Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-12-01
H0W to be Happy.

ful heart-a treasure that few, very few possess
We once met an old man, whose face was a mix
ture ofsmiles and sunshine. Wherever he went,
he succeeded in making every body about him as
pleasant as himself.
Said we one day,-for he was one of that de-
lightful class whom every body feels privileged to
be related to,-"Uncle, uncle, how is it that you
contrive to be so happy! Why is your face so
cheerful, when so many thousands are capped over
with most uncomfortable gloominess %
ssMy dear, young friend,'' he answered, with
his placid smile, 81 am even as others afflicted
with nfrmities, l have had my share of sorrow
--seme would say more-but have found out the
seelet of being happy, and it is this:
.'Forget self.
f'Untl you do that, you can lay but little claim
to acheerful spirit Forget what manner of man
you are,' and think more with, rejoice more for
youis neighbors. If am poor, let me look upon
my richer friend, and in estimating his blessings,
forget my privations.
ss[f my neighbor is building a house, let me
watch with him its progress, and think, We'll,
what a comfortable place it will be, to be sure;
how much he may enjoy it with his family Thus
| have double pleasure-that of delight is moth
ing, the structure as it expands into beauty makes
my neighbor's veal mine If he has planted
fine garden, feast my eyes the flowers, smell
their fragrance; could do more if it was my own!
"Another has family of fine children; they
blessed him and are blessed by him; mine are all
gone before me; have none that bear my name;
shall |, therefore, envy my neighbor and his love-
ly children! No, let me enjoy their innocent
smiles with him; let me forget myself-my tears
when they were put away in darkness; or if
weep, may it be for joy that God took them to
dwell with His holy angels forever.
sBelieve an old man when he says there is great
pleasure in living for others. The heart of the
selfish man is like city full of crooked lanes.-
If a generous thought from some glorious temple
strays in there, Wo to tit is lost. 1t wanders
about and wanders about, until enveloped in dark
ness; as the mist of selfshness gathers around,
shrouded in oblivion.
$50 if you would be happy, shun selfshness;
do kindly deed for this one, speak kindly word
for another. He who is constantly giving pleas
ure, is constantly receiving it. The little river
gives to the great ocean, and the more itgives the
faster it runs. Stop its flowing and the hot sun
would dry it up, till it would be but filthy mud,
air Of Heaven. Keep your heart constantly tray
cling on errands of mcrcy-it has feet that never
tire, hands that not be overburdened, eyes that
never sleep; freight its hands with blessings, d.
rect its eyes-no matter how narrow your sphere
to the nearest object of suffering, and relieve it
81 say, my dear young friend, take the word of
an old man for it, who has tried every known pan
acea and found all to fail except this golden rule.
"Forget SELF and keep the heart busy for others.'
The Hearts Flowers.
The human heart is like a garden hedged with
thorns. You must pass through the difficult en-
closures before you can pluck it's blossoms. AS
one will take most pains to secure violet that
iourishes in a dangerous place-for we are natu-
rally, fond of hazard, and prize a treasure by its
cost-so the fair growths of the heart, when gain
ed after much seeking, becomes of exceeding
value. They are worth striving after-for where
SO transporting as those which shoot from the rich
soil of the human bosom.
1t is proper that each one should cultivate his
own domains. He who neglects his household
is wore than an infdel-and he who neglects his
land shall come to want. But we may bestoW all
necessary attention upon our own fields and still
have leisure to inspire and assist others. We
may raise the blossom that has been beaten down
by the storm-we may train the vine that has be-
come misshapen-we may relieve the plant that
is choked by weeds-and direct the tendril that is
looking for support. There is work to do for 9TH
ers as well as ourselves.
There may be hearts in which aid seems use
less. There are. We can call them before us.
There is no dew that can revive their blighted
blossoms-no sun that can warm to life their dead
fruitage. But yet the attempt is not wholly use
less, for there may be one blossom and one plant,
that have survived the general execration.
They have fable in the East, that maiden's
tear, falling the lip of dead soldier, recalled
him to life again. And thus may it be with the
heart whose vegetation is withered and dried up
for tears are mighty, and we may not reckon
their influence.
Shall we not then husband our time; and while
we give good need 10 our own neartS, eAteHo oui
sympathy and our aid to others. 1t is glorious
and satisfying labor, to work among the blossoms
of the heart-a labor which shall make sleep
sweet, life beautiful, and the future mellow as
May morning.-BufalO Eapress.
BoYHooD AND ITS CLATTER.-Few men have
any objection to '.making noise in the world
and all boys delight in hideous racket, when