DAKOTA COUNTY HERALD; DAKOTA CITY, NEBRASKA. tm EXCHANGES IN EfGHTGOUNTIES Ask Your Dealer to Show You Thousands of Dollars Worth of Buoi ncs Transacted Throuoh Agent. OIq Help to Farmer. Ci pi v I O 03 UTiwtiilllHTW wiLiWVlX1UJZnHZUiJ 13 4 rMWAiISl' Tff X1H k Bra ' A I Hi Viv J J&lvJLl III .BV o o" Socretniy Shchtui of the Statt Hoard of Charities and Correction In fpected the Jails nnd county farms ot i'lerce, Knox, Wayne, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon nnd Tlyirston counties last week and lias made n report to tho governor upon their condition. Tho Jail lu I'lerce, whilo old, Is In good condition and equipped In a modern v,ny, but the poor farm house Is not as it should be, nothlnB modern about It, no electric lights or bath tub. He was pleased to find workmen pulling down tho JCiiox county Jail 4nd getting ready to put up a now -one with modern fixings. Knox has no poor farm. Wayno county has a good Jail and It is kept in good shape. It has u soparato room for ifenialo prisoners There are uo prls oners In that county. The county has Uo poor farm, but rents what was for merly tho court house, situated about seven miles from tho county seat of Wayne, for which tho county pays a rental of $220 n year. The Cedar county Jail is In good condition. It Is nsed by both tho county and city for JaM purposes. Tho poor farm is a fairly good one. Tho Dakota county jail Is fairly good, hut Is poorly ven tilated, but as there nro no prlsonors th" ventilation Is not bothering any body. TIio poor farm consists of eighty acrcB and is a good one, well conducted. Tho Dixon county Jail and poor farm are up to date and well 'omlucted. The Thurston county Jail Is a good one, but that county has no poor farm. Whan "Mr. John Jones or Uoxbutte, Dakota, Dawes, Gage, Kimball, Madi Kon, Seward or Thurston counties wants to buy a team of mares, it Is no longer necessary for him to spend much vnluablo time scouring the county over In search of tho prospect ive tenm. All that ho now has to do Is to write or go to tho olllcc of his county agricultural agent nnd ask to ceo tho llBt of horses for sale. If it happens to bo a second-lmnd plow, or soiiio seed corn, it is nil tho same. All of the things which tho farmer wish es to sell arc listed in tho office of tho county agricultural agent. Through the agency of such fnrmers' ex changes, many thousands of dollars worth of business 1b transacted each year in tho eight counties or Nebras ka having farmers' associations cm ploying such agents. Tho agent more ly actB as a clearing house for such information. 1 Hcccnt experimental work at tho Nebraska agricultural experiment ota tlon litis corroborated the results ot former tests in showing tho econom ical superiority of a ration ot com and alfalfa for fattening steers. Cold pressed cottonseed cake used In con nection with alfalfa hay, silage, and corn increased tho cost of gains nnd lowered tho profits. Cold pressed cot tonseed enko did not glvo as good re sults as regards eithor rate ot gain or economy of gain as did alfalfa hay. Different amounts of sllugo in tho Ta tlon did not seem to make any mater ial difference In tho amount of gains. Eight Nebraska alfalfa meal mills liavo reported to tho labor commis sioner's ofllce "their activities for tho year XD14. Tho totnl capital Invested In theso eight mills was ?4DG,0r0; to tal valuo ot production for tho year, $2,G82,3G0.25; total valuo ot stock used, ?2,395,G4fi.30; employes under 1G years, eight; total number of em ployes, 205; avorago wngo per day, ?2.17; total paid In wages for- the year, $110,700.08. State Bacteriologist Wild states that there Is conslderablo typhoid throughout tho state at tho present tlmo and that in consequence ho Is (Overrun With requoBls for examina tion of water. Ho now has a sulllclont number of thoso on hand to keep him busy until. January 15 and moro are coming In all of tho time. An inter-scholastic stock Judging contest will bo hold early in April at tho College of Agriculture. This will he open to nil high schools In tho state, and each agricultural Instruc tor Is Invited to send a team of throo men. Fifteen classes of llvo stock "vv'ill be Judged, Including beef cattle, sheep liorses nnd hogs. llecolpts ot tho rood, drug and dnl-Tj- commission for tho three-month period ending November 30 totaled 135,702, according to a check of tho department complotcd by Statu Ac countant "DeFrance, Disbursumonts in the samo period aggregated ?'20,001. The "University School of Agricul ture Winter Short Course will open at tho University' Farm. Lincoln, Tues. day, January 4, 