davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
noon tho tree Tn order to heigh,en the

upon the tree. In order to heighten the
effect presents not decorative in them.
selves should be wrapped In pretty colored
papers and tied with bright ribbons.
For making wreaths and otherwise
trimming sitting room and parlor ground
pine represents a favoritc material. A
little holly with its red berries combines
handsomely with ground pine, Cedar,
spruce and hemlock can all be utilized for
house decoration. Some sprays of bright
red bitter sweet among the dark green
will give pleasant touch of color.
These suggestions are given for the
benefit of households that are far removed
from towns or cities and where the max
ing of merry Christmas depends upon the
ingenuity Of loving hands rather than the
spending Of much money. To these house
holds it is quite possible to give at least a
holiday air to the home, il not in elaborate
preparations by arranging few branches
or sprays of Christmas greens here and
there about doors and windows and
around pictures or in graceful fashion
upon the walls. Little people are quite
content with home made cOnfections in
fanciful shapes and practical home made
toys and articles of wearing apparel when
these are presented in mysterious pack
ages borne on Christmas trees.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

Numbered with important lessons
learned by wide awake farmers at the
recent stock shows at Chicago, is the ad-
yantge Of pure blood in the improvement
of all stock and the excellence attained
through careful selection and breeding in
meat production and in the dairy inter.
eSts.
The show Of cattle comprised short
horns, Jerseys, Herefords, Devons, Aber-
deen-Angus, Holsten-Freision, Sussex
and grades and crosses. The Herefords
made fine show, though not present in
great numbers. The breed most largely
represented, both by pure bred animals
and grades, was the short horn.
The swine breeders were out in full
force, and the show of fat hogs repre-
scented the various breeds, Berkshrcs,
Poland Chinas, Essex, Duroes, Nictorias,
large and small Yorkshires and others.
The exhibit Of horses was fine one,
especially in draft horses-Normans, Per-
cherons and Clydesdales. There was also
a fair showing of Cleveland bays and
French coach horses.
At the poultry show the Plymouth
Rocks and Brahmas appear to have lost
none of their old popularity, and were out
in fine array. OF the newer breeds the
Langshang and Wyandottes lead. These
two breeds seem to be running very
even race for popularity.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
Christmas Trees and Greens.

One of the great delights of child's
Christmas is the Christmas tree. This is
so easily provided as to be within the
reach of all who desire to make the 2jth
of December what it ought to be-a gala
day for the young folk. An evergreen
tree of size suited to the number of the
household can be kept firmly in place by
inserting it in hole bored in heavy
square block of wood. a small tree may
be set upon a table; for large one a rude
low platform can be constructed. Cover
table or platform with green baize, or,
better still, with moses and lichens.
The tree may be lighted with tapers or
ordinary small lanterns covered with
bright colored flannel. Festoons of pop
corn strung on q thread furnish cheap
and at the same time effective decoration.
The bright lights, the white trimmings
contrasting with the green, with paper
cornucopias and bags of nuts and candies
will make the tree n thing of beauty"
IN the eyes of children almost without the
additional surprises in the shape Of gifts
thst ingenious hands have made and hung
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

The goose, rs the holidays draw near,
becomes bird of Importance, assuming
at the Christmas feast much the same
position the turkey claims at Thanksgiv-
ing dinners.
Just why more farmers do not raise
geese does not appear; they are harder
than turkeys and much easier to rear,
and when fat always bring good price in
the market
For commercial purposes it is advised
to select either the Toulouse or Embden
varieties. The former is commonly known
as the gray goose because its plumage is
of that color, and the Emblem is called
the white goose, its plumage being white
throughout. AS to quality of flesh these
varieties are about equal. Hence a choice
between the two is greatly a matter Of
individual taste. To make goose keeping
a paying business, no matter what variety
is kept, it is necessary to have good
pond with plentiful supply of water
They ought also to have house all to
themselves, regularly supplied with
straw.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
Sensible Advice About Swine.

