1905. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
329 
Charity Sweetheart’s Letters. 
“In sugar camps, when south and warm, 
The winds of March are blowing, 
And sweetly from its thawing veins 
The maple’s blood is flowing.” 
March is over, and we are still at the 
sugar camp. It was a pleasant sound one 
morning lately to hear the boys as they 
came scampering in, throwing their school 
bags at the root of a tree. “O, Aunt 
Charity, we’ve got a holiday—teacher has 
toothache, and gone home.” It was the 
middle of the forenoon; we were having 
a big run of sap that day, and T suggested 
that they might as well help father and 
the hired boy, who were busy gathering 
sap in the woods. So when they came 
down to empty it into the puncheons, the 
boys started off on the return trip. My 
occupation has been tending to the fire and 
the pans—for boiling syrup is great stuff 
to get on the outside, and you have to be 
quick and careful. When we started to 
get ready, our tools were dim with dis¬ 
use, having been in the attic for years, 
and there was a good deal of dirty work 
scouring the pails, cleaning the sap spouts 
to my satisfaction. Brother had some 
new pails made and covers for the old 
ones, so as to keep out leaves and dirt, 
and got some new up-to-date spouts, for 
he said that rusty ones were apt to cause 
the bark of the tree to decay. When we 
came to the first suggestion of Spring in 
the air, he thought it was time to tap, 
and we started off to Price’s Corners, tak¬ 
ing our lunch, some soda crackers and a 
bottle of milk. There was an old shanty 
on the land, but it was full of frozen water- 
and Brother had dug little drains around 
it and made a fire the day before. I 
helped to tap the trees around the shanty; 
it was easy work boring a hole to the 
depth of three inches or less, for the best 
sap is nearest the bark, but the tiresome 
part was walking in the snow from one 
tree to another. 
By the third day the shanty was com¬ 
fortable and I was busy inside, so was 
glad that day, later on, when the boys came 
in. They were fresh at the work, and 
really helpful, so 1 let them stay late and 
have a little “sugaring off,” outside the 
cabin door, in the big pot. Before they 
left the moon came up and while they 
played around, my thoughts went back to 
other years, when I was one of gay sugar- 
ing-off parties. There was always moon¬ 
light to go home by, and—but I turned 
my back on the moon’s rays, and went 
into the cabin to see that everything was 
secure before we started for home. It has 
been amusing to see the difference in those 
boys, even in a sugar bush, both in the 
way of helping and eating. Cleveland got 
his share into his mouth before the day 
was over, and was fitful in sap carrying, 
for he stopped to talk and hinder the 
boy. Grant stuck at the work, and offered 
me a share of his taffy and soft sugar, 
while Sherman rolled his up to take away 
with him, and every now and then through 
the day might be found sitting on a log, 
reading a paper he had in his pocket, while 
the sap cans were running over not far off. 
For they did run over that day, and one 
or two neighbor men came along and 
helped secure the sap, and Brother was the 
spendthrift then. He gave them crackers 
and half-boiled sap, poured sap into a 
saucepan and boiled eggs in it for them, 
and at night came to me and said, “We 
must give them some syrup to take home, 
Charity.” 
“Why?” I asked, impatiently, and he 
laughed and got it for them. Now, I do 
not feel miserly, but it didn’t seem right 
that I was slaving out there and their 
wives to get that syrup. One of the men 
said my dress was sensible for my work, 
and I snapped out that “I wasn’t there 
to be a fashion plate.” For it seemed as 
if he was making fun of me. I wore a 
very short grev skirt, a dark red knitted 
jersey, a soft woolen cap of grey yarn, 
and a big blue denim apron, while my 
boots were calfskin, long at the ankles. 
We keep the sap boiled up right after 
gathering, but it was hard work that day. 
Sap that waits long for the fire never 
makes high-grade sugar, just as long boil¬ 
ing injures its color and flavor. It has 
required all Brother’s experience to make 
it a success. The tiresome part for me 
was skimming the pans continually to get 
off the “sugar sand” and dirt. Tt bubbles 
up and foams so suddenly, and with such 
persistence, that the bottle of milk has to 
be kept where it can be reached without 
delay, for a little of that, poured into the 
pan will quell it for a time. I smiled 
when putting it in after reading in The 
R. N.-Y. of the “mil^ of human kindness,” 
but it did not help me to “quit thinking.” 
