Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 October 1891 — Page 5

DOUBLE DICK AND JOE; The Poorhouse Waifs.

BY DAVID LOWRY.

CHAPTER XXll—Continued. “I—l would never mentioned It —but it’s the only way out of this scrape. They’ll take you, sure." “They never will,” said Joe resolutely. Then she pondered, hanging her head. The poor child had no more conception of what marriage was than a babe. She knew people, who lived in houses and had servants and children were married people—what made the difference between tho bachelor and the head of a house—between a maid, wife, or widow, she did not know.” At last she looked up smilingly and aald, “You are my friend. You mean you will marry me; then we can laugh at them. ” “That’s it, exactly,” said Jenks. “I’ll agree—if you can be sure you can marry me. I don't know how —how to get married. ” “Why, 111 explain all that to you. You see, all we've got to do is to go before an alderman, or no ary—or bring one in here slyly—or a preacher, and he asks us if we are ready to marry each other, and if we say yes he tells us that we are married, that's all. ” “But how can we ever manage that?” “O,” said the lawyer s clerk, “you trust me to manage it. I’ll tell them you won’t make any trouble, that you’ve found out there's no use; but you want to see a friend before you go away. Then I’ll go to a notary I know—there's lots of notaries lawyers—and tell him just how it is. He'll come and marry us and give me a certificate. I’ll flirt that in their sac you and I can go. They’ll see the jig’s up, and won’t they be disgusted!” “Very well, Mr. Piattv,” said Joe, very soberly; “you can do just as you have said, and I’ll never forget you as long as I live.”

“Then I’ll go—the sooner the better,” said Ike Jenks, with a smile as he hastened away. When ho re-entered the adjoining room, there was a louder burst of merriment than usual, but Joe paid no attention to it. She was thinking how angry Zeke Caper would be when he discovered he could not take her back to Barnesvtlle Poorhouse. She was absorbed in thought so deeply that she did not observe the door of the room she was in opening. Her attention was drawn to it by a peculiar sound. Joe turned quickly as a hand was withdrawn; at the same instant something tell on the floor at her feet. She turned swiftly and picked up a ball of paper. It was pressed together, as if it had been held closely betweon a person’s hands. Joe unfolded it rapidly with trembling hands, and ho!ding it near the light read: “You are all right. Don’t fret. Friends are near. Don’t do anything, nor say a word. Trust to Dick. ”

When Joe read this she gave a little cry of joy. Then she recalled Ike Jenks’ warning. What could all the friends do for her? Caper could take her back to Barnesviile, spite of them. And yet, it was comforting to know that Dick was near. Dick! Dear Dick! What did it mean? How did they find where she was? And what hand was it tossed the paper to her? These were the Questions that puzzled poor Joe’s brain, as she concealed the note, and composed herself to reflect upon her strange experience. Meanwhile tho lawyer’s clerk was enjoying the situation he had created. Wasn’t he smart, he asked himself. How his uncle would fume and swear. How everybody would applaud his adroitness when the story came out? Why, it was better than any p'ay he had ever seen, and—well, he’d seen all of ’em, had the smart lawyer's clerk. Why, it would make a column story in the papers. To bo sure, it would—nothing less. And her likeness was sure to be in all tho pap ers —y es > and so would his. But he'd take precious good care somebody paid him handsomely to talk. Whew! A thought struck him. Why, he would write the story out himself, and sell it to the most enterprising newspaper. Why, there was oceans of money—and no end of notoriety in the scheme that Ike was working out rapidly. Ike's friends were not taken wholly into his confidence. Ike was “not that kind of a hairpin.” Oh, no! He told them all he thought necessary. They would pretend to be duped by him; they would let the notary come in—“a real notary, and no humbug about it.” Ike said there would be a reajfcwedding, and by and by, when he had'ms money, he would give them a hundred dollars apiece, “and such a lay-out as would make their mouths water every time they thought of it as long as they lived. ” Now he was really off for a notary who would be taken into his confidence “just a little bit,” enough to induce him to take a nice fee for marrying them. “Oh, everything is working lovely!” said the precious clerk, as he darted off in quest of the notary. “Won’t I give New York something to talk about—yes, and old England, too; won’t I before I’m a week older!”

