The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1897-08-05
P0LITENESS AT HOME.
THERE IS NOT AS MUCH OF 1T AS THERE
SHOULD BE PERHAPS.
Too Many Persons Have Two Sets of
rlannerS-One Set for the Home and
Another For Strangers-Are you of
That Number?

t-hiiAC " iil>tcIl la ILStit ai'o
There is an unwrtten law in socle-
ty which bids every one 10 be attraC
tive and we'll bred or be ostracised In
difference to this law we find al en-
tertalnments people vleing with each
other in polite observance, agreeable
conversations and handsome toilets.
Would there was there a law Compell
ing them to be we'll hammered at
home! If half tie pains were taken
to be pleasant in domestic life that are
taken to charm strangers or lndltter
ent aCQua lntanCes, it would be hap
pier, better world.
do not think that people are aware
and yet this quality has been the butt
Of wit and carlcature for many year.
One set goes on with the best dress.
Good humor and care for the feelings
of others go with it, /, is often ad-
mred for its elegance and grace
While the other sets in private lie,
home being considered a place to go
when you can 60 no where else, where
you can wear out your old clothes and
vent your i'll tempers.
If any one thinks | am severe. let
them reflect a little while and they
viii see that | am not overstralning the
disregard of ceremony usually shown
in the family circle.
The invitation to ''make yourself at
home,' is understood to mean, you
can dispense with collar, coat and po-
liteness and sit with sllppered feet in
the attitude Of an Amer can Congress-
man, smoking anywhere in the house,
be unpunCtual-ln short, be as unciv-
iliZed as you please. 1t would be an
admirable plan if each one who reads
this makes a solemn VOW TO take some
of these society manners into home
life. For instance, you may have
been in the habit on reaching home
to pick out the easiest chair and take
up book or the evening paper and
read it through without saying a word
to your family.
Suppose, by way of pleasant sur
prise to them, you greet them politely
and converse awhile before burying
yourself in book or newspaper. If an
elderly member Of the household en-
ter, rise and offer her your chair as af
fably as if she were the strange lady
into whose handsome house you wish
the entree.
You may have been guilty of the
rudeness of never being ready for your
meals. Come to them hereafter as
promptly as you would to the table Of
punctilious millionaire, who you
know would drop you from his list if
you kept him waiting. 1t is piece Of
kindness to house keeper for her
family to assemble promptly. If there
is continual dropping in, like at a
cheap restaurant, either she is need l.
lessly detained in the dining room or
soiled plates must set about drawing
flies and cats, md giving a shlftleas,
dirty took to the room.
You may have thought anything IS
good enough tor h 'metpkS, and come
in The morning III wrapper without
collar, and your ha,r fixed anyway.
Resolve henCetOr,h np living moral
shall see You leave your room without
beng as neatly dressed As If YOU tX-
peClei your most ellglblt paI,i.eT OF
last nights ball to come III. You
will do we'll to present that utIou> gar
ment, "Mother Hubbard" wrapper,
to the first beggar who ask, you for
clothes as a proof Of your sincere de
sire to reform IN your costume at
home. You may have been in the
habit of recalling your wrongs, ha,reds
and ailments at the dinner table, OF
ConlradlctIng other people, making
unklnd criticisms and personal re
marks.
From this day make rule TO avoid
disagreeable topics, illness, angry DIS
cussions and sharp words. Exert
yourself as you would among strangers
Cheerful conversation promotes dIges-
ton, while swapping and snarling,
finding faul, with The food and the
servants, Is enough to give any one
dyspepsia Of TO lake away appetite al
together.
Lille by 1;ile your eHsmple vail be
followed and you viii see a whole
some restraint come ovc. the rest o!
the family. BY each onc resolving
to observe The small courtes,es Of life
Is + among strangers, reign "i cer--
mony will set IN which wlii greatly
increase the peace and happiness o.
the household and verify John How
ard Payne's celebrated sentiment,
"1hece's no place like home"
Mamma, was that sugarplum v"t
u. -eH litfI.. Mabel a