The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-09-20
SECRET OF COMFORT.
II Does Not Depend ou "a Large House or
ENprngiyc EuFnighings.

Expensive Eurnishings.
Tho cOllfOrt and attractivcncss Of n
homo does not dcpcnd upon the amount
OF money spent in building and fur
nishings. A clever woman said re-
Gently that wealth frequently served
only 10 advertise vulgarity. The say
ing should become provorb Those
whose resources are narrow are apt TO
think wish envy Of the superior ad-
vantagcs Of the rich. Money is n con-
vonioncc and may be blessing. but
Of itself IL does not create beauty or
purchase happiness. Thcrc are houses
throughout this country that are bar
barrie in their uglincss. They have
been furnished from top TO bottom
with two ideas in view -costliness and
show. Carpets blaze. and ch airs and
tables present an array Of awkward
angles, fringe and knots. This is
whore the hOuso-furnishcr buys rcck-
lossly whatever suits his uncultivated
eye fatally attracted by gaudy and
inharmOnious c0lors. Whore he mis-
trusts himself no may become the vio-
tim OF the doalor, who prof ts by his
ignorance and makes his house the re-
coptaclo Of all the unsalablc furniture
he has I'm stock.
On the other hand the humblest
little snuggcry may be made so bright
and so inviting that it improsses one
like spring lnndscapo-all freshness
and fragrance In those days of cheap
house furnishings thcrc is no excuse
for uglincss. All that is needed is
care in tho selection and n proper re-
gard for harmony. Stained floors and
rugs, pretty draporics, graceful wooden
chairs. n few good bits OF bric-a-brac.
half dozen good prints or photo
graphs, with few book-sholves, arc
material enough out OF which n clever
woman may produce most satisfactory
results.
Tho house furnished. the next two
urgent requirements arc cleanliness
and order Thcro is no need 10 onjoin
cleanliness upon the self-rospccting
and intelligent But thoro arc degrees
in both, and that to be attained should
than by the sense of sight. There arc
houses that are like whitcncd scpul-
chers. Tho outside is we'll enough. but
rat and roach could tell OF hidden
drawers and undisturbcd hooks where
the strengthening out process Is cul-
pably neglected From those hidden
corners go forth odors. imporccptiblo
to the family, who have become in-
ured TO them, but which arc instantly
detected, above the odor OF the flowers
in the parlor. by tho casual visitor
AS 10 tho noxt essential, order, thoro
can be little comfort whore tho good
old rule, "a place for every thing, and
every thing in its place." is not carried
out TO the lottcr. Human virtue is
frail at best. Tho average temper.
whatever fine traits OF character may
Offset It., Is variable. Many an excel.
lent man. who has risen tranquil and
happy, has gone 10 his business vexed
and disturbed, because some necessary
article has been misplaced With his
wife, n lost thimbo or scissors, caus-
Ing annoying Inconvenience and waste
OF time, has unsettled the nerves; an
CRY words have bccn spoken In the
hurry and irritation that may be for.
given, but can not be forgotten. A
disorderly household can mover be
comfortable one. IL Is place whore
the unexpected always happens an
unexpected that is monotonously cm-
barrassing, annoying and painful.
A good deal OF marital unhappiucss
which eliminated in crime has grown
out OF uncomfortable homc-life. Men
are not to be excused because they
find solacc for domestic discomfort
where and ~ they should not while
women are expected To endure in pa
tionce But whore means have been
provided. women are responsible for
the character OF the home. Whether
IL is n preventive OF vice and intem-
perance or not, clean. attractive. or
derly house, presided over by an in
telligent, cheerful woman, is dan
gerous rival to the saloon and the
favoritc loaiing-placc. Chicago Inter
Ocean.