The evening times., 1898-02-10
TRUTHS TOLD
BY THE MIRROR
Every Facial Shortcoming
Noted With Distinctness.
Nuch Bitterness and sorrow OFTEN
Caused ny Long Looks at
Reflected Image.

What think you would be your condl-
tion of mind if aware that henceforth
all chance of self-criticism would be
denied you? asks Dorothy Maddox In
the Philadelphia Inquirer. 1 question
whether you would not gain in the
end. Some moments OF extreme fe-
licity might be lost, but think of the
hours of keenest anguish from which
you would BE- liberated.
1t is all nonsense, as some critics
would have us believe, that woman
does not take her mirror truths Sc
riously She accepts them With what
grace she may. and in the bitterness
OF an outraged soul grieVes over them.
She tosses egotism aside when she
steps before her dressing table. and
faces these facts. Along and steady
look at the image reflected require
many times all the bravery she can
muster.
There are the ravages of time punct-
uated to an alarming degree. Shrewdiy
each shortcoming is noticed. The lat
est crow s-foot. the last new complex
ion blemish. the sift Of silver hair aeou.
the temples.
Cold facts these Chilling facts.
from which escape seems impossible.
This severe critic does not allow her
self the benefit of a doubt Some
where she has heard that we never
see ourselves as others see us; chat
for this reason our mirror is not TO be
relied upon. 1t is said that a correct
estimate of feminine charms cannot be
taken when the face has been robbed
of that delicate play OF lights and
shades for which so many faces are
remarkable.
Not one grain of comfort does this
bring to the dissatisfied one as she
froWningly gaEes into the glass before
her. There is. a nose hateful in shape,
a skin pumpkin-bued. eyes that can
never be aught but duh. and features
alas they viii always be plain. Even
the hair. which some have praised.
looks to this unhappy one leaden in
shade
Maybe nature has been halfway kind.
A swift glance and all seems right, but
closer and closer peers the seSrcher al
ter truths. unwelcome though they be.
Inspection duty must not be juggled
with. Better know the worst. 1ncipi-
ent signs OF old age strike a pang to a
sensitive soul Even where beauty still
fingers a feeling OF dissatisfaction is
aroused at imperative demands for an
impartial judgment.
The tell-tale image scoffs at the face
that anYiously views It's lack Of graces-
Then a still. smaIl voice asks the watch
er, w hat will you do now? Profit by
the lesson your mirror teaches and
straightNay use every effort within
vouF reach TO compel ii to change its
verdict. or will you lapse into utter des-
pair and allow the verdict To stand?
I know here and there woman who
views herself through rose-tinted
glass. She is a plain creature. so plain
and SO perfectly satisfied as well, that
she moves me To wonder and amaze.
Such self f-complacency places her upon
the best of terms with her mirror. In
way this is an enviabie condition.
However. il is better by far To know
oneself even though the knowing is
going TO bring restless yearnings for
change: many embittered thoughts be
cause Of a lack Of good looks which eV-
ery woman believes to be her right.
Stirring the heart to its uttermost
depths oftentineS produces good re-
suits. There is wide sweep Of ground
TO cover before anyone need settle down
TO irreieema ble plainness Indeed,
much Of the facial ugliness OF this world
is self-inficted. either through iSnor-
ance or laziness.
Continue 10 hObnob with your mirror.
allowing yourself no quarter. This
close cornpanioilShip should send you
scufrying after help. If / am to trust
those high in authority, the help Will
| surely be Forthcoming.