Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-03-30
C II A I

some Of the letters remind me of the
story OF the two men who met where
statue had been erected The figure
bore a shield that was gold on one side
and silver on the other. They both ad-
nired the statue very much and COM
mented on the fine workmanship The
silver OF this shield must have cost
nood round sum" said one. Silver" ex-
claimed the other. why man. IL Is pure
gold where are your eyesT They ar
wued and finally came 70 blows As they
we're fighting. along came another man
ana separated them. When he heard the
cause OF the fight he said: BE sure TO
look on both sides Of every question The
shiaid has a silver and q gold side,
Many times when the writer's are dis
cussing the questions before the house. 1
um reminded OF the two sides OF the
shield. Because we have not experienced
certain things is no reason for us to de-
NJ their existence or say that any thing
can't be done.
I asked a little lady. who has not been
n Atlanta long for her opinion on keep
fng clean She says that the men IN
her section OF the country wear Jumpers
and when they come TO the house they
are left at the well saw the big aprons
that she used and continues TO use. she
SAYS that there IS not as much dirt 10
Hzht IN the country as in town. That
her husband could keep cleaner there
than he can here, but il can be done
here
APRONS and overaIls may cost little
more at the beginning. but they save the
clothes: they can be made out OF old
fhings. though OF course the made-over
sort do not last as long.
can see where one woman would have
her hands full in doing everything, even
the washing. But with system and the
help OF the children things can be light
aned. I know two women who washed,
ironed. MIXED. cooked and took care or
I'VE children and three men, put 1t just
that way-they took care Of the men, Tor
the men were in the field from early
morning until evening These two women
we're not strong. but they kept things in
order. meals on time, clean children and
were clean themselves. Two or three big
aprons and dresses that clear the floor
will do IL.
The three men stopped at the well. and
Rrt in order too. I don't say that they
we're spotless. but they were clean, and
he table cloth was not sOiled either
have a friend in this town who does
her own work. even the washing, and
never went there after four in the
afternoon in my life that she was not in
fresh dress and at the machine or on
the piazza with her sewing. There arr
not sweeter children any where. and her
home Is IDEAL She gathers her vege-
tables, cooks and washes in big aprons.
with her skirts tucked up and her
hair carefully arranged She has no
helm except what her children, the oldest
IS nine. give her before school.
The whole world is not cut by the same
pattern, and it's a blessed thing that IL
II not but system and knowing where
the limit Is can accomplish a great deal.
I had IN en
my dresses I would do my best to keep
them clean. We who have to pay so
much for each piece we put in our wash
certainly learn to be careful with our
clothes.
am glad that the readers and members
OF this department feel free to discuss
the subjects. Only by hearing or seeing
both sides can we learn, and often in
reading OF the actual experience OF 9TH
ers Is the only way we have Of compar-
ing our methods.
know a woman who fairly snOrts when
any one suggests a change in her ways.
she says there never was a better house
keeper in seven counties than her mother
and she Is too loyal to change. Just the
Same. I notice that she uses a stove
where her mother cooked on the fire.
place.
In conclusion am going to give you
q quotation from Marion Harland. one
q the most famous writers in the coun-
try. And the beauty Of IL is. she has
lived al that she writes. 1t is not theory,
but actual practice:
DON'T APOLOGIZEi
Excuses and fiurries accentuate blom-
ishes and do not engender charitable
1udgment. On the contrary. the stranger
Is led 10 the conviction that you are care
less OF Johns everyday comfort. Stand
fast by the rule which every bride should
make at the outset OF housewifely life,
namely, that what IS good enough for
her husband is good enough for any 9TH
er man The clean and smooth tableclOth
should be a matter Of principle, shining
silver and unnicxed china, bright glass
and clean napkins are the honest due OF
the man whose labor supplies the means
10 keep the house going Study for him
little niceties OF table appointments and
daintiness Of personal appearance
AN RONORED GUEST
Il have been married forty years I
heard a white-haired lover-husband say.
In all. that time 1 have never seen my
wife sit down to a meal In a slovenly
dress or with unkempt hair And have
never been ashamed to set an accidental
visitor at the table she had spread for
ne and the children Such things make
= man respect a woman. you viii say7
Yea. and they keep up the average of his
self-respect The boys and must live up
90 what she believes US 10 be. Since she
prepares for US as for hOnored guests,
she must not be disappointed IN us
He was not a sentimental man IN the
usual acceptation OF the word. He was
sensible and apDreciative Of the POSI-
lion OF his wife assigned him in his own
house"
This was written i'm connection with the
unexpected guest but IL fits all Of US. Not
that we must wear our Sunday clothes
hut that we must be in a proper garb Ia
meet the guest and to greet the guide
man" Faithfully yours.
LIZZIE o. THOMAS