The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-05-03
Efficiency.

In turning off work a great deal de-
ponds on taking hold of it at the right
end; in doing first the thing that should
first be done, and so on. Many women
have way of unravelling the cocoon
OF their work so it will reel off smoothly
from beginning to end, without any snarl,
any delay, any waste. They see what is
first to be done, what next, what last,
what may be LETT undone, and proceed
in logical order. The efficient worker
is systematic and diligent in the use Of
time. She realizes that the hands of
the clock move just as fast when she is
dallying, hesitating, 'puttering.' as
when she is working at the top of her
speed.
Regularity and punctuality in the
matter of serving meals is essential to
success in getting ones work promptly
done up. If breakfast happens any
where from six to nine, and dinner
anywhere from twelve to three, and
supper when it chances to be called for
or to be ready, the houseworker will
never have minute she can call her
own. But if at stated hour aud min
ute the meals are served and are eaten,
the work of the family may be readily
crystalliAed about these points.
The heavy tasks, like washing and
ironing, must be SO prepared for that
they will be as light as possible. If due
provision is made beforehand there
need not be much fresh cooking done
while they are going on. The house
keeper will gain by going to bed an
hour earlier the night before and get
ting up two hours earlier in the morn
ing, SO she can push the work well along
without interruption before it is time to
lie busy about breakfast. In these, as
in other tasks, the brains must be made
to save the hands and feet; while one is
doing one thing she can be p aiming for
the next, all the time keeping the end
to be gained in view and pushing stead
lily toward that. Side issues must be ig-
nored for the time being, and may be
taken up and disposed of when the main
work is done. These side issues are tho
"little foxes that spoil the grapes"
and keep the worker from reaching the
goal. One must neglect a great many
things each side the line she is working
on if she would make rapid progress,
a great many things that may call for
doing, but which, if she stops to do, will
hinder the main work and give her lit
tie to show for her time. When the
main things are attended to she may go
back and pick up dropped stitches, lin
ISL details, atone for neglects and fasten
loose ends.
1t is well for her who would turn off
work in variety and quantity to have
good many irons in the fire or near il,
so if one can not be heated another can.
Work can be cut out and made ready
for the needle or machine; enterprises
planned so as to be taken up when OPP
portunity serves, and thus no time be
lost. A great deal of reading, knitting,
sewing, embroidery and fancy work is
Z done by some women in moments that
by others are utterly wasted. The
efficient housekeeper is usually good in
forcing into her service all the available
help at command. Children are made
to save steps and to perform such offices
as are within their capability, and the
masculine portion of the household is
not forbidden the privilege of helping
them when help is needed. If our
friend can get near view of the man
agement in her neighbours household
she will probably find some of the Sc.
crets of her success limited at in the sug-
geStions above giyen.-M y I'rI6aRe.