1889 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
779 
holding letters, hills, etc., and did not want 
to get a can of paint, papered it with dark- 
blue paper, adding a picture of pansies, 
callas, and blush roses. This was very 
pretty and cheap. 
For another friend who must spend much 
time in her room, we rooted a white lily, 
not a calla. For the pot, we picked up in 
an alley a powder keg, about one foot deep 
and seven inches across. It was badly 
rusted inside, but the outside was in good 
condition. Some small holes were punched 
in the bottom, and a coat of green paint 
was given to it, and we were able to carry 
a thrifty plan to her one gloomy, wintry 
day, which would bloom before the snow 
departed. 
Belle made a quaint, pretty hand-mirror, 
from an old broken looking-glass, by hav¬ 
ing a piece cut, triangle-fashion, then 
framing it in thin wood and royal purple. 
A number of periodicals for which sister 
contributes, have sent quite a large assort¬ 
ment of bright and pleasing chromos. We 
could not afford to buy frames for them, 
but thought some of them would carry a 
little brightness into several darkened 
homes, so we selected some of the darkest 
ones, prepared for the top and bottom a 
thin strip of wood one inch wide, and an 
inch longer at each end. This was covered 
with plush, vivid scarlet for the darkest 
picture, wine or maroou for the lighter 
ones. These strips were fastened to the 
pictures and a loop of ribbon to hang by, 
matching in color the plush, finished it. 
For bed-rooms these chromos are very 
effective. Where pictures of this style are 
so plentiful, one does not care to buy 
frames; by using the satin or plush-covered 
strips, one may make use of them satisfac¬ 
torily. 
For a little boy who dearly loved dumb 
animals, Belle made a scrap-book of paper 
cambric leaves, dark blue and red in color, 
pinked or notched about the edge, filling it 
w ith pictures of cats, dogs, horses, cows, wild 
animals, fowls, birds and fishes, and pasting 
in as many descriptions of the creatures 
and their natures as she found. For a little 
girl pictures of celebrated women and their 
work, were carefully selected by sister who 
said : “ I want to foster in Charlie the love 
he now has for dumb animals, and to plant 
in little Lou’s heart a love for the good and 
noble of her own sex.” 
The simple gifts were not all given on 
Christmas Day, or even in holiday week. 
The giving began before and was kept up 
pretty much all winter, and Belle kept 
treasuring every available bit of anything 
that could be worked over into something 
useful or ornamental, saying: “Silver 
and gold I have none, but such as I have 
I’ll freely give.” 
It’s the “ heart gifts,” and not the show 
ones which are most appreciated by even 
those who have a goodly store of the 
world’s good things. ELLA GUERNSEY. 
Always acceptable to a woman—a dainty 
apron. 
SOME AFGHANS. 
A N afghau is a comfortable and useful 
thing to have about the house, even 
if one doesn’t own a carriage. It is handy 
to throw over one when taking an afternoon 
siesta; to throw across the foot of the bed 
if the feet be cold; to wrap around the body 
when passing through long, cold halls, 
such as one often finds in country houses. 
A good, comfortable afghau may be made 
at very little cost. Germantown wool, 
which can be bought by the hank at a very 
reasonable rate, will do quite as well as 
more expensive zephyr for one of these 
household comforts. Red and black are 
good colors to select as they do not fade 
and grow dim as soon as lighter and more 
delicate shades. To make a plain, service¬ 
able afghau, crochet (afghau stitch) five 
strips, 10 inches wide and t he desired length. 
(I like a square afghau best, and if you do 
also, make each strip 50 inches long.) You 
may make three black and two red, or vice 
verm. If you have three red it will be soim- 
what brighter. Down the center of the 
black strips embroider in cross-stitch, as 
one does on canvass, a vine of flowers, tw o 
or three butterflies, or anything that suits 
the fancy. Join the strips together with a 
chain stitch, or, if you like, railroad stitch, 
rising old gold wool. Make a row >. old 
gold, plain stitch, all around the entire 
afghan. 'Then make a fringe about five 
inches deep around the whole. You may 
make the fringe of clusters, say five black, 
five red, then five black and five red again, 
and so on, or you may make them alternate 
—one of each. 
Another pretty afghan may be made of 
the same colors only arranged differ¬ 
ently. Crochet, (afghan stitch) a large 
square of black—say about 30 inches square. 
