Charlotte home and Democrat., 1886-09-24
VOLUME xxxv. NUMBER l77s
A Bit of Plain Prose. I

More than We are willing to believe,
judging from our practice, daily happi-
ness depends upon trifies.: Little atten.
tions, lovingly paid, kind words spoken.
the absence of petty jealousies, and the
repression OF censorious criticism, have
much to do with the comfort of those at
home. Few of u.s. are happy when we
are uncomfortable in body or spirit. The
fretting of uncongenial company. the
constant need to be on guard lest we shall
affront somebody who is on, the lookout
for sights, and the conviction that we
are on trial and are not approved of, are
enough to make us, if we are in the least
sensitive, very miserable indeed.u.l
Coming to the plain prose of everyday
life, it seems, q smaller matter than it is
in reality to consult individual prefer
ences about food, to see that, the roast
beef is SO cooked that Samuel shall have
his slice rare, and Matilda be accommo-
dated with hers well done; that the
salad shall be dressed to perfection, and
the gravy appetizingiy Drowned, while
the. three meals a day shall be- three sepa-
rate feasts to- the palate, and social de-
lights to the family. tits slight thing
and very likely is taken for granted. like
the rising of the sun, in the fortunate
household where it is the rule and not
the exception, TO obtain, if needful, q
dainty luncheon at Eve minutes notice.
Any body may serve an impromptu repast,
you observe with indifference, yet, when
you consider, you see that an impromptu
meal implies resources; something left
over for an emergency and easily put into
shape, infers good management and we'll
regulated commissary departments ,as regu-
lar breakfasts and dinners do not. Par
ticularly if the home be several miles from
a market, aud not, as our city homes are,
a stones throw from fsh-monger, butcher,
and baker, the lady of the house 10 entitled
to appreciation if one is certain to receive
food when hungry, atsher hands, sals
luveigh as we may against the habit OF
eating between meals and at odd times,
there is a charm to most OF as in q bit of
cake and q glass of milk, or a cracker and
a cup of tea in the middle of the morning
or at four o'clock, enough to whet the edge
of appetite and restore tagging energies,
but not enough to do away with the need
for the next meal. How sociable we grow
over the unexpected cup. ofttea.s Some
thing to sip and to stir; its fragrant aroma
pleases refined taste, and its, presence
loosens reluctant tongues, so that we grow
confidential as we chat. Whoever chooses
may be severely virtuous, and compel her
child to wait "till he comes to the table,"
but my boy, returning from school, mid
afternoon, with a school boys hollow
vacuum imploring to be filed, shall have
either the freedom Of the pantry, or
properly prepared luncheon TO await his
attack. shall not fear its giving him
dyspepsia if he go cheerfully, as q school
boy ought, on my numerous errands, and
take the exercise boy should among his
mates. 49, aa.Y 9SfEf 5di : -
Some one in the family is "fussy"n with
regard to cuffs and collars, and can not
be contented unless they are as white as
snow and as stiff as a board. Very we'll.
See that they are stiff and white, and re-
move every cause of dissatisfaction Il 10
much less trouble to do this than to listen
to continual complaints, and the advant-
age is, that if you are satisfied that the
complaint is merely querulous habit and
not warranted by any reasonable ground,
you may then "kindly but firmly assert
your authority and require the complainer
to cease disturbing the peace. An ounce
of prevention first, however, is dictated
by common sense Christian 1ntelli.
gencer. z Ha.ss ssas1ui 985 &ufaEstzs