25$ 
^failing for iljc gouwj. 
AN XMAS ON LOPEZ ISLAND. 
Santa Cluiig Among the Indians. 
Xmas is gone, but having Just read some of 
he Interesting letters of the cousins, 10 has oc¬ 
curred to mo, they might like to hear of Xmas 
among the Indians. AVe had a Christmas tree on 
Xmas five. It was erected In a hall (lor public 
amusement) built over a store. Tho hall was 
decorated with the evergreens and wild llowera ol 
our island, and bore in letters or living green, these 
words: “Welcome, Merry Christmas l” 'the tree was 
Illuminated with many little wax tapers, lestooned 
with strings of pop-corn, and bore aloft fruits 
more wouderful thaa Baron Munchausen’s, to the 
utter bewilderment of these “children of the forest” 
who never Lefore taw a tree of sucu frulttulness 
and variety of production. It was as wonderful as 
thej‘- ready-made shu t” tree of the Indies, for even 
the squaws huug on buck skin moccasins for their 
lords who were white men, ana strange tricks and 
toys for their children w ho were hali-breeds. So 
you see, being a mixed crowd of recipients, there 
had to be a greater variety, In order to meet the 
wants, and tickle the fancies of all grades or 
classes. 
The brass-band from San Juan Island si ruck up. 
and the hum of astonishment died away under 
strains of music povvertui enough “to charm 
the savage breast,” alter which Rev. Mr. Carr 
made a short address, ihen all repeated the 
Lords Prayer in coucert; then came an appro¬ 
priate dialogue by two little girls, and a song or 
the " chrlst-chlld.” When the last notes died 
away, In came old Santa Claus with paste-board 
face, wnlte cotton whiskers and snow-flaked coat. 
At this unexpected apparition, Indians and LaLt- 
breeds became pale races, tor a moment, till see¬ 
ing the kindly Intention of old Kris, who began 
•cutting off and distributing the gilts to their sav¬ 
age deilgnt, which was so exuberant they could 
not repress an audible titter, w hen by accident 
old Santa s beard caught Are, and he made some 
hasty snatches at it, looking more supernatural 
than ever. 
However, no harm was done, and the sparkling 
eyes or the little Sitourn Ciwashes (half Indians) 
saw the tree empty and bare by nine o’clock, and 
pitched out. of the window into the bay. Then the 
•band again struck up and dancing commenced, by 
those accustomed to ee.ebraie Xmas with rude hi¬ 
larity, while loose taught to observe It as sacred 
mlr ed to the sitting-room of Mrs. Weeks, where a 
cheery lire and Innocent anecdotes enlivened the 
hours till midnight when supper was commenced. 
This was a credit to our amiable hostess, and we 
gave her good proof of our appreciation. The 
dancing continued till daybreak, when each re¬ 
paired to his home. We look sail lu Billie Bar- 
lo w’d sloop. A stiff south-easter was blo wing, so we 
sped along very pleasantly, until warned by me 
roll and pitch of the yacht that a reef In our main¬ 
sail and jib was required to enable us n> jibe, and 
make another tack to gain Shark’s Iteer (my laud¬ 
ing). So we luffed her up, head In the wind, do wn 
came the main salt (all hands to the lower boom I) 
we hurriedly put In a reef, and as she had no sail 
to steady ner, hub rolled and tuuib.ed like a sick 
horse. 1'oor Pink and Jauneta wore vaivrjwrs 
and they came near relinquishing all claims to Lhe 
good muck-u-mtu ks (victuals) so carefully stowed 
away at the brcakiast table of good Mrs. Weeks. 
Kip went the main sail (not so large as at first, but 
large enough for safety), off on the first lack, off 
we went Jibe, and on the second tack, we brought 
up at shark's Peer within lorty rods o; home, 
which wo reached In a lew moments after landing. 
Then we looked after tho safety of our stock; fed 
•the chicks on small grain, the pig and cow on pars¬ 
nips, carrots, beets, potatoes aad slops, since, ow¬ 
ing to cold nights corn will not grow here. Thus 
passed Christmas day on Lopez Island, W. T. 
will o’ TUB WISP. 
-- 
LITTLE FIDO AND THE BEAR. 
MKS. E. J. RICHMOND. 
When Dr. <3. and his pretty young wife decided 
to take Horace Greeley’s advice and “.go West,” 
the question arose, *• What shall we do with 
Fldo?” 
