I Caro of Rubber Plants. Of all the freak remedies that are sometimes proposed for sick house- plants, those which are recommended for rubber plants are the worst. They run all the way from applying beef steak and castor oil to the roots to coating the leaves with milk. Glv your plants a properly prepared soil and sufficient light, and keep the leaves free from dust and scale, anr you will find no necessity for such nostrums as these. Make it a practice to go over the plants dally with a soft cloth and remove any indication of dust, scale or insects. Country Life in America. Act of Gratitude. The act of gratitude ought to be taught in the schools," says an Eng- lish woman writer. "I am perfectly astonished sometimes at the attitude of my own sex. A woman wishes to alight at a certain station. A man a total sthanger not only opens the door, but hands out her many pack ages, all of which she receives as her right, and calmly walks off without a word of thanks. Then, again, a wo man Is walking along the street all unconscious of a foot or two of braid trailing behind her. You wish to do a kind action, and inform her of the fact Instead of the Expected 'Thank you," you receive a stony r.tare as though you were in so:w way respon sible for the untidy state of the dress. How often, too, we hear that a certain valuable nrt'-ie has been returned to Its owner, who showed his or her gratitude to the finder by a reward so trlval as to be almost an Insult. Combs for Blondes and Brunettes. Let only the golden-haired or black haired girl risk the gold and Ivory combs, for the silver one is for the brunette alone. No shade of hair was ever born or invented which could not wear torquoise shell. Its tints and lights are universally becoming. These combs are all expensive, for only the genuine materials or the best imita tions are worth buying. The handsom est ones are jeweled, which brings them to a fabulous price. In selecting any comb be careful to choose one with long teeth curved so that the comb feels firm in the hair. It Is both dangerous to the comb and embarrassing to the wearer to have it fall. If within reach of a Chinese im porter, he Is the best one to furnish an Ivory comb. The Chinese have been quick to learn American fancies, and they have adapted their handi work accordingly. Some of their shops display combs carved in ex quisite design. Washington Star. A Woman of Thirty. , When one knows the age of a worn ' an one knows the womap. The very fact that she permits you to know her age exposes her character. She no longer masquerades. She has lost a certain uncertainty,, an evanescent delicacy, that was an lrresistlblo charm. Women, like philosophy, are divided Into two classes, the know able and the unknowable. Also like philosophy, it Is the unknowable wom an who is the speculable. Therefore to get her at her highest capacity, she must be unmarried and about thirty. - The married woman presents cer tain Inescapable tell-tale data. She has children, and those children have apparent ages, two facts which go far in determining her 'annals. If she Is unmarried and is not "about thirty," she Is under thirty again a definite fact. Being "about thirty" Is Indefi nite. She may be more or less. No one hazards a guess. There is a de lightful vagueness in being "about thirty." It has nothing to do with dates; and many of us who from our youth up have felt no attachment for dates can forgive the unattached their confessed Indifference. i . Value of Neatness. . ,. . Few young women realize that it is of great Importance that they' should always make the very most of their personal appearance. Because a girl is pretty or clever or busy, she cannot afford to neglect her appearance. If she is pretty she can add to her pret tiness by giving It a proper setting; if she is clever she can make herself pleasant to look on as well as to listen to, ted if she is busy it won't take much extra time to keep herself look ing trim ar.d neat. The time spent In front of her look ing glass is not wasted. Of course, to fltar.d primping for hours is not ad vised, but every woman should' spend enough time .to see that her clothes are neatly put on and her hair proper ly arranged. Some girls would be surprised to know how many good chances in life are lost through carelessness of per sonal appearance. It is said that men do not always demand beauty in the women they love, but they do want some attraction to take its place, and the woman who makes herself look dainty and neat has an attraction almost as powerful as beauty. The woman who is forced to do her own work and look after family has perhaps the best excuse for not paying much attention to her per sonul appearance, but if she can man age even the slightest neatness she will benefit