National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-03-12

hints to HouselSeepers.
Springs delights arc now returning" Ire
busiest aud the dirticst time Of all the wear TO
the housewife. The poet made n mistake,
man fashion, when he spoke Of gorgeous Octo-
her as "th6 melancholy days" He would have
known better had he been woman, and would
have so christencd the dull, dark, damp days Of
carly spring instead-days that make the
whole house look as drcar and dcsolate MS q
prison; and If by chance the sun peeps through
his clouds now and then, Illuminating the
winters accumulation of dust and disorder,
how donbly dismal everything looks by con-
trast! Then comes the annual
HorsE-CLEANING PERIOD,
those days that try mems souls"-nnd wo.
mems too-and make pdtsr fdmiiias want TO
he an angel" IL ever, In the course Of his earth
~ career. Tho prudent housewife will not
undertake this trying ordeal too early. Though
windows are dusty and carpets may seem a.
most uncomfortable, wait until the April rains
are over with their influx Of mud, especially
If there are boys in your family, or your eff
forts will be "love's labor lost" In order 10
obviatO some Of the discomforts of the house
cleaning chaos which in most domicils reigns
supreme for many days, II would be
good plan TO begin soon with
some Of the lcast.uscd rOoms-upper
halls closets, and chambers, for instance, on
thus quietly doing one or two week. When
the general tcarup comes you will find great
relief In the thought that part of the house Is
already set in "applc-pie order '-yOu scarcely
realize when or how.
In the meantime there Is no end of other
work to be done by prudent "house-mOthers,"
as the Germans call them-those IN the middle
ranks OF life who, on account of these tight
times find II necessary to practise the closest
economy to make both ends meet" To such
mntrons, who wisely "drivc their work"
rather than let the work drive them, every
moment of the present season Is precious.
They must look after the family flannel, for
one thing, and carefully mend it, that it may
last the season out for thin. half-wOrn fan
nels are just the things in which to prepare
for leaving them Off altogether and tie
newer and heavier ones are put away for next
winter They overhaul
THE STOCKING BASKET,
darning all that are worth it, putting in n new
heel here or piccing on toe there, and cut
ting down for the little ones those that are
past mcnding for grown folk. And right here
let us suggest that ladies who wear expensive
balbriggan and cashmere hose commit a great
mistake If they do not use the uppcrs in thiS
way after the feet arc worn. They can DO
made over " almost as good as new for the
children, and, being generally of much
better quality than that put into
smaller hose will wear longer. Besides you
can mako them perfect ft-an advantage not
always attainable when you buy them. Ex-
pertinent on the first pair till you are exactly
suited; then cut a papcr pattern from it, and
use 1t for the rest. With u scwing.machino
and an accurate model 10 work by, half
dozen pair may he made in an hour. BY taking
pains with tho seams and corners they will
hurt the feet less than most "bOughten" ones.
Many ladies purchase iullgrown hose OH pur-
pose TO cut over, as they are thereby sure of q
superior quality and sufficient length of leg.
This done, the
RED AND TABLE LINEN
must he looked over; new bosums must be put
into shirts that are otherwise good skirts arc
to be newly bound new bands put on various
undcrgnrmCnts worn rutllcs and embroidery
carefully ripped aud fresh trimming put in
their places; hali-wOrn damask tablc-clOths
are cut into napkins for the childrens use,
and the more worn pieces saved for wash-rags
or put away for b0ndagcs for possible cuts and
bruises.
Old black silk, cashmere, or alpaca skirts
can be frcshcncd up with new Innings and
braid, and be ready to do !uty, with some sort
of ovCr-garmCnt, for everyday wear during
the spring and summer.
Fashion says we are TO wear short walking
skirts again, for which heaven be thanked.
A pretty and
sERviCEABLE HoME-DREss
may be made from two old ones for instance,
black and c0lorcd cashmere, or two old silks
of any hue, if one is of some neutral tint, or D
silk aud Il wOrstcd dress. The foundation may
be u short Princess or Il wakinG.skrt, with a
long saCquc or basque. Trim the bottom OF
the skirt with kilt-plCutng half yard deep.
This may be all of one color, if you have
plenty, mot, Use your pieces and make it in
blocks of the two cOlurs, as the plcuts are 50
deep the seams won't show. Then take the
longest straight piece you have for your sash,
which lay in lcngthwise folds, the same width
as your killing; iastem it across the front aud
sides OF your skirt, letting the lower edge cover
the top of the plcating; sew it firmly ON the
under side, and ut the back make loops of ono
color, and pleated sash-cnds Of the others The
waist and sleeves may be alike or Of two col
ors, rs your taste may dictate or your goods
hold ont. Make the sleeves close at the wrist
to allow for outside cuffs. The neck may he
finished by large round Gurrack collars, two
or three deep, one abOvVNanother each one
little larger than the OtheTI tied in front with
Il ribbon, with II standing collar or ruchc at
the throat.
Chit-Chat.
Mrs. J. T. Iug is receiving n visit from Miss
..,I Hall. IL.