At the National Swine Growers con,
vention Professor Morrow in an address
said he thought that growers had gone
far enough in developing the fat produc-
ing capacity and in getting up fancy
points. He gave the following sensible
advice:
Breed from mature animals. Select
breeding stock with reference to health,
activity and vigor, and not alone with
reference to early maturity, ease Of fat
tening or possession of the minor points
distinguishing breeds. Cease to magnify
petty points as essen tials, thus limiting
our selections. Recognize the fact that
grass and clover are natural and admir-
able food for hogs, old and young. Give ex-
ercise to the young and all breeding hogs.
Give some variety of food and not corn
alone. In food, water and shelter give
that reasonable care to secure good sani-
tary conditions which common sense and
experience dictate. Trust little to the ad-
vertised specific for diseases"
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

The rate of yield for the hay crops this
year averages about one half ton per acre,
and the total product is placed at about
Al, 900, coo tons.
An estimate Of the cane sugar crop of
the world this year reports an increase Of
2,21s, 600 tons, and of the beet sugar crop
decrease of $50, $50 tons.
Professor w. J. Green, Of the Ohio eX
pertinent station, considers that there is
no evidence that sulphur used properly in
bleaching fruits endangers the health.
Owners of exposed cattle in and about
Chicago have agreed with the live stock
commissioners to allow the cattle to
be appraised and killed, and trust II the
legislature to appropriate an amount
sufficient TO pay for those found not to b
actually infected with the disease.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

Another important point is to get rid of
the sediment which gathers at the bottom
of every cistern. This is easily accom-
plished by carrying the overlooking pipe
to the bottom of the cistern on line
with the inlet pipe, and thereby forming
q current which disturbs the sediment
and carries it into the overflow, as is
shown in the illustration.
The illustration also shows the arrange
ment of the draw ripe, which should
have fine wire strainer on the end and
should rest upon a support near the
bottom of fine strainer at least two feet
high A piece of one-quarter inch mesh
of galvanized wire gauze bent into n pipe
a foot in diameter and covered with thick
flannel cloth doubled makes an excellent
filter for the water. a cistern thus con
structed six years ago for use in n dairy
barn, says the correspondent who de-
scribed it in The American Agriculturist,
has never required cleaning, and the
water has always been good.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
FhSHIONlETS.

Snowshoe clubs are c-ganizing in northern
Michigan, and $500 worth of flannel uni
forms have been ordered from ono tailor
alone A toboggan slide will also be built at
Marquette.
Monkey skin muffs will be fashionable.
Silver and blue fox are popular furs for
trimming.
The bridegroom at a morning wedding
wears a black cloth frock coat, vest TO match,
gray trousers and white silk cravat, either
plain, repped or figured.
Music boxes, which come under the head OF
Injuries, are akin to jewelry and silverware,
AMI therefor, ought to be in stock, not only
in city stores, but in towns and villages.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
FARM AND GARDEN.
CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM-STOCk
SHOWS-WORN OUT LANDS.

A Sensible Cistern-Breed Swine for
Other Points than Fat-An Important
Fowl-New and Beautiful Piaut-Win-
ter Feeding of Sheep.
Feed racks ought to be so constructed
that sheep can procure their food without
tearing the wool from their necks or fill
ing their fieeces with dust, chaff or hay
seed. Make the floor Of the loft close and
tight to prevent the dropping of dust from
above. a rack suitable for hay or straw
approved of by Henry Stewart and used
by many eastern farmers is illustrated in
the accompanying cut. This rack should
be about 81 feet high at the front. The
bars are placed 3 inches apart and may be
of oak, ash or chestnut, finished smooth,
and inch thick by ~ inches wide.
The front Of the rack should slope back
ward ut the top or inches to prevent
the hay or clover dust from falling out
upon the Sleeps heads. At the rear of
the rack sloping boards are fitted, so that
as part of the hay or straw is eaten the
rest falls down to the front where the
sheep can reach it. The end Of the rack
ought to be closed with bars in the same
way as the front, so that lambs cannot
creep in and get lost This rack may be
made of any desired length
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
Menu for a rlain but Good American
Christmas Dinner,


