The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-02-06

peffoImance a necessity to one who un- derstood that law and order was the principle of the universe
 Do you say these women are excep- tional 2" lrespond. No; here ln our own land the women whose names enrich literature are, almost without exception, excellent wives, devoted mothers, and good housekeepers. Not long ago a wealthy Ne~ York gentleman conceived the idea of giving grand dime. to dis tinguished people of both sexes, with the understanding that each guest should provide some d,sh prepared exclusively by his or her own and. The conditions were complied With, and question if any chiet in the land ever saw such temp ing array of dishes. Efficiency iu one olrec- ton does not prove ID, fficiency in an- other; and the woman bugh, enough to pleIse the intellectual appetite of the reading public, is also bright enough to become her own cook or seamstress if oc- casion demands it."
 How do you find time for so much work?" asked a gentleman of a very busy woman, who was discussing the title page of her latest book, while she mended the family linen make every mo- ment tell" she replied. Each night before retiring write out my list of du- ties for the following day; one hour in my kitchen every morning suffices to oil the domestic machinery there, and then go to my desk and work faithfully until the dinner hour. One day every week is religiously set apart for what l choose to cell a woman'i day;' make, mend, Ax~,nkA alf s~ ek A -h.Il~~m .l -s1 .. .. all the tangled threads" This lady, when called upon one day by her publisher re, ceived him in her tidy kitchen, where she was making bread, as the cook was ill. Without any discussion as to quality of work, we could, If not deterred by the re- spect due generous entertainers, give a long list of names we'll known to most of the reading public whose modest owners ride themselves on good housekeeping in general, or some special domestic vir- tue. M.ry Clemmer, whose work men still admire, was even better than her public word in the home she made so attractive in Washington; and one of our cherished family traditions is the story of delightful lunches and teas prepared by the gifted Cary sisters
 In large circle of friends and some what extended acquaintance with women engaged in literary work, l can only re- call two instances where any indifference has been shown to the sweet small duties which renders the home the dearest place on earth to every true-hearted wo- man. Outside of the literary circle the number increases among women who are neither readers to any extent nor writers, but possessed of restless activity which induces them to engage largely in work outside the home. These women are usu. ally ardent admirers of literary workers and enthusiasts concerning some particu- lar reform or charity as a rule, they are excellent, kind-hearted women, but not especially adapted to domestic life; their tastes vary as do the tastes of men and now and then one hears a woman of this class assert that she will not be tied down to domestic drudgery."
 A literary woman recognizes a higher law, and, if taste were wanting, she would sull consider it duty to perform all do mestic responsibility conscientiously. In justice to my fellow penworkers l must add that have yet to find one who does 70. at times, if not regularly, 6nd rest and even delight in setting her house in order" or ministeripg to the wants of her household"
 Single women command more leisure for work. but question if all work be not better for the overcoming of the worker. The friction If family life is source of strength if rightly used, and although we may sometimes chafe when homely du- ies press hard on poetic visions think the visions will be 6aer and touch more hearts and inspire more lives if the home!y duties have been faithfully per formed.