The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-01
THE ADVICE FOLLOWED,
bur SHE CONCLUDED THERE MUs1
DE SOME xIsrAKE.
Twenty-Four Hours Proved 10 BE Too
Short a Time for the Duties
OF u Day.

A woman entered the editorial room OF
The Intimate Friend. She had an intelli-
gent face end was apparently a well-to-
do housewife. She loked healthy. but Just
now she seemed TO be suffering from some
unusual exhaustion. as IL she had rec ,atIy
passed through an especially trying ex-
perience. Her eyes were sunken and had
a look OF fever In them. They showed the
need Of sleep.
She walked ul steadily 10 the desk IN
the corner Of The room. Az that dcsk s.i
the lady who conducted the Cosy Council
Corner the domestic department OF the
periodical.
Il nave recently begun taking the In
Innate Friend" said the visitor faulty.
1t was an effort for her 10 speak.
The editor smiled at this evidence Of a
sane spirit. She pulled a chair around
and the visitor sat down with a weary
sigh.
i take the paper for the sake OF your
department. the subscriber continued.
n nave called TO speak to you about
a mistake that | think has been made"
Il cannot comprehend how any mistake
could possibly be made In this depart-
~'Nf ~ NAANOi lfUllt0. lfRr f1HN. nAT
voice m her manner had all become very
severe. What do YOU refer tor"
the wrong edition has been sent to
me-the edition printed for some other
section. | know you nave an enormous
circulation, and such u mistake might
easily be made"
The editor smiled again, and was molli-
fed.
Yes" she said. "our circulation az
tends to all parts Of the civilized world.
But we have no special editions for diffar-
ent localities. Every copy is like eve.y
other copy"
1t Is very strange. I am sure there Is
a mistake somewhere. and II has given ma
a great deal Of trouble. I'll tell YOU how
II IS. | do my own work, and have all
ways managed well enough. | was salts
fed. and so was my husband. and so were
the children. Wen, l read what you said
about Homework, ana I began 10 think
j hadn't been working It altogether tho
right way. i thought / ought to GO mora
according TO a fixed system. as YOU said,
"Ihat Is unquestionably the only right
way 70 work. Intelligent system Is oyerv-
thing; and with every detail OF each dav's
work explained as have explained n IN
.he cosy council Corner any capable
housewife ought to be able To order nor
HAIlfLl InlnHHT
THAT is what | thought. / like ~ IA
the best | can. SO | gave no nv Ola
ways and began on the intelligent system
you described. l set'out 20 do everything
you lald down for every days work. ax-
cept the hours music practice. I couldn',
do that, for / haven't anything 10 n,av
on, and couldn't play on il if had. I'm,
undertook everything else, Just as Won
said. l followed your instructions ahot,
cooking. n DISTINGUISHING. and sween-
Ing, and busting. and caring FOR the
lamps, and securing everything. and wax
ing everything, and decorating every.
thing. and improving my mind. and keep.
ing up my social duties. and Publishing
up all my accomplishments. and-and All
that. 1 studied French while | was brush
ing my hair, and | decorated a bureau
scarf while l was mending JohnrJ's
trousers. l can't tell you how | enjoyed
sitting down to read for half an houn
as you say every woman ought to do
every day"
'"Tbere is nothing more necessary than
that! 1t keeps the mind bright and ac-
tive"
Eyes, and II rests n body sol And that
ffteen-mlnute nap In the middle OF the
day, that you say every woman ought to
take"
"She must take! II is a necessity"
1T was ia my case. for # | hadn't had
hat / shouldn't have had any sleep at
all. / worked right along from sunrise
to sunrise. not taking time TO 90 10
bed
III you will kindly state your din.
Guilty" said the editor I'm a freezing tonei
this is my busy time"
II have stated 1t. This is tho third day
since / began OF the intelligent system.
I havn't had time for n wink Of sleep
except those fifteen-minute maps
The editor rang the bell for the office
boy TO show the visitor out.
And the first days work isn't done
yet. SO / thought you must be sending
me the wrong edition OF the Intimate
~Friend-the edition printed for some OF
those Arctic countries where the day
is six months long, and where the women
have a six-months night TO sleep and
rest up in after their days work!'-James
9. Purdy.