Evening journal., 1902-03-08
BillParSOn'S 'SCOlumn
Published New and Then.
To See Ourselves As Others See Is
on Real Photograph

OF the meanest man in town.
But the angel will insist he knows
And give the reason why
A camera infallible.
And photos do not lie.
He'll tell you how he took it.
With his new X-ray machine,
Which penetrates through all the rags
And naught can intervene.
And then his gaze win sterner grow
And search you through and through;
And Then hell introduce you to
The MAN YOU NEVER KNEW
@ o 8
Did you ever notice how many ex-
cuses people give for doing or not
doing things, when the real excuse,
kept studiously in the background. Is
a lack of money, or the desire to save
it?"
The question was asked by a hOrrid
man when a number of women we're
giving numerous excuses for not at
tending the opera. The man enjoyed
his laugh, but few days later had
cause to repent his rashness.
In the presence of one of the ladies
who had heard his previous cynical
remark. he was expressing his wish
to take a certain trip which had been
under discussion. but ended by saying
that he was so busy that he feared he
could not get away.
Quick as a flash he was reminded
| by the woman, of his previous remark.
and was asked why he didn't tell the
truth and admit that he couldn't af-
ford to spend the money.
1t is a fact that money troubles are
the most general and persistent of all
our worriment. None so wealthy as
to escape-or at least, they are COM
paratively few. The problem of pro-
viding a shelter for our families, to
feed and clothe them, is the all alb
sorbing matter before the attention
of most men.
1t requires lots of energy, simply TO
live. or rather. to provide the means
of living. It is said that a majority
of the inhabitants of our cities are ten
davs ahead of starvation. If sickness
comes or a position is lost, dire need
is not long in following
Continued illness or idleness means
charity of some sort on the part of
Others. and it may result in that char
ity which is furnished by the county.
Our efforts to conceal the true con-
dition are rather pathetic. but in
sense they are admirable. We have
never ceased TO laugh at Colonel Sell
lers. who assumed to be lavishly hos
/ pitable while treating his guests to d
diet of turnips and water, and who
put a lighted candle in the stove and
when the deception was discovered,
declared it was more healthy than
fire We have all known such char
acters. and there is something in their
conduct which excites our admiration,
while our sympathy is expressed IN
smiles scarcely removed from tears.
So it goes on, the attempt to deceive
ourselves and others while at bottom
we know. and we realize that others
make very shrewd glesses. Yet some
way we feel that there is a self-respect
and propriety in our little evasions
which we ask our friends to forgive
and the recording angel to cover with
drop of ink.
The process Of self-deception is more
extensive than most of us know, and
we are apt to wear 2 mask until we
have lost the acquaintance of our
: selves and would regard our naked
characters as things repulsive and for
eign to ourselves.
In business we assure our patrons
that we are honest and cannot be
tempted to deceive but that does not
I hinder us from marking a lot OF new
goods at 80 cents and drawing a mark
through it and printing 81 cents in red
ink. What is the difference? we ask
The articles are worth the price We
don't say, even to ourselves, however
that We only intended to charge the
latter figure when we bought the goods
and that we are making a comfortable
profit.
We go to church, too, and are proud
to be classed among those who up
hold morality. and we wonder why
certain persons make such a display of
their clothes. and our minds run along
, speculating over the possibilities of
making over at little expense certain
, garments which would be an improve
ment on THAT which has filled us with
y disgust
And we wonder too why certain
men can continue to sit Sabbath after
% Sabbath under the preaching of the
gospel, and yet continue certain prac-
] tices which do not comport with their
religious professions. And then we
walk home, wrapped in our virtue as a
garment. not knowing that we are
self-deceived and that our true photo
graph is in the mind of the other fellow
who smilingly greets us at the church
door and tells us he is so glad to see
q us out at service
. 9 9 o
Nearly all men and women arc hon
( est and virtu0us in the abstract They
e would even like to embrace all tbs
r virtues in their own person If the ef-
e fort were not too painful. and if fail
/ Te were not assured in advance.
We desire our children to inherit and
enlarge upon pur virtues and to elimi-
b nate our vices OF course. If they fail
TO live up to our ideals we throw a
I veil over their shOrtcomi ngs. and por-
v euado ourselves fhaf fho.. .r, - f.t.4