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DETROIT, NOVEMBER 18, 1884.

 

 

 

 

THE H©U§EHOLD===§unppllemermto

 

 

LITTLE F0. ES.

 

Among my tender vines I spy
A little fox named—By-and-by. =

Then set upon him quick, I say,
The swift young hunter—Right away.

Around each tender vine 1 plant
I find the little fox—I can’t.

Then, fast as any hunter ran,
Chase him with bold and brave-I can:

No use in trying—lags and whines
This fox among my tender vines.

Then drive him low and drive him high
With this good hunter, named—I‘ll try.

Ameng the vines in my small lot
- Creeps in the young fox—I forgot.

Then hunt him out and to his den
With—I will not forget again.

A little fox is hidden there
Among my vines, named—I don’t care.

Then let “ I’m sorry "—hunter true—
Chase him afar from vines and you.
—0hristian Union.
——...—————
1M TIME OF TROUBLE.

What a kind provision of an All«wise
Creator it is that inclines the human heart
to sympathy with others in their troubles!
How instinctively the wish to aid and as-
sist arises within us when we hear
the story of our friends’ misfortunes. How
often our hearts go out in friendly sym
pathy even toward strangers, when the
sad tale of trouble and consequent suffer-
ing is poured into our ear! Rochefoucauld
has left on record the saying: “ There is
something secretly pleasing to us in the
misfortunes of our friends.” Onlya cynic
with heart chilled by selfishness and re-
pression of all tender impulses,could voice
so unjust a thought. Rather would we
believe the reverse true; that our friends’
troubles become in a measure our own,
through that sympathetic vibration which
thrills us with a sense of what this mis-
fortune means to them. We may not be
able to lessen their sorrow, or lighten
their burden, but our hearts are stirred to
sympathy; sympathy which is dear to
them and which is humanly akin to the
divine compassion with which our
Heavenly Father looks upon us.

At no time are our sympathies so
aroused for friendship’s sake as when
sickness and death, unwelcome but sure
visitors,come among us. Whether it is that
we know to this same strait we must all
some day come; or that—and I like this
thought best—our kindliness and compas-
sion are aroused in proportion to the

upon to quaff, sure it is that when Death,
the great leveler, comes, all differences
and dissensions are merged in the thought
how most to help, how best to comfort,
how spare the sorrowing. How many of
us have said “I never knew how many
friends we had until our trouble came,”
in recallingthe kindness of friends and
neighbors after the brown clods have
been heaped above a grave. Trouble is
the truest test of friendship; its breath
falls upon our false friends, those who
seek us for selfish ends, and they are
gone. Some cups are fashioned shallow.

It seems to me that in no relation of
our lives to others is tact so necessary as
in visiting the sick, or those bereaved by
death. especially when they are outside of
our own immediate circle of relatives or
intimate friends. We must know what
to do and how to do it if we would avoid
injury to the sick, or thrilling with
keener pain hearts already riven with
anguish. It is often a duty to visit the
sick, when they are not included among
those we call friends, particularly in farm
neighborhoods, where one’s friends are
widely scattered. The duty may be
obvious, the impulse noble, but good
sense should equal or exceed the sym-
pathy. To go to sit around the house
and he waited upon, expecting those who
already have more on their hands than
they can manage to enjoy avisz't, is to
prove one’s self full of what Emerson
would call “the wadding of stupidity.”
To take the baby, or two or three young
children where aperson is very ill is worse
than stupid, it is wicked; for the noise and
bustle will inevrtably annoy and excite the
sick. To go to stay, unless one can aid in
the care of the sick, put a willing shoul-
der to the housework, or unless one is
needed for company, is another blunder.
(And here I will mention, par parenthesis,
that to spy out deficiencies in the domes
tic menage, privations carefully conceal
ed by pride, or any family disagreements
or difficulties, and gossip about them af
terward, is worse than stupid, or wicked,
and is downright meanness.) Unless we
can be helpful our visits should be short.
To take a cheerful voice and face into the
sick room for a little time brightens the
weary hours, but it is better to go away
while the patient would like you to stay
a little longer than wait till she is over-
tired; best of all to have a quick percep-
tion of the first symptoms of fatigue, and
go at once. And do not converse in under-
tones with the nurse or attendant. To

voices in indistinct conversation is pecu-
liarly irritating. A lady in this city,
dying of consumption, was visited by six
acquaintances at once, even their names
being unknown to her husband, but who
had lived near them in another neighbor-
hood. The nurse refused them permission
to see the sick lady; she was too ill to re} '
ceive calls. But instead of going away
after sending a message of remembrance:
they sat down in the front parlor, the in-
valid's bed being in the back parlor, and
held quite a little social till the patient
became so restless that the husband was
obliged to ask them to go away, which
they did inahuff. They “guessed they’d
not go there. again.”

