1888 
645 
THE BUBAL HEW-YORKER. 
everything else have suffered. We find the 
weeds grow faster than ever before “around the 
house ” and friends from a distance look with 
eyes of sympathy upon our ruined hopes. 
The philosophy of thorough underdraining 
was never better exemplified, and we thought 
the man who could invent a cheap and suc¬ 
cessful hay-tedder would have made his 
fortune. 
Beans have rusted before filling ; peas and 
everything else that could mildew have suf¬ 
fered in that way. “ Tne rain it raineth 
every day,” and warm unhealthful days are 
a part of the routine. Well it is, if all the 
eggs are not in one basket, and by having a 
variety we may hope to save something. For 
instance, ducks without any trouble, thrive 
in this moist atmosphere when once they are 
half grown. How they revel in the puddles 
and find rich nourishment in a mysterious 
way among the mud that fills every furrow 
and ditch. So, though the apples spot, the 
grapes rot off, and corn has no ears, the 
ducks and sage and savory remain ; we will 
not despair—some time the bow will come 
in the heavens again for the eternal prom¬ 
ise remains. 
But these enforced days of, nd idleness but 
cessation from the routine of labor, make 
holidays out of the question in fine weather; 
for the worK must go on night and day if 
ever there comes sunshine enough to dry the 
hay. One of our family suggests a rainy-day 
slate where the boys and girls can set down 
needful work to be done at such times, for 
one is apt to forget. 
The Rural very sensibly advocates holi¬ 
days for farmers and their families, and I am 
often obliged to think how much they need 
some pleasant recreation amid the burry; but 
how seldom they are able to take it. The ne¬ 
cessity of making hay while the sun shines is 
apt to make “Jack” a dull boy, and he and 
“Jill” look with some envy on the summer 
residents who spend the season of flowers and 
sunshine without any need to labor by the 
sweat of their brow, and so Jack and Jill try 
to rise in the social scale, as they view it, and 
to seek an easier life by going “up the hill,” 
only to find that there are thorns and tumbles' 
on every path, and that a brief holiday means 
but little, and if the farmer’s life is not with¬ 
out its cares, it is at least peaceful and whole¬ 
some. A friend who has just left me, looking 
over the past and thinking of my life in its 
varied aspects, said she could never thmk of 
anything but Whittier’s line: “Health and 
quiet and loving words.” How much to be 
thankful for does not this line mean? How 
what it speaks of out-weighs many wordly 
advantages and seems restful to every tired 
heart. “ Come unto me and I will give 
you rest,” is the promise given long ago, and 
amid all the hurry of country life, in hours of 
over-work, losses and anxieties, there are 
hours of peace, of quiet gladness, of repose to 
the tired body and spirit, that no other life 
affords. 
“ Next to the rveakness of making excuses 
is the weakness of accepting them." 
A MAN’S REVERIES. 
A N ancient philospher once said that if 
ideas were like hazel-nuts he could 
pound them into some people’s heads with a 
hammer; but being otherwise, it became an 
impossibility to make one penetrate the heads 
of some people. The same condition still ex¬ 
ists. When I invaded the sanctity of Domes¬ 
tic Economy in order to wage war against 
the vagaries of one of its contributors, I well 
understood the necessity of having my scalp 
tightly fastened on, and although I have been 
clawed a little, still “I bob up serenely.” 
Charity pays her respects to me in a serio- 
comical hysterical manner that completely 
gives her away. When Charity began writ¬ 
ing for the Rural nearly six years ago, 
her brothers were grown up; now Burt is 
still a boy—a remarkable slip in the cogs of 
the wheel of old Father Time. It is not every 
one who is favored to such a degree. 1 do not 
censure her for her aspirations and longings— 
only for her abuse of the columns of the Ru¬ 
ral. If she wants to prate to her neighbors, 
I don’t care a picayune. 4 city man would 
not dare to create a nuisance because of the 
law, while a city girl would not make herself 
a nuisance by rushing into print with a long 
rigmarole like some of Charity’s letters. 
So Burt has been away to school ? 
