IS87 
THE RURAL HEW-YORKER 
taking long stitches. Outline these figures 
with tiusel and you have a handsome cover. 
A unique variation from the regular Christ¬ 
mas card consists of a ribbon flag, striped in 
two colors and t ied at the left corners to a pol 
ished wood polo with narrow ribbon. A 
square of delicately tinted silk is applied in the 
upper left, corner, with “Merry Christmas!” 
painted in graceful letters. The right end of 
the (lug should be fringed. 
Handkerchiefs, either silk or linen, plain or 
with embroidered initials, are very acceptable 
gifts for gentlemen; also decorated calendars 
and thermometers, silver or Russian leather 
match safes or cigar cases, gold pens, etc. 
A head rest or slumber roll is made of silk 
plush, sateen or any material you wish, either 
plain or embroidered, as preferred, in a sim¬ 
ple roll width of chair back, tied at each end 
with satin ribbon and bows. Can be made as 
elaborate as desired. 
A new idea is that of following in outline 
stitch the patterns of damask goods. A table- 
spread of some pretty design worked in 
shaded color is a pretty gift for a lady friend 
of housewifely taste. Margaret Percy. 
INEXPENSIVE GIFTS. 
Hints for a few such thiugswill, I am sure, 
be appreciated by many with whom money 
is scarce, but whose love demands some way 
of showing itself at this season of the year. 
CUmiES-PIN aprons. 
These are to wear when hanging out and 
getting in clotlns, that your j ins may be 
handy,and are a great help to the « orker. They 
must be made of very strong material and 
strongly made to stand the weight of the pins. 
Get very stout ticking, as fancy as you can; 
the best comes about 80 inches wide, and one 
yard will make two aprons. 
Cut it in two lengthwise, cut one of these in 
half crosswise, fold the other half in the mid¬ 
dle crosswise, and on the folded edge, out off a 
curved piece from each side, commencing 
about an inch from the middle on each side, 
and gracefully curve it out to each outer edge 
about ten inches from the bottom. Now cut 
the pieces apart at the fold; you have two 
pieces cut from the sides, each of which 
will make a belt by cutting in strips and join¬ 
ing. Bind the curved pluces with braid or 
bias calico, put a curved piece on a plain one, 
both right side up. Round the bottom corners 
slightly and bind all around. Now put a small 
plait in the plain part each side of the top of 
the curved piece, and sew on the belt, includ¬ 
ing the top of the curved part in the sewing. 
Canton llatmel mittens are a comfort when 
hanging out clotlns in winter. Make them of 
two sections of flannel (white is best) cut ex¬ 
actly alike and seamed together; you can get 
a pattern by putting your hand ou paper, 
thumb well out, and drawing a line around it; 
cut the pattern a seam larger than the pencil 
mark, thou cut one mitten out, baste it up 
and try on. One can finish them to suit her 
fancy, 
A stocking darning bag would be accepta¬ 
ble to mauy. One yard of cretonne just 
makes one. Cut three bits of st iff paste board 
(I use old boxes) six inches long by three wide, 
square at one end, rounded at the other—the 
bottom. These are covered w ith cretonne. A 
strip of cretonne about one and a half yard 
long and ten inches wide is puffed between 
the sides and bottom of two of the stiff bits, 
leaving enough of each top for a hem in which 
to run braid for a drawing striug; put a pock¬ 
et of cretonne on one side on the stiff center, 
make a needle book on the third stiff bit aud 
join it ou the other center of the bag. 
AUNT EM. 
KITCHEN TALKS. 
ANNIE L. JACK. 
We have bad some beef lately that was not 
the tenderloin, so the Amateur Cook prepared 
it, as she called it, “in ambush.” It was cut 
in gashes and these places were stuffed with 
chopped up pork, bread and an onion with 
seasoning: then it was put into a tight vessel 
and a small jar of canned tomatoes was poured 
over it all. It was cooked slowly and was 
quite an improvement on any attempt at bak¬ 
ing or simple boiling. 
So dependent are we ou the cook that it is 
really an essential part of every girl’s duty to 
learn this department thoroughly. This year 
when lemons are cheap and apples compara¬ 
tively dear we have used lemons for pie. Our 
plan is to grate the rind of one lemon and use 
the juice of two with a cupful of sugar, a cup 
of w ater anil a bit of butter the size of nuegg. 
