The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-11-09
Home I'm usem fnfs.

A close observer of American life
said to us the other day that great
change had come in the last ten years
to the home life Of the country. And
in answer to our Interrogation he pro.
ceedcd TO point out tie character Of this
change.
One point which be made was that a
great many games of skill and chance
were being played in New England
homes to-day which were not known, or
if known, were forbidden by parents ten
years ago. Our own observation coin
cides with his on this point. We know
that chess within the last ten years has
captured for itself high place in pop.
ular regard. 1t speaks well for pco.
pie when such an intellectual game can
become popular. For it takes brains to
play chess even moderately well, and
none but clever and thoughtful people
would ever like it. We notice also that
cards are no longer abjured as they once
were in households. Whist and euchre
are domiciled to-day in homes where
decade ago their names could not have
been spoken safely save in whisper.
Checkers are not perhaps universal, but
they are moro fashionable. They have
fought their way into high life ; and
whereas they once fou nd their friends in
the village tavern and in their fathers
kitchen, they are now admitted into the
parlors of the wealthy and refined The
games played with historical cards are
also numerous, and many of them pleas
antly exciting. And you find them in
almost every household.
Now all this is very pleasant and
hopeful. 1t reveals TO the thinker the
fact that home lite is more vivacious
and happy than it used to be; that the
long, dnll evenings are being enlivened
with sprightly and stimulating amuse-
ments, and that the home circle is
charged with attractions which it once
sadly lacked. These games are helping
to make the homes of the country hap
pier, helping to make the children more
contented with their homes, and in doing
this they are helping to make the coun-
try more intelligent and more virtuous.
BY wise parents these games are looked
upon as essential. They help solve the
problem of home amusements and rec.
reation and this, as all parents know
is one of the greatest problems they have
to solve.
Parents make your homes as happy
as you possibly can for your children
and their mates. Fill them with fun
and frolic and the cheerfullness of spirit
ed social life. Play these games with
your children yourselves, and thus share
their joys with them and feed your hap
piness on the spectacle of theirs. A great
many homes are like the frame of
harp that stands without strings. In
form and outline they suggest music
but no melody rises from the empty
spaces; and thus it happens that home
s unattractive, dreary, and dull. Let
Is hope that this introduction of pleas.
mt game-which try both the wit and
patience of the children, and of the
,lder ones too for that matter-may
become the fashion of the times, until
very home in the land shall be per-
ectly furnished with these accessories of {
,ro6t and pleasure For the children's
axe, let the reformation 60 on until
very child shall have in his fathers
house, be it humble or costly, such ap- :
'liances and helps for the entertainment |
hat he shall fnd his JOY under his faith
RS roof and in his mothers presence {
olden Rule.