DETROIT. SEPT. 14:: 1889.

 

 

,THB HOUSEHOLD-"Supplement.

 

 

SIMON’S PLEA.

 

The “top of the morning." ladies.
And thanks for opening the door;
Yes. I'm a stranger about these parts.
I have never been here before;
And my name? 'tis Simon Simple.
Simple Simon. if you will;
And if it had not been for that “Cloudy Week.”
Simon Simple would have kept still.

But when my “simple" household cares.
Went circulating around.

And I was held up for ridicule—
Hark! don't you hear the sound

()f giggling . laughing. screaming?

"l‘was more than I can bear.
And if I wasn‘t a moral man

I am sure that I would swear.

In the courting days. “this wire of mine."
Was pretty as a pink.

And when -I saw her neat and trim.
I couldn't help but think

'l‘hat when we hitched "till death do part”
Into a double team.

0r floated along in one canoe
Adown Life‘s rapid stream.

What a blessed comfort ’twould be to me
As I jogged along home at night.

l’retted and tired with hard farm work.
To find it cheery and bright;

A ud she the household fairy.
(jod‘s last. best gift to man.

Should give me a kiss. and a welcome—-
It‘s queer how a fellow will plan.

And often of things we want the most.
We somehow get the least.
For the heart will starve if fed on husks
Justin sight of Love‘s rare feast?
’l‘he joys we hope for. the plars we lay.
Ho us good, though they‘re realized never,
And like beautiful mirage suspended in air,
But beckon us onward forever

ller check was as red as th; wild red rose.
She was gentle and shy as a fawn.

ilcr eye was blue and her heart was true
With a temper serene as the dawn;

And when she said "yes." from my honest heart
Arose a thankful prayer.

'l‘nat in sunshine and clouds. in sort": w and joy.
She Would always carry her share.

In a snug little house. covered over with vines,
With two horses, two pigs. and a cow.
We settled us down in a little farm—
lIow I love to recall it now!
How we worked and planned and planned and
worked
From morn until dewy eve:
And Love was the master that ruled it all.
There were no cross words to grieve.

And how it happened I never knew—
I never even could guess;

But times were hard. and prices were low.
And they kept on growing less:

And then the children came along.
And our family larger grew.

I‘ll be hanged if there were not times
That I didn‘t know what to do.

Women can‘t keep house so slick. [ know.
With children running about.

But it got so if I interposed.
She‘d fairly "flre me out."

And because I didn‘t hire a girl,
She called me stingy and mean——

Now this was a “phase" of married life
That I hadn‘t ever seen.

And as things out doors grew worse and worse.
Indoors 'twas more and more,
And 1 am willing to own the corn.

 

I hated to enter the door:

She wasn‘t as trim as she used to be.
She kept her teeth in a glass;

And she switched the children without her switch.
But a fellow could let this pass.

If it wasn’t ding dong for money to spend.
When there wasn‘t “nary a red;"

We both had thoughts that were bitter thoughts.
But a word I never had said.

Till once she “wished she'd stayed with Ma.
For then she’d had something new;“

And I couldn’t help. for the life of me.

n Saying “Them‘s my sentiments tew.“

And the day that I oiled that harness.
I couldn‘t see that the floor
Looked a single bit worse when I got through
Or had even one grease spot more;
For to whisper it confidentially,
She don‘t scrub as much as she should.
But she thinks where the trouble lies
The floor’: not the right kind of wood.

But that night that she speaks of so sweetly.
When I sat myself down for a smoke.
When the twilight fell softly around me.
And the notes of the whippoorwill broke
The silence that seemed so delightful,
And the moonlight like silver veil fell—-
When the "bairnies were a‘ cuddled down" in the
bed.
All was peaceful on hill. plain and vale.

I thought that I heard a faint rustle.
And there was my wife by my side.

Her hand slipped unconsciously into my own.
She’d a secret. I knew. to confide;

I expected ‘twas,"Simon.I‘d like some small change."
I‘ll own it right here on the square.

But she said “After this I shall wear my false teeth
And twist my switch into my hair."

