agar”

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DETROIT, APRIL. 7, 1888.

 

 

THE HOUSEHOLD-wSupplement.

 

 

“ 0H, THAT 000K!“

 

The looks of yer, ma‘am, rather suits me,
The wages ye offer ’ll do:
But thin I can‘t inter yer survis
Without a condishun or two.
And now, to begin, is the ki1chen
Comm: dgeous, with plentv of light,
And fit, ye know. for entertaznin’
Such friends as I’m like to invite?

And nixt, are yous reg’lar at meal times?
Bekase, ’tain‘t convaynent, ye see,
To wait. and if I behaves punkshul,
It’s no more than yous ought to be.
And thin is 3 er gurruls gooc-natur.d?
The rayson I lift my last place—
The Fret ch nuss was such a high lady
I seat a dish-cloth at her face.

And have yer the laste of objiction
To min r ropp‘n‘ in whin they choose?
I’ve got some e1 vin fust cousins
That fraquent‘y bring me the neon;
I must have thim trayted 1 ow itely;
I give you fair warnin’, ma’am, now,
If tie alley gate be cl‘» ed a in them,
You‘ll find me commencin’ a row.

These matters agreed cn between us,
I’d try yer a wake, so I wud;

(She koks like the kind I can manage,
A thin thing without any biud 1)

But mind, if I come for a wake, ma’am,
I comes for that time and no liss;

And so thin, purvidin’ ye’d want me,
Just g've me yer name and addriss.

_——w—————

DAY AT THE WEBSTER
FARMERS’ CLUB.

LADIES’

 

Notwithstanding a steady drizzling rain
on March 10th, the ladies were out in force,
and the spacious parlors of Mr. George
W. Phelps’ new residence were filled with
fair debaters who were endeavoring to solve
the intricate problem “At what point does
economy leave off in the house and stingi-
ness begin.”

After the usual preliminary exercises of
music and recitations, conducted by the
North Webster and Hamburg Reading
Circle, Mrs. S. F. Sears and Mrs. A. Olsave’r

read papers in which the subject was fairly,

opened up for further consideration. Mrs.
Olsaver’s essay is as follows; Mrs. Sears?
will be given in a subsequent issue: '

Economy has already been defined.
Stinginess, as I will define it, is economy
whittled to a sharp point. I scarcely think
any person capable of drawing the line ex-.
cept for themselves, for what would be
economy for one might be stinginess in
another with larger means. Economy has
been handed down from one generation to
another, from our grandmothers—who were
very economical from necessity—to our
mothers by heredity, and so down to us,
where it seems to be pretty thoroughly
“bred in the bone.” 1 would not be un-
derstood that we should not practice fru-
gality. I think it a duty to do so,- No

 

matter how much of this world’s goods we
may possess we have none to was :e. We can
often help the needy, and by helping others
we always help ourselves. We may dis-
agree in details on this queStion, but we all
agree, I think, on some of the general
principles. One is, we should keep our ex-
penses within our income, therefore it is
necessary to know something of the busi-
ness transactions of the firm, if we con—
sider ourselves as partners; it would often
save many embarrassments. And I think
the mind of the average woman is able to
graSp the situation, some hus oands’ ideas to
the contrary notwithstanding. If she is not
capable of doing so, she might better resign
her position. We have all seen those who
think they are practicing economy, when
they keep for their own use what they
cannot sell. If they happen to have a lit-
tle musty wheat they can get that ground
into flour, for it will not bring much in
market. There is nothing saved there, for
not even a very good cook can make good
bread from poor flour; and when the bread
is poor we are not careful to save the
broken pieces. The cats, dogs and hens
not only get their share, but a few slices
now and then find their way into the swill
pail, to help disarrange the stomachs of our
pigs. And it is apt to be the case with
those who sell their cream, that they skim
it as closely as they can, sell the last ounce,
and use the blue skimmed milk in their tea
and coifee. Stinginess! We occasionally see
two extreme qualities, extravagance and
stinginess, combined in one individual.
For instance, the wife asks her husband
when he is about going to town, to get some
tea, as the caddy is empty, and faithful to
his trust when he comes home he has a
pound of thirty cent tea in one pocket and
a pound of sixty cent tobacco in the other.
It may be a good practice for the housewife
to keep a debt and credit account. I tried
it the first year of housekeeping, but have
never indulged since. Why we use so
much more than we expect it frightens us,
and we think, well, we shall have to use less
than that, and so it goes from year to year,
until we drift unconsciously into that
detestable habit of stinginess.

