The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1904-03-12
How to Use the
Long Evenings

From Farmers Review: One can
not but note at this season the grad
ual shortening Of the days and the
corresponding lengthening of the even.
ings. Many country people dread the
season Of long evenings. as the time
often dfags slowly for the want of
congenial employment. The women of
the household are most eAsily provid-
ed for. as they have, resort to knitting
and various kinds Of fancy work; but
the male members of the family and
the children usually ind the evening
wearisome long before bed time.
The wise house mother provides
against this emergency long before
the time arrives by finding something
for the entertainment OF all to be held
in readiness. Most farm houses con-
tain some musical instrument, and this
IL an excellent time for cultivating the
musical taste Of the whole family.
Let one or more do the playing while
all that can Join together in the sing
Ing. Don't worry about new music or
old, but play the old familiar tunes
that father and mother love.
II the home is not already well pro
vided with good literature, both books
and periodicals, attend to the matter
at once. Good books are 30 cheap
now that there Is NO excuse for not
having at least . few volumes of the
standard works that everybody should
read-Dickens, Scott, Emerson, Ten
nyson, Longfellow. Bryant, Holmes,
Alcott-these names and many more
should be as familiar to the rising
generation as their own.
But 1t Is not enough. in this age Of
progress, to read books alone. In or
der to keep abreast of the times one
must know what the world is doing
and thinking. The only way to do this
10 to read the best of current litera-
ture, and only the best; anything less
should not be tolerated in the home.
Every family should have at least one
clean, reliable newspaper, several
farm papers II the head of the house is
up to date and wishes to make pro
gressive farmers Of his boys, q house.
hold magazine or two and as many
literary magazines as inclination and
purse will allow. A good young peo-
pies paper, but be very sure that it Is
good. will be appreciated by the young
folks. 1t is good idea to set aside a
small sum every year as q Literary
fund.-" to be expended to the best ad.
vantage In providing the years litera-
ture.
II the young people have no taste
for reading. begin at once to cultivate
liking for 1t by reading aloud to
them. Select an interesting story and
read chapter every evening. Soon
they will beg for more or be willing to
take turn in the reading.
A few games will be found interest
ing to both old and young. They are
cheap when purchased. or may often
be home made. The old favorttes-
dominoes, checkers, fox and geese.
jack straws and many more-ueyer
lose their charm, while there are many
fascinating new games. For the little
ones. chopped cards and animals may
be made Of advertisement cards, cut
in pieces, each kept by itself in an On.
velope. Large colored letters, cut
from Advertisement posters, will SUP
ply much amusement to the larger
children. Let one select the letters of
a word and. after jumhling together.
pass to another to put In order again.
Social life should not be neglected,
as many winter evenings are most de-
lightful for riding out and the farm
teams are at leisure for driving,
Then the farmers family should i'm
prove the opportunity for visiting and
entertaining their friends. Indeed. the
winter evenings should be the most
enjoyable time In the year.
Gertrude x. Lanbeft