1864 
December 11, 1920 
WOMAN AND HOME 
From Day to Day 
The Way to Bethlehem 
Long was the way to Bethlehem 
To those who sought of old. 
By burning sands and bitter springs 
And nights of haunting cold. 
Bearing their nard and frankincense, 
Their precious gems and gold. 
Hard was the way to Bethlehem, 
So far it seemed, so far. 
By flowerless vales and arid slopes 
And barren heights that bar, 
With ne’er an omen for a guide 
Until they saw the star. 
But then the way to Bethlehem, 
It was no longer lone; 
.Toy was their comrade, those who trod 
O’er bruising shard and stone, 
Until they found for king a Child, 
A manger for Ilis throne.. 
Upon the way to Bethlehem, 
Till Time shall bring release, 
However dim and rough the path, 
May not our footsteps cease, 
Since at the end for us awaits 
The guerdon of His peace ! 
—CLINTON SCOLT.ARD 
in The New York Sun. 
* 
One of our Vermont readers, remark¬ 
ing on the pleasure given her by an un¬ 
expected letter, stated that after she had 
been shut in for weeks by snow and bad 
weather, even the sight of a strange dog 
running across a field was a diversion. 
No doubt there are many others like her, 
who must provide their own pleasures 
and amusements for weeks at a time. 
With a congenial family circle one may 
find pleasure in this isolation, and plenty 
of helpful and improving occupation. If, 
however, the dark Winter days must be 
epdured with poor or insufficient lighting, 
so that someone is always too far from 
the light to read or work in comfort, or 
if the heating is poor, so ttut some mem¬ 
ber of the family is always crowded into 
a chilly area, it is hard to find pleasure 
in Winter home occupations. Heat, light 
and water ready for the turn of the 
faucet—those are the three great requis¬ 
ites for home comfort, and we long to see 
every farm household thus provided for. 
The Winter is a good time to study such 
conveniences, and the women of the fam¬ 
ily have a right to vote in the conference. 
The following recipe for scalloped to¬ 
mato surprise is given in Good House- 
keeping for December: Cook three large 
but delicate onions in salted water until 
soft but not broken. Day them in the 
bottom of a buttered baking dish and with 
a sharp knife divide into quarters, not 
cutting entirely through the onions. 
Press the quarters slightly apart and be¬ 
tween each two sections put one table¬ 
spoon of chopped and seasoned left-over 
meat of any kind. Carefully pour around 
three cups of highly seasoned canned to¬ 
matoes, to which has been added one- 
fourth cup of bread crumbs. Dot liberally 
with butter, sprinkle with fine crumbs, 
add more dots of butter and bake in a 
hot oven one-half hour. 
* 
Christmas and the Shut-In 
This year when planning your Christ¬ 
mas giving do not overlook the shut-ins. 
In both town and rural districts there 
are often aged, bedridden persons, and 
sometimes little invalid children, who 
have been shut in for years. Some of 
them, especially country shut-ins. are 
given little if any attention by neighbors 
bevond a fleeting thought or a casual re¬ 
mark. such as “Too bad about old Mr. 
Scott.” This seeming indifference is 
usually not intentional, but is due mainly 
to thoughtlessness. Only those who have 
passed through some serious illness or a 
period of invalidism can fully realize 
what these lonely shut-ins must endure 
when deprived of all privileges of a nor¬ 
mal. healthy life. 
Christmas, the season of “good cheer 
and good will.” is a good time to mani¬ 
fest a new interest in these unfortunate 
individuals and to try to brighten life for 
them. A cheery greeting, a simple gift, 
a little deed of kindness is sure to be 
appreciated, and both parties involved are 
likewise sure to be happier. The recipient 
of any kindness should let his or her 
pleasure and appreciation be known, 
either verbally or by note, as the case 
requires. Good form demands this little 
courtesy. Those who are unable to write 
their own notes of thanks can dictate 
them for a relative or friend to write. 