Mrs. Chamberlain thought when economy
degenerates into stinginess there is a loss,
and its victim illustrates the old sayir g
“penny wise and pound foolish.” The
bountiful Father created this beautiful earth

_with its changeable landscape of hill and

dale, forest and meadow, water and sky,

'for the delight and use of us his dear child-

rer; and we best show our appreciation
of those manifold gifts by a rational ac-
ceptance in the spirit of the behest. With
the prodigality of nature so lavish before us;
the manna of heaven almost at our doors.
and the inexorable law of mutability govern-
ing all earthly things, is it not worse than
criminal to starve the soul and deny the
body those rational enjoyments; debarred
from them by that grim giant custom (sad
misnomer) called economy—stinginess
reallywthat keeps our desires and appetites

unsatisfied. She would freely admit that
her sympathies from childhood up ran with
the poor prodigal rather than with the surly
brother who begrudged the fatted calf to
his tarnished relative; the spendthrift was
so human, the other so like Shylock.

Mrs. Blodgett, who would avoid extremes
and not be grounded on Scylla nor drawn
into the maw of Charybdis, said it was
hard to discriminate between two positions
so closely allied. The circumstances of in-
dividuals and families must often govern
outlay and plans; for those having an
abundance, who save what they produce
for the mere sake of accumulation and
deny themselves pleasures which taste and
appetite crave, were over the line of econo-
my into the narrow lanes of stinginess; but
if poor, in debt, or trying to save to buy a
home, thrift might trench pretty closely on
stinginess and yet be the highest economy;
and eggs and butter be sold and substitutes
used that were cheaper, even though the
palate could thereby be pleased.

Mrs. Latson agreed to the position that
the variety of the larder depends in a
measure on circumstances, but thought a
good housekeeper could take many plain
ingredients and so combine them as to
satisfy both taste and hunger. It was cer-
tainly stingy to make bread or cook meat
so poorly that it could not be eaten, and
have it finally go to waste.

Mrs. Boyden said it is very true there can
be no arbitrary law to govern us all in our
household affairs. Supply and demand and
custom must be considered somewhat. As
a general rule, of that which we produce on
the farm the best is ours legitimately. The
first eggs, after an all winter diet of bread,
meat and potatoes, were just as good to us,
just as essential to our health as to our city
cousins. Her motto was to always use the
best, even if you take a lower price for the
second grade; and in buying buy the best.
It was not economy to use adulterated sugar
because it was a penny or two a pound
cheaper, any more than to use grease for
fresh sweet butter, or a. low priced baking
powder because a piece of crockery would
be thrown in. It was not stinginess to
make ends meet and avoil debts; or to deny
ourselves what we are not able to buy; bu
of those things within our possibilities it
would be found wisdom to only purchase the
best.

At this point the discussion was turned
over to the gentlemen, by the ladies calling
out Mr. Wm. Ball, who said he never
grappled with either horn of the dilemma,

as he might get floored, but if it was per-
missible he might suggest in a general way

 


     

