”guy—ywvvvn-s— CD saw new- 5‘!“- ' are as- v a: DETROIT, AIL/XIRCI—I 1'7, 1885. ‘ THE HOUSEJHIOLIDmuSmppIememu. GOSSIP. Ohl could there in this world be found Some little spot of happy ground Without the village tattling, How doubly blest that spot would be, Where all might dwell in liberty, Free from the bitter misery Of gossip’s endless prattling! Oh, that the mischief-making crew Were all reduced to one or two, And they were painted red or blue, That every one might know them! Holmes. ————-...——— IS IT INDEED SO? Two letters in the Household of March 3rd associate themselves in my mind, although superficially they are totally without connection. I refer to the article by Beatrix, “A False Position,” and “ Equal Rights,” by Edith Gray. I have never questioned the fact that wo- men have equal rights with men, but that there might be rights and duties apper- taining to each. equal but dissimilar, as their respective situation and needs might make necessary, has always seemed to me to be the true solution of the vexed ques- tion. It is often said that all the light possible has been thrown on the question, that all that can be educed or adduced has been brought forward, and nothing new can be spoken or written on the subject. But like “ Banquo’s ghost,” it will not “down,” and gifted minds and brilliant intellects are still agitating the question of “ Woman Suffrage.” Among late efforts. our honored Sena- tor, T. W. Palmer, has spoken on the subject in the Senate, making on it the first speech he has made in that august body. Like all the Senator’s efforts, it is readable, logical and forcible, as well as to many minds convincing. His state- ment of the premises and grouping of facts in supporting arguments shows careful study and research; and, although brief, is from his standpoint a most ex- haustive showing. His conclusion is that women have the same right as man to the ballot, and that their duty is to use it; that although many, in fact a majority, may oppose it, the interest of humanity at large demands it, and they, if unwilling, must respond to the world's necessity. He supposes that prior to the emancipation of the slaves, many would have preferred to re- main in bondage, feeling that they were kindly cared for without having to incur sponsibility; but he thinks once having been forced to taste the sweets of freedom, none would willingly return to the former state of irresponsible serfdom. My own experience is that more men are in favor of giving the ballot to women than there are women who desire it. Is this another proof of the superior wisdom ot the masculine intellect? Are women in a “ false position ” on this question? I have always taken the negative side of the question, 2'. e., have been opposed to woman suffrage, but if I am in the wrong, when I am convinced of error, I will fully surrender; even though I hug my chains to the last, and surrender them with a sigh of deep regret. One thing is sure, the opinion of the world in general seems setting in the di- rection of using the leverage of woman in all possible ways to hoist their pet preten- sions upward. One of the last fancies is for men to refuse to give ladies their seats in the street-cars, for the reason that wo- men will not stand, and will make such a row that the officials will be compelled to give better service. This strikes me as an novel idea, but I am watching with inter- est to see if the suggestion is acted on, and if so, what the outcome will be. If men succeed in convincing women that they are indispensable in the political world, as well as in the social, there is no end to the possibilities that are opening to the sex. Their power will be practically unlimited; they may succeed in convinc- ing even husbands that they are of some consequence, and that they have equal rights in the home treasury. Ah me! I hope the scales of justice, if they have been so long tipped wrongly, will not dip too far in the opposite way when they start up on their time-rusted pivot. But most earnestly do I second Beatrix’s position, that it is better to ac- cept new light and keep step with progress, even when we are obliged to discard opinions long held and openly advocated. To own that we were mistaken yesterday is only proof of being wise to day. But we should make sure we were mistaken, before accepting change, as all change is not progress. A rut is hard to get out of, and if well worn the easiest riding is often found by keeping in it, but the jolts felt in rising out of it sometimes awaken us to the bad state of the road, and we set about mend ing its defects. 