CHAPTER XX 111. DOUBLE DICK’S DETECTIVE WORK. I will return to Dick, now, and note his movements, since so much depends upon them. Dick realizod the difficulties in the way, but his experience had sharpened him. He knew human nature. He yeas honest, direct, unaffected. He made friends and retained them. The boy reasoned thus: “As long as I do what’s right I need never be ashamed. And why should I ever be afraid?” Very simple It looks like a short creed, but it was all Dick had to guide him. It must have been printed on his face, for nobody questioned his statements. His manner was so direct and straightforward, it impressed everybody favorably. Besides, he had a peculiar way of attracting boys. They took to him instinctively. Dick seemed to realize his power over boys of all ages. He resolved to test it now. He accosted a lad near Monsieur Dufaur's immediately after he left the door. The boy was very well dressed. He was, it was clear, a rich man's son.

•Excuse me," said Dick politely, accosting the well-dressed lad, “Do yon live in this neighborhood?” “Yes; just round the comer. • "Do you know Monsieur and Madame Dufaur?” “O, well enough to speak. ” “I want to do them a good turn, may be you can help me.” - Tho boy looked .at Dick curiously. The language was curious—good Samaritans and saints were scarce, and the well dressed boy was surprised to find one on tho market ready to be bid In. He felt like saying as much, but he listened. “I’ll tell you just how it is. One of their servants has lost herself —or somebody has carried her off—that’s all the story, but I know the servant, and I’d like to find out what has become of her. All I ask of you is—well, I’d like to know where the worst crowd of boys are to be found in this part of the city. If you’ll tell me that I’ll be obliged to you. You’ll know I’m telling you the truth—lt will be in the papers unless the girl comes back soon. ” “I didn’t think you was lying,” said the boy. “What do you want to do with a lot of thieves and jailbirds, eh?" “Why, if I can get some of them to talk, I may learn something. ” “That's a good idea, too. Well, I’ll tell you now how you’ll find out about the worst gang in the city. They are a bad lot. I know ’em. You go—see here—what’s your name?” “Dick—Richard, I suppose—my other name is Dick too —I’m called Double Dick sometimes.” The boy smiled. He “took” to Double Dick at once “Well, you go round to Mother Pitcher's little shop, you’ll find it next square. Near there you will see a lot of men loafing, that’s a livery. And around there you’ll see some boys. Say—if they ask you who you are—that Tom Gerald sent you. That’s all. They know mo —most of ’em. You can pump ’em then —and may be they will know something. There’s a second-hand store there—old Isaac's—you’ll see somebody in that block you are hunting.” “I’m obliged to you,” said Dick “You’re entirely welcome —what’s the servant's name?” “Joe.” “Just Joe?” “I don’t know her other name.” “Well, go round there —you’ll find some of the rascals —they’re always around, trying to see what they can stea.”

Dick thanked him and hurried away. The boy looked after him, saying to himself: “There’s a fellow that will fool whoever takes him for a greeny, and be has a kind of a fresh look, too. ” Dick resolved a plan as he left the boy. The mention of the second-hand clothing store gave him the germ of an idea, which he was working out. By the time he reached old Isaac’s, he had remarked two things. One was the suddenness with which he left elegant buildings at his back, and the rapidity with which evidence of a different life accumulated as he noted tho dingy buildings. Scarcely a hundred yards intervened—and here was wealth and elegance on one side and squalor, or at least poverty, on the other. Far away off to the left he observed an alley, and on the main thoroughfare was contracted; the houses, too, had a cramped appearance. He observed the second-hand store near at hand. There was a name—tho lettering was very dingy—the store dingier. 'He could not see through tho windows, they were so dirty. Dick entered boldly, The proprietor looked at him sharply. “I want to look at some old clothes — about my size.” “Ah—you want old clothes —I have no old clothes. ” “Well—some clothes that are not as bright as theso. ” “Oh—h! Yes —low in color. Why didn’t you say so. Step this way. ” Dick followed him to a little back room where Isaa : had hanging up, lying on boxes, and tossed everywhere in confusion, all sizes and stylos of old clothes. They were low enough in color, as Dick laughingly said to himself. There were pantaloons he would scarcely pick off the street —queer dented hats, caps, overcoats —a little of everything. “I needn’t waste time looking over these. ” “No waste of time—no trouble to show goods. ” “See here, sir, I want tho worst o!d clothes you've got, sir- Tho worst a boy my size can wear. I'll pay you for the loan of them—if you'll let me put them on here—and come back and change for my own again. ” “All right—just you rummage around back of them boxes. I’m pretty sure I put some boys’ clothes back there a week ago—he was an Irish boy. I’ll charge you a dollar for them so long do you want them?” “Until you close up tonight.” “That is two hours—you can rap on the door—l never go to bed till two. Well—you pay me now.” “Won’t it do when I come back? I’m leaving these good clothes until I come back, ain’t I?” The proprietor elevated his hands. “How cculd Ido lusiness that way? I would go to the poor hou e, sure." “Well, 1 It give you half a dollar now, and, yes, a dollar win n I come back, if you’ll promise not to mention my coming here.”

