THE RUSAL NEW-YORKER. 
JUNE 43 
40S 
Woman’s Work. 
CONDUCTED BY EMILY LOUISE TAPLIN. 
OF INTEREST TO WOMEN. 
A Topeka woman who invented an egg- 
beater is said to have sold the patent for 
$1,40(1. 
A novel match box is in the form of a 
snuffed candle-end, with blackened wick and 
imitation grease dropping down the side. It 
can hardly lie called artistic. 
Surah in changeable check is popular for 
summer wear. It is very soft in texture and 
for this reason is likely to wear better than 
ordinary summer silk. 
The Garibaldi waists, revived in England 
last year, appear likely to attain some favor 
here. They are certainly very comfortable, 
but not becoming, except to poor figures, 
whose deficiencies they hide. 
Parasols are wonderfully pretty and won¬ 
derfully elaborate this season. The plain 
coaching shape, with contrasting lining, is 
most useful for general wear. Serviceable, 
yet pretty suu-shades are of tau-coloied 
pongee, but those with blue liniugs should he 
avoided, as they give a very unbecoming 
shade to the complexion. 
The jaunty sailor hats so popular last sum¬ 
mer are still to be worn this year. When 
worn with a neat, albeit somewhat masculine, 
chemisette and necktie they give a very fresh, 
and youthful aspect. 
The Chnutnuqunn says one can never be 
too wary about answering advertisements 
which promise large rewards and small work. 
Miss Susan Hayes Ward, a contributor to 
that magazine, calls attention to a trap set in 
many papers for women of small means desir¬ 
ing home employment, The advertiser repre¬ 
sents himself as an art society, usually located 
in Boston, which sends S)Ik, satin, or some¬ 
thing to be decorated, on ro?eipt of a small 
amount of money. Either the money is never 
heard from, or, if the materials are sent, the 
work returned is said to be unsatisfactory, 
and so never paid for. TheWouiau’s Educa¬ 
tional and Industrial Union of Boston says: 
“A little thought or perhaps a little experi¬ 
ence in the matter will show the fraudulent 
character Of such advertisements. If any one 
really had uny such decorative work to be done 
here in Boston, the simple announcement in 
any moruiug paper would bring hundreds of 
applicants, skilled anil capable artists, who 
would gladly do the work for small pay.” 
TWO FEMININE PROBLEMS. 
Just now there are two much-agitated 
questions before us, which are discussed and 
re-discus,ed m every paper devoted to wo¬ 
men’s affairs. We are asked to find fields of 
labor, old or new, for the increasing host, of 
women compelled to support themselves. And 
wo are asked, on the other hand, to find some 
remedy for the complete demoralization of 
our household service, which is driving our 
housekeepers to despair—and boardinghouses. 
The easiest, but, we fear, the most impracti¬ 
cable solution is to kill two birds with one 
stone; let the unemployed women qualify 
themselves for domestic service, and do away 
entirely with the foreign incompetents who 
now rule the roast, aud the mistress, too, 
sometimes. 
Some years ago Miss Emily Faithfull ex¬ 
pressed her views on this subject in the Lon¬ 
don Queen »She complained that so many 
farmers’ daughters, or children of the village 
handicraftsman, who, years ago, would have 
gone into service in u gentleman’s family, 
must now learn a smattering of French and 
music, and try to get a position as nursery 
governess or the like. She considered that the 
standard of domestic service in England had 
been much lov> ered by this cause. And sim¬ 
ilarly, when some enthusiastic, but misguided 
women tried to float the scheme of “lady 
helps,” it was found that this class— competent 
in neither a domestic nor an educational ca¬ 
pacity, were readiest to respond. 
English life and hubits, us well as social dis¬ 
tinctions, are so totally distinct from ours 
that it is impossible to institute a dear com¬ 
parison. But is there not something in Miss 
Fait.hfull’s remarks that applies hero also' 
Nowadays it is comparatively rare to meet 
with an American domestic, excepting colored 
women. We arc, for the most part, east on 
the tender mercies of Europeans; the major¬ 
ity, when they come here, are totally igno¬ 
rant. uot only of our manners and customs, but 
of anything approaching civilized housekeep¬ 
ing. 
If, after the trouble of teaching them, we 
could receive good service, there would be some 
compensation for our labor: but, alas! they 
are apt to desert, if not without provocation, 
certainly on a very shadowy exeuse. The 
chief thing that deters many working women 
from entering domestic service, next to the 
feeling that their leisure is not so much their 
own as in other occupations, is the idiotic 
false pride that calls such work “menial.” 
