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About Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930 | View Entire Issue (April 3, 1902)
r J the fld of the Redd * > * 'M 5'M M'-M H a'n't to know a thing about It unless they mistrust. It's to be a real surpL-i.se , " said Lou Ilanow , poising herself , like one about to take flight , in the doorway of Mrs. Green's kitchen. "You must come. Mis' Green. 'T will do you good to get out. You re too much shut up. Sarell will miss you If you don't come. She'll want to see I. Ler near neighbors , if nobody else is there. Get 'Kastus to bring you down. " Mrs. Green set the teapot farther back on the stove and murmured an " ' " milk-house door liidelinitc "M'in. The - opened with a rattle of pails. Lou's eyes turned slightly in that direction us she talked on persistently. "Brother Ed was going to s > tup yester day and invite you , but he had to go another way , so I stopped in now. It s rather late to be giving invitations , I know ; but it's all been planned in such a hurry that we are out and out tlus- te/ed. 1 thought , too , that I might stir you up to coming better tnaii Ed could. It does seem too bad not to have a lot of folks at a tin wedding surprise par ty. Everybody's to bring someth.ug besides refreshments , you know. I've the cutest little oatmeal cooker that 1 got at the 5-ceut store in the city , and I shall take that Well , 1 won t hinder you au3r longer from your supper. Good- b3T. Now do come if you can. Good- by. " The kitchen door timed its closing with mathematical accuracy to the is I suing of a young man from the milk- Louse. Through the window Mrs. Green saw Lou's innocently surprised start and cordial bow , but the bit of talk that followed was inaudible to her. Ehe felt certain , however , that it was about the surprise party. "If those Harlows a'n't inanagin'I" was her mental comment. "But it'll 1 take more'n a pretty puttin' on to make Lou one mite engagin' to 'Kastus , I juess. " 'Itastus came In presently , and , after washing at the sink , sat down to sup per. He was thin and not over tall , with a vivid boyish complexion and a chin like his mother's , marked by a de cision that almost severe coldness of gray blue eyes accentuated. It was only when 'Kastus smiled that one knew how winning his face could be. "Lou Harlow stopped in to ask us to a tin weddin' surprise at her brother "Will's. Probably she mentioned it to you , " said Mrs. Green , as she poured the tea. " 1 shall have to carry some- thin' in the shape of tin. I wonder if the dipper I got of that peddler last week won't do. 1 took it for rags. They do pay so little for rags now , I declare it's hardly worth savin' 'em. If it hadn't been for them old over alls of yours I shouldn't made out enough to get this d.pper. " "Likely they won't have more'n seven dippers , " said 'Rastus , helping himself to a second dish of apple sauce. Mrs. Green looked disturbed. "Well , dippers is handy. . Every house keeper needs two , and they use up quick. Dippers nowadays ain't what dippers used to be. There s hardly one to be got but has a weakness in the eolderin't. 1 don't know what's more provokin' than to have a dipperful of r water come splashin' on to the tioor , end leave nothin' but a handle in your fingers. " The quick , bright smile flashed over 'Rastus' face. "Better carry a pan or something of that kind. " His mother took the suggestion as profoundly serious. "I haven't one I could spare. Can't we stop for the Blake girls , 'Rastus ? They like to get out , and it's rather far for 'em to walk now they're failiu' . I declare it goes to my heart to see poor Miss Betsey so nieechlu' lately. She doesn't seem to know whether her things is on straight or not Last Sun day 'twas all I could do to keep my mind on the sermon for wantin * to straighten her false front "Twas twist ed so the partin' was over one eye. And it's real pathetic to see Miss Har riet hoverin' about her sister and fuss- In' to make her comfortable , when all the time Miss Harriet's the oldest. Miss Betsey ain't but 68. 1 shouldn't won der if 'twould chick 'em up coiisid'able to go to the.surprise party this even- in' . " "Well , you can take 'em ; I'll walk. Twould be too crowding In the buggy for us all. and I don't want to get out the business wagon. There's a spoke loose. " i Mrs. Green looked narrowly at him ; the repose of his face Indicated noth ing. "But , 'Rastus , I can't hitch old Nell. You know how she acts the minute we , get out a caperin' and pullin' . " i "I'll be on hand to look out for you. " 'Rastus pushed away his chair , and the door closed after him. 