sews-“m-

- surgw‘rvye-m'evfitfif‘ " ‘ "we

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DETROIT, SEPT. 28, 1893.

 

 

 

THE HOUSEH OLD-"Supplement.

 

 

BEP PEMBER.

'

 

BY WM. LAMBIE.

 

Thanksgiving for September Showers
Watering'all the fields and flowers,
Washing away the dust and sand.
Making the air so pure and bland.
The fields are now refreshed and clea 1
Where cattle graze beside the stream;
Easier and better goes the plow,
With less sweat on the farmer‘s brow.
The sweet song birds no more are seen
But sparrows peep, and bluejays scream.
The mist hangs o‘er low lands at morn
Where stands the grand tall tasselei corn.
The golden rod waves in the breeze.
There's crimson on the maple trees.
Farewell to long sweet summer days
When birds and men sung nature‘s praise.
In autumn it is joy to live
When heaven has so much to give:
Sweet flowers rural homes adorning
New morning glories every morning,

'1' PSILANTI.

GLIMPSES OF THE WHITE CITY.

 

Tired Humanity—The ( hildreu—‘Y he Wo-
man‘s Building.

Nothing but actual experience en-
ables one to speak understandingly of
the fatigue to be undergone in attend-
ing the Exposition. The buildings do
not seem so far apart as they actually
are, because of their gr eat size. To
see, to get about, one must bealmost
constantly on the feet. But one soon
becomes accustomed to it. At the close
of our first day we were dead; the
second day we were not quite so dead,
and by the fourth day we looked pity-
ingly upon the “ tenderfeet,” whose air
of general misery proclaimed they felt
their feet were the principal portion of
their anatomy. There are plenty of
seats, and plenty of people who have
“give"out” and are ready to occupy
them; not a few fell asleep from sheer
fatigue. On Wooded island one day
we saw a couple occupying a settee; the
husband had stretched himself along
its length with his head in his wife’s
lap and both were fast asleep. People
dropped down wherever they happened
to be when “tired nature could no
more,” with anazca disregard for ap-
pearances which would have been
funny had not everyone been too tired
to laugh.

hundreds got up early and were at
the grounds when the gates opened, in
their eagerness to put in full days. We
ass at our usual hour, breakfasted leis-

 

urely, and found the days quite long
enough to tire body, eyes and mind. I
saw many women carrying young babes
in their arms, and I don’t really know
which I pitied most, the unhappy little
victims, with the sun beating down up-
on their heads defended only by muslin
caps, and shaken and jostled by the
crowd, or the mothers who hadn’t more
sense than to bring them to such a
place. The little ones who could walk
were even more miserable, dragged
round by the arm, seeing nothing of
interest to them, tired, hot, cross and
sleepy, and threatened with spankings
if they cried. The Exposition ought to
charge five dollars a ticket for children
under six years of age. There were
many elderly people on the grounds,
too; tired but eager; [ sometimes fancy
they enjoyed the show better than the
young, because they brought more
knowledge and understanding to bear
on what they saw. '
Those who were able to examine the
Children’s Building report it was very
interesting, with its kindergarten,gym~
nasium, creche and all its educational
appliances for and work done by the
small folk. But it was always crowded
during the hours in which it was open
to the public, and we contented our-
selves with a peep at the babies left to
be called for and checked like so many
gripsacks. Perhaps a dozen were eith-
er asleep in the pretty white cribs,con-
tentedly playing or energetically squall~
ing at the time we saw them, and cer-
tainly all were more comfortable and
better off than they would have been in
their mothers’ arms on the grounds.

The Woman’s Building is the small-
est among the thirteen principal build-
ings on the grounds, and as is well
known, all but the actual work of con-
struction was the work of women. It
was designed by Sophia G. Hayden, of
Boston, the sculpturedfigures used for
decorations and the carytides which
support the roof of the cafe were de-
signed and executed by Alice E. R’de-
out, of San Francisco; Mrs. MacMon-
nies, wife of the designer of the great
fountain, and Mrs. Cassett decorated
the dome of the rotunda; Dora Wheeler
Keith the library—the most charming
room in the building, while Mrs. Can-
dace Wheeler, the noted designer of
art needlework, superintended the plac-
ing of the tiles, draperies and vases

    

 

which make up the “color scheme.”
Agnes Pitman managed the decoratiou
of the famous “ Cincinnati room,” the
design being wreaths of wild roses
with a conventional border of the leaves
and flowers of the horse chestnut—the
“buckeye” of Ohio. This apartment
is filled with the most exquisite de-
corated china, work of Cincinnati
artists and the famous ceramic society
of that city, and shows the noted Rook-
wood pottery, discovered by a woman.

New York finished and furnished the
library, which contains 2,500 books
written by women. These are classified
by States. I had the curiosity to in-
quire about Michigan’s standing in this
respect,and was shown adozen or fifteen
volumes, which I regret to say did not
include some of the best books written
by Michigan women: Iwas told no books
were bought for the collection, all
copies being donated, which perhaps
accounts for it. A handsome bust of
Harriet Beecher Stowe stands near a
cabinet containing her books; there is
also one of Louisa M. Alcott. The cell-
ing of the library is best studied in a
large mirror placed upon atable direct-
ly under it, allowing nus to see the
winged Imagination, attended by Sci-
enceand Romance, festooned by broad
ribbons twined with lotus blossoms by
cherubs, without breaking her neck.
There is an old oaken mantel, carved
with fanciful blossoms from among
which peer out quaint goblin faces.
The wainscotting is dark and high and
carved in antique fashion.

