The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-09

VI Ills Ai1oSI uCAA6Al1uI p0ISOlldAly.
He had no company manners at all. |
When he first went to Boston he used a
toothpick and wore pigskin shoes with
his frock coat and drank his coffee while
the spoon stood in the cup, but he was
asked everywhere and was a general ia
Vorite for all that. He was as quick and
graceful as Reau Brummel in giving a wo-
man his chair, he could make the shyest
debutante. at a ball, have the best of
times and talk like chatterbox, his eyes
wore such bright and interested express
sion when you talked and his handshake
was such a kind, cordial grasp that he
seemed always the best bred man in any
asscmblage.
When knew him we'll he revealed to me
the secret of his success. At home in the
tiny country town his mother had taught
him to be perfectly kind, courteous, and
lily and he actually knew of no other mode
of behavior when he came into contact
with the outside world.
1t was very easy for him to see that the
toothpick and hot coffee cup spoon and
brown shoes wouldn't do. He discontinued
their use, and very easily and quickly
too, but at home he had learned some
| think that he could have gained later in
life only by years of study and self sacr
flee, and of that something T have known
far ADLER, richer and hanrsomer men eX-
press their Deep almost passionate envy
and boundless admiration.
The Force of Example.
When 1 was child I learned to talk
! readily because l sat at a table where it
was the business of everybody to try to
| be cheerful and entertaining. I was not
permitted to bounce into my chair at any
meal without greeting anybody, prattle
gossip about my playmates, contradict my
brothers, snub my small sister, rudely
address the servants, criticise my food,
or, if felt cross, tired or unwell, sit glow
ering silently at my plate.
That, 1 regret to say, is the absolute
selfish and injurious habit, however, per-
American home. .... VI
The children can hardly pursue a more
amiable course because the father. who
comes home from business, sits in weary
or preoccupied speechlessness at the end
of the table and his wife follows suit.
I know Of not one but many households
where, when gathered together, d per-
fectly stupid, WearSOme silence is main
tanned. They may be intelligent men and
women. but they are just too Indifferent
to make an effort one for another. Conse-
quently when a stranger is present every
body dons company manners, which fiji
about as easily as a plowman's Sunday
suit.
Born and brought up in the biggest
cities and in the lap OF luxury, the chill
dren OF such households get no more rea
social training than the backwoodsman';
, sons and daughters. They are con
strained, shy and tactless. They are de.
pendent on themselves and the outside
world for instruction in the real graces
! They have right to feel that their par
: ents have sorely neglected them.
: La PolItesse.
The reason I would have you kno1
that the French people enjoy the we'll
I earned reputation of being the politics
I people in the world is because la politesse
: or good breeding, is an accomplishment
they always acquire at home and in child
. ! hood. ...
y A Frenchman his wife and a couple c
Il children will observe all the most exqu1
site social amenities in the privacy {
their own vine and fig tree, and the famll
: life presents all the social advantage
&c they require. ...
A French boy Of even the humbles
- parentage does not wait to go out In tn
. world to learn how to offer woman
~ chair, give an elderly gentleman his arm
. invite you to dine or discover the topic
of conversation that engage your interes
~ He has lived from his babyhood in a
= atmosphere of family Difference and cheer
T fully unselish consideration, and he
10 charmingly polite by precept and examp
~ wherever he may find himself.
w oil Gordon.