Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-10-04

The Tregears are an influential and cul-
tured family N an inland middle state town
They live in an Old mansion, built by their
great grandfather, and have ali the luxurious
appliances Of life about them which would
be gathered by generations Of educated,
affiuent people They are possessed CT clear
heads and warm hearts and there is appar-
emily no reason why life for them shonld not
be sweet and gracious and full of happiness
They are a father and mother, with a
daughter and two sons When the Tregears
gather around the family breakfast table the
food is served IN "a grim silence Ii there is
choice morssl on q dish Bob or John Is sure
TO seize it, on which Clara makes some bit
ing allusion 70 Crce's banquet for the swine
II Clara comes into the room with a pretty
new gown or bat, not one Of the family
notices IT,
When Mr.. Tre-ear takes up the morning
paper to read his wife is apt 10 interrupt
him with a dozen questions upon unimport-
ant subjects, which could easily wait for an
hour or two. 1t never occurs TO the boys or
to their father 30 rise when Mrs. Tregear or
Clara enters the room, or to hand either of
them q chair Sometimes Mrs Tregear
who is not young woman, being reminded
Of some incident Of her youth, of which she
has told them before, begins the story again.
1t Is very amusing or touching to her; but IN
moment her children glance at each other
with suppressed yawns, and her husband
usually walks out Of the room. She stops
short with tears in her ewes.
Bob is captain Of his baseball nine, John is
noted tennis player and Clara is really a
interest in their little victories and if
one of them speaks of some success,
the Others bear it with uncOnealed
indifference. or do not listen at all
Yet the Tregears are fond of each other
When one Of them is i'll, the Others are in An
agony Of alarm; each of them. when away
from home, holds up the others as the stand
ard of excellence, and measures all other
people by it
The fatal defect in their character is lack
Of courtesy. To strangers abroad or guests
in their own house they are polite enough.
A visitor may bore them with twice told
tales, and they viii listen attentively; the
choicest bits are placed on his plate, they
rise at his entrance, and treat him in every
way with Difference and careful attention
SNS NHA' - E't@l "a = udlN bAt bOnluk,
and scraping and fol-de-rol of civility in a
family. We know each other. and know
that we love each other. What more is
wanted"
The whole family conduct is based on this
maxim. The result is incessant grating,
rasping, i'll humor, and a secret bitterness of
soul. Each of the Tregears is lonely at
heart, and believes himself or herself IN.
loved
Great affection aud confidence which only
come to the light in time of extreme trial
are not all that is needed to make home life
sunny and happy We cannot trade or
large notes, but on the little coin of precious
metal, which passes readily, and makes daily
Intercourse easy and pleasant Even in the
most loving families there come to eact
member days of nervous exhaustion an6
irritability. 1t IS then that the habit o.
courtesy learned III childhood helps us t.
conceal the evil spirit uDttl it has been exor
cised and driven away.-Youth's Compan
ion