The Family Circle

New Zealand Tablet, 29 May 1919, Page 45

The Family Circle

“MY POUR SPLENDID. BOYS.” Yes, , I know there are ; stains on my carpet,; The traces of small muddy boots; * And I see your fair tapestry glowing, And spotless with blossoms and fruits. And I know that .my walls are disfigured With prints of small fingers and hands, And that your own household most truly In immaculate purity stands. And I know that my parlor is littered With many old treasures and toys; While your own is in daintiest order, Unharmed by the presence of boys ! And I know that my room is invaded Quite boldly all hours of the day ; While you sit in yours unmolested And dream the soft quiet way. Yes, I know there are four little bedsides Where I must stand watchful each night; While you go out in your auto, -And flash in your dresses so bright. Now, I think I’m a neat little woman; I like my house orderly, too ; And I’m fond of all dainty belongings Yet would not change places with you. No, keep your fair home with its order, Its freedom from bother and noise ; And keep your own fanciful leisure, But give me my four splendid boys! THE INTERESTING. WOMAN. The interesting girl is one who goes through the world with her eyes open. She does not let her life centre around herself, but rather considers the needs of others, and tries, as Rusk in says so well, “to please people, and to serve them in dainty ways.” The girl who has mind enough to be interesting has mind enough to go under the surface when choosing her companions and friends. No bit of knowledge escapes her she garners from her reading, from her social opportunities, from her walks and her daily work a store of incident and information which she utilises as occasion demands.

The interesting girl, who by and by will be an interesting woman, does not have false standards of value; she aims to be natural. A natural woman is the greatest power in the world to-day. Let artifice, sham, or pretension enter into the nature of such a woman, and she would become at once an unwelcome guest where now she* is bidden and eagerly sought for. She is the very sunshine of her home, simply because she is her own self, and never tries to appear what she is not. And there is nothing specially occult or difficult in this matter. One can be as interesting as ever woman was since the world began if one will elect to be so. And neither good looks nor good family, nor even good feeling and good principle, will suffice to keep one from being stupid and monotonous, unless each is supplemented by sweetness of manner, kindness of heart, tact, intelligence, and the desire to please, which make people interesting. 9 ' : ' ' - : -——- Ipu / A HERO’S HORSE. - It is pleasant to know; of the secret benefactions of the great/' Kosciusko,;-the hero of Poland, , was one of those who “do good by .stealth. “and blush to find it fame.” g* Once he wished to send some bottles of wine to a sick . friend; and, afraid that his servant - would tamper with iy on the - way r .;he secured - the services of a trustworthy ' young man - named , Keltner, to whom she tendered the use of his own horse. '-n %% * \

i i:x< Keltner promptly set out upon his errand, which, he executed with precision. On his.return he presented himself before Kosciusko. J ? X vy } “How did you get onj” inquired the Polisji hero. “Fairly, General,” said£Keltner ; “but the next time I borrow your horse', I hope- you - will lend mb; your purse at the sajue’ time.” »;T s . ! '6-r The general seemed puzzled at the remark, and asked :—• ' '-"I:. I ,v ■' /

“Why so ? ■ pjg. .] | p': I1 * “Well, you see, there were ever so many poor; people along the road; and the moment that horse saw one of them extend his hand and take off his hat ho stopped and wouldn’t go another step until I had given, or pretended to give, the beggar something.” ‘%r's I —■ ■ ■ HOME. ■ ' ' ■ . Home is where the heart finds its greatest content. Home is the result of learning how to bear and forbear. • 3. VVv ;/.■> vv'/ ; ii> Home is the best school for making true men and women. , Home is God’s blessing to mankind, the safeguard of the world. Home is the dearest earthly shelter from the cradle - to the grave. Home is an inn where love is landlord and contentment chief guest. Home is a . corporation whose preferred stock is contented children. Home is where live happiness, health, harmony, heart’s ease; holiness, heritage, children respectful. Home is a Comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in advanced age, and if we do not plant it while young it will give us no shade when we grow old. CHEER UP. Scowling and growling will make a man old ; Money and fame at the best are beguiling; Don’t be suspicious and selfish and cold— Try smiling. Happiness stands like a maid at your gate, Why should you think you will find her by roving? Never was greater mistake than to hate— Try loving. : HER CHOICE. In a . football game a young giant came out -of the scrimmage looking as if he had encountered .unfriendly automobile. Among other superficial injuries, his nose was most thoroughly" broken. - : ~. The doctors stood in readiness to repair the damages, but he absolutely refused their services with; “Say, let that nose alone, and bring me a telegraph blank.” Thus he remained until a reply came in to his wire, when he announced : “Now you can go ahead, doc, and follow these instructions ” handing the surgeon the slip. The message read: “Have nose set Greek. Do not like Roman.— Dorothy.” ■ £ . -^1 AN UNCOMFORTABLE PEELING. It was Dora’s first trip bn the ocean, and the water kept on going see-saw and slip-slide and heave-ho, and all sorts of uncomfortable, disagreeable things; so that Dora began to get a little giddy and dazed and tired and hazy. T :■ |r ; ” ” ‘ ’ Clasping a large doll in her arms, she stood upon the deck by her mother’s side. “Mamma!” she suddenly exclaimed, and her face .turned to a delicate pale green. : “Yes, darling? What is the matter?” \ “Oh, nothing, mamma ! But I— don’t fink the -rabbit’ I had for dinner could have been quite—quite v j |y\ Y.-i $ Tv ;v I ■♦ l f i >; j\ i ; ** • i .id V- I/j o■ vi' dead!” ** ys > '■ . ;'• ■■

■ - : “SOME” ATHLETE. An American and an Irishman were telling each other wonderful things which had been done in their respective countries. “I guess we have the best jumpers in the world,’’ said the American.. “Why, one of our men ran 30 miles, and then jumped over a five-barred gate.” “Sure, no wonder he did,” said the Irishman. “Look at the run he took !” A DESPERATE CASE. After five unsuccessful years of running horses, the owner had at last triumphed. But surely there never was such bad luck ! He had won his first race all right, butconfound it, the jockey was just a trifle overweight ! The owner’s face was gloomy. The jockey was gloomy. The aspect was decidedly gloomy. However, the owner’s visage visibly brightened when he sidled up to the jockey and whispered : “Can’t you think of something to lessen your weight ?” “Don’t think so, sir.” “Have you shaved “Yes, sir; before the race.” “Finger nails clipped V’ A brief inspection of them sufficed to show that ho improvement was possible. The owner’s face now resumed its former gloomy aspect, when, quite suddenly, another idea suggested itself. “Here, give me your false teeth when the stewards are not looking !” he breathed desperately. SMILE RAISERS. Teacher: “What little-boy can tell me where the home of the swallow is?” Long silence. Then a hand is raised. “Well, Bobbie, where is it?” “The home of the swallow,” said Bobbie, seriously, “is in the stummich.” Professor: “I went to the railway office to-day and got that umbrella I left in the train last week.” His Wife; “That’s good! Where is it now?” Professor: “Eh? By jove, I—really, my dear, I’m afraid I left it in the train !” Teacher: “State the difference between ‘results’ and ‘consequences.’ ” Bright-eyed Little Miss; “Results are what you expect, and consequences are what you get.” Ronan: “What’s the idea of turning off my lights Cronin: “Why, if we don’t get the currency, you don’t get the current. See?” “I understand you began your life as a newsboy?” observed the friend admiringly. “No,” replied the millionaire. “Someone has been fooling you. I began life as an infant.”