Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-11
DaiIp Kennster 3ournal.
The Evening Hour.
CONSIDERATION OF FEW HOMEL
FACTS.

I often wonder if attention enough is
given to the '.evening hour" By this l
mean the time when the days cares a~e
all laid aside, the little ones all asleep
above stairs, and when the mother OF the
home is free for the first time since early
morning to enjoy the quiet comfort of her
own particular chair by the library fire.
That time having come she does not sink
into the luxurious depths of the big chair
book in hand, to forget the days cares in
the pages of the latest novel. Her work
basket is close at hand, and from it she
takes some little garment, belonging to
one OF the babies who give her too many
steps through the day to admit OF much
sewing, SO there she sits until bedtime
comes, stitching away, her brain as busy
as her needle. planning work for the COM
ing DAYS and weeks.
But you ask is this mother alone in her
home Not at all On the other side of
the table sits her husband. deep in some
book, for his evening paper has been
faithfully read from beginning to end. OF
course he has ventured three or four
pleasant remarks from time to time, and
perhaps read few locals, but where was
the "evening hour?'
Now while would not bave this hus-
band any less fond of his reading. | would
have him a little less selfish. | ask
all husbands to consider a few homely
facts with me now.
From early morning your wife has been
alone with her children and the servants,
she has settled more than one little differ
ence between them, has kissed and soothed
away good many bumps and headaches,
planned-and made it may be-your favor
tie dessert and done much beside. The
day comes to an end as all days must, the
tired little ones put away the playthings.
and when the last prayer is said, and each
one is safely tucked away in bed. the
mother feels her days work done. Tea
over what comes then. Surely your wife
who has seen that everything about the
house is bright and pleasant for your re-
turn deserves little of your time now
Let this be the "evening hour" sit
down with her, hand in hand it may be,
and let her talk to you about the children,
about her work, about the thousand and
one little things which are her life. Tell
her the flowers which she has placed on
the mantle are pretty, oh! you can tell her
so many things that will make her so
happy. If the day has been unusually
hard and long, take her for little walk,
it will work off the tired nervous strain.
and insure a good nights sleep Let
your paper and books wait. you will al
ways have them, but you may not always
have this wife of yours.
Don't settle down with the feeling that
your wife ought to be satisfied if you are
at home evenings, instead of being out
side seeking other attractions This is
your wife is a faithful mother to your
children. good housekeeper. looking af-
ter your interests in all the little details,
and above all devoted true wife, then
this is only her due, and at best you can
never half pay her.
Now do not mean to be too severe on
the sterner sex. but see so much in some
homes that must speak. If men would
only remember that there is nothing in
this world more worthy of admiration
than tender loving husband, they would
be less afraid of showing their love
What if you do think it foolish to keep
assuring your wife that you love her, it
makes her happier. She, knowing her
own faults and shortcomings and realizing
too well that the beauty of face and figure
of which you were once so proud, is rath-
err lessening, is so happy and settles down
in such perfect content knowing she loves
me just the same" There can be nothing
more sad than the way in which some
truly loving husband and wives treat
each other. There are never any
quarrels. better perhaps if there were, fol-
the sweetness of making up is worth
something. The wife, tired of doing all
the loving and caressing makes up hel
mind she can live without it, and SO vows
within herself to do so. and "he who
wooed her with his caresses," sees nc
change and feels no difference while the
poor little wife nearly heart broken long:
to cry out in his arms, but forced with
much pride she puts down the sentimental
ity and goes on keeping down the loving
impulses which are as natural to her as
the singing of the birds. AT last the work
is done and her husband without knowing
it and without an unkind thought in bis
heart. has done a cruel, wicked thing.
hold that man has no moral right tC
take unto himself a woman, whom he can
not love and cherish to the very end.
use the word cherish in its fullest sense
as it is used in the marriage ceremony
Is not the woman who is the mother o
your children. the bearer of your burden.
and cares, dearer to YOU now than she was
in the old days or your courtships O
course she is, you will say, then why no
treat her the same, why not the same low
ing tenderness, it will give her just as
much pleasure now. Yes, more, and fill
her heart with deep abiding peace, which
no amount of trouble or care can move.
1t is many years since took upon my
self the joys and cares of married life
Little ones came into our home and bright
ened it with their dear presence. but they
are all gone now some into homes OF theil
own. while others were called back to the
dear father who Gave them Nj II