DEC 5 
833 
response to an article in the Rural, written 
probably by a woman, entitled ‘‘The Fran¬ 
chise.” 
I am glad to learn that the women of the 
great State of New York are entitled to the 
ballot. It is to be hoped that many of them 
will now study the science of government and 
become politicians, instead of expending most 
of their spare time in contemplating and dis¬ 
cussing the everlastiug fashions. 
Webster says a politician is: “One versed in 
the science of government and the art of gov¬ 
erning.” We old fellows would gladly hail 
the day that women changed from fashion- 
mongers to politicians. We need help—intel¬ 
ligent, high-principled help to enact several 
wholesome laws for the good of the country. 
But to accomplish this good work, I must 
inform Mrs. W. C. G., we shall be under the 
necessity of inviting them down into the 
“muddy pool of politics to work and vote 
solely for the triumph of party!” All success¬ 
ful political measures are carried by an 
organized party ; and its supporters must be 
“offensive partisans” if they expect to succeed. 
Furthermore, the said party must be managed 
(bossed') by politicians; hence, the utterly 
senseless twaddle about “politicians" and 
“dirty politics’’ might as well cease at once. 
The people are the rulers in this country, 
and every man and woman who is interested 
in its welfare is a politician. It is plain, 
therefore, that we cannot decry politics 
without disparaging our form of government. 
Every closo observer of politics has noticed 
that it almost invariably happens (?) that those 
who are loudest in denouncing polities and 
politicians are among the first to adopt the 
lowest methods of “sharp practice” to attain 
their ends when they enter an elective contest. 
We need more politicians—honorable, con¬ 
scientious politicians, who will work and vote 
against wrong and corruption wherever it 
may appear ; who will scorn to adopt unfair 
and scurrilous practices themselves, and 
promptly crush out any such attempt on the 
part of others. Politicians who will teach 
their children the true value and importance 
of that mighty instrument, the ballot, and to 
dare, when they arrive at maturity, to cast it 
on the side of honesty and justice. A majority 
of such politicians, I am satisfied, will be 
found among the women of America; and 
it will be a glad day when they have an equal 
voice with their brothers in national affairs. 
I might add, concerning prohibition, that 
high license and legal option have proved to 
be a mighty stride to prohibition. These two 
measures are the forerunners of prohibition, 
which will follow in due time. Let us keep this 
great measure out of the hands of blatant dema¬ 
gogues who would use it as a step-ladder to 
office, and for their own personal aggrandize¬ 
ment. We need to work for the measure it¬ 
self. Begin with the family, advance by 
towns, then counties, then states. In this 
way success is certain. fred. g. 
MR. AND MRS. SNOOKS IN “SOCIETY.” 
The Literary Club Of Westwood has had a 
social and a supper in the town Hall. Icba- 
bod baa got a new tailor-made suit, and it fits 
him nicely. The barber has spruced him up 
fine, and he has also a new hat, new gloves, 
new boots and cane; and best of all, a dozen 
new white shirts, (no more blue checks) with 
the finest linen buzzoms 1 could buy. They are 
all starched and ironed as smooth as a white 
marble tombstone; I have bought him a 
pastery diamon' breastpin. Would have got 
a real one, but lhey cost too much; but you 
would not know the difference a little ways 
off, between Ichabod’s, aud Ketchum’s and 
Fleeceum's. and both of them wear the real, 
Ichabod was “travelin’” with the mules 
and would not be home till evenin’. 1 was 
one of the committee of derangements, and 
had to go early in the afternoon, I’m talking 
now about our social and supper. Before 
leaving home I went to the bureau-draw, 
took out one of the new-fashioned shirts, put 
the pastry diacnon’ pin on its snowy buzzom 
and laid it carefully upon the bed with pocket 
handkerchief pertumed with a good lot of 
Jockey Club. He could manage the rest, of 
his twilight, I was quite sartin’. I went to the 
Hall with a light step. Never was more hap 
py—picturin’ co myself how I would induce 
lebadod to my new acquaintances, and show 
those Bush Hill folks the difference between a 
farmer and a “ travelin’ man,” and I was 
goin’ to be as queenly and dignified as Mrs. 
