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DETROIT, JAN. 25, 1890.

 

 

THE HOUSBHOLD-"Supplefiient.

 

 

G UAR DING THE TONS UE.

 

If each of us, as we pass through life,
Would bridle and curb the tongue,
And speak of only the pleasant things
To be said of every one,
What a wonderful difference there would be,
Between this World of ours
And the paradise it would become
With all pathways strewn with flowers.

How surely a little reflection
Will show us as plain as the day.

The mistakes we made when we hastily
Allowed our tongue full sway.

When the day is done and we think it U'l‘l‘,
Ah me! that it should be true,

There are few of us who can honestly say
There is nothing we would undo.

Too often the faults we clearly see
In others are faults of our own,—
And those who dwell in houses of glass
Should be wary in casting a stone.
So, have charity, much charity,
The loveliest virtue of all,
And look well to the member unruly,
For it’s prone to slip and fall.
—-Good Housekeeping,

——_—..»_____

DISAGREEABLE MANNERS.

 

Some one has said that a beautiful form
is more attractive than a beautiful face, and
a beautiful manner more attractive than
both. Yet how differently we look upon
them. Beauty of face and form is looked
upon as Nature’s dowry, while that of
manner is attributed to the effort and per-
ception of its possessor. This rule reverses
too; no one is supposed to have chosen a
set of plain features, a bodily deformity
awakens our considerate pity, but a dis-
agreeable manner! Who has any patience
or pity, or anything but blame for the un-
fortunate who spends her life under its
ban? We say she could be agreeable if
she tried, there is no sense in hitting every-
body’s angles, while we might just as
reasonably claim for another the power to

change her features or straighten the curved.

spine. If any who chance to read this are
strangers to the drawbacks. the discourage-
ments, the stubbornness of an ungracious
manner, let them thank the lucky star of
their nativity, but call this sketch no libel,
for the writer knows her subject well-—
having felt its fetters on her life for nearly
half a century.

From early youth, one with this aflliction
will be regularly conscious of something
wrong, but it usually takes years and years
to make her fully realize why she is so
sadly out of tune with the mass of mankind,
and then she finds it impossible to make a
change. She knows that a forced smile ex-
pressed more of idiocy than mirth, to flatter

 

and fawn lowers her self—respect, and she
finally gives up the art of sugar-coating as
one forever lost to her. But her influence
is crippled, and she is constantly misun‘
derstoodmoften from her very nobility of
thought and purpose. She is lenient to the
weakness and errors of her own sex, and
thinks so much less of them than people are
expected to, that when airiend suddenly
shrinks away with hatred in her eyes, it
takes her some time to realize that it is be-
cause she has touched a cankerous sore in
the past—one she thought of too little im-
portance to remember. She reaches fort-h
her hand to the needy. and as soon as they
cease to be needy they turn from her to
seek the company of those who stood aloof.
if she tries to rise above the gossip of her
neighborhood, she thinks herself smarter
than the rest; if, to play the agreeable she
takes an interest in the common themes, her
words are perverted, repeated and returned
with asuggestion that she has been med-
dling with other people’s business. Unless
she tries to lead in public matters she is
called selfish, and if she does try she is
soon given to know that but few will follow;
indeed in most any case where she attempts
to do good she is very likely to do harm—a
true feminine throw, hitting what she never
thought of aiming at. When, little by little,
she comes to see all this in its true light,
whatever may be her ambition, however
high her purpose, she feels that the less she
attempts to do in the world, the better
suited the most of the world will be. The
most, but not all, for to the disagreeable
woman is given what is denied to many
more popular, viz.: A few staunch friends,
who, in spite of all, love and trust her al-
ways; for while nobody can be always
sweet, lovely and gracious, the disagreeable
woman can be relied upon; she varies but
very little, and that little is apt to be an
improvement. Uxu RACIUUS.

“.0...—

MAKING SUNDAY.

