The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-20

as they enter put on their big carpenters
aprons with ready air wholly different from
that with which some of them take their school
books from their desks, and soon the shayings
begin to fy, the clean smell of the wood
is IL me air. the teacher, himself practical car
penter, moves from bench to bench, inspecting
each step of every boys work, and the same
order and regularity are observed as in the class
room, with far more alacrity and willingness.
Boxes, hinged and provided with locks, parlor
steps, bookcases, wheelbarrows, towe-racks are
among the commoner articles produced The
Philadelphia schools turn out fine specimens of
mortising, single and dove-tail joints, ETC., and
in the Brooklyn Orphan Asylum pictures are
framed as neatly as in cabinent makers shop.
Sometimes girls admitted to the carpentry
lessons, and, to all appearances, enjoy them as
well and do work good as that of the boys.
The hammered brasS-work is in many ways
less practical than carpentry. because it requires
knowledge of design and skill IN tracing
which few grown people. not to say children,
possess. if really good work is to be done. Still
no one would wish it eliminated from the train
ing course who has seen dozen boys on oppo-
site sides of the strong benches this one, his
head on one side, attention all absorbed, prac-
ticing his lines and curves with tho tracer; that
one, hammer in one hand, punch in the other,
face afiame with eagerness. beating his sheet
metal into low relief, and bringing out simple
fruit and flower designs, or even portrait
placques, with accuracy and artistic feel
ing that cannot fail to make the beautiful
things of the world more beautiful to him as long
as he lives.
Clay modelling is as attractive as mud pie max
ing to childish fingers. and each little midget
who bends over the plastic material shapes 1t
and turns it as intenty as if it were the genuine
pastry of the puddle and not delusion and a
snare to coax her into learning drawing and de-
signing by easy methods Modelling is really
drawing in clay and is much easier than draw
ing on paper as muck so as stirring up the mud
pie is easier than making picture of it in the
drawing book. An old shoe plaster cast of
a rabbit makes perfect model for imitation,
and the Juvenile sculptors learn inSensibly by
play lessons instead of workaday tasks the mys
teries of shape and FORM they learn to use their
eyes, and make of them more trustworthy SER
wants than most of us possess.
For the girls cooking classes simple kitchen
outfit is the only requisite. In the cooking room
of the training school of the Industrial Educa
ton Association, 81 East Eleventh street, New
York. the shining range occupies the post of
honor upon side of the room. Plenty of ia
BILE room and plenty of closet room for storing
away the household utensils and marketing sup
plies of the band Of little housekeepers make up
the other essentials. Fifteen is the largest nufn
Der admitted to any class, and for the hour and
half the lesson continues, jolly fifteen they
are. The great kitchen apron w1aps
stray lock Of hair is tucked carefully
away, sleeves are rolled up to the elbow.
and with mixing bowl and spoon in hand each
little cook is ready for the business of the hour
Slips of paper with the bill of fare for the day
are distributed and with plenty of active work
and plenty of discussion of the why's and where
fores of each step. the bread Is baked the soup
is made, the vegetables are cleaned and pre-
pared, the steak is broiled the oven is watched.
until a flushed and f1oury little company find
that their meal is ready, every motion made by
their own hands, and good deal of knowledge
of the simple chemistry of cooking, judicious
marketing, and the nutrltive value of foods alb
sorbed beside.
The Little Housekeepers' Glass is as merry
one to enter as could be found. 1t is one thing
to learn to care for bedroom by handling the
pillows, the blankets and the great heavy puifs
of mammals establishment 1t is quite another
thing, when one is not yet in ones teens, with
SONGS and music, and dainty dolls bed to work
upon, to lift and turn and shake up the mattress,
to lay the sheets in order and to perform every
operation with the self Same care and nicely
If dolly could appreciate every item of atten-
ton. Sweeping, busting. setting and clearing
tables, washing and ironing are made enticing
III the same fashion, untilseach little maid has
pleasant instead of doleful associations with
every branch of household work.
Sowing when introduced into the public
schools. is included among the regular lessons,
and pains are taken to excite as much ambition
for good ''marks" in this department as in any.
In some of the schools of jamestown, N. Y, and
10 the Brooklyn Orphan Asylum cutting and
fitting are taught, little housekeeper fashion, by
practice on the wardrobe of Mistress Dolly. A
dozen or twenty little maids, each with lap
board upon her knees, makes a quaint
matronly assemblage and with paper
patterns of what answers to Nine.
Democrats latest fashion for the mimic lady
pinned in orde-- upon the civss scissors n air
hovering in search of the best spot at which to
negn they form absorbed and busy group as
we'll Dolys clothes are fitted with precision,
sewed with fairy stitches and trimmed with ali
the skill that taste can devise Dollys wardrobe
IL great relief from patchwork or busters, or
kitchen holders, and conveys even more knowl-
edge and skill. The ne education Is fairly I'M
der way, and from its beginning in the Kinder
garten to its full development in the manual
training apprentice school, it cannot fail to
restore respect for the skill Of the hand and add
to the dignity of the workman.
ELIZA PUTNAM HEAroN