'Rastus was not long in finishing the chores. When he had harnessed old Neil to the Concord buggy and hitched her to a post by the back door he came In to shave. Mrs. Green was sitting by the kitchen window , dressed In her best gown a black alpaca , with fash ionably .large sleeves. It had Just been made over , and the size of the sleeves was supposed to offset the scantness of the skirt At any rate , as she told the neighbor dressmaker , "there wasn't any more pieces , and 'twas better the scrimpin' should come in the skirt , for ne's skirt didn't show in one's coffin , and if she was to die sudden before styles changed , why , the waist would ' do nicely for her to be laid out in. " A moon in its second quarter was ftowing above the eastern horizon as 'Rastus walked across the lots aftei helping his mother off. Beyond , at tut end of the lane , was another house , old' fashioned and yellow-painted. There lived Mr. and Mrs. English , two child' less , middle-aged people. They were coming up from their house now. As he waited by the fence in the shadow of a lilac bush he could see them dis tinctly in the clear moonlight , twc somewhat bent figures , stepping irreg- 1 ularly. Between them walked anothei figure , with youthful poises of head and shoulders , and his heart gave a queei littlejump at the sound of a girl's laugh. "If I haven't stove my thumb intc this cake , " Mrs. English was saying. "Never mind , ma. Turn it 'tothei side to when you hand it in , and no- body'll notice , " suggested her husband , The musical girl laugh sounded aga.n , "Let me carry it Aunt Martha. " With a turiH of satisfaction 'Rastus saw the nakpin-cqycred plate change hands. The slim , quick-stepping figure was ahead of the others now. As she reached the gate he seized the coveted opportunity , and moved forward , awk wardly snatching oft' his hat. i "Good evening. Miss Holland. Lei me open the gate for you. " Never did gate latch so long refuse to lift ; and when she had passed through was it not to pause and turn back with a pretty "Oh , dear ! " How he blessed the rose branch that caught her skirt , and so held her for his re leasing. "Thank you , " she said de murely , looking at him with the moon light in her eyes. Old Nell came up at a brisk trot , but his mother was alone , sitting very erect and holding the reins far apart "The Blake girls couldn't come. Miss Betsey had a bad turn last night , and Miss Harriet didn't want to leave her. So you see you could have rode down well enough. I know you've spoiled your new shoes a-trottin * through the wet grass 'cross lots. " "Well , you won't have to ride home alone. " said 'Rastus , happily , as he helped her out. What were new shoes in comparison with that Interchange of glaucp from a girl's eyes. "I don't believe the Harlows were very much surprised after all , mother. When I got here every window was lighted. We're early , too. " One by one , in twos and threes , and merry family loads , the guests arrived ; and there was talk and laugh and inter change of kisses among the women ; an awkward standing aloof or scraps of neighborly chaff among the men. until the elder masculine element drifted to the kitchen , the younger to the long hall , and the sitting-room circle was strictly feminine. Lou Hariow , bustling about among the guests was more busily hostess like than Mrs. Harlow. herself. "Sarell never mistrusted until the last minute. " she was telling every one. "When we suggested her fixing more'n usual for the evening , she said she just knew something was up. " "Yes. it was a real surprise until then. " corroborated Sarell Harlow , her usually quiet face very animated. "I didn't suppose any one would remem ber that Will and I had been married ten years to-day. It's real pleasant to have one's friends so remembering. " Mrs. Green , taking inventory of the tin things on the table , smiled benignly upon the speaker. She had found but one dipper among the pile , and natur ally felt the prestige of being the only person who had given an unduplicat. d article. Mrs. Dodgson , the local iuer- chant's wife , began talking at her el bow. "How nice Lou Harlow looks to night. That lace at her throat Is very becoming. I hear something about her and your 'Rastus. How's that ? " Mrs. Green drew herself up stiffly. "Folks can hear a good deal , " she said. " 'Rastus looks rather young to think of marrying. And Lou why. she's let me see. " Mrs. Dodgson screwed her face into arithmetical puckers. "She's tnree years older'n 'Rastus ! I remem ber she was born the same year as my Ameret. " "Oh , well. It's the fashion nowadays for men to marry older'n themselves , " Mrs. Green answered , with a blanduess born of remembrance that Mrs. Dodg- son's own son had wedded a woman ten years his senior a widow with an overgrown daughter just entering her teens and that the affair was very dis pleasing to his people. But her neighbor's friendly Inqulsl- tiveness set her into a new train of thought What if Lou Harlow had been the one whom 'Rastus bad fan cied ? Before her rose a vision of heavy bread , cake smelling of saleratus. care less housekeeping which she knew to be the rule at the Harlow homestead ; she thought of what it would be to live day after day with Lou's giggling laugh , her persistent chatter and good- natured offlciousness ! Looking across the room at one who but a few hours ago she had characterized as "that flit- term' little Holland girl. " she noted with a stirring of pride akin to what she felt in 'Rastus the trim ness of the black-gowned figure , the quiet manner , the delicate contour of a face whose prettiness did not conceal decision and capability. 