tSBS 
band), yet a person could never go there for a 
friendly visit and find her unprepared. No 
apologies were ever made, although things 
were of the plainest, as the family were ob¬ 
liged to practice great economy, their means 
being limited. But the cordial welcome, and 
the ease with which a visitor was entertained 
made people feel that they never came at the 
wrong time. 
Very different was the way in which I had 
been brought up. My step-mother, although 
a good woman, was one of the Marthas. 
Unexpected company was her greatest 
aversion. Two or three times a year she 
gave a tea party. The work of preparing the 
elaborate table which she always desired to 
set, tired her so much that when the expected 
guests arrived she was too wearied to enjoy 
their company. And when they were gone 
she experienced a feeling of relief because the 
affair was over. When I first began to pre¬ 
side over a home of my own, I thought I 
would not allow myself to be disturbed if a 
friend dropped in unexpectedly. But it took 
time for me to shake myself out of the rut in 
which I had been led for some years. Some 
time after my marriage I was talking on the 
subject to my elderly friend previously men¬ 
tioned. She said to me, “Company never 
disturbs me. If rich people come to see me, 
I know they have things good enough at 
home. If poor people come, I know I have as 
good as they have.” This, then, was her 
secret, which, added to her natural ease of 
manner, made young and old always enjoy 
themselves when visiting her. As my family 
cares increased, I found that if I wished to 
enjoy life at all, I muso often let the morrow 
take thought for its own affairs. 
If I knew company was coming, of course 
I had my meals prepared beforehand so that 
I might have the more time to spend with 
them; but if they came unexpectedly, I sim¬ 
ply set my table and made no excuses. I think 
one of the most pleasant meals I ever enjoyed 
was at a time when I had prepared a dinner 
for five, and had sent out to the goodmau to 
come in and partake thereof. He sent me in 
word he would bring in a gentleman with him 
Auother plate, knife, fork, and napkin were 
put on the table, chairs were set and we were 
just about to occupy them, when our family 
physician walked in with another gentleman 
with him. For just a moment I will acknowl¬ 
edge I feared there would not be enough to 
‘ ‘go around.” But more plates,etc.,were added. 
There was plenty of nice bread and butter 
in the pantry, part of a sheet of warm ginger¬ 
bread was cut and put on the table. As we chat¬ 
ted over our dinner and the doctor brought 
up reminiscences of his army life, I doubt if 
any of us gave a thought to the rapid disap¬ 
pearance of our “boileddish.” At another time 
my husband brought in a gentleman to dine 
who was at the time a stranger to us both. I 
noticed he hesitated a moment as he entered 
the dining-room; but I did not think of it 
again until some time afterward, when he 
told me that frequently when a host invited 
him in to partake of a meal he would find ho 
was not always welcome to the lady of the 
house, and he hesitated fearing I was one of 
those kind of ladies. He, however, staid long 
enough to find out his mistake. 
Years ago on a very warm day in July a 
lady drove to the house of a gentleman to see 
him on business. Arriving there, his wife in¬ 
formed her he was away and would not re¬ 
turn until evening, at the same time inviting 
her to come in and take tea with her and 
await his return. The invitation was accep¬ 
ted. They conversed for a while and when 
the proper time arrived the hostess prepared 
he r simple supper. Good sweet bread and but¬ 
ter and a cup of fragrant tea, that was all, but 
said the lady afterward. “ It was the best 
supper I ever ate.” Agassiz once called on 
Oken, the great German naturalist, who in¬ 
vited him to stay to dinner. There were 
two dishes—potatoes plain and potatoes roast¬ 
ed, but so much did Agassiz learn of the great 
man that in after years he wrote, “ Never be¬ 
fore were such potatoes grown on this planet, 
for the mind of the man seemed to enter into 
what we ate, socially together, and I devoured 
his intellect while munching his potatoes. I 
repeat it, I never ate such a dinner before or 
since.” Sisters, depend upon it our guests 
will not think as much of us if we spend the 
time they are with us in preparing refresh¬ 
ments for the inner man. Far better is it to 
give them a hearty welcome and let them feel 
that for the time they are members of -the 
family aqd while they remain with us will be 
used as such. mrs. l. Howard. 
HYDROCHLORIC ACID. 
