Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 December 1890 — Page 5

THE SKELETON. bt Annum gray. *MW gilded walls aud stately halls I pass the time away; t have great wealth, enjoy good health, And many servants pay. I have a wife to share my life, Whom servants wait upan. And by my side doth ever hide An anseen skeleton. My wife's fair face doth match the grace And beauty of her form; With pleasant smiles, through many miles We’ve passed, of calm and storm. Each well-aimed stroke some barrier broke. Each gem more friends have won. And each success hath coate to bless Me and my skeleton. Sometimes I cry “O God, draw nigh And drive this fiend from me!” \ He never leaves, but closer cleaves / And laughs exultingly. Oh. aching heart! 'tis but your part To bear till life is done; Will I be free, when they bury me, From this grim skeleton? The poor pass by, and gaze and sigh, And wish they might exchange. Toil on! Thank God you have to plod, Nor wish for guest so strange. Oanst thou find he who lived to see A youth's and manhood’s sun, Who hath not sighed, looked back, and tried To hide a skeleton? > These words hath pain burned in my brain: —Hold on! holdfast! holdout!” I’ll struggle on till life is gone, Or give the victor’s shout. Oh. God! Abide close by my side, As thou hast ever done. Though rich, how poor! behind gold doors 1 dwell with a skeleton. Linden, Wis.

Dr. Elfenstein's Mission

fl Remarkable Romance.

BY EMILY THORNTON.

CHAPTER XL A SINGULAR REQUEST. “Has she come?” asked Sir Reginald Glendenning of Lady Constance, as he distinctly heard a carriage stop before the door, and his own coachman’s voice speaking to the horses. “She has; shall she be brought directly to your presence?” “Yes; and see to it that no one enters this room until they are summoned, as I wish to see this girl alone. Do you hear? Alone! entirely alone!” replied the Baronet. “You will be obeyed. No one shall disturb you. Shall I order Matthew to put up the horses?” “No; tell him to wait for further notice!” Lady Constance withdrew, and very soon reopened the door, to usher in and present to her sick husband Ethel Nevergail, his sister’s adopted niece, then instantly retired, closing the door behind her.

Very beautiful looked the young girl »s she stood by the side of the bed, her heavy crape veil thrown back, revealing her sad, sweet face and large, pitying eyes. •“Oh! sir,” said she, after an eager, yet half-haughty greeting, “I grieve to see you so helpless! Have you just been injudre?” ’•' ; “Yes; this morning I was thrown from iny horse, and am tp lie here helpless for months. I sent for you, then, in answer to a letter received a few moments before the accident from my sister, written before her death. In that she asks me to give you a home for four months in return for any service'l may wish rendered. I sent, because I need assistance immediately of a very peculiar nature. Are you willing to undertake it, at a fair salary?” . > “Probably I can tell, better when I hear what tho duties will be.” “Before I tell you that I wish you to hand me the small Bible you see upon that table.” * With wondering eyes Ethel reached him the book. “The duties to be performed are of a purely confidential nature. No human being must know what I tell you, whether you accept the charge or not. Wife, nephew, niece, man servant nor maid servant must eter know that you do more than read to and amuse me, write my letters, and attend to my daily business affairs. The true duties will be performed in half an hbur each evening alone. Will you swear on this book to keep my secret?” “I will swear if you will assure me that these duties can be done with a pure conscience, and that they are perfectly proper for me to do. ” “I assure you you can do them with perfect propriety. Will you take the oath?” “I will,” came from the lips of the trembling girl, reluctantly, it must be confessed, but still it came, because of the promise given to her dying aunt that she would, not refuse his offer. « “Then kiss that book and repeat'after me these words: ‘I, Ethel Nevergail, swear I will tell no person the nature of my nightly duties, and that I will perform them to the best of jny ability.’ ” Again Ethel shuddered, yet did as he required; and, after kissing the book, repeated the words. “Sit down, now, and come very close, so you can hear, while I whisper the sefor ‘even walls have ears’ has sometimes been said. “Now,” he continued, “listen to me intently. I have in my possession a very rare animal, -one entirely unknown. It is the property of a friend, and I am secretly taking care of it for him. He is absent now abroad searching for more wonders to add to a collection. On his return he is going to exhibit all, and ex-1 pects to realize a fortune by doing so, which I am to share. Now, although wealthy, I love money, and always have; therefore I take every care of this creature in order to obtain more gold. No human being, save myself and its owner, is aware of its existence. It is hidden in a ruined part of this house—in fact, in a concealed room, the existence of which no one knows but myself, and in close connection with, but not in, a place we call ‘The Haunted Tower.*, “This tower is not haunted, really, but I pretend that it is, in a way I shall tell you of some othef time, in order to keep prying eyes from off my treasure. “Now. what I wish you to do is this: I myself have always fed this ape, or ourang-outang, for it possesses some of their nature, and if lib is not attended to he will starve. About ten every evening you are to do this for me.