“Me? me mention it! Ha, ha, my boy, you don’t know old Isaac; you don’t know me. See here, my boy, I’m a poor man, a very poor man; but I’ll give you a hundred dollars, cash ir.o ey, if you can find one person in New York who wi 1 say Isaac ever mentions his customers.” Dick handed him a half dollar and speedily found a dirty pair of torn pant) and a jacket with frayed elbows and wrists. An o’d plush cap that almost fell over his ears was his next find. Then he was ready for the transformation he sp elily effected. As he emerged from the ta ;k room the proprietor started. “My, I would not know you. You will deceive your own father!” Dick smiled and hast* ned out and socn found the boys he had be ?n to!d he would see lounging in the neighborhood. Although he had never heard of the m thois pursued by detectives—had no knowledge of their arts—he was in a fair way to accomplish as fine a piece of detective work as tould be conceived. Accosting a rough-looking toy, larger than himself, he inquired if be wanted to “make a little money.” “Eh! What ye given me?” “I mean just what I say. I think I can tna'<e a trifle for both of us.” “Look here, Pete, ” said the boy addressed, hailing an associate near him. •Listen to the guff. ” •What is it?” “This here duffer’s a rollin’ in wealth, he is. Wants to divvy.” aean it,” said Dick.

"What d’ye mean?” demanded Peter aurlily. “Well, I can’t take you Into my confidence unless you both promise to keep it to yourselves * “O, that’s all right We ain’t goln’ round biowU*’ like brass-bands: are .we Tom?" “You bet" “Well, it’s Just tble. I want to find where Dufaur’s girl is." “Dufaur’s girl?” Tom looked at Pete and winked, and Pete stuck his tongue in his cheek as he winked at Tom. “Ax u 9 something easy. Maybe she’s sleeping in her little bed—or maybe she's sittln’ up with her feller—or maybe she’s at the theayter, or hasn't come home from the circus. There’s plenty of room for Imagination before you’re just precious sure whore any girl Is, and as for Dufaur's girl—es I wanted to know precious bad, do you know, young feller, what I’d do. I’d go round and ring the bell and ax at home.” “I see you don’t understand me, ” said Dick. “No, we are very slow of comprehension—me and Pete, here. ” “Maybe that will help you.” Dick quietly handed each a dollar note The change that came over the faces of the two worthies was rare to see. Their eyes saapped as they looked at the money and crammed the notes in their pockets. “He means biz, ” said Tom. . “I believe yer,” said Pete. “Now, young feller, fire away. I like your beginning first rate. ” “You'll like my ending, too—yes,” said Dick very deliberately, as he looked from one to the other with eyes that seemed to search their souls, “twenty times better, if you’ll dmply tell me how to go about what I want, or help me do what I want.” The boys whispered, and looked at the newcomer askance. They wore comparing impressions. Evidently they believed it was a paying thing to accept him at his word. “VVe 1, now, what is it?” “Just this,” said Dick shortly. “There’s a girl missing from Dufaur's In the next, block. ” “Yes, we know where it is. ” “Well, she has been missing over two hours. There is reason to think she has been carried off. If she has and there is anybody you two know who would do it—for big pay—if there is any place handy where they could hide her, you two ought to know just where it is. ” “I’m a listenin’. What d’ye think, Tom?”

