Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-02-12
Household,

Naturally all linger around the dining
room, snd this is an excuse for contin-
u&tion Of last weeks talk wherein the
delicate furnishings of the table were
discussed. Granted tnas the dining-room
should be the brightest, plrasantest room
in the house, that it should be scrupH-
lousy neat, and all the furniture such as
charms The eye By It's beauty and fitness,
there may be the greatest charm lacking
| IL the family thst assemble there fail 20
oring with them cheeriuluess, cleanliness
and good mann ers; these are every day
costumes and should never be reserved
for company. Taste and comfort are as
| much hsndmsidens at poor msn's din
ner IS Of the rich mans table, where the
frat may be paid sdorn with glisteniDg
china, polished glass and silver, but at
which the latter is so chary an attendant
that she must be moved as assiduously
for the one as the other.
Is there any right reason why hus-
band should not render to his wife that
gracious courtesy that he so willingly
bestoTs on lady visitor? The appetizing
pleasures that he so desires are the result
of loving labor, and the quiet little woman
who pours his coffee would appre ciaia 4
pleasant word in recognition Of her ser.-
vices. Then why should he fncsss him.
self behind a morning paper that ne oEsy
lsys down after repeated reminders f4at
his breakfast waits, oftener giving fugiive
glances st this intruder than 81 the
woman who listens for his nghteet word?
Why cannot some social sutocrat Danish
forever from the family dining room the
newspaper and that idiocy, the toothpIck?
RELOCATING the last to the restaurant, where
it belongs, and permitting the newspaper
only to those solitary ones who are COM
PEELED to order their own meal and await
Its preparation. Az first glance it seems
an sbsurdity that people who claim TO be
well bred should indulge in tootbpicking
at the table. These same persons would be
shocked beyond measure 10 see some one
take out his knife and clesn his
M Is, yet these are both matters OF the
toilet, and one is IS reprehensiole as the
other; better endure the discomfort OF
food wedged between the teeth or leave
the table than shock and snnoy others by
q disgusting use of the toothpick. In no
other country save this do toothpick
holders form part Of table eCulpsge, and
1t Is a compliance with the foundation
lshed to their proper place.
The lady who sits a. the coffee urn has
much to do with the courtesies OF he
table. She should set an example Of per-
sonal neatness. Her woman wit will
easily devise mesns 10 attain this although
she may by the exigencies Of the time
have to come from the cook stove to the
dining-room. When she has servants let
her remember that this is not the time for
fsult-fndipg. A quiet word with the
cook after the meal. showing gently but
firmly where errors have been made, or
patient drilling st another time for better
waiting service, will prove much more
elective with the servants and certainly
the absence Of grumeling Will not be
subject Of complaint to those
gathered around the board. To the
mother emphstically belongs the duty of
enforcing habitusl politeness among her
children. They should early be taught to