Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-04-07
BY MAR ARLT f sANGsTER.

the Living"
BY MAR ARLT r sANGSTER
An old Spanish proverb runs to the
effect that il takes two to make a
quarrel: one can always end it. This
Is equivalent 10 saying that one OF
two who are contending will have sufi-
| Client self-res traint 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 clashing. and people
being sure OF mutual affection. ex-
I press their minds with candor that
may wound the sensitive and leave
uncomfortable memories have
T known families who were never happy
J when separa -d though they were al
ways wretched when together. Incom-
/ pstibility OF disposition may work dis
Hster 20 dom nestle peace. when every
/ body concerned is high-minded and
/ honorable. good man may have a
/ knack OF putting his foot clumsily
where II behooves him TO tread deli
oately. and a good woman may have
a trick OF flying Of the handle on
slight occasion. When such opposite
/ forces exist in a home, there is great
| need 20 remember the pith Of the old
| proverb II takes two TO make a quar-
/ rel.
The wisest Of men declared that a
I soft answer turneth away wrath. AS a
rule this Is a verify. But there are
/ exceptions In certain moods. a soft
answer IS an irritant. an aggravation
OF the previous oGense. and its effect
( is that Of a frebrand upon dry stub
BILE.
While men and women continue
+ what they are. human and imperfect
/ there viii never be unbroken serenity
and entire agreement in any home I'M
/ der the sun. an old gentleman once
boastod that he had lived with his wife
/ 80 years. and they had never had DIFF
| ference Of opinion.
Vera praisoworthy." commented a
/ plain-spoken Scottish friend. but very
monotonous" Another man COM
/ placently asserted that he had dwelt
IN harmony with his better half for a
/ great many years. IF she prefers
/ red and ! prefer blue" he explained,
I'VE always settle the matter by CON-
/ promising on the blue" An obviously
easy method this was, n a wife were
ready 20 sacrifice her own desire and
eface her own individuality A long
course OF 81 would spoil the most rea-
sOnable or husbands and make him
terribly self-opinionated or were the
/ pendulum 20 swing the other way. and
tho wife forever have the final deci-
sion. it would turn the sweetest OF
women into tyrant Of the hearth.
Fairness compols the conclusion that
two or more grown persons sheltered
under the same roof. cannot invariably
think alike
Nor would ~ DE desirable that they
should. A stagnant pool Is a menace
/ 20 health. Running water. foaming
over the rocks. IS n pledge OF whole
| some life in the locality. a stirless
day. when no breeze blows. Is less slim
Olating than n day when the winds
hold a Jubilee. Movement. progression.
even friction OF the right kind tend
20 development OF the finest type.
But people may differ without bIck-
ering and hghting. They may ex-
press themselves strongly without in
Melting pain. They may continue to
think differently. and yet live in tran
quillity II they choose.
1T takes two to make a quarrel:
One can always end H."
You might accept my politics" ex-
postulated a husband, who was an Old
fashioned democrat. to his wife. who
was a radical republican.
Il accepted you. dear" she replied.
but my political sentiments are an
inheritance from my father. and I
cannot change them any more than I
can change the color OF my eyes"
Thank Heaven" he murmured,
that you haven't a 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 an
insistent majority. should demand suf
frage, American men viii have too
much gallantry to deny them. and
none OF us anticipate that any fright
full domestic calamities will ensue
from that cause.
Common sense and mutual good feel
Ing, with due regard for the effect of
| quarrels upon the children will usual
ly prevent distressing squabbles In the
home Hot-tempered people are prone
to say more than they mean Tact
less folk rush into mistakes But love
Is solvent that prevails TO blend the
| most diverse elements. and TO con-
ciliate the most obstinate.
Speaking Of obstinacy. thousands OF
people confuse IL with firmness. They
fancy IL they cannot be moved from
position. either by argument or per
suasion. that they are showing ten
acity OF purpose and strength OF will
to an extent that lifts them above
l their fellows. Often instead of Arm
ness. these people are simply display
ing the temper OF a balIy horse. or the
absurd steadfastness Of a mule that
refuses to stir a step. We may be OBJ
| stinate In holding fast TO a prejudice