Sitka on the wall constituted its furnishing 
We had two bed rooms with bedsteads, stools 
and bureaus and pieces of broken looking- 
glass. The front hall opened into a vestibule. 
The kitchen was large, like all the rooms, and 
had a cracked cooking’stove with a good draft; 
tables, stools, brushes, closets, water buckets, 
frying-pans, glasses and a few dishes. There 
was an old Samovar, not fit to make tea in, 
however, an eagle’s wing to brush up the 
stove, a flat-iron, a bread bowl, board and 
rolling pin, an axe and o saw. All that we 
had to buy was a tin wash basin—50 cents— 
and a broom for 40 cents. There were four 
or five outbuildings in the back yard, once 
occupied, now used for wood and rubbish In 
one we found a quantity of wood, but we had 
to buy some, the Indians bringing ten sticks 
for 25 cents. Every door in the house had a 
different kind of knob—several of brass; tbe 
ceiling in the parlor was of muslin white¬ 
washed. I never went upstairs into the loft. 
Anaximander said it was full of dirt, and is¬ 
sued an order for the inferior members of the 
family to keep out of it. The situation of the 
house was charming, with an outlook over the 
enchanting hav and its islands. Between the 
house and the street lay tbe garden, cultivated 
by our Russian neighbor, Sacksloff, and be 
walked daily in it, admiring his cahbages and 
potatoes. The walk from the gate was bor¬ 
dered with bushes of gooseberry aud currant, 
and there was a row of pie-plant, of 
all of which we had frequent “stews.” We 
found oil in alamp in the house, which Anaxi¬ 
mander exhausted on a cloudy morning, and 
afterthat we burned two candles at a time, 
nailed to a piece of board. I think he used two 
entire during the time I can see to read in 
the dark like sd owl, hut I go to bed with the 
hens, and our neighbors’ chickens trotted 
around in our yard in a very friendly way. 
THE NEED OF WATER. 
As the Summer was very dry—even the 
gardens bad to be watered—all the casks and 
barrels under tbe eaves were dry. People do 
not have many wells in Sitka; the water in 
the town well wasunfit to use in cooking, and 
we had trouble to get an Indian to bring us 
water; but finally rain came and filled every¬ 
thing; while we brought drinking water 
from tbe Indian River, I never before so fully 
realized the blessedness of good and abundant 
water. The walk daily to the Indian River 
for water is one of the diversions of Sitkan 
life. There arc several miles of walks along 
this river and branching from it, laid out and 
built, so far as the rustic bridges, seats, etc., 
are concerned, by the naval officers stationed 
here, and these walks are the most beautiful 
I know of anywhere, as all 
NATURAL BEAUTIES 
have been left untouched, and the Alaskan 
woods are indescribably picturesque. Tbe 
spruce or fir, when young, grows in pyramidal 
form from tbe grouud; from the old trees de¬ 
pend dry black, greenisb-wbitemosses, fine and 
crinkly; the fantastic shapes of the dead trees 
are like the skeletons of dryads; moss grows 
on every stump, fallen tree, dead branch, 
8Dd many living ones, 6 to 10 inches deep, and 
in June nearly every low thing (such as moss 
cushioned stumps) was draped and festooned 
with the Cormis Canadensis in full bloom. 
Trees grow out of the tops of stumps, out of 
fallen trees, out of anything handy and with 
tbe undergrowth of shrubs forming a green 
walk on each side of tbe walks, and at one 
side tbe lovely, rapid, rock-bedded stream, 
with bridges and seats always in exactly the 
right spots, constitute a series of unsurpassed 
walks. Birds sang in the trees—new songs to 
me—curious notes and responses. Indeed, in 
order to travel intelligently, and to reap the 
full benefit of it, one needs a mental equip¬ 
ment of a high and varied order—botaDy, 
geology, natural history—all natural sciences, 
and I often bewail njy ignorance. I was dis¬ 
appointed in tbe novelty and brilliancy of the 
Alaskan flora, of which I had heard much. I 
gathered and pressed, while at Sitka, 85 va¬ 
rieties of flowers—collecting only what were 
in bloom—and sketched a number in oils. Of 
edible fruits growing wild, and ripe, were tbe 
salmon-berries, a species of huckleberry, both 
blue and bright red, and a berry growing on 
a trailing vine resembling tbe running black¬ 
berry, but the fruit—called shumagin by tbe 
Russians—was quite unlike it. Of course, we 
had no beef or mutton, but we had venison, 
grouse and fish. aDd the laddie who played 
daily on tbe heaeh just below our garden, kept 
us supplied with clams, which be dug out of the 
sand at low tide. We had good bread from 
the bakery at tbe marine barracks, and, all 
in all, we fared quite well enough. A good 
many of my hours were spent iu the Indian 
rancbe, and I impoverished my purse in 
PAYING FOR CURIOS, 
silver bracelets, wood carvings, and especially 
woven articles, which the women weave of 
the inside bark;of young trees finely Bhreded 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
and ornament, with grasses dyed in colors, 
which they extract from bright-bued calicoes 
and blankets, making exceedingly beautiful 
baskets in a multitude of shapes and styles, 
mats, covers for bottles, hats, etc. Their hats 
are ugly and stiff in shape, but I gave a woman 
an order to make me a hat of fine quality, 
giving her the measurement and shape I 
wanted; and for a week I went daily to watch 
tbe progress of her weaving, which was of 
great beauty. It was interesting to watch 
the silversmiths, and see the fine work they do 
with a few simple tools, hammering the bands 
for bracelets and “breast pins” out of coin. 
