Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-11-06
SEEKING SYMPATHY.
HOW One OF the Sweetest Sentiments oy
Life Is Frequently abused.

stN - AtEadtuttJ Abused.
Among the desires that sometimes
claim satisfaction, without regard to |
the happiness Of others, Is that Of avn |
pathy Now, Of all the pleasures Of
lie sympathy would seem to be
one OF the sweetest and purest. It
mites brethren and friends in the
closest bonds; it lifts burdens, soothes
sorrow. multiplies joys and promotes
human brotherhood. Flowing natur-
ally from warm and loving hearts into
grateful ones, it blesses both giyer and
receiver, 1t is the living spark which
kindles all sorts Of benevolent enter
prises, builds hospitals, schools and
churches, promotes reforms, draws
men away from vice and guides them
| Into paths Of virtue and self-respect.
Yet this beneficent factor in human
life is not unfrequently abused by those
who selfshly seek it. Not to mention
those who try to awaken it in others
for the sake of the material benefit
which may come to them, there is a
large class Of people who crave 1t fer
Its own sake as a sort OF indulgence.
which they think they must have at
whatever cost to others They are
never content unless some one is con-
doing with them and plying them,
and the more sympathetic pain they
can induce their friends and neighbors
to feel the better satisfied they are. So
sweet morsel do they find this to be
that they treasure every ailment,
80 as to recount it; they dwell
upon their disappointments, their
trials. and their woes, cherishing the
memory Of them to pour them into the
ears of every willing listener, and to
compel him to feel something of the
suffering which they SO diffusely por-
tray as their own. OF course this
process leads insensibly to great exag-
geration. Such is the action OF the
mind, that whatever Is dwelt upon ex-
clusively assumes magnifed proper
lions; and a slight headache or other
physical discomfort. which might be
forgotten amid pressing interests, may
become almost unbearable when al
lowed to occupy all the thoughts.
Much more Is this the case with mental
anxieties or troubles, and. be they
slight or severe, the habit of brooding
over them always augments their hard
ship. In recounting them to one whose
: sympathy is hoped for the tendency to
fun Their exaggeration is increased, and
very often the listener is made to feel
sympathetic pain, which is really
far greater than that which has been
inflicted for his benefit. Certainly moth
ing could injure the cause of true sym
patty more than such fraudulent and
mean attempts to obtain it. Its power
lies in its perfect freedom and in the
reality OF the suffering which it seeks
to relieve. When it is wasted on sham
Affections or drawn out BY selfish
angling for it, there will always be a
reaction and hardening of the heart.
Much sympathy is thus crushed out OF
existence that would otherwise be per
: manently active in blessing the world,
: Those who seek in this way for
! sympathy in all their real and fancied
troubles are adding to the distres-
of human life, instead of to its happl-
ness. When they meet with any good
e fortune they seldom call upon others to
rejoice with them. Their joys they
e are content to monopolize, but their
t troubles of every kind they want to
share. With one of generous and
noble spirit it would be exactly the re-
verse. He would bury his griefs in
his own bosom, hide his pain when
ever it was possible, be mostly silen
, about his diseases, his disappoint
. ments, his annoyances, his trials; but
on the other hand, he would deligh
= in emphasizing all that was glad ant
beautiful and bright, that others, too
=: might partake of his pleasure. Mon
. taigne says; II daily endeavor tt
shake off that childish humor and in
humane conceit which causeth that by
our griefs and pains we ever desire t.
move our friends to compassion ant
sorrow for US, and with kind o
sympathy to condole our miseries ant
passions. A man should, as mucl
as he can, set forth and extend nj
$ ioy; but, to the utmost of his power
suppress and abridge his sorrow.
There are enough clouds in every Lii
: to make each generous person anXlou
5 not to increase them by adding hi
own. but to chase them away, as far a
o possible, by spreading abroad all tn
Y sunshine that enters into his life t.
r Oh, er and bless mankind. And tn
sympathy which he would not strive L
d obtain, but which he was always Will
II ing to bestow, will be extended Tres
,s and unasked, and he will GRATEFUL
& receive all the comfort and cheer whicl
it so plentifully bears.-RhtladetpAt
10 Ledger.
1t Date Cake.-Beat together slight
Us " heaped cupful of sugar and ha
u cupful of butter; add two well beate
eggs; add one-half teaspoonful essene
II of lemon and scrape of nutmeg; al
Q. one cupful of sweet milk with one te;
y spoonful of saleratus dissolved in l
ct finally add two and one-half cupfuls
d. -four with two teaspoonfuls OF cream
tartar sifted through it, Stir gent
it into this creamy mass well heape
tn cupful of the prepared dates. Bake
or shallow pan and cut in squares.