Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-09-30
the whole Of them presenting to a distant
view the appearance Of several aesss Of
shipping
One Secret of a Happy Life.

We were in company the other day with
gentleman apparently fifty or sixty yesrs
of age, who used in substance the following
language:
Were I 10 live my life over again, I
should make il point to do kindness for
iellow-being whenever had the opponuni.
y. regret very much that my habit has
been so different; and that have indeed
feelings as unlike those which would be TO
such course of life.
!! mas been too much my way 10 let 9th
ers lake cnre OF themselves while took care
Oh myself II some little tresspass was COM
inltiec on my rights, or if | suffered some
slSht inconvenience from the tbougl,tless-
ness or selhshness of Others, l was greatly
annoyed, and sometimes used harsh and re-
pronchful language towards the offender.
am satisfied, that my own happiness was
greatly impaired by this course, and ,ho, INV
conduct and example contributed to the n.
rltatIon and unhappiness Of others.
Ii was but The other day, continued the
gentleman that was passing along the street.
and coachman was attempting 10 draw a
light carriage into the coach house. He
tried once cr twice without success, and lust
as | came up The carriage occupied the
whole of the side walk and prevented nv
passing. The fellow looked ss if it ought
not 10 he exactly so, and there was some
thing like faint apology in his smile. II
was on my tongue to say, in with your car
riage, man and not let it stand here block
ing UP the passage But better influence
prevailed. went to the rear OF the carriage
and said,
Now, Try again, my good fellowr while
with the end Of my umbrella gave little
| IN and
Came the pleasant Thank We, sir-much
Obliged | would not have taken a twenty
dollar bank note for the streak of sunshine
that this enc little act of kindness threw over
the rest of my walk, TO say nothing of the
| lighting up OF the coachman's face.
And when look back upon nv inter
course with my fellow men sl the way
along, can confidently say, that never did
a kindness TO any hurnu being without be.
! ing happier for II. So that if were gov
erned by mere selfish motives, and wanted
TO live the happiesr life could, would just
simply obey the Bible precept to do good
unto all men as had opportunity"
All this was said with an air of sincerity
and deep conviction, which we cannot give
TO our report Of it. And does the experience
OF the youngest of our readers confirm or
contradict the statement? Is there a boy or
gIrl amongst all of them who can say, i did
kind act once TO my brother, or sister, or
| playmate, and was afterwards sorry for il.
| should have been happier if il had been aa
unkind one ? 1t is very likely that kind
act has been i'll reqnred, perhaps miscon-
strued; bur if il was performed with proper
feelings, il is as certain to produce happiness
as sunshine is 10 produce warmth.
We counsel cur young friends, then, to
seize every opportunity of contributing to The
good OF Others. Sometimes a smile will do
il. Oftener kind word-a look OF sympa-
thy, or an acknowledgment of obligation -
Sometimes itte help 10 burdened shoul-
der or heavy wheel will be in place.
Sometimes a word or two o! good counsel, a
seasonable and gentle admonltion, and at
others a suggestion of advantage to he
gained, and little interest 10 secure it, will
he received with lasting gratitude. And
thus every instance of kindness done whelh-
er acknowledged or not, opeI.s up a little
welsPring Of happiness in the doer's own
breast, the flow Of which may be made per
manent by habit Youths Penny Gazette.