The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-05-05
COWrtesU IN D0iiy Life.
Minneapolis Tribune.

Minneapolis Tribune.
When people are brought into close
contact it is necessary for their mu.
tual comfort that they should be cOur-
teons and considerable toward one an
other. A little self.sacriiice on the
part of each, little yielding in the
rigOr of individual claims. little
forbearance in resenting light Offenses
and cheerful exercise of the virtues
of gentleness and urbanity, are all
that is necessary to prevent any dis.
agreeable jOstle or clash or jar in the
relations which bring mankind to-
gether for business OF pleasure, for Il
moment or Il lifetime. 1t seems IN
easy thing to accomplish, and it is as
easy as it seems and how vast is the
end attained-a veritable millennium
in which life is rid of the thousand
petty stings that now are thought
lessly, carelessly inflicted by this one,
that one, every one, we might almost
say, with whom we come into associ-
alton in the accidents and viciSsi.
tudes of experience. The brief
maxim, "dO as you would be done
by" sums up the whole obligation in
every circumstance OF the case.
The gentle-bred practice the amcni-
ties of Soci aty as Il second nature.
The etiquette which regulates polite
intercourse Is scrupulously regarded
by them in every particular. But
when it concerns everyday affairs
with the common world. sclfishness
too often gets the better of these as
it does of the coarser-grained and
more rudely educated classes. Most
of us keep Il set of company man.
ners," which we put Oh in the pres
ence of persons we wish to conciliate,
or when we come under the eye of
public we hold in Difference and re
spect. 1t is the very few, the select,
in any community or social circle or
church communion. who always
mindful to he gracious and kind alike
to the rich and poor, the superior and
the inferior, the friend or the stranger.
They are 50 rare indeed as to be shin
ing marks, known and admired by all
for their eXemplifcatiOn of the ideal
of a sweet and sincere humanity.
1t is not so much from malice and
evil intent that we continually hurt
each other us we touch in the mani
fold crossings and functions of our
pathways. 1t is rather from indiffer-
ence and neglect. We are too deeply
absorbed in our own pursuits to mind
how others are faring, even when
their well-being is affected by us.
Eager in the accomplishment of our
desires, we forget to ask whether the
methods we are following are acting
unfavOrably upon the condition of
any who may be concerned. We do
not mean to be ill-hatured or male.
ficent, but we can center our minds
solely upon the object we aim at and
never look to see that some fellow
being is not made to suffer that we
may succeed.
Take, for example, our situation rs
neighbors in compactly built town.
1t is our intention to be upright citi-
zen, and in all our conduct to be I'M
offending and lrreproachable. But do
we sufficiently consider the acts of
omission and commission which in
fact constitute us good neighbOrs I!
We happen to be fond of fowls and
fresh eggs. Do we inquire whether
the formers early Growing and cack-
ling disturb the sleep of the nervous
resident at or left! The neighbor
on our right cherishes his garden
with intense affection. Are we scru-
pulously careful to keep tire hen
house locked that not one of its in
mates shall ever stray into his prem
Uses and work havoc with his flowers
and his feelings! We are fond of
rich milk and sweet cream and in
dulge it by keeping a cow, although
there is scant room III town lot for
her accommodation. Are we certain
that the air in the vicinity, which
human beings must breathe, is never
vitiated by this OF ANY other cause
for which we are responsible
The happiness, the lives of those
with whom we are connected depend
upon our individual actions for more
than we dream of. We can become
actual destroyers without infringing
upon the legal statutes. We can
make ourselves curse and hateful in
the sight of men by little deeds of
selfshness and oppression, and ut the
same time maintain an appearance of
responsibility in society, the church
and the world. Then again, as we
said in the beginning, by an inter.
change of sympathy and small acts
kindness, we can Danish half the ex-
listing misery from earth and make
life a blessing and joy greatly worth
having, despite the sorrows and trials
that must chequer every human life.
Mantorville, Claremont and Owa-
tonna are all talking about having the