i89o 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
843 
HOLIDAY HINTS. 
* * \liT HAT shall I make for Christ- 
VV mas ?” is an almost universal 
expression at this season. 
To begin with, bags of various kinds are 
always acceptable. The most serviceable 
material for the indispensable shopping bag 
is plain black satin. It requires one half 
yard of material, 24 inches wide, and a yard 
and three-fourths of black satin ribbon 
(No. 7). Line with silesla and finish with a 
deep hem at the top. Do not cover it with 
embroidery, or even add fringe at the bot¬ 
tom. Get a fine quality of satin and leave 
it perfectly plain—beauty unadorned. 
Pretty party bags are made of the small 
sized Turkish towel. Sew together in the 
shape of a pocket, turning down the 
fringed ends to a depth of three inches, and 
complete with draw ribbons to blend in 
color with those of the towel. A bag of 
this sort also serves as an attractive 
“ catch-all ” for the sewing machine. (See 
Fig. 401.) 
The pompadour of the French is likewise 
for parties, or for carrying fancy work. 
It calls for a yard and a half of flowered 
China silk, plush, satin or cloth. Sew to¬ 
gether lengthwise, leaving an opening in 
French Pompadour and Shopping 
Bag. Fig. 401. 
the middle, which is closed by means of 
two harness rings, which are to be procured 
of the saddler. This form is excellent for 
a child’s school-bag. (See Fig. 401.) 
A new idea for a scrap-bag takes the 
form of a large kerchief of silk or cambric, 
the ends of which are tied together with 
bright ribbons. This is new, simple and 
practical. 
Tea chest matting is a splendid article 
for making table mats. Mark the desired 
size, stitch on the machine and then cut, 
otherwise the edges will fray. Finish with 
a row of light braid taken from an old 
straw hat. 
This also makes the prettiest paper 
baskets imaginable. Take two pieces, each 
something less than half a yard, and fasten 
together by means of a silk or satin puff¬ 
ing. Line with silesla of a corresponding 
color, and to the upper end fasten broad 
ribbons for hanging to the side of the 
table or desk. It is decorated with a 
painted cluster of fleur-de lis, daisies, or 
simply a bow of ribbon. 
This matting is effectively used for wall 
banners. Cut the desired size, on it paint 
a bunch of yellow daisies or golden-rod and 
edge with rope, adding fringed tassels of 
the same at each corner. In case the 
maker is not an ‘'artist,” in the sense of 
being able to use oils and brush, she may 
successfully ornament the banner with a 
flat bouquet of golden rod, oats, wheat and 
grasses, tied with a bow of yellow ribbon. 
Indeed, this will be more unique than a 
painted design. 
It is to be hoped that a generous supply 
of grasses, bitter-sweet and the like, has 
been preserved; they are invaluable. A 
tripod of three cat-tails, securely tacked to¬ 
gether, forms a charming rest for a great 
woven hat, thus forming a card receiver. 
During the holidays, or when sent as a 
gift, the hat might be filled with holly. 
Stalks of golden rod form as pretty a tri¬ 
pod as the cat-tails, but the down is apt to 
“ fly ” unless the branches were cut early in 
the season. Heavy stalks of oats may be 
tied in the form of an easel, and brightened 
with touches of gilt paint. (See Fig. 402.) 
Artistic cards, which are always appro¬ 
priate, are made of tiny bunches of pressed 
&Hi.$ccUuneou$ gUvntising. 
Plkask mention The R. N.-Y. toour adver¬ 
tisers. 
When Baby was sick, we gave her Castorlu, 
When she was a Child, she cried for Castorlu, 
When she became Miss, she clung to Castorlu, 
When she had Children, she gave them Castorlu. 
flowers and grasses. Arrange in the form 
of a bouquet, and glue to a card of Bristol 
board. Underneath, in fancy letters, write 
a Christmas wish or holiday greeting. 
Bristol-board is best obtained by the sheet, 
from the printer, who will cut it into cards 
of any wished-for size. It looks best to 
have plenty of background ; five by seven 
inches is none too large. The German 
drawing paper, which comes in such a 
beautiful tint of ecru, makes rich cards, 
folded through the middle in the form of a 
leaflet. It is too light a weight for plain, 
decorated cards. 
