The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-06-29
A Plea for Good Rural Cooks.


1t isn't often SO many good sugges-
tons on housekeeping are so well con-
depsed as in the following from the
Household:
among the many qualifications in
dispensable to the good housekeeper
stands pre-eminent that of a good cook;
because 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, and in order that the children
may become strong and robust their
food should be as carefully selected and
prepared as doctors prescription. 1t
should be regularly served at stated
hours and placed on the table in an at
tractive form at all times, rs 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 pala-
table than the indigestible dainties so
often placed on the table. Therefore,
mothers should teach their daughters
that great and truly beautiful accom-
.'Order and cleanliness may well come
on the housekeeping list, for they also
have no small part to play in the liar
mony of the family and the enjoyment
of the household. Every cupboard,
pantry and drawer should be subject to
a frequent cleansing and Strengthening
up process, sufficient to keep them in
perpetual order, otherwise, by a little
neglect, the housekeeper will find her
burdens doubled and her work sadly dis
arranged. Only by extreme care, where
there is but one pair of hands at the
helm, can the management of house
hold be sustained with comfort, allow
ing few hours for rest and reading
In such household everything should
be done as simply as possible; no extra
tucks on the pillow shams or cases, few
er rutlles toflute, tables painted to avoid
securing, etc. Rufies, tucks and fancy
work may look well but not half so well
us happy, contented mother, whose
face is not marked with lines of care
and WEAKNESS. Little will the ba bies
care how many tucks were in their tiny
dresses, when they become men and wo-
men. Better thousand fold will he
the sight of bright mothers face than
one wearied and fretful, grown cross
ever, with quiet, folded hands resting at
last.
TOO many women who have been
bright, merry na.dens, sink into dull,
stupid. fault-fnding wives and mothers.
Why is it? Some may fancy because
the duties are beyond their weak bodies.
And so they are. Sometimes the hus-
band is responsible in driving his bus
mess and work, and paying no heed to
his wife's help and conveniences; but in
Il larger number of cases the wife her.
self is really ut fault. In nearly every
household the work can be cut down
and simplited; that is, can be, if we but
overcome some of the old housewives
notions in regard to work. If they
would only realize that n house can be
kept, and neatly and prettily, too, witt
out such IN immense load of quilts as
required months, and even years to ac-
cumulate. Cheap spreads that are
easily washed. nice new comforts and
blankets are far preferable what 4
gain for hours of reading, rest and i'm
provement and this is only one in
stance, there are many more.
1.-The poem that delighted the maiden
should no less please the matron; the
flowers that were gathered upon her
native hills in girlhood should be pluck
ed rs joyously when accompanied by
her own children. England's Queen is
noted for her simplicity of dress and
manners, also for the sensible way in
which she reared her children. How
many American wives and mothers fall
below her high standard of Il woman's
true duties. Take the lesson to heart.