BATTLE CREEK. EVANGALINE.

-———...—_

AN EXCURSION.

It is often said that the Americans take
their pleasures solemnly; that is, they set
about amusing themselves in a business-
like manner, which by reason of its gravity
and sober intent seems foreign to the ob-
ject in view. But if people are not amused
upon their outings, at least they are often
amusing and interesting to others. A
crowd is‘always a study to the observant-—
a study of types, of faces, of manners, of
character. People in a crowd “act out
nature;” selfishness asserts itself; good
manners, unless ingrained, are forgotten—
the real disposition comes to the front, gen;
erally in an endeavor to secure for self and
party the best to be had, regardless of the
convenience, privileges, even the rights of
others, an example of the struggle for self
which is the law of life.

I was much amused by the study of my
kind en a river trip recently. Passengers
at the starting point were not numerous, so
we secured chairs and a location on the
shady side of the boat. At the first stop,
an excursion came on board. The old
“ Idlewild ” fairly trembled under the rush
made the instant the plank struck the
dock, and in five minutes there was a

 

scramble for chairs. for places next the
rail, for any place at all, that somehow, I
regret to say, reminded me of pigs taking
possession of the feeding trough—probably
I was not in a poetical frame of mind that
morning. On they came, old men and‘
maidens, babies. children of assorted sizes,
lunch baskets b y hundreds, everybody in a
hurry, all eager; few words except “Git a
chair there," “ Come here. you Jim, and
bl ing them baskets," and the bell rang and
we were off again before the crowd had
settled itself. Then the discontented in—
dividual always looking for “ a better-
place” began his travels up and down, fore
and aft; the children were warned again
and again to keep away from the railing or
they would “get drownded,“ and at last,
being seated, though it was not yet half
past eight of an August morning, the paper
bags were opened and the fruit and
ubiquitous peanut began to be consumed!
No wonder people. especially children, re-
turn from an excursion or a picnic tired
out and sick. They eat nearly all day, and
of all those indigestible things which are
“so nice for picnics," like hard-boiled
eggs, dried beef, pickles, a variety of cakes,
and the like; whereas if they would eat
only at accustomed hours. and of plain
food, there would be no "hereafter” in
shape of a headache and disturbed diges-
tion next day.

Near us sat two girls, sisters, evidently,
and their attendant cavalier. They looked
very fresh and dainty in their embroidered
white dresses, but long before we reached
the city to which they were bound, the
dresses were soiled and draggled round the
bottom, and fit for the washtub. So I
want to advise all the girls who are going
to fairs and excursions this fall not to wear
white dresses. Your sattecn or your street
suit of wool goods may not look as pretty
and nice as does your white dress when
you start out, but you will have the satis-
faction of knowing that whereas your
rival in her white muslin may have the ad-
vantage in the morning, it will certainly
be on your side after a few of the morning
hours are over; you will look neat and
nice all day, while she will be uncomfort-
ably conscious of a soiled, crushed dress.

Something down the river attracted the
young man’s attention, and up he jumped,
stretching his neck and opening his mouth
as he gazed. Will somebody please tell
me how the mouth can assist the eyes, since
it seems to so invariably pop open to help
one get a good look? I suppose it must ‘
be a case of mutual “ take-in.” Up comes

0

r' VLL‘U

 


  

 

    
   
  
   
   
  
 
  
  
    
   
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
    
  
  
  
 
  
   
 
  
  
    
  
  
 
 
 
   
   
  
   
    
  
    
   
   
  
   
 
 
  
  
 
   
    
   
  
  
 
  
   
  
 
 
 
  
  
   
 
  
  
  
  
   
   

 

 

  
 
  

 
 
  

  

 

 

2 THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

an acquaintance: “Mornin’, Joe; hullo
Mate; howdo, Kit." was his salutation.
Did he remove his hat as he thus addressed
his friends? Not he; it grew immovably
on the back of his head. Do you know
there is nothing “places" a young man
more quickly, more surely. or advertises
his social station and breeding, than what
he does with his hat? When greeting a
friend, a gentleman‘s hand moves as in-
stinctively to his hat as his lips Open to
speak.

