1899 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
27 
Shopping Talks. 
TEN DOLLARS IN LINEN. 
WHAT THE HOUSEWIFE MAY BUY WITHIN 
A $10 LIMIT. 
B akoain Sales. —The first two months 
of the year make an excellent season to 
replenish the stock of house-linen, mus¬ 
lin underwear, and white goods gener¬ 
ally. All the large city stores are now 
making special inducements to pur¬ 
chasers, and in addition to this, the Win¬ 
ter months following the holidays usu¬ 
ally give more leisure for sewing than 
later in the season. One may work on 
white goods during dull days and long 
evenings, without feeling the lack of 
brighter light so much as when working 
on dark fabrics. There may be leisure 
then to hem the tublecloths and nap¬ 
kins by hand, which often seems a waste 
of time to busy women, though the 
effect, whether of plain overhand hem¬ 
ming or the open stitch, is incomparably 
superior to machine work. If the family 
finances can be managed to permit it, a 
small expenditure, every year, at the 
bargain season, will keep the stocks of 
house-linen and underwear in good con¬ 
dition, without ever reaching that dis¬ 
couraging condition when, as the house¬ 
keeper dolefully observes, everything is 
gone at once. 
Ordering by Mail. —Shopping may be 
done by mail to such advantage that it 
is quite possible to avail oneself of all 
the opportunities of city shopping, with¬ 
out its attendant disadvantages. There 
are some disadvantages, too, especially in 
the holiday time. One of the funniest— 
and most exasperating—things we have 
seen, during the busiest time just before 
Christmas, was a large man plunging 
through the crowds with a large rocking- 
horse under his arm. He poked the 
wooden animal into people’s ribs, dented 
interested shoppers in the small of the 
back, and acted generally as though he 
and his rocking-horse owned the entire 
store. Another product of the holiday 
season was a man who sat on the edge 
of the busy sidewalk in the shopping 
district, a few evenings before Christ¬ 
mas. He had a Christmas tree in his 
arms, a holly wreath around his neck, 
and various other decorations were dis¬ 
posed about his person. He sat there, 
uttering incoherent remarks about 
Christmas,until an unsympathetic police¬ 
man induced him to move on, leaving 
the spectators to wonder whether he 
was a victim of the cup that cheers (and 
also inebriates) or whether he was some 
unfortunate who was trying to recollect 
his wife’s shopping list. 
Four Dollars in Table Linen. —Sup¬ 
pose the housewife has, among the holi¬ 
day gifts, $10 to be used in replenishing 
her linen closet. Table linen would be 
the most costly item ; one might easily 
spend the entire amount upon one table¬ 
cloth, with a dozen napkins to match. 
However, we aim to expend the $10 upon 
table linen, towels, sheets and pillow 
cases of fair, everyday quality, so we 
will set aside $3 for towels, the same for 
bedding, and $4 for table linen. The 
prices quoted are those current all the 
year ’round ; during the sales, one may 
increase either quantity or quality. 
Bleached or Unbleached ? — This 
question each housekeeper must settle 
to her own satisfaction. Many think that 
they get better value in the cream linens, 
which are, properly, half-bleached ; they 
are not nearly so deep in color as the 
old-fashioned unbleached damasks. The 
cream soon bleaches out to pure white, 
even with ordinary washing. Estimat¬ 
ing the length of the table cloths at 2)4 
yards, one could buy, within the limit, 
one of Turkey red damask at 30 cents, 
56 inches wide, and one of fine white 
damask, 62 inches wide, at 50 cents ; a 
MOTHERS.—Be sure to use“Mrs. Wins¬ 
low’s Soothing Syrup ” for your children 
while Teething. It is the Best.— Adn. 
dozen red-bordered doilies to go with 
the red cloth at 75 cents, and a dozen % 
napkins of white damask for $1.25, mak¬ 
ing a total of $4. The % size of napkin, 
though very commonly used, is not as 
large as might be, and a great many 
prefer % size, which may cost all the 
way from $1 to $12 a dozen. There is 
one bargain in table linens which we do 
not recommend a careful purchaser to 
indulge in, and that is a fringed lunch 
set in fancy colors. Apart from the fact 
that the delicate colors usually fade in 
washing, the fringe soon gives a ragged 
look to the table cover. 