by It. So many women spend money fool Ishly Instead of putting thought anil Ctsru on what is bought. A great deal depends on how the hair Is dressed Study the shape of your face and wear your hair accordingly. Always keep your hands and nails In good condl tios. Washing the hair every two weeks will kee; It soft and bright Loose Long Coats. The woman who can buy but one separate wrap and who has a dressy tailored suit Is very apt to select something on the raglan order. The new wraps of this sort partake In tex ture and cut of the characteristics dts played in ulsters for men's wear. The back is usually pleated from neck to hem, the pleats being stitched down ns far as the waist line, and then well pressed to the hem, with a shallow half belt to hold them in place. The fronts are loose and usually double- breasted, the sleeves big and roomy, and a touch of color contrast is given by emplacements of plain cloth that decorate the flat collar, cu!Ts and poc ket flap. The number of pockets In these wraps, which are admirable for shop ping, motoring and all sorts of ordi nary outdoor wear. Is actually In creasing, and the Ideal garment has a pocket on either side of the front and a small breast.pocket for change, all of which have flaps which button down snugly. The newest of these coats do not reach the bottom of the dress, but show from six inches to a foot of the skirt. Incidentally it may be men tioned that the well-groomed woman does not abuse this convenient and long-suffering wrap. She keeps It as well pressed and tailored as does her husband or brother, who sends his rag Inn regularly to the tailor for cleaning and renovation. Among the post-holiday sales which are worth considering are those which offer remarkable reductions on a good selection of fur-lined coats. Just now one may buy a three-quarter or even longer loose coat In a good qual ity of cloth lined with squirrel skin for $25. A very stunning model In this line shows a flecked tweed in gray, lined with squirrel skin. It Is finished very simply with rows of heavy stitching and a small, shawl col lar and turnback cuffs of the fur. Pockets for a Woman. For one blessing man is enviable his pockets. Woman occasionally has a pocket, but she can't use it. "Put In a pocket," she pleads, and the dressmaker sends home the new skirt with a pocket stowed away In the re cesses of a hook-up placket hole. It Is not a working pocket for three rea sons: First, it bulges if there is even a handkerchief In it, destroying the symmetry of the outline. Second, things aimed at it rarely succeed In forcing an entrance, but fall alongside, downward, with a whack on the floor. Third, who could fumble through a whole row of hooks and eyes, placed in the centre seam at the back? As a trilling obstacle in the way of blind manipulation It may be mentioned that Buch hooks are usually of a tricky patent, or they would not stay fast ened at all. At the hem of the garment, under the "foundation" frill, pockets like a tiny cresent-shaped pouch may also be found lurking. A handkerchief can repose In one in safety, merely in- olvlng some suppleness in the own er, who must execute a kind 01 otve in withdrawing and reinserting it. A silk foundation sometimes accommo dates quite a practical-looking reepta- cle, to which the unwary at Srst In trust even a purse or a pocket knife. But hard objects dangling on a level with the knee are 111 companions, and those who have once knelt on a latch key never desire to repeat the expert nee. I asked for pockets and they gave me handbags," is the plaint of the pet ticoat throng, who wonder who will Invent them a third hand for their umbrellas while they guard their money with their right and with their left keep their garments from the mild. In the meantime, says the London Graphic, while fashion is decreeing that sovereigns shall jingle In Jeweled coat of mail from the end of a slender chain, apparently designed for the ready pliers of the thief, womankind, more cunning than they seem, are carving a way out of the difficulty. They may carry their purse for all the world to see, and a handkerchief peeps out of their sleeves, but In many a silk en nnderksirt, where It will not Inter fere with the set, Is a pocket, roomy and secure. There it is that the wise woman , keeps her gold and her lova letters . Ham Salad. Chop lean cold boiled ham very fine and mix with lettuce leaves cut In fine shreds using the outer but tender leaves. Reserve the inner leaves for a'ctip to hold the salad. Mix with the following dressing, arrange on the let tuce' and serve. Steamed Corn Bread. Sift four cups of cornmeal, two cups of flour, a level teaspoon each of salt and soda together twice. Mix with two cups of sweet milk, two cups of sour milk and one cup of