Household.
Reading edition
For nothing lovelier can be found In woman than to study household good.—Milton.
AN HUMBLE CONFESSION.
Who is that little woman there, With laughing eyes and dark-brown hair, And physiognomy so fair? My wife. Who’s not as meek as she appears, And doesn’t believe one-half she hears, And toward me entertains no fears? My consort. Who wakes me up on every morning, About the time the day’s dawning, My protestations calmly scorning? My spouse. Who marks my clothes with India ink, And darns my stockings quick as a wink, While I sit by and smoke and think? My frau. Who asks me every day for money, With countenance demure and funny, And calls me “pretty boy” and “honey?” My little woman. Who runs this house both night and day, And over all exerts her sway; Who’s boss o’ this shanty, anyway? My better half! —San Francisco Call.
Pyramidal Women.
It has long been a social mystery, over which conservatives and radicals have puzzled alike, why the gifted men and women of our race should spring almost exclusively from the intermediate ranks of life. The solution is found in Piazzi Smyth’s metaphor of the Great Pyramid. A circumscribed routine of pleasure on one hand, of toil on the other, equally engrosses the time and thoughts of the dwellers at either end. It is only in the middle of the pyramid that one is free to live up to the standard of the hideless coffer, the sarcophagus measure, the measure of a man!
Of the feminine attainers to this measure, says a writer in the American Queen, the women who are taking up their lives and living them fully in all their length and breadth and dignity, as lives must be lived to reach the cosmic standard of the pyramidal man, there is found one pre-eminent type in that woman of letters against whom a hard battle is being waged to-day.
To woman emancipated, freed from veil and harem, elevated from her primal position when she was but the toy and tool of man’s passion, this age of civilization points with a pride whose justifiableness has yet to be proved. Exterior liberty she has gained indeed; but in the face of the fact that this universal crusade against women of letters is but the determination to hold the old shackles on heart and brain, what is her alleged emancipation but a lengthening of the chain which still binds her in moral and mental bondage.
“The shrieking sisterhood,” be it said in justice to the sex, represent a small minority. Few and far between are the women who would usurp man’s place on platform or at poll; still fewer and farther apart the advocate of woman’s right to drop her petticoat for the untrammeled freedom of the trousers. But the great-hearted woman, yearning for recognition as paramount forces of social regeneration—the great-minded women taking up the problems of life and grappling with them for the sake of their weaker sisters—these are many, confined and silenced within the gilded bars which society is daily drawing closer and stronger about them. This narrowing of woman’s sphere, this withholding her from anything but a mission purely physical, is but a different form of the old barbarism whose alleged destruction is the boast of the present day; and the time is not far distant when the wrong must be acknowledged and amended, or retrogression brand the age for which we so proudly claim progression! Let the hackneyed cry of woman’s intellectual inferiority prove its truth, conclusively, as it has not yet been proved, or let it be silenced forever! The cranial differences existent between the sexes, upon which the theoristic foundation of their respective superiority and inferiority of intellect has been laid, are, in truth, the exponents of sexual intellectual equality, science having proclaimed them the visible proofs of that mutual dependence and adaptability which, sexually, mind has for mind, as body for body. Let this truth be no longer denied; let present social theories hold their sway, and in a generation of pigmies, moral, mental, and physical, our race, in all its glorious potentialities, must sink ignominiously into oblivion. This is an important fact, of which society seems to have lost sight—that upon the women of to-day and of to-morrow the coming man is wholly dependent, type being the transmitter of type, according to its kind. The increase of female education has naturally awakened women to a recognition of all her latent intellectual possibilities, and hence the growth of feminine ranks in that wide field whose battles are fought with a weapon “mightier than the sword.” The recruits of to-day are not all Mrs. Brownings nor George Eliots, but the world will lose infinitely in good and strength and sweetness if the budding Adelaide Proctors and Mrs. Burnetts are blighted by the propagation of that harsh masculine doctrine which, stripped of its pretty sophisms, is resolved into the bare assertion that a woman of talent is a woman unsexed! This doctrine, false, shallow, and unjust, is the enemy with whom woman is battling to-day.
May the pyramidal prophecy soon be verified when “all things shall be compared in pure truth and righteousness.” Then the conflict shall be ended and the intellectual growth of woman be revealed, the heightener, enricher, purifier of that emotional development which is the essence of ideal womanhood—an essence thrilling as deeply and tenderly the hearts of the humble followers in her footsteps as it thrilled the hearts of that greatest of woman poets, who sang:
What art can a woman be good at? Oh, vain! What art is she good at but hurting her breast With the milk-teeth of babes and a smile at her pain?
pointing in the zenith of her fame to the divine right of maternity as the supreme, holiest and sweetest potentiality of womanhood.
Give the Babies Water.
