The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-12-07


blessing to her publishers. Her house
Is filled with books every room has
bookcases and the passage and by the
side Of the staircase. She has many
letters from royalty and royal children
thanking her for her writings d
Character Shown elm Surroundings.
Have you ever noticed how much a
room tells Of the character Of its occu-
pant, unless that person be utterly de-
VOID of individuality, and merely copies
pleasing interior that has been plan
ned by some one else? When this is
the case the chairs ard tables are per-
haps arranged artistically in effective.
groupings but the one that should be
the ruling spirit Of the cosy nest is
quite at odds with the soul Of the fur
nlture, if one may speak Of inanimate
objects as having soul.
1t is not Of such rooms that we care
to talk. Our thoughts revert to those
sanctums that actually Cry out to the
visitor regarding the taste and incli-
nations of those who dwell therein,
and who allow their own superabundant
individuality to stamp itself upon their
lninutest belongings. ..
In these rooms we read heart stories
and life ambitions. A whole world
OF romance is wrapped up in picture,
before which a vase of flowers lis al
ways set as an offering upon the altar
of a dead love or cherished memory.
A history Of artistic desire is revealed
in the one or two feeble attempts at
Hnr = 49, 11n csfV
while the soft spot in the stern bust
ness mans heart is shown to the world
in fat cushion that sits on his desk,
the large uncertain stitches of which
were put in by the tiny fingers of his
little daughter.
We may think we are very close
mouthed, very discreet, and very world
ly-WiSe, but sometimes our furniture
will reveal more in a minute than we
would in years of closest intimacy
Flowers in the Sick Room.
Flowers are almost holy in their min
istry in the sick room. How often the
feeble hands will hold a rose, turning
it every way to watch the delicate
petals; or, if strong enough, will take
the flowers, examining separately each
by itself; possibly talking of each one,
surely thinking lovingly Of the giver.
Pansies make beautiful gift, as they
vary one from another, and imagina-
ton will find the bright Dutch faces.
| Lilies Of the valley are sweet and
| pretty, as are also violetS, mignOnette
and heliotrope. Avoid the strong
scented flowers for the sick room.
| Bulbs may also be given. Very often
inyalids delight in watching their
growth. Potted plants, such as cycla-
men, margucrites and fusias also make
a suitable present.
| Sometimes it is better, even when
flowers are altogether odorless, to re-
move them from the invalid's room at
night, bringing them back again the
following morning after the patient is
washed, breakfaSted, and generally re-
freshed for the day.-Good Housekeep-
ing.
Something New in Skirts.
Among cold weather garments are
new skirts Of fine felt in different
-colors, deliberately braided around the
bottom with soltaehe, a. shade darker,
or In black. Moreen skirts flannel
lined are both neat ana scrviceable.
For wearing with serge or other wool
gowns OF black, brown, gray or green,
| petticoat> TO match, silk lined and
faced with canvas at the edge to keep
it away from the feet all around, and
trimmed with rows of military braid,
is admirable. Flannel lined silk skirts
trimmed with one or two founces sim
ply hemStitched are very nice for after
noon wear. Striped or shot silks are
the best, and the colors should be sub
iectivc. A thin flannel lining is reQuis-
ite for warmth, especially if capes are
worn instead Of the long-Skirted coat.
Black silk skirts are always ladylike;
so, too, shepherds check silk skirts will
never quarrel with the gown; and in
making Il purchase this consideration
should ever be borne in mind
Are American Children Spoiled.
A Boston paper has been getting to-
gerher several opinions from persons
supposedly Informed in the matter upon
the question: els the American Child
\ Spoiled?' They are specially interest
ing, because every contributor to tbs
symposium, in one way or another, at
tests his idea that the children q TO-
day are having too much done fol-
them.
Very many persons share and often
express a similar opinion. Said al
old man, speaking on this matter very
lately: -"Children are taking the jour
ney Of life these days just as they are
taking their railway journeys-in Pull
man cars. Every luxury OF education
is provided for them, every pill OF
knowledge is sugar-coated, every dose
Of learning has the bad taste taken out
or is compressed into tablets that CAL
be swallowed at gulp. And the proc
ess isn't going to make the sturdiest
kind Of men and women, in my opin'
ion s1.
i Instruction of Children.
Teach children to do little things
about the house. 1t trains them to be
useful. not awkward, in later and more
important affairs; it gives them occu
patton while they are small, and il
really is an assistance to the mother
t;,o oIt1,o11uh che a1vvavs FOOLS