APRIL 24 
THE RURAL WEW-YORKER. 
* 
269 
Jfor Mura. 
CONDUCTED BY MISS RAY CLARK. 
THE COUNTRY-GIRL’S LETTER. 
Dear Sis—H ere I urn in the city; 
CouBiu Minnie Is kind as cun bo. 
Uncle John calln mo 11 dear little daughter 
And yet, 81s. between you and mo, 
as the dress, or In plain cloth or velveteen striped, 
the colors being different shades or stone grey, 
dove, beige, and a reddish brown color called mor- 
daree. 
From what Is seen in the arrivals from Lyons 
thechangcant or shot-silks will be much worn; 
the new colors In light shades are lilac, light blue, 
have striugsof figured gauze. One of the newest 
shapes without strings Is called the “Creole,” a 
Lind of small Rubens hat. 
-» ♦ ♦- 
A PERPLEXED “FARMERINE.” 
Wii.r, you help a perplexed “farmerlne” with 
Cousin Minnie has beautiful garments 
Awaiting her wearing. Don’t say 
Anything to our dear little mother— 
My cashme.ro is made the wrong way; 
Audi see Aunty looking unhappy 
Beoause it don't set as It ought; 
And the cut-away hitches lu wearing— 
Don’teet like the ono Minnie bought. 
Mr. Austin comes hero to sec Minnie, 
I think he’s her lover. Ah, me, 
If he really fancies, and loves her, 
How happy that girl ought to bo! 
I’m afraid of his eyes blue and steady, 
1-Ie thinks I am awkward I know. 
That’s the reason he stares at me. often 
And makes my hot cheeks redden so. 
Well—ho is not my world forever, 
What matters it any way. then t 
But I want to come home, little sister. 
And never leave Willow again. 
rOSTSCRlTT. 
I don’t know. I’m sure, how to tell you, 
I’m dazed, and it will not seem true. 
But ho loved me instead of fair Minnie ! 
He talks about roses with dew 
On their freshuoss. He seems not to care 
In the least about beautiful clothes; 
Ho’s going to father to-morrow 
To ask for a wild country Rose.—A'. 0. Picayune. 
FIG. 138. 
DESCRIPTION OF CUTS. 
No. 130. Design for cross and Italian stitch. 
No. 131. Horseshoe pknholdek.— The whittler 
Ingeniously inclined may utilize this design for 
practice of skill. 
No. 12S. Table cover:— The cover Is of crash, 
embroidered in cross-stitch with colored cotton, 
zephyr or silk; the ends are finished with fringe 
with an embroidered heading. Any design may 
be used for the embroidery which stilts the taste 
of the maker. 
No.120. Border: cross and Italian stitch.— 
This design is suitable as a border for table covers, 
etc.; it is worked In cross and Italian stitch, with 
cotton or any other embroidered material. 
fig. 127. 
No. 127. Crotchet edging.—M ake a chain the 
ngth required. 
1 st Row: One treble Into each stitch. 
2d Row: one treble Into a stitch, three chain, 
pass over three st itches, and repeat. 
3d Row: Ono treble Into second of three chain 
of last row, three chain, one treble Into the top of 
last treble, one treble into the centre of next three 
chain, * three chain, one single Into the first of 
three chain, repeat from * three times more. Re¬ 
peat from the beginning of tbe row. 
4th Row: One double separated by four chain 
under each of the loops of three chain of last row, 
two chain. Repeat. 
5th Row -. One double separated by live chain 
under each four chain of last row, live chain. Re¬ 
peat. 
oth Row: One double separated by five chain 
under each live chain of last row, seven chain. 
Repeat. 
7th. Row: One double under the five chain of 
last row, eight chain. Repeat. 
FASHIONS. 
silver-gray, dove, and mauve In many different 
tints; the dark colors most fashionable are blue, 
bronze, violet, old gold, cherry red, and a reddlsli- 
prune color called Ophelia; one shot-silk very 
much in favor already Is called gorge do pigeon. 
Black satin Is extremely fashionable for visiting, 
dinner and evening costumes; the shapes are very 
much the same as a few weeks ago; those for 
eveutng wear are profusely trimmed with jet and 
colored steel-bead embroidery; the sleeves are 
very often of black lace, or with net, satin bands 
like bracelets. 
Dinner dresses are still male very much to re¬ 
semble the costumes of the ifitn, or those of the 
last century. In one instance they have the high 
Mary Stuart collar at the back, and aro square 
cut in front, with skirt, for Instance, of Ophelia, 
with cut velvet opening lu front from the waist to 
the bottom, over a white or silver-gray puffed 
some advice ? I live one mile from a nourishing 
college town where wc attend church, and though 
I desire to be “adorned with a meek and qjulet 
spirit,” yet the subject of dress demands some 
attention, and as 1 am my own dressmaker, I 
would be thankful for any suggest ions you may be 
so kind as to offer. And bear In mind, please, that 
I’m not possessed of great means, but must make 
every cent go as far as possible. 
