The National tribune., 1883-01-25

as a burger. In a German household courtesy
to elders and superiors is of the first lessons
taught, and among the youth teachers and pastors
are objects of reverential regard. In these
homes there is no disorder nor untidyness. From
their earliest girlhOGd. mistress and maid alike
have been trained to habits of economy and of
methOdical housekeeping. The German maid
servant knows the demands which her position
implies, and obeys them; the German mistress
knows the limit Of her husbands purse-Strings,
and respects it. 1t is the traditional custom of
the country, that every German girl be skilled
in all hOusewifely ways before her marriage.
No people realize more fOrCibly than these that
order and intelligent management in the do
mestiC affairs of life form the foundatiOn-stOne
of every happy home. That there are things
in the education of German women which
might with advantage be changed, is scarcely
to be denied, but if | were asked to sum up IN
brief those things which to me constitute the
charm of German life should say, first of all,
the simplicity of it, the naturalncss which one
everywhere sees in dress, pastimes, and Occupa-
tiOns, and after this successfully the hearty rec
OgnitiOn among German women of the fact that
economy is thing which nations and individ
uals may think about and talk about without
loss Of dignity or self-respect; the imperative
demand of German men that the girls whom
they marry be proficient in housewifey excel
lences; the affectiOn-Often almost child-hke-
which exists for each other between members
Of families and friends; the watChfulnesS
which German mothers exercise over the
health of their daughters: the genuine delight
with which the simplest gifts are made and
received; the idea that home is a temple in
which all festivals are to be celebrated and all
pleasures shared, the place for whose adorn-
ment and refinement no accomplishment can
be considered too COSTLY
Aunt Helen ceased but no one interrupted
the silence which followed. In few minutes
the door softly opened, and Rickele entered.
Going up to Aunt Helen she whispered some
thing to her, and the latter, asking to be eX-
cused, left the room. The silence i'll the library
remained unbrOkcn, each one seeming to be
occupied with some special train of thought
suggested by the reading. Finally, cry from
TabblC startled every one, and, following the
direction of her look each beheld the curtains
which separated the library from the drawing
room, slowly parting, and midway i'll the dark
ened parlOr stood q shrine draped with snowy
white and fcstOoned with delicate flowers; q
lighted candle burned at each Of the four cor
ners of the shrine, while from some secret place
voices, clear and sweet, but so suppressed that
they seemed to come from some taT-Otf distance,
chantcd an exquisitely beautiful invocation.
The tones alternately swel!ed and died slowly
away, but ever so crystal clear so low and sweet,
that the hearers almost held their breath in
ccStaCy. Finally the voices died wholly away in
low, lingering cadcnces, the curtains were drawn,
and the wondering children, looking toward
Mr.. Anterior, saw him brushing away the
glstening tears which had gathered unhcedcd
during this unexpected scene. This had been
Aunt Helen's first good night" to Ethel; the
beautiful italian hymn lad been sung by two
little charity girls, her proteges.
There was no thought Of conversation now,
and soon, with subdued GOod-nicht5 all went to
their rooms. Ethel sat down before her fire
and pondered long upon what she had heard
and seem but most Of all, her thoughts dwelt
upon that earnest hearted woman who, within
one hour, had given her such matter for
thought, and had taught her so delicate 4 les
son. I,thels room &dioined Aunt Helen's, and
she could see that the lamp of the latter had
long been out, and Uhen her own head touched
the pillow she u-mured invoiuntarily, still
thinking of her Aunt: And he shall lie down,
and his sleep shall be sweet for his trust is
stayed on Thee"