Some inquiries have come to us con¬ 
cerning the asbestos mats mentioned on 
page 2(5. Any hardware store should sup¬ 
ply them. They are kept in the house¬ 
furnishing departments of the large dry 
goods stores, also, in New York. 
* 
“ Aj.l the world loves a lover.” Hut 
it is the ideal lover that we love, and 
the man who attempts to play the role 
of lover and falls short of our ideal, 
comes in for some very sharp and unlov¬ 
ing criticism. Why not? Shall we give 
up our ideals when some one fails to 
live up to them ? 
* 
Wk are pleased to see the sincerity 
with which our discussions are carried 
on. It is always encouraging to see 
people in earnest about anything. There 
is no profit in a flippant consideration of 
a serious question. By such treatment, 
a little wit may be evolved, but it is a 
cheap sort of wit. 
friends, and not feeling at liberty to be 
more than a "brother,” had the pleasant, 
painful experience of being proposed to 
by three different women ; and but one 
other than myself was ever the wiser for 
it. Where is the woman who keeps the 
secret of a rejected lover ? Was there 
ever one such ? In this case, there was 
a neutrality existing between the parties 
that hearts less wise would have termed 
love. The woman, knowing his true 
worth, was at a loss how to consider for 
the future. In each case, time would 
have revealed the result, but woman is 
as impatient, sometimes, as man, and de¬ 
sires to know the end. lie said, in speak¬ 
ing of the occurrence, “ I felt a great 
kindness spring up in my heart for her. 
I explained the barriers between us— 
which neither of us could remove ; gave 
my plans for the future, and other ex¬ 
planations that seemed proper at the 
time. I was truly fond of her as a'friend, 
and admired her as a woman, one well 
worthy to assume the responsibilities of 
life with me, were it for the best. Our 
friendship never waned, and each was 
better for the understanding.” 
Sincerity is admired in both man and 
woman, and a trust of affection is a 
sacred thing. I believe that of the two, 
man is less liable to treat the subject 
lightly, or make it a public measure. 
Girls, be wise, modest and self-reliant, 
and yours is the right, also, to propose, 
and still to be admired—though rejected 
—at least, not accepted, wendell wrens. 
HOW TO COOK A HUSBAND. 
Eli HAPS some of the brides are 
without this recipe ! They should 
try it at once. It is old and reliable. A 
good many husbands are utterly spoiled 
by mismanagement. Some women go 
about as though their husbands were 
bladders, and so "blow them up.” Others 
keep them constantly in hot water. 
Others, again, freeze them by their care¬ 
lessness and indifference. Others “roast” 
them, while some keep them in a pickle 
all the time. It cannot be supposed that 
any husband will be tender and good, 
managed in this way ; but he will be 
really delicious when properly treated. 
In selecting your husband, you should 
not be guided by the silvery appearance, 
as in buying mackerel, neither by the 
golden tint, as if you wanted a salmon. 
Be sure to select him yourself, as tastes 
differ. Do not go to the market for him, 
as the best is always brought to your 
door, and even then, it is far better to 
have none unless you patiently learn 
how to cook him. A preserving kettle 
of the finest porcelain is the best; but 
if you have nothing but an earthenware 
pipkin, it will do with care. 
See that the linen that you wrap him 
A correspondent wishes to know why 
she cannot obtain clean, dried currants, 
the imported ones. In New York, they 
may be had at the same price asked for 
the uncleaned. They are a great im¬ 
provement on the original mixture of 
sand and pebbles, and should be supplied 
to those who prefer them. 
* 
Again we have the advice of a man on 
the question of proposing. It is certainly 
a matter which concerns both sexes, and 
it is a serious matter, too, being the pre¬ 
liminary to that event in life which is 
more important than any other, to those 
immediately concerned, and affecting 
the welfare of the race, as well. 
* 
The National Domestic Science Asso¬ 
ciation, recently organized, is working 
to secure the establishment of a bureau 
to investigate the adulteration of food 
products, and other matters relating to 
cooking, etc. Congress appropriates 
millions of dollars for investigating 
agricultural mechanics, but household 
art is neglected. A bill has been intro¬ 
duced by Senator Kyle to secure appro¬ 
priations. If it still holds good that the 
way to a man’s heart is through his 
stomach, surely such consideration as 
this movement purposes to give to the 
digestive apparatus, ought to persuade 
Congressmen to give their hearty sup¬ 
port to the bill. 
" WHOSE IS THE PRIVILEGE ? " 
“ II J HOSE Is the Privilege?” on page 
VV 43, by J. C. S., is good, and, as 
a whole, I admire it; yet from different 
experience and surroundings, others 
may, though not inclined to differ mate¬ 
rially, give a different view of the sub¬ 
ject under consideration. I, for one, 
have always believed that woman could, 
with propriety, “ propose.” In fact, if I 
may judge from bits of experience re¬ 
lated now and then by some friend or 
relative, I believe that the majority of 
women do the proposing—at least, dis¬ 
posing. They often lead men to propose 
who have no intention of doing so. 
Sometimes it is well with them, and 
sometimes otherwise. However, I believe 
that every true woman has, or should 
have, that right, and ought to use it 
more often than she does. It is a deli¬ 
cate matter to handle, and gives room 
for tact and wisdom ; otherwise, a bung¬ 
ling job is the result, and she is held in 
contempt. If a woman proposes because 
she simply needs or wants a husband, 
she is not true to the finer sensibilities 
of her sex. If to understand, or better 
to understand an intimate friend, she 
has a perfect right to do so. 
A personal friend of mine, who is a 
great admirer of woman, making many 
THE GREAT REFORMER 
IN A NEW ROLE 
Dr. Parkburst 
ana young D)cn 
In twelve familiar “talks” Dr. Parkhurst, 
the great New York preacher and reformer, 
will address himself to young men. A 
feature that will continue through the year 
of 1896 in 
THE LADIES’ HOME JOURNAL 
ONE DOLLAR FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR 
Oixr 140 6irl$ Ulere educated free 
At the best colleges and conservatories under the Free Educa¬ 
tional Plan of THE LADIES’ HOME JOURNAL. Every girl 
has the same chance now for any kind of education she wants. 
Not a penny need she expend. Let her simply write to 
tlx Curtis Publishing Companp 
Philadelphia 
COPYRIGHT, 189A, BY THE CURTIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 