 

 

i believe the Sunday question is declared
closed, but as some other reader may live
out of reach of church and Sunday school,
and be puzzled to distinguish that day from
the rest of the week, especially if she has
children growing up about her, perhaps the
Editor will allow me to tell some of my
ways of making it pleasant and teaching a
fondness for the one regular break in the
routine of toll.

In summer we usually have Sunday
school; if not, it is easy to mark the day
with a ride or walk; but when winter storms
shut as within the house and we have no

 

hope of callers, it requires more effort to
make the time pass pleasantly. At our
house there is always a suit, or some part of
one, known as “Sunday clothes,” and the
day’s distinctions ht—gili with the morning
toilette. We try so have those clothes just
comfortably nice—wot of the kind to de-
mand any extra care or fret from either
mother or child. The few extra dishes are
used, the table set with care. and if possible
some treat added to the bill of fare. Our
one closed room~an embryo library—is
warmed and opened, and the children have
the liberty of the books there “ for that day
only.” This of itself seems to be such a
treat that the hours never drag.

Many years ago I spent a Sabbath in an
isolated home, where the father was Scotch
and the mother German. There were
several children, and I say nothing to de-
note the day until afternoon, when a table
was quickly cleared, all took their places
around it and a chapter was real from the
Bible ~each in turn read a. verse, the
mother using a volume brought from Ger-
many—and when it was finished the father
shut the book with a slam and rose in haste
to get at the chores, remarking to me as he
went out that he thought it did “ the bairns
na harm to have a bit- 0’ the Scripture on a
Sunday.” I have never questioned his
wisdom, but think that where the children’s
age permits, this exercise followed by a
hymn or two, or a dozen, would be a plenty
ant exercise.

A beautiful service in a beautiful church.
with its music, its oratory and wisdom, is a
rest and inspiration to the wearied soul; yet
if shut away from it, let us not regret it too
much, but seek similar rest and beauty in
other things. “ 'l‘he groves were God’s
first temples.” What lover of nature ever
sought pleasure from a ramble there and
found it not? The flowers are

" Living preachers,
Every cup a pulpit.
Every leaf a book."

And regarding prayer, Victor Hugo says,
“ Certain thoughts are prayers. There are
moments when the soul is kneeling, no
matter what attitude the body may assume.”

THOMAS. A. H. J.

-—-——-%OO-—‘—

A Rnounsr.—Will some one please send
a few quotations from J os‘n Billings. I am
in great need of some and know not where
to obtain them unless it be through the
kindness of the readers of our little paper.

A FRAUD.

[Any one who can comply with the above
request may send such extracts to the
Honsnnonn Editor, and they will be for.
warded to “A Fraud.”

 


 

THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

MORE APPLE BUTTER.

I think there is considerable apple-butter

made in Michigan, and nearly as many dif-
ferent ways of making as there are makers.
The requirements for the good old-fashioned
article are a good supply of patience, a
strong right arm, sweet cider just from the
press. sweet apples, a large copper kettle
and a stodger. We always pare the apples
the day before we are going to boil, as we
begin by taking the day by the foretop. The
kettle is hung so that it swings either way;
when the cider boils the apples are put in,
then when this boils up again we begin
stirring. The stodger is a board about
eight inches wide and about eighteen or
twenty inches long, bored full of holes and
resembling somewhat an old-fashioned
board mop; into the end of this is fastened
a handle six or seven feet long, so that your
clothes do not come in contact with the
fire. This stodger is constantly kept in
motion by moving backward and forward
Over the bottom of the kettle, which
prevents the mass from burning to the
kettle; which is kept boiling until the cider
is all evaporated. This is the hardest
part of the business for the novice to deter—
mine. About an hour before removing from
the fire the spices and sugar are added, if
sugar is needed, which is generally the case,
as the sauce will be quite acid though the
apples and order may seem quite sweet and
pleasant before boiling. The sour, acid
apple-butter which sets your jaws, yet which
we sometimes find, is but a poor excuse for
apple-butter for me, One large kettleful
when boiled down will make several gallons
of rich, toothsome sauce, which we find no
difficulty in disposing of at from seventy-
five cents to one dollar per gallon.

