Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 June 1891 — Page 5

CHUB.

A Romance of West Virginia.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XVII.

ts THE COUNTERFEITERS* CURIOUS CABIN. As he spoke, Hank Dawson darted forward and caught the arms firmly In his great hands. “ Don’t! Don’t! You’ll break my bones,” said the man as he writhed. “I don't care if Ido.” Hank lifted the man up on his feet by sheer main strength. “There now. What does this mean, Chub?” “You can see for yourself, dad.” Hank, still grasping the man’s wrists, glanced at the man lying on the ground. “Why, if it ain’t Hash —or the man as calls himself Bash.” “I reckon he’s hurt pretty bad.” Chub bent over Mr. Bash and assisted him to a sitting posture. Bash sat up, looked around like a man just aroused from slumber, and looked Inquiringly at Hank Dawson. By this time half a dozen of the men and boys who had followed Hank Dawson approached the spot, with wonder depicted on their countenances. “What is it?” Mr. Bash felt his head, then rose to his feet. “Why, don’t you know?” said Hank Dawson. “It’s not strange if he doesn’t, dad,” 4aid Chub. “ ’Pears as if he doesn’t know wherh he is yet.” said Dawson. “This fellow.” said Chub, pointing to the man she held at bay—“this Dick Treddle can tell you. If ho doesn’t, I’ll tell. ” Dick looked sullenly on the ground as Hank whipped a handkerchief out of his pocket and bound his hands behind him quickly. “Mr. Bash and me were standing here, or just over there. We didn’t suspect there was any one near us. I was telling Mr. Bash this would be a good place to make a corner where no one would find one, when I heard a shot. • The coward meant for Bash —but he missed. I wheeled, saw a whiff of smoke and tried to make out who was there. It took some time, then, seeing the vines move in there, I fired. “There wasn’t a sound. I waked around right here in front of this roundtopped rock, and Mr. Bash walked around the other way. Just as 1 got here there was another shot, and I hurried and found Mr. Bash lying on the ground, with Treddle there standing over him. “I had my rifle on him in an instant. I kept it on him and called, and he swore awful—you heard him, I reckon, Dad?” “Yes, I heard him.” Hank Dawson looked as though his hearing was as keen as his desire to mete out punishment to Treddle. He turned on him abruptly. “Where’s the other fellow?” “What fellow?” There must be two of you. ” “There just ain’t, then. ” “No use lying, Dick Treddle.” “I ain’t lying.” “You are here alone. What are you doing?” “Find out, Hank Dawson. * “I will. ” Hank and Bash, who was none the worse for the blow that stunned him — Treddle had clipped his hair with his bullet, then struck him with the butt of his gun as he fell, rendering Bash wholly unconscious for the time —immediately approached the cabin formed between the rocks, while the others stood near them. “Hello!” Bash’s e.xclamatiqn was natural. There, just beside the entrance to the cabin, were articles with which Mr. Bash was familiar Numerous dies, bright drops of metal sparkling on the ground, various tools were lying near. While Bash was examining these, directing Hank Dawson's attention to them, Chub darted past them into the rear of the cabin. The rear of the cabin was dark. But Chub was fearless. Besides she was firmly convinced that her affianced was near by. Something in her heart told her he was near. She was in a flush of excitement as she peered about in the back part of the cabin. While h>r father and the detective were talking, pointing out this and that tool, they heard a quick, low exclamation from the rear of the cabin. “It's(hub —she’s found something.” Hank was going back when Bash said, “Well, let’s strike a light.” His action was suited to the word.. A light was struck, and Hank Dawson and the detective walked back to the rear of the cabin or hut. There they beheld another opening, leading still farther back between the two rocks, through which Chub had disappeared. “Where in the name of all that's wonderful has she gone?” demanded Hank Dawson. “Here! let's get a b%tter light,” said the detective He looked about him, and at last found a lamp, which he lit Meanwhile they could hear Chub talking to some one. ’“She’s found him! She’s found him, Bash!” exclaimed Hank. “There's some one. I hope it is Dan Bash. ” They walked back, where Chub pressed in the darkness. But Chub had an infallible guide—the voice of her lover. Yes, it was indeed the voice of the missing bridegroom Chub heard as she stood in the back part of the rude hut It was like a moan, but to Chub's acute ear it sounded like “Belle” —the name her lover called her. It was then that Chub darted back through a door she had not noticed till that low sound fell upon her eager ear. She felt her way cautiously but quickly as she hastened to the back room, and there, reaching out a hand, guided only by a pencil of light that stole in from the rear, she felt around until her hand touched a rough ladder. Passing both hands over this to assure herself her surmise was correct, she heard a second time that sound. It was then she exclaimed: “Oh! Dan! I'm here—coming—coming. ” This was the sound that brought her father and the detective to the rear, to

