The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-08-14
Home Makers.

1t is prevalent idea that woman, and she
alone, must always be the home-maker. This
is her business it is affirmed, while that of
man necessarily lies outside. 1t is his part
to provide the means of support, hers to sup
ply well-ordered, gladstone refreshing,
peaceful home. There is much truth in thi.
view; but like many other truths, it has been
run into the ground from the failure to per-
ceive the other side. A home, like person,
has dual existence; it has an outer and an
inner life; it is formed by the circumstances
that surround it and the characters that dwell
within it. There is the house with its ap-
purtenances, its opulence or poverty, its COM
forts or inconyeniencies, its loaded table or
frugal board, its neatness and thrift. or dis
order and waste. This is the outer life of
the home.
To this both man and woman equally con-
tribute. The division of labor, as usually
maintained, is, upon the whole, quite equita-
ble His lies outside the house, hers within;
but both are equally important, equally hon.
orable, equally remunerativein the true sense
of the word. Neither his earnings, nor her
care, would alone make and keep the home,
even in its outer life, while united, they sup
ply all its needs. Any shrinking on either
side is fatal. If the man, through self-indul-
gence of any kind, fail to do his part, the
woman will be over-burdened, and the fami-
ly comforts curtailed or destroyed. If, or
the other hand, she, through love Of pleasure
or lack of discretion, neglects the wise order
ing of her household, or slides into fashions
BILE extravaganza, the result will be equally
disastrous Whatever be the resources, or
the style of living they adopt, it requires all
the abilities and painstaking of both in their
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domestic life with prudence, comfort and
consistency.
It is, however, in the inner life of the home
that we must look for its purest and most
permanent happiness; and here also do we
find man and woman to be equally necessary
and equally responsible. Not the house,
however richly furnished and judiciously ar
ranged, not all the labor and thought of the
man in earning and the woman In manag-
ing, however praiseworthy each may De, can
alone secure a happy home. They are in
deed, indispensable, but not sufficient. Not
only must hand and brain construct the home,
but heart must inspire it. There must be
love, patience, self-sacrifce, sympathy, con-
tentment, courage TO bear, frmness to endure
lin word, all the qualities that go to make
up character. If these be absent, so is happi-
ness, however congenial and satisfactory may
be the external home.
Just here a fatal mistake is frequently
made. The busy man. wearied with toll and
harassed, perhaps, by the events of the day,
comes home to find rest and refreshment.
He feels that his labors abroad should be re-
compensed by comfort, ease and freedom
from care at home. This is, perhaps, natural;
but he forgets that the wife and mother, if
earnest and conscientious, has had her trials
and labors also, and is probably in need of
rest and sympathy quite as much as he is.
The home is, perhaps, so peaceful and CHEEKY
that he takes it for granted that Its constant
inmates must be so too; and thus his thoughts
become centered in what his home ought to
yield TO him, rather than in what he shall
do to make a happy home for the family.
The truth is, that home happiness is not a
harvest for which one part of the household
is To labor, that another part may enjoy.
Each one must plant the seed, and water the
ground, and destroy the weeds, and then each
one will take of the bounteous crop. As
the husband and wife both contribute to
form the external home, they must equally
unite to I'LL it with the living presence of un-
selfish affection and thoughtful kindness. If
either fail in this-if one be always striving
to make the home and the other only to en-.
joy it, disappointment is inevitable.
The children, too, should be encouraged
and trained, from their earliest years, to con-
tribute their share toward the home. Every
boy and girl can add to the family Joy in
multitude of ways, which will open rapidly
to view when they are sought. The little
kindnesses to one another, the willing defer
ence to parental wishes; the plans laid for
cheerful winter evenings, pleasant surprises,
and cheerful reunions, small gifts Of handi-
work to grace the familiar rooms, with hun
dreds of other natural outpourings of affec-
ton and gratitude, will bind children to
their homes and make them centers of happi-
ness, far more than can ever be the case
when they are merely recipients. 1t is the
good we do much more than that which is
done for us that promotes our highest enjoy
ment; and each member of the household
who would taste the keenest delights of
happy home must constitute himself or her
self, in the best sense. a "home- maker"
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