The weekly Shasta courier., 1873-11-08
HOUSEHOLD.

VI speech are ignored IN the everyday home
life. True pOlteness can not be learned
like lesson, by one effort, any time in one )
life; it must be inbred. Well-meaning,
but rough" is said of many mau and too
often the beginning of the difficulty lies with
the parents in family. Is 1t hard for the
husband to give smiling "Thank YOU to
his wife as she brings his slippers on his
evening return home? Is it more difficult
for the mother to say, John, will you shut
the door, please !? than to use the laconic
phrase, "Shut the door !" When
Tom knocks over his sisters baby-house.
why should not Excuse me- didn't mean
to-" be the instructive apology?
Many who would not be guilty of discount
esy to stranger, or to friend in the world
without, lay aside much if not all their suav-
ity of manner on entering the home circle.
The husband and wife dispense with those
little graceful attentions which, though
small, are never unimportant. The children
are imperatively ordered hither and thther
with crusty words; no" Thank you" rewards
the little tireless feet that run on countless
errands. The dinner is eaten in silence,
broken only by fault-fiinding aud reproof
from the parents, and ill humor and teasing
among the children. In the evening the
father devotes himself to his newspaper, and
the mother to her sewing, interrupting them
selves only to give such peremptory orders
as, Less noise, children :" Stop quarrel
ing )" and, finally, Go to bed!
In many families there is no positive
rudeness among the members, only lack
OF those simple affectionate attentions which
awaken spontaneous return want of
that consideration and gentleness of demean-
or which are well-springs of comfort in every
household. The well-bred host does not
fail to bid his guest Goodnight and
"Good-morning;" why should not this sim
Pile expression of good feeling be always e1-
changed between parents and children !?
The kindly morning greeting will often nip
In the bud some rising fretfulness; and the
pleasant " Goodbye" from old and young.
when leaving the house for Office, shop, and
school, is a fragrant memory through the
day Of separation. When the family gath
er alone around breakfast or dinner table,
the same courtesy should prevail as if guests
were present. Reproof, complaint, unpIeas-
ant discussion, and scandal, no less than
moody silence, should be banished. Let
the conversation be genial, and suited to
the little folks as far as possible. Interest
ing incidents of the days experience may be
mentioned at the evening meal, thus arous-
ing the social element If resources fail.
sometimes little bits read aloud from the
morning or evening paper will kindle the
conversation.
No pleasanter sight is there than family
OF young folks who are quick to perform lit
tile acts OF attention toward their elders.
The placing of the big armchair in a warm
place for mamma, running for a footstool
for aunty, hunting up papa's spectacles, and
scores of little deeds show unsurpassed and
loving hearts. But if mamma never returns
smiling THANK you, dear" if papa 5
" just what l was wanting, SUSIE" does not
indicate that the little attention is appreci-
ated, the children soon drop the habit.
Little people are initiative creatures, and
quickly catch the spirit surrounding them.
So, if when the mothers spool of cotton
rolls from her lap, the father stoops to pick
it up, bright eyes will see the act, and quick
minds make note of it. By example, a
thousand times more quickly than by pre-
cept, can children be taught to speak kindly
to each other, to acknowledge favors, to be
gentle and unse6sh, to be thoughtfuul and
considerate of the comfort of the family.
The boys, with inward pride in their father s
courteous demeanor, will be chivalrous and
helpful to their young sisters; the girls, i'm
itating the mother, will be gentle and pa
tient, even when the big brothers are noisy
and needless.
Scolding is never allowable; reproof and
criticism from parents must have their time
and place, but should never intrude so far
upon the social life of the family as to rem
der the home uncomfortable. A serious
word in private will generally cure fault
more easily than many public criticisms
In some families spirit of contradiction
and discussion mars the harmony; every
statement is, as it were, dissected, and the
absolute correctness of every word calculat-
ed. 1t interferes seriously with social free.
dom when unimportant inaccuracies are
watched for, and exposed for the mere sake
OF exposure. Brothers and sisters some
times acquire an almost unconscious habit
OF teasing each other, half in earnest, hall
in fun. This is particularly uncomfortable
for every body else, whatever doubtful
pleasure the parties themselves may expert
ence.
In the home where true courtesy prevails
it seems to meet you on the very threshold.
You feel the kindly welcome on entering
No rude eyes scan your dress. No angry
voices are heard up stairs. No sullen
children are sent from the room. No per
emptory orders are given to cover the de.
llnquencies of housekeepers or servants. A
delightful atmosphere pervades the house
unmistakable yet describable.-Bazar.
LEMON PUDD.NG.-Juice and rind of one
lemon, one cup of sugar, yolks of two eggs
three tablespoolfuls of -four, one pint oil
milk. Line dish with paste pour on the
mixture and bake. Beat the whites of the
eggs to stiff froth and stir in four table
spoonfuls of sugar; take it out of the oven
or stove. pour the white of egg on lightly,
return and bake it light brown.
SMALL PUFFs-One pint of -four, piece
of butter the size of an egg, two teaspoon
fuls of cream of tartar, one teaspooniul oi
soda, and mix with cold water to the consis-
tency of stiff batter. This is sufficient for
cups. Steam twenty minutes. To be eaten
with sweetened cream.
RAILROAD PUDDING.-One cup of molass-
es, one cup of cream, one cup of sour milk,
one teaspoonful of soda one teaspoonfuI Of
salt, nutmeg for spice, and three cups OF
-four. Steam two hours. To be served
with sour sauce. This makes very good
glngercake by using ginger for spice and
baking.
EXCELLENT DouGHNUrs.-Threee eggs well
beaten, one cup of sugar. one cup of cream,
one teaspoonful OF soda, little salt and nut
meg.