The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-03-31
A Plea for Sense and sensipility.

A Plea for Sense and sensibility.
With even the earliest Spring comes up
question of household repairs aud the e2 ira
expenses there incurred. We take our
family life in periods, making ready for
Winter by laying in goodly store OF fuel,
tighteni' z cracks and taking dozen further
precautions against discomforts of cold and
storm, while Spring brings with 1t new
set of obligations. In the houses supported
by moderate, or a very small income, there
are few possibilities to be considered; per
haps only slight freshening Of paint with
In or without, new carpet for the sitting
room, or a set of screens for windows and
doors, to keep out the scavengers and pests
Of household life-the flies.
Is it not consoling that people have begun
10 realize that solid comfort is to be found
only when these marauders are forbidden
The housee tits no consolation to be told
they clanse the atmosphere and dine on the
filth we might otherwise breathe, when one
or two persistently interrupt our afternoon
nap, or take their constitutional swim in
the breakfast cream. Who that has seen
country days in an old farmhouse, where
flies were Hospitality allowed to gang their
ain gait" without let or hindrance, is not
able to recall the picture of some grand
mother, doing in her chair, only to be
awakened when her head has nodded itself
nearly off its supporting column, by the
gathering fall of her spectacles? She picks
them up drowsily and mods again, but this
time persistent fly settles on her nose,
and, brushed away by vaguely-directed
blow, comes back with renewed vigor, and
finally ends,by wakingtthe dear old lady, who
resumes her knitting in state of exasper-
alton, not the result of an undisturbed nap.
Such were and are the discomforts inflicted
by flies in homes where war to the knife was
in +ha doolarod anaip4t
them.
If the screens are not ready this is the
very time to have them made. Perhaps the
farmer himself, as the ideal farmer ought,
has a real bent in the direction of mechan-
les, and can now, before the out-ot-door
Spring work begins. be induced to plane and
shape, within his own workshop, dozen
like contrivances for Summer comfort. And
since human nature is exceedingly apt to
put off the doing OF necessary things until It
Is impossible to deter them longer, without
expecting remonstrance from some more
prompt individual, or loss of ones own self
credit, it is well to consider such matters be-
fore the nick of time.
The conservative, among men espec tally
object to the wholesale ''Spring cleaning"
on the ground that there is no need of turn
ing house topsy-turvy for one or two
weeks in the year. Granted, If that is nee
essary accompaniment of the annual cleans
ing of the general atmosphere, but, if the
deed be done systematically, it is sure to be
a righteous one. Great revolutions purify
the social air; thorough renovation OF
room makes it sweeter place, aud one bet
ter adapted to wholesome, healthful living,
and gives the housewife most potent in
ducement toward keeping 1t fresh and habi-
table. So let there be as wholesale a re-
moval of dust, as sweeping renovation 1--WE
protest that no pun is intended in the latter
phrase!) as hand and brain can bring to
pass. And one slight improvement, coat
of paint, set of white curtains, costing
trivial sum, often quadruples in effect the
outlay of time or trouble.
But there is another view to be taken
which the careful housekeeper seldom sees
that the best use of money is sometimes not
its exchange for practical and tangible things.
The subject was brought home to us the
other day by young girl who said, II wish
mother could be persuaded to take trip to
the mountains or the sea next Summer, but
there are some repairs to be made ct home,
nothing necessary you know, but some things
to add to appearances, and after those are
paid for she won't think she can afford any
other extra expense"
The lady in question has house in spick
aed span order, but she is one OF the Mar
thas who are not only careful ofithe comforts
of her family, but scrupulous in regard to
the outward trappings. Her old carpets are
fresh and unworn, but, though by no means
inharmonieus in tint and shading, the
designs are those of few years ago. The
brick walks would be improved certainly by
being relaid, but there is no real necessity
for that for some time to come.
But it is foregone conclusion that that
careful lady, to preserve her household gods
with the utmost nicely, will deny herself
Summer outing. Such is not true economy.
Notwithstanding the fact that we who own
houses are bound by all the dictates of COM
nonsense to keep up their value, that we
who have children ought in strict justice to
make sure, by any self-denial, of enough
money for their education, and as provision
against casualties of fortune, there is use
Of money, in devoting it to unnecessary ma
terial ends, which is not the best one.
Many man is taught such dstrust of the
future because of the fckleness of his past
fortunes that he literally does not dare
speculate in the luxuries of new scenes and
fresher air. His money is apparently safer
in land or the bank. or even in leather
purse under his pillow than invested in a
Summer journey, some new books or a
course of drawing lessons for one of the
daughters. When will the practical mind
be brought to see the beauty of plain living
and high thinking, the possibility OF enter
tanning friends in house whose plainness
and comfort is adorned chiefly by the mental
and moral attributes of its inmates?
The man or woman who has learned that
cleanliness and an environment calculated to
promote heallhful living are as truly condi-
lions under which one may enjoy the beau
ties of art, science and thought, as are more
luxurious belongings, has come to some I'M
Outstanding of the right use of money. But
is not he fortunate who can preserve the
happy medium? who can carefully provide
for the material wants of those dependent on
him, and yet be not forgetful that life is not
all struggle for things that satisfy? 1t
is sad fact that many man reaches the
prime of life, nay, indeed, goes down to old
age, hard-handed with toll, without having
tasted the real pleasure of living. Often he
is not responsible; life has dealt 80 hardly
with him, has thrust on him 80 grievous
burdens, that he could not lift his head to
the sunlight, or take his eyes from the path
which must be trodden for even glimpse at
tho blueness of the sky.
Gas Tar for Potato Bugs.
Mr.. S. R. Hart, of Brighton, N. Y, near
Rochester, has for two years past used on his
potato vines water which has been impreg
mated with gas tar. One gallon of gas tar in