The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-08-11
WOMANLY TOUCHES.
a Merited Tribute 60 the Virtues "a tho
Ever Busy Housewife.

a Meritcd Tribute g. the Virtues "a the
EVcr Busy liouscwifc.
IL f. the woman's touch in the hou'o
which marks the difference between
the mere shelter ana the home When
mother and the girls arc away for a
few days or weeks, ANA the housckccp-
ing Is left 20 father, the house takes ou
inscnsibly tho look of neglect. which
comes from the absence of the woman
ly element Utilitariuuism steps TO
the front. Papers and books lie about.
Boots and shoes are everywhere. The
rooms may bc cleaned periodically by
somo stroug-armcd Bridget, and they
are sure 20 hc aired and summed, for
men. bless their hcur;s, are sensible
enough 10 Valuc air and light, but the
graceful arrangement oi furniture, tho
disposition OF things 90 the best nd
vantage, belongs only 10 women. Tho
average man has contempt FOR such
management
Who but lady over thinks ot plac-
ing the ottoman over tho worn spot in
the carpet, and setting The rickcty Ia
bic In the corner, whore II will not on
ly look pretty under the brackets, ON
which stands the pot OF growing ivy,
but also be oUt Of the way of clumsy
foot or an impctuous child. Who else
orders the lights and shades. 80 ~ 10
throw the bcst OF tie room into relief,
and the less beautiful into purtiul OBJ
security? Who else always remembers
20 turn the moudod side OF the vase to-
ward the wall. and 90 keep the arm
chair (Which needs upholst oriug. but
can not yet receive IT'D In the comforta-
bic back room. whore the family group
assemblies, rather than in the statolicr
front parlor which Is sct apart
for guests? What man would take
the trouble 90 make over an old thing,
by dint OF glue, ana ymnish, and gilt
and scrap pictures, 50 that out of mere
rubbish one should evolve household
ornament and II cause for fclicitation.
The many mako the household Ga.sas
But only one rhc home.
And that one, what pleasure sho
takes in Cyntriving, in twisting, in
planning, in cconomizing. In creating
something out OF nothing, How tri-
umphant she Is over the little luxury
which she has been longing forthrough
many weeks and has iinully attained,
the luxury, which would bc nothing
worth were IL not 30 bee shared with
husband and childrcni Mrs Carlvlc's
sofa, which She has kept her eye on for
IA year, and finally got into the house
at IA very small outlay. sofa that cost
just nothing 20 speak OF, Is Il case In
point.
RThc tiny touches, when all e. suid.
arc those which give character 20 the
room and proclaim its occupants indi-
viduality. II used 10 toe harder thnn 10
now IS 20 hang "A wreath around grim
decay. when the decay wa. inside the
door. People would nave thought "A
woman crazy il twenty-five years ago
she had pinned japanese fans on her
walls or filled vases with cut-taiis and
grasses, or set ginger jars IN places Of
honor. But 10y this time we have
found out that artistic possibilities
lurk In reeds and weeds, In the marsh
and the fen, and that tho simplest or-
ticlc may be rcplcte with beauty.
And IL there be hidcou- patch on
the kalsomining, or a spot ON the wall
paper, what an obliging and altogether
satisfying treasure Is the gayly-colorcd
Oriental ian, itself picture. which
lends It's bright hucs and ~ dainty
shape 20 the work, not only Of conceal
ing n dcformity, but hcightcniug
beauty. y.-I.tcNtgcuCer