An excellent Christmas Dime. for refined
people, who know that the best eating is a
few dishes at a time, and those Of the first
quality, is as follows:
First course-Raw oysters, half dozen
upon each plate, with half lemon also to
each plate; salt, pepper and glass Of nice,
crisp celery and some olives; crackers and
butter, or cold, light rolls and butter.
Second course-Remove the oyster plates,
squeezed lemons and all, leaving the celery
and olives. Then bring on your roast
turkey, cranberry sauce and vegetables.
Mashed potatoes, succotash and stewed
tomatoes will DO quite enough. The potatoes
should be beaten up with fork II there Is
not in the household one of those new fash
toned wire potato beaters Potatoes beaten
to a creamy pulp are much lighter than those
mashed with Il FOUNDER Dress them richly
with cream and butter. The potatoes and
cranberries may be served upon the dinner
plates, the tomatoes and succotash upon sauce
dishes. Add TO the articles already men
toned lettuce salad, with made dressing
Of oil, vinegar, pepper salt, mustard, eggs
and little sugar. That is quite sufficient for
the heavy and main course. Americans,
whether they own to it or not usually like
their coffee with their food, and there is no
reason why they should not have it, unless
they wish to be fashionable. In that case
they will put it of till after the main part of
the dinner is eaten.
After the turkey is dispatched take away
all his remains. Don't leave anything upon
the table that suggests grease and half eaten
food These things removed and the table
cleared, bring on the mince pie piping hot.
After that one or two kinds of fruit. Then
nuts, raiSinS and coffee Tall dishes OF can
dies in bright coored wrappers, with notices
inside, amuSc the Young folk and look pretty
upon the table. They may be dived into at
nut and raisin time. But it is simply "horrid''
and altogether unbearable to poke ones
fingers into fruits nuts and raisins and can
dies before the time for eating them comes.
No decent person will do that.
We have here outlined u plain American
dinner, and very good one IL is, too.
Flowers or growing ferns upon the table will
add to the pleasant effect Then keep good
natured and polite in spite of the world, the
flesh and the devil and You will have per
feet Christmas. We hope it will be "A very
merry one to everybody.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

Silver spoons are used to scrape kettles;
coffee, tea, pepper and spices are LEFT to stand
open and lose their strength; potatoes in the
cellar grow, and the sprouts are not removed
until the potatoes become worthless; brooms
are never hung up, and are very soon spoiled /;
nice handled knives are thrown into hot
water; the flour is sifted in n wasteful man
ner, and the bread pan is left with the dough
sticking to it-Detroit Tribune.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

Persons who have tried the steam cooker
shown in the illustrations are enthusiastic in
its praises. Its well tested claim is that it is
constructed on scientific principles, giving
concentrated heat, togetner with steam press
ure.
It's is called the peerless Steam Cooker, "
and can be used on a common kitchen range
or cook stove, or an oil, gas or gasoline stove.
We are assured that it will cook meat, pud-
dings and vegetables at the same time, with
out mingling the havors and without having
them all taste alike, like so many hotel dishes
The ordinary size IS designed for family
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

A large per cent of sickness is due to
the impurities in the water used for
drinking and culinary purposes. In many
sections csterns are depended on for the
water supply; these when i'll constructed
are danger to health because of the inn
purities which obtain access to water and
unfit it for use. Every part around the
surface of a cistern ought to be made
close
A cistern may be made both frost and
vermin proof as follows: Let the beams
that support the floor be bedded in the
wall or shoulder of the cistern and covered
with lime or cement mortar, leaving a
smooth surface all around for the first
floor. Cover this with u second floor
raised eight or ten inches on n frame of
two by ten jolsts made of cedar or other
wood. Pack the earth closely against
this frame and let the top floor extend a
few inches beyond the frame all around.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

Fig. . shows n vertical section OF this cd
mirabls household implement, with the din
ner inside. 1t is a good dinner, too, from
boiled corn and pudding at the top to roast
chicken at the bottom.
Observe the tubes A, B, c at each side Of
the cooker. A, on tho right is a tube for
conveying the surplus steam into the stove.
b, on the left is steam whistle. When the
water is getting low, ping! it goes off, shrill
as q penny trumpet. Then the cook knows
she must pour more water In at the tube e
below B. This tube is provided 20 that water
may be poured in without taking off the
cover.
The cover over all is steam tight. There Is
a safety valve provided which regulates 1t
self There is also an indicator which tell
when the water is boiling and the food cook
ing
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
Black Toilets.

