New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-06
The Seersucker Family
They Have the Fun of Going in Washing
and None OF the Discomforts of Ironing,

has been able TO decide whether Mrs.
Seersucker" makes deliberate use or the
psychology of comparison. or whether she
is guilelessly unaware OF the fine effect
her table linen makes after II is contrasted
with her neighbor's bare tables. AT all
events, the visitor blesses the good fortune
which brought her to this abode Of luxury
and then forgets all about napkins in the
discussion OF the best place TO find maiden
hair ferns.
The next day, when the sun has mounted
high and the little waves are sparkling in
the front yard. the family rest from the
mornings activities (the word work is
tabooed) and yield TO the invitation Of the
lake. Then says the man:
Come you pampered child of civiliza-
ton: get your little seersucker napkin and
come in washing Everybody in this house
hold has to be his or her own laundress."
He leads the procession himself, with his
arms full OF soap and seersucker. and the
women plunge into the waves after him.
with the blouses they wore an hour before
and couple OF babies rompers apiece.
Then the fun begins This washing is not
taken very seriously even by the mistress
OF the HOlSeNOlQs WIZ oilg htfiio noNN4A
full eve on her husband 10 see that he rubs
the tablecloth in the places where il was
soiled For the rest. il is all splashing and
laughing sousing the clothes up and down
In the soft water. throwing them out where
the water is waist high. and racing after
them az they float indiferently away on
the current For those who cannot swim
the washing provides an endless source Of
amusement, and for those who can II IS
soon dispensed with and left 10 soak
Woe TO the negligent. however, Far out
I'm the deep water, where light hearts have
forgotten their wash and are disportng
themselves joyously. there comes a re-
proachful shout from shore
Bert we are going In now, and YOU
didn't get the collar band OF your shirt
clean. and Mary one OF your stockings is
floating away down By the point"
When IL is all over and the family as
semhle again. attred In more seersucker,
washed the day before. the visitor and the
women OF the family hang up the wash on
the lines strung, between the white birch
trees. the man being employed meanwhile
IN building the fire for dinner.
You see" confides the wise woman.
that we have a good sized wash here.
! Now. II ! had 10 iron il all it would take
me three or four hours tomorrow morn
ing As IL Is. there is nothing more to do
with II. and | can 30 on the picnic with
the rest OF YOU. Moreover. We really keep
a great deal cleaner BY wearing seer
sucker for often III | had 10 iron my
dresses I'd make them do few day
longer but now. as soon as one gets the
least bit dirty ! just 90 in washing with
it. and # Is all part OF the days fun
And there's the romantic part OF It,
too, interrupted the daughter. Don't YOU
feel like the beautiful herolnes In the now
els who are always discovered doing the
family wash beside the river? The hero
hears merry laughter. and peers through
the bushes. you know. 10 see an enhancing
vision Of maidens with beautiful. bare
arms. their golden hair cleaning In the
sunlight. and the snowy garments In the
sparkling water only feeble imitation OF
their dazzling white teeth There was
Nausicaa In Homer. and when the washing
WAS done she ana nvr maids played with a
golden ball. and then there was Ramona
out I'm California and somebody else I'm a
rub romances. and I'm lust scared all the
time lest some Prince Charming will peel.
through the Dus perry bushes at us when
We go IN washing. and I'm "a fright in that
old bathing suit