The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-05-16
A Plea for Good Rural Cooks.

1t isn't often so many good sugges-
tons on housekeeping are so well con
densed 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 a 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 Yiands
served in each household are SO various
no rules can or should be given, except
that in all eases 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-
plishment, the secret of being n 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 enjoyment
of the household. Every cupboard,
pantry and drawer should be subject to
frequent cleansing and Strengthening
UP process, sufficient to keep them in
perpetual order, otherwise. by "a little
neglect, the houeekeeper viii find her
burdens doubled and her work sadly dis
arranged Only by extreme care. where
there is but one pair Of hands ut the
helm, can the management of a house
hold be sustained with comfort, allow
ing few hours for rest and reading =
In such a household everything should
be done as simply as possible; no extra
tucks on the pillow shams or cases, few
er ruffies to flute, tables painted TO avoid
securing, etc. Ruflies, tucks and fancy
work may look well but not half 50 we'll
as happy, contented 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 wo-
men Better a thousand fold will be
the sight of bright mother face than
one wearied and fretfGl, grown cross
and morose, or. it may .be, gone for.
ever, 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 it? Some NAV 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 eonveniences; but in
n larger number of eases the wife her
self is really at fault. In nearly every
the work can be cut down
and simplifed that is, can be, if we but
overcome some of the old housewives
notions in regard to work. If they
would only realize that house can be |
kept, and neatly and prettily. too, with |
out such an immense load of quilts as |
months, and even years to ac-
Cheap spreads that are
easily washed, nice new comforts and |
blankets are far preferable-and what |
gain for hours of reading, rest and i'm
provement; and this is only one in |
stance, there are many more
The poem that delighted the maiden |
should no less please the matron; the |
lowers that were gathered upon her |
native hills in girlhood should be pluck |
I'd as joyously when accompanied by |
her own children. England's Queen is /
noted for her simplicity of dress and |
also for the sensible way. in |
which she reared her children How |
many American wives and mothers fall |
below her high standard of a woman
rue duties. Take the lesson to heart. "