The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-12-31
HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.
4 brief, but Wise. Treatise ON Subject Of
Great Interest.

4 Drief, hut Wise. Treatise ON . Subject Of
Great Interest.
Women are always somewhat super.
sensitive about their work. There is
probably no point on which this super
sens;tiveness is more displayed than
that of housekeeping. To be called a
''slack" housekecper stings woman
to the quick. no matter how deserved
the impeachment may be; yet the mo-
ment q woman does that she is exc ting
herself in her housekeeping to do more
than she otherwise would for fear that
''peoplc will talk" that moment she
begins to endangcr her whole theory of
life. 1t is this keeping house 50 as to
please society and to placate 1.-THE neigh
bors" which is at the bottom of much
of the overwork and the belittling of the
mind. which are the bane of house.
keepers.
don't try to keep your house too
Clean" says a clever writer, ''Or else q
step-mother will bring up your chill
drea."
This simple but interesting presenta-
ton of the matter throws q flood of
light upon it. 1t intimates that a
hOusekeeper has duties besides keeping
house and paramount to that one.
A housekeeper 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 companion for him. His
mind is usually sharpened by activity
in business or professional life. She
must see to it that her mind is kept rs
sharp as possible. by reading and study.
She should try to remain, SO far as her
effort can 20, what she probably was
in the days of their courtship-the
most interest ng person in the world for
him to be- with. Above all things. she
must keep herself well and strong. or
else good spirits, which are the most
charming attributes in either man or
woman, will be lacking.
Then she is usually mother. Her
children are full of questions. They
desire her companionship and her con-
versation. Whose else can be SO good
for them as hers? She should see to 1t
that they have those in full measure and
of good quality.
She is also member of some social
circle. The greatest work that women
can do to improve the social fabric is,
of course, in the home; but there are
many outside duties which no self-re-
speeding woman should neglect. and for
which she should save a portion of her
time and strength.
The keeping of the house, then, is
only one of several vocations of the
house-keeper. and subordinate to those
of the wife, the mother, and the social
being. That is to say. the keeping of
the house in which family and friends
are to be fed and sheltered is only a
means to the securing of their health
and happiness. Just as soon rs woman
begins to think of the cleaning and
cooking as ends in themselves, and de-
votes herself to them to such an extent
that her usefulness in higher spheres is
impaired. she is making a mistake.
Keep the balance true. Remember that
the objects of our earthly toll are to
keep our loved ones well and happy.
Rclegatc conversation about the house,
hold affairs to the background, unless
the humorous side is uppermost. See
that good meals, plain and substantial,
are served. no matter what cleaning or
other work is going on. Do not tire
yourself out with trying to do double
work in a day. BY system this can be
avoided. Never mind what 1.-The neigh
bors" say. Keep continually in mind
that you are keeping house not for the
sake OF keeping house. but to make
homes in which husbands and children
and friends shall thrive and re DICE con-
tinually.-Eate Epson Clarke. in Chi
cGg0 Inter- Ocean.