The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1902-05-02
WI; DO NOT KNOW
EACH OTHER.

The sum total Of any one mans
knowledge is limited quantity. And
perhaps the least known subject of
all is humanity, We are prone to
think that we know people quite
thoroughly while in truth, we know
little or nothing Of them. Many
tongues are let loose to praise, con-
Fdemn, advise or persuade human
beings; many pens are ceaseless in
writing with these same ends in view.
But most Of the speaking and writ
ing misses the mark becauseTof igno-
rance. We see some man of busi-
ness cares we pass him on the street
q thousand times we see the frown
upon his face, the stern, harsh man.
ner during business hours. What
selfish, cold, hard man." we say.
Some day, in moment, and by
chance, we get glimpse Of the inner
soul of that man, and we are astound-
ed to find that we have been utterly
mistaken in our judgment Of the man.
Neighbors often suppose they know
each other when, in reality, they are
total strangers. Some clever woman,
with kindly heart but too long q
tonge, may think she knows all about
her neighbors. She can give their
history, she sees their peculiarities,
she can point out faults and good
qualities and-thinks she speaks the
truth. But there comes time that
tries the heart aud tests the real soul,
and the good woman must need re-
construct her opinions of these same
people that she thought she knew.
So it is with us all. We are sure we
know our fellows. But we do not
know them. How seldom thing it
is that one heart will fully reveal it.
self to another heart. We must
know that there is to be no betrayal
of confidence; we must feel safe in
the love of that other heart; then by
slow degrees and little by little, we
may reveal the real self to some other
heart. And have you ever thought,
kind reader, of the kind of man or
woman that you are willing to con-
| fide in? Our poor hearts often long
to speak burdens into a friendly ear.
1t would give such relief! But to
whom? Not many people, to be sure,
for human beings to whom we may
thus speak are not plentiful. Yet,
here and there among the great mass
of humanity we may find such indi-
viduals. The precious jewel lies
hidden away, surrounded by great
masses mist ri ta'ss Seek diligently for r the
thing of so great value. So with
these faithful and true hearts, in
which we may trust. They are
crowded in by multitude Of un-
worthy human beings. We must
seek diligent if we would find them.
And we must be able to tell dia-
mond from the worthless quartz. 1t
may be hidden in rough exterior ;
it's environment may not be all to
our liking, but it is of the first water,
and we must be able to discriminate.
A man or woman with topge that
speaks at the right time and keeps
silent when silence is wisdom, heart
that beats with sturdy strokes of hu-
man sympathy, a soul that worships
at the altar Of Truth-this is the
man or woman in whom we may
safely trust. This is the individual
that impels us to give them our con-
fidence. Happy the man that finds
such friends They are more preci-
Gus than silver and gold. In the
sunshine of their kindly sympathy one
may open his burdened heart, and
new warmth and hope will come rush
ing in,