|
Providing advertising-free access to reference, educational and literary materials
|
|
Elliott Flower's "The Co-operative Housekeepers" |
|
The following is the complete text of Elliott Flower's
"The Co-operative Housekeepers."
The various books, short stories and poems we
offer are presented free of charge with absolutely
no advertising as a public service from Internet
Accuracy Project.
To see all available titles by other authors, drop
by our index of free books alphabetized by author
or arranged alphabetically by title.
Potential uses for the free books, stories and poetry we offer
· Casual reading for adults.
· Rediscovering an old favorite book or story.
· Parents looking for free reading materials
for their kids.
· Bibliophiles expanding their collection of
public domain ebooks at no cost.
· Children or teens searching for free reading materials.
· Teachers trying to locate a free online copy
of a poem or story for use in the classroom.
NOTE: These classic literary works are presented as they originally
appeared in print. As such, they sometimes contain
typographical errors, and often utilize unconventional,
older, obsolete or intentionally incorrect spelling and/or punctuation
conventions.
|
|
|
|
"The Co-operative Housekeepers" by Elliott Flower |
THE CO-OPERATIVE HOUSEKEEPERS
by ELLIOTT FLOWER
Ten thoughtful women, ever wise,
A wondrous scheme did once devise
For ease, and to economize.
"Cooperation!" was their cry,
And not a husband dared deny
'Twould life and labor simplify.
One gardener, the ten decreed,
Was all the neighborhood would need
To plant and trim and rake and weed.
The money saved they could invest
As vagrant fancy might suggest,
And each could then be better dressed.
So well this worked that, on the whole,
It seemed to them extremely droll
To pay so much for handling coal.
One man all work then undertook,
And former methods they forsook,
Deciding even on one cook.
One dining-room was next in line,
Where, free from care, they all could dine
At less expense, as you'll divine.
"Two maids," they said, "could quickly flit
From home to home, so why permit
Expense that brings no benefit?"
Economy of cash and care
Became a hobby of the fair,
Until their husbands sought a share.
"Although," the latter said, "all goes
For luxuries and costly clothes,
The method still advantage shows.
"While we've not gained, we apprehend
Good Fortune will on us attend,
If we continue to the end.
"If you've succeeded, why should we
From constant toil be never free?
One income should sufficient be;
"And, taking turns in earning that,
We'll have the leisure to wax fat
And spend much time in idle chat.
"So let us see the matter through,
And, in this line, it must be true
One house for all will surely do.
"And if one house means less of strife,
To gain the comforts of this life,
Why, further progress means one wife."
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Ten women now, their acts attest,
Prefer ten homes, and deem it best
To let cooperation rest.
|
|
If you find the above classic literature useful, please
link to this page from your blog or website.
Alternatively, consider making a donation
to Internet Accuracy Project. Our organization
relies on donations to run our various
educational projects.
Website Copyright © 2005 INTERNET ACCURACY PROJECT. All rights reserved.
BY ACCESSING THIS SITE YOU ARE STATING THAT YOU AGREE TO
BE BOUND BY OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
regardless of whether you reside in the United States of
America or not. Our Privacy
Policy.
|