“What do you think?” The worthies whispered. Then Tom demanded abruptly, “Do you know the gal—say, what does she look like —which of the gals Is It? There’s three or four at Dufaur's —Pete an’ me seed ’em often. ” “The girl I mean is small but very pretty, with very small, black eyebrows ” “Jet black?” “Yes, and a clear, white forehead.” “Dimples in her cheeks—shows very white teeth when she laughs?” “Exactly. ” “That’s the one, Tom—the one wo seed ” Here the boys whispered. “Well,” said Dick, coo ly, “you kuow who I mean. Now, you’ve seen some one talking to her —going with her?” “No. No matter; yoh’re off the lay altogether. See here, you’re not giving us guff. ” “ You may beliove mo or not These are old clothes I’m wearing just to keep people off the scent until I learn something. I’m not as poor as I look. I’ve got that much money myself, but there's others will give you all I’ve promised If you’ll only put me in tho way of finding where she is. I won’t ask cither of you to betray a friend.” “He talks right, Tom.” “Yes, them’s the right sentiments. Well, we—that Is, Tom and me—don't never go back on our friends. But there’s a dudo"comes round here who thinks he knows it all; and we’ve got it in for him, hain’t we, Tom. ” “A little—yes. ” “And if our guess is right, why maybe we can put you in a way to find the gal. ” The truth was that these boys bad witnessed the lawyer’s clerk rescuing Joe from the loafer's insults a few evenings before—and they marveled much at the scene, knowing how intimate the scoundrels were. They surmised at once that Ike Jenks had a hand in Joe’s abduction, and they knew where she would be conveyed, or Induced to go. And then, there was twenty dollars apiece for them. Four times the amount of money either evet had, at one time, to ca’l his own. It was a windfall —a little fortune, [to be continued.]

He Owed His Landlord a Grudge.

When Mr. Nagger got back from town Mrs. Nagger was practicing a song at the new piano her mother had given her. “Stop that screeching,” he snapped, throwing a folded slip of paper on the table, “and put that rent receipt away with the others.” “Our dearly beloved landlord wasn’t over-agreeable, I should judge,” remarked Mrs. Nagger, giving the inoffensive instrument a final bang and descending from a stagger at high C. “Naw,” growled Mr. Nagger, “he wasn’t. He said he’d fix that bathroom faucet when he got good and ready, and if we wanted screens so bad we could put ’em in ourselves and pay for ’em, too. He’s dead sore ’cause everybody but us moved out.” “I told you so. What can you expect of a landlord who raises the reni 60 per cent, on every flat in the building?’ “Of course you told me so; of course. You tell me everything you know, and more, too. Perhaps you can tell me if he’s rented any of his flats.” “lean.” “Then why don’t you ?" “He hasn’t. He brought in one man, though, to look at the flat below us, and nearly caught him.” „ “Bent too high, I ’spose. “He said it wasn’t.” “What then r “He found out you lived above, and said he knew you,” said Mrs. Nagger, demurely, thus Booring one on her lord and master. “He’ll not get a tenant this year,” saie Mr. Nagger, ignoring his wife’s delicate compliment. “How do you know?” asked Mrs. Nagger, trying not to laugh. “Because,” said Mr. Nagger, taking a long roll from his pocket, “I’ve brought you a dozes sew songs, Chicago Herald.

REAL RURAL READING

WILL BE FOUND IN THIS DEPARTMENT. The Barnyard, an Indispensable Division of the Average Farm—The Post Puller— General Farm Notes—The Dairy, Poul-try-Yard and Household. Tile Barnyard.

There is not a more indispensable division of the average farm than the barnv yard, and yet all \ will agree that \ there is hardly a 1 spot on those jjtl farms which sufI fers more from . L neglect than it Lw does. Fully oneWk third of the year the stock seldom '*'> go beyond this engg closure, and very ■K often find n o 2r shelter exc op t A what is afforded J by the straw

