News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1904-04-06

There are certain polite expressions
IN current use, platitudes which rur
glibly from the tongue, ready for al
occasions, much the same, to ready tC
lie very deep, which have no serious
meaning.
Our tActless friends are often well
supplied with these, and on ordinary
occasions and perhaps for a long
Time, they get on very pleasantly,
though they can seldom win others.
But there is sure to come a time when
some uncalled for and out of-place ex-
preston betrays the absence OF tact,
and correspondingly a lack of real
true sympathy, which would have
lett the disturbing words unsaid.
For | much incline to agree with the
article, from which | quoted, having
verified the statement that tact is
based on sympathy or love, in sever
al cases since read it. From careful
observation | have found that lack
OF sympathy, and many people frank
~ admit that they have no sympa-
thy along certain lines, will account
Tor the want of tact, which makes an
oppressive atmosphere for awhile,
when an unfortunatere remark has been
made or an unpleasant subject intro
duced.
The gradiDgs of this inestimable
grace of tact run down so low In some
Instances that the poor souls, who
are said to have no tact, are liable to
be accused of really trying to make
Others uncomfortable, with their un-
graceful way ofsaying things and their
awkward hurting, of what they are
pleased to demOminate plain truths,
at their victims.
But we may we'll be lenient with
them. If they know not how to make
Others comfortable, they pave the
way for their own discomfort. If
they have not sympathy they miss
vast deal OF the true life of the spirit,
and If they are so Injured to an I'M
feeling state of mind, as to gain the
slightest satisfaction from words or
acts, which wound their comrades in
the marching rank about us all, so
much the worse for them. For do
we not know the strong lifting power
of sympathy, closely akin to the love
which holds all power in earth and
heaven?
Who has not seen, and rejoiced in
seeing, the glorious results from the
little wavelets of human sympathy,
flowing out from the great ocean OF
Gods mighty compassion and uniting
in some common aim? Then how all
the littleness of complaint and criti.
cism and anger, and tIetting over
small annoyances, disappears as il
magicaIly swept away. Then one
begins to realize what humanity is at
it's best and forgets how mean IL looks
at it's worst. Yes, one without SYM
pathy will miss the better portion of
life entirely. Will miss all those de.
lighttul returns from making heart
glad, or pathway smoother for it
is sympathy which sees all such OPP
portunities and never fails to i'm
prove them. 1t is sympathy which
las she most beautiful and admired
tact: the gentle, loving touch which
soothes and rests the weary souls.
The tact, which though far removed
from and never to be identified with |
fatterv, can spread around itself an
air of comfort and general good feel |
ing. Possibly we often, but all un-
consciously, discourage the feeble ef
forts toward cultivating this tact in
Others and also IN Ourselves, be cause |
they are crude and trying to our pa.
thence and We fail to see the motive |
or merit inheiing therein. One trying |
to be az. eea bly, social, manifesting
kindly interest, as be thinks, may ask
QupsuOns or make remarks, which |
TT fl the surface of thought and per-
haps trouble the waters beneath. He
meant to be entertaining but knew
not the right thing to say. His ST.
lence would have been more accept |
allie, but how could he know that
And then if a cold repulse or an
ominOus silence reveals to him mis-
take in what he has been saying, he
feels set back and less disposed to cul-
tivate sociability; feels unappreclat-
ed, perhaps angry or sef-condemned,
and says, it may be, II thought was
doing right. but it proves to be all
wrong. | did as well as could, only
to he blamed. | tried to be helpful
and only harmed. will try no more.
will not speak in the future to ques-
ton or warn or advise. | will attend
strictly to my own affairs"
But we cannot thus get away from
our kind; therefore it is better to pa
biently continue trying to cultivate
this art of being social and helpful,
this tact which certainly can be i'm
proved upon and can learn to touch
people pleasantly. Though in some
of regret we may wish we
could avoid all contact, where angles
seem more numerous than curves,
and think we can and will resolutely
shut self within a wall of reserve, the
other atoms are all too near. Inspite
IF ourselves we shall touch them,
alas, if no tender thoughts
abide with us; more roughly if we try
% shun them; but gently, pleasantly
f we can become kindly affectioned
Al |