Ak&rV
APRIL 31,
WILLAMETTE FARMER: PORTLAND, OREGON.
1882
:i
flnj Hfjomc irrlij,
Edited lir Hn Harriot T. Mnruc.
PLANTING TREES.
manVf eiahty years was planting trees;
"Ha, hal" laughed out t'irce stripling! from
the village.
Planting at eighty had this task hecn til
lage. Or building houses, or aught else you please,
The folly might have passed as less worth
nothing. . , , ,
But planting trees! Ho must indeed be do
Why, in the name of all that's odd, old neigh
bor, What fruit can such as you expect to gather
From this ridiculous and driftfess labor ?
You who already are a great-grandfather,
Whatl do you think to rival in his ago
Methuselah! for shame. Do penauce rather
For your past errors! Mourn jour sins with
tears!
Abandon hopes and plans that so HI suit your
Age and gray hairs! Give over looking
wildly
Out through the vista of a boundless future!
All these are but for us, and such as we."
"They are not even for you," replied tho old
man mildly
"Youth may be just as nigh eternity
Ab age. What though the pitfalls of exist
ence Be covered o'er with flowers in lieu of
sn )ws,
Who shall foremeasure the brief distance
Between this dim dream's birth and close?
The winged bolts of death arc swift to strike
Life iu its growing as in its decline,
The pallid l'arca.' play their game alike
With your days and with mine.'
Who which of us four shall be ono
To gaze last on the glury of the sun ?
Molest mo not, theu. Leave me to enjoy
The hours that yet remain me. I love
To think my great-grandchildrn will njoy
The shade and shelter of this embryo grove.
Meantime I live, breathe, and 1 may even
Share, for some years to come, the gifts of
heaven.
Alas! even I may see the morning light
Shine more than once, young men, upon
your graves!"
The old man spake a truth which time re
vealed :
Boating, soon after, on a stormy night,
One of these youths was buried in the waves;
A second was cut off upon the battle-field;
The third fell ill, and in four fleeting weeks
His bier was dressed with death's pale
plumes.
So died the three thus early fated!
And while the tears rolled down his cheeks,
The old man sculptured on their tombs
The story I have here narrated.
From the French of Lafonlalnt.
HOME COMFORTS.
I have had much time the past winter that
was not occupied by any stress of work, either
household or sewing, and as I am one of the
busy kind, I just had to find something to
employ hands and mind. If the purse had
been long and full, there would have been
little need of study, for there are plenty of
wants when it 'comes to furnishing a house
nicely in .the way of nice bedding, nice cur
tains, and house linen, but it was for me to
exercise ingenuity in making comforts and
conveniences out of what could be found lying
around. So I mode a lot of "catchalls,"
which are only a little too convenient, for they
are apt to get too full of odds and ends. One
was made to tack pn to the inside of the door
of a handy closet. A piece of ticking formed
the basis; any sort of heavy, stout goods will
do. Make it rather smaller than the middle
of the door; in fact, cut it according to what
you have to do with, making it as long as is
convenient, then sew pockets of different
sizes across the material, gathering the pockets
a little, and using elastic, if jou happen to
have it, across the top of each pocket, then
the contents cannot get out. The lower row
can have two good 'sized pockets, which will
hold slippers or shoes. The next above, of
good size too, for stockings one for "John"
and one for "Joan that is, one for socks,
and one for long stockings. The pockets
above may be made of different sizes, just as
fancy and material dictate, to be used for
strings, patches, soft pieces of cloth for sore
fingers, waste rags; in fact it will soon get to
be the place where you can find just what you
was looking for. The pockets need not be of
one kind of cloth, but may be made of any
sort of stuff on hand, so that it is dark colored
and strong. When fastened on the inside of
a door, it is out 'of the way and handy too.
Every bedroom should have a couple of
pockets handy somewhere to put stockings
and shoes out of the way and off the dusty
floor.