molasses. Pour Into a buttered mold and steam four hours. Serve hot Potato Cups. Cook potatoes, mash fine, or press through a rlcer; season well with salt, a little white pepper and butter, then moisten slightly with cream. Press In to small cups and turn on to a but tered pan. Beat one egg, brush over the potato cups with It, then set in the oven and brown. Beans With White Sauce. Soak a pint of small white beans over night in cold water to more than cover. Drain in the morning and pour boiling wator over. Let stand where the water-will just keep hot for two hours; then drain; add boiling water and cook until tender. Make a white sauce, seasoned highly with salt, pep per and onion juice; add to the beana and heat; then serve hot Boiled Dressing. Mix a level tablespoon of salt, a rounding tablespoon of butter, a level teaspoon each of pepper, sugar and dry mustard. Add a cup of vinegar and heat; then add three well-beaten eggs and cook In a double boiler until thick. Cool and add one cup of cream beaten. If half of the dressing Is need ed, add but half the cream, as It does not keep as well after the cream is added. Braised Liver. Cut one onion, one small turnip, one carrot, and stalk of celery Into slices and lay In a braising pan. Wash a beef's liver, lay in the pan and put on top two thin Bllces of pork. Pour In one pint of boiling water or use stock If there Is any on hand. Cover closely and cook two hours or more. When the liver Is taken up, melt a rounding tablespoon of butter In a pan, add one rounding tablespoon of flour, and when frothy add the liquid In the braising pa strained. Cook five or ten minutes pour round the liver and serve. The sauce Is Improved by a tablespoon of catsup, using any kind convenient, or use a teaspoon of some good table sauce. Household Hints. Strong, hot vinegar will remo paint and mortar from glass. Rub grease on the seams of new tinware, keep In a warm place for a day, and the article will not rust in the seams. Starch and iron wide lamp wicks and wicks for oil stoves. They will not then cause trouble in fitting them In to the burners. Do not wash the wooden breadplate In hot water and It will not turn black. Wash with soap and warm water, and rinse in clean cold water. Always wash oft the top of the milk bottle before removing the little pa per cap, since It is by the top that the delivery man always lifts the bot tle. Tissue paper in which there Is no sulphur Is now provided for wrapping silver In. This is said to keep the sil ver clean and bright for any length of time. Lemon syrup made by baking a lemon 20 minutes and then squeezing the juice upon halt a cupful of sugar is excellent for hoarseness and to break up a cold. Floor cushions made of fancy bur lap and stuffed very full with excel sior are convenient for bedrooms. Piled one above another they make useful hassocks. A good way to warm cold feet is to take off the shoes, place the feet on one of these cushions and then lay a half-Oiled hot water bag ov er the feet. Windows may be kept free from frost by rubbing with glycerine or kerosene, the oil preventing the mois ture In the room from adhering to the glass. Large plate glass windows of store fronts can be kept perfectly clear if a small electric fan Is allowed to play near by, the waves of air fan ning away the moisture. At each ironing fold the table linen a new way If possible, as It wears first In the folds. A good plan Is to pur chase an extra half yard of tablecloth, and after a time cut off the extra length. This brings the creases In a new place. When darns becomo neces sary use ravclings of tablecloth or napkins as they are much less notlc able than thread. Glycerine Is always used In combina tion with rosewater or elder flower water, but probably few Women know why this Is done. It Is because glycer ine has such an, affinity for water that when applied pure it absorbs all the moisture from any surface that It touches. Plain water will do Just as well as rosewater, apart from aesthetic considerations. . New lork City. Simple blouse waists worn with chemisettes of linen or of contrasting niulerlul mnke'oue of the latest decrees of fashion and are eminently attractive. The model Illus trated Is nil exceptionally desirable one ami shows a novel yoke that Is ex tended to form the fronts, with sleeves that are quite new ns well ns graceful nml becoming. The original Is made of pule blue linen canvus, the cbeinl- sette being of white, but all walsting materials are appropriate. The waist consists of the plain back and the full fronts, which are Joined to the yoke, and is finished with the roll-over collar and lapels. The sleeves are made with upper and under por tions, nnd the full puffs, which nre Joined thereto, nnd. can be finished with the roll-over