182 
Woman and the Home 
From Day to Day. 
THE WELL OF THE MAGI. 
Fearful of Herod’s cruel eyes, 
And doubtful of old prophecies, 
In basting' to Jerusalem 
To Bethlehem, 
The Wise Men, so the Arabs tell, 
Halted beside a little well— 
Their lode star lost, the track grown dim— 
In Rephaim : 
When one, to give his camel drink, 
Stooping across the water’s brink, 
Saw, mirrored in its darkened flow, 
The star's white glow. 
It rose not to the starry height, 
But leading closely through the night 
Rested roof high, a beacon mild, 
Over the Child. 
Lord, in our souls the world and doubt 
Have put Thy star’s high radiance out; 
Light us a lowlier lantern, meet 
For earth worn feet. # 
Our years have taught us no sure way; 
Our wise men’s wisdom halts astray; 
Lead us, O Child, to find Thy star 
Where children are. 
■—George Englehart in the London Spec¬ 
tator. 
* 
Henry Augustus was learning to 
dress himself, says “Judge.” He was 
not as big as the name sounds. 
Mother, looking on, said: “Why, my 
son, you have your shoes on the wrong 
feet !” 
“Well,” screamed Henry Augustus, 
“they’re the only feet I have to put ’em 
_ „ ff 
on. 
* 
• 
The first baby to bring a benefit to 
her parents under the British National 
Insurance act was a little girl born 
in the Queen Charlotte Hospital in Lon¬ 
don one minute after midnight, Janu¬ 
ary 13, the date upon which the in¬ 
surance act became operative. Under 
this law the mother receives a bounty 
of 30 shillings and sick benefit for a 
brief period after the child’s--birth, 
whenever the parents are insured under 
the act. Many of the newspapers gave 
startling headlines regarding this part 
of the insurance law, calling it “subsi¬ 
dizing maternity”; it seems to us merely 
a tardy recognition of the fact that the 
woman who endures the anguish and 
danger of motherhood is a contributor 
to the wealth and power of the nation. 
There is no doubt that the extra com¬ 
forts this small insurance benefit will 
mean to mothers of limited means will 
give a better start to the child, as well 
as the mother. 
* 
The Home Economics Department of 
the North Dakota Agricultural College 
says that aluminum ware may be 
cleaned by washing in hot water with 
plenty of soapsuds. It may be pol¬ 
ished with a paste of jeweller’s whit¬ 
ing, which has been sifted to remove 
hard particles. Paste may be made 
with soapy water or water and alcohol, 
or water and ammonia added to the 
whiting; spread paste smoothly on sur¬ 
face and polish with soft cloth or cha¬ 
mois skin. Nickel and silver are pol¬ 
ished in the same way. Any good metal 
polish may be used. If the stain is 
very bad polish with sapolio. If this 
fails discolorations may be removed 
with a very dilute solution of nitric 
acid. Never use alkalies such as wash¬ 
ing soda or potash in cleaning alumi¬ 
num. 
* 
In making a collar and guimpe of all- 
over tucking always cut so as to have 
the tucks run around the collar, never 
up and down. In the latter way, the 
tucks bulge out at the sides, giving 
the neck a thick look. The best way 
to fasten a lace collar is with tiny 
pearl or crystal buttons, and worked 
loops; hooks will be frequently caught 
into the lace instead of the eyes, often 
tearing it badly. If making a collar of 
lace insertion it should be basted care¬ 
fully on a stiff paper pattern that has 
THE RURAL* NEW-YORKER 
been properly fitted; the draw thread 
on one side of the lace can be pulled 
gently to make it curve flat on the pat¬ 
tern, and then the insertion is neatly 
overhanded together. A fine beading 
is desirable to join collar and guimpe 
together. 
