The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-10
Small Things

historian chronicles the fact that John
Quincy Adams once restrained his sen who
wanted to answer private letter at his
desk. from using the official stationery pro-
vided by the Government, and told him
that all personal letters were to be written
on the private stock Of paper at the other
end of the row of pigeon holes The mod
ern statesman is likely to smile at this
small bit of scruple. and indeed, people
who are extraordinarily careful about petty
things are often less attentive than they
should be to large duties Nevertheless,
it suggests some interesting reflections
Now and then, at the death of some per-
son well known in the community one
hears his various friends comment upon his
faithfuIness to small obligations. 1t may
be that he invariably answered a letter On
the day it was received. that he never for
got to call upon friend who was i'll or in
trouble. that he took pains 10 write notes
CT sympathy OF Of congratulation when oc-
casion offered. that he remembered small
kindnesses and repaid them; but such small
things are almost always remembered when
! greater deeds are forgotten. There are
people who have q natural inclination to
endear themselves to others by such serv-
! ices; but anyone can do it with a little
practice.
The value of this trait of paying attention
to trifies which are likely to affect others
for good or evil is almost inestfmabla The
person who is utterly careless in regard to
such things may be extremely useful, but
he scatters irritation on his way through
life and his usefulness is likely to be over
looked in the effect produced by his care
Iessness in tri1es. Who. for example. has
not felt cross over delay in answering q
letter which required immediate informa-
ton, and who has not experienced a feel
ing OF deep gratitude over the thoughtful
promptness Of the man who answers q re-
quest of this kind at once? We have all
noted in the matters of everyday life the
immense difference that there is between
doing a thing just right and just little
wrong. In a household where accuracy.
promptness, and thoroughness are the rule
nobody is kept waiting: everyone gets
what he needs and there is ne fuss: in one
where things go on the principle Of "a
little more OF less there is continual fric-
ton, and the various members waste more
time in waiting for one another and more
strength in fruitIess Irritation than it
would take to do ali their work twice over.
The thing which is most needed in Amer
lean life is attention to small things. 1t is.
on the whole, quite as easy to do the ordi-
nary duties Of life Just right as to do them
wrong 1t is not necessary to have rigid
system and make everybody bow te it.
All temperaments cannot be made alike.
nor is it desirable that they should be. But
thoFoughness should be encouraged in all
training and absolute accuracy demanded
in all service. Accuracy can generally be
secured if time enough is taken for the
work. but Impotence is the curse of this
country and people always in a hurry
cannot do anything well. This impatient
national temperament has been partly ere
ated by the conditions under which the
country was populated. When the comfort.
even the lives. of a coGmuzity, depend