The Secret of a Happy Home (1896)

s on the ever-vexing subject there is no end. The whole human creation or, at all events, a vast majority of it, groaneth and travaileth togethe

crously-small allowance. The number of contestants for this prize proves, not only the general interest felt in the subject, but also testifies to the urgent need o

She and John are boarding now, but are soon to have a home of their own, and after perusing their newly purchased volumes, they decide that their limited income will amply enable them to live in comfort although, perhaps, not in luxury

slight item in any family,-and light,-also absolutely essential,-have not been taken into account. These make a big hole in the income which had seemed all-sufficient. It is expedient, also, occasionally, to have a woman in to do a day's cleaning, and the weekly wash

dicals in the country are worth little compared with three months of personal experience. Happy is the young wife who has had so

nto the ash-barrel, and empties the teaspoonful of cream from the bottom of the pitcher into the kitchen sink. Your servant will not have the brains and foresight to detect in these seemingly useless articles factors which may aid materially in the construction of a delicac

only redress which the housekeeper with a servant has, is constant vigilance and personal supervision, and even then she is the loser. At the South the servants are used to having provisions kept under lock and key. Each day the mistress deals out the requisite fl

all floor, or wash the windows while her mistress is attending to cooking too delicate for the domestic's fingers. The servant may do what I call the heavy kitchen-*work, such as preparing vegetables for cooking, chopping meat, peeling potatoes, etc., and she should always be allowed

ll china are continually smashed to fragments by the hirelings whose own the fragiles are not. The china bill for one year of the woman with many servants assumes proportions so huge that she is actua

aint niver been in this hous

roving the falsity of this

n and soft dish-towels, and delicate glass and china, dish-washing is in every sense of the word a lady's work. The mistress will do it in one-third of the time, with five times the thoroughness, and one-tenth as many breakages as will the average servant. And when the dishe

tain extent, a mean spirit that counts the cost in asking a friend to stay to a repast, to spend a night or a week. It is your duty to have things so nice every day, and always, that you cannot be too much "put out" by an occasional guest. When you invite your friend to make you a visit, explain that you live quietly, and that he will find a warm welcome. Then give him just what you give John, and make no apologies. Above all, do not let hi

ders toward saving time and money. Some housewives are always in a hurry and their work is never done, while others with twice as much to do neve

ve mentioned, degrading. It is the work laid before them and consequently cannot be mean. Such labo

ut with wate

e us!-cinders,

ent, be transformed into a refreshing beverage and an appetizing entrée. My faith in the powers of John's wife is great, a