Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-05-05

THE SPRING ORDEAL.
Marion Harland. who says that her
chief talent runs In housekeeping lines,
takes the ground that the boarding OF
old clothes from a sentimental fancy Is
a great bugbear In this practical age. A
moments thought confirms her position.
Think Of the trunks and boxes packed
with old dresses, old letters, old bonnets
and piles Of odds and ends, saved be-
cause Of some fsncied association and
the idea that they may again come into
use.
Make clean sweep. Give away or
sell the good, cast-off clothing. Rich
Aunt Elizabeth lifts her proud head a
trifie higher at the very suggestion. But
times are not as they used TO be, and
every community has self-respectlng
poor people who buy from choice the
worn garments Of the more fortunate,
and who would not receive them as a
gift.
Old fiannels and underwear and old
sheeting should be washed clean and
saved. They are too useful for cleansing
to be given up. The strong corners OF
worn cotton sheets make excellent plain
slips for sleep pillows, and last long
enough to fully repay the ten minutes
stitching of the seams, the old hens
being preserved.
Do not upset the whole house at once.
So &c the rooms that the family
need take only little bit Of discomfort
each day. IL the house Is In stories, be-
gin at the attic. II an old-fashioned, low
building, the rambling structure of
N. novelist, divide II into sections. Con-
,enience often requires that all the car
pets be taken mp nj once, and bare doors
are most desolate; but few rugs will
bridge over one night, at least. So few
houses have floors laid or polished for
rug furnishings that carpets and NATL. <
are very grateful.
First post the pickets OF assault by
going personally 10 the bottom OF every
trunk and receptacle and sitting the
boarded debris OF the decade that has ac-
cumulated in the garnet. Cart away all
that ought not 10 be kept any longer.
The chances are that there are old school
books; II these will bring nothing at the
secondhand store, send them TO the
missionary box for the mountain schools.
With broom and buster take off the
worst, leaving the final wiping of with
n damp cloth until the heaviest OF the
work below stairs Ia done.
Go frat into the closet OF the room you
are ready 10 clean. Take everything
out, shake out every wooden garment,
aud brush IL thoroughly. IL Is r good
plsn TO hang all these on line for bet
ter handling, then throw them into a
clesn empty trunk until there Is time TO
properly pin them up In newspapers for
the summer. IL the shelves are adjust
able, take them out and wash them.
From bellows scatter Persian insect
powder in the corners, and roach anti
dote In all the cracks, IL these pests are
about; red pepper for ants, and II YOU
use a safe, cans Of water for the feet of
il, as a sure preventive.
Empty the bureau drawers and wash
them inside and outside.
The walls are generally an eyesore. \
clean cloth pinned around the cobweb
broom is much esteemed. A loaf OF
bread cut In halves Is better. This Is
used by professional cleaners; II has the
advantage Of not smearing like the cloth.
Next, wipe of the pictures. IL they are
very much soiled, take of the wooden
backs, brush them, wipe of the picture
and wash the glass. This task may be
allotted To some helper outside OF the
main Job In hand, Burn or get rid OF all
cords, and hang with wires instead. i!
YOU already have these, wipe them of
and Lex them hang until ready 10 again
adjust the pictures. OH paintings should
not be tempered with by amateur 10
gers. Hardwood finish must ut all
times be wiped with damp cloth. Un-
roll window shades and dust them, roll
again, aud set aside until replaced.
Upholstered furniture must be taken
outside and brushed with short whisk-
broom II velvet, and broom OF soft hair
IL Of satin or silken finish. Linen covers,
by and by, will keep il clean, besides
giving a cool look.
The closets clean, walls wiped, pictures
and shades standing away In the empty
hooks, have carpets tackled down by an
expert. IL lsmbrequins and portieres are
TO be put back, have them carefully beat
en- and shaken. Lace curtains are SIM
pier.
Hard wood floors should be wiped up
and down the grain with Kerosene and
warm water in the proportion OF table
spoonful OF oil to one gallon of water.
The washing of oil-cloth, linoleum and
woodwork must not be left 10 the hired
woman, unless she can be trusted not 70
spoil the paint and varnish. Wash the
windows In water dashed with ammonia,
and not when the sun Is shining too di-
rectly upon them. A cloudy day Will
give better polish.
Lastly, make wholesale onslaught
upon the cellar. When the house is all
clean, burn the dust and dirt. There
will be enough new dust 10 settle every
day, without risking an invasion from the
old. Wiping every separate piece OF brio
-a-brac and biz Of china Is the most tedi-
Gus part of the work. Small, round, old
fashioned crocheted cotton mats are ex-
cellent for separating handsome china
plates, and no two pieces OF china should
be permitted to touch each other.
As To the best time In the spring for
this overhsuling, that must depend upon
the climate and the weather. liz Is i'm
portant TO keep the house clean after IL
is once put in order, and this will be next
to impossible until after fires are done
away with for the season. Crates, stoves
and furnaces alike make dust and dirt.
Only the asbestos and natural gas will
insure comfort and cleanliness combin-
ed.
There is absolutely no compensation
for all this labor and worry without
screens at all the doors and windows.
S25 will supply very large house, and
once these wire protectors are placed,
you have immunity from flies, bugs,
mosquitoes and all sorts of insect pests
of the winged tribes. II is money well
spent, as a question of enOnomy; and as
10 comfort, there can be none without It..
Ladies' Home Companion.
HINTS AND HELPS.
Wear a clean apron while ironing or