the ladder, down which Chub had swiftly descended. As Hank Dawson reached the ladder he called: “Where are you, Chub?” “Here, dad! Oh! quick—quick. Help me to get him out of here!” “I told ye.” said Hank Dawson, nodning to the detective. He descended the ladder immediately. Bash held the lamp overhead. “My God! It’s Bash, sure enough!” the detective heard Hank say, as he held the lamp. “Cau I help you down there?” “I reckon you can. ” “No, no,” said Chub, vehemently. “I’ll help lift him, dad. I’ll go first, holding his head. ” The detective could heir a strong voice answer: “There’s no need. If you’ll unbind my feet and my arms, I can manage after awhile to get up myself. ” As Hank reached up the ladder for the lamp, the detective descended. Together the three looked at Dan Bash as he struggled into a sitting posture after he was unbound. His captors had tied his ankles firmly together, and then had tied his arms. He was lying on his side in a very painful position, when Chub found him there in the dark. “Don’t —don’t touch that arm, please, ” he said to Hank. “Sore?” “It's broken. ” “Broke, Dan!” Poor Chub's tears rose unbidden. They overflowed in spite of her. “Yes —broke in two places, I’m afraid. ” He sat upright, moved his feet, and looked at them. “Just wait until the blood circulates.” “Here! I reckon 11l help it on a mite.” Hank uncorked his pocket-flask, and, pouring out a stiff drink in the cup of the cover, handed it to him. Dan Bash gulped it down eagerly. “That ought to help some,”said Hank. “It does. I feel it now. ” “What kind of a hole is this, anyhow? 1 ' said Hank, looking around him. “Seems like a hole in the ground.” “That’s just what it is,” said the detective. “See! Here is the face of a rock. They’ve found a large cavity here by accident —dug a little more earth out, shaped it into this queer shape, and used it for the Lord only knows what. See! Why, there wasn't much work to be done. Here’s a rock on this side and a rock on this side. We re between two rocks with straight sides, or faces. ” “That's so,” said Hank, examining the place curiously. “If there were vines hero it would be the place I dreamed about,” said Chub. “You droamed.l was lying here?” said the lover, quickly. “Y'es —but there was room for the sun to shine down on you.” “So there is—or ought to bo. They’ve cpvered me up—kept the dayligm out, ” said Dan, sadly. “F’eel like movin’ yet?” Hank asked in a sympathizing tone. Dan made an effort, and succeeded in mounting the ladder with the help of Hank Dawson’s strong hands. He moved with difficulty. He was weak—faint with hunger and pain. “Is that daylight out there?” “Yes, Dan,” said Chub, as she held his sound arm, and walked to the door of the cabin, followed by her father and the detective. , “Thankt God!” said Dan, as. he put his hands up over his eyes, which were blinded by the sudden light. The crowd gathered near the rude hut cheered the moment they beheld him. “It s him—Dan Bash! Hurrah!” The cheers that were sent up from Baldy echoed from the mountain side to the road far below. They were caught up by the searchers below and echoed again across the other mountain slope, until the sound of rejoicing was heard full live miles over the mountains. Everybody within sound of the voices that cheered until their voices grew hoarse knew the missing bridegroom was found.

