New-York tribune., 1911-03-19
HOMES SEAM Y SIDE
Three WOmen Fail IN 1itcmpt
to Eliminate II.

Every household, however small de-
clared the girl who is trying to write,
'ousht to be blessed with a truly domestic
member. This winter | have rs hatmatcs
two Cf the most charming women | know
Agatha busies herself with grand opera
and bridge whist. while Elizabeth goes In
for settlements and suffrage. We met
last winter In a boarding-ho and. prov
ing congenIal, decided 10 take a regular
housekeeping apartment together this year.
preparing our own breakfasts and getting
our other meals either in the excellent
restaurant on the first floor OF our house
or wherever else We happened TO be We
decided not to keep a maid. as our hours
were so irregular. and with a woman IN
two days a week to do the laundry and
heavy cleaning we ought not TO mind do
ing the rest ourselves
But We do mind. When we embarked
upon our cooperative scheme We decided
that an exact apporiionment Of work would
no, be possible but that We should all
work for the common good. I think | may
truthfully say that We are all fairly COM
petent and no one is a shlrk. Therefore
II Agatha and Elizabeth have been up late
the night before without "A word | proceed
10 get the breakfast ready for them when
they eventually drag their sleepy selves.
kimono clad to the table. Af,erward
be.ake myself with the new paper 10 the
living room, leaving the others To wash
the dishes and clear up the dining table
Then. after each one has tidied her own
room. we are ready for the days work or
pleasure.
81 can fancy my crandmothcr's contempt
for our regarding any such housekeeping
arrangement, as being any real work at all
Nevertheless. there are things 10 he done
Some ono must attend 10 the ordering of
eggs butter, bacon. bread. some one must
shrek down the dumbwaiter each morn
ing saving y hether do or do not want
ice: some one must be on hand each
night TO preside over the emptying Of the
garbage pail: some one must have change
ready for the milk company's collector on
his weekly round; some one must accom-
panv tie man from the gas company when
he comes 10 read the meter. some one must
superintcnd the work Of the laundress. the
polishIng Of hardwood floors and the shak-
Ing Of the rugs. some one must sort over
the freshly ironed clothes; some one must
do the mendng Now. every one Of these
duties is trining I'm itself. but combined
they take a good deal OF time. and no ser
want we could possibly hire could or would
DO them all To run even the simplest
household requires not only hands but
brains.
"rhe old saving What Is everybodys
business is nobcdys business was never
more typically exemplihed than In our
household You gee. no cne Of us wishes
10 make II her business 10 run the home
smoothly, so that her equally competent
natmates may deludc themselves that the
place runs itself. Agatha would rather de-
vote her energy TO her outside Interests,
Elizabeth to hers and TO mine. ! fecl. IN
my heart of hearts. that IT Is a waste Of
good material for me In my present situa-
ton TO focus my attention upon the iou-
tine Of housekeeping when | might he
achieving the sort OF success In literary
work which would coun, In later years.
Married, any one of US would doubtless
feel II her duty to run the house,
keeping end Of the matrimonial partner,
ship and would do II well for we are all
ever. even then that she would like II. for
after interrogatirg staid women OF our
mothers generation-women who never
pursued the muses. or equally absorbing
causes reluctantly confess that the
average housewives idea Of paradise seems
10 he place where somebody else plans
the meals and washes the dishes
"If were man looking for wife ]
confess ] should be wary Of talented
woman. II would irk me To know she felt
she was wasllng her time busting the par
lor and cleaning the kitchen sink when
she might he painting "A picture or writing
housekeeper. Ny quest would doubtless he
vIsionayy. but ! am sure. from the depths
of my own sad experience. ] should look
for gill whose prevailing hobby was
icnl %