North Carolina Newspapers

The Progressive Farmer, May 8, 1900. THE HOME CIRCLE. Be a Geod Boy; Good-by. How oft in my dreams I go back to the day When I stood at our old wooden gate, And started to school in full battle array, "Well armed with a primer and slate. And as the latch fell I thought myself free. And gloried, I fear, on the sly, Till I heard a kind voice that whispered to me : "Be a good boy; good-by." iiBo a good boy; good-by." It seems They have followed me all these years. They have given a form to my youthful dreams And scattered my foolish fears. They have stayed my feet on many a brink, Unseen by a blinded eye ; For just in time I would pause and think : "Be a good boy; good-by." Oh, brother of mine, in the battle of life, Just skirting or nearing its close, This motto aloft, in the midst of the strife, Will conquer wherever it goes. Mistakes yon will make for each of us errs, But, brother, just honestly try To accomplish your best. In whatever oocurs "Bo a good-boy; good-by." John L. Shroy, in Saturday Evening Post. i (Mistakes and Possibilities of Rural Life. -o- Are we in rural life filling the meas ure and responsibility of men and women? Are we reading, thinking and acting in the great drama of life? Axe we adding to the health giving pursuits of the farm that which will ennoble the mind and fit ns alike for battling with the finan cial problems of tho day, and for en tering cultured society? In brief, are wo keeping pace with the march ! largely represented in tho important of xrogrcss visible in the world i councils of the government. Yet how alout us? ! few comparatively ever assist in In answering these interrogations j framin tue iaws by which they aro we are compelled to say that while j Vno raiise for this miustice is them may and should bo remedied. In our State more than half the pop ulation are engaged in agriculture. Almost half the citizens of tho en tire nation are thus employed. It is the great wealth-giving power of the land, and by it all other industries are moved. While it is thus the ac knowledged leading indusary of our country, wo should expect to see it BEAUTY'S GREATEST FOE. farming has very much imxoved in ! very apparent when we consider how the general routine of out-door life, , mtl attention is riven by rural peo- we arc sadly behind tho spirit of the j ple tQ that preparation which will age in many of the characteristics fit them for STlch position9. while which would render our homes more we do not arffUC thafc the farmer pleasant and our business more profi- shouM agpiro f o political honors, we table. So far as regards the labor of i - , . , A 1A t the farm, it has been very much "a man among men," having a mind lightened by the aid of machinery of strentWsd and developed bv edu aU descriptions. But what aro the j cati(m xmtn he posscsaes wisdom to result of this? Are we reaping all j knQW hig rf fats abmty tQ dofcnd the licncfits from this change that j them Just hero exists ono of the are possible to be gained from it? mosfc formidablo troubles among the roughthischannelwemaybeen-inconvenienoos Qf rural &tTictSt ablcd to shorten the hours of toil : advantages offered and increase those of recreation and j . A, . . ; m vne country luu nut uiujuuiuiii, I especially to boys. School terms are short, at best, and when wo consider how little of them the average boy en joys, our sympathies for him should be aroused. At the beginning of the term, while the little ones, not of bor in six or eierht hours, which! , ' , i mo Ciiu 01 tne scnooi oca, rue iatner mental improvement. But as a rule, are we-doing this? On the other! hand, is it not true that the greater j facilities wo have for accomplishing ! labor on the farm the more we un- ' dertake to do? Not content when ; jxrfornring the same amount of la- j formerly required ten, to devote the time thus saved to other useful oc cupations and developments quite as necessary to our general welfare as the silver and gold we are so anx ious to obtain. Hardly is it necessary to state that this Ls one of the most promi nent mistakes in rural life that in ordinate thirst for wealth in some, which orushes all the finer qualities of their nature that they may grow rich. The mind that is never ex IKtnded beyond the circumference of the Almighty Dolhir works ultimate ly its own ruin, and, meanwhile robs itself of the real joys in life. Hcaroely less excusable is this than the groveling, unambitious farmer who seeks nothing but the commonest level of mankind, yet growltf eternally at his lot. Tho greatest wisdom is displayed when we seek to develop the nobler characteristics of our natures. Social, mental and moral culture should en gage our lxst endeavors and receive lilcrally