It needs no canning, but will keep in open
jars for several years. I have some left
from last year, though I did have some dif-
ficulty to keep it, as our old customers seem
determined to wrest it from us, but next
year we expect to make again.

OLD HUNDRED.

————Q..——————

ADVICE TO SISTERS.

 

I liked Mrs. Hutchins’ article on farmers
and fashions very much. Why should not
their wives and daughters be stylish as well

as any one ? If you are gifted with good

taste, by all means display it in every way,
wherever you live or whatever your station.

The lady did not speak of farmers and
their sons. Does not fashion extend to them
also? I think it does; we need their help
There
is something incongruous about receiving
your friends in a tea gown of the latest cut
with fathers and brothers uncouth, awkward
and outrageously dressed, by your side or

in all our efforts for improvements.

hiding in the back kitchen.
I am writing this‘rfor the sisters troubled

by rude, rough brothers. I want you to
know my way of civilizing them: the direc-
tions can be applied to various members of

the family, if. need be.

Let us take the boy we are to make a take-
ofl-your-hat-gentleman of, and see what he
has to wear in the first place. But never
Father got him a dark,

mind; I know.

winter, that he will wear for picnics and
elsewhere next summer. it was altogether
too large, but the clerk said it would shrink,
and boys grow so, any way, it didn’t mat-
ter. Now this was supplemented by a cel-
luloid collar, quarter of an inch too large or
too small, a hideous, unsaleable necktie
thrown in with the clothes, and a pair of
tight, squeaky, heavy shoes, that about com-
pletes his outfit. Now he will act just as he
looks, and who can blame him?

Girls, it is for you to see that he has hand-
some, fine, well fitting clothes, easy, “quiet”
shoes, irreproachable linen, pretty, dainty
neckties and handkerchiefs, suitable gloves
and hats, etc. The amount of pride a boy
will display in matters of dress, if permitted
to do so, is quite astonishing. But you
say, “ It is so expensive, father wouldn’t
let me.” Oh, yes, he will. Did he get you
a parlor organ or piano? Well then, he
will do this too, and if you earn money in
any way you can help him.

Now, after you have done all this and he
has recovered from his astonishment, you
may bring out the etiquette book and pro-
ceed with the good manners part.

It would not be surprising if he receives
your first lesson in deportment with the
most shocking ingratitude, and shows his
contempt of such “foolishness’k‘with the
greatest rudeness. However, he will think
of all you say while he is “ doing the
chores,” or going to school. Genuine un-
selfishness is seldom lost on a boy: keep
right on, there are many other points to be
considered, among the first, cleanliness and
neatness; encourage and help him to look
well every day; if possible (and it generally
is), make a friend of him, be good to him;
it is a duty and is to your own interest also,
for his future will affect you, whatever it is;
he is your brother, and his honor is yours.
All this aside, there can be no greater orna-
ment in your home than a bright, clean, in-
telligent young man, with fine manners and
plenty of good clothes. I hope you will try;

you have my best wishes.
AUNT YORKE.

—___”—————

LECTURE COURSE.

From the fact of my living away out in
the country, I have often felt a little envy
rising up in my rebellious nature whenever
I read of a good play, opera or lecture being
given in our cities, toward those more for-
tunate persons who live at least near enough
to once in a while avail themselves of the

from home two or three days. But this

or fifty cents per single lecture.

bread and butter depends upon it.

opportunities presented without being away

winter times have changed. Owing to the
energy of a few young men of one of our
towns we are being treated to a rare lecture
course, comprising five lectures or enter-
tainments by some of the best of talent; and
the cost of the whole course is within almost
any one’s reach, being one douar and a half,

We have had Frank Beard, the wide
famed caricaturist, in a jolly chalk-talk; he
will make such funny pictures and get ofi
such funny jokes that one finds it almost
impossible to keep their seat; he says it is a
very hard matter for one person to make a
genuine new joke, and especially if one’s

Guitar Club was our lastentertainment, and
they were splendid. They made such sweet
music on their strings that we could al-
most imagine ourselves in fairy land and
being lulled to sleep by innumerable num-
bers of fairies playing upon silver stringed
harps.

