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

| instinct, SO we see the 1ull OlOWn TOSc anu
the bud, and even the grated twig, altogether
in harmony.
We send our children to music teacher
that they may learn the art of making sweet
sounds, and the niceness Of touch on ivory
keys. There is an art Of living together, a
harmony Of association cqualling sweetest
notes which it 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 mellif1uous, are strangers to har.
mony, and balshness rules the chords.
Has the skill Of living together become a
lost art then, admired but not initiated by
the curious, mummy only of what used to
be 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 uttere,h 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 Il sound, frightening away
the peace that should compass the house,
hold like four walls. Even lovers must have
their mlsunderstandings and make up and
misunderstanding again, loving only in
spurts like water jet, educating hearts to
forget what they possibly had known by in.
stinct, the art of living together.
Teachers and pupils in our public schools
too often have nopractice 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 dscord ont Of what should
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 athing 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 thercY One day went to =
neighbors and found her i'll. She had suf
tered all night with ptiful earache, unre-
lieycd by any domestic remedy, 1t was far
to n doctor and besides, the earache WAS 80
TRIVIAL 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 OBJ
jected on the plea that there had been salt
in the oil"
"But salt will not mix with warm oil' per.
sisted the husband intent on his benevolent
purpose. Then came the climax. IF I'd
have anOwn what kind Of u 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 rs if to
himself And don't know as Id have mar
ried you, Nancy" All this in the presence
of Il stranger. 1t was as natural and as usual
for these two to live III spoken discord as to
breathe, as l have since known by living
some years in a near by house. They are
ignorant, uncultured people; and some one
might write the excuse "they know no bet
ter"
But have other ncghbors, cultured, rich
in gold, housed in a palace. The mother
screams "You little idiot" to the pretty son
oftwelve who ranks first in his classes ut
school, She nags at her husband and he
nags back. They dress their bodies in silk
and elder down, but they cothe their wasted
souls in toughest of garments. They feast
their lips on dainties while they starve them
selves and their children in what the heart
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 love! 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 politeness; how
can we, when we may practice it, if at all, a
hundred times a day "Be courteous; be
kindly affectioned one to another" was the
exhortation of wise man who was we'll &C
quanted 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. mingling 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-SEVE FAITHFUL
w men or women to travel for respon.
sble established house in Maryland. Salary
$40 nayahie 415 weekly and eXDenses