The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-07-25
Neatness I'm Housekeeping.

The following article, from the pen of
Mrs. Henry Ward Beecher, appearing
in the Christian Union, we recommend
to the attention of all housekeepers
"Will you please tell me how large to
make sheet and pillow tides, and how
to arrange themP Also, how a woman.
in poor health, two or three in the fam,
lily, six cows, and no help, can keen anv-
thing neat and tidy ?"
We never could understand how any
woman under such circumstances could
succeed at all in carrying her burdens if
she did not "keep everything neat and
tidy" Neatness should save work, not
increase it. With ga place for every
thing, and everything in its place." and
well cleaned before it is put there, one
can turn off much more work, with far
less fatigue, than if each article. as fast
as used, were thrown aside anywhere, to
be searched for when next wanted. and
then cleaned, before it could be again
used, consuming in the search more time
than it would take to do the work for
which it was wanted.
Every housewife knows that if anv
article is set aside uncleaned il will take
more than double the time to pot II in a
proper condition when next wanted.
than IT it had been Immediately cleaned
when used. Knives, forks, spoons, plates
and dishes are hard to clean if left un-
washed till what remains on them gets
hard and is thoroughly dried. After
making bread or pastry the bread-board
and rolling-pin can be washed and made
spotlessly clean in less than five min
utes, if done Immediately; but set them
aside for an hour or two, or until next
needed, and you will find it will take
time and strength which you can ill
afford to waste, to get them in working
order again; or if used unwashed-and
we nave known such cases-your bread
or pastry will reveal such carelessness.
just so with paint, floors, windows, and
each and every kind of work. If YOU
let them pass day after day till dust and
DIRT accumulate in every direction-for
these are industrious workers-by and
by, from regard to your own comfort
and convenience, you must take day
perhaps two or three, to repair the dam
ages, and it will be hard work; whereas.
a few minutes dusting or sweeping, or
use OF a clean cloth and water, each day,
will easily conquer dust and dirt, moth
and rust, and you will find far less ia
tigue in the operation.
We mention these things simply to
serve as examples; the same method
carried into every part of your work,
will save your time and strength, and
yet" keep everything neat and tidy"
Sheet tides should be as long as the
sheet is wide, and about half yard
deep, and spread over that part of the
sheet that is turned over the spread at
the head of the bed. They hide the
wrinkles and tumbled look of the upper
sheet after it has been once slept on, and
gives the bed neat look, that is verv
desirable.
Pillow tides may be made two and
half yards long, and from three-q quarters
to yard wide, according to the width
OF the pillows, and spread over both
when the bed is made, or cut in two
pieces, covering each pillow separately.
They may be made with simple deep
hem or hem and tucks, braided en-
broidered, or rufiied, according to your
fancy, time or means. They may be
made of new linen or cotton, or when
old sheets are too far worn out to be
used as sheets for smaller beds, the prop
er length and width may be cut from
such parts as are whole and hemmed,
tucked, or rufiied, nicely starched and
ironed, and used for Tides. They should,
of course, be removed and neatly folded
each night, and with care will not re-
quire washing oftener than once a
month.
They are great convenience, as bed
may be kept always looking attractive,
and neat enough to relieve you of all
fear of unexpected callers or company;
and when the house is small, and one is
compelled, perhaps to have bed in the
sitting-room, add much to your comfort
and peace of mind.