80 if men are unable to fix up politics in a presentable shape without us, we must enter in and possess the land; but they must be made to feel who were victors. A. L. L. Inennsmn. FEEDING THE LAlVlBS. One of my neighbors shows a great genius in amusing children. Her home is their favorite resort, the one first recognizedby the native infantile mind, and the goal of the earliest attempts at running away. She lets them set up housekeeping in a dry-goods box, turned up in a corner of her kitchen; make an ocean in her dish-pan to sail their chip fleets upon; and seldom fails to send a child home happy over some simple trophy of its visit. It may be only a fried cake or cookie cut in some fanciful shape, the cover of a small tin can to serve as a bake-dish; or perhaps the can itself made into a miniature pail by punching some holes at the top and inserts ing a wire for a handle. Paper hats, dolls and fans are produced in abundance, but her parasols are really masterpieces. She makes them by folding a newspaper fan- fashion, slipping the center into a slight split in the top of a stick, then spreading the paper open and fastening it into a circle by pinning the covers together. We often see quite a brigade out with these imitations, holding them up as proudly as if they were rich combinations of whalebone, silk and fringe. One real umbrella which, owing to a broken rib or two, and general shabbiness, was given up for the children’s use must have caus- ed more pleasure than any diamond that ever sparkled. Then she makes turtles of raisins and cloves, and makes them stick around on a frosted cake or cookie in a way to bring certain delight to the unsophisticated infant. A large raisin flattened, four cloves inserted, forked end outward for the feet, one with the sharp end outward for the tail, and one containing the berry for the head, is the formula. It is a simple thing to amuse a little child, but many people who succeed in great things, fail in this. To write stories, to draw pictures, to sing songs, or to con- struct toys to suit the undeveloped mind, requires a peculiar gift. Hans Christian Anderson was great in his way, and my neighbor is in hers. She will need no marble monument, for she will be remem- bered by many for many years as one Who Was kind to children and loved to consid- er their little needs. A. H. J. THOMAS. _.-..__‘..____ SOME ingenious mothers make very neat caps for the small boys out of the pieces of their suits. Lined with red flannel and neatly stitched, they save buying at the store. THE HOUSEHOLD. HELP IN THE HOUSEHOLD. One of the questions that puzzle the brain of mothers and fathers at the pres- ent time, is “ What shall we do with our girls?” We have more than we know what to do with. In every town, and in the country also, we find them, bright, loving, energetic, ambitious, but sphere- less. There is no satisfactory niche to be found for them; they are not all needed at home; there are no available husbands for whom they can make homes; they must be clothed and fed, even though the parental purse is scanty. They are will— ing to support themselves, but what can they do? Business men from the lakes to the gulf will tell you there are fifty applicants for every position. School teachers are more numerous than schools, seamstresses, book-keepers, clerks, every place is full. While we are racking our brains over this matter, there arises an- other which is equally as puzzhng, the kitchen question. Our great America is full of housewives who are staggering under the weight of home duties, com- binmg the care of the household, of little children and social duties. N ow what is wanted is good strong willing girls to take some of these multitudinous cares off the weary shoulders, girls who will appreciate the importance of the home machinery. and not only keep the fires going, but see that the cogs are well oiled and smoothly running. Now the only way to adjust matters and satisfy the want, is to make the plus of the first problem satisfy the minus of the second; to so arrange it that the thousands of poorly paid girls who are standing behind counters, or sewing and those who are waiting for something to do, will take up the general housework in these homes where they are so needed. “Oh!” one says “That’s out of the question; I’ll starve first," while some thrifty house- keeper says “ It is not practical." Let us look at the dollars and cents for a moment. Let us take the girl who clerks, sews in a shop, copies; $1 per day, counting Sundays out and supposing she loses no time will amount to $313, her board at $4 will amount to $208, leav— inga balance of $105. She must wear wool dresses. and adding gloves, hats and variOus little articles, all of which seem necessary, there is often nothing left over for a rainy day; in fact I am‘ told there is no money for car fare, and in stormy, sloppy weather she is obliged to walk to and fro, sitting with wet feet all day. Now the girl in the kitchen will receive from $2 to $3 per week. no Sundays out, seldom