I have known people so foolish as to
cherish a sense of personal injury because
they were not permitted to see a sick per-
son “ after they’de rode all- that ways on
purpose to see her.” Such inconsiderate
ones should think how it would be with
them, were a member of their own family
ill. If the scales, almost evenly balanced
between death and life, would tip either
way according to the care of the frail
spark of vitality, if slight excitement
might produce great harm, would they
hesitate to exclude even the best beloved,
if he came from the other hemisphere? It
is a safe rule to put yourself in another’s
place before indulging in resentment for
such reasons.

Often some unexpected delicacy to
tempt a capricious appetite, some little
comfort for the sick room, a blossom or
two, something to show the loving re-
membrance of the donor, is the best of
visitors to the sick. There is expressed all
tenderness of affection with no need of ex-
ertion by the sick. Often the truest cheer
our presence brings in time of trouble is
to those who watch and wait, who are
brightened and encouraged by the evi-
dence of good will. As a friend who has
recently suffered the loss of a well-beloved
child said: “There was nothing any one
could do, but we were so glad to have our
friends come in. The days were so long
when we could only wait, and their com-
ing broke the monotony a little."

As the mimosa shrinks and shrivels
under the touch of a warm and friendly
hand, so a sensitive nature may quiver
with acutest pain under the tenderest
words of sympathy. So in time of trouble
let our words be few, our deeds many,
lest under our kindly but rude touch the
tense nerves thrill with a double anguish.
The gentlest touch, though soft as snow-

 

 

measure of the cup our friends are called

many, especially when ill, the murmur of

   

flake, makes the raw flesh quiver with


 

2 THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

agony, and the stricken heart is infinitely
more sensitive. Words are at best but fee-
ble agents to express our deepest feelings;
we can understand without them, through
that electric bond which always exists
in true friendship. Nor shall we deem
the bereaved unfeeling or uncaring be-
cause they are undemonstrative and seem
ingly unmoved. It is finer courage to
take up aburden quietly than with mur-
murings and complainings, but it often
bears more heavily upon the bowed
shoulders. Let Christian charity rule our
judgments. BEATRIX.
—-——-—..‘._...__
READING CLUBS. ,

In reading Beatrix's article on forming
reading clubs, I thought of the experiences
and results of a “ H( me Culture Society ”
in this neighborhood some years ago, and
that it may help others, or encourage
them by its suggestions, [will give some
of them.

Through the influence of one lady. some

eight or ten busy housewives organized
a society for generalvmental improve-
ment, or as its name indicated, “home
culture.”
.,‘,The first year we had miscellaneous
programmes, made up of readings, ess ys,
recitations and discussions. A committee
made out the programme two weeks in
advance. It was quite satisfactory, but
had its defects, which were these: One
person might be thoroughly prepared on
a subject of little interest to the others,
while if one missed a meeting, or had no
part to take in the next one, she had
nothing to study or think of at home,
hence was not so interested.

At the beginning of the second year
we decided to take up some study in

common that there might be uniformity

to our reading. Like all 'mothers we de.
cided on the study of physiology, which as
girls we had skimmed ever the lightest,
only to realize as we reached maturity
that we needed it the most. We studied it
by topics; sometimes they were written
and in essays, and at others given orally.
We were more than pleased with the re-
sult; every one had preparatory work to
do at home, in reading, studying or writ-
ing, and when we met we were all inter-
ested; questions were asked and answered,
references were looked up, and different
authorities compared. No set of school
girls carried their books more proudly, or
hugged them more tightly than we did

going to and from the meetings. ’

The next year we took botany and then

rhetoric. I well remember when we
were studying botany, the collection of
buds, branches, roots and leaves which
was brought in one stormy April day, to
illustrate our lesson. Still better do I
recall the minor members of the family at
home bringing in their specimens, and
talking about “ terminal buds,” “ parallel
veined leaves,” &c., which shows the in-
fluence it had in the home circle.

