The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-03
EDITORS CHAT.

The small courteses are what sweeten life !;
and how easily are they given. This is a trite
saving, but true, nevertheless. Our lives are
made up of trifles, of commonplaces, and if We
do not find happiness in the little things we
never find it at all. for the big things seldom
come, and we lose the passing pleasures in our
effort to reach some one great happiness.
The great secret of happiness is to find pleas
ure in the details of living, in the everyday
trifles of life. These are the comrSn things OF
EARTH and air, and sky which We cease to vaiue
because they arc accepted as part OF our In
beritance. Then. there arc the common sweet
nesses of home, parents, and friendship, the
everyday duties work and sympathies which
become commonplace because they are ours.
And vet no Gay is ever the same; there are
new duties. new thoughts, new friendships al.
WAYS coming at unexpected times. Aud, be-
sides, our surroundings are never the same !;
even the familiar landscape about our homes is
subject to change.
Who ever saw the clouds alike, or the same
shadows on the trees, the same blossoms on the
flowers or the same atmosphere In and around
aud about us2 Everything in nature or in life
is subject to change. There is the perpetual
coming and going, blooming aud whitening.
illusion and disilluson; but is rot this very
change for our greater happiness? What would
And because the little things make or mar
our lives, it is to them we must look for our
happiness. The little worries and frets, the
little bitterness aud discourtesies mar the peace
of many a sensitive soul and destroy the entire
/ happiness and harmony of the home.
| People do not consider it worth while to
think about the little things. They are either
too indolcnt or too indifferent, for it is hard
work TO think. If we do not think about the
| little things we cannot be thoughtful about the
| greater.
The average man and boy will sic down at
| the table and eat the most delicious puddi ng
that the fond mother or thoughtful sister has
| spent hours in making, and he might as we'll
be eating alligator's hide, as far as any comment
or word of praise is concerned. The cooking
| is SO much a part of woman's life and SO much
the expected demand of man that he does not
even think worth while to speak of il.
Only think how much more the pudding
would be enjoyed by all if it was praised or Its
maker given proper recognition; for no work
is so menial, no task so arduous that love and
appreciation will not sweeten and brighten.
Why not he thoughtful and considerable and
tender2 We all crave appreciation ana thrive
under it. The boy who is scolded for every
thing bad and ignored in the good will not dc
half as well as the boy who receives just praise
for the good and ignoring for the bad.
What blissful place this world would be u
we would all look for the little things to enjoy
and be mindful of the small courteses. Tbs
! wife would have word of encouragement FOL
her husband and the husband would praise thu
good work of his wife; the brother would bt
attentive to his sister. and the sister would NJ
longer criticize her brother; the small boJ
would th.ive under kindness. and the little
girl would learn to thank her parents for the
little joys in her life; the dog would be nj
longer kicked, and the horse would be sleei
and well kept; the home would be fail of con
tentment and cheer, and we would all want 4
live in it. Surely, as the German poet puts il
the earth would be a Paradise and heavei
already here. ~-s.
The Loyal Home Workers know the tru
meaning Of fraternity and the mutual kind
nesses and courtesies growing out of IT. Bn
TO be a truly helpful member Of = friendI.
Order one must have learned liis lessons at hi
mothers knee. And herein rests the strengt
I'll lE