'Rastus was talking with her now , his attitude marked by that new dignity which his mother had no ticed of late. Something in the turn of bis head reminded her of bis father when he had come courting out Peml- gewasset way , where she lived as a girl. girl.When When came a homeward movement among the gue&ts. Mrs. Green pan-ed. talking in the open door on her way- out. Her quick eyes had rerogn.zed I two youim i'gures at the gate , and'she ! turned her back upon them , barring the ' , progress of Mr. and Mrs. English. "I have enjoyed it all so much ; hav- .en't you. Mis' English ? I do think a ! surprise tin weddin * the best way of remeniberin' the anniversary it don't [ make so much work for the folks of the house. Seems to me it's a pretty long'while since you and your husband have been up to take tea with me. Now , why can't you be a mite more ne'gh- borly and come soon ? Say Wednes day. Nothin' to hinder. Well. I'm real glad. And you are to bring your niace. * Not bavin' any girl ofmy own I like to see a bright face like hers 'round once in a while. I guess 'Rastus must have got the horse unhitched by this time. Good-night. " I 'Rastus was patting Nell's nose as ; he stood by her when his mother came out Retta Holland was still at the gate , waiting for her aunt and uncle , and Mrs. Green smiled at her as she passed. Mother and son drove along the bush fringed lane a plodd.ng gait ; for old Nell seemed In an indo.ent mood , and 'Rastus loth to urge her on. ! The moonlight lay white and beautirul over everything. j "I've asked Mr. and Mrs. English to tea next Wednesday , " said Mrs. Green. She cleared her throat at the eager Interest on 'Rastus' face , and ad.led j what she knew would establish perfect understanding between herself and . him. "And I've asked the niece , too. " i "Have you ? In 'Rastus' voice was a thrill of such gladness as comes when one is 23 and in love for the first time. "Have you ? " How mueh the boy looked like his father in spite of having her eyes and , chin ! Mrs. Green felt a suMen all- embracing motherliness tnat let the girl of his love into the depths of her heart But she only said , in a matter-of-fact way : "I should think 'twould be real lone some for the Englishes bein * as their house is where there a'n't never any passin' . I should hate to live so far from folks. I wouldn't for anything. " 'Rastus turned and looked back to ward the old yellow house. To him it seemed that under some circum stances he could live his whole life at the end of the road. Independent Assorted Voices. " "It is a well-known fact that voices differ greatly according to nationality and geographical position. Thus , in Russia , one hears male voices which are absolutely unique in the lowness of their compass. The Italians , on the other hand , are notable for their fine tenor voices. Some Asiatic nations , according to Engel , sing in shrill notes by straining the voice to its highest pitch ; others delight in a kind of vi brato or tremolando. Some sing ha bitually in an undertone , others In a nasal tone. Liechtenstein , in describing the singing of a Hottentot congregation in South Africa , observes that among all the singers , consisting of about a hundred Hottentots of both sexes , there was not one man with a bass or baritone voice : all the men had tenor voices. The Chinese voices seem to bear some resemblance to tha weak character of the people. A military man who had three years' service in the country declares that he never once heard a Chinaman sing from his chest Gentleman's Magazine. Another Burns Relic. There has come to light in one of the auction rooms an interesting relic of Robert Burns. It is an ordinary busi nesslike tumbler , inclosed in an oak oase lined with velvet and secured by a Brahmin key. The tumbler has en graved on it the following inscription : "This glass , once the property of Rob ert Burns , was presented by the poet's widow to James Robinson , Esq. , and given by his widow to her son-in-law , Maj. James Glencniru Burns , 1840. " The James Robinson to whom Jean Ar mour gave the relic was a Sunderland gentleman who became , by marriage , connected