February 8, 
Women who used to make the rather 
commonplace, old-fashioned crocheted 
lace can take a good deal of pleasure, 
nowadays, in making Irish and filet cro¬ 
chet. There is the opportunity to develop 
beautiful effects with little more trouble 
than in making the old-fashioned edg¬ 
ing. A simple little edge of Irish cro¬ 
chet is durable and effective for trim¬ 
ming underwear, and the garments may 
be made more elaborate by inset motifs 
of the same work. It is also very de¬ 
sirable for trimming a linen dress. 
Among handsome “real” laces Irish cro¬ 
chet is now combined effectively with 
filet set in, as medallions or motifs. One 
only realizes the beauty of Irish crochet 
made by the clever fingers of foreign 
workers when comparing a collar sell¬ 
ing at $7.50 to $10 with one of those 
collars of imitation lace retailing at about 
a dollar, which are often very pretty, 
but sadly different from “real” lace. 
We have seen some remarkably fine 
work done by amateurs in this coun¬ 
try, where a fine thread was used to 
develop an elaborate pattern. A lace 
that is now coming into fashion and 
likely to dispute the supremacy of 
Irish for many uses is Bohemian, which 
is made from very fine tape-like braid 
united by faggoting, knot-stitch, and a 
variety of other lace stitches. It is 
imitated in woven lace, which is, how¬ 
ever, very different to the instructed 
eye. Bohemian lace is combined with 
Madeira embroidery in some of the 
handsomest lingerie robes; it also 
makes handsome collars and yokes, as 
well as edging and insertions. The 
very popular “shadow” lace, now so 
fashionable, is not what is technically 
known as a “real” lace, because it is 
machine woven, not hand made, but it 
is not an imitation, and the patterns are 
so good that it is really one of the 
most charming woven laces that has 
ever been put on the market; its pop¬ 
ularity ought to be permanent. 
Boys’ Clothes. 
The boys’ clothes do not differ much 
from the little girls’ until they get into 
trousers. One can choose the plainer, 
more appropriate styles for them, how¬ 
ever. Hemstitching and hand embroid¬ 
ery in simple designs, and tucks for the 
baby boy’s dresses, can be used in¬ 
stead of ruffles, laces and ribbons for 
trimming. The one-piece styles that 
hang straight from the neck seem more 
suitable for the man-child than yoke- 
dresses. When he gets into the belted 
Russian suits, there will be many little 
girls in a similar rig; but if she wears 
bloomers for play, they are not sup¬ 
posed to be long enough to show a little 
as the little boy’s garment does. The 
serviceable rompers for out of door 
play, and all clothes for the little boy, 
should be of sturdier goods after he is 
four years old, unless he is one of the 
exceptionally careful kind. This in¬ 
cludes the hosiery, and shoes, which 
should be of stout build and shaped to 
look “like those father wears.” 
Soon after the boy starts to school, 
buy all new school suits without the 
belted blouse, and have his hair cut 
short if it hasn’t been done before, for 
the little chaps suffer much from the 
teasing of older boys by wearing any¬ 
thing of “baby” appearance. By the 
time he is about eight years old he will 
probably object to sailor collars on his 
suits for the same reason: “The boys 
call me ’Baby’ when I wear that, moth¬ 
er.” But these styles can still be used 
for “best,” so as not to always dress 
him too advanced for his years. 
Boys of eight to ten years of age who 
exercise vigorously out of doors will 
not need as warm cold-weather under¬ 
wear nor such long overcoats as they 
wore when younger; and at this age 
rubber boots last but a season, and the 
rubber overshoes are soon “scuffed” out, 
so it is often a better economy and as 
satisfactory every way, to use storm 
shoes or to oil the ordinary ones with 
vaseline, castor oil, mutton fat, or some 
other waterproof dressing. 
Although boys average to be more 
careless about their personal appear¬ 
ance than girls do, they should be 
taught to be neat and clean and will be 
much more careful if they must brush 
their own garments, sew on buttons, 
and repair rents for themselves. These 
lessons won’t hurt them, and they may 
find them very useful later in life. 
