davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16
Farmers, Kitchens.
There are several reasons, saws

There are several reasons, says
Country Gentleman, why the farmers
kitchen should be regarded as one of
the most important rooms in the house.
It will, perhaps, be correct to say that
it is decidedly the most important
Not that we would advise the family to
make sitting room of it, and to spend
all their time in this apartment; for un-
less his house is very small the farmer
should provide separate room for the
leisure hours of evenings, and for read
ing, writing and study; or for converse
ton with his family and for the sewing
and other occupations of its female
members during the day.
Nevertheless, the kitchen should re-
ceive special attention and we now offer
few suggestions on the subject to
the many who are about to build, and
who look over and digest their plans
during winter, preparatory to commence
ing operations in the early spring.
First then, in the list of requirements,
the kitchen should be made pleasant
and respectable. A dark room or badly
ventilated apartment will not favor
good cooking, either by the hired girl
or by the mistress herself. To the for
mer a small, dark room will convey the
impression that what is done in it is not
of much consequence, and that the work
may be sighted, and that cleanliness is
not of vital importance. The mistress
will find it difficult to do anything so
we'll in the dark or in the foul air as un-
der the more favorable circumstances
During the years of long life the writ
er has tested both modes. Better serv-
ants can be secured and retained when
comfortable apartment is provided,
and when all conveniences and appi-
ances have been procured, than when
there is nothing pleasant and attractive,
and where kitchen work is performed
at continued disadvantage. We there
fore provide we'll oiled floor of hard
wood, which is easily kept clean, cover,
the walls with well-varnished wall pa
per, place green Venetian blinds on the
windows, provide ample lights on both
sides which permit free ventilation,
bring water to the sink by means of two
pumps, place the valve which opens to
the coal bin within a step of the cook
ing stove, have the store-room adjoin-
ing, and last, not least, add comfort
from the kitchen.
All these conveniences are not expen-
sive. They save money in the long run.
The waste and breakage of poor serv-
ants will more than pay the additional
cost Of better ones, to say nothing about
the satisfaction of cleanliness and we'll
cooked food which the family and the
mistress will enjoy.
The mode for obtaining these conven-
fences will readily suggest itself to
most house owners. But there is one
point to which we wish to invite more
particular attention, and this is the i'm
portance of securing ample light from
two opposite sides, besides giving the
apartment good size. We often see
plans of dwellings where neither of
these requisites are secured. - urat
| Press
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16
Sleepless Nights.

An inability to sleep we'll at night is so
common, and arises from such variety
of causes, rejecting persons will direct
their attention to two things: Let each
one ascertain for himself the cause of his
unrest, and remove that cause. This is
finitely more philosophical than to tAks
chloral hydrate, opium or any form of
anodyne whatever. If late and hearty
suppers cause restlessness, make the best
meal of the day of cold bread and but
ter and cup of hot drink, and nothing
else whatever Try this a week, note
the result, and act accordingly. Some
do not sleep we'll because the head is so
low that the blood flows toward it by
gravitation, and does not get back easily.
hence it accumulates in the veins. makes
the head too full, and sleep is impossi-
bic. If the brain is excited at bedtime
from study, passion, or solicitude, then
too much blood is carried to it by the
arteries, and refreshing sleep is equally
impossible. There are those who toss
and tnmlle by the hour, the mind rum
ming round In the same circle Of ruinous
thought, producing in some cases an
agony OF sweat in great drops on the
forehead. 1t is most mischievous for
such persons to remain in bed a single
moment: thousand times better get up
and wash and dress, midnight though It
be, and either take a walk or indulge in
light reading, or some deeply interesting
narrative until you get sleepy, then slide
into bed as easily as possible. 1t often
happens that person wakes up in the
night from some unusual circumstances
and is not able to go to sleep for some
time afterward then there is tendency
to wake up at the same time next night
without cause, and before one knows it
has become habit; it can be broken up
entirely in forty-eight hours thus Go
to bed two hours later, and be walked up
an hour earlier; this is an almost infalli-
BILE remedy. Hunger, or cold feet, or
excessive WEAKNESS, may prevent sound
sleep. Persons who 10 not sleep well
should eat moderately of plain, nourish-
ing food, not tempt the appetite; this az
gravates the disease by making too nuch
blood; on the other hand, if too little 10
eaten, the nerve tissues are starved and
make too little hydra-carbon neither
leave of study altogether, nor exercise
too much.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