a lost day charged. Her board costs nothing. Calico answers every purpose, no fancy shoes or hats are required, she is fairly dealt with by her mistress, her money is ready when she wants it. It leaves a cash balance in favor of house work. Is it because the work is so undesirable that help is scarce? Housework is undeniably hard, there is a great deal of drudgery about it. But the washing, ironing and scrubbing does not occupy all the week, any smart girl will get this out of the way in . three days and have some time to sit down, her evenings are her own in which to pursue what she chooses, the work is healthy, her step is elastic, color good, eyes bright, what tires the body does not stretch the nerves, ap- petite good, and a good night’s sleep leaves her fresh for another day's work. To be sure the hands are brown and rough, but what is that compared to good health and a clean conscience? Housework is respectable; for if it is not considered disreputable for the mistress to do her own work, it will not unfit the maid for social standing. It is the general opinion that muscle is all that is needed in housework, that if a girl has no sense whatever she can do housework. Now the cooking schools that have been organized all through the country, show that idea to be preposter- ous. Teachers work for high salaries, the first ladies attend them; the pupils are taught to mix bread with brains, and salt potatoes with wits, and it is the brains and wits that make a profession of what has heretofore been termed drudgery. The lack of these has cut- lawed kitchen work. Cooking isafine art; unless one has a knowledge of hygiene, ; digestion will be ruined. Ignorance in the kitchen will cause con- stant discord throughout the house, and it is well that the standard of housework has been raised. for mere drudgery is benumbing to one’s faculties and cannot but degrade in the end. It is no wonder that girls hesitate and shrink from house- WOrk; intellect and education are both needed in the kitchen. But the problem cannot be solved alone by the girls who respect the work or pre- pare for it. The kitchen millenium is in the hands of the housekeeper; there must be a radical change in her treatment of help, in her opinion of their position. It is not neceSsary that she make a com- panion or confidential friend of her hired girl, no more than the banker takes his cashier, or the merchant his tailor into his confidence and parlor; she occupies a business relation to her em- ployer, nothing more, and if she have good common sense expects no other re lation. The girl holds an important place in the home economy, and she will respect the work that she sees you respect. Do not hold the idea that she is not as good as you are; she may be better, she may be more of a lady than you are. True politeness springs from the heart, it must be natural; polished manners mean something else. Instead of giving orders in a “ bossing” way, suggest; get her ideas; if she have as good or better than you, give her credit and praise. Have it understood that it is “ our ” work instead of “ mine,” and that belittlening feeling that she is nothing but a human machine will vanish. The kitchen is the home laboratory, see that it is pleasant and furnished with good, handy articles. There has been a great improvement in cooking utensils since our grandmothers’ day. I know how harrowing it is to the feelings to have choice china or glass smashed and nicked by carelessness, but often a little prompting will remedy it; it is owing largely to ignorance, not knowing the value or worth of such ware. With pleasant surroundings and good usage, no intelligent educated girl need hesitate to take her place in the household as balance wheel. We need the influence of such girls in our homes; our little children are quick to take up everything they see, impressions fall as lightly and imperceptibly upon the childish mind, as snowflakes on the meadow. If we show such little courtesies as “good morning, ” or “ good night," it will give pleasure, and need not cost us even an effort. This thinking that it ispart of the daily routine to give a scolding or find fault, is wrong; it really does no good. If one has a fault point it out, show how it can be remedied, and nine times out of ten it will not have to be repeated. You see there is a duty which each owes the other. If you treat a good willing girl with respect, she in turn will work for your interest every time, and do her best. With all these things in mind we have answers to our questions, “What shall we do with our girls,” and “How shall we keep our kitchens out of the hands of the vandals.” EVANGALINE. BATTLE CREEK. SPRING FASHIONS. All through the zero weather of last month, when the sidewalks were guarded by ramparts of snow and the mercury crept lower and