THE LITTLE FAMILY FOXES.
By Mrs. Sangster
ONE of the most malignant of the family foxes is discourtesy, and he creeps into households where one would not suppose it possible for him to find even momentary hospitality. People who are ordinarily polite, well-bred and genial, are sometimes guilty of rudeness in manner and speech and action at home, of which they would be ashamed in society. Parents are hasty or fretful in their way of addressing or reproving children, and children forget the respect and honor due to parents. A great deal of unhappiness overclouds homes which might be bright as the morning, but for this wretched habit of brusqueness and incivility which fastens on some unfortunate victims like a second nature. It has its different phases, to be sure. When papa indulges in it, the family are apt to say that he is tired. If it is mama that is irritable and peevish, it is intimated that she is nervous. Like the lady in a charming little magazine-story, it is benevolently supposed that she may have "neural" on the top of her head! When aunt Kitty or sister Sophy are short and snappish, it is excused because they were up late last night to a party, and it is only little Floy or small Tom who is sent to bed in disgrace for answering impertinently and frowning blackly. A little leaven leaveneth the whole family lump, and it is curious to observe how rapidly and certainly this evil infection spreads. "Quiet people have quiet children," said a plain women to me the other day, and she was right. Persons who are invariably polite to each other in the presence of their sons and daughters, do not often have to check the latter in a thoughtless or improper manner of speaking, for courtesy as well as its opposite, is atmospheric and educational. It is worth while, if the fox we are thinking of has intruded into our vineyard and begun his work of spoiling our tender grapes of good-will, of gentleness, and of daily cheer, to think how best to banish him. There are three magic P's, which have never failed when properly179used, to utterly rout and destroy the subtle foe. Their names are Patience, Perseverance, and Prayer. If you feel that your family has fallen into the custom of being cross and unmannerly, pray first to have your own heart and temper sweetened, then meet angularity and crookedness with invincible patience, and be not discouraged in setting a good example. —Mrs. Sangster, in Christian at Work.