The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-01-12

CNCA al CioblC sui IIOuuulHSS oAc pOooCooCo
from the simplest materials. Before
| became acquainted with her | used
often to wouder what was the charm
which drew people of all grades and
conditions to her lowly abode. The
fact that her husband was shy and
reticent, better listener than speaker,
convinced me that the attraction did
not lie in that quarter, though | learn
ed afterward what strong, helpful
force this quiet man was in his home
and III the community.
1t was part Of his creed that the
wife should have absolute sway in the
realm for which she is responsible
He had supreme confidence i'll her
Judgment and ability and ably second
ed all her efforts, as she.did his own in
his wider sphere. Theafesult was the
most harmonious home [ have ever
known.
ut always rests me so to go to the
WIS" a lady once remarked to me. Il
feel as if life were worth living after
all, and as if existence were not mere
sham and pretense. They are genuine
people and take their friends into their
real home life. What I would like to
know is how their household machine
ry moves with so little friction"
Afterward, when [ had learned to
know Mrs. W. better, ventured once
while her guest to ask her the ques-
tion.
st is very simple matter" she
answered, with that sunshiny smile
which made her plain face absolutely
beautiful to me- my husband and |
are not very sentimental couple, and
we began our married life with the
firm determination to make home in
the highest sense of the word. We
started out with two or three rules
which we have added to from time to
time AS need has arisen. The secret
is that we are both observant OF the
maxims to which we have subscribed.
There is too much talked and written
about woman's duty to her home. No
woman can make a perfect home with
out the cheerful and earnestFco-opera-
ton Of her husband. Where one wife
fails in her part there are ten husbands
who are utterly careless and unmind-
full Of their own domestic responsible
tiles, ready to surrender their own bur-
dens to the wife whose physical and
mental strength is ordinarily hardly
ADEQUATE to the demands made upon
her. How many fathers take upon
themselves the educational training OF
their children? and yet how few moth
cts are qualified either by mental dis
cipine or habits Of thought for that
work. | know all the popular argu-
ments advanced on the other side, but
they do not alter the fact that in nine
cases out of tep it is the husbands in-
tellect which is sharpened and kept
alive by contact with other minds, by
reading and pursuits which require a
wide mental outlook AS for the nee
essary time, there are few men who
cannot spare an hour from the day s
engrossing duties in which to study
the bent Of their children's minds and
give direction to their studies. Think
of John Mill pausing in the midst of
his most arduous labor, the work
which required closest application and
concentration Of thought, to patiently
solve for his son Stuart the trouble
some Greek and Latin problems and
direct his studies in history.
"And is there anything Mrs. FIRE.
mont has written so charming as
those scenes in which her father, bur-
dened with the cares and anxieties Of
public life, gathered his children about
his study table to prepare the lessons
for their teachers under his supervi-
sion?
Il know among my own friends one
family in which the father has taken
upon himself the intellectual training
of his children from their very infan-
cy. One boy evinced strong journal
istic tendencies and he is studying for
that profession; another manifested
great love for natural history aud his
father has given him every opportuni
ty for the study of beasts, birds and
plants He found his youngest boy
almost baby-absorbed in the plates
of the Scientific American, and taking
the hint helped him to familiarize
himself with machinery, in which
study the boy made marvellous prog
ress. | could multiply instances, but
these are sufficient to indicate that the
gospel of parental responsibility needs
to be preached to the stronger as well
as the weaker SEX"
"But you have not given me your
rules of life," I urged, as she paused.
mo, but I will do SO. Here they
are. I call them my household deca-
logue,' and whatever of harmony and
beauty you have discovered in my
home life arises from their studied OBJ
servance by every member of the fam
ily."
l copied them for my own good and
will give them here for the benefit Of
my readers:
1. Do the duty that lies nearest.
2. Bear your own burdens.
8. Don't worry.
4. Expect nothing from children or
servants which they are not able to
perform.
5. Make cheerfulness duty.
6. Never ask from another service
you would not be willing to perform
in his place.
7. Be punctual; remember that one
o'clock means exactly one.
8. Be tolerant; large minds have no
room for uncharitableness.
9. Make the most of what YOU have
TO- Remember that the law Of love
is the law Of happiness
[From the Cambrian.l
THE LAST PRINCE OF