BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY
The Riverside Press Cambridge
1911

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COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY KEENE ABBOTT
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Published April 1911

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CONTENTS

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term of school. Two of my brothers were lost in the war, a fact that wrecked my mother's health somewhat and I thought I could be of better service to her and prolong her life by getting work. When summer came I got work milking cows for some neighbors, for which I got two dollars a month. I also carried hot dinners for the laborers in the fields, for which each one paid me twenty-five cents per month. All of this, of course, went to my mother. I worked at different places until I was sixteen years old, but long before that time I was taking care of my mother.

At the age of sixteen I was employed in Nashville by a restaurant-keeper named Hemphill. I worked there until I was twenty-one years of age. In 1881 I came to Chicago and got a position at 77 Clark Street, where I remained for two years at a salary of ten dollars a week.

In 1883 I entered the Pullman service, my first superintendent being J. P. Mehen. I remained in their service until 1897. During the time I was in their service some of the most prominent people in the world traveled in the car assigned to me, as I was selected to handle all special parties. Among the distinguished people who traveled in my care were Stanley, the African explorer; President Cleveland; President Harrison; Adelina Patti, the noted singer of the world at that time; Booth and Barrett; Modjeski and Paderewski. I also had charge of the car for Princess Eulalie of Spain, when she was the guest of Chicago during the World's Fair.

In 1894 I set sail from Vancouver on the Empress of China with Mr. and Mrs. Nathan A. Baldwin for Japan, visiting the Cherry Blossom Festival at Tokio.

In 1897 Mr. Arthur Stillwell, at that time president of the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gould Railroad, gave me charge of his magnificent $20,000 private car. I remained with him seventeen months when the road went into the hands of receivers, and the car was sold to John W. Gates syndicate. However, I had charge of the car under the new management until 1907, since which time I have been employed as chef of the subsidiary companies of the United States Steel Corporation in Chicago.

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ohol. All traces of discoloration from the fruit will have vanished when returned from the laundry.

(3) To Remove Fruit Stains from the Tablecloth, apply powdered starch while fresh.

Starch for Removing Blood-Stains—To remove blood-stains from material which can not be washed, cover the stain with lump starch that has been dampened to about the consistency of very thick paste. As the starch dries, the stain will go.

To Remove Mildew—The four following methods are given for removing mildew:

(1) Buttermilk for Mildew—Articles that have become mildewed should be boiled in buttermilk. Rinse well in warm water after boiling and hang in the sun. The same process will effectively bleach materials that have grown yellow from lack of use.

(2) Salt for Mildew—Mildew can be taken out by rubbing the stains well with a fresh tomato and covering with salt; afterward place garment in sun.

(3) To Take Out Mildew, mix equal parts of powdered borax and starch with half as much salt; moisten the whole with lemon juice, spread the mixture on the mildewed spot and place the garment in the sun on the grass. Renew the mixture every morning until the stain disappears.

(4) Alcohol for Mildew—Mildew may generally be removed by dipping articles into alcohol.

To Remove Road Oil—Kerosene is best to take out road oil on most fabrics, as it evaporates and does not injure same. To Remove Wax Stains—To remove wax or tallow stains, lay a piece of brown paper over them and apply a hot flatiron. After one or two applications the paper will absorb all of the wax or tallow from the cloth, leaving no trace behind.

To Remove Tar Spots, put a little lard on the spots and let them stand for a few hours, then wash with soap and water.

To Remove Iodine Stains, immediately immerse the stained article in a gallon of water to which has been added about two teaspoonfuls of plain household ammonia.

To Remove Blueberry Stains—Blueberry stains may be removed by washing at once with cold water and white soap.

To Remove Grease Spots—To remove automobile grease, or any dark, heavy grease, from washable fabric, apply a small piece of butter and rub it in well; then wash with soap and rinse.

To Remove Tea and Coffee Stains from any white goods, soak the spots with glycerine and let them stand for several hours untouched. Afterward wash with soap and water.

To Remove Grease Spots from Tablecloths, coats, trousers, etc., sandwich the article between two pieces of blotting paper and rest a hot iron over the damaged part for a few minutes.

To Remove Rust Stains, the three following suggestions are given:

(1) Tomato Juice for Iron Rust—Tomato juice will remove iron rust and fruit stains from wash goods.

(2) Rhubarb Juice for Rust Stains—The worst rust stains can be removed without injury to the fabric by the application of boiling rhubarb juice.

