The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-02-06
POLITENESS AT HOME.

Even IN families whose members
have sincere affection for each other
there is frequently much wrang-
ling that never amounts to all open
rupture, but which is an almost con-
slant source of irritation. 1t is
sometimes a mere habit, and a bad
one, developed, apparently, from
the teasing by children of one ano
Their. Sometimes it is due to imi-
tation. A querulous mother
excusable because her irritability is
due to worriment or sickness-is
initiated by her children until the
whole tone of the family becomes
one of complaining and of sharp
reproofs. Yet nothing comes OF
the chickering's that ensue because
the children really love each other
and have enough of the clannsh
instinct in them to stand together
as against any common foe, But
quarreling of any kind helps to sour
ones temper and brings unhap
piness in its train. Sometimes it is
carried to such an extreme, though
begun in this way, that it leads to
permanent estrangement. 1t is ire
quently noticed that young men are
less polite and attentive to their
sisters than they are to other girls;
that they try to behave as gentlemen
when associated with strangers, but
act the boor when their companions
are their own sisters, though they
may have a real affection for the
latter. Nor is the fault all on one
side. The girl who is very gracious
with a male companion to whom
as n IS not lsled 49,, .-12a2H very
Oll oSS Win HGI DIOlHeT, up
braids him for his clumsiness, and
helps to develop in him the boorish-
ness of which she complains. Fam
iliarity has OF course much to do
with this behavior. Brothers and
sisters know each other so intimately
that they do not hesitate to speak
their minds freely one to the other,
and hence indulge in expressions
that they would not think Of using
to those who are not related to
them. For this very reason young
men and young women should be
on their guard against falling into
bad habits in respect to the treat
ment they accord to near relatives.
The only safe rule is to scrupulously
follow the rules of politeness with
relatives as with other people. And
these rules of politeness, be it OBJ,
served, are not confined to methods
of salutation or escort. The most
essential rule OF all is consideration
for other people. That puts guard
upon ones tongue as we'll as upon
ones actions. Family chickering's
would almost disappear if girls and
boys should make it rule to be as
polite to relatives as to strangers.
The manly, honorable boy would
defend his sister with his life, but he
should not wait for opportunities to
prove his heroism; let him teach
Others TO respect her by showing
her that respect which he gives to
all other women. The girl of proper
instincts would make great sacri.
fees for her good brother; let her
begin by making the little sacrifice
Of being cordial with him and treat
ing him with the Difference she shows
to much less worthy members o.
the opposite sex. The training of
children to this right behavior must
begin when they are very young,
for the chickering's of later years bear
close relation to the teasings and
OF early childhood and
to the dominesring Of elder brothers
and sisters ov3,, the younger chill
dren. Unlez D. II5iren are taught /,