The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-02-11
FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT.
A Reading-Room Plan That Was
q Great Success.

tONASSSN11'
sob dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Perkins,
dropping down into a chair, after
finishing her weeks ironing; Il do
wish had little time to read! Not
that complain, but it does seem as if a
wornan's work was never DONE"
Her cousin Gertrude looked up from
the block house which she was building
for the amusement of eighteen-months-
old baby May, and two sympathetic
lines showed themselves between Der
brows.
'sPoor Mamie! You do have busy
life-and you are only two years older
than Il But il. l were you, should not
iron those everyday sheets and pillow
cases and towels SO conscientiously;
and shouldn't wear SO many white
skirts, nor dress the baby in white
every day."
"Oh! yes you would" sighed Mrs.
Mamie. 81 used to think just those
thoughts. l knew before we were
married that Harry's salary would not
be large enough for us to keep a house
maid, and I thought our housekeeping
would be a sort of play affair. l did
make so many good resolutions about
letting things go, and furnishing our
house simply and dressing simply, but
oh dear! There is just about so much
to do, no matter whether you think you
will get along easily or not. Monday
Is washing day; Tuesday, ironing;
Wednesday, baking; Thursday, sweep
ing; Friday, mending and sewing, and
Saturday, baking again!''
"Yes, Nannie," hesitatcd Gertrude,
but then she went bravely on. "In
the first place, your washing is larger
than it need be-hush! you must listen
1T is. Your starched clothes and the
baby's. May would be just as sweet if
she were dressed in colored ginghams,
and she would have great deal better
time, and be healthier, too. l don't
wonder that you do not want her to
play in the sand, the way you dress her
so that is reform No. l."
Mrs. Mamie looked as if she wanted
to be convinced of this, but that it
would take too much heroism and in.
dependence, so long as Mrs. Fuller, op.
posite, and Mrs. Lamson, next door, al
ways kept their little ones so daintily
dressed. But Gertrude kept on:
$50, if your washings were smaller,
your ironings would be so much easier
too, Harry ought to have his linen
sent to the laundry. 1t is enough tc
hreak your back to bend over that table
SO long. Then comes Wednesday,
work You cook too much-yes yor
DO, Nannie!-that is, you co1ld set q
simpler table. You have too many
pies and cookies and doughnuts. You
Know it takes an awfully long time tc
roll out all those things; and there are
somany desserts that are more whole.
some and easier made-cold buildings,
1eiiies with cream, custards, and yor
always have fruit in the summer. Why
my dear girl, you are just spelling YOU
complexion by staying in the house Sc
much, and standing over that ho'
stove"
But | have to, really" interrupted
Mrs Nan.
No, you must listen. I have saved
You at least two hours each day, ant
now comes Thursday. Mamie, 70,
KNOW that you sweep when it is no
necessary. And when you furnished
your house you ought to have used NOR,
straw mating. But then, / suppose i
aio not seem handsome enough; yet i
you would only wait for little dirt t,
snow itself! Oh, have been so exas
perated to see you sweep, sweep, saceep
anu now am going to say all wan
70 having begun so fuently," sh,
laughed little, but continued earnest
" 1t always gives you nervous head
ache after sweeping, for you are no
sonlent with stirring up one room, bu
Sou 60 through all the rooms that 70,
But Aunt Martha looked as if sh
,iought l was very shiftless house
keeper"
"oh, Aunt Martial yes, she is one O
ellat KIND of women who polish thei
oVes until you can see your face in it
aoh believe in the old-fashioned wa,
" housekeeping, neither do you, bu
YOU haven't quite the moral courage t.
sely gossip. And your sewing, Mamie
n nsah, you dress the baby as if it were
e princess, and it is not in good taste
sniiaren ought to wear very stnpl
LOCKS instead of tucks and flounces an
h - And your own gowns Nigh
~ made with fewer stitches; and instea
uelhming your sheets and pillow
ea ases oy hand, you might use your ma
dismay. N' =
q. ven, It you keep on this way, b
we time You are ten years older, an