Telegram-herald., 1890-02-21

a WISE SElFiSHNESS.
Why We Have Right to Defend Our
selves Against Bores.

nc Etnial ->utotrdt OF the DrcdR"
fast-table," whose kindly heart pleads
Tor human weakness always, justifes us
in protecting ourselves against bores,
against people who rob US OF vitality as
well as time, for be lays down this as
professional advice: MARK this which
] am going to say, for 1t IS as good as a
working professional mans advice, and
costs nothing. 1t is better 70 lose pint
OF blood from your veins than 10 have
nerve trapped. Nobody measures your
nervous force as il runs away, nor
bandages your brain and marrow after
the operation" Is there any moral law
that demands we shall waste our life
forces? that we should allow the drones
to sap the strength needed to fulfill our
legitimate duties?
Some people are like sievcs-they
come empty and go away empty, and II
you should meet them the next hour you
would find that you could carry on the
same conversation on the same phi
losophy, declare the same theories, and
they would be new. Should any sensible
person allow himself to be used as
social jumping-iack, the clown for an
idle hour? Some people will demand
sympathy, feeding their morbid desires
by drawing on the very life blood of an
other.
There comes TO q, ind woman to whom
heavy sorrow had come, who day after
day called on a nervous, high-strung
nelghbor. because she was so sympa-
thetic," she explained, until the little
neighbor fell victim to nervous pros
traticn. ~ knew" said the sick woman,
Il did her no good, because every day
she came back in just the same state of
mind. DO not know which wore on me
most, the being compelled TO listen TO
the same story, or the constant nread of
her appearance, and disgust at my own
lack OF courage" The sorrowing one
was not comforted unto strength, and
she brought down her victim as surely
as IL pistol or poison had been the
medium she used. The state does not
recognize this method of killing as a
crime, but society does, though il has
not yet found measure for protection
beyond individual effect "You heard
that Mrs. - had fortune left her,
large enough to keep her comfortably"
said one friend 10 another, speaking Of
common acquaintance. "Yes," was
the response, given with animation. ''and
I'm quite as glad for her friends as for
her. You know we never heard from her
when she was comfortable-only when
she was in trouble. ! dreaded TO havo
her call land yet liked her much), for
knew / was doomed 70 tale Of woe
never heard her say cheerful word,
and II you tried TO make her cheerful,
She only looked al you reproach fully.
a call from her meant day OF exhaus-
ton or depression. Yes, this money Is
great comfort to her friends" was the
close Of the conversation.
Why should we allow a nerve to be
tapped when there is no gain by the
operation? We must stand the opera
tion many times in life 70 accom- plish
purpose. We must snlilingly submit
20 the operation again and again, pub
licly and privately, but are we bound 70
endure - when wo have 10 purpose.
and know that tho result is loss, and
49, VI A-ARN WAAAA - ulD*k TIfriDA' Gnu
valuable? Sure it Is that, sooner
or later, wo must grow hardened II We
throw away the divine attribute Of SYM
pathy, if we waste the forces given for
use. We can not protect ourselves from
The feeling, What is the use?" And
that which sparkled in the light Of d.
vine approval becomes tarbid. because
that which troubles it i internal, not
eTterns, The outlet Is caoked.
We arc bound 70 help each other. bat
we arc not bound 70 play the part Of
Atlas and carry world We can only
help where there IS receptivit7. We can
only help, in me true sense. where
there is a capacity and desire for self
help. and this IS ss tue in tbe social
world as in the philanthropic world.
We rob not only ourselves. bat those
who need us, when re lavisblT spend
taat which was meant fo- investment
Christian Union.