Mine is not an exceptional case, and 
in this climate with the present conditions 
we all must take “thought for to-morrow.” 
If Brother didn’t, we should have to burn 
green wood next Winter. r>nd it isn’t very 
encouraging for the cook stove. And I 
hope that I have not “passed on” so many 
complaints that it hides the bright side of 
my life. My good and bad deeds must be 
left for others to weigh in their balance. 
Just now I am too busy for much “think¬ 
ing.” and as it is Saturday, the boys arc 
helpin". while Mintv has come over 
through the soft' slush, bringing two of 
her town friends, who ask such foolish 
questions that it seems incredible anyone 
with books and illustrations in this age 
could be so ignorant of the processes of 
Nature. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
It. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick reply and 
“a square deal.” See guarantee, page 14. 
This morning Brother said we would 
close the camp if the thaw kept on, and 
that we had made $93 altogether, out of 
which the boy who helped was to be paid. 
He thought it a good return, and gave 
me the credit of being quite a help and 
worth half the profit as my share. There 
are 365 good trees 30 years old, and a 
few that had room to grow are giants. 
The sap shows rather cloudy now, and 
leaf buds are swelling, which makes the 
work harder, as pans and pails have to 
be more carefully cleansed to keep the 
syrup clear. When we first came here 
there were only pussy willows as a sug¬ 
gestion of Spring, but now there are 
patches of Hepaticas in sunny spots where 
the snow has melted, and soon we shall be 
looking for bloodroot. I hope this moncy- 
get f ing will not make me mercenary, and 
I didn’t begrudge the neighbors the syrup 
they took home, only I argued this way: 
When Brother goes to help any of them 
at hog-killing time, they do not give him 
a piece of the animal to take home with 
him. So if the possession of a little over 
$40 has made me mean, I shall have to 
abide by it, for these things will come into 
one’s mind. Perhaps T realize values all 
the more for being so long deprived of any 
source of revenue, and I think it has given 
me a better understanding of the feelings 
of others, who have not had the oppor¬ 
tunities that have been mine of late. 
CHARITY SWEETHEART. 
The Girl on the Farm. 
The R. N.-Y. is an old friend of mine. 
As “Moore’s Rural New Yorker,” on my 
grandfather’s table, it contained a few 
things suitable for my childish taste, but 
later it was full of good things. The 
Carman household—the busy mother, the 
school children and Alice Brown—were 
my much loved friends. And I have not 
forgotten the Charity Sweetheart of “ye 
olden time.” She had then a very sensi¬ 
ble, matter-of-fact way of commenting 
upon the affairs of her everyday life, but 
unhappily wrote of the dark side then, as 
now. Since she knows something of the 
loneliness and deprivations of country life, 
and their cravings for something different, 
perhaps she can give some hints that 
would help me and other mothers of girls. 
Let Charity remember what she lacked, 
what would have been most appreciated, 
most helpful, most pleasant to her in her 
girlhood days. For many years we have 
been reading “how to keep boys on the 
farm,” but the question of keeping the 
girls is just as serious, in these latter days, 
when the city is calling for stenographers, 
bookkeepers, store, factory and shop girls. 
Shall we encourage our daughters to take 
business courses? If the “Madame” at 
Flope Farm had big girls, what would she 
Top Buggy $36. 
A remai kably low price for a buggy so good that 
the Cash Supply &Mfg. Co., a concern which stands 
foremost for keeping promises, absolutely guaran- 
tees it. Indeed we offer this ext-aoidiuary buggy 
atthis extraordinary price as a quick way of con¬ 
vincing the buying public of the exceptional quality 
of our goods and the extremely low prices at wmch 
we sell. We feel sure that you will be so woll pleased 
with the buggy that you will be glad 10 recommend 
us to your neighbors. The result will be that the 
buggy will be worth many dollars to us as an 
advertisement. That is one reason why we can 
afford to sell it so cheap. 
