1898 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
647 
ney troubles, cancers—why don't the 
doctors cure these things ? Those cups 
of coffee, perfect or imperfect, are not 
at the bottom of all of these doldrums. 
They, of course, result from any of a 
dozen possible causes. But when you 
begin to consider the conservation of 
health and longevity, and have faced the 
probability that either dirt or improper 
diet causes most of our bodily ills, all 
matters of regimen come under scrutiny. 
As you emerge into atmospheres of 
healthier thought, you still remember 
your speculations and decide, perhaps, 
to take your coffee only as a Sunday 
morning treat. You used to boast that 
not half the people of your acquaint¬ 
ance knew what a good cup of coffee is. 
Now you half wish yourself of their 
number, drinking contentedly a cup of 
milk, sugar and water, indifferently 
flavored with coffee, a beverage so mild 
as to be perfectly safe throughout the 
course of the longest lifetime. 
You begin testing the various cereal 
coffees and find you have joined a great 
throng of abstainers. It will be well 
enough to teach the children to use these 
healthful drinks, you decide and, finding 
your head clearer and your nerves stead¬ 
ier, you accept your Postum or Graino or 
Old Gristmill with cheerful resignation, 
perhaps with enthusiasm. You like to 
have a warm and nourishing beverage, 
and now that you are of an enlightened 
understanding, you are not ill content, 
for are not very many of your friends 
making the same change to a morning 
cup less doubtful in its results, if also 
less delightful—or will you stand by 
your adopted substitute ? Many do, and 
will probably live the longer for it. 
P. T. PRIMROSE. 
On the Wing. 
AFLOAT WITH THE BABIES. 
WIIAT ST. JOHN’S GUILD DOES FOR SUFFER¬ 
ING CHILDREN, 
fEDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.] 
The Floating Hospital.— Strangers 
in New York are often interested and 
puzzled by the sight of a great white ex¬ 
cursion barge seen along the river front, 
or far down the bay, which floats a white 
flag bearing, in brilliant red letters, the 
inscription “ Floating Hospital.” It flies 
the Red Cross flag, too, and is, withal, 
so festive in its display of bunting, and 
so spotless in its glistening paint, that 
one wonders what its holiday mission 
may be. A view of its decks gives the 
impression that half a dozen Hunday- 
school picnics have combined with an 
orphan asylum for a day’s excursion, 
and then one realizes that this is the 
floating hospital of St. John’s Guild, 
which, through stifling Summer heat, 
brings life and health to the children of 
poverty and misfortune. All through 
the warm weather, six days a week, this 
barge goes down the bay, loaded with 
ailing children and their mothers. For 
eight hours or more they enjoy the salty 
air ; they are fed, washed and comforted, 
and return to their poor homes the better 
for a few hours’ happiness, at least. 
St. John’s Guild. —The society en¬ 
gaged in this work was first formed by 
the workers of St. John’s Episcopal 
church, about 25 years ago, but it out¬ 
grew the parish bounds, and was finally 
reorganized as a separate society, upon 
a broad, non-sectarian basis. Its selec¬ 
tion of beneficiaries is not limited by 
race, color, or creed, its object being the 
aid of those children who, housed in air¬ 
less tenements, sicken and die in their 
stifling homes through the Summer 
months. It is not fenced in by any stock¬ 
ade of red tape ; any physician may ob¬ 
tain cards entitling their holders to the 
benefits of the Guild, which he dis¬ 
tributes at his discretion. Of course, it 
is presupposed that the beneficiary is 
some one unable to pay for such benefits. 
A great many of these cards are dis¬ 
tributed by the city physicians, by free 
dispensaries, and by charitable societies. 
The main support of St. John’s Guild 
comes from voluntary subscriptions. In 
addition to the Floating Hospital, the 
society supports the Seaside Hospital at 
New Dorp, Staten Island, where they 
send patients who need something more 
than the trip up and down the bay. 
