The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-10
THE VACATION AND SOCIETY
HUMBUGS.
(Continued.)

(Continued)
There is another class I'm n summer ho-
tel that can make things interesting, and
that is the middle-aged folks. They are
generally very social and want to make
everybody happy, because by so doing
they enjoy more real pleasure themselves
But once in a while you will meet some
one who seems as distant and far away
as a person does that you see through the
wrong end OF an opera glass. But IL may
not be all their fault, for you may be
walking IN the opposite direction as fast
as they are walking their way II you
would both git right down to the Golden
Rule the distance would be obliterated be-
fore you knew II. II some one doesn't
speak 10 you. II you stop 10 think you will
probably remember that you didn't speak
10 them, and that's as broad as II is
long. and a little broader.
People who can enjoy all kinds OF So
ciety are the most happy OF all mortals
on this earth and the one whose educa-
ton Is complete will enjoy all classes.
from the rich TO the poor Money won't
make any difference He will find wisdom
wrapped up in little children. and among
the people who toll for their daily bread
ehe same as our great Thomas jefferson
did, who never knew what false pride
was. but who could write the greatest OF
state papers.
Where puffed up pride exists that being
has not yet completed his educational
course, although he may be able 20 speak
lots of languages and Is set down as a
giant in the world of science. How any
body can sacrifice the honest. tried friend
ships OF early life Is more than / can
understand. Just because one has got a
smattering OF knowledge I'm one line and
another and has been fortunate enough
To- accumulate a lot OF money or has had
some handed down 10 him by the kind
ness OF some dead relative.
II was Diogenes who truthfully said.
when / behold people who can be in
fiated with pride on account OF their
riches or honors. / cannot help thinking
them the most foolish Of all animals" 4"
There Isn't anybody who can deny that
For my part like TO think OF the holly
hooks down I'm the country and or the old
fashioned rosebush that grew over the
old kitchen window at the Marsh place
I'm Canterbury, Where an old-fashioned
face peered through the window at folks
as they drove by. Twas the face of old
Mrs. Marsh. AS simple I'm her life as the
daylight. but as honest as the sun that
gives us the light and warmth that we
need. Bless her old soul / always en-
joyed meeting her. and all Of the wisdom
and knowledge OF Solomon, and the riches
OF the earth couldn't have changed my
estimate OF that old lady of the common
people.
Much learning doesn't as rule make
men mad as applied 20 st. Paul by the
ancient Judge of Israel but much educa-
tlon that changes the natures of men and
women so that they lose their natural
amibility, jumping up 10 n plane whereby
they can hold themselves aloof from the
common people whose society they feign
no longer TO enjoy. makes them worse
than mad. These are the educated fools i:
the real laughing stock OF the world. For
who but a foolish man can give up the
Associations of his early life among the
honest common people OF which ne was a
member until he found he had overrcached
this sphere I'm his imagination by much
money and learning. I never could en-
dure such folks
Such characters make mo think OF the
Hopl<inses. Sylvanus Hopkins and his
whole family were always thought 10 be
everybody in the community up TO the
the best kind Of folks. and beloved by
time Of the Civil War. Then all OF Il
sudden he got hold OF lot OF money as
hundreds of other men did throughout
New England who didn't go to WORK b Il
who staid at home 20 see how much they
could accumulate on the calamity that
men were not worth much TO Uncle Sam
I'm those days and more'n they are AT
present
Well as was saying he made lot Of
money and sot TO buying up real estate
here and there throughout the town until
he was counted one Of the biggest land
owners hereabout BY the time the war
was over Melinda Hopkins his Wife, got to
be so proud she wouldn't even notice her
old friends. except 20 barely bow when
she met them I'm certain places where she
couldn't very we'll help It, 10
say nothing about associating with
them Well, OF course, the whole family
followed suit. for it's the mother who sets
the example that is followed by the chill
dren. and she's the one who will likely
the most TO answer for in the develop
ment OF their characters.
Time went on. and Mr.. Hopkins went to
speculatlng in one thing and another,
and after he'd seen lot OF his money
lost he took 10 drinking strong liquor
'Twasn't more'n ten years after that he
found he wasn't the owner OF n foot Of
land in the county, and. finally, died
without a dollar TO be left TO his fam
ily
Now, there's n true example that ought
10 be a lesson 10 anybody who knows
about it. Before he died Melinda had
changed back again 10 where she used 10
he. For when she hadn't got any money
II made her feel dreadful lonely 20 think
she hadn't got any friends TO go and see
and none to call at her house, FOR she
found that her aristooratic friends dis
appeared gradually as her husbands prop
erty began 20 grow less and less. until
she found there were none left 10 visit
her Some OF the women folks OF the
town wouldn't accept a renewal OF her
friendship. for they said 'it serves her
right" But there isn't any Christian
spirit I'm such talk. and most all OF the
old neighbors took her back and used her
Just the same as before. and n little bet
ter N anything. because they knew she
needed a. We used 10 have some real
pleasant talks together after that. and she
used 20 often say that she believed the
loss OF material wealth many times fitted