lower in that wonderful glass tube that has such a remarkable effect on the weather, one of our Woodward Avenue dry goods firms dis- played windows full of muslins, percales and satteens, with trails of summer hued ribbons across them, and the hint at such airy toilettes sent an involuntary shiver down one’s spinal column. But the few mild days of March, indicating that the “ back bone ” of winter is broken, filled the streets with shoppers in spite of the overflowing gutters, and all the stores swung into line and filled their windows with lovely cotton goods, summer under- wear and cotton hosiery. For it is quite the proper thing to retire from the gaye- ties of society on Ash Wednesday, and to mortifythe flesh through the forty days of supposed prayer and fasting by doing up the spring sewing; and merchants and importers are betimes with their wares. So general has this custom become, that it is well understood that if you would have the cream of cotton fabrics, you must be on hand when the cases are opened in February, for the “ early bird " has the choice of patterns which cannot be, or are not, duplicated later in the sea- son. The new cottons are principally in lighter tints than usual, fewer medium and dark colors being seen. Patterns are either small and dainty or very large and showy, the. former prevailing in percales and cambrics, which sell at 15 and 12* cents respectively. Shaded balls, last season’s polka spots shaded from light to dark by tiny spots of color, crescents, small points of color in squares and par- allelogram, cubes, clover heads, daisies THE HOUSEHOLD 3 tiny bouquets, and fine broken lines of color crossed on a white ground, are the leading styles. We have ginghams in dots and stripes. as well as the more common plaids; and blue is a favorite color. A novelty in cotton satteens is a soft goods without dressing, called China crape from the peculiar crinkled effect of its twilled surface, strewn with tiny raised figures. It comes in soft blues, pinks, reseda (mignonette green) grey and cream, plain and figured, the two to be combined in one costume. Satteens grow in favor; they are the handsomest of cotton goods; the French makes being especially desirable. The American goods are not so excellent, nor yet so high—priced. The French goods are cheaper this year, being 35 cents a yard against 40 last season. Judging from the display, no‘ young lady need be afraid to choose white for her best summer dress; there are beautiful mulls, cross-barred muslins and nainsooks at 25 cents per yard. Embroidery is the favorite trimming for them. A popular way of making up these wash dresses for young ladies and misses, is to have ablouse waist gathered to a belt, with a full round skirt tucked nearly to the belt. Often a narrow flounce or pleating is set on at the bottom to break the severe lines, the lower tuck falling over the joining seams. These full skirts seem odd and old-fashioned to us yet. despite the persistent effort to restore them which.has been made for several seasons. More elaborate dresses have basque and apron overskirt; many yoke waists are to be worn with overskirts. Plain and figured satteen are 'usually combined in one costume, and as it may be worn a long time without washing, the designs are more elaborate. There are side panels of the figured goods, a full back drapery, and the skirt is ruffled. Perhaps the prettiest style is the polonaise with full shirred front and plain back, worn over the skirt of plain goods, which is ruffled. The Gretchen dress is very simple and becoming for girls. This is a round, full, gathered skirt, tucked or embroidered, with a plain round waist fastened behind, a square pleated plastron in front, and a sash of the material sewed in the under arm seams, and tied behind in a large bow with short ends. There is a fancy for making this sash of colored surah for white dresses, using the full width of the goods, and simply hemming all edges. There is a fashion of tucking the yokes of white nainsook dresses horizontally instead of perpendicularly; embroidered flounces are gathered on the skirt, but where this makes the dress too costly, the ruflies and draperies are very handsome when tucked in quite narrow lines. In woolen materials there are the usual standard goods, which are preferable to novelties for people of limited means. Light weight cashmeres, camel’s hair, serges, etc., are more expensive than some other materials, but being all wool and 44 inches wide, are more economical in the end. Nun’s veiling and wool batiste make beautiful dresses for sum- mer wear, especially if lace trimmed; they are quite as desirable as silk. There is a tendency to plainer skirts, without fiounces. (though the Bazar figures some skirts covered to the waist with narrow ruffles), and long full draperies