University of South Carolina Libraries
Bit. TALMA WS SEUMQN: Ruinous Company. - "A. companion ot toola shall bo dostroycd." I??tdyv, 13: ?). .'May lt pleaso tho court," suhl a convicted criminal, when asked if he had anything to say before sentence of death was passed upon him, "may it pleapo the court, bad company has beon uiy ruin. I recolved the blessings of good parents, and, In return, promised to avoid all evil associations. Had I kept my promlso I should have been saved this shame, and beon free from tho load of guilt that hangs round mo Uko a vulturo, threatening to drag mo to justice for crimes yot unrovealod. I, who'ouce moved in tim first circles of society, and havo been the guest of dis tinguished public mou, am LOST Tiiuouan HAD COMPANY. . This ls but ono of tho thousand proofs that the companion of fools shall bo destroyed. It is tho invariable rule. Thero Js a well man in tho wards of a hospital, whoro there aro a hundred people sick with ship fever, and be will not bo so apt to take tho disease as a good man would be apt to bo smitton with, moral distemper if shut tip with iniquitous companions. In oidor times prisoners wore hoarded togother in tho same cell, but each ono learned the vices of all the culprits, so that instead of l eing reformed by incarceration, tho day of liberation turned them out upon .society, beasts, not mon. We may, lu our'pkico of business, bo compelled to talk to and minglo with bad men; but he who deliberately chooses lo associate himself with vicious people ls engaged in carrying on a court ship with a Delilah, whoso shears will clip off all tho locks or lila strength, and ho will bo tripped into perdition. SIN is CATCHING, is infectious, ls epidemic. 1 wdll lot you look over tho millions of people now in habiting the globe, and I challenge you to show me a good man who, after ono year, has mad o dioico and consorted with the wicked. A thousand dollars reward for ono such insta nco. I caro not how strong your character may be, ?associate with gamblers, you will become a gambler; clan with burglars) and you will become a burglar; go among tho uncleau, and you will become unclean. Not appreciating tho truth of my text, many a young man has been destroyed. He wakes up some morning in the great city, and knows no ono except tho per sons into whoso employ ho has ontorcd. As he goes into the store, all tho clerks marie him, measure him, and discuss him. Thc upright young men of tho store wish hun well, but perhaps wait for a formal introduction, and even then have some delicacy about inviting him into their associations, lint tho bad young men of the siore, at tho Hist opportunity, approach and offer their aorvtc?s. They patronize him. They viofc-s to know all about the town. I'll KY WILL TAKK HIM ANYWIIKKK that he wishes to go-if ho will pay tho expenses. For if a good young man and a bad young man go to somo placo whore they ought not, tho good young man has invariably to pay tho charges. At the moment tho ticket is to bo paid for, or the champagne settled for, tho bad young man feds around in his pockets and says: "I havo forgotten my pocket-book. " In forty-eight hours after tho young man bas entered tho store tho bad fellows of the establish ment slap him on tho shoulder familiar ly, and, at his stupidity in taking con tain allusions say:. "My young friend,! tl ivy ii'" .Mlatr'v )}) ' c. lo bl' ;?! b . ?lt., j : ri "?v.o. bi 1 ?iv *?. :\v: bi'God 1 .M;, y. ..< b.ji wai-? holy yoi; i jib ; I'i ld . man tal.- j.- in;.' ly w|!b yob, lt' such t nany, turn round, and give him a with ering look, until tho wrotch crouches iii your presence. Thero is no monstrosity of wickedness that can stand unabashed under the glance of purity and honor. God keeps tli9 lightenings of heaven in His own scabbard, and no human arm can wield them; but God gives to overy young man a lightening that he may uso, and that is tho lightening of an honest eye. Those wdio have been close observers will not wonder why I give tho waining, "Jiewaro of bad com pany" I. First, 1 warn you to .SHUN TUB SK IC PT IC - the young man who puls his lingers In his vest, and laughs at your old fash ioned religion, and turns over to some mystery of tho lilllie, and say-: '-Ex plain that, my pious friend; explain that." And who says: "Nobody shall scare me; 1 am not afraid of the future; 1 used to believo In such things, and so did my father and mother, but 1 havo got over lt." Yes, ho has got over it; and if you sit in his company a little longer, you will get ovor It too. With out presenting ono argument against the Ciiri?t an religion, such men will, by their jeers and scoffs and caricatures dosi loy your respect for that roliglon which was tho strength of your father in his declining years, and the pillow of your old mother when she lay n-dyihg. Alaal a limo will como when the blus tering young infidel will have to die, and then his diamond ring will dash no splendor in THE KY KS OF DKATH as lie <>tands over the couch, waiting for his soul, Those beautiful locks will bo mcombed upon tho pillow, and tho ying man will say: "I cannot die-I an not die." Death, standing ready es.de tho couch, says: "You must dio; ou have only hali a minute to live; lot ie havo it right away-your soul." No," says tho young inildol, "hero uro y gold rings, and these pictures, take em all." "No," says Death, "what t caro for pictures! your soul." Stand back!" says the dying inildol. will not stand back," says Death; or you have only ten seconds now to Iffl/e; I ? nt your soul," The dying ?ari says: "Don't brcatho that cold air Into my face. You crowd me too hurd. It ls getting dark in the room. Ojuodl" "Hush," says Doa th; "you Mid tliore was no God." Pray