The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-03-30
chronological Journal
Some PeODla We Meet.

with Its limbs all gnarled, warped. and
twisted among each other. Not for
ornamental beauty and symmetry OF
form, but for its worth do value it.
Every year its crooked limbs are laden
with large, handsome pears of most
delicious flavor. Often have thought
how much like this tree is my neigh
Dor just across the way: deformed,
aged woman, whom some strangers
pronounced 'the Notwithstanding
creature they ever saw" But those
who know her best think of her only
as being beautiful and good, because
Of her great beauty of mind and heart
that the uncouth exterior can not
hide. Many hungry, errlng, sorrow
ing soul has been fed and comforted
by her words and works Of love and
wisdom. Will she not be beautiful in
heaven? "By their fruits ye shall
know them.''
Some people are like a great cloud
that shuts out the sunlight; heavy.
oppressive atmosphere surrounds
them. Perhaps they have cause for
their seedlings and oomplainings, but
how they think to mend the matter
in this way we fail to comprehend.
There are few persons as bright and
warm and shnshiny as the sunlight
itself. They do not shine like the cold
moon with borrowed light. Wheth-
er their surroundings be dark or light,
the sunshine comes from within and
clothes them with sort of halo;
gloom and strife melt away in their
presence. Such persons we welcome
to our homes, our hearts. They cheer
and gladd- n and make us better. Oft
times sorrow and perplexing troubles
cast their deep shadows about them:
then softened light pervades their
atmosphere, and we only want to draw
the nearer to them.
Nobody like the pharisaical man
who is we'll aaaubed with coating Of
whitewash. His face looks SO sancti-
fled we grow suspicious and draw away
from'him, fearing that he is righteous
overmuch." Then there is our friend
Bombast, like an inflated balloon.
Let him brag and blow, it may serve
to amuse you if you don't become dis
gusted. Letting off gas may some
times avert an explosion.
There is the combative man: he
may knock somebody over; but If you
are careful in his presence you need
not fear him; he is not very danger
Gus.
There are some brassy people in the
world, no bogus about them; they are
brass and only brass clear through.
They make huge glitter when the
sun shines; they have their place in
the world, and we take them for what
they are worth.
Then there is Miss Sickly Sentiment
talism simpering along through life,
whimpering over silly novel, screech-
ing like jackal at sight of clean,
innocent worm, or Industrious spider.
Two purely immaculate persons in the
world she loves and adores, herself and
not that careworn mother bending
and breaking down meath her load OF
household cares,-her darling, per-
fumed, silken-mustached Gustavus
Adolphus. Perhaps her mother loves
her. We don't.
Some people we meet are smooth
polished, glittering as gilded, har-
dened ball Of mud, very bright and
dazzling on the outside; but let few
hard knocks of adversely and tempta.
ton strike upon them, and there i
left only pile of crumbled dirt, al
which the bystanders gaze in amaze.
ment, yet straig htway they varnisI
over some of their own dirtiness that
would much better be secured off.
Some people are solid nuggets o1
gold, yet contain considerable mix.
ture of dross. They can be depended
upon for the true value that is in
them; yet if they were purified, re.
fined, and polished, and the rough
edges smoothed off, we would like
them all the better for it.
Sometimes we meet the disagreed
BILE man. All pleasantness was left
out of his composition; he delights te
domineer over, command, and snarl al
people. We wonder if he has fami
ly; wonder and pity-pity the pool
wife and children of such lump o1
niggardly meanness.
When the heart is sickened and al
most soured by the evil, crossness
shams, and pretensions Of the people
we meet, to find true man or true
woman who is genuine, honorable, in.
telligent, sensible, good; who is the
genuine metal, well refined, one who
makes the most and the best Of him.
self, we gain new courage, and thank
Heaven that there are such people
and from them our thoughts are led
upward to one in whom all fullness
dwells-the Perfect One after whom
we are to model our own lives. Yet
we would not become chronic grum-
blers because everything is not full OF
grace, beauty, strength, and symme-
try. The people we meet are toe
something or.other, and we ourselves
are not quite what we-should be- Let
not our minds dwell too much upon
the evil, but look more at the good
that is about us, and do the best we
can for ourselves and others in what
ever sphere placed by Providence
MABEL BIRD.