Mexico Missouri message., 1906-04-19
RY MARCARET .. sANosTER.

BY MARGARET u, bANGbIEh.
An old Spanish prcverb runs to the
effect that 1t takes two to make a
quarrel; one can always end Il. This
is equivalent to saying that one Of
two who are contending will have sufh-
Client self-restraiut and kindness OF
heart to forego the privilege OF the
last word. In the family as nowhere
else on earth, Wills and temperaments
are in danger OF clashlng, and people
being sure Of mutual affection, ex-
press their minds with candor that
may wound the sensitive and leave
uncomfortable memories. have
known families who were never happy
when separated, though they were al
ways wretched when together. lncom.
patibility Of disposition may work dis
aster TO domestic peace, when every
body concerned Is high.minded and
honorable. A good man may have
knack Of putting his foot clumsily
where 1t behooves him to tread deli
cately, and a good woman may have
n trick OF flying of the handle on
slight occasion. When such opposite
forces exist in a home, there is great
need to remember the pith Of the old
pToverb, II takes two to make a quar-.
rel.
The wisest Of men declared that a
Eoit answer turneth away wrath. AS
rule this is a verify. But there are
exceptions. In certain moods, soft
answer is an irritant, an aggravation
of the previous offense, and its effect
~ HrKy utIRh
BILE.
While men and women continue
what they are. human and imperfect,
there will never be unbroken serenity
and entire agreement in any home I'M
der the sun. An old gentleman once
boosted that he had lived with his wife
so years, and they had never had diff
ference of opinion.
"vera praiseworthy." commented a
plainspolken Scottish friend, but very
monotonous" Another man COM
placently asserted that he had dwelt
in harmony with his better half for q
great many years. eff she prefers
red and prefer blue" he explained,
eve always settle the matter by COM
promising on the blue" An obviously
easy method this was, If wife were
ready to sacrifice her own desire and
efface her own individuality. A long
course of It would spoil the most rea-
sonable Of husbands and make him
terribly self-opinionated, or were the
pendulum to swing the other way, and
che wife forever have the final deci-
sion, 1t would turn the sweetest Of
women into a tyrant of the hearth.
Fairness compels the conclusion that
two or more grown persons sheltered
Cnder the same roof, cannot invariably
think alike.
Nor would It be desirable that they
should. A stagnant pool Is a menace
20 health. Running water, foaming
over the rocks, is a pledge of whole
some life in the locality. A stirless
day, when no breeze blows, is less slim
ulating than a day when the winds
hold a jubilee. Movement, progression,
even friction of the right kind, tend
TO development of the finest type.
But people may differ without bick.
ering and fighting. They may eX-
press themselves strongly without in
Gilctlng pain. They may continue to
think differently, and yet live in tran
quilllty, if they choose.
at takes two to. make a quarrel;
One can always end it,"
you might accept my politics." OK
postulated a husband, who was an old
fashioned democrat, to his wife, who
was a radical republican.
81 accepted you, DEAR" she replied
''but my political sentiments are an
Inheritance from my father, and
cannot change them any more than
can change the color of my eyes"
THANK Heaven" he murmured
'that you haven't vote"
Some OF us who have no enthusiasm
on the subject Of universal suffrage
are Of the honest mans opinion. AND
yet. II ever American women in al
lnsistent majority, should demand SUI
Grage, American men will have too
much gallantry to deny them, ant
none OF us anticipate that any fright
full domestic calamities will ensul
from that cause
Common sense and mutual good feel
ing, with due regard for the effect o
quarrels upon the children viii usual
Is prevent distressing squabbles In tn
home. Hottempered people are prom
70 say more than they mean. Tact
less folk rush into mistakes. But Low
IS a solvent that prevails to blend tn
most diverse elements, ana to cor
ciliats the most obstinate.
Speaking OF obstlnacy, thousands Q
rs,nle confuse It With frmness The
fancy Il they cannot be moved fror
q position, either BY argument or PEI
euasion, that they are showing ter
acity Of purpose and strength Of VT
10 en- extent that lifts them abov
aheir fellows often instead Of flrn