So this w inter I used up and put to good
use every odd thing in the house, and it ii
wonderful how many things can be used to
advantage in this way. A lot of ends and
pieces of tapestry carpet I made into a hand
some door-mat. First I ravelled out the yarn
which was of all sorts of colors and lengths,
then winding a lot of threads over the four
fingen of the left hand, say a dozen times, I
would tie it in the middle with stout linen
thread, then tack this bunch to a foundation
of burlap, leaving say half an inch or more
between each bunch that I tacked on. The
burlap ought to be double, so as to give body
to the mat, and would be nice if lined with
tome dark material. The burlap roust of
course be cut the size desired, and bound, be'
fore commencing to sew on these tufts of
yarn. When the whole mat is covered in this
way, cut every bunch open, and with a pair of
harp scissors shear the surface of the mat,
and you will be delighted with the result of
your labors. Mine was a hit-or-mits, for my
colors were so mixed that there could be no
regularity or shading. The mat is handsome,
and was made of iust bita of odds and ends
that would have seemed only fit to burn out
of the way. So. dear sisters, don't throw
away anything till you are sure it cannot be
put to some use. Aunt Kcth.
JEWISH REFUUEES.
Fdur hundred Jewish people, refugees from
Russia, have arrived, and it is probable' that
many thousands will come to America before
the year is gone. 'For over 2,000 years the
Jewish race havo preserved their identity and
will do so as long as the world lasts. As n
race they are suspicious and close dealers, but
tins has arisen fiom the very fact of almost
constant persecution during tho many years
past. No country has accorded to them such
rights as they have enjoyed in the United
States. They are a nation without a govern
ment, and of tho seven million Israelites scat
tered over the world "70,000 are in America,
many of whom Btancl high in political and
financial-circles. They wcro generally loyal
during the rebellion, many being soldiers and
officers in the. Union armies. There is one
characteristic among the Jew ish people that
deserves mention, that is the care shown to
the poor and unfortunate of their own race,
always extending a helping hand, so that sel
dom or never is found one of that nature
in the poor-house, and very seldom in jail or
penitentiary, for they are a God-fearing and
law-abiding people. England boasts of her
great statesman, Disraeli, who was a He
brew. The dreadful persecutions of this peo
ple in Russia at this time causes every heart
to protest against such cruelty to helpless men
and women.
CHOICE RECIPES.
Pound Cake. Ono pound flour, one pound
sugar, one pound butter, ten eggs.
A Very Good Cake. Take one cup of but
ter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour,
four cges, one-half cup of butter-milk, one
tcaspoonful of cream of tartar, ono half tea-
spoonful of soda.
Airs. Howard's Cookies. One quart of flour,
one pint of sugar, one teaspoonful of butter,
tour eggs, it'll in sugar and caraway seed.
Flour Muffins. Ono egg, ono tablespoonful
of sugar, one and a halt cups of sweet milk,
three cups of flour, two tcaspoonfuls of cream
of tartar, and one of soda.
Veal Sausages. Take fat bacon and lean
veal in equal quantities with a handful of
sage, a little salt, pepper, and an anchovy.
Let all be chopped and beaten well together,
floured, rolled and fried.
lUce Pudding. One cup of rice and one cup
of sugar, one quart of milk, three eggs, saving
the whites of two for frosting Soak the rice
over night. Hake two hours and add the
frosting.
Continental Hotel Cottage Pudding. One
cup each of sugar and milk, one egg, three
tablespoonfuls of cream of tartar, and one of
soda. Serve with wine or inegar sauce.
Various Recipes.
Dried apples can be used for mince pies
when it is impossible to procure fresh ones.
Take nice, well dried fruit, soak it over night
in cold water, chop fine and use it in the same
quantities as when the apples are fresh.
A Jittle camphor rubbed over a cold-sore,
when it first appears, will effectually prevent
its becoming a disagreeable and unsightly
blotch. It is best to give two or three appli
cations to insure Bu;cess.
A little saleratus rubbed on, with the finger
or a bit of linen, will remove stains from cups
and other articles of tableware. It will also
remove spots from marbleized oilcloths, and
many stains from tinware.