In the record room, through which
entrance is made to the library, is a
series of carved panels .designed and
executed by women and donated by
States and cities. These represent the
magnolia, olive, horse-chestnut, Vir-
ginia creeper, laurel or rhododendron.
Oleander, etc., and all are of fine work-
manship and well designed. Perhaps
the most interesting things in the re~
cord room (so-called because it contains
the statistics of women’s employments)
are the two winged screens containing
autograph letters and pictures of noted
women of history, and well-known,long
dead authors. I cauld have spent half
a day over them. Here are letters
written by Marie Antoinette, Elizabeth
of England, Mary Stuart, Catherine de
Medicis, Madame de Stael,Jane Porter,
George Sand. Martha Washington,

 


 

 

 

 

2 The Household.

 

Abigail Abams and many more. A
letter from George Eliot to Mrs. Trol-
lope spoke touchingly of her bereave-
ment by the death of her husband; there
were two portraits of her—the only two
extant, I think, and one is struck anew
by the strength and homeliness of her
face, and its resemblance to Savona-
rola‘s, of whom she writes in “Romola.”
L. E. L.-—Letitia E. Landon—dune her
publishers for money that she may go
to Paris and localize her forthcoming
novel; Mrs. Sigourney, Mrs. Hemans,
Lucretia Mott, Margaret Fuller Ossoli,
are represented by letters or manuscript
poetry and quaint, old-fashioned, prim
likenesses. There is a portrait of the
beautiful Theodosia, daughter of Aaron
Burr, who was lost at sea; she writes
after an illness, and asks pathetically—
“Alas, am I the same person I was nine
years ago?” Another voices that old,
old plaint of woman’s, “I am so hard at
work!” Here is an autograph letter writ-
ten in French by Mary Queen of Scots to
Charles IX.; and a portrait of Johanna
Southcott, who claimed to be the moth-
er of the Messiah,and who has a shrewd,
cunning, homely old face. too earthly
in its limnings to belong to any but an
imposter.

In the Connecticut room is a remark-
ably artistic and pleasing stained glass
window designed by Miss Gibbs, the
coloring is especially harmonious; the
decoration of the room, which is very
dainty, was done after designs by Eliza-
beth Sheldon. California’s room is
paneled in redwood, which is more
beautiful than mahogany; one side is an
immense mirror, a mountain lion’s skin
lies on the floor, and I remember two
charcoal sketches and a fine handling
of chrysanthemums as among its adorn-
ments.

The Japanese room was hung with
characteristic specimens of Japanese
art, with the usual want of perspective
and showy masses of color. Why a
nation that does such exquisite em-
broidery should paint so execrably is
something I cannot understand. There
were screens exhibited, in three or
four panels, and five feet high, most
marvelously embroidered in colors that
blend so perfectly thatthe effect is like
the work of the brush. One was a rep-
resentation of a bough of cherry blos-
soms—a favorite flower and fruit of the
J aps; one of their great festivals cele-
brates the blooming of the cherry trees
—with hovering birds most exquisite-
ly execute‘l; every stitch appeared to
be the result of thought and the labor
would seem that of alifetime. Another
was a peacock screen, the brilliant
iridescence of the peacock “eyes” being
wonderfully copied. There was in this
room such a “cute” picture of achubby
brown-skinned Japanese baby. tied fast
and well out of mischief,and struggling
with might and main to reach atoy that
had rolled just an inch beyond his
reach. It was so real one was tempted
to put out a hand to help the little fellow.

 

The copy of the famous Bayeaux
tapestry worked by Matilda of Flanders,
the work in which she solaced herself
for her disappointed ambitions, did not
come up to my expectations. It was
stretched over the doors in the upper
hall, and won but afew glances. Too
many more beautiful things to be seen.

All these things were on the second
floor, where are also committee and re-
ception rooms, the “organization room,”
where the various women’s societies
have headquarters and dispense inform-
ation and leaflets; here is also the fa-
mous assembly room where the Board
of Lady Managers hold their quarrels.
It looked peaceful and pretty when we
were there, with its handsome desks

and the pictures of noted women, that-

of Ella Clymer Deitz being prominent.

On the roof is the women’s cafe,where
you get just as much as you do any-
where else and don’t pay any more for
it; and it is worth something to be
served with dainty paper napkins,
pretty dishes and bright spoons and
forks. The cafe is always crowded, but
if one is a long time being waited upon
at least one may enjoy the rest and find
amusement in watching her kind. It’s
quite the proper thing to patronize this
cafe, too, and the average individual
finds a virtuous satisfaction in doing
what’s expected of her.

On the lower iio )r—for I see I have in
this description literally "begun in the
middle and worked both ways”—-—the
walls of the central space are covered
with pictures by women artists. As so
good an authority as Mrs. Ellen Henro-
tin says that as a whole they are “com:
parativel y inferior to the other exhibits,
lacking warmth,color and depthof tone,”
perhaps that will answer as an opinion
of their merit. “The Lady of Shalott,”
representing the moment when

“Lying robed in snowy white.
W hat loosely flew from left to right—
Tne leaves upon her falling light—
Thro‘ the noises of the night,

she floated down to Camelot.
Under tower and balcony.
By garden wall and gallery.
A gleaming shape she floated by.”

her boat piled high with pale pOppies,
and a misty veil over a fair dead face,
was one of the notable pictures. “Jean
at Jacques” by Marie Bashkirtsefi, rep-
resents two sturdy little peasants
trudging through a wintry landscape;
the figures are good and the faces stol-
idly boy-like. The cases along the
walls are filled with laces and articles
of various kinds, literally “too numer-
ous to mention.” The exhibit of art
needle work and decorated china is very
large, very handsome, and represents a
terrible amount of labor and eyesight.
In fact, the most I could think of, in
viewing the gossamer- like drawn work
on finest linen and muslin, the micros-
copically decorated china, the infinites-
imal stitches in the needlework, the
infinite patience and daintiness of this
exhibit, was how somebody’s—indeed a
great many somebody’s—eves must have
been overtaxed, and it’s no wonder

if .1...

