4889 
THE BUBAL WEW-YOBKEB. 
374 
at him, for I have a great fondness for chil¬ 
dren. He returned the smile in the friendliest 
manner possible. Then I said, “Will you 
shake handsl” He did so. Finally I said, 
“ Oh! but you’re a sweet little thing!’' —Im¬ 
agine my surprise when he responded “ You 
lie.” The dear little thing hadn’t the faiutest 
idea what that meant, and his poor mother 
was covered with confusion, but he had heard 
it. Children are like looking glasses. They 
reflect what passes before them; unpleasant 
as well as pleasant pictures. Again I say, 
be careful , especially in regard to trifles, or 
what to us may seem such. 
Never, busy mother, be too busy to give 
your child a smile, or a pleasant word. It 
may do far more good than you can imagine, 
and it is such a trifling thing to do! I re¬ 
member that, when a child, I worshipped a 
lady and would have done anything for her, 
because once she patted my head, smiled, and 
called me “dear.” I thought her the most 
lovely of all women, and I wouldn’t for the 
world have done anything that she would not 
like. Since I have grown up I look back in 
wonder at my adoration of this lady, for she 
is homely and plain in every way—but my 
love for her and my desire for her approval 
kept me from doing many a naughty thing. 
“ Great things from small beginnings rise 
Sands make the mountains, and trifles, life.” 
DOHA HAKVEY VROOMAN. 
elements. Half an ounce of seed will furnish 
mere plants than a small garden needs, but it 
is a paying crop to grow and needs no re¬ 
planting. The Conover’s Colossal is retlly 
as good as any variety. 
AROUND THE HOUSE. 
ANNIE L. JACK. 
TO WASH AND IRON COLORED GOODS. 
A DD one pint of salt and two handfuls of 
meal to three gallons of water. Stir 
until the salt is dissolved, put in the goods, 
wet evenly and let stand one-halt hour. Then 
wash, dip into scalding water, rinse in two 
waters, blue, hang up wrong side out and I 
think you will find the colors clear and bright. 
When ready to iron, sprinkle lightly and iron 
with a very hot iron on the wrong side. 
Never expose colors to the sunlight during 
the washing process as it will dim them. 
MRS. W. S. WAITE. 
around the stove-pipe and fasten a hook'on 
it, so that the stove iron may hang up. If 
there is a bracket on the 3tove, a hook can be 
fastened so that a large cup or dipper can be 
hung upon it; then when the men come in to 
wash the first words won’t be “Where is the 
dipper ?” Another handy article is the kitch¬ 
en bangle beard. Take a thin piece of board 
about 16 inches long and seven wide and if 
you haven’t anything better than a piece of 
black cloth, tack that smoothly over the 
board. Take a piece of red braid 2% inches 
long and tack each end of the braid to the 
beard; this makes a place for the shears. Then 
below put in a number of brass-headed tacks 
to hang button-hooks on. Draw a brass chain 
quite tightly across the board and drive a 
tack in at each end. This makes a good place 
for pencils and pen-holders and all such 
things. Then there is no excuse for not keep¬ 
ing things picked up. 
MARY BENNETT. 
The best preventive of the fading of cotton 
goods that I have found is potato water. Peel 
and grate Irish potatoes in soft water enough 
to wash the goods—say a dozen medium-sized 
potatoes to two buckets of water—warm and 
strain and if the goods are greasy use soap, if 
not, none is needed. Starch and iron on the 
wrong side. edna m. haskell. 
T HE birds are so wild with the excitement 
of the beauty around them that their 
music is incessant, and city guests complain 
of the early awaking. Their music seems 
more excellent than ever this spring, and I 
say that it is because the sportsman of the 
family has taken a farm of his own, and with 
it his gun. He is a Bohemian student of na¬ 
ture, but has not yet learned Emerson’s test 
of forbearance 
“Hast thou named all the birds without a gun? 
Found the wood rose and left It on the stalk?” 
The robins are vagrants of the forest and 
seem happy everywhere, in a tree or rasp¬ 
berry bush, where they build so as to be con¬ 
venient to the choicest fruit. We try to pro¬ 
tect the birds, but they have many enemies 
among their own kind, and blackbirds and 
sparrows rob the nests of other birds and 
drive them away. 
