rooms, and what it cost. There will be nothing 
ideal about this article—nothing except what 
was done in a little village within 20 miles of 
New York City. 
In making a pretty home those who are 
beginning married life with moderate means, 
possess two advantages over wealthier people, 
or those whose houses may be already furnish¬ 
ed. In the first place, they are obliged to 
use every nook and corner of their tiny house 
aud thus turn it all into one living Aom-e, and, 
in the second, if they have no furniture to 
start with they have nothing ugly to get rid 
of, or to keep per force, because they cannot 
afford to replace it. 
To begin with, the little parlor, which in 
its bare state was anything but “the prettiest 
little parlor that ever you did spy,” had walls 
of a most uncompromising white, which the 
tender-hearted landlord was cajoled into 
covering with a pretty neutral-tmted paper 
with flowers of gold and brown running over 
it in a fine pattern. It was a very cheap 
paper costing only 15 cents a roll, and as 
Nettie explained in her winning way, would 
save a world of whitewashing. The ceiling 
was tinted a greenish-gray,and around the wall 
next the ceiling was a frieze of maroon paper 
with an arabesque of gold running over it. 
It was decided at once that a carpet was 
inadmissible, since anything desirable for 
beauty and durability would swallow up half 
their slender resources. Three remnants of 
matting, comprising over 40 } ards, were pur¬ 
chased for §13. This was the seamless variety 
which sells at 50 cents per yard, and it in¬ 
volved considerable shopping to find three 
desirable remnants, which, of course, must 
be exactly alike. The pattern was a green 
and pale brick color on a cream ground, and 
the quantity sufficient for the parlor and 
spare bed-room which opened out of it with 
folding doors. Opposite these was the only 
window—a large and deep bay window— 
taking in nearly the whole front of the rojm. 
This recess, of course, it was quite impossible 
to cover neatly with the matting, so it was 
stained oak, as was also the space, about two 
yards square, in front of the open fire place. 
It was an old-fashioned village house, the 
bay-window being a concession to modern 
times. After two coats of the stain were ap¬ 
plied, a third of shellac varnish was given. 
Cost, 50 cents. 
As all the larger and more necessary things 
were to be purchased first, the seats and 
table next claimed attention, and Tom being 
a bit of a student when his office work was 
done, book-shelves and a library table were 
considered absolutely necessary. The space 
between the windows aud fire-place at the 
side of the room, was filled with shelves, six 
in number, of plain pine, with a handsome 
piece of molding in ash across the top. The 
cat penter work was done by one of N ettie’s 
boy admirers who considered her approaching 
marriage to Tom as “hard on the rest of the 
fellows,'’ but did not on that account abate 
•one jot or tittle of his own devotion. The 
boards cost two dollars, and were stained 
with the remain? of the jar of paint purchased 
for the floor of the bay-window. From a 
brass rod in front of this was suspended a 
thin curtain of Japanese silk, old gold in 
color, across which Nettie, who painted very 
prettily in water colors, had designed a trail¬ 
ing vine of clematis in its fall dress of deep 
reds with clusters of purple berries. 
The library table was of oak, with a crim?on 
felt top, and co.-t §10. A lounge, and a great, 
restful, sleepy hollow chair were purchased 
direct from the manufacturers (stuffed, but 
not upholstered), at a cost of §10. An exquis¬ 
itely pretty cretonne, with a net-work of vines 
in wood colors, and deep red and gold flowers 
on a cream-colored ground, cost §1. This Net¬ 
tie put on herself. “ When I can afford it,” 
said she, “ and the cretonne is faded or soiled, 
I can have them upholstered with furniture 
covering.” A bamboo rocker and three light 
chairs cost §15 A long pole and rings in ash 
for the bay window, and another for the fold¬ 
ing doors, cost 75 cents each. The curtains 
were of Madras gauze, and the required 12 
yards; cost §6. 
The mantel was a great high, black wooden 
horror. It was awkwardly narrow, and a 
board of the proper width was laid across it. 
This was covered with a scarf of dark cardi¬ 
nal cotton plush, which hung about a foot 
over the front, aud at the ends fell nearly half 
way to the floor. The edges were bordered 
w ith bands of cretonne, the pattern being out¬ 
lined in colored tinsel, aud appliqued with 
floss in crazy stitches. This work is quickly 
done, anil resembles oriental stuff; cost, §1. 
