Newspaper Page Text
li/ofws
■[This is the ladies’ column. They are invited to
■press their opinions herein—to use it astheirown.
Ke editress will answer questions or accept sug
■btions with pleasure.]
BEYOND.
[WHITTEN FOR THE CONSTITUTION.]
■ie slanting shades of evening fell around,
■id twilight's holy peace w.s brooding low;
■ie faintly golden ray still touched the home,
■ is where angels steps had entrance found—
K leave on earth sucli hearts of anguished woe,
■ad bear to heaven the mother’s spirit form;
■ie gentle mother, worn with worldly strife,
■id peans of peace, to gain immortal life—
■id low, soft sound of zephyrs stirred the tre ’S,
■here lone, and sad, the cry of whippoorwill;
■at chills with past—and bodes of future woe,
■ose trembling on the evening’s balmy breeze,
■iwdiat mysterious umem power doth thrill
■iese yearning hearts, when death has stricken
■ low
■ie forms we love—<md we on pinions seem to rise,
■id peer beyond the cloud-drifts to the skies I
■ie solemn Irash—the deep infinite sense,
■at now we stand close by the unseen land—
Ke mystic veil—that hangs so thin between
Ke woes of life, and heaven’s recompense,
■iat we could seeming touch with mortal hand,
Ke shining wings of cherub hosts within.
■subtle power! take from life's gold, the clay,
■id fuse this night of gloom, with light of radiant
■ day!
Inda Bai.Tjn Hays.
■ I have a great sympathy for school teachers,
■here is no class of workers that wo should
■ve more compassion for than this. I heard
■lady say not long since, when asked if she as
■sted her children in learning their lessons;
■No, that is one thing I will not do; I pay the
■acl.er to do that, and I will not be bothered
■vine to teach my children at home.” It cer
■inly seems strange any mother could thus
■press herself, and yet this woman only
■hoed the sentiments of hundreds of others,
■hool teachers have many disagreeable things
■ contend with; tlieie is more expected of
■cm than it is sometimes possible to perform,
Kd yet foolish parents complain, and are. dis
pleased if they do not find perfection in their
Mildren’s teacher. They are not only required
K impart know ledge, but are held responsible
■ten for the intellect of the child in receiving
■. They arc expected to maintain order,
wut complained of, if tliqjr discipline should
■ at all strict. Their paths are beset
■ith difficulties on every side, and it
■ a life full of responsibility and
■xicty. There are of course, many teachers
■ho arc by nature so fitted for the position,
that it is a pleasure to teach, but where you see
Kr, who lias a peculiar talent for teaching and
■parting knowledge, you Stc dozens who fol
■w teaching merely as a means of making a
■ving, and are therefore wholly unfitted for
■e position. How many young girls these
■ays arc seeking positions as teachers who
■ink a good education is all that is necessary;
■ey forget that there are manyotherrequi
■tes; a firm will, a temperament free from
■erves, any amount of patience, and the
Bower of bearing and forbearing. It takes
■eso qualifications and many others to make
■ good a successful teacher. The life of our
■ackers could be made much brighter and
■appier by the sympathy and co-operation of
Barents. If there was a greater tendency on
■o part of parents to uphold a teacher in all
■eir rules, and let the child see that they
■bought the teacher right, how much it would
Bghten their burdens; but alas! how often it
■ just the reverse; she child goes homo with
■ts complaints and represents things in such a
Snanner that the parent is in arms at once, and
Sexpresses an opinion adverse to the teacher,
Sympathizes with the child and believes a
Statement, that of course places the teacher in
a wrong light. The child sees that mother is
taking its part, and the teacher gets all the
blame, whether justly or not, and so the
trouble is made, and the teacher’s influences
for good decreased. If parents would only re
member how often they get out of patience
bvith their childi _n at home, and only a small
Slumber, they would certainly exercise more
scharity for one who is shut up day after day
hvith forty bad children, all of different dis
positions and wants. But I want my readers,
■or those who are in sympathy with teachers, to
[read “A School Ma'am’s Plaint,” a little
'sketch very life like, and which the reading
[of, called forth the above few thoughts on
[teachers and their work.
A SCHOOL MA’AM’S PLAINT.
*
When I was 17 years old the directors of
county saw lit t> give me a school. Iliad
taught one term, and bed got along so well that
they felt justified in giving inc another. I have
long since given up teaching, but my recollection of
that trying winter is so vivid it seems but yesterday.
I had read a great deal on the correct way of
governing schools, and the article I modeled after
advised govern'ng by love. I will say right here
that governing by love is a delusion and a snare—a
pitfall for the feet of the unwary; and the One 1 fell
into was very much overgrown.
The author of this deluding pamphlet claimed
that where ccrpi r.il punishment only commanded
outward obedience the conquer-by-love system
brought out all the native godliness, more or less of
which substance lies dormant in every school boy's
heart. It may be so. I would not for the world
contradict the illustrious author. But I think if he
had analyzed the school boys of district he
would have found very little of the precious element
in their composition, Ajtyhow, the conquer-by
love system failed to develop it.
I went to school the first morning with a heart
overflowing with love towards the forty-odd intend
ed recipients of that love. I resolved to set a good
example before them by charity, forbearance,
patience and serenity combined. If I had only
mixed with these firmness and a resolve to judici
ously apply hickory oil when occasion demanded, I
would probably have got along better.
One of my rules was to have each pupil who
missed a word write it a certain number of times on
his slate or on the hoard. One day a pupil flatly re
fused. Love fell flat, and I was obliged to have re
course to the old-fashioned hickory wand. After
be had given in arid completed bis task I sent him
to his feat. I saw his lips move, and form the word
—it don't matter what it was—undi r his breath.
I gave him a second dose, even more liberal than
the first, and lie never came to school another day.
I was so g’ad. This caused a breach between me
and that family.
There were two brothers who had a rooted objec
tion to looking at their bo k». I kept one of these
in one day to learn Lisle-s >n, and at noon he went
home. Next morning 1 told him as he bad gone
home without asking my permission be could now
make up the half-day by staying in bls iutermis
e ons and three-fourths of his nooning. This made
his folks very angry. They seat me a note, threaten
ing me with expulsion, but I sent #r a director,
who told me to go abend, and "let ’em lire away.”
It is needle* to s ate I "let 'em fire.”
