MAY 22 
THE RURAL. 
for SB omen. 
CONDUCTED BY MISS RAY CLARK. 
COUNTRY GIRLS. 
Up early in the morning. 
Just at the ]>eep of day. 
Straining the milk in the dairy, 
Turning the cows away— 
Sweeping the floor in the kitchen, 
Making the beds up-staira, 
Washing the breakfast dishea, 
Dusting tho parlor chairs. 
Brushing the crumbs from the pautry. 
Run ting for eggs in the barn, 
Cleaning the turnips for dinner, 
Spinning the stocking yarn— 
Spreading the whitening linen, 
Down ou the bushes below, 
Ransacking every meadow, 
Where the red strawberries grow. 
Searching the '* fixings” for Sunday 
Churning the suowy oream. 
Rinsing the pails and strainer, 
Down in the running Stream- 
Feeding the geese and turkeys. 
Making the pumpkiu pies, 
Jogging the little one's cradle, 
Driving away the flieB. 
Grace in every motion. 
Music iu every tone, 
Beauty iu form and feature, 
Thousands might covet to own— 
Cheeks that rival spring roses. 
Teeth the whitest of pearls; 
One of these country maids is worth 
A score ot your city girls. 
FASHION NOTES. 
Street dresses are all short. 
Gold glitters and sparkles ou everything. 
A great deal of red is used ou black dresses. 
New suits of white nainsook are flounced to the 
waist. 
Languedoc lace is much used for trimming even¬ 
ing dresses. 
Crepe llsse ruchlngs are set Inside the brims of 
small bonnets. 
Heliotrope and cream Is the favorite combination 
of colors this season. 
New dress buttons come In two sizes—one In¬ 
tended for the coat and the other for the dress 
waist. 
Plain colored French buntings will be combined 
with flgured foular s for wear at watering places. 
Wide round collars, a full frill of deep embroid¬ 
ery edged with wide lace, are the fashionable 
style for children’s wear. 
Narrow plaltlnga form a favorite trimming for 
the foot ot skirts; these are each three Inches 
wide when finished, and are made to lap an Inch 
upon each other; the platting Is then pulled out of 
Its flat folds to look as buneby as possible. 
Surtout suits, consisting of long coats of elegant 
shape, slashed In the back nearly to the waist, 
lined with brtghtsUk, provided with handsome but¬ 
tons and worn with skirts finished by simple knife 
plaiungs, are a favorite style for handsome walk¬ 
ing dresses. 
The cheviots ot pure wool looseLy woven are 
among the favorite fabrics for spring costumes 
that will also serve for traveling dresses during 
the summer. They have what was called last 
year the “flannel finishare evenly hut loosely 
woven, and are without luster. They are la small 
pin-head checks ot cream with brown, two drab 
shades, pale olive with darker green, and two 
shades of gray. 
There Is a groat display ot fancy In the matter 
of trimming for bounds. Flowers, both larger 
and smaller lhan In nature, are used—gigantic 
violets and carnations, and Lilliputian chrysanthe¬ 
mums. The predominant trimming at present la 
of gold, In the form ot galloons, cords and pins 
simulating large nails, and red In the way of rib¬ 
bons, linings, feathers and flowers. 
Pretty percales and cambrics have dark blue, 
lavender or gray grounds, strewn with white polka 
dots. They are trimmed with narrow gathered 
ruffles edged with Russian braid edging or with 
torchon. Tucked yokes arc on some of these 
diesses and ft band edged with torchon lace bor¬ 
ders the yoke, while below the yoke the waist 
forms a side plaited basque to be worn with a belt. 
Bauds of plain blue gingham border the ruffles of 
striped blue and white cambric drosses. 
Buttons are a matter of great importance in 
modern toilettes. They are most fanciful and 
varied In style, borne are of enamel with flowers 
In the Japanese style, others of tortoise shell in¬ 
laid with gold, of carved mother-of-pearl, ot en¬ 
graved steel, steel cut in facets, cut jet, etc., but 
the most artistic are those or china, painted by 
hand and enameled. Home of these are quite little 
marvels, each button ol the set being ornamented 
with a different pattern and becoming real works 
of art. 
--»♦ » 
NO. 1T5 .—SQUARE ; CROSS AND ITALIAN STITC0. 
The square Is worked in cross and It illan slitch- 
lt Is suitable for the center or corner of a servietteJ 
or It may be Inserted between other squares of 
guipure netting or satin, for antimacassars, sofa- 
cushions, &c. 
- ♦« » 
“MOTHER USED TO SAY SO.” 
We often near this said as a last and conclusive 
argument by grown people and heads of families 
“ Mother used to say So.” 