Even though one is certain that a gift 
will be appreciated, or that it will give 
pleasure, there is added joy in being as¬ 
sured that one’s anticipations were cor¬ 
rect. The shut-ins are not the only lonely 
persons in the world, nor are they the 
RURAL. NEW-YORKER 
least cheerful. Sometimes a little deed 
of kindness to one of them leads on to a 
congenial and lasting friendship which is 
a benefit to both persons concerned. 
Emerson said : “The only way to have 
a friend is to be one.” May this Christ¬ 
mas usher in many new friendships! 
6. B. B. 
Reading for Children 
Though one of the busiest of farm 
women. I always find time to read the 
pages devoted to woman and the home. 
My especial interest is in the education 
of the children, beginning with the time 
they are able to enjoy the simplest stories. 
The stories they hear and the books they 
read will determine their taste for liter¬ 
ature, will form their ideals; indeed, will 
shape their lives. 
In talking with mothers I am surprised 
that many of them know little about the 
books their children read. It should be 
a mother’s greatest privilege to direct her 
children’s thoughts. She may begin by 
tolling or reading a story at bedtime. 
Probably most of us have access to some 
library from which we can choose suit¬ 
able books. If no library is within reach 
could not several mothers combine to 
select one or two good books each and 
exchange? 
If possible each child should have a 
tiny library of its own. Children call 
again and again for the familiar stories, 
The Rural Patterns 
In ordering always give number of pattern 
and size desired, sending price with order 
903G. Hath Robe 
for misses and small 
women, 16 and 18 
years. The 16-year 
size will require 6% 
yards of material 27 
inches wide, 0 yards 
36 or 44, 3% yards 
54. 20 cents. 
2005. Coat with 
or without applied 
facing, for misses 
and small women, 
16 and 18 years. 
Skirt for 
and small 
16 and 18 
The 16-year 
will re¬ 
yards of 
9745. 
misses 
women, 
years, 
size coat 
quire 3% 
material 36 inches 
wide, 2% yards 44, 
2*4 yards 54. The 
10-year size skirt 
will require 2% 
yards of material 36 
or 44 inches wide, 
1% jards 54. 20 
cents! 
9979. Girl’s Dress 
with bloomers, 4 to 
10 years. The me¬ 
dium size will re¬ 
quire 2*& yards of 
material 36 inches 
wide, 2 1 ,:, yards 44, 
1% yards 54, with 
1 % yards 36 or 44, 
1 yard 54 for the 
tdoomers. 20 cents. 
9220. Child’s Bath 
Kobe, 2 to 8 years. 
The 6-year size will 
require 3% yurds of 
material 27 or 36 
inches wide, 214 
yards 44. 20 cents. 
read and reread them, 
book the mother should 
it to be able to answer 
Will this book teach my 
good English? Will it 
to be obedient? Will it 
to be truthful, or .will it make it seem 
attractive to do smart or adventuresome 
things of which he would not wish mother 
to know? Will it add to his general in¬ 
formation and thus encourage a desire to 
acquire knowledge? 
I started a library for my own little 
girl when she was three years old. Now, 
at. 10 years, she owns 25 good books. To 
date I have read every book before she 
read it, or at least enough of it to be 
able to determine its value. Now I take 
her with me to the public library, and 
allow her to help choose a book. Recently 
a book was recommended to her which 
was entertaining and well written. Dor¬ 
othy’s criticism was: “I don’t think that 
is a nice book, mother. The children are 
always getting into mischief or danger, 
and they never tell their mother when she 
asks what they have been doing.” 
A special effort was made last month 
throughout the country, through librar¬ 
ians and book shops, to encourage sup* 
plying “Better Books for Children.” I 
enclose a list of books which I consider 
among the best for children. I would 
like to hear of books which other mothers 
have found valuable. The list, is arranged 
as nearly as possible in order of years, 
beginning with the tiny tots, the latter 
part of the list being for older children : 
“How to Tell Stories to Children and 
Stories to Tell to Children,” by Sara 
Cane Bryant. 
* “The Story Hour,” Carolyn Bailey. 
“The Burgess Books.” including “The 
Burgess Bird Book.” 
. “Tell Me a True Story” (Bible Stor¬ 
ies). Mary Stewart. 