*A basket is always standing in a certain place in the ruined part A person I pay well comes every evening, under a practise of ‘secrecy, and puts food in it. You must get this basket, go through a long covered corridor that connects this tower to the main building, and opens directly into a small ball or passageway near your room, and the door from your room is hidden by a wardrobe. “Open it and pass through, taking a knife of a peculiar shape that you will find in a bookcase drawer in yonr room, together with plenty of candles and matches for your use, also there; and to this drawer I will give you the key. “You will find several of these knives put there, Tor fear one might accidentally get broken. Take one, with a lighted candle, I say, go down the passage to the tower, then count on the wall from the door that leads up the tower stairs, backward, three panels; into a seeming crack that you will see there insert the knife-point, and then turn it around three times, when the panels will fly apart, revealing a small opening, where a set of revolving iron shelves will be seen.

On these place the food. Water is in the room, where the creature can help himself as he wishes it. Keep and restore the basket to its place; also be sure am. keep the knife. Push then the shelves and they will turn slowly around and come back to you with the plate empty. “After this, replace the panel, and return to your room silently. That will be all for about two or three weeks, when I shall add a small service, such as placing a light of a certain nature in the tower, and winding up a little machinery. Will you do all this?” asked he, eagerly. “Yes,” half moaned the poor girl, whose soul shrank in horror from the task, “if you assure me I will not be harmed by the beast. ” “You never will; he is chained to a heavy iron bolt; besides, this room he is in has no windows or doors (being lighted from the ceiling), and there is no mode of reaching him, save by those shelves. 1 could not; you can never even see him or be seen by him. When my friend returns, and wants him, wo will unscrew the iron shelves, and so take him hence.

“Will you stay now, as he must be seen to this very night?” asked Sir Reginald, after a pause. “You can send for your trunks when you wish. I will pay you twenty ponnds a month.” “I will stay.” “Then, please ring the bell you see yonder, as I must inform my wife.” The bell brought a footman, who took the desired message, and Lady Constance soon appeared. “Miss Nevergail is to remain. She is to be my amanuensis, reader, and assist you and the nurse, generally, in my care. I wish the room next this prepared for her immediate use.” “Why that one? It will not be wise to put hpr there. ” “Wise or not, there she goes, so have it in readiness. Also, tell Matthew to put up the horses, as they will be needed no more to-day.

CHAPTER XIL ETHEL AND HER NEW DUTIES. In about an hour a servant maid entered, to say that the room was in readiness, and she would lead Miss Nevergail to it, if she wished. Taking up her bonnet and wraps, the young girl passed through the front hall into the room adjoining, which she found exceedingly beautiful. It had evidently always been exclusively a guest chamber, and so richly was it furnished that she guessed at once why Lady Constance had objected to its daily use. As soon as the maid had withdrawn, Ethel commenced an examination of the implements Sir Reginald had mentioned. The bookcase he had spoken of she knew had been carried thither from the library for; her use since her arrival. The drawer to which he had given her a key of a peculiar shape was a secret one, found, as he had whispered, behind the books, and remembering his directions, she proceeded to open it, after carefullylocking her door. There lay the three singularly shaped, large knives, with long, sharp-pointed blades; there, also, was a china candlestick with three or four dozen wax candles. Matches wore in a large tin box, ready for constant and instant use.