How the king's English is murdered
sometimes! With all our schools, our
training, our polish, we still struggle with
our irregular verbs, and eliminate our g‘s.
“ I was a settin‘ an” areadin~ an‘ didn't hear
a darn thing about it," I heard a young
man tell his charmer. tseemed very like
aquarrel, for she retorted, not too amiably,
“Well, you’dorter heard ‘stead a settin’
there like a stoughton-bottle." Yet how
can we expect schools to offset home train-
ing when mothers address their children
like this: “Now you Jim, you’ve got
that there juice all onto yer waist: can‘t ye
never eat nuthin’ ’thout gittin’ it all daubed
over ye? You’re a pretty ignoramus to
take on a ’scursion, now ain't ye 1' "

Near us sat the man who growls. I
pitied his wife and the children. He had a
bulbous nose and a face like one of the
pictures of the “ Last Days of Pompeii,”
and he growled, deep down in his throat
liken dog, about everything: about the
:sun, which persisted in shining, the wind,
the crowd, his seat; swore a little, like sup-
pressed thunder, because the lunch was
not to his liking, and at the children be-
cause they wanted to move about. He
stuck his feet on the rail under his wife’s
nose and his elbow in front of her, and the
meek little woman acted as if she w.s
grateful to him for not making himself
even more disagreeable. As he sat there
with his feet on a level with his head,
taking up room enough for two and
not worth the space for one person, I
was conscious of an unregenerate yearning
to gently assist him over the rail to the
cool waters below, which might perhaps
lower his temperature to the safety point.

A woman of perhaps forty attracted

considerable attention by her finely kal-
somined complexion. But alas, that this
elderly bloom, like the manna of the
Israelites, needed renewing every morning
was plainly evinced by the outlying dis-
tricts of neck and cars, which were of a
fine lemon yellow suggestiJe of an over-
taxed liver. Why should a woman whose
years have carried her past youth and its
follies, seek to conceal the fact, and mask
her honorable record behind the chalky
freshness of powder and rouge? No one
is deceived, and she is thought frivolous
and foolish. Why should we be ashamed
to have lived so long, unless indeed we
have wasted our years; and why take such
pains to deceive where deception is practi-
cally impossible? A young heart, an in-
telligent mind, an amiable disposition, are
the charms of the woman; with them we
must ofiset the brighter eyes, the rose and
white of the girl.

come on board at Grands Pointe, a young
woman who looked like a restaurant cook
and smelled like an Irish stew came up
behind me, and bent over me with that con-
fiding abandon common to the inexper-
ienced who think because they are agree-
able to themselves they must be so to
every one else. She leaned heavily against
my shoulder and extended an arm along
the back of my chair, grasping a half-
eaten apple in one gloveless hand. On the
forefinger of the hand, which would have
been the better for a vigorous application of
soap and water and the removal of the de-
posits of real estate under the finger-nails,
was a ring—a bit of glass set in tarnished
brass to imitate a diamond; if real it would
have been worth at least $250. But glove-
less women with dirty hands do not wear
$250 diamonds. One has only to look in
the bazar windows to see where the
“diamonds” come from. I often see
women going to m trket with their baskets,
,girls on the way to the tobacco factories
where they earn four dollars a week, with
“diamonds” in their ears worth more than
a year‘s wages. Like the complexion
bought ina box, they deceive no one. I
have no quarrel with Poverty—when it is
clean—but I cannot stand Shams and dirt;
that ring made me vicious, and I em-
phatically changed my position, necessitat-
ing a move on the part of my too-confiding-
ly affectionate neighbor, who was then
compelled to maintain her own perpen-
dicular, and went away, chilled at my re~
buff, to console herself with a whole stick
of gum which she chewed with real girlish
abandon and delight. What shallone say of
the gum-chewing habit? Notwithstanding
the comments, which have ranged from the
ridiculous to the severe, the girls will chew;
and it is not uncommon to enter a store
where the saleswomen are so engaged in a
gum-chewing contest, seemingly, that they
have no attention to bestow upon cus-
tomers.