A large picture ring screwed into the top of
the handle, is the nicest thing made by which
to hang up a broom. A strong screw, with a
small head, should be placed in the wall at a
proper height to receive it.
It is really a task to knit double heels in
men's hose, and yet it pays, for they are
warmer, and last much longer. It is necessa
ry to have more stitches than for an ordinary
heel, and an extra one made after every
fourth stitch is about right. Knit across on
tho right side and slip (pass from the left
needle to the right without knitting) every
third stitch. In passing back on the reverse
side slip two stitches ai d knit the one slipped
before. This forms a heel as thick and dura
ble as can be 'desired.'
A Story of Abraham Lincoln.
In the darkest hour of the late civil war,
says President White in the North Amtrican
fteiiew, a question arose in a thriving Northern
town, which, for the purposes ot this article,
shall be called Pepperton. This question was
nothing less than this : Which of two local
henchmen shall be Postmaster ? The contest
waxed fierce. Deputation after deputation
saw the Congressman, the Seneator, the Postmaster-General
and the President himself
besought, insisted, badgered. The subordi
nate henchmen thronged tho corridors of the
Capitol "by day, and the bar-rooms by night.
The attention of honorable members was
besought for articles in the Perkins County
Herald ou one side, and the Pepperton
JlegUter on the other. Monster petitions were
forwarded by either side petitions all the
more monstrous because most people signed
both.
Meantime the civil war dragged on with
increasing horrors. Rivers of blood had
flowed, billions of tieasure had been flung
into the abyss, when a good old Pepperton
Judge a steady Presbyterian deacon visited
Washington to see what light he could get on
national affairs. In doe time he stood before
President Lincoln. The Judge was shocked
at the careworn face of the President, tried to
comfort him, and said : "Mr. Lincoln, I am
sorry to see you not looking so well as when
you passed through Pepperton. You must not
let the rebellion wear upon you. The Lord is
with us; He will not permit slavery and dis
union to conquer. He has purposes w ith this
Republic which" "Oh, Judge," said Mr,
Lincoln, "it isn't the rebellion that is killing
me it isn't the rebellion; it is your plagued
Pepperton post-office 1"
This utterance of Mr. Lincoln which is
historical goes, like so many quaint sayings
of hit, fir into the marrow of the evil; columns
of arcument could not so well reveal the effect
of the present system upon the Executive, and
the fun becomes grim earnest when one recalls
the fate of Harrison and Garfield.
$n $h 4hi!tlr'tf
MINE.
Not much of earth belongs to me,
A few short feet of mossy ground,
Soon measured o'er in sheltered nook,
A little, lowly, grass clothed mound.
Not much for all I have lies here
A maiden young, and fresh, and fair;
A very flower in early spring,
She seemed to scent the vacant air.
But Death, with iicver-idlo-scyhe,
Cut short my darling's little life;
And buried with her are the dreams
Of when we should bo man and wife.
Not much of earth belongs to me,
Yet is that little dearer far
Than any gem on monarch's brow,
Than light is to tho evening star.
Not much of earth belongs to me,
But in yon heaven of sapphire blue,
One treasure stored is all my own,
A maiden lovely, sweet and true.
Death may not hold the fragile. flowers;
Tney die, but every spring-time brines
A new and bright awakoning
Of all earth's pleasant sleeping things.
So doth my flower bloom again
In yonder blissful, deathless home;
An angel wears her at his breast
Until her long lost lover come.
And as I sit beside her grave,
Shining tender spring sunshine,
It teems to me as thr ugh all earth
And all tho heaven were wholly mire.
All the Year 1,'ouml.
OUR LETTER BOX.
I am afraid that some of our little friends
w ill think it takesa long time for their letters
to get into print, but Aunt Hetty wants to
be perfectly just, and she keeps all tho letteis
en file, using them just a they come by the
date; so each one of our'correspondents must
be patient and wait for their turn to come, for
it will come by and by.
