Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1891-11-13
tiOME-TRAlNiNG.


Breeding.
Trifles make up the sum of life; espe'
cially do they make up the sum of good
manncrism" 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 a
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
hare gained by our rush to know how
to act.
Flomt 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,
/ 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
senator's judges and the like-coming
from tutelage such as the above, bring
shame on themselves and modification
on their families 1t is really robbing
a 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 a we'll balanced
brain, well-bred manner, and an hon
est heart, without money, than with a
mint of the latter minus the former.
But when a delicate home-training
has been denied 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 moment of -mindedness OF
| ueep earneStneSS.
The knife will assert itself and crowd
food into the mouth, lust as of old,
the elbow will rise and form a right
angle, the lips will smack, dishes will
clatter, 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
seen many persons who counted them
selves "well-bred" take a slice of bread
in the left hand, holding it well up, ant
butter it, with something of flourish
then bite ont 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, liftin,
one at time with the finger and thumb
as needed.
Only trifle, but sufficient to shov
which individual understood table Ell
quette.
Using ones knife to mash potato i
a trife, 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 spoon in the cup
quite draining a cup; putting salt on tn
table-cloth, etc; but they all count il
making up the sum of table manners
1t is not polite to eat voraciously il
company, neither is it polite or courtc
GUS to ones hostess to eat sparingly.
When one is placed at table wher
they do not feel sure of themselves it
well to make haste slowly, and rathe
follow than lead the fashion.
Napkins, excepting when used by Iii
tie children, or persons trembling wit
age, should be spread in the lap, nc
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.
1t is the duty of the hostess to Civ
the signal for rising when all are done
On rising, the chair remains where
stands.
These are only some of the trifes.
Velma Caldwell Melville, in the House
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