One of the many la ills they accused me of—ol
whl h I wnsn l guilty—was partiality. There was
one little girl, acousin of mine, to whom 1 never
had occasion to speak s-vorely, and who always
bad l.er lessons. They said I never scolded Lizzie,
E > mutter what she <1 I.
One old hy; ■i e aid my school house "just put
her in mln i■ I :t ’hinder, it w .» so noisy." An 1 she
ba I nev.r be.n inside of my tchool house, much
less u thoit. r. I have often wondered since what
her Id a i.f ath iat -r was to liken a school to It. It
must have been something terrible, by the
conrirm. tioi; of her words and the emphasis she
pla< id in th....i.
11.. ve no p .r-.lc ;' ir love yet for that oil lady. It
mav l e that I hi. c m unforgiving spirit.
After school dosed I fill ill, and (he had the
had.! Ito::.. .:ei. t rm', and tell my f.ther
"ho ~ Try si." Mk did not dream that that
earn i’.:n--s v.. s. t n rat extent, brought on by
stony i a i-e I'. y a bub 1 of uncharitable wagging
tor. • c . <■:. ie. And 1 had, mornin. a rmoru
ti'.z. urine tie I. .tt-.-r cull weather, taken of. 1 r
little an .'!.tor s shoes, and held her feet in my
bun Is u> t.l t .ey were thawed out.
• I would never advise any one possess d of a con
science to t mcli. I could neither cat, s:< ep nor en
joy mysclfln any way that winter. But my ex
perience was of value to me. 1 taught successfully
THE MEEKLY CONSTITUTION. ATLANTA. GA.. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21. 1888.
afterwards, but established my own theory from
actual practice.
There is nothing in the wide world so trying to |
the nerves, so dispiriting, as teacher’s work. What
one gains today cne lose, tomorrow. If one had
only the children to deal with it would be a small
matter to govern them, but when the larentsare
constantly finding fault with a teacher’s methods of
conquering children who run wild at home, and
who expect her to govern fifty children without
strict me u-urcs, when the same parents cannot
govern three or (oar with strict measures, it is
rather a trying task. L?t him who disbelieves try I
and see.
But to youn r Tadics desirous of te; clung I would
like to g.ve a little i d ice. If you can, find some
other congenial employment, for if you are of a
nervous, sensitive temperament, >nl have not the |
happy knack- f -me teachers have of governing, it
will ruin your health, and I firmly believe s orten
your life. Tot cl successfully one requires a firm
will, a mind capable of dismissing all school cares
with the locking of th) school house door, and of
being able to decide what is best to do in case of re
bellion in a second.
M ithout these the best educatk n is of no avail as
far as teaching goes.
But if you desire peace of mind, and if you do not
possess these qu dittos, I would only reiterate that 1
••wise man's ’ advice to young men about to go
west, “Don’t.”
Queenstown, Pa. Mrs. 11. A. M.
Fancy Dots.
Button Pag.—Get a chamois skin and cut a piece
eight inches one way and twelve inches the other.
Pink across one of the long sides. Draw a conven
tional pattern of stars, crosses or crescents for two or ;
three inches in depth acres the other, and paint i
them over with dif’erent colors of gilding. Cut a I
row of fmc holes an inch and a half below the pink- !
ing. Now tew it up on the wrong side, turn and i
run in ribbons to draw it up by. It r.ny one likes
the word “Buttons” may be painted upon one side.
Queen Ann Window Curtains.—B >me one desires
to know how those are mute. If the curtains aie
for a room already furnished, choose colors of cash
mere that will harmonize with what is already in
use. Three or four colors may be employed. Get
the material in proper lengths for the windows.
Cut it in str p; of whatever width you may like
best, and sew them togetl er, hemming the seams
down upon the wrong side. Put fancy stitches
down the scams upon the right side, If any one
likes to do the work, daisies, half mo ms, etc., may
boworked in the strips at intervals. A band of
yelve’. across the top, and for a border is very hand
some. The velvet should be chosen with r fereuce
to the colors used in the curtains.
0
She Had Ammonia in the bog.
From the Boston Transcript.
The other day a small I oy a] ’peered at school after
a day s absence, and without an excuse.
“Why were you absent yesterday?” the teacher
asked.
‘ My sister has the ammonia in the left leg,” said
he, “an’ I couldn’t come yesterday; an’ they
couldn't tend to my excuse this morning.’'
“Ammonia in the left leg!” exclaimed the
teacher. “What do you mean?” *’
‘ That’s what she has got, ma’am,” the boy in
sisted.
The teacher was in doubt whether the boy was
simply getting up a smart answer or whether he
had made a mistake, She sent .him home with a
note of iiL.uiry, therefore, and learned from the re
ply tl at his sister bad been ill with pneumonia in
the left lung!
o
-Farmers* "Wives.
From Country Gentleman.
There is many a farmer’s wife who might, by a
more active use o' her brains, employ labor for the
coarse drudgery with which she is now overtaxed
and developed some one of the many resources of
the farm into a gc»od source of independent income.
But there is not sufficient incitement to undertake
and experiment of herself (if indeed she has her
freedom to do so) without the control of the money
earned. If she is to be restrained from all right to
freedom of action in pecuniary matters, and, kept
in the condition of a child, she will have something
of the helplessness of a child. But the best interests
of the family will certainly be promised by her im
proving whatever talents God has given her, and
reaching her fullest devclopm mt and highest ac
tivity as a responsib’ human bjing.
o
Cultivating Conversation.
From Good Housekeeping.
Proper home conversation is an essential element
of education. Perhaps at the family table is the
best place to commence this education. Three
times a day the different members of tho family
come together in our American homes. In English
families it is tjUite the custom to form plans for the
day in the break ast room, and possibly all the
family do not meet again till tho late dinner at
night. It is the growing custom among ourselves,
however, to have tho late dinner hour, and thus the
family sit longer at the table, and, by reason of the
presence of butler or waitress, are obliged to.be cir
cumspect in behavior and speech. We also advo
cate having the children at the family table as early
as possible; they are a help and stimulus to their
elders in the matter of table etiquette. But chil
dren are not admitted to the dining-room as early
as in the olden days, and arc then taught, first, that
“children should be seen and not heard.” We too
often forget that their ears aro very acute, and we
arc surprised at times by an intelligent inquiry on
the topic under discussion; if it be a worthy one, the
child should be encouraged in its desire for infor
mation. Often “to be seen and not heard” involves
the taking in of large draughts of that which had
better never have been heard at all by any one.