Most of the time fish was drying on poles in 
front of their houses, and the smellB were ter¬ 
rible! Anaximander bought old bows, arrows 
and quivers from tbe Aleutian Isles, made of 
drift wood, aud said to be used in shooting 
sea otters, of which a good skin is worth from 
$200 up, and Btrange books for catching hali¬ 
but aDd rope of bark; while the laddie dried 
6tar-fisbes, gathered shells and whittled out 
canoes and totem poles, so that our parlor 
came at the end to be quite a museum. And 
what a happy time it was!—only half long 
enough—and 
THE ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER 
threw ns into quite a flurry. Our bedding, 
which we had bought at Port Townsend , hav¬ 
ing been advised to so provide oursel ves-aud it 
was good advice—we sold for what it had 
cost us. The best board in Sitka costs $1 per 
day. Washing is dear. Coal costs $15 per 
ton, imported of course, as tbe coal mines iu 
Alaska—bituminous coal has been found—are 
undeveloped. Hay costs $50 per ton. which 
fact may modify any lingering ardor the 
reader may have to start a stock farm here! 
The coldest day of 1884 wss Feb. 10, when the 
mercury fell to ll® above zero. The highest 
temperature (on June 22) was 74.0°. Tbe aver¬ 
age temperature of June of the present year 
was 54.8 g . Tbe highest was 70° on June 25; 
no foggy days; 14 clear days. Rain fell on eight 
days; 22 days without rain Juue is the best 
month—October the most disagreeable. The 
number of snowy days varies from 10 to 68 in 
different years, according to old records. All 
in all. the climate is evidently much better 
than that in Bin Francisco. 
A day or two before tbe arrival of the 
steamer, Anaximander was present by court¬ 
esy with the Governor at an 
INDIAN “POW-WOW.” 
The Indians were in full dress, and made 
several speeches, which were interpreted. 
They talked of a forthcoming treaty which 
they were to have with the Stickeens, and 
wished the Governor to understand that there 
would be no trouble here, although many guns 
would be fired, and there would be several 
days of dancing. Anaximander says that 
their talk was peculiarly eloquent, their 
figures of speech poetic, their gestures noble, 
and their appearance fine. Tbe Indians here 
are tell, and some have fine faces. The 
Governor, Kiakead, recently superseded, is 
very generally beloved, and tbe sincerest re¬ 
gret is felt at his removal. He had a thorough 
knowledge of Alaskan affairs through several 
years of residence here; but he is an ardent Re¬ 
publican, and Civil Service Reform does not 
cover enthusiastic party fealty. As we were 
LEAVING SITKA, 
aud our Russian neighbors came in to bid us 
good-bye, the young daughters brought me 
nosegays, aDd the mother presented me with 
a pair of silver bracelets. She could only 
speak a word or two of English, but made us 
understand with gestures that she liked us 
very much! Of course, we had made a partial 
acquaintance with nearly everybody in Sitka, 
and in no place have we been treated with 
greater hospitality and kindness. The men 
and boys lifted their bats in the street, and 
the women nodded. I liked everybody, aud 
would be very glad to see Sitka receive from 
Congress the attention that it deserves. It 
would make a fine summer resort, indepen¬ 
dent of being the territorial capitol. But 
with all that has been written concerning 
Alaska, the United States Government seems 
to be either woefully ignorant of the country 
or wickedly indifferent to its welfare. No¬ 
body as yet can get title to land, and every 
thing is managed onthe “ grab ” plan, and 
success depends on one man being a little 
“smarter” and a good deal meaner than 
another. 
fur Wunutu 
CONDUCTED BY MISC RAY CLARK. 
