The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-09
Summer Recreation.

Il is time to discuss the question of go
ing out of town for the summer. and many
people Of moderate means are groaning
ever the fact that they cannot afford to
stay three or four months at the seaside
or. In the mountains, OF, II they manage
to compass their o,:ting. will be obliged TO
put up with che.p accommodations. To
such people it is well to offer some con-
selling reflections and word or two of
advice. Washington Is hot during the
summer months, but so are most other
places: and if one must be roasted alive
perhaps it is as well to be roasted mex
pensively- There are few more disheart-
ening things than to pay high price for
board at some fashionable hotel and then
find that it is not worth the money. As a
matter Of fact, unless health demands a
change, Washington Is not at all bad
summer resort under proper conditions.
II the housewife will make up her mind
to make the family comfortable and take
life easy herself she may find that her
own house is far preferable to any hotel
and less costly as a permanent habitation.
But it is an incontrovertible fact that it
costs about as much 10 be comfortable in
summer as in winter. There is no coal
bill, hut the ice man and the laundress
reap their harvest. Summer amusements
are cheaper than those of winter, and
fruit aid ices are somewhat expensive
when the family is large.
Nevertheless. adroit and sensible econ
cmy will do much. Some women think
that when they have to save money they
must begin by economizing car fare. but
ter, and gas-expenses which, IL put down,
remind the economizer daily of his pow
erty. They dismiss their servants and do
all the work themselves without trying
to cut down the amount Of labor to be ac-
eomplished. The wise housekeeper will
30 arrange her summer establishment
that IL will be as little trouble as possible
TO keep il clean. II necessary, she will
simplify the bill of fare and hire an extra
scrubwoman. She will see that there are
plenty OF ice, fruit. cool drinks. and air in
the house. and that everybody has clean
clothes whenever they are needed. She
will take the railroad fare which would
give the family month at the seaside
and give them, instead, series of pic
mics In suburban resorts and quiet country
places within an hours ride of the city.
There is absolutely no reason why the
children in any moderately well-to-do
family should not take frequent excursions
into the country, where they can breathe
fresh air, run about at their pleasure
make friends with nature. and get as SUM-
burnt as they would at the mountains.
And it only costs five or ten cents per
traveller to ride out to the end Of the car
line and camp under a tree. with books
or sewing, and a luncheon basket, while
the youngsters explore the surrounding
landscape.
Most people who have only a small in
come are obliged to give up entertaining
during the summer months, because they
have net room enough TO make large party
comfortable nor is it pleasant to prepare an
turns the whole house into Turkish
bath. But much informal hospitality can
go on in the way Of late suppers. veranda
parties. and small theatre parties, and 1t
does not cost as much as the more ella
borate Writer entertainments. There are
a dozen contrivances for keeping comfor-
table in hot weather which are less costly
than journey to a fashionable summer
resort an electric fan is one and large
80 chest, big enough to hold all the Ice