A recent editorial article in the New York Medical Record contains the following pertinent remarks on the value of water in the treatment of sick infants:
“With the exception of tuberculosis, no disease is so fatal in infancy as intestinal catarrh occurring especially during the hot summer months, and caused, in the majority of cases, by improper diet. There are many upon whom the idea does not seem to have impressed itself, that an infant can be thirsty without, at the same time, being hungry. When milk, the chief food of infants, is given in excess, acid fermentation results, causing vomiting, diarrhœa, with passage of green or yellowish-green stools, elevated temperature, and the subsequent train of symptoms which are too familiar to need repetition. The same thing would occur in the adult, if drenched with milk. The infant needs no food, but drink. The recommendation of some writers, that barley-water or gum-water be given to the little patients in these cases, is sufficient explanation of their want of success in treating this affection. Pure water is perfectly innocuous to infants, and it is difficult to conceive how the seeming prejudice to it ever arose. Any one who has ever noticed the avidity with which a fretful sick infant drinks water, and marks the early abatement of febrile and other symptoms, will be convinced that water, as a beverage, a quencher of thirst, a physiological necessity, in fact, should not be denied to the helpless member of society. We have often seen an infant which had been dosed ad nauseam for gastro-intestinal irritability, assume, almost at once, a more cheerful appearance, and rapidly grow better, when treated to the much-needed draught of water. If any prescription is valuable enough to be used as routine practice, it is, ‘Give the babies water.’”
Work for Little Fingers.
To make a pretty little pitcher, cut off the small end of an egg, then carefully remove the yolk and white of the egg; next take a narrow strip of colored paper and paste it around the edge of the opening, making the paper pinked in one place so as to look like the mouth of a pitcher. Then paste a strip around the other end of the egg so that it will stand alone; to finish the pitcher paste on a strip of paper bent in the shape of a handle. Cups may be made in the same manner by cutting away more of the shell than would be cut in making a pitcher. Pretty air castles are made by cutting egg shells in half, building the cut edges with colored paper or cloth, and fastening to them bright colored cord or silk by which to suspend them. These air castles look pretty when suspended from brackets, hanging lamps, etc. The pitchers, cups and air-castles may be improved by being ornamented with small pictures pasted on them.
Breakfast Cocoa, as a beverage, is universally conceded superior to all other drinks for the weary man of business or the more robust laborer. The preparations of Walter Baker & Co., have long been the standard of merit in this line, and our readers who purchase “Baker’s Breakfast Cocoa” will find it a most healthful, delicious and invigorating beverage.
A man passes for what he is worth. Very idle is all curiosity concerning other people’s estimate of us, and idle is all fear of remaining unknown. If a man knows that he can do anything—that he can do it better than any one else—he has a pledge of the acknowledgment of the fact by all persons. The world is full of judgment days, and into every assembly that man enters, in every action he attempts, he is gauged and stamped.
If you would enjoy quiet content, drop all airs and pretenses.
EDUCATIONAL.
UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AMERICAN Veterinary College, 141 West 54th St., New York City.
The regular course of lectures commences in October each year. Circular and information can be had on application to
A. LIAUTARD, M. D. V. S., Dean of the Faculty.
BREEDERS DIRECTORY.
The following list embraces the names of responsible and reliable Breeders in their line, and parties wishing to purchase or obtain information can feel assured that they will be honorably dealt with:
SWINE.
Chester Whites.
W. A. GilbertWauwatosa Wis.
SCHEIDT & DAVIS, Dyer, Lake Co., Ind., breeders of Victoria swine. Originators of this famous breed. Stock for Sale. Write for circular A.
REMEMBER that $2.00 pays for The Prairie Farmer one year, and the subscriber gets a copy of The Prairie Farmer County Map of the United States, free! This is the most liberal offer ever made by any first-class weekly agricultural paper in this country.
LIVE STOCK, Etc.
HOLSTEINS AT LIVING RATES. DR. W. A. PRATT, ELGIN, ILL.,
Now has a herd of more than one hundred head of full-blooded
HOLSTEIN’S
mostly imported direct from Holland. These choice dairy animals are for sale at moderate prices. Correspondence solicited or, better, call and examine the cattle, and select your own stock.
Dana’s White Metallic Ear Marking Label, stamped to order with name, or name and address and numbers. It is reliable, cheap and convenient. Sells at sight and gives perfect satisfaction. Illustrated Price-List and samples free. Agents wanted.
C. H. DANA, West Lebanon, N. H.
10 JERSEY BULLS FOR SALE.
All of fine quality, solid color and bk. points. Ages, from six to eighteen months. Sons of Mahkeenae, 3290; brother of Eurotus, 2454, who made 778 lbs. butter in a year, and out of cows of the best butter blood, some having records of fourteen and fifteen lbs. per week. No fancy prices.
A. H. COOLEY, Little Britain Orange Co., N. Y.
N. B.—If I make sales as formerly will send a car with man in charge to Cleveland, getting lowest rates.
SCOTCH COLLIE SHEPHERD PUPS, —FROM— IMPORTED AND TRAINED STOCK —ALSO— Newfoundland Pups and Rat Terrier Pups.