Fldo was the family pet, a snow white dog six 
Inches high, but with a spirit as brave as that of 
any mastiff In the land. 
“ Take lilm, of course,” said Lottie. “ How can 
we live without Fldo V” 
“ But, my dear, that is absurd. Take a dog a 
thousand miles 1” 
However, the deed was done. 
This was more than a score of years ago, before 
the screams of the steam whistle was heard at 
Valley Home ; before Chicago had been lifted from 
the morass on to Arm foundations, while the vlr- 
:gln prairies of Wlsconslu waved their billowy 
grasses and brought forth their beautliul flowers to 
“ Was to their sweetness on the desert air." 
In the midst of one ol these prairies Dr. G. located 
Ms home. Wandering bands of Indians often 
passed by thecoitage. and the squaws would beg 
for chickens or milk or bread. 
Lottie never denied them, and often the swarthy 
dames might be seen In pursuit of tne chickens 
which they were sure to run down. 
Fldo did not like this, lie aid not like Indians 
nor prattle woiveS, nor badgers, ai_d manifested 
Ms displeasure by a sharp, augry bark which did 
not trouole anybody, and seemed to be a relief to 
him. uoe day, or night rather, he fouud "a foe- 
man worthy of his steel.” 
The family were seated In the cottage, talking 
hopefully of the bright prospects bo'ore them, and 
ongtnglyof the frLends they'd left behind, when 
Fldo came running to the door barking violently. 
Then he an ek 0 the temporary stables, where 
THE BUBAL NEW-VOBKEB. 
APRUL 47 
the fine horses were kept which the doctor had 
brought all the way from the old Empire State. 
“ Fldo has started another badger I guess,” said 
the doctor, resuming the conversation. But this 
did not answer. Back and forth from the stables 
to the cottage the little sprite ran, almost frantic 
with excitement, and barking furiously'. 
At length the ramlly went out with lanterns, to 
try and quiet the faithful dog more than from 
fear of any danger. 
They round one side of the stable torn off 
and a horse loose, while both were trembling vio¬ 
lently. 
Something was moving away across the field and 
little Fldo was in hot pursuit. 
“ it Is a bear,” said the doctor, examining t.he 
track. 
The animal was killed the next day, a huge fel 
low, who was disappointed In his hoped-for meal 
off the horses by the spiteful little vLxen. 
Fldo was a hero after this, and always wagged 
Ills tall proudly and looked up knowingly when 
anyone told the story of Fldo and the bear. 
LETTERS FROM THE COUSINS. 
Dear Uncle Mark:— Please accept my thanks 
for ihe seeds which were received the 2 Gth ult. 
When the proper time arrives, I will—life spared— 
sow them and do the best 1 can lr. cultivating and 
caring for the plants. I have my list of flower- 
seeds nearly completed Horn D. M. Ferry's Seed 
Annual, and intend to send lor them very soon, 
shall not send for very many varieties, as I have 
several kinds which 1 saved last season, also ten 
kinds which came from the Dural, and Uncle 
Mark. 1 have but ilttie time to devote to the care 
ot flowers and prefer a few well cultivated, rather 
than many neglected. 
1 want to tell the cousins of something I had 
last season, which was very pretty. The girls can 
get tnelr good-natured brothers to assist them In 
making It, I’m sure. Saw a common flour barrel 
through the center. (If you wish two tubs, a 
head can easily be fixed In the open end.) strength¬ 
en the tubs with a couple ot hoops. 1 used green 
willow, but hoop Iron would be more durable. Go 
to the woods and get some hemlock bark; it must 
be fresh as bark that has been long' peeled, will 
not bend to the tub. Now nail firmly to the tub, 
fitting the pieces carefully; saw off the bark even 
with the tub at top and bottom, and that part Is 
completed. Next drive a round post, three or 
four Inches In diameter, firmly Into the ground, 
leaving irom two to three feet above tne surface. 
Set the tub on the post, taking care to have It 
exactly in the center, and nail, using large nails 
so as lo make It very firm. Fill the tub witn good 
rich soil, and place whatever plants you please 
therein, Ueraalunio would bo preuy, and It you 
desire, the pots cun be bunk in the soil and th6 
roots remain undisturbed. Any plants that are 
not very large or tall would look well, by placing 
the huger In the center, and a row or smaller ones 
around it. There being such a quanilty of soli, 
It does not dry out quickly, aud by watering occa¬ 
sionally, you win have a “thing of beauty,” which 
will be a Joy all summer. You can, If you wish, 
have a small circular flower bed underneath the 
tub. Pansies thrive exceedingly well, as it Is a 
tnfle shady. The next time 1 write, I hope to be 
able to tell, not only ot plans for tne summer, but 
of plans accomplished. Cousin Nell. 
