Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-11-30
Let The Heart Rule.

you uncomfortable. While it is we'll
enough to be exact and precise in deal
ing with your fellow-men there is such
a thing as carrying these too far. You
have often heard of maidens so prim
that the beaux were all afraid of them ;
and there is lurking suspicion abroad
yet that at least some of the old maids
might have been occupying more desir-
able positions to-day had they not been
so prim and so exacting in regard to
that which they call propriety. It is
better, however, that such women re-
main single, because they are incapable
of maintaining bright, cheerful homes.
The unhappiest woman you can find in
days travel lives in a house with a
handsome exterior, surrounded by spac-
lous grounds and supplied with all mod
ern improvements. The outer walls,
however, look cold, the windows bear a
leaden expression, while the porch and
walks show almost no signs of usage.
The interior Of this fine house CORES
ponds with the exterior. Its fine fur
nishments gladden. no eye, cause no
heart to thrill and invite none to tarry
and repose. You expect everything
you touch to be cold, while a cheerful
sound startles you on account Of it being
SO out of place. AS you walk through
the roomy and richly furnished parlors
you feel the absence of dust and mold.
They ought to be there to complete the
picture. The mistress Of this mansion
was said to have been punctlliously cor
rect in everything, and to have had
wonderful control of her heart. She
lived by rule, acquired an education by
hard study and maintained herself by
hard work, because she was poor as far
as money was concerned, but rick in
propriety. 1t was not at all surprising
that she attracted the attention of
methodical and exacting business man.
He was a Widower, having, so it is whis
pered around, frozen his first wife to
death by bis coldness Of heart. He was
forever chiding her on account of her
cause she didn't live by rule. When she
died he is reported to have said she
didn't even show good business manage
ment, as she choose the one month of
the entire year when he could least af-
ford to close his place of business for
three days. Having heard of prim,
pious and precise Miss Propriety, he
sought her acquaintance, and continued
to pay attention to her until she &C
cepted his proposal of marriage, which
was not very long, for he was not a man
to haggle and higgle over small deal
like that. Those who were present at
some of their meetings say that they
were remarkable for coldness and
formality. The word "business" took
the place of Glove" He admired her
because she was so exact and seemed to.
comprehend the full import of his pet
phrase, business is business" She
said she admired him because he wasn't
spoony, didn't believe in holding hands,
kissing or talking nonsense. These, she
said, made her sick. When asked if
she found him afectionate, she said she
didn't want an affectionate husband,
but one who is business from the word
go. She got him. Together they
planned the big house they occupy,
chose the decorations and furniture and
fitted 1t up on strictly business princi-
! nj l.,-i,
according to rule. But she has grown
weary. While teaching school she was
brought in contact with so many bright,
cheerful, careless lives that a careful
formal, quiet life seemed quite attrac-
tive. Precise and cold as was her
nature she still has some love left for
her kind and for the beautiful, and her
heart, although not overfowing with
affection, longs for something to love,
something genial, something that is not
strictly business. Propriety is always
to be commended, but there is that
which passes as propriety that is at
livery best rare caricature, a counter
felt of the genuine. 1t has the stamp,
but the metal is bad. Affection for the
human kind is the quality that gives
value to the human heart Without
this it is little more than mere lump
of flesh. A base coin that bears the
stamp. even the genuine stamp, lacks
the ringing qualities that make it vel
come. So with the heart that lacks in
the warmth of affection, it inspires no
confidence, carries no joy to others, nor
warns nor vitalizes its own body.
There is false modesty and likewise
false propriety. Business is business,
but every man who conforms to the ac-
cepted rules of business is not a busi-
ness man. You know that every man
who looks like gentleman will not
stand the test. Demonstrations prompt
ed by pure, honest heart are always
within the limit Of propriety. They
may shock the over-nice or the very
modest, yet the strong evidences of
genuine affection that are shown settle
all doubts in the minds and hearts of
those who are capable Of approaching
genuine emotions. The pure in heart
never do wrong, although their actions
may not at all times accord with social
and business codes. While these are
intended to be safe guides they often,
as you know, serve as blinds for con-
cealing villains.
| $50 <tszs.---------