Evening star. [volume], September 25, 1937, Page B-8, Image 22

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
Potential Hazards in Home Easily Eliminated by Intelligent Effort
v " ~* ' ' 1 '— --—-A-•> I " i,
Halls and Stairways
Are Scene of Many
Needless Falls
Economizing on Electricity
In This Part of House
May Prove Costly.
BY BETSY CASWELL.
WITH the mounting toll of traffic accidents and deaths, minds ii
general are turned on the dangers of the streets for ourselves am
our children. The old battle between driver and pedestrian con
tinues in full force—drivers want pedestrian control and the pedes
trians want firmer enforcement of the rules regulating the drivers’ activitiei
There is still that menace to the careful motorist—the other fellow. Tire sam
cm ncnt tor tnp ncnt o' way continues'
—and officials rack their trains to
make the roads and streets safp for
everybody. And the list of accidents
keeps on grow
ing longer. __, _
As a matter of
fact, in spite of
all this nue and
cry, s t a t i s tics
show that more
people are in
jured in their
own homes that-,
on the streets, in
waters or
throughout in
dustry. OI course,
one must realize
that people spend
far more time,
Betsy Caswell.
on an average.
ir. their own homes than they do out
side in the great world. So the pic
ture is not quite so distressing as it
appears as first glance.
In any event, home accidents are
usually far more easily prevented than
those which occur abroad. A little
intelligent observation and effort rai
do away with many of the hazard
which dog our footsteps around th
house. Children should be taught t
look for potential dangers, too, am
should co-operate by keeping thei
own belongings in place, and conduct
ing themselves with due regard fo
life and limb.
, * * * *
rJ'HE National Safety Council cite,
stairs and hallways as the seem
of many serious falls which coul<
have been avoided by a little atten
tion to details. They particular!’
point out the necessity for prope:
lighting on stairwells all over thi
house. Economizing on electricity a
this point may well be extravagance ii
the long run!
Children should be taught not t<
play on stairs, with bannister-slidinj
particularly tabu. Toys should, unde:
no circumstances, ever be left 01
stairs, or in halls, for an older per1
•son may well step on a block-or i
ball, and take a tumble that will pu
him in the hospital for weeks. Am
if the family dog develops a fondnes,
for taking his mid-morning siesta ii
the middle of a flight—break him o
the habit immediately. A stepped
on dog can not only cause a bad fall
but. he can take a nip or two at th<
faller during the progress of descent
otair carpet should be kept in gooc
repair, and securely fastened to th<
treads. Catching a heel in a worr
spot, or slipping on a sliding sectior
of rug is no fun. Small rugs placec
on landings, or at the foot of stain
are dangerous, too, unless they an
tacked down.
* * * :Je
JT IS a mistake to try to carry toe
heavy a load downstairs—or om
that is piled so high that it cannoi
be seen o\er. Always have one hand
free on -{he railing side, in case oi
tripping. Incidentally, I am amazed
at the number of people who like tc
"hold onto the wall” rather than th<
bannister on their way up and down
steps. The finger marks on light
colored walls always betray them!
Dangers of the main stairways an
multiplied on cellar or basement steps
These must be especially well-lighted
as often they are constructed witb
sharp turns, and are very steep, f
handrail should be installed, at leas
on one side, even if the stairwell i;
inclosed. It is a good idea to pain
the floor at the bottom of the las
step a shining white, so that it wil
catch the eye—many people fall
thinking they have reached the bot
tom when they have still one star
to go. Brooms, mops, trash and othei
articles should never be allowed te
accumulate on the cellar stairs. Thej
are too easily tripped over.
Repair all broken stairs at once
Do not wax treads. Be sure tha1
the handrail is firm on all flights
And "watch your step!” it's so easj
to be safe at home, if you only pul
your mind on it!
Manners
of the
Moment
.
A tip to the maid is always welcome.
