The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-10-20

a Little War Would Have Been
Preferable-The. Last Word Before
the Days separation-Gayety a.
Virtuous as Solemnity.
BY MARGARET E. SANGSTER.
Copyright, 1905. by Joseph B. Bowles.)
Looking back upon heated discus
er moments, people are often astonished
that they wasted so much time and
strength in trying to have the last word.
A man convinced against his will, is of
the same opinion still, and in nine cases
out of ten domestic discussions result
cause both parties are determined to
have their own way. The last, word
is not always pleasant word nor
wise one. 1t takes no little self-control
to leave the advantage with the oppo-
site side, yet many time we are CRATE
full if they have the good sense to forego
continued speech and take refuge in
silence. This is sure to be true II we
argue on politics. They are too danger
Gus to be admitted into family talk.
Home happiness is chain that is
strong or weak, according as 1t is
measured by the strain each separate
link will bear. If there is weak place
anywhere, then one may say good-by to
peace, and happiness is more depend
ent on peace than on anything else. 1t
cannot flourish in an atmosphere of
strife and contention. This is why l
would exclude politics, unless oil feel
alike about men and issues.
We need not limit the last 1ord" to
disputes and squabbles. In household
management there arise frequent occa-
sions for settling questions of impor-
lance, in which no two of the family take
precisely the same view, and yet in
which there may be complete amiabil-
ity and Difference to the wishes Of 9TH
ers that remove the discussions from
anything like wrangling. For exam
pie, when the question is of choosing a
profession for the boy or a school for
the girl, or of selling favorite horse or
Introducing another dog into a house
where everybody does not equally like
dogs. There may be honest distaste
and aversion or honest desire and affec-
ton, or there may be a forethought
which looks far ahead, or superficial
view which sees only tomorrow. In
any case, about the school, the horse, or
the dog, the last word is the decisive one,
and it is uttered presumably by the
one who sees furthest and is most un-
selfish and considerate.
Otherwise, the last word is that of
tyrant, and tyranny is fatal to home en-
joyment. Tyranny strikes blow at
the life of the household, and makes
quiet living impossible in that environ
ment. Just as in "Dombey and
Son." the despotism Of the elder
Dombey was whitening and scorch-
Ing blast within the doors of his
miscalled home, SO despotism anywhere
works mischief that cannot be repaired.
knew man whose foible it was that
he must have the final word about every
thing Beyond his own gates he was
a fairly good citizen, a man of strict
integrity, and reputable merchant.
Once he had turned his latch-key in
the door, his whole nature, and certain
ly his manners underwent an extraor-
binary transformation. He wanted to
adjust everything in sight, he prowled
about t kitchen, peering into the pots
and pans, and driving the cook to dis
traction. He crept furtively around
the drawing-room touching finger
here and finger there, to see, if pos
sibly a little dust might have settled
on the furniture, and scanning the
corners of the ceiling above and the
floor below with inquisitive eyes, in
the apparent hope that cobweb in
one place or crumb on the other might
give him an opportunity for criticism
Whatever was proposed he at once We
toed, making himself wet blanket on
the pleasure of the young people and
dampening any enthusiasm which might
be in their breasts. AS for his poor
wife, she had long ago said good-by to
enthusiasm and spontaneity.
lIOChS.
the color of their hair ribbons, the
style of their shoes, and every tritle in
their conduct alike came under his in
cessant fault-tinding. Now and then.
he took up fad with extraordinary in
slstence, and while the fit lasted woe be
to the family if they ventured to dis
agree with him. Once l remember he
| took it into his head to regard common
table salt as most virulent poison.
No salt was permitted in seasoning, no
salt was allowed on the table, no salt
was admitted within the pantry door.
An unfortunate guest, looking yainly
| around the table, inquired for salt.
Madam" he said, II would as soon
give you arsenic" A son of the house
ventured to ask for it, and was sum-
! marily sent to bed.
At another time, the same good man
had a fancy that all nutrition and every