Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-02-05
A SLAVE TO CARE.
The Happiness Which is Part of . ufo
and Homes. Life.

tn Happiness Which is Part of . Pure
and Homes. Life.
Many persons think that, in order to
enjoy perfect liberty, it is only neces-
sary to be free from the control of other
people. If no one exacts obedience,
regulates their lives, or interferes witt,
their will, they triumphantly call them-
selves free. Yet there is a bondage,
which is not the less slavish because
they forge the chains themselves. There
are tyrants that hold men in unflinch-
ing servitude, and burdens under which
they bend without thinking it possible
to rebel against the one or to cast off
the other.
Che OF the most common forms of
this unacknowledged slavery is that
which we are under, to care. Now care
is something that rightly falls to the lot
of all. Childhood alone may claim ex-
emption from it. As the life advances
it N with every new responsibility,
and every honest man and woman ac-
cepts it cheerfully rs his or her share
in the worlds burdens. So far, how
ever, care is no grinding taskmaster.
1t develops power, it encourages en-
deavor, it promotes happiness. No one
but the selfish idler would wish to be
entirely free from care, but we Justly
hold him in honor who faithfully takes
up that which falls to his lot and fulfls
the duty it involves.
lnsensible, however, in many cases,
the time arrives when the man is no
longer master of the situation. Care
gradually tightens its grasp and ex.
tends it's domain until by and by he
who had once governed and regulated
it becomes it's victim. He has perhap.
become involved in business ventures.
that tax all his powers of body and
mind. Not only his w money, but
that of others is implicated; not only
his welfare, but that of a depend
ent family hangs upon the issues. The
ups and downs that once were borne
cheerfully nov wear upon his nerves
and irritate his temper. His brow is
contracted, wrinkles betoken an anx-
ious spirit, the smile fades from his
lips. Absorbing care has fastened upon
him, and though he imagines he is
free, he is in fact and for the time a
slave.
Or he has entered political life, with
high hopes and bright prospects. He
counts much upon his friends, he I'M
dertakes large enterprises, and binds
himself by many promises. Presently
complications arise; obstacles impede
his path; friends grow cool and enc
mics spring up; his aims seem to re-
cede from him, even his motives be-
come clouded; care overshadows him,
and he car no longer control it; his
freedom is gone. One is ~extravagant,
and, yielding to his inclination OF vani-
ty, he spends first up to his income, then
a little beyond it, then incurs liabilities
which he can not meet; and then care
has gained a supremacy over him tina
he can in no way throw off. Another
gives way to some temptation an
wrecks his own life and the happines
of all that are dear to him, and TIN
care that guilt brings sits forever at hi
board. One is immersed in details ant
) takes the cares that properly belong tt
, many others upon his own shoulder
! until they weigh him to the earth; an
other by neglecting to hold the thread
i of life in an orderly way becomes en-
tangled in a web of care from which h
struggles in vain to extricate himself
Thus in numerous ways do men Civ
up the liberty they profess to prize, AMI
submit to a tyranny that letters the soul
that palsies the energies, that weaken
! the will. Who that has writhed unde
such a despotism would not escap
: from it with gladness. even at the los
of much that he holds dear? Yet, lik
} all tyranny, it must cost a revolution
to break the yoke.
1t is true that excessive care is some
times the result of circumstances tina
can not be controlled, but usually it i
not so. Often it is only a question O
promise? How far to accept response
bility? What style Of living to adopt
The practical answerst to such question
frequently decide whether care is tt
be an honorable and useful servant o
a cruel and tyrannical master. Gu
powers are all limited, and their bes
efficiency is never secured by %strainin!
them to the utmost. Always to leay
u margin, u reserved force of strength
or means, is q valuable rule of life. T,
aim at excellence in enc thing, rathe
than mediocrity in many, to undertake
Sew things, and those few with u Who'll
soul, will greatly help to ward off tn
tyranny Of care. So above all, viii
firm principles that place truth, hon
esty and fidelity so high that no temp
tation can assail them, and a pure an
simple life that prizes Righteousness
{ above gain and draws its Happiness
: from nobler sources than luxury or dis
; play.-Phila0elphSn Ledger.