A 1 fttdespoonful of corn starch is wet with a 
little cold water,and beaten with the yelk of an 
egg. The sugar and butter are heated to boil¬ 
ing, and abate mixed together aud thorough¬ 
ly stirnd, and put into a crust. The white of 
the egg with a little sugar makes a meringue 
that cau be put over it and placed for a few 
minutes into the oveu to set. This pie is a 
nice change at holiday time if one has had a 
surfeit of the different styles of raisin pudding 
and mince pie that are often unwholesome 
and eaten at these times, especially by child¬ 
ren, who do not get enough exercise out-of- 
doors to counteract the evil inlluence. And 
yet such is the difference in the cooking that 
pies according to this recipe cau be made by 
different cooks to taste quite unlike each 
other and a great deal depends ou the mixing. 
The Amateur (.'ook sprinkled a few currants 
in one pie and they made quite an improve¬ 
ment. It is one of the most tiresome things 
in housekeeping to cater for a family so as to 
have variety. A good plan is to have a set 
day for certain dishes and then preparing 
them becomes a routine, and is easier than to 
have to think every week. Of course, one 
can vary the courses, but some plan of this 
sort is very useful. 
THE DINING ROOM. 
The housekeeper’s daintiest art should be 
spent on this room. If that is bare and unat¬ 
tractive, you may be sure the rest of the 
house will be so. I once boarded in the house 
of a well-to-do farmer, with a family of daugh¬ 
ters of more than ordinary intelligence and ed¬ 
ucation, but the way meals were served at 
that house certainly should have been a cau¬ 
tion to any gentleman visitor with “inten¬ 
tions.” From soup to dessert one or more of 
the four females of the family were on their feet 
in quest of the forgotten, salt, napkins,spoons, 
glasses, sugar, bread, butter, in fact, so many 
things were missing that I sometimes won¬ 
dered if there could have been anything ou 
the board when we sat down. A home of this 
bind is enough to drive a man to the village 
dram shop, aud wbeu the bead of the house 
came home, as he sometimes did, in a conviv¬ 
ial mood, I felt that he had taken that means 
of drowning his sorrows—an unw ise method, 
aud one not to be recommended, but oue too 
often followed by the stronger sex. 
There is‘positively no excuse for a badly 
laid table, for if you eat at all, you must have 
all the necessities of the meal within reach, 
and it takes no louger to put them on before 
that event than during its course. It is just 
as easy to place the kuife aud spoon at the 
right of the plate and the fork at the left, as 
to lay the fork at the right ard the knife at 
top, as was done in this house. 
The first thing that should engage the house¬ 
keeper’s attention is the napery. If this can¬ 
not be fine, you cau at least take pains with 
the lanmlrying. Table-cloths and napkins 
should be sprinkled over-night, and the next 
morning pulled into shape and ironed until 
thoroughly dry. A table-cloth ironed askew 
looks bad for the management of the mistress, 
and you will doubtless find many things askew 
in that house. A moment's careful attention 
to the table after it is laid for auv meal, will 
show you what is missing. How much more 
conducive to the peace of the family to take 
this ruomeut anil supply the missing articles 
before the feast begius them to render conver¬ 
sation impossible by a distracting search for 
salt, or vinegar, or any one of a dozen or more 
articles. It was an invariable habit of this most 
particular family to forget the milk, which 
necessitated a journey to the dairy fifteen feet 
from the house, and as the tea was always 
served before this omission was noticed, it had 
time to cool while our tempers were growing 
warm. When you find that every essential 
article has been remembered, then if it is 
within your reach, grace the table further 
with ever so tiny a bouquet, be it only <>f 
autumn leaves or golden rod. I one day tried 
the experiment iu this house of lay ing the tu 
ble myself, wheedling madame into the privi¬ 
lege of letting me do this under the pretext 
that it was so loug since 1 had laid a table 
that I was sure I had forgotten how. I flatter 
myself that for once we all sat quietly through 
the dinner, nml I felt repaid bv the wouder- 
iug half puzzled and wholly pleased look of 
the old funner. 1 noticed too that his eye 
brightened with pleasure and appreciation as 
it lighted on a great bunch of fringed gentian 
with which I had decorated the board. 
ELSIE. 
NOTES FOR MOTHERS AND HOUSE¬ 
KEEPERS. 
A shoe-bag, a clothes-bag, and a brush and 
comb holder are pretty and necessary ad¬ 
juncts to a bed -room, especially if it be a 
small one. A friend lias just given me a 
pretty set made of Watteau chintz; that is 
chintz printed in imitation of Watteau tapes¬ 
try depicting ladies aud gentlemen iu fantas¬ 
tic costumes, on a crimson and brown ground. 
