Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-02
AN EXCELLENT SYSTEM.

Sloecihi hStiAI oystcull
managing a household or the affairs of a
nation, system is the watchword that guards
US from failure In my business l always in
sist upon it, and hence my Office runs like
clockwork. Now, here it is, Z oclock"--
"Our supper hour being g." interrupts a
calm, sweet voice, parenthetcally.
Sand the supper not ready" continue,
not considering the interruption worthy of
notice "In a well ordered household-such
as, allow, ours generally is-supper should
be but question OF touching bell, at any
time from TO s. When man has been
harassed by business cares all day, his dges-
ton Is in that delicate condition that delay
of half an hour is likely to upset his entire
organization, mental and physical"
There is nothing like touch Of medical
science for creating an impression upon a
woman.)
had just got Off the cable cars in the east
end, and although l was later than usual,
had not contemplated the possibility of sup
per not being ready. My wife is always SO
prompt, and, / am inclined to believe, is the
best housekeeper in the city.
When she met me at the door with a half
wondering, half reproachful look, resented
It with hasty glance into the dining room
TO note whether preparations for the evening
meal were in that advanced stage which nv
appetite demanded.
A neat room, with the silver and glass on
the sideboard shining in the u mplight; dolls,
alphabet blocks and other indications of
Juvenile presence scattered about the floor;
my own chair and slippers near the fireplace
and that air of comfort that can be found
only in homes where the wife and mother
has natural aptitude for domesticity.
Even as l grum0led felt half ashamed
but IL was due 70 myself to tell the little
bright eyed woman OF her shortcomings, and
it would not be kind to her not to show her
how such bitches in the management of her
kingdom could be avoided
There is certain snap in the bright ewes
that bodies discontinue for me as she thanks
me gravely for my advice, and bends down
TO comply with a request from S-year-old
Mamie to ''p'ease tie dolly's ap'n.n
sit down and unroll my bundle Of news
papers and magazines. The pages of the first
magazine have hardly been cut that curl
ously carved ivory paper knife was present
from her on our last wedding day, l renem-
ber), when somebody says:
bob, will you turn around to the table
pleasef'
"Oh, mamma, papa vewy neely put his eb-
bow in his tea" says Mamie
This is followed by an explosive "te-hein
from young Bob, years OF age, who tries to
be preternaturally solemn as he meets nv
eye
Where is the man whose ANNOYANCE is
proof against a comfortable evening meal, In
which his favorite dishes are served to him
by loving hands, and during which the only
Interruptions are those that naturally arise
from the younstersl My temper is not any
better than that of hundreds of men meet
every day, but by the time supper is fairly
under way, l am ready to look only with an
eye of pity upon everybody's shortcomings,
particularly my wifes. am in that warm,
calm state of mind when nothing is so pleas
ant as to lay down moral truths and worldly
axioms for the benefit of a respectful listener.
You see, my dear talking about house
keeping" say, as | gently stir my tea, 81
have often thought that nothing can be more
interesting than to see everything moving
along In a well marked routine, with nothing
10 disturb it. In business it is different So
many Interruptions; people to talk to who
come in on matters that may take an hour to
adjust; employees to watch; clerks to directl
In fact could not tell you all l have to at
tend to in the course Of the day. Yet, you
see, my business runs smoothly along, and
when go to bed on Saturday night, know
that the week ends with all my affairs In
apple pie order. System, my dear; system
That is ALL"
"Papa, why is your watch chain hanging
DOWN. asks Bob, as his sharp ewes scan nv
vest
"Eh7 WHAT Why, my watch is gone. N
There il general CONSERVATION for a mo-
ment, and then l remember:
"Oh, yes; / laid it on my desk this after
noon TO wait till the city hall bell struck g.
and l must have forgotten to pick it up.
And, confound it'll That reminds mel had
an appointment at half-past with Briggs,
about policy. forgot it, actually. So
many things TO think about, SO many worries,
1t isn't any wonder things slip my memory
sometimes. / don't see howl
trail off rather feebly, know, for / see
something like triumph in the eye of the pre-
siding genius Of the table as she pours some
cream into Manies tea to cool it, and hands
Bob another piece of cake.
"You should be thankful, my dear, that
there is nothing in the nature of your duties
to interrupt you" l resume "You know,
when you commence to arrange your days
occupations that you can go straight ahead
andn-
] am startled by the sudden disappearance
Of the queen, and still more when she re-
turns from the nursery with a bundle Of
pink and white flesh and filmy lace broad
awake, and with just suspicion of q tear
on one OF its eyelashes
"How did you know he was awaken
ask.
II heard him." sententiously
"Did youl didn't
perhaps not. But-you were saying,
am never interrupted. There is nothing to
prevent my going straight ahead. Mamie,
mind you don't spill your tea. Go on, dear :;
am listening"
rather wish the baby had not awakened
Just now. However, have nailed my colors
70 the mast; so go on, as finger my dam
Cling chain:
II wish had nothing to do but to manage
the house for month. What a rest II
would be for meln
Really, do you think sor'
Indeed, do" / answer, as / feel In my
pockets for my cigar case, and, not finding
IL, stroll into the hall to try my overcoat
still in vain. Hang i'll l must have left II
at the officel"
swell, suppose you try it for week"
"whatr
81 am perfectly serious, my dear. This Il
Saturday night Let me go to your offict
Monday morning You can give me a few
directions Turn over to me your letters
bills and things, so that | can start fairly
and I'll engage to carry on your INSURANCE,
business for you till next Saturday. Mean
time you can stay ut home with Bob ant
Mamie and the baby. You'll have the hire<
girl to help you. Susie will attend to bah,
altogether Bless his little hearth All b
wants is his bottle. Then you will only hav
to see that Mary does her work, and TAX
care that supper is ready. As you say,
will be a rest for your
There was no installing the earnestness O
that clear cut voice. She meant It,
wait a momentl Let me get my thought
tnnefhar Tba.. .-a IN = 49,.