VI/HEN your friends' servants make
'• beds for you, and cook for you,
and watch over your belongings
over a week end, you really should
reciprocate with the price of a couple
of movies, at least.
But. there are difficulties involved.
You don’t want to tip at the start, <
as though that would get you more
service. That, in a subtle way, is
an insult both to maid and hostess.
And you don't want to flourish your j
gratuities under the eyes of more j
impecunious guests. The idea is to j
get the tip over to the maid quietly, |
gracefully, and in such a way that
she will feel it is a “thank-you,” and i
not a bribe. If the maid comes up
to your room for your bag, that is j
the best time. You can tell her how |
nice everything was as you give it j
to her. If she doesn't come up, and J
you don't see her around, you might [
leave the tip in an envelope marked ;
with her name on your bureau. If
you know the household pretty well,
you can slip out to the kitchen “to J
tell Marie what a good pie that was.” |
Of course, sometimes the maid is j
hot really a maid, but a lady from j
down street who helps out. In that
case, you'll have to use your own I
Judgment. JEAN.
(CODJ-rieht. U»37.)
My Neighbor Says:
Squashes and pumpkins keep
best when stored in boxes with
slatted sides. Place near the fur
nace in the cellar during the
Winter months.
When two glasses become
wedged together, place cold water
In the upper one and set lower
one in warm water. They will
then separate with little effort.
Sprinkle a cake with corn
starch before icing to prevent
icing running off.
NIieieidiliewoirk Airies
What could be more lovely and colorful than this charming picture em
broidered in bright yarn? The embroidery is easy to do, and most attractivi
because of the gay colors. Ifs a simple sort of design that will fit in witt
any sort of room. It measures 18 by 25 inches when finished.
Thp pattern envelope contains hot iron'transfer for design 18 by 21
Inches: also complete, easy-to-understand directions, with diagrams to aic
you; also what material and how much you will need.
To obtain this pattern, send for No. 52fi and inclose 15 cents in stamps
or coin to cover service and postage. Address orders to the Needlework
Editor of The Evening Star.
(Copyright. 1937.)
Pv
'
“You Keep Those Toys Off the Stairs!”
Big sister is quite right in lecturing little sister for leaving things strewn up
and down the steps—for her twisted ankle might have been a far worse acci~
de\nt. The staircase is no place for playthings. _Phnt0 F c w.u,n,nn. sur s.,ff.
Compulsion.
Is Waste
Lesson Learned
Under Duress
Not Helpful.
BY ANGELO PATRI.
••NOW, Marie, it is time for your
sewing.”
"Oh, I don't want to sew\ I can't
sew.”
“Yes, you can. You may just as
well make up your mind that you are
going to learn because I mean you
shall. Every girls needs to sew.”
“Katherine doesn't sew. Her mother
never makes her sew. I don't see why
I have to sew. What's the good of it?
I’ll buy my clothes in the stores,
won't I?”
"Maybe. Just the same you have
to know how to make your own, so
if you have to you can. Come. I have
the goods all ready. Now pin on the
pattern. No. Not that way. You know
better than that. Put those holes along
the straight of the goods.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes. you do. You’re not so stupid.
See that fold? Isn't it straight? Well,
lay the goods along that line.”
“Oh. goodness! I can't do this. It
slips all the time. This goods isn’t any
good, anyhow. I hate to sew slippery
things. There. The pins won’t
stay in.”
“I'll pin it. Nothing could be easier.
So. Now cut it. Can't you cut on a
line?”
a uuu i, ore nnj mu.. me v'A
the paper is too thin. Can I help it if
it tears? It's too thin, I told you.”
“You're just trying to get out of it.”
“I am not. It gives me a headache.
I've got such a headache now I can't |
see. all on account of this sewing
mess. I told you I couldn’t sew.”
“Just the same, you're going to. Now
thread your needle and baste these two
together along that line. The sooner
you get it done the better.”
“Can I go then? Is my time up
now?”
