davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

Ply househoIders who can summon an
army of cleaning people to do the work
and in a day or two have a good sized
house Immediately clean or the fortu-
nate few who go away and leave the
work of renovation to experienced
servants and come back to find the do
nestle Wilderness poisoning as the
rose. Rather am I offering a few sug
gestiOns about preparing the house for
the spring cleaning time to the mis-
tress Of the modest establishment, who
with the aid of a maid, will see that ev-
erything is orderliness itself.
Before beginning this disagreeable
task it is Wen to plan a few simple
menus for several days ahead so that
cooking may be reduced to a minimum.
A ham or tongue deliciously cooked
are good to rely upon as pieces de re-
sistance. Then, too. an extra large
bread or cake baking will admit of
baking day being skipped for once,
and no one win be the wiser Stock
carefully provided will help for soup
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

EA E@ OST men think that spring
cleaning is an utterly I'M
necessary evil. From their
standpoint it is a process
designed simply to make every room in
the house as uncomfortable as posi-
bic, to cause the loss of many treasured
possessions. to produce unappetizing
picnic meals and to continue this sort
of thing until patience and endurance
alike are strained to the utmost. Wo-
men know better.
The feminine idea of spring cleaning
is to make every corner of the house as
fresh, as clean. as orderly, as comforta-
BILE and as artistic as possible 1 am
obliged to admit that while this is the
ideal aimed at the methods employed
for its realization are often so mis-
guided as to give the enemy an excuse
for saying evil things
Every good housekeeper knows that
after the smoke and dust of winter
there comes a time when the returning
sunshine tells with vivid truthfulness a
tale of woe She finds curtains dusty,
carpets and rugs dirty, dullness where
polish should be, and even cobwebs are
to be found in high places in the best
regulated households, since no house is
so exalted as to scare the ubiquitous
spider from making his home in some
out Of the way corner.
Now, there is spring cleaning as it
should be and as it should not be. In
the last estate method is not given
moments thought. The unmethodical
hOusekeeper wakes up on a fine, bright
sunshiny spring morning and, after an
inspection of the curtains and hang
tngs, announces to the bewildered -serv-
ants and members of the household
that she really must begin cleaning.
Tomorrow sees the beginning of the
campaign; no preparation beforehand,
no plan, no gathering together Of nee
essary implements for the extra work
no arranging of meals. no determine
ton that if, as VIII happen in even well
ordered households, a great rush must
be made to get through a certain
amount Of work in a given time there
may be an oasis in the desert OF brooms
and pals to which the returning bread
winner may retire sure of rest and un-
disturbed peace.
There may be method in the madness
Of the spring household upheaval by
which many Of the attendant horrors
are avoided. An orderly preparation
IS certainly the first and foremost
move. am not writing for those hap
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

square, high effects at the back of the
fetching new hats, but they must ac-
knowledge that the blending of color
ing seen on the spring chapeau' is very
artistic.
The picture hat in the present dispo-
sition Of things has given way to small
er, sharper outlines, although the artist
who studies her client viii enlarge the
brim when the face demands the
change. To the majority of women
these hats with small brims are more
becoming when carried out in dark col
ors.
A mighty smart little tip litter is of
nut brown MANILA straw tilted to the
front by an immense bandeau at the
back, where there is a trimming of
brown ribbon rosettes. Wreathed
about the brim and nesting in brown
tulle are exquisite velvet roses taking
in quite twenty shades, from the dark
est brown to the palest mauve, and en-
bracing en- route curious dead tones of
old rose and deep purple. Around the
almost square crown is band of
shaded brown and purple chiffon vel
vet
A most inelegant name is given the
poetic rose of the season, that of rot
ten rose" a designation which exactly
expresses its appearance.
A famous Paris house is making tulle
a feature of all its millinery. The little
turban toQues, either in black or white,
area mass of it, decorated with sequins
or jet cabuchons and waving paradise
plumes held by an owls head. One of
the prettiest hats have seen this sea-
son and the nearest approach to pic
turesque one is of black crinoline with
a shaded brim of wide dimensions.
Right across the back are three beau
tiful ostrich feathers. In front there is
very little trimming, merely a few bows
of black satin ribbon The wide brim
took a slightly upward curve in front
as well as at the back.
Another attractive model of the over
the face style is of pastel blue fancy
erin Unanswered into effective undula-
lions and literally smOthered in blue
velvet loops, while around the crown
there appear the strangest little clumps
of button roses, like cream about a
mold, in mauve, pink, green and blue.
On the other hand, talking of freaks
reminds me of the much discussed polo
toque. Far from this toque's meet
ing with opposition, it is finding the
most unexpected appreciation. Carried
through in one tone in some dainty,
fancy straw in dahlia, red or puce, with
two smart quilts thrust through an or
nament at the left side, the polo toque
becomes a practical. piece of headgear.
The new French sailors are raised to
an exaggerated height at the back. A
very pretty sailor is of white panama
trimmed with a band of orange velvet
swathed in brown and white tulle.
Some fantastic bows of brown and
white ribbon arranged in puffings are
on the bandeau at the back.
Hand embroidery viii be applied
more on the lingerie shirt waist of
transparent material than on the heav-
Ter fabrics. These waists are not often
"tubbed," and the beauty of their work
is thus insured. There is a new cotton
called Paris muslin which is being used
here at the capital, together with
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

