Zweiback Noodles.—­When making soup for children zweiback or Jew’s bread is excellent for making noodles.  Pound the bread to a powder, roll it with the rolling pin, sift and use the same as flour.  It can also be used in milk as a baby food, and is often given to children with very delicate stomachs.

AFFECTION.

  In the soft soil of little lives
  Affection quickly springs and thrives
     And grows like anything;
  Its tiny tendrils Love puts out,
  Not knowing what it’s all about
     But glad to smile and sing. 
                    —­Carolyn Wells.

Playgrounds for Boys.—­In a certain Ohio city there is a large placard “Boys, you can play here,” It is a large corner lot thronged the whole day through during the good weather with boys playing ball and other games.  This lot which could be sold for thousands of dollars, has been donated to the boys for a playground near their homes, The owner realized that the streets are not suitable playgrounds for the children and that accidents occur there almost daily.  The streets of our cities are poor places in which to play, bad for the boys, and still worse for the community, If you have vacant lots turn them over to the boys this summer.  A boy never forgets a favor, and American boys are not going to abuse good privileges.  The loneliest boys are those who are not allowed to play on the beautiful lawn at home, are not allowed on the streets, and wander about from place to place to be told “Move on,” every place they go.

ALL GIRLS AND BOYS.

Fourscore, like twenty, has its tasks and toys;
In earth’s wide school-house all are girls and boys. 
                                   —­O.  W. Holmes.

[Nursery hints and Fireside gems 809]

Disinfection of Toys and Books.—­All toys that have been used by a child suffering from an infectious disease should be either burned or thoroughly disinfected before they are used again.  Books read by the little patient should be especially guarded against.

FROM LOWELL’S “AFTER THE BURIAL.”

  In the breaking gulfs of sorrow,
     When the helpless feet stretch out
  And find in the deeps of darkness
     No footing so solid as doubt,
  Then better one spar of Memory,
     One broken plank of the Past,
  That our human heart may cling to,
     Though hopeless of shore at last!