for me," ox claims the expiring infidel. "Too la M to pray," says Death; "but three ni ire seconds to live, and I will count th un off-one-two-three." Ho has ga)ned "Whore? Where? Carry him out -but and bury him beside his father anil mother, , who died while holding fasit the Christian religion. They died silaging; but the young infidel only said: "Dlon't breathe that cold air In my face. Yon crowd mo. .It is getting dark in tho [room." Ir.. Again, I urgo you to shun 1MIB COMPANIONSHIP OK IDLERS, Theue are mon hanging around every Storu and olllce and shop who havo uotiijing to do, or act as if they had not. Thei aro apt to como in when tho firm uro 'away, and wish to engage you in < ouv alsation while you aro engagod in yVntr regular employment. Politely ; mg?8t to suoh persons that you have no" ti: no lo givo thom during busln.es hour* Nothing would please thom so woU aa to have you renounce your ?c?u> pation and associate with them. Much of the timo tiley loungo around tho club-rooms or tho doora of englno houses, or attor tlie dining hour stand upon tho steps of a fashionable botol or an olegant restaurant, wishing to glvo von i.iiA id?i* that- that is the place "whoro thoy dino. But they do not dino there. Thoy aro sluicing down lowei and lower, day by day. Neither by day nor by night have anything to do with tho idlers. Before you udmlt a man into your acquaintance ask him politely: "What do you do for a living?" If ho says, ''Nothing; I am a gentle man, " look out for him. Ho may have a very soft hand aud Yory faultless apparel, and havo a high sounding family name, but his touch is death. Be foro you know it you will in his pres ence bo ashamed of your work dress. Business will bocomo to you drudgory, and after awhile you will lose your plac?, und afterwards your respectabil ity, and last of all your soul. Idlonoss is NEXT DOOK TO VILLAINY;. Thiovcs, gamblers, burglars, shoplifters, and assassins are tnado from tho class who havo nothing to do. 'When tho police go to hunt up and arrest a cul prit, they soldom go to look in among tho busy dorks or iu the busy carriage factory, but thoy go among tho group of idlors. Tho play is going on at the theatre, when suddenly there ls a scuffle in tho top gallery. What is it? A policeman has como in, and, leaning ovor, has tapped on tho shouldor a young man saying: "I want you, sir." Ho hud not worked during the day. but somehow hud rnked toge (.her ii shilling or two to get into the top gallery. Ile is un idler. Tho man on his right hand is un idler, und the man on his loft hand is an Idler. .Shrink back from idleness in your self and in ottiors if you wouhi main tain a right position, (?bod old Ashbel Green, at moro than eighty years of age was found busy writing, and some young man said to him. "Why do you koop busy? It is time for you to rest." Ho answered: "I keep busy to keep out ol' mischief." No mau is strong enough lo bs idle. A NOTAIII.K 1MCTUKK. Aro you fond of pictures? If so X will show you ono of tho works of an old master. Herc lt is: "I went by tho Held of the slothful, and by tho vineyard of tho man void of under standing; and lol it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered tho face . thereof, and the stono wall was broken down. Then I saw anil considered well. I looked upon it and roceived instruction. Yot a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty como ns one that traveleth, and thy want as an anne:! man." i don't know of another sentence ill the Bible moro explosive than that. it Hist hisses softly, Uko tho fiiso of a cannon, and nt last bursts like a ?fty-four pounder. Tho old proverb was right: "The devil tempts most mon, but idlers tempt tho dovil." A young man carne to a man of nine ty years of ago and said to him: "How have you made out to livo so long and bo so well?" The old man took ibo youngster to an orchard, and, pointing to some large trees full of apples, sahl: "I planted these trees when I was a boy, and do you wonder that now I am per mitted to gather the fruit ol them?" Wo gather in old ugo what wo plant in our youth. Sow to the wind, and wo reap tho whirlwind. Plant in early lifo tho i \,.r i In i ..:''.! . &ti,.'n eh-.tr.t-v. 1 ?.i.iiev< io r '?Ti?.tk?;-( und upi i i einem 1 need it as much as i need bread, und and go to my dully exorcise with as con scientious a purpose as I go to the Lord's Supper; and all poisons of san guino tcmperment must have amuse ment and recreation. God would not have mado us with tho capacity to laugh if l?o had not intended us sonic times to indulgo it. God hath hung in sky, and ?=ot in wave, and printed on grass many a roundelay; but ho who chooses pleasure-seeking for nis life work does not understand for whalGo.l made him. Our amusements uro inten ded lo help us iii some earnest mission. The thundcr-c'.oud hath an edge exquis Holy purpled, but, willi voice that jars tho earth, it declares: "1 go to water thc groon holds." The wild-Howers under tho fence uro gay, but they say: "Wo stand here to mako a beautiful edgo for tho wheat Held, and to re fresh tho husband mon in their nooning." Tho stream sparkles and foams and frolics, and says: "I go to bapti/.o tho moss. I lavo tho spots on tho trout. I siUito the thirst of tho bird. I turn the the wheel of the mill I rock in my crystal cradle muckshuw and water lily." And so, while tho world plays, it works. Look out for the man who always plays and hover works. You will do well to avoid those whoso regular business it is to play ball, skate, or go a-boating. All thew sports are grand in their places. I never derived so much advantage from any minister ial association ns from a ministerial club that went out to play ball every Satur