Newspaper Page Text
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For Woman’s Work.
HUMMING BIRD.
To Helen.
What best may image thee—
Child of strange witchery?
Sunbeam, bird or flower?
A violet painted by the sky?
A bird in lowly haunts to fly?
A sunbeam, shining brightest, aye,
Through wintry hour?
Thine own sweet baby name
Prophetic type may claim
Os the varied charms that in the mai
den shine;
The tiny glancing thing,
Upheld by viewless wing,
Doth to enchanted vision bring
Sunbeam, bird and flower combined.
Elizabeth Mosely Weston.
Melrose, Fla.
For Woman’s Work.
ECONOMY TALKS.
NELLIE HAWKS.
Continually are we talking and reading
of economy in the household ; economy of
food, fuel and clothing, and materials of
all kinds that call forth the expenditure of
dollars.
But in the meantime, how often we for
get, or at least utterly neglect the more im
portant necessity for economy of
health and strength. That comes to be
hardly a secondary consideration in the
lives of thousands of busy housewives and
mothers. And what a fatal mistake they
make many times in their attempts to be
come truly helpful 1
From earliest childhood, perhaps we
have been taught the necessity of careful
expenditure and judicious management
of matss Is, having heard “bard times’
and “can’t afford” until it has become a
second nature to “save” to the very limit
of the explanation of the word.
This, too, is perfectly right, for we do
not believe in, and will not tolerate waste
ful extravagance in any form. For if we
are possessed of things we do not care for
or need ourselves, there are th usands of
God’s struggling souls who would be glad
of all the surplus the world affords.
But, with so many of us the early edu
cation was sadly neglected in the way of
learning how best to economize one’s
strength and health, and the result has
been disastrous beyond calculation.
Many a good wife and mother has
gone down to an early grave because of
her mistaken ideas of dutf. Sometimes it
takes years to bring one to a perfect re
alization of what their duty is to them
selves and their families, and often
times that full understanding has come too
late to save some p-ecious life. But in other
instances, it has come in time to check a
woman in her mad career, and she has
lived long years after, but a miserable,
broken down wreck of her former self,
repenting in “sackcloth and ashes” the
folly of her younger days.
Sh« never can be well again, but her
life is worth much yet, just for her pres
ence in the family. She sees what she
might have been, had she opened her eyes
to the situation sooner.
Her false notions of economy have of
ten proved expensive indeed, for, in the
long run, the physician’s and the medicine
bills have far outweighed the amount
saved in wages which ought to have been
paid to a competent woman or girl in the
kitchen, to say nothing of her own suffer
ing physically and mentally.
Too many persistently follow the exact
footsteps of ‘ mother,” and will not listen
to the reasonings of either conscience or
friends. “Mother” was a dear, precious
woman, we know, and was as near perfect
as humanity ever reaches.
Yet, her ways and rules were not in
fallible, or incapable of improvement;
and she would be the first one to endorse
the proposition that her daughters adopt
the easiest known method of lightening
their work in all departments, and at all
times.
Because “mother did spin and weave”
is that sufficient reason that we should do
the same, against all manner of reasons
why we need not ?
Or, because some neighbor does “ so
and so,” does it follow that you and 1
must go and do likewise? And, is there
not something in this world more worthy
of emulation than the desperate effort to
out-rival some neighbor in the whiteness
of your line of clothes, or to have pieces
flying in the breeze on wash morning, a
few minutes before she does ?
We have known women to go to the
bureau drawer and take therefrom clean
sheets and pillow-slips to bang on the line,
to show “madam somebody” over the way
that “ she would have to get up early
in the morning to get ahead of her.”
What a foolish waste of thought, time
and needed strength!
Many years ago I began the study of
how best to accomplish my work with
the least necessary outlay of labor and
time, and the lessons learned have proven
very beneficial and valuable to me.
The very first “break” I made in the
ranks of supposed necessary work, was at
my ironing table.