You wall require a long, wooden needle for 
this. Next crochet four strips of red the 
same length—30 inches. They are to be 
fastened to the sides of the black square, 
chain-stitch. When you have, done this 
you will find that there will be four 
empty spaces at the corners. Crochet 
a square, of black to fill these. This is 
done by making the square the exact width 
and length of the width of the side strips. 
Join with old gold. A wreath of flowers 
embroidered in the black center-piece, with 
the initials worked in the exact center (in 
old gold) is very effective. A rose bud may 
be embroidered in one corner, a daisy or 
two in another, a lily in another and carna¬ 
tions in the remaining one. Border with a 
fringe. 
A dainty pretty afghan for baby’s rise 
may be made as follows. Crochet one 
strip (either in afghan or shell stitch) of 
white zephyr nine or 10 inches wide, and 
the desired length Embroider daisies of 
gold with white hearts down the center of 
this strip. Then make two more strips, 
of the same length and width, of a delicate 
blue. Embroider daisies of white with 
golden hearts down the center of these. 
Place the white strip in the middle with 
a blue strip on each side; join toget her with 
gold railroad-stitch. This forms a rich 
chain where the fastening comes. Make a 
border of some open stitch which will per¬ 
mit a ribbon of delicate blue or gold to be 
run in and out around the entire edge. If 
you prefer you may fasten the strips together 
or the ribbon may be, run in and out where 
joined. Finish with a fringe four inches 
deep. Make in clusters, say six blue, six 
white, etc 
Another dainty afghan may be made of 
white basket cloth. Cut the cloth the de¬ 
sired size. Then have the edge scalloped in 
deep points, each point being “pinked.” 
In the center embroider a wreath of daisies 
and forget-me-nots in Arasene, or, if you 
prefer, daisies and wild roses. Sew a frill 
of Torchon or Antique lace around the 
edges so that it will fall in a ruffle beneath 
the scallops. If you have forget-me-nots 
make a large bow of pale blue ribbon and 
fasten to the upper right-hand corner of 
the afghan. If you have wild roses make 
the bow of a delicate rose pink. These bust 
two are delicate and will not stand hard 
usage without becoming soiled. You may 
use more serviceable colors, but follow the 
general instructions and have pretty and 
doubtless more useful afghans. 
DORA HARVEY VROOMAN. 
A ROSE jar filled with dried rose leaves 
and fragraut spices, makes a charming 
gift. 
CHIPS. 
* * /~\ HOW good that sounds;” exclaim- 
y ed a lady visitor, as the sound 
of the ax was heard at our kitchen door. 
“ I almost envy those who have nice chips 
to resort to when they wish a quick fire ; 
I never go through the woods where men 
have been chopping without a pang of re¬ 
gret that such excellent kindling is allowed 
to go to waste ; that I have not even a bas¬ 
ketful of it at home.” I herewith offer 
this basket of chips from the woods hoping 
some of them may be a means of giving 
comfort and warmth to the rooms of our 
readers during the long, winter mouths. 
The bright autumn leaves should be 
ironed till dry with an iron just hot enough 
not to “ blister.” A little beeswax rubbed 
on the iron brings out and preserves the 
brilliant colors. A cluster of red and yel¬ 
low maples glued on a black frame and 
varnished is pretty. Then there are the 
ferns which retain their color so well when 
pressed, while they are unsurpassed for 
“spatter-work ” pictures. This is so sim¬ 
ple yet so amply repays the work, that I 
venture a few directions, though, doubt less, 
many are familiar with it: arrange the 
leaves as desired, on white card-hoard. 
With a brush (an old tooth-brush will an¬ 
swer,) rub ink through a fine sieve over the 
whole surface, in fine spatters—the finer 
the more pleasing the result. Where shad¬ 
ing is desired, remove a leaf or half of one 
after the card-board is partly covered with 
ink, and continue the “spattering” process 
till the picture is dark enough 
Remove the remaining leaves and you 
have a work that resembles a line steel en¬ 
graving. A handsome design is* a cross 
and crown. These figures are cut from 
paper and arranged with leaves. At the 
foot of the cross, which is nearly white, are 
ferns and flowers. The crown »bove is dim, 
the paper having been removed early in the 
process. Light easels are made of cat-tail- 
flag, leaving the heads on top. For a cabi¬ 
net picture, a rustic easel constructed of 
apple tree twigs gilded or varnished is 
pleasing. It may be ornamented with 
acorns or beech-nuts. 
