The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-09
STUPIDITY IN SOCIETY.

The Duty and Happiness Of Imparting Pleas.
ure.
From the Boston Transcript
At aparty or church social, for instance,
they expect To sit down in corner by them
selves. look agreeable or not, NJ the fancy
strikes them, and wait for some one to
come along and amuse them. If the COM
pany present have other plans for their ev-
ening's enjoyment these people go home
discontinued and soy with u disgusted ex-
preston, that they shave had such stupid
time!"
Now these forlom people never think
that, il every one in gathering followed
their example, parties, picnics and socials
would be transformed into Quakers meet
ings. The rule holds good here which APP
plies 10 every other walk of life: To be
happy ones self, one must try to impart
happiness TO others. The commonplace
little lady who talks about the weather and
the babies to one person after another
il happier, beloved and often
more finely cultured than the wise
young woman who will only condescend to
converse on subject. Many fitful con-
yersaton and many delightful friendship
has grown ont of comm0nplaces on the
weather. II is often for the very reason
that they will not talk small talk that the
wise young lady must sit in tho corner and
be disgistcd ut life and all the evening,
when she might be making herself agreea-
BILE land therefore contcnted) by helping
instead of hindering sociability This prin-
ciplc applies also to men, but it is not so
much neglected by them as by their sisters.
However well remember the shock once
experienced from very brief conversation
with one of these malcontents. ! had no.
ing the evening in question, and finally, in
had asked my brother to introduce me to
Mr. l.. He did 80, but before l had time to
comment on the brillancy of the assembled
company, Mr.. l.. with most solemn look,
hurled the following profound question ut
me-: "Do you believe in the Immortality of
the soul?" Now, fancy few people would
have been greatly treasured by this startling
beginning. As for me not feeling equal to
theological discussion with one So appar-
emily pessimist, | weakly murmured, 81
don't-know," and after moments hesita-
ton bowed and walked away.
How much better than this was the ex-
ample Of a little friend of mine, whose hap
py disposition makes all glad about her!
Lulu's father and mother live on farm, and
the little girl has no companions of her own
age. Consequently when she gets lonesome
she is in the habit of making little calls up
on their only near neighbor, woman Of
forty, with no children. The day when
Lulu arrived, Mrs. Bates was very busy
with her weeks baking, and told her little
friend that she could not stop TO talk with
her, but that she might sit in the kitchen
and look on while she worked. The child
not six years old yet, sat down as she was
hidden. A long time passed, during which
Mrs. Bates said not word, and Lulu sat
quite still watching her dartingto and from
the kitchen, putting in pudding and pies
and taking out cakes and biscuits. At last,
drawing very long breath, the child ex-
claimed in most cheerful tone, 20 Mrs.
Bates, what splendid time we're having"
Now, child with such disposition as this
has the foundation Of u character which will
bring happiness to herself and everybody
else. We older worldlings might we'll en-
brace the sweet philosophy Of little Lulu.