As Beatrix says, this has “ paved the
way” for a most enthusiastic and ther-
ough C. L. S. C., with nearly the same
members, and is sure death to gossip.

By all means form a reading club, and

let it be in some one direction; if litera-
ture, take one author’s work at a time,or

some class, prose or poetical, or national

ity, American, English, Latin or Greek.
This would soon lead to, or include, the
histories of the several countries.

I do not know of a more readable book
combining historical facts and entertain-
ment than “Pictures from English His-
tory,” pul lished by Philli; s & Hunt, New
York. They are pictures truly, arranged
chronologically, by such pens as Dickens,
Disraeli, Macauley and Gibbon. C.

LITTLE PRAIRIE Rormn.

[Beatrix had in mind this very organ-
ization which “ C.” so graphically de-
scribes above, in her letter advising the
formation of reading clubs. Its history
was given her by an acquaintance in the
vicinity, and every one of these ladies
whose mental atmosphere has been so
broadened and enlarged by the informa-
tion and culture thus gained, should be
deeply grateful to the noble woman who
led them into such pleasant paths. And,
dear ladies, the way is open to all of you,
and indeed you should walk therein, for
your own and your children’s sake]

___...___
HOPE.

 

“ Our lives are songs. God writes the words,

And we set them to music at pleasure;

And the song grows glad, or sweet, or sad,
As we chance to fashion the measure.

We must write the music, whatever the song,
Whatever the rhyme or meter;

And if it is bad, we can make it glad,
Or if sweet, we can make it sweeter.”

It is very seldom that we meet two peo-
ple who are constituted alike, or who
look on life with the same eyes. What
gives pleasure to one, would be very
distasteful to another. Let two persons
look upon a landscape, they see difierent
points of beauty. One likes a soft,
subdued beauty, another a bold and pro-
nounced style, and I think it is better so.
I remember an anecdote of an old deacon,
who was present at a meeting when some
church question was under discussion.
No two thought alike, finally he arose
and remarked that it was impossible for
every one to think alike: “N ow suppos-
ing all men were of the same mind, they
would all want my wife.” Another old fol
low who knew her to be a domestic shrew,
rose and said if they were all of his mind
no would want her. It is equally true of
everything. One man congratulates him
self upon being the happy possessor of
the best team in the neighborhood; as he
cleans their glossy coats and harnesses
them to his carriage, he is more than
satisfied, perhaps his next neighbor
laughs in his sleeve, and whispers to
himself, "They are not half as good as
my grays.”

I think it is a part of our “make up ”
to think our own property the best. It
makes the machinery work easier, it is
not such uphill business to get along.
While there’ is a great deal of reality
about life, there is also a great deal that
is visionary. How many of us who have
lived to attain years of wisdom, have
realized all that we expected? Do we not
rather live in anticipation than in realiza-
tion? Hope ever holds the loveliest
rainbow hues before our eyes, luring us

 

 

on; we reach and grasp for the gaudy
bubbles, which fickle fortune shows us,
but they vanish in mid-air, even as our
fingers close over them. God intended
that hope should be the prime factor in
our organization. You may strip a man
of home, family and money, but as long
as he has breath he will hope for better
days.

It is not necessary to have the wealth
of a Vanderbilt to be happy. “Money
after all is not in itself a blessing. It is
only a blessing when it is possessed by
those who know how to employ it for
good purposes. In the hands of men
who do not know how to employ it so, it
often proves to be a curse.” We are so
happy in thinking of the wonderful things
we shall have “sometime;” ever before our
eyes is that beautiful “sometime.” It
helps us to bear the heat and burden of
the day. It helps us to carry the load of
care, which would be so heavy if that
goal were not to be reached. Oh! we
cannot live without hope; we might as
well be out on an open sea without oars,
in a ship without sails, rudder or compass.

