The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-11-13
The BACK DOOR.
some of Its Startling and, Most Frequent
1y, Disagrccabie Revelations.

some of Its Startling and, Most Frequent
ly, DisaRrccabic Revelations.
II would be good custom. for a fow
years at least, until tho back door nui-
sances were abated, that guests should
be admitted by this entrance. There
would be some startling revelations!
Many brown-stonc front would blush
at the shameful discrepancy between its
two places of ingrcss. Yet the true
character of the housekcepcr is nowhere
better revealed than by tho condition of
her back door and yard. Filth. dirt aud
clutter seem naturally to gravitate to
the rear. there to remain in slumbcring,
undisturbed reposc; especially IL there
BE- shed or summer kitchen this pan
dcmonic spirit has chance for riotous
sway.
But, dear reader. il you have bad
habits in this regard. break from them
ut once. Don't sentinel the back door
with all the unkcmpt, jaded implements
of housekeeping you may possess
crepit brooms and mop-handlos, limping
chairs. broken barrels, Jugs and jars
rusty pans, cans and pals. skeleton UNI
brellas. bonnet frames and hoop-skirts
cast off clothing and smashed crockcry
an arrayas nondescript and humorous
looking as Falstafrs army of "tattcred
prodigas," "scarecrows" and "bodie,"
that he had "unloaded from the g.bbct
and pressed
am convinced. both from observance
and expcr ence. that the lining of the
back entrance with such misccl-
lancous lot of trumpery, even when
living in the most restricted quarters, is
wholly the result of lax habits of order
and neaness.
AS regards garbage and refuse.
health. rs well as good taste, demand
that it be ostracised from our premises.
Yet we find many back yard strewn
with potato, orange and apple skins.
egg shells, etc. Now if one has no
fowls or animals to eat these things, or
well-appointed swiil man to care for
them, we say burn them. together with
the waste brown paper that comes
around meat, and such as is not fit for
the rag-bag or can not be utilized in
domest C economy.
One must choose tho proper time for
the cremation of this unsighty accumu-
lation, or 1t will interfere with the cook
ing, as it necessarily dcadens the fire.
When the culinary operations are done
and the fire is no longer needed, then
put it in the stove, give full draft and
there will be no unpleasant order in the
house.
The ash-heap is necessary but
lamentable offense to all yards. But if
the ashes are not used for garden or
walk. why not have them in box and
concealed from view by pretty bower
or wall of flowers. The wild cucumber
is pretty and prolific vine. Oscars
pet, and the equally stately but more
modest hollyhock. would be capital for
this purpose, AS has been suggested,
this pile ''that will not down, is not
the place for refuse or papers.
Concerning the long list of mend-I-
can't furniture. tinware, clothing, etc.
that hannts this back passage, practice
daily the condensing process; things for
which there is no probable or possible
use, destroy. root and branch. and put
the rest where they will be handy. but
out of sight as much us possible. A
homemade cupboard. before which
hangs neat calico curtain, will hide
multitude of this calamity.
Keep tidy uncluttcrcd back step or
porch. Have clean. thrifty. und sh-
watered plot of grass around it. free
from rags, papers and flnOr swcepings.
(Never brush the latter out of the door;
always burn thcrn.}
remember once seeing the rear of
qu a stately Establishment, perfectly
bald of grass. of which the loathsome,
d sease-breed ng. Falstaflic army of
cnstaways, here n described. held undis-
putcd posses son.
When out of doors. form the habit of
picking up any thing that may have
been dropped upon the grass. Incul-
cate this habit and the love of u tidy
place in your children. Try to keep
your back entrance SO neat and orderly
that you need not blush should choice
or aristocratic friend. finding you "not
at home at the front door. persistently
seek you at the back. McndeH,
in Good Housekeeping