Were there no well-bred people on the
boat that day? I fancy I hear some one
ask. Oh, yes, of course. But well-bred
people are qui t, unobtrusive, and seldom
do or say anything which draws attention
to themselves. Sometimes fussy people
think they “ don't count” because they at-
tract little notice, but it is a mere differ-
ence of opinion. BEATRIx.

 

W

D MORE ABOUT THAT LIBRARY.

A long time ago Bess asked me to tell
something of the business management of
our library. Ido not clearly understand

our building. By the way, since the
building was erected, we have had quite a
number of new subscribers. I think we
now draw subscribers for a radius of ten
miles or more; and all to a country library.

If Bess will specify upon what portion of
the “business part,” she wishcsinforma-
tion, I will be pleased to explain more,
fully.

I too felt like laughing at the close of
Bruno’s Sister’s week; although like the
others I had no hint of the true state of
affairs until the closing chapter.

I am sorry for Mrs. E., of Grand Blanc.
How vexing to do one’s best in putting up
fruit, then have it spoil! I am not often
troubled by anything but tomatoes. A few
years ago I had great trouble to keep them.
but I read that salting them to taste, and
Well draining before cooking, would be a
help, and since trying that have had no
difficulty in keeping them.

Our folks laugh at me for trying every-
thing I read in the papers. Sometimes I
discover that not everything published
turns out just as it is said to; then again, it
is all right. We have had a great deal of
difficulty this summer with the salt Sifters.
Even drying the salt in the oven would not
prevent its gathering sufficient moisture to
hinder its sifting freely. I read ‘ that a
little corn starch mixed with the salt would
cause it to sift nicely, and sure enough it
does, at least so far.

The rag peddler called the other day and
among other things I invested in a two-
quart dipper. I have never had onelarger
than a quart before, and Idraw it mild
when I say it is the handiest thing I have.
used in my kitchen in a long time, and it
will be a long time before I do without one
again. Never having used one I did not
realize its worth. The rest of my pur-
chase consists of basins. If there is any-
thing I like to have a good assortment of
it is basins, from pint to milkpan size.
Then another handy article to keep in
the kitchen is a little scrubbing brush, to
be had for five cents, which is just the
thing to clean potatoes for baking, or to
clean the bottom of the frying-pan or spider
when it has been “stuck up ” with gravy.
Then it is a good plan to keep one espec-
ially to scrub out the milk strainer, which is
apt to get obstructed unless close attention
is given it. And too, the boys always
keep one of these little brushes on the wash
bench to use to scrub their hands with,
and find it excellent for that purpose, as it
will remove the dirt quicker and easier
than in any other way.

I expect we shall see a quick response to

 

just what she means by that, but in a gen-
eral way we conduct the business on the
same basis as all associations, and try to
follow parliamentary rules at the regular
monthly meetings. This we find no easy
matter, and although we all know how it
should be done, a good deal of random
talk is often indulged in. But we get
through with he business just the same;
and in the three years since our organiza-
tion we have collected and disbursed over
four hundred dollars. The money has

 

While watching a group of passengers

our Queen B.’s call for help. The hot
weather is mostly over now, the evenings
longer, and let’s hear from all the old writers
and new ones too. ELLA R. WOOD.
FLINT.

w

MAYBELLE, of Wolverine, wishes some
one would write up the subject of rag car-
pets, as she finds there is nothing better for
farmers’ wear. She is also glad to find

Mill Minnie‘s name in the paper, as she
is sure of a fine lace pattern, which she

 

all been expended upon books, and latterly

prizes highly.

  

 

 


 

THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

A TRIP TO BAY VIEW.

 

On a beautiful morning in the latter part
of July, we embarked on one of the large
lake steamers, bound for Mackinac. there
to take the boat for Petoskey and Bay
'View.

