Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-14

work Of the summer. Last winter we had
more than $500 people, representing about
800 households actively engaged In the
practical and successful work Of beautify-
Ing refining and elevating the homes of
Northampton.
There was an increase of 80 per cent in
numbers and marked advance in interest
and enthusiasm among the pupils OF the
domestic science department., which was
shown in the exceptional regularity OF the
attendance, the Improvement of the ap-
pearance Of the houses of members. and
their desires to bring their friends and
neighbors into the work. The classes in
cookery were well attended by young wom-
en- from the factories we'll as by house.
keepers. This work Is entirely practical.
No attempt Is made to teach fancy cooking,
but our pupils are learning how to econo-
mize and make the most Of breads. meats.
soups vegetables and everyday articles of
food which. among the working people Of
this country more than any other are sell
dom properly prepared with economy or for
nourishment for health. The greatest
qualification in this work rs that 1t is
edge for the benefit of the homes and the
lives of our students. The working people
Of France. Germany. Italy and other Euro
pean countries have a much better under
standing Of the chemistry of food and how
to get the greatest degree of nourishment
from them. A French woman will make
pound Of beef or vegetables go so much
farther than the average American woman
ignorance is appalling. That is what we
are trying to correct in Northampton.
Making Dresses.
Another important branch is the Dress
making department, in which working girls
and the wives and daughters of working
men are taught how to cut and make their
own dresses and undergarments. to trim
their own hats and dresses in stylish but
economical manner. In that particular, as
yuoll a n ha won ON
way ahead of the Americans. both in econ
omy and taste. We are trying to inspire
and cultivate among the members Of our
club and the working population of North
ampton generally an ambition to appear
well. to dress we'll. and are endeavoring to
teach them how to do 1t on the smallest
amount Of money. We had 2O8 members in
our dressmaking class last year, of whom
SO were adults and the rest young girls
still in school. One OF our little girls made
herself five dresses Another girl twelve
years old made three dresses for herself and
two for a smaller sister. and both Of them
enjoyed the work immensely They consid-
cred 1t the finest kind of play.
"a novel feature of our work Is an occa-
sional exchange sale Saturday afternoon.
when household furniture and articles for
which our members have no further use,
clothing that has been outgrown Is no
longer needed and other articles of many
varieties are brought to the clubhouse, APP
praised and ticketed with their values and
sold to whomever may fancy them. In this
way our people often make good bargains
and get what they want at a much lower
price than they would have to pay for new
articles. while the sellers realize much more
than they could get at the pawnshop.
1.-The amusement department Is very i'm
portant. We have a dramatic club under
the direction of Miss Ethel Elliott. instruct
or in elocution in Smith College, which gave
two public performances last winter with
great success.
Gymnastics and Dancing.
THE gymnasium work was equally good,
particularly among the women, who are in
structed by Miss Laura Post. head of the
physical culture department at Smith Col
lege
We're taught by volunteer teachers from
Smith College. 1t Is an inspiring sight to
see the young women from that institution
giving lessons in dancing and department
to the factory hands. the railway men and
other mechanics and laborers from the
town. The value of their example and their
manners is greater than any one can esti-
mate The dancing classes are an effective
agency for the normal and symmetrical de-
velopment of the physical, social and moral
life of the girls and boys of the families
of the mechanics of Northampton, and not
only promote better dancing, but refined
and gracious manners. The young men
and young women who devote an evening
a week to this form of exercise obtain not
only instruction. but enjoy wholesome and
refining recreation. In the dancing classes
a noticeable esprit de corps is developed,
and what is especially valuable is the social
intermngling of many nationalities who
| must live together as neighbors.
I'm addition to the dancing we have va
rous other entertainments. receptions, musi-
Gals. lectures and whist clubs, and last
year we had a series of smoke talks for
men. which were particularly fruitful
Mr.. Cables home culture club diners
from most of the movements that have
been attempted for the purpose in
manufacturing cities in other parts of the
country. 1t has been eminently successful
here in stimulating and uplifting the toiling
classes, in improving the appearance as
we'll as the comfort of their homes and in
increasing the knowledge and the content
ment of the members.
Gaynor Goes Back to Macon Jail.