| s s “mt“:wj \ve\$\\\ \\‘.\\\\\\V§ DETROIT, FEB. 16, 1889. THE HOUSEHOLD-"Supplement... R 5.1901. VE. Build on resolve. and not upon regret, The structure of thy future. Do not grope Among the shadows of old sins, but let Thine own soul’s light shine on the path of hope And dissipate the darkness. Waste no tears Upon the blotted record of lost years. But turn the leaf and smile, oh smile to see The fair white pages that remain for thee. Prate not of thy repentance. But believe The spark divine dwells in thee: let it grow. That which the upreaching spirit can achieve The grand and all-creative forces know; They will assist and strengthen, as the light Lifts up the acorn to the oak-tree’s height. Thou hast but to resolve; and lo! God’s whole Great universe shall fortlfy thy soul. —-Ella a healer Wilcox). ————...__- TABLE SERVICE . At banquets, dinner parties, hotels, boarding houses, restaurants, and in the houses of most Wealthy people, meals are served “ a la Russez” that is, everything is handed by servants, and nothing is put upOn the table except the silver, the glasses and the fruit, with the celery, condiments, jar of olives and perhaps the pickle-stand in certain cases. But in farm homes and where no help is kept, such service is not praticable. The purpose of this article is to tell how to serve a meal properly where the service must be rendered by the master and mistress, in a fashion which may be practiced in any home, no matter how plain, or how simple the bill of fare. To do this, I think I cannot do better than describe a family dinner to which I was invited on a recent holiday, and leave my readers to select for their guidance such parts of the method as may be applicable to their own needs. The family consists of father, mother, son and daughter-in-law; four guests were present, making a party of eight. The daughter-in-law, Mrs. 0., had engaged a young colored girl for the day, expecting her to change plates, bring in the dessert, and wash the dishes, that she might be free to entertain her guests after dinner; aside from this, the dinner and the service were exactly as if none but the family were present. Dinner was announced, we were all ‘ seated; the father said grace, which brief petition reminded me, on that day of feast- ing and thankfulness, of little Winthrop’s ' original grace, in “ Annie Kilburn,” “ Lord, help us to remember those who have nothing to eat.” The table was set in the manner described in the HOUSEHOLD of host, who proceeded to serve it, filling each plate about two-thirds f ull—it is not “ good form ” to fill the plate so full it cannot- be easily and safely passed. While he was thus engaged, Mrs. C. started the celery on its travels, and everybody began nib~ blingr it, for if celery is good at all. it is best when eaten as an appetizer before be- ginning a meal, its flavor is then most relished. Two fancy plates at each end of the table held crackers, to which we helped ourselves. And with a little good-humorcd criticism of the merits of canned oysters as compared with the toothsonie felloWs fresh from their native brine, by Mr. 0., who was formerly “ a. Boston man,” the first course was disposed of. Discovering that her colored adjutant did not understand what was expected of her, Mrs. C. left her place, and removing the sou p turreen, took from the sideboard a tray, quickly removed the soup-plates and crackerdishes, and brought in the turkey and vegetables, which had been prepared ready for the table and placed in the. warmer. She also took from the sideboard the pile of dinner plates, the plate of bread, and a dish of the most do- licious peach pickles I ever ate—and I mean to ask her for the recipe for them, for your especial benefit, too. Mr. C. dismembered the turkey and judiciously distributed the white and dark meat and the dressing, adding to the latter a “ soupcon” of the brown gravy, and a spoonful of mashed potato, beaten till it was light and creamy. When you’re asked your preference at the table, for fish, fowl or meat; do not an- swer “I’m not particular,” even if you are not, but express a preference, thus reliev- ing the carver of the responsibility of a choice. When the table was set, there had been placed at each plate a small square plate of cabbage salad. While Mr. C. was carving, Mrs. C. deftly filled the glasses with water, and also served the green peas, being careful not to hand them at a moment when the recipient was being helped to anything