Demoine courier., 1855-12-13
Outside Glitter and Inside Gloom.

V"sohSO VsseeSA 0Hu huChVO WlVVms
Many homes are elegantly furnished
with small addition I domestic comfort.
II this fas, age, the Mrs. Po,iphars often
live in palaiial residences. overlsid with
gorgeous decorations, for the eyes Of
fashionable v~isi,ers, while The home-liv-
ing Mr.. Po.iphar sighs for the quiet ea.e
Of the humble old homestead. The Ma
rysville Tribune gives an amusing sketch
Of the inner life OF one Of these comfort
abls households:
IL declare, MI. Smith !! this is too bad.
Here you are stretched ou, on the sofia,
mussing it up. and my nice carpet is all
spoiled by the tramp Of your coarse
boots. | shall be ashamed to bring any
one into the parlor again-and | have Ia
ken so much pains 10 keep everything
nice! co think, Mr.. Smith, you are
the most .houghtleas man | ever did see
you don't appear TO care how much
trouble you give me. II had no more
care than YOU have we would 1901 have
a nice looking house-it would no. be
long ill our new house and furniture
would be just as bad as the DID," So
said John Smiths wife to him, as she
saw him in the parlor taking a nap on
the sofa.
Mr.. Smith rose up early and wer-
ed-'.l was tired and sleepy, Mary; and
the weather so hot, and this room so
quiet and cool, and the sofa looked so in
wing, that l could 10, resis. The ,empta-
lion 10 snocze a little. thought when
we were building a new house, and fur
nishing ii thus that we we're doing it be
cause the old house and furniture were
not 60 comfortable and desirable, and
that | and my owe dear Mary would in
dulge ourselves in q little quiet leisure in
these nice rooms, and if we choose, in
lounging on the sofas and rocking in
these cushioned arm chairs, awny from
The noise Of the family and the smell Of
the cooking tore.
Il cid not dream Of displeasing you.
Mary, and ! thought il would give you
pleasure to see me enjoying a nap on the
sofa, this warm afternoon. noticed
when Mr.. Merchant Swell. or Colonel
Bigman, and their families sre here, ) on
a2pear delighted 10 have sofas and cush-
Toned arm chairs for them 10 81. in or
lounge upoa. thought the house and
the sofas were 10 use-,hat we were
seeking our W pleasure when VI paid
a large sum Cor them; but ! suppose that
| was mistaken, and that tho house and
furniture are Tor strangers, and that we
are to sir in The kitchen. and if / want to
take 3 nap. or rest a lille when fatigued,
I am 10 lie down on a slab in the wood
house; and if you wan, TO rest, can 60
10 the children's trundle-5ed in the little
close bed. room, where the flee can have
no chance at you.'
The irony Of Mr.. Smiths reply only
provoked his wife, and seeing himself
threatened wi,hDa repetition Of Mrs.
Smiths speech, with unpleasant add.
tons and variations, and knowing that
he would &c, tired Of gaining victories
ovcr her in argument, before she would
think Of getting tired Of defeat. he took
himself out, and lef Mrs. Smith to fix
up and dust out. and lock him out Of his
own house, and took . seat in an old
chair in the kitchen. which Mrs. Smith
said was good enough 10 use every Cay
lin the kitchen where no one sees il.
Poor. mistaken Mrs. Smith. thought
|. And yet many are like her. They
want a fine house, and when they get il
they want nm clubhouse bull. to live in,
and they %conine their families 10 a few
email rooms, poorly furnished, while the
main room, well furnished, is never seer
by the family. only when visitors come /!
Both house and turnimfe sre loo grand
for use. The carpet is too fine for their
husbands 10 walk on; the mirrors are Too
fns for him Il look into; the fur
niture is all too fine for him to see or
use. just 90 il goes; we dress, we wo-
men, l mean; and ! AN sorry that many
9 are as foolish as we ars-to please
others, or rather 10 excite their remarks;
we build houses. and furnish them Cor
those outside Of the family. and live %
poorly when we are rich a. we did when
we were poor; a. poorly in the new
house az in the old.
il is a fatal day to enjoyment when a
family gets > house and furniture tool fine
for use; and. yet many hare an ambition
10 have II 20. Better would Il be If they
were consented with such q house and
such furniture % is suited to every day