The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1860-05-16
From the Knickerbecker for May.
CHEERFULNESS.


I should think it best for us that, as
we are, we take such enjoyment, sue mer-
riment, such pleasure as we can. Such
is the sentiment which Boccaccio puts in
the mouth of the fair Pampinea, speaking
amid the horrors of plague stricken Flor
once. If her six gay companions ac-
cepted it as wise and practical, how much
more does it commend itself to Us now
and here.
We live in world pronounced good
when made, and if it have deterioratetl
somewhat because of the hard usage we
have since put it to, still tits very far from
Icing the dull prison-house that we'll
meaning but mistaken ascetism and do
vout dyspepsia would represent it. The
morning stars sang together in solemn
cladness over the finished work. Still
1he sun shines down upon 1t, and the rpe
larvests and meadows gay with flowers,
return the smile, while through them
run the laughing brooks, and the leaves,
kissed by the towing winds, clap their
little hands in g'ee.' While not com
planning OF. or shutting our minds to, the
lessons taught by stormy skies and Sow
Ino heavens, we shall not then do I'M
wisely to improve the holy sunshiny days;
10 seize all passing occasions Of ENJOY
lnent, thankfully making the most Of
ii.em. These occasions, il We will but
lie Oh the outlook for them, are not at ail
rare. Close bv the thorn that wounds,
ogtenest grows heats case that cures,
which i, were better 10 pluck and apply
ti.an to doe'uliy count the slow drops
ot blood; where the path Is steer est and
rou"iitcst, thenc,., i VIC look up, We may
catch oiimpsts cf a fair promise / land;
bright thrca Of hope are SHOT through
the very pail Of sorrow; the raimbow Is
paiu;e, on the storm itself. Lttle JOYS
eu!arue by close observation rs little sor-
rows DO; held near enough, vii! quite
ovcrsIadow these last. Use ii thrifty,
a,,l you find that
.onc lo,i ing hourc
For many years Of sorrow can disguise:
\ dram Of sstote is worth u pound Of
soyrV.'
rs Richter happily illustrates when treat
ing Of the little pleasures: Let the gnats
upon the walls amusc as well as irritate
YOU
Far he from nue. the folly of an unbe-
coming leyity on the occasions of serious
ness that life so often furnishes. A tear
for the departed friend; mindful consid-
Grafton for the feeling of others mourn
ING the loss of the one, when they 90 like
one in the dark, vainy cropping for some
support soeTnity in COPS house, though
1t be but for FORMS sake in want of
better motive. But in general, through
life is battle. yet shall we give none the
less lusty strokes if We march ngin9 to
the conflict; if we make merry round the
home campfire when the journal strife is
ended. BY the good gifts of memory,
perception, and anticipation, our myster
ious being is multiplied as it were three
fold. This is not str.kin.ly novel propc-
sition, but must think an intelligent re-
cognition of it would be as good as new
to some who make the common confusion
of long familiarity with knowledge. For
they are forever playing the sexton to the
joys of the past instead of leaving it to
bury its own dead or their anticipations
are overhung with weeping-willows, or
the image of death is attendant physician
to their sickly pleasures; with them the
present is but a standipg-point whence
they look back with regret and forward
with dread; and they trembIe to feel
their feothold slide from under them: as
in German etymology, the gifts are be-
come poisons. But really, this present is
a free space in which to cherish grateful
recollections, to enjoy matured fruitions,
to hope for better things. 1t is of 10
good, selfish or absolute, to mourn lost
friends always. The affections that rest
ed on them may turn to others. Surely
they are still to be remembered, but rath-
er for the long time of their lives than in
tho moment of their deaths; rather by
what was gained, and is still held from
them, than by what was lost IT. them
Let their images be set up forever in the
memory, but do not for that turn memory
into a graveyard. If as poets sing, they
NAV still be about us, our prolonged sad
ness cannot add to their spirits peace
Shall 1 letpass the good things of this
world that with such zest VS. were used
to share together, because thou, dear
friends, art gone to better2 Perhaps
very long sorrow at our loss is not the
fittest tribute of friendship. A fsym-
pathv with others in their affection has
stood always in high repute, is always
commended and recommended. But
there are sympatbies of all kinds. If 1
weep with those that weep, shall not re-
joice with those that rejoice and so, add
ing to the amount and prolongng the
seasonCof my neighbor's entertainment,
help my own digestion the while.