are very popular because of their simple elegance. It takes considerable more goods to make such dresses, but there is the advantage that it is not cut up into strips good for nothing but carpet rags when the dress needs renewing. The skirt pleated in kilt or box pleats, holds its own in all the new patterns; the latest modification is to make five triple box pleats. the top pleat at least a quarter of a yard, perhaps more, in width; these pleats constitute the entire skirt. Another pretty skirt has the visible part of the front covered with two deep flounces cut on the lower edge to form leaves that curve toward one side. Above this are two full, irregular drap- eries, each of which is carried up to the waist on the sides to meet the long breadth that covers the back of the skirt, the drapery on the left side makes a deeper curve than that on the right. If becom~ ing the back may be laid in side or triple box pleats from the belt to nearly the foot of the skirt. Or the back may be caught up in a bunch of pleats on each side and in the middle near the top. Polonaises and basques divide popular favor. The former are very long, the back often without draping, being laid in four box pleats defined the whole length. The front is provided with a vest, and is open from the waist line down. Double breasted basques are worn, and afford a pleasant change from the vest, which however is so dressy an adjunct that it holds its own yet. The outlineof the lap curves over the bust, narrows at the waist line and again curves outward. Apretty style has two triple box pleats in the back. Many of the new basques are somewhat pointed in front, short on the sides and back, and with smooth, plain backs, with no fullness whatever. A pretty way to trim the front of a basque is to set in a very nar~ row vest of velvet with collar to match, and on each side of it add a shirred scarf. set in at the shoulder seam very close to or partly upon the neck, and meeting at the waist line under a fancy buckle. Sometimes there is a velvet revere on the the right side of the corsage, and a shirred scarf on the left which crosses the bust low down, and ends under a bow and ends of ribbon at the waist line. Sleeves are still tight fitting, but not quite as skin tight as heretofore; they are set in with a slight fullness at the shoulder. but not so exaggerated as last season. There is a tendency to more elaborate finish at the wrist, ribbon bows, reveres, and slashes showing lace are seen. Collars are regular “dudes,” the higher the better, indeed the neck must be dressed very high to be “in fashion;” the new collars require an abnormal development of throat to pre- vent them from sawing off the ears. But- tons are small and round, the most stylish not larger than a pea, and are of braided silk. Galloons and braids, especially those having an admixture of gilt, are the favorite trimmings for wool dresses; the new wool laces are popular but more ex- pensive. Lace, with heavy, fine cut jet passementorie is the most elegant trim- ming for silk dresses. BE ATRIX. —-—-—¢o¢-——— BEDROOM CARPETS. I hardly need insist on the fact that the old-fashioned plan of covering every part of the bedroom with carpet so as to make the carpet hug the wall is as bad a plan as can possibly be followed. It is good to have carpet in every part of the room where the feet must- regularly be placed. It is bad to have carpet where the feet are not regularly placed. By these rules there should be carpet all around the bed; car- pet in front of the dressing-table; carpet opposite the wash stand; but none under the beds, and none for the space of two or three feet from the walls of the room. The carpet that is laid down should be loose, each piece complete in itself, so that it can be taken up easily to be shaken- The advantage of small carpets in the bedroom are many. They cause the foot steps to be noiseless, or comparatively noiseless; they prevent the feet from be- coming cold While dressing and undress- ing; they make the room look pleasant, and when used in this manner save much trouble in cleaning and keeping the room free from dust. AUNT NELL. PLAINW‘ELL. __.__«...