The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-10-02
MYSTERIES OF THE KITCHEN.
CHAPTER /.

'What an. idea! Absurd! Preposterous.
I, Julia Winters, roll up my hounced sleeves,
put on checked apron, and 60 into the
kitchen? /, the belle of S. with my
Iewcled fingers in the dishwater, my arms
turned red as salamanders in the suds on
washing days, and my fair face broiling
over the cooking stove baking! No, indeed,
not II and the young lady sank back on the
luxurious sofa, so helplesSly, one would
certainly have imagined her to bean invalid.
yes, yes, you would be a martyr, no
doubt! the fate of John Rogers nothing
compared to itn exclaimed a merry voice;
and slight girlish form sank down by .u-
lla's side. Allow me to sympathize with
You in your anticipations, if indeed, you an
| tlcipate venturing upon this life Of toll and
imaginary suffering, for have the benefit
of little experience, having passed through
a few Of these fiery troubles.'
The light merry voice was slightly ironi-
cal, and seemed not in the least to lessen
Julie's anxiety, for she raised herself on her
elbow. and exclaimed, petulently-
We'll, well, don't always be trifling. Sc
riously, don't you think housework an old
story by this time, and wish you had never
left your embroidery for baking and drudg-
ing!'
Honestly, then, | must tell you no, if
you still persist in knowing it,
And how do you progress?'
50, famously! Cook is SO willing to teach
me, and so patient with my ignorance, that
| am learning finely: but great work, indeed
should make without her. As it is, how
ever, think in year or two, shall make
"A first. rate housekeepcr.
a year or two, horrors! You don't pre-
tend to say 1t takes so long as that to learn
to do houSework? Why | supposed month
or two was all that was necessary
'And why should it not take year or two
to acquire a good domestic education? You
know we spent four years a. Mount Hope,
finishing our scholastic education and pre-
pairing us to fulfil our antics in the parlor
gracefully. | tell you, Julia, among the
fashonablcs of the day, Il young girls do
nestle education is entirely neglected. So
that one can boast Of diploma as skill
ful performer on the piano, dress elegantly,
dance gracefully, and entertain visitors with
fashionable poiIteness, all is accomplished,
so far rs education is concerned, to render
ayoung lady an acceptable member ia the
! first class of society. If there was new
era in fashionable society, if girls were edu-
Gated IN the kitchen as well as IN school
room and parlor, there would be an entirely
different state of society; fewer slatterns,
dlssipated husbands, ruined families, and
more true, noble hearted, energetic women.
What is IL fashionable woman? With few
exceptions, a mere doll, fit only to be Dress
! n,i ri,.hly and hn a Il m L. hi. tbnk L
est, most enobling sphere our sex Is to oc-
cupy? truly hope not; there is one more
worthy the true woman-that o.
We'll, WE'LL don't 60 into Mysteries, pray,
Louise! Your lecture has had a very un-
pleant effect upon me; you know howl de-
test anything pertaining to the kitchen
"A good dinner, for instance
NO, no! the work mean.'
'And why is there more disgrace in pre-
pairing than eating a dinner!'
'There is no use in trying to explain to
you, Louise: enough that the odor of the
kitchen is too much for mer and tho Young
lady applied her perfumed handkerchief to
her face, and commenced tanning herself
vigorously.
'Never mind, sister Julia, you may vet see
the day you will repent your negligence on
this subject replied Louise, seriously; "a
woman should know how to superint end her
own household affairs, and there is no bet
ter teacher than experience.'
'Never mind, Louise, you need not fear, I
shall never be reduced to kitchen labor: if
so, however, then will be time enough 90
4 believe you are hopeless case, laugh
insly responded Louise, as she left the
room. --.-