 

which

children and young women have to visit.
the oculist for good substantial cause
rather than because they want to “look
cultured.”

In this department was the banquet
set in rococo work, designed and ex~
ecuted by Miss Williamson, of Indian-
apolis, and presented to Mrs. May
Wright Sewall by the ladies of Indiana.
The material is heavy white satin dam-
ask worked in white silk. The cloth is
six yards long and three yards wide;
seventy-six fleur de lis are scattered
through the centre, and the border is a
heavy design of cutwork and embroidv
ery. Two scarfs for the ends, a centre-
piece, napkins and doyleys to match
complete a set a queen might covet.
There was a $400 portiere in white
satin, of the Louis XV. period, the de-
sign a cornucopias with conventional
border and garlands wreathing it; a
centre cloth with thistles in rose and
purple; and doyleys and runners and
scarfs and centre-pieces and heaven
knows what, all representing some
body’s eyes and fingers, and all the work
was daintily done—and excelled in work-
manship by the Japanese screens I have
described. Mrs. Wickes, of Englewood,
N. J ., exhibited a set of orchid plates
most delicately executed; Mrs. Russell
Harrison had a painting of orchids in
the peculiar opalescence of
cattlyea was well imitated. A bit of
drawn work on muslin as fine as cob web
valued at $25. represented butterflies;
it was unique, but all these things just
made me think how women are ruining
the most blessed gift of sight; and then
I turned aside to admire the sofa pillow
in French ribbon work, white and
purple lilacs in a golden basket—a1:-
other pair of eyes for sale at $60. Here
too was the “gold china,” discovered by
a young woman who will not disclose
the secret of its manufacture; and who
is therefore a monopolist of the first
water. The chi 1a is showy, but being
entirely gilded is not so dainty and light
as its rival, the painted.

I saw the prairie feather cloak (a-d
though it was prettier than one would
expect I wouldn’t want it at half the
price), and Queen Margherita’s laces,
and the piece made by the mother of
Henry of Navarre; and the gorgeous
Russian court costumes; one a solid
mass of gold and silver embroidery, an-
other of white satin embroidered with
white satin and real pearls, with court
train of yellow satin, like the tail of a
comet embroidered in silver, In the
Turkish and India departments were
displayed the work of Mohammedan wo-
men; a piece that took two women five
days was only valued at $15, which in-
cluded materials and duty. New South
Wales made a good showing here, and
one of the charming things in it was a
collection of Australian wild flowers
painted by a lady of Sidney,and a panel
of them modeled in gutta percha.

I haven’t made more than a beginning
in enumerating the pretty thingsI saw.
but must stop short off or “hire a hall.”

BEATRIX.

. ,m..._._.,-,w.,_.,.._..s......_-—-

 


 

The Household. 3

 

“CAUGHT ON THE FLY."

There are many like myself, among
our large and interesting family, who
can not go the World’s Fair. I want
to tell them of an enjoyable trip I made
the past week to our metropolis.

Hitching up our good horses Thurs-
day morning, we drove over into an
adjoining county through some of the
most beautiful farming country I have
ever seen.

Hills covered with fine oats towered
up on the one side of the read, while on
the other a deep ravine covered with a
dense growth of evergreen formed a
fitting contrast to them. We stopped
at the foot of a steep ascent where a
spring comes gurgling out of a hillside
to refresh ourselves and team. Some one,
mindful of the comfort of his brother
man, has dug out a place and fitted a
hollow log into it, made acover and
supplied a cup to drink from. We could
not discover how the water got into the
log because it is placed one side of the
spring, not in it; a spout in the side of
the log feeds a tro 1gb where animals
may drink. How glad the horses were
to stretch their necks and bury their
noses in its cool depths! The water is
ice cold and so pure one need not be
afraid of “germs.”

The road is winding and when we
were on one bill, it seemed a long dis-
tance across the intervening space to
the other; a river runs through the
valley, which we cross on a long bridge
something the shape of an angleworm.
We have now gone half the distance we
have planned for the day, and the sun
is nearing the meridian,so we check up
our horses, and rested and refreshed
we slip merrily along to the home of
our friend with whom we are going to
pass the night.

There we Spend a very pleasant after-
noon and evening, and the next morn-
ing hie us away for Detroit. I have
often read in the daily papers long
articles on the beauty of the country
out Woodward Ave. Well, mavbe I’m
prejudiced. but it’s the most monoton-
ous, flat and uninteresting country I’ve
journeyed through in many a day. All
there was for,scenery was ditches,barb-
ed wire fences.thistles, rag weed, bone-
set, golden rod, and an occasional clump
of cat-tails. I was disappointed, I own,
when I reached Highland Park. I look-
ed in vain for anything to indicate that
there is, was or will be a parkcbut per-
haps, like “Yankee Doodle,” I couldn’t
see the town for there were so many
houses. Next I came to a place called
Highland Heights. I onlv hope the am-
bitions of the person or persons giving
it that misapplied title will not remain
as flat as the Heights are; then I cross-
ed Hazelwood, and the greatest stretch
of the imagination couldn’t call a few
trees, a very rough road and a ditch,
hazel bushes. The farther I went the
more disgusted I became, I had expect-

 

ed so much and my great expectations,
like “Pip’s,” were not fulfilled. I turn-
ed off and drove along the Boulevard
fora while, then down to my relatives’
house (who were expecting me about as
much as they were Hamlet’s ghost) put
up my team, had my dinner and then
went down to see Beatrix.