day afternoon in tho outskirts of Phila delphia. These recreations are grand to give us muscle and spirits for our regular toil. I believe in M usbui.A ii cnn ISTIAN I T Y. A man is often not so near God with a weak stomach as wileri ho has a strong digestion. But shun those who mako it their lifo occupation to sport. Thero aro young men whoso industry and use fulness havo fallen overboard from tho yacht on tho Hudsou or tho Schuylk ll. Thero men whose business fell through tho ico of tho sknting-pond, and has nover since boon heard of. Thero is a beauty In the gliding of a boat, in tho song of skutos, in tho soaring of a woll struck ball, and I nover seo ono lly but I Involuntarily throw up my bands to catch it; and, so far from laying an in junction upon ball-playing, or any other innocent sport, I claim thom ali as be longing of right to thoso of us who toil in tho industries of church and slate. But tho lifo business of ploasure-seok* lng always makes ni tho end A CRIMINAL OU A SOT. Gcorgo Brummell was smiled upon by all England, and his lifo was given to pleasure. Ho danced with peeresses, und swung a round of mirth and wealth and applause, until, exhausted of purso und worn out of body, and bankrupt of reputation, and ruined of soul, ho bog ged a biscuit of a grocer, and declared that he thought u dog's hie was bettor than a man's. Such mon will crowd around youl dosk or counter or work bench, or seek to decoy you off. They want you to break off in the midst of your busy day to take a lido with them to Coney . Island or to Central Park. They will tell you of somo people you must See; of some excursion that you must take; of some Sabbath-day that you ought to dishonor. They will toll you of exqui site winos that you must take; of costly operas that you must hear, ot wonderful dancers that you must see; but boforo you accept tholr convoy or thoir com panionship, remember while at tho ond of a useful Ufo vou ?isiy be able to look back to kindnesses done, to honorable work accomplished, to poverty Helped, to a good namo earnod, to Christian lu iluonco oxorted, to n Saviour's causo advanced-these ULHA3UR1?-SEKKEUS ON THEIR DEATH: nico liave nothing better to roviow than a torn playbill, a ticket foi the races, an empty tankard,-and tho cast out rinds of a carousal; und us in the delirium of thoir awful doath they clutcli tho goblet and press it to tholr lips, the dregs of tho cup falling upon their tongue will begin to hiss and uncoil with tho adders of au eternal poison. Cast out those mon from your company. Do net bo i n ti mato with thom. Always bo polite. Thoro is no demand that you over sacri iico politeness. A young man accosted a Christian Qunkor with: "Old chap, how did you make all your money?" Tho Quaker replied: ??By dealing in au articlo that thoa mayest deal in if thou wilt-civility." Always bo cour teous, but at tho samo timo ?lrm. Say No as if you mean it. Huvo it under stood in atoro and shop and street, that you will not stand in thocompanionship of tho skeptic, tho idloj tho pleasure seeker. Bather than outer tho companionship of such, accept tho invitation to A HETTER FEAST; Tho promises of God aro tho fruits. Tho harps of heaven aro tho music. Clusters from tho vineyards of God havo boon jiiesH'd into the tankards. Thc sons and daughters of tho Lord Almighty ?ito thu guests, while standing at tho liuhquot, to lill the cups and divido tho clusters, and command tho han>s, and welcome tho guosts is a daughter of God on whoso brow aro tho blossoms of paradise, and in whoso cheek is thc Hush ol' colestial summer, lier name is Koligion. lier wavs tire ways of pleasantness, AIM! all.her paths are peace. Decide Ulis soon, oh young man, what direction you will take. Tilers comes such a moment ot linn! decision-why not this? Ono night I saw a young man at tho street corner evidently doubling as to which direction bo had better take, his hat lifted far enough so 3'ou could see ho had an intelligent fore head, and' he bad a stout chest and a robust development. Splendid young man. Cultured young niau. Honored young man. Why did ho stop there while so many were going up and down? Tho fact is, that every niau has A OOO!) ANC KI, and a bad angel contending for the mastery of b s spirit, and there was a goo I angel and a bad angel struggling with that young man's soul at tho cor ner of the street. "Como with mo," said tho good angel; "I will take you home; I will spread my wing over your pillow; I will lovingly escort you all through lifo under supernatural protec tion; I will bless ovoiy cup you drink out of, every couch you rest on. every doorway yon enter; I will consecrate your tears when you weep, your sweat when you toll, and at the last 1 will hand over your gravo to tho bright angel of a Christian resurrection. In answer to your father's petition, and your mother's prayer, I havo been sent of tito Lord onto:" heaven tobe your fina) iii ' ij?rxt'. Cn:: fi vj'lth imi,!1 said ?ll ;/ .i ??iigOj . i ?i volc? iui< . Tildy ii mp?-i.my.' h ?.yii;i bii.'ne li!-;o '.ha-; V Iii >i : > I'M' iuiii Of bOKVep v. V. 'li :i ....