The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-12-16
A Word to Mothers.

Mothers! say, make practical house,
keepers OF your daughters, whatever else
you make Of them. What Is a woman II
she cannot keep house practicallys Is she
any comfort to her husbandf l would
say she Is not. II is the duty of every
mother to train her children so that they
will be comfort and blessing to those
around them. The wealthy mother may
say, she keeps Il servant or housekeeper
and 1t is not necessary for her daughter
to work. That Is all very we'll. Does
she forget that "ricbes have wings" and,
too, that her daughter will soon.r 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 mar
riedy And how often do we hear them
say, "Why did not my mother teach me
how to keep -houser or otherwise they
will be ugly and disagreeable to their
husbands, which brings = separation OF
what might have been a happy couple.
Now, II mothers would put daughter at
little things, like busting or clearing up
her own room, OF putting her clothes in
order, (and there are q 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 her). A
she grows older, increase her responsible.
tiles and cares. In this way, little by
little, knowledge OF cooking, baking,
washing, ironing, cleaning, sewing and
managing ahouse In general Is gradually,
yet easily acquired. II all mothers
by families and more well managed
households in this world than we have
now. l do not mean to say that art and
music shonld be neglected, for, cannot 4
woman know how to keep house, and
still be an artist or q musiciaps was
borne In wealth, never wanted for any
thing. My mother kept servants but still
we had to work. She used to say, tive
have all We want low, but will 1t be 50
forever2' And a good thing 1t 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 a 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 bow to 60 ahead
and do the work. What a comfort 1t Is
to a mother II she is sick and knows she
has a daughter who can look amer the
household dulles. Often Is the time |
have heard 1t said by women in trouble,
w Oulu tuAt hnoSutT uHu Taught LDc
to work when / was child, now am
married and must flud out every thing and
worry where there Is no necessity for it,
Girls grow up, knowing nothing OF the
won iment and troubles their mothers
have. They go to school, to parties, con-
certs, and so on, and are as merry IS
larks, while their mothers are at home
over-burdened with care. Now, why no,
let them help and share the cares OF their
mothers, and comfort theme 1t would
give both mother and daughter pleasure.
Have you ever noticed q mother and
daughter working and planning together
aud sharing the SORROWS, as we'll as the
] ,ys Of this lifs7 If you have, you will
know what q great help that daughter
was to the mother. Take the girl that
knows nothing about housekeeping OIL
the care of children, what 10 she when
she is married? Then take one tina,
knows about 1t, aud see the contrast oil
the two new homes. Let sickness come
In the house Of the former and she viii
be completely upset. Let it come to the
latter and she will know just what to DO
Only the other day 1 heard Of a woman
knowing nothing about house work, LEFT
BY her girl with sick husband and baby
to care for. How should she care for heI
sick husband, what should she cook ant
how, was the burden of her thoughts
Then they were to move, the day having
been set and other parties waiting te
move 10 the house. She ordered the ex
press for the next morning, but not on,
thug was ready. So the neighbors cans
in and packed her things, and took the
carpets up for her. Now suppose sht
had not h,d those kind neighbors, wha1
would have become of her then? nevel
saw the woman yet who was sorry tina
she had learned practical housekeeping
and queer woman she must De II an
ought to be proud of being good house
keeper. And know that men In genera
are very proud II they havr wife who /.
a good housekeeper. -Lddics' Home Jour
nal.