else, and also not to interrupt her husband at his task. After two or three had been helped, they began to eat, not waiting until all were served. Mrs. C.’s watchful eye saw that all were supplied with everything wanted, and that the quivering mold of cranberry jelly which added its ruby brightness to the table, was duly circulated. And when the most hungry among us could eat no more, Mrs. 0. again left her place, the skeleton of the turkey vanished like magic, Jan. 26th. The turreen of steaming oyster soup was already in position before the as did also the vegetables and the plates— kitchcn door and took the. dishes Were. handed. All was ,quict, no bustle, as they noiseless and no confusion; Mrs. C. knew just how to do, and every movement told. The carvcr‘s place Was near the kitchen door—which was nearly at the end of one side of the dining room; that ar- rangmnent saved steps. The big platter and the vegetable dishes Went first, then the plates and side dishes were removed, the pickles and jellies followed; the fruit, great tawny-coated oranges and Malaga grapes, and a salad bowl filled with mixed nuts and raisins, were placed upon the“ table. Senegambia recovered her equanim- it_v sufficiently to bring on the pumpkin pie and the plum pudding and its sauce, and the coffee. Mrs. C. served the pie, her husband the pudding; the pretty ornamen- tal fruit plates Were passed, and We sat half an hour, perhaps, after the pic and pud- ding had been discussed, nibbling nuts and raisins and “swapping yarns.” The host- ess gave the signal for leaving the. table by rising, and allowed her lady guests to precede her into the parlors, the gentleman seated nearest the door rising and drawing aside the porticre for them to pass. Now, of course, this was a “company dinner," with a more elaborate menu and more time spent at the table than on or- dinary occasions. Yet when the family dines alone the same programme of serving is observed. Dessert is not brought on until all are through with the more sub- stantial viands, and then the meats, vege- tables, side dishes and dinner plates are re- moved by Mrs. 0., and the dessert served at the table, with coffee. The latter is an innovation on established customs in the country, I know; and will probably be voted “too much ‘ putting on style,”’ something I find many of my country friends are very much afraid of, and which often stands in the way of their doing What they know it is proper and correct to do. But at least there is no reason why the rest of the programme should not be adopted; in fact there are several very good reasons why it should. First, asa rule we all eat too fast. Meals, in some houses, remind one of the small boy’s definition of a to. boggan slide, “ Whiz—z, and walk a mile!” The meal is eaten as if the train only paused fifteen minutes for refresh- ments; knife and fork play a rapid tattoo; the moment the substantials are swallowed the dessert must follow, whether any one else is ready or not, and very likely the moment the last mouthful has disappeared S() s I suspect the girl stood just inside the the eater has vanished and stretched him- M.— “*mk-m_i .w 0- " THE HOUSEHOLD. self somewhere for a few moments’ rest, very much after the fashion of the anacon- da, that swallows a whole" meal at one hugh mouthful and enjoys an uninterrupt- ed siesta until hunger reasserts its claim. Often a meal is merely a temporary break in the hurry of toil, and the man is off to the barn, the children dispersed at play, and the Wife at her task again within half an hour after the dinner bell rings. We ought to make our meals something better than a mere satisfaction of hunger: we should take time to eat them leisurely, have them properly served, and hold pleasant conVerse over them; let them be a rest to body and mind. Nor can children be properly instructed in table manners where the etiquette is that of a railroad restaurant, and they are per- mitted to reach half across the table for what they are too impatient to ask for, to stab a slice of bread with their fork, and to cram themselves till it is as much of a conundrum where the food goes as when “Lotta,” as “ The It'larchitmess," feeds herself with both hands and apparently swallows half a loaf of bread within a minute. Many a childish indigestion is due to the mother‘s being too busy attending to the wants of men who " couldn’t wait a minute” to properly regulate the quality and quantity of the children’s diet. bEAi‘llIX. l l W..