CHAPTER XVIII. DAN BASH’S AWFUL EXPERIENCE. “That was a mighty close call,” said Hank Dawson, as he viewed the man all Pine County was interested in now. “You look mighty bad. ” “Had nothing to eat?” the detective asked. “Once only.” “Well, this won't hurt ye a mite,” said Hank, handing Dan a piece of bread and a biscuit made by Chub. He also gave him a piece of cold meat. “That’s Chub's biscuit, Dan.” Dan only smiled and whispered something to Chub that nobody could hear. “Think you can sit on a horse, Dan? I don’t see no other way to get you out of this lonesome hole It’s about tbe ornariest place I ever set eyes on. I didn’t think there was such a mean piece of ground in the .State as this is.” “I think I’ll manage.” But it was taxing his strength. The detective was compelled to walk on one side of him, while Hank Dawson walked on the other. And that was the way Dan Bash was brought out of the heart of Haldy. After lie was out on smooth ground the detective returned to the cabin, to collect all that could be found there that would be serviceable in the proceedings he foresaw they would uecessariiy figure in.

He had willing hands to help him. ■Vyhile Chub and her father were making their way home with Dan Bash carefully, the detective was engaged with three or four, assistants iu carrying off all the tools and material that were found in the cabin the counterfeiters had concealed themselves in for so many years. That the place had been occupied for years was evident to all who were present I will leave the counterfeiters' tools and their caretakers, and Treddlc. the captive, in the hands of the detective, and follow Chub' and her iover as they journey home. As Dan regained confidence and strength he sat up like his old self on the saddle—he was an elegant figure on a horse, was Dan Bash—and looked at Chub gratefully. “Belle—do you know I owe my life to you.” “Why do you think so?” Chub asked, as she blushed. “Those murderers intended either to murder me or to starve me to death. Chub shuddered. “Tell me all about it,” said Chub. “Yes,” said Hank Dawson, who was within ear-shot: “I m just achin’ to know all about this strange business. I’ll bet it'll make a big stir all over the country—this stirrin’ up of a gang such as the Monks. ” “Yes—l’ve been of some use in my w'ay,” said Dan, smilling “I’ve sent for a doctor to meet us by the time you get home —you'll need more than one, may be, before that arm’s fixed. But tell us how you fell into the hands of that tarnal mean, murdering