stack and tho sides of bufldings. It may bo impracticable to make a barnyard what It should bo without roofing it, nevertheless It can bo greatly improved. The barnyard should not be a basin to collect the water which falls upon tho outbuildings. Unless tho water from those buildings is needed for filling cisterns, it should bo carried away in drains. Such drains are very Important iu a level location for drying tho ground about tho premises, and Into theso tho water from the roofs should bo conducted. These are much better than open drains because they do not become obstructed. In this way the barnyard will be kept frem drawing water into It which falls beyond Its boundary. Tho watering trough is usuaMy located in one corner of the barnyard, and during tho winter the mud will bccomo so deep arouud it that stock cannot have access to it without difficulty, unless this is prevented by tho use of stone and gravel. The best way Is to pave the ground with small boulders. Those should be fr.om four to six Inches in length, and should bo placed on their ends and very closely together. After this a layer of smaller stones should be spread over it, and above this a coat of gravel. If irravei Is not available a few loads of surface clay will make a substitute. Perhaps It would bo advisable to construct a passage of the same material from the stable door to tho trough, hut make it higher than tho surrounding level It is % luxury to be able to lead a horse from his stall to water In all kinds of weather without getting one’s toots muddy. Tho barnyard should be surrounded by a wina-break of evergreens on the side toward the prevailing winds. Such a protection Is more necessary for open regions, but there Is scarcely a yard where stock must stand during tho day that will not be much more comfortable If such a break is provided. Less than a dozen Norway spruces will effect this purpose, if planted in tho njht place, and they will be ornamental as well as useful. The fencos around the barnyard should be built of postsand planks, and should not be loss than four and one half feet In height, and a greater height would be still better. This requires largo posts, which should be deeply set. If tho fence Is made high in this way a barb wire can be stretched abovo tho top plank with safety, and this will prcvpnt the animals from gnawing It and also check their propensity to push over it This will prevent rubbing against tho'fence, which in time is sure to push it from a perpendicular lino. A lump of rock salt should be kept In a trough in the barnyard, unless tho animals are freely salted in their stables. Pulling Old I’OMi Made Easy. Hook a log chain around tho post, near the ground; draw It over the top of an oak plank with a notch sawed in It, and a stout cleat spiked on each side to

prevent it from splitting. The Illustration explains it all. Hitch your team on ana you will never forget the “Short Cuts” post puller. This can also be used to pull underbrush, etc.—[Practical Farmer. General Farm Topic*. Keep the chickens dry. Keep your farm tools clean. Hf. who lies in a small way will cheat in a large one. Tue best cultivator gets the most out of a poor soil. The largest profit usually comes from what you do yourself. Cultivate no more land than you can attend to thoroughly. Have a tool house and keep your tools In it when they are not in use. Neveb worry over trouble. The trouble Itself is misery enough, when it comes. It is cheaper to educate the child than to maintain the future man as a clrminal or a pauper. The butter and milk product, from all breeds of cows may be increased by judicious feeding. Every farmer should take good care of the young swine now ( on hand and provide for a liberal increase the coming year. A practical cattleman is aB necessary to succeed in breeding as a practical grocer is to conducting his line of business. It is estimated that it requires fifteen million cows to supply the demand for milk and its products in the United States. To obtain the best results from work you must have wisdom, system, and method. The wise man systematically plans his work and methodically executes it. “Providence makes nothing to go to waste.” Whenever there is a temporary excess or lack of needed products, things were soon evened up by short crops er increased yields. The American Analyst says that there are #3,000,t00,000 invested in the dairy business in this country. The amount is

almost double the money Invested in banking and commercial Industries. It is a commendable idea to give to tho boys an interest in the colts, and in this way get them to spend their spare time in looking after the welfare of all the horses on the farm instead of trying to loaf at tho corner grocery. The dairy farmer should always reckon the value of the manure produced upon the profit side of his account Well fed dairy cows will yield a manure rich in fertilizing elements, and this should be employed in the production of such crop as will, with liberal fertilizing, give large money returns. It is not to bo expected that the milk of the natlvo cow will bo as rich as that of tho Jersey, but her yiold can be made greater, and with more protit by allowing her generous rations. The breod is important, and should perhaps, in most cases, rank first, but the food is a good second. In tho exchange of commodities a man must have something in hand to got something ho needs with. Money is generally acceptable to all classes in this exchange. To get tho money the man must produce something or have something. Whon he has that he can usually find.soipe one ready to gve him money for it. Strawberries, a comparatively easy product of tho soil, are, in their season, considered a luxury, and yet how few farmers’ families are in tho full enjoyment of them. If thero is ono blessing which tho farmer’s family should enjoy abovo all others it is the full and perfect enjoyment of all possible products of tho soil. Give horses water before feeding. In France some worthless horses were killed for dissection on purposo to determlno tho effect of giving water immediately after eating, and some of the grain was found undigested in tho intestines, twonty feet beyond tho stomach, and it had caused inflammation of tho mucous membrane. There is much in inhoritanco. Generations of improvod blood lines, in which the milk or fattening trait has been the point in view, can but count to the credit of pedigree cattle, as a rule. On tho other hand, neglocted common cattle whoso breeding has been at random cannot bo depended upon for propotoncy. Consequently a sire of tho future cattle should be a thoroughbred, eligible to registry. The welfare, tho health, the temperament, to say nothing of the happiness of the horse, are largely dependent on surroundings. Ho needs no bric-a-brac to amuso or entertain him, ho cares nothing for ornamentation. Hut ho does appreciate comfort and comfort does him good. And what does him good will in the end bo for tho good of his master.

