WE RURAL 
753 
IVno among us is quite willing to acknowl¬ 
edge that his failures in life are the direct re¬ 
sult of his own slack hand? it is much m re 
comfortable to feel that circumstauces and 
conditions over which we have no control 
make or mar our lives, or that our failures 
are due to the-fact that we were not born with 
a golden spoon, or that “luck” (that fickle fel¬ 
low without a grain of justice), has passed 
us by. “Just my luck” I should translate into 
just my slack hand. And why not? 
NOTES. 
MARY WAGER FISHER. 
Rain coats ; mistake of house-builders; farm¬ 
house bath-room ; children's teeth ; Christ¬ 
mas f/ijts. 
For extraordinary wear, the gossamer, or 
rubber rain cloak, has its uses, undoubtedly; 
but from my own experience, and that of 
every woman whom I have heard express an 
opinion anent the gossamer, it is not an ad¬ 
visable expenditure for the average cloak 
wearer. It is a material that is both hot and 
cold, clammy, floppy, easily torn and very 
ugly to the eye, under whatever guise of de¬ 
sign and color it may appear. Under certain 
conditions of the atmosphere, it gathers 
moisture inside while being worn, and 
renders the clothing damp. What is far more 
serviceable, (except as regards bulk in travel¬ 
ing and a rain coat is rarely needed in 
traveling), is a fine, closely woven water 
proof, in gray, dark green, or navy blue. 
When well cut and fitted, this cloak is very 
pretty, and is wearable at all times, when a 
top-coat of only moderate warmth is required, 
while it is rain-proof as well. 
A common mistake made by house-builders, 
is in putting the water-closet in the bath¬ 
room, when it should, for obvious reasons, 
have its distinct entrance and lodgement. 
With a little planning, the plumbing for the 
two can be so connected as to make little differ¬ 
ence in the expense of construction. A bath¬ 
room in a farmer’s house, can, if located next 
the kitchen, be so arranged as to be warmed 
by the latter and serve as a toilet-room of ex¬ 
ceeding convenience. It should be on the 
sunny side of the house, and have an outside 
door. There is no need of a stationary wash¬ 
basin. Have instead a thin, wide board, that 
will reach across the bath tub: on this set the 
wash-basin. With this arrangement, the tub 
catches all the slop and splatter from ablu¬ 
tions. A looking-glass, a whisk-broom, and a 
box containing boot-blacking things are 
among essentials. As many more convenien¬ 
ces as there is room for may be added—hooks 
for coats and hats, closets for boots and slip¬ 
pers, and a shelf for medicines and lotions, 
For the greater pait of the year, an elevat< d 
rain-water tank would supply all the water 
needed. A room of such appointments is 
quickly found to be indispensable. The com¬ 
fort and convenience of it are immeasurable. 
An earth-closet is a far more fitting arrange¬ 
ment for a farm dwelling than a water-closet, 
which no one should put in his house when he 
can well avoid it. 
The way in which a good dentist will now 
transform the appearance of the teeth in a 
young person is so wonderful, that if parents 
can afford the expense, there is no reason why 
their boys and girls should go through life 
with an ugly mouth; and a fine set of teeth is 
at any time worth more than many hundreds 
of dollars to their possessor. Finery of every 
description can be dispensed with without 
loss, but the loss of teeth is irreparable. Arti¬ 
ficial teeth are, of course, better than none, 
but they are a sorry substitute for nature's 
gift. The way in which children’s teetli are 
often neglected is pitiful to see, an 1 a thou 
saudfold more so in children whose parents 
have the time and the money to trick them 
out in furbelows, and haven’t the sense to re¬ 
alize that a fine set of teeth are of more value 
in the way of personal attraction alone, than 
all the ruffles, laces and ribbpns their barns 
would hold. During the formative period of 
the teeth, clildreu should be carefully 
guarded from measles and kindred diseases, 
and their food should be of the most digesti¬ 
ble character, for a sweet and healthy stomach 
acts powerfully in favor of good teeth. Tooth 
powders and washes are rarely if ever neces¬ 
sary. A bit ot silk thread to run between the 
teeth, a soft brush—a stiff one injures the 
gums—clean water, and an occasional use of 
toilet soap or charcoal, pounded fine, are 
all that are needed for the ordinary care of 
the teeth. A tiny spade, whittled out of a 
piece of soft pine, will be of use with the 
charcoal in cleaning them of what the brush 
and water do not remove Hot foods and 
drinks, biting hard substances, thread, nuts 
and pins, everybody knows are harmful. 
