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For Woman’s Work.
THE STORY TOLD AGAIN.
I hare something to tell you tonight
Something so sweet and so true.
Let me whisper it close in your ear
For ’tls all aud only for you.
The winds mn«t not bear my story
The whispering breeses might tell,
They would carry my secret to others
Then I should surely rebel.
The meadows are yellow with cowslips,
The daisies peep out from the dells
The slumbrous song is awakened
And nature glows fresh on the fells.
Glows fresh in her glad awakening
Her pulses throbbing with life
Wooing the glory of sunlight,
Knowing nothing of pain or strife.
So now my soul has awakened
It throbs with a tremor so new,
It rings wi'h the sound of glad news,
And is filled with harmony true.
Oh do not cause me to wander
Alone—through the wide world alone—
Fill my life with the bliss of your loving;
Keep it pure and good in its tone.
As sunlight is needed in nature
For color and strength and bloom.
Bo you in my life I crave for,
To dispel and scatter the gloom.
For Woman’s Work.
NOTES ON DECORATION.
A pretty bureau cover of Italian toweling,
the ends a deep, open thread effect, with a
design above or a border all around in
colored flosses.
In marking a set of linen the stitches may
be diflerent in each article, so as to vary
the letters in effect, but they should be
of the same general sty e.
The material called crape cloth, coming
in a number of shades, for about fifteen
cents a yard, makes pretty sash curtains
trimmed with tassel, braid or fringe to
match, especially when showing a border of
flowers painted in oil or water colors.
A bit of old blue worsted damask, that
was common place in itself, was rendered
beautiful by simple outlining its pattern
and veining the foliage with silver thread ;
a length of this damask edged with silver,
fringed aud so treated, makes a lovely table
scarf.
A very practical custom among house
wives now is to so mark the china, glass, and
silver towels, that a servant cannot mistake
their proper uses. For instance, the china
towel will have a cup and saucer worked
on itin chainstitch, and the glass towel, a
goblet or tumbler, or wine-glass, while the
towel for silver ware can be marked by two
spoons crossed.
A useful and ornamental case for para.-
sols or umbrellas is made of holland, cut
forty-seven inches long and twenty-three
inches wide, embroidered in, up and down
stripes in red crewel or ingrain cotton, in
satin cording and feather stitches. Line
the case with red'sateen, and sew it togeth
er down the side. Put a slide of ribbon in,
one inch from each eud, finish with pom
pons.
A design which, in every other way is
realistic, may be conventionalized by the
use of color in endless variety, from the
simplest method of showing objects all in
one tint on a background ol another, to the
most complex method in which the grada
tions and recurrences of other tints on an
ever varying background, so graded as to
give contrasts for every combination
wrought on it.
People who like quick work can em
broider the outline designs stamped on
night gown sachets or cases, toilet mats,
slipper bags, corn napkins, biscuit, muffin
and other napkins, now fashionable for
bringing these dishes to the table. Wash
ing silks, crewels, and colored linen
threads are used for this outlining, and
very pretty and simple results are obtained.
Every housewife now-a-days may have
her napery and other linen hand embroider
ed in this manner, which is so much more
satisfactory than the most elaborate ma
chine work. A few hours’ work would do
a whole toilet set of mats, with the night
gown case,the result when completed being
eminently satisfactory.
Very pretty stamp boxes are now on the
market; some are of olive wood, a small
envelope with wax seal, appearing on the
lid. Another style is almost black wood,
with etched designs, the box having old
fashioned mountings.
Procure a wire basket with a wire handle.
Take gold bronze and go over the en
tire work. Then take satin ribbon, two
different colors, and run in and out, be
tween the wires, and fasten neatly on the
inside. Line the inside with silk to match
and fasten a pretty bow of satin ribbon on
each side. Finish, by tying a large bow
od the handle and you will have as pretty
a card basket as you can wish.
For Woman’s Work.
MARRIAGE.
Almost any body can marry. It is the
easiest thing in the world, but not always
so easy to live happily after marriage.