In the first place, I have a good, black silk dress’ 
made 1C years ago, with wide, uugored, trailing 
skirt. It Is aD excellent silk, but It Is the “ slilny ” 
sort. Are such “shiny" silks worn now? if so, 
what shall I get to trim, or make It up with; and 
how make It, &o. ? 
What would you advise for 3Ults for girls 15 and 
17 years old, something that would do for spring 
and fall wear, not costing over fifty cents pdV yard 7 
What summer wash goods would you recom¬ 
fio. 129. 
satin, the bodice having basuues or pointed lon“ 
waist, and the sleeves being either slashed, or of 
crepe llsse with bands of Ophelia prune satin em¬ 
broidered with pearls; or lu the other they are of 
the Louis XIV. style, wiili round low bodice start 
of brocaded silk with tuuic of satin, and long 
train. The trains ju3t now are made much less 
full, and aro square at the bottom ; the square- 
cut bodice Is made narrower and very low, with 
frill and high pleats of crepe llsse, lace and point 
d’esprlt. Sometimes crepe llaao is embroidered 
with gold thread and colored silk. 
All kinds of mantles aro to be trimmed with 
fancy galoons, embroidery, pleatlngs, trillings. Jet 
feather galoons and fringes. A great rnauy ol the 
so-called novelties are much like the well-known 
“ vlslte ” shape. Pelerines are t o be worn, one of 
the new paletot Jackets In Blcllleune has a long 
frilled waistcoat of faille; another paletot wllh- 
mend, and could you give some hint on making 
so that we farmers’ wives could do some of our 
summer sewing now ? 
What kind of neck-wear, lace, bow. or some¬ 
thing quiet and lady-llke, not costing over one 
dollar, would you advlso for myself? I like to be 
neatly, and, It possible, stylishly dressed, to please 
my husband and children, which 1 think should bo 
the aim of every wife and mother ? 
An answer to the above may give some new 
ideas to other farmers’ wives, who like myself, 
have more taste and love of nice things than they 
have means to grainy. Viw. M. a. 
a ns.— The “ shiny ” sort of black Bilk is not In 
vogue; If, tor economical reasons It must be used, 
it will be best to mix It with “novelty” goods. 
Cuts have been given previously In the Rural 
that may b« utilized In making. 
There are so many kinds of goods that we scarcely 
Although the fine weather has brought out sev¬ 
eral novelties in out-of-door costumes, yet It is 
much too early to lay down the law with certainty 
as to what will be fashionable for the early sum¬ 
mer. However, from what Is now seen already, 
It is probable that mixtures of stuffs and colors 
will be more than ever prevalent, and that short, 
round skirts, with long casaquiu bodices and 
casaque Jacket s, and pleated bodices rouud at the 
waist, win be generally lasblonable lor young 
ladles. 
The long dress, half-train, and short skirt are as 
yet equally lo favor for visiting, dinner, and even¬ 
ing dresses, Instead of tile chief parti 0 * the cos¬ 
tume having a plain ground, It will be the con¬ 
trary. The dress Itself will have a pattern, and 
the ornamentation, such as collars, scans, dra¬ 
pery, frilling, &e., will be of plain material. 
Up to the present the new patterns consist of 
small spots, or blrdseye pattern, lozenges, minute 
checks, stripes, and small detached (lowers, on 
foulards, serges, mohair, poplin, aud muslln-de- 
lalne. 
The casaquc jacket most In vogue just now is 
made high at the neck, with two rows of buttons 
cut out under the waist In front; it Is square at 
the back, aud Is often made of the same material 
fig. 139. 
out trimming Is made of cloth, is tight-fitting, the 
buttons are in one straight row. and It has a pel¬ 
erine or Garrick as low as the shoulders, and a 
dlrectolre turned-back collar In front; but as yet 
there is really no very striking novelty. 
Bonuets are made with broad scarf-Ukc tie 
strings of foulard or silk, some of the newest 
kuow which to recommend for a miss; debage and 
novelty are two. 
For wash goods, gingham, momte cloth, cambric 
or calico may be used; a blouse waist, w n ti plated or 
rufiled-sklrt, or plain skirt and overskirt, ora skirt 
and polonaise—of which there are many styles— 
w mid be suitable for summer wear. Make a square 
I am awfully homesick this morning 
For the little white house by the mill; 
The world seems eo wide round about me. 
Such a wee little comer 11111. 
But don’t breathe a whisper to mother, 
Who thinks I am stylishly dressed ; 
I’ll try not to care about fashion, 
Or whispers: “ She came from out West.” 
handkerchief of India muslin and edge with lace, 
or make bow, after styles in Issue of Jan. 24th or 
Feb. 23th, using Breton, Languedoc, or imitation 
Valenciennes lace. A bow of tulle would also be 
becoming. 
