The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-06-03

THE GENUS GIRL.

thstt IL bOOll becomes accustomed 10 the
ordinary, and Is attracted cnly by the
unusual. We become oblivioas in q way
to our surroundings. and Il requires
sharp departure from them TO compel
our attention or enlist our appreciation.
Night after night we may gaze into
the starry depths OF the heavens and
have no emotions awakened; but let
some erratic meteor rush across our
line of vision and at once we were
startled into admiration and pleasure.
Time and again during the months OF
August and November. when bright
visltants in momentary grandeur.
passed in rapid succession, spell-bound
In fascination have / WATCHED the
showers of fantastic lights dashing In
momentary brightness from one quar-
ter Of the heavens to another What
was there inthis display of natures
fireworks that chained us to cur seat
and drew from us one exclamation
after another? This think has already
been answered. We justly admire the
genius of Edison, of Whitney, of Bess-
emer. Of Watt, of Stephenson, and Of
thousand other inventors, as we'll as
the erratic and uneven ability of Poe,
of Byron, or Colerldge. rushing in
splendor across the inventive or intel
lectual heavens. Since we are not all
poets or philosophers we do not always
look beyond our surroundings and try
to grope our way through the dimly-
lighted recesses of nature-dimly-
lighted perhaps only to us. In be-
ginning this short sketch / had no in
tention Of permitting my foolish pen
to run away with me. The idea that
has forced itself upon me is this, that
we are surrounded very largely by the
commonplace individuals as In circum-
stances When more than culinary
ability shows itself we are not only
gratifed, but we are at once disposed
to admire. See the modest little thing
to attract attention, grasping
our thoughts ere half expressed; hear
her conclusions; watch her eyes sparkle
as thought-gem unexpectedly springs
out Of the dull recitation of ordinary
study; mark the quaint expression Of
elusive thought that she would fain
seize and master. Have we not seen
such one? Have our studies been
elastic enough to induce the steady ex-
of her nature? Dangers beset
her, serious dangers. She would not
be human IL she did not learn at an
early day that she has remarkable
gifts, and as q natural consequence
learn to overvalue herself and under
value others. This is the rock which
many bright girls and boys come to
4 miserable shipwreck. Besides this,
The feels her strength and becomes Inn
patient Of the dull daily toll that must
intervene ere she achieves a measure
4 success. Mediocrity may reach Its
yoal by laborous ploddIng, but genius
'purns the tortuous beaten path and
pounds with no uncertain leaps to its
coveted destination.
Do her parents, or does her teacher
understand her well enough or are
hey courageous enough to allow her
o plume her wings, and to strike out
n the only course by which she can
.chieve success? Otherwise she must
,e dragged down. her aspirations will
,e stlfed and she will be lost In the
cean of humanity. Another danger
J that all her clever sayings and
oings receive unstinted praise. Her
wonderful cleverness commented upon
nd deferred to at home, always the
enter OF homage by her fellow pupils
nd frequently the warm favorite Of
he teacher, Is 1t surprising that she
hould become vain? The brilliant Girl
hat knows even portion Of her power
almost certain 10 be spoiled. Is II
ossibIe for her to be at the same time
rilliant and modest ? Are these, as
he chemist would say Incompatible"
lust she as she leads her slaves both
,aIe and female become an unreason-
hle and coquettlsh tyrant Can she
OF fascinate us by her superb gifts
nd at the same time take US with her
her uplifting energy to that higher
,here In which she delights to dwell
he is well worth saving. Can we be
lithful to her ? Can we assist her to
ok beyond self, to value praise and
only as incentives to be-
,me greater and nobler ? Can we
ad her to see that her talents will 1T
sr to confer lasting benefits upon
hers II we care not to do any OF
lese or II we have not confidence IN
irselves to act as guide OF as wise
,mpanion, then instead OF a luminary
hose lustre Is undimmed by ages. we
lalI have a meteor, without a purpose
a goal, amid a profusIon Of brill
ince. yield us momentary gratiilca-
on. and then rapidly pass into the en-
iiang darkness beyond. Our bright
" brilliant little girl needs our care,
lr love. not our unwise alteration.
50 you were ruined By