That good old Norman word has been per- 
verted from its original meaning. We saw 
an advertisement recently: an American wo¬ 
man wanted a situation as seamstress, house¬ 
keeper, or companion; “any household position 
not menial.” Yet the real meaning of the 
word menial is pertaining to the household. 
We have been reading Mrs. Campbell’s 
“Prisoners of Poverty;” sad enough, if it 
were an imaginary picture of women wage- 
earners, but heartrending when we know they 
are pictures from life. Which is more Lady 
in the servitude of labor, the domestic, with 
home and sustenance, aud the certainty of 
some additional dollars at the month’s end, or 
the slave of the needle, toiling in a gloomy 
teuemeut for seventeen hours in succession, 
amid squalor and misery, to gaiu less than 
fifty cents a day ? 
KITCHEN COMFORTS. 
OLIVE E. DANA. 
I am not writing of “conveniences,” which 
may or may not be within the reach of the 
housekeeper, but of some little things which a 
trilling effort ou her own part will nearly al¬ 
ways secure, aud which will repay the small 
outlay of work they cost in steps saved, in 
exhaustion and annoyance avoided, and in 
pervading comfort. 
One of the first essentials to the comfort of 
kitchen-workers is, of course, suitable dress. 
Nothing seems better for the warm months 
than dark print, and the suggestions lately 
given by t he editor of this department are 
excellent and timely. But we find a linen 
collar as serviceable and comely for mornings 
as the frill before recommended, and it. is less 
trouble to arrange it. Not the stiff, clumsy, 
bougbten “cape-collars”—those we have for 
common are just a narrow baud of linen, of 
three thicknesses, stitched all around after it 
is made up. Such primitive neck-wear is very 
easily ironed, and, once in, hardly betrays its 
simplicity. One of our household makes her 
summer prints without lining They do not 
wear so well, aud can be worn only in warm 
weather. Delicate people who feel the cold 
could uot wear them even then. Aud some of 
us think we must wear a plaiu woolen or 
worsted dress, eveu in the moruiug. half the 
year. Carefully worn, they do not soil so 
quickly as one might think, aud most things 
will bear washing occasionally. 
A generous supply of kitchen aprons is 
desirable, and a constant satisfaction. So 
many different tasks come into one forenoon, 
that one needs to have, two or three at least at 
hand for change and use. The cooking apron 
is better if light cotton—almost anything will 
do, old even, so it is clean, and whole, aud 
long. A certain pantry-drawer always holds 
ours, save when the cake-board aud rolling- 
pin have the floor. It is extremely uncom¬ 
fortable to have it mislaid or used for other 
work. 
The aprons one wears while doing other 
work should be, I think, darker; and they 
ought to he of good, strong calico, aud also 
long aud broad. For every-day use, to slip off 
and on to wash dishes, sweep, clean lamps, etc., 
I think I like the plain, straight, okl-fashioned 
apron, with a bib, always, better than any¬ 
thing else. But a “big apron,” made with 
arm-holes, straps in the buck, pockets, and all 
that, is extremely handy to protect a nice 
dress. 
Almost as necessary as aprons, we some- 
tio’es think our sleeve-protectors are. These 
are of print—a width will do them—made 
up sleeve-shape, long enough to come above 
the elbow. Allow two inches, perhaps, for 
hems, and run elastic into top and bottom. 
They are nice to slip on at night, or when one 
has on a best dress, and has some bit of house¬ 
work to do—like putting the lust touches to a 
company tea, or even washing the dishes. 
Then, again, low shoes are not comfortable,if 
oue must stand long. High boots in the morn¬ 
ing, and perhaps a change to slippers in the 
afternoon when one sits down, seems the bet¬ 
ter way. And certainly the boot, even though 
old, if kept mended and buttoned or laced, is 
apt to look neuter on the whole than the 
slipper. 
A goodly supply of holders is very desir¬ 
able. They ought to be of various kinds and 
sizes. We like those covered with old white 
cloth, for the ironing table. We make them 
of flannel and thick cloth for other uses, aud 
even cover some with calico. The latter may 
be washed. 
And much more necessary is a generous 
supply of towels. It adds so much to tho 
pleasure of working to have such things often 
changed and in every way adequate. Aud 
somet imes a little forethought, some economy 
in other directions, or ou the part of the 
housewife a willingness to do without luxu¬ 
ries aud superfluities, may secure these neces¬ 
sary things in requisite abundance. Aud 
there is much satisfaction to be had from 
such. 
