Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-02-05
FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT.
A Reading-Room Plan That Was
a Great Success.

ooh dear!" exclaimed Mrs. Perkins,
dropping down into a chair, after
finishing her weeks ironing; 81 do
wish had little time to read! Not
that complain, but it does seem as if a
'woman'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 her
brows.
poor Mamie! You do have a busy
hfe-and you are only two years older
than II But if 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"
"Ohl 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 l thought our housekeeping
would be 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!"
eyes, Mamie" hesitated Gertrude,
but then she went bravely on. ''In
the first place, your washing is larger
than it need be-hush! you must listen
it 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. 1 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 to
break your back to bend over that table
so long. Then comes Wednesdays
work. You cook too much-yes you
do, Nannie!-that is, you could set a
simpler table. You have too many
pies and cookies and doughnuts. You
know it takes an awfully long time to
roll out all those things; and there are
so many desserts that are more whole
some and easier made-cold buildings,
jellies with cream, custards, and you
always have fruit in the summer. Why,
my dear girl, you are just spelling your
complexion by staying in the house so
much, and standing over that hot
stove"
But have to, really" interrupted
Mrs. Nan.
mo, you must listen. I have saved
you at least two hours each day, and
now comes Thursday. Mamie, you
know that you sweep when it is not
necessary. And when you furnished
your house you ought to have used more
straw mating. But then, 1 suppose It
did not seem handsome enough; yet II
you would only wait for little dirt to
show itself Oh. have been so exas-
perated to see you sweep, sweep, sIoeep;;
and now 1 am going to say all I want
to, having begun so huently," she
laughed little, but continued earnest
ly, 1T always gives you a nervous head
ache after sweeping, for you are not
content with stirring up one room, but
you go through all the rooms that you
use" J.e
"But Aunt Martha looked as if she
thought I was very shiftless house
keeper"
'Oh, Aant Martial yes, she is one Of
that kind of women who polish their
stoves until you can see your face In it.
I don't believe in the old-fashioned way
Of housekeeping, neither do you, but
you haven't quite the moral courage to
defy gossip. And your sewing, Mamie!
Again, you dress the baby as if 1t were a
little princess, and it is not in good taste.
Children ought to wear very simple
frocks instead of tucks and hounces and
insertions. And your own gowns might
be.made with fewer stitches; and instead
of hemming your sheets and pillow
cases by hand, you might use your ma
chine"
ooh, nor protested Mrs. Mamie, In
dismay.
''Well, if you keep on this way, by
che time you are ten years older, and |
you ought to be a young, fresh, healthy |
woman at thirty-fVe, instead of which
you will be thin and tired and sallow,
with chronic head and backache, al
ways staying in the house, unable to
walk or enjoy any thing out of doors;
never reading. but engrossed and wor-
ried for fear you are not as good
as Mrs. Winslow; your
horizon bounded by a dishcloth,
broom and a needleI Oh, NannieI you
are too good and sweet and clever to
become a mere mschine!'
There was a little silence; then Mrs
Mamie spoke. and her Vuics was 9 httle !