57o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
August S 
From Day to Day. 
FOUR O’CUOCKS. 
The shade by the barn is widening still, 
And by the trougli where the willows 
grow; 
One by one over Blueberry Hill 
The billowy clouds go drifting slow. 
Down from the bed by the old white gate 
There steals a subtle and spiced perfume 
As the long, sweet afternoon grows late; 
The four-o’clocks are beginning to bloom. 
Thin blue wreaths from the chimney twine 
As some one kindles the fire for tea; 
Scent of the burning willow and pine 
Blends with the garden splcery. 
The sun sinks lower along the lane, 
Where seven poplars stand tall and 
straight, 
And the eddying fragrance wafts again 
From the four-o’clocks by the old white 
gate. 
Purple and snowy and pink and red, 
They fling their sweetness up to the sun, 
A challenge gay from the garden bed 
Just as the long, bright day is done. 
The cows walk soberly down the lane. 
The workers back from the meadows 
come. 
And the four-o’clocks breathe their greet¬ 
ing again— 
“Welcome, and evening, and rest, and 
home.’’ 
Friendly posies to love and pet. 
Flowers of homeliest, humblest cheer, 
T hey lure and bind with a magic yet 
Stranger and stronger year by year. 
Mystical dreams of worlds remote. 
Poetry, passion, glow of the west, 
All in their fragrant greeting float— 
“Welcome, and evening, and home, and 
rest.’’ 
—Mabel Earle, in Youth’s Companion. 
* 
Many of the cheaper readymade sofa 
pillows are lilled with silk ravelings, 
which are light and fluffy, while very 
much cheaper than down. This suggests 
a use for snips of silk too small or too 
shabby to be used in patchwork. 
* 
The fresh Summer apples, which 
make delicious sauce, furnish very de¬ 
sirable filling for apple shortcake. Make 
the shortcake after any preferred recipe, 
and spread the lower layer with well- 
seasoned apple sauce. Over this spread 
whipped cream, and then put on the 
upper layer and serve. 
* 
Here is a suggestion for preserving 
eggs, given by a correspondent of the 
Woman’s Home Companion: 
Have a kettle of boiling water on the 
stove, and into that dip the eggs. Let 
them remain as long as it takes you to 
count 10 fast. This recipe has been in use 
in my family for 40 or 50 years. The eggs 
cannot be told from perfectly fresh eggs, 
as the hot water cooks that fine inner skin, 
and there can be no evaporation. There 
is no taste of lime about them put up in 
this way. It is a fine thing for country 
women who want to hold for better prices, 
and also for the city woman who wants to 
purchase for future use while eggs are 
cheap. 
Have any of our readers tested this 
plan? It would be cheaper than the use 
of water-glass, which, according to the 
experience of The R. N.-Y., seems to be 
the best and most practical preservative 
for packed eggs. 
* 
A housekeepee’s dusting set is a 
practical thing that usually sells well 
at a fair or bazar; it consists of an 
apron, dusting cap and sleeve protectors 
to match. The cuffs should have elas¬ 
tics to hold them above the elbow, and 
the cap must be gathered by a tape that 
can be untied for convenience in laun¬ 
dering. The apron must be roomy, and 
should have pockets to hold dusters, or 
any trifles picked up during the dusting 
process. We like ordinary check ging¬ 
ham for the apron and cuffs, but it is 
better to make the cap from a cheap 
white cross-bar muslin, the new ging¬ 
ham being rather stiff and heavy for 
this purpose. Sometimes these large 
aprons are made from check linen tow¬ 
eling, which looks well and washes 
nicely, but soils more readily than the 
gingham. 