Cleanliness, order, system, tidiness, tact— 
these make the work of the kitchen—that 
groundwork of the homes—enjoyablo. And 
oue secret of order and cleanliness lies in 
knowing how “to save dirt.” Haste and care¬ 
lessness make and multiply labor. 
Another - convenience is one, or better, sev¬ 
eral iron frames—I know of no better word— 
tho little round teapot holders our mothers 
and grandmothers had. The lighter, daintier 
ones of wire take their places on the table, 
but the iron ones are excel lent to protect a 
table from a hot dish or preserve kettle, or 
pan of hot water; and especially to put in the 
oven under a tin of cake or biscuit that is in 
danger of burning. By the way, a clean, 
new horseshoe is admirable for this very pur¬ 
pose, and may be kept in the oven 
One more “kitchen comfort,” and I am done 
for this time. And this is a small i ouing- 
hoard; ours is less than a yard long, and 
about one-quarter of a yard wide. It may be 
covered with as many thicknesses of llanuel or 
cotton as oue can spare or chooses to use. 
Half-worn white cotton-cloth makeft a neat 
outer cover, and it can be covered now if the 
first becomes soiled or torn. It is very con¬ 
venient for the score of little emergencies that 
call for the use of a hot flat-iron, a seam to 
open, a bit of work to press, a ribbon to iron, 
a piece of cloth to press out. And I have at¬ 
tached a loop of strong tape to oue end, so that 
it may be out of the way aud kept clean. 
COUNTING UP THE COST. 
SELMA CLARE. 
A very practical Mend of mine regulates 
her finances and expenditures iutliisway. She 
has a series of envelopes marked 1 ‘rent,” “wag¬ 
es,” “fuel,” “table supplies,” etc.,and whenever 
her money comes in she puts aside in these en¬ 
velopes whatever she knows to bo inevitable 
and regularly recurring expenses. The sur¬ 
plus goes into an envelope marked “necessary 
incidentals.” This includes clothes, wear and 
tear of household goods, doctor’s bills, etc. 
She never “robs Peter to pay Paul” by bor¬ 
rowing from one of these envelopes to use for 
another purpose. If she finds that the “table 
supplies” account runs low, she simplifies her 
way of living. If there is anything over, it 
Can only be in the “necessary incidentals” de¬ 
posit, aud this at the end of the mouth is 
placed in the bank. 
This plan, which is only a modification of 
the “toes of our grandmothers’ stockings,” is 
a much safer oue for current expenses than 
even a bank account. There are few women 
sufficiently practical to be trusted with a 
check-book. It is so easy to write a check- 
nut at all like paying out the shine amount in 
dollars and cents. 
One good ttaut will result from the business 
training which women are so generally re¬ 
ceiving now a days as “bread winners” will 
be their increased ability to look after the ac¬ 
counts which the business habits they acquire 
in offices will impel them to keep. 
It is just as necessary for the farmer or 
the housekeeper to keep accounts and count 
the cost, iu order to know just how their af¬ 
fairs stand, as it is for the merchant. 
MARRIAGE ns. SINGLE BLESSEDNESS, 
j. w. s. 
A NATION wherein marriage is honored, is 
alwuys prosperous. What would a nation of 
maids aud bachelors be? No nation at all! 
Only a selfish community wherein all manner 
of vice would be fostered. Without marriage 
there would lie no home. All the sacredness 
which circles round the hearthstone would be 
banished. Live itself in its truest, its perfect 
type Would be an “innocent” slaughtered by 
these selfish unsympathetic Herods. 
Some oue will say tba* marriage is optional 
—an open question, but tho effects of no mar¬ 
riage show that some must marry; and if it is 
the duty of some, ull being alike, it is the duty 
of all. 
In some countries marriage is compelled 
and for obvious reasons What single man is 
truly in sympathy with the best interests of 
the State? 
Wedlock is and always has been the only 
institution which fully develops the physical, 
moral, intellectual, and spiritual man aud 
wo man. Society, Church and State stand ou 
home, and home ou wedlock; then why not 
all unite aud advance the world, besides mak¬ 
ing themselves happy? 
But here comes in the much-carped-at 
question about the little differences aud disa¬ 
greements which sometimes come between 
husband aud wife. In a proper, a true mar¬ 
riage they seldom occur, but forbearance and 
gentlemanly sense ou the part of the husband, 
and a like forbearance and womanly love and 
honor on the part of the wife, will obviate 
these evils. 