ASLEEP AT THREE-SCORE-YEARS-AND-TEN. 
Smooth back the thlii, Kray hair 
From the cold, pallid hrow, 
Those lines, are they from toll and eare? 
All eare Is ended now. 
Some flowers by loving ones 
Strown careless o'er her breast. 
Unheeded breathe their fragrance out, 
$o deep, bo sound her rest. 
Life’s years by her were spent 
As If their d»ys were gold. 
Each oue It seemed was only lout, 
God's purpose to unfold. 
Not to the mountain's flight, 
Where Fame’s proud victors nieet. 
Did she attempt an airy flight, 
Or climb with bleeding feet. 
But down within the vale 
Of common life, her place.' 
Wealth was not tbpre. neither did want 
Show Its forbidding face. 
To God and self e'er true, 
She wrought while it was light, 
And what her hands found out to do. 
She dM It With her might. 
Death opened soft the gate 
To which Life’s Journey led: 
It closed, but left ber Influence here. 
She speaketh yet 'though dead 
Sophia C. Garsett, 
ANXIOUS MARTHAS. 
BY M. W W. 
With TlianksgivingDay iu mind there arises 
before us a score of tired-faced farmers’ wives. 
The brothers and sisters, some of them from 
tbe city, are going up to the old homestead 
for the holiday. To prepare for their recep- 
tiou is a great undertaking iD tbe'burobJer (?) 
home. We question the “bumbler” because 
many splendid city homes do not compare 
favorably, even iu point of comfort, with a 
home in the country. Martha knows they 
will come with tbe city style upon them, and 
to imitate it in some way puts her to her wits 
end. By the time the friends arrive she is too 
worn to be herself, for her customary pleasant 
cheerfulness has gone into the rows of pies and 
cakes, and all tbe cleaning and scrubbing she 
considered necessary for the festal occasion. 
Beyoud certain limitations, which are known 
to housekeepers, It is impossible to work on iu 
anything like the right spirit. When the good 
hostess should be at her best, very ofteD, after 
ber great work of preparation is over, sbe is 
entirely unfitted for anything. 
Fires will smoke or burn up some choice 
cooking, or go out as they so often have done. 
Children will cry an unusual amonnt.for which 
they will not he wholly to blame. House¬ 
cleaning atmosphere may do them more harm 
than it will benefit others. Colds and croup 
may he expected, when, during the prepara¬ 
tion days, the little ones play out doors from 
morning till night, because mother is “so 
busy.” Some times the work will be upset be¬ 
cause an article most needed in the preparing 
of a dainty dish, is missing, aud before John, 
who has been persuaded to go to town, three 
miles away, is back with it, the day is far 
spent. 
Handsome dishes will be broken: peddlers of 
Thanksgiving wares, of turkeys, oysters, all 
kinds of meats and vegetables, besides those 
other common mendicant peddlers, and beg¬ 
gars in general, are sure to use up much 
precious time. Some over worked Martha 
will speak cross words to the little toddler 
clinging to her dress, or to John himself. This 
tower of strength, as she is sometimes in the 
household, will be shaken. Sister! there must 
be, there is, some way to be rid of this vex¬ 
ation of spirit. No ooe of your friends enjoys 
jour house iu its perfect order when the fur¬ 
rows on your forehead are deepened as a con. 
sequence. What is tbe best cheer to give? 
Tired Marthas,cumbered with serving hitherto 
on festal days, escape bondage and have a 
free thanksgiving this year. 
THE WESTWOOD LITERARY SOCIETY. 
They have organized a literary society at 
Westwood and Jerusha Spriggius and I have 
jined it. We do enjoy it. It helps to break 
the monopoly of domestic drudgery to have a 
change and study human riatur! Colonel Ket- 
chum’s wife and daughter, Angelina, were 
there. They are the most “tony” ladies in 
Westwood. The Colonel is in partnership 
with Jobu Fleeceum, dealers in wines and 
liquors. They have tbe biggest “first-class” 
saloon in town, aud are buildhi’ a great, nice, 
big brewery. I am goin’ to make myself 
agreeable to Mrs. Ketcbum. and have her in 
tluence Mr. Ketehum to give Ichabod a situa¬ 
tion travelin’ for the Co. with our mules. If 
I can only leave the farm and get into town, 
and have Ichabod get into such a good pavin’ 
business, I shall be liappy. I know there is 
money in it. Mrs. Ketehum was dressed in 
“Purple and fine linnen”—Ibe richest of vel¬ 
vet and the finest of lace aud jewels. There 
was a little, pale lady they called Mrs. Brown, 
who was dressed old-fashioned and cheap. 