The first one that comes to hand to diy is
dated the 22d of February, and we wonder if
Ella knows what national holiday is kept on
that day. She must write again and tell all
about it. She helps her mother and helps to
make the beds. How many of our girls know
how to make a bed up porperly ? Ono can
judge correctly of the qualities of a house
keeper just by the way of making up a bed.
When you see a neat-looking bed, with the
edges tucked neatly in, and the pillows beaten
up light and put straight on at the head of
tho bed, you may be sure there is a careful,
tidy woman about. Bed clothes should be
thrown open, the windows raised and the
room well aired before the beds are made
again; about one-third of our lives is spent in
sleeping, and the air of the room where we
sleep must be very impure. Some girl must
tell the rest how sh6 makes the beds.
Willie tells us what happened on the 22J,
and answers some questions about the Presi
dents. He helps to make "ails. He may not
get to be a President for -that, but he shows
that he has the making of a smart man in
him in the energetic way in which he keeps
at work, keeping an eye on tho weather and
crops a first-rate letter, too.
Mary sends in her little offering, which is
excellent for so young a girl. Though she is
little, she helps sow carpet rags, besides doing
other work.
Henry says his dog trees the quails, but he
can't kill them. It seems too bad to kill
those pretty little birds, and we are glad he is
willing to let them live. Most boys are so
axuious to shoot or destroy every living thing
thty see, even if they do not want the birds
to eat, or if they do no harm, only to gratify
a taste for destruction. It seems so much
more beiutiful when walking in the fields and
woods to see the happy little squirrel frisking
and chattering from tree to tree, and to listen
to the sweet birds singing each its different
song, than to be skulking, gun in hand, trying
to get a shot at the unconscious little animals
who have just as much right to life as we
have. Even the caw-caw of a crow has a
pleasant sound to our ear.
Lil'ie belongs to the blue ribbon club, and
the must start out to be a good worker, and
must always be ready to show her colors,
speaking out bravely to the boys she sees who
think it manly to use tobacco and drink
liquor. If she talks as well as she writes she
can do something for the cause.
Lou Ella has not always lived in Oregon,
but we hope the family will find that it has
been a good move to come here to Oregon, an1"
no doubt they will find better health for the
change. She must write again.
Ida sends a carefully.written letter. Sho
baked her mother a birthday cake. It is
pleasant to parents to see that their children
are thoughtful, for young people are too apt
to neglect their parents' comforts. We sym
pathize with Ida in the sorrow of losing a denr
brother.
Henry F. Jackton is the first one to send in
his name for the temperance roll, and he will
be a good one to begin with, for his letter
shows him to be a boy who has plenty of
spirit and go ahead. He has stock enough
now to set up a farm of his own, and we are
sure he will be one of our best farmers in a few
years more.
Ora answers the questions correctly. It is
well for our children to be well acquainted
with theprincipal events in our own history,
and of the lives of our great men.
Fannie sends jier first letter, and Aunt
Hetty is glad to see how well she has done,
for we remember Fannie from the time she
was a wee little baby, and hope to see her
grow up a useful, good woman. Fannie must
have a happy life with grandma, and she
mutt try to see how many steps she can save
ber dear grandma and grandpa.
Newton write like a regular farmer, and
tells of his stock like any other property
owner. That's right. Keep on accumulating
honestly, so that when you get some laud
there will be plenty of cows to stock it. New.
ton asks a very good question that some Bible
studsnt mutt answer,
Lydia wants to see pleasant weather, so
ai to be able to get at her flower beds. That
is something that all the girls should bo think
ing about, for a few plants and flowers will
give sll the family pleasure; a nico flower bed
adds much to the beauty ol a home. It is not
much troub'c to plant rose buhes and shrubs
that will not need much attention afterwards,
and yet w ill bo a constant source of enjoy
ment and beauty.
A nice little letter from Minnie, who lives
at Union Flat, tells about the weather
"Chinooking," Eastern people would not
know what that meant, so wo will explain
that often, aft r a cold storm in that country,
there will suddenly como up a strong, warm
wind that will take the snow oil' in a little
time. The Indians call it "Chinook" wind,
and it is peculiar to that region. We hope the
calf will live to be a great pet for Minnie, as
ncr heart is so kind towards the little starving
thing.
