Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-31

lamps requires great delicacy and thor
oughness, and these qualities can hardly
be expected of the ordinary domestic
Equipped with my little London travelling
bag. holding a sponge for the chimneys,
plenty of soft, fresh cloths for rubbings a
flask for the ammonia, a dear little box
containing soap another soda, and one of
those tourist spirit lamp affairs that go
into a marvelously small space, / should
make daily round from house TO house
should keep the burner perfectly clean, for
that Is the most important part Of a lamp.
The average housemaid thinks that wicks
may come and wicks may go. but the burn
ers 90 on forever. On the contrary, they
should often be rubbed with common salt
and strong vinegar. rinsed in soap-suds and
dried; they will then look like new. /
should empty the reservoir every eight or
ten days-as a sediment accumulates even
from the best oil-wash IL out with soap
suds containing soda and ammonia and
thoroughly dry IL before refllling. / should
expect you all to engage my services and
regard me as your angel Of light"
Sweet Lavender Laundry.
Il wish could give as clear a plan for an
emergency" said the hostess. 81 cannot do
that. but 1 can tell you the actual expert
ence Of a courageous woman overtaken by a
loss Of fortune. The heroine OF my little
story, in searching for a career that would
yield comfortable profit, selected laundry
work as a tangible business, which so con-
Germs everybodys daily needs 1t can hardly
fail to reward attention. Therefore, she has
renowned society, pleasant surroundings
and almost all the elements that decorate
existence, and oversees every detail of the
laundry herself, showing how thoroughly an
educated, capable woman can succeed in
what she undertakes. She has named her
laundry the Sweet Lavender 1t is fur
nished with the latest kind of steam boilers
and rinsing machines, employs many women
and sends out the snowy linen in smart
little brown carts drawn by well-groomed
brightly-harnessed horses. Besides the wo-
men employed as ironers, members and fold
ers of the clothes, there are several book
Keepers and a. superintendent The duties
or the latter are most responsible; but the
mistress Of the establishment keeps Wig
liant eye on every department, and, with a
brightly alert face and dainty figure trinity
gowned in lavender cambria, she follows up
her success, the secret of which she gives in
this motto: Never leave your business and
your business will not leave you.' She has
no false pride hanging heavily upon her
energy. Perhaps she remembers Ruskin's
delightful description of what a true lady
should be. In fact, IL has often comforted
me at irritating moments of household ad-
ministration. "A princess a washerwoman,'
ne sald-'yes, washerwomani To see that
all is fair and clean, to wash with water
to cleanse and purify wherever she goes to
set disordered things in orderly array-this
is a womans mission"
As the luncheon danes rose from the table
and huttered away from the fruit and
fragrance of the dining room the new
brand of lady was the last impression made
upon the mental palates.
What a plucky woman!' was one COM
ment.
1T shows that a lady need not be van
pushed by misfortune" was another
"A brave lady need not" was the last
faint echo.