A Sea-Going Nursery. —I have often 
heard comments upon the harsh selfish¬ 
ness of city life, which quite ignore the 
benevolent brotherhelp which blooms in 
the city as well as in the country. A 
day upon the St. John gives quite an¬ 
other side of city life—only I wouldn't 
recommend the trip to any one who de¬ 
velops “ nerves ” when confronted by a 
few children. I have known people who 
found half a dozen children difficult to 
put up with—to such persons I wouldn’t 
recommend a jaunt down the bay in com¬ 
pany with a party of 1,600, two-thirds of 
them juveniles who are not in the habit 
of repressing their feelings. The placid¬ 
ity with which doctor, matron and 
nurses meet all emergencies is a source 
of perennial wonder. 
Scenes at the Piers. —The St. John 
touches at three piers each day, starting 
from the east and west sides of the city 
on alternate days. For an hour before 
the boat arrives, her passengers are 
crowding upon the piers. They are a 
motley crew, representing varied nation¬ 
alities, the most noticeable feature, 
which distinguishes it from other ex¬ 
cursion parties, being the absence of men. 
It is for mothers and children only, 
though I believe, where there is no avail¬ 
able mother, the society would stretch a 
point, and permit a father to bring his 
child. But ordinarily, when a mother 
cannot come, some anxious small sister 
—one of the “ little mothers ” of the poor 
—assumes charge instead. There are 
several policemen on the pier, who grimly 
threaten to arrest divers small boys who, 
in their exuberance, seem to invite a 
watery grave by skylarking on the edges 
of the dock, and some of these guardians 
accompany the excursionists on their 
trip. There is great excitement when 
the barge finally appears, escorted by a 
puffing tug, and the guests are formed in 
line to undergo medical inspection before 
they enter the boat. This is a necessary 
precaution, preventing any risk of con¬ 
tagious disease being carried on board. 
On Board the Hospital. —Every party 
of excursionists carries a bag or basket 
which, I imagined, contained a picnic 
lunch, but I soon learned that the regu¬ 
lations did not expect, or permit, the 
guests to bring their food, the idea being, 
as in hospitals ashore, to prohibit any¬ 
thing unauthorized by the authorities. 
The packages I noticed contained pil¬ 
lows, wraps, and other conveniences for 
the babies. Each woman, upon entering 
the boat, receives milk tickets, entitling 
her to a certain allowance of milk for 
each child with her, and an ample dinner 
is provided. Orthodox Hebrews are, how¬ 
ever, permitted to bring food with them, 
as the requirements of their faith would 
not permit them to eat food of Gentile 
preparation. The excursionists sit upon 
the upper deck, where there are long 
lines of benches. Ropes from the sides 
of the benches allow for the slinging of 
tiny hammocks for the babies, if desired. 
The Hospital Corps. —The first sur¬ 
prise I received, on going aboard, was 
the sight of a bevy of hospital nurses, 
five of them, in trim and spotless uni¬ 
forms. Their crisp white caps were a 
source of wonderment to me, on this sea¬ 
going hospital, and I asked one of them 
how they ever maintained their fresh 
neatness among the breezes of the lower 
bay. She told me, with a smile, that it 
was not at all uncommon for their head- 
gear to go gamboling overboard when 
they got fairly out on the bay. A hos¬ 
pital ward on the main deck, with a 
number of neat little white cots, was 
ready to receive any serious cases. Here 
MOTHERS.—Be sure to use “Mrs. Wins¬ 
low’s Soothing Syrup ” for your children 
while Teething. It is the Best.— Adv. 
the physician in charge, Dr. Macauley, 
prescribes for his patients, furnishing 
medicines required, which are adminis¬ 
tered by the nurses. Sometimes a sur¬ 
gical dressing’ is required for some in¬ 
jury which, trifling enough under favor¬ 
ing conditions, becomes a source of dan¬ 
ger in the unwholesome surroundings of 
the tenements. It is a pathetic sight to 
see some of the women bringing their 
little ones for inspection—such feeble 
little mites — and to see their faces 
brighten as the doctor questions them, 
for he is master of many tongues, and 
gains confidence by the sympathy ex¬ 
pressed in familiar speech. 
