DEC i% 
SS2 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
general way in regard to ship building. It is 
largely a story of adventure on Lake Cham¬ 
plain and its shores. This friend to the young 
folks has only their good at heart, and his 
stories can be read with profit and pleasure 
by both boys and girls. 
The Satin WOOD Box. J. T. Trowbridge; 
Lee & Shepard, Publishers, Boston. Price 
$1.25. 
The name of this author is quite enough, 
without further comment. But we will say 
that the story is one of much profit, and shows 
how a very innocent boy can come to the 
guilty edge, and be able by fortunate circum¬ 
stances to rid himself of all suspicion of evil. 
Tell Your Wife. Lee & Shepard* Publish¬ 
ers, Boston. Price, cloth, $1.; paper, 50 
One of the series of “One Dollar” novels. 
The Popular Speaker, comprising fresh 
selections, in Poetry and Prose. Humorous, 
Pathetic, Patriotic. Geo. M. Baker. Lee 
& Shepard. Publishers. Price $1.00 cloth. 
This is a well selected collection of pieces, 
from which any one can find something for 
every occasion. There are books Nos. 13, 14, 
15, 16, bouud in this volume, each of which 
can be bought separately for 25 cents. 
Five Minute Declamations. Walter K. 
Pobes. Lee & Shepard, Publishers, Boston. 
Cloth 50 cents. 
When ooly five minutes is allowed for a 
speech, and when a substantial speech is 
needed, tbi3 is just the book to make selectious, 
from E. H. Chapin, Dauiel Webster, Abra¬ 
ham Lincoln, George Bancroft, etc. 
The Globe Drama. George Baker. Lee & 
Shepard, Publishers, Boston. Cloth $1,50. 
A collection, of the original plays entitled 
‘■The Flowing Bowl,” “Better than Gold.” 
“Comrades,” “Nevada,” “Past Redemption,” 
“Rebecca’s Triumph.” 
Eve of St. Agnes. James Keats. Lenore, 
Edgar A. Poe. Estes & Lauriat. Publishers, 
Boston, Mass. Price $1.50 each volume. 
These familiar poems are most elegantly 
bound and beatifully illustrated. The letter- 
press is most unexceptionable, and nothing 
handsomer could be wished for Christmas 
gifts. 
The Longfellow Calendar and the Whit¬ 
ney Calendar for 1886. Houghton, Mif¬ 
flin & Co., Publishers. $1.00 each. 
For several years this well-known publish¬ 
ing house has issued these calendars. They 
familiarize, also refresh the memory with some 
of the choicest bits of thought from the best 
of poets, and as each day shows a different 
quotation, when the year closes there are 365 
fragments of poems in a convenient form to 
keep. 
Bonnyborough. Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney. 
Hongnton, Mifflin & Co., Publishers. Price 
$1.50. 
This new work, from the pen of Mrs. Whit¬ 
ney, is a treat to the reading public. Her 
stories are all of the highest order of merit, 
and too much cannot be said in praise of them. 
A Woman’s Inheritance. Amanda M. 
Douglass Lee & Shepard, Publishers. 
Price $1.50. 
A pleasant love story, and one of much 
power. 
Our Father in Heaven, William C. Rich¬ 
ards. Lee & Shepard publishers, Boston, 
Price, cloth and gold $1.50. 
This is the Lord’s Prayer, in a series of son¬ 
nets, and a companion to “The Mountain 
Anthem,” “The Lord is my Shepherd,” 
bouud in cloth and gilt, and finely illustrated. 
Ten Boys who Lived on the Road from 
Long Ago to Now, Jane Andrews. Lee & 
Shepard Publishers, Boston. 
The author shows that boys three thousand 
years ago, were not much different in tastes, 
abilities, and habits, from the boyB of to day. 
Also creates a desire to study, and know 
about those people, from whom we descended. 
Century. From May 1885, until November 
1886. Bound in two volumes. Price $7.00. 
St. Nicholas. From November 1884 until 
October 1885, Bound in two volumes. Price 
$5.00. 
