American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-06-28

Claimed, Wnll0 S6ntle uttle mamie an
swered him:
"I'se 'shamed of you, Georgiel Mann
mas suppers is always good" Nam
ma said nothing, only poured papa a
cup of tea.
"Humph! is this tea or dishwaterp"
was his remark as he tasted it.
"You told Mrs. Jones strong tea hurt
you," said Mrs. Harris, quietly.
acknowledges, 1 did!' said Mr..
Harris, taken somewhat aback, shut I
didn't mean such weak stuff as this.
The steak is burned, too. 1t isn't fit to
eat-such trashi"
You told Mrs. Jones you were fond
of scorched meat" remarked Mrs. Har-
ris, as quietly as before.
Mr.. Harris colored.
Well-but-I--not as black as this,
though. Haven't you got any light
breadP These biscuits are-not as good
as usual"
Mrs. Harris brought a slice of bread
and laid it beside his plate. He took it
without saying word.
"Why, ma, what ais your cakeP"
asked George, as he took a bite of a
huge slice.
"It's heavy as LEAD, lthat's what's the
matter with it," snapped Mr.. Harris.
You said Mrs. Jones's cake was de-
lightful, and it was no better than this"
responded his wife, in tones perfectly
even and unrufied.
"Oh, pshaw!" CALCULATED Mr.. Harris.
al don't like to eat such stuff at home,
anyhow. And seems to me these pre-
serves don't taste just right. 1 believe
they are soured."
al believe they are little, >" returned
Mrs. Harris, coolly.
"What did you put them On for,
then? think this is delightful meal,
do-not a thing that is fit to eat!"
elm sorry if didn't please you. 1
tried to. especially" said Mrs. Harris,
as coolly as before.
"Tried tot"
"Yes. You said you were going to
send me over to take lessons in cooking
of Mrs. Jones. I took them at home,
that's all. But don't seem to succeed
as well as she did"
"What on earth do you mean, SueP''
"Don't you seea If you will think
you will see that have given you to-
night just about what she gave Us last
night But then, you remember, you
praised every thing until Mrs. Jones was
perfectly satisfied
"Bosh, Sue! Don't you know that
was all for the sake of politenessP'
"Oh, was ftp Well, then we are to
teach our children that politeness is only
for company use, and not necessary at
home"
"Why, no, of course not"
"Then, if not, isn't it just as impor-
tant to wear q smile and kind face, and
try to excuse little accidents at home,
as when we are visitinge And if we
don't grumble all the time we are among
those who are mere strangers, have We
a right to make those we love best
miserable by doing SO all the time at
homer"
Mr.. Harris wasn't going to own that
he was beaten. What man weuldp
But he came round to his wife's chair
and gave her a kiss. a thing little un-
usual itself since his lover-days were
over, and said:
"You're first-rate little preacher,
Sue. I'll lend you to the church next
year." And off he went.
But the lesson was not lost, for Mrs.
Sue. who feared that perhaps she had
said too much, and done harm instead
of good, heard far less grumbling, and
got many more smiles at home as the
days went on, and if Mr.. Harris seemed
to fall into his old ways, she
would only say, archly:
"Hadn't we better take tea with the |
Joneses AGAIN." and he was on his |
guard at once.
There are very many more Mr.. Har-
rises at home who might do well to lay
the lesson to heart also.
Let us humbly hope they will.