We have used hydrochloric acid and soda 
for raising griddle cakes for at least 15 years, 
and have always found it agreeable and 
wholesome. The result of the mixture being 
common salt, purer than we get in commerce, 
the harmlessness of the mixture is evident. 
But the acid aloue has some violence of char¬ 
acter. The druggists put their skull and cross- 
bones label on the bottle you get it in, and the 
uninitiated are apt to take alarm at seeing a 
liquid marked “poison” poured into the batter 
for the morning griddle cakes. It should be 
kept in a stoppered bottle and quickly closed 
after taking what is wanted, because its fumes 
escape freely, as the eyes and nose will soon 
perceive, and will rust any iron thing that 
may happen to be in the same closet. The 
bottle should be kept by itself, if practicable, 
because, if only a little of the acid remains on 
the lip of the neck it will sublime and reach 
any corrodible article within access. We 
avoid pouring the acid. For that end, and 
also for the purpose of definite measure of the 
amount used, we use a little tube of glass that 
will hold a spoonful, its lower end drawn to a 
point and the upper easily covered air-tight 
by pressure with the thumb; or having a small 
gum ball on it for suction like the glass ‘drop¬ 
pers’ used for counting off drops of medicine. 
With this the proper amount can be taken 
out and put where wanted without spilling a 
drop and without delay or inconvenience. We 
don’t follow A. G. Bisbee’s plan of mixing the 
batter first and then pouring the acid in and 
stirring very little. This does not admit of 
the acid reaching every atom of the dissolved 
soda. We mix the soda in the flour, once for 
all, a full teaspoonful to a quart, using a sieve 
for intimate admixture. Then of this pre¬ 
pared flour we use as wanted, putting the acid 
into the water or milk, about equal in bulk 
to the soda—a teaspoonful to each quart of 
flour—mix quickly and bake at once on a hot 
griddle, turning lightly as soon as the under 
side is crusted sufficiently. The gas does not 
escape to any extent, while the flour and the 
liquid are cool, but quite rapidly in warmth. 
The gluten of the flour and the crust that is 
quickly formed by the heat of the stove, pre¬ 
vent the gas from escaping from the batter 
while cooking. This rising, while healthful, 
is cheaper than baking powder. w. 
Tyrone, Pa. 
CORRECTION. 
In the article headed Water Griddle-cakes, 
etc., on page 45, January 21, in regard to mix¬ 
ing solder, it reads: “It should cool with a dull 
surface,” whereas it should read: If it 
cool with a dull, gray surface, add more tin. 
If it cools with a dull surface while testing it, 
it will do the same when put to practical use, 
and make a bad showing. It is simply a mat¬ 
ter of policy to work in all the lead that it 
will bear, and still cool with a bright surface, 
as the cost of lead is but six to eight cents per 
pound, while tin is from 20 all the way to 40 
cents, and, again, if the mixture contains so 
much lead as to make it cool with a dull sur¬ 
face, it takes too much heat to melt it readily. 
Here it will be well to say, never allow the 
soldering tool to become red-hot, as in such a 
case it will not hold solder until re-tinned; aDd 
in this case the tool must be re-filed while red- 
hot. If left to cool it will be found so hard 
that a dull file will not touch it, owing to the 
solder uniting with the copper and making 
“speculum metal.” In tinning the tool give 
it a moderate heat—it tins much more readily 
than with high heat. 
Further on, in speaking of how the acid for 
soldering is made, it should read: “would like 
to know how this fluid, or solderiug fluid, or 
chloride of ziuc is made.” a. g. bisbee. 
Our friend and frequent contributor to 
these columns, Mrs. Annie L. Jack, who is in 
charge of the Press Department of the Pro¬ 
vincial Temperance Union for Quebec, is also 
engaged in literary work for a number of 
periodicals besides assisting her husband in 
the successful culture of the best fruits that 
are to be grown in that rather ungenial prov¬ 
ince. Mrs. Jack has made fruit culture a 
study, and her pretty home is surrounded by 
trees and shrubs that render it very attrac¬ 
tive. She has brought up eleven children, 
the eldest being an assistant in the Arnold 
Arboretum in connection with Harvard. The 
family are all willing helpers, being taught 
that all labor is honorable that is well and 
honestly done. 
TAKEN FROM A PRIVATE LETTER. 
