Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-11-11
HOMELY NOTIONS.
BY ADELAIDE cILLEY wALpRoS.

When my mother was married, nv
grandmother said to her, "Miriam, let
me impress this on your mind; neUe7.
eat against the wall, and never use a
ragged dishcloth." Times in the fam
lily had changed somewhat since the
wedding day of grandmother's grand
mother, and the idea of table pushed
to the wall, to say nothing of the nee
essary but nsver-touched-b by-her dish
cloth, probably never presented itself
to the mind of that far away ancestress
whose dainty foot never pressed her
cellar stairs, but whose authority and
management were so potent that her
establishment is said to have been a
proverb for perfect housekeeping.
But perhaps this generation makes
better citizens, for lack of the fortunes
long since used or confiscated, and
when my grandmother gave her
daughter the advice quoted, it was not
in order to hold to even a fragment of
former fashions, but to instil more
philosophy than might at first be
noticed. 1t is true that many young
women, as well as men, in the early
days of married life, approach the
niceties, that were common between
them during the oourtship, but that
with the freedom of familiarity they
afterward and gradually fall into ways
extremely desha6iike which are quite
as unlovely after, as before, marriage.
A little languor excuses ''letting-g GO
for once, and it is so easy to continue
'1etting-go" And sometimes it comes
about that one has an innate tendency
to let go, and no coaxing urging or
scolding on the part of the one who
likes things ship-shape avalls to stay
the downward slide. But resolution is
a mighty force, and if one loves the
other truly, one will be welI-supported
in upward endeavor. 1t was having in
mind a principle of doing the best
possible that pointed the matron's
command. She wished the pride OF
her heart to keep hold on the propri-
cites of living that make existence com
Portable and admirable, to not lose
sight of the prettinesses that poetisa
the prose of the body's needs, and to
be clean, for cleanliness is of both soul
and body, and without it there is no
purity of nations, no aiming at the
stars, no spiritual comprehension of
Heavens perfection.
L have thought often, that the so easy
letting things go, is likely to propagate
a correspondent slip of the leash ths;
holds our moralities in bond. We
excuse little things in our appearance,
then greater things, and by easy tran
sitlon we find apparent psllIation for
the slightest dream of something
in our conduct; not quite as
it should be; then it is so natural to
forgive our fault, feeling aware of good
in entions, or of extenuating circu m
stances, and We wonder that others are
not so ready to excuse that for which
We so readily pardon ourselves. 1t is
for our own safety In character that we
avoid even that appearance of evil
which may affect our reputation. And
to be fine and noble in the eyes of the
world we must be so in our own, in
detail. and in those of our nearest and
dearest.
Ayoung man said once of young
woman on whom he had for a time
affectionate designs" II would better
marry different girl; she keeps me
feeling as if 1 had on tight boots. u
But perhaps he would have been a
better man with the snug boots than
with his soul always in slippers, and
then the tightest of shoes Will stretch.
or mercifully burst
Miriam" minded her mother; some
times the fare was very simple and
scant, but the table, whether poor or
elegant, was set out and dressed and
adorned to the utmost available, and
the amenities were unforgotteL. When
the dishcloth became ragged it was dis
carded, and something whole was put
in its stead, and the family has been
the better for the philosopy of the
arbitrary dame of ancient days.