-..ipii . i:- : i!?i>n it. "JSo, \J._. lUO. JL un II- i " ; ll if iii 1111 u, better to offer; tho wines I pour aro from chalices of bewitching carousal; tho danoo 1 lead is over doors tessellated with unrestrained indulgences; thoro ls no God to frown on tho temples of sin where I worship. Tho skies aro Italian. The paths i tread aro through meadows daisied and primrosed. Como with nie." The young man hesitated at a time when hesitation was ruin, and the bad angel smoto the good angel until it de parted, spreading wings through the Starlight upward and away, until a door Hashed open in tho sky and forever tho wings vanished. That toas thc turning ??int in that young man's history; for, the good angel down, he hesitated no longer, but started on a pathway which is beautiful at tho opening, but blasted at tho last. Tho bad angel, leading tho way, opened gato after gato, and at each gate tho road becamo rougher and tho sky moro.lurid, and what was pecu liar, as tho gate slammed shut it carno to with ajar that indicated it would never open. Passed each'poi lal, t here was a grinding of locks and a shoving of bolls; and tho scenery on either sido ol' the road changed FROM OAKDENS TO DESICUTS, and tho Juno air becamo a cutting De cember blast, and the bright wings of the bad angel turned to sack ?doth, and tho eyes of light became hollow with hopeless grief, and the fountains that at tho start, had tossed with wino poured forth bubbling tears and foaming blood, and on tho right sido of tho road Lhere WbS a serpent, and the man said to tho bad angel: "What is that serpent?*' and tho answer was: "That is tho ser pont of stinging remorse. " On tho left side of tho road thoro was a lion, and the man asked tho bad angel: ''What is that lion?" and tho answer was: "That Is tho lion of all-devouring dos pair." A vulture dow through tho sky, and tho man asked the bad angel: "What ls that vulture?" and tho answer was: "That is the vulture waiting for tho carcasses of tho slain." And then tho man hagan to try to pull off of him tho folds of something that had wound him round and round, and ho said to the bad angel: "What is it that twists mo in this awful convolu tion?" and tho answor was: "That is THE WORM THAT NEVER DIES." And ?lien tho man said to tho bud angol: "What does all this mean? I trusted in what you said at tho comer of tho street that night; I trusted it ail, aed why havo you thus deceived me?" Then tho last deception fell off tho charmer, and it said: "I was sent forth from tho pit to destroy your soul; 1 watched my chanco for many tl long year; when you hesitated that n'ght on tho street I gained my triumph; now you aro hei'3. Hal hal You aro boro. Come, now, let us dil thoso two chalices of Uro, and drink together to darkness and woo and death. Haili Halli" Oh young mau, will tho good angel sent forth by Christ, or tho bad angol sont forth by sin, get tho victory over your soul? Their wings aro interlocked this moment abovo you, contending for your destiny, as abovo tho Appen hies eade and condor fight mid-sky. .This hour may decide your destiny. God help you. To hesitate ls to diel Tho heart hus euri. TOO MU??! Oomloal Cohitolalht of a Woman V/ho Dosli'oa IfOwpr Porlofllcals. It was a rainy, disagree* ble evening and I know wo should slav nt hum", 80 I stopnod nt tho nov/r aland on my wajr from t??c-stoi'0 and picked up ^uvijrai periodicals to look oyor after dinnor. I thought Mrs. John would Jileo thom, but that is just ono o? tho things that's not to bo counted upon- n woman's liking. "Los tomines ont toujours dos surprises," is' u Frcncdjiiiuu's way of saying that woman's ways aro past finding out, and I for once ?gr? o that tho Gaul has hit tho nail sqhhro on hbo bead. T liavo lived with Mrs. .'ulm now ne) rly a dozen years, and 1 may say that I can gauge her words and opinions as incorrect!; to-day, aa X ?Uitt tho lh'st morning she sat 'opposite mo and dropped lumj)S of sugar into my oolloo with a most engaging lit!:, '. ir ish of her tapor tinge) s To bo OUYO I am a plain man, and my occupation! is plain, too, not cpii'ducivo l" "".v vr'rty to tho study of tho female cl .?D .I. L r. Tiioro is nothing unexpeetod aboitl '.?iii lopo and link ohain, which is win rc (hoy ditter in a marked degree from lonely woman. To return, how A er, . ibis particular stormy o veil ii '.I brought over soiiio . I > uew poi; iodicals, Nan," 1 saio eiiridessly Whim wo were np stairs aftor dil n r. "Ob, dear, are thoio moro now per iodicals?" interrotated M v John plain tively-a remark I did liol oonfdriii to express unbounded Hfttisnu'iiod; 1 did not reply. "Do you happen fd kn u, john,'! continued my wife, a 1 her voice ^as still aggrieved, "just wind parUohlnr ft?ld these latest are ekp< chid lo till?" "No, madam, I do hot, I adi ot editor, proprietor nor pub li! r, tun in any way responsible for Uti ipi;o ?r anee of ih?xn nhfoVtnietli ?uihb?iil.i??s which seem to have drawn '" f solves your august disnppi ?viii." ?'Don't bo sarcastic. Jpliji/j il not your forte. I don't dii ... . I ; m only tired. My brain . il iqtml to tho strain. The period lea 11 toriittm of tho day is simply over wp !:. . mt I nm drowning under it, lofter g, stilling. I want air, nv! ? ti :..?... IO another feather pillow, she fini I kl dramatically, pointing ! i the fredi pamphlets before her. "Mrs. John," I bega; severely; l in no Othello." "No indeed," she rc ?.led | y, "nor am I a Desdemona, '11 jl toiid fnl African! would ha' -' had da full to .smother mo. And 1 similarly protest against hoi np i n 1 mt by 'words, words, words! Sh o was now walk. . ibid d urn the room, her bambi I? la i ?ed be hind her, and her to? '/ailing very gracefully in ' She rat her affects tins trie] I ? i j t .> at times when we are alo ni knows it is becoming. "Next year," sho w> lit ., eiiipluvlio nllv, "ono monthly, OP W V.l;. and ono daily organ of news, ? ' i ie sciences como to my ron lin : 11 ' >u may take what you like; I .. afine n y Bolt to those." "And yet, my dear. J 1 n'm. i to suggest,' "I havo hoi r 1 ? hat miscellaneous rondin-: l.eoidemi tho mind and enlarges thc jil I; u nt "So it does. Thoro .) i in-i as widening to the sacrifico 1 ?.' ' "it, though. I feel mont: ' . - .if I lid been looking into one ot' !jh . . M. ex mirrors-my judgmo.;' '. A breadth, amino depth. Bond ;'i . . ; : ted airily, that sort of-a Illing,o t th . ?.," and 'ii'-' ' ' i fi .H ; . <u . i , ;.. ?.'