Refastening the drawer and replacing the books, the young girl proceeded to the wardrobe on the opposite side of the room, and unlocking it, she saw at the back a door, bolted on her 'side, which gave her an immediate feeling of security. Softly drawing the bolt, she looked out into a small passage that , led merely from her own room to a similar door inside a wardrobe she had seen in the baronet’s. These two rooms communicated with this little passageway from the inhabited part of tiie house, and these alone. Directly opposite her door was a smaller one, which she at once knew must lead to the Haunted Tower and deserted rooms belonging to this singular old mansion. She did not open this, but retreating to her own apartment through the wardrobe, bathed her face and hands, smoothed her hair, and once more turned toward the room of the invalid. At the threshold, however, she met old Mrs. Fredon, the nurse, who had been in the family for years, who whispered that the baronet had fallen asleep, therefore, she might walk around the grounds if she chose.

Feeling that the fresh air would revive her poor shrinking spirit, Ethel tripped down the broad staircase and stepped upon the piazza. As she did so, she almost ran against a gentleman just entering. Raising her eyes to apologize, she found herself face to face with Dr. Elfenstein, the kind friend that she had parted with a few weeks before. He was as much astounded as herself, it seemed, at her unexpected appearance. “Is it possible that this can be Miss Nevergail?” “It is, indeed; but I can scarcely believe this my friend, Dr. Elfenstein. How is it we meet in this unexpected plaee and manner?” “I was about calling on my patient, Sir Reginald Glendenning, when, instead of being received by a servant, Miss Nevergail comes flying toward me. How is it you 4re here? I see by your black dress that your aunt must have passed away! But come out upon the piazza, as you were about to do, and tell me of yourself.” Passing from the door to the shadow of the trained vines, followed by the physician, the young girl related the occurrences of the last few weeks. “Did I understand that you were to remain here some time?” “Yes. I am to be Sir Reginald’s secretary, amanuensis, and reader. For this, and helping to amuse him, I am to

receive a good salary, and will iave a home for the summer. * “I am very glad to hear it, * exclaimed Earle, kindly, “It seems like a pleasant spot, and I think this pure, fresh air will benefit yonr health and spirits. I also have settled here, having bought a practice. * “Shall we go to Sir Reginald now?” returned she, at the end of their animated conversation. “I presume he is awake by this time.” “Yes, at once, and I hope I shall find him more easy than he was this morning.” “Sleep indicates some degree of ease. Do you think he will be helpless long?” “I am sorry to say it will be months before he can leave his bed. Even then, I fear he will be a cripple for years.” “Poor man! This has been a sad accident for him,” replied Ethel, in tones full of sympathy. Dr. Elfenstein made quite a long,call, as he had much to do to make the baronet comfortable for the night, and as Ethel saw him handle the. injured man so gently, and soothe him with kind, encouraging words, she felt that he must possess a heart of almost womanly feeling, and her interest and admiration deepened, even before, his visit was concluded.

After Earle Elfenstein withdrew a late dinner was announced, and in the din-ing-room Lady Constance presented to Ethel her nephew, Robert Glendenning, and niece, Relle, his sister, the former greeting her with rather an insolent look of admiration, the latter with a bow expressive of haughty contempt From that moment Ethel saw that neither of these young people would promote het hapoinoss while she remained under this roof. Mr. Glendenning did converse with her, but it was with such an. evident air of condescension that her replies were brief and cold, while his sister remained silent during the whole meal, with the exception of answering one or two questions asked by Lady Constance, which answers were given in a cold, mechanical way that told of a mind preoccupied and absent. The truth was this young lady was surprised and not at all pleased with the introduction of such a rarely beautiful girl into the home over which she hold sway. She was intensely proud and selfish, and felt that thfcre might be an influence exerted upon her few admirers that might interfere with her prospects. The prospects particularly in view at present were the winning of the heart and hand of the new physician lately settled in the place.