1910, artd continue for six -weeks. A total of 3.714 warrants wore written by the stato auditor's force during the month ot Novomber. Of the number 2,555 wcro on the general fund. Their total cash fund totaled $41,498. According to llgures prepared by tho Stato Board of Agriculture, tho output ot Nebraska farms this year totals up to tho nico Jittlo sum of $500,555,439, which ought to bo evi dence to most anybody that farming In Nebraska la bettor than gold min ing in Alaska. ' Nebraska liens laid clown on their Job of luylng eggs in 1914 and pro duced 4.500,000 dozen less eggs than they did tho year previous, according to tigureB being prepared by the stato labor bureau. Tho Union Pacific won its tax casu against Buffalo county in tho supremo court recently. Tho eult was brought to overturn ft levy of 8 mills mado by District No. 3 for tho support of tho 'School. Tho evidence showed that n 1 mill levy would have met nil expenses. rTOM DPJ (NMHO l JMfS UWSS LrU mw m.nm mmsxmm ttetoh KmffiE tiutm HE Christmas season brings to mind tho many Christmas days gone by, with their four grent features tur key, cranberry sauce, plum pudding nnd mince plo. It was a good old Kngllsh cus tom, not to be rejected by tho American colonists, although morti fications wcro necessary to suit tho religion ind conditions of living In tho colonics, the Christ-spirit boing substituted for tho pagan yuletldc, tho famous "hoar's head" was omitted, and the Ohrlstmns nlo becamo known as mlnco pic. However, many old observances were kopt, Including tho mistletoe and holly, and Christmas was a day for family gatherings, with n feast prepared by the women of tho house. It is quite posslblo that wo would not like their flavorings today. They used a variety of spices, wines and seasonings In even their plain est dishes; but ns ovary thing was prepared In tho homo, eithor under tho supervision of tho mistress or by hor own hands, the mixtures wcro wholesome. Kvorythlng was turned to nccount In tho sea son with a view to futuro use, ho In this way preparations for tho holiday were going on long before tho day. In cherry tlmo, a supply was carefully packed in hay and kopt for Christmas. Tho Christmas cookies, with coriander seed In them, were baked six months beforu and kept In an earthenwnro Jar In tho collar. Mince Meat Recipe. Tho rich plum pudding and cakes wcro mado early In tho fall and put away to mellow and ripen. Tho mincemeat was then made, tho recipe for which was recently found in an old Philadelphia cookbook. Wo copy nil but tho spoiling: "Four pounds veal, four pounds suet, two pounds rnls Ins, ono pound currants, six apples, some roso wntcr and sack half a pound, no moro of sugar, throe-fourths pound cloves, maco, nutmeg and cinnamon, somo cnndlcd ornngo peel, lemon peel, citron nnd blanched almonds." Thoy mado a puff pasto for their pies differ ent from ours. Ono reclpo called for flour, ono pound butter, ten oggs and somo milk or water. Somo housewives made their winter supply of mlnco pies before Thanksgiving and reheated them boforo using. For tho lomon tarls, tho lemons had to bo llrst soaked in salt wator for two days. Then every dny for fourteen dnys thoy wero put into fresh cold wntcr. When they wero mnde, apples, or anges and sugar were added. A few days before Christmas tho mistress went to market, tho maid carrying tho basket. She would get hor turkoy, crnnhorrlcs, celery, oysters, and a llttlo pig for ronstlng whole. Tho dny boforo Clirlstmus tho real excitement bognn. The stuffing was' mado, and such stuHlng! Bread CTiimbs, hoof suet, liver, lomon peels, nut meg, savory, peppor, salt, cream and eggs. Tho llttlo pig, only four or flvo weeks old, wns filled to his utmost capnclty with mashed potatoes or applos. Not tho least to bo considered wero tho green decorations. Ground pluo for festoons and wreaths, mistlotoo to hang, and holly overywhero wcro tho necessities. Whon Christians morning enmo tho excitement was at tho highest pitch. Tho lousowifo, her daughters and her maids wero up early. Tho brick ovon waB boated and tho mlnco pies put in. Tho turkey was drodged with flour and put on tho spit, with a small unwilling child to watch and turn It ns It browned. Another child wns Bet to cracking nuts nnd polishing npples. Roasting the Little Pig. Tho llttlo pig was put boforo tho lire to roust In tho dripping pan, In which wero three bottlos of red wlno for basting. Whilo tho things wcro cooking a long table, tho length of tho room, was spread with tho white linen cloth, napkin, china and silver or pewter. In tho middle of the table was the