Broome CO., N. Y. 
Dear Uncle Mark : In a late number of the 
Rural, I read the enquiry, what had become of all 
the cousins; I answer to the roll call for one, and 
hope to near from the rest In due time 1 went to 
senool this winter, but now my school has closed. 
I planted my grape seeds shortly arter receiv 
Ing them, but my pet kitten wishing to explore the 
contents, up3et tue basin; we scooped up the dirt 
aud replaced it. I have no w two One strong grape¬ 
vines aud another one just peeping out. We planted 
our raspberry bushes lu pots as soon as received, 
aud placed tuem in a south window. To-day l 
replanted litem m Uie garden; 1 round they had 
already sprouted nicely, Now boys It is about time 
to begin our summer’s work. Let us eacn try and 
see wno can do tne best aud leport. Aside from 
our garden we can each have a beautiful flower¬ 
bed. Many thanks to Uncle Mark lor sending me 
a fine collection 01 annuals. Before 1 close I want 
to tell the cousins that 1 have a little pet lamb all 
my own; 1 love him very deany; his name Is 
Dick, l have done a little grafting, and will repoit 
my success bye and bye. 1 also received my wiuow 
cuttings last night. And now, Uncle Mark, and 
numerous cousins, 1 wish you good day. 
Lucas Co., OMo. Walter Gayhart. 
Dear Uncle Mark: —I have seen so many 
letters from the cousins—that 1 thought i should 
like to join the club also, If you have not too many 
nieces and nephews already. We cutue irom 
the city only about a year ago so 1 have not hadso 
much chance to learn how 10 keep a garden as 
many or the cousins who have always lived in the 
country. We have not had a very cold winter 
this year, so we have enjoyed ourselves real well 
1 will not write any more as mis is my first letter 
but, If Uncle Mark will receive me as one of Ms 
nieces, I will write again. Elsie. 
Wild Rose, Wls. 
You Dear Old Uncle Please excuse me for 
for this disrespectful name, but 1 really couldn’t 
fielp It. I think you are perfectly splendid to send 
so many seeds. 1 mean to have a little round bed 
lor each kind. I suppose most 01 the cousins have 
a “Gem Puzzle,” or “Game of Fifteen.” But I 
presume they cannot ail get It rigot. I did this 
morning, by mere chance. Whtt lias become of 
Uncle line? 1 like you better than I did him, 
though. 1 like the Rural belter every year. 
Your niece, Fannie B. Gifford, 
Chautauqua Co., N, Y. 
Arithmetical Problem.—A farmer being asked 
how many potatoes he raised, replied, “ I planted 
three bushels of potatoes in the spring. If what I 
raise were equivalent to one-third the number of 
pennies I expended for Paris-green, or three- 
mllllonths of the number of Colorado bugs that 
the land yielded or equal to one twenty-millionth 
part of the Improper words Indulged In during the 
season, I should have potatoes enough to supply 
the whole world for 10 years!’’ now many did he 
raise ?” 
BRIEFLETS. 
The Queen of England appears to be about 
the only crowned head in Europe tnac is not 
utilized as a target. Perhaps there are no 
lady-killers in England —Norristown Herald. 
. . . Why is it that when a woman has nothing 
else to occupy her. she invariably rushes off to 
her dentist’s and gets her teeth cobbled till her 
mouth is like a gold bonanza? Does she enjoy 
it, or is it just to bankrupt her husband ? . . 
Pock expresses his views respecting “ Oily- 
margine” in thefollowing impressive manner: 
The manufacturers of this charming substitute 
for butter are, we think, beine very scurvily 
treated by the law, the press, and that portion 
of the public who have been more or less on 
tasting terms with real butter. . . To be 
told that their sweet, clarified tallow is not as 
palatable as the fat made from the uiilk of the 
cow, to be nominally obliged to brand it oily- 
margariue, and thus depreciate their own 
stuff, is indeed very mortifying. . . But 
the coucoctors of this precious compound do 
not propose to give up their elegaut busiuess 
without making some effort tocouviuee doubt¬ 
ers of the superiority and beauty of the greasy 
Ambrosia to the regular Orange eouuty arti¬ 
cle. . . They say that experiments with it, 
both upon bread and toast, have been wonder¬ 
fully successful; that a nefarious trade in but¬ 
ter-making has been carried on ; that clean 
and wholesome fat is much better than butter; 
that there is nothing offensive in oilymargar- 
ine; that it is a wholesome luxury for the poor 
man ; that, regarded from a sanitary point of 
view, spurious butter is away ahead of the 
real thing, and that the manufacture of oily- 
margarine is as yet but in its infancy—in which 
condition we devoutly hope it may remain. . . 
