The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-26
THE fine ART OF RECEIVING
1t Is as Much Of an Art as Is That Of
Giving.
IS TOO LITTLE CULTIVATED
Don't Take a Present and Then pout Over
1t; and Don't, Above All Things,
Become Too Effusive with
Your Thanks.

Much has been said about the art Of con-
ferring favors with such sweet gracious
ness that the favor Is doubled thereby.
There is another art concerning which
we have seen no mention, and that is the
art of receiving favors so graciously that
the giver becomes the debtor.
A few days ago we saw two little girls
receiving some presents which had been
brought to them from the East Indies.
The ornaments were valuable, but so un-
usual in fashion and color that the chill
dren could not be expected to properly ap-
preciate them. Yet one child by her man
ner of acceptance displayed an unusual
share of the gift of graciousness. The
other was evidently disappointed and her
thanks were cold and lifeless
When the two children left the room the
first ran out with joyous step, carrying
her trinkets in uplifted hands and crying
out, "Oh, see what Aunt Mary has brought
me all the way from lndia-the India
that's on the map, and where the Tai
Mahal isl'
The other child carried her little box of
costly ornaments hanging by her side; her
step was slow, her countenance sullen, and
one could but expect the words that left
her lips almost before the door had closed
behind her, Il should think Aunt Mary
might have found something nicer than
that to bring such long way"
Through life these children will carry
their differences of character, but proper
tuition might do something for the latter
little speaker Graciousness is not the pos
session of ALL but natural ungraciousness
may be greatly modified by careful educa-
tion. Children who hear from parents un-
favorable comments upon the gifts of alb
sent friends will make similar reflections
upon those of persons who are present, or
If they do not show displeasure will at
least display the absence of pleasure. The
aunt of the two before mentioned little
girls said afterward to one who was speak
ing of the first child's happy manner:
"Yes, little Julia is happy in having a
bright, sweet disposition, always ready to
please and be pleased, but think that
Katy's was naturally much the same
Their mothers are 50 different. Julia's
mother says she has made it life rule to
never look behind gift for its motive, its
value to herself, or its cost to the giver;
that the fact that any one chooses to give
her anything lays her under but one obli-
cation, and that is to receive it graciously.
She takes it for granted that no gift is
offered her for any purpose save to give
her pleasure. Therefore it always does
give her pleasure, and she showsit. Ihave
known her to receive with charming grace,
and to wear with a courage worthy of John
Rogers Of fiery memory, really horrible
green and yellow shawl, because she would
not wound the sensibilities of the poor
woman who brought it to her from Ger
many as love gift in return for many and
some rather costly kindnesses.
"'She has done what she could said my
sister-in-law, looking ruefully upon the
warning colors. could wish that she had
done nothing, but that would not have
given her the pleasure that the bestowal
of this has done"
To graciously receive intended favors,
even where they are not such in reality, is
incumbent upon all. 1t is part of the
"give and take" necessity of life. 1t is
also, on higher grounds, manifest Chris.
] tian duty.-Harper's Bazar