Well, if his deportment at all corresponds 
with his sister's description—as, of course, it 
must—then the sooner that school is razed to 
its foundations and the professors and teach¬ 
ers are put at work on the roads, the better it 
will be for all concerned. The letter in which 
she tells us this puzzles me very much. I did 
take Burt to be real; but I am.now con¬ 
strained to think him imaginary, for it ap¬ 
pears that he and his father are aware of and 
encourage Charity’s peculiar system of 
amending thur manners and morals. Bo 
Burt must be a common name for all country 
boors, and Charity expects to give a powerful 
impetus to the cause of culture by “whipping 
the devil around a stump,” as it were. Then 
comes haunting doubt which suggests that, 
after all, her exhibitions of home life may be 
the results of a streak of harmless lunacy that 
runs through the family. 
Geraldine Germane looks on the sentimen¬ 
tal side of Charity’s complaints and applauds. 
If she will take the trouble to think, even 
though she may not be used to it, she will 
probably fail to find any instance of reforma¬ 
tion through the means Charity uses Char¬ 
ity’s own reveries furnish proof enough. Burt 
has been to school, and after six years or 
more of Charity’s companionship, is still 
boorish and altogether unlovely. Six years 
of Charity’s reveries in the Rural and a 
longer intimate companionship have failed to 
improve or reform her father, accordit g to 
her own evidence. The chances are decidedly 
against such vaporings having any good ef¬ 
fect, and I think it is time to make a change. 
Whatever may be the consequence, I shall, in 
regard to such nuisances, act upon the advice 
of the Irishman at Donnybrook fair, “Wber- 
ever you see a bead, hit it,” and I will. 
A MAN. 
Are the flannel garments intended, for 
the first cool weather in ivearing order ? 
EXTRACT FROM A PRIVATE LETTER. 
“ I wish all the readers of the R N.-Y. 
could have the chance to visit the old town of 
Marblehead, Mass., of which Mary Wager- 
Fisher has given such an interesting descrip¬ 
tion. Having recently sniffed the salt breezes 
there and watched one of the yacht races for 
which the place is noted, I have taken special 
pleasure in her letters. It would be hard in¬ 
deed to find a more attractive place for a 
mid-summer outing than the country all 
along the reck bound coast of the Old Bay 
State. 
One thing has surprised me. and that is, the 
apparent fertility of these so-called poor or 
worn-out lands. It is true that the ram-fall 
has been unusual this year, which may, in 
part, explain the luxuriant gi'owth of every 
sort of garden product. The nay crop would 
have been of immense value only for the wet 
weather, which interrupted cutting and cur¬ 
ing; yet, even as it is, tho barns are overflow¬ 
ing. Such wide barns they are, too, aud so 
many cattle are feeding on the beautiful hill¬ 
sides, and such roomy old as well as new 
houses are seen on either side as one drives 
from one pretty village to another. It seems 
as if farming must pay fairly well iu this sec¬ 
tion. Sleek horses, trim wagons, comfort¬ 
able phaetons and carriages seem to be the 
rule, and well-dressed, healihy-lookiug men, 
women and^children are seen driving over the 
excellent roads. Even the side-walks of the 
villages are well kept. And the country 
church has its never-failiug and artistic deco¬ 
rations of the prevailing blossoms of the sea¬ 
son. Really there seems no need to commise¬ 
rate either the farmer or his family, or to 
“Go West” while the East offers so much 
comfort at the very door. 
With my lines fallen in such pleasant 
places, I had leisure to observe the ways of 
the housekeepers hereabouts. One innovation 
I accept—in spite of a strong prejucice against 
it at first—that is, using a wet cloth instead 
of a broom for the weekly cleaning. For bed 
rooms aud sitting-rooms it works like a charm 
and the work is not any harder than sweep¬ 
ing, while the dust is almost entirely avoided. 
Take a clean pail of water with a little salt to 
help keep the color; wring a soft cloth very 
dry frequently and wipe the floor or carpet 
or matting, aud the effect is wonderful. 