She had been introduced to him at the home of a friend, and had admired his elegant hearing, handsome face and quiet manners, and instantly had resolved to lay siege to his heart. Witli how much success this siege was to be carried on time alone could determine. After leaving the table the ladies repaired to the piazza, followed by Mr. Glendenning. As Belle paused to pluck from one of the vines a few flowers for her belt, Lady Constance turned to Ethel and remarked: “I suppose you have no friends in this vicinity, having just arrived.” Ethel hesitated, while a faint blush suffused brow and cheek as she replied: “I have found one here very unexpectedly.” “Ah! whom may that be?” asked her ladyship. “Dr. Elfenstein. We crossed the Atlantic on the same vessel, and as my aunt was taken very ill during the voyage he attended her, and, consequently, we became well acquainted.” Belle’s attention was riveted by these remarks, and with a sneer she exclaimed:

“I presume, then, you waylaid him this afternoon in order to renew the acquaintance. ” “Pardon me!” replied Ethel, with dignity. “I waylay no one. We met casually on this piazza as he was about entering to see Sir Reginald, and conversed for a few moments. ” “It seems to me for the future, when my uncle’s physician visits him, it would be well for you to remember that you now occupy the position of a subordinate, and therefore should not put on the airs of an equal to attract his attention!” was the rude and unladylike reply. “Belle,” interposed Lady Constance, who, with all her faults, was naturally kind-hearted and just, “you forget that Miss Nevergail in coming to us does not cease to be a gentlewoman. ” “Or, a gentlewoman’s poor relation!” was the cutting answer. ' “A remarkably beautiful one, however,” said the brother. “Say, Belle,” he added, teasingly, “you must take care or she will carry off some of your beaux.” The indignant girl gave him a glance of withering scorn, but merely said, with an angry toss of her head; “Let her beware how she interferes with me in any way. A word to the wise is sufficient.”

Ethel could scarcely control her indignant feelings, as she listened to these insulting remarks issuing from the lovely lips of the girlish speaker, but alter an effort she did control them, and without a word turned away, and again sought the side of the invalid. But she found him irritable and hard to please, and the moments passed in his room became intolerably long, and she sighed for the time to come when she could retire to her own apartment, even though she knew a strange and annoying duty would follow her there. Finally the baronet told her if she was weary to go, adding harshly: “I am tired already of gazing at your pale face. ” then more kindly, as he saw she was startled by his rough way of speaking: “I hope I shall feel better in the morning; if so, I should like to have you read to me, or, as you understand music, will listen to a song.” fTO BE CONTINUED.] That the commercial practicability I of solidifying petroleum, upon which doubt was catst some time ago, is established, is proved by the exhibition of Prof. Millefleurs, before a meeting of Parisian scientists, of several bricks of petroleum, which he has produced by an original process. The bricks were hard'enough to be handled without inconvenience, yet soft enough to be cut with a stout knife. They burned slowly when touched with a lighted match. Prof. Millefleurs claims that they are non-explosive and inexpensive. Eveby man should have an aim in life, but he shouldn’t spend too much time aiming. The quick shot gets the pigeon when the trap is sprung.

DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

HOUSEHOLD AND AGRICULTURAL TOPICS DISCUSSED. A Budget of Useful Information Relating to the Farm, Orchard, Stable, Parlor and Kitchen. THE HOUSEHOLD. Transformations of a Leg of Mutton.

