Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-28
WTFE'S DULL ROUND
OF HOUSEHOLD DUTY
AGE-OLD PROBLEM
Constantly She Graves Word
of Appreciation Which
Husband Denies Her.
Recreation a Positive Need

Much controversy and contention circle
around the old, eternal question, Are
wives considered by their husbands? From
the days when Adam delved and Eve first
spun, this problem. like the poor, is al
! ways with us. The irritating attitude OF
| the early Victorian matron of past
| decade is not yet dcad-unfortunately!
In many modern wife Is seen the meek
! sclf-immolation at her husbands shrine
SO typical OF a Jane Austin heroine.
In these enlightened days, a wife
should surely have n little leisure for the
higher things, a breathing space to pause
amid sou-kling routine of the pots and
pans.
The "three-meal problem seems to be
a moral one II hate the very sight of
food" cried a distracted, nervous little
wife, "the cooking and preparing of three
meals a day just haunts my dreams!
When John comes in at night, he sinks
into the nearest chair and says, Gee,
Mary, I've Just had tie hardest. busiest
day! You lucky girl in this quiet haven
all day long. | envy you! / hope to good
ness dinners readyf'
Il know John thinks I've passed a
glorious afternoon, lying on the sofa with
the latest novel and a box of candy.
It's no use telling him how hard I've
worked he only smiles. He cannot see
the hundred little trifles. big and small
that make my working day as hard as
his"
WORD OF APPRECIATION CRANED.
Another wife now spoke. In one
sense | do think that the hardest profess
sion on earth is that of wife" said she,
FOR that role includes Just every other
one. | must be an excellent cook to
please my husbands epicurean taste;
good dresSmaker to make my children's
clothes and mine; a thoroughly qualified
govcrncss to help my children with their
lessons; 4 clcar-hcaded business woman,
with the acumen of a trained account
ant, to keep my household books and
run things economically. And in the
evenings after dinners done, the last
dish washed, the last child nut to bed
I must be bright and witty. smartly
dressed, must talk about mems things.
mems interests. I'd do it all willingly
Il | only had a word of appreciation from
my husband now and then. But he can
not understand why should feel tired"
Each wife should have a certain time
day, apart from all her household
duties, for relaxation and for cultures
sake. Most religiously she should adhere
to this scheme.
WIFE TO HAVE PLAY TIME.
A very pretty married woman has just de-
cided on a mild revolt For 20 years, she
has heen the best of mothers and of wives
and the very hardest worker in her home
A little while ago, the doctor told her that
her nerves were overstrained through the
"thrce-rn meal problem" and her too seden-
tarY life. She must have more fresh air
and more amusement. The cure has work.
ed so we'll that now she has decided to
make the new state of things a perma-
| nenCy.
II intend TO make some time for amuse-
ment and culture every day now" said she
! in a determined tone, for three hours
| every afternoon I'm going to play. In
! summer it will be tennis and outdoor
! sports for me. and in the winter time
| shall attend matnees and concerts and
| lectures, and visit my friends, In all
! those years, I think the best part Of me
! was getting stale along with the eternal
round OF pots and pans My husband
never saw it, but did. I don't intend to
| neglect him now. of course, but l do in
| tend to give myself a better opportunity
| for culture and for growth. | do beieve
| that he will appreciate me more, too.
worked so hard, and vet he never seemed
! to SEQ that ! did thing So now I've
! thought things out, made out q little
! pleasant scheme to look forward to every
| day. and | intend to carry it out ! think
| there are such things as too unsolhsh
/ wives. don't you?"