1906. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
33 
Animating the Dishrag. 
In a recent number the editor of The 
R. N.-Y. speaks of a co-operative dish¬ 
washer, and the future of the man who 
shall invent an “animated dishrag,” and I 
feel moved to tell how "animating the 
dishrag” has ceased to be, to me, the 
most dreaded of all household tasks. Last 
Spring, in a lecture on vocations at the 
Brooklyn Institute, Prof. Edward Howard 
Griggs is reported to have said: “Of all 
the dull, blind, sordid drudgery, the 
ne plus ultra to my mind is dishwashing. 
Whoever does faithfully the blind, dead 
work of washing the same dishes every 
four hours, meal after meal, week after 
week and year after year, builds character 
and cultivates patience, fidelity, cpiiet wis¬ 
dom and loyalty to trust.” I quite agree 
with the Professor as to the drudgery, but 
after many years of faithful performance 
of this disagreeable duty, 1 fail to find in 
my possession any marked increase of the 
virtues he mentions. I wish Prof. Edward 
Howard Griggs had told v.s in whose 
kitchen he gained all these years of val¬ 
uable experience. Surely it must have 
been differently arranged from the average 
farmhouse kitchen. 
Last Spring, when we moved into this 
house, there was no place in the kitchen 
for my work table, except across a west¬ 
ern window. At the time I growled at 
this arrangement, but hereafter if there is 
only one window in the kitchen I occupy I 
shall place my work table before it. Now 
imagine the time, eight o’clock A. M. of 
the first bright, sunshiny morning we have 
had for nearly three weeks, and let me tell 
you what 1 see from this window while 
I wash the breakfast dishes. The nearest 
object is the windmill with the group of 
evergreens beside it. Among these ever¬ 
greens live and flourish a good-sized col¬ 
ony of English sparrows, who seemingly 
make their daily toilets, conduct all their 
social functions and settle all their dis¬ 
putes on the frame of the windmill. After 
watching these strenuous birds all Sum¬ 
mer I have come to believe that in spar- 
rowdom the political campaign lasts the 
whole year round. High over the ever¬ 
greens in the top of an elm tree swings 
the deserted nest of an oriole. Many times 
a day I look at the nest, and wonder 
where now is its gay architect and occu¬ 
pant. Is he helping to while away the 
time for some other poor woman while 
she washes the dishes, and will lie return 
to me with the Summer? A little to the 
left is a block of quince trees that I have 
watched unfold their leaves and lovely 
blossoms, and seen these last change to 
great golden globes of fruit that yielded us 
$4.50 per barrel in the city market. Among 
the quince trees, and now that the quince 
trees are leafless, plainly visible, is the 
upper henhouse or Minorca house, as we 
call it. I never tire of watching the ten¬ 
ants of this building, for with their shiny 
black satin dresses and their scarlet bon¬ 
nets, their restless movements and their 
quick tempers, my “Spanish ladies of high 
degree” are well worth studying. This 
morning Red Jacket, the little red bantam 
rooster, has come up to breakfast with the 
Minorcas, but leaves his meal to dispute 
the right of way with Free Silver, the big 
black cat. I don’t see how so much im¬ 
pudence and independence can be done up 
in a few red feathers, but Red Jacket 
knows no law but his own sweet will, and 
all Summer long has roamed lawn and 
garden, barn and woodshed, when the rest 
of the fowls are safe behind wire nettings. 
A little farther toward the barn I see the 
big Black walnut tree with its bushels of 
ungathered nuts still on the ground, and 
three of the big gray squirrels from Brig¬ 
ham Hall are busy harvesting their Winter 
store. I think if I ever get the work done 
up 1 will oust the squirrels and gather 
some for my own use. The prospect for 
this is not vory good, for as I turn to 
place the clean dishes in the big cupboard 
on the opposite side of the room I see a 
pan of bread dough, that, like some people, 
is “bound to rise in the world,” a jar of 
cream that must soon he converted into 
butter, and a large pumpkin that Joe has 
brought in and placed on a chair, thinking 
no doubt that I would take the hint. 