crowd." “It’s a short story. You know how much reason I had to be on the lookout for the gan£. ” “I do indeed, Dan,” said Chub. “I thought you would surely keep a sharp lookout.” , “I did. When I got ready to go to your house, instead of riding on the road, I cut off on a by-path and kept on the mountain side, where I thought I would have an oppdrtunity to see any one who might be concealed. You | kuow they swore there would never be I any wedding.” I “Yes, I know,” said Chub, in a low : tone. ! “Well, I was riding along all right, ! when the strangest thing happened. A j tree fell right across the path 1 was on. It would have pinned me to the earth had I not sprung quickly off my horse. As it was, a limb torn off in the crash —a big limb —struck my arm, knocking mo to the ground and breaking my arm. It was almost the size of a tree. The manner in which I fell prevented me from twisting from under it, aud it settled down on me, pressing me flat against the ground.” j “Oh! That was dreadful,” said Chub. “The body of the tree struck tbe ! horse’s flank. He bounded, but was j caught among the branches. He made I tremendous struggles. I could see him j flounder, but he probably was not se- | verely injured; but the broken, jagged branches doubtlees hurt him. One small broken branch cut my head—you can see the mark. ” He held up his hand. “That explains where the blood came from,” said ChuD. “What blood?” “Y’our horse came galloping up to our fence long after the time you should j have been there. I saw blood on the saddle—and marks on your horse.” “You must have been frightened greatly. ” . “It was terrible, Dan—terrible. ” “It has been terrible for both of us. ” “Yes, but you, you have suffered a thousand fold more than I have. But you have not told us all. ” “No. Well, I lay there, held to the ground by the big broken limb, until I thought I would die. 1 triod to free myself. I tried to move away from under it—to slip out from under it—but every time I moved, it seemed to settle heavier upon me. ” “That was enough to drive you crazy. ” “I thought of you—or it might have. Then I tried to get a hand in my pocket for my knife. I thought if I could get it out, it would be possible to dig a hole in the ground large enough to let me work out from under the limb that way. ” “That was awful.” “I did not know then—nor until they found me—that the limb was not broken clean off the tree. A great big sliver—.a, tremendous splinter—and the bark held it to the main trunk, and it settled down just as the wind shook it, or I moved under it. ” “Could anything be more horrible than that,” said (hub. “I can’t imagine it,” said Hank Dawson. “It beats all I ever heard of. ” “I got my knife out at last. I worked at the ground near my side. But it was so slow, oh, such slow work. ” “Poor Dan—it was enough to turn your mind. ” “I believe I might have freed myself in time, but just as it began to look as if I would be able to free myself, a loud ‘hello’ attracted my attention. I answered. Think how long I had been lying there!” “How long were you under the branch, Dan?” Chub asked, fearfully. “Until some time last night, or early this morning.” I Chub uttered a cry of terror, j “What! All that time!” I “AH that time—it seemed ages—ages to me!” Hank Dawson turned to look at him. “Out ail that time! Under a big limb—pinned under a limb to the ground! I wouldn't believe any one could stand it! And with a broken arm!” “We will nurse you into good spirits again,” said Chub, in a low,tone. “I am in as good spirits now as I ever will be, Belle,” said Dan Bash. Then Chub had to tell him her dream. As he listened, Dan Bash looked very grave. “It’s a strange story, Belle, The dream is very near the truth. See how I was held under the big limb. I was covered with the branches. I could not move—could only turn and look up through the leaves. Then, when they took me from the branch, they put me in that hole you found me in. And that, too, was like your dream. A crevice in the earth—just roofed in a little with earth and stones —and no way to work out —rocks on each side. It was very much like your dream!” ! “Well, we’re back to plain facts now,” said Hank Dawson; “aud the plain facts is, we’ve got the hull Monk gang by the neck and heels, and if we don’t pitch them into, the peuitentiary, why—it won't be my fault.” “They deserve to be put there for what they’ve done to you,” said Chub. “Yes,” said her father, iff a low tone; “and with the witnesses we’ve got agin them we'll make ’em wish they’d never seed Dan Bash. We’H make ’em swear they'd run ten mile just to get around his shadow. ” And Hank Dawson shook his head. He meant it. He was in dead earnest. [TO BE CONTINUED. |

Big War Ships.

| Up to the recent launcljing of the I British battle ship Royal Sovereign, the { Italians had possessed the largest war ships, the Italia and her mates, each being credited with a displacement of 13,900 gross tons. The latest addition to the British iine has a displacement estimated at 14,150 tons, thus slightly outweighing the rival craft. A radical difference exists, however, in the theory of construction, the British ship having a protective belt of armor, with steel face and iron back on the compound system, the same with a maximum thickness of eighteen inches, while the big .' craft of the Italian fleet have not any ! outside protection. At the first blush it would appear that, in point of eni durance, the odds would be largely with I the British ship, but first class naval authorities are not by any means agreed that side armor_is. efficacious, for since even the six-inch rifle at short range can pierce the heaviest armor that can be floated, there is a likelihood that shells will break through and explode, unshipping the guns ana demoralizing the crew, while in the case of unprotected sides it is likely to cut its way clear I through the ship and explode harmlessly in the water. Japan is a great country for poor peo- ! ] .'e. The most expensive form of crema- | tion only costs seven dollars.

HOME AND THE FARM.