The dinner hour, especially when at night,
should be the occasion of cultivating good habits of
conversation in the younger members of the family.
As children grow older and are made to feci a cer
tain responsibility in sustaining conversation and
the entertainment of guests, they become easy and
graceful in the art. Tn ere are apt to be a few awk
ward moments before the dinner is announced if
wc have invited guests. Happy would it be if, by
any cultivation, we could arrive at the position
described by Milton; “With thee conversing, I for
get all time.”
It is desirable to cultivate ft habit of observation
as a help to conversation. Tho daily, momcntaiy
contact with other minds helps to stimulate and
strengthen cur own; and all pleasant anecdotes and
incidents oi persons and .things, ora bright news
paper item, are helpful.
o
Correspondence.
Miss Irene Smith, Coyville, Kan.—l have crochet
samples and a limited supply of beautiful flower
seed to exchange for scraps of calico, Spanish moss
or Florida sea shells. Box 3-1.
Shelvy Baucum, Millerton, Lu—Any young lady
wanting a situation as housekeeper in a family with
two persons, i-ki.sj correspond with me at Miller
ton, Li., and give me all the particulars as to the
help that she will need to get out hero, with refer
ence as to charade: and habits.
B. Dayton, Marengo county, Ala.—Will any of
the sisters tell me what will make butter come
quick? My churning is the greatest trouble in keep
ing house; have to churn from two to three hours?
have tried everything that I could think of and
nothing does any good. I have a great many beauti
ful geraniums and will exchange for bulbs or cut
tings with any one that will address B. Dayton,
Marengo county, Ala.
Mattie Smith, Enoree, 8. C.—Here comes another
who would express her gratitude to you for the
pleasure afforded her by Woman’s Kingdom. I
wish to say to the lady who complained of the
candy receipt, that I think it a splendid one, and
that there must have been » metbing wrong with
her sugar. I have a pretty cloak pattern for a child
of fivo years, which I will exchange for silk or
velvet scraps for crazy quilts; will also exchange
cr ychct samples for ribbon scraps or any kind of
scraps suitable for a silk quilt.
Mrs. A. B. Anderson, West Point, Ga.—As the
sisters seem so neighborly and exchange so many
and and useful things, 1 thought I’d offer to ex*
change seed of the old fashion “fat gourd” seed for
any kind of flower seed; I want a lew bulbs of tube ;
rose, mignonette sunflower, pink or most any kind I
the sisters have. The gourds are very large and |
can be used for various purposes. I send the
editress sjxnc of them. Plant the lust of. March in
rich soil.
“J..- . A.,” Box 121, Demopolis, A’a.—lf any of
the ..idy readers of The QpNsriTUTXOM have old
j.i.iiio mu<c in good condition or an instruction I
t’, I.r wb-'.h t icy have no other use, perhaps I
t;, yw'uii.iico to exoha:, gr with me for aeedaof
m uc.otus, orchard lawn gro» or seta of
T’ xa* b! . r”i\4. lady friends niay like a cheap
and Jr.tidy I take the end of oidor frown .
domestic that has the manufacture! sstampor trade ’
mark on it, Foinetirnes, a crane or stork among
reeds, an eagle swooping down on a iamb, u bee !
hive or any of those things usually found on every
bolt of domestic! and go over them in etching w.th
the different colored darning cotton; then wash,
starch and iron, and I have a pretty, cheap tidy.
Mrs. Minnie F. Weeks, Abe, Colquitt county, Gft.:
Will you plea*>e let me ask a favor of tl.c sisters. I
want a ballad entitled ‘ Red, White and Blue.” If
any one will please send it to me 1 will be greatly
ob i:ed. Have you over tried putting a small bit of
lar.i in your coffee when roasting it? If not, try it;
say a piece its hug? as a bird egg to every two cups
foil of green coffee, > r if it is Isindy use press butter;
stir yourT’affeo until a dark brown.
‘L. J. C.”—A useful article for keeping something
nice . nd warm on the hearth for the a; *ont father
or brother can be male by a tinner at a cost of
seventy-!.ve cents or a doll/.r; er ickers, toast, roast
app’.O' are kept safe from harm until needed. Mine
is a lar;e one. A strip of tin 2‘> inches long, 1%
wide is Lent to tittle cover, which is 13’b inches
across; bend the band so as to form a slight arch in
front; place a blowo - nape handie on tho cover
and it is ready for use. Phu e the plate belore the
fire at a convenient distance, and nil is >afe from
harm till father or brother returns home and doos
full justice to the dainties i eser\c 1 for their delecta
tion.
Mrs. A. A. B< rum, Earvin Texas—l have enjoyed
your letters an I suggestions for a long enough time
to wish to cont.ijute my mite to the Kingdom too.
I thought the editress’ piece on practical things,
some wteks ago, just splendid. I lived the Hist
twenty-five years of my life in old Georgia, and
though 1 am a Texan by a twelve years home here,
I often yearn fur the land and friends of my youth.
Sometimes I would like to exchange the rich waxy
prairie for the hills and woods in old Troup. But
then Texas is wondrous kind to her adopted chil
dren, and I am proud to be both a Georgian and a
Texan. Will not the sister who made that cross of
I Taken glass give the d.r 'ction for making it, as I
did not see the first one? If some of the sisters
would send me some flower seed I will send them,
some pressed bouquets of prairie flowers or some
ears from the large Jack rabbits of the prairie.
Mrs. L. C. R.. D -xter, Mich.—l have been an in
terested reader oi The Constitution for nearly two
years, and must say it is a grand, good paper; the
only fault I have with it is it is most too fine print.
I have thought of writing to the Kingdom a great
many times, but was afraid I might intrude, as I
never rememl er of seeing anything from so far
north. 1 suppose you don’t know what it is to have
the thermometer down to 12° below zero; that is
what it was here last night, and most bitter cold it
was too; the second time it has been so low this
winter. We have just enough snow for good sleighing
but too cold now to enjoy it. By the way, 1 wish to
ask for a very old song, “Silver Threads Among the
Gold.” I remember the tunc, but have forgotten
the words. If some one would send it to t'/e King
dom you would greatly please me, and perhaps
others. Also a recitation 1 have been searching for
for some time which is entitled “The Dram
Drinker,” beginning,
“Pray Mr. Dram Drinker, how do you do,
What in perditions the matter with you,
How did yoi come by that bruise on your head,
Why are your eyes so infernally red, etc.”