Inferior products, injudicious marketing, the tendency to rush from ono line of production to another, are all important factors in fixing the price of farm products. The man who goes into hogs or another lino whon prices are up and drops out whon they aro low, is to be pitied, for ho is always overweighted, running a race in which ho Is bound to bo tho losor. No one should accept the absurd idea that a farmer needs no education to make a good farmer. I know that some people look dowu on farmers as being an over-workod, Illiterate and dishonorable class of men. This is largely duo to misrepresentation and misunderstanding. A well-to-do farmer says the way to avoid this is to oducato ourselves so universally and sciontlilcally that public opinion will be compelled to acknowledge our worth. The colt will learn more easily when 6 months old than when a year old. It can also be controlled moro easily. Hence it is wise to handle the colt early. Its early training should not stop with breaking the halter. It should bo handled until any part of its limbs can be rubbed; until it is accustomed to the bridle, and until it will drive as well as lead. To teach it all this and to kfeep it from forgetting.what it has learned is a little trouble, but if the colt is of good stock the trouble is well paid for.

THE DAIRY.

For Milkmen. Milkmen may increase their profits by the sale of ikne water. Fifty cents worth of lime will make a product that will sell for at least 95. “But,” says somebody, “what is it good for?” A knowledge of its usefulness Is not widespread. It ought to be, and milkmen are the ones who should naturally disseminate it. The use of lime water will have a tendency te Increase the value of milk. How often we hear it said, “I like milk. In fact I am very fond of it, but I can’t use it. It doesn’t agree with mo. It rises on my stomach or sours there so I taste it,” or “Milk distresses me after I have taken it.” Such persons should mix with the milk a tablespoonful of lime water to each glass of the lacteal fluid and they will have no more trouble, while they may indulge their full desires for the delicious food. It will sell at 10c per quart readily, to make it requires but a moment, it is as easily bottled as milk, and will keep indefinitely. In four quarts of pure, soft water place a piece of unslaked stone lime the size of a small hen’s egg. Cover the liquid to keep out dust and let it stand for twelve hours. Then draw of the clear, sparkling water after skimming from its surface any scum that has risen and fill neat half-pint and quart bottles, corking them immediately. The lime in the bottom of the large vessel should not be disturbed. Such bottles cost but little by the gross and may be collected and filled the second or third time.—[Farm and Home.

Some Figure to Think About

Last year the country exported 9,000,000 pounds of butter and we received 17%c per pound for it and then had to pay the freight and all other expenses out of that. Denmark sent 200,000,000 pounds to the same markets and was paid 26%c per pound for It. We used 300,000 pounds of butter for soap greese in this country because it was too poor to be eaten. New York State alone used up 9900,000 worth of hay in feeding cows to warm barnyaras during the daytime. As mnch more good hay was as good as wasted in feeding dry cows that should have been maklug 30c butter. The loss of alternate freezing and thawing, drying and soaking of cows in the winter time to make them hardy and strong connot be ertimated. Now is .it not about time that this foolishness of our grandfathers was stopped and that we accept the new gospel and follow dairying with common sense. The new principles and advanced thoughts in dairying are to be accepted and practiced by all, and that is what they were studied out for. The dairyman must

dairy tt the year round and stop going into winter quarters to oat up what waa made id the summer.—[Col. F. D. Curtis, Before the New York Dairyman’s Association.

THE POULTRY YARD.

