The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-04-03
HOME INTERESTS.
Make Home Happy.

Make Home Happy.
Persons Of a loving, happy disposition pos
sess that remarkable faculty of keeping every
thing in unison with their feelings | can re-
call to mind an occasion, when but child, of
being invited to visit lady who was quite
aged, and had just buried her only daughter
whom I loved most dearly. mo- I replied
cannot Il CO. for am sure l shall cry" After
much coaxing consented, and the day spent
with that dear old lady was one of the happiest
of my life On my return the usual question was
asked "Well, how did you enjoy your vislt?n
and how the little ones gathered around me as
told them of the nice time had. @But I
thought you did not want to co." said one. aI
know did not, but will never refuse again:
for Mrs. R took me to her room. showed
me her plants, among which was an orange
tree which reached to the ceiling, and waa COW
cred with fruit, and then she took me in her
lap and talked with me of my teacher. her
daughter, who she told me loved me 80 fohdlv.
and then of the time when she was child. and
showed me things she used to play with and a
dress she used to wear; but all too soon the
time for my departure drew nigh, and had to
go. Never again was | permitted to see that
aged friend, for death entered our household,
and the scenes of my childhood were abandoned
for home in the West, our beautiful Illinois,
How. natural it is for us-a child, parhcu-
larly-to look upon one who has lost
friend with fear, and a dread of meet
ing them has kept us all many time from
going to friends in their trouble. Let us never
fear them again, but 60 to them, and, if there is
a word of comfort to speak, we will do SO, but,
at any rate, show by our presence.that our heart
is with them in their affiiction. In some homes
you feel at ease the moment you enter, and the
very surroundings bid you welcome. Here is
an easy-chair; a small table near by contains
books or magazines not arranged in prim or
der which seems to say, e If you take me, place
me just where you found me" but in an asy,
careless manner which plainly says, Il am
here for your use and pleasure" The chairs
are not placed with regular precision at each
side of the window, with an ottoman between,
and the center-table assigned its situation by
chalked line. Each and everything is arranged
for comfort, and nothing could offend the eye
of the most fastidious. 1t is unnecessary to
have motto bidding you welcome, for every
object seems to breathe it, and when the hostess
arrives she shows it in her manner, for there is
no haste or confusion, no apologies for the neat
calico dress, and the universal "Please do excuse
my not being dressed, for the day was so cloudy
| thought no one would be in, and so took the
day for some extra work, but I never did with
out being caught" Is it not true, ladies, that
as rule the majority of people dress to please
the world and not self or family? Anything is
good enough for home, but, if there is pros
pect OF going out or any one coming in, then
the attire must be faultless. Who thinks most
of us, and whom do we love most? But you say:
"They love me just as wellin my work dress as
in my compuny attire Perhaps they do: but did
you ever hear John say, Well, Mr.. Blank has a
nice-looking wife-not handsome but SO NICE
looking I think much is due to her dress; for
she is always SO tidy; and, no matter when you
see her, she always looks presentable and
we'll" Does not this prove conclusively, that
he prefers to see a becomingly- dressed lady?
In wearing shoes two sizes too small are you
wearing them to enjoy the pain they infict, or
to show your friends you have small feet? In
wearing corsets frightened to the last degree of
the strength of the LAGER, are you consulting
your own comfort by losing your breath, and
enduring the ;.sony which must result from it ?
Surely you must enjoy it; for it is not for
beauty's sake; for no one with common sense
can see aught but defornlity therein indie
pendence is what we need, and, if of the right
sort, will make US happier, truer and nobler
members of society Make home our earthly
heaven, and there let our lives be spent in pre-
pairing for that kingdom not made with hands
LIS our home what it should be? Are we
making it the favorite resort it should be?
We have no idea how long we may sway the
scepter there, and to each one of us mission
has been given: we have accepted it, and are
answerable for the result. Whether wife,
mother sister, daughter, or even housekeeper,
we have our duty to perform, and it is not
only duty but blessed privilege, and one
which hope we fully appreciate. Who will
best perform her duty? Let each do their ut
most, and we shall hear the welcome summons,
Come, We blessed, for We have done what ye
could" Many of us have left the dear old
heme of our childhood, and are now in homes
of our own; we thought our old home bright
one, but let us make our present one more so.
Let us live and learn from the experience of
others, and we will receive our reward in the
bright faces around u.s. and the happiness
which bubbles up from the hearts which try to
shield us from every annoyance. If there
is one thing in which I would like to out
do all my acquaintance, it is in making my
house happier than theirs, and believe there
is no harm in trying to excel in this. At any
rate, let us each try, and see what the result
will be. We will not dispute whose home is
the happiest, but let God be our judge, in this
as in all things FERN LEAF.