Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-01-05
The Blessing of Housework.


be written on the problem of domestic
service, and though ways and means are
continually being devised to unite the
tangle. none as yet have proved general
ly effectual 1t is one that touches the
city and the suburban home. that pre-
SentS itself in the country as well as in
the town. 1t is called by various and
high-sounding titles, such as sociology,
household economies, the feudal system.
and the like. Inc women most con
cerned are dealing with it in many diff
ferent ways, and each hopes to reach II
solution which shall at least mitigate
the situation, if not for her personally
prove OF permanent value.
Someone of experience along these
lines has said that the only rescue is by
means of three rules, which viii finally
determine the matter: l. Simplify your
house keeping. 2, Send out all the
work son can. 3. Do the remainder
yourself Objections and protests run
rife at the suggestion. We ourselves
should be content to simplify matters
but there are so many outside conSidera-
tions, so many others to take into the
proposition. We are all striving. be our
income small or great. to live to it's full
est extent The $500 n wear salary
must cover $1,000 expenses. How many
times we divide that 800 10y fifty-two
and try to make it come out a little
more, EconomiZing is the hardest of
household problems. and yet we are all
ready to admit that it is manifest nom
sense to try to do all we are attempting
with the means on hand.
Elimination therefore should be the or
der of the day. Encourage the rest of
the household to be satisfied with a sim
pier standard of life than that which
custom has managed 10 fasten upon us
DO away with everything that can pos
sibly be discarded. from the twenty-Sey-
en- sofa cushions that would mean that
much less work in making and caring for
them. to the elaborate details of an eX-
tensive menu. Keep beauty and com
fort in the home at any cost but in
house furnishings, clothing. and food
there are many extras possible to cut out
and be all the healthier, happier, and
freer Let someone else do the work
if Won can, but the modern American
woman would be all the better for less
excitement. less amusement, and sim
pier and more wholesome work. Schools
of physical culture are devising all
forms Of exercise, physicians are rack
ing their brains for schemes whereby pa
TENTS can be induced to take the cXer-
else they need.-s0mething that shall
not be too hard yet VIII bring every
muscle into play, stimulate the circula-
ton and tone the whole system. coli.
basket ball. tennis, cycling. and calls
themes are splendid. but in the ordinary
routine of everyday duties in the house
hold may be found one Of the best most
healthful daily exercises. More thah
one woman has found remedy for
weak nerves, Indigestion. rhemausm,
and govt in the fact that because her
servants have failed her she has been
compelled to sweep. dust, cook, wash
dishes. make beds. and look after the
needs Of the family. And there are
others. wiser in their day and genera
tion. who have not been compelled TO do
il hut have .-"Ej il wisdom.
A correspondent writing 10 us f'N@.
II inst wonder sometimes why women
have not fornd what q JOY there was ln
housevork; have not realized what Ihe
exercise it is-when done properly. Two
lour~' vigorous work i'm the morning
IraypS the house in good order ana my
self in fine glow and an cXbileraijn2
mood Breathless? Hutt " ell what
Of it, No more 50 than Id be IN a
gymnasium class after good run 1
can battle my face, sit down. and rest
and read for Il wee bit. The whole trnu-
bic with us is that we do not do II with
enthusiasm with open windows. and m
systematic order. We clean one day
in the week, and give it lick and q
promise the rest Of the time. / hated
Homework when ] was first married. !
thought the eternal monotony of doing
the same thing day after day. week in
and week out would be the death Of
me. But wnen I got into the spirit Of
it. when l found / could do it with the
same vigor and enthusiasm with which l
could play tennis and golf, when / got
at it in scientific and philosophical
fashion, then / could say with all my
heart. Blessed be drudgery" And Of
course the man made Il lot Of difference
The Pilgrim.