A DEPAI'TMENT MADE UP FOR OUl: RURAL FRIENDS. mr - 1 ■ "■ ■ ■■ ■« Eom« Nhi A ppllmicv* for th« F«rnm'« W«U lor the Housewife. til* ItnckiuMii, the Dairyman, the Poulterer, anti tl»« Horticulturist—Notes. THE FAIUZ. Largest la: m In the World.

At that time It was a vast grazing land for the cattle of a few dealers of the neighborhood, over .To.ooo head of halt-wild horses and cattle being thereon. Now this immense tract is divided into convenient pasture stations or ranches enisting every six miles. The fencing alone cost $50,000. The land is best adapted for rice, sugar corn, and cotton. All cultivation, ditching, etc., is done by steam power. A tract, say half a mile wide, is taken and an engine is placed on each side. The engines are portable, and operate a cable attached to four plows, and under tills arrangement thirty acres a day are gone over with only the labor of three men. Harrowing, planting, and other cultivation is done in a like manner. Therfr'is not a single draft horse on the entire place. Of course horses, arc used for the herders of cattle, of which there are 1(5,000. head. The Southern Pacific Railway runs for thirty-six miles through the farm. The company have three steamboats operating on the waters of tlielr estates, of which there are 300 miles navigable. They have also an ice-house, a bank, a ship yard, and a rice mill. — Spare Moments. A Cheap Wlieeltmrronr. Mr. P. Brugger, South Dakota, sends the Farm and Fireside a description of a cheap wheelbarrow that can bo

A CHEAP WHEELBARROW.

made by any farmer handy with common carpenter tools. The accompanying cut needs no explanation. The sideboards are made from planks six feet long and sixteen Inches wide. The bottom and end pieces are also made out of wide pine boards. No legs are needed. Wheat Culture. The principles of wheat culture are simple, but there are a few points that should be well learned. One is, that there should be a good seed bed. One plowing is sufficient, but the harrow and roller cannot bo too much used. The bed should be well compacted by the roller, and made very fine on top to the depth of two or three inches. The fertilizer used should be thoroughly mixed with this fine surface, not put below It with the plow, and, if It is home-made, should be old and line, so that it is at once available for use by the starting plants. Try to sow after a rain instead of before, and as soon after as the land will permit working; do not “dust in” the wheat and trust to luck for sufficient moisture to give it a start. Between one and two inches is the happy medium of depth at which to sow. and this can best be attained by having fegulating wheels upon each tube of the drill to ensure regularity of depths and to press the soil close about the seed. To ensure germination the seed must come into contact with the soil. If the ground is dry, or slightly cloddy, much' of it fails to do this under ordinary methods. Use good grain only for seed, clean and screen repeatedly, so that all foreign seeds and weak grains of wheat are east out. Put it through a strong blast, So that only the heaviest will remain. Repeated experiments have proven beyond question that it pays to use selected seed. Lastly, cut down your proposed area by a large percentage and put the extra labor and fertilizer on the rest, and you will reap a greater net reward at the end of the harvest.

Rainfall an a Kef-tlll seer. Nature’s method of irrigation is better than any artificial system of watering the earth, for the reason that rain supplies more than moisture to the soil. There is a solid basis of fact in the old proverb, “Snow is the poor man’s fertilizer.” And the same is true of rain. In the process of evaporation and condensation, passing through the air to the clouds, and thence to earth again, it gathers and conveys to the soil certain elements of fertility which are indispensable to plant nutrition! These materials in soluble form arc taken up by the root-feeders of plants, and so the plants derivfe nutriment as well as moisture from rainfall. No artificial system of irrigation can fully perform this most usesul office. In five years of observation at Lincoln, New Zealand, Mr. George Gray found that an acre of land receives anually (in 28.0 inches of rain) about 175 pounds of dissolved matter, including (>0.5 pounds of chlorine (being near to the sen,) 15 pounds of sulphuric anhydride, and more than 2 pounds of nitrogen. In a series of experiments Sir J. B. Lawes found that land at Rothamsted, England, receives annually per acre an average of 24 pounds of pure salt, 4 pound* of nitrogen in form of ammonia and nitric acid, and 18 pounds of sulphuric acid. Carbonic acid; one of the most powerful solvents of plant food, in varying q nan titles is brought to the earth by rain or snow passing through the air. This servos as both a solvent and fertilizer, liberating the lime and potash in the soil, preparing them for the use of growing plants. Blessed is the country in which nature does the work of irrigating the soil, for it gets both needed moisture and fertilisation.