* 
Eij>eri.y people accustomed to the 
old-style wooden beds with high head 
and footboards sometimes complain that 
the metal beds are draughty, because of 
the open railings. When a metal bed is 
draped with a valance, a similar ma¬ 
terial is often shirred into the railings 
at top and bottom. This is decorative, 
but dust-catching. A better plan is 
noted in some hospitals, where large 
squares of heavy white pique are used 
as protectors at top and bottom, tied at 
each corner by narrow tapes to the up¬ 
rights of the bed. They can be removed 
if desired, when the bed is not in use, 
and laundered easily. Such a protector 
may be a great comfort when the bed 
faces the light. 
A LETTER written by Thomas Jeffer¬ 
son to his daughter, while in Paris in 
1787, published in the Woman’s Home 
Companion, contains advice which may 
prove just as timely now to any girl 
who is disposed to be extravagant, as 
when the great statesman wrote it more 
than a century ago: 
I send you. my dear Patsy, the 15 livres 
you desired. You propose this to me as 
an anticipation of five weeks’ allowance, 
but do you not see, my dear, how impru¬ 
dent it is to lay out in one moment what 
should accommodate you for five weeks? 
That this is a departure from that rule 
which I wish to see you g-overned by 
through your whole life, of never buying 
anything which you have not money in 
your pocket to pay for? Be sure that it 
gives much more pain to the mind to be 
in debt than to do without any article 
whatever which we may seem to want. 
The purchase you have made is one of 
those I am always ready to make for you, 
because it is my wish to see you dressed 
always cleanly and a little more than de¬ 
cently; but apply to me first for the money 
before you make a purchase, were it only 
to avoid breaking through your rule. Learn 
yourself the habit of adhering vigorously 
to the rules you lay down for yourself. 
« 
A little handmade corset cover seen 
in one of the stores making a specialty* 
of fine work, consisted of a straight 
piece of fine Swiss muslin with tiny 
blue dots. A beading was put around 
the bottom, and another beading edged 
with lace around the top. Ribbon 
shoulder straps were added, and ribbon 
run through the beading at both top 
and bottom to draw it up. It was priced 
at $2.50. A handkerchief corset cover 
made after the pattern shown on page 
555, costs $4.50 in the store. Corset cov¬ 
ers of fine black lawn, to wear under 
thin black waists, are often very elab¬ 
orate. We saw one recently made almost 
entirely of lace and beading run with 
innumerable lines of black baby ribbon 
finishing in tiny bows. It was priced 
at $12. The plain little corset cover of 
fine black lawn, edged with narrow 
black lace and beading, is, however, in 
better taste, according to our ideas. 
This, with a drop skirt of the same ma¬ 
terial, forms the proper foundation for 
a Summer dress of black lawn, organdie 
or dotted Swiss, the latter making one 
of the very prettiest of thin Summer 
gowns for one wearing mourning. 
Creamed Corned Beef.—Scald a pint of 
milk with a slice of onion and a stalk 
of celery; stir into this one-fourth cup¬ 
ful each of butter and flour creamed 
together; let cook 15 minutes, stirring 
until thickened and then occasionally 
add a dash of paprika and strain over 
one pint of cold corned beef cut into 
dice; turn into a pudding dish an'^d cover 
with half a cupful of cracker crumbs 
mixed with two tablespoonfuls of but¬ 
ter; set in the oven to reheat and to 
brown the crumbs. 
A Plea for Home Nature Study. 
Quite recently 1 had occasion to ap¬ 
ply to the teacher of our school for 
some material on nature-study work, 
issued for teachers. To my surprise, he 
told me that he was doing nothing in 
this new but important branch of study. 
On corresponding with the Superintend¬ 
ent of the State Bureau of Nature Study, 
he informed me that there are hun¬ 
dreds of teachers like him, who have 
“no time” for the work. I know from 
experience how precious are the school 
hours. Every moment must be put to 
the best posisible use. But is there a 
better use for the 10 minutes follow¬ 
ing the opening exercises than to talk to 
the children and encourage them to talk 
of the things they have seen on the way 
to school in the wonderful book of na¬ 
ture? Even he who has “no time” will 
find an added zeal in his pupils for the 
three R’s, after having thus opened new 
avenues of thought and interest in their 
minds. 