“Peter Rabbit.” Beatrix Porter. 
“A Child’s Garden of Verses,” Robert 
Louis Stevenson. 
“Stories of the Red Children,” Dorothy 
Brooks. 
“The Little Lame Prince.” Dinah 
Mulook Craik. 
“Paddy Paws.” Grace Coolidge. 
“In the Child’s World,” Emilie Pouls- 
son. 
“Beautiful .Toe.” Marshall Saunders. 
“The Hollow Tree and Deep Woods 
Books (three vols.), Albert Bigelow 
Paine. 
“Little Tales of Common Things,” Inez 
N. McFee. 
“Little Women.” Louisa M. Alcott. 
“The Golden Windows,” Laura E. 
Richards. 
“The Poesy Ring” (standard poems), 
Wiggin and Smith. 
“What a Young Girl Ought to Know,” 
Dr. Mary Wood Allen. 
“African Adventure Stories,” .T. Alden 
Loring. 
“The Spirit of ’76,” Asa Don Dickin¬ 
son. 
“Puck of Pook’s Hill,” Rudyard Kip¬ 
ling. 
“Roosevelt’s Letters to His Children,” 
Theodore Roosevelt. 
“The North Pole.” Robert E. Peary. 
ALICE SMITH FISHER. 
stories which they know so well that they 
correct you if you make a mistake. If 
they own worthwhile books they like to 
In selecting a 
read enough of 
these questions: 
child the use of 
teach my child 
make him wish 
No 
Wicks 
to Trim | 
No 
Smoko 
No 
Smell 
Seen in New York Shops 
What is known as a “beach jacket” is 
a sleeveless waistcoat of thick woolen 
material, bound with braid and fastening 
with neat snaps. Back as well as front 
are of the wool. The garment comes up 
to the collar, and is very snug and warm. 
It is much more convenient for wear 
under a coat than a cardigan jacket or 
sweater. The beach jacket cost $3.50. 
and would be found useful by many men. 
The newest (if the velvet handbags 
have strap handles of the material in¬ 
stead of chains. Prices vary from about 
$5 up. with mirror and.inside pocket, and 
there is a tendency to omit, the tassel at 
the bottom. Moire bags are cheaper— 
about. $3.50 up. 
Eyelet embroidery, also called broderie 
Anglaise. is very fashionable for collars, 
cuffs and guimpes or vestees. It washes 
so well that it makes extremely desirable 
neckwear. Attractive round collars were 
seen for 05 cents, collar and cuff sets for 
$1.50. and handsome vestees with at¬ 
tached collar for $3.50. 
Knitted spencers with sleeves were 
noted in an attractive model that folds 
across in front and fastens at the back 
with a snap. These are comfortable and 
not at all bulky under a coat. Recently 
we saw these spencers at a special price 
of $3.05. in a great variety of colors. 
Decorated glassware from Czecho-slo- 
vakia is featured for holiday gifts; it is 
the attractive Bohemian glass under its 
new name. 
English wool jersey suits for tiny boys 
and girls are made with trousers or kilts, 
and a slip-on sweater that buttons at 
neck or shoulder; prices $0.50 and $11.50. 
They are very pretty. 
Beautiful warm robes for the baby car¬ 
riage are of plush lined with velvet, cost¬ 
ing $35. They are in sensible dark 
colors, gray combined with brown or navy 
blue. __ 
Baked Apples 
Peel good-sized apples, cut them in 
halves, scoop out the core and lay them 
hollow side up iff a shallow' pan or 
dripping-pan. When the pan is full take 
as much sugar as will fill the hollows 
and a little over. Into this dry sugar 
mix one large tablespoon of dry flour, 
mix it thoroughly; cover all the apples 
with this; now put a dab of butter on 
each half of apple and sprinkle a little 
cinnamon over all. Put about one inch 
of warm, not hot. water in the pan and 
bake till done and slightly brown. Take 
out carefully on shallow dish and pour 
the “gravy” around them. If the apples 
will not hold together when peeled you 
may core without peeling and fill with 
sugar and flour as above and bake in the 
same way till done. mrs. w. d. 
