by his self-control; who takes the unpopular side when it is the just one; who defends the absent, or protects the weak; who calls things by their proper names at the cost of his own reputation, when virtue and vice, right and wrong, are universally confounded; who is brave among social crowds and political poltroons he is surely making himself the servant of humanity, and a chief among God's children and Christ's followers. ABOUT CHILDREN The owner of a pair of bright eyes assures us that the prettiest compliment she ever received came from a child of four years. The little fellow, after looking intently at her for a moment, inquired naively, “Are your eyes new ones ?" A child said: "Thinking is keeping still and trying to find out something." A little boy, when picking the drumsticks of a chicken, swallowed one of the tendons so numerous in the legs of a fowl, and was very nearly choked. The tendon was extracted with great difficulty from the little fellow's throat, when he said, “Oh, mamma, it wasn't the chickabiddy's fault; it was because cook forgot to take off its garters!" A five-year-old, after shopping with her mother at leading dry-goods stores, remarked, "Seems to me there are a good many boys named 'Cash.'" A father, fearing one of Prof. Tice's earthquakes in the region of his home, sent his two boys to the house of a friend until the peril should be passed. A few weeks afterward the father received this request from his friend: "Please take your boys home, and send down the earthquake." A six-year-old boy went into the country visiting. About the first thing he had was a bowl of bread and milk. He tasted it, and then hesitated a moment, when his mother asked him if he didn't like it, to which he replied, smacking his lips, "Yes, ma'am; I was only wishing our milkman in town would keep a cow." A KITCHEN BOOK-SHELF If you keep a servant, have a book-shelf in the kitchen, and do not limit its contents to a cook-book and newspapers two or three days old. Your servant may not have as good taste in literature as you have, but she will care as little for old news, and she will derive as little pleasure from perusing a cookbook. Provide her with good fiction; not the penny dreadful sort, which should have no place in any room in the house. In life's small things be resolute and great, To keep thy muscles trained; know'st thou when Fate Thy measure takes, or when she'll say to thee "I find thee worthy; do this deed for me?"-Lowell. THE STROLLING MINSTREL Be merry as the day is long, The strolling minstrel's in request, Who maketh merry is welcome guest. HOW TO GET UP A PICNIC First-Catch your guests. The selection of members for a picnic party requires a care and judgment second only to that demanded in the choice of company for a dinner. Naturally it is not always possible to provide each one with a thoroughly sympathetic neighbor. Taking it for granted that the projector of the picnic does not desire to make it a large affair, the difficulties of harmonious grouping are as obvious here as at any other small assembly. Those people whose dignity is easily ruffled, and who are unwilling to throw themselves heartily into the amusements of the moment, are sadly out of place at picnics. Participation in the occupations and pastimes of fun-loving young people does not necessarily include romping or boisterousness. The presence of the chaperone, who now, fortunately, almost invariably accompanies an expedition of this kind, acts as a wholesome check upon such reckless spirits as might otherwise break bounds. The commissary department is a branch that requires serious attention in getting up a picnic. Salads are always refreshing and delicious, and may be carried without trouble. The lettuce leaves may be washed and separated at home and placed in a little basket by themselves, while the chicken, lobster or salmon may be packed in a small pail, and the mayonnaise dressing carried in a jar or wide-mouthed bottle. Jellied chicken is readily prepared, and may be served from the mould in which it was formed. Saratoga potatoes, thin bread and butter, rolls, sandwiches made of minced sweetbreads, sardines, boned chicken, tongue or chopped ham, devilled eggs, the endless assortment of cakes, cookies and tarts, and fruits of many kinds, offer a variety from which one need have no difficulty in selecting a tempting repast. For beverages iced coffee and tea, Apollinaris, and lemonade made with plenty of lemons and sugar. The chief objection raised against many tempting articles of food is the condition imposed upon the party of carrying a large number of plates, saucers, tumblers, etc. There is an easy way out of this difficulty. Light wooden plates, costing from five to ten cents a dozen, may be purchased from almost any grocer and will serve every purpose. Forks, knives and spoons occupy but little room, and tumblers may be nested so that they can all be packed in a basket of medium size. Deviled eggs are tempting if piled in a basket edged with fresh green leaves, and pickles, olives, etc., are best served from the jars in which they come. Japanese paper napkins are a fitting accompaniment to the wooden plates, and may be disposed of in the most summary fashion at the close of the feast. A liberal supply of wraps and rugs should be taken on all outdoor excursions. They form comfortable seats, and the table-cloth, when spread on the grass, will lie better for having an old shawl laid under it. Gingham or flannel dresses for the women of the party and tennis suits for the men are far more sensible and comfortable than any elaborate toilets.-Christine Terhune Herrick. THE JOY-BRINGER As a bell in a chime sets its twin-note a-ringing, As one poet's rhyme wakes another to singing, So, once she has smiled, all your thoughts are beguiled, Though moving through sorrow as the star through the night, The path of yon star seemeth dark but afar: Like hers it is sure, and like hers it is bright. EATING AND DRINKING "Eating and drinking," says Feuerbach, "are themselves religious acts, or at least ought to be so; with every mouthful, we should think of the God A BUSY CHEF who gave it." It is but an amplification of the custom, which accompanies every procedure of interest or importance with a plentiful spread upon the table; it may not be suspected, and is often dishonored, but the origin of the practice, at least, was a devout one. Friendship pursues the same course; because, as life is the most precious of possessions, the highest act of goodness that generous sentiment can perform, is to provide means for its maintenance and prolongation; to offer food is symbolical of sincerely wishing health and longevity. How beautifully are affection and the gift of nourishment united in the first tenderness of the mother towards her babe! She loves and she feeds. The cook in the kitchen, the butler in the pantry, the dairy-maid; ay, the little dish-washer who makes your plates clean, are engaged in honorable callings-callings which help to preserve and prolong life. Do all you can to give your employees a due sense of the honorableness of their professions. "MAN WANTS BUT LITTLE HERE BELOW" Little I ask; my wants are few; I only wish a hut of stone, (A very plain brown stone will do,) Plain food is quite enough for me; Three courses are as good as ten;- Thank Heaven for three. Amen! I care not much for gold or land;- I only ask that Fortune send A little more than I shall spend. Honors are silly toys, I know, And titles are but empty names;— Jewels are baubles; 't is a sin To care for such unfruitful things;- A ruby, and a pearl, or so, I would not have the horse I drive So fast that folks must stop and stare; An easy gait-two, forty-five Suits me; I do not care Perhaps, for just a single spurt, Some seconds less would do no hurt. Of books but few.-some fifty score |