Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-10-08
HOME-TRAINING.
Some of the Trifies Which Indicate Ill.,
 Breeding.


 Trifles make up the sum of life; espe- cially do they make up the sum of "good mannerism" at the table Mothers can not be too careful in guarding their children's table manners for as ''the twig is bent, the tree inclineth."
 We Americans are always in such hurry that we have very little time to cultivate gentle, refined ways; we sim ply rush along. By and by we bring up against combination of circum- stances when we would give all we have gained by our rush to know how to act.
 Some of the kindest-hearted women in the world-those who are beloved for their genuine worth-are a constant source of embarrassment to their friends. l recall one now, the mother of large family and an excellent neighbor and friend, who, on sitting down to the table, pours her tea and then catches up the saucer in an awkward, indescrib able way and flirts it about to cool the tea, usually talking in loud, voluble manner meanwhile. All her table man. ners are off the same piece, and her children call and clamor rudely, utterly regardless of etiquette.
 Some men holding high positions senators, judges and the like-coming from tutelage such as the above, bring shame on themselves and modification on their families. It is really robbing child in one way to aggrandize him in another to defraud him of home cul- ture in order that the time may be given | to accommodating dollars and acres. Bet | ter launch him with we'll balanced brain, a well-bred manner, and an hon. est heart, without money, than with a mint of the latter minus the former. But when delicate home-training has been denied a human being there is still chance for him. A little awk- ward it may all come, but still in time it may come natural-if one is thinking. The trouble comes when one is off guard, | in a moment of -mindedness or | deep earnestness.
 The knife will assert itself and crowd food into the mouth, ''iust as of old,'' the elbow will rise and form a right angle, the lips will smack, dishes will chatter, the chewing may become loud, the napkin possibly slide to the floor and last, but not least, a toothpick may unconsciously get in point. I have 1 oCCA IAdDy DSISOl1S "hO SOuAICO GllC1u- selves s'well-bred" take a slice of bread in the left hand, holding it well up, and butter it, with something of flourish then bite out pieces, still holding the slice, ragged edge and all, up to be seer by all at the table; never even noticing that others left theirs lying on the plate barely steadying it with their left hand to butter, and then cut it in bites, lifting | |. |. as needed.
 Only trife, but sufficient to show which individual understood table eti quette.
 Using one'a knife to mash potato Ii trifie, as is also cutting pastry with knife; elevating ones glass when drink ing, unnecessarily; pouring water rap idly down the throat; biting off sof cake; drinking with a spoon in the cup quite draining cup; pTtting salt on tn table-cloth, etc; but they all count il making up the sum of table manners It is not polite to eat voraciously il company, neither is it polite or courte ous to ones hostess to eat sparingly.
 When one is placed at table wher they do not feel sure of themselves it i well to make haste slowly" and rathe follow than lead the fashion.
 Napkins, excepting when used by lii tie children, or persons trembling wit age, should be spread in the lap, no [ tucked in the waist or vest.
 Men with long beard or mustach can not be too careful in keeping foo and drink from among the hairs or o1 the tips of the latter.
 It is the duty of the hostess to giv 7 the signal for rising when all are done On rising, the chair remains where stands.
 These are only some of the trifes.- r r Velma Caldwell Melville, in the House ?