The Washington times., 1894-04-29

sense. since none have ever yet found n
friend 30 true he could be trusted with every
depth Of feeling. At least, you could not put
It into words. Sympathy is the only key that
flts all doors. and opens for inspection what
ts Sin the heart of man" and much moro that
Of woman.
Now there is great deal too much Of this
striving, straining after the unattainable, for
much Of this universal passion Of discomfort,
which has no real excuse for being.
Ambition is not the best teacher of life. She
never gives out half the "prizes" she prom
ises. but puts double five in some pockets
which she has cunningly pulled out Of others,
| to whom she has also promised favors. There
are other and better standards OF life than
she offers.
Success is not always merely "getting
there" To have gained the object through
all sorts of questionable, belittling, unmanly,
or unwomanly ways of intrigue and guile
may be in reality the dismalest Of failures.
Think you moneyed man who has cheated
friend () who in mis- despair committed sui
eide is happy or being to be envied?
Such things have been and the murderer gone
unhung, even been received into society. but
what baffled being of you all would change
places with him and live in the midst OF gilded
splendor with the conscious daily presence Of
such spirit within you as that?
All, my tried friend. try to see things, to see
life as they and 1t should be.
Get good focus on it and don't fret!
Admitted-During the dreary days OF Win
teI in the midst of hard times, it is not SO easy
to get new focus on ones own muchly tried
life.
will not prescribe any medicine am not
willing to take myself nor any that have not
found. helpful. nor will measure you all in
my scales.
But now that Spring is with US again, flut-
tering in every new born leaf, smiling in the
dandelioned grass. and nodding in the flow
ers, I say unto you beloved: Get out of doors
and shut your cares up in the dark closet at
home, leaving them there while you 20 forth
to rejoice in the light, beauty, and delights of
this the best world you ever saw! 1t is
charming. And nature will respond to all
your raptures.
The parks and squares OF Washington and
the grand old trees in the Smithsonian grounds
are spots OF beauty and refreshment for weary
minds such as but few cities can boast Of
The woman who has .'fad' for studying
anything in nature will have no need of pay
ing big bill in O sanitarium FOR cure OF
nervous prostration," and the man who has
a scientific turn and carries microscope and
hammer In his pocket rs an habitual thing
grinding" long enough to intelligently use
them.
The woods about Anacostia, Takoma Park,
Brookline. Kensington, and other suburban
towns are full Of innocent nature-loving stroll
lers on Sunday afternoons, usually family
groups-men and women who think it no sin
after going to church half the day to spend
the other half in their own chosen way with
children or friends and a lunch basket in the
cool and fragrant woods
Nature sets q good example for us. She
keeps open her workshops, libraries. and
laboratories as much on Sunday as on any other
day of the week. The men and women who
cannot resist the delight of carrying home
bough of dogwood blossoms. or spray of
mountain laurel or great mess OF rhododen-
dron are not the chief of sinners. in my esti-
nation.
They have simply found a cure for the
everlasting fret and grind OF life, and added
the touch Of repose and rest which appre-
ciationof the true aud beautiful gives to those
who will reach out and take them.
/ don't believe in 'desecrating the Sab
bath, but let us not forget it is as much
mans day as the Lords day. Christ walked
in the fields on the Sabbath day with his
disciples, and what are the beautiful parks,
this charming nearness to the grand old woods
for, If not for the mental and physical re-
freshment of the people? AUNT EMILY.