Connecticut western news., 1882-01-25
KEEPING HOUSE.
A Few Hints that May be Prof1tab1y
 Followed.

l Followed.
 To be housekeeper involves very much more than being able to sweep rooms and cook the food of a family: and no woman should marry till she is able, not only to do this, but to preside over household with good economy, with forecast and dignity. She must understand the requirements of family, the price and quantity of expenditure, and she must be willing to keep 8 rigid account thereof.
 Every housekeeper should have an account book. in which should be care fully noted down every article pur- chased, with date and price. In doing this, a woman will be surprised to learn how much it costs to live and she will learn also to husband her resources, l and to avoid unnecessary expense. She | will remember that if all the time and energies of the heads of a family arerequired to meet daily animal necessi- ties, they are no better than slaves and hence it seems the fitting province of woman to see that there is no waste that what is brought into the house is carefully looked after, made to go as far as possible, made to look as we'll as possible, made to afford the fullest possible comfort to the family.
 I think both husband and wife ought to understand thoroughly the theory, at least, of good, wholesome cooking, and, in cases of emergency, the former should be willing to lend hand to an over-worked wife. It will be no dis arrangement to his manhood to take hold now and then, if nothing more than to show his entire sympathy with her and tenderness for her but good wife, and good housekeeper, will not tax the good man in these petty house. hold matters on the contrary, she will so skillfully work the machinery of the house that all will be done, and be hardly known how and when. She will not belittle him and herself by too much talk about annoying details.
 It requires great skill and judgment to cook well. A young housekeeper must do nothing expect by rule, weight or measurment, otherwise she will make innumerable mistakes, and create much disappointment and discomfort. It is very important that family should feel we'll. Health and cheerfulness and good morals are all more or less in- volved in the way our tables are man. aged. A bright, happy wife feels de- light in serving up delicate dishes for the man of her choice, and grateful look or an appreciative word should not be with-holden by him. It seems utter ly piggish to see man sit down and devour what has cost care and skill and taste to prepare, and never one word of approval or qualification. It is the way of some men and most boorish, dis agreeable way it is.
 While travelling, few days since, I was detained some time in one of our western cities. My room overlooked lane or alleyway in which were several houses occupied by the better class of artisans and became much interested in one of these :; SO much interested that no sooner did hear glad shout from little voice than I knew it was meal time, and Daddy was coming" and took up my point of observation in harmless and admiring scrutiny of the well-governed house. On the way in, the father raised the rejoicing child in his arms and gave it two or three re- sounding smacks; another one had crept to the door sill, and this was lifted also, and its little cheek laid tenderly upon the shoulder which was hunched up to bring it close to that of the fath- CTS. By this time. the wife had brought bowl of water and white, coarse towel then she took the children down applying also sundry pats now on the shoulders of the little ones and now on the broad, fatherly ones and now the chairs were placed at the table, and while the husband gave the last rub of the hard, rough hands, he stretched out his neck and kissed the pretty, girlish wife, who would be lowering near him. They said grace; they dined at the plain, wholesome board and more than once found myself waiting them ben ediction with the tears in my eyes. It is so brutish to pass without word of recognition of the Great Giver.
 The husband was a grave man, and the wife lively, cheery woman, neat as new pin, and very chatty. I thought them wonderfully well matched, for there was no moroseness about the man nor levity in the woman; and when Sunday came, and the little household, dressed in all their fnery, baby and all, went out to church, it was a sight to behold. Theirs was quite a model keeping house, as far as it went.
 In adjusting the household, I would have the pair mutually helpful; but there are certain affairs that look hand somer in the hands of woman than in the hands of man. I think he, as 8 gentleman, who should be independent of all others, ought to be able to broi a steak, mend a rent, or t'sew on 8 button;" but it is more suitably the province of woman to do these things, the husband being supposed to be more proftably employed otherwise.
 Every woman should be able to cut and make household linen and garments with economy, neatness and dispatch. She should cut her work and always have piece ready for the needle to hus- band her time, and avoid hurry and l onlnG11 and Ior&lxr lo-zolx-