Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-02
UaiIp 1te,Snebrr 5ouruaI.
A Word to Mothers.

Mothers! / say, make practical house,
keepers of your daughters, whatever else
you make Of them. What is woman II
She cannot keep house practically? Is she
any comfort to her husband? would say
she is not. II il the duty of every mother
to train her children 50 that they will be .
comfort and blessing to those around
them. The wealthy mother may say. she
keeps q servant or housekeeper and it 10
not necessary for her daughter to work.
That is all very well. Does she forget
that riches have wings" and. too. that
her daughter will sooner or later be
married and will then want to keep house
herself How many young women are
there, that know how to manage house
when they are first married? And how
often do we hear them say. "WhY did not
nv mother teach me how to keep house?'
or otherwise they will he ugly and DIS
agreeable to their husbands. which brings
separation of what might have been a
happy couple. Now. if mothers would
put daughter at little things. like dust
ing or clearing up her own room. or put
ting her clothes in order, (and there are
number of other things which she might
be put at when quite young. as may seem
proper to the mother. all Of which will
train herr. As she grows older increase
her responsibilities and cares. In this
way little by little. knowledge of
cooking, baking, washing, ironing, clean
ing. sewing, and managing house
in general is gradually yet easily ac-
quired If all mothers would do this, there
would be more happy families and more
well managed households in this world
than we have now. I do not mean to say that
art and music should be neglected, for,
cannot a woman know how to keep house,
and still be an artist or a musician? |
was borne in wealth. never wanted for
anything. My mother kept servants but
still we had to work. She nsed to say.
1--WE have all we want now, but will it be
so forever" And good thing it was
that we learned while yet young for. time
changes, one year goes, another comes,
each brings its sorrows and its joys.
Each day has its tale to tell of some one
who has lost fortune or some other who
has found one. And the day came to us
TOO, when our fortune went. and happy
we were that we knew how to go ahead
and do the work. What comfort it is to
, mother if she is sick and knows she has
! daughter who can look after the house
lold duties. Often is the time | have
heard it said by women in trouble,
Would that my mother had taught me to
work when was child, now am mar
'ied and must find ont everything and
worry where there is no necessity of it."
Iirls grow up, knowing nothing of the
vorriment and troubles their mothers
nave. They 60 to school, to parties, con-
,erts and so on and are as merry as larks,
while their mothers are at home over
)urdened with care. Now, why not let
hem help aud share the cares of their
mothers and comfort themp 1t would give
both mother and daughter pleasure. Have
you ever noticed mother and daughter
working and planning together and shar-
ng the sorrows, as we'll as the Joys
IF this lifep If you have, you will know
what a great help that daughter was to the
mother. Take the girl that knows nothing
about housekeeping or the care of chill
iren, what is she when she is married
Then take one that knows about it, and
let sickness come in the house of the for
ucI anu SHc Will NC COiuplcIcly upScl.
let it come to the latter and she will know
ust what to do Only the other day
heard of a woman knowing nothing about
house work, left by her girl with sick
husband and baby to care for. How should
'he care for her sick husband, what should
The cook and how, was the burden of her
thoughts. Then they were to move. the
lay having been set and other parties
waiting to move in the house. She Or
Tered the express for the next morning,
,ut not one thing was ready. So the
,eighbors came in and packed her things.
md took the carpets up for her. Now
suppose she had not had those kind neigh
)ors, what would have become of her
HEMP never saw the woman yet who
vas sorry that she had learned practical
housekeeping, and a queer woman she
must be if she were sorry for it. think
very woman ought to be proud of being
. good housekeeper. And | know that
men in general are very proud if they
AVE a wife who is good housekeeper.-
Ladies' Home Journal,