But we wish it to be distinctly understood that 
in one shape we have no special objection to 
oilymargariue in its original form—that is 
when it exists in its unextracted condition in 
the live ox or the tender porterhouse steak. . . 
The manufacturers are, no doubt, very honest 
and worthy gentlemen; but no sooner are their 
warss out of their hands than the awkward¬ 
ness commences. The small, or often the large, 
grocer Bells this vamped-up grease as batter; 
the boarding-house keeper, if 6he doesn’t buy 
it as such, makes her confiding boarders be¬ 
lieve it is the genuine article, though some 
poor victim may venture to try to find out 
what makes Lhe butter taste so confoundedly 
like fat-drippings. If oilymargarine wants to 
stand on its merits, let it be colored with harm¬ 
less dye—red, blae, green ; the louder, the 
better. Then there would be no danger of 
people who are prejudiced in favor of good 
old-fashioned butter eating even the choicest 
clarified beef or pork-fat under a thin dis¬ 
guise. . . Puck, who is really very funny at 
times, is now talking of a substitute for bread 
which he calls Breadariue. Lumberine, or 
Woodeo-sawdusterme. Mr. Edison is the discov¬ 
erer, it seems. There are no extraordinary diffi¬ 
culties encountered in its manufacture, ihe 
saw dustisgatheredfromtbepitol arespectable 
saw-mill, the chips and splinters are carefully 
picked out, when it is subjected to a thorough 
cleansing. It is then placed in a bin, in which 
a full head of electricity is turned on. This 
transforms the sawdust iuto a substance very 
much superior to flour, and having the same 
constituents. Water is now added, dough is 
formed, and by ingeniously constructed ma¬ 
chinery fair kneading and baking, the Woodeo- 
sawdusterine loaves are turned out ready for 
the market. . . The growers of wheat are 
in despair, and it is very evident they must 
turn their attention to other callings, for their 
produce will now be literally worthless. . . 
The following are analyses of genuine bread 
aud the substitute: 
The Woolko Savvdusterine Meg. Co.— 
Gentlemen : lu accoi dance with your request, 
I have analyzed lhe simple of Woodeo-saw- 
dusterine submitted to me, and take pleasure 
in informing you that 1 have found in it no in¬ 
gredient in the slightest degree injurious to 
health. I consider it, iudeed, as likely to pro¬ 
mote robust vigor in people of Bedentary hab¬ 
its, aud think that it will probably act as a 
strong moral tonic upou those whose religious 
education has been neglected early in life. 
This is my 
ANALYSIS. 
P-intis Strobus (or American White Fine)...99.99 
Arsenic, Alum, Yeast, Bran, Batter, Faria-Green, 
Fotuto-llliuKB, Ink, Sa.rru de VolaiLle, Pork, 
aud other foreign substances ^approximated) 00.01 
100,00 
While in the composition of ordinary bread, 
made from flour, 1 find the following 
INGREDIENTS. 
Flour.. 
Plnua Strobua, Arsenic, Alum, Yeast, Bran, Bat¬ 
ter, Paris-Green, Potato-filings, Ink, Salmi de 
Volaille, Pork and other foreign substances 
(approximated)... 00.01 
100.00 
From this it will be seen that in all health- 
giving properties the two manufactures are 
precisely equal; it anything, the Woodeo- 
sawdu8terino is rather richer in pure nutri¬ 
ment tbau bread made from flour. I am, gen¬ 
tlemen, yours truly, 
J. Smith, M. D.. E. F., 
G. 11. I., J. K. L , E. T. C. 
. . “Thoughts and Events" remaiks: With 
regard to this matter of advertising especially 
there are few facts iu ihe history of the press 
more damning than ihe prostitution of its 
great powers to conciliate it. . . We see the 
firm of B. K Bliss & Sons mentioned as among 
the heavy donors to the Herald Irish Relief 
Fund. . . To stop fits of sneezing, plug the 
nostrils with cotton wool. Try it. Leave the 
plugs loose enough to breathe through. 