LIFE is WHAT WE MAKE Ir.-On dull.
gloomy days, says a lady, we women
who are obliged to stay at home are apt
to become low-spirited. But that will
never do. If there is discomfort with
out, let us make it the more CHEEKY
within; and instead of moping in dull
dependency and deshabiHe about our
kitchen stoves these gloomy afternoons,
bemoaning the weather and the dreari-
ness of life, let us open up our prettiest
apartments, throw wide the shutters,
draw back the curtains, take rosebush
or geranium, q heliotrope or an ivy,
where our eyes may rest upon its beau
ty, attire ourselves in tidy and becom-
ing habiliments, with fresh collar and
pretty bow at the throat, and set our
selves down with ordinary, if not extra
ordinary, zeal. If this will not suffice
to dispel the clinging gloom, let us 60
to work and count our joys and bless
ings, to see-not how far they fall short
but how greatly they exceed the Joys
and blessings of many another whom we
know. Life is much what we make it,
after all; far more than most of us are
willing to admit.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16
A Cat Story from Colorado.

The Central City (Col.) Register, re-
lates this story: "W. w. Ramage, Cor
bett Bacon, his brother Judge Bacon
and DIR. Paul reside in the mining and
voting precinct established long years
ago by the Georgian explorer Green
Russell, and in honor of that indomita-
BILE pioneer christened Russell Gulch. "
The inhabitants are few and scattering,
though eminently religious and about
equally divided in political sentiment
between Hayes and Iilden. The lords
of the soil chew tobacco, swear a little
when deeply exasperated, dig quartz,
talk politics, and smoke killikinnick with
the gusto of Virginians to the manor
born. Ramage was the owner of very
remarkable cat. Last June he concluded
to move away East, and, carrying out
the decision, left the house vacant The
cat loafed around until it seemed pretty
well settled that the master of the ranch
wasn't coming back for some time, when
she packed up her things and went down
to Corbett Bacon's for a lunch. Finding
it decent sort of place, she quietly
and unobtrusively located. In process
of time four little kittens were born to
her. In the following October, when
the autumn leaves began to fall, and pre-
monitory symptoms of winter made their
unwelcome appearance, Ramage return
ed. But there was no cat to greet his
returning footsteps. nothing but the
bleak desolation of deserted home
stead. One day he happened in at the
Bacon mansion. While there he discov-
cred his cat and the four kittens. Ig-
noring the mother. he carefully selected
two of the four youngsters, and said,
must have these by and by, when
their eyes open and they get big enough
to crawl around and play" Nothing
further was said or thought about the
matter. A month later Ramage found,
on going to his coal-house, the two kit
tens he had selected, carefully slowed
away in one corner. There was neither
label nor sign to indicate where they
came from, or who brought them. Ba.
con lived mile and half distant. He
took the isolated darlings into his house
and cared for them. Some DAYS later he
inquired Of Corbett whether he had
brought up the kittens, and received an
swer in the negative. Then it came to
pass that this remarkable cat the moth
err had made generous distribution of
her progeny among her special friends.
Two she had delivered to Ramage, as de-
sired, one to DR.. Paul, who resided near,
and the fourth to Judge Bacon, Corbett's
brother. Then she returned to the
house Of her second love, quite content
ed and happy in the consciousness Of
having done good thing"
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

