The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-02-09
he MId.Wiater Evenings.

without them is . question that ma,
rarely occur to US.
Suppose our life were one long sum
mer with its listless, enervating days
and its weary, restless nights! Woul'
there not be loss in our lives? Woul,
we not miss the tonic of the CHEEKY win
ter eveningsP Surely they are mos
precious part of our existence and Cal
be made rich with profit and pleasure
To ensure this, q loving preparation i
necessary. While we are whirling abou
with our daytime work aud worries, lie
the thought of the coming evening cheer
us on and let us plan wisely for it
Happy the family that can gather arouno
the hearthstone an unbroken circle wher
the evening lamp is lighted. While thi'
is permitted, let not personal plans o
enjoyment or even improvement inter
fere. Unselfishness will here find field
for its rare powers. That fascinating
book or that intricate piece of fancy work,
even that absorbing letter to your dear
est friend, had better wait until the res
are off to concert or lecture, or until
for some other good reason, the family
scatters and leaves you alone.
Winter evenings are emphatically ''the
parents hour" to influence and attract
the children. Let us plan to make them
so pleasant that they will deem it a treat,
not trial, to stay at home. We know there
are many forces combired against this.
So many inducements to 60 out. Then
s'the hole in the floor in each room is
less of cementing tie than the blazing
old fireplace of the one family room.
There is poetry, it may be, in staring out
our eyes, toasting our cheeks and freez.
ing our backs by the lichen-covered log
at ten dollars cord; but there is greater
profit. we ween, in the well warmed and
well lighted sitting room with its music,
books and papers. Let mamma bring
her little basket with some soft, white
sewing or some bright, plain, easy knit
ting, that she may really have heart
and hand, lat leisure from itself to
soothe and sympathize," or the rather
to entertain, and lubricate the machinery
if need be, with the oil of gentle regula-
ton. To this end it is very desirable
that mamma should not get too tired
during the day. If she is "all used up"
with sewing or fancy cooking, this pet
plan will fail. We know the demands
of her time and strength are legion. and
that each days campaign is a sort OF
series of miracles on her part. But she
will soon yield the less to the greater
good, dispensing with the extra trim
mings that tire her so, and emitting the
rich pie or pudding. which would hinder
rather than help the happiness
of the evening Now the days
work done, after the early, frugal
supper, and the brief, simple prayer
preceded by sacred song, let us so mag
netize our center of attraction that its
power will be irresistible, and nobody
will wish to run off to his ROOM THE
oabyr' Yes, the baby know clamors
Tor attention. and so does the little
Let them have it. Take
he wee ones first in order. as they are
irst in love and care But you say,
There is no such thing as reading, or
Icing anything else" Well don't try
o just now. The evenings are long,
and the little ones will soon
ire. Time enough. Look on or join in.
What if they are q little boisterous?
let them have romp! Soon they will
'e ready for their NOW lay me-" and
70 to sleep happy. Papa, of course, is
n his easy chair, where the children
lamor over him. We hope he won't
~ to read his paper yet, for fear he will
.rowl out, ..Be stillm And if mamma
as stitched till her head aches, she'll
ay: 30, dear, such noise" We hope
he other children will not lose patience
ither. Good nature must be the presid-
1g genius in this enchanted land.
hat good nature which comes from
race. I'm honor preferring one an
MOTHER"
But some reader declares, "How WIS.,
mary! full surrender of rights and du-
es." :. And the largest children have |
OF yet appeared with their lessons,
heir last new song, their games and |
heir tales of the DAYS doingsr' True.
Tut now is their time. give them place.
gu will not repent it by and by, though |
our cherished plans are set aside. Prove
lie beautiful paradox, "he that loseth
is life shall find it."
In summer the body has its full share.
With our labor and our recreation the
,ul is nearly crowded out. Put your
.rength into the winter evenings; they
ill soon be gone. OF course give one
r more every week to the prayer-meet-
lg; another to a good concert or lecture,
possible. And your home programme
ill necessarily vary. You will some
mes read aloud. You will accept invi-
Itions out, or friend will step in. Make
our children feel that it is sometimes a
rivilege to be storm-bound at home.
Oziness tends to concentration of
fought and affection. while too much
going leads to dissipation and demon
lies. We pity the restless person who
IN never content himself at home,
With all your planning these precious
Tenings will be few enough. Next
inter your noisy, big boy may be off to
.hool. The gentle daughter that now
races your circle may have planted
ome of her own. Some of the little
hes may have been ..beckoned away"
= the invisible hand that leads us on.
r, instead of the aged one serenely
'ated in the quiet corner, you may have
len, only the benediction of gentle
Iemories. Will you then regret your
.lf-denial? You two who have built
our home together, will have time
lough, perhaps, to read to each other as
the early days, by and by when you
e again alone.
Winter evenings are seasons of grand
,portunity not only to families but in
viduals, and we may so use and i'm
owe them that. let our evening of life
long or short, sunny or desolate, we
all have in reserve a rich storage of in
llectual and spiritual resources with
nich to beguile the lingering hours
tristan at Work.
Shaving In sFriSra