St. Landry democrat., 1888-05-26
HOUSE OR HOME7
How Woman Can Make Family Life a
Real Blessing.

How Woman Can Make Family Life
! Real Blessing.
"Why did you BRING the m in her
John?-Mrs. Markham of all people il
the world! You know what perfec
housekecper she is. What must sh
have thought of this room?" said Mrs
Wood TO her husband, as the from
door closed on the neighbors who hat
been making an evening call.
Mr. Wood smiled in his happies
manner as he answered.: '.It was jus
| because it was the Markhams that
brought them into this cosy sitting
room l wanted them to see what ;
home was like. I don't care a fis
whether their house is always in order
or not; know there isn't corner ir
it that compares with this ROOM" And
with loving eyes he looked around the
CHEEKY living room in which books,
magazines. papers, games, toys and
work-basket gave evidence of the
occupation of the inmates. II wan t.
ed,' he continued, Tom Mark ham to
have good time once in his life; for
dom believe he's ever happy in that
great house VIII ere he never dares to
move for fear of putting something
out of order. Didn't you see how he
enjoyed it? knew he wanted to help
Jack with his kite; he could hardly
keep his eyes off the boy. Poor Tom!
to think their only boy should have
run away! l don't wonder they both
look old and worm
Mr.. Wood sighed. and his wife has
tened to say: ''Oh, Idldn't really care,
only I thought it would seem like
dreadful confusion to them, the chill
dren get so many things around -
"But they don't run away, rejoined
the hus sband. You know they seldom
wish to go out evenings, and l know
that you are a perfect home-maker,
ard that's worth far more than mere
housekeeping
Oh, that all mothers realized this! l
thought, as my mind followed the
Markhams to their perfectly -ordered
but dreary house, unworthy the name
of home Nowadays almost every
newspaper has a household depart
ment, filled with rules and directions
concerning all kinds of work. from
dish washing to the furnishing and
care of the guest-chamber: But is
there enough said about home max
ing?
There is no doubt of the Importance
of good housekeeping; no doubt, too,
that many American women have
sadly neglected their duties in this
line, and that some have been moved
to reform by the popular agitation of
the subject. But do we not know
perfect housekeepers' who make
their husbands lives burden, and
sour the dispositions of children not
yet in their teens?
The majority of American women
are not rich; many add to their
myriad housekeeping duties the care
and training of children, with only
general house-work' girl to help
along. Let such women attempt to
keep house in accordance with the
strict rules laid down by the writer's
IN housekeeping, and who will blame
hem if they never get beyond the
laily routine?
have read of a woman, with hus-
band and five children, who did all
Ter own work, kept her house always
n perfect order from garret to cellar.
lever neglected her children's man.
lers, morals or clothes, exceled as a
ook, was always informed as to the
OF newspapers. magazines
md the latest book, and was never
,nown to appear cross or discouraged
there may be such women. I never
aw one. Certainly they are not and
ever can be numerous. For the vast
majority there is a limit to time and
trength. Some things must be neg
ected.
The question then is. which shall
utfer, the house or the home?
Surely no true woman would decide
/ favor of the former. And what mi an
ocs not enjoy a bright. cheerful,
Apply home, with wife not too tired
, show her interest in all that con-
nrns him and the children, even il
ome sweeping and busting have been
eglected. and the table lacks elabor-
Lely- prepared dishes?
''Is not the life more than meat, and
le body than raiment?' Mrs. II. c. !.
Gnki,s, IN Christian at Work.
Ct,;~tHo ThAsa~4ol