The hyacinths and many other plants have 
succumbed to the unusual ivinter, for we had 
a wet autumn, with alternate freezings and 
thawings without snow in the early part of 
the winter, and the effects can now be seen. 
Poor pear trees ! Planted with such hopes, 
they have dwindled away, and this year suf¬ 
fered worse than for many seasons. 
Our favorite, the Golden Queen raspberry, 
and its friend, the Cuthbert, have been 
winter-killed, and show dead tops with a car¬ 
pet of green suckers on the ground. It is the 
same in the neighborhood of Montreal where 
fruit growers have plowed up their strawberry 
land and planted corn, or some other green 
crop. 
I talked of entering the lists in the Potato 
Contest, but concluded it was not for me, 
who have plenty of out-of-door exorcise, and 
almost live in the garden, but for those who 
do not know or enjoy the delights of planting 
and watching, caring for and harvesting a 
crop. It is a noble undertaking, and will lead 
to many important results, besides bringing 
roses to pale cheeks. I am glad so many havo 
shown their interest, and bye and bye they 
may be able to say, quoting again from Em¬ 
erson. 
“ All my hurts my garden spade can heal.” 
Iu the house we are busy as usual, and the 
advanced season makes work pressing. Our 
hard-wood floors make house cleaning muen 
lighter work than whore there are many car¬ 
pets, but the oiling aud shellac polishing that 
have to be done after the cleaning is over, 
are an arduous task. But, then, the work is 
so very beautiful when finished, that it is 
worth the trouble. 
I asked one of the girls what she was doing 
with a piece of blue-beech wood chopped flue 
at the end after the fashion of a paint-brush. 
She said it was a “ pot scrubber” made to go 
into the corners. Ours was of home manu¬ 
facture, but such things can be bought I be¬ 
lieve. All these little labor-saving contriv¬ 
ances are worth knowing. 
The unexpected heat has brought out the 
blossoms of fruit trees at least two weeks too 
early for this climate, aud we are fearing a 
cold spell may yet come. Asparagus is a 
week earlier than usual, and we enjoy it plen¬ 
tifully. It is a vegetable that should be on 
every farmer’s table, being equal to eggs in 
nutritive properties, and containing the same 
Before the goods are wet dissolve one 
handful of fine salt in a pail of water, in 
which soak the goods for one hour or until 
they are well soaked through. Then wash in 
the usual mauner, rinse in water that has 
plenty of bluing. If starch is required that 
also should have bluiDg in it. All colored 
goods should be dried in the shade and ironed 
on the wrong side. mrs. g. s. bullis. 
I always take clean hot suds and wash as 
quickly as possible; then scald them a few 
minutes (not boil). When I think they have 
scalded sufficiently, I take them fi\m the 
boiler and rub them lightly with the wash¬ 
board, to get the suds all out; then I rinse 
well aud dry. If any article requires careful 
treatment to keep it from fading, or if I want 
to keep the colors from mingling, I rinse in 
borax, alum or salt water. I think a great 
deal of the faded appearance of calicoes is due 
to careless sudsing and rinsing. When the 
suds are not well washed out they not only 
rot the goods but give them a dull, faded ap¬ 
pearance, and in ironing most colored goods 
look best if ironed on the wrong side, espec¬ 
ially dark ones. mrs. ella kinne. 
ODDS AND ENDS. 
TO DO UP SHIRTS AND COLLARS. 
A FTER shirts and collars are nicely washed 
and rinsed in two waters—one clear and 
the last with a little bluing in it—I wring 
them out in boiled starch made by dissolving 
the amount of starch required in a little cold 
water, then pouring over it boiling water 
and stirring it at the same time, until it is of 
the thickness required and looks cooked. 
Hang out to dry and when ready to iron, 
starch again in cold starch made by adding 
cold water enough at first to dissolve the 
starch. I then add a small pinch of salt to 
keep the irons from sticking, and then pour 
on cold water enough for the amount required. 
