Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1882 — Page 6

AN IMPROVED RAIL WAY-STATION

Ac encouraging sign of the tunas i* the interest whkfil has been manifested of late by otar railroad - officials in the appearance of the stations on their lines. Many of these buildings and surroundings, -which were formerly ‘eyesores, have been so beautified by the judicious expenditure of some thought and a little money that they now land an added charm to the landscape, and were t hey to be removed they would be missed with regret * «; , I had occasion lately to visit one of these recently-improved stations. The natural surface of the ground rose rapidly in the rear of H the building, and along the edge of the great rock mass cut through just here by t£ie railroad gurgled a small, tumbling Till across the road, under a board or two. Except just above the station, where everything had been thoroughly cleared away, bits of rock abounded, and these had been utilized in a picturesque manner. Immediately around the station ran a car-riage-road with an oval circuit for turning. On one end of this circuit, near the station, was a weeping beech, and the other extremity was occupied by n group of flowering shrubs that, although too-freshly planted to blossom that year, already impressed the eye as an attractive mass of bright green foliage. Here and there, near the house, were planted pleasant shade-trees, such as the linden, oak apd maple. It should be remembered that by thus planting large shade-trees the architectural effect of the building was greatly enhanced, because the side toward the railroad, which is the true front, was uninterfered with. Passing mention is made of this, because objection might otherwise be fairly raised to shutting in the building with trees. The entire work had been completed rapidly, but with evident thoroughness. Rich, well-tilled soil had been seemed, and the paths were solid and properly constructed. All the edges of the walks were bordered by cut sods, and remaining ground was sewed with grass-seed that, by the good luck that sometimes accompanies good management, had come up evenly. A single path wound through the small domain, carried hither and thither so as to obtain the best views of the river near by, as well as the utmost variety of surface. It was surprising how large the place seemed aq one rambled over this undulating path. The matter of-fact visitor was even betrayed into the expression that it was as good in it» way as anything in Central Park. - Scribner.

OUR NEWSPAPERS.

Oar English critics, while admitting the enterprise oi oar journals, and that they present the news of the day in a thorough and attractive shape, are disposed to find fault with the editorial comments' that are made upon men and measures. They say that the entertaining way in which news and gossip are discussed have drawn people away from solid intellectual reading. It is Unfortunately true that the system of free general instruction in this country has not produced a race of book-readers. Among the well-to-do middle class, which includes the young and enterprising merchants in our large cities, not one in ten reads a book—with the exception, possibly, of a novel—from one year’s end to another. They depend solely upon newspapers for instruction of all kinds. And yet this is the class upon whose energy, honesty and enlightenment the future welfare of our country rests. The antidote for this evil should be found in the newspapers themselves. If they have suoh a hold upon the minds of the people, so that they no longer care for other mediums of knowledge, they will be in time, if they are not now, in a condition to supply their readers with the solid mental food needed to maintain intellectual health. Those who have paid much attention to this subject must be aware that so ms advance in this direction has been made already. Able and thoughtful articles appear in all our leading journals from week to week. More than this, evident pains is taken to present to the reader the latest results of scientific research. No doubt there is a great deal of the superficial in these presentations, but this is a trouble that time can cure. If the newspaper is supplanting the book, it is trying to make good its loss. Scene at Continental kursaal: English party at card table—“ Hello, wo are two to two.” English party at opposite table—“We are two to two, too.” O'er man spectator, Mho “speaks English," to companion who is acquiring the language—“ Veil, now you see how dis is. Off you want to gife expression to yourself in English all you have to do is to Way mit dor French horn!”

TACT AND GOOD HUMOR.

Few Europeans have had such an influence over savage African/as Dr. Livingstone. Qe seemed to oast a spell over them, whioh they did not care to break. It was, the spell of a good, man, gifted whin common sense and a knowledge of human nature. He had at playful way of dealing with the natives which put them in good humor and at their ease with him. Such was his faith in the power of humor that he used to say: “ I am never afraid of a man who has a hearty laugh. ” ~ Gooc| feeling, goqd manners and patient continuance in well-doing were tlie meaus by which he acquired an influence over these savages. Onbe, while journeying, the oxen fell sick, and all the party had to walk. Certain natives, having just joined the party, were iguorant that the doctor understood their language. He overheard them discussing his appearance and power of endurance. “Ho is not strong,” they said ; “he w quite slim, and only appears stout because he puts himself into those bags (trousers). He will soon knock up.” The conversation caused the doctor’s Scotch blood to rise, so that for days no, being in the advance, kept them at the top of their speed. After he heard them expressing a proper respect for bis walking power, he moderated his I >ace. Instinctively, the natives, many of them, seemed to know that they might trust the genial missionary. Once, when raveling in South America, he found a little girl sitting under his wagon. She had run away from a family who had taken possession of her, as she had no relatives. As they were determined to sell her, as soon as she was old enough for a wife, she, not fancying it, came to the good white man. Before long, he heard her Bobbing violently. A man, with a gun, had been sent after her, and he stood demanding that she should return with him. The doctor would not give her up. but stripping off the beads, with which she had been loaded to make her more attractive, he gave them to the man and sent him away. “ Though fifty men had come for her,” he wrote, “they would not have got her.” The incident was a prophecy of Liv • ingstone’s future efforts to break up the terrible slave trade of Africa.