There are “bachelor” buttons, and 
mending tissue, to make this work eas¬ 
ier and more attractive to them; but it 
is well for them to know how to sew 
a little, too. 
EDYTHE STODDARD SEYMOUR. 
Cooking Mushrooms ; Cleaning 
Willow Chair. 
1. How are the cultivated mushrooms 
prepared for cooking? Are they to be 
soaked in salt water the same as the brown 
porous mushrooms, which we find growing 
wild in meadows? Is the stem edible or 
only the top part of the mushroom? 
2. Can you tell me the best way to clean 
a white willow chair? 
1. Cultivated mushrooms are cooked 
like the wild ones. We do not soak 
them in salt water, as they are clean 
and fresh; they are used while young, 
before they become brown and porous. 
The only reason for soaking the wild 
ones in salt water is that it will dis¬ 
lodge insects, if any are concealed in 
the fungus. The stem is edible, though 
not as tender and juicy as the cap. Our 
favorite way of cooking mushrooms is 
to peel the caps without breaking and 
put, gills up, in an earthen dish, dust¬ 
ing lightly with pepper and salt, and 
dotting with butter; the dish is covered 
with a well-fitting lid, and put in a hot 
oven, until the mushrooms are cooked 
through. Serve on pieces of buttered 
toast, pouring the rich juice over all. 
Mushrooms are very good in a boiled 
or steamed meat pudding, and are a 
delicious accompaniment to fried 
chicken when broiled or fried; they 
are excellent with frizzled ham. 
2. Wash the willow chair with warm 
water and white soap, scrubbing with 
a soft brush if necessary,; rinse and 
wipe off carefully, so that there is no 
risk of warping through excess of 
moisture. If it is the unfinished willow 
you can keep it in better condition by 
giving it a coat of white shellac. 
DON’T 
OVER-ESTIMATE 
YOUR STRENGTH 
Very cold air obstructs per¬ 
spiration and occasions colds, 
coughs, catarrh, and rheuma¬ 
tism as well as throat and 
chest troubles. 
To avert this condition, nourish 
your body with the known and 
proven winter food-medicine, 
Scott *s Emulsion, which makes 
rich blood to warm the body; cre¬ 
ates energy and vitality to endure 
the climatic changes of winter. 
No alcohol or opiate in SCOTT'S 
—just predigested nourishment of 
superior medicinal value. 
Scott & Bowne, Bloomfield, N. J, 12-125 
The 'BEST LTGHT 
W r Makes 
\ » grease, 
acetyle 
lamp warranted. 
300 CANDLE POWER 
Spring Wall Papers 
at Mill Prices 
Beautify your home this Spring 
with new wall paper. You can 
paper three rooms for what yon . 
would usually pay for one. We sell |j 
at mill prices and »how how you 
can easily hang the paper yourself. 
FRFK write today for in- 
*• structions and new 
Spring sample book show¬ 
ing latest and best designs. 
Penn Wall-Paper Mills, 
Dept. F, Phlla., Fa. 
«■ 
The rich and pros¬ 
perous class can 
always command 
the luxuries of 
life, but the aver¬ 
age home lover 
needs the Spear 
System of Credit 
to the Nation. I 
want 1,000,000 
families to say of 
me: “He helped 
us to furnish and 
and beautify our 
homes.” 1 ask for 
no higher tribute 
to my life’s work. 
Write for toy 
Big Free Catalog 
today. 
World’s Greatest Home Furnisher 
Spear of Pittsburgh sells Home Furnishings to hun¬ 
dreds of thousands ofHomeLovers all over the land". 
In the high quality of his goods, the fair, square treat¬ 
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his exceptionally liberal credit terms, Spear can just¬ 
ly claim to be the World’s Greatest Home Furnisher. 
Under his plan Spear has made it possible for fami¬ 
lies of the most moderate means to have all the com¬ 
forts, necessities and luxuries formerly found only 
in the homes of the rich and prosperous classes. 