.i I ran t^bli?, i .' ij -''M '..'ins i[d.K(b I : gi it' i i ! I<K'1!II '. m.U . pHik? 'I ; ; . j indi,> iii ? . . ? . Iii ? ... t.V ?|?,. . '.al ie f-- !)i ' v ' i i't'.'.dci fl ?,.;..':; f'i be ?j? i.ji n1 o) sj ?ii enW i*i fi cob ii : toj'iVinlii 'ii .ey:: .-j ti ; ol: indip'ifVt. i i I L...0 j/.l.y.io CHOI ICC'S I itiiii'i than aim to cultivate or develop n high-, er standard of taste. 'Names, names" is their cry. 'Never mind what thc article is if it is only by somebody. The somebodies grow moro and moro expensive the publishers moro and moro eager. 'It will be a big advertisement.' they say, 'to secure So-and-so at a fa bulous sum to give us an article. ' So and-so is scoured, made nappy by an enormous check; the publishers are also happy, and possibly the readers are. I doubt, ii, though, For, alan, some of these forlunat writers do not attain their pve-eminonce by force of genius or even talent and industry. One strik ing composition brings them into no tice and judicious-I call it injudicious --advertising does tho rest. Once let them appeal' lo be launched on tho tide of popular favor and all is cusv. They no longer, it they ever du\, 'write with fire and correct with phlegm.' What is the use'? Publishers on overy side are pouring in their offers lipon them, some not hesitating to frankly say, 'Wo will take anything you may write and pay your price for it merely to havo thu prestige of your name.' "It is so, John,'' Mrs. John contin ued emphatically. "I have moro than my Own opini?n to substantiate tho as sertion. 1 beard ono prominent con tributor to these periodicals remark not long ago: '"Oh, yes; that (speaking of a certain one of them) is ono of my sow ers. I send stud' there no ono elso will take and got high prices for it.' What do you think of that? And un editor of a paper which circulates largely throughout the country commented iii my preso-co on ono of those sought after writers: 'Yes, Blank ?ends mo awful trash; ? wouldn't think of put ting it in from any one else. It is tho ! name I pay for, and f. havo to pay woll for it, too.' "How can I i toroturo bo advanced when authors will thus prostituta thoir talent; and if writer amt publisher arc thus unblushingly indifferent to tho quality of tho work, who is going to take Caro of the readers' interests?" I meekly replied that I did not know unless they mudo a little effort in that direction themselves. "Which precisely what ono of them is doing," rejoined Mrs. John triumphantly. "I am guided by prin ciple, not prejudice, in my protest against these pamphlets there. " "But I have another count in my in dictment against thom," my wifo wont on, after a moment; "somo of thom, that is. There aro a few high-class periodicals willoh are quito boyond tho pale of this criticism. "J am heartily sick of being instruct ed. 'Hints,' 'Helps.' 'Suggestions,' .The Mother's Column,' 'Tho Baby's Connor's-ugh! Illy from thosehoad lings as I would from a spidor. I used to pin my faith to thom absolutely, but I discovered they wcro valueless, be cause of thoir hopeless contradictions. Evory now publication starts oft with tb.eso departments 'a fenturo' (I bato featured); each wishes to do over old iipd haoknoyed subjects in a new way, und begins by tearing down all previ ously odored theories and presenting MI? diametrically opposite. Ono writer w ill toll you oatmeal por . ridgo ia tho sliw qua nun of children's fl diot; a second will adviso you to uso 'l, oatmeal occasionally, and a third will I TTiliimUM 1 urge i\hy cereal but oatmeal, sorvod willi milk urn! 'sugar bocomos in tho child's stomach n sour, indigestible compound, most dolotorious. ? quoto literally. "It is my privato boliof that half of the authors of theso articles don't know anything ?bout wlml thoy uro writing. Thoy aro usually writton by women tn bogin with, and womon nro'npt to con sider a little knowledge tho oxouso for a good deal of protonso. I nm sorry to have to suy it of my ?ox, but it is true." ..You aro possibly in a position to judge," I returned, but Mrs. John ignored tho remark and went on: . "When a man sots himself up asan authority upon a certain subject ho is usually fully informed upon it ?nd practiccs what ho prcaohos. Womon aro dillbront, I don t know why they should be, but thoy are. I boliovo if X could soo tho woman who tolls mo how to caro for my nails, I should lind hor own dirty and shapoless, and 1 know that tho ono who lays down tho law di dactically for tho bringing up of my children, is n spinster. "If even these ovor croppy now per iodicals offered encouragement and a Held to unknown writers they would bo of uso, but they do not. Tho same set of mimes greets you from overy pago of contents. " 'Wu don't caro io huvo contribu tions offered us,' said tho editor of ono of tim recent monthlies to n friend of minc who wished to submit some manu script; 'we know tho craft and solicit articles from such writers as we may choose.' Not much chance there for tho budding of fresh genius, is there?" Ho Mrs. John had her say out; but I noticed when I came homo the next ovening that tho leaves of tho much abused pamphlets had all been cut. l o bave Uoctors" Bills. Ne vor go to bed with cold or dump foot. Never lean with the back upon any thing that is cold. Xever begin a journey until tho breakfast has been eaten. Noyer take warm drinks and then immediately go out into the cold. After exercise of any kind nover ride in an bpoii ourringo or near tho window of a car for a moment; it is dangerous to health Ol' oven life. Neyor omit regular bathing, for, un less the skin is in regular condition, tho