Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1891 — THE HOUSEHOLD. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE HOUSEHOLD.

Wall-Fockot lor Magazine*.

TO make the articlo represented in the engraving, procure a board twenty-one inches long and ten wide; have it sawed to tho shape shown In the illustration, and cover with some pretty dark cloth or cretonne. Take two bands of ribbon each twenty-four inches long; or, if preferred, two bands of the material used. Embroider and tack them on the board, as shown In the engraving, being careful to leave the ribbon full enoughto slip tho pa-

pers between it and tho board. Place a screw-eye at the top of tho board to secure it to the wall and finish, tho ribbon ends with a small tassel. It is both serviceable aud pretty. —American A'jrlculturlut. Gruol* lor tho Sick. Those simple foods, tho base of which is usually some one of the grains, play an important part in tho dietary for the sick, if properly made; but the sloppy messes sometimes termed gruel, the chief merits of which appear to be that they aro “prepared In ten minutes,” are scarcely better than nothing at all. Like all other dishes prepared from the grains, gruel neods a long, continuous cooking. They should, when done, be the very essence of the grain, possessing all its nutritive qualities, but in such form as to be readily assimilated. In th(! preparation of gruel, a scrupulously clean double boiler or stewpan Is of tho first importance. It is a good plaq in every household to reserve one or two cooking utensils purposely for the preparation of gruels and other delicate food, and iMbc obliged to <Jcpcn£ upojj those in daily tfStf, a* utensils used Tor the Cooking of fruits, vegetables, meats, etc., unless* cleaned with the utmost care, will sometimes Impart a sufficiently unpleasant flavor to the gruel to render It wholly unpalatable to an Inavlid whose senses are, preternaturally acute. If it Is desirable to strain tho gruel before serving, have a hair solve of a size to stand conveniently within a large howl or basin, turn the gruol into this, and with a wooden or silver spoon rub it through the sieve. Have a second clean wooden or silver spoon if necessary, to remove that which hangs beneath the sieve. On no account use tho first spoon for the latter operation, as by so doing one Is apt to get some of the grain Into the gruel, and destroy its smoothness. When as much of the gruel as possible has been rubbed through the sieve, turn the strained liquor into a clean saucepan, reheat to boiling, and season as desired before serving.

Hints to Houitokeoper*. Use newspapers to polish windows and mirrows. Ik the surface of fine wood cabinets has grown dull go over it with a very little linseed oil on a soft woolen rags. Paint on windows can, it is said, bo removed by melting .some soda in very hot water and washing them with it, ussing a soft flannel. A few drops of ammonia in a cup of rain-water, carefully applied with a wet sponge, will remove the spots from paintings and chromos. To prevent flies from spoiling gilt frames and fittings, brush them with a camel’s hair brush wet in water in which onions have been boiled. Plaster busts and statuettes may be cleaned, when it is not desired to paint them, by dipping them in thick liquid starch and drying, and when the starch is brushed off the dirt is brushed off with it. We all know how soon cheese dries up and is unfit for the table, but this same waste cheese can be made as good as new, and very nice liking, by grating it fine on a horseradish grater. Prepare only as much as is needed for immediate msc, and you will find it good enough for anybody. Warm bread or cake can be cut without becoming moist and heavy, if the knife, a thin, sharp one, is dipped into boiling water, wiped quickly, and the bread cut immediately, before the knife has time to cool. A napkin should be laid double on the plate where the warm slices are laid.