The Family Circle

New Zealand Tablet, 2 March 1922, Page 45

The Family Circle

AUTUMN. Blue, faultless skies that bend and dip Cup-like above an earth of gold; Low, sleepy winds that softly slip Like winged things, when shadows fold The glinting sunbeams all away, And purple twilight shrouds the day. Dim, silent vales, cool, willow-grown, Through which the sluggish, shallow streams Run low, their birds and blossoms flown, Their silence sweet as brooding dreams. Where tangled vines and tendrils cling There purple grapes in clusters swing. i ■ Above them mountains grey and grim •; Slope to the 'broidered river's edge Where ruffled ferns and wild flags trim And interlace the granite ledge; While through the gold and crimson leaves A haunting whisper softly grieves. 0 limpid skies and golden fields! 0 sleeping vales and brooding hills! 'Tis now fair, pouting summer yields. Her crown, and flees as autumn wills; And, like a flashing meteor hurled, That autumn colors all the world. M.

CHEERFULNESS. A truly cheerful person is such a blessing to his or her surroundings that it may be of interest to consider the cause of cheerfulness. First, it is founded on inward power and a pure patience and capability to bear suffering, loving and cherishing one's neighbors—enduring and meeting them, even though their presence be disagreeable. A cheerful person does not turn away from sorrow unsympathetic ally, but is armed to meet it, and endeavors to raise others above their trials also. Like every other personal trait, it leaves its imprint on the features, and this probably is the cause of its contagious tendency. Mothers, in particular, should remember this, so that their smile, tranquil and loving, may cast sunshine into the heart of the child and thus impart the foundation for the same pleasing trait of character.. A certain amount of cheerfulness, in company or upon social occasions, i§. common to all; yet the gayest of them all may soon afterward fall into deepest depression and cheerfulness is not part of this character. True cheerfulness is a happy, harmonious combination of different parts; a sound, unspoiled character, clear judgment and a natural calmness in feeling and disposition, a sincere love of our neighbor and a childlike confidence in God.

GOOD TEMPER. "A mild answer breaketh wrath; but a harsh word stirreth up fury." "A fool immediately showeth his anger; but he that dissembleth injuries is wise." \ The truth of these scriptural sentiments has appealed to the saints in all ages and to men of our own day who are not formally numbered among the saints (observes the Catholic Sentinel). Nothing can rank in importance before gentleness of manner and sweetness of demeanor toward others (said Father Faber). Go out into the world with your heart full of gentleness and pity and you shall find the response of kindliness in others; you will not only protect yourself from, being hardened, but you will draw out the gentler side of others, was the view of Father Maturin. . , .„. One of the early hermits was asked how he maintained his placid temper, and replied that he lived in the presence

of the unseen: "I often think of my guardian angel, who is ever at my side, who assists me in all my needs, who tells mo in all circumstances what I should do, what I should say, and who, after every action, writes down the manner in which I have performed it. This thought penetrates me with such religions respect that I am attentive to say or do nothing to displease him." To one who asked him how he could suffer abusive language and threats to which he had been subjected, St. Francis de Sales answered: "Be not astonished at my silence. I have made a compact with my tongue' that It never move to say a word of anger against those who may speak ill of me." On the general subject of keeping one's temper sweet, the saint said: "It is not possible, as long as we are on this earth, to think exactly as those with whom we live; therefore, it is necessary to have a large fund of sweetness to oppose to sudden movements of anger, so that we may not lose the peace of our soul." A present-day writer (Father McNabb, 0.P.) says that almost 75 per cent, of the things of this world should be taken with a little laughter. That is the serious way of taking them.