The next number calls for Mrs. Liver-
more, whose advent I await very impatient-
1y. A FRAUD.

——-——-—...—_—

TENDER WORDS FOR THE LIVING.

 

" If we knew whose feet were standing

Close beside the silent stream,

If we knew whose eyes were closing
In the sleep that knows no dream,

We should be so kind and tender
Lightly judge, and gently speak:

Let us act as if our vision
Saw the links that swiftly break."

The above lines, from the pen of Mary '1‘.

Lathrop, President of our State W. C. T. U.,

are so sweet and truthful that I copy them

for our HOUSEHOLD readers. Many are the
hearts saddened amid the Christmas joys
because of those who have gone out from the
home circle to return no more. Bitter in—
deed are the memories of harsh words or un-
kind acts to the departed, but unavailing are
'all our tears or sorrows now. They are gone
forever from this world of care and trouble
into a world of light and rest and peace,
leaving us so sad and lonely. Time, with
gentle touch, softens the grief, yet how we

miss them at this holiday season; those who

were so kind and loving to us, who looked
so lightly upon our faults or chided so gent-»
1y. And yet we have other dear ones to live
for. Life with its cares presses upon us,
bringing daily the little trials; but let us not
forget to be kind and tender, true and faith-
ful, to the charge given and at the end we

shall reap the reward.
, FIDUS ACHATUS.

._—-...—-—-———

SUGGESTIONS.
I enjoy reading the HOUSEHOLD each
week more than Ican tell. it is a perfect
little gem. Every bit is good, only please
do not advise wine or any other intoxicant
asa condiment in cooking recipes. 1 fear
you do not realize what the result might be,
either in awakening a slumbering appetite
or creating a new. We cannot be too care-
ful in these little matters, for they some-
times grow to pretentious size.

I saw an article lately which said: “Girls,
if you insist upon wearing dead birds upon
your hats, choose English sparrows.” But
why decorate with birds at all? Are there
not plenty of far prettier decorations for the
feminine sex. For one, I never admired
birds on hats; 1 do enjoy them as well as
any one can in their native element, living
and free, their little breasts full to over-
flowing with warble and song. Rather than
sacrifice the lives of those innocent, harm-
less little creatures, let us devise some other
and better way of bedecking ourselves.

To remove fruit and other stains from

table linens, soak the spots two or three
hours (or a less time will do) in sweet
skimmed milk; rinse out in clear water and
put into the wash. It has never failed me
in many years’ trial. is very simple, and
easily done, and equally good for prints and
muslins. A solution of oxalic acid will re-
move oid stains that are set in the goods,
and iron rust, by dipping the goods, then
exposing to a bright sun or near a hot stove.

 

 

thick, serviceable suit, good and warm for

The Boston Ideal Banjo, Mandolin and

Santa. MARY.

 

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THE HOUSEHOLD. 3

 

t OF WHAT USE IS IT?

 

[Paper read by Mrs. M. E. Henry, of Albion-~
known to readers of the Housnnorm as “ M. E.
H."—-—at the Farmers‘ Institute held at Con—
cord, Jan. 15 and 16. under the auspices of the
Concord Farmers’ Club]

I do not propose to say anything to you
at this time of monopolies; trusts, tariff or
protection, nor of Henry George’s scheme
for the amelioration of the laboring people.
I propose only to say a few words of en-
couragement, to remind you of a few of our
privileges and blessings; to cause you to
forget for five or ten minutes the clouds
which lower just above the horizon for many
farmers.

