The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-01-17
A Plea for the PassbOOk.

Among the counsels given TO those much
advised persons, housekeepers, is this one,
waited on the wings of wisdom and expe-
fence, PAY cash and shun the passbook
Dr. any other form of credit system" Thus
bnly, it is said, can strict economy and living
within ones income be learned. If one has
bnly so cents in her purse let the dinner
cost 40 cents rather than 81 cents. The
Consciousness of having lived within ones
heaAs will in the long run far outweigh
the delight even of good dinners. The pass
book, it is claimed, is beguiler into eX-
travagance and luxurious living breeder
bf dissensons between the trader and his
customer, and when viewed in its total at
lhe months end II 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 the passbook
Ind to urge its general adoption Ia place of
Tally payments 1t is easier, takes less
time and need not involve temptation to
Extravaganza In these days when house
keeping is IA science, intelligent and consci-
.ntious women are not tempted to eXtrava-
gance.
Many good and wholesome dishes are in
expensive, and if occasional indulgence in
tostly food be permitted the weekly &C
count can he evened up by greater economy.
Formed beef or an Irish stew, like 1.-The lit
lie girl with the little curl" when they are
food, are very good, and they make a hap
by medium when averaged with pair of
fowls or roast.
BY the use of passbook the vexng ne
ressity of making change is avoided. The
grocer knits his brows when Il 50 bill is
given to pay for yeast cake and "A few 9th
! er trhes, rummages in his cash drawer
and sends his boy to half dozen places to
find change. If the order is a large one,
/ other customers must wait while the grocer
foots the bill and the lady reviews the col
! hmm before making payment 1t would in
! rommode fewer people if this account were
| looked over in the leisure and privacy of
her own house | have stood YEARLY in a
butchers shop, seats not being provided, %
minutes by the clock, waiting my turn,
while others selected their meats, looked
pver and talked over their accounts and
paid Fully half this time would have been
saved had every lady carried her passbook,
rs 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 no
separate account, and to insist that mem
bers of my own family shall always take
the book with them when sent upon err
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 &C
count book to make sure that nothing has
been omitted. If "A grocer would not &C
cede to this simple and accurate arrange
ment, would refuse him my trade. But
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 grocers statement, be it
right or wrong. But such cannot help re-
garding AS among those who shrk respon-
6ibilitus and therefore upon whom advice
and counsel is wasted. -Hdlper'S BGzdr.