Rensselaer Republican, Volume 28, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1896 — FOR WOMEN AND HOME [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FOR WOMEN AND HOME

AN INVITIN-G FIREPLACE. A FIREPLACE invites' cozy lounging with book or magazine and agreeable conversation that has an accompaniment of. crackling flames. An artistic fireplace carries with it the air of coziness. It is set in the back of a recess, out of the room, and has on either side an oak "seat, with cushion. The whole back Of the recess is brickwork, extending up 'to the ceiling. The brickwork drops back a few courses above the top, of the fireplace, forming a mantel or shelf, on

which may be disposed-handsome bits of china as a decoration. The bricks used may be the red pressed bricks sold everywhere or spine of the handsome bricks that are now made in soft colors, such as gray, yellow, brown and cream. Bricks of the same color, but varying in tone, some being a deepen shade than others, may be used wifli excellent results. The valance is a plain straight piece of dark maroon plush, and the pattern, a continuous border of tiger lilies and foliage, treated conventionally and worked solidly in couching stitch with shaded silks, in various warm tones of blue, crimson, gold and olive green. Tha<edge is trimmed with festoons of many rows of narrow silk cords in the colors of the embroidery, each festoon ending in a long silk tassel, showing glints of gold thread. Secret Societies tor Women. Many secret societies are now open to women. Wives can belong, equally with their husbands, to the Farmers’ grange, they can join the Home Circle, as is fitting; or the Ivnig-lits and Ladies of Honor, or the Order of Protection, or of United Friends, or the P. F. Y. B, 0., or the Golden Cross. Moreover, if the husband is a Mason,' the wife can at least belong to the Order of the Eastern Star; if he is an Odd Fellow, she can be an Odd Lady; if lie attains to the G. U, of O. F., she can be a Daughter of Ilutli, which is something; if there is a Son of St. George c in tlie family, there can also be a Daughter of St. George; if there is a member of the G. A. R., there is a Woman’s Relief Corps, consisting of those who do the.duty of peaceful vivandieres for those worthy veterans. In short, the only prominent order which appears to make no provision for women is the Improved -Order of- Red Men, and this is rather surprising, as the trfbes of this body have each a “keeper of wampum,” and mistakenly appoint a man for this office, whereas the real Indian tribes usually intrusted their wampum to women. Girt Prosecutor. Miss E. Mae Danison, formerly of Rockford, Jil,, noy of Long Pine, Brown County, Neb., enjoys the distinction of being the- first woman in the United States to have been elected to the office of county prosecuting attorney, having been chosen to fill this position in the recent general election. Miss Danison is 25'years of age and graduated from the law schoel last spring at the home of Mr. Bryan, at Lincoln, Neb. During the summer nominated for the office by the Populists and was indorsed by the Democrats. The nomination came to her unsought and she accepted

It because of the compliment tendered, having no idea that she stood a chajnce of election. Holding Up the Skirts. „„ A correspondent of an Eastern paper, sympathizing with ■vjromankiiid., in general, and that portion particularly that are caught out on the. streets tn rainy, muddy," or sloppy weather, has perfected an arrangement by which the skirts may be raised from the filth in a maul tier at once convenient and graceful. It is an arrangement of tape attached on the inside by small rings to the seams of the skirt, from which a ribbon Is caught to the belt of the skirt. By placing tbe hand in the opening and pulling the ribbon, you lift the entire skirt to any desirable distance than the ground. By untying the ribbon the skirt falls again to its natural position of Its own weight. "{ , How to lie Well Pressed. When one observes the 111-dressed women to be seen, on the streets daily

a person is led to think that their most common fault is carelessless in matching shades. Better take a if j ou. cannot get an exact match. Harmonies in dresr are more effective at all times and in better taste trasts; thus”, if you have a pink evening dress try rather to get gloves cf just the same pink than of white kid or of tan. Again, if you have a hat with a red or a blue flower, and are buying a dress that you are likely to wear with it, get something with a spray or line repeating that very tone of red or blue; this applies to every color. Strike a note in each costume, however simple, and to it. The cheapest gown, if all the details are studied, will cost no more and will Surpass in effect something at thrice the price. * A Charming Evening: Gown. A charming evening gown of silk mull, shown at a fashionable modiste’s, is given an airy effect f>y eight fluffy, gauzy flounces on the skirt. The color scheme is carried out in a sort of delicate violet, almost suggesting a pink. This waist is of taffeta of the same shade, and is trimmed with a twist of mull, draped gracefully from the left shoulder to the right side of the waist. A trimming touch, which, gives a French air to the creation, is a dainty bit of lace reaching only half way around the neck. According to the best designs of the season teas and theaters, receptions and visits have their own cape coats and<£ur wraps, but these garments are so different from the other things that they deservq a full description all to themselves. The handsomest of a whole room full of such wraps was one where a short underjacket-was made of cream white corded silk. The jacket

was made to flare at the bottom and very much in tho back. Ail around it was a narro\v trailing rose vine enibroidered in pink and green silk. There were rounded revers to the short cape of moss green velvet sowed to the jacket, which was sleeveless. These revers were embroidered in a pattern similar to that on the jacket portion. The high, flaring collar w^s, velvet on the outside, faced with white corded silk, the scalloped edge being bound with a full shirred roll Qf crepe lisse. There was a crepe lisse pulling at the throat, from which fell a cravat of fine white lace. On the back of the high collar there was a widely spread bow of ribbon to match the color of the'velvet. Teach the Girls Housework. A knowledge of the art of housekeeping is necessary to every woman, and it is never too early to begin to acquire it. When there are two or three girls in the family it Is an excellent plan to allow each one in turn to assume the responsibility of housekeeping for a certain,time. It does not hurt the girls to take a measure of responsibility concerning household far otherwise, it does them a world of good and lifts much of the burden from an overwerked mother's shoulders. Let them in succession have a week at a time in charge of the chamberwork, the mending, the cooking, the buying, even, for the family, all, of course, under proper supervision, and their faculties of reason, perception, judgment, deseriminatiou aiidmontinulty wijll be more developed in one month qf shell training than in six months off common schooling. * Hats Worn On the Side. It will no longer be proper for the well-dressed woman to propound the time-honored query as she starts out for a ride or a stroll, “fs my hat on straight?” If that article is “on straight” phe will at once rearrange it-* tip it to one side or over one eye—and leave her home witlrthe full conscidus r ness that she is lif'the height of fashion. During jtlie past year, the correct position Of the hat has been q tilt over the eyebrows. It was neither graceful noi becoming, but it was the fashion, Slid womep qf all ages and degrees fell meekly into line. Now’the edict has gone forth that the hat must he tipped to one side. ’

To improve sweetbreads and give a, fine flavor soak them in a mild lemonJuice water one hour, then boll In beef stock twens minute*) Sharpen alii kinds of fish Sauce with lemon Juice. Chocolate Is greatly Improved by adding a teacup of strong coffee Just before serving. A teaspoon of sherry gives a delicious flavor also.

A FIREPLACE WITH SEATS.

ESTELLE M. DAVISSON.

AIRY, FLUFFY, GAUZY FLOUNCES.