I had not been taught to slight this
work more than any other, neither had I
read that someone else did so. But I had
never been strong, and the work of house
keeping to which I was not much accus
tomed, seemed to me sometimes the bur
den “that was greater than I could bear.”
I was fired with that ambition that
burns in every young housekeeper’s heart,
to have my household in perfect order,
from the banishing of every particle of
dust and dirt, that would creep in, in
spite of my never ending fight, to the
smoothing of every dish-towel and wash
rag.
How often, in late years, I have looked
back and sighed, as I saw myself standing
at the table, ironing hour after hour,
through the heat of summer, while it
seemed to me, with every stroke of the
hot iron upon the laces and ruffles and
other nonsense before me, that 1 could
not endure it another minute.
But none of my young married friends
should out-do me. No sir, not if 1 died
for it. My house should be “spotless,” fc and
mine and my husband’s clothes “immacu
late” if I could manage it in any way 1
I did manage it, too. And I also managed
to break down the little strength that na
ture had endowed me with.
I began to wonder wherein I might
lighten some of this drudgery; we must
have clean clothes, and plenty of them.
But need they all be ironed? I began to
ask myself. The washings were as noth
ing, compared with the ironing, especially
in summer.
After many talks and much reasoning
with myself, and after many misgivings
of heart upon the subject in question,!
came to the conclusion that my own com
fort was worth to me, almost as much, at
least, as my great basket of nicely laun
dried clothes were. First, the sheets and
pillow slips were folded and put away
without the touch of the iron upon them,
and then the dish towels, etc.
Why iron the pillow slips any more
than the sheets ? I reasoned. For they
were always covered with pretty shams.
Only so they were clean what more was
needed?
Then the light colored, dainty ruffled
dresses and aprons, were made to give
way to plainer ones for kitchen wear; I
really looked just as well, and niost assur
edly felt much better than when so ex
hausted by heat and work that there was
a feeling of “vengeance” and ill-humor in
my heart all day long.
Gradually the ironing dropped off un
til there came to be but very little of it
done in my home; no one ever realized
the difference but myself, and with me it
was only in a sense of relief. Everything
about the house looked just as well as in
those days when I had been a slave to
notions. For I ironed all that was essen
tial to comfort and appearances.
The dear mother who had taught her
two daughters to do their work well, at
home, was not let into the secret of this
departure from set ways, for a time. B.ut
when she did learn that her oldest child
had taken upon herself the privilege of
slighting her own work if she chose, she
had only words of commendation to offer,
and was glad of the relief she had brought
about for herself. Then she suggested
other means of relief and helped to bring
them about, and I have gained much
of value in this life. I feel it both a pleas
ure and a duty to tell to other overworked
women, and women of delicate health, the
ways in which I have managed to save
time and strength that I have been able
to use to better advantage.
Hours of this self-saved time have been
spent profitably from a pecuniary point
of view, as well as otherwise. There
have been hours for rest, for reading, and
for a social chat with friends now and
then, while the work was forgotten as
nearly as possible.
When a woman is literally “tired to
death” from one day’s end to another, she
becomes nervous and irritable, neither en
joying an hour of life herself, nor allow
ing enjoyment to those about her. She is
worried, cross and fretful, and what won
der that she is?
Will she ever awaken to a full under
standing of the fact, that she “is not made
of cast iron” nor yet “run by steam”? That
she was not i itended by her Creator to
become a mere mechanical something, and
a human nothing and nobody?
Not many years ago, a frail little speci
men of humanity who lived not many
steps from my hoine, was complaining to
me of her work and that “all worn-out
WOMAN’S WORK.
feeling.” She was one of the many “worked
almost to death.” She asked my advice
and suggestions.
But imagine, if you can, her look of sur
prise, and almost disgust, when I proposed
she begin retrenching her work at the
ironing table.
They were poor, and she did not feel
that she could hire help. There were three
ahildren; their home at that time con
sisted of but one large room, and this of
course must do service as kitchen, dining
room and bedroom.