I’ve never known teaching that goes
against the will of the child like that
to do any good. The mother did what
ever sewing was done, not the child,
for what one does under the power of
another bears no relation to the per
son under governance. The child did
not sew although she did hold the
needle and make thp motions. Mother
sewed because mother's will was
sewing.
Some compulsion may be needed at
times. Few children grow up without
its exercise upon them at one time or
another. But compulsion d6es not
teach. Teaching involves two minds,
and one of those minds has to be re
ceptive, wide open and active to re
ceive or nothing is learned. It is time
wasted to force teaching upon any
child. Learning is an individual and
spontaneous matter. When a child
wants to learn, when his will to learn
has been awakened, he learns fast and
surely. Otherwise, no.
A Novel Container.
Green pepper cases make a novel
container for crab or other kinds of
fish, meat or fowl salads. Cut large,
well-shaped peppers in halves length
wise. Discard the seeds and pulp. Chill
the cases until serving time and then
roughly fill them with the salad.
Delicious Dessert.
Hickory nut ice cream makes a
pleasant dessert for Fall serving. Add
one cup of shelled nuts to each quart
of cream or custard mixture, Da not
add the nuts, however, until the mix
ture Is half frozen.
Two New School Frocks
Attractive Models for Little
| Girls and Their Big Sisters.
I30I-B 1368-B
BY BARBARA KtLL.
HERE are two smart dresses fo
two smart girls. Little sis
ter's dress is designed 01
Princess lines with a conven
tional middy collar to add to Its dis
unction, it nas cnarming sienaer lines
■ and a snug waist achieved by means of
■ tie belt. Braid trimming adds to its
1 nautical character. This dress made
■ up in serge or d'mim is a grand choice
■ for school wear all through the Win
ter.
Eoth patterns include a step-by
step sew chart that takes all guess
work out of sewing.
Barbara Bell Pattern No. 1301-B is
designed for si~rs 6, 8. '10, 12 and 14
years. Size 8 years requires 15B yards
of 54-inch material and 5 yards of
braid to trim.
Barbara Bell Pattern No. ,1368-B is
designed for sizes 8. 10, 12, 14 and 16
years. Size 10 years requires 3 >4
yards of 39-inch material or 2’4 yards
of 54-inch material. ’B yard of 39-inch
material required for trimming plus
yard* of ribbon for lacing.
f
When Buying
Items for
Nursery
Wise to Purchase
Essentials With
The Layette.
BY NARCISSA SULLIVAN.
rPHE equipment of the nursery is a
very important part of the prep
aration for the arrival of the new baby.
While no one would overlook anything
so vital as a crib, often small, but
important, things are forgotten, and
at the last moment before the mother
and baby come home from the hospital
the new father is sent downtown to
complete the list of purchases. Be
wildered, he buys the most expensive
and least practical article in the
store. Thoughtful planning is the
only way to avoid this sort of situa
tion.
Follow ing is a list of nursery essen
tials. These articles can be purchased
in many grades and price ranges, and
need not be expensive to be sturdy
and serviceable. In buying baby's j
things, as in every kind of buying, re
member that it is a poor economy to I
compromise with quality. Forego ela- I
borate atricles if your budget dictates i
it, but bear in mind that a lively, j
squirmy baby is going to give his j
possessions hard wear.
The crib that you buy should be .
sturdy and welt constructed with the
uprights hear enough together to pre
vent any accidents. The mattress
should be firm, but soft enough to
yield to the baby's body. While a tiny
crib or a bassinet is cunning and
cheaper to buy at first, they are un
comfortable and unsafe after two or
three months.
Bed clothes should include sheets,
absorbent cotton pads, rubber sheet
ing and blankets.
A screen should be available to
place around the crib to ward off
drafts.
The chair in which the mother plans
to sit while feeding the baby should
be low and comfortable.
