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Waikato Times, Volume II, Issue 104, 31 December 1872, Page 3

Home Nests.—l once knew a decent man who was driven to drink by an untidy home. He used to return irom his work, sometimes wet and weary, to no fire, to d'rty children, and to no end of confusion: and when this happened on a Saturday, which was frequently the case, and there was the mop-bowl here and the chairs piled up there ; dust on this hand, and dirt on that; a hungry child screaming in the cradle ; and a jaded and somewhat testy wife cleaning the floor—he many a time went straight to the ale-house, where he would sulkily remain, until it was likely that the chaos was reduced to order. I don't say he was right in so doing. He was not. It was his duty to help his wife. I'm merely showing how a man mr.y be acted npon by Irs home. He may bo made happy or miserable, good or bad, by it. Great is the influence of a wife over herhusband here. On herhearth she is truly mighty; a sort of queen, swaying no mystic sceptre, for home ways are the rod of her strength. And, young people, just as some have been driven astray bv badly managed homes —so others, I verily believe, have been allured from their wanderings by well regulated ones. You may believe it or you mav not, bue to affirm it in all seriousness, that there is, and must be, and to the end cf earth's generations there will continue to be, inexpressible charms to a working man, on a Saturday especially, about a wife washed and neatly attired, children clean and orderly, a tidied room, a sinking kettle on the hob of a bright fire, loose coat, and old easy shoes or slippers receiving an airing oh a shimmering fender, and a smiling hearty welcome f.'om his partner and their offspring. Oh! a powerful attraction have these charms They have drawn'thousands of husbands home. I Jdon't doubt, and kept them there.—Kind, Words..