I have for a long time meant to write you 
something about the ignorance of men about 
women’s work, and the consequent lack of 
appreciation of their labor. A little thing 
brought it to my mind to-day. A day laborer 
who worked for us, a good man and a kind 
husband, was one day speaking in my pres¬ 
ence about a newly married couple, who had 
lately settled in the neighborhood. |Said he, 
with a look of astonishment, “she (the bride) 
keeps a hired girl.” “ Don’t you think that is 
all right” asked I, “they keep a dairy of 30 
cows and have two or more hired men by the 
year, and do you think a woman is equal to 
that? ” “ If she was a good husky woman, she 
could do it well enough,” was the answer. 
What he meant by “a good husky woman,” 
he did not explain, but I suppose he meant a 
robust one. It struck me painfully, how ig¬ 
norant many men are of the amount of 
work a woman ought to do, or to have ex¬ 
pected of her. Women too are ignorant of 
the laws of health and often break them¬ 
selves down, before they kuow what they are 
doing. There is a chauce for improvement 
in the education of both girls and boys in 
this matter and to be taught to work easily, 
so as to make no false moves, and make 
every thing count is no small thing. 
MRS. R. c. D. 
BISCUITS. 
One quart of flour, three heaping tea¬ 
spoonfuls of baking powder; one teaspoon¬ 
ful of salt. Sift together and then rub 
in two-thirds of a cup of lard and butter and 
mix with one pint of milk or water. The 
dough should be quite soft, just stiff enough 
to handle. Bake in a quick oven from 20 to 30 
minutes. These are so light and flaky that 
they almost melt in the mouth. e. o. n. j. 
GRAHAM BREAD. 
Two cups of sour milk, one egg, one or two 
spoonfuls of molasses, a teaspoonful of salt, 
two teaspoonfuls of soda, one or two of short¬ 
ening. Thicken with Graham flour. 
DUMPLINGS. 
One egg, one teacupful of sour milk, one 
level teaspoonful of soda, a little salt. Make 
stiff with flour. 
COFFEE CAKE. 
One cup of brown sugar, one cup of chopped 
raisins, two and one-half cups of flour, one- 
half cup of molasses, one-half cup of butter, 
one-half cup of cold coffee, two eggs, one tea¬ 
spoonful of soda, one toaspoonful each of 
cinnamon and cloves. 
JOHNNY CAKE. 
One and a half cup of flour, same of corn 
meal, one cup of sour milk, two eggs, three- 
fourths of a cup of sugar, one tablespoonful of 
lard or butter and one teaspoonful of soda. 
If it seems too thick, thin with a little sweet 
milk. AUNT RACHEL. 
THE VOICE, when hoarse and husky 
from overstrain or irritation of the vocal 
organs, is improved and strengthened by the 
use of Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral. Clergy¬ 
men, Singers, Actors, and Public Speakers 
find great relief in the use of this prep¬ 
aration. A specific for throat affections. It 
relieves Croup and Whooping Cough, and is 
indispensable in every household. 
Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral, 
Prepared bv Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co., T.owell, Mass. 
Sold by all Druggists. Price $ 1 ; si* bottles, $5. 
EPPS’S 
CRATEFUL-COMFORT1NC 
COCOA 
HUSTID’S FOOT ViBHBB 
For the Carriage, Sleigh, Office or House. Keeps 
warm ten hours. Safe, handsome, and cheap. 
THE CENTENNIAL CO., 
Kox 250, Rye, N. Y. 
AGENTS 
and farmers with no experience make $2.50 ns 
hour during spare time. J.V. Kenyon, Glens Falls, 
N. Y., made SIS one day, $76.50 one vreek. 
So can you. Proofs and catalogue free. 
J. 15. Suepabu A Co., Cincinnati, O, 
U HH p STUDY. Book keeping, Business 
Is V# IVI E, Forms,Penmanship, Arithmetic,Shoer 
hand, etc., thoroughly taught by MAIL. Circulars fret 
BRYANT & STRATTON’S, Buffalo, N. Y 
11 r l p WANTED. $25 a week and expen 
■ ■ E. Va ■ ses paid. Steady work. New goods 
Samples free. J.F. HILL &CO., Augusta, Me. 
I EARN TELEGRAPHY 
taught and situations guaranteed. Catalogue free. 