As we slowly steamed out of Detroit we
settled ourselves preparatory to the enjoy
ment of the many beautiful scenes which
the river and St. Clair lake offered, and
we were not disappointed. A changing
succession of views met our eyes, and we
all agreed that their loveliness could not be
surpassed.

After leaving Port Huron the shore
gradually receded from sight, and though
we held a book in our hands, an occasional
glance sufficed, for even here there was
something to interest us, perhaps the pass-
ing of several barges strung together in
line of a tug, or a flight of sea gulls over
head and an endless pleasure was to watch
the white foam in the wake of the vessel.

Life on the water was a dreamy existence,
still it was not wholly without alloy. The
water supply on the boat was quite limited,
.and we felt like saying with the ancient
mariner,

“ Water, water everywhere,
But not a drop to dr.nk.“

At the end of the second day we began to
grow a little weary of the monotony, and
gladly welcomed the sight of Mackinac
island, with its picturesque scenery, and
fine view of the fort. The next morning
found us en route for Petoskey. Though
Lake Michigan is generally quite turbulent
~—and on this day was no exception—those
of us who did not suffer the discomforts of
sea sickness, found this passage not the
least interesting of our journey. At one
time we stopped at an Indian village and
peered down into the solemn faces of the
men and children thronging the pier.
Shortly after Harbor Point came in view.
and when we saw it all exclaimed at the
pretty picture presented. Quaint little
cottages nestle among the trees, and with a
hotel form quite a little town. We did
not wonder that so many people have
found and appreciate the lovely wilds of
northern Michigan.

But we were nearing Petoskey, while
just beyond is Bay View, the place of our
dreams ever since we became a member of
the C. L. S. C. We were soon settled in
one of the pleasant cottages, with a fine
view of the bay from our window. There
are 330 cottages thickly interspersed over
the grounds at Bay View, all tastily built,
while many with verandas extending
nearly around, are quite elaborate.

The climate is moderately warm and in
vigorating, so much so one is liable to go
beyond one’s strength at first; then a reac-
tion sets in, and a rest of a day or two he-
comes a necessity.

Unlike most resorts, Bay View has for
three weeks something to constantly en-
tertain and amuse. No pains or expense
are spared to secure the best speakers, and
people of slight ability would stand a very
poorlshow. The superintendent, Mr. J. M.
Hall, is an indefatigable worker. We

 

heard some of the best talent of the
country, including Miss Frances Willard,
who by her earnest, eloquent words, moved
all our hearts. We might mention many
other lecturers who delighted us, besides
concerts and unique entertainments, but
space forbids.

If one tires of intellectual feasts there are
little excursions around the bay at almost
any time; or a pleasant day may be spent
by going farther down the lake to Charle-
voix.

A five minutes ride on the dummy—as
the car is called—takes one to Petoskey, past
the Arlington, the big hotel of that place;
while a visit should be made to Harbor
Springs and Weqnetonsing, that unpro-
nounceable name. until we heard it spelled.

A different feeling is entertained toward
the people at Bay View than at any other
assemblage. They are characterized by
earnestness and intelligence. The frivolous
Would hardly care to stay long in an at-
mosphere filled with the idea of the uplift—
ing and education of humanity. We stayed
until nearly the last of the Assembly, and
came away with the determination to make
a greater effort toward all that is better and
nobler in life, while a new incentive was
given to our 0. L. S. 0. reading.

Realizing as never before, that education
of mind and soul means happier and better
lives,

“ In the world’s broad field of action,
In the bivouac of life,
Be not like dumb driven cattle,
Be a hero in the strife.”

Osxwoon. ATHENE.

“.0“
ABOUT SCANDAL.

The complaint that the HOUSEHOLD
pigeon-hole was a “wooden Sahara,” has
encouraged me to think that perhaps there
is room for another. I have long been an
interested reader, and never gained courage
to write before, but now I want to nod ap-
proval to what Polly and Beatrix said on
the subject of scandal. I get decidedly
wrathy occasionally as some fresh scandal
reaches my ears, and it isn’t only the mar-
ried ones who have to “catch it.” either.
Not long ago agirl of my acquaintance was
driven almost to suicide by a ridiculous
story which some of her neighbors were
silly enough to believe. If I could have
seen the men who started that story, they
would have heard my unvarnished opinion
of them quite forcibly expressed. There
are many such who are always ready to
magnify every little thing into something
discreditable. I heartily agree with Beatrix
that the evil minded ones are always the
first to accuse others.

