The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1896-02-20

ances which costs only good taste, is |
never out of place, becomes rich and
poor alike, and mixes men and women |
of all classes without putting a badge |
on them.
1t is curious to notice how single |
blotch of bad taste or negligence SpOils
the looks of man or woman when
they are out of their working day gar
ments Dirt anywhere will do it-as,
for instance, soiled frilling round a
graceful neck. Buttons off, or bursts
of any kind with peeping Innings, or
blOwZy untidinesS, or greasiness, limp
collars, or frayed cuffs, or boots down
at the heel, tell an unfavorable story
that no shOwinesS of dress will con-
tradict.
But it is not from dress and bearing
alone that we judge appearance. You
can read the character of wife
though she may never venture out of
doors. The windows of the poorest
cOttager and of the weather. house
holder are both eloquent. though in the
cottage they speak the more plainly.
The most obvious ready method Of
judging the character of the people of
a village is to look at their window
blinds and hower-pots. The second
general test is the appearance of the
children. 1t is one of the highest un
conscious compliments that can be
paid when one neighbOr reports of an
other that 'she is very particular"
The careless and slatternly do not
realize the extent to which opinion is
formed by multitude of niceties each
in itself of small account. Thus, in
many business IS. appearances and the
care that lies behind cleanliness, neat
ness, and order are the chief elements
in success; and the principle might be
traced through every phase of business
life.
When the managers of any firm have
to select one of their staff to attend to
an important and delicate operation
which, if conducted with skill, will have
decisive results, they are certain to pass
by any member of the staff whose ap-
pearance is no recommendation; and
promotion follows opportunity for spe-
, cial service.
, We are we'll aware that is very I'M
heroic view to take of outside show.
The young man often starts out with
. ideas of worldly conquest as vague as
J his ideas of love. Love is supposed to
, laugh at difficulties; energy. ability, de-
, termination overleap all obstacles. The
battle is won by him who is courageous
5 aud strong. So thinks the inexperi
enced adventurer, and not entirely
without warrant; but the veteran knows
t that there is quite as much art in
r smoothing away difficulties as in clam
s boring over them, and the process is MOI
y nearly so exhausting.
S Attention to appearances is ont
means of making rough places plain
d 1t is a public testimonial inscribed OF
n us, and everyone will read it will
9 certain degree of conviction. NJ
q doubt in the end every man or woman
: is rated at his or her proper value; but
d if sterling virtues be Overlaid by littl
faults, it often takes long time to ar
q rive at an unimpeded view of genuin
e character. There must be many me-
t. and women who would benefit by fairl
!" putting to themselves the questions
(. "Why have fallen short of my expe(
l. tations? Has it been through disre
n gard of seemingly minor considers
l. tions?" Perhaps sufficient answe
is to these questions can hardly be e1
" pected: for those who neglect appear
st ances usually are quite unaware of tn
poor impression they make.
il The odd or slovenly man is abundan
a ly content with himself-indeed we a
l. probably know cases in which men an
I'd women ingeniously disparage then
IN selves by deliberately pretending to
I'd what they are not.
is This rakish-looking man whose a.
IS pearance puts the respectable citize
or instantly on his guard is as steady an
d. trustworthy as judge, though it is h
Ir- within to damage himself with strange