The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-03-19

1t Is the fashion In these days to re-
gard very lightly your duty toward your
neghbor. You are supposed to display the
most courteous consideration when you let
him quite severely alone. At least that Is
the rule in the big, bustling, busy cities.
where nobody Is expected to have the time
for neighborly duties. and In the country
colonies also where there Is group OF
summer residents who court only the So
oiety Of their special friends.
When you live in q metropolis such as
New York or Chicago for example, 1t Is
not any longer essential to cherish any in
terest or acknowledge any responsibility
for the human beings who live IN the
aame block or apartment house where you
dwell. have been told, with something
akin to pride. by one who lived eight years
In an apartment house, that she has not,
in all that time, claimed even calling
acquaintance with any of the families who
share the shelter of the same roof
Again, I have visited In pretty country
homes the occupants Of which courted
no communication with the village in
habitants on the owners Of the hadjoin-
ing farms, and I know many otherwise
kindhearted and apprOachablo men and
women who have pleasant homes In we'll
kept streets and live In bllssful ignorance
Of so much as the names Of those who &C.
cupy the houses to right or left OF them.
The NeIghborIy Spirit.
Now this may be called a species of
Independence, but 1t certainly Is not
neighborliness. and l shall always MAIN
tain that 1t Is very requisite and very ad-
mirable to know how to be an agreeable,
q valuable, a pleasant and dependable
netghbor. For my own part have little
admiration for the snobbish and self-cen-
tered individuals who begrudge the time
and effort spent in establishing pleasant
relations with those next door, across the
street, or down the road; or who ignore
their nearest residents because of sense
OF social inequality.
One way to win esteem in this world Is
to devote considerable thought and care
to your relations with the men, women
and children who live In your vicinity, anc
TO evince toward them the true spirit Of
neighborliness. whether they are italian
squatters or descendants Of the May
flower Pilgrim fathers and mothers
Demonstrated in tho right way, there re-
mains doubt or question but that this
spirit Is none other than an importan
phase Of the philosophy Of real agreeable
1ty and that the man or woman who dis
plays 1t generously Is sure to charm II
the other social relations Of life.
The truest and best spirit of neighbor
illness Is first and foremost no respects
of persons, and Is made manifest by al
air of friendly interest. Your duty towar'
your neighbor demands that you conside
him Of Importance because he lives nea
you, and realize that in friendly enthus
iasm only can community be held to
gether. 1t does not make any dIfferenc
whether the Jones family next door ar
rich, beautiful, interesting or sympathetic
you still owe them a certain amount O
Consideration and kindness, simply be
cause they are your neighbors
When they move into your street o
apartment house, or rural locality, It /
your business to do something to max
them welcome. Extend the right hand O
courteous greeting at once. Don't let
couple Of months elapse before you &c
around to that duty, for there Is no com
fort compliment In delayed first ca
unless you have a very obvious and ade
quate excuse to offer.
If you are inclined to believe that tn
Joneses are busy setting UP their house
hold gods and therefore would be some
what embarrassed to receive you, folio
the excellent example Of a friend Of mir
whose conduct 7 can commend as thu
of one who is in all things the ideal neigl
Dor. When a new family begins to set u
their Lares and Penates in her vcinit
she sends to the mother Of the house
hold, by the hand Of a servant, a pleasal
little note. In this she presents her con
pliments, announces that she will assu1r
the privilege of calling later, and e,
presses the hope that If in the meantin