(3) To Remove Rust Stains—Spread the rust-stained part over a bowl of boiling water and rub it with salt wet with lemon juice; then place it in the sun. Repeat this process until the stain is light yellow; then wash the cloth in weak ammonia water and afterward in clear water. To Remove Ink Stains—The following various methods are recommended for removing ink stains:

Chinese Plan for Removing Ink Stains from Clothing—Wash the article with boiled rice; rub the rice on the stain as you would soap, and wash with clear water. If first application is not effective, repeat the process.

This has been found to work like magic, even with stains not discovered until entirely dry.

A Sure Cure for Ink Stains—To remove ink stains from wash materials pour a tablespoonful of kerosene on them and rub well; then rinse in kerosene and the spots will immediately disappear. This should be done before being washed.

To Remove Ink Stains—To remove ink stains without damage to the fabric, place the stained portion over a saucer and cover the stain with powdered borax; then pour peroxide of hydrogen over the borax. Do not pour water over the borax. The stain will disappear almost immediately.

Ink Stains Can be Removed without injury to the most delicately-colored material. Mix some mustard to a thick paste and spread it over the stain. After twenty-four hours sponge thoroughly with cold water; no trace of the ink will remain.

To Remove Ink from Linen After it Has Dried In—Wash out as much of the ink as possible in a pan of milk. Then put the article to soak in another pan of milk, letting it stand until the milk turns to clabber. Then wash out and not a trace of ink will remain.

Ink on Carpet—If ink is spilled on the carpet, wash it out at once with sweet milk and sprinkle it with white cornmeal. Let it remain over night. The next morning sweep it up and the colors will remain bright.

To Remove Ink from a Carpet, soak up as much of it as possible with blotting paper. Then saturate the spot with plenty of milk, and after some time, having removed the milk with blotting paper, rub the carpet with a clean cloth.

The Care and Use of Gas Appliances 1a
Care of Gas Ranges 1a
Use of the Range 2a
Broiling and Roasting 2a
Steaks and Chops 3a
Fish 3a
Other Foods 3a
Roast Meats 3a
Baking 3a
Bread 3a
Biscuits 4a
Loaf Cake 4a
Layer Cake 4a
Boiling 4a
Stewing 4a
Toasters 5a
Gas Water Heaters 5a
Gas Flat Irons 6a
Furnace Connections 6a
All-Gas Kitchens 6a
Demonstrator 6a
Gas Lighting 7a

Electrical Appliances 8a
Electric Service in the Home 8a
All-Electric Homes 8a
Electric Range 9a
Electric Dishwasher 9a
Vacuum Cleaner 10a
Sewing Machine 11a
Flat Iron 11a
Electric Lamps 11a
Table of Comparisons 12a
Residential Lighting 12a
Parlor 12a
Hall 12a
Porch 12a
Bedroom 12a
Sitting-room 12a
Dining-room 13a
Bathroom 13a
Kitchen 13a
Attic 13a
Cellar 13a
Care of Lamps and Fixtures 13a
Fixture Recommendations for the House 13a
Parlor 13a
Hall 14a
Sitting-room and Library 14a
Bedroom 14a
Dining-room 14a
Bathroom 14a
Kitchen 14a
Cellar 14a
Attic 14a
Clothes Press 15a
General 15a
Wiring Hints 15a
Fuses 16a

INDEX TO HOUSEHOLD HELPS

Alarm Clock, To Diminish Noise of 17
Ammonia, Many Uses of 12
Ants, To Get Rid of 22
Apple Pie, To Make Tender 8
Apples, To Peel Easily 7

Baby, Choking, To Relieve 29
Baby, Restless, Hint for 30
Bacon, Proper Way to Slice 3
Bath Tub and Wash Bowl, To Clean 19
Bead Chain, An Unbreakable 29
Beans, Hint for Baking 6
Bed Springs, How to Clean 17
Beef Juice, Squeezer for 2
Beetles, To Get Rid of 7
Black Cloth and Woolen Goods, To Remove Shine from 33
Black Dress, How to Clean 33
Blankets, Woolen, To Prevent Shrinking 20
Bleaching Clothes, To Protect 25
Blister on Heel, To Prevent 26
Boiling Eggs, Hints for (four) 9
Bottles, How to Cut Off, and Their Uses 24
Bottles, Glass, How to Clean 15
Brass Beds, Polish for 17
Brass, How to Clean 32
Brass, To Keep from Tarnishing 18
Bread, Cornpopper for Toasting 2
Bread, Hint When Baking 5
Bread, To Keep Fresh 9
Bread, When Too Brown 7
Broken Glass, To Gather Up 28
Bronze Articles, To Clean 31
Brushes, Paint, How to Soften 25
Bug or Other Small Insect in Ear, Relief for 31
Burners, Gas Stove, To Clean 3
Burns, Remedy for 10, 26
Butter, How to Soften When Hard 1