There seems to be a permanent cleanness that 
never results from tne use of a broom, while 
all the flying particles which usually cover 
furniture, pictures aud all projections, are en¬ 
tirely avoided. Then think of the saving to 
delicate throats and lungs! Try it and see if 
fact will not conquer prejudice. 
If there were time and space a tale might 
be told of the wonderful result of planting 
two rows of potatoes according to the trench 
method. Certainly I was surprised myself aud 
the owners who did not advise the planting of 
the tubers at all, in consequence of frequent 
failures on the sterile soil, were quite 
willing to admit the success of the new way, 
while I regretted many times that we didn’t 
plant the whole farm to potatoes, aud we all 
might feel the same regret only for the rot 
which has begun already upon our small plot 
and upon our neighbors’ larger ones. 
So we say again; “The trail of the serpent 
is over it all ” and accept the inevitable'as 
cheerfully as possible. a. r. d. 
W E do not think ground floors desirable 
as sleeping apartments. Neither do 
we think that night air should be allowed to 
blow directly over the sleeper. These are pre¬ 
cautions against sickness that we woull by no 
means confine to malarial districts, but are 
such as we follow whether we are by the sea or 
in the mountain. 
CORN FRITTERS. 
A pint of grated corn—it should be tender 
—one beaten egg, half a tea-cupful of milk, 
salt, half a tea-spoonful of baking powder and 
about twe-thirds of a tea-cupful of flour—a 
little more may be required. Beit together 
and fry in spoonfuls in a little hot beef drip¬ 
pings or butter. Very nice as a breakfast 
dish. 
CHICKEN COOKED IN MILK 
Select tender spring chickens. Dress and 
cut into suitable pieces for serving. Cook in 
milk and water—one quart of milk and one 
cup of water—until tender. Season, add a 
large lump of butter, a cup of cream and a 
little corn starch made smooth in a small 
quantity of milk for thickening. Serve on 
toast if liked. 
frozen pudding. 
One pint of cream, three pints of milk, five 
eggs, three cups of sugar, a pint of ripe peaches 
cut into small pieces. Rut the milk into a 
dish set in a kettle of boiling water. When 
\ ery hot, add sugar and yelks ot eggs, beaten, 
then the whipped whites and stir until a thick 
custard. Turn out and when perfectly cold 
beat in the cream. Freeze until quite stiff, re¬ 
move the dasher and stir in the fruit. Cover 
and serve in an hour. mrs. economy. 
TOMATO PRESERVES. 
Five pounds of yellow egg tomatoes, five 
pounds of white sugar, juice of two or three 
lemons. Cover the fruit with the sugar, and 
let stand over-night. In the morning, drain 
the sirup from the fruit, boil, skim, put in 
the tomatoes and boil very slowly 20 minutes. 
Skim the fruit out into plates, boil the juice 
until quite thick, adding the lemon juice just 
before taking off. Put the tomatoes care¬ 
fully into bottles, and cover with the hot 
sirup. Seal at once. a. g. 
fili$cclla”eouo i&d'.rrtij&ing- 
Your Toilet 
Is incomplete without 
a bottle of 
AYER’S 
Hair Vigor: 
It preserves the hair, 
keeps the scalp clean, 
and is everywhere the 
favorite dressing. 
“ I have used Ayer’s 
Hair Vigor for pro¬ 
moting the growth 
of the hair, and think 
it unequaled. For 
restoring the hair to its original color, and 
for a dressing, it cannot be surpassed.” — 
Mrs. Geo. LaFever, Eaton Kapids, Mich. 
” I was rapidly becoming gray and bald; 
but after using two or three bottles of Aver’s 
Hair Vigor my hair grew thick and glossy 
and the original color was restored. I have no 
hesitation in recommending this dressing.” 
— Melvin Aldrich, Canaan Centre, N. H. 
Prepared by Dr. J. C. Ayer & Co., Lowell, Mass. 
Sold by Druggists and Perfumers. 
W.R&CO’S 
IMPROVED 
BUTTER 
COLOR 
IF YOU REALLY WISH 
to use the very best Butter 
Color ever made; one that 
never turns rancid, always 
gives a bright, natural color, 
and will not color the butter¬ 
milk, ask for Wells, Richard¬ 
son 4-Co's, and take no other. 
