The Chilhowee echo. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1899-19??, 1899-12-23

tide OF love rose high enough to toat
the bark again.
When l see other Samaritan bache-
lors essaying the same Improbable
role, smile and think to myself that it
is like the plans expressed recently by
a thousand and one landsmen for haul
ing the Paris off the rocks.
l talked, to-day, with gentleman
now living in St. Louis who brought his
bride to Nashville to spend their honey
moon fourteen years ago. That sort OF
pernicious domestic interference which
has grounded many welded life kept
this devoted couple in turmoil and es-
arrangement for more than two years.
Finally, the husband went away; and
shortly after was followed by his wife,
against the protest of her perverse
relatives. He succeeded remarkably
well in business ventures and is to-day
paratively wealthy man. But the
best part of it is that he and his wife
are thoroughly happy, with three fine
children and a luxurious home, where
mot wave of trouble rolls across
their peaceful breasts. He reminded
me of my futile efforts in his behalf
during his troublous days, and said that
my good intentions only entangled the
difficulties, like boys mischief does
ball of yarn.
My advice to bachelors who can't
keep from feeling an interest in mar
ried people is to get married them
selves, and learn from their own woes
before trying to heal the ills of others.
What a disgruntled husband wishes
from bachelor friend is not guidance,
but a silent, sympathetic ear. He
knows perfectly well that the tide will
flow in again, and what he desires is
simply to talk, till the happy change
begins.
l confess to feeling but little interest
in marital infelicities, and am particu-
larly averse to listening to the expatia-
lions which most parents indulge in
about their children. Now and then,
however, there are children out of the
ordinary who are worth hearing about.
I talked to gentleman of means to-
day who has three of the most promis-
ing boys that l know of. They are not
prodigies nor models. If they were, |
should not mention them-as a prodigy
should be overlooked and model ex-
cused. Precious children and model
youths generally get lost in the real
race of life.
The three boys referred to are inter-
esting as embodying thoroughly sound
minds in perfectly healthy physiques,
and on account of mental traits at once
unique, incomprehensible and delight
full. They see things in the most strik-
ing aspects, and, while bouyant with
the playfulness and tastes of youth, look
into large questions with a clear dis
cernment almost marvellous. refer to
their personality in order that it may
attach to what follows concerning their
home relationships. This I do because
it seems to me that their father has
with admirable judgment bound them
to him in a truly ideal way-that of
comrades, of companionship.
what has been your method?" |
asked him.
II have used hardly any method in
the matter" said he. NATURALLY SYM
pathetic with their studies, their plays
and their projects found myself on
easy terms of intimacy with their de-
sires and their ways of looking at
things. In this way became, in a
manner, only slightly older brother
to them. l encouraged their conf
dence, and | think the time has never
been since either of them has been old
enough to 90 to school that they have
not cOnfided to me everything of mo-
ment to them, whether they were hap
py or hurt, whether they had done
right or wrong.
II don't know whether they are bet
ter or worse than other children, only |
am satisfied with them aS thev arc and
when / tell you that | have reached a
stage of life where every effort and
thought of mind are for their present
good and their future happiness, you
will understand how much it means to
say that they satisfy me-"
Well, in this companionship, do your
talks ever 60 beyond the hour of the
day." | asked him.
Yes, decidedly they do. The boys
are only one year apart in age, aud this,
fortunately, relieves me of making any
distinction in the advice and sugges-
tions give them. Only recently it &C.
Cured to me that they are old enough
to be entitled to know the exact atti-
tude l occupy toward them"
The father then went on to tell me
what in an opportune honr he said to
them. Neither in song nor story, nor
life, have | read or heard parental ut
terances quite so fine as his. As an old