__ BEDDING. ()n the subject of beds and bedding, Beatrix has said nearly all that can be said. I would not have any feather beds, unless for some very old person. The woven wire spring with awool or cot- ton mattress, is the best for health. For covering, I would have good comforts, made of some soft material that will cling to the person, with a good supply of blankets for winter, and white spreads for the outside. For summer, I think quilts are cooler than blankets; they should Wery light in weight. so as to wash efi. I would not buy new cloth to cut ® for quilts, but would use up the pieces left from garments, and in as large pieces aspossible; not in blocks either, but in half squares or diamonds, then it is done and no setting together is needed. Most people sleep with too much covering on their beds. I would like to ask 0. if I am mistaken when I claim her as a friend. I coincide with Aaron’s Wife in her views on a wife’s rights. I think our little paper has been called sensible by a great many, and It deserves all the praise it gets. I will close by wishing the Household many happy re- turns of its birthday L. J. c. GOBLEVILLE. “MP—— WASHING LACE CURTAINS. Now that the spring house cleaning be- gins to hold terrors for the “house-moth- er,” as the Germans say. the following method of ,doing up lace curtains will find favor among our readers: “Before the curtains are put in the wash INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE THE HOUSEHOLD. HELP IN THE HOUSEHOLD. One of the questions that puzzle the. brain of mothers and fathers at the pres- ent. time, is “ What. shall we do with our girls?" We haw: more than know what. to do with. in every town, and in 'W (’ the country also. we find them, bright,j loving, energetic, :unbitious, hut sphere- Thcre is no satisfanétm‘y niche to be found for them; they are netall needed at. home; there are no available husbands for whom they can make homes; they must be clothed and fed, even though the parental purse is scanty. They are will- ingto support themselves, Tiut what can they do“! Business men from the lakes to the gulf will tell you there are fifty applicants for every position. School teachers are more numerous than schools, scamstresses, bookkeepers, clerks, every place is full. While we ftl‘e racking our brains over this matter. there arises an- other which is equally as puzzling, the kitchen question. Our great America is full of housewives who are. staggering under the weight of home duties, com- bining the care of the household. of little children and social duties. Now what. is wanted is good strong willing girls to ‘ r '\ ;US‘. take ~true of these multitudinous cares ofl tliz. wei'iry shoulders. girls who will armreciatr ihc importance of keep tires .,,, he cogs are welioi'ed and smoothly running. Now the only way to adjust matters and satisfy the want. is :0 make fhe plus of {he first :irohlczn satisfy the minus of the second; to so arrange it that the thonsxnd; of poorly paid girls. whoare sianvtin‘; behind counters, or sewing and those who are waiting for something to do, will take up the general housework in these homes where they are so needed. “Oh!” one says “That’s out of the question; I’ll starve. first,” while some thrifty house- keeper says “ It is not practical." Some 5 \ll 2“. machinery. and not mly the H, *llvix‘i go but see Let us look at the dollars and cents for a moment. Let us take the girl who clerks. sews in a shop, copies; $1 per day, counting Sundays out and supposing she loses no time will amount to $313, her board at. $4 will amount to $208, leav— ing a. balance of $105. She must wear wool dresses. and adding gloves. hats and various little articles. all of which seem necessary, there is often nothing left over for a rainy day, in fact. i am told there is no money for car fare, and in stormy, sloppy weather she is obliged to walk to and fro, sitting with wet feet all day. Now the girl in the kitchen will receive from $2 to $3 per Week. no Sundays out, seldom a lost day charged. Her board costs nothing. Calico answers everv purpose, no fancy shoes or hats are required, she is fairly dealt with by her mistress, her money is ready when she wants it. it leaves a cash balance in favor of house work. Is it because the work is so undesirable that help is scarce? Housework is undeniably hard, there is a. great deal of drudgery about it. But the washing, ironing and scrubbing does not occupy all the week, any smart girl will get. this out of the way in three days and have some time to sit down, her evenings are her own in which to pursue what she chooses, the work is healthy, her step is elastic, color good, eyes bright, what tires the body does not stretch the nerves, ap- petite good. and a good night‘s sleep leaves her fresh for another day's work. To be sure the hands are brown and 1 rough. but. what is that compared to good health and a char. conscience? Housework is respectable; for if it is not. considered disreputable for the mistress to do her own work, it. will notuntit the maid for social standing. it is the general opinion that muscle is all that is n-irded in housework. that if a girl has no sense whatever she can do _ housework. Now the cooking schools that have been organized all through the country, show that idea to be preposter- ous. Teachers work for high salaries, the first ladies attend them; the pupils are taught to mix bread with brains, and salt potatoes with wits, and it is the brains