The Tupelo journal., 1905-09-29

the Days Separation--Gayety as
Virtuous as Solemnity.
BY MARGARET E. SANGSTER.
Copyright, 1905, by Joseph b. Bowles.)
Looking back upon a heated discus
sion or a stubborn argument, in cool
er moments, people are often astonlshed
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
in discomfort all around, simply be-
cause both parties are determined to
have their own way. The last word
is not always a pleasant word o a
wise one. 1t takes no little
to leave the advantage with the oppo-
site side, yet many a 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 if we
argue on politics. They are too danger
Gus to be admitted into family talk.
Home happiness is a chain that is
strong or weak, according as IL Is
measured by the strain each separate
link will bear. If there is a weak place
anywhere, then one may say good-by to
peace, and happiness is more depend
ent on peace than OIL anything else. IL
cannot flourish in an atmosphere OF
strife and contention. This is why /
would exclude politics, unless all feel
alike about men and issues.
We need not limit the last word" 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 a 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
lcofession for the boy or a school for
the girl, or of selling a ~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 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 considerable.
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 tEat environ
ment. Just as in "Dombey and
Son." the despotisa of the elder
Dombey was a whitening and scorch-
ing blast within the doors of his
miscalled home, so despotism anywhere
works mischief that cannot be repaired.
knew a 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 a reputable merchant.
Once he had turned his latch-key in
the door. his whole nature, and certain
ly his underwent an extraOr-
binary transformation. He wanted to
adjust everything in sight, he prowled
about t e 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 a finger there, to see, if pos
sibly q little dust might have settled
on the furniture, and scanning the
corners of the ceiling above aid the
floor below with inquisitive eyes, in
the apparent hope that a cobweb in
one place or a crumb on the other might
give him ar opportunity for criticism.
WhateveS was proposed he at nee We
toed, making himself a 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.
The length of his daughters frocks,
the color Of their hair ribbons, the
style of their shoes, and every tritle in
their conduct alike came under his in
cessant fault-fnding. Now and then.
he took up a fad with extraordinary in
sistence, and while the fit lasted woe be
to the family If they veEtured to dis
agree with him. Once | remember he
took it into his head to regard common
table salt as a most virulent poison.
Nc 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 it, and was sum-
marily sent to bed.
At another time, the same good man
had a fancy that all nutrition and every
possible requirement for physical
growth were folded up il the little COM
pass of a lima bean. Therefore, for
some time the family b~reakfasted, 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
so absurd a fashion? Life is not worth
living at the price you have to pay
for it,"
"The truth of the matter is" said the
person addressed, that Harold is SO
set upon having the last word that we do
anything for the sake Of peace and
u~uietness."