Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-11-26
SOME EXPERIENCES.

SOME EXPERIENCES.
Particularly Of Young HOusckeeper
Now Older
Every old housekeeper was young
once, and had to take lessons of
that old pedagogue, Experience.
l think was even younger than
the usual run of brides when l
first began to keep house for the
best man in the world"
We were married on Christmas
day, and the weather was very
cold. During the ceremony l hap
pened to glance at my husbands
feet, and what was my horror to
find them encased in large arctic
Overshoes, completely covering the
shining boots bought for the occa-
sion. In my confusion gave him
the wrong hand, and of course
blushed like Il peony, but bushes
were in order, so they passed I'M
noticed.
Well. we went to housekeeping
Immediately, in a large white house,
big enough for two families. (My
husbands heart always was larger
than his purse, bless him. We
started out in a business-like man.
ner, by keeping all our expenses in
a little account book, which | still
have, and intend to keep as a sol
emn warning to my numerous sons
and daughters. For oh when l
look over that old book, and see
the funny little dabs of meat and
-four which we bought, and the oc-
casional four cents worth of candy,
| am glad we had to start once. but
once is enough for me. thought
we would have enough wedding
cake to last for several meals, Mt
least, but when l came to look for
it. l found my dear husband had
given it all to the printers. Alas.
However, we had good notice in
the paper. After living upon beef
steak and liver for several weeks,
we decided to have a change, so
the man ordered some corn beef
on his way down to the Office, and
had it sent up as surprise to me.
1t was. ''What nice roast" said
l, and Immediately popped it into
the oven; made up a hot fire, and
basted it faithfully every twenty
minutes. We were both surprised
when we came to eat it. | will
never forget the first batch of bread
| made. The loaves were like Jumps
of mortar, and my husband found
me weeping over them. Upon ask
ing what was the matter, | sobbe,l
out that | was afraid he would not
love me any more. because | could
not make bread. However, he soon
prOved that my fears were ground
less. Soon after that. / made some
nice pudding to show him that
could cook a little, at least. Being
very economical. l made just enough
for the two of us. As we were sit
ting down TO our meal. in walked
two of my cousins, very hungry.
so We Hospitality made room for
them at the table, and tried to make
the dinner 90 around. When we
came to the dessert they saw there
were only two little platesful. SC
they politely declined it. We in.
sisted. but they would not eat it.
land of course we would not. so II
was left.
Along in June. my husband sug.
gested that we make little visit tc
his mother, whom l had never seen
l consented, and with fear and
trembling asked him to give me
money for new dress to wear on,
there. His ideas of dresses were
very vague. and he handed Inc over
the whole of his salary, after the
rent had been taken out, saving HI
hoped it would be enough. After
l had bought my dress. l very con
sideratelv gave back the change
, eve all must learn).
: Our trip was short, as m,
husbands time was limited
: His mother lived several mile.
r in the country, with her mar
e riei daughter. We arrived Their,
about ten O'Clock in the morning
very hungry after our long drive
E so the daughter set about getting
S ldinner Immediately, while l sat il
the parlor getting acquainted witt
, my new relatives.
t Choppings and STRINGS wer,
( heard from the kitchen. and fee
e moving briskly back and forth be
tokened preparations for an elab
, crate meal. But how long the,
were about it. One o'clock! Tw,
o'clock. And still no dinner. w,