The Portland daily press., 1879-02-20
AGRICULTURAL.
Written for the Press ]
Household Topics.

ments, among the boys and girls of large
families. The parents who can furnish
simple and entertaining ones, are binding
their children and themselves by ties that no
outside allurements can destroy.
No sight is more pleasing than that of the
whole family gathered about the cheerful
sitting room, engaged in various pastimes,
and useful employments: while, perhaps,
some one Of the number reads aloud from
some interesting book, magazine or the fam-
ly newspaper. Here let me remark, that the
reading of the newspaper is of great benefit.
The most OF the matter contained in 1t lisa re.
port of what actually transpired ;or something
inviting the candid individual thought of the
reader. By this means, merely me-
chanical reading is prevented. The
thinking powers are aroused, and this leads
TO study of general topics. that otherwise
might not be attempted. Young minds are
ever active, and if not useful and entertain
ingly employed, will contrive some species of
mischief Far better it is to sacrifice some
personal ease, at times, to provide some
means OF enjoyment to the children, than to
be gone the whole long evening. OF their
company and conduct we know nothing.
Very, very often their companions are
those whom we blush to see In their COM
pany. In the midst of such association, evil
habits are formed, and the boys grow to man
hood, almost entirely weaned from home.
The sweet confidence between parents and
children is utterly lost, and the place which of
allplaces in the world, should be the happiest
is the most desolate.
Hparents are destitute of an abundance of
means, and cannot furnish as many of the
popular amusements as they would like to,
there is an open field for the exercise of the
skill and genius which boys and girls possess
to greater or less extent. In families of
means, or even moderate circumstances, all
wants of the children are supplied at once:
which, of course, is just the reverse of moth
ers with less fortunate families.
Boys and girls, don't become discouraged
because your rich neghbors seem to enjoy
themselves better than you do. Put your
wits and energies together, and I promise you
that you will not lack for things to promote
your happiness. You all know how much
you all enjoy anything that by your own self
denial or effort you have earned; and Just so
it will be with whatever you manufacture for
your own amusement. Boys, did you ever
make set Of jack straws? They are an old
fashioned game, I know; but perhaps some
of you do not own set and would like to
know how they are made. Now stay at
home with mother and sister some evening
and MAKE set. Clear pine wood does very
nicely. You can make as many pieces as you
please. My set contains ten straws,-just
round stick, ten pistols, ten guns, a pipe,
spade, shovel, pick-axe, hoe, battle axe, chop
ping axe, dirk knife, sword, club, crow-bar,
sledge-hammer, flag, man and woman, an
oar, an arrow. If you desire more pieces,
you can put them in. Each piece is num-
bered to suit the fancy of the owner. They
must be all of length. Make hook to take
them from the pile with. Take round stick
somewhat longer than the rest; put a pin,
bent in the shape of a hook, in one end, and
needle In the other end. Gather up the
straws In bundle in your hand and allow
them to fall as they will. Then with the
hook take as many as you can without NOV
ing any of the rest As soon as one moves
your play is over, and the next one shakes
them, and plays till he moves one, when it
will come to the next one. If there are but
two playing, the play comes to the first one.
When done playing, the one who gets the
highest count has won the game.
You can make Fox and Geese board with
little trouble. Dom'noes, too, can be made
very simply OF white deadwood, with the
ypots burnt in. These games. simple as they
are, afford amusement to children for hours
at a time. There is a little mental arithme-
bic connected with Jack Straws, that will be
Of benefit.
Girls, wouldn't you like collection of do
mestic animals? A cat, dog and pig are
among the number. The pig is made of
white cotton flannel, with the nap turned
outside; and filled with cotton or bran.
think that, without exception, it is the most
natural looking homemade toy ever saw.
The cat aud dog may be made of any ma.
terial that Is thick enough and not too thick
to look well.
To
make papa little present? What I will de-
scribe is quite novelty; viz, mouse pen
wiper. The penwiper may be made of three
or four round pieces of cloth pinked round
the edges. Different colors may be used ifde-
sired. Make the largest piece two and one half
inches across. The next one, one quarter
inch smaller, the next quarter smaller than
the second, and so on till you have put them
all together. The edge of each one is pinked |
out with the scissors, or pinking iron. Use
small piece Of pasteboard for the foupda-
ton. The mouse is Two and ons half inches
long when finished. Cut piece of cloth a
little more than two and one half inches long,
and little more than two and five Fights |
wide. Double the cloth and cut true slope |
from the middle of the piece to the end. |
This Is the back part. Keep the cloth doub- |
led, and make the head one inch deep, slop- |
ing from this point to the middle of the back.
This, of course, will be but little less than a |
straight line. Fill 1t with cotton or bran.
Cut the ears, which are half inch long, and
scant half inch broad, pointed at the end
that joins to the head, and broad at the outer
end. Use small black beads for eyes: stiff
drab thread for whiskers. Crochet the tail
OF gray yarn. When Joined to the body, and
the mouse Joined to the penwiper, it is nov
ell little affair. Looks just as natural as if it
were real live mouse. Get one of your
brothers to make an open rack, to place by
the penwiper on the table, and am sure pa
pa Will be pleased with them. You will be
amply rewarded for your labor by seeing how
much pleasure it gives him Another thing
that will please father is a slipper case, You
can make one in the form of shield, or mar
row at the bottom and wider at the ton
The pocket, of course, is to be made wider
than The back TO allow room for the slippers,
II made of pasteboard aud covered with black
cloth, and finished round the edges with scar
let, either cord or pleated braid, it will be
very pretty. IF Won wish unu can work tho |