Household hints

ever ; or the young man in the ulster who, holding the book closely in his own hand, forces us to listen to sentences from it relating to matters of etiquette (it seems almost like the irony of fate for an agent to solicit names for this book !) — I repeat, it is easier to bear these afflictions than it is to have a neighbor or acquaintance drop in in a friendly way and ask one to subscribe a sum of money to some charitable object. Let us picture to ourselves a woman who is trying to do a good three hours' work in two, that she might give a little time to the particular employment which is a delight to. her, and who wishes not only to make both ends meet but lap over a little at the end of the year, who has a way for every dollar, and even for every quarter of a dollar — think what it is to her to be interrupted and hindered, to have her nerves unsettled by the effort it costs her to give or to refuse ! I have known a woman who had just money enough to pay for her children's winter stockings, and who did not see her way clear to another dollar that month, to give two thirds of it toward a camp-chair for the sexton of her church, and the other third helped pay for a silver card-case for the minister's wife. It was hard to patch and darn the children's stockings as she was obliged to do, but it was harder still to refuse her dear sister in the church when she said, in so convincing a tone, " Of course, you wish to give a little when the rest are all doing so." A young married lady told me not long ago that she believed she had given enough cake during the year for festivals and church parties to have stocked a first-class bakery for three months ; " and I didn't know how to do it ; I could not afford it, but I couldn't refuse." One may agree perfectly with Mr. Emerson when he says that ^^a man's money should not follow the direction of his neighbor's money, but should represent the things he would willingliest do with it." But let a friend pay her the delicate compliment of allow- ing her to head a subscription, and see what she will do ! " I have a paper here which I know you want to sign," said a man to his neighbor; "we wish to raise funds to prosecute any one who sells cider without a license." *^ I can not sign it ; I have other ways just now for my money," was the reply. " Oh ! then, you, a mother, wish to countenance the drunkenness in this town ! " was the unjust and uncharitable inference. Subscription papers are often lengthened in order to avoid the misconstruction mentioned here, and money which ought to go toward paying the necessary expenses of a household is taken from the reluctant hand of thie woman who can not say no. I sometimes think it would be a good thing for our legislators to look into, or that some kind of a bill might be passed protecting women from the agent and the bearer of a subscription paper. EATING BETWEEN MEALS. There comes a time in the household when the head thereof must decide the momentous question as to whether the children shall be allowed to eat between meals or not. The question can be decided ; no matter how persistent a child may be, this can be settled, not simply be laid on the table. A woman who has even a very superficial knowledge of the working of the stomach can explain it to her child in such a way that it will make a strong impression upon his mind. To represent to an imaginative child that the stomach is like a man who goes to work upon your breakfast when you have eaten it with all his might, and who does not rest till he has ground the food up, and given the good part to the blood, so feeding each portion of the body, not forgetting fingers and toes even, and who rejects all the bad, keeping you from sickness and pain, will awaken intense interest in the child's mind and be a great aid to obedience. Put it before him, and ask him if it is