Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-27

What thrill of joy the thought of home
brings to persons who have been from those
they love for long time, and who are at
last returning home. They are so eager to
see the loving faces, that they can hardly
wait until they arrive at home. Again,
what shade of sadness might cloud our
countenances as we thought of the same
place. We are far away, and in our minds
we follow our friends around from one duty
to another, as their lots in life may require
we are enjoying something almost as good
as visit with them-when suddenly we
stop. Where are the faces Surely they
are gone; and as we think our hearts become
sad still there is a longing in the heart to
go and see if we are dreaming, or the old
place is the same. We co. but ah what a
change Some of the dear ones remain and
tell us the sad story of the departed. Still
there is holy enchantment about the old
place, and we long to stay, that we may
look at the things they used to look at, and
tread the paths their feet had trod.
Then we have picture of a drunkard's S
home. His little child is out in the cold
and storm, begging for food and raiment.
Night comes on, and the little waif, tired
and hungry turns toward home. Home !!
can it be called such ? A poor drunken
father greets him at the door with a cuff
and curse, if he has brought home little or
nothing; aud the mother lies upon her
couch of rags and straw, dying for want OF
the comforts of life. Perhaps she has toled
and struggled to keep up the family, and
provide them with food until worn out and
heart-sick, she has laid down with starva.
tion staring her and her little family in the
face-she knows she must soon die and
her prayer is, so God protect the drunk
ards child" But to the tired little wan
derer Home is home il it is ever so
humble" and he, weary, cold and hungry,
lies down TO sleep away few weary hours
of his life. The father can find only money
enough to buy his rum, gin, brandy, ale,
port-wine, lager, champagne. Or whatever
best pleases his palate, and his tobacco, and
bread enough TO keep the breath of life III
him. lie has dragged his wife and children
from a home of luxury down to misery and
want. He has made their home what it is.
Then let me take you to home where
everything the heart could wish is provided
or perhaps in little more humble state,
they do not have all the niceties, but every
thing around them is comfortable and pleas
ant. Is their home pleasant aud are they
happy? No The father is stern and over
bearing, aud the mother, beings little timid
hardly dares say her soul is her own. The
children are saucy, they think nothing their
mother says or does is right and are snap
pish aud cross to her and each other, and
only obey their father because they dare not
do otherwise. Or perhaps the mother is
fretful, faultfnding and cross but if the
father and mother were pleasant and con-
genial, willing to bear their own part of the
burdens, the children kind and loving, obey
ing through love and respect instead OF fear
trying to make home pleasant Tor each other
what different place it would be. lis
true, things might come up that Tor mo
ment would mar their happiness, but II al
would look to themselves to see ii they were
right, it would be settled at once without
one unkind word or thought.
Our homes are what we make them
Never be unkind or find fault with youl
mother. Heed her advice, for il she is q
true mother she is the best friend you have
and she will have burdens and trouble
enough to bear, If you tighten her burdens
all you possibly can. A kind word, kline
act often cheers heavy heart. If a brother
or sister speaks harsh or unkindly TO you
remember that "A soft answer turneti
away wrath" DO not be continually trying
| to " sell one another, or give sharp answers
When you ask a question, let it be civi
one, and when you answer one, do 1t a
nearly as it ought to be, as you know how
In that way you will not only learn man
ners, but save great deal of modification
sometimes. A little iun now and then il
reished by the wisest men" but let 1t be re
fined, not coarse, for the heart is ofteI
wounded by truth spoken in jest, BY prac
ticing in this way it would soon become 81
natural, that when you went out from home
perhaps among strangers, you would no
have to be OH guard for fear OF hurting som
ones feelings or making people think yo
We're so cold-hearted you didnot care whethe
you hurt their feelings or not but kindnes
would be in every look or act. Let us tt
to make our homes pleasant and beautiiu
and to please those around us. BY so don
we shall he sure to be happy. Home
the sacred refuge of our life NJ.