SEPT 8 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
util that heart gets hardened against her. 
Then woe to the boy and to his mother’s peace 
of mind. Such things have been and it looks 
in some quarters as if the history was being 
repeated. Olive. 
Domestic (Economy 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY MAPLE. 
HOUSEHOLD NOTES. 
MARY CLAY BUSHMAN. 
Cane-seated rockers that are worn 
through may be easily fixed by taking a piece 
of strong carpet the size of the chair and 
binding it. then tack with bright tacks about 
an inch apart. 
It would be well for those who do the milk¬ 
ing to keep a loose w rapper to slip on over the 
dress. It will save many a dress from getting 
spoiled which otherwise could not be pre¬ 
vented. 
I read different articles in the last, two num¬ 
bers of the Rural on the best feed for tur¬ 
keys. I was told by a successful turkey-raiser 
thatsour milk curds was all she fed her tur¬ 
keys until they were as large as old chickens. 
Her neighbors all told her that she had the 
nicest turkeys around that part of the coun¬ 
try. I have also tried this plau of feeding 
them and have been very successful. 
Kitchen window bliuds that have become 
faded may be made to look nearly new by 
painting with common paint any bright color 
that may be desired. 
Water-crackers can be made so easily at 
home that it is almost useless to buy them. 
Take any amount of flour aud mix in cold wa¬ 
ter with the hand until a stiff dough is made, 
then roll out thin and prick with a fork, aud 
bake in a quick oven. Of course, it will 
take some practice till you get the oven the 
right heat, which will greatly improve the 
quality of your crackers. 
At our house wo find “bread aud milk' 1 one 
of the best relished dishes at the breakfast ta¬ 
ble, not only by the little folks, but by every 
one. We generally take old broad, cut it into 
squares into a large bowl, then sprinkle a lit¬ 
tle brown sugar over it; have ready some 
boiling milk aud pour over the bread, theu 
cover ami set away iu a cool place. 
-» . » 
DOMESTIC ECONOMY ON THE PRAIRIE. 
While many things of interest have found 
their way into the Domestic Economy col¬ 
umns of the Rural, it seems to mo that iu 
many respects the writers huvo not taken 
much pains to inform themselves as to the ac¬ 
tual condition of the many thousands of fann¬ 
ers’ wives into whose bunds t he Rural comes. 
I wonder sometimes whether some of those 
] oor “farmers’ wives” have scholastic ability 
to come to the uid of their suffering sisterhood 
or whether the majority of them are contented 
aud happy, aud only smile at the friendly 
commiseration,, of those who imagine that to 
live without a “servant” is simply to be a 
drudge. By the way, 1 wonder if iu the 
houses of those who have a servant there may 
not be found all those things described as so 
useful and strength-saving. Servants are 
human, too, and require all the help possible. 
But there is something iu Mary Wager- 
Fisher’s article in the Rural, of August 11th, 
that would make the ordinary farm hand in 
Kansas smile a very broad smile. She says: 
“1 would board uo hired man unless he agreed 
to do whatever l might ask of him;’’ anti 
again, “The hired man would make bis own 
bed aud take cure of his own room.” I don’t 
doubt the last assertion in the least, but the 
room would have to he far remote from the 
precious domicile of that though Iful farmer’s 
wife where “bach” was the word, aud the 
other half of that considerate lady would be 
seeu on his best sorrel, traveling the country 
over to find some oue to help him, ten chances 
to one only to be utterly disappointed. 
Such things might, do where bauds are so 
thick as to hustle each other iu their endeav¬ 
ors to find work ; but iu the Great (Vest 
where labor is iu strong demand at lound fig¬ 
ures, there is an independence that would 
brook no such requirements 
But there is oue thing I do uot mean to 
neglect, and that is the “strong table under 
the largo tree by the kitchen door.” I have a 
big tree (?) (knee-high), which will just be the 
thing. 
I heartily agree with the idea of doing 
things iu that way least calculated to waste 
vital energy. But this I have noticed, that 
they who do their work best ar« those who 
have most leisure for perusal of good books 
and for works of helpfulness and charity. 
Agricola, Kan. o. m. r. 
HOUSEHOLD TALKS. 
aunt mabby. 
Little Mary Ray came in this morning 
with the Rural in her hand. She looked 
quizzical. “Aunt Mabby” she began “how did 
your cherries happen to be ripe when the lilacs 
were iu bloom?" “Deary me!” says I,” is that 
what you’re so funny about—they were from 
the South—some that Laura sent up by the 
children.” Our cherries are never to be de¬ 
pended on, for the robins aud king birds ent 
the best of them. I’ve tried all sorts of scare¬ 
crows, and I think pieces of paper and scraps 
Of bright tin, tied on the branches, frighten 
them better than anything else. But they’re 
bold robbers. 