These two world wide known magazines, 
make a most sensible and satisfying present. 
The children prize their magazine, and the 
stories are always new to them. While, of 
course, grown folks are expected to value 
what contains so much information as a year’s 
number of Century. 
for Women. 
CONDUCTED BY MIS2 RAY CLARK. 
Among the acquaintances we must necessa¬ 
rily form, there must be some, we may call by 
the endearing name of friend. There must 
some-where, exist a heart to pity and to love, 
one to take a kindly thought for us, one to 
drop a tear, if need be, in sympathy with our 
own. But who shall they be ? 
In early life especially, our well-fare and 
happiness demand that we be cautious in the 
selection of our intimate, our confidential 
friends, from whom we receive an influence 
which is inconceivable and by which our life 
and character to a greater or less degree, 
must be affected. If our associates are refin¬ 
ed and intelligent, we are attracted by their 
virtues, and naturally aspire to be like them ; 
if rude and unprincipled, we are in danger 
of sinking to their level. 
It may not be well to stand aloof, distrustful 
of all, but it is of the utmost importance to 
whom we open the door of our hearts. 
Wolves in sheep’s clothing, still lurk in the 
highways of life, and often beg our confi¬ 
dence, that-they may betray and destroy it. 
The seeming interest, and flattering approval 
which lulls suspicion, often conceals a treacher¬ 
ous heart, while the envious spirit but waits the 
opportunity to strike an effective blow, falsely 
thinkmg to elevate self by dragging others 
down. Not so, our friends. They will not 
always say agreeable things, they may smile 
at our peculiarities, or even enjoy harmless 
jokes at our expense ; and they cannot be 
ignorant of our infirmities ; but they will 
never disclose them to the World, never 
intentionally subvert our sayings or motives, 
They also are our friends who earnestly and 
kindly acquaint us with our faults, who point 
out to us our weakness, and reasonably chide 
us for our folly. And our friends are also 
such as have made themselves worthy by 
becoming model men and women, and the 
truest friends and benefactors of mankind. 
malthea. 
THE NEW BIBLE. 
No, I do not want it, I could not be guilty 
of having one on my table! I will not read 
it! I think it would he sacrilegious to un¬ 
dertake to accept an improvement on the 
Holy Bible. Why, the Bible that my grand¬ 
mother and mother made the guide of their 
lives will do for me! It gave them strength 
to bear hardships, sorrows and trouble in 
their lives, and their faith in the Bible earned 
them safe through life’s journey across the 
river of Death, and into the blessed Heaven 
where their loved ones had gone before. It 
was a “Lamp to their feet,”and I trust it will 
prove the same to me. No! I won’t have any 
new versions of the Bible about me! I don’t 
believe in transmigrafyiug God’s word to suit 
the present generation. God is unchangeable 
and his laws are sure aud steadfast Talk 
about “translating it more correctly!” It is 
all fog or moonshine; it is just a money mak¬ 
ing operation, got up to rob poor, simple 
creatures of their faith and money. I shall 
stick by the dear old Bible of my forefathers 
while there is a pulse left in my heart to beat. 
Don’t talk to me about swapping off my 
Bible for any new fangled thing got up in the 
nineteenth century! Good Christians have 
gone to glory in the faith taught iu the Bible. 
There is no surer way to break up Christianity 
in the world than to say the Bible is capable 
of being improved. It Is an instigation of 
the Prince of Darkness! The dear old Bible 
that l was taught to reverence aud hold 
sacred! Every page is precious; its promises 
are true, and woe to the baud that mutilates 
them; that takes away or adds to its precepts! 
No wonder hypocrisy aud sin increases in the 
land, if the Bible is to be tampered withl No 
wonder ministers, deacons aud church mem¬ 
bers fall from grace, if they lay aside the 
Bible and accept some uew thing iu its stead! 