Concise and practical printed instruction in Training young Shepherd Dogs, is given to buyers of Shepherd Puppies; or will be sent on receipt of 25 cents in postage stamps.
For Printed Circular, giving full particulars about Shepherd Dogs, enclose a 3-cent stamp, and address
N. H. PAAREN, P. O. Box 326,—CHICAGO, ILL.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Don’t be Humbugged With Poor, Cheap Coulters.
All farmers have had trouble with their Coulters. In a few days they get to wabbling, are condemned and thrown aside. In our
“BOSS” Coulter
we furnish a tool which can scarcely be worn out; and when worn, the wearable parts, a prepared wood journal, and movable thimble in the hub (held in place by a key) can be easily and cheaply renewed. We guarantee our “BOSS” to plow more acres than any other three Coulters now used.
OUR “O. K.” CLAMP
Attaches the Coulter to any size or kind of beam, either right or left hand plow. We know that after using it you will say it is the Best Tool on the Market. Ask your dealer for it.
Manufactured by the BOSS COULTER CO., Bunker Hill, Ills.
We claim our Seeds are Unsurpassed. Their vitality and purity being tested before sending out. We OFFER $665.00 IN CASH PRIZES FOR 1884 Competition open to all. See Catalogue for particulars. We desire that all may compete for these prizes, and give our seeds a fair trial, feeling sure of making a permanent customer of every purchaser, and to introduce them into thousands of new homes will send free by mail on receipt of ONE DOLLAR amounting at regular prices to $2.65, OUR SPECIAL INTRODUCTION BOX OF SEEDS, containing large size packets of all best new and standard varieties, as follows: 3 Remarkable Cabbages. Johnson & Stokes Earliest, 10 days earlier than any other, Early Favorite Savoy, richer than Cauliflower. J. & S. Premium Flat Dutch, the standard Winter Cabbage. $80 CASH PRIZES for heaviest heads. 2 Handsome new Beets. Eclipse and Philadelphia Perfection, $10 PRIZE for the best. 3 Delicious New Melons, Golden Gem—Musk. Boss, and Sweet Icing—Water. $50 CASH PRIZES for best Melons. 3 Superior Onions, our Pedigree stock. Southport Red Globe, Extra Early Red, and Yellow Danvers. Livingston’s New Favorite Tomato, New Ne Plus Ultra Sweet Corn, best of all: New Lemon Pod Wax Bean. American Wonder Pea. Philadelphia Prize Head and New Satisfaction Lettuce. Green Prolific Cucumber. Improved Long Orange Carrot. Sugar Parsnip. New Dwarf Extra Curled Parsley. Mammoth Etampes Bright Red Pumpkin. Early French Breakfast Radish. New White Strasburgh Summer Radish. California Mammoth Winter Radish. Long White Salsify. Perfect Gem Squash. New Extra Early Munich Turnip, and a trial packet of the Wonderful New Welcome Oats. We will put in each box, free of charge, 3 packets of Choice Flower Seeds as a present to your wife, mother or daughter, in all 32 Packages. Send a $1 BILL, postal note, or stamps, in an ordinary letter, and you will receive the box by return mail, and if not satisfied we will return your money. 3 Boxes mailed for only $2.50 OUR FLOWER COLLECTION comprising 10 Packets of the Choicest Flower Seeds, each beautifully illustrated in colors, with full directions for culture, sent postpaid for 25c. in stamps. FIVE COLLECTIONS, $1.00. ORDER NOW, and get our NEW AND COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE. Mailed FREE. Address,
JOHNSON & STOKES, Seed Growers, Philadelphia.
BUY NORTHERN GROWN SEEDS, No Seeds produce more beautiful Flowers, finer vegetables, larger crops, than our reliable Northern Crown Seeds. Don’t buy worthless Seeds when for less money ours are delivered FREE BY MAIL at your door. The Farm New tested Wheat [5 sorts] among these Saskatchewan Fife and Imperial French Seeds grown 800 miles north of here! Everything for farm. Wis., Ill., Iowa and other States will return to old time yield if our Seed Grain is used. Try it.
☞ Catalogue free. Always say where you saw this.
J. A. SALZER, La Crosse, Wis.
Plants and Roses, by the 100,000. LARGEST GREENHOUSES in the West.
THE STANDARD REMINGTON TYPE-WRITER is acknowledged to be the only rapid and reliable writing machine. It has no rival. These machines are used for transcribing and general correspondence in every part of the globe, doing their work in almost every language. Any young man or woman of ordinary ability, having a practical knowledge of the use of this machine may find constant and remunerative employment. All machines and supplies, furnished by us, warranted. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. Send for circulars. WYCKOFF, SEAMANS & BENEDICT, 38 East Madison St., Chicago, Ill.