Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1928-07-13
Home Education
MANNERS IN THE MAKING
Edith Lochridge Reid

why do 1 have to say Please
when l ask for anything, MOther?'
Stanley looked earnestly for the re-
ply, and as he was blessed with an
understanding mother who respect
ed her little sons intelligence, the
answer to his question was not
only interesting but constructive.
His mother explained manners
in way that appealed to his imagi-
nation and which likewise inspired
him to want to be mannerly. She
could have made the mistake of
telling him to observe this little
courtesy because she said that was
the proper thing or because it is
the way that polite persons do; but
Stanley's mother knew a better
course. So she said:
''Now, I'm so glad you asked me
that, dear, for it would be hard to
go on. saying something every day
of your life if you couldn't think of
a good reason for doing it. And
when you get puzzled this way you
must always ask me, so that we can
straighten the puzzle out"
By this time Stanley's eyes were
beaming. His mother knew how to
create interest in little everyday af-
fairs.
when you say Please in asking
for an apple, that means that if 1
give you the apple you will be hap
py. Then you see that makes Moth
er happy because she has done
little act for some one she loves
very much. If you didn't say Please
1 might think that you didn't care
much whether 1 gave you what you
asked for, and then 1 couldn't be
sure whether you were much hap
pier or not"
Stanley's face lighted up and he
seemed to catch new vision of
what folks call politeness. He Quer-
led further:
when 1 thanked Mr.. Barnes this
morning for letting me take his
hammer to fix my wagon, do you
think he liked me better?"
Mother smiled indulgently. "It |
made him happy to think that he
had helped you, for you must re-
member, Son, that these words of |
and deeds of thoughtful |
ness are happiness makers. They
help folks who hear them and see
them to feel love and friendship"
What about folding my napkin
at tablet" inquired Stanley, now
swept away with his interest.
Grandma told me was being po-
lite when 1 did that"
Again Mother laughed a pleasant
little ripple of loving merriment.
She threw him the challenge. 'Now
you think hard and tell me the rea-
we must not do things all
he time unless we understand why
t is better to do them"
Stanley paused for half a second.
Then he exclaimed: ct would make
he table look bad if 1 threw my
napkin down! And then you would
lave to work harder folding it up
or me after meals"
'Then if the table would look bet
er, manners help to make the world
more tidy and beautiful" continued
dother, land when you try to save
ne work, you add more love to the
lome where we live"
So from that one hour of discus
ion, Stanley caught a lasting spirit
+ good manners and kindly cour-
esq. Never again did he question
hese amenities of daily life, be-
ause their value had been sub
litted to his intelligence instead of
heir form being demanded of him
S matter of obedience.
After that he performed such acts
f politeness with understanding.
he motive came from within, X
-hich was as it always should be. Il
y using imagination he found
easons for every pleasant little IA IF
Or or sacrifice, and to have omit Il
ID such courtesies would to him Il
ave been an affront to love and Il
is