The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-12-30
RICH RELATIONS.

IOOr 1rlenuS are Il CdIdnll1, p0I hupo'
but calamity not without its atoniHg
side. Their dependence gives one
sense not altogether unpleasant rs being
of Importance in the world; of posi-
ton on pinnacle whence one looks
down, all insensibly, but positively upon
inferior creatures below. Now, with
rich relations the positions are reversed,
and then-ah, one finds it not only
more blessed, but far more agreeable To
give than to receive. There is-llea"cns
blessing be upon thcm!-many q gra-
cious Lady Bountiful and generous Sir
Galahad in this world of ours. But it
is no easy thing to bestow n gift with SO
fine an air that the giver may seem the
favored one, or the act of kindness SO
slight as not to merit recognition. And
few. indeed. there are who do it.
To most rich and generous folk the
| outcome of their giving seems sense
that they buy, body and soul, the
friend their bounty benetis, and then
they look for gratitude forsooth! As
| though a salesman should expect one to
say .'thank you kindly when one lays
down largess in exchange for goods.
They give, yes. abundantly, as it has
been given them. But, when they eX
pect in return devotion, absolute and
entire; willing service, thoughtful care,
they should not ask, too, for thanks.
They give of their own; the recipients of
theirs, and neither side may justly think
of gratitude.
Another most unpleasant phase in the
relations of rich to poor, is that they too
often bestow without thought or care as
to whether the gift be appropriate or
| "
choose one to be their favorite. out of n
large and impecunious family; not to
take her absolutely to themselves, but
to turn her head with luxurious living
and inappropriate dress, and, after long
visits which unfit her for the simple
home life. send her back to an essential
ly false position. She has a vague feel
ing of shame when she walks in the ele-
gance uniting her age beside her
| plainly dressed sisters, and feels hot
flush mount to her cheeks as she sees
curious eyes note the difference in their
attire. 1t is help to the parents. per-
haps, tho gifts which. therefore. she
may not refuse, but l wonder does such
girl feel lady-like in them?
And perhaps it would be as we'll if
rich relations gave poorer kinsmen
and feeling There are women who
pack regularly great boxes of half-worn
clothing for some country cousin, say
ing, IN the act. with a complacent smile
of self-approval:
This lilac silk will make Mary Jane
a handsome Sunday dress, and Ethel
old pink satin can be made over charm
ingly for little Sally"
| nnk a,,,,yDoo Mucy lama 20 o,.,,.
worked housekeeper, with heart and
hands more than full, aud purse pro-
portionately empty? II this were not
so, would she need help? If this is the
case does she need that sort of helpP
make all needed alterations in the gar
dressmaker's bill, or many over-hours OF
workP And when the dresses are ready
for wearing, there arc ten chances IL
one that Mary Jane is sallow and worn,
where her cousin is all pink and pearl,
and the lilac silk is an eyesorc to hcI
and hers. the time it lasts; while Sally
goes among her plainly-clad playmates
looking TO her mother (and perhaps tC
herself, for children sometimes have y
little sense), like an absurd jackdaw in
her borrowed plumos.
Withal, the re-made garments are not
new ones for sight or wearing. 1t is Il
cheap philanthrophy, this "old clos
giving, rs 10 the bcggar 1T the door, and
entails new dresses 10 the bGStowcrs. in
the stead of those which have outlivcd
usefulness. beauty, or preference; but /,
it true benevolencG?
Rich relations are far from being IN
| aI Z NlN..,.
with some amusement. II conversation
between two women thus cncumhrrcd
My brother" said the first, 'Iivr,
on forty thousand dollars year. ant
because he has helped nv husband Il
establish himself in business, thinks b,
must direct all our affairs hcnccforth
and thinks, too. that we. with twice his
family, live recklessly, because we spent
between two and three thousand dol
lars this last year."
81 know what that is" said the
second. land how having rich relations
in the same town with You keeps YOU
always in state of pinpricks. Every
thing you have looks mean and shabby,
in comparison with their establishment.
Your children tease for toys and trinketS
like their cousins, and even your hus,
band wonders sometimes why you can.
not dress to look like your sister-shc
in French costume, and you in one
that you have wasted the wee sma
hours to make; just as your friends
wonder why the difference is so wide
between the two families"
And, added the first, 1.-THE rich rela.
tions imagine their patronage to be
kindness, and that they are showing Il
becoming interest, when they are simply
intrusive and impertinent. o, the ali
with which their costly robes trail
across your ingram carpet, and the lofty
manner in which they touch your han.
dicraft and say: 4 don't sec why you
should waste time and evesight ovel
this work. You can buy the very
thing at Lord & Taylor's for twenty dol
lars"
"Or," chimed in the second, 80
don't want to find fault with you,
Louisa, but l must say you seem ex.
travagant. Those shoes | gave Mary
were for best and here she is wearing
them to school. DO you know what
they cost?' You feel insulted. and you
want TO say so, but she is your sister
and-yes! and her husband is youl
husbands wealthy friend; what can you
do?"
That has often been my cry" said
the other. You feel, sometimes, that
you had rather beg bread from door tc
door than receive such favors. But il
YOU are independent you are migrate
tul, and-what can you do?" | wisl
the rich relations could have heard
them.-Ruth Hall, ts Good HouseEeep.
ing.
He Brought In the Game.