JOURNALISM ONE HUNDRED AND FIETY YEARS AGO.

The Hamburger Correspondent, one of the largest and most widely circulated German newspapers, not long ago celebrated its 150th anniversary. The proprietors published on this occasion a memorial number of 200 pages, giving literal reprints of some of the most interesting numbers. The accession of Frederick the Great, tho principal ovents of his wars against the united cowers of Europe, are recounted. The revolution by which Catharine came to the throne, wading through pools of blood, inoluding that of her husband, is given with comical reserve. The number of Feb. 5, 1793, contains a most pathetic account of the execution of Louis XVI., which ends with the pleasant news that “exchange on Hamburg is 72 and steady.” When Napoleon ruled over Germany, the old respectable journal, then already nearly 80 years old, became Journal Oftlciel du Department des Douches de VElbe. Under this regime the number of the 16th of November, 1813, contains the official account of the battle of Leipzio, twentynine days after the event The official account says that Napoleon had won the battle, but retired to Erfurt for “ strategetical reasons.” Among the contributions to the feuilleton are Schiller, Letsing and Herr Goethe, “who is the well educated and talenlod son of the fiigh-bom, most respectable, most worthy Herr Senator Goethe, of the free city of Frankfort. ” Heine was a frequent or. tributor. A han may work twblve hours a day V>r fifteen years on a morning newspaper without taking a vacation for tho benefit of his health; but should the same man get a position in one of tho Government departments at Washington, w here they oommenoe work at 9 o’clock a. m., and quit at 8 p. m., in less than a year he would be so “ overworked” and worn out that he would want a six-weeks’ holiday to recuperate. It must be in the drinking water.—Norristown Herald. ♦, * —" 1 ■ 1 So mr men have hard luck. A Boston irtist painted a picture of bullfrog it iving a spasm in a pot of red paint, i.::d the critics pronounced it a finejcopv of Turner’s great painting, “The Slavo •Ship.”— Boston Post.

DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

> Breakfast Cake. —One quart of floor, two eggs, two cups of milk, two teaspoonfuls cream tartar, ofie teaspoonful soda, half a cup of sugar, a little salt. Floc* Mrarrws.—One pint of milk, one egg, three-fourth* cup of sugar, two spoonfuls yeast, scant half cup of butter; mix a little thicker than griddle cakes and rise over night. Graham Muffins. —One egg, one spoon of butter, one spoon of sugar, one cup of milk, stir together; one teaspoon of goda, two of cream tartar, Graham Hour to make a stiff batter. &old Oaks.—Telks of four eggs, one cup Of sugar, one-half cup of butter, one-half enp of milk, two cups of flour, one-half teaspoon of soda, one teaspoon of cream tartar, citron and currents. Potted Haw.—Take any remains of ham yon have ; even fried, if of a nice quality, is good for th* purpose; take away all stringy parts, sinew or gristle; put in a slow oven with its weight of butter ; let it stsj macerating in the batter till it is very tender, then heat it in a mortar; add cayenne, and pack in pots. Oat-meal Cakes. —Place one pound of oat-meal in a bowl; in one pint of boiling water drop about half an ounce of butter or salted lard ; pour this boiling over the meal, stirring it as quickly as possible into a dough ; turn -nit on to u bread board ; roll it until as thin as it can be and hold together; cut into small, round cakes and bake on a griddle, first one Bide and then the other.

