last expense is considerably augmented by the careless and wasteful way
in which provisions are generally handled by those who do not have to
pay for them. When ways and means are discussed among housewives to
reduce the present "high cost of living," it would be well to advise all
women to try the experiment of having their household employees live
outside their place of employment. The result from an economic point
of view alone is amazing, and the relief it brings the housewife who
is no longer obliged to provide food and sleeping accommodations for
her employees is so great that one wonders why she has been willing to
burden herself with these responsibilities for so many years.

There was once a time when women did not go out alone to eat in a
restaurant, but to-day one sees about as many women as men eating their
midday meal in public. If women engaged in general business prove
themselves thus capable of self care, there seems to be no reason why
household employees, who often receive higher wages than shop girls and
stenographers, should not be able to do the same. They would enjoy their
meals more outside, albeit the food given them in their employer's house
is undoubtedly of a better quality; the change of surroundings and the
opportunity of meeting friends, of leaving their work behind them, would
compensate them. In any event, it is clearly proved by the scarcity of
women applying for positions in private houses that these two advantages
only to be obtained in domestic labor--board and lodging--do not attract
the working woman of the present day.

The joy of eating the bread of independence is an old and deeply rooted
feeling. There is an ancient fable of AEsop about the Dog and the Wolf
which portrays this sentiment in a very quaint and delightful manner.
(Sir Roger l'Estrange's translation.)

THE DOG AND THE WOLF

There was a Hagged Carrion of a _Wolf_, and a Jolly Sort of a
Gentile _Dog_, with Good Flesh upon's Back, that fell into Company
together upon the King's High-Way. The _Wolf_ was wonderfully
pleas'd with his Companion, and as Inquisitive to Learn how be
brought himself to That Blessed State of Body. Why, says the _Dog_,
I keep my Master's House from Thieves, and I have very Good Meat,
Drink, and Lodging for my pains. Now if you'll go along with Me,
and do as I do, you may fare as I fare. The _Wolf_ Struck up the
Bargain, and so away they Trotted