Evening star., 1898-09-03
HOUSEHOLD HIN rs

IneSo De lile udSS Wnen late SOJOurn3r0
in the country or fnounGains find new ways
of amusing themselves and ''driving dull
care away" The cat-tais now rise plump
and brown by the meadow brook, and
when cut close to- the Ground and turned
head downward in a pail of kerosene to
soak for several hours, make most effec-
tive torches forh evening illuminations
Holes are made in the ground with a
sharp-pointed stick, and the cat-tails set
up the lawn in circles or lines. Another
effective oriental way of lighting the
grounds is through the prosaic medium of
a par of ashes and little kerosene. A
pole is sunk in the ground far enough to
hold it firm and on the top of this is nail
&c a small board to act as a shelf A tin
pan of ashes wet with kerosene is placed
in a larger empty pan, and this on the
shelf. When lighted, the blaze lasts a long
time, sending up broad and continuous
flame, While the children and their elders,
sit in groups upon the broad porch watch
irg the fascinating play of this scion of the
fire god. Needless to say. this method of
illumination is not to be allowed On an ex-
tremely WINDY evening, or in the absence
of some grave and reverend senior born to
command
With the coming of the long cool even
ings and the shut in days that accom-
pany the autumnal equinox, every mother
or hostess is glad to have a list of simple
indoor amusements at her command, to
suggest as substitutes for field games. A
letter game that may be played by any
number of people, young or old, is always
In order. A large number of pasteboard
letters are kept in a box. Then each per-
son playing may decide upon a word, and
select from the pile the letters forming
that word. These letters all mixed and
handed to the next person to make the
word In this way each one is kept busy
,Ix-in MT ou-n he
selected may be simple difficult, accord
ing to the abilities Of the various partici-
pants. When such words bacteriolo-
gsts Mephistophelian, paradoxical, Bac
chanalian or Giaour are given out it re-
quires not only familiarity with an extend
ed vocabulary, but stimulates quckness of
perception as well.
A clever little school teacher who is an
adept at the connection of delicious home
made candies and cakes, has devised a
way of Obtaining a pretty pink coloring
for her candies and froSting that will bear
passing on. She buys 5 cents worth of
the bright red cinnamon drops at the near
est reliable confectioners, puts them in a
cup, covers them with water for a few
moments, and, hey, presto! a half pint of
rosy coloring that lends itself admirably
to the. semblance of strawberries, water
melons roses The little suspicion of
cinnamon that clings to the coloring is al
most intangible, yet quite delightful and
the beauty of 1t all is that tits so easy"
With the coming of the chrysanthemum
season. few hints on the arrangement
and grouping Of This favorite fall flower
may not be amiss. The best decorative
effect. says one with an artistic eye. is
produced, if in arranging the flowers, the
different colors are kept quite separate in
table or drawing room decorations. The
dark terra Gotta tints should always be
backed by green foliage. Huge punches
of yellow chrysanthemums need no other
support, being quite sufficient INTO them
selves. In a chrysanthemum show, the
pink and cream flowers are most effective
when ranged in front of the maroons and
terra Cottas.
One Of the greatest toilet conveniences
to carry when travelling, for use in
ones own home are sponge and brush
baskets. Every one realizes how musty
and sour brushes and sponges become in
hot weather, and know from experience
the difficulties attendant upon drying and
airing them the window sill. These
baskets are of knotted twtne, made like
a seine or butterfly net. and fastened to a
rattan hoop. Hung outside the window
they hold their contents safe, while allow
ing the fresh air TO do its purifying work.
Sweet picked apples are almost as de-
licious as pears or peaches Cut them in
halves, cutting through the stem and leav-
ing in the skin and core. Put three cloves
in each half. Make. sweet sirup allow
of sugar and a pint'o of vinegar. Bring the
sirup 10 boil put the apples in and cook
until they can be pierced with straw.
Take out with a skinner, pack in cans or
jars, cook the strip little longer and pour
over them.
Dried and canned watermelon rlndS are
esteemed by southern housewives as Tar
superior to citron in the making of cake.
One method, highly recommended, is 10
cut the rlnds into two or three-inch lengths,
peel and cook thick and rich with plenty
of sugar Can. When ready to use take
out few slices, and dry N the oven
If in g. ering cat tails. golden rod or
grasses for use in winter decorations. they
are turned head downward for few days
to allow the sap TO run back INTO The plant,
and dry there, they will Keep N muca bet
ter condition than when dried stem down.
Again the sandwich. This time, slices
of bread spread with layers of olives cut
in small pieces, and -covered with mayon-
naise dressing.
At swell English dinner, apples are
used as the fruit centerpiece, just as for
ejgn fruits are used here.
uEDE,.S THE NE,yE LAUGH.