Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1891 — Courteous. [ARTICLE]

Courteous.

Most of us are apt to omit toward those of our own family many of the outward tokens of respect that we habitually show to our less familiar friends and acquaintances. To this rule, as to all others, there are, of course exceptions. Those who pass a certain house in a town not far from Boston on their way to business in the morning, often see what is to them a most beautiful and touching sight. Down the front steps comes a gentleman about sixtyfive years of age, but evidently hale and vigorous; in the big bay window can be seen his wife, a feeble, sickly lady supported on her crutches, watching her husband on his way. The old gentleman walks briskly on until he reaches the street corner, some paces away; then he turns, glances back with a smile for the loving face in the window, throws it a kiss, and raising his hat in the most ceremonious manner, bows low and passes around the corner out of sight. Such things as this show that courtesy toward one’s own household is not a thing of the past, that familiarity does not always breed contempt. Weil would it be for us all to heed the lesson!