St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-06-29
CHEERFULNESS A DUTY.
Unpleasant Eject Of . Gloomy Person
Upon Those with Whom Such
4 One Comes In Contact.

It is the easiest thing in the world
to smile when all is right with one.
when skies are blue and circum-
stances are as one would have them.
Involuntarily the face beams when
one is happy, the eye sparh.es, and
bits of song spring to the lips and
ripple forth spontaneously, and the
atmosphere all about is radiant with
cheerfulness, which sheds its rays
upon all within its influence.
The one who can smile when skies
are dark, however, is the one whose
influence is even more far-reaching.
1t is almost impossible to be gloomy
when associated with such a person,
and ones own annoyances shrink
into utter insignificance in contem-
plation of such cheerfulness, says
Elizabeth Robbins Berry, in Boston
Budget.
Habitual gloom is tenperamental
with some persons. The slightest dis
arrangement of their plans or even
an unpropitious turn in the weather
is sufficient to cloud their faces and
|
able. They seem powerless to rise
above conditions or circumstances in
the slightest degree. and joy itself is
received by them with a sort of mild
surprise tempered by a considerable
degree of suspicion. They seem real
" to enjoy being miserable and max
ing others so.
s. hnvnvor
The average. everyday individual.
whom we all know and with whom
most of us have much in common, is
largely a creature of circumstances
happy when conditions are pro-
pitious, but susceptible to clouds.
whether in his immediate surround
ings or induced by weather condi-
tions. He is sort of barometer. an
infallible register, rising and falling.
expanding and contracting, as the
winds blow soft or harsh, or pre-
cipitation increases or decreases.
During a recent month of continu-
Gus stormy weather one fact was es-
pecially noticeable, the effect OF
weather upon temperament. 1t is not
always easy to resist being depressed
by such cause. One may wish to go
forth. ana be prevented by pouring
rain; the dull gray light makes it diff
ficult to read or write or sew, and
the addition Of artificial light serves
to make matters worse; there is a
moist unpleasantness about things in
general. which CRATES harshly along
sensitive nerves, and one has to hold
oneself well in hand to avoid sue
cumbing to such conditions if long
continued. Even children are visibly
affected, without understanding why,
and it is no small task to entertain
them through successive days of dull
weather.
One little one begged recently to
go out Of doors, and being refused.
accepted the situation somewhat un-
graciously. Her mamma suggested
story as an alternative, which was at
first resented. but the child finally
compromised by saying: "Well, If you
must tell story, let it be about out
DOORS"
It is the same with those OF us
who are older and wiser. We must
have things quite to our liking it we
accept them at all. That, this is
manifestly impossible goes without
saying. therefore much of our un-
happiness and discomfort. If we can
make our own happiness, as some
claim, it must be done by rising above
the influence of untoward condi-
tions.
For this reason, II no other, it, is
well worth a struggle to maintain
an attitude of constant cheerfulness,
despite conditions. Added to this the
influence one may have upon the lives
of others, and perpetual cheerfulness
becomes worthy of the most strenu-
GUS effort to attain. 1t is question
II one can receive higher praise than
to have it said that he or she is
"genial."