cuffs or plain, as shown In the small view. The chemi sette Is separate, adjusted under the waist and closed at the back. The quantity of material required for the medium size Is four nnd three- fourth yards twenty-one, three and turee-rourtn yards twenty-seven, or two and one-fourtlf yards forty-four inches wide. ' rink ami Silver. An altogether attractive evening dress by Piiquln hns Just been shown. It Is of white net and is trimmed with seemingly endless ruffles nnd niching of Valenciennes Inee an inch anil nn inch nnd a half in width. This scheme finishes the skirt at the foot, and is re peated three times nbove, though this upper trio do not cross the .front breadth. Where they stop each side there's a dainty silver ornnment that looks like lnee. Very fascinating Is the coat-like corsage of pink silk. It Is em broidered with silver in the most deli cate fashion. There are little coat-tails and there are dainty elbow sleeves, but there isn't much coat at the front. It Is cut away to show the net and the little Vnl. ruffles. There Is a chemi sette effect of the net and lace. A pe culiar feature is n eross-over-llke drap ery of the pink silk across the front. In addition to this there are the most I Shirt Walt Collar. A girl can't have too many linen col lars for wenr with her blouses of cloth. flannel and velveteen. She can make nn upstanding linen collar with a nar row turnover top edge, and on the flat surface below, buttonhole slits In the linen, so that n bins alllc cravat or a velvet ribbon or a fancy taffeta ribbon mny be passed through with ease and finish with a small flat bow in front, or follow the cravat style nnd have long ends to be knotted or held in by a brooch. Philadelphia Bulletin. illver Wlills Rutin niil I'nlnt, What think yon of the ilulnty chain bug hooked to the waist Iclt of our young lady? It Is of white satin, with a single line of gilt paillettes over lapping like fish scales and serving to outline n hand-painted scene, a group miller the Dlrectolre, by the well known costumes of that period. This adorns one side of the pretty bug, the reverse side Is absolutely plain, and no paillettes lire allowed here, as they would Injure the skirt against which they lie. A rather tine gilded chain Is used to suspend this bag from Its chato- latne hook. Alrl's Costume, Suspender costumes In all their varln lions are greatly In vogue, mid nre ex ceedingly becoming to young girls. This one Includes also a shaped bertha, which gives the broad shoulder line that Is always desirable, and Is made of bright plnld trimmed with black velvet ribbon and worn over n gulnipe of white lawn. The model, however, Is appropriate for all seasonable mate rials, and the gulnipe can be mnde of white washable material or of plain colored flannel, as may be preferred. The costume consists of the guiinpe and dress. The gulmpe Is made with front nnd backs, which are tucked to form a yoke, and Includes full sleeves. The dreRS Is mnde with n circular skirt, which Is gathered nt the upper edge and joined to the belt, the suspenders and the bertha, which nre Joined one to the other, then to the skirt. The quantity of material required 1 for a girl of twelve years' of age is four anil three-fourth yards twenty seven Inches wide, three and three fourth yards thirty-two Inches wide, or two and five-eighth yards forty-four Inches wide, with eleven yards of braid to trim as illustrated, and two yards thirty-six inches wide for gulmpe. No l'Ulii Skirt Society for the most part hns set its stamp of approval on the very full skirts, but only when they are voted becoming to the wearer's figure. Every now and again a skirt will be seen to cling to the figure half-way down to the knees, whence it flares in a most conventional and up-to-date man ner. No really plain skirts are seen at the opera, unless the material Is chiffon velvet, and even the monotony of this -exquisite texture is relieved by panels of rare lace. chaniilng buttons of coral, with deposit. The See-Saw. Hi. bnliincp the Iwliler ntop of the mil, Anil up w K". dciwn wi k. nil In a Rule, Kiliithlir like Mi-iIm nti we leeler nu-iv. bourn-lug unit Jiiiuiclng ouch oilier In play, Yoii are Oncen Sully mid I am Klnii Peter, And when ure we (filing unlrldu of uur leeier t Milling In fal l y Inml. over the moon. Lp we Kodowu I - on J we'll be there noon, I hiirle Keeler, Brownie, the Pet Sparrow. We have a little pet sparrow around by our house, and every day he comes to the window to be fed. We have named the little fellow Brownie, and he knows his name just as well as we do. The poor little bird has only one leg. Father says somebody must have hurt him very badly, and he docs not know how Brownie ever lived after losing his leg. But he. Is Just as bright and lively