Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-11-28

cahs which rises like tide and sweeps cit
les and villages at every public calamity.
| We give to the unfortunate with both
| hands; give him our coats, our shoes, our
| food. II he is burnt out or flooded out,
| or plague-driven out of his home he be-
comes that instant grandly our own flesh
and spirit. We suffer IN him until we can
relieve his suffering. TIC human race does
! rise to high points. We are never deficient
| here.
1t is the little, everyday, common giving
in which we are still deficient.
But in the person who never gives at all
there dwells meaner nature than in the
poorest giver.
He is the man who regards a lax hold of
any kind of property weakness. He looks
with contempt and establishment on a per-
son who gives.
"And she was always making presents"
heard a woman once say in summing up a
young teacher dement's.
The thOroughness of mans or Woman's
civilization may actually be gagged by his
tact and sense in giving presents. You
know the fellow who comes In and knocks
you down with his gift. He pats himself
He has been going to do something hand
some for you for long time, and he has
done it. Oh, tha-'s all right. You needn't
say any thing. He knows he has laid you
out fiat under an obligation which Is to last
your lifetime. Just hold still and let him
stand on the top of it and crow. That is
your role You know also the dear friend
who buys you some costly, ugly thing which
you have looked on with aversion, but
which you must accept with smiles while
your heart sinks in your pocket-bOok. He
must not rob himself on your account.
Verify, your money, which would have
bought you just what you desired, must go
for token, when occasion arises, to this
discerning friend. How much we do waste
in our miserable guess work!
Well, also, do you know the wretch who
brings you 4 mongrel dog or broken-legged
bird and ''malzes 4 present" of it.
''The poor creature was suffering and !
thought I'd bring it to you.'
This donor is complimentary TO your hui
manity.
We all have weakness for presents,
which is amable and human. They testi-
fly to our popularity. The man who is ''sur-
prised'' by his fellow-citizens and a cane or
upholstered chair or any object which they
please to call a testimonial, and who is
touched to tears as he draws his prepared
speech from his pocket, is really more
amiable being than that uncomfortablec Great
ure q have seen Just one SUCH who makes
it a rule never to accept any present.
Very seldom are wedding presents re-
garded as gifts. They come under the head
of taxes. Yet there are occasions when
costly presents are graceful. The sample
little-gift' theory may be run into the
ground. 1t signifies more or less stlnginess
Tomorrow Is Grace's birthday" says
sister who owes the life and health of her
own family TO Grace's long and faithful
service-Grace, who took care of the babies
and nursed them through more illnesses
than the hairs on their little heads would
number. 81 want to give her present and
Idon't know what to give her." (Who ever
does know what to give another except the
most highly-trained human beingSO 81
want to give her some simple little thing
She would like that just as well as she
would costly present"
''Give her timothy straw suggests the
sarcastic hearer of this economical desire.
"You are over head and ears under obliga-
tions to Grace, but she Is used to your saw
ing money on her. Some simple little thing
like broken tea-cup or bottle of mucilago
would be appropriate. The symbol is what
you are after. Stick to US, Grace or,
We are all broke up if you leave There
is nothing like the simple little plan when
you are giving to people whom you can
never repay anyhow"
Yet it is better to give with mean grasp
of an opportunity, with bad grace and
worse perception, than never TO give at all
MARY HARTwEIL CATHERwooD.