Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-17

"rhe worser Mr.. Wigs used to act,
the harder I'd pat him on the back"
Alice Hogan Rice.
When we fall into an i'll humor with
ourselves and, being discouraged take
sullenness into cur counsel and are
not quite sure who to be most vexed
with. our friends, ourselves, or the
overrulng force which controls our
lives. we are incapable of sound judg-
ment and wholly beyond the influence
of any argument.
Ont of this condition the child deve-
Ions stubborn silence or unbearable i'm
pertinence, according to the character
stics. while the adult is either acutely
satirical, uttering sharp sentences
which are in reality alien to his true
beliefs, or is too moody and disagree
able to approach. A succession OF such
Leriods destrop certain finer qualities
of mind and temper in the child, ana
act as scars do, on a delicate skin It's
sue: to the extent of the area covered,
it is a dead surface. marring symmetry
and beauty to the end Of life. In the
mature mind, these dark hours of dis
content are hardening to an extreme
degree and help TO make reticent ma
lures sulen and secretive.
1t is not difficult to discourage any of
us. Vanity and conceit are very rife
in the world. especially among the
bravado, and attenuated veil of as
sumption of superiority on the surface
Of most of these assertive mortals: dis
corning that the world does not admire,
below the surface there is an ever
present pain, and though they may
boast, they are not happy.
The sharpest reproof that is address,
ed to single error, as If it were an
isolated mistake, has none Of the dis
couraging qualities hat come from
being continually found in the wrong.
The superlative which Is so frequently
in use when fault is to be found. enters
with an unrealized energy into a care
less child's estimate of himself, and
stays there persistently and hurtfully.
If he or she is the worst the dirtiest.
the noisiest, the most troublesome, or
the most destructive human atom, his
parents and kinsfolk have ever seen,
he is quite aware that he must be
very trying little individual. He has
seen specimens of all these disagreeable
types of childhood, and if those who
love him best find he has exceeded
these. strong wave of don't care"
surges through his heart. and he set
ties down to a determination not to
try to do any better.
A little pat on the back" after Mrs.
Wigs cheerful and wise prescription,
with an encouraging prophecy that for
mothers sake he can become the oppo-
site Of all these vexatious excuses, be-
cause he is such a faithful little lad
would raise an ambition in his small
tempestuous heart equal to that of a
brave Japanese bound to be victorious
at all hazards.
No disciplinary measures achieve
such great aand lasting results as fol-
low judicious words of approval Not
flattering. Sugar-coated. untruthful
praise, but straightforward assurance
that being loving. intelligent child he
can be depended upon to give pleasure
and comfort. and that you will watch
to see how we'll he succeeds.
With our servants it is help the bat
tie. No one serves with faithful in
terest the mistress whom she knows
lacks confidence either in her ability or
integrity. Mora m 1de this salad. do |
YOU notice how excellent it is" will in |
sure a delicate care of salads 20, |
months to come. we have not had |
smoky lamp this winter said in the |
maids hearing. is worth fifty cautions |
against badly trimmed wicks. Let |
guest say pleasantly that the cheerful |
face at the opening door is a welcome |
in itself. and she who represents the |
kospitatle intention of the hostess will |
seldom lack a smile. Years of watch
full experience have taught the writer,
that servant. child, and even your
tradespeople like to live up to a we'll
founded reputation for honorable good
conduct.
Reaching farther on into deeper an |
mere vital points of human association
the value of the principal remains at
the same high standard Nothing so
stimulates n wife to do her utmost and
rouse her noblest efforts to smooth the
rough places and bridge over unsafe
and perilous points in the household
journey. as the knowledge that her
husband and children look admiringly
at her patient ingenuity of endeavor
and marvel at her unruff1ed temper.
All the adulation of society, or the
praise Of the world in which she lives.
so stimulates her heart to a joyous
activity as the delightful sense of her
husbands trustful approval. She rests
upon 1t as a support in every difficulty,
and she cannot allow herself to fall
below his expectations.
She to whom her children look with
a sort of half-adoring belief that no
obstacle is insurmountable to her gen.
Jus for adjustment, is in a school Of
daily development of tact and resource.