N THE extreme southwest corner of Louisiana lies the largest producing farm In the world, measuring 100 miles north and south, au d twenty-five miles east and west. Disowned and operated by a syndicate o f Northern capitalists. The 1,600,000 acres of tho tract were purchased from the State of Louisiana and from tho U. S. government.

Farmyard Manure.

The physical effect of farmyard manure upon soils Is equally important with its chemical influence. The general rule according to which short and well-rotted dung is applied to light, open soils, and long, fresh dung to heavy, compact soils, is one intimately associated with the mutual physical relations of soils and manure. The fresher the dung tho loss ready are its constituents to enter into combinations available as plant food, and in this form a sttff clay soil is well adapted to hold or retain it till the occurrence of those chemical reactions which result in rendering the nutrient ingredients of tho manure presentable to the plant. Tho older and more rotted tho dung before application, tne more promptly are its fertilizing ingredients available, and as light, porous soils are deficient in retentive power, it is well they should receive dung in an advanced state of decomposition. and at a time when the crop is ready to make use of it, loss of manorial substance by means of the drainago waters being thus avoided. Furthermore. long or green manure helps to open up stiff soils, and the fresh straw provides air channels along which the atmosphere can find its way into the recesses of the soil, oxidation being thereby promoted. Conversely, tho application of short or much decomposed dung to a light or sandy soil has the beneficial effect of promoting its consolidation, and of rendering It loss rapidly permeable by water.— English Exchange,

THIS STOCK-RANCH.

Fattening Calve*. Is it not possible to feed now milk to calves in such a way as to gain all tho advantago to the calf from sucking its dam aud getting food in the natural way? It is always conceded that in this way the calf fattons best, but it injures the milking qualities of the cow. If fed by hand the calf is not morely allowed, but forced to drink too rapidly. Tho suckling usually only gets a small portion at a time, and this is mixed with saliva boforo it goes to the stomach. If a rubber tube were filled with sponge and the calf required to suck warmed milk through this it would seem to bo what is needed. But this would necessitate so much extra labor in keeping those tubes and sponges sweet that tho method is not practicable. Allowing the calf to suck either tho linger or some solid substance in tho bottom of the pail, and seeing to it that it got its feed of new milk warm and slowly, is all that can be expected. Cold food Is almost always thocauseof sooum When the digestive organs are chilled by it into inactivity nature has no recourse save to throw off tho load with tho slightest effort possible. Of course food passing undigested through the stomach does not nourish the animal, and a temporary impairment of tho digestive organs soon tends to make itself permanent. —American Cultivator. Notes About Slieep. Sheep must not bo deprived of water if they do not drink much. The sheep aro wasting enough every month to pay for good racks. There is no better time for docking and castrating lambs than at birth. They appear to feel the operation then less than when older, and usually bleed but little or not at ail. Wood ashes are as beneficial to sheep as to swine. They expel worms and Improve tho general health. As a rule, however, good food and care arc better than physic for the flock. Oats excel. Are there sheep that have proved a disappointment In the fleece or lambs? Mark them for weeding out. Don’t bo at a loss by their worthless lives, but put them off when they will bring tho most money. Were you going to get a thoroughbred male this year to grade up your flock? The best can be bought at tho lowest price this spring. Ho can be safely brought up by a native owe and even the most skeptical will bo Impressed by tho improved condition that will overtake the flock in two years from his introduction. Fully 1,000,000 sheep aro owned in Wyoming and the cattle men are looking at the sheep men with envy. The number of flocks is increasing and the stock is being improved. The climato is good for sheep aud they can pasture during winter. The business offers good opportunities for young men with some capital, nerve, knowledge and experience and a good bit of energy.— Farm and Horne.

