The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-03-20
Household and Woman's Work.


affairs in the house is subject which has
broad opportunity for discourse, which
shall not attempt at this time. My
sister who is to speak upon this subject,
will doubtless bring in the homework
more clearly than can.
To make home pleasant and attractive
should be the object of every inmate OF
the household One does not need gold
to make the home enjoyable. 1t is not
TO clothe ourselves in silks, satins, or
broadcloth that brings contentment,
neither is it the dainty menu of "Puree
Chicken la Refine" or the Small Pat
ties la Toulouse, prepared by con-
nosseur of delicious food that brings
good fortune. Good clean garments,
suitable for the time and place, good
wholesome food prepared and arranged
in an inviting manner, will give us more
strength of body and mind.
The majority of happy homes are found
among the middle classes of society, not
very rich or very poor and not over
worked, where labor is necessary for the
support of the family. 1t would be hard
to find man or woman of marked ability
in society, worthy of example, or of
drawing loving hearts around the firesde,
where health and prosperity dwell, who
are not lahuring, or had not In times past
labored industrously; 1t does not matter
what that work may be, of the brain or
muscle, provided ii be he norable. The
boy who lightens the labor Of his father
in farm work is just as worthy as the
one called to professional duties. The
girl who assists her mother in homework
oh. "A 1nI },
presence, is II helpmate Of no small i'm
portance. There are st asons in farm life
when work presses. The physical and
mental facnlties are overtasked almost
beyond susceptibility of social enjoy
ments, and in order to couuteract this,
every housekecper should study to sys-
tematize and carry her work smoothly
along. This calls for greater keenness
of discernment and sound judgment than
is required by seven-eights of the work
done by man. Woman's work demands a
touch of many occupations. Imagine
mau changing work with a woman for
one day. Let him wash and dress the
children, prepare the breakfast, not for
getting In the meantime to put the dish
waite. heating; the clothes in soak for
washing or the irons on the stove for
ironing; the cream ready for churning,
looking after the children; a stitch set
here and there in torn pockets or mittens,
that they may be in time for school.
After breakfast, as in duty bound, comes
loving sympathy for the companion who
is going out into the bracng air and
lovely sunshine of a pleasant day; If not
pleasant day, quietly reposing on the
lounge or nicely Struggled in the arm
chair near the fire. Children ready for
school, then comes washing dishes, max
ing beds, sweeping, busting, making pies
and cakes, taking care that She home be
made attractive and cheerful for the
weary outdoor working one, and II he is
not tired man he Is wonder of won
ders. 1t is no small arrangement of
Homework to carry out efficiently these
plans. The housewife should be contin-
ually looking ahead of her work planning
beforehand, exercising judgment SO as to
bring each days work to it, accomplished
object Man is out in the world where
the pure air and beautiful surroundings
recreate knowledge and courage, but
woman ensconced within the four walls
of her house, has no. the same promise
for physical and mental education. her
greatest motive, it may be, to pesse her
husband, her children and her God.
The most perfect housekeeper is she
who makes every one in the household
feel encouraged, strengthened and com
Portable without any apparent effort, As
a means to this end she should have her
rooms well ventilated, sunny and easy of
access to every part, with good seec
ton of kitchen utensils. The husband
man should have labor saving machines,
should also come a. often to the house