There are very few of us, who have
not said “good bye” to loved ones, seen
them pass to the other shore. Take
away the hope of meeting them again in
the heavenly home, where it is one long
springtime, and our life would be un-
bearable. How could the yaung mother

who feels the baby fingers unclasp from‘

hers, sees the lids flutter down over the
violet eyes, and the coldness of death
creep on, bear the terrible separation if
the hope Were not strong within her,
that sometime in a fairer, better land she
should know her darling:

“ Better to hope, though the clouds hang low.
And to keep the eyes still lifted;
For the sweet blue sky will soon Peep through,
When the ominous clouds are 1i ted,
> There was never a night without a day.
Nor an evening without a morning,
And the darkest hour. so the proverb goes,
Is the hour before the dawning.

“ Better to weave in the web of life
A bright and golden filling;
And to to God’s will with a ready heart
And hands that are swift and willing,
Than to snap the delicate silver threads
Ofour curious lives asunder;
And then blame Heaven for the tangled ends,
And sit and grieve and wonder.”
EVANGALINE
BATTLE CREEK.
————-¢o‘——- —

THE BIRTHDAYS.

 

One of the pleasant family customs be
coming quite general, is that of celebrat~
ing the children’s birthdays in some
simple way. Somebody has said that the
fact of having a name gives a sense of
responsibility and personality. To have
a birthday which is of sufficient moment

to be celebrated by a fate, much intensi— '

fies the feeling of personality and adds a
new and often not unpleasant dignity to
the young master or mistress of ceremo.
nies. I think a wise mother will make
the children’s anniversaries “days to be
marked with a white stone;” notable,
though in other ways than by an un-
limited consumption of cake and candies.
Let them feel that they are milestones on
the way to man and womanhood, and
instill into the busy brain, that is capable
of far more serious thought than you give
it credit for. the habit of looking back

 

 


 

 

THE HOUSEH-OLD. 3

 

 

over the year, and finding out what ad-
vancement has been made. How much
more of geography and arithmetic and
history have they acquired since the last
birthday; what books have they read,
what pleasures enjoyed, what progress
made in conquering bad habits or the
“besetting sin;” what kindnesses done
to others. Such a review serves an ex-
cellent purpose in inducing thoughtful-
ness, and is a measure of advancement,
and reward in the guise of a birthday
party or gift is a stimulus to endeavor,
and a pledge for the future.

Some mothers whose olive branches
are many, may object that to celebrate
each birthday would give them as many
festa days as an Italian peasant enjoys.
Yet remember that it takes but little to
please a child; a trifling exertion on your
own part is repaid by so much of happi‘
ness on his. Where two birthdays chance
to come near together, within one or two
months, we may make one celebration do
for both, alternating the dates one year
with another, and giving the children to
understand both are included. The
pleasures of farmers’ children are fewer
in number than those of town children,
and hence these little gatherings are
more highly prized; the anticipation
brightens the horizon for weeks in ad-
vance. and recollection renews the
pleasures for weeks afterward.

In this city birthday parties are very
much the fashion. Where the little ones
attend the kindergarten, abirthday serves
as a semi-holiday, if indeed we can speak
of holidays in connection with what
seems like one long pleasant play, and
the small kindergarteners are treated to a
lunch of cake and fruit. If the party is
given at home, the parlors are opened, per-
haps decorated with flowers, games are
provided, and the mother and the young
lady daughters, or her intimate friends,
do not disdain to enter into and guide the
children’s sports, taking care that the shy
are not overlooked, and that the boister-
ous are kept in bounds. Sometimes the
number of guests corresponds to the years
of the celebrator, oftener the favorite
friends are inv1ted with no regard to
such limits. The supper is not elaborate;
most mothers obiect to nursing asick
child all night as the result of eating fruit
cake and sweetmeats. Sponge cake,
macaroons, sandwiches, jellies, and fruit
are better than more indigestible and
richer refreshments. Always there is the
birthday cake, which is handsomely
decorated with candy figures, or flowers,
and bears its burden of tiny wax candles,
one for each year of child life, and “ one
to grow on.” The lad or lassie in whose
honor the fete is given, chooses those of
the guests who shall blow out the candles

with wishes; the one most beloved having
the honor to extinguish the last, the
“growing candle,” and make the wish
for the coming year. Often little
souvenirs are given each guest for
remembrance; some trifling gift, a bon-
bomere, a gay paper box or cornucopia of
candles, and among our wealthy citizens,
very pretty trifles are given as such
tokens. Generally the little guests send
or bring some little gift, often flowers;
and often this is omitted, and we think
best so. BEATBIX.

FAMILY REUNIONS.

