St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1902-04-12
THE POWER OF SYMPATHY.
The Homekeeper Can Have No Better
Possession Than This Same
Quality.

| Possession Than This same
| Quality.
We hear often of the charming"
qualities of this or thai person, of their
graciousness, fascination, magnetism,
and power to attract others. and even
to influence them against their own
better judgment. There are few who
| have not, at some time, been almost
or quite persuaded, contrary to their
own will or reason, to support some
measure or take some action which
was presented by some one whose per-
sonality was so charming as to make
it almost impossible to say no to them.
Others have vast power over those
with whom they are associa ted, sway
| ing them by mere force of will, and so
strongly is this sometimes manifested
that a body of men or women will find
themselves irrevocably committed to
the forwarding of some measure, be-
fore they have had time for the intelli-
gent thought which would have result
ed in an entirely different state of af-
fairs, says Eliza beth Robbins Berry, in
Boston Budget.
| It will thus be seen that the quality
of charm while of the great test value
to its possessor, is not without an ele-
ment of danger to those upon VIII ON its
power is exercised. There is, however,
a form of this same "charming" quail
ity, and the very highest at that, which
is abs olutely without sting, and which
is productive of greatest good to its
possessor and all who come under it's
influence, and, what is more, may be ac-
quired by any who will place them
selves in the proper attitude toward
their fellow-beings, and strive to radi-
ate kindness and helpfulness rather
than cold, carping criticism and pes
simistic view of things in general.
woman, especially, can have no bet
ter possession than this same quality
of sympathy, and this old world would
be far better place to live in were
more of us endowed with it. The home
keeper who has the unlimited conf
dence of husband and children and
friends is the one in whom the sympa-
thetic quality is constant, who never
fails to enter into all the interests of
others, in sucha manner that her coun-
sci and encouragement are the great
est possible inspiration to achieve
ment.
There are few men who have met
with great success of any kind who
have not been upheld and impelled by
the sympathy of some woman-moth-
er, wife, sister or friend-who never
failed, even when defeat seemed immi-
nent, to speak the encouraging word,
give the tender hand clasp, or dash
the comforting message from eyes
brimming with loving interest. Per-
haps a greater victory over hard ma
terial conditions was never gained than
that exemplified in the life of Abraham
Lincoln, yet we have his own word that
from earliest childhood his ambitions
for better conditions were encouraged,
first by his own mother, and later by
the stepmother who came in her place,
and who was his stanch friend to the
last day of his life, rejoicing at his ele-
walton, and giving her testimony to his
great worth after his life work was
done.
There is not enough of the quality Of
sympathy between women-that is, as
rule. There are notable exceptions,
it is true, and shining examples they
are. But the loyalty which men are
oftener wont to exhibit for each other
is not so common among women as it
should be. In club life, too, sympathy
is of greatest value. The presiding Of
ticer who sees before her faces, glowing
with interest is doubly equipped for
her work; and if the faces into which
she looks are cold and critical, she is
handicapped beyond the estimation Of
any who have not been in similar po-
sition.
A single woman, possessing this in
estimable quality Of sympathy, has
power for good which is far reaching
indeed, rejecting upon all who are as
ISOLATED with her in any capacity.
We're all women to seek to acquire it,
placing themselves in the attitude Of
helpfulness toward all other women,
the result would be an aggregate of
happiness and goodness, too, which
would sweeten life beyond all power
to estimate.