3our apples, well masticated, flejp to the 
teeth of tartar, while a corner of the towel 
will polish them. 
Among the newest of Christmas gifts last 
year, were bottles covered with chamois skin. 
One was giveu me for a traveling bag. It is 
about eight inches high, and flat on two sides 
like a flask. The shammy is cut to fit each 
side, and the two pieces are laced together 
with very narrow orange ribbon. The leather 
extends far enough above the n ick to hide the 
rubber cork. On one side is sketched in ink 
the picture of a child, on the other the text 
u Bon Voyage!" Easy to make, pretty and 
useful to fill with cologne, bay rum, or alco¬ 
hol within. When parents have a family of 
children to provide for at the Yule-tid* 1 , and 
there is a desire to make the money do the 
most good, it is worth while to consider some 
one thing that will be a benefit and comfort 
to them combined, as a large dictionary, an 
illustrated book on Natural History which 
interests every child, or a good reading lamp 
around which they can gather in the long 
winter evenings, maybe a hanging one, not 
readily upset. Parents who are in full sympa¬ 
thy with their children can very soon teach 
them the gain derived from putting the cost 
of gew gaws and toys into objects of perma¬ 
nent value, and make them feel that it is best 
so to do. The way in which poor people 
squander money, makes one feel that a great 
many children are never taught its value, or 
how best to spend it. 
KITCHEN TALKS 
ANNIE L. JACK 
A GIRL’S THOUGHTS ABOUT BOYS. 
kitchen floor that their sisters have to clean 
as they would be of Mrs. Gilmer’s near-by, 
if they went in to spend an evening. I know 
boys who go into the parlor with their clothes 
full of dust, who whittle a stick on the carpet, 
and put their boots on the sofa, leaving mud 
stains on the pretty upholstery, and if spoken 
to ever so gently they retort—“Well, I don’t 
see why a fellow can’t do as he likes at 
home ”—as if that word was to cover all the 
carelessness and rudeness that could be put 
upon the long suffering home-keepers who 
have a desire to be tidy and neat. I believe 
in the freedom of a home, and making it as 
pleasant as possible in recreation and genial 
companionship, but I do not think it ought to 
exclude courtesy aud gentleness, because the 
young ladies there are “only sisters.” 
MYRTLE MERIDEN. 
Madame De Gasparin wrote: “Nothing is 
lost; nothing is useless; not a sigh, a joy, a 
sorrow that has not its purpose. ” I sometimes 
wonder what becomes of the pins; for they 
are surely lost, and what earthly use to us are 
the superfluous wet days that seem to over¬ 
whelm us. They make house-cleaning seem of 
itself “lost” time, aud everything grows dreary 
exc< pt the brightness of the home Are. If one 
only had the moral courage to throw away 
old accumulations, old hats, old boots, old 
canes and other useless articles, leaves of 
books that once were treasures, leav< s ot life 
that now are useless to us! But if there is 
aDy tenacity in us we cling to old garments, 
and to old memories, not caring to destroy 
them By the kitchen fire to-day the work goes 
on, the stockings must be darned, children 
must be prepared for winter, all the house 
must be cleaned and protected against the cold 
weather The work of the house-wife at this 
season may not be seen and proclaimed on 
the house tops, but it is none the less severe and 
full of care if the family is large. And so 
life goes on with 
"Duties enough and little cares, 
Aud now was quiet, now astir.” 
as the varied work fills up the measure of 
the days. 
Tne grapes this season ripened with us all 
but several baskets of culls that are to be 
made into jelly. They are fine, large juicy 
grapes; out not thoroughly ripened and make 
a jelly that is good for colds, and a pleasant 
drink as well as a grateful addition to game. 
It is better if a little gelatine is put in; thus 
making it surer to “ jell.” We are very 
thankful that enough sunshine came to 
us to ripen our vineyard fruit, as in many 
places further south the fruit was frozen still 
green on the vines. 