2 THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

some pointers, as much to the men as the
ladies. He thought it was not economy to
insist on more than three buckwheats a day;
it burnt up wood and spoiled complexions
as well as tempers, besides irritating the
epidermis, and scratching tended to wearing
out clothes. As to the 30 cent tea in one
pocket and 60 cent tobacco in the other, he
thought he would turn that branch over to
the secretary. but queried much whether the
sallow complexions we sometimes observe
in the other sex are not chargeable to the
aforesaid 30 cent tea or the sly snuff box.
He would buy light, soft-handled brooms
and have all mop-sticks and rolling pins
cushioned, unless it was desirable to have
the bump of caution developed by their use
on the skulls of refractory males. “ But
seriously, ladies, dropping all banter, this is
a question that should enlist your sympathy
and call out your best thought. It is a wide
field and has many lanes, therefore I had
hoped to hear you discuss the subject in its
broad sense and not confine it to the mere
administering to the wants of the inner
man. There is economy in the make-up of
raiment, and there are its two opposite ex-
tremes, scrimping and profusion. The one
spends time and money making up a slim ~y
article that is not worth the time need;
while the other loads down the body with
billows of material without rational purpose
and out of harmony with the hygienic rules
of life. Economy may be traced in the
arranging of the simple furniture of the
room, so that the aspect shall be pleasing and
harmonious, the utilizing of the little scraps
and combining them into useful as well
as ornamental appendages to a well ordered
house; while meanness leaves bare walls,
faded curtains, curtailed patterns in car-
pet and bed-spread. While looking up this
question try not to begrudge a passing hour
from the day, in which the mind may revel
in the beautiful things of art or nature, and
leave not to others the appreciation of that
wondrous panorama of sky, earth and air
being wrought out here away from the
crowd of cities. Farm life is what we make
it; it may be humdrum or full of the happiest
measures.”

Mr. Tubbs—If the economies were prac-
ticed now that were the rule in my boyhood,
many of the seeming essentials of our lives
would disappear; and perhaps it would be
designated stinginess. But looking back
across the vista of years and realizing how
little supplied the wants in those earlier
days, and that if economy had not trenched
hard on stinginess the comfortable homes
around us might yet be log cabins; that if
those dear old fathers and mothers had not
eaten the simple crust in contentment and
carried out for us those solid foundations on
which we have builded so well— we should
hesitate about using that ugly word in con-
nection with their habits. If my own ex-
perience was anything it tells me that in
the battle of life we must conquer ere we
possess.

Mr. Wilson would not go to the ex-
tent of old Polonius in his advice to his
son Laertes, when he said: “ Costly thy
habit as thy purse can buy, but not ex-
pressed in fancy; rich, not gaudy, for the
apparel oft proclaims the man,” but thought
the old northman’s head was inclined to

 

be level. The best is as a rule the cheapest,

and the household economy could rest
pretty safely on this rule. The temperament
of families and individuals has much to do
with habits. Dives and Lazarus have ex-
isted in every age; some will ride, others
must go atoot; few shall recline on couches
of ease and luxury, the many must be
hewers of wood and drawers of water; and
when we attempt to regulate the world and
lay down a chart to guide the whole, we
purpose too much. Each one in his or her
own way must learn what is economy and
define the other thing.

Mr. Nordman was not much afraid of
stingiuess, especially in the coming race; the
tendency was the other way. While he was
not altogether an admirer of old King
Solomon, he thought he propounded one
good thing when he said, “ Train up achild
in the way he should go, and when he is old
he will not depart from it.” That is just
where this question has a home bearing,
are we doing this kind of business, or are
we battering both sides of their bread an-i
heaping on ’lasses? Are not parents who
have practiced economy all their lives wink-
ing at extravagance in their children? Once
and awhile there crops out some grain of
economy in the young, but it is rarely. He
rather thought the next generation would
want the earth, and we old fools would give
it to them if we had it. Had we not better
begin the process of taking in sail and teach
our children to say no to expenditures our
incomes will not warrant? Can we look for
any superior mental or physical devel-
opment in sons and daughters whose
parents wink at lavish display? We might
as well expect a stream to rise higher than
the fountain, than to expect' toil and habits
of economy and industry, remembering that
“A smooth sea never made a skillful
mariner;” but

“Count that day lost whose low descending sun,
Bears from thy hand no worthy action done.“

C. M. sTARKS.
Corresponding Secretary.

A HELPFUL LETTER.

