1903 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
651 
A Co-operative Country Home. 
In thPSP days whpii rollege girls ani 
sliidonts in llin city have made living to¬ 
gether on the cooperative housekeeping 
plan such a success that the air is full 
of talk of cooperating, I am led to in¬ 
quire why the plan would not work well 
in the country? We see many isolated 
women living alone in the country on 
limited incomes, expending all their en¬ 
ergy in trying to make both ends meet, 
and at the last, when the principal from 
which their income is derived has been 
reduced by illness or misfortune, using 
the last remnant of their property to 
pay their way into one of the many old 
ladies’ homes; when they might be using 
their time, money and energy to better 
purpose, be independent, almost free 
from care and worry, and be of some 
use in the world by combining a half 
dozen of those limited incomes instead 
of keeping up a half dozen different es¬ 
tablishments. For where one woman 
cannot live on less than $100 or $200 a 
year at the least, this small sum multi¬ 
plied by six or eight will house and feed 
a dozen women in pretty good comfort¬ 
able circumstances. They could hire a 
comfortable old country mansion, if 
none of the cooperators own one, and 
engage in cooperative housekeeping, di¬ 
viding the expenses at the end of the 
week or month. They would soon learn 
that those limited incomes would go a 
long way, and give them more pleasure 
and benefit, and they would have more 
lime to do their appointed work. For 
we are not put into this world simply to 
eke out an existence, or to prepare for 
the next; each and every one has some 
especial work to do, that is necessary to 
the good of our fellow men, and w-hat- 
ever our talents, our position or circum¬ 
stances, we can find it if we will. 
Of course the number of women co- 
bperating need not be limited to six, but 
six or eight make a pleasant family, and 
are about as many as the ordinary coun¬ 
try house will accommodate, as it would 
be advisable for each one to have a 
good-sized room of her own, which 
should be considered sacredly private, 
where she may keep her own particular 
treasures. Then there should be a com¬ 
mon parlor, dining room, veranda and 
all the outdoor world, where they could 
meet for social purposes. If no one of 
the party wished to undertake the re¬ 
sponsibility of cooking and keeping the 
common rooms in order, possibly those 
combined incomes might hire a good 
cook or housekeeper who should be al¬ 
lowed to reign undisturbed and supreme 
in her domain. Individual tastes might 
be catered to to a certain extent, but it 
would be better to arrange a weekly 
menu according to season and cost. The 
little task of each caring for her own 
room, or even keeping the common 
rooms in order should be apportioned 
out at the beginning. Then leave every 
one free to follow her own business, 
bent or inclination. If one should be 
an artist here she may paint, sketch or 
draw to her heart’s content; a writer 
can devote herself to her pen, a copyist 
spend her time with her typewriter, or 
a musician teach a few outside pupils, 
for it should be understood that one 
person’s work should not disturb or in¬ 
terfere with another. One may like to 
increase her income by doing plain sew¬ 
ing, embroidery, knitting rugs, mittens 
or socks, or any fancy work, and i' 
stems not impossible that some of the 
principals might be added to in these 
ways. One person might indulge in 
hours of study for which she had never 
found time before, or even if one should 
spend the long Summer days swinging 
in the hammock, reading novels, she 
should be allowed the privilege as long 
as the hammock belongs to her. 1 
think many of these women would dis¬ 
MOTHERS.—Be sure to use“Mrs.Win8- 
low’s Soothing Syrup” fur your children 
while 'Feething. It is the Best.— Adv. 
cover that under the cooperative plan 
they could indulge in many little lux¬ 
uries before unknown or impossible. 
This independent cooperative home 
would not be a reform school but a 
place of freedom, happiness and useful¬ 
ness. The golden rule would he the only 
one necessary to a house full of sen¬ 
sible busy women, each interested in 
her own affairs. There would be no 
need or desire to meddle with others. 
