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FEBRUARY 2, 1912
The Commoner.
9
ends of the button box; buttons are
cheap, and no matter if they are a
little old fashioned, so they are all
alike. Then put the odd buttons
away for uses on something else.
A few stitches in the worn ends of
the button-holes, or even working
them over neatly, will give an en
tirely new look to it. Neatly patch
the lining about the armhole, and
hem it down securely at the sleeve
joining, or wrist; if the lining of the
body has given out wholly, necessi
tating a new one, rip the old lining
out carefully, dampen slightly and
iron out smooth; have ready some
tsateen or farmer's satin, according
to the fineness of the garment, and
cut out a new lining by the old; if
you have paid attention while ripping
out the old lining, you will know just
how to apply the new lining, and
re-lino the garment. Baste neatly
and carefully before sewing it fast,
and take just as much pains with
the old garment as if it were a new
one.
If one knows how to cleanse and
restore old garments, those of good
materials can be made up "like
new," and save many a dollar with
but little work. Soap bark is one
of the best and least expensive
cleaning agencies. It can be pur
chased at any drug store, and may
be used on anything but delicate
tones or white.
To prepare the soap bark for use,
pour a quart of boiling water over
five cents worth of the bark, which
comes in small packages of about
two tablespoonfuls, and steep, but do
not boil, for two hours. The water
should not perceptibly evaporate
while it is steeping; strain the liquid
GRAND TO LIVE
And the Last Laugh is Always the
Best.
"Six months ago I would have
laughed at the idea that there could
be anything better for a table bever
age than coffee," writes an Ohio
woman, "now I laugh to know
there is.
"Since childhood I drank coffee
freely as did the other members of
the family. The result was a puny,
sickly girl; and as I grew into wo
manhood I did not gain in health,
but was afflicted with heart trouble,
a weak and disordered stomach,
wrecked nerves and a general break
ing down, till last winter, at the age
of 38, I seemed to be on the verge
of consumption.
"My friends greeted me with 'How
bad you look! What a terrible color!'
and this was not very comforting.
"The doctors and patent medicines
did me absolutely no good. I was
thoroughly discouraged.
"Then I gave up coffee and com
menced Postum. At first I didn't
like it, but after a few trials and
following the directions exactly, " it
was grand. It was refreshing and
satisfying. In a couple of weeks I
noticed a great change.
"I became stronger, my brain
grew clearer, I was not troubled with
forgetfulness as in coffee times, my
power of endurance was more than
doubled.
"The heart trouble and indigestion
disappeared and my nerves became
steady and strong.
"I began to take an interest in
things about me. Housework and
home-making became a pleasure. My
friends have marveled at the change
and when they enquire what brought
It about I answer 'Postum, and noth
ing else in tho world.' " Name
given by Postum Co., Battle Creek,
Mich.
Read the little book, "The Road
to Wellville," in pkgs. "There's a
reason."
Ever read the above letter? A
new one appears from time to time.
They are genuine, trne, and fall of
human interest.
into a china bowl, and when the ma
terial to be cleansed is ready, sponge
thoroughly on both sides, giving
particular attention to soiled spots,
and when all the pieces have been
sponged, rinse thoroughly in clear
water, wring well and hang in tho
shade to dry; when nearly dry, iron
on the wrong side until dry.
Some Unusual Jobs
In tho experience of tho house
wife, there are at times renovating
problems, which usage has not
solved, because they are not often
called upon to face tho difficulty.
Among -theso is the washing of
feathers and renovating tho same, in
order to render them fluffy and light.
Not many now use feather beds, .but
about every one who can get them
uses the feather pillow, and in many
families, theso have been "handed
down" until they are seemingly full
of lumps and just a heavy, matted
mass. If you send them to the pro
fessional renovator, you are never
sure that you get back the same
feathers, or as good. Try to do the
work at home. Make a bag of thin
ticking and rub its entire inside and
outside surfaces with common yel
low bar soap, dipping tho soap in
water often so that it may be
generously applied; empty the
feathers out of the old tick into the
soaped one, fasten it securely, by
either sewing up tho open end or
tying it, and boil in a wash boiler
half full of soft water for ten
minutes, punching the feathers with
a stick frequently and lifting the bag
up and down. Then lift it out and
drain a little while until cool enough
to handle, when squeeze as much
water as possible out of the feathers
and hang the bag in a dry, shady
place; feathers should not be hung
in the sunshine if at all warm
weather. It will probably take a few
days to dry 'the feathers, and they
should be frequently worked with
the hands, separating the lumps, and
when quite dry, will be as free of all
unpleasant odors as when new, and
quite fluffy and light. At this time
of year, many old fowls, guineas and
turkeys will' be slaughtered, and the
soft feathery of these should be
treated in this way, and will be very
satisfactory for either pillows or
cushions. If the barbs are stripped
from the stiff quills of feathers, they
are just as good as the soft feathers.
I hope you will try this way of reno
vating your old feather pillows, for
it will at least cleanse and purify
them.
Cooking the Old Fowls
Nothing can bo more appetizing
than a well-cooked old fowl. But
it must be well cooked. The old,
tough hen should be fattened, if pos
sible, and then properly dressed, let
hang for a day or two to ripen tho
flesh, and this can be done without
harm, during tho winter weather.