HATE NoT.-It is not worth while.
Your life is not long enough to make it
pay to cherish ill-will or hard thoughts
toward any one. What if that man has
cheated you or that woman has played
you false? What if that person you
considered as friend has forsaken you
in your time Of need, or that one, hav-
ing won your utmost confidence, your
warmest love, has concluded that he
prefers to consider and treat you as a
stranger? Let it all pass. What differ
ence will it make to you in few years,
when you go hence to the "undiscov-
cred country" All who treat you
wrongly now will be made more sorry
for it then. than you in your deepest
disappointment and grief, can be. A
few more smiles, . few more tears, some
pleasure, much pain, little longer hur-
rying and worrying in the world, some
hasty greetings and abrupt farewells,
and this life will be over, and the injur-
or and injured will be laid away and ere
long forgotten. 10 it worth while to
hate each other?
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

How TO Buy MEArs.-To the house
keeper the question how to select meat,
when she is purchasing for table use, is
o puzzling one. Good meat should be
neither of pale rosy nor pink color,
nor of o deep purple. The first de-
notes the diseased condition, the last
proves the animal died natural
death. Good meat has more of mar
BILE look, in consequence of the branch
ing of the veins which surround the
adipose cells. The fat, especially of the
inner organs, is always firm and suety,
and never moist. while in general the
fat from diseased cattle is fabby and
watery, and more often resembles Jelly,
or boiled parchment. Wholesome meat
will always show itself firm and elastic
to the touch, and exhibit no dampness,
while bad meat will appear soft and
moist, SO that the liquid substance runs
out OF the blood when pressed hard.
Good meat has very little smell, while
the unsound meat has disagreeable,
cadaverous smell, and diffuses . certain
medicinal odor. Lastly, bad meat has
the popularity that it shrinks consider
ably in the boiling; wholesome meat
rather swells, and does not lose an
ounce in weight.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

Inere mas Deen some question raised
among tree buyers in this State whether
the cions cut from trees in the nursery
rows were as good as those cut from
bearing trees. Some failures in good
fruiting have been attributed to this
cause. The question was asked of Mr..
Bateman through the Country Gentle
man, and he replied as follows:
The propounder of this inquiry de-
precates the practice of nurserymen re-
ferred to, as he has adopted the common
belief that the habits of the parent tree,
as well as the variety of fruit, are con-
tinued or reproduced by the cion. This,
however, is not the opinion of the ma
jority of those who have given much
attention to such matters. In my own
experience as nurseryman, years ago.
l used annually many thousands of
cions of both the classes mentioned,
and on noticing the result the only diff
ference perceived was that, as rule,
the cions from bearing trees did not
make as good growth the first season,
owing to the shoots on bearing trees be-
ing generally less thrifty than those on
the nursery trees; and hence the latter
were preferred when they could as we'll
be had of the desired kinds, and the
wood we'll ripened.
l saw afterwards thousands of these
trees set in orchards and come to bear
ing age, but could discover no differ
ence or fault in regard to fruiting. In
deed some of the kinds were disposed to
begin to bear quite too early-even
while standing in the nursery; while
others, like the Northern Spy, require
10 years or more to arrive at bearing
age. This habit, like that of the usual
form of the trees, is, of course, pecu-
liarity of the variety, and is continued
through successive generations by graft
ing;'but not SO the condition of an indi-
vidual tree as to thrift or fruit-bearing,
which is consequent upon age or acct
dental circumstances. If this were so,
the, using of the cions from old trees,
as is sometimes done, would tend to pro-
duce premature age and decay in the
young trees on which the cions were
grated. But no such result is seen.
Again, we may reverse the case, as is
done in taking the cions from Seeding
pears, only one or two years old, and
grating those upon bearing trees, for
the sake of speedily testing the variety.
Here We see that the stock, and not the
cion, has the most to do in the matter OF
inducing fruit-bearing. The same is
true where cion from an old tree is
grated on young stock. 1t seems at
once to assimilate with the stock in its
usefulness and disposition. to grow in
stead of to bear fruit. Why this is So
is Like the why and wherefore of good
many other things pertaining to the
influence of stocks and gratis upon each
other: we can only say that as yet we dc
not know. It is right for us to leave
many of these problems for posterity to
solve. They will have better advant
ages at the start than we had, and ought
to make greater progress in discoveries
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16
From the OanhurY EeWR.l

