The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-11-11
The First Engagement.

Is is pleasant to turn to one of the bright
est chapters of the amenities of home after
leaving the tvrants in gloomy solitude and
consider that pleasant episode Of home life,
" the first engagement"
When 1t Is an arrangement that satisfies
prudent papa and mamma, this is the most
delightful moment of mature life. 1t makes
one young again to see the happiness Of two
young lovers. GAIL men love lover" The
introduction of q new son or daughter-that
deep feeling Of rest that our SON or daughter
Is to have the anchorage Of marriage-these
are delicious reflections. We forget our
trials, our cankering cares; we forget that
they, too, must ght the same hard battle OF
life which we have got nearly through, and
we see only the blissful side of the picture.
II, however, we do not entirely approve, 1t
is great duty, and one which we owe our
children, to hide from them any fancied an
tipathy to the chosen one whom we may not
wholly love. Given good principles and
good education, good health and q moderate
certainty Of future living, and no parent
has right, If his child is sincerely attached,
to find fault with his or her choice.
OF course, no mother ever saw any wife
quite good enough for her son; no father i'm
AGNES that the man can be born who is wor-
thy of his daughter. Sometimes, without
meaning It, this feeling will show itself; but
1t had much better be kept out Of sight, II
possible.
Either family should take a girl wholly
to their hearts, and treat her as their own
daughter, or they should decidedly disap-
prove from the first. No mutilated courtesy,
no half-handed generosity, no carping criti-
cism Is Just or honorable. That their son
loves .ier,wishes to make her his wife, should
be very unanswerable argument for her
hearty adoption into the family. And In re-
gard to a daughters husband the same, and
even greater respect should be shown. The
old reproach against mothers-in-law now
rather relegates itself to old comedy; 1t Is
not believed that they are always so detesta-
Bile as the "Campaigner" In "Pendennis."
Yet mother-in-law should let her son.
in-law severely alone, nor dare, because she
has very near relationship to him, to inter
fere In the household authority, or to say
disagreeable things about the education of
the children.
The young girl who enters largo family
as the betrothed of one of the brothers has q
very difficult roll to fill. Unless she is frank
and sincere, unless she Is engaging, she Is
apt to be dislilked by some Of them. Per.
haps the brother has been q great favorite, and
some loving sister Is jealous Of her. Some
brothers, even, may feel offended at having
the affections Of his most intimate friend
stolen away from him; or the charms which
have won the lover me, not be apparent te
the rest of the family.
Now ID the time for good breeding. Nov
Is the tint for the amenities. Let the young
people remember to treat that young lad,
with peculiar courtesy, for she will nevel
forget their conduct ut this period. She 1
to be their sister for all time. If they trea
her with respect and cordiality ten to one
she will be good sister. But II they trea
her with hatred, suspicion, and dislike, sh'
will be their enemy al her days-and yer.
little blame to her If she Is. II is the cruelt!
Of the red Indian to treat newcomer, In
troduced under such tender circumstances
with anything but kindness.