Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-01-31
The Blessing of the Household.

A gOOd-natured man is a blessing in
a household that cannot be too highly
praised. So many women live in con-
stant fear of the outbreak which oc-
ours when the flour barrel is empty,
the coal is out, one of the children
need pair of shoes, or the girls wages
must be paid.
"Nothing but waste in the house" "
growls the unwilling provider for the
family which nobody forced him to
bring into the world. GA barrel of
flour every two weeks" "That boy
stubs his boots out running his legs off
for nothing. If [ catch him out again
in month I'll fog him." "Girl's
wages due again! I could do all the
work in this house, and then have half
my time for other things. You might
do your own work, only for laziness.
If things go on in this way, I'll break
up and end this extravaganza"
These and like grumblings, inter
lined with variety of oaths, greet the
ear of many patient, prudent, hard
working woman, whose care, morning,
noon and night, is to be watchful that
things 60 just as far as possible to avoid
Expense.
In view Of such a wretched existence,
where home is converted into a drain
age wherein an ugly tempered man
may pour all his ill-feeling; where the
children had as soon see the evil one
approach, with all his fiery darts ready
to fly at them, as their father, whose
step over the Threshold is the signal
for a row of some kind, are not those
women blessed beyond measure who
have good-natured husbands?
A good dog appreciates the kindness
Of thoughtful housewife better than
does her own husband if he is natural
ly a cross, cold, selfish man, who thinks
only of his own comfort. ......-..
Read the hearts of a mans wife and
children to learn if he be worthy the
respect and confidence of the commu-
nifty. He may be all honey and pleas
antness outside, to those whose happi-
ness is not affected one way or the 9TH
er by his humors, and at home, when
company is not there to observe, very
devil incarnate could not be more ex-
acting, oyer-bearing, tyrannical and
brutal. A blow or @ kick for the chill
dren, aud a curse for the poor wife, are
the Accomplishments of the evening
meal. He has exhausted his kind
words on strangers through the day,
and his best possible mood and beha-
vior at his own table, to the helpless
creatures, who depend upon his words
and actions for their peace and COM
fort, is grum silence and forbidding
looks, which suggest a storm at any
moment.
There are many, many such men,
who are wearing out the lives of their
wives! A pleasant, goodnatured man
is a jewel, whose value cannot be esti-
mated. He gilds the morning with a
halo of peace, and strengthens his wife
to perform the duties of the day with
a hearty zest. The noon-time is bright
er for his coming, and the evenings are
the time of rejoicing, for the business
cares of the day are over and father is
at home.
'Why, Bridget" said her mistress,
who wished to rally the girl, for the
company, upon the fantastic ornament
ing of a large pie, "did you do this ?
you're quite artist how did you do it ?"
''Indade, mum, it was myself that did
it, replied Bridget '1sn't it pritty,
mum? | did it with your false teeth,
mum."