Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-17
LITTLE THINGS COUNT
Small Courtesies That Mean
Great Results.
PRIVACY AND RIGHTS
Respect That Each Member of
Family Deserves.
RUN THINGS. S MOO THLY
Expenses and Allowances Must Be
Arranged on Equitable
Footing.

his way up against big oddS from mousse
toulouse salesman to the manager of big
concern. ''If 1t hadn't been for the COM
fort of staying here and being treated like
one of the family and at the same time
having liberty to do things the way l ike
to 1 should have married the first girl who
came along, with big chance that both OF
US would have been miserable for the rest
of our lives
In this little speech lies the keynote to
successful family life and the ever-widen-
ing influence which it exerts. To have al
ways an air of affection and interest about
the home and still to have each member OF
the household consider the rights of every
other member results in an ideal circle OF
people to whom life is a constantly in
creasing joy, and who are always able 10
meet the world with smile.
Nor is this ideal state of affairs such an
impossible one to arrive at. 1t is accom-
plished by paying attention to the little
courtesfes and kindneSses of every day lire,
no of which is too small to be over
looked by any one person. And this is true
In small family as in large one in mar
row quarters as in spacious apartments.
There must be thoughtfulness on the part
of all and a general desire not to interfere
in a curious way with the going and COM
ing of any of the others.
Harmony Always.
With husabnd and wife the very first
harmonies are established by wfe's do
ing everything in her power to aid her hus-
band in carrying out his work, centering
her interests in helping him to be success
full rather than in outside matters which
do not in any way connect themselves with
the foundation of every real home-the
money which keeps the butchers and the
bakers and the furniture makers bills
In hose Iay, Of
for the powerful dollar all the working and
business mems energies are obliged to be
fostered for business life, and a wife has
an infinite number of little ways IN which
to render small attentions that are OF IN
valuable service to him.
Unimportant IT may seem. the break
fast hour Is a Very decisive time of day.
and wife should respect it as such by
not bringing up household or social cares.
These should always be discussed after and
not before the days work, which occupies
a-man's best thoughts during early morn
ing hours. Sorrows and petty grievances
have to be laid aside the new day
breaks and cheerfulness must be the
watchword of the breakfast table. Nor is
it well to talk too much, for nothing dissf-
pateS strength more than talking, and
many man has failed in business life
quite much through the effects of his
wife's incessant gable as from his own
wordy delays.
Both Alert.
Another little attention which counts
much In making man appreciate his home
is to be always at his command when he
has unusual duties to perform. If there is
a special piece OF business that has to he
attended to early in the morning, a wife
should be up herself, too, and making sure
that his breakfast is served hot and appe-
tizing1y Or when the order is reversed and
he comes in late, glass of milk and some
dainty left from dinner never fails to find
an appetite, while the attention Is much
more appreciated than the food. Equally
is 1t true that every one who is busy during
the day wants their meals at regular hours,
and not served fifteen or twenty minutes
later than they are expected.
But the wife should not be alone In pay
ing little attentions of this sort. The hus-
band has quite as large a share to car
tribute on his side. In fact, little atten-
tions are even more Indispensable to
woman than to a man. A most essential
thoughtfulnesS is an occasional bit of finery
brought home unexpectedly to her, or fail
ing this, a man should make sure that his
wife has her recreationS as often as lie
does his.
Go Over Accounts.
Then, also. a man should discuss house
hold expenses with his wife at least once
week, not forgetting her personal spend
ings. Much unnecessary debt could be
avoided by families If expenditures of the
household were discussed as often and as
Carefully as are the finances in business
concern, and it is a mans place to see that
expenses are kept up TO date. Many wom-
en-, In being obliged to do 1t alone. have TO
sacrifice some of their own allowance, when
some slight advice or suggestion would save
them endless worry and anxiety. And
apropos of money matters, no man can eX-
pect his wife to keep up her end of the
expenses If he does not give her the weekly
or monthly allowance, whatever Its amount
may be, as regularly as he receives his own
pay.
But the structure Of congenial home
is only begun by thoughtfulness between
husband and wife. Other members OF the
family between whom the bond of affec-
ton is not so strong, have to consider quite
as many little attentions toward each other
that are no less important
There cannot help being mutual inter-
EST among persons who see so much OF
ZACH other whether they be related or not
and a very essential duty Is to keep them
always posted as to your Whereabouts. That
is, sudden call out OF town. an unexpected
visit for dinner, the night at some
friends or any delay in arriving at home
on time, should mean that some other mem
Der of the family was notified of 1t imme-
to result In a slight reduction of her ex-
pense account. while the entire household
is assured of the absent ones safety and
comfort Postal cards, too. at regular in
slant touch with the remainder of the FAM
ily. and are welcomed almost as gladly as
letter
The Family Spirit.
Remembering all stories and incidents
which will be of common interest has
value in maintaining the family spirit. In
one house this is a source Of endless pleas
ure. and the table at meal times Is alive
with conversation and good nature. If
magaz zine or newspaper contains some ar
ticle which Is particularly readable, or
which relates to some former topic of dis
cussion 1t Is saved and either read aloud
or recommended as exceptionally entertain
ing.
With equal thoughtfulness, holidays and
anniversaries of all sorts marked by
the giving of inexpensive gifts, either as a
Joke or a surprise. No one Is forgotten.
In the same way pleasures are shared. The
member who rs favored with an invitation
to the theater or an entertainment. keeps
watch that none OF the others are sighted
in their good times, or. II necessary, gives
up an outside pleasure IN order that all
may share their amusements together.
Aside from these attentions there are
mAny petty annoyances which have TO be
guarded against at all times One of these
Is unwarranted disturbance of some person
while he or she Ia resting. To waken every
member of the family just because you
have to get up early is sure to rouse an
IN ho nfb hon ha