Little Nellie sends one from the same home
the second one she has sent to the Circle.
The puzzle quilt would be welcome if Nellie
could describe it, or she might send the pat
tern to any other girl who would write to her
and ask for it. If our little girls would write
to one another it would be a pleasant way to
get acquainted, even if the writers should
never be nblo to meet each other. Then it
would be a good way to improve in letter
writing. Now 8 appose some ono of you jus
write to Nellie for her pattern.
Bertie answeis some questions, too; his doe
is named Rondo the samo name of one we
had that we thought so much of that when he
died we never wantcJ to lovo another to
grieve over.
Lat, but not least, comes another letter
from Dudley, who wroto such a good letter
before that wo are glad to see his name again.
This time he tells about squirrels. Wo had
hoped that some other boys would tell what
they thought of the jay birds. It is not too
late yet to hear from some one. Squirrels are
a great pest, thos6 ground squirrels, but it
seemed too bad to have killed tho cats and
dogs, too. Dudley might havo tied up the
does and shut up the cats till he could bury
or burn up the squirrels that lay about dead.
There is such great danger of using poison,
that one might almost as well have the squir
rels about. What does Dudley think about
the moles ? Somo say they do good in eating
grubs and worms. We ask him, for he is our
naturalist. Where does the name Wapato
come from, and what does it mean ?
Sweet Home, Feb. 28 1882.
Editor Home Circle:
I have never written a letter to any paper,
so I thought I would write one to the Fakmer.
I like to read the letters from the little folks.
I am a boy 14 years of age. I have nine
theep, one cow and one pony. My cow and
pony are both fat. I also have four white
ducks, and I gather up the eggs. I plow for
my pa, and do all kinds of work on the place.
One day this winter the dogs saw a young
deei in tho creek by our phce, and they
caught it; they had hurt it too much to keep.
Last summer, about J une, my pa and I caught
a young cougar. I kept it all the summer, and
sold it in the fall. My pa is building a shed
for the stock. The water was up' pretty well
last week. Mypa has been taking the Farmer
for some time. I wonder what has become of
Katie S. I would like to hear from her again.
1 think Aunt Hetty is very kind in giving us
little folks such good advice. I wijl send m
name to be published on the temperance roll.
If you are so kind as to publish this, I will
writo again. Wishing loug life to the Farmer
and editor of the Home Circle, I remain your
friend. Henry F. Jacksov.
Wells, Feb. 24, 1882.
Editor Home Circlo :
As I have never written to a paper before,
I thought I would commence by writing one
to tho Farmer. I am living with grandpa
this winter. I have a cow, a calf and a dog
fur pets; the dog's name is Rondo. I believe
there was some one asked what three Presi
dents died on the 4th of July. Thomas Jeffer
son died July 4, 1S20, John Adams died July
4, 1826, and James Monroe died July 4, 1831.
I guess I will now close, hoping you will put
this in print. Good bye. Your friend,
Bkrtik Thompson.
Clackamas, Feb. 22, 1832,
Editor Home Circle:
I am a little girl 12 years old. I have not
been going to school this winter, as the roads
aro so bad, and we live quite a distance from
tho school house, but I study at homo; my
studies are Fourth Reader, mental arithmetic,
eeography, grammar, spelling and writing. I
am bound to have an education if I can. As
most of the little girls tell what they do to
help their mas, I will tell you what I do to
help mine, I wash the dishes, sweep tho floor,
help cook, help wash and make beds. I will
close, with my best wishes to the Farmer.
Your friend, Ella B. Karb.
Clackamah, Feb. 22, 1882.
