The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-06-16
VIRTUES OF TAcr.
Women Endowed with the Quality
Are Sure to Hold Their
Friends.

Tact is an incescribable art of saying
or doing the right thing in the right
place and III the right way, and it is an
instinct rather than a cultivated grace.
Tact seems Heaven-born. A veritable
woman of tact is the best type of a
| Christian. She is unselfsh and courte-
u under all circumstances. Tact is
a most useful ally of truth. 1t prevents
the inf1iction of a wound, says the
Ledger Monthly.
How often We think of the story Of
the fairy. A fairy appeared to a young
mother of three lovely little children
two girls and one boy. The fairy agreed
to bestow with her fairy wand a gift
upon each child upon n condition
that the mother should choose the
gifts for the elder children, but she
should be allowed to choose for the babe
at the mothers breast. The mother
consented. For her son she chose
genius-for the elder daughter. beauty.
"Now." said the fairy. "for the dear lit
tie babe 1 choose tact" "Ah!" says
the young mother. with n clouded brow.
give her something better, I pray
you" "Wait and see." said the fairy;
II consider hers the best choice" As
years went by the mother found that
little Grace had the priceless attrac-
tion-beauty and genius paled in con-
trast with the virtues of tact-which is
a treasure that never loses luster. and
adds so much to the sweetness and hap
piness of life.
A woman of tact whose ~watchword
is u~nSelfishness in thought and action,
considers the feelings of others. She
is agreeable to all in all conditions of
life. She is a benediction in her home,
and in the circle in which she moves.
We are more and more convinced that
we can meet with true social success
only through consideration for others.
all in life that makes it worth the liv-
ing is to try to grasp everything re-
CARELESS of the rights and feelings of
others.
When sympathy and tact are COM
bined in the same person they give
their possessor very great influence.
sympathy is the healing oalm; tact. the
dexterous hand that applies it. Tact
depends upon sensitiveness of tempera-
ment combined with observation. 1t
tells one when a subject is unwelcome,
when an inquiry is painful. when con-
dolence or congratulations are i'll
timed. 1t softens the rough edges of
unpleasant truths. Many people are
full of sympathy which they do not
know how to express. Tact points out
the way to showit. Real sympathy has
a wonderful power of winning conf
dence. If you are forgetful of the joys
and SORROWS of others. listen indiffer-
emily to their recital of them. you will
never win their confidence. Real SYM
patty gives its possessor a wonderful
power for good. To do all the good we
can is to make the most of life.
Women endowed by nature with the
quality called tact are the flower of
their kind. They have the secret of
charm. and will hold undisputed sway
over the hearts of men and
Others may be more beautiful and bril-
liant and witty. but for consolation in !
moments of encouragement. for coun-
sci in your difficulties. you will seek the
friend who rejoices with you
in your good fortune and sympathizes
earnestly in your misfortune. showing
gentle tact and innate refinement
which is so beautiful.