Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-02-17
Houashold.

Naturally all linger around tse dining
room, and this is an excuse for a contin-
ustion OF last weeks talk wherein the
delicate furnishings Of the table were
discussed. Granted tnst the dining-room
should be the brightest, pl'asantest room
In the house, that 1t should be scrupu.
lousy neat, and all the furniture such as
charms the eye by its beauty and fitness,
there may be the greatest charm lacking
II the family that assemble there fail to
bring with them cheerfulness, cleanliness
aud good manners; these are every day
costumes and should never be reserved
for company. Taste and comfort are as
much hanomaidens at poor mans din
ner as at the rich mans table, where the
first may be paid adorn with glistening
china, polished glass and silver, but at
which the latter Is 80 chary an attendant
that she must be moved as assiduously
for the one as the other.
Is there any right reason why q hus-
band should not render to his wife that
gracious courtesy that he so willingly
bestows on lady visitor? The sppetizipg
pleasures that he SO desires are the result
of loving labor, and the quiet little woman
who pours his coffee would appre ciste
pleasant word in recognition OF her ser
vices. Then why should he ncase him
self behind morning paper that he only
lays down after repeated reminders that
his breakfast waits, oftener giving furlive
glarces at this intruder than at the
woman who listens for his lightest word?
Why cannot some social autocrat Danish
forever from the familyidlniDg room the
newspaper and that idiocy, the toothplck7
RELOCATING the last to the restaurant, where
1t belongs, and permitting the newspaper
only to those solitary ones who are COM
PEELED to order their own meal and ewsit
its preparation. Al first glance 1t seems
an absurdity that people who claim to be
well bred should indulge In tooth picking
at the table. These same persons would be
shocked beyond measure to see some one
take out his knife and clean his
ms Is, yet these are both matters of the
toilet, and one Is as reprehensible as the
other; better endure the discomfort OF
food wedged between the teeth or leave
the table than shock and annoy others by
q disgusting use of the toothpick. In no
other country save this do toothpick
holders form part OF table eouipage, and
it is Q compliance with the foundation
law Of true politeness that they be ban
lshed to their proper place.
The lady who sits et the cofiee urn has |
much to do with the courtesies OF the |
table. She should set an example Of per-
sonal neatness. Her woman wit will |
easily devise means to attain this although !
she may by the exigencies OF the time /
nave IN come from the cook stove to the !
When she has servants let |
,er remember that this Is not the time for |
ault-nnding. A quiet word with the
;ook after the meal, showing gently but
irmly where errorg have been made, or
patient drilling at another time for better
waiting service, viii prove much more
Elective with the servants and certainly
he absence OF grumbling Will not be
i subject Of complaint 70 those
gsthered around the board. To the
mother emphaticslly belongs the duty of
inforcing habitusl politeness among her
hildren. They shouid early be taught TO :