N a family of four, a > five or six-pound leg of mutton possesses strikingly “the gift of continuance.” For the benefit of somo puzzled housewife, to whom its economical yet appetizing disposition is a subject of anxious thought, we may narrate the successive reappear-

ances of such a piece of meat upon a certain table. Its debut was in the usual form of boiled mutton, of which the proper accompaniment Is caper sauce; the recipes for this are various, but the following may be found useful: Capeb Sauce —Into one tablespoonful of flour rub the same quantity of butter, and add gradually one-half pint of boiling water, stirring well. Mix in one teaspoonful of vinegar and add the capers, either one or two tablespoonfuls, as suits the taste. The water in which the meat had been boiled was set away in the soup-kettle. The next day, when it was quite cold, the fat was carefully removed and pearl barley was added, in the proportion of four level tablespooufuls to a quart of soup. Seasoned with salt and pepper just before serving, this made a very good soup. The mutton next appeared upon the breakfast table one warm morning, when to eatseemed an unnecessary, or at least an undesirable, effort; cut In the thinnest posslblo slices, arranged neatly upon a dainty platter, and garnished with delicate sprays of parsely, it could hardly fail to tempt the most languid appetite. Next came the curry episode, and here let ns digress to speak a good word for this too-little-known seasoning. Many who dislike it when used in quantity will find that a small amount gives a delicious flavor, obtainable by the use of no other condiment. It Is especially pleasant in hot weather and in warm countries, a fact suggested by its origin in India, and has been considered to “give tone to the digestive oigans,” containing as it does black pepper, coriander Seed, ginger, mustard, turmeric, and spices with other ingredients, according to the formula used in its preparation. It is inexpensive, too—another item in its favor. And so the mutton, when next the faithful leg, or what remained of it, appeared, was in the tempting form of Curry of Mutton —Chop one pint of cold cooked mutton. Put one tablesoonful of butter in a frying-pan; when melted, add a tablespoonful of flour and stir until smooth; add a half-pint of boiling water, stir until It boils; add the meat, a teaspoonful of curry-powder, and a half-teaspoonful of salt; stir until thoroughly heated. Then heap it In the center of a meat dish, and put around It a border of nicely boiled rice. This recipe is one of Mrs. Rorer’s, as is also that for cooking the rice so that the grains arc separate, after the fashion of Chinese cooking. Rice —Wash one cupful of good rice, and sprinkle it carefully into a kettle full of boiling water; cover and boil rapidly, without stirring, for twenty minutes. Drain and throw into a bowl of cold water to blanch for ten minutes. Drain again, and stand in the colander over boiling water to steam, or stand it in the oven, leaving the door open. Sprinkle with salt, and serve. But even this did not dispose of all the mutton, and again it formed the piece de resistance at breakfast, this time metroposed into minced mutton or toast. For this dish, chop the meat fine, being careful to remove all bits of gristle or bone, moisten it with a little butter, season with salt, and when hot spread upon hot toast, the crusts of which have been slightly motstened with hot water. To some tastes a little Worcestershire sauce, added with the salt, is an Improvement.

When the housewife opened the refrigerator doors after breakfast in the course of her morning round, she sighed as her eyes fell upon two small portions, one of curried, the other of minced mutton. Must those be eaten? The spirit of economy faintly whispered, ‘-Yes, perhaps,” but the thought of the masculine scorn of scraps brought with it an emphatic “No.” The same thought, however, or its successor, recalled the masculine fondness for salids, more especially upon so hot a day as this promised to be. Inspiration followed as a hard-boiled egg came into view, and imagination pictured a combination dish, which proved, in reality, to be a “very deserving” salid, as the small boy said of his pudding as he disposed in short order of his third plateful. And this is how it was compounded: First the minced and curried mutton, rice and all, were thorougnly mixed, so subduing the curry flavor that its origin was barely traceable; the result was mounded in the center of a nearly flat, square-cornered dish, and set in the refrigerator to become thoroughly chilled. An ordinary salid-bowl is too deep for this, and the dainty white of china is a pleasant contrast with the salid. The salid-dressing was next to be concocted, and the first step in this was to carefully slice into rings a hard-boiled egg, the yolk gathered in a saucer forming the foundation. Mashed fine and mixed into a paste with one tablespoonful of salid oil, it was seasoned to taste with salt and pepper, and tlien three more scant tablespoonfuls of oil were added; beating in a tablespoonful of vinegar completed this operation, and the lettuce was next prepared. The central leaves of delicate green and yellow, were carefully washed and tucked in around the mound of mutton, each larger green leaf containing a smaller yellow heart-leaf.. she rings ot white oiggg decorated the surface of the moundmifanciful design, and just before serving each one was filled with salad dressing, the remainder being sent totbe table'in a separate disb, to be added.as desired. —Patty Drv:±, in Good Housekeeping.