Editor Homo Circle t
As this is George Washington's Birthday, I
thought I would write a letter to the Farmer,
as it has been over a year since I wrote last. I
am a boy 14 years of age. I have not been
going to school this winter; school was out
last Christmas; it wiH commence again in
April. We had a splendid Christmas tree at
our school house; the tree was loaded with
presents; everybody got something. Last
Monday we had four inches of snow, but the
warm sun came out, and then it rained, and
now the snow is gone. Grain that was put in
early looks well, but late sown grain looks
bad, on account of the freeze, which hurt it
so that it looks quite yellow, but it will get
green again when the weather gets milder.
My brother has a pet calf; its name is Hart
My only pet is a fine shepherd dog; his name
is Rover. I will tell you what I do to help
pa. I help him grub and make rails, that is,
I saw the cuts. This helps him so much that
where he was only able to make ono hundred
a day, he is enabled to make one hundred
and seventy-five some days. My brother and
1 keep the wood up by hauling it on a little
wagon. I have no more news, to I will close
with wishing the Farmer success. Yours
truly, Willie Kaiir.
P. S. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
died on tho 4th of July, 1820, and a third one,
I believe, did not die on any 4th of July, as
my largo histury don't say anything of a third
one.
Clackamas, Feb. 22, 1882.
Editor Home Circle :
I am a lltttle girl 8 years old. This is my
first attempt to write to any paper. I do not
go to school this winter; I sudy at homo. My
studies arc, Third Reader, mcnUl arithmetic,
spelling and writing. I have three brothers
and one sister. I dry the dishes for iny sister,
sweep floors and carry in stove wood. I have
been sewing carpet rags this winter. As I
have no pets to tell of, I will close. Your lit
tle friend,. Marv A. Karr.
Union Flat, W. T.,' Feb. 25, 1SS2.
Editor Homo Circle:
As yon were to kind as to publish my other
letter, I thought I would writo again. Wo
have moved out on our farm. Wo have been
out hero about three weeks. There has been
a great deal of snow this w iutcr, but stock
have not suffered much, as tho snow has not
been very deep. It snowed all day yesterday,
but it has been Chiuooking to-day, and the
snow is now almost all gone. My brothers
found a little calf to-day, whose mother had
died. It Was standing by her almost
starved to death. They brought it home, and
I w ill make a pet of it. I feed it on mush and
milk. I will close for this time, wishing suc
cess to the Farmer. From your little friend,
Minnie Smith.
Union Flat, XV, T.. Feb 2G, 1SS2.
Editor Home Circle:
This is the second letter I ever wrote to tho
Farmer. I thought as you wcro so kind as to
publish my first letter, I would write again to
let you know that we have moved away from
Penawawa to our farm on Union Flat. Aunt
Hetty, you were mistaken about our living on
Pugct Sound; we live on Union Flat, north of
Snake river. I havo a mare and a colt; the
mare's name is Dolly, and tho colt's name is
Charley. I have a puzzlo quilt here; if any of
you girls want it I will send it to you. It is
very pretty. I w ill tell you about my pets. I
have a pet cat aud a pet dog; the dog's name
is Rowdy. It is Chinooking. I guess I have
written enough for this time. Yourj truly,
Nellie M. Suiiii.
Franklin, Or. Feb. 20, 1882.
Editor Homo Circle:
As Aunt Hetty wu so kind as to print my
other letter I thought I would write again. It
has been raining here for the lost two days
and nights. It snowed hero last week, and 1
had u nice time by hauling wood on the sled,
but I would like to bcc it clear up, for this is
bad weather on stock. Our little lambs, espe
cially theep and cattle, look pretty bad in this
part of the country, for the frost has killed
the gross, so that it doesn't do them much
good. I will tell you how many head of cat
tle I havo got. I have four head. My cousin
gave me a calf eight years ago. I have got
two cows that will give milk this summer. I
sold a heifer; she would be three years old this
spring. I have got one two-year-old and one
yearling calf. I have seen a good many Bible
questions asked in the little folks' letters; bo I
thought I would ask one; How long was
Noah building his ark and where in tho Bible
will I find it? I will close for the present,
wishing the Farmer success. I remain your
little friend, Newton J. Bryant.
Franklin, Or., Feb. 27, 1882.
