Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-08-01
InattentiOn.

1t is not of any of the prominent, noted
instances Of inattention, which stand out in
striking relief against the horizon Of the
daily walks of life, like high mountain
against the sensible horizon to which l
would refer 1t is only one Of those trifing
"moc-holcs'' of the fault, which some pco-
pie deem too unimportant to give notice to,
but which, with its companion instances,
are like the trtlc- that make up the sum Of
life. Many of them make much and it is
only by ridding ourselves, one at time, OF
those little faults, that we are saved from
the incumbrance Of the greater ones.
1t is an instance that may never have
forced itself upon the attention of the reader
or general thinker; and even when now
alluded to may be thought trivial beyond
endurance. But as tue writer, at the present
moment, is suffering from this very thing,
he is consequently in Il spirit to do the topic
greater justice, and feels that independence
which results from irritation to such de-
gree as not to care if the shoe does pinch
some one in his immediate circle.
Have you. reader, in the course Of an
evenings reading ever handed the paper to
some one to read short article, and waited
so long for the paper to be returned that you
were forced to take up another? If so, then
our experiences assimiIatc We cannot deem
this less than culpable impolitcness, how
ever involuntary it may be on the part of
the offender. Surely. no one would be in
tcntionally guilty of such rudcness The
trouble mainly lies i'll inattcntion. We have
handed sheet to Il friend to perusc a short
and spicy article which circumstances for
bade reading aloud, and have seen HIM fall
back into the chair with the most nonchalant
air imaginable, and not only read it, but
another, and still others, until bedtime
forced him to lay it aside. eve were not
obliged to take up another paper in this
case, for after being busy with our thoughts
Il short time, the eyerready, always willing,
pen was resortcd to, and here are the results
Of the brief cogitation on the suhject.)
1t would probably be Il good plan to ac-
company the loan with the request to "rc-
turn as soon as read" but it seems to reflect
too much upon the injustice that may only
be unntcntional. The best mode, no doubt,
is to read the article yourself, or, if this is
impossible, keep it to yourself. and let them
run the risk Of seeing or not seeing it, who
are 50 unobscryant ard 50 needless Of the
rights and interests of others. Yet this
savors 50 decidedly Of ecllishncsS that sensi-
tivcness has compelled us to frequently
break through the proposed rule And al
low me to add that we have suffered proyok-
ing inconycniences in consequence.
How people can be so obtuse as not to be
susceptible of their fault without public
mention Of it, i, strange. 1t is 50 trifling u
lesson it could be readily earned-common
sense or common justice would impart it,
But, however triling. (n the sense Of guam
tity), Il lesson it may seem, it is proportion
ately important, and should not be omitted
among the other lessons that may be impart-
cd to self OF course, conSiderateneSs is not
inherent in many people, which causes them
to overlook many Of the lesser faults, and
likewise many of the greater ones.
Reader, have you suffered in consequence
Of this? Then sympathize with me. Are
you, on the contrary, addicted to the fault?
Then, in behalf of the interest and comfort
Of others, conquer it. 1t may be only
thonghtIessness on your part; but it is al
most incXcusable; at least, it reflects dis
agroeably on the opinion others may hold
OF You in other thin. and is by no means
ilattcring to you in any way,
Remember that all our little faiings,
tritling though they may be, may cause us
and others great inconyenicnccs. And not
only do admonish you to conquer this one
particular failing, if you have it, but seek
out, and, having found, exterminate the
greater ones as we'll We should avoid all
that by which no one is profted, and many
often injured.