SHERMAN TELEGRAPH CO., Oberlin, O. 
$250 
WALLINGFORD 
EVERY MONTH. 
1,000 LIVE AGENTS WANUU 
at once. Our Agent’s Outfit 
a beautu SAT 1? - LINED CASKET OF 
SILV A.:, WARE, sent free. Write or it. 
S1I.V MB C'O.i Wallingford. Conn. 
Wells, Richardson & Co’s 
Improved 
utter 
„ ( STRENGTH 
EXCELS in purity 
( BRIGHTNESS 
Always gives a bright natural color, never 
turns rancid. Will not color the Buttermilk. 
Used by thousands of the best Creameries and 
Dairies. Do not allow your dealer to convince you 
that some other kind is just as good. Tell him the 
BEST is what you want, and you must have Wells, 
Richardson & Co’s Improved Butter Color. 
Three sizes, 25 c. 50 c. $ 1 . 00 . For sale everywhere. 
WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO. Burlington, l/t. 
(33 Colors.) DIAMOND DYES 
are thn Purest, Cheap¬ 
est,Strongest, and most 
Durable Dyes ever made. 
One lOc. package will color 
1 to 4 pounds of Dress Goods, Garments,Yarns, Rags, 
etc. Unequalled for Feathers , Mbboiia. and all Fa nr 1 / 
Dt/eini 7 . Also Diamond Paints, for Gilding, Bronz¬ 
ing, etc. Any color Dye or Paint, with full instructions 
and sample card mailed for 10 cents. At all Druggists 
WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO., BURLINGTON, VT. 
SMALL’S 
, Supplies A Wantnevcr 
before SVCCKSSWMiY met by 
Invention. The calf Sl’C’KS its ‘ 
food SLOWLY, in a natural way, 
thriving as well as when fed on 
Its mother. Now used in every 
State and Territory in theUnion. 
Worth many times its cost. Sat¬ 
isfaction guaranteed or money 
refunded. Try it. 
J ■ B> Small & Co., 21 So. Market St., .Boston, Mass. 
GLASS MILK JARS 
With “ Lightning” Stoppers, manufactured by 
.WHITNEY CLASS WORKS 
22? S. Front Street, 35 Murray Street, 
Philadelphia. New York. 
tflE.'DF Laval cbeam 
o£^7l'- | '" s —Separators 
!^^M-JHARPLES-W§ , i?M 
S3 75ShiAM COOKER 
FREE! ^ 
W ewant an active and intelligent man 
or woman torepresent us in each town. 
To those who are willing to work we 
Promise large profits. Looker and 
Jutfit freti. Apply at once, far Term*, 
WILJIOT I ASTLE & CO., llortiPHter N, V 
GRIND 
Ull 9 §1U OygterShells, 
l txraftmm Flour & Corn, in the 
CRHflND MILL (F pS"’ s 
_ 4*0 loo per cent, more made 
in keeping Poultry. Also POWER MILLS and 
FARM FEED MILLS. Circularsandtestimonials 
•ent on replication. WILSON BROS. Easton, Pa. 
GOULDS k AUSTIN, 
MANUFACTURERS, 
167 & 169 
LAKE STREET. 
CHICAGO, ILL 
EXCLUSIVE 
TERRITORY 
GIVEN TO 
ACTIVE 
AGENTS. 
Snltable for Private Residence*, Parka. Coort Hocaee, Cemeteries nw PablW 
Grounds— made either Plain or Ornamental Also, manufacturer* of the 
JEON TURBLNE WIND ENGINES, BUCKEYE FORCE PUMP*. 
BUCKEYE LAWN MOWERS, ETC 
fendfor Waatratod Catalogues and Price* to \ 
MAST, FOOS & CO., Sprinerffeld* Oh lOr 
Great Reduction! 
FK1NUK, Hidden Name and Floral 
Cards, lOO Album Fu tures, New 
Samples and this King, all 10 cents. 
Clinton «fc Co, North Iluven, Conn. 
MUSIC 
ANY PERSON CAY PLAY 
out PIANO AND ORGAN 
.aid of a teacher by using Soper’s 
Instantaneous Ctuide to the keys. No previous 
knowledge of music whatever required. Send for 
book of testimonials, frisk. Address SOPER 
MUSIC CO., box *4*7, NEW YORK, N. ¥• 
