The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1902-06-23
CULTIVATE
CHtERFULNtSS.
SAYS MRS. WILCOX TO THE wO.
MAN WHO LIVES IN A
SMALL TOWN.

want 70 talk 10 you one anu Ill
who are so situated.
I Do not let your minds narrow down
to the limits of your town; do not let
your ideas become dwarfed. your am
billions stunted, your outlook limited.
There is no need Of IL in this day
and age of low priced literature and
free libraries.
You can keep in mental touch with
the whole world il you wish to do 1t.
There is no need Of combining your
information to the social column Of
your country paper.
Read the magazines and weeklies
and book reviews when you cannot
obtain the books.
Think of yourself as an important
factor in the world-not merely Of
your town or church. Try and be
broad and large in your outlook.
The moment you find yourself dwell
ing on thoughts Of neighborhood Cos
sip and petty scandals, turn your back
on your lesser self and search for your
real self-the noble. great hearted be.
ing you were destined to be. Read
history and mediate upon the lives Of
great men and women.
When you are about to pass Mary
Jones by without speaking to her be-
cause you heard some one had suspect
Cd her of questionable conduct, stop
and think of Joan of Arc, Nine. Rol-
and, Father Damien, Nathan Hale, or
hundred other colossal figures you
can call to mind. They will scare
away all petty prejudices and make
you ashamed Of yourself.
Think of our Pilgrim fathers and
mothers and all the wonderful strength
Of character it required to live in
those dangerous and difficult times.
1t will make your cares and troubles
seem trivial.
Avoid Judging humanity from the
standards set up in your town. Be
liberal and remember that climate
and environments have much to do
with peoples ideas of behavior.
Try and cultivate . loving interest
in your associates.
1t is a strange fact that in small
towns SO little affection or love exists
among the inhabitants. One would
think it sure to be found in the quiet
country hamlets, where the few peo-
pie are dependent upon one another
for enjoyment. But instead we find
jealousy, criticism and indifference
prevailing in such places.
have lived in the lonely country
farming town, in the small hamlet
and in the crowded cities. and l
must confess that it is in the latter
have found greater and more spontan-
eous affection and reader sympathy
among people, together with broader
judgments.
In the average country hamlet one
needs to be i'll or an object of charity
to bring out the tenderness in the
hearts of his neighbors.
Let It be known that sickness or
poverty has visited a household and
the tongue of gossip is silenoed and
the Indifferent or disagreeable air
gives place to solicitous kindness
while the trouble lasts.
But remember we can not all in this
world be invalids or beggars. Yet we
all love sympathy and companionship,
and appreciation.
Many women in the country love to
play Lady Bountiful merely for the
qualification of being looked up to.
But greater nature finds pleasure in
showing sffectionate interests in an
equal, ON whom it can bestow nothing
but friendship.
Think every day how large the world
is compared to your town, yet do not
despise your town in consequence.
Respect it as part of the great CONSOLE
dated company of human beings, and
make 1t as interesting a place Is
possible by your own mental, moral
and social qualities.
Study, think, read, work and love.
Sympathize with your neighbors'
aims. ambitions, efforts, hopes and
trials. Cheer them all you can, and
never allow a thought Of jealousy or
envy to enter yocr mind II some one