The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-06-30
DOMESTIC FELICITY.

Inc description or the Nlc2r : NUM-
BILE home by Oliver Goldsmith in the
Vicar Of Wakefield, pictures true do
nestle happiness. In these days Of
conjugal jargon. numerous divorce
cases. suicides, jealousieS. wife murder
ers and frequent unfaithfulness of hus-
bands and wives To each other, even
though the connubial knot was ''indis-
selubly tied" it is sadly evident that
the true home influence is waning, that
domestic felicity is the exception rather
than the rule
From the following word-picture OF
the Wears little fIabita ton and his
happy family, the reader may discern
for himself the secret of the rest, peace
and quiet happiness which perTaded
this home and made its memory sacred:
1.-The place of our retreat was in a
little neighborhood. consisting Of farm
ers who titled their own grounds and
were equal strangers 10 opulence and
poverty. As they had almost all the
cOnvenieDceS of life within themselves.
they seldom visited towns or cities in
search of superhuitieS. Remote from
the polite, they still retained the prim-
eval simplicity of manners; and frugal
by habit~they scarcely knew that tenn
perance was a virtue. They wrought
with cheerfulnesS on days of labor,
but observed festivals as intervals of
idleness and pleasure.
''They kept up the Christmas carol,
sent true love-knots on Valentine morn
ing, at pancakes on Shrovetide, showed
their wit on the first of April and re-
ligiously cracked nuts ON MichaelmuS
Eve.
"Our little habitation was situated
at the foot Of a sloping hill, sheltered
with a beautiful underwood behind
and a pratlling river before; on one
side a meadow, on the other a green.
Nothing could exceed the neatness of
my little enclosures, the elms and
hedge-rows appearing with inexpres-
sible beauty. My house consisted of
but one story. and was covered with
thatch, which gave IL an air of great
SnugneSS; the walls on the inside were
nicely whitewaShed, and my daughters |
undertook to adorn them with pictures |
of their own designing. Though the |
same room served US for parlor and |
kitchen, that only made it warmer. |
Besides as it was kept with the utmost |
neatDess, the dishes. plates and cop
perS being well secured, and all dis |
posed in bright rows ON the shelves. |
the eye was agreeably relieved and did |
not want richer furniture
''The little republic TO which 1 gave
laws was regulated in the following
manner: By sunrise we all assembled |
in our common apartment, the fire be-
ing previously kindled by the servant
After we had saluted each other with
proper ceremony, for l always thought |
fit to keep up some mechanical forms
Of good breeding, without which free
dom ever destroys friendship. we all
bent in gratitude to that Being who gave
us another day. This duty being per-
formed, my son and went to pursue
our usual industry abroad, while my
wife and daughter employed them
selves in providing breakfast. which
was always ready at a certain time
allowed half an hour for this meal
and an hour for dinner; which time
was taken up in innocent mirth be-
tween my wife and daughters, and in
arguments between my
son and me.
''AS we rose with the sun. so we never
pursued our labors after il was gone
down; but returned home 10 the expect
ng family, where smiling looks, a neat
hearth and pleasant fire were prepared
for our reception. Nor were We with
Sut guests; sometimes Farmer Flam-
our laxative neighbor, and
5ften the blind piper would pay us a
visit, and taste our gooSeberry wine.
or the making of which we had lost
neither the receipt nor the reputation
The night was concluded in the same
manner we began the morning. my
-oungest being appointed 10 read the .
essonS of the day; and he that read 2
oudest. distinctest and best was To Z
AVE a half-penny on Sunday to put
nto the poor'S box" i