Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-27
Household and womsu's Work.

This interesting essay was read at the
meeting Of Somerset Pomona Grange ct
Madison, by Mrs. Z. L. X. Adams Of Skow-
hogan:
Home life and domestic management Of
Affairs in the honse 10 . subject which has
a broad opportunity for discourse. which
shall not attempt at this time. My sister
who 10 to speak upon this ubject will doubt
less bring in the housswork more clearly
than can.
To make home pleasant and attractive
should be the objec: Of every inmate Of the
househ Did. One does not need gold to make
home enjoyable. 1t 10 not to clothe our
selves 10 silks, sstins, or broadcloth that
brings contentmeDt, neither 10 il the dainty
menu of Pure. Chicken = II Reine," or
the small Patties 4 10 Toulouse" pre-
pared BY tonnoisseur of delicious food
that brings good fortune. Good clean gar
ments. 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. II would be hard to find q mAD
or woman of marked ability in society.
worthy of example, or Of drawing loving
hearts around the Preside, where health
and prosperity dwell, who are not laboring.
or had not in times past labored industrious
"; it does not matter what that work may
be, of the brain or muscle, provided it
be honorable. The boy who lightens the
labor Of his father in farm work, 10 Just as
worthy as the one called To professional
duties. The girl who assists her mother in
bousework and cheers and gladdens her
hear, by her presence, is . helpmste Of no
small Importance. There are seasons in
farm life when work presses. The physical
and mental faculties are overtasked almost
beyond susceptibility of social enjoy
ments, and in order to counteract this, every
housekeeper shosld study to systematize
and carry her work smoothly along. This
calls for greater keenness Of discernment
and sound juo gment thaa IL required by
seven eighths of the work done BY man
Woman's work demands touch Of many
occupations. Imagine . man changing
work with a woman for one day. Let him
" ssh and dress the children, prepare the
breakfast, not forgetting in the meantime
to put the dishwater heating; the clothes in
soak for washing, or the irons on the stove
for ironing; the cream ready for churning,
looking after the children; . stitch set here
and there in torn pockets or nittens, that
they may be in time for school. After
breakfast, as in duty bound, comes low
ing sympathy for the companion who is
going out into the bracing air and
lovely sunshine of pleasant day; il not
a pleasant day, quietly reposipg on the
lounge or nicely sDuggled in the arm chair
near the fire. Children ready for school,
then comes washing dishes, making beds,
swee ping. busting. making pies and cakes
taking care that the home be made attrAc-
tive and cheerful for the weary out door
working one, and if be 10 not q tired
man he is wonder of wonders.
II is no small arrangement of house
work to carry out efficiently these
plans. The housewife should be con-
tinuslly looking ahead of her work, planning
beforehand, exercising judgment 50 Is to
bring each days work to its accomplished
object. Man is out in the world where
the pure air and beautiful surroundings
recreate ledge and courage, but womsn
ensconced within the four walls Of hi Z
house, has not the same promise for physi-
cal and mental education, her greatest
motive it may be. to please her husband,
her children and her God
| The most perfect housekeeper 10 che who
makes avery one in the household feel en-
Outraged. strengthened and comfortable
without any apparent effort. As means
to this end, she should have her rooms we'll
ventilated, sunny and easy Of access TO
every part. with good selection Of kitchen
utensils. The husbandman should have Ia
Dor saving machines. should also come ~
often to the housewife, because the happi-
ness, light and comfort Of the whole house,
hold depend more upon her than any other
member in the family for health, strength
ard Joy. That which saves health 10 healthy
economy; that which avoids waste and ex-
trAvagance is good economy; that which 10
q saving in the end, even at q greater out
lay at first. is careful economy; good
article for work or food 10 thoughtful econ
0mv.
Every year brings out new inventions,
which show that though the field Of inven-
tons has been we'll worked, yet there re-
mains something more to come, to save irk
some labor. 1t 10 wonder some one has
not, ere this, invented safe continuance
| for washing dishes. which will do this work
with the least possible drudgery. Those
who have never done this work cannot un-
ders and how large share of vomAn's life
is just fretfed and barrAssed by this least
snowy but most perpetual of household &C.
equations. for if there 10 one thing in do
nestle work which causes annoyance and
vexat.on it is washing dishes.
cannot let this subject pass without al
luding to an important duty of the house.
wife, duty which she owes to her husband,
to her children and to society. \ duty Of
create. consideration and more value thsn
rubbing and scrubbing, cultivation Of
the mind. Mental employ ment is elevating
Ii is q rest from the cares and tolls associ-
sted with cookery and mendins torn gar
ments.
The loved ones around the hearthstone
need her careful teaching. The first years
OF children are most susceptible of sur
rounding influences. Then let her deal
gently with these little ones; leave the
worries and sorrows outside the hou'ehold
and erect high standard for moral and
educational growth. for carefully selected
reading and for choice companionship in
society. which will be . source Of pleasure
to them all through life. Make the best of
life and do what she can in making her
home useful and happy With the resources,
time and talents she has. and however her
pathway may be hedged in by chilling
storms Of poverty or unending drudeery.
ever looking onward for more knowledge,
more affection, more biessedness and more