This would be an ideal home for the 
Summer months for teachers; widows, 
orphans or unmarried women from eith¬ 
er city or country, and it seems that if 
it proved a success it might work well 
the whole year round. If any of the co¬ 
operative women become dissatisfied or 
unhappy they can withdraw from this 
free and independent home without ap- 
Itlying for a divorce, and take their lim¬ 
ited incomes with them. What could 
be pleasanter than a little family of wo¬ 
men occupying a pleasantly-located 
country house? In these days when rural 
mail delivery, grocery, laundry, butcher 
and baker wagons bring everything to 
one’s door, with many trolley routes 
running directly past pleasant homes it 
is possible for women to go and come as 
(hey please, and lead free, independent 
and profitable lives. It i,5 only the one 
or two women living alone in lonely 
back country farmhouses who need lead 
lonely isolated lives, and many of these 
possess an income which when combin¬ 
ed with others, would admit of their 
living pleasanter lives in pleasanter 
places. AI.ICE K. TI.VXKY. 
Rural Recipes. 
Fruit Cookies.—Two cupfuls of sugar, 
one cupful butter, three eggs, four table¬ 
spoonfuls sweet cream, one level tea¬ 
spoonful soda dissolved in a little warm 
water, one cupful raisins, one-half 
pound English walnuts, chopped. 
cupfuls flour. Drop by spoonfuls one 
inch apart on buttered tins. Bake slow¬ 
ly. This makes a quantity, which will 
keep well in a tin box. 
Banana Snow.—Peel two large ripe 
bananas that have lain on ice for an 
hour. Run them through a colander 
into a deep bowl. Add the juice of one 
lemon. .\dd the white of one egg and 
beat with a wire whip until light. Add 
gradually one cupful confectioner’s 
sugar. Beat for 15 minutes. Serve in 
ice cups with a thin custard flavored 
with almond. Set on ice before serving. 
Apple Blanc-Mange.—Peel and slice 
thin six tart apples, add half a lemon 
cut into small pieces, and cover with 
two cupfuls of water. Simmer until the 
apples are thoroughly cooked, then add 
one teaspoonful of butter, and sugar to 
taste. No given amount of sugar can be 
ordered, as different varieties of apples 
require more or less sweetening. accoi;d- 
ing to individual taste. Cook for five 
minutes longer, then add two heaping 
tablespoonfuls of corn starch dissolved 
in a little cold water, stirring constant¬ 
ly to keep the mixture smooth. Fill in¬ 
dividual sherbet glasses, and serve cold 
with a garnish of whipped cream. 
The Rural Patteras. 
The pretty frock of shepherd'.s ' heck 
consists of the waist, and the skirt. The 
waist is made over a fitted foundation 
on which the shield is arranged. The 
back is plain and drawn down in gath¬ 
ers at the waist line, but the front is 
laid in tuck pleats which extend from 
the shoulders to the belt, where they 
blouse becomingly. The sleeves are 
snug at the shoulders and form full 
puffs above the wrists. The skirt is cut 
in five gores and is finished by a circu¬ 
lar flounce. The quantity of material 
required for the medium size (12 years) 
is 5% yards 27 inches wide, 4^/^ yards 44 
inches wide, or 4^/4 yards 52 inches wide, 
with % yard for shield and collar. The 
pattern No. 4492 is cut in sizes for girls 
8, 10, 12 and 14 years of age; price 10 
cents from this office. 
The loose Eton is very becoming to a 
young girl. The costume shown consists 
of the skirt and the Eton. The skirt is 
cut in five gores and is laid in pleats at 
each front seam and again at the center 
back. The Eton consists of the fronts 
and back, both of which are pleated and 
4479 Girl’s Costume, 8 to 14 yrs. 
which hang loose from a fitted yoke. At 
the neck is a big square collar and the 
sleeves are among the newest of the 
sea.son. The quantity of material re¬ 
quired for the medium size (10 years) 
is 7% yards 27 inches wide, 4% yards 44 
inches wide, or four yards 52 inches 
wide, with four yards of wide and two 
yards of narrow applique to trim as il¬ 
lustrated. The pattern No. 4479 is cut 
in sizes for girls of 8, 10, 12 and 14 years 
of age; price 10 cents. 