O, if I only could get it, I would be so glad.
“Aunt Dorcas,” Calico R>ck, Ark.—Since reading
the last letter from cur kind editress, I feel en
couraged to say a few words. I must tell you how
much 1 have enjoyed your paper, especially the
letters from the various housekeepers; it is like
taking a peep into the home life of each other. The
days ure so short now that if we fanners’ wives get
any time at all for anything but house work, it must
be the result of thought and good management. It
is a good plan when cooking to keep a pan of water
handy, and wash the pans, cups, spoons, in fact
everything that you get through using while pre
pareing o meal; they are much more easily cleaned
if washed at once, and saves a great deal of time
after the meal is over. When one has littio chil
dren to dress, it helps things i.long greatly to have
breakfast well started the night before; you can
have the table set, collee ground, meat sliced and
kettle filled, ready to put on as soon as the fire is
started; and by the time the children are dressed,
the kettle is boiling, and it is only a few minutes
work to complete breakfast, and then the children
can come to the table cheerful ami comf >i table. A
good way to manage the family sewing, is to take
one day for the cutting; roll each garment up
sepcrately, lay them in your sewing basket, which
should be near by. and you can make them at your
leisure, and enjoy it too; without having your room
look like a rag picking establishment. Another
thing I find very conveniet, is to keep a number of
needles threaded with diil'erent colors and sizes of
thread in my handy worx box, and I can soon re
place a missing button or take a tew needed stitches
in somegarment while waiting for the irons to bent;
so that by saving the minutes I can find time for
more or less reading every day. By taking one yard
of domestic and sewing two rows of buttons several
inches aj art on each end, you have a convenient
article for hanging collars and cuflS on washing
day; you can button them on as you starch them
and then hang them across your line, and by the
use of two clothes pins you have a number oi small
articles safe from blowing down in the dirt.
Note—Many thanks for the seed.
“Pansy,” Plano, Tex.—l want to tell t’ie sisters
how to make a pretty mantle lAmbrequin without
much work. Get one-half yard of bronze green felt
—it is two yards wide—and cut cro swhe, turn up a
hem five inches wide, brier stitch it down with
orange silk, then split the' hem and slit into fine
fringe up to the stitching, above this cut three rows
of slits, an inch wide and an inch apart, in t’ .e row,
have the io.\s to almost touch, run one inch rib
bon through, each a different c dor—l used blue,
orange and crimson, though other colors could bo
used: when tho ribbon is run through it forms
squares. Any one milking by this will please say
how they like it. Now I must tell Low to mount
dried fcins in an inexpensive way. 1 had a large
Irame which I used. Take a piece of unbleached
canton flannel with heavy nap, fasten firmly with
tacks or pins on the board which fits in the back of
the fiame. On tho flannel 1 arranged the ferns in a
large cluster, with the stems in tho center; over
those stems I laid a spray of poppies, cut out of a
chromo; then overall I sprinkled a good supply of
diamond dust, and put into the frame, tacking
securely, and you don't know how pretty they look.
The flannel looks exactly like cream plush through
the glass, and the nap keeps the leaves from slip
ping.
Mrs. M. M. S., of Marion, N. C.—Your letter was
received and I will answer very soon. Won't you
please and send me this year a few sprays of
the lovely “mountain ash” or “white ash” wfcich
grows there?
Note—“Yes”—The names went in.
M.m. L. C. Q., Pantuc, 8. C.— Instinctively I turn
to you in my sadness and bereavement. How often
in the past have my eyes filled with tears when I
read of hearts made to ache by a Vftc uit chair, an
empty cradle or a sweet baby voice hushed forever
more! My grief is for a father, and I sometimes
think bo was surely the best father that ever lived,
but he was spared to us till a ripe old age; and,
“like a shock of corn fully ripe, has been gathered
to the garner.” Let us all so strive to live, dear
Bisters, that when the Master calls we may be found
with lamps trimmed and brightly burning ready to
enter into tho marriage supjor of the L .mb. Oh!
were it not for religion’s consoling thought how
could wo bear to see our loved ones laid in tho cold
grave! B it, thank God, there is a land beyond this
where aching hearts are forever at rest-where a
gentle, loving Savior wipes the tears of sorrow and
pain from all eyes; where we shall “awake in the
likeness of our Savior and be satisfied.” How much
this little word satisfied means—happiness, joy,
everything—for we can have neither unless we ho
.satisfied. I often see in the sisters’letters Bible
questions, so will ask some sister to tell me what
two chapters In the Bible arc alike. The first ono
to answer this question correctly will send a cutting
of a beautiful white geranium. I think I enjoyed
seeing Aunt Susie's face at tho bead ol the chil
dren’s page this week a | much as the little ones
Long may she live to carry on her good work!
The Rev. Dr. John Hall is said to have
pocketed since last September fully 880,OX) in mar
riage fees. One bridegroom gave him a <*.cck for
85.000 for tying the nuptial knot. Dr, Hall Is worth
SI,(KKMKJO; bis total income is at least 8100,000. His
congregation is the wealthiest In New York. The
amount of $400,000,000 may be seen in his church
any Sunday morning. Dr. Hull Las a monop fly of
all the swell weddings. Brides who desire to be in
the fashion insist upon being married by the mill
ionaire clergyman.
TJortz Saphir, the witty Austrian journalist,
was once standing In a crowded theater. Some on o
leaned on bis back, thrusting bls head over hlg
shoulder. Saphir drew out Lil handkerchief and
wiped the man’s nose violently. The latter started
back. “Oh, I beg your pardon,” said Bapbir; “I
thought it was mine.”
Who lays a snare for others falls therein
himself. Use Warner’s Log Cabin Liver Pills,
you will find them no snare for yourself or
others; the benefit derived from them is im
mediate and permanent. 26c. a bottle.
FOI} YOujKi FOLKS-
A Half Page Given lo the Con
stitution’s Children.
)t'
MRS. DR. KING, (AUNT SVSIR).
