The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-07-16
AN EXPERrENCE.

" IhOihAOO oAASAA - ~--~'
AN EXPERIENCE.
In one of the populous towns of the
great West. a party of ladies were seat
ed around sumptuously furnished tea
table. The viands were rich and deli
cate in the extreme, the bread was
faultless, the biscuits were light and
tender, the cakes, pies, tarts, preserves
and jellies were delicious, and had all
been prepared by the dainty hands of
Mrs. Farwell, the hostess. As the COM
pany discussed the delicacies, many re-
marks were made upon the science of
cooking, and many propositions put
forth, according to the knowledge of
the speaker, in that necessary depart
ment of Housekeeping.
One young lady lately married, who
had taken upon herself the respoosi-
bility of keeping house withou. any
preparation for the drties vhicL sacl
q position involves, md alss now many
do so,ven'r.red to -emark that she be-
lieyod She could nevvr learn to cook,
bit forsana' ely, she Lad an old servant,
Who "a. YeL with har mother. and
who saved her any thought or trouble
about the matter.
my dear lady," replied Mrs. Far
well, IF you will accept my advice
you will learn to do your own cooking
without any delay, while you have a
valued and trusty person from whom
you can take lessons. 1t W. at the ex-
pense of much bitter experience and
many tears, that l learned to depend
upon myself, and would fain see my
young married friends saved from the
many annoyances and trials through
which had to pass"
"You surprise me greatly" exclaim-
ed Mrs. Haskins. Il had always sup
posed you were trained by mother in
all housekeeping lore, and the many
delicious dishes you know SO we'll how
to prepare, were the result of her
teaching"
mot at ALL" replied Mrs. Farwell.
"My husband like great many others,
lost his property in the East through
lending his name to friend, and we
came West to hide our poverty. Al
that time / had two children depend
ing upon me for attention and care,
and / was as ignorant of any branch
of labor as my little ones. In my child
hoods home it was not thought neces-
sary that l should learn to perform
any kind of work except fine sewing
and embroidery, and since my marriage
I had been blessed with two good and
trusty servants, and had never been
obliged to do anything beyond taking
care of my own and children's ward
robe, but now found myself, with a
husband and two little ones dependent
upon me for the comforts of a well or
dered home, entirely helpless and to-
tally ignorant Of the way in which to
minister to their necessities. As if to
put the matter in its worst light, and
show me my utter helplessness and ig-
norance, the second night after | ar
rived here, / was requested to take part
in attending upon sick neighbor
This fine and Furnishing town was then
but small hamlet, and the inhabitants
were dependent upon~ each other for
kind offices in cases of distress or sick
ness, as nurses were a luxury not yet
imported The lady who was appoint
ed to share with me the duties of the
night in the sick room, said to me, as
the shades of evening were approach
ing, There is nothing cooked mot even
loaf Of bread. The family have moth
ing at all to eat. l would have brought
some bread with me, but unfortunately
we ate the last loaf at supper. Now,
if you will mix ian of biscuit, l
will watch by the bedside of the sick
lady | felt too much ashamed to tell
her did not know how to make either
bread or biscuit, and | went and sat
down on the doorstep, in the gather
ing twilight. and INDUCED in the lux
ury of a good cry. | had been there
about half an hour, when this good
lady found me, and in a kind, motherly
way drew iron me the cause of my
tears. She gently soothed me and
encouraged me, telling me that was
not alone in my troubles,sh had known
many Just such cases, and she had al
ways found, where there was willing
mind and an earnest desire to do right,