Joint the fowl, and put it over the
fire with plenty of water; if you want
broth, have the water cold; If you
want the flavoring to stay in the meat,
put It on in hot water, bring to a boil
and let boil for half an hour, keep
ing up a brisk bubble. After that,
set it where it will just simmer, and
let it simmer gently until done. It
may require five hours' simmering,
or maybe ten; but simmer until
done. Keep plenty of water on it
until it is nearly done, then let the
water slowly cook away, until per
haps a pint remains in the kettle,
meantime salting to taste. It does
not necessarily mean that tho "meat
will fall from the bone," to be done;
but the meat must be thoroughly
cooked to the bone, so It can be
picked off. Let stand in the portion
of water until cold, and the water
will be jellied. The meat will be
perfectly tender, and can be eaten
oven by tho toothless, and tho flavor
will bo delicious. Try cooking your
old fowl this way. Tough meat must
not bo boiled, for that just toughens
It all tho more, and by tho time It
is tender, it is as tasteless as rags
which it resembles. Corned beef
cooked in this way is most appetizing.
For tho Toilet
Don't forget tho vinegar and corn
meal when washing hands that chap.
At any time after having tho hands
in soapy water, they should bo wet
with common vinegar, and a little
corn meal rubbed over them. Tho
acid kills tho alkali which is nearly
always abundant in common soaps
which are used for kitchen and
laundry work. Use soft water if it is
to bo had. For the cracks In the
fingers which are so painful, if you
do not have tho harness or shoe
maker's wax, tie the place up over
night with a bit of cotton on which
carbolated vaseline is spread. A
small jar of tho vaseline wilj cost
five to ten cents, and Is good for
many ailments duo to cold weather.
Instead of using so much soap,
remember that littlo bags filled with
bran or oatmeal are excellent
cleansers. A great deal too much
soap is used about tho housework;
for instance, in dishwashing, there
is little need of soap suds, if one
has tho water hot enough to remove
the grease and scraps of food. Many
housekeepers never use soap in their
dishwashing. The dish rag and tho
dish towel should bo well washed
and scalded, and if they are kept
soft and clean, the soap may be
omitted in the dishwater. For wash
ing pots and pans, tho hands can bo
kept out of tho water by using a
littlo mop, or a steel tablo fork to
guido tho cloth. Tho water must
bo hot, and a few drops of house
hold ammonia or a teaspoonful of
borax will soften tho water.
Mutton tallow Is ono of the best
of tollot preparations. Got tho leaf
fat and molt it yourself, straining
after It is molted. Tho fat should
bo put into a doublo boiler, and tho
outer vessel should bo kept full of
boiling water until the fat is melted.
An excellent dressing for tho hair
is made of a quart of bay rum, an
ounco each of castor oil and tincturo
of cantharldes; shako this well, and
apply to the scalp with the finger
tips. If tho hair is very oily, ubo
half tho quantity of tho castor oil.
Apply night and morning.
A Use for Petroleum
Petroleum can bo used to advan
tage as a preservative of wood,
though It is not a paint. No coloring
matter should ever bo used with It
Petroleum penetrates the wood and
fills the pores so no air or moisturo
is adhiitted. Ordinary linseed oil
paint forms a coating over the-surface,
thus excluding the atmosphere.
LADY WANTED
To Introduce Drew C.ood HdkPf. and I'e'tl cat. Make
$10.00 to $30.00 weekly. JlcU line IohcM ptl es vM
through agent only. No money required. New prln
pattern now readv tuples and f.i.e Ure 8ItMAHI
MUCHS (NIDUS COJHUNY, Iletk 4311, illti?hmtin, .N. T.
5 Fine POST CARDS fPSF
" Bund only 2o Mump nml recHwt
6 very HnoM. CJold KiiibOHOil
Cards VHKK, to Introduce iot Mini odor.
Capital Curd Co.. Dopt. U-I, TopHm, lUn.
LATEST FASHIONS
FOR COMMONER READERS
0147 LADIES' DRESS
Sizes 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 inches,
v bust measure. It requires 6 yards
of 40-incb material for the 3G-Inch
size.
0144 INDIES' ONE-PIECE -APRON
Sizes, small, medium and- large.
It requires 5 yards of 27-inch ma
terial for tho medium size.
0100 MISSES' COAT
Sizes 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 years.
It requires 3 yards of 44-inch ma
terial for the 15-year size.
tm
0138 -LADIES' SHIRT WAIST
Sizes 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42
Inches, bust measure. It requires
2 yards of 36-inch material for tho
86-inch size.
m
THE COMMONER will supply Its readers with perfect fitting, seam
allowing patterns from the latest Paris and New York styles. The
designs are practical and adapted to the home dressmaker. Full direc
tions how to cut and how to make the garments with each pattern.
The price of these patterns Is 10 cents each, postage prepaid. Our
largo catalogue containing the illustrations and descriptions of over
400 seasonable styles for ladies, misses and children, mailed to any
address on receipt of 10 cents. In ordering patterns give us your name,
address, pattern number and size desired.
Address THE COMMONER, Pattern Department, Lincoln, Nebraska
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