famed Christmas bowl. Here aro tho quaint directions for making It; "Break nine sponge cakes and hnlf u pound of macaroons In a deep dish; pour over ono pint raisin wine, half pint sherry. Leave them to soak. Sweeten with two ounces of powdered sugar candy and pour over ono pint nnd n halt ot cUBtard. Stick with two ounces sliced almonds. Placo on a stand and ornament with Chrlatmas evergreens." Tho tankard with tho Clirlstmus brow wns put on the table, and all the sillabubs. JhUIoh, pickles, lomon tarts, red applos, nuts, thu cookies and tho cherries fresh from tho hay. Tho firoplaces wero now blitzing, and the red borrles nnd green lunvcs of thu holly wore shin ing in tho light. Tho mistlotoo wus waiting for tho unwary, and tho good smell of tho brown turkey, savory slut ling and applosaucu was overywhero. Don Their Dest Frocks. After the housewife and her daughtors hud Boon to evorythlng thoy hurried to put on tholr host flowered silks, with white whims around their necks itnd tho most secret beautlllers on their faces. Thon tho dinner boing nearly cooked, they took tho llttlo browned pig, raised him gently and put two small loaves of bread under him and added moro wlno; an unchoty, a bundle of sweat horbs and a half a lemon was put Into the Hiiuei, which was poured over him hot Thoy had him sitting on hiB haunqlios looking llfellko Then they put r-. hw fro az.AUUr5i'i n r-u uWfty mmmw yw r?i -" i Mantra nn a;"-i.i v v,rvv r 5 KZ&J& sififfi'?2M&r WZWm j- y y .-.n irrv rn kra. mm JzzMSami "WsSXf 'Mn'Wm ft. v?X - jW j:, -n-VJ.Vv , "A. W MM P& 6 rift &$ mm MH svrnnmT BQjmM doe mn ffira df? rswrsmn SYOT mmi i iAWiyj 3 CD : OQ (u O 7? Vhc Famous Sturges Bros. Harness If they Don't Have Them, write or call on Sluices Bros., 4ii Pearl St., Sioux City, la. a red apple In his mouth, which, ulas' ho could never eat, and garnished him with holly At last the company came, tho mistress pre serving a calm exterior, but with an inward anxiety lest something be burned or spilled at tho last moment. When alt is ready tho beaming host says, "Friends, will thoo Join us In tho Christmas feast?" And with Kreat dignity ho loads them, with the guest of honor on his arm, followed by tho older peoplo and the children. The Table Decorated. Tho tablo is a picture to cheer tho hungry. Tho largo turkey is at cnu end and the pig at tho othor end of the long table, with everything thoy are to cat between, excepting tliv plum pudding. After tho silent grace, which stills the nolso for a moment, tho carver takes his knife, nnd with a deliberation bom of steady nerves carves under tho fire of twenty pairs of oyes. Tho directions in "Gentlewoman's House wifery" says: "Halso the leg fairly of tho tur koy and open tho Joint with tho point of tho knife, hut do not tnko off tho leg. "Then laco down both sides of tho brent bone and open tho breast pinion, but do not take it off. Then ralso the Merry Thought between tho brenst bono and tho top of it," and bo on till tho turkoy Is boned. While this is being dona tho "Christmas bowl" 13 passed. After thoy are holped to turkey and pig thoy paBB tho vegetables and delicacies, and oven tho mlnco plo is eaten whon they have tho desire for it. The Correct Manners. Tho proper conventions nro Btrlctly adhered to. Tho book of etlquotto says: "A gentlewom an must not lean hor elbows on tho tablo, nor by a ravenous gesture discover a voracious appe tlto, nor talk with her mouth full, nor smnck her UpB llko a pig." Tho children wero kept In order. In all tho feast was decorous, but merry for all that. At last, when thoy have eaton to tho extent of their capacity, tho plum pudding, blnzing and with a pieco of holly stuck in the top, is brought in and eaten with brandy sauco. Then the toasts aro drunk with tho good home-brewed wine, and tho feast is dono. HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS Clirlstmus, originally Crlstos masBc ("tho moss or church festival of Christ"), Is tho English namo for tho season In which tho birth of Christ !h commemorated. It Is apparent, however, that a festival was celebrated at this season long be fore it wns held sacred as tho birthday of Jesus ot Nazareth. Tho Saturnalia of the Itomnus nnd tho winter festival of the heathen Britons wcro both celobrnted about December 'iU, and Inter, tho ltoninn festival in honor of tho sun god, Mithra (instituted 27a A. D.) From tho latter tho day becamo to be known as tho "Ilirthday of tho Uiiconquercd Sun;" and after Its adoption by the Christian church In tho fourth century as the anniversary of Christ's birth, this name was given a symbolic Interpretation. A