In addition to entirely black toilets richly
embroidered with je' beads, black dresses
trimmed with color ..e much liked for the
theatre and evening wear. In one handsome
costume black lace is fulled over Il gold vel
low, satin slip skirt; the velvet bodice is cut
square and trimmed with a double row Of
gold yellow, silk pompons, The sash is black
velvet. The black kid gloves are embroid-
cred with gold, and gold thistles and aigrette
are worn in the high dressed hair.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
FEED RACK FOR SHEEP.

The variety of foods suitable for the
winter feeding of sheep is extensive.
Hay, straw, pea and bean haulm, corn
fodder, and roots of various kinds, corn,
oats, rye, buCkwh"at cotton seed and
linseed oil cake meal and bran furnish Il
wide field from which proper choice OF
food can be made.
The relative feeding values of these
various substances rs food will determine
their relative money values, and as these
differ and tluctuate from time to time, ii
is often necessary, in order to secure the
most profit on the feeding, to select the
food that is most economical in its use,
although it may be the highest in price.
Clover hay is one of the most valuable of
single foods for winter use, provided it
was cut when in blossom, cured SO as to
preserve all its good qualities and kept
free from damp and mold. Well cured
pea straw is preferred by many next to
clover hay and before timothy or any
other hay Dat straw is readily eaten by
sheep and is healthful food. Barley,
wheat and rye straw will helpto keep life
in the stock, but are not sufficiently
nutritive to contribute much to the
growth Of flesh or wool and ought there
fore to be used only as adjuncts to roots
and grains or oil cake meal. Rye straw
that is affected by ergot is highly injuri-
Gus to pregnant ewes and is also the occa-
sion of inflammation of the stomach and
intestines to sheep that feed on it. Such
straw ought to be used only for litter.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
WHAT SHALL WE WEAR ?
TAILOR GOWNS AND COSTUMES
FOR FANCY DRESS.

Miss Games and the Little Japanese Maid.
The Tailor Gown Is Becoming Lighter
in Weight and Better Adapted to Its
Purpose.
This week our fashion column shows first
two more handsome Redfern tailor gowns.
They are from original designs specially fur
nished us. Wooden dresses have almost alto
gether superseded silk ones for the street.
That change has been brought about by the
tailor gown.
This winter it is better adapted to its pur-
pose than it has been heretofore. Every eff
fort has been made to Tighten it in weight
An approved fashion is to make single
skirt, plain and scant, with plain band,
pinked or scalloped at the bottom, and a
slight draping behind. The skirt is made
without lining and in case of firm, heavy
goods the lining is also sometimes left out Of
the waist
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

yellow goods. The embroidery on the
edge of the upper skirt and the neck piece
set in at the breast are elso yellow. The EN-
broidcry at the breast is yellow. Blue fan,
with yellow sticks The full, wide sash is
red Blue stockings rNd yellow "Mikado"
slippers. Ordinary paper parasol, whose pre-
vailin2 shade Is blue.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25


several things at n time upon an ordinary
range. 1t saves time, labor and fuel
Fig. shows the cooker as it looks upon the
outside when It sits upon the range with
several articles of food steamins inside. 1t
seems able to do everything but fry pancakes.
There is no doubt that food cooked by
steam is tenderer and more evenly done and
better favored than that slapped up" in the
ordinary fashion anyhow and in any time.
In the cooker before US water is put into the
bottom. 1t turns to steam, passes up and
around the outside of the various compart-
ments, heats them intensely hot and roasts
chicken, bal,es potatoes, etc. AT the top
colander containing food 10 he steamed, as
corn or pudding, is set upon the cooker anc
tightly covered. The steam passes through
and through it and soon does the work
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