 

The fall work is being finished, and
there are now days of comparative leis-
ure; and it is but right that we give our-
selves time and occasion to renew social
obligations, and friendly relations among
neighbors and friends, and especially
among the members of families. During
the busy season farmers rarely take, or
have the time to spend sociallyin receiv—
ing or paying visits; but now, when they
do not think aday spent in recreation is
wasted time, how pleasant and profitable
are the family reunions. How the mem-
ory of these “red letter days” lingers
with us and brightens many an hour of
toil; and how they strengthen the affec-
tions until they become so many strong
links binding the family together. Let
us have as many of them as possible, for
life is short, and there is no danger of
having too many.

Last Saturday word came from a sister,
eight miles away, that she wished father
and mother, brothers and sisters, “ with
their families,” to take dinner with her
the following Wednesday. Wednesday
came, and a happy family, seventeen,
gathered at her home. A number of chil-
dren in the families were unable to be
present, as they are attending school, but
to those who were present, the hours
glided all too swiftly, and the words
“time to go home” had an unwelcome
sound; but another sister invited us all to
spend Thanksgiving at her home, and we
separated with pleasant anticipations of
meeting together again in a few weeks.
After Thanksgiving we all look forward
to “a Merry Christmas,” whenall go home
to father’s. Soon the children will be
counting the weeks to intervene before
they can go to grandpa’s to see the won-
derful Christmas tree. Does ever any
other time or any other tree bring half
the genuine pleasure to the little folks?
Ah! the merry Christmas! ’Tis not only
the littlefolks that enjoy it, but “big”
as well. What an opportunity for that
exhibition of friendship between parents
and children, brothers and sisters, and
friends far and near! I think there are
few so poor that they cannot give at this
time some little token of love. Poor in-
deed, and deserving of pity, or contempt,
are those who can not, or do not try to
make the day happy and to be remem-
bered with pleasure.

After Christmas comes happy New
Year, another day of feasting and genial
reunion, but I think this day is devoted
more generally to acquaintances, and can
not be called as strictly a family day as
Christmas.

Those families are to be envied that
live in friendship and unity, and as “the
chain” is broken and one member after

another is called to the “other shore ”

still look forward with glad _and.sure ex—

pectation to a happy reunion in “the

mansions of the blest ” where parting is

unknown. OLD SCHOOL TEACHER.
TECUMSEH.

EVANGELINE’S letter which appears in
this issue, was received just a few hours

 

too late for publication in last week’s
paper.

 

THE BREAKFAST TEST.

 

Dr. Hammond, author of the new
novel, “ Lal,” before referred to in these
columns, gives the following opinion,
which is supported by his medical knowl-
edge and experience, in regard to we man
at the breakfast-table:

“Perhaps there is no better test of a
woman’s health and beauty than her ap-
pearance when she resents herself at an
earl breakfast-tab e. She is then more
as ature made her than at any period of
the day, when art has been brought in
with a view of hei htening her charms.
If she has slept we , it argues, to some
extent, a sound nervous system, and the
effect is seen in the brightness of her eyes
and the tone possessed by the muscles of
the face and neck. Her movements are
full of grace, for her limbs have been re—
freshed and strengthened by respose, and
her mind is clear and bright. for it also
has rested, and there have been no bad
dreams to exhaust the nervous s stem and
make her limp and haggard. er intelli-
gence is then at its maximum, and she
feels the mental recklessness that is so
generally the result of sound, healthy
sleep, and that is only a natural elation
of the emotions, pleasant doubtless, for
her to exhibit, but far more pleasant to
those to whom it is manifested. If, on
on the contrary, she has slept badly, or
has suflered from nightmare in conse
quence of a feeble digestive system, her
eyes are weak, dim, and watery, her face
is flabby, her head a pears to be held un-
steadily on her shou ders, for it droops on
the chest, or bobs helplessly from side to
side, her complexion is du l and blotch ,
red where it ought not to be red, and pa e
where it ought not to be pale. Her ex-
pression is indicative of the discomfort
she has undergone during the night, her
movements are either painfully slow or
aggravatingly brusque, her intellect shows

* stupidity, her emotions are torpid, her per-

ceptions dull.