A table on which to dress and
change the baby is a great help. It
should have a smooth, washable top I
or be covered with oilcloth. A soft1
pad should be put under the baby.
The carriage should be large enough
to be comfortable for the baby, but !
light and easy to handle. The col- I
lapsible canvas kind are particularly
satisfactory. ' i
The baby's scales should be tested
before they are put to use.
A tray or cabinet should be set
aside in which to keep such sup
plies as:
Oil.
Powder.
Boric acid.
Absorbent cotton.
Soap.
Safety pins.
Towels and wash cloths.
The tub wyhich you buy for your
baby should be easy for you to handle
and easy to clean. The collapsible j
rubber type, which has a cover which
can be folded down to dress the baby j
on. is especially convenient, but the
enameled ones are less expensive.
The equipment for the preparation
or the baby's formula should not be
bought until the formula is decided 1
upon, as different mixtures require
different equipment and you might |
find yourself saddled with things you i
don't need, but when they are assem
bled they should be kept in the nursery
exclusively for the baby's use. The
Children's Bureau publication, ‘'Infant
Care,” which is a very useful hand
book for mothers, lists the following
as necessities. This list would be help
ful in checking over your purchases:
Nursing bottles holding 8 ounces. It
Is cheaper to buy them by the dozen.
At least there should be two or three
more than the number of feedings in
24 hours, as they will be used for
water also.
Nipples. Freshly boiled nipple for
each feeding and for each bottle of
water.
Two small, wide-mouthed, covered
glass jars such as Mason Jars or may- s
! onnaise jars (one for boiled nipples
and one for used ones).
Teaspoon to take boiled nipples from |
! jar i to be kept in jar with boiled
nipples).
Rubber caps, rubber corks, or waxed
I paper to cover nursing bottles. Rubber j
; caps are the most satisfactory covers. !
Bottle brush.
Bottle rack for holding bottles when
boiling and filling them and for keep- \
ing them in the ice box. If this can
not be had, a pail or pan may be used
for keeping bottles in the ice box.
Measuring glass holding 8 or 16
ounces, marked off in half ounces, for
measuring milk and water (sometimes
called a graduate).
Pitcher to hold milk mixture after
boiling.
Tablespoon and teaspoon for meas
uring sugar. Accurate measuring
spoons may be purchased very cheaply
and are best.
Knife for leveling spoonfuls of su
gar.
Fork for removing cap from milk
bottle.
Two-quart saucepan for boiling
VMS Ilf
Saucepan for boiling water (the
teakettle may be used instead).
Strainer to strain milk mixture if j
scum forms.
Covered flat-bottomed kettle or pail, j
large enough to hold bottle rack and I
utensils to be boiled.
leing-handled spoon for removing
utensils from sterilizing kettle and for
stirring milk mixture.
The Old Gardener Says:
Many garden makers do not
grow tulips because of the tire
some task of lifting and replant
ing them each Summer. It is
true that the large, late-flowering
varieties, including the Darwin,
the Cottage and the Breeder tulips,
will not produce satisfactory
flowers unless this is done. How
ever, persons who wish to avoid
this task need not deny them
selves tulips In their Spring gar
dens. Most of the single early i
tulips will persist in the garden
and flower year after year with- ^ :
out lifting. Particularly is this
true of Pink Beauty and Its
sport. White Beauty. Orders for ,
tulip bulbs should be placed early
this year, for the supply of a j
number Of varieties is very lim
ited, due to the poor bulb crops
in certain parts of Holland. j
Orders placed now will be filled t
by ycur dealer in time for No- j
vrmb“r planting, the ideal time t
for tulips to go into the ground. 1
—- (
Dorothy Dix Says—
Girl Is a Fool to Waste Time j
Grieving Over Being Jilted.