- THE coRsnT AND ITS RIVAL Isn’t it about time the corset was touched upon again? How often I have felt like touching the object itself with a pair of tongs, as with its broken bones, its laces supplemented by apiece of shoestring;its color hinting of all the dresses ever worn over it; its fabric heavy with layers and layers of perspiration, l have. pulled it from some corner of the “ girl’s " room or closet, and consigned it to the stove as the last- trace of its wearer. No doubt to a few forms it is an evil necessary to produce a waist, or any pretensions to triinness, but the great majority of our sex are of better form without it; still we seem as enslaved to its use as the men are to tobacco, while our health sufi'crs more from it; for a man mind it her iron shoe, I suppose. ist: she often avails herself of vantage of health waists, skirt etc, etc.: all, and then after a while she would not i any more than a Chinese lady dot-s 1, l friend of mine experienc anti—corset- i l l l l “ \Vell. there is an occasional all the ad- supporters, but very often she makes the mistake of casting oil" the evil and taking no pains to supply the good. Her daughter must not have a corset. while the only uuderwaist she knows of is a limpsy affair without form or tit, which seems at en- mity with her skirtsz'for it wrinkles and slips up, while they drag down upon the hips and back, making her feel and look so “ slouchy " that, knowing no better path corset. curing,r an uuderwaist in basque form, of perfect fit, made of the strongest uniterial, and Well stayed by strips stitched flat over all scams. A strong stay should be stitched around the waist line. where six large but— tons are placed for the skirts to be buttoned This makes it necessary to open the skirt at one side or in front. Heavy upon. out. of her ditlicultics, she pleads for the 1 No pains should be spared in pro- » in mind that we have such a spared the embarrassment a ed, as the. choice tea—set. was brought out when there were guests, at hearing her little three-year-old exclaim, “ t), mamma, where did you get your pretty new dishes ‘ it is far better to use silver knives and forks every day, if you have them. It saves time and much work in scouring, and adds much to the. attractiveness of the table, and a set of such knives and forks the. children set. and be I)" i will last and look well ten years in every— lday use, and the forks will wear much longer. How many a hard-working wife has by saving and pinching bought some article of silverware, only to keep it wrapped in tissue paper in the bottom drawer in the bureau to see the light on state occasions only, .. when it looks so new and shiny it shows at once that it is used for company alone. vLife is Very uncertain, and perhaps not many years will elapse before Wife No. 2 " steps in: and the carefully kept silver is brought from its resting place with no I A r ! dress skirts may also be made to button to the same waist, and thus all the weight is borne upon the shoulders and a great. sense of ease secured. For thin figures this. waist is improved by having a yoke top to the front, and a piece of fine material gathered full across the bust;while a firm, pull-back sort of feeling is gained by stitching across the back, before sewing any but the center scam, two lengthwise pieces two or three inches wide, crossing them bet Ween the shoulders after the fashion of suspenders. I find the best material for these waists for everyday wear is heavy unbleached cotton, bleached and shrunk before making up. The dress-ups may be as elaborate as skill— ful fingers or a large purse can make them, and a very little from either is required to make them rival the corset in beauty as well as all the virtues. My plan for the future siege against the Corset is‘ to make these waists so pretty and comfortable that should the arch-boned enemy ever get my daughters into his steel clasp, their habit of physical case will be so firmly established- that it will soon be cast off and out. _ THOMAS. A. H J I l l I l l. l I l A witha mouthful of the tilthy weed can still bend to button his shoes, or inflate his lungs sufficiently to send the blood pulsing through the arteries and veins on its purify— ing errand, and this is more than a woman in a tight corset can do. But then she never wears it tight, and by stopping her breath can always push her hand up be- tween its bones and hers to prove the as- sertion. Yet she can not stand up without it;and to all appearance takes very little comfort in it, especially in the first stage of its acquaintance. She takes us aside at a party or picnic, and tells us she is break- prayers while passing through such an ordeal The moment she reaches the privacy of home, she throws off the in- strument of torture with a long “ 0h, ing a new corset, evidently expecting our , W SOME STRAY THOUGHTS. —.