Ketchum, and stand by lchabod's side, and 
him in that new dress suit, and the shirt huz- 
zom and pastry diamon’ trying to outshine 
each other, aud lobabod and me takiu’ the 
shine off from the rest of the company (ex 
ceptin’ the Ketchum’s aud the Fleeceum’s). 
Evenin’ came. I was lookin’ for my ele¬ 
gantly dressed Ichabod. In my imagination 
I could see the pastry diamon’ a flasbiu’ and 
sparklin’ as he was bowin' to the ladies and 
gentlemen. The first thing 1 knowed he 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
walked right up to where I was talkin’ to our 
pastor and Jerusba Spriggins. When I dress¬ 
ed for the social I did not forget the “Mag¬ 
nolia Balm.” I looked at Ichabod; he looked 
at me, and said, “Dalila, are you sick?” I said 
“Yes; take me to the door.” In that way I 
managed to get him out. of the ball. 
“Now, Ichabod Snook9. where is your 
shinin’ shirt buzzum and diamon’ pin?” He 
looked wild. I told him our house had been 
burglured. He said, “No such thing. He 
found the shirt and put it on, and there was 
no burglar inside of it.” I examined it close¬ 
ly, and sure enough he was right! But the 
shinin’ buzzum and diamon’ pin was on his 
back. Oh! oh! who can imagine bow I felt? 
But I took my neckerchief and put it around 
his neck, tucked it down into his vest over 
where the diamon’ ought to have been spark¬ 
lin’, and said, “Ichabod, you have got a soar 
throat; remember it.” “But, Dalila, this 
collar is everlastin’ly drawin 1 and chokin’ the 
breath right out of me.” I said, “It is only 
the effect of a soar throat caused by not havin’ 
a shirt buzzom and a diamon’ pin over your 
chest to pertect It from the evenin' air.” 
He looked so distressed, no one thought bat the 
soar throat was ginowine. Not one of the com¬ 
pany knowed of my awful shaygrin. Jerusha 
had her eyes on our pastor, and he bad hi6 
sole in his eyes lookin’ at Jerusha; so neither 
of them saw the missin’ glory of that evenin’ 
to MRS, ICHABOD SNOOKS. 
A WORD FOR OUK MOTHERS OF THE 
FUTURE. 
The American girl that is being immortal¬ 
ized in serial and novelette for future gener¬ 
ations to admire or censure, does not represent 
the model of the majority’. Fifty years hence, 
the girl of thff present period will live in the 
pages of literature as a witty, vivacious, 
dressy, self possessed, extravagant being, 
whom the under current of conversation will 
then lower to the descriptive terms of pert, 
saucy, vain, rude and wasteful. Children 
will look with distrust upon their grand¬ 
mothers and great aunts as the girls who once 
snubbed younger brothers and sisters, and 
condemned their mothers as being behind the 
times, while they took the lead in household 
customs and society affairs. Our English 
cousids now look upon our good girls as “Fair 
Barbarians,” bold, over-dressed, presumptous 
creatures, yet marvelously sweet and attrac¬ 
tive. Such individual descriptions do injustice 
to the average, for throughout our rural 
districts and country towns, hundreds of girls 
may be pointed out, who are modest and in 
telligeDt, industrious and economical. Many 
of them are self supporting, and put more 
energy into a week’s work than some of their 
critics use in a whole year. Let me give you 
a pen picture of one of my acquaintances. 
She is a well educated, sweet-tempered girl of 
19—is very domestic, and lifts quite a burden 
from her mother’s shoulders by her assistance 
in housework and entertaining company, She 
teaches eight months of the year in the pnblic 
school of their little village, and having 
learned dress making, employs the vacation 
in doing the family sewing. 8he is a bright 
example of sisterly devotion and filial affec¬ 
tion. In all matters of society, she shows a 
daughterly deference to her mother’s opinions. 