Mrs. 13., have you ever tried cleansing
your fruit cans with warm water and soda?
I always do it just before putting in the
fruit, and seldom have any trouble.

BATTLE CREEK. EMERALD.

-——_....___

EMERALD, of Battle Creek, asks how to
direct letters to the HOUSEHOLD. Address
Household Department Michigan Farmer,
Detroit, Mich; it will reach us every time.
Write again, Emerald, your legible pen-
manship is a delight to the compositors.

 

A CHAPTER OF ECONOMIES.

The kind words said of my “Cloudy
Week” have done me a world of good; and
I heartily thank the givers. I expected
they would only SllCCl' at me and wonder
why I couldn’t have managed better. And
now I’ve got in sucha way of thinkir‘g
what I would like to write, that my brain
is getting all cluttered up and I must take
time to clear out a little. My economies
have been a source of trouble to me this
summer. I haven‘t the knack that some
of my neighbors are blest with of making
something out of nothing-or next thing to
it. I can not make a good custard pie
with two eggs; a nice cake with one spoon-
ful of butter; nor rich preserves without
using about pound for pound; and if I try
to make a dress for mySelf out of eight
yards of gingham, I’m sure to lack a sleeve.

But last spring when everything went
against us and some things—old Speck in—
cluded—went away fr’m us, I made up
my mind that I must hang on to every dol-
lar and try to get what I bought as cheap
as other folks are always telling about.
It has always been my way to think over a
luxury a good while, but buy the neces-
saries of the hoase with a free and easy
sort of feeling; and looking back over the
summer’s struggle, I think it would have
been less wearing on me to have kept on
that way and made up the little I may
have saved by taking in washing. In the
first place, I hesitated about that ten cent
gingham for the girls’ best dresses, and
called Simon’s attention to it at the store,
hoping he might encourage me to buy bet-
ter, but he merely glanced at it while be
stuffed a big roll of tobacco into his pocket,
said he thought it looked good enough.
and walked to the back of the store where
three or four men were talking about the
sugar trust. Then the storekeeper got to
showing them a certain kind of sugar; and
bye and bye Simon called me to look at it
and wanted to know if we hadn’t better
buy some, for sugar was going clear out of
sight. Iwished to myself that that kind
would, and never come down again, for it
was brown and I always hate it. But I
thought of my sweet pickles, and my re-
solution about bargains, and took ten
pounds. When we got home it was leak-
ing through the paper and into the tea,
and I put it into some fruit cans as soon as
I could. I felt mad too, for it waslate, and
the pigs, calves, poultry and children were
all clamoring for their supper; and it
popped into my head all at once, that the
stuff wasn’t but acent less than the real
good and we had only saved a dime after
all. Isaid as much to Simon, but he gave
me to understand that even that was worth
looking after these times. Well, last week
I got ready to make my pickles. and be-
held that stuff had hardened in the cans
like so much rock! I can’t get it out. and
don't know what to do, but until I do
something desperate I’m sure I shall never
be out of sugar. And those dresses! I
made them up carefully. and thought they
looked nice, but as soon as they were
washed they not only faded the worst

 


 
   
 
 
 
   
   
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
   
  
  
    
   
  
   
  
 
  
    
   
  
    
  
 
   
    
  
  
  
   
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
      
  
  
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
   
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  

 

 

 

 

THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

kind, but pinked everyhing else in the
tub.

