Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-12-06

She had no idea Of going to the meet
ing when she went down town that
morning; but the tailor who vas max
ing her new coat was nOtsreAdy TO try
1t on and told some absurd story OF q
sick child at home and being delayed In
his work, which she did not cpedit at
all, and wondered why such people
should have children anyway. 1t only
made them poor and often inefficient,
she thought. She spoke rather sharply
to the man about not keeping his en-
gagement, as she was fully justified in
doing, according to her standard.
Then she met friend who 10 full Of
enthusiasmon one day over one fad and
one day over another. That day it
happened to be over a minister who
was to talk at the meeting. and, as she
had nothing better to do. she went
with the enthusiast. She expected to
be bored. but, on the contrary, she was
impressed. and what produced this eff
feet Wiz; a story the speaker told.
1t was OF piece of philanthropic
work done years ago by a man in his
parish. 1t was good thing and ac-
| complished much in the way of helping
those in need; but, better than this.
was the fact that son of this man
living in a distant city remembered
his fathers good deed, and. as a need
for similar benefcence. arose in his
city, he repeated his fathers good
work. Il
$50" said the minister, zone good
deed makes others. There is a sort Of
a. contagion Of good deeds, which, if it
only became a real epidemic, might do
a vast amount Of good in the world"
That idea novel to the woman,
seemed to strike her very forcibly, for
she repeated to herself. ''contagion in
good deeds" IAN epidemic of helpful
ness" When the meeting was over
and her friend went up to the platform
to 'fgush'' over the minister, she
slipped away and started home.
All at once she became Illuminated
with the thought that it was her duty.
to help spread this epidemic of good
deeds. She has said since that she
must have caught the contagion, and
it was working in her. She knew she
could not enter into any great philan-s
thropic work. but she had sense enough
to see that much good might be done
osN happiness given Ai Il SIIidli
way.
So the first thing she did was to stop
at florists and buy box of bright
red carnations, spicy with fragrance
and glowing with color, just what
would please child, and these she
took to the tailor's and said they were
for his little one and if it would accom-
modate him she could wait little
longer for her coat.
That was a bit of self-sacrifice only
woman can appreciate; but it made
her very pleased with herself when she
saw a look of relief pass over his face.
and he thanked her, for he said he was
really behind on his work. and 1t was
no fault Of his. ...,..-.. ,,,....,.s., 3. d
Then she remembered the little
woman who was just starting ip- bust
ness. and needed the help and the good
word of other women to gain a foot
hold. s. ass g-re s9s's tss.
The woman was worthy and efficient,
and was trying so hard to keep her
head above water and to care for and
educate her children.
She was not begging; she merely
asked for a chance to show what she
she could get hold on firm ground. Her
wares were all right. There was a
chance for her and a demand for them
If she could only find both.
Now, when this woman had been ap-
realed to to help this struggling sister
she had responded very coldly by de-
claring that she never liked to recon-
mend anybody or the wares they were
trying to dispose of. For what would
suit her might not suit other people,
and she did not like to put herself in
such position.
Besides, it was really too much
trouble to make oneself nuisance to
friends by trying to interest them in
any such projects. Really, she didn't
consider it quite right to do so. Then
she virtuously and figuratively washed
her hands of the whole matter.
But when she caught the contapion
of good deeds her conscience smote her.
for her former action. So the next day
she not only gave the little struggling
woman good order-which Frightened
her life wonderfully-but went round
to all her friends and made 1t a per-
sonal matter that they too, should pat
ronize her. And as this kind of good.
ness is contagious. the epidemic spread
in that neighborhood. and that little
woman's business future is now secure.
So the eood man who told the story
cid even better than he expected. no
doubt,
The contagion of kindness. Who will
help to spread this epidemic and make
the world better thereby?