Three Dollars in Towels. —Towels, 
like table linen, will soon mount to a 
high figure, if one tries to purchase the 
fancy grades. The best everyday towel 
is huckaback, and in this material, 
towels 20 x 40 inches may be bought for 
$2.25 a dozen. We would spend the 
towel money on a dozen of these, and 
add three large Turkish bath towels at 
25 cents each. Of course, one may buy 
a fair grade of huckaback cheaper than 
the price given, but the towels would be 
smaller ; 17 x 34 inches 10 cents each, 
18x36 inches 12)4 cents, and 19x37 
inches 15 cents. But a small towel is 
painfully inadequate when it comes to 
drying oneself. Damask towels are hand¬ 
some, but the cheaper grades are so slip¬ 
pery and non-absorbent that one might 
as well try to dry on a starched apron. 
They usually cost from about 25 cents 
apiece up ; there are nice qualities, not 
extra fine, at $4 a dozen. But for ordin¬ 
ary uses, the huckaback are certainly 
preferable. 
If roller and dish towels are to be 
reckoned for, one may begin with cotton 
crash at 3% cents and linen crash at five 
cents a yard, and go up to 24-inch hucka¬ 
back at 35 cents. Good 18-inch toweling 
may be bought for 8, 10, 12)4 and 15 
cents a yard. Many women select cotton 
crash under the impression that it is an 
economy, but it is not nearly so absorb¬ 
ent as the linen, and is an exasperation 
in drying dishes. Dishwashing is never 
very attractive, but to wash dishes in 
insufficient hot water, and then dry 
them upon cotton crash, would accentu¬ 
ate the disagreeable side of the occupa¬ 
tion tenfold. 
Three Dollars in Bed Linen. —Bed 
linen is not quite accurate, however, for 
most of us are satisfied with cotton ma¬ 
terials. Linen sheets and pillow cases 
are much cheaper than they were, and 
their use is increasing in consequence; 
but our $3 would hardly buy one pair of 
linen sheets. Sheets and pillow cases 
readymade may be purchased very 
reasonably, and thus save the busy 
Outdoor Work 
that is 
Profitable 
An agency for 
THE LADIES’ 
HOME JOURNAL 
offers opportunities for 
money-makingnot pos¬ 
sible in working for a 
less widely known pub¬ 
lication, and without 
the unpleasant experi¬ 
ences sometimes en¬ 
countered in pushing 
that which has no de¬ 
mand or is unknown. 
The Curtis Publishing Company 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
$9.50 BUYS AS VICTORS 
Adapted to Light and Heavy Work* Reliable and Pineh 
Flniahed; Guaranteed for 10 Year*. Write for 82 Page Cat#* 
iogue. Attachments Free. 30 DAYS FREE T RIAL Addi l -«m 
Dtpt. 629,VICTOR RFG. CO., 295-297 Fifth Avo., Cfclenfc* 
housekeeper extra work. Unbleached 
pillow cases, 42x 36 inches, or 45x36, 
may be bought for 10 cents each; un¬ 
bleached sheets, 2)4 x 2)4 yards, 40 cents 
each, while a larger size, 2)4 x2)4 yards, 
cost 45 to 50 cents each. 
If bleached sheeting is desired, one 
could buy, within the limit allowed, two 
pairs of excellent sheets, 2)4 x 2% yards, 
at 50 cents each, and expend $1 in four 
pairs of readymade pillow cases, 45 x 36 
inches, at 12)4 cents each. Hemstitched 
sheets, 2)4 x 2)4 yards, would cost 55 or 
65 cents each, and pillow cases to match, 
45x36 inches, 12)4 cents. The ready¬ 
made sheets are all 2)4 yards long, but 
vary in width from 1% to 2)4 yards. The 
pillow cases vary in dimensions from 
42 x 36 inches to 50 x 38)4 inches. Bolster 
cases vary in price from 20 to 35 cents. 
Buying sheeting by the yard, we find 
10-4 width ranges from 18 to 22 cents a 
yard, so that practically nothing is 
saved by buying the material, and mak¬ 
ing it up at home. We think the effort 
and time expended in making up sheets 
and pillow cases, would be far better ex¬ 
pended in making shirt waists and other 
Summer clothing, the material of which 
costs but little, compared with the price 
of the made-up garment. Work of this 
class may well begin next month. 
It is said that some of our soldiers in 
Cuba tried to improvise Christmas trees 
by fastening decorations to the thorns of 
great cactus bushes. We can’t imagine 
any more pathetic substitute for a real, 
fragrant spruce or hemlock Christmas 
tree than a gaunt and ungainly cactus, 
with its armament of prickly spines. 
Giw a Clwugbt j 
to the need and the 
quality as well. 
T$ J\ Simple Toed 
and is easily and perfectly 
digestible. Is made of 
the WHOLE WHEAT de¬ 
luded of the 
irritating husk 
particles,and is 
Rich in Gluten. 
♦ 
♦ 
If your grocer does not 
keep it, send us his 
i name and yourorder— 
* we will see that you are 
supplied. 