Chestnuts gilded and strung on narrow 
ribbon form an inexpensive trift, though 
one perhaps too suggestive to one addicted 
to relating worn-out jokes. The lichens 
which abound on old logs must not be over¬ 
looked. They should first be thoroughly 
dried ; then a snow scene painted on the 
white surface, and the rest varnished, 
transforms it. into a “ thing of beauty.” 
One unskilled with the brush may obtain 
surprising results in a simple pencil sketch 
—done not with a pencil, but scratched 
with a pin. RUTH RAYMOND. 
“Girls, let’s club together and get 
mother that comfortable, willow rocker 
that she spoke of seeing at K-’s last 
week, for her Christmas present.” 
REMEDY FOR DAMPNESS ON 
WALLS, ETC. 
Referring to an item in the R. N.-Y. of 
October 31st, giving the scientific reason 
for the loss of wall papers and damage to 
books through the dampness which has so 
largely prevailed in this part of the coun¬ 
try, I thought my experiment might be 
adopted with success by others. My house 
is a large old-fashioned stone building 
with a slate roof which had been neglected 
by the owners until the walls were already 
damp. I had the roof repaired and a roar¬ 
ing wood fire was made in the furnace im¬ 
mediately after every rain. All windows 
and doors were shut until the rooms were 
well warmed: then every opening that 
would cause a direct draught was made. 
My neighbors thought me a little daft but 
there is not a loose or faded piece of paper 
in the house, nor are there any moldy 
odors or damaged clothes, and no books 
have been injured since the first fire was 
built. It was my first year in the country 
and I did not know what to do, but my 
original idea proved to be the correct one. 
Nordhoff, N. Y. MRS. A. ELMORE. 
W.R&CO’S 
IMPROVED 
BUTTER 
COLOR 
1 1 VOU REALLY WISH 
to DM th« V*0 bMt Bllttwt 
Color otoi tnoA*, on* that 
um tn-oi raoold. always 
ftroo a amoral oolor. 
aid wtU not oolor the buttar 
wiilt uk for WtlU, Rvhard- 
m i-Co't, and take no other. 
Sold erenwhere. 
More of It Used than of 
all other makes combined. 
Send for our valuable circu¬ 
lars. Wells. Richardsof 
A Oo.. Burlington, Vt 
UBURG 
COMBINING 5 ARTICLES^® 
1 OF FURNITURE IN0N? 
INVALID SUP PLIES 
| WHEEL fyW 
1CHAIRS FiV 
We retail at the lowest 
wholesale factory prices, and 
ship goods to be paid for on 
delivery. Send Btamp for 
fatal Ogue. iV'im' goad* desire,I} 
LCliCRtt MF8. CO.. 146 N 
Automatic Brake 
Coaches FREE 
WHEEL (HAIRS 
TO HIRE. 
SPECIAL FREE 
._ DELIVERY. 
ffhilitdclphla, Pa- 
ICS 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 
prducc Cream of the finest 
quality. 
White Mountain Freeier Co., 
134 Hollis St., Nashua, N.H. 
fcEd *3 ARTICLES 12 
r ff...FA VOUR OWN NAME 
fit ALLEN 
YOUR OWN NAME on telf-inkin? 
bJ Poeket-Sfamp, for printing cards. He. Beautiful 
true tv At metal ca*e. alto oew Key-Ring and irory 
AGENTS 
and Faruirn with no experience make 82.50 an 
Hour during spare time. A. D. Bates, IM SV.Rob- 
oins Ave.. Covington, Ky., made 821 «nr da>. 
(INI one week. So can you. Proof* and caia- 
•osrue free. .1. E. Sh epard * Co.. Cincinnati, 1 • 
SALESMEN 
WANTED ATONCE -* 
__P few good men to sell 
lour goods by sample lo the wholesale 
__ _I and retail trade. We are the largest 
tnanufactur*rsi n our line In the world. Liberal salary paid. Perma* 
aent position. J1k»«.ey auvaneed for wages, advertising. Jtc. F or full 
k.r.n.kM MM.r. -- / " U ‘- ,n rt 
kyour F0TAT0ES with the 
PROFIT FARM BOILER 
With Dumping Caldron, emp¬ 
ties its kettle in one minute. The 
simplest and best arrangement for 
cooking food for stock. Also make 
Hairy and Laundry Stoves, 
Water and Steam Jacket 
Kettle*, ling S<-alder*. < al¬ 
ii ron*. Ete. send for circulars. 
