Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-05-09
Ingratitude.

"Ingratitude," once heard man
say, !" 10 . crime" Now whilst don't
argue the question, agree that it fire..
quently amounts 10 great unkindness.
We all have our course to pursue, and
il Ne turn aside from the given track to
do an act OF kindness for another, il
should be appreciated.
At boarding house in Philadelphia
there was an old gentleman whose law
OF life was kindness it was spent in
charities. In his youth he had mar
ried a lovely girl, with whom he had
lived happily for ten years. She was
then taken to her eternal home, leaving
him solitary. This was great blow to
Mr.. Raymond, and the aching void
within his heart was only healed by for
getting self and living for others.
At the hotel were two young men
who were Just starting out in life. They
were poor. and obliged to struggle hard
against adverse circumstances. One
was lawyer--tall, fair and handsome ;
the other Q clerk--small and dark. Both
had attractive manners, and the old
gentleman endeavored in every way to
promote their interest. To the lawyer
he sent some Of his most influential
friends, who employed him, and in this
way added largely to his income to
the clerk he was kind benefactor.
One pleasant June evening, Mr.. Ray
mond was sitting by his window, look
ing out, Watching twilight fading into
night. The summer wind played with
his silvery hair. and his kind blue eyes
were turned heavenward as he leaned
back in his easy chair. Presently he
heard his name mentioned as il in ridi-
Guile.
The two young men were sitting un-
derneath his window, smoking, when
one addressed the other in the following
manner -,
81 say, Harry, it was q lucky day for
Ills when old Raymond came here to
board he has done good work for
me, that's certain"
WE'LL said the clerk, - he is q nice
old fellow il his i. way, and a.i keep E; on
and have made considerable of him."
50 tell you" said Harry. the lawyer,
she is q sly fox, and fellow has to go
work cautiously; we night strike
whilst the iron is hot for in the autumn
he goes to his relatives in New York.
and then orr day isrover. We must get
from him all we can now"
Mr.. Raymond had not been Q willing
listener, but he was not willing to hear
more, and arose and went away. He
prayed that such ingratitude might not
turn him from the course OF duty he
had marked out for himself. He was q
grand old man, a traveller on his way to
Jerusalem, and the ingratitude Of two
unworthy objects did not prevent him
from going on in his benevolence.
I have frequently heard men and
women say Keep on the right side
of Mr.. and Mrs. So and so ]" to their
children. for they are rich and it may
be to your interest" This is very
wrong let kindness be voluntary, and
il people are disposed to do you favors,
let your thanks be from heart full OF
gratitude.
went on one occasion to visit poor
invalid, q young girl of about sixteen
snnmers. whose mother supported her
~ bxs*aking ip. YsahinG They lied
| ia b tw0-r66me2. frame house, and their
surroundings were very simple and
rude. In the inyalid's room there was
o neat rag carpet covering the floor, q
clean looking bed on an old fashioned
settee, and afew painted wooden chairs.
Every thing was scrupul0usly clean.
Flowers were blooming in the windows |;
q few cheap but pretty pictures adorned
the walls; and, in spite OF the sim
plicity, everything was cozy and in
viting.
Mary had lost the use Of her limbs
and was bed-ridden, but her sweet
young face wore an expression OF per-
feet resignation. / asked
Mary, are You comfortable 2"
oh yesI And every one 10 so Rery
kind to me that I ann so very, very happy.
Yesterday, old Mrs. Jones. over the
way, sent me beautiful canary bird, !"
said she, pointing to the pretty little
prisoner that hung by one of the win
dows. " Dick is o lovely singer, and /
love to hear him and watch him. 1t
was so kind Of her to remember mel I
am sure love her dearly for it. / feel
so happy with my birdl Mr.. Parker,
our kind minister, often comes to see
me. and brings some good books to
E6AGs EVSky QUO Ab klMu 20 mutu6r
and me, and only God who hears our
prayers knows how thankful we are"
There was q girl who had passed
through great suffering, grateful for
the slightest attention. She was too
pure at heart to be envions Of others
more fortunate, and always gathered .
bouquet from the few flowers thrown In
her path. This 10 the proper way.
Those who have good health and com-
Portable homes. who have all their fac
ulties, have no right to complain. When
tempted TO do so. they should contrast
their advantages with others less for
tunate.
We cannot all be beautiful, but we
may all be good. Be grateful forall bless
|ings and as we pass down the stream
Of time, let MS reach ont our hands and
catch the sunbeams as we go along.
Gather the buds OF hope that are burst-
ing at our feet. Fran each flower
gather drop OF honey Let us do our
part nobly, and all will be we'll. Ams-
lia TArcpp. In Waperly Magazine.
Both the body and the mind are so
constitutAd that thew renuir0 constant