Meat Jelly. —We have found the following jelly excellent and nutritious when given to an invalid, the receipt coming from the doctor : One calfs foot find one pound of veal; tins is put in lour pints of water and boiled very slowly for fully five hours; when the water was reduced to one-third it was strained, the seasoning of a little pepper and salt and nutmeg being added last. This keeps quite well. It should have no vegetables in it or it wiil spoil. To Stew Fish. — Cut vour fish into pieces: flour and fry it a light brown ; cut an onion into ringlets and fry it also; put all into a pot, adding as much water as will just cover H ; season with salt, pepper, mace, a very few cloves, sweet marjoram, and parsley; dredge sufficient flour to thicken the gravy; when nearly done put in a cupful of walnut or mushroom catchup ; chop some of the fish and make balls exactly as you would forcemeat ; it is a great improvement; let it stew gradually until done; serve in a deep dish; when eold the sauce is a perfect jelly. Orange Marmalade Podding.— One cupful of fine bread crumbs, one-half cupful sugar, one cupful of milk or ■•ream, four eggs, two teaspoonfuls of butter, one cupful orange, or other sweet, marmalade; rub the butter and ugar together; add the yelks, well beaten, the milk, bread crumbs and the whites whipped to a froth ; put a layer of this in tho bottom of a well-buttered mold, spread thickly with some pretty stiff marmalade—orange is nicest—then another layer of the mixture, and so on until the mold is full, having the custard mixed on top; bake in a moderate oven about an hour;/ turn out of the mold upon a dish, and serve with sweetened cream or custard.

WILBERFORCES TACT.

A new church was about to be opened by the Bishop, and a number of the neighboring clergy were invited to be present at the ceremony. Arrangements had been made for the clergy to walk into the church in procession in surplices, the Bishop last. The procession was formed, all was ready, when the reotor came to the Bishop, saying : “AH will be spoiled ; two clergy are come in black gowns; they declare they will wear them in the procession. They are come for the purpose of openly showing their evangelical principles.” The Bishop replied : “All will be well; they will go in surplices.” The rector assured the Bishop that this was impossible, and that any remonstrance he might make would only cause a disturbance. The Bishop, after again reassuring the rector, said to the clergy, who were formed two and two: “Gentlemen, are you ready? ” and, receiving & reply in the affirmative, he stepped along the rank, and accosted the first black-gowned clergyman with, “ Good morning, Mr. ; will you have the kindness to read the first lesson for us this morning ? ” Then, passing to the second, he made the request that he would read the second lesson. The two fled to find surplices, and the pro cession went into churoh with the two clergy clad as the others. A writer on physiognomy would to know “if large ears denote a miserly disposition, why it is that a mule * so apt to squander his hind legs ?”

FARM NOTES.

Cucumbers may drop from the vines on account of too much moisture, or too much sap from a rank growth when grown on too-rich soil Sandy land is best for them. To prevent too, much moisture raise the hill, like a mound, so that the roots will be above the level oi the surface, and will be well drained. Plaster is a good fertilizer and keeps ofl insects. So long as the American people prize sugar sweet-cakes, and the New York hotels consume 1,800,000 chickens and poultry and 5,300,000 eggs every week, the poultry business in this cofin try will remain 1 a good one. Give your fowls warm, clean houses, and dry, grassy runs, if yon would have them clear of roup and canker. And feed them regularly with good, nourishing food, if you would have them free from disease, lay more eggs and be more profitable every day. A correspondent of the New York Tribune remarks: “ When we know what the future will require, it is wise economy to provide for it. Ten years hence “not less than 20,000,000 railroad tics will be needed annually. Fence posts by the million will be wanted; while the immense consumption of lumber of all kinds will be largely increased. The farmers should provide for this certain demand of the future. When once started, unlike most other things, forest trees will take care of themselves. Here is an investment with a sure profit. There millions of acres of rough land, hillsides, and untillable spots, which could be clothed with forest trees growing into money.” Eaklt Sweet Corn. —A‘n intelligent farmer says: “I prefer the Minnesota to any sweet sort I have yet trjed, because the stalks grow about five feet high. It is an abundant producer and the ears are larger and have larger kernels on them than any other of the earliest kinds. Ido not like the dwarf sorts, the stalks of which scarcely grow above three feet high. The ears of such are so small as to be scarcely worth cooking, and if they come a few days earlier than Minnesota, Concord and others, this does not compensate me for the diminutive size. In the opinion of the Weekly Herald, the early Minnesota is the best and greatest early com. Perhaps it is no better in quality than the Narragan sett, but in our neighborhood it makes a surer crop. It is a light, delicious corn, and, of course, to market gardeners who know all about it there is no use of talking. It is the best early corn to plant.