DtAtt uunuini uia : 1 nave
a friend who fell very much
in love with a young man
who gave her a whirlwind
courtship. He even got the marriage
license and they were going to Ber
muda on their honeymoon. Then a
former girl friend of his, who Is mar
ried and 10 years his senior, started
trouble by telling him that my friend
had tuberculosis. Then she told my
friend that the man wouldn't marry
her because he didn’t love her. He
doesn’t deny or affirm this statement,
but seems to be ruled by this jealous
woman. He refuses to see my friend
any more, which is breaking her heart,
as she still loves him, has faith in him
and believes Fate will bring him back
to her. This girl has a fine profession
and I think she is a fool to believe
he will come back. What do you
think? L. E. S.
Answer—You’ve said it. Any girl is
a fool to waste a second thought on
such a cad as is this man. or to shed
a tear at lasing him. Instead of be
moaning losing him she should be
thankful that she found out in time
how untrustworthy he is. It is bad
enough to be jilted, but it is nothing
to being an abandoned wife.
Of course, this man is still in love
with his former sweetheart and evi
dently still carrying on an affair with
her, otherwise he would not have
ditched your friend without even tak
ing the trouble to investigate the
0V10 rnflr ♦ Vsot V-\ i c- i/io 1/\ne feiomrl vn n
against her. When a man really loves
a woman he turns a deaf ear to all
criticisms of her.
But the most wonderful thing in
the world is why a woman ran go on
loving a man after he has proved him
self unworthy and hoping that he will
come bark to her. when he was never
worth having and has proved him
self unfit for her to wipe her feet on. '
Funny creatures, women, as not only \
this letter, but hundreds of others, j
show. As exhibits of how women's
hearts work they deserve a place in a
museum of freaks.
* * * *
J)EAR MISS DIX: We are two
sisters and two brothers. I am the
oldest, 20 years old. My brothers are
18 and 16 and my sister is 14. Our
mother died four years ago and last
week father died. One of my uncles
wants us to go to Arizona and live with
him, but he has a wife and son and
has only a small place and no other
support than what he earns. My other
uncle wants the boys to stay here,
sleeping at one home, eating at another
and working, and for us girls to go to
Arizona But I know that the boys j
would be miserable living that way. j
What we children want to do is to take i
a small apartment near one of our !
relatives and earn our own living,
rhe boys have jobs if they stay here
and I have good prospects of work.
That and the small insurance our
father left us would enable us to be
independent. I have taken care of the
house and the kids without any help
aver since our mother died, so why
couldn't I just keep on doing it? Our
relatives don't like the idea of us living
alone, but we wouldn't really be alone
living next door to them. What do
you think? SEREPHINE.
Answer—I advise you by all means |
to establish your own home and be
independent. Don't go to live with any i
of your relatives. You would be mis- :
eraDie witn them because you would
be a burden on them and they would
have to be more than human not, to
resent the imposition. Besides, nobody
really fits into anybody else's family.
Keep your home together and k»'"p
your little family together. With what
the four of you can earn you can live
comfortably and the responsibility
that it will throw on all of you will
develop you into fine men and women.
Being the head of the family will
steady the boys and make them go
straight, as they might not do If they
were living around without the com
forts of their own home and without
any one to love them and understand
them.
You needn’t be afraid of gossip.
People will admire you for the brave
stand you are making and there won't
be a woman in the neighborhood who
won't try* to mother you.
* * * *
jQEAR DOROTHY DIX: \ty broth
er is married to a fine girl who
makes him the best sort of a wife, but
for two years he has been in love with
her best friend, who, I suppose, loves
him as she accepts his attentions and
encourages him in being untrue to his
wife. I just feel that I can't stand it
any longer to have them act that way
right under my sister-in-law's nose
and in her own house. Shall I tell
her? I don’t know If she is blind or
just dumb. ALICE, j
Answer—Perhaps she is neither ar.d
she just pretends not to know in order
to save her fare and in the hope that
the affair will wear itself out and
that she can save her home if she dors
not make an issue of her husband s
unfaithfulness. There are women that
are wise and brave. At any rate,
don't tell her. If she doesn't know,
let her live in her fool's paradi e as
long as she can. DOROTHY DIX.
