Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-15
HuMoR N THE HOUSEHOLD.

HUIOR N THE HOUSEHOLD.
We are apt 10 think only of distinguished
workers when considering the great i'm
provements of the age, and thus it is when
we turn cur thoughts to the household
We are ambitious to have them models of
perfection, and often, too often, the labors
are great and manifold and we are in dan
ger of falling into irritable speaking to
those around us. The steam engine life
that many are inclined to lead is wearing
on the nerves, making old people impatient
and young folks old and cross. The fates
and their surroundings are denounced as
their greatest enemies. Many a noble life
is warped and visited fretting over trifes,
which might be entirely changed by lit
tie reflection or by cultivating good humor.
We usually adore the Solomon of the fam
lily. An amiable spirit is thoroughly
appreciated, for, though things get mixed
up and accidents occur as they will in the
best regulated families), they never lose
want genuine shake-up of faculties or
feelings, the member of the household
full of humor can readily bring that about
One fully endowed with such spirit can
brighten darkest homes. Watch the sum
rise or sunset Of an autumn or winter day.
The background of the sky is full of gray,
leaden clouds as the glorious orb of day
comes forth or passes beyond our vision
and the clouds are tinged with glow of
crimson and gold that defes our powers
of description The difficulties sometimes
incidental to domestic life bring a cloud of
impatience or discomfort, but does not the
mirthful one dissipate or cast glow OF
humor upon these dark feelings, Just as the
sun gilds the clouds? Its of contagious
nature, and like other good qualities, can
be cultivated But it has host of enc
mics; one of the greatest is the failure to
appreciate home effort.
\ friend of mine had an excellent wife,
and if ever there was such dainty as an
anti-dyspeptic pie, her pies were of that
kind. Pastry, light and faky, inside al
ways toothsome, they generally called
forth some word of commendation from
guest or the good-humored portion of the
household, but invariably from her hus-
band came the stereotyped remark: ~
have eaten better, somewhere l cannot re-
call" Cold, Indifferent words. How they
would chill some spirits, even make guests
uncomfortable: hut my friend had grown
used to such compliments, and gaily re-
piled: 81 wonder where" The touchstone
OF humor had become her panacea for all
discouragements, and thus it is that humor,
III oh ~ &c hot
pleasing, brings to the household a spirit
of quiet and rest, and is this not the object
of true living, by good-natured pleasantly,
to inspire a love for life's duties? Even
though confined to the limits of our house
hold, the seed of humor kindly sown may
tell when our life work is finally done.
Some, it is true, seem trammeled on every
side Why, we cannot define, but we do
know, and have often felt, that the farmers
household, situated in the midst of natures
beauties, is or can be the promoter of much
that is pleasing 1t isl here that we can
learn of our silent teacher that good humor
and harmony are one. Ours is but pro-
bationary state, ard, after all, life's care
and burdens are, to some extent, of our
own making. Oiled with humor, they
vanish into non-existence. What if we do
daily make failures; it is upon our failure
that other mems success is built, and often,
indeed always, require more courage and
good humor to accept in the right spirit
than if the good fortune came to ourselves.
To rejoice at our neighbors prosperity is
TO attain The highest hight that humor can
reach, and win rebound with ten-fold
power to US and our own household. 1t is
there we turn if joyous if betrayed, and if
in its storehouse we can find all the happy
results of a genial, good-humored spirit,
subdued by all the many other graces that
follow In its r in, We are led to believe, 10
feel, to know that it is but a foretaste of
the great unknown future-the household
where all shall be one spirit, one humor,
and where all shall be harmony.
STAYING AT HOME.
The husband of the future will doubt
less be quite as happy as the husband of
the present, but he will have accustomed
himself to some radical changes. One who
has already felt the touch of the new
spirit said the other day to me: 81 do
not wish my wife to stay at home all the
time She has an angelic temper natural
", but when she remains within doors for
three or four days, or q week, | find that
she becomes too much absorbed in domes-
tic matters, which do not believe ought
to consume any woman's entire time.
When she goes away to public meeting
or to a Convention TO be gone a week or so,
she comes back refreshed, enthusiastic, and
ready to take up the old duties with suffi-
cient interest and energy. She has met
many interesting people, she has had the
benefit of an exchange of ideas, and the
family have the benefit Of what she has
seen, told with the vividness and sympa-
thy which makes the conversation of
bright woman, who has both heart and
brain, always delightful"
An occasional holiday for the nerves is
a grand thing. There is no better pre-
ventive for nervous exhaustion than regu-
lar, unhurried, muscular exercise. If we
could moderate our hurry, lessen our wor-
ry, and increase our open air exercise,
large portion of nervous disease would be
abolished. For those who cannot get
sufficient holiday the best substitute is an
occasional day in bed Many whose
nerves are constantly strained in their
daily ayoeations have discovered this for
themselves. A Spanish merchant in Bar
celona told his medical man that he al
ways went to bed for two or three days
whenever he could be spared from his
business, and he laughed at those who
spent their holidays on toilsome mount
aims. One OF the hardest working women
in England, who has for many years con-
Quoted a large wholesale business, retains
excellent nerves at an advanced age, ow-
ing, it is believed, to her habit of taking
one day a week in bed.
HoUsEKzEPERs OUGHT TO KNOW.
That to have good coffee your cofeepot
must be bright and clean inside.
That you can sweep a rag carpet much
cleaner sweeping crosswise OF the width.
That in making up the unbleached
muslin allow one inch to the yard for
sbrinEaca