as if he had both legs to stand on. When he files tu the window he balances himself on one foot and stays there for the' long est time and eats out of our hands The other day, when the snow and rain came, all of us children were very much afraid that Brownie could not find his way to us, but after little while he came flying up to the window and stood there looking In as much as to say: "Havenf you any thing for me today?" Of course we had, and when he had eaten a whole lot of crumbs be went flying away again. .Indianapolis News. Discovery of Indian Pottery. A squaw left her two boys to care for her papoose while she worked In side the tent. She did not notlco what the boys were doing with the papoose until It began to cry. The squaw was unable to find the miscreants, until their distant voices told her they were down by the river. Not coming when she called them ,the squaw found that they were unwillingly disobedient, Their feet were stuck fast In the wet clay of the river bank. With grna difficulty she got them back to th tent. Then they all laughed at their footprints In the clay, for deep holes remained wherever they had stepped The band of Indians left camp be fore sunrise next morning. The squaw with her boys and papoose, was soon far away. During the hot summtr that soon followed the same band re turned to the river they had left. The little boys ran down to the river bank. No rain had fallen since their last visit and they easily found their foot prints in the clay. These had dried until they were ns hard as stone. They called their mother to look at the holes. She took some clay In her hands, wet it in the river, then shaped It like the hollow stone she used fur cooking. She dried it In the sun, and when It was hard proudly showed- her "dish" to the old chief. He then or dered all the squaws to "go and do likewise," but they all soon realized that their dishes would not hold water, and broke easily. One day a squaw wanted to save some fire, which was very hard to get. Not having anything to keep It In, she seized one of the clay dishes which had been abandoned as useless. The hot coals baked the dish, and she later discovered that It would not break Wonder of wonders. It also held water! Calling the chief and the other squaws around her, the Indians real Ized that they had learned how to make clay dishes In the right way. Indianapolis News. Bertie's Happy Family. Down In Virginia, where Bertie lived, everybody looked upon him as the prince of mischief. All the pranks played In the town were laid to Ear tie's door. To some of these he had to plead guilty, but not to all. Bertie was the minister's son, and from time Immemorial ministers' sons were apt to be considered worse than other people's because more was expected of them. Despite the opinion most peo ple had of Bertie, he had more good qualities than bad; originality, con scientiousness and a great love for animals being among the number. One Sunday morning In August Mr. Dilworth, Bertie's father, made a stir ring appeal for funds to re-roof the old church. This church referred to though the (State as "The Old Stone Church," was an historic landmark. It had been built In 1750, and many of the magnificent trees which formed a grove a rou id It had been standing at the time. -.Now, a new roof meant $100, which was a great deal of money for Winchester, where money had not been very plentiful since the war. Mr. Dilworth's appeal called forth much planning, especially among the women of the congregation. Before another Sunday had rolled around a festival had been determined upon. This was to be held In the grove, with all sorts of refreshments and articles for sale. Many of the children were pressed Into service as helpers, but Bertie was In some way overlooked. Perhaps, because he was thought to be too full of pranks and mischief to be of much use In the festival prepara tions. Bertie was hurt. Hadn't he more Interest in the church than any of the others? Every one la the coun try knew that his great-great grand-' father had given the ground for It 'way back 150 yeare ago. Hadn't his great-great-grandmother given all the money to build It, and hadn't the min isters for nearly a hundred years all been his relations?' Bertie was Indig nant, and made nn his mind ip soma way he would help raise the money the church needed,, and show all thou people he was good for something be sides mlmschlef. But how? That was the question. Of course he could offer to run er rauds and sell tickets, or even squeeze lemons, but all was commonplace. Bertie hail spent a great deal of his life performing Just such thankless Jobs. Besides, that was all well enough for the little "shavers," but now be was twelve, and father was beginning to refer to the time when "Bortle goes to college," showing that he appre ciated the fact that his son was grow ing up. Bertie was out In the yard, with his pets playing around him. They were many and various. There was Bully, the English bull; Scamp, the terrier; an opossum with three young ones; a Maltese cat, Eastor, at id a tortoise shell cat, Christmas; a rooBtcr and a hen; a dozen pigeons ai-.d six rabbits. Bertie could not help smiling as he saw the pigeons and cats eating out of the same dish, and two of the rabbits cuddled down close between Bully's paws. Just at that moment a boy passed, threw a poster over the fence, which blew directly to Bertie's feet Bertie picked it up and read that Barnum's circus was going to show In X , a town twenty miles away. Bertie read every 1!ne with eagerness, until he came to a picture of a large ca;;e over which was written "A Hap py Family." In this case was every variety of beast, many commonly known to prey on the other, but owing to their training, all living la the one house. "Pshaw!" said Bertie. "That's noth. Ing! I've got a happy family right here, only mine are more wonderful for they live all together out of doors in the most natural way." Just then a furious barking made Bertie look up, to see a neighbor's, dog chasing his rabbits. Bully and 'Scamp were quickly on their feet, pur suing the intruder and protecting the rabbits In the most approved fashion, at the same time reflecting credit upon their young master and trainer. All of a sudden, Bertie's eyes bright ened, and he exclaimed: "I'll do It If Mr. Barnum can charge money for seeing hla happy family, why can't I do the same for mine?" At dinner time Eertle unfolded his plan to his mother and father, who warmly approved of It. Mother sug gested that the big box In which the square piano had been moved would be Just the thing to make a capital cage. Bertie was enthusiastic over this. It was Just the thing, he de clared, with some enlargements. Bertie began at once on his work. He sawed and hammered all after noon, with the result that before even ing he had a splendid cage construct ed. He stood the big box on Its long side, and with boards pieced out the short sides until the depth of the box was doubled. Some lathes nailed per pendicularly across the front made a good Imitation of the Iron bars of an animal cage. On the eventful dav of the festival father conveyed the blx box over to the churchyard in the wagon. He placed It flat up against the back of the building. I'prights placed on either side made good supports for the sheets, which Bertie's mother sewed together. Theso were to form a kind of tent, shutting out the "lew from those who did not pay admission money. All that now remained to do was to convey the animals thither. and this Bertie easily accomplished an hour before the people assembled. They were alj there the ' dogs, the cats, the pigeons, the chickens, the possums and the rabbits and on their best behavior too. The Happy Family" was pasted over the entrance, and "Admission, 10 cents." Bertie was a very proud boy as he sat outside taking in the money. The dimes simply flew Into his box, for the Idea was novel and different from what was usually offered at church festivals. The tent was crowded; nearly every man, woman and child who came to the festival laughed and admired the peaceful and amiable members of Bertie's family. One old gentleman on coming out gave Bertie a ?5 bill, saying: "Lad, your happy family did me good. It sort of shad ows the time when we are told the lion and the lamb shall He down to gether." At the close of the evening Bertie handed over $50 to the treasurer, half enough to pay for the new roof. Ber tie' father was delighted, and, patting his son on the head, said to those around him: "Well, It's not a surprise to me, for ever since Bertie's been .born he's been showing his mother and me how many different ways he know3 of 'raising the roof.' " Curate v. Wife. The Right Rev. Edwyn Hoskyns, the new bishop of Southwell and our youngest prelate, is a Scotsman by birth, very outspoken, and very enthusiastic about his work. He once Informed a fashionable audience at a drawing-room meeting that there was practically no distinction between the young men and women in good so ciety and those with whom he came In contact in his duties as prison chap lain. "The difference was only one of privileges and opportunities and so cial habits," he declared bluntly. A great favorite with the royal fam ily, the late Queen Victoria upon one occasion Informed hiai he ought to marry, as a wife would be of more use to him than a dozen curates. But, ma'am. suEDoslr.g we didn't agree?" he asked. "Well, you don't always agrae with your curates, do you?" "No, ma'am, but then I send thea away!" Waverley Magazine.