For this you will require #wo and a half yards 
of chintz. Take one yard for the clothes bag, 
sow it up like n pillow ease, run a tape draw- 
iug*string about two inches from the top, ami 
haug it iu the closet if you have one, or behind 
the head of t he bed. 
The shoe-bag should have as mauy apart¬ 
ments as you have shoes aud slippers, with 
braid feather-stitched between the pockets, 
and may be suspended by two loops on the in¬ 
side of the closet door. The brush and comb 
case is made in like manner, only smaller, and 
may be tacked to the wall above the bureau. 
A stocking-bag is a bandy art.i fie for the 
family sitting-room, aud will keep the mother’s 
work-basket from being over-crowded. I re¬ 
member quite well in my childhood the work- 
basket of my never-complaining and too indul¬ 
gent mother, was a receptacle for everything, 
from the baby’s shoes to the boys caps,mu filers, 
mittens, aud a missing article was always 
searched for there in the first place. .Cut a 
pasteboard, round or square, six inches iu di¬ 
ameter and cover both sides with the chintz. 
Take a piece of goods a yard long, and half 
a yard wide, and sew it together. Gather oue 
edge and sew firmly on the pasteboard provid¬ 
ing the other with a tape draw string. Make 
two little pockets inside, near the top; one for 
cottons, the other for needles, thimble, and 
darner. 
An inexpensive and warm flannel skirt that 
does not soil easily, nor fade when washed, is 
made from the thick gray flaunel sold for 
men’s working shirts. Embroider the edge 
witli a feather or herring-bone stitch in red 
or blue, or crochet on it an edge in colored wool. 
A pretty little jacket that will be less costly 
and more serviceable than a crocheted oue, 
may be made for the little ones from the 
soft, warm Jersey flannels costing from 40 to 
50 cents a yard Pink them or bind with silk 
braid. They are also neat with a crocheted 
scollop iu contrasting colors. 
I cleaned a very much soiled black dress 
the other day in a way that was most satis¬ 
factory, and may be new to some of your 
readers. Take an old black kid glove; cut it 
in bits aud steep it over-night in a pint of 
soft water. In the morning add ft teaspoou- 
ful of ammonia; have the goods well-brushed; 
wet it with a sponge ou the right side, and 
rub quite bard: smooth with the band 
and hang out of doors m the shade; when 
nearly dry iron on the wrong side. If the 
goods are very dirty, use two glove?, and more 
ammonia, adding as much water ns may be 
necessary to wash it in a tub, soaping the 
spots well with borax soap. 
If you have a closet with large drawers, in 
which you can lay your nice dresses folded, 
make a bag of an old sheet in w hich the dress 
can be placed to protect it from the dust that 
penetrates into the closest closet or drawer. 
If dresses are huug, bags that are longer than 
the skirt, and that button, and are hung by 
loops, are most serviceable in protecting a nice 
gowu. ECONOMY. 
A CHRISTMAS PUDDING. 
To oue cup of finely chopped suet add one 
cup of molasses aud one of milk. Beat well 
together, add two cups chopped raisins, oue of 
currants, a half pound of citron sliced and oue 
teaspoonful each of salt, cinnamon, cloves and 
allspice, om-balf of a nutmeg, one teaspoon¬ 
ful of sodu Flour enough for a stiff batter. 
Boil or steam four hours. 
The housekeeper who finds eggs high and 
difficult to get, will be sute to like this recipe. 
1 have tested It thoroughly and niv puddings 
were highly praised, "I think we busy mod¬ 
ern housekeepers might with a good deal of 
advantage study more frequently than we do 
our grandmothers’ cook books. l w. b. 
gHtereUanfousl 
You May Remove 
Those unsightly Blotches, Pimples, and 
Sores by a faithful aud persistent use of 
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, the best and most 
reliable Alterative aud Blood-purifier 
ever discovered. **I was troubled, 
for a long time, with a humor, which 
appeared on my face in 
UGLY PIMPLES 
and blotches. Ayer's Sarsaparilla cured 
me. — Charles H. Smith, North Crafts- 
bury, Yt. 
“Until recently,’’ writes Alice E. 
Charles, of Bath, Me., “my face has 
been covered with pimples ever since l 
was fifteen years old. 1 took four 
bottles of Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, and my 
skin became as fair as could be desired.’’ 
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, 
Prepared by Dr. J. C. Ayer & C’o., Lowell, Mass. 