cold will close the pores and favor con gestion or other disease. When hoarse, speak as little as pos sible until the hoarseness is recovered from, else the voice may bo perman ently lost, or di thou Hies of the throat be produced. Merely warm the back by the il re, and never continue keeping the back exposed to the. heat alter it lias become comfortably warm. To do otherwise is debilitating. Nover stand still in cold weather, es pecially after having taken a slight de gree of exercise, and always avoid standing On ice or snow, where the per son is exposed to tho cold wind. When going from a warm atmosphere into n cooler one keep tho month al most closed, so that tho air may bo warmed by its passage through' the nose ere it reaches the lungs. Keep tho tmek, especially between the shoulder blades, well covered; also the chest well protected. In sleeping in n cold room (?stablish tho habit of K&inf'M M.,. ll ?A 'i , , ,,i .,; .\u\a tui'ij penuiis, scissors, or other sharp pointed missiles in your pocket unless the points are protected by a sheath. Never leave pins on clothing you ore sending to the washerwoman. Never leave poisons about unlabelled, pr if labelled within reach of little dilgers. Many a cake and batch of bread are ruined by slamming the oven door. A maker of celebrated sponge cake will not idlow any one to touch the stove or walk heavily across the kitchen lloor while the sensitive compound is taking. SKVKHAI, rules of deportment found in au old book un etiquette, printed in the year 1500, When you sit at the tablo of a super ior, you should above all have your hands and finger-nails clean, you should not do this at tho table but when you are alone. When you drink lift tho cup with both hands, you should not drink with one hand as a carthian does when ho smears his cart. Farther you should not laugh in the cup or drink when you have food in your mouth like a child, nor drink with ii voice like ah ox. Always wine off the nose and the mouth after drinking. One should hot gnaw a bone liko a dog, till tho marrow runs out of tho bone. Fat not an apple alone but cut it and givo thy neighbor a piece. Wouldst thou peel a pear, thou must commence by the stem, but with an apple begin at tho blow end. Spread not the butter with thy thumb, ?ind drink not thino soup from tho plato, llilt take it with the spoon, and thou shouldst not theroby lap like a calf. Tho Morphine Habit. Erlenmeyer says that children born of womon'addicted to tho morphino habit are practically morphino eaters from birth. During tho first few days of life, unless morphino is given to thom, they aro very apt to suffer col lapse; ami this condition may end in death, tho child being too weak to with stand tho violent symptoms, which are similar to those which follow tho sud den withdrawal of tho drug in adult opium eaters. -Science. An easy wav td split a stieot ot paper, says tho New York Tribune, is to soak it thoroughly and spread it out on a pane of glass, With careful handling, the upper half can then bo peoled off. Tim lower will stick to tho glass until it becomes dry. IN fonding corn to hens it is bettor to shell it by hand, and then scatter a few grains at a time, than to throw a quan tity down, and allow them to corge themselves. It is still better to throw small grain among straw and let them scratch for it. FONO IVIOTIIIOU-"dane, givo tho baby somo laudanum and put lt to sleep and bring mo my parasol. I am going to a mooting for tho amelioration ol' tho condition of tho human race." SnalUH electricians boast that they aro far ahead of us in their knowledge of tho sciunco of eleclroU'1chui .'S, but acknowledge themselves behind us in the practical applications of elec tricity. FARM NOTES. RODBKBV AMONO 1?KI?S. - Of all thinga connected with tho apiary, rob bing is tho most perplexing, and-ofton vory disastrous. The primary cause ls carelessness on tho part of the apiarist. A. colony of bees In proper condition is j/i.oo? ???^?li?jot/ VO1J1)0?*?^ ?isitl colc*?ic" t.) ??ii fall victims to robbers will nearly ul ways bo found to bo defectivo in some particular. A colony that becomes quoohless, without tho necessary brood to rear another queen, seldom escapes being robbed if left long in such condi tion. Again, a colony may havo a de fectivo queen, and on the colony becom ing discouraged will allow themselves to bo plundered and destroyed. In such cases, they aro tho worst of any the apiarist is cortainly responsible, as it is in hit power to remedy such defects. A colony having a good, fertile qucon may bo so weak or few in number that they aro unable to repol robbers. In auch cases tlie apiarist can strengthen them by uniting with other colonies, or draw from others to add to their force, and thus savo thom. Keep colonies strong at all times and furnished with good, fertile queens. Carelessly leaving bonoy about where bees can get access to it often causes troiu lo, us this will incite robbing, and tho weak and de fective colonies will at once fall victims. Where robbing begins it Is dillicult to deal with. Tho colony being robbed should bo allowed to remain whero it ?o. i Changing it from ono position to another in the same vicinity does more injury than good; it should be removed it milo or moro from tho neighborhood. If the bees show any disposition to pro tect themselves, robbing may be checked by simply contracting tho entrance. But if the inmates mateo no res.stance whatever, a largo sheet or covering of light cloth may bo thrown over tho en tire hive. Tho boo tent, now much used by apiarists to repel robbers, is the best for this purpose. This is made to cover the hive, allowing room for tho apiarist to work inside. Light muslin or musquito netting, drawn over a light frame, may be used for tho pur pose. _ POUI.TKY Y A nos AS G Au bis KS. - Poultry yards become very rich whon occupied for a length of limo by fowls, and it is a good plan to utilizo such yards for tho production of vegetables. The yards must, of course, bo spaded up before seed can be sown, and this turns under all Illili and makes tho ground clean und free, from germs of disease, lt is much better to grow something oil tho ground than to simply turn tho manure under, as tho roots of the growing plants exert a 1 eneticial in ti uenoo in appropriating tho manure for plant food. Tho amount of manure dropoed in the poultry yard in the coin.