Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-03-05
Etiquette nt Home.

Tho ease and neglige of home often
induce carelessness as to etiquette, the
impression being that politeness and
polish are only needed in society, and
that carelessness of manner is appro-
pirate to home life. All such views
| are erroneous. There is positive COM
fort in politeness, and etiquette is rs
importHn, at home AS abroad. We dis
iingnish etiquette as the outward cx-
preston of politcness. 1t has to do
with forms and attentions, which are
| external. A lady in society is treated
with certain Difference which mani
tests itself in delicate attentions. Chill
dren In society are treated with consid-
crate kindness. which is always consid-
erately expressed. There are rules Of
etiquette which relate to the many lit
tle intentions and fofinn,as. These in
society are carefully Graded, and often
rigidly enforced, They may be made
| onerous. and SO oppressive. But eti-
qtette is clearly defined.
We do not advocate an etiquette for
| the home so rigid as to be burdensome.
Yet it may be the means of teaching
| politeness to children. Those who
| have an instructive politeness easily
fall in with tho rules of etiquette. But
ali have not thu instinct. Some are
| careless, rude, selfish, inco .siderate.
These need discipline. TO give this is
not to lecture on the rules of good or
der or politeness. 1t must be instilled
more by example than precept. And
where the parents are careful to OBJ
serve the forms of lolitencss, its i'm
portance is naturally impressed and its
rules are speedily learned. Therefore,
all Difference that would be shown in
public society should mark intercourse
at home. And if husband and wife
are courteous, children imbibe and
practice it. Example is the great teach
er in this inc.
Beyond this courtesy exerts very
decided influence on the character
Trained TO the etiquette of politeness
gives balance and evenness to char
acter. Its very inception Involves self
control and conscious restraint. 1t is
with most second nature. The forms
and rules are acquired and the habits
slowly grated on. Where this is done
SO much has been accomplished in the
line of self-coniroi, that its influence
Such persons are apt to be seif-con-
tained in all emergencies. A gen lc-
man will be such under all provoca-
tions and amid all trials or tests.
Hence children thus educated receive
something mere than polish. 1t is
something to grace I'll escort a lady
to dinner. or to maintain an agreeable
conversation, or TO show. at ali times.
tne air Of good breeding; but the value
of it all is in the traits OF mind that
have been impaired. A clean person
will feel clean. and one accustomed to
poiiteness will naturally realize the el-
ovation OF feeling that attends cour-
tesy. So habits formed at home are
important, aud the habit Of courtesy
ranks among the first.
How To Select A WifA
1t Is not an easy matter for one to
succeed in any vocation without
pleasant, restful. inspiring home to re-
pair to when the dav's business Is over,
but the farmer, above ali others, needs
it. But man cannot, alone, found and
construct Il home. He can build a
beautiful dwelling, having all the con-
veniences, intcriorally and exteriorally
for the residence of family, but
dwelling is the mere husk or shell Of
home. A home is something higher,
sweeter. purer holier, than any tenn
pie made with hands, it is n living,
growing family. One of the first re-
quisites Of a home /, a woman, Il wife
to preside over it, Woman is queen OF
true home and none such ever existed
where there was not such queen. OF
whore the wife was not en,hroned.
Human experience teaches that man
and woman are attracted to each other
by a mysterious. an inexplicable power.
That young man may make the ac-
qna!ntance of a hundred or u thousand
young ladies. many OF them beautiful
and amiable. but he realizes none OF
that power called love. He becomes
acquainted with another, with personal
attractions much inferior (society be-
ing judge) to many Of those he has be-
fore known. and yet she has an at
traction for him that no other woman
has. The sentimental say he has met
his fate, and there is no other way than
for him TO yield, blindlv, to destiny.
Reason teaches that here is just where
he should use his strongest critical
powers. He should seek to become IN
timately acquainted with her character
before deciding TO form with her an in-
dissoluble union for life. What quali-
ties should young farmer seek in
wife? 1st: Heal.h, \ sound constitution;
End: A woman VINO has been educated
in all branches Of housework.
The last quality that we shall men-
tion to be sought for in choosing a wife
by young farmer. is = love of nature
and q rural life, and an appreciation at
the dignity and advantages Of the farm
er's vocation. There are many young
women in the country rs well as in
town, 10 whom rural life has no charm;
who are unable to find society in beau-
tiful landscapes, in fruits and nowers.
In birds and insects, and In domestic
animals; who sigh for society for dress.
for operas or theatres, for balls and
parties. Such young ladies are not
adapted to farm life and not calculated
to make young farmer happy home.
or anything worthy OF the name of :
homc.-P G Reynolds in Rurds Home.