Weary mothers, bearing the burden and heat of 
the day, striving to sow good seed In the minds of 
their children, often feel sick with discouragement 
that they can see no Immediate result of their 
labors. If they could look Into the future they 
would see abundant cause for rejoicing. They 
would see In the mature years of their children 
that thetr own steadfast adherence to right prin¬ 
ciples, had given a lasting bias to their young 
minds, all the more strong, perhaps, because thetr 
parents had lived uprightly from a pure love of 
virtue, and not merely " to have an Influence.” 
A friend was not long since relating to me a 
wrong that some person had wilfully done her and 
persisted In, and which she felt like resenting In 
No. s is needed. 8ew the cloth on quilting frames 
as you would a bed quilt. Stretch It smoothly, 
then with a chalk and line, mark it corner-wise, In 
diamond form, having the checks about an Inch 
and a half In size, then with a large needle, and a 
yard of cotton yarn threaded, take a stitch half 
an Inch In length, bring the needle back half way, 
keep the stitches close together, so It will look 
like a small cord; It Is very rapidly done, If you 
g$ 
wm? 
the same spirit “ hut,” said she, pausing, “ Mother 
used to say that It was better to suffer wrong than 
to do wrong.” and as she said it her flashing eye 
became moist with tears, and her voice steady 
with quiet tenderness, and a mother’s Influence 
came back with power to soothe and bless the 
Irritated spirit of the child who had now reached 
the years of womanhood, and was obliged in her 
turn to take up life's conflicts. b. c. d. 
Walworth Co., Wls. 
--- 
FIXING UP. 
It tabes a great many more things In these days 
to make people comfortable, than It used to when 
I was young; but I must allow, that 1 like to see 
pretty things around a house, scattered here and 
there, provided they do not cost more than & 
family can afford to pay for them. If people are 
Ingenious, and can make nice things themselves, 
at home ; It Is a fine thing and nobody’s business 
either; and It is probable that they enjoy making 
them, full as much, as they do seeing and using 
them after they are finished And then, the Idea 
that one can make such things, all themselves, 
with little expense. Is certainly very satisfactory. 
I saw one of the neatest rooms, furnished hand¬ 
somely with an outlay or a very little money. I 
have seeD furnishings that cost seventy-five dol¬ 
lars, that did not look as elegaut, as the fixings In 
that great chamber; and that did not cost five 
dollars. Now, as the youug couple were just 
starting In the world, and neither of them had a 
penny that they did not earn themselves, 1 thought 
how commendable It was, that Instead of feeling 
sad, and envious towards those who were better 
off, they should establish themselves so comfort¬ 
ably, In their own pleasant home. They were so 
happy In doing It all, that it seemed, as If pleasant 
memories and happy thoughts, were driven Into 
their heads with every nail, and fastened there, 
with each stitch. If all young folks would be con¬ 
tent to begin life as they did, and only get what 
Is needful to begin with and only allow such 
luxuries as they could afford or make them¬ 
selves, It. would do to get married; but when 
they all tbtuk they want the best of everything 
and a house full ot It too; and run In debt to start 
with, Lhey had better live single to the end of the 
chapter; for It would be but worry and bothera- 
tlon all the way through, and when too late, 
they would discover their mistake. 
Grandmother. 
-4-4-4- 
CRITICISM ON “SOAP BOILING.” 
1 have thought of writing a few lines for our 
column for a long time, but have kept putting It 
off because I did not know what subject to write 
on. As the season ror boiling soap is near at hand, 
1 think of a piece 1 read last sum oner or fall on that 
subject that 1 think was almost absurd. The per¬ 
son, In telling ot her way ot making Boap, said 
•• she had a kettle that held su gals., and had her 
ashes fixed in such a way that the lye was weak, 
and then boiled It down until It was strong enough 
to make soap.” Now t thought what we were all 
trying to do and find out was, to save as much time 
and labor while doing our work, as possible. 
I do not think that standing around a kettle 
keeping up lire and smoking your eyes out, as Is 
usual at such times (for who ever kuew the smoke 
to go any other way than In your eyes?), is Just as 
pleasant as It might be. Aa for myselt, 1 am for¬ 
tunate enough to have a husband who Is will¬ 
ing to do most of the soap boiling, lie always 
tries to have his lye strong enough to carry an 
egg at the beglunlug, then It lakes but a few hours 
to make a kettle of soap. 
I love the Rural and always read the letters In 
our department witn great interest. I have a 
great deal ot trouble to preserve the papers, tor 1 
have two little boys who like It almost as well as 
1 do, but are not as careful about preserving It. 
Fault Finder. 
