Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1876 — One Way of Enlivening Society. [ARTICLE]

One Way of Enlivening Society.

Early in the season—say in November —the owner of a cozy little home sent a note to families embracing thirty or forty of his friends—no more than his double rooms would seat comfortably—stating that he should be “a. home” Friday evenings, during the winter, from seven to eleven, and should be glad to have them come when they pleased, do as they pleased and go when they pleased. They were requested to come in without ringing, and soon learned to dispose of their wrappings and themselves without troubling any one. Trie rooms were brightly lighted, well warmed, and as much ventilated as our brainless system of house-building would admit of. There were tables for those who wished to play cards, or other games; an open piano and music for the mtisically-inclined; books, magazines and papers strewn about; easy chairs around the fire for story-tellers or visitors. No “refreshments” were served, but in one corner was a table with apples and popped corn, or walnuts and raisins, candy—or, on especially cold nighta, an urn of coffee and a. plate of doughnuts—to which all were invited to help themselves, or others, as they wanted. Husbands, wives or young people came alone or together, as was convenient; stayed according to their pleasure; did as they wished, and went, as they came, without more ceremony than a cheery “goodnight.” The meetings were called “ Informal,” and whether the number in attendance were ten or forty made no difference, for there was no expense or special trouble of preparation. It was proposed to have them rotate; but the objection was held valid, that by so doing there would always be with some an uncertainty as to the place of meeting; rivalries in “entertainment” would Creep in; dress, ing up would come to he thought essential; and so the characteristic charm of the gatherings be dispelled. They, therefore, continued as they begun, and were efficient in killing off, for those concerned, at least, the old stand-up parties, on one side, and preventing a social stagnation on the other.—Golden ißule.

Potatoes and all vegetables, in place of boiling, should be cooked by steam, else they must be more or less watersoaked. The simplest and cheapest steamer is easily had by having a steamer made to fit the large iron kettle that every kitchen has. The steamer, of tin, made to fit the kettle, the sides fitting down, say one inch, a snug, perfect fit; one inch from this rim is a bottom with boles cut in it; half an inch in diameter and one inch apart. The steamer, like a basin with straight or perpendicular sides, nine inches deep, a tin cover to fit perfectly tight, the cover made to run up higher in the middle two or three inches. 'This steamer can be made for $1.50, probably. When stewing fruit, put it in an earthen dish ; set dish and all in the steamer. The fruit then does not waste its flavor as when stewed with water. Steam puddings, instead of boiling, if you would retain the flavor.— Xxporitnced Hotudceeptr.. Thk gross earnings of the Central. Pacific Railroad for September were $1,886,000, and for the first nine months of the year $13,148,200, against $10,305,200 for the corresponding nine months of 1874. The business of the road has been steadily Increasing every since its completion, in 1868. Among the homelees poor of New York are 40,000 vagrant children.