We need to be reminded often that there
is a silver lining to every cloud; we are such
ahurrying, jostling, ever-busy people; we
never take time to sit down and study and
consider things coolly and leisurely. We
need reminders continually; from the bit of
red string tied around the child’s finger, the
memorandum carried in the vest pocket or
shopping bag to the notes taken by our
literary people to supplement memory, and
the minister in the pulpit who as often as
one day in seven reminds us of those truths
which the masses in their hurry and scram-
ble for wealth, honor and position would
soon lose sight of.

Farmers have plenty of hard work; we’ll
not think of their trials now, but work is one
of their blessings. I will quote from a few
noted persons to prove this assertion.
Carlyle says, “ Blessed is the man who has
found his work; let him ask no other blessed-
ness.” Chauncey Depew says, “ The only
real and lasting enjoyment is to be found
in work.” A Swedish author says of work:
"Happiness. independence. respect and
reputation are what work bestows."
“ Work is life.” “One who finds life
empty, bitter and burdensome has still
work, in which is consolation.” SurelyI
can add nothing to this.

The farmer is not confined to his wcrk
from whistle to whistle as are most laborers;
he can manage to secure a goonly amount
of time to give his papers and books and
social intercourse; with this time at his
disposal and the world so full of books, he
can inform and educate himself just as
highly as he chooses, there is really no
limit to the possibilities before him.

Is it not high time the dormant faculties
were aroused ? In fact are we not waking
up to the necessities of the times, and the
need of informing ourselves? Many
parents are making sacrifices to give their
children an education, which will be a
foundation for that which will fit them for
the possibilities or necessities which may
arise. What are they doing for themselves ?

In the years that have passed away few
farmers (in comparison) read anything but
their own local paper and almanac, a few
their Bibles and hymn books; there were no
associations like our farmers’ clubs, and
other organizations of the present. There
were no agricultural papers like our own
MICHIGAN FARMEB—“ long may it wave”
and every success attend it in its good
work.

What a change the years have brought?
Now we have our farmers’ clubs which are
really of great good; and that just in pro-
portion as each member is interested, and‘

 

makes an individual effort to make it a
success. Every member of the family can
help to bring in all the bits of wisdom they
possess. or can glean from other sources:
and to assist in the music and the recita~
tions, and all the experiences of the home
and farm.

Isn’t the farmers’ club as good or better
than the Grange or Patrons of Industry for
the general class of farmers? Can they
not secure all the advantages of the latter,
without the expense of a charter and an or-
ganizer, and no assessments to support
State organizations, which such farmers as
cannot afford an agricultural paper could ill
afford to pay in assessments? One of the
great benefits to be derived from our clubs
is the cultivation of the social faculties. The
“getting together,” as Edward Everett
Hale calls it in a recent book of his, a story
written to show the advantages to people in
remote localities in having something to
draw them all together, for instruction and
recreation. People who live in isolated
neighborhoods secluded from all society,
grow narrow and still more narrow with
each succeeding year.

Horatio Seymour left on record these
words: “ During a long life, 1 have learned
that people who have the healthiest and
happiest minds take an active part in every
thing which concerns their community,
their State, or their country at large. A
proper interest and sympathy for others
give men vigorous minds.” Do not our
own experiences teach us that no one

should live an isolated life, with no thought '
or interest but for our own round of labor ;

and cares?

club as an educator.. Whatjs the exact
meaning of the word edhcation? James
Freeman Clark defines education as “the
unfolding of the whole nature of man.”

Webster’s definition has the same meaning, '

but is much more voluminous in number of
words. Mr. Clark says also: “Outward
circumstances, inward experiences, and
social influences, make up a large part of
our education.” Circumstances are not
always such as to develop the best in man-
kind; but man was given the ability and.
power to largely control circumstances, and:
direct the course of his life. He can his
effort and thought acquire knowledge, he»
come accomplished, refine and purify his
nature, develop his powers, and strengthen
his character; and because he can do this,
it is his dutv to do it.