white organdie, for the dainty thin
blouse Which buttons in the back with
loops and small pearl or linen buttons.
The linen shirts often have a yoke of
hand embroidered squares put together
with rolled hens. A dainty collar and
cuffs Of a like design trims the waist.
These sets are very practical as they
may be taken off and carefully laun-
dered.
A glance at the summer gowns is a
discouraging sight for the home dress
maker. A certain amount of special
skill is needed, and the technical ele-
ments in both cutting, fitting and fin
ishing off enter more largely into the
matter than formerly. Still, given a
pattern chosen with the limitations of
the amateur in view, there is little
doubt that the small seamstress may
score even greater success with the
summer frocks than those of yester-
day. Dimities, lawns and organizes
may with the aid of tucks, shirrings
and lace be made into the daintiest
kinds of summer dresses, and, now that
perfectly fitting girdles are made in all
the best shops, a gowns chic is only
question of selecting a becoming color
Much in the way of ornamentation is
done with plated satin ribbon, which is
much newer manipulation than gath
ering. It is applied in vertical lines
heads wide bands of all over lace and
is curled into all kinds of fanciful
shapes.
On the linen gowns there is a new
trimming carried out by tapelike linen
braid. A design Of conventional char
acter is stamped on waist and shirt
and it is matter of day or two be-
fore a skilled worker has finished the
pattern and the dress is ready to be
made up.
Then the three TERED skirt offers de-
lightful opportunities to the amateur
artist. Embroidered founces come all
ready to fashion into this popular style.
The top ruff1e is softly shirred into the
waist, and the second and third are
treated in like manner, one just under
the other. This shirring gives the re-
quired flare. For early spring morn
ing wear the Partisan will don a cos
tune of green and brown tweed, the
skirt shirred into a yoke at the sides
and back, with a box plat forming the
front width. The bloused coat is a
smart affair of stitched plaits, with a
neat little turned over collar and bone
buttons trimming the slightly surpliced
front effect. A rather dressier gown is
of gray cloth, the jupe disposed in
softly hanging plaits, the sweeping foot
length trimmed about with looped
motif of taffeta silk. The tight fitting
basqued coat has a vest Of white suede
and rever lapels of taffeta. The waist
is belted with a wide white suede belt
fastened with dull silver buckle.
To talk of less serious matters, Nine.
de Thebes, the wonderful Partisan
clairvoyant, is now counseling the
wearing for luck of little elephant
charms. These luck. bringers are
charming in silver studded with dfa-
monds or in mother pearl with ruby
tusks and feet. I saw one rather larger
mounted as a parasol handle cut out of
piece of clouded crystal, with sap
phire eyes and feet and a collar of en-
eralds. CATHERINE TALBOT.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