Then when Smith 6: Co. began selling
out away below cost I said to myself that
I’d keep away entirely because I couldn’t
trust my judgment under such tempta-
tions. But' almost every day some women
would come along on their. way over there;
sometimes they'd stop to have me shut up
a dog that was s ealing a trip with them;
sometimes to leave two or three children to
play with ours; but they’d always ask if I’d
been over, and then, “ Why, where are you
going?” and come back showing and tell-
ing of such bargains, that I felt something
as if I was flying in the face of Providence
by staying away; and finally, one morning
when John’s wife stopped for me, I carried
the basket of clothes I had just dampened
into the cellar, so they shouldn’t get musty,
sent the children out to the field to stay

with Simon, and went. I didn’t intend to
buy anything, but brought home several
parcels. A pair of slippers which were al-
most given to me, split across the toe be‘
fore I had worn them an hour, and the
chambray I bought at a third less than the
regular price came full of tiny holes be-
fore I even washed it. While 1 was wait-
ing for J ohn’s wife I kept peeping round,
and seeing a pair of cotton gloves just the
color of my grey dress, asked the clerk the
price of them. “Oh, well, that was the
last pair and if I wanted them he’d make
them an object,” and he seemed to do so,
for I brought them home. The next time
I noticed them we were well on our way to
a picnic at Stony Point—ten miles down
the railroad. We rode to the Corners with
John’s folks, and Iwas so hurried that I
didn’t more than half dress and finished up
on the road, and when I got round to
put on my gloves they were different in
color and alike only in being both for the
left hand. I put one on and the other half
on, and was busy all day working that
thumb back on my little finger; and can
any one imagine how I felt when I met an
old school friend from the city. and had to
let my hand, fruit-stained, calloused,
bony, and in that kind of a rig, clasp her
dainty one in its perfectly fitting kid! My
pleasure was half spoiled. We missed the
train and had to wait for the midnight
freight, then Walk from the Corners, for

John’s folks were gone, and those gloves,

which were made such “ an object” to

me, were at the bottom of it all. Who
wonders that I feel discouraged over my
economies? SIMON's WIFE.

 

THIS LIFE OF OURS.

 

In readi l g over the different complaints
brought to public view, I have been moved
to say “ Don’t ” to those pertaining to hus-
bands and mankind in general. We all
have our faults; none are exempt, no, not
one; but let us cultivate the noble hab't of
looking for the good. There are very few
people on the earth who have not some good
qualities; let us speak of those or not at all.
It is much more pleasant to listen to a lady
of gentle manners and soft voice relating

listen to them, than to listen to the habitual
grumbler who has some grievances to re-
late, and leaves us with an unpleasant sen—
sation, or like some books we read, “ with
a bad taste in our mouth.” Then do not
write or speak ill of the dear ones, for we
know not how soon they may be taken.
Yes indeed, many cares and vexations
beset our pathway, but let us strive to live
above them; and when we come to the little
weekly visitor let us come with something
kind and good, something to help us to
grow nicer and better, and to cultivate a
spirit of thankfulness. Always use your
influence for the good and to assist others
to a life of purity and innocence, and when
the days of this life are lived one by one
and we are no more among the actors in
life’s drama, then may it be said of us:
“ She was always so good; none knew her
but to love her.” Instead of thinking over
our hardships, let us think of the many
blessings.

“ My Father. I thank thee for blessings unnum-

be ed

’
Unceasing, unmeasured. as f ee as the air,
Descending like dew whi.e unconscious I
slumbered,
Or granted directly in answer to prayer.

“ Yet Father, I ask for a blessing still dearer
Than even these favors so rich and so free,
A blessing to make all thy goodness seem
dearer
And bring my fond spirit still nearer to
Thee.

“ 1 ask, oh I ask for a token of kindness,
More prizeldl than the gifts of food, raiment
or go ,
That my soul may be cleansed from its sin and
ts blindness.
And Thy love fill my heart with its rapture
untold.

“ Whatever, oh Father. in love Thou den‘est,
Deny not, I pray Thee, the gift of Thy. love,
By whatever trials my patience Thou triest,
0h gragt this sweet eamfort and help from
a ove.”

I enjoyed the article on “Home” ever
so much; such words give us a feeling of
contentment and pleasure with what we
possess. It is a bad habit to get into—this
one of faultfinding, either with the children
or the head of the family. Let us avoid
it, and bring something truly beautiful to
our little HOUSEHOLD band.