This is the lesson taught by the parables;
of the talents and the pounds in the N w
Testament. It teaches us it is not enough
to render back to our Maker just the talents
He gave us; we must add something by our
fidelity to what has been intrusted to our
care. It teaches us also, the more we gain
by our industry the more will be given as.
Do you not see the necessity of a greater
effort in this direction? Do you not see we
must use and improve our talents or lose
them, as did the unprofitable Servant, who-
because he had but one talent, digest in.
the ground and buried it; and when the
Master came He took from him the one,
and gave it to him who had ten?

Let us use and improve our memory, our
perceptions, our understanding, ere we los

 

 

them ; let us use and improve the conscience,
or it will grow torpid; use and improve the
powers that look up to an infinite truth.
beauty and goodness. and they will lift you
toward them. it man is given the power of
self‘improvement, this power is a talent
confided to his care. Let these words ring
unceasingiy: “ Use and improve.”

What an educator are the discussions of
the clubs! We not only get the benefit of the
experience of others, but we get the benefit
of the effort we make in trying to tell our
best thoughts plainly and connectedly;
every effort we make We gain a little more
confidence; and this effort is also a dis-
cipline to the mind; teaching it to present
our best thoughts on the instant we wish
them, in place of their coming and going at
their own sweet will. What a stimulant to
mind and memory is the preparing of those
essays called for by the club? We may
read much, but if the ideas gained are not
fixed or utilized in some manner, they sink
from memory. and are lost to us. In trying
to write these papers, the mind exerts itself
to gather up all the ideas it can force the
memory to disgorge; and it is necessary to
read and study. Our own thoughts on sub-
jects with which we are familiar are good
as far as they go; we need also to know the
ideas of those wiser than ourselves. and
whose experience and observation has been

more extensive than our own.

I might ask who write the most of these
essays, and tell you that they show that
men and women read and think of some-
thing more than the latest fashions, the
weekly locals. crop reports and cooking
recipes. etc. Not thatthese need be omitted;
but there is another side to our nature that

7 has develo ed stren th enou h to clamor
Let us look for a moment at the farmers” ‘ p g g

for attention and for food. This attention
we call self-culture. Now while cultivat-
ing this side of our nature, all the pure,
good and noble instincts or germs in our
hearts, do we not dwarf, if not wholly
eradicate the weedsbf envy, jealousy, and
discontent? Does it not also tend to
smother the narrow, petty rivalries and
ambitions which sooften spring up among

neighbors ?

Culture broadens and develops the nature,
expands the understanding, polishes the
rough surfaces, rounds the sharp corners,
and makes men and woznen more lovable,
more respected, and more self-respecting.

And this is the use of it.

____...._____
Mas. T. C. M., of Romeo, asks for a
recipe for destroying moths in furniture.
Benzine is the usual specific for such
troubles. Put a quantity in a watering-pot
with a fine rose, and sprinkle thoroughly.
The benzine will soon evaporate, and the
odor disappear. Do not be afraid to use
plenty. Furniture dealers haveatank in
which they put the pieces when they sus-
pect moths, and saturate them thoroughly.
Take the furniture out of doors for this
treatment. To cover an infected piece with
salt is also said to bea remedy. Coarse salt
scattered on the edges of a carpet and under
heavy pieces of furniture will repel moths.
-_.___...,____

.A QUESTION ox ETIQUETTE.—At a party
or social gathering, say good night to your
hostess and express your pleasure at the
entertainment she has given you in the
parlors before going to the dressing-room
for wraps, etc. You should not appear in
the parlors in your wraps at all. [For
t‘Greenhorn.”] '


THE HOUSEHOLD.

 

 

WASHING WOOLENS.

Owing to the serrate formation of wool in
which each wooly filament is covered with
minute scales. a decrease of temperature
while wet causes a contraction of the fabric
whereby these little scales are closely
knitted or hooked together, and this con-
dition is not overcome bya corresponding
increase of temperature. Each contraction
causes a proportionate shrinkage. There-
fore woolens should be washed in water of
the same temperature as the surrounding
air. In no case should they be subjected to
a lower degree of air or water. Observe
how flannels washed, perhaps, in hot water
and hung out doors on a freezing day will
contract almost perceptibly.