But this is not written for the coun¬ 
try school teachers, who have heavy bur¬ 
dens laid upon their shoulders; but for 
the parents of this same army of young 
folks. Are we doing our share? Are 
we instilling a love for the country into 
our girls and boys from their babyhood, 
or do we, when Johnnie, aged seven, 
asks us where the grasshoppers go in 
Winter, dismiss him with a lazy “I don’t 
know,” or worse, do we hazard an er¬ 
roneous guess that they crawl into the 
ground and come out in the Spring? In 
many homes, nothing is being done, be¬ 
cause the seniors feel that their own 
training along these lines is deficient; 
in others, the fathers and mothers are 
not alive to the importance of the 
work. We need not regret the lack of 
a college diploma. We can work along 
with the children and be learners as 
well as teachers. The popular idea 
seems to be that nature study is a sort 
of scientific baby food, and that only 
those versed in the ’ologies can rightly 
undertake its teaching. 
One important thing is to get a right 
start. Some of us begin by reading big 
books. We hardly recognize our fa¬ 
miliar friend, the common frog, under 
the scientific description of Rana escu- 
lenta. After puzzling over the unfa¬ 
miliar terms for a time, we give up our 
studies in discouragement. A better 
way is to get a glass fish globe, and, 
having stocked our aquarium with tad¬ 
poles, to study their growth and 
changes; or, if our fancy is for wild 
flowers, to make a bed of them in a 
shady corner and learn all we can by 
actual observation of their structure, 
time of flowering and methods of fer¬ 
tilization. We need not trouble our wits 
with long Latin names, still less should 
we present them to the children. The 
one thing we do need is the spirit of 
helpfulness toward our charges. En¬ 
thusiasm and love for the work are 
almost sure to come when we are once 
fairly launched. Even dry bones have 
NO PAINTING l!E8UIltED°I^;s»S gS? 
Koofing;. Can 
be easily laid 
as the work 
only consists of 
mailing and ce- 
menti ng the 
Joints. Samples,prices & booklet giving instructions 
ASPHALT READY ROOFING CO ^ for laying sent 
SZ Pine St., New York. Postpaid. 
RUBEROID 
(TRADE-MARK REGISTERED) 
ROOFING 
For residences, barns, poultry- 
houses and silos. Positively the 
most durable and economical 
roofing on the market. Anyone 
can apply it. Water-proof. Con¬ 
tains no tar. Will not melt. Lasts 
indefinitely. 
SEND FOR BOOKLET K. 
THE STANDARD PAINT CO. 
100 William St., Nem/ York. 
Even children drink Grain-O 
because they like it and the doc¬ 
tors say it is good for them. Why 
not ? It contains all of the nourish¬ 
ment of the pure grain and none 
of the poisons of coffee. 
TRY IT TO-DAY. 
At grocers everywhere; ISc. and 25c. per package. 
mi UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, 
NOTRE DAME, INDIANA. 
ClasHlos, Letters. Keoiiomies and History. 
.J iiriialism. Art. Seience, Pliarnmey, l.aw. 
Civil, Meeliaiileal and Eleetrieal Engineering:, 
Areliiteeture. 
Thorougli I’reparatory and Coinnierelal 
Courses. Ecclesiastical students at special rates. 
Rooms Free. Sophomore, .lunior or Senior Year, 
Collegiate Courses. Kounis to Kent, moderate 
charge. 
St, Edward's Hall, for boys under 1.3. 
The doth Year will open September S, 1 S)0 ;l 
C atalogues Free. Address 
Box 233. Rev. A. Morrissey, C. S. C., Presl<lent. 
ST. MARY’S ACADEMY, 
NOTRE I>AME, INDIANA, 
(One mile west of the University of Notre Dame.) 
Conducted by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Char¬ 
tered 18.55. Thorough English, Classical, SclentiBc, 
and Commercial Courses, Advanced Chemistry and 
Pharmacy. Conservatory of Music and Art School. 