Dear Children : I am afraid my'little
children will get very impatient about their
letters, as I promised them tho month of Feb
ruary, and I must explain the delay. There
were so ißany letters that could not go in that
I have thought best to get through with all I
have of the big nieces and nephews, but I
promise the little folks that- they shall have
tho same length of time, and all their letters
written before tho first day of March (that is
tho last day for tho prize letters) shall go in
during tho month of March, as do other
letters until I get through with theirs. I have
a great many all ready now and hope next
week to begin with all under 13 years.
Aunt Susie.
Correspondence.
“Abe,” Loyd P. 0., La.—Within the last week I
have read your proposition and at the eleventh
hour send in my “pistle.” Ido not for an instant
suppose that I will stand anything of a chance in
the contest, but nevertheless I am very desirous of
telling you of an incident of the most p easing
nature that occurred during Christinas. lam far
too old to believe in Santa Clam now, but the time
“used to was” (as Bill Arp would put it) when I
had implicit faith in that venerable old myth;
wrote my letters expressing my manifold wants, di
rected it to Niagara Falls, gave it to papa to mail,
and on Christmas morning I generally pulled forth
from my stockings everything 1 had asked for. Os
course being such a simple little thing (I wonder if
I am any better now—l doubt it) I firmly believed
my letter had reached its intended destination.
Where the idea first originated with us, that Santa
Clause resided at Niagara Falls, I cannot sny, but
for many years it has been handed down—like our
old clothes—from one to the other. The last re
cipients of this invaluable tradition are my little
brother Howard and my little sister Dollie. Accord
ing to custom, they wrote their Santa Claus letters
two weeks before Christmas; and my sister, in a
epiiit of mischief, directed an envelope to Mr. Santa
Claus, Niagara Falls, New Y’ork, with ft note en
closed requesting who ever should open it, to please
let her hear from them, as bhe wished to know how
far it would go. It had escaped our minds cntirely
until the day after Christmas, when there came
from the postoilice ft package addressed to the chil
dren, from George Barker, Niagara Falls. Os course
we thought it a hoax, but what was our astonish
ment when the box was opened, to find therein ft
ring, a doll and a book for Dollie, her requests, and
a paper cutter and pen-holder for Howard, who had
asked for a shotgun and ft halter fur his pony*, Bat.
Such screams of delight from old and young I never
heard before; then there were all manner of con
jectures as to who George Barker was. The next
day's mail brought a letter to both children; Dolii <s
letter saying: “Santa Claus Lad looked over his
register, found that she had been agood little girl (I
have my doubts about that) and had granted all
her wishes;” Howard's that “Santa Claus did not
approve of little boys having shotguns and that all
the halters bad been engaged early in Novenber by
Governor Get-there Oglesby, of Illinois.* They
were signed George Batker,’Special Northern Agent
lor Santa Claus. Well, would you believe it, all
were still incredulous and attributed it to a friend
of the children’s,into whose hands their letters had
fallen, and when they wrote their thanks sent
them to this friend, who of course knew nothing
about them, so forwarded them to George Barker.
In due time camo an answer from Mr. Barker, say
ing he had been given the letter by the postmaster
at the Falls, had constituted himself special
northern agent for Santa Claus, forwarded the
articles and had the letter printed and asking for
photographs of these cherubs. Now Aunt Susie,
what do you think of this for a Christmas episode,
and the best of it is, that it is all the truth. I think
the most appropriate way of closing would be to
wish The Constitution and Aunt Susie a long and
prosperous life, and to give (as I have repeatedly)
three cheers for George Barker, Special Northern
Agent for Santa Claus. Age 15.
Lillie Carter, Florence, Go.—l have always liked
battcau rides, but the one I took last summer on
the Chattahoochee river, during the freshet, far sur
passes any I can remember. M/ uncle, brother and
myself go down a little slope to where the battcau is;
and after getting in and taking our seats, rather un
ceremoniously, we prepare tor a pleasant ride, and
push off from shore. Rounding a sharp curve a
vision of grandeur and beauty is before us; through
a break in the magnolia trees, with the long gray
moss sweeping the water, wu see the river flowing
majestically by, and tho setting sun throws a crim
son light orx the already dark red water. Down the
gulley, where the water is forty feet deep, over the
tops of trees we go. The scraping of the limbs on
the bottom of our battcau keeps us afraid of getting
caught on some hidden snag. We push aside the
tangled muscadine vines, ami with a stroke of the
oars wc reach the river; a feeling of awe and fear
passes over us; wc catch our breath ami draw closer
to each other, for the battcau begins to dip and toss
as wC strike the current; large piles of drift wood
sail past; but we cross safely and look for the Ala
bama bank, but see only tree-tops and a broad ex
panse of water. The place wc arc riding over now,
was only the morning before, ft luxurient cornfield,
where an old gray-haired negro knelt, praying God
to stay the rising water and spare his crop. It was
late when wc returned; the moon was rising, and
with thousands of stall reflected in the water be
neath us os our battcau grates on Georgia s< 11; we
step out, having had a delightful ride, and feeling
thankful for our high banks that protects us from
the devastating water.
Nannie Blckem, Greenesboro, Ga.—Christmas has
come and gone, and I would like to tell you and the
cousins about the entertainmeuts we had. There
were three Sunday schools and one sunbeam enter
tainment during the week. The first, a Christmas
tree at the Presbyterian church Monday night,
where all tho little folks, as well as some of the
larger, that attended that Sunday school, were
made happy by suitable presents, sweet songs, etc.
Second, a fish pond at the town hall for tho Metho
dist school, where all its members drew beautiful
presents, which were as acceptable to them as a
minnow from a tiny brook to a school lx<v. Third,
Eumbeams Wednesday night at the Baptist church,
consisting of songs, recitations, jug bre iking, etc,
from which wc received twenty-five dollars, which
wc have told you before, goes for the mission
each Bun beam earning its money. I would say
more about it, but fear the waste basket. Fourth,
Christmas ladder nt tho Episcopal chut h, which
was beautifully lighted and contained presents for
the entire school. Thus wo spent a happy Christ
mas. Age 14.
Viola Lindholm, Lexington, Miss.: Aunt Sufle,
are you not proud to have no many nephews and
nieces loving you? lam so sorry your pet dog died,
it recalls an incident which happened about eight
years ago. I lost my only pel— a white rabbit.
