The Helena independent., 1893-12-31
WOMAN AND HER HOME.
A Plea for the Passbook by Ono
Who Knows How to Use
Said to Be Easier, Take Lsss Tims,
and Not Lead to Extrava-
gance.
How 70 Use the Book Whsn IL II Used
The Figure Of ths CIinging
Vine.

Among the counsels given to those much
advised persons. housekeepers, is this one,
waited on the wings of wisdom and expe-
ricnce, PAY cash and shun the passbook
or any other form Of credit SYSTEM" Thus
only. it is said, can strict economy and living
within ones income be learned. II one has
only 50 cents in her purse, let the dinner
cost 40 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 pass
book, 1t IL claimed, Is beguiler into cx-
travagance and luxurious living, o breeder
of dissensions between the trader and his
customer, and when viewed in its total ut
the months end cause Of grief and aston
ment to her who must pay the bill.
Having faithfully tried both ways Of buy
ing, am prepared to defend tho passbook
and to urge its general adoption in place Of
daily payments. 1t is easier. takes less
time and need not involve temptation to
extravaganza. In these days when house.
keeping is q science, intelligent and consci-
cntious women are not tempted to extrava-
gance.
Many good and wholesome dishes are in
expensive, and il occasional indulgence in
costly food be permitted the weekly ac-
SOuHC Ctah OC CbCucN up Ny SAcdICI CSoAonAys
Corned beef or an Irish stew, like 1.-THE lit.
tie girl with the little curl" when they are
good, are very good, and they make hap
py medium when averaged with pair of
fowls or roast.
By the use Of a passbook othe vexing ne
cessity of making change is avoided. The
grocer knits his brows when q IS bill is
given to pay for a yeast cake and q few 9th
er tri1es, rummages in his cash drawer
and sends his boy to half dozen places to
find change. If the order is q large one,
other customers must wait while the grocer
foots tho bill and the lady reviews the col
umn before making payment. 1t would in
ccmmode fewer people if this account we're
looked over in the leisure and privacy of
her own house. l have stood wearily in q
butchers shop, seats not being provided, 25
minutes by the clock, waiting 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 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 consequently no surprises for
the customer. She may look it 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 70
separate account, and to insist that MEM
bers of my own family shall always take
the book with them when sent upon er-
| rands. The grocer must refuse to take any
order, even from myself. unless the little
book be first produced. 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 ac-
| count book to make sure that nothing has
been omitted. If a grocer would not ac-
cede to this simple and accurate arrange.
ment, would refuse him my trade. But I
| have never found one who did not gladly
adopt the plan and wish it 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 re-
garding as among those who shirk respon-
sibilites and therefore upon whom advice
is wasted.-Harper's Bazaar.