The Dickinson press., 1888-12-29
A Iralnily's Fatal Defect.

The Tregears are an influential and cul-
tlrcd family i'll an inland middle state town.
They live i'll an old mansion, built by their
great grandfather, and have all the luxurious
appliances of life about them which would
be gathered by generations of educated,
~afiiuent people. They are possessed CT clear
heads and warm hearts. and there is appar-
entity no reason why life for them should not
he sweet and gracious and full of happiness.
They are n father and mother, with a
daughter and two SONS. When tho Tregears
gather around tho family breakfast table the
food is served i'll q grim silence. If there is
u choice morsel on q dish Bob or John is sure
to seize it, on which Clara makes some bit
ing allusion to Circe's banquet for the swine.
Ii Clara comes into the room with q pretty
new gown OF hat, not one of the family
notices it.
When Mr.. Tregear takes up the morning
paper to read his wife is apt to interrupt
him with a dozen questions, upon unillport-
ant subjects, which could easily wait for an
hour OF two. 1t never occurs to tin boys or
to their father to rise when Mrs. Trcaear or
Clara enters the room, or to hand either of
them u chair. Sometimes Mrs. Trcgear,
who is not u 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
Il moment her children glance at each other
with suppressed yawls, and her husband
usually walks out Of the room. She stops
short, with tears in her eyes.
Bob is captain of his baseball nine, John is
q noted tennis player and Clara is really a
fine musician; but nobody at home takes any
interest in their little victories, and if
one of them speaks of some success,
the others hear it with unconcaled
indifference, or do not listen ut all.
Yet the Iregears arc 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 TIE 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 OWL house they arc polite enough.
A visitor may bore them with twice told
tales, and they will 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.
But Mr.. IT, ear says: ~ hate the bowins
and scraping and fol-de-rol of civility in {,
family. We know each other, and know
that we love each other. What more i
wautedf'
The whole family conduct is based on thi
maxim. The result is incessant grating
rasping, i'll humor, and a secret bitterness o.
soul. Each of the Tregcars is lonely u,
heart, and believes himself or herself un
loved.
Great affection and confidence which onl,
como to the light in time of extreme tria
are not all that is needed to make home lif,
sunny and happy. We cannot trade o,
large notes. but on the little coin Of preciou.
metal, which passes readily, and makes dali,
intercourse easy and pleasant. Even in til
most loving families there come to cac'
member days of nervous exhaustion an
irritability. 1t is then that the habit ,
courtesy learned in childhood helps us t
conceal the evil spirit until it has been cxol
cised and driven away.-Youth's Compal
ion.