Rut enough of my own possessions. I 
will stand at one end of the table and see 
what is doing on the highway, said high¬ 
way being a new State road completed 
about a year ago. It is broad and smooth 
and an excellent place to speed horses, 
automobiles, bicycles, etc. Soon come the 
school children, and their bright faces and 
merry voices just fit in with this lovely 
morning. Load after load of produce rolls 
by on its way to the village market. Then 
with a jolly whistled tune, Elintcr, the 
cheerv dispenser of Standard oil for this 
vicinity, goes slowly up the grade with his 
big tank wagon shining with a new coat 
of paint. I ’most know he is bound for 
Bristol Valley, and I envy him his ride, 
even if his team is composed of one horse 
and two mules. Soon a huge automobile 
filled with men, dogs and guns goes flying 
past. I grin and imagine what will hap¬ 
pen when they overtake Flintcr and his 
oil tank, and the auto, as usual, tries to 
take its half of the road right out of the 
middle. Now for a miracle wrought in a 
kitchen. While I somewhat discontentedly 
wash the last of the dishes, and vow to 
myself if this weather continues I too will 
take to the road, if it is only to peddle 
soap, the soft whir of rubber-tired wheels 
again draws my attention to the highway, 
and a peculiar looking vehicle flashes past. 
Not so quickly does it go but that I read 
on its side this inscription, “Canandaigua 
Hospital of Physicians and Surgeons— 
Ambulance,” painted in large gilt letters. 
Who can tell what there is in the sight of 
this carriage and the white-clad nurse 
within, fleeing to the comfort and I hope 
to the relief of some poor sufferer, that so 
quickly changes the aspect of the work 
within my kitchen. Cook? Of course I 
can cook, if the folks can only eat when 
I have cooked. Churn? What is churn¬ 
ing but a healthful exercise for my mus¬ 
cles? Before that ambulance is far on its 
way I have figured out how I can do all 
the work in the kitchen and pick up the 
Black walnuts before dinner. Then, since 
Joe has gone to an auction in pursuit of 
more cows, and the hired man has gone 
home to Bloomfield for the day, I will 
lunch for dinner, walk into the village, at¬ 
tend the meeting of the Y. W. C. A., visit 
the library, make some calls and have a 
jolly good time all the afternoon. 
CLARA RICKETSON ROPER. 
The Rural Patterns. 
The pretty little apron shown is made 
with a circular yoke to which the full 
fronts and backs are joined, and the ber¬ 
tha, which is straight and gathered at its 
upper edge. The quantity of material re¬ 
quired for the medium size is two yards 
36 inches wide, with 3% yards of banding. 
The pattern 5234 is cut in sizes for girls 
of 4, 6 and 8 years of age; price 10 cents. 
The little gown or wrapper is made with 
fronts and back, fitted by means of 
shoulder and under-arm seams, and is 
closed at the front by means of buttons 
and buttonholes worked through the hem. 
6228 Chlld '8 Night Gown or Wrapper, 
2 to 8 years. 
The sleeves are gathered at both upper 
and lower edges and are finished at the 
wrists with wide cuffs. The quantity ot 
material required for the medium size (6 
years) is 4 yards 27 or 3 yards 36 inches 
wide, with 2 yards of edging. The pat¬ 
tern 5228 is cut in sizes for girls of 2, 4, 
6 and 8 years of age; price 10 cents. 
Warmed-over Potatoes. —Fry an onion 
in butter till tender, or boil it in a little 
water, then add sliced cold boiled potatoes 
and milk enough to just cover. Simmer 
gently on back of stove till the milk is 
thickened, then season with salt and but¬ 
ter, and pepper if it is liked. s. b. r. 
BARGAINS IN 
MEDICINE. 
When you write advertisers mention The 
I t. N.-Y. and you'll get a cjuick reply anC 
"a square deal.” See guarantee, page 8 . 
A woman once wrote us 
that she was not going to 
buy Scott’s Emulsion any 
more because it cost too 
much. Said she could get 
some other emulsion for less 
money. Penny wise and 
pound foolish. Scott’s Emul¬ 
sion costs more because it is 
worth more—costs more to 
make. We could make 
Scott’s Emulsion cost less by 
using less oil. Could take 
less care in making it, too. 
If we did, however, Scott’s 
Emulsion wouldn’t be the 
standard preparation of cod 
liver oil as it is to-day. 
INDRUROID 
ROOFING 
Requires no Coating: or 
Paint. 
Acid and Alkali Proof. 
Elastic and Pliable 
Always. 
Strong and Tough. 
Absolutely Waterproof. 
Climatic Changes Do Not 
Affect It. 
Practically Fire Proof. 