of our means. Many rural homes, where dollars are rapidly ac cumlatod and possessions widened, are destitute of what should most abound, viz. : contentment and the do velopmcnt of true character. Many gain the reputation of model farmers is, perhaps, laying out work for the half -grown boys, whose time he con siders too useful to himself to be spent in the school room. So it hapxens that from wood-cutting to corn gathering and a legion of other duties, they are kept back a month or more at the beginning. Neither is it infrequent that they are stoped two or three weeks before the close of school. Shall we wonder that many boys arrive at manhood and settle down on farms who are unable to calculate the sum of their products when marketed, having to depend upon the buyer or some friend for that which he should be wholly oomxetent to do for himself? There may be cases where this can not be avoided, but there are many in which there is no necessity for such neglect and detention. Tho objections may be urged that they often do not improve the time in school. This is lamentably true the world over, but no more so of country boys than those of the city. But in the well regulated schools of the city, compulsory rules enforco a regularity of attendanoe and a high er grade of recitation, all of which is backed by such authority as to de mand the respect of parents as well as students. There is indeed a call An Ill-Teaper is Always Sure to Euin Its Victim's Beauty. Bad temper and worry will trace more wrinkles in one night than hot and cold bathing and massage and complexion brushes and creams and lotions can wash out in a year's faith ful application. Physicians assert that an immense amount of nerve f orco is expended in every fit of bad temper ; that when one little part of the nervous system gets wrong the face first records it. The eyes begin losing the luster of youth, muscles become filabby, the skin refuses to contract accordingly, and the inevi table result is wrinkles, femininity's fiercest and most insidious foe. There is no use attempting to reason with a woman about the evil effects of ill temper while she is in an ugly mood. She knows perfectly well that it is bad form ; that it savors of the coarse and unbred ; that it is weak and be littling and immoral, and that it hurts her cause o lose her temper. But she does not stop at just that time to think about it, and to remind her of the fact only adds fuel to the flames. But when she is cool and serene and at peace with all tho world, if you can convince her that each fit of temper adds a year to her age by weakening her mental force and by tracing crow-tracks about her eyes and telltale lines around her mouth, she will probably think twice before again forgetting herself. For no matter what she asserts to tho con trary, woman prizes youth and beauty above every other gift the gods hold in their power to bestow upon mor tals. Adelo E. Shaw, in Woman's Home Companion. WO DISCRIMUTATION. An aged Georgia negro, Nathan by name, is employed by a gentleman very prominent in state jiolitics. That Nathan, also, has an eye to political favors is shown by the fol lowing conversation, which recently took place ljotwoen him and his em ployer : " Marse Jim," said Nathan, "is you gwine in dis yere race fer gov ernor V" "Haven't thought about it." "Well, ef yer does run, an' gits elected, will you give me a job ?" 4 ' Certainly I would remember you, Nathan. What would you like ?" "Well, suh, I'd des like ter black boots roun de Capitol." " And what would you expect for that service V" " Well, suh," ho replied, " I should say four dollars a day would be reasonable. Dat's what de yuther legislators get." Youth's Companion. Our Social. Chat. EDITED AMI C0H3UCTE0 BY AUNT JEKWIE, RALEIGH, W. C. AUNT JENNIE'S LETTER. SHE HAD THE ART, BUT DIDN'T KNOW IT. "Tell me," pleaded the artless maid, "wherein lies tho secret of the art of conversation !" The sage assumed the attitude he was wont to assume when in the act of imparting wisdom, and said : " My child, listen !" " I am listening !" breathlessly she answered. "Well, my child," he rejoined, " that is all there is of the art of con- ! versing agreeably." Chicago Trib une. AN AWTUL MISTAKE. One of my girls wrote me that she would probably attend the Christian Endeavor Convention which conven ed in this city last week, but she failed to come and I was disappointed. The sessions were largely attended and the work received an impetus which I trust will endure. I am glad to know that at least one of my girls is enlisted in this army of workers for the uplifting of mankind. Mrs. Mull writes us an exceedingly interesting letter this week. She has been absent quite a while and we are glad she