An original design for holiday cards is 
cut of cream Bristol-board in any form to 
suit the fancy—horseshoe, circular, square, 
shield, etc. In an upper corner is glued a 
cluster of four leaved clovers. Underneath 
is printed, “A Happy New Year !” The 
lettering is dpne in two shades of bronze 
paints, the clovers are touched irregularly 
with the same. The card is further deco¬ 
rated with two shades of green ribbon, for 
hanging. The little emblem of good for¬ 
tune is, as a rule, plucked and carefully 
treasured. If, however, none are at hand, 
they can easily be painted, although the 
genuine clover is preferable. 
Wish-bones, bronzed and gilded, are a 
convenient substitute for the clover. Tie 
to the card with baby ribbon and print, 
“All things happy, wish I thee.” 
An apron is a welcome remembrance. A 
fancy red or orange-bordered towel, having 
the upper end turned down five inches and 
shirred, with ribbons sewed on for tying, 
completes a very pretty apron. Something 
more elaborate is made of India linen, 
tucked in the form of a “ Y ” instead of 
being gathered. It has also a cluster of 
tucks all the way around. The lower 
edge is trimmed with torchon lace or em¬ 
broidery. (See Fig. 403.) 
Gifts for the sterner sex may be found in 
blotters, pen-wipers, and the like. 
Filter paper, bought of the druggist, 
Apron of Tucked India Linen. 
Fig. 403. 
makes far nicer blotters than the ordinary 
blotting paper. A pretty ragged edge is 
produced by tearing, or rather sawing, off 
a narrow strip with a large-toothed comb. 
In this manner cut four or five pieces of 
paper of the desired size. Tie together 
with a bright ribbon and decorate the outer 
one with a simple “ Greenaway ” outline 
sketch in India ink. A blotter not requir¬ 
ing so much skill in the way of drawing is 
made of blotting paper, cut in the form of 
a log. Cut four leaves of equal size, the 
two outer of yellow, the inner of red and 
blue. With India ink finish the outer in 
the form of a log and on it print, “The 
Yule Log,” intertwined with sprigs of 
holly. Tie with a narrow scarlet ribbon. 
(See Fig. 404.) 
Shot is the best known pen cleaner. Fill 
a small fancy vase with shot, and a splendid 
pen-wiper is made. It is also convenient to 
have one at hand made of filter paper. Cut 
about six leaves,, three by five inches, and 
tie with a ribbon. Decorate the outer leaf 
with a sketch in India ink. A decidedly 
pretty design for this is that of a little girl 
lying in the grass, writing in a large book ; 
her hat and bunches of daisies at her side. 
Underneath print—“ Sketches from my 
Pen.” Simply the quotation in large fancy 
letters, will also answer. 
For a calendar, take a piece of pasteboard, 
nine by twelve inches, and cover with 
ragged-edged German drawing paper, on 
which has been drawn some dainty design 
in India ink; or it may be decorated with 
bronze paints. A small calendar is glued 
in the lower left-hand corner, and a quota 
tion, such as, “ Touch us lightly, Time! ” is 
Yule Log Blotter. Fig. 4 04, 
printed across the top, in fancy letters. A 
strip of pasteboard is glued to the back, 
forming a support. 
Laundry bags are always gratefully re¬ 
ceived by the gentlemen. They may be 
made of satin, with a light face, and darker 
back; size according to the length of the 
printed list. The laundry account, or list, 
is nicely lettered on a typewriter—some 
friend may do this. Or if a number are 
wanted, by clubbing together, thus dividing 
the expense, any number of lists may be 
printed. Make a practical list. That is, 
mention only such articles as are known to 
be used by the recipients. White ties, 
vests, suits, sheets, pillow cases, may 
usually be omitted. anna hinrichs. 
CHOICE RECIPES. 
Mince Pie without Apples.— One quart 
of grape marmalade ; two teacupfuls of 
finely minced beef; one teacupful of suet, 
minced ; one teacupful of molasses ; two 
teacupfuls of raisins; one teacupful of 
rolled cracker; one-half teacupful of vine¬ 
gar-more if liked ; two teaspoonfuls each 
of ground allspice and cinnamon; one tea¬ 
spoonful each of pepper and salt. Bake in 
rich pastry crust and your mince pie may 
be good enough for Thanksgiving. 
MARY MANN. 