THE FAKH. Mote* by the Way. How often I see a fringe of weeds, brambles, and briars a rod wide along the sides of cultivated fields. Is it for use or ornament that the owner allows it there? Seems to me that such a fringe not only looks badly, but is a hurt to any farm, for the vile seeds produced there

take root In the adjoining plowed land and make more work, and sap fertility from the soil that should grow something more profitable than weeds. The fringe also makes a harbor for vermin of one sort or another. All such fringes should be burned before snow flies this fall. It pay 9 to shell the corn one is obliged to sell, before delivering it to buyer, for it not only saves hauling so much bulk, but the fuel the cobs make is a saving on the coal bill, both iu money and hauling. But after the corn is shelled, how often I see the cobs In great piles, exposed to the weather. I never saw any "that burned better for being so exposed, did you? If not, I think they had better be housed. Mine are when I have any. I have noticed that some are in the habit of leaving the tripod, with which the hay has been stacked, astride the stack; it often happens that the stack is built so close to the feet of the tripod that the water runs down there and wets the stack. Why not take the tripod down when the stack Is finished? Better for the stack and the tripod. Once in a while I see a girl helping the boys husk the corn. That’s right, especially if the boy cannot go to school before the corn is out. Often the best boy of the family is the girl, and after the mother has had her help in the home till the morning work Is done up it will not do her any harm, will glvo her health and strength to get the fresh air and try her hand at getting out the golden corn. On the same principle, if the “girls are all boys” it is right that the boy or boys help the mother about the house. There's nothing like lending a helping hand to tnako things move. To-day, in going through the country, I noticed one field in which one set of hands and a team were getting in the fodder and another team and set of hands were husking out the corn, so the work was kept right up, when the last shock at night was husked out it was thrown upon the wagoa and the stack closed in. No re-handling of fodder in that field, no shocks blown down and burled in the snow.

I have often wondered why those who have great boulders In their meadows or plowed fields, allow woods and other foul trash to grow around, go to seed, and make winter homes for mice and other vermin. Now Is the best time of the year to clean up such places—purge them with fire. Nothing short will do the job effectually. Sometimes I hear of cows and other stock being sick after turning into the stalk field. Often this is laid to the “smut.” Let the stock have free access to salt and all the fresh water they will drink, and there will be less complaint on this score. Do some farmers think hay tools standing upon the meadow lend a picturesque View to the winter scene? If not, why are so many mowing machines and hay rakes loft out? It does them no good. How many farmers ever think the windmill tower needs looking after? The probability Is there will be somo high winds this winter. I think It would be a good plan for all who have windmills to look over the towers and see If there is not a bolt or nail needed, or a brace or new piece where a sappy stick was used. Tower builders mean to put in none but good lumber, but mistakes will happen; strengthen the tower If needed. The thought came to me to-day that some farmers go along just as though they expected to have no winter this season. No preparation whatever made for the shelter of stock or convenience in caring for them. Look out for suffering and loss on such farms.— Cur. Farm, Field ami Stockman.

