Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-12
In the Cheering-Up business.
From Harper's Bazaar.

FROM Harper's Bazaar.
When the hard times began last year 4
was reported that clever woman declared
that If she had to earn her living she would
become general sympat hizer," going tC
any one who wished to pour out the trouble.
and worries, listening and comforting fol
fixed sum per hour: the interviews to be-
strictly confidential and the professiona
sympathizer never to allow herself to have
pains or trials greater than those of he,
client. This seemed an odd little fancy
as impracticable as original, until a short
time ago. when, reading over the lists
which woman's exchange prepares tC
meet the wants of its patrons, the eye fell
upon this item: In the cheering-up bust
ness. A lady who has had successful ex-
perience will read to or amuse invalids OIL
convalescents."
Then there Is such an occupation. after
all, and one which this cheering lady has
made successful well. How does she
manage her delicate work? BY what cum
nlngly devised means has she bottled VI
the sunshine which carries its brightness
into the lives of those who are strangers
to her? And from what founts does she
draw sparkling exhilarating draughts? And
who, after she has spent her day in read
Ing to and amusing invalids and GONZALES
cents" cheers her when twilight gives her
back to herself?
1t is a beautiful and self-efracing occu-
patton, demanding special gifts of tact and
sweetness and calling for keenness of eve
and quickness of ear and also, contra
dictorily enough, for certain judicious
near-sightedness and mental deafness
which can leave unnoticed and unheard ali
that tends to mar the perfect harmony
which 1t is so essential to maintain.
Yet, while a means of gaining a liyeli-
hood the business is undoubtedly new. II
Is really an old, very old, vocation, to
which from time immemorial women ba We
N al
home nest. as daughter and sister a woman
learns to express the sympathy Of a loving
heart, and in the new relations OF wife and
mother her opportunities increase immeas-
urably and increasingly. Upon the so-called
weaker partner has ever fallen the duty
of tightening by her ready, responsive
cheerfulness the burdens borne by her lord
and master. When everything down town
goes wrong, home is made to take on more
than its usual attractiveness, and domestic
atmosphere has soothing calm which re-
freshes a tired man, whose wife and bair-
niles are at their brightest when poor papa
comes In A married man is more apt to
retrieve his fallen fortunes and to rein
state himself more speedily than the unfort-
innate bachelor, whose only comfort is that
when he puts on his hat his whole family
is under 1t!
1t Is by no means claimed that women
have monopoly of this inspiriting, bliss
imparting quality, yet 1t is always conceded
to be such right womanly talent that the
highest compliment that can be paid to one
of the other sex is to liken his Dowers of
sympathy to those of ours. The men whom
one must depend on in the dark hours OF
life, when Illness and sorrow and losses de-
press the most buoyant nature, often DOS
sess in the highest degree the power of
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., whose mere presence
seems to bring healing; lawyers and clergy
men. whose help CLOVIS with the unaffected
goodness of their sunny natures: and others
weighted with the exacting cares of busi-
ness life. who yet have a pleasant word and
a bright smile in even the darkest hour of
their own troubles.
Blessed be all. Of whatever age, sex or
condition. who are Tin the cheering-up bust
nessv