Perth Amboy evening news., 1903-12-10
ovER-CAREFUL HOUSEKEEPING
Too strict Regime Prevents n Thor
Ough Enjoyment of Home
Associations.

q Nhliu u IL JSdiS L NlollCN a.
the house of a lady who prided herself
upon her housekeeping, and whose
nelghbors justly gave her credit for a
great degree Of proficiency in that de-
partment of life, says a writer in the
Housewife. My remembrance of that
visit always brings a chill, and | turn
my thoughts as quickly as possible into
another channel, even though | am now
m~iddle-aged. If a chair in any room
was left awry it was Immediately set
straight; if a window shade was raised
or lowered above or below the regula-
ton line, it 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 scoid-
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 WI household. Since that time |
have known of other households of like
character-where no dirt accumulates-
no freedom in the use even of chairs is
encouraged. because disorder ensues;
no flies linger 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 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; no
freedom is tolerated that ~encroaches up
on the set regulations of "the good
h~ousekeeper."
Now, | would like to inquire if it Is not
better to live in a comfortable manner,
making all around feel at home, ven if
disorder and a certain amount of dirt,
actual dirt. is sometimes apparent? Is 1t
not better 10 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 1t good housekeep-
ling" to make your home a model of neat
ness, exactness and regularity at the ex-
peDse 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
it not better to take medium ground and
strive to be a caretaker without letting
our right hand know what u left hand
ioeth?
Is it not more polite and safer to ignore
the carelessness and lack of thoughtful
less 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 injudiciously nag" them we
shall fail in object. and possibly es-
ltrange them from the home life.
Oh, mistaken wife and mother, such
a habit in your busy life would be a grand
investment and return you a hundred
Hold. Many a husband and father has
Wandered into some gilded saloon just
to while away a few moments, until the
habit has grown upon him, and his home
has lost it's charm-he seeks 1t only as a
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 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
Itentment, of what avail are the CON-
mendable qualities of good housekeep-
ling? 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
| ,ouco1yoopippp