♦ Made only by the 
X FRANKLIN MILLS CO., L0CKP0RT, N. Y. 
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ 
Maple Evaporators. 
MOST DURABLE, MOST ECONOMICAL, 
CHEAPEST. Manufactured by 
McLANE & SCHANK, Linesville, Pa. 
TEN WEEKS FOB TEN CENTS. 
That big family paper, The Illustrated Weekly Sentinel, 
of Denver, Col. (founded 1890), will be sent 10 weeks 
on trial for 10c.; clubs of 6, 50c.; 12for$l. Special offer 
solely to introduce it. Latest mining news and illus¬ 
trations of scenery, true stories of love & adventure. 
Ad. as above & mention The R.N.-Y.; stamps taken. 
DAIRY C A R M t0 rent ’ good locatlon- Milk sold 
Unin I I Mil III to the consumer direct. Particu¬ 
lars address M., Box 2600, New York City. 
FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE 
one of the finest hotels, situated in one of the most 
desirable Summer resorts in the State of New York, 
containing 300 rooms, all furnished ready to open at 
the beginning of season, the same is for sale or ex¬ 
change for good farm property. Address A. S. C., 
care The Rural New-Yorker, New York City. 
Many heads and many hands combine to 
produco that marvel of scientific construc¬ 
tion and mechanical skill—tho 
Full Ruby Jeweled 
Elgin Watch. 
Each one has a lifetime of accurate service 
—a third of a century’s test has gained for 
it the title of 
“World’s Standard’’ Timepiece, 
An Elgin Watch always lias the word “Elgin” 
engraved on the works—fully guaranteed. 
Will Carleton’s 
MAGAZINE, 
“Every Where” 
You have all heard of 
Winn Carleton, the fa¬ 
mous poet and editor,author 
of “Farm Ballads,” “City 
Legends,” etc. His Maga¬ 
zine. “Every Where,” 
contains his latest poems, 
sketches and stories; best 
of additional literature. 
50 CENTS A YEAR. 
SPECIAL OFFER: 4 Months for 10 Cents, 
if you mention The Rural New-Yorker. 
EVERY WHERE PUBLISHING CO., Brooklyn, N.Y 
B.*B. 
ladies’ stylish, service¬ 
able mackintoshes, $3.00 
—plain navy or brown, or neat brown 
and black check cloth — plaid lined— 
with double-breasted full size, plaid 
lined cape, finished with velvet collar. 
No woman’s wardrobe is complete 
without a mackintosh — this is such 
splendid money’s worth as will make 
the investment of financial importance. 
Best we’ve ever sold for the money. 
All lengths, 54 to 62 inches — when 
ordering state length wanted. 
Extra-good mackintoshes for misses, 
$2.50. _ 
Reduced prices to empty the Silk and 
Dress Goods shelves—choice goods sacri¬ 
ficed at the lowest prices ever heard of. 
Get samples of Dress Goods at 15c., 25c , 
35c., 50c., and silks 35c., 50c., 65c.—and 
let goods and prices prove—a third, a 
half and even more off regular small- 
profit prices. 
BOGGS & BUHL, 
Department C, 
ALLEGHENY, PA. 
u^^^imrnufcu Miilltn 
WITH RIBBING ATTACHMENT. 
Knits everything, from homespun 
or laetory yarns,equal to hand knit- 
ting. Cheap, Praetieul, Simple. 
Illustrated instruction teaches 
you all about it. Only machine 
utSlr \'1 th RIBBING ATTACH- 
M E N T, Ahead oi all competitors. 
A Satisfaction guaranteed. Mon- 
ey for agents. Plainand ribbed samples free. Address, 
J. E. CEARHART, CLEARFIELD. PA. 
DEWEY’S 
$2.50. How to Cure Diseases 
without Medicine; power 
— — - - _ _ of pure water. Address 
SANITARY STILE CO., 17 H. St. Atlanta.Ga. 
OHIO 
FARMS! 
FOR SALE! 
BARGAIN No. 182 !—189 
acre farm in Logan County. 
Lies on good pike; three 
miles from railroad station, 
one mile from post office. 
SOIL Is a fertile sandy clay 
with a gravel loam sub¬ 
soil; one-half lies nearly 
level, one-half rolling; 
20 acres open timber, well 
set in Blue grass. IM¬ 
PROVEMENTS: Two-story frame house of 11 rooms, 
cellar, barn 30x50 feet; stock scales, granary, etc., all 
In good repair. Abundance frolt and water on the 
farm. Price only $5,500, on easy terms. 
WILLIAMS & BELL, West Liberty, Ohio. 
tlT Many other farms, any size you want. 8end 
for list. 
