Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-11-17

.E>Ihctics in the Kitchen.
Lwa.hInglon %. rll.lnls LeAler.

lWashluElp pl LOT, I'll-NulE Ledl"E
In these days when we hear So much
twaddlc about the ipsthctic-a good deal
of it by the people who have but faint
idea Of the meaning Of iesthcticism-we
read constantly Of aesthetic dresses, hats
houses and house furniture, of aesthetic
parlors and aesthetic bedrooms. but
never yet read OF an aesthetic kitchen, al
though ] really saw such one the other
day. Can kitchen be really aesthetic :?
you ask. with visions of heated ranges,
grease, griddles, iron pots and dish-pans
dancing before your eyes. Listen and
you shall judge for Yourself. Calling the
other day upon lady friend who lives in
a charming suite of rooms. centrally To-
Gated, was invited 10 look into her little
kitchen, which she had just furnished as
II comfortable addition to her pleasant
quarters.
"You see" said the lady, rs she usher
ed me into the apartments, I'VE have
tried all ways of living, and until now we
were never satisfied. Boarding in the
ordinary way is monotonous and unsatis-
factory going out to mes meals, parti-
cularly in bad weather, is as unhOmelikc
and dreary as possible while caterers
whom | have tried without number -
have vile habit OF bringing the meals
half cold, AMI they are also unpunctual
to n degree that is eXnsperating. House
keeping in your own home is pleasant, of
course, but, rs one never feels settled in
n rented house, | resolved to go to light
housekeeping until | could move under
my own roof In the meantime | believe
have solved the problem of how to live
comfortably with little work and no wor-
ry of servants. Within stones throw
of the best markets, groceries, daires,
etc, it is easy to have supplies sent often
and marketing is little trouble my rooms
are kept in order by the maid servant,
who will also for IL small compensation
wash dishes for me when | desire it.
The cooking | do myself, and my hus-
band is delighted. Say, is not my kitch-
ell pretty?'
1t was, indeed, prctticr than | ever i'm
agined n kitchen could be made. Pretty
china was displayed on shelves, brackets,
and in tiny corner cupboard japanese
scrolls, fans and plates hung upon the
walls, and there was nothing about the
room suggestive of cooking except an in
nocont looking little "Florenco Favoritc"
oil stove which stood on n box curtainod
with chintz, bearing printed figures, from
the opera of Patience" in soft aesthetic
colors. A breakfast table stood Mt one
side of the room-whirh was little larger
than hall bedroom pretty dressing
case occupied one corner, Il washstand
stood in the other, and the only remain
ing corner was filled by n small ward
robe.
"But where do you keep things
Where are your kitchen uiensils-your
kettles, tins and broilers?'
With smile my friend pulled aside
the curtain which hung below the oil
stove, and there in box were all the
utensils necessary in cooking. Further
investigations revealed the fact that the
dressing case was only used to hold gro
ceries, while the washstand concealed the
tin dishbasin, soap. etc. Market baskets,
tea towels, work aprons, and the like
were slowed away in the wardrobe
"What do you do with slops p | ven
tured to ask, amazed at the eXpediency of
my hostess, whom / had hitherto consid-
cred incapable of work harder than Ken
sington art neede-work or painting.
"They are all emptied in the bathroom
except the dry slops.
"What do you do with them q
She beckoned me to the window, where
n basket hung by long rope, reaching
clear to the basement.
81 send them down i'll that the girl
empties the basket and draw it up again
whenever need it. 1t saves running up
and down stairs, and besides has flavor
of The Princess IN the Tower about it