Think what it must have been
in there, especially in July and August,
with a roaring coal fire all day long. A
comfortable place in which to sleep, think
you? And what of the healthfulness of
the atmosphere ?
Then think also of the unnecessary ex
pense of fuel, that was actually needed for
clothing and the necessaries of life. But
all this was not taken into consideration.
I presume her mother, before her, had
always ironed everything, even to the
last rag. And I know from the caste of
countenance that confronted me, that the
information and would-be-help I offered,
was for me the reputation in that house,
of being “slack.”
Persist in habits of cleanliness by all
means, I always say. But do draw the
line at unnecessary work; economize the
strength that there is all need of, to do
needful things—make every effort to re
tain health, or to improve the run down,
worn out constitution, and if the world
calls you “slack”—why, let the world call!
To every wife and mother I would say,
at least a portion of your time should be
your very own, for the resting of your own
wearied limbs, for the improvement of
your mind—for study, rest and recreation
in whatever way pleases you best, and
while you are studying out the problems
of household economy do not forget the
more important economy of strength
and health; for this alone will grant you
a longer lease of life.
Dear Editress:
I am aware, of course, that the sub
ject of “beauty in the female sex” has been
talked of and written about until it is
well-nigh thread-bare; as much so perhaps
as any that could be presented. Yet it is
unquestionably one of very great interest
to both sexes, and therefore 1 imagine a
few additional lines concerning it will not
be unacceptable to yourself or your many
readers.
First of all, I assert that a really beauti
ful woman or girl, in the full sense, is one
of the rarest things to be found in creation.
Such an one must not only have a pretty
face and a symmetrical form, but also ex
quisite manners and unexceptionable
behavior.
Persons who observe closely know that
many who may be thought, at a cursory
glance, to have a pretty face,are found upon
closer inspection, to be not at all beauti
ful in features. And alas! ’tis almost
invariably true that when one is regarded
as beautiful, she finds it out herself and
becomes self-conceited, haughty and dis
dainful, and so repulsive to persons of
good sense as to render her insufferably
ugly in their estimation. Hence, one of
the “good-sense” order of people long since
said or wrote: “Pretty is as pretty does.”
So it often comes to pass that one who
is far inferior as to mere beauty of face, is
inexpressibly superior as to real beauty,
because so much more amiable in dispo
sition and agreeable in manners and be
havior. Then, too, it is generally the case
that those whom nature has favored in
outward comeliness, fade soonest.
Hence, one of the silliest things that a man
can do, is to marry a woman for her beau
tiful face—for, often the prettiest young
girl makes the ugliest old woman. Thin,
to be sure, when he finds that the thing
which captivated him has vanished, and
there is no amiability of disposition or
beauty of character to attract or make
amends, he sees and regrets his folly, and
could not love her, if he would. On the
other hand, she must inevitably be con
vinced that this state of things exists, and
would not love him if she could.
How much better it is to marry for real
worth, for amiability of disposition and
nobility of character, whether accom
panied by external personal beauty or not.
Then, love will be more constant, grow
ing more and more intense as time ad
vances, and then the two hearts will be so
bound together as that death itself cannot
change their affection.
In conclusion, I advise every young
man who contemplates matrimony, to
choose a woman for what she is, and not
for what she appears.
Sincerely yours,
M. C. A.
Cp p Certain Constipation Cure. Write
i vi vi Dr. C. T. Lawrence, Logan, Kan
sas Enclose two stamps.
I AfllEQ all want the complete needle ca«e .
LAUIEO 140 best needles, to sew everything
from carpet tocambric. ;Don tdo without them.
Sent by mail for six 2-cent stamps. J. H. Robin
son, 226 E. 115th St., N. Y.