THE DAIKX, Importance of Testing Milk In the Creameries. Through the Bureau of Dairy Information, Mr. C. P. Goodrich relates an instance to illustrate the importance of testing milk to determine the amount of butter fat it contains, and paying for it accordingly: I have a friend who has been for many years a private dairyman. He has gradually, by an intelligent breeding and feeding, and with an eye solely to butter production, built up a splendid herd of butter cows. He has made money enough in dairying to enable him to buy a much larger farm than he before owned, andJUjcated near a creamery, which heQjmififfenccd to patronize a few months ago. Not long since ho told me he was not satisfied at all with the returns he got from the creamery. “Why,” said ho, “during the months of June and July I got 45 cents a 100 for my milk. About four pounds to the 100, average of about 15 cents a pound, and 4 cents out for making does it you see. Now, the milk of my cows will make six pounds to tho 100—I know it; because it has done that for some years, and, besides, I kept it at home one week in Juno and it did it then. I know they say the separator can get more out of milk than I can, but I can get that. As to price, I .have always got as much as, and usually more than, the best creamery. But at 15 cents six pounds is 90 cents, just double what I got Now, I can’t stand that. To keep the cows—feed, care for, and milk them, and carry the milk to the factory, and then give half to have the butter made is too much for me.

I don’t know what to do. I have no conveniences for ma'/ing butter on this farm, and I don't want to be at the expense of 8200 or S3OO for fitting them up. Besides, my wife has always made the butter, and I want she should have a little rest, and I don’t suppose we could hire anybody to make it as good as she can. I have got to do something different, and I have about made up my mind that I must let my splendid butter cows go— I hate to terribly—it has taken me years to get them—and get some others that will give more milk, no matter whether there is much butter in it or not. Maybe I’ll get ‘Holstcins.’” Then turning to me he said, “What shall I do?” My reply was, I will give you advice only on one point; that is “stick la your butter cows, for by the time yofrget fairly changed around you will want them back again, because the creamery men will soon ba compelled to test the milk and give credit for the butter fat it contains or quit the business.”

THE POOXTHMAKU. RatringAvhlte Plymouth Rook*. Our small flock of fowls having become a mixture of different varieties, we determined last spring before selling off the old stock to raise the required number of puro-blood chickens. As the White Plymouth Rocks seemed to combine all the requisite qualities desirable in fowls, In May we obtained four settings of eggs from which were hatched thirty-five fine healthy chickens. We found them to be hardy, vigorous and

very tenacious of life; several times dnri ing the summer the pelting rains flooded their coops and thoroughly wet them, which would have been death to common chickens; but after they were picked up and dried by the kitchen fire they were as lively as ever. They are white, without any markings of color, except that when first hatched some of them showed a blending of grey about the head, but this in a short time entirely disappeared. They have very large frames, and are somewhat slow In reaching maturity, but when one takes into consideration the size and weight they attain at full growth, there is nothing remarkable about it They are said to be good layers and nearly non-sitters. They are also a desirable fowl for table use, as their flesh is white, tender, and lineflavored. At this date our flock of chickens are nearly six months old, and while they have attained a two-thirds growth, it is difficult to ascertain their sex with any degree of accuracy; the males to all appearance largely predominate, and we are holding the entire flock for future development In connection with the White Plymouth Rocks we raised a brood or two of chickens from our old stock of fowls. Whilo the males have beon slaughtered for table use, the pullets have been laying since the first of the month, which, with our mixed breed of fowls, is an uncommon occurrence. We’ have just one Brown Leghorn hen' whose record wo wish to give, and if “A Farmer’s Daughter” or any other poultry-raisers can show a hotter record from this variety or anv other, will they please to make it known? In September of last year a neighbor had a brood of Brown Leghorn chickens come off, and as cold weather came on they all died but one. Through some unaccountable freak this ono orphan chicken took up its quarters in ono of our barns and persisted in remaining there. John was iudignant and said he wou'd not have one of his fowls mixed up with such an insignificant breed, and if the neighbor did not keep It at home ho would wring its nock. After one or two unsuccessful attempts to keep the chick at/home the neighbor gave it up, and the chicken picked up Its living wherever it could, and became a permanent boarder through the entire winter. But Judge of our astonishment when this half-grown chicken began to lay in April. At first its eggs resembled a dovo’s egg in size. From April to the present time there have not been many days at a time but that this fowl has produced an egg. John says if ho had a dozen such hens ho could glut the markot with eggs.— Cor. Country Gentleman.