Woolen goods should be squeezed and
pressed until clean. Rubbing them causes
the scale-like fibers to become matted to-
gether and the fabric is thickened, harden-
ed and shrunken. Examine the seams,
which have been much rubbed by wear, of a
wool dress and note how they are literally
felted together.

Borax, because of its strength and yet
mild uncorrosive nature. is the best alkali
to use. Ammonia, washing soda, etc., are
too harsh for flannels. Dissolve the borax
in either hot or cold water and bottle for the
purpose. Hot water will absorb about six
times as much as cold. The quantity to be
used depends somewhat upon how soiled
the articles to be washed are. it is better
to use plenty, as it cannot injure the fabric
and the dirt can be removed with less handl-
ing. Allow the goods to soak in the borax
water or soapsuds several hours, press and
squeeze until clean, rinse thoroughly several
times, addinga little bluing to the last water
if desired; at this point, after the water has
been wrung from the tunnels, work and
press into each piece a few drops of
glycerine. The quantity is not arbitrary.
One-half tablespoonful to one pound of dry
flannel is an average quantity. The glycer-
ine supplies the original natural oil of the
wool and its use was suggested by the fact
that sponge pillows and mattresses are
treated in this 'way to make the sponge
soft and elastic. Wool, at one point of the
preparation for weaving. is sprinkled with
olive oil. After adding the glycerine, pull
and shake each piece into shape and hang
to dry. Shrinkage seems to be somewhat
diminished by this pulling, as wool goods
while Wei. may be sha Jed and stretched, to
a certain extent.

It white flaunels are old and yellow they
may be beautifully bleached, and for this
purpose should be taken when about half
dry, hung on cords stretched in a tight box,
barrel or portable wardrobe. Sprinkle sul-
phur on a few live coals placed in a flower-
pot saucer, set on a brick in the bottom of
the barrel, which should then be tightly
covered. The articles must not be hung too
near the coals to scorch. Sulphur fumes
are very corrosive and the bleaching should
be done outdoors or in a room with doors
and windows open. Too much sulphur will
rot the fabric. One-half or one teaspoon-
ful in a barrel is a fair quantity. After
bleaching half an hour the articles will be, if
the directions have been followed, just damp
enough to press nicely. j’l‘hc irons should

‘be lost by evaporation as possible.

 

not be too hot and a piece of muslin should
be laid over the goods while pressing. if a
smooth surface is desired, press until per-
fectly dry: if the nap is wished raised, re-
move the muslin while the steam ls still
rising. Blankets should not be ironed.
Flannels are warmer before iroliing, as there
is a greater amount of air space between the
fibers. For this reason the same weight of
fluffy, loosely woven wool is much warmer
than when closely woven, though the latter
is stronger. Old shrunken baby flannels,
too good to throw away but too hard and
yellow to be presentable, have been washed
as described and made as soft and white as
new.

if the above directions are followed the
bleaching process will not often be neces-
sary. Some shrinkage is inevitable, though
long, hair-like wool, which has fewer serra-
tions, shrinks least. Some of the imported
wools for knitting and crocheting are of
this quality. Flannel containing part cot-
ton usually shrinks iess than all wool.

For washing woolens which are but
slightly soiled, or outer garments which can-
not weil be taken apart and pressed, benzine
or gasoline is excellent. Use a sufficient
quantity to cover the articles, press and
squeeze until clean. Work fast that as little
Wring
and pour the benzine remaining in a bottle,
and cork. If the garment is much soiled,
rinse in more benzine and save what is left.
The impurities will settle, leaving the clear
benzine to be used and re—used as long as
any remains. The articles washed in this
way should be taken and hung in the air to
lose the disagreeable odor. A little press-
ing will complete this process which, owing
to the volatile and explosive nature of both
benzine and gasoline, should not be per-
formed-in a room where there is a fire or a
light. — Good Housekeeping.

 

WORK FOR WOMEN.