has returned. Many thanks for your nice letter, and may I ask that you be so kind as to tell us something of what you see in Macon and Cherokee on your anticipated trip through these counties? Now, will not many of you follow Mrs. Mull's example and tell us of your county, its scenery, enterprises, fac tories, schools and historical facts connected therewith? We North Carolinians are lacking in home pride. Ours is a grand old State and wTe should take more interest in her his tory, traditions and the lives and deeds of her great men. I have so often envied Virginians their State pride and wished that there were some way opened to me by which I might tell our boys and girls that the world values us as we value our selves. This is why so little is known of our State and her resources by the outside world. How anxious a Vir ginian is to tell you of his or her native ! State And there is some thing so impressingly beautiful in their loyalty. Let us know more of our dear old State's resources, strug gles, defeats and victories, and I think that we as her daughters and sons will feel proud to proclaim to all mankind that North Carolina is our mother State. Many times have I been asked by strangers if I were not of New England origin and I al ways take pride in replying that my ancestors for generations have been native North Carolinians. I regret that we have not the pluck and push that characterizes our Northern brothers and sisters, but I do not envy them their nativity. Mrs. J. L. D. reminds readers of a matter of much importance. Her suggestions are worth remembering and heeding. That is a very valuable paper, " Mistakes and Possibilities of Rural Lifo," which the editor has select ed as the leading article for our page this week. Study it ; it is full of thoroughly sound and sensible ideas. I am almost tempted to call the roll or at least a part of it. But if you have not written to us recently just remember that I would call yours loud enough for an answer, please. So many of our first contributors have occupied seats with us recently that we feel encouraged to hope and believe that others will return ere long. And new members are always welcomed by us. Aunt Jennie. THE GOOD OLD COUNTY OF CATAWBA. bv raisinir laruv ermw lw-n1ji-i -ood judgment in securing bargains i for Scneral improvement, especially and making frequent land purchases i hne culture and better educational , i , ' i advantages, whoso homes m general appearance . Paronts, to you we appeal in be are anything but creditable to them. ; half of the present and future gen When buildings und surrounding pre- orations to exert your influence prop sent an appearance of neglect and de- ; orl to orin about this needful ea v. it is a sad disappointment to visit ' vhtmnc- U is the home and under ' ; . , 1 1 V r .vour influence that the first and most such premises where you have reason i lasting impressions are made. The to expect to find everything in a . most illustrious statesmen, the most nourishing condition, and some char- ' distinguished warriors, the most elo- aeteristies of modern stvln. t.r, .m. li " 111 immMW i uio greatest hen- taste and inconvenience on every hand, the family simply getting along with buildings which look like they lKilonged to the renter instead of the well-to-do owner. As our subject exactors ot human kind, owe their greatness to the fostering influence of home." When these necessary de velopments of mind and cultivated tastes, in connection with applied science to agriculture in all its de partments, becomes the rule instead uuwvjjuo 1KJ.S.S1UU1UOS wiui- , ot tne exception, then shall we indeed in our reach which have not yet lxen w alk in the highway to success, and attained. In presenting some of the rnral hfe will le in the wake of tcs pvalent in tUo country t Ttteln. unhesitatingly affirm that many of Mount, in American Farm Magazine. A man in Iowa had been storming at his family, especially at his poor wife, one day, until he had spoiled the pleasure of everybody in the home for that day at least. Then he went out, slamming the door behind him. His little boy had stood off at one side listening to it all. He look ed into his mother's face and tearful eyes, and coming across the room, took her hand in his own and ex claimed, "Ma, we made an awful mistake when we married Pa, didn't we V" M. B. Wrilliams. A lady with a three-year-old daugh ter once asked her physician when she ought to legin the education of her child, and the answer was, "Madam, you have lost two years already." It is easier to train the flexible twigs than to bend the gnarl ed wo(xl of the matured tree into symmetry. It is impossible to begin too early to teach children to observe the amenities of life, and