Waterbury Democrat., 1902-03-20
THE POWER OF SYMPATHY.
The HomeIxeeper Can Have No Better Possessfon Than This Same
 Quality.

We hear often of the charming" qualities of this or that 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 maks it almost impossible to say no to them
 Others have vast power over those with whom they are associated, sway ing them by mere force of will, and so strongly is this sometimes manifested that body of men or women will hnd themselves irreyocably 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 Elizabeth Robbins Berry, in Boston Budget.
 1t will thus be seen that the quality of charm" while of the grea test value to its possessor, is not without an ele- ment of danger to those upon whom it's power is exercised. There is, however, form of this same charming quail ity, and the very highest at that, which is absolutely without sting, and which is productive of greatest good to it's possessor and all who come under its influence, and, wha 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 kindliness and helpfulness rather than cold, carping criticism and pes- simistic view of things ingeneraL
 A woman, especially, can have no bet ter posses sion 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 confi- 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 such manner that her coun- sel 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- CT, wife, sister or friend-who never failed, even when defeat seemed immi- nent, to speak the encoura ging 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 exemplifedin 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- vation, 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 a 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- ficer who sees before her faces glowing 2 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 a power for good which is far reaching indeed, refecting upon all who are as- sociated with her in any capacity. Were all women to seek to acquire it. placing themselves in the attitude of helpfulness toward all other women, the result would lss an aggregate of happiness and goodness, too, which would sweeten life beyond all power to estimate.