Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-01-27
The Cluttered House.

"Do you know" remarked Matilda
Ann, az she lapguidly came up the steps
and flung herself, with absolute abandon,
on the porch couch, "that am In
variably exhausted after q visit with
Mrs. Zinn. Can any one explain iiP''
Hooked up from my embroidery, and
slowly shook my head. l bad not the
faintest idea how to solve that problem,
If 1t really we're problem, and l won
dered how such foolish notion had
taken possession of our usually sensible
Mathilda Ann.
81 can" calmly replied Aunt Jane,
who was gently rocking, while briskly
knitting on bright red sweater for little
Jimmie.
"Tell us In hurry, Aunt Jane, for
Pm desperate TO have this mystery
explained" Mathiids Ann was all inn
patience.
"Il's because her house is cluttered
from one end to the other. There isn't
a square foot of peaceful quiet to rest
the eyes on from the dozens of sea shells,
souvenir trays, queer ornamental vases,
cheap pictures, aud mixture Of brio a.
brsc. The bedrooms have lot OF
draperies and filings that are 80 un-
necessary one has TO carefully dodge
about to keep from disturbing or knock
ing things over"
"There now you have said it," !ex-
claimed Mathilda Ann, "when l didn't
think you had it in you. l wonder, are
you right"
"Of course I'm right. I've been
watching such things for good many
years. There was day when fussed-up
things about house was the style, but
since we've taken to living so hard and
fast We must simplify somewhere, and
that somewhere seems to be the old.
fashioned conglomeration of junk that
wearies the eyes to look at 1t, and
wearies the body to keep 1t Clean"
"That's the whole case In nutshell,
I am sure" Mathilda Ann sighed q
tired little sigh and snuggled more close
~ on the couch.
-"Take Mrs. Marston for example,
Aunt Jane continued. "You 60 there
for the afternoon, you find every thing
neat, but NO room contains more than its
requisite amount of furnishings for com
fort and simplified beauty. There are
always bouquets of fresh flowers about
q few books and magazines on the table
but the rooms are not cluttered with
useless junk. When you come home
from there you are rested and cont ented
rattle. than weary and disgusted will
visiting"
cali you say may be true" I hastily
interposed, "but what should person
do who has all these things that Mrs
linn hasP"
"Store them away" was the calm
reply. keep out few pieces at {
time-enough for the needs of the family
and for the touch of adOrnmeDt. Vary
these articles for the sake of change, bu
save yourself the nerve-wrecking worl
of keeping them all on exhibition al
the time-also save the nerves of tn,
family and your friends from clutterec
house."
you certainly are dear old surprise
Aunt Jane" Matbilda Ann smiled sweet
ly, land when furnish my nest sbal
keep my nuisance treasures boarded
away in the attic trunk, and only OF
spring and fall cleaning days shall
bring them to The light-one by one
and soulfully think of the giver or thu
circumstance that brought each one t.
me-"
"Tbat Is what consider sensible talk
Mathilds Ann, and you will appreciate
the Importance OF simple furnishing
more a few years from now when you
have become well initiated into the labors
of housekeeping 1t is we'll to have
changes and extras for emergencies, but
for the benefits of all thrown In contact
with you aud your house, 1t lie best to
minimize the display Of ornamental
decorations. IN. l.. G.