I don’t need to go the World’s Fair,
lor every second person I met had been
and were veritable walking encyclope-
dias in giving interesting accounts of it.
I received full benefit of their visits
gratis. It is very interesting to hear
four or five different persons give their
opinions of the great Exposition; hard-
ly any two people saw the same objects
so everyone had something more to tell.

How a few days spent away from home
helps one mentally, morally and physi-
cally! My trip was an excellent tonic,
I saw so many new scenes and people
whom I had not met before.

By the way,what has become of Honey
Bee. She once said she’d like to visit
me. Well, my dear Bee, I’d like it too;
we’d go larking with those children, for
of course you would bring them and I’d
make you laugh till your back wouldn’t
ache any more. SALLY WATERS.

 

IS 11' ND? TXME?

 

“Question.—A married woman claims
the right to vote at school meetings by
reason of her dower interest in her
husband’s property. Is she a voter
under Chapter ii, Sec. 17 of School
Laws ? ”

Answer.—“She is not a voter on ques-
tions involving the raising of money by
tax; neither is she eligible to hold a
district office, unless she has property
in her own name liable to assessment in
the district where she resides.”

The foregoing is copied from “School
Law Decisions” in Michigan School Iliad-
erator of September 7th.

It is “law” beyond a peradventure—
“ Michigan law:” and Michigan’s laws
are very explicit when they define any
of woman’s boundaries; embodving in
their expression none of those mysteri-
ous little loops, omissions and ambigu-
ous constructions that enable the wily
attorney to prove that his client in
violating what is popularly conceived
to‘be the spirit and letter of the law,
has in reality been acting in. strict con-
formity with the sense of its true inter-
pretation. Not a bit of it.

The‘women stay at home and work,
and save to get money to pay the taxes
that are to pay our State legislators fat
ff es and mileage to sit in solemn po w-
wow at Lansing and enact laws. And
this is a specimen of the work they do.
It is all right, no doubt, as far as it goes,
but it doesn’t go far enough. It simply
reveals to the woman the alarming ex-
tent of her deprivation; and although
the law makes me indignant, I am glad
that it stands thzre just as it is, since
under other existing laws it could
not be made to enfold this peculiar

 

property clause. “Peculiar?” do you
say? "Yes, I don’t see anything pecu-
liar about it. Isn’t it just the same
in efiect as any property clauses ? ”
" Yes,” and “No,” I answer. Let us
see: The authentic announcement comes
that our State has placed upon its
statutes 2. law permitting women to vote
at school meetings. Mrs. Brown, Mrs.
Smith and Mrs. Jones talk the matter
over and decide to go up and vote at
the next school meeting. Reason: Each
is the mother of a family of growing
girls and boys. Each is an intelligent,
educated,progressive woman. Each feels
that she knows the nature of exiSIing
defects in their district school system
and the remedies that should be applied.

The first question they raise is that
of putting the dirty, dingy, battered,
unkempt old school house in a state of
repair and renovation commensurate
with the wealth of the district and con-
ducive to the health and enlightenment
of their children. It is discussed pre
and con, brought to the voting point,
and—Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Smith and Mrs.
Jones are challenged on their votes.
The illegality of the votes is established
and the women learn that they may only
vote when the question is “Shall we
have Tom, Dick or Harry for a school
officer? ” unless the school is run on
such acircumscribed plan that the public
school monies pay all the expense, in
which case they may vote all around.
But of course no woman would wish
to do so for the purpose of deepening
the intellectual darkness of her off-
spring, as such schools do.

Well, these three women are chagrin-
ed beyond expression. Says Mrs. Brown:
“Tom and I came in here, on a com-
paratively new farm. I had a few hund-
reds of dollars; he the same. We put
it all into the farm and took a big debt
besides. We have worked together. I
believe I’ve kept up my end of the load.
I know I have, and besides, I have borne
six children as a sort of s1de issue, and
now I have no more right to come up
here to school meeting and by my vote
express my wish to contribute of the
avails of my labor for the health, com-
fort. spiritual, mental and moral growth
and well being of my children and my
neighbors’ children than has the dog
that I left lying on the rug by my hus-
band’s door, or the horse that is stand-
ing in my husband’s stable!”

And Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jones said,
“ With us also, it is in effect the same.”

And they departed from that old
school house sadder but wiser women.
Weeping and lamenting they took their
homeward way, and as they went they
realized as never before the force of
their husband’s property right in them-
selves. And each one as she solemnly
took up the corner of her husband’s
apron and wiped her husband’s eyes and
nose, vowed that she would go down to
her husband’s house and crawl i to his
bed or sit down by his board aistay
there till Gabriel blows his trumpet,

 


 

2

WT VI—‘wa'

The Household.

