New-York tribune., 1902-01-06
THE DUTCH HOUSEWIFE.
HOW SHE MANAGES HER STORE CLOSET
AND THE SIX WEEKS WASH.

AND THE SIX WEEKS WASH
the Dutch housewife and these qualities indeed
are characteristic of her country. Hurry up"
step lively" are the last words hears he
boards the ship at Hobokcn. and GO slowly"
Take your time the first greet him in
Holland
The Holland woman seldom has time for outside
interests and for that reason the woman's club
does not thrive Dutch soil. She considers that
her first duty is TO her home and family.
When me vrouw' gives her hearty morning
greeting. which is as bracng tonic. she has
already cut the bread in thin slices and buttered
them for the ''ontbyt' CbreakfasD and as her fam
fly appears she draws the eggs with little net
from the water kettle
No morning newspaper lies before "mynheers"
place unless, perchance. he is fortunate enough
be first on the list of subscribers who have dubbed
together for the purpose. This method insures,
usually. the arrival of the paper some time during
the day. probably by noon but this delay is mit-
gated by the kindly disposed editor who dates his
journal one day ahead. The limited circulation Of
a newspaper in Holland necessitates L higher
charge for 1t than for in this country
After breakfast. II a guest is conversant with the
etiquette of the country. she will assist her hostess
in washing the breakfast dishes. A quaint look
Ing wooden bowl is used in place of dshpan. and
the fragile china is dried pure Dutch linen.
THE DAME AND HER KEY BASKET.
1t is a delight to follow the Dutch housewife
about on her morning duties. AS the good dame
goes. with her key basket her arm, to the store
closet. Betje, the cook follows in her wake,
rying with her tray Of picturesque looking jars,
ready to be filled for the days The store
closet is be OF white and blue tiles, and
have shelves around the four sides Of the all
resplendent with white stone jars. each of which
and the like. The old fashioned brass scales oc-
cupy table in the centre Of the room; and before
| filling the cooks utensils the careful housewife
weighs the articles in demand When asked why
she did this. in view OF the fact that a certain
amount IS sure fill the jar. Holland woman
and wrong way. and I am doing it the right
wash comes home II so Gay the next hg place to- be
visited is the attic, where the baskets have been
under the caves to raise heavy clumsy weights
dhrough ", Mlnaow INTO the house much as saIes
! rough dried and is prepared for the mangle and
ing the pieces with brush each one is folded with
! the greatest eXactnes: and passed to the maids,
! of the mangIe back and forth
AS the pieces come from the mangle mein vrouw
places them & in the press. which is somewhat sim
liar TO al once letter press The linen remains in
are dampened and folded ready for the sstrvItster
/ who Is hired 10 do that work. The manner OF
iIronns the sleeves Is alWaye interesting to an
used for the purpose. and this is heated and twrled
/ A visit to the linen chest OF Dutch housewife IS
always a delight. 1t may be noticeable that some
blue ribbon and others with pink ribbon If so it
will be explained that each represents complete
waiting its turn next year The edges OF the piles
win be regular If they had been cut with
knife.
+ OILCLOTH IN BEDROOMS.
Oncloth is often used In Dutch bedrooms. and
after becoming accustomed to II learns 10 like
its cleanliness. It is invariably revarnished each
year. A rug Of generous size usually covers the
/ centre OF the room.
Sometimes in the afternoon meIn vrouw takes
! her best gown from its tissue paper wrapping and
( arrays herself for calling. An American woman
mus utSCIIUeS sucH CdI-- TIel VIC L1atu t. -
/ room. utterly at loss TO discover where we had
entered or where We should make our exit. Just
ad ~ st' 75 s1 q r.as v,t,h dia,cIt tbat 7 s,,11
pressed scream, for portion OF the wall, picture
and all. moved forward to admit her. Imagine II
you able. the whole door papered. no wood
picture suspe nded upon II. should never be able
TO adapt myself 10 this weird phenomenon"
interesting features to the American woman A
! thee drinken' Is not what a Yankee woman would
vftation TO thee drinken' means that the guests
shall arrive about o'clock in the evening and that
game OF whist or quadr!l!e and supper Of cold
sausage and possibly a pineapple about II o'clock,
cellent quality being excelled only by its price.
. When one goes TO a dinner she is expected to fee
what is the veryaI@ Zee, Is no nnusuaI gues-
tion the Holland housewife when she is
commissions go together into a box kept by the
head Of the house. and at the end OF the year the
. wants At New Years the younger generation calls
upon the older people, without regard TO sex
maker at 40 cents day the Holland housewife
does find IL necessary to do her dress
country can mend. stocking darn!ng in Holland is
indeed. an art, the Dutch woman replacing the
which can with difficulty be told from the original
/ stitch.