We are rejoicing in plenty of vegetables 
and fruit and L often think, as I see the free 
dom with which they are used in our kitchen, 
that we do not half value them as we would 
if purchasing the same quantity at the city 
market. But there are great pleasures and 
economy in having a garden that will furnish 
all that is required even to the late peas that 
1 am now canning aud that come in nicely to 
fill the jars emptied since the first strawber¬ 
ries were put up. 
The honey too is all put up in jars, for we 
keep those busy workers, the bees, and think 
them very useful adjuncts to our garden and 
fruit orchards. 
WORTHLESS CHIMNEYS. 
One matter of domestic economy of great 
interest to the public, is that of lamp 
chimneys, which cause half the expense of 
lights. Where and how can one get those 
that will not break from heat? They are a 
possibility, tor many a housekeeper has used 
one for years with frequent washings, only to 
he smashed at last by accident. Many last 
until the first washing, which somehow causes 
them to crack after a short time even on un¬ 
lighted lamps. They are, of course, imper¬ 
fectly tempered and the makers evidently 
think it for their interest not to have them 
last long. But are there no honest manu¬ 
facturers of lamp chimneys? subscriber. 
piccalilli. 
One peck of green tomatoes, twice the 
quantity of cabbage, eight green peppers, a 
small teacupful of salt. Chop and mix well 
and put into a colander to drain over-night. 
Ihe next day boil one quart of vinegar, pour 
it over the mixture and let stand till next 
day. Squeeze dry, then put in half a cup of 
mustard seed, one tablespoonful of allspice and 
cloves, one cup of horseradish, three omonsi 
if you like them, one pound of sugar (or, if 
you like it sweet, two pounds), mix thorough, 
ly together. Boil half a gallon of good cider 
vinegar and turn over the pickles which 
should be in a stone jar. Put a thin white 
cloth over the top, then an old plate with 
weight enough to keep the pickles under the 
vinegar. MRS. R. w. williams. 
AYER’S CHERRY PECTORAL is the 
best of all cough cures. It allays Inflamma¬ 
tion of the throat and speedily removes irri¬ 
tating mucus from the bronchial passages. 
Mrs. L. P. Cutler, 47 North Washington 
so.. New York City, says : "When I was a 
girl of 17 I had a cough, with profuse night 
sweats, and Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral cured 
me. 1 have recommended this preparation 
in scores of similar cases.” 
Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral, 
Prepared by Dr. J.C. Ayer &Co.,Lowell, Mass. 
Sold all by Druggists. Price $1; six bottles, §□. 
BROWN’S FRENCH DRESSING 
The Original. Beware ot Imitations. 
AWARDED HIGHEST PRIZE AND ONLY 
0 -;C v 
TmII knaA.4 A l 
iSlilteiiiKsra 
'»tnS*/>3 
3T ^-r^t 
Every now aud then there comes out in the 
newspapers an article about being good to the 
boys, as if they were a specially ill-used race 
of beings. It is all as if they must not be 
spoken to, but must run through life as wild 
as a lot of colts, without any limits or bounds. 
“Oh mothers,” says one writer, “endure the 
mud stains on your parlor carpet, the scratch¬ 
es on the furniture, for bye and bye your 
boys will be men and be with you no more.’) 
Aud I do not see why they should put “mud” 
and “scratches” anywhere, simply because 
they are boys, or why they should not be as 
careful of their mother’s parlor-carpet and 
furniture, or of W tbeu mothers 
MEDAL, PARIS EXPOSITION, 1878, 
Highest Award New Orleans Exposition. 
Wells,Richardson & Co’s 
Improved 
utter 
r. 
EXCELS in 
Cola 
f STRENGTH 
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 & Go’s Improved Butter Color. 
Three sizes, 25 c. 50 c. $ 1 . 00 . For sale everywhere. 
WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO. Burlington, Vt. 
DIAMOND DYES 
are the Purest, Cheap¬ 
est,Strongest, and most 
Durable Dyes ever made. 
One I <)c. package will color 
1 to 4 pounds of Dress Goods, GannentB.Yarns, Rags, 
etc Unequalled for Feathers, Ribbons, and all Faney 
Dyeing. Also Diamond Paints, for Gilding, Bronz¬ 
ing etc. Any color Dye or Paint, with full instructions 
ami sample card mailed for 10 cents. At all Druggists 
WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO., BURLINGTON, VT . 1 
(33 Colors.) 
