Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-01-13

Household.
No doubt most of the readers of the
Household are appraised that Jan
uary derives its name from the two faced
God who could at the same time glance
forward and backward, and that the
name was suggested by this month s po-
sitiOn in the calendar. Whether the dis
position to look i'll both these directions is
indissolubly allied with the name or not,
certain it is that at this season there is a
proneness among most of people to take
retrospective glance at past errors
and a prospective one for future we'll
dong, and in the class of new leaf
turner's may not housekeepers find a
place? The year 1888 has brought to
many care taking housewife, additional
burdens, and in settling up last year s
account in all departments of the home the
balance sheet is not altogether salts
factory. There are deficits IN many
places, and the final summing makes the
brow wrinkle with anxious thought
There is little danger that the strictly
material part of her bookkeeping will not
DE brought wildly to mind, that when
bills are presented suggestions for re-
trenchment and reform will not accom-
pany them, and it may be some little ac-
eusing accent will linger in the tones of
the treasurer when he asks the disburser
if each account is correct The con-
scienscious housewife will feel all this
keenly enough, and if wise will set her
little head to work to systema-
tie the business department
in such way as TO avert, if
possible any financial bankruptcy and at
the same time relieve herself from worry
in money matters, a matter which can
only be adjusted by careful forethought,
that each day expenditures may be
made to the best advantage if she has a
dollar day to spend OH her table to so
forecast her meals that the dollar a day
shall purchase all the comfort possible.
There is no argument that avaiIs against a
rigid account of money paid out, for in
this way only can this part of housekeep-
ing be successfully carried on Bnt it
was not for this that retrospection is
urged. Stern necessity, where it eX-
lists, VIII effeetually teach this lesson. 1t
was in the intellectual field that notes
are TO be taken. To put it pertinentIy !,
has the year just closed marked intel
Iectual progress or decline? Has there
been growth or decay? If the latter +,
then there has been loss that is well nigh
irrepairable. Admitting that household
cares are warping, that maternal duties
are absorbing, the grave question still
| intrudes, are these excuses2
There it a theory held by many that a
man may be lifted in the scale of social
life, may from boor become a finished
gentleman by constant association with a
cultivated wife, and the converse! What
think We, my sisters?
A great deal is written, and much of it
with truth, of a tidily kept home, of an
amiable wife, keeper at home, de-
voted mother. etc, to hold fast to her
the lover who was attracted by her
youthful beauty and freshness. The
| youthful beauty is eyanescent, cares are
| likely 10 steal away the freshness, and
will the best Of housekeeping fully meet
the demands of a man whose daily inter-
course with the world is developing his
faculties and charging his yision2 Is
there not more or less danger TO the wife
who fails to keep pace with her
| husband ) mental growth, and NAV