1 have taken up my pen several times to
defend Evangeline, but I found she needed
no such poor defence, and was more than
able to defend herself, though I could not
follow her bills of fare, and don’t think
there are many farmers’ wives who could.
If I should. I imagine I hear my husband
say: “ How long before breakfast Will be
ready? The men won’t get out in the field
before eight o’clock; can’t you give us
something you can get quicker and easier?”
But I am glad to hear from those who can.
I would like to serve an apprenticeship with
such an experienced cook, though I am
afraid I should find it more difficult to get
help. I received a letter ashort time ago
from a girl who had worked for me a year,
left to learn dressmaking and could not
stand it, saying if I had not hired help for
the summer she would like to work for me;
and adding a lady had been to see her whom
she had worked for before, but it was too
hard a place. I remembered hearing her
speak of the place and what elaborate meals
they got up. She said the woman did it to
please her husband and was making a slave

 

of herself, and. I suppose must never appear
at the table with her hair in crimping-pins
or without a white collar on, and never in a
faded calico; and when she asked him for a
little money to get a new one he would say,

" What! I thought you got one a short time.

ago; that worn out already?"

I want to give a word of advice to Hetty,
and Harry must take some, for 1 think she
has had about her share. Don’t go to
housekeeping with your father-in-law or
mother-in-law on either side. A mother’s
affections are very strong, we are all sensible
of that; and I think from observation 3
mother places her affections more on her
boys, and the father on the girls; for this
reason I say don’t go to live with your huso
band’s family. His mother will say he
“don’t care anything for his old mother,
its all that young flirt of a thing:” she does
not think his heart can expand and have
room for a wife as well. She will find
more failings in you in one week than he
would in a lifetime, and she will lose no
opportunity to magnify them and show
them up to him.

I saw a little piece the other day, taken
from the Chicago Times, entitled “A
J udge’s Sensible Words.” Judge Tuly oc-
cupies a position which enables him-almost
compels him—to collect statistics as to the
causes of divorce. In a recent interview he
said: “I would not add to nor take away
any of the causes of divorce now given by
the statutes. If it were prac icable, I would
prohibit by law any newly married couple
living with the parents of either within the
first five years. When left to themselves
their characters sooner assimilate, and they
much sooner learn that in order to be happy
there must be continual and mutual self
sacrifices and dependence of each upon the
other.” There is condensed in the last
sentence the result of much experience by a
close thinker. A vast amount of unhappi-
ness might have been avoided if every
newly married couple and the parents of
each, could have been made to know this
before it was too late. I have had twelve
years’ experience, and eleven years have
had three old people; and, like Judge Tuly,
I wish there might be a law prohibiting it.

I wonder if Guendola has had any ex-
perience with oiled floors? I think not or
she would not advise painting them; she
would rather advise doing as my girl says a
Kalamazoo lady did; she scrubbed and
scraped until she got the paint oif, so the
people would oil it for her. My floor has
not been oiled in three years. I caution the
girls about using hot water on it. It is but
a few moments’ work to oil it over.

Mrs. W. J. G. inquires how to renovate a.
hens’ feather bed. I have never had ex-
perience with hens’ feathers, but with my
duck and geese feather beds I lay them out
in the spring just before a hard shower,
turn and shake them, thoroughly dry, and
you will be surprised to see how light and
clean they will be. I have sent them away
to be renovated, but I like this way much
better, for it does not injure the feathers,
and cleanse the tick at the same time. A
friend of mine used to make a platform by
taking the sawhorses, laying clean boards
on them, and with a scrubbing brush and a
little soap scrub the ticks, then throw on-

 
  
  
 

 

 

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228??

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THE HOUSEHOLD. 3

 

plenty of water to rinse the tick and feathers.
1 could not see but mine were just as clean
and nice as hers. In my opinion feather
beds renovated in either way are more
healthful than mattresses, for it is next to
an impossibility to clean them.

I tried to think of the most convenient
article in my kitchen. I should not like to
do without any of the articles mentioned,
but would include my pie-lifter; it is so
handy to turn pics in the oven; after they
are removed from the oven you can handle
them to wipe the plate without any incon-
venience.

I would like to tell you of a new and tried
way of keeping hams through the summer——
new to me at least. Make a bag of ticking
or some coarse cloth, dip in strong brine
and dry several times until there is a coat-
ing of salt over it; put the ham in this, tie
and hang up. I shall try it this season. A
neighbor said she kept them nice until
August last season. My way formerly was
to slice and pack solidly in a jar, then pour
warm lard over the top until it is entirely
covered. When I commence using. use
once every day. then it will not mould and
will keep perfectly sweet. I like this, but
it makes ahard half day’s work.