S. «& W. Cooke, oi Connecticut (brothers), 
keep bachelors’ hall, do their own work, make 
and sell excellent butter from eight cows. 
They are over 70 jears of ago. . . It is 6aid 
that tie Messrs. Thurber of this city have es¬ 
tablished a house in London for the sale of 
oleomargarine. . . To own to having been 
in the wroug is but saying you are wiser to day 
than you were yesterday.— Pope. . . When 
we are alone we have our thoughts to watch, 
in the family our tempers,, in company our 
tougues.— Hannah More, . . G. W. Huff¬ 
man (Elmira Club, reported iu the Husband¬ 
man) says that two years ago he tried strips 
through thcmiddle ot a field, alternately drilled 
and sowed by hand, and there was a plain dif¬ 
ference in favor of the latter plan ; the plauts 
were stronger and more healthy; the strips 
were sowed aud drilled with the same amount 
of seed to the acre. . . If oats be sown late, 
more seed to the acre is required than it sown 
early, because there will be less tillering. . . 
What a silly question has been started, viz.: 
Does or does not wheat tiller ? Pull up a plant 
and take a look at it just at this time! . . 
You may likeu thick seeding to stock iu the 
farm yard. Suppose five animals be confined 
in a yard where they are allowed ample feed 
upou which they thrive, turn five more in and 
the supply will be insufficient, so there will be 
positive loss on the ten. So it is with seed. . . 
It appears that sewage from cities is not harm¬ 
ful to fish—but the refuse from paper, gas, 
chemical and other establishments is very 
injurious. . . Cease pruning as soon as the 
sap begins to flow. It is better to wait until 
the tree or vine is in leaf when it will bleed 
very little if any. . . The “ bleedlug," even 
though the tree be not injured thereby, dis¬ 
colors the bark for years. . . Our Aiken, 
(S. C.) correspondent writes us that from per¬ 
sonal observation he finds that the buds of 
early Peaches are iujured to the extent that 
not more than halt a crop can be hoped for in 
that part of the country. Late Peach buds are 
not appreciably injured. . . Secure the best 
Borts of coru for seed—prepare the land better 
than heretofore—cultivate more thoroughly 
and see if you cannot double your yield with 
less than a proportionate increase of labor and 
expense. . . Have you aoy fruit trees that 
it would pay to graft ? . . Iu tran°plauting 
we charge you not to expose the roots to sun 
or wind. . . Red-top alone Is excellent for 
seeding a lawn to grass. . . Professor Hil- 
gard (California), reports that seedling Cin¬ 
chonas are prospering at Berkcly, having 
Btood the cold weather with bu* slight pro¬ 
tection. . . The Pacific Rural Press gives 
much space to the consideration of a new 
industry. Shellac and laedye, it seems, are 
found by ana’yais to exist iu large quantities 
iu the resinous substance fouud on the Creo- 
Bote plant, Larrea Mexicana which grows in 
the deserts of Southern California and Ari¬ 
zona. . . We see that the Massachusetts 
Horticultural Society, at their late exhibitioa, 
gave Mr. Peter Henderson a Certificate of Merit 
for the new Tea-rote "American Banner!” 
Now, that’s glory enough. Mr. Henderson, 
will you permit us to take back all that we 
have said that might by any body have been 
construed as reflecting upon the charms of 
the A. B. ? Long may it wave ! May its buds 
never grow less. . . But, really and truly, 
we should much like to koow what particular 
“ Merit” the Certificate alludes to. . . Mar¬ 
shall P. Wilder's Azalea that measured nearly 
seven feet iu highland about twenty feet in 
circumference was exquisite iudeed. . . ^)ur 
young friend. Land and Home, has resumed 
after a two weeks’ armistice. The 6ize and 
price have both been reduced. We hope it 
may now march ou to victory. . . The irre¬ 
pressible jabber as to whether the Versaillaise 
aud Cherry Currants are the same, still goes 
on. Iu view of the fact that, if not precisely 
alike, there is no marked difference between 
them, will not borlicnlturul essayists drop the 
thrice-worn out discussion! There are scores 
of more recent things about which they might 
display their careful powers of observation, 
and instruct their hearers or readers too. 