—._...__ thought or care for the reverence with as kept by its original possessor. the pretty things of this world They have a refining influence upon us. The children will be- come accustomed to the use of them and will not handle them gingerly, as if afraid to touch them, when they are in every-day use, as will be the case if otherwise. The use of napkins is another thing farmers’ families are apt to neglect. Keep Your choice ones for company if you choose, but have a set of cheap napkins, if nothing better, to be used every day. The hired men will appreciate it, and al- thbugh they probably will not be needed as a protection to the clothing, it will be very acceptable to wipe the lips or fingers upon. I once heard a mother say she did not make her tablecloth to hang over the ends of the table, for the boys wiped their fingers on it. An old tablecloth cut into squares in the best places, neatly hemmed, makes a cheap and good set of napkins, and is within the reach of all. I see no reason why farmers' families should not sit down to as neatly set tables as their city cousins, if they would only use the nice articles of table furnishing they which it w Let us use if we possess them. I want to say “ them‘s my sentiments" after reading Mrs. Sutton’s article in the Hocsnnonn of the 2nd inst., particularly the part where she advises no fuss and extra parade over an unexpected guest. If we take proper pains to have our every-day table neatly arranged we need not feel em- barrassed at the unexpected arrival of a guest just at meal time. And while we may make more elaborate preparations for expected company, is it not much better to put on an extra plate and, without apology, invite the happen—in to a seat at the table to share our meal, than to seat him in the par- lor while an extra meal is being prepared? And her idea of the‘every-day use of the silver and best dishes is sound, too; and al- fering sister tells her that just where she , makes a mistake is in wearing it only a part of the time she should never lay it of! at dearl ” of relief. ‘Then another long suf- ‘ of Bridget, let’s use it often enough to keep though we might. perhaps draw the line at the every-day use of nice china at the mercy possess instead of laying them away to grow tarnished and dusty. “Subscriber " wants to know how I draw off the buttermilk when butter is the size of shot. If the churn is allowed to stand a few minutes the butter will rise to the top, when the buttermilk can be drawn off without any (lilliculty; or, draw off as much as you can without drawing the but- ter too, then throw in a pailful of cold wa- ter, turn the churn a few times, hook ’ it, let it stand a few minutes, when the butter- milk will draw of'f freely. At least I never had any trouble with it. I am salting my , butter while in the churn this winter. I 2 know about how many pounds there will ' be from each inch of cream, and salt ac- cordingly, putting in part of the salt, then turn the churn and put in more until suf- ficient has been used; then take out and press, and it is ready to pack. Fun-r. ELLA R. WOOD.~ THE HOUSEHOLD. HOME DECORATIONS. [Paper read by Mrs. D. \. Dodge, befire the Adrian Furmers’ [n titute.] t Every human being is to some degree an artist. Every human soul has in some measure a love for and a capacity for creating the beautiful, an instinct set by God's own hand. The Great Artist, whose examples are spread out before us in nature on every hand, says to us all. " Be- hold my handiwork, and ye are m tde in my image.” To this inborn instinct philan- thropists, religious teachers, and palaces of infamy alike appeal. Not long since a saloonist displayed in the window of his brilliantly lighted place, a handsomely framed transparency. It was the beautiful face of our President's wife, Mrs. Cleve- land, and on either side of the. sweet young face Were the words “sour—:nash." Of course it attracted attention and created : amusement. A sour-faced woman among the lookers on tartly exclaimed, “ Before , I’d let my face he used to advertise a saloon!” A wag