If girls and boys were taught the sacred
nessot marriage, and would wait until they
reached years of discretion and understand
ing before entering into it, there would be
fewer unhappy couples and divorces. Many
are parents-parents in name only-and their
children are allowed todoasthey please,oft
en times choosing their friends from among
the worst elements of society; and then they
wonder why Sarah or John showed such
poor judgement in choosing or accepting a
life partner. The wonder is, that there are
as many happy, ideal homes as there really
are, when we realize the state that our so
ciety is in. What does a school girl or boy
know of the duties and cares that marriage
brings? W hat does a girl who has been
sheltered from all of life’s storms, in a hap
py home with fond parents, know of the
ways of the world? Why should a boy
who has been brought up in a similarly
happy home, know that all girlsand women
are not as true, and loveable as his sisters
and mother? I would not have you teach
the children that there is nothing but sor
row, misery and wickedness in this world;
nor would I have you teach them that it is
all happiness and beauty; but teach them
that there is much of both, and it depends
largely on themselves whether they are
happy or unhappy. “ Marry in haste and
repent at leisure” is a very old maxim, but
there is none truer. Young people need
advice, although few of them are willing to
accept it. Some of our greatest men and
women have made terrible mistakes in
marriage, that have caused them life long
misery and wretchedness.
If men would look beyond a pretty face,
and realize that it requires far more than
beauty to make a good wife and mother;
if they could know that the gay butterflies
of fashion are not the home-makers; if they
could but realize how weary, and heart
sick they will grow of such a wife, and how
bitter will be the chains that bind them,
they would surely use the best judgment
that the eye, the brain and the senses will
give.
If girls realized that a fine singer, a good
dancer, or a gay escort does not always
make a good husband; if they realized th <t
the men who can only engage in small talk
or nonsense to girls and women, are not
those who respect them the most, that
those who are the most lavish with flowers
and confectioneries before hand are not, as
a matter of course, so afterward—l am sure
they too, would look beyond mere outward
show, and realize that “ All is not gold
that glitters.”
There are men and women to whom
marriage would be but a hard yoke, and
they would be far happier and more inde
pendent living single lives. Some are too
selfish, indolent or indifferent, and others
too fickle to ever settle down contentedly.
One great thing, that causes perhaps as
much trouble and unhappiness in domestic
felicity as any other, is the coming together
of two persons whose tastes are as totally
unlike as it is possible for them to be. A
quiet man who loves to sit by bis fireside
with hia books and papers, marries a lively
girl who cares more for the opera, theatre
and dance, than she does for the cosiest
home in the country, or vice versa. What
is the result? Why, there will undoubt
edly, be a clashing and many family jars
in their home.
If young people could be honest with
each other when marriage is contemplated,
and talk over these things and find out on
what things they agree or disagree, much
trouble might be avoided.
An ideal marriage means everything
that is beautiful and true, but an unhappy
one means just the opposite. One writer
es note says: “A loving woman finds
Heaven or hell on the day she’s made a
bride.” And so she does.
It is true that as our girls grow in char
acter and self-reliance, they will expect
more of the men they marry. With the
higher education comes loftier, higher ideas
and purposes, and the girl who. at eighteen
would be perfectly satisfied with an ordi
nary man, at twenty-five will have very
different tastes. Five years will produce a
wonderful change in feelings and opinions.
There are few young people who would
not be better satisfied if they waited ui til
they were twenty-five before marriage Was
entered into.
Men and women in society and in their
homes are vastly different. How many
there are who really lead dual lives that the
world never hears of I Let us as an Ameri
can nation arouse ourselves to action, and
make our society what it should be.
God speed the time when there will be
more true marriages and fewer divorces.
Carrie M. Ashton.
I do not believe there is any misfor
tune ; what men call such, is merely the
shadow-side of a good.— George Mae Donald.
Tor Woman’s Work.
DRESSMAKING AT HOME.
Every woman believes herself to be a
born dressmaker, until she tries to make
her first dress. Then she acknowledges
that the born dressmaker is a genius, and
generally retires from the conflict with the
raw material, a sadder and wiser woman.
