The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-14
Her lrguIne.f.


decision. rs the front door shuts behind
our visitor, that honest praise hurts
anybody.
we all like appreciation, we all need
il. 1t falls soothnely on the soul Of the
worker. 1t is stimulating.
1T is chimes IN Ned. stimulating
is the word / have been intoxicated
With it when Miss Priscilla was around.
Il said honest praise-remember, be-
tween il and nattery there Is great
gulf fixed. Flattery is the meanest thing
on earth.
You're ashamed that the Miss Pris-
elias have nothing better TO do than
offer it. and you're ashamed that you're
the recipient. But II you've done a piece
OF work conscientiOusly and well. does mt
il help you to have some one whose opin-
ion you value tell you so? or course II
does"
THE old gentleman who has just taken
his departure evidently does not share
your views. lie seemed concerned lest
you should tell his daughter how well
written a contribution was hers.
What was II he said; Don't commend
her work. but rather disparage it. Praise
is damaging damaging. my dear madam;
praise makes strong people weak. 1t is
a slrutlo thing. Praise-makes fools Of
wise men. Ia is fuel TO the fire of vani-
~ already consuming many. ft will
be for my daughters good to be criti-
cized and found fault with. Pride and
vanity are fcvers of the system, and It
takes bitter doses to keep them down,
you know
SO well does he initiate our old friends
pompous utteranccs that We all laugh.
1T must bee good TO have a mind like
his. though. to care nothing about what
people think Of as. to have no sensitive
ness 10 be lacerlted, 10 vanity to be
tickled,' says Ned.
Nonsense" Ruth mods her brown
head wisely. ct IS only that he knows
his weakness. Depend on II every time
that dear, gool souls gets a few words
OF praise he loses his head. Makes wise
men foolish-lhcre it is. YOU see.
"He knows the effect II has on him
self. and doesn't intend lis daughter shall
be subjected TO temptation. She is very
likely a chip off the old block
Criticism is a good tonic" somebody
suggested boy way Of getting Ruth warm
cd up to her argument. Ruth can talk
well. but. as Ned says. you've got 10 get
her reused
Criticism she handles the word very
doubtfully. Il don't believe it has half
tho virtues ascIihcd TO it, 1t is sup
posed 10 be .egular curc-all-warranted
10 DO away with confidence. conceit and
self-estcem but YOU never know whether
you're getting the real article or some
imitation which has the bitter flavor. but
does not produce the healthy effect.
There is as much difference h'.yeen
criticism and fault-fndnig as between
flattery and praise. every Bit"
1T has It's merits" argues Ned. 1T
IS the making of some people"
Maybe So she laughs. but I've never
been troubled with desire FOR IT, There's
nothing hurtfIl about appreciation. II is
good for the weak and the giant alike
and"
Harmless for infants and old people
as the wrappers on certain bottles az
firm" interrupts the graccless youth.
Il don't believe any man. woman. or
child was ever made worse or weaker by
the knowledge that soile one had conf
denCe I'm his or her power 10 accomplish
something.
1T is a curious fact that each one Of
us has a special source 10 which We turn
somebody's praise can make us sing
like a bird; somebody's blame can make
as sigh like "a furnace. There are few
great men that cannot look back over
the sometime weary marches between
the milestones OF success ana think CRATE
fully Of the encouragement given by some
one-parent, sister. wife, sweetheart, or
friend"
Ruth draws her chair nearer the crate
AMI falls a-thinking.
"Wel. in my opinion says Ned. TAX
ing advantage Of the pause TO air his
sentiments. "a sweetheart is about the
poorest kind of a helper. Love is blind,
YOU know. She wants fellow TO DO
wonders. II he doesn't climb the lad
der Of success in a day and waft her
q kiss from the very top runS, she's put
out.
so grea. IS her belief in his powers
that she Is convinced the world Is con-
spring to keep him down. Hes in a
ticklish position.
Either he's got TO open her eyes TO
his own inability-a hard thng-or see
her lose faith in her fellow-mortals-an-
other hard thing.
"Sweethearts are very nice things I'm |
willing to admit but as-I say, you're not
listening"
a penny for your thoughts, Ruth"
says somebody.
''Wcmen are the melnest things to ar
rue WITH erowls Ned III you disa-
eree with them they'll either fly In a |
temper or sit and gaze dreamily al some
thing as If in a trance. You never know |
now to take them"
II WAS thinking" says Ruth. "of n |
friend Of mine, thinking Of something he |
aid to me once on a time.
He has great name. and has climb |
ell over mountains Of difficulties. And |
there Is sweet-faced woman. gracious |
dame, who calls him husband proudly |
nd who makes a splendid mistress for |
is splendid home. But the heart OF |
United States Senator ike the heart of |
any ordinary man. has queer chambers |
It and lovely old-fashloned things hid |
len in them.
And ono night as the big white moon
'Silvered the world 10 a poem
And we sat and drank In the fun |
breaths or fragrance. coming up from the
Wide old garden. the erey-haired
Senator opened the door little way. and |
gave me q peep at these. lie had been