Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-01-08
Accounts.
Philadelphia Press.


and gone to housekeeping without fac
ing that bugbear Of most hOusekeepers
accounts. Her husband, perhaps, rather
amused at her zeal, presents her with an
artistic set of books; little one to jOt
down daily expenses and larger affair
into which everything is copied and
which he is expected TO balance every
month. Every month, did l say? In
most cases the pretty deal has totally
vanished by the end OF the second
What did | give to the crossing sweep
er tO-day?" sighs the perplexed little
hOusskeepsr. with a worried little tap OF
her foot and biting her pencil disconso-
lately.
"Put is down as ten ceats and be done
with it," says her husband. "ThOse ac-
counts are actually bringing wrinkles
between your eyes,"
but then things woa't balance" per-
sists the young wife.
"All right. Let 'em tic up or down
put love in the other scale, dear. Seri-
Ously though, I don't want my wife to
keep accounts"
well, I'm sOrry-n0, to tell you the
truth, I'm glad you don't. Pm awfnlly
sick of accounts. Take the books, Har-
ry, and don't let me see them again"
Aud 50, generally speaking. the mania
for account ends. Now, 1 approve of
keeping a strict record Of expenditures.
If you can accomplish it by all means do
so, but If you are worried and troubled
in the doing let it alone; it is not sin
not to keep accounts, and you may keep
very firm check on any tendency tO'ex-
trayaganc9 in a simpler way. Here is
my own method. which have found to
work admirably:
Keep "boOk" at responsible grocer's
and butchers. l know very well that
many people think you pay high price
if you go on the book system, bat it is
n Vt so if you deal with responsible men
You should price meats and groceries
from time to time at other stores, and so
be sure you are paying only fair price;
bat do rot leave good grocer because
sugar happens to be sold for two cents
less on the seyen pounds at another store,
as have known of one hOusekeeper do
ing Deal fairly by your tradesmen, and
my experience is they will deal fairly by
you. They are sure of their money on
the last day Of each month, while you,
by only buying at one store, have a ree-
ord of all the table expenses. You should
write your own orders in the book, either
in the morning. or three times week,
then the book is check on any leakage
in the kitchen.
81 needs box of starch, num-" says
Bridget.
Starch exclaims the mistress. for it
seems but week or so since six-pOund
box was ordered.
eyes, mum; it's five weeks since the
last" and tuning to your gr0cer's book
you find the girl is right, and, instead OF
having been wasteful, really deserves a
word of commentator.
"Prunes, mum, and apples"
mo, Bridget" consulting her book
eve have used these last seven pounds
too fast. The children must do without
this week 10 teach them moderation,
and you hear Bridget explaining the
lack Of prunes the next night to YOU
boys:
"The misthress says ye must learn
b0theratiOD by doing widOut," and TIT
boys agree that that Is just what TIT
learning is!
y Your books may help you as to you
giving. You want very much TO send
box Of groceries to a friend, but haven
the five dollar bill for the doing. BegiI
month or two ahead and steadily keel
down your expenses. Buy soda cracker
where last menth you bought more ex
psnsive kind. Stint yourself a little a
to raisins, macarOni, sardines or oranges
Make two cans of tomatoes do three days
or one can two, instead Of using can a
q meal. Watch your butchers book NOR
closely, buying corn beef little 0fteRe
and having few more makeup" dish
es. Yeu will find that you can spar
even more than five dollars at the end o
two months, and then-wOnderfu har
piness, which very rich people can nevs
! have-yOu have given your friend VIVA
costs you something.-Hope Ledyard.