I suppose I am the only one who does
not know what a “ Dover ” is, have search-
ed Webster and he doesn’t enlighten me:
will the HOUSEHOLD Editor please do so.
My communication has been much longer
than I intended, but if our Editor will bear
with me I will not come very often.

UALESBURG. M. E. F.

[“Dover” is an abbreviation of Dover
egg-beater, a utensil very convenient for
beating eggs, whipping cream, etc. We
hope M. E. F. will reconsider her deter-
mination not to come very often; she will be
very welcome if she will make her visits
frequent; we like just such practical, help-
ful letters as hers—En.

\ —_—“.____

“GO AS YOU PLEASE.”

 

I’ve often felt a strong desire to “ speak
in meetin’ ” when reading the HOUSEHOLD,
but for fear other contributors might be
ashamed to write afterward, I have con-
trolled the desire.

What’s the use of trying to pick a quarrel
with Evangeline? If she has time, inclina-
tion and the wherewith to get up such meals,
let her; I don’t care. I won’t (nor can’t)
do it. My folks would soon die of over-
loaded stomachs, and how I should feel!
And as to Hetty, she is no doubt smarter
than most of the girls, or her marriage
makes her more anxious to learn it all at
once, for I’ve been learning—well, anum—
ber of years, and I don’t know every thing
yet. But my Harry hasn’t come as yet, so
that may make a difference.

Then I don’t believe in using the dish-
cloth for everything, but if A. L. L. does,
she can. I seldom am so rushed as to be
unable to get a holder where a holder is
needed.

But how happy (with a big H) ought that
woman to be who fails to remember ever
burning any green wood! I wonder if she
realizes all there is in that! But I’ll close,
for Beatrix will think I’m looney ‘

Gaussian. CATHERINE.

 

EASTER BONNETS.

 

Wednesday. the 28th of March, was
“opening day” at several of our large
millinery establishments. Although a
chilly Wind searched rheumatic joints and
the streets were sloppy and dirty, at least it
did not rain, which was one comfort. And
a large contingent of the femininity of De-
troit was out, on various errands bent, and
nearly every one, judging by the rush,
dropped in at all these displays of millinery,
“just to take a peep.” We went into
Newcomb’s millinery parlor, in search of
“the good, the true and the beautiful,” and
looked on passively while the saleswoman
showed us “the very latest.” Wonder if
it is sinful to be politely acquiescent to
statements to the truth of which you do not
in heart agree? Because if so we sinned,
for my friend confided to me as we came
out, that there wasn’ta bonnet or hat in the
whole lot that she would wear for a ten dol-
lar bill.

At Metcalf’s we were more fortunate.
Here was a very pretty hat for a little girl,
a wide-brinimed fine black straw, trimmed
with full bows of white ribbon and a couple
of white tips, with a pinked ruche of white
surah about the face. Some sweet little
face will find in this a charmingly simple,
stylish and effective setting. The hat was
so soft that it could be crushed into any
shape and at once resume it original form.
A hat of black straw Was com oletely covered
as to its crown with pale pink roses and
buds; a length of black lace perhaps a
yard and a half long, was attached at the
back; this was to be loosely wound about
the neck, and fastened on the shoulder
under a cluster of pink roses. These
streamers, in colored crepe lisse or black
net, were seen on several hats and bonnets,
but we were told they did not seem to take
well with Detroit ladies. One Directoire
hat had a very wide Shirred lace brim in
front which rounded to a very narrow one
at the back, where it was fully trimmed
with black ostrich tips and erect loops of rib-
bon; a scarf of chantilly lace fell from the
back, to be wound about the throat as
described above. This was a very showy
headgear, because of its shape, though there
was not a touch of color on it. A pretty
bonnet had a. brim of fancy white straw and
a “flower crown” of wistaria blossoms,
with a bow of ribbon to match at the side.
Another had an openwork fancy crown, and
a trimming of two colors in changeable
ribbons; another had a bandeau of berries
imitating the mountain ash across the front,
andaheavy cluster at the side, arranged
with black lace; these berries are a very
popular trimming for spring. A brown
bonnet with openwork Crown was trimmed
with brown watered ribbons and a spray of
yellow asters; the combination was very
pretty, though asters don’t grow that color
yet. Another brown bonnet was decorated
with changeable brown and yellow ribbon
and a cluster of golden oats. A very elegant
black Chantilly lace bonnet had a full crown
and lace supporting its cluster of. black
daisies with jet hearts; it was $18. A grey
straw walking hat was faced with grey vel-
vet and trimmed with half long grey
plumes and loops of watered ribbon. A