Cake Flavoring, Orange Peel for 6
Cake, To Prevent Burning 4
Cake, To Prevent Sticking to Tins 6
Cake, To Remove from Tin 6
Cake, To Remove Scorch from 8
Calicoes, Dark, How to Iron 21
Canary, To Induce to Bathe 27
Candle Holders, Novelty for Children’s Party 23
Candles, Economy in Use of 7
Candle, Wax, Hint Regarding 34
Carpets, Ink on, To Remove 38
Carpet, Soot on, To Remove 31
Carpets, To Brighten 18, 31
Carpet Sweeper Pulleys, Worn, To Repair 24
Carrots, Quick Way to Peel 3
Cellars, Damp or Musty, Remedy for 23
Celluloid, How to Mend 29
Chair Seats, Cane, To Tighten 27
Chapped Hands, To Prevent 2
Chicken, To Make Tender 8
Chimneys, Lamps and Wicks, Hints for (five) 12
China, Hints for Mending (four) 13
Choking Baby, To Relieve 29
Chopper, Food, Sand Soap to Sharpen 1
Clock, How to Lubricate 24
Clothes, Bleaching, To Protect 25
Clothes, To Sprinkle Quickly 21
Clothes, To Whiten When Washing 20
Clothesline, Dirty, To Clean 20
Clothespins, Grape Basket for 24
Clothing, Men’s, To Clean 33
Cockroaches, To Get Rid of 7
Color, To Restore in Fabrics 22
Color, To Set in Wash Goods 22
Cooling Hot Dishes, Hint for 13
Corn Silk, To Remove from Corn 10
Cream, To Use When it is on the Turn 3
Crockery, Hints for Mending (four) 13
Curtains, Lace, New Way to Fasten 18
Curtains, Lace, To Stretch Without Frame 21
Curtains, Sash, Hint for Laundering 21
Curtains, White, To Make Ecru or Cream Color 21
Cushions, Sofa, Etc., Hint for Filling 18
Cut Glass, Polish for 18

Damp Cellars, or Musty, Remedy for 23
Dining-Chair Legs, To Protect Floors from 29
Dishcloth, Best Kind of 10
Dishes, Greasy, To Clean 4
Dishes, Loaned, To Identify 11
Dress, Black, How to Clean 33
Dust, To Prevent When Sweeping 14
Dustless Mop, How to Make 15

Earthworms in Flower Pots, To Destroy 27
Eggs, Boiling, Hints for (four) 8
Eggs, To Prevent Popping When Cooking 8
Eggs, Yolks of, To Keep Fresh 8
Egg Shells, To Remove from Cooking 8
Egg Stains, To Remove from Silver 7
Eyeglasses, How to Tighten Screws 29
Eyeglasses, To Prevent Steaming 25

Faucets, How to Polish 7
Finger Nails, To Prevent Staining 2
Fire, Kerosene, To Extinguish 3
Fish, To Prevent Breaking Up When Frying 6
Fish, Currycomb for Scaling 1
Fishbone in Throat, To Remove 30
Fish Odor, To Remove from Hands 5
Fish Taste, To Remove from Forks and Spoons 5
Flannels, To Restore When Hard or Shrunken 20
Flashlight for Sewing Machine, Use of 17
Flat-irons, To Remove Rust from 4
Flies, To Get Rid of 7
Floor, Kitchen, To Remove Grease from 10
Floor Polisher, Worn out Broom for 9
Floors, Polished, Finish for 28
Floor Wax, A Cheap and Good 23
Fly Exterminator, An Easy 28
Food, Too Salty, Remedy for 5
Food Chopper, Sand Soap to Sharpen 1
Food Chopper, To Fasten Securely 11
Fountain Pens, Leaky, Cure for 27
Fowl, To Make Tender 8
Frames, Gilt, To Clean and Remove Fly Specks from 19
Fruit Jars, To Open 1, 11
Fruit Picker, Handy, for Farmer or Suburbanite 35
Furniture, Leather, To Clean 31, 35
Furniture, To Mend Small Pieces on 19
Furniture, White Enameled, or Woodwork, To Clean 29, 34
Flowers, How to Pack for Transportation 29
Flowers, To Keep Fresh (three) 29

