Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-03
THE DAILY CHIT-CHAT.
By Ruth Cameron.

That 1T is not only what one has to
wear. but how 1t is worn, not only what
furniture there is in house, but how the
house is kept, that makes 8, person or
house look attractive or unattractive, is
a truism. And yet how often we seem to
forget this fact
We had been calling at lovely new
home the other day. The happy bride
had proudly shown us all over it. She is
decidedly we'll to do, and the furniture
was beautiful. Dull, rich mahogany in
the fine old lines, marvelously grained
Circassian walnut, brass beds of exquisite
dull finish and chastest of design, fragile
gold and white china, heavy silver in the
severe antique pattern, beautiful pictures
and wonderful oriental rugs-indeed,
everything that the heart of man, or
rather of woman, could desire, seemed to
be in that house.
AS we walked toward home my compan-
ion sighed enviously. Wasn't it lovely?
Oh it just makes me sick to go into my
house after that"
A vision of her home came before my
eyes. The furnishings are good, though
not expensive. The house is pleasant and
has fine possibilities, and yet it is dis
tinctly unattractive home-far more I'M
attractive than it has any reason for be-
! ing. For the mistress of the house ig-
nores the truism that it is not only what
| is in a home, but how it is kept that
makes it pleasing or not. Take her bed
| chamber, for instance. With it's pretty
white beds, it's we'll built oak dresser, it's
dainty cretonne hangings and comfortable
| wicker chairs, it would be a very pleasant
room if it were kept perfectly clean and
| in good order. But when l last saw it
| the hangings were awry. the dresser was
| Uttered and one drawer pulled little
way out, the covers on Ihe wicker chairs
were soiled, the beds wtrla carelessly made
t,rlr 1,xyp I<v,~p
scratch which might have been easily
| remedied by bit of enamel. Naturally
the effect was not pleasiI, She evident
1y attributes the unattfactive aspect to
the lack of fine furniture. But II she mad
the finest furniture, the most expensive
mahogany or Circassian walnut and kept
the room so carelessly, and was so neg
lectful of details as she now is, l main
tain that the effect would still be far
from pleasing.
a certain young married woman envies
her girl friends their pretty clothes and
sometimes feels aggrieved because she
cannot have two suits year and all the
other dainty costumes and accessories
that they buy for themselves. Apparently
she is very ambitious to look well. And
yet she often goes about the house with
out Il collar or belt. and with a gown
which has been simply thrown on. The
finest clothes worn in this way would be
unattractive. The cheapest machine made
housegown, If it is of becoming make
and color. and carefully and neatly put
on, would look better.
We may not all have beautiful furnish
ings or expensive clothes. But we may
all wear our clothes and keep our homes
in a way that shall give us their full value
in attractivenesS.
Mahogany dirty, scratched and in dis
order is not SO attractive as oak kept
neat and orderly and unmarried.
A silk gown carelessly put on, and worn
without belt or collar. is far less effective
than a gingham dress in proper condi-
ton.
The woman who not only acknowledges
these truisms but lives them is practical
ly sure of an attractive person and
pleasing home.