A WISE FATHER by L. J.

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 5, 1880

A WISE FATHER.

By L. J.

IN one of the leading towns of central Iowa there resides a wealthy banker whose eldest daughter has but recently become engaged to be married. As would be expected from the position of her family this young lady has had the benefit of the best social and intellectual advantages at home, besides having been a student at Vassar for some time, and traveled considerable, from all of which she has attained quite an unusual degree of culture for a lady of only twenty years.

To an ordinary observer it would seem that her training had been all that could be desired; but her father thought otherwise. When he found that she had decided to take upon herself the duties of wifehood, he, knowing how greatly the happiness of families is affected by the housewifery qualities of the woman at the head, declared that the marriage should be delayed until she had made herself thoroughly familiar with the duties of a house-keeper.

To be thorough he knew required more than mere theoretical knowledge, so with wise thoughtfulness he was careful to provide the means whereby the practical worth of all instruction received could be fully tested; and to this end the mother was requested to retire into the background for a season while the daughter should assume the responsibilities of house-keeper. The mother consented, and the young lady undertook the duties of her novel position with a will to do her very best. Several months have now elapsed, yet her interest is never known to flag, although her position is no sinecure. The family is very large, and being exceedingly hospitable, the house is seldom without the presence of guests from abroad; but inspired by the ambition to acquit herself creditably in the present, as well as by the bright hope in the future, when she shall preside over a home of her own, her zeal and enthusiasm increases from day to day as experience adds to her proficiency.

In order that her work may be systematic, she is allowed a certain sum of money each month with which to supply the table, and as a special inducement to the exercise of economy, all that is saved therefrom is placed to her private account for individual use. This monthly allowance being by no means large, she is obliged to exercise care in its expenditure; therefore the minutest details are studied, and not a dish makes its appearance upon the table without the cost being fully estimated previous to its ordering. In this manner she is learning many things that may be of great value to her in the future.

Not long since she was heard to remark that it was really astonishing to discover the many ways of economizing possible to woman; and as an instance of her own experience, said she frequently found, for some expensive dish desired, that something else equally wholesome and fully as palatable could be furnished at one-half the cost.

The father often accompanies her to market and instructs her in the selection of vegetables, the cutting of meats, etc., showing such as are suitable for different purposes, and how to avoid wasteful and unwholesome purchases.

Does not this little sketch contain a valuable suggestion for the benefit of other parents? This young lady will gain in less than one year, at an expenditure of probably one-third the vital energy required in the school-room, knowledge that will contribute a thousand fold more to the happiness of those depending upon her in the future, than any amount of school training could possibly do; yet how few think to give daughters similar preparation for the home cares and home duties so sure to form a part of every woman's life. Were parents more thoughtful in this respect, the burdens of young wives would be greatly lessened, while the amount of money which would be saved to young husbands would oftentimes be sufficient to lay the foundation of great wealth. The thought is worthy of consideration on the part of those who may hold in their hands the shaping of a young girl's future.—L. J., in the Housekeeper.