1907 . 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
53 
In the Course of Events. 
The “'big four” have started out “pio¬ 
neering.” But there, I forgot that you 
don’t know about them! The way they 
came into existence is like this: All the 
milkmen in the neighboring city raised the 
retail price of milk one cent a quart, or 
from six to seven cents. Some of them 
did the square thing by the producer— 
went to him and said : “Look here! I can 
afford to pay you 33 cents a can (of 8)4 
quarts) the year ’round, or, if it suits you 
better, call it 30 cents in Summer and 33 
cents in Winter. Now, which'll you take?” 
But the trouble was just here. These were 
mostly big routes, and necessarily the 
number was few. The small men did not 
raise uniformly, and if a customer “kicked” 
at seven cents the small man was fright¬ 
ened, and rather than risk the loss of 
trade, said: “Now, you are an old cus¬ 
tomer; if you will keep still about it, we’ll 
call it the old price—for you.” See? 
Well, the producer didn’t. Apparently, 
the man who bought his milk received 
seven cents a quart; why, then, should that 
man refuse to do the fair thing? And, 
after more of less shiftless and gossipy 
kicking, four of the farmers got together 
and agreed to ask 33 cents a can or refuse 
to sell. There is a creamery in town 
which would back them, although it meant 
a loss. The buyer was distressed—four of 
his heaviest producers —what should he 
do? Well, like a man, he made a clean 
breast of it; admitted that he had not 
raised to a uniform price. The “big four” 
met again to consider; they met several 
times before the final adjustment at 28 
cents the year ’round. The “big four,” as 
they are known in town, came in for more 
or less satire and chaffing, but there is a 
bi" business principle involved, and the 
time may come when they will increase in 
membership. When that time shall come, 
the farmer will have climbed another two 
or three rounds on the ladder, and the'only 
thing that puzzles me is, why doesn’t he 
see how easy and vital a thing it is to 
“step up, gentlemen! Right this way.” 
The Grange held an entertainment last 
month, as usual. Although we have a few 
hundred dollars’ reserve in the bank, we 
are anxious to keep it .there, and the 
hall is not clear yet. This month the 
committee took a new method. Instead 
of doing the entertaining themselves, it 
was deemed wise, and so voted by the 
Grange, to hire a male quartette of fine 
ability, assisted by a good reader from 
Boston. They were willing to come for 
$25. Other expenses were printing, heat¬ 
ing, lighting of hall and some telephoning. 
Tickets were placed in the hands of the 
committee as soon as possible, and the 
concert announced at the third and fourth 
degree night. Posters and invitations 
were sent to neighboring Granges. I think 
there is no mistake about New England 
conservatism. I notice every single time 
anything out of the usual line is attempted 
there threatens to be a panic. Somebody 
is sure to appear, with eyes as big as 
saucers and a grim smile, prophesying dire 
results—always rather indefinite, plenti¬ 
fully sprinkled with “if” and “of course,” 
and a final washing of hands. “Go ahead! 
Time’ll tell.” I agreed to sell tickets 
again. It was not very arduous, but the 
chairman kept asking, anxiously, “Plow 
much y’ got, so far?” Managed to make 
it $26.50 at last, and about ten dollars re¬ 
ceived beforehand made $36.50. with $28.15 
for expenses. The committee has been 
criticised because we didn’t do better. 
Financially, we made a poor showing; that 
is true, and as such I state a fact—there 
being, fortunately, what the court calls 
“mitigating circumstances.” 
“Firstly,” as the good preacher said, the 
town is small, and good, trained musicians 
scarce. There are everywhere hearts that 
respond to “the best” in art and music. 
If one can’t appreciate, nevertheless one 
can feel, and it is an education to listen. 
We took chances, and gave everyone—a 
chance, hoping ’they would take it, and 
we have nothing to regret. Secondly, the 
committee has other interests to attend to, 
and doesn’t feel able to cut the coat and 
“make cloth” out of nothing all the time. 
