Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-01-04
The PASS BOOK.
| One Housekeeper's Testimony in Favor
| of This Way of Buying.

<AAAohS CAC COuASClS R1tcn W LAOSC
much-advised persons, housekeepers,
is this one waited on wings Of wisdom
and experience. "Pay cash, and shun
the pass-book, or any other form of
credit system" Thus only, it is said,
can strict economy and living within
ones income be learned. If one has
only fifty cents in her purse, let the
dinner cost forty-nine rather than fif-
ty-one cents. The consciousness of
having lived within ones means will
in the long-run far outweigh the de-
light even of good dinners. The pass
book, it is claimed, is a beguiler into
extravaganza and luxurious living, a
breeder of discussions between trader
and his customer, and when viewed in
its total at the months end, a cause of
grief and establishment to her who
must pay the bill.
Having faithfully tried both ways of
buying, l am prepared to defend the
pass-book, and to urge its general adop-
ton in place of daily payments. 1t is
easier, takes less time, and need not
involve temptation to extravaganza.
In these days when housekeeping is a
science, intelligent and conscientious
women are not tempted to extrava-
gance.
Many good and wholesome dishes are
inexpensive, and if occasional indul-
gence 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 happy
medium when averaged with pair of
fowls or a roast.
By the use of a pass-book the vexing
necessity of making change is avoided.
The grocer knits his brows when a
five-dollar bill is given to pay for a
yeast cake and few other trifies; rum
images in the 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 re-
views the column before making pay
ment. It would incommode fewer peo-
pie if this account were looked over
in the leisure and privacy of her own
house. 1 have stood wearily in a
butchers shop, seats not being pro-
vided, twenty-five 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 pass-book,
rs / did mine.
When the pass-bool1 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 Gus
toner. 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 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 to take any order, even from
myself. unless the little book be first
produced. 1t is the day-book 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 de-
livered, the book lies on the top of the
basket, and the cook is required to COM
pare parcels with account in book, to
make sure that nothing has been omit
ted. If grocer would not accede to
this simple and accurate arrangement,
1 would refuse him my trade. But /
have never found one who did not
gladly adopt the plan, andowish it uni
versal. Women who give their orders
at the door, and think no more about
their marketing, can not, of course, use
the pass-book. They must accept the
grocer's statement, be it right or
wrong. But such I can not help re-
garding as among those who shirk re-
sponsibilities, and therefore upon whom
advice is wasted. Bazaar.
MRS. SPROUTS DISCIPLINE.
How She Induced Her Husband to Do q
Much-Needed job.
Sailors are said to be more supersti-
tious than other men, and it is certain
that in their journeyings round the
world they gather many strange fam
cies. Ambrose Sproul, known in his
native village as ''Cap'n Am" was no
exception to the rule. His head was