replied, " He mightn‘t want your face.” And so I say, in all the domain of influence, something that shall attract the eye—brightness, cluerfulnxss, restfulness and beauty are the elements that persuade, enti *e and :ducate. Re- membering with pride the many tasteful and elegant- farm houses that dot our beautiful country, we shall still hope this discussion of “ home adornments,” will contain some helpful hints for us all, and especially for those Whose minds have been absorbed with other matters, to the exclusion of beauty in the home. First, then, we must make the most of what we have. Not all of. us can have pleasant locations, sunny rooms, south bay windows and ample income, but we claim 3 that every home may have an atmosphere of refinement. Wealth secures luxury and elegance, but does not always insure as refined taste as may be found in humbler surroundings. I remember a description of a pretty room in a little cottage. " It i. 'as papered with butcher’s wrapping paper, old gold color, up to the picture mold— ing; a deep border of cheap wall paper of the same general tone with some bright figure tilled the, space to ceiling. This was sleeping rooms be tasteful and inviting. Make the servant’s room bright and cheery. It may be the first bit of rctincmcnt that ever came into her dull life. kitchen, where wife and daughters spt much of venience rooms be Kerosene light. Third, avoid giving rooms the ap- every nook and corner with cheap perish- ‘ obtrusive ornament ‘ fort and b *auty, and opened them to take t ( han your living rooms. Let the children‘s l l i Let your "ad their time, be nnnplctc in con— l.ct your living 1 and comfort. the centre and glory of your home. oil is Cheap, don't be sparing of pcarance of a ninety—nine ccut ston-——tilling able bric-a-brac. Decoration sometimes runs mad over gilded horse shoes and many little fancy tritles fastened to nothing by a satin bow, mottocs and picture cards ~~pot— ting the walls, photographs at all angles in the frames, etc., etc., until the, walls are covered with such a medley of useless and irregularly and con— fuscdly arranged, as to give onea feeling of bewilderment—a want of breathing room. Don’t crowd your walls. Let the aim be to have a few articles as choice as your means will allow, arranged with good taste in the best possible light. Make these matters a study. Talk of them in your family. Have a valuable homc paper that continually offers hints for making home beautiful, and encourage your chil- dren in manufacturing and arranging. I am addressing an audience of busy and often overworked farmers and farmers‘ wives. Do you tell me you have no time for extras, that the routine of every day labor fills every hour from dawn to bed— time, and it doesn’t much matter what are the surroundings, so you have fOtlt'l for the day, and rest for the night? Would your rest be less refreshing if you closed your eyes at night upon a picture of order, com- in the scene with fresh delight in the morn- ing? As you mechanically speed the plow, or wash the dishes will it not lighten the weariness if you are planning a surprise for J amcs or Mary? Who does not enjoy the thoughtfulness of a surprise? A bracket, :1 mantel, a set of shelves, or writing desk, a lambrcquin, table scarf, foot—stool, a trellis for the rose bush, or other comfort or r a 3 hat vast assemblage will be, “ How much; lid that throne cost? Will it pay?" lltv you say fences must be built, barns en» urged, mortgages lifted. and then you will alk about luxuries”: Alas! that then! Tc.- iow man)‘ homes it has conic only when weary lingers have lost their skill. and oving hearts that waited vainly are slillccl. [‘o how many homes the long delayed 'tlu-n " has come when the children who sought escape from the cheerlessncss of home, and found refuge in the tia'.’.'/.lc and ln'illiancy with which sin decoys, baVc becir. wrecked for life. Did that pay? Art thcrc wives whose whole lives are given to: thought for others, and \VllU-"t' husbands.» have no sympathy with their efforts to re- fine and beautify the home? Will be per- sistently ignore scraper and door—mat, and; carelessly lit-smear your floors and carpets. with mud, or Worse still, with filthy to: bacco‘? \Yill he carelessly serve at tablt ' and inexcusably soil and wrinkle the liner: you have laid with care? Will he sit with. hat on for hours in presence of your family or guest, and do a hundred law-risk things: that hurt you, and seem to nullify all your ' clforts‘.’ \Vcll, be thankful if his only six}.- is thoughtlessness! Are tbcrc husbands whose innate sense of refinement is forever put to a crucial test, by the negligence and; coarseness of an uncultured wife? The. cases are pitiful. Entering the home of an nctpiaintance recently I had occasion to open the dining— room door. 1 could not help observing, the dainty table spread for the evening‘ meal. Linen so pure and glossy, cheape- napkins made of red plaidcd linen toweling,, but niecly ironed and folded, the only piece of silver, the caster, brightly polished, everything so orderly and inviting. I spoke of it by way of compliment. for her home was very humble. She thanked me» and replied: "()h I always have my table. look nice, my husband expects it. We. could not enjoy our meals at an untidy. table.” Are these things trities? Are they— whims? or are they the influences which; make life better worth living? The in- fluences that bring self respect, casein re -- fined society, mental culture, yes and ma»:~ terial prosperity? That influence which; luxury, or a scheme .for James oriMary to finished on either edge with a narrow band of Contrasting color. The ceiling was kalsomined a delicate blue, The rag carpet was woven hit or miss in the centre with border at each end of red, blue and gold- brown stripes, which matched perfectly. A few pictures, a pine shelf for mantel, with drapery of old gold or olive all wool material, and it was a room of which a woman might be proud. Is there anything impossible about that, in the humblest homes? In these days when wall paper of pretty d purchased for fifteen cents a double roll, is no excuse for bare or ragged walls. It is not quality but color and tone that we want. We must study harmony, blending, and proper contrasts of color. Second, let your desire for beauty extend through your entire house. See to it that theparlor, though esign and soft, restful color can be = manufacture these things themselves. Will they not feel more affection and in- - tcrcst, as well as more proprietorship in their home if they have thus helped to beautify it? Is it not worth something to have them exclaim, “I love my pretty room more and more every day 2’" Is it not worth something to see the look of love and gratitude in response to your look of sympathy and interest? Do you say you have no money things"! that your investments must bring returns in dollars and cents? Well, that is intensely American! ”What will it cost? Will it pay?” Speaking of the American characteristic, the redoubtable Sam Jones once said: “And when the resurrection morn shall come, and the great trump shall waken the dead, both small and great, when the heavens shall roll back as ascroll, for these perhaps more elegant in its appointments, shall not be more attractive or comfortable and the multitude stand before God, the fosters cheerfulness, contentment, self-for getfulness, ambition and atfcction, insures. better health, better work, better care,. more painstaking and grander suecessn Beauty in a home has a decided cash value., It widens out over one‘s entire possessions- N ext September the Lenawec Agriculture. E Seeiety will hold their annual t’air. department in that exhibition has been; given to the boys and girls. it ought to.-. be one of the greatest attractions of the. week. If the talent and ingenuity of the. Lcnawee boys and girls is set to work now, , they can astonish the public by their skill. An endless 'ariety of useful and beautifu ll things can be made by the boys that shall. ornament or add to the comfort of their: homes; and the girls, oh! girls can do an .‘- thing. The superintendents will be rea y." to help and encourage them. Fathers and; mothers, will you Work for its success? You hold the power. Work for your own. children and keep your eye on every boy. there and girl in your neighborhood. You;- may help to turn their destiny in the right. direction. I, Concluded next week.) . l first question asked by every American in BOYS AND BABIES. 'Tliei‘e are two classes of people who do :oot speak for themselves. and seem to have no one to speak for them. that I. pity ‘with a sympathy that makes my heart .ache. One is the boys who have outgrown ”their babyliood and petted little-boy estate, and are not yet men. (in a farm they «commence theday by being called out of a deep sleep long before daylight. Don‘t you know young growing children need twice as much sleep as mature and elderly people, and nature cries out for it with a strength that makes rudely waking them 11]) absolute torture'.’ Do you remember how you feel the next day when you have ost a night’s sleep? Many a farmers boy goes for years feeling every day precisely 'the same. No wonder people call them stupid and blundcring. It is a wonder hey can learn anything at ‘school with a brain benumbed by need of sleep. Then he workll know they are often over-‘ worked, yetl have not much to say about that, for the average boy if not at work wants to play ball. Still. if there is a s peeially disagreeable task on the farm that always falls to the boy’s share, and the young growing muscles are severely tasked ometimes, especially if the boy is, unfor— t unately for him. large for his age. The other is the woman with a. baby and all the household work to do besides. Everybody knows that the kindly storks but bring the babies always leave most of ~hem in the houses where there is no money 0 spare to hire help. Taking care of 'baby alone is enough for one woman’s work, anti then she would have few idle minutes. It is the young, inexperienced mother with a first baby. her place is harder than when there are four or five children, and the older ones can at least amuse the baby while the mother works. Added to ‘t he real overwork is the discouraging d: bought that no one understands her posi- tion. Hermother-in-law and her husband's sisters are probably wondering why she is getting so slack in housekeeping. Her own conscience gets unreasonable and re- proaches her for not giving baby enough \care, for not keeping her housework done *up in good order, and for neglecting all wifcly attentions to her husband, and all echurch and social duties, though she is busy every waking moment. 0110 trial to :her patience is after getting baby to sleep. at trying to lay him down on his pillow as gently as possible, so as not to awaken him, just as she draws her arm out from under the little head, baby wakes up and «cries. That don’t ‘sound so awful, but when in addition there is just one-half hour 0 get dinner in, and she can smell the pics 1) the oven beginning to burn, and baby is ~30 heavy she cannot carry him around while she gets dinner, and generally she can- not leave him crying his heart out in the crib—well, if you have ever cared for a house and a baby at the same time you know how it is. If you have time and you want to do a kindly deed that will always T HE HOUSEHOLD for a couple of hours to give her a chance to get caught up with her work. Do this ' in preference to visiting her. even ifyou . help her while there: it will be more real . help to her. Possibly she might have taught baby in the beginning to go to sleep alone. but it seems one of the privileges of babyhood to be nursed and rocked to sleep 2 in hismother‘sarms; indeed most babies in- sist upon it anyway. and a baby‘s preference is somethingto be deferred to. Fromm. ' HL‘LDAH PERKINS —- Moo“ -- PEPPERY POLLY AGAIN. “lVell. if here isn’t that Polly woman again! I wonder what hobby she is astride this time? " I hear that grumpy old fellow over there, saying. To set your mind at rest so you can prepare to enjoy my letter, I’ll tell right now; it‘s a woman who is to behetchclcd this time: you see I do not wish to show any partiality, and if there is anythingI do enjoy. it. is to have the ap- proval of men. It. makes one feel so com- fortable to know that. mankind in general, and most men in particular. think what one does is very sensible. and couldn’t be done better unless they should take the matter in hand themselves. I am sure all men will agree with me to- day. Among aeompany of people I was entertaining a few days since, was a young woman who appeared to take every op- portunity which presented itself, to “sit down,” figuratively speaking, on her hus- band; she seemed to wish people to under- stand that she stood in no “ awe ” of him if he was very high tempered and fifteen years her senior. He apparently took no notice of her manner; he showed himself to be the gentleman, and she was far from being a lady. No one respects a woman more for snubbing or uncivilly treating her husband, no matter what his faults may be. But the woman who treats her hus- band with the same courtesy she would show her most esteemed acquaintance, raises herself in the estimation of all right minded persons. I have known men timid and awkward in society, made so at ease by their Wives’ tact and polite attentions