study of the customs associated with this period also reveals a heathen. If not Invariably a solar, origin. Tho lighting of the Yulo log (la bucho do Noel) on Clirlstmus eve, onco a wide spread European custom. Is or wns a function of such predominant importance among tho Li thuanians and Letts that their words for Christ mas ovo literally signify "Log owning." Tho sports of tho ' Lords of Mlsruli'" in England are thought to bo an inheritance from the Saturnalia. Tho decoration of churches with the onco sacred mistlotoo and holly is a pagan survival SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENT For many years ono Sundny school has had a giving Christmns Instead of a rccolvlng ono. Tho pupils bring gifts Instead of receiving them. Tho favorito method (s for a class to plan n Christmas dlnnor. Ench ono In tho class brings something for that purpose. Ono of tho boys or girls can march forward (Sagging a turkoy or a chlckon, and othor member or moinbors of thu sumo class following with artlclau for a Christ mas dlnnor, not forgottlng cranberrlos, mlnco plo and celery. Still others llko better to flourish u paper with an order for u ton or half a ton of coal. This may bo glvon by tho united contributions of n class. A novel nnd successful Christmas entertain ment was givon in an onstorn Sunday school. After prayer, Scrlpturo responses and carols, slelgli bells wero heard, announcing tho coming of Santa Clnus. Ho appeared upon the platform slinking nn otupty bug, and lninunted ho had no gifts for aoiuo needy chlldron. "Little llugln nors" hnstenod to tholr friend with packages of sugar and "swoot" llttlo rhymes, primary chll- V, LL gifts, carefully marked, should !' consigned thu day before to the one In charge, and she must purchase a iuanlty of clothesline and clothespins Tho lino Phould be stretched hack nnd forth across the living room, and each gift, wrappod In tissue paper and Med with red ribbons, Bhould bo fastened to the lino by a clothespin, decorated with wings of red nnd gi ecu paper. In the bay window a table should be arranged on which Is placed a ".Inck Horr"r" pic, containing a Christmas souvenir for ench mcnilK r of the family. Tho sibbons attached to the puck nges In tho pie should be carried up to a hollv decorated hop xcpended over tho tablo. each ribbon tagged tvttb the name of the one for whom It is intended. When tho "family wash" has been taken down ench person ceeking hia or her own gift they gather around tlic, pic,, and nt a signal "pull out their plums." Hlddr. in Egg Shells. When the family is all present at breakfast start to serve the meal of eo.Tee. brad and but ter, ham and soft-cooked eggs without any men tion of glft3. At each placo have an eggcup o: siiiicer. on which you put an egg, tho contents having been removed previously through a small hole in the end; partly fill with sand, and let each contain a small paper with a suggestion in poetry of where or how to find their gi!ts. As each person thinks lie is cracking his egg he finds the puzzle inside. Much merriment and good cheer will be the result. Serve original content" of life-gshalln in omelet with the ham. Hide one person's gifts in bookcase, paper in egg to read: If you are either wise or smart You'll find me in a hurry. Among gifted people I now dwell; So hunt, don't sit and worry. Frost King and Snowballs. As this is the time for tho clever woman oi the family to dovise some uuiquo way of dis tributing Christmns gifts, she may decorate tli'i living room with evergreens, holly and mistle toe, and then place in one corner a tablo covered with a white cloth, hidden lrom view by a screen of generous size. On this Uhlo is placed snow halls. Theso snowballs, made of white cotton baiting and tied with white robbon, contain each designated present, and aro heaped in a pyra mid, thus obtaining a mass of snowballs of varied size. The pile is scattered freelv with diamond dust, in order to give it an attractivo sparkle. If there in a small boy in the house ho may be dressed as a Frost King, in a costume of wiilto wadding, sprinkled with dlnmond dust, leaves and holly berries can be sewed bete and there upon tho robe. At a given signal the screen Is removed, disclosing the tiny Frost King, who, with a few words of Christmas greeting, gathers tho snowballs Into a pretty basket, and ns each ball bears a small tag ho llnds Ho difllculty in distributing the gifts to those assembled. A Holly Pie. A novel way of distributing Christmas gift. on Christmas morning is to make a big pie in tho center of tho tnblo of holly branches, and ar rango it so the gifts can ha easily drawn from under It. Encli gift must be tied with a narrow red ribbon and ono end lead to each placo at the table. This is great fun, and of courso every one Is anxious to see who gets tho most rib bons, the lucky ono being declared the most popu lar. Tho pie is not "opened" ibitll end of break, fast. A Christmas Trail. One member of tho family should 'take charp of the gifts, and when the const is clear shoul.