Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-11-12
Small sweet Courtesies.

Life is so complex, its machinery so in
tricate, that IL is imposes BILE that the wheels
should always move smoothly and without
friction Tn re is a continual straining of
every nerve to gain and keep place in this
overcrowded, busy world What wonder
il in the hurry and pushing the rights of
others are trampled or completely ignored,
when every Individual is in such haste that
time fails for the ''small sweet courtesies
of lifel'
But it is the little Offices of friendship
the encouraging smile, the appreciative
word, the thought for our preferences, the
avoidance Of oul prejudices which make
life easier, and which lessen in a marvel
Gus degree all its worries and pei plexities
For nothing prevents friction so perfectly
as the exercise Of what we so .etimes ais
painfully call the minor virtues. As though
one should be endowed with truth, and
yet, lacking prudence and delicate insight
and circumspection. wound with sharp
net die pricks the sensitive nearer. We
do not care to be constantly reminded of
our faiiings. Faithful are the wounds of
friend, but friends too often show
fondness for the scalpeI, and lay bare our
pet weaknesses in truthful but exceed
ingly uncomfortable fashion.
A gentlewoman never fails in the small
sweet courtesies. Instinctively she respects
the feelings of others, and having the
golden rule by heart, it is from her heart
that all lovely, love compelling graces
flow. in her tongue is the law of kind
ness, and she has the ready tact which
takes advantage of every opportunity to
render the lives of others happier,
And every morning, with 'Good-day,
MaL Iau
Her winning smile and gentle ministra-
tions, her soft voice and unfaiiing sympa-
thy, insure her always ready welcome,
and, like the sun, she finds the world
bright, because she makes it so.
The fairy tale of our young days has
peculiar charm and attraction. The cour
teous, cheerful maiden who draws water
for the withered old crone, and who listens
to her, and replies with amiability, is re-
warded with the gift Of uttering pearls
| and diamonds; and In the less romantic
German version, Frau Hole bestoxs gold
pieces as the reward of civiIlty and dill
gence with that delightful prodigality SO
Characteristic Of fairy-l nd
The small sweet courtesies are so potent
In their influence upon our daily life soft
ening its asperities, rounding its angles
anu insensibly compelling imitation. For
who could be churlish, or even cold and
Indifferent, when surrounded by an atmos
phere of genial warmth? The little every
day and al!-day thought for others is not
| hard to some gracious natures imbued with
the rare virtue Of self rgetTulness; but to
hose who long for the admiration Of their
fellow. creatures, the practice of the small
| cJurtesies can be recommended as an I'M
failing means of gaining that appreciation.
Mr.. Brow ming expresses it thus:
Twas her thinking of others made you think of
her"
In his exquisite portrait poem, 'My
Love, Lowell has translated into the
diviner language Of poetry the words of
cur text:
''She doeth little kindnesses
| Which most leave undone or despise:
For naught that sets an heart at ease,
And gVeIh happiness or peace,
Is low esteemed In her eyes
Harper's Weekly.
Teacher to Glass;: What is velocity ?
| Bright youth: Velocity is what a man
| hot ~, j