with the Burns family. The box is made from one of the piles of Old London Bri 'ge. with some lighter pieces of oak. relics of the Royal George. Scotsman. Moses AVas a Cfntleman. The Christian Register reports that the question , "What was the general character of Moses ? " drew from one child in a Sunday school the reply : "A gentleman. " Not un lerstanding , the inspector asked why. "Please , sir , ! when the daughters of Jethro went to' ' the well to draw water the shepherds were in the way , but Moses helped them and said to the shepherds , 'Ladiesi first please. ' " Shoppiiffc-for Prospective Wives. Among the peculiar customs of Mex ico is one which makes it particularly Incumbent upon engaged young men to go shopping for their sweethearts be fore the ceremony takes place which unites them as one. Young men go up to the City of Mexico from interior towns and lay in a stock of fiuery for their prospective wives in the most natural and matter-of-fact way. First American Geography. " * The first geography printed in thia country was compiled by Jedediah Moss , and published In 1789 , for the use of schools. The attempts at maps in this publication were extremely crude , and gave a very imperfect idea of the outlines of the countries thej were supposed to represent. It is said that only twenty-five or thirty copiet of this work are now In existence. The Earth's Liand Suriace. Three-fourths of the earth's land sur face cannot be cultivated , owing t * mountain ranges , swamps and barror ground. _ _ j. HOW MEAT IS SLICED ( t Thickness FH t iniiii > < en Manj Knees of Veil. A member of rhp rn r's < ; innaj Worn Mil's , League who has traveled exten lively in foreign lands < : \\\l \ \ \ that rot an classify the people of the world iy the way they cut their meat , sayt ' Nov. ' York exchange. The powerful physical nature of th uuglo-Saxon Is well illustrated by th uzc rib roasts and the immense shoul 1-3 of mutton. The in > re artistic ua ; of the Frenchman is shown by hlj atiug liis meat into thin slices ol lltft , into epigrams and Into the filmj TH Irs he calls "rosbif. " The Arab cuts his meat into a thin lbon. wraps it around an iron skew- , boils it over a charcoal tire , and , lc id behold , there is the famous kabob , range to say , it is very rare for the agio-Saxon to cut his meat thin jus ? .s it is rare for the eastern races tc frve it in massive portions. Yet w < mid improve our daily bill of fare , es- ecially in the summer season , by idoptiug many of the dishes and metb- ds of these other races. Thus the kabob system may be ap- ' > 15ed to any kin 1 of flesh or fowl and produces a erisp , palatable and nour ishing culinary creation. Another series of very pleasant dishes are made by cutting meat into long strips about the size of a lead pen cil and frying them , after they hav been salted and peppered. In either their own fat or in olive oil. The liquid should be very hot before the meat is put in , so as to close up all the pores nud keep the juice within the fiber. These pencils , when cooked prop erly , are clean , delicious , brittle and very appetizing. Still another system comes from Italy and Spain in thai very attractive preparation known a fritas. These consist of little pieces of meat about the size of a hickory nut. One will be made of beef , another of lamb , a third of chicken , a fourth of duck , a fifth of corned beef , a sixth of cold beefsteak. The greater the variety the more successful the dish. These pieces are well seasoned , being rubbed with a clove of garlic , salted , peppered and usually touched with a drop or two of onion juice. They are then dipped in batter and fried over a very hot fire , When they come out , all look alike , so that the guest has the additional attrac tion of novelty , variety and surprise. The toughness of the kidney disap pears almost entirely If It be cut with a sharp knife as fine as Saratoga chips , or , better still , if It be put through a meat cutting machine and reduced to a mere pulp. The great advantage of this style of preparation is that it makes meat absolutely safe. All flesh is liable to contain within Its fibers the germs and even the bodies of internal parasites. These are killed by the high temperature and long ex posure. Nevertheless , In many pieces of roast beef as served upon the best tables in the land there are underdone centers where these organisms may be alive. The eater does not know th difference , because they are hardly dis cernible to the naked eye. Cutting It fine and thin , however , and then cook- Ing it , even for a few minutes , abso lutely destroys all life. Speu ilni * a Million. 