“While the woman that is in good
physical health exhibits all the beauty in
the early morning that her features are
capable of expressing, the one whose
organic life is deranged is at this period
of the day at her worst. There is no bet-
ter test of a woman’s health than her
ability to eat a hearty breakfast, and it
might almost be said that her physical
beauty is in direct proportion to the
amount of beef-steak or mutton~chops she
can put into herself at this meal. Certain-
ly, pretty women can always eat a hearty
breakfast.”

A HINT OR. TWO.

 

When we left the opera house the other
night it had been raining hard. When
we went the moon was shining brightly,
dimming the radiance of the electric lights.
and rubbers and waterproofs were left at
home. After the walk over the wet walks
and muddy crossings, my new Dongola
kid boots were “a sight to see.” I do
hate a shabby shoe, and looked mourn.
fully at these, mud spattered, and with
all their pristine newness gone. I man
aged, however, to restore them consider—
ably, and this is how I did it: After they
were dry I brushed them thoroughly
then with a damp—not wet—rag rubbed
off such stains as the brush had not re
moved. Then I brought forth my glycer-
ine bottle, and with another hit of rag,
rubbed on ever so little of its contents,
rubbing it in thoroughly and using but
a very little. The result was better than I
expected; the boots look quite new and

 


 

4: THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

 

nice again. Try it, if you ever get caught
in a similar fashion.

A down town milliner recently gave
away one of the secrets of the trade to
me. Said she: “When you’ve been out
in a rain, or of a damp evening and the
plumes of your hat are dampened and
uncurled do not put it away so. Hold
the plumes over the stove to dry, rufliing
them up with your hand as you do so
They will curl up and look fluffy again;
whereas if put in the bonnet box while
damp they will be straight as a string
when you take the hat out, and very like'
1y will have to be recurled.” I have tried
this several times and find it is true. The
heat dries out the dampness in a few m0'
ments, and much improves the appear-
ance of the plumes. B.

——«.———
HOUSEHOLD TOPICS.

 

I have been a silent reader of your little
paper, but I could hold my peace no long-
er. As rag carpets seem to be the present
topic I will tell my way of sewing old
sheets and skirts. If it is a sheet fold it
together the long way, and sew it up,
leaving one of the ends the width of your
rags. Begin at the end left and tear
around to the seam; cut it and tear again:
and in that way you will have it all in
one long strip, saving sewing by hand.

In blacking a stove mix the blacking
with coffee, and add a little sugar. It
will give it a nice luster and will not burn
off.

Wash oil cloth in milk and occasional—
ly in kerosene; it will preserve and
brighten it.

If you have to use hard water for wash
ing'dishes and hands, put in a little Sopona;
it will soften it nicely. It costs ten cents
for quite large boxes.

Will some of the Household ladies
please send a recipe for fried cakes?

FARMER’S DAUGHTER.
Warlnronn.

MOO——

USEFUL INFORMATION.

 

Dear ladies of the Household, it is a
long time since I wrote, but I don’t want
the little paper to go back, so let more of
us spend alittle time and write; we can
all tell experiences, give some useful hint,
or contribute some recipe that may do
some one some good. '

To remove iron rust from white gar-
ments or cloth apply lemon juice and lay
in the sun. As fast as it dries apply more
juice until the rust disappears. I have
taken out rust in this way that had been
in over a year.

By burning sulphur in your hen house
you can get rid of lice. Whitewash the

poles with lime and kerosene oil.
MELLESENDA.

Henson.
———...—_

A LITTLE borax dissolved in the water
in which clothes are rinsed will make
them beautifully white. It is especially
good to remove the yellow tint from un-
derclothing which has lain a long time
unused.

 

SCRAPS.

THE New England Farmer in a late
issue tells us that in the town of Med way,
Mass, contributions amounting to nearly
$50 were made by a few prominent and
progressive citizens, for the purpose of
encouraging the study of the common
weeds and insects of fields and gardens,
by the pupils of the high school, the sum
to be given in prizes for the best collec-
tions and descriptive essays upon habits
and methods of destruction. The pupils
spent their vacation in research among
common things, made their collections,
and the agricultural editor of the Farmer
examined them and made the awards.
There were ten entries, three of which
were ruled out as not conforming to the
rules of the contest. A fourth essay was
carelessly written, showing little investi
gation, and hence set aside, and Second
place was accorded the fifth. Of the re-

maining five the judge said: “I find no ’

