The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-03-04
THE FAMILY CROAkkER.

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THE FAMILY oaoAYEa'
Unlike the Hoarse- Voiced Little Great
ures. They Succeed i'm Making People
Miserable.
Down in the damp hollows by the
water courses in the growing mild
ness Of the early spring evenings, and
during the summer months, are the
darl1-skinned, brown-throated, hoarse-
voiced little creatures, who croak and
croak and only croak continually.
Not that they are unhappy; far from
it. There always seems an undercm-
rent of real content and graduation in
the decided grating of their unmusical
utterances. They doubtless have lain
dormant for months, and certainly have
been silent all through the long, dark
evening of fall and winter, and there is
something jubilant in the unvarying re-
frain, when in the lengthening twilight
they lift up their voices in steady, per-
sistent, united croaking. Very deco
rous they are, and considerate as
to the time chosen for their harsh con-
cert The birds have stopped twitter-
ing and the more melodious sounds in
nature have ceased, when the croakers
begin their monotonous night-song.
To human ears it is a welcome sound,
the precursor of longer, brighter days.
And the louder and more voluminous
the chorus, the nearer the promise OF
fair sunshine, blossoms and flowers.
So much for the little beings who form
the natural, legitimate croakers of the
animal kingdom.
Away up amongst the higher order OF
created beings, is another species of
croakers, but there is nothing to offset
or counterbalance the depressing in
fluence of their discordant utterances.
They are not creatures of the night,
lifting up involuntary plants when
more pleasing sounds are hushed,
and closed doors and windows might
shut out their tiresome means, but in
broad daylight, under nearly. all cir
cumstances they fall into the old, I'M
fortunate, disheartening strain. A
croaker in the family is, without being
aware of it, generally the member
dreaded by all. Children are very quick
to understand who it is will throw cold
water over every little cherished
scheme, seeing harm or danger in the
most innocent sport; will predict evil,
and throw out a thousand ominous
hints concerning the probable outcome
of anticipated pleasure. The tendency
increases astonishingly, until the
croaker is unconscious of the hold the
habit has acquired, and how much a
fixed trait it has become. This is the al
most inevitable result of two mischiev-
Gus faults: that of habitually looking on
the dark side of things, and of regard
ing the affairs of life with a suspicious
instead of trustful eye. 1t has an ex-
asperating effect upon others. A dozen
times day strong inclination arises
to exclaim impatiently: "Well, don't
croalS! Whatever happens, don't croak''
1t is lame excuse to say the fault is
owing to an unhappy disposition or that
experiences have tended to make one
apprehensive and given to forebodings.
What if all the members of the house
hold were similarly affected, and be-
cause of physical unsoundness or weak
nerves indulged disposition to see
every thing in a blue light, and to
croak despondingly-how long could
they live together? Echo seems
to fling back a prompt mot
long!" If any good could come Of the
gruesome habit, it would be difficult,
but unlike the peaceful denizens of the
puddle and the stream, who sound out
their qualification that spring has come
and Embossed the fettered springs OF
water, the household croaker only utters
discordant and suspicious words, reveal
ing deplorable lack of faith in fellow
beings and wise Creator of all. With
too many of these unfortunates. there
is a mistaken, unwholesome fondness
for brooding over whatever there has
been of pain and uneasiness in the past.
There comes to be melancholy salts
faction in dwelling on the disappoint-
ments and Sights and wounds that
were far better covered up, and if pos
sible, forgotten.
The greatest sin of it all is the in
gratitude involved. For constant
habit of bordering on the ills of life
crowds out thankfulness from the heart,
and drives away both recognition and
appreciation of the countless blessings
on every hand, while the influence on
others is only trying and injurious.
From the cradle up, the stern, impor-
tant lesson should be duly impressed,
that strength and patience are needful
in order to pass comfortably or success
fully through life. Bravery is soon con-
quered by complaint. Courage and weak
bodings can not travel long in company.
The past should be sacredly but hope
fully linked with the present its mis-
takes to serve as warnings, but neither
its errors or its sorrows to be dwelt up
on with morbid regret. 1t is always on,
and on! for the wayfarer. No laurels
are likely to be flung from the past into
the present. The goal, the rewards,
the CROWN, are all ahead. and the watch
word is continually press onward
Christian at Work.
THE CHEERFUL MAN.