The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-12-01
WHY DO AVE KEEP nOUsEi


Editor OF Good Cheer, contributor to Harper
Christian Union, etc., etc,
Women are always somewhat super
sensitive about their work. There il
probably no point on which this super
ssnsitivenesa ia more displayed than that
Of housekeeping, To be called SLACK
housekeeper stings u woman to the quick
no matter how deserved the impoach'
ment may be ! yet the moment women
does that she Ia exciting herself in her
housekeeping to do more than shs other
wise would for fear that "psople will
talk" that moment abe begins to endan,
gar her whole theory OF lilo. 1t is this
keeping house so as to please society and
to plRCRtR "tha nelghboTa" which is at the
bottom Of much Of the oyerwork and the
belitting Of the mind, which are the bane
OF housekeepets.
"Don't try to keep your house too
Clean" says q clever writer, "or else q
stepmother will bring up your chill
dreh,"
This ample but strong presentation OF
the matter throws o food Of light upon it
1t intimates that housekeeper has duties
besides keeping house and paramount to
that one.
A houaekeeper Is usually wife. A
wife, besides seeing that her husband has
clean rooms to live in, well-CoOked meals
and neat clothes, should make herself q
companion for him. His mind Ia usually
sharpened by bis activity 10 business or
professional life. She must Geo 10 it that
her own mind ia kept as sharp as possible,
by reading and study, She should try to
remain so far aa her efforts can 90 what
she probably was 10 the days Of their
Courship-ths moot interesting person in
the world for him 10 be with. Above Sll
things, she muet keep herself well and
strong; or else good spirits, which arc the
most charming attributes !p either man or
woman, will DO lacking.
Then she Ia usually mother. Her
children are full OF questions, They de-
sire her Cnmpanionship and her Convelsa-
ton. Whoso else can be as good for
them 10 heIa2 She should see to It that
they have these in tull MEASURE and Of
good quality.
She Ia Rlso a member OF some social cir.
Gle. TIE gIeatest work that woman can
do To improve the social fabric IL, Of
course, In the home but there gro many
outside duties which no sslt,reupectiDg
woman should neglect, and for which she
should save a portion oil her time and
strength.
The keeping Of the house, then, Ia only
one Of several V0Cplons OF the housekeep.
OF, and subordinatet to Lhcae OF the wife,
the mother, and the social being, That Is
10 say, the keeping Of the home In which
family and friends are 10 no fed aud
sheltered Is only meanG to the
securing Of their health and happiness.
Just essoon IS woman begins 10 think
OF the cleaning and cooking Rs ends in
themselves, and devotes herself to them
TO such an extent thRt her usefulness In
higher spherea Is impaired, she IL making
q mistake. Keep the balance true. IL.
member that the objects OF our earthly
toll are to keep our loved ones well and
happy. Regelate conversation about the
houSehold Rtlairr 10 the background, un.
lees tho humorous eide is uppermost. See
that good meals, plain and substantial, are
served, no matter what cleaning or other
work iB going on. Do not tire yourself
out with trying to do double work In
day. By system this can DO avoided
Never mind what 1.-THE neighbours" say,
Keep continually in mind that you arc
keeping house not for the sake oil keeping
house, but to make homes in which hus.
bands and children and friends shall
thrive and rejoice continually.