Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-01-21
The Simple Life
By CHARLES WAGNER
Iransi.aed From the Freneh BY Nary Louise Hendes
copyrieht 1901. by Mcclure Phillips u Co.

no one outside uIeir o:vfr~ c5::.m L n.r '
counts. This is the spirit that has
sometimes made the family seem a re-
treat Of egoIsm which IL was neces-
sary TO destroy for the public safety.
But as patriotism and jingoism are as
far apart, AZ the east from the west. so
are family feeling and clannishness.
Here we are talking OF right family
feeling. and nothing else in the world
can take its place. for In IL lie I'm germ
all those f1rs, and simple virtues which
assure the strength and duration OF
social institutions. And the very base
Of family, feeling IS respect for the
past. for the best possessions OF Il
family areSits common memories An
intangible. .indivisible and inallenabie
capital. these souvenirs constitute Il
sacred fund.- that each member Of a
family ought TO consider more pre-
cious than anything else he Possesses.
They exist ina dual form, I'm idea and
in fact. They1show themselves In Ian
guage. habits OF thought. sentiments.
even instincts. sand one sees them ma
terianzed In portraits. furniture. build
ings. dress. songs. To profane eyes
they are nothing: TO the eyes OF those
who know howrtO appreciate the things
Of iie family they are relics with
whiclnone shouh not part Mt any price
But what generally happens I'm our
day? Worldliness wars upon the sen
timent OF family. and I know OF no
strife more impassioned. BY great
means and small. by all sorts OF new
customs. requirements and preten-
sions. the spirit of the world breaks
into the domestic sanctuary. What are
this Strangers rights. its titles? Upon
what does IL rest It's peremptory
claimsc This IL what people too often
neglect TO Inquire. They make a mis-
take. We treat the invader as very
poor anil simple people do a pompous
visitor. For this Recommending guest
OF n day they pilkage their garden.
bully tbe<r children and servants and
neglect their work. Such conduct Is
not only wrong; il Is impolitic. One
should have the courage 10 remain
what he Is in tie face OF all corners.
Theyworldly spirit is full OF imperti-
nences. Here is home which has
formed characters OF mark and is form
ing them yet. The people the furnish
ings. the Customs are all in harmony.
By marriage &c through relations OF
BUSINESS or pleasure the worldly spirit
enters. 1t finds everything out of
date. awkward. too simple. lacking the
modern touch. At first IL restricts It
self TO criticism and light rnilIery. But
this Is the dangerous moment. Look
out for yourself-here IL the enemy,
II you so nnich as listen TO his reason
ings. tomorrow you will sacrifice
piece OF furniture. the next day a good
old tradition. and so one by one the
family hcirlOoms dear TO the heart
will go to the bric-a-brac dealer-and
flinl piety with them.
In the midst OF your new habits and
In the changed atmosphere your friends
Of other days. your old relatives. will
be expatriateL- Your next step will
be 10 lay them aside In their turn. The
worldly spirit leaves the old out OF
At last, established in |
an absolutely transformed setting. even
you will view yourself with amaze
ment. Nothing will be familiar. but |
surely IL will be correct-at least the |
world will be satisfied. All, that Is
where you are mistaken. After hav-
ing made yCsi east out pure treasure as |
so much Junk IL VIII find that your Dor |
roved livery fits you III and will hasten |
to make you sensible OF the ridiculous |
ness OF the situation. Much better |
have had from the beginning the cour- |
age OF your convictions and have de |
Tended your home.
Many young people when they marry |
listen tn this voice OF the world. Their |
parents have given them the example |
of n modest life but the new genera
ton thinks II affirms its rights 70 ex-