The progressive farmer., 1901-04-16
Our Social Chat.
EDITED BY AUNT JENNIE, RALEIGH,
AUNT JENNIE's LETTER.

House cleaning is indeed task.
If there we're only a way to have
the house and everything IN 1t
cleaned at all times, how nice 1t
would be But we all know how
utterly impossible this is, as dust
will collect behind things in spite OF
all our efforts to have it otherwise.
Therefore, we simply must have a
general cleaning occasionally. Mrs.
5. II. II. advocates cleaning one room
at time 1t is best to proceed thus
when you can do SO, but if you wish
to rearrange the furniture by eX-
changing from one room to another,
you see that both rooms must be
tOpsy turvy at the same time. L
have often said that were man l
would be away for a few days and
give the women folks time to get
everything in order before returned.
Most men object to cold food, you
know, and it is such a nuisance to
stop and cook meal when you wish
to ''get everything straight" before
night. l have tried a brush and
bJIax as Mrs. S II. H. recommends
and found it wonderful helper IN
cleaning cut glass, japanese ware
and many other things which rag
does not seem to reach. The man of
the house can be wonderfully help
full, if he will, while the good wife is
so taxed with extra work. There
are pictures and curtains to hang,
nails to be driven, heavy furniture
to move, and very many other
things which require a mans
strength in the doing and if he will
only remember to ask if there is any
thing he can do when he comes for
his warm dinner, how grateful the
wife would be for this kindness.
Most women dislike to ask favoE8
but all of US appreciate voluntary
kindness The happiest family l
ever knew was where the father of
several little folks was never so tired
that he had no fun lett in him. His
work required his attention from
early morn until night, but when it
was time for his return eager faces
and bright eyes watched for his com
ing. Then rOmp and such fun !
When they all seemed tired papa was
piled with many questions which he
gladly answered and never told
them that they must not bother him
as he was ''too tired to talk" A
friend asked him how he could seem
so jolly after hard days work and
his reply was, why, man, this kind
of thing rests me and takes my mind
off of business" Far too many
mothers bear their burdens alone,
unaided by him from whom only
they have a right to expect help.
She must have breakfast on time,
milk the cows, feed the chickens,
dress the children for school and
then clean up the whole house-and
many Il time nurse a crying baby
| besides. Now, my good man could
you learn to milk? If so, why not
help your wife by relieving her of
this task? Well, if you can t learn to
milk you can button little dresses
and tie shoes, can't you? That would
help her more than you think, but
if you can do neither of these things
you Can feed the chickens and pigs
for her. Be manly and helpful and
see if you don't enjoy your en-
ployment. Try helping the mother
rule your children and do not lea ge
all the whipping and correcting to
her discretion. Be kind but tirm
and the mother will thank you for
aiding her in the management of
of them. Why did God give chill
dren fathers if He did not intend
that they, too, should help to mould
the characters of the little ones?
Water Lily gladdens US with her
presence this week. We have missed
her and hope that she will come
Oftener.
Sincere also proposes a query for
discussion. Let US have your views.
AUNT JENNIE.