Delicious Oyster Patties. —These may 
make a delightful addition to any State 
dinner, holiday or otherwise, and may be 
quickly prepared if the shells are baked and 
the butter and flour mixed beforehand. The 
base of the filling is one cupful of rich 
drawn butter, prepared by rubbing one 
tablespoonful of flour into an equal or 
greater quantity of butter, and adding it 
gradually to one cupful of hot milk. To 
this is added one quart of oysters, minced 
fine with a sharp knife, and seasoned with 
salt, pepper and celery salt. This is to be 
cooked five minutes. Cracker crumbs may 
be used in place of part of the flour, if de¬ 
sired. Patty shells of pastry are filled with 
the mixture, set in the oven for two min¬ 
utes, and served at once. L. H. 
Perhaps some family may indulge in 
roast pork or roast pig for Christmas; if not 
at that time, however, the dangerous season 
for porkers as well as for choice young 
turkeys is coming near, and a recipe for a 
delightful sage and onion dressing to make 
these still more savory will no doubt be 
appreciated. 
Sage and Onion Dressing.— Boil two 
large onions in sufficient water to take off 
the strong taste. Meanwhile soak twice or 
three times the quantity of stale bread in a 
small amount of cold water. Chop the 
onions fine, mix them with the bread 
crumbs, and add two teaspoonfuls fine sage 
(more if liked) two ounces butter, pepper 
aud salt to season highly, and one well- 
beaten egg. m. 
In writing to advertisers please always 
mention The Rural New-Yorker. 
Each Season 
Has Its own peculiar malady; but with the 
blood maintained in a state of uniform vigor 
and purity, by the use of Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, 
the system readily adapts itself to changed 
conditions. Composed of the best alteratives 
and tonics, and being Highly concentrated, 
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla is the most effective and 
economical of all blood medicines. 
“ For some years, at the return of spring, 
I had serious trouble with my kidneys. I 
was unable to sleep nights, and suffered 
greatly with pains in the small of my back. 
I was also afflicted with headache, loss of 
appetite, and indigestion. These symptoms 
were much worse last spring, especially the 
trouble with my back. A friend persuaded 
me to use Ayer’s Sarsaparilla. I began 
taking it, and my troubles all disappeared.” 
— Mrs. Genevra Belanger, 24 Bridge st, 
Springfield, Mass. 
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla 
PREPARED BY 
DR. J. C. AYER & CO., Lowell, Mass. 
Sold by Druggists. $1, six $o. Worth $5 a bottle. 
From the “Pacific Journal.” 
“A great Invention lias been made by Dr. 
Tutt of New York. He has produced 
Tutt’s Hair Dye 
which imitates nature to perfection; it acts 
instantaneously and is perfectly harmless. ’ 
Price, S*l. Office, 39 & 41 Park Plaee, N, Y. 
LADIE8’ 
Sewing Companion. 
Holds Spool. Thread. Pins 
Needles, and Thimbbs,Fastens 
to dre«s button while knitting, 
sewing or crocheting. It will 
please you. Samole. mail, 25c„ 
2 for 40c. 1 doz. 1.35. Agents 
wanted New England Nov¬ 
elty M’f’g Co.. 21 Portland 
Street, Borioh Mass. 
ARTHUR’S 1891 
HOME 
MAGAZINE 
40 th 
YEAR 
CHOICE , clean literature: 
CHEAPEST OF ITS CLASS, A A 
COMPLETE HOME MONTHLY. 
Stories. Housekeeping, Fashions, Etc. 
$1 .50 A YEAR. 
SEND FOR A CIRCULAR, WITH CLUB RATES, 
AND OTHER INFORMATION; NEW STORY, ETC. 
T. S. ARTHUR & SON, 
Philadelphia. Penna. 
X'X -X OC'X X'^Y' 
To show you our handsome Household .Maga¬ 
zine conilurtal by “Jenny June” which is just 
wha t vou wan t.-we will send it to you 
months 
_ for20c. 
Stamps taken. 
Each Number has 81 pages, beautifully illus¬ 
trated and contains FASHIONS, HOISK- 
HOLD WORK, COOKING. RE¬ 
CEIPTS, ART I\STK ICTION. 
CORRESPONDENCE, I .V THE 1 
,KITCHEN, POETRY, EMBOI1I- 
ERY, STORIES, FANCY WORK., 
i ETC. Every number complete. 
^.The Home Maker, i Salaries Paid 
Union Square, 
Sew York City. ) To Agents. 
SewUoT bt} 
General Advertising Rates of 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
TIMES BUILDING, NEW YORK. 
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France... 3.04 (16^ fr.) 
French Colonies. 4.08;29^ fr.) 
Agents will be supplied with canvassing outfit on 
application. _ 
Entered St the Post-office at New York City, N. Y, 
M eeeond-eUM mall matter. 