Lastly—we did according to our light, as 
seemed best, and are willing to receive 
more light at any time. Meanwhile, money 
is coming in from the sale of the bricks 
of a large, useless chimney. At the last 
meeting, a committee was appointed to 
look into the advisability of fixing up an 
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/ /’mi jwlH S <1 #• r 
( 'H-TOir I \ <■ 7 
5543 Fancy Blouse Waist, 
32 to 42 bust. 
unused building in the rear as a sort of 
carriage house below, with two dressing 
rooms, connected with the stage, above. 
An old shed can be repaired, and furnish 
stalls for 20 or 30 horses. Our member¬ 
ship is increasing steadily, and public feel¬ 
ing is setting our way, as we were sure it 
must eventually. 
Last meeting was “gentlemen’s night.” 
They gave-a farce, the football celebration 
in “Strong fleart,” most amusing, and in¬ 
cluding a good bit of “popular” singing by 
the crowd of boys who invade the hero’s 
room. Afterward we were invited to the 
banquet room by the chairman, who re¬ 
marked. modestly, that he “thought they 
5549 Exercise Suit, 34 to 42 bust. 
.had a few beans.” I didn’t see anything 
that seemed like beans to me, but there 
was plenty of delicious roast chicken, 
mashed potatoes, hot rolls, baked apples, 
coffee and pie. The men acted as waiters, 
and “did the thing up brown,” for they 
even washed the dishes, and that added 
the finishing touch. adah e. colcord. 
Now, blessings light on him that first 
invented this same sleep! It covers a 
man all over, thoughts and all, like a 
cloak; it is meat for the hungry, drink 
for the thirsty, heat for the cold, and 
cold for the hot. It is the current coin 
that purchases all the pleasures of the 
world cheap, and the balance that sets the 
king and the shepherd, the fool and the 
wise man, even.—Cervantes. 
The Rural Patterns. 
The V-shaped chemisette is a feature 
in many new waists, and a very becom¬ 
ing model is shown here. The waist is 
made with fitted lining that is closed at 
the centre front and consists of fronts 
and back with the trimming portions, 
the edges of which are arranged under 
the plaits. The back portion of the 
chemisette is faced on to the lining, but 
the front is separate and joined to the 
waist, the closing being made invisibly 
at the left side beneath the plait. The 
sleeves are full puffs and when long ones 
arc used the linings aie laced to form 
the cuffs. The quantity of material re¬ 
quired for the medium -ize is 3,4 yards, 
21, 3(4 yards 27 or 1’4s yards 44 inches 
wide with l / 2 yard of all-over lace, 3)4 
yards of plisse ribbon for frills, 7 yards 
of banding, 1 yard of all over lace when 
long sleeves are used. The oattern 3543 
is cut in sizes for a 32. 34, 36, 38, 40 and 
42 inch bust measure; price 10 cents. 
Physical culture forms a feature in 
many schools now, and a practical exer¬ 
cise or gymnasium suit is often needed. 
The model shown consists of blouse and 
bloomers. The blouse is tucked at the 
fronts and finished with hemmed edges 
that are stitched with silk, while the 
shield is separate and arranged under 
it. The full sleeves are finished with 
straight bands whatever their length. 
The bloomers arc cut in two full pieces 
with one smaller one that serves to di¬ 
vide them and which forms the separate 
leg portions. The quantity of material 
required for the medium size is -9 yards 
27, 5)4 yards 44 or 4 yards 52 inches 
wide with 2 yards of banding. The pat; 
tern 5549 is cut in sizes for a 32, 34, 36, 
38, 40 and 42 inch bust measure; price 
10 cents. 
The Bookshelf. 
In the Fire of the Heart, by Ralph 
Waldo Trine. In this hook the author 
of “In Tune with the Infinite” deals with 
the injustice and corruption of modern 
industrial and political conditions—such 
conditions as are discussed by John 
Spargo in “The Bitter Cry of the Chil¬ 
dren,” by Henry George, Jr., in “The 
Menace of Privilege,” and by Miss Rich¬ 
ardson in “The Long Day.” As Mr. 
