Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-02-09
One secret to a Happy Life.

| W. WIZ 'AS OthSi uo q"
the Youth's Penny Gazette, with gentle
man apparently fifty or sixty years of age
who used, in substance, the following Ian
guage!
''Were to live my life again, should
make it point TO do kindness to fellow
being whenever had the opportunity.
regret very much. that my habit has been
so different, that have induced feelings SC
unlike those which would lead to such a
course of life.
"It has been too much my way, to LET
others take care of themselves, while took
care of myself. If some little tresspass
was committed on my rights, or if | suffer
ed some slight inconvenience from the
thoughtleSsness or selfshness of others,
was greatly annoyed, and sometimes used
harsh and reproachful language towards
the offender.
81 am now satisfied that my own happi-
ness was greatly impaired by this course,
and my conduct and example contributed
to the irritation and unhappiness of others.
at was but the other day." continued
the gentleman, 'that was passing along
the street, and coachman was attempting
to draw light carriage into coach-hcuse.
He tried once or twice, without success !;
and just as l came up, the carriage occu-
pied the whole of the sidewalk, and pre-
vented my passage. The fellow looked as
if 1t ought not TO be exactly so, and there
was something like faint apology in his
smile. 1t was on my tongue to say, In
lat
stand here blocking up the passage 2
But better influence prevailed. went
to the rear of the carriage. and said,
"Now try again, my good fellow 7 while,
with the end of my umbrella, | gave lit.
lie push, and in the carriage went, and
out came the pleasant 'Thank ye, sir
much obliged | would not have taken a
twenty dollar bank note for the streak of
sunshine that this one little act Of kindness
threw over and lighted up the coachman's
face.
"And when | look back on my inter-
course with my fellow-men all the way a
long, can confidently say that never yet
did kindness to being, without feeling
happier; SO that if ! were governed by
mere selfish motives, and wanted 10 live
the happlest life could, would just sim
ply obey the Bible precept, to do good un-
10 all men, as had opportunity" -
All this was said with an air of sincefi-
ty and deep conviction which we cannot
give to our report of it. And does the ex-
perience of the youngest of readers confirm
or contradict this statement' Is there a
boy or girl among all of them, who can
say, II did kind act once to my brother,
or sister, or playmate, and was afterwards
sorry for it; it should have been an unkind
one" lt,s very likely that kind act has
been lily requi:ed or misconstrued but if
it was performed with proper feelings. ii
is as certain to produce happiness as sur
shine is to produce warmth.
We counsel our young friends, then, to
seize every opportunity of contributing to
the good of others. Sometimes a smile
will do it. Oftener, a kind word, look Of
| sympathy, or an acknowledgment of an OBJ
legation. Sometimes, little helpto bur-
dened shoulder, OF heavy wheel, will be
! in place. Sometimes word or two OF
good counsel, seasoaabfe and gentle ad-
monition, and at others suggestion of ad-
vantage to be gained, and little interest
to secure it, wifi be received with lasting
gratitude And thus every instance of
kindness done, whether acknowledged or
not, opens UP a little well-spring Of happi-
ness in the doer's own breast, the flow of
which may ue made permanent by habit.