-, of a year is very large-much greater than many suppose. You can lorin some estimate of tho amount dropped during tho day by comparing it with that collected from the roosts. Thc smaller the yard and tho larger the Hock, the greater tho amount of manure scattered over tho area, which is evenly distributed and can ho easily incorpor ated with tho soil. Nor is tho manure all. Every ounce of food wasted is added as manure to tho soil, and it is no inconsiderable item either. If you wish to take advantage of lids valuable ma nure, make a new yard by the side of tile old one, plow up or spatio tho old yard, and let tho hens have tho new one. They will bo benelltted by tho Chango to a clean location, you will havo i-- difa'o??os to eontend \vM:h| while i hr. \ .. ii recently ii' * i} - ? * - *.r by t' . bons .Viii pioijuoo vegetable? ol'lar^o\-H jeitu.d . lie bo! viimHt>. i .'NY !'KO.ri'''i\>?';-\ ?- "Nino- plaid ,.!.?......! 'i \ Mayo !)..'.".: paWniudj hut tho .tv. I.V..JV, >. . t t | ' ?. . > i.' and b?dtj .o (..Up 0.0?. < tion of J?s'opli Harris, Moreton Farm, Rochester* N. Y. lt is not patented and any ono can make it. It consists of two half-inch boards for end pieces. To tue sides and top of these boards cot ton cloth is tacked on. and the boards aro kept apart by a piece of lath. When stretched out for uso they make a clotb covercd box 15 inches square and 10 inches high, and aro exceedingly useful iii the garden for protecting tender plants from frost, such as tomatoes, melons, bedding plants, etc. Thoy are also of great value for keeping tho squash bugs, striped bitgs and other in sects front squashes, cucumbers, otc. When not in use, by removing the stretcher they can bo folded up Hat, and can bo stored away in a small space. AN old sow that lias shown hersolf a good mother should bo preferred to ono that is younger. The practico of using young sows is suro to end iii degeneracy of stock sooner or later. To avoid lia bility from tho weight of old sows, which sometimes crush their pigs, re duce them in llesh. As a rulo most brood-sows are too fat, in which case tho pigs come weak. Clover, with bran slop nt night, ls the best food for a brood-sow in summer. ? TitOSK who last year built silos, says a writer, using two thicknesses of board, with half lap to cover cracks, and paper between, tho wholo painted willi coal tar, or asphalt pul on boiling hot, consider that they have solved the question of cheap, durable silos, as tho lumber used need not ho better than No. I 1 culls, and not oven planed or matched. The thick paint Hilo all cracks, makes a smooth, glassy surtaco, and is water proof as well us air-resisting, if paper is put on between tho boards. The largest wdieel of tho kind ovor made in lids country, and probably tho largest of any kind, is now in course of construction at tho machine shop of tho Dickson Manufacturing Company, at Scranton, Pa. It is what is called a sand wheel, and is being made for the Calumet and Hecla Copper Company of tho Lake Superior region. Tho great wheel will bo tifty-threo feet in diameter and several feet wide, and thc Dickson Manufacturing Company will get $70,0 )0 for it. It is being built around a 20-Inch hollow shaft of gun metal, and it will weigh between 160 and 100 tons when completed. When the great wheel ls put in place at tho copper minos, it will ho mudo to revolve slowly by means ol' enormous cogs on tho surface of Its circumference. These cogs are hoing cast in segments, and will weigh many tons in tho aggre gate. On each side of tho mammoth whcol thcro will bo fifty buckots, each of which will hold about 100 gallons, and theso buckoUs will elevate tho washings and dump thom into a sluiceway. Af iel tho great wheel has been built up and tho llnishlng touches havo been put 011 it will bo taken apart and shipped. Every pieco will bo numbered, so that Ibero will bo no troublo.in putting the wheel together, and it will take eight 01 ten cars to transport it. IN evening dressa man should be llevo all ho hears, to Lo eoi:sl itent v i I bis sw.vliow-talo coat. HOUSEHOLD Tm: TAKI^-OKDKK AND' owsr?.<. MKNT.-That tho appearance of tim ? tablo affects our enjoyment of tho food, no one will deny. Woro this not tbc caso, tablecloths might bo dispensed.' wiih, and it wouiu bo a inaner of nui ii fereneo whether our platea were of tin. or china. How far *wo should reg'ardV tho appearance of tho tablo will depend ht part upon one's tastes, and In part upon one's means. Ornamentation-to a certain extent is also pleasing, but this generally takes timo-just the thing which housekeep ers in general can i least afford. Such things oxcept In the most simple form, aro hotter loft for the wealthy, who can pay for thc '.necessary foi'Vlco. .?Still there aro many things pertaining to neatness that take scarcely any tune in their oxecution, and which evi n tho housekeeper who is her own cook and walter, can observe, if ber attention is called to them. At present wo will only refer to "dishing up.'' So simple an article as mashed