Peter Henderson
is the Asparagus
T e II II i S s i NJ II s,
the fine hlmy foil
age of which
equals in delicate
beauty the maid
en- hair ferns.
One Of the char
acteristics Of this
plant is that the
stems or fronds
! 5 tan without
willing for a long
time after being
cut, which rend.
ers it valuable to
mix with C II [
: flowers. If SO de-
sired it can be
grown, like smi.
lax or the climb
ing fern, on a
illustration,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
FIG. |.
FIG. ?.
the waist

Fig. / shows rather a light weight tailor
gown. The skirt falls plain with a scant box
plating and slight draping behind. The gown
is of wine colored vicuna cloth, handsomely
braided in fine bla * tubular braid
Fig. . is a beautiful gown of heliotrope
faced clo,h combined with velvet Of the same
shade Hat to match. Every seam of the
short, close basques is now whalCboned.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

of from two to
eight persons. One
of the greatest I'D
vantaSes Of this in
vention is that it
preserves the juices
Of meats. A whole
dinner can be
cooked at once, with
none Of the fussing
aud skipping about
that wears out the
life of the house
keeper who cooks
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

thing belonging to
japanese dress and
drapery. The Jap
anese girls dress
here sh O W II is
something on the
order of that of
the three little
maids from q, .Ior'
The hair is drawA
back from th G
forehead, h c pc d
up at the crown
of the head, and
ornamented w it h
long pins stuck
tn rough and
through it. T h e
under petticoat is
Of brocaded yellow
goods. The upper
garment is Zig h t
blue. The open,
falling sleeves, of
proligious length,
orn lined with the
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

The name of this
figure is simply
"Games." Miss
Games steps about
at the party with
a head dress in imi-
tation of a roulette
table, a fan made
of policy tickets, a
bodice ornamented
with cards, and the
points OF her dash
ing red tunic stud
ded with dice. Her
skirt is trimmed
wit h chess and
checker board S.
d o wn the right
side of the skirt,
held by gilt cord,
hangs an ornament
made of a billiard
ball, while in front
of the lady's boots,
upon her neat in
step and ankle, APP
pear domino pat
terms. This is a
unique dress. The
cloth to make it,
calico stamped in
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
Fancy Dresses.

The season of fancy dress parties for grown
people and children is near at hand. In view
Of that we have had copies prepared of some
Of the dresses that will be popular this season.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

the game patterns, can be usually had
ready prepared If not, the patterns can be
sewed upon plain goods; si''1 or cotton. The
middle of he skirt is yellow, the bottom
piece red, sleeves and pastron, white muslin.
rhe next figure is called the japanese maid
The great popularity of the light comic
opera of The Mikadon has popularized every
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
Plant With Fine Foliage.

Numbered with new and rare plants
recommended to the lovers of ferns by
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25
CHICAGO. ROCK ISLAND g. PACIFIC R'Y


faci
mainn Joet
Des
Guthrie
t
ofInterIn atacties.t sandYl ages.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25

roadbd
is in the
of
DINING CARS
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-25


Minneapolis St
children
~A~
Ticket Offices in the
United ia md or
o caRe 3 ST John E. A. H0i BROOK
6eh Chicago 6lin Fa Ast '"sAs>
Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-09-30
Inspecting Is. & o. Property.

NEW YORK, Sept. 29.-Robert Gar
rett, Ersstus Wiman, Samuel Spencer
and Thomas M. Kirg, frst and second
wee presidents of the Baltimore and
Obio; DIR. Barnard snd Mr.. Anderson,
presidents assistants of The Baltimore
and Ohio, aud other gentlemen, repre-
senting important shipping interests,
today inept cted the two new piers &C
quired by the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, No. 81 North River, and No.
IL East River. The party then pre-
ceede 10 Staten Island, where care
full inspection TOOK place OF the various
water fronts controlled by the Bslti.
more and OHIO, through the Rapid
transit Company. The railroad was
also carefully examined all the way to
Erastins. Mr.. Garrett and Others ex.
pressed themselves rs much pleased
with the property. II is understood
that energetic steps ara contemplated
for its development. The bridge over
The Arthur XIII will be proceeded with
at or &c.