| From the Danbury Eewsl
TRAILING skirts are made longer than
ever.
The best kid gloves are produced in
France.
NECKLACES made of rich lace are worn
over dark dresses.
A PURPLIsH maroon color is the shade
known as tete de nigre.
P1LLow-sHAMs of goodly size are sew
en-eighths of yard square.
LADIES should be in their drawing
rooms ready to receive calls by 10 o'clock
A. NJ.
NECKTIEs and bonnet scarfs of white
or black tulle are embroidered with che
mile.
1T is now the height of style to carry
beaded purses such as our grandmoth-
ers used.
A MORE than ordinary pretty glove box
is made Of steel wire, lined with colored
silk.
A NEW piece of tableware is q silver
napkin ring, made to serve also as salt
cellar and pepper box.
FANCY braids in gold, silver or cardi-
nal on dark ground are but little used
here, but are all the rage in Paris.
HOWEVER striking and out of all taste
may seem O cardinal red dress to think
about, it is wonderfully pretty to look
upon.
The fancy at present is for chenille
trimmings. Ornaments and collars, be-
sides fringes, are used on the most ele-
CANT dresses.
A PROMINENT feature of new houses is
the inlaid wood floor, which does away
with approximations Turkish rugs
taking their place.
ALMOST all evening dresses, whether
made decollete or with heart or square
shaped necks, are accompanied with a
pretty little .fchu of lace or muslin.
HEMsT1TCHED handkerchiefs of silk
pongee have a monogram, the corner
worked in one or more colors. The EN-.
broidery is done to order, and the price
is 81 %.
AN evening dress made of four differ.
ent materials has an underskirt of plain
silk, an overskirt and basque of velvet
brocade, satin rerere and cuffs, and knife
plaitings of tulle.
AN importation of Paris-made dresses
makes known the fact that material Of
only one color is to be fashionable. ex
cepting perhaps dash here and there
OF colored facings and pipings.
EL1zABETHAN belt buckles are of blacl
Russia leather mounted with gold or sill
yer. They are of ordinary size at pres
ent, although several months ago ex
tremely wide ones were fashionable.
MoDIsTEs do not generally line dres.
skirts, as with the amount of TRIMMING
now used it makes the costume unuec
essarlly heavy; however the dress il
sometimes too slimsy without lining
and In this case one of foundation mus
lin is used.
NEW linen collars stand in the neck O
the dress and are made with rounded
corners instead of pointed. All collar
are fastened to little collarette, which
keeps them in place without the use O
pms, and also prevents the dress beins
soiled.
PLUSH is in high favor this Winter
1t serves for trimming and sometime
for the garment itself, but it has til,
prettiest effect as a hat. For evening .
delicate shade of pink or blue GOVERNS
q becoming frame and dressed with long
graceful feathers fairly bewitches til,
eye.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

A New AUSTRALIAN WILD FRu1T.-
Mr.. w. Howard lately brought under
the notice of the Queensland Chronicle
specimens of q wild fruit which, ac-
cOrding to his account, has been only
recently discovered by the settlers on
the Burrum, and of the edible of which
even the blacks until lately had no
knowledge, they having been first in
duced to taste it by observing that their
dogs greedily devoured those that had
fallen from over-ripeness. In size and
appearance it is very like small apple;
the color, externally, bright red; inside
greenish-white; the pulp closely resem-
bling that of an apple, but drier and
more fibrous. The flavor is tart but not
unpleasant, and approximating to that
Of common crab or wood apple. 1t
contains five hard pips of a bright ma
hogany color, each enclosed in sepa-
rate core, and about an inch in length.
The tree is described as very tall and
ornamental, and the locality where it
abounds is near the mouth Of the Bur
rum. The fruit, although not very pal
atable in its wild condition, would no
doubt be easily improved by cultivation.
The tree in question abounds on the
head waters of Tinana creek and Bop
pei range, and the apple, by keeping,
becomes mellow and delicious. 1t
seems to belong 10 the sapotaceous or
der, and to be referable to one of two
genera, Achras and Mimusops.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