She teaeheB in the Sabbath school, and is an 
enthusiastic member of a society for literary 
culture. She cannot play, hut considers it no 
disgrace: and her course of general reading 
aud natural conversational powers quite 
overshadow the lack of this accomplishment. 
This brief sketch is not overdrawn in any 
particular, and I might give scores of similar 
examples 01 self-sacrificing girls, who by 
teaching, clerking, book-keeping, dress mak¬ 
ing, telegraphy and like employments, are 
earning enough to take them through college; 
pay off mortgages on father’s farm, or support 
a widowed mother, and yet if these girls were 
suddenly to acquire wealth, their characters 
would still retain the sweet pearl of humility, 
and the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. 
There is a great deal of nnjust raillery in re¬ 
gard to the id’euess of the girls of the present 
day. Their grandmothers and great-grand¬ 
mothers are pictured as patterns of industry, 
aud of course they did excel our young ladies 
in the execution of hard, physical labor. But 
in comparing this with the vast amount of 
social demands and mental discipline, which 
our bright, ambitious girls are expected to 
meet, we find that their vim and spirit is 
equal to that of their ancestors, though mani¬ 
fested in a different direction, and when we 
contemplate the overwhelming burdeu of ad¬ 
vice that is poured upon them through the 
channel of books and magazines, It seems that 
they ought to be models of physical streugtb 
and beauty; perfectly familiar with rules of 
society etiquette, and well aquainted with all 
modern feminine accomplishments. We are 
glad that they are willing to accept all the 
counsel they can profitably use, and that they 
are keeping Btep with the march of progress 
and improvement. God bless our brave, self- 
reliant, Christian girls. 
EMMA C. STOUT. 
HATS AND BONNETS. 
The hats for this Fall and Winter are high 
in the crown, and bonnets have the trimming 
set just as high and in as narrow a space 
where it joins the bonuet as is possible to put 
V/ 
it. Bows of ribbon four inches long, and 
narrow bird-wings compose the trimming. 
On hats the same style is followed, only a 
little broader across the front. Our cut shows 
asimple and stylishly trimmed hat. 
Domestic (Economy 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY MAPLE 
BEFORE CHRISTMAS. 
ALICE BROWN. 
The busy Weeks preceding the holidays are 
upon us once more, and grown folks as well 
as children are already looking forward to 
the day when Santa Claus is expected to ful¬ 
fill all the desires of the little hearts that be¬ 
lieve in him. Before the day comes the grown 
folks must give this good saiot more help than 
the little folks, who believe in his flying steeds 
and visits through theebimneys, can imagine. 
To satisfy all their eager hopes and remember 
the older relatives and friends in a fitting way 
is more than many can do, if every gift must 
be purchased complete. To generous souls it 
is often a greater trial than any one knows 
w hen they are denied the pleasure of giving 
as liberally as they wish. But to make the 
best of everything is a happy trait, and out of 
it grow many pretty, home-made Christmas 
gifts. A description of some things suitable 
for such gifts may help those who are anx¬ 
iously thinking, and planning gifts for the 
holiday season. 
A darning bag made of pretty material 
combines use and beauty. The material may 
be calico, cretonne or satin, and the shape 
may vary to suit the maker. A square- 
coruered bag a little deeper than wide is a 
convenient shape. Muke with a wide hem 
edged with lace, or lined with goods of some 
bright, plain color; this becomes a rafile 
when the opening is drawn together. Dress 
braid makes a good draw string; it should be 
run in just below the hem, the euds sewed 
together and two openings made opposite each 
other to allow the strings to be drawn up to 
close the bag. 
