Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-02-04
The Grace Of Expressing it.

simply from not using that power OF
oxpressiou, which surely all have, In
more or less degree. Others are
troubled with painful reserve which
prevents them from giving expression
TO their feelings, although they mny he
very warm and very deep, and they are
often wofully misunderstood by those
about them. Tennyson tells Of GER
tain shy Ellen Adair, who, though dy.
ing for her lover, caused herself to be
SO misunderstood by him that he left
her, uttering such singing words that
they broke the poor girls heart; and
when upon his return he found how
grievously they mad misconceived each
other lie wrote upon her tombstone:
Here lies the body of Ellen Adair,
And here the heart Of l. iwArd Gray.
It is terrible to Think what mischief
has been wrought among children AID
Young people by this want Of the power
of expression on the part of parents
and teachers. How many sensitive
child has been almost ruined by par
epts who never saw that he was trying
his very utmost to please; or if they saw
if. never did as Lyman Beecher did
with his children-let them know that
be saw and appreciated the act, how
ever slight it may appear to be. a lit
tie fellow has been reading OF some
Young hero who helped his father and
mother in all sorts of ways; and after
racking his brains to think how he too
can help. he remembers that lie can
fetch his fathers slippers, and take bis
boots away and put them in their prop
er place. Without saying word to
anybody when evening comes he does
it: but the fat her is so occupied that he
notices not what the boy has done.
The little fellow hopes on, thinking
that when he goes to bed his father wNl
say how pie he was to sec Charley
SO willing to help; but not u word is
uttered and the boy goes up to bed
with choking feeling in his throat,
and says his prayer by the bedside with
a sadness very real III his heart. Par
ents often complain Of children not
being SO ready to help as they should
be; the fault is with the parents, who
have not known how to evoke feelings
with which the heart of every child is
richly stored.
4 little girl has battled bravely with
herself, and got up early on Sunday
morning, done many little things for
her mother, hurried over her breakfast,
and got to her school IN time. There
has been her teacher, stiff and cold +,
with Just nod Of recognition for the
child. and nothing more. Without
knowing exactly why, the little scholar
has felt very sad. How delighted she
would have been if the teacher had,
with ungloved hand, kindly drawn her
to her side, and said With beaming
face how pleased she vas to see her at
school SO early.
If parents and teachers would but
cultivate this grace of expression, how
good it would be. Many, alas! exer-
else the grace in u way which makes
one wish they were bereft of the power
Together, for they are forever finding
fault. They are troubled with con
scientious conviction that they must
look for the defects in those about
them. OF course they find them, and
then they are pointed out in way
that cruelty wounds highly conscien-
tious and sensitive nature, and meal.
culable harm is done.
1t is quite remarkable what results
have followed from even ono simple
expression of loving approval. When
John Gibson was G. little boy, he is said
tc have sat ut the cottage window
sketching some geese that were passing
He showed the sketch to his mother.
Well done T. she said: that's very
nice; should try again if were you.
He tried again, and became the world.
renowned sculptor. benjamin West,
when about five years old, was left one
summer day in the garden with baby
cousin. He made rude sketch of the
child. Why" said the delighted
mother, he has sketched little Sally !!
He made other sketches after that, and
became the favorite painter Of George
III. and President of the Royal Acad
envy. Years ago, fond aunt said to g
boy who had written out piece of poe
try in short hand: "Why, you'll be 4
short hand writer in the House of Com
mons some day !" and the prediction
has been fulfilled.
Pleasant, helpful, and never forgot
ton are oil such words OF approval
In large family, there have been days
of anxiety and care. The eldest
daughter by her skill in teaching has
earned little extra money, and with
out word to any one, she lays nearly
all of it out in buying things that are
much needed in the house, What joy
fills her heart when fond mothel
takes her aside, ard with emotion tina
cannot be concealed, says how thaukfn
she is for such considerable kindness
and murmurs: d" L don't know what We
should do without you, darling.
Music is sweet, and will often heal II
wounded heart, bnt the winsome wori'
of approval uttered by one we love are
swee,er still, for they are Ms balm whel
they are spoken; and in after days
days of darkness and of sorrow, the,
return upon the soul with healing OF
their wings.
REIIiIhJs I\trbSTnRs ('IprOCplp,