Can Be Used on Steep or 
Flat Surfaces. 
Any Workman Can Put 
It On. 
No Odor. 
Will not Shrink or Crack 
Light in Weight. 
Does not Taint Water. 
Write for samples, prices and 
circulars. 
H. F. WATSON CO. 
ERIE, PA. 
Chicago, Boston. 
Alentiou R.N.-Y. 
SCOTT & BOWNE, 409 Pearl Street, New York. 
VEHICLE HEATERS. 
Write for descriptive catalogue and prices. 
Alfred Batho, 700East Ave.,Rochester, N, Y. 
Cider Machinery—Send for Catalogue to Boomer & 
Boschert Press Co., 118 West Water St.,Syracuse, N.Y. 
27 
GET MONEY-1 DID-GOT $301 
In weeks (loins plating, write* M. L. Smith 
| of Pa. (used small ouitii), (Start as Smith did— 
I that’s easy—hundreds already started—new ones 
dally—money comiug in—good* going out. People 
everywhere have tableware, watches, jewelry, 
etc., for the “Gray Plating Man.” 
I Practical outfits, all sixes, heavy plate, 
llguaranteed, pure gold, silver, nickle 
1 metal plating, equal to new goods, lat¬ 
est process, iaught free quickly, ex* 
- perfence unnecessary, all easy, 
_’ secrets exposed. Own and Boss a 
business at home or traveller all or part time that pays 
$15 to $50 weekly—you can. Write today for new offer, 
sample, and hundixlM 1* tiers from succeaeful agent*—free to all. 
Gray Sc Co., Plating Works, 08 Miami Bldg, Cincinnati, O 
DERRICK OIL CO. 
Box 52. Titusville, Pa. 
ELITE OIL. 
A high grade, perfect 
burning oil. Never 
fails to please where 
a clear, strong light is 
desired. Made from 
Pure Pennsylvania 
Crude. Write for par¬ 
ticulars and prices. 
““if 
: 11 1—L 
i j j i .. . i ] htr 
TA.3NTKS 
HKD CYPRESS—WHITK 
1MNK— GALVANIZED 
STEEL 
CALDWELL 
Tanks are the best made 
Ask for illustrated cat¬ 
alogue and price list} 
aleo references. 
W. E. CALDWELL CO., 
Louisville, Ky. 
Calicoes of Quality 
Ask the old folks what they knew about 
**Simpson Prints.” They will say "Simpson’s 
were the best they could get.” And Simpson- 
Eddystone Prints are still the standard of 
the United States and better than they used 
to be. 
Modern, improved Eddystone machinery 
now makes, in new and original patterns 
designed by talented artists, the prints that 
still lead 
Ask your dealer for Simpson-Eddystone Prints. 
In Blacks. Black-and-Whites, Light Indigo- 
Blues and Silver-Greys, Shepherd Plaid Effects 
and a large variety of new and beautiful designs. 
Thousands of first-class dealers sell them. 
The Eddystone Mfg Co (Sole Makers) Philadelphia 
EDDYSTONE 
PRINTS 
The oame Keen Kutter 
eliminates all uncertainty in tool buying. 
As this brand covers a complete line of tools, all you need remem. 
ber in buying a tool of any kind is the one name Keen Kutter. 
Keen Kutter Tools are without reserve or qualification the 
belt tools that money, brains and skill can produce. No 
matter how much you pay, no matter who you may 
have thought to be the best maker of a particular kind 
of tool, you cannot get any tool, anywhere, better 
than those sold under the name of Keen Kutter. 
If your dealer doesn't keep Keen Kutter tooli 
write us and learn where to get them* 
men mim 
Tools received the Grand Prxte at the St. Louie Exposition—the only such award ever given a complete 
line of tools. 
k Some kinds of Keem Kutter Tools 
Chisels, Knives ot all kinds, 
Hair Clippers, Scissors, 
Shears, Adzes, Axes, 
Brush Hooks, Chop¬ 
pers, Corn Knives, 
Cleavers, Hay 
Knives, Scythes, 
Saws, Horse 
Shears, Tool 
Cabinets, 
Etc. 
fMAJIK 
Scad for Tool Booklet. 
SIMMONS HARDWARE COMPANY 
"The 
Recollection 
of Quality 
Remains hong 
After the 
Price is 
Forgotten.** 
Trade Mark Registered. 
St. Louis, Ho, 298 Broadway, N. T« 