 

Abigail Abams and many more. A
letter from George Eliot to Mrs. Trol-
lope spoke touchingly of her bereave-
ment by the death of her husband; there
were two portraits of her—the only two
extant, I think, and one is struck anew
by the strength and homeliness of her
face, and its resemblance to Savona-
rola‘s, of whom she writes in “Romola.”
L. E. L.——Letitia E. Landon-duns her
publishers for mouey that she may go
to Paris and localize her forthcoming
novel; Mrs. Sigourney, Mrs. Hemans,
Lucretia Mott, Margaret Fuller Ossoli,
are represented by letters or manuscript
poetry and quaint, old-fashioned, prim
likenesses. There is a portrait of the
beautiful Theodosia, daughter of Aaron
Burr, who was lost at sea; she writes
after an illness, and asks pathetically—
“Alas, am I the same person I was nine
years ago?" Another voices that old,
old plaint of woman’s, “ I am so hard at
work!” Here is an autograph letter writ-
ten in French by Mary Queen of Scots to
Charles IX.; and a portrait of Johanna
Southcott, who claimed to be the moth-
er of the Messiah,and who has a shrewd,
cunning, homely old face. too earthly
in its limnings to belong to any but an
imposter.

In the Connecticut room is a remark-
ably artistic and pleasing stained glass
window designed by Miss Gibbs, the
coloring is especially harmonious; the
decoration of the room, which is very
dainty, was done after designs by Eliza-
beth Sheldon. California‘s room is
paneled in redwood, which is more
beautiful than mahogany; one side is an
immense mirror, a mountain lion's skin
lies on the floor, and I remember two
charcoal sketches and a fine handling
of chrysanthemums as among its adorn-
ments.

The Japanese room was hung with
characteristic specimens of Japanese
art, with the usual want of perspective
and showy masses of color. Why a
nation that does such exquisite em-
broidery should paint so execrably is
something I cannot understand. There
were screens exhibited, in three or
four panels, and five feet high, most
marvelously embroidered in colors that
blend so pgrfectly thatthe eflect is like
the work of the brush. One was a rep-
resentation of a bough of cherry blos-
soms—a favorite flower and fruit of the
J aps; one of their great festivals cele-
brates the blooming of the cherry trees
—with hovering birds most exquisite-
ly execute-l; every stitch appeared to
be the result of thought and the labor
would seem that of alifetime. Another
was a peacock screen, the brilliant
iridescence of the peacock “eyes” being
wonderfully copied. There was in this
room such a “cute” picture of achubby
brown-skinned Japanese baby, tied fast
and well out of mischief,and struggling
with might and main to reach atoy that
had rolled just an inch beyond his
reach. It was so real one was tempted
to put out a hand to help the little fellow.

 

The copy of the famous Bayeaux
tapestry worked by Matilda of Flanders,
the work in which she solaced herself
for her disappointed ambitions, did not
come up to my expectations. It was
stretched over the doors in the upper
hall, and won but a few glances. Too
many more beautiful things to be seen.

All these things were on the second
floor, where are also committee and re
ception rooms, the “organization room,”
where the various women’s societies
have headquarters and diSpense inform-
ation and leaflets; here is also the fa-
mous assembly room where the Board
of Lady Managers hold their quarrels.
It looked peaceful and pretty when we
were there, with its handsome desks
and the pictures of noted women, that ,
of Ella Clymer Deilz being prominent.

On the roof is the women’s cafe,where
you get just as much as you do any-
where else and don’t pay any more for
it; and it is worth something to be
served with dainty paper napkins,
pretty dishes and bright spoons and
forks. The cafe is always crowded, but
if one is a long time being waited upon
at least one may enjoy the rest and find
amusement in watching her kind. It’s
quite the proper thing to patronize this
cafe, too, and the average individual
finds a virtuous satisfaction in doing
what’s expected of her.

On the lower flo )r—for I see I have in
this description literally “begun in the
middle and worked both ways”—the
walls of the central space are covered
with pictures by women artists. As so
good an authority as Mrs. Ellen Henro—
tin says that as a whole they are “com?
paratively inferior to the other exhibits,
lacking warmth,color and depthof tone,”
perhaps that will answer as an opinion
of their merit. "The Lady of Shalott,”
representing the moment when

“Lying robed in snowy white,
'I hat loosely flew from left to right—
The leaves upon her falling light-
Thro' the noises of the night,

She floated down to Camelot.
Under tower and balcony.

By garden wall and gallery,
A gleaming shape she floated by.”

her boat piled high with pale poppies,
and a misty veil over a fair dead face,
was one of the notable pictures. “Jean
at Jacques” by Marie Bashkirtsefi, rep-
resents two sturdy little peasants
trudging through a wintry landscape;
the figures are good and the faces stol-
idly boy-like. The cases along the
walls are filled with laces and articles
of various kinds, literally “too numer-
ous to mention.” The exhibit of art
needle work and decorated china is very
large, very handsome, and represents a
terrible amount of labor and eyesight.
In fact, the most I could think of, in
viewing the gossamer-like drawn work
on finest linen and muslin, the micros-
copically decorated china, the infinites-
imal stitches in the needlework, the
infinite patience and daintiness of this
exhibit, was how somebody’s—indeed a
great many somebody’s—eyes must have

 

been overtaxed, and it’s no wonder

saying we raw-9 ._ «7. tram-1

9”".- w

children and young women have to visit-
the oculist for good substantial cause
rather than because they want to “look
cultured.”