-4 »» - -— 
A NICE BED COVERING. 
White bed spreads are the nicest outside cover¬ 
ings for a bed, as they can be easily washed, and 
when clean, are always good as new. a very 
pretty design for one is made by taking two 
breadth.-, of unbleached, 40-tncli cotton cloth, and 
sewing It. together In tho middle. Five yards and 
a half is a great plenty. A box of stocking yarn 
silly creatures who buy books simply for the 
pleasure of their friends. 
Biqnioct: Beauty deceives women In making 
them establish on an ephemeral power the pre¬ 
tensions of their whole life. 
Mme. p’Aulnat: Love, like fear, makes us be¬ 
lieve everything. 
Louis Desnoyers: Women who love are always 
afraid they are not loved Women wno do not 
love always flatter themselves that they are loved. 
Mme. Drslordks Valmou; Nothing Is so near 
love as pity. 
Adrien Duput : In love, to give a portrait Is to 
promise the original. 
Mme. dk Sartory : No conversation Is more tire¬ 
some than that ot a lover who has nothing to de¬ 
sire and nothing to fear. 
Mme. pb Coigny : A coquette who takes a lover 
Is a sovereign who abdicates. 
Mme. de Epinay: The trade of woman Is very 
hard. 
Sequk : Men make the laws, women make the 
customs. 
Fontinell : To be able to please Is already a 
great advance toward persuading. 
illftari) HIiscEUaniL 
like to do It. A knot in the center of each diamond 
looks pretty. A row of Roman heraldry all round 
the quilt, Is a pretty finish. A hand hem finishes 
up the spread, and It Is a nice, durable article 
that will last for years; Is easy to wash, and Is as 
heavy as la needed. 3 - H - K - 
- 4 » » -- 
LOVING WISELY, BUT NOT TOO WELL. 
“ The man or woman who has never loved, 
hugged, kissed, played with, listened to, or told 
stories to a child, ha3 missed one of the cardinal 
joys of life.” Exchange. 
Nothing truer was ever written. It Is Impossi¬ 
ble not to love and caress a bright, healthy, 
laughing child, but it takes more than humaa 
wisdom to restrain such affection within its proper 
bounds; to love discreetly so as to be able to see 
and correct their faults gently, to have patience 
with their shortcomings, to restrain their wllful- 
ness and to take a wl3e course between over Indul¬ 
gence and unnatural repression. This Is truly an 
art. Blind affection springs from the selflsh pro¬ 
pensities and not from a development of the high¬ 
est qualities of the mind. It is the purest kind of 
affection which sees the faults of those we love, 
although it la thought by some to be a lack of It. 
Do we not see dally examples of parents who love 
thetr children. If not too well, at least unwisely ? 
It Is a fault that wrongs all concerned, the little 
ones wUose faults go uncorrected, and the older 
ones who ludulge their selfishness at the expense 
of spiritual growth. b. c d 
- 44-4 - 
HINTS. 
I would like to add something to “ Grand¬ 
mother’s ” advice relative to cleaning painted 
floors. The first time you wipe It up after it is 
newly painted, he sure to use only skimmed milk 
—that seems to render the paint very durable. 
Perhaps some one would like to know how to util¬ 
ize small pieces of canton flannel that collects so 
rapidly In a family. You can get rid ot the long, 
narrow pieces by making wicks of them for kero¬ 
sene lamps. Make them double, sewing the raw 
edges together. 1 have used no other for the past 
nine years. 
Let me suggest to mothers who are making 
dresses and aprons for the little ones, to make the 
sleeves an Inch or more longer than needed, let¬ 
ting the surplus length project at the arm size, 
and when the sleeve needs to be lengthened (and 
It seems to me that no part ot a child grows as 
rapidly as the arm) It Ls so easily done by ripping 
out the sleeve and sewing It In again at the top ot 
the sleeve. Mrs. P. O. C. 
A Timely Suggestion —Parents should teach 
their children to gargle their throats, for it may 
be the saving ot their lives, it Is easier to teach 
them this somewhat difficult and awkward teat 
while In health lhan to attempt It when they are 
prostrated bv disease. 
-4 4 4-- 
PARIS WIT AND GOSSIP. 
Mme Woi&ky : Grief counts the minutes; hap¬ 
piness forgets them. 
Sanial Dubakg : The more a woman Is Idle the 
more her heart Is occupied. 
Mmk dk Sartory: words are the key of the 
heart. 
Suhrd : No woman speaks of women without 
thlnklug a little of herself, and never thinks of 
herself without thinking a good deal of ot hers. 
Mllk. db Skuukky : A Jealous man always finds 
more than he looks for. 