Regular Collegiate Degrees, Preparatory and Minim 
rsepartnients. Physical Culture under direction of 
'raduate of Dr. Sargent's Normal School. 'I’he best 
3 ducational advantages at moderate cost. Private 
roomsin new buildings at reasonable charges. School 
year begins SeptemberSth. For catalogue and special 
information, apply to 
Tile Directress, St. Mary's Academy. 
Box 233. Notre i>ame I’. <)., Iml. 
A RURAL MAIL BOX 
Should be 
simple, neat, 
strong, and 
durable. 
A box may be 
approved by 
the P. M. (Gen¬ 
eral and still 
not be satisfac¬ 
tory to the pur¬ 
chaser. 
Our “Uncle 
Sam’s Favor¬ 
ite’’ has official 
approval and 
,ils«> the ap¬ 
proval of thou¬ 
sands who are 
using it and 
know it’s all right. 
BOND STEEI. POST CO., 
Adrian, Mich. 
A Little Gold Mine for Women 
The U.S. Cook-Stove Fruit-Drier 
Dries all kinds of Fruits, Berries, Cher¬ 
ries, Corn, Vegetables, etc. It takes 
no extra Are. Always ready for use, 
will last a lifetime. It works while 
you cook. Write for circulars and 
special terms to agents. Price, 86 , 
E. B. Fahbnby. B.120,WaynesborOiPa 
TELEPHONES 
For Farmers’ Lines. 
Organize an exchange In your 
community. Full particulars fur¬ 
nished. Catalogue free. 
THE NORTH ELECTRIC C0„ 
152 St- Clair Street, 
C' N. 301. CLEVELAND, O. 
ALABASTINE 
We want 
to tell you of 
the durable 
and sanitary wall coating and tender the 
FREE services of our artists In helping you 
work out complete color plans; no glue kalso- 
inine or poisonous wall paper. Aotiress 
Alabastine Co., Grand Rapids, Mich, 
and 105 Water Street, New York City. 
BURN THE WASHBOARD and Save the Clothes 
Wash by air pressure—the easiest method ever found 
for lightening washday work. The 
Syracuse Easy Washer 
forces the hot suds through the clothes by air pre.s- 
sure and takes out the dirt—no rubbing, no pulling, 
rolling or grinding the clothes. Cleans without fric¬ 
tion. Made of steel-galvanized, never rusts, leaks 
or falls apart. Try It 30 days, wash laces, carpets, 
bedding, then if you don’t like it return it at our ex¬ 
pense. Write for book of modern laundry formulas. 
DODGE & ZUILI.., 539 8. Ciliitoii St. Syracuse,N.Y. 
$ 
WAN’S 
tandard 
ROOFING 
Is not like others-lt Is better. It is Fire, Wind Md 
Water-Proof, being a perfect roof In every way ana ai 
the same time has the advantage of being low In prtce. 
Fits the steepest or flattest roofs. Anybody can lay iw 
A knife and hammer are all the tools necessary. Saves 
you money on either new or old rooting. Sample and CIreulara free. 
THE A. P. SWAN CO.. 114 Nassau St., NEW YORK. 
STEEL ROOFING. 
Strictly new, perfect, Semi-Hardened 
Steel Sheets, two feet wide, six feet long. 
The best KouUng, Siding or Gelllnk 
you can use. We furnish nails free and 
paint rooting, two sides. Comes 
flat corrugated or “V” crimped. Drltv- 
eredfreeof all charges to ail points in U- 
S. east of Mississippi River and north of 
Ohio River at #8.85 PER SQCAKL. 
Priees to other pointson npplleatlon. 
A square means’<“• square feet. 
Write for Free Catalogue No. 67 on material bougiit 
from Slieritfs’and Receivers’Sal, s. ClIIGAGO IIDls**- 
iWKECKlNO C;0., \V. ttBth and Iron Sts., Ohlengo. 