The mantel decorations were gifts. A couple 
of antique jars (heirlooms, for Nettie’s grand 
father had been a sea-captain), gave a look of 
quaint elegance to the top of the book-case, 
and for pictures, all that our youpg folks 
could afford at present were a few etchings 
collected from art publications, and framed 
i» ash and cfierry, at % cost of 3Q pepts oactj- 
So far only §55 had been spent, and the par¬ 
lor, with its quiet harmony of color, looked 
far more expensively furnished than it really 
was. 
The bed-room and dining-room were still 
empty, and the little purse was running low. 
The bed was of stained wood resembling 
cherry, plain in style, and all the richer-look- 
ing for its very plainness. With springs and 
mattress it cost §23, aud a good mirror 
framed in the same wood cost §5. The room 
contained a corner-stand, with running wa¬ 
ter, which saved the cost of that article. A 
bureau was not to be thought of, so the boy¬ 
friend was again pressed into service. A 
large dry-goods box was purchased for 25 
cents, and placed on end, and three shelves 
were made from the cover. Over the top of 
the box was tacked a thick piece ot old cloth, 
and over this a pretty flowered cretonne show¬ 
ing pale pink and rose-colored buds with pale 
green vines on a cream ground. A full cur¬ 
tain ran all around the box, and the shelves 
were lined with paper and used for under¬ 
wear the same as bureau drawers. The cush¬ 
ion and toilet articles were placed on top, and 
the mirror hung above. Three boxes of dif¬ 
ferent sizes were purchased for seats. These 
were all provided with rollers, and had the 
tops arranged as lids by the aid of hinges and 
screws. The largest was used for storing 
winter cloaks and dresses, the next in si^e for 
bed-linen, and the smallest for shoes. They 
were all padded on top, and covered with 
cretonne like that used for the dressing-case, 
and, when closed, made very comfortable 
seats. 
The boxes and cretonne for this cost §3.00. 
This use of cretonne may be objected to as not 
economical on account of its liability to fade 
and show dirt, but I have two sitting-room 
easy-chairs covered with cretonne, that have 
been in use for eight years, and make a toler¬ 
able appearance still. It is much better to 
tack all these covers on tightly, as loose 
covers soil much more easily by* getting 
wrinkled aud crumpled. A light rocker with 
a splint seat and back was added for §2. 
The hall, was a wide, old-fashioned one,with 
doors at opposite sides, one leading into the 
parlor, the other into the dining-room. The 
floors of course were first to be con-idered, and 
an excellent quality of red matting was pur¬ 
chased for both, costing §11. This would not be 
a serviceable floor covering for a family of half- 
grown boys with heavy boots, but with ordi¬ 
nary care, and by turning once or twice, it 
will look very well for three years, aud can be 
used in bed-rooms as much longer. Once a 
month it should be wiped with a cloth dipped 
in a pail of lukewarm water containing a 
haudful of salt, changing the water as often 
as it gets soiled. This freshens it aud keeps it 
from getting cracked and broken. The two 
dining-room windows were Sited with plain 
ecru holland shades, which, with spring roll¬ 
ers complete, cost §1.50 each. A very pretty 
dining table capable of seating eight persons, 
cost §10, and was in imitation of cherry. 
Six chairs cost §9, and the effect of both was 
infinitely richer than furniture of the same 
price in walnut would have been. 
Four dollars still remained, and with this 
the crowning touch of elegance was added to 
the little house. At the two doors opening 
from either side of the hall, wore hung 
portieres of a ricb-looking striped oriental 
goods. The doors were low, and five yards of 
the material were sufficient. It cost 60 cents 
a yard; the rods and rings were 37 cents each, 
“And now,” said Nettie triumphantly, “I have 
25 cents left for candy, and I have furnished 
my house for §125.” 
GOLDEN GRAINS. 
“Let Your Light So Shine,” says the 
Master. The Christian Union adds, the first 
condition of letting a light shine is having a 
light. To be luminous is the first duty of the 
Christian. There are some people who im¬ 
press you by their rectitude, while they 
equally repel you. They send out their vir¬ 
tues, not as the sun sends out rays of light, 
but as a hedgehog sends out quills. They are 
irritatingly good. The little girl who did not 
want to go to heaven if grandpa was going 
there, only spoke o_t what a great many 
people have felt. You have consecrated your¬ 
self to Christ, and want to begin at once 
Christian service. What can you do? Be a 
Christian. If you are a thorough Christian, 
you will be an attractive one. 
Uncle Peter’s wisdom: De national growl 
shows de national cha’acter. We doan hear 
uuffin ’bout de wimmiu’s high hats obstructin’ 
de view o’ de pulpit... 