In this department was the banquet
set in rococo work, designed and ex-
ecuted by Miss Williamson, of Indian-
apolis, and presented to Mrs. May
Wright Sewall by the ladies of Indiana.
The material is heavy white satin dam-
ask worked in white silk. The cloth is
six yards long and three yards wide;
seventy-six fleur de lis are scattered
through the centre, and the border is a
heavy design of cutwork and embroid»
ery. Two scarfs for the ends, a centre-
piece, napkins and doyleys to match
complete a set a queen might covet.
There was a $400 portiere in white
satin, of the Louis XV. period, the de-
sign a ‘cornucopise with conventional
border and garlands wreathing it; a
centre cloth with thistles in rose and
purple; and doyleys and runners and
scarfs and centre-pieces and heaven
knows what, all representing some
body’s eyes and fingers, and all the work
was daintily done—and excelled in work-
manship by the Japanese screens I have
described. Mrs. Wickes, of Englewood,
N. J ., exhibited a set of orchid plates
most delicately executed; Mrs. Russell
Harrison had a painting of orchids in
which the peculiar opalescence of
cattlyea was well imitated. A bit of
drawn work on muslin as fine as cobweb
valued at $2.3. represented butterflies;
it was unique, but all these things just
made me think how women are ruining
the most blessed gift of sight; and then
I turned aside to admire the sofa pillow
in French ribbon work, white and
purple lilacs in a golden basket—an-
other pair of eyes for sale at $60. Here
too was the “gold china,” discovered by
a young woman who will not disclose.-
the secret of its manufacture; and who
is therefore a monopolist of the first
water. The chi 1a is showy, but being
entirely gilded is not so dainty and light
as its rival, the painted.

I saw the prairie feather cloak (and
though it was prettier than one would
expect I wouldn’t want it at half the
price), and Queen Margherita’s laces,
and the piece made by the mother of
Henry of Navarre; and the gorgeous
Russian court costumes; one a solid
mass of gold and silver embroidery, an-
other of white satin embroidered with
white satin and real pearls, with court
train of yellow satin, like the tail of a
comet embroidered in silver. In the
Turkish and India departments were
displayed the work of Mohammedan wo-
men; a piece that took two women five
days was only valued at $15, which in-
cluded materials and duty. New South
Wales made a good showing here, and
one of the charming things in it was a
collection of Australian wtld flowers
painted by a lady of Sidney,and a panel
of them modeled in gutta percha.

I haven’t made more than a beginning
in enumerating the pretty thingsI saw.

but must stop short off or “hire a hall.”
BEATRIX.

srnnrmmlmrsa -

, ”Ma


The Household. 8

 

 

“CAUGHT ON THE FLY."

There are many like myself, among
our large and interesting family, who
can not go the World’s Fair. I want
to tell them of an enjoyable trip I made
the past week to our metropolis.

Hitching up our good horses Thurs-
day morning, we drove over into an
adjoining county through some of the
most beautiful farming country I have
ever seen.

Hills covered with fine oats towered
up on the one side of the read, while on
the other a deep ravine covered with a
dense growth of evergreen formed a
fitting contrast to them. We stepped
at the foot of a steep ascent where a
spring comes gurgling out of a hill-side
to refresh ourselves and team. Some one,
mindful of the comfort of his brother
man, has dug out a place and fitted a
hollow log into it, made a cover and
supplied a cup to drinkfrom. We could
not discover how the water got into the
log because it is placed one side of the
spring, not in it; a spent in the side of
the log feeds a tro lgh where animals
may drink. How glad the horses were
to stretch their necks and bury their
noses in its cool depths! The water is
ice cold and so pure one need not be
afraid of “germs.”

The road is winding and when we
were on one hill, it seemed a long dis-
tance across the intervening space to
the other; a river runs through the
valley, which we cross on a long bridge
something the shape of an angleworm.
We have now gone half the distance we
have planned for the day, and the sun
is nearing the meridian,so we check up
our horses, and rested and refreshed
we slip merrily along to the home of
our friend with whom we are going to
pass the night.

There we spend a very pleasant after-
noon and evening, and the next morn-
ing hie us away for Detroit. I have
often read in the daily papers long
articles on the beauty of the country
out Woodward Ave. Well, maybe I’m
prejudiced. but it’s the most monoton-
ous, flat and uninteresting country I’ve
journeyed through in many a day. All
there was for,scenery was ditches,barb-
ed wire fences.thistles, rag weed, bone-
set, golden rod, and an occasional clump
of cat-tails. I was disappointed, I own,
when I reached Highland Park. I look-
ed in vain for anything to indicate that
there is, was or will be a parkgbut per-
haps, like “Yankee Doodle,” I couldn’t
see the town for there were so many
houses. Next I came to a place called
Highland Heights. I only hope the am-
bitions of the person or persons giving
it that misapplied title will not remain
as flat as the Heights are; then I cross-
ed Hazelwood, and the greatest stretch
of the imagination couldn’t call a few
trees, a very rough road and a ditch,
hazel bushes. The farther I went the
more disgusted I became, I had expect-

 

ed so much and my great expectations,
like “Pip’s,” were not fulfilled. I turn-
ed off and drove along the Boulevard
fora while, then down to my relatives’
house (who were expecting me about as
much as they were Hamlet’s ghost) put
up my team, had my dinner and then
went down to see Beatrix.

I don’t need to go the World’s Fair,
for every second person I met had been
and were veritable walking encyclope-
dlas in giving interesting accounts of it.
I received full benefit of their visits
gratis. It is very interesting to hear
four or five different persons give their
opinions of the great Exposition; hard-
ly any two people saw the same objects
so everyone had something more to tell.

How a few days spent away from home
helps one mentally, morally and physi-
cally! My trip was an excellent t0nic,
I saw so many new scenes and people
whom I had not met before.

By the way,what has become of Honey
Bee. She once said she’d like to visit
me. Well, my dear Bee, I’d like it too;
we’d go larking with those children, for
of ecurse you would bring them and I’d
make you laugh till your back wouldn’t
ache any more. SALLY WATERS.

 

IS 11' NDI‘ TIME?