The Bath-Room. —While one is struck 
by the fact that few ragged clothes are 
to be seen among the guests of the 
Guild, it is a fact that many of them 
would be better for bathing, and ample 
facilities are provided both for mothers 
and children. There are shower baths, 
where the women may be sprayed with 
salt water, large tubs, and small baths 
for the babies’ benefit. The bath¬ 
room is in charge of capable attendants, 
under the supervision of a trained nurse, 
and one of the duties is that of giving 
practical instruction in the art of wash¬ 
ing a baby to mothers who have no idea 
of this work. They told me of a little 
girl, perhaps 11 years old, who had come 
to them carrying a heavy baby—one of 
the little mothers of the East Side. She 
wanted the nurse to show her how to 
bathe her charge. “ The baby’s mother 
don’t believe in an all-over bath,” she ex- 
large household to cater for, and she be¬ 
lieves in a spotless cleanliness and thor¬ 
ough order, which must certainly exert 
its influence even upon those who spend 
but a day upon the boat. By dinner¬ 
time, the boat is anchored out in the 
bay, where it remains during the after¬ 
noon, unless there is a heavy swell, 
which renders it wiser to return. In 
such case, many of the guests are likely 
to become seasick, and much discomfort 
results. After dinner, a panting little 
launch goes ashore with those ordered 
to the Seaside Hospital. My visit t« 
this must be described in another article. 
E. T. R. 
B.&B. 
We’re ready 
to tell you about the 
new goods 
—almost a five-acre store here, but none 
too large for the extensive stock—such 
interesting assortments of choice new, 
distinctive styles as we believe you’ll not 
find surpassed anywhere. 
We want to tell you about them in a 
way that will show you plainly, how de¬ 
termined we are to make it pay you to 
buy here—want you to get samples—let 
goods and prices show how less the 
prices here for choice goods. 
Fine Dress goods and suitings, 50c., 
75c., 85c., $1—lots for more, if you want 
them, to $5. 
plained, “ but I do, and I want to know 
the right way to do it.” There is a fu¬ 
ture in store for that small girl, I hope ; 
she is evidently a progressive. 
Lunch and Dinner. —Twice during 
the day milk is given out for the chil¬ 
dren. The policemen make the people 
form in line, and see that they are or¬ 
derly, and do not attempt to get more 
than their share, which is regulated by 
the tickets they present. The bottle 
babies are furnished with sterilized milk. 
Dinner is served down below in the hold, 
where the greater part of the space is 
occupied by the long dining-room, kitch¬ 
en, pantries and refrigerators. The 
dining-room is lighted by small port¬ 
holes, through which one hears the swish 
and gurgle of the clear green water. 
The long tables are covered with spot¬ 
less white oil-cloth, and neatly set; the 
bill of fare consists of a savory stew of 
meat and vegetables, with unlimited tea 
and bread and butter. The waitresses 
are comely young women in neat cotton 
gowns and large white aprons. The 
matron, clad in immaculate white, has a 
Our Catalogue is fill 
ed with Bargains. 
♦ 
SatisfactionouRWatch-word. 
Mr. J. Morrison, of Woodenville, King 
County, State of Washington, writes concern¬ 
ing his dealing with us: “I received the goods 
yesterday in good shape and am highly 
pleased with them. Hereafter when I need 
anything in your line you will hear from me.” 
So they come from all 
who buy from us. A 
thousand purchasers 
mean a thousand satis¬ 
fied customers and busi¬ 
ness friends. Why don’t 
you send for our new 
catalogues, anyway? 
They are absolutely free, 
for the asking. 