COMPANIONABLE MOTHERS. Surely it is a mother's fault if she does not enjoy an ideal companionship with her children. Her girls especially need this. Let the mother make a point of meeting every one of her girls' friends. If she approves of them, let her make them welcome guests at her home. Let her encourage her daughter to talk freely to her of her doings, her plans, her hopes and failures, and ideals. And let her listen patiently and sympathetically, not describing them as silly, nor looking as if they bored her. Happy that girl who can <ro to her mother with even foolish, girlish secretsnot to be laughed at, nor to be scolded, but to be told gently and lovingly what is wise and sensible. Happy, indeed, is that mother who comes so close to her daughter, for in no other way can she so surely secure a sweet influence that will guide her girl into lasting happiness and well-being.— The Messenger, Collegeville, 111.

SUMMER-SHINE. Spread a ray of Summer-shine Whereso'er you go, Tn .Spring or Autumn time, Or when falls the snow. Sing the sweets of grand old age/ Sing the hopes of youth, Sing the joy of faithfulness, Sing the joys of truth! Sing the joy of living right, Sing the joy of health; Go a-singing all the way Be days foul or fine. Singing cheer and happiness, Spreading Summer-shine! —Charlton Lyman Smith. • THE SKIPPING-ROPE CURE. The boarders were much alarmed one night by what sounded like a man running at a tremendous pace in one of the upper rooms. However, as it came from the secondfloor front room of the new boarder, nothing was said. The next night the same running noises were heard; still it was thought best to say nothing. But the third night the noise differed: the boarders huddled together in the parlor, as the man above came down on the floor with a thump, thump that fairly shook the house. Two men decided to investigate. "What is the matter up here " asked one of them, as the door was opened by the new boarder. "Why," came the answer, between gasps for breath, "I'm taking my medicine." "Medicine?" echoed the men. "Yes," said the new boarder, as he dropped into a chair from sheer exhaustion. '(lt's tougher on me than it is on you. But the doctor said I must take it two nights running, and then skip the third night."

KSfc.BOTHER ABOUT BUTTONS.

Mr. Bullyby came bounding down the stairs, and his wife prepared herself for the usual morning altercation. "Confound it, Maria! how many more times have I got to ask you to be sure and see that there are no' buttons off my shirt before you put it in the drawer? Why can't —-" "But, dear " | "Oh, don't dear me! It's the buttons which are dear, judging by " "Do listen, John. The buttons are inside, because " "Of course they're inside. Inside a draper's shop, and you too'busy " "John! John! do be reasonable and listen. I tell you the buttons are inside because you've got your shirt on inside out." "Then why the dickens couldn't you say so, instead of wasting my valuable time?" he said, as he took a flying leap back to the bedroom. SMILE RAISERS. A witty writer remarked recently that "little dabs of powder, little spots of paint, make the modern girl seem what she ain't." ffi! "Father, what is the difference between visit and visitation?" "Well, Sammy, when we are going to grandma's it's a visit, but when grandma comes to see us it's a visitation." Aunt Nellie: "Well, Bobby, dear, did you see Father Christmas this time?" Bobby: "No, auntie; it was too dark to see him, but I heard what he said when he knocked his toe against the bedpost." Young Wife: "My husband likes your cooking, Delia, but he wants to know if you can make your toast a trifle thinner, Delia: Tell him no, ma'am, from both of us; why, if wejd be giving in to him now, in six months there'd be no living with him. 1* "Mamma," said Elsie, thoughtfully, "I wish I had a real baby to wheel in the go-cart." "Why?" asked her mother. "You.,-have your dolls, haven't you?" "Yes; but dolls are always getting broke when it tips over." ¥ . A clergyman who was nailing up a refractory creeper observed a lad watching him for a long time with obvious interest. "Well, my young friend,?' he said, smilingly, "are you trying to get a hint or two on gardening?" "No," said the youth. "Are you surprised to see me working like this?" "No; I'm waiting to see what a parson says when he hammers his thumb!" Said the pretty young teacher: "Now, children, if you want to subtract one thing from another, both must be of the same denomination. You cannot take three apples from four peaches, or two marbles from nine buttons. You must take three apples from four apples, and so on. Do you understand?" Most of the children understood, or said they did. But little Dick, who lives in the country, raised his hand timidly and said: "Yes, but teacher, couldn't you take three quarts of milk from four cows?"