Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-05-03
Doing Homely Tasks

With the revival of needlewOrk the
bag apron, familiar to our mothers, in
their young days, has made its appear
ance. This is sewing apron with the
bag attached to the bottom and looking
as though it were made of the hem, a
very deep hem. The apron is gather
ed into a rather narrow space by
means of drawing strings of ribbon,
and the top of the bag is similarly
gathered. The advantage Of the thing
is having ones sewing materials where
hands can be laid upon them without
waste of time. Hunting for scissors
and spools is needless labor.
saw such an apron among the
Christmas gifts of a friend. 1t was
made of gray mohair with blue rib
bons and was charming The craze
for needlework has not abated and the
large department stores offer free les
sons in embroidery and lace making
There have also been started schools
of dressmaking and millinery, and
charitable societies draw heavily upon
their sewing circles. The only de-
partment where needle and thread are
take up by reluctant hands is in
mending the appalling pile of worn
socks and damaged garments.
To keep ones wardrobe in perfect
order is task calculated to give a
woman no time for mischief; and
many women have added the care OF
a man or two and children, generlly.
But the dollars saved by such labor
are not properly appreciated, or mend
ing would not be cross. After all,
why should the necessary duties of
life be burdens? We do not rebel at
eating and sleeping, at going to bed
and getting up, and they are first OF
necessary duties But our stock of
patience seems to ooze out before we
reach the mending basket, or the
toilet table Why should woman
fume at the task of polishing her shoes
and putting in new laces? Does not
the result repay her for both time ami
labor?
Life is so regulated that we have to
do some part toward it's maintenance.
The amount depends largely upon our
pocketbooks When we cannot hire
the services OF others, we must do
things for ourselves. can never
reach the point of blaming anybody
for Sinking disagreeable tasks by
hiring somebody else to do them--the
money is doing somebody good. | do
not approve of silly expenditure like
the banquet served in a gorgeous bath
room in Europe, but on general prin-
ciples the more money is circulated
the greater the good.
must say I have seen more cases
of rebellion at unsought tasks than
cheerfuiness in doing them. / have
seen an occasionsl woman working
very hard every day and preserving
her good nature through It all. II she
thought it hardship she did not say
/ so, and had no doubt that she found
compensations in life, that the pleas
ure of having family made her GLAD
| to work for it. I have become almost
superstitious about grumbling, have
seen so many of them punished for
their words. 1t is worth while to cul-
tivate the spirit of a woman, who after
spending few hours in magnificent
house went home to her babies with
the feeling that gave to her plain es-
adjustment a value the other place
| could not attain because there were
no babies in it and they were ardently
| desired.
Did you ever stop in the midst OF
your wishes to ask yourself just
what you would give in exchange?
Surely not your children. perhaps not
your pet animals. In every home
there is some cherished article at
which the owner would look long be
fore deciding TO barter it. Thought
of this kind is wholesome. We can
cultivate the habit OF counting the
blessings we have rather than those
we lack. BY taking note of the many