It’s bettah ter hab a green patch on de base- 
men’ o’ yo yaller pants dan ter sport seven 
dollab trousahs an’ hab ter do de sneak act 
eb’ry time yo see yo tailor... 
Beecher said there never was aud there 
never will be unity of doctrine, because men’s 
minds are not alike. There will never be 
unity of theories of government, because 
some men are democratic and some are aristo¬ 
cratic in their cradles. There never wi.l be 
unity in regard to any of the educating appa¬ 
ratus of the church. The only unity this 
world will ever see, or that God wants it to 
see, is unity of spirit, unity of love, of sym¬ 
pathy, of helpfulness. 
Judge not: 
What looks to thy dim eyes a stain. 
In God’s pure light may be 
A scar, brought from some well-worn field, 
Where thou wouldst only faint and yield. 
Who shall set a limit to the influence of a 
human being? Asks Mr. Beecher. There are 
men, who, by their sympathetic attractions, 
carry nations with them, and lead the activity 
of the human race. 
Our helm is given up to a better guidance 
than our own: the course of events is quite 
too strong for any helmsman, and our little 
wherry is taken in tow by the ship of the 
great Admiral which knows the way, and has 
the force to draw men and States and planets 
to their good. 
Dr Arnold, of Rugby, writes in one of 
his letters. The most certain softeners of a 
man’s moral skin and sweeteners of his blood 
are, I am sure, domestic intercourse in a 
happy marriage, and intercourse with the 
poo**. 
The Sunday School Times very aptly 
reminds its readers of the importance 
of cutting short the Christmas or anniversary 
celebration. It says that the programme is 
always too long. The only person who has 
any doubt on this point is the one who ar¬ 
ranges the programme; and he is likely to sea 
his mistake after it is too late to correct it 
What an opening there is here for one wise 
man in the world! . 
It is a peculiarity of the scrub-oak, says 
a writer in the Christian Union, that 
its tough, leathery leaves do not fall 
off in the autumn, but may be seen with¬ 
ered, curled up, and clinging to the boughs all 
through the winter, and they cannot be torn 
away even by the boi-terous winds of March. 
But the time comes when they must loosen 
their hold. When the sap begins to flow in 
the spring, the new leaf-bud emerges from its 
hiding-place, and pushes off the old leaf. It 
is so with our old sinful habits. We do not 
succeed in tearing them off from us by strong 
resolutions. It is only when there is a new 
life within, when we enter into the conscious¬ 
ness that God is love and that he is our 
Father, when we begin out of sheer gratitude 
to 9erve Him—it is then that, by virtue of the 
activities of the Christain life, we slough off 
the old evil habits, finding that we have no 
more use for them than a snake has for last 
year’s skin. 
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 
sq., 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. 
Hold all by Druggists. Price $1; six bottles, $5. 
tHEmrif SEAMLESS 
FOOT WARMER 
tUrong. Woven by hand. Lined with 
wool. If your dealer has none, order _ 
Ot us. Ladies' size jit I.ail. Men's 
$ 1.60. Sent postaid to 
any addres. Write plainly. ' 
We advertise in the early 
Winter only, but fill orders _ 
•1 the year. W. H. DICK, Mfr., Dullsville, N. Y. 
SOMETHING NEW! 
Those who have seen or used one of the 
“Kodak ” Cameras, must cease to believe that 
there is “ nothing new under the sun.” The 
“Kodak” is totally unlike anythiug else in 
the world, and presents a system by which 
most perfect pictures can be taken by anybody. 
As a Holiday Gift, it certainly eclipses eve¬ 
rything. It is beautiful, novel and useful. 
Are the fiEsT, 
Sowier Daceeim. 
Wells,Richardson & Co’s 
rolor. 
f STRENGTH 
EXCELS IN J 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, 35 c. 50 c. $ 1 . 00 . For sale everywhere. 
WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO. Burlington, lit. 
(33 Colors .) DIAMOND DYES 
are the Purest. Cheap- 
est,Strongest, and most 
Durable Dyos ever made. 
One I Oc. package will color 
i to 4 pounds of Dress Goods, Garments,Yarns, Rags, 
etc. Unequalled for Feathers, Itibbons. and all Facey 
Dyeing. 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. 
ruses '-.UNIVERSITY 
8150 to $1500- _ __ 
Famous for Beauty, Sweetness, 
r. * Sent 
ORGANS from 
835 to 8500. 