0 Cents 
•KEROSENE 
[ or Coal Oil will kaep this 
i lamp in operation for 30 
HOURS and will produce 
300 CANDLE POWER 
of the purest, whitest and best light 
known to science. Nothing to wear 
outorgstoutoforder. Simple. Safe. 
Absolute satisfaction guaranteed. 
Send for catalog showing lamps for 
\every purpose: also special intro- 
l^ductory offer and agency pro- 
% position. Write today. 
KNIGHT LIGHT ft SODA FOUNTAIN 
’COMPANY. Dept. 309, Chicago 
Did You Get One 
of the latest Quick- 
atep catalogues? The 
FALL and 
WINTER 
CATALOG 
that ia known from 
Maine to California for 
the remarkable money 
BavingvalueH it carries 
The catalogue that has 
back of it an organixi- 
tion whose motto is 
“ (JuUkiteppei’H must 
be Ihe best served 
buyers In the world/’ 
With this catalogue 
you have in your 
home the same ad¬ 
vantages that people who live in the hip cities have. 
Shoes made in our own lactorv, latest styles, longest 
wear, neatest appearance, at prices that are sure to 
plenBC you. The best the 
market offers in hosiery, 
underwear, petticoats, ap¬ 
rons, nightgowns, men’s 
work and dress shirts; 
something for all the family 
nt big money saving prices. 
Every page of our cutalog 
has a bargain for you. 
Here, for example, is a 
strong, well 
made, tine 
litting leather 
shoe for only 
Remarkable in these times 
isn’tit? It isiuet one of the 
many wonderful bargains 
we offer you. Try a pair of 
these; you will like them. M 
We. guarantee the hIiocm 
vi net please or we return 
the money. 
Wo pay delivery 
charges. 
JOIN THE 
QUICKSTEPPERS 
Send 
today 
for our 
catalog 
li. 
No. 1010 
Quickstep Shoe Co., Boston 
Rain 2L Snow? 
Consult This Weather Prophet 
It is surprisingly reliable on local weather condi¬ 
tions. Made in America on strictly acientiflo 
principles. 
When the weather is fine tho chlldr.n will bo out. 
Whan the stormy weather approaches tho witch come, 
out from 8 to 24 hours ahead of rain or snow. 
The house is made in hardwood in Swiss cottnge 
style and is decorated, ns in the picture, with ther¬ 
mometer, elk’s head, bird’s nest and birds, etc. 
It has! windows and 2 doorways. 
Very Unique and Attractive 
An Excellent Xmas Gift 
Regular price 11.60. Send prepaid to reader. 
on i cceipt of SI.25 cash or money order — 
no check*. Write name and address plainly. 
KEYDEL BROS. 
690 Mt. Elliott Ave. 
Dept. 122 
DETROIT, MICH. 
J 
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
Yes 
Hut it would be much 
happier if you did not 
have to face 
52 WASH DAYS 
IN THE SAME OLD WAY 
Let the 
Waahes clothes 
clean by pressure 
of air without wear. 
Cups turn above 
water, hence easy 
to operate. 
VAC CUP 
Help You 
Ask your dealer or write 
us about this wonderful 
Labor and clothefl saver. 
BURLINGAME MFG.CO. 
102 Sunset Ave., Syracuse.N.Y. 
COATS 
AND 
ROBES 
Made to your order from Horse, 
Cow, Calf, or any hide or skin 
with hair or fur on it. 
You save as high as 30% by using 
your own furs. 
Free catalogue with instructions 
for handling furs. Fur garments 
repaired and remodeled. 
FUR TANNING AND 
„ _ , . TAXIDERMY SPECIALISTS 
Let the hair go 
With th& hide" Large and small game, birds and 
fish mounted. Prompt service, ex¬ 
pert attention. Price quoted is price charged. 
ROCHESTER FUR DRESSING CO. 
655-G West Avenue Rochester, N. Y. 
When you irri’fe advertisers mention 
The Rural New-Yorker and you’ll get 
a Quick reply and a "square deal.” See 
guarantee editorial page. 