 

The California Fruit Grower, in com-
menting upon the just received card of a
Los Angeles firm dealing in crystalized
fruits, marmalades, jellies and preserves,
gives the history of the rise of the firm, as
follows:

“ The real originators of this firm’s busi-
ness were some young ladies (sisters), of
education and refinement, whose wise

mother, herself a lady of highest cultivation‘

and aperfect housekeeper of the best Old
Maryland type, had thoroughly taught her
daughters the art and mystery of all
branches of housekeeping, among the rest,
the handling of fruits in all forms. Coming
to California a few years since, they found
their pretty ranche near Los Angeles furnish
ing a much larger supply of line fruit than
the family could use or give away to neigh-
bors. These spirited young ladies, not
being of the hammock—swinging, lazy hand-
holding, dawdling kind, set at once to work
to make up the family supply of jellies,
marmalades, etc., and taking a hint from
an elderly fruit crank wnom they met on
their journey to their new home, they made
up a small line of those delicacies for sale.
As soon as shown to dealers they were
promptly bought and more asked for eagerly,
whereupon, taking into partnership some

 

gentlemen, they engaged regularly hf the
business, under the gentlemen’s name as
per their card. Their local fame and busi-
ness grew and finally their goods reached
San Francisco, where they took rank among
connoisseurs ahead of the imported Crosse
&. Blackwell or Keeler’s celebrated goods.
They did this simply because they are better
than imported goods. by reason of being
made where the fruit grows and made with
skill, nice appreciation of quality and

flavor, and exquisite cleanliness, which can- V

not be matched in a dingy ‘ jam facrory ’
in London or Glasgow.” And the Fruit
Grower sums up the “ woman’s rights ”
problem briefly and to the point: “Any
woman may now do any work of which she
is capable, and if it be as well done as, and
costs no more than man‘s work, the world
will take it at market price and care noth-
ing for the sex of the one who did it. Only
physical limitations will restrict her now to
such work as she can do with such strength
as she has.”

_.__..-...__....___.. _.._

CHAT.

A stranger would beg permission to step
quietly in and find a seat in your charmed
circle near Mrs. J. M. West, and ask her
about her butter. .1 want to know if after
it has been packed two or three months it
still has the same fresh sweet flavor, or has
it apacked (not frowey) butter taste. If
not her plan is worth a price for those
having Jersey cows, for it requires lots of
muscle to handle their butter the second
time.

I also would offer sympathy to Huldah
Perkins in her lonesome hours. If that
nine years of reserved talk has kept well,
would like to have her live near the hole in
our back fence. Although we do not live in
a new place, but have a beautiful little
farm home of fifteen acres in the suburbs of
a city of about three thousand inhabitants,
yet we would gladly sell it and go west to
spend about a year, that we might once see
the Rockies and the Golden Gate, and
breathe the inspiring atmosphere of the
sunny Southwest.

I will close, by wishing the HOUSEHOLD
the best of all good things.

Larissa. MRS. W. P

Contributed Recipes.

 

EGGLEs's Carin—One and a half cups of
sugar; one-half cup of butter—scant; one and
ahalf cups of sour milk; one-half teaspoonful
of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg; one tea-
spoonful of soda; three level cups of flour;
one cup of chopped returns. This also makes
a good fruit cake by putting in all the kinds
of fruit usually found in a cake of that kind.

A FRAUD.

BAKED APPLE Saucer—Cover the bottom of
a deep baking dish with nice tart apples,
pared and quartered; spread sugar over
them with a liberal hand; add another layer
of apples and then of sugar until the dish is

full, finishing with sugar, add no water, but
bake thoroughly and you will have a dish
very much nicer than stewed apple sauce.
FILLING non LAYER Carin—A cheap and
easily made filling for layer cake can be had
by leaving a small quantity of dough in the
mixmg dish; turn enough boiling water into
it to make the tiling. Stir smooth, sweeten
and season to taste. Half a cup of chopped
raisins stirred in at last makes it extra Rood.

THOMAS. A. H. J.