The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-05
CHEERFULNESS AT HOME.
Nothing Adds Mere to the Happiness of the
Family

From the Woman's Home Companion.
Perhaps there is nothing that adds
more TO the happiness of a nome than
the habit of cheerfulness. 1t lis a potent
factor in the secret of housekeeping, and
the housewife who has always a pleas
amt smile and a soothing word has al
ready Acquired one of the most valuable
accomplishments AS long ago aus the
days of the wise man a merry counten-
ance had it's recognized value. 1t DIS
duty to be pleasant. Yet how many
neglect this important requirement
Some women are conStitutionally cross
and morose; others aTe weak and nerv-
Gus, and are made fretful by the exec
tons of their household cares. But
there is no excuse for much of the fric-
tion that exists in many households. l
have been in some where the atmosphere
seemed actually to bristle with HOSTILE
ties. Everybody was in fret, and
browns and cross words were the rule
and not the exception. How uncomfort-
able life in such "a home must be to the
inmates, as we'll as to the passing guests.
One learns to shun such homes as one
would a pest house. ~
An women cannot be beautiful, but it
Is the duty of every woman to look as
we'll as she can, ana nothing adds more
to a wonan's good locks than a cheer
fun countenance Il have always" said
the BOOu WIGHT OF WdhSHlSpu, 'Deen al
admirer of happy human faces" The
sentiment is universal. The pleasure
thus derived compensates for the de-
ficiency of symmetry and grace.
Cheerfulness can be cultivated and ac-
quired as we'll as other qualities. If
ones work is exacting and tiresome, lit
makes it NO easier by being fretful.
Form the habit of being cheerful under
adverse circumstances. "Our happiness"
observes a standard writer, sis a sa-
cred deposit for which we must give
| account" A serene and amiable tenn
| per is among hts most efficient preserva-
| tives. 1t lis a virtue not ITO be gainsafd.
| Admiral Hollingwood, one of England S
great naval heroes, in his letters to his
daughters, Says: Il never knew your
mother ito utter a harsh or hasty thing
to amy person In my life" What loftier
eulogy could woman have than that?
+ 1t should be numbered among wo-
mans household duties that she make
G # RS happy To do this successfully
shb must in some degree be happy her.
self If one is happy she will be cheer
full Tt is not the happy and contented
| who fret because their fires do not burn,
| or because the STEAK is overdone. and
who hush a boisterous child with a
| frown.
Some women are naturally cheerful,
| but allow themselves Ito be put out by
| little things. Suppose the servant has
broken a dish, or the butter doesn't
come or your husband comes home to
dinner late, does 1T mend matters by
any Impatient complaint? Preserve
your equanfmity. The world was not
made in day, nor was it made all flow
ers and ripping sunshine. Your work
| will go along much smoother, you will
accomplish more, and you will make
| others happier by being cheerful
| Cheerfulness is the best lubricant in
| the world, and In the machinery of
| household tolls and cares 1t often hap
pens that Ettle Is needed. Where there
| is cheerfulness there are always order
| and thrift and comfort. Tt Is better than
high descent or gold. lib is jewel more
precious than any ever dug from the
mines of Golconda, and, like the sum
shine, cannoH be dispensed with. Very
fervently and very pdousiy we say, ICED
bless THE cheerful woman"