Sold everywhere. 
More of It Used than of 
all other makes combined. 
Send for our valuable circu¬ 
lars. Wells. Rii haudsoh 
A CO., Burlington, VL 
COMBINING 5 ARriCLES>JjW 
MJF FURNITURE INONEr 
We retail at the lowest 
wholesale factory prices. 
Send stamp for Catalogue. 
Name goods desired. 
LCBI Kti MEG. CO., 
145 5. 8th St., 1‘liilaila., Pa. 
Automatic Brake 
on all CDCC 
Coaches ifiLL 
WHEEL CHAIRS 
TO HIKE. 
SPECIAL FREE 
DELIVERY. 
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 
prduce Cream of the finest 
quality. 
White Mountain Freezer Co., 
134 Hollis St., Nashua, N.H. 
Practical Hints 
TO BUILDERS. 
A LITTLE BOOK of 
100 pages, containing 
solid facts that every 
man contemplating 
BUILDING should 
know before letting 
his contracts. Short chapters on the kitchen.chimnevs, 
cistern, foundation.brickwork.mort ar. cella r . heating, 
ventilation, the roof, and many items of interest to 
builders. Mailed frpe on receipt of 10c. In post age stamp 
Address National i^heet Metal Roofing Co . 
510 East Tweutleth Street. New York City. 
v iippa Root Grafts— Everything ! No larger 
I If kb\ stock in U. S. No better. No cheaper. 
IlLlwW Pike Co. Nurseries Louisiana, Mo. 
AGENTS_ 
and farmers with no experience make S4.50 an 
hoar during spare time. J. V. Kenyon, Glens Falls. 
N. Y., made 818 one day, 376.50 one week. 
So can you. Proofs and catnlocne free. 
J. E. Shepard Jt Co., Cincinnati. O. 
S TEAM! S TEAM! 
Quality Higher, Price Lower. 
For Strictly Cash, Complete Fixtures except Stack. 
2-Horse Eureka Boiler and Engine, $135 
4- “ “ “ “ $210 
Other sizes at Ioav prices. 
Before you buy get our prices 
B. W. PAYNE 6L SONS, 
Drawer 57. Elmira, Pi. Y. 
THE GRAN6ER FAMILY FRUIT AND VE6ETABLE 
EVAPORATORS. 
93.50. 96.00 aud §10 00- 
Send for circular. EASTERN 
ll’F’G CO., 253 S. Fifth St., Phila. 
ROSSIE IRON ORE PAINT. 
Is made from Red Oxide Ore—Is the best and most 
durable Faint for Tin, Iron and Shingle Roofs, Barns, 
Farm Utensils, etc.; will not crack or peel; will protect 
roofs from sparks. Samples free. Ask prices ot 
KOSS1E IKON OKK PAINT CD., 
Ogdeusburg, N. Y. 
X T71 TIT— GREENHOUSES.—Four Green- 
l V / A houses. Hot Beds and lot of 
ground. Seven miles from Philadelphia. 
WM. PARKY, Parry, N. J. 
South-Down, Oxford-Down 
Merino, Cotswold and 
Shronshire-Down 
SHEEP & LAMBS 
of Superior Breeding at MODERATE 
PRICES. All Stock sold fully guaranteed 
of the Best Quality. Write for special prices 
at once. 
W. ATLEE BURPEE & CO., 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
PAINLESS 
actual 
r^pi LLS w -"\. 
cine Jm ML JMMJBSLtbmtMp guinea 
BOX 
G ^MEDICINE 
For Weak Stomach—Impaired Digestion—Disordered Liver. 
SOLD BY ALL DRUGGISTS. 
PRICE 25 CENTS PER BOX. 
Prepared only l>y THOS.BEECH AM, SiHelens.Iancashire,England. 
B. F. ALLEX it* (70., Sole Agents 
FOR UNITED STATES, 365 & 367 CA.Y.tL ST., YEW YORK, 
Who (if your druggist does not keep them) will mail Beecham’s 
Pills on receipt of price —but inquire first. (Please mention this paper.) 