Yet, after nil—although it requires genius
to compose a costume, imagine new trim
mings, arrange drapery in novel and grace
ful styles—patience and discretion alone are
necessary to d<> all that the ordinary woman
expects to accomplish when she makes her
self a dress, and that is to adapt the ideas
of others to her own style of beauty or ugli
ness.
When we amateur dressmakers set to
work, we generally make three important
mistakes to begin with. We are in too
much of a hurry, we are too confident of
our ability, and we are too economical.
We are driven to the task oy the fact that
“Madame” cannot undertake any thing for
the next three weeks, or until she gets
through elsewhere. We rush to the nearest
store for patterns and bring home one that
is large enough for the Cardiff Giant. Be
ing possessed of this, we grow vainglorious,
and as we cut out our goods in an airy
manner, remark, “That we could never see
any reason why dressmakers should take so
long over their work; that, for our part,
we mean to make that dress in a few hours,
and to make all our own dresses ever after
wards. It is so foolish to get a dressmaker
at all when it is really nothing but fun to
make a dress for one's self.” After this we
begin to baste. Then our discoveries begin.
We have cut one of the backs upside
down, and one of the sleeves wrong side
out. Having re-cut these portions of the
costume, we oaste them in again and try
on, walk toward the mirror, and retire with
a shriek.
The thing in which we have encased
ourselves isutterly shapeless, toonarrowover
thechest.toobiginthearm holes, and so long
waisted that it wid be utterly impossible to
remedy it; the shoulder line is an acute an
gle, and the basque, as we fondly supposed
it to be, would tit nothing but the afore
said giant. In despair we tear the thing
from us and examine the remnant of the
goods. There is barely enough from which
to cut a skirt, and we have used sufficient
material to make four waists. After humb
ly imploring our most affectionate female
relative to pin the waist up so as to fit, and
scolding them because they fail to accom
plish the miracle, we put away the dress,
that is, if we are wise, if we are not wise,
we go on and make the skirt. “Any body
can make a skirt, you know.” Still there
are mysterious bags and drags and undula
tions about that skirt, when finished, to
make us inclined to alter our opinion. In
fact, the dress is spoiled, and we have more
respect for the trade of dressmakers from
that moment, and are glad to write that we
will await “Madam’s’ convenience.
And yet, women whose first dresses have
ended in this way have in time become
wonderfully clever.
Before one can make even a tolera
ble drawing, he must spoil many sheets of
paper. Before a piece of music is well
played many ears are tortured.
No one can plunge into dressmaking
without a little study, and no one who de
sires to be economical should begin her
dressmaking upon a dress which she really
means to wear.
Some valueless stuff should be bought
for trial or some old goods, and the first
gown should be regarded merely as an ex
periment. The lining of an old waist that
has fitted perfectly is the best pattern, and if
there are plaids, stripes or figures, in the
goods, due consideration must be given as
to how these forms will adjust themselves
to each other at the seams. A home made
dress sometimes betrays itself by an utter
want of attention to tt is particular point.
Other things which they are prone to for
get are that styles which are suitable in
cloth are not adapted to muslin, and that
trimming which is beautiful when made
of silk is ugly and coarse and fussy when
made of woolen stuff'. However, these
things suggest themselves to people of
taste, or are taught by experience. B.
sorrows humanize our race;
Tears are the showers that fertilize this world,
Aud the memory of things precious keepeth warm
The heart that once did hold them.
They are poor
That have lost nothing; they are poorer far
Who. losing, have forgotten: they most poor
Os all, who lose and wish they might forget.
For life is one, aud in its warp and woof
There runs a thread of gold that glitters fair,
And sometime in the pattern shows most sweet
Where there are sombre colors. It is true
That we have wept. ButO! this thread of gold,
We would not have it tarnish ; let us turn
Oft and look back upon the wondrous web,
And when it shinethsometimes we shall know-
That memory is possession.— Jean Ingelow.
It is only in novels and on tombstones
that we meet with people who are indul
gent to the faults of others and unmerciful
to their own.— Macaulay.
For Woman’s Work.
HOME CHAT.
MY MONNIE MOORE.
Arn't you growing tired of these “Chats”
of mine? Sometimes I wonder if you are
not; yet, I d<> feel so sort of snug when I sit
down to my desk and write the words
“Home Chat.” I feel like I had you all
around me,and I can almost see how you look.
