Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-01-29
Written for the Oxford Democrat.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS..
WHAT THE NINETEENTH. CENTURY HAS
DONE FOR THE HOUsEKEEPER.

WHAT THE NINETEENTH CENTUhf HAD
DONE FOR THE HoUsEKEEPER.
Few of US appreciate our blessings.
and 1t is doubtful II the housekeeper Of
TO- day realizes how few of the many con-
veniences she enjoys were even dreamed
of one hundred years ago.
A century has seen great changes In
the kitchen. In 1900 all the cooking
was done before the open fire and In the
brick oven. Then came the little low
cooking stove with four covers, and
heavy iron dish-kettles, and tes-kettle
Of size and weight which required the
strength of Samson to lift.
Now the range with its hot water tank
and thermometer is found In most
kitchens. A nickel tea-kettle and gran
tie, tin and aluminium kettles and cook
ing dishes lessen the labor of preparing
the meals. Many have the convenient
kerosene, gas and electric stoves now,
and for a small family they are great
help. Long ago the meats and fowl
were roasted by being suspended before
the open fire by q stout cord and kept
constantly turning. A dripping pan
was set underneath, and the drippings
used for basting.
We use our egg-beaters, lemon-squeez-
ers, potato slicers, Christy knives, meat
grinders, raisin-seeders, double-boilers,
and all other useful little articles Of
modern invention, with never thought
Of the work they save. Then, too, what
IL we had to make all our own vinegar,
try out our own lard, boil the salt we
use, prepare the soda used in cooking,
and see that the wheat and corn was
ground that we might have -four and
meal, and make SOAP
Even village people had to keep q
large supply of salt meat on hand, and
in the winter had frozen meat packed
away as they were dependent upon the
farmers for fresh meat-mOre uncertain
than our butchers. And u grocer's cart,
coming to the door daily, was not
thought Of.
Canned fruits, meats and vegetables
could not be bought, and only the old
fashioned preserves and jams could be
m,de. A large part Of the fruit saved
tor winter use was dried, and all the
work done at home, mind you. Large
quantities of pumpkin were preserved
10 this way. The useful air-tight glass
can had not then been invented.
Many Of US have set tubs with hot
and cold water running in, by the simple
turning of faucet. When we are
ready to boil our clothes we put them In
tin or copper boiler over the range,
and in few moments they are ready
for the tub again. In those days they
were boiled in heavy brass or iron
kettle hung from crane, over the fire.
We sit down now at our sewing ma
chimes, and with very little energy ex-
pended soon have garment ready to
wear. One hundred years ago we
should have spun and woven the cloth,
made the thread, and then done all the
sewing by hand. Besides this, would
have been the stockings of the whole
family to provide-spin the yarn and do
the knitting. All the table linen had to
be made ut home, the blankets, and
sheets and pillow cases, besides the
wearing apparel of the whole family.
Ready-made clothing was not dream
ed Of. 1t is easy to imagine that the
mother of the then ordinary family of
ten or twelve children would not have
had the time for reading, had she had 1t,
that the woman of to-day has.
The farmers wife had cheese and but
ter to make, for there were no factories
then, and her milk was set in heavy
crockery pans, which weighed four or
five pounds apiece. Nor did she have
ice to lessen her labors, so it all had to
be carried up and down steep cellar
stairs.
All the artificial light came from tai
low candles, and these had to be pre-
pared at home. Only the wealthy could
afford the wax ones. Compare this with
our kerosene, gas and electric lights.
We should have little time for our
clubs, teas, calls and all our other social
duties, anu the magazines and books
with which we are all so well supplied
would lie uncut and unopened, had not
the past century done so much for US.
Here's hoping the 10th century will
use woman-kind as we'll.