REM IN ISC EN SE S OF SPRING. 
There Is a bint of spring in the air, a suspicion 
of violets and trailing arbutus In the soft south 
wind. Trailing arbutus! What memories crowd 
around tbe word and multiply as the fancied odor 
of their lovely blossoms arc wafted to my mind 
from out tbe halls of the vanished past. Long ago 
I used to hunt, for this lovely trailing Dower In the 
soft April days. They grew on a bleak hillside 
near my home. Up among the crevices of the 
rocks, where a hit of soil had accumulated and a 
tiny sea of moss shielded It from the weather, I 
would find a bunch of these (lowers, waxen white 
and so pure that 1 would hold my breath as I gazed. 
Then down through a miniature forest of hemlock, 
and birches to a hollow by the brook, where, under 
the sodden leaves, they nestled Ln rare loveliness, 
a spray of creamy white or dazzling pink Oh! 
so beautiful; like good deeds discovered unex¬ 
pectedly ’neath a homely exterior; then again 
down by tbe water’s edge, where the delicate bells 
were bedewed by its touch, clinging to a patch of 
earth. These, perhaps, would be white (formerly) 
but just tinged wlI,h a pink glow, as though the 
sunset liad kissed their faces and the smile re¬ 
mained. I remember how 1 would crouch down 
on the cold ground—making a ludicrous figure, no 
doubt, In my cow-hide shoos and short frock, 
while my unmanageable hair tumbled over my 
eyes—and touch them with reverend fingers, and 
wonder lu a vague, childlike way, If the roads in 
heaven were bordered with such as these. An¬ 
other treat 1 used to enjoy la the springtime was 
the gathering of the shrub called mountain pink 
In that section, but known elsewhere by the less 
romantic name of swamp apple. I have never since 
seen such ravishing shades of pink, no perfumery 
could ever equal lu my estimation the sweet odor 
of those exquisite blossoms. But in childhood 
everything looks lovelier than In after years, I 
think; the sky Is not near so blue as when I used 
to lie in the clover bloom and dream of the future s 
golden possibilities, M y heart goes back tenderly 
to the past, while the tears drop unbidden, blot¬ 
ting the paper before me. But I remember that ln 
tbe far somewhere all will be well at last. Eva. 
-- 
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MOTHERS. 
ANNIE L. JACK. 
A few Sundays ago a minister ln one of our 
Provincial cities preuched a sermon on the Im¬ 
moral tendencies of the young people of the age, 
and affirmed tnat the chief fault lay with tho 
mothers who shirked their duty; bringing up their 
boys and girls ignorant of the laws ol Nature and 
of God. What a charge to mothers Is this asser¬ 
tion, and yet who dare deny It ? 
To try to bring up children ignorant of the evil 
that Is in the world, to evade their questions, re¬ 
garding the laws of life, will only arouse a morbid 
curiosity likely to lead to disastrous results. 
It Is like the king In that wonderful story “ The 
Light of Asia "—who determined that nothing but 
what was beautiful should be seen by his son, 
Rrlnce Slddarthu, and sent criers before he lcfG 
tbe palace to proclaim. “The king commands 
that there be seen to day 
No evil sight. let no one blind or mu lined, 
None that i& sick or stricken deep in years. 
No leper, aud no feeble fo k go forth." 
But In spite of all bis mandates there “Crept 
forth a wretch lu rags, haggard, and foul, an old, 
old man "—And so the prince learned of age, and 
death lnev (table. 
It Is thus that mothers try to bide from their 
children things they are the only ones competent 
to teach aright, and it Is well that among our 
clergy there arc a few fearless enough to speak of 
this duty too oi ten neglected. 
A knowledge of botany inculcated in a proper 
manner is the first thing to arouse in a child’s 
mind thoughts of the origin of life—** How plants 
grow’’—explains many interesting truths, the 
transition is cosy from plants to the higher order 
of belugs, making the after work easy. 
To keep pure lu the world, was Christ's prayer ; 
It is one that every mother needs to pray for her 
sons and daughters; and in this as In many other 
things “ knowledge Is power" and a proper un¬ 
derstanding of truth a safeguard from evil. 
- 
ANSWER TO INQUIRY ABOUT RULES FOR 
A HIRED GIRL. 
I nottced an Inquiry lu a late Rural, for rules 
for a hired girl. ir many years experience entitles 
one to speak on the subject. 1 should say that there 
can be no fixed rules for housekeeping. Every 
house Is different ln construction, and families 
vary In size, and what would apply to one house¬ 
hold would be out of place in another. Directions 
for doing different kinds of work can be glveu but 
no general rule will apply to cat h case, except it 
be t he GOlden Rule Consideration and forbear¬ 
ance are always in order on both sides ; me more 
j ust and upright the employer and employed are, 
the more harmonious will be tbe working of t he 
domestic machine. Aunt Rachel. 
