The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1897-01-29
rhe Prnper. chrius =. splrit.

The Proper Cnf1etfuAs SptFt1
II must be q cburlish soul indeed who
would wish to discourage generosity.
and above all generosity ut Christmas
time. Then. II ever. Is the rightful sea
son for giving; the season alike for
good will. good cheer and good gifts.
The native impulse Of every healthy and
affectionatc nature is thcnto give freely
and joyously In accordance with the
sweet spirit Of loving kindness which
hallows the best Of holidays. NevcTthe-
less. even in Christmas giving, It is not
always selfish TO count the cost Of what
we give. Justice IL better than gener-
osity. Notunfrequcntly those who give
too much do tat the expense Of the per-
cons who are nearest and dearest to
them-and do II for the benefit Of per-
sons less dear. It is not simply to the
spending of money that this applies. 1t
is equally true Of the expenditure OF
labor, care and personal force Of any
kind. A truly generous aud commend
able sentiment, for example. prompts
the young daughter of the house to en-
broider IA half-score or more Of dainty
presents for her friends; but If she had
chosen less elaborate patterns. or re-
menlbercd friends only for whom she
truly cared, emitting mere social init
mates. perhaps sflewould not have over
tired her eyes, and thus become unable
n
help was greatly needed Then. too.
there is the girl with nearly hundred
presents on her list, which she can only
by the strictcst economy mamge to buy
without exceeding her allowance. Sic
achieves the feat, perhaps. 1tisdone at
u cost OF weary limbs, aching head, and
us her suffering family can testify
Il nervous strain for three or four weeks
before Christmas day which Keeps her in
tolerably cross when she is not hys-
terically fearful. And there is that
other girl, with smaller and wprthier
list, who denies herself n winter coat
and makes her old do that she may be
more bountifnl TO her poor people. She.
too, is sincerely, even nobly, generous;
but when the fall coat, with cutawny
neck and IL liberty scarf. results in pneu-
monia, IL is her mother who must bear
the strain and her father who mustpay
the doctors bill. Possibly she had
right to risk her health. II she alone
could accept the consequences; but
it is not often we can accept con-
sequences alone. Some one else is sure
to be involved, and that some one the
person we most love, and loves us most.
In short, says writer iii the Youths
Companion, in the holiday season MS at
all other times, let us be just before we
are generous. And in being generous
let us be sure we bestow most where.
when we think about it, we really most
wish to bestow, and deprive no one uni
fairly or unliindly for the sake OF an
other. Common sense is not the lofticst
qunlity, perhaps. but none the less the
loftinr qualities are the better for a
saving dasl. of it. Generosity, the
Christmas virtue. is no exception.
There is Boston society woman
who cannot remember names. neither
cnn her daughter. One day they met
q Mrs. Howe. and afterwards the daugh-
ter remarked: sHowe invented the sew
ing machine, didn't he? Well, just
think of machines and we'll be sure TO
get her NAME" The two ladies went
to tea few days afterwards. and
Mrs. Howe was there. Up sailed the
mother with her sweetest smile, and
exclaimed: my dear Mrs. Singer, how
delighted l am to see you ngnin!" Soon
afterwards the daughter appeared. and
with equal charm of manner exclaimed:
my dear Mrs. Wilcox, how are you?"