'F I had a million dollars. All in a chunk , yon know , I'd stick right to the fellers A thousand plunks or so ! An' then give paw a thousand So's he won't have to work , An' buy a candy store , an' lot You kills go iu an' clerk ! * F I had a million dollars , You fellers wouldn't see Me chasm' with the rich bugs Er in socie-tee ! That's where a feller's foolish , An' 'tain't no way to be I'd give you kids this minute That's allus stuck to me ! 'F I had a million dollars , We'd start right where we are An' take a trip to Yurnip , All in a private car. An' ride past "Sissy" Joneg' , An wouldn't he be sore ! Hey , Jimmy , that ain't his'n ! You promised me the core ! Indianapolis Sun. Woes of Linemen in Africa. A telegraph line is being built across South Africa and occasionally bits of Information regarding the undertaking find their way to civilization. These reports show that the hardships suf fered by linemen and the difficulties they are compelled to overcome are something tremendous. The line has QOW been carried up to the southern shore of Lake Tanganyka. During the last 200 miles the road was Impassable for vehicles and all the supplies and material had to be transported by car riers. One section o'f the line passes through a swamp in which vegetation ? rows to such a height during the wet season as to top the wire and causs troublesome leakage. The natives can- lot be induced to go in during the sea son and cut down the weeds owing to the swarms of crocodiles. On another section the elephants have caused sev- > ral interruptions by breaking off the joles. In some of the forests through tvhlch the line passes trees are met measuring over 100 feet in circumfer- jnce. Some of the ravines are impas- ble even to the linemen during the rainy season owing to the paths being mder water and the rank growth of regelatton. One Opinion. "What a sour individual ! What's he jrowling about , anyway ? " | "Oh , he complains that he hasn't got vhat he deserved in this world. " "I should think he'd have cause to ejoice on that account" Pbiladel- > hla Press. Borne people are so suspicious tnat ) t\ a wonder that thetrust 1 ! i f DRESS AT HOME. GREAT mistake which married women often make is that of becoming very careless of their dress and general appearance in the House when no company is expected , ihe wives of men with a limited in come are they wlio are most prone to err in this respect from a foolish idea that dowdiness means economy , and nothing is more fatal to the happiness of a family than the unfortunate no tion that "anything does when we are alone we must keep our finery for those occasions when we have visi tors. " Many a man is tempted to leave his home , tired of constantly meeting a shabby , untidy wife , and to seek amusement and gaiety elsewhere. On heir return from business husbands or brothers like to see their wives or Asters looking fresh and neat and a .ittle bit smart. No extravagance need e indulged n a blouse of some bright t-olor , a cheap lace collar , a bow of pretty ribbon , and the hair neat and becomingly arranged will make all the difference in the cheerfulness and at tractiveness of thv home. A child should be taught from an early age to be tidy and clean to meet its father , and those who are old enough to take their meals with their parents should never be allowed to come to the table until face and hands have been washed and hair brushed boys as well as ' sjirls. They should also be taught that I neatness and politeness in their own family circle are even more important than when in company of visitors or in another person's house. The hus bands also should be careful to remove all traces of the dust and dirt of the I office or workshop and pay a little at tention to their toilet before taking their place at the table or fireside. Costumes of a Hundred Years Ago. History repeats itself , and so do fashions at times , consequently many of our readers may be glad to see sketches of the way their ancestresses Iressed a hundred years since. With out wishing to imitate in detail the costumes here reproduced , they may be useful in suggesting fancy cos tumes if any should desire to repre sent their great-grandmothers. The costumes we publish were originally intended for wear in winter. The cos- ume in the left hand top corner is de scribed as a straw bonnet trimmed with green ribbon , a silk pelisse of the same color , and white swansdown tip pet. Facing this is a costume which consists of a white beaver Trafalgar hat with fawl colored mantle. The great victory of Trafalgar was then | fresh in every one's mind. The gen tlewoman in the center is wearing a lace cap , ornamented with crimson velvet and white swansdown. The one in the bottom left-hand corner has a cap of rose colored silk trimmed with white lace and feathers , and a rose- colored silk cloak. The remaining sketch Illustrates the fashionable mode of dressing the hair at that period. The gown is of white sarsanet. trim- oied with white and