They say the biggest scoundrels in the country 
are those who use religion as a cloak to their 
wickedness. I don’t know how that is, I 
don’t mean to pass judgment on others, but 
one thiug I do know, the precepts of the 
Bible, the dear, old-fashioned Bible, do not 
give men license to be knaves or rascals; per¬ 
haps the new version does, I cau’t tell how 
that is, but 1 shall stick to the old Bible, and 
try to live by its laws and precepts. 
GRANDMOTHER. 
THE MULES AND ICHABOD GET INTO 
THE FIRM. 
where he took supplies they alius treated him, 
and he had to accept or he was not thought to 
be gentlemanly by the liquor dealers. He 
used to have unconscious spells, and the mules 
would take the gait they learned at the agri¬ 
cultural fair. Then sometimes they spilled the 
liquor and Icbabod and damaged the nicely 
painted beer wagon. And the firm were alius 
collectin’ damages. 
Ichabod learned to play poker and seven up. 
Sometimes in the evenin’ “The Firm” would 
give a "free lunch.” All the first class 
moderate drinkers came in for a “high old 
time.” Then Ichabod would put on his good 
clothes (until they got too small), and the 
pastry diatnon’ pin, and pliy billiards or pool 
with the high toned gentry. That is the way 
the mules went across the gamin’ table. Ket- 
chum took the reins and hired another 
driver. 
Ichabod does nothiug but sits in the saloon 
to be treated by any one who asks the favor of 
him. He is a bloated, blear eyed, friendless, 
besotted dnmkard. Oh dear, it was money I 
was intent upon having, and at what a terrible 
risk! “Be not in haste to be rich” has been 
ringin’ in my ears for months Mrs Ketehum 
and Angelina do not recognize me now. 
Mrs. Brown comes to me like an angel of 
mercy. Mr. Brown has got to be a temper¬ 
ance prohibitioner, and the sunshine of hap¬ 
piness is bright iu their new home in the 
country away from saloons and temptation. 
Mr. Brown would give Ichabod employment 
ou his farm, and would like to have me resist 
Mrs. Brown in her work Ichabod will not 
go; he has no idee of my piueia’ myself to 
death for “society”—says he came here to save 
my life, and will prolong my days by stayin’. 
Jerusha Sprigging and the pastor are mar¬ 
ried and liviu’ in a country parsonage near-by 
our old farm home. I am goin' with Ichabod 
to visit them. Jerusha alius could influence 
him to do good if anj one could. The doctor 
says Ichabod caunot last long—he is a com¬ 
plete wreck. I could bear it better if he was 
not alius thro win 1 “society” in my face. 
When he is gone I am going back to the old 
farm and hire out as a servant, if they will 
allow me. Never agin’ will l try to go beyoud 
the spear I am fitted to move in. Ichabod 
hopes the pastor can give him some consola¬ 
tion. “For,” says he, “now is my soul 
troubled.” All this heart-breakiu’, sufferin’ 
and repentance comes too late to benefit 
Ichabod and me. 
My dear sisters, when you are feelin' lone¬ 
ly and discouraged and the farm drudgery is 
wayin’ you down, “Learn thou to be content,” 
and do not follow the bad example of Mr. and 
Mrs. ichabod snooks. 
lace. This lace is nothing more nor less than 
tambour work on net. What is interesting 
to know about this kind of lace making, is 
that the worker often makes her lace without 
any pattern, simply drawing the outline with 
thread on the net ground of the article she is 
about to make. She then works in the design 
with her hook as she goes on. 
tired out, may feel a relish for it and also en¬ 
joy the other Christmas pleasures. 
BILL OF FARE FOR SUCH A DINNER. 
Roast turkey; mashed u-hite potatoes; sweet pota ■ 
toes; onions; cranberry Jelly; ptvm pudding uHth 
liquid sauce; nut8; raisins; apples and cider. 
Make all your preparations, as far as possi¬ 
ble, the day before. I always draw and 
stuff my turkey then, also prepare all the in¬ 
gredients for the plum pudding, so it is all- 
ready to mix, put in the bag or pail and boil. 
