Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-10-24
Family .Interconrse.

This is a sore subject TO touch One
feels like treading on hundred corns
all al once Nearly every family has its /
sore spot-its dark eorner-its private
closet, carefully locked up and the iute-
rior hidden from the light Of dag. II
seems strange to say that most family
difficulties arise from the ignorance of
the different members Of each other, and
yet it is sadly true. Many families live
together for years, and separate, know
ing less Of each others secret feelings,
motives, and the springs which guide
action, than of others who have lived
together outside the family circle Small
jealousies, petty selfishness, creep in
and produce arrangement, which FREE
quently mar the happiness of lifetime.
There is little appreciation Of the
divine beauty and loving graceful posi-
bilities of the family relation. Il is 80
common fact that we lose sight of its
wisdom, just as we forget to be thankful
that the sun shines, or that the dew aud
rain fall, The sweet name of mother,
brother, sister, falls upon the ear with.
out meaning, while we are constantly
associated with them, and in the habit
ual enjoyment Of their kind Offices il is
only long after, when, perhaps, some
bright eyes have become dimmed, and
the merry laugh Of others hushed, and
the weary, tired hearts seeks its rest
among strangers, that the magic Of
household names, and the deep, tender
meaning Of the household relationship
is really felt.
OF course, the fault of this lies with
the parents. Prseept is of little use
without example. Some parents think
it beneath their dignity to prefix re-
quest with "If you please" or "Have
the kindness" and then wonder why
their children cannot be "mannerly"
like other people. We have known the
sons of a poor widow, who on no account
would have permitted themselves TO sit
down to table with their mother, without
hrst arranging their toilet in the best
manner their circumstances would per
init, never suffered her, no matter what
the temptation, to attend church or her
weekly prayer meeting alone. This
consideration extended to the minrsest
acts Of their daily life, aud was most
charming to see The mother, tits hardly
necessary TO say, was lady by birth
and education, and had carefully prac-
hsed toward her children that respect
for their feelings, and thoughtfulRess
for their comfort, which abe afterward
received from them.
The great want in families is justice
and reciprocity and that forbearance
which 1t is necessary for mortals always
to exercise towards each other. We will
hngly accept it from others, but we are
not willing to give it in return. We es-
tAohsh claim on some incidental cir
cumstanee, or the bare fact of relation
ship, and impose burthens aud accent
kindness without thought of obligation
on our own part Children make the
life oftheir parents one of never ending
toll and anxiety, and often refuse even
the poor reward Of their love and con.
hdenee Sisters demand aid. urotec-
ton and favors of all sorts from their
brothers, and if asked to make their
shirts, and mend their shoe, or even
hem their handkerchief in return, would
have a thousand excuses, or, perhaps
fatty refuse the needed service,
4abitual po!iteness is s valuable ele
ment of family intercourse A course
rude speech is less excussble, addressed
TO a father, mother, brother or sister
than if used to stranger or a simple
acquaintance; and vet how common it is