I was over at Mi's. Every-day's this after, 
noon, and as wo sat in the cool kitchen peeling 
some early pears for preserves, I was just say¬ 
ing—“I like pears to taste of the fruit, instead 
of the sugar”—when we heard a scream, and 
all rushed out into the garden. There stood 
the baby of the household with a Rose in 
her baud, a large pink Perpetual, and a 
vicious honey bee for some reason or other, 
was hovering around her face, and before 
we reached her, had stung the cheek close 
to the eye. 1 ran over to the onion patch, 
and picked a white-hearted one, cut a slice aud 
applied it directly, and every one was sur¬ 
prised to find how soon the pain abated, and 
the swelling subsided. it is a very simple 
tbiug, but a safe and sure remedy. 
1 wanted Mrs. Every-day to write her own 
“Household Talk” this week, but she coaxed 
me to write another—says she—'‘The Rural 
readers will be glad of a change.” Well, 1 
haven’t got along much with the recipe book, 
but I will bye and bye, w hen 1 get more time 
to copy, and just uow there are always some 
new ideas turning up. For instance, last week 
I wrote about a few drinks for Summer; but 
this afternoon 1 saw Mi's. Every-day put a tea- 
spoouful of Acid Phosphate in a tumbler of 
water aud give it to oue of the men folks, 
and he declared it quenched his thirst better 
than a whole bucketful of spruce beer. I 
didn't just believe him; but when I tried it, 
I found it a very cooling and pleasant drink; 
so the old fashions go out, even iu quenching 
the thirst, aud new improved ideas come in 
by the aid of science. 1 had “water brash” 
pretty bad, aud really thiuk the new-fangled 
drink has done me good. Jt tastes ns if there 
was iron iu it. How tired one gets of house¬ 
keeping! Sometimes, when I have an extra- 
hard day cleauiug up, or laying in Winter 
stores < f preserves or pickles, I just wish I 
could board. But theu L know very well I 
shouldn’t like it, aud so make the best of 
what I have. There’s nothing like your own 
vine and fig tree, or, to speak more practi¬ 
cally to suit this modern age, your own fire¬ 
side and roekiug chair, oven if you have no 
oue to share them. 
-■ ■ - 
SAVE THE USEFUL HERBS. 
Gather the useful herbs that every family 
needs iu ease of sickness this mouth. A good 
quantity of boneeet, so useful iu colds or bil¬ 
ious attacks, headaches, revel's, loss of appe¬ 
tite, and many other things, should always be 
gathered so soon as it is ready to blossom. 
Smartweed, which is so good put into a cloth 
bag and dipped in warm vinegar aud applied 
to any local pain, ought to be saved before it 
conies into blossom ; but if uot, save now, aud 
be sure you have smartweed. for there is au- 
other plant that very much resembles it. and 
may by some be mistaken for it. Mullein 
leaves are also highly prized (dried and 
smoked), in irritating coughs, sore throat, 
diphtheria, and some other complaints. Cat¬ 
nip, when iu bloom, peppermint and spear¬ 
mint are also useful. 
All herbs should lie tied in small bunches 
and hung in a dry room, where spiders and 
flies cannot riot upon them, or tie spread out 
aud dried evenly aud put into paper bags 
when not too bulky. Long useless stalks need 
uot be gathered, as they are much better 
without them. 
A SUBSTIUTE FOR MEAT. 
Fare large green tomatoes; cut across them 
and fry in a little butter; turn without break¬ 
ing, which may usually lie doue witli a spoon. 
They are cousidered healthful and appetiz¬ 
ing food. 
A liandfui of good hay in a pail of water, 
placed iu a newly-painted room, will destroy 
the odor of the paint. h. e s. 
er's Wife.” Let us hope there is wisdom 
among the counsel and while there is good 
in each suggestive article, it is interesting to 
see the different standpoints from which each 
writer sees the case and prescribes the reme¬ 
dy. it reminds me of a day in Spring when 
I went to the barnyard to see some newly 
purchased little pigs. My youngest house¬ 
hold treasure is just learning to talk, but finds 
her way into every part of the stable that I 
am not accustomed to tread. When we 
reached the home of the pigs, she loosed my 
hand, and jumping up on the edge of the 
trough was just high enough to look over. 
Thinking I was not able to see without the 
same effort she said. “Look over, and hold 
on tight mamma.” I laughed then at her 
“standpoint” from which she judged others 
must look, and find it applies to human nature 
in many ways. 1 have a triend who sent me 
an entertaining accountof the passing round of 
the “ loving cup” at a literary dinner, but we 
generally prefer our individual dishes, and 
the lady who suggested the saving of washing 
dishes only said what she thought, she would do 
judged from her own standpoint. Every 
man does not see the sunset alike—the artist 
looks ut it as a view for his canvass; the 
farmer watches it anxiously as an omen for 
to morrow’s sunshine and as diverse are the 
ideas in our Domest ic Economists. 
ANNIE L. JACK. 
A SUGGESTION. 
I am an auld wife aud can sympathize with 
a “young wife’s grievance” as to recreations 
for young wives iu lonely country homes. I 
know about it. But if the piano is there do not 
let it be silent. Take an hour in the evening, 
no matter if a little late. Put ou a pretty rib¬ 
bon or flower in vour dress, go where 
the piano is, and sing one of your old 
songs or play one of your gay tunes. 