. For dressing of turkey I use grated bread 
leaving out tbe hard crust. Over this I pour 
about a cupful of boiliug water, put in a big 
bit of butter, cover it tightly for a few mo¬ 
ments. then mix thoroughly with the hand, 
adding salt,pepper,summer savory and thyme. 
Mashed potatoes are too universal a dish to 
need directions for. 
Sweet potatoes I steam, then peel, and put 
in the oven for a few moments to dry off. 
For boiling I always use white onions. Boil 
for two hours in salted water, drain off the 
wafer, put them in a pan, addiug two or 
three tablespoonfuls of milk, a little butter 
and a dash of pepper, then bake for one-half 
hour. 
CRANBERRY jelly. 
Just cover the cranberries with cold water, 
cook them till well broken, then put through 
a very fine sieve, and to each cup of juice add 
rather more than one-half cup of sugar; boil 
the juice 10 minutes, add sugar and boil five 
miuutes longer. 
plum pudding; simple but delicious. 
One cup of sweet milk, one cup of molasses, 
one cup of finely chopped suet, three cups of 
flour, one pound of raisins, stoned and 
chopped; one teaspoonful of salt, one tea¬ 
spoonful of soda. Boil in a tin pail or very 
thick cloth pudding bag, allowing plenty of 
room for it to swell. Boil two-and-a half or 
three hours. I have added cider to my bill-of- 
fare. I want it to be distinctly understood 
that I am in favor of temperance, particular¬ 
ly temperance in temperance, and I can see 
not the slightest harm in the use of sweet 
cider (not hard) as an occasional beverage, 
and I think the ravings of some of the tem¬ 
perance orators nowadays about cider, or 
brandy iu sauces and mince pies; also the use 
of alcohol in making tinctures, both for medi¬ 
cines and flavoring, are decidedly fanatical 
and intemperate. 
A CHAT WITH OUR RURAL GIRLS 
ABOUT CHRISTMAS GIFTS. 
MAY MAPLE. 
The old, old question comes again: “What 
can we get for Christmas gifts)” This year 
Pi$freUaneou,s 
The use of a good 
soap is certainly cal¬ 
culated to preserve 
the skin in health, to 
maintain its complex¬ 
ion and tone, and to 
prevent its falling in¬ 
to wrinkles. Ivory 
Soap is an article of 
the most careful man¬ 
ufacture, and the 
most agreeable and 
refreshing of balms 
for the skin. 
Domestic Cconomg 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY MAPLE. 
WHO ARE OUR FRIENDS? 
Surely no one stands utterly alone, in this 
wide, wide world, unloved aud unthought of, 
save by the members of their own family. 
We cannot always rest in tbe sunshine of our 
own homes, but must step over the threshold 
to become acquainted, and mingle with tbe 
world outside. The great human family are 
so dependent upon each other for the supply 
of their needs and their enjoyment, that 
constant commingling is unavoidable. 
Ten long years since we left the farm! 
How many times 1 look back and feel sad to 
think that I, Delilah Snooks, should have 
beeu so ungrateful to Providence for the 
blessins’ bestowed on me in that country 
home no longer mine, I was the means of 
gettio’ Ichabod and the mules into tbe firm. 
The mules and ichabod hauled the farm into 
the firm too. So firm I cannot get on© penuy 
out. 
You know when Icbabod was travelin’ for 
Ketehum, Fleeceum & Co., at every saloon 
A HOME CHRISTMAS DINNER. 
AUNT EM. 
Lately I have read several “bills-of-fare” 
for Christmas dinners, the mere reading of 
which tired me, and as for preparing them, 
1 could never attempt it, without more help 
around me than I can have, or even care to 
have. 
I know a Christmas dinner may be good, 
yot be so easily gotten up that the nn.lher aud 
older sisters who prepare it, instead of being 
Free of charge. A full size cake of Ivory Soap 
will be sent to any one who can not get it of their 
grocer, If six two-cent stamps, to pay postage, are 
sent to Procter & Gamble, “tnati. Pleas© 
mention Ills paper. 