Special Features 
56-1 nch 1 otik bo<ly, 
wrought Bteel Hally 
body hangers, heavy 
iron strips on bot¬ 
tom boards, 36-1 noli 
long springs, best 
quality. 
A LEADER OF LEADERS 
This great buggy offer No. 13-E. will never 
come within your reach again. No other firm 
could ever make you such an offer, but, selling 
direct from factory to you, wo have an advantage 
which means a saving of practically one-half in the 
price of all vehicles and the saving on this special 
offer is even greater than that. An accurate though 
condensed description of this buggy No. 13-E, follows: 
wheels, selected hickory. Satven patent % or 1 in. 
tread, round edge steel tire, screwed rims and bolted 
between each spoke. Extra strong body, hardwood 
frame, 55 in. long, 22 or 24 Inches wide, put together 
to stay. Finely proportioned top, either 3 or 4 bow, 
made of good heavy rubber or leather quarters and 
back stays, with either straight or curved joints. 
Axles are long distance, bell collar, dust proor, with 
felt pad and receptacle for surplus oil. Scat is 17 by 
29 Inches over top of cushion, with 21 inch full panel 
back. Upholstering of best construction, with Staples 
and Hanford cushion springs. No. 1 leather dash, 
full length tapestry carpet and side panel carpets 
Fine grade of green or blue cloth or whipcord trim¬ 
mings. Best selected shafts with wrought steel 
braces and 4-inch genuine leather extra quality shaft 
straps. If you want pole instead of shafts, add $1.50. 
For both pole and shafts, $1.90. Painting strictly 
first-class, with good paint an i varnish; body black, 
gear very dark green or red, nicely striped. Kegular 
4 ft. 8 In. or 5 ft. 2 in. track. 
Price at. factory, with 3 or4 how Rubber 
Top and Shafts..$3(5.00 
Price at faetory, with 3 or 4 how lea¬ 
ther Quarter Top. 39.00 
7-K in. rubber tires, high quality, extra, 13.20 
1 in. rubber tires, high quality, extra.... 15.(50 
This Is the buggy bargain of a lifetime, a buggy 
which we guarantee to give absolute satisfaction for 
just about one half what It would cost you any whero 
else. Packed In crate only 30 In. high, safe delivery 
guaranteed, freight charges to points as far east as 
Kochester, N. Y., or Pittsburg, Pa., less than $3.50. and 
to any place In Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode 
Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware or New 
Jersey freight charges less than $4.75. 
Don’t let this bargain slip by yon. Send 
us$5 with yourorder, just as evidence of good faith 
and we will ship subject to thoiough inspection. If 
the buggy Is not satisfactory do not accept it. wo will 
refund your $5 and pay the freight both ways. Write 
to-day for our handsome, new Spring vehicle and 
harness catalogue, showing all the latest styles In best 
quail y at lowest prices. Address Cash Supply <& 
Mfg.Co.,435 Lawrence Sq.,Kalamazoo,Mich. 
BABY RAMBLER ROSE 
An Everblooming Dwarf Crimson Rambler, 
Other novelties as well as a general list of nursery 
stock. Illustrated descriptive catalogue FREE. 
do with them ? 
F. M. C. 
JOS H. BL ACK, SON <& CO., Hightslown, N.J. 
PureWhheIead 
If you could cover your 
house with a sheet of me¬ 
tallic lead, you would feel 
well insured against decay. 
The next best thing is to 
paint it with PURE White 
Lead with pure linseed oil 
to make it adhere. It’s the 
cheapest and best house- 
paint to be had. 
Dont pay White Lead prices for rock- 
dust and other worthless pigments. Our 
booklet, "What Paint and Why, n tells 
how to buy PURE White Lead. Sent 
free from the nearest office. 
NATIONAL LEAD COMPANY 
Largest makers of White Lead in the world 
New York, Boston, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, 
Chicago, St. Louis 
National Lead 6c Oil Co., Pittsburg 
John Cewis 8c Bros. Co., Philadelphia 
TANKS and TOWERS 
We Build ai,i. Sizes and Kinds 
CALDWELL TANKS don’t teak. 
CALDW ELL 1OW E RS don’t f Ml 
down. 
Get Illustrated catalogue: also 
ask fur prices, erected ready for 
use. 
