Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-28
WTFE'S DULL ROUND
OF HOUSEHOLD DUTY
AGE-0LD 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 a past
decade is not yet Overwhelmingly!
In many modern wife is seen the meek
self-immolation at her husbands shrine
so typical of Jane Austin heroine.
In these enlightened days. wife
should surely have little leisure for the
higher things, breathing space to pause
amid soul-kiling 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 the hardest, busiest
day! You lucky girl, in this quiet haven
all day long, envy you! l hope to good
ness dinners ready?'
"I know John thinks I've passed
glorious afternoon, lying on the sofa with
the latest novel and 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 CRAvED.
Another wife now spoke. I'm 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. l must be an excellent cook to
please my husbands epicurean taste; a
good dressmaker to make my children's
clothes and mine; a thoroughly qualified
governcss to help my children with their
lessons; clear-headed business woman,
with the acumen of 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 put to bed,
l must be bright and witty, smartly
dressed, must talk about mems things.
mems interests. I'd do 1t all willingly
If I only had a word of appreciation from
my husband now and then. But he can
not understand why I should feel tired"
Each wife should have a certain time
a 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.
very pretty married woman has just de-
cided on a mild revolt. For 20 years. she
has been 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
"three-meal problem and her too seden-
tary life She must have more fresh air
and more amuseme mt. The cure has work
ed so we'll that now she has decided to
make the new state of things perma-
nency.
81 intend to make some time for anuse-
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 I
shall attend matinees 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 1t, but I 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. I do believe
that he will appreciate me more, too. I
worked so hard, and yet he never seemed
TO see that I did a thing! So now I've
thought things out, made out a little
pleasant scheme to look forward to every
day and intend to carry 1t out. I think
there are such things as too unselfish
wives, don't you?"
(The Editor of the Woman's Page will
be glad to publish letters dealing with the
u