The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1894-06-23
THE TWO VISITS.

fhthioh'ot liro'uhN hbihi1s hhb WIN
my head resting on the pillow Of the
chair fell e ineditating had just re-
turned home after paying two short
visits TO dear old friends Of my happy
school days, who for ten years had been
mistresses Of their own homes. | was
trying. as ! sat there. 10 answer the
question why II was that had enjoyed
my visit so much moro at Mrs. Van
Dykes than | did at Mrs. Barstow's.
Both ladies were bright, cordial, enter
tanning, intelligent and exceedingly
hospitable. and had looked forward for
two years TO the pleasure Of visiting
Thorn In their own homes.
They were living in inland cities about
200 miles apart. Both OF these friends
had married lawyers, who were already
earning good incomes. and both families
had the cntree to the best society.
The homes Of these friends were not
only comfortable but exceedingly taste
full and pleasant, and the children in
both homes were bright. handsome and
merry, with plastic minds ready to 0e
nodded by their parents
Yet with all this similarity in the So
cial position Of both families, in the in
comes they received, in the homes they
had built, in the education of the
parents and In their church relations
the atmosphere Of these two homes was
very different, and a visit in the one was
great contrast to the other
l.I a
visits. and they convinced me. and
more strongly than ever before, that
the mother makes the home. Her taste.
her methods, her ideas, her example,
her influence, her spirit are all i'm.
pressed upon the household and create
It's atmosphere.
At Mrs. Van Dykes not only was all
the household machinery so well oiled
that its running was noiseless. but there
was no friction whatever in the family.
The household arose betimes, in the old
fashioned way, and all the children
were ready for breakfast when the meal
was announced, and they appeared APP.
propriately dressed, and each with hap
by face bidding their parents, each
other, aud the guests a pleasant good
morning Then after morning prayer
in which the servants participated. each
of the older children quietly disap-
peared from the sitting room to attend
to few practical duties before getting
ready for school, appearing ere long
with books in hand. for goodby kiss
and TO hear the last CHEEKY word from
mother rs they started out.
With perfect composure, and with nc
apparent trouble. few friends were
asked TO dine one evening. and most
delightful visit enjoyed. The flowers
the glass. the silver, the table linen were
exquisite, and the dinner of only foul
courses was well cooked. homelike and
well served. while the feast OF reason
the quick repartee, the witty stories, tn,
bits Of political, social and literary tall
were not only pleasure to all the Older
ones. but a source of education and cul
ture to the children. Several such in
formal companies were entertained a
Mrs. Van Dykes while | was there.
In every department the household
seemed 70, move along harmoniously ant
withnpf apparent exertion or undue car,
gu the part Of the mother. The HON,
was az all times in perfect order. ant
YET without stiffness or angularity yisi
Bile anywhere
4 remembered going into one of tn,
chjldren's rooms to look at a gift of .
pretty picture, and as little Mary opene,
bureau drawer noticed how neat an,
orderly it was as was also her closet
where the shoes and rubbers even wer,
set back against the Dashboard will
regularity and precision asked Mrs
Van Dyke when we were alone il Mary
who was nine years old. arranged he
closet and drawers herself. TO whicl
question her mother replied;
Certainly taught all my children
before they were two years old TO be OF
Derby Even at that age" she said
"you know they are very initiative. an,
they love 70 do little services for thei
mothers. showed them just how I,
put their clothes and shoes away In AT
orderly manner. and how TO lay thing
in their drawers and keep them neatly
Those early lessons they will never for
get believe" she added. mo matte
how many servants one can afford Z,
have IL is we'll 10 teach children 10 b'
self reliant. and 20 do everythin,
promptly and we'll Such teachin,
saves vast amount Of work and Of un
necessary friction through life. True /
Is that some children seem 10 have nat
urally more OF bump OF order thar
others, but the orderly habit can be cul
tivated II the hanging loop Of Mary
coat should give way. SO orderly ha
she become she would not for momen
think Of hanging IL upon the hook unit
the loop was mended."
All this | recalled AS sat there. an,
also what my friend said about her hu.
band when | had remarked that ha
never seen gentlemen who seemed I
make 30 little trouble about the house
He was a surprise to me In that n
spect.- said Mrs Van Dyke. II toll
him soon after we were married that
bad been accustomed 10 see men leav
everything about for some one to pic
up. and asked him how IL happened tbs
he was 80 neat and orderly. He sal
4. that when he was about thirteen year
old be noticed that his mother picked u
aud put away what he bad left carelos