The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1903-12-23
ovER-cAREFUL HOUSEKEEPING
Too strict Regime Prevents Thor
ough Enjoyment OF Home
Associations.


When a child Of u years visited at
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 a writer in the
Housewife. My remembrance of that
visit always brings chill, and / turn
my thoughts as quickly as possible into
another channel, even though / am now
middle-aged II chair in any room
was left awry 1t was Immediately set
straight: If window shade was raised
or lowered above or below the regula-
tion line, 1t was at once put in place. If
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
charGctcr-where no dirt accumulates-
no freedom in the use even of chairs is
encouraged because disorder ensues;
no flies iinger pleasantly buzzing in the
sunshine, for no sunshine is welcomed
or tolerated for reasons we'll known,
and the house fly soon learns wisdom and
departs for parts less despotic; no chill
dren are welcome, except accompanied
by watchful mammas or faithful attend
ants, who will neryously 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 viii kind
ly allow them all reasonable privilege,
and who will enjoy the spontaneous
outburst of childhood innocence; no
freedom is tolerated that encroaches up
on the set regulations of "the good
housekeepsE
Now, would like to inquire if 1t is not
better to live in a comfortable manner.
making all around feel at home, even if
disorder and a certain amount of dirt,
actual dirt. is sometimes apparent? Isit
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? Isit good housekeep-
ing" to make your home model Of neat
ness, exactness and regularity at the ex-
pense Of personal enjoyment and com
fort? Is not the so-called good house
keepers many times 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
1t not better to take medium ground and
strive to be a caretalzer without letting
our right hand know what our left hand
doeth?
Isitnot more polite and safer TO ignore
the carelessness and lack of thoughtful
ness on the part Of our guests than to
painfully remind them by our haste to
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 injudiciousIy mag" them we
shall fail in cur object. and possibly es-
TRANCE them from the home life
Oh, mistaken wife and mother. such
habit in your busy life would be grand
investment and return you hundred
fold Many a husband and father has
wandered into some gilde6 saloon just
to while away few moments, until the
habit has grown upon him. and his home
has lost its charm-he seeks II only as
duty and a 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 walt-so can the broom and
duster-but your husbands affection
and devotion viii surely wane and with
er II 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"
V.rr4oa rrt~r.