Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-08

The first Autumn like day made
every one shut the windows ana mink
about coal
After a hot Summer. when doors and
windows were wide open. the closing
OF them seemed almost symbolic.
Symbolism is something that fails to
hold down much of II place in everyday
life of modern people They admit IL
upon special occasion and III particu-
lar connections but as general thing
stick to the plain matter of fact.
Yet the closing of those doors and
windows at the first touch OF raw
weather seemed to speak OF things yet
to come,
We saw the whole panorama oil
Winter life stretched out for months
or so, a life that is amazingly different
from that lived during July and August.
For one thing, there will be more
reading done by many from now on.
The charms Of the outdoors fail sig
nallv with many persons when cool
weather sets in.
Even warm -blooded poppy people, in
many instances. begin to freeze up, as
they say. at the first touch of Autumn.
Perhaps they require certain Time
to get used TO the change, for they
aver that they do not mind but aCtu-
less houses in Fall are partly responsible
for this frame of mind. since the physi-
cal condition reacts strongly upon the
mental.
No doubt. either. that coal companies
would make more money and home
owners would be more comfortable and
happy If they would start their fur
naces weeks before they do. To sit
around in a house that is several de-
grees colder than the outdoors is to
court discomfort, at the least, and
colds, at the worst.
For another thing, home life Is more
quiet in Winter than during the warm
months. Even the quietcst neiGhbor-
hoods nowadays are not very quiet!
Automobiles, trucks, wide-open radios,
to mention only a few of the prize
taking noise makers, combine to send
a perpetual roar dining into receptive
ears.
Now the essence of home is quiet.
No two persons Of course, would agree
upon the exact amount Of this COM
modify necessary to make house a
home. but perhaps every one would be
willing to admit that a home should
not sound like stadium.
1t is because those who have the
means recognize this that they build
themselves as integral parts Of their
houses, libraries wherein they may go
to enjoy the peace, secluSion and quiet
which every one ought to have when he
reads.
This sterling Winter enjoyment takes
on added interest with the first touch
of Fall 1t seems more natural to be
in the house and rooms are more quiet
then. everything else being equal which
they not always are. To seek big
easy chair in Summer is not exactly
the same as finding solace in it during
Autumn or Winter
The quinteSsence of reading comfort
comes on snowy night. Then thrill
ing story takes on added interest. Every
snowflake that falls adds point to the
tale. One may be unconscious of the
fact, but the simple truth Is that he is
constantly congratulating himself on
being safe from the play of the ele-
ments. He thinks of sailors at sea, and
is glad that he is not sailor. He
admires sailors. he takes off his hat to
sailors, but at the same time he is will
ing to let them have their thrilling
and none too comfortable jobs.
i 4
The best way to treat that neceS-
sary evil, the furnace, is to realize the
full value of what it does for a home.
and to work up a fervent admiration
for it, so that the constant tending day
and night will not bore one. If the