Although it has been so long since it happened,
everything comes to me as If it yester lay.
I remember well the solemn funeral procession.
My nurse was the minister, and wc sang the hymns
out of a first reader. I had been te school all day,
and when I came home and found my put lying out
in Its shroud, with violets and rosebuds strewn
about, it seemed as if my heart would break. It was
tho first sorrow I had ever experienced, but not the
la«t. I have lost two dear sisters since then, but J
have a sweet baby brother; he is 11.0 sunshine of
the househohl; his tongue ne\er seems to be tired;
and he Is a perfect chatterbox. Mabel Ezzcilo, your
letter was very am using; come again. Edith Him p-
Vjii, your letter was Interesting; hope you will write
again. A bank has been charted ana will begin
business very soon. Every business bouse on the
square is occupied. It seems as If Lexington is try- 1
ing to boom too. Some of the cousins were naming l
the presents tl ey received Christmas; I got a piano i
and a pair of gold cuff buttons. I appreciate them
very much. We have 1a I disagreeable weather
since Christinas. On the lain itbegan sleeting, and 1
at nigl.t it began lightning, followed.by deep rum- I
blings of thunder; a cold northwesterly wind was
blowing at the time. 1 thought it a very strange I
phenomena. School has been dismissed until i
further notice in the paper on account of rcarlet ’
fever being in town. I hope it will soon begin <
again, for 1 feel lonesome without my books. Age ]
14 years. i
Ida Maude Sims, Cedartown, Ga.—l live In a
small saw mill village, dotted by houses of the
laborers, surrounded by tall and magnificent pines |
of the long leaf yellow variety, which is being fast i
tolled and manufactured into lumber by the pro- i
prietors of the mill. The mill is situated near a ;
lake, from which it draws water to supply the
engine. The lake is turrounded on one side by
beautiful sweetgum and maple trees, the other by a
broad and extended field. It is a grand sight in
deed, to stand at noon and gaze at the noble oxen
and mules as they come iu to refresh themselves for
an hour from the weary toil of the morning. The
beautiful logs of various length drawn in by the
faithful oxen and mules are soon converted into
lumber of different dimensions and placed upon
train-cars and t e it to the railroad and shipped to
our northwestern lumber market. In ft short time
a check is received for its worth in dollars ami
cents, which is taken to the bank in our city
(Cedartown) and the money is soon heard rattling
in the pocket of the proprietors of the mill. Age 14.
Octavia Phillips, Dalton, Gft —I will describe my
old c.mntry home near Catoosa springs, just as we
left it font years ago. In front of the house was a
large spreading oak over a century old. To the left
was a large oak grove with a big swing in it; the
path leading to the rock lined spring and the moss
covered spring house, led through (he grove. Then
to the right of the house was tho garden and buck
of the garden was the orchard, where birds and
bees made music in the blossoms; and farther down
the pastures, where the tinkling of the cowbells
ma le music all day. Aciow the road was a beauti
ful green meadow, with a i obbled brook running
through it under the brow of a hill, where violets,
snowdrops, ferns, calacunthus and wild graix‘B grew
in abundance. Then up a little hill, through a gate
and 'round a skirt of woods, nestled a little cottage
on the side ol the lane, where two good old Metho
dists lived, known as “Aunt Mary” and “Vncle
Anthony.” Many happy hours htyo I spent with
Aunt Mary in her neat, cosy little room. Nothing
seemed to mar her happy life as she husie I herself
about her evening meals before the cheerful log lire.
Aunt Susie, I could tell you lots more if my space
were not limited. lam 13 years old.
O.ren 8. Woodward, Carsonville, Ga.—l have
thought often of writing to you of my Toxas trip. I
left home in September 18S6 in company with my
aunt. We passed through Atlanta, wheie we
bought tickets via Queen and Crescent route. We
took a Mann Boudoir sleeper; passed through Birm
ingham at night, so I failed to see the gna' iron
city. The first point of interest to me was Luke
Ponchartrain dotted with fishing boats. Wc
reached New Orleans late in the afternoon, crossed
the Mississippi by eleetrio lights. The scene was
magnificent. On the following morning when we
awoke we looked out on the prairies of Texas, and
for the first time, I saw a flock ot prairie chickens.
We reached my aunt’s home at McKinney B.‘plum
ber 26th. We lived here but a short time, my uncle
being called to the pastorate of the Baptist church
at Sherman; we moved to that place in November.
This is a rich and growing city, has fine churches
and schools and elegant and cultured society.
Texas Is great and rich, but Georgia is my home an<l
dearer to me than any spot on earth. (>ne of papa's
N w Year’s gilts to me is a p iny, which we call
Henry Grady. We little folks arc as proud of him
as the people of Georgia are of Mr. Grady. Age 13.
Emma McClure, Murphy, N. (’.—“Better late than
never” is an old adage, but as It s fits on the present
occasion I hope you will pardon its conspicuous
place. Yes, 1 have wanted a long lime to join the
many little people that are climbing tho hill ol
knowledge, but couldn’t get up the courage. And
now like “Rip Van Winkle,” the old north slate, in
which I live, will “bring up the rear.” But 1 hope
you will not think that 1 am slow in all things, for
such is not the ease. My aunt says if 1 did not have
red hair nnd did not giggle to much and would
walk, not trot so much, that 1 would be perfection.
Have you ft receipt for curing these--! came very
near saying faults, but I will say failings? If yon
have, so id It over and oblige y< ur«, etc. Pshaw!
that should have come in at the wind up of my
letter, but it is done now. I am visiting Grandpa
Kincaid on Valley river; am having a good time. I
attend Sabi a‘h school here; we all repeat a verso in
the Bible every Sunday, and have good lessons our
teachers say. We ha 1 a pretty Christmas tieo, 1
got several presents. I have gone to some “candy
stews” given to the little people about “frying size.”
Grandma says 1 had ft jolly time.
