Evening star., 1898-08-18
DON'T WORRY.
Excellent Advice to Those Who Wish
to Accomplish Nothing.

From the New Orleans Picayune.
1t is amazing how little value most
theories have when you come to put them
into actual practical use. Just at present
there is a kind of reaction and protest
against the unrest and dissatisfaction OF
the world, and we are continually advised
whatever else we do, not to worry. Don't
worry" clubs have been formed in many
places, and there is an honest effort to es-
tablish kind of American Nirvana, where
we shant worry any more about our own
affairs, or those our neighbors. The
chief apostles of this interesting movement
are people of unimpaired digestions and
good incomes who write entertaining books
about the folly of troubling about the fu
ture. AS a theory, not worrying is peach
We are all willing to admit that it Is fool
ish to worry about what we can help, or
what we can't help; but then there is the
upassailable fact that the people who never
worry never accomplish anything. Content
ment is an admirable virtue, but an over
supply of it will land man in the poor
house. The absolutely contented man sits
down and let's well enough alone. The dis
satisfied man gets out and hustles and
pushes things along. The ideal of perfect
content with today, with no worrying
about the wants or needs of tomorrow. is
a beautiful one. We have all known :ami-
lies who practiced 1t all summer during
watermelon time, and whom we supported
all winter during the flannel and coal sea-
son.
AS a matter of fact, it is the don't worry
clubs that are stumbling blocks to progress
everywhere. 1t is the people who cont
worry about their chidrens education who
fill up the country with ignorant and litter
ate citizens.
1t Is the people who don't worry about
sickness who spread contagious diseases.
1t is people who don't worry about the fu-
ture who spend every cent they make as
they go along, who become burdens on the
friends who have to take care of them
when they lose a job or get sick. The don't t
worry club will never build q line city
What's the use in worrying about paving
the streets, they say. We have always
gotten along somehow. What's the use in
cleaning 'em? 1t will rain some time
What's the use In worrying about tearing
down old buildings and putting up new
ones? WHAT Is the use in building new and
beautiful and clean and comfortable
theaters? they say. The old traps on St.
Charles street were good enough for Ben
DeBar and Dave Bidwell, forty years ago.
They are satisfied. Any old thing Is good
enough for them. OF course there Is no
use in worrying about our neighbor's 8
troubles. Nobody contends there IS. The
don't worry clubs are strong on this point.
But the heart that feels no grief but its
own that never aches but with it's own
main. the seye that Is never dimmed with
tear for a sorrow not its own, knows
only half of life. 1t is case-hardened, pet
rifed impenetrable selfshness that never
worries about other peoples affairs. The
truth is that man was made to worry, and
he would be miserable If he couldn't. 1he
example of the placid clam, and the un-
troubled oyster. who shut themselves up In
their own shells and don't worry about
anything outside, will never seem TO MIN
to be the highest type of usefulness or hap
piness. The don't worry theory don't work.
The man who never worries gets covered
with moss.