embossed with velvet The gloves are buff. Montreal Star. What Husbands Should Do. Some husbands , when they get home at night , tell their wives all about the business of the day , and about their bank account , and about the people' ' they met , and about what was spoken of , and about everything else. Other husbands never tell their wives abo ut their doings during the day , never speak of the state of their finances , and never refer to their business In their households. The wife of such a husband knows nothing of his affairs , and is apt to be upset by bad news or crushed by finding out that he is on the road tJ ruin. From what I have known through my acquaintance with many families for long years , I am ready to say that a husband should always tell his wife about his business and about the affairs of the day. t ' And he is , indeed , a wise man who 3oes this. A Pointer for American Girl * . In Germany when a woman marries fhe becomes very much her husband's property. Ajoy Independence she may ever be said to have had is now given up , for her husband is. indeed , her ford jad master. He can compel h to f that is lawful for , and to do anything 1woman 1 to do. and if he proves hard and unkind she has no relief or redress , ex cept in public opinion. The property marriage be which was hers before comes her husband's , and he can dis pose of it according as he sees fit , even In the face of her opposition. Supposing divorced , the that the pair should be husband still retains the wife's money. German wives , as a rule , seem happy of the enough , but in consideration antiquated laws under which they live it would be well for English and Amer ican girls to consider the matter very \ ! seriously before bestowing their hearts A and hands on German men. however charming they may be and whatever their Focial standing. Pittsburg Dis patch. Bracelets the Thiri Airain. At no time In years has there bea such a demand for jeweled arm orna ments in New York as now. The styles are numberless , and the cost runs from a few cents to thousands of dollarsjv Women Should Learn to Laughter Is a good , healthy , muscle- making , lung-developing exercise , and it is as good for girls as boys. Antl humor can be cultivated in a girl' mind without any abatement of the dig nity and modesty and charm of her womanhood. Not the unpleasant and constant frivolity evidenced In "smart" speech or quickness or repartee , but the humor that looks at the world with t twinkle In the eye and sees its absurdi ties , its smalluess and Its fun. It should be part of every woman's mental equipment , for women are call ed upon to bear so many of life's small worries as well as its greater ones. The bringing up of children , the care of ser vants and the many social duties that become a burden all are made easy and possible to put up with by the I woman with an unfailing sense of the bright side of life. It is a sense that last * through life , through its many ills , its disillusions , its tribulations , even ! T.T tragedies. The face that wears a smile is every where welcome ; the smilina1. cheery guest is a joy forever ; with our com mon sense , our tant and our kind court esy to guide us. and with the corners of our mouths turned upward , we may at any time and ail times be a benediction to our friends. Woman's Home Com panion. Trial of Bluahinjj. Blushing seems to be a"real trial to a great many young girls. The blushing face Is an evidence of a refined and sensitive mind and there would be something strange about a young girl who never blushed. A blush Is a sign hung out by nature to show whera purity and honor dwell. The poet Gay says charmingly : The rising blushes which her cheeks o'er- spread Are opening roses In the lily'a bed. Abnormal blushing is a most uncom fortable ailment and is often a symp-V' torn , that the victim's health la not' quite what It should be. Blushing Is always a mark of sensitiveness and th over-frequent blushing of the young girl generally subsides as the years go on , but it Is to be hoped that she may never lose her power of blushing , for that would indicate a decrease of men tal refinement. Household Service a Profession. Mrs. Ida Foster Cronk , a Chicagc lecturer , champions the hired girl Sh said"Household service Is a profes sion for every on * engaged in it. Pa rents who hav daughters in shops and factories hav said they would be glad to have their children In families if household work "was surrounded with proper dig nity. AS a matter of fact , every ho - . . . is performed to the best of one's ability and with due regard for the comfort of otbew and at the same time allowing one to get some pleasure out of life , is serr- ng a worthy and dignified purpose In this great world. " . boUed a few quickly dried , once or twice a become more durable. ' \
