The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-10-01
BRAINS VS.. BOOBIES.

3 dlG illC lllOcN Al1HoNNhNN -
birds, the sweetest apples are invariably
most pecked at. In society, too, there
are always on hand a number OF moi
only vcracious, but very malicious
harpics. These not only find it q
pleasure, but believe it a duty to be
ever pecking at their more talented
neighbors. Lying and f~ault-finding
seem to be the chief province OF these
persons.
This granted, it may be asked if ii
be a good thing to be gifted in any one
direction. One would think not, judg-
inc from the manner in which many
talented persons are dealt with. In
point of fact, the usage to which these
are sometimes subjected is of such a
character that they may readily be eX-
cuSed If they occasionally desire to be
thought stupid.
Their less brilliant neighbors are con-
t~inually trying to pick holes in their
coats. with the view of showing the
world that they are not deserving of
ShID Hl also Us lhS "OIlN GOSAA4S olSpOS-
ed to award them.
Critics who will graciouSly permit
persons of a commonplace character
to escape the lash of censure, pounce
upon a man who is popularity supposed
to be above the average in point of in
tellectual attainments, and tiagellate
him to the extent of their power. At
one time they endeavor TO prove that
he is a rank impOStor; at another time
they hint that he is a dangerous char
acter who is doing more harm than
good in the world, and, in exceptional
cases, whenever he outrages their sell
fish prejudices, they go so far as to cast
a doubt upon his sanity.
The individual who has made a for
tune by grinding the life out of his en-
ployes and getting the better of those
who have had business transactions
with him, vii Uniform you, with unctuous
dissatisfaction, that certain people are
lacking in that most important of all
th;ngs-namely, common sense.
. The person who never reads anything
but the most unwhOlesome columns in
the daily newspapers will sheer at the
productions of the master-minds, and
declare that the same are but the merest
rubbish. Unless a man have the talent
of amassing money-even though he
possess ten other talents which are of
a higher and purer character-even
though he have painted pictures, writ
ten books, made scientific investiga-
tions, and formulated systems of phil
osophy, which represents more actual
brainwork and integrity of purpose
than a hundred fortunes, society deems
itself at liberty to make light of him,
and to sheer at him if it feel disposed
to do SO. When it does condo scend to
recognize his claims, it often does so IN
a manner which may we'll inspire him
with the most profound disgust. In
nine cases out of ten people exai him
when they do so-because they wish
to be exalted themselves. They would
like to be understood that they are on
terms of intimacy with this man of
genius, or that they have been gracious
ly pleased to patronize that woman of
talent.
No doubt there are some enterprising
beings who would keep a recognized
man of talent about their premises,
just as they keep prize cattle, if the ex-
penditure of money would enable them
to do SO.
AT the same time, nine-tenths of
those who sound the praises of their
intellectual friends-or, rather, those
whom they are pleased to say are their
friends-are very careful to point out
that the said friends are peculiar and
eccentric, and so on. as if "those GREAT
ures'' could do the work which they are
doing if they were continually pausing
in their labors to see that they were not
outraging any of the laws of conven
t~ionality.
But when a man of ability comes to
grief!-why, what a shaking of heads
and a time for rejoic ng! Stupid peo-
pie gloat over the fact that he has not
been able to take care Of himself bet
ter than they have been able to look
after themselves. The chances are
that they begin to think themselves
quite shrewd on the score of his soli-
tary failure in a matter which IS, in
their eyes, of paramount importance,
but to which he has devoted little at,
tention. Cultivated people. in addition
to being, as a class, disliked, are gen
orally feared. The ordinary person il
not at ease when talking to them. and
considers that the less intercourse he
has with them the better for his consti,
tuition and peace of mind. Often he
fancies that the ~stupendous beings can
not take an interest in matters which
most delight ordinary natures. In at
this the BOBBY is very foolish. A weak
mind is always benefited when brought
in contact with a strong one, and i
will be found. in many cases, that those
who possess the most powerful intel
lects have the ge~ntleness and, IN man,
respects, the simplicity Of children.