QOLl? MEDAL, PAEI2, 1878, 
BAKER’S 
Warranted absolutely pure 
Cocoa, from which the excess of 
Oil has been removed. It has 
times the strength of Cocoa mixed 
with Starch, Arrowroot or Sugar, 
and is therefore far more economl- 
ca coating leas than one cent a 
cut It is delicious, nourishing, 
strengthening, easily digested, and 
admirably adapted for Invalids 
well as for persona in health. 
Sold by Grocers eve rywhere. 
f. BAKES & CO.. Dorchester, Mass. 
..uimm 
ORGANS from 
$500. 
PIANOS FROM 
$150to$1500.Utill4 $35 to 
Famous for Beauty, Sweetness, 
Durability. No Agents. Sent 
from factory direct to purchaser. 
Yon save the enormous expenses 
■ of agents. Guaranteed six 
) yearn, and sent for trial in your 
own home. VICTORIOUS for 
| SO YEARS. Catalogue free. 
Uarchal & Smith,235 E.21st St. IT. Y 
<t7c; nn tn DO A Month can De mane 
4> / -’ uu ID working for us. Agents 
preferred who can furnish a horse and give (heir whole 
time lo the business. Spare moments may lie profitably 
employed also. A few vacs notes In towns and cities. 
B. F. JOHNSON & CO.. 1009 Main St.. Richmond. Va. 
S5 
to $8 a day. Samples worth #1.50, FREE. Lines 
not under the horse’s feet. Write Brewster 
8 atctv Rein Holder Co.. Holly, Mi oh. 
p W Live at homo and make more money working for nt* thaa 
uWafvi at anything elso in the world. Either aex. Coetly outfit 
riiTLit TenuB FJcuu. Addreaa, Titus it Co.. Auguata. Maine. 
APCK1TC WANTED. Men or Women. Address 
HUll II I O SWEDISH MFG. CO., Pittsburg, Pa. 
n pCkITC for Catalogue of hundredeof usciul Artt 
C uCII I O cies less than Wholesale Price! Agts.and 
Dealers sell large quantities. CHICAGO SOAI.K CO.. Chicago. 
__ 830 a week and expenses 
Samples worth §5 and particulars 
VICKERY, Augusta, Maine. 
M FOR ALL 
paid. Sampl 
free. P. O. ’ 
LOOK 
IIELIE 
AGENTS 
and farmers with no experience make $‘.£.50 an 
hour during spare time. J.V. Kenyon, Glens Falls, 
N. Y., made $18 one day, $76.50 one week. 
So can you. Proofs and catalogue free. 
J. E. Shepard &Co.. Cincinnati. O. 
L 
fBERAL SALARY and EXPENSES of 
... coming to our oihee tor 
1 111 ■ ■ " preparation, paid to 
Agents to sell books on our plan Salary not condi¬ 
tional on sttles. $75 to $;iOO per month can be made, 
also, without coming here. Full particulars will surprise 
you. JOHN C. WINSTON & (JO., Pliilada. or Ohioago. 
To-day' is important. Yesterday has gone. 
To-moi row n< ver comes. Take care of your 
cough to-dav by using Warner’s Log Cabin 
Cough and Consumption Remedy. It is a 
sure cure. 
ASTHMA 
DR. 
TAFT’S ASTHMALINE 
pilSCn never fails to Cure. 
Any one who wants to beWWn*»D can send us 
address arid we will mail trial bottle | 
Da TAFT BROS., Rochester, N. Y. 
their 
‘iRow td Use a Ra?or/' 
MORE THAN 10 000 DOUBTING THMOA8FS 
Who read this paper every month, have seen our advertisement 
here for years, yet have not tried our 
knives. This is humiliating to us. Take 
the knife shown here now. If blades were 
hoop iron, 50c. would be cheap for It But 
blades are of 
highest quality 
el. 
razor s*eel. Eve¬ 
ry blade is flle- 
tested and 
known to be 
good before 
sending out. It 
is cheap for a sil 
ver dollar, but 
our price is,50c. 
postpaid; 5 for*2 
Sena for our 64- 
page free list, al 
so. 
TOLEDp, OWIQ, 
PtD®er, 