ed" All this work may be done in
quiet manner, without making do
nestle earthquake, before the spring
cleaning comes round.
Now the general wedding out of the
lumber room. cupboards and bureau
drawers is next on the programme and
may be accomplished quietly with the
advantage of space gained for storage,
and pleasure may be bestowed at the
same time upon 1.-The poor at the gate"
from castaway garments.
And just a word about these cast
Always. 1t would be well if every
housekeeper made it a rule each spring
to see what wearing apparel can be
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

from lots of unbrushed plate powder
which in the ordinary cleaning it is
difficult to dislodge. The grease given
off by the steam from the food is best
removed by this boiling method, for
even the most careful servant in wash
ing up is apt to take little heed of this
accumulation.
The china closets are next in cleaning
routine and, like the plate, glass and
china, should be overlooked, replenished
when necessary and put away, to be
brought out in shining spIendor when
the closet itself has been attended to.
The kitchen is likewise gone over and
a careful note taken of what is want
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

]
occur-to you that you are bet
ter looking than your mirror
- would have you believe? This
comforting theory was advanced the
other day by smart milliner of the
Rue de Ia Paix who happened to be ad-
justing one of her spring chefs d'oeu-
vres upon my unlovely head. Yes"
madame consolingly remarked, "the
best mirror in Paris does not tell the
truth, and we in the millinery line of
business try to get the very finest mir
rors to reflect the charms Of our pa
irons. We are very particular as to
the becoming appointments Of our
rooms, for a looking glass is apt to
make the complexion yellower than it
really is. Then always have my try
ing on glasses draped with a soft rose
material. for a mirror gives back all
the colors thrown upon it, and when
my lady looks into a rosily hung glass
she is at her best. The priestess of
good looks as a last crumb Of comfort
said that wrinkles are always worse in
mirror than in reality. The reason is
that the light reflected by the glass is
less than falls on it, and a certain
amount of light is lost in the glass.
The mirror says madame, adds ten
years to your age. and be sure to re-
member that in a looking glass your
face is less lighted than when friend
looks at the real features"
Every right minded Partisan has dis
carded her winter hat and is squander-
ing all her money on stunning milli-
merry. And is there a more difficult or
important sartorial undertaking than
the choice of a hat? Personally I am
usually reduced to a fragile and often
to an unbecoming chapeau after enc of
these expeditions. really do think.
though, the majority of women are not
to be congratulated upon their choice
of headgear. There is so much apart
from the dictates of fashion to be con-
sidered in this selection! Still, if one
becomes bold and departs from fash
ionable laws in the matter OF headgear
the effect meets with limited approval.
A woman's character, I think, can be
told as accurately by the hat she wears
as by the lines in the palm of her hand,
so be careful of your spring choice, for
all who run may read.
One word more before I tell you
about the smart Partisan hats: DO not
let your love of amateur effects extend
to the realm of millinery, for the wo-
man with pretty taste for millinery
has been known to ruin many an 9TH
erwise charming costume If you have
certain amount. to expend on hats
risk it all on one really good example
rather than on a lot of hideous carica-
lures To buy a cheap hat is folly for
the rich and thrice foolishness for the
/ poorest among u.s.
| On looking at a collection of French
hats one is apt to be struck by the &c
centricity of them. Indeed, some of the
so called chic creations smack of opera
bouffe in their exaggerated tits and
| twirls. One may not approve of the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

making, and a jelly or two can be de-
pended upon to supply the sweet
course. In some cases it may be found
easier to have timed things ready for
emergencies and to buy bread
Now the strenuous days may begin
IN earnest, and the housewife is fancy
free to expend her energy on the over
hauling Of closets, pantries and odd
corners The linen closet should claim
first attention and should be carefully
gone over and stock taken of the sup
plies. Silver should be counted and the
best plate which is only used on state
occasions taken from its hiding place
and cleaned. OF course the plate in
actual service in a wen run household
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

To relieve pain after a burn a COM
press OF spirits OF wine is most useful.
Cover the burned part with wadding,
pour the spirits over this and carefully
wrap the whole with a piece of water
proof material Care must be taken in
using the spirit, as it is very inham-
nable.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

has been kept in good condition by
weekly rubbing, but twice a year it is
an excellent idea to give it an extra
bath by putting the articles in boiling
water to which has been added a heap
ing handful of hartshorn powder. This
treatment is especially advisable for
silver or plated dish covers. entree
dishes and the like. as it frees them
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