Wring out collars first and roll up in a dry 
towel; then the shirts, folding the dry part 
of the shirt over the starched portion and roll 
up snug. Iron in one or two hours. Rub the 
articles with a clean cloth to get off all loose 
starch, iron quickly, finishing up collars and 
cuffs by shaping them round and pinning one 
and putting the rest inside. Put in a warm 
place to got dry and stiff. I use a bosom 
board for the shirts. I am careful to starch 
and straighten the bosom and to rub well 
with a cloth before commencing to iron. 
When ironed hang in a warm place to dry. 
MRS. J. R. H. 
COFFEE OR SPICE CAKE. 
N OW is the time to put away winter 
dresses. If the children’s flannel or 
woolen dresses are spotted and greasy, wash 
them carefully before putting them away. 
The best way to do this is to add borax to the 
water in which you wash them. Dissolve a 
large table-spoonful of borax in a pint of boil¬ 
ing water; put about a third of it in the first 
suds in which the garment is to be washed. 
(Never rub soap directly on woolen goods). 
Another third in the next water, and the re¬ 
mainder in the rinsing water. Shake the gar¬ 
ments thoroughly before hanging up to dry. 
* ^ * 
The Woman's World gives the following 
directions for cleaning black silk, and, after 
trying it, I can heartily recommend it. 
Thinking that some of the Rural readers 
may find it useful I give it to them. 
Take ammonia and alcohol—one part of 
ammonia to three of alcohol—add half as 
much hot wafer, aud laying the silk over an 
old sheet folded in four thicknesses, rub well 
with a black rag or a sponge dipped in the 
mixture. Have ready some old broom hand¬ 
les, curtain poles, or other smooth, round 
sticks, aud wrap the silk on them as tightly 
aud smoothly as possible. Lot it dry iu this 
position. It will need no ironiug. 
* * * 
As this is house-cleaning time anything 
relative to such work is in season. After you 
have beaten the dust out of your carpets you 
can brighten them up wonderfully by sprink¬ 
ling corn meal mixed with salt over them, 
then sweeping thoroughly. 
Wash your mattings with salt and water, 
but not brine. Soap turns them yellow, so 
should not be used. d. h. v. 
EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE. 
I THOUGHT the introduction of “The 
Chain as a Promoter of Domestic Happi¬ 
ness” an excellent idea. I would suggest that 
brushes and combs be kept in sleeping rooms 
and in an outer room instead of [in the kitch¬ 
en where cooking is being attended to. A 
handy way to fix a stove iron is to put a wire 
For a DISORDERED LIVER 
Try BEECHAM’S PILLS. 
25cts. a Box. 
OF AIili DHUGGISTS. 
PEERLESS DYES Sold bt 
W.R&CO’S 
IMPROVED 
BUTTER 
COLOR 
IF YOU REALLY WISH 
to use the very best Butter 
Color evor made; one that 
never turns rancid, always 
gives a bright, natural color, 
and will not color the butter¬ 
milk, ask for 1 Veils, Richard¬ 
son if Co's, and take no other. 
Sold everywhere. 
More of It Used than of 
all other makes combined. 
Send for oar valuable circu¬ 
lars. Wells. Kiciiakdsoh 
& CO., Burlington, Vt. 
ICE CREAM at HOME! 
Made cheaply and quickly by using a Triple Motion 
WHITE MOUNTAIN FREEZER. 
Will freeze in half the time 
of any other Freezer and 
produce cream of the finest 
quality. Inquire f< r the 
" White Mountain ” of your 
.local dealer in house-fur- 
r uishlng goods. 
“ Frozen Dainties,” 
A book of Choice Receipts 
for Ice Creani, Sherbet, 
Water Ices.etc.,packed with 
each Freezer this season, or 
HI will be mailed upon receipt 
of ten cents In stamps. . .. _ 
White Mountain Freezer Co., 131 Hollis St., Nashua, N. H. 
GOLD MEDAL, PARIS, 1878. 
W. BAKER & CO.’S 
Breakfast Cocoa 
Is absolutely pure and 
■it is soluble. 