Sbe looked awful smart, though, and did not 
seem to feel but she was on as good footin’ iu 
society as though her husband was in the 
liquor business (he was—the buyer, Dot the 
seller!). You’d orter seen the sweepin’ glance 
Mrs. Ketehum gave her, from the toe of her 
mended shoe to the top of her head, where 
her silvery hair ip silence told that she was 
prematurely old. Mrs. Ketehum has a high, 
dignified way, and I felt my heart.sweli with 
NQV 21 
pride as I pictured to myself the time when 
Icbabod would be “travlin’ for the firm” 
(provided I could get him into the concern 
with the mule team), and hoped I might get to 
be intimate with the families of Ketehum & 
Fleeceum, and so be upon the top of the lad¬ 
der in Westwood society. 
Mrs. Brown read an essay which showed she 
stood pretty firm on the temperance question. 
It is just like the nigger question used to be, 
and alius’gits up opposition. I told an old 
lady I thoughtit was too bad when everything 
seemed to be goin’ on so peaceful and quiet. 
Sbereplied: “When temperance folks throw 
heavy stones into the brewers vat you will not 
get spattered unless you are too near the vat.” 
Then I knowed she was temperance too. Mrs. 
Brown made a plea agin’ tbe liquor traffic like 
a lawyer in a mnrderin’ trial, and I was “Al¬ 
most persuaded” to believe sbe was right; but 
in my imagination! could see Ichabod drivin’ 
the mules with a nicely painted beer wagon 
loaded with kegs, and the prospect of his be- 
comin’one of “the firm." Then I remarked 
to Mrs Ketehum that “I was no temperance 
probibitioner. aDd did not believe in mixin’ 
politics with literature. That the temperance 
question was gettin’tobemouopolous.” You’d 
orter seen her smile. Her daughter Angelina 
was elegantly dressed, like an angel robed in 
a rainbow. She showed us a ring ber Pa gave 
her for her birthday present It bad a yellow 
towpaz in the center, and purple nmmodytes 
clustered around it: and she wore a blue tor¬ 
toise breast piD. Liquor dealers make money, 
aud money makes their wives and daughters 
happy. Hope Tebahod and the mules will get 
into “tbe firm.” Miss Augelina has had a 
musical eddication, so she sings and plays on 
the planner. They had been urgin’ and coax¬ 
in’ber to sing for a long time, and she kept 
beggin’ to be accused, when the President of 
tbe society asked Mrs. Brown to sing. She 
very quietly seated herself at the pianner, aud 
saDg “Jesus, Lover of MySoul,” as plaintive, 
as a mournin’dove that has lost its mate. I 
said to Mrs. Ketehum: “Mrs. Brown is in 
some sort of trouble.” “You are right Mrs. 
Snooks, her husband is one of the most de¬ 
praved drunkards iu town. Yesterday the 
Col. put him out of our saloon and had him ar¬ 
rested for bein’ drunk and disorderly. As he 
has no property no one will bail him out.” 
Miss Angelina then made some of the most 
aspirin’ music you ever did hear. It was 
grand! went clean from one end to t’other on 
that key board, I could not understand the 
words and did not kuow what music it was, 
hut an English lady by my side said it was 
“Hoparattie.” I am going to have a talk with 
Mrs. Ketehum concernin' Ichabod and the 
moles, and if I can get the business all derang¬ 
ed, I will tell Ichabod about it, and he will be 
Pterrtlanrau.s §Uvrrti$ittg. 
The luster of fine 
linen rapidly becomes 
impaired by washing 
them with soap con¬ 
taining too much alka¬ 
li, which cuts the fiber, 
so roughens and de¬ 
stroys the finish. The 
Ivory Soap contains 
no free alkali , so its 
use insures “snowy 
“linen of glossy 
“beauty.” 
Free of charge. A full size cake of Tvorv Soap 
will be seat to any one who can not get it of their 
grocer, H six two-cent stamps, to pay postage, are 
sent to Procter *fc Gamble, Please 
mention ’his paper. 