 

blue hat, much the same shape, combined
stiff upright loops of navy blue silk with a
tint just the hue of a dove’s wing.

The new shapes for bonnets are not
much altered from those of last year, except
that they are larger; they are also longer
and broader in the crown. The coronet
fronts have quite disappeared. Trimmings
are not quite so altitudinous as they have
been, nor so narrow and pointed. Every-
thing is trimmed with ribbons, which are
very beautiful this year; the moire and
changeable being most fashionable, with
plain ribbons with heavy cord edge a good
second. Some of the ribbons used in trim-
ming the bonnets described above had this
heavy satin cord with a fine picot edge to
it. Lace bonnets promise to be much worn
this summer and when well gotten up are
very dressy and handsome; there is nothing
more elegant for a middle-aged lady than it
becoming lace'bsnnet. They are made of
the figured chantilly lace, and an edge of
the same helps trim them.

Some turban-shaped hats for young ladies
were trimmed with full ch-iourc or rosettes
of crepe lisse in two colors, one of each; no
other decoration is needed. Pokes are worn
again, more poke-y than ever; nearly all the
hats seem very prodigal of brim in front
and very skimpy in that respect at the
back; in short, some of the new shapes bear
a resemblance to the antiques of 1830, only
that they are not so large and daring. There
is the usual attempt to introduce flowers as
garniture; they are used most acceptably on
bonnets, but nearly all hats have ostrich
feathers for adornment. The flowers are
certainly exquisite; apple blossoms so real
you could hardly tell they were not just
plucked from the tree, helimrope, mignon-
ette and roses seem the favorites, and
small sprays arranged among the ribbons are
preferred.

The bonnet is a very important part of a
woman’s toilette. If it dOes not suit her
style. complexion and costume, it brings
out all the weak points in her face, and in-
tensifies them. If she is pretty, 9. too gay
bonnet diverts attention from her beauty to
itself; if she is homely, a showy bonnet
awakens a feeling or" incongruity—we
think how pretty that would be on some
one else. I am inclined to say that “an
honest milliner is the noblest work of
God.” By honest I mean one who has a
true perception of fitness, and sufficient
candorto tell a customer who is about to
select an unbecoming bonnet or hat that it
is unbecoming. even though she loses a
sale by it. For the trouble with most of
us is that as we poise the “airy nothings ”
on our finger-tips and look admiringly at
the delicate colors, the combination of tints
of flower and silk, we are overcome by the
beauty of the creation and entirely forget to
consider the question of its suitability to our
wardrobe and its fitness to our age and
complexion. When we get it home, and
“sober second thought ” possesses us, we
either repent our ill-considered bargain or
wear it with a fatuous complacency that
amuses our friends and might make angels

weep.
————...____.

THE Woman’s Christian Temperance
Union in Wausau, Wis., is prosecuting vio-
lators of the liquor law.

        

.—
‘4


4: THE HOITSEHOLD.

 

 

HOME AGAIN.

 

As I begin to put ink on paper to send to
the HOUSEHOLD, a feeling of unfamiliarity
that says “You are forgotten by this time ”
comes over me, making me a little dis
tranght withits strangeness. But as this
is a very windy day, and a most cold one
too, I will forthwith toss that fear to the
frozen wings of the flying air and proceed
with the free and easiness of one at home,
in fact and fancy, to tell the HOUSEHOLDEBS
that I have just returned froma nine weeks’
absence, during which I have seen only a
couple of copies of the HOUSEHOLD. But I
have to—day given the two months’ copies
of it that I find waiting my return a careful
scanning, finding many of the old familiar
writers and many new ones.

