Middletown transcript., 1898-02-12

came to wide
muddy crossing,
| u- before which she
stood in quandary, evidently wonder
ing how to get her children across. A
kind-hearted and richly dressed lady
saw the dilemma, and lifted the two
small folks in her arms across the trou-
blesome place.
The poor woman was of foreign
country-a stranger in strange land.
She could not say anything in Ian
guage which her helper would under
stand. But her broken words of thanks
were understood perfectly by her kind
friend. Again, the richer woman
could not say anything to which the
poorer could attach any meaning. But
the hand pressure, the lively nod, the
smile-yes, even word or two of praise
and tenderness, accompanied by a
pretty hand gesture, about the two
pretty babies-were perfectly compre-
hended by the poor mother.
Then the two smiled and nodded at
each other once more, and helper and
helped each went her away. There is
language of kindness and mutual belp
which is comprehended by every human
creature, and makes itself understood
in every nation and through every Ian
guage under the sun.
~
BEGINNINGS IN HOUSEKEEPING.
Generous mothers and eager mer-
| chants from an almost irresistible COM
bination against the economical in.
stincts of the prospective bride or
young housekeeper. Beginning wit
the trousseau, multiplicity of gar
ments certain to outlast fashion or
grow yellow with age is manifestly un-
necessary. The boast that ''my EN-
ma had two dozen of each kind" is
sorry reward for the labor and expense
involved. The revolt against these ex-
travagent ideas irstinctively shows it
self and the parent or friend who quel)s
this justifable uprising establishes d
precedent in the life of the new home
which mars or ruins that rightful joy
which follows in the wake Of simple
wants and conscious freedom from
debt. "But just how much must l
have to last a year2 We shall employ no
helper, and yet will welcome an occas-
ional guest overnight" Such a ques-
tion in various forms is presented in
some home almost daily. Given cot
tage or small apartment, self-help, and
est-room-required to find what
amounts to table-linen and bedding are
absolutely necessary for the first year
in the BRIDES home.
Each bed should have for its outfit
three pairs of pillow-cases for its square
pillows; two pairs of sheets, which
measures full yard more than the
length of the mattress, to insure undis-
turbed and protected covers; two white
spreads, of quality easily laundered
and light in weight, and two pairs of
large aIl-wool blankets, of which one
pair should be found separately-these
constitute the sole essentials. To
them may be added homemade quilt
and comfortable.
The table-llnen must include a best
cloth for special occasions, three really
good ones for general use, and two
dozen napkins that will not shed lint.
OF towels there is theoretically no
limit to the needed variety. Practical
ly, however, there are only few that
are absolutely indispensable. One dozen
hem-stitched huck for bedroom use,
one dozen checked linen for china, and
one dozen crash for the kitchen, all
maiden yard lengths, besides three
roller-towels two and half yard long,
will easily supply the ordinary demand
under the conditions imposed. Of
course sickness, lavish hospitality, or
even delayed weekly wash-day would
necessitate larger supply in each case.
A maxim proftably observed by a suc-
cessful housekeeper is worth passing on
for consideration in this connection.
"Expense for essentials only, plus re-
munerati7e labor, equals thrift" With
this 10 mind, one can easily determine
how much can or must be added to the
supply on hand in January, when the
thoughts of thrifty housewives turn
toward the linen-closet. Usually one
pair of sheets and two pairs of pillow
cases are sufficient for the annual re-
penishing. Two table-cloths. one
doDzen napkins, and one-third the
towel list added each year will insure
ample comfort under ordinary condi-
tions, and the added joy of conscious
economy.
.ss
IN WINTER.
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