Editor Homo Circlo:
I have seen bo many letters from the little
boys and girls that I thought I would write
again. I like to read the letters from the lit
tle folks. I have no pets to tell about, but a
little brother baby; he is one year old, and he
is awful sweet. It is raining here now; it has
been raining for three days and nights, and
looks like it may rain for three more; but I
wish it would quit for awhile and let the
ground dry off, so that I can fix my flower
garden and reset my flowers. I like to see
nice flowers in the yards; this has been a
hard winter on flowers that are in the ground.
I have got five brothers and two sisters. My
oldest sister is married. I have seen a good
many Bible questions asked; so I thought that
I would ask one : Is tho word "Girl" men
tioned in the Bible; if so, how many times and
where will I find it? This is all I can think of
for this time So I will close, wishing tho
Farmer success. Yours, respectfully,
Lydia Jane Bryant.
Salem, Or,, Feb. 20, 18S2.
Editor Home Circlo:
As I havo never written to tho Farmer, I
will try aud writo a few lines. I am 11 years
old. I am staying at grandpa's; going to
school. We have a good teacher, and I like
her very much, for she is so good and kind;
her name is Emma Freckey. 1 have been here
five weeks. I have a good time. I ride the
horse, and I sew carpet racs and wash the
dishes for grandma. 1 live 0 miles below Sa
lem, I have two little sisters and one broth
er. My ma often speaks of Aunt Hetty to
me. I think I will close by wishing the Far
mer success. Fannie Madd Havre.
Scio, Or., Feb. 25, 1882.
Editor Home Circle :
This is my first attempt at writing to the
Home Circle, but it is not the first time I have
thought of it, I am a little girl, 11 years old.
I have five sisters and one brother, I have
been going, to school this winter. Our school
was out one week ago last Friday, I studied
reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic and
grammar. Our teacher's name was Miss J.izie
Buckcumcyer, of Portland. I liked her real
well. I belong to the Blue Ribbon club. Papa
and mamma belong to the Baptist church. We
live on a farm 3 miles east of Hcio. I have no
pets, except my little baby sitter, rthe can
push a chair over the house and tries to talk,
and is only 10 months old, I am the oldest
child, and help mamma in every way that I
can, Papa has 1C0 acres of fall wheat sowed,
and it all looks green and nice. Wo have had
considerable cold weather this winter but not
much snow; it is raining nov. Mygiandpa
lives about one and a half miles from ln.ro.
Wo loe to go and see them ; they had a nico
dinner on Christinas day. Wo were all there
and had a real nico time. Papa has been tak
ing the Fakmer for the last five years; ho
likes it very much. I would like to hear from
Katie S. again. I will cloe, by wishing tho
Farmer success. Lillie McDonald.
Wapato P. O., Or , Feb. 23, 18S2.
Editor Home Circle:
Pa says that tho jay is tho meanest bird
theie is, but says for mount to writo any more
about them until I hear from the other little
boys and girls about the jays. I told you I
would write about squirrels in my next; thcro
aro plenty of them on pa's place. They aro
very bad; they cut tho wheat down, and dig
up tho potatoes, and steal tho apples, and go
in your smoke house, and eat up your bacon.
They aio almost as Kid as tho jays, but you
can catch them iu traps. Henry and I catch
lots of them, that is oue kind tho old gray
ones. We kept trapping and catching until
we got tired, and it looked liko thcro wero'ai
many iquirrels as thcro wcro before wo
caught any. So we told pa that we could
never catch them all, and pa said ho would fix
them; and he went and got a can of poisoned
wheat, and told Henry and me to go and put
some out at all tho holes w could fiud, .vliich
wo did; and when wo went out the next clay
to look after the bait, tlia squirrels were all
dead; pa did fix them. They lay all around on
the ground as tlr'ck as little pigs in a nest. It
smolt bad all around therefor a week, and the
dogs and cats ate the poisoned squirrels, and
they died. We mado a clean sweep of squir
rels, cats and dogs. Pa says ho is glad that
tho tqumels arc all gone any way. I could
tell you about other kinds of squirrels that
don't 8tol. But this letter is getting too
long, and 1 am tired for this time.