How often 1 think Of the HOUSEHOLD
album at Detroit, containing the photo-
graphs of the many bright-faced contribu-
tors of our little paper! Nothing would
please me better than a peep at it. No, not
a peep, but a whole hour to look and talk
of the different faces, would please and
satisfy far away MAYBELLE.

WOLVEBINE.
W

SALADS AND SWEET CORN.
The HOUSEHOLD is always a welcome
visitor to our home, and as I read the
many useful hints, valuable recipes, and
words of sympathy, I think that I too
might contribute some little crumb to the
basket. The drouth has ruined much of
the garden sauce for winter use; and we
feel quite discouraged when we view our
cucumber vines and wonder what we shall
do for sour cucumber pickles, for nothing
can take their place; but if we can’t salt
cucumbers we can salt sweet corn, and if
you will try the following recipe I think
you will like it very much; it is very fine if
freshened properly: Take nice sweet com,

the milk; cut off the cob, and to two quarts
of corn add one quart of salt ; mix, pound
it down in a large stone crock, and when
filled cover with a damp cloth with two or
three inches of common salt, and set in
the cellar for future use. I usually freshen
two or three quarts at a time in a large;
pail of water, turning it off three or four
times. It will take twenty-four hours to
freshen it. Then cook it in sweet cream, or
milk and butter, same as you would
canned corn. I never knew it to spoil, and
if freshened sufiiciently it is just as good,.
and we like it much better than dried corn.

I also have another crumb for the basket,

which is a salad, easily prepared and a

great favorite for supper; it is so pretty

that like the Irishman’s bouquet “ it is al-

most too foin to ate.” I take eight boiled

potatoes, twenty-four leaves of lettuce

chopped fine together, one-half cup of

sour vinegar, with one tablespoonful of

ground mustard and pinch of salt stirred
together, which you stir into the potatoes~
and lettuce; then take six hard boiled eggs,

chop and stir into it loosely all together,
and turn into a small platter or salad dish

garnished with lettuce; take two boiled

eggs, slice and lay the slices on the top-
and you will have as pretty a dish as one
would ask for, it looks so cool and inviting.
I also make a tomato salad of six or twelve

ripe tomatoes chopped fine; if too watery

turn off the juice; six large boiled potatoes
chopped fine, stir all together with a little
pepper and salt, one half cup of vinegar,

turn into salad dish garnished with lettuce.
I have several salad recipel, but perhaps
this is salad enough for this time.

BELDING- JULIA.

 

A CORRESPONDENT at Howell asks why
Beatrix does not own up to writing “A.
Cloudy Week.” Because Beatrix didn’t
write it. You’ll have to guess again, Miss~
E. T.

SWEET milk is the best thing to take-
out fresh ink-stains. Wash the article-
in the milk as if it were water. If ink is.
spilled on the carpet, a sponge and a basin
of milk should be brought to the front im-
mediately.

—__...—-———-

Contributed Becid es.

 

RIPE CUCUMBER Prentiss—Pare the cucum- ~
bers and cut them lengthwise into four pieces, .
taking out the seeds. Boil an ounce of alum
in a gallon of water and pour over them, let-
ting them stand at least half a day on the
back of the stove. Drain, turn cold water
over them. Boil a quart of vinegar with
three pounds of brown sugar, an ounce of
cinnamon and half an ounce of cloves: add
the cucumber, after draining it well, and cook
half an hour. Melon rinds- can be pickled in
the same way.

POVERTY Gauss—One pint sour milk; one
teaspoonful soda; pinch of salt; fliur enough
to roll. Fry in hot lard same as doughnuts._
Do not make them too hard. Nice for break-
fast, with coffee.

APPLE BUTTER—Three gallons of stewed
apples; one quart cider vinegar: five pounds .
brown sugar; season with cinnamon. Boil.

 

 

kind deeds and speaking noble thoughts——
thoughts that will tend to elevate us as we

  

scald on the cob sufficient to just thicken

do In to two gallons and seal. B.