No Chemicals 
arc used in its preparation. It has more 
than three times the strength of Cocoa 
mixed with Starch, Arrowroot or Sugar, 
and is therefore far more economical, 
costing less than one cent a cup. It is 
delicious, nourishing, strengthening, F.a- 
sily Digested, and admirably adapted 
for invalids as well as persons in health. 
Sold by Grocers everywhere. 
W. BAKER & CO., Dorchester, Mass. 
THE BEST SEASONIS NOW ON FOR 
AGENTS-Ald 
L*>-n. others in proportion. Highest award, Cen 
&al *E?pwi?lra f M88. Rare* chance; perma- 
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Catalogue a e nd full particulars free. Addr*— 
‘ --SAFE 
ALPINE 
urucuiu.o ..... Address 
CO. Cincinnati, O. 
r-IANOS IIMIl/PPCITY ORGANS 
*loO to $1500 Ulll vcnol I I *35 to *500 
Guaranteed 6 years, 
I WOULD like the good sisters who read 
the Rural, to try this recipe, which I 
have tried so many times and always found 
good. One and a half cup of sugar, one cup 
of good coffee, one-half cup of butter, two 
eggs, one good tea-spoouful each of cinnamon 
and cloves, with a little nutmeg, two full 
tea-spoonfuls of baking powder mixed 
thoroughly with two and two-thirds cups cf 
flour. Cream butter and sugar then add the 
other ingredients, except the eggs, which 
should be well beaten aud added last. Bake 
in a moderate oven. mrs. s. c. taylor. 
IRi.srcUancou.si ^Uvcrtt.smg. 
The Aged 
Who need help in 
their many infirmi¬ 
ties, especially those 
'afflicted with rheu¬ 
matism, find great re¬ 
lief in 
AYER’S 
Sarsaparilla. 
“One year ago I was 
_ taken ill with inflam- 
matory rheumatism, 
being confined to my house six months. 1 
came out of the sickness very much debili¬ 
tated, with no appetite, and my system dis¬ 
ordered in every way. I commenced using 
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla and began to improve 
at once, gaining in strength and soon recov¬ 
ering my usual health. I cannot say too 
much in praise of this well-known medicine. 0 
— Mrs. L. A. Stark, Nashua, N. U. 
Ask your druggist for 
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, 
Prepared by Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Mass, 
Price SI; six, S5. "Worth S3 a bottle. 
IhcyLeadtheWorld 
We * sell direct f " 1 
familiesMind send for' 
„ trial in your own 
rhome before you buy. 
K'arnloKne Free., 
„_ Kstah. is:,a lncor. 1S77. 
MARCHAL &. SMITH PIANO CO., 
235 East 21st Street, N.Y. 
RUPTURE 
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?all Curable casesorRefund Money. Ouly 
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J Rase and Comfort dnyand night.This New 
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THE SANDEN ELECTRIC CG- lamst. NEW 7(IRK 
PLAYS 
Dialogues, Tableaux, Speakers, for 
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SAVE MONEY. BBF0RKYOU BUY 
Bicycle orCuN 
Send to A.W. GUMP A CO. Dayton, O., 
for prices. Over 400 seeoud-haiul and shop 
worn Cycles. Hleyclcs, Guns and Typewriter* 
taken iu exchange. Nic kel i n g and repairing 
—A SOLID—— 
Steel fence! 
15 CtS. per Foot, material 8 feet wide. 
Adapted for Residences, Churches, Cemete¬ 
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All needing Fences, Gates. Arbors, Window Gumus, 
Trellises etc., write for our illus. price list, mailed free. 
THE NEWEST THINC AND THE BEST. 
CendHqvtuitMMalCo. I S. W. Expanded Metal Co. 
» tsburgh. I Chicago. 
St. Louis Expanded Metal Co., St. Louis. 
SEDGWICK STEEL WIRE FENCE 
Best Fences and Gates for all 
purposes. Free Catalogue giving 
full particulars aud prices. 
Ask Hardware Dealers, or ad¬ 
dress, mentioning this paper, 
SEDGWICK BROS, Richmond, Ind. 
