The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-01-13
Where to Economic.

A mother who was particularly successful
in keeping her children at home Of even
ings, so much SO that it was with difficulty
they could be induced to accept an invita-
ton to spend an evening away from home,
was asked if she had any particular secret
for doing so. She replied that she could
think of none, except that she kept her
sitting room and parlors very light. awe
always have all the light we want; we put
the gas on, full blaze, in both back and front
parlors; then we keep the house comfortably
warm all over, and this is the only secret,
if it is a secret" To this it was objected
that it would be very expensive. She re-
piled: "Oh, well, We will economize in
something else, if necessary, but cheerful
light at evening we will have"
Her remark was very suggestive, not only
of the great difference in the cheerfulness
of well-lighted house and the gloom of
one when the light is poor and stinted, but
of the choice there is in matters Of economy,
In these times nearly every one has to study
economy in some directions, but in family
life it ought to be directed to anything
rather than the curtailing of family COM
forts or of the quality and quantity of
chiIdren's food. Better wear the plainest
clothes, better have no extra suit, better
put up with old and patched furniture, than
to deprive any one of real comfort, espe-
cially the children. Warmth and light
are the most essential of these. Warmth
and light are the attractions used by the
saloons and other places of like sort to draw
our children from us. We must counteract
these by providing better of the same kind.
We cannot afford to economize too much In
these. -
So in regard to children's food and
clothes. There are two articles of food Of
which children are very fond, and which
are nutritious and wholesome, which are
often economized in unwisely. These are
milk and sugar Better to do without des-
serts all the time and let the children have
their milk to drink and plenty of sugar on
their oatmeal and stewed apples. Better a
dimes worth Of good, pure candy occasion
ally, than the costly and too often indigest-
ible mince pie. In clothing also the same
DISCRIMINATION SnOulu Dc ODSeTNeu. leHty
of good, warm undertaking, good stock
ings and stout, well-ftting shoes, will make
presentable the plainest dress. If economy
must be studied in children's clothes, let
it be in trimmings and ruffies, and not in
those things which give warmth and COM
fort.
To practice economy successfully re-
quires great deal of study and experience.
1t is generally not very encouraging or
pleasant thing to do, and yet there are those
who have become enthusiastic in it. 1t has
seemed to have almost the fascination of
game to some to see how little they could
live on and live comfortably. If one
has to do it, it is better to do it in such a
spirit, than complainingly and fretfully.
And, as to accomplish something is always
satisfaction, there may be a certain salts
faction in the study and experimenting that
leads to a knowledge of how to economize
in the best way and places, how to live
well, and at the same time live cheapl "
Chicago Weekly Magazine.