The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1891-11-07
HOME TRAINING.
Some OF the Friiles Which Indicate
Tll-BreedinG.

Trilles make up the sum of lite;
especially do they make up the sum Of
'sgood manncrism" at the table.
Mothers can not be too careful in
guarding their children's table man
nerS, for as "thc twig is bent, the tree
iuclinelh.
We Americans are always in such Il
hurry that we have very little time to
cultivate gentle, refined ways; we sim.
ply rush along. by and by we bring
up against II 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-thosc who are beloved
for their genuine worth-are II con-
stant source of embarrassment to their
friends ] recall one now, the mother
of large family and an excellent
nrighbor and friend, who, on sitting
down to the table, pours her tea and
thea catches up the saucer in an
awkward, imdescribable way and ilirts
| il about to cool the tea, usually talking
in loud, volubc manner meanwhile.
All her table manners are off the same
piece, and her children call and clamor
rudely, utterly regardless of etiquette.
Some men holding high positions
scnat brs, Judges and the like-cOmlng
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
culture in order that the time may be
given to accumuating dollars and
acres. Better launch him with II we'll
balanced brain, II well-bred manner,
and an honest heart, without money,
than with mint OF the latter minus
the former.
But when delicate home-training
has been denied human being there
IS still a chance for him. A little
awkward 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 Il moment of
Observation-Disclosures or deep earnest
ness.
The knife will assert itself and crowd
food into the mouth, s.just rs of old, "
|
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, II tOOthpick
may unconsciously get in Il point. |
have seen many persons who counted
themselves s'well-bred' take Il slice OF
r bread in the left hand, holding it well
up, and butter it, with something of Il
r flourish, then bite out pieces, still hold
ing the slice, ragged edge and all, M
to be seen by all ut the table; never
even noticing that others left theirs
lying on the plate, barely steadying il
with their left hand, to butter, ana
then cut ii in bites, lifting one 1T Il
time with the finger and thumb, rs
needed.
Only trifle, but sufficient to show
which individual understood table eti
quette.
Using ones knife to mash a potato
Is trifle, as is also cutting pastry will
a knife, elevating ones glass wher
drinking, unnecessarily; pouring water
rapidly down the throat; biting of
soft cake; drinking with spoon in the
cup; quite draining IL cup; putting
b salt on the table-cloth, etc; but they
all count in making up the sum o
table manners. 1t is not polite to ea
!, voraciously in company, neither is i
= polite or courteous to ones hostess tt
i eat sparingly.
When one is placed nj 4 table where
they do not feet sure of themselves il
;. is well to ssmake haste slowly" ant
rather follow than lead the fashion.
Napkins, excepting when used b,
little children, or persons trembling
with age, should be spread in the lap
- not tucked in the waist or vest.
Men with long beard or mustach,
: can not be too careful in keeping foot
and drink from among the hairs or of
. the tips of the latter.
o 1t is the duty of the hostess to Civ
n the signal for rising when all are done
On rising, the chair remains where i
stands.
These are only some of the trilles.-
, Velma Caldwell Melville, in the House
: keeper.