The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-01-06
STUPID PEOPLE.
And How They Behave at Social Gatherings.
From the BOSTON TRANSCRIPT

From the Boston Transcript
There are some people in this world who,
wherever they may go, expect that some
thing special will be done for their enter
tainment. At party or church social, for
instance, they expect to set down in a cor
ner by themselves, look agreeable or not, as
the fancy strikes them, and wait for some
one to come along and amuse them. If the
company present have other plans for their
evening enjoyment these people go home
disconnected, and say, with disguised ex-
preston, that they ''have had such a stupid
time
Now, these forlorn people never think
that if every one in a gathering followed
their example. parties, picnics, and socials
would be transformed into Quaker meetings.
The rule holds good here which applies to
every other walk of life: To be happy ones
self one must try and impart happiness to
others The commonplace little lady who
talks about the weather and the babies to
one person after another is happier, better
beloved, and often more finely cultured
than the wise young woman who will only
condescend to converse on a subject.
Many titful conversation and many de-
lightful friendship have grown out of COM
monplaces on the weather. It is often for
the very reason that she will not talk small
talk that the wise young lady must sit in the
corner and be disguised at life all the eve
ming. when she might be making herself
agreeable land, therefore, con-
tented,) by helping instead of
hindering sociability. This principle applies
also to men, but it is not SO much neglected
by them as by their sisters. However, we'll
from a very brief conversation with one of
these male malcontents I had noticed his
melancholy face many times during the eve
ming in question, and finally, in the hope
that might help to brighten it, I had asked
my brother to introduce me to Mr.. E. He
did so; but before I had time to comment
on the "brilliancy CT the assembled compa-
n.y." Mr.. E., with most solemn look, hurled
the following profound question at me:
do you believe in the immortality of the
soul?" Now, I fancy few people would have
been greatly treasured by this startling be-
ginning. As for me, not feeling equal to a
theological discussion with one SO :.ppar-
emily pessimist, weakly murmured, II
-don't-know, and, after moments hes
itation, bowed and walked away.
How much better than this was the ex-
ample Of a little friend of mine, whose hap
by disposition makes all glad around her.
Lulus father and mother live on farm,
and the little girl had no companions of her
own age. Consequently when she gets
lonesome she is in the habit Of making calls
upon her only near neighbor, a woman Of
40, 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 a word, and Lulu sat quite still,
watching her dart to and from the kitchen,
putting in pudding and pies and taking out
cake and biscuits. At last, drawing a long
breath, the child exclaimed in most cheer
full tone: "Oh, Mrs. Bates, what splendid
time we're having!" Now, child with such
disposition as this, has the foundation of
a character which will bring happiness to
herself and everybody else. We old world
lings might well embrace the sweet philos-
ophy of little Lulu.