(.’'■’.dwell Johns. Campbell, Texas—l live nt a
splendid little places on the East Lino rail
road, 1 ut I guess we all think that our homes and
friends, schools and goner d advantages ar.* just a
little superior to any liody clsj's, and I expect wc
nil have more opportunities te improve our minds
and bodies tlmn we take advantage of. We have a
literary society belonging to our school, and I think
it has been very improving to us. At one time not
long ago it was my turn to make an original ad
dress. Well, cousins, you can tfiniagine how I felt
when my turn came. Page after page from any
author’s pen would have been nothing for mo to
have rehoarsed beside the -few little Insignificant
sentences that I had worked so hard to manufac
ture. Oh! how my heart thumped and my knees
quivered as 1 listened to my own composition ring
ing out in the great chapel. If I live tube ft lawyer,
or ft congressman, or anything else, 1 am satisfied
that 1 shall never address an am lienee, be it com
posed of the intelligence of the land, that will un
nerve me as did my first attempt in the presence of
dear teachers and ; choolmatc s. A;e 11.
Stebie Johmon, Lively, Lee county, Ala.—How
to raise watermelons and the best way to eat them:
Select a poor sandy place, check oil'the rows twelve
feet each way, <l»g holes six feet In circumference
nnd two deep; put in a bushel of well rotted stable
manure, mix well with dht; level hills; h ave an
inch depth of earth on top without any manure.
Plant early, the pure mountain sprout seed; loosen
the dirt around the p ant as soon as well up. Thin
out to one in a hill. Keep perfectly free of grass
with plow and hoe, taking cure not to move vines
after they begin to run. Pinch off the end of < very
vine on which you see a young melon. When the
melon has a burrij.y hard rind with all the color
faded from the under side nnd thumps with ndull
soft sound, pull early In the morning before the
dew is off. n taking it to the house, by accident,
let fall; there it is, the most delightful melon you
ever tasted, if you sit down on the grass and uat
without a knife, for a knife spoils a melon Just like
it does a loaf of warm bread or cake. Age 13.
Hlllic Rte wart, Hickory Flat, Ga.: Do you think
that a rough little plow-boy can have the same
chance te obtain the prize with those of a better up
portuuity? I can’t tell you anything about astron
omy. or much about history, only Peter Parley’s. In
that I read of a great many kings and queeus—
Bomc of them were good in their reign, others were
veiy wicked, i also read of a great many ancient
people and their custom; in fact, one can get a good
geographical description of the earth, which is very
interesting. lam not going to school any this ye ar
until summer. My elder brother is going. Wc have
an excellent teacher, a graduate from Emory col
lege. I would fike so much to be in school now;
but Talmage said In a sermon that “wc need more
bronze faces and hardy hands.” Therefore, I will
have to swing to tho plow-handle. Our season lor I
hunting isover with now, and the old gun is laid
away in the rack to rest awhile. For fear of making
my letter lengthy I will close by asking you, Aunt
8 isle, it you get tired of the noise of your beautiful
city, to take a pleasant ride ujion our new railroad,
ami have a retrospective view of the beautiful Blue
Ridge mountain - see the s]>iuco pines and moun
tain laurel; also drink of the pure water that is as
clear us crystal, and see the people, w ho, us tho old
war-song says—
“ Make their homespun drones up,
And wear them with much grace.”
Now, as I cannot sew to make you a quilt square,
I wish you a buppy new year. My age h 13.
Charlesß. Peery. Middleton, Virginia—Tho great
event of my life was a visit with pupa to Baltimore
city several years ago. When the morning for our ;
dcpnrtue came I was ready before the time and
couldn't eat any breakfast. We were at the depot i
twenty minutes (they seemc d hours V/ me? b -lurc j
train time, and when it did come they ran awfully
slow I thought. Our route was down the lovely j
Hhenundoah valley, past Winchester nnd < bar! s '
town andon I y the banks of thu sparkling shenmi
doah, as it hurries onward, v.us'ditg the basj oi the
ma f Stic Blm Bulge nnt;l,il unites w ith the Poto» n
ut Harp**! a Fury, where wc waited an hour. 1 i
know the cousins have heard of this historic old
town in connection with John Brown’s raid, and
Stonewall Jackson and his horoes in the l ite war.
I saw nil the objects of interest, inc u ling John
Bi own’s fort and Washington’s head, which is a
large rock high up on the mountain reseimfling tho
figure and features of a man's head. Wc arrived ftt
Baltimore nt live o’clock. Camden station looked
like a ten acre field, roofed over. An I there was so
ninel) rustling and racket that I was sure something
would run over mo and I began to wish I hadn't
come. We stopped at the Carrollton hotel. My ap
pctiie had returnc i anil ate a hearty sui p?r. When
the wa.ter to >k us to our room 1 thought it was very
small and wasjust going to ask where the led was,
when the whole thin«: stared up like a balloon,
1 a •■‘a laughed and told me this was “only an eleva
tor” and was taking us upstairs. I thought it the
best thing 1 ever saw. Next day wc visited some ot’
the big wholesale stores where papa was buying
goods. I had some nice presents given me and
thought the city people were very kind indeed, al
though they seem proud and stuck-up when they
come to the country. 1 would like to tell some
funny things that happened to me and of the pretty
things I jaw but have not room. 1 tun 13 years of
age.
Frankie Scher, New mui, Hinds county, Miss-
Christmas with its toys of every description
suggests my subject. Every year adds sume
thing new and wonderful in toys for the children of
our favored land. There are cropping dolls, bears
that perform, steam cars that go, etc. Toys aro
brought here from China, Japan, Frame, Switzer
land and England. The little Japs have many
playthings like we have, also butterflcs and beetles
that flutters, and balls looking like elder jith,
which, when thrown into water slowly expand Into
boats and many ot. er things. In China the child
ren have wonderful lanterns, in the shape of men
and animals, so constructed that the hot air moves
them along. The Greek children had dolls of clay,
also figures of apes, ducks, tortoise, etc. They had
ships and little wagons, and horses made of leather.