 

“Question.—-A married woman claims
the right to vote at school meetings by
reason of her dower interest in her
husband’s property. is she a voter
under Chapter Ii, Sec. 17 of School
Laws ‘9 ”

Answer.—“She is not a voter on ques-
tions involving the raising of money by
tax; neither is she eligible to hold a
district office, unless she has property
in her own name liable to assessment in
the district where she resides.”

The foregoing is copied from “School
Law Decisions” in Michigan School Mod-
erator of September 7th.

It is“ law” beyond a peradventure—
“Michigan law:” and Michigan’s laws
are very explicit when they define any
of woman's boundaries; embodying in
their expression none of those mysteri-
ous little loops, omissions and ambigu-
ous constructions that enable the wily
attorney to prove that his client in
violating what is popularly conceived
to‘be the spirit and letter of the law,
has in reality been acting in strict con-
formity with the sense of its true inter-
pretation. Not a bit of it.

The‘Vvomen stay at home and work,
and save to get money to pay the taxes
that are to pay our State legislators fat
fr es and. mileage to sit in solemn po w-
wow at Lansing and enact laws. And
this is a specimen of the work they do.
It is all right, no doubt, as far as it goes,
but it doesn’t go far enough. It simply
reveals to the woman the alarming ex-
tent of her deprivation; and although
the law makes me indignant, I am glad
that it stands thzre just as it is, since
under other existing laws it could
not be made to eniold this peculiar

 

property clause. “Peculiar?” do you
say? "Yes, I don’t see anything pecu-
liar about it. Isn’t it just the same
in effect as any property clauses ‘9”
" Yes,” and “No,” I answer. Let us
see: The authentic announcement comes
that our State has placed upon its
statutes a law permitting women to vote
at school meetings. Mrs. Brown, Mrs.
Smith and Mrs. Jones talk the matter
over and decide to go up and vote at
the next school meeting. Reason: Each
is the mother of a family of growing
girls and ooys. Each is an intelligent,
educatedmrogressive woman. Each feels
that she knows the nature of exisdng
detects in their district school system
and the remedies that should be applied.

The first question they raise is that
of putting the dirty, dingy, battered,
unkempt old school house in a state of
repair and renovation commensurate
with the wealth of the district and con-
duczve to the health and enlightenment
of their children. It is discussed pro
and con, brought to the voting point,
and—Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Smith and Mrs.
Jones are challenged on their votes.
The illegality of the votes is established
and the women learn that they may only
vote when the question is “Shall we
have Tom, Dick or Harry for a school
officer? ” unless the school is run on
such a circumscribed plan that the public
school monies pay all the expense, in
which case they may vote all around.
But of course no woman would wish
to do so for the purpose of deepening
the intellectual darkness of her olf-
spring, as such schools do.

Well, these three women are chagrin-
ed beyond expression. Says Mrs. Brown:
“Tom and I came in here, on a com-
paratively new farm. I had a few hund-
reds of dollars; he the same. We put
it all into the farm and took a big debt
besides. We have worked together. I
believe I’ve kept up my end of the load.
I know I have, and besides, I have borne
six children as a sort of Side issue, and
now I have no more right to come up
here to school meeting and by my vote
express my wish to contribute of the
avails of my labor for the health, com-
fort, spiritual, mental and moral growth
and well being of my children and my
neighbors’ children than has the dog
that I left lying on the rug by my hus-
band’s door, or the horse that is stand-
ing in my husband’s stable!”

And Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Jones said,
“ With us also, it is in effect the same.”

And they departed from that old
school house sadder but wiser women.
Weeping and lamenting they took their
homeward way, and as they went they
realized as never before the force of
their husband’s property right in them-
selves. And each one as she solemnly
took up the corner of her husband’s
apron and wiped her husband’s eyes and
nose, vowed that she would go down to
her husband’s house and crawl into his
bed or sit down by his board and stay
there till Gabriel blows his trumpet,

 


 

The Household.

 

when they will refer the matter to him.
But poor souls! they forget the sex of
Gabriel. No, doubt he’ll require the
same kind of a “property clause” com-
pliance from them before recognizing
them as clients. if they c annot “ show
papers ” he will say to them, “‘You are
less than a cipher. All there is of you
Get

is hidden. in your husband’s hide.
out!” And they’ll “ git.”

But is it not time that married wo-.
men, especially of the type herein de-
fined or described, have some property
E. L. NYE._

rights?
On'rounLLE.

AGREEABLENEBS.

There is no subject that has come to
be so generally. studied among nearly
all classes of people as the subject of
making one’s self agreeable in society.
It is a praiseworthy purpose and a step
in the right direction.

The time has gone by when the man
or woman who knows all about their
neighbor’s affairs, especiallysthe shady
side,is courted and sought after as enter-
taining in company. P‘eOple are be-
coming lessand less interested in gos-
sip; at least, sensible‘ people are, and
what they. most desire now in this line
is good substantial conversation upon
subjects-that are enlightening and en-
tertaining to both- speaker and listener.
Thetime has come when people look
with a shade of suspicion.aud very j ust.
ly, often times—upon those who never
have a good word to say of their neigh-
bars.

That person—man or woman —is most
agreeable in society in general who
always tries to find some redeeming fea-
ture in everyone, and who is strong and
brave enough to stand up for the absent,
who are being, perhaps not exactly
slandered, but very close to it, by a
gossipy crowd.

There are many little pleasantries in
manner and speech that make one very
lovable and agreeable. Many things
one must be willing to overlook and
capable of overlooking. for things are
very likely to happen which to seem to
notice would be extremely rude, not to
say unkind.