On the outside of the bag, pockets to hold 
balls of yarn, etc., are attached. These 
pockets may be plain, like apron pockets, or 
gathered, and an elastic put in at the top in¬ 
stead of a draw string; these should be edged 
to match the top or the bug. A little above 
and between these pockets attach a piece of 
pasteboard, neatly covered to mutch the bag, 
with flannel leaves on its under side for 
needles. One yard of cretonne will make a 
hag flfteeu inches deep after allowing a hem; 
this will hold several pairs of stockings, 
while they await darning. 
A bag more suitable for holding fancy 
work may be made of a circular piece of ma¬ 
terial edged with lace and drawn up by 
a string inserted an luch or two from the 
edge: this shape loses its bag form, and often 
its contents also when opened, and therefore 
is not so good for holding balls of yarn or 
zephyr. 
A roll to be carried when traveling is light 
and convenient, if made of linen or buckram; 
the latter being stiffer, is preferable. The 
roll consists of but three pieces, two circular 
ends and a straight strip a little longer than 
the circumference of the ends, the extra 
length being for a lap over the opening left 
across the roll. The ends are easily cut by 
using a large saucer or small plate as a pat¬ 
tern. Make these double, stitching the pieces 
together to stiffeu them. Measure around 
one of the end pieces to learn the length of 
goods needed for the body of the roll. A roll 
twenty five inches around is a convenient 
size; the length may be 18 inches. Sew the 
body to each end in a strong seam, fastening 
well where the beginning and end of each 
seam meet. The lap will now be the only un¬ 
finished edge. This should be hound, and sev¬ 
eral strong button holes should be worked in 
it. The buttons must be sewed on firmly, as 
they are likely to be called upon to bear a 
considerable strain when the roll is filled. 
Straps may be made of the linen or buckram, 
or the roll may be carried in a shawl-strap. 
It is sometimes wonderful to see the quantity 
of things one of these rolls will hold when 
well packed. One yard of material will make 
a roll without the straps. 
A handsome pincushion makes a suitable 
gift. Such conveniences are now made in 
various styles, one of the latest being to attach 
two square pincushions together, placing 
them diagonally to each other and fastening 
them by the two po nts thus brought together; 
between the two cushions and over the fas¬ 
tening, a bow of ribbon is tied, and the cush¬ 
ions are edged with lace and covered with 
satin or any other suitable covering. Cush¬ 
ions four inches square are the size used. 
Pincushions are also made several inches 
loDger than their width—eight inches wide and 
14 long, for instance. 
A really beautiful needle book may be made 
by using, for a cover, one of the pretty fold¬ 
ing cards that have been so popular, sewing 
into it flannel leaves for the needles; or two 
single cards of equal size may be sewed to¬ 
gether for the cover, and the stitches be cover¬ 
ed by a binding of narrow ribbon. 
A Christmas memento with no useful intent 
whatever to mingle with its sentiments of 
good-will, may be made of cardboard and un¬ 
ruled letter paper, the cardboard to serve as 
a cover to any number of leaves desired; all 
to be cut into such shape as may be preferred. 
A few pretty shapes are: a Christmas bell, a 
pallette, a little shoe, a fan, a pitcher, -or a 
jug; the leaves and covers to be tied together 
with ribbons. These in the 6boe should be 
put in loosely as a lacing; in the pitcher they 
may go through the handle, and in the pallette 
through the thumb hole. The covers are to 
gUvcrtising. 
When the pores of 
the skin are open by- 
perspiration, the con¬ 
dition is favorable for 
absorbing into the sys¬ 
tem any impurities in 
the soap used which 
the laundress may 
have failed to thor¬ 
oughly rinse out of the 
garments. Prof. Silli- 
man, of Yale College, 
says “The Ivory Soap 
“is of remarkable pur- 
“ity, and may be safe¬ 
ty used for any pur¬ 
pose." 
^ree of charge. A full size cake of Ivory Soap 
will bt> sent to any one who can not gel ii of their 
grocer, ?f six two cent stamps, lo pay postage, are 
sent to Procter ,t Gamble, Ckr^'nmvU. i'lctuu 
mention ‘hi# paper. 
