The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-02-01

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A Few social Suggestions.
We have often thought that rs a
rule, farmers were not rs social in
their disposition a. their position,
convenience and leisure would seem
TO warrant. Their labors arduous
except in the winter months they
have little spare time 10 devote to
personal enjoyments. The farm alb
serbs all their time aud yatchful-
ness TO keep it in good condition in
order to reap the advantages follow
ing from constant intelligent atten-
ton. Nevertheless there is always
some spare time in which TO keep up
the social intercourse o; the neigh
hood.
There * great deal OF pleasure
in the world mingled with pain,
ana we see ~ reason why farmers
should negIe, TO take their share
of il; Some 4, them look upon all
social intercou Sc and days re-
spite from the labors of the field as
n waste of time utterly beyond their
power To afford. On theother hand
we think that they could make their
lot much more agreeable and enjoy
able, while every duty would be
equally well attended to-nay bet
ter attended to-by mingling with
one another more frequently and
socially. There are, during that
portion OF the year when there is
least work to DO, long evenings in
which they can read the newspapers
and useful books. and this might
occupy say three o. four evenings
in week. The Others (excepting
Sunday, should be devoted TO pay
ing and receiving visits. These
meetings should sometimes resolve
themselves into little parties, in
which sons and daughters should
Join, and at which there should be
some light refreshments, such as
farmers mostly can command with
in themselves. Music, which is q
great harmonizer in families. should
be cultivated more generally,
as well as should many 9TH
er home attractions and
amusements. These, in addition TO
conversation and comparison Of
views upon agriculture. domestic
economy, and the leading questions
of the day, among the older mem
bers, of these nelghborhood gather
ings, who however, snould always
unite in all the enioyments of the
evening, whether adapted precisely
to their years Or would impart
a large amount of happiness, and
prove bond of union between
many clever families in every vicin
ity, who are now either estranged
or indifferent to each other.
The women, whose natural incli-
nations lead them to seek acquaint-
anceand to form associations, should |
take the initiative. Much depends
upon them. The responsibilities to
their children are heavy. The
mothers have, in n great measure,
the moulding of their characters.
and nothing will tend to develop
them moro in the right direction
than proper social intercourse with |
their seniors. As they grow up
they will naturally desire to have a
good education, viii acquire good
manners and habits of cleanliness, /
and be taught to think and act for
themselves, which will be the best
capital they can possess 10 begin the
world with. Their parei Is viii be
proud Of them. They viii see that
they are going TO be men and wcln-
en in the real sense Of the worGs.
and thus satisfy the hopes SO dearly
cherished Of them. Parents, pro
vide home pleasure Tor your chill |
dren. These will keep them from |
wandering and seeking them else
where. Encourage social inter |
course By setting good example !: !
and never allow the duties. OF the I
farm to absorb aayour time and la I
Dor and thoughts, paralyzing your
mental energies, drying up the /
of neighborly good will, !
and making YOU careless of the en-.
oyments which a Providence has
placed within yGHr reach neither
should you allow any indulgence
N thess necreation-. - as 10 inter
ERE with the proper iilfillment of
me. everyday labor pf life, on |,
which So much depends. There is
l medium in all things. There are
'ther objects in life than in working,
from early to la;e-eating.
,ating, and sleeping, sleeping. Let
ls all mingle with our daily labors
md social duties required OF us,
md thus by each one adding his
md her mite 10 the ceueral sum,
reate for US all those pleasant hours
# relaxation and neighborly inter
curse that contribute 20 largely TO
moothing and making pleasant the
'athwa, Of life.-Gerpsanio3rn Tele-
Irdph.