Gas, Good Way to Save 10
Gasoline Iron, To Protect Hand from 20
Gasoline, Hints for Cleaning With (three) 32
Gas Stove Burners, To Clean 3
Gems, Hint for Baking 6
Gems and Muffins, To Make Lighter 8
Gilt Frames, To Clean and Remove Fly Specks from 19, 31
Glass, Broken, To Gather Up 28
Glass, Drinking, Etc., To Prevent Breaking 1
Glass, Polish for 11
Glove Repair, White, Emergency 27
Grease, To Remove from Kitchen Floor 10
Greasy Woodwork, To Clean

Hammock, Squeaky, Remedy for 24
Hands, Chapped, To Prevent 2
Hands, To Remove Fish Odor from 5
Hands, To Remove Odors from 7
Hands, To Remove Stains from 2
Hooks in Hardwood, How to Put in 23

Ice Cream, To Freeze Quickly 24
Ice Pick, Handy, for Emergency 23
Icy Steps, Etc., Remedy for 28
Ink Stains on Fingers, To Remove 27
Ink Stains on Linen, Carpets, Etc., To Remove 38
Ink Stains on Oak Table, To Remove 31
Insect in Ear, Relief for 31
Insects, To Remove from Vegetables When Washing 11
Insects, Plant, To Destroy 33
Insoles from Old Felt 23
Insomnia, Cure for 26
Invalid’s Room, Perfume for 25
Iron, Gasoline, To Protect Hand from 20
Ironing Over Buttons, Etc., Hint for 22
Iron Stand, Brick for 20 Kerosene Fire, To Extinguish 3
Kerosene for Water Bugs 1
Kettles and Pans, Greasy, To Clean 2
Kitchen Floor, Etc., Finish for 14
Kitchen Memoranda, Tablet or Slate for 11
Knife Handles, White, To Clean 14

Labels, Paper, To Remove 25
Lace Curtains, New Way to Fasten 18
Lace Curtains, To Stretch Without Frame 21
Lamps, Wicks and Chimneys, Hints for (Five) 12
Leather Furniture, To Clean 31
Leather Upholstery, Polish for 19
Lemons, To Increase Juice from 3
Lemons, Old, To Freshen 9
Lid, To Keep on Boiling Pot 5
Linen, To Make Glossy 21
Linen, To Remove Stains from 35 - 38
Linoleum, To Clean 16
Linoleum, Varnish and Polish for 16
Loaned Dishes, To Identify 11

Macaroni, Two New Uses for 30
Machine Oil, To Prevent Soiling Goods 16
Marble, To Clean Soil or Oil Spots from 34
Match Scratcher, Novel and Useful 27
Matting, How to Clean and Lay 34
Meat, Roast, To Prevent Drying Out 5
Meat, To Make Tender 5
Meat, To Prevent Scorching 8
Mending China and Crockery, Hints for (four) 13
Mica in Stove Doors, To Clean 13
Mice, To Get Rid of 26
Mildew in Leather, To Remove 26
Mildew in Cloth, To Remove (four) 39
Mirrors, To Clean 19
Mixing Board, Best Kind of 4
Moth Preventive 31
Moths in Carpet, To Destroy 31
Moths, To Keep Out of Piano 31
Mucilage, Dried, To Restore 25
Muffins and Gems, To Make Lighter 8
Mushrooms, How to Judge 6

Nails in Plaster, To Drive Without Damage 30
Newspapers, Old, Use for 3
Nuts, Pecan, How to Crack 2

Odor, Perspiration, To Remove 25
Odors, To Remove from Hands 7
Oil Lamps, Wicks and Chimneys, Hints for (five) 12
Oil, Machine, To Prevent Soiling Goods 16
Oil Spots, Sewing Machine, To Remove 17
Onion Smell, To Remove from Pans 5
Onions, To Prevent Eyes Watering When Peeling 5 Paint Brushes, How to Soften 25
Pans and Kettles, Greasy, To Clean 2
Pastry, To Prevent Burning 4
Pecan Nuts, How to Crack 2
Pen or Brush Holder, Handy, for Desk 27
Perspiration of Hands When Sewing, To Prevent 16
Perspiration Odor, To Remove 25
Picture Glass, How to Clean 18
Picture Nail, To Mark Place for 28
Pictures, Hint for Taking from Wall 29
Pie Crust, To Make Flaky 8
Pies, Wire Rack for Cooling 4
Plant Insects, To Destroy 33
Poison, To Avoid Mistakes With 28
Polisher for Stove When Hot 4
Postage Stamps, How to Separate 25
Potatoes, Sweet, To Peel Easily 4
Pots, Hint for Cleaning 6

