The Washington herald., 1909-02-26

Slnce lne association cannot relIeFe
these overwOrked little girls OF their
heavy burden, they are teaching them 10
bear t in the best possible way. They
are taught 10 market inteIligently with
the small plttance that Is allowed for the
family support. selecting the best and
most nOurishing food. They are then
taught to cook this food in the best man
ner and serve II as attractively as posi-
bic The association furnishes certain
simple provisions daily at the classrooms
and when the girls have been taught to
cook this they serve 1t and eat il. get
ting one good meal a day. anyway. and
learning a valuable lesson. They take
turns at being cook. hostess. and guest.
and good manners are acquired. When
each little student has finished a pre-
scribed course in the cooking class. she
Is given a very imposing looking card
on which are listed the things she can
cook. and the matrOn signs the card
which the child hangs proudly in her own
home Then she demonstrates before. her
parents her ability 10 bake bread Of sew
eral kinds, and cook meats. puddines.
soups, and vegetables in wholesome fash
ion Besides the meals which thev had
cooked, the little mothers received os. 40
hot lunches last year
The little mothers have usually been
clad IN the cast-Off clothes thar their
mothers picked up somewhere. After 2
Few visits 70 the association houses they
begin 20 want TO look a little better and
from the material donated they soon
learn 20 make their own clothes. When
they have learned 70 mend and make
hn -f~
they are given other imposing certificates.
duly signed, and attesting 10 the impor-
tant fact that they have perfected a
course in running. back-stitching. over
handing. hemming, patching, darning.
feather-stitching. bUttOn-hOle making &c
Many OF the little mothers are dwarfed.
or misshapen, OF sometimes physically
weakened BY the heavy lifting and carry
ing they must do, ana the association is
doing all Il can through its physical d.
reetors 20 cure when possible and 10 pre-
vent defects BY teaching the girls how
best to lift and carry the babies. They
are taught how to treat the childish all
ments from which all babies suffer: how
10 prepare the milk and other food, how
to battle and dress babies, and how 10
ventilate their sleeping apartments when
il IS possible.
When rewards are made for. neatness.
attention, and obedience in the various
classes, they take the form of toilet ar
ticles. in order that the spirit Of pride in
personal cleanliness and personal appear
ance may be awakened. Brushes for the
hair. nails. and teeth; combs. soap. tow
els. and washcloths are the leading prizes.
and TO these are added vaseline. borax.
and eourtplaster, that the family medicine
chest may offer help IN time Of need. The
fact that over I000 little girls have al
tended the health talks given By the
physician connected with the work shows
the good that is being done. She tells
them how 10 hold themselves when walk
ing or sitting; how 10 take care Of the
skin. the hair. and the teeth; how 10
dress so as not 10 compress the waist or
tilt the body with heels that are too
high She breaches over and over again.
the gospel Of plenty Of water. fresh air.
and sunshine This may. TO the average
reader seem a saperfUoUs lesson. but
more often than not the whole thing is
new 10 the child Of the slums
Every sumner the little mothers who
csn BE- spared for a short while are
given an outing in the country. over
$3.50 having been taken last year. During /
tie sumner the department OF education, !