The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-04-28
Housekeeping.

| among the many qualifications indis-
pensabieto the good housekeeper, stands
Pre-emlnent that of good cook; be-
cause that, more than all else. affects
the health and spirits of the entire fam
lily. A growing family is no small re-
sponsibility as every mothers heart will
| own ana In order that the children NAV
become. strong and robust, their food
should be as carefully selected and pre-
pared, as doctors prescription. 1t
should be regularly served at stated
hours and placed on the table in an at
tractlve form at all times, as outward
appearance forms no small part in the
enjoyment of the meal. The viands
served IN each household are so various
no rules can or should be given except
that IN all cases simple, wholesome food
is far preferable and really more palata-
BILE than the indigestibIe dainties SO often
placed on the table. Therefore, mothers
should teach their daughters that great
and truly beautiful accomplishment, the
secret of being a good cook.
Order and cleanliness may well come
on the housekeeping list, for they also
have no small part to play in the har-
mony of the family and the endowment
of the household. Every cupboard.
pantry and drawer should be subject to
frequent cleansing and Frightening
up process, sufficient to keep them in
perpetual order, otherwise, by little
neglect, the housekeeper will find her
burdens doubled and her work sadly
disarranged. Only by extreme care,
where there is but one pair of hands at
the helm, can the management of
household be sustained with comfort,
allowing few hours for rest and read
ing. In such a household everything
should be done as simply as possible
no extra tucks on the pillow-shams or
cases, fewer ruffles to flute, tables
painted to avoid securing, etc. Ruf1ies,
tucks and fancy work may look well,
but not half so well as a happy, con-
tented mother, whose face is not marked
with lines of care and WEAKNESS. Little
will the babies care how many tucks
were in their tiny dresses, when they
become men and women. Better a
thousand-fold will be the sight of o
bright mothers face than one wearied
and fretful, grown cross and morose,
or, it may be, gone forever, with quiet,
folded hands resting at last.
Too many women who have been
bright, merry maidens, sink into dull,
stupid, fault-finding wives and mothers.
Why is itP Some may fancy because
their duties are beyond their weak bod
les. And so they are. Sometimes the
husband is responsible, in driving his
business and work and paying no heed
to his wife's help and conveniences. But
in a larger number of cases the wife
herself is really fault. In nearly ev-
cry household the work can be cut down
and simpliied. That is, can be, if we
but overcome some of the old house
wives notions in regard to work. If
they would only realize that house
can be kept and neatly and prettily too,
without such an immense load of quilts
as requires months and even years to
accumulate. Cheap spreads that are
easily washed nice new comforts and
blankets are far preferable, and what a
gain for hours of reading, rest and i'm
provement, and this is only one instance
there are many more.
The poem that delighted the maiden
should no less please the matron, the
flowers that were gathered upon her ma
tive hills in girlhood; should be plucked
as joyously when accompanied by her
own children. England's Queen is no
ted for her simplicity of dress and man
ners, also, for the sensible way in which
she reared her children. How many
American wives and mothers fall below
her high standard of woman's true
duties! Take the lesson to heart.
Aunt Nora, in the Household