to them, that one could hardly imagine them the same person. A woman Who treat her husband with the politeness she treats her guests, is in very little danger of any other kind of treatment in return. ’ The harmony of the home depends largely on the home keeper. It is the woman who makes the home a real home; it is she who pitches the key to the har- mony. If the husband seconds her efforts, her labor will be easy; if the contrary,_her work is a serious one, but no one can en- tirely neutralize her efforts. Let every one live each day as it comes; none can carry the burdens of a year each day successively. One person cannot get up a very large quarrel all alone; no one loses any dignity or self respect who refuses to quarrel by keeping the tongue under con- trol. And sister woman, don’t for an in- stant imagine that anybody thinks you are be remembered with gratitude, go to your neighbor, the “’Woman witha baby,” and ' {borrow him and take him home with you smart because you dare say impertinent, in- sulting things to your husband—or anyone CULTURE OF THE PANSY. Like Grace ll, 1 have tried many a time to raise pansies without anything like suc- cess. until last spring, when I filled a shal- low box with good soil, bought a ten cent paper of mixed seed, and planted therein; set the box on the stoop where it had the morning sun, until the plants were well up, then put it on the north side of the house, close by the cistern. I kept some boards handy to cover them up in case of a hard rain, and they well repaid the trouble, as I often recognized faces of familiar friends peeping at. me through the green foliage while pumping water at the cistern. They had the sun until about ten in the morning, anti again late in the afternoon. A lady who had some nice quilts on ex- hibition at the fair told me she marked for quilting by using a rule, and scratching with a large pin or darning needle. As I have seen quilts badly disfigured by being marked with a pencil, I think this well worth knowing. I too find my strawberries that are canned without sugar, the best. I ever put up. Eating dinner at a friend’s, a plain steamed pudding was made delicious by adding a small cupful of canned strawberries to the sauce, made in the usual way. Last spring we planted a row of straw- berries on tamarack poles; they kept bright and green through all the severe drought. The men planted the poles, but I planted the strawberries, and expect to reap my re- ward next .Iune. Buss. PLAINWELL. _ 4. _- ”. n. ._ Contributed Reelpes. BOSTON BROWN Bureau—One cup sweet milk; two cups sour milk or buttermilk (not too sour): one cup flour; three cups corn meal; half cup molasses; one teaspoonful salt: two small teaspooni’ula saleratus. Steam three hours; place in the oven a few'minutes to dry off; wrap in anapkin. Good hot or cold. WHEAT PANCAKEB.—Tbl‘ee eups buttermilk; half cup cream, or two large tablespoonfuls melted butter; salt to taste; one egg: two small ieaspoont’uls saleratus; flour enough for a. smooth batter. JOHNNY CAKn.-0ne pint sour milk, or but- termilk; one 638; three tablespooni'uls flour; one teaspoonful salt: one teaspoonfui soda, dissolved in hot water; half cup sugar; two large tableapoonfuls melted shortening. Add meal enough to make a thick batter, but not so thick but that it will run; put in the soda and salt last, beating rapidly; bake quickly. GR AHAM GEMS.-—Tw0 cups good buttermilk; two table poonfuls melted shortening; one teaspoon-fol soda; salt; three cups graham flour; one handful cornmeal. Grease the gem pans well; bake in a. hot oven. Bucanmm Cums—One quart warm wa- ter: three cups buckwheat flour; one cup graham flour; half cup good yeast Beat well, cover closely, to stand over night. In the morning add soda, salt, and thin with wa- ter. After breakfast, pick up two oi.’ the cakes that are left, add to the batter: stir and set away in a cool place. COTTAGE PUDDING —'1‘hree tablespoonfuls melted butter; half cup sugar (cream butter and sugar); one egg; one pint of flour, with three teaspoonfuls baking powder sifted thoroughly; one cup milk; nutmeg. Bake in a loaf in a. buttered tin, half an hour. GRAHAM PUDDING.-—One cup sour milk, or buttermilk: half cup molasses; one egg; two cups graham flour; one teaspoonful salei atus; add cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, and fruit if preferred. Add all the ingredients, then mix thoroughly. Steam three hours. else. POLLY. NEW YORK. HOIE-LY. l| L uni-um»?