Price $ 1 ; six bullies, $o. Worth a bottle. 
BROWN’S FRENCH DRESSING. 
The Oritriiml. Beware ol Imitations. 
AWARDED HIGHEST PRIZE AND ONLY 
MEDAL, PARiS EXPOSITION, 1878 
Highest Award New Orleans Exposition. 
Brilliant! 
Durable! 
Economical! 
33 COLORS. io cents each. 
The PUREST, STRONGEST and FASTEST 
of all Dyes. Warranted to Dye the most goods, and 
give the best colors. One package colors one to four 
pounds of Dress Goods, Carpel Rags. Yarns, etc. 
Unequalled for Feathers, Ribbons, and ail fancy 
Dyeing. Any one can use them. 
The Only Safe ami Una</ult:rate;t Dyes . 
Send postal for Dye Kook, Sample Card, directions 
for coloring Photos., making the finest Ink or Bluing 
(io cp,. a quart), etc. Sold by 1 luggists Address 
WELLS. RICHARDSO N & CO.. Burling ton. Vt. 
For Gilding or Bronzing Fancy Articles, USE 
DIAMOND PAINTS. 
Gold. Silver, Bronze, Copper. Only IO Cents. 
We beg to announce the comple¬ 
tion of a new Steel Plate Engrav- 
ing, designed for us by Messrs. 
JOHN A. LOWELL & CO. It is 
pronounced by them the most ex¬ 
quisite Calendar which the engrav¬ 
er’s art has yet produced. 
Size, n x 14 inches. 
We will mail a copy to any ad¬ 
dress upon receipt by us of tocts, 
in stamps, cash or postal note. 
DOLIBER. GOODALE & CO.. Boston. Mass. 
& 
The cabinet organ was in¬ 
troduced iu itspi'i-st-m form 
by Mason & llamhii in 1861. 
I Other makers followed in 
■» the manufacture of these 
instruments, hat the Mason & Hamlin Organs have 
always maintained their supremacy as the best in 
the world. 
.Mason & Hamlin oiler, ns demonstration of the 
nneqmiled excellence of their organs. tho fact that 
at all of the gre.it World’s Exhibitions, since that of 
Pun=, 1 S 0 T, ill coin petition wi h host makers of all 
countries, they have invariably taken the highest 
honors, illustrated catalogues free. 
Mason & Hamlin's Piano 
Stringer was introduced by 
them in iKSi, and has been 
pronounced by experts the 
“greatest improvement in 
pianos in half a century,” ... 
A circular, containing testimonials from three 
hundred purchasers, musicians, and tuners, sent, 
together svtt-uduscript ivc catalogue, many applicant. 
Pianos unu Organs sold for cash or easy payments; 
rcntcdi 
MASON & HAMLIN ORGAN & PIAN0C0. 
154-Trcmont St., Boston, 46 E. 14th St. (Union Sq.), N.Y. 
149 Wabash Ave., Chicago. 
G0L5 MEDAL, PARIS, 1878. 
BAKERS 
Warranted absolute/!/ pure 
Cocoa , from which the exceea of 
OU has been removed. It has t t -~ee 
times the strength of Cocoa mixed 
with Starch, Arrcwroot or Sugar, 
and Is therefore far more economi¬ 
cs! costing leas than one cent a 
cut It is delicious, nourishing, 
strengthening, easily digested, and 
admirably adapted for invalids aa 
weU as for persons In health. 
Said by Grocers eve rywhere. 
& CO.. Dorchester, Mass. 
IBc WSSM^a 
DBtTUKNnr 
PURE MILK. 
WARREN 
MILK BOTTLES 
Patented March 2Sd. 1880. 
Adapted tbr the Delivery 
of Milk In all Pities 
and Towns. 
A 10NG-AEEDE0 WANT 
AT LAST SUPPLIED. 
A. Y. WHITEMAN, 
7*4 Murray St, >KW YORK. 
ON 30 DAYS’ TRIAL. 
THIS NEW 
ELASTIC TRUSS 
Has a Pail different from all 
other*. Is cup shape, with Self- 
adjusting Hall in center, adapts 
itself to all positions of tho 
iioilv wlillo the Doll in thecup 
S tresses back ihe intea- 
ines just as a person 
does with the finger. With lightpressare the Her¬ 
nia is held securely day and night, and a radical cure 
certain. It Is easy, durable and cheap. Sent by mail Cir¬ 
culars tree. MHLKST05 HUBS CO., Chicago, 111. 