I could but smile as I read Beatrix’s
lament over the marriage of Alice Freeman,
(ix-President of Wellesley College, for hav-
ing had the pleasure of seeing the lady,
and of hearing her deliver an address in
favor of prohibition in this city about a
year ago, Ihad felt very much that way
myself. But if I smiled then I surely
laughed when 1 read “T.’s ” rhapsody of
rejoicing thereat. And all things con-
sidered, I rather guess Miss Freeman
balanced accounts carefully, and accepted
the one in which she found the highest per-
cent of certain conditions that since the
edict, “And thy desire shall be to thy hus-
band, and he shall rule over thee” went
forth, seem to be a necessary complement
in woman’s life. How is it, Daifodilly?

“Either sex alone is half itself, and in
true marriage lies nor equal nor unequal;
each fulfils defect in each, and always
thought in thought, purpose in purpose, will
in will, they grow the single pure and par-
fect animal, the two-celled heart heating
with one full stroke—Life.”

This is the woman's theory of marriage.
But the sons of men by barbarous laws and
customs keep their helper dwarfed, bound,
forgetting, or not knowing, that with her
they rise or fall, and that if she be “ small,
slight-natured, miserable man cannot
grow.”

Blackstone makes the wife the property
of the husband. And as I read and pon-
der this most august, astute authority on
civil law, I can but wonder why in this
particular instance alone freedom in barter
and exchange of property is denied the
holder. Chief Justice Waite is dead, soI
don’t expect my question will ever be
answered. Please pass it around though,
and see if there lives a man who can tell the
“why” of it.

A young man, a convert in a revival meet-
ing, and very enthusiastic in the prayer
meetings, was appointed to give a “declama—
tion ” at a literary entertainment. The
time arrived. He was called, came forth,
stumbling and blushing. He had chosen a
piece beginning with the words “Alas,
young friends, my youth is gone,” for
which by some slip of tide and tongue he
substituted “Alas, and did my Savior
bleed? And did my sovereign die?” No
sooner did he realize his error than he was
so overcome by chagrin that he could say
nothing further. and took his seat. Not so
with Evangeline, when her teachings are

 

assailed as faulty and altogether of too
much muchness for common sinners. I
read her Home Talks, the criticisms on
them, and her “Trifles,” with pleasure. And
in answer to her query of the HOUSEHOLD
as to where we stand, I would say I hope
we stand all over the whole ground. That
is, I hope that our readers and writers em-
brace people and minds and manners of
thought, expression and feeling of every and
widely varying type and hue, and that each
and all will be fearless, frank and friendly
in the expression of the same. Difference
of opinion, conscience or education need
not be and should not be in our case un-
friendly or unchristian antagonism, but
should only tend to strengthen the bonds of
interest, self-help and mutual interdepend-
ence of our homogeneous whole. If Evan-
geline with only two hands and two feet can
do all that work, and get such elaborate
meals three times a day the year around
and keep good natured, then I should like
to board with her. But as for my doing it
all with my two hands and feet, etc. etc.,
and letting her board with me, I am non
compos, and as well as I love good ”vit-
tles ” should cry “ Good Lord deliver me.
I’ll take some baked salt and a raw tater
first—once in a. while—and now and then
a bowl of mush and milk and be satisfied
and grow fat. and if Belchazzar Nebu-
chadnezzar growls about the fare, he can eat

grass.” And I am sure the Lord will be on
the side of E. L. NYE.
FLINT.

__.__...__
A DOMESTIC COMFORT.

I have been an interested reader of the
HOUSEHOLD for some time, and have en-
joyed the letters and Home Talks by
Evangeline so much, I wish to thank her
for them. There has been so much good
advice given in them I wonder any one
could find fault. Is there not something in
them for us all to learn if we only would?