Poultry Profit*. Give a hen proper care and a good market for her products and the possibilities of her increased usefulness will bo marvelously surprising to those who - have scarcely credited her with earning her food and shelter. In a flock selected and cared for so as to produce 160 eggs per year, one-half of these during the cold season, setting the average winter price at 30 cents and summer price at 12% cents, tho income ought to be about $2 per hen per year. To secure winter eggs hens must be carefully sheltered, which reliable authority states can be done at an expense of 81 per hen. The interest on this will bo about 6 cents per hen for the first year. If we are genorous and allow 81 per year for foed, interest on shelter, wear and tear and risk, we still have 81 per year not profit per hen. This certainly ought to satisfy any ono for the necessary trouble of looking after a flock ofjfifty to 100,and addition of this amount to the annual income would add many comforts to tho home and ought not to be neglected. »•« Laying Type. And now we have tho egg-laying type of hens. We have had a full discussion of the milk and typo of cows, tho trotting and draft typo of horses and different types of othor animals. The long and short of the whole thing is that "an animal taking after a given type is supposed to be better adapted for tho purpose which that type is supposod to represent J. D. Tompkins, a well-known breeder of Silver Wyandots, tolls in the Fanciers' Journal what ho thinks should be the shape of the Idoal laying hen. He says to avoid long necks and legs, for they are not as good for laying or for the tablo as those having shorter necks and logs. The ideal hen should havo a broad, deep, round body of moderate length, but should not bo too chunky. The thoroughbred poultry industry is beginning to receive a good deal of morlted attention and in a few years American poultry will be sought for the sanjp as are American trotting horses. If breeders will select a type and stick to it, they will greatly improve the breed and get a class of birds that will bring 810 to 835 where they now sell for 83 a mongrel thoroughbred of unknown brooding. Feed for Egg*. An egg is largely nitrogenous. Tne white is albumen, tho yolk contains phosphoric acid and mineral substance and the shell is composed mostly of lime. Tho hen Is a small animal. Eggs are not a mlraculoUfe dispensation, as they come from the food a hen gets and converts into egg, the same as any atiimal converts its food into products. Corn alone is not a suitable food for tho production of eggs, as it does not possess enough of tho constituents to make eggs. Hens fed on such food will got fat Hons, like every other animal, must have coarse food to distend the stomach and bowels and for this purpose cut clovor bay and cabbage are largely fed by many. These also contain material to make eggs. Sklmmilk is also just the thing for an egg food. To got eggs, food hens to produce eggs.—[Col. F. D. Curtis, Kirby Homestead, N. Y.

THE HOUSEHOLD.

Ironing Collut* anil Shirts. We suppose that clothes have boon properly washed and starched—which is not always true,.we aro sorry to.noto. Take one article at a time and lay it on a clean white ironing board. See that your hands aro immaculate and your irons clean; rub the latter on brown paper and a bit of beeswax, then on a clean rag. If your polisher Is at the right heat it will only take a few firm rubs up and down on cacn side to make you feel proud of your collars and cuffs. The shirt-bosoms aro drawn out smoothly on a bosom board, after ironing tho sleeves and tail, also the neck and wristbands. Now grasp tho neck with your left hand and slide, as it were, your iron up the middle, sending all the wrinkles to the sides Instead of to the top or bottom. Press firmly, curve around the neckband so that It will stand, put a pin In to preserve its shape, fold and your work is done. Don’t bo discouraged by your first failure; the results are worth the trials, and you will soon find yourself able to accomplish satisfactory success. You will find that your husband, father or brother will soon stop taking part of each week’s wash to John Chinaman or tho steam laundry and will take pride in their linen, as white as snow and as stiff as ivory—the result of your handiwork.—[M. A Home-Made Bustle Chair. “What a protty chair!” exclaimed a visitor, as she noticed on Mrs. M *s veranda a rustic seat that had been fashioned with considerable skill. “Is it not?” said her hostess, “and I am very proud of it, for my little boy of 11 made the frame quite alone, and his small sister embroidered those falling

leaves on the canvas. The design Is her own, and she copied the leaves from nature, so the whole thing looks quite ‘woodsy’ as the children expressed It. They made it for my birthday and I never saw it until it was finished.” “We made three before we got one right,” added the boy who stood by, well pleased to have his work admired. “The prettiest sticks are apt to be decayed and It was not until I cut down some young, strong sapplings that I made a seat strong enough to bear any one’s weight. ” —[Farm and Home Household Hints. Half a lemon dipped in salt will do all the work of oxalic acid in cleaning copper boilers, brass teakettles and other copper or brass utensils.