and wits that make a profession of what has heretofore been termed drudgery. The lack of these has cut- lawed kitchen work. Cooking isafine art; unless one has a. knowledge of hygiene. digestion will be ruined. Ignorance in the kitchen will cause con- stant discord throughout the house. and it is well that the standard of housework has lieen riised. for mere drudgery is lltflltlllliilllif to one}: faculties and cannot l degrade in the end. it is no wonder hat girls hesitate and shrink from house work: intellect and education are both needed in tin". kitchen. ‘ :l‘ V g 4 l ilut the problemrannot be solved alone by the girls who rtspeet the work or pre- pare for it. The kitchen millenium is in the hands of help, in her opinion of their position It is not; necessary that she make a com- panion or confidential friend of her hired girl. no more than the banker takes his cashier, or the merchant his tailor into his confidence and parlor; she occupies a business relation to her em- ployer. nothing more. and if she have good common sense expects no other re- lation. The girl holds an important place in the home economy. and she will respect the work that she sees you respect. Do not hold the idea that she is not as good as you are; she may be better. she may be more of a lady than you are. True politeness springs from the heart, it must be natural; polished manners mean something else. Instead of giving orders in a “bossing” way, suggest; get her ideas; if she have as good or better than you, give her credit and praise. Have it understood that. it is “ our” work instead of “ mine." and that behttlening feeling that she is nothing but a human machine will vanish. The kitchen is the home laboratory, see that it. is pleasant and furnished with good. handy articles. There has been a great improvement in cooking utensils since our grandmothers’ day. I know how harrowing it is to the feelings to have choice china or glass smashed and nicked by carelessness. but often a little prompting will remedy it; it is owing largely to ignorance, not knowing the value or worth of such ware. With pleasant surroundings and good usage, no intelligent educated girl need hesitate to take her place in the household as balance wheel. We need the influence of such girls in our homes; our little children are quick to take up everything theysee. impressions fall as lightly and imperceptibly upon the childish mind, as snowflakes on the meadow. If we show such little courtesics as “good morning," or “ good night.” it will give pleasure, and need not cost; us even an effort. This thinking that it is part of the daily routine to give a scolding or find fault, is wrong; it really does no good. If one has a fault point it out, show how it can be remedied, and nine times out of ten it will not. have to be repeated. You see there is aduty which each owes the other. If you treat agood willing girl with respect. she in turn will work for your interest every time, and do her best. With all these things in mind we have answers to our questions, “What shall we do with our girls," and “ How shall we keep our kitchens out of the hands ofthe vandals." EVANGALINE. BATTLE CREEK. ~——— -———-—¢o>—~———~ SPRING FASHIONS. All through the zero weather of last month, when the sidewalks were guardn, d by ramparts of snow and the mercury crept lovver and lower in that» wonderful glass ube that has such a. remarkable effect on the Weather, one of our W'oodward AVenue dry goods firms dis- played windows fall of muslins, percales . and satteens, with trails of summer hood of the housekeeper: there ‘ must be a radical change in her treatment 3 ribbons across them, and the hint at such airy toilettes sent an involuntary shiver down one’s spinal column. But the few mild days of March, indicating that the “ back bone ” of winter is broken, filled the streets with shoppers in spite of the overflowing gutters, and all the stores swung into line and filled their windows with lovely cotton goods, summer under- wear and cotton hosiery. For it is quite the proper thing to retire fmm the gaye- ties of society on Ash Wednesday, and to mortifythe flesh through the forty days of supposed prayer and fasting by doing up the spring sewing; and merchants and importers are betimes with their wares. So general has this custom become, that it is well understood that if you would have the cream of cotton fabrics, you must be on hand when the cases are opened in February. for the “ early bird " has the choice of patterns which cannot be, or are not. duplicated later in the sea- son. The. new cottons are principally in lighter tints than usual, fewer medium and dark colors being seen. Patterns are either small and dainty or very large and showy, the former prevailing in percales and cambrics, which sell at 15 and 12%; cents respectively. Shaded