THE VINEYARD.

Grafting Grapes. Samuel Miller, in Popular Oardening , thus refers to the above subject: Alter many years of experience, during the work at all times from February, when the frost was out of the ground, until the vines have made shoots a foot long, with varied success, I have come to the conclusion that the best time is when the vines are started to grow, the grafts are being kept in a cool, shady place so that they were a little behind the stock in starting. To keep them entirely dormant in an ice-house, as some recommend, is wrong. I have had the buds ou the grafts swollen ready to burst when inserted that started to grow a week after. Clear the ground away from the root three or four inchcr. deep, saw off at a smooth place at the bottom. If no smooth place can be found, saw into the stump instead of splitting as usual. A thick, wide-set saw I prefer to a knife, even in a straight stump. Bhavc your graft to fit the cut with a shoulder, tie if the stock is less than an inch in diameter, then fill in the earth carefully, press firmly, but do not move graft. Hill up to the upper bud, stick a peg one inch from eacli graft on one side; so you can tell exactly where the graft is. Then cover the eye over with a handful of sawdust; throw a little mulch on and leave it until the grafts begin to grow. I use two eyed grafts, unless the wood is long jointed and thick, when one eye will answer. When the grafts begin to grow the suckers must be kept off, or they will keep the grafts from growing. As soon .as the graft begins to grow it must be tied up to a stake to keep the wind from blowing it down. In this way I nearly always get fruit a little sooner than when I buy a small vine. Have now strong vines of Empire State that were set in spring of 1886; bore fruit last year, while three vines planted the year before that cost me $6 have not borne a bunch of fruit yet, and not much show of doing it the coming season. I cannot see the policy of digging worthless vines up and planting others in their place. Graft them with something better.

THE PUULTRY YARD.

lar(« and Double-Yelket* Ejjjj*. It is seldom that a double-yelked egg will hatch, though instances have been

known in such eggs have prodo'-ed chicks. Wlo*. do.iMe-yelked eggs are found, it Is t> 1 c regretted, as thoy invariably indicuM; that the hens aro oat of condition—h/o fat. A hen in good laying condition will never produce an egg other than of the normal size peculiar to her breed, ami if fat, she is entirely unfitted for laying. If a fat hen is killed she will be found full of eggs, so to speak* but they will he noticed to be of and the poulf.ryinan will be amazed over the fact thotehe did not lay; but examination will show that obstructions of fab were the cause, and the hen is then more profitable dead than when alive — Farm and Fireside. Food ami Growth. Tho duckling will eat twico as much< food as the chick, but it will also weigh, more than twice as much in two months. It is not the amount of food eaten that regulates tho expense, but the ratio of gain in proportion to tho amount fed. It matters not how much is consumed, provided you have a corresponding growth and increase of weight. Feed the ducklings heavily and force them. Smiled Head*. If you allow a draught of air to flow over your fowls at night, the probability will be that you will find their heads and eyes swollen in the morning. The first thing to do Is to remove the cause by stopping up tho cracks or the ventilatorhole at the top of the poultry-house. Tho best remedy Is to annoint the head ami eyes with a few drops of a mixture of ono part of spirits turpentine and four part* of sweet oil.

TUB HOUSEHOLD.

