The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1905-10-12

ers that remove the discussions from
anything like wrangling. For exam
pie, when the question Ia Of choosing q
profession for the boy or school for
the girl, or of selling a favorite horse or
Introducing another dog into 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 forethought
which looks far ahead, or a 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 I'M
selfish and considerate.
otherwise, the last word Is that of a
tyrant, and tyranny is fatal to home en-
joyment. Tyranny strikes a 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 1t was that
he must have the final word about every
thing. Beyond his own gates he was
fairly good citizen, man of strict
integrity, and reputable merchant.
Once he had turned his latch-key in
the door, his whole nature, and certain
~ 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 a finger
here and finger there, to see, IL pos
sfbly 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
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.
The length of his daughters frocks,
The color Of their hair ribbons. the
style Of their shoes. and every trifie in
their conduct alike came under his in
cessant fault-finding. Now and then,
he took up a fad with extraordinary in
sistence, and while the ft lasted woe be
to the family IL they ventured to dis
agree with him. Once 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 vainly
around the table, inquired for salt.
Madam" he said, Il would as soon
give you arsenic" A son of the house
ventured to ask for 1t, and was sum-
marily sent to bed.
At another time, the same good man
had fancy that all nutrition and every
possible requirement. for physical
growth were folded up IN the little COM
pass Of lima bean. Therefore, for
some time the family breakfasted, dined
and supped almost exclusively on
lima beans as an article of diet.
"Why in the world" said a kinswom-
an, do you all give up to Harold In
30 absurd a. fashion? Life is not worth
living 1T the prizes you have to pay
tor it,
'"rhe truth Of the matter u.s." said the
person addressed, "that Harold is 50
set upon having the last word that we do
anything for the sake Of peace and
Quietness."
Here was an extraordinary instance
Of the folly and futility Of paying too
dearly for peace. A little war would
have been preferable. ia
We are not always 20 careful IS we
might be about the last word we say
to one another when we separate fol
the day. The child starting for school
should have q tender word Of encour.
agement, the lad going outfor an evening
is the better IL mother or sister go to
the door with him, give look at his
tie. and say something nice about the
suit he is wearing. and the man. 60
ing to business in the morning should
never be suffered to leave ZONE without