The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-12-27

Among the counsels given TO those
much advised persons. housekeepers. is
this one, waited on the wings of wisdom
and experience. PAY cash and shun the
passbook or any other form of credit
system" Thus only. IL is said, can strict
economy and living within ones income
be learned. If one has only so cents in
her purse let the dinner cost AZ cents
rather than 81 cents. The consciousness
OF having lived within ones means will
in the long run far outweigh the delight
even of good dinners. The passbook. IL
is claimed, is a beguiler into extrava-
gance and luxurious living. a breeder of
dissensions between the trader and his
customer, and when viewed in its total
at the months end cause of grief and
establishment to her who must pay the
bill
Having faithfully tried both ways Of
buying. am prepared to defend the pass
book and to urge its general adoption in
place of daily payments. It is easier,
takes less tine and need not involve
temptation TO eXtravag ance. In these
days when housekeeping is a science. in
telligent and conscientious women are
not tempted to extravaganza.
Many good and wholesome dishes are
inexpensive, and if occasional indulgence
in costly food be permitted the weekly
account can be evened up by greater
economy. Corned beef or an Irish stew
like the little girl with the little curl"
when they are good. are very good. and
they make a happy medium when aver
aged with pair Of fowls or a roast.
BY the use of a passbook the vexing
necessity of making change is avoided.
The grocer knits his brow when a five
dollar bill is given to pay for a yeast
cake and a few other trifes, rummages
in his cash drawer and sends his boy
TO half dozen places to find change. If
the order is large one, other customers
must wait while the grocer foots the bill
and the lady reviews the column before
making payment 1t would incOmmOdate
fewer people if this account We're looked
over in the leisure ard privacy Of her
own house. I have stood YEARLY in
butchers shop. seats not being provided.
twenty-five minutes by the clock wait
ing my turn, while others selected their
meats, looked over and talked over their
accounts and paid Fully half this time
would have been saved had every lady
carried her passbOOk. as L did mine.
When the passbOok is used, let it be
the only account kept. Two accounts
seldom agree. If the book invariably
accompanies the purchaser, there Will
be no additions or alterations to be
made at the end Of the month, and con-
sequently no surprises for the customer.
She NAV lCOk il over and foot the
columns every day or every week and
see exactly where she stands. My own
way is to instruct my grocer to keep no
separate account, and to insist that
members of my own family shall always
take the book with them when sent
upon errands. The grocer must refuse
10 take any order. even from myself.
1t is the daybook and ledger of both
parties. 1t is therefore correct.
As goods are selected they are noted
by the grocer, with their prices, in the
book. When the articles are delivered,
the book lies on the top of the basket,
and the cook is required to compare
parcels with account book to make
sure that nothing has been omitted. If
grocer would not aCcede to this simple
and accurate arrangement, / would re-
fuse him my trade. But ] have never
found one who did not gladly adopt the
plan and wish il universal Women
who give their orders at the door and
think no more about their marketing
cannot Of course use the passbOOk. They
must accept the grocer's statement, be it
right or wrong But such l cannot help
regarding as among those Who shirN
responsibilities and therefore upon
whom advice is wasted.-Harper' 5
BaZar.