JlouHtiltold Rule*. Cream and acids do not curdle, whilo milk and adds da To prevent layer cake from sticking, grease the tins and dust in a little flour. In roasting meat, turn with a spoon instead of a fork, as tho latter pierce* the meat and lets the juice out. If sponge caka Is mixed with cold water it is yellow, but If the water bo boiling hot tho cake will be white. A teaspoonful of corn starch mixed with a cupful of salt will remove all po*~ slblllty of dampness In the shaker. When making white cakes use a half teaspoon more of cream of tartar than soda, as this extra quantity of cream of tartar makoH tho egg whites stiffen. Scald the bowl In which tho butter and sugar aro to be creamed for cake; the hot dish heatea tho butter so that it will blend much easier with tho sugar. If doughnuts an? cut out an hour before they are fried to allow a little time for rising they will bo much lighter. Try cutting at night and frying in tho* morning. Gravy will generally be lumpy If tins thickening is poured In while the pan ij, over the lire. Set the pan off until tbc thickening Is well stirred in, then set # on the fire and cook thoroughly. To keep tho bread-jar and cake-bos sweet, rinse after washing with boiling water in which a lit tle common soda hat been dissolved; then set out of doors i» tho sun for a few hours.

Icing for cake may be prevented frov cracking when cut; by adding ono tablespoonful of sweet cream to each unbeaten egg. Stir all up together, theu add sugar until as stiff as can be stirred. A valuable salve for cuts or wound* of ail kinds: Boil one-half eup of thick, sweet cream ten or fifteen minutes, stirring constantly; when cold, beat it thoroughly, when it will be a creamy paste_ Bottle and cork tightly or make fresht every time. Keep sewer pipes, connected withi stationary stands, clean and wholesome by scalding once a week with boiling water in which washing soda lias been dissolved, remembering that many cases of diphtheria have been attributed to foul sewer pipes. Solution for cleaning silver and bras H—to one quart of rainwater add two ounces of ammonia and three ounces of precipitated chalk. Bottle and keep, well corked, and shake before using. Wasli silver in hot, soapy water aud rinse In hot water. A good cement for mending broken china. Dissolve a little gum arable in » little water so that it is rather thick, put enough plaster of pai Is into this to make a thick paste. Cement broken pieces of china together and in half an hour they cannot be broken in the same place. Hot. water seems to make It more' firm.

THE KITCHEN.

Hec: Inin. Chocolate Cabamkls.— One pint or brown sugar, one gill of sweet milk, onehalf pint of molasses, one-half cake of Baker’s chocolate, grated, and a good teaspoonful of butter. Boil over a slow fire, stirring until the Ingredients are dissolved, and occasionally afterwards, as it burns easily. Test it by dropping a little Into cold water. If it hardens quickly remove nt on:e froth the ftf-p, flavor with vanilla aud pour Into buttered tins. One should be careful in. adding the extract, as the heat is likely to set fire to the ah i>hol, especially if.' added while on the stove. When cool,, mark the caramels ia squares with a buttered knife. -* Velvet Sponge Ca i:e. —Two cups of sugar, six eggs, leaving out the whites of three, one cup of boilitig hot water, 2>£ cups of flour, one tablespoonful of baking powder sifted with the flour: beat, the yolks a little, add the sugar, beat, fifteen minutes, then the three beaten, whites, and the cup of toiling water just, before the flour. Fit tor with a tc&spoouful of lemon extract gnd bake in three layers. When baited, put between the cakes Icing made adding to the three whites reserved, beaten to a soft froth, six dessertspoon"ols of pulverized sugar to each egg; flav.r to taste. Almond Topry.—Bell together half ». pint of wafer and one pound of koqA brown sugar for ten minutes; bldneli. one and one-half ounce* of sweet almonds, and slice them through the center; add them to thi syrup with iwo ounces or a. little more of fresh butter; let all boil for ten minutes nooie (when the toffy Is suffliciently done it will harden at once when dropped on a plr.te, or lr.to a little cold water), ponr it on a well-buttered dish; it should nut be more than half an inch thick. apple Budding.—Pare, core, and\ chop very line six apiples; mix these with, six ounces of grated bread crumbs, six. ounces of currants (washed and dried),, five ounces of moist sugar, a little nutmeg and a little grated lemon zest.. When these ingredients are all thoroughly mixed acd six eggs, the yolks> and whites beaten separately; butter a. mold and pour in the mixture; let it simmer for three hours; serve without sauce.