Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1909-04-28
/. r. MY dear, dc you care more about
people, than you do about Burton?"
GButG the 6Work2n ss

l t.----tliy oSSsA ~ - Ss~A ~ ~
people, than you do about Burton?"
aBut the work2"
"Do you care more about work,
than you do about. Burton? My dar-
I ling, listen to a few words of wisdom
from your wise old father. Burton
didn't marry you because ne wanted
a housekeeper; he married you be-
cause he wanted companion, a COM
rade. Doubtless he'd. get some one
to do the work fhe could"
"He's always wanted to get girl
for me, but it seems an extravagance
when his salary's so low and I am
| perfectly able to do the work"
@But you make him pay Just the
same and something worth infinitely
more to him than money. Is it
fair?"
"Do you think we ought to have
girl?"
| "Not necessarily. Have you ever
studied the question Of wise neg
lect?'
But, father, just think what
everyone would say, If"
"Do you really love your husband?
Or is pride more TO you than love?
| Let me whisper secret in your ear.
What people say should never come
between two people who love each
other. Sacrifice your pride-just a
little Of ito your husbands happi-
| ness"
Genevieve was silent. And after
!! a moment her father went on, very
gravely this time.
"My dear, I have see many mar
riages spoiled by this fetish of house
work. A man always prefers his
wife's company to a spotless house.
Just think about that seriously, dear
child"
Genevieve did think about it. His
words sank deep into her heart, until
finally she decided to- act upon them.
She could not make great change
at once, but little by little she learned
to eliminate the unnecessary thing.
A simpler breakfast, she found, en-
abled her to appear at the table with
an unfushed face and an unrufied
temper-and Burton never seemed
to miss his more elaborate meals,
though he frightened perceptibly un-
der her more gracious manner.
She put away useless bric-a-brac, SO
there was less busting to do. She
gave up her plan of always having
cake and cookies on hand, and fre-
quentiy substituted simpler deserts
for the customary. pies and intricate
puddings. She did less sewing; wore
simpler clothes. and had less ironing;
used the sweeper instead of the
broom occasionally; let the windows
go unwashed for more than a week
sometimes-and was amazed to find
how we'll the home looked in spite of
her neglect.
She found herself sitting down at
the piano now and then, and taking
up the old song. She even ventured
to sing for Burton one Sunday after
noon and was almost shocked at the
magnitude of the pleasure he evinced.
She stayed awake evenings, and once
suggested IL call upon a nearby friend
that almost resulted in expression of
gratitude from her bewildered hus-
band.
AS, little by little, the old COM
panionship was resumed, Genevieve
awoke to the enormity of the wrong
she had done both her husband and
herself. This was life; this was
growth. Now they were really be-
coming one, as they had once
dreamed of in their courtship days. :
Compared with this what was
housework but false god that wom-
en- raised and worshiped, ofttimes to
the famlshment of their own souls
and the destruction of the peace and
happiness of their loved ones. God
forbid that she should ever again
endanger the stability of their home
by any such worship Of idols. The
true ideal is home-making, not house
keeping, Geneyieve had learned, and
the motto to be kept ever in mind.
aWise neglect. Good Health.