I AniEQ i married or single, sendso cts. sil-
LAUIEv i ver as guarantee, and earn $1 per
day till Sept. Ist. at home. No canvassing; state
age. Commence now. Mrs. M. M. F., 1106 Belle
vue Street, St. Joseph, Mo.
tlf * LITER I ADI ES to make light
■WAN I f|B L fancy work at their own
WW I fair homes. I give steady
work and pay good prices. No canvassing. Ad
dress The Manager Art Needlework Bazar,
Chicago, Ills.
LEARN how to e?irn atiip
to the WORLD’S FAIR.
Address Pennock Electric
Co.. 334 Dearborn Street,
Chicago, Illinois.
ukEi* Please inquire about the
■Cl' process. Lady agents wanted I
J. A. DeMUTII,
St Joseph, Mo.
WHY PAY $75 TO $l5O
FOR A
Cure of the Whiskey or Morphine Habit
When a permanent and SPEEDY CURE
will be Guaranteed you for #25.60?
THE CLORIDE GOLD CURE CO.,
Bourbon, Ind.
piIDEQ all cases of constipation, and
| I UUllEv most eases of indigestion and
piles Write Dr. C. T. Lawrence, Logan, Kansas.
Enclose two stamps.
ADQHIIITCI
RBoULU I cllbSw:
OnronDlDTinM For Morphine Antidote
rnEOunlr I lUN in English, #5 00. Don’t
pay fancy prices when yon can cure yourself at a
trifling expense. All let ers plain and sealed.
W C. JONES, Box 83, Holly Springs, Miss.
$5 to sls a S, °*
LIGHTNING PLATER
ami plating jewelry .watches
tableware,’&c. Plates the
4 r-r finest of jewelry good as
. l-ij |jl|ll| new, on all kinds of metal
li ill! s * lver or nickel.
.[l'i No experience. No capital.
ill !' Every house has good* nee-1-
" W- ing plating. Wholesale to
a ß euls s'» Write for circn
' ’fc? Jars. 11. E. IIELNO <V
Co.. Columbus <>.
CROCHET
With “Kensington Crochet Twist,” any color.
Large ball, 10 cents. C. G. HUBERT.
85 Walker Street, New York.
LADY AGENTS
Wanted for an article in the Dry Goods line,worn
by women, and which every woman is bound to
have, as it is a necessity and not a luxury. If
you send us your corset measure, ten cents in
silver and a two cent stamp, we will forward you
a sample and give you exclusive control of their
sale in your county, if not already token. This
is not a jewelry scheme or a catch-penny idea,
but a legitimate article of dress that costs us
more to manufacture than what we charge for
the sample. We only want active agents, and if
vou are not a worker we do not want you to send
tor the sample, but if you mean business you can
easily earn #5.00 per day, without capital, if you
have good references. Samples are easily carried,
and as staple as corsets or hosiery. Address
VALON MANUFACTURING CO.,
No. 2 West 14th Street, N. Y. City.
KENSINGTON CROCHET TWIST
comes in 31 beautiful colors. Ask for it, or send
10 cents for large ball to
C. G. HUBERT, 85 Walker St,, New York.
A CHANCE TO MAKE MONEY.
@1 have berries, grapes and peaches, a year
old, fresh as when picked. I use the Cali
fornia Cold Process; do not heat or seal
the fruit, just put it up sold, keeps per
fectly fresh, and costs almost nothing; can
put up a bushel in ten minutes. Last
week I sold directions to over 100 families;
anyone will pay a dollar for directions,
when they see the beautiful samples of
fruit. As there are many people poor like
myself, I consider it my duty to give my
experience to such, and feel confident anyone can make one or
two hundred dollars, round home, in a few days. I will mail
■ample of fruit and complete directions to any of your readers,
for 18 two cent stamps, which is only the actual cost of tho
samples, postage, etc., to me. I ask nothing for the directions.
Mrs. William Griffith, New Concord, Ohio.
Ladies who want employ
ment at home can send 10
cents, silver, and self-address
ed stamped envelope to Miss
Camilla Avery, South Bend,
Ind , for recipes for making
Face Bleach, Tooth Wash,
and Glove Fluid. Worth $5
each.