The Washington times., 1904-03-12
Observations of Peggy

When speaking with a friend Of mine
not long since, who was telling me how
much her time was taken up with social
engagements and the like. she re-
marked; "Oh. when / think how much
/ ! have to do next week il fairly makes
my head ache"
That is the common complaint nova
/ days. Women are weighed down with
I a multiplicity of duties, real or fancied
obligations under which they have
placed themselves. If not really duties
and the burden is greateF~than they can
bear.
! There certainly IS something wrong
with the times Time was when people
/ had some leisure, so that life was worth
/ living, but now one duty seems 10 tread
/ on the heels OF another, and there is
never womcntS respite for refresh
ment Of mind or body. How. truly can
/ the hymn;
"Oh, where shall rest be found.
/ Rest for the weary souI?"
Now what is the reason for all this
! fret and worry and work? Complex
/ living and the assumption Of greater
/ obligations than we have time or ener-
gy to fulfill.
We live beyond our means. therefore.
we worry over bills; we hlI our houses
/ with furniture and bric-a- brac hence il
/ takes much time and strength to keep
/ these things clean: and because our
/ neighbor satisfies his taste for Injuries.
we must needs have the same, or die in
! the attempt
Isn't the whole system wrong? Is It
not worse than foolish? DO you won
der. therefore, that a revolt has been
started, and that so many are exercised
/ today about this matter. longing for a
return TO the simple life?
! This means rest. the elimination from
/ our houses Of all that is unnecessary.
all the clutter that has TO be busted
! every day, entailing much energy that
might be expended 10 better advantage;
in fact, the elimination from our lives
o. all that is unnecessary and unhelp-
ful.
with what a sense Of relief the mind
reverts to a summer country cottage,
which contains simple furniture, taste
ncl, to be sure, but plain and readily
cleaned; and again, with what sense
OF oppressiveness one thinks of our
town houses. whose heavy carpets we
know harbour myriads of microbes, and
conceal much dust, whose draperies and
heavy furniture must be taken uown
and cleaned this spring. discommoding
/ everyone, most of all the house mis-
n ess; yet we must have all these things
because we haven't the courage to
adopt a simpler mode of life and fur
nlshing.
In a certain part of these United
States ] wot Of, the majority OF the peo-
pie recognize the fallacy OF cur mode OF
living. and live the simple life. Their
houses are neither very large nor very
high, but the rooms are airy and well
ventilated. Rugs cover the floors, and
II these are taken out Of doors each week
and cleaned; the furniture Is likewise
! wheeled out, beaten and busted; but
heaviness in furnishing is tsboOed and
only such pieces as are consistent with
good taste, comfort, and good sense are
used.
The greatest thing that could happen
many a house here would be IL some
KIND person would persuade the house
mistress 10 go about and set aside the
unnecessary and unbeautiful things. and
make Of them a good big bonfire in the
back yard How the headaches would
go up in smoke. and afterward the sun
would shine on a happy woman relieved
OF many OF her burdens.
PEGGY QUINCY.