-i lay tho "trull" with them in all of the nnllch!. downstairs rooms. Start from a tiny ChriEtsias tree on the living room table by fastoamg to it a card for each person, maikcd, for example, thus: "Card No. 1. father. Ixjo': for cnij No. 2 iu umbrella stand In hall." hi the stand ho will find n package tagged i.. tins luannor; "Card No. ", father. Look for card No. I? In your hat in hall closet." The third card will bo found on a gift in the spot designated. lth further instructions, which aro followed on to the next, until all his presents como to light. Everyone pursue? ills or her trail at once, and a merry scone of confusion is tho result. These "arils may bo prepared bo forehand, and no ciifllcuhy will bo experienced if. in placing tho gifts, cr.cn trail Is finished hofnro starting to lay another The last cards should direct tho family to tbeJr phtces at the dining room table, when) they will find amusing souvo nirs of tho occasion. Csbwcb Method. A rather novel and entirely Inexpensive way of distributing Christmas gifts Is to employ tho 'cobweb" method. Uuzpcnd a rope diagonally across the room, over which tho strings mav cross, each string to be mbi.U at its sourco with tho name of th" member of tho family or thu friend lor whom It ir. iEM:v!id. A sheet can lio hung ncrcisa one end of tie room, hiding the gifts from view until time for winding the strings Lei all begin the quest at ct-cc, It being necessary io find tho beginnings of tho strings whore tb- names are attached. This will afford consider able amusement, hi tho strings should be run through keyhole, undor beds, over traiiFiini.i and even out of doors, if possible. Aside from tho element of mystery contained In this method, thero Is tho added valuo which attaches to those things which hnvo been icnlly earned through one's own efforts. dren followed; thon representatives from every class in tho school, even tho Hlblo union. Offer ings wore accompanied by specially prepared rec itations, songs or dialogues, and givers dressed to suit their gift. Chlldron bringing cereals ap peared as "Quakers;" rice suggested Chinose costume; tea, Japaneso; "puro" products, tho Puritan style, each. Songs woro sot to popular airs, making drill work onsy. Finally. Santa Clnus had a valuable supply or provisions for an orphan asylum. Tho happy glvors thon rocolvod remembrances from tlnir teachers. All found " It Is moro blossod to ;ne thai) to rectivt' " Fields & Slaughter Co. DEALERS IN Gx-airt, Feed, FEour, Hay atvci Coal Fred J. Parker, Manager Phono No. 4 Dakota City, Nebr. Westcott's Undertaking; Parlors Auto Ambulance Old Phone, 42G New Phone 2067 Sioux City low ex. IAbstraucis of Title A $10,000 Surety Bond Guarantees the accuracy of every Abstract I make. J. J. EINERS, Bonded Abstractor. Successor to the DAKOTA COUNTY ABSTRACT CO. Licensed Embalmer Lady Assistant Ambulance Service Wrrt. F. IDjck-iirvsorv S Ball 71 A-uto 84-71 415 Sixth Street Sioux City, Iowa MtwwiHwatssu miiiiw r--'T-r -"-" ii una ? will be crowded with lflll the very best reading in 'l If MilsCoipioii 9 Great Serials 250 Short Stones CUT THIS OUT and send it (or the name of hi paper) with $2.00 for The COMPANION for 1916, and we v:Il send I7RFF AllthoUiueiof TIXCOM r IVCEj PANION fcr tho remunioz weeks of 1915. rpCC THC COMPANION HOME I 1CC CALENDAR for 1916. TI-IPM Th 52 WeeWr Iue of iriClN THECOMPANION for 1316. Rare Articles. Nature and Science, Exceptional Editorial Pa Re. Family Page. Boys' Pace, Girls' Page, Chil dren's Page. All agea liberally provided for. Twice as much as any magazine gives in a year. Fifty-two times a year not twelve. Send to-day to) The Youth's Corn pamon, Boston, Mas&, for THREE CURRENT ISSUES -FREE. SUBSCRIPTIONS RECEIVED AT THIS OFFICE I Have Taken the Agency and Will Be On the Road FOR i , a Kochs pi a Extracts, Spices, Etc. Will make regular calls on all my former and pros pective customers in Dakota County, the Kast Half of Dixon Countv and the North Half of Thurston County, and hope for the same cordial business relations as existed heretofore. J. P. ROCKWELL Dakota City, Nebraska Mail Orders will be given Prompt and Careful Attention i H" I