When we read Beatrix’s request to men-
tion what we consider our greatest comfort
in the kitchen, Mr. Moses said he thought
he was the greatest comfort I had in mine;
and I thought he was right, for what could
be better than to have the fires built these
cold winter mornings, and so many other
things our husbands are willing to do to
make our burdens light! The next best is
my creamery; it seems like play to mike
butter, compared with the old way.

I have made a pleasant change of pickles
this spring after my pickled pears W618
gone, by placing cucumber pickles in the
spiced vinegar.

Will some one please tell me how to
makea pretty baby’s basket, one not very
expensive and yet nice enough for a present.

CORL’NNA. MRS. MOSES.

———-OOO—-—-—
A NOTE.

When all the “pays” to my talk of
“Funeral Customs” are heard, I should
like to congratulate the writers on their
good fortune in living in a community
where such things are unknown; but must
claim that I wrote only of what I often see,
but did not tell the half. 0n the very day
which brought the voice from Piainwell,
my kitchen affairs were going wrong, and'I

 

growing wearied beyond expression be-
cause of a continual senseless chatter about
what some one told somebody, that some-
body else did while watching with a
dead child. I have known better things, and
am glad to say that year by year these cus-
toms are being set aside by people of culture
and taste. A. n. J.

Inonns

NOTES FROM CORRESPONDENTS.

Mrs. E. H. S., of Orleans, N. Y., says:
“ Will Mri. Ed., of Oxbow, please tell me if
she meant to use 1% teaspoonfuls of cream
tarter in her butter cookies, in the Housn-
HOLD of Feb. 13th, or was it a mistake?
Her lemon cookies are very nice.” She
also wishes to know what has become of
Henpecked Theopalus. “ Did he come out
during the blizzard, see his shadow and go
back to give his wife another chance to cut
the wood?” There seems tobe ademand
for that henpecked individual which he
alone can satisfy.

Roberta, of Rogersville, says: “I al-
Ways keep a girl, but do not like a rocker
in my kitchen. When she is through with
the kitchen work my sitting room is none
too good for her to spend her leisure time
in. I am nnw teaching my girl how to
piece a quill; when she gets her quilt done
will teach her etching. Will some one tell
me through the HOUSEHOLD how to make
a sweeping cap.”

“—4..

 

Contributed Recipes.

 

Aunnosm (Luna—One cup butter; two
cups sugar; half cup sweet milk; three cups
flour; four eggs beaten separately: one tea-
spoonful soda; two of cream tartar. Bake in
layers. For filling: Mix together with one
beaten egg, half apint of whipped cre am, one
cup of grated oocoanut, half cup sugar, and
the juice of one orange. This is a large cake;
and will be found very nice.

CORUN’NA. Mas. Moses.

COLORING BROWN on COTTON.—F0r nine
pounds of rags take one half pound of catechu,
one-fourth pound bichromate of potash. Dis-
solve separately in brass or copper kettles:
wet the rags thoroughly, put them into the
catechu and let them stand fifteen minutes:
heattobolling. Then put into the potash water
the same length of time. The potash water
should be just warm. Use water enough 10
cover the rags. then rinse. Have used the
recipe for thirly years, and can find nothing
better for colr ring brown on old cotton.

Roennsvumr. ROBERTA.

 

ONE-EGG CAKE—0118 cup sugar; two level
tablespoonfuls butter (not melted, fill the
spoon, take a knife and scrape it of! level),
mix butter and sugar to scream; one egg:
three-fourths cup of Sweet milk; one heap-
ing teaspoonful baking powder; one and a
half cups flour; salt, and flavor to suit the
taste.

FRIED (Lures—One cup buttermilk; one
tablespoonful of good cream; one 838: one
heaping cup sugar; one teaspoonful soda;
cinnamon, nutmeg and salt to suit taste; flour
enough to roll out nicely.

CREAM CAKE.—-TWO eggs; one cup sugar: one
cup sour cream; two cups flour; one tea-
spoonful soda: one and ahalf teaspoonfuls
cream tartar; lemon extract, nutmeg and
salt. This makes a good large cake with jelly_

QannAns, N. Y. Mus. E. H. S.

    

  

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