The Washington herald., 1907-12-15
FROM WOMANS
POINT OF VIEW

What is a grill 10 do when she detests
housework and her father insists upon
her working at home instead of making
her way in the business world? That was
the question asked Of me recently. and
the answer was not satisfactory. I could
not see why any capable person. with no
particular talent should prefer an outside
lie when there was a home with all il
means OF independence to take up her
attention, and l said so.
II would be a good thing for humanity
in general If matters could be shifted a
bit 90 allow home-loving women who
have to earn a living 70 exchange places
with those who see happiness in going
each day TO a round Of duties that recog-
nize neither the call Of sickness nor the
discomfort OF weather. A young woman,
deadly tired of fitting heavy coats to all
kinds of figures expressed her desire to
take the place of a tickle housemaid. just
for the comfort Of a shelter in stormy
weather and good home cooking, and 1
have heard breadwinners without number
sigh for a home life with all its draw
backs.
Perhaps women never know when they
are well of. At all events, some who
are earning an ample allowance by TAX
ing care Of a father and brothers in fine
homes are thoroughly dissatisfied with
the life they lead. I imagine the fault
Hes partly, with the lack Of training
from childhood. Usually those who be-
gin the cultivation OF dOmesticity In
childhood end by having a real fondness
for hOusework. But it is the fashion to
despse il, so We all proceed 10 follow
the fashion, at least, most of us are fash
iolable in that manner
Doctors say that the maintenance OF a
home is the best possible form OF exer-
cise, and that the steadily growing idea
Of specializing has bad effect upon
health. One Of the profession prescribed
general homework for n cook and also
for a stenographer who had broken down
under close application to business in an
unhealthy atfnosphere Both followed his
advice with happy results. although the
former declared that she never knew
what real hard work was till she ac-
cepted her new position.
There is host Of women who do the
work OF their own hcmes through choice
women who have reduced hOusework to
n science, are supplied with all modern
appliances. and can ind nobody 10 do the
work TO their satisfaction. They refuse
to call il drudgery. and regard them
selves as very fortunate women to es-
cape the thraldOm of modern dOmestics.
When they need assistance they hire il
by the hour, and that time is when they
have company or are III.
The up-to-date apartment is easy to
care for. There is a janltor TO remove
the ashes taken from the kitchen stove
and bring whatever fuel is needed. Some
times there is a gas range. exceedingly
convenient but hardly as economical as
coal range. Heat is supplied and win
dows are washed and rugs beaten and
swept by the janitOr as a side issue. The
money paid for such services is well in
vested.
As I have said before, dish-washing
need be done but once a day. II dishes
are cleaned with the pliable blade Of a
F'''01'o h'i4AN' 'AlcS N9i 'e put away IN
neat piles and washed as one task. There
are dish-washers which save the hands
and require no towels in drying, the
dishes being rinsed and left to dry One
of my maids told me that the castles OF
Ireland, the part from which she hailed
were supplied with ideal kitchens,
equipped with racks where dishes were
left 10 dry. The china and glass were Of
the finest kind. there was a large guam
uty in both, and this process kept the
pieces bright Why do we stiIl cling to
the dish tOwel2 BETTY BRADEEN.