A wife no more believes In business which 
takes her husband away from her, than a man¬ 
ager behoves in the sickness of an actress, or a 
publisher In that of a writer. 
Nicole: Ugliness and beauty depend upon the 
caprice and the Imagination of men. 
Mmk dk Gkni.isi Ugliness, after virtue, 18 the 
best guardian of a young woman. 
Mllk dk Sbudery: One ot the noblest effects 
of love, Is to produce liberality. 
Mme Staal Delaunay : Liberty Is Incompati¬ 
ble with love. A lover is always a slave. 
Lkmontbz : The abuse of books kills the health 
and the modesty of women. 
Adolph Rxcard : To marry wnen you are sixty 
a beautiful girl of twenty-five Is to imitate those 
JOHN ASCOTT’S DAUGHTER. 
BY CHARLES RICHARDS DODGE, 
Author of “ Louise and I.” 
(Continued from page 286 ) 
CHAPTER VII. 
IN THE TRACES. 
“ I declare, May, here Is an Idea,” George re¬ 
marked one evening, looking up from his news¬ 
paper. 
“ What Is It 7” she questioned. 
“ It’s an article on tree-planting. Why can’t I 
set out a lot of maples along Prospect road ? Here’s 
an old farmer that planted trees twenty years ago, 
not only In the public highway, but all over his 
farm, wherever he could find room for one, and he 
tells here how much his farm has enhanced in 
value, In consequence. I’m going to put that Into 
practice." 
“You ought to take two or three good agri¬ 
cultural papers, George; doubtless you will find 
new Ideas every day.” 
“ 1 know It,” he answered, “ but goodness me! I 
can’t afford It.” 
“ Yet you are always ready to put Improvements 
on the farm,” bis wife made reply; “ wouldn’t. It 
be well to profit by the experience of others, and 
perhaps save money enough to pay tor the papers? 
I shall find them useful too.” 
*• For covering the shelves In the pantry ? 
“ Why, aren't you hateful? No, to assist me In 
getting up new delicacies for t ion to eat. Then 
there are always hints towards making home 
pleasant, and descriptions of little household ele¬ 
gancies Innumerable. I saw in a paper a few days 
ago a clubbing list of Journals that would he fur¬ 
nished at reduced rates If a number were taken at 
the same time, and I cut It out. i'll go and get it." 
When she returned George took the list. Going 
over It together they selected four good periodi¬ 
cals, which It was found could he furnished at the 
price of three. He then made a memorandum ot 
them In his note-book for future reference and 
their conversation was resumed. A lew days 
after he was astonished at fluffing one o f the jour¬ 
nals In his box at the post-office. He asked May 
what It meant, but she merely made a remark 
about specimen copies and went on with her work. 
In a day or two there were two more, and he began 
to “ mistrust" a moose In the meal tub, and after 
the fourth made Its appearance he suggested to 
his wlte that there were two or three scientific 
periodicals he would very much like to take, pro¬ 
vided he could be put ou the free list. 
••Seriously, May,” he asked, “how did you sub¬ 
scribe for them?” 
“Oh, 1 just wrote to one of the publishers,” she 
answered, demurely. 
“But the money?” 
“ I sent it by mall, of course.” 
“ But wncre did you get it ?” 
“Oh, that’s another question—where do you 
suppose 7” 
“I wish you wouldn’t tease a fellow so.” 
“ Well, then, I saved It.” 
“Out of what, pray?” 
“Out of our regular monthly allowance for gen¬ 
eral housekeeping expenses." 
“ Why, May 1 Have you any more ?” 
“ George Ashton, that Is unfair. I shall object, 
as they say In law. But I will give you a piece of 
advice, the sentiment of which is as old as the 
hills, and which by applying to your farming 
operations, may enable you to purchase your own 
periodicals: Save where yon can—upend wlien you 
must. Now that’s real easy to remember. Isn’t It ?” 
“Easy enough to remember,” her husband an¬ 
swered. 
“ Please remember It then, George," 
They had beea upon the larm Just six months 
and the young farmer was beginning to realize 
that there was a deal oi real hard work In farm 
life, with little time for play. At first he made 
many mistakes, and had to dc* some of his bad 
work over again, but In the mai n he felt that he 
was upon the right track. Ills college experience 
was no small help to him now, and he thanked hls 
stars that he had beea wise enough to study thor¬ 
oughly two sciences: cuemlstry and zoology. He 
read up upon the subject of fertilizers, and with 
hls previous chemical knowledge readily posted 
himself as to the exact value to him ot the different 
kinds la the market, as well aa the value of the 
manure made upon the farm. He then talked with 