evidence that any one is unworthy a first
place.” It seems to me that some such
plan, adopted in our schools, might
arouse an interest and enthusiasm in
natural science, to be awakened in no
other way. To be sure there is much to
be said against prize giving, as a stimu-
lus to what should be done without such
incentive. but often the desire to win
the offered prize induces an industrious
application, not abandoned when it is
attained; and often too the study taken
up under such pressure, becomes a
favorite pursuit, and the student works
at last for work’s sake, striving to excel
for the sake of the nobility of excellence.
There ought to be some means adopted
by which the minds of farmers’ children
shall be turned to the study of the com-
mon things about them. We learn agreat
many facts at school; much that is useless
because we make it the end, not the
means; and in many things our present
system of education reminds me of
the philosopher, who gazing upon the
stars, walked into the puddle.

 

IN the November number of Harper’s
Magazine, one cannot fail to observe the
strength of character evinced by the
pictures of those old Columbia College
dons, reproduced from. old and long
treasured paintings. Why is it, I ask
myself, that the likenesses of the men of
a past century show so much more
character'and strength and intellectuals
ity, than those of the men of affairs of to-
day? Is it that the present fashion of
covering the lower part of the face and
the lips with the beard, conceals those
features that most give expression to the
face? It is the lines about the mouth
and the contour of the chin, that give
character to the face. A man nowdays
may hide what passion and care have
written upon his face under a flowing
heard, as under a mask. Or is it possible
that the artists of the day care more
to make afair picture than a faithful one?
Do they smooth a line here and an angle
there, round the cheek and steal the fur-
rows from the brow, till Time, who set
his signet on the face, would never

 

recognize the semblance? Or is it that
there is less in the present to bring out
the best of manhood, than in those old
days? Those were “troublous times,”
that tried a man’s mettle as steel is tried
by fire. To overcome difficulties and
vanquish danger, to live abstemiously, to
pursue a set purpose to its accomplish-
ment, were characteristics of the men who
made the early history of the nation.
“ There were giants in those days,” giants
in intellect and eloquence; and the square
chins, firm set lips, broad brows and
aggressive noses, represented in those old
pictures, are in strong and favorable con-
trast to the more efieminate, lie-whisker-
ed, “good looking” faces of the leading

men of to—day.
-————-¢oo——

Contributed Recipes.

 

SUGAR JUMBLES on Commie—Four eggs.
well beaten; three cups of sugar; one and one~
half cups butter; two even teaspoonfuls of
soda; five tablespoonfuls of water; flavor with
nutmeg. They will keep six months.

RUBBER Commas-Two cups molasses, one-
half cup sugar, one tablespoonful soda, one
large tablespoonful of vinegar, one egg. Mix
soft and bake quickly.

ORANGE Cum—One-half cup butter, two
cups sugar, three cups flour, one cup sweet
milk, two eggs, 'two teaspoonfuls baking pow-
der, and juice of one orange. Bake in layers
and put together with icing and slices of
orange. MELLESENDA.

llunsox.

 

 

NE W AD VER TISEHE N725.

IF YOU WANT
Profitable Employment

SEND AT ONCE TO

THE NEW lAMB KNITTER 00.,

- For Full Information.

An ordinary operator can earn from one to three
dollars per day in any community in the Northern:
States on our New Lamb Knitter.

100 Varieties of Fabric on Same Machine.

You can wholly finish twelve pairs ladies’ full—
shaped stockings or twenty pairs socks or mitten!
in a day! Skilled operators can double this pro-
duction. Capacity and range of work double that
of the old Lamb knitting machine. Address

The New Lamb Knitter (70.,
117 and 119 Main St., west, Jscnsox, Lima,

5 “1'8

“A l

 

 

 

  
  

THE BEST THING KNOWN'

FOR

WaShingaml Bleaching

In Hard or Soft. Hot or Cold Water.

AYES LABOR, Tlld‘rfi and SOAP AMJAZ-

GLY, and gives universal satisfaction. NC
family , rich or poor, should be‘ Without it.

.1 ' b all Grocers. BEWARE of imitationl:
.vefilelesi'gned to mislead, PEARLIN‘E is the
ONLY SAFE labor-savmg compound, and Ill-—
W8 bears the above symbol, and name of

JAMES PYLE. NEW YORK.