Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-07-05
COST OF COMFORTS
Are Less in Philadelphia Than in
Any Other Large City.
HOW THE MIDDLE CLASS LIVES.
Making the Dollars Reach in Table Service
and in Dress.
A CHEAP WAY TO SPEND THE SUMMER
WRITTEN FOR THE DIsPATcH.l


good taste in dress. Persons coming from
other cities observe and contrast the quiet,
modest, refined homes of the Quaker me-
tropolis with those of the wide-awake,
bustling cities of the West Philadelphia
is considered slow and away behind in many
particulars, but not when her fresides are
in consideration. Then she is far to the
front
The residences of the wealthy are es-
pecially beautiful Money combined with
culture makes them paradises. But the
thousands of dwellings, whose owners have
only modest bank accounts-if they have
any at all-are the ones where the pecu-
harity of seeming luxury is the most no
ticeable. 1t is the pride of almost every
family here to have its habitation tastefully
furnished and it is done with remarkably
small outlay. Good Judgment, patience to
wait for bargains, and an eye for what is ap-
propriate, accomplish what cash minus the
taste could not.
Houses and Landlords.
The houses are, as general thing, more
conveniently constructed than those of other
communities. 1t is common now, / believe,
to find in Pittsburg dwellings built on the
"Philadelphia plan" And an excellent
plan it is, too. The owners of tenement
houses here keep their property in good re-
pair, which cannot be said of all landlords
and agents in the Gas City. If room re-
paint; if few boards are needed on the
garden fence, or a leaking pipe
is to be mended one does
not need here in Philadelphia
to lose sleep of nights wondering how it is
going to be done, or what influence can be
brought to bear on the owner to get the
work done. A note to the agent is usually
all that is necessary. The experience of
persons living in rented houses in Philadel-
phia is that landlords are human. Rents,
too, are comparatively lower than in almost
anv other large city. In furnishing dwell
ings where enconomy must be taken into
account, instead of carpet on the floor art
squares and rugs of good quality and har-
monious colors are chiefly used Most bed
rooms are found with
The Floors oiled and Stained.
This is less expensive than to carpet the
rooms, and besides is fashionable and in
good taste. In moving rugs and art squares
give less trouble, and are always sure to fit
in the new house, one fact that alone ought
to recommend them to all who are not for
tunate enough to be freeholders. Good fur
niture can be bought very reasonably, if
one knows how to buy; and with odd bits of
that can be picked up at bargain
prices, tasty little pieces of needle work,
which require an idea of the beautiful
rather than an outlay of dollars, the modest
home is completed.
Many families of this city whose total
revenue is not equal to the income of many
of the mill workers and mechanics of Pitts
burg serve their meals in style that even
a fastidious millionaire might envy. There
is no great variety of food, but they have
the secret of serving. To illustrate this: A
family living in the northern part of the
city consisting of six persons, including one
servant, spends on an average 80 week on
It's table, and it is marvellous how well the
meals are cooked and served.
Requires Intelligence and Attention
This lady makes her table study. She
does her own marketing and buys to the
best advantage, which cannot be done un-
less given personal attention. Her dinners
are served in courses. The one servant,
who is Swedish girl, has among other
things been taught to wait on the table.
While visiting this home for a few days 1
took rough estimate of the three meals for
BREAKFAST.
Oatmeal and cream.
Broiled salt mackerel, with tomato sauce
Drowned potatoes. Bread and butter.
Coffee.
LUNCHEON
Cream chipped beef.
Sliced tomatoes. Hot biscuits.
Preserves.
Iced tea, with lemon.
DINNER.
Grilliade.
Rice and green corn.
Salad. Crackers and cheese.
Nuts and raisins.
Coffee.
The total expense for these three meals
or that day was about 81 % and she said
hat was the usual cost, with a change of |
menu.
Importance of the Dishes.
Another thing that impressed me was her |
rariety of pretty little inexpensive dishes |
rhe secret of it all is, that this particular |
adv has taste; whether natural or acquired |
do not know. 1t certainly is an enviable |
aculty that could be, thiHk, attained if |
women earnestly and conscientiously desired |
o reach perfection in the delightful art of
erving.
Two ItClpcb Cdu Dc Win
,eneft First the deviled CLANS, which |
hough plentiful here are, am afraid, |
much dearer in Pittsburg. This is because |
'ittsburg people regard them as luxuries. |
he quantity for six persons would require |
o cents worth of CLAIMS.
Drain the CLAIMS but save the liquor Chop !
hem very fine, put them in the liquor and |
ct them come to the boiling point and skim |
lave ready an ounce of butter and one |
eaping tablespoonful of flour; add to the |
lams leaving them boil for a minute or
wo. Then add five tablespoonsful of milk |
nd little parsley chopped fine. Season
yell with pepper. Leave the whole boil just |
minute. Have six large clamshells ready |
nd fill them with the mixture. Crumb |
read over the op.heaping it on, and brown
n quick oven,
The Grillaide Is peculiar dish of the
'rench in the South, and when properly
ooked is very nice.
Three veal steaks, half a dozen ripe to-
1atoes medium size; one small onion, some
prigs Of parsley and two tablespoonsful of
utter. Have the frying pan perfectly hot
efore putting the butter in, as the success
all French dishes lies in having the grease !
boiling hot when the meat is put
4. Cut the steaks in good-sized pieces and
lace them in the hot grease until they are |
rich brown on both Sides. This will take |
ut a few minutes. Have the tomatoes
eeled and cut in small pieces and the onion
hoped fine. Lift the meat from the pan,
hen put in the tomatoes and onion, q little