nota toos is capable of looking its best. A shapeless, pudding mass, such aa is oftou dun pe ; into a dish, ls far from hoing attractive in appearance. Smooth this down with a knife to a neatly rounded surface, and tho wh le look of tho dish is.ehauged. Hot the dish in a quick oven, to brown tho surface, and you havo a work of art. Nothing is mor?? distressing than to<. seo a roasted fowl come to tho table "flyhign W1^1 outspread wings.and loga looking as if tho hird had kicked boforo tho the. A turning of the wings and a ? bit of string around tho legs would have b converted the ridiculous looking object | into a respectably dressed fowl. JSvon < so simple a thing as mutton chop-? may j be neatly served or otherwise.: hut one j comparo a dish of chops thrown into tho plate '.higgledy-piggledy," with, ono in which tho small cuds ar-? all laid . ono way, with tho broad portions slight- h ly overlapping, and tho difference will , ' Lc manifest at once. Other illustrations might be given, but theso will indicate what wo moan by neatness in dishing up. Such mat ters may seem trivial to some,but much . of our comfort is duo to tho observance of trilles.-American AaricultunM. GONGS INSTEAD OK DINNER ?)EL?S. -Japanese gongs aro the latest substi- ,. tuto for the old-tnno nuisance, tho diu- . ncr boll. Soine way of announcing that dinner is ready is of course needed in every household of any pretentious, and now that tho loud-toned brass mouthed boll has been sent to Coventry, tboro is a big future before the Japan eso gong, lt is not clamorous, is thor oughly musical, and may be had in any number of odd designs suitod to tho tasto and purse of tho purchaser. Two or moro gongs may bo sounded together, to summon tho guests, and if they are carefully toned to harmony the of?ect ia very pleasing. In somo well-appointed houses strings of small, sweet-toned silver bells aro concealed In the portiere of the dining-room or a singlo large boll is suspended from tho porticro rod. In either caso tho movement of tho draper ies as tho guests outer tho dining-room sets tho bells in motion and tho effect . of tho pleasant surprise will bo to put everybody in good humor. In the stately residences of the Four Hundred the custom of having a waiter enter the dining room and aunounco that dinner is served will doubtless resist all inno vations for somo timo to como. Hut in the homes of web-fo-do, hut less aristo oralie people" ' new Customs aro gradually ..( i.uv foothold. o t'i'bK .'ni . u, rr Feel ' and .slice thick she or eli'! oo i sized sour ivfr pl* ?, ?ni, thuin n '.".i. r t-J ICU . I d' i III;) dish l.-ht(i will t'wo quarts, cover li,land pul i on top or tho si ove, wlieio i ho apples will cook slowly, thou ii . two teaspoonfuls of baking powder in two cups of Hour, add one-half tea spoonful of salt, ono cup of sweet mille, and two well beaten eggs; mix all woll together, and pour tho mixture over tho apple, which should havo been cooking about one-half hour, covor the dish closely and loavo it on top of tho stovo; it will tako about ono hour to cook after the batter ls added, if the apples aro dry put t\vo or turee tablespoonfuls of water in tho dish beforo tho batter is put in. Sauce for Pudding: Take one cup of very light brown or White sugar, and one-half cup of butter, boat till creamy, then add the white of ono egg beaten to a froth (this can bo reserved from tho pudding), beat again thoroughly, and put in a pretty fancy dish and grato nu meg over tho top; in serving placo a largo spoonful on each piece ol' pudding. CoiiD OATMKAI. AND CHEAM.-Far inaclous goods aie absolutely necessary during hot weather, but they are moro acceptable if prepared the day beforo and placed on ico until wanted. Re member that imported oatmeal requires two hours' steady cooking to make it beneficial, whilo tho prepared or partly cooked oatmeal can bo made ready foi*( uso ia from fifteen to twenty-five 111111-' ulc3, besides having other advantages. If tho former is used proceed as follower Stir gradually h.to two quarts of boil ing water, slightly salted, a pound of oatmeal; boil steadily, caro being userl not to lot it burn, which lt is very lhiblo to do as tho water evaporates lapidly. Whilo hot pour lt into a dish, and whoa cold place on leo. Tho next morning, loosen tho edges with a knife and turn it out. It may bo (aten with cream, or sliced and fried and served with strained honey. ONE FoWL POrt DINNEU.-Line an earthen pudding dish with veal cutlet, put into it also two or three thin slices of salt pork, thon put tho fowl after cutting into piceos, sprinklo pepper and salt over it, with littlo lumps of butter. If you have any whito stock pour that over all, but if not uso a littlo more butter, and thou pour hot water in, not enough to quito covor tho meat, but 1 nearly enough; lot this simmer In a moderato oven, covoring tho dish; after lt ls tondor brown it nicely, make a rieb, gravy and serve as a stew, or you may 1 cover the top of tho dis'. with puff-pasto half an hour boforo it is to bo sorved. The best covoring for books is modo of American leather or glazed lining. Tho materials can bo purchased in nice dark colors. They sorvo a do ublo pur pose, as thoy kcop now books in nico condition and hide tho decayed looks of others. I stitch tho flaps from point to point to keep them in placo. CLIMBERS should bo planted at the windows, and also to hide unsightly objects. Tho ".Dutchman's i'ipu" (Arisbloiftia nipho) affords a most ' abundant shade Some of tho spec let? 1 of clematis aro lino low-growing climb ers._ JACK, oxcltedly .- "Mamma, y u . know that lemon-pit I planted last yerii4 1 that carno up a pea-vin?? Well, lt ha? got string beans on it? " ^111