ORCHARD AND GARDEN. Horticultural Note*. Tue currant worm does not trouble the black currant. It Is as Important to the fruit grower as to tho butter maker that his goods should bo up to the mark every time. After planting, the great secret of success in tree growing is good cultivation. Never let the weeds grow. Keep the soil loose. Thkrf, are 110 different varieties of strawberries growing in the experimental gardens at tho Kansas Stato Agricultural College. The American Cultivator says the entire peach crop shipped over the Delaware Railroad in 1890 consisted of two baskets and ono orate of very indifferent fruit. Growing trees of any kind Is growing a crop. Now, if wo will use the trees as wo vise other crops, giving them good, rich soil and decent care, we shall act wisoly, and likely successfully grow ono crop of trees. In planting wind-breaks, put the mulberry and box elder four feet apart. In planting groves never use a single variety, but a Judicious mixture. For the North plant the first row to box eider, the second to ush, and so on. Henry Huaulding, of Aurelius, Mich., bought an eighty acre farm last spring, giving his note for $1,300 in paymetft. Tho crop of apples on tho land last fall nearly released the obligation. The “short crop” was a good thing for one man.

Thk rose bug is an enemy that doe# not confine itself to the rose. It destroyes fruits and flowers. Large shrubs are quickly destroyed by the bugs. To attempt to make a wholesale warfare on them is quite a task, but they can be driven off or destroyed by Persian insect powder. Dki.awabk raised an enormous quantity of tomatoes last year, the number of cans prepared for market exceeding 5,000,000/ A ton of tomatoes as they coino from the field, will fill from 400 to 450 cans. Calling it 425, a product of 5,000,000 cans means that 11,700 tons of tomatoes were purchased by the canners in that State this year.— Farm, Field and Stockman. Thk Farmers' Review makes the following estimate of the potato crop for 1890: Average in Total bnehelt. yield. Illinois *.. 21 2,745,000 Indiana 27 1,718,000 Ohio 40 7,082,000 Kentucky 33 1,420,000 Missouri r. 20 1,942,000 lowa. 48 0,021,000 Kansas 21 2,401,000 Nebraska.. ; 27 1,796,000 Michigan. 84 0,544,000 Wisconsin 56 6,853,000 Minnesota. 77 4,953,000 Dakota.., 48 2,058,000 Total 4256 48,384,000 The crop in the other States and Territories will not propably exceed 73,796,000, making a grand total for 1890 of 233,701,000, and for 1888 of 216,646,000.

THE KITCHEN. . Oyster Fritter*. Make a batter of one cup of flour,halfteaspoonful baking powder, pinch salt, two eggs, one cup milk; dip each oyster in this batter and fry In hot lard, as for doughnuts. Drawn Rutter. Half teacup of butter; two tablespoonfuls of flour; rub all together and pour Into a pint of boiling water; add salt. Serve with boiled meats. Dinger Cookie*. One cup of molasses, one cup of sugar, one cup of bhtter, one toaspoonful salt, two dessert-spoonfuls ginger, one teaspoorjful soda, one-half cup warm water poured on soda, then put in molasses and stir well before putting in the other Ingredients. Buttrrmllk Muffin*. Beat hard two eggs into a quart o) buttermilk, stir in make a thick batter, about a quart, and lastly a teaspoonful of salt and tbe same of soda. Bake in a hot oven in well greased tins. Muffins of all kinds should Only be cub just round the edge, then pulled open with the fingers.'.