San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-11-29
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1896.
DO ANY THANK US?

This is the time paramount to all
others when we begin to consider
what we have to be thankful for,
Sometimes when a pessimistic mood
we cannot see that we have anything.
For once let us put by our own sell
fish desires and bring into our consid-
GRAFTON the things for which we have
made others thankful. To whom
have we frightened the pathway and
wherein have we obeyed the COM
mand of love. Bear We one anoth-
er's burdens"
believe it much easier to find
things to be thankful for than to find
those wherein we have been unset
fish.
To whom have we refrained from
giving a sharp word and instead Civ
en- the soft answer that turneth away
wrath? What mother bearing the
cares of her manifold domestic du-
ties has paused to recall the helpful
word we have uttered in their hour
or encouragement, and physical as
well as mental WEAKNESS? What
husband and father weighed with
the pressure of business or worse,
lack of business, has found new
strength to go on because we have
Tor moment disclosed our heart to
him with its own wearied efforts and
with each beat giving out sympathy
for him?
And the children the little children
to whom their childish troubles are
as grave and heavily borne as our
own, what have we done to bring
back the sun shine where the shadow
was thick, and the tears suppressed
to give place to dimpling laughter?
And the young men and young wo-
men, to whom the world is beginning
t0g row more sombre because of find
ing their fellows less than they had
supposed to whom the charm of life
is fast disappearing, to give place to
doubt, disappointment and pain. What
have we done to show them our SYM
pathy, to prove to them that, although
there is evil in the world, that there
is selfishness and greed and oppres-
sion. that also there is tenderness,
truth and unselfish devotion. That
while the dark clouds must some
times gather, just beyond them is the
same warm glowing sun; that if one
did not sometimes feel the mists of
the marshes we could not hold out an
inshaking hand to these who from in
heritances, environment and human
selfishness must forever dwell there.
That only because we have felt the
gloom and night can we flush and
tremble at the first dim lighting of the
eastern horizon with its roman gold,
the promise of the radient gladness of
day.
To none more than these is the gen.
tie word needed and the harsh or
criticising one withheld They must
meet the mistakes Of life as do we all
and what are we doing to soften them
and make them thankful. And the
workers of either sex; those who toll
with little hope, often unable to get
the opportunity to toll even at the
humblest of occupations. Have we
made anyone of them thankful by our
help and effort in their behalf?
And those far from home, where
the impossibility of glad reunion is
making the season one of melanchOl-
ly and regret. Have we opened the
doors of kindness to them that they
might find for few moments the
atmosphere of unselfsh thoughtful
ness?
Have we made all happier and
more thankful by our charity Of judg-
ment and our criticisms unspoken?
s.Faith. hope and love and the great
est of these is love-
And now let us think of our four
footed friends. Have we spoken for
those who cannot speak for them
selves? The dogs and horses who
serve us so faithfully and whose pa
tient eyes look up to us in trust and
dumb pleadings. If we appreciate
and admire loyalty, fidelity and un--
questioning devotion, where can we
find these qualities more strongly de-
veloped than in dogs, who grow hap
by and thoughtful even with one
word of affection or a conSiderate pat
on the head; who never question us
no matter how much we may question
ourselves; who stand by us faithfully
through good and evil report. Duty de,
mands our kindness to them if we
have no other reason. Think of them
this season and make them compan,
ions Give freedom to those tied uI
in yards and shut in stables and sheds
and let them too, have cause to be
thankful. And the patiently work
ing and waiting horses. What car
we say to touch the hearts of those
who either openly abuse or neglect
them, or who almost as crimianl
''do not think" of them.
The dray horses with cruel drivers
pitiful in their uncared for condition,
of marks of blows and lack of food
is there no one to give them atten
ton and compel kindly and mercifu
treatment?
The livery horses, whose service
are so frequently unappreciated b.
those hiring them; and the finel
gYOomed and kept horses. who Civ
so much Of pleasure to us and who TO
often are repaid by thOughtfulness
and the methods of Harvesting left +
inconsiderate grooms and drivers.
Unloose the check rein that strain
the muscles Of their beautiful necks