Our Carpet catalogue 
is lithographed in ten 
colors from hand-painted 
plates, that show the de¬ 
signs fai t h f ul Iy, and 
show also art squares, 
rugs, and draperies in 
their real colors; it also 
contains a superb line of 
lace curtains, on all of 
which you save half, at 
least. 
Our Furniture cata¬ 
logue is the best ever is¬ 
sued. If you don’t be¬ 
lieve us,write for it. The 
best of it is the prices, 
they're 40 to 60 per cent 
lower than you suspect. 
Write for our cata¬ 
logues today, Madame 
_and when they arrive do 
not sleep until you have read them, every 
word. Address (exactly as below). 
JULIUS HINES & SON, 
Dept. 380 Baltimore, Hid. 
$1.49 and not a cent 
more for this Cob¬ 
bler Seat Rocker, 
solid Oak or finish¬ 
ed imitation mahog¬ 
any. Built like a 
railroad bridge, it’s 
so strong, and easily 
worth32.50— but our 
price 
$1.49 
Choice medium-priced Dress Goods, 
25c., 35c., 45c. 
New Black goods, 35c. to $2.50. 
New Silks, 75c. to $1.50—rich effects, 
85c. 
New Plaids, 20c., 25c., 45c. to $2. 
See what fine all-wool solid color 
Cheviottes, G5c. will get — 50 inches 
wide ; and 48-inch Cheviotte mixtures— 
all wool—40c. yd. 
Samples cost you nothing. 
BOGGS & BUHL, 
Department C, 
ALLEGHENY, PA. 
SAVE^YOUR FUEL 
By using our (stovepipe) RADIATOR 
With its 120 Cross Tubes, 
ONE stoveor furnace does tho work of 
TWO. Drop postal for proofs from 
prominent men. 
TO INTRODUCE OUR RADIATOR, 
where we have no active agent we 
will sell at wholesale price. Wrlteat 
once. 
ROCHESTER RADIATOR COMPANY, 
27 Furnace St., ROCHESTER, N, Y. 
WOOD OVAL AIR-TIGHT HEATING STOVE 
Spun HrassUrn. forburningwood.corncobs.roots, 
chips, shavings.etc. The most per- 
gfect stove of its class, absolutely 
aair-tight; tire can be retained for 
^ many hours. Every farmer has 
^.enough fuel going to waste to sup- 
qply one or more of these stoves 
ran entire season. Rods protected, 
• they cannot burnout; joints con- 
‘tjstructed so as to avoid creosote 
^.deposits. Stove very handsomely 
Unickeled—suited for use in sitting 
grooms, parlors and libraries. Ask 
2. your nearest dealer for this stove. 
■ If he does not have It, write us 
for circulars. 
The March-Brownback Stove Co.,Pottstown,Pa. 
MACKINTOSHES. 
Men’s all wool Tricot, $5.00 
Ladies’ cashmere two-cape, $4.00 
These waterproof garments would cost you $10.00 
each in any retail store. Send money order for 
sample, stating bust measure and length. Agents 
wanted everywhere. Address, 
M. F. REESE SUPPLY CO., Setauket, N. Y. 
IMPROVED KNITTER 
WITH RIBBING ATTACHMENT. 
Knits everything required 
In the household from 
homespun or factory yarns. 
Knits seamless hosiery equal 
tiand knitting. CHEAP, 
PRACTICAL, SIMPLE. A 
child can operate it. Excels 
all competitors and imitators. 
only machine made with 
lURItiNU ATTACHMENT. 
Satisfaction guaranteed. Par¬ 
ticulars and sample work 
(plain and ribbed) free. A 
machine FREE to working agents. Address. 
J. E. GEAHIIART, Kox A27, CLEARFIELD, PA. 
FRUIT 
EVAPORATOR “The Granger.” 
Strong—Durable. Can be applied to any stove or range. 
Cheapest in the market—83, 85 and 88. 
Send for free circular. 
EASTERN MANUFACTURING CO., 257 S. Fifth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