If Paul did find it expedient to remain un¬ 
manned, does that make it proper for others 
to remain so? If one person, how greatsoever 
ho be, breaks the natural Law, will others es¬ 
cape punishment by following him? Love is 
natural, henco Should be active. Then the 
true old maid with no love for anything but a 
cat or a dog ls unnatural—a social monstrosi¬ 
ty; and the same may he said of bachelors. 
The person who smothers his love iu any 
way, often reminds me of the man who bur¬ 
ied his lord’s “talent,” and l sometimes think 
the punishment may he about the same. 
Why not all wed and escape that “rude aud 
silly ridicule,” which “can not be too strong¬ 
ly protested against?” We honor Washington 
Irving’s constancy, uot because be remained 
single, but because he loved and would have 
married but that Death prevented. His con¬ 
stancy was the constancy of a spiritual union, 
tho power of which no true loveless old maid 
or bachelor ever felt. All those in like circum¬ 
stances are not maids and not bachelors for 
they live as constant to their love as if married. 
Now girls aud young men, marry! Make 
true love your guide, and he will lead you to 
your Beulah-land. Do your part in the great 
work of life, and may God reward you! 
SOME WAYS AND THINGS AT THE 
RURAL GROUNDS. 
ALICE BROWN. 
A variety in school work will often give 
to the pupils something pleasanter to think 
about than the review lessons that fill the time 
toward the close of school. As the days grow 
hot aud uncomfortable, something new is 
needed to interest eveu the best of boys and 
girls. Mr. Carman suggested u weekly discus¬ 
sion for our school. And with many doubts 
of its success, a topic was cliosen. aud after a 
few days for thought and study, the subject. 
“Our Annual Flower Garden” wils discussed 
for fifteen minutes. The parliamentary forms 
were followed as far as possible in our meeting 
of only three. To add to our numbers tho 
president personated a speaker as well. Al¬ 
though tho time was so short, to Travie it 
seemed long enough, but he did very well in 
his first attempt at speaking. Since then wo 
have discussed “Peanuts,” “Peaches,” aud se¬ 
lected “Pears” for the next discussion. When 
peaches were our subject, Travie, with a little 
help, prepared to tell in what parts of the 
world they grow best, aud in what, ways they 
are used. Cerise gave the botanical name, 
and mentioned peach culture under glass as 
carried on in Franco and England, with some 
other facts relatiug to their culture iu our 
own country. The effort to speak without 
hesitation aud without unnecessary words is 
the best training from this exercise. So far 
the discussions have been entertaining to those 
taking part aud to that extent successful. 
To be able to repeat iu well chosen words 
the knowledge gained from varied sources, is 
valuable to any one. Embarrassment pre¬ 
vents many from saying the wise, kind or 
clever things they feel to be appropriate. An 
exercise that aids a child in overcoming his 
embarrassment at the sound of his own voice, 
is the reciting of well learned poems. Before 
Cerise and Travie go for a visit to their 
grandfather’s, or when their grandparents or 
other friends are expected here, they prepare 
some good recitation to speak for their pleas¬ 
ure. They practice gestures, and tones, and 
enter into the spirit of tho poems as thorough¬ 
ly as they can. 
Three Field Days have now been held and 
none have been stormy, though a light shower 
drove us indoors for a short time lost Wednes¬ 
day, The study of botany and the names of 
shrubs aud trees were continued, aud will be, 
each week. Un the second Field Day the class 
spent an hour at the experimental field on a 
neighboring farm, where the tests of corn, po¬ 
tatoes, melons, beans, etc., are carried on. 
Mr. and Mrs. Carman explained these aud 
prepared us to notice the results of the differ¬ 
ent experiments. In this field the ehiklreu 
have planted two varieties of peanuts, one tho 
common large nut, the others a much smaller 
variety, that seems sweeter and better fla¬ 
vored. 
Tlie hybridizing attempted on the first Field 
Day between the Crab-apple and the beckel 
Fear was a failure, and another attempt can¬ 
not be made until nextspriug. Mrs. Carman’s 
attempts between white and purple lilacs, red 
&4vwttirin0. 
When Baby wua sick, we gave her Castorla 
When she was a Child, she cried for Castorla, 
When she became Miss, she clung to Castorla, 
Wben she had Children, she gave them Castorla- 