A simple remedy for hoarseness and
tickling in the throat is made OF the
white Of an egg beaten to a froth in hs.le
a glassful Of warm. sweetened water.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

utilized, carefully cleaning, labelling and
putting away what she can use, giving
away or destroying what is no longer
worthy of keeping. Remember that
things which to you, with a comfort
able income, seem shabby and useless
may to poor people make just the diff
ference between privation and comfort.
An old Scotch saying tells us that
''scrapings of the muckle pot make the
wee pot FULL When you have decided.
what to give away and have followed
the laudable method of saving bits of
various articles of clothing, sort them
out, pinning the appropriate pieces to
the little outgrown dresses and shabby
suits your girls and boys can no longer
wear. Put card or two of mending
wool with the flannel garments, see
that some kind of buttons are on each
garment before it is sent away, and
you viii find no lack of grateful recip-
! tents.
All the wooden garments to be stored
should be thoroughly brushed and
beaten in the open air, well aired and
looked over and then folded into con-
venient sized parcels. Dust them free
| Iy with any insecticide you please and
sew them up carefully in old pieces Of
linen or old cotton sheets as tightly as
possible Lastly, wrap them in sheets
Of new brown paper, folding the edges
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-21

q ARTS, March Ibid it ever
occur~to you that you are bet
ter looking than your mirror
would have Won -helieve2 This
The Washington times., 1905-01-08
CHARITY OF SWEETS.

Open your heart, and. incidentally.
your jam closet, and let some of the lit
tie and big mortals in hospitals and
homes have good. generous taste of
sweets
Somehow. jelIies and jams are over
looked oftener than nything else in the
charitable giving, and yet nothing IN
the way of a luxury is nearer to the
necessity line. A bit of clear. pretty
delicious stuff goes q good way toward
tempting the capricious appetite by its
very prettiness.
OF course, a housewife looks at her.
preserve closet with good deal of
pride: aid she's apt to be a bit selfish
with it, remembering the heat of the
summers work of filing 1t; but a glass
or t~o, or maybe half a dozen, won't
depiete her store very greatly And. II
every housewife stretched her giving
capacity tie the extent of half a doze.t
Jars: the hospitals would be well sup
piled.
And kbe pathetic tales you hear of
small tots. looking wistfuliy al plain lit
tie suppers, wishing so earnestly for
something good" would be only the
purest kind of fiction instead of truth,
as they are now.
The Washington times., 1905-01-08

pror:sed with boards and boxes, and a
series of dinners went on, the hostess
in-chief progressing from room to room
with the courses.
But the way they've gradually come
TO adopt is to have what they call
standing suppers,' although nobody
stands
The big table is moved out OF The
dining room, or is made smaller and
pushed UP at one end, against the wall.
On 1t are arranged plates. and cups, and
saucers. and spoons. and glasses, and
hundred and one things. Every room
in the -Aoc-a has been levied upon for
chairs. until the room is almost filled
with them, and with stools and floor
cushions
Everybody comes In and drops down
anywhere-three or four favored souls
helping the hostess and the maids to
dispense napkins and plates-"the foun-
dations Of the feast" as somebody
called them.
Then in come maids. with salads and
toasted mullins, and coffee, and deli
cately prepared potatoes. delicious cold
meats and meat loaf, iellies. and rel
ishes. and some unusual new dish.
which are all passed around, everybody
helping hirnseif-and helping himself
with a very free hand. too.
Everything seems like picnic. and so
has the charm OF being absolutely lack
everything is perfectly comfortable no.
body apparently has had to plan or
work, for everything moves along on
well-oiIed wheels.
The Washington times., 1905-01-08
Phsse Neck FrllIs.

