Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1890-04-03
THE CARE OF THINGS.

Eternal Vigilance Necessary to Domestic
Comfort and Economy.
All things earthly must succumb to
wear and time. But with many persons
their possessions become useless long
before they should, simply from neg
lect
In the homes of careful New England
housewives there are heirlooms-china>
table linen, old furniture-which have
been handed down through dozen gen.
erations, and are as good as ever. The
china has not been plunged into boiling
water, or cracked and nicked by being
thrown into a heap with knives, forks
and spoons in the dishpan- Table
cloths, napkins and carpets have been
darned before their spots expanded into
holes.
Probably nothing is so abused in an
untidy home as books People who
have a regard for every thing else viii
turn down the leaves, warp the backs
and spot the pages of books with utter
Indifference, if not impunity. The Dor
rowed volume is sent home, after pass
ing through such hands, dropping to
pieces, or soiled beyond remedy, lit only
for ligh ting the fire or being tossed into
the waste basket
Not knowing how to take care OF
things is, in this country, at any rate, @
most prolific source of extravaganza and
poverty. To the thriftless it seems
easier to replace than to mend and the
purchase of the same article many times
over, consumes money which might be
employed in some permanent adornnene
or benefit.
Clothes wear out just as quick irons
bad treatment as from constant use. No
matter how late the model housekeepee
may come in from some evening enter
tainment, her gown is laid out smoothly,
the waist turned wrong side out to air 10
until morning. Then it is shaken out
folded and put away in a box or bureau
drawer. Some prefer hooks to drawers,
but a dress skirt hung up gets 'tstringy"
and out of shape. Loosely and smooth
~ folded they do not
Skirts that are damp and soiled should
be hung where they will dry and
thoroughly brushed and cleaned as soon
as they can be. Gloves should be
smoothed out and laid in their box,
boots should be cleaned and put away
where they will not become receptacles
for dust Wooden garments taken OF
for the season should be cleaned and
stored where they will not invite the
ravages of moths, while muslins should
be washed and put away trough dry
ready for laundrying when they are to
be worn again
Mending is a task that can NOT -
postponed The proverb "a stitch In
time saves nine" knows no variation
When ready-made Undertaking 10
purchased it should be gone over cares
fully, every button sewed on again, the
button-holes worked over, the ends q
seams fastened and threads tied where
they have been left to ravel. Stockings
that are not darned-and there has bee0
no improvement on the tedious, old
fashioned methods Of our grandmothers,
will speedily become slovenly and ue
comfortable bundles Of rags.
As to the care of china, handsome
plates should be wrapped separately il
tissue paper Standing them on edge
warps them. Silver not commonly use&
should be put back in wrappings of cloth
or chamois skin
Domestic economy depends up0
eternal vigilance in cupboard, wardrobe
and pantry. and negligence there is Q
certain source of discomfort, and inc0D
venience and poverty.-Chicago Inter
Ocean.