There’s my dear Maud Meredith, so com
fortably stately; Kit, the embodiment of
business—the tirst-cla»s inventor of “Ways
and means;” and sitting cosily near is
brown-eyed Little Mother; Genie, too, fill
ing our artistic souls with rapture; Sylvia,
who can infuse life into the dullest soul, or
the one who may perchance have a slight
attack of blues. Maude Perlease tells us of
her tar away home, and so on round the
circle.
Bye and bye the mother, who “looks
well to the ways of her household,” buys
bolts of muslin, sheeting, and selects
ginghams for next summer’s need. Then
she goes leisurely to work, and when balmy
sprmg days come, she does not have to
remain in-doors and keep that sewing ma
chine whirr, whirring all the time, but can
walk out with the children and renew her
youth in the magnetism of nature. As I
write of idly taking ease, I wonder how
many people in this age are satisfied with
such a calm, easy life; not many, I believe.
The world does nothing in an even way
now-a-days. It is rush, rush everywhere.
Why, I lie down late at night, many times,
begrudging iny weary frame a few hours of
badly needed rest, and yet, I see some per
sons “sitting ’round doing nothing,” in such
a complacent that it makes me nerv
ous, when I remember life is so short, and
there is so much to be done. My friends
tell me I will wear myself out; very well,
I shall not rues out.
Still, if you do not feel a pressing need
for work, don’t wear out too soon. Some
one must be left to look after the families
of these restive, nervous women, who are
wearing themselves out. We need a few
of the steady going kind to prevent a ground
crash.
Now I’m going to tell you what keeps
me up in all this worry: ’tis laughter.
Make yourselves merry, look for something
bright in every cloud, and if the cloud
burst in spite of you, get through the gloom
as quickly as possible, and be ready to
greet the sunshine when it does como.
Don’t you see, that means, do not pout 1
Ugh! of all ills, a pouting person is worst.
If you mufd get angry make a thunder clap
of it, and then let it pass. Don’t harp on
one poor old string forever. One string
music soon grows monotonous.
So, whatever you may cultivate, don’t
cultivate a pouting disposition.
For Woman’s Work.
JUST THE SEASON FOR IT.
Yes, give a party. This is the season
of the year for evening parties.
You can’t afford it? You can afford it,
any lady who has a room or two. a quire of
note paper a dozen friends, a few dollars,
and a hospitable disposition, can give a
delightful party. She has only to bring
together a few pleasant people. And as to
that great bugbear of refreshments, some
thing dainty and simple is better than a
tive-liundred-dollar supper. A party that
costs a score of headaches is an institu
tion that we ate better without. Ra
tional party-giving is a good and pleas
ant and beneficial institution. Whenever
and wherever people are brought together
clad in their best attire, and put upon their
best behavior—brought together, not in
ostentation, but in genuine friendliness—
good is done and happiness is difl’ut-ed.
Youngpresumtion is held incheck; aged
sorrow is lightened; dull care is forgotten;
petty differences are laughed away, and
petty prejudices are removed. People are
astonished to find how agreeable the old
familiar circle can be, when it tries.
So, lady reader, if you give “a nice little
party,” turn pride out of do- rs. Never
mind if Mrs. Smith did have pickled oys
ters, ice-cream, champagne, plum-cake, etc.
A face that glows and sparkles with an
honest, hearty welcome, is worth all the
champagne that ever foamed at night and
sickened in the morning. Bring together
theyoung people. Assemble your company
at the rational hour of eight if possible,and
send them all home, happy and grateful,
before morning.
We do not offer these suggestions to the
residents ol towns merely, but to the wives
and daughters of farmers as well. Formers
livetoomuch secluded. They areapt tosettle
down in a humdrum routine, which consists
too exclusively of duties. Pleasure —inno-
cent, health-giving pleasure, is an essential
part of human life. Young people are cer
tain to have pleasure somehow, and elderly
people need it; and in order that it may be
rational and harmless, the elders must take
the lead and afford the young proper
opportunities of enjoyment.