W. E. CALDWELL CO. 
Louisville, Ky. 
%?WE WANT AGENTS 
in every town to ride and sell our bicycles. 
Good pay. Finest guaranteed 1005 MODELS, 
with Puncture-Proof ^ f Z’) ^ Q yf 
tires.Coaster-Brakes ^ * 
1003 & 1004 Model* & 7 (lO 
of Best Makes. 
500 Second-Hand Wheel* 
All makes & Mod- , n (O 
els good as new V w V u 
CLEARING SALE at half cost. 
Wc SHIP ON APPROVAL and 
TEN DAYS TRIAL to anyone 
without a cent deposit. Write at once for 
Special Offer on sample bicycle. 
TIRES, SUNDRIES, AUTOMOBILES. 
MEAD CYCLE CO., Dept w so CHICAGO 
Instead of 4 % 
$25 upward, with¬ 
drawable on 30 
days’ notice. 
Investments bear earn¬ 
ings from day received 
to day withdrawn. 
Supervised by New York 
Hanking Department. 
MONKY now drawing 4 p. c. 
can bo pafely reinvested 
through tliIs Company at b p. c. 
—increasing the income 25 per 
cent. Conservative investors 
will appreciate a plan affording 
all the security and profit with¬ 
out the Annoyance of individual 
mortgage loans. 
Description of methods, names 
of many patrons, an d all desired 
information on request. 
Assets, . $1,700,000 
Surplus and Profits, 
$160,000 
Industrial Savino8 A LoanCo- 
1134 Broadway, New York. 
Plant Boxes 
Zinc coated for raising all kinds 
of plants in and transplanting to the 
Held witli all the roots and soil. No 
set back, regardless of the weather. 
The same boxes can be used for 
years. Tomatoes three weeks earlier by New methods. 
How we grow !H>0 baskets Tomatoes to the acre, and for¬ 
ward Lima Beans, Melons.ete.. in very short time,and how 
we make clothl ransparent for fratnes.all told in book that 
*s Free to all who write to L. G. TUTTLE, Wallingford,Conn. 
New Steel Roofing and Siding $2.00 per 100 Sq. Ft. 
eonomieal covering for Rooting, Siding or Celling for Kesldeneeii, Houses, 
sler -- ‘ 
Painted red on both sides. Most durable and , _ 
Burns, Sheds, Elevators, Stores, Churches, Poultry Houses, Cribs, etc. Easier to lay 
and will last longer than any other covering. Cheaper than shingles or slate. No experience 
necessary. A hammer or hatchet the only tools needed. It is seml-hardened high grade steel. 
*2.00 Is our price for the Hat. Corrugated as shown In cut, or “V” crimped or standing seam 
costs *2.10 per 100 square feet.. We offer Pressed Itrlek Siding and Beaded Celling or 
Siding at 1*2,25 per 100 Squurc Feet. Thousands of buildings throughout the world 
are covered with this steel rooting and siding, making their buildings 
FIRE, WATER AMD LIGHTNING PROOF. 
Send In vour order for as many squares as you may need to cover your new or old 
building. Time will prove Its enduring qualities. Withstands the elements, best of all 
roofings. At prices noted In this advertisement, 
WE PAY THE FREIGHT 
to all points East of Colorado, except Indian Territory,Oklahoma and Texas. Write for 
prices for shipment to such points. Ask for further particulars. Immediate shipment 
tf you mnll ii* your order at once. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. Our Special Catalogue 
No. K- 57 tells all about this roofing. It also quotes low prices on Building Muteriul. Wire, Pipe, Plumb¬ 
ing, Hush. Doors, Furniture, Household Goods, Down Spouting, Eave Trough and thousands of other 
Items bought by us at Sheriffs’ and Receivers’ Sales. 
i-f. • 1 j. 
CHICAGO HOUSE WRECKING CO.. 35TH AND IRON STS., CHICAGO. 
RITII n f ID your Health and 
DUILjLJ %jr Strength with 
^ JAYNE S TONIC VERMIFUGE, 
a pleasant, potent, and permanent invig'orator 
for WOMEN, CHILDREN and MEN. 
DRUGGISTS ALL SELL IT. 
