Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-06
I IOUSE=
HOLD
/ lINTS

windows, SO lately ablaZe with all sorts or
holiday temptations. scarlet predominatlng,
have now sobered down into a decorous
showing Of fair linen, and the housekeeper
who has managed to keep some money in
her purse is rejoicing at the chance to re-
plenlsh her household linens at the mark
down prices Of the annual January sale.
Every woman naturally dotes dainty
linen, accumulated doubtless by the strain
Of heredity that has come down through the
long years from the days when the prepara-
ton and filling of the linen chest was or
primal Importance to every marriageable
girl and her mother.
Table Linen for Everyday Use.-In buying
table linen for everyday use an all-over pat
tern. which conceals the quality OF the cloth
which might otherwise appear coarse
wears and looks better than one where d
great deal OF plain surface is dtspIayed
For company linen, the pattern cloths
and napkins with centerpieces on PLAIN
surface and borders to CORES pond are most
attractive. Some of the finest linens are
single DANA SIX which wears well, ana does
not crack as easily as some OF tIle uouplS
woayps To the experienced buyer the feel
OF linen is an indication OF It's quaLlty Lut
for the inexperienced shopper the o!d-IaSh-
toned test which our grandmothers banked
on still holds good. Moisten the niger anu
apply il TO the surface Of the fabric. II
The dampness penetrdtes at once 70 ING
other side YOU may know II is linen II II
mixture of cotton. American women are
stickIers for having table linen that Is linen.
ON the other side they are not as partcu-
lar, and the linen often mas Il muSSS, yer
low cast that is far from pleasing. In cut
ting table linens, cut by the pattern otLeI-
wise when washed, they will be curved or
crooked The same effect IS reachea III cut
ting by the thread; but that takes longer
and is no more correct. The thread makes
the pattern, and if you follow the pattern
YOU cannot be far of. s
1..,,c nf
the fine table cloth is the undergrad or ST.
lcnce cloth. In the days when the cIQth
was spread directly over the pare taDie
wear showed first the cloth Where II
turned down over the edge. Nhlie there
are many extensive fabrics made for THIS
purpose. including one with ASBESTOS III US
composition, dOuble-faCed canton tianncl Is
more easily washed and lar cheaper IMAM
ANYTHING else This banketing should be
ntted under the edges OF the table, 50 that
there is 10 danger of it's hanging below the
How to Hem Table I.inen.-The careful
housckceper does not use Il machine hem
ON table linen. The simple rolled hem,
done by hand. is the most approved thou&h
fine damasl5 is sometimes hemStitchcd. In
this case the tIbloc!Otn has Il tNo-nch
hem and the napkins one inch. While
plain white linen is preferred as q rule
Tor breakfast. dinner or luncheon, elaborate
embroidery and laces are in favor for the
small fancy cloths used for . O'Clock teas.
For receptions and more elaborate dinners
and luuCutuNS cloths OF pam utHliSh Will
borders or inSetS of heavy Russian lace are
practical, seU'iCcabe and rich looking.
Chinese Hand-embroidercd Linens.-Nery
popular this year are the Chinese hand
embroidered linens. These come in white,
pale blue ana carton blue. The em6Coid-
cry on these goods is extremely lustrous
and rich looking. II launders beau
tifuIly and is extremely serViceable.
The designs are floral or of the dragon.
The doies may be bought separately or
by the dozen, and have made some of the
most charming Christmas gifts.
Sheets and Pillow Cases.-Even In sheets
and pillow cases come variations in fash
ion and finish. Linen is largely superseding
cotton, the difference In first cost being
cOunterbalnced by the superior wearing
qualities of the linen. The round thread
linen is considered the most durable weave.
Shecting comes at various prices, accord
ing 10 the fineneSs Of the fabric. n pair of
pure linen sheets, single bed size. range
in price from 81 10 $3.50 Double-bed size,
from s. a pair to $2J If the linen is to be
made up at home il may be purchased
by the yard, from Is cents to SIS. For
pillow cases the linen costs 60 cents, or
even 81 q yard, but il lasts a lifetime.
Embroidered sheets and pillow cases with
choice designs of French and English man
ufaCtuTe both beautiful and durable.
Scalloped buttonholed sheets and cases are
also attractive and durable. Sometimes the
scallOped edge is backed with a line of
embroidery. Hemstitched sheets and cases
are pretty, but not dur able, the rude blasts
of winter having a tendency TO make them
part company.
Bed Observation-Disclosures bed
spreads of linen great temptation
to the woman who loves dainty, pretty
things. but their price makes them prohibit
tive TO the ma jority of housekeepers. In
ported dlmity and lightweight spreads
are SeryiCeable and within reach of the
moderate purse. Attractive bed covers in
Urgaudie or sheer lawn are also most popu-
lar for the young girls room who knows
how 20 take care of things. In this case
IL -Tv,rr Ill -
room correspond.
What Can Be Done With a Shank of
Beef.-And now. as most of our incomes
Will not admit of elOugating our blanket at
10th ends at the same time, let me pass
on TO you some suggestions for economtz-
ing on your butchers bill, while, reinforcing
your linen closet And first, the possibility
Of a shank of beef An average-sized shank
costs about - or 80 cents, and contains
besides the marrow bone, about five pounds
of solid meat, measured after cooking, and
a pint of fat after being tried out that
can be used for shortening and cooking
Having purchased n gOOd-siZed shank cut
out all the best OF the lean meat, being
careful to remove the stringy pieces, and
dig the marrow from the bones. Chop the
meat and marrow, and you will have guam
uty of the most delicious steak far ahead
of any you can buy for tenderness and
flavor. Season slightly with salt and pep
per- make into pats and put away in a
cool place until needed for cooking. This
cording TO the size of the family AT this
season It will keep for some time Boil
the rest of the shank and when tender take
the meat from the bones. utilizing it when
well seasoned, in meat pies, meat loaf Gro
quotes and delicious little stew warming
up some of the slices in the stock The
stock itself is utilized in soups and gravies.
Thus for an ordinary family the housewife
can get three or four services Of meat
and two or three services OF soup all for %
cents. Can you beat that?
Reef CroquetSes.-Take a pint of the soup
meat and m.nce fine, adding a tiny bit of
onion TO season. Add salt and pepper, a ut
tie celery, cloves or savory TO flavor; then
add quarter cup of good stock and mix
well. Add the white Of a small egg or
portion Of the white of one larger, and
mix again, then take the meat from the
stove and set IN a cool place to get cold.
Make into CrOque:tes roll in the beaten
egg yolk. then IN sifted bread crumbs and
fry rich brown in hot fat. When ready
TO serve, stick tiny sUrig of parsley In
the pointed end Of each croquette.
Beef Stew With Tomato Sauce-Cut of
some slices from the boiled shank OF beef
Put into the frying pan two tablespoonfuls
of the tried-Out fat, and when hot put in a
couple OF slices each OF onion and carrot
and let them brown. Stir i'm one cup can
ned tomatoes and half cup of the beet
stock or gravy also bay leaf a bit OF