Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1896-01-16
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES.
Qualities that Win In Times of Trouble and
Adversely.

Qualities that Win In Times of Trouble and
Adversely.
There is a certain ethical quality in
the unwritten social law which en-
joins that whatever sufferings and dis
comforts person may undergo in pri-
vate. he is to bear himself in public as
if good fortune was accompanying him
everywhere, and as IL all his serenity
lightful invisible presence. Were it
held to be a laudable thing to turn the
seamy side of our circumstances out
ward, there would be an end to self
restraint, and the vials of individual
discomfort would pour forth an un-
ending stream of misery. But we are
taught from our earliest years to turn
the best side out, that the world is not
interested in our woes, and that if we
would please we must be cheerful. In
this way we gain a consideration and
sympathy that we would fail to obtain
by mere complaints
Everyone loves an optimist, and al
though he may have to bear to be
laughed at sometimes, the laughter is
good-humored and encouraging; but
when dignity and certain decorous
gravity join with optimism the individu-
al may be sure of respect as well as of
regard. But levity is as contemplate
as gloom. and person is required, not
to be ignorant of the true conditions
of life. but to be able to bring good out
of evil, and by his own energy and
courage to wrest victory from the tai
ons of defeat.
So the keeping up a brave appear
ance implies that behind it is a stanch
heart and enterprising spirit. which
will not easily yield before difficulties,
and whether the object be to preserve
ones business credit, to main
tain ones position in society. or
to live up to reputation
for character, the worthiness of
the effort is appreciated by the good
public. But the love of appreciation,
which is at the root of all these efforts,
may become so overweening as to lead
to positive dissimulation, and suggest
secret little acts of meanness in order
to maintain an outward show.
Times of commercial adversely bring
out the true or false ring of character.
When necessity drives the prosperous
class to lessen the scale of expenditure
by giving up superfiuities, men and
women reveal the tone of their minds
by what they consider superiuities-
The wealthy man who economies in
his charities confesses himself deficient
in that true feeling of sympathy
which realizes that the greatest
need of the poor is when times
are hard for the rich. The woman
who prefers to discharge one of her
servants to dispensing with the ele-
gancies of her toilet betrays her hard
hearted vanity; and all of us who cut
off our intellectual enjoyments in or
der that the luxuries of our table
shall continue undiminished cut the
ground of culture and refinement from
under our own feet and lower our
selves to the plane of a merely animal
intelligence.
The virtue that lies in keeping up
appearances depends entirely upon the
sort of appearance we aim to keep up.
1t is right that everything that minis
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should be preserved; that we should
cling to the social position which we
have gained by honorable effort;
that neither our pleasant homes
nor essential comforts nor those
things which involve the welfare
of those persons dependant upon us
should be sacrificed readily or early.
But it is not indicative of good hearts
or sound judgment to substitute false
outward show for real self-reliance,
and to pretend to be able to keep hold
of things which are costing us our
life's blood. If the world approves
winning qualities and the desire to
please, 1t despises those who cringe.
When we have set ourselves a high
standard it matters very little, in the
long run, whether it is the popular
standard or not. If we live up to it
we shall finally get the credit of right
intentions. even if there be temporary
disapprobation- n--Harper's Bazar.