The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-22
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIE w

The person who Is careless IN business
matters is a shining mark for men and
women without a conscience. There must
be something about gullible people that
disClOses their weakness. for in no other
way can We account for the treatment
accorded some good-Paying persons.
AS an example, I can easily pick, from
a score or more Of cases. one family
whose members are so easy 10 please and
so fair-dealing that you would think they
would be favored on all occasions. The
salary on which they depend for a living
Is ample. and the pair-the family is
small-are generous in spending il. But
both are bad managers. 50 they rarely
get the full value Of their money.
When they forget to ask the price OF
piece Of work before il is done. they
pay about double the sum charged their
next-door ueighbor. perhaps. When they
ask q price beforehand Il is often so ex-
orbitant as 10 cause them some trouble
In hunting up workmen who are fair.
Sometimes a trife is tackled on 10 the
stipulated price with plausible excuse
which is accepted to avoid unpleasant
ness.
Both are afraid Of being called stingy,
too afraid for their own welfare They
are also averse 10 disagreements, so they
lose money and suffer in other ways, It
would be easy TO do business on strictly
business lines if they were inclined 20
II, but nothing short OF straitened circum-
stances. I imagine. will reform them
They have as intimate friends another
couple with practically the same income.
but with better business habits. aad this
couple not only lives better every day,
travels considerably, entertains very
much, and dresses well, but lays by
money each week
In these days Of expensive living fami-
lies have 10 look carefully after expendi-
lures or feel the pinch of privation. It is
no longer possible 10 rear and educate q
large family on ten dollars a week and
make everybody comfortable and happy.
The mother of two children told me, one
day, that she looked back upon her own
childhood with wonder, and considered
her mother a marvel because on the
wages OF a mason the family owned a
pretty home with a good garden. dressed
well, had plenty Of seasonable food, and
each child had the advantage Of a sem
mary education.
She has a larger income. but lacks her
mothers ability to stretch a dollar to its
utmost. She also mas the disadvantages
Of city life and high prices. The poor
wearing qualities Of present-day pro-
ducts is another drawback But she is
doing her utmost 10 make home the best
place on earth for her husband and chill
dren. TO clothe them properly and give
them all the education they desire. The
son viii go 20 college, and the daughter
will be fitted for whatever vocation she
chooses. and both will be expected 10 con-
tribute to the family purse when they
begin to earn money.
I fancy they viii do like two daughters
Of another family. Both are wage-earn-
ers and their mothers cleverness Is paid
for whenever It is exerted In their behalf.
The money they pay for board does not
cover mending or the making OF cloth
ing, or the numberless little services
which keep the girls neat and attractive
These are extras and the money paid for
them means little luxuries for the woman
who deserves them. This Is somewhat of
an Improvement on the method some sons
employ.
BETTY BRADEEN.