. R. SPERRY & CO. BATAVIA. ILL. 
!tti$rcUancow$( ‘JUvcrti.sinri. 
flur Rrandsires 
Would have appreci¬ 
ated a purgative at 
once so mild and so 
effective as 
Ayer’s Pills, 
the old cathartics be¬ 
ing too harsh and 
drastic for common 
ailments. 
“Ayer’s Pills are the 
best medicine known 
to nte for regulating 
the bowels, and for all 
diseases caused by a 
disordered liver and 
stomach.”—Philip Lockwood, Topeka, Kans. 
“ I have been taking Ayer’s Pills and 
using them in ray family since 1857. and 
cheerfully recommend them to all in need of 
a safe bin effectual cathartic.” —John M. 
Hoggs, 807 \V. Chestnut st., Louisville, Ky. 
For Sick Headache and Indigestion take 
Ayer’s Pills, 
Prepared by Dr. J.C. Ayer .t Co.,Lowell, Maas. 
Sola by all Druggists nud Dealers in Medicine. 
Beecham’s Pills act like magic on a weak stomach 
General Advertising Bates of 
THU RURAL NEW - YORESR. 
34 PARK ROW, NEW YORK. 
The following rates are invariable. AH are there¬ 
fore respectfully informed that any correspondence 
with a view to obtaining different terms uriU prove 
futile. 
Ordinary Advertisements, per agate line (this 
sized type, 14 lines to the Inch).30cents 
One thousand lines or more.wlthin one year 
f i om date of first Insertion, per agate line. 25 “ 
Y early orders occupying 14 or more lines 
ivtate space.25 “ 
Preferred positions.25 per cent, extra. 
Beading Notices, ending with “Adv. f ” per 
line, minion leaded.75 cents 
Terms of Subscription. 
The subscription price of the Rural New Y obker I 
Single copy, per year.*2.00 
“ “ Six months. L10 
Great Britain. Ireland, Australia and 
Germany, per year, post-paid..*3.04 (12a. 6d.) 
France...... S.04(l6t*fr) 
French Colonies. 4.0S 29^ fr.) 
Agents will be supplied with canvassing outfit or 
application. ,_ 
Entered at the Post-office at New York City, N ' 
'AfNinrt olft** mall matter 
For liilious and Nervous Disorders, such as Wind and Pain in the Stomach, Sick 
Headache, Giddiness, Fulness, and Swelling after Meals, Dizziness and Drowsiness, 
Cold Chilla, Flashings of Heat, Loss of Appetite, Shortness of llreath. Costiveness, 
Scurvy, Blotches on the Skin, Disturbed Sleep. Frightful Dreams, and all Nervous 
and Trembling Sensations, &c. THE FIRST DOSE WILLGIT E RELIEF IN TM KNTY 
MINUTES. This is no fiction. Every sufferer is earnestly invited to try one Box of these Pills, 
and they will be acknowledged to be a Wonderful Medicine. "Worth a guinea a box."— 
BEECHAM’S PILLS, taken as directed, will quickly restore females to complete health. For a 
WEAK STOMACH; IMPAIRED DIGESTION; DISORDERED LIVER; 
they ACT LIKE MAGICs— a few doses will work wouders upon the Vital Organs, Strength¬ 
ening the muscular System; restoring long-lost Complexion; bringing back the keen edge of 
appetite, and arousing with the ROSEBUD OF HEALTH the whole physical energy of the 
human frame. These are “ facts" admitted by thousands, in all classes of society, and one of the 
boat guarantees to the Nervous and Debilitated is that EEECHAM’S FIL— 3 HAVE THE LARGEST SALS 
Or ANY PATENT MEDICINE IN THE WORLD. Full directions with each Box. 
^ Prepared only by TIIOS. BEECHAM, St. Helens, Lancashire, England. 
Sold by Druggists generally. B. F. ALLEN & CO., 363 and 367 Canal St., New York. 
Jole Agents for the United States, who [inquire jirst), if your druggist does not keep them, 
WILL MAIL BEECHAM’S PILLS ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, 25 CENTF A BOX. 