Easy To Trade With Spear 
send for the Big Free Spear 
an enormous 
_ „ _ e size of 
even the greatest city store—right to your home. 
Spear shows you everything for the home, including 
a marvelously attractive assortment of carpets, rugs 
and draperies in the colors, patterns and designs pho¬ 
tographed from the original goods. Spear’s Bargain 
Catalog shows 
Furniture, Dishe9, Mattresses. 
Carpets, Rugs, Sewing Machines, Bedding, 
Stoves.Ranges, Washing Machines, Springs, 
Refrigerators, Lace Curtains, Silverware, 
Clocks, Portieres, Go-Carts. 
Cl 
All you need to do is simply send for the I 
Bargain Catalog. It is just like bringing 
stock of Home Furnishings—many times the 
Spear’s Rnfl 
Bargain 
A high color Brus- 
. sels Rug, red rose 
design, with eith¬ 
er green or tan 
ground. Splen¬ 
did quality. 
No. C. W. 4602 
9x12 size. 
Price, $11.95, 
50 Cash, 
AN 75c per 
Monti 
gk 
201—$11.65- 
0 Cash—BaL 75« 
Monthly. Heavy 
- Iron Be<t 
4 ft. 6 in. 
wide- 
woven 
wire 
spring, 
coil sup¬ 
ports; 6C 
2 pillows. 
% 
4feSpear Will Trust You 
Spear has full confidence in the readers of this 
paper, and invites them to accept his liberal, divided 
payment plan for all their needs. Why should 
you buy from any one but Spear, when he 
gives you the greatest selection of high grade 
goods at lowest prices and mokes it so easy 
for you to pay? 
*30 Days Free TrialM 
Anything you order from Spear of Pitts¬ 
burgh will De shipped with privilege of 30 
days’ free home trial before sale is considered 
finally closed. Spear has the right idea—he 
thinks that his goods should sell themselves 
after you know exactly what they are by act¬ 
ual test. Isn’t that the fairest way in the 
world to do business? Spear thinks so, and 
his goods must be absolutely right and give 
lb. cotton 
New Queen 
Kitchen 
Cabinet 
Solid oak high 
gloss finish,has 
spice drawers, 
china cup- 
boar ds.spico 
cans, sugar 
bin, flour 
bin, cutlery 
drawers. 47 
ins. wide; 25 , —- pric .,.. 
ins. deep; 70 ^ «q-c si 5011 
high. WO.C285U 
Newest "Auto’* Go-Cart 
perfect satisfaction, or Spear wouldn’t today 
be the World’s Greatest Home Furnisher. tile. 
Spear's Famous DAP° lla P. 8 >b*e£!L er 
Rocker Bargain 
A large, comfortable, solid 
g olden oak Rocker with high 
ack, fully tufted and button¬ 
ed, upholstered with high 
grade black Sylvan leather. 
Seat is made over full steel 
springs and has beautiful 
ruffled edge. Wide arms, front 
' handsome design. 
Mail Free 
CouponNow I 
Go-Cart with 
enameled flat 
steel frame and 
heavy rounddi 
tubular steel 1 
pushers. 
Enameled cross 
handle and nickel _„ 
plated side arm and dash trimmings, 10 inch wheels 
with heavy solid rubber tires. Has long reclining 
upholstered back, adjustable foot basket and long 
flat springs under seat, automobile four-bow exten¬ 
sion hood with full curtained sides and back. 
Free Catalog Coupon 
without the slightest obligation on toy part. 
75c Cash, 
ance 50c Monthly 
You need the won- _ _ 
derful Spear Bargain l_ 
Catalog. It’s Free,and I SPEAR & CO., Dept. T-25 Pittsburgh, Pa. 
you might as well have | Please send me your Mammoth Free Catalog, 
it, whether you think I 
of adding any articles * 
to your homo now or I 
not. Just send Spear I 
your name today. » NAME. 
SPEAR & CO., I 
Dept. T25 
PJttabui^h^a. j' ADD RESS. 
