The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-20

Once upon a school girl time suffered
the companionship of very nice girl who
thought because was amiable and be-
cause we roomed together she could take
all manner OF unnecessary liberties with
me. Amiable, I hope I am, but have my
own little ways and our friendship was
wrecked upon her reckless use of my
comb and brush. my gloves and boots,
my best hats and parasols. Friendship is
often long-suffering and will bear many
strains, but to be an ideal friend find out
the special preferences and weaknesses
ton, and do not rush in and take large
liberties where angels dare not tread
How to Hold a Friend.
LAS we are mincing no matters on this
OCCASION" l ventured, II may as we'll
warn you that you can never hold your
friends unless you preserve a more loyal
attitude toward them than you can now
boast The spinster blushed, but I held
boldly on my way. "You are guilty Of
the grievous sin of violating condolences,
and that is what you must never do.
Whatever your friend tells you under bond
of secrecy keep strictly to yourself.
because one tells what the other has con-
fided under VOWS of everlasting silence.
You must be loyal If you would be
loved and trusted, and you were not a
bit loyal when at luncheon last week you
heard Miss Jones severely criticized by
your hostess. Fidelity to her demanded
that you defend her valiantly from all
aspersion that might be cast upon her in
your presence. You did not, however.
You have visited at her house and driven
in her carriage and shared her seats at
the theater, but you sat silently by and
shrugged your shoulders when some gos-
sip remarked that Miss Jones was as close
as the bark is to the tree, and that she
dyes her hair. Whether these assertions
are true or false is not germane to the
point 1 wish to make, which is that you
have yet to learn that you must be very
jealous for the high reputation Of those
you call your friends. Never allow any
body to. gossip unkindly of those you pro-
TESS to admire, and in turn be sure that
the same loyal defense will be made when
you are absent and your actions and your
looks and your character are assailed.
Above all things, my DEAR" I COM
mented to my MISREPRESENTATION and re-
pentant caller, do not be hypercritical
and profess friendship that you do not
feel. Better have two friends for whom
you cherish genuine sentiment of re-
your strength of affectionate defense when
their names are slightingly spoken.
A Powerful Attraction.
Hamlet speaks of graphing your tried
friends to your soul with hooks Of steel,
and If you wish to know of what those
hooks are made and how forged, just
try the powerful attraction Of sympathy
in your friendly associations. If you do
not possess that subtle and intangible
force which we call animal magnetism
and which draws human beings about
you, use as a splendid substitute the
charm of sympathy. Look and speak your
sympa thy. You don't know how approach
able it will render you. Nothing is so
satisfying to ones heart and vanity as
to feel that our gongs and comings, our
joys, our sorrows are of interest to an
other, and do not hesitate to admit
that like and love the person who takes
the time and the pains to listen with abb
sorbing attention to where I have been,
what I have heard and done, etc.
II call my real friends those persons
whose sympathetic interest in me Is very
great and who take trouble on my ac-
count; who, If I meet them after an alb
sence Of ten years, greet me with glad
eyes and warm handshakes; who think
no evil of me and will hear none said of
me, and between whom and myself there
is a mutual trustfulness and an unfailing
courtesy" Adelaide Gordon