The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-25
OLD-PASHIONED IDEAS OF MARRIAGE.
Making of soups-Ways OF Serving Din
ncrs-Kind Of Dinner "A Tired Business
Man Really Enjoys-Bab is Not
GIutton-Wbat Food To Eat

nowadays, but II was good schoOl' anu
a school that taught It's graduates 10 De
good housekeepers, devoted mothers anu
faithful wives. IL was school IN "hich
the word divorce was counted decldeu-
" improper for young lazy 10 speak
Since when God himself united two peo-
pie together in the holy bonds or matil-
mony until death did them part there
was no suggestion that these TWO, even
IL they had made a mistake, could DC
separated by civil laws. 1t Is true that
occasionally, when a woman had BONE
brutality, unfaithfulness and drunkenness
from a man, it was permitted her, If the
living with him caused scandal to 20
away from him and take her little chill
dren with her; but no social law ever
limited at the possibility OF either OF these
two people marrying again. In fact, 10"
could they marry again? Then, too, the
woman who had suffered much before she
left the man whom she had chosen 10 lie
her husband and the father Of her chill
dren, though given certain fympathy'
never quite reclaimed her position among
the other matrons, for it was relieved
she ought to have shown more wisdom IN
the beginning. Harsh? Wen, perhaps 1t
was; but In those days people married
for better or for worse. and not merely
to enjoy each others society for short
time and then 10 separate.
WANTED THE RECEIPT.
But all this is getting away from what
my maternal parent said. We were at
luncheon, the table was charmingly de-
corated, although l confess to not caring
for ribbons as a table trimming. since all
its decorations with the exception Of the
flowers, should assert themselves as be
ing capable of standing hard rubbing and
plenty Of soap and water q do not mean
that hard rubbing should be given to fine
cut CLASSY Well, after the luncheon was
over and we were back in 1.-THE Hut" my
maternal parent surprised me by saying.
MY dear, L think l shall write a note 10
Theodore, asking her 10 send me the re-
cipe for that cream soup. because it's
the first time I've ever seen you enjoy a
soup of that kind" / did not want 10
laugh at her for she's a bit tendcr-heart-
ed. In little while she got out tho
writing implements. wrote her request in
her simple quaint fashion. sealed the
envelope with wax, and sent # on its
mission. Then l asked her: do you sup
pose that your hostess knows anything
about the making Of that soup2 II either
came from some famous restaurateur. or
her chef composed It. but no matter how
1t had its birth, she Will be more surpris-
ed at getting your letter than If you
asked her for one Of her babies
THE ART OF COOKERY.
But" continued my mater. "how can a
good housekeeper give orders unless che
fully understands the manner of their
execution? And, If. as you say. her chef
made It, then l know exactly what she
will do. She viii 60 20 the kitchen armed
with bit Of paper and pencil. ask him
for the desired information, write II down
very carefully. and l shall get it, probab-
ly by the next mail" Again 1 laughed.
And my mother said: II wish you
wouldn't laugh in that way; it isn't re-
spectful."
Mater" answered !. IN my most re-
spectful tone. If Theodore asked her chef
TO teach her anything about cooking. he
would, with the greatest promptncss. no
tify her Of his Immediate departure. The
Old old school. I'm which you were trained.
appealed, wisely enough, TO tho appctites
Of their mankind and when You had con-
cocted. or old Nanny May had made
some specially fine dish the greatest COM
plimcnt was paid YOU If your ne'ghbors
and friends asked for a copy Of the recipe.
wrote it out I'm the family cookbook, and
underneath it added: This was given ME
by my dear friend and neighbor. Elinor
James who vOuches for it's goodness
dishes is counted bad form. We have
taken from the French their idea Of serv-
ing dinners. but We have not taken from
them the simplicity which governs any
private household i'm France. no matter
how great its wealth may be-"
HOW TO PLEASE A MAN AT DINNER
Take the woman whose husband is said
10 make good income-that very vague
description Of affairs-and you viii find
that his wife has her dinner-table most
deliberately dressed, when few flowers
in a graceful vase would have been much
more artistic that she serves many
courses. including n great many vegeta-
bles and great many sweets. 1 would
be willing TO take my oath that a man.
tired out after his busy day, IS bored
with such a dinner. He'd rather have a
good soup, a joint from the best part Of
the meat. done TO the proper turn not
more than two vegetables with IL. a bit
of cheese with the heart of a head OF
lettuce. and then that mysterious dish
that l do believe every man likes, and
which he vaguely calls "puddin,. This
may be made Of rice. of bread. of tapioca.
of custard, of an the many things that
are within the reach Of any American
woman. Then he likes a cup OF coffee.
and then sits at his ease Is proud of his
has increased as the dinner progressed.
Who hasn't dined in a house where, hay
ing one servant. and an Over-ambitious
mistress. an attempt was made to serve
an over-elabOrate dinner? Who hasn't
had that horror OF horrors, smoky soup.
overdone fish. meat that is rags and
sweets gotten from confectioner's and
upon which hungry people must iii up?
HOW TO EAT.
You probably think that because I talk
so much about things TO eat I must be
something Of a glutton. My friend, you
are quite mistaken. l sit down at the Ia
bile but twice q day-once at 12.30-whch
is my breakfast, and when / have for the
main dish, either eggs. cooked in some
appetizing way, or some meat suited to
the hour of the day; with this there is a
cup of tea and some fruit. At have
my dinner. Then l seldom consume more
than couple of tablespoonfuls Of soup. a
very small bit Of fish. and. unless / am
feeling very well. no meat at all. No
sweets, a cup Of black coffee. and for
bread / prefer cold toast.
i DO not ask other people 10 live as I
do but as / am answering In this letter
the letters Of over two hundred girls, /
am serious when l say that unless I
had shown this care as TO what do eat.
/ should not be alive to-day. We Amer
lean women. forced by the unfortunate
conditions OF life. 70 go out into the work
day world, are a mysterious bundle OF
nerves and emotions. tied together with a
bright scarlet ribbon. The ribbon should
be support TO Us. but IL Is not. since its
color is continually exciting US. There
FORE taking us as we are. We must make
the best Of ourselves. And she who sits up
at might, indeed until the late morning.
working on the stimulus given By cigar
cites or strong coffee will soon cease 10
IL, oil s.f.1