act with a scrupulous regard for the rights and feelings of others in the intimate re lations of home, as well as in associa tion with friends and strangers. Elizabeth, in The Stockman and Farmer. Truth is violated by falsehood, and it may be equally outraged by silence. Ammian. Dear Aunt Jennie : It has been so long since I last wrote to the So cial Chat column I feel like a stran ger seeking admittance. This time I will tell mv readers something of Catawba county, where I was born and always lived. This county was largely settled by immigrants of German origin, who still retain unimpaired their thrift, industry and skill as farmers and mechanics. I remember when a girl I attended church in the country, all the old folks spoke the German language, and it was a source of great annoyance to me, as I could not understand a word they said. Catawba county has many Lutheran and German Reformed churches, but other denominations are well rep resented, We have six nice little towns, and good railroad facilities, fine schools, mineral springs in different parts of county, and a large number of man ufacturing enterprises. Numbers of our thrifty Dutch have emigrated West, and George C. Yount, one of the earliest pioneers of civilization on the Pacific coast, the man who built the first log house and raised the first chimney in California, was a native of this county and was born in the year 1794. It was customary here many years ago to give only the boys a college education, but now the girls have equal chances with the boys. Cataw ba is well represented in most of the best colleges in the State, and a good many go North to school, and some few go to Germany to finish their education. Newton, our county seat,, has a population of nearly two thou sand, and is well known for its fine schools and manufacturing enter prises. Hickory is the largest town in the county. Will Retlaw's letter was not one of condolence to Tennessee Boy. I en joyed it greatly. I would like very much to see the lovely mountain country where Mrs. McKinney lives, and I may some day in the near fu ture pass through Macon on my way to Cherokee, to visit my cousins in that county, For fear of becoming tiresome I will close. Mrs. Alice Yount Mull. Catawba Co., N. C, FOR CANNING STKAWBESRIES. Dear Aunt Jennie : I have been a reader of the Social Chat for some time, but have not had the courage to join tho band. I think Cape Fear wrote a nice letter. Education is what is lacking in this part of the country. Free schools are by nd means as good as they should be. I think Will Retlaw wrote a good letter in reply to Tennessee Boy. I wonder how many of our cousins have read the book " Ton Nights in a Bar Room?" I think it should be a lesson to all who read it. There is nothing good carried on in a- bar room, and I do not think one has to go far from home to see it. A great many spend Christmas in drinking whiskey and gambling. Do you think that is the way to celebrate Christ's birth? I will give a reeoipe for canning strawberries. Pick the fruit when fully ripe, rejecting all imperfect ber ries ; remove the hull and wash, if necessary; Make a syrup of sugar, and sufficient water to dissolve, al lowing from a fourth to half a pound of sugar to one pound of fruit. Let the sugar boil, and remove the scum ; then add the berries and allow to boil slowly until cooked through, stiring carefully from the bottom to insure their cooking evenly. As soon as sufficiently cooked put into self -sealing cans ; when cold tighten the covers and sot in a cool dark place. If allowed to stand in the light the berries will not retain their color. Wishing Aunt Jennie and the cou sins much success, Loretta. Richmond Co., N. C. MAKING WILLS AND OTHER LEGAL MATTERS. Dear Aunt Jennie : I was trying this morning to count the number of persons whom I have known that have been robbed of their property rights because of the failure of parents to leave a written will. These ixirents expressed themselves as wishing such and such child to have so and so, but when they died the unwritten wills proved in law no wills at all. We have known noble self-sacrificing boys and girls to re main at home, tenderly care for the old folks, economize and manage things for them, believing and hav ing verbal promises to the effect that when the parents no longer lived the home place would be theirs. The final day comes. All gather to pay their last tribute. The children in business come home from afar. The last sad rites have been observed. They return from the burial and soon property rights are discussed. The avaricious brothers discover that Sam has only his fathers "say so" as to the ownership of the home place. Now most of us who have attained years of