Trine rightly says, such books, presenting 
economic truths in popular form, have a 
vital appeal not often possessed by works 
of fiction. Mr. Trine’s resume of exist¬ 
ing conditions in America would be 
deeply depressing if it were not for the 
hopefulness with which he looks for¬ 
ward to betterment. The book is well 
worth study, especially by those who see 
nothing in the existing era but great Na¬ 
tional prosperity. Published by Mc¬ 
Clure, Phillips it Co., New York; 336 
pages, very attractively bound and 
printed; price $1 net. 
The Warrior Spirit in the Kingdom 
of God, by Anna Robertson Brown Lind¬ 
say. This volume of essays is divided 
into four parts: I. Chords of Awaken¬ 
ing; II. Prelude; III. The Processional; 
IV. The World March: of Kings, of Pre¬ 
lates and Evangelists, of Sages, of Trad¬ 
ers, of Workers. The fone of the book 
is deeply religious, but it is the religion 
of action as well as reflection. The writer 
urges the same energy in the religious 
life as in worldly affairs, and she dis¬ 
plays a depth of feeling and enthusiasm 
that is most inspiring to the reader. 
There is warm love for humanity and 
sympathy for the saddened and oppressed, 
but there is also a stirring call to action, 
and a plea for higher ideals in social and 
economic life. The literary style is ex¬ 
cellent in its simplicity, while references 
cited and authorities alluded to show 
great breadth of culture. We found the 
book both helpful and inspiring. Pub¬ 
lished by the Macmillan Company, New 
York; 217 pages, attractive in make-up 
and typography; price $1.50 net. 
I started out to make the 
best lamp-chimney in the 
world—I have stuck to it all 
my life. 
My name is on the chimney 
if it’s a Macbeth. 
The Index explains how to get a Macbeth 
chimney to fit every lamp, and how to care 
for lamps. Sent free to everyone asking for it. 
Address, MACBETH, Pittsburgh. 
Soothe the throat and stop a 
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Sure Cure for Chillblains and Sore FeeLioc! 
for sample to Albert Franklin, Hinsdale, Mass. 
BROKEN CRACKERS 
are as fresh as whole 
ones and can be bought 
at low prices from the factory of NEW KN(II,ANI> 
BISCUIT CO.. Worcester, Mass, manufacturers of 
the famous "Toasted Butter Crackers,” “Little 
Brothers Lunch Biscuit,” etc. Write us. 
Before you buy, know all the facts of a 
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H Our booklet E is worth the asking. Tells 
■ you why “A Poor Stove is not Cheap at 
I any price." Folks wonder how they ever, 
I got along without it in their kitchen. 
Sill Stove Works, Rochester, N. Y 
Caldwell Tanks and Towers 
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Wind Mills, Pumps, Gas Engines. 
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Assets, 51,750,000. 
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Letters of inquiry solicited 
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INDUSTRIAL SAVINGS AND LOAN CO. 
5 Times Bldg., Broadway, New York. 
MAP OF THE 
^ WORLD 
AC. Valuable reference map 
in full colors, on heavy 
paper, 42 X 64 inches, mounted 
on rollers, edges bound in cloth. 
Shows our island possessions, 
Pacific Ocean cables, railway lines 
and other features of Japan, China, 
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W. B. KNISKERN, P. T. M., 
CHICAGO, ILL. 
^Chicago & North-Western Railway-^ 
EDdystoKE 
PRINTS 
Simpson - Eddystone Prints 
are the standard prints of the 
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Enduring quality, fast colors, 
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Ask your dealer for Simpson- 
Eddy stone Prints. 
Three generations of Simpsons 
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The Eddystone Mfg. Co. (Sole Makers) Philadelphia. 