A Philadelphia shoe merchant wrote
to his wife that he had become convert
TO cremation, and she said: "Go ahead ;
have your ashes returned G. o. d. to
me-"
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

PLUMB PuDpING.-One pound of rais-
ms, one pound Of currents, one hall
pound Of suet, five tablespoonfuls a
bread crumbs, eight tablespoonfuls q
-four, six eggs, one quarter pound q
citron, one tablespoonful Of sugar, .
little salt, nutmeg to taste, boil fully
five hours, and serve with hot mslts1
sauce.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16

SAUCE FOR PUDDING. One cupful of
brown sugar, one-half cupful Of butter,
one tablespoonful of -four; stir we'll to-
gether, and add one cupful Of hot wa
ter; let all come TO boil; use the flavor
ing preferred.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-16
Albiuos.

Albinos are frequently met with. We
find them says the IarJ, Field and
Farm, in the human race as well as in
the animal races of the lower order.
They are always what we call white.
By some defect in their organization
the substance which gives color to hair,
skin and eyes is absent. The eyes are
red, owing to the deficiency 1.-THE black
or blue hazel pigment which, in nor
NAL cases, conceals the net work of
blood vessels and the intense hue they
diffuse over the surface. In the ranks
of men the albino has peculiar harsh
ness of skin which suggests diseased
organization. The absence of color it
would seem is not hereditary. At least
there is case on record where two al
binos married and had two children
who were not albinos, but of brown
color. An instance is given where
every alternate child of large family
was an albino; but commonly when pa
rents begin producing albinos there is
no departure, in the progeny to the end
of the line. The defect makes itself ap-
parent to the close of the chapter. We
often hear of albino birds and albino
deer being killed. AS we write there is
before us partridge which is half abb
no, and which the taxidermist has made
to assume the outward proportions of
life. In the Eagle Hills of Kentucky
Tom Marshall has an albino squirrel in
a cage. He caught it when it was quiet
young, and although he has had it for
more than year, has not succeeded in
tanning it. It's nature is thoroughly
savage. Attempt to caress it and it will
Jump at you with the greatest fury, its
two red eyes glowing like balls of fire.
It is of the large-tailed fox tribe, and
keeps fat and hearty, although sour
tempered in confinement. 1t evidently
was one of family, as albinos are fire.
uuently seen in the woods where the
capture was made. Naturally, Tom
prizes highly his unruly pet. In all
countries the albino is regarded as an
object of curiosity and interest. In In
dia, the white elephants are venerated
by the natives. These mammoth abb
nos are believed to be animated by the
souls of ancient kings. and so it is not
surprising that they should be looked
upon with awe and guarded with the
tenderest care. Humboldt has express
ed the opinion that albinos are more
common among nations of dark skin and
inhabiting hot climates, and doubtless
he is right.
The twelve rules of health published
below are warranted to Danish physi-
clans from the world in ten years, If
they are all lived up to. If the read
ers of the RESCUE have any doubts
about it we would counsel them to try
it and see if the effect is not just what
we say. But you must live strictly up
TO the spirit Of the rules. No halfway
work will answer.
First-Keep cool. Second-Eat reg
rlarly and slowly. Third-Maintain
regular bodily habits. Fourth Take
early and very light suppers. Fifth
Keep clean skin. Sixth--Get plenty
OF sleep at night. Seventh-Keep cheer
full and respectable company. Eighth
Keep out OF debt. Ninth-Dont set
your mind on things you don't need.