discretion and have observed human nature know how this inci dent ended. Sam is to start life middle aged and poor, compared with the other members of his father's house ; but he is a man and after all, I do not think his condition as pitia ble as that of a girl whom I knew similarly situated who was compelled to live around among her people after ! they had cheated her out of all that her parents "said" they meant for her to have. Still another instance that has come under my observation was that of an honest, hard working, stim?v ! old farmer, who possessed little edu- cation himself but was anxious that his children have every advantage offered by higher education. A son who was especially bright in his j books got the home place after the father's death. The old man had al- ! ways said that a certain daughter I would inherit it but "said so" failed ! again. j Could our text books on civil gov-! eminent be revised to include more of common law I fancy their useful ness would be much enhanced. Much of such evil arises from ignorance of the simplest elements of many parents will teach v dren these elements and the ? ' to cherish an idea that the some mysterious way exempt such laws. The least hint part of the children that property matters more secure once taken as evidences of nn?lt regard and resented accord They mean all right ; they fulhfJ tend to "see to it," but tW plenty of time and they don't to be hurried. And while they taking their leisure death co along and reaps his harvest. I sometimes think Carnegie's m the better after all : distribute wealth while you live and then with the knowledge that no mun f change your will, and what you worked to accumulate is spent as you direct it should be. With fa. wishes, Mrs. J. l, d ' FASHION HOTES. The pulley belt is the favorite thin in belts. Pretty little silTerrings black rings can be used, and anT color of ribbon desired. They ftre made a little wider in the back, gjT ing a long waisted effect. The ad. vantage in these belts is that the? can be pulled to fit and keep place. The shirt-waist this year mights!, most be called skimp. The sleeves are small, tho back is perfectly plain and there is but slight fullness ij front. The use of lace and embroid ery is wdiat relievos them from their absolute plainness. Tucks betweer the insertion are also very efl'ectiTe borne ot tne newest waists are made of a heavy coarse linen, which comes in delicate shades, and are trimmed with Russian peasant work, which is a heavy embroidery. These waist are very pretty, and will stand in numerable washings and wear. Some of the most stylish waists are made entirely of embroidery and others entirely of lace. The street costumes for this spring are made with skirts just escaping The plain back has gone out, and m large box pleat or two smaller ones are used in the back. The drear costumes will still have a train aic much trimming around the bottote of the skirt. HEALTH NOTES. The patent medicine vender m wishes to reap a harvest from lis " spring medicine," which six wctb ago was a "winter medicine." Ii you would be well, use more ear in what you eat and drink, thus reg ulating the bowels and kidneys. Un less you are ill, let drugs alone Don't believe It when some ow recommends a medicine by saying " It won't do any hurt if it don't1 any good . ' ' Any drug having a power for good has an equal power for eni Decaying animal or vegetable mat ter either lying on the gronni where the spring rain may toisIi into other places, or in cesspools or privy vaults where the warmth ' the May sun will doveloi bad odoir should not be allowed. The following is said to hi excel lent for croup in children : Two te spoonfuls pulverized alum ; thre teaspoonfuls molasses; mix thor oughly. Dose: three to ten W every few minutes until child is re lieved. Vomiting will result k overdose is given. Dr. F. "W. St John. THE BEADING OF POETBT, Whatever may bo the testes or talents of young women for litera ture, they cannot overlook poetrf Sooner or later they should hope know of Shakespeare, Milton & Goethe. The great poets rank to the Bible. To be ignorant Cowper and Burns, Whittier & Longfellow, Scott and Tennyson, 1 to have the mind dwarfed. Bro ing and Wordsworth will tax nowftra of mature vears. hat P01 should not be rejected because of i denth or obscuritv. Poetry be especially read to give a hit of thinti nf nrVhlo fhinrrc nf kpftTjiniT the 9 rood1 in harmony with beauty, strength and love. A P(m Tpntivsnti's "Tn ATfvmoriam" j ., mnro fhan o i n'on tnTTlhir n1 ' - John Millar M. A., in Record. 4 n jT a nnrAllM, are so poor that they have not if not flowers kind words or crw zo tne Diras, or at " thoughts, which may sonieu the most difficult gift of all "