Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-08-24
TRUE FRIENDSHIP.

TRUE FRIEED sElIp.
TO find out your true friends, be ever
watchful. He who will lend you a helping
hand in the hour Of trouble, whether your
trouble is great or small, shows a kindly
feeling for YOU; that they are anxious for
you to get on well in life, even at the ex-
pense of a little assistance from them. IT
they can do no more, they will advise, which
is often more beneficial to you than labor
performed or money given. All these are
good signs of friendship, but when q person
comes to us, tells us Of our faults privately,
shows us how and where we are wrong, en-
treats us to turn from the folly Of our ways
and do better, what are we to think of him?
Should we look upon such an act as impu-
dence, and turn upon them, tell them that
we are not going to listen to such talk?
Have we not always been flattered, praised,
and told that We were right by others who
seemed to be equally intelligent as they !?
OF should we not take it as a kindness, at
least, till we could look about and see if
there was not some truth in what they have
said. Has our conduct always been so per-
49, 90 " ~ IL Sos we
are very fortunate indeed; if not would it
notbe best for us to consider the hard and
rough, but, in all probability, well meant,
advice of this friend? If all does not suit
US, perhaps q small portion would; even a
hint is often beneficial at any rate, it IS not
best to allow our feelings to become ~irritated
too easily.
Flattery is very good in its place it is
like flowers in a garden, or tiayoring in
cakes; just a little now and then for a kind
of finishing touch. 1t seems to smooth the
rough corners OF society, and make things
move easier, but let us not have too much.
am like Mark Twain was by "variegated 2
spelling. | like the rough, old-time way of
telling each other just what we think, and
helping each other along. It gives one such
a grand idea Of society in its true sense. If
you should differ with your neighbor in opin-
ions, do not rage about and abuse his opin-
ion, nor yet pretend to agree with him when
you really do not; this would deceive and
wrong him, and sooner or later make him
your enemy. Avoid argument on any SUBJ
ject as much as possible. It generally does
more harm than good, and sometimes
destroys friendship, but # you are so sit
uated that you cannot politely get around
it, come out like a man INC defend your
points bravely, but with persuasive argu-
ments rather than firing assertions. Neither
do / think it best to be too positive and con-
tentious-especially about little things. /
have known, in not a few instances, fierce
disputes to occur, and all " hands up" to
prove it was this way, yes this way, proven
by some three or four persons, SO this way
must be right; but by and by some little
circumstances turn up in less than ten min
utes, convincing the whole party beyond a
doubtNtlat they We're wrong. "Well,o says
one ofthe party, 81 don't care, it isn't much
anyway and slreenongh it wasn't worth
a rye straw one way or the other. They
had better been reading, writing, feeding
the chickens, or taking a nap.
But let us think how many-hours Of our
precious tine we tritter away in this. worse