Durability. No Agents. _ 
from factory direct to purchaser. 
You save the enormous ewpensos 
'of agents. Guaranteed hLt 
years, and sent for trial In your 
own home. VICTORIOUS for 
SO YEARS. Catalogue free. 
Marchal & Cmith,235 S. 21ot St. N. 7 1 
Beautiful New Upright, Piano, 
Rosewood Oase, only $105. New 
Organs, only $31 Greatest Bar¬ 
gain? Ever Offered. Est. 28 Years. 
GEM PIANO & ORGAN CO. 
Washington, N. J., U. S. A. 
Cl| SC MOUSTACHE and lllus't’d cata'ogue for ICo 
m a for 25c. Thurber & Co., Bay Shore, N.Y 
<£7^ DO tn <£9^0 Of) A month can oe maae 
to workln(? for us . Agents 
preferred who can furnish a horse and give their whole 
tim" 10 the business. Spare moments may be profitably 
employed also. A few vacancies in towns and cities. 
B. F. JOHNSON & CO.. 1009 Main St.. Richmond. Va. 
TOOLS 
for cleaning Watches and Clocks $l*i, Ad¬ 
dress A. SITHEUBY, Belmont. N Y. 
to $8 a lay. Samples worth #1.50, FREE Lines 
not under the horse’s feet. Write Brewster 
Safetv Rein Holder Go., Holly. Mian. 
SOLD 
W1LK.IL. 
Lire at homo and make more money working for no fha* 
I nt anything elso in the world. Either ocx Costly outfit 
Terms jfKiCk. Address, TRUK St Co.. Augusta. Main®. 
2 PPI|TC for Catalogue of hundred* of use Ini Artl 
UGH I O cles less than Wholesale Prices. Aprts. and 
Dealerssell larsro Quantities. CHICAGO SCALE CO. « Chicago. 
BE8T OFFER \ 5T. For f*nl« we will mail yon this 8toa# Boi 
King, the fimoiu Bird Coll or Pfairie Whistle, with which to* 
can imitate any Bird or Animal, and onr new Book of Agent* 
8ample Caida. Addrsaa. BANNER CARD CO., CADIZ. O&IO. 
AGENTS 5SS5 
and farmers with no experience make $‘.£.50 no 
boor during spare time. J.V. Kenyon, Glens Falls. 
N. Y., made $18 one day, $76.50 one week. 
80 can you. Proofs and catalogue free. 
J. E. Shepard <fc Co.. Cincinnati. (X 
PRESSEY’S BROODER. S3S&SS 
Hammonton Incubators, two sizes, $25 and $15. Lang- 
shan Fowls and Eggs for sale. Circulars free. 
G, \V. PUhsSEY. Hammonton, N. J. 
RUPTURE 
a Vo eh ’ s 7 EI e c t r i cTRUSS 
^Jj! warranted Best Truss made, to CURB 
■••uj ''aU Curable cftHesorKefund .Honey. Only 
Genuine Electric Truss in World. Perfect 
Retainer, Gives instant relief,speedycure 
EaseandConifortdnyand night.This New 
Invention combines science,durabilityand 
^ Power. Price#:* A#5. Illus.pamphlet free. 
THE SANDEN ELECTRIC CO., Broadway & i-_>iiist., NEW YORK 
General Advertising 1 Rates of 
THB RURAL NSW - YOREBR. 
34 PARK ROW, NEW YORK. 
The following rates are invariable. All are there¬ 
fore respectfully informed that any correspondence 
with a view to obtaining different terms will prove 
futile. 
Ordinary Advertisements, per agate line (this 
sized type, 14 lines to the Inch).30 cants. 
One thousand lines or more,within one year 
from date of first Insertion, per agate line, 25 “ 
Yearly orders occupying 14 or more lines 
agate space.35 “ 
Preferred positions.25 per cent, extra. 
Reading NoOloes, ending with “Adv.,” per 
line, minion leaded.75 cents. 
Terms of Subscription. 
The subscription price of the Rural, New Yorker Is: 
Single oopy, per year.$2.00 
“ “ Six months. 1.18 
Great Britain. Ireland, Australia and 
Germany, per year, post-paid. $3.04 (12s. Sd.) 
France. 8.04(16*fr.) 
French Colonies. 4.08 (2944 fr.) 
Agents will be supplied with canvassing ontflt oe 
application. 
.WaP&re* at the Posi-otca* at New tor a OH*y, iy 3 , 
M qettnlKl-4kfifl 