Dudley Wilcox.
Leitchville, Feb. 24,
1882
Editor Homo Circlo :
It has bceu a long time Bince I wrote to the
Farmer, so I will write again. I am not go
ing to schsol this winter, but I study at home.
I can niui tho capitals of all the States in tho
Union. I can answer Ella's question: Thom
as Jefferson and John Adams died on tho 4th
of July, in 1820, and Janifs Monroe died
July 4th, 1831. I would like to hear from
Miles Lewis again, as he is my cousin. I
weigh 74 pounds. I help iron, wash the dishes,
make the beds and sweep. I made mother a
birthday cake. She said it was vory good fo
a little girl to make. There has been a great
deal of sicknets up here this winter, and a
great many deaths. Ono of my brothers died
on tho 27th of January; it soems so lonely
since he died Ho w i.m arrisd tho 28th of last
July, None of us but father and mothor saw
him when ho died, as he was not at home, but
his last prayers wero for us to meet him in
Heaven. Ha said his name was written in
silver letters in Heaven. May ours be written
thcro, too. Brother has gono only to wait
awhile for us to meet him where friends never
part. I remain as over your little friend,
Ida Lewix,
CoTTAdK Grove, Oregon.
Editor Homo Circlo :
I am a little boy 1 1 years old. Wo have no
school here now, but I wish there was. We
went out to Goose Lake last spring, and I
caught 30 fish while we were there, ono of
them was 20 inches long; I thought I had
cauuht a whalo when I pulled him out. What
good docs it do anyone to use tobacco. I have
a dog, his name is Tiger; I also havo two
sheep. My dog trees quail, but they are so
pretty 1 clou t Kin any oi mem.
Harvey Taylor
Sidhlaw' Feb. 28, 1882.
Editor Home Circlo:
I see a great many letters .in the Farmer
from various parts of tho country, though
none from Siutlaw, yet I cannot tell why that
is, for there seem to Ik) people of as high a
type of intellect as are to be found in any lo
cality. However I will offer my little to all,
hoping it will be worthy a place in the col
nmns of your valuable paper. I am a little
girl 12 years old, and ono short year ago rny
parents, together w ith iny brothers and sis
ters, left their beautiful homo in tho State of
Tcniiessco tor tho "Promised Land of Oregon."
My mamma, ono brother, and myself, having
boen iu very delicate health for tho past few
yearn, my pa could think of no better place
than to bring us to tho fir-crowned hills o
Oregon, and it has iu i great measure proved
beneficial to tho health of us all, yet every-
uhing here is so different from Southern home
that wo clteii turn nuroyesKaitward and Bigh,
Oh! for a day on tho old plantation,
Juat as tho South-hftid homo used to be;
Oh! for a sight of the well-beloved faces
Now widely s;attered, audsome,alasl dead.
Oht for one day in the dear old home places,
Bright with tho light of tho clays that are
led.
With best wishes for the Farmer and Aunt
Hetty, I will close,
Lou-Ella Roiiertkon,
Eoiiene City, Feb. 20, 1882.
Editor Home Circle:
As I havi never written to the Farmer I
will try and write a few lines. I am 13 years
old and live on a farm near Eugene; my father
takes tho Farmer. I like to read the letters
from tho boys and gilrs. I will answ er Ella's
question John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
died July 4, 1820, and James Monroe died
July 4, 1831. I will answer Aunt Hetty's
question, too on January 8, 1815, General
Pakenham attacked General Jackson at New
Orleans and was defeated; the British loss
was over two thousand, while the American
lots was but seven killed and six wounded.
Yours truly, Oka,
An easy and quite effectual plan to keep
tinware from rusting contiits in rubbing the
new vessel iniide and out with fresh lard or
butter; then p'aciug in the oven and keeping
hot for several hours. The heat muit not be
so great as to melt solder; still it is essential
that the tin be kepi very warui.
I
'!
,H
ME
ui
'fin