In comparing Grain-O and coffee 
remember that while the taste is 
the same Grain-O gives health and 
strength while coft'ee shatters the 
nervous system and breeds disease 
of the digestive organs. Thinking 
people prefer Grain-O and its ben¬ 
efits. 
TRY IT TO-DAY. 
At grocers everywhere; 15c. and 2Sc. per ptcicage, 
Prod ucps 
beaut ilul 
effects oil 
ALABASTINE 
walls and ceilinKS; never mbs or scales; easy 
to apply; mix with cold water. Better tli li 
(fine kalsomines, or poisonous wall paper 
Free services of our artists in uiakuig color 
plaiis, also card of dainty tints. 
Alabastine Co., Grand Rapids. Mich, 
and 106 Water Street, New York City. 
Mention tlits paper. 
An/ one fan bniih it on: no one ean mb It off. 
TELEPHONES 
For Farmers’ Lines. 
Organize an exchange In yonr 
community. BYill particulars fur¬ 
nished. Catalogue free. 
THE NORTH ELECTRIC CO., 
152 St. Clair Street, 
C-N. 301. CLKVjfilfANl), O. 
THE HESSLER IS THE BEST. 
Price, 
$1 EACH. 
niscount Ooze'c. 
Lots. 
Simple, Durable, 
Economical. 
Round, stbono, 
Heavy. 
Lowest In price, 
highest in quali¬ 
ty. A sample best 
evidence. Reap¬ 
proved Jan. 26tb, 
1908. Circulars 
•ent free. Orders promptly shipped. We sell direct 
to the farmer. H. E. HESSLER CO., Syracuse, N. Y. 
Rukal Mail Box. 
$100. to $300. MONTHLY. 
Men and women. Salesmen. Managers and General 
Agents. DeUghtful business /ear round. Hustlers 
getting rich. Write today for brand-new 
plnn and Special Offer this month. 
100 per cent proflte. >io rink. Goods 
well advertised. National reputation. Kull/ 
guaranteed. Customers delighted. We’re an 
old firm, capital tlOO.000.00. Ontalogue 
FREE. Any energetic mao or woman can 
get good position,paying big wages. 
WORLD MFG. OO., 
81 World RIdg., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
“The grtive.s were God’s first temples.” 
SEPTEMBER 
IN THE 
ADIRONDACKS. 
No finer place in September can 
be found than the Adirondaeks. 
The air is cool and bracing, the 
fishing fine, the scenery beautiful, 
and they ean be reached in a niglit 
from Boston, New York or Niagara 
Falls. All parts of the Adiron- 
dacks are reached by the 
NEW YORK CENTRAL LINES. 
a copy of No. 20 of the “Four-Track Series.” 
“ The Adirondaeks and How to Reach 
Them,” will be sent free on receipt of a 2- 
cent stamp by George H. Daniels. General 
Passenger Agent, New York Central H. U., 
Grand Central Station, New York. 
S37.50 BUYS A BATH ROOM OUTFIT COMPLETE 
IT IS ALL BRAND NEW 
We will furnish you all of the (iluinbing material in the above Illustration, 
consisting of a bath tub of graceful shape, solid white porcelain enamel, five 
feet long, made in one piece of cast-iron, with niekel-|)lated bath cocks, connected 
waste and overflow, supply pipes, rubber plug and chain, and i fancy designed feet. 
,, A '••‘“linvy water closet, consisting of a porcelain closet bowl, 
with hardwood seat and tank, fitted with ail necessary appliances, including 
nickel-plated flush and supply pipes, chain and puU. 
An elaborate marble lavatory with porcelain bowl, nickel-plated basin 
cocks, supply pl|>es, rubber plug and chain. 
it Is strictly new, and as good as anything on tho market that would 
cost you over twice as much. 
We will deliver aU of this material loaded on board car Cthicago, propeidy 
packed, for $87.50. o 
_We carry an enormous stock of NEW PLUMBING MATERIAL. WE 
FOR and REOEIVERB'SALES. WRITE 
FOK OUK CAl AliOGUK 57 plumbing material, household go<^8, etc. 
- WEST 35TH AND IRON STREETS, CHICAGO. 