* * * *
J^EAR MISS DIX: I am a girl of
16. Have gone steady for nv">re
than a year with one bov. Do you
think I am too young to be going
steady? C. O. D.
Answer—I don't think a girl at anv
ape, whether she is 16 or 116, should
‘‘go steady" with a bov until the en
gagement is announced and the day
set for the wedding.
There are two good reasons for
this: One is that no cirl should marry
until she has known a lot of boys
and gone around with them so that
she can be sure that the one she Is'
going with Is the one she really likes
best. Give ’em the once-over before
you make your pick.
The second reason is that if a girl
“goes steadv" with one boy and h33
no other friends among the bovs she
is left flat if he g“’s tired of her
and leaves her for another girl.
DOROTHY’ DIX.
(Copyright, 1937.)
Gloves Match Frocks.
PARIS uPi.—Some of the smartest
evening frocks in the Mainbocher col
lection are shown with gloves made
of the same material. Two gold-shot
moire dresses—one pink, one blue—
are worn with gloves which match.
Long black moire gloves accompanv
an evening dress having a black
moire tunic worn over a black crepe
ikirt.
Keeping Polly Contented
Vagaries of Molting Season
Demand Special Attention.
I "TTBTS-1
QW parrots /ovp
u/cLrmtf\.
Di .TlAnl ALLEA HOOD.
O SOME people a parrot is a
bunch of feathers surrounded
by language. Those who know
better glance at the uninitiate
with scorn. Either one doesn't know
parrots or one does. No two ways
about it. Polly looks upon things in
the same light.
Now, Pups know a doggy person
when he smells one. Cats feel out
lumanity in short order. An intro
iuction is necessary for Polh\ She
aromptlv imposes a period of proba
tion. If the new acquaintance makes
;ood, entry into the realm of the
jrivileged is possible. Polly is a loyal
'nend.
A question was asked of a parrot
>wner, “Does your bird molt?”
“Yes, drat it, all the time, all over
lie house!”
“But that isn't the way canaries do.”
“I’ll have you know my parrot's
10 canary."
Very true. Parrots have no rule
or molting ip captivity. Polly can
nake it sort of a daily occurrence or
ust forget all about it for a year or
wo. When she does get around to it
he tail and wing feathers may give
ler trouble. They begin to think
hey’re a permanent part of the bird.
Jnder such conditions Polly needs
utside help, especially if the feathers
have bpen broken. Pulling plumage
1* no fun to the victim. Only a feather
or two should be assisted on its out
ward voyage at a time. After a week
or so the business may be repeated.
No mistakes are allowed. New plum
age of sprouting feathers must be left
strictly alone.
During a systematic molt the bird
should have a variety of green food,
unless she's a baby. Planting corn
for a week or so's a good trick As
soon as it comes up remove it from
its base. Give it to Polly for a pres
ent. Red pepper pods are always ac
ceptable.
Some folks have a weakness for the
company of their parrot during din
ner. Polly eats with the rest of the
family. That's a bad idea. Birds need
different types of nourishment. Mixpd
parrot seed, dry toast, grains such as
cracked corn and pilot crackers are
all important to Polly Parrot's com
plexion and figure. Lime enters her
life disguised as cuttlefish shell and
the like. Since parrots have gizzards
they must have gravel. Without such
a supplement to their menu they'll
starve to death.
And don't forget that Polly, who
hails from the hot countries, needs
warmth and cheer to be thoroughly
at home. Give her a good toasting
in the sun on these nippy mornings
aivJ she will be mighty grateful!
A A
BARBARA BELL,^
The Washington Star.
Inclose 25 cents in coins for
each pattern.
Pattern No. 1301-B. Size_
Pattern No. 1368-B. Size_
Name _
Address _
(Wrap coin* securely in paper.)
k
v