The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1903-04-02
Law Of the Household.

YOUTHS NOmpdnlOHs
She was charming woman OF assur-
ed position and many social graces, who
had been trying to soothe and strength
en- a young girl. The girl was shy by
nature jus. now her shyness was ac-
centuated by homesickness. But when
in the course of their afternoon the girl
unthinkingly repeated some of the
remarks of which she had been the sub
ject, the matron almost wondered why
her companion should be homesick-
for such home.
"Ella calls my eyes "a washed out
blue,' and Charlie always said my hair
was smud-colored,' the girl said, as if
such comments were quite a matter Of
course. 81 haven't any accomplish
ments, either,-my folks haye told me
go hundreds of times,-and 80 I've al
ways dreaded to meet strangers, or
seem to put myself forward"
"Your people played you were an
ugly duckling," the matron merrily re-
joined. 81 trust they often reminded
you of the glorious fate that befel] the
ugly duckling in the story"
The girl smiled and shook her head.
Not to encourage her to think herself
ill-used, the matron changed the sub
ject. But she recalled, with thrill OF
thankfulness, how happily different her
own experience had been.
In her childhood the law of her house
hold had been kindness, that serviceable
kindness which does not wait for great
occasions, but manifests itself continu-
ally in courteous words and deeds.
Everybody said "Please" and "Thank
you" The boys we're taught to defer to
the girls; the girls understood that they
must not impose upon their brothers.
She had seen her father rise from his
chair when young daughter-in-law
entered the room, and stand until she
was seated. She had repeatedly known
her brothers to sacrifice cherished plans
quietly, too, and without a murmur-
when the mother seemed worried, or
even troubled.
Nobody was "plain-spoken"-which
generally means rude-about the fea-
lures or dress or manners of another
member of the family. No one in
dulged in sarcasm at another's expense.
These odd people tried to treat each
other as civilly as they would haye
used a stranger they met at social
gatherings. It never occurred to them
that relationship gave them the right
to inflict wounds.
Then, fortunately, the woman who
had had this happy childhood married
gentleman. She had never known
what it was to be spoken to as stable
boy speaks to horse. She had always
been met with consideration and SYM
patty, never snubbed or sneered at or
ssset down." Nor had she ever found
it needful to "nag' her husband or her
children.
cit must be thoughtlessnees that
leads people to act as my little friends
people d." she said to her husband
later on. "But they ought to think
She isn't either ugly or stupid but II
she were-why, whom they criticize and
depreciate her they rob her Of SELF
confidence and make her awkward ae
we'll as unattractive."
at doesn't seem necessary to be cyn-
ical or brutal at home in order to be
sweet and gracious abroad, does it?''
the husband suggested.
"No," said the matron, firmly. my
best and kindest words and deeds are
not for society, but fol my nearest and
dearest. If it should be the fate of a
child of mine to carry through life
some ranking criticism or slur, he will
not have to remember that it was
spoken at home"