Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-04-06


few are born invalids, or by reason OF sick
ness are rendered incapable Of coping with
the world. But to every ninety, nine out
rogative of undermining their relative posi-
ton in the scale of existence. They are
elected to decide whether they will con-
troll circumstances or permit circumstances
to control them. Upon the result of their
resolution hinges their veal or woe. To
be happy one must be on happy terms with
others, and the difference between being
liked and disliked represents the difference
between the cheerful, good humored, and
the ill-tempered, acrimonious disposition.
The individual who uniformly carries a
smiling countenarce, and keeps his troub-
les, if he has any, TO- himself, is welcomed
wherever he goes. He makes hosts OF
friends, and impressing others with belief
that he must be doing we'll to be SO cheer
full, inspires confidence, draws customers,
and makes headway in the world, where
one with more brains but less buoyancy
fails. Some one truly declares that cheer
fulness and diligence are nine-tenths OF
wisdom" Old DR. johnson used to say
that q habit of looking at the best side OF
every event is far better than a,honsand
pounds year." Charles Lamb expressed
the same idea in different language when
he wrote: "A laugh is worth a hundred
groans in any state of the market" Cheer
fulness," observes Samuel Smiles, gives
electicity to the spirit; spectres fly before
it difficulties cause no despair, for they ar ,
encountered with hope, and the mind ac-
quires that happy disposition to improve
opportunities which rarely fails of success. y
Hume was wont to say, that " he would
rather possess cheerful disposition-inclin-
ed always to look at the bright side Of
things-than with gloomy mind to be the
master of an estate of ten thousand year,
We often hear the remark made :"Such and
such an individual is good fellow" "He
must go with the party" or "We can't
spare him." Study the character ofthe in
dividual alluded 10 and you will find that
| he is cheerful, full Of animals life and spirit
and always ready to join in hearty laugh
II his face is ever welcome it is because il
is full of sun shine and good nature.
individuals often wonder why they are
not liked by their acquaintances why they
are sighted by neighbors. Ten to one Il
is because they are so selfshly ep crossed in
their real and imaginary trials tina: they
weary others with their prese ice. Ii de
ceptiOn is ever justifable it is hen persons
conceal their troubles and make those
around them believe that they are happy
Those who do this, who keep depression
| and low spirit at a distance, and in the
midst of trials and revefses, however severe
still maintain genial countenance and
cheerful conversation, will never lack fol
friends. Many think that their wives, theil
children and friends are morose, cross
grained and i'll natured. Bat let such per
sons resolve, on going home for a few even
ings, to look smiling ifthey do not feel so
tospeak kind word 10 one and all; te
abandon all thoughts ofthe shop; to enter
into the sports and, enjoyments Of the
household; and they will soon regard Their
surroundings in very different light
Nothing invigorates the weary mind OF
body more than cheerful conversation and
mirth provoking amusements. Let those
in dividuals who come home at night feel.
ing worn out by their days labor, and dis
posed to be iu-tempered, act upon this sug.
gestion, and they livery soon experience
decidedly agreeable change in their
morale. As DIR. Griffin, President Hopkins
predecessor at Williams College, used TO
have his classes indulge In q round Of
boisterous laughter, TO keep them, as he
said, from becoming thin and dyspeptical,
SO SnOuiu Ine uhn Oi DusiHcSs, anu the
brain-worker, restore the tone Of mind and
body with after-tea recreations of q social
character. The person who does this, who
Is not too selfish To devote some time To
the amusement and enjoyment OF his fam
lily, will add TO his own enjoyment, and Sc
cure that recuperation which Is so essen
tial to the mental and physical machinery,
in resisting the wear and tear OF life.
II rests with every one, as we have said
above, TO determine for himself wether he
will, acting upon the above suggestions,
insure for himself u happy, contented, and
successful life. No disposition Is by natrs,
SO untoward and unhappy that it cannot be
schooled and disciplined. No one Il too
far advanced in years 40 develop that
cheerfulncss which will make him or her
beloved in the home circle and in society.
-HedrM and Home ptia III. 81