The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1904-12-20
ovER-cAREFUL HOUSEKEEPING
Too strict Regime Prevents a Thor
ough Enjoyment of Homs
Associations,

Associations,
When a child Of II years I 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. Ny 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 a chair In any room
was left awry Il was Immediately set
straight; il window shade was raised
or lowered above or below the regula-
ton line, It was at once put in place III
by any carelessness dirt or litter, how
ever Sail in quantity. or harmless in its
nature, was to - Zen 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, rot
in sympathy with the strict regime in
vogue. SO he had his full snare OF
trouble, for In m presence he bore scold-
Ing and snubbing so patiently that -
child heart pitie6 lin. 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 Ike
charGcter-where no dirt accumuIates--
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 well known.
and the house fly soon learns Y 'sdom and
departs for parts less despotic: no G :
dren are welcome. except accompanies
by watchful mammas or faithful attend
ants. who will nervously restrain every
attempt at inyestig ion or Familiarity
with people or objects on thu art OF
these little folks. soon wish to leave
such an atmosphere and enter that OF
some loving housekeeper. who VIII kid
ly allow them all reasonable prsv',-@e.
and who will enjoy the spontsNs--s
outburst C childhood innocence; no
freedom is tolerated that eneroaches up
on the set regulations OF the good
| house-eeper"
Nov, would like to inquire IL Il is not
bet, to live in a comfortable manner.
making all around feel at home, even il
| 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
! CT H.
/ within the lines7 Is good housekeep-
ing to make your home a model of neat
ness. exactness and regularity at the ex-
pense Of personal enjoyment and COM
fort? Is not the so-caIled good house
keepers many tines misnamed2 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 earetaker without letting
our right hand know what our left hand
doeth?
Isit not 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 injudiciously mag" them we
shall fail in our object. and possibly es-
TRANCE them from the home life
Oh. mistaken wife and mother. such
a habit in your busy life would be grand
investment and return you a hundred
fold. Many a husband and.father has
wandered into some gildeG saloon just
to while away a few moments. until the
habit has grown upon him, and his home
has lost its charm-he seeks il only as a
duty and a resting place Young wives
and houseke epers, 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 ard con-
; tentment. Of what avail are the COM
; mendable qualities of good hou.Gz eep-
ing7 With love and eontentment they
are all important factors. Let US ,nen,
one and all. old and young. strive to
avoid the breakers OF "oyer-earefuI
, Housekeeping"