Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-09-27
POlifeneSS.

tion from the heart. Some people have an
unfortunate propensity for saying or doing
little uncalled for acts of unkindneSs to
hurt the feelings or iujure the prospects of
Others. This is cruel-it is not christian
to wound the feelings Of Others, directly
or indirectly, and no person with good
heart will do so. All ill-natured persons
are unhappy, they are always alone because
they are without friends. They cannot
feel comfortable in the great social bee
hive by which they are surrounded. Peo-
pie speak of first impressions, and l ae-
knowledge their influence. We hear it said.
1 did not like HIM or her when I first met
them and have never wanted to haYe sny-
thing to do with them. Now this is not
fair, whilst it is not wise to rush into
friendships it is not well to let them in
huence us to unkindness. 1 met once at
q boarding house, an old lady, who took
particular pains to be rude. She left no OPP
portunity pass without doing or saying
something to hurt my feelings, some ma
licious person had evidently influenced her,
or my first impression was unfavorable.
Did IT iniure her or me most? was al
wavs cautious-she was rude, which felt
the most comfortable? There was gen.
tleman and lady upon the boat at one time
when was travelling up the grest lakes,
there was large company and We natur-
ally became social. This lady to whom
refer had become prematurely aged by
sickness, her hair was whitened and she
looked much older than she really was.
Her husband handsome young man Of
ihIri y-two was two years her senior. There
was lady at the table Mrs. S. who
seemed one of the few in this world who
take great pleasure in being disagreeable.
While at the table one day she said dear
me, Mrs. ". could not realize that You
and Mr.. W. were really man and wife when
first met you. You look fully ten years
older. Mrs. W. being perfect lady re-
piled my dear husband enjoys good health
for which am very grateful. On another
occasion at large dinner party there was
lovely and modest young lady sitting Op-
posite a gentleman. She was very dark
complexioned but very pretty. Suddenly
after gazing intently at her few moments
the old gentleman said, My child are you
a foreigner? No sir, American born.
Indeed, well, from the South? No sir
flushing deeply-from New York. Indeed!
Pardon me, you look like mulstto. Now
this man professed and evidently thought
himself q gentleman; how easy in judging
Of ourselves is it to be deceived. One day
while standing upon the corner of the
street waiting for car, poor old woman
very stout, carrying basket, came up and
Joined me. She appeared to be ssmatic.
When the car came, assisted her in; the
car was full and there were but two gentle
men-a very old one and young one.
The poor old creature tottered and locked
appealingly at the young man but to no
effect. Presently the old gentleman arose
and offered his seat. This declined, and
two kind mothers taking their little ones
upon their knees we were soon accommo-
dated. In the evening when 1 returned,
the same young gentleman was in the car
which was again crowded. He arose and
politely offered his seat. I said, keep your
seat sir, for 1 thought if he could not Of
fer the poor old woman, borne down by the
infrmity Of years, seat because she was
poor, he need not trouble himself for me.
As he paid no attention to the poor old
woman why should he inconvenience him
self for me2 1t is true, he paid his fare
and was entitled tc a seat, had she been
young and strong should not have ex-
pected it, but she was old and infrm. A
good-natured courteous gentleman is al
ways popular. This does not include the
necessity of being deceitful, but gentle
word or courteous act, often unconscious
ly on our part. heals and cheers wounded
spirit. Then it is making our own life
Joyous. Passing on our way kindly we
strew our pathway with friends. One day
I had just heard of the death of dear
friend, I was walking out hoping to direct
my mind from unhappy thoughts, when I
passed groupe Of children playing. One
little snnny-hsired, blue-eyed creature ap-
preached me and hsnding me rose said
lady will you have a flower? There was
a look of sweetness in the face of the child,
a kindness which went to my heart, bowed
down and kissed her, she was bare-footed
and ragged, evidently the child of poverty,
but the heart was a jewel. That act of
kindness went to my heart, and did more
to heal the wound than any act of sym
pathy had received. 1t was but a trife,
but little word, small act sometimes
turns the destiny of our lives. Politeness
and kindness are allied. The courteous act
emenates from the good heart. 1t makes
life sunny. Then why not cast the sun
shine wherever we 90. If so angels will
watch oyer US and call our work good.
AMELIA THRoPP.