Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1903-12-30
ovER-cAREFUL HOUSEKEEPING
Too Strict Regime Prevents a Thor
OuEh Enjoyment Of Home
Associations.

w uSu CHlIQ u IL years i visited Al
the house of lady who prided herself
upon her Housekeeping, and whose
neighbors justly gave her credit for
great degree Of proficiency in that de-
partment of life, says writer in the
Housewife. My remembrance of that
visit always brings chill, and l turn
my thoughts as quickly as possible into
another channel, even though am now
middle-aged. If chair in any room
was left awry it was Immediately set
straight; if window shade was raised
or lowered above or below the regula-
ton line, it was at once put in place. II
by any carelessness dirt or litter, how
ever small in quantity, or harmless in its
nature, was to be seen anywhere within
The limits of that household, the broom,
always at hand. was brought into use.
to the shame of the individual guilty of
such carelessness
The husband was, unfortunately. not
In sympathy with the strict regime in
vogue, SO he had his full share OF
trouble, for in my presence he bore scold-
Ing and snubbing so patiently that my
child heart pitied him. and remember
that more than once, in my simplicity
tried to be kind to him, to atone for
this lack of appreciation and privilege in
his own household. Since that time
have known of other households of like
char6cter-where no dirt accumulates-
no freedom in the use even of chairs il
encouraged, because disorder ensues;
no flies linger pleasantly buzzing in the
sunshine, for no sunshine is welcomed
or tolerated for reasons well known
and the house fly soon learns wisdom an6
departs for parts less despOtic; no chill
dren are welcome, except accompanied
by watchful mammas or faithful attend.
ants, who will nervously restrain every
attempt at investigation or familiarity
with people or objects on the part OF
these little folks, who soon wish to leave
such an atmosphere and enter that OF
some loving housekeeper, who will kind.
ly allow them all reasonable privilege
and who will enjoy the spontaneous
outburst Of childhood innocence; nc
freedom is tolerated that encroaches up
on the set regulations of 1.-The good
housekeeper."
Now, would like to inquire if 1t is not
better to live in comfortable manner,
making all around feel at home, even il
disorder and certain amount of dirt,
actual dirt, is sometimes apparent? Is it
not better to relax the hold than to keep
in the grip the entire family, and all
guests who are so hardy as to venture
within the lines? Is it good housekeep-
ing" to make your home model of neat.
ness, exactness and regularity at the ex-
Qense of personal enjoyment and com.
-Ort? Is not the SO-called good house
keepers" many tires misnamed? Not
that We advocate untidiness, disorder
and Indifference concerning the details
Of home life, upon which so largely de.
pend our comfort and happiness; but is
it not better to take medium ground and
strive to he caretaker without letting
our right hand know what our left hand
1oeth?
Is it not more polite and safer to ignore
the carelessness and lack of thoughtful.
ness on the part of our guests than tt
painfully remind them by our haste tc
make amends or restore order in their
presence? 1t is wise to train our chill
dren to ways Of order and care-taking
but if we injudiciously mag" them we
shall fail in our object, and possibly es-
TRANCE them from the home life.
Oh, mistaken wife and mother, sucl
| a habit in your busy life would be grant
investment and return you hundred
fold. Many a husband and father has
wandered into some gilded saloon just
to while away few moments, until the
habit has grown upon him, and his home
has lost its charm-he seeks it only as a
| duty and resting place. Young wives
and housekeepers, even those who have
| no domestic help, we counsel you to give
your husbands all of your society that
| their business relations allow The
dishes can wait-So can the broom and
duster-but your husbands affection
and devotion will surely wane and with
er if you do not foster and cherish as a
tender plant. Without love and con-
tentment. of what avail are the COM
mendable qualities of good housekeep-
ing? With love and contentment they
are all important factors. Let us then,
one and all. old and young. strive to
avoid the breakers of "over-careful
housekeeping"
Poisonous Plants.
Much to be desired is a method OF
s,;~