Don’t drop everything, no matter how 
how tired or busy you are; of course, there 
are exceptions, but make this the rule. Then, 
if, say, one night in a fortnight, you asked the 
neighbors to come in, ted them you cannot 
go out, but would be glad to see them such an 
evening, aud get oue to read something, and 
pass the time pleasantly in ways you can de¬ 
vise. It will make liie pleasanter 1 ; but your 
day and hour must be regular and understood; 
and do have some flowers—if only a geranium. 
Teach “Mischief’ to love and revere them. I 
have never known children mischievous 
among flowers where they are plentiful in 
their homes, aud they are taught to guard and 
love them in infancy. 
And now that this young wife speaks, will 
not some others tell how they pass the time 
apart from duty ? Country people are apt to 
give all their life to moat and raiment; but it is 
well to stop sometimes and thiuk if they do 
the best for themselves and those they love by 
such a hurry aud grind without any recrea¬ 
tion. Mrs. Acldwife. 
-—- 
CANXING FRUIT. 
I am well pleased with ray last year’s method 
iu canning fruit, of putting a piece of paper 
on the top of the fruit before puttiug ou the 
cover. I cut from ordinary writing paper 
round pieces that fill the iuside of the mouth 
of the jar. If any mold or scum rises ou the 
fruit, us it sometimes will, the paper receives 
it, aud it is removed with it. If glasses of 
jelly are set for several hours in the sun, the 
icily will be considerably hardened thereby. 
M. M. F. 
“THE MUCHNESS OF IT.” 
No more expressive term can be found than 
the heading of this article, aud it certainly 
co uveys the state of the case regavdiu g “ Farui- 
QUESTIONS ANSWERED. 
G. W. S. asks how to tan skin. 
Ans.—R emove nil superfluous parts and trim 
neatly; soak m w arm water for au hour. Take 
borax, saltpeter aud Glauber salts, of each half 
auounee.aud dissolve together. W hen the skin 
is clean apply this with a brush, nibbing well 
the thickest parts, double together, fleshy side 
in; keep in a cool place for 'M hours. Theu 
wash well with hard, white or carbolic soap 
and a little soda and ammonia. Let the skins 
drain well and nail on the shady side of the 
barn or shed, away from strong sun or rain. 
When perfectly stretched and dry take down 
aud i'll 1 , well with puiuice-stone and afterw ards 
with sand-paper. 
“Flower Lover” asks if it is true there are 
a “thousand flowers in the Balm’of that 
name f” 
Ans.—I f our memory serves right, we have 
somewhere read that it is composed of deodor¬ 
ized alcohol, w hite soap, oil of eitronella, aud 
oils of rosemary aud ueroli; but how mixed 
or iu what quantity w e cannot state. 
-» - - 
Horsford’s Acid Ptiospliate. 
AS A KKKKHif.RA.ST DRINK IN KKVKRS. 
Dr. C. H. S. Davis, Meriden, Conn., says : 
“ 1 have used it as a pleasaut aud cooling 
drink iu fevers, aud have beeu very much 
i pleased with it.” 
PijuUattWttis 
Robust Health 
Is not alwavs enjoyed bv those who seem 
to possess‘it. ’i’he taint of corrupted 
blood msiv be secretly undermining the 
constitution. In time, the poison willcer- 
taiulv show its effects, ami w ilh all the more 
virulence the longer it has been allowed 
to permeate the system. Each piiuple, st v, 
boll, skin disorder and sense of unnatural 
lassitude, or languor, is oue-of Nature’s 
warnings of the consequences of neglect. 
Ayer s Sarsaparilla 
Is the onlv remedy that, can be relied upon, 
in all cases, to eradicate the taint.of hered¬ 
itary disease and Hie special corruptions 
of the blood. It is the only alterative 
that is sufficiently powerful to thoroughly 
cleanse the system of Scrofulous and 
Mercurial impurities and the pollution 
of Contagious Diseases. It also neu¬ 
tralizes the poisons left by Diphtheria, 
and Scarlet Fever, and enables rapid 
recuperation from the enfeeblement and 
debility caused by these diseases. 
Myriads of Cures 
Achieved bv Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, in 
the past forty years, are attested, and there 
no blood disease, at all possible of cure, 
that will hot yield to it. Whatever the 
ailments of this class,ami wherever found, 
front the scurvy of the Arctic circle to the 
'•veldt—ores'* of South Africa, this rem¬ 
edy has afforded health 10 the sufferers 
bv‘ whom it was employed. Druggists 
every where can cite numerous eases, with¬ 
in tlieir personal knowledge, of remark¬ 
able cures wrought by it. where all other 
treatment had been unavailing. People 
will do well to 
Trust Nothing Else 
than Ayer's Sarsaparilla. Numerous 
crude mixtures are offered to the public 
as "blood purifiers.'' which only allure 
tiie patient with the pretense of many 
cheap doses, and w ith which it is folly to 
experiment while disease is steadily be- 
coming more* iU*cp-$6utcil und iliflioult of 
cure. Some of these mixtures do much 
lasting harm. Bear in mind that the only 
medicine that can radically purify the 
vitiated blood is 
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, 
prepared BY 
Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Mass. 
Sold bv all druggists: price $1, 
‘six bottles for $•>. 
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