The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-05-01
APPRECIATION.

Mrs. P-certainly has the gift of ap.
probation" said one woman to another
who had repeated to her some kind re-
mark which Mrs. P-had made about
paper she had read at woman's meet
ing.
Eyes," said the other, land the grace
of expression"
AS l listened fell to musing on how
much pleasanter life would be if we all
possessed this gift and grace.
A member of our Bible class once re-
peated the legend of the saint whose life
was so holy that the angels we're al
lowed to offer him any gift he might
choose. His answer was: THAT may
be always doing good and never know
it," and ever after where his shadow
fell it brought blessing.
II am not like that man." spoke up
one lady, quickly. 81 should like to be al
ways doing good, but should want to
know it.
$50 should ~ said a third, sit GER
tainly is one of the greatest pleasures of
life to know that we have helped or
cheered some one, and think the know
ledge does us good"
Isn't it strange" said another, "that
we do not speak words of kindly appre-
citation oftener since we enjoy them our
selves so much?"
Thoughtlessness, preoccupation in
ones own affairs, or the fear of being
considered .fatterers, were suggested as
reasons for this neglect. Thus the talk
went on until one lady gave practical
illustration. II work hard every day."
she said, Ito get good meals for my fam
lily, and my husband and sons come
home from their work and eat heartily.
l know they enjoy their food, but they
never say 30; wish they would" They
never say SO, wish they would"-how
many housekeepers would echo that
wish A few days after, I read Egbert
Ryding's account of visit with Ruskin.
He dined at Brentwood and wrote:
During the meal, as we were enjoying
rhubarb tart. l happened to say that it
was the first | had tasted this season
and how delicious it was.
1.-THE Professor was delighted at my
appreciation Of his rhubarb. and ringing
for one of his servants said, Please tell
jackson that l want him. This was the
gardener.) When he came into the room
his master said. jackson. am very
pleased to tell you that your first pulling
of rhubarb is quite success. and my
friend here. who has had some pie made
of it. says it is delicious jackson. with
a true gardeners pride, thanked US both
and left the room. Soon after servant
came into the room with lighted candles,
and after putting them in place she
said, Please. sir. there is beautiful
sunset sky just now over the "Old Man"
Thank you, Kate, for telling u.s. the
Professor said heartily" The two men
sat in an upper window and watched in
silence till the sun sank behind the
mountain, but the younger man owns
that beautiful as was the sunset he
twas thinking more of the charming re-
lationship and sympathy manifested be-
tween master and servant, and how
strange it would seem to most of us
that even such triAing matter as a
gardeners first rhubarb should not be
left as common occurrence"
Does not this little glimpse of Rus
kin's daily life explain this sentence
from "Fors Clavigera": 81 have got two
Davids and Kate that wouldn't ex-
change for anybody else's servants in
the world; and | believe the only quarrel
they have with me is that l don't give
them enough to do for me-"
A college student. in explaining why