Raincoat, How to Clean (two) 30
Rats, To Rid House of 26
Refrigerator, To Keep Sweet 1
Rice, Hint for Boiling 6
Roasted Meat, To Prevent Drying Out 5
Rocking Chair, To Prevent Creeping Over Floor 28
Rugs, To Prevent Slipping on Floor 27
Rust and Stains in Tinware, To Remove and Prevent 11, 14
Rust, To Remove from Flat-irons 4

Salty Food, Remedy for 5
Sash Curtains, Hint for Laundering 21
Scalds, Remedy for 10
Scissors, To Sharpen 16
Scorch, To Remove from Cake 8
Scorched Spot, To Bleach 21
Scorched Vegetables, Etc., Remedy for 7
Screws and Nails, Rusty, To Loosen 23
Serge Skirt, Shabby, To Renovate 32
Sewing Machine Belt, To Tighten 16
Sewing Machine Oil Spots, To Remove 17
Shine on Woolen Goods and Black Cloth, To Remove 33
Shoe Lace, New Tag for 32
Shoes or Boots, To Make Them Take Polish 32
Shoes, White Kid, To Clean 32
Silver, Hint for Washing 4
Silver, To Remove Egg Stains from 7
Silver, Tarnished, To Clean 14
Skirts, Right Way to Hang 21
Smoke Marks on Ceiling, To Remove 30
Sofa Cushions, Etc., Hint for Filling 18
Soot on Carpet, To Remove 31
Soup, Best Way to Strain 2
Spectacles, To Prevent Steaming 25
Spiders, To Get Rid of 7
Spilled Water in Sick Bed, Remedy for 17
Sponge, To Clean and Purify 20
Spots on Varnished Wood, To Remove 34
Sprain, To Relieve 26
Stains, All Kinds, To Remove 35 - 38
Stain, Cheap, for Wood Floors 16
Stains, To Remove from Hands 2
Stains Under Finger Nails, To Prevent 2
Stamps, Postage, How to Separate 25
Starch, To Prevent Sticking to Iron 20
Stockings, To Pair 17
Stockings, To Prevent Cutting by Elastic 17
Stove, Polisher for Hot 4
Sweeping, To Prevent Dust When 14
Sweet Potatoes, To Peel Easily 4

Tea Caddy, Orange or Lemon Peel for 3
Teakettle, To Keep from Rusting 3
Teapot, To Prevent Musty 3
Tinware Stains or Rust, To Remove or Prevent 11, 14
Toasting Bread, Cornpopper for 2
Tomatoes, To Skin Easily 4
Turkey, To Make Tender 8

Umbrella Jars, Hint for 24
Upholstery, Leather, Polish for 19

Varnished Floors, Polish for 16
Varnished Wood, To Remove Spots from 34
Vase, Slender, To Clean 9
Vases, or Bric-a-Brac, Leaky, To Mend 28
Vegetables, To Remove Insects When Washing 11
Velveteen, Two Uses for 28

Wall Paper, To Make Waterproof 16
Wall Paper Remover and Cleaner, Recipes for 33
Walls, Broken, How to Mend 30
Wash or Lavatory Basins, To Open Clogged 19
Water, Spilled in Sick Bed, Remedy for 17
Water, To Soften for Washing and Toilet Purposes 20
Water Bottles, To Clean 9
Water Bugs, Kerosene for 1
Watery Eyes, To Prevent When Peeling Onions 5
Wax for Floors, A Cheap and Good 23
Weeds, To Kill 26
White Curtains, To Make Ecru or Cream Color 21
White Glove Repair, Emergency 27
White Kid Articles, To Clean 32
Window Cleaning Hints (six) 15
Wood Floors, Cheap Stain for 16
Woodwork, Greasy, To Clean 34
Woodwork, White Enameled, To Clean 34
Woolen Blankets, To Prevent Shrinking 20
Worms, Earth, in Flower Pots, To Destroy 27
Wringer Rollers, To Clean 21

Zinc, How to Clean 31

Rear Cover: The three greatest household helps...

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