Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-04-22
The Art Of Living Together.
BIZ Elizabeth GrinnsH

in harmony.
We send our children to a music teacher
that they may learn the art of making sweet
sounds, and the nicencss of touch on ivory
keys. There is an art of living together, a
harmony of association equalling sweetest
notes which il would be worth our while to
practice, parents. and friends, ana children
together. Yet the art is neglected Homes
which should he the keyboard for all that is
tuneful and mellifluous, are strangers to har.
mony, and harshness rules the chords.
Has the skill Of living together become
lost art then, admired but not initiated by
the curiou', a mummy only Of what used to
be a living beautiful thing? From the hour
of its birth one sees the baby, and its mother,
inharmonious; one cries and the other frets,
and "day unto day uttereth speech that is
neither pleasing to the ear or in accord with
ones peaceful soul. The two are in discord,
the discord increasing with the years, the
high notes of the one never blending music.
ally with the low notes of the other.
Brothers and sisters, little and large. make
no childish melody o. youthful symphony;
anger, and blame and quarresome manners,
without always sound frightening away
the peace that should compass the house.
hold like four walls. Even lovers must have
their Misunderstanding and make up and
misunderstanding again, loving only In
spurts like water jet, educating hearts to
forget what they possibly had known by in
stinci, the art Of living together.
Teachers and pupils in our public schools
too often have no practice in the art Of living
together, the one domineering over the 9TH
ers in petulant tones, these waiting their
turn to irritatc the one, and altogether conf
bining to form discord ont of what should
be one of the most harmonious Institutions
of our civilization. AS civilization grows
older it seems to lose its grip on this lost art
tagging behind even savagery in its lack Of
concord. In the carly days before education
had lifted them, spent many years among
cur aboriginal tribes and never witnessed
family quarrel. Such athlng was unknown
among these savage people, and peace reign
ed In lodge and village and tribe. If discord
cried out for hearing it must go beyond
home and the one hillside upon which rested
the family wigwams.
And what of husband and wife as we see
Them here and thercg One day went to q
neighbours and found her i'll. She had suf:
fered all night with pitiful earache, unrc-
lievcd by any domestic remedy. 1t Was far
to doctor and besides, the earache was 80
TRIVIAL Il matter" or so thought the family.
The husband had brought out vial Of
goose grease" that never failing medicine
for pain in the ear and had insisted upon
dropping little into the ear. The wife ob.
jected on the plea that there had been "sal,
in the oil"
but salt will not mix with warm oil' per.
sisted the husband. intent on his benevolent
purpose Then came the climax. "lf I'd
have anown what kind of a man you was,
Jcrud, before married yer, I'd never have
married yer" the wife screamed. With a
sigh "Jerud" put the vial back in the cup
board behind the chimney saying low AS if to
himself And don't know as I'd have mar
rcd you, Nancy" All this in the presence
of Il stranger. 1t was as natural and ms usual
fox these two TO live IN spoken discord as to
breathe, as l have since known by living
some years in a near by house. They are
ignorant, nncultured people; and some one
might write the excuse "they know no bet
ter"
But have other ncighbors, cultured, rich
in gold, housed in a palace. The mother
screams "You little idiot" to the pretty son
of twelve who ranks first in his classes mt
school. She nags at her husband and he
nags back. They dress their bodies in silk
and elder down, but they clothe their wasted
souls in toughest of garments. They feast
their lips on dainlies while they starve them
most needs. "But love is not what it once
was friend reminds me how can people
who do not love each other live together in
harmony Poor loye dear love! heavenly
thing! has it indeed died?
But what Of the courtesy we show to
strangers? Can not husband and wife and
children and friends of every day be courte-
GUS to one another? In the art of living
together we need not forget politcness; how
can we, when We may practice it, if at all, a
hundred times day. BE courteous; be
kindly affectioned one to another was the
exhortation of wise man who was we'll &C
quaintcd with domestic life in many parts
If we cannot love we can be courteous.
But love is not dead. He is sick some
times as witness the divorce courts and the
descriptions of families. But love will live
and love will make music. He shall make
music In homes wherever homes invite him.
And courtesy and love shall Join hands and
60 dancing down the green grottoes ofhouse.
hold affection, minglng his tones with those
of parents and child and friend, until there
is chime in the air and discord shall have
an end. Let us begin to dance and sing with
love and courtesy.
VXTANTED-SEVERAL FAITHFUL
w men or women to travel for respOn.
sible established house in Maryland. Salary
$50, PAYABLE SIS weekly and expenses.