Now, girls, go up stairs and dress, r woufd 
nice to see the * four old maids > before 1 go, which 
I must do within an hour.” 
In a short time, four odd-looklng ladles entered 
the room, led by Blanche Sheldon, who wore an 
extremely short skin, very plain and scant, a vest 
aud saoquo similar to a gentleman’s vest and coat 
and a hlgh.si ralght collar and plain cravat. A pair 
of thick soled shoes were on her feet, and a wig of 
short, thick, black hair covered her golden locks, 
and altogether she looked strong-minded and mas¬ 
culine. 
Rose wore a heavy black silk dress made with a 
loose sacque that quite concealed her figure. Gray 
“ puffs” concealed her front hair, and the back of 
her head was covered with an elaborate cap of 
black silk and lace and a collar of rich lace 
encircled her neck. She made a nice looking old 
lady, and her dress, though old-fashioned, was 
rich In all its details, and her quiet, gentle ways 
were well suited to the character she had as¬ 
sumed. 
Margie wore a dress of gray silk that had evi¬ 
dently been fashioned after a pattern that had 
been In vogue many years previous. On her 
head she wore a front of Iron gray hair that was 
slightly waved and combed down quite low on her 
forehead and temples, and the back of her head 
was entirely covered with a cap that was twin to 
the one Rose wore.—[To be continued. 
-»♦ «- 
THE EYE-OPENER. 
The Post Office Department at Washington Issu¬ 
ed an order on the. 18 th. to Postmasters prohibit¬ 
ing the delivery of registered letters and money 
orders to the following named parsons represented 
as being engaged In conducting fraudulent 
schemes: R . 0. Wlntersmllh, s Mozart Building 
Louisville, Ky., supervisor of the Frankfort {School 
Fund Lottery; W. Scott Glore, Louisville, Ky , new 
agent for the Commonwealth Distribution i o.; M. 
V. Wagner, Marshall, Mich., who advertises to 
send patout recipes; Bermo & Bro., New Orleans, 
La., representing the Royal Havana Lottery Co.; 
and D. P. Herrick, 43 New street. New York, who 
solicits money to invest In railroad and other 