Flatterv should be at all times de-
spised, but the gentle, refined words of
praise are to be earnestly commended.

Most people have hobbies. It does
not hurt us and it does our friends a
world of goo-:1 if we endeavor to become
a little interested in what so greatly in-
terests them.

We must be good listeners as well as
good talkers, but we must be good talk-
ers. I do not mean eloquent or flowery,
only few can be that, but able to choose
subjects which will not be disagreeable
to any of the company. and able to put
our thoughts into clear se 1tences, short
and to the point. We may not have
lofty and noble ideas to advance, but
what we have to say, let us say well.

It is nearly always advisable to talk
of things rather than of people, unless

we talk of prominent men and women
or of the great thinkers of the day,
whon our opinions can neither make
or mar. Of all things despicable the
one thing to be especially condemned is
talking over neighbors’ affairs. This
conversation can do no good at all,
except, it may be, in the way of enter-
tainment, and there are many subjects
which are entertaining, and will be at
the sane time if not beneficial at least
not detrimental.

Affectation is foolish beyond expres-
sion, to say the very least. I always
have misgivings concerning the mental
capabilities of that person who twists
her mouth and form, wrinkles her face,
rolls her eyes—she would wriggle her
ears if she could—and thinks she is act-
ing “ pretty.” To the credit of the
world let it be said that these people
are scarce, but there are enough of them
left yet.

To be agreeable in society is natural
for some and it may be acquired by
others. It is not necessary to stu iy and
plan how to act, What to say or what to
do under certain circumstances. A
little tact will help one out of any small
embarrassment.

Above all things, don’t s‘tempt to be
“ funny ” if it is not natural. A little
natural wit is a great gift, but to try to
be witty and make a failure of it is em-
barrassing to everyone.

It is the best not to seek after popu-
larity; often it does not come with seek-
ing. Endeavor to be agreeable and to
hurt no one’s feelings,and your company
will be courted and you will become
popular in a modest, quiet way.

MARSHALL. CL \BA BELLE.

—‘O.—-—-

HOW CAN A GIRL EAR‘I HER OWN
LIVING?

As I earn mine by stenography. I
would make a few suggestions to girls
taking up this work.

First, do not content yourself until
you have absolutely mastered the prin-
ciples of the system chosen. After the
principles are yours, then speed can be
obtained by diligent practice; and in
this practice accuracy is of the most
importance. When you can write
accurately from 100 to 125 words per
minute and read the same without hesi-
tation, you are ready for a position—so
far as the shorthand part is concerned.
At the present time, however, a know-
ledge of shorthand is of little-commer-
cial value unless accompanied by a cer-
tain amount .of skill in handling the
typewriter. It is in typewritten work
that errors in spelling, punctuating,
capitalizing and paragraphing make
themselves so glaringly apparent. If
you are not well posted in such matters,
make the dictionary your constant com-
pauion.

Having reached the point when you
are fitted to earn your own living, and
having secured a position, you will find

 

. it to your advantage to take an interest

 

in the busrness of your employer. A
genuine interest can be developed by
studying the circular matter so freely
distributed by almost every firm.

Accuracy is the prime requisite for
success. Speed will be increased by
practical work. A cheerful willingness
to do all that your employer requires,
even if it trespasses upon the domain
usually occupied by the office boy, will
be appreciated. The larger your stock
of general information the better; and
the stenographer should also remember
that she holds a confidential relation to
the business which ought never to be
abused.

If, in addition to the points above
outlined, you have good common sense
and will practice the golden rule, your
success in earning a living is assured.

CHICAGO. MARTHA E. DIMON.

-—...——

A PRETTY COMFORT.

I lately saw such a pretty comfort-
able I must tell you about it.

The material was pale blue cheese
cloth of a very fine quality, tied in
daisies of white and yellow Germantown
wool. After the comfort is tightly
stretched in the frames, thread a darn-
ing needle with Zthe yellow wool; take
one stitch, leaving;the end long enough
to tie easily. Then :cut two pieces of
paste—board, one two inches wide, the
other one and one-half inches;around the
wider one wind zephyr (the white) ten
times; out at each end and lay the pieces
in the stitch you have made, take the
narrower pasteboa~d and wind the yel-
low round it five times, cut- at each end
and lay the pieces on the white and tie
twice. Clip off neatly, make ina round
shape,and if you make believe real hard
it looks like a daisy. At any rate it is
pretty. It requires about four ounces
of yellow and eight of white German-
town (by the way, this wool is now al-
most as fine and soft as zephyr).

Then crochet a border of white and
vello w: it looks best to be firm and rath-
er narrow.

One made of cream cheese cloth with
yellow daisies and dark brown centers
is pretty. AUNT YORKE.

lontributed Recipes.

chn CRUST son Puss AND Tana—Break
lightly, with as little handling as possible.
six ounces of butter in half a pound of flour:
add one tablespoonful of powdered sugar,and
two or three of water; roll the pasta for some
minutes to blend the ingredients well.
Glaze the bottom crust of fruit pics with
white of an egg and they will not be soggy.
Put soda in sour fruit for pics, and they will
require less sugar. Z. E. R. O.

RIPE CUOUMBEB Frontage—Pare, seed, and
out lengthwise into quarters. Dissolve an
ounce of alum in a gallon of water; bring to
a boil and pour over the cucumbers, letting
them stand half a day on the back of the
stove. skim them out and let lie in cold
water for a couple of hours. To a quart of
good vinegar add three pounds of brown
sugar, one ounce of cinnamon and half an
ounce of cloves. Boil and skim, put in the
cucumber and boil one half hour.

 


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