Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-04-11
SOMETHING rORTaE CHILDREN.

Ny Dear Cousins 1t has been a long
time since l wrote you a real letter and this
morning. while you are about your morn-
ing's work. 1 am going to talk to You. 1t
i, queer question am about to ask and
some of you will laugh when you read it
Have you begun your house cleaning
ve,?' You are by this time wondering
what Cousin Bes means by asking such
question, Now will tell you why asked.
Because house cleaning is work that be-
longs inst as much 10 you, girls ana boys,
as to Your mothers. Have you rot boxes
and drawers and trunks and closets and
clothes presses that are full of trinkets and
rrumpery and books and winter clothing.
Then what is the reason you should not pull
them out come day and sort everything
over. Only think of the amount of work
it will save your mammas. You can make
little bonfres out of the odds and ends
that you do not want. These you will en-
joy. especially if you happen to have an
open fire place in your house. few old
letters and some old worn wrapping pa
pers will send a blaze up the Chin
ney, that no one was ever yet too OLD TO
enjoy. But in doing such work be sure
to do one thing at q { me. For instance
take out all your picture books and school
books and look them over carefully. Rub
of al the pencil marks that are not there
for . purpose. Take eff all the covers
that are worn. tora or soiled snd put on
new ones Of paper or cloth. When cover
ing books always cut Gu. that part of the
cover that comes over the name or title of
the book. This will save the trouble as
well A. the wear of removing book from
the ehelf in order to tell what one it s.
You can supply your books with markers
You will find it very pretty work. Ii YOU
do not know how. will refer you 10 Mrs.
Sarah Vests letter Ito the daughters" un-
der Eater Gifts you keep your books
on shelves you can attach the markers at
the bottom and that will bring the little
rassels at the top. Boys you can do thi.
work -. as we'll ss girls. II will help to
cultivate your taste and you will in this
wsy learn Whist colors do, or do not har
monte. And so on through the whole
catalogue of your childish treasures. l
would have you learn to see u your own
things and know where everything is with
out calling upon any other member
OF the family. This and nothing
short do l term indepen ience. After
the indoor work is done and all your be-
iongings are in order, You can turn your
hand - more work about the house and
premises. Go to the shop a, put the tool
chest in order. Perhsp, you will earn
that . gmlet, . file, or your papa's best
hand saw 10 missing. That is ist Why
send you there, 10 look up these very things
but VT ere are ihey-tlsts the question
where are they? the very IN ,wer to
this question has put more money in the
stor. keepers pocket than i: would take to
educate q erea. many Of you, my dear
cousins. They are lot rushing out or,
worse than ali-ient. Shine Up tn iools,
tack up tbs loop, aud sort OFT the nails, !
brush down the ob-webs and have every
thing in order before it 10 time to 20 on to
the land. The d boxes too, need rail !
here and there. By the time YOU get thi
dose it viii! be time to rake of the de I'D !
leaves and clean up your yards,-not only |
the front yards but the back yards a. we'll. |
Rake up oil the oil brush an / rubbish aai |
when it is dry add GIFTED torch t, II, aud |
when it is all burned up you will feel veil /
paid for all the work you have done. Now
have | NOT shown you that all of house
cleaning does not belong to mamma, dear
faithful mammal