balls, last season’s polka spots shaded from light to dark by tiny spots of color, crescents, small points of color in squares and par- allelograms. cubes, clover heads. daisies tiny bouquets, and fine broken lines of color crossed on a white ground, are the leading styles. We have ginghams in dots and stripes. as well as the more common plaids; and blue is a favorite color. A novelty in cotton satteens is a soft goods without dressing, called China crape from the peculiar crinkled effect of . its twilled surface. strewn with tiny . raised figures. It comes in soft blues, pinks. reseda lmignonette green) grey and cream, plain and figured. the two to be combined in onetostume. Satteens grow in : favor; they are the handsomest of cotton goods; the French makes being especially desirable. The American goods are not so excellent. 1 or yet so high—priced. The . French goods are cheaper this year. being i 35 cents a yard against 40 last season. ' Judging from the display, no_ young lady need be afraid to choose White for her best summer dress; there are beautiful mulls, cross-barredmuslins and nainsooks at ‘25 cents per yard. Embroidery is the favorite trimming for them. A popular way of making up these wash dresses for young ladies and misses. is to have ablouse waist gathered to a belt, with a full round skirt tucked nearly to the belt. Often a narrow fiounce or pleating is set on at the bottom to break the severe lines, the lower tuck falling over the joining seams. These full skirts seem odd and old‘fashioned to us yet. despite the persistent effort. to restore them Whichhas been made for several seasons. More elalmratc dresses have basque and apron overskirt: many yoke waists are to be worn with ov‘rsldrzs. Plain and figured satteen are usually combined in one costume. and as it may . be worn a longtime without washing. the I designs are more elaborate. There are side panels of the figured goods. a full back drapery, and the skirt is rutiied. Perhaps the prettiest style is the polonaise With full shirred front and plain back. worn over the skirt of plain goods. which is rufiled. The Gretchen dress is very simple and becoming for girls. This is a round, full, gathered skirt. tucked or embroidered, with a plain round waist fastened behind, a square pleated plastron in front, and a sash of the material sewed in the under arm seams, and tied behind in a large bow with short ends. There is a fancy for making this sash of colored surah for white dresses, using the full width of the goods, and simply hernming all edges. There is a fashion of tucking the yokes of white nainsook dresses horizontally instead of perpendicularly; embroidered flounces are gathered on the skirt, but where this makes the dress too costly, the ruffles and draperies are very handsome when tucked in quite narrow lines. In woolen materials there are the usual standard goods,which are preferable to novelties for people of limited means. Light weight cashmeres. camel's hair. serges, etc., are more eXpensive than some other materials, but being all wool and 44 inches wide, are more economical in the end. Nun’s veiling and wool batiste make beautiful dresses for sum~ mer wear, especially iflace trimmed;they l are quite as desirable as silk. There is a tendency to plainer skirts. without flounces. (though the Razor figures some skirts covered to the waist with narrow ruffles), and long full draperies are very popular because of their simple elegance. It takes considerable more goods to make such dresses, but there is the advantage that. it is not cut up into strips good for nothing but carpet. rags when the dress 110de renewing. The skirt pleated in kilt or box pleats. holzls its own in all the new patterns: the latest modification is make five triple box pleats. the top pleat at least a quarter of a yard, perhaps: more. in skirt. Another pretty skirt has the visible part of the front. covered with two deep flounces cut on the lower edge to form leaves that curve toward one side. Above this are two full, irregular drap~ cries, each of which is carried up to the waist on the sides to meet the long breadth that covers the back of the skirt. the drapery on the left side makes a deeper curve than that on the right. If becom- ing the back may be laid in side or triple box pleats from the belt to nearly the foot of the skirt. Or the back may be caught up in a bunch of pleats on each side and in the middle near the top. Polonaise-s and basques divide popular favor. The former are very long. the back often without draping. being laid in THE HO USEHOLD 3 favorite trimmings for wool dresses; the new wool laces are popular but more ex- pensive. Lace. with heavy. fine cut jet passementorie is the most elegant trim- ming for silk dresses. charm x. __‘_.‘..___.._. BEDROOM CAR PETS. I hardly need in