The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-23
on BORROWING TROUBLE.

THE burdens that make US groan and
sweat.
The troubles that make us fume and fret,
Are the things that haven't happened
yet"
This old-fashioned and somewhat COM
mon-pIace rhyme tells a very prosaic
truth. Humanity Is warned by many such
homels adages not to borrow trouble,
never 10 meet sorrow halfway. and not 10
spoil the sunshine of today by looking for
clouds on the morrow. That is no doubt
true philosophy. but the faculty of look
ing after today and letting tomorrow look
out for itself Is more a matter OF tempera-
ment than philosophy. TO Offset these
favorite maxims of the optimist We have
many prudent proverbs fashioned by the
pessimist The happy man is he who can
enjoy the present without worrying about
the future, but the wise man looks ahead.
and does not overlook the necessity OF pre-
pairing to get an umbrella for the future
because the sun shines now.
II every day ended with tho fall Of night.
indifference to the future might be quite
justiHahle. No doubt sufficient unto the
day Is the evil thereof" but neglect today
may bring greater evils in the future. The
worry about troubles that haven't hap
pened yet does not begin in life until years
of experience have given their warning
that as one sews so shall one reap. He
would be a poor proyider who did not
plow because his granary was full. or
who did net set out TO catch his hare until
II was time 10 cook IL.
But there Is. all the same. a wide differ
ence between worry and prudence. II Is
possible TO look forward without
looking forward gieomIiy. 1T is wise
to prepare for death, but II Is folly to
refrain from undertaking any project be-
| cause death may come before II is accom-
| pllshed. There is SO much that looks Ike
chance in life. so many weli-meant inten-
tons arc frustrated BY accident. that the
pessimist can eonjurc up the darkest pros
| peet "The best laid plans OF mice and
/ men sang aft agley," but it Is better 20
| fah after effort than fail for want of II.
! There are many. however, who spare no
| effort who can take no comfort in the sue
1
/ that the future viii be dark IL is those
who need the admonition against allow
ing themselves 20 fume and IRE; over the
! things that haven't happened yet.
| The temperament which makes a man
coutentea with the present and content to
let the future take care OF itself Is not con-
aaed TO any nation: but II Is much more
| marked in some races than "a others. 1t 10
notorious that the L.stins and especially
| the Wrench make light OF trouble which
| may bat has rot ye; Come. The Germans.
| although very eniiks the French. arc yet
| disposed 90 be content and 20 let the su-
! ture take cara os Itself In the former
| ease. this Is due 10 a temperamentsl elias
| tieily which quickly RECEIVERS from de-
preston. and IN the latter to a siolia phil
/ osophy. The Turk belongs TO the more
| phlcSrnatic races. "Ktsmet. Il is fate" IL
| his expression OF submission to whatever
Details him.
Fnggishmen and Americans are more
prone than any ether nation TO peer into
the future fer trouble. There is a nervous
| apprehension due 20 constant tension. TIE
/ same characteristics Is noticeable IN the
/ Teutoa who has been subjected 10 sharp
encd clvilizgng influences. The less civil
ised people the less their care for the ta-
tur~. Civilization has developed In nan a
desire 20 secure more. ana the competition
makes possession more dlrscelt. The fewer
wants man has the more reckless ne is as
u IRE future The hsppisSt man In the
world IS be who lives In such surroundings
that bis wants being few are easily salts
fed.
Besides this there are two other causes
Tor the borrowing 90 trouble. one Is the
natural spprehensioa o. impending mis-
/ fortune ard ;he ether Is a want II conn-
! eence In self. There Is 70 remedy for the
aan CT woman Who IS naturally P0sslEass-
&C. Every enjoy msns IS tinc;ared wstA
the bitterness % possible trouble. every
eTlsAt Gay tinted with ne 'elas' depth