One may readily copy the newest
model in neck ornaments II you wear
a twelve-and-a-half cellar buy fourteen
inches OF white double morsseIine plisse.
from four TO five inches wide. 4 lace
edge should finish this. Hold the pleat-
ing in during the making. so that the
i-uffie VIII not split apart where il should
join in the back Finish the top with an
outstanding narrow pleatirg on the same
order The. art lies in removing from
the wide pleating its factory top finish.
and then joining it 10 the narrow hand
Without showing seams. If il is neces-
s2ry TO cut OF the machine finish of the
Harrow pleating also giee to she TRIM
ming (; fi~mness by backing up tia
stitches with a narrow white silk hind
iEg-Fihbcn. single CT doubled. These
riffs are 10 be fastened with az least
three fancy jeweled lace pins
The Washington times., 1905-01-08

until they come out in the dish you in
tend serving them in IN little spaghetti
ike threads, and then set dish and ALI
in the oven d moment TO get Just the
most delicate browning. Make croutonz
for the soup by cutting stale bread up
into little squares. ard then drying them
out in the oven until they are rich
coffee brown
II you're used to cornstarch pudding
eaten with cream, leave the cream of
and serve the pudding in individual
mods, with spoonful of currant Jelly
on top; or, II you usually have the Jelly,
omit il, and serve cream instead
There are always a dozen ways OF
SERVING a thing, yet. unconsciousiy. each
family gets into the rut of doing il al
WAYS one way. and from that habit tbs
monoteny of the table snrings
The Washington times., 1905-01-08
Making Things Lock Different at Home Table

After the holidays appetites are bound
70 become a bit jaded and require tempt
ing All sorts of dainties have been
called into play for the Christmas Ia
bic, until 1t seems impossible 10 think
up anything different in actual things
10 eat. The only thing left 10 do is TO
make them look different.
II your table is always covered with
cloth strip it off and use doilies for
a change no matter whether the wood
shows high polish or shows obstinate
marks of too-hot dishes having been set
on. And il you haven't doilies enough,
use your little fringed lunch napkins. or
even the pretty creAe paper napkins
and cloths that come. decorated with
pink roses. or elovers. or holly.
II the surface of your table has been
so duIled as 10 be positively ugly. cover
the whole table with the doiiies put
ting them on characterization. to make
it different TO the long straight lines q
table usually boasts
Those napkins. and table covers. and
even centerpieces of crepe paper come
for song Of You sing to silvery
tune). and male up the prettiest sort OF
a table-just for the family.
Get the gayest sort of flowers you can
for the center of the table-those rest
full green" fern dishes are all very well
IN their way, but n dash of red-as
bright as possible-lends an air of good
cheer that is Irresistible. The red
seraniuns you have grown in yoUr WIN
dow are as pretty as anything you can
find.
And have the actual things 10 eat
set on In as different 4 way as pos
sibse. Have the daintiest of thin bread
and butter sandwiches take the place OF
the usual slices OF bread Put your
mashed potatoes through eolander
The Washington times., 1905-01-08
Old-Fashioned Brown Betty.
Standing Suppers Instead of Formal Dinner Parties

A popular author of blood-an6- thunder
novels said he always accomplished his
most startling fand most successfully
scenes by plunging his characters into
as desperate situations as he could
imagine. closing every loophole of es-
cape wherever he could find it and then
setting himself the task of getting the
hero and the leading lady out again,
time.
As result, his escapes were ingenf-
Gus in the extreme, and his stories al
ways in demand.
One family, whose hospitality is far
famed, seem TO evolve their most sue
cessful affairs through the same desper-
ate means-by getting themselves into
apparently hopeless passes, and then.
when it is time for the guests to appear,
calmly sitting down and working out a
solution.
Their most usual trick is to invite a
dozen or so people TO dinner. Their for
get how many they've invited, and in
wife a dozen or so more, until they've
asked all the people they want. Then
the neutrality-suspicious. the house
keeping is done on the same happy-go-
lucky plan as everything else-demands
a list of the people she's to provide for
Then there's reckoning until some one
of the geHinses of hospitality comes out
with startlingly brilliant suggestion.
One time the guests ate in RELAYS,
with couple of the family 10 conduct
each fmprOmptu meal. Another time
parlor and dining rom and library were
all fitted out hurriedly with tables dm-