The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-08-07
Company Manners.
BY SENEX SMITH.


II wish that we always had company
at our house." said little Jennie Brown
to me the other day.
"Why?" I asked.
because mamma is so pleasant anc
smiling Shen. If 60 into the parlor
she says, Jennie, my dear, come anC
speak to Mrs. Smith, but as soon al
the visitors are gone, she says: 'Jen.
ME, you lazy girl, what business had
you to come in while I was talking
with Mrs. Smith? You know thai
you ought to have been shelling the
peas.' And then she shakes me, and
keeps scolding at me, and tells father
when he comes home, what good-for
nothing girl am"
was sorry for Jennie. And I feal
that she is not the only little girl that
would like to have company, because
fore folks than when they are alone.
How cruel it is to lavish our smiles
and kind words on mere acquaintan'
ces, and treat coldly or unkindly those
whom we ought to love, and whose
happiness depends 80 largely upon ou1
treatment of them. An Apostle ex-
horts his readers to "show piety at
home," and he might have added po-
liteness. Indeed, truly pious men or
women will not have two kinds of
manners, but always be patient and
gentle, whether at home or abroad.
On this point I have just heard.
A GOOD STORY.
A young lady to whom John Wilson
was engaged, was visiting at his moth
er's. John had bright little sister
who became very fond of the visitor.
One day when they were alone togeth-
er, the child said "Miss Jones, I
wish that you would stay at our house
always" The prospective bride, with
u sweet blush, responded, "Do you
like me 80 well that you would be glad
to have me for a sister," "Yes," said
Anna; "but that's not what I was
thinking about. When you are not
here, John is horrid. He scolds us lit
tie ones and bangs US about all the
time"
Miss Jones was startled. She had
thought that John was a particularly
amiable young man. She had noticed,
with great satisfaction, how kind he
was to the younger children when in
her presence. Was it possible that this
was all put on? She would not for the
world marry a man who was really
cross and harsh to such little darling
as Anna. She determined to lnvesti-
gate the matter. She managed to be
present, but unseen, when John came
where the children were at play in the
barn. AS soon as he was near enough
to be heard, he cried out angrily
"You little brats, you have no business
here. Get out of the barn this minute,
or I'll give you a good trouncing."
That was enough for Miss Jones.
Such an elder brother would not be
likely to make good husband, The
engagement ring was returned, and
the bride-elect went home feeling that
she had made a providential escape.
Johns lesson was severe one, but
he deserved it. advise ali the girls to
find out how their admirers behave at
home before they swallow their taffy
and say Eyes" A coarse-grained and
brutal man may put on fine clothes
and fine manners, and thus try to get
q wife; but as soon as the honeymoon
is over the old nature will assert itself,
and woe to the woman who has be-
come his slave for life!
And if that young man, who has
been trained by loving mother in a
true home, wants to secure wife who
is amiable as well as beautiful, let him
try to find out what kind of daughter
or sister she is. If she is not gentle,
kind, and patient in the old home, she
will not be in the new.