The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1873-11-15
T.eYudies.
COD ssIz:

too often the beginning of the difficulty lies
with the parents in family. Is it hard for the
husband to give smiling "thank you" to his
wife as she brings his slippers on his return
home? It is more difficult for the mother to
say, "John, will you shut the door, please 7"
than to use the laconic phrase, "Shut the door?"
When Tom knocks over his sisters play y-house,
why should not excuse me, didn't mean to"
be the instructive apology?
Many who would not be guilty OF discourte-
sy to a stranger, or to,a friend IN the world
without, lay aside much if not all their suavi-
ty 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 ordered
hither and thither 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-hnding
and reproof from the parents and i'll humor and
teasing among the children. In the evening
the father devotes himself to his newspaper,
and the mother to her sewing, intcrrupting
themselves only to give such perenptory or
ders as "Less noise, children )" "Stop quarrel
ing;" and finally, "Go to bed !"
Z. In many families there is no p9sSStlve rude
~ a. .Sfibcr5, ,5fif y q lack-0f those
simps~a .ectonate attentions which awaken
spontaneous return; want of that consider
alton and gentleness of demeanor which are
wellsprings of comfort in every household
The well bred host does not fail to bid his guest
"good might" and "good morning )" why should
not this simple expression of good feeling be
always exchanged between parents and chill
dren? The kindly morning greetip :. will Of
ten n ip in the bud some rising fretfu ness; and
the pleasant "good-by" from old and young,
when leaving the house for Office, shop school,
is fragant memory through the day of separ-
alton. When the family gather alone around
breakfast or dinner table, the same courtesy
should prevail as if guests were present. Re-
proof, complaint, unpleasant discussion and
scandal, no less than moody silence should be
banshed. Let the conversation be genial, and
suited to the little folks as far as possible. In
teresting incidents of the days experience may
be mentioned at the evening meal, thus arous-
ing the social element. If resources fail, some
times little bits read aloud from the morning
or evening paper will kindle the conversation.
No pieasanter sight is there than family OF
young folks who are quick to perform little acts
of attention toward their elders. The placing
of ftbe big arIn-c lair in a warm place for mamma,
running for 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's "Just what was wanting,
Susie"-does not indicate that the little atten-
tion is appreciated, the children soon drop the
habit. Little people are initiative creatures,
and quickly catch the spirit surrouning 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 thousand
times more quickly than by precept, can chill
dren be taught to speak kindly to each other,
to acknowledge favors, to be gentle and unset
fish, to be thoughtful and considerate of the
comfort of the family. The boys, with inward
pride in their fathers courteous demeanor, will
be chivalrous and lpful to their young sisters
the girls, initiating the mother, will be gentle
and patient, even when 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 up
home uncomfortable. serious word in private
will generally cure a fault more easily than
many public criticisms. In some families a
spirit of contradiction and discussion mars the
harmony every statement is, as it were, dis
sected and the absolute correctness OF every
word calculated. 1t interferes seriously with
social freedom when unimportant inaccuracies
are watched for, and exposed for the mere sake
of exposure. Brothers and sisters also some
times acquire an almost unconscious habit of
-teaGir~ 2eh o.ker, half in earnest, half in fun.
This PARTICULARLY uncomfortable for every
body else, whatever doubtful pleasure the par
ties themselves may experience.
In the home where true courtesy prevails, it
seems g. meet you on the very threshhold.-
You feel the kindly welcome on entering. No
rudeeyes scan your dress. No angry voices are
heard up stairs. No sullen children are sent
from the room. No peremtory orders are given
to cover the delinquencies of house-keeper or
servants. A delightful atmosphere pervades
the house-unmistakable yet indescribable.
THE MODEL MOTHER.
All her children are angels, of course. She
knows no children like them. Tom ca already
spell words of three syllables, and the little
fellow is only five years old next 3lst Of July.
Polly puts such curious questions that her papa
is often puzzled to answer them. 1t was but
yesterday she asked him, "Why he had such
whiskers?" and Mr.. Smith really didn't know
what to say.
Thank goodness she has given oil of them
a good education, and there isn't one that can
turn round and approach her with moments
neglect. She loves them all dearly, and never
ceases to think of them. Itdoes her heartgood
to see them so happy, and she cannot un-
derstand how mothers can part with their chill
dren, and put them out to nurse, where they
never see them.
No wonder their children don't love them
Now, she has nursed every one of her family,
and is she any the worse for it, pray? She has
no. patience with such fine ladies. They don't
deserve having children. Why, look at baby
The little thing knows her, and understands
every word she says. If it cries-though it is
the quietest child in the world-she has only
to say, "Be quiet, baby" and it goes off to sleep
directly No, those who don't behave as moth
ers will never be loved as mothers, and it's her
opinion that when children turn out bad, it is
because they have never known the comforts
of home. Ingratitude never grows up IN a
chld's heart, unless it has been first sown there
by the hand of the parent. Why, she has never
had Gil W
children, and she has ten of them, and why
not? Because affection begets affection, and
she is positive they would not do single thing
to make their mother miserable. It's true that
Ned is "a little rickety;" but the boys will be
boys, and the lad is too good at heart ever to do
wrong. But if the worst should happen--not
that she fears 1.-THE boy will never forget his
infancy, and that's a blessing The thoughts
of happy childhood have brought back many
a prodigal son, and she kn ows we'll enough that
Ned would never wander far without feeling
that chain round his heart gently pulling him
toward home. But it's all nonsense! The
boys all right, if Mr.. Smith wouldn't be so
harsh to him.
Thus the model mother defends her children.
Their defects are beauties in her eyes; their
very faults are dear to her. They can do no
wrong. If any breakage takes place, it wasn't
the child's fault; she tells you she's only to
blame. She stays the fathers arm when his
anger is about to fall, and stops his voice when
his paternal passion is rising. If any of the
boys have gone to the theatre, she sits up to let
them in. When questioned the next morning
as to the hour they came home, she has forgot
ten everything about it. All she recollects Is
that young Tom ate tremendous supper
She supplies them with money; and i her good
nature is laughed at, sne asks you pray to in
form her "when lads are to enjoy themselves
if not when they are youngW She is contin-
ually sending presents TO Eliza, poor thing
"did not marry so well as her sister" She is
not afraid of taking her daughters out with her
for fear of their age leading to the confession OF
her own nor does she dress like young lady
of sixteen in order to look younger than they
To tell the truth, she carries her family every
where. Such is the e"model mother" Whether
she is the best or worst kind of a mother is the
point in dispute.
va "James Jenkins" said a schoo-master to
his pupil, "what is an average2"
"a thing. sir" answered the scholar promptly,
''that hens lay eggs upon"
4 el.ok ,usI hn., N