The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-02-23
A
Potent Factors in the H~appiness Of 0
Daily Lives,


Potent Factors in the Happiaess Of cur
Daily Lives.
Life Is 80 complex, it's machinery -
intricate, that it is impossible that The
wheels should always move smoothly
and without friction. There is a cen
tinued straining of every nerve to gain
al keep a place in this over-croWded
busy world. What wonder if in the
hurry and pushing the rights of Others
are trampled or completely ignored
when every individual is in such hasts
that time fails for the "small sweet
courtesies of lifel"
But 1t is the little Offices of friend
ship the encouraging smile, the ap-
preC iative word, the thought of our
preferences, the avoidance of our preiu.
dices-which make life easier, and
which lessen in a marvellous degreo,
all its worries and perplexities. For
nothing prevents friction so perfectly
as the exercise of what we sometimes
disdainfully call the minor virtues.
As though one should be endowed
with truth, and yet, lacking prudence
and delicate insight and cir ;umspes-
ton, wound with sharp needle prickl
the sensitive nearer. We do not care
to be constantly reminded of our fail
ings. Faithful are the wounds of 3
friend" but friends TOO often show
fondness for the scalpel, and lay bare
our pet weaknesses in a truthful but
exceedingly uncomfortable fashion.
A gentlewoman never fails in the
small sweet courtesies. InstinctivelY
she respects the feeling of others, and
having the golden rule by heart, ii ID
from her heart that all lovely, love
compelling graces flow. lin her tongue
is the law of kindness" 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,"
Makes each day good.
Her winning smile and gen lie minis
t~ration, her soft voice and unfailing
sympathy, insure her always a ready
welcome, and, like the sum- she ''fnds
the world bright, because she aFst
makes it So"
The fairy tale OF our young days has
a peculiar charm and attraction. The
courteous, cheerful maiden who draws
water for the withered old crOne, and
who listens to her, and replies viii
amiability, is rewarded with the gift of
uttering pearls and diamonds; and, u
the less romantic German version,
Frau Hole bestOws gold pieces as the
reward OF civllty and diligence with
that delightful prodigaIity SO charGo
teristic OF fairy land.
The small sweet cOurtesies are Sc
potent in their influence upon OurdaIlY
life, softening it's asper!tles; roundin
it angles, and insensIbly Compelling
imitation. For who could be churlish,
or W cold and Indifferent. when sur
rounded by an atmosphere of genim
Warmth The little everyday and all
day thought for others is not hard g.
some gracious natures imbued with the
rare virtue of fOrgetfulness; but -
those who long for the admiration of
their fellow creatures, the practice Of
h esmall sweet cOurtesies a be recom-
mended as an unfailing means of gain
ing that appreciation. Mr.. Browning
expresses 1t thus:
Twas her thinking Of othsrs made you think Of
her.
In his exquisite portrait poem, "My
Love- Lowell has tran Iatei In the
divIner language of poetry the Words
of our text:
She doeth little kindnOsses
Which most leave uudone of despise
For naught that St is an heart at ease,
And giVeth happiness or peace,
Is low esteemed in her eyes.
Innnnnfn TZ..II.. 49,.