The girls of India have dolls made of wood and
painted in gay colors, also elephants and other ani
mals. Thedo'l seems common to all countries in
all ages. Thousands of years ago the little Egyptian
had dolls painted to represent clothes. They had
figures kneading bread and washing, and crocodiles
that oi>ened their mouths by pulling strings. In tho
British museum there is quite a collect ion of their
toys, footballs, marbles, small fish and others. Tho
Esquimaux have dolls of ivory with eyes of pieces of
pearl, also deer, dogs and whales of ivory. Tho
boys have boats and sleds. Aged IX
C. Belle Thompson, Kosciusko, Attala Co., Missi
—ls ever you should visit us, after entering the hall,
the first door to the right would lend you into
mother's room, the dearest spot in all the w orld to
me. It is a large room, eighteen ly < ightecn feet
square, pn’»ered with bright, cheerful looking paper,
(which, alas! shows the work of mischievous l.ttlo
fingers in the years that have gone by,) and it is
very comfortably furnished, but it is none oftheso
that lender it so delightful and attractive to me, for
it would be a delight, ul place if only mother was
there. It is in this worn that th whole family
gather after the day’s work is over to relate the var
ious incidents ai d happenings of each since their
separation in the morning. Hero wo gather around
the evening lamp to study our lessons for the ncxi
day at school, to read or amuse ourselves. Here wo
children come to pour our sorrows and troubles into
the ever sympathetic ear of n.o’.her, w ho, by a few,
kind, loving words, causes our tears an I sorrows te
vanish like an April shower. In this ro >m we en
tertain the must of our company, here the l.t'fleoiies
bring their p< taloes t • roasl, their popcorn to pop,
110*1 mils to vat, and the fire always seems moru
cheerful nnd templing than in any other room. I
know io i all <*’lll see the picture—moll.er sitting in
her favorite corm r, knitting or sewing, helping us
with hur l less >n> 01 knotty problems, and ever mid
anon turning ll.e jar of milk around so that .tinny
get repdy to churn. It is here that lather /..t iers us
every morning uni evt-nng for w-r'hip. o, .«.<»
many pleasant associate us arc connected with this
room where mother reigns as queen. All the other
rooms of the hou e.<nk into conipanit.ve im i’ nifi
whea compare I with it. Ido pity the households
(Iflhoie aro any,) tbit have not a happy mother’s
room. lam 11 year., <r a e.
Carrie Swann. Blum, Texas—On a bright but cold
November morning w e prepared our lunch laskcis
for a iKican l iuit. We all jumped in lhewa;on,
croi-si d the No aa river, a beautiful 11 ar st:< am,
.several Icct deep nt the ercsiing. Arriving at a
neighb h’s house, found them ready nnd awaiting
t»iiccumiany uson our trip. Over the prairie wu
fejr. <l, until 11c reached the Brazos river. I gut* tho
coin Ins know w here ft fs. Itrisesln the northwest
ern part of Texas flows southeast and empties in
to Ihe Gulf of M caL u. We crossed to the o« her side
where the tret s were hanging with pm an nuts.
There whs a carpet of leaviß on the ground, and
brambles, oh, my, every time we turned around our
hair or clothes wo 11 catch to a bramble, and tho
nuts were pelt'hg us on thu back. It just kept us
screaming oh! all the time. Aller enjoying this
sport and work (for you must rememl er it was
work) for several hours, they begun to cry ti nt it
was time for dinn. r. Wc nil spread our him h out
on the ground, ami while in the midst of enjoyment
a young gentleman mad** his appearance, w hom wo
recognized as the life of the neighborhood; and be
ing an expert at climbing, proved a valuable acces
sion to our party. Yo'Jw ill think so when I tell you
Equirrel-like 1.0 suspended himself by his '0 *t from
the branch of a tall tree, thrashing with one hand
and eating pecans with the olhcr.Th.it is the kind of
b >ys there are in Texas. Wu got about two buxbcls
ol pecans. I hope the next 12th of November will
bring forth as mucii joy and pleasure ns the last.
They all Hill it was time all little folks were at
home; so we starlc’;, a id arrived at home just ns tho
setting mui stretched his rays of light acrcti tho
level landscape. Age 11.
Jeffie Blalock, Oakland, Ga.—Home, what is
hmne? 1 mean a home of a girl of my age. Il is thu
place where mother resides; the place where 1 am
taught the duly that 1 owe her, to father an 1 G.>d.
There is a thought always p.tssin < through the mind
of mother for my w < liar a pla e where 1 uni sure
that lam never lorg’dleii; the place where I am
sure that mother's heart is lifted up t » God for my
welfare, for time an I eternity; the place where wu
can see thu evidene s of Lappine s beaming In
everyplace; the place where wc arc tun hl that
• b dtcueu to mother and father isobedien utoGod,
and that to lead a virtuous life should be my aim in
life. Home is not home without father and mother.
Age 13.
Claudio P. Moon, Society Hill, Ala.- We had a
nice time C iristimv ; our teacher gave us a Christ
mas tree; J got a nice little tea set and an autograph
album. Aunt Susie, it lias been a big job for me te
write this letter, an I I would like to see Jt in print,
as it is my first. 1 will do belter next time.
1 C. Y. Hill, Winston, N. C.—Here I come again,
Ju j t creeping out of the waste basket, wi ere Aunt
Susie sent me so deep. I tell you cousins, the waste
brisket is ft bad place to get into. 1 worn think hard
of Aunt Susie this lime, fori know that she can’t
get every letter in. Cousins, don’t you love to spend
a while with your aunt that jou love? Isp -nt th s
week with one ot my aunts that I dearly love to bo
with. 1 love to rcft'l tire cousins’nnd Aunt Busie'a
lettujH. I would like to correbp md with some of tho
girls between 15 and hi years of age.
John V. Peoples, Curwensville, Pa.—l live in tho
country with my uncle and aunt. My mama died
when I was quite small and my little brother was
creeping. -My aunt and uncle took my little brother
and 1. My pupa Is an engineer; I e is out west in
Gulorado runniiir.; a passenucr train from Lafimth to
Raton, Papa is very good and kind, he gels c. o. y
thlng we need; he got my brother and 1 a watch.
We lake The Gonktiti 1 ion, and wo conhl not do
wiliioiit it. Uncle gave all tnc pipers that wer; sent
to hhn round te the neighbors. They think it Is too
fur uwuy.
<
Trenton, N. J., has a very beautiful young
girl, u jomnambuhst, who j en.mLululus tire public
streelsinher night Gtevw. Trenton young men du
not retire early.
Ms Pills
The SirMt <to»*o often a»t<niifchc* tho in
valid, olaatlcitjr of mind and
Bonyasiey of Body
to which ho v .it before » »tra;i«er.
They KivoappeUlo.
GOOD DIGESTION,
regular bow <*is and solid flesh. Nice
ly HiiKiir routed* I'fict, 25ctH. per box*
Sold Everywhere.
9