Weaning Colts.—A little skimmed milk may be given with advantage at this period, especially if the colt is not in good condition, but clean, sound oat*, ground or unground, constitutes the best of all grain foods for the colt. Wo prefer to have them ground, and, as cold weather approaches, we would add about one-fourth in weight of corn meal, which helps to lay on fat and keeps up the animal heat. A little oil meal —say a pint a day—may also profitably be given with the oats for a few months after weaning. Don’t be afraid of feeding too liberally. More colts are injured the first six months after weaning by too scanty an allowance of food than from the opposite extreme. By all means see that the colt has ample opportunity to romp and play. If you keep him up in a close box and feed him highly you will ruin him; but let him have a chance to race through the fields and pasture—and grass, by the way, is the best of all foods for colts—and then there will be little danger of injury from overfeeding.— National Live Stock Journal. To Preserve Meat. —Secretary Gold gave the following recipes at the Williinantic meeting of the State Board of Agriculture: “Beef should not be allowed to freeze. Salting should be deferred until the meat is ripe. The fat of pork only should be salted, the lean should be used for sausage meat. Pack Professor (to student who writes, not for the masses, but for the educated few): “ You should write so that the most ignorant of your audience can understand all you can say.” Student (puzzled): “ What part of my production is not dear to you, sir ? ” The man who stepped out “to see a man” four times during a five-aot play at the theater, and on each occasion returned with an aromatic breath, did not understand why he was called a fourleave clover. “What,” asked the teacher, “was the greatest obstacle Washington encountered in crossing the' Delaware?*’ And the smart bad boy thought lor a minute, and then made answer, “ The toll-man.”

SOMETHING IN A NAME.

A Hungarian gentleman, C. G a, occupying a prominent official position in an association of his countrymen in San Francisco, relates an amusing story d a singular contretemps attending his debnt in this city. His first name is Cornelius, which in Hungarian is spelled ComeL Like any business man and stranger, he found frequent necessity after his arrival in the city to act as his own master of ceremonies, and introduce himself, which he did after the foreign custom, stating his name in full, without any prefix of Mr. or Herr. He was astounded at the free-and-easy manner which characterized Americans. ‘‘'Cornel G--W’ he would say, on encoufitering ayfetranger, perhaps the father of a family. “Ah, Cornel G s,” would be the genial response, “happy to make your acquaintance; Cornel, ladies, Gomel G s,” and the bold California girls would take up the refrain and address him as familiarly by his Christian name as if he had been their brother. Sometimes inquiries were made which perplexed him, *‘ Did you participate in the late war between France and Germany, Cornel?” “No, sir.” “Ah! In what companies have yon served?” “In none, sir. I have never been a soldier.” The confused expression of his interlocutor and giggles from mischievous young ladies only served to mystify him more and more. At last he grew offended—indignant. One of his new acquaintances—an elderly gentleman of considerable dignity—met him on the street and hailed him loudly: “ How are you to-day, Cornel ?” “ How are you to-day, Johnnie ?” returned the irate Hungarian gentleman. The old gentleman looked murderous at this affront. “How dare you call me Johnnie, sir?” “How dare you call mo Cornel?” Explanations ensued, and when it transpired that the name had been naturally mistaken for the soubriquet of “Colonel” both parties had a hearty laugh and shook hands over the mistake, but the foreigner now resolutely writes and pronounces his name with an initial only before it.— Man Francisco Chronicle.

REGRET.

Ah, how sad and vain a thing is regret, when, too late, some past wrongdoing will burden the memory, and the bitter truth we tried to veil, even from our •wn hearts, is revealed in all its undisguise. Who has not to repent some slight, thoughtless omission of kindness toward those they love ? Perhaps ’twas only an unanswered letter ; but the days went by, and matters of more pressing importance crowded out that trifle, or, in gathering the gay summer’s blossoms, one poor little faded floweret was flung aside unregarded. “ And I never wrote again!” will be the reflection, should death clasp your friend’s warm hand within his icy grasp; and you read again that neglected letter, and every kindly word will breathe a silent yet a keen reproach. But what even is that regret to the anguish of having parted from a friend—perhaps our best beloved—with unkind and cruel words ? It may have been those words were uttered carelessly, lightly, as the wild and wanton breeze sweeps by; but they leave a pain, as the breeze left some scattered rose-leaves to mark its track. Or it may have been they were purposely spoken, prompted by pride, and passion, and imagined wrong. Such has been an episode in many a life. The cause we know not, any more than that of the little fragment from which we quote, whose actors and whose story are alike unknown. But what a fitting place and time was that for such a parting! By the seething main, * While the dark wrack drives overhead. ♦ And one is drifted out into the mist and storm—the other, left to mourn the embittered past, pleading from the far spirit-land for that forgiveness earth cannot acoord. Politeness costs nothing, and that is me reason why so many people bestow milling else on their chance acquaintances. Teacher : “ What are the principal races of men# ” Smart boy at the foot of the class : “Go as you please, mum." It was Pope who said : “An obstin* ate man does not hold opinions. He i a field by them.” A Connecticut woman presented her son with a bed quilt made of hair cut from her own head. It will go down to posterity an a family heirloom. The Carson Appeal solemnly affirmthat a Nevada florist has a sunflow, i which is fifteen inches in dianioter, or nearly four feet in circumference. Detroit has fifty-five William and only forty-nine John Smiths.